More and more I am hearing from patients that they are experiencing chronic pain. Sometimes it’s in their joints, sometimes their muscles, and sometimes it’s all over their entire body. Chronic pain, no matter how large or small, can be debilitating because you live with it everyday. Whether it is from an autoimmune condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, a car accident, or fibromyalgia, try looking at your diet to reduce your inflammation.
I have talked before about the differences between food allergies and food intolerances. Many people know their allergies – it’s the food you eat and have an immediate reaction. Intolerances work differently and are considered ‘delayed response.’ However, if you eat the same food (or types of foods) everyday then that delayed response becomes chronic. Keep in mind that not all food reactions happen in your stomach or intestines. I know many people who experience joint pain, headaches, muscle fatigue, rashes, and more.
A good place to start is to eliminate the nightshade family. This includes tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, peppers, and chili pepper. Many arthritis sufferers notice a difference in their inflammation.
Other common foods to consider are wheat/gluten, dairy, eggs, and soy. Consider putting yourself on a gluten free or dairy free diet for thirty days and see how you feel. Then challenge it back in and watch for a reaction (if any). Keep in mind that many people experience multiple intolerances and may be both gluten and soy intolerant or dairy and gluten intolerant.
We eat three meals a day so we might as well make them worth our while. Eliminate the junk that includes SUGAR and simple carbohydrates. Sugar tastes good but it can create a lot of inflammation in our body. This includes harmful sugars like high-fructose corn syrup, aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose. Keep your diet to vegetables (except nightshades), lean protein, and complex carbohydrates such as brown rice.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Mammograms and Breast Cancer: Overdiagnosis?
In July, Danish researchers published a study in the British Medical Journal that 1 in 3 breast cancers diagnoses will not actually cause a problem. After examining breast cancer screening in five countries, they found that some breast cancers ‘may naturally disappear without treatment.’ They call it an ‘overdiagnosis rate of 35%.’
Talk about controversial! In my practice, there is a large split surrounding mammograms. Some women are incredibly diligent and go every year. Some go every few years and some absolutely refuse to go at all. There is the fear of radiation, squishing, mis-diagnosing, having to get a biopsy, and the idea that not knowing is better than knowing.
The problem lies in the diagnosis, of which the researchers readily admit. How does one tell between the lethal and the harmless cancers?
How do you know whether you have been overdiagnosed or properly diagnosed? And more importantly, are you willing to take that risk if you choose the former?
Patients always ask me what I would do and I tell them I believe in mammograms. I also believe in ultrasounds and thermography but at this time, there is no perfect imaging option. If stage I breast cancer is found by mammogram, there is a 95% 5-year survival rate. I want to be one of those odds if it were me. And if the mammogram finds something and if I have to endure a biopsy and if it turns out to be negative – then hallelujah!
As with anything, it’s ultimately your choice because they are your breasts. I repeat the paragraph above all the time because it’s my job as a doctor to inform and educate but not to force. There is a risk with anything and I recommend risking it for great odds.
Talk about controversial! In my practice, there is a large split surrounding mammograms. Some women are incredibly diligent and go every year. Some go every few years and some absolutely refuse to go at all. There is the fear of radiation, squishing, mis-diagnosing, having to get a biopsy, and the idea that not knowing is better than knowing.
The problem lies in the diagnosis, of which the researchers readily admit. How does one tell between the lethal and the harmless cancers?
How do you know whether you have been overdiagnosed or properly diagnosed? And more importantly, are you willing to take that risk if you choose the former?
Patients always ask me what I would do and I tell them I believe in mammograms. I also believe in ultrasounds and thermography but at this time, there is no perfect imaging option. If stage I breast cancer is found by mammogram, there is a 95% 5-year survival rate. I want to be one of those odds if it were me. And if the mammogram finds something and if I have to endure a biopsy and if it turns out to be negative – then hallelujah!
As with anything, it’s ultimately your choice because they are your breasts. I repeat the paragraph above all the time because it’s my job as a doctor to inform and educate but not to force. There is a risk with anything and I recommend risking it for great odds.
Ovarian Cancer: Don’t Miss These Signs
Ovarian cancer is an elusive one because the signs and symptoms mimic other common complaints. Women often blow them off or chalk them up to everyday life before seeing a doctor. On the flip-side, healthcare practitioners might also view the vague complaints as dietary or stress related instead of getting a work-up.
There is no easy diagnosis for ovarian cancer. Breast cancer usually comes with a lump, change in skin, inverted nipples, or discharge. Endometrial cancer usually comes with post-menopausal bleeding/spotting or discharge. Ovarian cancer moves much more stealthily than that.
Here are some things to watch out for:
1)Chronic bloating that won’t go away no matter what you do. (It doesn’t generally come and go)
2)Abdominal swelling in the lower pelvic area. Makes it hard to button your pants.
3)Feeling full quickly when eating.
4)Urinary urgency – you have to go NOW!
5)Pelvic pain
6)Vague back pain not from sprain/strain, overuse or trauma.
Here are some risk factors for ovarian cancer:
1)Starting your period before 12years old. This causes more ovulations.
2)Never having been pregnant allows you to cycle and ovulate more.
3)Going into menopause later means you have more cycles.
4)Obesity
5)Having certain mutations of BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene
Please keep in mind that the symptoms are vague. You may have urinary urgency but yours could be due to the vaginal births you had not ovarian cancer. You may experience chronic bloating but you also eat cheese everyday and are intolerant to it. Is your low back pain from your desk job or 3-inch heels, or maybe from gardening all Saturday?
After examining these concerns with no relief from treatments, please talk with your healthcare practitioner about a pelvic ultrasound and possibly some blood-work. Ovarian cancer is often caught in the late-stage and survival isn’t that promising. If you recognize yourself in this article, please examine the possibilities and talk with your doctor.
There is no easy diagnosis for ovarian cancer. Breast cancer usually comes with a lump, change in skin, inverted nipples, or discharge. Endometrial cancer usually comes with post-menopausal bleeding/spotting or discharge. Ovarian cancer moves much more stealthily than that.
Here are some things to watch out for:
1)Chronic bloating that won’t go away no matter what you do. (It doesn’t generally come and go)
2)Abdominal swelling in the lower pelvic area. Makes it hard to button your pants.
3)Feeling full quickly when eating.
4)Urinary urgency – you have to go NOW!
5)Pelvic pain
6)Vague back pain not from sprain/strain, overuse or trauma.
Here are some risk factors for ovarian cancer:
1)Starting your period before 12years old. This causes more ovulations.
2)Never having been pregnant allows you to cycle and ovulate more.
3)Going into menopause later means you have more cycles.
4)Obesity
5)Having certain mutations of BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene
Please keep in mind that the symptoms are vague. You may have urinary urgency but yours could be due to the vaginal births you had not ovarian cancer. You may experience chronic bloating but you also eat cheese everyday and are intolerant to it. Is your low back pain from your desk job or 3-inch heels, or maybe from gardening all Saturday?
After examining these concerns with no relief from treatments, please talk with your healthcare practitioner about a pelvic ultrasound and possibly some blood-work. Ovarian cancer is often caught in the late-stage and survival isn’t that promising. If you recognize yourself in this article, please examine the possibilities and talk with your doctor.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Pre-Diabetes and Weight Gain
Included in routine screening is a fasting glucose test (otherwise known as your blood sugar). If this number is below 126mg/dl then you do not have diabetes. What happens if the number is between 100mg/dl and 125mg/dl? You have what’s called, ‘pre-diabetes.’ This means that you’re right up next to the cliff about to fall over - do something about it!
Please don’t take the ‘watch and wait’ approach. My question is, watch and wait for what? Full blown diabetes? As your blood sugar climbs higher and higher, your body processes it and puts it into that tire ring you have around your belly. You increase the fat around your organs and begin a slow destruction of your heart and circulatory system.
What can you do? Definitely do something! Because diabetes is caused by elevated blood sugar, do all that you can to lower the sugar in your diet. This includes alcohol, candy, cookies, cakes, brownies, ice cream, high sugar yogurt, fruit juice, high sugar protein powder and protein bars, actual sugar, brown sugar, sodas…and more!
Read labels and see just how much sugar is in your food. Did you know spaghetti sauce can have 9 or 10 grams of sugar per serving? Yogurt is very healthy for you if it’s plain. Otherwise you’re looking at 12, 15 or 20 grams of sugar. Add some cinnamon, vanilla flavoring or berries to plain yogurt. Fruit juice is straight sugar, even if it’s from 100% real fruit. Please, just eat the fruit!
Watch out for dried fruit and trail mixes – they are loaded with unnecessary sugar you don’t need.
Read the label of your flavored water. It usually has several grams.
Eat a diet higher in protein and lower in carbs. Skip the chips and French fries, eat only ½ a piece of bread on your sandwich and cut up the rest. Cut-up your hamburger with the lettuce, tomato, and onion to make a mini-salad.
Exercise most days of the week and include weight bearing exercise which burns blood sugar faster than regular cardio. Your muscles and brain use sugar for energy but you don’t need to overload it.
Once you become fully diabetic, you enter a whole new realm you don’t need to be in. Please take responsibility and change your ways for the healthier.
Please don’t take the ‘watch and wait’ approach. My question is, watch and wait for what? Full blown diabetes? As your blood sugar climbs higher and higher, your body processes it and puts it into that tire ring you have around your belly. You increase the fat around your organs and begin a slow destruction of your heart and circulatory system.
What can you do? Definitely do something! Because diabetes is caused by elevated blood sugar, do all that you can to lower the sugar in your diet. This includes alcohol, candy, cookies, cakes, brownies, ice cream, high sugar yogurt, fruit juice, high sugar protein powder and protein bars, actual sugar, brown sugar, sodas…and more!
Read labels and see just how much sugar is in your food. Did you know spaghetti sauce can have 9 or 10 grams of sugar per serving? Yogurt is very healthy for you if it’s plain. Otherwise you’re looking at 12, 15 or 20 grams of sugar. Add some cinnamon, vanilla flavoring or berries to plain yogurt. Fruit juice is straight sugar, even if it’s from 100% real fruit. Please, just eat the fruit!
Watch out for dried fruit and trail mixes – they are loaded with unnecessary sugar you don’t need.
Read the label of your flavored water. It usually has several grams.
Eat a diet higher in protein and lower in carbs. Skip the chips and French fries, eat only ½ a piece of bread on your sandwich and cut up the rest. Cut-up your hamburger with the lettuce, tomato, and onion to make a mini-salad.
Exercise most days of the week and include weight bearing exercise which burns blood sugar faster than regular cardio. Your muscles and brain use sugar for energy but you don’t need to overload it.
Once you become fully diabetic, you enter a whole new realm you don’t need to be in. Please take responsibility and change your ways for the healthier.
Can Fish Oil Help Depression?
In a recent study from the American Journal of Nutrition, taking 1500mg of fish oil (specifically, 500mg of EPA three times/day) slightly helped peri-menopausal women with their depression. Now, it didn’t rock anyone’s world but fish oil is so helpful for so many concerns, that women may find improvement with distressed feelings while taking it for overall health balance.
When taking a fish oil, make sure that it doesn’t have a lot of filler oil such as soybean oil. You want a reputable brand that tests its fish oil for toxins, mercury, pesticides, and, herbicides. If you bite into the capsule and it tastes/smells overwhelmingly fishy, you have a problem bottle. Yes it is fish oil but the reputable companies have their oil so screened and cleaned that it’s not repugnant.
Don’t leave your fish oil in the heat. Because it’s oil, heat can cause the oil to become rancid, making it taste and smell bad. Also, don’t buy your fish oil from a discount store or overstock store. Yes it’s cheaper but you may be swallowing rancid, dirty oil. Who knows how long that bottle has been sitting on shelves?
When reading the label, make sure you’re swallowing 300mg – 500mg of EPA per capsule. Don’t buy 1000mg capsules of ‘fish oil’ with only 120mg of the good stuff inside. What makes up the other 860mg?
Lastly, eat the fish that make up fish oil! Go for wild caught salmon or anchovies on a regular basis.
When taking a fish oil, make sure that it doesn’t have a lot of filler oil such as soybean oil. You want a reputable brand that tests its fish oil for toxins, mercury, pesticides, and, herbicides. If you bite into the capsule and it tastes/smells overwhelmingly fishy, you have a problem bottle. Yes it is fish oil but the reputable companies have their oil so screened and cleaned that it’s not repugnant.
Don’t leave your fish oil in the heat. Because it’s oil, heat can cause the oil to become rancid, making it taste and smell bad. Also, don’t buy your fish oil from a discount store or overstock store. Yes it’s cheaper but you may be swallowing rancid, dirty oil. Who knows how long that bottle has been sitting on shelves?
When reading the label, make sure you’re swallowing 300mg – 500mg of EPA per capsule. Don’t buy 1000mg capsules of ‘fish oil’ with only 120mg of the good stuff inside. What makes up the other 860mg?
Lastly, eat the fish that make up fish oil! Go for wild caught salmon or anchovies on a regular basis.
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