“The diet was challenging, but after only a few days she started to feel better.”

By Admin|2017-02-21T14:24:13-05:00April 29th, 2016|Testimonials|

The diet was challenging, but after only a few days she started to feel better.

Testimonial From M.K.

At the age of 11 my daughter was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder. We found a great occupational therapist who helped with many symptoms, but she was adamant that there were underlying gut issues that needed to be addressed. We tried several diets on our own, but nothing seemed to work. Meanwhile, my daughter’s anxiety worsened as she tried to eat healthier. She found it so hard to concentrate and her schoolwork suffered and she became “out of character” moody. I began to realize I could not help her on my own, and that is when I enrolled her in the Teen Wellness Program at The Woodlands Institute for Health and Wellness. The diet was challenging, but after only a few days she started to feel better. After her blood work was completed we discovered she had a lot of food allergies, a few vitamin deficiencies, MTHFR mutations, and the infamous “leaky gut” syndrome. She was given an individualized vitamin protocol and continued to get better throughout her treatment. It has been one month since her yeast cleanse, and I can honestly say my daughter is happy again and her anxiety is much less. She is excited to see her long hair is stronger and breaking less and her acne is beginning to clear up. She is able to focus more and it shows in her schoolwork, which she insists is much easier now. She is more energetic and is much more relaxed overall. These are such dramatic and obvious changes that there is no mistaking that it is the result of following this program. I would tell any parent with a teen with anxiety, ADD, or SPD to try this program. Thank you Dr. McManus and all of your staff for listening to our concerns, treating my daughter as an individual, and providing us with empowering information about my daughter’s health so she can now achieve wellness!

Hemp is Healthy

By Admin|2016-02-19T09:04:36-05:00February 19th, 2016|Articles, General, NANCY’S NUTRITIONAL NUGGET|

By Nancy Mehlert, MS

Hemp seeds are rising in popularity as a wise and healthy addition to a whole food diet and it’s not hard to understand why. Inside this seed is a deeply nutritious profile of healthy fats, generous fiber, quality protein and an amazing supply of vitamins and minerals.

So let’s get clear right away about the relationship of hemp seeds to marijuana. Much like the difference between bell pepper and a chili pepper, both of which are in the pepper family but taste and look very different, hemp and marijuana are both members of the same plant family – cannabis. BUT they are very different! The psychoactive effect in marijuana is caused by Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Hemp foods contain only 0.001% of this and do not cause a false positive drug test, nor do they affect pregnant women or children or anyone else eating a quality hemp seed.

So why should you enjoy hemp seeds as part of a healthy diet? Here are 9 really great reasons to include 3 Tablespoons of hemp in your diet often:

You can get an enormous amount of great nutrition in one tiny package. Easy to add to foods and baking or just eat, it is an essential part of fast, portable, healthy food choices.
It has 10 grams of omegas, perfectly balanced between 3s and 6s and high in quality, more than flaxseed or chia seed.
The high quality Omega 6 called “GLA”, which stands for gamma linolenic acid, is promoted by the American Cancer Society as an anti-cancer compound. GLA rich foods such as hemp have been observed to help with ADHD, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, PMS, rheumatoid arthritis and skin allergies.
It has 10 grams of vegetarian protein which is also hypoallergenic, and again, more than flaxseed or chia seed. It contains all 20 amino acids AND, therefore, all 9 of the essential amino acids that our body cannot produce. It is considered a “complete” protein.
Hemp is a very low carb food. All of the carbs in hemp are fiber.
Magnesium deficiency is very common and 3 TBS of hemp offers an amazing 181 mg of magnesium.
Hemp seeds are also rich in calcium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, zinc and iron.
They offer a good source of Vitamin A as well as some B Vitamins and Vitamin D.
Hemp hearts are raw, whole food with just one simple ingredient.

Eat well. Live Well.

Sources:

www.manitobaharvest.com

http://draxe.com/7-hemp-seed-benefits-nutrition-profile/

Be Sure to Get Your Bs

By Admin|2015-08-05T06:39:16-05:00July 28th, 2015|Articles, General, NANCY’S NUTRITIONAL NUGGET|

By Nancy Mehlert, MS

One of the most common problems we see with our new patients is nutritional bankruptcy, with a B vitamin deficiency being common and often the cause of several symptoms. B vitamins are not stored very well in the body because they are water-soluble. While a healthy body can produce some of the B vitamins, diet and supplementation are mission critical to good health. Deficiencies can occur fairly easily as a result of dieting, fasting, or a diet of substantially refined and processed food, sugar, or alcohol. Another very common reason for B vitamin deficiencies today is an unhealthy gut. Many of our B vitamins are produced by intestinal bacteria; however, antibiotic use, processed foods, sugar, alcohol, Splenda, stress and a toxic environment have all contributed to the destruction of these favorable bacteria, resulting in vitamin B deficiencies.

B vitamins are often referred to as a complex of vitamins because they usually show up in food and nature together and in many cases need each other to perform the functions they serve in the body. The complex includes thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxal, biotin, folic acid, and B-12 (the cobalamins). B Vitamins serve the following purposes in the human body:

Like a spark plug in a car, they help to start or determine the speed of biochemical reactions in the body such as converting carbohydrates to glucose as well as metabolizing fats and proteins.
They are essential to the normal functioning of the nervous system and help to bring relaxation or energy when stressed or fatigued.
The health of our skin, hair, eyes, liver and mucosal linings are especially dependent on the B vitamins.
Proper levels of B vitamins also enhance the muscle tone of the gastrointestinal tract, allowing the bowels to function most efficiently.

Common symptoms of vitamin B deficiencies include fatigue, irritability, nervousness, depression, insomnia, loss of appetite, sore mouth or tongue, and cracks in the corners of the mouth. Deficiencies of some of the B vitamins may also impair immune function and estrogen metabolism, while deficiencies in B-12 and folic acid specifically can result in constipation, numbness in hands and feet, skin problems, acne, hair loss, early graying of hair, increased serum cholesterol and weakness of the legs.

Essential to avoiding vitamin B deficiencies, two steps must be taken. First, be sure that your gut is healthy and has optimal favorable bacteria. This is one of the reasons we focus on gut health with every patient and recommend that most patients take a quality probiotic every day and/or eat cultured foods. Second, be sure to consume a wide variety of whole foods. Some of the best sources of B Vitamins include organ meats, especially liver (ideally from a grass fed animal), nutritional yeast (ask your nutritionist how this is used and whether it is right for you), most beans, peas, lentils, dark green vegetables and dark green leafy vegetables, avocado, oats, millet, eggs, oily fish such as trout, mackerel, herring, shellfish, tuna, salmon, halibut, mushrooms, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, seeds, meat and poultry.

Women and Heart Disease

By Admin|2015-06-03T06:53:08-05:00June 3rd, 2015|Articles, General|

by Dyvette Warren, PA-C

Why is heart disease the leading cause of death in women? Why are women and men being diagnosed with coronary artery disease at younger ages than ever before? Why has heart disease become so prevalent in the last 100 years?

All women face the threat of heart disease. Becoming aware of the symptoms and risks unique to women, as well as eating a healthy diet, free of processed foods and toxins, and exercising regularly, can help protect you.

Coronary artery disease is caused by plaque forming in the lining of the arterial walls. This plaque is deposited along the arterial walls and can eventually rupture and block blood flow to a part of the heart resulting in tissue death. This is called a myocardial infarction (heart attack). Inflammation plays a key role in arterial plaque formation.

If I have plaque in the arteries of my heart, what symptoms do I look for?

The most common heart attack symptoms in women are pain, pressure or discomfort in the chest; however, it’s not always severe and is often dismissed. Women are more likely than men to have atypical symptoms that may seem unrelated to a heart issue, such as:

Neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back or abdominal discomfort
Shortness of breath with or without chest pain
Right arm pain, left arm pain
Upper or mid back pain
Diabetics often present with fatigue and elevated blood sugar without chest pain
Nausea or vomiting
Sweating
Lightheadedness or dizziness
Unusual fatigue
Women’s symptoms may occur more often at rest or while sleeping
Emotional stress may also trigger heart attack symptoms

A 42 year old neighbor knocked on my door 5 years ago and said, “Something is wrong”. After a normal cardiac stress test several weeks before, medications for cholesterol and hypertension were prescribed by the cardiologist. This 42 year old mother of 2 young children had a standard and thorough evaluation with her primary care provider and cardiologist. She was advised to follow up in 6 months or sooner if symptoms worsen.

I knew from my training and experience that when a patient experiences feelings of “impending doom”, a thorough investigation should follow. After careful questioning, she reported only slightly elevated cholesterol and blood pressure diagnosed by her primary care provider. The reason for the knock at my door and the visit to the cardiologist was the chest pain that occurred at rest, in the middle of the night, while sleeping, that would awaken her.

The next step would be to check her lungs and coronary arteries, so I ordered a coronary angiogram (a CT scan that looks inside and around the arteries of the heart). This test included a good view of the lungs as well. Shortly after the procedure was completed, a radiologist contacted me and advised immediate cardiac evaluation for severe plaque in two major coronary arteries. This information meant that a myocardial infarction (heart attack) or death could imminent. I contacted the patient’s cardiologist to explain the severity of the situation and advised that he meet this patient at the hospital right away. The patient received coronary artery bypass surgery the next morning! The patient has implemented life style changes that will decrease the risk of worsening cardiovascular disease and is living a full and productive life with her family.

What are the risk factors for the development of heart disease in women?

Diabetes, insulin resistance, and elevated blood glucose levels without a diagnosis of diabetes, significantly increases the risk of heart disease in women more than men.
Metabolic syndrome – a combination of fat around the abdomen, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high triglycerides.
Emotional stress and depression affect women’s hearts more than men’s. Depression makes it difficult to maintain a healthy life style and follow recommendations. Depressive symptoms must be addressed.
Smoking is a greater risk factor for heart disease in women than in men.
Exposure to toxins, which trigger inflammation in the body.
Lack of physical activity is a major risk factor for heart disease, and as a group, women tend to be less active than men.
Low levels of estrogen after menopause pose a significant risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease in the smaller blood vessels.
Pregnancy complications such as high blood pressure or gestational diabetes can increase a woman’s long-term risk of developing heart disease in both the mother and in her children.

Where do the toxins come from that get into my blood stream?

Manmade chemicals from personal care products, toothpaste, shampoos, bubble baths, shower gels, makeup, perfumes, deodorants and lotions can be quite toxic. House hold cleaning supplies, detergents, prescription drugs and over the counter medications, smoking tobacco, industrial pollution, pesticides, contaminated water, processed foods, flavorings and additives, hydrogenated, partially-hydrogenated or trans fats all contribute to our toxic load.

Abnormalities in intestinal flora, nutritional deficiencies, and lack of sun exposure all contribute to toxic buildup as well. The body tries to fix and protect the vessels from toxins by using white blood cells to capture or trap the toxins. Atherosclerotic plaque begins to form in the lining of the vessels which narrows blood flow to vital organs. Coronary artery diseases cause 1/3 of all deaths in the western world annually.

Is cholesterol good or bad?

Cholesterol is vital to the healthy function of your body. Cholesterol is needed for the synthesis of many hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, DHEA, progesterone, and cortisol. Together with sun exposure, cholesterol is required to produce vitamin D, and deficiency in vitamin D increases risk of cancers and other ailments. Cholesterol is an essential element of all cell membranes, where it provides structural support and may even serve as a protective antioxidant. It is essential for conducting nervous impulses. If elevated cholesterol levels are the cause of coronary artery disease, why do so many people who have heart attacks have normal cholesterol and so many people with high cholesterol live into their 90s? Please read more about cholesterol and statin drugs here.

What can I do to decrease my risk of a heart attack?

Try to find natural, non-toxic alternatives to any products you use that are on the market.
Avoid processed/packaged foods.
Keep blood glucose (sugar) controlled.
Eat organic whole foods.
Start exercising.
Lose weight if you are overweight.
Never smoke or quit now if you do.
Limit alcohol intake.
Get screened for heart disease.
Manage stress.
Treat Depression.

What are the tests that I should have done that will let me know if I am at risk for heart disease?

Clinical indicators for testing include an inflammatory checklist to asses overall inflammation. . Further testing is warranted if you answer yes to any of the following:

Digestive disorders
Bone and joint pain
Skin conditions
Poor health of teeth and gums
Metabolic syndrome/diabetes
Endocrine/hormone issues
High blood pressure
Chronic pain
Sleep issues
Chronic Fatigue
Chronic infection(s)
Autoimmune disease

We are now able to test 5 elements related to heart disease. The Coronary Artery Disease Inflammation Profile focuses on five key elements of cardiovascular health: sympathetic drive, antioxidant defense, immune activity, endothelial function, (and cholesterol?-the controversy continues!). It not only assesses sympathetic function and oxidation, but also provides an extensive view of inflammation to allow for more targeted and personalized interventions.

1. Sympathetic drive: Low sympathetic drive is inversely related to control of inflammatory cytokine levels, and the underlying cause of sleep disorders and depression. Testing includes norepinephrine, serotonin, glycine, taurine, and glutamate levels.

a. Must have norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine controlled.

b. Serotonin has a vasodilator effect that increases blood flow and decreases blood pressure. Lower levels are associated with an increased risk of heart disease.

c. If norepinephrine is very low OR very high, this suggests severe endothelial inflammation.

2. Oxidation: Oxidative stress in humans can cause cancer, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, heart failure, chronic fatigue, infection, disorders related to the skin, and other health problems. This test is for risk and vulnerability, looking at levels of harmful oxidized cholesterol, ApoB and ApoA1 ratio, and DOPAC, the oxidized form of dopamine. These levels help to identify whether free radicals are affecting the nervous system and catecholamine function.

3. Inflammation: Testing Myeloperoxidase, C-reactive protein, and cytokines. These levels help to stratify risk of heart disease as well.

4. Endothelial function: Mechanical measurement and biomarker measurement to test endothelial dysfunction. The endothelium is the largest organ in the body, made up of cells that line every blood vessel.

5. Plaque rupture/Plaque accumulation: testing cytokines. This is the first cardiac assessment to show improvement in as little as 2 to 4 weeks; no more waiting 3 to 6 months to assess effectiveness of therapy.

I recommend that you make an appointment with one of our providers if you are experiencing symptoms or have risks that are discussed in this article, if you have a family history of coronary artery disease, blood clots, or stroke, if you have had heart surgery, bypass or stents placed in your heart or extremities. We will determine the testing needed to fit your profile that will help to determine your future risk of a heart attack.

Other tests that may be recommended to assess risk include heart scan with calcium scoring, EKG, stress tests, nutrient testing, heavy metal testing, sleep study, psychological assessments, and ultrasounds of the heart, carotid arteries, extremities, and/or aorta.

Coronary artery disease is a serious cause of morbidity and mortality in women and will continue to gain importance as a woman’s life expectancy increases. Important differences in presentation, risk factors, investigation, and treatment of women exist and should be recognized. There is plenty you can do to prevent and treat coronary artery disease. Start by committing to a healthy lifestyle.

Resources:

Dangers of Blood Pressure Medications

By Admin|2018-06-28T22:09:12-05:00March 10th, 2015|Articles, General|

By Mila McManus MD

In medical school, we are taught that 95% of the cases of hypertension (high blood pressure) that we come across are considered idiopathic, meaning that it does not have a known cause. We know there are some obvious contributors to high blood pressure such as stress, being overweight, and taking certain medications, but how can it be that so many people require blood pressure medication for no known reason? From a wellness perspective, most cases of hypertension do have an obvious underlying cause, and that’s diet. The ever-worsening American diet is causing an ever-increasing number of people with high blood pressure. It’s time to reflect on the amount of sugar, alcohol, caffeine, salt, toxins, grains, and allergens you are consuming if you have high blood pressure.

Below is a list of common classes of blood pressure medications and some of the more common side effects of them:

Diuretics (“water” pills, e.g., hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide, chlorthalidone). Diuretics work by flushing excess water and sodium from the body, thus lowering blood pressure. Side effects include:

o Arrhythmia

o Low platelets

o Pancreatitis

o Low white blood cell count (ie deficiency in immune cells)

o Glaucoma

o Excess calcium in the body

o High blood sugar

o High cholesterol

o Diarrhea

o Headaches

o Muscle cramps

o Sexual dysfunction

Due to the nature of how these types of medications work, they cause depletion of numerous nutrients, such as:

o Vitamin B6 (relating to depression, sleep disturbance, increased heart disease risk)

o Vitamin C (relating to weak immunity, easy bruising, poor wound healing)

o Zinc (relating to weak immunity, poor wound healing, altered sense of smell/taste, sexual dysfunction)

o CoQ10 (relating to various cardiovascular problems, weak immune system, low energy, muscle weakness)

o Potassium (relating to irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, fatigue, edema)

o Sodium (relating to muscle weakness, dehydration, memory problems, loss of appetite)

o Magnesium (relating to cardiovascular problems, including higher blood pressure, asthma, osteoporosis, muscle cramps, PMS)

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. These allow blood vessels to widen by preventing the formation of a hormone called angiotensin. Frequently prescribed ACE inhibitors include enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril) and ramipril (Altace). Side effects include:

- Swelling of the head, neck, tongue
- Abnormalities of blood cells
- Kidney failure
- Liver toxicity
- Pancreatitis
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Chronic cough
- Fatigue
- Sensitivity to light
- Zinc deficiency which causes weakened immune system, impaired wound healing, altered sense of smell/taste, and sexual dysfunction

Angiotensin II receptor blockers. These help blood vessels relax by blocking the action of angiotensin. Frequently prescribed angiotensin II receptor blockers include losartan (Cozaar), candesartan (Atacand) and valsartan (Diovan). Side effects include:

- Chronic cough
- Upset stomach
- Swelling of head, neck, tongue
- Kidney failure
- Fatigue

Beta blockers. These work by blocking certain nerve and hormonal signals to the heart and blood vessels, thus lowering blood pressure. Frequently prescribed beta blockers include metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard) and atenolol (Tenormin). Side effects include:

- Heart failure
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Impotence
- Cold extremities
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Vertigo
- Deficiency of CoQ10 which causes various cardiovascular problems, weak immune system and low energy

Calcium channel blockers. These prevent calcium from going into heart and blood vessel muscle cells, thus causing the cells to relax, which lowers blood pressure. Frequently prescribed calcium channel blockers include amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor XR) and nifedipine (Adalat CC, Procardia). Side effects include:

- Arrhythmias
- Heart failure
- Edema (e.g. puffiness/swelling of hands and feet)
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Asthenia (restless feeling)
- Constipation

Renin inhibitors. Renin is a substance produced by your kidneys that starts a chain of chemical steps that increases blood pressure. Aliskiren (Tekturna) slows down the production of renin, reducing its ability to begin this process. Due to a risk of serious complications, including stroke, you shouldn’t take aliskiren along with ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers if you have diabetes or kidney disease. Other side effects include:

- Kidney stones
- Swelling of head, neck, tongue
- Diarrhea
- Kidney failure

Alpha agonists. (clonidine, brand name of which is Catapres) This class of drug works on receptors in the brain that inhibit the release of norepinephrine, thereby relaxing blood vessels which, in turn, lowers blood pressure. Side effects include:

- Depression
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Sexual dysfunction
- Fatigue
- Ear pain
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Deficiencies of:
  - - Coenzyme Q10 (Various cardiovascular problems, weak immune system, low energy)
    - Vitamin B6 (Depression, sleep disturbance, increased cardiovascular disease risk)
    - Zinc (Weak immunity, impaired wound healing, altered sense of smell/taste, sexual dysfunction)
    - Vitamin B1 (Depression, irritability, memory loss, muscle weakness, edema)

Alpha blockers. These medications prevent norepinephrine from binding to alpha-1 receptors on smooth muscle surrounding blood vessels, thereby keeping them relaxed, which in turn lowers blood pressure. Examples of this class include terazosin (Hytrin), Prazosin (Minipress), and doxazosin (Cardura). Side effects include:

- Some research has found that some alpha blockers can increase the risk of heart failure with long-term use
- Arrhythmia
- Priapism (dangerous long lasting erection)
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Edema (swelling)
- Diarrhea
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Excessive urination

Vasodilators. (hydralazine). This class of medication directly relaxes the blood vessels by interfering with calcium transport. Side effects include:

- Inflammation of nerves
- Headache
- Lupus
- Abnormalities of blood cells

Now that you’ve read many reasons to avoid blood pressure medications, here are some alternative methods to consider which can all help to reduce your blood pressure naturally.*

Supplements, such as:

o Magnesium-relaxes smooth muscle cells in blood vessels, thus reducing pressure. Read more about magnesium here.

o Krill oil-according to writer Tanya Louise Coad in an article on livestrong.com, “hundreds of published studies have shown benefits from supplementing omega-3s for lowering blood pressure”. She further stated that “a study reported in the May 2009 issue of the Journal of Food Science found a significant blood pressure lowering effect from krill oil on rats. The researchers extracted a peptide from oil located in the tail section and when they fed it to rats, it produced an immediate drop in the animals’ blood pressure”.

o Vitamin D- according to an article by Dr. Mercola, vitamin D deficiency increases parathyroid hormone production, which increases blood pressure. Moreover, Vitamin D is also a negative inhibitor of your body’s renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which regulates blood pressure. If you’re vitamin D deficient, it can cause inappropriate activation of your RAS, which may lead to hypretension.

o Neo40 is a supplement that boosts nitric oxide. Read about it here.

Deep breathing exercises

o Several times per day, and especially when feeling stressed, stop and take 30 seconds to do the following: Sit relaxed in a chair, close your eyes, hold your hands together, picture a happy memory in your mind, and take 4 deep breaths with a 4-count in and 4-count out.

EFT
Meditation
Healing Codes
Exercise
Weight loss
Reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption
Reduce or eliminate caffeine intake
Low carb diet- Insulin depletes magnesium, impairs body’s ability to produce nitric oxide, and causes sodium retention, all of which contribute to high blood pressure. Read Nancy Mehlert’s article about the vicious cycle.

*This information is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Any changes to blood pressure medication should be done under medical supervision.

Resources:

Dangers of Antidepressants

By Admin|2015-01-06T07:33:18-05:00January 6th, 2015|Articles, General|

By Mila McManus MD

The CDC estimates that one in ten Americans has depression. Chances are, if you don’t take antidepressant medication, you know someone who does. There are many levels of depression and many causes of depression. The main causes of depression have never been, and never will be, deficiencies of Prozac, Effexor, Wellbutrin, Cymbalta, or Lexapro. Causes may, however, be related to diet, gut health, side effects of medications, nutritional deficiencies, negative thinking, emotional trauma, chronic pain, lack of exercise, and hormonal imbalances/ deficiencies. I do believe that sometimes antidepressants are necessary, at least temporarily, but they’ll never correct the underlying cause(s), and they have many potential side effects.

To name a few (or many):

Your risk for type 2 diabetes is two to three times higher if you take antidepressants, according to one study.
Problems with your immune system: SSRIs (e.g. Prozac, Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil, Zoloft) cause serotonin to remain in your nerve junctions longer, interfering with immune cell signaling and T cell growth. New research indicates that serotonin is also a signaling molecule between immune cells. Certain cells pick up serotonin at inflammation sites and pass it along to T cells (a type of immune cell). This affects T cell growth and division into new cells. One study showed that, when Prozac was introduced at inflammation sites, it blocked this type of serotonin uptake.
Suicidal thoughts and feelings and violent behavior: Your risk for suicide may be twice as high if you take SSRIs; seven out of twelve school shootings were by children who were either on antidepressants or withdrawing from them.
Stillbirths: A Canadian study of almost 5,000 mothers found that women on SSRIs were twice as likely to have a stillbirth, and almost twice as likely to have a premature or low birth weight baby; another study showed a 40 percent increased risk for birth defects such as cleft palate.
Brittle bones: One study showed women on antidepressants have a higher risk of fractures
Stroke: Your risk for stroke may be 45 percent higher if you are on antidepressants
Death: Overall death rates have been found to be 32 percent higher in women on antidepressants.
SSRIs have been shown to increase your risk of developing bipolar depression. Anywhere from 25 to 50 percent of children who take an antidepressant for five years convert to bipolar illness. In adults, about 25 percent of long term users convert from a diagnosis of unipolar depression to bipolar disorder.
Weight gain- this is one of the most common reasons a person will discontinue or change an antidepressant medication
Sexual dysfunction, including decreased sexual desire, delayed ejaculation in men, and the inability to have an orgasm in women.
Sleep disorders, including insomnia, nightmares, and sleepwalking
Sedation (daytime sleepiness)
headache, joint pain, muscle aches, nausea, skin rashes, or diarrhea

In addition, here’s a list of common side effects for the most commonly prescribed classes of antidepressants:

TCAs (e.g. Nortriptyline, Amitriptyline) – dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, urinary retention, and increased pressure in the eye. They are also associated with hypertension, abnormal heart rhythms, anxiety, insomnia, seizures, headache, rash, nausea, and vomiting, abdominal cramps, weight loss, and sexual dysfunction.
SSRIs (e.g. Prozac, Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil, Zoloft) and SNRIs (e.g. Cymbalta, Effexor) – abnormal thinking, agitation, anxiety, dizziness, headache, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, sedation, tremor, sweating, weight loss, diarrhea, constipation, dry mouth, rash, and nausea. SSRIs have also been associated with hyponatremia (low sodium), hypoglycemia (low blood glucose), and seizures.

Have you tried to wean your medication(s) before and failed? There are at least a couple of reasons why that might be.

1. You hadn’t addressed the underlying causes of why you needed the medication(s) in the first place and/or

2. Withdrawal symptoms were too miserable to continue weaning

I took antidepressants for years, and it wasn’t until I discovered holistic functional medicine that I was able to successfully wean off my medication. In our medical training, the name of the game is learning how to bandaid symptoms with drugs. In holistic and functional medical training, the name of the game is correcting the underlying causes of symptoms and disease. This explains why all my previous efforts to wean my medication had been miserable failures. I was an emotional wreck, was dizzy, and had constant ‘brain zaps’. Once I addressed the underlying issues (poor diet, nutritional bankruptcy, hidden food allergies, poor gut health, and hormonal imbalances that weren’t found on typical blood tests), it was only a short matter of time until I successfully weaned off my antidepressant (and 11 other prescription medications). While this has also been the case for countless numbers of my patients over the years, it’s important to note that some patients have more complex issues and may take years to improve their health, physically as well as emotionally. Addressing depression, and many other health issues, requires focusing on mind, body, AND spirit. Here is a list of several things you can do to work towards a successful wean from your antidepressant(s)*:

Click here to read about a few supplements that can naturally alleviate depression and anxiety.
Nutrients that are well known to play a role with mood include Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D**, magnesium, B-6, B12, and folate. These are all very common nutritional deficiencies that we find in my practice. If you suffer with depression, talk to a wellness specialist about proper doses to meet your individual needs.
Exercise, again and again, has shown in studies to be important for warding off anxiety and depression. Too tired or too busy? You can start with a 5 minute walk every day.
Address the mind, body, and spirit with therapy, EFT, meditation, and/or yoga.
Get your hormones balanced by an experienced wellness specialist using nutrition, supplements, and/or bio-identical hormones. Imbalance or deficiency in any number of your hormones (e.g. thyroid, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, cortisol) can affect your mood, and these issues often won’t be found on typical blood tests. Are your lab results always ‘normal’? Test for hormonal imbalance a better way by completing free symptom questionnaires.
I also recommend a book to many patients called The Healing Code by Dr. Alex Loyd. Read about it here.

*Never attempt to wean your medication(s) without medical supervision.

**One study found that people with the lowest levels of vitamin D were 11 times more prone to depression than those with adequate vitamin D levels.

Forward this article to someone you care about!

Resources for the content of this article:

www.mercola.com

www.webMD.com

www.CDC.gov

www.naturalnews.com

Supplement of the Month: Help with Depression and Anxiety

By Admin|2015-01-03T08:31:45-05:00January 2nd, 2015|Articles, General|

There are a number of supplements that can be very helpful in supporting our mental health and function. Combined with improving the diet, getting regular exercise, balancing hormones, controlling chronic pain, getting adequate sleep, balancing gut flora (microorganisms), and other non-pharmaceutical approaches to treating depression and anxiety, here is a list of several supplements we frequently use at The Woodlands Institute:

L-Theanine is an amino acid compound found in green tea and is noted for its ability to relax and calm, while improving focus without causing drowsiness.

5-HTP is extracted from the seeds of the Griffonia plant, a shrub principally found in West African countries, and is an amino acid derivative that’s an immediate precursor to serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter (brain chemical) produced both in the intestinal tract and the brain and is important for promoting calmness and sleep in addition to alleviating depression. It can also be helpful in reducing carbohydrate cravings and supporting healthy eating patterns. 5-HTP should not be taken with antidepressants without medical supervision.

L-Tyrosine is also an amino acid found in the human body that is a precursor for both thyroid hormones and neurotransmitters such as dopamine, noradrenaline and adrenaline. These neurotransmitters are needed to support stress response mechanisms, mood, and our ability to concentrate.

Other important supplements we commonly recommend to support mental/brain health include fish oil or krill oil, vitamin D, magnesium, and B-complex.

Discuss with your healthcare provider which supplement(s) may benefit you. We highly recommend medical supervision for use with all of these supplements.

*The product information provided is for educational purposes and is not intended as either diagnosis or treatment of any disease, nor does it replace professional medical advice. (The FDA makes us say that)

*Warning: Please consult a health care professional before using these products.

Cholesterol and Statin Drugs

By Admin|2014-11-03T20:02:11-05:00November 2nd, 2014|Articles, General|

by Mila McManus MD

Statin drugs to reduce cholesterol levels are one of the most widely prescribed drugs. The myth that cholesterol is the cause of heart disease has sadly perpetuated over several decades despite much evidence to the contrary. Cholesterol actually plays vital roles in the body, such as:

Cholesterol is critical to the structure of key proteins involved with nerve transmission.
Cholesterol is needed for nerve cells to live longer.
Cholesterol supports serotonin utilization. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter involved in mood. Low serotonin symptoms include depression, anxiety, insomnia, carbohydrate cravings.
Cholesterol is the building block for many important hormones, including hormones that regulate mineral metabolism and blood sugar, hormones that help us deal with stress, and all the sex hormones, such as testosterone, progesterone, and estrogens.
Cholesterol helps fight infections and is important for immune function in general.
Cholesterol is needed for repairing wounds.
Cholesterol is needed for all cell membranes
Cholesterol is needed to make Vitamin D. People with optimal levels of vitamin D have the lowest incidence of flus/colds, cancers, and autoimmune diseases, and vitamin D is also important for heart health, metabolism, and thyroid function.

If you consider the above benefits of cholesterol, then you can look at the following list of side effects linked to statin drugs as they correlate with the above:

Polyneuropathy (tingling and/or pain in hands and feet and difficulty walking)
Alzheimers and Parkinsons disease have been linked to statin drugs
Depression
Mental slowing and memory impairment
Poor immune function
Some studies suggest statins increase risk of cancers. In every study with rodents, statins have caused cancer. Most human trials aren’t carried out long enough to detect any increase in cancer rates, but in one trial, breast cancer rates of those taking a statin were 1500 % higher than those of control subjects.
If you don’t have the building block to make your hormones, then imagine all the symptoms of low testosterone, low estrogen, low progesterone, and deficiency of adrenal (stress) hormones. Click here to test yourself and see symptoms that relate to deficiencies of these hormones.
Muscle weakness, muscle cramps, muscle atrophy, and muscle pain
Joint pain
Liver damage
Studies have shown that statins increase your risk of type 2 diabetes.
Heart failure (ironic, isn’t it? The enzyme blocked by statin drugs is also the enzyme that makes CoQ10 in the body. CoQ10 is a critical antioxidant, and also is required for energy production in your cells, including heart muscle. When you deplete CoQ10 due to being on a statin drug, your heart muscle weakens along with all your other muscles.)

Here are a few more interesting factoids:

On Pfizer’s own newspaper ad for Lipitor, it boasts that Lipitor reduces heart attacks by 36 percent. But there is an asterisk. And when you follow the asterisk, you find the following in much smaller type: “That means in a large clinical study, 3% of patients taking a sugar pill or placebo had a heart attack compared to 2% of patients taking Lipitor.”
In 2006, a study reported: While Zetia (a non-statin cholesterol lowering drug) does lower cholesterol by 15 percent to 20 percent, trials did not show that it reduces heart attacks or strokes, or that it reduces plaques in arteries that can lead to heart problems.

-Moreover, the trial by the drugs’ makers, which studied whether Zetia could reduce the growth of plaques, found that plaques grew nearly twice as fast in patients taking Zetia along with Zocor (Vytorin) than in those taking Zocor alone.

Young and middle-aged men with cholesterol levels over 300 are slightly more at risk for heart attacks. Those who have cholesterol levels just below 300 are at no greater risk than those whose cholesterol is very low. For elderly men and for women of all ages, high cholesterol is associated with a longer lifespan.
There is no evidence that saturated fat and cholesterol-rich foods contribute to heart disease.
Sugar and other refined carbohydrates (e.g. breads, pasta) increase insulin levels which are well known to cause plaque in the arteries. This is why diabetics develop cardiovascular disease at a rapid rate (ie high levels of sugar and insulin circulating in the blood). Statin drugs will not protect you from this.

Now that you are armed with all of the above information, you may be asking how to protect yourself from heart disease. Here are a few tips:

Manage your stress. Deep breathing exercises can be done anywhere at any time and don’t cost a thing.
Get moving. Even 5 minutes a day of cardio is better than nothing.
Reduce inflammation, which is at the heart of causing heart disease:

-Take Omega-3s such as krill or fish oil

-Avoid sugar which is inflammatory

-Eat real food and avoid manufactured foods, such as what’s found in boxes and wrappers

-Avoid eating fried foods and other foods cooked at high temperatures. Try to eat a lot of foods in their raw form.

Quit smoking.
Get adequate sleep.
Make sure you are getting adequate intake of fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as B vitamins and antioxidants. Vitamins are a good way to ensure this.

*Information obtained from mercola.com and Weston A. Price Foundation.

*Necessary Disclaimer: The above information is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice.

Supplements that Support your Immune System

By Admin|2014-08-02T09:16:06-05:00August 2nd, 2014|Articles, General|

Support your Immune System

When it comes to prevention and protection, the following supplements that support your immune system make a great basic arsenal of weaponry to have handy to incorporate when you sense your immune system is under unusual attack or stress. Depending on the supplement, increasing the amount you are already taking or adding a couple of them into your daily supplement regimen for a number of days can help to bolster the immune system and/or attack germs that have entered the body. Work with your wellness provider here at TWIHW to develop a strategy that will meet your individual needs.

Vitamin D
Vitamin C
Zinc
Silver Sol
Probiotics
Echinacea – (caution: people with certain allergies (e.g. ragweed) may have adverse reactions to Echinacea)
Essential Oils – stay tuned next month for more on essential oils and their many uses such as immune system support and cleaning the house!

*The product information provided is for educational purposes and is not intended as either diagnosis or treatment of any disease, nor does it replace professional medical advice.

*Warning: Please consult a health care professional before using these products.

Defending the Borders, Part III

By Admin|2014-08-02T08:45:03-05:00August 2nd, 2014|Articles, General|

Being Proactive Against Invaders

This month, we’re closing this series by encouraging you to have a strategic lifestyle that protects your Body Nation. It is proactive and anticipatory in nature.

In military terms, this concept is well demonstrated by the events of 9/11 and the Boston Marathon attack in 2013. When events like this occur, our governments stop to ask the question, “How did this happen and how do we prevent it from reoccurring?”

Do you ever look at your health this way? Do you ask yourself what events occurred that left you exhausted, or with a cold, flu, stomach virus or yeast infection? And more importantly, what can you do going forward to prevent this from happening again? Here are simple proactive and defensive strategies to prevent attack.

Make Wellness Your Lifestyle Routine

Our lifestyle choices direct us in one of two directions: toward disease or toward wellness. Where are your choices taking you? Adopting a healthy lifestyle for life is the single greatest step you can take toward staying well and protecting your health. The core foundational pieces must include:

Food and water choices that truly nourish the physical structure of the body.
Spiritual or meditative time for mental health and self-respect.
Quality sleep for healing, balance, detoxification and restoration.
Routine exercise for strength, stress reduction and stamina.

Are you taking good care of yourself? Get started on a commitment to continually adjust your lifestyle to achieve balance in this foundation for wellness.

Anticipating What Lies Ahead

To avoid getting caught off guard, like our nation did with 9/11, you will find it helpful to anticipate possibilities and take protective, preventative measures. Here are examples of what this looks like:

Crazy Busy Week Ahead: Schedule and plan non-negotiable self-care appointments for wise food choices, adequate sleep, exercise and quiet time.
Germy Places: Anticipate airplanes, hospital visits or being in crowded venues and increase probiotic intake for a day or two before, during and after. In addition, keep you hands clean and off of your face. (The more people you are around, the more likely germs will be passed).
Life’s Most Stressful Events: Recognize that the most difficult life events require a wellness strategy. A dying parent, loss of a job, divorce or loss of someone you love each demand streamlining your life by delegating what you can, stepping away from some commitments for a time, and investing more time in self-care and wellness. Consider professional help, rally friends and family for support, ask your wellness provider about diet and supplements that can help to ease anxiety, reduce inflammation and improve rest.
Feels Like You Are Coming Down With Something:

o At bedtime, increase your military force right where you need it by opening a probiotic capsule and dumping its contents on the back of your tongue before putting your head on the pillow. Doing this places military forces right in the ears, nose and throat.

o Consider adding or increasing supplements that boost your immune function such as probiotics, Silver Sol, zinc, vitamin D and vitamin C. (See Supplement of the Month section in this newsletter.)

o Focus on anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, antioxidant foods (see the Nutrition article in this newsletter.)

General Maintenance and Upkeep: Seasonally, take time to cleanse your body through juicing, fasting, eating raw or some similar cleansing technique that works well for you. Consult with Nancy Mehlert, our nutritionist, for methods that will meet your individual needs.
Take Direction from Your Body: Most of us are miserably out of relationship with our body. It does speak to you, so learn to listen to it! Listen for thirst, pain, exhaustion, fullness, or hunger and respond with provision. If a craving exists for a healthy food such as a vegetable, nut, or meat, then meet that demand by getting that exact food. (Be aware of malware messages for donuts, ice cream or chips. If you get those messages, some other malicious invader is attacking you).
Get Out In Front of Potential Trouble: If you know you have to have x-rays taken or a certain medical procedure will involve antibiotics or steroids, put a dietary and supplemental plan in place to protect and maintain your gut bacteria by increasing probiotic doses and consulting with your wellness provider for assistance.

Anticipating possible damage, taking proactive steps, and developing a well balanced lifestyle will lead you to wellness.

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*The product information provided is for educational purposes and is not intended as either diagnosis or treatment of any disease, nor does it replace professional medical advice. (The FDA makes us say that)

*Warning: Please consult a health care professional before using these products.

Support your Immune System

Being Proactive Against Invaders