 The psychosocial impact of acne is well-known and is severe enough to be the subject of several major studies in prominent journals. Acne is THE most common skin condition in the US affecting approximately 50 million Americans each year. Depression, anxiety and lack of self-confidence due to facial acne leads to time-off from school and work and the costs associated with this loss of productivity has been estimated to be as high as $400million (Statistics 2013)!! If that number is not staggering enough on its own, the total cost of acne treatments combined with the cost of lost productivity were approximated to be $1.2 billion! Numbers aside, in my practice I have personally witnessed and documented the social difficulties experienced by patients suffering from varying degrees of acne. Besides the physical discomfort, the negative impact of persistent acne on a patient's overall well-being varies based on many factors including their perception and understanding of the disease, underlying self-esteem issues and extent of support from family and friends. In this era of social media, the age group of 10-20 years olds are affected the most. So while counseling and use of psychotherapy and can help with many of these self-esteem & confidence factors, it still remains important for the patient (in their own words) - to 'get rid of the acne'! Almost all these patients usually have been through some combination of the following conventional treatments for acne:
So what else can be done? Most acne sufferers already know that acne is not just 'skin-deep' and there is more to it's story - i,e. cause and recurrence.There are many naturopathic herbal remedies that can help with acne symptoms, but I have observed for a long time now that there is one thing that seems to be the underlying root cause for the presence and persistence of acne vulgaris. The one thing that can be linked to all of the factors often listed as its cause such as:
What is that one thing? If you follow my blog, it is likely that you have guessed the answer. It is in fact the state of your gut! The gastrointestinal tract, the source of your nutrients also harbors a large percentage of your immune cells and major immune modulators - your intestinal flora of bacteria, archae and viruses. This microflora (also known as the microbiome) can change based on a person's diet, environmental factors, disease states, toxin exposure and yes, hormonal changes. The influence of the microbiome on our hormones and vice-versa is a major field of study in the scientific world right now and even though its implications are yet to be fully understood, current studies have sufficient data to define what a healthy microbiome constitutes and it's potential impact of an unhealthy one on various systems of your body. In 2017, an interesting study by Clarke et al. was published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. It summarized how plant-based herbal supplements can influence the microbiome, which in turn influences the levels of inflammation and androgen production leading to a targeted impact on the skin. Following a diet that includes low-glycemic foods and lots of fiber rich plant-based foods does not just influence blood glucose levels, but also shifts the microbial balance in favor of lower inflammation and therefore, lower permeability of the gut. With a gut lining that is very selective about what is being absorbed into your bloodstream and then being transported to various organs including the skin, the rate of new lesions goes down significantly. Plus, older lesions and scars heal much more rapidly with the use of appropriate non-toxic cleansers and healing agents, when the gut microbiome is truly balanced- that is, topical treatments are more effective when combined with the treatment of the underlying cause. The diagram below from the study mentioned above, provides an insight into the interconnected process :  Diagram credit:Ashley K. Clark 1, Kelly N. Haas 2 and Raja K. Sivamani 2,3,* Edible Plants and Their Influence on the Gut Microbiome and Acne. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2017, 18, 1070 How do you know what needs correction/balancing in the gut and specifically the microbiome?
This is where the power of naturopathic medicine comes in. A thorough evaluation of a person's diet, bowel habits, all factors affecting the acne, i,e. cyclic changes, stress levels, travel etc combined with comprehensive testing can help determine the most appropriate dietary and lifestyle changes and list of herbal supplements that can help resolve the occurrence and recurrence of acne lesions. Time and again, I have seen this as a successful approach to treating acne in my practice; as the skin clears, patients report that their confidence and productivity at work/school/social settings increases dramatically. Questions? If you feel that you or a friend need help with acne, please be sure to share this blog's link. As I always say, whether you are curious or concerned, come in for a 20-minute conversation to figure out if naturopathic medicine is right for you. Go ahead, aim for that healthy, glowing skin!
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 Like each year, January is the month when we set our health goals for the year and are determined to follow through until...life's gets busy again! End of January is typically the time when your resolutions are being tested and how the rest of the year goes depends on what choices you make now. To help you with just one aspect of this year's resolution, that is, eating healthy, here is a checklist of 5 things to avoid when we must rely on processed and packaged foods, especially for snacks. As a reminder, healthiest options such as fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds for snacks should be at the top of the list and processed & packaged foods should be used occasionally when hosting an event, travelling or just needing a change in taste. If you have children, you know the need to have a huge stack of snacks available at short notice for those sudden hunger pangs, last minute play dates or times when fruit just won't satisfy those tiny taste buds! The golden rule when choosing packaged foods is of course: Read the Ingredients! Not just how many calories, fats or sugar is in each serving size. Know what exactly you are eating. To make this process quick and efficient (and less confusing) here are the 5 main ingredients/ingredient categories that should watch out for and avoid when choosing your packaged snacks:
 This list not an an exhaustive list of ingredients or ingredient groups that you need to avoid, but a list with the important ones to get you started. When faced with nutritional challenges and dietary limitations such as being gluten or dairy free, it is even more crucial that the processed and packaged foods that you rely on, be free of unnecessary and harmful ingredients.
By consistently reading labels, eventually you will be able to narrow down your choices to a few favorite brands that you can trust. One of my favorite brands is #EnjoyLife- check it out here! More questions? Please feel free to call our office and set up your Free Consultation. Until next time!  IBS or irritable bowel syndrome is generally considered a diagnosis of exclusion by the medical community. What this means is that, the common pattern of symptoms associated with IBS such as, bloating, abdominal pain and cramping, loose and/or frequent stools, sometimes alternating with constipation, burping and /or passing gas do not seem to have an ‘organic’ or infectious cause, and these symptoms cannot be attributed to either of the following:
Since the symptoms are present with the absence of a plausible cause, a diagnosis cannot be established due to lack of apparent cause and therefore, the ‘diagnosis of exclusion’ i.e. IBS, is assigned to patients with such symptoms. With no apparent cause, IBS patients are conventionally treated with prescription or over-the-counter medications such as antacids, laxatives, anti-diarrhea pills, anti-nausea pills and gas relievers such as Simethicone that provide symptom relief. Some patients are also referred to psychotherapy because of a well established correlation of mental anxiety with IBS. Note that this is correlation and not a causation. It can be a debilitating diagnosis as it affects family, work and social life for most patients with having to excuse oneself for urgent bathroom breaks or plan a family vacation around accessibility to the restrooms or simply face the embarrassment of “whodunit” when they pass odorous gas!  In naturopathic medicine, since the the focus the is on treating the root cause instead of symptom relief, I always begin with investigating these three main factors that may be responsible for irritating your bowel system: 1) Anything coming in contact with the lining of the bowels Investigating foods that you eat on a regular basis to check for food sensitivities and delayed allergic reactions is critical. Most common culprits in this arena include dairy, gluten containing grains, corn, nuts, soy but you maybe sensitive to a food that is generally considered healthy and nutrition packed. Examples of such foods include:
irritating the intestinal lining and are reviewed as well. 2) Imbalance in the gut flora Whether it is due to a recent course of antibiotics or an extended period of stress, the balance of normal friendly bacteria in the digestive system can be greatly affected. There are multiple species and strains of bacteria, viruses, fungi and archaea that live in the digestive tract and some have a much more beneficial presence than others. The beneficial strains assist in functions such as digestion, absorption, immune signaling and even neurotransmitter balance. The non-beneficial strains may not be pathogenic (i.e. disease causing) but still be contributing to IBS symptoms by competing for resources with the beneficial bugs. 3) Lack of adequate enzymes leading to improper digestion Chronic stress, antimicrobials and medications can negatively affect the production of the natural digestive “juices” such as enzymes and hydrochloric acid (HCL), that are crucial for the appropriate break down of foods into the macro and micro nutrients. These macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats need to be further broken down into the building blocks for our body to assimilate and utilize for its various functions. When foods are improperly digested, symptoms such as gas, bloating, pain can result in the short-term but can have a much more serious long-term impact due to resulting nutrient deficiencies and chronic disease. Identifying and correcting these three factors frequently result in both immediate symptom relief and the long lasting benefit of ‘calmer’ and ‘not so irritable’ bowels. With such a multifactorial approach, patients often report that their bowels appear to be less affected by their mental-emotional state, indicating a much more resilient digestive system. If you or someone you know, suffer through the inconvenience and social withdrawal associated with IBS, please contact our office to set up a free consultation.  "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" This quote attributed to Benjamin Franklin, was not in the context of medicine, but it surely reflects the 6th principle applied in the practice of naturopathic medicine: Prevention. This principle has many layers of meaning similar to to our 1st principle, First, do no harm! It permeates through all of the first 5 principles and therefore, is automatically incorporated in practice, if the first 5 principles are sustained. The three most important aspects of this principle include:
Throughout this week, my goal has been to provide an insight into the mind of a naturopathic doctor and the various intricacies that I try to address why creating a detailed treatment plan for our patients. NDs are trained as all doctors, to follow an evidence-based approach to treatment and continually update their knowledge about the latest research in nutrition, pharmacology, pharmacognosy and environmental medicine. What I enjoy most is the challenge of figuring out how evidenced-based information can be applied individually to each patient, while still keeping in line with naturopathic principles. I hope that I have at least partially achieved my goal this past week. Thanks for reading and please be sure to leave comments and feedback. Wrapping up #NatMedWeek2018!    Continuing my series of blogs on the principles of naturopathic medicine, our next principle, which explains why NDs make an effort at every single visit to educate their patients: Doctor as Teacher.
The origin of the word ‘doctor’ comes from the Latin word ‘doctor’ which means ‘teacher’, which in fact originates from the Latin verb ‘docere’ = “to teach”. I was not aware of this fact until my undergrad years, when I chose a course purely out of interest, about the Latin and Greek origins of English words. What a fascinating fact this was! However, I only truly understood the meaning of the word doctor and this principle, once I had joined naturopathic school. Now, having been in clinical practice for over 10 years, it is obvious to me why my duties as a doctor are intertwined with that of an educator. And for you see it as obviously as me, I just listed the primary responsibilities of a traditional teacher inspired from my daughter’s wonderful school teachers:
Now, if you were to go back and read those responsibilities and replace the word ‘student’ with ‘patient’, it easily explains the why the Doctor is also a Teacher. The curriculum and goals are unique to each patient! As a naturopathic doctor, I educate my patients about their health, actions they can take to correct a deficiency, to improve their energy, to reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke and sometimes about something as simple as home care remedies for fighting off a cold. I allow them to ask questions and provide answers when I can, or refer them to specialists when necessary. I make them aware of various health resources available to them and how they can be used to their benefit. It is also my role to monitor their progress and explain what they need to change. Besides providing a treatment solution, I also provide ongoing support and coaching, so they can implement their treatment plans and achieve their health objectives. I would like to end this blog, with a special note for my patients. As much as I am a ‘teacher’ for them, each & every patient has been a teacher for me! I have learned from my patients about resilience, inner strength, happiness, the ability to fail and yet keep going and most importantly, the importance of being compassionate and need for constant learning. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to be part of your healthcare team. Sign off for today – the real Day# 4 (yesterday was a typo!)  The above quote gives an insight into the next two principles of naturopathic medicine: Treat the Whole Person and Treat the Root Cause. The same disease can manifest as different symptoms for different patients. If you identify why the patient has a particular disease, that is, why this patient and not another, you may be able to treat them much more effectively. I thought the best way to illustrate these two principles would be through patient stories as case examples. Both patients A & B in the stories below had identical major concerns and official diagnoses at their initial intake visits but since the root cause of the problem and the patients were very unlike each other, so were their treatment plans and corresponding results: MAIN CONCERN: Difficulty losing weight and keeping it off, tried many diets/ programs MAIN DIAGNOSIS: Obesity Other official diagnosis common to both cases: Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension, High Cholesterol Patient A:
Root Cause Assessed to be:
Initial Recommendations:
Result in 6 months:
**He went on to lose over 200lbs by the end of his complete treatment and is now an animal rights activist and marathon runner. Yes, you read that right- not a typo, You can read more about him and his complete weight loss journey in his book named, Walking with Peety. Patient B:
Root Cause Assessed to be:
Initial Recommendations: Counseling provided on healthy, balanced vegan diet and frequency of visits set at every 2 weeks.
Result in 6 months:
Patient B is still an active patient is continuing to lose weight at her steady rate of 3 lbs/month. She has recently been diagnosed with Sleep apnea and upon correcting that she lost > 5lbs in one month and no longer has elevated BP. As you realized, both patients were very different: male vs. female, single vs. in long term relationship, lonely vs. socially active and more. Therefore, the investigation was very different for both even with the exact same diagnoses! Both had positive outcomes, though with varying degrees, and were content with their results. That is the power of Naturopathic Medicine! Signing off for today! Day4 #NatMedWeek. Be sure to call us if you need help with your weight loss journey Yes, you do. You just don’t think of it as a ‘machine’ and maybe surprised to know that I am referring to the human body! In today’s post, I am going to compare the functioning of the human body to that of a device, with the aim of highlighting it’s tremendous power to self-correct or heal, when allowed to do so. This will help me illustrate the second principle of Naturopathic Medicine: Vis Medicatrix Naturae (Latin) or Stimulating the Healing Power of Nature.  To illustrate how amazing the healing power of nature is and to make things interesting, I am going to compare it’s functioning to some common electronic devices we use daily. Viewing the the nature-made human body to man-made devices, may make it easier to provide a better understanding of the tremendous healing power of nature. See what happens in case of minor injuries (Scenario1) and major injuries (Scenario2) in this situation: Device falls on hard tiled floor. As you can see, even our smartest devices are unable to repair themselves for smallest of problems. Whereas the human body has a tremendous capacity fro healing and full recovery, when given the adequate support and care. There are limitations of course and the extent recovery depends on several factors including, genetics, a person’s nutritional status, ability to follow self-care instructions and follow through with rehabilitation.
Naturopathic Doctors focus on removing any obstacles to full recovery such as improper diet, lack of sleep routine and lifestyle modifications and providing additional support with healing herbs and supplements. Symptomatic relief such as for pain in the case of injuries, is given equal importance and typically treated with homeopathic and herbal supplements that are more effective, not addictive and have less side-effects than OTC or prescription medications. Pain or symptom relief is particularly important from the perspective of supporting mental-emotional health that can contribute majorly to the healing power of the body. As a Naturopathic Doctor, when I think about the healing power of the body, elaborate diagrams of immune cells, long lists of pro-inflammatory versus anti-inflammatory cytokines and all the nutrients involved in the process that we studied in naturopathic medical school, flash across my mind all at the same time. Yet, for the human body, it is a simple, well-defined process. My respect for this healing power increases daily as I realize that all of that "simple complexity" has not yet been duplicated in man-made devices even with seemingly rapid progress in the field of AI (Artificial Intelligence). Leaving you with those thoughts, until tomorrow, Happy Day2 of #NatMedWeek2018!  During Naturopathic Medicine Week this year, each day I hope to elaborate on each of the 6 principles that define the practice of Naturopathic Medicine. The reason being that these principles are what unite our profession. Licensed Naturopathic doctors (NDs) may choose to include some or all of the modalities in their practice such as, clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, pharmacology, IV nutrition and physical medicine, but the treatment plans are still created based on the six guiding principles. Today we begin the first and foremost principle which is familiar to people as a being a part of the original Hippocratic Oath: “First, do no harm” Sounds simple enough and may seem self-explanatory - the treatment recommended by a doctor should not cause further harm to the patient. However, this simple phrase has a much deeper meaning when applied in Naturopathic Medicine. Two main implications of this principle are:
 The initial intake visit with most NDs is at least an hour long in order to assess how multiple factors in a patient’s life may have contributed to and shaped their current state of health. This is what provides the context. This includes recording past injuries, surgeries, major illnesses, major life changes such as job change/loss, current living conditions & strain/status of relationships, dietary habits, drug & food allergies, exercise routine, social & lifestyle preferences and spiritual practices. This gives the doctor a 360 degree view of what makes the patient who they are and what changes can be made to stop further harm. After a thorough history, physical examination and assessment, treatment recommendations that follow the use of the least invasive therapies come into 4 major categories:
"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease" Please be sure to call us for any of your health needs and will be happy to assist you. Thank you for reading and be sure to share if you would like to join me in creating more awareness about licensed Naturopathic Doctors!  This year the onset of seasonal allergies in the Bay Area was earlier than it’s usual time frame of late March to early April. Many of my patients, were caught off-guard and rushed for various combinations of over-the counter anti-histamines, supplements, homeopathic remedies, nasal sprays in a desperate attempt to seek relief. The common symptoms of seasonal allergies such as headaches, uncontrollable sneezing, post-nasal drip, sore throats, itchy eyes & runny nose, and fatigue are a source of major discomfort for many people and frequently result in low productivity or even time-off from work and school. The rates of occurrence for allergies has been steadily increasing and in the US, nasal allergy symptoms are known to affect about 6.1 million children and 20 million adults. Have you ever wondered why you experience these symptoms while others such as your colleagues (and maybe even your boss!), friends and family members cruise through spring without so much as a sneeze or sniffle? Why do even the best of medications seems ineffective in some years and force you to find a new source of relief? What could you do to prevent these symptoms from returning each year, other than take pills for symptom relief? The answers to those questions may be inside you...in your gut.  For me, as a naturopathic doctor, investigating the digestive system is part of treating the whole person. It provides an ‘inside-out’ picture of the system which is the primary source of our sustenance. It holds answers to the underlying cause of multiple health issues including seasonal allergies. Connection between seasonal allergies and the digestive system Numerous studies have shown that there is a link between gastrointestinal (GI) inflammation and an allergic response to environmental triggers such as pollen. Studies have also tried to investigate whether there is a correlation between the intensity of inflammation in the GI tract with hay fever symptoms. In my practice, I am yet to see a case where allergies are not linked to the GI tract. Treating the underlying GI inflammation results in a corresponding decrease in the severity of allergic symptoms. Based on patient feedback, their need for allergy medication and supplements decreases over time, and becomes limited to days with a high pollen count rather than all throughout the change of season. The sustained GI inflammation often causes the person’s immune system to remain in an up-regulated or over-stimulated state. Once this immune activation is addressed, the inflammation decreases and can lead to a higher threshold for allergies to environmental triggers. To be clear, safe and effective allergy medications such anti-histamines, and supplements such as quercitin, vitamin C, nettle extract, should definitely be used when needed for an allergy attack and for immediate symptom relief. However, after years of chronic use, most people report the need to change the type of medication, increase the dose of the medication or change in the combination of allergy shots that they have been receiving, as the previous combination of treatments starts to seem ineffective. Therefore, when the underlying overactive immune system is addressed, a lower dose of these medications may still be effective, when used on an as needed basis.  Causes of inflammation in the gut. The inflammation in the GI tract can stem from one or more of the following, and each factor needs to be addressed in order to lower the inflammation:
On a side-note, the concept of ‘histamine-intolerance’ is being investigated by researchers. Some people have a genetically reduced ability to breakdown histamine and may need anti-histamine medication on a regular basis to keep their allergies at bay. More research is needed to support this idea. Also, as already established research indicates, genes are not your destiny. They can be turned on and off with changes in the cellular environment, which in turn can be affected by a myriad of factors, including your microbiome and overall, gut health. In conclusion, keeping your gut healthy by eliminating common food allergens and attending to other gut health factors, can have a tremendous impact on your tolerance to the seasonal increase in pollen,mold and other environmental triggers. You do not have to suffer from allergies! To take control of your health, initiate the first step and begin the healing your gut inflammation. As your gut/GI inflammation improves, you may actually become that person who gets through allergy season without a sneeze or a sniffle! If you have any comments or questions regarding treatment of allergies at our clinic, please post them in the comments section or you can email us at info@coreintegrative.com. Wishing you an allergy-free spring! Preeti Kulkarni,ND References 1) Georgios Rentzos,1 Vanja Lundberg,2 Per-Ove Stotzer,3 Teet Pullerits,1 and Esbjörn Telemo2 Intestinal allergic inflammation in birch pollen allergic patients in relation to pollen season, IgE sensitization profile and gastrointestinal symptoms Clin Transl Allergy. 2014; 4: 19. Published online 2014 May 30. doi: 10.1186/2045-7022-4-19 2)Eigenmann PA1, Oh JW, Beyer K. Diagnostic testing in the evaluation of food allergy. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2011 Apr;58(2):351-62, ix. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2011.02.003. 3) Legatzki A1, Rösler B, von Mutius E. Microbiome diversity and asthma and allergy risk. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2014 Oct;14(10):466. doi: 10.1007/s11882-014-0466-0. 4) Ho MH1, Wong WH, Chang C. Clinical spectrum of food allergies: a comprehensive review.Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2014 Jun;46(3):225-40. doi: 10.1007/s12016-012-8339-6. 5) Muir AB1,2, Benitez AJ3, Dods K1, Spergel JM2,3, Fillon SA4,5. Microbiome and its impact on gastrointestinal atopy. Allergy. 2016 Sep;71(9):1256-63. doi: 10.1111/all.12943. Epub 2016 Jun 23.  Being a naturopathic doctor, I frequently get asked questions regarding supplements. Questions such as, what supplements need to be taken on a regular basis, or which supplements can help boost the immune system or prevent onset of long term disease. Sometimes I get questions about safety, brand recommendations or whether a specific product making headlines in the news is really as good as it sounds. For most of these questions, my immediate answer is usually the same: it depends. It depends on multiple factors such as your lifestyle factors, your current underlying health concerns and dietary habits. I then continue to explain that all of this information combined is what helps me make the right recommendations for my patients. With my patients, I have the privilege of being able to evaluate their needs and then choose exactly what supplements they will need to take and for how long. Some maybe necessary for a short while to help recover from acute symptoms but some may need to be taken for much longer in order to resolve nutrient deficiencies or correct an underlying functional disruption. With friends and new acquaintances, I do my best to educate them about the need for such a complete evaluation to accurately assess the right supplements that would benefit them. However, I recently realized that when someone asks ‘what should I take for …..?’, the explanation for need for evaluation aggravates rather than helps the person asking the question (I have been there!). This is the reason that I spent a some time thinking about how I could answer these supplement related questions. The first question that I asked myself was: Are there any supplements that I could potentially recommend to anyone without an elaborate history? The answer is yes! I realized that there are three supplements – or categories of supplements- that I usually prescribe with specific dose and brand recommendations for my patients (who have had a formal evaluation) and these can also be recommended at a maintenance dose to family, friends and general acquaintances, after obtaining just a few details. These 3 types of supplements are often a part of many of my patients’ long term disease prevention and optimal living health plans. Since optimal health begins in the gut, it is no surprise that 2 of these 3 supplements support the digestive system.  Based on my review of research studies and clinical experience, I believe that these can be beneficial for most people to support good health: 1) Probiotics. This is the one supplement group from which almost everyone can benefit. Probiotics are available in capsule, powdered and even in health drink forms and all have different combinations of bacterial strains. These are the strains of bacteria present naturally in our intestinal tract and science is just beginning to understand the complete impact of our symbionts or ‘house guests’. For many reasons including super-clean environments, liberal use of antibiotics and chronic stress, most people have either low levels of these beneficial strains or an unhealthy gut environment that allows foreign, disease causing strains to grow rapidly compared to the healthy strains. A proper balance of these microbes, can help with keeping the immune system up to speed, having healthy skin, improving allergy symptoms, alleviating IBS symptoms (irritable bowel syndrome) and in general, in optimal digestion and absorption of nutrients. This ecosystem of microbes in our gut is very dynamic and can change depending on the person’s diet, lifestyle, medication intake, stress and environmental exposures. How do you choose one that is right for you? Assuming you do not have any major diseases relating to the digestive system (parasites, bacterial overgrowth, infectious diarrhea), choose a probiotic supplement that is appropriate for your age, gender and mild symptoms like constipation or gas. If taken correctly, symptom relief is observed in two weeks to a month, usually with many ‘side-benefits. 2)Digestive enzymes Two commonly used the phrases: ‘fight or flight’ and ‘rest and digest’ define how our body reacts to internal and external stimuli. These are evolutionary mechanisms that are designed to help our body focus on the task at hand when necessary or relax and enjoy our meals. Our busy lifestyles demand that we fit more and more in our daily schedules and balance various responsibilities, rarely allowing us to be free of stress and in the rest-digest mode. When we are under stress constantly, our digestive system and reproductive systems are ‘put on a back burner’ and priority is given to ensuring a rapid heartbeat and blood supply to the brain, lungs and organs vital for a good stress response. Chronic stress therefore, can lead to sub-optimal function of our digestive system and taking digestive enzymes with meals, while simultaneously working on stress management and incorporating a good lifestyle, can help prevent nutrient deficiencies and other diseases. Choosing an enzyme is more work than probiotics, however, start with a combination that contains enzymes that help with digesting different food groups like carbohydrates (lactase, amylase), proteins (proteases) and fats (lipases). 3) B-complex The recommendation of this supplement is related to the stress response mentioned above. I often recommend a B-complex over a multivitamin because the vitamins in the B group (B1,B2,B3,B5,B6,B12) tend to be rapidly utilized by our fight or flight system, physiologically known as the sympathetic nervous system. Taking Vitamin B’s in their active form is important for proper absorption and assimilation to feel their benefits. Women who are on birth control pills and people with acid reflux that have been on acid-suppressing medications (proton-pump inhibitors such as Prevacid) tend to lose B-vitamins rapidly and a proper repletion will prevent some of the side-effects of these medications. Additionally, B-vitamins are water soluble and are readily discarded from the body when an excess is detected, making them highly unlikely to accumulate in tissues and cause negative effects. For choosing a B-complex, speak with your doctor first, especially if you are on any prescription medications, to ensure there are no interactions. Many of you are probably thinking: why is a multivitamin not mentioned in the above supplements? There are many reasons for this but I will mention some that are most critical:
I hope that this post is helpful in making decisions about supplementation but as always speak with your health care provider before you start any new supplements. I have tried to highlight the importance of gut health and stress management in staying healthy and to emphasize the need for choosing supplements based on a thorough evaluation and taking into consideration many different factors. One does not fit all. I will be sure to write another blog post on how to identify a good, clean brand and difference between over the counter and doctor’s office supplements.
If you would like to know more about what a health evaluation involves and would like specific guidance with your health, you are always welcome to request a free consult through our website or call my office: 408.724.1486. Wishing you good health! Preeti Kulkarni,ND |
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