East Valley Naturopathic Doctors

Tips and Tricks for Packing a Gluten Free-Dairy Free Lunch

Dr. Carrie Rittling — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 22:15:39 +0000

School is back and session, and like most parents you are probably struggling with what to

Dr. Carrie Rittling

pack in your child’s lunch. Here are some tips and tricks to make packing lunches a breeze. Tips and tricks for gluten and dairy free sandwiches.

Try using a gluten free bread, Sprout’s and Whole Foods have an excellent selection of gluten free breads.

Try using a brown rice tortilla or gluten free deli meat to make a wrap. Fill the sandwich or wrap with deli meat (be sure to read the ingredients as many deli meats are not gluten free) lettuce, shredded carrots, and avocado slices. Instead of cheese use a vegan mayo, available at most health food stores, your child’s favorite dressing or hummus. Try a little variety with the sandwiches. Use almond butter, peanut butter, or cashew butter with jam or bananas.

Take your child’s favorite pasta salad recipe and give it a make over. Use a gluten free pasta, like brown rice or quinoa. Cook according to the package directions and use the same way you would use the cooked wheat pasta.

Use quinoa instead of wheat pasta. Cook the quinoa according to the package directions and use the same way you would use the cooked wheat pasta. Replace the mayo with a vegan mayo, this way there is no need to keep the salad cold.

Tips and tricks for packing the snacks.

Try packing a soy/coconut/almond milk yogurt. Use the plain or vanilla and add some frozen fruit to it. The frozen fruit will help keep the yogurt cold until lunch time. Pack some fruit like grapes, apple slices, or orange slices.

Pack some veggies like sugar snap peas, cucumber slices, carrot or celery sticks. If your child does not like their veggies, add something to dip their veggies in like hummus, or their favorite salad dressing.

I would love to hear some of your tips and tricks, feel free to post your ideas!

Insomnia leads to Fibromyalgia

Dr. Jason Porter, NMD — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 20:54:53 +0000

Sleep is nearly as glorious as food. I don’t know if I could live without one or the other. In fact, many studies show that recovery from stress or exertion of the day, physical and mental, requires 7-9 hours of sleep daily. It is the design of nature for us to rest our bodies and minds for this period of time. Sleep studies indicate that deficits in the duration or depth of sleep leads to chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia. Considering that so many factors disrupt sleep, which also coincides with fibromyalgia, it is no question that the two symptoms so often go hand in hand. The body requires anywhere from 1.5 to 3 hours of deep sleep per night. This is the total amount of time gathered in Stage 3 and REM sleep, as the body goes through 3-4 sleep cycles during the night. This deep sleep requires sleeping a sufficient number of hours, being undisturbed by noise, light, or pain, and supporting the proper neuro chemistry to facilitate depth and duration of deep sleep. Many patients with fibromyalgia also deal with emotional fragility, stress disorders, depression, and even anxiety. These symptoms can be present in the absence of fibromyalgia, but they are always present in cases of sleep dysfunction.

Quality and quantity of sleep are easily improved through the application of natural medicine. Meditation and relaxation techniques are proven to be more effective than pharmaceutical drugs such as Ambien. Many herbs, amino acids, and natural neurotransmitter precursors enhance levels and functioning of specific sleep neurochemicals. The natural approach combined with treatment of other pre-disposing factors results in sleep recovery. Sleep recovery results in greater energy, improved stress adaptation, enhanced mood, and reduced fibromyalgia pain.

Nutrient Deficiencies and Fibromyalgia

Dr. Jason Porter, NMD — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 20:52:12 +0000

Nutritional deficiency was for so many alternative doctors, in the past, the most reliable method for restoring normal metabolic function to patients. Disease is sadly much more complex in today’s modern environmentally toxic time. The issues leading to Fibromyalgia are much more complex, but restoration of normal nutrient values is essential to recover full function. The conditions described in prior articles such as candida, food allergies, and toxicities, lead to increased oxidation requiring more than the normal amount of free radical fighters. More strain from active disease processes requires more nutrients. Also candida and other food allergies create an environment leading to malabsorption. Nutrient absorption across the intestinal barrier is impeded with inflammation, absence of friendly bacteria, and overgrowth of candida yeast. In our office, we have proven this idea very quickly as we administer vitamin and mineral rich IV therapy with benefit in energy just after 2-3 IV sessions. The IV therapies have a chance to be absorbed nearly 100% due to lack of having to be first absorbed through the intestinal wall. The nutrient rich IV solution is immediately found head to toe circulating through the blood stream. Increased energy leads to the body’s ability to recover from stress and free radical damage, resulting in decreased pain. Of course vitamin and mineral are also required as co-factors in production of energy and building and maintaining activity of white blood cells. We cannot live without these micronutrients, and certainly, we are unable to recover from normal stressors of the day when we are nutrient deprived.

Hormone Therapy and Fibromyalgia

Dr. Jason Porter, NMD — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:48:07 +0000

It seems these days everything gets blamed on hormone deficiencies or imbalances. Hormone deficiency affects the thyroid, adrenals, and of course the ovaries (in women), and testes (in men). Hormone deficiencies when treated appropriately, add such a significant benefit, it is often astounding the patients’ responses. Often, good intentioned doctors, utilize only hormones to solve some of life’s most complex disease cases, but without consistent success. It is true that often people experience miraculous recoveries when starting hormone therapy, but that is because, that is the only thing wrong with them. But the proper restoration and balancing of thyroid, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, and even adrenaline, can really boost natural occurring energy and vitality. By itself, it is rare that a patient would fully recover, or even have fibromyalgia, with just testosterone or estrogen being low. Proper hormone balancing and replacement is part of the complete package. Sometimes men having difficulty with a lagging libido or sexual dysfunction. This may persist for years before being given a cream or injection with a significant and obvious improvement in just 1-2 weeks on replacement therapy. Women may find an immediate improvement in mood and sleep. Hormones affect how we handle stress, when they are low so is our resistance to stress conditions. Hormones, although often associated with sexual function and desire, are more likely to improve general wellbeing, motivation, and recovery from physical and mental stress. It has become one of my favorite therapies to prescribe, due to its obvious and delightful effects on patients. Patients often ask what is the best method for hormone replacement? There are creams, lozenges, capsules, injections, and even pellets. All these delivery methods work well, and it is just a matter of choice of application, and what best serves the needs of the patient. Hormones improve Fibromyalgia buy improving recovery from stress and exercise. They enhance mood, general wellbeing, sleep, and often sex. Hormones are sometimes the finishing touches on a well-designed lifestyle and recovery program.

Read on for the more articles about Fibromyalgia…>>>Nutrient Deficiencies and Fibromyalgia

Adrenal Fatigue and Fibromyalgia

Dr. Jason Porter, NMD — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 20:43:28 +0000

Adrenal fatigue has been proposed for a number of years as part of the cause of Fibromyalgia. It is difficult to say how it rates in order of importance as an underlying cause, because it also develops as a concurrent problem due to any chronic illness. By the time any patience is diagnosed or discovers through their own research that they have Fibromyalgia, they have frequently developed chronic fatigue or lethargy. Not a surprise really. Many of the underlying causes for chronic fatigue are the same for Fibromyalgia. Adrenal fatigue is often the result of chronic stress or lack of recovery from normal stress such as good sleep. Under normal conditions the body increases excretion of nor-epinephrine epinephrine (same as adrenaline), and cortisol. Normal levels of these neurotransmitters and hormones help feel like we are able to handle the stress. We have both the physical and mental coping ability to deal with and recover from stress. Chronic or lingering stress strains the adrenal gland and central nervous system(CNS) leading to a slow depletion of cortisol, and the catecholamine’s, epinephrine and nor-epinephrine. Low levels result in fatigue and of feeling of being too easily overwhelmed by what used to be normal or average stressors. Lab testing is required here to determine the presence and extent of the adrenal fatigue. Many types of testing exist from straight measurement of cortisol, DHEA, and adrenaline in differing sources including urine, saliva, and blood or serum. Cortisol is frequently measured in saliva throughout the day in order to assess the baseline and circadian rhythm. Cortisol should be highest in the morning at rising and in the first few hours of the day. It follows a bell shape curve and reduces toward a steady baseline toward the late afternoon and through the night. A flat or low bell curve indicates adrenal fatigue. Typically 4 saliva samples at varying times of the day help to extrapolate the curve. Samples are taken at 8am, 12 noon, 4pm, and 10pm for example. This same curve or rhythm can be assessed using blood or serum samples throughout the day or simply as a single sample in the morning. If the curve or single sample of cortisol is low, adrenal fatigue is present. Low DHEA-sulfate in saliva, urine and blood tests will also indicate possible adrenal fatigue. Also, low DHEA-s, can also be an indicator for hormone imbalance and deficiency. The other extremely valuable test is a serum catecholamine test measuring nor-epinephrine, epinephrine (adrenaline), and dopamine. Low nor-epinephrine and epinephrine are indicators for adrenal fatigue. These central and peripheral neurotransmitters are also found present in many other health concerns such as sleep disorders, depression, dysthymia, and inability in managing stress. When treated correctly, adrenal function can return to normal very quickly. Best outcomes occur when both the catecholamines and cortisol are assessed. Treatment to restore adrenals includes targeted amino acid therapy and herbs with specific actions which increase output of nor-epinephrine, epinephrine, and cortisol.

Read on for the more articles about Fibromyalgia…>>>Hormone Therapy and Fibromyalgia

Minestrone Soup

admin — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 19:00:51 +0000

By Dr. Carrie Rittling, NMD

2tsp extra virgin olive oil
1 onion or leek, finely diced
3 ribs of celery finely diced
10 mushrooms finely diced, you can use any type that you like
1 large carrot, finely diced
1 large can of diced tomatoes
5-6 cups boxed veggie stock
1 can of red kidney beans
2 Tbsp. dried basil
1 Tbsp. dried parsley
1 bay leaf
A pinch of red pepper flakes
1 zucchini cut into ½ inch half moons
2 handfuls of green beans cut into 1 inch pieces
A handful of chopped herbs to garnish; like basil or parsley
Salt & Pepper to taste

Heat the oil over medium heat in large pot. Add the onion, celery, mushrooms and carrot.
Sauté for 5-7 minutes until onions are translucent, add in the remaining ingredients except the fresh herbs. Simmer over low heat for an hour, then add in zucchini and green beans; simmer for an additional 30minutes.
Add the fresh herbs and serve with some multigrain bread.

Prep and cook time 1 hour and 45 minutes
Serves 6-8

MTHFR, Liver Toxicity, and Fibromyalgia

Dr. Jason Porter, NMD — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 20:27:55 +0000

Environmental exposures are now often involved in the inability of normal detox pathways to keep pace. Genetic defects such as Methyl Tetra-Hydrofolate Reductase Enzyme (MTHFR) defect, and Phase 2 liver defects, lead to increased exposure within the matrix or extra-cellular space. This space is where all the hormones, immune cells, and neurotransmitters communicate with one another. With the extra toxins present communication is interrupted. Communication is hampered and the long term effects can include endocrine dysregulation or deficiency, immune distraction and eventually anergy, and neurotransmitter depletion. Testing as offered through standard labs such as Labcorp, and Sonora Quest, are able to determine deficiencies and imbalances. Treatment initially restores normal function and balance while supporting detox pathways. As toxins are removed we can see normal production and function restored to the immune, endocrine, and neurotransmitter systems. Detox pathways are enhanced through the liver, kidneys, colon, and skin to help remove toxins at a faster rate reducing the total load.

Read on for the more articles about Fibromyalgia…>>>Adrenal Fatigue and Fibromyalgia

Toxic Metals Suppress Immune System

Dr. Jason Porter, NMD — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 20:24:13 +0000

Once a patient begins to treat two of the most common causes, which are candida and food sensitivities, the immune system starts to rebound to full activity. There stands, in the immediate path of immune improvement all environmental exposures, the first of which is toxic metals. Toxic metals are heavy metals, not required for health or metabolic function, but when present within the body, actually suppress normal metabolic or immune pathways. The mass effect results in immune suppression and fatigue. Most people probably think themselves immune to such exposures. The reality is actually quite disturbing. If you are living you have been exposed and carry or have carried as some point in time a toxic metal burden. This burden leads to immune suppression, with resultant inability at overcoming simple infections such as viral infections. This leads to fatigue and inability to recover from daily physical stress. Toxic metal burden has been linked to cancer, autoimmune disease, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and dementia, and many others. So what metals are we exposed to and what are the sources of these toxic metals? Sources of metals include: Aluminum, Arsenic, Barium, Cadmium, Gadolinium, Lead, Mercury, Nickel, Tin, and Uranium to name a few. Each of these metals can be found in our food, air, and water supply. They exist abundantly in cosmetics, lotions, soaps, and cleansers. They are produced as by products in mining, manufacturing, energy production, and technology industries. If we are eating, breathing, and applying non-organic products and foods, we are exposed. Toxic metals are not easily eradicated or removed from the body. They tend to bio accumulate or concentrate in connective tissue and organs of the body. Because of this fact, an agent described as a chelator, is given orally or intravenously to grab or attach to toxic metals and discard them through the kidneys or intestines. If a urine sample is collected following the delivery of a chelator, a potential estimate of toxic metal burden can be made. Once we know the degree and possibility of a toxic metal burden, a treatment plan can be designed to reduce the toxic metal load over time. Patients who have had chelation performed notice improvements in blood pressure, immune function, circulation, focus and alertness, memory, diabetes and cholesterol control, and reduction in autoimmune disease. These declines in toxic heavy metals also lead to an improvement in chronic pain and chronic fatigue.

Read on for the more articles about Fibromyalgia…>>>MTHFR, Liver Toxicity, and Fibromyalgia

Food allergies and Fibromyalgia

Dr. Jason Porter, NMD — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 20:19:25 +0000

As is the case with many chronic diseases, by the time they present in our Mesa/Gilbert offices, they have 3-8 underlying causes to each disease. In other words, it is never just one thing. If yeast is the #1 cause of Fibromyalgia, than #2 are most likely food allergies. This idea throws many people off since most patients have never noticed any allergic reactions to food. This is because food allergies also produce other antibodies such as IgG, IgM, and even IgA that are different in their immune response compared to IgE, which causes obvious and generally immediate allergic reactions when eaten. The antibodies produced, which are linked to Fibromyalgia, are the IgG class which are actually also known as delayed or slow onset allergic reactions. In other words, the reaction occurs hours and even days following the exposure. These become extremely difficult to determine when using symptoms as the only diagnostic test. With an IgG food allergy test a patient is able to view upwards of a hundred foods ranging from grains, animal proteins, fruits, vegetable, legumes, and even yeast and candida. These tests can be invaluable to help determine a potent underlying cause to fibromyalgia. In previous posts I stated that yeast has a major side effect leading to localized inflammation and irritation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Many studies in the last few years have also shed light on the additional contribution from proteins that were once deemed healthy. For example, gluten, contained in wheat, barley, and rye, produces a protein called Zonulin that causes severe irritation of GI cells and leads to leaky gut. This leaky gut in turn causes the GI tract and immune system to react to any and all proteins that are introduced in the GI tract from the diet. In time we become reactive to everything that we eat. Just like yeast, normal or even healthy foods, become major immune distractors. With the immune system being overwhelmed by these food proteins, healing from normal “wear and tear” is reduced. The patient begins to feel pain in the muscles and joint in multiple locations. The cure is in discovering the food allergies through testing and removing those foods to allow the GI tract to heal. In time with proper dietary protocols and with additional support of an anti-yeast diet, symptoms improve. Food allergies along with yeast are the most oft over looked causes of Fibromyalgia. Testing is the key, and success is sure as we begin to heal the gut. (A negative celiac panel is insufficient to rule out gluten IgG reactivity.) Consider that the leading food allergy is also the leading health food, wheat. IgG food sensitivity testing is the only way to know for sure.

Read on for the more articles about Fibromyalgia…>>>Toxic Metals Suppress Immune System

Yeast at the root of Fibromyalgia

Dr. Jason Porter, NMD — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 20:19:18 +0000

Enough is enough! There exists a cure for Fibromyalgia. It is accessible to each and every patient. It is not a fictitious or stealthy disease, but a disease resulting from a negative synergism of multiple, but treatable causes. Each cause will be introduced one at a time over the next few weeks in our East Valley Naturopathic Doctors blog. In our mesa practice, we see daily patients who have been to doctor after doctor searching for answers to their fatigue and pain. At the root, we find the most insidious underlying cause, we call yeast. Yeast is an organism part of an even larger family called Fungi. Fungi have been around for thousands of years and are probably some of the most, if not the most, resilient organisms to exist on this planet. They have adapted too many types of harsh and barren landscapes. They have even developed the ability to live without oxygen or very little oxygen for a time. All of this means they are hard to destroy or eradicate. The fungus form known as yeast resides in many places, but it enjoys dark, moist, and carbohydrate rich environments, which also includes the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The question is how does yeast affect the GI tract? Candida is a form of yeast that appears to be the predominant form with activity arising in the GI tract. Although it is not completely clear, it seems these issues with yeast arose with the advent and excessive use of antibiotics. Antibiotics can be miraculous due to their ability to destroy disease causing bacteria in the body, but when taken orally they disrupt the flora balance of the entire GI tract. Flora is the combination of many types of friendly and even unfriendly bacteria that produce enzymes that digest food, they act as a protective barrier to the intestinal walls, and they enliven or strengthen the immune system. Antibiotics change this fragile balance and create a situation where normal yeast forms, perhaps residing in low dose within the GI tract, begin to flourish and grow or replicate in abundance without any friendly bacteria to control yeast growth. In essence, antibiotic use changes the micro flora environment from a protective role, to a war zone taken over by another host in the form of candida or yeast. These yeast are toxic and begin to cause significant inflammation in the GI tract with a subsequent increase in histamine, eosinophils, mucous, and result in a significant distraction or irritant to the immune system. In addition, yeast can begin to break down the gut barrier leading to and causing “leaky gut syndrome.” This immune distraction is the cause associated with the pain of Fibromyalgia. Imagine your immune system to be an army of 1 million white blood cells. They have the job to protect the borders and restore every cell back to normal functioning from the day’s normal “wear and tear.” Consider now that up to 80% of the body’s immune defense surrounds or resides surrounding the GI tract. With the yeast present it is in essence distracting up to 80% of your normal immune defense from its normal task. It does not take long before the immune system becomes completely distracted and even exhausted, while it wages a war with endless potential to replicate. Why do I say this? Well, all yeast needs to survive and thrive is sugar. This is of course supplied in abundance in the average diet. The first and most important step in recovering from Fibromyalgia is to reduce yeast expression in the GI tract. We have created protocols for achieving this goal in the most effective and safest possible way, with improvement in symptoms in just a few weeks. If you are curious if it is yeast, we can test and validate this theory very quickly through our Mesa/Gilbert office through labs often covered by insurance. If yeast is the number one problem read about number two next week.

Read on for the more articles about Fibromyalgia…>>>Food allergies and Fibromyalgia