Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Hepatox Hx Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Invite Health has quite a selection of nutrients that are good for both our liver and kidneys. One such item is called Hepatox. It has a funny name I know but this particular supplement is a combination of …
Cancer Related Fatigue Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND I wanted to talk about cancer related fatigue because it’s so common in those who have cancer. It can also be difficult to work with because there can be a number of reasons why a person feels …
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 cancer treatments can weaken our immune system. One way that this occurs is by reducing the ability of the bone marrow to make the white blood cells that fight infections. One example of a low white blood count is called neutropenia, or low neutrophils.
Now I’m sure you have heard that our skin is covered with bacteria and other “bad guys”. Normally these bacteria aren’t a problem. However for someone with a compromised immune system the bacteria or viruses on the skin and in the digestive system can make them sick.
I bet your first thought is so Doctor Claire exactly what type of “bad guys” make us sick when we have a compromised immunity? Well there are 4 types of bad guys that cause infection. These include bacteria, viruses, fungal infections and protozoal infections.
Of these 4 different types of bad guys bacteria have been found to be the most common in those with cancer. These bacteria include Staph, Strep, Pseudomonas, C. Diff, E.coli and Listeria. Symptoms that indicate that you may have a bacterial infection can include upset stomach, stomach pain, and change in appetite, diarrhea and even a fever.
In addition to bacteria viruses’ can also be a common infection if you are exposed to them. These can include the viruses’ that cause the common cold, the flu, Varicella (chicken pox virus), Herpes virus, Cytomegalovirus virus and Coronavirus. Viruses in general can cause fever, muscle aches, coughs, headaches and sore throat. Herpes as we know can cause cold sores or genital sores. (1) For more information please see the blog on Herpes written by Allie Might. Varicella or chicken pox can also cause raised bumps on the skin as well as small fluid –filled blisters. After a few days these will form crusts and scabs. (2)
One of the most common fungal infections that can occur in cancer patients is Candida. You may have heard of an infection in the mouth called thrush. This is another name for fungal Candida in your body. In addition to affecting your mouth thrush can also grow in your vagina or on your penis. Thrush usually looks like a white patch with read and sore skin. Less common fungal infections include Aspergillosis and Pneumocystis.
Toxoplasmosis is a type of protozoa that can infect our brain if we have a compromised immune system. (1) This usually spreads via undercooked meat or exposure to cat feces. The symptoms of a protozoa infection include fever, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, muscle aches, rash, eye pain, poor vision and floaters. For those with a compromised immune system it can also cause brain inflammation or encephalitis. This can present with confusion, poor coordination, muscle weakness, seizures and even changes in alertness. (3)
One dangerous side effect of having an opportunistic infection during cancer is an increase in the risk of developing sepsis. If you suspect you have sepsis go to the hospital. Sepsis is very dangerous. People can and do die from it. Some signs to be mindful of include slurred speech, confusion, extreme shivering or muscle pain, passing no urine (in a day), severe breathlessness, it feels like you’re going to die, skin mottled or discolored. SEPSIS is the acronym to help you remember the symptoms. (4)
Opportunistic infections can also leave to patients having to either reduce treatments or even stop treatments. It is important to support our immune system the best we can.
During treatments:
After treatments – I usually recommend the following after your treatments in order to avoid any possible interactions with the different cancer treatments.
Our product highlight will feature Green Tea and the most common questions I get asked about it!
Sources:
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 …
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
