Women's Healing Circle

Do you have a question about health and well being that you would like to have answered by an expert?

Sometimes a question arises in our lives that does not require a consultation session, but does warrant a response.

In our "Ask The Expert" feature, Anisa Abeytia will bring her years of experience and years of training in various healing traditions together to answer your questions.

You will receive a well researched, professional answer that gives background information as well as praactical tips that you would not receive on a free database.

Anisa has been consulted with by clients world wide and her work has appeared in five different languages.

So go ahead and Ask the Expert, it's your health, it's worth knowing. 

Depending on your need, we have a plan to fit you.

Questions are typically answered within the following 48 hours.

This is not meant to take the place of advice from a medical doctor. We do not diagnosis or prescribe. Before starting any new program please consult with your physician.

Here is an example of a well phrased question. It provides background as well as other health conditions this person may have:

"I need to send my mother in Bangladesh some supplements. She is 67 years old. She has gout (every few months or so her knee and ankle swell so painfully she has to limp for a few days until it gets better). Nobody in her family has gout. Latest test results showed her kindey funtioning is not optimum. She currently takes blood pressure stabilizers - sometimes it fluctuates and she gets dizzy spells. She has suffered from osteoporosis for a more than 30 years now, and tests show that it's getting worse.

She requested calcium magnesium supplements. Should I also throw in Vitamin C? How about Bromelain and Grape Seed extract. Anything else that you could reccommend?"

Arizona, USA 

Here is my response:

May Allah give your mother shifa. I broke your question into these two categories to answer it:

Gout

Since there is no family history of gout, there is a strong possibility that it is diet related. Gout typically is a build up of uric acid in the joints, most notably the bid toe. Uric acid is a bi-product of protein metabolism. Excess uric acid is excreted to the kidneys, joints, tissues and tendons and this can cause inflammation. If your mother already is not doing this, she should avoid:

• foods rich in purines: organ meat, beans, legumes, beer and wine
• refined flour, white rice, sugar, honey During an attack of gout avoid: mushrooms, peanuts, shellfish, herring, mackerel
• avoid niacin (B3)

Pseudo Gout or Calcium Pyrophosphate Dihydrate Crystal Deposition (CPPD) is similar to gout, but is calcium that is deposited in the joints rather than uric acid. Check to see if your mother has crystal deposits before she begins to take calcium supplements. You can also have her iron levels checked, they tend to be high with pseudo gout.

Here are a few tips:

• 8-10 glasses of water a day
• 1/2 lb (250 g) of dark cherries or strawberries (fresh or frozen) a day to eliminate uric acid
• moderate exercise
• fasting can increase uric acid
• bromelain (Jarrow is good) 500 mg a day in three doses, on an empty stomach
• protease digestive enzyme to assist protein digestion (Enzymatic Therapy) 3 caps a day with meals. Or a full spectrum digestive enzyme
• vitamin C 3000-5000 mg, buffered, in divided doses.
• zinc 15-30 mg daily,Typical deficiency during gout attack

Quercetin 200-400 daily, reduces inflammation and inhibits uric acid

Increase intake of vegetables

High blood pressure and kidney problems are commonly associated with gout.

Osteoporosis

There are 24 known nutrients necessary for bone health, the most important being vitamin D (from the sun, supplements or fatty fish)) and calcium. In women, hormonal regulation also plays a factor. Estrogen aids in the incorporation of calcium into the bones. The thyroid gland also plays a part because of the hormone calcitonin.

Diets high in protein are also associated with osteoporosis, while vegetarian diets are associated with low rate of osteoporosis. This may also tie in with the gout.

Calcium alone will not build up bone density. Calcium has co-factors that must be present in order for the body to use it. Potassium, magnesium and vitamin D should also be considered when looking for a supplement. Since your mother has a kidney problem- SHE Should Not Take POTASSIUM.

The recommended intake for calcium to prevent osteoporosis is 1,000-1,22 mg daily in for form of calcium citrate ( decreases the chances of kidney stones).

• Magnesium 500 mg three times a day
• Vitamin D 200 IU twice a day
• There are many supplements available in the market.

In addition:

• Weight bearing exercise promotes bone health.
• Reduce stress, stress pulls calcium out of the bone matrix
• Reduce consumption of leafy greens and other vegetables.
• Reduce intake of soda (carbonation pulls calcium form our bones), caffeine and sugar.
• Check the thyroid gland
• Check if there is adequate hydrochloric acid. This can impair calcium absorption.

Here are example of other questions:

"My 3 month old won't nurse, cries a lot and her stomach is hard- what can I do?"

" My daughter has anemia. How can I boost her iron intake? "

" What is the difference between black cumin seed and echinacea?"

"I'm afraid of having an epidural, but I'm scared that I won't be able to take the labor pains. I really want to have a natural birth, but the pain scares me. Is there a natural way to ease the pains of labor?'

"Is there such a thing as natural birth control?"

" I was taking a shower and was washing my hair and my hair came out in clumps!! I couldn’t stop crying. How can I stop it?"

"I feel so sad all the time. I'm always mad at my kids and I just want to be left alone. I am so mad at myself for feeling this way. I don't know what to do."

"I want to start eating more healthy. Can you suggest some things or where I can start?"