Dr. Tannaz Mokhtari: Naturopathic Blog

In my practice, I see many patients with multitude of health concerns particularly digestive issues.  Some suffer from Chronic constipation and rely heavily on laxatives for proper elimination and others deal with bloating, pain and IBS related symptoms. Most of the time it is the food and sensitivity to food items that can cause a myriad of symptoms and health problems.

Our body reacts to food sensitivities by showing vague symptoms; headache, abdominal bloating, constipation, diarrhea, sinus congestion, etc., but not as reactive as an allergic or anaphylactic reaction. The individual tends to not feel good, yet desire the food items they are sensitive to. This cycle can lead to Leaky Gut Syndrome where the lining of intestines become more permiable resulting in further symptoms.

what is really helpful in detecting food sensitivities is using my electrodermal device (MSAS) and blood tests measuring IgG and IgE.

Once the offending agents are removed from the diet, and a hypoallergenic diet is followed for one month, the process of food reintroduction begins.

This process has helped many of my patients and greatly improved their quality of life, if you are suffering from digestive problems please contact my office at 95-237-2854.

The story of Leaky Gut

Throughout my practice in the past several years I have seen an increasing number of cases with digestive concerns. Symptoms maybe as vague and general as gas/bloating, feeling of fatigue and low energy to more severe symptoms such as constipation/diarrhea and abdominal pain or discomfort.

I believe digestive concerns are very serious and need to be addressed as soon as possible. The role of our digestion and absorption of food is paramount to our health and well-being; therefore we need an optimally functioning digestive system to prevent other illnesses.

A number of factors contribute to poor digestion and development of irritable bowels or IBS.

Food intolerance, alcohol, stress, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, candida over growth and fatty acid deficiencies can disrupt the gut lining. This disruption leads to improper absorption of food. Food is seen as invader by our immune system and certain Immunoglobulins called IgG are produced. These antibodies form complexes with the food antigen and these complexes get deposited in the digestive tract, joints and muscles causing inflammatory process.

Inflammation in the gut results in nutrient and waste to leak from the gut which worsens absorption and more IgG antibodies are produced in response to more food. Hence the individual may experience further food intolerances and sensitivities and worsening of their condition.

Inflammatory process is the underlying cause for diseased tissue. Healing can’t occur until the offending agents are identified and inflammation has been addressed. The inflammatory process as the result of food intolerances can also lead to weight gain.  The inflammatory process causes water to enter cells and result in water retention. It also results in release of Ghrelin, the appetite stimulating hormone and exorphins (small protein fragments or peptides with similar activity to morphine) which stimulate food craving and result in over eating therefore weight gain.

Emotional implication of this entire process is also considerable since an individual dealing with food sensitivities is more prone to effects of stress on their digestive system, suffer from the symptoms and sometimes feel embarrassed. Not being able to identify the cause and having to deal with the symptoms can cause sadness, lack of energy and worsening of the condition.

The goal of my treatment is:

1) Help identify underlying food sensitivities using blood tests which identify the antibodies,and a non-invasive technique using MSAS-testing.

2) Detoxification through food elimination and herbal treatments.

3) Reduce Inflammatory process through proper nutrition, herbal and homeopathic treatment.

4) Replenish the Gut natural micro-flora in order to further reduce inflammatory process in the body and  create a healthy environment for food digestion and absorption.

5)   Re-introduce normal healthy eating habits for the individual to enjoy life again.

6) 6)   Identify stressors and learn to change the body’s response.

With the cold and flu season upon us, what are your strategies for keeping healthy?

 Every year in Canada, influenza results in an avergae of 20,000 hospitalizations and 4,000 deaths. Some people, such as seniors, youg children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications. Prevention and good maintenance of the immune system is key to staying healthy.

Follow these simple rules for staying healthy this season:

- Maintain an alkaline body pH by increasing your  seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables, and reduce animal product use.

- Reduce stress by getting a good night sleep and regular physical activity.

- Use good quality nutraceutical such as multivitamin and mineral formulas, greens products, vitamin D and Omega 3 fatty acids.

- Talk to your naturopathic doctor for specific natural flu prevention protocol.

wishing you good health

In light of spring cleaning and reducing plastic usage in our household I have been searching for alternatives for food storage and water bottles. It is rather easy to find glass containers for food storage and stainless steel bottles for adults and children! However non plastic sippy bottles for toddlers are not as easy to find. I was using glass bottles and as he is practicing his pitch they break into thousands of pieces! Finally it fell into our laps on his first birthday! A blue good quality stainless steel bottle with a special sippy tip and the most important part a LID! My 13month old loves to drink his water from this special bottle and since I found this product now I give one to any of my friends with toddlers and they all love it.

This company also has other products for food and drink storage so if you are looking visit www.noplastic.ca

For information on Bisphenol A please visit: www.environmentaldefence.ca/toxicnation/action/bisphenolfaq.htm

I believe in the healing power of nature and using plants and food as therapeutic agents to bring about healing. I also believe our body has the ability to heal itself given the right agents.

If we consider the health spectrum with illness at one end and wellness at the other, where would you place yourself today? Where would you want to be on this scale? In order to decrease our pain, improve our health, reduce inflammation and improve our immune system we NEED to create change. I always talk about a lifestyle modification with my patients because it is ESSENTIAL in achieving wellness. Let’s use a simple example, if the oil light on your car’s dash comes on you don’t simply take out the light to get rid of this important signal, you will take the car in for an oil change because that is what is required. Well our body has signals with which it tries to communicate however as a society we have become so dependent on “specialists” that we seldom understand what these signals mean or how to interpret them. We go to doctors asking them to take our pain away! Well the pain is there because there is an underlying problem. The pain is the signal our body is communicating to tell us there is disharmony and there is dis-ease. So we take the Tylenol, Advil, and other pain relievers in order to take the pain away so we can go about our daily life. We take the flu shot because we have been told about its lifesaving benefits. However if the cause of the pain is never addressed then I promise you it leads to bigger and bigger health issues which are not likely to go away with taking any medications or vaccines.

I often see individuals in my office whom have been struggling with their pain and distress for a long time and finally decided to create a change! Change is difficult. It tips your scale until you find your balance again. But if this change is in the right direction you will feel better and be rewarded.

This season is the cold and flu season, and I often get asked about the flu shot- to take or not to take! My answer is always the same; if you are a healthy individual, generally recover well, have a healthy lifestyle and eat well then you don’t have to worry. The most recent study on effectiveness of flu vaccine published in The Lancet indicated a growing number of immunologists and epidemiologists say the vaccine probably does not work very well for people over 70, the group that accounts for three-fourths of all flu deaths.

The authors said previous studies had measured the wrong thing: not any actual protection against the flu virus but a fundamental difference between the kinds of people who get vaccines and those who do not. The Lancet paper, by Michael L. Jackson and colleagues at the Group Health Center for Health Studies in Seattle, was based on an analysis of medical charts of thousands of elderly members of an H.M.O. The study found that people who were healthy and conscientious about staying well were the most likely to get an annual flu shot. Those who are frail may have trouble bathing or dressing on their own and are less likely to get to their doctor’s office or a clinic to receive the vaccine. They are also more likely to be closer to death.

In 2005, Dr. Simonsen, who was then at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in Bethesda, Md., published a paper in The Archives of Internal Medicine that found something odd: even though the percentage of older people who got an annual flu shot more than tripled from 1980 to 2001, there was no corresponding drop in the death rate.

That paper included one of the first estimates of how many deaths are actually caused by the flu — a number hard to pin down because doctors seldom confirm flu in their patients with lab tests. Using a statistical model and the best available data, Dr. Simonsen found that influenza probably causes just 5 to 10 percent of all winter deaths in the elderly. But earlier studies had found that the flu vaccine cut an elderly person’s risk of dying by 50 percent! How does this add up?

Ultimately the decision is up to each individual and my message is do your research and then make an educated decision.

If you want some interesting facts and figures please visit www.vran.org/vaccines/flu/flu-facts.htm and http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/ccdr-rmtc/02vol28/dr2823ea.html

I use herbal tinctures and homeopathy for myself, my family, and at the office. My patients are very happy with the results and always ask for the herbal formulas at the beginning of the cold and flu season. Eating well balanced meals low in simple carbohydrates, managing stress effectively and boosting your immune system using herbal supplements such as Astragalus, Ginseng, Echinacea, Borage, Osha, and Cleavers will help you get sick less often and recover much faster. Taking a good quality vitamin-mineral formula, green shakes, and vitamin D are also important. I often see my patients get sick when they are stressed and are not resting enough, not getting enough sleep and have a poor diet. Proper sleep, healthy diet and good stress management are necessary for a healthy functioning body.

Have a healthy winter ahead,

My son was diagnosed with Nephrotic syndrome at the age of 4.5yrs. He had recurrent viral infections which his pediatrician thought was quite normal for his age.  Despite following a very healthy diet and good lifestyle he was sick every 4-6weeks. As a mom I knew there is a problem, hence the frequent visits to his doctor and the frustration of not being to prevent it .  Prior to his diagnosis he became very ill, had a fever, abdominal upset and lack of appetite. He started getting puffy above his right eye. We visited his pediatrician’s office three times before a diagnosis was made on the tenth day. Three different pediatricians saw him during these visits.  He was so swollen his cloths did not fit him.  I believe he was spilling protein for a long time, but his body was strong and because of his lifestyle and dietary habits he overcame it until this last time when his body was just too weak.

The diagnosis came as a shock, followed by 5 days of hospitalization and lots of procedures and medications which could have been avoided.

My frustration with the whole experience is that the diagnosis was made too late.  The simplest and cheapest test is used to make this diagnosis and it is absolutely mind boggling as to why doctors fail to order this test more often.  All you need is a urine sample and a dip stick!  An excess loss of protein in the urine is the indication for this diagnosis. Simple yet in any case I read about the diagnosis has been missed and the child ends up in the hospital with diuretics, blood pressure medications, prednisone and running a risk of developing clots, high cholesterol, risk of having a stroke and the list could go on.

My goal is always to prevent. I believe an in an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure”.  If the test was done after the first sign of puffiness presented then he could have been treated with much less medications. He would not have develop fluid in his lungs, and have his albumin levels fall  so low as not to show up on the lab test! Now I have to check his urine every morning with an Albu-stick (specific for protein in the urine). The urine dip stick has other benefits; in case a child is developing diabetes and the symptoms are missed the glucose will show up in the urine.  In cases of infection many times a child may not communicate their discomfort or may have minimal symptoms yet the test may show evidence of urinary tract infection so all in all the benefits of the test will out way its minimal cost.

My suggestion to the parents is to ask for a dip stick urine test whenever you see your child is getting sick too often and not recovering well despite the healthy lifestyle and proper diet. This test can be done at home so you may choose to purchase a bottle of dip sticks and test your children at home from time to time. I believe asking for the test and having a diagnosis early is very important and from a cost benefit factor, if a test costs 0.25cents  to  a maximum of 0.50cents but prevents hospitalization and unnecessary medications then at the end it costs our healthcare much less!

I have included some general information regarding Nephrotic Syndrome below. I welcome any comments you may have or if you would like to share your experiences.

What is the Nephrotic syndrome?

This is an illness where the kidney loses protein in the urine. This causes protein in the blood to drop, and water moves into body tissues, causing swelling (edema). You will see the swelling around the child’s eyes, in the belly, or in the legs. Your child will not go to the bathroom as often as usual and will gain weight with the swelling.

What causes the Nephrotic syndrome?

In the majority or cases, the cause is not known. The National Kidney Foundation has active research programs into causes and treatments of the Nephrotic syndrome.  Viral infections can often play a major role.

Who gets it?

Usually, young children between the ages of 1 1/2 and 5. It happens twice as often in boys as girls. However, children of all ages and adults also can get it.

How can you tell if your child has it?

You may see that your child has swelling around the eyes in the morning. You may think that your child has an allergy. Later, the swelling may last all day, and you may see swelling in your child’s ankles, feet and belly. Also, your child may be:

• more tired & more irritable
• eating less
• pale looking

The child may have trouble putting on shoes or buttoning clothes because of swelling.

How is the Nephrotic syndrome treated?

The treatment will try to stop the loss of protein in the urine, and increase the amount of urine. Usually, the doctor will start your child on a drug called prednisone. Most children get better with this drug.

Tea is a wonder drink, you can drink it on a cold day to warm up, drink it hot or cold in a warm day to cool off, drink it for comfort or as a means for social outing! It is the second most consumed drink in the world after water. Recent studies show benefits of tea in many health conditions.

Tea has therapeutic potential in weight management, glucose control, and skin health.

The specific catechin known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in green tea has been identified as the constituent responsible for reducing fat mass, fat absorption, adipocyte differentiation and proliferation and lipogenesis. Some studies have shown the benefits of green tea use to increase thermogenesis in obese individuals.

There is also some evidence that green tea and to a lesser degree black tea may have a role in improving glucose control and enhancing insulin activity. This is useful for people with diabetes.

Tea polyphenols may protect against skin cancer and photo-aging. Tea protects skin against UV radiation damage and green tea is now being used in many skin care products. Oral and topical use of green tea can improve skin health and provide protection due to their antioxidants countering free-radicals, as well as immune modulating and anti-inflammatory actions.

I often recommend green tea use to my patients – it’s a great way to relax and boost your fat metabolism!

So go ahead drink your tea and enjoy its many benefits.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a group of symptoms that start approximately 7-14days before a woman gets her period. The symptoms can include: acne, trouble sleeping, mood changes, weight gain, change in bowel habit, change in appetite and increased hunger, breast swelling and tenderness and headache. The symptoms are due to some hormonal and neurotransmitter imbalances. PMS symptoms have been divided into four categories; PMA-A (for anxiety), PMS-C (for cravings), PMS-D (for depression), and PMS-H (for water retention). Women generally do not fit snugly into once category but exhibit a variety of symptoms.

Healthy lifestyle choices can significantly improve the severity of your symptoms.

Dietary modifications

· Low fat

· High fiber

· Low sodium

· Low sugar

· Low caffeine

· No alcohol

· No smoking

Physical activity & lifestyle

· Aerobic exercise can improve anxiety and depression

· Aerobic exercise helps control hunger and food cravings

· Deep breathing exercises helps mental clarity and increase oxygenation

· Proper sleep for 7-8hours per night is essential

· Avoid stressful events and schedule important events after period

Beneficial Treatments

· Liver and bowel detoxification

· Thyroid and adrenal support

· Flaxseed and Evening primrose oil alternation during the month

· Supplementing with B6, Ginseng, 5-HTP, St. John’s wort, chromium and fish oil

· Acupuncture and herbal treatment

· Homeopathic treatment and drainage therapy

· Ask yourself where in your life your energy is stuck-in your relationship, in your work, in addictive eating habits- and take steps to move that energy

Plan some fun activities, massage and relaxation time

I have been out of touch for a couple of weeks attending to my newborn! Finally found a few minutes to myself to write a blog.  Just before he was born I had the “nesting syndrome”, I just wanted everything cleaned and cleaned over, getting rid of the clutter in the house.  This time of the year many people feel the need to do “spring cleaning” or as I call it “detox” their home.  We are all becoming more conscious about and taking steps to improve the environment outside.  But what about the environment within the four walls of our own homes? With double-glazed windows and air-tight doors, the air we breathe day and night can become a toxic brew of chemicals, most of which the average person can’t even pronounce.  Using toxic cleaning agents, air fresheners, toiletries, and lots of other day to day products, we expose ourselves and particularly our children to this toxic stew! According to Dr. Lynn Marshall of the Environmental Health Clinic at Toronto’s Women’s College Hospital, children are particularly vulnerable to these chemicals. “They eat, drink and breathe in more contaminants relative to their body size.  They are lower to the ground and explore with their hands and mouths.  Their ability to handle environmental pollutants is immature, at the same time as development of key organs and metabolic processes are rapidly occurring and can be interrupted by exposure to toxins, even at low levels, with permanent negative consequences.”

There are a number of illnesses which may be linked to the excess environmental toxins. The causes of environmental sensitivities/intolerances, chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) and fibromyalgia, also pegged as “21st century illnesses,” are unknown. It is suspected that there are a number of factors at work, leading to the body’s inability to adapt to a combination of stressors. One of the stressors commonly linked with these conditions is our exposure to an increasing number of toxic chemicals.

Here are some useful tips to remember:

· Open a window and run a fan. Fresh air improves air quality much more effectively than an air freshener which can itself contain damaging chemicals.

· Use a one-inch pleated filter in your furnace, rather than the usual flat surface filter, as there is more surface area to collect more dust particles. Remember to replace the filter regularly.

· Clean furnace ducts every two years.

· Avoid indoor smoking.

· If you have a gas stove, make sure your exhaust fan is functioning properly, and that you use it every time you use the stove.

Switch to all-natural cleaners such as vinegar and baking soda or use a line of organic cleaning products;

White vinegar - use to clean windows, counter tops, chrome, grease, floors, etc.
Baking soda - absorbs odours; good for cleaning ovens, sinks, etc.
Lemon juice- cleans windows, sinks, grease, etc.
Vegetable oil, lemon oil - can be used as a furniture polish
Borax - for cleaning toilets, tubs, floors
Plant-based dish soaps

There are also a growing number of commercially available, less-toxic products on the market. Canadian products that have been certified as safer for human health and the environment have an Ecolabel (three doves intertwined to form a maple leaf.)

Products to use sparingly or avoid:

· Window and floor cleaners containing ammonia

· Drain cleaners containing sodium hydroxide

· Commercial air fresheners

· Aerosol products

· Anything with added fragrances or dyes

Also remember this is a great time for doing a “body detox”.
Wishing you a wonderful spring.

Happy Spring! I know it is hard to believe spring is actually here with all the snow around in Toronto, but with the longer day light hours and more sunshine we are slowly feeling it and our internal sense of rejuvenation will start to awaken.  Spring is truly an exciting time of year, a time of rebirth and new beginnings.  This spring is especially important for me since I am expecting my baby any day now!

As exciting as this time of year is for most of us, it can be quite irritating for some prone to seasonal allergies.  The immune system becomes hyper-reactive and reacts to the environment.  Most people with allergies find relief through the use of anti-histamines, and find that they have to use them regularly and often in order to find relief.

Factors leading to allergies include:

· Incomplete digestion due to deficiency of stomach acid and digestive enzymes.

· Lowered endocrine functions such as underactive thyroid and adrenal glands.

· Over worked immune function.

· Stressed Nervous system, due to lack of enough sleep and relaxation.

· Exposure to environmental pollutants particularly household products such as air-fresheners, chemicals, lack of proper air circulation and ventilation in the house.

· Nutritional deficiencies; these can be tested through hair mineral analysis, blood work, and urine tests.

Here are a few tips for natural and safe allergy relief:

· Homeopathic medicine such as Sabadilla for acute attacks of allergies involving tremendous paroxysms of sneezing, constant itching and tingling inside the nose, watery discharge from the nose, watery, irritated eyes.  The more specific the remedy is to the symptoms it will be more effective.

· Essential fatty acids from organic and pure sources, are important in regulating the immune system and suppress the formation of inflammatory chemicals in our body.

· Take extra daily doses of vitamin C, it helps relieve allergic symptoms and prevents local inflammatory reactions, and provides antihistamine-like effect.
Quercetin and bromelain are also very effective in their antihistamine-like effect when used preventatively.

· Take a good quality multivitamin daily, choose powder, liquid or capsule for easier absorption.

· Take a greens supplement daily, these are full of naturally occurring essential nutrients, however beware of sensitivities to wheat, as most of these products contain wheat grass juice.

· Drink plenty of water from a pure source.

· Be aware of food sensitivities and try to avoid the food you feel is causing discomfort.

· Get tested for food sensitivities, these are different from food allergies.
Think about a proper detoxification program to cleanse your body, this is the perfect time!

Wishing you a wonderful and allergy free spring!