By Popular Request - Update to the Best. Blog. Ever!

Again, many keep asking me for more photos of baby Kalaya, so since Kalaya can't say "no" yet, here goes... and, yes, it is very hard for me only to post a few pictures :)

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Enjoy!

Happy mat time :)

Rainbow tunnels are so cool!

This is how to model a Persian rug :)

Standing at 8 months!

9 months old :)

Our Family :)

Hemorrhoids – Toilet – Squatty Potty

Hemorrhoids, everyone has them. Or at least at some point in your life just about all of you will. For those who aren’t exactly sure what a hemorrhoid is… hemorrhoids are also known as piles which are blood vessels and masses of supporting tissue inside the anal canal. Everyone technically has anatomical hemorrhoids, but sometimes they can become inflamed, which can be both irritating and painful.

Both men and women get them equally and while only about 1 in 25 people has them at any one point in time in the U.S., over 50% of those aged over 50 has to enjoy the annoyance that hemorrhoids provide.

Why do we get inflamed hemorrhoids?

• Poor diet that is not high enough in fiber or water (constipation aggravates hemorrhoids)

• Poor form while pooping (Yes, the modern day toilet is convenient, but has one major fault)

Interestingly, the reason that some 2nd and 3rd world countries have virtually zero inflamed hemorrhoids is likely because they eat better and squat while pooping.

Other risk factors associated with hemorrhoids:

• Chronic constipation or diarrhea
• Obesity and being overweight
• Age
• Pregnancy
• Liver disease
• Prolonged sitting
• Heavy lifting

So how do we fix the pain-in-the-ass?

• Eat plenty of veggies, fruit, and water
• Poop while squatting

Other ways to avoid hemorrhoids:

• Avoid foods that cause constipation like dairy, processed grains, and too much meat
• Avoid dehydrating caffeine or alcohol
• Use natural stool softeners whenever constipated (i.e. psyllium husk fiber with lots of water)
• Exercise regularly
• Avoid sitting for too long (this includes sitting in front of TV)
• Don’t hold in bowel movements (go when nature calls!)
• Do not strain during a bowel movement
• Do not sit on the toilet for extended time periods (no reading on the throne!)
• Void – I mean avoid heavy lifting

Back to squatting… Who wants to squat while pooping? That seems like too much of a hassle.

Introducing SQUATTY POTTY. Clean, comfy, and effective.

 The way to go natural, but not too natural.

And who wouldn’t want the bag on our right each morning instead of the left???

This video is a couple minutes long butt teaches us so much about Squatty Potty (and so much more that I was never able to explain about rainbow soft serve ice cream).

The haiku mentioned in it sums it all up quite well:

“Oh squatty potty,

you fill me with endless joy,

yet leave me empty.”

If you care to purchase one, here’s the Squatty Potty website. 

Other of my favorite natural remedies include:

• Witch hazel (commonly used to clean hemorrhoids naturally and help reduce pain & itching)
• Warm showers (warm water relieves pressure; use conditioner rectally to soften – no soaps as they can further inflammation)
• Sitz bath involves a small tub (bought at local pharmacy) that fits over a regular toilet and is used to easily soak hemorrhoids in warm water (can add witch hazel to it)
• Cold compress (witch hazel sprayed on soft tissue then frozen is great) to the anus can relieve swelling, pain and itching.
• Bottoms Up Balm
• Homeopathic Avenoc suppositories

And, because I can…


Man, this blog was a pain in the butt to write. Cha-ching.



Medical Disclaimer: Information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. The information is a result of years of practice and experience by Yoshi Rahm, DO. However, this information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other health care professional, or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. 

Do not use the information provided in this article for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other health care professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice because of something you have read in this article.

Information provided in this article and the use of any products or services related to this article by you DOES NOT create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Yoshi Rahm, DO or any other physician featured in this article. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Cleaner Greener Flu Shot

Short of Middle East politics and immigration reform, few issues generate as much social friction and self-righteous rancor as childhood immunization policy. 

So now, more on flu vaccines :)

On the October 22nd blog I wondered aloud if the flu shot is the best option to prevent the flu.  Needless to say, I have not been impressed by the flu shot in the past.  Long have I wondered why they don’t make vaccines without all the crappy toxins in them.

That has changed now.  Introducing Flublok.  While conventional flu shots have many toxins (mercury, aluminum, formaldehyde, antibiotics, Polysorbate 80, MSG, egg protein) Flublok has none of these additives and is made using 3 times the amount of actual antigen (flu DNA that makes you immune to the flu).  Flublok also does not require incubation in chicken eggs which greatly reduces the eco-footprint of the manufacturing process and eliminates the risk of bacterial contamination or egg allergen exposure.

The makers of Flublok state that it is completely free of heavy metals, formaldehyde, latex, antibiotics, gluten and egg residues.  And since it does not require use of actual live flu viruses, it is free of attenuated viral particles, unlike other flu shots.

This is as clean and green as a flu shot can get and is the way that I’d love to see all vaccines be made. Not gonna get into the nitty gritty of how conventional flu shots are made in this blog, but let’s just say that it involves (along with mercury, aluminum, formaldehyde, antibiotics) 3 eggs for each flu shot, bacteria, and flu-like-syndrome causing endotoxins.

Manon Cox, PhD, CEO of Protein Sciences who makes Flublok, believes her company has obviated most if not all concerns people have about vaccines - concerns that have been loudly emphasized by vaccine critics and unduly dismissed by equally vociferous vaccine advocates.

Watch a short simple 1 minute Flublok video here.  Or learn more about Flublok from their website here.

Flublok first became available late in 2014 and is approved for people aged 18 and older.

I am excited!  This kind of vaccine should have been made available to the public in the 1990’s or even 1980’s.  The technology was there, but the economic incentives were not made available by those that control such things.  Oh well.  At least it’s now finally available in the annual flu shot.

As of December 2015, Target Pharmacy is the only place you can get Flublok in the Los Angeles area.

Now, does all this mean Flublok is actually totally safe?  Frankly, it hasn’t been around long enough to know.  I wish I knew.  But, what I can say is that it certainly cleaner and greener and it seems like a much better option than all the other conventional flu shots.

Of course, lifestyle modifications are still the best way to avoid illness.  These beneficial lifestyle modifications include plenty of sleep, de-stressing, and healthy foods.  Well-balanced Vitamin D, zinc, glutathione, curcumin and Vitamin C are great to also help keep illness at bay.

If you do end up with the flu despite employing the above mentioned tactics, along with many herbal options, one can always come into the office for a Nutritional IV.

And as mentioned in my October post… If you do decide to get the Flublok vaccine, then there are some homeopathic remedies that one can take to mitigate potential side effects. (These are available in the office if you can’t find them at your local health food store.)

• Thuja 5 pellets under tongue twice daily x 7 days after EVERY vaccination.

• Influenzinum 5 pellets under tongue twice daily x 3 days for after flu vaccination.

• Gelsemium 5 pellets under tongue twice daily x 3 days for after flu vaccination.

If you decide to get any other flu vaccine besides the Flublok, then I would also recommend:

• Alumina 5 pellets under tongue three times daily x 7 days after EVERY vaccination with aluminum in them (if not sure, then take as precaution).

Once again, the decision to receive vaccinations of any kind is highly individualized. My goal, as always, is to empower you with the knowledge to make the best and most informed decision you can for yourself and your health.

Medical Disclaimer: Information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. The information is a result of years of practice and experience by Yoshi Rahm, DO. However, this information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other health care professional, or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. 

Do not use the information provided in this article for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other health care professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice because of something you have read in this article.

Information provided in this article and the use of any products or services related to this article by you DOES NOT create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Yoshi Rahm, DO or any other physician featured in this article. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.