Healing Journeys with Suzie Daggett
One simple question - how did you feel when you got up from your festive Thanksgiving feast? Did you feel light and happy or heavy and very, very full? If you felt light, good news – you probably ate sensibly and subsequently have the ability to digest your food well. If you felt heavy, sluggish and tired, you may want to read on – your digestive tract may be working overtime just to keep you moderately functioning. I interviewed J. Carlos Portillo, a chiropractor since 1986, who specializes in Enzyme Replacement Therapy along with his slant of dealing with patients’ structural and emotional issues. In dealing with his own emotional pain, he had his eyes opened to the effects of thoughts, beliefs, and emotions on the physical body. He now invites his patients to explore any underlying emotions as well as physical ones. He started working with the Loomis Institute of Enzyme Nutrition in 1998 and he is now very specific with the nutritional therapy given to patients. With the Loomis system, he has been able to improve people's digestion, and nourish their stressed organs. Using the enzyme work, he believes that one can affect any stress the body is dealing with, and help the body return to homeostasis – or excellent health.
What was the impetus for you to start to work with Enzyme Replacement Therapy?
When I became a chiropractor, I was aware of the effects of emotions on the physical body. I had some sense of how nutrition was important, yet not to the degree I understand now. As I was treating patients, I would continually see patterns of the same areas being misaligned. I started wondering why these patterns kept coming back. What was happening to their bodies during the intern period, causing them to misalign again? I asked my patients if they were dealing with strong emotions, or if they were doing strenuous physical activities and, when the answer was no, the only other factor had to be nutritional/chemical. This is when I came across the enzyme replacement therapy. Once I started to pinpoint the patient's nutritional stress, and begin to improve their digestion, and nourish the stressed organs with specific nutrition, they were able to hold their adjustments longer. I was able to help people with "non-chiropractic" conditions such as heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, allergies, irritable bowel syndrome, and more. Improving digestion, and nourishing stressed organs, allows the body to heal.
Why are enzymes important in wellness and disease prevention?
After doing enzyme therapy work for the last seven years, I feel very confident stating that the underlying cause of most people health challenges originates from their nutritional stress. Enzymes are protein substances that are essential to life, because they perform all the biochemical reactions within your body. They are essential for the process of digestion, and the function of the immune system. People are having difficulty digesting their diet, and over time, symptoms begin to arise, including chronic pain. If our digestion is not functioning well, then our bodies’ cells are not going to get their nutrition, and the waste product is not going to be cleared. A person can live like this for many years without symptoms, but after at a certain time, some form of physical stress will manifest. We tend to eat the same 26-35 foods over and over again. Are we eating into our genetic strength, or are we eating into our genetic weakness? Dr. Howard Loomis's work, the Enzyme Replacement Therapy has worked out a system of using enzymes to modify the diet, improve digestion, and to deliver nutrients to stressed tissues. We can actually find out how you are digesting your diet. Is your challenge protein, carbohydrate, or fat? This system is very specific.
What are some factors that create health?
From my perspective there are two main factors affecting health, personally and as a nation. Improper diet is the first – super sized and processed foods, and lack of regular exercise that is fun. I emphasize the fun part, because we need enjoyable exercise for it to become part of our lifestyle. Our bodies are incredible because they can regenerate and heal given the proper support. We need good nutrition, daily exercise, clean water, love, and friendship all around us. Healing requires that we are present to ourselves, meaning we notice what is going on in our lives that could cause the symptoms of disease or illness. Do we need more rest, better food choices, enjoyable physical exercise, the support of a good friend? Do we need to consult a health practitioner for information and support? Good health requires present day consciousness, and follow through with action steps needed to support your health
What are some of the ways that people can start moving toward better health during the holidays?
Digestion is a complex process even when everything is working well. It becomes very challenging when our digestive organs are being asked to process large quantities of food. A few hints to better health: become mindful of eating and eat only when you are hungry; chew your food more; slow down during a meal; moderate the quantity of food, and stop when you are full. Be more moderate in the consumption of alcohol and sweets.
J. Carlos Portillo D.C can be reached at his Nevada City office, 530-265-6954.
Healing Journeys is a column written by Suzie Daggett for the Grass Valley Union newspaper. Suzie interviews a variety of health practitioners most Fridays in the Wellness section. Click here to read past articles. Enter "Suzie Daggett" in the search box to get listing of all articles. |
