July News!!!

Naturopathic Family Care and Longevity Medical Health Center is now offering sauna therapy. We are running speacials on sauna and massage packages through the end of July. Call the office for pricing and to schedule your sauna and massage appointment today!
(602) 493-2273

Coming up this July, Dr. Marianne Marchese, leader in Naturopathic Women's Health and Phoenix Magazine's Top Doctor for 2010, will be hosting one of her most popular and highly attended talks,


Flashes! and Sweats! and Dryness! Oh my!
She will be discussing everything you need to know about Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy, Menopause and Herbs.

Join us for this free health lecture at Naturoapthic Family Care.

Please RSVP for this event

Menopause and Bio-identical Hormones
By Marianne Marchese, ND
Author of 8 Weeks to Women’s Wellness: The Detoxification Plan for Breast Cancer, Endometriosis, Infertility and Other Women’s Health Conditions.
Menopause is a time of transition in a woman’s life. No two women enter into menopause the same and thus can not address the issues that arise with a one-size-fits-all treatment approach. Menopause is a normal part of the aging process that affects women in their 40’s and 50’s. The definition of menopause is the cessation of the menstrual cycle. It is not a disease condition, although is often thought of and treated as a disease. A woman becomes postmenopausal after going an entire year without a menstrual cycle. However, a woman may experience signs and symptoms of menopause years before the menstrual cycle actually stops.

Typical symptoms of menopause:
*Hot flashes
*Night sweats
*Insomnia
*Low libido
*Mood swings
*Vaginal dryness and pain with intercourse
*Hair falling out
*Joint pain
*Decreased memory and concentration


There are several treatment options available to women and as women become more educated about these options they often ask their physician which treatment is best for them. Most often it depends on a woman’s individual risk factors for breast cancer, heart attack, stroke and osteoporosis. Treatment options include bio-identical hormone therapy, botanical/herbal medicine, homeopathy, diet and nutrition, and nutritional supplements. Sometimes the best approach for managing symptoms is a combination or one or more treatments. Some physicians are not trained in all the possible treatment options and may not understand that some herbs interact with medications. A naturopathic physician is probably the best trained in all options available to women. www.naturopathic.org

What are bio-identical hormones?
For decades, women in the U.S. have been prescribed hormones for menopause. In 2001 all that changed with the release of the first large double-blind placebo controlled study on the use of hormones in post-menopausal women. This study was called The Women’s Health Initiative and showed that hormones use had a slight increase in breast cancer risk, stroke and heart attack. [1] However, this study was done using synthetic hormones. A very specific yet commonly prescribed formula of estrogens from horse urine, and synthetic progestins. This study was not done using bio-identical hormones which are very different.

Bioidentical hormones are compounds that have exactly the same chemical and molecular structure as human hormones. In contrast, non-bioidentical, or synthetic, hormones are structurally different from the hormones a woman’s ovary makes. [2] Bio-identical hormones are made both by conventional pharmaceutical companies and compounding pharmacies. The bio-identical hormones made by conventional pharmaceutical companies come with limitations in dosages, and control of additives and fillers. Compounding pharmacies can formulate estrogen plus progesterone pills and creams, estrogen only pills and creams, and can add other bio-identical hormones such as testosterone and DHEA as determined by the physician. The compounded hormones come with unlimited dosing options and the ability to titrate the dose up and down depending on how a woman responds. [2] It allows for more individualization of hormone therapy.

Are bio-identical hormones safer and more effective?
In theory yes they are. But in reality we are just beginning to see research that includes the use of bio-identical hormones. Remember, synthetic hormones were the main choice for hormone therapy in menopause for decades. After the publication of the Women’s health Initiative study, more and more women turned to bio-identical hormones and thus the research has followed. A recent study showed that a combination of bio-identical estradiol, estriol and progesterone has positive effects on symptoms and less risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular disease. [3] However, a study from 2009 showed an increase risk of ovarian cancer from the use of hormones in menopause regardless of the type of hormone used, (synthetic verses bio-identical), duration of use, or route of administration. [4]

Bio-identical formulas
A woman’s ovary in her younger years mostly produces estradiol (E2), progesterone and testosterone. Estriol (E3) is converted in the body from estriol. Estrone (E1) is the dominant hormone in menopause being converted from another hormone in a woman’s adipose tissue or fat. Most physicians no longer add Estrone to bio-identical hormones due to the slight increase risk of breast cancer from Estrone metabolites. So a formula typically consists of the two estrogens; estradiol and estriol. If a woman has a uterus she MUST have progesterone added to the formula to protect the uterus. Often times a doctor will add testosterone and DHEA as well. Keep in mind that bio-identical testosterone converts to estradiol thus increases the amount of estradiol and possible breast cancer risk. Bio-identical hormones formulation and prescribing can be confusing a woman should seek out a practitioner that has experience and training in order to formulate a product that is right for you.

Who is not a candidate for hormones?
*Personal or family history of breast cancer
*Personal history of ovarian or uterine cancer
*Known clotting disorder or history of blood clots
*Personal history of stroke or TIA (mini-stroke)
*Personal history of heart attack or high risk for heart disease

If you are not a good candidate for bio-identical hormones there are still plenty of options for treating the symptoms of menopause. These include herbal medicines, nutrients, amino acids, bio-flaviniods, homeopathic remedies, and of course diet and nutrition. The goal is to decrease the symptoms of menopause without causing any harmful side effects. At the same time protecting a woman from disease conditions common after menopause, such as osteoporosis, should be included in a comprehensive individualized treatment approach. Learn more at www.drmarchese.com


References
1. Rossouw JE, et al. Risks and benefits of estrogen plus progestin in healthy postmenopausal women: principal results From the Women's Health Initiative randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2002;288(3):321-33.
2. Sood R, et al. Counseling Postmenopausal Women about Bioidentical Hormones: Ten Discussion Points for Practicing Physicians. JABFM. 2011;24:202-210.
3. Holtorf K. The bioidentical hormone debate: are bioidentical hormones (estradiol, estriol, and progesterone) safer or more efficacious than commonly used synthetic versions in hormone replacement therapy? Postgrad Med. 2009 Jan;121(1):73-85.
4. Mørch LS, et al. Hormone therapy and ovarian cancer. JAMA. 2009 Jul 15;302(3):298-305.

Take a Hike for Prostate Cancer
by Dr Psenka

A great study was published this June in the journal Cancer Research. This study looked at the relationship between exercise and the progression of prostate cancer. Previous research has already reported that vigorous activity reduces the risk of prostate cancer related mortality by 61%. There were 1455 men included in this new investigation, all of whom had biopsy-proven, non-metastatic prostate cancer. These men were given questionnaires covering the participants’ physical activity patterns. After a two-year time period the researchers found that the rate of prostate cancer progression was 57% lower among men who walked briskly 3 or more hours per week.

That’s worth repeating: A 57% reduction in prostate cancer progression from walking three hours per week!

This is just one more study showing that there are positive effects that can be had by incorporating exercise into a cancer treatment plan. Imagine a cancer therapy that could boost your immune system, inhibit cancer progression, and significantly reduce stress levels. Now imagine that this therapy didn’t cost anything. That’s exercise. No matter what a person’s exercise ability may be, there is always a way to begin receiving the many benefits of exercise.

New Massage Therapist Joins the Team!

We are pleased to announce that licensed massage therapist and certified medical assistant Jacinta Tsosie has joined the office. Jacinta uses a variety of massage therapies including deep tissue,

Shiatsu, Swedish massage, trigger point therapy, and sports massage. Read more about Jacinta here.

Don't miss our great introductory massage special throughout the months of June and July. Call the office today for details and scheduling.

Bad Bugs Begone!

Recently on the news there were reports of an E. Coli outbreak in Germany that caused illness in an estimated 30,000 people. German officials fingered inadequately washed produce such as sprouts, cucumbers, and lettuce as the source of the bacteria. I also recently diagnosed a gastrointestinal parasite infection in a otherwise healthy patient. One of the possible ways this infection may have occurred was from not washing produce well. In light of both of these events I thought I would pass on an old vegetable and fruit washing tip that's easy, works great, and takes a minimal amount of effort.

Step 1: Fill up your sink with room temperature water.

Step 2: Add one cup of hydrogen peroxide.

Step 3: Add your produce.

Step 4: Let it soak for 10-20 minutes.

Step 5: Rinse and eat (a minimum of 4-5 servings per day)

Sauna Therapy Now Available at the Clinic!

We are excited to tell you that we are now offering sauna therapy to our patients. Saunas are an excellent way to address a variety of health problems. Saunas offer a relaxing and safe approach for promoting detoxification of a number of environmental toxins. Our new state of the art sauna uses infra-red carbon heaters to deliver a powerful and precise heat. The heaters in our sauna are the only heaters to have been researched and found beneficial for human health. In addition to providing heat, our sauna also has optional chromotherapy built in

Chromotherapy, aka. color therapy, uses specialized color-emitting lights to positively effect health.

While sauna therapy has been mainly used to treat toxicity issues, there are several common health problems that can be successfully helped with sauna use. Medical research supports the use of sauna therapy for congestive heart failure, hypertension, and chronic pain. Sauna therapy has been shown to increase quality of life in patients with type-II diabetes and to provide benefits people with asthma or chronic bronchitis. Several studies have found sauna therapy to be effective in alleviating rheumatic pain and stiffness associated with arthritis. Sauna therapy has also been studied as an adjunct to chemotherapy as a way to improve the functioning of the immune system.

Sauna therapy is very safe and even enjoyable to receive. We are offering sauna and massage packages, as well as special detoxification IV's with can be paired with sauna use.

For more information about sauna therapy see our sauna page on the 4wecare.com website.

Are Your Allergies Making You Crazy?!?

Now that spring is here, at last we can step outside and take some time to enjoy the sunshine and the warmer longer days.

However for many people this is not the case. For asthma and allergy sufferers spring can be a difficult time, as they struggle to control their symptoms.

In this edition of the NFC Newsletter Dr. Jesika DiCampli discusses the link between allergies and nervous system function in children and we also have some great information on how to beat asthma and allergies with Austin Air filters.






Helping to Fight Asthma

Today a staggering 24 million Americans suffer from asthma and nearly half of those are children.

It is generally thought the main factors that contribute to asthma are a combination of genetics and our environment.

Environmental factors include dust mites, pollution, pet dander, molds, tobacco smoke and chemicals.

Medications such as inhalers and steroids are used in part, to treat the condition. However sufferers must also avoid these environmental triggers, which is not always easy to do. By using effective air filtration and eliminating indoor pollutants, people can enjoy cleaner air and greatly reduce the risk of an asthma attack.

The filters used in Austin Air cleaners contain True Medical Grade HEPA and activated carbon, which is by far the most effective method of air filtration available. It is this filter technology, together with a unique 360 degree air intake design, that guarantees clean air is delivered faster and more efficiently than any other air cleaner on the market.

To learn more about Austin Air filters, the different types and cost, please contact our office 602-493-2273


FOOD ALLERGY, ADDITIVES, AND ADHD
Dr. Jesika DiCampli

This month the FDA has started investigating food dyes and children’s behavior. The age old question is can these additive dyes cause hyperactivity and behavioral issues? Some say yes and some say no. The Center for Science in the Public Interest wants the FDA to ban eight artificial food dyes particularly Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5 and Yellow No. 6, which make up 90 percent of the food dyes on the market. http://cspinet.org/new/pdf/food-dyes-rainbow-of-risks.pdf
Their stance is based on a 2004 meta-analysis. Many of the studies concluded that there, indeed, was a cause-and-effect relationship between food dyes and hyperactivity. The authors stated that dyes “promote hyperactivity in hyperactive children, as measured on behavioral rating scales” and that “society should engage in a broader discussion about whether the aesthetic and commercial rationale for the use of [artificial food colorings] is justified”.

Two recent studies sponsored by the British government on cross-sections of British children found that mixtures of four dyes (and a food preservative, sodium benzoate) impaired the behavior of even non-hyperactive children (Bateman, Warner et al. 2004; McCann, Barrett et al. 2007). As a result, the British government told the food and restaurant industries to eliminate the dyes tested by the end of 2009, and the Europe- an Parliament passed a law that will require a warning notice on all foods that contain one or more of the dyes tested after July 20, 2010. The notice states that the dyed food “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children” (Parliament accessed February 20, 2010).

So why are we having such a difficult time warning/banning these substances in the U.S.? Maybe because it is more cost effective to use the artificial dyes than natural forms. Many companies that distribute to both England and U.S. have been recommended to use natural forms of dyes in England but will not do the same for U.S. unless required.

To learn more about how Additives, dyes, and other food sensitivities could be affecting your child come to Dr. DiCampli’s discussion
Are Your Allergies Making You Crazy?!? on Wed May 18th

Oh My Aching Head!

Most of us have experienced a headache at some point in our lives. Some of us more frequently than others. Figuring what is causing a patient’s head to hurt is enough to give a physician a headache.

The differential diagnosis for head pain ranges from trauma to tumor to tooth to tension to tryptamines. There are many more causes of a headache but they do not conveniently begin with the letter “T.” A sudden onset severe headache with no previous history of headache is usually cause to visit an emergency department. The root of chronic headaches is more complicated.

One of the best ways to help your physician find the cause of your pain is to keep a headache diary. A good example is available at http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/guide/headache-diary

For women it is important to note where you are in your menstrual cycle. Migraines in particular have been related to low progesterone and other hormonal imbalances. Also note water consumption, environmental exposure (cleaning chemicals, dry cleaning, insecticides) and foods.

One of the most common causes of headache is dehydration. If your headaches come about the same time every afternoon, check to make sure you are drinking half your body weight in ounces of water. Withdrawal headaches are common with caffeine and sugar users. When the brain is deprived of the level of these that it is accustomed to, the result is a headache. If the headache resolves with coffee or sugar, it is time to wean off.

True headaches fall into three broad categories: tension, cluster, migraine. Tension headaches are common to both men and women, occur daily, and are a dull steady ache over the whole head. Cluster headaches usually occur in men, happen once a week, last less than four hours, are one sided and are severe in pain (think being stabbed in the head with an ice pick.) Migraines are more common in women, occur less frequently, can be one or both sided, can last 72 hours and are moderate in pain level. Migraines are further divided into classic, common and complicated. Classic have an aura or prodrome that let’s the victim know it is about to attack. Common lacks this feature. Complicated has sensory and motor impairments with the headache. And all three types of headaches can trigger each other.

The mouth can be a headache in and of itself. TMJ, grinding the teeth, root canal issues, and poor gum health can all lead to headaches. Sinus congestion can also manifest as a headache. Malposition of the spine can lead to headaches as well as somatic dysfunction. A common description of a headache is starting at the base of the skull and radiating behind the eye. This is usually caused by an over-used splenius capitis muscle and injection therapy or physical medicine is often the best solution.

The treatment of headaches is as varied as the causes of headaches. Avoiding triggers, balancing hormones and maintaining proper hydration are good starting points. And while you and your physician are looking for the source of your headaches, the World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture as an effective treatment for symptomatic relief of headaches.

The Heart of the Matter

This year at NFC we are putting more emphasis on patient education and providing events and other gatherings where patients and the community as a whole can not only receive education from health professionals but have a chance to connect with other individuals who might share in their health concerns.

This month we have Dr. Marie hosting a FREE BREAKFAST and FREE Cardiovascular lab testing Saturday, March 5th starting at 8am. Blood draws 8-9, breakfast starting at 8:15 and health lecture starting at 9am. Dr. Marie will also be hosting a free health lecture titled, Oh, My Aching Head! Thursday, March 24th 6pm at NFC. Space is limited so please call 602.493.2273 to RSVP.

To keep up to date on all the events at NFC visit our facebook page.


Cholesterol – It is more than just a number
Marie Niechwiadowicz, NMD

Patient 1 has his blood work run and his total cholesterol is 182. Patient 2 has hers run and it is 232. We are told that total cholesterol should be less than 200. Who has healthier cholesterol levels and less risk for heart disease?

Trick question – without breaking down the total number into LDL, VLDL and HDL the number is useless.

Quick definitions:
HDL – high density lipoprotein. Considered to be protective against heart disease – often called the “good cholesterol.” The higher the number the better. Should be at least 45.
LDL – low density lipoprotein. Causes the formation of arterial plaque – the “bad cholesterol.” Should be less than 130, less than 100 is optimal.
VLDL - very low density lipoprotein. Considered even worse than LDL as a cardiac risk factor. Should be less than 29.

Back to the patients numbers:
Patient 1 HDL 12, LDL 135, VLDL 35 = Total Cholesterol 182
Patient 2 HDL 142 LDL 85, VLDL 5 = Total Cholesterol 232

Obviously Patient 2 has a much lower risk for heart disease even though her total cholesterol would be considered high. Interestingly, half of the people who have heart attacks have “normal” cholesterol levels.

There is more…
Trigylcerides, apolipoprotien, the size and the density of the LDL, remnant lipoprotein, homocysteine levels, c-reactive proteins, and insulin resistance all contribute to your risk of heart disease -- even more so than VLDL and LDL. These factors indicate when the conditions are most conducive to creating arterial plaque.

So why do we need cholesterol? Cholesterol is the building block for our hormones – estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, aldosterone, and cortisol are all made from cholesterol. It is possible to have too little cholesterol especially through over supplementation/medication.

Bloodwork is available to test all these risk factors in addition to the HDL, LDL and Total cholesterol. These labs are a valuable tool since the strategy to reduce one risk factor is different for another. Diet and exercise should be the first line of therapy to reduce cardiac risk factors. As always, good medicine is not one supplement/drug fits all. Attend our talk March 5th to learn about your cardiac risk factors and create a plan to optimize your heart health.

Thyroid Awareness

Most of you may or may not know what your thyroid gland does and how it can affect your daily life. Fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, and constipation can all be associate with poor thyroid function. This month Dr. Marie will be hosting a free health lecture on Thyroid. Join her Thursday, January 27th 6pm at NFC.

Trends in Thyroid Disease by Dr. Marie

The incidence of hypothyroidism is steadily rising in the United States with women more commonly affected than men. The most common cause of hypothyroidism in adults is Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism – an autoimmune condition in which the person’s immune system makes anti-bodies to the thyroid hormone. Hashimoto’s is often difficult to detect as many patients have a period of hyperthyroidism (high energy, weight loss) before their thyroid crashes and symptoms of fatigue, hair loss, constipation, weight gain, low body temperature and high blood pressure can set in. Many physicians just screen for TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), which is often normal in Hashimoto’s patients. Hashimoto’s often sets in after pregnancy even if the pregnancy is not carried to term or after a viral syndrome. Taking a thorough patient history and running the appropriate labs is crucial for early detection. Treatments like low dose naltrexone therapy can actually reverse the autoimmune process. Increasing plant sterols, avoiding goitragenic foods and eating an anti-inflammatory diet are good starts for treatments.

Sometimes hypothyroidism is simpler in that the thyroid gland is not producing enough hormone (T4) The brain keeps sending the signal to produce T4 through TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) so lab results will show an elevated TSH. Many debates surround what is the ideal level of TSH for optimal thyroid health and this can differ from patient to patient.

The thyroid gland can be functioning normally but the thyroid hormone T4 is not being converted into T3, which is the usable form for the body. This can be due to selenium deficiency or impaired organ function.

To complicate matters further, sub clinical hypothyroidism often called Wilson’s Syndrome has normal lab values and is diagnosed clinically.

Patients require different treatments – some respond better to synthetic thyroid over animal derived thyroid. Some choose synthetic based on ethical, religious and personal preferences. Acupuncture, herbs, nutritional changes and supplementation can also alleviate the symptoms of hypothyroidism.

HYPOTHYROIDISM AND THYROFLEX by Dr. Shahrzad Z. Orona

Do you have any of the following symptoms?
More tired and sluggish than normal
Hair and skin drier than normal
Sleep more than normal
Colder than other people
Muscles cramp more easily
More depressed
Slower thinking
Eyes more puffy
Math is more difficult
Hoarse or deeper voice
Constipation
Heavy menstrual cycles
Sexual dysfunction or lack of drive
Puffy hands and feet
Easy weight gain

If you answered yes to more than 3 of these questions, you may be suffering from subclinical hypothyroidism. Left untreated, subclinical hypothyroidism can lead to increased risk of:
Sudden death
High or low blood pressure
High Cholesterol and other blood fats
Vascular disease
Diabetes
Neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
Arthritis and inflammatory diseases
Pregnancy Complications and Infertility

Just like any good detective uses numerous clues to find the facts and solve a crime, as your doctor I use a variety of tests to evaluate your thyroid function. These tests may include but are not limited to:

Blood tests: TSH, total T4, total T3, free T4, free T3, reverse T3
Antibody tests: microsomal TPO-Ab, thyroglobulin Ab
Basal body temperature
Thyroid Symptom Questionnaire
Vitamin and Mineral deficiencies
Thyroflex

Naturopathic Family Care was the first clinic to use the Thyroflex machine and continues to use it today. The Thyroflex machine is based on research that shows our reflexes are slower if our thyroid function is low. Thyroid treatment helps to normalize the thyroid and therefore the reflexes.

Thyroflex is a simple, non-invasive 4 minute reflex test that is done in our office to show if your thyroid function is normal or if you are on an appropriate dose of thyroid medication. A reflex hammer-like device is used on your brachio-radialis reflex, which is on your arm. A computer then calculates how quickly your reflex occurred.

Optimizing thyroid function greatly reduces your health risks and helps regulate hormones, neurotransmitters and immune factors. If you would like to have your thyroid fully evaluated, please call our office today and make an appointment with Dr.Orona.

Happy Holidays from NFC!!!!!

The year is almost to a end and at NFC we are thankful for our patients who have become a part of the NFC Family and make our jobs so easy and rewarding. Naturopathic Family Care would like to wish all of you Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year.

Here are a couple articles from NFC's own Physicians for the last edition of Naturopathic Family Care News.

See everyone in 2011!!!!

Detoxification for better health and wellness
By Dr. Marianne Marchese

Those of us living in Maricopa County might be surprised to learn that we-and our neighbors in Gila country-are exposed to more cancer causing chemicals than 90% of all other counties in the US. Very few of us recognize the year-round threat to our health and well-being that these chemicals pose. These chemicals are found in the water that we drink and the water we use to shower and bathe. They are in our air, food and products we use at home.

Normally our bodies are equipped to metabolize and eliminate chemicals. This is called detoxification. However, since we are bombarded with so many chemicals each day our body becomes overburdened with these toxins. There is hope. There are simple ways to assist the body in the removal of these chemicals and improve health and prevent illness and disease. Let me take you through a simple 3 week detoxification plan to improve your health and prevent disease. Learn more at http://www.drmarchese.com/

Holiday Wish List

By Dr. Marie Niechwiadowicz

At this time of the year many become frantic searching for the perfect gift. Give the gifts that will inspire health (I have no financial interest in any of my suggestions.)

1. Shower filter. If you live in an apartment, condo, or don’t have complete filtration for your house, consider an Aquasana inline shower filter head. Reduce your exposure to chlorine, VOC’s and heavy metals. Your skin and hair will love it.

2. While you are installing the shower filter, add in a ShowerBreeze Oral Irrigator. It is basically a water pik system for your showerhead. Irrigate and keep your gums healthy. Get the extra long hose and your grout will never look better.

3. Staying in the bathroom – a bidet seat. We attribute the high incidence of hemorrhoids in the United States to our poor diet but culturally we have poor bathroom hygiene. If you got fecal matter on your hands, would you wipe it of with a tissue? The Euros have bidets; the Japanese have bidet seats. These seats attach directly to any standard toilet. Press a button and the nozzle comes out to wash the designated area. Fancy versions are heated, have dryers, and pulsing actions. Extremely helpful for urinary tract infections, candida, and hemorrhoids. Toyo and Church are common brands. Home Depot carries bidet seats.

4. Kitchen scale – portion distortion is the main reason for being over weight. For one month weigh your food and track how much you are actually eating.

5. Balance ball -- use it as your desk chair, sit on it while you eat or watch TV. Aside from building core strength, increased proprioception leads to an increase in mental function.

Celebrate your own health and enjoy your holidays.