Posted on Mon, Aug 02, 2010
Dr. Charles Gant MD PhD has been invited to conduct a teleclass at a national speaking platform on Wedneday, Aug. 4, 2010 at 8 PM.
We invite you to listen to his talk, Integrative Medicine Solutions for Medical and Mental Disorders, and other talks given by speakers in the Health field.
You can participate in as many classes as you wish from the comfort of your home and convenience of your telephone or computer. At this platform you will be trained, motivated and inspired by some of the most respected speakers in the Health, Personal Development and Sales & Marketing Industries.
Dr. Charles Gant's Free TeleClass:
Integrative Medicine Solutions for Medical & Mental Disorders
Date: Wednesday, 08/04/2010
Time: 8:00 PM ET (ET) New York Time
Tuition: No Cost
Go to: www.globalteleclass.com
Charles Gant MD, PhD has practiced Functional Medicine for 30 years to diagnose the biochemical causes and risk factors underlying medical and psychological disorders. He melds nutritional science and detoxification with traditional medicine and mindfulness based psychotherapies, to provide a holistic approach to care.
Remember, these classes are being offered at no cost to you. Take advantage of this wonderful learning opportunity.
Register today www.globalteleclass.com
Charles Gant M.D., Ph.D., is an author, national lecturer, teacher and staff member at National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, an integrative medicine and dental center serving the Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia metro region.
Posted on Wed, Jul 07, 2010
by Dr. Beals
Chemicals commonly found in cosmetics, shampoos and lotions, have been found to adversely affect the delicate hormonal balance of adolescent girls. Three classes of chemicals, phenols, phthalates and phytoestrogens can cause early puberty in young girls, potentially setting them up for more serious hormonally related diseases in the future. These chemicals, especially those detected at highest concentrations were shown to have a relationship between hormones, development, neurotransmitters mood and sleep disorders.
In a recent study published in Environmental Health Perspectives researchers investigated the association of concurrent exposures from three chemical classes (phenols, phthalates, and phytoestrogens) which are commonly found in lotions, cosmetics and shampoo.
Add that to the plastics we have surrounded ourselves with from water bottles to food storage and it is no wonder we see such changes.
Several research studies have found that when plastic comes in contact with certain foods, molecules of the chemicals in the plastic can leach into the food or beverage including water. Certain characteristics of the food item can make it more likely to pick up plastic molecules:
* The more liquid a food is, the more it touches the plastic, so the more opportunity it has to pick up plastic molecules.
* Acid foods, such as tomato sauce, appear to be particularly interactive with plastic.
* If you heat a food item in a plastic container even if the container is microwave-safe the transference of plastic from the container to the food is even more likely.
When molecules of plastic or actually molecules of the chemicals that get added to plastics during manufacturing get into our bodies, it's not a good thing. They can cause unwanted effects in the human body; for instance, some of the chemicals mimic estrogen. Estrogen, of course, is a normal, essential human hormone; but having too much of it (or the molecules that mimic estrogen) has been associated with breast cancer and other health problems. In general, chemicals that fool the body into thinking they are estrogen or other hormones are called endocrine disruptors and are best avoided.
Better food storage solutions... glass is the best choice, followed closely by porcelain, ceramic, and stainless steel.
Better personal care solutions... use fewer products that are fragrance free and dye free.
Learn how to read labels on products. The Environmental Working Group ewg.org, is an informational website with a cosmetics database.
Paul Beals MD, CCN is an integrative physician at National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, an integrative medicine and dental center serving the Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia region. His specialties include Lyme Disease, cancer support, cardiovascular risk reduction, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromylagia and hormone balance.
Posted on Mon, Jun 14, 2010
With all the focus on health care this year we are starting to take a hard look at what kind of "health care" we are actually receiving from the medical community.
Are we healthier? Do we feel better? Are we healing?
Integrative medicine, as practiced at National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, is health care that blends traditional western medicine with safe, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies in order to help the patient heal. Holistic and integrative doctors support and empower patients along their journey to optimum health and wellness.
These recent articles show that public awareness and interest in integrative medicine is on the rise:
1. CNN "How integrative medicine can help your health"
Duke Integrative Medicine is launching professional training in integrative-health coaching. "It's like a life coach, but for your health," says Gaudet. ...
2. "Integrative Medicine: Can This Help Solve America's Health Care Crisis?"
Dr. Weil explains if an integrative approach to medicine can help solve America's health care problems.
3. Natural News "90 Percent of Parents Want to Know More About Alternative Medicine, Survey Reveals"
Integrative medicine combines traditional Western medicine with medical therapies from other traditions, including acupuncture, massage and nutrition.
4. Andrew Weil, MD "The Advantages of Integrative Medicine"
Dr. Weil looks at the evidence for integrative vs. strictly conventional medicine.
5. ABCNEWS Video: Dr. David Servan-Schreiber discusses integrative medicine in preventing cancer.
Dr. Servan-Schreiber discusses the importance of nutrition, exercise and lifestyle in cancer prevention.
6. Dr. Oz Supports Dr. Gerbarg Integrative health approach to Lyme Disease
Lyme Disease is complicated. Integrative health expert Patricia Gerbarg MD is cited by Dr. Mehmet Oz in the December 2009 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine, for her approach to relieving post-Lyme disease symptoms with herbals, supplements and lifestyle changes.
National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, is an integrative medicine and dental center and serves patients in the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia metropolitan area. NIHA'S group of holistic and integrative doctors, biological dentists, naturopaths and health practitioners view health from a whole body perspective.
Posted on Mon, May 17, 2010
Cathlene Scoblionko NP
Are we purely solid beings with a biochemical makeup that guides everything from protein manufacture to thought? Or, are we energetic beings that are guided strictly by the laws of physics?
Hmm.... Well, electrons, which are the movers and shakers of everything, are an essential component so we need to ask, "What are electrons?" The problem with them is that they can be a particle and have mass at the same time as they can be waves and be purely energy. At the same time! That is hard to wrap the mind around.
Two Philosophies of Health
The following is an incredibly simplistic view, but it makes some sense. Functional medicine uses the body's biochemistry at the molecular level to guide the person toward health and homeostasis. Small particles like hormones, neurotransmitters, and trace minerals are measured and balanced. Electrons are viewed generally as particles and they are maneuvered through diet, supplements, exercise, medications, etc.
Eastern medicine views the body in an energetic sense. Electrons are waves and the body is a system of energetic channels (sometimes called meridians). Health and homeostasis are encouraged by allowing the restoration of unimpeded flow in the channels. One of the tidbits I have learned in acupuncture school is that we are 1/12,000,000 mass. Everything else is electrical charge. That is a lot of energy.
East Meets West
Looking at these two philosophies it makes sense that if electrons are both particles and energy, then so are we. We cannot treat the person with only one of the above forms of medicine or we miss half of the issues and health is not optimized. Balance your hormones and have an acupuncture treatment. Get your neurotransmitters in optimal range and have a reiki treatment. Get your vitamins and minerals in line then go have some therapeutic touch. The possibilities are endless and optimal health of the whole body, mind and spirit is very possible with an integrative medicine philosophy.
Cathy Scoblionko NP is a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner at National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, an
integrative medicine and dental center serving the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia metro area. Her areas of specialty include
Holistic Primary Care, Hormone Balancing, Anti-aging medicine, and Women's Health.
Posted on Mon, Apr 26, 2010
National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, is proud to be a
Breakfast Sponsor for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer to be held in Washington, D.C. on May 1-2, 2010.
The annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer is held in cities around the country in order to raise awareness and money to fight breast cancer.
NIHA'S sponsorship will help educate women about the use of Breast Thermography as an adjunct assessment to mammography to monitor breast health. This non-invasive, painless, digital technology is an imaging of the temperatures on the surfaces of the breast, and a risk assessment tool for cancer.
If you are participating in this event, please stop by the Breakfast Tent on Saturday morning. Sign up to win a FREE breast thermogram, valued at over $400, which will be given to one lucky woman. The NIHA staff would love to meet you, feed you breakfast and encourage you on your walk!
If you would like more information please see
Avon Walk for Breast Cancer or
National Integrated Health Associates, an integrative medicine and dental clinic serving the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia metropolitan area.
Posted on Mon, Apr 19, 2010
Barbara Solomon MD
Did you know that this year there is a much higher pollen count than previous years due to the very cold winter that we have just experienced?
Most people know that a stuffy nose, cough, or headache can be caused by a cold. But did you know that a stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, headache and burning of the nose can be caused by allergy?
Other Symptoms that May be Allergies
Seasonal allergies and other allergies can cause symptoms elsewhere in your body like joint pain, stomach pain, diarrhea, fatigue, depression, and difficulty with concentration.
Allergy can affect any area of your body and is especially uncomfortable if it affects several areas at once.
How do you tell a cold from allergy? The symptoms are much the same. With a cold the mucous discharge may be thicker, more yellow in appearance due to increase white blood cells needed to fight infection. With allergy symptoms the discharge may be more profuse, runnier, in order to attempt to wash the pollen or other allergy from the nasal mucous membranes or throat.
Allergies cause inflammation that can locate in any area of the body. Pollens may enter the nose, or through post nasal drainage be swallowed and go into the intestine or into the body's many crevices, and thereby create inflammation in the most unusual places thought to be inaccessible to the outside of the body.
There are pain free methods of allergy testing and treatment that are non-invasive and effective. My patients are so pleased to find the root cause of their problems and have their allergy symptoms reduced or eliminated.
Dr. Barbara Solomon is an integrative doctor at National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, an integrative medicine and dental center serving the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia metropolitan area. She specializes in allergy testing and treatment and environmental medicine.
Posted on Tue, Apr 13, 2010
by Cathy Scoblionko NP
Having been a primary care provider for many years with women's health at the forefront of what I do every day I decided to think about what it means.
Everyone knows what women's health is, don't we?
However, the quick answer that we think of includes the basic extras from the general examination like the pap smear, breast exam, and mammogram. Studies have now shown that we experience heart disease with different symptoms than the males of our species so we can throw that in to the mix as well. Oh, and bio-identical hormones. Let's not forget the family caregiver role for the older and younger generations. I realized that women's health is often thought of in pieces rather than holistically. So, what is holistic women's health? Looking through the Google hits, I found plenty of definitions for holistic health but none that addressed the feminine aspect of women's health.
The Wisdom of Women
Holistic women's health goes beyond "treating the whole person mind, body, and spirit". There is something about the feminine connection, the unsaid knowledge and wisdom that are understood only by women. It is rarely spoken of out loud but we know it is there. It is not taught to our daughters, it is innately there. Women have a need to share and spend time with other women. That charges up our spirits and souls. Notice how you feel when that is denied to you by time restraints or other issues.
Women need to connect, share, and laugh and you will feel better -even if you feel well now.
Some links to holistic health definitions:
http://www.holistichelp.net/holistic-health.html
http://www.healthy-holistic-living.com/Definition-of-Holistic-Health.html
Cathlene Scoblionko NP, is a Masters prepared Board Certified Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP-BC) at National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, an integrative medicine and dental center serving the Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia metropolitan area. Her areas of specialty are
holistic primary care,
women's health, and anti-aging.
Posted on Tue, Apr 06, 2010
by Cathy Scoblionko NP
It seems that something is in the news almost daily about safety concerns surrounding tap water. We know that there are elements and compounds deliberately added (e.g. fluoride, chlorine) to our water supply. Some enter the supply through daily activities of bathing the topical medications and cosmetics off the skin, or eliminating them through bowel and bladder excretions. Many products enter the water via excretions of food animals. Factory farmed animals are often fed antibiotics and hormones which are excreted and drain into the water supply. For many years we have been told to flush away unused and unwanted medications.
It is now clear that the filtering processes and water treatments do not remove all the medications and hormones that end up there. Some questions that come to mind are: How dangerous is that? What is being done about it on a large scale? What do I need to do to protect myself? What do I need to do to prevent adding to the problem?
What level is safe?
Most of the information I found in my search seemed to come from the same source. I didn't see anything on the FDA website regarding the safety of the level of pharmaceuticals in the water. There do not seem to be any guidelines, as yet, regarding safe levels of medications and hormones in the water. Apparently, there is some research being done to find out what is safe and what is not. Regardless of how safe it might be to drink medications, I prefer not to have any. There is no reason for my body to have them there and if they are not a nutrient then they are foreign. However, they are not going away any time soon so, now what?
• Try to find a give back program for unused medications, supplements, and cosmetics.
• Do not flush them down the toilet or the drain.
• Don't buy medications, supplements, creams, etc. that you have no intention of using.
• Buy small amounts at a time.
• Eat organically grown food.
• Drink filtered water (it won't take out medications but will take out other things and decrease your toxic load overall.)
Here are some web sites that will provide some more information to help you decide what you may want and need to do:
http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourhealth/policy/articles/drugs_in_our_drinking_water_.html
http://www.teleosis.org/pdf/GreenPharmacyBrochure.pdf
http://www.icheme.org/pharmaceutical_conference/
http://www.californiagreensolutions.com/cgi-bin/gt/tpl.h,content=1868
Cathy Scoblionko NP, is a Masters prepared Board Certified Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP-BC) at National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, an integrative medicine and dental center serving the Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia metropolitan area. Her areas of specialty are holistic primary care, women's health, and anti-aging.
Posted on Wed, Mar 17, 2010
by Cathy Scoblionko, NP
By now many of you have heard about the controversy around Bisphenol A, or BPA, an estrogen-like plastic used in products we are exposed to every day in products from pesticides, flooring, and flame retardants to baby bottles, water bottles and eating utensils. It has been used increasingly since the late 1800's and its estrogen -like qualities have been suspected and researched since the 1930's.
Recently, the FDA has questioned the safety of the compound in humans. Bisphenol A strongly attaches to estrogen receptor sites in the body. One of the concerns is hormonal disruption and increased estrogenic effects on males of many species, not just humans. Also of concern are the possible links to insulin interference, changes in brain chemistry and the immune system and the list goes on.
The compound is pervasive in the environment and is likely to remain so for many years. We can expect agencies and people on both sides of the issue to continue to publish conflicting data. The biggest challenge that I see is avoiding exposure. Regardless of how safe or unsafe plastics turn out to be, they have no place in the human body. They are not nutrients or beneficial to our metabolism so there is no reason for them to be there. Since it seems incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to completely avoid exposure, what should one do to prevent absorbing too much into the body?
Here are some tips:
• Use as much glass for food storage as possible.
• Avoid disposable flatware.
• When using disposable dishes, use paper rather than Styrofoam.
• Ask for paper or cardboard take-away containers from restaurants.
• When buying products in plastic containers or wrap is unavoidable, transfer to glass before storage.
• Buy and eat organic food.
• Drink filtered water.
• Eat fresh or frozen foods avoiding canned foods.
• Wash hands after handling plastics- be alert as this includes CD's.
• Use only glass in the microwave (if you must use the microwave at all).
• If you can taste or smell chemical compounds from the food container, take it back.
If you are concerned there are lab tests available that detect some of the plastics molecules in the blood. Generally, these tests are not covered by insurance but are reasonably priced.
Below are three links: One from each side of the issue and the FDA's site regarding Bisphenol A. Read and make up your own mind. Ultimately, our health is in our own hands.
http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/NewScience/oncompounds/bisphenola/bpauses.htm
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodIngredientsPackaging/ucm166145.htm
http://www.bisphenol-a.org/about/faq.html?gclid=COWGkZnusKACFQtx5QodIhq1VQ
Cathy Scoblionko NP, is a Masters prepared Board Certified Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP-BC) at National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, an integrative medicine and dental center serving the Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia metropolitan area. Her areas of specialty are holistic primary care, women's health, and anti-aging.
Posted on Thu, Mar 11, 2010
by Debbie McCabe
At a recent conference I learned that the Pituitary Gland of the people who have survived these health challenges may be affected. Not only can the pituitary gland be affected by an IED (improvised explosive device) injury, Lyme Disease and whiplash, but sports injuries (soccer, football and sports where the athlete endures multiple body and head blows) as well.
Why is that such a big deal you ask?
Well, the Pituitary Gland is also called the "master gland" and as such it is probably the most important gland we have.
The pituitary gland is a tiny organ, the size of a pea, found at the base of the brain. As the master gland of the body, it produces and secretes many hormones that travel throughout the body, directing certain processes and stimulating other glands to produce different types of hormones. The pituitary gland controls biochemical processes important to our well-being.
The pituitary gland makes these types of hormones:
* Prolactin - Prolactin stimulates milk production from the breasts after childbirth to enable nursing. It also affects sex hormone levels from ovaries in women and from testes in men.
* Growth hormone (GH) - GH stimulates growth in childhood and is important for maintaining a healthy body composition and well-being in adults. In adults it is important for maintaining muscle mass as well as bone mass. It also affects fat distribution in the body.
* Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) - ACTH stimulates the production of cortisol by the adrenal glands. Cortisol, a so-called "stress hormone" is vital to our survival. It helps to maintain blood pressure and blood glucose levels.
* Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) - TSH stimulates the thyroid gland, which regulates the body's metabolism, energy, growth, and nervous system activity. This hormone is also vital to our survival.
* Anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) - ADH, also called vasopressin, regulates water balance. If this hormone is not released properly, it can lead to too little hormone (called diabetes insipidus), or too much hormone (called syndrome of inappropriate ADH). Both of these conditions affect the kidneys. Diabetes insipidus is different from the more well-known diabetes mellitus, or type II diabetes, which affects the levels of glucose in our bodies.
* Luteinizing hormone (LH) - LH regulates testosterone in men and estrogen in women.
* Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) - FSH promotes sperm production in men and stimulates the ovaries to enable ovulation in women. Luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone work together to cause normal function of the ovaries and testes.
We now have a panel of tests to help diagnose dysfunction in the Pituitary Gland and more importantly treatments that have improved, or in many cases resolved, the physical and mental issues suffered by those diagnosed with these issues. Talk about life changing. More good news is that most insurance companies will pay for the lab testing, and based upon the lab results will usually cover the cost for medications.
National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, is an integrative medicine and dental center serving the Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia metro area.