biowellnesscenter

Nutritional Supplements for PCOS Management: A Systematic Review and Network Analysis

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 18:42:02 GMT

Nutrient Support for PCos

WHAT IS PCOS

Nutritional Supplements for PCOS Management: A Systematic Review and Network Analysis

SYMPTOMS OF PCOS

Irregular menstrual cycles
Excess androgen (male hormone) levels, leading to hirsutism (excess body hair)
Acne
Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
Thinning hair on the scalp
Multiple small cysts on the ovaries (though not all women with PCOS have cysts)

A RECENT STUDY

A recent PeerJ publication presented a comprehensive systematic review and network analysis of randomized clinical trials investigating nutritional therapies for polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in women. The study encompassed 41 trials involving over 2,300 participants. Through network analysis, researchers compared the effects of eight different nutritional supplements on endocrine function and glucolipid metabolism outcomes, including BMI and fasting plasma glucose. The evaluated supplements were selenium, chromium, carnitine, inositol, CoQ10, omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, and vitamin D.

The study revealed various effects of different supplements:

Weight and BMI: Carnitine showed the most significant reduction, with inositol and probiotics also outperforming placebo.
Fasting glucose: Omega-3 fatty acids were most effective, followed by probiotics and CoQ10.
Insulin levels and sensitivity: Chromium had the greatest impact on fasting insulin and HOMA-IR, while selenium showed the most improvement in QUICKI measure.
Serum lipids: CoQ10 was most beneficial, significantly reducing triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol. Chromium and probiotics also lowered triglycerides, while chromium and vitamin D decreased total cholesterol.
No significant differences were observed between any supplements and placebo for HDL-C, sex hormone binding globulin, total testosterone, or C-reactive protein.

The study authors acknowledged several limitations in their review:

Inconsistencies in dosing and treatment duration across studies
Uneven distribution of studies for different supplements (e.g., 12 studies for vitamin D, but only one each for carnitine and inositol)

Despite these constraints, the review offers valuable insights that may:

Guide future research and clinical approaches
Contribute to the development of more targeted interventions for women with PCOS

This analysis serves as a stepping stone for further investigation into nutritional therapies for PCOS management.

Metabolic effects:

Insulin resistance
Increased risk of type 2 diabetes
Higher risk of cardiovascular disease

Fertility: PCOS is a leading cause of infertility in women.

Diagnosis: Typically diagnosed based on a combination of symptoms, physical examination, blood tests, and sometimes ultrasound imaging.

Prevalence: Affects approximately 6-12% of women of reproductive age.

Causes: The exact cause is unknown, but factors like genetics and excess insulin may play a role.

Treatment: Management often involves lifestyle changes, medications, and sometimes fertility treatments, depending on the individual's symptoms and goals.

PCOS is a complex condition that can affect various aspects of a woman's health, and its management often requires a multifaceted approach tailored to each individual's needs.

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Flowing with Energy: What is Bemer®?

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 04:20:18 GMT

The Bemer device sends pulses of electromagnetic energy through your body. Electromagnetic energy is a type of energy that can’t be seen or felt, but it can have effects on the body.

The pulses from the Bemer increase blood flow in tiny blood vessels called capillaries. Capillaries are very small, thinner than a hair! When blood flows better through the capillaries, it helps bring more oxygen and nutrients to the cells in your body. Cells are the tiny building blocks that make up your body.

The increased blood and oxygen help your cells work better and gives you more energy. It also helps remove waste and toxins from your cells. Some people say the Bemer makes them feel less tired and sore and helps them sleep better. The Bemer addresses and heals sickness, post procedure healing.

The Bemer is safe and doesn’t hurt at all. You just lie on a mat that the electromagnetic pulses go through. It’s a gentle treatment that takes about 8-12 minutes. The electromagnetic energy pulses stimulate your body’s own healing process.

How we use Bemer®

ADHD
Muscle/ ligament/ bone pain
Arthritis
Edema
Stress
Wound healing.
Post procedure
Blood Pressure
Thyroid
Migraine

What to expect

The Bemer machine has a body size pad that you lie or sit on. The pad sends gentle pulses into your body that feel like a soft buzzing. It doesn’t hurt at all. It feels relaxing, like a light massage. Most if not, all fall asleep during. After your initial consultation, our staff will educate and train you in the use of the Bemer. Each session lasts 25 minutes. Treatments are on monthly plans.

Would you like to receive more information regarding this treatment? If so, please enter your contact information below and receive a complimentary session with your information packet.

Breathing Life into Wellness: What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 04:20:18 GMT

WHAT IS IT?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a treatment where you get to sit in a cool, sci-fi-looking chamber filled with pure oxygen. It’s kind of like an oxygen phone-charging station for your body.

The chamber is a sealed room where the air pressure gets increased higher than normal. You’re able to breathe in a lot more oxygen than you normally would.

This flood of extra oxygen gets absorbed by your blood and delivered to tissues all over your body. Any areas that are injured or not getting enough oxygen will soak it up like a sponge!

We use hyperbaric oxygen therapy to help treat stuff like:

Non-healing wounds
Infections
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Decompression sickness
Radiation injury

WHY YOU NEED IT

The key is that hyperbaric oxygen therapy delivers high levels of oxygen to damaged tissues that aren’t getting enough. This extra oxygen acts like fuel to rev up your body’s natural healing systems. It gives your cells the boost they need to recover!

Here are some reasons why someone might need hyperbaric oxygen therapy:

You have a wound or infection that won’t heal – The extra oxygen helps repair damaged tissues and fight bacteria.
You have carbon monoxide poisoning – The oxygen clears out the toxic gas.
You have decompression sickness (“the bends”) – The therapy shrinks bubbles caused by pressure changes.
You have a skin graft or flap that isn’t healing well – Oxygen improves blood flow to help the graft attach properly.
You have an injury caused by radiation therapy – Oxygen reduces swelling and helps heal burned skin.
You have a bone infection – Oxygen gets rid of bacteria and stimulates growth of new blood vessels.
You have sudden hearing loss – Oxygen can help restore blood flow to the inner ear.
You have a neurological condition like stroke or brain injury – Oxygen supports nerve regeneration.
You have chronic wounds or ulcers – Oxygen assists the body in healing stubborn wounds.
You have crushing injuries or compartment syndrome – Oxygen reduces swelling and inflammation.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Here’s what you can expect if you have a session in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber:

You’ll enter a room that looks like a big clear tube or pod – kind of like an airlock on a spaceship! The staff will help you get settled comfortably on a chair inside the chamber.

The door will be closed and sealed shut. Don’t worry, you can still talk to the staff if you need anything!

Next comes the pressurization. You’ll start to feel your ears pop as the chamber squeezes in. It can feel a little strange at first as the pressure ramps up higher than normal. But it doesn’t hurt – it just takes some getting used to. Try yawning or swallowing to “pop” your ears.

Once the chamber reaches the right pressure, you’ll be breathing air with 2-3 times more oxygen than normal. You might feel a little tingly and energized from the extra oxygen. Many people just relax or take a nap during the session.

Sessions typically last 1-2 hours. You can expect to have several sessions over the course of treatment. The staff monitors you the whole time to make sure you’re comfortable.

When it’s time to finish, the chamber will slowly decompress. You’ll feel your ears pop again as the pressure is lowered back down.

Afterward you can go about your normal activities. You might feel tired or have a mild headache, but those side effects usually go away quickly. The super-oxygenated air will keep working to heal your body!

The Glow of Health: Photobiomodulation Therapy A.K.A “FIREFLY”

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 04:20:18 GMT

WHAT IS PHOTOBIOMODULATION?

Photobiomodulation is using light to help heal and improve the body. Our bodies need light to work properly, just like plants need sunlight to grow. There are special lights called LEDs that can shine certain colors of light onto the skin. The light energy gets absorbed by cells underneath the skin. This helps wake up the cells and makes them work better. It’s like giving the cells a healthy boost of energy!

Here at Bio Wellness Center , we use photobiomodulation lights to help treat things like pain, inflammation, and injuries. The light energy can reduce swelling, ease aches, and speed up healing. It’s a very gentle treatment that doesn’t hurt at all. The lights are shone right onto the skin for a few minutes at a time. Some people describe it as feeling pleasantly warm and tingly.

Photobiomodulation is kind of like photosynthesis for the body! Just as plants use sunlight to grow strong, the cells in our body can use specific colors of light to grow healthier too. The light gives our cells more energy to do their jobs and mend damage. So photobiomodulation helps recharge and repair the body in a natural way.

WHY YOU NEED IT

Your body is amazing and can heal itself from many things! But sometimes your cells need a little extra boost to speed up the process. Photobiomodulation therapy is like giving your body a superpower to heal faster!

Here are some reasons we might suggest you try photobiomodulation:

You have pain that won’t go away – The light therapy can reduce aches and pains by calming down inflammation.
You have an injury that is healing slowly – The lights deliver energy to help repair damaged tissues and nerves.
You have a rash or infection – The light can help clear up skin conditions by killing bacteria.
You feel tired and sluggish – The therapy re-energizes cells to reduce fatigue.
You have swollen joints – The light decreases inflammation that causes joint swelling.
You have nerve damage – The lights help regenerate nerves.
You have a weakened immune system – The therapy gives immune cells a boost.
The photobiomodulation light is gentle but powerful. It supercharges your cells so your body can heal itself faster than on its own. The light provides energy that allows your body to repair damage and recover from illness or injury.

This safe, drug-free therapy can give you an extra healing edge! It’s like charging a phone battery – your cells get re-powered to work better. Give us a call today to see if photobiomodulation is right for you.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The machine we use for photobiomodulation is called the “Firefly” and it looks kind of like a laser gun from a sci-fi movie. But don’t worry, it doesn’t shoot any lasers. It’s just delivering helpful light to your body.

The machine has a handheld wand attached that the doctor points at the area of your body needing treatment. The tip of the wand has bright, colorful LED lights inside. These lights shine directly onto your skin.

When the doctor turns on the machine, you’ll feel a gentle beam of warm, red or near-infrared light. It doesn’t hurt at all – in fact, most people say it feels soothing, like the warmth of the sun.

The doctor will hold the wand a few inches from your body and slowly move it around. They are aiming the light over the entire area that needs healing. This usually only takes a few minutes.

As the light shines on your skin, it is sending energy into your cells right below the surface. Imagine the light beams charging up your cells like a video game power-up. This helps wake up your cells and get them working better.

You might start feeling some tingling or heat as your cells absorb the light energy. This means the therapy is working! Photobiomodulation is triggering your body’s natural healing systems.

The session is quick, painless, and drug-free. We may have you do several sessions per week until your condition improves. After getting “charged up” with these lights, your body will be stronger and better able to heal itself!

Electrotherapy: A Spark of Healing

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 04:20:18 GMT

Electrotherapy is the use of electrical energy as a medical treatment. Electrotherapy uses milliamp impulses to tell your body how to restore damage, to regulate signals and stimulate your own body’s opioids which are distributed by the nervous system.

It is a non-toxic, non-habit-forming pain management therapy that activates the body’s ability to heal itself. This therapy targets the specific areas of the body that are giving you pain.

Why do you need Electrotherapy ?

Over 1.5 billion people worldwide have chronic pain. Even with the alarming statistics showing the misuse of and addiction to opioids, they continue to be the go-to for the management of pain. Studies show that only 23% found that opioids were not effective for their pain and electrotherapy is safer and non-abusive.

Why do we use Electrotherapy?

Joint pain
Back Pain
Hypertension
Circulatory system
Thyroid
Abdominal Pain
IBS
Migraine Headaches
ADHD
Pancreatitis

What to expect?

At consult you and Dr. Art will determine if electrotherapy is the right and most effective therapy for you. We will then schedule you for an F-scan. The F-scan will give us the abnormal frequencies in your body, which we will then match with the antidotal frequencies which we program into the machine. You will be instructed on how to apply your electrodes and reach your course of treatment. One of our staff members will always be assessable for you for any question or assistants.

The Persistent Shadow: Chronic Pain

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 04:20:18 GMT

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain last months or years and happens in all parts of the body. It interferes with daily life and can lead to depression and anxiety. The first step in treatment is to find and treat the cause. When that isn’t possible, the most effective approach is a combination of medications, therapies and lifestyle changes.

What is Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is pain that lasts for over three months. The pain can be there all the time, or it may come and go. It can happen anywhere in your body. Chronic pain can interfere with your daily activities, such as working, having a social life and taking care of yourself or others. It can lead to depression, anxiety and trouble sleeping, which can make your pain worse. This response creates a cycle that’s difficult to break.

What’s the difference between chronic pain and other pain?

Chronic pain differs from another type of pain called acute pain. Acute pain happens when you get hurt, such as experiencing a simple cut to your skin or a broken bone. It doesn’t last long, and it goes away after your body heals from whatever caused the pain. In contrast, chronic pain continues long after you recover from an injury or illness. Sometimes it even happens for no obvious reason.

Symptoms and Causes

What causes chronic pain?

Sometimes chronic pain has an obvious cause. You may have a long-lasting illness such as arthritis or cancer that can cause ongoing pain. Injuries and diseases can also cause changes to your body that leave you more sensitive to pain. These changes can stay in place even after you’ve healed from the original injury or disease. Something like a sprain, a broken bone or a brief infection can leave you with chronic pain.

Some people also have chronic pain that’s not tied to an injury or physical illness. Healthcare providers call this response psychogenic pain or psychosomatic pain. It’s caused by psychological factors such as stress, anxiety and depression. Many scientists believe this connection comes from low levels of endorphins in the blood. Endorphins are natural chemicals that trigger positive feelings. It’s possible to have several causes of pain overlap. You could have two different diseases, for example. Or you could have something like migraines and psychogenic pain together.

What does chronic pain feel like?

People with chronic pain describe their pain in many different ways, such as:

Aching.
Burning.
Shooting.
Squeezing.
Stiffness.
Stinging.

How is chronic pain diagnosed?

Pain is considered to be chronic if it lasts or comes and goes (recurs) for more than three months. Pain is usually a symptom, so your healthcare provider needs to determine what’s causing your pain, if possible. Pain is subjective — only the person experiencing it can identify and describe it — so it can be difficult for providers to determine the cause.

If you have long-lasting pain, see your healthcare provider. Your provider will want to know:

Where your pain is.
How intense it is, on a scale of 0 to 10.
How often it occurs.
How much it’s affecting your life and work.
What makes it worse or better.
Whether you have a lot of stress or anxiety in your life.
Whether you’ve had any illnesses or surgeries.
What tests are used to diagnose chronic pain?

Your healthcare provider may physically examine your body and order tests to look for the cause of the pain. They may have you undergo the following tests:

Blood tests.
Electromyography to test muscle activity.
Imaging tests, such as X-rays and MRI.
Nerve conduction studies to see if your nerves are reacting properly.
Reflex and balance tests.
Spinal fluid tests.
Urine tests.

How is chronic pain diagnosed?

How is chronic pain treated?

To relieve chronic pain, healthcare providers first try to identify and treat the cause. But sometimes they can’t find the source. If so, they turn to treating, or managing, the pain.

Healthcare providers treat chronic pain in many different ways. The approach depends on many factors, including:

The type of pain you have.
The cause of your pain, if known.
Your age and overall health.

The best treatment plans use a variety of strategies, including medications, lifestyle changes and therapies. If you have chronic pain and depression and/or anxiety, it’s important to seek treatment for your mental health condition(s) as well. Having depression or anxiety can make your chronic pain worse. For example, if you have depression, the fatigue, sleep changes and decreased activity it may cause can make your chronic pain worse.

Can lifestyle changes help with chronic pain?

Four major lifestyle factors can affect your chronic pain and help minimize it. Healthcare providers sometimes call them the four pillars of chronic pain. They include:

Stress: Stress can play a major role in chronic pain, so it’s important to try to reduce your stress as much as possible. Everyone has different techniques for managing their stress, but some techniques include meditation, mindfulness and deep breathing. Try different options until you find what works best for you.
Exercise: Participating in low-intensity exercises, such as walking or light swimming, for 30 minutes every day may help reduce your pain. Exercise can also be a stress reliever for some people, which is important to manage when you have chronic pain.
Diet: It’s important to eat a healthy diet to boost your overall health. Your healthcare provider may suggest trying an anti-inflammatory diet by eliminating foods that cause inflammation, such as red meat and refined carbohydrates.
Sleep: Getting enough quality sleep is important for your overall health. A lack of sleep can cause you to gain weight, which could make your chronic pain worse. Getting quality sleep is also important for stress management.

Be sure to discuss these four lifestyle pillars with your healthcare provider to determine how each applies to your type of chronic pain and how you can incorporate changes into your day-to-day life.

What alternative treatments are available for chronic pain?

Alternative treatments that have been shown to relieve chronic pain over time include:
Acupuncture, which uses small needs placed in the body.
Aromatherapy, which uses aromatic plants and essential oils.
Biofeedback, which teaches you how to tweak the way your body works, influencing such things as heart rate, breathing and muscle tension.
Hypnotherapy, or hypnosis.
Mindfulness training, which teaches you how to calm yourself.
Music, art or pet therapy.
Reiki or Healing Touch™, with a therapist using touch to change energy fields in your body.
Relaxation techniques, such as massage, meditation and guided imagery.

As with all naturopathic treatments plans, our efforts begin with working with the underlying cause(s). We’ll dig into genetics, family history, immune functions, hormonal imbalances, environmental stressors, and nutritional stressors.

Balancing Act: Navigating Hormonal Imbalance

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 04:20:18 GMT

Hormonal Imbalance

A hormonal imbalance happens when you have too much or too little of one or more hormones — your body’s chemical messengers. It’s a broad term that can represent many different hormone-related conditions.

What are hormones?

Hormones are chemicals that coordinate different functions in your body by carrying messages through your blood to your organs, skin , muscles and other tissues. These signals tell your body what to do and when to do it. Hormones are essential for life and your health.

Hormones and most of the tissues (mainly glands) that create and release them make up your endocrine system . Hormones control many different bodily processes, including

Metabolism .
Homeostasis (constant internal balance).
Growth and development.
Sexual function.
Reproduction.
Sleep-wake cycle.
Mood.

What are hormones?

A hormonal imbalance happens when you have too much or too little of one or more hormones. It’s a broad term that can represent many different hormone-related conditions.

Hormones are powerful signals. For many hormones, having even slightly too much or too little of them can cause major changes to your body and lead to certain conditions that require treatment.

Some hormonal imbalances can be temporary while others are chronic (long-term). In addition, some hormonal imbalances require treatment so you can stay physically healthy, while others may not impact your health but can negatively affect your quality of life.

What conditions are caused by hormonal imbalances?

Dozens of medical conditions are caused by hormone issues. For most hormones, having too much or too little of them causes symptoms and issues with your health. While many of these imbalances require treatment, some can be temporary and may go away on their own. Some of the most common hormone-related conditions include:

Symptoms and Causes

What are the signs and symptoms of hormonal imbalance?

Because your body makes over 50 different hormones — all of which contribute to important bodily functions — you could experience several different symptoms depending on which hormonal imbalance you have.

It’s important to know that many of the following symptoms could be caused by other conditions, not just from a hormonal imbalance. If you ever notice a change in your day-to-day health and are experiencing new, persistent symptoms, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider — no matter what you think the cause might be.

Hormone imbalance symptoms that affect your metabolism

Common hormonal imbalances include those that affect your metabolism. Your metabolism consists of the chemical reactions in your body’s cells that change the food you eat into energy. Many different hormones and processes are involved in metabolism.

Symptoms of hormonal imbalances that affect your metabolism include:

Slow heartbeat or rapid heartbeat ( tachycardia ).
Unexplained weight gain or weight loss .
Fatigue .
Constipation .
Diarrhea or more frequent bowel movements .
Numbness and tingling in your hands.
Higher-than-normal blood cholesterol levels .
Depression or anxiety .
Being unable to tolerate cold temperatures or warm temperatures.
Dry, coarse skin and hair.
Thin, warm and moist skin.
Irregular body fat distribution.
Darkened skin in your armpit or the back and sides of your neck ( acanthosis nigricans ).
Skin tags (small skin growths).
Extreme thirst and frequent urination .

Sex hormone imbalance symptoms for women

Women can have imbalances of the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone, which the ovaries produce. They can also have excess testosterone and androgens. An imbalance in sex hormones can cause the following symptoms in women:

Acne on your face, chest and/or upper back.
Hair loss .
Heavy periods .
Hirsutism (excess body hair).
Hot flashes.
Infertility.
Irregular periods.
Loss of interest in sex.
Vaginal atrophy .
Vaginal dryness .

Sex hormone imbalance symptoms for men

Men can have an imbalance of testosterone, which the testes produce, and other sex hormones, which can cause the following symptoms:

Decrease or loss of body hair.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) .
Gynecomastia (enlarged breast tissue).
Infertility.
Loss of interest in sex.
Loss of muscle mass.

What causes hormonal imbalances?

Throughout your life — and even throughout the day — your hormone levels naturally rise and fall.

Certain periods of life cause more dramatic changes and fluctuations in hormones, including:

Puberty.
Pregnancy.
Menopause.

However, there are several other reasons why your hormone levels may be irregular at unexpected times. Some of the most common causes of fluctuating or imbalanced hormone levels include:

Stress.
Certain medications.
Steroid use.

These hormonal imbalances are more likely to be temporary or fixable with a change in medication or properly managing stress.

Chronic hormone-related conditions can have several different possible causes. In general, the main conditions or situations that cause medically significant hormone imbalances include:

Tumors , adenomas or other growths.
Damage or injury to an endocrine gland.
Autoimmune conditions .

Tumors, adenomas and growths

Any kind of growth on a gland or organ that produces hormones, such as a tumor, adenoma or nodule, could affect its ability to do so.

Tumors - Rare endocrine tumors form in glands or in cells that produce hormones and can cause hormone imbalances.

Adenomas – An adenoma is a benign (noncancerous) tumor. Many adenomas are nonfunctioning, meaning they don’t produce hormones. But some can produce excess hormones. These are called functioning adenomas.

Other growths - Growths other than tumors and adenomas on endocrine glands can cause hormone imbalances. For example, thyroid nodules , an unusual growth (lump) of cells in your thyroid gland, can cause hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.

Damage or injury to an endocrine gland – Any kind of damage or injury to an endocrine gland can cause hormone imbalances — usually a lack (deficiency) of hormones. Damage could result from the following conditions or situations:

Accidental damage from surgery
Excessive blood loss or lack of blood flow to an endocrine gland
Bacterial or viral illness
Radiation therapy
Brain or head trauma (also called traumatic brain injury , or TBI

Autoimmune conditions- An autoimmune disease happens when your immune system accidentally attacks a part of your body instead of protecting it. It’s unclear why your immune system does this. If your immune system attacks a gland or organ that produces hormones, it causes a hormonal imbalance. Autoimmune endocrine conditions include:

Hashimoto’s disease .
Graves’ disease .
Type 1 diabetes.
Addison’s disease .
Polyglandular syndromes.

How are hormonal imbalances diagnosed?

Healthcare providers typically order blood tests to check hormone levels since your endocrine glands release hormones directly into your bloodstream.

Certain hormone levels vary drastically throughout the day, so providers may order other tests to measure your levels, such as a glucose tolerance test or insulin tolerance test.

Your provider will also ask you about your medical history and symptoms and perform a physical exam.

Unseen Struggle: Alopecia

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 04:20:18 GMT

What is Alopecia

Alopecia is a disease that develops when an individual’s body attacks its own hair follicles, resulting in unpredictable hair loss. According to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, approximately 6.8 million Americans have or will develop Alopecia..

Types of Alopecia

The medical term for baldness is “alopecia”. When referring to the disease, there are various versions of Alopecia that a person may suffer from:

Diffuse Alopecia – an overall thinning of the hair on the scalp
Alopecia Areata – patchy baldness that can develop anywhere on the body (scalp and facial hair being the most common).
Ophiasis Alopecia – hair loss is around the sides or back of the head, creating a band shape of baldness
Alopecia Totalis – the complete loss of hair on the scalp, not just in patchy spots. A person suffering from Alopecia Totalis will be completely bald.
Alopecia Universalis – the complete loss of hair over the entire body. This is the most rare form of Alopecia.

Young woman with alopecia

Causes

Alopecia is classified as an autoimmune disease, whereas your immune system mistakenly attacks part or parts of your body. Alopecia is caused when cells in your immune system attack your hair follicles, causing the attached hair to fall out.

Scientists have yet to determine the reason a person will develop Alopecia, but they have identified people who have a greater risk of developing it. Such as, those individuals with a close blood relative who suffers from Alopecia. Research also shows that people who have other conditions, such as Down Syndrome, Thyroid Disease, Asthma, Atopic Dermatitis, Vitiligo, are more likely to get Alopecia.

Alopecia can develop at any age, but the majority of people who have Alopecia have developed it by age 30. Alopecia is known to also be triggered by stress, vitamin deficiencies, and hormonal changes.

Naturopathic Treatment

As with all naturopathic treatments plans, our efforts begin with working with the

underlying cause(s). We’ll dig into genetics, family history, immune functions,

hormonal imbalances, environmental stressors, and nutritional stressors.

Our four primary factors which are of focus for the reversal of hair loss progression are:

Endocrine imbalances
Poor absorption of proper trace elements that contribute to incomplete nutrition of hair follicles.
Reduction of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) from high cortisol stress periods.
Reversal of poor cell metabolism caused by poor kidney/ liver deficiencies function, resulting in the lack of proper blood flow to the hair follicles.

Our goal is to understand the cause of your hair loss and work on a plan dedicated specifically to treat your needs.

Clearing the Surface: A Naturopathic Approach to Acne

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 04:20:18 GMT

A naturopathic approach to treatment

What is Acne

Acne is a very common inflammatory skin condition that is prominent among teens and young adults. It occurs when a mixture of dead skin cells, oils, and other bacteria plug healthy hair follicles.When the hair follicle is ruptured, the spillage spreads creating pimples and lesions, also known as acne.

Symptoms of Acne

Acne can be found primarily on the face, shoulders, chest and upper back. These regions of the body tend to sweat more, and in turn make them more prone to breakouts. Because our bodies are all unique, acne has multiple ways of manifesting in the body. Some common types of acne are:

White heads: closed clogged pores with a white bump
Blackheads: open clogged pores with a black surface
Pustules: pimples with white or yellow pus that have a red base
Papules: small, pink bumps that are painful
Nodules: large painful lumps under the skin
Cystic lesions: painful pus filled lumps under the skin

young woman with closed eyes touching face with acne isolated on beige

Common Causes of Acne

Traditionally there are four main causes of acne – Increased oil production, clogged hair follicles, inflammation, and bacteria. These causes are usually triggered by stress, diet, environmental causes, hormonal changes, and certain medications.

Treating Acne Naturally

As a natural medicine treatment facility, we approach acne differently than dermatologists who are trained to treat acne at the skin-level. We’ll begin with an in-depth understanding of your overall lifestyle, diet, and individual biomarkers to understand what’s causing your acne. Testing can help locate the cause of your acne. Potential tests include hormonal, food sensitivity, allergy, and genetic testing. With an understanding of the cause, we’ll be able to outline a treatment plan as unique as you are.

Skin Deep: Understanding Psoriasis

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 04:20:18 GMT

Understanding Psoriasis

What is Psoriasis

Psoriasis affects more than 3% of the US adult population – that’s 7.5 million people!

It causes inflammation in the body where skin cells then build up and form scales and itchy, dry patches. Psoriasis is classified as an autoimmune disease, but it is also a genetic/digestive abnormality.

What Causes Psoriasis

Urinary tract infection typically occurs when bacteria enters the urinary tract through the urethra and travels upward t

Psoriasis is caused by high levels of antigens, which are normal antibiotics that your body produces through the immune system that may be triggered by food allergies.

It can also be caused by the body’s inability to break down essential fatty acids in the small intestine (i.e. omega 3’s). Psoriasis is also contributable to a lack of microbiome, whereas toxins from foods are not moving through the digestive system via stool. Therefore, the body is eliminating the toxins through the skin causing itching, burning, and rashes to appear on the body.

Psoriasis on the hand. Atopic allergy skin with red spots

How do you treat Psoriasis

A typical allopathic approach to treating psoriasis is the use of immunosuppressant creams and drugs to reduce the antigen reaction. This does not, however, get to the root cause of the problem.

The naturopathic approach would be to treat the root cause of Psoriasis through blood work analysis and herbal supplementation. This will rebuild the gut lining, improve the microbiome, and help reduce blood toxicities through the use of omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3’s helps to reduce the percentage of toxins in the blood.

What happens if Psoriasis is left untreated?

If left untreated, Psoriasis can lead to Lymphatic problems, kidney problems, and the potential formation of digestive Crohn’s disease (due to inflammation of the gut), which may lead to cardiovascular/heart problems.

Dealing with Psoriasis is a challenge that can be overcome. Let us help you today. Give us a call at (225) 478-9665 to schedule a consultation.

The Stress Response: Adrenal Fatigue

Sun, 03 Apr 2022 04:20:18 GMT

How adrenal fatigue can negatively impact your life

Adrenal Fatigue

Are you struggling with body aches, fatigue, sleep disturbances, nervousness, and digestive problems? You may be experiencing adrenal fatigue or insufficiency, which is an imbalance of the endocrine system. Although clinical research is ongoing and the term is still being defined, adrenal fatigue is used in functional medicine to describe symptoms believed to be caused by a fluctuation between the overproduction or underproduction of cortisol, your body’s stress hormone.

Adrenal fatigue and insufficiency can describe the inability of the adrenal glands to keep pace with the demands of life which trigger a perpetual “flight or fight” response. As a result, you can’t produce quite enough of the hormone called cortisol, an important hormone necessary for many bodily functions such as blood pressure regulation, proper digestion, blood sugar regulation, circadian rhythm, and others. If ignored, there may be an increased risk for other conditions such as chronic fatigue, Cushing’s syndrome, and/or Addisons’ disease.

Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue

Adrenal fatigue can drain your energy, cause physical discomfort, and negatively affect your mood. In severe cases, adrenal fatigue may exhaust you to the point that you struggle to stay active for more than a few hours at a time. Common symptoms of adrenal fatigue include:

Body aches
Lower back pain
Anxiety
Dry skin
Insomnia
Frequent urination
Low blood pressure
Decreased libido
Cravings for sweet or salty snacks
Weight gain or weight loss
Loss of appetite
Loss of hair

Causes of Adrenal Fatigue

Practitioners of naturopathic and functional medicine have observed that in times of recurring or chronic stress, the supply of cortisol-producing cholesterol and pregnenolone from the adrenal glands fluctuates dramatically. Cortisol levels can affect the levels of other hormones like progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), causing the symptoms of adrenal fatigue.

Other causes of adrenal fatigue may include:

Chronic diseases like asthma and arthritis that cause inflammation, which triggers the production of cortisol to counteract the inflammation
A high-sugar diet, which causes adrenals to produce more cortisol
Antibiotics and chemotherapy, which may place stress upon the endocrine system
Physical trauma (e.g. surgery, sports injury, or car crashes), which may overload the adrenal glands
Chemicals such as chlorine and pesticides, which may disrupt the adrenal function
Diagnosis and Treatment of Adrenal Fatigue

Diagnosis and Treatment of Adrenal Fatigue

Adrenal fatigue diagnosis may involve a saliva test to determine an index of your adrenal stress levels. Blood panels are also utilized to rule out any other issues such as blood cell anemia; pancreas, kidney and liver functions; or other gut issues.

Treatments for adrenal fatigue include addressing any vitamin and mineral deficiencies that contribute to the adrenal insufficiency. To correct deficiencies, proper foods must be part of a balanced diet appropriate for your specific genetic needs. Furthermore, healthy sleeping habits must be introduced in addition to exercise and hormonal support.

Many people silently suffer from adrenal fatigue and insufficiency. At the Bio Wellness Center we understand the difficulties with adrenal fatigue and aim to get to the root cause. Give us a call or book an appointment today to get the help you need.

Focus on ADHD: Understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Sun, 03 Apr 2022 04:20:18 GMT

Understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

What is ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is part of a group of neurodevelopmental disorders which includes a combination of persistent symptoms such as the inability to focus, hyperreactivity, difficulty with task completion, hyperactivity, and impulse disorders.

ADHD can affect both children and adults. While many people believe it is a childhood condition, ADHD is usually carried into adulthood and may greatly influence a person’s ability to work and cope in social settings.

Currently, there is no medical cure for ADHD. As a parent, you may find yourself being pressured to utilize pharmaceutical medication to help suppress the symptoms, which may lead into additional complications over time. At the Bio Wellness Center , we address the root cause of ADHD. It is one of our specialties with which we have found significant success in reversing.

ADHD Symptoms

Difficulty focusing on tasks
Disorganization
Restlessness
Impulsiveness
Low frustration tolerance
Difficulty handling stress
Difficulty maintaining relationships

Tests for ADHD

While there is no definitive test for ADHD, the condition may be diagnosed through various methods:

Medical examination may be performed to rule out other possible causes of the symptoms
Personal and family medical history and background documentation
Interviews with family members, babysitters, caregivers, and teachers
Urine analysis
Blood analysis

Causes of ADHD

Researchers are not certain about what causes ADHD. It is assumed that there may be some link between genetics and problems that occurred while the neurologic system was developing pre-birth.

In naturopathic medicine, it is recognized that nutrient deficiencies and environmental influence during the pregnancy may significantly increase the risk of neurological complications within the child. Some of the risk factors that may lead to ADHD developed during either pregnancy or early childhood include:

Exposure to elevated levels of environmental toxins such as lead, mercury, and cadmium during pregnancy
Exposure to drugs and alcohol during pregnancy
Poor blood sugar metabolism caused by mineral deficiencies and the high consumption of sugars and carbohydrates
Premature birth or low birth weight
Brain injury
Vision or hearing problems
Too much blue light stimulus derived from cell phones, television, or other electronics
Seizure disorders
Medication side effects
Sleep disorders
Food allergies
Sleep disorders
Drug or alcohol abuse (in adults)

ADHD Treatment

A combination of therapies and treatments may be needed for a significant change. Not every child or adult will respond to the same treatment. Common naturopathic treatments include:

Elimination of ALL sugars from the diet
Elimination of ALL gluten
Elimination of allergenic foods or drinks
Elimination of starchy foods and sugary snacks
Increased protein consumption such as eggs and meat.
Increased consumption of Omega 3 fatty acids.
Correction of mineral deficiencies and imbalances

The naturopathic approach to treating ADHD is effective and without any side effects nor future complications.

The Bio Wellness Center has a full spectrum of care to offer anyone struggling with ADHD. Other therapies used may include exercises that may improve cognitive behavioral skills and that correct impulsive behavior and negative thinking patterns.

Dealing with ADHD is a challenge that can be overcome. Let us help you today. Give us a call at (225) 478-9665 . Together we will conquer ADHD.

The Burning Issue: Acid Reflux

Sun, 03 Apr 2022 04:20:18 GMT

How to address acid reflux disease (GERD)

Acid Reflux – What is it?

Heartburn, a burning sensation in your chest near the heart area is known as acid reflux. This pain is more likely to occur after eating a meal. The greatest pain is felt at night time. The burning sensation felt is the stomach acid backing up into the esophagus causing the esophageal tissue to burn as if it was on fire. The pain can be as severe as a heart attack. If you experience this sensation more frequently than twice a week, it is considered to be gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

What is acid reflux disease

Acid reflux is a chronic digestive disease that primarily affects the stomach and esophagus. When swallowing, a circular band of muscles around the bottom of your esophagus, also known as the lower esophageal sphincter, relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow into your stomach. After which, the sphincter closes again. If the sphincter relaxes abnormally or at the incorrect time, stomach acid can flow into esophagus. This phenomenon is dependent upon the pH of the stomach acid. If acid pH levels are too low, the sphincter will remain open causing the acid to pour into the esophagus. The same is true of acid pH levels that are too high: a burning sensation will occur due to the acid flow into the esophagus. Therefore, your stomach needs a proper balance of three natural compounds to restore the proper function of the sphincter muscle.

Symptoms of Acid Reflux Disease

There are numerous symptoms associated with acid reflux disease and GERD, the most well-known symptom is heartburn. When suffering from acid reflux disease, heartburn typically begins in the chest and can carry through into the throat and even into the mouth. This results in what is often described as a “sour” taste. Bleeding may also occur and requires immediate attention. Other symptoms of acid reflux disease or GERD include:

Nausea after eating
Stomach bloating
Abdominal pain
Difficulty swallowing
Sore throat
Chest pain
Stomach pain
Regurgitation
Food stuck in throat
Hiccups
Asthma
Barrett’s esophagus (cancer)
Esophagus ulcers (blood in saliva)
Reduction of teeth enamel

Treatment of Acid Reflux

Generally, medical treatment utilizes medication such as antacids and acid inhibitors. If acid reflux or GERD cannot be treated through medication, surgery may be recommended. But different procedures may be used to repair the esophagus and or surrounding tissues.

At the Bio Wellness Center , we utilize an all-natural approach to treating acid reflux and GERD. We get to the root cause of the problem. Using vitamins, minerals, pre- and probiotics, our goal is to establish the proper pH balance of the stomach acid. . Stop acid reflux. Give us a call or book a consultation today .