In this week’s column we will cover the most important aspects you need to know about how the cardiovascular system works. Knowing this information can help you keep the entire cardiovascular system healthy and prevent disease.

The cardiovascular system has two main components: the pump (heart) and the tubes (arteries, veins, and lymphatic vessels). The heart has 4 chambers, 4 major valves, and a lot of muscle it relies on for pumping blood. The heart drives de-oxygenated blood through the lungs to pick up oxygen and pumps the oxygenated blood to the rest of the body through the arteries to deliver oxygen and many other nutrients. Every artery eventually leads to a capillary, where the oxygenated blood leaves the vascular system and goes to the cells. The de-oxygenated blood then flows into the veins and is carried back to the heart. All of the other waste fluid from the cells and capillaries drains into the lymphatic vessels and travels back to the heart.

Some cardiovascular conditions affect the pump, some affect the tubes, and some affect both. This is very important to know because it helps you and your doctor pick the right treatment or preventative strategy. For example, atherosclerosis is condition where the arteries stiffen as plaque builds up inside them. The heart muscle is typically not damaged. Therefore, the most important treatments, natural or synthetic, should support the vasculature and treat the causes of the plaque build-up.

The cardiovascular system can be affected by other organs like the liver, kidneys, adrenal glands, thyroid, and nervous system. At any one point in time about 25% of your blood is in the liver and kidneys. When these organs are running sluggish or affected by disease they can create backpressure in the vasculature, which leads to high blood pressure. Over the course of time, high blood pressure leads to vascular damage and pathological changes in the heart muscle. In these cases, it is important to provide treatment for the liver and/or kidney in order to treat the cause of the hypertension.

The adrenal glands are responsible for producing the majority of your stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. We all know that too much stress negatively affects the cardiovascular system and these hormones are a major reason why. Adrenaline increases blood pressure by increasing heart rate and the amount of force the heart pumps with. Cortisol increases blood pressure by tightening the arteries and veins thus making the space inside them narrower.

The thyroid gland produces hormones that play a major role in your metabolic rate. If the thyroid gland is making too much hormone the heart rate can increase, the rhythm may become sporadic, and blood pressure can rise. This can lead to hypertension and arrhythmias.

The nervous system has a significant presence inside the heart and controls the heart rate. The sinoatrial node (SA node) and atrioventricular node (AV node) are the heart’s natural pacemaker. These nodes are richly innervated by autonomic nervous system fibers. If the nervous system signals are inappropriate the heart rate will be altered.

As you can see the health of your cardiovascular system depends not only on the heart and vasculature but also depends on the health of several other organs. When I treat people with cardiovascular disease I always examine the health of all these other organs and many other health aspects as well. This is equally important when we the goal is prevention of cardiovascular disease. If you have a cardiovascular condition or are focused on prevention I recommend working with a physician who can help you with all the potential causes of cardiovascular disease.

As important as it is to take a multi there are a few crucial vitamins and minerals that generally require extra supplementation for optimal immune function. We will now take a closer look at the vitamins and minerals most of us require in higher amounts than our multivitamins and minerals can provide.

Vitamin D has gained a great deal of attention as an essential nutrient for the immune system. Most of the research indicates that vitamin D functions more like a hormone than a vitamin. It appears to play a crucial role in the communication process of white blood cells and thus enhances immunity. Most people living in Canada have deficient or suboptimal serum levels of active vitamin D. Ensure your multi contains at least 1000IUs of vitamin D and have your blood levels tested by your physician. If you are like the majority and have low levels of vitamin D see a doctor who can recommend a supplemental dose sufficient enough to restore optimal levels but not high enough to cause toxicity.

Vitamin C has been known for a long time as an immune enhancing nutrient. One often overlooked reason vitamin C enhances immunity is due to its role in connective tissue integrity. Vitamin C along with the amino acids proline and lysine is required for the body to manufacture connective tissue. Healthy connective tissue enhances the overall immune system by creating stronger and tighter boundaries in the body. This helps to keep viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens from getting into the body or passing to different compartments or organs. This reduces the chances of acquiring an infection or spreading an infection throughout the body.

B complex vitamins are crucial for the production of cellular energy. The immune system requires a great deal of energy and the cells of the immune system utilize B vitamins to create the ATP required to fight off infections. The higher your stress levels, activity levels, and exercise levels the more B vitamins you will require to produce the energy you need each day. A good quality B complex supplement helps to provide the extra B vitamins your body needs to produce cellular energy and thus enhances immunity.

Magnesium is an extremely important mineral that is often overshadowed by calcium. Many supplements, especially bone health supplements contain relatively high levels of calcium but inadequate levels of magnesium. ATP and energy production rely on magnesium as a cofactor in their production. Inadequate magnesium intake contributes to fatigue and decreases immunity. Magnesium also dilates and relaxes the skeletal muscles of the body and the smooth muscles of the vascular system. This enhances blood flow throughout the body and thus the distribution of white blood cells through the bloodstream.

There are 4 main categories of food allergies to become aware of so you can identify them. When most people, including many medical professionals hear the word “allergy” they think of the typical symptoms like skin rash, hives, swollen throat, itchy watery eyes, and nasal discharge. However, this really only reflects one type of allergy, the IgE-mediated Immediate Sensitivity reaction. The chart below describes the differences between the 4 categories of food allergies you should distinguish between.

IgE-mediated immediate sensitivity allergies occur when a protein triggers the release of histamine from de-granulated mast cells. The symptoms usually occur within minutes and are usually relatively severe and sometimes cause anaphylaxis. This type of allergy is most commonly induced by nuts, peanuts, shellfish, citrus, and environmental allergens like pollen, dander, and mold. IgE-mediated allergies are relatively uncommon for most other foods. The best way to test for IgE-mediated allergies is through skin prick testing. Anti-histamines provide relief for this type of allergy.

IgG-mediated delayed sensitivity allergies occur when a protein triggers the release of immunoglobulin G (IgG), an inflammatory product from white blood cells in the digestive tract. The symptoms usually occur anywhere from 2 to 48 hours after exposure and are of a more chronic and inflammatory nature. Common signs and symptoms include indigestion, gas, bloating, cramping, eczema, psoriasis, headaches, physical fatigue, mental fatigue, and edema. Anti-histamines do not improve these symptoms because histamine production is not involved. The best way to test for IgG-mediated allergies is to examine a blood sample for immunoglobulin G production from the white blood cell population.

Food intolerances are not a true allergy because they do not involve an immune-mediated response. Food intolerances occur when the body lacks an enzyme to break down certain food molecules. The most well known example is lactose intolerance where the body is deficient the enzyme lactose. Therefore, whenever dairy products are consumed lactose is not broken down and causes digestive upset. Enzyme deficiencies can occur for almost any food and are not actually a true allergy but nonetheless cause digestive symptoms.

Like food intolerances, food sensitivities are technically not a true allergy because there is no known measurable immune system response. In fact, we understand very little about the causes and mechanisms of food sensitivities. The best way to test for food sensitivity is through an elimination diet and ruling out IgE allergy, IgG allergy, and food intolerance. The treatment for food sensitivity is elimination or rotation diet.

To learn more about Dr. Barlow’s treatments or to schedule an appointment contact Dr. Barlow’s office at 250-448-5610 or via email at info@drbrentbarlownd.com

Nutrition is more than just obtaining nutrients and calories from food. It’s more than just eating the healthy stuff. It’s more than just following the most recent fad diet. Nutrition, the food we eat and the way we eat it, is an integral part of life. Nutrition is an experience. It evokes memories, helps us celebrate good times, and is there for us in times of grief. I believe the purpose of nutrition is to nourish the body and soul.

Nourishment is about moderation and balance. A large part of the book, including the treatment recommendations embraces moderation and balance. I believe in the 80:20 rule. This rule states that eating the healthy foods 80% of the time allows us to eat some of the less healthy treats about 20% of the time. The body is well equipped to handle small amounts of less healthy nutrients like sugar if we primarily provide it with the essential nutrients 80% or more of the time.

From a biochemical perspective one of the purposes of nutrition is to provide the building blocks for the body. There are 2 main categories of building blocks, macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients are the things we need in relatively large amounts like protein, fat, carbohydrates. Micronutrients are ingredients we need in relatively microscopic amounts like vitamins and minerals. An optimal dietary plan encourages proper consumption and ratios of macro and micronutrients.

The way we eat is almost as important as what we eat. One of the main reasons for writing the book was to bring attention to the digestive system. There are a number of great books on nutrition that help people create a healthy diet. However, there is less information for supporting and enhancing the digestive system. One of the purposes of nutrition is to keep the digestive system healthy. By reducing stress during meals, chewing food properly, and avoiding eating on the run, the digestive system can function better with the foods provided.

In next week’s column we will discuss the things that cause damage to the digestive system.

If you would like to order a copy of the book or schedule a consultation with Dr. Barlow contact his office at 250-448-5610 or visit his website at www.drbrentbarlownd.com.

In the book I describe that there are 6 phases of digestion. It is during these 6 phases that nutrients from food are digested, absorbed, and transported to all the cells in the body. It is also during this process where many waste materials are removed from the body. All 6 phases play such a crucial role in our overall health and I believe we must understand these phases in order to pursue optimal health. Below is a brief description of the purpose of each of the 6 phases of the digestive system.

Phase 1: The Cephalic Phase

During this phase our digestive juices begin to flow. As we think about food, smell food, and even begin to taste food, a hormonal cascade prepares the digestive system to handle the meal that is to come. This phase initiates the production of the acids and enzymes that digest food. It also initiates the muscle contractions that propel nutrients through the digestive tract.

Phase 2: The Stomach Phase

During this phase the stomach is actively cranking out acid in order to break down proteins and kill microorganisms. Some of this stomach acid will be required to move down to the small intestine in order to activate the enzymes that digest carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. In a nutshell, the stomach phase prepares the food you’ve consumed for the small intestine.

Phase 3: The Intestinal Phase

As food material moves into the small intestine from the stomach it continues to be broken down into smaller and smaller particles by acids and enzymes. Once the enzymes have broken the food down to microscopic particles the cells of the small intestine decide which nutrients they will allow to pass through to the bloodstream. Only what the cells want to take in will make it into the body. The leftovers move down the GI tract to the large intestine.

Phase 4: The Hepatic Phase

All nutrients that have been absorbed into the bloodstream from the small intestine must go to the liver before they go anywhere else in the body. During this phase of the digestive system the liver processes the recently digested nutrients and removes as much waste or toxicity as possible. The liver then sends the “purified” blood full of recently digested nutrients into general circulation.

Phase 5: The Cellular Absorption Phase

Once the nutrients have passed through the liver they make their way to all the other cells of the body through the circulatory system. Each cell is required to digest and absorb its own nutrients. If the capillaries are dehydrated or full of toxicity certain nutrients may not arrive at certain cells in optimal amounts, which can create nutrient deficiencies.

Phase 6: The Elimination Phase

The final phase of the digestive system involves the removal of the waste created not only within the digestive system but from the metabolic processes of many other areas in the body. If waste is not moving properly out of the body via the stool, the previous 5 phases will likely operate less effectively due to the backpressure in the GI tract.

To learn more about Dr. Barlow, purchase the book, or to schedule a consultation please contact his office at 250-448-5610 or visit his website at www.drbrentbarlownd.com

To Feel Well: Improve Your Digestive System is the first in a series of books designed to empower you to pursue and achieve optimal health and wellness. This book focuses on the naturopathic medical approach to improving health through better digestion, absorption and nutrition. It explains how the digestive system works, how to identify gastrointestinal dysfunction, and how to improve digestion with natural treatments.

It is surprising how many symptoms and medical conditions begin with problems in the digestive system. The good news is that many of these medical ailments; like auto-immune conditions, mental-emotional disorders, cardiovascular diseases and certain skin conditions, can be successfully treated and improved by therapies that support the digestive system.

Nutrition has been receiving more and more attention in recent years. We are constantly reminded to “eat well for health” by media, government and the health food industry. However, in focusing our efforts on what we eat, the importance of digestion and absorption has often been overlooked.

Digestion and absorption are as important, if not more important, than the food we eat. You can put all kinds of expensive “health food” into your mouth, but if it doesn’t get broken down in your gastrointestinal tract and absorbed into the bloodstream, all that good stuff just goes right through you.

Good nutrition is limited by the effectiveness of digestion and absorption, which is one of the main reasons for writing this book. The digestive tract is also one of the body’s main lines of defense against the outside world. Everything you put in your mouth must be either absorbed into the body or excreted in your stool. The digestive tract plays a huge role in defending the body against substances it doesn’t want to incorporate.

In Traditional Chinese Medical Philosophy the digestive system is King. For thousands of years, Traditional Chinese Doctors have believed that if digestion and absorption are not working well, other health consequences will almost certainly follow. Most naturopathic physicians share this belief, and I utilize this philosophy in my daily practice. This means that it is extremely important to assess and treat digestive system disorders prior to, or in conjunction with, other health concerns. As the digestive tract heals, other health issues improve and the entire body benefits.

I recommend that you use the information in this book to start taking control of your healthcare. It is always best to work with a professional who can guide you through the process in a safe and effective way. To feel well, start with your health’s foundation. Find a good Naturopathic Physician and begin working on your digestive system.

If you would like to order a copy of the book or schedule a consultation with Dr. Barlow contact his office at 250-448-5610 or visit his website at www.drbrentbarlownd.com.

What are Good Bacteria?

Our GI tract is lined with billions of our own cells. Along this lining is billions or trillions of bacterial cells. There is actually more cells of bacteria in our GI tract than our own cells in the GI tract. We have a relationship with these bacteria where in exchange for a place to live (inside us) the bacteria are expected to perform a number of duties. These responsibilities include producing vitamin B12, filtering wastes, and killing pathogens like viruses, bacteria, and yeasts.

How does an Imbalance Effect Candida Overgrowth?

If the balance of microbiotic life inside our GI tracts gets out of whack digestive symptoms like bloating, gas, indigestion, constipation, and diarrhea may result. These symptoms typically arise in part because of the harmful effects of the wrong type of bacteria and yeast species overpopulating the GI tract. The naturally beneficial bacteria are supposed to keep thing in check but if they are out-competed by Candida or other less desirable species further imbalances are likely.

What is a Good Probiotic?

A good probiotic supplement should have a number of attributes. It should contain billions, not millions of bacteria per serving. In fact, it takes at least 30 billion to make a therapeutic impact. A good probiotic should be resistant to acid and bile so that it can pass through the stomach and make it to the intestines. A good probiotic should contain multiple strains of bacteria, including the most dominant species like acidophilus and bifidus. Using only one or two strains is not as effective as using 5-10 strains in a product. Finally, a good probiotic should be tested to ensure that the claims on the bottle are true.

What Probiotic Do I Prescribe?

I prescribe a few different types of probiotics depending on the patient and the condition. When it comes to treating Candida, I use a probiotic that contains certain bacterial strains that have research showing their effect against Candida. These strains include Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Lactobacillus casei.

In next week’s column we will investigate the importance of detoxifying the body during Candida treatment.

For more information on Candida or to schedule a consultation contact Dr. Barlow’s office at 250-448-5610 or visit his website at www.drbrentbarlownd.com

Undecylenic Acid

Undecylenic acid is a fatty acid that comes from the castor bean. It is a natural anti-fungal nutrient that can be found in many cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and other personal care products. In a very famous study on denture linings undecylenic acid inhibited not only the growth of Candida albicans but also prevented it from converting to its hyphal form. The hyphae form of a yeast like candida is more aggressive and symptomatic that the simple yeast form. The properties of undecylenic acid can be used to halt Candida’s growth and conversion to hyphae.

Oregano Oil

Oregano oil is an essential oil from the oregano plant. It has received a great deal of attention recently regarding its immune-supportive properties. One of the uses of oregano oil is with the treatment of Candida overgrowth. In a 2002 study, oregano oil was able to inhibit the growth of Candida albicans by 50-75%.

Berberine

Berberine is an alkaloid found in a few different botanicals like Oregon grape and Goldenseal. It has a long track history of use with bacterial and viral infections. Recent research has also shown its ability to treat Candida overgrowth. In a 2009 study, low concentrations of berberine almost completely halted the growth of Candida while high concentrations completely inhibited its growth.

Clove Oil

Clove oil is as it sounds the essential oil derived from cloves. Like most essential oils it has been used traditionally as an anti-viral and anti-bacterial. However, recent research has shown that clove oil can cause damage to the cell membrane of many yeast species including Candida albicans. The study also showed that clove oil had a near complete inhibition of germ tube formation, which means it stops the growth of Candida.

Conclusion

These nutrients all have very good research behind them. I typically use them in a combination supplement in conjunction with an anti-candida diet, detoxification support, and probiotics. In next week’s column we will discuss the use of probiotics to treat Candida overgrowth.

For more information on Candida or to schedule a consultation contact Dr. Barlow’s office at 250-448-5610 or visit his website at www.drbrentbarlownd.com

What is Thermography?

Thermography is an imaging technique that uses infrared cameras to identify heat patterns on the surface of the body. All cells of the body give off a heat. Inflamed cells, pre-cancerous, and cancerous cells give off more heat and typically display this heat in an abnormal pattern. The pattern identified by the thermograph can indicate the health of the cells and whether or not future pathology may arise.

How Does Thermography Assess Breast Health?

Breast thermography is designed to identify the distribution of heat on the skin of the breast. This heat pattern reflects of the formation of blood vessels in the skin and breast tissue. Pre-cancerous and cancerous cells have unique blood vessel patterns and heat distribution patterns that thermography can identify.

Typically, years or even decades prior to cancer cell formation there will be changes in blood flow and blood vessel formation in the breast tissue. If this is identified before the cells become cancerous or even pre-cancerous dietary, lifestyle, and other changes can be made to reduce the risk of breast cancer.

What is the Evidence Supporting Thermography?

Thermography has been FDA approved as an adjunctive breast cancer screening tool since 1982. This means that it is approved to identify warning signs of an increased risk for cancer. Thermography is not intended to be a replacement for mammography but instead provides information that mammography is not designed to pick up.

Thermography has been researched for over 30 years and there are over 800 peer reviewed studies involving more than 300 000 women. Breast thermography has an average sensitivity and specificity rating of 90%. In fact, an abnormal breast thermography is more than 10 times more significant as an indicator for future breast cancer than family history of an immediate family member. When thermography is used in conjunction with clinical examination and mammography 95% of early stage cancers are detected.

Are There Side Effects?

Thermography has no known side effects. It does not utilize radiation or involve any pressure on the breast tissue.

What is the Procedure?

Thermography is a relatively simple and non-invasive screening tool that takes less than one hour to complete. The first 20 minutes of the appointment is designed for the body to acclimatize to the room which is set at 20 degrees celcius. This prevents false positive patterns being identified. During the procedure the patient stands in front of the infrared camera, which scans the body and sends the images to the computer. At no time is there pressure, squeezing, or force applied to the breasts like in mammography. After the images are taken they are analyzed by the technician and the physician and a report is generated.

A treatment plan can be designed based on the results of the thermography if treatment is advisable.

For more information on breast health and thermography contact Dr. Barlow at the Kelowna Wellness Clinic at 250-448-5610 or via email at info@drbrentbarlownd.com

What is vitamin K

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that was discovered in the 1930’s by Danish biochemist Henrik Dam. In his research, he discovered that vitamin K was required prevent bleeding hemorrhages. Later research eventually showed that there are actually two forms of vitamin K, vitamin K1 and vitamin K2. Vitamin K1 is more associated with blood clotting while vitamin K2 is more associated with bone health and calcium distribution.

Vitamin K2 and Bones

Vitamin K2 helps to increase bone strength and prevent bone degredation by a few different mechanisms. First of all, vitamin K2 in food or supplement form stimulates the activation of osteocalcin, a hormone that promotes bone building. Secondly, vitamin K2 promotes proper estrogen metabolism, which helps prevent post-menopausal bone thinning. Finally, vitamin K2 stimulates matrix gla protein (MGP), which redirects calcium from soft tissues towards the bones to increase bone strength.

Vitamin K2 and Calcium

Vitamin K2 works with calcium so the body uses calcium appropriately in the bones, dental tissue, and other areas of the body. Recent research has shown that high calcium consumption or supplementation may lead to health consequences like calcifications in the soft tissues of the body. This has lead some health care professionals to recommend avoiding calcium supplementation. However, vitamin K2 may be the missing ingredient for many people taking calcium supplements. By activating osteocalcin vitamin K2 encourages calcium to be directed into the bones and teeth. Vitamin K2 also activates matrix gla protein (MGP), which escorts calcium out of the arteries, veins, and other soft tissues.

Sources of Vitamin K2

Vitamin K can be obtained in relatively healthy amounts in the diet that focuses on vitamin K2-rich foods. The Standard American Diet (SAD) is relatively deficient in vitamin K2 and is one of the reasons so many people are deficient in vitamin K2. The best sources of vitamin K2 are free-range eggs, grass fed beef, butter/ghee from grass-fed cows, and natto.