Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
APRIL HEALTH AWARENESS~ AN INTODUCTION TO OUR TOPIC OF THE MONTH By: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT April is an interesting month when it comes to health and wellness. It’s Public Health Awareness Month, but as always, awareness months are always sharing and overlapping. …
Renalaid for Going Beyond Bladder Health
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
Today’s product highlight probably seems out of place in a conversation mostly about respiratory health. However the health of our respiratory tract is inherently linked to another system. That is our immune system. Keeping our immune system strong is an important part of fighting off bad guys that can affect our respiratory tract. Renalaid is an amazing formula for our overall immune system. Let’s review just what makes Renalaid so great, shall we?
Well to start with it is a powder. Why is being a powder form so helpful? Well it’s very easy to consume and easy to mix into smoothies, liquids and even foods such as applesauce and yogurt. It is more convenient if you want to ingest a large serving. It can also be easier to adjust how much you are taking of a certain nutrient. And lastly like a liquid powders are absorbed and go to work very fast, oftentimes within a few minutes. (1) As a person who has trouble swallowing pills I appreciate the ease of powdered supplements.
D Mannose and cranberry juice are the first 2 ingredients in Renalaid. D Mannose is interesting because it has been found in studies to be very effective in treating a UTI. In fact studies suggest that D Mannose may be as effective in eliminating bacteria as antibiotics. (2) Cranberry, which is a natural source of D Mannose as well as other nutrients also has benefits for our immune health. In fact cranberry consumption has been found in studies to help boost our WBC as well as help to decrease the symptoms of viral infections such as colds and flus. (3) Studies have also found that cranberry can help with biofilm formation. (4) But what’s a biofilm you’re asking? Well it’s basically a group of bacteria that are stuck tougher and produce a slimy “ coat “ that helps to protect them from our immune system and even antibiotics. (5) In addition to helping fight off pathogens cranberry has been found to help with the symptoms of certain autoimmune disorders such as RA.(6) Overall both D Mannose and cranberry can help with bacteria, increase our WBC, help with autoimmune disorders and even help with the symptoms of viral infections!
Moving on the next item listed, which I must say is one of my favorite immune (and heart) supplements is olive leaf. Studies have found that olive leaf has antiviral activity. For example olive leaf has been found in studies to help with herpes. (7) Additionally studies have found that olive leaf is antifungal, antiviral as well as antibacterial. (8) In addition to helping kill of pathogens olive leaf has been found to help boost our immune system, which in the long run helps fight off bad guys. (9) Research has also found that olive leaf may help decrease histamine release and even inhibit the enzymes that produce it. (10) Histamine, as you recall is important when it comes to allergies. Of course olive leaf is also good for heart health and so many different aspects of our health. (8)
Last but not least is the probiotic blend. When people hear the word probiotic they usually think ooh it’s for my gut health! But a good probiotic does much more than just promote digestion. We have all heard the phrase “the immune system is in our gut”. And studies support this. In fact studies have found that probiotics can improve our immune system and how well it functions. In fact studies have found that probiotics can help with a number of disorders. (11)
Overall Renalaid is an amazing formula. Feel free to mix it in any liquids you like. It can even be mixed into foods such as applesauce, yogurt or even cooked oatmeal!
Our next topic will be COPD!
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WATER~THE INCREDIBLE LIFE FORCE By: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT Water is our life force. It is such a necessity but something that very few people seem to get enough of on a daily basis. As I discuss this topic numerous times each day, …
The Greatness of Green Tea!!! Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Green tea is everywhere these days! Green tea is found in everything from tea bags to lattes and even ice cream! But as we all know these forms are chock full of sugar and additives …
COVID-19
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
I wanted to take the time to review COVID-19. As government safety guidelines and regulations slowly relax I wanted to go over some ways that can be helpful in keeping us healthy. Like any contagious virus COVID-19 is something we should be aware of and work towards keeping ourselves healthy to help reduce the spread.
Coronavirus is also known as COVID-19. This virus is caused by the SAR-COV-2 virus. Like any virus it is spread on respiratory droplets. In other words when someone who has the virus like Bob for example coughs, sneezes, speaks or even breaths the virus can spread. If the droplets land on a surface and you touch it and then touch your eyes, mouth or nose then the virus can infect you! (1)
While anyone can become infected with COVID-19 there are some risk factors you may have that make you at risk for more severe disease. The greatest risk factor for severe disease is age. Anyone who is over 65 years old is at a higher risk of severe disease. Another risk factor for severe disease is having an underlying medical condition. For example those with asthma, chronic kidney disease, chronic lung disease, chronic liver disease, diabetes and even heart disease are all at risk factor for severe disease. Anyone who smokes or is exposed to 2nd hand smoke is also at risk for severe disease. Having a BMI equal to or above 30 is also a risk factor for severe disease. Additionally use of corticosteroids or other immune suppressive medications is also a risk factor for severe disease. If you have a chronic condition talk to your doctor to determine if it places you at an increased risk for severe disease. (2)
Let’s review some of the more common signs of COVID-19. First you may have a fever, cough, fatigue and a loss of taste /smell. Less common symptoms include a sore throat, headache and aches/ pains. You may also experience a skin rash or discoloration as well as red or irritated eyes. Lastly you may have diarrhea. More severe symptoms include shortness of breath, loss of speech or mobility or you may even be confused. In some cases there may be chest pain. (1) For a comparison of COVID-19 vs. viruses with similar symptoms please see the attached chart. (3)
COVID-19 can have some very series complications. While many people will not have complications I want to review some of the more common complications that can occur. These include acute respiratory failure, pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress. Next to the lungs the liver suffers the biggest injuries from COVID-19. Many people who are hospitalized due to COVID-19 develop heart problems. While not as common as liver damage those with severe illness may also experience kidney disease. Having COVID-19 may also lower our immune system’s ability to fight off pathogens leading us vulnerable to secondary infections. Blood clots are also a complication found in those hospitalized for COVID-19. One complication that you may have heard about is “Chronic or long hall COVID” which is where those who have had COVID-19 develop chronic fatigue like symptoms such as bran fog, fatigue, pain, trouble thinking or dizziness. (4)
What can you do to help reduce the spread of COVID-19? Well 1st it’s important to keep good hygiene! Wash your hands and clean regularly touched surfaces. Don’t touch your eyes, mouth, or nose! Stay away from anyone who is sick. If you are sick stay home! Don’t’ forget to cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze. (5) Now what can you do to help boost your overall immune system?
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