Category Archives: Uncategorized

Inner-Ear and Balance Disorders: Is Elevated Insulin the Culprit

Posted on by

Inner-Ear and Balance Disorders: Is Elevated Insulin the Culprit?

Cochleovestibular disorders, which involve abnormalities with the inner ear, affect millions of people. These little-discussed conditions include tinnitus, Ménière’s disease, mal de débarquement syndrome (MdDS, also known as disembarkment syndrome), vestibular or cochlear hyperacusis and many more. Their symptoms run the gamut from painful and inconvenient to downright debilitating. Severe cases can result in complete disability, robbing people of their professional lives and compromising overall quality of life.

The symptoms of each individual condition vary, but, taken together, they include ringing in the ears, dizziness, nausea, hearing loss, sensations of rocking or swaying while at rest, ataxia, loss of balance, fatigue, headaches, migraines, difficulty focusing, memory loss and sensitivity to light. Not surprisingly, these difficult symptoms can ultimately result in anxiety and depression, as a patient’s quality of life worsens.

The exact causes of these varied cochleovestibular disorders are not known, but there are several possibilities. The most obvious is physical trauma to the head or neck—specifically, trauma that affects the eighth cranial nerve, called the vestibulocochlear nerve, which carries signals between the inner ear and the brain. Benign tumors, called acoustic neuromas or vestibular schwannoma, can interfere with the proper functioning of this nerve, as can vestibular neuritis (a viral infection of the nerve), and irritation of the nerve, also called microvascular compression syndrome. Some conditions can be caused or triggered by prolonged exposure to very loud sounds. MdDS, specifically, often initially appears after an ocean cruise or other prolonged water travel, but it may also arise after air or automobile travel. However, there are cases of MdDS—and the other inner-ear disturbances—that are considered “spontaneous onset,” and have no known triggering event or disease.These disorders are intractable and difficult to treat, with promising responses to medication often fleeting. Individuals with these conditions experience periods of flare-up and remission, not unlike those with autoimmune illnesses. In fact, there may be an autoimmune component to some of them. Other things they may be associated with include hormonal changes, allergies, and high levels of stress.

Perhaps the most interesting—and promising, in terms of treatment—thing these disorders are associated with is hyperinsulinemia. Being that insulin resistance—even in the absence of overweight or obesity—has systemic effects far and wide in the body (including influencing PCOS, non-alcoholic fatty liver, Alzheimer’s disease, kidney dysfunction, hypertension and overall cardiovascular health), it would not be surprising to uncover a stealth role for insulin in the etiology or progression of cochleovestibular disorders. The medical literature does, in fact, support this connection.

One study showed that 72% of Ménière’s patients had some degree of hyperinsulinemia. However, abnormalities in glucose levels were found in just 21%. This does not imply that the connection is weak; Dr. Joseph Kraft, one of the original pioneers of this work, uncovered the notion that normal glucose tolerance curves frequently hide hyperinsulinemia. Patients undergoing oral glucose tolerance tests often have normal 2-hour glucose responses, as well as normal fasting blood glucose and normal A1c levels precisely because of very high insulin levels. Other researchers have since confirmed “the need to include 5-hour glucose and insulin curves in the diagnostic routine when investigating Ménière’s disease.” They even call hyperinsulinemia “the metabolic change most often involved in the pathogenesis of cochleovestibular disorders.” (Emphasis added.) Additional studies conclude outright that “hyperinsulinemia may be responsible for inner ear diseases.”

There’s even more corroboration of the connection between deranged glucose metabolism and vertigo. The authors noted, “This may not be reflected in the glucose tolerance test alone, but becomes obvious when the insulin levels in blood are evaluated simultaneously.” Again, the glucose response may appear “normal,” but when insulin levels are evaluated, the connection is elucidated, as it was among nearly 70% of a group of Ménière’s patients who underwent a 5-hour glucose tolerance test plus insulin assay.

This is a little-known connection, however, and it hasn’t received as much attention as it perhaps deserves, especially considering that these conditions have historically been so difficult to treat. If chronic hyperinsulinemia is even just one contributing factor to these debilitating illnesses, then this holds great promise for treatment options. The obvious place to start would be a nutritional intervention, via a reduced-carbohydrate diet and supplements for improving insulin resistance and blood glucose management, perhaps with berberine, chromium, and other compounds effective for this purpose. Lifestyle interventions that may help reduce insulin resistance—such as exercise, intermittent fasting, stress reduction, and adequate sleep—may also prove beneficial for these otherwise difficult-to-treat disorders.

Vitamin D-Chronic Heart Failure

Posted on by

 

Vitamin D3 Supports Cardiac Function in Chronic Heart Failure Patients

Vitamin D3 supplementation enhances cardiac function in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients also treated with conventional medical therapy, researchers observed in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study e-published in March 2016. Vitamin D deficiency occurs often in CHF patients whose condition is secondary to left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD). Vitamin D deficiency in CHF patients is linked to a worse outcome.

In the Vitamin D Treating Patients with Chronic Heart Failure (VINDICATE) study, researchers evaluated the effects of vitamin D3 supplementation in 220 vitamin D-deficient participants with CHF due to LVSD. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels of <50 nmol/L (<20 ng/mL). The subjects received either 4,000 IU per day of vitamin D3 for one year or a matching non-calcium-based placebo. At one year, the investigators evaluated changes from baseline in six-minute walking distance and left ventricular ejection fraction. They also assessed renal function and serum calcium concentration at three-month intervals.

In the 163 patients who completed the study, six-minute walking distance after vitamin D supplementation did not improve. However, in the vitamin D group there was a pronounced improvement in cardiac function as measured by echocardiography. Additionally, there was a reversal of left ventricular remodeling. Vitamin D supplementation had no significant effects on calcium levels or renal function.

The study authors concluded, “VINDICATE has demonstrated that high-dose vitamin D supplementation is safe, well tolerated and associated with a clinically relevant improvement in cardiac function in CHF patients already taking current optimal therapies.”

 

Watercress

Posted on by

Watercress

www.watercress.com

Watercress in History, as a Healing Herb as Well as a Food

As early as 400 BC, Hippocrates understood the significant herbal benefits of watercress. In fact, he established the first hospital on the island of Kos in close proximity to a stream where fresh watercress grew in proliferation at the ready for his patients.

Nasturtium officianale (watercress) is thought to have originated in Europe, specifically Russia, before spreading to Northern Africa and to the New World. It arrived in the U.S. with European immigrants, who may have known enough to use it for its high vitamin C content, in lieu of lemons or limes, to avoid getting scurvy.

Evidence indicates the early Greeks and Romans valued watercress for its ability to improve brain function. Europeans in the Middle Ages made a salve from it to treat for sword wounds.

People in the U.S. began consuming watercress as a food source in recent years, while other areas of the world, such as Australia, have benefited from its healing benefits for centuries. According to a website belonging to Herb Cottage in Mudgeeraba, Australia:

” … Watercress soup in Asian cuisine is seen as beneficial for mouth health, protecting against gingivitis, ulcers, swollen gums and general health. Watercress is also viewed as being useful in the recovery period after illness, or colds and flu due to the high vitamin and mineral content.

Watercress has anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-pyretic, is a potent diuretic, benefits arthritis sufferers, helps dermatitis and eczema, and has expectorant qualities to help respiratory illness.”1

Besides the Taste, What Makes Eating Watercress Worthwhile?

Scientific evidence indicates that watercress contains more than 15 essential vitamins and minerals. In fact, it imparts more iron than spinach, more calcium than milk, and more vitamin C than oranges.

A list of the medicinal properties of plants and their remedies, including watercress, reveals a number of traditional healing advantages to eating this delicate, green, natural vitamin:

Respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis Cuts and puncture wounds Boils and abscesses
Vitamin deficiencies Coughs Colds
Gallstones Metabolic diseases Liver disease
Fluid retention Anorexia Mouth ulcers
Diabetes Obesity

An epic study at a New Jersey university reviewed a wide assortment of fruits and vegetables to determine their nutritional value for classification purposes, but also their ability to reduce chronic disease such as cancer.

These foods were referred to as “PFV” — aka “powerhouse fruits and vegetables” — based on the content of each in regard to 17 nutrients deemed to be most important. Those nutrients were: potassium, fiber, protein, calcium, iron, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, zinc, and vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E, and K.

Regarding that last one, watercress brings an astonishing 106 percent of the Vitamin K you need in a single day. What that means for you is that if you have any tendency toward developing cardiovascular disease, eating this veggie can go a long way toward preventing it.

Even if you already suffer from this illness, consuming healthy amounts of watercress can reverse some of the damage.

Watercress as a Cancer Fighter?

Incidentally, it’s always best to get the benefits of these vitamins by eating the foods that contain it, rather than opting for supplements that are a far cry from actual live, vibrant nutrients.

Vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli and Brussels sprouts are also crucifers, which are well known in the scientific community as cancer killers; scientists surmised the same abilities may be present in watercress, as well.

Those benefits were found to be linked with the fact that increased carotenoid concentration intensifies the body’s protection against DNA damage, as well as the concentration of antioxidants  in your blood.

Read on for more clinical studies revealing many of the nutritional aspects of watercress and what those vitamins and minerals do for the body.

Studies on Watercress Show It Prevents and Improves Heart Disease and Cancer

The aforementioned peppery flavor is explained in the go-to herb and spice “bible,” aptly called “Culinary Herbs and Spices of the World, as due to the mustard oil glycoside content, called gluconasturtiin.

For what it’s worth, the spicy zest of watercress results when the leaves are crushed (or chewed); the glycoside mingles with the enzyme myrosinase, and two hydrolysis products, hydrocinnamonitril and phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), are formed.

More evidence proving that watercress (as well as broccoli) contain powerful ingredients in relation to fighting cancer, still another study showed how elements in isothiocyanate essentially deactivate the damaging effects of an enzyme called matrix metalloproteinase-9, which can diffuse the body’s natural ability to fight off the proliferation of cancerous tumors.

The same study exhibited these vegetables’ power to fight off a particularly deadly type of breast cancer.

Another article revealed that individuals who consume these compounds can expect the natural benefits of decreased risk of breast, lung, colorectal, head and neck, and prostate cancers.

Further, the stages of cancer proliferation, namely initiation, proliferation, and metastasis (invasion) were examined in another review to see what effects were produced by watercress extracts.

Researchers reported that they proved to be “significantly protective against the three stages of the carcinogenesis process investigated.” Watercress is actually noted for its ability to detoxify:

“A phase II clinical trial demonstrated and presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) showed that watercress extract taken multiple times a day can significantly inhibit cancer.

The trial specifically showed that the extract detoxifies environmental carcinogens and toxicants found in cigarette smoke, and that the effect is stronger in people who lack certain genes involved in processing carcinogens.“

More Studies Prove How Powerful Watercress Is Against Illness and Disease

A Medical News Today article cited a few more incredible uses for this leafy green:

“In a study conducted at Georgetown University, rats were given a lethal dose of radiation. Some were left untreated, and others were treated with a daily injection of DIM daily for two weeks. All the untreated rats died, but over 50 percent of those receiving the DIM remained alive at the 30-day mark.

The same researchers did the experiment on mice and found similar results. They were able to determine that the DIM-treated mice had higher counts or red and white blood cells and blood platelets, which radiation therapy often diminishes.

Watercress contains the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid, which has been shown to lower glucose levels, increase insulin sensitivity and prevent oxidative stress-induced changes in patients with diabetes. Studies on alpha-lipoic acid have also shown decreases in peripheral neuropathy or autonomic neuropathy in diabetics.

Of note, most studies have used intravenous alpha-lipoic acid, there is uncertainty whether oral supplementation would elicit the same benefits.”

Additional research reveals that eating watercress is also effective against thyroid dysfunction and osteoporosis, and can be extremely beneficial for pregnant mothers, people wanting to prevent cognitive decline, protect their eyesight and prevent stroke

Gallbladder Flush #2

Posted on by

GALLBLADDER FLUSH INSTRUCTIONS

DAYS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Liver/Gallbladder Flushes have been around for 100′s of years.  Each part of the world has various varieties of flushes which were normally done in the springtime to rid the body of “heavier” toxins created in the winter and prepare the body for lighter foods and “summer heat”  The folks in the American South used Poke Root, the Germanic Europeans used cabbage, the Southern Europeans used olive oil, salts and artichokes.

There are dozens of varieties of liver and gallbladder flushes.  In my 35 years of practice, I may have used most all of them.  I recommend this particular one because it is easier for the patient and relatively inexpensive.  As with all detox programs and flushes, I wholeheartedly recommend you work with a physician or other knowledgeable health care provider so they may advise, counsel and guide you through the process.

Even before looking at the instructions please go to my post on Gallbladder and read what it does so you can have a clear understanding of how important it is to clear it out!

You will need:

  1. 5 quarts of apple juice preferably organic (contains both pectin and malic acid which soften or melt larger stones into smaller chips and pieces)
  2. One 4 ounce bottle of Super-Phos30 drops (contains ortho-phosphoric acid which prevents nausea) Dews Twenty First Century Products at 940-325-0284
  3. 6 ounces of freshly opened olive oil (the olive oil is also known as the “gallbladder challenge” and it forces the gallbladder to go into spasm and when it does, it spits out the stones)
  4. 10 ounces of Coca-Cola Classic (due to its high phosphoric content, mixing the coke with the olive oil prevents any nausea that may be created from drinking the olive oil)
  5. 1-2 lemons or large fresh grapefruit
  6. Epsom Salt
  7. Castor Oil Packs ( this is also optional but extremely beneficial to do a castor oil pack every night at bedtime for the 5 days you are prepping with the apple juice)

 ***The stones come through the bowel not the kidney or urinary tract system

 Days 1 through 5:

  • Mix 10cc or two teaspoons of Super Phos 30 in one quart of apple juice and drink.
  • Do not drink the apple juice at one time, but throughout the day.
  • Eat normally. This is not a fast. 

***For diabetics or if you cannot tolerate so much apple juice, use one quart of distilled water per day, and increase Super Phos from 90 drops to 120 drops daily.

 Day 5

  • In the mid-afternoon, mix 1 tablespoon of Epsom Salt in 1 cup of water and drink.  This can be repeated upon arising the next morning. IMPORTANT!
  • Eat dinner no later than 5:00-6:00PM. (the earlier dinner is eaten the better as it takes a long time for food to digest)
  • Wait a minimum of 4 hours after dinner.

Prepare and drink the following liver flush mixture. (6 ounces olive oil, 10 ounce coke, 1-2 lemons or grapefruit juice)

  • Put all ingredients in a quart jar; shake well and drink it down relatively quickly.
  • After drinking the flush mixture, immediately lie down on your RIGHT SIDE in the fetal position (knees to chest) for a minimum of 30 minutes so the oil will force the gall bladder and bile duct to contract and throw off the stones. If you can’t do this, lay stretched out full length for 30 minutes. This step is imperative!!
  • After 30 minutes, you can move around and resume normal activity and then go to sleep. It usually will take up to 8 hours for the flush to work.

What to Expect:

  • The first bowel movement on Day 6 may be soft and contain the most stones
  • Expect anywhere from 10 to hundreds of stones—some the size of green peas others may be larger
  • You may have a few movements back to back in the morning but will not be “going” all day long
  • Sometimes nothing happens the next morning—do not get discouraged.  Call your health care provider and they will advise you on how to proceed.

Super Phos 30 Drops (NOT Optional)

Order by contacting Dews Twenty First Century Products at 940-325-9284 /940-484-2178 Purchase a 4 ounce bottle to ensure you have enough or to use for the future. (The drops are not expensive)

Castor Oil Packs (Optional)CastorOilPack2Organic Ozonated Castor Oil Packs / Phil Thomas- 407-965-9903

Edgar Cayce Castor Oil Packs are incredibly powerful and have the ability to clean out the lymphatic system via the liver. **As many of you know, Edgar Cayce was a religiously minded psychic healer whose suggestions still hold true to this day.

NOTE: I highly recommend this flush be done with guidance from a health care provider who understands natural health care and detoxification procedures.  99.9% of the time, there are no problems, but one never knows and having a professional on hand who can help if need be is always an absolute asset.  Additionally some people need to use product ahead of time to prepare the gallbladder to dump its stones

 

Prunes

Posted on by

Prunes – these sweet, dried plums are more than just delicious snacks. They pack a phytochemical and antioxidant punch, and offer up a variety of health benefits that go far beyond what they are best known for – supporting better bowel habits.

The familiar laxative effect of prunes is partly due to their fiber content, but since prune juice—a water extract devoid of fiber—is also known to exert a stool softening effect, there’s more to it than just the fiber alone. Prunes and prune juice contain natural sorbitol, a sugar alcohol known to have a laxative effect, and chlorogenic acid, which also has laxative properties. Chlorogenic acid is a promising antioxidant compound which has been shown to be anxiolytic in a mouse model of anxiety. This potential reduction in anxiety may be why prune extracts have also demonstrated positive effects on learning and memory in mice, which may make them beneficial for people of all ages.

Beyond their tried-and-true use for improving bowel function, research has also shown prunes to have positive effects on cardiovascular health. In one study, subjects consuming prunes or prune juice had significant reductions in blood pressure, compared to those who only consumed water. This is potentially due to the high potassium content of prunes. In another study, phytochemicals isolated from prunes were shown to protect human endothelial cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage in vitro. In this study the specific compounds extracted for testing were melanoidins, formed by sugars reacting with proteins during food processing and preservation, which suggests these protective factors might be present in prunes but not in fresh plums. Further research showed that post-menopausal women given 75g/day of prunes had significantly lower levels of C-reactive protein at 3 months than a comparative group given the same amount of dried apples. At 12 months, compared to baseline, the prune group had small reductions of 3.5% in total cholesterol and 8% in LDL-cholesterol.

A growing body of research also shows the impressive effects of prunes on bone health, particularly in post-menopausal women, for whom bone preservation is an especially critical issue. Prunes are a good source of boron, which is a critical mineral for bone strength. Post-menopausal women given 100g/day of dried plums showed increased serum levels of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, a marker for bone formation. Compared to an intervention group given dried apples, the dried plum group showed significant increases in bone mineral density in the spine and ulna. Animal models of osteoporosis suggest prunes may upregulate bone-building osteoblasts and may help to preserve bone mass in the spine and tibia.

Of course, large amounts of prunes—especially in the form of juice—are not necessarily appropriate for everybody. Despite their beneficial effects on health, people struggling to manage their blood sugar should be aware that all dried fruits are concentrated sources of sugar, since the water has been removed from them. However, prunes are a sensible choice, as a 60 gram serving (about 2 ounces) has a glycemic index of 29, and a glycemic load of just 10. The sweet taste of prunes is slightly misleading; prunes generally do not cause large post-prandial spikes in blood glucose. This is likely due to their high fiber, fructose, and sorbitol content.

The relatively benign effects of prunes on blood glucose might be why a recent study found prunes to be helpful for weight loss. If they can satisfy a craving for something sweet without triggering a desire for more and more, in addition to inducing a feeling of satiety because of their fiber, it makes sense that consuming prunes in moderation could be a stealthy and surprising ace-in-the-hole for dieters, while also being an all-around great choice for individuals wanting to support cardiovascular heath, and brain and bowel function.

Philosophy of Functional Medicine

Posted on by

Philosophy of Functional Medicine

Functional-Medicine-Iceberg-HMCPThe 4 P’s of Functional Medicine

  1. Predictive—decades in advance
  2. Proactive—-create health
  3. Preventative—don’t get sick to begin with
  4. Personalized—each person is unique

Functional medicine is all about understanding the causes of illness

“Causative Medicine” vs “Reactionary Medicine”

Diet             Lifestyle               Stress

Toxicity       Inflammation     Methylation

Dental        Intestinal Microbiome     Genetics/Epigenetics

Health Care at its Very Best!

                                       Dr. Princetta is 100% Result Driven

Here’s How:

  • Takes the time to know and understand each patient on all levels
  • Treats, Educates, Engages, Empowers the patient to Get Well and Stay Well
  • Addresses the Spiritual, Mental, and Emotional components of Physical illness
  • Takes the time to research conditions and solutions that are outside the box
  • Has an absolute understanding of True Cellular Detoxification
  • Has an absolutely acute understanding of the Art of Chiropractic
  • Recommends state-of-the-art supplementation wisely and judiciously
  • Has an excellent background regarding Wholesome Foods

Dr. P’s Primary Goals:

  • Keep the Mind Sharp and the Brain Healthy (#1 on the list)
  • Reduce Inflammation/Remove Oxidative Stress
  • Restore the Intestinal Microbiome (the gut is the 2nd brain)  “I fee it in my gut”
  • Support the Liver (over 1450ml of blood pass through the liver every minute)
  • Support the Heart Muscle (still the # 1 cause of death male & female)
  • Increase ATP–Energy Production of Cells
  • Restore Methylation (Methylation turns good genes on and bad genes off)
  • Repair/Restore DNA Expression
  • Maintain Healthy Blood Glucose Levels
  • Support Bone Density

The 5 R’s of Cellular Healing:

  1. Remove the Source   (Treat the causes not the symptoms)
  2. Regenerate Cell Membranes  (Mitochondria)
  3. Restore Cellular Energy
  4. Reduce Inflammation
  5. Re-establish Methylation

Dietary Suggestions:  Discussed on an individualize basis— no two people are alike

Eliminate the causes of Inflammation:

  • Sugar and Grains—sugar is secretly embedded in most every food we eat
  • Vegetable/Omega 6 Oils such as Canola, Sunflower, Safflower, Palm, Cottonseed and Soybean.  Soybean oil is 50% linoleic acid which is a strong pro-inflammatory.  These oils exist in cookies, crackers, chips, muffins, cake mixes.  They are driving Omega 6 levels through the roof and the inflammation caused by them is why Heart Disease is the # 1 cause of death in the US

GENUINE AND LASTING HEALING REQUIRES DISCIPLINED ATTENTION TO DIET & PSYCHE

             I am available for consultation via e-mail, phone and travel.

Heart Health-Omega 3 Test

Posted on by

Heart issues being the # 1 cause of death forces me to continue pushing forward info needed to prevent heart issue.  My policy is  preventing heart problems is easier than treating heart problems.  I recently had the Omega 3 Test for myself and  for two other patients.  I recommend the test because it provides a baseline as to where you  are at with Omega 3 vs Omega 6.   Once a baseline is determined, you treat appropriately and 6-12 months later re-test to see if what you did worked or did not work.  I feel the same way about Vitamin D—test then treat if needed.  This is not about tests it is about reading the information below–If you want to do the test, call me and I will set it up for you.    Thank You

Overview of Omega 3-6 Balance

Lifestyle Omega 3-6 Balance

Learn More from Other Sources

NIX6 and EAT3

Research Stories of Omega 3-6 Balance
Omega 3-6 Apps use Balance Scores

Wellness Programs

Questions + Answersquestions + answers for more learning

Acid Reflux – The Diet and Beyond

Posted on by

Acid Reflux – The Diet and Beyond

Reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES, between the esophagus and the upper portion of the stomach) becomes overly loose, allowing stomach contents to move upward, back into the esophagus. The problem, therefore, is not excess hydrochloric acid, but rather, a weakened LES. There are certain foods that may weaken the LES, such as chocolate, peppermint and alcohol. Food timing and post-meal activities are also factors. Individuals with an already weakened LES are advised not to consume large meals shortly before bed, since lying down can increase the pressure on the LES and cause reflux. Reclining in general after a meal may have the same result. It might not be comfortable for people to watch TV while sitting upright after dinner, but this position may give gravity a leg up in warding off reflux.Another factor that may exacerbate acid reflux is obesity—specifically, abdominal obesity, where fat is mainly carried at the midsection. A larger concentration of body mass in the abdominal area means increased pressure on the LES, with greater reflux being an obvious potential consequence. Certainly, not all overweight individuals experience reflux, and plenty of lean individuals do. So excess body weight is not an ironclad cause of reflux; it’s simply one among many contributors that could be addressed if an overweight patient experiences frequent heartburn.

There are, of course, foods that exacerbate acid reflux. But it’s important to note that they do just that—exacerbate, but not cause—the issue. At the top of the list are acidic foods, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes and coffee. Alliums—which include garlic, onions and shallots—may also be a factor. The acidity and irritating potential of these foods do not cause reflux. When the LES is already weakened, these foods may be particularly irritating to the esophagus, which, unlike the stomach, is not coated in a layer of protective mucus.

Elimination diets have had some efficacy in relieving heartburn and indigestion. Individuals who adopt Paleo or “Primal”-style diets often experience complete relief, suggesting that refined grains, damaged oils and processed foods may contain LES-offending elements. Patients who experience acid reflux may benefit from keeping a food log, which could help them identify foods that trigger episodes of heartburn, specifically, and indigestion, more broadly.

An additional factor that may result in acid reflux is hiatal hernia. Again, it is unlikely that a hernia is the initial cause of reflux, but it may be a potentiating force upon an already weakened LES. Large hernias may impair timely esophageal emptying, resulting in prolonged acid exposure after an incidence of reflux. This would be especially true in the supine position, again hinting at the importance of remaining upright for some time after a meal.

When food sensitivities, psychological stress, body weight, alcohol intake, cigarette smoking and anatomical issues have been addressed and/or ruled out, and an individual still suffers from unpleasant acid reflux, an additional factor to explore is delayed gastric emptying. As mentioned earlier, this is often due to insufficient, rather than excessive, stomach acid. With inadequate HCl, food—in particular, protein—is not broken down sufficiently to trigger the opening of the pyloric sphincter, which would allow food to move from the stomach into the duodenum. As food remains in the stomach for an extended amount of time, the proteins may putrefy and carbohydrates may ferment, resulting in increased pressure upon the LES. The remedy for this would not be acid blocking drugs, but rather, increased acidity in the stomach, delivered in the form of HCl supplements, or perhaps lemon juice or vinegar taken with meals.

Due to its multiple causes, acid reflux can be difficult to treat. It’s not as simple as quitting coffee and avoiding spicy takeout food. Some cases may require a multi-pronged strategy to keep symptoms at bay, including targeted supplementation, lifestyle modifications and the identification of triggering foods.

Note:  I spent a career on this issue.  Just know Antacids are not the answer because the issue is NOT TOO MUCH ACID, but TOO Little.  My post on HCL Deficiency and Proton Pump Inhibitors will provide a plethora of information and answers.

Call or write me and we will figure it out!

Is it Really Acid Reflux?

Posted on by

Is it Really Acid Reflux?

Let’s take a closer look at the use (or overuse) of proton pump inhibitors, and the dilemma they create by not addressing the real root of the problem. Proton pump inhibitors are often prescribed for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).  GERD, whose symptoms include chest pain, chronic cough, sleep disturbances, and hoarseness, is characterized by too much stomach acid production, causing it to reflux into the esophagus. Treatment with proton pump inhibitors is used by many in order to suppress acid secretion in the stomach.

But proton pump inhibitors may not be the solution. Why?  Well, we typically do not produce more hormones, insulin, and enzymes as we age. The truth is that most body processes decrease as we age. Most people suffering with symptoms of acid reflux or GERD may actually be experiencing hypochlorhydria or too little acid, which is when the stomach is unable to produce adequate amounts of hydrochloric acid (HCL).

People with low stomach acid levels commonly have symptoms of gas, bloating, flatulence, and constipation or diarrhea. This low acid environment slows digestion. The protein in their food sits in the stomach and putrefies instead of digesting. The sphincter between the stomach and small intestine delays opening because the protein is not properly broken down into peptides due to the insufficient HCL production. The small intestine does not want whole proteins; instead it needs the amino acids from the broken down proteins. This faulty digestive process is associated with low, not high, hydrochloric acid. These acids back flow into the esophagus causing the pain we know as acid reflux.

The barrier that prevents HCL from traveling from your stomach up into your esophagus is called the esophageal sphincter. The cause of this sphincter dysfunction is inadequate levels of HCL. Since normal acid levels help prevent infection in your gut as well as enhance absorption of vitamins and minerals, supplementation with Betaine Hydrochloride will help to support these normal acid levels.  There are numerous companies making Betaine Hydrochloride supplements.  Standard Process first introduced its Betaine Hydrochloride way back in 1947!

Additional supplements may be needed to improve digestive function such as Probiotics and Glutamine. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL)  is a soothing herb which helps relax the esophageal sphincter and protects the gastric mucosa and mucous membranes lining the digestive tract.

The bacterium Helicobacter pylori is a major cause of gastritis. The nutrients Mastic Gum, Methylmethionessulfonium, Zinc Carnosine, and Vitamin C address both eradication of H. pylori and the healing and protection of inflamed mucosal tissue.

Natural treatments offer a more effective approach than what is provided by proton pump inhibitors. In addition, proton pump inhibitors can induce several nutrient deficiencies including calcium, potassium, and magnesium. They also may cause serious neuromuscular and cardiovascular problems and increase the chance of hip fracture in people over 50 years of age.

Note:  I spent a career on this issue.  Just know Antacids are not the answer because the issue is NOT TOO MUCH ACID, but TOO Little.  My post on HCL Deficiency and Proton Pump Inhibitors will provide a plethora of information and answers.

Call or write me and we will figure it out!

Omega 3-B Vitamins-Cognition

Posted on by

Omega-3 status influences the effect of B vitamins on cognitive decline

B vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients involved in numerous metabolic processes that play a significant role in cognitive health. Due to the lack of new drugs to treat cognitive impairment, researchers are looking more and more at nutrients to delay or prevent cognitive decline. An interesting study just published January 6, 2016 in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease addressed this issue.  Here, researchers investigated whether omega-3 fatty acid status had an effect on the use of B vitamins in mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Previous studies have already established that B vitamins can slow cognitive decline in the elderly. In fact, last week I shared the importance of vitamin B12 in learning and memory later in life, and the relationship between age-related decreased B12 levels and their association with neurological disorders.

In this new study, we see that this effect of B vitamins on cognitive decline was most pronounced in those who had above average homocysteine levels, a biomarker related to B vitamin status that may be toxic to the brain. The research team found that there was a link between omega-3 levels, homocysteine, and brain atrophy rates. The connection may lie in the fact that homocysteine plays a role in regulating phospholipid metabolism and omega-3 distribution by the methionine cycle, and B vitamins are essential for the production of phospholipids.

Two hundred and sixty six participants with MCI over 70 year of age were randomized to B vitamins (folic acid, vitamins B6 and B12) or placebo for 2 years. Researchers measured baseline cognitive test performance, clinical dementia rating (CDR) scale, and plasma concentrations of homocysteine, DHA and EPA fatty acids. The final results for verbal delayed recall, global cognition, and CDR were better in the B vitamin-treated group according to increasing baseline concentrations of omega-3s. In contrast, the scores in the placebo group were similar across these concentrations. Among those with good omega-3 status, 33% of those on B vitamin treatment had global CDR scores >0 compared with 59% among those on placebo. Among all 3 outcome measures, higher concentrations of DHA alone significantly improved the cognitive effects of B vitamins, whereas EPA appeared to be less effective.

This study demonstrated that B vitamins have no effect on cognitive decline in MCI when omega-3 levels are low. However, when omega-3 levels are in an upper normal range, B vitamins can help slow down cognitive decline and brain atrophy. These findings suggest that a combination of fish oil supplements and B vitamins may help to improve cognition and reduce age-related memory decline.

Note: The ratio of EPA to DHA needs to be 2:1

My practice utilizes a wide array of Omega products.  A wide array because what works for one patient may not necessarily work for another.

Call or write me for additional discussion on this all important connection between the Omega’s, Methylation, B Vitamins and Cognition