House Call Tips

I love to get in the kitchen on a Sunday morning. My favorite breakfast is three eggs cooked in butter with a side of grass-fed steak. Plenty of protein and omega-3s. My family wakes up to the delicious smell, and you can’t beat the taste. We love steak and eggs.

But recently, I went back to the good old-fashioned cast-iron pots and pans my grandmother used to use. I threw out all my Teflon. As convenient as they are, I won’t use them.

The chemical that manufacturers use to prevent food from sticking is called perfluorooctanoate acid (PFOA). This substance is highly toxic to the environment and to the human body.

When you cook with Teflon, the toxic chemical gets into your food. Plus, the toxic fumes are released into the air. You don’t smell a thing. But anyone within breathing distance is in danger.

Most pet owners know, if you leave a Teflon pan on a hot stove, the fumes can kill your pet birds. Imagine what these fumes are doing to you and your family.

And it’s not just Teflon pans…

PFOA is used in other slippery products as well. Things like cleaners, polishes, and shampoo.

No wonder DuPont, who makes Teflon, was sued by 15 states. And 3M, who makes Scotchgard, had to change its formula.

PFOA gets in your liver, kidneys, and thyroid gland. Men, it gets in your testes. It compromises your immune system. It causes infertility, birth defects, and cancer. And it’s not like washing germs off your hands. It stays in your body for decades.

Eliminate your exposure to this toxic substance wherever you can. This means thinking carefully about how you prepare your food at home. Consider using cast-iron cookware or enamel-coated pans.

To help get these chemicals out of your body, add these natural supplements to your diet:

• Chlorella: Chlorella is a dried algae. It’s a complete protein with anti-cancer and immune-building properties. It has been used for hundreds of years as a detoxifier. Take 500 mg per day to start and up to 20-30 g a day.
• Spirulina: Another high-protein algae, spirulina is an ancient detoxifier. Again, start with about 500 mg a day and up to 25 g a day.
• Cilantro: This is a delicious herb you can use in cooking and salads. I like to munch on it for a snack. You can eat as much as you want… the more the better. Start with a handful.

To protect your cells against damage, try this:

• Alpha Lipoic Acid: It’s an antioxidant that detoxifies and protects your cells. It also helps other antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, and CoQ10 work better. Take 100 mg a day.
• SAMe: This is your liver’s super nutrient. It helps to reverse the effect of chemicals. Take up to 200 mg a day.
• MSM: A great detoxifier, MSM also provides relief from pain and allergies. Take 900 mg up to 3 times a day.
• Milk Thistle: Great for your liver, kidney, pancreas, and all organs affected by toxic exposure. Take 300-600 mg a day.

To Your Good Health,

Al Sears, MD