Insulin Resistance and Syndrome X

Insulin resistance or Syndrome X is caused from the excessive intake of carbs in our diet. As a result  glucose can’t get into the cells for energy. The most common symptoms experienced are fatigue after eating and or craving sweets. This can lead to neuro muscular problems, heart disease and  diabetes. Weight gain is another common symptom of insulin resistance. This condition can be successfully treated at our office in westminster/arvada colorado. We begin this process by a thorough health history, lab work up, dietary advice, and with proper supplementation.

Acupuncture Supports Immune System In Cancer Patients

Acupuncture Stimulates Natural Killer Cells that Attack Cancer

Vol 15 Issue 54

A unique new study by researchers at the Department of Medicine, University of California, strongly suggests that Acupuncture may stimulate the production of “natural killer” cells, called NK cells, that attack and kill cancer cells.

The study approach is unique because it examined earlier studies, and then applied current biological science to explain the findings.

First, the study surveyed an enormous body of earlier research that has already shown how Acupuncture is helpful in many different aspects of cancer treatment.

Research has demonstrated that Acupuncture reduces the incidence of chemotherapy-induced acute vomiting, for example. Other findings show acupuncture can manage some cancer-related pain. Promising evidence suggests that acupuncture relieves fatigue in cancer patients and survivors. Evidence is also accumulating that acupuncture alleviates cancer-related neurological issues, breathlessness, hot flashes and “dry mouth”.

“In sum,” say the researchers, “there are substantial empirical grounds to assume that clinicians could use acupuncture to help patients better tolerate conventional cancer therapies by reducing associated side-effects. Further, the evidence is very strong that acupuncture is an extremely safe therapy. In short, the research implies that acupuncture is a helpful, versatile and safe treatment modality for patients with cancer.”

Despite all these apparent benefits, the authors state, the conventional oncology community “has shown itself reluctant to integrate acupuncture and other complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modalities into their treatment plans for patients with cancer.”

One reason has been a concern that symptomatic relief is due to “spontaneous remission” rather than the CAM intervention. Another is that the scientific community “lacks both the scientific evidence and biomedical understanding” to consider that CAM procedures would work.

However, this new study applied accepted cellular immunology and molecular biological theory to interpret and synthesize the evidence from earlier animal and human studies and the findings clearly suggest that Acupuncture can help.

Results indicate that clinicians should use acupuncture to promote NK cell activity to enhance anticancer immune function.

 

SOURCE: National Center for Biotechnical Information, from Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Volume 2011. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3135660/?tool=pubmed

Traumatic Brain Injury

New drug cocktail on the horizon for traumatic brain injury.

TBI can have a long term impact on brain function and chemistry. This type of injury can occur after hitting a windshield in a car accident. Researchers have discovered that Exendin-4, an FDA approved diabetes drug used for controlling blood sugar levels, is effective in protecting brain cells after a TBI. The next step is to develop a drug cocktail that would reduce the long term damage that occurs following this type of injury.

Lose Those Winter Blahs!

 

Blue skies are being seen again in Colorado. Normally we have sunny days throughout the winter but not so much this year! Now it is time to shake off those “Winter Blahs” and breath in the fresh air of spring which, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, started Tuesday, March 20th. Speaking of blue skies brings me to the subject of Vitamin D; we get a lot of our D from the sun. Not much was known of the amazing benefits of Vitamin D besides the strengthening of our bones until recently. Studies have begun to show that not only does D have a huge impact on our immune system in general, it may also protect us against heart disease and cancers of the prostate, breast & colon.

To get more Vit. D naturally take 10-15 minutes in the sun but do so free from sunscreen, regular glasses or sunglasses as these block the beneficial Vitamin D from reaching our skin. As an interesting note, people with light skin need less time in the sun than those with darker skin.

Thorne Research, the brand we carry, has the only preservative free Vitamin D on the market. We also offer blood tests to measure your Vitamin D levels. You may temporarily need to take higher doses of Vitamin D if you are deficient. In our family, at the start of an acute cold or virus, we will increase the dose of D for 3 days and have found it to be helpful in fighting off the sickness & recovering our health.

For further reading on Vitamin D you can Click Here.

Over the next few blogs, we will be expanding health awareness so we can all “Spring into Health”. Enjoy the day!

1 2
>