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Yeast Overgrowth & Sensitivity – Candida Solutions

Can you believe this is typical of the type of patient we see in our clinic?  A 38-year-old woman came in complaining of fatigue, abdominal pain,  bloating, gas, belching, indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, eczema on most of body,  irritability, mood swings, PMS, headaches, dizziness, itchy eyes, dry skin and hair, easy bruising, chest pain, hyperactivity, sinus congestion, rashes, itching, food allergies, hair loss, frequent urination, recurring yeast infections, sugar, bread and alcohol cravings, insomnia and brain fog.

After seeing many doctors over 10-15 years, she had urged her allergist to test her for Celiac disease and sure enough, it was positive. She temporarily felt a little better on a gluten-free diet, but she still had all those symptoms.

What is going on here?  I thought gluten-free was supposed to cure everything!

Well it turns out that you can have sensitivities or allergies to many different foods and one of the most common is yeast.

Most every new patient that comes in with a multitude of chronic symptoms not only tests positive for a gluten or wheat sensitivity but also has a food sensitivity to Brewer’s and/or Baker’s yeast.

Related to this is a condition called yeast overgrowth or Candida in the body.  It is normal to have a certain level of yeast in our bodies and Candida Albicans is the most common type of yeast or fungus.

But when it gets out of balance and yeast overgrowth occurs, that’s when it can cause problems.

Yeast overgrowth is usually caused by medications such as antibiotics, prednisone, birth-control pills or antacids.

Just some of the symptoms of yeast overgrowth or sensitivity include:

  • abdominal pain, gas and bloating
  • diarrhea or constipation
  • IBS, Crohn’s and Colitis
  • fatigue
  • headaches
  • dizziness
  • sinus congestion
  • chronic cough
  • acne
  • numbness and tingling
  • brain fog- poor memory and concentration
  • fungal infection on nails
  • white film or spots on throat or tongue
  • irritability
  • mood swings
  • anxiety and/or depression
  • muscle or joint aches
  • eczema, psoriasis  and skin rashes
  • itchy eyes, ears or skin
  • difficulty losing weight
  • food sensitivities
  • sensitivities to perfumes, fragrances and chemicals
  • allergies
  • autoimmune conditions
  • sugar, alcohol or bread cravings
  • vaginal yeast infections
  • PMS
  • frequent urinary tract infections

How do you determine if you have yeast overgrowth or sensitivity?
The first and most important thing we do is a thorough history and evaluation. There are also different lab tests that can be performed to identify if yeast is part of the problem.

And usually this is just one important piece of the puzzle.  There are other factors involved also.

So what’s the solution?  Although it is much more detailed than this, here is a summary:

1.  Diet:
a.  Avoid sugar, grains and starches. That includes bread, pasta, crackers, cookies, cake; and yes, even gluten-free ones.
b.  Avoid yeast containing foods such as beer and wine, vinegar, soy sauce, aged cheeses.
c.  Eat plenty of non-starchy vegetables
d.  Eat a moderate amount of proteins such as wild fish, beef, chicken, turkey, and lamb.
d.  Consume an abundance of healthy fats such as olive oil, coconut oil, avocado and clarified butter.

2.  Nutritional supplements with herbs that have antifungal properties can be very effective. One of the products I have found most effective is called Yeast Defeat.  Sometimes antifungal medications are needed.

3. Take Probiotics for digestive and immune support.  I’ve used many different brands over the years with thousands of patients.  I finally found one that has provided the best results, which is called ProbioSupreme.

By the way, about the patient above who was feeling terrible? After placing her on what I call The FreeDiet™ and some nutritional supplements to enhance healing, she did get better.

Yes, all of her symptoms cleared up and she was feeling good for the first time in many years!  If you want to see her video, click here.

So remember, gluten-free can be part of the solution, but it is not the answer to everything. There can be many other factors involved, and yeast overgrowth/sensitivity is just one of them

If you want to Transform Your Health and Feel Good Again, feel free to contact us at info@nmcwellness.com  or call 561-627-5800.  We would love to help.

Yours for Optimal Health,

Dr. Tom Rofrano

PS. Look for more on The FreeDiet™ in future blogposts.

Magnesium for Maximum Relaxation & Health

Did you know that for stress relief and relaxation, taking Magnesium may be one of the best things you can do for yourself?  And it can go a long way in improving your energy.

It’s no wonder so many are suffering from some of the symptoms of magnesium deficiency including:

  • Headaches / Migraines
  • Fatigue and Weakness
  • Anxiety and Depression
  • Lack of Focus and Concentration
  • Irritability
  • Insomnia
  • Numbness and Tingling
  • Muscle Cramps
  • Restless Legs
  • Menstrual Cramps
  • Nausea and Vomiting
  • Constipation

Magnesium deficiency is also associated with the following conditions:

  • ADHD
  • Asthma
  • Osteoporosis
  • Hypertension
  • Kidney stones
  • Seizures
  • Type 2 Diabetes
  • Metabolic Syndrome
  • Atherosclerosis
  • Sudden cardiac death
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Tinnitus
  • Preeclampsia
  • PMS
  • Obesity

Magnesium is the second most abundant mineral in the body, is critical for energy metabolism and protein synthesis, and is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body.

Yet, it has been reported that over 50% of Americans consume too little magnesium.  So why are so many of us deficient in this important mineral?

First, most people don’t consume enough high magnesium foods, which include nuts, pumpkin seeds, and avocados.

Second, most multivitamins contain very little magnesium.

Third, stress depletes magnesium.  And we lose this mineral with sweating.

Fourth, malabsorption can result from conditions like gluten sensitivity, celiac disease, IBS, and leaky gut.

Fifth, many medications cause magnesium deficiency including birth control pills, PPI drugs like Nexium and Prilosec, certain antibiotics, and diuretics.

And sixth, taking calcium supplements can cause magnesium depletion.

I often see older women coming in as patients, taking 1000 mg calcium for their bones with very little to no magnesium.  They usually have aches and pains and many of the above symptoms.

Remember, calcium is important for muscle contraction and magnesium is vital for muscle relaxation. So it is important to not get out of balance by taking too much calcium in relation to magnesium.

How much magnesium do you need?  The recommended daily intake for adults is approximately 400 mg, but I have seen where some people need as much as 1000 mg per day or more.

How do you know if you’re low in magnesium? Well besides looking at your symptoms and taking a thorough health history, I often order a lab test called Red Blood Cell Magnesium that can evaluate your magnesium status.

The simplest and most effective solution to replenish your magnesium levels is to take a magnesium supplement.

I believe the best form is Magnesium Malate which is highly absorbable, and the malate is especially helpful for fatigue and muscle tension.

If someone has constipation, then I usually recommend Magnesium Citrate as it not only has good absorption, it also has a laxative effect.

I would avoid magnesium oxide.  Although it is very cheap, it appears to have an absorption rate of only about 4%.

So remember Magnesium, this important relaxation mineral for helping to improve your energy, health and life.

For any questions, or if  you or a family member has any of the above symptoms and would like to have your Magnesium level checked, email us at info@nmcwellness.com  or call us  at 561-627-5800.  We would be happy to help.

Yours for Vibrant Health,

Dr. Tom Rofrano

 

Gluten’s Effect on Your Health & Brain

Is Gluten-Free for Real or just a fad?  Well, for those with gluten sensitivity, it certainly is for real and can cause multiple health problems.

And did you know that about half the people with gluten sensitivity don’t have any gut symptoms?

Often with gluten sensitivity and celiac disease, there are only brain and neurological symptoms/disorders, such as:

  • anxiety
  • depression
  • mood swings
  • dizziness
  • brain fog
  • ADD / ADHD
  • dementia
  • Parkinson’s
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • seizures
  • ataxia
  • neuropathy

Other gluten sensitivity and celiac symptoms can include:

  • abdominal pain, gas, and bloating
  • diarrhea and/or constipation
  • fatigue
  • PMS
  • lack of menstruation
  • infertility and miscarriages
  • migraines/headaches
  • joint pain and inflammation
  • muscle aches
  • acne
  • dermatitis, eczema, and skin rashes
  • “chicken skin” on the back of the arms
  • canker sores
  • thyroid dysfunction
  • anemia
  • failure to thrive and short stature
  • developmental delays
  • learning disabilities
  • asthma
  • hair loss
  • autoimmune diseases
  • and many other conditions…

There are actually two types of gluten sensitivities.  One is Celiac Disease, an autoimmune condition resulting in intestinal damage from gluten.

And second is non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) which can still cause almost all the same symptoms and conditions, just not intestinal damage.

Many can go their whole life without being properly diagnosed.  One reason is that basic lab tests your doctor would routinely order don’t check for gluten sensitivity.

Even if you can get your doctor to order the typical gluten antibody or celiac test, the results miss more than 50% of the cases.

A few years ago, a college student came to the Natural Medicine Clinic complaining of acid reflux, burning in her stomach, bloating, and constipation which all started four years earlier.

She used to have PMS but then had not had her menstrual period for many months.  She also had very low energy and said she was tired all the time.

She had been to many doctors, including the Mayo Clinic.  They could not find anything wrong with her but prescribed her laxatives and acid-blocking drugs.

Using a very sensitive diagnostic test, we were able to determine she, in fact, did have gluten sensitivity.

After placing her on a gluten-free diet and some nutritional supplements to enhance healing, all her symptoms cleared up within two months, and she was feeling great!

The gluten sensitivity test I’ve found most helpful checks for not just the usual 2-4 components that the major labs offer but 24 antibodies involved with gluten sensitivity and celiac disease.

So while gluten-free may seem like a passing fad, if you truly have gluten sensitivity, it can cause a whole host of problems.

And getting to the root cause of your condition is one of the most important things you can do for your health and wellness. Like I said earlier, not all gluten sensitivity symptoms are in your gut. Gluten has effects on the brain that chemical imbalances also do.

If you need help in finding your health solutions or would like to find out if gluten is affecting you or a family member, email us at info@nmcwellness.com or call us at 561-627-5800.  We would be happy to help.

Yours for Optimal Health,

Dr. Tom Rofrano

Thyroid’s Dramatic Effect on Brain Function and Health

Hypothyroidism

If you want more energy, vibrant health and better brain function, then you need to have a healthy thyroid.

Brain symptoms of low thyroid function include:

  • depression
  • anxiety
  • moodiness
  • brain fog – difficulty concentrating
  • poor memory
  • slow speech

Other hypothyroid symptoms include:

  • fatigue and exhaustion
  • difficulty losing weight
  • hair loss
  • dry skin and hair
  • itchy skin, hives and rashes
  • aches and pains
  • plantar fascitis
  • numbness and tingling
  • low sex drive
  • infertility and miscarriages
  • irregular menstrual periods
  • high cholesterol
  • chronic infections
  • constipation
  • headaches
  • insomnia,  and the list goes on…

Millions of Americans with hypothyroidism go undiagnosed.   Standard blood tests which include TSH and maybe T4 on your routine labs are simply not enough.

For instance, I had a young woman come in to the Natural Medicine Clinic complaining of back pain, plantar fasciitis (heel pain), fatigue, depression, anxiety, poor memory and concentration, digestive problems, dry skin, frequent infections, hair loss, obesity and being unable to lose any weight despite dieting.  She said blood tests from her doctor were always normal.

After a thorough history and examination, I ordered comprehensive blood testing which included TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, Thyroglobulin Antibodies and TPO Antibodies.

Her results revealed low thyroid function, and her antibodies were elevated.   This indicated an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto’s thyroid disease, which happens to be the most common cause of hypothyroidism.

Besides providing treatment for her back and foot pain, I put her on a comprehensive wellness program with supplements and a personalized diet.  The end result was that all of her symptoms cleared up and she lost 50 pounds!  And that was without any medication.

Interestingly, her TSH, Free T4 and Free T3 were within the “normal” lab ranges but one of her antibodies was elevated, confirming the diagnosis.  This is one reason why so many cases go undetected, as you can have “normal” lab values and still have a thyroid condition.

Often times, prescription thyroid hormones are needed.  If so, many individuals do much better on the natural desiccated thyroid prescriptions rather than the synthetic hormones.

The great thing about discovering a low thyroid condition is that you can dramatically improve your energy and clear up many different, long-lasting symptoms by just fixing your thyroid!

If you or a family member would like any help with testing your thyroid or guidance in this area, feel free to email us at info@nmcwellness.com  or call us at 561-627-5800.  We would be happy to help.

Yours for Optimal Health,

Dr. Tom Rofrano

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    Content on this website is based upon the opinions of Thomas Rofrano, D.C. and is not considered medical advice. It is designed to be a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Rofrano and his community. Dr. Rofrano encourages you to make your health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. Dr. Rofrano is a chiropractic physician and offers physical and nutritional support and guidance to those seeking alternative or complementary care to traditional medicine. His care is not meant to replace that from your primary doctor and specialists but rather to help you on your path to achieving life-long vibrant health.

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