Corinthian Health Services Blog - Blog for Corinthian Health Services

Nov 28

It’s Gut Check Time-Navigating Your Gut Microbiome

It’s Gut Check Time – Navigating Your Gut Microbiome

Alright everyone, let’s talk about your new favorite topic, your gut microbiome. At any given time, your body has hundreds of trillions of bacteria, and about one to two pounds of that bacteria lives in your gut. I know how that sounds, disgusting. All that bacteria isn’t necessarily bad for you though; your gut microbiota plays an active role in your overall general health and wellbeing. So, it’s time to take care of those little guys!

Effects on Weight

You already knew that what you eat affects your waistline. However, it goes so much more beyond the number of calories and trans-fats you consume. You can easily feed the good microbes by eating fermented and fibrous foods. Just as good microbes create healthy effects, having too many bad microbes in your gut can lead to unhealthy effects. Gut dysbiosis occurs when there is an imbalance between the good and bad microbes. Some believe this contributes to weight gain. For example, there have been several studies conducted on identical twins where one of the twins was obese and one was not. In each case, the gut microbiome between the two was completely different, indicating that the makeup of the microbiome is not genetic. Pass the yogurt, please!

Effects on Anxiety and Depression

Gut/Brain Axis

Ever heard of the gut/brain axis? Not many people have. Scientists are currently researching the link between your gut and emotional behavior. According to research performed by Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, mice fed the bacterium Lactobacillus rhamnosus exhibited fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression.

In fact, studies have been conducted on small children that indicate the composition of their gut microbiome can affect their health, mood, and personality. Ohio State University researchers examined 77 toddlers aged 18 to 27 months and found that things like mood, curiosity, sociability, and impulsivity were all linked to the level of the diversity of microbes in the children’s gut.

Effects on your Overall Health

Have you ever taken an antibiotic and experienced some not-so-pleasant stomach issues? That is because the antibiotic is taking out both the good AND the bad bacteria. This can cause a major imbalance between the microbes which can wreak havoc on your stomach! The more good bacteria you have the better off you are. Good bacteria help fight off serious infections inside your body and forms a shield against the bad microbes in your body.

So! What can you do about this?

Now that we know how important it is to keep your gut in-check, there are easy steps you can take to help your gut flora remain nicely balanced!

Eat fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, and kefir.
Limit artificial sweeteners as they can stimulate unhealthy bacteria.
Limit exposure to sugars, toxins, and trans-fat.
Eat prebiotic foods like bananas, artichokes, asparagus, and apples.
Eat whole grains.
Try a plant-based diet.
Eat foods rich in polyphenols like green tea, dark chocolate, and olive oil.
Take a probiotic supplement.
Take antibiotics only when completely necessary. They kill the good bacteria along with the bad.

The bottom line is that if you want to take care of your health, you need to take care of your gut. This starts with the foods you choose to fuel your body and metabolism. Watching what you eat and maintaining a diverse diet is one of the best things you can do for your health. If you take care of your gut, it will take care of you!

Sep 19

Intermittent Fasting: The Easiest Way to Lose Weight and Improve Your Health – True Story!

What is Intermittent Fasting? Have you heard of it? The latest craze to hit the diet scene is so much more than just a craze, it’s a lifestyle. According to the American Autoimmune Related Disease Association, there are over 50 million Americans with an autoimmune disease. That number is insane! Eating three large meals a day (plus snacks), mix that with a sedentary lifestyle, and what do you get? Poor health and large pants. No, thanks!

Our bodies are not meant to consume such large portions at each meal daily. The majority of Americans are not working in the fields, doing manual labor from sun up to sun down. Why are we eating like we do though? It is no wonder that our GI system can’t keep up.

Intermittent Fasting is more about when you eat every day versus what you eat. Now, this doesn’t mean that as long as you are restricting the time frame of your meals that you can stuff your face with donuts the whole time. Eat Responsibly. According to Dr. Joseph Mercola: Intermittent Fasting involves cutting calories in whole or in part, either a couple of days a week, every other day, or even daily. Just take a look at the numerous benefits that come your way by cutting calories:

Reset your body to burn fat for fuel
Improve your cardiovascular health
Reduce your cancer risk
Lessens the side effects of chemotherapy
Regulates your insulin levels
Lowers risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Reduces inflammation in your body

Here is some good news for all of you who suffer from autoimmune diseases (myself included). Researchers from the University of Southern California performed a study that shows that fasting induces immune system regeneration by shifting stem cells from a dormant state to a state of self-renewal.

There are different options of Intermittent Fasting. You should research each to find the one that you will be able to do consistently.

The 5:2 Intermittent Fasting Plan

The 5:2 Intermittent Fasting Plan involves eating normally (not bingeing on junk food, obviously), and fasting for two days. The two days are dispersed the week, as doing them together would be difficult for anyone to maintain. During fasting days, it is recommended that you cut your calorie intake to 500 calories/day for women and 600 calories/day for men. Here is a sample schedule from Dr. Michael Mosley’s book The Fast Diet: Lose Weight, Stay Healthy, and Live Longer with the Simple Secret of Intermittent Fasting.

Alternate Day Fasting

The Alternate Day Fast is a form of Intermittent Fasting that has become quite popular. It essentially involves rotating fasting days with non-fasting days. One day you eat normally, the next day you are limited to 500 calories, and then the next day you are back to a non-fasting day (you get the picture). Dr. Krista Varady, author of The Every-Other-Day Diet: The Diet That Lets You Eat All You Want (Half the Time) and Keep the Weight Off, recommends this form of fasting, as her research shows that Alternate Day Fasting works equally well for weight loss, and is easier to maintain this type of fasting regimen.

Specific Time Window Fasting

The type of fasting that Dr. Joseph Mercola, as well as several of us at Corinthian Health Services practice, is Specific Time Window Fasting. This type of fasts means that you are limiting the time that you eat during the day and then fast for 12-16 hours. Fasting the 12-16 hours allows your gut to rest and heal between each day. Why we love this form of fasting so much, is that the fast time includes sleep! You would ideally start with the 12-hour fast, so for example, you would not eat or drink anything except water from 7pm-7am. Over time you will work yourself up to fasting for 16 hours, the times that you would eat each day would be from 11am-7pm.

You have heard time-and-time again that “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day”, but research is proving that that is not necessarily true. You can actually benefit so much more in the long run if you skip it. We know that for many of you that breakfast foods are usually the most satisfying, but when you weigh in all of the amazing benefits, it is best just to put the fork down and wait a few more hours. Don’t forget, you can always have breakfast for dinner!

Jul 25

Improving Alzheimer’s Disease Using a Ketogenic Diet

The first study to test the efficacy of a ketogenic (low carbohydrate) diet in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, conducted by the University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Center, showed an improvement for those patients. Unfortunately, the vast majority of neurologists only see the ketogenic diet as useful when dealing with treatment-resistant epilepsy.

About the Alzheimer’s Disease Study

The overall study lasted for four months. 15 participants suffering from Alzheimer’s disease entered the trial initially; seven with a clinical dementia rating (CDR) of 0.5, four with a CDR of 1 and four with a CDR of 2. Patients were put on a ketogenic diet for three months, followed by a one-month “washout” period where they returned to their normal diet. During the ketogenic diet, a nutritionist recommended an eating plan designed to give patients 70% of energy as fat, 20% of energy as protein, and 10% of energy as carbohydrates.

Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale examinations were administered before starting with the ketogenic diet, during the three-month ketogenic diet period, and again after the washout period. Among those who completed the study, there was a mean improvement of 4.1 points on the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale during the diet, with a return to baseline scores after the washout period.

Food Is Medicine

The foods we eat can have a profound effect on our health. A ketogenic diet, in particular, has been shown to have positive effects on many different types of illnesses and diseases.

As carbohydrates in the diet are reduced, and fat is increased, the body is forced to convert fat into ketones, rather than burning carbohydrates, to provide energy for the body and brain. This metabolic state is called ketosis. All sorts of things start to happen in the body when this state is achieved.

When eating fewer carbohydrates, blood sugar and insulin fluctuations, which can lead to poor cell function and damage, are reduced.
The natural decrease in insulin resistance helps to fight inflammation, high triglyceride levels, and fat gain.
The boost in healthy fat intake that comes with a ketogenic diet will, in turn, help to raise good HDL cholesterol levels in the body.
In addition to promoting fat loss, a ketogenic diet helps reduce unhealthy belly fat, in particular, which has been linked to increased risk for many serious health conditions.

The benefits to the human body produced by following a ketogenic diet have been shown to help with the symptoms of diseases and disorders like epilepsy, dementia, autism, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, ALS, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and even some types of cancer.

More Education Is Needed

The study mentioned above, and the work of doctors familiar with ketogenic diets are proving again and again that variations on this type ofdiet can have overwhelmingly positive effects on countless patients, but still, more education is needed throughout the medical community.

If you have a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia, share this new study with them and their neurologist.

A ketogenic diet could prove to be a great addition to their treatment plan. Always seek the advice of a medical provider before making changes to your diet.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Jun 20

CIDP IVIG – Treatment of Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy

Are you experiencing tingling in your toes and fingers? How about weakness in the arms and legs? Do you find yourself complaining about extreme fatigue or loss of sensation? These are some of the most common symptoms of Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) and CIDP IVIG treatment can help.

CIDP is a rare autoimmune and neurological disorder that attacks the nerves. In the United States, about 40,000 people are believed to have the condition, but it is hard to pin down an exact number.

What is CIDP?

Also called chronic relapsing polyneuropathy, the disorder is often caused by damage to the peripheral nerves (the nerves surrounding the outside of the brain) and the spinal cord. CIDP causes the immune system to attack the nerve covering, which is called myelin, causing nerve damage.

Some of the symptoms of the disease include a tingling sensation or numbness that typically starts in the toes and fingers. CIDP patients also experience progressive weakness, fatigue, and loss of sensation.

In the early stages of the disorder, patients usually complain of difficulties in accomplishing minor tasks such as climbing stairs or using a blow dryer. It typically takes about eight weeks for symptoms to develop fully.

Experts consider CIDP to be the chronic form of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). GBS is also an autoimmune disorder that attacks the nerves. The main difference between the two is the speed of progression of symptoms. CIDP develops slowly, while GBS is considered a neurological emergency.

At this point, there is no definitive diagnostic test for CIDP. Medical experts use a combination of patient history, neurological examinations, and other tests such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis and complete blood count (CBC). Sometimes, a nerve biopsy is also required.

Risk Factors for CIDP

So far, medical experts haven’t been able to pin down exactly why the disorder strikes some people and not others. Anyone can develop CIDP regardless of age or gender, but it is more common in older adults and tends to affect men more than women. The typical age of onset is 30-60 years old. Having a previous infection also seems to be a risk factor that increases the chances of acquiring the condition.

CIDP IVIG Treatment Plan

If left untreated, CIDP can lead to the progressive loss of strength and sensation. Fortunately, even though the disorder is chronic, it is treatable. In fact, most patients respond very well to treatment. The most important thing is to diagnose the disease as early as possible, which increases the chances of better patient function and overall quality of life.

During treatment, the immediate goal is to control and suppress the symptoms of the disease such as pain, weakness, and sensory loss.

There are several standard treatments known to work for CIDP patients. For the last two decades, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy has been considered the primary treatment option.

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is the general term used to refer to replacement therapy. According to a recent study, as much as 50-70% of patients have a positive response to this treatment. In a nutshell, with IVIG, the patient receives injections of antibodies from carefully screened human blood donors. Patients who receive IVIG often show signs of improvement in strength, functional ability and quality of life.

IVIG is proven by medical experts to be safe. It is often given as an outpatient procedure. For most patients, the standard dosage is 2g/kg given intravenously over 2–5 days. The dosage is then usually reduced to by 1g/kg for one day about every three weeks.

With IVIG, improvement can be seen just days after treatment. Some patients may experience side effects such as chills, muscle ache, fever, or rapid heartbeat. In most cases, however, these side effects can be avoided by slowing down the infusion rate.

Other Common CIDP Treatments

Other treatments known to work are plasma exchange therapy and the corticosteroids such as Prednisone.

In plasma exchange therapy, plasma is filtered from the blood and replaced with new fluid. It is often done with a tube or catheter inserted into a vein in the neck. At the start of the treatment, it is typically done five times during a ten-day period. Beneficial effects can last from four to twelve weeks.

Prednisone is a steroid often used to suppress the immune system. It is typically used for diseases such as asthma, Crohn’s disease, allergies, systemic lupus and more. CIDP patients can take Prednisone to help improve muscle strength and coordination, as well as to help strengthen nerve signals. Patients who opt to use Prednisone can expect to see results in five to eight weeks, but intake should continue for at least a year to achieve long-term effects.

If you have questions about CIDP or IVIG treatment for CIDP, you should speak with your doctor.

Jun 6

How Does IVIG Treat Kawasaki Disease

Kawasaki Disease is a rare childhood illness and one of the leading causes of acquired heart disease in infants. The disease is typically IVIG Treat Kawasaki Disease characterized by red rashes on the hands, feet, and body in children under the age of five. If left untreated, it can lead to dangerous heart conditions and, in the worst case scenario, myocardial infarction.

What is Kawasaki Disease?

The immune system attacks blood vessels in children, primarily of Asian descent. Antibodies attack medium-sized blood vessels (including arteries, veins, and capillaries), which leads to acute inflammation and a reduced flow of blood to the heart and valve muscles.

When this happens, the heart may not pump as efficiently, which, in turn, increases the risk of myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, and heart failure. Infants are at risk of aneurysms developing in enlarged blood vessels and clots in narrow ones.

The cause of Kawasaki Disease is unknown, though it’s believed to have a strong genetic component. Untreated symptoms pass through a series of three stages and last around two weeks before the child returns to normal.

Typical symptoms present themselves as a red rash on the hands, feet, and body along with a high fever (above 102.2 F) that lasts for more than five days. Conjunctivitis or red eye, red lips, and a swollen strawberry-colored tongue are typical in the early stages. You may also find swollen lymph nodes in the neck and swelling around the rashes in the hands and feet.

The second phase starts after a few days to a week. Parents often notice the skin peeling in large sheets around the fingers and toes. Vomiting and diarrhea along with abdominal and joint pain are common.

The final phase sees a reduction in the rash, peeling, and swelling and the symptoms slowly dissipate as the child returns to normal. Kawasaki Disease doesn’t usually present itself again and responds well to treatment. However, heart complications may persist if the disease is untreated.

Parents should consult a doctor if they notice a high fever for more than a few days along with the typical rash and strawberry tongue.

Risk Factors

The exact cause of Kawasaki Disease is unknown. Common risk factors appear to be children between the age of one and five of Asian descent, and boys have a slightly higher risk than girls. However, 25% of cases involve infants younger than one and over the age of five. These cases are more likely to present an incomplete set of symptoms which is harder to identify and diagnose correctly.

It’s very likely that Kawasaki Disease has a strong genetic and environmental component. Experts also claim the prevalence varies between different seasons.

Treating Kawasaki Disease with IVIG

Diagnosing and treating Kawasaki Disease as early as possible is imperative to the health of the child. The longer the inflammation continues, the higher the risk of severe damage to blood vessels, heart muscles, and further complications. It is therefore of vital importance to get a correct diagnosis and begin treatment as early as possible. The purpose of treatment is to reduce the inflammation that can cause long-lasting damage to the circulatory system.

Typical treatment is a dose of aspirin and injections of IVIG. Aspirin reduces the risk of blood clots, and IVIG lowers inflammation. The latter are antibodies that are injected into the bloodstream to counter the inflammation, and has a high success rate.

Infants who undergo IVIG treatment typically experience coronary aneurysms in 1-5% of cases compared to 25% or greater in untreated patients.

Children may need to stay in the hospital under close observation by a team of cardiologists to ensure the treatment is reducing the inflammation. Maximum benefits from IVIG happen in the first ten days of manifestation. This is why it is so important for parents to identify symptoms and contact a medical professional as soon as possible.

Severe cases of Kawasaki Disease are extremely rare and are typically associated with no measurable response to the IVIG treatment. In cases like this, doctors will administer a course of corticosteroid therapy. Unfortunately, those who fail to respond to the IVIG are at a much higher risk of heart complications.

The vast majority of children fully recover and have no long-lasting effects after receiving early treatment. Parents should bring their child to be monitored after IVIG to ensure the cardiovascular system hasn’t suffered any irreversible damage.

Things to Remember

Kawasaki Disease usually presents itself in children of Asian descent between the ages of one and five.
The cardinal symptoms are a high fever with rashes on the hands, feet, and body with a swollen
Early diagnosis allows early treatment, which reduces the risk of complications and heart disease.
Proper treatment to reduce the inflammation, if administered in the first ten days, can mitigate the damage caused by Kawasaki Disease in most patients.

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