“She has the sparkles back in her eyes!”

She has the sparkles back in her eyes!

Hi Dr. McManus –
Just wanted to share some continued good news with T. She is back conditioning 5 days and week and training with a coach. No dizzy spells and she is just having normal soreness with good recovery time.
We made it through her usual back to school cold/allergy/sore throat/congestion/cough stuff in less than a week with no ear or sinus infection, antibiotics or steroids. (HOORAY!)
No complaints of stomach aches in over a month (she is off dairy completely, but still not 100% gluten free).
Even through all the illness and injury last year, she pulled off top 10% of her class and is making it look like a cake walk with all A’s to start this year.
We are so thankful for you and your team. She has the sparkle back in her eyes 🙂
-LT

By Mila McManus MD|2018-04-16T10:46:32-06:00October 7th, 2017|General, Testimonials|

L-Lysine

L-Lysine is an essential amino acid which means that your body does not produce it but does require it for proper protein synthesis, enzyme production, collagen formation and tissue repair. That means we have to eat it and/or supplement with it. Excellent dietary sources of L-Lysine are found in animal meats, pumpkin seeds, eggs and white beans. The average person needs between 800-3,000 milligrams of lysine each day. Research and experience show that L-Lysine supplementation can be helpful for many situations.

L-Lysine is a natural anti-viral and disease fighting agent, known to stave off infection. It is best known for reducing the severity and frequency of cold sores caused by the Herpes Simplex-1 virus.
L-Lysine is important in the body in the production of carnitine, which converts fatty acids into energy and lowers cholesterol levels.
L-Lysine plays a role in calcium absorption and helps the body form collagen, which aids in growth and maintenance of bones and connective tissue, including skin.
L-Lysine in conjunction with B vitamins, magnesium and Omega-3 fatty acids helps to minimize anxiety. One way it appears to do this is by binding partially to serotonin receptors to prevent anxiety responses, such as diarrhea.
L-Lysine has an anti-inflammatory effect on the lining of the gut. Further research in this area will be helpful in healing leaky gut syndrome.
L-Lysine has mechanisms through which it appears to be able to fight cancer, reducing tumor size and causing cell death in cancer cells without damaging nearby healthy cells.

As with any supplement, it is best to consult your medical practitioner to determine if L-Lysine might be a good supplement for you. It is available for purchase in our office.

https://draxe.com/l-lysine-benefits/

By Mila McManus MD|2017-10-03T21:18:49-06:00October 3rd, 2017|General|

3 Quick Kitchen Tips

1. If you run a stainless steel skewer through the middle of a sweet potato before putting it in the oven, it will cook faster. The metal absorbs the heat and helps to cook the potato from the inside out. Doing this reduces baking time by up to 50%!

2. One way to make cabbage and kale more palatable, raw or cooked, is to break it down by massaging it with your hands. After you wash it, put shredded cabbage or torn pieces of kale in a bowl. Lightly salt and add a little lemon or lime juice and then, after washing your hands well, knead and massage the vegetables for 2 minutes to soften them. This will take away the leathery texture of kale and the severity of the coarseness of cabbage. Then make your salad or cook the veggies.

3. Never put away left overs without portioning them into single servings. You will always have food for the road, ready to pack and go.

By Mila McManus MD|2017-10-03T20:47:55-06:00October 3rd, 2017|General, NANCY’S NUTRITIONAL NUGGET|

Golden Cauliflower Flatbread

Great snack on the go!

Ingredients:

2 cups of organic raw riced cauliflower
4 organic free range eggs
1 cup of almond meal
3 teaspoons of turmeric powder
½ teaspoon of Himalayan sea salt

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, then line a baking tray with parchment paper.

2. Place all the ingredients in a medium bowl and mix them well with a spoon.

3. Transfer the mixture to the lined baking tray and evenly press it into a rectangle. Make sure the layer is about 0.5 centimeters or ¼ of an inch thick, it is thin. The picture above is helpful.

4. Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden.

5. Once baked, cool the flatbread completely, then turn over on a rack and gently peel the parchment paper from it.

6. Store the bread in a container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

www.mercola.com

By Mila McManus MD|2017-10-31T15:19:57-06:00October 3rd, 2017|General, Recipes|

Skinflammation

By Mila McManus MD and Nancy Mehlert, MS

skinflammation

The skin is the body’s largest organ. It helps to regulate temperature and serves as the first line of defense against infection. It is an organ with the capacity to both absorb and eliminate substances.

The skin is also an outward manifestation and communication of what is going on inside the body. Healthy skin is reflective of a healthy internal body and ideally it should be clear and glowing. Any skin condition, such as oily or dry skin, blemishes, discoloration, eczema, psoriasis, acne, hives, rashes, itchiness, and premature aging are all signs that there’s something internally in the body that’s out of balance. These are not normal and should not be written off as “aging” or “normal for me”. Suppressing your skin problem with topical antibiotics and steroids, for example, is a disservice to your body because the underlying causes have not been addressed. Also, remember that the skin is a detoxification pathway and the body is, in many cases, trying to eliminate something through the skin. Stopping that process topically may prevent the body from detoxifying successfully.

When skin issues lead us to searching for the internal issues, in almost every case, it leads us to internal inflammation. This can come from many sources and, for some individuals, it may be the result of several factors. The most common are:

• Nutrient deficiencies
• Diet high in processed foods
• Hormone Imbalances
• Poor gut health with pathogenic microbial overgrowth
• Toxicity from heavy metals and chemicals
• Food sensitivities and allergies
• Compromised immune function such as autoimmune disease
• Viral, bacterial or parasitic infestation

Addressing these internal issues, along with improving liver detoxification pathways and doing so every day, in the lifestyle choices that you make, can result in healing that becomes evident in the skin too. An integrated, holistic approach addressing each of these areas is the optimal way to achieve healing of “skinflammation”.
Important nutrients for healthy skin include Vitamin A, Zinc, Vitamin C, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Biotin, Selenium, Silica, Niacin, Vitamin K2, Sulfur, Vitamin E and Pantothenic Acid. Each of these are essential for radiant skin health.

Because nutrition plays such a significant part of achieving and maintaining healthy skin, diet is one of the first items to address when healing skin problems. From this perspective, the most likely culprits that contribute to skin issues are sugar, dairy, gluten, corn and eggs. Anyone trying to identify sources of inflammation both inside and out would do well to abstain from these foods to see if improvement or healing is achieved. It is equally important to consider other possible food sensitivities through elimination or testing (e.g., IgE via skin and/or blood tests, IgG via bloodspot, ALCAT). Foods that support healthy skin and are anti-inflammatory in nature include avocados, wild salmon, bone broth and antioxidant-rich greens and other colorful vegetables and fruits. Click here for a real bone broth recipe or contact us for resources for buying quality, properly prepared bone broth.

It is a common misconception that skin care products are harmless and don’t penetrate the skin. In America, the FDA has only banned 11 ingredients in skin care products while Europe has banned over 1000 ingredients. The FDA leaves it up to skin care manufacturers to disclose and consider whether an ingredient is safe. What research clearly shows is that many of these ingredients are toxic, hormone-disrupting and/or are carcinogens. It is not safe to assume that a product is safe simply because it’s on the store shelf. You may find it helpful to use the Environmental Working Group’s “Skin Deep” guide for cosmetics (www.ewg.org) We carry one of the cleanest skin care lines (AnnMarie) available today in our office so be sure to come by and check it out.

Finally, supporting the liver and detoxification pathways is also critical for supporting an anti-inflammatory environment in the body and on our skin. There are many such protocols including supplemental and dietary detoxification as well as infrared sauna, salt therapy, and ONDAMED. Often the body is not effective at eliminating toxins and the body needs support to promote drainage so that detoxification can occur. Simple strategies such as lemon water, green juicing, proteolytic enzymes, deep breathing, and dry brushing can help to stimulate improved drainage and detoxification.

By Mila McManus MD|2017-09-09T08:34:40-06:00September 9th, 2017|Articles, General|

The “Need to Know” about Coffee and Tea

By Nancy Mehlert, MS

Edited by Mila McManus MD

Over the last decade, there have been many meta-analyses and other studies supporting the benefits of, and possible links between, coffee and tea reducing risk for chronic diseases. As recent as 2015, even the Dietary Guidelines for Americans added coffee and tea as a recommended beverage that could be safely consumed daily without detrimental effects. That came from research pointing to both coffee and tea as demonstrating anti-cancer effects, as well as protective qualities for the heart, brain, and liver. Research also has shown an association with lower risk for many other diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and overall mortality.

At the 230^th national meeting of the American Chemical Society, researchers stated findings that suggest Americans get more antioxidants from drinking coffee than from any other dietary source and emphasized that “nothing else even comes close”. ¹ Well I guess that just proves two things – lots of us enjoy our coffee and tea, and perhaps many of us are not eating enough fruits and vegetables. That said, if you truly want the health benefits associated with drinking coffee and tea, and it is a daily practice for you, then here are some things you need to know to reap the benefits:

Quality is essential! Both should be organic. Coffee is one of the most heavily pesticided crops in the world. It would also help if you seek sustainably shade-grown coffee to protect tropical rain forests and bird habitats. The green tea plant roots are especially receptive to absorbing lead, fluoride, and other toxins in the soil, so it’s important that tea be grown away from excessive industrial pollution (like China where 90% of the world’s green tea is produced!). Instead, it should be grown in a pristine environment, preferably using an organic, sustainable method. Whole leaf Matcha green tea is recommended to be obtained from Japan rather than China.
Buy whole bean coffee. Coffee, once ground, becomes rancid very, very rapidly. Thus, the vast majority of the coffee for sale in the marketplace that is already ground is rancid. You will get the caffeine, but none of the other health benefits of the coffee. Coffee should have a pleasant aroma. If not, it is likely rancid. Buy whole bean and grind it as you use it.
Look for dark roast to get the health benefits. The darker the pigment the greater the health benefits. Look for French Roast, espresso or Turkish coffee for maximum benefit.
Check out your filters. If you use paper filters, be sure they are non-bleached papers. Pure white filters have been chlorine bleached and usually also contain disinfection by-products such as dioxin. This makes your daily cup of joe a very counterproductive toxic drink!
Skip the milk and sugar! One of the benefits of coffee and tea come from a group of compounds called There is good evidence that dairy creamers interfere with the absorption of these compounds in the body. Also, sugar will contribute to insulin resistance which is at the heart of most chronic disease. Check out www.coconutoilcreations.com . Our office tried the Mocha and the Pumpkin Spice and all agreed it was latte style as good as your favorite coffee shop. If a sweetener is needed then stick with a natural option such as stevia, erythritol, xylitol or lo han/monkfruit.
One caution: While it does appear that coffee and tea in moderation can be beneficial, there can be adverse effects, especially if you are consuming excessive quantities. If you are already generally healthy, consuming moderate amounts are fine and even good for your health. If you are chronically fatigued, have anxiety or high blood pressure, caffeine can negatively impact hormone balance, neurotransmitter function and nerve signaling, and, therefore, it would be best to limit or avoid the caffeine associated with coffee and tea.

¹Eurek Alert August 28, 2014

By Mila McManus MD|2017-08-26T09:31:50-06:00August 26th, 2017|Articles, General, NANCY’S NUTRITIONAL NUGGET|

“Within the ﬁrst week my daughters debilitating GI issues were GONE!!!”

Within the ﬁrst week my daughters debilitating GI issues were GONE!!!

from Lynn W.

After 9 months of doctors appointments, multiple tests, co-pays, deductibles, time list from work and school…all with no answers, I took my teenage daughter to Dr. McManus at the suggestion of a friend. My daughter suffered from chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain and fatigue. I felt completely frustrated that none of the specialists (including the head of TX Children’s GI dept) were able to ﬁgure out what was going on. At the ﬁrst appointment with Dr McManus she suggested a gluten free diet with a yeast cleanse based on my daughters symptoms. I knew it would be a challenge based on the typical teenager diet my daughter had been following but out of desperation, we jumped – but not without a parachute. We had a whole team of support people to help. Nancy, an amazing nutritionist and Maddie our MA were there to help every step of the way. Within the ﬁrst week my daughters debilitating GI issues were GONE!!! I can’t say enough about Dr McManus and her wonderful team…my daughter got an education about nutrition and health that will beneﬁt her for the rest of her life. I feel blessed to have found this amazing practice! Absolutely blessed!

By Mila McManus MD|2018-06-21T15:10:43-06:00August 26th, 2017|General, Testimonials|

Vitamin A

Vitamin A, also known as retinol, is a powerful antioxidant the body uses to help form and maintain good vision and eye health, a strong immune system as well as soft tissues, mucus membranes, and skin. It is not found in plant food; however, the body can use beta-carotene found in many fruits, vegetables and some fish sources to convert to retinol. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin. It is important to avoid taking Vitamin A without the guidance of a medical provider since excess can result in toxicity. Issues with skin, mucous membranes, and immune function can be an indicator that Vitamin A is deficient. it promotes epidermal differentiation, modulates dermal growth factors, inhibits sebaceous gland activity, suppresses androgen formation, and promotes cell turnover in the skin. Our medical providers can provide special tapering dosing protocols to meet your specific needs as well as monitor to avoid toxicity. Vitamin A can be a very helpful supplement for addressing skin issues. Our office carries two forms manufactured by the ProThera Inc. supplement line.

References:

Nutrition for Skin, by Chris Kresser

By Mila McManus MD|2024-04-09T14:12:31-06:00August 26th, 2017|General|

Carrot and Nut Pate

Makes 2 Cups

If you like hummus, this is a delightfully delicious swap!

Ingredients:

2 cups carrots, roughly chopped or cut

¼ cup cilantro, minced

1 cup raw walnuts or pecans

3-4 cloves garlic, peeled

2 tablespoons raw apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 cup cooking water from the carrots

Bring a pot of water to boil and cook the carrots until they are just easily pierced with a fork (about 10-15 minutes depending on size). As soon as the carrots are tender, add the cloves of garlic and turn off the heat. Allow this to sit. Do NOT discard the water or drain the water off the carrots.
Mince the cilantro and set aside.
Toast the walnuts or pecans in a skillet over low to medium heat, stirring constantly to avoid burning. Toast until they release their fragrance.
Use a slotted spoon to put the carrots and garlic cloves into a food processor. Reserve the cooking water. Add the nuts, raw apple cider vinegar and sea salt. Process until smooth and blended, thinning with the carrot water left from cooking them until a desired consistency is reached.
Put the puree into a bowl and mix in the minced cilantro.
Serve with crackers, celery, jicama, cucumbers, endive leaves and/or bell pepper strips.

By Mila McManus MD|2017-08-26T08:24:15-06:00August 26th, 2017|General, Recipes|

Dietary Adjustments for Pain Relief

By Nancy Mehlert MS

Edited by Mila McManus MD

It’s very common that headaches, joint and muscle pain can be caused from the foods we are eating. Therefore, it is well worth the effort to practice some food elimination tests to find out if you are reacting to foods. Usually the pain response is reflective of inflammation and/or a food allergy. When we trigger elevated insulin levels from the foods we eat, we are also stimulating inflammatory prostaglandin production, leading to inflammation and pain.

Here are the key adjustments to make in your diet if you want to relieve chronic pain as well as provide the healthiest environment for wellness:

What to eliminate or dramatically reduce:

Sugar, in all forms. Sources include fructose from fruit, honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, coconut sugar, corn syrup, dextrose and maltodextrin. Check out any ingredient list such as food bars, protein powders, every bottled or canned beverage, portions of fruit, condiments such as BBQ sauces, salad dressings and ketchup, wine, alcoholic beverages and even uncured meats. Look closely, as you may be surprised at what you find. And think in terms of cumulative amount and effect. Sugar is sneaky.
Grains, and most commonly wheat and other gluten/gliadin containing grain,s as well rice and corn are fast digesting carbohydrates which convert mostly to glucose, thus elevating blood sugar and insulin levels which stimulate inflammatory pathways. Hence, pain.
Processed foods – sugar, grains, chemicals, damaged fats are all inflammatory contributors to pain and bad for us in a myriad of ways. Migrate to, and stick with, a whole food diet.

What to Eat

Be sure to eat plenty of Omega 3 fatty acids including Pacific wild salmon, anchovies, and sardines as well as fresh ground flax, hemp seed, chia seed, and grass fed butter or ghee. There is also an oil found in fish and dairy butter (grass fed butter or ghee is optimal) called CMO, which stands for Cetyl Myristoleate. It acts as a “joint lubricant” and has anti-inflammatory effects as well.
Include fresh herbs and spices. Curcumin/turmeric, ginger and many peppers have anti-inflammatory effects.
Include plenty of fresh vegetables
Consider collagen sources in bone broth, protein powders and as supplements which can support joint and gut health to reduce inflammation and pain. We carry protein powders in vanilla and chocolate flavors with beef collagen in them and can also recommend how to make or buy high quality bone broth.

References:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/12/13/6-chronic-pain-triggers.aspx

By Mila McManus MD|2017-08-05T13:24:13-06:00August 5th, 2017|Articles, General, NANCY’S NUTRITIONAL NUGGET|

About Mila McManus MD

1. If you run a stainless steel skewer through the middle of a sweet potato before putting it in the oven, it will cook faster. The metal absorbs the heat and helps to cook the potato from the inside out. Doing this reduces baking time by up to 50%!

3. Never put away left overs without portioning them into single servings. You will always have food for the road, ready to pack and go.

Great snack on the go!

Ingredients:

2 cups of organic raw riced cauliflower

4 organic free range eggs

1 cup of almond meal

3 teaspoons of turmeric powder

½ teaspoon of Himalayan sea salt

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, then line a baking tray with parchment paper.

2. Place all the ingredients in a medium bowl and mix them well with a spoon.

3. Transfer the mixture to the lined baking tray and evenly press it into a rectangle. Make sure the layer is about 0.5 centimeters or ¼ of an inch thick, it is thin. The picture above is helpful.

4. Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden.

5. Once baked, cool the flatbread completely, then turn over on a rack and gently peel the parchment paper from it.

6. Store the bread in a container in the refrigerator for up to one week.