The Natural Sweetener Xylitol May Prevent Ear Infections in Children

A Look at Natural Earache Remedies

Acute Otitis Media is defined as the first 3 weeks of a process in which the middle ear shows the signs and symptoms of acute inflammation. This is also the most common condition parents seek medical therapy for children under 5 years of age. 

Studies indicate that xylitol chewing gum, lozenges or syrup may reduce the occurrence of acute otitis media by as much as 25%.  Other preventive measures is control of nasal inflammation in children, whether caused by an allergy or by recurrent infection, appears to decrease the recurrence of acute otitis media.

Some of the risk factors for acute otitis media can be removed by not sending your child to day care where many infections are passed on, providing a tobacco-free living space, and stopping bottle use in children older than 1 year.

Most recurrent ear infection are caused by allergies in children. As a naturopathic physician I identify the allergen and the ear infections resolve. 

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

Supporting a Healthy Immune Response Through Diet and Exercise May Prevent Cancer Progression.

It is estimated that 180,000 women are diagnosed with Breast cancer within the United States each year

It is estimated that 180,000 women are diagnosed with Breast cancer within the United States each year.  Most diagnoses are determined at the localized stage, which means an estimated 5 year survival rate of 96%. With current technologies finding cancer in earlier stages along comes increased hope for higher survival rates. As technology is an asset for this cancer however, certain factors can predispose an individual to complications throughout the treatment. This includes co-morbidity rates, which are the simultaneous presence of two chronic diseases or conditions in a patient,  such as diabetes, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and most notably, obesity. Obesity is pervasive epidemic that contributes to complications throughout cancer treatments and recovery.

Luckily, obesity is manageable.  In a recent study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, the effects of a weight loss intervention on body mass, fitness, and inflammatory biomarkers in overweight or obese breast cancer survivors was reviewed. During the study participants were enrolled in a 16 week long diet and fitness regime that promoted weight loss. At the end of the 16 weeks, the intervention group had many favorable outcomes compared to the control groups. The intervention group not only lost more weight, but also showed changes at a molecular level. What researchers particularly reported was an improvement in IL-6, an important gene involved in tissue cell mending and immune response, both very important aspects of cancer recovery.

Conclusively, reversing obesity among cancer survivors not only reduces weight between individuals, but also reduces inflammation and supports a health immune response which may influence the risk of cancer progression

For more information please visit:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3212681/ Effects of a Weight Loss Intervention on Body Mass, Fitness, and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Overweight or Obese Breast Cancer Survivors 

The Importance of Nutrition in Medical Health Plans

Nutrition Economics

“The role of nutrition and its potential to reduce the public health burden through alleviating nutrition deficiencies ”

As obesity becomes more prevalent in first world countries, so does under-nutrition. So what is under-nutrition compared to mal-nutrition? Mal-nutrition occurs when an individual does not receive an adequate amount of nutrients or calories and in turn feels sick, hungry and loses weight. Under-nutrition occurs when an individual receives enough if not an abundant amount of calories, yet is not receiving the correct nutrients, and ultimately does not feel their best. With modern food production techniques, under-nutrition is growing mostly in countries where food is most bountiful. Take the United States for example, foods are being produced that strip whole foods of their nutrients through enriching, frying, and making food quick for consumption such as fast food. This factor contributes immensely to the burden of disease on society.

As nutrition is undeniably a determinant of Non Communicable Diseases (NCD), the ability to modify this area of concern poses new hope in reducing the burden of disease and also avoiding it altogether. Under-nutrition has short term consequences of morbidity, disability and death, but also in the long term for mental health, economic productivity, reproductive performance, and diabetes prevention.

At a United Nation’s assembly on NCDs and the role of health economics, a broadening amount of research was reviewed. Acknowledging that fifty percent of all cancers can be avoided, along with type 2 diabetes, and three fourths of all heart disease incidences, using diet in Public Health strategies is key in alleviating the burden of disease, and in turn improving the overall health of a society. Implemented social marketing and policy changes hope to improve the quality of food being offered to populations most at risk, and in turn improving the quality of life for both mal-nourished and under-nourished countries.

This movement also aims to increase the knowledge base of health professionals in hopes that nutrition will be incorporated into medical plans of all patients whether as preventative measures or as treatment as well. Eradicating hunger and reducing under-nutrition is not just an ethical concern by the United Nations but also will pose a financial benefit as burden of disease is expected to be reduced.

For more information please visit:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3583164/ Nutrition economics – food as an ally of public health

For Current Patients of Dr. Wiancek: Flex Spending

Did you know?

Did you know that most flexible spending plans reimburse for the care that I provide?

If you are planning a December visit or a refill on the nutritional supplements that I have recommended during a previous visit - you will likely be able to use your remaining 2013 flexible spending funds toward the cost.

-Dr. Wiancek, ND