First of all, you will be wondering what is eczema? Eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that commonly appears during infancy and childhood. It affects close to 20% of children. But, what does it look like? Eczema often presents as dry skin with red and itchy patches that may ooze, crust, appear scaly or harden. And can eczema spread? It can come and go and migrate around the body but is often seen on the areas where we flex (e.g. inner elbows and back of knees). How Do Naturopathic Doctors Treat Eczema? Eczema is one of the most common pediatric complaints we see in clinic. Naturopathic doctors apply a unique paradigm in eczema treatment by targeting the underlying factors that are triggering an inflammatory response in the skin. A thorough naturopathic assessment combined with relevant functional medicine testing can be done to gain a better understanding of the root causes or triggers that are unique to every patient. What Are Some Common Eczema Causes? The causes are often multi-factorial and there are many potential underlying factors. These can range from genetics, food and environmental sensitivities, vitamin and mineral insufficiencies, sluggish elimination pathways, impaired inflammatory response patterns, overactive immune response, cortisol dysregulation to digestive and gut imbalances. All of which need to be assessed properly by a naturopathic doctor. What Are Some Common Naturopathic Treatments for Eczema? Well, that would depend on what is causing or triggering the skin inflammation that we see with eczema. Treatment plans are customized to suit the needs of every patient and may include vitamin/mineral supplementation, herbal medicine, diet and nutrition, homeopathy, and traditional Chinese medicinals. About the Author Dr. Vivian Bizios ND focuses on pediatric health and can be consulted with at our clinic. Get in touch for a free 15 min...
Read More
Autoimmune diseases (such as type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, lupus, Hashimoto’s, and rheumatoid arthritis) affect millions of Canadians, of all ages. There are more than one hundred autoimmune diseases, and the root cause of all of them is the same: our immune system mistakenly attacking normal, healthy cells. In Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the thyroid gland is attacked. In rheumatoid arthritis, the tissues of your joints are attached. In psoriasis, proteins within the layers of cells that make up your skin are attacked. Experts recognize that certain dietary factors are key contributors to autoimmune disease. The Autoimmune Paleo Diet (AIP) is a dietary protocol that aims to reduce inflammation in the body. It is based on the principles of the paleo diet, which emphasizes whole, unprocessed foods and eliminates certain food groups that are thought to contribute to inflammation, such as grains, legumes, and processed foods. The AIP diet is specifically designed for people with autoimmune disorders, although anyone experiencing inflammation can benefit from it. By eliminating certain foods and focusing on nutrient-dense options, the diet supports gut health, regulation of hormones, and of course, immune system regulation, all of which reduce inflammation and improve symptoms of autoimmune disorders. What Foods Are Allowed and Not Allowed on the Autoimmune Paleo Diet? The autoimmune protocol is an elimination diet at its core (following AIP guidelines 100% is often termed the elimination phase), designed to cut out the most likely food culprits while flooding the body with nutrients. The best part about an elimination diet is that, eventually, you get to reintroduce foods that you’ve been avoiding. There is a very specific way of re-introducing foods which is why it is important to work with a trained practitioner. Foods That Are Temporarily Eliminated on the AIP Grains (especially wheat, barley, corn, and rye) Legumes (beans, lentils, and peanuts) Dairy Refined and processed sugars and oils Eggs Nuts Seeds (including cocoa, coffee, and seed-based spices) Nightshades (potatoes [sweet potatoes are fine], tomatoes, eggplants, sweet and hot peppers, cayenne, red pepper, tomatillos, goji berries etc. and spices derived from peppers, including paprika) Alcohol Artificial sweeteners and other processed additives Emulsifiers, thickeners, and other food additives Processed foods Foods That Are Allowed on the AIP Meat, fish, and seafood Vegetables (leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, root vegetables, onions, and garlic) Fruits (especially berries) Healthy fats (olives, olive oil, avocado, coconut oil) Probiotic/fermented foods (fermented vegetables or fruit, kombucha, water kefir, coconut milk kefir, coconut milk yogurt, supplements glycine-rich foods (anything with connective tissue, joints or skin, organ meat, and bone broth) How Long Does It Typically Take to See Results from Following the Autoimmune Paleo Diet? The...
Read More
Functional Medicine Approach to PCOS Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) affects as many as 1.4 million Canadian women. Although PCOS is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, it is commonly underdiagnosed and poorly managed, leading to many women suffering without a comprehensive plan of action. PCOS can affect multiple systems and there are 4 different PCOS phenotypes, therefore, it can look very different in each person. Functional medicine uses an individualized, patient-centered approach that targets specific manifestations of a disease, so that patients can feel balanced and happy in their own body once the symptoms are reversed. How Is PCOS Diagnosed? Classic PCOS comes with a set of symptoms, such as irregular or absent periods, high androgens (excess hair growth, thinning hair, acne), overweight or obesity, and multiple small cysts on the ovaries. To be diagnosed with classic PCOS, you will have at least 2 of the following signs or symptoms; 1. chronic anovulation 2. clinical (acne, hirsutism) and/or biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism 3. polycystic ovaries on ultrasound What Is the Underlying Pathophysiology of PCOS? – Abnormal ratios of the pituitary hormones LH to FSH – Elevated secretions of androgens from the ovaries and/or adrenal gland – Failure of the follicle to mature in the ovaries – Insulin resistance (likely genetic) – Inflammation – Fatty tissue dysfunction (lipotoxicity) What Does a PCOS Assessment Entail? – A thorough intake, focusing on your health history and individual presentation of symptoms. – General health assessment labs: fasting insulin and glucose (HOMA-IR will show level of insulin resistance), lipids (cholesterol makes hormones), thyroid, inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR, ferritin, homocysteine). – Comprehensive hormone panel: serum testing can only provide a snapshot of your hormones at a particular time, which is helpful as part of an initial screening. For more comprehensive hormone testing, a urine test (DUTCH) can be used. – Vitamin D test: associated with insulin resistance, thyroid function and inflammation. – Comprehensive stool test: gut health can impact inflammation, hormone balance and insulin resistance. – Trans-vaginal ultrasound (referral from your GP). What Does A Functional Medicine Treatment Plan for PCOS Look Like? The treatment will depend on your specific PCOS phenotype, the systems that are out of balance and what your specific goals are (fertility, hair loss, acne, weight management, hirsutism, etc.). What Are Common PCOS Goals 1. Lower androgens 2. Inhibit the conversion of testosterone to DHT 3. Induce regular ovulation 4. Modify insulin resistance 5. Restore fertility, if desired, and reduce risks for pregnancy complications (i.e. gestational diabetes) 6. Reduce risk of associated health conditions: diabetes type 2, depression, anxiety, cardiovascular disease and endometrial cancer. Treatment Plan Options...
Read More
First of all, we need to understand what is infusion therapy. Intravenous (IV) nutritional therapy involves infusing micronutrients, hydration, amino acids, plant extracts, and other natural products directly into the body. This treatment is in the form of a customized compounded IV bag; it is directly inserted into your veins and circulatory system. What this means is that the medicines do not need to be filtered through your digestive system, liver and kidneys but instead are delivered directly to the site of action. So, what is infusion therapy good for? IV therapy can be tailored for specific health goals and/or medical conditions; to strengthen the immune system, for cleansing and detoxification, performance enhancement, to block pain, recover from an injury or high stress, replenish hydration, to fight the effects of aging or for those feeling exhausted and looking to improve drive or increase energy. Why Consider Infusion Therapy? Studies inform us that situations with increased nutrient requirements such as stress, infection and/or toxic exposure can rapidly deplete several nutrients and cause deficiency states which further lead to impaired function. Symptoms may include; Feelings of exhaustion or burn out Low mood or irritability Lingering or reoccurring infections Chronic widespread joint and muscle pain Lack of motivation and drive Unexpected weight gain Poor concentration and focus Who would benefit from Infusion Therapy? Individuals who need high nutrient doses may opt for IV drip therapy. Studies have shown a high concentration of nutrients in the blood to work differently pharmacologically (in the body). Vitamin C for example, when it is ingested orally, acts as an antioxidant, but when it is infused, it actually works as an antihistamine, anti-aging, antiviral and anti-inflammatory. Higher concentrations of Vitamin C (also known as orthomolecular doses) in the body allow us to reap these additional health benefits. These high doses of vitamin C cannot be attained through food or oral supplements due to absorption limitations. This treatment is far more potent and faster-acting than oral forms of medication as it delivers high concentrations of medicine to the site of action for more powerful and long lasting effects. If you think you could get advantage of the benefits of IV therapy, get in touch with the Centre For Advanced Medicine. We are a college-certified IV therapy clinic with functional, integrative doctor guided care. We are compliant with stringent guidelines to ensure our medical-grade treatments are safe, effective and powerful enough to ensure you get the results you are looking for. Call today for a free 15 minutes...
Read More
The Functional Medicine approach to anxiety highlights an individualized, systems-based strategy for treatment. We know that your neurotransmitters are imbalanced, but what causes them to be dysfunctional in the first place? This is where individualized testing and treatment take precedence. For some, a neurotransmitter imbalance may be caused by excessive stress leading to a dysregulated HPA (hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal) axis; hyper-, or hypo-function. For others, the cause may be gut dysfunction, nutritional deficiencies, sex hormone imbalances, neural inflammation, vascular insufficiency or a combination of these factors. Being a multi-casual disorder, treating everyone with the same approach is irrational. How do we find out your specific cause of anxiety? Comprehensive testing! This may include blood testing to assess nutritional and cardiovascular markers, urine testing, and/or stool testing. We will guide you toward the most appropriate testing option based on your health history. What would treatment for anxiety look like? It depends on your specific dysfunction. Treatment may include targeted natural health products, herbal medicine, intravenous or injection therapy, PEMF, reflexology, neural acupuncture, lifestyle intervention and/or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. How long does it take treatment to work? Again, it depends on the specific area of dysfunction and how long a patient has been struggling. Individuals may experience benefit anywhere from 3 weeks of treatment to maximum benefit in 8-12 weeks. To know more about the Functional Medicine approach to anxiety, book a free 15 minutes consultation at our Centre for Advanced...
Read More
Understanding how your gut could be affect your brain There is no doubt that the gut is sensitive to emotion. Many are familiar with “butterflies” in your stomach or loose stool with anxiety. Well research reveals just how the gut-brain connection influences our emotional response. It makes sense that the brain has direct influence over the gut. The brain is the master control, which sends signals to the digestive tract through our autonomic nervous system to enhance overall function and optimize nutrient breakdown and absorption. This includes the secretion of stomach acid, motility of the gut and blood flow to the digestive tract, controlled by the vagus nerve and glandular/hormonal output.1 During stress these signals get disrupted. The body diverts energy away from digestive function and increases adrenalin, which directs circulation towards the heart and muscles to “fight or flight”. Chronically, this wreaks havoc on your digestion. Many experience heartburn, bloating, gas, reduced appetite, constipation or diarrhea and overall poor digestion, many symptoms that mimic IBS. In those with IBS, the gut-brain signals become disrupted. Those with diarrhea predominant IBS are shown to have a heightened autonomic and stress response, also known as hyper-responsiveness of the autonomic nervous system.2 Interestingly, those with constipation predominant IBS present with a significantly lower autonomic response of the vagus nerve.3 Stress, anxiety, depression and stressful life events are some of the most significant risk factors for the development of IBS.4 Infection can lead to physical stress on the body. Recent meta-analysis demonstrate a six fold increase in the risk of developing IBS after an intestinal infection, which remains elevated up to two to three years post infection.5,6 The Second Brain As it turns out, the communication between the gut and the brain is a two way street. The gut, which is also called the second brain, influences the brain’s emotional response, including the release of stress hormones (cortisol and CRH). Research shows that those who suffer from digestive complaints are at a higher risk of mental health complaints, such as depression and anxiety.7 To add another layer to the story, emerging data shows how the gut microbiome affects brain signalling. Changes within the gut bacteria are shown to influence pain perception in those with IBS by influencing inflammation, the stress response, immune function and areas in the brain that process emotions called the amygdala. Probiotics are now being used to alter psychological stress and improve pain sensitivity in those with IBS. Gut microbes are shown to produce a number of gut hormones, SCFAs, and neurometabolites (GABA, NE, DA), which modulate the function of the nervous system.8,9 These products have such a strong effect...
Read More