Nutrition Matters – Live Well
Nutrition matters.
Nutrition is finally shining in the spotlight of cutting edge medical breakthroughs. In January 2011, the journal Current Opinions in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care published a review that showed clearly the link between nutrition and longevity.
What’s in Your Genes?
Did you know you can change your DNA? The genetic code that programs who you are, your health and wellness can be changed, both for good or ill. Chemicals, environmental toxins and the foods we eat can all change our genetics. You can turn off ‘anti-cancer’ genes, or turn on ‘pro-cancer’ genes simply by exposure to certain chemicals and toxins. You can also turn on genes that lower your cancer risk, or that improve heart health, or digestive health.
The genetics you have at birth is only the beginning…. Who will you be?
We are all born with a particular DNA program. Its not written in stone however! Epigenetics is the DNA of NOW. What you do today, affects tomorrow’s DNA. In other words, the choices you make today can potentially alter your health months or years from now via epigenetic changes.
You ARE what you eat.
The foods we eat impact the epigenetic environment of our cells. They can turn on harmful processes that can lead to cancer or other health risks. Food can also turn off harmful processes and improve our epigenetic health. Read more here.
It is never too late to make simple changes to improve your epigenetics with nutrition. Start your New Year with a nutritional plan for your road to health. We are here to help you get from where you are to where you want to go. Call our office at 206.525.8015 for more information on genetic testing that can help optimize your nutrition and weight loss goals
About the Writer
Dr. Jana Hagen brings more than a decade of knowledge and experience in Naturopathic Medicine and Clinical Laboratory Medicine to her family medicine practice. In addition to naturopathic primary and preventive care, she has can help you with Relapse Prevention and balance your neurotransmitters for better mental health. Dr. Hagen is also experienced in bio-identical hormones and sustainable weight-loss methods.
Copyright notice. The contents of this article may be reused, but must be reused in full (and full credit given to its authors). If you have specific questions, please contact us.
Got GERD? Got Proton Pump Inhibitors? Got Alternatives?
Last week, I wrote an article citing a recent study linking a 35% increased risk for hip fractures in people who use proton pump inhibitors like Prilosec, Nexium, or Prevacid.
Here is a great video from the UHC’s own Top Doc, Patrick Donovan ND. Here in our neighborhood clinic, we see a lot of people complaining of GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disorder. Fortunately, there are alternatives to proton pump inhibitors!
About the Writer
Dr. Jana Hagen brings more than a decade of knowledge and experience in Naturopathic Medicine and Clinical Laboratory Medicine to her family medicine practice. In addition to naturopathic primary and preventive care, she has can help you with Relapse Prevention and balance your neurotransmitters for better mental health. Dr. Hagen is also experienced in bio-identical hormones and sustainable weight-loss methods.
Copyright notice. The contents of this article may be reused, but must be reused in full (and full credit given to its authors). If you have specific questions, please contact us.
Relief for Your Bloated Gut
Earlier this week Dr. Patrick Donovan, one of Seattle’s Top Docs and wrote an excellent article about abdominal bloating and SIBOS or Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth Syndrome.
This video is an outstanding companion to that article, and will discuss options that can bring you relief for your bloated gut.
Bloated Belly or Bloated Ego?
Bloated belly or bloated ego? Should your malady be bloated belly and not the ego, then I have some information for you. Your bloated belly may be caused by SIBOS.
What is SIBOS, you ask?
SIBOS stands for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth Syndrome. This is a condition where bacteria from the large bowel or colon (where bacteria should be growing) overgrows into the small intestine (where bacteria shouldn’t be growing). The presence of bacteria in the small intestine causes the small intestine to become very “leaky” to large microbial and dietary protein molecules that normally stay within the gut. When this “leaking” happens, these larger molecules can enter systemic circulation and cause inflammation and immune activation throughout the body. Researchers now theorize by this “leaky gut” model for systemic inflammation is the underlying cause for various autoimmune and related inflammatory diseases.
How do You know You Have SIBOS?
If you have a combination of any of these symptoms on a daily or weekly basis (Frequently occurring to less occurring) you MAY have SIBOS and should see your health care provider:
- Bloating (especially if worse taking probiotics and eating carbohydrates)
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Abdominal tenderness
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
Also, you may be required to take a breath test. If you have an excess of methane and/or hydrogen in your breath, this can signal the presence of SIBOS.
What can You do to treat SIBOS?
If you are suspected of having SIBOS, you will need to be treated with a particular antibiotic or antibiotic combination. The primary antibiotic used is Rifaximin. It is an “intraluminal antibiotic.” This means it stays in the intestine and is not absorbed. Rifaximin can be combined with other antibiotics at times such as Metronidazole or Neomycin. Dietary changes may also be required along with the antibiotic treatment for better and more prolonged results. These dietary changes include a marked reduction in carbohydrate intake particularly grains, legumes, sugars, and flour products. It is best if NO gluten is eaten as gluten can enhance further leakiness of the small intestine in a large number of patients.
So, what’s better, a bloated belly or a bloated ego? Well, I’ll let you and your friends and family decide that one!
About the writer
Dr. Donovan is a Naturopathic Physician, author, educator, and a professor of clinical medicine at Bastyr University’s Natural Health Clinic. In 2010 he was voted by his professional peers as one of Seattle’s Top Doctors in the Seattle Metropolitan Magazine. Dr. Donovan writes and lectures on the transformational process of healing and believes a person’s healing journey is ultimately a quest for his/her identity, purpose and meaning. He has more than 35 years of patient care experience as a Registered Nurse (RN) and a Naturopathic Physician (ND), representing a wide range of clinical settings from hospital-based surgical and intensive care as a registered nurse to outpatient primary care as a physician.
Proton Pump Inhibitor Use Can Lead to Hip Fracture
The British Medical Journal just published a large study that clearly shows a 35% increased risk of hip fracture in postmenopausal women who have used proton pump inhibitors for two years or more.
The potential culprits:
- Omeperazole – Prilosec, Zegerid, ocid, Lomac, Omepral, Omez
- Lansoprazole – Prevacid, Zoton, Monolitum, Inhibitol, Levant, Lupizole
- Esomeprazole – Nexium, Esotrex
- And many more…
Why are they prescribed?
These medications are commonly prescribed for the following:
- Dyspepsia
- Peptic Ulcer Disease
- Reflux – both gastroesophageal (GERD) and laryngopharyngial
- Barrett’s esophagus
- Stress induced gastritis
- Zollinger-Ellison syndroms
Prilosec, Prevacid and Nexium are some of the most commonly prescribed medications in the past decade.
What is a proton pump inhibitor? It is a class of medications that reduce secretion of acid in your stomach. They are clearly linked with decreased absorption of vitamins and minerals, most notably vitamin B12 and magnesium. It doesn’t stop there. If you affect the gastro-intestinal system’s ability to digest nutrients, you can create potentially harmful effects downsream of the stomach.
What can happen with chronic long term use?
- Anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency “Pernicious Anemia”
- Increased risk of Pneumonia (e.g. community acquired pneumonia)
- Increased risk of C difficile bacterial infection in your intestine. This is a NASTY infection that can be extremely hard to get rid of and creates misery during infections.
- Depression – more on this in a future article
- Hip fracture and by extension, other fractures due to decreased bone health.
But wait.. there’s more:
This list is by no means complete. I simply listed the more common issues. Magnesium deficiency is the single most common side effect of chronic proton pump inhibition. More than 300 biochemical actions in the body require magnesium to happen. Without these essential functions, chronic and/or acute illness can occur.
A little good news:
The risk for hip fracture decreased to ‘normal’ levels within two years of discontinuing proton pump inhibitors. Allowing the GI tract to resume a more ‘normal’ physiology can allow a return to better digestion, which increases absorption of vital nutrients. These nutrients are essential for the optimal health of all your body systems, from head to toe.
About the Writer
Dr. Jana Hagen brings more than a decade of knowledge and experience in Naturopathic Medicine and Clinical Laboratory Medicine to her family medicine practice. In addition to naturopathic primary and preventive care, she has can help you with Relapse Prevention and balance your neurotransmitters for better mental health. Dr. Hagen is also experienced in bio-identical hormones and sustainable weight-loss methods.
Copyright notice. The contents of this article may be reused, but must be reused in full (and full credit given to its authors). If you have specific questions, please contact us.
Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Well. That’s Nice, but What Does it Mean?
At the UHC, we have a saying: Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Well.
They aren’t just words to us. They don’t just look good on paper! We, the providers and staff of our clinic stand on those words in rock solid commitment to you as our patient. So many people don’t feel comfortable saying ‘no’ to their doctor, or they feel trapped in doing what they don’t want to do, because their doctor doesn’t listen to them. I’ve actually had patients say that they needed antibiotics or SSRI’s but their other doctor didn’t believe in prescribing them.
That’s just not how we roll! We are Naturopaths and Nurse Practitioners, whose first and foremost commitment is to the practice of medicine. It isn’t either Naturopathic or Allopathic. It is all inclusive. You get what you need at the time. It may be herbal, a prescription drug, or a much needed micronutrient. Either way, you get the care you need and have a choice in the care you receive.
We See you.
The whole person. There is far more to You than your symptom picture. We see that.
We Hear you.
You have a voice, and a choice in your health care options. If you don’t want to take antibiotics for a sinus infection, we will work with your choices and resolve your infection with alternatives. If you want to take prescription medications instead of alternatives, we will work with your desires and find the best prescription options to resolve your symptoms and restore your health.
Its All About You
Its certainly not all about me! As a physician, I provide patient centered care. I don’t have a preset agenda for your health. I will listen and work with you so that you can achieve the health you’ve been looking for. We work together. At the UHC, you truly have a voice and a choice in your care! If you have questions about your treatment options, or would like to do something different, we want to hear what you have to say.
Be Well.
About the Writer
Dr. Jana Hagen brings more than a decade of knowledge and experience in Naturopathic Medicine and Clinical Laboratory Medicine to her family medicine practice. In addition to naturopathic primary and preventive care, she has can help you with Relapse Prevention and balance your neurotransmitters for better mental health. Dr. Hagen is also experienced in bio-identical hormones and sustainable weight-loss methods.
Copyright notice. The contents of this article may be reused, but must be reused in full (and full credit given to its authors). If you have specific questions, please contact us.
