Dr. Norm Easley

A grade school teacher recently visited me at the clinic. She informed me of an interesting experiment her second grade class performed. There is so much information about the benefits of GMO foods, her class decided to demonstrate the value on a group of mice. They set up a control situation where they fed regular food to ten mice and GMO food to the other group of ten mice. They kept good records regarding amounts of feed and water consumed and watched for results. Within a week or so, the GMO mice began appearing weak and sickly. After a couple more weeks, the children noticed the GMO fed mice were declining more rapidly. Fearing for the life of the mice, they discontinued the experiment and began feeding the GMO group normal food. Within a week, their health returned to normal. To insure there was no misinterpretation the class started the experiment again, only, this time the GMO group refused to eat! They literally would not eat the GMO food! Needless to say, the class now questions the propaganda regarding GMO foods.

It is interesting to note that distribution of GMO foods to the public was done without any preliminary test trials. It was automatically assumed they are good for us. Essentially, the entire American population was relegated to the position of test mice. The only problem is that with humans any side effects from consuming GMO foods might go unnoticed for months to years. It is extremely difficult to justify scientifically the cause of a condition when so much time has passed. For the GMO industry, this is good news. They can continue making new strains of GMO foods since, presently, there is no way they can be associated with any developing disease. It is also disheartening that a second grade class now knows more about the results of GMO food consumption than the scientists presently developing them! For me I am siding with the second graders and will do anything I can to avoid all GMO food.

The functions of the human body are constants. We are all made up of the same structures and all of our structures perform the same functions. In addition, all of our functions are interrelated in various dynamic mixes all designed by heredity and innate wisdom to create homeostasis. Homeostasis is the ability of the body to maintain a perfect balance with the least amount of energy expenditure. How well we do this is determined by our individual uniqueness. It is the way our constants interact in accordance with genetics, our environments, and various stresses. To make this all work, every human body contains an autonomic nervous system which knows the optimum pathway to health. The ANS is this system that connects all of our body parts to an innate physical intelligence. Underneath all of the wonder of our bodies is a form of intelligent awareness that enables all functions to maintain an optimum activity. Attaining health is actually a simple problem for the body. It has the secret map! However, for us, it can be very difficult for our conscious minds. It can also be complex to the physician who is responsible for identifying exactly where the glitches reside and what treatments the body needs.

When all of the treatments and body components are combined, literally billions of combinations of disorders are possible. Still, the autonomic nervous system is concerned initially with only the single most important treatment. When healing is involved, the body is strictly linear. Healing is based entirely on the “weak link” concept. In every individual there is only one primary weak link that the autonomic nervous system is most concerned with beyond all others. Once this “link” has been properly identified and treated, the next weakness is exposed and so on until all the weak links are remedied. The concept is very similar to the “layers of the onion” theory of healing, except for one crucial factor. When exposing the onion layers of disorder utilizing conventional diagnostic techniques, there can be literally thousands of layers. Most of these layers, however, are unimportant. Actually, of the thousands of layers existing in the average individual there are only a few on the physical and the psychological levels that are really important. Accurate patient appraisals can identify and treat the most significant layers in the proper sequence. To this requires access to the intelligence of the autonomic nervous system.

The human body is driven by an innate intelligence that powers the central and autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system then manages the body for optimum homeostasis. When there is a dysfunction, the body pays a heavy price on homeostatic energy requirements. To establish a less stressful balance the body is capable of providing a sequential pattern of treatment requirements to the practitioner. This is a strictly linear process and is referred to as “The Weak Link Process.” This process is founded on the discovery that within each body there is function that is recognized to be the weakest or most dysfunctional. It is the primary concern of the body to correct the weakest area first. Once corrected it then directs its attention to the next weakest area. This linear process continues until homeostasis is established with the least amount of energy expenditure. Theoretically, the Weak Link Process is discontinued when perfection is attained. Understanding The Weak Link Process removes an enormous amount of complexity to patient analysis, but it also causes some difficulty because of the way we are conditioned.

We are educated as physicians to compile all of our findings and reach a diagnosis. The body, however, does not think in terms of a diagnosis. It is only concerned with normalizing a particular sequence of disorders. This requires a sequence of specific treatments. For example, a diagnosis of fibromyalgia would be interpreted by the body as interstitial deposits of large molecule proteins caused by a negative psychological impact from a parent. The psychological impact then produces a deficient thymus proteolytic function enabling large molecule proteins to deposit causing inflammation in the body tissues. The diagnosis of fibromyalgia could lead to various, and oftentimes numerous therapeutic protocols. However, in a particular patient, the body requires first a proteolytic enzyme capable of dissolving large molecule proteins, followed by constitutional homeopathic, specific thymus support and finally a small molecule proteolytic enzyme for thymus support. In another case of fibromyalgia, there might be small molecule proteolytic enzyme deposits followed by deficient liver toxin metabolism, B12-based anemia, hypothyroid and finally deficient thymic protein metabolism. The symptom patterns are basically the same but the therapy sequences are completely different. Often, when making a standard diagnosis and then prescribing an associated treatment protocol, there is not an exact match to what the body requires. This phenomenon gives value to the basic law of natural or allopathic medicine: even the best of therapies must be prescribed accurately and at the correct time for the body to recognize and utilize its benefits.

When the proper ‘weak link’ sequence is identified accurately, the proper treatments can be prescribed at the correct time for the maximum effect. This gives birth to the next law of healing: the best treatments will be outgrown as the body heals making it necessary to identify the next level of weak links.

The story of Organic foods and products is one that erupted in the late 1960’s. As the awareness of chemicals in our foods grew, so did the movement to have clean, healthy foods. It is a story rich with good news and some bad news. However, now the movement for healthy, organic foods is experiencing the worst of all adversaries–deception. Deception is the most powerful weapon of all for the chemical industry. It depends on a trusting consumer who believes what they are buying is really what the label says it is. Only recently have I become aware that this is not always true and I am afraid, as always, the deception has its roots in the malignancy of capitalistic greed.

Last year (2007), I read in a “green” publication that in 2005 organic farmers made more profit than conventional farmers who use chemical pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides. This is an amazing fact since organic farmland comprises only twenty percent of the agricultural land! I was very excited. My first thought entertained the idea that conventional farmers will now begin the slow process of converting over to organic! Wow! The health movement is finally having a major impact, even if it is only for economical reasons. Soon, I began to ponder other possibilities of this landmark development. As my enthusiasm declined, I became suspicious and even a little pessimistic. Farmer’s are not going to stop using millions of pounds of chemicals and radically change their beliefs. The chemical industry could not allow this. They must seek alternative approaches, which, I am depressed to say, is exactly what they did!! Discovering that these deceptive practices are in use helped me to understand the massive influx of organic products on the market. How can so many companies suddenly have organic products? Here are some of the implemented new angles on organic.

First, call organic something else like “authentic”, “natural”, or “real”. These terms do not mean organic! I remember when the organic movement was picking up some momentum during the seventies. The primary argument against it was the chemical fact that all food is organic because they contain a carbon atom. Apparently, that was all the body cared about, so the terms organic, natural and real all meant the same thing. This satisfied a portion of consumer concern and they kept on buying foods laced with chemicals.

Next, establish a minimum percentage of organic ingredients so the label can still say “organic”. A well-known “cheese” product became “Real” in the 1970’s when it was determined by the FDA that if it contained a minimum of 26% real cheese, then it is considered real and natural, even if fillers and additives made up the remaining 74%!

Loosen up on the requirements established by credible inspecting agencies. Lower standards make it easier for less honorable agencies to certify “legally organic” food items. This favors the large-scale producers who can afford to manipulate the laws through their lobbyists.

My favorite: reclassify certain chemicals as being organic. As of June 2007, the USDA was “considering a proposal to allow 38 nonorganic ingredients to be used in organic foods.” According to the Los Angeles Times: “Because of the broad uses of these ingredients — as spices, colorings, and flavorings for example — almost any type of manufactured organic food could be affected, including organic milk, cereal, sausages, bread and beer.” Then In 2007, the USDA certified Anheuser-Busch’s Wild Hop Lager organic “even though [it] uses hops grown with chemical fertilizers and sprayed with pesticides. To add insult to injury, a patient recently brought in a newspaper article claiming our USDA has now determined that over 150 agricultural chemicals are really organic and are acceptable as organic farming adjuncts and food additives!

Finally, the most deceptive of all: what can the food industry get away with before being discovered?! Indeed, if you start doing even passive research on the internet you can find numerous loopholes in the organic claims. Start with www.ams.usda.gov/. This website has all the records regarding what chemicals are organic, qualifications for being organic, and lists of all the certifiers. They do mention in various articles that it is difficult to police all of the activity in the organic market. This adds some clarity to the organic explosion. It is difficult to believe that all of the organic farmers, ingredients and products hitting the shelves are 100% organic.

When you look back on the past year, it is astounding how many companies suddenly are now organic! I am afraid some are incorporating one or more of the deceptions listed. So what can we do to minimize the chances of buying organic foods that contain chemicals?

The only thing we can do is buy organic foods certified by an established third party inspector. Right now, there are 95 accreditation agencies worldwide! I am confident products approved by QMI from Canada and Oregon Tilth are organic. It is important to go online to www.ams.usda.gov/ and locate the accreditation agencies you see printed on USDA Organic labels in your area. Call them and find out how strict they are. The only other options are to buy locally from credible farmers. There are a growing number of organic farmers providing a delivery service of fresh produce. Finally, you can grow it all yourself.

It seems no matter what the industry, there are those wishing to increase their profits by cutting corners. We are the one’s that suffer for it. In the organic industry, this seems to be happening as well. This means we must take a more active role in making sure what we buy and what companies we support are benefitting us. I grew up in a time when my family was considered complete weirdo’s because of our belief in real chemical-free foods. It was almost blasphemy to think that food had anything to do with your health, and we were idiots to think that chemical farming and additives were harmful in any way. Now, the information and awareness concerning organic foods is monumental and the opportunities unlimited. I only hope the future will preserve the high standards maintained by the dedicated organic pioneers and the movement will eventually overpower the use of chemicals in food. We all need to play our part to make sure this happens.

When is a cure really a cure? The answer to this question is a challenge with every patient.

Still putting this one together. I’ll be addressing this question

I am a romantic idealist. Since the time I was young I daydreamed about people instantly getting well, free of all pain and distress. I often read about miraculous cures. I watched Resurrection with Ellen Burnstyn repeatedly and every other movie illustrating the wonder of miraculous healing. I read Illusions by Richard Bach frequently just to feel the awe of his instant cures. I studied placebo cures, religious cures, New Testament cures, hypnosis cures and the Village of St. Bernadette cures. I actually witnessed documented healings by Philipino psychic surgeons verified with follow-up evaluations. I loved hearing about people healed by changing their diets or by taking vitamins, herbs and supplements. It all fascinated me. I didn’t really care if some of the stories and events were fabricated, it was the absolute awe and wonderment vicariously experienced that completed something inside me. I was convinced everyone could be well when applying the correct healing procedures. Healing did not necessarily need to be instantaneous. It could be a process. I had to learn how.

I first read You Are All Sanpaku by Oshawa, Back to Eden by Kloss, The Mucous less Diet by Arnold Erhet, Paul Bragg, Bernhard Jenson, and every other book I could find. Back in the 1960’s, however, there weren’t that many books on nutrition and herbs but they were solid with good information that still stands today. I felt like a dedicated student watching and reading instruction manuals but never applying the information. You can watch instructional videos only so much until eventually you must put on the snow skis, put the racket in your hand, or pick up the brush. So how do I learn the art of healing? At that time, I knew nothing of Chiropractic or Natural Healing professions. We lived in an upper middle class neighborhood and my parents socialized primarily with medical doctors and other professionals. They encouraged me to pursue conventional medicine but I was not interested. I decided to take a break and started traveling. I eventually found myself the founder of Pioneer Log Cabins, a company (?) that built log houses with the clients own trees.

While building a log house in southern Oregon with my brother, Don, I had an experience that changed my life. One sunny day, I was working by myself, when I looked up and here stood a bearded, full-bodied man standing a few feet from me. I never even heard him coming! His eyes were dark and pierced the shadow cast by his brimmed hat. Before I said anything, he began speaking in a smooth, baritone voice that completely abolished any defensive feelings I was having. He stated he had been watching me for days. Somehow, he could tell I was a true seeker and always searching for answers. He continued to say that I create a thought, ponder it, and then, with dedication, make it happen. He continued to say he would give me a simple guideline that would work for me throughout my life.

He stated that Quests require Knowledge, Wisdom, and Understanding. Knowledge represents the tools of a craft. Wisdom enables knowing how to use each tool proficiently, and Understanding involves recognizing how to take these tools and create something spectacular with them. To pursue a Quest first requires accumulating the knowledge necessary to make it happen and then studying and practicing to becoming skillful at using the knowledge. Once this foundation is established, it is then necessary to set out on the journey, to fulfill the dream. He gave me one other bit of life philosophy. He declared that every thought should produce an action. This is the only way you can live in the moment and it is only in the moment that you live your true calling. Then after talking for thirty minutes or so, he turned away, and casually walked back into the forest. Whoa! OK! What was that all about?

After a few weeks of pondering over these lessons in philosophy as well as a few more conversations with the mountain Socrates, I was ready to get moving. I wanted to be a physician since I received my first doctor bag for Christmas at six years old. I had been into health foods since I was eight, been on numerous fasts and diets with my father, and had read numerous books on health. All I ever talked about was eating properly and becoming enlightened (it was what the sixties were really all about). It was time I did something about it. I decided to become a physician. I still knew nothing of natural medical professions. I toyed with the idea of becoming an osteopath, but the course seemed too conventional. During this time of searching, I worked in a health store and built electronic devices designed to stimulate healing.

While I was building log cabins with my brother, I met a man who developed a healing device made from converted tube radios. Two moistened pads connected to the wires of the speakers and were placed along the spine or anywhere there might be discomfort. It was necessary to find a good rock-n-roll station and run the electrically converted frequencies into the body. I was convinced this was an important cure-all and began a meager attempt at selling them. Fortunately, I had a day-job.

I was working in a health store that was the true oxymoron of health stores. In the front of the store was all the vitamins and supplements and in the main body of the store was a bakery!? Yes, it’s true. I stocked shelves with nutritional supplements, assisted in while making and selling cookies and these unbelievably scrumptious glazed donuts! Even the most dedicated of health devotees could not resist the delicacies in that store. I often repented though with a vegetable juice made from my garden produce. One day, while working in the store, I met a chiropractor named Alan Beardahl. He was a local physician and apparently was a successful natural healer. We instantly became good friends. After of few conversations, I loaned him one of my ‘electronic radio devices that heals people with rock-n-roll frequencies.’ It never had a name so this is what I called it. He gladly applied it to his patients but did not get the cures I had been convinced it would produce. In any event, the patients liked the effect of the device and I had my first (and last) sale. Still, with all of our meetings, I never connected that what Dr. Beardahl was doing was something I could do. Chiropractic seemed more involved with the musculo-skeletal system and not the practice of natural medicine. Nevertheless, our friendship changed my life forever.

It was a sunny August day in Oregon. I had just come in from working in the garden, when the phone rang. The individual calling was the admissions secretary for Western States Chiropractic College. She informed me that Dr Beardahl had paid my first years tuition, and, would I be interested in attending? I remember standing in the sunlight as it shown through the window thinking to myself that I am not really doing anything. I had the health/bakery store job, but I was not planning on it for a career. I no other opportunities and this one just fell in my lap, so I said yes. All I needed was the 98 pre-med college hours.

My father was always an optimist encouraging me to go to school even if I didn’t know what I want to do. Eventually, I would discover my path and it will be easier to follow if I had the accumulated college credits. He was right! When the Chiropractic College reviewed my records, I the exact credits required. I started school one month later. Over the following five years, I completed the courses offered by the Chiropractic College, National College of Naturopathic Medicine, and the North American College of Acupuncture. I was ready to learn how to produce miraculous healings, or so I thought.