Showing posts with label hormone. Show all posts

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Balance: A Good Place to Stay

Keep yourself balanced!

How do you know what you are doing in your daily life is the right thing for you? Are you getting enough exercise? Are you eating the right diet? How do you know?

Since I started working I have had people asking me over and over, what should I eat to stay healthy? How many miles should I walk/jog/run to stay fit? On and on. My answer is simple let me check you out!

I have told patients in my 3 years of practice not to exercise more than 20 minutes at a time. Has your jaw dropped yet? I have told patients that they should not eat salads. It all depends on their bodies status. For people with an unstable sacro-iliac joint (tailbone region) they should avoid activities that involve impact including intercourse. This is the real deal for some people. No one thinks that it can happen to them but keep an open mind health costs are going up while health status across the country is declining. As I have said in multiple newsletters, “YOU HAVE THE POWER TO STAY HEALTHY!”

Healthy Habits for Life:

Below is a simplified list that you can start using to protect you and your loved ones.

What to Avoid or Restrict

Hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated fats and oils. The process used to make these oils, makes liquid oils more solid. This destroys the nutritional value of the oil and results in the formation of what is called CIS - and trans-fatty acids that become oxidized when exposed to heat and can clog the arteries leading to atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular disease. Use sesame oil, olive oil or coconut oil when cooking. These oils help minimize inflammation.
Processed foods usually contain undesirable chemicals and additives, which may increase the free radical activity, putting extra demand on antioxidant and detoxification systems in the body. If the processing takes heat, then many natural enzymes and vitamins in the food are destroyed.
REFINED CARBOHYDRATES a.k.a. SUGARS. Sugars will affect the blood sugar stability and off-set male and female hormones, shifting the body to produce more fat, and cause weight gain. These compounds, among other negative health effects, are also known to lower the immune response and increase the risk for yeast growth.
Limit or avoid carbonated soft drinks and sodas. These may have a negative effect on the stomach pH balance due to formation of carbonic acid (H2CO3). Soft drinks with high fructose levels can also alter metabolism causing it to run slower. We recommend drinking soft drinks made outside the U.S. such as the Coca-Cola made in Mexico that uses real cane sugar. Or one of my personal favorites is Blood Orange soda which is made in France or Italy. We still highly recommend drinking water. No additives or food coloring added.

Healthy Exercise Routines

Exercise is vital for a healthy body. Physical activity whether it is four miles or around the block is better than nothing. I also recommend for every person to change up their routine weekly. It is best if you can do aerobic and anaerobic routines, static and dynamic movements.

Start slow and gradually increase the pace/intensity in each session without stressing your system. Do NOT over train! Heavy exercise can trigger the formation of free radicals, increase inflammation, and cause other stresses on the body, which in turn can adversely affect the adrenal response and sugar balance. Avoid over training by reducing the intensity of physical activity and giving you enough recovery time between workouts. If you do not know what a good workout routine is for you ask our staff and we will be happy to assist you.

The last tidbit of information that is an understatement is breathing exercises such as meditation or yoga. Best time to practice these techniques is in the morning, in an open environment preferably outdoors. Breathing exercises help oxygenate the tissues at an optimum level. Deep breathing exercises help maintain healthy blood oxygenation.

For more healthy tips and recommendations schedule an appointment with Dr. Pauline or Dr. Weber to find out what you can do.

Thyroid - Gut Connection

When was the last time you walked into your doctor’s office and said “I would like my digestive tract assessed because I know my thyroid hormones are out of balance?”

Hippocrates (Image Right) told us 2,000 years ago, “Death begins in the colon.”

How did he know that?

Did he have like a special antenna that only he could hear or tune into? NO!! He observed the human body and thought logically. When you eat food, it goes in your mouth and down into your gut. Right? (the answer is yes)

What if that salad was not washed right and it still had pesticides on it? What if that steak was improperly cooked and it was infected with E. Coli? I can sit here and write 10,000 what if scenarios but what if you had a properly working digestive system?

Most people don’t, especially those with thyroid issues including hypo- (poor) and hyper- (too much) -thyroidism. All the nutrients, minerals, cofactors, etc. must be digested and absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract. If there is a digestive issue, indigestion, food allergies, diarrhea and/or constipation etc. it means there is an imbalance in the gastrointestinal tract which ultimately causes a loss of stomach acid production, inadequate pH and dysbiosis.

The Thyroid - Gut connection is a very complex an integrated system that should be screened in EVERY thyroid case. The #1 cause worldwide of thyroid hypofunction (hypothyroidism) is iodine deficiency, but it is NOT the #1 cause in the United States. The #1 cause of hypothyroidism in the U.S. is Hashimoto’s autoimmune thyroid. (For more information about autoimmune thyroid consult our office)

To support hypothyroidism or regulate an autoimmune thyroid condition like Hashimoto’s, you must address the digestive tract. Gut dysfunctions are the most commonly overlooked health issue in the medical field today (including alternative care).

Healthy Gut = Healthy Thyroid

The thyroid gland is the gas pedal for the body. When the body's metabolism is running slow, more thyroid hormone is produced to speed up metabolism. When the body’s metabolism is on overdrive, the thyroid will diminish the amount of thyroid produced. The body is a reflex machine, constantly trying to maintain homeostasis or equilibrium. In doing this many mechanisms and pathways are cut short or over used. For example, if you eat fried fatty foods 4 days out of the week, your gallbladder will not like you and will become sluggish and make gallstones.

Did you know with a sluggish gallbladder you minimize your body’s ability to clear hormones including estrogen?

FUN FACT:

When you remove your gallbladder the cystic duct takes over the storage of bile.

Every cell in the body has a thyroid receptor, even neurons (cells in the brain). Most people are unaware they have a thyroid issue until they start having issues including but not limited too:

- Fatigue / Sluggish

- Thinning of hair

- Loss of the outer ⅓ of eyebrow

- Cold hands and feet, all over

- Dry skin / flaky

- Difficulty losing weight

Summary

The Thyroid - Gut Connection is an invaluable aspect of health that many healthcare providers overlook. The thyroid has a receptor on every cell in the body. The gut digest and absorbs food for every cell in the body. When gastric atrophy occurs, proteins are not properly digested and often become a source of inflammation. With sluggish gallbladder / biliary system the body is not equipped to digest and absorb fats which also affect cholesterol levels, adrenals status, and hormones. The Thyroid - Gut Connection should be assessed on every patient with the above signs and symptoms for preventative health.

For more information on the Thyroid - Gut Connection contact our office through our website Weber Chiropractic or call 916.616.1595.

Are You Old and Moldy?

Identifying Mold/Fungi/Yeast & How it Behaves

Most of us have seen mold in one form or another on some item throughout our days, moldy bread, black mold creeping up the wall, I have actually seen it on decaying animals. “GROSS!!” Did you know mold, yeast and fungus can enter into your body through multiple entry routes and can wreak havoc on your body. In this article I want to define what mold is, discuss the difference between bacteria and mold, and then bring it all together for you so when someone asks you about mold, yeast or fungus you have something to tell them.

What Is Mold?

Mold is classified as an opportunistic pathogen meaning, if the environment is right it will move in! First thing to know about “Mold,” what is it?

For simplicity sake the term “mold” encompasses all of the following: yeast, fungi and fungus.

Molds are microscopic fungi that live on plant or animal matter in a moist environment either warm or cold. When humidity is high there is a high potential for mold. No one knows how many species of fungi exist, but estimates range from tens of thousands to perhaps 300,000 or more. Most are filamentous (thread-like) organisms and the production of spores is characteristic of fungi in general. These spores can be transported by water or insects. An interesting characteristic of mold is that it can travel via airborne. Mold travels a lot like dandelion seeds blowing across a meadow.(1)

Detection of species

In our office we rely heavily on laboratory findings of our patient’s labs to determine their internal biochemistry, mainly blood-serum tests, but here lately we have been diving deeper into patients that have chronic infections using the Gastrointestinal Full Profile. We are able to determine what type of species is being inhabited and if the patient has any drug resistant genes. With this information we are able to open a full arsenal to both the patient and the treating medical physician.

Unlike bacteria and viruses, molds unfortunately share the same cell characteristics to humans. Humans and molds are eukaryotic cells which are further evolved and much more sophisticated than the prokaryotic cells being bacteria.

This patient has a chronic infection, parasites and a positive DNA finding of Yeast/Fungi.

Gastrointestinal Full Profile

Common Question:

If mold is found on our food, bread or jelly, can we cut off the moldy portion and eat the rest?

Answer:

NO!! Molds are microscopic organisms therefore they are not visible to the naked eye but they are still present.(1) When a mold spore lands on an apple for instance, the first strand that grows out is called a hypha. Then those mold threads continue to spread and grow throughout the whole apple which is similar to a root system of a tree and this becomes hyphae. Then as more hyphae grow throughout the whole apple, this is called mycelium. As conditions continue to remain favorable to the mold, the mycelium must spread throughout the whole apple before they sprout their reproductive bodies which produces mold spores. This is what is visible to the naked eye as black fuzz or white cotton balls. Remember just because you slice that visible portion of mold off of the apple, you are only slicing off the reproductive bodies of the mold. The mold has spread all over the apple which is why that mold infested food must be thrown out. My botany professor always used to tell us, “when in doubt, throw it out.”

Difference between Bacteria and Mold: Diagnosis and Treatment

Bacteria species such as Streptococcus is responsible for strep throat (sore throat) which typically results in the patient feeling feverish, malaise and fatigued. Bacterial infections can infiltrate sinuses, throat, lungs, gastrointestinal, reproductive organs, and skin. Mold species may infect the same areas.

a. b. c.

Chronic yeast infections: (a) is due to ingestion of mold resulting in itchy, dry and flaking skin. (b) mold allergies affecting nasal cavities. (c ) candida infection in the mouth.

Exposure to high levels of fungi can be a health threat from inhalation, ingestion or skin contact involving tiny mold spores (invisible to the naked eye), mold toxins (mycotoxins) or mold bodies themselves. Initial symptoms vary depending on entry point but if inhaled; sore throats, hoarseness, cough and nasal congestion. In time as infection progresses symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, rashes, dizziness, shortness of breath, sinus infections, ear pain, muscle and joint pain, and fever. These are symptoms of direct mycotoxin exposure. (2)

As mold conditions go untreated the immune system is overloaded and becomes overzealous. Clinical manifestations of this overloaded immune system result in an unrelenting flu syndrome. This has an effect on one’s daily life because it affects their thinking ability (cognition), energy levels, sleeping patterns, etc. According to research, these changes can be reversible, at least in part, but they can take years to resolve. Correcting digestive chemistry such as low stomach acid is critical for patient recovery.

Diagnosis of mold hypersensitivity syndrome rests on three criteria:(2)

1. An identified heavily contaminated source

a. Consider Boomerang Air Quality Test

b. Found on food

2. Appropriate symptoms temporally related to exposure

a. Difficulty losing weight, chronic allergies, skin problems (dried, rashes, red bumps), chronic headaches, chronic sinusitis, chronic yeast infections, ringworm, etc.

3. Positive lab results

a. Gastrointestinal Full Profile

b. Postive IgG antibody test - Serum blood test

Additional Information:

Molds are highly cross-reactive, which means that an antibody response on exposure to mold A may show significant reactivity on the IgG panel test to mold B as well. This means that people who have a mold allergy are more sensitive to food allergies involving grains i.e. bread.

Molds can be VERY difficult to get rid of. If you notice the “Diagnosis” listed above, you have to identify it, figure about where you caught it, check for any other exposure and stop feeding it. Diets high in fermented foods such as cheeses, bread, or beer and those high in sugars, including fruits, fats and oils increase internal fungal growth, according to the website Healing Cancer Naturally.(3)

Garlic and onions, sources of manganese, B6, flavonoids and Vitamin C are said to retard viruses and yeast. Other foods that help combat molds include: shallots, ginger, leeks, green vegetables, soy products, and fish. (3)

A product we carry in the office called “Yeastonil.” This scientifically backed formula helps to establish a broad spectrum anti-fungus, anti-mold, and anti-ova intestinal environment. It provides natural compounds that have shown powerful mold, yeast, and fungus growth inhibition, and help modulate the unhealthy microbial environment produced by these microorganisms.

Conclusion

Foods and supplements alone are not enough to combat mold. In patients with a chronic history of mold must check their home and office for mold spores. This is best left to a professional but there are kits such as Boomerang Air Quality Test that may indicate the need for mold removal.

The first approach to getting rid of mold is to confirm that you have a mold problem through laboratory testing. Second is to identify its source or entry. Third stage is correction.

There is an abundant amount of information on Yeast, Mold, and Fungi that is not discussed here. If you wish to know more about what you can do to keep from getting “old and moldy” contact our office today and get assessed the correct way. If you are not in the Sacramento region, do not worry ~ 40% of patients we take care of in the office are out of state.

Thank you!

References:

1. Molds on Food: Are they Dangerous? http://www.fsis.usda.gov/FactSheets/Molds_On_Food/

2. Chronic Neuroimmune Diseases: Fungal Hypersensitivity. Vincent Marinkovitch, MD. http://www.anapsid.org/cnd/diffdx/marinkovitch.html

3. Diet to Fight Mold. Yvonne Kay. http://www.livestrong.com/article/321592-diet-to-fight-mold/

Saturday, December 7, 2013

The Gut Influences… Everything

The Gut Influences … Everything

Our gastrointestinal (GI) tract influences so much of our bodies and many doctors overlook its complexity and not to mention its importance. In this article I will introduce you to the gastrointestinal tract connections throughout the body. The big three include immunity, endocrine (hormones) and nervous system.

IMMUNITY

Researchers speculate that 70% of the body's immune system resides within the GI tract. This is AMAZING!! Not only does our gut have the enormous responsibility of breaking down food into minute particles, initiating the release of digestive enzymes, and absorbing nutrients to provide energy for our entire body but it is the gatekeeper for pathogens wanting to invade your body.

The body is equipped with two sides of an immune system, equally important TH-1 and TH-2. T-Helper (TH) 1 is mainly stimulated after having a virus or bacterial infection. Most of these cells die off within 7 - 10 days, this is why your average cold last a week to 10 days. TH-2 is a main source of antibody production.(2) So for people who never claim to get sick, this is a big RED FLAG for us indicating that this person does not have a fully functioning nervous system because it cannot even initiate an immune response. Because lets face it, who does not get exposed to something everyday on this earth whether it be bacteria, virus, mold, spoiled food, uncooked food, allergens, environmental toxins, etc.?

HORMONE INFLUENCE:

Hormones are typically made by endocrine and exocrine glands such as the thyroid, pancreas, adrenals and ovaries/testes. However, most hormones are activated and secreted by the gastrointestinal tract.

Thyroid hormone for instance makes approximately 93% T4 (inactive thyroid hormone) and 7% T3 (active thyroid hormone). So in the ideal, healthy patient this is what the current research literature is saying: Once the thyroid has produced T4, it is metabolized peripherally from the thyroid into a combination of T3 hormones by the enzyme 5’ deiodinase, mostly in the liver. Approximately 40% of the available T4 is converted into T3, 20% is converted into reverse T3 (rT3) which is irreversibly inactive, and 20 % is converted into T3 sulfate (T3S) and triodothyroacetic acid (T3AC).

T3S and T3AC are inactive thyroid hormones until they circulate into the gastrointestinal tract and are acted upon by intestinal enzymes which make active T3 hormone.(3)

Hormones such as estrogen and testosterone after being used by their target cells must be broken down from their original structures and detach or cleave metabolites that may be reused by the body. This breaking of metabolites is done in the liver. So in simple, here is the process. The hormone is used and thrown into the venous circulation which is then delivered to the liver. The liver breaks off all the useful parts of the discarded hormone and passes on the rest, this is phase I of liver detoxification. Phase II conjugates the discarded hormone, puts a tag on it, which says “no good or go to dump.” The discarded hormone then gets dropped into the trash which we call phase III or biliary elimination. The gallbladder or biliary system then dumps the trash into the colon where it can be properly discarded as feces.

Complications arise when the body is able to break the bond from phase II (conjugation) releasing the discarded hormone back into circulation. This is one example of how estrogen and testosterone (pending the sex of the patient) may increase to unhealthy levels. This is one explanation of hormone sensitive tissues becoming prolific or cancerous.

NERVOUS SYSTEM INFLUENCE:

“The hormones of the gastrointestinal tract have a greater impact than neurological connections,” stated by Arthur Guyton’s 11th Edition of Medical Physiology. This is a profound statement when we as doctors stop and think about it. The big kick today in medicine is caring for the brain, have to rejuvenate the brain, have to keep the brain active and healthy.

Well my first question to this school of thought is... “Where does the brain get its nutrients from?”

Anybody??

Well we eat food and it gets digested in … THE GUT!!

Ask yourself a question, “what is the goal of taking one of the best supplements on the market if your body is unable to break it down and use the nutrients it provides?”

In our office we recommend patients taking the 2100 Gastrointestinal Profile which looks at Predominant bacteria, Digestion, Immunity, Pathogens (i.e. Yeast/Fungi, Opportunistic, Parasites & Pathogenic), Beneficial Short Chain Fatty Acids, pH, and Absorption. With an in depth look at these factors we are able to address the patient’s needs in a systematic and objective point of view.

Hmmm... sounds reasonable?

The GI tract is a complex and dynamic ecosystem due to the interplay between peristaltic movement, food particles, host cells and defence molecules and a vast array of resident microbes and their secreted products. The microbial population, estimated to total about 10^14th bacteria, is 10 to 20 times greater than the total number of cells in the human body. It has been estimated that between 500 to 1000 bacterial species inhabit the GI tract.(1)

Many of these microbes play key roles in the thyroid metabolism, digestive enzymes, calorie expenditures, vitamins and mineral, and SO MANY MORE!! In the diagram below it shows how hormones influence the rate of food intake. The upper part of the stomach releases Ghrelin which sends signals to the brain to increase food intake while Obestatin, Cholecystokinin (CCK), Oxyntomodulin (OXN) and more suppresses appetite. All these indicators effect nuclei in the brainstem, mainly in the medulla oblongata which may also alter sexual behavior and motivation. So to summarize the microbial environment can alter your brain’s chemistry enough to affect satisfaction during meals, sexual behavior and self-drive.

SUMMARY:

The gastrointestinal tract is key in balancing an unstable system. An unstable system being imbalance in hormones, obesity, brain fog, chronic allergies, chronic skin issues, chronic pain patterns, chronic fatigue, and the list goes on and on. There is a new era starting to be recognized and that is how dynamic and important the gastrointestinal tract is. No one part is greater than the sum of its parts but when all else has failed look to the gut.