ADRENAL FATIGUE & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

A recent article in The New York Times newspaper reports findings from a study in The Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. Researchers measured morning cortisol levels in male and female test subjects with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and in subjects without CFS. Although cortisol levels were unremarkable across the male subjects, the female subjects with CFS were found to have lower levels of cortisol than those without CFS.

Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that becomes elevated in individuals with acute stress. Cortisol elevates blood sugar levels, raises blood pressure, and suppresses the immune system to help the body cope with stress.

After prolonged periods of stress, however, the adrenal gland fatigues and is unable to produce enough cortisol. Individuals with low cortisol levels are said to have “adrenal fatigue.” Symptoms of adrenal fatigue include blood sugar dysregulation and hypoglycemia, low blood pressure, allergies, asthma, autoimmune disease and fatigue. Adrenal fatigue is one cause of chronic fatigue syndrome.

From a naturopathic perspective, having the right amount of cortisol is necessary for optimum health. At ALETRIS Center of Integrative Medicine, we measure cortisol levels in patients, especially those with general fatigue or chronic fatigue syndrome. Our treatment strategies are focused on restoring healthy cortisol levels and include nutriceuticals, botanical medicine, acupuncture, and natural hormone therapy.

ALETRIS Center of Integrative Medicine is a Scottsdale, AZ wellness center serving Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Glendale, Arrowhead, Peoria, Sun City, Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, and Mesa, AZ with specialties in naturopathic medicine, natural hormone therapy, women's health, acupuncture, colon hydrotherapy, natural skincare and sugar hair removal.

The contents of this blog, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the counsel of an ALETRIS physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.

Caffeine Raises Blood Sugar

A study reported in the February issue of Diabetes Care showed that caffeine raises blood sugar in individuals with type 2 diabetes. It seems that blood sugar was most notably higher after meals, when blood sugar is normally at its highest. Subjects had a 9% increase after breakfast, 15% after lunch, and 26% increase after dinner compared to baselines.

The test subjects took 500 mg of caffeine during the study, which equals 4 small cups of coffee.

Caffeine, the active alkaloid in coffee, stimulates elevated blood glucose via two routes. First it inhibits the transfer of glucose from the blood stream into cells. Second, it raises adrenaline levels in the body. Elevated adrenaline levels stimulate the liver to produce and release sugar into the blood stream.

At ALETRIS Center of Integrative Medicine, we see a lot of patients attached to their daily cups of coffee. These patients may not be diabetic, but they often have fasting blood glucoses that are high normal. Over time, these “high normal” levels of blood sugar age us faster than usual.

Patients with high normal blood sugars are typically at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, macular degeneration (progressive blindness in the elderly), and mood imbalances.

To have your blood sugar levels tested and discuss whether caffeine or other lifestyle risk factors may play a part in the aging process, please contact us at ALETRIS Center of Integrative Medicine.

ALETRIS Center of Integrative Medicine is a Scottsdale, AZ wellness center serving Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Glendale, Arrowhead, Peoria, Sun City, Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, and Mesa, AZ with specialties in naturopathic medicine, natural hormone therapy, women's health, acupuncture, colon hydrotherapy, natural skincare and sugar hair removal.

The contents of this blog, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the counsel of an ALETRIS physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.

The Truth about Birth Control Pills

Worldwide, the birth control pill has given millions of women control over their reproduction. As technology continues to progress, oral contraception also has become much safer to use then it once was. Currently, there are pills on the market that have smaller and smaller amounts of hormone in them, whereas earlier birth control pills were implicated in much higher rates of blood clots and strokes.

However, there are still many risks associated with oral contraceptives (OCs). For example, OC’s deplete many of our essential vitamins, including folic acid, B12, B6, B2, vitamin C and zinc. Deficiency of these vitamins can lead to cervical dysplasia, depression, and birth defects. Additionally, OC’s increase the risk of heart disease, breast cancer, and bone fractures. Women on OC’s are especially at risk for developing a blood clot during a long plane ride, and during surgery. Sedentary women, women over 40, and smokers also have increased risk.

Birth control pills also elevate a blood protein called sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). This protein can bind to testosterone and thyroid hormone in the blood leading to deficiency symptoms. Testosterone deficiency commonly manifests as a low libido in women, and low thyroid levels can present as an intolerance to cold, constipation, or fatigue.

Also note worthy is that OC’s can increase vaginal glycogen, a storage form of sugar, and predispose women to vaginal yeast infections.

At ALETRIS, we believe in discussing the risks of birth control pills in depth with each patient. Other options may be more desirable than hormonal contraception, given their side effects. Please consult with your doctor regarding the safest birth control methods for you.

The contents of this blog, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the counsel of an ALETRIS physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.

Blood Test for COLON CANCER

Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States, affecting men and women equally. Age, meat consumption, constipation, and genetics are all risk factors for colon cancer. Colon cancer arises from intestinal polyps, or growths, that enlarge continuously over time. Some polyps will never turn into cancer, but others will. The only way to know if a polyp is cancerous is to remove and biopsy them during a colonoscopy.

Currently, the only screening test available for colon cancer is the colonoscopy – a procedure that involves sedation. A new blood test, called CCSA-2 (colon cancer specific antigen 2), is showing promising results in early research. It seems that this protein is found in the blood of those individuals with high risk polyps and absent in those with low risk polyps. Results have shown that, overall, the test has a 91% specificity, meaning that 9% of cancers were missed by the test.

The current recommendation of waiting every 10 years for a colonoscopy may be too long to wait for those individuals who develop fast-growing colon cancers. Even with it's 9% miss rate, a CCSA-2 blood test run every year may catch more cancers and save more lives than colonoscopy alone.

Contact ALETRIS Center of Integrative Medicine to learn more about this exciting new screening test for colon cancer. Direct access (cash-pay) testing is available.

ALETRIS Center of Integrative Medicine is a Scottsdale, AZ wellness center serving Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Glendale, Arrowhead, Peoria, Sun City, Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, and Mesa, AZ with specialties in naturopathic medicine, natural hormone therapy, women's health, acupuncture, colon hydrotherapy, natural skincare and sugar hair removal.

The contents of this blog, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the counsel of an ALETRIS physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.

Metformin & B-12 Supplementation

Millions of people in America take Metformin for diabetes, insulin resistance, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and infertility. Metformin does not treat the underlying cause of any of these conditions. Its purpose is to prevent the liver from producing excess sugar, while inhibiting the intestines from absorbing glucose into the bloodstream. Metformin also acts to re-sensitize our cells to insulin, which lowers insulin resistance and results in a decrease in blood glucose.

Most people are not aware that Metformin also inhibits our ability to absorb vitamin B12. It is estimated that up to 30% of all people taking this medication have a B12 deficiency. Intrinsic factor, a protein made by stomach intestinal cells, is necessary for the absorption of this vital nutrient and Metformin interferes with the ability of this protein to do its job.

People taking Metformin should be supplementing with B12. Monthly B12 injections are a great way to absorb and maintain B12 levels in the blood. B12 is essential for the health of our red blood cells and is needed in every metabolic pathway that takes place in our bodies.

ALETRIS Center of Integrative Medicine is a Scottsdale, AZ wellness center serving Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Glendale, Arrowhead, Peoria, Sun City, Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, and Mesa, AZ with specialties in naturopathic medicine, natural hormone therapy, women's health, acupuncture, colon hydrotherapy, natural skincare and sugar hair removal.

The contents of this blog, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the counsel of an ALETRIS physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.

Antibacterial Soap Creates SUPER BUGS

Did you know that there are over 700 different kinds of antibacterial products made for household use? This number includes hand washing soaps, cleansers, lotions, tooth brushes, laundry detergents, and cleaning supplies. You can even find mattresses, sheets, pillows and chop sticks that contain antibacterial ingredients.

Anti-bacterial agents were first used in hospital settings to improve sanitation practices and prevent the cross contamination of microbial-causing illnesses from patient to patient. Although companies state that their anti-bacterial products help to prevent infections, the research behind such claims is lacking. In fact, one study performed in a Manhatten inner city neighborhood found no difference in episodes of infectious disease symptoms between those families using anti-bacterial household cleaning products versus those using identically packaged products without antibacterial ingredients.

So what is the problem with using antibacterial soaps and cleaning supplies? Similar to antibiotics, these products can destroy some microbes while becoming resistant to others. Resistant bacteria often evolve into “super bugs” which can be significantly more dangerous than the original bacteria.

According to the CDC, community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (cMRSA) is becoming a world wide health concern. cMRSA is an antibiotic resistant bacteria implicated in serious skin and soft tissue infections as well as pneumonia. Resistance to cMRSA has been linked to use of antibacterial products. Additionally, higher rates of allergies and asthma in kids have been linked to the suggested “hygiene hypothesis.” This theory postulates that in order for the immune system to develop correctly, it is necessary to be exposed to certain bacteria as children so our immune cells learn how to fight infection.

Naturopathic physicians do not recommend overusing antibacterial products. At ALETRIS, we understand the significance of benign early-childhood illnesses and believe them to be important for the development and maintenance of a healthy immune system.

ALETRIS Center of Integrative Medicine is a Scottsdale, AZ wellness center serving Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Glendale, Arrowhead, Peoria, Sun City, Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, and Mesa, AZ with specialties in naturopathic medicine, natural hormone therapy, women's health, acupuncture, colon hydrotherapy, natural skincare and sugar hair removal.

The contents of this blog, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the counsel of an ALETRIS physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.

Phentermine & Long Term Weight Gain

Physician-guided weight loss centers are popping up on street corners across the nation, and were even featured in a recent Oprah magazine. Many of these clinics are making claims of rapid and extreme weight loss in very short amounts of time by prescribing restricted diets that may include low calorie foods, meal replacement drinks and supplements. At one Arizona weight loss center, practitioners advocate a cup of tomato soup for lunch and a cup of chicken soup for dinner. You may be wondering how people survive on such meager calories and limited nutrition....The answer comes in a pill.

Phentermine is a prescription weight loss medication that is similar to an amphetamine. It acts by stimulating the central nervous system and increasing the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine. Phentermine increases heart rate and blood pressure and causes appetite suppression. Side effects of this drug include chest pain, heart palpitations, restlessness, elevated blood pressure, nervousness, bowel changes, headaches, insomnia, and dry mouth.

Phentermine also has a significant effect on an individual’s metabolism. Although Phentermine initially increases metabolism, we find that patients have a considerable decrease in metabolism after discontinuing the medication. Patients who have taken Phentermine in the past almost always regain the weight lost while on the drug, and have a much harder time losing weight for the rest of their lives.

ALETRIS naturopaths do not recommend rapid weight loss or the use of stimulant drugs to assist with weight loss. Naturopathic physicians advocate a whole foods diet combined with weight training and cardiovascular exercise to encourage maintainable, long-term weight loss and enhance general health and natural beauty.

To further investigate the cause of weight-loss difficulties, naturopathic physicians will evaluate labwork to find and treat the root cause of a patient’s inability to lose pounds. Common causes of weight gain and difficulty losing weight include hormone imbalance, adrenal fatigue, insulin resistance and thyroid disorder.

Bone DEATH

A recently released study in the Journal of Rheumatology shows that individuals with severe bone necrosis were three times more likely to have been treated with oral bisphosphonates. Bisphosphonates include the drugs Boniva, Fosamax and Actonel, which are used to treat osteoporosis by slowing bone turnover, which is supposed to increase bone density. Naturopathic physicians, however, have been arguing for years that the bone tissue these drugs create is not healthy.

Bone necrosis essentially means bone death. From a naturopathic perspective, if you slow down metabolism of bone enough, it makes sense that the tissue may die. Most individuals are unaware that bone is an active tissue, filled with cells that are constantly breaking bone tissue down and building it up again. Cells called osteoclasts are responsible for breaking down old bone tissue, and cells called osteoblasts are the ones that build new, fresh tissue. Stimuli like resistance training and Vitamin D activate osteoblasts to build up bones, while drinking soda or smoking promotes bone breakdown.

Naturopaths work with patients to eliminate causes of excess bone breakdown, while simultaneously promoting bone-building supplementation, foods, and exercise. We’ve seen bone scans improve many times with these simple changes, and we would never advocate taking a drug like Boniva or Fosamax to prevent osteoporosis.

ALETRIS Center of Integrative Medicine is a Scottsdale, AZ wellness center serving Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Glendale, Arrowhead, Peoria, Sun City, Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, and Mesa, AZ with specialties in naturopathic medicine, natural hormone therapy, women's health, acupuncture, colon hydrotherapy, natural skincare and sugar hair removal.

The contents of this blog, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the counsel of an ALETRIS physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.

Menopause & Decreased Lung Function

A recent article links menopause and decreased lung function such as increased risk of allergies and asthma. According to research presented in the December issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, women who had not menstruated in the last six months had an 80 percent increase in respiratory issues compared to those women menstruating regularly.

Naturopathic physicians have long linked balanced hormones to a healthy immune system, yet researchers are still trying to figure out the exact mechanism. The researchers in this study postulated that as women age, insulin resistance increases – especially when female sex hormones decrease. This increase in insulin resistance contributes to a proinflammatory state which exacerbates or brings on allergies or asthma.

Naturopathic physicians treat lung conditions very effectively with nutrient and botanical therapies. These treatment plans decrease or eliminate the need for asthma or allergy medications. In particular, corticosteroids (used to treat asthma) have serious side effects such as intestinal Candidiasis, glaucoma, cataracts, and adrenal gland suppression. Adrenal gland suppression causes a host of problems for women later down the road including weight gain, autoimmune disease, and longstanding fatigue.

Our goal at ALETRIS is to balance hormones, which play such an integral role in lung health and overall health, and provide alternatives to medications for issues such as asthma and allergies in menopause.

ALETRIS Center of Integrative Medicine is a Scottsdale, AZ wellness center serving Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Glendale, Arrowhead, Peoria, Sun City, Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, and Mesa, AZ with specialties in naturopathic medicine, natural hormone therapy, women's health, acupuncture, colon hydrotherapy, natural skincare and sugar hair removal.

The contents of this blog, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the counsel of an ALETRIS physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.

NO Gardasil for Our Girls

Gardasil is the FDA approved vaccination against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), the virus implicated in genital warts, cervical cancer, and abnormal PAP smears. Gardasil is believed to be protective against the four main types of HPV, two of which cause 90% of genital warts and the other two which cause 70% of cervical cancers. Even though these strains are some of the strongest, there are approximately 150 other strains that the vaccine does not protect against.

Gardasil is believed to work most effectively in females not yet sexually active and who don't have any of the above 4 HPV types. Advocates of the vaccine believe in targeting girls as young as 9 years old to receive this vaccine.

According to the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, 13 cases of a serious neurological condition called Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) have already been reported in girls who received the HPV vaccination. The National Vaccine Information Center has stated that the risk of GBS increases when Gardasil is given at the same time as other vaccines.

Other reported adverse reactions to Gardasil include fainting, muscular weakness, headache, nausea, and arthritis. Unfortunately, we won’t even really know how “protected” our children are until many more years of research have been conducted. Patients can file complaints regarding Gardasil to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Currently, 15-20% of all reports made to VAERS are associated with the Gardasil vaccine.

Naturopaths at ALETRIS frequently work with women who have abnormal pap results and precancerous cervical lesions. There are many natural treatments that can reverse both these issues without surgery, LEEP, or cryotherapy. From a naturopathic perspective, the body has the ability to deal with this virus and “clear” it completely.

The risks of Gardasil do not outweigh the possible benefits, and it is far too risky to consider giving this vaccine to our girls. Gardasil won’t protect your child against herpes or HIV so talk to them about sex and educate them on the benefits of using condoms.

The contents of this blog, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the counsel of an ALETRIS physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.

Calcium Breaks Hearts

For many years, naturopathic physicians have been explaining to women that osteoporosis is not a condition caused by low calcium intake. In fact, countries that consume high amounts of calcium from dairy (The US, New Zealand, and Australia) have the highest rates of osteoporosis in the world.

A recent study suggests that calcium supplements may increase the risk of heart attack in older women. Researchers at the University of Auckland investigated the risk of heart attack, sudden death, and stroke in 1,471 postmenopausal women aged 55 years or older for a five year period and found an increased risk in those taking calcium versus those taking a placebo.

There are many different mechanisms by which calcium may damage the cardiovascular system. We know that calcium is used to “patch” wounds along blood vessels and that calcified arteries are the hallmark of atherosclerosis. Excess calcium also prevents the absorption of magnesium, an essential nutrient for cardiac muscle function.

Although there are supplements to support bone strength and help prevent osteoporosis in combination with adequate exercise and nutrition, we do not prescribe calcium supplementation to ALETRIS patients.

The contents of this blog, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the counsel of an ALETRIS physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.

Puberty at AGE 3?

A recent news break reported the story of a girl in the United Kingdom who started puberty at the age of three. (1) Parents noticed a change in the young girl’s body odor, followed by the appearance of breast buds and pubic hair. As her fourth birthday approached, the girl's parents noticed signs that she would soon begin to menstruate. Finally, at the age of six, the child received a diagnosis of precocious puberty.

Fifty years ago, the mean age of menarche (first menstruation) was between 14 and 16 years old. Today in the United States, one in seven caucasian females and one in two African American females will begin menstruating at age 8. These reports are astounding.

Scientists point to many potential causes of precocious puberty, including obesity and increased prevalence of sexual images in media. Stress is also cited as a factor as it causes fluctuations in normal hormone patterns, specifically growth hormone, cortisol, and melatonin. Researchers also theorize that changes in hormones may come from excess electromagnetic radiation due to increased use of electronics.

The largest body of evidence, however, comes from issues concerning hormones found in our environment. Meat, dairy, eggs, plastics, and contaminated water all contain compounds known as xenoestrogens (outside estrogens). These estrogenic chemicals promote precocious puberty and, later in life, an increased risk of breast cancer and prostate cancer.

Resources

1. Daily Mail

ALETRIS Center of Integrative Medicine is a Scottsdale, AZ wellness center serving Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Glendale, Arrowhead, Peoria, Sun City, Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, and Mesa, AZ with specialties in naturopathic medicine, natural hormone therapy, women's health, acupuncture, colon hydrotherapy, natural skincare and sugar hair removal.

The contents of this blog, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the counsel of an ALETRIS physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.

SLEEP to Keep the Pounds Off

New evidence demonstrates a hormonal correlation between weight gain and sleep deprivation. According to the American Journal of Epidemiology, women sleeping 5 hours or less per night gain more weight over time than those sleeping 7 or more hours per night.

At first glance, one might think that less sleep simply translates into more time to eat! However, there appears to be many more pieces to the puzzle.

Researchers are investigating sleep deprivation and its effect on two hormones, leptin and grehlin. These protein hormones are important regulators of metabolism and behaviors relating to satiation and hunger. Leptin is a hormone that signals our brain when we are full, causing satiation. On the other hand, grehlin is expressed when we are hungry, and signals our brain when it’s time to eat. Sleep restriction has been shown to reduce levels of leptin while increasing amounts of grehlin, which leads to excess hunger and overeating. Additionally, sleep restricted individuals in this study subjectively reported increased hunger than those sleeping 7 hours or more.

So will sleeping more make you lose weight? There's no easy answer to that question since the only way to lose weight is to expend more calories than you consume. However, sleeping less does have a correlation with weight gain, so to help keep the pounds off you'll need to get a good night's sleep.

The contents of this blog, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the counsel of an ALETRIS physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.

SOY Reduces HOT FLASHES

A new study out of Harvard, reported in the January issue of Menopause, shows that postmenopausal women were able to reduce their hot flashes by 52% by taking a soy supplement. In addition to monitoring the women's hot flashes, the researchers also measured cardiovascular markers and thyroid and sex hormones and found no significant differences from the placebo group.

Many articles have come out with conflicting evidence regarding soy. From the beginning, naturopathic physicians have educated patients on the difference between fermented and unfermented soy. Fermenting the bean lowers its harmful phytoconstituents, like phytic acid, which can contribute to mineral deficiencies. We’ve noted that many of the negative studies have used unfermented soy products; in general, there has been little consistency in the type of soy products used for research surrounding menopause and hot flashes.

In this most recent study, researchers extracted soy isoflavones from soy germ fermented with Koji fungus. The choice to use fermented soy may account for the positive findings in this study, and eating fermented soy products is generally safer than eating processed soy. Fermented soy products include miso, tempeh, and tofu.

The contents of this blog, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the counsel of an ALETRIS physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.

What's in Your WATER?

Water quality is a subject we take seriously at ALETRIS Center of Integrative Medicine. Pesticides, heavy metals, PCBs, industrial pollutants, radioactive contaminants and undesirable microorganisms have been found in local and national water supplies. We often make recommendations on home and office water filtration systems based on our knowledge of how dangerous these pollutants are for our health. A new class of chemicals – pharmaceutical medications – are becoming a growing concern as well.

Recent research in Britain by the Drinking Water Inspectorate now shows traces of powerful psychiatric medications and chemotherapy in water supplies. Levels of bleomycin, a chemotherapeutic drug, and diazepam, also known as Valium, were the found in the public water supply in the United Kingdon. Athough researchers comment that the doses are relatively low for adults, they are concerned that the levels are too high for a developing fetus. (1)

Not only a concern overseas, this topic also hits home in Chandler, AZ. Activists are currently protesting the construction of a huge animal-testing plant whose activities would result in tons of pharmaceutical waste being dumped into the local water supply. The animal-testing company, Covance, is at odds with the local government, mainly for its proposed method of discarding used animal corpses (by incineration) and its effects on air quality. (2)

For more information on how to stop pharmaceuticals from being dumped into our local water supply, visit http://www.covancecruelty.com.

Resources

Telegraph

Outsourcing Pharma

The contents of this blog, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the counsel of an ALETRIS physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.

Healthy BACK

A recent study in the September 24^th issue of Archives of Internal Medicine found that acupuncture relieved back pain better than conventional treatment. According to Heinz Endres, M.D., almost twice as many patients were helped with acupuncture treatments than any other treatments.

Low back pain is a notoriously difficult to treat and is an extremely common complaint. According to the National Institute of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke, Americans spend at least 50 billion dollars a year on low back pain and almost everyone will have at least one occurrence of low back pain in his or her life.

Back pain can arise from muscle, bone, joint, or ligament irritation. If the issue stems from a muscle or ligament problem, acupuncture will most likely be highly effective. A single acupuncture treatment, which may include tuina, cupping and/or moxibustion in combination with needle therapy, will give you at least partial relief if this is the case. If the issue arises from a joint or bone misalignment, acupuncture may not work as well. In any case, acupuncture is a great place to start in order to manage your low back pain. It is relatively inexpensive and completely safe in comparison to conventional treatments.

ALETRIS Center of Integrative Medicine is a Scottsdale, AZ wellness center serving Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Glendale, Arrowhead, Peoria, Sun City, Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, and Mesa, AZ with specialties in naturopathic medicine, natural hormone therapy, women's health, acupuncture, colon hydrotherapy, natural skincare and sugar hair removal.

The contents of this blog, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the counsel of an ALETRIS physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.

HEALING Takes Time

Patients often wonder how long it will take for them to heal. That question is a difficult one to answer because different areas of the body actually regenerate at different speeds. In any case, you are what you eat, and these cells rebuild themselves from the nutrients and water you supply them. If you give them junk for fuel, they will function poorly.

Changing to a produce-based, vegetarian, organic diet will change the quality of your health by providing better nutrition to your body’s cells as they reproduce.

Scientists have found that you:

Regenerate the cells in your body in 1 year

Regenerate the cells in your skeleton in 3 months

Regenerate the cells in your skin in 1 month

Regenerate the cells in your brain in 1 month

Regenerate the cells in your stomach lining in 5 days

As you can see, the timeline for many body cells is dramatically fast. So give them the highest quality raw materials and watch your health change dramatically.

ALETRIS Center of Integrative Medicine is a Scottsdale, AZ wellness center serving Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Glendale, Arrowhead, Peoria, Sun City, Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, and Mesa, AZ with specialties in naturopathic medicine, natural hormone therapy, women's health, acupuncture, colon hydrotherapy, natural skincare and sugar hair removal.

The contents of this blog, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the counsel of an ALETRIS physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.

Death by PLASTIC

Plastics are everywhere, and the ones that hold our food and water (water bottles, nalgenes, gallon jugs, tupperware, and ziplock bags), leach into our food and water. This leaching, called migration, has been regulated by the FDA, whose responsibility it is to ensure that only a safe amount of migration occurs.

Research has now shown that many of these chemicals not only cause cancer but also act as hormone disruptors.

After talking with patient after patient, the general consensus seems to be that softer plastics are more harmful to our health. Although it is a common misconception that hard plastics are safer, it is just not so. In the United States, plastic formulas are “proprietary,” meaning manufacturers do not have to tell the consumer the individual ingredients. Depending on the recipe, plastics may contain the most notorious plastic toxin, bisphenol-A. Bisphenol-A is a hormone disruptor that is implicated in infertility, benign prostatic hyperplasia, attention deficit disorder (ADD), prostate cancer, and low levels of testosterone.

Recently, a major Canadian retailer pulled all Nalgene and polycarbonate bottles from the shelf because these trendy, hard plastic bottles carry high levels of bisphenol-A. read the NY Times article

The lesson? No plastic is safe. Drinking water out of stainless steel water bottles or glass is the only solution.

Please visit ALETRIS links to find stainless steel water bottles and other natural solutions for healthy living.

ALETRIS Center of Integrative Medicine is a Scottsdale, AZ wellness center serving Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Glendale, Arrowhead, Peoria, Sun City, Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, and Mesa, AZ with specialties in naturopathic medicine, natural hormone therapy, women's health, acupuncture, colon hydrotherapy, natural skincare and sugar hair removal.

The contents of this blog, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the counsel of an ALETRIS physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.

Where's the MOTIVATION?

The holiday season is over and the new year's mantra is repeated over and over again, "I'll start exercising again this week... I'll start exercising again this month... I'll start exercising again next month...". While it's certainly true that many of us have extra obligations during the last two months of the year, it's time to recognize that exercising isn't an option.

For many women, choosing an outfit, applying skincare products, applying makeup and styling hair for 30 minutes every morning is part of their daily routine...it's MANDATORY to do these things to feel and look good throughout the day. Exercise should be the same.

Unfortunately, too many of us view exercise as a luxury, something we make time for if we have the time to give. What many of us do not take into consideration is that starting with just 20 minutes of exercise a day can make a big impact in our health and wellness. Walk out the front door and make a loop around your neighborhood, drive to the gym at lunch for a quick workout, or get off the couch and onto a treadmill while watching the evening news.

We encourage you to examine your relationship with exercise, and make the decision to change your mindset. Regular exercise will improve your physical and mental health. You don't have to enjoy it every time, you just have to do it! It's simply not an option.

The contents of this blog, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the counsel of an ALETRIS physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.

Alli® Is Not Your Ally

After hearing a lot of talk regarding the new over the counter weight-loss pill, Alli®, we have decided to address one the pill's negative side effects: Vitamin Deficiency.

To understand the risks involved in taking Alli®, one must first understand how it works. Alli® is simply a lesser amount of the prescription weight-loss drug Orlistat (trade name Xenical®). Like Orlistat, Alli® works by inhibiting the action of lipase, an enzyme needed to break down fats so that they may be absorbed through the gut wall. With the inhibition of this enzyme in the intestinal tract, unabsorbed fat moves through the gastrointestinal tract and is eliminated in a bowel movement. Weight-loss occurs through this action because the body never has the opportunity to process the calories contained in the unabsorbed fat.

In addition to decreasing fat absorbtion, research has shown that Alli® also decreases the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins including beta-carotone and vitamins A, D, E, and K. Beta-carotene and vitamin E are major anti-oxidants in the body, while vitamin K is needed for proper blood clotting functions. Vitamin D is one of the most widely researched vitamins at this moment in history, due to its major implecations in reducing the 4 major cancers in the United States: breast, colon, skin, and prostate. Additionally, Vitamin D has been shown to play a major role in increasing bone density.

From a naturopathic perspective, many illnesses are created or exacerbated by vitamin deficiencies. Getting adequate amounts of all vitamins and minerals on a daily basis is a big enough challenge with our American diets, and consuming drugs like Alli® that inhibit their absorption is not something ALETRIS advocates.

The contents of this blog, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the counsel of an ALETRIS physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.

Healthy SLEEP

Long-term health depends on the regeneration that occurs during deep sleep. Growth hormone, or the “anti-aging” hormone, is secreted during sleep, which stimulates tissue regeneration, liver cleansing, muscle building, break down of fat stores and normalization of blood sugar. During sleep, free radicals are scavenged in the brain, minimizing its aging. Many health problems are aggravated by inadequate sleep. Oftentimes, if a patient has several different complaints, it is impossible to resolve all of them without addressing the sleep. Sleep is the time of healing, thus very little healing occurs in the absence of daily deep sleep.

SYMPTOMS OF INADEQUATE SLEEP
With inadequate sleep, individuals often experience drowsiness, fatigue, decreased concentration, impaired memory, reduced stress tolerance, mood changes, irritability, muscle tension, or increased health problems such as infections.

TIPS FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF YOUR SLEEP
Maintain consistent sleep and wake times. Do not push yourself to stay up past the initial signs of sleepiness. This can create epinephrine production, causing more difficulty getting to sleep later. It is good to have a “getting ready for bed” routine to relax and prepare your body for sleep. Avoid taking naps if you have trouble sleeping at night.

Reserve the bed for sleep and sex only. Do not read, watch TV, eat, or worry in bed. Solve daily dilemmas outside of the bedroom. If you find that you’ve been lying awake in bed for 15-20 minutes, get out of bed. Do something mundane until you feel sleepy, and then go back to bed. Repeat this as often as needed.

Your sleeping environment should be quiet, cool and comfortable. The room should be clutter-free. Reduce the amount of ambient light as much as possible. Electronic devices such as clocks, stereos, TVs and computers generate electromagnetic fields that can disturb sleep for some people. Experiment with moving these into another room or using EMF shields.

Exercise regularly. Exercising during the day or early evening decreases the time it takes to get to sleep and increases the amount of deep sleep obtained. Most people do better avoiding exercise late in the evening.

Exposure to sunlight early in the morning and late in the afternoon or evening encourages a strong circadian rhythm. The hormone melatonin, which helps create a sleep state in the body, is suppressed in light and secreted in darkness.

If you have problems with waking during the early hours of the morning, have a small protein snack just before bed to ensure consistent blood sugar levels throughout the night. Consistently get exposure to sunlight as late in the day as possible.

Improving overall health will improve the quality of your