Defending the Borders, Part I

GI lining

This month we are initiating a three-part series of newsletters dedicated to the overall defense strategy for Your Body Nation. What do we mean by Your Body Nation? Well, the human body can be compared to a nation in many ways. A nation, according to the dictionary is a group of people in a land area under a single government. Here in the nation called the United States, we all live and work within the same defined physical perimeters and we work together with the goal of prosperity, unity and happiness within our borders. Our government’s duty, in good part, is to secure the borders and protect our people from harm. Similarly, Your Body Nation is a large group of microbes and cells that live and work within the same borders. It is safe to say your thoughts and plans emanating from your brain are the government. So like a nation that builds a military force, then protects it from destruction and invasion, and maintains it when some of the force is lost or more force is needed, so too you must have a military/protective strategy for Your Body Nation for the long term so that you will be safe, healthy and functioning optimally. So do you have a clear defense strategy in place for Your Body Nation? Our goal over the summer months is to help you develop a well-balanced and intentional strategy so that you can defend your borders well.

This month we will focus on how to build your own internal military force. What can you do to create a strong, formidable military force to protect Your Body Nation? In July we will focus on ways to protect Your Body Nation from everything trying to cross your borders illegally and inflict damage on your military force. Finally in August, we will tie everything together with protective, proactive ways to maintain your health and be prepared for all the unknowns that life can bring.

Defending The Borders (Part I)

Building A Strong Defense for Your Body Nation

Our regular readers and patients have heard this before, but it ALWAYS bears repeating that 80% of your total immune system is made up of a very large population of microflora in the gut which includes your small and large intestines and your colon. The other 20% of your immune system is composed of white blood cells, many of which also reside in the gut as well as other mucosal linings throughout the body. So it stands to reason that to build a strong fighting machine, you will need to start in the gut. Your gut is the superhighway that carries all necessary resources into the body for delivery into the smaller artery and vein roadways that disperse nutrients all over the body. But what if the superhighway is not well maintained? What if it is full of potholes, sinkholes and weeds overgrowing the asphalt? What if your superhighway has been taken over by bad forces that are preventing valuable resources from even getting into Your Body Nation?

Optimizing gut health is fundamental to optimizing overall health. Open to the outside world from the top of it (your mouth) and again at the bottom (your bottom!), this long tube is a perfect entrance for harmful things. We certainly eat and drink plenty of microorganisms, chemicals and toxins everyday. Your gut microflora provides the natural physical barrier of protection from harmful things. This protective barrier secretes substances that kill harmful bacteria, fungi, viruses, as well as creates just enough acid to discourage the growth and prosperity of pathogenic microbes. This beneficial microflora is also responsible for neutralizing toxic substances, chelating heavy metals and other poisons as well as inactivating carcinogenic substances. And lastly, but also very important, our gut microflora digest some of our food and in turn feed the cells which make up the gut lining, keeping it healthy and able to complete the digestion of our food.

Without our gut microflora we are fully open to invasion from incoming harmful bacteria, fungi, viruses, carcinogens, toxins, poisons and heavy metals. We are also unable to protect our gut lining from damage nor can we properly nourish our gut lining which then becomes inflamed thus leading to not only digestive issues but almost without fail, nutritional bankruptcy, health issues and disease.

Our first step in building a strong Body Nation is to build your military force. Starting with the digestive tract, the goal is to heal, restore and build a big, strong, well prepared military force. This is best done using a formal, therapeutic diet with a three pronged approach: 1) destroy bad microbes 2) starve them by choosing foods that do not feed them and 3) replace favorable microflora. With rare exception, everyone can benefit by a focused, gut restoration program because no matter how you feel, most of us are not at 100% in terms of our healthy microflora. Because of stress, antibiotic use, steroid use, Splenda (aka sucralose), sugary and high carbohydrate diets and exposure to a toxic and electrical world, it is very difficult to maintain a healthy quantity of gut microflora unless you are fully aware of how to do it and you are intentional and organized about your strategy.

The second step in building a strong Body Nation is to provide the best tools and resources to the Body Nation to get the job done. In this day and age, we know better than to send our military men and women to the battle front with clubs, bows and arrows. The same is true for your Body Nation. White blood cells, as well as all of the cells that make up your Body Nation, require very specific macronutrients (protein, fat, carbohydrates) to be made and maintained as well as very specific micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients) to function optimally. Good health cannot be achieved without a whole real food diet. By eating food the way Nature provides it to us in an undamaged, unprocessed, un -“man”ufactured state, our Body Nation is able to find all of the necessary tools and resources to make, feed and maintain healthy cells which, in turn, do their assigned jobs well, whether that is to be a heart cell, a blood cell, a brain cell or a white blood cell.

Trying to get healthy? Wanting to feel good? Trying to figure out where to start? All disease begins in the gut. Cleaning up the gut and the diet are the first two steps in defending the borders of Your Body Nation.

Click here to test yourself (questionnaire) for abnormal microflora.

Next month we will talk about how you can actively work to protect Your Body Nation from external forces and destruction of your newly established military force.

By Mila McManus MD|2014-05-31T10:34:09-06:00May 31st, 2014|Articles, General|

5-HTP

5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) is extracted from the seeds of the Griffonia plant, a shrub principally found in West African countries. 5-HTP is an amino acid derivative and the immediate precursor to serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter produced both in the intestinal tract and in the brain and is important for mood, promoting calmness, and sleep. It can also be helpful in reducing carbohydrate cravings and supporting healthy eating patterns. 5-HTP should be taken under medical supervision.

By Mila McManus MD|2014-05-07T12:39:03-06:00May 4th, 2014|Articles, General|

Overcoming Depression Is A Balancing Act

Overcoming Depression

by Nancy Mehlert, MS

We often refer to the Standard American Diet as “SAD” and it really is – it is a very depressing diet! The suggested food plate and previous food pyramid have led Americans into eating a very inflammatory and congesting diet of fast and processed foods, sugar, artificial sweeteners, chemical preservatives and dyes, MSG, grains, and grain fed meats. We live fast and don’t take time to figure in fresh vegetables, fruits, and undamaged, healthy fats which should make up the largest part of our diet and benefit our overall health more than any other foods. And layer on top of that the toxic nature of our water, another fundamental aspect of our nutrition, and we are in depression trouble. Eating this SAD diet quickly leads to nutrient depletion and inflammatory diseases. Our body is no longer in balance; it becomes overwhelmed with a lack of nutrients and an excess of inflammation. Nutrient depletion in and of itself is a known cause of depression.

The human body needs balance. It is made to function optimally when everything is working in proper balance. Depression occurs when there is an inadequate supply of our “happy” brain chemical called serotonin. Many aspects of our dietary habits can inhibit the successful production of serotonin. Sugar in general and high fructose corn syrup specifically is one such culprit. Fructose and high sugar diets have been shown to degrade the availability of tryptophan, the precursor to serotonin. As a result, there is barely any tryptophan available to the body for the production of serotonin. Sugar, especially fructose has also been shown to suppress activity of a key growth hormone called BDNF (brain derived neurotrophic factor) that promotes healthy brain neurons. BDNF levels are consistently low in depressed individuals.

A more complex issue arises with aspartame (eg. Nutrasweet and Equal) and monosodium glutamate. These neurotoxins interrupt the balance between neurotransmitters in the brain, thus promoting depression.

There is something out of balance about 6-11 servings a day of grain. At a minimum, if you happen to be able to make time to eat three times a day, you’d need to eat two servings of grain at every meal in order to meet the minimum recommendation. Gluten, found in the grains wheat, rye and spelt, is another food that can block the production of critical brain neurotransmitters including serotonin and has been demonstrated to be especially problematic for those with gluten allergies or sensitivities.

More recent research into the balance of healthy bacteria in the small and large intestines has also revealed that in truth, more of our serotonin is made in the gut lining than in the brain. This critical neurotransmitter, which we usually call a “brain chemical” is actually a “gut chemical”! But this fact reveals that having a healthy gut full of favorable bacteria and not overcome by yeast, parasites or pathogens is mission critical to resolving depression. The gut is the human body’s second brain and its health is highly correlated to brain health. A healthy gut is a healthy brain. Balancing gut flora, sealing a leaky gut and addressing unwelcomed inhabitants is a primary step in resolving depression. Unwelcome gut inhabitants prosper and grow well on processed and sugary foods, but are not especially fond of fresh vegetables and healthy fats!

Overburden the body with anything and balance is lost. What do water, toothpaste and anti-depressants all have in common? Fluoride! It is added to over two-thirds of our nation’s water supply and is in all of our basic toothpaste products as well as found in anti-depressant drugs! Yet it is a known endocrine (ie: hormone) disruptor and especially impacts the thyroid, which is essential to good mental health. Depression is a common symptom of endocrine malfunction and we ingest considerable levels of fluoride through the water we drink and bathe in, to the toothpaste we put in our mouths, to the prescription drugs we take, and this imbalance creates havoc.

Bottom Line: When it comes to nutrition and overcoming or avoiding depression:

Eliminate sugar from your diet and limit intake of fresh fruits
Avoid artificial sweeteners, especially Aspartame that is found in common brands such as NutraSweet and Equal.
Eliminate gluten from your diet especially if you are allergic to gluten or sensitive to it. Regardless, we recommend trying a gluten elimination diet for several weeks to see if it helps you to feel better over all. Gluten is highly associated with many diseases.
Avoid monosodium glutamate normally found in fast foods and processed foods and also know as MSG. Be careful to avoid other names for MSG which include hydrolyzed vegetable protein, textured vegetable protein, yeast extract, Torula yeast, just to name a few.
Be a detective and find out all the ways you are ingesting fluoride and begin to trade for fluoride free options. Household water can be filtered to remove fluoride, many fluoride free toothpastes exist on the market today and try our supplement suggestion in this newsletter instead of an anti-depressant (be sure to consult a physician before stopping an antidepressant medication)

Pursuing a whole food diet, rich in vegetables, herbs, spices, undamaged natural fats such as those found in pastured eggs and butter, Pacific salmon, nuts and seeds, coconut oil, and olive oil can help to bring balance to the inner workings of the human body and ward off and overcome depression.

By Mila McManus MD|2014-05-02T11:39:59-06:00May 2nd, 2014|Articles, General, NANCY’S NUTRITIONAL NUGGET|

Herbal medicine goes Mainstream

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and… Cinnamon?
Herbal Medicine goes Mainstream

Dr. Oz on the Today Show discussing herbal medicine:

Cinnamon. Oz said this spice can help with sugar levels and that diabetics and prediabetics should be taking this spice, which can help the liver deal with insulin better.
Mint. Oz said mint is good for digestive health and helps increase gastric secretions and helps the intestines relax. “Mint’s wonderful for bellies,” he said. “The beautiful thing about mint is you can take it in a tea form, so it’s easy to do every single day.”
Sage and rosemary. When people were given sage oil and tested for word memory, Oz said, there were “dramatic improvements in their ability to process information and memorize it.” Rosemary, he said, helps improve alertness.
Parsley. This herb helps protect the eyes from ultraviolet radiation and is a diuretic that can flush extra fluid from the body, Oz said.
Valerian root. “This is nature’s Valium,” Oz said. “It’s very powerful.”

By Mila McManus MD|2014-04-24T12:59:24-06:00April 24th, 2014|Articles, General|

Overcoming Depression

Depression is a common disorder. While we all may experience temporary blues or discouraging setbacks in life, when these feelings persist and compromise our daily functioning, it can be a sign of a serious problem. Depression can take a major toll on our lives as well as the lives of those around us.

Depression is much more prevalent today than it was 50 years ago. Ten times more people suffer from major depression today than in 1945. Fifty years ago the average onset of depression was 29 years old and, sadly today, the average onset is just 14.5 years of age! Depression cuts across all ages, genders, every socioeconomic level, and it’s estimated that at least 1 in 10 Americans takes anti-depressant medication.

Symptoms of depression include:

Persistent sad, anxious, or empty feelings
Markedly diminished interest or enjoyment in nearly all activities most of the time
Excessive or inappropriate feelings of guilt, inadequacy, or unworthiness
Irritability and restlessness
Persistent fatigue, sleeplessness, or excessive sleeping
Increase or decrease in appetite
Recurrent suicidal thoughts or attempts
Constant pains, headaches, or stomach problems that do not respond to treatment

Every individual may exhibit different signs and symptoms with varying frequency and severity. If five or more of these symptoms apply to you or someone you know – it could signal depression.

Here is a list of possible reasons a person may be experiencing depression that you may not know about:

Imbalances between abnormal gut bacteria and healthy gut flora
Nutritional deficiencies, especially Vitamin D, B Vitamins, Omega 3’s and Magnesium
Hormonal Imbalances such as estrogen dominance, adrenal fatigue, chronically elevated insulin levels, and functional hypothyroidism.
Hormonal deficiencies including thyroid, DHEA, Estrogen, Progesterone, Cortisol, and Testosterone just to name a few. (Click here to understand why your hormone levels may appear normal on labs despite your symptoms)
Food allergies and sensitivities, such as gluten (wheat products)
Chemical imbalances in the brain and gut (80-90% of the body’s serotonin is made in the intestinal tract if it is healthy!)
Foods and additives including artificial sweeteners, sodium nitrate, monosodium glutamate, Acesulfame-K, some food dyes, aspartame (NutraSweet and Equal), alcohol, sugar, and grains.

The good news is that today we know much more about the underlying causes of depression and here at TWIHW we seek to find and correct the underlying causes of depression rather than band-aiding with antidepressants. Depression is NOT caused by a deficiency of Cymbalta, Zoloft or Wellbutrin. Through targeting the underlying causes of depression, which may be related to dietary habits, vitamin deficiencies, food sensitivities and hormonal imbalances described above, TWIHW helps you to overcome depression and get your health and life back on track. If you or a loved one is suffering from any form of depression, please call 281.298.6742 and ask to speak to a Wellness Consultant.

Click here to read a testimonial from a real patient.

References:

http://www.depressionperception.com/depression/depression-facts-and-statistics.html

http://www.clinical-depression.co.uk/dlp/depression-information/major-depression-facts/

By Mila McManus MD|2014-06-16T09:52:12-06:00April 18th, 2014|Articles, General|

Elimination Diet

by Mila McManus MD

Hit your factory reset button with the elimination diet! Dr. Mark Hyman was interviewed on the Today show this morning discussing this very thing. We’ve been recommending the elimination diet to our patients for over 10 years now. It’s comical how behind the times the media can be regarding health issues. An elimination diet is simply taking certain foods out of your diet to see if particular health issues improve. Perhaps you have “FLC” disorder, quoted by Dr. Mark Hyman this morning, which stands for “feel like crap”. Or perhaps you have an autoimmune disease or a skin disorder or joint pain or brain fog or depression or anxiety, all of which may improve with eliminating certain foods from your diet. The most common culinary culprits causing your symptoms include gluten (wheat products), dairy, eggs, soy, and sugar. I know this sounds scary, but you really can be very satisfied with what you still have to work with, such as fruit, vegetables, avocados, nuts, seeds, lean meats, and so on. Call 281-298-6742281-298-6742 today to get help with whatever ails you.

By Mila McManus MD|2014-04-18T08:42:34-06:00April 18th, 2014|Articles, Ask Dr McManus, General|

Testosterone Pellet Therapy

Testosterone Booster via Pellet Therapy for Measurable Results
Testosterone is very important for both men and women.As we age, our natural levels decline and we may need a testosterone booster. There are significant benefits of testosterone replacement and optimization.

Benefits include:

improvement of energy
improved overall vitality
sharpened brain function and memory
reduction in depression and anxiety
increase in motivation and drive
increased libido
improved symptoms of erectile dysfunction
increased fat loss
increase in muscle mass
decreased blood pressure
improved bone health
reduced risk for Alzheimers
reduced risk for prostate cancer

So how is testosterone optimization achieved?

While some physicians order labs to evaluate testosterone levels, the reference ranges for “normal” levels are very large and result in many patients being advised that their levels are “normal”.However, this does not mean they are optimal for the patient who is still symptomatic of low testosterone levels.In other words, your lab results may reflect a “normal” testosterone level, butyour symptoms may not resolve until a higher level of testosterone in the “normal” range is achieved.This is optimization.

We are excited to announce that we are now offering testosterone pellet therapy for women and testosterone pellet therapy for men. Both are a form of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) that’s been increasing in popularity over the last few years. Pellet therapy has actually been around since the 1930s but was not FDA approved until 2008. Pellets can provide a more consistent dose of testosterone over a longer period of time.It can eliminate having to remember to use a messy, daily, transferable cream, or to apply a new patch frequently, or to inject yourself once or twice a week, which can be a painful hassle.

Testosterone pellets are bio-identical, not synthetic, meaning they are identical to your body’s hormone structure. They are cost effective and doses are individually customized based on your needs. Pellets are very convenient because the effects typically last for 3-4 months. They are very small in size and are made at a sterile compounding pharmacy.As the name suggests, a testosterone pellet insert is inserted into the fatty tissue of the hip using a local anesthetic. The procedure is done in the office.The procedure takes approximately 10 minutes, is relatively painless, and no stitches are required.Labs are checked prior to dosing and insertion, as well as periodically thereafter to assure desired levels are achieved.

To determine if testosterone pellet therapy is right for you, contact us today to schedule an appointment. You may also be interested in taking our online low testosterone test to see if your symptoms may be caused by low T.

By Mila McManus MD|2018-05-16T17:32:28-06:00March 29th, 2014|Articles, General|

Effect of High Protein Diet on Longevity

by Nancy Mehlert, MS

Note: Paleo and Yeast-free Don’t Equal “High Protein Diet”.

Recently two studies (one mouse and one human) have been discussed in the journal Cell Metabolism suggesting that a high protein diet may not support longevity and may contribute to cancer death. TWIHW wanted to give some perspective on this research since it has been widely covered by the media in recent weeks. In describing the amount of proteins, fats and carbohydrates in any diet, it matters to be specific about what kind of protein, fats and carbohydrates are being discussed. Proteins, fats, and carbohydrates are NOT all the same!

One common misunderstanding is that Paleo diets and similar ketogenic diets support a high animal protein diet. While it is true that animal meat is included as a part of a healthy diet for life in these dietary models, the portion amount AND the animal’s lifestyle are taken into account, something that is not mentioned or discussed by the media. We presume that these studies were done using animal protein from cows raised in the standard CAFO (concentrated animal feeding operation) used in the food production industry. The end result of feeding cows a very unnatural diet of soy, corn and animal by- products along with hormones and antibiotics, in a very crowded unhealthy environment, is an inflammatory, unnatural piece of meat. This beef, in conjunction with the Standard American diet rich in grains, dairy and sugar results in a very inflammatory, disease promoting diet.

Beef looks very different when a cow has been allowed to graze on grass in a sunny pasture. This Nature made food intended for cows results in a meat that is lower in saturated fat, higher in Omega 3 and chock full of essential nutrients such as Vitamin E and CLA (conjugated linoleic acid). These characteristics result in a very nourishing, if not healing, food when consumed in low to moderate portion.

Likewise, there are natural, undamaged healthy fats that are critical to consume in moderate to high amounts in order to sustain good health and feel satiated. Alternatively, there are many damaged, highly processed fats which are harmful to the human body, yet commonly used in most of our packaged, processed and fast foods. Grass fed butter, pastured eggs, avocados, expeller pressed coconut oil and raw nuts and seeds are just some examples of healthy, natural fats that promote healthy hearts, hormone balance, brain function, immune strength and digestive health. Genetically modified canola and soybean oil along with cottonseed oil and margarine are just a few examples of harmful man-made oils which have proven very damaging to your health.

Finally, in the carbohydrate arena, there are many foods including vegetables, fruits, grains, lactose (milk sugar), and alcohol. The molecular structure of carbohydrates dictates their impact on the human body. Vegetables are the ideal, Nature given carbohydrate of choice for optimal functioning of the human body. This is the food which should garner the greatest space on our plates at every meal rather than the insulin elevating, acidic and inflammatory grains and sugary foods of our society. If vegetable carbohydrates are consumed in good quantity, this still will not result in a high carbohydrate diet, because vegetables have the lowest carbohydrate gram count and most of the carbohydrate is in fibrous form providing the most important role our vegetables serve in the human body – to cleanse and detoxify.

A life giving, healing and healthy diet will be calorically dominated by natural, undamaged fats, while volume/space on the plate will be dominated by vegetables, and then supplemented by a modest portion of humanely raised, properly fed animal proteins. Keep perspective and eat to nourish the body so that you can live long and well!

By Mila McManus MD|2014-03-31T12:56:31-06:00March 29th, 2014|Articles, General, NANCY’S NUTRITIONAL NUGGET|

Histamine Balance to Fight Allergies

When we suffer from seasonal allergies with runny noses, congestion, watery and itchy eyes, these symptoms are the result of our immune system mounting an attack on those incoming allergens. These symptoms are reflective of the inflammation caused by the allergen and the body’s release of histamines. Inflammation is often also partnered with pain and is a contributing factor to numerous chronic, degenerative conditions.

Histamine Balance is an effective anti-inflammatory supplement to combat seasonal allergies and general pain and inflammation by combining three key ingredients:

Quercetin is a unique anti-inflammatory bioflavonoid that has been shown to normalize histamine release in the body.

Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapple that supports the body during times of stress and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Magnesium ascorbate is a combination of magnesium and vitamin C which helps strengthen immune response.

There are some simple things that The Woodlands Institute can help you do to reduce or eliminate allergic reactions. Contact us today for more details on fighting allergies with Histamine Balance. You can also try our online allergy testing page.

By Mila McManus MD|2015-02-08T11:57:55-06:00March 29th, 2014|Articles, General|

Easter Basket Ideas: A Makeover

Part of our nutrition journey to health and wellness is figuring out how to celebrate life, love our families and enjoy celebrations while still improving the health and nutrition offered by our food choices. Unfortunately, we have become a society that gets loved and gives love by offering up “sweets and treats” filled with sugar, a highly addictive and harmful substance to the human body. This ultimately makes us face the fact that an Easter Basket filled with marshmallow chickadees, jelly beans and malted milk eggs is not really a gift of love and celebration. So what can be done to keep the celebration fun and filled with love, without the monstrous sugar load? Here are some ideas to guide you in an Easter Basket Makeover:

1. Limit candy and sweets to one or two choices in a very small serving, choosing ingredients such as coconut, dark chocolate and nuts. The healthier fats will help to balance the sugar digestion better. Dark chocolate covered nuts are available in bulk nut sections of the grocery store and can be bagged up into party bags. Check out www.hailmerry.com for gift packs of healthier “cookies” made from whole food, quality fat ingredients.

2. Add a piece of fruit using small tangerines and baby bananas as a treat, or include dried mango or papaya as a special sweet.

3. Fill in the rest of the basket with non-food items such as blowing bubbles, Play dough, DVD’s, books, games, puzzles, harmonicas, dice, Matchbox cars, Frisbees, hair accessories, balls, flash drives, gift cards, loose coins or dollar bills in plastic eggs, cell phone accessories, a Slinky, post-it notes, notepads, pens, and pretty tissues. Check out www.vermontcountrystore.com for novelty and old fashioned toys.

Happy Hunting, Happy Spring, Happy Health!

By Mila McManus MD|2014-03-31T13:04:14-06:00March 29th, 2014|Articles, General, NANCY’S NUTRITIONAL NUGGET|