by Debra Arko Novotny | Aug 7, 2018 | Functional Medicine, Nutrition
Every time I test my magnesium level, I’m deficient even though I take a huge dose of these horse sized pill nightly. It’s not just me.
Do We Need A High Dose Magnesium?
Yesterday a patient – mark her the 3rd patient this month who test deficient in magnesium. The month isn’t even half over. Let me first say. I don’t buy into basic blood serum testing. That’s what your medical doctor likely does. When you go to Quest or Lab Corp, they’re testing only your blood. This doesn’t answer the question of how much is getting into your cells! High dose magnesium usually is necessary.
Always Buy Quality Supplements
For me and many others, our vitamins are swimming in our blood but not making it into the cell where our body can use them. So, we’re wasting our money, right?
Maybe or maybe not. It can be the way the supplement is made, and if you’re buying the local bulk store brand, then it’s how it’s made or the quality. This goes for many others found in health stores and online. Quality may be the difference. Even using High Dose Magnesium isn’t going to work with the bargain stuff.
Why Are Americans Deficient In Magnesium?
Magnesium deficiency is running rampant among Americans. Many experts estimate that 80% of Americans are magnesium deficient. And, a major contributing factor is the presence of excess calcium in the body mainly coming from the extreme ratio difference in common foods such as: fortified orange juice (27:1), cheese (26:1), yogurt (11:1), dairy (7:1) and the very commonly used antacids (300:1). Other common contributing factors include:
- Fluoride
- Processed foods
- Alcohol
- Coffee
- Sugar
- Stress
- Medications
Are You Taking Enough?
Magnesium is a vital component of the workings of over 300 enzymes in the human body. Yet many Americans are not getting adequate intakes of this crucial mineral in their daily nutrition. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), “Dietary surveys of people in the United States consistently show that intakes of magnesium are lower than recommended amounts.”1
What This Supplement Does For You
Ongoing research into the role of magnesium suggests it should be doctor recommended. Ample data shows it plays a significant role in preventing and managing disorders such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. If you eat a diet high in protein, calcium, or vitamin D, you need to increase magnesium. I supplement vitamin D in myself because I am so deficient and to counter this I have to be sure to take enough magnesium. Don’t take these two things at the same time either or you just waste your money as they negate one another.
Take your D vitamin with fatty foods and your magnesium at bedtime. I recommend about 500 mg at bed. There are 9 different types of Magnesium too so knowing which one is right for you can be like walking through the Valley Of Death without water. I have a few favorites I can help order for you.
Call the office for a free consult.
720-515-4602
Wishing you health and Wellness,
Accent On Health Wellness Center
Dr. Debra
Quote By Debra Arko Novotny Photos by pina messina, Tyler Nix Marcelo Leal on Unsplash
by Debra Arko Novotny | Jul 26, 2018 | Functional Medicine, Products
Nothing sucks more than feeling bloated and gassy. It’s that crappy feeling when you can’t go. So, ask yourself are you constipated? I’m going to help you get going on knowing what to do to get going safely. What you need is constipation pain relief.
What Is Constipation?
Doctors and practitioners like myself call this gastric distress too. The whole colon or your intestines are blocked. In their opening statement, the 2018 Expert Consensus Document created by the International Working Group for Disorders of Gastrointestinal Motility and Function they said, “Disturbances of gastric, intestinal and colonic motor and sensory functions affect a large portion of the population worldwide.”
What is Causing The Slow Down In Your Gut?
That’s a mouth-full. They’re saying most people are constipated. They came away with many constipation pain relief ideas including prebiotics and probiotics. I’d could tell you this just based on over 29 years of being a licensed health provider! The key issue is the lack of frequency of bowel movements. Hey, many people are searching for constipation pain relief, and they want it quick. Not so fast though, what is causing the constipation?
Most people do not go poop often enough. If you think you’re the one, don’t be embarrassed! Most people have the same problem. It can be caused by SIBO or another digestion problem
Weight Gain and More
It leads to weight gain, feeling bloating, being tired, and can cause lack of focus. How? Waste or stool is toxic to you if it hangs around. Think of the lovely smell that you don’t want to hang around once you go. That’s inside you until you do! The action I like to take with clients is acupuncture and a ‘SIBO’ questionnaire. You likely don’t have SIBO; this rules that out.
Then we can formulate a natural treatment plan for you.
The National Institutes of Health or NIH, reports that people who have fewer than three bowel movements a week have an issue with motility or movement of their bowels. Taking just magnesium will not solve the problem.
Could It Be Your Prescription Medicine?
A big factor today is drugs that people take. These cause bowel problems making constipation pain relief a big product market. It’s impossible if you take drugs or have a compromised digestion to make it through a day without natural support for your gut.
Here’s a list of medicines that can make you constipated.
- Antacids containing aluminum and calcium
- Anticholinergics/antispasmodics
- Anticonvulsants
- Antidepressants
- Antihypertensives
- Antipsychotics
- Bile acid sequestrants
- Calcium channel blockers
- Diuretics
- Iron supplements
- Opiates
Tips For Stomach Pain
Of course, most medical doctors recommend increasing your fiber and water intake. Many will suggest a constipation medicine with side-effects and long-term health problems. For many, this isn’t a fix at all. Maybe you just won’t eat more fiber because you live, breath and consume fiber all day. I have help for you that is natural.
What to take for constipation can be a natural solution. A 2017 Study published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology showed that probiotics significantly increase how much you go poop. [It’s okay to use that word, honest]
SIBO Or Other Considerations
Knowing why your bowels aren’t moving is your first step. Taking probiotics if you have SIBO can actually make it worse. Back to magnesium. For many this is a safe bet until you either do my SIBO Questionnaire or lab work. Even if you suffer leaky gut, candida, or acid reflux with bowel motility problems you’ll need to have more information.
A 2007 study published in European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, reported if you’re low in magnesium, you’re likely constipated. In doing micro-nutrient lab workups on in-office patients, I find 50% of the patients are indeed suffering from low magnesium. When working with virtual [phone] coaching clients we can use their whole symptoms picture to see if magnesium is a fit.
When asking yourself, are you constipated, remember you should have one to three bowel movements daily. What goes in needs to come out. If you’re looking for constipation pain relief give us a call.
This article was update 9-2019
by Debra Arko Novotny | May 28, 2018 | Functional Medicine, Health Coach
I had one of those strange new client calls today. She wanted to lower high cholesterol with supplements. She also has type I Diabetes.
As the conversation went, it was a fantastic complimentary consult. We hit it off. She was ready to make changes in her life and work with a Health Coach. We’ll call this lady Alice.
Naturally lower high cholesterol
Alice asked about supplements to help lower high cholesterol. She has a cousin who has successfully worked with me for the same health issue. While her cousin doesn’t have Diabetes I, this chronic illness is part of the whole healthcare dynamic. Autoimmune disease is something other qualified health coaches or I can help with. Her cardiovascular issue is part of the health problem too.
You learn a lot about people just on the phone. I do anyway.
The following week, she phoned me before most people are up and moving around. It was the day before her first scheduled appointment with me.
Forming a connection
“I haven’t done my paperwork because I don’t have a printer. I also can’t download it or anything,” Alice said. Every good relationship in health and wellness begins with some information. Paperwork is a conversation starter. It helps a health coach or practitioner create a connection with you.
“I just want you to tell me what supplement will lower high cholesterol, so I don’t think I need to tell you more about me or do paperwork.” she went on.
My reply, “Alice, I need to know what you eat. I would like to know what you ate yesterday and today if possible. It will help me help you feel better.” I paused and heard her breathing speed up.
“Also, the information lets me know if you have other problems or what all your health symptoms are. I can’t just say take this supplement without knowing more.” I continued.
Lowering LDL is more than taking a supplement
After another pause, Alice said, “I don’t feel that’s necessary, I only want you to fix my LDL which is too high. “My cousin said you can fix that with a supplement. “
I went on to explain to Alice that this problem didn’t happen overnight and knowing more about her helps me to coach her. She didn’t buy it.
Alice explained she had a support group for diabetics and didn’t want to make any changes. My goal wasn’t to change your existing support but to add my support to her and her goals!
It was clear Alice was a professional story-teller. She likely wasn’t eating and exercising like she was reporting to her group. Now with me. I presented a threat.
She would need to let me know what she ate for 7 days after her first visit. We’d do some brainstorming around fitness. Discover what she is currently doing which in our first call she told me was a lot. Now she didn’t want to ‘admit’ to doing anything specific.
There’s More To It Than Taking A Pill To Lower High Cholesterol
Alice wasn’t ready to really feel better or lower high cholesterol. It might change any joint pain she was experiencing. It might help her diabetes. Working with a health coach meant she has to take care of herself. “I just thought I could talk with you and you’d give me a supplement to fix the problem. You know like my medical doctor does.” This sounds like I have to do something other than pop a pill. I’m not ready for that!”
How many times have people shied away from taking responsibility for their own health? Many people do. I feel for Alice.
Change is hard. She knows that the solution is more than a pill. Alice isn’t honest with herself and her support group.
From my first conversation with her she talked about how good she ate and the fitness she does. Then when it came down to sharing details is was scary. Was what she doing right or enough? We’ll never know.
Alice likely called her doctor asking for a ‘pill’ to lower high cholesterol.
Photos by BigStock, Icons8 team Pavan Trikutam on Unsplash
by Debra Arko Novotny | Apr 3, 2018 | Functional Medicine, Health Coach
I decided to do something different, the great health problem experiment. As an online health coach these 3 questions seem to be on everyone’s mind recently. How do I lose weight and keep it off? If you’re not thinking that it’s might be How To I Slow The Aging Process, I have no energy and I’m stressed out! Or is it that menopause thing getting you down. No sleep, hot flashes, bloating and night sweats – even when it’s daytime?
Be Part Of Great Health Problem Experiment!
Finally, maybe you’re saying ‘girl you got it all wrong’ it’s all of this. I am so ready to scream at the top of my lungs that I am willing to keep reading. Call this the great health problem experiment. Don’t you want to know if your problem is everyone’s’ or not?
As a health coach and licensed healer my thoughts are how can I help you if I don’t know what bothers my reader most? Help me research, support, and guide you through what is bothering you the most.
You say, Deb you’re crazy it’s totally something else. Well I didn’t forget about the other stuff like IBS, thyroid, autoimmune, or you tell me what it is. That’s why I call this the great health problem experiment, I don’t know the answer to the question. What is your biggest health problem so share it with me!
Lose Weight – Slow Aging – Menopause ‘Oh My!’
So how do you let me know what the problem is? Fill out the form below. If it matters to you, it matters to me. Help me help you by giving me so input and insight into how I can support you.
How does that sound? Easy! Below is a simple poll that let’s me know your thoughts. I only ask for your email and name because there are spammers out that that target such polls and I want to hear from real-humans.
I know there are days – you don’t feel so human or maybe not so real that’s okay, we always blame that on hormones. Thank you for trusting me with your health problem. I look forward to sharing the results of this poll with everyone in an update of this blog post! Yes, I will share it! After all this is the great health problem experiment.
Take The Poll!
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