That Gut Feeling is more than You Think

 “What does your gut tell you?”  Hmmm… “I’ve got a gut feeling” this is going to be a great article.  Do you get “butterflies in your stomach” when you are nervous or upset?  Then you’d better “go with your gut” and read on!  These colloquialisms are truer than simple literary comments imply.  The connection between the gut and the mind is very real and very much influences the way we think and feel. 

Gut - Brain Connections

From the earliest stages of development the gut and the brain share a common source.  As a developing 4-week-old embryo we are about the size of a walnut and shaped like a little Frisbee with a mohawk.  The mohawk is the “neural crest” which is the earliest formation of our nervous system.  At a later point in development the neural crest literally divides into separate pieces, with one part becoming the brain and spinal cord while the other joins the gut, henceforth being called the “enteric nervous system” or the second brain.

These two “brains” are forever linked by the vagus nerve with most of the information traveling from the gut toward the brain.  The gut has 100 million neurons - more than are found in the spinal column or the entire peripheral nervous system.  As much of 95% of the “feel good” brain chemical called serotonin and about 30 other neurotransmitters are produced in the gut.  How the gut “feels” has a direct impact on the brain and a healthy, happy gut leads to a healthy, happy mind. 

The gut-associated lymph tissue (GALT) surrounds the gut and produces most of our infection fighting white blood cells called lymphocytes.  Everything that passes through the gut wall immediately encounters the GALT, which is vital in keeping toxins and microbial invaders from passing undetected out of the gut into the general circulation.  If gut absorption and processing is not running smoothly then the immune system is excessively triggered, causing the release of inflammatory chemicals, which have far reaching effects throughout the body, including the brain.

There are several known conditions in which an unhealthy gut will provoke the GALT.  “Leaky gut” refers to a damaged gut lining, with literal gaps in the gut wall.  An imbalance or deficiency of the beneficial gut bacteria is known as “dysbiosis”.  Both leaky gut and dysbiosis can lead to inappropriate triggering of the GALT.  Delayed food allergies are also common, affecting most of us to some degree, with certain foods provoking an immune reaction 12 to 72 hours after eating.  Even healthy foods such as whole wheat can be stoking the immune system causing decades of “simmering” inflammation.

Science is recognizing the profound impact that inflammatory chemicals have on brain function, detailing the minute connections that link inflammation and mood disorders.  Inflammation changes brain chemistry, and perhaps most symptoms of brain neurotransmitter imbalance, such as depression, anxiety and attention-deficit are ultimately linked to underlying immune dysfunction, which is so often triggered from the gut. 

We routinely find impaired gut function as the “root cause” of cognitive and mood disorders.  Symptoms such as difficulty concentrating, irritability, impatience, or being easily distracted are often linked to gut dysfunction or delayed food allergies.  I routinely see healing the gut and elimination of food allergens lead to resolution of depression, anxiety and attention deficit disorders.  Even autism and schizophrenia have documented connections to impaired gut health.

Great Gut Health

Insuring gut health starts with a healthy diet.  Our ancestors evolved over generations while eating a Paleolithic diet of fresh fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, and wild game.  We inherit our family “culture” of beneficial gut bacteria and the specific balances of good and bad bacteria that inhabit our gut depend upon our diet. 

Modern diet changes that include sugar, grains and inflammatory fats wreak havoc on our native gut bacteria.  The plethora of food additives and chemicals in our food and water has an impact on gut ecology.  Medications and antibiotics can destroy the good bacteria that help keep our gut healthy.  All these impacts on gut health can indeed lead to changes in how we think and feel.

Taking a broad-spectrum probiotic is a simple measure that supports gut health.  An amino acid called L-glutamine can help heal an inflamed leaky gut.  My favorite is a special formulation from Douglas Labs call “Intestamine” that provides L-glutamine and other nutrients necessary for gut health.  Numerous plant-derived supplements such as aloe, mallow, olive leaf extract and slippery elm are soothing to the gut. 

Testing for delayed food allergies involves getting a simple blood test – but be wary of the results depending upon the lab used for testing!  I’ve used 12 different labs in as many years and found that not all labs do food allergy testing well.  We get consistent reproducible results and great patient outcomes from Immunolabs and it is the only lab I trust for food allergy testing.  A stool test called “comprehensive digestive stool analysis” from Genova Diagnostics is another great test that provides information about good and bad bacteria, pathogens, enzymes, inflammation and chemical processing in the gut.

Sign up for the “American Gut” project and for $99 you can get an analysis of your own gut bacteria while contributing to research that is mapping the gut ecology of millions of Americans.  Go to humanfoodproject.com for details.

Hippocrates said over 2000 years ago “All disease begins in the gut” and modern science is just starting to realize how very correct he was.  Gut health is a foundation for overall health and I believe we’ll see the restoration of beneficial gut flora and the repair of leaky gut as paramount achievements in mental health as well as medicine in general.

FREE SEMINARS

“HCG Weight Loss”

Monday, October 7^th, 6pm

“Laser Skin Care”

Wednesday, October 16^th, 6pm

“Adrenal Fatigue”

Monday, October 21^st, 6pm

RSVP @ 245-6911 or rsvp@imcwc.com

Bio

Scott Rollins, MD, is Board Certified with the American Board of Family Practice and the American Board of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine.  He specializes in Bioidentical Hormone Replacement for men and women, thyroid and adrenal disorders, fibromyalgia, weight loss and other complex medical conditions.  He is founder and medical director of the Integrative Medicine Center of Western Colorado (imcwc.com) and Bellezza Laser Aesthetics (bellezzalaser.com).  Call (970) 245-6911 for an appointment or more information. 

Thermography A Hot Idea for Breast Health

When it comes to cancer, early detection saves lives...  Digital infrared thermal imaging or thermography is a safe and painless 15-minute test that could save your life.  It offers the chance to detect breast cancer much sooner and more accurately than physical examination or mammograms alone. 

Breast Cancer Statistics

About 1 in 8 women in the US will develop invasive breast cancer.  The risk doubles if you have a first-degree relative with cancer, although only about 15% of women with breast cancer have a family member diagnosed with it.  About 5-10% of breast cancers are linked to inherited genetic mutations, which increase the chance of developing breast cancer to as much as 80%.

Current screening procedures include physical examination by a physician and mammograms.  Both of these techniques are looking for structural, anatomical changes such as a palpable lump or an abnormality found only with x-ray.  Ultra-sound or MRI scan are two other studies that are used to further evaluate suspicious breast lumps.

One problem with anatomical screening is that many breast cancers are simply missed. False-negative results occur when mammograms appear normal even though breast cancer is present.  According to the National Cancer Institute about 20% of breast cancer is missed on a mammogram.

Recent criticism of mammograms have also focused on the false-positive results in which the study findings suggest an abnormality when no cancer is actually present.  This often leads to further imaging and invasive biopsies or surgeries. 

The authors of a 2009 Cochrane Database Review of breast cancer screening and mammography sum up the false-positive issue stating that "screening led to 30 percent over-diagnosis and overtreatment, or an absolute risk increase of 0.5 percent.  This means that for every 2000 women screened for 10 years, one will have her life prolonged, and 10 healthy women who would not have been diagnosed if they had not been screened, will be treated unnecessarily."

There are also concerns of mammograms actually increasing the risk of cancer due to radiation exposure, particularly in younger premenopausal women.  Equally important is the fact that breast cancer has been present for many years by the time it is found with exam or mammogram.

Breast Thermography

Thermography is the process of measuring heat with an infrared imaging device.  Cancer tends to present with increases in blood-flow, metabolism or inflammation, all of which cause heat that is easily monitored with thermography.

The first use of diagnostic thermography came in 1957 when R. Lawson discovered that the skin temperature over a cancer in the breast was higher than that of normal tissue.  Research on breast thermography started in the 1950s and now over 800 peer-reviewed studies can be found in the medical literature.  FDA approval was granted in 1982. 

Studies show that a persistent abnormal breast thermogram is the single most important marker of high risk for developing breast cancer and has the ability to detect the first signs that a cancer may be forming up to 10 years before any other procedure can detect it.  Because of earlier detection it increases the survival rate of breast cancer patients by about 60%.

Breast thermography is 10 times more significant as a future risk indicator for breast cancer than a first order family history of the disease, has only a 10% false-positive or false-negative rate, and when combined with physical exam and mammogram 95% of early stage breast cancers are detected.

One has to wonder then, why aren’t breast thermograms used more commonly?  Despite dozens of very good, very favorable studies, it only took one from the 1970s to turn the tide against breast thermography.  The Breast Cancer Detection and Demonstration Project (BCDDP) is the primary reason for the decreased use of infrared imaging.

The study results were seriously flawed in numerous respects, but perhaps most of all was the influence of other research findings at the time that over-exaggerated the role of thermography.  This led to the false perspective that thermography might replace mammograms, even though this was never suggested by the BCDDP authors.

The BCDDP study suffered from using untrained technicians doing the scans, radiologists with little to no training in reading thermograms, and no formal protocol for reading the thermograms.  Many scans were done in poor conditions in which the heat in the exam rooms was not controlled, leading to poor images.

With the development of sophisticated imaging technology, computer software to analyze and track images, control of exam room conditions, established training and protocols for thermogram interpretations, this poorly performed 30-year-old study should not be used to determine the value of thermography.

Get Your Thermogram

Despite the large amount of positive data in support of breast thermography most physicians are hesitant to recommend it as a routine screening test.  Perhaps this is due to a lack of understanding of how thermograms are best utilized, combined with an unawareness of the research backing the use of breast thermography.

Thermograms are not yet part of the hospital based imaging services and insurance does not routinely cover thermography screening.  Currently, the only way to get a thermogram is through specialized imaging centers or offices.  We offer breast or whole-body thermography at the IMC and no physician order is required to get scanned. 

Our thermography technicians have advanced training and years of experience.  The use of state-of-the-art camera systems with advanced computer software for image manipulation and comparison provides excellent image quality.  Board certified radiologists with specific training in reading thermograms review the images.

Breast thermography is an inexpensive and easy way to increase your chance of finding breast cancer early, or better yet finding changes so early you might intervene and stop cancer before it really gets started.  If you are interested in more information or in getting an appointment for a thermography scan, call the IMC at 245-6911.

FREE SEMINARS

“HCG Weight Loss”

Monday, October 7^th, 6pm

“Laser Skin Care”

Wednesday, October 16^th, 6pm

“Adrenal Fatigue”

Monday, October 21^st, 6pm

RSVP @ 245-6911 or rsvp@imcwc.com

Bio

Scott Rollins, MD, is Board Certified with the American Board of Family Practice and the American Board of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine.  He specializes in Bioidentical Hormone Replacement for men and women, thyroid and adrenal disorders, fibromyalgia, weight loss and other complex medical conditions.  He is founder and medical director of the Integrative Medicine Center of Western Colorado (www.imcwc.com) and Bellezza Laser Aesthetics (www.bellezzalaser.com).  Call (970) 245-6911 for an appointment or more information. 

Say Goodbye to Stubborn Fat

It’s called stubborn fat for a reason.  Those areas where fat just seems to accumulate and not budge.  You know, the muffin-tops, the love handles, that poochy tummy.  Eating right and exercising keeps the weight in check but those dang bulges hang in there.  Now there is an FDA-approved procedure that removes those pesky spots once and for all.  The procedure is called Coolsculpting and it means freezing fat.

History of Freezing Fat

As far back as the 1800s frozen fat was observed.  Horseback riders who suffered from frozen thighs during extremely cold weather noted the after-effects of bruising and subsequent shrinking of fat.  Riding gear was thus designed to protect the thighs from the cold.  More recently, children who sucked on popsicles were noted to have dimples in the cheeks caused by frozen fat.  The age of purposeful fat freezing began.

Cryogenic lipolysis is a term that means freezing fat.  The first research on cryogenic lipolysis done in America was in 2008 at Massachusetts General Hospital by physicians Manstein and Anderson. 

In 2009 the first human study on freezing fat was reported in the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery journal by Coleman, et al, in which they showed that cryogenic lipolysis resulted in a 25% reduction in fat without damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

By 2010 the first FDA-approved procedure for freezing fat was approved.  Zeltiq Aesthetics Inc. calls this device Coolsculpt.  Coolsculpting, meaning “cyro-lipo-lysis”, is a trademarked term coined by Zeltiq.

Coolsculpting

The patented technology, developed by Harvard scientists, uses a targeted cooling process that kills the fat cells underneath the skin, literally freezing them to the point of elimination.  Only fat cells are frozen while healthy skin cells remain, well, healthy.  No surgery, no anesthetics, no scarring and no downtime.  After the fat cells die they are naturally eliminated from the body.

First the areas to be treated are determined.  Then a clinician positions the device on your body and will then draw the bulge up between two cooling panels.  The sensation is a firm pull and pressure – enough of a pull to ensure the selected tissue will be cooled most efficiently.  

During the first few minutes of treatment there is a feeling of pressure and intense cold.  After a short time this settles down and most patients will then nap, read, watch TV or work on their computer.  An hour or so later, depending on your needs, you’re done.

Immediately after treatment there is no detectable change in the tissue.  The fat cells appear normal and no inflammation is present.  The patient notes only a bit of swelling at this point.

After 3-4 days the fat cells begin to burst and cells that fight inflammation start to appear.  During this time the patient notes a bit of mild discomfort in the area.  This inflammatory phase peaks about 14 days after treatment with an influx of healing and regenerative cells making an appearance.

At this point the body is busy clearing the contents of the dead fat cells by using the natural injury and recovery response.  Now the fat cells become irregular shaped and smaller as the body slowly absorbs them. 

After about 30 days the inflammatory phase settles down while the fat cell contents remain in the area and are slowly cleared by the ongoing healing process.  This continues for about 90 days after which time the reduction in the fat layer is clearly visible.  Ongoing fat cell clearance may continue slowly for as long as 4 to 6 months.

The treatment reduces the total fat volume by about 25% with each treatment round.  Multiple treatments are used to target multiple areas, and repeat treatments can be done in areas that need more reduction.

Side effects are temporary and can include redness, bruising, swelling, tenderness to the touch, cramping, itching, tingling, and numbness.  No changes in blood chemistries are observed after the Coolsculpt procedure due to the very slow reabsorption of the fat cell contents.

Coolsculpting is not designed for weight loss although some weight loss does usually occur.  It is really made for people that have certain bulges they would like to get rid of.   Patients may return to normal activity after a treatment and results are long lasting since the fat cells are actually eliminated.  Even if there is weight gain afterward the treated areas don’t tend to re-accumulate the bulge.

No special supplements or pills are required although we emphasize drinking plenty of water and eating a healthy diet to support a robust immune response.  You do not have to adopt new diet and exercise habits, but many patients feel more motivated to take better care of themselves after the CoolSculpting treatment.

If you are interested in Coolsculpting and would like to learn more then plan to attend our clinical event on Friday, September 20^th.  There will be free consultations to evaluate whether or not Coolsculpt is right for you along with treatments in progress that you may observe to get a little more insight into this amazing new procedure.

Body contouring by Coolsculpt...  now that’s a cool idea.

FREE SEMINARS

“Bioidentical Hormone Replacement for WOMEN”

Monday, September 9^th, 6pm

RSVP @ 245-6911 or rsvp@imcwc.com

Bio

Scott Rollins, MD, is Board Certified with the American Board of Family Practice and the American Board of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine.  He specializes in Bioidentical Hormone Replacement for men and women, thyroid and adrenal disorders, fibromyalgia, weight loss and other complex medical conditions.  He is founder and medical director of the Integrative Medicine Center of Western Colorado (www.imcwc.com) and Bellezza Laser Aesthetics (www.bellezzalaser.com).  Call (970) 245-6911 for an appointment or more information. 

Death by Coffee? Maybe not…

It’s 5 am and the coffee is made.  Every morning, I do “coffee yoga”, that is my short yoga routine while the coffee brews.  A few years ago I woke up one morning and realized I’d had coffee every day, for decades.  That’s just weird, I thought, and promptly quit drinking coffee for a month.  I didn’t notice anything, except I missed that delicious aroma of the morning brew, so the coffee ritual continues.

I usually write my weekly columns accompanied by an early morning cup of coffee, and this morning is no different.  Ponder the irony then that I would be commenting on a recent study that showed an association between coffee consumption and an increased death rate.  As always, there’s more to the story and it may take me two cups of coffee to get there.

Published this month in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings is a study that examined over 43,000 people and collected data going back 17 years, during which time 2512 people died.  A third of them died of heart disease but coffee consumption did not correlate with death from heart disease – interestingly the increase in death associated with coffee intake was distinctly non-cardiac related.

The results showed that men of all ages who drank more than 4 cups of coffee per day had a 21% increased death rate, while in women the risk wasn't found.  However, in men younger than 55 years of age there was a 56% increased risk of death and in younger women the risk of death was increased 113% compared to those who did not drink coffee.  These associated risks were not found in people who drank less than 4 cups of coffee per day.  And by the way, a cup was defined as 8 ounces or less.

Previous studies have suggested an increased risk of death from coffee consumption but most studies are weakened by the fact that many coffee drinkers are also smokers.  When adjusting the data to account for smoking there has not been a strong indication that coffee increases the death rate.

Coffee is Beneficial

Have heart, for there are numerous studies that show coffee consumption is not only safe but is actually associated with decreases in diseases such as stroke, heart failure, diabetes and dementia.

In 2012 Dr Lanfranco D'Elia, from the Federico II University of Naples, Italy, reported on their study examining the risk of stroke as it relates to coffee consumption.  484,757 participants were followed for up to 24 years during which time 7272 strokes occurred.  It was found that modest coffee consumption of up to 3 cups per day was associated with a 14% decreased risk of stroke, while higher consumption did not increase risk of stroke.

A Scandinavian study from 2012, published in Circulation, showed a decrease is the risk of heart failure in coffee drinkers who consumed about 2 cups per day.  As consumption increased to 4 cups risk reduction disappeared and above 5 cups per day risk started slightly increasing.

Diabetes risk goes down with coffee intake and declines even further with decaffeinated coffee intake.  A 2006 study from the Archives of Internal Medicine examined 28,812 women over an 11-year period and found the more coffee they drank the less risk they had for diabetes.  More than 6 cups per day was associated with a 22% decrease in diabetes, while decaf drinkers faired even better with a 33% reduction in diabetes.

Abnormal heart rhythms, or arrhythmias, have also been shown to be reduced in coffee drinkers, and drinking decaf did not seem to add any benefit.  A group of 130,000 participants in the Kaiser healthcare system were studied and it was shown that drinking more than 4 cups of coffee per day was associated with an 18% reduction in hospitalizations for arrhythmia, while there was no change in risk of heart disease in general.

Coffee has clearly been shown to increase mental and physical performance in numerous studies, as any coffee drinker can tell you.  It has also been associated with a significant reduction in the risk of dementias such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. 

What Jives with Java?

Coffee beans, similar to cocoa beans and tea leaves, contain a few healthy vitamins and minerals, but it is the power-packed anti-oxidant chemicals called polyphenols that seem to be the real benefit to coffee drinkers.  In fact, studies show coffee is the main source of anti-oxidants in our American coffee culture. 

The anti-oxidant effect of coffee may be the link to lower rates of certain diseases in which oxidation and inflammation seem to play a role in their development.  By protecting the body from oxidative stress the anti-oxidants in coffee may protect delicate organs such as the pancreas in diabetes and neurons in dementias. 

Caffeine is the other component in coffee that clearly impacts health.  It increases brain activity by blocking an inhibitory neurotransmitter called adenosine.  The result is more norepinephrine and dopamine which lead to increased mental acuity markers such as mood, memory, reaction time and general cognitive function.

Metabolism and physical performance are also increased by caffeine intake, via the ramping up of brain chemicals that increase metabolism and also by encouraging the breakdown of fat stores to be used for energy production.

Perhaps this latest study of coffee consumption lends credence to the old saying “all things in moderation”.  We should beware of the assumption that if a little of something is good then a lot is better.  I’ll definitely stick to my 2 to 3 cup per day maximum on the joe, but meanwhile enjoy just another sip…

FREE SEMINARS

“Detoxification Made Simple”

Monday, August 26^th, 6pm

“Bioidentical Hormone Replacement for WOMEN”

Monday, September 9^th, 6pm

RSVP @ 245-6911 or rsvp@imcwc.com

Bio

Scott Rollins, MD, is Board Certified with the American Board of Family Practice and the American Board of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine.  He specializes in Bioidentical Hormone Replacement, thyroid and adrenal disorders, fibromyalgia and other complex medical conditions.  He is founder and medical director of the Integrative Medicine Center of Western Colorado (www.imcwc.com) and Bellezza Laser Aesthetics (www.bellezzalaser.com).  Call (970) 245-6911 for an appointment or more information.

Pour Me a “Myer’s” Cocktail

One of our more popular treatments is getting a vitamin mixture injected directly into the bloodstream, which has the advantage of achieving blood levels as much as ten times higher than possible with oral vitamin intake.  These higher blood levels make intravenous (IV) infusions effective in treating a wide range of medical conditions, especially acute asthma attacks, migraines, allergies, infections and muscle spasms.  We find them especially helpful for patients with chronic fatigue or any chronic illness.

The idea of infusing high doses of vitamins intravenously was pioneered by the late Dr John Myers, a physician from Baltimore, Maryland, who up until his passing in 1984 infused 1000’s of patients with his unique formulation of vitamins.  Since that time his original formula has been modified and other formulas created for a wide variety of diseases – but the basic formula has remained, used successfully by hundreds of physicians, and is known as the “Myer’s cocktail”.

The key ingredients for the Myer’s cocktail are vitamin C, vitamin B complexes, calcium and magnesium.  The IV infusion is mixed under sterile conditions and given over a period of 15-30 minutes in the comfort of the office.  The high levels of vitamins and minerals in the blood will “force” the nutrients into cells that may be depleted.  The only common side effect is mild vein irritation during the infusion, which is relieved by simply infusing slower or adjusting the concentration. 

Vitamin C has been shown to have an anti-viral effect, but only at higher concentrations, making it especially valuable in treating acute viral respiratory infections.  It can also destroy histamine thus its role in treating allergies, asthma and hives.  At the highest doses vitamin C has been shown to generate the production of hydrogen peroxide, which is toxic to cancer cells while normal cells have the ability to resist harm.

Magnesium will promote the relaxation of smooth muscle around blood vessels and bronchial airways.  This makes magnesium helpful in treating asthma attacks.  Several double-blind studies have shown IV magnesium treatment for severe asthmatics lowered the hospitalization rate by about 50%.  A meta-analysis of seven studies concluded that IV magnesium for severe asthma attacks reduced hospitalization by 90%.  Calcium infusions have a similar effect and the addition of vitamin C and the B vitamins seems to improve and extend the benefits of magnesium alone.

The concentration of magnesium is very high in heart muscle cells and several studies show patients with heart disease have lower levels of magnesium in heart muscle cells.  As magnesium plays a key role in energy production it makes sense why it seems to help diseases such as heart failure as well as overall energy and stamina. 

Migraine headaches respond well to IV magnesium infusions with several clinical trials showing complete relief in most patients.  Even the migraine-associated symptoms of nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light resolved.

Most patients with fatigue or even chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) will benefit from Myer’s cocktail infusions, often within the first few treatments.  Ongoing maintenance infusions every few weeks are usually necessary to maintain good results but some patients improve enough that further treatments are not necessary.  There are a few research studies showing patients with CFS have magnesium deficiency, either in the bloodstream or only inside the red blood cells despite normal blood levels.

Chronic pain, including that from relapsing injury or fibromyalgia, has been shown to improve with Myer’s cocktails.  One study showed 74% of patients improved while 64% only required four or fewer injections.  Some practitioners report success using Myer’s cocktail for acute muscle spasms. 

Upper respiratory infections caused by viral invaders often respond dramatically with Myer’s cocktail infusions.  Within minutes symptoms improve in about 1/3 of patients while about ½ of patients note the overall course of illness shortens considerably.  People who don’t seem to respond just don’t ever respond, while those who do respond do well with repeated treatments.  Even chronic sinusitis has consistent reports of responding to Myer’s infusions.

We also use the Meyer’s cocktail in cases of stress and adrenal fatigue.  The highest concentration of vitamin C in the body is found within the adrenal gland and giving general support to the adrenals seems to help the system cope with everyday stressors.  This supportive role may be another reason people with viral infections improve quicker with a Meyer’s cocktail.  Cancer and severe chronic illnesses are both good indications for Meyer’s cocktail to help with nutrition and immune function. 

Most patients will experience an increase in energy, improved mind clarity, decreased depression and anxiety, improved mood, faster recovery times, and less illness.  We have athletes who benefit from a Myer’s before and after strenuous events.

The intravenous nutrient therapy provided with Meyer’s cocktail has been found by hundreds of practitioners to be a safe and effective treatment for a wide variety of conditions.  Although most evidence in favor of Meyer’s is anecdotal from the experience of providers there are some published research studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of the Meyer’s or some of its ingredients.

Our IV team is certified in IV nutrition and chelation (removal of heavy metals) therapies by the American College for Advancement in Medicine.  Experiencing a treatment is as simple as scheduling an appointment with our RN coordinator. 

FREE SEMINARS

“Detoxification Made Simple”

Monday, August 26^th, 6pm

RSVP @ 245-6911 or rsvp@imcwc.com

Bio

Scott Rollins, MD, is Board Certified with the American Board of Family Practice and the American Board of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine.  He specializes in Bioidentical Hormone Replacement, thyroid and adrenal disorders, fibromyalgia and other complex medical conditions.  He is founder and medical director of the Integrative Medicine Center of Western Colorado (www.imcwc.com) and Bellezza Laser Aesthetics (www.bellezzalaser.com).  Call (970) 245-6911 for an appointment or more information.

Laughter is the Best Medicine

How delightful to learn that laughter really is the best medicine and will perhaps add as many good years to your life as other familiar health tips.  Could it be so simple that a positive attitude reduces heart disease and stress-related hormones, improves the immune system and leads to a longer life?  The scripture teaches that “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (proverbs 17:22) and it turns out science is supporting this notion. 

Happy people tend to live longer and experience better health than their unhappy peers according to a review of more than 160 studies of human and animal studies.  The lead author, University of Illinois professor emeritus of psychology Ed Diener, summarized “the general conclusion from each type of study is that your subjective well-being - that is, feeling positive about your life, not stressed out, not depressed - contributes to both longevity and better health among healthy populations."

The cardiovascular system is our “Achilles heel” when it comes to health and the leading cause of death is heart disease.  Studies of artery health focus on how well the cells that line the arteries function – like the “canary in a coalmine” they are the sentinels of health and disease in the system.  These cells are called endothelial cells and they control blood pressure and keep cholesterol from oxidizing and making plaque.  Many cardiac studies look at endothelial function as the marker for arterial health.

Japanese research printed in the American Journal of Cardiology shows the effect of mirthful laughter increases beneficial endothelial function.  Participants watching a comedy had positive markers of endothelial health while those watching a documentary had a decline in artery health.

A study from the Journal of Biobehavioral Medicine called “The Divergent effects of joyful and anxiety-provoking music on endothelial vasoreactivity” showed that listening to joyful music was good for artery health while anxiety-inducing music was bad for the arteries.  Self-selected joyful music was associated with increased endothelial function to a magnitude previously observed with aerobic activity or statin drug therapy!  Their conclusion was that listening to joyful music may be an adjunctive life-style intervention for the promotion of vascular health.

An interesting study titled “Effects of laughing and weeping on mood and heart rate variability” points out that laughing has strong but transient effects on the autonomic nervous system, while weeping or feeling sad has moderate but sustained effects on it.  It would seem that having a “heavy heart” really does have physiological significance.

Laughter has been shown to benefit the immune system by increasing protective natural killer cells that help fight infection while lowering both the stress hormone cortisol and the inflammatory marker interleukin-6.  Laughter will increase beneficial growth hormone, the anti-aging hormone that helps keep us young.  Patients with cancer and other terminal illnesses benefit by laughter and show improved outlook, less pain and longer survival.

A study looking at the effect of humor on well being of nursing home residents showed that upon completion of a humor therapy program, there were significant decreases in pain and perception of loneliness, and significant increases in happiness and life satisfaction for the experimental group, but not for the control group. The use of humor therapy appears to be an effective non-pharmacological intervention.  The authors suggest that nurses and other healthcare professionals could incorporate humor in caring for their patients.

As science continues to tease out the exact mechanisms of how laughter improves health we can rest assured that it works.  In the bleakest of times, with both psychological and physical stress, good humor and positive attitude are potent tools to help us along.  While happiness might not by itself prevent or cure disease, the evidence that positive emotions and enjoyment of life contribute to better health and a longer lifespan is stronger than the data linking obesity to reduced longevity. 

Eat right, exercise, maintain a healthy weight, and don’t smoke, but most importantly, remember that attitude determines thought, thought determines action, and apparently thought determines health.  Good humor is good medicine.  So dance like no one is watching, sing like you are the star, whistle while you work, and laugh until your eyes water, your belly shakes and you gasp for air!

FREE SEMINARS

“Food Allergies and Gut Health”

Monday, August 5^th at 6pm

“Detoxification Made Simple”

Monday, August 26^{th at} 6pm

RSVP @ 245-6911 or rsvp@imcwc.com

Bio

Scott Rollins, MD, is Board Certified with the American Board of Family Practice and the American Board of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine.  He specializes in Bioidentical Hormone Replacement, thyroid and adrenal disorders, fibromyalgia and other complex medical conditions.  He is founder and medical director of the Integrative Medicine Center of Western Colorado (www.imcwc.com).  Call (970) 245-6911 for an appointment or more information. 

Anti-Aging Powerhouses

Would you like to increase muscle mass, lose weight, build stronger bones, lower your risk for heart disease and diabetes, improve your immune system and preserve memory?  Two adrenal hormones are able to do all of this, but with normal aging the production of these health-promoting powerhouses naturally declines.

I’m referring to pregnenolone and DHEA (de-hydro-epi-androsterone).  Made directly from cholesterol these steroid hormones are primarily created by the adrenal glands.  Reaching their peak levels about age 30 they then decline about 1-2% each year in men and women.  Even under ideal conditions about half of people have levels below optimum by age 50 and by age 60 it is rare to find someone who has a healthy blood level of these hormones.

Pregnenolone is known for its role in mental processing and memory.  It is also produced in the brain and has been shown to play a role in the creation of memory but also protecting the nerve circuits that preserve memory.  Scientists believe that the hormone pregnenolone has vast potential for maintaining healthy cognitive function and may be “the most potent memory enhancer yet reported.” 

Research shows that low pregnenolone correlates with Alzheimer’s dementia.  Pregnenolone stimulates the growth of new nerves in the brain and increases a memory enhancing neurotransmitter called acetylcholine.  Further studies show that supplementing pregnenolone can reverse memory deficits.  It also has the amazing ability to stimulate nerve transmission while some of its metabolites actually calm over-excited nerve tissue. This makes pregnenolone sharpen memory and cognition while helping conditions such as anxiety.

DHEA is made from pregnenolone and has a wealth of benefits including musculoskeletal support, promotion of mental health, immune system regulation and maintaining cardiovascular health. 

Good for bones, muscle and metabolism, DHEA has been shown to increase bone mineral density, increase muscle mass and stimulate breakdown of fat leading to weight loss.

Improved mental function, memory and mood are also associated with DHEA.  Healthy DHEA levels improve even sex drive.  Like pregnenolone, DHEA is a potent neurosteroid hormone that has protective and stimulatory affects in the brain.

The past several years have witnessed extraordinary advances in our understanding of DHEA’s cardio protective power.  A 2009 study of 153 diabetic men with stable coronary heart disease (CHD) found that 77% were DHEA-S deficient, significantly more than in healthy peers.  Over the next 19 months of follow-up, 43 of those men died of CHD; the data showed that low DHEA and low testosterone levels were two of the four most significant predictors of death.

Another 2009 study of 247 men with an average age of 76 years revealed that those with low DHEA had a 96% increased risk of diabetes and a 48% increased risk of heart disease. 

The immune boosting effects of DHEA are well known.  It boosts antibody production; enhances the activity of monocytes, immune cells that attack cancer cells and viruses; activates natural killer cells, immune cells that attack and destroy viruses and other foreign invaders; and maximizes the anti-cancer function of immune cells known as T lymphocytes.

Even the skin benefits from DHEA.  In 2008 Canadian scientists found more than 50 DHEA-responsive genes in the skin.  DHEA “switched on” multiple collagen-producing genes and reduced expression of genes associated with production and cornification (hardening) of the tough keratinocytes that form calluses and rough skin. The researchers concluded, “DHEA could exert an anti-aging effect in the skin through stimulation of collagen biosynthesis, improved structural organization of the dermis while modulating keratinocyte metabolism.”

Anti-Aging Benefits

Whether or not adrenal hormones extend the life span, they clearly improve the quality of life.  Studies show people who supplement pregnenolone and DHEA have more energy, sleep better, and handle stress better.  They report an increased “well-being and overall vitality”. 

Adrenal supplements are available over-the-counter, without a prescription.  I strongly encourage obtaining blood levels of pregnenolone and DHEA-sulfate (the more stable form for measuring) prior to supplementing and then again to insure proper dosing.  As with other steroid hormones there is no benefit, and usually harm, in taking too large a dose of hormone replacement.  Optimal dosing of adrenal hormones is only obtained through testing.

The adrenal hormones do not cause cancer, but those with active hormone sensitive cancers should not take DHEA or pregnenolone due to concerns of stimulating the already existing cancer.  Taking too much DHEA will usually cause excess hair growth, oily skin, acne, or lead to agitation.  I’ve seen many men taking huge doses of DHEA thinking it would boost testosterone levels – not so – and in fact it leads to more estrogen, which is not healthy.  Again, optimal dosing based on labs.

Seek brands that are “micronized” for better absorption and sustained blood levels.  Usual DHEA doses are 10-25mg daily for women, and 25-50mg daily for men.  Optimal blood levels are around 200 mcg/dL for women, and 300-350 mcg/dL for men.  Usual doses of pregnenolone are 25-100mg daily for men and women with optimal blood levels around 200 mcg/dL.  I recommend brands from Life Extension or Douglas Labs.

With the wealth of science showing the powerful benefits of adrenal hormones in disease prevention and improved quality of life these safe and simple supplements should be part of every adult’s health maintenance plan.

FREE SEMINARS

“Food Allergies and Gut Health”

Monday, August 5^th at 6pm

“Detoxification Made Simple”

Monday, August 26^{th at} 6pm

RSVP @ 245-6911 or rsvp@imcwc.com

Bio

Scott Rollins, MD, is Board Certified with the American Board of Family Practice and the American Board of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine.  He specializes in Bioidentical Hormone Replacement, thyroid and adrenal disorders, fibromyalgia and other complex medical conditions.  He is founder and medical director of the Integrative Medicine Center of Western Colorado (www.imcwc.com).  Call (970) 245-6911 for an appointment or more information.  

Don't Fall for Brittle Bones

Osteoporosis, or porous bone, is a disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to fragile and brittle bones that are prone to fracture, especially at the hip, spine and wrist, although any bone can be affected.

It is important to understand that bone is not a hard and lifeless structure; it is, in fact, complex, living tissue.  Our bones provide strength for muscles, protect vital organs, and store the calcium essential for bone density and strength.

Think of your bones as a savings account.  There is only so much in your account as you deposit.  The critical years for building bone mass are from prior to adolescence to about age 30.  Some experts believe that young women can increase their bone mass by as much as 20 percent—a critical factor in protecting against osteoporosis.

Because bones are constantly changing, they can heal and may be affected by diet and exercise.  Until the age of about 30, you build and store bone efficiently.  Then, as part of the aging process, your bones began to break down faster than new bone can be formed. 

Health Risks

Osteoporosis is a major public health threat for an estimated 44 million Americans or 55 percent of the people 50 years of age and older.  In the US, 10 million individuals are estimated to already have the disease and almost 34 million more are estimated to have low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for osteoporosis.

Of the 10 million Americans with osteoporosis, 80% are women.  Risk is for people of all ethnic backgrounds.  While osteoporosis is often thought of as an older person’s disease, it can strike at any age.

One in two women and one in four men over age 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in her/his lifetime.  Osteoporosis is responsible for more than 1.5 million fractures annually, mostly in the spine, then hip, wrist, and other sites.

The estimated national direct care expenditure, including hospitals, nursing homes and outpatient services, for osteoporotic fractures is $18 billion per year (in 2002) and rising.

The most typical sites of fractures related to osteoporosis are the hip, spine, wrist, and ribs.  The rate of hip fractures is 2-3 times higher in women than men; however, the one year mortality rate following a hip fracture is nearly twice as high for men.  A woman’s risk of hip fracture is equal to her combined risk of breast, uterine and ovarian cancer.

           

In 2001 about 315,000 Americans over 45 were admitted to hospitals with hip fractures.  An average of 24% of patients over age 50 will die in the year following the fracture and one in five will require long-term care afterward.  Six months after hip fracture only 15% can walk across a room unaided.  One in five hip fracture patients ends up in a nursing home.

Screening

Specialized tests called bone mineral density (BMD) tests can measure bone density in various sites of the body.  A BMD test can detect osteoporosis before a fracture occurs, help predict chances of future fracture and determine rate of bone loss and/or monitor the effects of treatment.

Another useful test is the urine N-telopeptide or urine NTX.  A simple urine sample can measure the amount of bone collagen lost in the urine, giving an indication of how much bone turnover is happening and how much bone is being lost.  A low score is good.  I use this test to help further stratify risk with the BMD test as well as monitor ongoing therapy. 

Risk Factors

Osteoporosis is often called a “silent disease” because bone loss occurs without symptoms.  People may not know that they have osteoporosis until their bones become so weak that a sudden strain, bump or fall causes a fracture or a vertebra to collapse.  Collapsed vertebra may initially be felt or seen in the form of severe back pain, loss of height, or spinal deformities such as kyphosis or stooped posture. 

Risk factors for osteoporosis are many and include a personal history of fracture after age 50 or current low bone mass, history of fracture in first degree relative or family history of osteoporosis, being female, being thin and/or having a small frame, advanced age, estrogen deficiency as a result of menopause, low testosterone, anorexia nervosa, low calcium intake, vitamin D or K deficiency, inactive lifestyle, certain medications (steroids, chemo, seizure drugs, etc), certain chronic medical conditions, cigarette smoking and excessive alcohol intake.

Prevention and Treatment

Think of bone as being much like a concrete wall.  The concrete is strong, but brittle, and the metal rebar that runs through the concrete is what gives the wall tensile strength, or the ability to resist tension.  Bone is much the same and the calcium is similar to the concrete, while flexible collagen is laid out in a grid throughout the bone.  The collagen, called the bone matrix, provides the tensile strength.

There is a sequence of activity needed to make strong bone.  First, hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, thyroid and growth hormone act to “turn on” bone development.  Vitamin D is needed to absorb calcium from the gut while Vitamin K allows calcium to be deposited in the bone matrix and keep it from building up in artery walls.  Of course proper nutrition provides the calcium, and other vitamins and minerals necessary to build strong bone. 

Calcium is in the news lately, with questions about increased heart disease in folks taking supplemental calcium, particularly a large amount.  At this point the ongoing studies are suggesting we not supplement calcium if we are getting enough in our diet, and then not to supplement more than about 500mg daily.  There will be conflicting guidelines on this so stay tuned. 

Hormone replacement therapy is the mainstay of treatment for my patients.  Strong muscle equal strong bones, so weight bearing and strength building exercises are key.  Good nutrition is essential, along with targeted supplements including calcium, vitamin D3 and K2, and minerals such as boron and magnesium.  As an example, one of my favorites is Bone Restore from life extension.  I also use a milk protein isolate called “enriched lactoferrin” and a mineral called “strontium citrate”, both of which promote bone formation.

I don’t routinely find any need for the prescription drugs such as Boniva or Fosamax which build bone density by inhibiting the cells that cause bone breakdown.  There are common side effects, serious risks, and questions of efficacy.   Frankly, by implementing the previously mentioned treatments osteoporosis is becoming a rare thing in my practice.

FREE SEMINARS

“Food Allergies and Gut Health”

Monday, August 5^th at 6pm

“Detoxification Made Simple”

Monday, August 26^{th at} 6pm

RSVP @ 245-6911 or rsvp@imcwc.com

Bio

Scott Rollins, MD, is Board Certified with the American Board of Family Practice and the American Board of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine.  He specializes in Bioidentical Hormone Replacement, thyroid and adrenal disorders, fibromyalgia and other complex medical conditions.  He is founder and medical director of the Integrative Medicine Center of Western Colorado (www.imcwc.com).  Call (970) 245-6911 for an appointment or more information. 

Tracking Your Plaque

The Cardiac CT Scan Could Save Your Life

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) consisting of cardiac death continues to be the leading cause of death for American men and women, surpassing all cancers, stroke, accidents and diabetes.  Traditional risk factors including cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking and diabetes don’t identify the majority of people dying from heart disease.   About 64% of individuals already diagnosed with heart disease present with 0 to 1 of these major risk factors.  Despite better treatment and recognition we are still not very good at predicting whom among us is at risk. 

Coronary Artery Calcification (CAC) as measured by a cardiac CT scan is an accurate assessment of the total amount of plaque in the coronary arteries.  The general relationship between the CAC and the total amount of plaque or atherosclerosis has been studied over the years in large groups of patients and autopsy studies.  Studies in cardiology journals describe the risks of having a heart attack with various CAC scores and the probabilities of having artery blockages. 

The CAC score is a much more powerful predictor of an individual’s risk of having heart disease than any conventional risk factor such as cholesterol.  The score needs to be interpreted in the context of age, as it is normal for some calcium to accumulate over time.  The CAC score is not perfect in predicting risk as the amount of calcium does not predict the amount of inflamed soft plaque overlying the calcium or the amount of artery blockage. 

CAC testing is a “window of opportunity” that can alert the unsuspecting that artery disease is present and allow for more thorough screening and more aggressive treatment.  It can also reassure someone with higher risk that the amount of plaque is not as bad as they might have guessed.  CAC can also be used to “track your plaque” by reassessing every 3-4 years or so and making sure the CAC score is stable or declining.

How is CAC Performed?

The CAC score is obtained with a quick CT scan of the chest with focus on the heart.  A CT scan is essentially a 3-dimensional x-ray that involves very limited radiation and is done very fast taking only a few minutes for the scan.  Immediately after the test a computer analyzes the results and comes up with a “calcium score” for each of the individual coronary arteries and in total.  This total score is the basis for risk prediction.  A radiologist later reviews the scan for further interpretation and notes any incidental findings such as a lung nodule, etc.

CAC Results and Risk

Patients with higher CAC scores have a higher risk for cardiac disease than those with lower scores.  However, the CAC score is not a perfect prediction tool as there are many people with high scores who do not go on to have a heart attack, and some people with favorable CAC scores who will go on to have a heart attack.  The value of the test is in determining whether an individual has much more calcification than would have been anticipated by standard risk factors. 

A score of zero or negligible (0-1) indicates that no calcified plaque was detected and the likelihood of artery narrowing or a cardiac event in the near term is extremely low.  Health advice includes continuing good health habits such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, maintaining ideal weight and avoiding tobacco.  Retesting would be recommended no sooner than 5 years if at all depending upon age.  Studies suggest that 98% of individuals with a zero score will not have a cardiac event in the next decade.

A score that indicates minimal (1-10) plaque is reassuring and generally needs no special treatment.  Health advice as above and retesting in 4-5 years may be recommended.

A score that indicates mild (11-100) plaque is an early sign that the process has really begun.  Health advice should now add a more thorough search for risk factors and treatment with supplements, aspirin or medications.  Retesting should be considered in about 3 years.

A score that indicated moderate (101-400) plaque suggests the process is further along and it is time for the above advice plus more “aggressive risk factor modification”.  This is the chance to stabilize and stop the plaque process before it is too late.  Increased treatment and very close attention to risk factors (especially smoking, high blood pressure and diabetes) is warranted.  Sometimes a cardiac stress test may be ordered to reassure there is no silent blockage.  Retesting in 2-3 years is recommended.

A severe score (over 400) or a score greater than 75% for your age and gender warrants special attention.  Immediate and aggressive intervention is indicated as studies suggest that 30-50% of individuals with a severe score will proceed to have a cardiac event within the next 3-5 years.  Cardiac stress testing and referral to a cardiologist are often indicated.  Retesting in 2-3 years is recommended.

The cardiac CT scan has a margin of error of about 5-10% and studies show the average calcium score increases about 20 points per year in progressive disease.  This is why there is not much sense in repeating the test on a yearly basis.  And though the radiation exposure is considered minimal there is no sense in overdoing it.

Further Testing

If the CAC score that is higher than anticipated I recommend more thorough testing to precisely identify the risk factors leading to plaque formation.  The traditional lipid panel focuses on only three markers – the total, LDL (bad) and HDL (good) cholesterol.  My “cardiovascular risk” panel has 22 markers including a more sophisticated analysis of the lipid components, inflammatory markers, vitamins D and K, fatty acids and hormones such as testosterone, estrogen and insulin.

The cardiac CT scan is available at Community Hospital for a cash price of about $130 (last I heard) and can be scheduled only with a doctor’s order.   After getting the ok from your doctor, simply call 256-6216 to schedule.  The folks at Community do a great job and patients routinely report how easy the study was.  I encourage you to get the test and then make a visit with your doctor to review the results.

Atherosclerosis, once detected, does not have to lead to heart problems or an early death.  There are tests and treatments that lead to an effective strategy to stop the process.  In many cases, the plaque buildup measured by the cardiac CT is the only clue to alert you and your physician that there is life-saving work to be done.

FREE SEMINARS

“Food Allergies and Gut Health”

Monday, August 5^th at 6pm

“Detoxification Made Simple”

Monday, August 26^{th at} 6pm

RSVP @ 245-6911 or rsvp@imcwc.com

Bio

Scott Rollins, MD, is Board Certified with the American Board of Family Practice and the American Board of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine.  He specializes in Bioidentical Hormone Replacement, thyroid and adrenal disorders, fibromyalgia and other complex medical conditions.  He is founder and medical director of the Integrative Medicine Center of Western Colorado (www.imcwc.com).  Call (970) 245-6911 for an appointment or more information. 

Heart Health

A host of recent studies examine the role of diet in the risk for heart diseases, including high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.  Some may confirm what you already knew, but others might surprise you!

An observational study of over 70,000 middle age Americans found that a vegetarian diet was associated with a 12% reduction in overall mortality during a 6-year period, with a significant decline in heart disease for the men in the study (Orlich, 2013). 

Lead author Dr Michael J Orlich states, "This research gives more support to the idea that certain vegetarian dietary patterns may be associated with reduced mortality and increased longevity" and can be used to guide food choices.

The Mediterranean diet is in the news, again, with the results of the PREDIMED study showing a 30% reduction in heart disease amongst the study group following the diet of mostly fresh fruits and vegetables with limited red meat and plenty of olive oil.  This study also showed that walnuts were a comparable substitute for the healthy olive oil.

Take note of the summary provided by lead author Dr Ramon Estruch, who states "people should know that the Mediterranean diet is a diet healthier than others and should know the key components of this food pattern. The plan should be to increase the intake of the key foods (vegetables, fruit, nuts, fish, legumes, extra virgin olive oil, and red wine in moderation), also increase the intake of white meat, and decrease the intake of red and processed meat, soda drinks, whole dairy products, commercial bakery goods, and sweets and pastries.”

Not all meat is bad?  More research is teasing out the real issues with red meat consumption and it appears in part that the type of red meat plays a role in development of heart disease.  Increased consumption of the beloved, and processed meats, such as bacon, sausage and ham, are linked to a 70% increase in heart disease and 18% increase in all cause mortality, according to the EPIC study, involving 10 countries and almost half a million men and women.

The EPIC study also showed that modest consumption of non-processed red meat was not associated with a significant health risk.  However, data from the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study and the Nurses Health Study did not distinguish a benefit of non-processed meat, showed that eating one additional serving of any red meat daily was associated with a 16% increase in the risk of cardiovascular mortality and a 10% increased risk of death from cancer. 

Just this week, the European Society of Hypertension came out with new guidelines for salt intake, recommending individuals consume no more than 5 to 6 grams of salt per day.  But, the salt debate is not settled with experts trying to determine if lowering the recommended intake of salt will really lead to less high blood pressure and less heart disease. 

The PURE study examined the prevalence and control of high blood pressure worldwide by measuring blood pressure in 153,000 individuals from 528 urban and rural communities in 17 countries from five continents.  Most of the study participants consumed more that the recommended 5 grams of salt daily and lower levels did not seem to have much effect on blood pressure.  Only salt intake of higher levels started to correlate with higher blood pressure.

Conversely, the DASH study showed a stepwise improvement in blood pressure when lowering daily salt intake from 12 grams to as low as 3 grams per day.  The NOMAS study showed individuals double their risk of stroke by consuming more than 10 grams of salt per day compared with people who took in only 3,750mg daily.

How about some really good news!  Your morning cup of coffee is associated with lower blood pressure.  From France, Dr Bruno Pannier presented data showing that drinking tea or coffee was associated with a small but statistically significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure.  The study did not distinguish between green, black or herbal teas, and was not able to estimate caffeine concentrations. 

There are numerous studies that show positive artery health effects from the various anti-oxidant chemicals called “flavonoids” that are found in coffee beans, tea leaves, and cocoa beans. 

A Simple Solution to Heart Health

Lower your risk of death 80% by following four simple healthy lifestyle behaviors.  Eat right, exercise regularly, maintain a good weight, and don’t smoke.  These from the MESA trial that included 6229 US adults aged 44 to 84 years old.  All patients were given a lifestyle score, ranging from 0 to 4, based on whether or not they followed a Mediterranean-style diet, their exercise habits (achieving 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week), body-mass index (BMI), and smoking status. One point was awarded for each healthy lifestyle behavior.

Over a seven-year period the patients who adopted all four healthy behaviors had an 80% decrease in death rate compared with those who followed zero of the health behaviors.  Turns out that smoking is worse than not doing the other three health habits.

As always, I try to keep things simple for myself and for my patients.  In the case heart disease and overall mortality, doing a few simple things will do more to promote good health than any medication. 

Eat a balanced diet free from sugar and low in high-glycemic carbohydrates and processed meats.  Increase your intake of fresh, preferably organic, fruits and vegetables, with plenty of nuts and healthy fats such as olive oil.  I try to keep red meat intake to once/week, avoid processed meats altogether, and get mostly venison or grass-finished beef.  Chicken and fish are good alternatives to red meat.  Eggs are ok.  Keep from overdoing it on the salt.  Enjoy your coffee, tea or alcohol, all in moderation.

Bio

Scott Rollins, MD, is Board Certified with the American Board of Family Practice and the American Board of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine.  He specializes in Bioidentical Hormone Replacement for men and women, thyroid and adrenal disorders, fibromyalgia, weight loss and other complex medical conditions.  He is founder and medical director of the Integrative Medicine Center of Western Colorado (www.imcwc.com) and Bellezza Laser Aesthetics (www.bellezzalaser.com).  Call 245-6911 for an appointment or more information.

Hair Today Gone Tomorrow

Are you are sick and tired of shaving, waxing or plucking unwanted hair?  Summer is here and skin is back in the daylight.  Now is the time to consider laser hair removal as advanced technology has made this procedure simple, effective and affordable. 

The history of hair removal goes back to the Greeks and Romans who used pumice stones to remove unwanted hair.  The Native American Indians used sharpened stones or shells to tweeze or abrade, while the ancient Turks invented the first “Nair” product using a combination of rose water, arsenic, quicklime and yellow sulfate. 

Modern men and women continue to desire the removal of unwanted hair for various reasons.  Most are simply tired of shaving underarm, leg and bikini areas.  Some wish to be rid of pesky facial hair or general body hair.  Whatever the reason, it is now available for just about anyone to safely and quickly remove unwanted hair.

Today’s methods of hair removal are much more effective and gentler than those of our ancestors!  Removing hair above the skin is called depilation and includes shaving, chemical hair removal (e.g. Nair) and bleaching solutions.  Removing hair below the skin surface is called epilation and includes plucking, waxing, electrolysis and laser hair removal.

Laser Hair Removal

Epilation is much more effective than depilation for long lasting or even permanent hair removal and the lasers rule!  To know what makes lasers so awesome at hair removal I need to explain how hair grows and what makes lasers tick.

The hair follicle growth starts 2-6 mm below the skin surface in the bulb, which is surrounded by a nourishing matrix.  The bulge, located above the bulb, houses the stem cells that are required for hair follicle regeneration.  These critical areas (bulb and bulge) must be destroyed for successful hair reduction. 

Laser energy (light) works to remove hair because the energy is selectively absorbed by the melanin (pigment) in hair follicles.  The light energy is converted to heat which diffuses to and injures the bulb and the bulge without damaging the surrounding tissue. 

The best candidates for laser hair removal have dark hair and light skin, and the hair needs to be darker than the skin color.  Red hair is difficult to remove and blonde hair is very difficult.  White or gray hair lacks the necessary melanin thus laser hair removal is not possible.  Since the laser light energy is absorbed by the dark melanin pigment, dark or tanned skin is at more risk of absorbing the energy which can cause burns, scarring and pigment changes. 

Terminal hair is the coarse hair that grows on our head, beard, underarm, groin, arms and legs.  Velus hair is the soft, downy hair that covers our entire body.   Laser hair removal is best for terminal hair because it will absorb the laser energy well due to its more typical thick and dark characteristics.

Hair growth occurs in three cycles, anagen (growth), catagen (transition) and telogen (resting).  Laser energy only works to eliminate hair during the anagen phase, which at any given time is occurring in about 70-80% of the hairs on the upper lip and beard, and only about 20-30% of the hairs on the other body areas.  Anagen phase lasts several years, catagen a few weeks, and telogen a few months.

Multiple treatments are necessary for hair removal because only a portion of the hair is in anagen phase at any given time.  The different growth phases explain why some body areas can be treated every 4-6 weeks and others every 6-8 weeks, and why some body areas need more treatment than others.  Lighter skin types typically need 3-5 treatments while darker skin types may need 6-10 treatments.  Beware of clinics that offer hair removal treatments too frequently – the only thing they are removing is money from your pocket.

Laser hair removal is safe and effective only in the hands of an experienced specialist.  There are numerous details that go into making laser so effective for hair removal, such as considering skin type, hair color, body area, laser power and wavelength.  Making laser safe and comfortable depends on all of the above plus understanding how to cool the skin during and after treatment to avoid burns. 

What does laser hair removal feel like?  Does it hurt?  A good answer is to imagine a light snap of a rubber band on the skin – really not a big deal.  The heat generated by lasers can build up and cause warmth in the skin which is why using the correct settings in the first place and adding cooling is so important. 

The newest generation of laser delivers energy only in a therapeutic range, precisely heating the target with little or no damage or discomfort.  “In-motion” technology is another advance that allows the laser to always be on the move while treating, making it quicker and virtually pain-free.  The result is safe, quick and effective hair removal that lasts.  Involving no downtime, you can continue with all your regular activities immediately after treatment.  See www.almalasers.com for more info on hair removal technology.

Also important with hair removal is to consider whether hair growth is excessive and reflects an underlying hormone disorder.  I often get referrals from our laser center to investigate the cause of excess hair growth.  Removing the hair with laser is great but more important is to fix the original disorder, which makes the treatment that much more successful and also improves the general health of our patients!

Our laser specialists are certified with Alma lasers and have ongoing training in order to stay up to date with the latest in laser technology and treatment techniques.  We offer free consultations with any of our specialists.  The cost of hair removal depends on the size of area treated and most areas need 3-5 treatments.

FREE SEMINARS

“Low Thyroid:  Misunderstood, Misdiagnosed, Missed!”

Monday, June 24^th

Seminars are at 6pm, at the IMC

RSVP at 245-6911

Bio

Scott Rollins, MD, is Board Certified with the American Board of Family Practice and the American Board of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine.  He specializes in Bioidentical Hormone Replacement for men and women, thyroid and adrenal disorders, fibromyalgia, weight loss and other complex medical conditions.  He is founder and medical director of the Integrative Medicine Center of Western Colorado (www.imcwc.com) and Bellezza Laser Aesthetics (www.bellezzalaser.com).  Call 245-6911 for an appointment or more information.