Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Aged Garlic Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Garlic is a nutrient that as a supplement or even spicy food enhancer can be found everywhere. The benefits of using garlic as either a supplement or even just as a spice to add to our food are numerous. …
Dental Bone Loss Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Bone loss is a topic that every woman has heard of once they reach a certain age. However, men must also be concerned with bone loss! Typically, when most people think of bone loss they usually think of …
Dry Mouth
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
Most people have had the sensation of a dry mouth in the past. Whether it be because you are thirsty or you have just woken up having that dry feeling in your mouth is not uncommon. However, having a clinical diagnosis of dry mouth is different. There are a number of distinct reasons that people may develop dry mouth. While you may not think so dry mouth can also have complications. Let us get into it, shall we?
When diagnosed with dry mouth, otherwise known as Xerostomia, there is chronic dry mouth that occurs because the salivary glands are unable to make enough saliva to lubricate the mouth. This lack of saliva can be a result of certain medications. These medications can include those that are used for depression, high blood pressure, anxiety, antihistamines, decongestants, muscle relaxants and even certain pain relievers. It is well known that chemotherapy and radiation treatment can affect saliva production and lead to dry mouth. In addition to proscription medications recreational drugs, alcohol and tobacco products can lead to dry mouth. Certain changes as we age can also lead to dry mouth. For example, in my clinical experience poorly fit dentures can lead to poor nutrition and this in turn can lead to dry mouth. Another aspect of aging that no one wants to talk about is snoring and mouth breathing. In my clinical experience and to be frank, just plain old life experience snoring is more common as we age. As you may expect snoring or mouth breathing both increase the risk of dry mouth. Anything that damages the nerves to the head and neck area can lead to dry mouth. In addition to anything that leads to damage to the nerves, anything that results in damage to the salivary glands themselves can lead to a reduction in saliva production. For example, radiation treatments can temporarily damage the salivary glands and lead to less saliva being produced. Lastly having certain health conditions can lead to dry mouth. For example, having diabetes, thrush, Alzheimer’s disease, or a prior stroke can lead to a dry mouth. Sjogrens syndrome, an autoimmune disease can cause dry mouth. Having HIV/AIDs can also increase the risk of dry mouth.
Now as I said, having a dry mouth can have complications. Well to start with a dry mouth can be uncomfortable. It can also affect how well you are able to eat. This can affect your nutrition and even lead to deficiencies in the long term. Dry mouth can affect the gums as well. This means it can increase the risk of plaque, gum disease and tooth decay. A dry mouth can lead to mouth sores, cracked lips and even sores or split skin at the corners of the mouth. Lastly dry mouth can increase the risk of developing thrush.
What are the symptoms of dry mouth? I bet I know what you are thinking, Dr. Claire, the symptoms of a dry mouth are obvious. It is a dry mouth with a sticky feeling. While it is true saliva is more than just a lubricant. It is an important part of our digestion. When there’s not enough saliva it can make it harder to taste, chew, swallow, speak or even to wear dentures. It can affect the entire digestive process. You may notice bad breath. The saliva you do have may seem thick and stringy. There may be a dry or sore throat, and you may be hoarse. You may even notice a change in how you perceive taste. Lipstick may stick to your teeth. Lastly changes to your tongue may include dryness or grooved tongue. (1)
What can you do?
Our next product highlight will be good old-fashioned Vitamin C!
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Homemade Toothpaste from Invite Health Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Toothpaste is an interesting topic because to be frank everyone has their favorite brand. Which brand do I think is best? The one you will use! If you like strong peppermint that is great. But if …
Periodontal Disease and Gingivitis Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Both gingivitis and periodontal disease are conditions in the mouth that involve an overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria. But just how are these 2 conditions related? What are the symptoms you may experience? How do you even develop …
All About Detox Part 2
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
In my last blog I wrote about how it can be beneficial to do a detox twice a year. I described it as being a
spring and fall cleanse. Just like you would do in your home. Now as you may recall I did mention that not everyone can or should do a detox protocol. For anyone on medications or who is pregnant, a detox could lead to other problems and cause complications for your overall health. But what if you are not on medications or do not have any health problems at all? How do you even go about doing a detox?
Well in my experience a good detox starts with food and water. I always recommend eliminating processed foods while doing a detox. It is also important to get plenty of vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, kale, different greens, beets and even avocado! (1) Invite Health Greens Hx and Organic Greens are both excellent sources of vegetables that can help you reach your goal regarding your vegetable intake.
In addition to vegetables, it is important to drink enough water. The golden rule of thumb when it comes to water intake is to drink ½ your body weight in oz. So, for example if you weigh 160 pounds you would drink 80 oz of water. (2) In terms of 16 oz. bottles that would be 5 bottles a day. Studies have found that water intake is particularly important for our kidney health. (3) Remember what I said the kidneys do? They clean the blood! The healthier the kidneys are the better they work.
Another nutrient that is important during a detox is protein. Protein is important to make the enzymes that run the enzymatic reactions that occur during detox. (4) During a detox it can be a clever idea to eat as organic as possible. In my experience not everyone can afford to eat 100 percent organic. And I am sure my colleagues here at Invite would agree with this opinion that eating vegetables of any kind is better for our health than eating organic processed food. As my mom says organic cookies are still cookies! I would prioritize organic protein over vegetables. To help with our protein intake Invite has a whey and plant protein that can be mixed into shakes.
In addition to vegetables, water, and protein there are certain vitamins that can help the liver do its job. They can include vitamin A, C, D, E and the B vitamins. (5) All of these nutrients are found in Invite Health’s extensive line of multivitamins.
Now in my last blog I mentioned a number of nutrients that studies have found to be beneficial for our liver and kidneys. For the duration of this blog, I will be focusing on two of my favorite formulas. These are Daily Detox Powder and Detox Hx. These formulas contain nutrients that I reviewed in Detox part 1. Feel free to look at that blog to refresh your memory.
What is the main difference between the two formulas? Well one is a powder, and the other is a tablet. This plays a bigger part in determining what is right for you than you might expect. Can you swallow a tablet? Can you remember to mix, and drink powder each day? Are you a fussy person who may not “like the taste” of a powder and thus not be consistent with a powder? How is your overall digestive health? Can you breakdown a tablet easily? These are all questions that can help decide which formula is best for you. Can you take both formulas in one day? Yes! You would just do one of the Detox Hx in the morning and 1 scoop of the Daily Detox Powder at night.
I hope you have found the topic of Liver and Kidney health to be interesting and informative. We will be moving on to something most people would not associate with Invite Health. That is Dental health!
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