Why do we all seem to get sicker in winter?  Why does a beach vacation in February often give us a boost?  Why have chronic disease and auto-immune disorders increased so dramatically in the last fifty years?  Certainly, vitamin D is a factor.

But research over the last decade led by entrepreneur Clint Ober and cardiologist Dr. Stephen Sinatra has shed considerable light on another concern.  In winter, our opportunity (unless we're in the Caribbean!) to come in barefoot contact with the earth is limited.  Moreover, during the middle of the last century, rubber-sole shoes (which insulate us from the electron-rich surface of the earth) became the norm.

Earthing, a term coined for the practice of using grounded bed-sheets, shoes, or mouse-pads, is proving to yield some dramatic health benefits -- for relatively small investments of time or finance.  Reported benefits include relief from chronic arthritis pain, insomnia, and allergies.  Patients on thyroid medication or blood thinners must carefully reduce their doses once grounded.  Grounding resolves jet-lag.

The exposures our children face from cell phones & transmission towers, wireless home phones, WiFi & cordless routers, laptops, and other sources of EMF are unprecedented.  Grounding offers a substantial measure of protection against the adverse health effects of so-called electro-pollution.  Whether the new childhood morbidities of the 21st century such as autism, ADHD, severe colic / GERD, or food allergy / eczema may respond to earthing remains to be seen.  Even Dr. Oz has expressed cautious interest.  

Raw milk is steadily becoming more available in our area.  Realmilk now lists almost 50 farms in New York at which it is available.  This list does not include smaller milk-shares such as Sepascot Home Farm in Rhinebeck.

Some of our patients, however, have trouble with cow's milk in any form.  Others are aware of the health benefits of raw goat milk, which include:

• naturally homogenized
• free of A1 beta-casein
• alkaline pH

Dr. Sears is bullish on goat milk.  Unfortunately, it is a bit pricey, and not so readily available in our area.  Recently, Edgwick Farm in Cornwall has become a licensed raw goat milk purveyor.  Closer to home, Sprout Creek Farm does sell raw goat milk cheese ($19 a pound!).  Any other resources you're aware of?  Please post on our Facebook page. 

Looking for other local moms to compare notes with?  Consider Hudson Valley Free Play. 

According to one member, "we're a resource for moms, babies, and toddlers. Generally, we meet once a week in different locations in the Poughkeepsie area as a free educational play group. We also have a mother's night out every two weeks. We invite all new and experienced moms with all styles of parenting to join us."

On Tuesday August 28th, Dr. Malak will address the group with an informal discussion on The Vitamin K Newborn Shot and Integrative Approaches to Childhood Asthma.

To learn more about the group or register for Dr. Malak's talk, please contact Marie at 845-337-0289 or via Facebook. 

Just a quick reminder that our office will be closed Monday September 3rd; but it will be open Saturday the 1st.