Author Archives: Dr. Elliott

Fertility Complaints

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I prefer to call it ‘fertility’ rather than ‘infertility’ when I’m working with soon-to-be moms.  I view it as a cooperative effort to create the healthiest, most fertile body possible in order to increase the woman’s chances of raising a healthy, happy baby.  I really enjoy working with my fertility patients as they are gung-ho to lay the foundation for a fertile breeding ground, and I’ve had a lot of success working with women who come in with fertility complaints.

The first thing I will do is look for imbalance in the body – physical symptoms or indications of dis-ease on the mental, emotional, or spiritual levels.  All of these need to be addressed.  I assess for inflammation, gastrointestinal distress, hormone imbalance, nutritional deficiencies, toxicity overload, blood sugar irregularities and an imbalanced immune system.  Much of this can be assessed for during our initial consultation but I will also send a patient home with several questionnaires if I am suspecting specific issues like hypothyroidism or stress-related adrenal fatigue.  I will also recommend testing depending on the circumstance.  These may include regular blood tests to look at the health of the red and white blood cells and iron status, a comprehensive thyroid panel, stool testing for parasites, yeast and an imbalance in the protective bacteria in our colon, heavy metal testing, nutritional panels to assess for vitamin and mineral status, and hormone testing.  I will also provide a Pap exam and suggest testing for sexually transmitted infections if warranted.

After the initial assessment and receiving the results of any testing we have done, it’s time to put a plan into action.  Food sensitivities will be identified and removed and education on eating for the weather and the body’s constitution will be discussed.  A frank and honest chat about addictions such as alcohol, caffeine, sugar, cigarettes, drug use, and workaholism will occur.   Eating to prevent blood sugar swings and to help balance hormones is chatted about at some length.  Detoxification is generally an important piece of the puzzle and, depending on the state of health of the individual, I’ll recommend a one-to-three-month detoxification program where we focus on the health of the colon, liver, kidneys and blood.  A clean digestive tract filled with the right types of bacteria and a well-functioning liver are key to ensuring proper balance in hormones upstream for the gastrointestinal tract (thyroid, adrenal, and reproductive).  Supplements and herbs are used to balance progesterone, estrogen and testosterone and support cortisol and thyroid hormone production.  Techniques are taught that will help the individual embrace a more balanced lifestyle – stress management, body movement exercises, eating and sleep hygiene.  Through the process, we watch for signs that the body is becoming healthier – clearer skin, sharper memory and eyesight, abundant energy, regenerative deeper sleep, a painless period, and the best bowel movements ever!  These stand as encouraging sign posts that we’re headed down the right path.

If there is a history of PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), endometriosis, sexually transmitted infections, miscarriages, irregular or abnormal periods, or other conditions that could be affecting the ability to get pregnant, these will be addressed once the detoxification process is well underway.

At this point I will generally recommend acupuncture as an adjunct to the program as the subtle energy shifts that come from dispersing blockages and harmonizing Qi are a highly effective tool to completing the ground work for a fertile body.

I will also advise that the woman’s partner be fully checked out by a fertility clinic – sperm motility, quality and count can often be a complication or cause of infertility.  Ideally, the male partner would also seek out naturopathic care and be going through his own protocol for the health of his body and in support of his partner.  We have the best success when both partners are working with conventional medical and integrative practitioners.  Fertility clinics may help with functionality testing that I don’t provide, such as the postcoital test, hysterosalpingography, and laparoscopy.  Working with a team of practitioners provides the woman the best opportunity to become pregnant.

It doesn’t stop there.  Once pregnancy is accomplished, we now shift our focus to ensuring the mom’s body maintains the pregnancy through to completion and that the growing baby has everything he or she requires to come out into the world with an abundance of health.

The length of the above protocol may take 3 to 6 months (or longer) and it is encouraged that the woman hold off attempting to get pregnant until at least the detoxification stage is finished.  By laying the foundational groundwork for optimal health in the mother and father, we are able to provide the best opportunity for healthy future babies!

Why Fatty Fish Oils are Fantastic!

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hFish is a very healthy addition to any diet, but I have been hearing more and more lately that naturopathic colleagues of mine and “those in the know” are eating less fish or avoiding it altogether due to our (humans’) pollution of the environment and the fish that live in it.  This is extremely disheartening – both for the fact that we put big industry and money before the health and welfare of our Earth, and for the fact that eating this highly-nutritious source of protein now carries with it health risks.  A quick Google of “pollution fish” will bring up dozens of sites that list the chief concern with ingesting fish:  mercury toxicity.  There are now fish-consumption advisories about eating certain species of fish or from certain lakes or regions in Canada.  Shame on us for polluting our environment to the point of making fish consumption hazardous!

So, why is fish such a healthy choice?  Well, it’s low in fat, high in protein, high in minerals and vitamins, and – especially important – high in the omega-3 essential fatty acids EPA and DHA (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexenoic acid).

These fatty acids have been linked to healthy aging, proper fetal development, improved cardiovascular function, balancing mood disorders such as ADHD and depression, and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.1,2   At a cellular level, they work their way into the fatty phospholipid bilayer that makes up the membrane of every cell in our body.  When the cell has to ‘snip’ a fat off the membrane to use for cellular function, it has more of the anti-inflammatory EPA and DHA fats to choose from.   That’s an important point not to miss: the EPA and DHA have a tendency to reduce inflammation in the body.  Inflammation in the arteries and veins, in the cellular tissue, in the brain, in the organs, in the gut.  This makes them an important part of autoimmune and pain-management protocols.

Krill oil may be an exciting new option, so watch for more research surfacing in the coming years.  Also, a benefit to krill oil is that it is such a small species (crustacean) that it doesn’t bioaccumulate toxins to the same extent larger fish like salmon do.

“Krill omega-3 phospholipids, containing mostly phosphatidylcholine (PC) with DHA/EPA attached, markedly outperformed conventional fish oil DHA/EPA triglycerides in double-blind trials for premenstrual syndrome/dysmenorrhea and for normalizing blood lipid profiles. Krill omega-3 phospholipids demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity, lowering C-reactive protein (CRP) levels [a marker for inflammation in the body] in a double-blind trial. Utilizing DHA and EPA together with phospholipids and membrane antioxidants to achieve a triple cell membrane synergy may further diversify their currently wide range of clinical applications.” 2

Deep-sea, cold water fish such as salmon, herring, and mackerel have the greatest amounts of omega 3’s, and tuna and swordfish should be avoided as they have the greatest accumulation of mercury.

Going one step beyond eating wild fish is the purchase of a fish oil.  There are so many different types that line the shelves of health food stores that it makes it difficult to know which to purchase.  Essentially, you’re interested in purchasing one that is pharmaceutical grade, meaning:

  • It’s manufactured in a certified-GMP facility (Good Manufacturing Practices, Canada’s top regulation for health food products)
  • Quality control steps ensure the oil is free from lipid peroxides, heavy metals, environmental contaminates and other substances that negatively impact the body
  • It provides at least 60% concentration of EPA and DHA compared to the other fatty acids in the oil
  • It contains enough of the antioxidant vitamin E to protect the fatty acids against premature oxidation and rancidity

Pharmaceutical-grade fish oils will be extracted without the use of chemical solvents, will have low environmental impact (ie. through the harvesting of wild fish such as anchovies, sardines and mackerel that are not endangered), they will leave no contaminants in the oil (eg.  PCBs, dioxins, pesticides, molds or heavy metals), and will use a minimal amount of heat during the manufacturing process.   You should have no repeat (burping up of “fish odor or taste”), nor be able to tell you’re swallowing a spoonful of fish oil (ok, perhaps just a hint of fish will peak out behind the lemon or mango-flavored oil that you picked).

We have come a long way since our mothers made us drink tablespoons of cod liver oil during childhood illnesses – the research on the health benefits of EPA and DHA continue to stack up and the manufacturers continue to compete for products of the highest purity and bioavailability4.   If you have questions about whether fish oil is a supplement that is right for you, please ask at our next appointment.

  1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22332096
  2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18072818
  3. Get a Grip on Arthritis by Lorna Vanderhaeghe, 2004
  4. Quell Fish Oil, Supercritical CO2 Triglyceride; a Douglas Laboratories brochure

Protecting Against Medical Radiation

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hCertain common screening tests such as CT scans, mammograms and x-rays produce radiation that may lead to cellular damage and could increase the risk for developing cancer.

Taking antioxidants prior to radiation exposure can help protect your cells from the radiation.  Check with your doctor before starting this regime if you’re on blood thinning medication or taking chemotherapy drugs.

Take at least three of the following nutrients three times each – approximately 2 hours prior to your scan, 30 minutes before your scan, and 30 minutes after your scan.

  • Vitamin D – 1,000 mg per dose
  • Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) – 400 IU per dose
  • Glutathione – 250 mg per dose
  • N-acetylcysteine – 250 mg per dose
  • Alpha-lipoic acid – 100 mg per dose
  • Spirulina or blue-green algae – 2,000 mg per dose
  • Selenium citrate or picolinate – 100 mcg per dose (or eat two brazil nuts to achieve this level)

In addition, pay attention to eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, staying hydrated and doing things that increase joy in your life.

Adapted from “Five to Thrive; Your Cutting-Edge Cancer Prevention Plan”

Whaddya Think of Gluten?

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hI’ve had some very strange looks at times when I’ve recommended to my patients to go gluten-free. The looks range in severity from mild (“Oh no … I am not sure I can do that”) to full-fledged panic (“What?! Are you crazy lady??”)

I am not one to talk the talk, without walking the walk. My diet is virtually gluten-free, except for the odd slip-up (and enjoyment) of an occasional hamburger when I am dining out. It has taken me a long time to become 95% gluten-free, but slowly and steadily I have learned to enjoy the taste of healthier food choices and not miss the comfort foods of my youth (pizza, pasta, sandwiches).

The reason I made the switch is simple: I learned what gluten does to my body. I want to share some of this knowledge with you in the hopes that you too may find yourself a tad more motivated to ditch the gluten grains and reach for nourishing foods.

There wasn’t always an upheaval against wheat and gluten. It was historically eaten in a simpler form before being hybridized by the agricultural industry in the latter part of the 20th century. Essentially, genetic engineers were paid a lot of money to come up with a modified form of this grain that would increase crop yield and decrease production costs. Despite drastic changes in the genetic makeup of wheat, no long term safety studies were ever conducted on animals or humans. As with many of the genetically modified organisms on our grocery shelves today, we are the guinea pigs!

These are my top reasons for avoiding gluten and wheat-products:

  • A loaf of whole wheat bread will increase your blood sugar higher than sucrose (table sugar) due to the type of starch it contains. This causes a spike in insulin, a hormone that is extremely efficient at converting carbohydrates into fat storage on the body (especially abdominal fat).
  • Wheat is also an appetite stimulant due to its chemical makeup; those who eat gluten consume an average of 400 excess calories per day compared to those who avoid gluten.
  • Gluten breaks down into polypeptides that cross the blood brain barrier and bind to opiate receptors in the brain – this causes a reaction similar to an endorphin rush that happens during a “runner’s high”. This doesn’t seem too harmful until you look at the addictive nature of wheat: after the high comes the crash, and then, the cravings for more.
  • Gluten is notorious for making a substantially negative impact on mood and behavior, both in children and adults. The following conditions have been linked to gluten-intolerance: ADHD, depression, anxiety, mood swings, autism, mental fog, irritability, and schizophrenia.
  • Gluten creates gut-permeability. Restated: it pokes holes in your digestive tract. It’s a gut-irritant and leads to chronic low-grade inflammation in the small intestinal wall. This causes obnoxious gastrointestinal contents to cross into the blood stream, which ignites the immune system and sets the perfect stage for autoimmune disease and food sensitivities.
  • Other conditions that have been correlated with gluten are: pain and inflammation, arthritis, migraines, hypothyroidism, acne, high blood pressure, and celiac disease, which is a form of gluten allergy.
  • A sensitivity to gluten can lead to skin and mucus membrane reactions such as canker sores, gastritis, eczema and psoriasis.
  • Lastly, I simply feel more motivated and energetic when I avoid the gluten and I hear this from a lot of people I see.

If you’re still not convinced, try a gluten-free diet for a month and see what benefits you have!

Gluten Free Recipe Websites:

Elana’s Pantry

Gluten-Free Goddess

Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef

Two excellent cookbooks

 

Female Hormonal Complaints from Estrogen Dominance

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h

Certain underlying factors will predispose one to experience a less-than-ideal monthly flow, such as a diet high in sugar, carbohydrates and poor-quality oils, a lack of exercise, excessive stress, drinking caffeine and a history of pelvic inflammatory disease.

One of the most common causes of female menstrual complaints is an imbalance in estrogen and progesterone termed estrogen dominance.  Compared to progesterone, estrogen is relatively dominant, meaning that estrogen can be too high or too low, but progesterone is always too low in proportion to estrogen.  Menopausal complaints frequently arise from estrogen dominance as well.  The balance between these two hormones matters more than the amount of each.

I have listed some of the more common symptoms of estrogen dominance below:

  • Breast tenderness, enlargement and/or fibrocystic breasts
  • Anxiety, irritability, agitation and anger
  • Mood swings, depression, emotional/weepy
  • Acne, especially hormonal acne that worsens on a cyclical basis
  • Cramps, heavy bleeding, prolonged bleeding and blood clots
  • Water retention, bloating and weight gain
  • Fat gain, especially in the abdominal, hip, and thigh areas
  • Menstrual conditions: endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cysts, irregular periods, Pap smear abnormalities
  • Libido issues: decreased, increased or fluctuating sex drive
  • Infertility
  • Insomnia
  • Osteoporosis
  • Cancers of the breast, uterus, cervix and ovaries
  • Insulin resistance and blood sugar swings/crashes
  • Cravings for carbohydrates like bread, pasta, sweet foods and chocolate
  • Headaches and migraines

 

Use this online questionnaire to find out if you are estrogen dominant.

The relationship between estrogen and progesterone can be opposing or complimentary.  For example, while estrogen promotes insomnia and agitation, progesterone promotes a deep sleep and a sense of calm.  Another example is that estrogen can act on bone to decrease bone break down and progesterone compliments that action by helping to build up bone.

The adrenal glands are also involved in a proper estrogen-to-progesterone balance.  These glands, which sit upon your kidneys, produce cortisol and adrenaline among other hormones to allow your body to deal with stresses effectively.  These stresses can be mental or psychological in nature or can come from within the body: overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria, yeast, or parasites, blood sugar swings, toxins, food allergies and sensitivities, alcohol, caffeine, medications, viruses, etc.  To put it bluntly, the adrenal glands endure a lot of ‘wear and tear’ over the course of a lifetime and will impact your reproductive hormones, namely the estrogen and progesterone balance.  As stress levels increase and the demand for cortisol in the body rises, the adrenal glands will “steal” progesterone to make cortisol which contributes to low progesterone.  When one takes steps to correct adrenal hypofunction, it helps to correct the estrogen dominance.

Besides adrenal fatigue and stress, other common causes of estrogen dominance are:

  • Xenoestrogen exposure (view my previous post on xenoestrogens here)
  • Being overweight or obese (adipose, or fat cells, produce extra estrogen)
  • Using hormone replacement therapy
  • Not ovulating every month (this can be due to an anovulatory cycle or due to hormonal contraception which halts ovulation)
  • Consumption of trans-fats and higher carbohydrate intake
  • Nutritional deficiencies such as magnesium and B vitamins
  • Having a luteal phase defect (less progesterone is produced in the second half of the cycle)

 

Having higher levels of estrogen in the body can mask symptoms of low thyroid function by creating the appearance of higher thyroid hormone levels on blood tests.  Hypothyroidism (see previous post here) is a very commonly missed disorder which affects virtually every system in our body by slowing cellular metabolism.

Obviously estrogen dominance needs to be corrected, so how do we do that?

My top five suggestions for rebalancing the ratio of estrogen and progesterone:

  1. Detoxify.  This includes a colon and liver cleanse.  The liver is the main organ responsible for metabolizing hormones and we want to ensure it’s doing its job well!  Several good detox kits are available at health food stores or visit your naturopathic doctor for recommendations.
  2. Clean up your environment!  Avoid exogenous sources of estrogen by choosing organic produce, dairy and meats.  Drink filtered water to reduce chlorine consumption and consider a filter on your shower.  Eliminate hormonal contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy (or switch to bio-identical hormone replacement therapy if your salivary test results show deficiencies).  Move away from purchasing foods in plastics (or microwaving plastics & saran wrap!) and tin cans, instead buy glass-jar products and store refrigerated left-overs in glass or ceramic containers.  Commit to purchasing house-hold cleaners that are environmentally friendly with no harsh chemicals, and ensure topical creams and moisturizers contain nothing but natural ingredients that you can recognize.
  3. Cruciferous vegetables.  These contain active ingredients that work to help the body eliminate excess estrogens.  Consider eating them daily in raw, steamed or stir-fried forms.
  4. Chastetree.  This is an herb which acts at the level of the anterior pituitary to help normalize hormones and is particularly good at raising progesterone levels.  Alternatively, if the estrogen dominance is extremely severe, progesterone cream can be attained from a compounding pharmacy with a prescription.  By starting with a very low dose and working up to the optimal level, the estrogen-to-progesterone ratio can be normalized faster.
  5. Diet & Lifestyle must not be overstated!  Walk, jog, hike, bike, swim, chuck balls… do whatever you have to do to get your heart rate pumping for 30 minutes, most days of the week.  Ideally, you’d have some fun doing so!  If you find yourself constantly struggling with stress, seek out therapies to help (life coach, yoga, meditation, relaxation CDs, nature walks, gardening, or join a choir).

 

Flaking Off Psoriasis

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h

To begin, I don’t have it but I have treated it.  It can be an easy condition to put into remission and then there are extremely complicated cases that I have seen that, unless under the most strict circumstances (aggressive dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, and supplement regiments), they refuse to budge.

I mentioned food sensitivities so I will start there.  Psoriasis is a skin disorder, yes, but is it characteristically an autoimmune disorder and therefore is highly affected by the state of our immune system.  Picture an immune system in a body of a person who has many food sensitivities.  As the immune cells are constantly secreting chemical messengers (cytokines) to enact battle after battle against food (or, as the immune system sees it: “foreign antigens”), these cytokines are also upregulating the rate at which our skin cells grow.  This leads to red and white scaly patches of bothersome, flaking skin.  Discovering and removing food sensitivities is an extremely important first step in starting to treat psoriasis.

Gut dysbiosis, which I have written about in numerous other blog posts, will also contribute to skin issues.  I have seen a strong correlation between candida overgrowth and pathogenic strains in the intestines associated with skin rashes such as eczema and psoriasis.  Sensitive stool testing with a parasitology panel go a long way in determining exactly what is inappropriately growing in the digestive tract!  As a side-note, a parasite cleanse is beneficial for everyone and I recommend my patients do one every year whether or not they have travelled to exotic countries or experience gastrointestinal complaints.   Keeping the gut interior in proper health is key to maintaining a disease-free body.  Fermented foods such as saukraut, miso, kefir and kim chi, along with probiotics, help to shift the ecology of the gut into a favorable place for friendly bacteria to grow.

The immune system, when out of balance and over-reactive, can be nicely modulated by using supplements such as vitamin D and fish oils.  Fish oils, of which the DHA and EPA are of utmost importance, balance inflammation in the body and are beneficial in any autoimmune process.

With psoriasis, a high-potency multivitamin and mineral complex will help fill in any gaps in our daily required nutrients.  For example, many of us are low in zinc (a common sign is white flecks or marks on the fingernails) and in a deficient state of zinc we are unable to produce proper hydrochloric acid levels in our stomachs.  These acid levels ensure minerals can be fully absorbed from the food we eat and maintain the proper acidic pH balance in our digestive tract to inhibit the overgrowth of intestinal dysbiosis.  You can see how a diet low in zinc can perpetuate the dysbiosis that contributes to psoriasis and other diseases.

As I left the teller, I thought about letting her know that she had inspired a blog post in me.  I contemplated grabbing her card and emailing her a link to it, but I thought I had already done enough, simply planting a seed.  If and when she was ready to pursue natural therapies and make lifestyle changes to treat her skin disorder, she’ll readily find many helpful sites available and local naturopathic practitioners to help her on her healing journey.

 

Related articles

Solving Psoriasis – another naturopathic doctor’s perspective

Psoriasis – dietary, lifestyle, and natural remedy tips from “Ask a Naturopath”

Foundational Support – Natural News tackles psoriasis

 

Inflammatory Eating

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h

Sydney Loney was conducting the interview and is a senior editor at Chatelaine magazine.  She can be followed @SydneyLoney.

SL: I know it’s a fairly complex topic but I wanted to ask you about inflammation generally: what is it and what affect can it have on the body? 

Dr. E: Inflammation is happening in our bodies continuously, when there is tissue damage, an infection, toxins or irritants, the process of inflammation occurs to ‘clean up’ debris and heal the surrounding area.  It involves a complex process of white blood cells and chemical signals that is closely monitored by the body.  In small, finite amounts, inflammation is beneficial, but can and often does become pathologically chronic.  An injured shoulder that never fully heals and atherosclerosis are examples of chronic, damaging inflammation.  I previously wrote another blog on inf

SL: How big a role does what you eat play when it comes to inflammation?

Dr. E: Food that we put in our bodies on a daily basis will either work for us or against us – adding to, or taking away, from our health.  Certain foods are unrecognizable to the body (ex. trans-fatty acids), or toxic to the body (ex. alcohol), but in general, most foods will either promote or reduce inflammation.  So, in a nutshell, food plays a huge role in our level of inflammation!

SL: What are three of the best anti-inflammatory foods that might help fight/protect you from inflammation and what makes them beneficial?

Dr. E: My favorite anti-inflammatory foods are brightly-colored, dark leafy vegetables, fish oils, and curcumin, a polyphenolic extract of turmeric (the spice commonly used in Indian cooking).  Vegetables are extremely important as they contain large amounts of antioxidants and phytonutrients that quench the inflammatory fire.  Chronic inflammation abounds because the “stop signal” that normally halts the process is not properly being heard by the body’s immune cells.  Antioxidants rush to the aid by repairing some of the oxidative damage that inflammation is famous for.

The omega-3 fish oils DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) are anti-inflammatory in nature, helping to balance out our omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acid ratio.  They have been studied and used therapeutically to alter the inflammatory process in cardiovascular disease, hypertension, autoimmune disorders, cancer, and diabetes.

Lastly, curcumin has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects; it mediates inflammation in the body by acting on the enzyme cyclo-oxygenase much like common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen do.

SL: What are three foods that can cause inflammation in the body that people should be aware of and what is it that makes them potentially harmful?

Dr. E: Dairy foods are far from the ideal food for human consumption, which is in sharp contrast to what we are often taught.  Humans lose 90-95% of the enzyme lactase by the age of four years old which creates a population with mild to severe lactose intolerance.  Both the lack of lactase and the acidic nature of pasteurized milk products create an overgrowth of bacteria in our intestines which ultimately disrupts our natural, protective flora and can contribute to permeability in our intestinal barrier.  This will create inflammation in our bodies as partially digested food matter is able to cross our gut barrier before it’s properly broken down, creating a hyper-active immune system that is constantly in a state of attack.  Also, milk is one of the top allergens (gluten being the second most common) and it can trigger inflammatory responses evident by skin rashes, acne, hives, breathing difficulties, constipation and diarrhea.

A second food group that affects the level of inflammation in the body are grains, especially those in a highly processed form such as white flour.  For the better part of human existence grains were void from our diet as we traditionally hunted and gathered wild greens, berries, game and fish.  Then, in the past 10,000 years, the advent of agriculture came to be and our digestive tracts had to quickly adapt to break down, absorb and utilize this form of carbohydrate.  Also, grains contain phytic acid which will bind to minerals and prevent absorption when the grains are improperly prepared.  The result is that many people do much better on a grain-free diet.

Lastly, any food that you know you are sensitive or allergic to will contribute to inflammation in the body.  The most common food sensitivities are gluten (a protein in wheat), dairy, grains, sugar, and yeast, and the most common food allergies are milk, eggs, peanuts, citrus fruits, shellfish, and soy.  The defining feature between a food sensitivity and a food allergy is which part of the immune system is involved.  A type of antibody called immunoglobulin G is involved in sensitivities and is a delayed reaction, meaning you can have symptoms such as gas, bloating, digestive upset, rashes, eczema, asthma, itchy dry skin, nasal congestion, frequent colds, headaches, fatigue and brain fog up to a couple days after ingesting the food.  Food allergies, on the other hand, tend to be immediate onset and are orchestrated by an antibody called immunoglobulin E.  When eating foods that you are reacting to, it creates an overburdened immune system that is constantly on guard – creating antibodies which maintain a high level of damaging inflammation in the body.  You can either get your food sensitivities and allergies tested for by a natural health care practitioner or you can try an elimination and challenge diet (the gold standard) to deduce your reactions yourself.

SL: Thanks so much again Dr. Elliott. 

Dr.E: You’re welcome!

 

More Information from Previous Posts about Inflammation:

 

Saw Palmetto for Prostate

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hBoucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine was of a male patient suffering from BPH, or benign prostatic hyperplasia.  BPH is a condition that causes an enlargement of the prostate which then presses on the male urethra, obstructing urinary flow and causing frequent and sometimes painful urination, urinary hesitancy (start-and-stop flow), an increased risk of urinary tract infections and urinary retention.  Some attention will be paid here to this condition as if often begins in middle age for men and approximately three quarters of males over the age of 75 will suffer from it.

My patient’s chief complaint at the time was nocturnal urination – he was rising up to four times per night to greet the toilet with sleepy eyes.  Lethargic in the morning, he was seeking a quick and permanent resolution.  His medical doctor was suggesting medication but he wanted to try the natural route.

I hit the books to determine the best natural therapies to treat BPH and the herb saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) popped up in the literature time and time again.  Under the advisement of my supervising physician, I concocted an herbal tincture with saw palmetto as the main ingredient.  The patient agreed to try it.  Several weeks later he was back in my office with a smile on his face.  I asked him about his nightly urinary habits and he happily replied he’s only getting up once to twice a night now to pee.  I had to hide my shock that my herbal formula had worked so well (we had also adjusted his dietary and physical activity habits which may have played a role in his body’s response).

Several months ago a systematic review on saw palmetto came out.  It concluded that, “Serenoa repens therapy does not improve LUTS [lower urinary tract symptoms] or Q(max) [maximum urinary output] compared with placebo in men with BPH, even at double and triple the usual dose.  Adverse events were generally mild and comparable to placebo.”

This didn’t seem to fit with my experience in clinic that day, nor my experience since.  Upon digging a little further, I came across a great article written by GreenMedInfo.com.   They state that the findings of this study and another negative metanalysis conducted in 2009 “conflict with numerous randomized, double-blind studies and previous reviews that have found Saw palmetto reduces prostate symptoms.”  An example of the conflicting evidence is a Cochrane review from 2000 in which 18 studies from 1966 – 1997 were assessed and found that saw palmetto improved BPH symptoms by an average of 72%.

So why the conflicting evidence?  And, doesn’t it seem to always be the case that certain studies will show positive results for a substance (whether a drug, supplement, herb or food) while others will show the opposite?

The Green Med Info article determined the discord has much to do with study design.   Among their findings were:

  • good quality research studies are being left out of the reviews because they don’t meet increasingly tighter protocols being set out by pharmaceutical research
  • varying amounts of the bioactive ingredient in different saw palmetto herbal products were using in different studies
  • studies involving combination herbal products were omitted from the reviews, and it has been found that, like most herbs, saw palmetto works synergistically with other herbs to produce greater benefits
  • BPH is a result of a combination of factors (obesity, low physical activity, alcohol, saturated fatty diet, stress, smoking, etc.) and therefore when saw palmetto is prescribed in a traditional medicinal setting, a combination of herbs and lifestyle changes may be recommended..  Saw palmetto has worked this way for many years, for thousands of patients, although the positive benefits to this holistic approach will not be picked up in large, clinical “single active constituent” studies.

Based on findings in my clinical practice, and positive research study designs that reflect the intricacies of herbal prescribing,  I continue to recommend saw palmetto to my patients for BPH.

 

North Vancouver Family Needs Your Help

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I have just learned that a chiropractor I worked with, Erica Harris, was diagnosed this past June with acute leukemia.  As she is a mother of two and part of a loving family, I am posting the information below in the hopes that you’ll be willing to do a simple cheek swab to see if you would be an ideal match – they have yet to locate  the one-in-a-million bone-marrow match that is vitally needed to save her life.

The following is a re-post from LynnValleyLife.com.

Now that the sun is shining, most parents and kids are thinking about beach days, play dates, and picnics in the park. Unfortunately, one Lynn Valley family’s summer dreams have been cut short in a manner as tragic as it was unexpected.

Erica Harris is a wife, a mom to two young sons, and a chiropractor who has spent time working at Canopy Health in Lynn Valley Village. She has owned her own clinic and built her career helping professional and amateur athletes reach their peak. But on June 6 she received word that her own health is facing a severe challenge. On that day she learned she has acute myelogenous leukemia, and was immediately admitted to hospital.

Two days later she started a week-long course of chemotherapy intended to wipe out the cancerous cells in her bone marrow. It was not successful. In fact, the percentage of leukemic cells in her blood was even higher than before.

Doctors now know that Erica is in a high-risk category that requires an even harsher round of chemo to wipe out all the cells in her marrow, good and bad alike (she is just finishing up these treatments in the next day or two). This sets the stage for a bone marrow transplant to follow, which will provide her with ‘seed’ cells to regrow the marrow she needs to produce healthy blood cells.

But there’s a problem. So far a suitable match has not been found for Erica, and her need is urgent and time-limited. That’s why her friends, family and colleagues are doing all they can to spread the word to encourage people to do the simple steps necessary to see if they are a potential match.

This involves a simple cheek swab (you can do it all by mail, or to save precious time, in person at a Canadian Blood Services centre). If a match is found, the vast majority of donations are made via a minimally invasive procedure involving blood collection; occasionally a more involved collection of marrow from the iliac crest is done under local or general anesthetic.

Of course, there are more people than Erica in need of these life-saving treatments, and her family hopes that others will benefit from the kindness of donors who may not be a direct match for Erica.

“Also, if you, and/or anyone you know, are able to donate blood or platelets – this is also very important,” says Erica’s husband Harley Harris. “Erica had a number of transfusions … in her first round of chemo, and we anticipate there will be many more transfusions during this next chemo treatment.   You never realize how important donating blood and platelets really is until you are receiving them.”

Harley’s great wish is to have Erica home again and tucking in their two boys at night. The two- and five-year-old lads are her biggest cheering squad, urging her ‘good’ cells on with chants of “Go, fighters, go!!”

But Erica’s ‘good’ cells need a helping hand, and that’s what neighbours are for. So please learn more about the donation process and how you can get involved. And please spread the word on your own Facebook pages and amongst your email lists.

We’ll be sure to update you with any other opportunities to give this Lynn Valley family a hand.  In the meantime, please continue to keep Erica, Harley and their boys in your thoughts.

- Peggy Trendell-Jensen, Editor

September 11, 2012: An Update From the Harris Family on Lynn Valley Life

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High Blood Pressure

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It is the most common diagnosis in doctor’s offices – 5.9% of family medical diagnoses are hypertension, making up a whopping 11 million patient visits a year, followed closely by diabetes, acute upper respiratory infections and sinusitis.

The optimal blood pressure is 110/70 but 120/80 is considered “normal”.  Those with blood pressure that has crept up to 139/89 are considered prehypertensive, and stage 1 hypertension starts at 140/90 and above.  A hypertensive emergency (ER visit) is defined as 200/120 with symptoms such as headaches, blurred vision, chest pain, shortness of breath and/or renal insufficiency.

Hypertension is very amendable to natural medicine – a combination of nutritional changes, exercise, and supplements can greatly reduce potential morbidity and mortality.

If you are diagnosed with hypertension, it’s important to consider the causes and ask yourself whether these could be contributing in your case: side effects of drugs, estrogen in the birth control pill, Cushing’s disease (excess cortisol in the body), recreational cocaine use, aortic coarctation, abuse of alcohol, licorice over-consumption, gestational hypertension (high blood pressure of pregnancy), excess calcium in the blood (due to various causes such hyperparathyroidism, malignancy, Paget’s disease, and sarcoidosis), insulin resistance, heavy metals toxicity from mercury or lead, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and aspirin, sleep apnea, thyroid disease, tobacco consumption, upper cervical spine subluxation, and vitamin D deficiency.  As you can tell from this extensive list, there are many factors that can cause or contribute to hypertension, and it’s important to find a physician who is willing to do some investigative work (lab tests, physical assessment) in order to find the cause.

A low-sodium, high-potassium diet should be implemented to treat hypertension.  The ideal diet is a paleolithic-Mediterranean style which includes an abundant consumption of vegetables, fruit, seeds, nuts, omega-3 and monounsaturated fatty acids (as in fish, olive oil and avocados), and lean sources of protein (lean meats, fatty cold-water fish, soy and whey proteins).  Reducing your consumption of processed foods will ultimately decrease chemical preservatives, artificial sweeteners, candies, pastries, breads, cookies and other high-glycemic foods in your diet – a real bonus to overall health!  Especially important foods to eat regularly are dark leafy greens, garlic and onions, fish, almonds and small amounts of dark chocolate.

Foundational supplements for a hypertensive protocol include fish oils, a high-potency multivitamin, probiotics, and vitamin D to correct any deficiencies present.  Other important supplements to be used to lower blood pressure and protect your cardiovascular system are coenzyme Q-10, potassium, magnesium, acetyl-l-carnitine, L-arginine, garlic, and vitamin C.  Every effort should be taken to achieve a healthy body weight, and exercise should be performed 30 – 60 minutes per day, 4 – 7 times per week.  However, those who are at risk of cardiovascular disease should receive a stress test from their GP before initiating vigorous exercise in order to ensure the blood pressure is not rising threateningly high during physical activity.  Lastly, stress-reduction exercises should be implemented daily and made to be a habit.  My favorites are meditation, Qigong, deep breathing exercises, acupuncture, relaxation or visualization audio soundtracks and nature walks.

Treat your heart healthy – it is the one muscle in your body that works continually, from before you’re born to the moment you die, and it deserves love and attention.