It's GREAT to B Complex!!

No doubt I love anti-aging, functional, integrative, and regenerative medicine. I'm now getting referrals from physicians who want to incorporate some of the natural therapies into the mix for their patients. I had a young mother sent by her doctor a few months ago to ask what we could do for her young son who continually gets infections and as a result, breathing difficulties. I directed her to some simple "wellness" essentials to bolster his immune system in nursing him back to health. Interestingly, we have not filled any prescription medicine for him in awhile, but mom keeps coming back for the supplements. It's a great thing to be able to advise on complimentary medicines.

Today's blog gives particular focus on the B vitamins. WOW!!! In my research I couldn't believe all of the unusual symptoms that can be brought on by a B deficiency. Cracks at the corners of the mouth, flaking skin, migraines, cholesterol problems, and constipation are just a few of the things you will discover in this blog today. Young women on birth control pills and women on hormone replacement therapies for an extended period of time can expect vitamin B deficiencies because of the metabolic processes required to use the hormones appropriately in the body.

Please take time to read each deficiency and what can happen, but even further, get on a B COMPLEX vitamin asap. We carry a high pharmaceutical grade formulation that provides these and other key vitamin essentials.

The B vitamins are critical to our bodies and deficiencies can result in the most unusual of symptoms. This is a little breakdown of the key B vitamins and what they do, the deficiency related symptoms, and the primary anti-aging functions of certain B vitamins. I hope that after reading this you will realize that high pharmaceutical grade B COMPLEX vitamins can change things from the inside-out.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

Benefits:
Recent studies suggest that high-dose B1 supplementation can help diabetics reduce their risk of kidney disease by reducing the spilling of protein in the urine by as much as 40%. B1 is also known as the "morale" vitamin because it helps convert carbs into energy, promotes growth, aids in digestion, and is essential for nerves, muscles, and the heart.

Symptoms of B1 deficiency:
mental illness, paralysis of some eye muscles, foot drop, decreased sensation in the legs and feet along with a "burning" sensation in the feet. Alcohol interferes with B1 absorption and leads to some of these problems in those who consume alcohol regularly.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

Benefits:
B2 is manufactured in the body by the intestinal flora and helps in the metabolism of proteins, fats, and carbs. B2 may be useful in people with severe burns, chronic diarrhea, cirrhosis of the liver, alcoholism, and cancer. People who exercise a lot typically have an increased need for B2 supplementation. B2 may also reduce the frequency of migraine headaches. It also has shown benefit for patient with degenerative eye diseases.

Symptoms of B2 deficiency:
Cheilosis (cracks at the corner of the mouth), frayed and scaling lips, eczema, flaking skin around the nose, eyebrows, chin, cheeks, earlobes, and hairline; bloodshot, watering, itching, and fatigued appearing eyes, "pins and needles" sensations, weakness, moodiness, nervousness, and irritability can all be connected to B2 deficiency.

Vitamin B3 (Niacin, Niacinamide, Nicotinic Acid, Nicotinamide)

Benefits: Cholesterol reduction, protection of cognitive function, and in improving memory in Alzheimers disease. B3 also helps in the synthesis of hormones.

Symptoms of B3 Deficiency:
pellagra (symptoms include dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia), bright red tongue, sore tongue and gums, canker sores, mental illness, changes in the five senses, rheumatoid arthritis, weakness, irritability, recurring headaches, indigestion, bad breath, insomnia, and small ulcers.

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid, Panthenol)

Benefits:
B5 is necessary to make acetylcholine and coenzyme A which play an important role in energy release from fats, protein, and carbs. It also helps to synthesize steroids and antibodies to fight infections. B5 is important for the health of the adrenal glands and the production of cortisone.
It is sometimes called an "anti-stress" vitamin because it boosts the immune system and helps the body to withstand stressful conditions. It also has gained attention as a weight loss agent.

Symptoms of B5 Deficiency:
burning sensation in the feet, enlarged tongue, eczema, restlessness, muscle cramps, constipation, depression, overwhelming fatigue, allergies, arthritis, gout, and graying hair.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

Benefits:
B6 metabolizes proteins, fats, and carbs. It also helps in maintaining a healthy nervous and blood system. It is required for the formation of hemoglobin in red blood cells and antibodies to fight infection. It also helps lower homocysteine levels and reduces the risk of cancers, especially of the colon where the risk was lowered by 20%.

Symptoms of B6 Deficiency:
greasy, scaly dermatitis between the eyebrows, low blood sugar, numbness in the hands and feet, motion sickness, kidney stones, excessive fatigue, cradle cap in babies, and much more. Government surveys suggest that 1/3 of American adults suffer from B6 deficiency!

Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin)

Benefits: Formation of red and white blood cells are dependent on B12. Experts think that as many as 1 in 5 people have a B12 deficiency. Increased cognitive function, energy, and muscle strength all can be realized by having appropriate B12 levels in the body. An even more important deal with B12 is that it helps reduce homocysteine levels which we know contributes to heart disease.

Symptoms of B12 Deficiency:

Cognitive decline, fatigue, poor immunity, heart disease, a sore tongue that appears shiny, numbness and tingling in the extremities, weak pulse, stiffness, drowsiness, and irritability can all be connected to this key vitamin deficiency.

So what do you do with all this information? GET ON A GREAT B COMPLEX VITAMIN!! It's great to B Complex!! (smile) Again, we carry a physician formulated "B"ooster vitamin that covers all of these B vitamins. If you wish to get guidance on a great supplementation regimen, I'm your girl. It just makes sense that supplementing these core nutrients is good medicine.

To your good health,
Dr. Sonja

HORMONE DEFICIENCIES and EYE PROBLEMS

http://www.drdach.com/Testosterone_for_Dry_Eye.html

Uncommonly Common Climacteric Changes of the Uro-zone

I couldn't help but revisit an informational folder I have been collecting over the years of doing customized medicine on the topic of vaginal pain syndromes.  My BLOG title today is uncommonly common because this somewhat "common" alphabet soup of symptoms is "uncommonly" talked about in the outside world.  I don't mind talking about it at all because I actually make a living on helping find answers for troublesome symptoms such as this through creative medicines.  Let me give you a little insight into what happens in the urogenital zone as women age. 

During the reproductive years, three estrogens of importance are Estradiol, Estrone, and Estriol.  About five years before actual menopause, the production of Estradiol begins to decline, and after menopause the production ceases almost completely. Consequently, estrone and estriol become the main circulating estrogens.  This decrease and shift of estrogens commonly brings noticeable changes such as hot flashes, atrophy (thinning and inflammation of the vaginal walls due to a decline in estrogen), and an increased risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. 

Studies have indicated that 50% of otherwise healthy women over 60 years have symptoms of urogenital atrophy.  That's 1 in 2 and thus why I call it common.  The symptoms are vaginal dryness, pain, itching, urination complaints, recurrent vaginal infections and urinary tract infections.  The answer is often estrogen replacement therapy and we have tons of patients that get a common (there's that word again) formulation to help with these problems.  In fact, the OB/GYN's that we collaborate with will order a customized formulation for their patients needing some help in this area. (literally)

Lichen Sclerosis (LS) is another Uro-zone problem that can be associated with hormone deficiency.  LS is a benign and progressive skin disease that creates patchy, white skin usually around the genital area.  It can affect both men and women at any age, but usually is found in menopause aged females.  Some medical articles suggest that androgen deficiency (testosterone) is a culprit and that testoserone replacement therapies applied to the affected area can help promote healthy skin and healing of the wounds associated with this condition.  A soothing base can be used to promote good saturation of the therapy into the diseased tissue which gives great relief to those who suffer from this.

Sometimes with vaginal area pain there can be a neuropathic process causing pain sensitivity affecting activities of daily living.  Working with a physician to determine if the issue is related to muscle constriction of the pelvic floor, involvement of the hormonal system, genetic and disease factors, or sexually transmitted diseases is important in determining a plan of action for creative medicine interventions.  Very effective creams, suppositories, and sprays can be customized and formulated to control multiple issues contributing to the pain and on a per individual basis.

I think it's so important for women and men to know that there are options in treating these conditions.  And believe me, throughout the years, I have responded to these needs many, many times. We can cover a lot of territory (literally) in the creative medicines that we provide for these and other things. Simply talking with your personal healthcare provider is the first step in getting help.  Feel free to connect with me or have your doctor contact me about your concerns and failed attempts at healing through other medicines and means.  We are here to help in finding your answer through the means of creative medicine.

To your good health,
Dr. Sonja

Hormones and Arthritis

There are so many links to hormone deficiency that people do not give attention to. This is the reason the BLOG has become so popular I suppose.  And by the way, the BLOG is going across the globe which our team considers AMAZING.  This morning we picked up a few readers in China, Germany, and the Ukraine.  That means more and more people are being educated about their journey to health and wellness and we are a part of it.  Yeah!!

Today I wanted to highlight a common thing that I hear in my office.  Many times men and women feel that aches and pains are just a "normal" part of the aging process and something they will "just have to live with".  I put this is quotations, because these are the specific words I hear over and over again.  Many clinical studies show us that appropriately balanced hormone replacement therapy can minimize the stiffness and popping that seems to creep up on men and women as they age.  For women it's the voice of the joints screaming for Estrogen and in men for Testosterone. 

Conventional standards would require x-rays of the joints, and if severe, a blood test to rule out rheumatoid arthritis.  Then once the early osteoarthritis diagnosis is handed out, traditional medications will be started that often will include NSAID's (Anti-inflammatory medicine's like ibuprofen, naproxen, Celebrex, steroid injections, and topical creams.)  Sadly, the band-aids of medicine are applied with the same end result (although prolonged) of irreversible joint damage requiring new knees, and hips in the end. 

If you are a recent hysterectomy patient, in the late years of perimenopause, or trekking through menopause, please pay attention to how the joints are feeling.  If you are a male patient and you notice that you just can't play those golf and basketball games without hurting all over, this BLOGS for you too.  Yes, aging does bring on aches and pains, but can be exaggerated and influenced by hormone deficiency.  Get your hormone levels checked!!  This is good medicine, because it restores back what is lost.  Bio-identical Hormones will turn on the right proteins, transmitters, and bone builders to get things reset to the normal range.  Rheumatology and Arthritis journals are packed with information about this with the results showing reduced pain and inflammation if treated with hormone replacement therapy.  There's even a load of information about FIBROMYALGIA pain and hormone deficiency. 


Here are some other anti-inflammatory remedies to add on to this topic:
1) Vegetable Juicing Diets- You can read about this is Dr. Andrew Sauls book "Doctor Yourself".
2) Weight Loss- Fat produces inflammatory chemicals and your joints suffer to carry the extra load.
3) Herbs-Boswellia, Ginger, Curcumin, and Omega 3 Fish Oils.
4) Cartilage Builders-Glucosamine, Chondroitin, walking and exercise, Vitamin C, Silica, Collagen, and MSM (Methyl Sulfonyl Methane)

What about Carpal Tunnel or Trigger Finger pain?
There is a simple vitamin that can be used to help combat this problem which is vitamin B6, but you have to use the activated form.  Remember, not all supplements are created equal as I've mentioned in other BLOGS.  If you notice that the back of your hands are puffy and swollen and if you cannot touch the tips of your fingers to your palm, you might benefit from this readily available vitamin.  This sign is called a positive "Ellis sign" indicating that a trial of V-B6 is in order.  The usual dosage is 20mg 3 times daily of the activated pyridoxal-5-phosphate form. 

So, is this you?  Are your joints killing you?  (Literally) I believe in traditional medicine for sure, it's the way I was trained, but I also believe there are many other contributors to joint pain that have to be investigated in the overall scheme of things before just medicines alone are used to combat the problem.  Testing hormone values is a GREAT place to start if you are wanting to "move" in the right direction with your joint paint.  I have an entire selection of these additional supplements and herbal products that could help you feel truly "NORMAL" again.  Give me a call and I'll help.

To your good health,
Dr. Sonja

Anti-Aging Skin Care-Winning the War on Wrinkles

Our skin is one of the largest organ systems we have.  In fact, the human integumentary system  accounts for 1/6 of our total body weight.  It is designed primarily to be a barrier system to the environment both inside and outside of the body.  Some of it's functions include keeping fluid and electrolyte balance, temperature control, sensory perception, and a healthy immunity.  As we age, the skin has a tendency to become thinner and more prone to infections and cancers. Some of that is due to our poor lifestyle behaviors like sun exposure and some of it is due to the nature of aging and hormone imbalance.  In fact, women on hormone therapy in blinded scientific studies tend to look on average 8 years younger. 

We are now providing a full line of Anti-aging and medicinal skin care products that can be purchased over the counter.  The ingredients, I can tell you, are the most key cosmeceutical agents known to restore skin integrity, minimization of fine lines and wrinkles, and moisture restoration.  Problem skin?  No problem!!  We can make recommendations on things from rosacea to acne to the more common things like oily or dry skin problems.  I have been using the product line for several months now and I have seen dramatic results in my own skin "issues". 

The behavior and lifestyle of "sun-seeking" individuals has been a primary contributor to skin cancer.  It is believed that 90% of skin cancers are diagnosed at or after the age of 45.  The incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancers has risen at varying, but persistently alarming rates across the industrialized world.  Annual incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancers exceeds that of ANY OTHER cancer 5 fold.  What you thought was a great suntan in your 20's has now become a reason to have an assessment of your wrinkled skin today.  Or maybe you have age spots and unusual demarkations of the skin that seem to appear overnight.  They might disappear with something as simple as a glycolic peel available through our skin care line.  But, those can also be warning signs of something that is commonly diagnosed as basal cell carcinoma.  It's worth getting an analysis and starting treatments to minimize the problem. 

For women the changes in hormone imbalance that menopause brings with it can change the skin tissue in many areas of the body.  For today's blog I will focus on the face.  There are studies that clearly identify rapid aging associated with hormone decline.  Aging skin is at greater risk of breakdown and failure.  It is characterized by a thinner epidermis which presents sometimes with a crepe looking appearance around the eyes and on the neck area. 

In providing hormone consultations and recommendations to patients for many years now, I can tell you that the issue of skin always comes up.  This is one of the reasons that we felt we needed to address this concern and frustration of women.  So, our team is excited to share that we have chosen the Rx Skin Therapy line to use in our pharmacy. 

I have reviewed many products over the years for friends and family wanting to try something new, but this line we have chosen is based on the premise of science and quality in manufacturing.  I had the privilege of meeting with the product developer (Dr. Kristen Riddle) personally and was amazed at her thoughts and awareness of all aspects of skin care.  This started out as something small she offered to her hormone therapy patients and then grew to the point of mass distribution throughout the country. 

Please stop by or call for a personal evaluation of your skin needs and we can help you win the war on wrinkles and other skin related concerns.  I promise you will love the options we can provide for you.  We should all be diligent with our skincare.  As noted about, it is a BIG deal to our appearance, and more importantly, to our health. 

To your good SKIN health,
Dr. Sonja