Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by dry, itchy skin that rashes and sometimes blisters. Children are affected the most: about 10-20% of American children have eczema vs. only 1-3% of adults. 70% of these children with eczema are under 5 years old - it is difficult for them to refrain from the itching and scratching that can worsen the condition.
Dealing with eczema can be such a pain in so many ways! We see the pain our children go through, sleepless nights because they are so uncomfortable and itching all night in their sleep, the embarrassment of the red blotchy scales on our bodies and the damage of over used steroid creams can do to our skin.
First, I am a mother who knows this skin condition all too well, and second, I am a licensed professional aesthetician here to help you get through this tough "skin" time! I believe there is a time when steroid cream is what needs to be used to help get the inflammation down so the skin can start to heal. I had tried everything the dermatologist recommended, Steroids, Crisco, Vaseline, the Aveno eczema line, Cetaphil, Aquaphor... you name it, I tried it - with no relief for my son. However, over time the steroid can cause the skin to become thin, and has systemic side effects - so using steroids on my child did not seem like the safest option.
5 years ago when I began working at Alternatives, Dr. Ryan recommended a product that changed our lives - Epionce Extreme Barrier Cream, as well some anti-inflammatory diet changes. I no longer woke up to hear him scratching his skin off in his sleep, and his skin texture is now smooth and without irritation - I am so thankful for Epionce!
Epionce is the perfect solution to quickly hydrate and restore skin barrier function while reducing inflammatory factors that worsen the symptoms of eczema. Regular use helps reduce the severity of dryness, scaling and itching. Epionce is paraben and fragrance free, formulated with a blend of active ingredients that work together. Epionce formulas combine a highly effective delivery system with potent botanical antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients in proven therapeutic concentrations. For more information about the full protocol check out this page on the Epionce website.
I hope you find this information relieving, know that we can help, and that there is a solution. Please come see me if you are dealing with this yourself or seeing a loved one suffering from this skin condition. Call us at 402-827-9450 to schedule a free consultation.
- Leanne Rangel, MA, Aesthetician
Monday, March 31, 2014
A Testimonial to Neurofeedback for ADHD by Dr. Brad Meylor
Hello,
I just wanted to share my experience with Alternatives, A Center for Conscious Health.
I've been doing Neurofeedback, under Scott Carlson's, LMHP, CTS care for several weeks now. The changes I have noticed have been incredible, to say the least.
Here's my back-story: I have been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD on three separate occasions; once when I was in elementary school, once when I was in high school, and another time while I was in College. At the time I was told that I had two options: to either take psychotropic medication or just learn to live with it. My family and I decided the second option was best for me.
After working with Alternatives I can say, without a doubt, that the Neurofeedback has helped me with my focus and attention. I am able to complete tasks in a shorter amount of time and am far more productive. I just wish I would have found out about it sooner!
The staff at Alternatives is great! They are incredibly helpful and caring! I cannot say enough good things about Alternatives! I feel comfortable referring anyone to Alternatives for Neurofeedback that might be having issues with ADD/ADHD, Anxiety, Autism, OCD, and more. In my opinion, Neurofeedback is safe and effective. I cannot recommend it enough!
Thank You,
Dr. Brad A. Meylor
I just wanted to share my experience with Alternatives, A Center for Conscious Health.
I've been doing Neurofeedback, under Scott Carlson's, LMHP, CTS care for several weeks now. The changes I have noticed have been incredible, to say the least.
Here's my back-story: I have been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD on three separate occasions; once when I was in elementary school, once when I was in high school, and another time while I was in College. At the time I was told that I had two options: to either take psychotropic medication or just learn to live with it. My family and I decided the second option was best for me.
After working with Alternatives I can say, without a doubt, that the Neurofeedback has helped me with my focus and attention. I am able to complete tasks in a shorter amount of time and am far more productive. I just wish I would have found out about it sooner!
The staff at Alternatives is great! They are incredibly helpful and caring! I cannot say enough good things about Alternatives! I feel comfortable referring anyone to Alternatives for Neurofeedback that might be having issues with ADD/ADHD, Anxiety, Autism, OCD, and more. In my opinion, Neurofeedback is safe and effective. I cannot recommend it enough!
Thank You,
Dr. Brad A. Meylor
"We Would Like Our Attention Back, PLEASE!"
ATTENTION - Moms and Dads!!!
Look at these ALARMING figures from The Center for Disease Control on ADHD!
Vyvanse, along with other medications, is currently used in the above treatment statistics. Vyvanse is an amphetamine and has these potential side effects: insomnia, agitation, anxiety, psychotic symptoms (seeing or hearing things that are not real and believing things that are not real, including paranoia, severely mistrusting others), loss of appetite, headaches, infected skin, high blood pressure, urinary tract infection, liver damage, and speed crashes after the medications wear off that cause nausea, irritability, depression, and ADDICTION.
It's a gamble to take Vyvanse on a long-term basis considering the potential side effects.
So Mr. Carlson, what is a knowledgeable informed caring parent like me supposed to do?
- Scott Carlson, LMHP, CTS
Look at these ALARMING figures from The Center for Disease Control on ADHD!
- Approximately 11% of children 4-17 years of age (6.4 million) have been diagnosed with ADHD as of 2011 and it continues to increase annually.
- The percentage of children with an ADHD diagnosis continues to increase, from 7.8% in 2003 to 9.5% in 2007 and to 11.0% in 2011.
- The average age of ADHD diagnosis was 7 years of age.
- Prevalence of ADHD diagnosis varied substantially by state, from a low of 5.6% in Nevada to a high of 18.7% in Kentucky, Nebraska is 9.1 - 11.0%.
- Parents of children with a history of ADHD report almost 3 times as many peer problems as those without a history of ADHD (21.1% vs. 7.3%).
- Parents report that children with a history of ADHD are almost 10 times as likely to have difficulties that interfere with friendships (20.6% vs. 2.0%).
- The annual societal ''cost of illness'' for ADHD is estimated to be between $36 and $52 billion in 2005 and has grown annually.
- It is estimated to be between $12,005 and $17,458 annually per individual.
- The total excess cost of ADHD in the US in 2000 was $31.6 billion. Of this total, $1.6 billion was for the treatment of patients, $12.1 billion was for all other health care costs of persons with ADHD, $14.2 billion was for all other health care costs of family members with ADHD, and $3.7 billion was for the work loss cost of adults with ADHD and adult family members of persons with ADHD.
- Across 10 countries, there was a projected 143.8 million lost days of productivity each year due to ADHD.
- What we are doing is not working at all if the numbers continue to increase.
- Families are spending lots of money on things that are not working.
- Medications that are being used are not actually treating ADHD, they are just providing temporary relief from symptoms.
Vyvanse, along with other medications, is currently used in the above treatment statistics. Vyvanse is an amphetamine and has these potential side effects: insomnia, agitation, anxiety, psychotic symptoms (seeing or hearing things that are not real and believing things that are not real, including paranoia, severely mistrusting others), loss of appetite, headaches, infected skin, high blood pressure, urinary tract infection, liver damage, and speed crashes after the medications wear off that cause nausea, irritability, depression, and ADDICTION.
It's a gamble to take Vyvanse on a long-term basis considering the potential side effects.
So Mr. Carlson, what is a knowledgeable informed caring parent like me supposed to do?
- Neurofeedback was given the highest rating by the American Academy of Pediatricians as a TREATMENT for attention deficit symptoms two years ago!!!
- Neurofeedback significantly reduces attention problems and hyperactivity in school children and the changes are permanent.
- Neurofeedback has NO crazy adverse physiological, psychological, or emotional side effects like the Vyvanse I reported on above - this is not gambling with your child at all!!
- Neurofeedback is done playing brain games and watching movies, so your child won't hate this!
- Three high school students have just completed the neurofeedback program at Alternatives, and their tear-filled eyed parents reported it as changing their lives!
- Dr. Meylor has seen positive results in neurofeedback treatment for his own ADHD at Alternatives - read his testimonial here!
- Scott Carlson, LMHP, CTS
THE INCREDIBLE 'EGG'STRA-ORDINARY EGG!
THE INCREDIBLE 'EGG'STRA-ORDINARY EGG!
by Kathi Bratberg, RN, MS Holistic Nutrition
Shunned for decades by mainstream practitioners as a high cholesterol food, wrongly accused of causing heart disease - the egg is making a comeback.
Eggs provide mankind with high-quality, easily digested proteins, and the fat-soluble vitamins A and D. Eggs are a source of the long chain, polyunsaturated fatty acids EPA and DHA (the same fatty acids that are in fish oil). These fats play a role in development of the nervous system in the infant, and retaining healthy brains in adults - they are truly nature's best brain food.
The egg also contains monounsaturated fats (like in olive oil) and some saturated fat. Interestingly enough- the egg contains more polyunsaturated fats then saturated fat - thus busting the myth that eggs are only saturated fat.
Eggs are a natural vitamin pill - containing vitamin B 12, B 6, folate (folic acid), riboflavin, and thiamine. They are a good source of minerals- containing calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium, iodine, selenium, sodium and potassium. They even contain some vitamin E to protect the other fats.
Are you getting enough choline? 90% of Americans are choline deficient! A lack of choline is a factor in fatty liver disease and muscle damage. Egg yolk is the most concentrated source of choline- a B vitamin found in lecithin, which keeps the cholesterol moving in the bloodstream. Choline is also a building block for phosphatidylcholine (PC) - a very important phospholipid (fat) for flexibility and integrity of healthy cell membranes of all of our cells, especially our brain cells. All of our cells need the PC for proper functioning. People's whose diets include eggs have the highest levels of choline (from the egg yolk) and its metabolite betaine, with levels of inflammatory markers at least 20 % lower compared to people who do not consume adequate choline (from a study in American Journal of clinical Nutrition).
Eggs give all of these benefits for about 75 calories. Best of all, eggs are low carb and compatible with many weight loss diets! For breakfast, eggs beat bagels hands down. In an 8 week study, egg eater's lost twice as much weight as bagel eaters. More impressive is they also had an 83% decrease in waist circumference (the stubborn belly fat that is so dangerous to our health). The egg eating participants in this study also reported higher improvements in energy than the bagel eaters.
What about cholesterol? The latest research indicates that eating eggs does not significantly affect cholesterol levels in most individuals(1), but it actuality results in significant improvement in one's blood lipid profile. In a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, after a month of eating 2 eggs a day, the LDL to HDL ratio stayed the same, but there was a change in the particle size of LDL. The LDL particle size changed from the small, dense particle (the problematic one) to the large, fluffy, buoyant particle (much safer for your heart and arteries).
Eggs may help to lower the risk of stroke and heart attack - the very thing we have been warned that they caused. So much misinformation out there! There are some special protein substances in the yolk that are actually potent inhibitors of platelet aggregation (blood clotting). (Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin).
Here is another good reason to eat eggs - eggs are high in lutein ( more than in spinach and supplements) and zeaxanthin- thus eggs can protect against age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. The studies indicated that it is better to get these carotenoids from food rather than supplements - they are better absorbed. (Journal of Nutrition). Since lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids and are fat soluble they cannot be absorbed without fats. So if you get your lutein from spinach it needs to have a fat - like olive oil or butter to allow absorption.
The best eggs are from free range and organic chickens. You can tell a less than healthy egg because the yolk will be pale yellow- indicating lack of all the healthy nutrients.
A few quick serving ideas:
So please enjoy one of nature's most perfect foods.
My wish for you is good health.
Kathi Bratberg RN, MS Holistic Nutrition
(1)Statistical analysis on over 224 different dietary studies carried out over the last 25 years have shown 1-2 eggs eaten every day does not cause changes in the cholesterol numbers. This equates to over 8000 subjects in these studies.
by Kathi Bratberg, RN, MS Holistic Nutrition
Shunned for decades by mainstream practitioners as a high cholesterol food, wrongly accused of causing heart disease - the egg is making a comeback.
Eggs provide mankind with high-quality, easily digested proteins, and the fat-soluble vitamins A and D. Eggs are a source of the long chain, polyunsaturated fatty acids EPA and DHA (the same fatty acids that are in fish oil). These fats play a role in development of the nervous system in the infant, and retaining healthy brains in adults - they are truly nature's best brain food.
The egg also contains monounsaturated fats (like in olive oil) and some saturated fat. Interestingly enough- the egg contains more polyunsaturated fats then saturated fat - thus busting the myth that eggs are only saturated fat.
Eggs are a natural vitamin pill - containing vitamin B 12, B 6, folate (folic acid), riboflavin, and thiamine. They are a good source of minerals- containing calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium, iodine, selenium, sodium and potassium. They even contain some vitamin E to protect the other fats.
Are you getting enough choline? 90% of Americans are choline deficient! A lack of choline is a factor in fatty liver disease and muscle damage. Egg yolk is the most concentrated source of choline- a B vitamin found in lecithin, which keeps the cholesterol moving in the bloodstream. Choline is also a building block for phosphatidylcholine (PC) - a very important phospholipid (fat) for flexibility and integrity of healthy cell membranes of all of our cells, especially our brain cells. All of our cells need the PC for proper functioning. People's whose diets include eggs have the highest levels of choline (from the egg yolk) and its metabolite betaine, with levels of inflammatory markers at least 20 % lower compared to people who do not consume adequate choline (from a study in American Journal of clinical Nutrition).
Eggs give all of these benefits for about 75 calories. Best of all, eggs are low carb and compatible with many weight loss diets! For breakfast, eggs beat bagels hands down. In an 8 week study, egg eater's lost twice as much weight as bagel eaters. More impressive is they also had an 83% decrease in waist circumference (the stubborn belly fat that is so dangerous to our health). The egg eating participants in this study also reported higher improvements in energy than the bagel eaters.
What about cholesterol? The latest research indicates that eating eggs does not significantly affect cholesterol levels in most individuals(1), but it actuality results in significant improvement in one's blood lipid profile. In a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, after a month of eating 2 eggs a day, the LDL to HDL ratio stayed the same, but there was a change in the particle size of LDL. The LDL particle size changed from the small, dense particle (the problematic one) to the large, fluffy, buoyant particle (much safer for your heart and arteries).
Eggs may help to lower the risk of stroke and heart attack - the very thing we have been warned that they caused. So much misinformation out there! There are some special protein substances in the yolk that are actually potent inhibitors of platelet aggregation (blood clotting). (Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin).
Here is another good reason to eat eggs - eggs are high in lutein ( more than in spinach and supplements) and zeaxanthin- thus eggs can protect against age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. The studies indicated that it is better to get these carotenoids from food rather than supplements - they are better absorbed. (Journal of Nutrition). Since lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids and are fat soluble they cannot be absorbed without fats. So if you get your lutein from spinach it needs to have a fat - like olive oil or butter to allow absorption.
The best eggs are from free range and organic chickens. You can tell a less than healthy egg because the yolk will be pale yellow- indicating lack of all the healthy nutrients.
A few quick serving ideas:
- Hard boiled eggs are easy to eat and pack for on- the -go lunches or on your favorite salad.
- Mix chopped up hard boiled eggs with some fresh lemon juice and olive oil, pickle relish and salt and pepper for a delicious egg salad.
- Poached eggs on gluten free toast with extra butter. Yummy
- Huevos ranchero breakfast- add chili peppers to scrambled eggs and serve with black beans and grated raw milk cheese.
So please enjoy one of nature's most perfect foods.
My wish for you is good health.
Kathi Bratberg RN, MS Holistic Nutrition
(1)Statistical analysis on over 224 different dietary studies carried out over the last 25 years have shown 1-2 eggs eaten every day does not cause changes in the cholesterol numbers. This equates to over 8000 subjects in these studies.
Book Review: "Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby and Child Care"
Book Review: "Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby and Child Care" by Sally Fallon Morell and Thomas S. Cowan, MD
Review by Michelle McCaslin, APRN
When embarking on the great responsibility and honor of parenthood a "How-to" book would be ideal to help new and experienced parents when making choices regarding their child's health. Morrell and Cowan have written a book that is just that. The book is carefully written with information that spans from pre-pregnancy to pregnancy then to infant/child care while also touching on the mother's health during the lactation or breastfeeding stage.
This book focuses on how proper nutrition based choices of what to eat and drink can be beneficial and have a profound effect in health for the mom and baby. Dr. Weston A. Price is a leading authority on nutrition whose research is used throughout the book. Other important topics that are usually a concern to parents such as vaccinations, fluoride, and even certain diagnostics such an ultrasound and other tests/labs done during pregnancy are also discussed. A few chapters are devoted to recipes and additional resources.
One of the first chapters called "Preparing for Your Baby" explains the importance of nutritional changes prior to conception to ensure a healthy pregnancy for mom and baby. The following chapter continues with the nutrition for the pregnant mother and also gives insight on certain tests and diagnostics done during this time. Morrell and Cowan are careful in stating their personal views; instead they give the reader information on how certain diagnostics are done and how they affect the developing baby along with research to help parents make informed decisions.
The emphasis on Weston A. Price's philosophies and research is the basis of the book and should give the reader a strong foundation of understanding nutrition in order to make healthy choices. There are other parts of the book that I found helpful and interesting such as frequent highlights, mini-guides, tidbits, and summaries, which are apart from the main text.
Some of these highlighted topics are somewhat controversial and informative. Some examples are: "Bad Advice in Baby Books", "Flu Shots during Pregnancy", "Raw Milk versus Pasteurized", "Holistic Treatments for Morning Sickness", "Menus for Nutrient-Dense Meals", "Homemade Whey for Homemade Infant Formula" and "Cheerios: A Bad Strategy for Baby".
The Appendix I titled "Therapy Instructions" at the end of the book explains the different compresses used as remedies for various ailments parents can come across while raising children. My favorites were a Mustard Compress that helps with chest congestion and also an Onion Compress that helps draw out fluid in ears.
Several parts of the book have topics in common with other pregnancy/parenting books like the explanation of stages of pregnancy, and child development milestones; but on the whole this book is unique in its focus on nutrition and an "Alternative or Holistic" approach. This is a great book that I will refer to in practice, suggest to friends and family, and recommend to our clients at Alternatives.
-Michelle McCaslin, APRN
Monday, January 13, 2014
Questions and Answers with Omaha Area Natural Parents and Dr. Patricia Ryan
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Patricia Ryan, MD and Certified Clinical Nutritionist is the medical director of Alternatives: a whole health and wellness center in Omaha with a multidisciplinary approach to healing. If you are looking for natural therapies for your children regarding food or environmental allergies, sleep problems, attention deficit or behavioral problems or want to learn about preventative measures you can take during pregnancy to minimize future risk - then this is your chance to question a Medical Doctor who listens first, discovers root causes, and designs comprehensive plans with the necessary support for healing.
Question: I would be interested in hearing her opinions, thought and
treatment plans when it comes to women dealing with anxiety and panic
attacks and depression. What are her thoughts on medication and does
she have any tried and true alternatives to medication that can
completely stop or alleviate symptoms of panic attacks and anxiety?
For depression and anxiety that is not post-partum related: this is very complex and not just a physical, biochemical cause. Do I like medication for these illnesses? At times medications are indicated. They can buy time to allow the person to pursue the deeper cause of their symptoms, or stabilize that person so they can function.
It has been my experience (based on seeing multiple abnormal lab tests and clinical improvements) that there is a definite nutritional component to these illnesses. Everything from inadequate/improper fats to support the nervous system to not enough amino acids, and B vitamins to help make neurotransmitters. People also need adequate minerals that are inherent to the structure of enzymes that drive chemical reactions in the body. Believe it or not, most people I see are deficient of one or more of the above categories. Replacing these nutrients can cause an improvement in symptoms.
Related to nutrition, but a little different is the environmental chemicals and our neurological system. Why do you think the United States is number one in the world for depression and obesity? Not because we are lazy! We are poisoned. Heavy metals such as mercury are very neurotoxic and disrupt serotonin metabolism -- thus its link to depression. Low serotonin levels are associated with depression. That's how Prozac, Zoloft, etc. works - to raise the serotonin in the brain. The problem with these drugs is that, in the long term, they cause an imbalance of other neurotransmitters. Many chemicals are fat-soluble (pesticides, herbicides, solvents, some antibiotics). That means they get into the brain easily because the brain is made up of 80% fat! Getting these chemicals out is not easy! But if the nerve or neuron in the brain gets damaged, it can contribute to depression, anxiety, headaches, insomnia, and many other things!
In our office we also have neurofeedback. This is a method of teaching the brain a new pattern. The brain has gotten into a bad habit of anxiety, for instance. It keeps running the same circuit over and over again. Neurofeedback uses blinking lights at a certain frequency combined with EEG biofeedback to ask to brain to repeat a new, healthier pattern. This works quite well.
Finally, each person needs to look at deeper root causes that are in the emotional and mental realm. Working with a professional that gently reminds you of why you are lovable, and helps you re-connect with yourself is very healing. It is best to work with a talented mental health therapist to do this.
What works best is unique to each individual, each situation. We take a holistic view of this and all illnesses. Combining nutritional support with detoxification, neurofeedback, and emotional support allow for full healing process, versus just the band-aid of a medication that will NEVER fix the depression/anxiety.
Holy Basil can help relieve some symptoms of anxiety, and St. John’s Wort can help with depression. Please seek professional help before combining either of these with medications.
Question: What is your opinion on leaky gut?
What is the cause of leaky gut? Again, we don't know for sure but we are gathering data that points to a combination of things including antibiotic use not only in humans but in the meat we eat, genetically modified foods, and the over-use of herbicides, and pesticides. These chemical causes combined with the right amount of stress, hormonal imbalances, and trauma can explain why it may be more prominent in some individuals versus others. The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system regulates gut function. I think stress is the number one thing that starts to unravel gut function in most people. Then when they are hit with the chemicals, parasites, yeast or bad bacteria they can't bounce back and protect themselves. The nervous system of the gut can also get disrupted when the spine isn't aligned. This is why many times chiropractic manipulation can be helpful to restore normal function to the gut.
Patricia Ryan, MD and Certified Clinical Nutritionist is the medical director of Alternatives: a whole health and wellness center in Omaha with a multidisciplinary approach to healing. If you are looking for natural therapies for your children regarding food or environmental allergies, sleep problems, attention deficit or behavioral problems or want to learn about preventative measures you can take during pregnancy to minimize future risk - then this is your chance to question a Medical Doctor who listens first, discovers root causes, and designs comprehensive plans with the necessary support for healing.
Dr. Ryan has offered to answer select questions from the
Omaha Area Natural Parents community every other Monday. They can be anything
from questions about her practice, what she treats and deals with, questions
about topics she is familiar with, etc. You can email your questions to omahanp@gmail.com or watch for the
announcement on OANP and Alternative’s Facebook pages.
Here are answers to some of last weeks questions:
Question: What is your typical care/treatment plan for food
allergies/reflux
in babies and children?
in babies and children?
Answer: No one knows the cause of infant colic and
reflux. One has to wonder why so many infants are suffering from this
now? I firmly believe it is related to our environment. Before you
can treat something you must first think about the cause. It has been
shown by multiple studies that environmental chemicals cause alteration of the
immune system. Eighty percent of the immune system lines the gut.
Therefore food allergies are a common manifestation these days of
chemical influence in our bodies. Allergies are an altered immune response.
This is why prevention is always the best medicine. It is much
easier to detoxify a woman before she becomes a mother, than help an infant
once he/she has colic/GERD.
First we need to evaluate the diet of the infant, or in the case of breast feeding -- the mom. Food allergies are a big problem for some people. Diet changes can provide great relief to the infant. You need to avoid a food if it is causing an allergic response. Many times the infant formula is to blame. These formulas are poorly made. The ingredients are not high quality and can actually cause some digestive difficulties. There are times when we recommend a homemade formula if breast feeding has been stopped. In addition, support for the normal flora in the gut by primarily providing probiotics in the form of Bifidobacteria. I also recommend chiropractic adjustment of the infant. This is extremely helpful in most instances!
First we need to evaluate the diet of the infant, or in the case of breast feeding -- the mom. Food allergies are a big problem for some people. Diet changes can provide great relief to the infant. You need to avoid a food if it is causing an allergic response. Many times the infant formula is to blame. These formulas are poorly made. The ingredients are not high quality and can actually cause some digestive difficulties. There are times when we recommend a homemade formula if breast feeding has been stopped. In addition, support for the normal flora in the gut by primarily providing probiotics in the form of Bifidobacteria. I also recommend chiropractic adjustment of the infant. This is extremely helpful in most instances!
Question: I would be interested in hearing her opinions, thought and
treatment plans when it comes to women dealing with anxiety and panic
attacks and depression. What are her thoughts on medication and does
she have any tried and true alternatives to medication that can
completely stop or alleviate symptoms of panic attacks and anxiety?
Answer: I would be curious to know if you are talking
about post-partum anxiety and depression, or just daily anxiety and depression
unrelated to the pregnancy.
Post-partum depression/anxiety is very easily treated with bio-identical progesterone. It is safe with breast feeding and usually is not needed for very long. During pregnancy progesterone levels get very high. In some women, the sudden decline of this hormone after childbirth can trigger symptoms. The hormone progesterone up-regulates the GABA receptor in the brain. This is where valium works. It is your natural anti-anxiety agent of the body. Estrogen up-regulates the serotonin receptor, which of course has to do with depression. Hormone balance greatly effects emotional status, and can be addressed naturally with bio-identical hormones.
Post-partum depression/anxiety is very easily treated with bio-identical progesterone. It is safe with breast feeding and usually is not needed for very long. During pregnancy progesterone levels get very high. In some women, the sudden decline of this hormone after childbirth can trigger symptoms. The hormone progesterone up-regulates the GABA receptor in the brain. This is where valium works. It is your natural anti-anxiety agent of the body. Estrogen up-regulates the serotonin receptor, which of course has to do with depression. Hormone balance greatly effects emotional status, and can be addressed naturally with bio-identical hormones.
For depression and anxiety that is not post-partum related: this is very complex and not just a physical, biochemical cause. Do I like medication for these illnesses? At times medications are indicated. They can buy time to allow the person to pursue the deeper cause of their symptoms, or stabilize that person so they can function.
It has been my experience (based on seeing multiple abnormal lab tests and clinical improvements) that there is a definite nutritional component to these illnesses. Everything from inadequate/improper fats to support the nervous system to not enough amino acids, and B vitamins to help make neurotransmitters. People also need adequate minerals that are inherent to the structure of enzymes that drive chemical reactions in the body. Believe it or not, most people I see are deficient of one or more of the above categories. Replacing these nutrients can cause an improvement in symptoms.
Related to nutrition, but a little different is the environmental chemicals and our neurological system. Why do you think the United States is number one in the world for depression and obesity? Not because we are lazy! We are poisoned. Heavy metals such as mercury are very neurotoxic and disrupt serotonin metabolism -- thus its link to depression. Low serotonin levels are associated with depression. That's how Prozac, Zoloft, etc. works - to raise the serotonin in the brain. The problem with these drugs is that, in the long term, they cause an imbalance of other neurotransmitters. Many chemicals are fat-soluble (pesticides, herbicides, solvents, some antibiotics). That means they get into the brain easily because the brain is made up of 80% fat! Getting these chemicals out is not easy! But if the nerve or neuron in the brain gets damaged, it can contribute to depression, anxiety, headaches, insomnia, and many other things!
In our office we also have neurofeedback. This is a method of teaching the brain a new pattern. The brain has gotten into a bad habit of anxiety, for instance. It keeps running the same circuit over and over again. Neurofeedback uses blinking lights at a certain frequency combined with EEG biofeedback to ask to brain to repeat a new, healthier pattern. This works quite well.
Finally, each person needs to look at deeper root causes that are in the emotional and mental realm. Working with a professional that gently reminds you of why you are lovable, and helps you re-connect with yourself is very healing. It is best to work with a talented mental health therapist to do this.
What works best is unique to each individual, each situation. We take a holistic view of this and all illnesses. Combining nutritional support with detoxification, neurofeedback, and emotional support allow for full healing process, versus just the band-aid of a medication that will NEVER fix the depression/anxiety.
Holy Basil can help relieve some symptoms of anxiety, and St. John’s Wort can help with depression. Please seek professional help before combining either of these with medications.
Question: What is your opinion on leaky gut?
Answer: Leaky gut exists and is becoming epidemic.
For those who do not know what leaky gut is, here is a quick review.
Leaky gut is a condition where the cells of the small intestine get sick.
The small intestine is where you absorb all of your nutrients. Also,
80% of the immune system lines the small intestine. The food particles we
ingest are supposed to stay inside of the intestinal lumen, get fully digested,
and then absorbed by the small intestine cells. If for some reason (there
are many) that the small intestinal cells get sick, they cannot absorb food
well. Also, there is something call a "tight-junction" which is
kind of a glue that holds the small intestine cells together so food doesn't
leak out of the intestine into the area of the gut immune system. When this
tight junction gets weak, or the small intestinal cells get sick, food gets
through and stimulates the immune system of the gut causing a delayed immune
response or food allergies. This can result in multiple symptoms including
abdominal bloating, constipation, diarrhea, GERD, joint pain, headaches,
rashes, autoimmune thyroiditis, and insomnia to name a few symptoms.
What is the cause of leaky gut? Again, we don't know for sure but we are gathering data that points to a combination of things including antibiotic use not only in humans but in the meat we eat, genetically modified foods, and the over-use of herbicides, and pesticides. These chemical causes combined with the right amount of stress, hormonal imbalances, and trauma can explain why it may be more prominent in some individuals versus others. The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system regulates gut function. I think stress is the number one thing that starts to unravel gut function in most people. Then when they are hit with the chemicals, parasites, yeast or bad bacteria they can't bounce back and protect themselves. The nervous system of the gut can also get disrupted when the spine isn't aligned. This is why many times chiropractic manipulation can be helpful to restore normal function to the gut.
Monday, November 25, 2013
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.
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