From the Desk of Dr. Karl R.O.S. Johnson, DC.....

Introducing Dr. Evelin Valdez

My name is Dr. Evelin Valdez, and I am a AMNA (American Medical Naturopathic Association) board-certified Traditional Naturopathic Doctor.  I graduated from the Naturopathic Institute of Therapies and Education in Mt Pleasant, Michigan, in December of 2022.  My training of over 2600 hours includes, among many modalities, Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Nutrition, Healing with Foods, Muscle Response Testing, Western Herbalism, Light Healing Touch, Cranio-Sacral Therapy, Color and Sound Therapy, Bodywork, Reflexology, Homeopathy, Iridology, Sclerology, Meridian and Chakra work, Feng Shui, Essential Oils, and Bach Flowers, Vaccines, and Environmental Toxins. My course work consisted of classroom training, directed studies for each classroom module, client consultations, hands on therapeutic work, and 4 research papers in the field of natural healing. I also carry liability insurance through the Alternative Balance Professional Group.

My Motivation to help people with their health

I have always been interested in how the body functions and why certain ailments affect some people but not others and how these states of dis-ease can be prevented and cured. I remember my mother and grandmother using home remedies like compresses, teas, and rest to get over health challenges. I have successfully used many of these home remedies for my own family throughout the years. For most of my adult life however, I have heard, seen, and experienced great dissatisfaction with how the medical system approaches and treats disease.  I wanted to understand more about the healing powers of nature and decided to pursue an education in Natural Healing. For me, being able to help others has always been very satisfying and my passion to help people become and stay healthy has grown to the point where I decided to make it my second career. 

For years I have been drinking green tea based on all the researched health benefits. Recently, however, I learned that a diet high in oxalates can cause a myriad of health problems. Since black and green tea are considered to be high in oxalates, I decided to stop drinking these types of teas and instead increase my intake of rooibos tea. Truth be told, I've had Rooibos tea in my tea cupboard for years, but didn't really investigate how many health benefits it possesses. Perhaps you haven't heard of this herbal tea. Maybe it's time you checked it out too. It is very healthy, delicious and very low in oxalates. Now that's a winning combination! 

Basic Differences Between Rooibos Tea and Green Tea

Rooibos tea and green tea are both known for their numerous health benefits, but they have some key differences that make them unique. One of the main differences between the two teas is that rooibos is low in oxalates, while green tea contains high levels of oxalates. In this blog post, we will explore the health benefits of rooibos tea and green tea and discuss the importance of oxalates in relation to health.

Rooibos Tea

Rooibos, also known as red bush tea, is a well-known herbal tea, consumed for centuries by the Khoisan people of South Africa, has displayed potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, redox modulating, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, cardiometabolic support and organoprotective potential. This popular herbal tea that originated in South Africa is made from the leaves of the Aspalathus linearis plant and has a unique, slightly sweet and nutty flavor. Interestingly, rooibos tea only grows in the mountainous Cederberg region of South Africa.

One attractive feature of rooibos tea is that it is naturally caffeine-free. This makes it a great alternative to traditional tea or coffee for those who are sensitive to caffeine or for those who want to avoid caffeine for other reasons. Caffeine can cause jitteriness, anxiety, and trouble sleeping, and can also lead to dehydration.

Some healthy foods can cause harm to our bodies

I developed an interest in this topic after my spouse and several patients were plagued with stalled improvement of their health challenges. Why were they not responding and being helped with tried and true methods that worked for so many others? When a patient has less than optimal healing, and is a highly compliant patient, this drives me to search out and acquire the healing puzzle piece(s) that will help that person recover as fully as possible.  

A recent patient told me about her health being harmed by oxalates in food. Before this, I really didn't know this substance was a component of many so-called healthy foods, while also being a little known health risk. As is pretty typical, this piqued my interest and lo and behold more information on this topic streamed my way. Currently our household is on a trial period of reducing foods high in oxalates to see if some stubborn health challenges diminish. So far, I can tell you we are quite pleased with the results...even after 4 days on eating a lower oxalate diet.

When a patient has less than optimal healing, and is a highly compliant patient, this drives me to search out and acquire the healing puzzle piece(s) that will help that person recover as fully as possible.

Dr. Karl R.O.S. Johnson, DC, BCN, FIFHI

What are Oxalates?

The Brain's Goldilock's Principle Your Must Learn

Too much, or too little, iron can permanently damage the brain!

NOT ENOUGH: Low iron has been linked to many health problems, including fatigue, restless legs syndrome, developmental delays, lower I.Q., decreased resistance to infections, ADHD, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, psychotic disorders, brain fog, memory loss, hair loss, and Tourette’s.    

Thinking about getting pregnant and want your child to have a healthy brain? Your iron levels need to be in a healthy range starting at conception.  

A pregnant woman that is low in iron, or has decreased iron availability, early in her pregnancy can cause lifelong neurodevelopmental disorders like ADHD, low I.Q., developmental delays, and decreased brain maturation. The health of a child starts with the health of the mother the day they are conceived and having adequate iron stores throughout her pregnancy is an essential part of being a heathy mother. This is why work with women to ensure they are as healthy as possible, and have ideal iron levels, before, during, and pregnancy.   

January is Thyroid awareness month

Intermittent Fasting (IF) is currently one of the world's most popular health and fitness trends.

Besides assisting with weight loss, IF has many additional health benefits I will share in this article.

By definition, intermittent fasting is an eating pattern that involves regular, short-term fasts — or periods of minimal or no food consumption. Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern where you cycle between periods of eating and fasting.

You start your eating at noon and your last meal at 8 pm.

You are technically fasting for 16 hours every day, and restricting your eating to an 8-hour eating window.This is the most popular form of intermittent fasting, known as the 16/8 method.

Image via Pexels

According to a recent poll, only 38% of Americans report they are happy with their lives. If you are among the remaining 62%, Johnson Chiropractic Neurology & Nutrition has some tips to help you live your best life.