Why Food Sensitivity Testing is Useful

by Mila McManus, MD

Food allergies and food sensitivities are not the same thing. Traditional allergists generally rely on food allergy testing only, which is also what is taught in medical school as the standard protocol. This limited practice leaves a great deal of diagnostic information off the table. For that reason, we have found food sensitivity testing to be highly useful toward helping our patients feel great again. Here are specific reasons why food sensitivity testing is useful:

When food sensitivity testing results indicate a patient is reactive to a large number of foods, this is confirmation of a leaky gut and poor digestive health, something an upper and lower GI scope cannot tell us.
- This information can be incredibly helpful with resolving bloating, abdominal pain, IBS, constipation, heartburn, inability to lose weight, diarrhea, skin rashes, and with alleviating autoimmune diseases, mood disorders, etc.
- This allows us to focus on repair of the gut rather than simply focusing on food elimination.
Test results can reflect excessive populations of mold, yeast, and fungus in the body which can be specifically targeted and addressed.
- Yeast, especially, causes a plethora of common digestive issues, as well as other chronic symptoms outside the GI tract, making it difficult to distinguish from other common ailments such as IBS, Depression, Eczema, and Asthma. Did you know that yeast produces and secretes over 100 toxins?!
- Mold and fungus can contribute to environmental allergies, headaches, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections, and vaginal and urinary tract infections.
Food sensitivities often exacerbate autoimmune disease, and removal of one or more foods can bring autoimmunity into full remission or control.
- Asthma, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Eczema, and other respiratory and skin concerns can often be addressed by cleaning up the gut and small edits to the diet.
Food sensitivity testing can also shed light on possible connections to environmental and seasonal allergies. Read about concomitant food/environmental allergies.

Below, Example A is clear food sensitivity test and Example B sheds light on many of the possibilities listed above. The IgA white bars reflect immune responses especially in the mucosal membranes of the ears, nose, and throat, digestive tract, skin, and lungs. The IgG gray bars are reflective of immune responses impacting other aspects of health such as migraine headaches, achy joints, and other symptoms of inflammation and congestion.

Consult with your medical provider to determine if food sensitivity testing would be useful for you or someone you love.

Example A: Normal, Here’s what we hope yours looks like: Good

Example B: High Sensivities: Bad

By Mila McManus MD|2022-04-06T12:07:42-06:00April 7th, 2022|General|

ROOT CAUSES OF DISEASE

By Mila McManus MD

Dr. Mila McManus’s mission for TWIHW is to work with individuals to navigate the complexity of the body and get to the root cause of disease.

Root Causes of Disease:

Poor gut health
- Antibiotics
- Dysbiosis
- Steroids
- High sugar diet
- Leaky gut
  - NSAIDs (e.g., Advil, Aleve)
  - Glyphosate pesticides on wheat products
  - Lectins
Poor nutrition/diet
- vitamin deficiencies
  - from poor intake
  - from poor absorption
  - side effect of medications (e.g. birth control pills, anti-acids, and blood pressure medications)
- inflammatory diet
  - fried foods, grains, standard meat products, sugar, chemicals
Food allergies and sensitivities
o IgE vs IgG vs IgA reactions, as well as intolerance and non-Ig-mediated reactions to foods
Hormone imbalance and decline
o Adrenal dysfunction
o Estrogen dominance
o Hypothyroidism and Functional hypothyroidism
o Low testosterone from toxins, stress, insulin resistance
Toxins
o PCBs, phthalates, food dyes, preservatives, pesticides, artificial sweeteners and flavors, to
name a few
Sleep disorders
Microbes
- e.g., viruses, parasites, tick borne illness (lyme, babesia, bartonella, etc)
Inactivity
Stress
Medication side effects
- including everything on the list the pharmacist gives you
- many cause deficiencies of important nutrients which will manifest in myriad ways
Genetic predispositions, minor and major mutations
EMF Exposures-wi-fi, cell phones, laptops, appliances, etc
o Causes a lot of oxidative stress and damages mitochondria (children more than adults)
o Linked to many chronic diseases and cancer

Functional medicine seeks to identify and treat the underlying cause of your condition. It centers on the idea that one condition may have many causes or one cause can have many conditions. Integrative medicine uses a combination of therapies and lifestyle changes to treat and heal the whole person.

The Woodlands Institute for Health and Wellness is here to serve your entire family. Call us today @ 281.298.6742.

By Mila McManus MD|2022-10-28T11:07:46-06:00March 30th, 2022|General|

Collagen Supplements

Are they good for everyone?

By Mila McManus MD

Global markets for collagen supplements have grown by double digits for the last three years. Collagen supplementation is all the rage for bones and joints, skin, hair, nails, and gut health. But are there any drawbacks to collagen supplementation?

Multiple studies[1] are suggesting that those who experience symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, low self-esteem, poor sleep, and depression may want to avoid or limit collagen supplementation. Why? Collagen is an incomplete protein and requires another amino acid called tryptophan, in order to be properly utilized in the body. When the supplement is taken, the body has to give tryptophan to the absorption process of collagen, thus robbing the body of tryptophan stores. Thus, taking a collagen supplement can induce tryptophan depletion[2]. This is problematic because tryptophan is a precursor to a neurotransmitter called serotonin. Many who struggle with anxiety or depression, for example, already lack adequate levels of serotonin. If there is not adequate tryptophan available in the body to make serotonin, moods will likely suffer. Serotonin is important and helps us to be calm, contend with stress, sleep well, feel optimistic and hopeful. Low levels of serotonin are associated with anxiety, irritability, eating disorders, OCD, PTSD, poor sleep quality, and insomnia. If you have any of these symptoms and are taking a collagen supplement, consider stopping it for a couple of months to see if your symptoms improve. If collagen supplementation is important to you, consider adding a supplement called 5-htp (5-hydroxy-tryptophan) which provides the body with more of the building block to make serotonin. (5-htp is over-the-counter and should be taken under medical supervision)

[1] Leibowitz SF. The role of serotonin in eating disorders. Drugs. 1990;39 Suppl 3:33-48. doi: 10.2165/00003495-199000393-00005. PMID: 2197074.

[2] Biskup CS, Sánchez CL, Arrant A, Van Swearingen AE, Kuhn C, Zepf FD. Effects of acute tryptophan depletion on brain serotonin function and concentrations of dopamine and norepinephrine in C57BL/6J and BALB/cJ mice. PLoS One. 2012;7(5):e35916. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0035916. Epub 2012 May 21. PMID: 22629305; PMCID: PMC3357407.

By Mila McManus MD|2022-10-28T12:01:02-06:00March 23rd, 2022|General|

White Chicken Chili

This white chicken chili is a healthy one-pot recipe that won’t disappoint!

Serves 4

1 TBS butter or coconut oil
1 lb. chicken, light or dark*
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
5 1/2 cups of chicken broth*
3 (15 ounce) cans cannellini (aka white kidney) beans, rinsed and drained**
2 (4 ounce) cans chopped green chilies
1 TBS dried oregano
1 tsp ground cumin
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper, or to taste
1 tsp sea salt, or to taste
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 handful of baby spinach, arugula or kale leaves
1 medium Avocado, peeled and chopped into chunks

Purchase “all natural “ or organic, skinless, boneless white and/or dark meat chicken. Using a sharp knife, slice pieces into 1-inch bite sized pieces. In a large, deep pot, or Dutch oven, sauté the chicken in butter (or coconut oil) with the chopped onion and minced garlic until just done.

Add the chicken broth, cannellini beans, green chilies, oregano, cumin, cayenne pepper, and salt. Simmer for 30-45 minutes to allow flavors to blend and develop. If desired, add in the last 5 minutes of simmering, a small handful of fresh baby spinach, kale, or arugula leaves for added nutrition.

Divide the chopped cilantro and avocado between four bowls. Ladle the chili over the top and serve.

*We recommend that you cook a whole chicken in a pot with water, celery, lemongrass, and peppercorns to render your own yummy stock for this soup and the cooked chicken meat as well. Keep extra stock in the freezer for the next recipe.

** For those able to do so, we recommend purchasing dried beans, soaking them and preparing them in advance to avoid the BPA in cans. Additionally, you may want to look for a BPA-free lined can like Eden Organic. Trader Joes claims their canned beans are in a BPA free lined can.

By Mila McManus MD|2022-11-01T10:32:43-06:00March 16th, 2022|General, Recipes|

Mistletoe Therapy for Cancer

By Mila McManus MD

Mistletoe (aka Viscum Album) is the most studied plant used for alternative and complementary cancer therapies. It’s been used in Germany for over 100 years. In fact, 85% of cancer patients in Germany are also on mistletoe therapy. Mistletoe’s effects are quite impressive! There are various types of mistletoe that grow on various tree types. Johns Hopkins is wrapping up a clinical trial on mistletoe therapy, and MD Anderson will soon be starting a clinical trial using mistletoe for osteosarcoma.

Here are some other important facts:

There are NO contraindications for using mistletoe with any conventional cancer treatment.
There are no known drug interactions.
Various components of mistletoe fight cancer by directly killing cancer cells, as well as stimulating the immune system to fight the cancer.
Mistletoe diminishes many of the side effects related to chemo and radiation. This includes a reduction in fatigue and nausea. It also improves appetite, mood, and sleep.
Mistletoe contains endorphins that act as natural pain killers and can reduce or eliminate the need for pain medications.
Some components of mistletoe repair DNA in damaged cells and protect DNA of healthy cells.
Different types of mistletoe are used for different types of cancers.
If you have a known allergy to latex, kiwi, banana, avocado, or chestnuts, an initial test dose will be given to make sure there is not a cross-reactivity with mistletoe since it contains similar lectins.
Mistletoe is complementary to conventional therapies and can also be used as a monotherapy if someone refuses, or is not a candidate for, conventional cancer treatments.
It can be used after cancer treatment to help prevent recurrence. (I recommend a book called Cancer-Free! Are you Sure? By Jenny Hrbacek, RN)
Mistletoe is typically used for 5 years or longer, at varying doses/schedules.
Mistletoe for cancer therapy is administered by subcutaneous injection, IV, and is sometimes injected directly into tumors. In the US, it’s only FDA-approved for oral intake (which isn’t useful for cancer treatment), so injections and IV are considered ‘off-label’ uses and are perfectly legal.
Mistletoe can be started at any point in a patient’s journey, meaning that it’s never too late to start using it. Of course, the sooner a person starts, the better!
Mistletoe therapy requires special training. Always use mistletoe under the guidance of a trained professional.

Learn more about mistletoe therapy and costs.

Call (281) 298-6742 for questions or to schedule an appointment with one of our healthcare providers to discuss whether a mistletoe protocol is right for you!

References:

https://riordanclinic.org/what-we-do/mistletoe-therapy/

https://anthroposophicmedicine.org/

https://www.cancer.gov/

Compendium of Mistletoe Therapy with Helixor in Integrative Oncology

By Mila McManus MD|2022-03-07T07:47:55-06:00March 9th, 2022|General|

Supplement Quality Uncertainty-I bet you didn’t know this!

by Mila McManus, MD

We expect our food to be what it says on the ingredient label. We assume the gasoline we put in our cars is not watered down. We figure the bottled water we buy is pure, clean, harmless water. And we are confident everything sold on Amazon is genuine, authentic, and good quality. Should we always be this confident? For all four of these assumptions, I can recall at least one news story or personal experience where this was not the case!

Supplement ingredients and purity are no different! Wise decision making is needed to avoid some sad falsehoods. Supplements are an exploding industry, and not everyone is testing for quality, dosage accuracy, and purity. One study in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine[i] showed that more than 71% of melatonin supplements contained more or less than the package dose indicated, some by considerable amounts. This study is just one example of many. Supplements, like melatonin, are not fully regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and there are no federal requirements that companies test their supplements to ensure they contain the amount advertised. Examples like this continue to surface routinely and are the reason, in 2017, I wrote an article about supplement ingredients and quality, and feel the need to present it again. Things have not changed, and perhaps they have gotten worse. Did you know that 1 out of every 2 supplements sold on Amazon is counterfeit?

We source high quality, carefully tested supplements for our patients and are also happy to ship them to you.

[i] https://jcsm.aasm.org/doi/10.5664/jcsm.6462

By Mila McManus MD|2022-03-02T08:10:59-06:00March 3rd, 2022|General|

The Problems with Powders

by Nancy Weyrauch Mehlert, MS

One of the most frequent questions I get as the staff nutritionist is about protein powders and green superfood powders. For many people, these popular powders represent a healthy, simple, and quick way to get nourishment. But are they safe and healthy?

Pause for just a moment and consider these powders. Do you really know what is in that canister? Does it resemble anything like the original plants or animals from which it was derived? How did it become a powder? What processes and techniques were used to extract the nutrients from the original source? Could it be something other than what the package claims to be? Could harmful things make their way into the product? Did the manufacturer test or confirm the purity of its product?

I would argue that most food powders contain things that would surprise you, and perhaps much more than the ingredient list implies or the manufacturer claims. The Clean Label Project [https://cleanlabelproject.org/the-best-worst-protein-powder-products/] has carefully tested 134 of the most popular protein powders in the marketplace and discovered a plethora of pesticide, heavy metals, and plastic residues in the vast majority of them. Recently, I picked up a container of Psyllium Husks that were described on the packaging as “100% Pure Psyllium, No Additives, No Fillers, Non-GMO, and Gluten Free” but on the back of the package in small print a warning was written, “This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.” Last year, I contacted a maker of a protein powder who claimed their product was pure, organic, and Non-GMO. I inquired if they had conducted an analysis of their product for plastics, pesticides, or heavy metals. The representative responded proudly with a “yes”! When I asked if I could see the Certificate of Analysis, she claimed that this information was not available for the public. When I hung up the phone, all I could think of was that, if their product were clean and free of any concerns, then they would have had nothing to hide. It caused me to pause and consider the high likelihood that powdered products, from green drinks to protein powders are not as good for us as we might believe. Some of the most well marketed, popular, organic brands are very likely to contain heavy metals and plastics.

Please consider that powders are highly manufactured, processed products, far from the original source. In many cases, it may be generous to even call them “food”. Though organic certifications should protect the original source to be free of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and not genetically modified, it does not mean there are not plastic particulates or heavy metals in that powder. It does not ensure that chlorine or other bleaches and chemicals have not been used to make the final product. We should shop carefully, ask questions, and tend toward consuming real whole food.

If a protein powder is helpful to you, we have vetted some pharmaceutical grade protein powders that have been tested for purity which we can safely recommend.

By Mila McManus MD|2022-02-23T06:40:32-06:00February 24th, 2022|General, NANCY’S NUTRITIONAL NUGGET|

Better Sleep and Less Anxiety with DHH-B

by Mila McManus, MD

Haven’t found the perfect solution for better sleep and less anxiety yet? DHH-B, sourced from the bark, leaves, and flowers of the houpo magnolia tree, may give you the relief you seek! Used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years, research is confirming the many potential benefits.

The active ingredient is dihydrohonokiol-B and can be found in topical creams/oils, tea, and oral supplements. There are two particularly rich polyphenols found in DHH-B, magnolol and honokiol, highly valued for their antioxidant values. Magnolia bark has traditionally been used to treat asthma, anxiety, depression, stomach disorders, and inflammation. Magnolia bark boosts the activity of GABA, a neurotransmitter that produces a calming effect, slowing down the brain’s excitatory neurons, relieving anxiety, and enhancing sleep. It also activates cannabinoid receptors which contain calming compounds that help relax tight muscles. Magnolol has also been shown to reduce lipids and cholesterol. The bark contains another active compound called methylnokiol, which targets insulin resistance and prevents oxidative liver damage which can lead to diabetes.

DHH-B should not be taken with alcohol and should be stopped two weeks prior to surgery due to its blood thinning effects. Moreover, it should not be taken if an anticoagulant drug is already being taken. It also can negatively influence the effectiveness of anesthesia. Pregnant women are also advised to avoid taking this supplement. Ask one of our medical providers if DHH-B is a good choice for you!

References:

*tailormadehealth.com

www.healthline.com/nutrition/magnolia-bark#benefits

By Mila McManus MD|2022-02-15T16:30:11-06:00February 16th, 2022|General|

Things to know about Sports Drinks and Hydration

by Mila McManus, MD

Our medical staff strongly urges adults and children to avoid sports drinks. As indicated below, most individuals can adequately hydrate with filtered, clean water!

Most children and adults who exercise regularly do not need a special form of hydration beyond water unless exercising intensely for more than 60-90 minutes.
Popular sports drinks, such as Gatorade and Powerade, contain a number of concerning ingredients including sugar, high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, food dyes, caramel coloring, artificial flavors, and acids.
Some research suggests that regular consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages results in a significant increase in body mass index.
The sugar in sports drinks causes an immediate blood sugar elevation and destabilization followed by a dump in energy, especially if the exercise is not strenuous enough to utilize the carbohydrates rapidly. Thus, they are draining rather than energizing.
Artificial sweeteners have been shown to disturb the gut microbiome, affecting immunity, digestion, satiety cues, and weight.
Certain studies associate artificial colors such as Blue 1 and Red 40 with behavior problems in those with ADHD.
The acid levels in the sports drinks have been shown to wear down tooth enamel, while the sugar contributes to cavity formation.
Acesulfame Potassium, a common artificial sweetener in sports drinks, has been shown to cause cancer and affect the thyroid in lab animals.
Sucralose, a.k.a. Splenda, is also linked to cancer, and is made using chlorine. If you want to ‘nerd out’, here’s the formula of sucralose: 1,6-dichloro-1,6-dideoxyfructose and 4-chloro-4-deoxygalactose (Uh, No thanks!)
Two of the four caramel colorings used in foods are formed using ammonia, and caramel coloring has been proven to cause leukemia, as well as lung, liver, and thyroid cancer in laboratory animals.
High fructose corn syrup consumption is linked to joint and gut inflammation, and may be associated with increased risk for rheumatoid arthritis in women.

Our electrolyte needs can be met by Pink Himalayan Salt, Redmond’s Sea Salt used on food and in water, as well as by eating salted nuts and seeds. A wide variety of vegetables and fruits in the diet are also great sources of potassium, magnesium, sodium, chloride, phosphate, and calcium, the primary electrolytes the body needs. Athletes who will participate in strenuous exercise for 60 minutes or more should hydrate well on a daily basis, prior to and on the day of exercise. Moreover, eat salty nuts and seeds, and consume plenty of protein. Foods such as berries, celery, watermelon, kiwi, and cucumber, as well as salty nuts and chicken, and water will suffice well to sustain energy and focus during exercise. Other possible alternatives to common sports drinks are NUUN Hydration Effervescent Electrolyte tablets, LMNT Elemental Labs -Recharge, Hi-Lyte™, or Lyteline™ electrolyte products.

Resources:

https://www.verywellfit.com/is-gatorade-good-or-bad-for-you-4177592

Gatorade.com

Powerade.com

https://cspinet.org/eating-healthy/chemical-cuisine#acesulfamek

https://cspinet.org/new/201102161.html

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC4817078/

By Mila McManus MD|2022-02-09T11:26:59-06:00February 10th, 2022|General|

Food Labeling Changes to Know About : Genetically Modified Ingredients

by Nancy Weyrauch Mehlert, MS

The USDA requires all food manufacturers to disclose if genetically modified ingredients are in their products.

Effective, January 1, 2022, The USDA, through The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure law requires all food manufacturers to disclose if genetically modified ingredients are in their products. The way in which this is done however will not be a simple, uniform way such as an established symbol similar to the USDA Organic Certification. Rather, the manufacturer has options including a text message, a symbol, digital links, or verbiage on the package.

According to the USDA*, “The Standard defines bioengineered foods as those that contain detectable genetic material that has been modified through certain lab techniques and cannot be created through conventional breeding or found in nature.” Some call that “Frankenfood”, others “fake food”, and “man”-ufactured food. Anyway you call it, there is nothing natural about it and likely represents a foreign enemy to the human body, potentially contributing to harm, disease, immune response, inflammation, and/or congestion.

According to the Environmental Working Group,* “Shockingly, virtually no long-term health studies have been done on consumption of genetically engineered food. And there aren’t likely to be any such studies anytime soon. The government isn’t doing this kind of research and is not requiring it of the food industry. It isn’t even making it possible for independent scientists to do it, since under the law, those who hold patents on genetically engineered food get to decide in most cases what testing can – and cannot – be conducted. As a result, the jury is still out – in fact, it hasn’t even heard the evidence – on whether genetically engineered food might cause health problems. And the answer to this question will likely remain unclear for years.”

Apparently the organic and GMO Project Verified labels will still be in use. As a reminder, the USDA Organic standard symbol does mean synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering may not be used. Thus buying organic should be a safe way to always avoid genetically modified or bioengineered food.

The Non-GMO Project Verified* is a symbol created by a non-profit organization working in the interest of the consumer. According to nongmoproject.org, “ the Non-GMO Project Verified mark assures consumers that the product bearing the label has been evaluated for compliance with the Non-GMO Standard, which can be found here. Similar to the USDA Organic symbol, this symbol should give some confidence that the product is free of genetic modification and is, we believe, a good measure of protection.

You may also see “Bioengineered Food Ingredients” written on the label. It may be necessary to scan the barcode or look at the manufacturer’s webpage to find out. My experience on webpages is that many food producers make it difficult to find nutritional facts and ingredient lists because they don’t really want you to find the information, but they are required to provide it. You may discover that this disclosure is not easy to find. Others will be forthcoming and more direct.

For optimal health and wellness, we recommend that you make every effort to avoid genetically engineered food. Recognize that most restaurant food will contain it, while eating at home after careful selection during grocery shopping will guarantee the best success.

Resources:

USDA.gov

Nongmoproject.org

https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/americans-eat-their-weight-genetically-engineered-food

Mira Dessy, The Ingredient Guru, Weekly Email dated January 4, 2022, The New GMO Label.

By Mila McManus MD|2022-11-01T10:29:58-06:00February 2nd, 2022|General, NANCY’S NUTRITIONAL NUGGET|

About Mila McManus MD

by Mila McManus, MD

By Mila McManus MD

Root Causes of Disease:

Are they good for everyone?

By Mila McManus MD

By Mila McManus MD

by Mila McManus, MD

by Nancy Weyrauch Mehlert, MS

by Mila McManus, MD

by Mila McManus, MD

by Nancy Weyrauch Mehlert, MS