JANUARY 5-6, 2019 CONNECTICUT INTEGRATIVE MEDICAL CENTER

Connecticut Integrative Medical Center located in Fairfield, CT offers integrative care from our diverse team of practitioners With combined care of medical doctor, licensed naturopathic physicians, nutritionists, and acupuncturists we will help you achieve your health goals.

I know each of these licensed naturopathic physicians very well. I was one of their professors at the UB College of naturopathic Medicine. Not only did I teach them various courses didactically, but had each of them on a clinic rotation with patients at the UB Clinic

We are unique to the State of Connecticut- we offer a variety of services as above, but also offer intravenous medically supervised drips for a variety of conditions. We specialize in Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes,Lyme, Cancer support, Autoimmune Disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Obesity, Thyroid Disease, Metal Detoxification, Male and Female Conditions and much more. I have been practicing for 25 years in the field of Integrative Medicine ( formerly known as holistic or complimentary medicine)

Our team:

1. Ryan Attar, ND MS Nutrition

2. Emma Cooke, ND MS Nutrition

3. Patrick Fratellone MD RH

4. Jenny Goto, ND , MS Acupuncture

5. Hannibal Miles, ND MS Nutrition

6. Katie Zinn, ND MS Acupuncture

Call for an appointment today 203 -717 1339

We are open six days per week, Monday through Saturday.

Until tomorrow…

JANUARY 4, 2019 FIGS

I love figs ! Figs have been part of my Italian heritage for a long time. Certain family members had fig trees in their yards. I was always curious to how these delicate trees were wrapped in the winter months. If you want to learn about FIGS read The Edible Series of Books- Figs: A Global History by David Sutton.

A recent article published by the American Botanical Council HerbalGram ( Pourmasoumi M, Ghiasvand R, Darvishi L, Hadi A, Bahreini N, Keshavarzpour Z. Comparison and assessment of flixweed and fig effects on irritable bowel syndrome with predominant constipation: A single-blind randomized clinical trial. [published September 11, 2018]. Explore. doi: 10.1016/j.explore.2018.09.003. )discussed the use of figs in IBS related constipation.

Flixweed (Descurainia sophia, Brassicaceae) and fig (Ficus carica, Moraceae) are rich in soluble and insoluble fiber. These authors conducted a single-blind, randomized, clinical trial to examine the effects of flixweed and fig on the symptoms of IBS-C and on the inflammation marker C-reactive protein (CRP). We do know that constipation and abdominal pain are associated symptoms of IBS

The authors conclude that these study results "suggested that consumption of flixweed and fig among IBS-C patients may have positive effects on IBS-C symptoms, and that these natural products could be considered as a safe therapy for this syndrome."

This study had limitations: 1. a focus on the fiber content of figs ; 2. no placebo group in the study and 3. only one marker of inflammation ) CRP) was studied More studies need to be done

Until tomorrow…

JANUARY 3, 2019 HOMOCYSTEINE

Homocysteine is a bad amino acid associated with heart disease. It is lowered by B12 ( methylated and non methylated depending on MTHFR gene status), B6 and folic acid. High levels are associated with patients who have high creatinine ( impaired renal status) It is seen in patients with depression as well as atherosclerotic heart disease

There is a hypothesis that depression is associated with an imbalance in homocysteine metabolism. Studies show that high levels of homocysteine may be involved in the pathogenesis of depression. Further, approximately 20-50% of patients with severe depression also have elevated plasma levels of homocysteine. Three clinical trials have found that saffron (Crocus sativus, Iridaceae) dried stigmata improves symptoms of mild-to-moderate depression, but the mechanism of action is unknown

Jelodar G, Javid Z, Sahraian A, Jelodar S. Saffron improved depression and reduced homocysteine level in patients with major depression: a randomized, double-blind study. Avicenna J Phytomed. January-February 2018;8(1):43-50. This article was published in the American Botanical Council HerbalGram

The authors conclude that saffron significantly improves homocysteine levels and "has beneficial effects on depression" More needs to be studied on this. The study was a small number of patients.

Until tomorrow…

JANUARY 2, 2019 MARSHMALLOW

I consider this herb to be used for gastrointestinal problems especially irritable bowel disease or inflammatory bowel disease. I usually combine it with meadowsweet, raspberry and slipper elm.

It has been used since the time of the Pharaohs and fed the gods for centuries. It has used extensively in the kitchen It is the root that is used and only a little.

When you need a good gastrointestinal tea , try GUTSY sold exclusively by Botanical Bounty in New York City. You can buy it on line or stop by 115 East 57th street 16th floor NYC

www.botanicalbounty.org

646-723 1823

Until tomorrow…

DECEMBER 29-30, 2018 AIMOVIG

This new drug sounds foreign- AIMOVIG - This is a new class of drugs approved for prevention of migraines. It is a fully monoclonal antibody and the first in its class- a calcitonin gene related peptide receptor agonist. The recommended dose is 70 mg once a month-as a prevention- available as a single dose prefilled syringe.

It is estimated that 40 % of sufferers need a preventive drug.

I have never suffered from a migraine. I know many patients that do suffer. I utilize a different treatment. I first try to find out the trigger whether food or different allergen

I then utilize some herbs as Jamaican Dogwood, Butterbur and even Feverfew.

Ask your doctor about this new injection. Also be aware that the cost is $575 per month

Until tomorrow…

DECEMBER 28, 2018 TIMING OF PROTEIN

I AM GLAD THIS QUESTION HAS FINALLY BEEN TESTED AND ANSWERED.

At the University of Arkansas a study was conducted on whether the timing of protein intake affects muscle strength, mass and function. It was a eight week trial . The authors found NO anabolic difference on protein timing. There are limitations to this study

The limitation is the study population-too small. The study was only 14 adults divided into two groups of 7 . One consumed protein during dinner only and the other group had protein throughout the day. There were measurements of lean body mass, whole body protein kinetics and muscle protein measured

Although the study showed no differences, I feel it needs to be studied with more patients and more dietary guidelines.

Until tomorrow….

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DECEMBER 27, 2018 DIABETIC DRUGS

There are new drugs for diabetes- you cannot control diabetes medically with only one drug today. Although metformin ( Glucophage) is from a plant —it is old ‘ hat’ There is of course dietary and exercise lifestyle changes. But there are two classes of drugs - SGL T2 inhibitors and GLP -1 receptor

Typically a cardiologist does not interfere with sugar or glucose levels I DO !! These two classes of drugs reduce cardiovascular outcomes in patients with heart disease and diabetes. I feel all cardiologists should be aware of these classes and start using them.

If the conventional cardiologists need trials—- there are plenty of trials to show this- EMPA-REG, CANVAS, LEADER and SUSTAIN 6 are just a few trials that have shown these drugs benefit cardiovascular patients

There are natural ways to treat diabetes. In addition to a dietary lifestyle change there are supplements as chromium, vanadium, and alpha lipoic acid that decrease blood sugar. I also utilize rosemary, fenugreek, gymnema and cinnamon to decrease blood sugar

If you are a diabetic or you know someone who is a diabetic, ask your health care professional about these trials and the SGL T 2 and GLP 1 classes and have he/she see a naturopathic physician.

Until tomorrow…

DECEMBER 26 , 2018 GREEN TEA AND SKIN CANCER

Americans are obsessed with getting a sun tan. The question is “ At what expense to the skin .” We need to worry about Actinic keratosis ( AK - precursor to malignancy) as well as basal cell carcinoma ( also known as the rodent ulcer) Sunscreen is only effective in 24 % of the AK lesions. There was a study showing amazing results with nicotinamide for prevention of AK

There is a better solution. It is the use or consumption of green tea. Green tea contains polyphenols which have several properties to protect the skin from damaging UV radiation. The most active component is called EGCG ( epigallocatechin 3 gallate ) . We do know that increasing doses of green tea in drinking water reduces sunburn and delays tumor development on the skin. The same was seen when the Green tea was applied topically.

Green tea is the most extensively studied herb for its benefits for a multitude of diseases The polyphenolic compounds are effective chemo-preventive agents for many of the adverse effects of sunlight on the human body

Drink green tea today

Until tomorrow…