Genomics is a new field of medicine and science that has developed since
scientists first plotted out the human DNA genome. It revolves around
identifying the common variations (called SNPs or single-nucleotide
polymorphisms) in different genes that exist within the population and
how they affect the individual's health and overall functioning.
Epigenetics is an off-shoot science/art about how those genes are
expressed by the individual. We tend to forget that our genes get turned
off or on at different times in our lives. For example: some are turned
on in adolescence, some in pregnancy. Some genes need other
environmental factors in place before they are unlocked by
the body. Now that science has figured out how to decode the human
genome, we can use lab tests to identify SNPs (those variant genes) for
important biological functions.
The most commonly known SNPs are
in the genes that code for methylation systems. Methylation is a
process that uses a series of enzymes to add a little carbon group,
called a methyl group, to other biochemical items. Methylation is used
as a locking mechanism for DNA, basically turning on and off genes,
which helps appropriate division and formation of immune, gut and
hormone producing cells. And because the body is very smart, this one
process gets used for other things too like detox pathways, or even
making neurotransmitters. MTHFR enzyme is the most important one in
this cycle as it recycles the methyl group and funnels more in dietary
sources. With enough starting products and vitamin and mineral
cofactors, the methyl group can be recycled to be used again and again.
In essence, the MTHFR enzyme acts as a central cog fueling several very
key and diverse biological functions. The gene that codes for this
enzyme is also called the MTHFR gene and it has well-known SNPs,
variants that cause that critical enzyme to be a less efficient. We know
that an injured or less efficient enzyme is slow and the materials it
is supposed to act on build up, as it tries to keep up it burns through
its cofactors depleting them.
Symptoms that might point to methylation/MTHFR SNPs include:
- Migraines
- Ringing in the ears
- MS and other autoimmune disorders
- Chronic Immune infections
- Poor healing
- Mood concerns (depression, anxiety)
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia
- Midline defects
- Fertility concerns
Of
course, your DNA is fixed but due to epigenetics we can take advantage
of how the environment affects the gene expression. We can use
nutrients, nutrition and herbs to help the system to function at its
best and to compensate for the variations. The first is to test for
MTHFR and many many other SNPs. For more information, feel free to call
or book in online and Dr Kellie is happy to chat with you about
methylation and your testing options.
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Sleep, sleep, sleep. As a new mum talk about sleep a lot. I do in my practice too. People often say "I could handle the stress, pain, hot flushes etc. if I could just sleep". Of course, the body functions so much better and everything is more manageable with a good nights sleep. Unfortunately, sleep is a very complex process and disruptions are often anything but straight forward. A wellness plan usually involves sleep hygiene, optimizing the sleeping environment, looking at stress and relaxation and occasionally supplement support.
However, sometimes we forget that we can get targeted nutritional therapy using foods. Remember, eating salmon for Omega-3? Have you thought about Jell-O for sleep? The gelatin is a very high protein product with especially high amounts of glycine. Glycine has often been used for support for ADHD and seizures disorders, but also has some interesting research about its benefits for sleep (especially perimenopausal) and daytime performance and fatigue (1,2).
So how do you use it? The uses are pretty endless but below are some links to great recipes to get your creative juices flowing. Happy cooking and happy sleeping!
~
Dr. Kellie
Really, easy and tasty fruit gummies or gels. http://balancedbites.com/2013/07/easy-recipe-sweet-sour-gummy-gelatin-snacks.html
This is a great starter recipe for popsicles (thank you Dr Oz). Tweak it with any fruit combos to suit your tastes. Don't forget popsicles are a great way to hide kids supplements. The gelatin content can be altered to adjust the texture and it really helps to hide any grittiness from powders. http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/summer-sleep-solution-recipes.
References:
However, sometimes we forget that we can get targeted nutritional therapy using foods. Remember, eating salmon for Omega-3? Have you thought about Jell-O for sleep? The gelatin is a very high protein product with especially high amounts of glycine. Glycine has often been used for support for ADHD and seizures disorders, but also has some interesting research about its benefits for sleep (especially perimenopausal) and daytime performance and fatigue (1,2).
So how do you use it? The uses are pretty endless but below are some links to great recipes to get your creative juices flowing. Happy cooking and happy sleeping!
~
Dr. Kellie
Really, easy and tasty fruit gummies or gels. http://balancedbites.com/2013/07/easy-recipe-sweet-sour-gummy-gelatin-snacks.html
This is a great starter recipe for popsicles (thank you Dr Oz). Tweak it with any fruit combos to suit your tastes. Don't forget popsicles are a great way to hide kids supplements. The gelatin content can be altered to adjust the texture and it really helps to hide any grittiness from powders. http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/summer-sleep-solution-recipes.
References:
Friday, July 19, 2013
Victoria has a fantastic new online magazine called Victoria Mom. It's a great website and sister Facebook page with tonnes of recipes, community connections and articles from various health practitioners and other local experts and mom bloggers.
We recently did a mini interview and they have done a great article with the Top 10 reasons to see a Naturopathic Physician.
- See more at: http://www.victoriamom.ca/baby-and-child/ten-reasons-see-naturopathic-doctor#sthash.H0kJ49U9.dpuf
I've copied a portion of it here:
- See more at: http://www.victoriamom.ca/baby-and-child/ten-reasons-see-naturopathic-doctor#sthash.H0kJ49U9.dpuf
- See more at: http://www.victoriamom.ca/baby-and-child/ten-reasons-see-naturopathic-doctor#sthash.H0kJ49U9.dpuf
- See more at: http://www.victoriamom.ca/baby-and-child/ten-reasons-see-naturopathic-doctor#sthash.H0kJ49U9.dpuf
- See more at: http://www.victoriamom.ca/baby-and-child/ten-reasons-see-naturopathic-doctor#sthash.H0kJ49U9.dpuf
- See more at: http://www.victoriamom.ca/baby-and-child/ten-reasons-see-naturopathic-doctor#sthash.H0kJ49U9.dpuf
We recently did a mini interview and they have done a great article with the Top 10 reasons to see a Naturopathic Physician.
Ten Reasons to See a Naturopathic Doctor
You’ve
been to your doctor and have been given a clean bill of health. As far
as they can tell, there is nothing “wrong” medically – but you don’t
feel right – maybe you’re run down, generally fatigued, have a recurring
headache that just won’t quit. You can’t place your finger on it, but
you know you can feel better, you just don’t know how to get there on
your own.
Dr. Kellie Ferguson of Koru Natural Health Centre said it best:
'The absolute top reason people come in is that they plain don't feel well.
They have often been to their GP, who has done a really
thorough job testing and ruling out scary causes and they have been
pronounced "all fine", but they still don't feel fine. So they come in
and we look a little broader, not just for disease, but for the aspects
or systems that aren't working at their best.
Maybe we take away things that are preventing them from feeling
fantastic, like dealing with stress management differently or modifying
diet to avoid 18 cups of coffee, or we add things that may be lacking
or necessary to help the body to work more effectively, like digestive
enzymes or omega 3 oils. Or we use herbal or other therapies to restore
or heal systems like milk thistle for liver function. (One instructor
called this the 3 "r" Remove, Replenish or Restore).'
With help from Dr. Ferguson we’ve put together a list of the top 10
reasons to see a Naturopathic Physician. If you’ve been feeling ‘off’
for a while, maybe this list will compel you to book a consultation!
1. Focus on the cause not the symptoms
– A mantra of Naturopathic Medicine is seeking the root of why a
person feels unwell, not just treating the symptoms. As Dr. Ferguson
says: “Many are looking for ways to address reason they are unwell, so
that they can try to get things like reflux or eczema under control
without having to constantly rely on medications to manage the
symptoms.” For example, my best friend struggled with acne her whole
life, and only in adulthood was she able to finally narrow the cause
down to gluten intolerance. No gluten, no problems! “Many of us
{Naturopathic Doctors} also have prescriptive rights and so we can help
patients if they do need conventional medications even if it’s just for a
short time while they work on cause of the conditions” notes Dr.
Ferguson.
Ten Reasons to See a Naturopathic Doctor
You’ve
been to your doctor and have been given a clean bill of health. As far
as they can tell, there is nothing “wrong” medically – but you don’t
feel right – maybe you’re run down, generally fatigued, have a recurring
headache that just won’t quit. You can’t place your finger on it, but
you know you can feel better, you just don’t know how to get there on
your own.
Dr. Kellie Ferguson of Koru Natural Health Centre said it best:
'The absolute top reason people come in is that they plain don't feel well.
They have often been to their GP, who has done a really
thorough job testing and ruling out scary causes and they have been
pronounced "all fine", but they still don't feel fine. So they come in
and we look a little broader, not just for disease, but for the aspects
or systems that aren't working at their best.
Maybe we take away things that are preventing them from feeling
fantastic, like dealing with stress management differently or modifying
diet to avoid 18 cups of coffee, or we add things that may be lacking
or necessary to help the body to work more effectively, like digestive
enzymes or omega 3 oils. Or we use herbal or other therapies to restore
or heal systems like milk thistle for liver function. (One instructor
called this the 3 "r" Remove, Replenish or Restore).'
With help from Dr. Ferguson we’ve put together a list of the top 10
reasons to see a Naturopathic Physician. If you’ve been feeling ‘off’
for a while, maybe this list will compel you to book a consultation!
1. Focus on the cause not the symptoms
– A mantra of Naturopathic Medicine is seeking the root of why a
person feels unwell, not just treating the symptoms. As Dr. Ferguson
says: “Many are looking for ways to address reason they are unwell, so
that they can try to get things like reflux or eczema under control
without having to constantly rely on medications to manage the
symptoms.” For example, my best friend struggled with acne her whole
life, and only in adulthood was she able to finally narrow the cause
down to gluten intolerance. No gluten, no problems! “Many of us
{Naturopathic Doctors} also have prescriptive rights and so we can help
patients if they do need conventional medications even if it’s just for a
short time while they work on cause of the conditions” notes Dr.
Ferguson.
Ten Reasons to See a Naturopathic Doctor
You’ve
been to your doctor and have been given a clean bill of health. As far
as they can tell, there is nothing “wrong” medically – but you don’t
feel right – maybe you’re run down, generally fatigued, have a recurring
headache that just won’t quit. You can’t place your finger on it, but
you know you can feel better, you just don’t know how to get there on
your own.
Dr. Kellie Ferguson of Koru Natural Health Centre said it best:
'The absolute top reason people come in is that they plain don't feel well.
They have often been to their GP, who has done a really
thorough job testing and ruling out scary causes and they have been
pronounced "all fine", but they still don't feel fine. So they come in
and we look a little broader, not just for disease, but for the aspects
or systems that aren't working at their best.
Maybe we take away things that are preventing them from feeling
fantastic, like dealing with stress management differently or modifying
diet to avoid 18 cups of coffee, or we add things that may be lacking
or necessary to help the body to work more effectively, like digestive
enzymes or omega 3 oils. Or we use herbal or other therapies to restore
or heal systems like milk thistle for liver function. (One instructor
called this the 3 "r" Remove, Replenish or Restore).'
Ten Reasons to See a
Naturopathic Doctor
You’ve
been to your doctor and have been given a clean bill of health. As far as they
can tell, there is nothing “wrong” medically – but you don’t feel right – maybe
you’re run down, generally fatigued, have a recurring headache that just won’t
quit. You can’t place your finger on it, but you know you can feel better, you
just don’t know how to get there on your own.
Dr.
Kellie Ferguson of Koru Natural Health Centre said it best:
'The
absolute top reason people come in is that they plain don't feel well.
They have
often been to their GP, who has done a really thorough job testing and ruling
out scary causes and they have been pronounced "all fine", but they
still don't feel fine. So they come in and we look a little broader, not
just for disease, but for the aspects or systems that aren't working at their
best.
Maybe we
take away things that are preventing them from feeling fantastic, like dealing
with stress management differently or modifying diet to avoid 18 cups of
coffee, or we add things that may be lacking or necessary to help the body to
work more effectively, like digestive enzymes or omega 3 oils. Or we use
herbal or other therapies to restore or heal systems like milk thistle for
liver function. (One instructor called this the 3 "r" Remove,
Replenish or Restore).'
Ten Reasons to See a Naturopathic Doctor
You’ve
been to your doctor and have been given a clean bill of health. As far
as they can tell, there is nothing “wrong” medically – but you don’t
feel right – maybe you’re run down, generally fatigued, have a recurring
headache that just won’t quit. You can’t place your finger on it, but
you know you can feel better, you just don’t know how to get there on
your own.
Dr. Kellie Ferguson of Koru Natural Health Centre said it best:
'The absolute top reason people come in is that they plain don't feel well.
They have often been to their GP, who has done a really
thorough job testing and ruling out scary causes and they have been
pronounced "all fine", but they still don't feel fine. So they come in
and we look a little broader, not just for disease, but for the aspects
or systems that aren't working at their best.
Maybe we take away things that are preventing them from feeling
fantastic, like dealing with stress management differently or modifying
diet to avoid 18 cups of coffee, or we add things that may be lacking
or necessary to help the body to work more effectively, like digestive
enzymes or omega 3 oils. Or we use herbal or other therapies to restore
or heal systems like milk thistle for liver function. (One instructor
called this the 3 "r" Remove, Replenish or Restore).'
Ten Reasons to See a Naturopathic Doctor
You’ve
been to your doctor and have been given a clean bill of health. As far
as they can tell, there is nothing “wrong” medically – but you don’t
feel right – maybe you’re run down, generally fatigued, have a recurring
headache that just won’t quit. You can’t place your finger on it, but
you know you can feel better, you just don’t know how to get there on
your own.
Dr. Kellie Ferguson of Koru Natural Health Centre said it best:
'The absolute top reason people come in is that they plain don't feel well.
They have often been to their GP, who has done a really
thorough job testing and ruling out scary causes and they have been
pronounced "all fine", but they still don't feel fine. So they come in
and we look a little broader, not just for disease, but for the aspects
or systems that aren't working at their best.
Maybe we take away things that are preventing them from feeling
fantastic, like dealing with stress management differently or modifying
diet to avoid 18 cups of coffee, or we add things that may be lacking
or necessary to help the body to work more effectively, like digestive
enzymes or omega 3 oils. Or we use herbal or other therapies to restore
or heal systems like milk thistle for liver function. (One instructor
called this the 3 "r" Remove, Replenish or Restore).'
Ten Reasons to See a Naturopathic Doctor
You’ve
been to your doctor and have been given a clean bill of health. As far
as they can tell, there is nothing “wrong” medically – but you don’t
feel right – maybe you’re run down, generally fatigued, have a recurring
headache that just won’t quit. You can’t place your finger on it, but
you know you can feel better, you just don’t know how to get there on
your own.
Dr. Kellie Ferguson of Koru Natural Health Centre said it best:
'The absolute top reason people come in is that they plain don't feel well.
They have often been to their GP, who has done a really
thorough job testing and ruling out scary causes and they have been
pronounced "all fine", but they still don't feel fine. So they come in
and we look a little broader, not just for disease, but for the aspects
or systems that aren't working at their best.
Maybe we take away things that are preventing them from feeling
fantastic, like dealing with stress management differently or modifying
diet to avoid 18 cups of coffee, or we add things that may be lacking
or necessary to help the body to work more effectively, like digestive
enzymes or omega 3 oils. Or we use herbal or other therapies to restore
or heal systems like milk thistle for liver function. (One instructor
called this the 3 "r" Remove, Replenish or Restore).'
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Welcome Back!
Goodness, it's been a long time since my last post. And I apologize for letting things go for so long. We've had a lot of changes around the Clinic but more in our families. I gave birth to our amazing little boy in September. Then in January, Mark (our outstanding Acupuncturist) had a new addition to his family with the birth of his little girl. Life is a little (ok let's be honest it's totally and completely) different now, but after being back to work 3/4 time for almost 6 months, I think I've mostly got the swing of juggling home and work now. And so I'll get back to my routine posts, but for now here's a picture of my little bandit to tide you over!
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Gluten - free Pies! Thank you, Living Without Magazine.
I might have to confess to being more of a chocolate cake person than a pie person, but this article may convert me. Once again, Living Without has a host of amazing recipes for making delectable gluten-free pies. The sugar in these recipes can be scaled back depending on how ripe your fruit is and how sweet you like your desserts.
Click on the title or links at the end for the whole article and recipes for apple, peach, plum and strawberry rhubarb versions. As always, I'm very grateful to Living Without for their information and creativity!
I had the opportunity to work in a local pie shop where I learned some new tricks for creating a perfect pie. I wasn’t at the shop long before I saw that making a gluten-free pie is much easier than making its wheat-filled counterpart. You can work gluten-free dough and make mistakes and the crust will still turn out fine. The only issue is that gluten-free slices may crumble a bit when they’re cut and served. A minor inconvenience, I say, in light of such a delicious treat!
Now is the ideal time for enjoying pie. Fruit that’s in season in your area is always the best choice. It has a higher brix value (measure of sweetness), allowing you to reduce the total amount of sugar needed in your recipe. Taste the fruit you plan to use. If it’s very sweet and succulent, you can lower the amount of sugar in your recipe accordingly.
If you decide to make a fruit pie out of season, there’s good-quality frozen fruit available in your supermarket. Larger pieces, such as peach slices, should be thoroughly defrosted before going into a pie. Smaller fruit, like raspberries, require less thawing prior to baking.
After one hour in the oven, check your pie for doneness by sticking a knife into it. The fruit should be soft and tender but not mushy. If you need to bake the pie longer than an hour, cover it loosely with foil to keep the crust from over-browning.
When I worked at the shop, I became thoroughly immersed in all things pie. The same thing happened to everyone who was employed there. The focus on pies was so intense that the shop owners’ young son even asked for a slice in his sleep. “I want pie,” he said, dreaming. For those of us who must avoid gluten (dairy and eggs, too), these flavorful recipes are like a dream come true.
Full article and recipes are here.
Karen Robertson, author of Cooking Gluten-Free!, lives in Seattle.
© 2012 Living Without is a lifestyle guide to achieving better health. It is written with your needs in mind but is not a substitute for consulting with your physician or other health care providers. The publisher and authors are not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of the suggestions, products or procedures that appear in this magazine. All matters regarding your health should be supervised by a licensed health care physician. Copyright 2012 Living Without, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.
Click on the title or links at the end for the whole article and recipes for apple, peach, plum and strawberry rhubarb versions. As always, I'm very grateful to Living Without for their information and creativity!
Gluten-Free Summer Pies - from Living Without and authored by Karen Robertson
Slice into the season’s sweet rewards
Photograph by Sarah Brooke
Now is the ideal time for enjoying pie. Fruit that’s in season in your area is always the best choice. It has a higher brix value (measure of sweetness), allowing you to reduce the total amount of sugar needed in your recipe. Taste the fruit you plan to use. If it’s very sweet and succulent, you can lower the amount of sugar in your recipe accordingly.
If you decide to make a fruit pie out of season, there’s good-quality frozen fruit available in your supermarket. Larger pieces, such as peach slices, should be thoroughly defrosted before going into a pie. Smaller fruit, like raspberries, require less thawing prior to baking.
After one hour in the oven, check your pie for doneness by sticking a knife into it. The fruit should be soft and tender but not mushy. If you need to bake the pie longer than an hour, cover it loosely with foil to keep the crust from over-browning.
When I worked at the shop, I became thoroughly immersed in all things pie. The same thing happened to everyone who was employed there. The focus on pies was so intense that the shop owners’ young son even asked for a slice in his sleep. “I want pie,” he said, dreaming. For those of us who must avoid gluten (dairy and eggs, too), these flavorful recipes are like a dream come true.
Full article and recipes are here.
Karen Robertson, author of Cooking Gluten-Free!, lives in Seattle.
© 2012 Living Without is a lifestyle guide to achieving better health. It is written with your needs in mind but is not a substitute for consulting with your physician or other health care providers. The publisher and authors are not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of the suggestions, products or procedures that appear in this magazine. All matters regarding your health should be supervised by a licensed health care physician. Copyright 2012 Living Without, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.Monday, July 23, 2012
The popsicle: a summer treat or tool for hiding supplements and healthy foods.
Its summer time and its toasty (at least on the days its not raining here in Victoria). We are all craving something cool and refreshing? Before you reach for the ice cream tub try making delectable Popsicles and take the guilt out of it. And if you have kids this is the best opportunity to hide some supplements or healthy foods (yes even some veggie juices!).
The easiest way to boost your treats is to add a green drink to your mix. Try Happy Planet's Green Extreme, or juice your own kale/spinach (steaming first can help). Green can be a tough color for kids, so mix with lots of strawberry or blueberry puree to make a purple frozen treat. A slightly easier option is to mix in cucumber or avocado puree. Avocado makes a nice light green creamy puree and works brilliantly with yogurt, coconut milk and fruits like mango, lime or kiwi. Beet juice or even a bit of puree is perfect with any red fruit (pomegranate or strawberry) juice. The best sweeteners are agave, honey or a bit of stevia. For a protein punch add in a bit of yogurt, kefir or protein powder. You can add any supplement (liquid or powder) to your mix. Just make sure that if you are taking a fat soluble supplement (Vit D, A, cod liver oil or a liposomal product that you have a bit of yogurt or coconut milk to help make it suspend properly. If the supplement makes it too gritty add in lightly chopped fruit for extra texture.
Here are a couple of really lovely bases that you can start with and build up from there. Both of these have a bit of good fat content and can handle any type of supplements.
Pomegranate Swirl (From Women's Health Magazine by By Rachel Meltzer Warren, R .D)
These pleasingly tart frozen treats manage to pack three whole grams of protein into a 50-calorie serving.
8 oz pomegranate juice
1/2 cup plain 2% Greek yogurt
Fill two-thirds of each ice-pop mold with pomegranate juice. Add enough yogurt to fill the molds to the top, about 2 tablespoons per mold. Slide a knife or chopstick into each mold and swirl until a pattern forms. Insert sticks and freeze for about 8 hours.
Per serving: 50 cal, 1 g fat (0 g sat), 10 g carbs, 15 mg sodium, 0 g fiber, 3 g protein
The easiest way to boost your treats is to add a green drink to your mix. Try Happy Planet's Green Extreme, or juice your own kale/spinach (steaming first can help). Green can be a tough color for kids, so mix with lots of strawberry or blueberry puree to make a purple frozen treat. A slightly easier option is to mix in cucumber or avocado puree. Avocado makes a nice light green creamy puree and works brilliantly with yogurt, coconut milk and fruits like mango, lime or kiwi. Beet juice or even a bit of puree is perfect with any red fruit (pomegranate or strawberry) juice. The best sweeteners are agave, honey or a bit of stevia. For a protein punch add in a bit of yogurt, kefir or protein powder. You can add any supplement (liquid or powder) to your mix. Just make sure that if you are taking a fat soluble supplement (Vit D, A, cod liver oil or a liposomal product that you have a bit of yogurt or coconut milk to help make it suspend properly. If the supplement makes it too gritty add in lightly chopped fruit for extra texture.
Here are a couple of really lovely bases that you can start with and build up from there. Both of these have a bit of good fat content and can handle any type of supplements.
Pomegranate Swirl (From Women's Health Magazine by By Rachel Meltzer Warren, R .D)
These pleasingly tart frozen treats manage to pack three whole grams of protein into a 50-calorie serving.
8 oz pomegranate juice
1/2 cup plain 2% Greek yogurt
Fill two-thirds of each ice-pop mold with pomegranate juice. Add enough yogurt to fill the molds to the top, about 2 tablespoons per mold. Slide a knife or chopstick into each mold and swirl until a pattern forms. Insert sticks and freeze for about 8 hours.
Per serving: 50 cal, 1 g fat (0 g sat), 10 g carbs, 15 mg sodium, 0 g fiber, 3 g protein
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Autoimmune support and the Paleo Blog I love!
A very good friend of mine has a brilliant blog dedicated to the Paleo diet called ThePaleoMom. She has amazing recipes (many of which are suitable for families following the Specific Carbohydrate Diet for Autism support) and tips for great whole foods and healthy cooking. She asked if I'd do a guest post about how I treat Autoimmune conditions. I thought I'd link to her Autoimmune diet info and the following is my autoimmune thoughts from my guest post.
So let’s start with the basics of how an autoimmune process does its thing. Basically, the immune system is triggered (sometimes by a virus, sometimes by bacteria or foods in the gut) and that starts things going. This pathway triggers inflammation and causes the immune system to be on high alert to the original trigger. Unfortunately, in an autimmune process the immune system confuses (cross-reacts) our own body tissues with the original trigger. So when these immune cells come in contact with those normal tissues it attacks and reinitiates the inflammation turning it into a bit of a runaway train. Conventional treatment is to suppress the immune system trying to tamp down the reaction. This is usually effective but just manages the symptoms. The Naturopathic approach is to find and eliminate the original trigger and help the body to restore appropriate control of the immune system. Sometimes both approaches are needed, especially initially if the system is pretty aggravated, but in the long run people tend to get much better success with addressing the underlying issue rather than just suppressing symptoms.
In Sarah’s post about the Autoimmune protocol she talks about the importance of addressing the gut. While it may sound so strange to address the belly when we’re talking about eczema or rheumatoid arthritis , the gut plays an enormous role in managing the immune system. There are huge patches of immune cells lining the gut protecting us from bacteria or parasites in our foods. The healthy bacteria (or probiotics) living within the gut act as schooling grounds, training our body to be less allergic by triggering for different chemicals to be released. You can imagine that if there are any food sensitivities or unhealthy bacteria or fungi present, then all that immune tissue is going to react and cause inflammation and lots of potential for cross reactions. If you don’t have enough good healthy bacteria (normal flora), then they won’t be able to help the immune system to regulate itself. If the gut becomes damaged enough (because of ongoing food sensitivities or some medications) then it allows undigested proteins to get into the body whole, which increases the potential for food sensitivities and cross reactions to occur.
As I mentioned above, the first step to modulating the immune system is to find and address the gut immune triggers, whether they are food sensitivities or abnormal flora. Sarah’s asked me to do another post later to discuss food sensitivity testing so check back later for that. Once they are identified, we can limit or avoid those foods to allow the immune system to settle down. Occasionally, we need to look at testing to identify if there are any harmful bacteria or fungi present and we can address those with diet (Paleo and SCD are ideal) and often with herbal or prescription antibacterials/antifungals. Probiotics serve double duty by preventing harmful bacteria and fungi from taking up residence in the gut and also by stimulating normal immune regulation by releasing regulatory chemicals called cytokines. It’s always wise to research probiotics or consult a Naturopath first as there are lots available over the counter but purity, potency and freshness are significant issues.
Even once the triggers have been identified and eliminated, many people need to heal their gut in order to prevent new food sensitivities from developing. There are lots of protocols for doing this and the SCD or Specific Carbohydrate Diet was specifically designed to do this. I often do a multistep process with probiotics, digestive enzymes, fiber, omega 3 fatty acids and a product for intestinal healing. This can be accomplished with diet rather than supplementation by increasing bone broths, coconut oils, cabbage and fiber, lots of fish and nuts and seeds. But I have occasionally found that the gut is too compromised at the outset to be able to properly digest these foods without supplemental support.
The last step is to directly affect the immune system. A word of caution: This is a too tricky to do without discussing with a qualified practitioner (I’d recommend a licensed Naturopathic physician) that is knowledgeable about herbal medicine and their interactions with medications. There are many herbs that modulate the immune system, that is to say help boost it when its underfunctional and help to control it if its too active, but obviously there is lots to consider before starting any of these. Some include: Echinacea species, Rehmannia, Albezia, Nettles and Quercitin. Do not add any of these herbs (no not even Echinacea!) if you have an active autoimmune process without first discussing it with a licensed Naturopathic Physician.
I hope this has been a helpful primer on autoimmune support and keep an eye out here for more information on food sensitivity testing. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to email or post via my blog, where you can also find more tips about current news topics, allergies, Autism and other Naturopathic topics.
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