Squamish Wellness Directory

Inflammatory Bowel Disease By: Dr. Ashely Gordon

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an umbrella term for a group of chronic intestinal disorders which together pose a wide variety of symptoms and challenges to control.

The two main types of IBD are ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.  The primary difference is that Crohn's creates an inflammatory reaction through the entire thickness of the bowel wall, most frequently in a localized area of the small intestine.  Other Crohn's symptoms include inflammation of the mouth, esophagus and stomach, diarrhea, fever and lower abdominal pain.  Loss of appetite, weight loss and fatigue are also common.

Ulcerative colitis does not generally involve the entire thickness of the bowel wall.  Physical signs include bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, loss of weight, fever, anal fissures and hemorrhoids.

 IBD affects all age groups, but is most prevalent among 15-35 year-olds.  Females are slightly more susceptible than males, and Caucasians far more prone than people of Asian or African heritage.  Incidence among Jews is 3-5 times that of Gentiles.  There is a genetic predisposition to both disorders, but other causes are difficult to identify with certainty.  Viruses and bacteria, an auto-immune link (where the body attacks itself), stress and depression all play a role.  There are indications that diet and exposure to antibiotics also contribute to IBD, but identifying a particular cause for a given patient can be challenging.  Both varieties of IBD increase the chance of developing colon cancer.

IBD is conventionally treated with steroid-based medications.  Steroids greatly reduce inflammation, but often have harmful side effects, including vitamin and mineral depletion, increased blood sugar and cholesterol, as well as impaired healing and bone formation.  In extreme cases, surgery may also be prescribed to remove the afflicted section of intestine.

A carefully regulated diet can both help combat inflammation and bolster the body's defences against IBD.  Red meat, peanuts, refined sugar, dairy, and processed foods are all inflammatory and thus should be avoided, along with alcohol and caffeine.  Other foods such as corn and glutinous grains (wheat, rye, oats, barley, spelt and kamut) can trigger sensitivities or allergic responses which an elimination diet can help detect. 

Fish, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds all have anti-inflammatory properties.  Probiotics (“good” bacteria) help normalize the flora of the digestive tract, increase absorption and reduce diarrhea.  The amino acid L-glutamine and herbs such as marshmallow root, comfrey, slippery elm and poke root are soothing and healing to the gut.  Because IBD hampers the absorption of nutrients, patients may also require supplementary doses of vitamins A, B, C, D, E, zinc, magnesium and potassium.  Intravenous vitamin/mineral therapy, whereby high doses are injected directly into the blood stream bypassing the digestive system, can boost the rate of absorption.  

Like other digestive disorders, IBD is exacerbated by stress.  Regular exercise, yoga, massage and tai chi all improve relaxation;  proper sleep hygiene is also essential.  Many patients can find relief in acupuncture and Chinese herb treatment.

No cure has been discovered for IBD.  However, for patients who follow a careful regimen of dietary control, supplements, exercise and stress management, there is an excellent chance that symptoms can be greatly reduced or eliminated altogether. ©Dr. Gordon, 2012.
drashelygordon@shaw.ca

Recipe of the Month: Banana Spelt Pancakes

1 cup (250 mL) raspberries

1/4 cup (60 mL) maple syrup

1 cup (250 mL) spelt flour

1 tsp (5 mL) baking powder

1 ripe banana, mashed

1 tsp (5 mL) Cinnamon

1/2 cup (125 mL) milk or unsweetened rice or soy milk

1/3 cup (80 mL) chopped Walnuts 1 large egg, beaten

In blender, combine raspberries and maple syrup. Blend until smooth, set aside. In bowl, mix together spelt flour and baking powder. Add banana, cinnamon, milk, walnuts, and then egg. Mix until smooth with no clumps. If needed, slowly stir in more milk until you get desired consistency.

Heat nonstick skillet over medium heat. Drop batter onto skillet with 1/3 cup (80 mL) measuring cup and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes per side or until nicely browned on both sides. Top with raspberry syrup.

Save extra syrup and stir into yogurt.

Makes 6 pancakes.

 

The Goods on the Ingredients:

Raspberries: Rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants which can strengthen one’s immune system and prevent infection. They are also rich in fiber to promote regular bowel movements and eliminate toxins. Raspberries contain lutein which is important for proper vision. Berries also are important at preventing and treating cancer.

Maple Syrup: Contains manganese – for energy production and antioxidant defence – and zinc, important for men’s reproductive health. Maple syrup is a good alternative to refined sweeteners such as white sugar, or artificial sweeteners.

Spelt Flour: A glutinous grain that can be used as an alternative to wheat. It has a nutty flavour and is high in protein and fiber. Spelt can be helpful to reduce heart disease and protect against colorectal cancer.

Banana: High in fiber and potassium. Good for your heart and lowering cholesterol levels.

Cinnamon: A very warming herb that can be used to help with circulatory disorders as well as balance blood sugar levels for those suffering from insulin resistance or diabetes. In Chinese medicine, this herb is used for colds, digestive disorders or painful menstrual periods.

Walnuts: Considered to be the oldest tree food known to man. They are extremely nutrient-dense: high in antioxidants, vitamin E, magnesium, monounsaturated fats (‘good’ fats), protein, and fiber. Walnuts can help with lowering cholesterol and reducing heart disease.

Rice Milk: A good alternative for people having trouble digesting dairy. A source of protein, calcium and B vitamins.

Eggs: A high-quality complete protein, and an excellent source of vitamins K, D, and the B vitamins.

 

www.garibaldihealthclinic.com

What is Neural Therapy?

Neural therapy is the injection of local anaesthetics into peripheral nerves, scars, acupuncture points, trigger points and other tissues to relieve pain and dysfunction throughout the body. Neural therapy’s healing effect is believed to work by normalizing the function of the nervous system. It is based on the theory that any trauma, infection, or surgery can produce long-standing disturbances in the electrochemical or electromagnetic function of tissues.

What conditions can Neural Therapy treat?
• Scar disturbances

• Post-surgical pain

• Asthma

• Menstrual pain & irregularity   

• Hormone imbalances including thyroid, adrenal & ovarian hormones

What can I expect from a treatment?

After an initial assessment the patient lies on the treatment table while the doctor uses small needles to inject local anaesthetic into the identified areas of dysfunction. The effect of the treatment often produces immediate relief of symptoms. The patient can experience a feeling of euphoria, energy going to the head (‘lightening reaction’), and/or emotional release. All responses are important in the healing process.

One of the beautiful things about neural therapy is that it can go directly to the site of the problem and clear it out, relieving toxic burden that can build up. A typical course of neural therapy treatment is about six sessions.

Dr. Jennifer Moss has received specialized training in Neural Therapy and sees patients at Garibaldi Health Clinic on Thursdays and Fridays. www.drjennifermoss.com

Allergy Testing and Treatment offered at Garibaldi Health Clinic

Do you suffer from seasonal allergies? Itchy, watery, red eyes; runny nose, sneezing, sinus pressure/pain, itchy throat, blocked ears, headaches, and fatigue? Are you tired of taking antihistamines and not getting to the root of the problem?

Garibaldi Health Clinic is now offering allergy testing (via diagnostic scratch testing) to determine if you have allergies (and the severity) to the following: grasses, trees, weeds, ragweed, dust mite, cats, dogs and/or mold.

Treatment using SLIT (Sublingual Immunotherapy):

Sublingual immunotherapy, given as drops under the tongue, treats the cause(s) of allergies by giving low doses of the allergen (for eg. cat dander) to the patient. Repeated exposure over time to these small doses, increases one’s tolerance to the allergens and reduces allergy symptoms. SLIT re-trains your body not to be allergic in the first place.

SLIT is similar to allergy shots in that they both change the body’s ability to react to allergens. Allergy shots are very effective but they need to be given in a physician’s office which is often inconvenient for patients resulting in not finishing the treatment course. SLIT is more convenient than shots as the patient can self-administer the drops at home.

Patients that undergo SLIT treatment report a better quality of life - fewer sick days from work and school, improved sleep, and a drastic reduction or elimination of allergy symptoms. Many patients are dependent on antihistamines to function, and are happy to not need them anymore.

SLIT has been studied in over 60 clinical trials over the past 15 years proving efficacy, safety, and tolerance to the treatment. It is now the most widely prescribed form of allergy immunotherapy in Europe. SLIT is Health Canada and FDA approved, and is recognized by the World Health Organization as an effective treatment for allergies. Research shows that committing to the full therapy can result in permanent symptom relief – no more suffering from allergies!

It is suggested to start SLIT 30-60 days prior to allergy season. In B.C. tree pollen comes out as early as February and so treatment can begin in January.

For more information or to make an appointment, please contact Garibaldi Health Clinic – 604.898.1999. Dr. Ashely Gordon & Dr. Jennifer Moss are trained to perform the scratch testing and write patient prescriptions for SLIT drops.

Chemicals in Personal Care Products

The chemicals used in Personal Care Products (PCPs) are mostly unregulated and untested. It has only been in the past five years that it has been mandatory for companies to include a list of ingredients on product labels – however, it is not a requirement to list the amount of each ingredient. It is this low-level, long-term exposure to chemicals that is being linked to more and more chronic health issues.

Some Facts – did you know?

• It was found in a recent report titled “Heavy Metal Hazard” from the Environmental Defence, that cosmetic products contain heavy metals, even though this has been banned. The main metals present include arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury.
• The average consumer (including teens) uses 15-25 cosmetic PCPs a day, which amounts to an exposure rate of approximately 200 chemicals per day!
• Side effects of synthetic PCPs include: mild to severe allergic reactions, disruption of hormonal, nervous, respiratory and immune systems, and cancer-causing properties with long-term exposure.
• Many of the toxic chemicals in PCPs are acidic (low pH). When the pH of the body is disrupted, minerals will be pulled from nearby sources in order to balance the pH. This creates a deficiency of minerals in the body.

What to avoid:

The chemicals that are the most important to avoid are those that have a name ending in ‘acid’, as well as alcohol, parabens, phthalates, sodium laureth (and its derivatives), propylene glycol and synthetic colours and fragrances.

Other concerns about chemicals in PCPs:

• Medicated soaps destroy beneficial bacteria on the surface of the skin
• Alcohol in products contribute to skin dehydration. Some mouthwashes contain even higher concentrations of alcohol than beer, wine, or liquor. Long- term use of alcohol-based mouthwash has been linked to increased risk of oral and throat cancer.
• Oils in bathing products and moisturizers clog the skin pores reducing waste transport from the tissues.
• Petroleum-based ointments (ie Vaseline) coat the skin surface with an insulating film which prevents evaporation of secretions and the release of heat.

The Bottomline:

It is of utmost importance that consumers learn to understand labels in order to choose products that contain few or no harmful chemicals. It is beneficial to support the health of the skin by drinking adequate water, maintaining a regular exercise regime, dry skin brushing, and consuming ‘good’ fats (avocado, nuts, seeds, fish, olive oil) to keep the skin hydrated from the inside out.

For more information:

The Skin Deep Cosmetics Database: www.ewg.org/skindeep The Environmental Defence: www.environmentaldefence.ca

www.garibaldihealthclinic.com

Health Tip: Friendly Fevers

To reduce a fever, drink a couple of glasses of water, apply a cold wet compress to the forehead and chest and take a long tepid bath or sponge bath. Rest, drink plenty of fluids and limit food intake until the fever breaks. Fevers below 39C (102F) are seen as “friendly” and a normal reaction of the body to eliminate toxins.

www.garibaldihealthclinic.com

The Common Cold By Dr. Ashely Gordon

A virus is a submicroscopic parasite that can reproduce only within the cells of a living organism.  Of the countless viruses on Earth, rhinoviruses - the primary cause of the common cold - are the type which most frequently infects humans. 

How common is the common cold?  Each year there are over a billion cases in North America alone.  The incidence of colds is highest in autumn and winter, which may correlate with more time spent indoors.  Winter air can also lower the temperature of the nasal passages to the 33-35°C range in which rhinoviruses multiply.

Transmission of cold viruses occurs via respiratory droplets and, more frequently, from contaminated surfaces.  The mucous membranes of the eyes and nose are a receptive environment for viruses, so touching the face greatly increases the chance of infection.  Wash your hands frequently, especially if you've been in public places such as washrooms, stores or public transit. 

A rhinovirus will attach to receptors in the nose within fifteen minutes of entering the upper respiratory tract, and over 50% of people will experience cold symptoms within two days of infection.  Symptoms include runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, cough and sneezing.  Headache, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes in the head/neck, plugged ears, muscle aches and loss of appetite are also common.  Infectiousness is highest in the first three days and symptoms usually disappear within one to two weeks.

Conventional treatments include antihistamines, decongestants and anti-inflammatory medications.  These drugs may reduce symptoms but do not shorten the duration of the virus and may produce a range of side effects, including drowsiness, sleep disturbance and digestive complaints.  There is no cold vaccine and antibiotics have no effect.

There are, however, other ways to help reduce the severity and duration of cold symptoms.   Protein-rich foods such as fish, seeds and legumes bolster the immune system, and fluids help create a less hospitable environment for the virus.  Fruits and vegetables provide vitamin C, which has both antiviral and antihistamine properties.   Dairy products, on the other hand, create mucous - the perfect environment for a virus - and should thus be avoided, along with refined sugars. 

Light exercise during a cold can help flush pathogens from the body.  Vitamin A and zinc inhibit viral reproduction and boost the body's defences.  Many herbs may reduce symptoms, including echinacea, goldenseal, oil of oregano and ginseng.

The best defence against the common cold is prevention.  Eat a balanced diet, avoid tobacco and limit alcohol intake.  Reduce stress through yoga, meditation and regular exercise, and be sure to get plenty of sleep each night.  Avoidance of allergenic foods may also reduce the incidence of colds.

For anyone in good physical condition an occasional cold is more an annoyance than a serious health concern.  Whenever the immune system battles a virus it produces antibodies to combat that particular viral strain.  The next time you encounter the virus, your body will be much better able to fight it off.
©Dr. Gordon, 2012.

Insomnia by Dr. Ashely Gordon

For millions of people, a good night's sleep is only a dream. Up to 30% of the population experiences sleep difficulties within a given year and roughly one in ten people suffers from chronic insomnia. In North America, over 100 million prescriptions are written every year for sleep medications, many highly addictive. 

Insomnia is an umbrella term for a number of distinct sleep complaints, including sleep-onset and sleep-maintenance insomnia (difficulty falling asleep and frequent waking, respectively).  Insomnia is also defined according to whether symptoms are transient, short-term or chronic (over six months).

Night time is a period of regeneration.  Many important physiological processes take place while we sleep, including the secretion of anti-aging hormones and the quenching of free radicals in the brain.  Sleep helps rebuild cells, combat illness and regulate blood sugar levels.  Most people can tolerate a few days without adequate sleep, however long-term deprivation can have serious consequences for our physical and mental health.

A night's sleep is composed of a series of alternating periods of REM (rapid eye movement, or dream-state) and non-REM sleep. With age we tend to have relatively less REM sleep and to awaken more easily at the transition between the two states.

Sleep dysfunction can be caused by an enormous range of physical problems.  These include depression, anxiety, pain, fibromyalgia, hormonal imbalance, chronic fatigue syndrome, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperthyroidism (over-active thyroid). Many prescription and non-prescription drugs, alcohol and caffeine also undermine sleep. 

Psychological factors account for half of all insomnia cases.  Stress has a particularly harmful effect on sleep, since it tends to elevate the stress-response hormone cortisol. The more cortisol is produced in the late evening, the more sleep is impaired and the greater the difficulty of controlling daytime stress.

Diet greatly affects sleep.  Whole grains and other complex carbohydrates help maintain blood sugar levels and increase serotonin – the ‘feel-good’ hormone important for initiating sleep. Foods containing the amino acid tryptophan - turkey, bananas, figs, nuts and yogurt - are sedative, and herbs, including Valerian root, passionflower and chamomile, provide a natural alternative to prescription sleep medications.  Sugar is a stimulant and should be used sparingly; artificial sweeteners avoided altogether.

Improving sleep can be a complex process involving blood work and other tests, or even a stay in a sleep clinic to check for chronic disorders such as sleep apnea.  First, one can take some obvious steps.  Yoga, meditation, acupuncture, and massage help reduce stress, and calcium/magnesium as a supplement helps to relax the muscles of the body in preparation for sleep.  Melatonin (a hormone that regulates the sleep/wake cycle) and 5-HTP (a hormone precursor to serotonin) can encourage sleep and increase the amount of REM sleep.  Regular exercise is essential, but best avoided in the hours before bedtime. 

Most importantly, try to maintain a regular sleep schedule, seven days a week.  Switch off the computer or TV well before bedtime and take a warm bath in magnesium-rich Epsom salts.  Make sure your sleeping environment is dark, quiet and well ventilated.  Remove electronic devices such as computers and TVs, which can hamper melatonin production.  If sleep problems persist, see your health professional. 

©Dr. Gordon, 2011.

 

 

Asthma

In recent decades asthma has become both more common and deadly.  Over 300 million people now suffer from the condition, and every year 250,000 die, with eighty percent of these deaths in the Third World. 

In Western countries the mortality rate remains relatively low, but in other respects we are also experiencing a virtual epidemic.  Three million Canadians have been diagnosed as asthmatic, a number projected to double over the next decade.

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by shortness of breath, a wheezy cough and expectoration of viscous mucous.  Blood work often reveals an increase in a particular type of white blood cells, as well as raised immunoglobulin - both typical in allergic reactions.  Asthma affects people of all ages, but is most common in young children.  Boys are twice as susceptible as girls, but by age 30 the discrepancy disappears. 

Spring Cleansing

 By Dr. Ashely Gordon

Imagine, if you can, that you have just fallen into a vat of industrial waste.

Solvents, heavy metals, hydrocarbons – a thoroughly nasty soup. So what do you do?

Of course, you get out of the vat as quickly as possible, and then clean yourself up with a shower and plenty of soap. A no-brainer.

But what if the nasty soup is not in a vat but in the environment, in soil, water, air, medications, even food? And what if traces of those pollutants are inside the body? 

What do we do? Typically, nothing. We may change our habits or our diet, but few of us ever do anything to purge the contaminants that already burden our bodies. That we leave to the bodily systems that are supposed to take care of such things. And they do – to a point.  

But nowadays, our kidneys, liver, bowels and other cleansing organs are reaching the breaking point. They are overloaded, and the consequences are dramatic increases in environmentally-engendered diseases: cancer, arthritis, autoimmune conditions, colitis, allergies, diabetes and Parkinson’s, among others.

Perhaps you caught the stunning report by cancer survivor, Wendy Mesley, on CBC-TV’s Marketplace a month ago. She began by reading a lab analysis identifying more than 40 carcinogenic toxins in her body. Her point was that there is nothing unusual about this; most of us carry as many or more.  

As toxins accumulate in fat, joints, the brain, and other tissues, the natural chemical reactions of the body become slower and of poorer quality. Our detoxifying mechanisms perform sluggishly. Like any hard-working servant, they need an occasional break, and the best holiday we can give them is a good cleaning out.

Internal cleansing is at least as old as the classical Greeks and comes in many forms. Sweats, for example, either passively in a sauna or actively through exercise, are very effective in releasing toxins directly through the skin.

Cleanses can be equally beneficial. Water fasts, juice fasts, whole grain cleanses, among others, relieve the body of the enormous energy demand of digesting and metabolizing large quantities of food. The resulting energy surplus gives a boost to the immune system and stabilizes the nervous system, especially in times of stress.

Simple changes in the diet can be just as helpful. Eliminating, even temporarily, saturated fats, artificial sweeteners, food additives and sugars promotes detoxification, as does increasing your intake of leafy green vegetables, certain fruits and whole grains. Drinking copious quantities of purified water during a cleanse helps flush toxins through the kidneys.

Vitamins, minerals and certain accessory nutrients can make a big difference to how well your body cleanses. The liver, our most important detoxifying organ, benefits from garlic, onions, brassicas (broccoli, cauliflower, brussel spouts, cabbage, kale, bok choy) and carotenoids (orange and yellow fruits and vegetables that promote the production of vitamin A.)

Cleaning up our world will be a long and difficult task, but detoxifying our bodies periodically is something anyone can do. Consult a health professional – there is a right and wrong way to go about it – and get started. What better time to begin than in the season of traditional spring cleaning!  ©Dr. Ashely Gordon, 2006.

drashelygordon@shaw.ca