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12 Myths I Ignored to Reverse 20 Years of Chronic Illness

August 1, 2016 Brenda Cosentino

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For most of my life, I just followed along. Like a sheep, I did what “they” told me to do. These were my family medical doctors, surgeons, psychiatrists, dentists, nurses, nutritionists, media and big pharma.  The problem was I was getting sicker and sicker as the years went by. By 2004, I completely lost the ability to work and was on loads of medication. In 2007, I hit bottom with my health. I knew that if I didn’t change what I was doing, then I was going to die. Diagnoses included chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, bipolar disorder, major anxiety disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, chronic migraines and a ton of symptoms relating to lyme disease. I knew it wasn’t possible to feel any worse than I did, so I began researching alternative health. Here you will find that I started to do the exact opposite and the results have been astounding.

They Said

1. You need drugs
I quit all drugs in 2007. I was on heavy drugs for over 14 years and my health continued to decline. These included antidepressants, painkillers, anti-anxiolytics, laxatives, mood stabilizers, sedatives  and antibiotics. The mental illness and pain were actually the result of Lyme Disease, mineral deficiencies and eating foods that caused an inflammatory response. 

2. The sun will give you cancer
I increased sun exposure. Research shows clearly that low blood levels of vitamin D are linked with a higher risk of cancer. Our most natural way to get Vitamin D is still the sun – despite the fact that it has been demonized over the years. Vitamin D is an important infection-fighter and key ingredient for a healthy functioning immune system.  Note: Those of us with chronic infections do not have healthy immune systems, and typically have very low stores of Vitamin D.  If you are fair or have avoided sunbathing for many years you will have to condition your skin to receive direct sun. Start with a few minutes per day and work your way up. Do not burn your skin. Most days I get at least 1 -2 hours of sun per day. I walk, swim or do aqua-fit most mornings.  You can read my article on Beach Therapy for a better explanation of why I love the sun, sea and sand. My skin is lovely and I get many compliments on it.

Brenda Tulum 2015

3. Use Sunscreen 
I quit sunscreen. Sunscreen is full of toxic chemicals. Read the labels. The skin absorbs everything we put on it. If you are not prepared to eat it, then don’t use it. Coconut oil serves as a mild sunblock and I use it often. If I am out for long periods of time I prefer to cover up or sit in the shade.
Dr. Bruce Fife author of  Virgin Coconut Oil- Nature’s Miracle Medicine
“One of the oldest uses for coconut oil is as a sun screen/suntan lotion. Islanders have been using coconut oil for this purpose for thousands of years. In the tropics where the climate is hot, islanders traditionally wore little clothing so that they could keep themselves cool. To protect themselves from the burning rays of the hot tropical sun they applied a thin layer of coconut oil over their entire body. This would protect them from sunburn, improve skin tone and help keep annoying insects away”.

4. Get regular mammograms
I quit these completely. I do not want to expose my breasts to ionizing radiation which can contribute to breast cancer. Thermography is a much better option.

5. You need amalgam fillings
I got all of mine removed. Mercury is one of the most deadly neurotoxic metals known to humankind. You can read about it here.

6. You need flouride dental treatments
I quit these. I only go to the dentist about once every 3 years for a cleaning. I also stopped using toothpaste with fluoride and other hazardous chemicals. Dr Mercola has a good article, ” The Toxic Flouride Toothpaste”.  I just brush my teeth with baking soda mixed with coconut oil.

7. Get the flu shot
I quit these. According to the CDC, these shots contain thimerosal, aluminum,  formaldehyde and neomycin (antibiotic). Once I discovered the ingredients, I decided that this wasn’t for me. The flu shot isn’t that effective anyway. I know several people who caught the flu even though they received the flu shot.

8. You need a hysterectomy
If you are female and over the age of 40 and have any issues, this is probably what you will be told. I had 3 doctors tell me this in 2004. The problem was prolapse and painful menstruation.  These were solved with magnesium, parasite cleansing and correcting constipation, which was causing the internal pressure and contributing to the prolapse. I did eventually agree to a lift surgery, but that was all.  I am now entering menopause with very little difficulty. Removing any organ, in my opinion, is a serious matter. I always feel it is better to find the cause so a solution can be implemented. Not just treat the symptom or cut out an organ.

9. Eat a low-fat diet 
I ate a low-fat diet for most of my life. Now I  eat a lot of butter, bacon, organ meats, sardines, salmon, eggs,  avocados, fish oil, extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil. We need good fats for proper functioning of the nerves and brain, the production of hormones, transport of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K and for healthy skin and tissues.

10. Reduce eggs and red meat
I eat about 12 – 18 organic and free-range eggs per week. We eat organic, grass fed red meat at least 3 times per week. These are very nutrient dense foods that have really helped me heal and build muscle. Here is a study that confirms that there is no relationship between egg intake and coronary heart disease incidence.

11. Eat 42 servings of bread, pasta and grains per week
I ate a high carbohydrate diet for most of my life. The Canada Health Food Guide encourages this type of diet. I cut out all grains, bread and pasta and moved to the Wahls Paleo Diet.  Now that I have recovered my health I have added in some white and sweet potatoes, rice and beans. If you live in Mexico there’s going to be some rice and bean eating.

Brenda with school books (2)Today

I no longer just blindly follow along. I question everything and do my research. I stick with a  nutrient-dense, traditional diet and plant-based medicines that have been around for centuries. The road to recovering my health has been long and slow because I made many mistakes along the way. I also didn’t know that I had Lyme Disease.  It took me almost 7 years to heal myself. Here is an article that explains in more detail all that I have done to get well. I no longer suffer from Bipolar Disorder, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Lyme Disease, migraines, hypothyroidism, anaemia, candida overgrowth, parasites and other co-infections. With proper nutrition, detoxification and healthy lifestyle the body can and will heal itself.    

If you are interested in booking a consult, please go to this page for nutritional therapy and hair analysis.         

Blessings and Best of Health!

Brenda♥

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Detoxification, Featured Post, Gut Health, Lyme Disease & Co-infections, Mental Illness, Nutritional Deficiencies, Uncategorized Bipolar, chronic fatigue success, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, fibromyalgia, low fat diet, lyme disease, mineral deficiency, paleo diet, parasites, sun bathing for vitamin d, Wahls Paleo diet

Comments

  1. LisaT says

    August 16, 2016 at 9:00 pm

    Great summary of some of our damaging belief systems. We need eyes to see the truth, and courage to speak it.

About The Author

Hi! I’m Brenda Cosentino, Nutritional Therapy Consultant (NTC), chronic illness warrior, digital nomad and mother of three gorgeous children. read more.

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