As a physician who focuses on the reasons why my patients become ill, I’ve come to appreciate just how much the environment around us impacts our health. Whether it is lead in our drinking water, mold in our air, or plastics in our food, it seems that wherever we turn we are confronted with yet another environmental threat. How can we stay healthy in an increasingly toxic world?
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Intermittent Fasting for Weight Loss
In my practice, I frequently use a nutritional formula called Elemental Select from Moss Nutrition to help patients prolong fasts and see similar results. An elemental formula is one in which fats, proteins and carbs are broken down so that they are very quickly and efficiently absorbed in the GI tract. For weight loss, I ask patients to begin fasting by skipping breakfast, and drinking only coffee, tea or bone broth.
Read moreWhy You Should Fast
Most of my patients find that they are cognitively sharper and find that their fasting days are more focused and efficient. They feel lighter and often report their mood is improved. Those with GI symptoms typically find their symptoms are 75% reduced on fasting days. After a few weeks, they see weight loss.
Read moreIs Your Tea Toxic?
We are being exposed to a growing number of toxic chemicals every day - and our health is declining as a result. While some exposures are unavoidable, the key is to look for simple changes that can reduce our toxic load so that we can live longer and healthier lives. Let’s talk about tea.
Read moreIs Mold Making You Sick?
Many patients with mold exposure develop problems that go far beyond runny noses - these patients are plagued by a variety of symptoms. Crippling fatigue, severe depression, brain fog and anger are quite common. Many develop chronic pain, and other patients show signs of neurologic damage through symptoms of tremors, neuropathy and even seizures.
Read moreA Different Kind of Detective
Many functional medicine doctors have taken to calling themselves “medical detectives.” But are they following the right clues, or has the case gone cold?
Read moreDoes Poor Sleep Prevent You From Losing Weight?
Research has shown us know that a lack of sleep not only increases the risk of Alzheimer’s dementia, but can also lead to conditions like heart disease and diabetes. What many don't realize is that poor sleep causes these problems by leading you to gain weight, or prevent you from losing weight even when you are dieting and exercising.
Read moreUsing a Ketogenic Diet
I love the ketogenic diet. I use this myself to help control my blood sugar, and find that it can be extremely helpful for a range of medical conditions. For the right patient, using this diet can be life changing. I have seen several patients who have struggled with weight their entire life find that the ketogenic det was the first diet where they realized steady weight loss that stayed off. Others have been able to suppress seizures and reduce their need for seizure medication. Still others love the convenience of staying energetic for long periods of time, and find that they think better and are more productive when they use this diet.
Read moreRed Flags In Functional Medicine
There are problems in Functional Medicine that need to be openly discussed.
Over the years, I’ve listened closely to my patients so that I can learn what is making them sick. Because I commonly see people who have worked with many different doctors before finding my office, I have learned a lot about how different practices operate.
It isn’t always pretty.
Read moreDoes Lead Cause More Heart Attacks Than Smoking?
In my clinical practice, one of my main areas of focus is helping patients improve their longevity. I am consistently looking for areas that my patients can change so they can live healthier and happier lives. Let’s talk about an overlooked risk factor - heavy metal exposure.
We know from established research that high levels of lead are associated with elevated blood pressure, increased heart sizes and increased deaths from heart attacks and strokes. After the disaster in Flint, MI many people are becoming aware of the harms that can come from lead exposure.
Read moreAre Heavy Metals Making You Sick?
We are living in an increasingly polluted and toxic world. Estimates are that blood lead levels are ten times to 100 times higher than people living in the preindustrial era.
Read moreWhy Do I Have IBS?
My job as a Functional Medicine doctor is to help patients figure out what is wrong and how to fix it. I spend a lot of time helping people with digestive symptoms, and I’ve uncovered a lot of the different reasons why people struggle with bloating, gas, abdominal pain.
Read moreCan Vitamin D Help Prevent COVID-19?
There are a ton of recommendations circulating online promoting the use of vitamin D in preventing and treating COVID-19. It seems reasonable that people would recommend this, as we know that low levels of vitamin D are associated with poor health and more respiratory infections. Finally, we know that Vitamin D has a variety of effects on the immune system.
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