Hello, friends of Caring Medical!
We recently returned from a wonderful bucket list trip to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park for a much-needed vacation. It was definitely the trip of a lifetime that included wondrously scenic views of God’s creation! We saw mountain-views, took scenic hikes, walked for miles around natural geysers and mineral springs, hiked grand canyons, and of course, experienced amazing wildlife in action!
What did not go so well was the food.
You may be wondering, “what does that mean?”
Well, to make a long story short, for the first half of the trip, Marion experienced crazy symptoms that included severe joint pain in her “weak areas,” facial fullness, “out-of-body” feeling, exhaustion, difficulty taking deep breaths (albeit we were at 8000 ft elevation), and a weird feeling of “inner rushing” or anxiety. This was very shocking to all in our party because Marion works out regularly and is extremely healthy and strong.
We noticed that symptoms worsened after consuming food from the “fine dining” restaurants of the lodges as well as when we walked through the geyser/pool parks. Marion took some anti-inflammatory medication, drank a lot of water, took electrolytes, and supplements – all of which partially alleviated the strange sensations.
We decided to stop consuming the food from the lodges and purchase what little “fresh food” we could find from the General Stores in the park, such as hard-boiled eggs, hummus and veggies, sliced meats and cheeses, crackers, fruit, popcorn, and tea/water. Soon, the symptoms started to improve – thankfully!
But then we toured/hiked another geyser park, and the symptoms returned to the point where Marion sat down and cried! But then…we noticed small print on one of the brochures… “toxic gases have been measured in some hydrothermal features. If you feel sick, leave the location immediately.” YIKES! Are you kidding?
Well, needless to say, we stopped going to geysers and hot springs and continued to eat our little groceries from the General store for breakfast-lunch-dinner!
The last half of the trip was immensely better symptom-wise, but needless to say, we were very happy to consume a healthy hot meal once we got out of the park!
We later found that one food service company services all the park’s restaurants and much of the food is premade and most likely loaded with chemicals and preservatives. We heard from several other regular visitors that they bring their own food when visiting the park. One couple said that they rented a campsite to cook their own food and then sleep in one of the hotels!
Why are we telling you this?
… this is a perfect example of how what you put into your bodies matters!
You may ask why the others on our trip did not have the same reactions.
Well, they ate chemical-laden foods for the first 18 years of their lives! (Unfortunately) So they do not have a sensitivity to chemicals in foods like Marion does who has eaten real food her entire life. She is highly allergic to MSG, food dyes, and other preservatives, as well as sulfites in wine and salad bars. This is why she eats most of her meals at home and only eats at restaurants that she knows use natural ingredients. An interesting point here is that the emissions from the geysers/pools contains sulfuric acid!
Interestingly, we have also seen at Caring Medical some patients may not respond to Prolotherapy treatments as expected, and it turns out that they have chemical or food sensitivities that are producing pain and other seemingly unrelated symptoms like what Marion experienced.
So, if this scenario sounds like you, (or even if it doesn’t), we encourage you to dump the junk and get real – with your food choices!
PS: We included a few photos from our trip!
Blessings from the Dr. and the Dietitian,
Dr. Hauser & Marion
