Entering the Body Temple
Dear Clients and Friends,
From growing up in Central L.A. in the ’60s to Venice in the ’70s, I learned to be in protect mode to family, friends and myself. These days, in Beverly Hills, not much has changed—if you were in the office, you heard me get a little outspoken of the hidden threats in our water, food, medicine cabinet, and even skincare practices.
Just like you'd glance at food labels in the grocery store, I encourage you to take a peek at what’s going into your body—especially the things stamped “safe” by the FDA. After 45years in practice, I’ve picked up a few insights that might help you stay ahead of the curve—and keep your body running at exponential health.
Think of it like this: I’m out back at a barbecue, and I see a snake slither by. I let you know about it. What you do next? Entirely up to you. I’ve wrestled enough snakes in my day to know it’s better to give a heads-up than let someone step on a land mine.
This isn’t about fear, it’s about discernment.
If we say our body is a temple, then it’s worth asking: ”What are we letting in the gates?”
What Are We Putting Into Our Bodies?
Let’s look at a few widely used modern products and ingredients. These FDA-approved items are used daily by millions and presented as safe or even trendy.
Apeel: The Coating You Didn’t Ask For—Now on Organics Too
Used On: Apples, avocados, cucumbers, limes, and more—including certified organic produce.
BTW labeling is inconsistent, ask the produce workers if they know it on Marketed As: A plant-based coating that extends shelf life and reduces food waste.
Backed By: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, one of Apeel Sciences' earliest and most prominent funders.
What They Don’t Tell You:
The specific formulation is 90% undisclosed, protected as a trade secret.
It contains mono- and diglycerides, which can be derived from seed oils and used as emulsifiers.
From what I understand it’s not water-soluble—you can’t wash it off. No amount of scrubbing or vinegar soaking will remove it.
Why It Matters:
Apeel is now approved for use on certified organic produce in the U.S., creating a loophole where synthetic coatings can coexist with organic labeling.
Emulsifiers like those in Apeel have been linked to gut lining disruption, immune reactivity, and altered microbiome signaling in both human and animal studies.
Takeaway: Organic used to mean “clean.” Now it may mean “coated, but quietly.”
The Blood–Brain Barrier: Your Brain’s Last Line of Defense
The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is one of the most important biological protections you have. It filters what enters your brain, allowing in oxygen, glucose, and amino acids—while blocking 98% of foreign substances.
But here’s the concern:
Certain modern additives—like polysorbate 80 and polyethylene glycol (PEG)—are used specifically because they can breach or punch through this barrier.
Used In:
IV medications (including some chemotherapy drugs)
Cosmetics (creams, lotions, eye drops)
Vaccines
Food products (ice cream, pickles, sauces)
Is there a Problem?:
Once inside, these compounds can carry other molecules with them—ones the brain would otherwise reject.
Even food-grade emulsifiers have been linked to neuroinflammation, immune dysregulation, and increased permeability of both the gut and brain barriers in animal studies.
Takeaway: The blood-brain barrier (BBB) acts like the brain’s personal security system—allowing in only what truly belongs. In certain treatments, specialized ingredients like Polysorbate 80 and PEG are used intentionally to cross this barrier, often as a medical necessity to deliver critical therapies. But like any security bypass, it’s worth understanding both the benefits and the risks, so we can make informed decisions with full awareness.
If You Read Food Labels, You Should Be Reading Medical Ones Too
Most of us have learned to scan the back of a granola box or yogurt tub—watching out for seed oils, artificial flavors, or hidden sugars. But how often do we apply that same level of scrutiny to what goes into our medical treatments or topical products?
The truth is:
Additives, emulsifiers, and delivery agents used in food often overlap with those in vaccines, IV meds, cosmetics, and supplements.
And unlike grocery items, many of these ingredients are not disclosed at the point of use—especially in medical settings. It’s up to us to read the labels and decide what is best whatever that means.
Ozempic & Wegovy: Gila Monster Chemistry Meets the Human Gut
Used For: Weight loss and Type 2 diabetes.
What It Is: A GLP-1 agonist modeled after a peptide in Gila monster saliva.
Mechanism: Acts on the brainstem and vagus nerve to slow digestion and suppress appetite.
Side Effects:
Nausea, bloating, vomiting
Slowed gastric emptying
Pancreatitis
Diabetic retinopathy
Risk of thyroid tumors (in rodents)
Clinical Concern:
While these drugs are effective for weight loss, they fundamentally disrupt vagus nerve signaling—which governs heart rate, digestion, and inflammation.
Takeaway: Your vagus nerve is like the Wi-Fi router of your nervous system. Hijacking it for short-term results may lead to long-term dysfunction.
Botox (Botulinum Toxin): Freezing Time—Literally
Used For: Cosmetic wrinkle reduction and therapeutic relief (migraines, muscle spasms).
What It Is: A purified form of botulinum toxin, one of the most lethal neurotoxins known.
How It Works: Blocks acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction—paralyzing the muscle.
Concerns:
Spread beyond injection site
Muscle weakening or asymmetry
Resistance or antibody formation over time
Long-term nervous system effects (still under-researched)
Takeaway: Our ancestors survived plagues and wild animals. We combat aging by paralyzing our faces. BTW: Our Lymphstar with Erchonia Laser has been known to detox Botox out of the body in one visit.
This Is Just a Glimpse
These are just a few of the ingredients and interventions I’ve researched.
There are many more, some with origins in venom, petroleum, or industrial emulsifiers. The common thread? They often bypass or override your body’s natural defenses without your informed consent.
Many of my clients are physicians who recognize the value of bridging advanced Modalities with Integrative Manual Therapy. Whether it’s time for a tune-up—or you simply want to feel the difference in your own body—we invite you to experience it for yourself.
*** Side Effect: Beauty—with functional flow, it shows. (Nerve, Blood, Lymph and Mental Flow)
What the Body Does Want
Your body was built to heal. Support it, don’t outsmart it.
Breath & Movement: Drives lymphatic and cerebrospinal flow
Hydration: Essential for cellular detox and organ resilience
Manual Fascia Work: Clears stagnation and enhances circulation
Nutrient Support: Vitamin D through sun, exercise, sleep, healthy fats, and minerals rebuild the terrain
Coherence Practices: HeartMath, prayer, faith, breathwork—all tune your inner rhythms and mental flow
You don’t need to be perfect. Discipline sets you free, consistency transforms!
Final Word: Awareness Is Protection
This isn’t about rejecting science or fearing every new product.
It’s about asking better questions, reading past the marketing, and not getting caught up in fear. We all need to do our own due diligence.
History has shown us that sometimes the same individual is approving the research, funding the studies, directing government and media messaging — and yes, profiting from the outcome. Not pointing fingers, just pointing out a system that might need a full detox session.
Informed consent and open dialogue should be non-negotiable, whether it’s coming from the pharmaceutical boardroom or the holistic retreat center. After all, if someone stands to gain financially, it’s fair to ask a few extra questions. And let’s not forget true healing also requires emotional and spiritual care. We have already seen the side effects of loneliness and lack of faith.
Trust your gut — connect your brain to your heart, have a sense of humor while letting that wee voice within be your copilot.
With respect to body wisdom,
Cliff Matsuno PT