Eliminating IBS Once and For All I found an excellent article by Dr. Hyman, MD this week that highlights 5 simple steps to eliminate IBS without drugs. We commonly use these steps in our practice, which are aimed at identifying and addressing the underlying cause for IBS. Most patients are prescribed antidepressants, sedatives, anti-spasm drugs, Metamucil or other fiber sources, and not given real answers, or real results. IBS effects 20% of the population. So what exactly is it and how can we eliminate it once and for all? According to womenshealth.gov, “IBS is defined as abdominal pain or discomfort, along with a changed bowel habit (such as diarrhea or constipation), for 3 months or more. The abdomen is the same as the “stomach area.” The symptoms may be different from person to person and can include: Cramps or pain in the stomach area Constipation — infrequent stools that may be hard and dry Feeling like you haven’t finished a bowel movement Diarrhea — frequent loose stools Alternating between diarrhea and constipation Mucus in the stool Swollen or bloated stomach area Gas Discomfort in the upper stomach area or feeling uncomfortably full or nauseous after eating a normal size meal Do these sound common? I hear one or more of these symptoms in nearly every patient we see! Since all systems rely on digestion, any imbalance within, can create and fuel much bigger problems down the line. In fact, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and National Institutes of Health (NIH), say that IBS can be linked to: GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease) Dyspepsia (Indigestion) causing discomfort or pain...
Allergy Testing, Immune Testing - What does it all mean? By LuCinda Miller and Dr. Marie Starling At The Healing Center, Dr. Starling uses many types of tests to determine the underlying issues creating symptoms in our patients. Food is one piece of your overall health and must be tested to determine what variety of problem is present, such as if it is to be permanently avoided, permanent but manageable or can be completely reset. Allergy testing varies greatly and each test looks at a slightly different piece of the picture, much like comparing apples to oranges. Today we are providing you a synopsis of some of the most common tests, what they look at, and their known strengths and limitations. WHAT THEY LOOK AT: IgA, IgG, IgM, and IgE IgA, IgG, IgM, and IgE are known as Immunoglobulins or more commonly referred to as antibodies. Immunoglobulins are secreted by the immune system in response to what the immune system perceives as a foreign invader. These invaders can be viruses, bacteria, fungus/mold, foods, or environmental substances. The immune system uses these Immunoglobulins to “tag” the invader to then be targeted and killed. IgE responses are easy to diagnose as they provide immediate symptoms such as hives, rash, anaphylaxis. IgA, IgG, and IgM reactions are more difficult to diagnose since the reaction is delayed and can occur up to 6 months after exposure. Delayed symptoms can come on subtly and can include headaches, joint pain, and eczema to name a few. IgA Considered first line of defense 80% of IgA is found in the body’s mucous membranes lining the respiratory and digestive tracts, also eyes...
Getting Rid of Chronic Pain Here at The Healing Center Denver, our mission as your functional medicine specialist in Denver, CO is to identify the underlying causes of your symptoms and address them individually, using a variety of tools available to us. There are 8 common triggers for chronic pain that most people don’t realize. 1. STRUCTURAL OR NEUROLOGICAL IMBALANCE “Abnormal spinal movement can be caused by physical trauma (repetitive motion, car accidents, slips, falls, improper lifting, poor sleeping habits), emotional stress (worry, negative thoughts, fear), or chemical imbalances (alcohol, drugs, toxins, pollution.)… Whenever the nervous system is interfered with, the connection between the brain and body is impaired, and there may be malfunction of any cell, tissue, or organ of the body…” The brain itself can also become imbalanced causing dysfunction from right to left or front to back. These imbalances can cause tight hamstrings or even forward head position causing neck and back pain. Symptoms Numbness Burning Pins and needles Hypertension Indigestion Pain Muscle spasms/atrophy Muscle fatigue Swelling “Ligaments, tendons and spinal discs have a poor blood supply and heal slowly. This is why proper nutrition, rest and… spinal adjustments are needed to completely eliminate the cause of your pain. If your spinal joints are not moving properly, degeneration of your spine and health will be the result.” 2. AUTO-IMMUNE ISSUES “Do you have chronic pain, chronic fatigue, or other mysterious symptoms that make you miserable? But does your doctor say your lab tests are fine and you’re perfectly healthy? It could be you have an autoimmune reaction and don’t know it. People can develop an autoimmune reaction to virtually any tissue, enzyme, or protein in their...
Most Dangerous Foods for Gluten Sensitivity, Celiac Disease, Gluten-free Diet #2--Yeast DR. DAVID CLARK, DC – RALEIGH-DURHAM-CHAPEL HILL FUNCTIONAL NEUROLOGIST- EXPLAINS EXACTLY WHAT CURRENT RESEARCH SAY ABOUT THE DANGER OF YEAST AND GLUTEN SENSITIVITY. I want to share with you the #2 most dangerous food you can eat if you’re gluten sensitive, have celiac disease or are following a gluten-free diet… YEAST (BAKER’S YEAST, BREWER’S YEAST) Again, I’m talking about brewer’s yeast and baker’s yeast. That type of yeast is called saccharomyces cerevisiae. You find it in many kinds of breads, beer, flavorings. IMPORTANT: Nutritional yeast is the SAME kind of yeast. I know a lot of you were already thinking about asking about it. Nutritional yeast is the #2 most dangerous food for gluten sensitivtiy, celiac disease and a gluten-free diet. Why is yeast such a problem? Answer: cross-reaction. About a year and a half, maybe two years ago, I published some very popular videos and blog posts on dangerous foods for persons suffering with gluten sensitivity. Yeast was one of the things I mentioned. In January 2013, the research paper by Dr. Aristo Vojdani (PhD immunologist) was published (Journal article here) that confirms the problem. Cross-reaction occurs when the antibodies that the body is making to tag one food (gluten, in our example) attach to a different food that is not the original food (Yeast). This is called cross reaction.In Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity (let’s not debate the semantics, they’re functionally the same thing) you have a problem with gluten. Your immune system is reacting to gluten and is trying to kill it, so it makes antibodies to tag the gluten. Antibodies are like little flashing, adhesive strobe...
Most Dangerous Foods for Gluten Sensitivity, Celiac Disease, Gluten-free Diet #1--Milk DR. DAVID CLARK, DC – RALEIGH-DURHAM-CHAPEL HILL FUNCTIONAL NEUROLOGIST- EXPLAINS EXACTLY WHAT CURRENT RESEARCH SAY ABOUT THE DANGER OF MILK AND GLUTEN SENSITIVITY. DoctorDavidClark.com I’m going to share with you the recently confirmed number one danger to your health if you have gluten sensitivity, celiac disease…and that is consuming milk products. About a year and a half, maybe two years ago, I posted a very popular video on the danger of milk and gluten sensitivity. At that time I explained that the problem with milk and gluten sensitivity and celiac disease is the issue of cross-reaction: In January 2013, the research paper by Dr. Aristo Vojdani (PhD immunologist) was published that confirms the problem. THE BIGGEST DANGER IF YOU ARE GLUTEN-SENSITIVE…OR HAVE CELIAC DISEASE…OR ARE FOLLOWING A GLUTEN-FREE DIET…IS MILK AND MILK PRODUCTS It’s all about cross-reaction. So let me explain that. Cross reaction occurs when the antibodies that the body is making to tag one food (gluten, in our example) attach to a different food that is not the original food (milk products). This is called cross reaction. In Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity (let’s not debate the semantics, they’re functionally the same thing) you have a problem with gluten. Your immune system is reacting to gluten and is trying to kill it, so it makes antibodies to tag the gluten. Antibodies are like little flashing, adhesive strobe lights that are designed to attach onto the gluten protein so that the immune system cells can find it and try to kill it. When those antibodies attach to some food that’s NOT gluten -because that food looks SIMILAR...
Sneezing? Wheezing? Runny Nose? Allergy Season is Here Seasonal Allergy Removal in Colorado Imagine no longer suffering from allergies! No needles, no shots, no avoidance! Denver functional medicine specialist and allergist, Dr. Starling, has advanced the techniques of NAET and BioSet allergy elimination to provide an effective, noninvasive way to address seasonal allergies in Colorado. Through this technique, she has successfully cleared hundreds of patients. I happen to be one of them. I suffered from seasonal allergies for years and was on a daily over the counter drug regimen for 6 months out of the year covering the Spring and Fall allergy seasons. Along with the obvious symptoms were headaches and chronic sinus infections. After going through the allergy protocol along with Dr. Starling’s whole body approach to repair my gut and stabilize my immune system, I was drug free by the fall allergy season and have remained that way for 4 years now! Book An Appointment Contact us at today to get ahead of your seasonal allergies. Call us today for an appointment at 303-721-9800!
The Gluten Free Stigma - It's Not a Vanity Issue, It's a Serious Health Issue By LuCinda Miller My own personal experience this week has enlightened me regarding the stigma attached to the gluten free diet, from the comedian last night that suggested we suck it up and eat our bread to my 11 year old’s friends thinking she is gluten free to lose weight to the general population that believes it is the latest celebrity fad diet that will soon come to pass. Today I’d like to enlighten you regarding the seriousness of gluten consumption and your health. The following excerpt was taken from Gluten Free Society and is based on the research of world-renowned immunologist and pioneer of the leaky gut autoimmunity connection, Dr. Alessio Fasano. FOR ANY OF YOU SUFFERING FROM THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS, PAY CLOSE ATTENTION: Those who suffer from chronic intestinal problems Infertility or recurrent miscarriage Chronic anemia Osteoporosis Migraine Headaches Psoriasis Eczema IBS Bipolar or Schizophrenia Low thyroid (Hypothyroid) ADD or ADHD Autism Fibromyalgia Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Restless Legs Syndrome Sleep Apnea Type I or II diabetes Multiple Sclerosis Any Autoimmune Disease MAKING THE CONNECTION – THE GLUTEN FREE WARRIOR’S STANCE: Most people assume that celiac disease and gluten sensitivity are the same thing. Fortunately, this archaic thought is rapidly changing as new research has proven that gluten sensitivity exists independently of celiac disease. Although it is well established that gluten often impacts the villi of the small intestine, it has also been shown to affect the body in multiple ways. These differences account for the massive failure of doctors to diagnose gluten sensitivity. Below is a diagram of environmental...
Did you know your gut can talk to your brain? By Michal Cooling CNT Highly underestimated in its impact on health, the brain-gut axis is imbalanced in most of our chronic patients. In simple terms, the brain talks to the gut, and the gut talks to the brain. In fact, several parts of the brain are responsible directly for normal gut function. The gut also sends messages to the brain through gut peptides (protein molecules). Immune cells in the gut and brain also produce and react with molecules between each other. Imbalances can be from gut to brain, brain to gut, or a vicious cycle of the combination of the two. If the brain doesn’t work, neither will the gut, in fact that is one of the first symptoms of brain imbalance. If the gut doesn’t work, neither will the brain. This means therapy needs to go beyond a specific diet or anti-infection protocol, but to support the mechanisms involved in the brain-gut axis. The brain controls movement of food through the digestive tract, digestive enzymes, and parts of the autonomic nervous system which delivers blood carrying nutrients that support the intestines to name a few. Poor brain health is reflected by: poor memory the inability to find words difficulty learning new things brain fatigue, etc Poor brain health leads to: yeast and bacteria fermentation and overgrowth inability to eliminate waste products (constipation) increased load on the liver difficulty digesting food (protein, starches, fats) constant episodes of bloating and gas alternating constipation and diarrhea gallstone formation irritable bowel syndrome other bowel disorders leaky gut that causes inflammation in the brain and body...
Renew Vitality with Paleo this Spring! Why Paleo? Before the dawn of the Agricultural Revolution, our ancestors lived a life virtually free of obesity, cardiovascular disease, cancer, Type 2 Diabetes and autoimmune disease among others. The secret to their health is believed to be their diet known as the Paleolithic diet. Our upcoming 21 Day Spring Detox will be focused around the Paleo Diet. It is not just a diet but a way of life that revolves around eating whole foods full of veggies, protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals. By following the Paleo diet, common food allergens such as gluten, dairy and soy are naturally avoided along with processed foods and excess sugar known to compromise the gut and immune system. Avoiding these triggers, in most cases, allows the gut to heal re-establishing the gut barrier which allows the absorption of vitamins and minerals your body needs to function optimally. Benefits of a Paleo Diet: Reduces inflammation Reduces allergies Stabilizes blood sugar Improves sleep Improves and stabilizes energy Clears skin Decreases brain fog Stabilizes mood Decreases bloating Sustained weight loss Increases nutrient absorption Anatomy of the Paleo Diet: In Vegetables Fruits Lean Meats – grass-fed/pastured raised Fish/Seafood Nuts and Seeds Healthy oils Eggs Out Grains Dairy Processed Foods and Sugars Legumes Starches Alcohol You can learn even more at: The Paleo Diet.TM Robb Wolf: What Is The Paleo Diet? Contact Us Connect with your Functional Medicine Specialists at The Healing Center Denver to learn about services related to the Paleo Diet in Denver.
New Year Repair Protocol for Renewed Vitality A Systemic Nutritional and Detoxification Support Program is an essential part of the nutritional program designed for your health concerns. This includes RepairVite and ClearVite programs. The benefits are many. The results are quickly reflected in improved lab work and assessment results, disappearance of many minor aches and pains, decrease in the level of major physical discomforts, and most importantly, a change toward a better and more positive mood. All of this really means: Improved Body Chemistry! Alkalizes the body Biosynthesis of ascorbic acid Stabilizes blood sugar Stimulate & Balance Metabolism Support and regulate adrenals Allow intestines to heal Decrease antigen load Decrease inflammation Detox poisonous substances Destroy yeast / Anti-fungal Improve mood & energy Promote Weight Loss Transport hormones and other important Substances and release at target location Help pinpoint and eliminate food allergies It also includes our Ultimate Body Applicator body wrap that: Tightens, tones, & firms Minimizes cellulite appearance Improves skin texture & tightness Detoxification Support Program Everyday, millions of molecules from different compounds enter our bodies through voluntary or involuntary ingestion. These chemicals come from foods, beverages, medicines, food additives, personal care, and numerous other sources. Whenever a system, whether it is a living (humans, animals) or a mechanical (different machines) system becomes polluted, normal functioning becomes affected. Excessive pollution in a system may result in malfunctioning or serious degeneration of the system. You might have experienced this occurrence with the mechanics of your car. Every so often you need to change the oil, air filter, etc. in order to keep the system clean so the car will run more efficiently and last longer. That is why when your car’s...
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