Hello everyone!  I just wrapped up a fantastic week at the latest SOPMED conference in Colorado Springs. It was wonderful as usual. I have been every year since it has started. Every year I learn great pearls. I’d highly recommend your doctor attends next year.

Dr. Zach Bush, owner of Restore, gave an amazing talk on our microbiome. He is a wealth of information. Do you know that spirochetes (blamed for symptoms of chronic lyme) travel by themselves through our body? When we find them in tissue there is not an infectious process happening. They are not forming colonies or creating havoc in nearby tissue. So why are they there? Spirochetes sequester sulphur and we use carbon. Why do we have excess sulphur? Why are we putting patients on months to years of antibiotics? What if the spirochetes are trying to help us. You might want to look into the use of glyphosate and what trends that has created around the world. Was that connected to HIV? This appeared to emerge after glyphosate was dumped (tested) in South Africa.  WHAT!?!? You can talk to me more at your next visit. I will also be posting some videos soon on our youtube channel and Facebook page.

We need to put our dollars to work. Only buy organically grown vegetables. If you eat meat, ensure that it is raised ethically and without drugs. GMO’s foods need be labelled.

Do you wonder why so many children have food allergies now? Do you wonder why fertility has dropped drastically? Have you looked at the maps of cancer rates and areas why glyphosate is highest in our environment? We can trace a lot of this back to round-up ready foods and the heavy exposure of glyphosate in our daily life.

In Health,

Dr. Bridghid McMonagle

The good news: Sunny weather has arrived!

The bad news: Most sunscreen products contain hormone-disrupting chemical “filters.”

When you are out enjoying the sunshine this summer, it’s important to protect your skin cells from the full strength of the UV radiation. The safest option is to apply sunscreen made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxidewhich act as a shield from the UV.

Unfortunately, most mainstream products contain chemical “filter” sunscreens,including some of the following:

Oxybenzone /Avobenzone / Octinoxate / Octisalate

These chemical sunscreens are effective for broad UV protection, but their small carbon-based particles are absorbed through your skin, can clog your pores and studies suggest they may act on hormone pathways once in your body. Reports by the Center for Disease Control show that the vast majority of people tested are excreting Oxybenzone in their urine. This means the chemical is circulating through their body. 

Just like plastics and other known toxins, Oxybenzone and its cousins demonstrate estrogenic activity. This means they can mimic the estrogen and likely disrupt the hormone balance in women, men and children.

Most of us have heard that plastics and parabens (a common ingredient in skin products) can do harm by mimicking estrogen. Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, carry similar risks but are widely accepted as safe. Based on results of prior studies, more data needs to be collected and evaluated before we can say that chemical sunscreens pose no harm.

Infants and children are especially vulnerable to hormone-disrupting chemicals. Traditional zinc or titanium based sunscreen is safer and reliable for your little ones, and not hard to find. 

We carry sunscreen options in the clinic for all ages.Don’t hesitate to ask your doctor for recommendations. In the meantime, check your products at home and take a moment to familiarize yourself with the common brands containing chemical sunscreens.

Popular chemical sunscreen brands:

-Banana Boat 

-Coppertone

-Neutrogena 

We have a few of our favorite at the clinic for you to try as testers.

We love to share the successes that our patients have!

65 year old male has lost over 100 pounds in a year.  In addition to educating him on nutrition, we used PRP and ozone therapy to improve the health of his knees.  With the injections, he was able to be more active.  As he had less chronic pain and feel some hope, he was able to make some amazing diet changes.

A year later, his lab results have significantly improved.  He is not taking any pharmaceuticals.  He is able to walk his dog every day for over 30 minutes.  A year ago, he could not stand more than 5 minutes without 8/10 knee pain.

Congratulations!

It may seem like a ketogenic plan is no more than a new “fad diet” for losing weight. This is not the case. Ketogenic diets are neither new nor useful only for dropping pounds. Despite gaining recent popularity for weight loss, ketogenic diets have been used in modern medicine for greater than a century. Even the practice of fasting to promote healing, which is deeply rooted in numerous cultures, is a method for transitioning into ketosis.

While modern medical use of ketosis is primarily reserved for seizure disorders, there is a wide array of additional potential BENEFITS:

-Reversing metabolic disease and diabetes

-Decreasing symptoms of PCOS and hormone imbalance

-Weight loss and lean muscle building

-Stabilizing blood sugar

-Stabilizing mood

-Increasing energy

-Better cognition and memory

-Clearer skin

There are conditions and situations in which a ketogenic diet is not appropriate. Please look below for a list summarizing these.

If you are reading this, you’ve likely wondered “Can a ketogenic diet benefit me?” For most of us, the answer is yes. The more important question is HOW to transition smoothly and do it right so that you begin seeing and feeling those benefits.

Most Americans follow the SAD (Standard American Diet) high in refined starches and sugars which feed inflammation and chronic disease. A diet which reduces blood sugar levels and insulin resistance carries great potential in those cases. Even those on an organic, health-conscious diet may benefit from increasing ketones and decreasing sugars.

If you do not have one of the specific conditions in which a high fat, low carb diet is contraindicated, how do you decide if it is right for you?

If you struggle with 2 or more of these health concerns weekly, I recommend trying Keto:

OverweightFatiguePCOS

Diabetes/Pre-DiabetesAcneRosacea

Eczema Psoriasis Estrogen Dominance

Brain fog IBS Autoimmune Disease

High blood pressure Sugar Cravings Anxiety/Depression

You may also want to consider a ketogenic plan if you have multiple immediate family members diagnosed with diabetes, heart disease, or dementia.

Ready to start?

I guide my patients through an introduction phase, gradually decreasing carbohydrates and introducing key vitamins and minerals to avoid the dreaded “keto flu.”

I recommend evaluating your current diet, becoming familiar with your macros (grams per day of carbohydrates, fats, protein) and making a plan when you are ready to begin. This includes deciding which ketone testing method to start with and planning for modifications that fit your individual needs. Not a fan of meat? You can do a ketogenic plan. Dairy free? You can do a ketogenic diet.

Remember, for most of us, HOW to do a ketogenic diet is the most important question.

Do NOT start a ketogenic diet if:

-You are pregnant or newly breastfeeding

-You are in kidney failure

-You have porphyria or a congenital fatty acid oxidation disorder

-You are on insulin and your physician will not be monitoring the diet transition

-You have significant vitamin/mineral deficiencies not yet treated

-You have untreated gastroparesis or active gallbladder disease

-You are already training for a marathon, triathlon or equivalent

Stay happy, stay healthy!

Female hormone therapy isn’t just for hot flashes. Just like oxygen, water and blood sugar, hormones have an important role in every part of your body.

We experience a broad array of mental & emotional changes as our hormones change. Is it any surprise, then, that balancing or replacing those hormones can help your mood?

If you are like most women, you’ll experienced a few of these before or after menopause:

• Irritability
• Weepiness
• Depression & fatigue
• Anxiety
• Joint pain and stiffness

Tired and feeling blue ever since your periods ended? You are not alone. Don’t worry, science is catching up!

This month, JAMA Psychiatry published results from a randomized clinical trial showing that perimenopausal and post-menopausal women were significantly less likely to develop depression if taking bio-identical hormones.

January 10, 2018

“Conclusions: Twelve months of [transdermal estradiol and oral micronized progesterone] were more effective than placebo in preventing the development of clinically significant depressive symptoms…”

Clinically, I see my patients prove this to be true. And it’s not only true for women in menopause. I’ve observed:

• Men with depression able to stop antidepressants once on testosterone
• Younger women with less depression & anxiety once on progesterone

When I recommend hormone support, I rarely just prescribe a standard estrogen patch. Individuals deserve to have a complete picture of their hormone health to ensure safer prescription therapies and better symptom relief. This means quality labs and individualized hormone prescriptions.

LABS – GET THE WHOLE PICTURE:

• Estradiol, Progesterone & FSH
• DHEA-s & Pregnenolone
• Thyroid and cortisol when appropriate

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS:

Like any medication, there are risks and concerns that come with taking bio-identical hormones. These vary depending on age, health and the type of hormones taken. There can also be many benefits, in addition to mood support:

• Osteoporosis prevention
• Weight management
• Cardiovascular health
• Strength & agility
• Energy & vitality

CAN BIO-IDENTICAL HORMONES HELP YOU?

Don’t hesitate to ask your doctor if you are a candidate for bio-identical hormones. This should include a conversation regarding potential benefits and side effects. If you have access to a licensed Naturopathic Physician or other doctor practicing Functional Medicine, make an appointment today!

Wishing you health,

Dr. Kaley Bourgeois

Reference:

GORDON, J. L., RUBINOW, D. R., EISENLOHR-MOUL, T. A., XIA, K., SCHMIDT, P. J. AND GIRDLER, S. S.

Efficacy of Transdermal Estradiol and Micronized Progesterone in the Prevention of Depressive Symptoms in the Menopause Transition

Gordon, J., Rubinow, D., Eisenlohr-Moul, T., Xia, K., Schmidt, P. and Girdler, S. (2018). Efficacy of Transdermal Estradiol and Micronized Progesterone in the Prevention of Depressive Symptoms in the Menopause Transition.

Worried About Histamine and Mast Cell Dysfunction?

If you feel like your body is constantly battling new food allergies, rashes, hives, or mysterious aches and pains, you may have a histamine disorder. We all produce histamine as part of a healthy, active immune system.

When histamines do their job correctly, they act as chemical messengers released by mast cells, which then travel to areas assaulted by allergens (like your nose filled with pollen). They tell your body to protect that tissue. Sometimes they do their job a bit too well and you end up with horrible spring allergies or even a life-threatening peanut allergy.

In the case of mastocytosis or a mast cell activation disorder, you can experience numerous symptoms due to excess histamine throughout your body. This occurs when you have an abnormally high number of mast cells, or when your mast cells are over-producing histamine. Since there are so many possible symptoms, these not-so-rare conditions are often missed.

Some common symptoms of a mast cell disorder:

-Hives, itchy skin, flushing

-Angioedema (swelling of the face, lips, mouth)

-Muscle, bone or joint pain

-Fatigue, headache, dizziness, brain fog

-Cough, shortness of breath or wheezing, stuffy nose

-IBS-like symptoms, often with numerous food reactions

-Multiple chemical sensitivities

-Abnormal heart beat, blood pressure changes

No wonder this diagnosis gets missed!

If you and your doctor know what to look for, diagnosing a mast cell activation disorder is possible. Often simple blood tests are enough. The medications used to treat these conditions include mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn sodium or ketotifen.

Are there natural things that can help? Yes!

We recommend you always consult with your doctor before introducing a new treatment. Even if you have all the signs and symptoms, you may not actually have a mast cell activation disorder. It’s important to get a diagnosis first, and you don’t want to risk interfering with diagnostic labs.

If you do have one of these disorders, talk to your physician about:

-Food allergy and food intolerance testing

-Glutathione therapies

-Anti-inflammatory diet plans

– DAO enzyme supplements

-Quercetin and Vitamin C supplements

-Adrenal hormone support

-IV treatments like Medical Ozone and Vitamin C

It’s never too early to start a food diary and track when you experience any of your common health complaints after specific meals.

Yours in health,

Dr. Kaley Bourgeois

Luteal Phase Defect: A Common Hormone Imbalance

Low progesterone is one of the most common hormone imbalances women face. Depending on your age, it can create different challenges.

A middle-aged woman heading toward menopause might notice heavier, painful periods and mood changes. Periods might also be more frequent, because the second half of her cycle (the luteal phase) is getting shorter. This often happens when her ovaries produce too little progesterone after ovulation, or in some cases, fail to ovulate altogether.

The same thing can happen to a younger woman, and once again the challenge may be irregular or frequent periods. She could experience worsening PMS and mood changes. The younger woman may also find becoming pregnant more challenging. Implantation (when the fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterus) usually takes place 7-10 days after ovulation. If her period comes before implantation can occur, she is unlikely to conceive.

This brings us to the under-diagnosed problem we see in so many woman:

Luteal phase defect

After ovulation, the ovary should create enough progesterone to keep the uterine lining intact for an average of 12-14 days. This allows time for a fertilized egg to attempt implantation. If your luteal phase is 9 days or less, you have a luteal phase defect.

If you’ve had trouble getting pregnant, or you noticed your periods seem to come early, it’s possible that you have a luteal phase defect. It is worth noting that not every woman ovulates on day 14, so an “early period” might be normal for some. If you ovulate on day 10, for example, and your average luteal phase is 12 days, your period could come on day 22 of your cycle. If you were to do the math assuming a day 14 ovulation, you would incorrectly think you had an 8 day luteal phase.

So how do you know if you have a luteal phase defect?

Try collecting some data! This will help you and your physician to figure out the puzzle. Pick up a few packs of ovulation test strips (just like pregnancy tests, you get to pee on a stick). After your next period ends, begin testing every morning until you get a firm positive. In most cases, you will ovulate within 24 hours. You can then record that date and keep track how many days pass until your period arrives.

You will also want to get your hormones tests. Your doctor might ask for you to come in on day 3 or day 21 of your cycle depending on which hormones they are running. At the very least, you want to get a progesterone level on day 21 (if you ovulate around day 14). If you know that you ovulate several days before cycle day 14, or several days after, your doctor can adjust when they test for the hormone.

What causes a luteal phase defect?

Sometimes a short luteal phase is simply related to peri-menopause, and it might fluctuate month to month. In other cases, you want to speak with your doctor about the following possibilities:

-Over-exercise or malabsorption

-Thyroid disease

-Adrenal fatigue

-Ovarian cyst, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

-High prolactin

-Metabolic disorder and insulin resistance

How do we treat a luteal phase defect with naturopathic medicine?

The key to regaining a normal luteal phase is understanding why it became short in the first place. This is the part where you and your physician get to be detectives. It might require a prescription, such as thyroid hormone if it turns out you have hypothyroidism. In other cases, diet and lifestyle changes may be enough.

Depending on what you and your medical team detect, effective naturopathic interventions often include:

-Diet changes and seed cycling

-Herbs such as Vitex and Black Cohosh

-Nutritional oils such as Evening Primrose, Flax or Borage

-Bio-identical progesterone therapy

-Stress reduction techniques

-Other specific nutrient therapies

Yours in health,

Dr. Kaley Bourgeois

We had a wonderful patient success story that I would like to share.

We have a 60 year old female patient who has had Sjogren’s for the last 5-7 years.  The patient heard about our clinic when Dr. McMonagle was speaking at a seminar on ozone therapy for brain injuries.  Dr. McMonagle showed a video, during the lecture, of a patient who has Sjogren’s and has responded well to ozone therapy.  The patient has had a few ozone treatments and these are the following results:

She went to her eye doctor that she has seen since 2014 every 3-4 month.  Her doctor said, “your eyes are not gritty and do not appear dry.”  This is the first time in years that the patient can say her eyes feel 100% better.  The patient used to have multiple chalazions which would need to be excised or injected.  Her lacrimal glands have been treated and probed 3 times.  Non of this resovled her dry eyes.  She had to use eye drops several times per day for years.  The patiently currently does not need eye drops and is waking up with clear eyes.

She has also noticed that her dry mouth is 100% resolved.  Her arthritis in her hands is better but they are still achy at times.

This is an incredible improvement.  We love to share stories like this.  It is amazing that ozone is used as part of the healthcare system in many parts of Spain and it is used in hospitals in Cuba.  Ozone is used all over the world.  When will the U.S. get on board?