Freedom from Allergies!

This 2010 Spring Allergy Season has had record pollen count in the air due to the unusually cold and wet winter followed by a dramatic increase in temperature. The severity of the allergy season has also increased the number of visits of allergy sufferers to the doctor up to two and even three fold from the typical amount.

So what do we do?

How do we escape the suffering caused by allergens and reach freedom from allergies?

Our doctors have written articles below to help inform you of the cutting edge allergy treatments available at NFC as well as the ones that have successfully been in practice in our clinic for over two decades.

A is for ALLERGY
by Dr. Jesika DiCampli

Is there relief and effective treatment for allergies?

An Allergy is your immune system's abnormal overreaction to contact with a specific substance. It's your body's reaction and the histamine it releases, that cause the symptoms of rhinitis (sneezing, coughing, fatigue, headache, skin rash, wheezing, stuffy or runny nose, and itchy watery eyes)

The conventional relief of allergies relies on treating the symptoms by taking decongestants and antihistamines. Decongestants open clogged nasal passages and have a drying action. Antihistamines suppress the body's release of histamine. These medications may have side effects such as drowsiness.

Diet and quality nutrition is the most important factor
If your diet is lacking basic and vital nutrients you are more susceptible to allergies. Persons suffering from allergies have been found to be deficient in every nutrient requirement. So if you can supply the body with what it is missing the allergies often disappear. The necessary nutrients can be obtained by eating a well balanced diet of raw and unprocessed, whole foods that grow in the ground such as fresh fruit and vegetables especially those high in vitamin C.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C is very important in regards to allergy because when there are deficient levels of vitamin C one becomes particularly susceptible to allergens. It is a powerful histamine stabilizer so it has a natural anti-histamine action and detoxifies foreign substances entering the body. What is an appropriate dose of Vitamin C? It depends on the person and how deficient the cells are in the body. A simple urine test can determine levels of Vitamin C. If you get too much Vitamin C the body will tell you by causing some loose stool or diarrhea. Reduce the amount to the correct level for you so that this does not happen.
Histamine and Ascorbic Acid in Human Blood

C. Alan B. Clemetson

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Methodist Hospital, 506 Sixth St., Brooklyn, NY 11215

Analysis of 437 human blood samples has shown that when the plasma-reduced ascorbic acid level falls below 1 mg/100 ml, the whole blood histamine level increases exponentially as the ascorbic acid level decreases. When the ascorbic acid level falls below 0.7 mg/100 ml, there is a highly significant increase in the blood histamine level. Oral administration of ascorbic acid (1 g daily for 3 days) to 11 selected volunteers resulted in a reduction of the blood histamine level in every instance.

Other Foods, Plants, & Bioflavanoids
Garlic, onion, papaya, oranges, bell pepper, cayenne pepper, guava and watercress are all high in vitamin C. Supplements of Nettles (Urtica dioica) are an excellent addition to anti allergy treatment.

Eating foods or supplementing with plants that have high concentrations of compounds such as quercitin also assists in restoring the immune systems normal function. Quercitin, a bioflavonoid, retards inflammation reactions which is a large portion of the allergic process. A great allergy supplement will have VIT C, BIOFLAVANOIDS, & NETTLES as its base…

Immune System Boosting & Balancing
The long term goal of allergy therapy is to restore the body to its normal function. This is a gradual process that can be achieved through the use of adrenal adaptogenic herbs, nutrient support, stress reduction, detoxification, and immune strengthening. It is possible to be allergy free!!

Kiss Your Allergies Bye Bye!
by Dr. Jonathan Psenka

Are you looking for a way to permanently get rid or of your seasonal allergies? In the past the only medical solution for allergy desensitization included visits to an allergist’s office and receiving a series of painful shots every two weeks. After a year or two of these shots it was possible to “train” your body to stop reacting to the allergic substances in your environment. Aside from being both painful and costly, this approach did help a great many people.

Those allergy shots of the past may soon be no more. A new treatment called sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is rapidly becoming the preferred way to eliminate allergies. This new treatment utilizes the blood vessels underneath the tongue as a way to introduce minute dosages of allergy-causing substances into the body, instead of using allergy shots These small dosages gradually “re-train” the body’s immune system to stop viewing the allergic substances as a problem, and to begin seeing them as a normal part of the environment. This s basically the same mechanism of action as the old allergy shots- except for the shot part!

There are several companies preparing sublingual immunotherapy vaccines, but not all make similar products. Some companies use a “master mix,” which takes all of the potential allergens and puts them together in a single solution. However, researchers from several sources, including the American Association of Otolaryngic Allergists, have published concerns with this approach. First, certain types of allergens can cross-react in solution, severely decreasing the potency of the medication. Second, because master mix solutions contain a large variety of allergic substances, it is likely that there will be some things present in the solution that the person is not allergic to. These substances may have the ability to work as “sensitizers,” potentially initiating an allergy.

One company, seroSLIT, takes a more personal approach to sublingual immunotherapy. This company makes customized SLIT vaccines for patients that are based on each patient’s unique allergies. This is accomplished by using a specific blood test called an ImmunoCap analysis. This test measures a person’s antibodies to specific allergens, which can be used to determine not only what someone is allergic too, but also how severe their allergy may be. Using these results your physician can work with seroSLIT to make a custom sublingual allergy vaccine containing only the relevant allergens.

Taking the SLIT vaccine couldn’t be easier. Simply spray the solution under your tongue, that’s it. Used correctly these vaccines can help control allergic symptoms in a matter of months, but for best results should be used for a year or two. After that time your allergies should disappear! The best part of SLIT- in addition to being painless and working well- is that it is extremely safe, even for children. For more information about this new therapy visit www.seroslit.com or ask any of the doctors in our office.

Chocolate and Depressive Symptoms
by Ross Kerievsky

An interesting study in the news was just released looking at the affects of chocolate consumption and depressed mood. Many of us have either known “chocoholics” or consider themselves one. This study looked at whether the consumption of chocolate actually helps with mood or is potentially a contributor of why someone is depressed.

At first, I thought the answer to this study was obvious. Most of us think of reaching of a comfort food, (very often chocolate), if they are in a poor mood or depressed. There are many chemicals in chocolate that can help people be more alert and have a sense of well being.

The study was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine where they tested this hypothesis on approximately 1000 patients with either diabetes or coronary heart disease. All patients were not taking antidepressant medication. The interesting results showed that the patients that ate more chocolate had a higher score on their depression questionnaires than the other participants.

While this study was interesting, I feel that it should be taken with a grain of salt. More studies would be needed for there to be a conclusive result that eating high amounts of chocolate actually cause depression. Chocolate actually has many beneficial properties and a good amount of anti-oxidants. Till the time where a study conclusively states there is a problem eating chocolate, I say consume with moderation.

Naturopathic Care in Phoenix Magazine!

In Phoenix Magazine's latest edition this April, not only was a Naturopathic doctor featured on the cover but 3 of Naturopathic Family Care's physicians were named to their Top Doc's:

Dr. Jonathan Psenka

Dr. Phranq Tamburri

Dr. Marianne Marchese

Call NFC to schedule today!
(602) 493-2273

March is Nutrition Month at NFC!

For the month of March, Naturopathic Family Care is focusing on various areas of health education; Nutrition, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.

This month we will be hosting several free health lectures:

Wednesday, March 10th Dr. Ross Kerievsky will be educating us on
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia

Tuesday, March 30th Dr. Marianne Marchese will be speaking on
Detox for Cancer Prevention and Treatment.

We are also still providing FREE Yoga every Monday evening at 6pm at NFC taught by our our Dr. Marie.

For details on these or any other events at Naturopathic Family Care use the links above or visit NFC's Facebook Page.

March Articles. . .

FREE Drugs - Dr. Jake Psenka, NMD
Fighting Fatigue - Dr. Raushanah Najeeullah, NMD
Mediterranean Diet and Diabetes - Dr. Shahrzad Orona, NMD
Osteoarthritis Pain - Dr. Ross Kerievsky, DC, NMD



Free Drugs
Dr. Jake Psenka, NMD

People who knew me in my younger days often comment on the fact that I seem to be a more mellow and easy-going person these days. Considering that fact that I moved from a rural area to a major metropolitan area, it’s tempting to believe that the opposite might be true. You know, country boy moves to the big city and pretty soon I ends up in a Joe Francis production. Not me, instead I ended up spending more and more time in the library. On occasion I wondered what could be the driving force behind this transformation. I thought that perhaps maturity could be settling in, however, the people I see on a daily basis assured me that this wasn’t the case.

Then, last week while teaching to a class of aspiring young health professionals it dawned on me. One of my students brought up the fact that drugs are being discovered in the drinking water of many US cities. Could my switch from drinking well water in a rural location to drinking municipally treated water be the culprit?

As it turns out this just well might be the case. Several studies have tested the water in different US cities, and international ones as well, and found high levels of pharmaceutical drugs in drinking water. In fact, the Associated Press completed a study in which they found drug contamination in 24 different major US cities. This contamination is thought to be present in the drinking water of roughly 41 million Americans.

In Philadelphia 56 different drugs or drug by-products were found in the drinking water, including medications for infections, pain, high cholesterol, asthma, and mental illness.

Three medications were found in Tucson’s water, including an antibiotic.

Sex hormones were found in the drinking water in San Francisco (no joke).

Anti-epileptic and anti-anxiety drugs were found in the drinking water in Southern California.

In reality this contamination really shouldn’t be that big of a surprise. We very rarely, if ever, absorb 100% of anything we put in our bodies. Some gets absorbed, and some gets flushed. Once flushed the water is treated and then released back to the watershed, or recycled back as drinking water.

It is important to remember that the vast majority of drugs are being identified in extremely small amounts, from parts per billion to parts per trillion. These amounts are generally way below the minimal therapeutic dose. However, it is important to remember that many drugs are approved only for certain subsets of the population. It shouldn’t be news to anyone that not all drugs are good for all people. I most certainly don’t think that I need, or want, any type of anti-bacterial medication in my cup. Sadly, you and I are most likely the unwilling recipients of this misplaced medical waste. At this point we really don’t have any idea what the long-term consequences of daily low-dose exposure to these drugs actually is.

In my opinion the presence of certain molecules together can be thought of as the foundation of an environment. Remember the theory of abiogenesis? Take a mix or primordial elements, add electricity via lightning bolt and you have the start of life on earth. While this may or may not be how life originated on this planet, it does serve as a good example of how a few micro-molecules can be combined to produce drastic results. In fact, the presence of minute traces of pharmaceutical drugs in pristine environments has been found to have severe effects on the natural inhabitants of that area. Fish are one species whose exposure has been evaluated by the scientific community. It seems that when some male fish are exposed to tiny amounts of drugs they undergo feminization. Male fish begin to produce proteins normally only produced by females, their activity levels decrease, and they reproduce less often. The studies warning of this problem don’t stop with fish, birds, invertebrates, and plants are being adversely affected as well.

At this point there are no regulations that determine what the “acceptable” levels of pharmaceutical contaminants in water are. There is beginning to be some discussion of this problem in the medical literature. In the January 2010 issue of Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, an article titled “Therapeutic dose as the point of departure in assessing potential health hazards from drugs in drinking water and recycled municipal wastewater,” the authors state that more information needs to be considered when proposing legislation. Considerations such as whether or not drugs are carcinogenic carry pregnancy or lactation warnings, or whether there is potential for drugs to react synergistically with other compounds to produce heightened toxicity are all areas that need to be evaluated.

As might be expected the pharmaceutical companies are denying any risk. A representative for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, Thomas White, has stated that “based on what we know, there is little to no risk from drugs in the environment to human health.” Yeah, right.

Water producers are also being deceiving. With these groups it’s not only about what they are saying, but what their not saying. Full disclosure is apparently not part of their plan. Their feeling is that the general public doesn’t need to be educated about drugs in the water because “…they don’t know how to interpret the data.”

EPA research biologist Vickie Wilson told the AP. "It could be that the fish are just exquisitely sensitive because of their physiology or something. We just aren’t that far along.” Come on Vickie, you’re being naive.

I’d like to be able to report that drinking bottled water was a safe bet, but it’s not. Some bottled water manufacturers simply bottle city water and sell it. Many don’t test for drugs, as they currently are not required to do so. Reverse osmosis will remove the contaminants, but the process produces more polluted water than it does purified water. It might be a good time to start thinking about that home purification system….

At this point you might be asking what you can do to protect you and your family from exposure. Me too. While there really isn’t a clear-cut answer for this predicament at the present moment, I do have some ideas. As usual, my recommendations include leading a lifestyle that promotes a healthy body. While eating right and exercising regularly won’t protect you from exposure, they may help in preventing accumulation, and thus unwanted toxicity. Staying well-hydrated helps to flush things through the system (I do realize the hypocrisy here), and when combined with exercise promotes detoxification through sweating. Everyone should be eating healthy foods that provide your body what it needs to perform correctly. It can be very difficult to switch your diet and begin exercising. Write down your goals, make a schedule, start slow, and you’ll do it. Consider taking a class, or visiting your friendly neighborhood ND for advice, or better yet, attending a free lecture at the office of said ND.

I often ask people what kind of gas they would use if they had a Lamborghini. Would you continue to use the cheapest gas, or would you kick down the extra 25 cents for the high octane? Your body is a precision-tuned hot rod, take your foot off the brake and see what it can do.


Fighting Fatigue
Dr. Raushanah Najeeullah, NMD

Your adrenals are glands that sit on top of the kidneys. They are responsible for providing hormones that give us energy. The adrenals can be depleted by stress and other factors such as poor diet, inadequate sleep and excessive caffeine intake. Adrenal fatigue usually first manifests as tiredness during the day, but depletion can lead to other conditions like depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia.
The adrenal gland consists of two parts; an inner section known as the medulla, and an outer shell called the cortex. The medulla produces epinephrine which is also known as adrenaline. Adrenaline gives us energy and is responsible for metabolic regulation. It causes the breakdown of glycogen (energy storehouse) in the muscle into glucose (blood sugar) for use as energy during physical activity.

The cortex of the adrenal gland controls cortisol release. Cortisol is a ‘stress hormone’. Like adrenaline, cortisol raises blood glucose by breaking down glycogen in the muscles. When we have a high amount of stress over an extended amount of time our adrenal glands release more cortisol. When we release more cortisol, this stimulates the release of more glucose to the blood which raises insulin levels. Insulin causes more fat production which manifests as fat around the trunk notoriously known as love handles or muffin top. Increased cortisol release also stimulates the appetite especially for simple carbohydrates like sugar.

Most people handle their daytime fatigue with coffee or energy drinks. The caffeine in these drinks provide a short term burst of energy that puts even more stress on the adrenal glands. The special ingredients touted by some energy drinks like taurine, guanine and ginseng are effective for increasing energy, but only when taken long term or in a higher amount than what’s in the bottle.

If you suspect that you may be suffering from adrenal fatigue, there are many options for addressing this concern. Following appropriate evaluation and laboratory testing by your physician to confirm adrenal fatigue, lifestyle modification and supplementation is the next course of action.

Relaxation techniques like yoga and meditation help relieve stress. Contrast showers are a quick pick me up with stimulate the endocrine system helping to tonify the adrenal glands. Simple dietary changes to combat adrenal fatigue are to increase fruit and vegetable intake. Eating 1 fruit and 1 vegetable from the 5 colors (purple/blue, green, orange, yellow, red) each day is a fun way to get plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet and acquire nutrients needed to feed and restore the adrenals.

Vitamin C and tyrosine are supplements responsible for adrenaline repletion. Vitamin C is also the adrenal’s preferred source of energy. B complex is useful in dealing with stress by enhancing the activity of the adrenals. Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) in particular helps reduce fatigue and the pain of headaches caused by excessive stress and consequent reduction in adrenal output.

Herbal medicines are also effective in combating adrenal fatigue. Adaptogens are herbs that help you deal with and recover from stress. Rhodiola rosea is an adaptogenic herb which regulates thyroid function, prevents adrenal burnout and improves concentration and endurance. This herb in combination with individualized treatment is great for breaking away from energy drinks. Ginseng, Ashwaghanda, and Holy Basil are other herbs to consider but it is best to work with your doctor to figure out which is most appropriate for you.

Mediterranean Diet and Diabetes
Dr. Shahrzad Z. Orona, NMD

A new study has identified that the Mediterranean diet, rich in nuts, olive oil, whole grains, poultry, fish, fruits, and vegetables, reduces the likelihood that patients recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes will need diabetes drugs. In this study, 215 overweight people with diabetes followed either a classic, low-fat regimen based on the American Heart Association guidelines or a higher-fat regimen, Mediterranean-style diet. After 4 years, both groups had lost similar amounts of weight but only 44% of the Mediterranean-style eaters needed diabetes drugs, compared to 70% of the low-fat dieters.

The benefits are partly because the Mediterranean diet is full of healthy, whole foods, not highly refined carbohydrates. These dietary recommendations have been used for years at Naturopathic Family Care to successfully treat high glucose levels, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, as well as other medical conditions being caused by a change in body composition.

New Study Shows Beneficial Effect of Glucosamine Sulfate for Osteoarthritis Pain
Ross Kerievsky, DC ND

A new study published February 12th in Arthritis Research and Therapy has shown some promising results for using glucosamine sulfate for management of osteoarthritis of the knee and hip. The study looked at the effects of combining a walking program of 30 minute walks three times per week plus taking glucosamine sulfate supplementation 1500mg per day. The findings showed decreased pain levels related to hip and knee pain for the participants. This is another study that shows some positive effects of doing moderate exercises for pain. It also showed that pain related to osteoarthritis can be helped with supplementation. This study looked specifically at glucosamine sulfate vs. glucosamine HCL. I advise my patients to take the sulfated form if possible. Adjunctive therapy such as chiropractic manipulation, therapeutic exercises, massage therapy and acupuncture can also be very helpful for osteoarthritis (OA). This study is very important because many patients rely on NSAIDs for pain management of their osteoarthritis (OA). Although these pain medications can be very helpful for patients, there are risk factors related to taking these drugs. They include increased risk for gastric ulcers and GI upset as well as possible cardiovascular risk increases such as raising blood pressure.

Feel free to contact our clinic if you are interested in more information regarding this topic. A personalized treatment plan can be set up for you and your family to help treat and prevent the pain and complications that can be associated with this common condition.

February, Heart Health Month at NFC!

With February and upcoming Valentines Day the majority of us are focused on matters of the heart, and this February at NFC we are taking a slightly different approach to this by educating our patients on Cardiovascular Health.

We have a plethora of exciting events this year, and this month don't miss out on all we have to offer our patients and the community.

Starting February 1st our our own Dr. Marie will be instructing yoga classes Monday evenings at 6pm. There is no cost for these classes (just donation) and they are open to anyone in the community. Just bring a yoga mat, comfortable clothes and an open mind.

On Thursday, February 11th Dr. Jesika Dicampli with be giving a free informative talk on Cardiovascular Health and Dr. Phranq Tamburri with be helping you in Evaluating Your Supplements on Wednesday, February 24th.

Please RSVP for these events via the Meetup links above or on NFC's Facebook.

Now some articles from our NFC doctors. . .

In this edition:
Dr. Jesika DiCampli - Cardiovascular Health
Dr. Marianne Marchese - Environmental Links to Heart Disease
Dr. Marie Niechwiadowicz - Cholesterol - Its More Than Just a Number
Dr. Phranq Tamburri - Prostate Cancer: Shocking New Study on Your Diet

Top 3 Ways to Increase Your Cardiovascular Health
Dr. Jesika DiCampli, NMD

1) Blood work: get your C-Reactive Protein checked with your cholesterol screen.

Did you know that not only cholesterol plays a role in possible risk of cardiovascular events? INFLAMMATION can increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, or heart disease. An article from NEJM concluded that the addition of CRP screening to lipid levels may provide an improved method of identifying those at risk for cardiovascular events. What is CRP? Well, it is an inflammatory marker when tested with high sensitivity can determine an important aspect of cardiovascular risk. Do you know if your C-Reactive Protein is being checked with routine blood work?

2) Supplement: take at 1,000mg of Fish oil daily.

An article by the American heart association suggested that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) supplementation significantly reduces cardiac mortality. Fish oil will help decrease inflammation and maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Make sure your omega-3 fish oil is from a reputable company so that it is molecularly distilled to maintain purity and free from heavy metals like mercury! Also, the dosage of Omega-3 should be 1,000mg of EPA and DHA not a total amount of ‘oil’. How much good quality fish oil are you getting a day?

3) Diet/Nutrition: 1 tablespoon GROUND flax daily.

What can you add daily to your diet to help improve your cardiovascular health? FLAX! The Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that ground flax seed helps lower LDL, Lp(a), and can improve insulin sensitivity in adults with high lipid profiles. So put some flax seeds in your smoothie, over salad, or in your morning oatmeal for extra cholesterol fighting fiber. Its easy and tastes yummy!

February is Heart Health Month!!!
For more information on heart health or if you have specific questions make sure to attend
Dr. DiCampli's talk this month on the subject…


Environmental Links to Heart Disease
Dr. Marchese, NMD

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the number one leading cause of death in the United States, according to the American Heart Association. Cardiovascular disease and the term heart disease are often used interchangeably and could mean a patient suffers from atherosclerosis, hypertension, arrhythmias, congenital heart defects, and more. When assessing a patient for cardiovascular disease it is important to address environmental toxins. Chemicals such as heavy metals, solvents, bisphenol-A, and others have been linked to heart disease. We are exposed to these through air pollution, drinking water, cigarette smoke, plastics, and food. These toxins play a role in the initiation or progression of heart disease. They affect the heart by causing inflammation, atherosclerosis, affecting aortic smooth muscle cells, oxidative metabolism, phospholipid turnover, and protein and enzyme function in the heart and vessels.

Heavy metals linked to heart disease include;

Mercury
Lead
Cadmium
Arsenic

Testing for the presence of heavy metals in the body is inexpensive and easy to do. Dr. Marianne Marchese is a specialist in environmental medicine with years of experience in treating heart disease, testing for heavy metals and providing treatment. There are numerous risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease. Low dose exposure to environmental toxins through the air, water, food, and products has not received much attention in the past. They are directly linked to heart disease. Attention to these environmental risk factors, educating patients and the public, creating health-protective public policies, modifying our behavior at home and work is likely to decrease cardiovascular disease in the US. Make your appointment with Dr. Marchese today.


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.

But wait! There is more…

Trigylcerides, apolipoprotien, the size and the density of the LDL, remnant lipoprotein, homocysteine levels, and c-reactive proteins all contribute to your risk of heart disease.

So let’s all chase that shot of fish oil with red wine after exercising and eating oat fiber with red rice yeast extract. Throw in some niacin and maybe a statin drug. Let’s get all those numbers down!

Not a good idea. 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. As always medicine is not one supplement/drug fits all. Make your appointment now to learn about your cardiac risk factors and create a plan to optimize your heart health this month.



Prostate Cancer: Shocking New Study on Your Diet
Dr. Phranq Tamburri, NMD

An eye opening new study published online December 30 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition questions some long standing assumptions on diet for cancer patients, in this case specifically prostate cancer. The finding demonstrated that consumption of eggs and chicken with skin might increase the risk for disease progression by 2 times in men with localized prostate cancer (post diagnosis). However even more perplexing is that the red meat group did not see this same increase, a conclusion that seems counter-intuitive to most cancer diet models. 5 food groups were looked at along with the frequency eaten with 1294 men of processed red meat, unprocessed red meat, fish, poultry, and eggs. As the researchers stated themselves, "postdiagnostic consumption of eggs and poultry with skin were each associated with 2-fold increases in risk for prostate cancer progression. Red meat had no effect on progression." "Our results are entirely novel and it will be important to examine these dietary factors in future studies" said lead author Erin Richman, MS, from the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, Massachusetts.

It appears that the only plausible scientific rationale (at this point) is that well-done chicken (typically the cooked manner for men who prefer the skin intact) contains high levels of heterocyclic amines which are a known mutagens. They bind and damage DNA in cultured human prostate tissue. How do they explain the chicken eggs? Well they don't exactly except to note that eggs help determine the level of an individual's plasma choline, which is a marker associated with a greater risk of prostate cancer developing in men. As for the red meat not contributing to an increased risk, a closer investigation may be needed.

Although physicians should not simply discard data they don't agree with, this finding is peculiar given the specific reasons red meat is almost universally avoided for cancer an chronic diseases in general. First, it is very hard to digest thereby utilizing high amounts of stomach acid that acidifies the body. Low body pH (acidity) is known to temper your innate immune system (hence the reason for whole food alkaline diets). Second, red meat traditionally is high in hormones (like estrogen) which effect sex hormone linked cancers like prostate cancer (and breast cancer). Third, red meat is strongly inflammatory. Inflammation is thought to retard the immune system further by 'distracting it' from its regular policing action. This can allow cancer (and other disease) to become opportunistic.

Despite these findings, I still recommend a high pH diet therefore avoiding red meat. Chicken should always be cooked without the skin. As for eggs, I will be closely following the new follow up studies. In the meantime, eggs I still support as a fantastic dietary protein source however the amount per day should be curtailed depending upon you cancer staging, its aggression, and your daily egg intake levels.

Phranq D. Tamburri, NMD
Prostate Second Opinions

Happy New Year!

Welcome to the first NFC blog edition of the New Year! We have a lot of exciting events coming up in 2010. For all of you that are starting the New Year with health focused resolutions, Dr. Psenka is heading up the NFC Health Challenge. The NFC Health Change is ideal for those of you that find it difficult to squeeze a doctor visit into your busy work week, it will be offered every 4th Saturday of the month through March. For more details about this or any other meet up hosted by Naturopathic Family Care visit The Phoenix Alternative Health Group.

January is thyroid awareness month and at NFC our physicians work to educate our patients and the community on this and many other health related topics. This month we have two free informative health talks. Dr. Psenka will be educating us on Natural Ways to Boost the Immune System on Wednesday, January 13th and Dr. Orona will be helping you in Understanding Your Thyroid on Tuesday, January 26th.

This month we have 3 articles from our NFC docs :

Dr Jonathan Psenka, NMD - Thyroid Cancer Risk Factors
Dr. Ross Kerievsky, DC, NMD - Incentives for Losing Weight
Dr. Raushanah Najeeullah, NMD - A New Year's Cleansing




Thyroid Cancer Risk Factors
Dr. Jonathan Psenka, NMD

The incidence of thyroid cancer has been rapidly growing in the US over the past few decades. There are now roughly 25,690 new cases diagnosed every year, with a female to male ratio of close to 3:1. For a long time there has been an established association between radiation exposure and thyroid cancer risk. The thyroid gland of children is especially vulnerable to the carcinogenic action of ionizing radiation. Thus, the incidence of thyroid cancer in children in the Belarus area (think Chernobyl) was less than 1 case per million per year before the Chernobyl accident, increasing to a peak exceeding 100 per million per year in certain areas after the accident.
Recently, a new study was published which identified several new potential risk factors for thyroid cancer. This study, which was published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, assessed thyroid cancer risk among 90,713 radiologic technicians in the US between 1983 and 2006. This study found that benign thyroid conditions, benign breast disease, asthma, and elevated body mass index were all associated with increased risk for thyroid cancer. Considering the results of this study, it’s possible that the benign conditions listed really aren’t that benign at all.
Conditions such as Grave’s disease, Hashimoto’s, and thyroiditis are all examples of benign thyroid disorders. Fibrocystic breast disease is a good example of something considered to be a benign breast condition. Both these types of conditions are routinely seen, and treated, by Naturopathic physicians. From a thyroid cancer-prevention standpoint it would seem that treating the potential causes of these diseases would be more important than treating only the symptoms. By addressing the cause of disease it may be possible to decrease both the severity of disease itself, and any additional risks that occur as a result of carrying the diagnosis. This hypothesis would also carry over to the increased risk observed with asthma; eliminate the allergy altogether and maybe risk levels fall as well.
Increased body mass index, aka. being overweight, is well established as a risk factor for many diseases. It is not just the fact that carrying extra pounds increases risk for disease, but also that those who are overweight tend to be less physically engaged. Over the past 8 years I have been practicing integrative oncology at NFC I have rarely seen any treatments with as much potential to positively effect a person’s outcomes at regular physical activity. Unfortunately, increasing physical activity levels and maintaining a regular exercise regime is not an easy thing to do. Fortunately, it seems like the more articles like the aforementioned one that are published, the more our society begins to realize the importance of living healthy and happy lives as a way to prevent disease.
PS- and for those of you I see with thyroid cancer, I’ll see you at the gym!

New Year, New Goals:

Incentives for losing weight and guidelines for exercise

Ross Kerievsky, DC, NMD

Welcome to 2010! This time of year is the time I see many new and established patients return to the clinic with the goal of losing weight. There are many questions I hear from patients regarding what they should eat, supplements to take and how much exercise they should be doing. All of these questions are very reasonable and require individual assessments to make a medical weight loss program effective and long lasting. A common question I hear from patients is how much exercise is recommended for weight loss?

The American College of Sports Medicine released guidelines for appropriate physical activity for adults in 2009. These new guidelines were release because up to 66% of Americans are either overweight or obese. The new guidelines recommend that adults participate in at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity physical activity to prevent gaining weight. Greater weight loss is seen when adults perform 250-300 minutes of exercise per week or more. I typically recommend patients perform physical activity one hour a day for 5 days during the week combined with a specific diet and nutrition guidelines. This can be modified for an individual and I recommend that you have a physical examination and appropriate workup before starting any exercise program.

Also, interesting incentives that seem to be gaining ground are websites such as www.healthywage.com. This site will pay you to lose weight! Other possible incentives include deductions on premiums and incentives depending on your insurance and employer group benefits.

This is a great time of year to have a wellness screening physical and to discuss your personal health goals with me. For more information, please schedule an appointment with Dr Ross Kerievsky at 602-493-2273.

A New Year's Cleansing
Dr. Raushanah Najeeullah, NMD

It’s the start of a new year and the perfect opportunity to make some healthy changes. I personally like to start the new year off with a cleanse or detoxification protocol. It works like a ‘spring cleaning’ of sorts to get your healthy new year off to a great start.
It is important to know there is a difference between a cleanse and detoxification. Which one you need depends on your own individual circumstances.
A cleanse is defined by Webster as to rid of impurities by or as if by washing while detoxification is defined as to remove a poison or toxin or the effect if such. So, you can do a cleanse without detoxing, but you cannot (should not) do a detox without cleansing.A ready example of this is a laxative can be used to cleanse, but a proper detoxification protocol would involve more treatments such as hydrotherapy, dietary modification with rid your GI system of impurities and toxins we all accumulate over time.
There are other modes of detoxification that should only be performed under medical supervision. These methods are usually applied to more serious cases of toxicity:

Depuration This technique is used to cleanse or purify or become cleansed or purified. It is similar to detoxification but cleanses at the deeper organ level. It involves freeing of toxins from fat stores with the use of sauna therapy as well as colon hydrotherapy to assist in flushing out toxins.

Chelation This treatment is used for patients with toxic heavy metal burdens on their body. It works by pulling metals or physiological substance (solvents, plaque buildup) from visceral structures like arteries and vital organs. Some metals removed with chelation are mercury, cadmium, arsenic and lead.

Again, the appropriate cleanse for your individual situation should be discussed with a health care provider skilled in applying these therapies.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM ALL OF US AT NFC!

We all have new year resolutions in mind this time of year and that means weight loss and health goals for 2010. It never hurts to get a head start so here are some healthy recipes for your holiday meals and for any occasion in the new year.

January is Thyroid Awareness Month and we will have free informative talks from Dr. Orona and Dr. DiCampli and much more for our patients and blog followers. Also in January we will have our highly anticipated NFC Health Challenge so don't miss out on the opportunity to start off the year focusing on your health and longevity. See our January blog for all the details on these events and all the other exciting items we have planned for next year!


Honey Roasted Chicken with Dijon and Rosemary
Number of servings: 4

Ingredients

1 whole chicken, about 5 pounds
salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
3 sprigs of fresh rosemary
1/4 cup honey
1 lemon, zested, halved and juiced
4 cloves garlic, peeled
1/2 yellow onion, quartered

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Rinse the chicken under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Season inside and out with salt and pepper.

2. Place the chicken in a large roasting pan.

3. Roughly chop two sprigs of the rosemary. In a small bowl, mix together Dijon mustard, honey, chopped rosemary, lemon juice and lemon zest.

4. Place the remaining sprig of rosemary, a lemon half, the onion quarters and garlic in the cavity of the bird. Using a pastry brush, coat the outside of the bird with the lemon honey glaze.

5. Place the roasting pan in the oven and baste the chicken every 15 minutes with any remaining glaze. Roast until a thermometer inserted into the thigh reaches 180° and juices run clear, about one hour. Remove and discard the skin. Serve hot or at room temperature.


Nutritional Information
(per serving)

Calories 341
Sodium 333 mg
Protein 47 g
Fiber 2 g
Carbohydrate 24 g
Total fat 7 g
Saturated fat 1 g


Spinach Lasagna with Sun Dried Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose (plain) flour
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup plain soy milk
1 cup vegetable stock
2 green (spring) onions, including tender green tops, sliced
1/2 cup dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes, soaked in water to rehydrate, drained and chopped
10 ounces fresh cremini or shiitakeShiite mushrooms, sliced
1 shallot, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf (Italian) parsley
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 cups baby spinach leaves, chopped
2 cups fat-free ricotta cheese
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg white
12 no-boil spinach lasagna sheets, about 7 by 3 1/2 inches
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil

Cooking Instructions

In a saucepan, heat the 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the garlic and continue to whisk until the garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds. Whisk in the soy milk and stock all at once. Cook and stir until slightly thickened. Remove from the heat and stir in the green onions and sun-dried tomatoes. Set the sauce aside.

In a large nonstick frying pan, heat 1 teaspoon of the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and shallot and saute until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Stir in the parsley and salt. Transfer to a bowl and set aside to cool.

In the same pan, heat the remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the spinach and stir quickly until the spinach is wilted but still bright green. Remove from the heat. Let cool slightly.

In a large bowl, beat together the ricotta, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan and the egg white. Stir in the spinach and set aside.

Preheat the oven to 375 F. Lightly coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Spread 1/2 cup of the sauce in the dish and cover with 3 sheets of the pasta. Spoon half of the spinach mixture onto the pasta and spread gently. Cover with 3 more pasta sheets. Top with another 1/2 cup of sauce. Spread the mushroom mixture on top and cover with another 1/2 cup of sauce, then another layer of pasta. Spoon in the remaining spinach filling and top with the last 3 pasta sheets. Add the remaining sauce and the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake until golden, about 10 minutes longer. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with the basil.

Nutritional Information
(per serving)

Calories 288
Monounsaturated fat 4 g
Protein 17 g
Cholesterol 6 mg
Carbohydrate 39 g
Sodium 526 mg
Total fat 8 g
Fiber 4 g
Saturated fat 2 g


Cajun-Spiced Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Number of Servings: 4

Ingredients

2 large sweet potatoes peeled and cut into 2" pieces
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/3 cup milk
Cajun seasoning to taste
salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Place the sweet potatoes in a pot and cover with cold water. Bring the potatoes to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer about 20 to 30 minutes, until the potatoes are done. Check for doneness by piercing with a fork; there should be no resistance. Drain well.

2. Mash the sweet potatoes with a potato masher or fork, or use a food mill.

3. Add the lime juice and stir well. Add the milk and stir. Add Cajun seasoning, to taste.

Nutritional Information
(per serving)

Calories 171
Protein 3 g
Cholesterol 6 mg
Carbohydrate 38 g
Sodium 91 mg
Total fat 1 g
Saturated fat 1 g


Fall Salad with Asian Pears, Walnuts, and Sherry Vinaigrette
Number of servings: 6

Ingredients

For the vinaigrette:

1 tablespoon finely chopped shallots
3 tablespoons sherry vinegar
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper

For the salad:

12 cups red or green leaf lettuce, washed and torn into bite-size pieces
3 Asian pears, cored and sliced (peeling is optional)
2 cups red grapes
3 tablespoons chopped walnuts
3 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese
6 slices thick, crusty bread

Cooking Instructions

For the vinaigrette:

1. Place all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and whisk to combine. Adjust the salt and pepper to taste.
(This can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.)

For the salad:

1. Toss the lettuce, pears and grapes with the vinaigrette in a large bowl.

2. Divide the salad among 6 serving plates and sprinkle with the walnuts and blue cheese. Serve with bread on the side.

Serving Size: 2 cups of salad with 1 tablespoon of vinaigrette

Nutritional Information
(per serving)

Calories 320
Protein 7 g
Fiber 6 g
Carbohydrate 46 g
Sodium 477 mg
Total fat 11 g
Saturated fat 3 g


Caramelized Pear Bread Pudding

Number of servings: 8

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups low-fat milk
4 large eggs
1/2 cup sugar, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
4 cups cubed, day-old country-style bread, crusts trimmed (4-6 slices), preferably whole-wheat
2 tablespoons raisins, or currants
1 teaspoon butter, softened, plus 2 tablespoons, divided
2 ripe pears, peeled, halved and cored
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Preparation

1. Heat milk in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring, until steaming, 4 to 6 minutes. Whisk eggs in a large bowl until blended; gradually whisk in 1/4 cup sugar. Slowly whisk in the hot milk until blended. Whisk in vanilla, lemon zest and nutmeg.

2. Add bread and raisins (or currants) to the milk mixture; gently fold together. Press down lightly with the back of a large spoon. Cover and set aside at room temperature.

3. Butter the bottom and sides of a round 2-quart baking dish with 1 teaspoon butter. Preheat oven to 350°F. Put a kettle of water on to boil.

4. Cut each pear half lengthwise into 4 slices. Place in a medium bowl and toss with lemon juice.

5. Heat a medium skillet over low heat until hot. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and swirl until just melted and the foam subsides. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup sugar over the melted butter. Arrange the pear slices on their sides in the pan in an even layer. Increase the heat to medium-low and, without stirring, let the pears begin to brown and the sauce slowly caramelize, adjusting the heat as needed to prevent burning, about 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and carefully turn each pear slice with a fork. Return to the heat and cook until the sauce is uniformly golden, 2 to 4 minutes more.

6. Carefully transfer the pears one at a time to the prepared baking dish, arranging them decoratively in a circle and slightly overlapping them if necessary. Use a heatproof silicone spatula to scrape any remaining syrup over the pears.

7. Set the baking dish in a shallow baking pan. Spoon the bread and custard mixture into the baking dish. Press down on the bread until it is submerged in the custard. Place the pan in the oven and carefully add the hot water to the shallow baking pan until it is halfway up the sides of the baking dish.

8. Bake until the pudding is browned on top and set in the center, 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Carefully remove the pan from the oven. Transfer the baking dish to a wire rack and let cool for at least 45 minutes. To serve, run a knife around the edge of the pudding. Place a serving platter over it and invert the pudding onto the platter.

Tips & Notes

* Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day.

Nutritional Information
(Per serving)

Calories 217
Total Fat 7 g
Saturated Fat 4 g
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
Cholesterol 119 mg
Carbohydrates 31 g
Protein 8 g
Fiber 2 g
Sodium 142 mg
Potassium 89 mg

Happy New Year!

Happy Thanksgiving from Naturopathic Family Care

Here it is! tThe much anticipated November edition of the Naturopathic Family Care Blog!!!

First, we would like to say thank you to all of the people who participated in our first annual Fall Festival. Everyone at the office thought that the day went really well, and all of the feedback that we have received was resoundingly positive. Stay tuned for the details about our upcoming spring open house!


We have a few healthy thoughts to send your way this month:

Dr. Marie ponders whether the winter blues are due to holiday overload or Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Dr. Marchese lets us know why she thinks PAP smears are important.

Dr. Psenka shares some fun facts about one his favorite anti-cancer supplements and breaks down the numbers on the dreaded bisphenol A(BPA)


We hope that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoy your free-range Tofurkey and organic, low-fat, stevia and chicory sweetened pumpkin pie! Yeah, right....

Holiday Blues or is it Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)? By Dr. Marie

Living in the Valley of the Sun does not give us immunity to SAD. As the days get shorter, moods can drop, carbohydrate cravings increase, and general lethargy sets in. We tend to blame the stress of family and holidays for feeling blah when there may be an underlying cause. It is estimated that 15% of North Americans have SAD. Phototherapy (light therapy) is the most effective treatment for SAD but not all lights have the same therapeutic results. Type of light, placement, and time of use can maximize the effectiveness. Lights that simulate sunrise are showing to be most effective. Light therapy can be supported with neurotransmitter balancing. And don’t underestimate the power of a healthy diet and regular exercise – especially if it is outside in the sunlight. And always check with your physician if your mood interferes with your activities of daily living.

The Importance of the Annual PAP by Dr. Marchese

What do you do if you go to see your medical doctor for your annual gynecology exam and you get a call saying your pap came back abnormal? Unless you take the time to educate yourself about what an abnormal pap smear means and learn what your options are, you may end up doing something that doesn’t need to be done.

It is recommended that women get their first pap smear test at age 21. The pap test, also called a pap smear, checks for changes in the cells of your cervix. The pap test can tell if you have the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), abnormal cervical cells, or cervical cancer.

If you are younger than 30 years old, you should get a Pap test every year. If you are age 30 or older and have had three normal Pap tests for three years in a row, talk to your doctor about spacing out Pap tests to every two or three years.

During your annual gynecological exam and pap smear it is now possible to test for the HPV virus at the same time. This is important because it is possible to have a normal pap smear and still test positive for HPV which is why the new standard of care is to test all women over 30 for HPV during their pap smear test.

What if my PAP is abnormal?

If you have an abnormal PAP your MD will recommend either freezing off the abnormal cervical cells or burning off the abnormal cervical cells. These are called cyrotherapy and a LEEP respectively. The MDs goal is to remove the abnormal cells and shed the top layer that holds the virus. But, the virus is in the body and an MD doesn’t have any treatments to treat the whole body and support the immune system. Also, there are complications from cryotherapy and a LEEP that will make pregnancy and child birth more difficult.

You have options!!!!!!!

If you pap comes back abnormal see Dr. Marchese. She can shed the abnormal cervical cells with anti-viral herbal suppositories. These are herbs that are inserted into the vaginal canal and shed the virus and abnormal cells. Dr. Marchese can also treat the body and boost the immune system and help your body fight off the virus. In cases of severe cervical abnormalities Dr. Marchese can perform the escharotic treatment which sheds the abnormal cervical cells on a deeper level.

If you haven’t had a pap smear in over a year or have not had HPV testing in combination with the PAP it is time to see Dr. Marchese for an appointment.

Fun Facts About Curcumin and Not-So-Fun Facts About BPA, by Dr. Psenka

Curcumin has to be one of my all time favorite supplements. It's non-toxic, decreases inflammation, prevents cancer cells from becoming resistant to chemo drugs, helps sensitize some cancer types to radiation therapy, and inhibits tumor growth. Now it seems that this extract of turmeric, the yellow spice commonly used in Indian cuisine, may actually potentiate chemotherapy drugs. A newer study which was published in the journal Anticancer Research this past June described the effects of curcumin against pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer tends to be a more difficult cancer to treat as it quickly becomes resistant to chemotherapy and can spread rapidly as well. The authors of this study used a newer type of curcumin in the study called liposomal curcumin. In the past curcumin's big drawback was it's low absorbability. This new liposomal form, in which the curcumin molecule is basically wrapped in fat, is absorbed much better. The study found that 20mg of liposomal curcumin per kilogram of body weight provided a 52% decrease in tumor growth. This study was carried out in a mouse study in which human pancreatic cancer cells were implanted in the mice. Poor mice.
While it would be preferable to have a human study which demonstrated the same findings the mouse research is a step in the right direction. This is particularly true with pancreatic cancer, as at the current time the available treatment options are few. Considering the low toxicity profile of curcumin, and the number of established benefits, along with the fact that curcumin has been shown to make the one chemo drug (Gemzar/gemcitabine) that works against pancreatic cancer work better, the question really isn't if we should add it to the current treatments, but rather if it is ethical not to....

Not so fun facts about BPA
Nearly everyone has heard that this plastic additive, which can be identified by the numbers 7 and 3 stamped on plastic containers is bad for you. The number of health problems that have been associated with this chemical make it nearly as harmful as other favorite nasty chemicals, like dioxin, and cigarette smoke. If you look at BPA on Wiki you will read that it is estimated that there are six pounds of this chemical produced for every person in the United States. There's 304 milion of us these days in case you lost count. That equates to roughly 1,824,000,000 pounds of BPA produced annually. Another study that recently came out (yes, I am a nerd, my Pubmed.com is your Facebook!) found that nanomolar dosages of BPA could produce chemoresistance in breast cancer. That is kind of disturbing as a nanomol can roughly be thought of as about a billionth of a gram (which there are 454 of in a pound). My recommendation: detox daily.
Look for more on this subject in an upcoming CancerND.com post.