Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Opportunistic Infections Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND What do we mean by the phrase opportunistic infections? Well it is exactly what it sounds like, it is an infection that takes the opportunity to grow when your immune system is compromised. Some types of cancer and …
Mucositis
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
Cancer treatment can affect our digestion. One common side effect is called mucositis. What is mucositis you ask? Basically it is inflammation of your mouth and digestive system. (1) This occurs because cancer therapies are designed to attack any cells that rapidly divide, such as cancer cells. Unfortunately our mucous membranes which lines our entire GI tract is made up of rapidly dividing cells and thus are at risk of being attacked in the same way as cancer cells. In other words the cells of the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine are often attacked by cancer therapies and thus become inflamed and even damaged. (2)
What are the signs of mucositis? Let’s start with oral mucositis. Oral mucositis usually begins between 1-2 weeks after starting treatment. These symptoms can include a dry and sore mouth. You may have bad breath as well as a fungal mouth infection. You may also develop mouth sores. (1) You may also notice that your mouth and gums appear red, shiny and even swollen. Your saliva may become extra thick. It may be difficult to swallow, talk or even eat. As a result of the sores you may be bleeding. Lastly there may be soft white patches of pus and a white mucous coating in your mouth. (2)
What are the signs of mucositis in your gut? Well these symptoms usually begin about 2 weeks after starting cancer treatment. These symptoms can include either diarrhea or constipation. You may have sores around your bottom and even blood in your stool. You may have pain when you swallow as well as stomach cramps and bloating. (1) You may also have nausea, vomiting and even painful bowel movements. (2)
Mucositis is much more common than you may expect. There are some factors that can increase your risk of mucositis. These risk factors can include tobacco intake, alcohol intake and even dehydration. Having a protein deficiency or a low BMI also increase your risk of mucositis. Certain dental concerns such as dental implants, dentures and even gum disease increase mucositis risk. Having kidney disease, diabetes or HIV are also risk factors. (2) If you develop mucositis it is recommended to not use alcohol based mouthwashes. It is also recommended to not eat hot, spicy, acidic, rough/hard food or fizzy drinks. The reason these things are not recommended is that they can worsen the signs of mucositis. (1)
Mucositis can have serious complications. It can cause chronic diarrhea which can trigger dehydration, anemia and even weight loss. Having mucositis also places you an increased risk of developing an infection. Mucositis can make it difficult to eat and thus undernutrition is a common side effect. In fact up to 70% of those who have mucositis may require hospitalization for tube feeding. Lastly if the mucositis becomes severe it can lead to a need to reduce the frequency of the cancer treatment. This poses its own risk to our health. (2)
What can you do about mucositis?
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Protein Powders Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Invite health has a number of different type of protein powders. These include a whey based protein, a plant based protein and even a weight management powder that can help improve our overall nutrition. That being said why is …
Cancer and Weight Loss Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Weight loss is a common side effect experienced by those with cancer. This weight loss can occur for a number of reasons. To start with, having cancer can lead to weight loss. This is because in some …
INTRODUCING PROBIOTIC HX IMMUNE~GUT AND IMMUNE SUPPORT
By: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT
We all know about the benefits of a probiotic. Whether you know about it through a healthcare or wellness provider or from commercials and advertisements, it’s rather familiar to us all. However, how do you choose the right one for your specific needs? Well, let’s explore my new favorite option, PROBIOTIC HX IMMUNE, and how it can be beneficial.
Let’s take this opportunity to get an understanding on what this product can do, as well as the benefits of the ingredients within this new formulation. Each capsule contains Vitamin D, Zinc, FOS and a blend of four healthy bacteria strains. One of my favorite things about Probiotic Hx Immune is that it can be taken as a standalone part of any supplement regimen, but also as a compliment to the original Probiotic Hx.
One of the reasons Probiotic Hx Immune is so beneficial is because it not only helps to support the immune system, but also supplies the gut with the healthy bacteria it needs. A healthy gut is so important for the immune system because 70-80% of the immune system is housed within the gut.
Vitamin D is most often associated with bone health, but it is so much more. One of the things it does is help support the immune system. A study from The National Library of Medicine: National Center for Biotechnology Information titled ‘The Effects of Vitamin D on Immune System and Inflammatory Diseases’ shows how important this vitamin is to the immune system and why it’s necessary to maintain a healthy and optimum level. It’s been shown that those that are deficient in vitamin D can be of greater risk for illness and disease. Optimal vitamin D levels are said to be between 30-80 ng/ml, however many holistic practitioners recommend levels of 50-80 ng/ml for optimal wellness.
Zinc is the go-to for many when they aren’t feeling well. How many times have we heard “oh, you have a sore throat or a cold…have a zinc lozenge.”? This is such a true statement and one that many follow, whether they are regular supplement users or only use supplements once in a while. Vitamin D has been shown to help the body to fight germs, therefore helping to shorten such common ailments like colds, coughs, sore throats or the flu.
Fructoligosaccharides (FOS) is a sweetener and is considered to be a great prebiotic…it’s also safe for diabetics as it don’t effect blood sugar levels. A prebiotic is important as it helps feed and support the healthy bacteria in the gut. Due to FOS acting as a food source for the probiotic to flourish and allow the bacterial strains to be shelf table without the need for refrigeration.
Lactobacillus Acidophilus is a common, well-known probiotic and typically the one everyone thinks of when the subject of probiotics are discussed. This strain is used by the body to help regulate the immune system and help to decrease the ability of germs or microbes grow in the gut. Lactobacillus Acidophilus is also often recommended for those on antibiotics, IBS, H. pylori, acne and some seasonal allergies just to name a few.
Lactobacillus Casei serves double duty for us, as it’s used in making certain foods like yogurt and some cheeses, as well as helps the body internally. This strain has been shown to help stimulate the immune system which makes us less susceptible to viruses, colds and the flu. It also works to decrease candida overgrowth, respiratory infections and some allergies. Lactobacillus casei is also necessary to maintain good gut health by aiding in the breakdown and absorption of food.
Lactobacillus Rhamnosus issued in the gut to help breakdown food, as well as produce vitamin B12 and vitamin K. This strain is responsible for creating a barrier against harmful bacteria, keeping them from feeding and multiplying. They also help to activate they body’s immune system for proper response when “invaded”. Lactobacillus Rhamnosus has been shown to assist in the management of inflammation making it very helpful for those with such digestive issues such as IBS, ulcerative colitis, constipation and diarrhea. Even those that tend to be prone to experiencing gas and bloating can benefit from this incredibly useful probiotic strain.
Bifidobacterium Longum compliments the three lactobacillus strains we’ve discussed. It also aids in digestion and the absorption of nutrients needed for the foods we consume. It has been widely studied and is effective in those suffering from inflammatory bowel disease, colitis and Crohn’s disease by helping to reduce inflammation within the digestive tract. Bifidobacterium Longum also boosts immune response and increases cardiovascular health, particularly in those with elevated cholesterol levels.
As you can see, Probiotic Hx Immune is a powerhouse supplement for anyone. The benefits are wide-ranging and let’s be honest….we all want a strong immune system. I hope you like this new blend as much as I do!
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33803407/
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8615708/
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5748737/
health.clevelandclinic.org/zinc
www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319299#Other-benefits-of-FOS
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9879625/
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9668099/
www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-790/lactobacillus-acidophilus
probiotics.org/l-casei/
www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1670/lacticaseibacillus-casei
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30741841/
www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/what-to-know-about-lgg-probiotic
