Do You Have Parasites?

by Glen Depke

I know this is gross but real!

I often have clients visit Depke Wellness completely frustrated with their lack of success in reaching their health goals. This may be tied into insomnia, fatigue, depression or a wide array of symptom challenges. Often they have spend thousands of dollars and years of focus, but to no avail. Very often this is because they have not addressed and underlying challenge that is very often overlooked. The challenge is pathogenic parasites.

So how common are parasites? What types of parasites more commonly affect human beings? What are the common symptoms associated with parasites? Are these limited to the gastrointestinal tract? Will they have an affect on your health? How do you test for these? How do you rid your body of these invaders?

Most other "experts" will suggest that 50% or more of us are infected with some type of pathogenic parasite. I will share though that I find this percentage much higher in those with chronic health challenges. If you fit into this category, it is recognized withing Depke Wellness that this is often closer to 75% or more. Scary but true.

While there are many parasites that affect both humans and animals alike, here is a list of those that are most commonly found within our culture. While some of these are not technically defined as parasites, they are the most common of parasitic type infections.

• Hookworms
• Threadworms
• Tapeworms
• Roundworms
• Ascarids
• Flukes
• Whipworms
• Amoebae
• Giardia
• Blastocyctis
• Cryptosporidium
• Pathogenic bacteria

 Here is a list of common symptoms associated with parasitic type infections.

• Chronic diarrhea
• Chronic diarrhea or/alternating with constipation
• Nausea
• Intestinal cramps
• Dizziness
• Changes in appetite
• Vomiting
• Fowl-smelling gas
• Indigestion
• Bloating
• Multiple food allergies
• Loss of appetite
• Weakness and fatigue
• Itching around the anus - especially at night (indicating pinworms)
• Restlessness and difficulty sleeping
• Sore and aching intestines
• Weight loss (although not necessarily)
• Itching on the soles of the feet - sometimes accompanied by a rash
• Bloody sputum in some cases
• Fever followed by loss of appetite
• Palpitations (indicating hookworms)
• Anemia
• Fatigue
• Muscle pain
• Conjunctivitis
• Facial swelling around the eyes (indicating trichinosis).
• Wheezing and coughing, followed by vomiting, stomach pain and bloating (suggesting ascariasis or threadworms) 

While parasitic infections are often associated with the gastrointestinal tract, they are not exclusive to this area of the body. These can create challenges anywhere and are commonly found in the liver, lungs and even the face and eyes. Truly, no where is safe.

It is also very important to be aware that these pathogenic parasitic type infections likely will have a significant affect on your health and well-being. I share with my clients that the average length of time between your initial contamination and actually realizing this infection, is about 11 years. During this time, your body may slowly but steadily begin to lose proper function.

While this can all lead to significant health issues, this does not need to be the case. If you can have these tested and get on the proper protocol to assist your body in overcoming this infestation, you will provide yourself with the necessities to live into your own health and balance. I find that testing is very important, since different parasitic infections do not respond to the same supplementation protocol. So many make it seem as easy as taking a colon cleanse, but far too often that is not the case. While a general parasite cleanse will work for many different types of parasites, this may not be a significant benefit for someone with cryptosporidium or an enterobactor infection. I only use these as an example.

I will also share that testing with a reputable lab that has a passion for uncovering these pathogenic parasitic type infections is a key. Nobody wants to spend hundreds of dollars for false negative lab result. This is why I have used one specific lab testing company for years in my practice. You know the old saying, "if it's not broke, don't fix it."

Lastly, recognize that most of these pathogens are addressed with relative ease using herbal and supplemental protocols while there is one that seems to only respond to pharmaceutical intervention. Regardless, it is imperative to address these challenges.

If you have any comments or questions in regard to this article, feel free to leave this below and I will address it personally.

Shocking...or Not?!

This was a message from one of my colleagues, Dr Andreas Marx, that I simply had to share. Sometimes I still get shocked by what happens in this world we live in.


While reading a German newspaper, an article about vaccination caught my attention. By now many of us are familiar with the pros and cons. What mainly concerns me about today’s established vaccines are the preservatives they contain. Many vaccines are preserved with a mercury solution, and we all know the many side effects.
The news article reported that the British pharmacy giant “Glaxo Smith Kline” tested a new vaccine in Argentina and was fined in court. Fourteen (14) children died during their test. The company manipulated poor, underage and illiterate parents to sign their consent form. The vaccine was designed against lung and ear infections.

Will They Ever Learn?

In 2008, forty-nine (49) babies died in a clinic in India, where western pharmaceutical companies were involved in clinical tests. In 1996, Pfizer tested a new antibiotic against lung and ear infection on 200 children in Nigeria, and eleven (11) children died. A significant number ended up blind, deaf, and brain damaged.

The industry continues to test new drugs in third world countries. About 50% of new pharmaceutical drugs are tested in India, Africa and China.

Thyroid and Dropping Pounds

by Glen Depke

While I do not typically focus on thyroid health when discussing weight loss, we don't want to leave this out of the equation because it does play a significant role in regard to dropping pounds.

Today I will share my opinions on thyroid health and I would be willing to bet that most of this information will be completely new to you in this regard.

First of all, let's separate hyper from hypothyroid.

Hyperthyroidism is a whole other can of worms compared to hypothyroidism. First of all, most with hyperthyroidism will typically lose weight as the natural imbalance due to this health challenge. Secondly, I want to be very clear that hyperthyroidism can be a very serious and potentially deadly challenge. If you are diagnosed with hyperthyroidism be sure to work with an Endocrinologist as well as your Natural Health Practitioner.

So what we are really looking at here in regard to weight loss is actually addressing hypothyroidism. What we are talking about here is simply the thyroid simply not producing enough thyroid hormone. When this is the case most individuals will be challenged with weight gain.

Now you have all heard many times that this would call for a need of thyroid hormone prescriptions or on the natural front, possibly iodine. Today though, you are going to understand some other challenges as tied into hypothyroidism.

I first want to share some thoughts based on one of my colleagues, Dr Robert Janda. Dr Janda is a master at A/K which is a form of muscle testing to understand the underlying core issues as tied into your health challenges. Dr Janda has shared with me more than once that so often the thyroid is hypo due to challenges with pathogenic infections and specifically worms. Once the pathogens are addressed the thyroid finds balance on its own. I know that Dr Janda will often suggest worm oil to address this issue, so I would recommend you seek the advice of a quality A/K practitioner and ask for you thyroid to be checked for pathogens and specifically worms.

The other significant issue is tied into the metabolic activity of the thyroid. Simply put, your thyroid uses quite a bit of energy on a regular basis, so if the metabolic activity is low, your thyroid will mirror this.

To improve your metabolic activity it is important to stimulate your mitochondria function. Your mitochondria is the little engine that drives every cell in your body and especially important for areas of the body that require loads of energy. One being your thyroid glands.

Here is a list of supplements that will assist in increasing this metabolic activity:

• Co enzyme Q10 or CoQ10
• Magnesium
• Vitamin B Complex
• Pantothenic Acid or B5

While these are excellent supplements to improve this metabolic activity and thyroid improvement, they will not provide much of an effect if the underlying challenge is tied into a pathogenic infection as mentioned above.

Please use this information to address your thyroid function and eventually weight loss. If you are trying to lose weight with an under active thyroid, you are swimming upstream.

If you have any comments or questions in regard to this article, please leave this below and I will respond to this personally.

A Year of Barefoot Running

by Glen Depke

I cannot believe it has been a year since I started barefoot running. For those that do not know or remember the origination of the story, I have not been able to run on any level without pain and inflammation.

I originally went through a complete 10 session series of Rolfing with Manny Aragon. During this Manny assisted me with many bodily compensations due to and old football injury that occurred when I was 17 years old. To put it simply Manny had to teach me how to walk properly again.

Once I went through the Rolfing and found my proper gait, Manny then presented the concept of barefoot running. He described the 3 arches of the foot and how running barefoot with a front of mid foot landing, you would actually utilize all the arches in the foot. The idea was that this in turn would take pressure off the knees, hips and lower back.

As a Traditional Naturopath, this intrigued me as I am always looking for the most natural way to do anything.

So with this said, I started barefoot running at the beginning of 2011. Just to define this, I am running with Vibrams which allow protection from the elements while still allowing my foot to move natural without padding.

After a year, I am happy to share that I still run pain and inflammation free. This is still so shocking to me though, since my knee used to blow up like a balloon even with running very short distances. Oh and to be able to run without pain. I can't even begin to share how awesome that feels.

Just to be clear, I do not run long distances. I typically get up in the morning and run for about 1 mile and generally do this 5 to 6 times per week. While this may not seem like much to "serious" runners, this is huge for me! Before the beginning of 2011, it has been almost 30 years of pain and inflammation whenever I run.

I believe the 3 biggest impacts on my pain and inflammation free running has been Rolfing with Manny Aragon, adjusting my gait and of course the barefoot (Vibram) running.

Celebrate 100 Consecuctive Depke Wellness Newsletters!

by Glen Depke

Today is actually number 100! Yes, this is 100 consecutive weeks of research, articles, blogging, and releasing health information to you.

I have to say that it is a pleasure for Depke Wellness to provide this for you and we trust that you can feel our joy and excitement through our articles, blogs and videos. This is all a labor of love, except of course for the occasional technical difficulties. LOL!

With all the excitement behind us we want to share that there is so much more building. Coming up as we speak, our website, newsletter and blog is undergoing quite a facelift. We are going to be providing additional online assessments to...

• Assess your Nutritional ID
• Assess your Adrenal Fatigue
• Assess your Gluten Intolerance
• Video introduction into the healing protocols used by Depke Wellness
• And so much more

We are also changing the Depke Wellness Store...

• Adding a Kids Supplement area
• Adding the line of homemade soaps, candles and so much more from Dawn's line of sacred scents
• Increasing the video availability of every aspect of Depke Wellness Protocols
• Adding more easily absorbed and assimilated liquid based supplements

We also wanted to share that we are going to be offering a variety of games, giveaways and fun in building our newsletter list this year. We have been sending our newsletter to approximately 1100 individuals over the past 2 years and we are making the commitment to reach out to 10,000 total by the end of 2012.

For every new person that views our newsletter, blog and website, that is simply one more person that will be provided with a deeper level of understanding in regard to natural health, natural healing protocols, and the underlying core values of our health and happiness.

Remember, Depke Wellness is not only about wellness for yourself, but Wellness for the World!

Beat Holiday Stress

by Glen Depke

Seeing as Christmas is only 5 days away, I am sure you are already engulfed in holiday spirit right?

Maybe if it's the spirit of the holiday Grinch I suppose.

Perhaps you are one of the lucky ones that shopped early, had everything wrapped by December 1st and all there is left to do is attend some exciting gatherings.

So what are the rest of us doing?

Running around like chickens with our heads cut off. Still looking for those last minute gifts, fighting the crowds, stressed about the cash we've already spent, stressed about family members visiting, worried about getting every nook and cranny cleaned in the house...you get the picture. I am sure many of you could add to this list many times over.

So here's some tips to turn these last 5 days into something joyous rather the stressous. Do you like my new word, stressous? Anyway here you go...

1.  Breathe, yes breathe! When you are under stress your breath will become shallow and your fight or flee end of your nervous systems takes over. Yikes! This is no way to spend the holiday season. When you notice that you are feeling stressous, take 3-5 really deep belly breaths to shift you into the calming nervous system reaction. This plays such a huge roll in your whole body's function.
2. Drink lots of water. We all know that there are many parties at this time of the year and often this leads to an over consumption of alcohol. ALWAYS have a large glass of water between every alcoholic indulgence and be sure to show up at the parties properly hydrated. 
3. Consume a healthy snack or small meal prior to going out. This will ensure that you have proper nutrition already working on your side, keep you from indulging in too many sweet holiday treats and ensure that you will not be drinking on an empty stomach. That is a definite no, no.
4. Be prepared that things often don't work out as planned but trust that they truly always work out. Due to the increase in people, places and things to do, this will puts us into the dependency of others much more significantly during this time of the year. If you are expecting the stores at the mall, Uncle Charlie, Aunt Harriet, or that perfect parking spot at the mall to work out as plannned...good luck with that. Remember that you have very little control of the things around you but have complete control of your reaction. If you do not set your expectations of everything working out perfectly, it typically makes it easier to take the challenges in stride. If you're one of my perfectionists out there, you know who you are, be sure to roll with the changes. BTW...that would also be a good time to breathe.
5. Get yourself organized. Often with so few days left we simply begin to wing it and what typically happens when we wing it. We forget. Whatever it is that you have left to do over the next 5 days, write it down. When you are stressous rather than joyous, your memory often does not work as well. If you have a list, you can simply cross things off the list and release the stress. Unless you lose the list of course. LOL!
6. Make your gatherings a pot luck. I remember my Mom on the holidays would do everything. All the cleaning, cooking and running around. Ladies, don't do this! Have others in the house help with the cleaning, somebody can make grocery store runs for you and for heaven's sake, have your guests bring a dish. I'll even give you a little secret, come closer so nobody else hears this, most people love to bring a dish and feel as if they're a bigger part of the gathering and feel included, loved, appreciated. You get the picture.
7. Do chores in the party atmosphere of a group. Still working on the last minute holiday cookies, wrapping or one of the other hundred things to finish. Well, invite some friends or family over to help and create a party atmosphere. You will not only make your chores enjoyable but likely you will be assisting other family/friends by getting them out and having fun also.
8. Take a time out. I know this used to be your punishment when you were a kid but as an adult a time out can be completely rejuvenating. Just 20 minutes in a warm epson salt bath can shift your day in such a positive way. This will assist with your mental/emotional state and leave you with some positive physical results also.
9. Be sure to get enough sleep. So often we become sleep deprived during the holidays. Look at it this way. If you are rested and enjoying high physical energy and mental clarity, you will accomplish all your goals with much more ease and life will occur faster for you. Miss your sleep and everything slows down and takes forever. I'm sure you already get this, but how easily we forget.
10. Lastly, when it seems like you have stuck in a stressous rather than joyous state, stop yourself. Take a few minutes to write a list of everything you are thankful for in your life and watch the joyous energy build. This simple tip can shift your entire holiday season. I know you have so many things in your life to be thankful for but it only matters if you know.

Instead of questions or comments to me for today's article, please share what it is you do to relieve holiday stress. The tip you leave may be the exact shift that somebody else needs during this holiday season. Remember the goal is joyous, not stressous!

Should YOU Eat Meat?

by Glen Depke

This is a significant question these days for many of my clients. I will share that for most, this is a definite yes. I also have to share that the answer to the question often is not that simple though. Let's look at this from a few different vantage points today.

First of all, there are many people that do not digest meat that well. I would first suggest that the meat itself is not the issue. Poor digestion is typically the issue here. This could be due to a lack of proper enzyme activity, poor bacteria balance, lack of stomach acid production or GI distress such as some type of pathogenic challenge. This could also be an issue due to eating while under stress or from simply not chewing your food thoroughly. Once these areas are addressed, it is amazing to see the improvement in the breakdown of meat overall. It is of utmost importance to address these areas though, due to the fact that meat that sits in your GI tract for too long will tend to putrefy and lead to added toxicity, which is never a positive for you. Follow these simple steps below to reach optimal digestive function.

• Take a quality probiotic, digestive enzyme and HCL supplement if meat breakdown is a challenge
• Always chew your meat sources very well
• Deep breath before and during meals to allow for proper digestive function
• Assess possible pathogens with your holistic health practitioner

The other area to understand within this question is the reality that we are all bio-chemically different. While one person my excel eating red meat or higher fat, heavier seafood such as shrimp or salmon, another may actually be challenged with this. Some are best to keep their meat consumption to light chicken or turkey or lower fat, lighter seafood such as tilapia or orange roughy. Some individuals actually require meat with regularity while others may actually do fine with very little meat with additional plant based proteins. Remember, we are all bio-chemically different!

Understanding your Nutritional ID is so important to make this distinction. This goes back to the same saying made by Hippocrates some 2600 years ago, "One man's food, is another man's poison." This is just as true today as it was so many years ago.

Thankfully by the beginning of the year, DepkeWellness.com will be providing the Nutrition ID evaluation on-line at no cost to you. This will provide you with the basic understandings and guidelines for making proper nutritional choices that are best for you as an individual. As we get closer to the launch date of the Nutritional ID assessment, we will address this on a much deeper level for your understanding.

Lastly today, I would like to focus on quality of your meats. I am never one to recommend meat that is grain fed, farm raised seafood, or any meat source this is in an unhealthy environment, eating poor quality food and pumped with hormones and anti-biotics. This would not be considered healthy in my opinion. Using smaller quantities of healthier meat choices goes a long way in providing your protein needs. Companies such as Vital Choice and Blackwing Meats are some of the sources that I use and enjoy personally.

I would like to close by sharing once again that meat itself is typically not the issue. The issues with meat are generally tied into poor digestion, the consumption of poor quality meat or eating the types of meats that are challenging to your own personal Nutritional ID.

If you have any questions or comments, please leave this below and I will address these personally.