Food Gums: What matters is dosage.

by Nancy Mehlert MS

Food gums are plant sourced food additives used as thickening, stabilizing, and emulsifying agents. The most common gums are agar agar, arabic, locust bean, guar, acacia, gellan, xanthan, and carrageenan. They are very common in dairy, nut milks, and non-dairy yogurt and cheese replacements, salad dressings, baked goods, and many gluten free foods. They do not provide any valuable nutrition.

Most people seem to be fine consuming gums, however if you have digestive issues, such as bloating, constipation, or diarrhea, you may want to closely examine how many foods you are consuming that have gums in them. While a small amount in one food is generally recognized as safe and harmless, many people who count on pre-packaged and gluten free foods, as well as non-dairy dairy replacements, are actually consuming more than they realize. While all the gums are used in very small amounts, often times multiple gums will be used in one product, making the amount more than it seems.

Xanthan, carrageenan, and guar gums are polysaccharides, banned from the popular FODMOPS diet due to their impact on digestive issues. Guar gum feeds pesky bad bacteria in the gut and can cause significant bloating. Carrageenan gum is a possible source for monosodium glutamate (MSG), and has been known to cause stomach inflammation. It is currently being investigated more closely by the FDA.

To summarize, be aware of the sources of gums you are consuming, realizing that less is likely better, especially if you have a sensitive digestive system.

Sources:

Dessey, Mira. The Pantry Principle; The Woodlands, Texas: Versadia Press, 2013.

https://chriskresser.com/harmful-or-harmless-carrageenan/, accessed on 1/23/21

By Mila McManus MD|2021-02-24T06:13:18-06:00February 24th, 2021|Articles, General, NANCY’S NUTRITIONAL NUGGET|

Product of the Month: Apollo

Apollo vibrations: Responding to today’s stressful world

Information provided here is from www.apolloneuro.com

Apollo applies low frequency, inaudible waves of vibration that are demonstrated in both the lab and the real world to change the balance of our nervous systems through our sense of touch. Apollo waves bring balance to the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system and improve heart rate variability (HRV), the most reliable, non-invasive biometric of stress. It can be worn on the wrist or ankle.

Apollo vibrations feel like waves coming and going. This sensation feels natural because it is. Apollo’s modes match a natural oscillation pattern between the heart and lungs when we breathe deeply, which consistently improves HRV. Apollo has seven modes to support life’s activities:

1. Energy and Wake Up
2. Social and Open
3. Clear and Focused
4. Rebuild and Recover
5. Meditation and Mindfulness
6. Relax and Unwind
7. Sleep and Renew

When our bodies feel the rhythm of the Apollo vibrations, it is automatically recognized by the body as a soothing gentle touch, just like a friend giving you a hug on a bad day.

Preliminary findings suggest that the specific vibration patterns used in the Apollo technology increase the ability to focus and remain calm during periods of stress and that these specific vibration patterns improve the body’s ability to recover and be resilient to stress, as measured by HRV. These improvements in HRV are accompanied by proportionate improvements in cognitive and physical performance under stress. Subsequent university pilots and trials have shown that Apollo consistently improves HRV under stress within 2-3 minutes, improves athletic recovery, and supports access to meditative states.

To learn more and/or purchase Apollo, click HERE.

By Mila McManus MD|2020-10-12T16:52:16-06:00October 13th, 2020|Articles, General|

Why Bioidentical Hormone Therapy?

By Mila McManus, M.D.

Bio-identical hormones are hormones that are near identical to the hormones our bodies produce. This is in contrast to conventional hormone replacement therapy (a.k.a HRT) which uses synthetic hormone-like drugs, such as birth control pills and other synthetic hormones used to treat menopausal symptoms in women. One might wonder why doctors would prescribe synthetic hormones when ‘real’ hormones are available. The answer involves understanding patent laws. Nobody can patent things that already occur naturally, so you can’t patent a palm tree, and drug companies can’t patent the structure of a real hormone. Since drug companies are in the business of making money, they want to be able to protect their property with patents, so they created synthetic hormones which they could patent. These are, unfortunately, the only hormones we learn to prescribe in medical school.

Some causes of hormone imbalance include stress, sleep deprivation, vitamin deficiencies, poor dietary habits, toxins, and side effects of various medications. The list of symptoms of hormonal imbalance is long. Some symptoms include fatigue, insomnia, depressed moods, decreased mental sharpness, anxiety, PMS, post-partum depression, decreased sex drive, unexplained weight gain and inability to lose weight, low motivation, headaches, hot flashes, night sweats, and irregular menstruation.

Benefits of balancing and optimizing hormones with bio-identical hormones include improvement or resolution of the above symptoms, improvement in bone density, preservation of brain function, reduced risk for heart disease, and increased overall sense of wellbeing, to name a few. Risks are minute compared to typical HRT with synthetic hormone-like drugs. For instance, there is virtually no risk of blood clots with bio-identical progesterone, whereas synthetic progestins are well-known to heighten the risk. It’s also noteworthy to say that the Women’s Health Initiative Study that revealed an increase in the incidence of breast cancer was based solely on the use of synthetic hormones. Moreover, keep in mind that cancer is the result of a perfect storm of events, and hormones are a tiny piece of that puzzle. Other factors that are linked to cancer that people tend to ignore are stress, sleep deprivation, poor dietary habits, vitamin and other nutrient deficiencies, and toxins.

A wonderful thing about bio-identical hormones is the ability to have them compounded into specific doses. For instance, one person may need 5mg twice daily of progesterone, while another may need 37.5mg twice daily. We can order various doses in various forms, such as creams, pills, lozenges, injections, and pellets. Doses are fine-tuned based on resolution of symptoms and other factors. This is not possible with most commercially-available options.

As has happened in the past, the FDA is again gearing up to issue a ban on compounded bioidentical hormone replacement therapy under the disguise of insufficient evidence of safety and effectiveness, when it is just one of the ways the FDA and the government bolster drug monopolies and undermine natural health options. Interestingly, it is the FDA-approved synthetic hormones that are known for common side effects including headaches, breast tenderness, mood swings, fluid retention, weight gain, and loss of libido. They are also associated with an increased incidence of breast cancer, heart disease, stroke, and blood clots to the lungs. And there are numerous and severe side effects of synthetic hormones listed in the Physician’s Desk Reference.

As a functional medicine physician, I would be very saddened to see compounded bioidentical hormones banned. So please take 60 seconds to join the fight! Click this LINK to sign the petition.

On a final note, while not optimal or easily customized to patients’ individual needs, if bio-identical hormones are banned in the future, there will be some alternatives! There are a few bio-identical hormones that are commercially available, made possible by the drug companies patenting a delivery mechanism, for instance, such as a patch.

By Mila McManus MD|2020-10-13T06:28:33-06:00October 13th, 2020|Articles, General|

EMF Protection, Part 2

By Mila McManus, M.D.

Last month in our newsletter we wrote about the health crisis that is emerging as a result of electropollution and the magnitude of the 5G implementation around the world. We provided an extensive list of steps to take in and around your home and workplace to protect your body from electromagnetic pollution. If you missed it, click here to read it! While reducing exposure is the first and most important step, it is also important to take self-care measures to support your internal chemistry at the cellular level against EMF damage.

Without diving deep into biochemistry, what is important to understand is that the constant barrage of electromagnetic radiation in unusually patterned and high frequencies results in damage at the DNA level and increases oxidative stress. For the human body, this means many critical resources are depleted, preventing the immune system from being able to repair the damage and work effectively for you. This is problematic for children who have thinner skulls and developing brains, as well as the aging, whose bodies are generally less effective with replenishment of nutrients simply by way of the aging process. Replacing these resources (e.g. vitamins, minerals, enzymes) is another critical piece to living healthfully for young and old alike. Generally, the older (over 40) we are, the more aggressive our therapy needs to be.

Here are specific ways you can care for yourself and your family:

#1 Read last month’s article and determine to reduce the family’s exposure, especially during sleeping hours. This gives the body time to repair and reset, away from EMF exposure.

#2 Practice time restricted eating (a.k.a intermittent fasting), limiting your consumption of food to a narrow window of time each day, ideally to a 6-8 hour window. For example, eating meals only between 9am and 5pm, or 12pm to 6pm. The alternating fasting period results in production of some of the essential nutrients required to support mitochondrial cleaning and repair at the DNA level. Also, having your last food at least three to four hours before going to bed protects depletion of critical enzymes for repair.

#3 Exercise in some way every day. The most effective options include high intensity exercise, aerobic, and resistance exercises. When we exercise, the essential repair and signaling enzymes for our DNA are increased.

#4 Be sure your supplementation includes about 25 mg of niacin a day. Niacin is a necessary precursor in the body for the production of the enzymes for DNA repair. One of the best studies suggests that inexpensive, non-time release niacin is preferred. It is often found in high quality B-Complex and Multi vitamins. We offer both in our office.

#5 Once again, what we eat remains foundational to disease prevention, strong immunity, and protection from EMFs specifically. Fruits, vegetables, and other plant nutrients such as those found in spices, nuts, and seeds offer some of the most important nutrients for stimulating the action of the enzymes and co-enzymes that protect and correct our DNA. Anytime we can get our nutrition from food over a supplement, we will be getting the natural, elemental vitamins and minerals needed for good health. That is why choosing properly grown (i.e., organic, non-GMO, unrefined) minimally processed food is the most sensible first step to good health. Some of the essential vitamins, minerals, and enzymes for DNA repair, which can be found mostly in plants, include magnesium, vitamin D, fisetin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), quercetin, isothiocyanates, terpenes, sulfur compounds, carotenoids, and fatty acids. For a specific list of some of the best sources, click here .

#6 Detoxification is an especially important step for staying healthy and providing protection from EMFs. It involves removing as many toxicants as possible from our diets, environments, and lifestyles while always staying focused on promoting and supporting the body’s detoxification pathways. One of the most effective ways is through the use of far or near infrared saunas. Here is an article about detoxification and how to go about it.

We believe it is important for everyone to begin to take intentional and consistent steps toward protecting yourself against the increasing impacts of EMFs to the human body, especially with the advent of 5G technologies.

[1] Primary resource for this article is from

Mercola, Joseph. EMF*D -5G, Wi-Fi & Cell Phones: Hidden Harms and How to Protect Yourself. New York: Hay House, Inc. 2020

By Mila McManus MD|2020-08-07T12:17:33-06:00August 8th, 2020|Articles, General|

Foods That Support DNA Repair

The Woodlands Institute for Health & Wellness

Here is a list of some of the most supportive foods which provide the resources to make the enzymes the body requires to repair DNA and their corresponding phyto-nutrients. These are all healthy foods we should ensure are frequently included in our daily diets. The key is rotation and inclusion of as many as possible over time.

Vitamin D

Salmon, wild

Trout

Cod Liver Oil

Mushrooms, portabella

Tuna, canned, Skipjack

Sardines

Pork, cooked

Egg

Sulforaphane

Broccoli

Rutin

Apples

Black tea

Green tea

Buckwheat

Quercetin

Capers

Red onion

Berries

Broccoli

Curcumin

Turmeric

Fisetin

Strawberries

Green tea

Chamomile tea

Apples

Resveratrol

Pistachios

Grapes

Blueberries

Dark Chocolate

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate

a.k.a EGCG

Green tea

Polyphenols

Apple peel

Pomegranate peel

Purple sweet potato

Delta- and Gamma Tocopherols (Vit. E) and

Tocotrienols

Raspberries

Blackberries

Hazelnuts

Olive Oil

Astaxanthin

Microalgae

Some seafood such as krill

Isothiocyanates

Broccoli

Cabbage

Kale

Arugula

Brussels sprouts

Cauliflower

Bok choy

Collards

Watercress

Radishes

Triterpenoids/Terpenes

Apples

Peppermint

Oregano

Thyme

Mango

Lemongrass

Rosemary

Sulfur Compounds

Garlic

Onion

Chives

Leeks

Carotenoids

Tomato

Watermelon

Guava

Magnesium

Halibut, wild

Almonds

Cashews

Spinach

Potato, baked with skin

Peanuts

Avocado

Kidney beans

Banana

By Mila McManus MD|2020-08-05T13:13:43-06:00August 8th, 2020|Articles, General|

Supplement of the Month
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Supplement of the Month

Articles, General

Supplement of the Month

Tru Niagen

In a nut shell, Tru Niagen may improve mitochondrial function (and therefore energy), may repair DNA damage, may improve sleep and brain function, may aid weight loss by speeding up metabolism, and protects the body from oxidative stress.

The following is taken from Tru Niagen’s website:

NAD (or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a vital resource found in all living cells. It plays a key role in a cell’s ability to accept and donate electrons, an important aspect of energy production at the cellular level. The human body requires it for basic life functions such as sleeping, eating, and breathing. NAD declines with age and as a result of metabolic stressors, including excessive electromagnetic radiation, over-eating, or drinking alcohol.

In 2004, Dr. Charles Brenner discovered that nicotinamide riboside (NR) could increase levels of a vital cellular resource. This resource is a central regulator in energy metabolism and is believed to play an important role in healthy human aging. Based on Dr. Brenner’s patents and the established techniques of our parent company ChromaDex, NR was exclusively licensed and developed as NIAGEN^®.

One capsule of Tru Niagen Pro® contains 500mg of NIAGEN®, a patented and FDA safety-notified form of vitamin B3 known as nicotinamide riboside (NR). Tru Niagen® is formulated without nuts or gluten. It contains no caffeine, no animal byproducts, and no artificial colors or flavors.

Tru Niagen® will start increasing NAD levels shortly after you take it and will continue to maintain those elevated NAD levels with regular supplementation. It may take some time to feel the benefits of increased NAD (promoting cellular repair, increasing cellular energy, etc.), but ultimately Tru Niagen® is helping your cells remain energized and resilient in the face of everyday stresses.*

Tru Niagen® is safe when used as directed. Its sole active ingredient Niagen® has been studied in multiple published human clinical trials and no adverse events have been attributed to its use. Niagen® has twice been successfully reviewed under FDA’s new dietary ingredient (NDI) notification program and has also been successfully notified to the FDA as generally recognized as safe (GRAS).

Over 150 scientific articles have been published on our key ingredient, nicotinamide riboside, and its benefits since its discovery as an NAD booster in 2004. The number of nicotinamide riboside studies coming out each year is steadily increasing as scientists continue to uncover the potential of this remarkable nutrient.

Available at TWIHW

References:

https://www.truniagen.com/

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/nicotinamide-riboside#bottom-line

By Mila McManus MD|2020-07-07T09:58:27-06:00July 8th, 2020|Articles, General|

Can you Avoid this Invisible Danger?

By Mila McManus, M.D.

Recently, several of my staff members and I participated in a five day educational summit about the health crisis that is emerging as a result of electropollution and the magnitude of the 5G implementation around the world.

Electropollution, also known as electromagnetic radiation, or EMF, has increased exponentially over the years and includes these sources:

Wireless Devices – cell phones, iPads, laptops, baby monitors, cell towers, smart watches
High Frequency Voltage Transients (HFVT’s) – electrical appliances and equipment of every kind (e.g. microwaves and refrigerators), fluorescent light bulbs, AC/DC power mode converters, rectangular black boxes on power cords, televisions, computers, printer/copier/fax machines, dimmer switches, SMART Meters, and cordless phone base stations.

Magda Havas, PhD, explains that all of our neurological and chemical transactions in the body are electrically charged on every cell membrane. We are, in effect, electromagnetically sensitive beings, responsive (to a certain degree) to anything in the environment with a charge. Most of us use a lot of energy to maintain homeostasis but when we are no longer able, we begin to have symptoms. Electromagnetic radiation causes significant oxidative stress and disables the mitochondria, the powerhouses in our cells. Our bodies need and require extremely low frequencies (0.1 to 32000 Hertz, or HZ) to thrive. These frequencies are recharged when we are in direct contact with nature, walking in the woods or on a beach. They can also be restored and brought to homeostasis using PEMF therapies in these frequency ranges, which describes the ONDAMED energy therapy we have available at our facility.

There are several concerns with the dramatic increase in electromagnetic exposure. First of all, this radiation is a form of man-made energy, unnatural to the earth and living things. Man has captured energy, and altered the natural wave pattern of energy into a pulsing pattern with an extraordinarily high frequency. Like processed food and man-made chemicals, this is an artificial form of the real thing.

Secondly, with the implementation of 5G, these frequencies will be brought much closer to our homes and work spaces. These incredibly powerful 600-700 megahertz frequencies, according to Trevor Marshall, MD, appear to produce about 100 times more radiation than exposure from 4G cell towers. Dr. Marshall believes that the chronic impact of the pulsing waves will lead to a host of issues, mainly autoimmune, chronic fatigue, and other conditions that are idiopathic in nature. For some who are more sensitive, they will experience symptoms from these frequencies instantaneously, while others will develop chronic issues over 10 to 20 years. There continues to be a growing and significant body of published scientific and anecdotal evidence that supports a correlation between these higher levels of electromagnetic radiation and various negative biological health effects, including cancer, asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes, ADD/ADHD, autism, and a number of neurological disorders.

Despite the fact that government and corporate entities have been informed of these health concerns, they appear to be highly motivated to move forward. Given that 1 out of every 2 Americans already has a chronic disease, we should all be concerned about our future. [1]

Because we have become accustomed to the conveniences and benefits of technology, and also because we are exposed from so many sources, we may feel powerless; however, there are many things you can do to make a difference to protect and defend yourself and your family. Much like exercise, any effort is better than no effort at all. Here is a list. Pick one and start practicing it, and then swing back and tackle another. Our health, and the health of our children, depends on a defensive strategy.

Here Are Ways to Protect Yourself and Your Family [3]

Consider regular treatment with healing energy waves that balance and strengthen your own cellular ability to cope with higher frequencies. Our office offers this Energy Medicine therapy.
Put your phone in airplane mode when you are carrying it or sleeping near it.
Distance yourself from your technology whenever possible. Exposure drops exponentially with distance.
Avoid using your phone when the signal is weak, as this actually increases EMF exposure by orders of magnitude.
When using your cell phone, use the speaker phone and hold the phone away from you (at least 3 feet is ideal when feasible).
Consider a Faraday bag for your cell phone. faradaybag.com
Look into Swiss Shield fabric for walls, beds, and clothing as well as EMF blocking paint for walls.
Decrease your time on or near the cell phone as much as possible.
Explore the use of VoIP software phones that can be used while connected to the internet via a wired connection.
Connect your desktop/laptop to the internet via a wired Ethernet connection and keep it in airplane mode as much as possible.
Avoid using wireless keyboards, trackballs, mice, game systems, printers, and portable house phones, opting for wired versions.
If you must use Wi-Fi, shut if off when not in use, especially at night when sleeping. Ideally work toward hardwiring your house so you can eliminate Wi-Fi all together. There are USB Ethernet adapters for notebooks that allow connection to the internet with a wired connection.
Shut off electricity to the bedroom at night. This reduces electrical fields from the wires in your walls unless there is an adjoining room next to it. In this case, a meter will help determine the severity of the electrical fields and if you need to shut off electricity in both rooms.
Instead of using alarm on phone, use a battery powered alarm clock, ideally one without any light. Talking clocks for the visually impaired work well.
Replace your microwave oven with a steam convection oven, which will heat your food quickly and far more safely.
Avoid “smart” appliances and thermostats that depend on wireless signaling. This includes “smart” televisions. Consider replacing the TV with a large computer monitor instead, as this will not emit Wi-Fi signals.
Refuse smart meters as long as you can or add a shield to an existing smart meter.
Consider moving your baby’s bed into your room instead of using a wireless baby monitor. Alternatively, used a hard-wired monitor.
Replace CFL and LED bulbs with incandescent bulbs. Ideally remove all fluorescent lights from the house. Fluorescent lighting emits unhealthy light and transfers a current to the body just being close to them.
Do not use light bulbs you can control from your cell phone as they emit radio frequency just like a Wi-Fi router.
There is a liquid supplement made with rosemary, propolis and coriander that allegedly protects the body from EMF. It is promoted by Dr. Klinghardt, a well known and respected functional MD. Visit https://kiscience.com/product/ray-wave/.
Consider blue-blockers to protect your eyes. See https://www.nourishmeorganics or com.au/products/mitohq-mito-shades.
If you feel you are EMF sensitive, Dr. Klinghardt recommends https://www.littletreegroup.com/ as a good resource for protection.

Here are some additional resources:

https://www.emf-harmony.com/pages/frequently-asked-questions-answers

http://electromagnetichealth.org/electromagnetic-health-blog/summary-and-audio/

www.blushield-us.com

https://emfields-solutions.com/

Book: How To Break Up With Your Cell Phone, By Catherine Price

References:

[1] https://www.drbenlynch.com/chronic-disease/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DrBenLynch+%28Dr+Ben+Lynch%29

[3] https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/11/14/heart-tumors-from-cellphone-radiation.aspx?utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&ut

Havas, M., PhD. (2020, June 15). 5G Concerns and Harm. Speech presented at 5G Crisis – Awareness & Accountability. On Line Video Summit

Klinghardt, D., MD. (2020, June 14). Best Protection from EMF’s and 5G,Speech presented at 5G Crisis- Awareness & Accountability. On Line Video Summit

By Mila McManus MD|2023-02-09T14:46:18-06:00July 8th, 2020|Articles, General|

GX Sciences Pro 7 Nutrigenomic Testing

$100 Off now thru June 30, 2020

GX Sciences* is proud to introduce the most comprehensive nutrigenomics test available to validate your specific nutritional supplement needs. The scientific study of individualized genetics and nutrition is known as nutritional genomics or “nutrigenomics”. Nutrigenomic testing accurately identifies each patient’s genetic protein variations to identify sites of metabolic weakness. These key proteins are involved in enzyme conversion, nutritional delivery and signaling pathways in the cell. Our expert physicians have designed a genetic panel that evaluates 55 of the most common, research backed, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that can affect a patient’s ability to regain and maintain their metabolic functionality. Abnormalities in specific polymorphisms can negatively affect many physiological and metabolic processes. Overcoming these metabolic weaknesses with the right supplements allows each patient to overcome their genetic weaknesses (SNPs) and maintain optimal health.

“As a practicing physician, the ability to test your individual, unique genetic footprint takes a lot of the guesswork out with regard to customizing a treatment regimen that gets you the best results”, says Mila McManus, MD. “We all have some minor genetic variants, mutations called SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) and 75% of all people have significant variations in the most important nutritional metabolism pathways that affect how we function.” For instance, MTHFR mutation affects how our bodies activate and utilize B vitamins. This in turn affects how well a person detoxifies, makes and clears hormones and neurotransmitters. This means a person would be more likely to have mood disorders, insomnia, cancer, heart disease, etc. Two other common SNPs are the GAD and COMT. These can cause lifelong anxiety. The good news, and the reason to want to know, is that there are work-arounds for a variety of SNPs.

GX Sciences differs from 23&me in that it tests for many more relevant mutations and offers recommendations to address them.

You can pick up a saliva kit at our office, or we can ship a kit to you. Price for the comprehensive panel is regularly $499; however, GX Sciences is offering $100 discount through June 2020! Turnaround time for results is typically 3 weeks.

*Gx Sciences maintains your genetic information privately. They never have and never will sell, give away, trade or use personal information in any way other than to ship your package, call you about a shipment or offer you special discounting. No e-mail addresses are sold, traded, etc.! This has been a long standing company policy that will remain unchanged.

By Mila McManus MD|2020-06-03T10:27:45-06:00June 5th, 2020|Articles, General|

L-Theanine, Magnesium, and Lithium Orotate

The good news about doing a genomic test and finding out what SNPs you have is that, in most cases, there are a number of supplements that can support and help the body work around those mutations. Magnesium, Lithium Orotate, and L-theanine are three good examples.

For those who discover they have SNPs (mutations) on the GAD gene, two options for alleviating related symptoms (e.g., anxiety, insomnia) would be to use L-theanine and/or magnesium. You should consult your medical provider for the best supplementation options for your genetic SNPs. Click on the links below to read more about L-theanine and magnesium.

https://woodlandswellnessmd.com/l-theanine.html/

https://woodlandswellnessmd.com/supplement-month-magnesium.html/

Another common mutation that is found in people with anxiety, ADD/ADHD, and/or insomnia is on the COMT gene. Lithium orotate is one of several supplements which can support and assist the body to work around this mutation. Click here to learn more about Lithium Orotate.

https://woodlandswellnessmd.com/supplement-of-the-month-lithium-orotate.html/

We recommend nutrigenomic testing to determine your genetic profile, and consultation with your medical provider to discuss the best supplementation options for you. For testing and consultation, contact our office today at 281-298-6742.

By Mila McManus MD|2020-06-05T06:39:40-06:00June 5th, 2020|Articles, General|

COMT, MAO, and GAD, Oh MY!
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COMT, MAO, and GAD, Oh MY!

Articles, General

COMT, MAO, and GAD, Oh MY!

By Brad Mullens, SNP Specialist

You’re lying in bed and it’s after midnight. Your brain will not shut off and you’re anxious about not getting a good night’s sleep again or worried about what tomorrow may bring. You have taken your melatonin, gotten plenty of exercise that day, and are eating healthy. You ask yourself, what am I doing wrong? Is this a hormone related issue? Did I have too much caffeine? Questions and thoughts pepper you brain and you are so tired of feeling the anxiety, sleep deprivation and the worry about what else may be going on.

Genetic testing of key genes can give your doctor the clues to help you create a workaround for genetic mutations otherwise known as SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms). A SNP is a small mutation of a gene that creates weaknesses in the structure and function of proteins or enzymes, which, in turn, causes them to not work properly at the cellular level.

When you understand the “why” behind the annoying symptoms above that typically involve several genes like the MAO-A&B, COMT, and GAD1, you will be empowered with knowledge that you are not alone and that there are solutions to the problems. These SNPs affect the turnover of neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin which can lead to difficulty regulating mood, behavior, stress level, focus, and sleep patterns. These mutations also lead to buildup of glutamate, which is an excitatory neurotransmitter, and lower levels of GABA, which is inhibitory (think ‘calming’), and this leads to imbalances with several systems in the body. When specially trained healthcare providers can see your genetic makeup, treatment plans can be more precise and more personalized. By recommending natural ingredients that bind to specific receptors on certain cells, amazing improvements with mood, sleep, energy levels, and focus can result.

If you’re a patient at The Woodlands Institute for Health and Wellness, talk to your provider there about genomic testing. If you are not yet a patient there and don’t have a healthcare provider who offers this test, you can visit www.snpspecialist.com for more information on how to get tested.

In good health!

Brad Mullens

By Mila McManus MD|2020-07-07T09:51:13-06:00June 5th, 2020|Articles, General|