Those living with sensitivity to gluten will notice common symptoms such as:

• Abdominal cramping, intestinal gas
• Distention and bloating of the stomach
• Chronic diarrhea, constipation or both
• Fatty stools
• Anemia—unexplained, due to folic acid, B12 or iron deficiency (or all)
• Unexplained weight loss with large appetite or weight gain
• Dental enamel defects
• Osteopenia, osteoporosis
• Bone or joint pain
• Fatigue, weakness or lack of energy
• Infertility—male/female
• Mouth ulcers
• Delayed puberty
• Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
• Migraine headaches
• Behavior changes/depression/irritability

Social media has also created an awareness of Celiac Disease and gluten sensitivity. Celebrities seem to be on the gluten-free campaign as well. One popular diet, the Paleo-diet, is based on the early human concept of hunting and gathering. Grains have been left out of this diet because they were much later introduced with the onset of an agricultural lifestyle. Changing one’s diet to fruits, vegetables, meats and nuts is the suggested way of coping with these ailments. Many who have done this report the disappearance of the gluten sensitivity symptoms.

So no more bread, pasta, crackers, oatmeal and mac n’ cheese for the gluten sensitive person? Not true. Many manufacturers are creating gluten-free versions of favorite food staples. Having a gluten-free diet is becoming more and more accessible and convenient. Many popular grocery chains are including sections of their stores devoted to gluten-free products.

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A deficiency in vitamin B-12 can result in a host of illnesses like anemia, fatigue, constipation, weight loss, depression, poor memory, asthma and vision problems. Vitamin B-12 deficiency can also damage the nervous system, even in people who don’t have anemia, so it is important to treat a deficiency as soon as possible.

It is possible, though rare, for the body to develop a vitamin B12 deficiency. Strict vegetarians, heavy drinkers and smokers, pregnant and breast-feeding women, and the elderly are among those people who may  require vitamin B12 supplements. However, B12 supplements can help anyone who feels they could use a boost in energy or their metabolism.

The most effective way to make sure that your body is receiving the B12 it needs to be healthy is by injecting the supplement.

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In women, synthetic hormone replacement dominated the scene for the last several decades until five years ago when media attention was called to the risks of synthetic hormone replacement. Many patients who were on hormone replacement were told to stop taking them and started feeling miserable.

It is known that if we do not replace hormones, our brain, bones, heart, vessels, joints, skin, mood and most importantly, quality of life, decline more rapidly. But what are the options? Should bio-identical hormones be considered instead of synthetic ones?

What Are Bio-Identical Hormones?

Bio-identical hormones are rapidly becoming popular among women who do not want to suffer anymore. The body does not know the difference between the hormone it makes and bio-identical hormones, because they are exactly identical in molecular structure to the hormones which are made in the body. They are compounded from yam and soy by removing and adding extra molecules so they are recognized by your cells and tissues as your own.

Synthetic hormones have extra molecules which are not recognized by the body. They are not broken down by our body’s enzymes and they may stay in the body for long periods of time as toxins and carcinogens. Although, soy and yam hormones, which are available over the counter, have many health benefits, they are barely recognized by human estrogen and progesterone receptors. Therefore, they do not effectively reverse or treat the hormone deficiency.

How Are They Used?

Bio-identical hormones are compounded by prescription only. Healthcare providers evaluate hormone requirements through clinical symptoms, and possibly, blood or saliva tests. The prescription is tailored to the exact amount of each hormone needed for the individual’s balance. Hormones, which are initially evaluated for replacement, include estrogen, progesterone, DHEA and testosterone. These can be taken orally, by patch or as a cream. Additional hormones which should be considered include melatonin and thyroid hormone.

What Are the Benefits?

Bio-identical hormone replacement will significantly reduce symptoms associated with hormonal decline before, during and after menopause including hot flashes, vaginal dryness, skin thinning, memory loss, concentration loss, anxiety, depression, weight gain, irritability, fatigue, insomnia, decreased sex drive, urine loss, muscle weakness and joint pain. In addition to symptom relief, Bio-identical hormones protect your brain, heart, vessels, bones, skin, hair follicles and muscles from decline. Most patients who start on bio-identical hormones feel emotionally and physically better within two weeks.

What Is The Data?

So far, there is more data on synthetic hormones than bio-identical hormones because synthetic hormones are patented and drug companies pay for the studies. Bio-identical hormones are generic to the human body like vitamins. They cannot be patented and therefore drug companies have not been interested in footing the bill thus far. We do know that bio-identical hormones have been used in Europe for over 60 years and studies show that they are both safe and effective.

They have been shown to protect against heart disease, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, and mental decline. They do not increase the risk of breast cancer, and, in fact, there is data showing that they may protect against breast cancer. At precise doses that exactly replace your body’s deficiency, there are no known side effects. They have the exact same action on the body as our own hormones.

Should You Take Them?

Some ask the question, “Am I safe taking hormones?” A more important question is how safe are you without your hormones? The cells in your brain, heart, vessels, bones, skin, hair follicles and muscles all have receptors for hormones. As the hormone levels dwindle, all these cells and tissues lose stimulation, leading to a rapid decline and advance of degenerative diseases.

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Why did you choose to practice Naturopathic Medicine?

This question is an easy one for me–The main reason that I chose to practice Naturopathic Medicine lies in the philosophy of care.  Having a holistic approach to medicine seemed the most meaningful and most logical way to approach health. “Band-aiding” peoples’ symptoms with pharmaceutical drugs is a lot less appealing to me; I think that uncovering the root cause(s) of the problem, supporting the innate physiology of the body and empowering patients to participate in their own health leads to true healing.

What’s your favorite part of your day?

My favorite part of the day has always been the same—working one-on-one with patients. People entrust me with their own unique stories and share a lot of personal information.  I am humbled each day by their resilience and strength.  Although I serve as a source of information and play a role in helping people get their health back on track, I myself have learned a lot about the intricacies of life over the years simply by listening. My goal during patient consultations is to always create the opportunity to hear the information that I need in order to best help that individual.

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• High in calories and sugar,
• Its contains phosphorus which depletes calcium
• Suppresses appetites, therefore may affect needed vitamin levels
• Direct link to tooth decay
• It can cause adrenal exhaustion, especially in young children
• It can lead to blood sugar disorders, including diabetes

The list of detriments to your health can go on and on. However, a recent study published online August 15 in the Journal of Pediatrics shows that consumption of even 1 soft drink per day may be associated with increased negative behavior in young children.

The study included almost 3000 5-year-olds and revealed that those who drank 1 to 4 servings of soda per day had significantly higher aggressive measurement scores than their peers who drank no soda. In addition, those who consumed 2 or more servings had higher withdrawn behavior scores, and those who consumed 4 or more servings had higher attention problem scores.

Compared with children who did not consume any soft drinks, those who had four or more soft drinks a day were over twice as likely to:

• Destroy other people’s belongings
• Physically attack others, and
• Get into fights

Dr. Shakira Suglia, assistant professor of epidemiology at the Mailman School of Public Health, says: “We found that the child’s aggressive behavior score increased with every increase in soft drinks servings per day.”

Essentially, researchers found a dose-response relationship, meaning an increase in soda consumption equates to escalating levels of aggressive behavior. After adjusting for several socioeconomic factors, such as depression, researchers discovered that any form of soda consumption could be hazardous.

“Caffeine has been associated with child behavior problems, also sugar — though the scientific evidence is mixed,” Suglia said. Only these two components were examined and the effects of other highly processed ingredients remain silent.

The long-term effects of soda consumption manifest in adults, who suffer from diabetes, obesity, stroke, depression, tooth decay, and all kinds of ailments—also linked to poor diet and processed junk foods heavy in salt, preservatives and color additives. These types of foods provide little to no nutritional value.

It is imperative that as adults, we work to decrease children soda consumption. Who is purchasing the groceries in the house? Who can lead by example?

Water is of course the best replacement, but if you cannot seem to sell your kids on the appeals of water, try these tricks:

• Jazz up your water with slices of fruit
• Purchase water bottles that are your kids very own, decked out in their favorite character, dinosaurs or mermaids
• Try one of the brands that make plain water flavored with natural fruit extract.

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Saturated Fats– These are from animal sources like meat, butter, milk, eggs and cheese. We should only consume organic sources of these fats to avoid the added hormones and antibiotics which most farm animals are exposed to.
Monounsaturated fats– These are vegetable fats from sources such as sesame, olive oil, canola oil, avocados and nuts.
Polyunsaturated fats– These fats come from Omega 3 oils like fish oil, flaxseed oil, pumpkin seeds and walnut oils. They also include the Omega 6 oils from safflower, grape seed, and evening primrose. These are also called “essential fatty acids” which can only be obtained from dietary sources, our bodies cannot produce these fats.
Trans-fats– These are chemically produced fats which the body cannot process and therefore we treat as poisons. These fats come from margarine and hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils. When mono and polyunsaturated fats are heated they form trans-fats. You should only cook with olive oil, which remains stable when heated.

Vital Functions of Healthy Fats:

• Cushioning of vital organs
• Synthesis of hormones
• Regulation of body temperature
• Absorption and transportation of fat soluble vitamins (A,D, E, and K)
• Addition of flavor to foods and creation of a feeling of fullness after a meal
• Creation of ATP- the body’s main source of energy

Signs of too much fat intake:

• Excess weight gain
• High LDL cholesterol levels
• Elevated triglycerides

Signs of too little fat intake:

• Aching joints or arthritis
• Cracked nails, dry skin and dry, limp hair
• Constipation
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Chest pain
• Hypertension
• Immune weakness

How to get enough healthy fats:

• Eat foods that contain natural sources of healthy fats
• Avoid trans-fats
• Supplement with Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids

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