Employee of the Month: Maddie Hitt

Maddie Hitt has been a Medical Assistant here since 2013. Known for her beauty inside and out, Maddie makes life and work fun! She has a special way of juggling the fast and busy days and somehow can always squeeze in one more thing to help others. She has a way of laughing at herself and admitting her challenges that keeps people seeking her out for her humility and humanness. Her patients love her and trust her and she cares for them well. Appreciated for her dependability and loyalty, Maddie’s work ethic is strong and demonstrated by her punctuality at work and with patients, willingness to learn, and her depth of knowledge. Everyone who knows her enjoys her infectious and wicked funny laugh and great sense of humor. Maddie is full of life and busy living it! She loves country western music, movies with Kevin Costner, a little casino time, some good food, and watching the Texans.

By Mila McManus MD|2016-02-03T12:57:48-06:00February 3rd, 2016|Articles, General|

Theraslim™ and Nuvexa™ by Prothera

This month we are featuring as our “supplement of the month” a fat blocker as well as a carb blocker, respectively. Well, let’s face it. It’s challenging to eat perfectly 100% of the time. We know our patients are all in different places in their journey to improved health and good quality nutrition. It’s good to have a little help when trying to lose some weight, or simply to mitigate the damage after a weak moment, a meal served by a well-meaning host, during vacations or holidays or in business when a less than ideal restaurant or banquet meal can catch you off guard. We, of course, don’t advocate overindulging on whatever you like, whenever you like, and hoping a pill will keep you healthy and skinny. Lifestyle changes and healthy choices are accomplished with good planning and will always be paramount to good health and wellness. But we know that life gets in the way sometimes and that losing weight and keeping it off are a challenge for many. So we’re presenting 2 supplements that might help in some challenging situations:

Nuvexa™ contains FBCx®, a naturally occurring, patented dietary fiber. Through over a decade of research, FBCx® has demonstrated an impressive fat binding capability and each serving (2 tablets) binds up to 18 grams of dietary fat (equivalent to 162 calories). The FBCx® passes through the digestive tract without being absorbed and is eliminated without unpleasant side effects. Helpful to manage weight, up to 486 calories a day (162 calories x 3 meals) of fat from food can be blocked from being absorbed.

TheraSlim™ is a natural, non-stimulant supplement, clinically proven to reduce carbohydrate calories from the starchiest carbohydrates such as grains (corn, rice, barley, rye, oats, wheat) and potatoes. TheraSlim™ contains Phase 2 Starch Neutralizer®, a natural, non-stimulant adjunct from the white kidney bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L., that may reduce the enzymatic digestion of dietary starches. Supported by a substantial and competent body of scientific evidence including 14 clinical investigations, two capsules of TheraSlim ™ at least twice a day when taken with starchy meals or snacks, may assist in weight control when used in conjunction with a sensible diet and exercise program.

By Mila McManus MD|2016-02-03T12:44:29-06:00February 3rd, 2016|Articles, General|

Syncing Up

By Thelma Jean Goodrich, PhD

As Valentine’s Day comes to us this month, relationships grab even more attention than usual – assessing ones we have, envisioning ones we want, watching for cards and flowers, shopping for the right message, or maybe just wishing the Day would hurry on by. There is an old saying that marriage is like a walled city: those who are inside want out and those who are outside want in. What is it that makes relationships so central even though elusive or troublesome? The most common thought is hormones. Hormones drive us to find a mate. But according to three professors at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, the driver is not our hormones but our nervous system.

In A General Theory of Love, Thomas Lewis, M.D., Fari Armini, M.D., and Richard Lannon, M.D., explain that while the nervous system is busy regulating our physiological functions, it is relying, for its own stability, on synchronizing with a nearby loved one. If this orderly connection is interrupted even briefly, the body and mind react with alarm. If the interruption lasts long enough, physical and mental processes decline into the flatline of despair.

The part of the brain that accomplishes this synchronizing exchange is the limbic system. Here’s the deal. The human body regularly fine-tunes thousands of bodily functions – heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, immune function, oxygen saturation, levels of sugars and salts, and more. We might think that each body can accomplish this regulation all by itself. Wrong. We need another person to transmit information that can help regulate all these functions in our body. At the same time, we are transmitting information that helps regulate that person’s physiological functions. None of us can run our bodies all alone; we all need somebody else to help. For most people, that somebody is a romantic partner, but it may be a relative or friend.

As the authors put it, “Love is simultaneous mutual regulation, wherein each person meets the needs of the other…and both thrive. For those who attain it, the benefits of deep attachment are powerful – regulated people feel whole, centered, alive. With their physiology stabilized from the proper source, they are resilient to the stresses of daily life, or even to those of extraordinary circumstance.” And, we might add, they are happy.

By Mila McManus MD|2016-02-01T12:45:16-06:00February 1st, 2016|Articles, General|

What is Wellness Worth to You?

By Nancy Mehlert, MS

Contributions by Mila McManus MD and Dyvette Warren, PA-C

I like new stuff. You know, new tennis shoes, the latest cell phone, the smartest and most efficient new anything from cars to kitchen utensils. Some of us like to buy someone else’s old stuff because it is new to us. Everything has a price, and, with few exceptions, loses value over time. Even spending our hard earned dollars on a great vacation can offer only momentary fun and fast fading memories. In most cases, the generally accepted solution to a problem is to simply go buy another one. We like stuff!

What if there was one very essential thing in life that was depreciating every day and could not be replaced? When you first get this thing, it is intended to last a very long time. It’s the most valuable asset you have and, without it, relationships, living, loving, serving and prospering are not possible. We all have one! You guessed it… your body. So why is it so hard for us to invest some of our hard earned money into preserving and maintaining it? The human body, when properly maintained and cared for, provides the vessel through which the best of life occurs. There is no “stuff” that can give longevity, energy, focus, productivity, relationships, joy and a legacy the way the human body can. We have all heard the great truth and many of us have lived it and that is “when you have your health, you have everything”.

Very sadly, there is one more thing that has greatly depreciated and has less and less value as the decades pass and that is our traditional system of medical care. What began decades ago as a health care system offering true value and intentions for wellness has become a highly profitable industry with bed partners in insurance, government, and the pharmaceutical industry. Good intentions to improve and maintain good health in our society have morphed into a system that sustains and manages the disease state and makes shockingly large sums of money doing it. The industry, as a whole, benefits financially when it can medicate, operate, and perpetuate the need for it at the expense of our health and prosperity. For the most part, our highly valued “health” insurance only covers disease management. This model has gotten us addicted to very low cost medical care. This is one reason we are reluctant to pay for healthcare outside of what’s covered by our insurance plans.

What is good health worth to you? If we only have one body for a lifetime and all of living depends on our ability to conduct life in this one vessel, shouldn’t taking care of it be worth a lot? And if the medical model you are using isn’t working to maintain and optimize your vessel, then shouldn’t you seek another model? If your car no longer works, don’t you do whatever it takes to get your car running reliably and smoothly? If your child is not successful in the public school arena, wouldn’t you pursue other possibly more costly or time-intensive avenues to make your child successful? If you invest $1000 in the market and you’re losing money, don’t you seek out a better return for your money? In both our personal and professional lives, we all know that there is no sense in sticking with a strategy if it is not working. If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting.

A non-traditional, holistic, functional medicine approach is where your investment will yield immediate quality care and value, and will continue to give returns for a lifetime of better health, life, and very likely lower healthcare costs over the long-term. Allow us the honor and privilege of serving you and your family to:

Combine the science of traditional medicine with the wisdom of natural holistic approaches. Our goal is to restore, repair and optimize your health.
Seek the underlying causes of symptoms and correct those while avoiding the side effects and discomfort of prescription drugs or surgery.
Promote healthy lifestyle choices with regard to sleep, nutrition, exercise and mental health.
Use safe, natural and effective solutions to your health concerns rather than manage the symptoms with prescription drugs.

Medical bills are the leading cause of bankruptcy. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure so invest in yourself!

By Mila McManus MD|2016-01-06T07:55:23-06:00January 6th, 2016|Articles, General|

Eating Well on a Budget

By Nancy Mehlert, MS

It’s not uncommon to hear new patients say “Eating real whole food sure is more expensive!” But is it really? Here is a list of ways to reassess how you spend your hard earned dollars and how to save money, eat well and live well in the New Year. Happy New Year Everyone!

First Take a Good Assessment – It’s often an eye opener when you get a good handle on what you’re truly spending on your food. Often we are only considering the grocery bill. But have you totaled up eating out in restaurants, ordering delivery, quick purchases of food or snacks, or accounted for every bottle of water, or tea or coffee you purchase on the run? You may be surprised how much all of that adds up. When you get an eye on that number you may discover you have plenty of food dollars and that it’s just a matter of how you allocate it.

Eat at Home More Often – Consider the “total cost” to your health and pocketbook when eating out. You drive there, order more food than the human body needs, eat more damaged fat, chemicals, salt, MSG and sugar than the human body needs, pay a significant mark up from grocery store retail costs, add a 15-20% tip, and then drive home again. Even a drive-through can expensive relative to grocery store purchases. For example, at the cheapest place in town, McDonalds currently sells their fake food Big Mac Meal for $5.99. So consider feeding 2 adults basically for $12.00 at McDonalds. Beyond the pure lack of nutrition and well over 100 ingredients in it, you could go to the grocery store and purchase a pound of grass fed beef, 2 sweet potatoes and a bag of fresh shredded cabbage for the same amount of money, feed 3-4 people and eat a nutritiously dense meal at home, prepared in less than 20 minutes. And in every way, you would be healthier for it.

Prepare and Pack Food & Drink for the Road – Even a bottle of water in a convenience store generally runs well over one dollar. Coffee, though once free in many places, starts at $1.00 or more. These small but frequent pit stops add up. Everyone with good health as a goal will find a good cooler with a cold freezer pack, a good coffee mug, a non-toxic water bottle, and other cost saving devices. Those investments will pay for themselves in no time. Besides, you will save time, money and gasoline by no longer waiting, idling your car in line, breathing the fumes and paying the price both in health and your pocket book. A little planning and preparation at home every week goes a long way in preserving time, money and health. When you discover all the benefits you may even have time to plant a few of your own sprouts, herbs, or vegetables. And that is a saver too!

Not Everything Needs to Be Organic – In an ideal world, with limitless funds, perhaps this would be nice but sometimes you just have to pick your battles! Organic fresh fruits and vegetables can be expensive. If you can’t find organic options in your price range, at least learn which ones are most likely heavily pesticided or genetically modified so that you can avoid those. This is especially important for staples such as apples, celery, spinach, cucumbers, bell peppers, and kale for example. Take a look at the Environmental Working Group’s recommendations at http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary/ for what to avoid and what is clean. You may also find frozen organic options that are better priced than fresh. If organic meats are not available or in your price range, consider “all natural” choices where at least the antibiotics and hormones have not been given to the animal. Or check into local sources, bulk purchases online or locally which, per pound, often yield a better price than grocery store options. Consider splitting bulk orders with friends.

Shop for Price – You will find considerable price variations from store to store and online. For staple items, such as coconut oil, grass fed meats, nut flours, unprocessed sea salt, and expeller pressed oils for example, you may gain cost savings by purchasing larger quantities at online places such as Amazon.com. Costco does a fair job of carrying some healthy choices. Consider splitting the cost of membership and the food with another family who also wants to be healthier. Shop for sales, especially with items that can be kept in the freezer for storage and use later, such as meats and nut flours. Your local farmers’ markets may offer better prices on seasonal choices.

Eat for Nutrient Density – Once you add up the cost of processed snack foods, processed pre-packaged meals, desserts, junk food and drinks, you will be surprised how expensive they are and yet how hungry they leave you (and unhealthy!). When you choose to eat real whole food, dense in quality nutrition, you will discover you are satiated and satisfied, therefore needing fewer snacks or meals. Additionally, when you move from the sadly mistaken low fat, no fat, no cholesterol dietary recommendations and ensure adequate healthy fats in your diet, you will quickly discover that you need less volume. Add in high fiber vegetables, nuts and seeds and you will be full. It also reduces the need or desire to eat larger portions of meat (6-8 ounce or more). We need meat, but it is not necessary to eat it at every meal and in most cases smaller portions in the 2-5 ounce range can suffice if your diet choices are otherwise broad in variety and whole food choices. That makes a pound of meat go much further. Items such as organic beans and lentils can generally be found in the bulk section at a very reasonable price.

Avoid Expensive Gimmick Health Foods – Being well and eating well is a fast growing industry. There are plenty of people capitalizing on your interest to eat better. I’m always on the lookout for the healthiest foods we can incorporate into our diets but remain alert and skeptical. Most of the newest “super” foods are very expensive for the nutrition gained. Many new, seemingly good, choices really aren’t when you read the fine print, ingredients lists and sources. You are likely much better off focusing on a good long term eating plan that includes real, clean, whole food and plenty of variety rather than purchasing acai and goji berries or mangosteen beverages at a high price. Kombucha and Coconut Waters can be expensive and sugar laden.

Every time you cook, make extra – this is essential for those who want to eat healthier and is an easy task. Even if you aren’t a leftover fan, the reality is that if you store them immediately into travel containers, you are ready to put together a to-go lunch box the next day without extra effort. Try mixing and matching and using leftovers creatively. For example, steam beets for dinner, then use leftover beet slices to add to a salad the next day. Or use leftover broccoli, cauliflower or Brussels sprouts for a stir fry with frozen wild caught shrimp the next night. Planning seems cumbersome at first, but the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Practice establishes a new habit.

Making Nutrition Important – finally, everyone in the world has a certain amount of money with which to make lifestyle choices, some of us more, some of us less. Where we put our money is a reflection of what is important to us. Your food choices, planning time on your calendar, and knowledge about your food choices will all be dependent on how important these are to you. I confess, my resources are rather limited, but nutrition is very high on my list. That means I have had to forgo some other things in life so that I can stay healthy, eat right and feel good. Those sacrifices have been well worth it to me. But these are very personal decisions that only you can make for yourself. I have also learned that if I eat well, I don’t have to take as many supplements, rarely need to pay for medical expenses, over the counter drugs or prescriptions, rarely miss work, and have come face to face with how poorly I used to feel when I ate fast, processed food. I have a friend on food stamps and we have hammered out a way for her to eat healthfully on very limited resources. I believe it’s possible for almost everyone to make small, meaningful changes in their diet for better health and it doesn’t have to break the bank.

If you need help planning, practicing, or need ideas to save money and/or prepare easy meals, schedule a consultation with me in the grocery store or at our facility. Start out the New Year with intentional steps to making lifestyle changes for you and your family’s health. Practice makes eating easy, cost effective, and healthy!

By Mila McManus MD|2016-01-05T14:28:48-06:00January 5th, 2016|Articles, General, NANCY’S NUTRITIONAL NUGGET|

Supplement of the month: Lithium Orotate

Lithium Orotate is a trace mineral that helps to boost and balance mood. Studies show it also helps promote mental focus and may improve memory. It is easily absorbed and is 20 times more bioactive than other lithium salts, thereby allowing the individual to take smaller amounts. When salts of lithium are ingested, the lithium ions interact with several neurotransmitters and receptors in the central nervous system, resulting in decreased norepinephrine release and increased serotonin synthesis. (Prothera®, Inc. 2015 Patient Catalog)

Additional comments about Lithium Orotate:

For most of us, when we think about lithium, we might think about high dose pharmacological uses (Lithium carbonate) for individuals suffering from bipolar disorder, or we might think about lithium batteries. It’s unlikely that it comes to mind as a nutritional supplement that may promote better health for us.

Lithium itself is not a drug but an element that is found in the earth and in the human body. It is one of the top 15 elements found in the earth.[i] It is mined from the earth and found in both salt and fresh water. It is present in all organs and tissues in the body with similar chemical properties to that of calcium, potassium and magnesium and is now considered by many integrative health practitioners to be an essential micronutrient. According to Alice R. Laule, M.D., author of the book Lithium, “lithium has important functions in the brain, including protecting brain cells from various toxins and reducing the ill effects of certain excitatory neurotransmitters which are harmful in large amounts”. Lithium has been discovered to produce profound improvement of immune function by increasing granulocytes, monocytes, natural killer T-cells and immunoglobulins, all components of our white blood cells.[ii]

The supplemental form, called lithium orotate, is the lithium salt of orotic acid. It is a mineral salt which crosses the blood-brain barrier more easily than the pharmaceutical lithium carbonate. As a result it is highly bioavailable and can be used in much lower doses with good results and no side effects. Medical doctors have used lithium orotate in doses 80-90% lower than the pharmaceutical lithium carbonate to treat clinical depression with at least 50-70% of the patients showing fair to good response.[iii]

Ward Dean, M.D., author of “The Unique Safe Mineral with Multiple Uses” states that “Lithium orotate has also been successfully used in alleviating discomfort from migraine and cluster headaches, improving low white blood cell counts, juvenile convulsive disease, alcoholism and liver disorders”. He considers lithium orotate to be extremely safe, with no known adverse side effects or drug interactions.

According to an article written by Dr. Edward Group:

Harvard Medical School has analyzed over 30 human meta-analysis studies and has determined that lithium reduces the rate and risk of suicide attempts by 80-90% in patients with major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizoaffective disorder. In fact, the overall risk of suicides was five times less among lithium-treated subjects compared with individuals not treated with lithium.
A study from Texas analyzed 27 state counties between the years of 1978-1987. It was discovered that the incidence of suicide, homicide, rape, drug abuse, and felonious acts were about 50% lower in the 27 counties with lithium-containing drinking water. The water had lithium levels ranging from 70-170 micrograms/L. Additionally, the study found a significant reduction in drug-related arrests within the same time period and locations.
Lithium has been reported to be beneficial in animal models of brain injury, stroke, Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, and Parkinson’s diseases, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), spinal cord injury, and other conditions. A recent clinical trial suggests that lithium stops the progression of ALS. The stimulation of endogenous neural stem cells may explain why lithium increases brain cell density and volume in patients with bipolar disorders.

The statements in this article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and this nutrient is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

[i] http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/lithium.aspx

[ii] Veteran Suicide Breakthrough: Revealing the Breakthrough Mineral for Suicide Prevention, PTSD and Depression ‘They Definitely’Don’t Want You to Know About”, an e-book by Dr. Mark Millar

[iii] Veteran Suicide Breakthrough: Revealing the Breakthrough Mineral for Suicide Prevention, PTSD and Depression ‘They Definitely’Don’t Want You to Know About”, an e-book by Dr. Mark Millar

http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/is-lithium-orotate-good-or-bad-for-you/

By Mila McManus MD|2015-12-29T18:33:42-06:00December 28th, 2015|Articles, General|

Jayde Steer: Employee of the Month

Jayde Steer serves as the Office Manager at TWIHW. She brings to her role 9 years of healthcare experience including patient care, office administration, and work as an EMT on an ambulance. She is also an avid roller derbyist and served in the U.S. Army Reserves. As a result, she can take the heat, the pressure and the pace of a busy office while authentically engaging in relationships with co-workers and patients. She is admired for her ability to juggle multiple duties while always remaining composed, patient and diplomatic. Never satisfied with the status quo, for herself or this practice, she has a consistent thirst, always growing in her skills, improving processes, solving problems and finding the “next thing” to master or do both personally and professionally. We all admire her humility and authentic way she encourages and listens to us and patients. She is smart and witty and you can be sure if she doesn’t know the answer (which she usually does!), she will get it. And it is impossible to omit that her nature is sweet and huggable too!

By Mila McManus MD|2015-12-28T17:51:56-06:00December 28th, 2015|Articles, General|

VegeCleanse Plus Detoxification Program

As the New Year approaches, many of you may be planning to refocus your diet, clean it up again, and help your body get on a good track for the year ahead. Most of us struggle to eat as healthfully as we would like during the holiday season and often that leads to not feeling our best or gaining a few pounds.

We are offering an affordable, formalized program to meet this specific need. Whether you just want to get back on track nutritionally and support your body’s detoxification pathways or you would also like to shed a few pounds, VegeCleanse Plus Detoxification Program is just right. Simple and easy to follow, this is a comprehensive, science-based nutritional program designed to support safe and effective detoxification.

Detoxification can be done incorrectly. It’s important to properly support the Phase 1 and Phase 2 pathways with the correct nutrients to promote healthy liver function and elimination. Detoxification should also be gentle, and VegeCleanse Plus provides all the necessary nutrients needed to support your body’s processes of detoxification in a gentle way.

Each program kit provides single serving functional food powder drink mix packets and a capsule packet containing Amino-D-Tox™ and Hydrolyzyme™. Each kit also comes with a shaker bottle and a detailed program guidebook which includes a supplement schedule, sample menus and suggested food and snack options.

Program Options

These two options are self-guided, with all of the instructions and product included in the box.

Basic 14 day detoxification program $180.25

Basic 21 day detoxification program $233.25

Nutritional Services offered in modules:

$99 per hour module or $29 per 15 min module

Custom Nutrition

Custom designed to meet the exact needs and requests of the patient.

Transitions

This module is for patients who have completed the 28-day, Health Reset Protocol and want to transition successful to a healthy diet for life by reincorporating ideal foods and limiting damaging foods.

By Mila McManus MD|2020-10-13T10:21:11-06:00November 30th, 2015|Articles, General|

No-Bake Mini Pumpkin Bites (grain and dairy free)

Author: Katja from Savory Lotus

Serves: 24 mini cups

Ingredients

FOR CRUST:
1 cup hazelnuts (preferably soaked and dehydrated for better digestion)
½ cup raw pumpkin seeds (preferably soaked and dehydrated for better digestion)
8 dates, pitted
1 TBS coconut oil
1 TBS REAL maple syrup or raw honey
2 pinches of celtic sea salt
FOR FILLING:
1 cup cooked pumpkin puree
½ cup coconut butter
2 TBS coconut oil
3 TBS REAL maple syrup or raw honey
½ tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp cinnamon powder
¼ tsp ginger powder
⅛ tsp allspice
⅛ tsp clove powder
FOR CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE:
2 TBS coconut butter
2 TBS coconut oil
2 TBS unsweetened cocoa OR raw cacao
3 TBS REAL maple syrup or raw honey
a pinch or 2 of salt

Directions:

1. To Make the crust: Line mini muffin tins with unbleached mini paper liners. Process all crust ingredients in a food processor until well combined and resembles coarse flour. Spoon 1 and ½ tsp of mixture into each of the 24 mini cups. Use your thumb to press down mixture firmly to create a solid bottom layer for these cute little yummies. Place in freezer to harden.

2. To make filling: Melt coconut butter and coconut oil in a double boiler. Remove from heat and add the rest of filling ingredients. Mix it up really well until creamy smooth. Remove crusts from freezer and spoon about ¾ TBS of filling over your prepared crusts. Return to the freezer to harden, at least 2 hours.

3. To make chocolate drizzle: Once mini bites have hardened, gently melt coconut butter and coconut oil in a double boiler. Remove from heat and add the rest of the drizzle ingredients. Allow to cool slightly to thicken. Pour into small plastic bag, cut a TINY hole in the corner, and drizzle over treats in any fashion that you want.

4. Now it’s time to enjoy these amazing delights. Store leftovers in freezer as they are best cold.

By Mila McManus MD|2015-11-30T16:11:00-06:00November 30th, 2015|Articles, General, Recipes|

Employee of the Month

When it comes to Celeste Valle, well, what’s not to like? Our Practice Administrator and more, Celeste manages to patiently and kindly oversee all operations of TWIHW. She brings calm amidst storms while exuding grace and integrity. She is a multi-tasker extraordinaire and has a breadth of knowledge and skills that she has garnered from her time in the U.S. Army National Guard, 14 years in Healthcare Administration and her Master’s in Business Administration. She can easily transition from running a marketing campaign to resolving a computer problem to solving operational issues and make it all look easy. She possesses a charming innocence about her that is loveable yet not to be mistaken for weakness. She is strong, persistent and does not shy from difficulty. She is one of those rare people who can see the details and the big picture and put everything into perspective. We are grateful for her positive outlook, the way that she leads with a sense of humor, kindness and a selflessness that makes the rest of us feel valued and appreciated. We aren’t sure how she does it all amidst raising a busy family with 4 children, but we all know how fortunate we are to have her as our co-worker, leader, and friend.

By Mila McManus MD|2015-11-30T13:27:02-06:00November 30th, 2015|Articles, General|

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