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Heart & Cardiovascular Disease

Posted February 6, 2019 in: Uncategorized

One in three Americans get it. It is preventable and reversible… if you take action!

Basic cardiac risks

  • History of Heart Disease, MI, CABG, PTCA-Stent, stroke, peripheral arterial disease.
  • Family history of Heart Disease- male before age 55, female before age 65.
  • Your age- >45 for men; >55 for women.
  • Sedentary lifestyle (minimal exercise)
  • Obesity
  • Smoking
  • Hypertension
  • Pre-Diabetes/Diabetes

Take home: Primary line of defense is diet and lifestyle changes!

Understanding the cause

  • The initiation of damage to the endothelial inner arterial wall occurs from sugars and processed foods, from toxins (metals/chemicals) from infections (gums, teeth, and gut), high blood pressure, and stress. The Standard American Diet results in nutritional deficiencies preventing healing.
  • Inflammation/oxidation occurs to mend injured tissue and is the very first healing reaction.
  • Cholesterol acts as an anti-oxidant, gets oxidized, and then gets stuck at the site of injury. It is secondary to inflammation. If cholesterol was primary then the number or heart attacks would be increased with higher levels. These are equal to the number of heart attacks with low or high cholesterol.
  • High sugars, high insulin, high blood pressure, high inflammation, toxins, and stress are priority.
  • Lowering cholesterol/ particles does not treat the cause it does not prevent heart disease nor arterial plaque resolution.
  • Arterial plaques are 3% cholesterol and up to 50% calcium.
  • The only reason statin drugs help is due to their small effect on inflammation and viscosity, not by lowering cholesterol.
  • The initiation of mitochondrial disruption occurs from the same causes of endothelial dysfunction
  • The lipid hypothesis of lowering cholesterol intake and saturated fats never worked because it never treated the causes of cardiovascular disease.

 

A second look at cardiac risks using labs & other tests

Blood test indications- 50% of patients who suffer a heart attack have normal cholesterol, and 50% of people with high LDL have healthy hearts. A large percentage of women with CVD have clear coronary arteries on angiograms.

  1. Inflammation
    1. Hs CRP – Systemic
    2. Lp PLA2 – Arterial plaque
    3. Myeloperiodase – arterial plaque
    4. IL-6- inflammatory cytokine
  2. Metabolic/Glucose
    1. Fasting glucose and insulin
    2. 2 hours after eating- glucose and insulin levels
    3. Glycohemoglobin A1C
    4. Uric acid level
    5. Chemistries, electrolytes, RBC magnesium
    6. Urine microalbumin
    7. Ferritin
    8. Calcium/phosphorus ratio
  3. Viscosity/ sticky blood
    1. Fibrinogen level
    2. Lipoprotein(a)
    3. Homocysteine
    4. Urinary F2-isoprostanes
  4. Stress/ Hormone Input
    1. DHEA-S
    2. Free + total testosterone, estradiol level, sHBG
    3. Extra- dihydrotestosterone, progesterone
    4. Thyroid function tests
  5. Low oxygen/ anemia
    1. Vo2 (oxygen utilization test)
    2. Oxygen saturation
  6. Endothelial function
    1. Max pulse- photoplethysmography (arterial elasticity)
    2. Nitric oxide level- saliva strips
  7. Plaque size/ progression
    1. Coronary artery calcification score
    2. Carotid intima-medial thickness (cumulative effects of years of endothelial dysfunction)
    3. Cardiac muscle – troponin, ckmb, nt-pro BNP, CoEnzymeQ10, Lactic Acid Dehydrogenase (LDH)
  8. Cholesterol
    1. Fasting lipid panel
    2. Apo B level
    3. Oxidized LDL
  9. Fats
    1. Phase angle (bioimpedance electrical analysis)
    2. Omega score- omega 6 to omega 3 index
  10. Weight (waist, BMI)
  11. Blood pressure & heart rate
  12. Arrhythmia –
    1. Holter monitor
    2. EKG
  13. Heart rate variability test reflects the Autonomic Nervous System
  14. Nutritional analysis by Heart Sound Recorder & kinesiology testing
  15. Dental/oral cavity
    1. Gut and oral health by kinesiology testing
    2. Microbiome lab testing
  16. Other:
    1. 25OH Vit D3
    2. Serum Amyloid A

 

A Second Word on Diet

  1. Eliminate/ Dump it:
    1. Sugar, soda, fruit juices, energy drinks, high fructose corn syrup
    2. Processed carbs (ie. Cereals)
    3. Trans fats- non dairy creamers, margarine, Wesson Crisco, corn oil, soy oil, canola oil, baked goods, ramen noodles
    4. Processed meats- deli meats
    5. Excess vegetable oils
  2. Eat:
    1. Wild Alaskan salmon or other wild caught seafood (not farm raised) 2x/week
    2. Berries- blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, and cherries
    3. 5-9 servings of vegetables/day – bring the vegetable market home
    4. Nuts- an assortment 1-2oz, 3x per week
    5. Increase fiber 30g/day
    6. Buy organic
    7. Filtered water
    8. Alternate coffee with green tea & hibiscus tea
    9. Pastured organic poultry (chicken, turkey, etc.)
    10. Pastured grass-fed organic meats (beef, buffalo, lamb)
    11. Pomegranate juice and beet powder
    12. A Quick Word on Fats
  1. Saturated Fats
    1. increase total cholesterol, HDL, and fluffy LDL
    2. Hard to damage & good for cooking
  2. Monounsaturated fats- olive oil
  3. PUFA- polyunsaturated fats: omega 3 + omega 6
    1. Omega 6 fats are vegetable oils and are pro-inflammatory: corn oil, soy oil, peanut oil, canola oil
    2. Omega 3 fats are flax seed oil, seafood, and grass-fed beef- all are anti-inflammatory
    3. Omega 6 to omega 3 ratio is very important. Goal is 1/1 up to 4/1
  4. Trans fats- very inflammatory- causing heart disease, DM2, and cancer

Take home:

  • Eliminate sugar and processed carbs.
  • Eliminate trans fats
  • Increase omega 3, decrease omega 6.
  • Cholesterols and saturated fats have a minor role in heart disease
  • There are 3 reasons why a low fat, high carb diet works some of the time: A large drop in omega 6, low in sugar, and less high glycemic carbs.

Statin Drugs

  • Lowers CRP and decreases blood viscosity and cholesterol
  • 15 of 16 studies using drugs to lower cholesterol showed no benefit for heart disease
  • In the “heart protection study” the absolute risk reduction was only 1.8% decrease. There was no change in mortality and no change in primary prevention.
  • Jupiter trial showed ARR of < 1 %, diabetes increased and there was no change in plaque progression or size.
  • Only men with prior cardiovascular disease age 40-70 saw small benefit

Take Home: Primary line of defense is diet and lifestyle changes

 

Work Sheet

  1. Diet & nutrition:
    1. Must handle sugars/carbohydrates
    2. Generate energy/ Maximize mitochondrial function and numbers
    3. Optimize heart nutrition
  2. Handle inflammation and toxicity
  3. Treat viscosity and sticky blood
  4. Handle stress/ lifestyle/ great sleep
  5. Improve oxygenation
  6. Maximize endothelial function
  7. Reduce arterial plaques
  8. Balance omega 6 and omega 3
  9. Lower oxidized LDL
  10. Change weight & BP with lifestyle changes
  11. Optimize fats, hormones, and electrolytes for electrical conduction
  12. Handle gut and oral cavity

Group Whole30 Challenge at Dr. Dan’s!

Posted August 6, 2018 in: Uncategorized

Join our Group WHOLE30 Challenge at Dr. Dan’s for the month of SEPTEMBER!

Change your life and feel your best by joining us for the September Whole30 Challenge. In addition to weight loss non-scale victories can include: clearing of brain fog, fatigue and chronic pain. Each week class will focus on supporting your Whole30 journey and a specific nutrition topic.

What’s Whole30? It’s a 30-day commitment to eat using these simple guidelines:

  • Eat moderate portions of meat, seafood, and eggs
  • Eat lots of vegetables
  • Eat some fruit
  • Eat plenty of natural fats and herbs, spices, & seasonings
  • Eat only whole foods with very few ingredients, all pronounceable ingredients, or better yet, no ingredients listed at all because they’re whole

Wednesday, August 29th 6-7PM             Review of Program basics and rules

Wednesday, September 5th 6-7PM         Digestive check in

Wednesday, September 12th 6-7PM       What sugar really does in the body

Wednesday, September 19th 6-7PM       Truth about FATS!

Wednesday, September 26th 6-7PM       Food Freedom

Join the Group in Dr. Dan’s Classroom, or virtually!

We can send you a link to join the class from home! Price for all five classes: $100

Register here https://www.eventbrite.com/o/dr-dans-natural-healing-center-16881243272

“Four Sigmatic’s” Nutritionally Beneficial Mushrooms

Posted March 20, 2018 in: Uncategorized

“Four Sigmatic” is a brand that we carry at Dr. Dan’s that uses several types of mushrooms. These mushrooms have excellent health benefits, several of which are outlined below.

  • Cordyceps Mushroom — This mushroom acts as an adaptogen, helping the body come back to balance and reduce the response to stressors. Cordyceps has potential to help with hormones, energy, fatigue, and endurance. Additionally, it could improve breathing and aerobic capacity!
  • Lion’s Mane Mushroom — This mushroom acts to help protect and regenerate brain tissue. If you have a hard time focusing, brain fog, or memory loss, then Lion’s Mane may help!
  • Chaga Mushroom — With it’s powerful immune boosting benefits, the Chaga’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant power helps to eliminate free radicals in the body.
  • Reishi Mushroom – Reishi Mushroom is known to help relax the mind and body, making it a good choice before bed or during stressful situations. Additional benefits: Reishi decreases fat storage and inhibits the breakdown of starches to sugars.

Info adapted from: mindbodygreen.com & foursigmatic.com

Cornucopia’s DIY Guide at the Farmer’s Market

Posted November 2, 2017 in: Uncategorized

HELPING YOU ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS AT THE FARMER’S MARKET

Cornucopia Institute has developed a Do-It-Yourself Guide to asking the right questions at your farmer’s market.
Buying local is a great way to support your local farm economy, but it’s best to support those providing the healthiest food for us and our environment.
If a farm is not Certified Organic, then visiting is the best way to determine if it is operating with integrity, according to Cornucopia.

Cornucopia’s DIY guide helps you, the consumer, to ask the right questions including:

  1. Is it local?
  2. How was it grown?
  3. How was it raised?

 

Click this link for your free DIY Pocket Guide to Non-Certified Organic Food, or pick up a copy of the Guide here at Dr. Dan’s!

https://www.cornucopia.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Cornucopia-Farmers-Market-Pocket-Guide_Web.pdf

BIOMAT: The Amethyst Richway BioMat

Posted August 31, 2017 in: Uncategorized

BIOMAT: The Amethyst Richway BioMat

If you need to release stress by relaxing your muscles and enjoying soothing Far Infrared ray heat, simply lying on the BioMat promotes a feeling of well-being for a healthier mind and body.
The FDA’s medical device indications for use are as follows:
  • Reduces stress and fatigue
  • Soothes and relaxes
  • Supports the immune system
  • Improves sleep (if associated with pain relief)
  • Reduced inflammation (where applied)
  • Increased tissue oxygen (due to increased circulation where applied)
  • Provides such muscle relaxation that you may sleep better if you experienced occasional difficulty sleeping.
$30 for a One Hour session
Call for your appointment today!

Upcoming Classes in our new classroom!

Posted August 17, 2017 in: Uncategorized

 

 

 

Last Thursday we held our first Quick Start Nutrition Program in our new classroom here at Dr. Dan’s! See below for dates, times, and a description of our upcoming classes.

 

Dr. Dan’s Intro To Real Foods $20

Monday September 11th or October 9th from 5:30-6:30pm

At Dr. Dan’s Intro to Real Foods you will learn the difference between traditional and modern diets, and the dramatic impact each has on your health.
In this 1-hour session, you will learn the basics of transitioning your kitchen to include whole, nutrient-dense foods that will nourish your family. We’ll also provide resources to you, including handouts, book suggestions, & online resources for eating out, reading labels, and shopping locally.

 

Sauerkraut Class $20

Wednesday September 20th from 6:00pm-7:00pm

In this one hour session at Dr. Dan’s Classroom, we will make homemade Sauerkraut together.
We’ll first review the basics of fermentation, as well as the benefits of soaking grains & nuts.
Then we will mix and pound our kraut into jars to take home.
(Limited to 10 participants)

 

Quick Start Nutrition Program $65

Thursday September 28th or October 26th from 9:00am-12:00pm

Learn the basics of healthy eating in a 3 hour session that includes:

  • Whole Foods Nutrition Fundamentals
  • Shopping & Kitchen Transition Guidelines –What’s In, What’s Out and Why
  • Nutrient Dense Foods Product Sampling. Yum!
  • Market Basket Shopping Tour. What to Get Where

 

Whole Foods Course $100 for 4 sessions

Wednesday October 4th, 11th, 18h, 25th from 6:00pm-7:00pm

Intensive instruction on how to transition to a nutrient dense eating program in four sessions:

  1. Fundamentals of a Healthy Diet
  2. Creating a Whole Foods Kitchen
  3. Transitioning to a Traditional Diet
  4. Planning & Preparing Meals

New recipe! Zucchini Bread, grain free with peanut butter and chocolate chips!

Posted August 8, 2017 in: Uncategorized

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zucchini bread, grain free with peanut butter & chocolate chips!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup shredded zucchini
  • 3/4 cup organic creamy peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
  • 2 large eggs, slightly beaten
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons coconut flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips or dairy free Enjoy Life chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8X4 inch loaf pan with parchment paper, grease with coconut oil.
  2. In a large bowl, mix shredded zucchini, peanut butter, maple syrup, eggs and vanilla with whisk until well combined and creamy. Stir in coconut flour, baking soda, cinnamon & salt. Fold in chocolate chips, reserving about a tablespoon for sprinkling on top.
  3. Pour batter into prepared pan, sprinkle remaining chocolate chips on top. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  4. Remove from oven and transfer pan to a wire rack to cool for 15 minutes, and then remove bread from pan and transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy!

*Recipe adapted from Ambitious Kitchen

Wilderness Family Fermented Cacao Powder & Recipe

Posted August 1, 2017 in: Uncategorized

Cacao has many health benefits to offer. It contains four times more antioxidants than dark chocolate, and 20 times more antioxidants than blueberries. Consuming foods with high antioxidant profiles helps to protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals, thus preventing potential health problems.

The fermentation process of Cacao Powder enhances this superfood to become even more nutritious. Much like nuts and seeds, cacao contains an anti-nutrient called phytic acid. Fermentation reduces the phytic acid content making it easier to digest and absorb all the beneficial minerals. In addition, the fermentation process improves the taste of this cacao resulting in decreased bitterness.

It is still not determined whether heating or cooking fermented/raw cacao diminishes its nutritional value. Cooking and heating foods can decrease the nutrient profile and antioxidant content, so for optimal benefits it is advised to consume this food raw when possible.

Other benefits of Fermented Cacao include:

  • Lowered LDL cholesterol
  • improved heart function
  • reduced cancer risk
  • increased energy and cognitive function
  • regulated insulin levels
  •  improved mood and happiness!

 Best of all, cacao is delicious and versatile making it a great food to incorporate into your diet. Try out one of our favorite ways to use it with our recipe below!

Fermented Cacao Drink

Ingredients:

  • 1 TBSP Fermented Cacao
  • 1 Cup nut milk
  • 1 TBSP full fat coconut milk cream or coconut oil
  • Pinch of unrefined sea salt
  • 1-2 tsp Pure maple syrup or raw local honey
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp of Maca powder (optional)

 

Directions:

  • Gently heat nut milk and coconut milk together on the stove top for about 1 minute; be careful not to boil the mixture to avoid destroying the cacao’s beneficial antioxidants
  • Once warm, stir in honey or maple syrup, then vanilla, sea salt & Maca.
  • Lastly whisk in cacao just until it is combined.
  • Serve as is, or over ice.

Our New Office is OPEN!

Posted July 18, 2017 in: Uncategorized

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Dan’s New Office is open at

3 New Pasture Road

Stop in for a visit!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JUNE 26, 2017, Dr. Dan’s opens for business at 3 New Pasture Road!

Posted June 15, 2017 in: Uncategorized

The countdown is on!!
Beginning Monday, JUNE 26th we will see you at our new office location at 3 New Pasture Road, Newburyport MA
Dr. Dan’s new office building at 3 New Pasture Road is located in the Newburyport Industrial/Business Park, with easy access from downtown via Low Street, or from Route 95 via Scotland Road.

From downtown Newburyport, take Route 1 South.
Turn right on to Low Street at the lights, then take your first left onto Graf Road.
Then take your first right onto New Pasture Road.
 
We are so excited for the opportunity to better serve you at our new location.
Please see below for upcoming events that will be held in our brand new Classroom!
 
And follow us on Facebook & Instagram for the countdown to June 26th!
 
Dr. Dan’s QUICKSTART Nutrition Program
July 13th or August 10th, at 9am to 12pm
Learn the basics of healthy whole foods eating in a 3 hour session that includes:
* Fundamentals of Whole Foods Nutrition
* Shopping & Kitchen Transition Guidelines
* Nutrient Dense Foods sampling
* Nourishing Steps Shopping Trip
 
Dr. Dan’s INTRO TO REAL FOODS Program
Monday, July 10th or August 7th at 5:30-6:30pm
At Dr. Dan’s Intro to Real Foods you will you will learn the difference between traditional and modern diets, and the dramatic impact each has on your health.
In this 1-hour session, you will learn the basics of transitioning your kitchen to include whole, nutrient-dense foods that will nourish your family. We’ll also provide resources to you, including handouts, book suggestions, & online resources for eating out, reading labels, and shopping locally.