by Debra Arko Novotny | Feb 11, 2016 | Functional Medicine, Nutrition, Products
Why Consider Medical Foods
Chronic pain can change your life. It can make you feel exhausted as you try to live normally. Western pharmaceuticals only worsen your ability to function.The use of medical foods is on the rise with many but first lets talk a little about chronic pain. Wondering what means your pain is chronic? Here is a short list:
- Chronic pain is any pain that lasts more than 12 weeks.
- An injury such as a back sprain can become Chronic.
- An illness or viral infection also can be the cause.
- Often there is no apparent cause of the pain. It gradually begins or starts suddenly.
Chronic Pain And The Nervous System
Chronic pain is different from acute pain because it affects the nervous system. It is a disease of the nervous structures, the nutrients, amino acids, and the neurotransmitter metabolism. This is why medical foods are far more useful but what are these metabolic arrangements.
Our nervous system relays messages of pain to our brain. These are throbbing, stabbing, and piercing discomfort. The message flows from muscles, ligaments, bones, and joints. It destroys your sense of who you are because you cannot think about much else.
Amino Acids play a significant part in our cells, muscles and tissues carrying out essential functions like giving our cells their shape. With depletion or break down you may have tendon pain. They are also necessary for healing and repairing wounds, tissue, and muscles, bones, skin and hair. Amino acids help with the removal of all kinds of waste deposits produced in connection with the metabolism.
Let’s not forget nutrients. If your body does not get enough all things within your body, begin to break down. There is something called methylation and if you cannot absorb all the minerals and vitamin in your food or supplements taking them does not matter.
With nutrition, the thing to remember is if you have chronic pain most of the nutrients are going to combat tissue damage and inflammation. B vitamins, for instance, assist with stress relief, hormones, and other physical processes. If they are being used to relieve the pressure of your discomfort, there’s little for other functions.
The Role Of Neurotransmitters
A brain chemical called neurotransmitters communicate data between our body and brain. They become important because they convey messages amongst nerve cells. Your using neurotransmitters right now. They are used to tell your heart to beat, your lungs to breathe, and your stomach to digest. They are so important that low levels make you feel foggy minded, you cannot sleep, and emotionally you are not yourself. Weight is affected keeping you from being able to lose weight.
It is not only your pain keeping you awake at night your brain needs neurotransmitters to work properly.
For over a decade scientific research has taken place focusing on these underlying physiologic changes created by chronic pain. This study revealed that individual amino acid based medical foods improve your body’s ability to reduce pain and inflammation.
Clinical success with medical food such as Teramine, Treadone, and Percura. Success using medical food results in reducing pain, inflammation, and improving your daily function.
Teramine, Treadone, and Percura are not drugs. They are designed to supply the nervous system with the necessary fuel to deal with the high demands of a body in deep pain. These substances tested in multiple studies are useful without dangerous side-effects.
Accent On Health Wellness uses medical foods to fight chronic pain and other disabling health problems. Our office found that these natural pharma nutrients help many of our patients. Are you ready to learn more? Contact our office.
Statements and images here are in part are taken from Physician Therapeutics – a targeted medical pharma company. http://www.ptlcentral.com/
Find out more by calling our offce. Call today!
720-515-4602
other images copyrights: Bigstock, Dreamstime, Fotolia
by Debra Arko Novotny | Nov 18, 2015 | Functional Medicine, Nutrition
Why Mom Got Alzheimer’s
There are many reasons why my mom got Alzheimer’s’ and I know one was Vitamin D. My mother’s diet was low in this vitamin and she didn’t get enough sunshine to active it. Today I am convinced it played a role in her mental decline. I think women naturally are lower in this supplement and the latest news around athletes who are deficient is impressive.
In The News
Vitamin D is getting a lot of press these days. The most interesting fact is that it’s really a hormone. It plays many roles in our lives helping us absorb calcium and maintain bone mass. This sounds great if you’re worried about aging and osteoporosis. Consider this though a study by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons[1]; found that one-third of Division I college athletes have insufficient vitamin D.
Insufficient Vitamin D Leads To Injury and Weak Muscles
Are you injury prone? Do you have weak muscles or pain? Low levels of D play a role in musculoskeletal pain and injury too. This study notes that athletes are especially vulnerable. After running, I can get leg spasms a sure sign it’s time to check my levels. There are up to one billion people around the world with deficient vitamin D levels of all ages.
Knowing how much to take and if you have an inadequate amount is found through an easy blood spot test offered by our office. It’s more accurate than the typical blood test. Optimal levels of D are necessary. D is a fat soluble vitamin. This means it remains in the body for long intervals if given too much. It can cause high blood calcium levels leading to kidney stones. It leads to poor appetite, nausea, and vomiting.
The Risk of Low Vitamin D Affects All People
Not only athletes and older people are at risk when it comes to deficiencies. If you play sports, lift heavy weights or work in a career that involves heavy lifting check your levels. Even the weekend warriors need to keep their vitamin D in balance.
These Five Reasons Are Why You Want To Ask About The Blood Spot Test Right Away
- Your Immunity
D works in a special way it stimulates your immune system to produce cathelicidins that kill viruses. Cathelicidins are small, cationic, antimicrobial peptides found in humans. They serve a critical role in mammalian [mammals] innate immune defense against invasive bacterial infection. Without adequate vitamin D, you are almost defenseless against cold and flu season. The sun activates D so it’s no wonder we get colds in winter if we don’t have this vital supplement in balance.
- Healthy Brain
According to The Alzheimer’s Research Center [2]Vitamin D deficiency decidedly escalates your risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease through both neurodegenerative and vascular mechanisms. Older people often lack enough sunshine and D; it’s also common for anyone in North America; we just don’t get adequate sunlight. It is associated with an increased risk of stroke too. Your risk of Alzheimer’s disease doubles every 5 years after the age of 65.
- Longevity
Something called a Telomere[3], is an essential part of human cells that affect how our cells age. Remember D is a hormone it affects many genetic pathways in the human body and is linked to chronic disease especially those with inflammation. When our body has a disease such as arthritis, for instance, this vitamin is especially important in reducing the inflammatory process which speeds aging. Telomeres and this supplement work together to slow the aging process in your body and mind by healthy cell regeneration.
- Optimize Your Testosterone
D is an anabolic hormone and research suggests it helps testosterone and maximum muscle mass and synthesis. Studies show that if you exercise, your testosterone levels increase. In women though this may reduce body mass index. Other research links low testosterone in women which lead to atherosclerosis and obesity[4]. Without this vitamin, testosterone can affect muscles, your arteries, and weight gain.
- Everyone’s Worst Enemy Inflammation
Whether you’re young or old inflammation is your worst enemy. It ages you, it is a signal that if left unchecked in chronic conditions that something is wrong. The athlete with inflammation suffers soreness and fatigue when acute. Regular exercise reduces inflammatory reactions when combined with an anti-inflammatory diet. There is a balance here with both of these support systems. Foods like wild salmon, papaya, blueberries, broccoli, avocados, and cranberries, even ginger reduce inflammation in the body. Proper amounts of the right fitness are needed to stop inflammation.
Vitamin D And Inflammation
If this isn’t enough to stimulate your interest in making sure you have enough Vitamin D then do it because others love you and want to enjoy life with you!
Taking supplements though isn’t running down to your local bulk store, grocery store, or health food store. Many of these are derived from less than ideal sources. You can be wasting your money and still be deficient.
In the beginning, we use the blood spot test every 6 months until your levels are ideal. Some clients do better with certain forms such as a liquid. Using the incorrect quality, dose, or amount wastes money and your health.
Whether you chose to do the test or wish to start taking a higher quality D, we are here to assist you.
[1] http://newsroom.aaos.org/media-resources/news/more-than-one-third-of-division-i-college-athletes-may-have-low-vitamin-d-levels.htm
[2] http://www.alzheimersinfo.org/prevention.html
[3] https://www.tasciences.com/what-is-a-telomere/
[4] http://www.sciencecodex.com/low_t_not_just_in_males_testosterone_atherosclerosis_obesity_may_be_linked_in_females-154183
More resources
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-10260/12-foods-to-fight-inflammation.htmlhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12192226http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1016/j.jmhg.2005.03.002
by Debra Arko Novotny | Mar 6, 2015 | Nutrition
I saw an ad today from a local health food store, it could be any grocery store insert in the daily newspapers. I thought to myself, why do you we need all this stuff? No wonder clients walk into their doctors’ office in a daze of confusion. There seems to be a vitamin craze don’t you think?
Vitamins are big business and marketing has gone bananas. At Denver Acupuncture Health, I do recommend vitamins but only for the right reasons. Much of the advertising targets our fears around heart attacks and diabetes. There are other reasons to supplement your food sources.
Are we really that sick though as a nation of people I hope not. If we look at Americans and their health, before the 1980’s there is little doubt that we have become a country of health issues. Obesity continues grow as a major problem, and heart attacks along with a rise in diabetes overcome many Americans. Don’t get me going on Alzheimer’s – they are now calling it – Diabetes Type 3.
The Vitamin Craze – Understanding What You Need
The vitamin craze isn’t new my aunt and mom were into it in the 1960’s it’s just reinvented for a new modern market. I think we know more today too. That can be good or bad because it sounds like we need to take handfuls of supplements.
We may need this extra boost because we eat poorly or our bodies’ don’t absorb what we consume. I believe the only way to know is proper blood testing and your own symptoms. Blood work doesn’t show everything.
What are some of some nutrients the insert said you must take and a little about how they may help you live healthy to a ripe old age.
Rising Stars In Supplements
These are the rising stars in supplements:
- Ubiquinol – a form of bioavailabile CoQ10 plays a role in energy production in the heart muscles. Many people are on statins with horrid side-effects; short-term memory loss, joint pain, low libido, erectile dysfunction, and in recent studies are suggesting they may not help to lower cholesterol. [1]I’ve recommended Ubiquinol for years to people who don’t like drugs and are interested in improving their health through better eating.
- Pycnogenol – Contains proanthocyanidins that protect the body’s cell’s and tissues from oxidative damage a major contributor to aging. [2] Pycnogenol naturally occurs in peanut skin, grape seed, and witch hazel bark. It helps circulation problems, allergies, asthma, ringing in the ears, high blood pressure, muscle soreness, pain, osteoarthritis, and diabetes, for instance.I don’t know for sure, but I think this helped the ringing in my ears. I’m confident my restless leg improved once I started taking Pycnogenol.
- Apple Cider Vinegar Capsules is a tonic that promotes normal detoxification and digestion. It might help lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes by changing how foods get absorbed from the gut. [3]I have many clients who rave about these capsules especially those with high blood sugar or insulin resistance. If you’re like me though you have to be careful if your digestion is sensitive. Reducing the dose worked for me.
- Nattokinase – supports cardiovascular health by promoting healthy circulation. It’s an enzyme (a protein that speeds up biochemical reactions) that is extracted from a popular Japanese food called natto. Natto is boiled soybeans that have been fermented.[4]This was a surprise find for me. All my years in Chinese medicine and I never tried Nattokinase until recently. It’s amazing and while I’m reluctant to call anything a wonder food, this stuff though really helped my blood pressure.
- Yerba Prima – gentle and non-habit forming, Psyllium husks promote regularity and colon health. There is little research on Yerba Prima though it is a gluten free fiber source that aids many who have food sensitivities.For people who need more fiber this is better than the brand names that contain ‘other things’.
- Ashwagandha helps the body adapt and cope with stress. This is my favorite It’s an Ayurveda herb. It’s medicinal abilities include stress, strain, fatigue, pain, skin diseases, diabetes, gastrointestinal disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and epilepsy they say. [5]We use it as a general tonic and to increase energy. I’m not sure though we think it improves our health. Ancient folklore says it increases longevity.
Denver Acupuncture Health
As I expressed in the beginning, this was in the local newspaper insert.
My thought here at Denver Acupuncture Health is taking what works for you. Use food as your medicine first and get into the vitamin craze only with the rising stars in supplement that you need.
[1] http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/coenzyme-q10/background/hrb-20059019
[2] http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/1019.html
[3] Folk Medicine: A Vermont Doctor’s Guide to Good Health, written by D.C. Jarvis, M.D
[4] University of Chicago researcher, Dr. Hiroyuki Sumi. It is believed that he was who discovered Nattokinase. http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/nattokinase-uses-and-risks
[5] http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/herb/ashwagandha
by Debra Arko Novotny | Feb 4, 2015 | Functional Medicine, Nutrition, Products
“Last night I closed my eyes only to wake a full hour before I had to get up. I can’t sleep once again. Worse yet it is Saturday; my only morning to sleep in.” It’s been a busy week and like you, I need sleep to recoup my energy. Clients share some version of their insomnia with me weekly. This is just one that I heard recently. Many people can’t sleep. The reason varies. There are many natural ways to get a good nights’ sleep.
Copious numbers of people try prescription drugs like Ambien or Lunesta only to experience horrible side effects. They range from bad dreams, sleep-walking, not being able to wake up. Lower Libido is another complaint I keep hearing too. The one time I tried it I hallucinated!
Even some forms of natural medicine can have side effects. My advice don’t give up with holistic aids there is more than the name of the product or ingredient to consider. There is the cultivation and the foods you consume. That’s right your mix of foods, and natural substances, when you can’t sleep, can interact.
Why Our Minds Can’t Sleep
When we can’t sleep, it may be our minds are over-busy, or we suffer from physical pain. These are the two most common problems that create the sleeplessness. Increasingly a high percentage of sleep issue is hormonal in both men and women! I’ve seen patients with insomnia for many reasons; I don’t give up and encourage you to not either.
Our brain and nervous system need neurotransmitters or chemicals to function. When our minds can’t slow down, these chemicals don’t activate correctly. Acupuncture is an extremely helpful part of a healing program for long-term or chronic sleepless nights. There’re three types of sleep aids I like to recommend to help you when you can’t sleep. I’ll cover one in this article, share a few, and include the others in another article.
The Body’s Hormone For Insomnia
Melatonin, for instance, is a natural hormone made by the Pineal gland inside the brain. Our brain knows to stop making it from light hitting the eye. Because we stay up late, have on bright lightening, the Pineal gland doesn’t get the signal.
I had to try a few brands to find one that didn’t cause nightmares for me. This is a common consequence, especially when taken within 2-3 hours of drinking alcohol. Some clients do better with a sublingual form over a capsule. For me, it doesn’t matter it’s how it made. This is why I encourage people to try numerous brands before giving up on Melatonin.
A few other forms we use are a homeopathic remedy and slow release blend. Sometimes the type of Melatonin you take makes the difference for insomnia.
How melatonin works in our body is different from the other sleep-aids I’ll share with you in this article. It is similar to a clock starting to increase around 9 pm making you sleepy and decreasing to untraceable levels at 9 am. Lowering lights, turning down the TV, or shutting it and computers off at 9 pm can enhance your ability to fall asleep naturally. If you don’t go to bed until a few hours later, fill this time reading in a gentle light that doesn’t fill the entire room.
When You Can’t Sleep Try Natural Options
Melatonin isn’t the only natural formula I recommend to clients with insomnia. When I can’t sleep a few specific herbal prescriptions or my favorite, a neurotransmitter work wonders. Gaba or Gamma-Amino Butyric acid is another neurotransmitter. It acts as a tranquilizer for most people. It is non-habit forming and it is a chemical that is made in the brain.
It is used for relieving anxiety, improving mood, reducing symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and treating attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is also used for promoting lean muscle growth, burning fat, stabilizing blood pressure, and relieving pain, according to WebMD.
Even deficiencies in micronutrients can cause insomnia. We offer testing to help you get to the root of the problem and treat it naturally.
I’ve had patients who haven’t had a good night’s sleep in years start sleeping better with acupuncture and one of these various natural supplements. To learn more about the other insomnia options schedule your visit today.
More at http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/tc/melatonin-overview
