Interactive Discussion

Comments

Discussion closed
  • RLS (Tuesday, February 08 11 11:23 am EST)

    Hi Pam,

    My daughter and I have chronic health issues (FMS, SS, Type 1 Diabetes) and weakened immune systems. In the past, we have gotten flu shots, but they did not work for us. What should we do to help to
    prevent the onset of the flu virus?

    We eat minimal amounts of sugar, we eat organic meats and veggies. I have cut gluten and wheat out of my diet because of sensitivities.

  • Pam (Tuesday, February 08 11 04:59 pm EST)

    Thank you for your comment. It's a very loaded subject. Unfortunately, I can't thoroughly answer your question in a short comment.

    As uncomfortable as it can be, developing the flu is quite normal. In a given season, some people will manifest symptoms, others won't. As you know, sadly, people with weakened immune systems are
    most vulnerable.

    As a society, we should be investigating how we can keep our immune systems strong. Which foods and nutrients, for example, best support our immune system? We are surrounded by infectious agents and
    should do our utmost to protect ourselves from them. That includes consuming the most nutrient-dense foods possible. For many decades now, we've been led to believe that vaccines have reduced our
    rates of infectious disease -- when, indeed, infectious diseases decreased after we improved our living conditions [including better sanitation and hygiene (chlorinated and filtered water, hand
    washing), removing horses -- and their manure -- off the streets, central heating, etc.].

    I'd like to see an unbiased source publish a controlled vaccine study. That means, for example, take a group of 400 children with similar immune status and another group of 400 children with similar
    immune status. Give one group a vaccine and not the other. Monitor the children for an extended period of time (ie: several years) to see whether or the not the vaccine was of any benefit. To date,
    I'm unaware of any study done in this manner.

    I'd recommend that you begin educating yourself on the matter and not take my word for it. Robert Mendelsohn, MD, Mayer Eisenstein MD, JD, MPH, Lawrence Palevsky MD, FAAP, ABHM are all outspoken
    critics of vaccines.

    Here is an interesting paper on the questionable efficacy of vaccines: http://pamkilleen.com/app/download/1981067504/Immunization+Graphs+-+RO+2009-1.pdf

    Here is a good website to follow: www.nvic.org

    Here are some published studies which, again, should cause us to question the efficacy of vaccines:

    Giving young children flu shots appeared to have no impact on flu-related doctor visits or hospitalizations during two recent flu seasons, according to a study published in Archives of Pediatric
    & Adolescent Medicine (2008).

    The flu vaccine is no more effective for children than a placebo, according to a large-scale, systematic review of 51 studies, published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2006).

    No studies have conclusively proven that flu shots prevent flu-related deaths among the elderly. (Lancet Infectious Diseases, 2007)

    A study published in the Lancet (2008) found that influenza vaccination was NOT associated with a reduced risk of pneumonia in older people. (“Flu” deaths the government claims happen each year are
    actually caused by diseases like pneumonia, and NOT the flu.)

    Research published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2008) also confirms that there has been no decrease in deaths from influenza and pneumonia, despite the fact that
    vaccination coverage among the elderly has increased from 15 percent in 1980 to 65 percent now.

    Children who get the flu vaccine have three times the risk of hospitalization for the flu than their peers who do not get the vaccine, according to a Mayo Clinic study that was presented on May 20,
    2009 at the 105th International Conference of the American Thoracic Society in San Diego.

    I hope you find this information helpful.

    Kindest regards,
    Pam

  • Matt (Wednesday, February 09 11 06:58 am EST)

    Hi Pam,

    I did post this to you as a question but thought it might be of interest to be posted on the site.

    Do you have any thoughts to a baseline carbohydrate level for one that is exhausted (possibly adrenals), gut inflammation, underweight and with reactive hypoglycemia?

    For my case there is no clear route to take. Low-GI carbs tend to come from the grains and legumes, which whilst won't spike blood sugars will irritate the gut. High carb veg (parsnips, carrots,
    beets etc) tends to swing sugars and medium carb options such as sweet potato's difficult to digest. Fruit is tricky for both situations.

    Seems like gut friendly blood sugar friendly carbs don't really exist!

    I'm probably more sensitive than most, and do make sure to buffer any carb meals with protein and fats. This seldom helps improve my condition overall.

    Have you seen these sort of problems for people with CFS, adrenal fatigue, slugglish liver and gut problems coming from a ketogenic diet attempting to reintroduce carbs?

    Feel like I've tried everything and am a bit stuck! Too weak to detox anything, digestion too poor to absorb nutrients that might help with the adrenals. Lot's of overlapping issues.

    All fun and games!

  • Pam (Wednesday, February 09 11 07:36 am EST)

    Hello Matt!
    Thank you for your email. I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Are you overseas? If so, you can Skype me at pam.killeen. When people aren't tolerating their carbs very well, I notice that it's
    because their calcium:magnesium ratio is out of balance. These minerals tend to fall out of balance when the sodium:potassium ratio falls out of balance. I do the hair tissue mineral analysis to
    first determine the mineral levels and ratios. Then, fortunately, have access to some very powerful, targeted supplements that help repair these ratios.
    It's difficult to explain this in an email, but it's truly a very elegant and effective system.
    If you scroll around on my website, you'll get a better idea of the program I use. Please feel free to keep in touch with any questions.
    Kindest regards,
    Pam
    p.s. In my book, Addiction: The Hidden Epidemic, I reference Dr. Wolfgang Lutz's book, Life Without Bread. As a general rule of thumb, 72 grams of carbs per day seems to be best tolerated. But,
    again, if the ca:mg ratio is off, people tend to have problems tolerating even small amounts of carbs. This is what 72 grams would look like (each example represents about 12 grams):

    1) 1 slice of bread (sourdough)
    2) 2/3 cup of peas
    3) 1/2 a medium potato
    4) 1 cup broccoli
    5) 1 medium apple
    6) 2 T dried beans

  • Trisha (Monday, April 25 11 11:12 am EDT)

    Hi Pam,
    I just wanted to say thanks for your book, unfortunately its not in any libraries in Australia. So will order it in. We want it available to our members to read, they come to the group because they
    have emotional disorders and recovering from addictions. They don't know its due to their health status.
    Thank you
    Trisha

  • David (Wednesday, April 27 11 07:53 am EDT)

    I just heard you on Dr. Stan Monteith's Radio Liberty Show of 4/22/11.

    You suggested ingesting butter. Does your research find that pasteurized butter is acceptable vs. raw butter? Does it make a difference

    What your take on eating Coconut oil?

    You can post some links if that is better for you to answer that way.

    Thanks

  • Pam (Wednesday, April 27 11 09:50 am EDT)

    Hello David!
    Thank you for your questions. I suggest starting with the goal of eating three square meals (the way we did prior to WWII when we weren't meat phobic, egg phobic, butter phobic, liver phobic, etc.).
    For some people, the best place to purchase these foods will be in a grocery store -- so they will be from factory farmed sources. If, however, one has the extra motivation to seek out the gold
    standard and buy these foods from a local farmer where the animals are pastured, that's fantastic. So if you can find raw dairy (including raw butter) from a local farmer, that's the best choice.
    Butter from a pasteurized source isn't the gold standard, but it's still a better choice than not eating butter.

    Coconut oil is a great choice. Aside from its weight loss benefits, what I find even more exciting is the effect of coconut oil on brain function (neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's). Be
    sure to visit Dr. Mary Newport's website http://www.coconutketones.com/.

    Sally Fallon and Dr. Mary Enig's book, "Eat Fat, Lose Fat," is also a great resource on the benefits of coconut oil. Here is a short article on the Weston A. Price Foundation's website about some
    recent research about the benefits of coconut oil -- http://tinyurl.com/62ew5b4. If you go through www.westonaprice.org, you'll find other interesting articles about coconut oil.

    I hope this information is of help to you.
    Kindest regards,
    Pam

  • Jay (Sunday, June 19 11 11:02 am EDT)

    Hi,

    Have you ever read the book "The China Study"; it basicly looks at studies comparing a meat & dairy diet to a vegetarian diet. People who eat a lot of meat & dairy are usually more obese and
    prone to disease compared to a vegetarian. There is more protein in meat but I have heard arguements that too much protein can leach the calcium out of your bones - that is why older women have a
    problem with bone density.

    Also have you ever heard of Hallelujah Acres - they beleive in a plant based diet and have a huge following. People who have followed this diet have recovered from serious diseases.

  • Pam (Monday, June 20 11 01:55 pm EDT)

    Hello Jay!
    Thank you for your questions.

    I'm a recovering vegetarian and used to believe that animal foods contributed to my health problems. Little did I realize that my health problems stemmed from eating too many plant-based foods my
    entire life. About 20 years ago, I became a raw food vegan (studied under Ann Wigmore, Brian Clement and even taught about what I believed to be the benefits of a raw food vegan diet). Today, I'm
    "eating crow." I made a terrible mistake by increasing my consumption of plant-based foods (when my diet had already been very high in plant-based foods).

    Back in the 1990s, I knew very little about nutrition. Had I known then what I know now, I would never have become a vegetarian.

    As for the China Study, there are a few rebuttals online that I'd recommend you read. Here are a couple:

    http://www.cholesterol-and-health.com/Campbell-Masterjohn.html
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5gNzBNgZas
    http://rawfoodsos.com/2010/08/03/the-china-study-a-formal-analysis-and-response/

    Food for thought: The last time I ate in a Chinese restaurant, the menu was full of animal foods like fowl, meat, fish, pork, shellfish and had limited amounts of soy foods. Animal foods are a
    significant part of the Chinese diet. Animal foods were big part of my ancestral diet (Irish and Scottish) and they were known to be a very healthy culture.

    And about the protein and bone issue, please read this article -- http://pamkilleen.com/app/download/4751253804/
    Sorry%2C+Vegetarians+by+Dr.+Al+Sears.pdf

    My bones are much stronger today than they were when I was a vegetarian.

    Be sure to read the book, "The Vegetarian Myth," by Lierre Kieth and these articles:
    http://www.second-opinions.co.uk/vegetarian.html
    http://www.westonaprice.org/abcs-of-nutrition/267-myths-of-vegetarianism

    I do understand the conflicting and confusing nutritional advice being provided today. One thing I've observed is that most vegetarians have to learn the hard way -- like I did -- which is
    unfortunate.

    After going through the information I've provided, let me know if you have any questions. In my book, "Addiction: The Hidden Epidemic," I include hints to warn vegetarians about the psychological
    problems (fatigue, depression, memory problems, sleep disorders, anger, etc.) that develop when people reduce or remove animal foods from their diet.

    Many of the people I help get well are recovering vegetarians (lacto-ovo, vegan, etc.). If vegetarians eat enough eggs and dairy, however, they may be fine -- unfortunately, most don't. Vegans are
    most at risk for developing all sorts of problems.

    I could write a book on this subject. I hope this is enough information to help answer your questions.

    Kindest regards,
    Pam

  • Purvi (Monday, July 16 12 08:10 pm EDT)

    Hello Pam, I heard your presentation on the real food summit and it was excellent. I am a strong believer of "ancestral diet" however for atleast the past 10 generations all our ancestors have been
    vegetarians - we have a family history of good and healthy longevity (barring accidental deaths). Consequently my family is also vegetarian and it is baffling to see all this information that my
    "ancestral diet" is not the right one? Could my ancestors be taking in enough dairy to offset for all the animal-based diet that you talk about?

  • Pam (Monday, July 16 12 10:14 pm EDT)

    Hello Purvi, Thank you for your question. I do believe it is possible for some cultures to live healthfully on a vegetarian diet. These would be cultures where the people have properly adapted to a
    vegetarian diet for many generations. You are honoring your ancestral diet, which you know kept your family healthy for generations. They probably would have eaten adequate amounts of dairy and eggs
    in order to keep them healthy. The trouble today is that people who have no familial history of being vegetarian are turning towards this diet. In order to determine whether a diet is healthy, when
    hearing about any nutritional information today, one has to ask the following questions: 1) Does this nutritional information prove to me that couples are fertile? 2) Does this nutritional
    information prove to me that babies are healthy? 3) Does this nutritional information prove to me that there are no chronic diseases or mental disorders in society? 4) Does this nutritional
    information prove me to that the aging are aging gracefully? 5) Does this nutritional information prove to me that senior citizens are still productive members of society? In your case, Purvi, you
    understand that your ancestors adapted well to a vegetarian diet. In my case, I'm of European descent, so my ancestors would not have been vegetarians. When I was a vegetarian, I knew very little
    about nutrition or food history, so I didn't understand how risky this diet would have been for me. I had to learn the hard way. If I knew then what I know now, I would never have ventured towards a
    vegetarian diet.

  • CK (Thursday, July 19 12 12:48 am EDT)

    Hi Pam,

    I just heard your presentation on the Real Food Summit with Sean Croxton and just ordered your book. I'm curious as to what a pre-WWII diet looks like in a 3 squares meal/day? I'd be curious to see
    what your daily diet looks like? VERY informative presentation as I could identify with a lot of what you spoke about (former vegan, w/ a lot of health issues). Thank you so much and I look forward
    to reading your book.

  • Pam (Thursday, July 19 12 06:42 am EDT)

    Hello CK,
    Thank you for your question. I always ask people to imagine those meal scenes in old black and white movies or TV shows. The families in these shows sat down for a homemade breakfast, lunch and
    dinner. They didn't have meat phobia, egg phobia, liver phobia, fat phobia, chicken skin phobia, butter phobia, dairy phobia....they ate these foods without any hesitation whatsoever. And, during
    this era, people were much healthier than we are today. If we want to be healthy, we need to mimic the diets of healthy people, right? On my home page, scroll down a bit and you'll see several links
    for menu and meal ideas. In very simple terms, I ask people to stick with a "bacon and egg" style breakfast and a "meat and potato" style lunch and dinner (just make sure the potato is loaded with
    butter and high fat sour cream!).

  • Darla White (Friday, March 01 13 12:14 am EST)

    so Pam what do you think of the Paeleo diet? Co-workers have lost visible pounds on this, but I am such a believer in everything in moderation. They've cut out all wheat and dairy, all of which I
    include in my diet. I am pre menopausal with a little extra weight. I still run but find it harder and harder to keep my weight under control. It's really frustrating, do you think the Paeleo dieters
    will soon crash or is this legit?

  • Pam (Friday, March 01 13 03:16 pm EST)

    Thank you for your question. I addressed this issue in a recent interview I did with Tom McConnell (610 AM CKTB, St. Catharines ON). You can listen to the audio by visiting my multimedia page and
    scrolling down to find it posted on January 22, 2013. Prior to WWII, we didn't suffer with meat phobia, butter phobia, fat phobia, cholesterol phobia, liver phobia, egg phobia, chicken skin
    phobia.....and we were much, much healthier and thinner back then than we are now. Through wisdom, we knew to eat three square meals. Healthy eating isn't complicated. What makes us sick is the
    nutritional misinformation that we hear about so commonly today.
    I hope this information is of help!

  • Mike White (Saturday, July 13 13 08:15 am EDT)

    Good day Pam.... I understand that in the past you were a Vegan..... I just finished watching the movie fork or knife which very clearly indicated that the current North American fast food diet is
    going to kill many. But many references were made to the China study and the diary study of 5% diary repairing the body and 20% diary distroying the body.... I was given the movie to watch by a vegan
    whom seemed to think that the movie supported the Vegan life style and I disagreed... my conclusion was daily balance of food, exercise and sleep with a diet which was natrally based, such as
    vegetables, meat, nuts etc, including diary combinded with proper amounts of sleep and exercise will promote healthy life styles. I am not sure why the Vegan (person) who gave me the moive that that
    this moive promoted the Vegan life style.... can you wiegh in on the subject.... What is your oppion?

  • Pam (Saturday, July 13 13 01:23 pm EDT)

    Hello Mike,
    Thank you for your question and comment. What you're asking is a reflection of how confusing media messages can be surrounding nutrition. As a general rule of thumb, the media emphasizes plant-based
    foods in the diet (eat your fruits, veggies and grains). However, the message would be far more accurate if they would emphasize animal fats -- since historically, for most people reading this, the
    bulk of our calories (70%) came from animal fat. The movie you mentioned would have been far more accurate had they underlined the importance of animal fat in the diet. For a critique of the film, be
    sure to read Denise Minger's article here -- http://rawfoodsos.com/2011/09/22/forks-over-knives-is-the-science-legit-a-review-and-critique/.

PAM'S BOOKS

My book, Survival of the Unfittest (released January 2015), is available for sale in paperback and ebook formats.

Click here to order from Amazon Canada. 

Click here to order from Amazon Canada.

Click here to order from Barnes and Noble.

CO-AUTHORED BY PAM

Visit my Facebook page here and Twitter here. Click here to visit my Vimeo channel. Click here to find my Dailymotion channel. 

QUESTIONS?

Have additional questions? Contact me.

FREE CONSULTATION

If you're interested in enrolling in either my Nutritional Balancing or Buteyko Breathing Method coaching program, book an appointment for a free consultation here.