Immune System Support During the Flu and Cold Season

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Immune System Support

During the Flu/Cold Season

By Michelle McCaslin, APRN NP-C

As the colder weather approaches our fear of of catching colds or the flu increases. Advertisements for flu shots in nearly every grocery and drug store remind us of the danger of “flu season”. It seems to be more common during this time of the year that people all around us are getting sick. Along with the drop in temperature also come a series of holidays, friend/family get-togethers and an overindulgence of foods we don’t normally eat regularly or shouldn’t.

The culmination of being indoors around people, a diet higher in sugars and carbohydrates and the stress of the holidays seem to be the stage for a weakened immune system which puts us at a higher risk for obtaining bacteria and viruses that replicate without much fight from the immune system. The lack of immune system response sends us into a slew of symptoms that can range from sore throat, cough, achy muscles, headaches and nasal congestion.

So how do we help prevent the cascade of events that lead us to the unwelcome symptoms of cold and flu?

Preventing the stage from setting is done by getting enough sleep, drinking lots of water and eating foods dense in nutrients.  All those things we think we know and all the things our very mothers ingrained into our minds as children. While they are all very good common sense things to do it is sometimes necessary to seriously evaluate our lives and make sure we are doing these basic things and implement changes if needed before we are well into the symptoms of a cold or flu.  

5 simple steps for Flu and Cold prevention:

1.     Stay off of sugars. A study enrolled healthy individuals to consume 100g of carbohydrates from glucose, fructose, sucrose, honey, or orange juice. Each of the subjects had a decrease in phagocytosis (White blood cells action of engulfing bacteria) that lasted 1-5 hours after ingestion of the simple sugars (Sanches, et al., 1973).

2.     Eat Healthy. Eat vegetables, protein, good fats and some fruit (Boynton, et. al., 2007) and stay away from sugars.

3.     Get enough sleep. Rest and sleep 7- 8 hours. Adequate sleep supports the immune system (Bryant, Trinder & Nigel, 2004).

4.     Drink more water.  The human body is comprised of more than 60 percent water. Our blood is 92 percent water, while the brain and muscles are made up of 75 percent water and our bones are about 22 percent water. In order for cells to take in nutrients, make energy and maintain their shape they need an adequate amount of water to perform the necessary functions. Our organs utilize our blood to transport nutrients and eliminate toxins. The immune system activators like white blood cells are transported in our blood so keeping the blood flowing with proper intake of fluids or water is necessary to assist the immune system response. When it’s cold outside, enjoy a simple cup of warm water with lemon.

5.     Coconut oil and good fats: Cooking with coconut oil decreases inflammation and has anti-viral and anti-fungal properties (Abdelrahman, Muhammad, Shuid & Soelaiman, 2012).

Incorporating the above preventative steps should become part of daily life to establish a healthy immune system in the event exposure to bacteria or viruses occurs. If the preventative measures are taken and symptoms of cold or flu occur we recommend taking these supplements:

1.     Oscillococcinum Homeopathic medicine (most effective if taken immediately when symptoms manifest)

2.     Vitamin D3: take 50,000 IU/day for up to 3 days only (no more)

3.     A Mushroom Complex like Immunity Take Care by New Chapter

4.     Olive Leaf Extract

5.     Choose one of the following anti-viral supplements:

a.     Sambucus (Black Elderberry Extract)

b.     Colloidal Silver

c.     Viraclear

Supplements can also be taken along with the preventative measures if you want to boost the effects of the immune system during times where colds and or flu are common in the population or when under stress.

1.     Vitamin C- Take 1,000mg every other hour or two to “bowel tolerance”.  Once stools become loose you know you have had enough so stop taking for that day then back down the dose the next day by one or two pills and divide dose by 3 or 4 times/day.

2.     Zinc- 100mg per day for one week while ill only.

3.     Thymates- Multivitamin that boosts the immune system and can help with fatigue. Take 12 per day in divided dose while sick in place of your regular multivitamin.

Further suggestion to help aid immune system function and obtaining optimal care can be done by scheduling an appointment for a more individualized guide to better health with Dr. Ryan or Michelle McCaslin, APRN NP-C here at Alternatives.

References:

Abujazia, M., Muhammad, N., Shuid, A. &  Soelaiman, I. (2012). The Effects of Virgin Coconut Oil on Bone Oxidative Status in Ovariectomised Rat.  Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, (2012: 52507)

Boynton, A., Chen-Levy, Z., Kirk, E., LaCroix, K., McTiernan A.,  Neuhouser, M., Sorensen, B., Ulrich, C., Wener, M., Wood, B., Yasui, Y. (2007). Associations between healthy eating patterns and immune function or inflammation in overweight or obese postmenopausal women. Am J Clin Nutr. 86: 5 1445-1455

Bryant, P., Trinder, J. & Nigel, C. (2004). Sick and tired: does sleep have a vital role in the immune system? Nature Reviews Immunology, 4, 457-467.

Horswill, C., & Janas, L. (2011). Hydration and Health. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine.  5: 304-315.

Intahphuak, S., Khonsung, P., & Panthong, A. (2010). Antiinflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activities of virgin coconut oil. Pharmaceutical Biology. (48:2). 151–157.

C. S. Dayrit, “Coconut oil in health and disease: its and monolaurin potential as cure for HIV/AIDS,” in Proceedings of the 37th Cocotech Meeting/ICC, pp. 110–112, Chennai, India.

Sanchez A, et al. (1973). Role of sugars in human neutrophilic phagocytosis. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 26, 1180-1184.

"Nutritional Solutions for Depression" by Kathi Bratberg, RN, MS Holistic Nutrition

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A happy brain is a well fed brain- and this is not food from the "Standard American Diet." A happy brain depends on a happy gut and a lot of Americans don't have this. Just like your body needs nutritious foods to function, your brain works better if you eat healthy. Don’t just fuel your body...fuel your brain!

Our brain cells are made up of raw materials. If we don't have enough of the raw materials that make up brain cells, i.e. protein (amino acids) and healthy fats (fatty acids), you cannot build a healthy brain.

What you eat is in direct correlation to how your brain works. Your brain controls everything you do, give it all your support! How do you support your brain? By having a well functioning gut from eating nutritious foods. As I mentioned earlier, proteins and fats are very important. You also need vitamins, minerals and trace minerals to help make neurotransmitters, hormones and enzyme systems. These allow your brain (the most magnificent super computer on the planet) to orchestrate all of the functions that make us who we are and allow us to do what we do. 

There is an increase in celiac disease and gluten intolerance, thought, in part, to be a result of the changes in the American wheat supply. We also worry about the massive use of pesticides and herbicides, and the genetically modified corn and soy, which have become so prevalent in the American food supply. These things are so unnatural to our environment and thus to our bodies. For susceptible people gluten can affect the brain and cause brain fog and mood changes.

With the amount of sugar, processed foods, soda and alcohol we consume, we end up on a blood sugar roller coaster. This throws our brains (not to mention our adrenal glands and insulin receptors) totally out of balance.

Bottom line, to have a healthy brain, we need to eat a healthy diet, with good quality protein, healthy fats and food loaded with mineral and vitamins. So what does a healthy diet look like?

1. Quality protein. Eat protein with every meal! Organic, range free meat is a great way to get your protein.

2. Raw nuts and seeds: Perfect for a healthy gut.

3. Healthy fats (remember our brains are about 80% lipid - so we really are fat heads): Unrefined coconut oil and milk, organic butter, extra virgin olive oil and avocado.  

4. Vegetables: 5-7 servings a day (fresh or frozen organic is best). This is one of your sources of vitamins, minerals and fiber.

5. Berries: Fruit is a great snack and can be added to muffins or salads. Want to know which berry the brain loves? BLUEBERRIES. They are powerhouses of antioxidants which help protect the brain from stress.

6. Grains: My take on whole grains has changed as I have learned about the dangers of all the manipulation that goes on with them. My grain recommendations are things like brown rice, wild rice, gluten free steel cut oats and quinoa- in their whole form.

For any of you suffering from any type of gut problem, or mood disorders, gluten free is a very important consideration.  You cannot be sort of or almost gluten free. For it to work is has to be 100 % all the time. One little exposure can cause you problems for months.

You definitely are what you eat and what you can absorb. If you increase the quality of your food, you increase  the quality of your health.  A win - win in my book.

Key Insights to Depression in the Gut - Brain Connection by Michelle McCaslin APRN-NPC

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"Key Insight to Depression in the Gut - Brain Connection"

by Michelle McCaslin, APRN, NP-C

The cause of depression is not clear. You can do all sorts of research, even look up depression in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which is published by the American Psychiatric Association.  There are many different theories, but not one “cause”. 

You may have heard a lot about serotonin and depression.  The DSM does not list serotonin as a cause of any mental disorder.  There are many medications that target serotonin and this causes some relief to the symptoms of depression. However, over time the medications can work against the mechanism they try to help! Medications can deplete the body of serotonin, which in turn will cause an increase in doses of medication.  This changes the type of medication or adds even more medication, which can lead to "poly-pharmacy" or use of many medications to treat depression. The use of medications may improve symptoms of depression...but medications can also cause a multitude of other symptoms as a result of side-effects.

Pharmaceutical companies have produced numerous medications that target and/or affect the level of serotonin in the brain. So it is easy to think that the brain is the only organ necessary to treat depression. But did you know that 90% of the serotonin is actually made in the enterochromaffin cells that line the gut.  Read that again, 90%! If that much of serotonin is actually made in the gut it is important to address the source of where majority of the serotonin is produced.

A healthy gut means more serotonin production which can cause better moods; hence the relation or connection of gut to brain. Aside from the production of serotonin, the gut is our connection to the outside world and gives us the ability to utilize nutrients and minerals in our environment necessary for life.

Our gut is home to trillions of bacteria (probiotics-good bacteria) that help digestion and make up 80% of our immune system. Because our gut is our connection to our environment it is important to take in or ingest high quality foods, also remembering that if the gut easily absorbs nutrients it can also easily absorb toxins (chemicals, pesticides, plastics…etc). High quality, organic, non GMO and nutrient dense foods are necessary for all body systems to function optimally. Eating bad quality fats, sugars, processed foods laced with chemicals and GMO’s (Genetically Modified Foods) causes inflammation in our guts. If we have inflammation in our gut the inflamed tissue works as a barrier inhibiting us from utilizing the nutrients from what we eat leaving our bodies starved.

An unhealthy gut can lead to low production of serotonin and the lack of minerals and vitamins which can set a stage for various other symptoms.

    

So what can we do?

1. Healing the gut by eliminating the bad foods and toxins that cause inflammation in the gut.

2. Support the gut with a healthy diet, good bacteria and various supplements.

3. Brain Mapping/Neurofeedback to help retrain the brain waves in specific areas that show brain wave activity indicative of depression.

4.  Supporting the Liver because it is the major organ of removing toxins (chemicals, pesticides and plastics) from the body.

5.  Making sure all hormones are optimal because all hormones (Female, Male, Thyroid and Adrenals) are anti-inflammatory.

6.  Supplements, there are many you can take for depression.

Every person’s situation and circumstances as to how they have come to their current state is important to take into consideration when treatment or support is necessary. Use of supplements may help the symptoms of depression but COMPLETE assessment of each person is necessary for a more comprehensive approach in obtaining optimal health and/or symptom relief.

At Alternatives we are team equipped with a Clinical Nutritionist, a Neurofeedback team and Counselor that work alongside practitioners (Dr. Ryan and I) to apply a more complete method of treatment. It is also important to take in the spiritual-emotional elements of each person as life circumstances.  How the person deals with the situations is important to also be aware of and know how to suggest further support. Achieved wellness comes when the person as a “whole” is taken into consideration and supported.

References:

Akhondzadeh Basti A, Moshiri E, Noorbala AA, et al. Comparison of petal of Crocus sativus L. and fluoxetine in the treatment of depressed outpatients: a pilot double-blind randomized trial. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2007;31:439-42. 

Akhondzadeh S, Fallah-Pour H, Afkham K, et al. Comparison of Crocus sativus L. and imipramine in the treatment of mild to moderate depression: A pilot double-blind randomized trial [ISRCTN45683816]. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2004;4:12. 

Akhondzadeh S, Tahmacebi-Pour N, Noorbala AA, et al. Crocus sativus L. in the treatment of mild to moderate depression: a double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial. Phytother Res. 2005;19:148-51. 

Alpert JE, Mischoulon D, Nierenberg AA, Fava M. Nutrition and depression: focus on folate. Nutrition. 2000;16:544-581.

Bottiglieri T, Laundy M, Crellin R, Toone BK, Carney MW, Reynolds EH. Homocysteine, folate, methylation, and monoamine metabolism in depression. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2000;69(2):228-232.

Bruinsma KA, Taren DL. Dieting, essential fatty acid intake, and depression. Nutrition Rev. 2000;58(4):98-108.

Gaster B, Holroyd J. St. John's wort for depression. Arch Intern Med. 2000;160:152-156.

Johnson MA. Nutrition and aging--practical advice for healthy eating. J Am Med Womens Assoc. 2004;59(4):262-9.

Kasper S, Caraci F, Forti B, Drago F, Aguglia E. Efficacy and tolerability of Hypericum extract for the treatment of mild to moderate depression. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2010 Nov;20(11):747-65. (Epub 2010 Aug 14.)

Lazarou C, Kapsou M. The role of folic acid in prevention and treatment of depression: an overview of existing evidence and implications for practice. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2010 Aug;16(3):161-6.

Linde K, Mulrow CD. St. John's wort for depression (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 4, 2000. Oxford: Update Software.

Markus R, Panhuysen G, Tuiten A, Koppeschaar H. Effects of food on cortisol and mood in vulnerable subjects under controllable and uncontrollable stress. Physiol Behav. 2000;70(3-4):333-342.

McGinn LK. Cognitive behavioral therapy of depression: theory, treatment, and empirical status. Am J Psychother. 2000;54(2):257-262.

Meyers S. Use of neurotransmitter precursors for treatment of depression. Altern Med Rev. 2000;5(1):64-71.

Morelli V, Zoorob RJ. Alternative therapies: Part 1. Depression, diabetes, obesity. Am Fam Phys. 2000;62(5):1051-1060.

Nemets B, Stahl Z, Belmaker RH. Addition of omega-3 fatty acid to maintenance medication treatment for recurrent unipolar depressive disorder. Am J Psychiatry. 2002;159:477-9. 

Obach RS. Inhibition of human cytochrome P450 enzymes by constituents of St. John's wort, and herbal preparation used in the treatment of depression. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2000;294(1):88-95.

Peet M, Horrobin DF. A dose-ranging study of the effects of ethyl-eicosapentaenoate in patients with ongoing depression despite apparently adequate treatment with standard drugs. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2002;59:913-9.

Rondanelli M, Giacosa A, Opizzi A, Pelucchi C, La Vecchia C, Montorfano G, Negroni M, Berra B, Politi P, Rizzo AM. Effect of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on depressive symptoms and on health-related quality of life in the treatment of elderly women with depression: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. J Am Coll Nutr. 2010 Feb;29(1):55-64.

Shaw, K., Turner, J., and Del Mar, C. Tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan for depression. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2002;(1):CD003198.

Su KP, Huang SY, Chiu CC, Shen WW. Omega-3 fatty acids in major depressive disorder. A preliminary double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2003;13:267-71.

Understanding SPF and Sunscreens by Emily Shiflett, Aesthetician

Summer is just around the corner, and this usually means a lot of time spent outside swimming, sports, and other fun activities. If you are not applying sunscreen while outside you may be doing harmful damage to your skin. Sunscreen is a product that works by reflecting and or absorbing some of the suns ultraviolet, or UV, radiation, and can come in the form of liquid, gels, sticks, sprays, or powder. The suns rays are divided into three categories- UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVC radiation does not reach Earth because of the ozone layer in the atmosphere. UVB rays are also known as "the tanning rays" and only effect the epidermis, or the first layer of the skin. Most sunburn cases are from UVB rays. The rays that penetrate to the dermis, or the second layer of the skin, are UVA rays. These rays go deeper into the skin causing premature aging. Unlike UVB rays, UVA rays can go through glass damaging your skin while indoors or driving. Both types of rays are causes in skin cancer and premature aging. Understanding SPF is important for protecting your skin against these harmful rays.

SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, is the number given to show the protection a sunscreen offers. An SPF number is determined by measuring the amount of UV rays it takes a sun sensitive person to burn without the use of sunscreen, and then is redone with the use of sunscreen. The time found using the sunscreen is divided by the time found without the use of sunscreen to find the SPF. Easier put, if someone typically burns in one hour, applying SPF 15 would allow them to stay in the sun 15 times longer than without the protection. By multiplying an SPF number and the amount of time it takes for you to burn without the use of sunscreen determine the maximum time you should spend in the sun. These numbers however are not accurate because sunscreen is usually not applied correctly. The rays are also more intense in the summer season and during certain hours in the day. Use a broad-spectrum SPF that is between 15-30. Be aware that anything above 50 can give a false sense of protection from the suns rays since an SPF 15 offers about 93% protection while an SPF 100 offers about 99%. The difference is not significant. Not properly protecting your skin from the suns rays can result in damage to the appearance of the skin, and also lead to more serious changes.

Too much sun exposure can lead to damage such as hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and even skin cancer. As you get a tan, the skin produces more melanin (skin containing more melanin has a darker appearance) to protect itself from the harmful UV rays. Sometimes it produces an uneven amount of melanin creating uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation. Other damage can happen when the blood vessels dilate from sun exposure giving the skin a reddish appearance. The suns UV radiation breaks down collagen and elastin found in the dermis, or the second layer of the skin. When this breakdown happens the skin losses its flexibility and strength causing sagging skin and deep wrinkles. Every time your skin is exposed to the sun unprotected it changes structure making it harder for the body to fight off cancerous cells. Two common types of skin cancer are basal cell and squamous cell cancer. Melanoma is less common, however it's the most dangerous type of skin cancer. Applying sunscreen correctly is critical to help avoid these damaging changes from the sun.

Application of your sunscreen is important to ensure you are protected from the sun. With so many different types of sunscreen available in the stores, how can you tell which one is right? First be sure your sunscreen is broad-spectrum meaning it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. When shopping for sunscreen, also know that there is no difference between ones marketed towards children and ones towards adults. Make sure the SPF is 15 or higher, and SPF 30 or higher for those with fair complexions. A 'shot glass' full of sunscreen is recommended for covering the body, and remember to cover the scalp, ears, and lips which are often forgotten with application. Reapplying of sunscreen needs to be done every two hours, or more if swimming or working outdoors since no sunscreen is completely waterproof. So the sunscreen can properly bind to the skin, apply when it is cool and dry. Don't apply while already in the sun since it takes about twenty minutes to be absorbed completely.

Some sunscreens on the market contain chemicals and other toxic ingredients that should be avoided. Oxybenzone is one ingredient that works by absorbing UV light, however has been shown to absorb into the skin and may be linked to causing hormonal changes in the body. Oxybenzone is an ingredient approved by the FDA, but only for those older than six months. Another potentially harmful ingredient found in several sunscreens is Retinyl Palminate. This ingredient is a type of vitamin A that may possibly increase the risk of skin cancer when on sun exposed skin. Protect your skin from the suns rays and toxic chemicals by choosing a broad-spectrum natural sunscreen.

At Alternatives we offer sunscreens with natural ingredients such as Epionce Ultra Shield Lotion SPF 50, and Epionce Active shield lotion SPF 30. These products are broad-spectrum and also have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Containing zinc oxide, these sunscreens are safe and effective at protection from the sun. Come check out our other natural sunscreen products we have to offer at Alternatives, and don't let sunburn ruin your fun this summer!

What a Brain Map Lab Test Can Show You by Scott Carlson, LMHP, CTS

Alternatives is dedicated to the commission of medical and mental health professionals to care and "do no harm". If you have been diagnosed or have symptoms of ADHD, anxiety, brain injury, or depression, then there is a non-pharmaceutical treatment called Neurotherapy that can help. At Alternatives we use a unique system of neurotherapy that begins with a "brain map".  

The brain is a highly complex organ made up of billions of cells called neurons. Neurons send and receive messages to and from all parts of your body. These messages are electrical impulses that create brain waves. The brain map is an important tool we use to evaluate your brainwaves and identify opportunities to improve communication between various regions of the brain. The brain map is able to capture a window of brain activity, analyze the data, and create a visual representation for each lobe of the brain and each specific brain wave (Delta, Theta, Alpha, and Beta).

The system we use utilizes a specialized mapping system that records specific brainwaves, converts them into electronic data, and generates a detailed report that is specific to each and every patient. This process allows you to give a detailed analysis of the results to your patient, and in a language that they can understand. By using a cap placed on the scalp, our software captures the electrical impulses in the brain. This method is known as an electroencephalogram (EEG). The results show brain wave patterns in different parts of the brain. The process takes about 30 minutes, and the data is then converted into a visual brain map report. We analyze the brain map report, identify problem areas, consult with the patient about the problem areas and then together put together an individualized plan to begin neurotherapy.

The Most Important Part of Your Cholesterol Test You May Be Missing by Kathi Bratberg RN, MS Holistic Nutrition

The cholesterol / lipid panel is a test that has become an integral part of the American health care system. Many of us have heard the diagnosis from our Primary Care docs - "your cholesterol level is too high"; however, what is considered "too high" is an arbitrary number at best and changed numerous times to reflect current trends. After that comes the standard advice- cut back on your fat intake, lose weight, exercise, and maybe even take the latest and greatest statin drug- because we all know that cholesterol is a bad substance that causes heart disease. Or does it?

Many have tried to follow this advice, but at what cost. The statin drugs are not without side effects- muscle pain, weakness and tingling, fatigue, memory loss, increased cancer risk, depression and sexual dysfunction. And don't even get me started on low fat diets. Low fat = high carb = weight gain= metabolic syndrome = type 2 diabetes. Well, that went well. Healthy fat IS NOT a problem with cholesterol levels and IT NEVER WAS. Trans fats are a different story.  

Exercise is important, but not many people really follow this advice, though I whole-heartedly indorse regular exercise.

What if I told you Cholesterol is a very important body substance, and there is a lot of new theory to back this up. "The Great Cholesterol Myth" - by Dr. Stephen Sinatra MD, cardiologist and Dr. Johnny Bowden PHD Nutrition, provides plenty of evidence.

So what do the numbers on the cholesterol/lipid panel actually reflect? Let's review. A typical lipid panel will show Cholesterol, Triglyceride, HDL, LDL, and VLDL levels. 

Cholesterol is a waxy substance, an important part of ALL of our 50 trillion cell membranes. Most of it is made in our liver, a little is absorbed from the diet. Cholesterol is the basic building substance for all of our Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone, DHEA, and Adrenal hormones. It is a major component of bile - responsible for fat digestion and the extraction of Vitamins A, D, E and K from our dietary fats. It is a super antioxidant and super protector for all of our cells. Current recommendations are to keep your number under 200;  but if your number is under 150 you are at increased risk for cancer. If your number is higher than 200 it could be a marker of infection or inflammation in the body. In some people there is a genetic component to this number.

Cholesterol travels to all parts of the body in the form of lipoproteins- namely HDL (high density lipoprotein) and LDL (low density lipoprotein).  

HDL is considered the good cholesterol. A HDL of 60 or higher is considered optimal for health. But some new evidence states that there are subgroups of HDL and what subgroup you are in is also important. This is not commonly tested. Also HDL is more controlled by genetics then LDL.  

LDL is considered the "bad cholesterol" (though why we think nature would put a bad substance in our body is beyond me). The lab normal for LDL is a result under 100. But again it is not that simple. There are also subgroups of LDL. This is the most important information for you if your LDL is elevated. There is a test called "Lipoprotein particle size or VAP ". Large fluffy, buoyant LDL-A is the preferred result. Small, hard, dense BB size LDL -B molecules are a different story. There is also some genetic predisposition for some with high LDL levels.  

TRIGLYCERIDES are another type of fat in the body. These are the storage form for excessive carbohydrates (note I did not say fats). If triglycerides are high, it is a tip off that you need to radically reduce the amount of simple sugars and alcohol in your diet. Eating low carb is also one of the ways to change those small BB size LDL particles to the large buoyant ones, along with exercise. Intermittent fasting is also helpful.

VLDL (very low density lipoprotein) is the carrier form of triglyceride. So if both VLDL and triglyceride are elevated, it's time to rethink your diet.

Chronic stress and lack of sleep, which is viewed by the body as stress, will also affect these numbers because of the cortisol connection.  

So to quote Dr. Sinatra, "Inflammation, NOT CHOLESTEROL, is at the "the heart" of heart disease. It's worth pointing out that the metabolic effects of sugar and all processed foods are highly inflammatory to your artery walls."

So relax and enjoy healthy fats!

The Most Accurate Non-invasive Blood Pressure Test by Michelle McCaslin, ARNP, NP-C

Do you know your CASP number? So many numbers we should know. But what is the CASP? CASP is an acronym that stands for Central Aortic Systolic Pressure. In the past the only way to get this pressure or "number" was to go under a procedure called at Cardiac Catherization. In this procedure they utilize the Femoral Artery accessed by your groin area and they thread a catheter up to the top of the heart where they can get the CASP.

Technology has advanced, and while many physicians are not aware of this, they can actually get this same pressure with a device made by Save1Heart called the CASPro.  It looks similar to a watchband that goes around your wrist, gathers a pulse wave from your blood vessels in your wrist, and combines this information with a reading from a traditional blood pressure arm cuff. This device has been studied in Singapore and was found to be 99.17% accurate in determining the CASP compared to a team performing a Cardiac Catherization.

At Alternatives we use this state of the art technology to help determine heart health and also to help in prevention of heart disease by suggestions based in biochemistry or nutrition. Because this procedure is non-invasive, the test can be repeated pretty quickly and with ease. In addition to providing a CASP value, this device provides additional information that helps diagnose what is going in the heart and blood vessels.

Other numbers to consider with assessing heart and blood vessel health are the CRP-HS and the LP-PLA2. Both of these numbers can be obtained with a blood lab. CRP-HS is a cardiac marker that gives us an over-view of total body inflammation, which is not specific. While the LP-PLA2 gives us more specific information related to inflammation in the blood vessels.

If you currently have cardiovascular disease or a family history of it, are starting to notice your blood pressure is creeping up, have Diabetes, or just want to be preventative - the CASP test and/or checking the CRP-HS and LP-PLA2 will be helpful. The information from these tests is important when making specific suggestions to help prevent or treat cardiovascular disease and disease processes that affect the heart and blood vessels.

The Importance of Laboratory Testing by Patricia Ryan, MD

We work with several different companies to provide a variety of ways to look at the body from the level of chemistry. Many of you know about hormone testing, but do you know we can do a test that shows how you are metabolizing your estrogen-whether you are converting it into a safe metabolite or a precancerous form? We also have genomics test which looks at your genetic ability to metabolize hormones or toxic hormone-like substances such as pesticides or herbicides. The good news about finding this out is that you will now know what your weaknesses are that you were born with and what you can do about them. There are always nutritional answers to these genetic predispositions.

Everyone wants to know their cholesterol level to determine their risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke. There are however more specific tests for heart disease. We have a CASP device and some new lab tests including LaPLA2. Find out how these can help you change the direction of your health. Michelle and Kathi will cover these in more detail.

Michelle and I just returned from a conference on lipid biochemistry. Lipid biochemistry is the study of fats in the body. Every single cell membrane is made up of fatty acids. There needs to be a certain balance of these to provide adequate function of ALL the cells in our body. In addition, the nervous system is comprised of 80% fat! That means that memory, headaches, insomnia could all be a result of fatty acid imbalance. (of course there are other causes).  

       

One of the primary places where free radical damage occurs is at the level of the cell membrane.  If the fats get damaged, the cell communication suffers. That includes all of your hormone receptors! This is part of how pesticides and herbicides wreak so much havoc in the body. For example, Atrazine, the corn herbicide, is a fat-soluble toxin. It very easily gets through the cell membrane into the cells. There it disrupts insulin function, mitochondrial function, and can also attach to your DNA. Atrazine and all herbicides, pesticides, plastics, and BPA are also estrogen-like and disrupt estrogen, testosterone and thyroid function. What I learned, that was very interesting, is that if you have low cholesterol you are even at more risk to all toxins. Dr. Patricia Kane  (specialist in lipid biochemistry with 40 years experience) said, "Having low cholesterol is like having a screen door for toxins. The person cannot protect themselves now from any toxic substance because the cell membrane integrity is impaired."

We are now offering a test that will look at all of your biochemistry, including an entire fatty acid analysis. This will show if you have the balance of all of the essential fatty acids you need to be healthy. It will also show abnormal long chain fatty acids that should NOT be in the body.  In addition, your blood will be analyzed for specific nutrients deficiencies based on having your CBC and CMP results plugged into a medical software program that has 50,000 literature references. From this information, we can come up with a plan that is specific for your needs. Unfortunately, this lab is not covered by insurance. I have hope some day that our insurance companies will start paying for tests that help you regain your health!  

      

Speaking of brain function, Scott Carlson, LMHT, will be discussing brain mapping as a means to help diagnose ADHD, anxiety, brain injury, or depression. It is a very simple test that provides important information about the current fun tinning of the brain. Where an MRI looks at the anatomy, the brain map looks at the physiology. This is very different information and much more helpful in most cases. And finally, because we are going to get to see the sun shine, our aesthetician Emily will discuss sunscreens and allude to the importance of avoiding toxic ones!

"Conscious Parenting Reduces Fatigue" by Scott Carlson LMHP, CTS

What we do not know about ourselves hurts us and restricts the quality of our life. It is a loving act for our self and others to be on a journey toward “the light”, pursuing the truth about our physical health, emotional, mental health, and our spiritual health. It is a journey toward consciousness. There is not a greater sacrificial gift to those we love nor a greater inspirational model for living life to all those in reach of our fruit bearing tree. It is a courageous and honorable journey. If you are a parent, please consider this.

What we do not know about our self, affects our parenting and is transmitted then to our children. The more conscious we become, the better we are as parents, the better model we are for them, and the added benefit of significantly increasing the quality of our life/health. Let me start with a simple psychological phenomena called projection. It works like an overhead projector. What is actually on the projector looks much bigger than it really is when we see it projected on the wall. The reality/truth is that a SPECK on the projector becomes bigger when it is seen outside itself.

An example of this is that if we have something in us that we do not like, when we see it in our children it will appear bigger in them. Since in our “unconscious” view it is so big in them, we will not like it and try to get them to remove it. If we unconsciously do not like our own anger, sadness, or weakness to name a few, we will parent to remove it from our children. This can lead to fatigue and exhaustion for both parents and children.

Research has shown that some of the most serious emotional disorders come from having a child’s emotions not understood. Children retreat further inside their hearts when their feelings are not allowed, listened to, and understood. If they are allowed, listened to, and empathized with a simple “that is sad for you isn’t it?” the emotions go away and don’t need any advice or fixing.

Although this may seem simple it can be very hard to consciously change. We often can’t just say those simple words because they don’t feel right to us, so without the congruence of our words with feelings we don’t or can’t say them. And this is where our sacrificial loving act for our children comes in. When we begin our own journey to bring light and truth to our self, we will better our parenting and ensure that our children can live their adult lives less consumed with the time, energy, and dollars on their personal healing journey. It is a spiritual journey, it is an awakening, it is enlightenment, it is love.

We are here to work with you one-on-one, and may also offer parenting seminars and workshops to assist you in your journey. We will have a blast while learning, healing, and bettering our lives!

- Scott Carlson LMHP, CTS

Alternatives, A Center for Conscious Health

Rockbrook Village Shopping Center

11036 Oak St.

Omaha, NE 68144

402-827-9450