Health Blog | Tips from a Naturopathic Practitioner in the GTA | WellpathClinic.com

Feb 23 | 2:47 AM

Are you sick because an undiagnosed infection?

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Kathryn Nobrega-Porter

Infection might be parasites, viruses, fungi and bacteria. I see undiagnosed infections a lot. Maybe you have been living with them for a short while, but perhaps this is at the root of your joint pain, tummy troubles or fatigue that has been plaguing you for years?

Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon that proper follow up isn’t done after a round of treatment for parasites or bacteria and it’s not unusual that it can take various medications or treatment of some kind to actually get rid of them. They want to hang out in our bodies, they are happy to pitch a tent, hang out and reproduce.

Location, location, location

Although we often think of bugs residing in our nasal, sinus or lung passages – so many of them are located in our gastro intestinal tract. This long tube hosts most of our immune system and is covered in bugs. Overall there are more bacteria cells in the human body than there are human cells. They are complex and can adjust to different environments. Right now – 300-500 different bacteria are in your gastro intestinal tract.

How might infectious bugs in my gut affect my health?

The million dollar question! The answer is – possibly in may ways. It depends on what kind of bugs. For example, there is an overgrowth of bugs in your gut there it might cause symtpoms such as diarrhea, constipation and things that we would associated with gastro intestinal concerns. There are also bugs like Klebsiella, that when found in people can cause pain in joints and has been seen in stool of those with Rheumatoid arthritis. The of course there is undected Strep infections that can be detected in the blood, that can cause symtpoms such as anxiety, depression and ADHD – Have you heard of PANDAS?

If you have been suffering for a long time without answers, it is absoluely worth investigating if there is an infection that has not been addressed but is keeping you feeling not quite right. Test, don’t guess!

Posted in Infection, Irritable Bowel Syndrome | Tagged bacteria, infection, parasites, virus | Leave a comment

Increasing IVF Success with Acupuncture

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Dr. Jennifer Fitzgerald

Most couples undergoing IVF would do just about anything to increase their chances of a successful outcome, but from a western medical perspective, there is little anyone can do to improve the odds. The following quote says it all:

“I do all the latest high-tech surgery and hormone treatment to try to make someone pregnant. When it is all said and done, I still don’t know who will get pregnant and who won’t and why. After all my years of training, this area is still a big mystery that I can’t control.” – “Infertility”specialist. (From Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom, by Christiane Northrup, MD)

In the last number of years, acupuncture has become increasingly more popular as an alternative and integrative treatment to Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). With this growing acceptance comes opportunity for larger clinical trials to determine how much of a difference acupuncture can have on success rates. This is what the research is telling us:

A report released in 2008 by a team of doctors from the University of Maryland and the University of Amsterdam reviewing seven different studies since 2002 (involving 1,366 women) concluded that women who had acupuncture while undergoing IVF were 65% more likely to have a successful embryo transfer, compared to those that had no treatment or were given “fake” acupuncture.
Acupuncture increases blood flow to the uterus, which is thought to relax the uterus. Uterine contractions can occur after embryo transfer and could cause expulsion of the embryo(s) from the uterus.
Acupuncture can regulate hormones and neurotransmitters that control quality of eggs and normalize ovulation and the menstrual cycle. It also lowers stress hormones to bring on relaxation.
Some medical experts believe that the effects of acupuncture on fertility are due to placebo effect. At least one study has shown that women who have fake acupuncture (needles are not put into actual acupuncture points) did not experience increased pregnancy rates.
Women who receive acupuncture while undergoing IVF have half the miscarriage rate (8% vs 14%) than those not receiving acupuncture, as well as a significantly lower ectopic pregnancy rate (0% vs 9%).
Germen study results, 2002

In most fertility clinics, it is easy to arrange for acupuncture treatments for pre and post IVF transfer. Many clinics have acupuncturists on staff or can recommend someone who has experience in this type of treatment. If you find an acupuncturist on your own, make sure he/she has experience in working with IVF treatments. In Canada, Naturopathic Doctors are licensed to perform acupuncture. The doctors at Wellpath Clinic are pleased to offer this service to our fertility patients in the downtown Toronto area, either at our clinic or (most often) at the fertility center where your embryo transfer will take place. Contact us for more information.

References:

W. E. Paulus and M. Zhang, et al., “Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo ART,” Fertility and Sterility, vol. 77, no. 4 (Apr. 2002).

R. Chang, et al., “Role of acupuncture in the treatment of female infertility,” Fertility and Sterility, vol. 78, no.6 (Dec. 2002).

P. Magarelli, “Acupuncture in IVF linked to lower miscarriage and ectopic rates,” Ob/Gyn News (Jan. 2005).

Posted in Acupuncture, Anxiety, Fertility, Infertility, IVF, Pregnancy | Tagged ART, ectopic, miscarriage | Leave a comment

Is it really IBS? Maybe it’s this…

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Kathryn Nobrega-Porter

I bet for those of you who clicked on this either yourself or someone you know has been given the diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS. What we know is that this tends to be what is given after all the scopes, the imaging and the meds have been given and they can’t find anything wrong. It’s called a diagnosis of exclusion or no diagnostic tests show any results and nothing appears to be wrong. Perhaps you are provided immodium and metamucil to alternate depending on what “it” looks likes and how your belly feels today.

The diagnosis just isn’t good enough

Really what does this tell us? We have a sensitive belly. Sensitive to psycholgical stressors, to foods and environment. Surpise! Diagnosis of IBS or not, we are worth looking further, to the root cause.. Here’s one idea, often not tested but should be. Could this be a reason why you experience the symtpoms you do?

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth or SIBO

This means there is too much bacteria in the small intestine. Nausea, gas, constiptation diarrhea and bloating are very common symtpoms of this condition. How many people do you know have these? I guarantee many.

Testing for SIBO

There are a number of ways to test including a breath test called the Hydrogen breath test as well as some urine tests.

Don’t settle for ongoing symtpoms and a diagnosis of IBS. There’s likely something going on, you just have to figure out what it is.

Posted in Constipation, Gastrointestinal health, Irritable Bowel Syndrome | Tagged Constipation, diarrhea, IBS, irritable bowel syndrome, nausea, SIBO, Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth | Leave a comment

Health Tip 12. Create realistic goals for health

Posted on February 5, 2012 by Kathryn Nobrega-Porter

Set your goals to push yourself, but be realistic! I am the perfect example of what I am about to discuss. You can see by reading these blogs that my goal was to blog every day for the first day days of January and have a new health tip. Here I am on the first Sunday in February and I’m writing #12!

The most common questions I hear are “where do I start and will I achieve success?”

What do I want to achieve?

This step is sometimes clear, but can be challenging. Some examples of recent goals I have heard include: feel better about myself, get fit, eat healthier food, improve energy, be healthier, get more sleep. These are general, not specific enough. Really keep asking yourself the questions (or get assistance) to keep honing in on your goal. If you goal is weight loss – be specific – Is it to reduce cholesterol or improve heart heath? Is this number measurable? Do you want to be able to walk up the stairs and feel strong and not winded? What are examples of how this would make your life better or make you feel better and writing them on your goal list. Weight loss isn’t specific enough, tease out examples and make them personal to you.

Will I reach my goal?

We always hope so, but sometimes goals can be more challenging than we expected. Sometimes we wonder if we would have started, had we known how hard it could be! Right?! I always find one of the keys for reaching a goal is to set a realistic goal and plan for it. For example writing a blog for the first 12 days of January, I could have told you that wasn’t going to work. I don’t have the time right now but I got excited thinking it was a good idea, I started without planning and preparing. Preparation is a key to success. Had I scheduled 20-30 minutes a day in my calendar to ensure I achieved this, I would have been a step further. If I sat down and thought about all of my topics prior to starting, this would have helped. There are many ways that I could have planned and prepared or changed my goal from the 12 days to perhaps the first 12 weeks but I jumped in with excitement and didn’t plan. It’s easy to do, lesson learned. This is no different than applying preparation and planning to health goals. Taking the weight loss example again (just because it’s such a common one at this time of year) what is realistic for you? Have you tried this before? What worked? What were challenges? How can lean from previous experiences? Who will support you on this health journey? You have have your days scheduled for a change whether it’s working on diet or exercise or both. What will happen when you feel like you do don’t want to try any more (we all have those days!). Plan and be prepared with support.

Visualize success

Let’s learn from Oprah! Practice seeing yourself there. Have mental rehearsals or mental practice. Step into the moment where you have achieved your goal. What does it feel like, what are you thinking – visually place yourself in the experience.

Here are some links you might be interested in reading about visualizing success:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110225122818.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110815143935.htm

12 days turned into 6 weeks. I hope you have enjoyed reading some of my favorite tips for health. Health is not guaranteed, it’s something we create. Just like other things in life, just because it seems hard sometimes it doesn’t mean it isn’t worth it. If there’s one thing we can’t living well without it’s our health… let’s get going!

Posted in Health, Prevention | Tagged health, oprah, setting goals, visualize success | Leave a comment

When low sperm counts appear, L-Carnitine is here.

Posted on February 5, 2012 by Dr. Tracy Malone

In the human sperm, high carnitine concentrations are critical to sperm energy metabolism. Several studies have shown that the level of free carnitine in the seminal fluid is inversely correlated with sperm count and motility. The lower the carnitine content, the more likely it is that a man is infertile.

The action of carnitine may be best described as a key that opens the gate of energy production in most cells. Our “engines” aka mitochondria, are fueled by fatty acids. In order for fatty acids to get inside the door, where the mitochondria are, they must be carried through the door by L cartinine. Without adequate levels of fatty acids, the mitochondria literally have no fatty acids for fuel!

Your body can synthesize it from lysine, so technically it is not essential. Inborn errors in organic acid metabolism can cause people to have low levels of carnitine.

Given the known physiological role of carnitine in sperm function and its link to male infertility, a recent study was designed to assess the therapeutic effect of carnitine in men with low sperm counts and depressed sperm motility. One hundred men selected from infertility clinics participated in the “Italian Study Group on carnitine and male infertility”. Each subject was given 3,000 mg of L-carnitine daily for 4 months.

The results of the study indicated that L-carnitine was able to increase sperm counts and sperm motility, in both a qualitative and a quantitative manner:

• the number of ejaculated sperm increased from 142 to 163 billion

• the percentage of motile sperm increased from 26.9 to 37.7%

• the percentage of sperm with rapid linear progression increased from 10.8 to 18%

• the mean sperm velocity increased from 28.4% to 32.5%.

The results are even more impressive if only the patients with the poorest sperm motility are studied. This subgroup saw even more significant gains on all parameters. For example, the percentage of motile sperm increased from 19.3 to 40.9% and the percentage of sperm with rapid linear progression increased from 3.1 to 20.3%.

Where can I get Carnitine in my diet?

The highest concentrations of carnitine are found in red meat and dairy products. Other natural sources of carnitine include nuts and seeds (e.g. pumpkin, sunflower, sesame), legumes or pulses (beans, peas, lentils, peanuts), vegetables (artichokes, asparagus, beet greens, broccoli, brussels sprouts, collard greens, garlic, mustard greens, okra, parsley, kale), fruits (apricots, bananas), cereals (buckwheat, corn, millet, oatmeal, rice bran, rye, whole wheat, wheat bran, wheat germ) and other “health” foods (bee pollen, brewer’s yeast carob).

If you have had an abnormal or low Sperm quality assessment, L-Carnitine should be cosidered as a first line treatment. I like to use a powdered blend of amino acids with my male fertility patient’s, this ensures that they recieve adequate amounts to provide therapeutic benifit. I useually insist that the patient does a 4 month course of treatment, “The Preconception Health Care Plan” prior to re-evalutating the Sperm assessement. Treating male factor fertility dramatically improves conception rates.

References

The Textbook of Natural Medicine. Pizzorno.

Bornman MS, du Toit D, Otto B. Seminal carnitine, epididymal function and spermatozoal motility. S Afr Med J 1989; 75: 20–21

Menchini-Fabris GF, Canale D, Izzo PL. Free L-carnitine in human semen: its variability in different andologic pathologies. Fertil Steril 1984; 42: 263–267

Costa M, Canale D, Filicori M. L-carnitine in idiopathic asthenozoospermia: a multicenter study. Andrologia 1994; 26: 155–159

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Health Tip 11. Increase your movement

Posted on February 5, 2012 by Kathryn Nobrega-Porter

No time to exercise

Movement is a gift. Sometimes you may not see it like that when you’re trying to schedule it into to non-existent time or feel too tired to go but we are designed to move, to use our bodies to do things every day. We are not designed to sit at desks and type away on computers all day with only 10 fingers and our brains (sometimes) getting a workout.

You’ve heard it before and you’re hearing it again now. It benefits us to exercise. As you read this you might nodding along, yes that’s a good idea, but you may have no intention to act on this. ‘Have to’ and ‘shoulds’ are no fun, I get this, but this one that you NEED to make happen. You spend time now taking care of your body, or you will be later on. Do it for you, your kids, your partner or your family but when you are able to take care of yourself like this, you are better able (and like in a better mood) to help take care of others. I bet after a couple of weeks you’ll feel so much better you won’t want to stop.

Maintain your mojo

It’s easy to lose and can easily snowball into an extended layoff. A weekend away, a busy week at work – this can cause serious delays and lack of motivation with getting back to moving. Find things that you like to do, schedule time with a friend walking, running or taking an exercise class. Mix it up, don’t get bored with routines, ask for help, grab a magazine that has workouts in it (like Shape or Women’s/Men’s Health), hire a trainer and do a new routine. Workouts don’t need to be hour long sessions, if you’re busy get in 20 minutes, when you have the time spend longer. See results and stay inspired to do more!

A reason to stay moving… have you ever head of TOFI?

It means thin outside, fat inside. Just because you still fit into your jeans you bought a few years ago, doesn’t mean that your body is healthy. You may have never “had” to workout a day in your life (to continue to fit in your jeans) and think you’ve won the good-genes jackpot. Right?! This is not necessarily the case. It’s doesn’t mean your body is “healthy”. The scale doesn’t tell you this information.

Take responsibility for your health, take action and feel better. You can change your health destiny with actions you do (or don’t do) every day. Choose wisely. Stay active.

Posted in Epigenetics, Prevention | Tagged activity, Exercise, health, movement | Leave a comment

How Food Intolerances May Be Affecting Your Health

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Dr. Alison Parsons

I love the recent article written in the Toronto Star regarding food intolerances http://www.healthzone.ca/health/newsfeatures/article/1123642–food-intolerances-can-be-found-with-a-blood-test . The article explains that food intolerances can now be found by a simple blood test, instead of a timely and bland elimination diet. Testing for food intolerances is a huge part of my practice as I strongly believe in its benefits, from the personal benefits I have seen from following my own results to the MANY positive impacts I have seen it have on my patients (I have seen everything from eczema, to muscle aches, to autoimmune conditions improve with this test).

Why Test?

Food Intolerances can lead to many different symptoms and conditions, but the more commonly seen ones include: irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, indigestion, heartburn, muscle and joint pain, eczema, bloating, stomach pain, insomnia and weight gain. It can also be associated with depression, ADHD and other behavioural disorders.

The Importance:

I can’t emphasize the importance of this test enough if you suffer from any of the above conditions, or if you simply want to live a long and healthy life. We eat 3-5 times per day every day and the food we put into our bodies is the fuel that our bodies run on. Putting the wrong foods (i.e. foods that we are intolerant to) into our bodies on a daily basis is like putting diesel into a car that requires unleaded fuel; the car (just like your body) may run on this fuel for a while, but it will be causing damage beneath the surface.

How Do I Get This Done?

Book an appointment to see one of our Naturopathic Doctors. During your visit your Naturopath will discuss the test in detail, including how it is done and how the follow-up will go. It is important to have a Naturopath do this test because simply eliminating intolerant foods is only half the battle, you ALSO require supplementation and other support to repair the damage done to your gastrointestinal system; this way you will not only address your current food intolerances, but you will also PREVENT future ones from occurring.

Posted in Allergies, Autoimmune condition, Depression, Eczema, Food allergy, Gastrointestinal health, Migraine, Overweight, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Fibroids and Infertility – What You Need to Know

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Dr. Jennifer Fitzgerald

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous tumours that develop in the uterus. As many as 1 in 4 woman may have fibroids during their childbearing years. They can vary in size, from microscopic, to large masses that fill the entire uterus and weigh several pounds. Sometimes a single fibroid is present, but is it much more common to see more than one develop.

Although most fibroids don’t impact fertility, they contribute to approximately 10% of infertility cases. This is dependent on the location in the uterus as well as the size of the fibroid. In some cases, fibroids can prevent implantation of an embryo into the uterine wall, and other times the size or location may cause occlusion of the reproductive tract, preventing sperm and egg from travelling through the fallopian tubes where conception occurs. Women with fibroids also experience miscarriages about 3 times more often than women without fibroids.

Symptoms:

Heavy menstrual bleeding with possible clotting
Bleeding between periods
Abdominal fullness, gas or constipation
Pelvic cramping or pain with periods
Increase in urinary frequency
Infertility
Recurrent miscarriages

Considerations

Hormone testing, including thyroid
Nutritional status, including iodine, iron, B12
Inflammation/Inflammatory markers
Detoxification status
Lymphatic congestion

Goals of Treatment:

Fibroids are the result of excess estrogen (naturally occurring and xenoestrogens from the environment) and an impaired ratio of estrogen to progesterone. It is essential to balance these hormones by assisting the liver in detoxifying. Nutrition and herbal medicine can lower estrogen and increase progesterone to improve the imbalance. Thyroid hormones may also play a role in the development of fibroids.
Fibroids are also associated with increased inflammatory processes in the body. Decreasing inflammation through diet, anti-inflammatory supplements and exercise is also beneficial.
Fibroids can lead to anemias which must be monitored through blood work and corrected through diet and appropriate supplementation.
Excess hormones create sluggishness of the detoxification and lymphatic systems, which exacerbates hormonal imbalances.

While treatments can often stop the growth and even shrink smaller fibroids, it is important to set realistic goals. Larger fibroids may require surgical removal, especially if they are interfering with fertility. Even if this is the case, treating the underlying causes of fibroids is important as they will surely grow back if these issues are not addressed.

Posted in Detoxification, Fertility, Hormones, Infertility, Lab testing, Pregnancy, Thyroid, Toxicity | Tagged estrogen dominance, estrogen excess, fibroids, Inflammation, uterine | Leave a comment

Food and health. Do you think there’s a connection?

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Kathryn Nobrega-Porter

If you are reading this and you know about Wellpath Clinic you know that we put a lot of focus on what we put in our mouths. We have a choice at every meal to eat something that supports health or works against health. We make choices all day and these ones can drastically affect how we feel and our health now and to come. This is a great image that my sister sent to me that clearly shows us what is going on in our world. There’s not much reinforcement to make the healthy choices out but we know it’s an important one!

Posted in Nutrition | Tagged choices for food, disease, food, health, health industry, healthy food, Nutrition | Leave a comment

Health Tip 10. Start your day with the right bite (or sip in this case)

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Kathryn Nobrega-Porter

Did you know that if you start your day with something with carbs or sugars you will likely eat 80% more calories throughout the day? Interesting… could this be why you find yourself munchy all day? craving sweets when you crash? never feeling quite satisfied? It has to do with the highs and lows of your hormones that cascade from the glucose or sugar and insulin response in your blood. This motivates me to consider having something with more protein, fiber and fats – to keep me full for longer and give me some juice for the day ahead and stay in my skinny jeans (for now and later).

I think that breakfast is by far the hardest meal. Tell me what a healthy option?! It is very difficult. I am reminded every time I travel that options on menus at restaurants, hotels and let’s not even discuss the airport food selections are terrible. Even at home, if you’re flying out the door every moring what are you eating? Egg McMuffin en route, a bagel from the downstairs coffee shop? Nothing or mabey it’s a quick bowl of cereal (see side picture that has more sodium than anything else!) It’s very hard for anyone to have any success with weight loss or maintenance unless you plan for a healthy breakfast.

The healthy breakfast scoop

It’s easy and perfect for the busy mom/dad/professional who has NO time. You need a blender and shake/medical food and any other ingredients that you like the flavor of. Berries are great choices because they high in fiber and low in sugars and add a great flavor. I like to add nut butter too.

Ultimate time saving tips

The magic bullet. I really didn’t think I’d love it so much. It’s very convenient – I just wish they had glass cups.
Frozen berries or fruit. They expire so quickly, it’s hard to keep them fresh at home without going grocery shopping every day.
Greens powder. This is not so much a time saving tip as its value added insurance. Servings of fruits and veg are near 10 a day (more veg), how will you get this? If you can and do every day without a greens addition cheers to you!

My favorite breakfast recipe

I have had this for ages and I rotate the shake depending on what I am trying to do. Recently I received my results that showed me I had more food intolerances than I expected. I am working on bringing those down so I use a Metagencis Medical food targeted at helping the GI tract.

Medical food 1-2 scoops (you can use a protein – rice, pea, whey etc)
Rice milk (1/4)
Water (3/4)
1/4 banana
1 tsp almond butter
1 tsp greens powder

Child tested and approved

My son now asks for a smoothie every morning. I use a different powder for him but the same recipe. Just a thought – for picky eaters or lots of intolerances/allergies this might be a good fit for you or for your whole family.

How will you start your morning?