Our Spring Open House was a huge success! Everyone at NFC would like to say "Thank You" to everyone who participated in making the evening great. If you weren't able to attend this open house don't worry, we'll be having another sometime in September.
We have a new member to the NFC team! Kim Kino, a Licensed Professional Counselor, has joined us. At NFC we've always been a holistic clinic focusing on the Mind, Body, and Spirit of our patients. Now with the addition of Kim we have a professional counselor to complete the "Mind" part of our Mind, Body, and Spirit philosophy. To read more about Kim and read her blog follow this link: Kim's Blog
Good News for people with CIGNA insurance! As many of our CIGNA patients know, radiology benefits were recently omitted from many plans. Well, now that's changing, Scottsdale Medical Imaging is once again affiliated with CIGNA. This means that patients can once again have in-network access to excellent radiology services.
Looking for Allergy Relief? This spring has brought on a rush of people looking for relief from their allergy symptoms. Follow the steps below to help get your allergies under control.
1. Change the air intake filters in your house. Also, if you have a air cleaner, make sure the filter is clean and turn it on "high."
2. Don't forget the vitamin C! Vitamin C has a multitude of great uses including the ability to stabilize mast cells. It is the mast cells which release histamine, the chemical that makes us sneeze, our noses run, and our eyes to water. Vitamin C should be taken 3 times per day for optimal results. Too much vitamin C can cause diarrhea, so don't take too much too fast. For the average adult doses of 2000mg three times a day is a good starting dose.
3. Quercetin, a flavinoid found in many different plants such as apples and onions, is a strong mast cell stabilizer. However, not all quercetin is the same- some are poorly absorbed. A newer water soluble form, quercetin chalcone, is a better absorbed form than regular quercetin. About 250mg three times per day of this new form is suggested for acute allergy relief.
4. We are carrying a new supplement in our pharmacy from the company Orthomolecular called "D-Hist" which is producing great results. This is a combination product- which contains quercetin- requires a loading dose and then a daily dose for continued protection. If you're dealing with allergies, you may want to give this great new product a try. The best part of the deal is that Orthomolecular has a money back guarantee on all of their products.
5. Another allergy therapy which has been producing great results is AllergyEasy. Dr. Adam Kerievesky has been using this program for over a year with his patients. Many patients, even those with stubborn allergies which haven't responded to other allergy therapy, have received tremendous benefit.
For more information about the supplements or therapies above please see our website at www.4wecare.com, or call us at 602-493-2273. Also, please remember to speak with your health care provider before starting any new supplement or medication.
Have a great day,
Jake Psenka, ND
Monday, March 24, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Insurance Company Goes Too Far
Recently, a colleague sent me an article from the LA Times that I found worthy of passing on. It seems that California Blue Cross Blue Shield is trying to use doctors to obtain medical information about their policy holders from physicians. Apparently, the insurance company is trying to use the information that could be provided by physicians to cancel policies.
Blue Cross is sending physicians copies of health insurance applications filled out by patients, along with a letter advising them that the company has a right to drop members who fail to disclose "material medical history," including "pre-existing pregnancies." "Any condition not listed on the application that is discovered to be pre-existing should be reported to Blue Cross immediately," the letters say.
Fortunately, it seems that most of the physicians who have received this letter realize that this request violates doctor-patient confidentiality. The California Medical Association has sent a letter to Blue Cross condemning the letter.
Here is a link to the original article:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/orange/la-fi-bluecross12feb12,1,7750785.story
I think that this is an important issue that everyone with heath insurance needs to be aware of. If this is allowed to happen in one State, it is just a matter of time until such letters are circulated to physicians in Arizona. Confidentiality is essential part of the doctor-patient relationship, and it should never be allowed to be violated. If patients feel that they cannot trust their physicians due to fear of their doctor sharing information with insurance companies, who my use then use the info to drop coverage, then our health care system will be severely jeopardized.
At Naturopathic Family Care, your trust is of utmost importance, and you can rest assured that your medical information is safe and secure with us.
Jake Psenka, NMD
Blue Cross is sending physicians copies of health insurance applications filled out by patients, along with a letter advising them that the company has a right to drop members who fail to disclose "material medical history," including "pre-existing pregnancies." "Any condition not listed on the application that is discovered to be pre-existing should be reported to Blue Cross immediately," the letters say.
Fortunately, it seems that most of the physicians who have received this letter realize that this request violates doctor-patient confidentiality. The California Medical Association has sent a letter to Blue Cross condemning the letter.
Here is a link to the original article:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/orange/la-fi-bluecross12feb12,1,7750785.story
I think that this is an important issue that everyone with heath insurance needs to be aware of. If this is allowed to happen in one State, it is just a matter of time until such letters are circulated to physicians in Arizona. Confidentiality is essential part of the doctor-patient relationship, and it should never be allowed to be violated. If patients feel that they cannot trust their physicians due to fear of their doctor sharing information with insurance companies, who my use then use the info to drop coverage, then our health care system will be severely jeopardized.
At Naturopathic Family Care, your trust is of utmost importance, and you can rest assured that your medical information is safe and secure with us.
Jake Psenka, NMD
Friday, February 1, 2008
News about Pregnancy and Caffeine and Hot Flashes and Black Cohosh
Hello Everyone,
There were a number of interesting articles and health facts that crossed my desk this week. Instead of focusing on just one topic this week, I thought I would share two of the more interesting subjects.
I’m curious in what you, the readers of this blog, are interested in learning about. If you would like to share your opinions about the topics being covered, ask questions about the subjects, or suggest topics for the future, please do so. There is a link for comments at the bottom of each posting. I look forward to hearing from you.
Jake Psenka, ND
Caffeine and Pregnancy
This study looked at data collected from over 1000 pregnant women from 1996-1998. The researchers found that women who consumed the equivalent of two or more cups of regular coffee or five 12-ounce cans of caffeinated soda were twice as likely to miscarry as women who avoided caffeine. The researchers feel that caffeine's ill-effects may be due to the stress it places on the fetus' immature metabolism or because it may decrease blood flow to the placenta.
This finding is important because for a long while the effect of caffeine on pregnancy has been unclear. No conventional medical societies have put forth any strict opinions about the connection between the two. Now with the results of this study, those un-opinionated societies and, more importantly, the millions of women that they serve, will hear what naturopathically-treated women have been hearing for a long time. ANYTHING that acts as a stimulant should only be used in moderation by ANYONE. This advice is especially true for pregnant women or those who have chronic conditions.
The take home message is that if you are trying to get pregnant or are currently pregnant, make an effort to avoid caffeine. It's also important to take a high-quality pre-natal vitamin, as well as a DHA-enriched fish oil product.
Black Cohosh, Estrogen, and Cancer
The botanical medicine black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) was originally used by Native Americans, who used the herb to treat the symptoms of menopause. This herb, which is native to the midwestern US, is used by millions of menopausal and post-menopausal women for control of their symptoms. While scientists continue to argue about the effectiveness of the herb, many women are able to adequately control their symptoms. One of the most effective actions of black cohosh is it’s ability to control hot flashes. It is thought that the herb exerts this action by having some type of estrogenic activity.
Many women who are being treated for breast cancer often suffer from nearly unbearable hot flashes. Many traditional doctors have recommended that women with breast cancer and women who have been successfully treated for breast cancer in the past, should avoid using black cohosh. It was hypothesized that the estrogenic potential of the plant may produce a detrimental effect of women, especially those with estrogen-receptor positive disease.
A recent study investigated the molecular mode of action of black cohosh to discern if it truly acted via an estrogen-like manner. This study exposed human breast cancer cells to different types of black cohosh. The study found that black cohosh had no estrogenic effect and, in fact, the herb had significant anti-cancer activity. Black cohosh was shown to be both antiproliferative and proapoptotic (inducing cancer cell death). This study was published in BMC Pharmacology.
This is great news for women suffering from hot flashes, and especially for women with hot flashes from breast cancer therapy. It now appears that black cohosh can be recommended without having to worry about any potential cancer-promoting effects. If you’re interested about learning more about the benefits of black cohosh or other natural therapies, make sure to check out our calendar of events for upcoming free lectures at the clinic.
Also, I will be speaking at the February 12th meeting of the West Valley Breast Cancer Support Group. This group meets at the New Life Baptist Church at 8701 W. Encanto Blvd., Phoenix, Arizona. For more information about this group call 623-877-7773 and ask for JoeAnna.
There were a number of interesting articles and health facts that crossed my desk this week. Instead of focusing on just one topic this week, I thought I would share two of the more interesting subjects.
I’m curious in what you, the readers of this blog, are interested in learning about. If you would like to share your opinions about the topics being covered, ask questions about the subjects, or suggest topics for the future, please do so. There is a link for comments at the bottom of each posting. I look forward to hearing from you.
Jake Psenka, ND
Caffeine and Pregnancy
This study looked at data collected from over 1000 pregnant women from 1996-1998. The researchers found that women who consumed the equivalent of two or more cups of regular coffee or five 12-ounce cans of caffeinated soda were twice as likely to miscarry as women who avoided caffeine. The researchers feel that caffeine's ill-effects may be due to the stress it places on the fetus' immature metabolism or because it may decrease blood flow to the placenta.
This finding is important because for a long while the effect of caffeine on pregnancy has been unclear. No conventional medical societies have put forth any strict opinions about the connection between the two. Now with the results of this study, those un-opinionated societies and, more importantly, the millions of women that they serve, will hear what naturopathically-treated women have been hearing for a long time. ANYTHING that acts as a stimulant should only be used in moderation by ANYONE. This advice is especially true for pregnant women or those who have chronic conditions.
The take home message is that if you are trying to get pregnant or are currently pregnant, make an effort to avoid caffeine. It's also important to take a high-quality pre-natal vitamin, as well as a DHA-enriched fish oil product.
Black Cohosh, Estrogen, and Cancer
The botanical medicine black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) was originally used by Native Americans, who used the herb to treat the symptoms of menopause. This herb, which is native to the midwestern US, is used by millions of menopausal and post-menopausal women for control of their symptoms. While scientists continue to argue about the effectiveness of the herb, many women are able to adequately control their symptoms. One of the most effective actions of black cohosh is it’s ability to control hot flashes. It is thought that the herb exerts this action by having some type of estrogenic activity.
Many women who are being treated for breast cancer often suffer from nearly unbearable hot flashes. Many traditional doctors have recommended that women with breast cancer and women who have been successfully treated for breast cancer in the past, should avoid using black cohosh. It was hypothesized that the estrogenic potential of the plant may produce a detrimental effect of women, especially those with estrogen-receptor positive disease.
A recent study investigated the molecular mode of action of black cohosh to discern if it truly acted via an estrogen-like manner. This study exposed human breast cancer cells to different types of black cohosh. The study found that black cohosh had no estrogenic effect and, in fact, the herb had significant anti-cancer activity. Black cohosh was shown to be both antiproliferative and proapoptotic (inducing cancer cell death). This study was published in BMC Pharmacology.
This is great news for women suffering from hot flashes, and especially for women with hot flashes from breast cancer therapy. It now appears that black cohosh can be recommended without having to worry about any potential cancer-promoting effects. If you’re interested about learning more about the benefits of black cohosh or other natural therapies, make sure to check out our calendar of events for upcoming free lectures at the clinic.
Also, I will be speaking at the February 12th meeting of the West Valley Breast Cancer Support Group. This group meets at the New Life Baptist Church at 8701 W. Encanto Blvd., Phoenix, Arizona. For more information about this group call 623-877-7773 and ask for JoeAnna.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Don't Drink the Water!
For the second time in recent history, a nasty chemical was released into the water supply in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. After the spill residents of both Scottsdale and Paradise Valley were advised not to drink the water until further notice. The ban was lifted on January 19th, under the advice of the Department of Environmental Quality and the Maricopa County Health Department.
The chemical that was released is known as trichloroethylene, or TCE. Fortunately, short term exposure does not often cause problems, however chronic exposure may result in a variety of symptoms including dizziness, shakiness, insomnia, fatigue, and headache. TCE also sensitizes the heart to the action of the adrenal hormone epinephrine, which can lead to arrhythmias. For more info about TCE follow this link
TCE is readily absorbed via inhalation or ingestion, and to a lesser extent, through the skin. This implies that both drinking the water or showering in it and then inhaling the steam are possible routes of absorption. Repeated ingestion via any route can be sufficient to cause symptoms. TCE can cross the placenta and has been detected in breast milk.
Young children may be at a higher risk than adults exposed to the same amount of TCE. This is because children have greater lung surface area to body weight ratios than adults do.
Treatment for acute exposure includes using activated charcoal. Taking 2-3 capsules immediately upon exposure, and then 2-3 capsules again before each meal for 2-3 days is the treatment of choice. If you believe that you have been exposed to TCE, blood and/or urine testing can help determine the extent of the exposure.
Trichloroethylene is not the only chemical to have tainted the water in our city. Phoenix also has the distinction of being one of the cities with higher-than-normal levels of another chemical known as perchlorate. Perchlorate is a derivative of rocket fuel. Apparently, Phoenix's increased levels of perchlorate in the water is the result of several weapons/rocket manufacturers being located in the city as well as along the Colorado River. for more about Arizona's problem with perchlorate click here
I feel strongly that people should avoid drinking city water. The city has said over and over that the water here is within the acceptable limits for contaminants. Well, I really don't want ANY contaminants in my drinking water. Therefore, I drink and cook with bottled water even though I don't live in either Paradise Valley or Scottsdale. If you're going to drink bottled water, try to use a big manufacturer instead of some little unknown company. This is because even bottled water isn't perfect, check out this link for more detail If possible, use class containers instead of plastic. Glass is easy to clean and/or sterilize, and is much less likely to leach chemicals into your water.
Using a reverse osmosis system on your house seems to be the best way to help make sure that there is nothing funky in your drinking water. The only drawback to these systems is that you have to remember to change the filters regularly. I've heard that good systems can be purchased fairly inexpensively at places like Sam's Club or Costco.
If you feel that you may have been exposed, or if you live in the affected areas and have been experiencing abnormal symptoms, it may be worth your time to have your TCE levels checked.
On a happier note, Naturopathic Family Care will be having our spring open house on Thursday, March 13th. Our last open house was a huge success, and we're hoping that this time will be even better. All of our doctors will be present to meet people and explain their therapies. We'll also have healthy snacks and several door prizes. Open house details will be posted to our website shortly.
The chemical that was released is known as trichloroethylene, or TCE. Fortunately, short term exposure does not often cause problems, however chronic exposure may result in a variety of symptoms including dizziness, shakiness, insomnia, fatigue, and headache. TCE also sensitizes the heart to the action of the adrenal hormone epinephrine, which can lead to arrhythmias. For more info about TCE follow this link
TCE is readily absorbed via inhalation or ingestion, and to a lesser extent, through the skin. This implies that both drinking the water or showering in it and then inhaling the steam are possible routes of absorption. Repeated ingestion via any route can be sufficient to cause symptoms. TCE can cross the placenta and has been detected in breast milk.
Young children may be at a higher risk than adults exposed to the same amount of TCE. This is because children have greater lung surface area to body weight ratios than adults do.
Treatment for acute exposure includes using activated charcoal. Taking 2-3 capsules immediately upon exposure, and then 2-3 capsules again before each meal for 2-3 days is the treatment of choice. If you believe that you have been exposed to TCE, blood and/or urine testing can help determine the extent of the exposure.
Trichloroethylene is not the only chemical to have tainted the water in our city. Phoenix also has the distinction of being one of the cities with higher-than-normal levels of another chemical known as perchlorate. Perchlorate is a derivative of rocket fuel. Apparently, Phoenix's increased levels of perchlorate in the water is the result of several weapons/rocket manufacturers being located in the city as well as along the Colorado River. for more about Arizona's problem with perchlorate click here
I feel strongly that people should avoid drinking city water. The city has said over and over that the water here is within the acceptable limits for contaminants. Well, I really don't want ANY contaminants in my drinking water. Therefore, I drink and cook with bottled water even though I don't live in either Paradise Valley or Scottsdale. If you're going to drink bottled water, try to use a big manufacturer instead of some little unknown company. This is because even bottled water isn't perfect, check out this link for more detail If possible, use class containers instead of plastic. Glass is easy to clean and/or sterilize, and is much less likely to leach chemicals into your water.
Using a reverse osmosis system on your house seems to be the best way to help make sure that there is nothing funky in your drinking water. The only drawback to these systems is that you have to remember to change the filters regularly. I've heard that good systems can be purchased fairly inexpensively at places like Sam's Club or Costco.
If you feel that you may have been exposed, or if you live in the affected areas and have been experiencing abnormal symptoms, it may be worth your time to have your TCE levels checked.
On a happier note, Naturopathic Family Care will be having our spring open house on Thursday, March 13th. Our last open house was a huge success, and we're hoping that this time will be even better. All of our doctors will be present to meet people and explain their therapies. We'll also have healthy snacks and several door prizes. Open house details will be posted to our website shortly.
Friday, January 11, 2008
One More Reason to Eat Your Veggies!
In 2007 a study called the European Prospective Investigation in Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) Population Study reported some very interesting results. The study, which was based on information gathered from more than 22,000 men and women, was used to make conclusions about the impact that diet had on health. Many different research papers have been published since the data began to be analyzed, but one of my favorites was published in the British Journal of Nutrition. This analysis was performed to measure the effect of fruits and vegetables on health. It was found that men and women who increased their dietary fruit and vegetable intake by two portions per day had an 11% increase in functional health. An 11% increase in overall health might not sound much like much, but in reality it’s huge. If you felt sick 10% of the time that would equate to 36 days a year! A whole month! If you could get that month back simply by eating more vegetables wouldn’t you be willing to give it a a try?
If you want to find out how many daily fruit and vegetable servings are optimal for your age and level of activity check out this link:
Fruits and Veggies Matter
I personally think that the more fresh veggies and fruit you can get in the better, and having something at every meal should be a standard of the American diet. It’s pretty easy to incorporate these foods into your diet. Try blueberries, raspberries, bananas, or flax seed on your cereal in the morning- preferably not Fruity Pebbles or Captain Crunch.....
For lunch try a salad or slice up an avocado for your turkey sandwich. Carrot sticks, celery, dried fruits, or mixed nuts make a great finger-food to snack on throughout the day.
It’s easy to add a veggie to dinner just pick something you like and go with it. It is a good idea to try steaming or lightly sautéing your veggies instead of drowning them in butter or, worse yet, nuking them in the microwave. Try seasoning with something like Herbamare, a natural seasoning with no bad additives like MSG.
Another good tip it to try and eat lots of different colored fruits and vegetables, as the colors are often the made by different components such as antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and bioflavinoids.
If you find that you have a difficult time adding enough fruits and vegetables to your diet you might consider a “green drink.” Some people are unnecessarily put off just by the mention of a green drink. Yes, they may look a little funky, but I assure you that they taste much better than they look. My personal fav is Greens First. I like this product because it tastes great and it is sweetened with stevia. The next time you're in the office, ask your doctor for a free sample.
Should you buy organic? Good question. There are certainly some products which you should try to only eat if they are organic. A good up-to-date list of what to buy organic can be found at the Environmental Working Group’s website, make sure you scroll down the page to see the list. Another good site is Consumers Union Org. On their website there is great information regarding the safety of our foods, including antibiotics, hormones, pesticides, and genetically modified foods (GMO’s).
Also, don’t forget to support your local farmer’s market. There are several in the Phoenix area and they are generally a great place to buy fresh organic produce inexpensively. Not to mention that it’s kind of fun to go to the market and actually meet the people who are growing your food.
Lastly, here’s a tip on washing your produce: there’s no need to buy expensive vegetable wash. When you get home from the store simply fill up your sink with water, add one cup of hydrogen peroxide, then add your produce. Let it sit for 15 minutes then rinse and they’re ready to use. The hydrogen peroxide helps to remove any polishes, bugs, and pesticides. Best of all hydrogen peroxide costs about a buck at the dollar store. I wish I could take credit for this trick but I can’t. Jethro Kloss came up with this in his Back to Eden cookbook.
bon appetit,
Jake Psenka, ND
If you want to find out how many daily fruit and vegetable servings are optimal for your age and level of activity check out this link:
Fruits and Veggies Matter
I personally think that the more fresh veggies and fruit you can get in the better, and having something at every meal should be a standard of the American diet. It’s pretty easy to incorporate these foods into your diet. Try blueberries, raspberries, bananas, or flax seed on your cereal in the morning- preferably not Fruity Pebbles or Captain Crunch.....
For lunch try a salad or slice up an avocado for your turkey sandwich. Carrot sticks, celery, dried fruits, or mixed nuts make a great finger-food to snack on throughout the day.
It’s easy to add a veggie to dinner just pick something you like and go with it. It is a good idea to try steaming or lightly sautéing your veggies instead of drowning them in butter or, worse yet, nuking them in the microwave. Try seasoning with something like Herbamare, a natural seasoning with no bad additives like MSG.
Another good tip it to try and eat lots of different colored fruits and vegetables, as the colors are often the made by different components such as antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and bioflavinoids.
If you find that you have a difficult time adding enough fruits and vegetables to your diet you might consider a “green drink.” Some people are unnecessarily put off just by the mention of a green drink. Yes, they may look a little funky, but I assure you that they taste much better than they look. My personal fav is Greens First. I like this product because it tastes great and it is sweetened with stevia. The next time you're in the office, ask your doctor for a free sample.
Should you buy organic? Good question. There are certainly some products which you should try to only eat if they are organic. A good up-to-date list of what to buy organic can be found at the Environmental Working Group’s website, make sure you scroll down the page to see the list. Another good site is Consumers Union Org. On their website there is great information regarding the safety of our foods, including antibiotics, hormones, pesticides, and genetically modified foods (GMO’s).
Also, don’t forget to support your local farmer’s market. There are several in the Phoenix area and they are generally a great place to buy fresh organic produce inexpensively. Not to mention that it’s kind of fun to go to the market and actually meet the people who are growing your food.
Lastly, here’s a tip on washing your produce: there’s no need to buy expensive vegetable wash. When you get home from the store simply fill up your sink with water, add one cup of hydrogen peroxide, then add your produce. Let it sit for 15 minutes then rinse and they’re ready to use. The hydrogen peroxide helps to remove any polishes, bugs, and pesticides. Best of all hydrogen peroxide costs about a buck at the dollar store. I wish I could take credit for this trick but I can’t. Jethro Kloss came up with this in his Back to Eden cookbook.
bon appetit,
Jake Psenka, ND
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
'Tis the Season for Coughs and Colds...
With the arrival of the cold weather we've experienced an influx of people suffering from the common cold. This year, the popular cold to have in Arizona is one that starts with a feeling of stuffiness in the sinus cavities and ears. This quickly progresses into post nasal drip followed by a sore throat and an uncomfortable, hacking cough.
As we have been seeing more and more of this cold at the clinic it seemed appropriate to have a blog posting on the best ways to deal with the common cold. The first thing to remember about the common cold, aka Upper Respiratory Infection (URI), is they are usually caused by a virus. Viruses are different than bacteria, which is why antibiotic therapy often doesn't help to get rid of the symptoms of a cold. Antibiotics work on bacteria- not viruses. It is also important to realize that allergies can sometimes mimic the symptoms of a cold.
Just a few days ago I had a patient who was absolutely sure that she had a cold. She was coughing, her head hurt, and her nose wouldn't stop running. I suggested that it would be a good idea to run a test before starting any treatments. When the results came back at the end of the day, they indicated that she was having a bad allergic reaction, and not suffering from a cold. Once we knew her symptoms were due to allergies, and not a virus, the proper treatment could be given.
Speaking of symptoms, it's important to note that many of the symptoms which make people feel poorly are actually the result of the body's defense mechanisms. For example, inhibiting a fever is thought to counteract the major defense mechanism of the body and prolong the infection. Of course, if a fever reaches a dangerous level, such as 104 degrees or higher, it should be suppressed and a visit to the doctor is recommended.
If you do develop a cold there are several ways that can help speed up recovery:
1. Drink plenty of fluids. Drinking lots of water is important because it inhibits viral infection and it can improve the function of infection fighting cells in the body. Make sure to dilute fruit juices with water, as the sugar in fruit juices can often make the infection worse.
2. Get some rest. Many times the reason that people get sick near the Holidays is because they are stressed out and their immune system suffers. The body heals itself when asleep, so don't forget to take a nap.
3. Avoid those Holiday sweets! Sugar competes with vitamin C for entrance into infection-fighting cells. Decreased vitamin C levels may result in a significant reduction in immune cell function.
4. Vitamin C at a dose of 500-1000mg every two hours has been found to be able to shorten the duration of a cold by as much as a full day. Large doses of vitamin C can cause diarrhea, and if this is experienced simply decrease the dosage by half.
5. Zinc lozenges are on of the most popular natural approaches to fighting a cold, and for good reason. Zinc has been shown as a critical nutrient for optimum immune system function, and it also possesses antiviral activity. Lozenges that provide 15-25mg of elemental zinc with glycine as a sweetener can be taken every two waking hours. However, it is inadvisable to continue with this dosage for over a week, as increased zinc levels for an extended period of time can inhibit the immune system.
6. Echinacea is prescribed world wide for treatment of the common cold. It was estimated that German physicians and pharmacists prescribed echinacea for the common cold 2.5 million times in 1994. Echinacea has been shown to cause a significant reduction of cold symptoms. It can be taken as a tea, a tincture, or as a capsule. The best echinacea preparations are made up of both the roots and aerial parts of the plant.
Possibly the best way to fight a cold is not to get one in the first place. This Holiday season make sure to slow down and enjoy the season, your family, and your friends.
Happy Holidays
J. Psenka, NMD
As we have been seeing more and more of this cold at the clinic it seemed appropriate to have a blog posting on the best ways to deal with the common cold. The first thing to remember about the common cold, aka Upper Respiratory Infection (URI), is they are usually caused by a virus. Viruses are different than bacteria, which is why antibiotic therapy often doesn't help to get rid of the symptoms of a cold. Antibiotics work on bacteria- not viruses. It is also important to realize that allergies can sometimes mimic the symptoms of a cold.
Just a few days ago I had a patient who was absolutely sure that she had a cold. She was coughing, her head hurt, and her nose wouldn't stop running. I suggested that it would be a good idea to run a test before starting any treatments. When the results came back at the end of the day, they indicated that she was having a bad allergic reaction, and not suffering from a cold. Once we knew her symptoms were due to allergies, and not a virus, the proper treatment could be given.
Speaking of symptoms, it's important to note that many of the symptoms which make people feel poorly are actually the result of the body's defense mechanisms. For example, inhibiting a fever is thought to counteract the major defense mechanism of the body and prolong the infection. Of course, if a fever reaches a dangerous level, such as 104 degrees or higher, it should be suppressed and a visit to the doctor is recommended.
If you do develop a cold there are several ways that can help speed up recovery:
1. Drink plenty of fluids. Drinking lots of water is important because it inhibits viral infection and it can improve the function of infection fighting cells in the body. Make sure to dilute fruit juices with water, as the sugar in fruit juices can often make the infection worse.
2. Get some rest. Many times the reason that people get sick near the Holidays is because they are stressed out and their immune system suffers. The body heals itself when asleep, so don't forget to take a nap.
3. Avoid those Holiday sweets! Sugar competes with vitamin C for entrance into infection-fighting cells. Decreased vitamin C levels may result in a significant reduction in immune cell function.
4. Vitamin C at a dose of 500-1000mg every two hours has been found to be able to shorten the duration of a cold by as much as a full day. Large doses of vitamin C can cause diarrhea, and if this is experienced simply decrease the dosage by half.
5. Zinc lozenges are on of the most popular natural approaches to fighting a cold, and for good reason. Zinc has been shown as a critical nutrient for optimum immune system function, and it also possesses antiviral activity. Lozenges that provide 15-25mg of elemental zinc with glycine as a sweetener can be taken every two waking hours. However, it is inadvisable to continue with this dosage for over a week, as increased zinc levels for an extended period of time can inhibit the immune system.
6. Echinacea is prescribed world wide for treatment of the common cold. It was estimated that German physicians and pharmacists prescribed echinacea for the common cold 2.5 million times in 1994. Echinacea has been shown to cause a significant reduction of cold symptoms. It can be taken as a tea, a tincture, or as a capsule. The best echinacea preparations are made up of both the roots and aerial parts of the plant.
Possibly the best way to fight a cold is not to get one in the first place. This Holiday season make sure to slow down and enjoy the season, your family, and your friends.
Happy Holidays
J. Psenka, NMD
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Childhood Food Allergies and Adult Asthma
A new review article to be published in January 2008 edition of Current Opinions in Pulmonary Medicine describes the relationship between food allergies and the development of asthma. In particular, this article looked at the available data on the incidence of food allergies in children and the development of asthma later in life. The article states that this relationship between food allergies and asthma is strongest in infants. It seems that those infants who have the highest number of food allergies also have the greatest chance of having asthma later in life.
The article goes on to describes the need for early diagnosis and treatment, and also states that standard methods of diagnosing allergies are inadequate. Specifically, the measurement of serum immunoglobulins and the use of the "skin prick" method are mentioned as tests that are in need of improvement. From a treatment perspective, oral immunotherapy is suggested as a promising therapy. The article concludes by stating that in order to promote a higher quality of life and to obtain better control over asthma, steps should be taken to avoid foods in the cases of food allergies. Seems to make sense.
This article does a very good job of stating the importance of recognizing allergy, and specifically food allergies, as a serious health concern. This topic is in need of more discussion as the incidence of allergies of all types has substantially increased over the past decade. We are in effect becoming a hypersensitive society. Allergy control is also an area where conventional medical treatments are lacking, and although the article doesn't come right out and say it, alternative methods of allergy diagnosis and treatment are becoming more and more useful.
All allergies are the result of immune dysfunction. Allergic symptoms, from the excessive mucus production experienced after eating dairy like ice cream, to the complete inability to breath experienced by some after eating nuts or shellfish, are all mediated by the immune system. Therefore, in order to successfully treat allergies attention must be paid to the immune system. One of the best ways to promote a healthy immune system in young children and especially infants is breastfeeding. In addition to providing essential nutrients, breast milk is also rich in substances, such as immunoglobulins, which help children to develop competent immune systems. In fact, in the American Academy of Pediatrics' policy statement on breast feeding states that they have found "strong evidence" that breast milk reduces the incidence and/or severity of diseases such as diarrhea, respiratory infection, ear infections, bacterial infections, bacterial meningitis, and urinary tract infections. Other studies have shown a decrease in non-infectious diseases such as eczema and asthma. This means that in addition to providing protection from infectious disease, breast milk also confers protection from other immune-related diseases.
Another way to decrease the likelihood of food allergies is to use a food introduction schedule. These schedules promote the introduction of foods with the lowest allergic potential first when starting young children on solid foods. Certain food such as corn, wheat, cow's milk, nuts, and soy are all recognized as foods that have a high propensity to cause food allergies. By introducing foods with little allergic potential first, and then gradually adding other foods, the incidence of food allergies can be reduced. This method prevents a child's body from becoming overwhelmed by many new types of foods at once. It also allows time for the body to learn how to handle new substances appropriately, and hopefully, diminished the allergic response.
For those children who may have already developed food allergies it is important to both identify the allergen and to desensitize the child. Identification of food allergies can be accomplished several ways. First, paying attention to how a child responds to certain foods can often help identify a problem. Symptoms such as excessive mucus production, runny noses, chronic ear infections, diarrhea, eczema, and hyperactivity have all been associated with food allergies. If food allergies are suspected then discontinuing the suspected food and then slowly reintroducing in a few weeks can help identify a problem. For example, if after eating dairy products a child chronically develops excessive mucus production or ear infections then it can be a wise idea to avoid dairy for a couple of weeks and then to observe whether or not the condition changes. If the child's mucus production subsides, and then begins again when dairy is re-introduced, it can be a strong indication of a food allergy.
Food allergies can also be identified by the "skin prick" method mentioned in the aforementioned article. This technique involves injecting a small amount of a suspected allergic substance under the skin and then observing the ensuing reaction. If the area turns red and angry-looking then an allergy is suspected. This method is at best cumbersome and painful. Also, considering the large number of potentially allergic foods the number of shots needed to successfully diagnose of all a child's allergy can be overwhelming.
A better method of identifying food allergies is the Natural Allergy Elimination Technique. Using this technique allergies can be quickly identified and treated, without the use of shots or medications. The NAET treatment is based on the measurement of frequencies. Allergies and illnesses can cause a disharmony of the body's natural frequencies which can be detected by NAET. This technology is based on the idea of bioimpedance, which is a term used to describe the response of a living organism to an externally applied electric current. It is a measure of the opposition to the flow of that electric current through the tissues. The stronger the opposition caused by a particular substance, the greater the chance of a allergy to that substance. The technique can also be used to painlessly desensitize someone to their allergies, which makes it perfect for young children.
If you have allergies, or have young children, make sure that you learn all that you can about what allergies are, how you can prevent them, and all of your options for treating them. At Naturopathic Family Care, we have been known as a clinic that specializes in alternative allergy treatments for two decades. We have several different allergy programs which can be used with both children and adults, and which are specific for certain types of allergies. If you would like to learn more about allergies please see our website at http://www.4wecare.com If you're interested in learning more about natural and alternative medicine and treatments, you can subscribe to this blog for weekly postings.
The article goes on to describes the need for early diagnosis and treatment, and also states that standard methods of diagnosing allergies are inadequate. Specifically, the measurement of serum immunoglobulins and the use of the "skin prick" method are mentioned as tests that are in need of improvement. From a treatment perspective, oral immunotherapy is suggested as a promising therapy. The article concludes by stating that in order to promote a higher quality of life and to obtain better control over asthma, steps should be taken to avoid foods in the cases of food allergies. Seems to make sense.
This article does a very good job of stating the importance of recognizing allergy, and specifically food allergies, as a serious health concern. This topic is in need of more discussion as the incidence of allergies of all types has substantially increased over the past decade. We are in effect becoming a hypersensitive society. Allergy control is also an area where conventional medical treatments are lacking, and although the article doesn't come right out and say it, alternative methods of allergy diagnosis and treatment are becoming more and more useful.
All allergies are the result of immune dysfunction. Allergic symptoms, from the excessive mucus production experienced after eating dairy like ice cream, to the complete inability to breath experienced by some after eating nuts or shellfish, are all mediated by the immune system. Therefore, in order to successfully treat allergies attention must be paid to the immune system. One of the best ways to promote a healthy immune system in young children and especially infants is breastfeeding. In addition to providing essential nutrients, breast milk is also rich in substances, such as immunoglobulins, which help children to develop competent immune systems. In fact, in the American Academy of Pediatrics' policy statement on breast feeding states that they have found "strong evidence" that breast milk reduces the incidence and/or severity of diseases such as diarrhea, respiratory infection, ear infections, bacterial infections, bacterial meningitis, and urinary tract infections. Other studies have shown a decrease in non-infectious diseases such as eczema and asthma. This means that in addition to providing protection from infectious disease, breast milk also confers protection from other immune-related diseases.
Another way to decrease the likelihood of food allergies is to use a food introduction schedule. These schedules promote the introduction of foods with the lowest allergic potential first when starting young children on solid foods. Certain food such as corn, wheat, cow's milk, nuts, and soy are all recognized as foods that have a high propensity to cause food allergies. By introducing foods with little allergic potential first, and then gradually adding other foods, the incidence of food allergies can be reduced. This method prevents a child's body from becoming overwhelmed by many new types of foods at once. It also allows time for the body to learn how to handle new substances appropriately, and hopefully, diminished the allergic response.
For those children who may have already developed food allergies it is important to both identify the allergen and to desensitize the child. Identification of food allergies can be accomplished several ways. First, paying attention to how a child responds to certain foods can often help identify a problem. Symptoms such as excessive mucus production, runny noses, chronic ear infections, diarrhea, eczema, and hyperactivity have all been associated with food allergies. If food allergies are suspected then discontinuing the suspected food and then slowly reintroducing in a few weeks can help identify a problem. For example, if after eating dairy products a child chronically develops excessive mucus production or ear infections then it can be a wise idea to avoid dairy for a couple of weeks and then to observe whether or not the condition changes. If the child's mucus production subsides, and then begins again when dairy is re-introduced, it can be a strong indication of a food allergy.
Food allergies can also be identified by the "skin prick" method mentioned in the aforementioned article. This technique involves injecting a small amount of a suspected allergic substance under the skin and then observing the ensuing reaction. If the area turns red and angry-looking then an allergy is suspected. This method is at best cumbersome and painful. Also, considering the large number of potentially allergic foods the number of shots needed to successfully diagnose of all a child's allergy can be overwhelming.
A better method of identifying food allergies is the Natural Allergy Elimination Technique. Using this technique allergies can be quickly identified and treated, without the use of shots or medications. The NAET treatment is based on the measurement of frequencies. Allergies and illnesses can cause a disharmony of the body's natural frequencies which can be detected by NAET. This technology is based on the idea of bioimpedance, which is a term used to describe the response of a living organism to an externally applied electric current. It is a measure of the opposition to the flow of that electric current through the tissues. The stronger the opposition caused by a particular substance, the greater the chance of a allergy to that substance. The technique can also be used to painlessly desensitize someone to their allergies, which makes it perfect for young children.
If you have allergies, or have young children, make sure that you learn all that you can about what allergies are, how you can prevent them, and all of your options for treating them. At Naturopathic Family Care, we have been known as a clinic that specializes in alternative allergy treatments for two decades. We have several different allergy programs which can be used with both children and adults, and which are specific for certain types of allergies. If you would like to learn more about allergies please see our website at http://www.4wecare.com If you're interested in learning more about natural and alternative medicine and treatments, you can subscribe to this blog for weekly postings.
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