Clintwood Healthy U

Cholesterol Confusion

2010-07-15T00:06:00.000-04:00

I have had many customers come into my pharmacy wondering why, after adjusting their diet and increasing their exercise their cholesterol numbers continue to climb. Many of the web sites I visited with the help of several search engines brought me to articles, opinions and studies that really could not clear up the reason for this. The most I was left with was that it must be a family trait. Those damn genes again.

I don't completely buy this. There is no argument that high cholesterol levels can lead to an increase risk of a heart attack or stroke, but why is the only strategy to deal with high cholesterol targeted at lowering the number by taking a pill? How about if we tried to figure out why it is going up?

Follow me here...

My cholesterol has always been normal. For it to start rising would mean I started eating more poorly (need to change my eating habits back to when levels were normal), or perhaps I stopped exercising (need to change back to activity levels of when they were normal), or I may have inherited the "high cholesterol" gene from my parents (can't change that one). But what if I told you that I have changed my dietary habits for the better, I have started exercising more consistently and my parents do not have cholesterol issues. Could it be that the levels in my blood are increasing because I am not using the cholesterol as I was before? Wait a minute, that would mean that cholesterol is necessary for our bodies to function. ABSOLUTELY! In fact some doctors consider cholesterol to be our master fat as it is metabolized in the liver into such hormones as progesterone, DHEA-S, testosterone and estrogens. Well, if we look at the timing that cholesterol levels begin to increase we can correlate that to a similar time that both men and women begin to experience negative effects of not having enough sex hormones, i.e. loss of libido, hot flashes, etc. It just so happens that STRESS (which is usually highest at this stage of life, 35-40 yrs old) can work to shut down this metabolic pathway so that cholesterol does not get utilized and hormones do not get made. It would make sense to me that if we fixed the metabolic pathway that used cholesterol to make these hormones that the cholesterol would go down while the hormone levels would be maintained and we may be happier across the board.

Best of all, this can all be done without drugs! Check out the link below the widget for some info on statin drugs to lower cholesterol.

I found the following widget below that was kind of cool so I thought I would include it. Enjoy.

In good health, Todd

Cholesterol

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Basic Health Nutrition

2010-07-12T18:27:00.000-04:00

So I received this question from a subscriber and thought I would pass it on. Enjoy.

Dear Todd,

I recently celebrated my 40^th birthday and thankfully am not suffering from any health problems. Although I don’t have any health issues to worry about at this time, I’m concerned about my family’s history of heart disease, cancer, and several degenerative health conditions. What vitamins should I be taking on a regular basis to help maintain my good health?

Eric Johnson, Los Angeles, CA

Many illnesses involve both genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Although there isn’t anything we can do about our own genetic make-up, there are some environmental factors we can control. These include diet, supplementation, exercise and getting enough sleep.

Over the years it has become progressively more difficult to get adequate amounts of nutrients from our foods. Fruits and vegetables are often picked before they’re ripe, lowering their nutritional value, and pesticide use doesn’t help either. Processing foods at high temperature destroys many nutrients, including enzymes that help with digestion. Organically grown raw fruits and vegetables are known to contain more nutrients, including important antioxidants. Since these aren’t always readily available, it’s beneficial to supplement nutrients known to be important in achieving optimum health. Consider a basic dietary supplement program to insure you are getting important nutrients on a regular basis.

A good basic program consists of Multi-vitamins, Multi-minerals, Antioxidants, and Essential fatty acids. In addition, many people benefit from going through a course of Probiotic supplementation. This supports the healthy digestion of nutrients in the digestive tract and the manufacturing of important B-vitamins. I suggest this to insure people are absorbing nutrients optimally. A Probiotic formula should contain Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium.

Most people benefit from a Multi-vitamin that contains high amounts of B-complex vitamins. These vitamins are vital for energy, metabolism, and support for the nervous system. The body utilizes them rapidly when under stress and a deficiency could cause fatigue. They are water soluble, which means that the body does not store them for long periods of time. This makes it important for B-vitamins to be supplemented on a regular basis, especially for those who are active or under stress.

Antioxidant nutrients are important to keep our cells healthy and have been found to be an important part in the prevention of many degenerative diseases. Environmental factors create free radicals, which can cause oxidative stress to cells. Those who are exposed to pollution, eat an unhealthy diet, or exercise often at high-intensity levels are exposed to higher than average amounts of these free radicals. Antioxidants fight free radicals, and help protect cells from oxidative damage that contributes to degenerative health problems. The more common antioxidant nutrients include vitamins A, C, E, and the minerals Selenium and Zinc. Although a multivitamin generally contains these nutrients, additional amounts help achieve optimal nutrient intake. Other potent antioxidants that are sold by themselves or in formulas are Coenzyme Q10, Grape Seed extract, NAC (N-Acetyl-Cysteine), Alpha Lipoic Acid, and Green Tea Extract.

Minerals are as vital to the body as vitamins, and account for approximately 4%-5% of our body weight. They are present in our bones, blood, and every cell. Plants absorb minerals from the soil, which we obtain by consuming the plants. Unfortunately, these soils are overused and sufficient amounts of minerals are not always being added back when a new crop is planted. This makes it difficult to get the proper amounts of minerals we need from our foods. Important macrominerals often found in dietary supplements are Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Silicon, and Sulfur. Sulfur may not be listed as such on the bottle, but is sold as the organic salt MSM (Methyl-Sulfonyl-Methane). Microminerals, trace minerals needed in small quantities, include Iron, Zinc, Copper, Selenium, Manganese, Molybdenum and Chromium.

Essential Fatty Acids are the healthy oils that are found in deep sea cold water fish, flax seeds, vegetables, and other plants. They include Omega-3, Omega-6, and Omega-9 fatty acids. Some people feel uncomfortable about this term because of the word “fatty.” However, these are not saturated fats that contribute to weight gain, heart disease, and other health problems. Essential Fatty Acids are healthy lipids vital to maintaining healthy cells, good cholesterol levels, joint health, and are necessary to healthy immune system function. On a more visual note, they help keep hair, skin, and nails healthy and lubricated.

Incorporating a basic dietary supplement program to your daily regimen should not be in lieu of a healthy diet, but in addition to. Studies have shown that a diet high in fiber containing foods, especially fruits and vegetables, may aid in the prevention of cancer, coronary heart disease, and other degenerative health conditions. In addition, a high-fiber diet promotes weight loss and healthy blood sugar metabolism. Other important fibrous foods are legumes, nuts, and whole grains. Drinking plenty of purified water is important to the natural detoxification process, which is necessary for optimum health. The ideal body water percentage is 70% of total body weight, which requires consuming at least 8, 8 ounce glasses a day depending on the individual. This does not include beverages such as alcohol and drinks containing caffeine because they are diuretics. Juices do contain plenty of water and may be considered in the eight or more glasses a day regimen.

Moderate exercise is important to circulation and oxygenation of tissues for supporting a healthy cardiovascular system and promoting healing. Much of the healing process actually occurs while the body is at rest, so adequate sleep is important to achieving optimum health. Consult a healthcare practitioner about your individual needs before beginning a new dietary or exercise program. Always ask your pharmacist about specific drug/nutrient depletions or drug/herb interactions.

Dietary factors, nutrient supplementation, moderate exercise, and adequate sleep are all part of the total picture in doing what we can to maintain optimum health.

Yours in health,

Do We Need Supplements?

2010-06-25T00:00:00.000-04:00

Supplements should be viewed as just that, a supplement to help fortify the diet. Most of us do not live a lifestyle that encourages whole foods eating of 4-6 small meals per day. Of the meals we do get in during our busy, stressful day most are comprised of packaged/preserved foods that contain chemicals to preserve them or their packaging or fast foods that are inherently high in saturated fats and additives. Below are some of the reasons everyone in my family are taking supplements...from my 10 year old to myself. You may want to consider these also....

- Overprocessing of foods have depleted important nutrients

-Preservatives, additives, hormones, and artificial flavors/colors found in non-organic foods can rob your system of valuable nutrients

-Some prescription drugs deplete vital nutrients

-Some people such as menopausal women may need additional nutrients

-Disease states such as depression, diabetes, high cholesterol, and inflammation can weaken body systems

-Smoking, drinking too much alcohol, and sleep deprivation can cause nutrient depletion

I am not an advocate of the once a day type vitamins as I have had little success with them. My family takes their vitamins twice daily and they are not packed into a single tab for each dose. More on this in a following post. Keep checking back.

Yours in health, Todd

Quick Tip on Cancer

2010-06-23T23:50:00.000-04:00

Beans, beans the magical fruit....and you all know how the rest goes. So, are they magical? Well I would argue that they are. In 2005 The University College of London's Sackler Institute backed some scientists to conduct a study that found inositol pentakisphosphate can inhibit an enzyme that is necessary for tumors to grow.

What does all this have to do with beans?

Well, foods rich in inositol pentakisphosphate include 1 cup beans (such as lentils and peas = 226 gm), 1/2 cup of nuts (such as almonds and hazelnuts = 113 gm).

If anyone should ask why I suggest that EVERYONE eats a cup of beans or 1/2 cup of nuts daily, this would be one of the top reasons. Of course the proteins and healthy fats we get from these foods would also be a good reason along with the B vitamins.

In good health,

Chia...Whats the hype?

2010-06-22T23:48:00.000-04:00

Recently we have been hearing about Chia seed as a SUPER FOOD from the likes of Dr. Oz, Dr. Andrew Weil and Oprah. It has been featured in magazines such as Runners World, Women's World and has even had a spot on The Today Show. So why is ?

It may be that Chia provides energy, bolsters endurance, boosts strength, levels blood sugar, induces weight loss or aids in intestinal regularity. Or perhaps it is because it is packed with antioxidants, helps lower cholesterol, helps to balance thyroid conditions, or is gluten free (what?) that is right, GF! So this is reason enough to be talked about by so many reputable and popular sources. But it does not stop there...

Nutritionally, the milled chia that we sell at Clintwood Healthy U also contains 12 grams of Omega 3's (thats almost 3 servings of salmon), 12 grams of fiber (that equates to 31 grams of flax seed), as much Vitamin A as almost a cup of blueberries ( 12 grams), the Vitamin C of 12 oranges and 12 grams of magnesium (more than 3 servings of broccoli). Notice I suggest milled Chia. This is because from what I have been able to research, micro-milling the chia seed increases the bio-availability of its nutrients meaning better absorption. We have even had some of our gluten free customers comment they use the milled chia seed as a replacement for flour in baking to allow for great tasting cookies and other snacks. Others have used as a sprinkle in smoothies, yogurt, oatmeal and on peanut butter toast to assure their daughters are getting a good source of Omega 3's, 6's, and 9's.

So, all this good stuff made me hunt for more info. Here is what I found, chia is a mayan word for strength. It was an ancient food source used by the indigenous peoples of the Americas. It is a seed from the Salvia Hispanica L plant (chia plant). Aztec warriors carried only chia to nourish themselves during conquests. Indian traders would run from the Colorado River to the Pacific Ocean bringing only a pouch of chia seeds to sustain themselves. It was so valuable it was used as a form of currency.

In summary, milled chia seems to allow for slow, even digestion of carbohydrates keeping energy levels constant, it holds many times it's weight in water to help retain electrolyte balance. It's antioxidants and protein are crucial for recovery and it is a great source of plant based Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids.

I guess it is a SUPER FOOD. I can tell you that my family (there are six of us) consume at least one heaping tablespoonful, if not more daily.

In good health...

Here's to your prostate Dad. Happy Father's Day!

2010-06-20T09:03:00.000-04:00

In 2005, researchers from the Northern California Cancer Center (USA) proposed that Vitamin D may reduce prostate cancer risk. These researchers found that in men with certain gene variants, high sun exposure lowered prostate cancer risk by as much as 65%.

Earlier research has shown that the prostate uses Vitamin D to promote the normal growth of prostate cells and to inhibit the invasiveness and spread of prostate cancer cells to other parts of the body.

Scientists propose that men may benefit by increasing Vitamin D intake from diet and supplements. Foods rich in this vitamin include egg yolks, liver, cod liver oil, margarine and cereals are often fortified with this nutrient as well.

In my own personal opinion I have found that it is practically impossible to achieve proper nutrient consumption in our hectic lives. For this reason I do suggest supplementation with high quality, pharmaceutical grade Vitamin D3. This is a vitamin I believe most of us are deficient in and could benefit from at least 1-2000 IU's in daily supplementation. If doing so you should be working with your doctor to assure that your levels to not get too high. For more information on Vitamin D you can go to www.clintwoodhealtyu.com. In the Resource Center menu you can search vitamin D for complete info. Feel free to explore this information portal for info on any and all nutrients.

Have a great Father's Day.

A brief introduction

2010-06-14T23:33:00.000-04:00

Hello, My name is Todd Landry. I head the Functional Medicine Clinic at Healthy U. I am a Registered Pharmacist who has been consulting to groups and individuals on nutritional, holistic, and homeopathic alternatives to medication for more than 8 years. I hold the following certifications:

FLT Healthcare Provider
Nuclear Pharmacist
BHRT Compounding Specialist

I am currently working on becoming a Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner through the Institute of Functional Medicine. I have completed the Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice course and GI Restoration module so far in my journey. I am excited to complete the Detoxification and Inflammation modules by the end of 2010 leaving only 3 more modules remaining to complete certification.

I am also a candidate for fellowship in the Anti-aging and Regenerative Medicine program offered by the American Academy of Anti-aging (A4M).

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy is where I received my B.S. in Pharmacy and my M.B.A. comes from the University of Phoenix.

I am a member of the Pharmacists Society of the State of New York, International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists and Professional Compounding Centers of America.

I hope to provide some interesting bits of health and wellness that may help you avoid taking medications that, I believe are leading to many of the chronic diseases we are seeing today. I hope you enjoy my blog, I am open for suggestions and willing tackle any question.