Author: Dr. Debra Muth

Over the years Americans have been getting higher fasting insulin and hemoglobin A1c blood levels. A study from Life Extension Magazine showed 66% higher than desired fasting insulin. Twenty-Two percent had hemoglobin A1c levels that placed them in a pre-diabetic state.

What is Hemoglobin A1c?

Hemoglobin A1c measures the percentage of glycated hemoglobin in one’s blood. Hemoglobin A1c levels should be below 5.6% yet more than one in five people test over 6%.

Gaining access to this kind of information can prevent severe diabetic related illness.

Insulin is a hormone that regulates carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Insulin enables liver and muscle cells to take up blood sugar (glucose) for energy production or storage. Insulin also helps to pack glucose into the fat cells as triglycerides.

Once a burst of insulin is released in response to food ingestion, insulin levels should drop below 5 uIU/ml and only a small amount of insulin should be needed to maintain balance.

When the fasting insulin levels are above 5 uIU/ml, this indicates a pre-diabetic state that increases the risk of degenerative disease. In people with metabolic disorders or obesity insulin levels remain elevated. While this creates cellular damage it also prevents weight loss by forcing glucose into the fat cells as storage.

Insulin Resistance

In a condition called hyperinsulinemia the pancreas stimulates the uptake of glucose from blood into the body’s cells. The inability of the body’s cells to utilize the insulin is called insulin resistance.

In hyperinsulinemia the pancreas produces more insulin than normal so there are higher levels of insulin circulating in the blood stream. Normally to process 10mg of sugar a person would have to produce one unit of insulin, but in a person with hyperinsulinemia, ten units of insulin may be needed to balance that same 10 mg of glucose.

Hyperinsulinemia also called insulin resistance create many health problems including high triglycerides, low HDL and type II diabetes along with obesity. If you haven’t tested your lipid levels you should consider having a Lipid Panel Test done this test gives you more than just a basic lipid panel, it also tells you the particle size of cholesterol.

This provides a great deal of information about early stage heart health and if reactive insulin is causing your lipids to be abnormal.

Unfortunately, despite the numerous peer-reviewed studies mainstream medicine has not made a priority in measuring these levels and doing what is needed to prevent chronic illness with early intervention.

High insulin levels promote hypertension

High insulin levels promote hypertension by impairing the proper release of sodium. High insulin harms the kidneys and prolongs exposure to high insulin damages the vascular system. It can also increase the risk of certain cancers.

High insulin can also promote formation of beta-amyloid brain cells, which may contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Over production of insulin also contributes to prostate enlargement by promoting the overgrowth of prostate cells.

High insulin is also associated with abdominal obesity, which contributes to atherosclerosis and impotence.

The excess elevation of blood sugar after eating meals can create as many complications as having a high fasting insulin level.

High postprandial (after meals) blood sugar, accompanies an insulin surge, are significant to the development of age-related disease, along with microvasculature (small blood vessel within eye, kidney’s, and nerve supply).

Studies show that men with the highest levels of post-load glucose, insulin and measurements of glycemic imbalance had the greatest number of blocked coronary arteries. Studies like this prove that blocking that surge in after meal blood sugar and insulin is an important goal for optimal longevity.

You can now request your own metabolic profile, fasting insulin, blood glucose and haemoglobin A1c on your own. You may want to add it to a Female and Male weight loss profile.

These test results can assist in measuring what type of risk factors you may be dealing with and more importantly will let you know what type of lifestyle changes are necessary.

What is Hyperinsulinemia?

There is a form of liver disease caused by hyperinsulinemia also known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. It is noted by an infiltration of fat into the liver, which impairs the livers function. A 2013 study reviewed patients affected with primary liver cancer and found a high prevalence of liver cancer in type II diabetics.

A 2012 study looking at college students found 8 out of 22 subjects had hyperinsulin with fasting insulin levels greater than 19 uIU/ml. Studies of older people with this conditions reveals damaging processes occurring early in life.

A 2013 study showed over a ten-year period of time that type II diabetics treated with insulin augmenting drugs had an 80% increased risk of experiencing cancer, an adverse cardiac event or death from patients who only received the drug metformin, which lowers insulin levels.

A drug class known as sulfonylureas stimulates pancreatic insulin secretion and temporarily reduces glucose. By giving type II diabetics insulin-augmenting therapies instead of lifestyle changes, nutrients, and metformin the medical community has creates higher risks of weight gain, neuropathy, renal failure and atherosclerosis and cancer.

Once a person is diagnosed with cancer, it is essential to suppress excess insulin secretion. This is because insulin not only initiates cancer it stimulates the proliferation of malignant cells.

Insulin has long been implicated in Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the fastest growing threat to the United States, according to a 2013 team of researchers from University of Washington in Seattle.

Known causes of Alzheimer’s include mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation. A 2012 described how insulin is involved in the metabolism of beta-amyloid and concluded that insulin resistance is involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s.

This information could be devastating if we did not have lifestyle changes and ways to adjust these high insulin levels. Most people do not realize that starches are broken down in the intestines and produce rapid elevation of after-meal glucose and insulin blood levels.

Even if your fasting blood levels are normal but you have spikes in blood sugar/insulin after meals too high or too fast there will be increased risks of cardiovascular disease.

A natural enzyme has been discovered to reduce after meal blood sugar and insulin spikes in a unique meal. This enzyme converts rapidly digestible starch in the intestines into a fiber that is not readily absorbed as glucose.

Wide spread use of this enzyme before starch containing meals could help reduce the epidemic of glucose intolerance and hyperinsulinemia that plagues the modern world.

The first step to creating an environment that prevents the rise in blood glucose and insulin is to restrict starch consumption that is all starches (breads, pastry, pasta, and flour based products).

Begin doing daily activity, move your body! Begin doing activities like Yoga, walking, biking or your favorite physical activity. Begin using nutritional support that helps to break down starch, enzymes that promote good digestion, carnitine that helps promote weight loss these are just a few items that can help weight management.

Call Serenity Health Care Center for assistance with your lifestyle changes today 262-522-8640!

Menopause is the end of a woman’s menstrual cycles. The term can describe any of the changes you go through just before or after you stop having your period, marking the end of your reproductive years.

You may notice:

• Hot flashes, flushes, night sweats and/or cold flashes, clammy feeling
• Irregular heart beat –heart palpitations
• Irritability
• Mood swings, sudden tears
• Broken sleep (with or without night sweats)
• Irregular periods; shorter, lighter periods; heavier periods, phantom periods, shorter cycles, longer cycles
• Loss of libido
• Vaginal dryness
• Crashing fatigue
• Anxiety, feeling ill at ease
• Feelings of dread, apprehension, doom
• Difficulty concentrating, disorientation, mental confusion
• Disturbing memory lapses
• Incontinence, especially upon sneezing, laughing; urge incontinence
• Itchy, crawly skin
• Aching, sore joints, muscles and tendons
• Increased tension in muscles
• Breast tenderness or Fibrocystic breasts
• Headache change: increase or decrease
• Gastrointestinal distress, indigestion, flatulence, gas pain, nausea
• Sudden bouts of bloating
• Depression/Anxiety
• Exacerbation of existing conditions
• Increase in allergies
• Weight gain especially mid abdominal
• Hair loss or thinning, head, pubic, or whole body; increase in facial hair
• Dizziness, light-headedness, episodes of loss of balance
• Changes in body odor
• Electric shock sensation under the skin and in the head
• Tingling in the extremities
• Gum problems, increased bleeding
• Burning tongue, burning roof of mouth, bad taste in mouth, change in breath odor
• Changes in fingernails: softer, crack or break easier
• Tinnitus: ringing in ears, bells, ‘whooshing,’ buzzing etc.

Menopause and aging is not just for women.  Men experience midlife changes as well.  This condition is caused by a shift in hormonal balance; however it involves different hormones than those in women.  Doctors label this condition “Male menopause,” also called “Andropause”.

Decreasing hormones is a natural part of aging and for some, may cause uncomfortable symptoms that affect quality of life .  These may include a gradual decline in sexual desire, impotence, moodiness, loss of motivation, competitive edge, and muscle mass.  Unlike women, men do not experience abrupt changes. Symptoms are more gradual and less severe, making it difficult to determine  what is happening within their bodies.

Symptoms of male menopause

• Reduced libido
• Difficulty with erections
• Infertility
• Disrupted sleep
• Depression
• Poor concentration
• Heart disease
• Osteoporosis
• Prostate enlargement
• Muscle weakness
• Fatigue
• Irritability

Studies indicate that 50 percent of men between 50-70 years of age, have testosterone levels that are on the lowest end for a healthy, normal 40 year old.  Testosterone levels fall by 1% a year.  Currently, 95% of men in America are not treated for hypogonadism.  What would happen if you could capture one-fourth of these patients and begin treating them?  You will become the expert for treating Andropause in your area and referrals will begin to role in.

Many men are reluctant to discuss these symptoms with their healthcare practitioners and are often sent by their wives.  It takes a keen ear and asking the right questions to obtain the pertinent information needed to safely and effectively treat your patients.

Andropause is diagnosed through laboratory findings and clinical evaluation.  Laboratory findings will be considered suboptimal and vary between labs.  I recommend looking for normal ranges in the upper one third of the normal range.   Physical changes should be present, as well as laboratory findings.  Physical signs that can be seen on exam are:  decreased muscle strength and size, increased abdominal fat, small wrinkles around the forehead, fatty breast tissue, smaller penis and testes, and lack of body odor.

Providing questionnaires in your office is a great way to bring up this subject with male patients.  I leave the questionnaire sitting on the counter in the exam room for men to complete in privacy;  they can hand it to me or ask questions about the subject when I enter the room.  I find this works very well.

There are a various reasons why testosterone levels fall.  If men are under chronic stress and  have high cortisol levels chronically, testosterone will be depleted.  Environmental exposure to xenoestrogens will deplete testosterone and can cause growth of breast tissue.  This can be seen daily when we see young boys with breast tissue.  My kids call this man boobs.   Studies show that when testosterone levels are normalized,  there is better control of blood glucose levels in diabetic men.

Various medications can reduce testosterone production or block testosterone from being utilized. The two highlighted medications are commonly used in the general population and are often not thought to reduce hormone production. I am concerned with lowering cholesterol levels, because all of the body’s hormones are produced from cholesterol.   The body produces 5-6mg of testosterone per day, but when cholesterol levels are lowered, the body is unable to make even this small amount of testosterone.

• Spironolactone
• Cimetidine
• Ketoconazole
• Long-acting Gonadotropin (lupron)
• Chronic opiate use
• Corticosteroids
• Megace
• Antihypertensive
• SSRI’s

Testosterone is responsible for the development of genitals, puberty, bone growth, muscle mass, strength, and CNS effects.  Organ systems also directly affected by testosterone include the prostate, liver, kidneys, larynx, blood, immune system, and breast tissue.

Most of the circulating testosterone is bound to other substances, making it unavailable for use by the body.  Free testosterone consists of about 2-3% of total testosterone.  SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) typically increases with age.  Estrogen is another hormone which increases the body’s production of SHBG.  High levels of estrogen can depress the production of SHBG.  When testosterone levels are low,  higher amounts of testosterone bind to SHBG.

Estrogen dominance occurs from environmental exposures as well as obesity.  Despite diet and exercise changes, midabdominal obesity ini particular contributes to estrogen dominance.   A lack of testosterone and a rise in SHBG cripples the effectiveness of the hormone, causing weight gain and increased estrogen.  Higher amounts of estrogen can have a neutering effect on men.

Estrogen dominance occurs for a variety of reasons:

• Insulin resistance
• Trans-fatty acid intake
• Chronic stress
• Sleep deprivation
• Fluoridated water
• Environmental Xenoestrogens
• Cigarette smoking
• Zinc deficiency
• Progesterone deficiency
• Sedentary life style
• Cadmium toxicity
• Lack of sulfur-containing amino acids
• Lack of good exercise
• Magnesium deficiency
• Hypothyroidism
• Testosterone deficiency

Many patients present to our office taking several prescribed medications, which can cause higher estrogen levels.  Commonly prescribed drugs such as: acetaminophen, NSAIDS, ASA, antibiotics, anti-fungal agents, antidepressants, and antacids also raise estrogen levels in men.

To reduce high estrogen levels, I use a product called Chezyn, which is essential for proper control of estrogen.  A study conducted by Metametrix looking at Cruciferous Complete and the benefits of metabolizing 2/16 hydrox ratio, proved to lower these estrogen metabolites.  Wheat germ oil is used for proper steroid production.  B6 niacinamide is used for proper zinc absorption.

Tribulus is a fantastic herb to support healthy DHEA & testosterone production.  The American diet must change, in order to balance testosterone levels.  Diets higher in sugar and fat reduce testosterone levels.  Encouraging patients to consume an organic diet high in fruits and vegetables, with lean protein, assists in balancing testosterone and estrogen levels.   Exercising the large muscles causes immediate and prolonged levels of testosterone; men should incorporate daily physical activity into their routine.  If the adrenal function is not addressed, any type of support for testosterone will be unsuccessful.  Relaxation should also be incorporated to the daily program.

If you are interested in helping the men in your practice feel better and regain their life, start by having them complete the Andropause questionnaire and talkto them about their hormone imbalance.  If you have patients you would like to get started with immediately and are unsure where to go, feel free to contact me for a consultation.

Integrative Medicine

Integrative medicine, the field of medicine which combines the use of conventional and complementary techniques in reaching health and wellness goals, is now available for pediatric patients through the Pediatric Integrative Medical Center at the Serenity Health Care Center. Under the guidance of a board-certified internal medicine doctor, the program combines the best evidence-based conventional medicine with a variety of proven lifestyle therapies and complementary techniques for pediatric patients from birth through 21 years.

Integrative Pediatrics program director Greg Brown, MD, offers conventional medicine in addition to evidence-based complementary therapies to facilitate the natural healing process in children and teens.

Integrative medicine’s natural and comprehensive approach can help young people feel better, perform better and thrive at their fullest potential. An integrative approach acts to enhance conventional pediatric care. Integrative medicine “integrates” conventional medicine with those complementary therapies for which there is high-quality scientific evidence of safety and effectiveness.

Dr. Brown works in concert with each child’s existing pediatrician to create an integrative health plan for each child or teen, and offers pediatric integrative medicine consults to parents interested in healing their children through both conventional and complementary therapies.

The Integrative Pediatrics program treats a wide range of medical conditions, including ADD/ADHD, Autism, allergies, asthma, behavioral and developmental concerns, digestive disturbances, cancer care support, emotional health, eating problems, chronic headache, sleep problems, weight management and more.

Using a whole-child approach, Dr. Brown also works with families to optimize overall health for children and teens and minimize the risk factors for future health problems. The program also offers comprehensive consultations to expectant parents.

“We created a prenatal program to prevent the rising childhood illness, which involves a new approach to prenatal health,” said Dr. Muth.

Dr. Brown the medical director of the Serenity Health Care Center Pediatric Integrative Medical Center and a leader in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) research and treatment.

“As with all of our programs, it is led by a board-certified medical expert who also possesses intense training in the use and application of CAM therapies,” adds Dr. Muth owner of Serenity Health Care Center. As an integrative doctor practicing emergency medicine, Brown found himself becoming more curious about CAM therapies, after being introduced to the owner and founder of Arch Medical center over ten years ago.

Dr. Brown graduated from University of Nebraska in 1984. Dr. Brown has 18 years of experience in Emergency Medicine and was affiliated with St. Luke’s Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Memorial Hospital Corp of Burlington.

Dr. Brown is the Medical Director for Gateway Paramedics Program and is certified in Internal Medicine, Medical chelation by ACAM (American College for Advancement in Medicine), Hyperbaric Medicine by IBUM (International Board of Undersea Medicine).

His integrative approach considers each child or teen’s physical health history, biomedical approach to healing, social and family dynamics, lifestyle, academics, personal strengths and spiritual and emotional health in developing a personalized, integrative program for long-term wellness.

Call to Schedule an appointment at Waukesha’s Pediatric Integrative Medical Center at 262-522-8646

What is Gasteroespohageal reflux Disease GERD?

GERD occurs when stomach contents, which normally move moves down through the digestive system, flow back into the ESOPHAGUS.  The most common symptoms is frequent heart burn, although other symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, indigestion and coughing may also occur.

What causes GERD?

The lowe ESOPHAGEAL sphincter is located at the very bottom of the ESOPHAGUS where it joins the stomach.  The majority of patients with gerd have a “relaxed,” or “LOSE,” sphincter allowing the stomach contents to enter back INTO the ESOPHAGUS, which results in heartburn.

How is GERD usually Treated?

Antacid prescription medications (histamine receptor blockers and proton pump inhibitors) and over-the-counter antacids are commonly used to treat GERD.  Antacids work by REDUCING the acidity of the stomach so that stomach contents flowing back into the ESOPHAGUS no longer cause irritation.  It is important to remember that antacids do not fix the problem with INADEQUATE tone and they can cause side effects if used for a long period of time.

The PILLARS of G.I. Health

There are four pillars of digestions: Elimination, Microflora Balance and Gut Integrity.  They are called pillars because it is upon these (and their inter-relationship) that the health of the G.I. system is supported.

The Gastrointestinal (G.I.) tract has a surface area 200 times greater than our skin and is exposed to the EXTERNAL environment via the food we eat. 

Within your lifetime, you will consume between 30-50 tons of food.  All of this food is part of the external environment. 

It is the G.I. tract to break down this food, absorb the beneficial nutrients and, at the same time, prevent harmful compounds from entering the bloodstream.

Digestion

The main function of the G.I. tract is to digest and absorb the foods you eat. Ultimately food provides the energy for every cell in the body. 

Poor digestion and absorption of key NUTRIENTS will result in low energy, sluggish metabolism, mental fog, fatigue and increased susceptibility to chronic illnesses.

Elimination

The process of elimination is just as important as digestion, and it is vital for our well-being. Elimination involves removing the unusable portions of the food you eat as well as eliminating toxic waste products from biochemical reactions taking place in the cells. 

It is essential that both of these types of wastes be completely eliminated from the body, otherwise toxins build up and are stored in various tissues.

Microflora Balance

The G.I. tract is a small ecosystem that has a very IMPORTANT role in your health and well-being.  This ecosystem composed of more than 100 trillion microscopic organisms, collectively called the “micrflora,” that live in the G.I. tract. 

The Microflora is composed of more than 400 different strains of beneficial yeast, bacteria and microorganisms that grow in the intestines, and is one of the most metabolically active systems in your body.

Gut Integrity

The G.I. tract is the largest protective layer of the body, SERVICING as a barrier between our internal body and the EXTERNAL world.  It covers an area the size of a tennis court-more than 200 times GREATER than the surface area of the skin. 

It is a critical function of the mucosal membrane to allow nutrients to pass INTO the body while preventing passage of all the harmful substances that move through the gut. 

If the mucosal membrane is not maintained, the intestinal barrier becomes permeable to a number of harmful substances that trigger a host of immune-related RESPONSES commonly linked to NUMEROUS G.I. disorders, such as Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease and food allergies.

Simple lifestyle adjustments that help decrease the frequency and severity of GERD:

• Elevate the head of the bed six inches
• Lose weight
• Eat smaller meal proportions
• Avoid large meal close to bedtime
• Avoid lying down immediately AFTER eating a meal
• Increase fiber intake
• Avoiding factors that relax the tone

– Foods with high saturated, fats, simple sugars, chocolate and CAFFEINE as      much as possible

– Beverages that contain acid (red wine, colas, ORANGE juice and other citrus   fruits)

– Excessive alcohol intake

-Smoking

-Strong mints that may relax the tone

Natural products

Demulcent botanicals

Help to relieve symptoms of GERD by providing a PROTECTIVE barrier over mucus membranes, which soothes irritated tissues and relieves inflammation.  Examples of herbs are licorice, slippery elm, mullein, marshmallow and aloe vera.

Buffering Agents (buffered Vitamin C)

Over-the-counter antacids work by neutralizing stomach acid.  These agents can TEMPORARILY relive symptoms of acid reflux.  The use of powdered buffered vitamin C will provide a high level of vitamin C and neutralize stomach acid.  For quick results use powder not capsules.

Multivitamin

Taking an acid blocking medication will cause an inability to absorb NUTRIENTS from food.  Taking a quality vitamin and mineral product can address this issue.

Probiotics

These good bacteria can help restore normal function to your stomach in order to maintain a healthy and balanced digestive tract.  They also keep the bad bacteria for overgrowing.

Suggested Protocol

• Follow lifestyle interventions
• Use buffered C powder (1 teaspoon in a cup of water) as needed for symptoms
• Providers will sometimes order a stool test called a CDSA  (complete digestive Stool Analysis).  This test will appropriately assess how well the various systems are working.

If you have these type of symptoms contact us to discuss options of treatment for your symptoms.

Corporate Wellness Credits – Do you Qualify?

Many companies are beginning to participate in health and wellness advances offering corporate wellness credits or incentives based on your standard and overall health. Large companies including Aurora Health Care^®, UnitedHealthcare^®, and Hertz^® are among the companies already participating, and many more are assumed to adopt these same incentives in 2014. Starting in 2014, Federal law will allow employers to raise the value of the incentives and penalties of achieving these health standards from 20% of the cost of a worker’s health insurance plan to 30%. This could mean major insurance cost savings if you qualify.

Do you qualify for your Companies Adopted Corporate Wellness Credit?

The standards for most companies include the completion of a Health Risk Assessment (HRA), certifying tobacco-free, and meeting a weight target usually requiring a BMI of less than 30 or your body fat percentage to be below the standard level of obesity or a “reasonable alternative” of your employer’s discretion for those unable to achieve the sought-after medical goals. Some companies are also including regulated or healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels as determining factors for employee wellness incentives.

Weight Management – Do you want to Lose 10 or more lbs. in the Next Year to Qualify?

Serenity Health Care Center offers a variety of options to help you achieve your individual weight management goals.

Some find success in solutions as simple as treating hormonal imbalances, adrenal fatigue and thyroid issues.

Others have found success in the newer HCG weight loss program.

HCG Weight Loss Program

This structured program can be adapted to help anyone committed to losing weight and positively changing their lifestyle. The HCG weight loss program helps to target abnormal body fat and difficult areas.

This program is based on a healthy eating approach, detoxification and a medical evaluation with appropriate follow-up and follow through lifestyle changes to ensure lasting results.

Smoking Cessation – Want to Quit Smoking to Qualify for your Wellness Credit?

Serenity Health Care Center offers services including ONDAMED electro-magnetic therapy and hypnosis to help you find success in quitting smoking.

The power of hypnosis can assist the unconscious and subconscious part of your mind keeping you from quitting.

You are completely in control during hypnosis; you are simply choosing another level of consciousness.

Hypnosis has been successful for many individuals looking to remove cravings, urges and withdrawals, and with learned self-hypnosis patterns your success can be long lasting.

Health and Vitality Program for All Aspects of a Healthy You

Serenity Health Care Center Waukesha provides a Health and Vitality Program designed to strengthen your immune system, increase your energy levels and maximize your overall health.

The Health and Vitality Program is an 8 point treatment program addressing: Airborne Allergies, Food Allergies, Yeast, Hypothyroidism, Bio-Identical Hormones, Adrenal Fatigue, Vitamins and Minerals and Eating Habits.