Elevated Levels of Heavy Metals are Common and Concerning
For the past decade I have monitored patients for heavy metals, specifically lead and mercury. I find elevated levels on a weekly basis and, sadly, these results no longer surprise me.
Continue reading “Elevated Levels of Heavy Metals are Common and Concerning”Timing Matters when Intermittent Fasting
In the 15th century, the word breakfast became used to describe “breaking the fast.” However, when many people start intermittent fasting they tend to skip breakfast and begin eating at lunchtime. Unfortunately they are undermining their weight loss goals, as studies show that the benefits of fasting tend to be diminished when calories are shifted to the latter part of the day.
Continue reading “Timing Matters when Intermittent Fasting”Optimal Ferritin Levels May Surprise You
Often patients express worry that their ferritin levels are too low, when, in fact, I am concerned about the opposite.
Ferritin is a large protein molecule, and while its role is complex and still unclear, ferritin is generally considered a surrogate marker for total iron storage in the body and often acts as a biomarker of health. Optimal ferritin levels and reference ranges are not currently well defined, but what are considered “normal levels” may actually be too high, and some researchers are advocating for a change in what is considered normal. While we still don’t know the “optimal” numbers, aiming for below the 50 percentile is most likely healthier (20-40 for women, 50-70 for men). Ferritin specialist William R. Ware, PhD, suggests that we should aim even lower for some patient populations (those with cardiometabolic disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver, etc.).
Continue reading “Optimal Ferritin Levels May Surprise You”Integrative Medicine is Not Alternative Medicine
Over the years I have been approached by patients who seek my care in an effort to bypass conventional medicine. It’s understandable, as many are dissatisfied by the tendency of conventional medicine to focus on high-tech interventions and pharmaceutical management of established disease. There are beneficial aspects of conventional care, most notably acute and surgical care, but I am concerned about those forgoing the preventive aspects of conventional medicine, such as cancer screenings, immunizations and medications that can prevent complications or progression of disease. In addition, I have also seen those declining curative cancer therapy.
Continue reading “Integrative Medicine is Not Alternative Medicine”Surgical Success: Connecting Mind and Body
After receiving my initial cancer diagnosis, I became acutely aware of making my day-to-day life more manageable, both mentally and tangibly. I feel very grateful for the advice and discoveries that helped to navigate my experience as a cancer patient and to live intentionally.
Continue reading “Surgical Success: Connecting Mind and Body”Surgical Success: Implementing Nutritional “Prehab”
A crucial element of my prehabilitation regimen was nutrition. While I have always been committed to a nourishing diet of clean protein, healthy fats, and an abundance of vegetables, as my surgery approached I decided to research the ways in which my body would be best prepared for the experience.
Continue reading “Surgical Success: Implementing Nutritional “Prehab””Surgical Success: How “Prehab” Exercise Affected My Recovery
Studies show that a contributor to successful rehabilitation is prehabilitation or prehab, an exercise program started prior to surgery. Formerly affiliated with orthopedic operations such as knee and hip replacements, prehab has become more mainstream in the treatment of cancer patients, as early research reveals that becoming fit prior to cancer surgery may reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and progression, improve the effectiveness of treatment, reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and improve energy, self-image, confidence, and quality of life.
Continue reading “Surgical Success: How “Prehab” Exercise Affected My Recovery”Colonoscopy Screening Saves Another Life
For me, January is a time to organize, to donate household items that my family has outgrown, and to schedule health-related screenings, most notably my colonoscopy.
Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer diagnosed in men and women in the United States
Yes, I am aware that March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, but I am relaying this information early because, with the exception of skin cancer, colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer diagnosed in men and women in the United States and the second leading cause of death from cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that some 140,000 new cases will be diagnosed this year, but the good news is, colorectal cancer, if found early, is one of the most preventable and treatable cancers.
Affecting both men and women of all races and ethnicities, colorectal cancer occurs in the colon or rectum and typically develops as polyps, which are abnormal growths inside the colon or rectum that, if not removed, may become cancerous. While the cancer is found mostly in those 50 years old and above, the incidence in those younger than age 50 is on the rise. So, the American Cancer Society recently changed their screening recommendations for average-risk adults to begin at age 45.
How to reduce your risks of colorectal cancer
The best way to reduce your risk of colorectal cancer is by screening for the disease via a colonoscopy, an outpatient procedure which examines the full colon and allows a physician to identify and remove polyps during the process. There are several additional screening options, including at-home tests that can detect blood in the stool, but they are not definitive in identifying polyps, which are usually the precursor for this cancer.
Warning signs of precancerous polyps and colorectal cancers
There are no clear-cut symptoms associated with precancerous polyps and colorectal cancers, which is why screening is of the utmost importance, but warning signs might include blood in or on the stool, a change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation, persistent stomach pain, gas or cramps, unexplained weight loss, nausea and/or vomiting. However, many who are diagnosed with colorectal cancer never experience any symptoms.
I realize that people avoid colonoscopies because they are inconvenient, considered invasive, may disrupt the microbiome or merely due to procrastination, but the bottom line is this: Your risk of adverse events from a colonoscopy is lower than your risk of colorectal cancer, and many who receive the diagnosis have little or no risk factors.
Kick off the new year with an early colorectal screening
So, why am I suggesting kicking off the new year with an early colorectal screening? Because this procedure saved my life. At the age of 50, when I had my first colonoscopy, I was, against all odds, diagnosed with colorectal cancer. My surgeon believes the cancer began when I was in my mid 40s, and if I had put off the test for just a couple of years, my cancer most likely would have been inoperable. I hope you will take my experience into consideration and, please, don’t put off scheduling your colonoscopy another week, month or year. The time is now to be proactive and take the lead in anticipating a healthy 2019!
References: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.3322/caac.21457