Prebiotic Soda: A Good Choice for Gut Health?

by Mila McManus, MD

The beverage industry is flooding the marketplace with pre-biotic soda pop and promoting it as a “healthy” choice for gut health. Is it?

As more people move away from classic sugary sodas, the beverage industry is flooding the marketplace with prebiotic soda pop and promoting it as a “healthy” choice for gut health. These popular beverages include brands such as Olipop, Culture Pop, Poppi, Wildwonder, and Turveda, to name a few. But are these soft drinks truly good for your gut?

Prebiotic soft drinks contain a kind of fiber called inulin, which is very good for your gut health. It helps you to maintain a healthy digestive system by supporting the growth of beneficial bacteria called probiotics. Fibers like inulin act like Miracle Grow for your favorable gut bacteria. In simple terms, prebiotic fibers nourish probiotics.

Here’s the catch. The amount of inulin needed daily to achieve gut health benefits would need to be eight or more grams, making it necessary to drink four or more of these beverages daily. In addition, that would significantly increase sugar intake, which would cancel out all the potential benefits of the prebiotic inulin. Soda is not your best option for optimizing gut health.

If you really want to improve and optimize your gut health, you need a high quality source of prebiotics and probiotics. The easiest way to get prebiotic fiber is to eat the foods that contain it. Prebiotic fibers that feed your favorable gut bacteria include whole foods such as greens, kiwi, onions, jicama, avocado, leeks, apples, bananas, and flaxseeds. Another affordable and practical way to increase prebiotic fiber is to use a quality product such as Heather’s Organic Prebiotic Acacia Senegal Fiber.

As for probiotics, high quality fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, kimchi, and yogurt, can all support a healthy digestive system. We also recommend that our patients take a quality probiotic as a routine supplement to ensure a strong population of good, favorable gut bacteria. In addition, we recommend rotating your probiotics every once in a while, e.g., every 3 to 6 months. For instance, take a broad spectrum probiotic for a few months, and then switch to, or add, S. boulardii for a few months. Then switch to a spore biotic for a few months, and so on. The beneficial microbes in your gut support your immune system and contribute directly to overall physical and mental health.

Ditch the soda pop. Eat real. Be Well.

Resources:

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/new-lawsuit-challenges-poppi-soda-gut-healthy-claims-what-to-know-rcna156021

https://drhyman.com/blogs/content/the-truth-about-gut-healthy-soda-how-to-really-optimize-your-microbiome

By Admin|2024-10-09T06:33:21-05:00October 10th, 2024|Articles, General|

Our 20th Anniversary Sale!

By Admin|2024-10-09T06:21:13-05:00October 10th, 2024|General|

Store Brand Medicines – Are they Safe?

by Mila McManus, MD

Over-the-counter medicines, especially the lower-cost store brands, often contain dangerous ingredients that most consumers may be unaware.

Over-the-counter medicines, especially the lower-cost store brands, often contain dangerous ingredients. Most consumers recognize that the active ingredients are the same at a lower price point but may be unaware that carcinogens and other dangerous ingredients lurk within the inactive ingredients.

MSN recently highlighted a Bloomberg analysis of government data revealing that the government is aware that some store-brand medicines contain benzene, a potent carcinogen. Several dozen store-brand drugs have been identified, including generic/store-brand extended-release mucus relief (name-brand Mucinex); the Walgreens version of Anbesol, an oral pain reliever; Walmart’s Equate brand face moisturizer with sunscreen; and Rite Aid’s version of Bengay muscle rub.

Cheap for a Reason

Generic drugs, from eye drops to cancer treatments, are linked to factories using unsafe practices and dangerous ingredients, often to cut costs. However, it’s important to note that the retailer whose name is on the package (e.g. Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, Kroger) is not responsible for the quality of the products it sells. The oversight and liability lie with the manufacturer. US regulators have allowed drugmakers to use benzene even though international authorities ban it elsewhere.

Drugmakers resist FDA regulation changes because of the dramatic cost and time involved in making an ingredient change. Cleaner and safer ingredients, additional testing, and another round of FDA approval make ingredient swapping expensive, which means a higher sticker price. Moreover, it is important to not put your full faith behind FDA regulations for protection against dangerous ingredients in any packaged product!

Simple Solutions

We see many patients who rely on over-the-counter store-brand products for insomnia, reflux, and allergies. As we find with supplements, it is necessary to screen selections carefully and make the better choices. Here are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself from dangerous ingredients:

Take advantage of our team at The Woodlands Institute for Health and Wellness, your resource for safe and effective supplements and over-the-counter solutions.
Rather than medicating your sleep, digestive, or allergy issues, let us help you find and address the root causes.
If you must purchase an over-the-counter medication, try sticking with name brands while you seek solutions for addresssing root causes.

Be careful out there. Be well.

Reference: MSN.com. Bloomberg: Cancer-Causing Benzene Is Used to Make Store-Brand Cold Relief Medicine. August 12, 2023.

By Admin|2024-10-02T07:23:52-05:00October 3rd, 2024|Articles, General|

Ozonated Oils

by Mila McManus, MD

Ozonated organic oils are a chemical-free, natural skin and body care approach! Ozone is bubbled through oils, then captured and preserved.

Consider organic ozonated oils for a chemical-free, natural option for skin issues, and for overall skin and body care! Ozone is also known as activated oxygen, or 03. When oxygen and the sun’s rays come into contact, activated oxygen forms. Ozone contains three oxygen atoms rather than the two atoms we usually breathe (i.e. O2). The third atom becomes a scavenger, destroying pollutants, odors, free radicals, and pathogens such as viruses, fungi, and bacteria. Moreover, yes, this is the same ozone that you hear about in the sky and air. Ozone is BAD for inhalation in large quantities because it can damage the lungs and cause severe coughing. Our lungs don’t have the antioxidant capacity to neutralize the oxidizing effects of ozone. Used in other ways, though, ozone can be quite beneficial! Read more about it here.

Ozone (03) gas is bubbled through oils, then captured and preserved, forming a simple application to nourish skin and improve appearance. Oils that are more highly unsaturated, such as hemp, sunflower, avocado, and olive oil, hold onto more ozone, increasing the ozone concentration, and the ozone scent is, therefore, stronger. More saturated oils, such as coconut and jojoba oils, don’t hold on to as much ozone and are better choices for those with sensitive skin.

Benefits of Specific Ozonated Oils

Ozonated Organic Olive oil forms a soothing, oxygen-rich skin salve. It may be helpful for blemishes, age spots, wrinkles, and fine lines, as well as soothing skin irritations, redness, and treating bug bites.

Ozonated Organic Sunflower oil is helpful for skin irritations, redness, bug bites, blemishes, age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles, and it can also be used on pets!

Ozonated Organic Hemp oil forms a water-resistant oxygen-rich gel excellent for swimmers. It may help soothe minor skin irritations, bug bites, blemishes, and is useful for wound care. This formula is strongest and may not be suitable for sensitive skin.

Ozonated Organic Coconut oil is a deep-penetrating skin emollient. It makes an excellent daily moisturizer and massage oil. It works well as a contouring cream to help the appearance of dimpled skin and is safe for sensitive skin.

Ozonated Organic Castor oil fights infections thanks to its antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. Ozone destroys bacteria and viruses, so the oil and the ozone make a great defensive team.

Ozonated Organic Avocado Oil holds moisture and does not dry as fast as other oils. This quality makes the effects last longer and allows the ozone to work. It is also high in Vitamin E, phytosterols, and healthy monounsaturated fats, which add to the benefits your body derives from use.

Ozonated Jojoba oil is nearly identical to the skin’s oils. It is ideal for sensitive and blemish-prone skin and is highly effective as an everyday face or body moisturizer.

Visit our e-store or come to our office to purchase your own ozonated signature oil sample pack with seven trial-size jars. Other selections and special orders are also available.

Be Radiant. Be Well.

References: 2022, Pur03. LLC, product brochure.

By Admin|2024-09-25T12:01:30-05:00September 26th, 2024|Articles, General|

3-3-3 Technique for Anxious Feelings

by Mila McManus, MD

The 3-3-3 technique stops your anxious thoughts, increasing your mindfulness, and bringing you back into the present moment.

Are you feeling pressed? Are anxious thoughts preventing you from making the most of the present moment? Does your mind easily wander off to worrying about things you can’t control? Give this 3-3-3 technique a try to bring you back into the present and increase your mindfulness. It’s simple and useful for all ages, and repeatable until you feel calm and back in the present moment.

The Technique: Look, Listen, Move

When you feel pressed, agitated, or anxious:

Look for three things you can see. Observe their details, colors, shapes, and uniqueness.
Listen for three sounds you can hear. Listen for both obvious, louder sounds, such as the air conditioner, and more subtle ones like crickets or the sound of silence.
Move three parts of your body. For example, wiggle your toes, roll your shoulders, and take a deep breath, paying attention to each sensation.

How the Technique Works

The 3-3-3 technique interrupts the flow of anxious thoughts. It also grounds you back into the present moment. We only have so much attention to give to any moment. If we divert that attention to what we can see, hear, and experience in our body, the anxious feelings are denied attention and will decrease.

Calming the autonomic nervous system’s fight or flight mode is mission-critical to good physical and mental health. The 3-3-3 technique engages the senses, promotes mindfulness, calms the stress response, turns off your triggers, and relieves muscle tension.

Look, listen, and move. Be well.

Reference:

https://www.verywellmind.com/3-3-3-rule-for-anxiety-8660964

By Admin|2024-09-19T06:49:18-05:00September 19th, 2024|Articles, General|

Aflatoxin: A Common Problem

by Mila McManus, MD

Aflatoxin is a mold identified as a human carcinogen and is one of many harmful mycotoxins that can enter the human body and cause illness.

Aflatoxin is identified as a human carcinogen and found in human tissues. It is one of many harmful mycotoxins that can enter the body and cause illness. Two species of mold, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, produce aflatoxin. Once ingested, the body turns it into by-products with high carcinogenic potential.

People burdened with aflatoxin experience symptoms such as food allergies, developmental delay, growth impairment, damage to the gut, liver, and kidneys, inflammation affecting the heart, and increased risk for liver cancer, viral hepatitis, and parasite infestation. Research has shown that consuming aflatoxin through the food supply is one of the main causes of liver disease.

Aflatoxin develops in commonly eaten foods that are grown in wet, warm environments. This includes peanuts, peanut butter, corn, nuts, and other grains. While people in third-world countries are more likely to be impacted by aflatoxin poisoning, it is also common in developed nations where corn and peanut products are predominant in the food supply. Even a tiny amount of aflatoxin in the food supply can spread and cause problems. The severity of the impact will depend on factors such as current state of health, level and duration of exposure, strength of immune and digestive systems, and overall diet quality.

Here are some of the best ways to avoid aflatoxin:

Limit or avoid consuming peanuts, corn, and processed foods made with them.
Ideally, store grains and nuts at home for a short period in cool, dry areas to prevent mold growth. Freezing can prolong freshness.
Buy peanuts, corn, grains, and nuts as fresh as possible, grown close to your location rather than in another country and shipped overseas. Small, organic farmers are more likely to harvest at the right time and store it correctly.
Soak, sprout, and ferment grains, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds to reduce mold content.
Some evidence suggests that eating antioxidant-rich, detoxifying vegetables such as carrots and celery can help clean the liver and reduce the carcinogenic effects of aflatoxin.

As we investigate the root causes of our patients’ symptoms, testing for mycotoxins is often necessary to create an effective treatment plan. Call (281) 298-6742 to inquire about the available testing options.

Be well!

Resources:

Levy, Jillian (April 18, 2024). Aflatoxin: How to avoid this common Food Carcinogen. Draxe.com, nutrition articles.

By Admin|2024-09-12T07:00:48-05:00September 12th, 2024|Articles, General|

Unusual Cancers: Can COVID Be Blamed?

by Mila McManus, MD

Findings show a glaring uptick in unusual, aggressive, late-stage, and multiple cancers since the COVID pandemic began.

Several cancer institutions and early national data are showing a glaring uptick in unusual, aggressive, late-stage, and multiple cancers since the COVID-19 pandemic began. While some experts have mostly dismissed the trend, many oncology specialists have refused to stop trying to understand if the coronavirus could somehow be igniting cancer. This topic has been circulating around for a while now in the functional medicine world, and since this information recently appeared in my inbox from mainstream media (Washington Post), I thought it would be a good time to share it.

The exact biological mechanism of action is not clear. Although, as the science on the COVID virus has evolved, studies show widespread inflammation following infection. As a result, there is marked impact on the vascular system and infection in multiple organs that are vulnerable to cancer stem cell development. For Afshin Beheshti, president of the COVID-19 International Research Team and a cancer biology specialist, this has been a nagging paradigm igniting his passion to work with other interested oncology researchers to launch more studies to piece together the puzzle of coronavirus infection, long covid, and cancer. Striking findings point to the importance of the immune system in activating dormant cells, making sense to the idea that influenza or COVID could trigger inflammation, changing the immune microenvironment, and reawakening cancer cells.

Dr. Elroy Vojdani, a functional medicine physician and founder of Immunosciences Lab, has a different hypothesis. He conservatively estimates that since 1999, autoimmune disease in the US has been increasing by 8-10% every year. Vojdani attributes increased cases of cancer and auto-immunity to a massive dysregulation of our immune function. He proposed that, over time, immune insults have dramatically increased: increased rates of C-sections, less breastfeeding, early use of antibiotics, gut-busting drugs such as acid blockers, anti-inflammatories, and steroids, increased consumption of ultra-processed foods, and the depletion of our microbiome from glyphosate and other toxic exposure. As a result, when the COVID pandemic arrived, many Americans had lost the immune resilience to cope with the virus, leading to long-term increases in unusual cancers and autoimmune diseases.

The T-regulatory cell is an important immune cell in the human body. The largest population of them is in the intestinal gut lining. If your gut is compromised, so is your immune system. Treatment of all diseases by focusing on gut health, diet, and lifestyle is fundamental to restoring immune resiliency [the ability to bounce back from inflammatory attacks]. Specifically, a healthy gut is protective against the cascade of inflammation that leads to cancer, autoimmunity, long-covid, and chronic infections from parasites, molds, viruses, and harmful bacteria.

Whether or not the coronavirus is directly responsible for an increase in unusual cancers is unclear. It is clear that a resilient immune system is your best defense against disease, and this begins in the gut.

Restore the gut. Restore immunity. Be well.

Resources:

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2024/06/06/covid-cancer-increase-link/

The Root Causes of Inflammation & What You Can Do To Stop it. August 19, 2024, Episode 937, drhyman.com, The Doctor’s Farmacy podcast.

By Admin|2024-08-28T09:17:10-05:00August 29th, 2024|Articles, General|

Electrolytes: Who Needs Them?

Electrolyte balance and hydration is important for everyone. For those who sweat for extended periods of time, extra support may be needed.

by Mila McManus, MD

Maintaining electrolyte balance and hydration are simple for those who engage in light exercise and normal daily activities. You can achieve this by using high-quality salt[1] in food, enjoying salty nuts, fresh vegetables, and fruits, and drinking plenty of filtered water. These simple steps are likely all you need.

However, extra support may be necessary for those who exercise heavily, work outside, sweat for extended periods of time, and participate in endurance sports such as cycling, golf, or marathons. In these situations, it’s important to be proactive in maintaining your electrolyte balance and hydration.

Let’s explore some simple pantry options that can help everyone maintain their electrolyte balance and hydration.

20 ounces of filtered water with ⅛ teaspoon of quality salt and a twist of lemon and/or lime. For more flavor, add a couple of cucumber slices, a slice of orange, and several mint leaves.
Prepare small snack portions with salted nuts. Add just a few pieces of dried fruit and pumpkin seeds. Pack raw vegetables such as celery, cucumber, carrot, and bell pepper strips. Salt them as well!
Simple electrolyte replacement recipe:

4 cups of warm water, ¼ cup of fresh lemon or lime juice, 2 teaspoons of raw, unfiltered honey, and ¼ teaspoon of your preferred high-quality salt. Blend these ingredients together, refrigerate, and pour into a portable stainless steel or glass water bottle.

Alternatively, if you prefer to purchase an electrolyte product, be aware that many have not-so-good ratios of essential minerals. This can disrupt intracellular balance, meaning balance of minerals inside of your cells. High milligrams are not necessarily better. The proper balanced ratios between them matter more. It is also important to avoid brands that include food colorings, artificial sweeteners, caramel coloring, poor-quality minerals, gums, modified food starch, or sugar (e.g. Gatorade, Powerade)[2].

We have carefully vetted Biotics Research Electrolyte Forte (available in our office ) for our patients. It is pharmaceutical grade, hypoallergenic, and has a pleasant flavor. The flavor is so mild that, if you add to enough water, it has almost no flavor, which many people prefer!

[1] Redmond’s Real Salt, Celtic Salt, Himalayan Pink Salt (watch out for knock-offs!)

[2] The Nuun Instant Electrolyte Powder Packets are a satisfactory economy alternative.

By Admin|2024-08-22T08:08:54-05:00August 22nd, 2024|Articles, General|

Glyphosate: Found in Organics

by Mila McManus, MD

Even if you eat 100% organic, some oats and cereal, chickpeas, hummus, and breads have been found to contain glyphosate!

You may have heard about glyphosate being found in organic foods. Apparently, it is true. Even if you eat 100% organic, instant oats, some cereals, chickpeas, hummus, and some bread have been found to contain the toxic weed-killer glyphosate!

You might wonder how this can happen when the USDA’s organic certification program forbids spraying glyphosate on organic crops. One certain answer involves the complexity and difficulty of preventing cross-contamination. Organic food fields are exposed to glyphosate through wind drift, contaminated water, equipment, and food-contact surfaces. Preventing these cross-contaminations can be prohibitively expensive to food producers and is a bigger problem than most people realize. Unfortunately, other reasons include human error, incompetence, and greed.

Does this mean it’s not worth eating organic? Of course not. Studies show that when we switch to an all-organic diet, we can reduce the amount of glyphosate (and other toxins) in our bodies by a whopping 70% in just one week. Glyphosates are toxic to every cell, tissue, and organ in your body, especially the liver. Not every organic food has glyphosate; by changing to organic foods, the amount of glyphosate consumed profoundly decreases.

Another reason to choose organic is to avoid other toxic aspects of living. Toxins are everywhere– nonstick cookware, heavy metals and chemicals in drinking water, weed killers and other pesticides, industrial air pollution, BPA and other chemicals from plastics, phthalates from personal care products, artificial sweeteners, food colorings, and artificial flavorings, etc.

Watching what we put on and in our bodies is a good first step, but it’s not enough. We must also promote our bodies’ natural detoxification exit pathways to remove these toxins. Otherwise, the build-up presents a heavy burden on our organ systems, leading to disease. Breathing, sweating, urinating, bowel elimination, and mobilizing lymphatics all help to eliminate toxins. Your lungs, skin, kidneys, colon, liver, and mucous membranes work daily to eliminate toxins – another reason to emphasize clean food and water to support your exit pathways!

Sometimes the news can make us want to give up altogether. Truthfully, it makes it more important than ever to supplement, detoxify, avoid sources of toxicity, and sweat for better health!

Be Well. Choose Organic. Detox Daily.

References: GreenMedInfo Daily Newsletter. July 16^th, 2024. Organic Food Shocker: Is Toxic Glyphosate Hiding In Your Pantry?

By Admin|2024-08-08T14:10:48-05:00August 14th, 2024|Articles, General|

Macadamias: The Mighty Nut

Nuts deliver a power punch of great nutrition. But one nut stands out as a super-nut: the mighty Macadamia.

by Mila McManus, MD

There are many nuts from which to choose and opting for a wide variety, eaten rotationally, can deliver a power punch of great nutrition. One nut stands out as a super-nut: the mighty Macadamia. Here’s why:

Macadamia nuts have the highest percentage of heart healthy monounsaturated fats compared to other nuts. They have even more than avocados!
Macadamia oil is higher in monounsaturated fats that olive oil and makes an excellent choice for salads and Mediterranean cuisine.
Macadamias have the lowest carbohydrate content; 33% less than almonds and 50% less than cashews.
Macadamias boast one of the best Omega 6 to 3 ratios, about eight times better than pistachios.
Macadamias contain the lowest linoleic acid content of any nut. This makes them anti-inflammatory.
Macadamias are more easily digested because they contain the lowest levels of lectins, phytic acid, and oxalates, especially when compared to almonds and cashews.
Macadamias are the only nut with the rare omega 7s linked to reduced inflammation. Omega 7s also support natural collagen production and metabolic health.

If you are looking for a high quality and highly regarded source of macadamias, check out House of Macadamias. They partner directly with African farmers. Other brands come from Hawaii where macadamias are also grown. Avoid sugar and chocolate coated nuts and aim for raw or dry roasted. Toss them in a salad or eat them for a perfect and filling snack. Life is short. Work on your health now.

Enjoy the mighty Macadamia! Eat well. Be well.

References:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-doctors-farmacy-with-mark-hyman-m-d/id1382804627?i=1000658070745

By Admin|2024-07-26T08:04:45-05:00August 7th, 2024|Articles, General|