B-12 Injection

B-12 can help significantly reduce or resolve the following symptoms:

I have observed up to 90-95% success rates with patients experiencing improvement in one or more of the symptoms listed, especially if patients follow through the complete injection protocol. I have not been able to determine why approximately 5-10% of patients don’t respond. Also, I have had patients who didn’t have any overt symptoms still want to try B-12 injections in attempt to feel even better. This success rate has been over 50%.

Primary symptoms that usually improve:

• Fatigue, lack of motivation/apathy, low stamina/weakness
• Sleep problems (insomnia, poor sleep quality, not rested in the morning/hard to get up)
• Mood issues (irritability, anxiety, mild-moderate depression, low sense of well being)
• Poor short term memory, lack of focus/concentration, decreased mental sharpness, “fuzzy thinking (While potentially useful for anyone, this is particularly effective in the elderly. But if B-12 levels have been too low for too long in the elderly, success can be limited.)
• Peripheral Neuropathies (numbness/tingling of extremities), paresthesias, sciatica
• PMS (especially emotional reactions)
• Jet lag (reduction in symptoms or susceptibility)
• Dizziness/balance problems, ringing in ears/tinnitus
• Loss of appetite
• Sore mouth/tongue, tingling sensation in mouth
• Arthritis/Bursitis, chronic pain        

Medical observation has also identified B-12 as being supportive in these conditions: 

• Wheezing/asthma type problems
• Eating disorders/Alcohol abuse
• Cervix problems (PAP smears)
• Pre-eclampsia (in pregnancy)
• Infertility
• MS

B-12 supplementation is important or required with these situations or conditions:

• Strict vegetarians (vegans) after 1 year
• Gastrointestinal problems (inc. bypass surgery), use of Rx acid blockers (i.e. Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonex, Nexium)
• High Homocysteine blood levels (contributes to heart attack, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease risks)
• Diabetic Rx use - esp. Glucophage (Metformin)
• High alcohol intake –  (all B-Complex vitamins are required)
• Macrocytic/Megaloblastic Anemia (B-12 type)

 Note: Pernicious Anemia requires a different protocol and its treatment requires a different discussion.                                  

Common Questions:

Can B-12 deficiency be identified through blood tests?

• B-12 activity is not effectively measured in blood. First, what is considered a “normal” range is often too low for optimum benefit. More important - what is in the blood doesn’t necessarily pass into the tissues, so you really need to measure tissue levels. The only effective test for this is Methyl Malonic Acid (MMA), a metabolite of B-12. B-12 is the only chemical in the body that produces this chemical, so there are no confounding factors to its levels. Serum B-12 levels can look falsely normal, while the MMA test can more accurately identify if a deficiency exists. Western medical practitioners are often not aware of this test or its significant value. If testing B-12 levels, serum B-12 is the primary method used. MMA can be measured in blood and urine, but the urine test is more reliable for deficiency identification. If not offered by a local lab, there is a urine collection kit available that can be mailed to a specific lab (see below). I do not routinely test the B-12 levels before initiating treatment, as this has little bearing on the therapeutic success. Patients with “normal” B-12 levels still can benefit from shots.

Why injection?

• Published research says the oral tablets are just as effective to reverse deficient B-12 blood levels, but I do not see the same therapeutic benefit (symptom improvement) as with the injection. B-12 can be very hard to absorb through the stomach/intestinal route. Then it requires transport from the serum into the tissues via specific Transcobalamin carrier molecules. Injections provide superior delivery which can result in significant therapeutic effects. The second best route is a sublingual dosage (dissolved under tongue), because this avoids stomach/intestinal absorption issues, though I do not see the same therapeutic effect or benefits with the symptoms discussed above compared to the injection. NOTE: IV B-12 does not work as well as the IM injection route due to more rapid detoxification via the liver.

Are there any Toxicity or Side Effects?

• B-12 is considered to be non-toxic in general. Few side effects are observed generally. Using high dose B-12 (5mg/ml – 1ml doses or higher), urine can turn pink. There are occasional responses that fall out of the norm. I have had a very few patients that get overstimulated initially - if they get the shot in the afternoon they then can have trouble sleeping at night. Morning shots generally do not cause this problem in these cases. A few patients have wanted to take a nap after getting the shot, then they feel refreshed. Rarely – the opposite of expected positive effects have occurred, such as anxiety. A few patients have had itching and redness at the site of injection. The injection site reaction seems to start with mild symptoms but increases with repeated injections. If this occurs, I discontinue the injections. I have had reported a sense of swelling in joints or body overall. Very rarely patients can have an allergic reaction, including hives or breathing difficulties. It is possible that a gout reaction can occur in susceptible patients. Heart palpitations or other chest sensations have been reported, though I have not seen this. I have seen a comment about an association with rosacea and B-12 injections. There has been an association of high levels of B-12 and increased prostate & breast cancer occurrence, but I believe this has been seen in long term use of Folic Acid. A short series of shots or occasional repeat IM B-12 with FA in the future does not seem to qualify for a high quantity or repeated exposure that could possibly create this issue. Also there may be many other factors involved. It is theoretically possible that high dose/long term use of B-12 injectable (especially with Folic Acid) can stimulate the bone marrow to produce excessive amounts of red blood cells and platelets over time. Patients with Leber’s Disease (a hereditary condition) should not supplement with B-12 because it can cause damage to the optic nerve.

Why aren’t dietary sources of B-12 sufficient?

• B-12 is supplied via foods that have had blood in them – primarily meat, dairy, and eggs. This is why strict vegetarians are at risk. But eating foods containing B-12 does not insure sufficient blood levels due to the absorption issues mentioned above, or therapeutic response. Again, the B-12 injections have the ability to create a therapeutic effect that is not seen with other routes of absorption. I provide a high potency B-Complex tablet if patients require longer-term or high dose B-12 injections to keep an overall balance of B vitamins in their system.

Obesity and Cardiovascular Health

"Keep you and your valentine's hearts healthy."

Until recently the association between obesity and coronary heart disease (CHD) seemed to be indirect. In recent years however, according to the American Heart Association these chronic diseases not only have increased in incidence but also are both caused by the same environmental precursors. As genes do contribute to a percentage of obesity cases, most along with CHD are inhibited by an increase in high fat and calorie intake, and a decrease in energy exertion through exercise. As BMI increases the number of instances of other factors increase as well. These include hypertension, low HDL levels, an impaired glucose tolerance, several other forms of heart disease, and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Studies suggest that little amounts of dietary and exercise changes at a time can dramatically improve a healthy weight and heart. 

Here are some general nutritional recommendations for cardiovascular disease prevention 
9 Tips to Prevent Heart Disease
   
1.  Alcohol in moderation 1-2 glasses, 2-3 times a wk
2.  Exercise 1 hr 5 x a week
3.  Eat more veggies
4.  Monitor blood pressure
5.  Increase Omega 3 Fatty acids
6.  Consume less dairy and meat
7.  Eliminate tobacco
8.  Check cholesterol
9.  Maintain a healthy weight

A good resource for additional information on specific diet strategies such as DASH, low-carb, and the Mediterranean diet read here:

http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/5/9/3646

Consult with your healthcare provider about what measures are appropriate in achieving your ideal weight as there are variations between individuals.  

For more information please read:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23777875

Irresistible Reasons for Food Cravings

The thought of enjoying an ice cold, creamy chocolate milkshake on a hot summer's day would make anyone’s mouth water. That’s the same sensation our brain feels every time we consume sugar.

When we consume foods containing fat and sugar the part of our brain associated with award systems becomes active making us crave more. In a recent study conducted on over 100 healthy high school students funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), brain activity while drinking chocolate milkshakes was recorded. The milkshakes were identical to each other yet had different amounts of sugar and fat content in them. The researchers initially hypothesized the first group consuming high fat-low sugar content milkshakes would affect their brain rewards systems more than the second group consuming milkshakes of low fat-high sugar content. 

The researchers were surprised to find out that the milkshakes higher in sugar actually increased reactions in the reward center of the brain most responsible for compulsive eating. Conclusions suggest that when sugar was consumed, more sugar was craved.  In contrast to conventional American’s diets which include higher levels of sugar than fats, the study concluded that a diet higher in fat than sugar resulted in lower levels of reward center activity in the brain.

With rising levels of obesity within the United States, this knowledge can be used to better suit dietary recommendations, knowing that against any amount of willpower, sugar may win, and to avoid it more so than fat.

For more information please visit:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24132980

 

Obesity Negatively Affects Sperm Health in Men

findings can hopefully encourage perspective fathers to maintain a healthy weight not just for themselves but for their future children too

Obesity raises a slew of health concerns for the American people. One in particular is an issue surrounding perspective fathers’ weights during time of conception.

Recent findings published by the Research Center for Reproductive Health at the University of Adelaide in South Australia, find that a father’s weight during conception can negatively affect the genes given to their offspring increasing their chances for diabetes. They also found that these genes could negatively affect the second generation too. Dr. Tod Fullston states "Fathers should aim to be as healthy as possible at the time of conception to give future generations the best possible chance of good health."

These findings can hopefully encourage perspective fathers to maintain a healthy weight not just for themselves but for their future children too.

Poor Food Choices Associated With Depression

"Dietary choices truly affect the way we feel"

While everyone has undoubtedly heard the quote, “You are what you eat,” some of us still prove to need convincing that dietary choices truly affect the way we feel.  According to a large cohort study that included nearly 9000 adult participants in Spain, over consumption of junk foods is associated with depression.  For participants who regularly ate “fast foods” like hamburgers and pizza, there was a 40% increased likelihood for becoming depressed compared with participants who ate smaller amounts or no “fast foods.”  Interestingly, risk for depression rose steadily when higher amounts of junk foods were eaten.  Risk for depression was also found to be higher in adults who frequently consumed baked goods like doughnuts, muffins, and croissants.    

“We were not surprised with the results.  Several studies have analyzed the association between fast food and commercial bakery consumption and physical diseases, such as obesity or coronary heart disease,” according to Almudena Sánchez-Villegas, PhD.  Dr. Sánchez-Villegas is from the Department of Clinical Sciences at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health at the University of Navarra in Spain. 

The study, published in Public Health Nutrition, aimed to determine the role that fast food and processed food consumption plays in the development of depression.  Starting in 1999, researchers began tracking diet and lifestyle choices on an ongoing basis.  Prior to the beginning of the study, no participants had taken any antidepressants before or received any diagnosis of depression.  

On a bi-annual basis, participants were asked to fill out surveys as a way of assessing dietary intake.  Researchers analyzed total consumption of “fast foods” and commercial baked goods, including things like hamburgers, pizza, hot dogs, croissants, doughnuts, and muffins.  Researchers also analyzed incidence of depression, use of antidepressant medications, as well as lifestyle data.      

Results of the study indicated that within about 6.2 years after study initiation, 493 participants had been diagnosed with depression.  Those adults who consumed the most “fast foods” had a corresponding higher risk for developing depression.  These adults, in addition to those eating high amounts of commercial baked goods, also tended to be single, less active, smoke, work over 45 hours weekly, and eat diets lower in fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish, and/or olive oil.  Even small amounts of “fast foods” were found to be associated with a significantly increased depression risk. 

A number of studies now support the idea that mental well-being is heavily influenced by daily dietary and lifestyle habits.  Any comprehensive treatment approach for depression should absolutely take into account and work to optimize a person’s lifestyle choices and the foods they put into their body on a regular basis.  This will surely increase the odds of success!  

Dr. Shana McQueen

Source:  http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/762655

Mind and Body Connection for Weight loss Maintenance using Acupressure

The Human Mind-Body Connection

The human mind-body connection is most evident when our emotions pay a physical toll on our bodies. Examples include anxiety leading to a headache, receiving negative news resulting in an upset stomach, and in contrast, a happy life event leading to more physical energy. Knowing how closely our emotions and our bodies are connected, we can use this to our advantage; in this instance acupressure. Acupressure is an intervention derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This technique involves the utilization of pressure points along our body, and when stimulated can correspond to addressing the onset of ailments the body is experiencing.

Losing weight is not just diet based rather it includes other various health conditions to be resolved that are going on in the body (More Info). Once an amount of weight is lost, maintaining the current weight requires continuation of this lifestyle change the individual has made to initially lose it. In an article published by the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine the largest ongoing randomized control trial of an energy psychology intervention was reviewed.  In a cohort of adult subjects  they were categorized into an acupressure intervention and a self-directed social support group. The acupressure group utilized the Tapas Acupressure Technique (TAT) by self administration. The acupressure group’s results would support positive findings that its use as a weight-loss maintenance tool could be applied in a variety of care settings, control food cravings, and reduce stress levels.

For more information please visit:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2922972/

Why Can't I Lose Weight? Preping for Your New Year's Resolution

The New Year is upon us and one of the top resolutions is to lose weight.

The New Year is upon us. Many people have made their resolutions, but have not started them yet.  One of the top resolutions people make is to lose weight.  Most people gain from five to seven pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year’s.  If they do not lose that weight right away it starts accumulating year after year, and over time the weight becomes harder to lose. Most diets do not focus on obtaining a healthy state of being which is essential for maintaining an optimal weight. Thus, any one diet will not work for everyone. Once individuals get off their diet, the weight comes back on because they go back to their old eating habits.

As we get older it becomes harder and harder to lose weight. There are many reasons why a person cannot lose weight.  For example, the thyroid may not function optimally. Since the thyroid regulates metabolism, if the thyroid is not functioning, one will not lose weight regardless of the diet.  The adrenals work with the thyroid to control ones energy and inflammation in the body.  If a person does not have the energy to exercise, their adrenals may not be functioning properly.

Menopausal women also tend to have a problem with weight gain. This is due to hormone fluctuations such as estradiol, progesterone, thyroid, adrenal, DHEA and testosterone. Thus, if a woman is going through menopause she may want to get her hormones checked. 

Insulin resistance and adult onset diabetes also plays a role with weight gain; individuals with insulin resistance generally have high blood pressure, high cholesterol and are over weight.  Many individuals also have food allergies that affect weight gain.  By identifying food allergies and eliminating these foods, individuals can lose 8 to 10 pounds in two weeks. Other individuals may have celiac disease. When these individuals get off gluten they lose weight more easily.  As you can see, there are many different reasons why a person cannot lose weight. This is why no one diet will fit everyone.

Enhancing Weight Loss Programs with Mobile Technology

Weight loss? There's an App for That!

There is little known surrounding the integration of technology with weight loss intervention. Noting this, The American Medical Association has recently implemented a study involving technology in a weight loss intervention to further the medical knowledge base surrounding it.

In this study participants were enrolled for a 12 month period in a weight loss program at the VA  outpatient clinic.  The two groups were assigned to a control group that received a weight loss intervention alone; and the second group received the intervention along with mobile technology additions. These included a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) to log diet and physical activity and receiving bi-weekly coaching sessions over telephone. All participants’ weight were measured at baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, along with a follow-up.

The group that did not receive the technology support lost an average of 8.6 pounds less than the intervention group that also received the technology support. This equals to a 5% weight loss difference between the two groups. Results suggest that the use of technology can improve weight loss outcomes. Further research is needed to strengthen the amount of evidence that supports this.

For more information please visit:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3684245/

A Review of Low-Volume High-Intensity Training and Its Benefits

Would you like to complete a three hour workout in 20 minutes? Read ahead.

Low-volume high-intensity training is not for everyone, but if you are in general good health you may be able to reap the benefits of this trendy exercise. Low-volume high-intensity training is noted for its structure, offering a very intense workout regime that gets your heart rate up. Since this “all out sprint” model cycles shortly timed but quick movements to times of rest, it results in a workout that takes a short length of time in all; yet also increases metabolism. Research suggests such exercise models may offer as much as an average aerobic workout would produce in three hours- in as little time as 20 minutes.

In a study published by the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine a cohort of men randomized between groups, low-volume high-intensity and all out sprint training were compared. The first group in the high- intensity completed 3-5 cycling bouts with 4 minute recovery, and the second completed 6-10 cycling bouts with 2 minutes recovery. Both groups resulted in similar performance at the end of four weeks. As this workout regime may not be for the faint of heart, the benefits are unweighable. By combining aerobic with anaerobic workouts this training provides great results with half the time and double repetitions.
This regime does support previous investigations of optional workouts such as continuous running, brisk walking, and various prolonged aerobic workouts that are effective in lowering ones risk for developing metabolic diseases.

For more information please visit:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3737829/ A Practical Model of Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Training Induces Performance and Metabolic Adaptations That Resemble ‘All-Out’ Sprint Interval Training

10 Ways to Have a Healthy Holiday & (Not Gain Extra Pounds From All That Fruit Cake!)

As the Holidays are approaching quickly, full of family, friends, and delicious goodies readily available- here are a few thing to keep in mind before grabbing for that 3^rd piece of fruit cake! 

Did you know? 

The average person gains 7 lbs between Thanksgiving and New Years

1. Do Not Stop Exercising. We all need at least 1 hour of exercise 5x a week to maintain our weight. Plan a group exercise event before eating the big Thanksgiving dinner such as snowshoeing, skiing, or hiking etc.

2. When Drinking Alcohol, Do So in Moderation. Wine contains fewer calories than beer.

Limit your alcohol intake to no more than 2 drinks 2-3x a week. Alcohol contains empty calories 

and a lot of sugar which can cause inflammation and has been associated with an increase risk of 

breast cancer.

3. Watch Your Portion Sizes. Appetizers may not ber very filling and can contain a lot

of calories, especially if they are creamy. Healthy appetizers can include goat cheese and

rice crackers, olives, hummus, pates, baked corn ships with salsa and guacamole, veggies with

a yogurt based dip, baked kale chips, veggie chips etc. Be careful with your cheese and nut

intake since these foods tend to have a lot of calories.

4. Drink at Least 8-10 Glasses of Water a Day to Stay Hydrated.  Dehydration can cause fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and can cause us to eat more.

5. Bake Healthy Desserts by putting one fourth the amount of sugar in the recipe or

substituting a natural sweetener such as agave, stevia, honey, apple juice, or 100% maple syrup.

6. Eat in a Relaxed Atmosphere and Chew Your Food Thoroughly. When under 

stress many people eat quickly without even realizing what their eating thus do not get full.  

Each bite should be chewed twenty times for proper absorption and digestion.

7. If You Splurge One Night Then the Next Day Exercise and Eat a Little Less such 

as soups and salads. Veggies tend to be low in calories, for soups stick with chicken and

veggies, chili’s or other vegetable soups. Creamy soups and salad dressing are loaded with calories.

8. Create a Healthy Thanksgiving Theme etc.  Healthy should not be boring.  Have 

your guests bring a healthy appetizer, main dish or dessert.  

9. Use Fresh Spices for Flavorings instead of heavy cream sauces.

10. Try to Relax and Not Get Too Stressed.  People tend to eat more in stressful situations.  So remember to breathe.

MAY YOUR HOLIDAYS BE MERRY 

AND YOUR BODIES HEALTHY

Detoxification : Why Cleanse?

Feeling low on energy? Having aches and pains, digestive or skin problems? Having trouble kicking off weight loss? 

It may be time to cleanse your body through a detoxification program

Detoxification means many different things to many people. Generally speaking it is a relatively modern term, related to modern lifestyles. One hundred plus years ago the human race didn't have to worry about ingesting pesticides, breathing carbon monoxide, or cooking with plastics. In those times people tended to grow their own food from a garden or raise their own animals, they worked and sweated doing physical labor, and there weren't any vehicles's exhaust fumes to pollute the are. They were naturally de-toxing all the time. In contrast, our modern civilization bodies can have a hard time getting rid of chemicals in our systems as we continuously bombard or overload it.

So Why Cleanse?

Detoxification promotes cleansing by minimizing exposure to new toxicants, by keeping the pathways of elimination free as possible, and by making abundant detoxifying nutrients available. It is designed to reduce inflammatory processes within the body. Detoxification is essential in maintaining health and should be done periodically throughout the year. Its purpose is to give the body a break from chemicals and toxins that is has to process and cleanse on a daily basis.

We live in an extremely toxic world that makes it impossible to completely avoid eating, drinking, breathing, and physically coming in contact with toxins. An extension of toxic sources may include electromagnetic radiation and skin care products.

Who Needs Detoxification?

Most everyone does at sometime, well unless you are living as a Tibetan monk on the top of a hill, eating organic foods, and living off the land. Detoxification can assist the body in many disease processes- so a person that has allergies, fatigue, chronic pain, neurological problems, heart disease, arthritis, or would like to reach optimal health, may benefit from a detox program. 

Below are a list of additional common symptoms of toxicity:

- Fatigue, anxiety, depression

- Allergies, frequent infections

- Weight gain, trouble losing weight

- Joint pain, muscle weakness

- Brain fog, memory loss, inability to focus

- Indigestion, constipation, dirrhea, gas

- Skin rashes, skin eruptions/acne

- Recurrent yeast/ fungal infections

What Will a Clinical Detox Program Include?

- Cleansing diet and/or short-term fasting

- Herbal medicine & supplement protocol

- Physical therapeutics

- Relaxation routines

- Mental/emotional/spiritual exploration

May additionally include

-Heavy metal testing

-Food allergy testing

-B-12 injections

-Naturopathic care with appropriate physical exam and additional lab testing

How Can I Expect to Feel After?

- Improved overall health

- Toxin elimination and future avoidance of toxins

- Increased energy

- Sound sleep

- Easier weight management/possible weight loss

Consult a Naturopathic Physician for optimal result and safety through program monitoring.