tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36258879960735194152024-03-12T21:08:40.659-04:00Look Good, Feel Great New YorkDr. Ungarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366509037642023101noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625887996073519415.post-52649556143934309682011-02-05T16:18:00.012-05:002011-02-14T08:26:52.733-05:00How Barbara Got Her Energy Back & Lost Weight Too!<embed src="http://www.box.net/embed/0mto4qpuvsgasjs.swf" width="366" height="26" wmode="opaque" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always"><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NJtBGw6ZcZI/TU2-s13m2xI/AAAAAAAAAHU/zTa3KNxIyyI/s1600/protein.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 436px; height: 49px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NJtBGw6ZcZI/TU2-s13m2xI/AAAAAAAAAHU/zTa3KNxIyyI/s320/protein.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570317991711005458" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NJtBGw6ZcZI/TU2-5xw_3MI/AAAAAAAAAHk/Sffs5bZ8XMo/s1600/cortisol.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 197px; height: 161px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NJtBGw6ZcZI/TU2-5xw_3MI/AAAAAAAAAHk/Sffs5bZ8XMo/s320/cortisol.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570318213947841730" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NJtBGw6ZcZI/TU2-xyaH84I/AAAAAAAAAHc/5OZ4VGEjYB8/s1600/fungus.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 443px; height: 104px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NJtBGw6ZcZI/TU2-xyaH84I/AAAAAAAAAHc/5OZ4VGEjYB8/s320/fungus.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570318076681384834" border="0" /></a>Dr. Ungarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366509037642023101noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625887996073519415.post-43360434890634486332011-01-28T14:47:00.003-05:002011-01-28T14:51:01.896-05:00Introducing "UltraSound Body Composition Analysis"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NJtBGw6ZcZI/TUMdvmuSonI/AAAAAAAAAHI/onsRRYnMAus/s1600/BMandPC.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 232px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NJtBGw6ZcZI/TUMdvmuSonI/AAAAAAAAAHI/onsRRYnMAus/s320/BMandPC.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567326268045828722" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Santa gave Better Body Solutions a great gift this year, a <a href="http://www.intelametrix.com/index.html">BodyMetrix</a> which measures the percentage of fat in your body. Some of the benefits include:<br /><br /> - Displaying & Measuring the amount of superficial fat in a specific area of your body<br /><br /> - Comparing that measurement to an "after Zerona treatments" measurement<br /><br /> - Measuring the percentage of Lean Muscle Mass<br /><br /><br />Here are the interpretive ranges of body fat percentages for men and women.<br /><br />Males:<br /><br />5-13% - Athelete<br />14-18% - Fitness<br />19-24% - Acceptable<br />25% and above Obese<br /><br />Females:<br /><br />13% - 20% = Athletes<br />20% - 24% = Fitness<br />24% - 31% = Acceptable<br />31% - Over = Obese<br /><br />If you're goal oriented or like to actually see an accurate ultrasound image of the fat and muscle beneath your skin the BodyMetrix can help motivate you to attain your ideal shape.<br /><br />We utilize this body composition technology before and after treatment with the Zerona laser. The Zerona, as you know, is proven to remove fat from the fat cells without any surgery, incisions or side effects. The BodyMetrix is a great tool to measure our progress.Dr. Ungarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366509037642023101noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625887996073519415.post-1184025199442507792011-01-08T13:28:00.026-05:002011-01-08T15:31:25.220-05:00The 2-Minute Thyroid: The Second Most Important Thing<bgsound src="/html/yourfile.mid"><br /><noembed>&amp;amp;lt;img src="yourimage.gif" alt="yourimage.gif" /&amp;amp;gt;</noembed><br /><embed src="http://www.box.net/embed/o731cayfob205pk.swf" wmode="opaque" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="26" width="366"></embed><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://betterbodysolutions.blogspot.com/search/label/hashimoto">Hashimoto's Posts</a><br /><br /></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NJtBGw6ZcZI/TSix_kM6NTI/AAAAAAAAAHA/NDes9A6FPmc/s1600/ricardo%2527s%2Bantibodies.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 35px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NJtBGw6ZcZI/TSix_kM6NTI/AAAAAAAAAHA/NDes9A6FPmc/s320/ricardo%2527s%2Bantibodies.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559889445596575026" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/Still-Thyroid-Symptoms-Tests-Normal/dp/1600376703/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1294512139&sr=8-1"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 91px; height: 91px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NJtBGw6ZcZI/TSiwSDPdQ6I/AAAAAAAAAGo/m0ew2liIqpU/s320/drkbook.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559887564143149986" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NJtBGw6ZcZI/TSiw64-f33I/AAAAAAAAAGw/z2_ml-ReH0s/s1600/Britt%2527s%2BCortisol.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 202px; height: 169px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NJtBGw6ZcZI/TSiw64-f33I/AAAAAAAAAGw/z2_ml-ReH0s/s320/Britt%2527s%2BCortisol.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559888265762299762" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NJtBGw6ZcZI/TSixY902_GI/AAAAAAAAAG4/UkAG9Sw3JJM/s1600/estrogen%2Bthyroid.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 80px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NJtBGw6ZcZI/TSixY902_GI/AAAAAAAAAG4/UkAG9Sw3JJM/s320/estrogen%2Bthyroid.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559888782460124258" border="0" /></a>Dr. Ungarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366509037642023101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625887996073519415.post-15492979742801104992010-12-22T06:53:00.006-05:002010-12-30T10:27:29.799-05:00Food Coaching Workshop Calendar - January 2011<span style="font-size:100%;">Quite a few patients have expressed the desire to receive help with planning, shopping and preparing tasty foods without spending an exorbitant amount of money or time. Please join us on any or all of the following dates to receive lots of tips to be healthier and look your best. Whether you're trying to lose weight or improve your heath you'll learn a lot at hour long presentation.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Food Coaching Workshops are perfect to help with weight loss, hypothyroidism/Hashimoto's, diabetes and food sensitivities.</span><br /><br />The Upcoming Food Coaching Classes for 2011 are as follows:<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> Tuesday, January 4th</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Wednesday, January 12</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Tuesday, January 18</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Wednesday, January 26</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />All classes start at 6:30 and are by reservation only. <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Classes Limited To 10 People.</span> Call 212-286-9098 to reserve a seat. You are welcome to bring friends, family and co-workers.<br /><br />Each Week We Will Answer Your Questions And Discuss Various Topics Including;<br />How to plan your meals 1 week in advance.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">How to shop for healthy, economical food.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">How to prepare tasty, healthy meals.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">How to lose weight without being hungry</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">How to snack for energy</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The most important meal of the day</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Foods to avoid</span></span>Dr. Ungarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366509037642023101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625887996073519415.post-77802277757878495882010-12-17T12:15:00.002-05:002010-12-17T12:18:55.568-05:00Benign Paroxysmal Positional VertigoBenign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is a common diagnosis for those<br />who suffer from vertigo. Approximately one-third of all vertigo cases are<br />diagnosed as BPPV. Symptoms of BPPV include dizziness, lightheadedness,<br />imbalance and nausea.<br /><br />BPPV is not the result of a serious pathological condition. Rather, it is caused when crystals of<br />calcium carbonate known as otoconia (ear rocks) migrate from their normal<br />position into the semicircular canals of the inner ear . Normally, fluid moves<br />in the canals when the head is turned. An ear rock immersed in the fluid of the<br />canal can disrupt normal balance receptors when the head turns, rotates or bends.<br />This causes information from one side of the head to be different from the<br />other. The result is BPPV.<br /><br />A thorough examination is needed to rule out pathological causes of<br />dizziness, such as stroke, severe hypertension, diabetes, tumors and viral<br />infections.<br /><br />The primary test used to diagnose BPPV is the <a href="http://www.dizziness-and-balance.com/disorders/bppv/bppv.html">Dix-Hallpike manuver</a>. In this<br />test, a person lays down with their head turned 45 degrees to one side and<br />extended about 20 degrees backward. A positive Dix-Hallpike test is noted<br />when a <a href="http://www.dizziness-and-balance.com/disorders/bppv/movies/bppv.avi">burst of nystagmus</a> occurs: The eyes jump upward and twist so that the<br />top part of the eye jumps toward the down side.<br /><br /><br />There is a good chance of full recovery from BPPV. We use an ear rock<br />repositioning techniqe called Epleys Maneuver, which will be the subject of<br />another post.Dr. Ungarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366509037642023101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625887996073519415.post-77484772755484045962010-12-17T12:07:00.006-05:002010-12-30T10:34:17.745-05:00The Hypothyroid StomachIt's hard enough to have symptoms like fatigue or lack of motivation when<br />you are suffering from hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's, but it is common<br />to have stomach problem too. Normally, the stomach pH is very acidic but<br />hypothyroidism tends to slow metabolism in general which, among other<br />things, causes the parietal cells in the stomach to produce less stomach<br />(hydrochloric) acid. Proteins cannot be properly digested in this environment<br />and food putrefies. Secondary organic acids are produced and these acids<br />can be too acidic even for the tough lining of the stomach.<br /><br />Over time, lack of proper stomach acid production can lead to<br />gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and ulcers.<br /><br />In my clinical experience, the majority of hypothyroid patients also have<br />abnormal cortisol levels at different times of the day. Cortisol is one of<br />the many hormones involved in the web of chemical events that affect thyroid<br />metabolism. Cortisol, too, lowers hydrochloric acid production. It thins the<br />mucous that protects the stomach lining and it inhibits the normal cellular<br />repair of the stomach. These three factors all can contribute to the poor<br />digestion experienced by so many hypothryoid patients.<br /><br />In this way, hypothyroidism indirectly causes gas, bloating, stomach pain,<br />burning, heartburn, bad breath and other unpleasant symptoms. Poor acidic<br />content can also interfere with the absorption of B12, iron and folic acid,<br />which can cause anemia.<br /><br />When a patient presents with these symptoms we analyze their blood work for<br />markers that suggest poor protein digestion. We use functional ranges<br />instead of conventional laboratory ranges because they are generally<br />narrower. This is useful for detecting abnormal metabolic shifts in<br />individuals (Lab ranges cannot tell whether a marker is normal and healthy,<br />only that the marker is within a range established by 95% of the population<br />of the lab.).<br /><br />The good news is that once properly diagnosed low stomach acid is usually<br />fairly easy to correct.Dr. Ungarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366509037642023101noreply@blogger.com76tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625887996073519415.post-58385180599307463762010-12-07T16:03:00.004-05:002010-12-30T10:38:23.735-05:005 Ways A Clean Liver Can Help You Burn FatAs part of our new "Turbo-Charged Zerona Cleanse" we take great care to cleanse the liver. Why? If the liver is overwhelmed by the presence of abnormal microbes in the intestine, food sensitivities or abnormal immune function for example, it can’t do one of its most important jobs: keep weight and body fat under control.<br /><br />Here are five ways this super-organ of detoxification helps keep you slim.<br /><br />Thyroid<br />The liver influences hormone activity, which can significantly affect your ability to maintain your desired weight and shape. For example, the liver produces about 80 percent of the active thyroid hormone T3. T3 increases your body's metabolism meaning that you burn more calories when your T3 levels are normal. Some people who suffer from hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's can<br />have trouble with this conversion.<br /><br />Inflammation<br />Every day we are exposed to a variety of external and internal toxins that the liver must neutralize in order to keep us healthy. Buildup of toxins can result in a sluggish liver with decreased fat-burning capacity. This can happen because the inflammation caused by some toxic substances inhibits fat-burning chemicals, or enzymes.<br /><br />Estrogen<br />The liver breaks down excess estrogen. Too much of this hormone can cause weight gain. Also, excess estrogen increases the amount of fat the body stores. It does this in a number of ways such as by interfering with normal thyroid hormone activity - causing hypothyroidism.<br /><br />Cortisol<br />The liver decreases the amount of circulating cortisol. Cortisol, also know as the stress hormone, is a culprit behind the build-up of abdominal fat. High levels of the hormone interfere with the normal breakdown of fats and increase the activity of enzymes responsible for producing fat. This is why stress can actually make you fat.<br /><br />Insulin<br />Similar to cortisol, the liver also keeps insulin levels in check. Too much insulin slows down fat metabolism and causes weight gain.Dr. Ungarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366509037642023101noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625887996073519415.post-92179884950747748402010-12-07T15:48:00.002-05:002010-12-30T10:43:48.148-05:00Chances Are Your Thyroid Gland Isn’t The REAL Issue!For 75 to 90 percent of hypothyroid sufferers in the United States the thyroid gland is not at all defective. For this vast majority of patients their thyroid gland is (or was) capable of functioning normally. Yet, they still experience hypothyroid symptoms like fatigue, depression, weight gain, lack of motivation, depression, feeling cold all over, etc. Why is this?<br /><br />The trouble lies with the immune system.<br /><br />Normally the immune system attacks foreign antigens (invaders) like viruses and bacteria, but in Hashimoto’s Thyroid the immune system mistakenly recognizes the thyroid gland as an antigen and actively destroys it.<br /><br />Hashimoto’s is the most common autoimmune disease. It affects approximately 7% of all Americans. If you have Hashimoto’s chances are your immune system is attacking another body structure as well. Common targets of autoimmune disease in the Hashimoto’s patient include the stomach, brain and pancreas. These autoimmune attacks can cause conditions like anemia, vertigo and diabetes respectively.<br /><br />What You Can Do:<br /><br />1. Rule out Hashimoto’s with blood tests that look at TPO and TBG antibodies. If these tests are normal don’t be surprised – autoimmune diseases wax and wane. Go ahead and eat plenty of gluten (found in pasta and bread) for 3 weeks. Repeat the tests. Chances are that if you have Hashimoto’s it will show up with these tests.<br /><br />2. There are other specialty tests that can be run to rule out Hashimoto’s. I cover these on my DVD “Dr. Ungaro’s Healthy Thyroid Program.”<br /><br />3. Learn what is provoking your immune system. Usually it is a combination of environmental and food sensitivities (think gluten), and abnormal microbes in the intestine.<br /><br />4. Undergo a comprehensive blood test and ask a doctor who understands the multiple factors underlying Hashimoto’s thyroid to review it.<br /><br />5. Check out Dr. Kharrazian’s Book, “Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms When My Blood Tests Are Normal?”Dr. Ungarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366509037642023101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625887996073519415.post-55991814997300722732010-11-29T17:08:00.000-05:002010-11-29T17:09:31.912-05:00Vertigo: Diagnosing an Autoimmune Disorder<span style="font-weight: bold;">Autoimmunity</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> is the failure of an organism to recognize its own constituent parts as self, which allows an immune response against its own cells and tissues.</span><br /><br />Most patients who come to me suffering from vertigo, dizziness or balance disorders have been told that their conventional, allopathic medical doctor can’t help them anymore. They’ve had a number of tests to rule out tumors, strokes, hypertension, inner ear problems, virus and a host of other maladies that can cause vertigo. One area that may be overlooked is abnormalities within the immune system.<br /><br />Although it isn’t a common diagnosis by conventional practitioners, vertigo can sometimes result from an autoimmune reaction against an area of the brain called the cerebellum. In other words, autoimmunity can cause some cases of vertigo. It should be considered when conventional testing and treatment fails to yield results.<br /><br />Although autoimmunity is on the rise, conventional testing for many autoimmune conditions is, sadly, deficient. Antibody tests exist for conditions such as Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus and Hashimoto's Thyroid. There are no equivalent tests, however, that are specific to the cerebellum, or even the brain as a whole.<br /><br />In the absence of targeted tests of an autoimmune response against the brain, some doctors perform other autoimmune tests to try to ascertain whether a patient has an abnormal attack against any part of their body. The problem with this approach is that it’s “hit or miss”, not very specific and not dependable yielding many false negatives. (A false negative means that the patient has an autoimmune response against their brain but the testing suggests otherwise.)<br /><br />Thanks to fairly new and ongoing research into the immune system it may be possible in the near future to test for antibodies (autoimmune disease) against the cerebellum. Until then, doctors need to keep an open mind what may be causing vertigo or balance problems and run tests that are available. If autoimmunity against the cerebellum is found, there are a number of nutritional strategies which can effectively reduce vertigo and other associated symptoms.Dr. Ungarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366509037642023101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625887996073519415.post-65258949234142123302010-11-27T15:53:00.001-05:002010-11-27T16:38:45.669-05:00Introducing…The Turbo-Charged Zerona CleanseEarlier this month I went to a conference in San Diego to learn the newest information about weight loss and natural body contouring. One of the presenters described getting great results from the combination of Zerona treatments with a cleanse. So, I came back home determined to put a program together for people who want to lose the maximum amount of weight and/or inches in just 3 weeks.<br /><br />We're calling it the "Turbo-Charged Zerona Cleanse".<br /><br />The Zerona Cleanse is for people who are willing to change their diet, eat healthier for three weeks, and takesupplements in order to get their best results.<br /><br />The Turbo-Charged Zerona Cleanse consists of the following:<br /><br />1. Nine Zerona laser treatments over a 3-week period.<br /><br />2. Nutritional support to reduce inflammation, assist in fat burning, enhance weight loss and promote good health. Twice weekly, our staff reviews patient food choices.<br /><br />3. A diet that is not calorie-restrictive but instead relies upon abundant vegetables and foods high in protein such as fish, chicken, turkey and lamb.<br /><br />4. Elimination of foods that are known to cause food sensitivities like gluten, soy, dairy, eggs and yeast.<br /><br />Each patient also receives a comprehensive workbook that provides information about low-level laser therapy, food selection and nutritional supplements. The workbook also includes recipes and a daily food diary.<br /><br />How good are the results? Well, our first Turbo-Charged Zerona Cleanse patient lost 15 pounds and 9 inches. Not bad for 3 weeks!Dr. Ungarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366509037642023101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625887996073519415.post-23529866113998292622010-11-20T11:41:00.002-05:002011-01-08T13:54:49.497-05:00Secrets Of A World Class EndocrinologistAuthor and functional medicine doctor, Datis Kharrazian D.C., tells a story about taking a leading expert on endocrinology and thyroid function to lunch. The esteemed doctor is not only the head of the faculty at a prestigious medical school, but he writes endocrinology textbooks that are used nationwide. During the course of their lunch, the following conversation occurs:<br /><br />M.D.: “What you say about the immune system and the thyroid is very interesting.”<br /><br />Dr. K: "Yes, it is."<br /><br />M.D.: (slowly nodding) "Very interesting indeed."<br /><br />Dr. K: "Yes, it is."<br /><br />Dr.K: "Do you know how understanding how the immune system causes thyroid problems will impact endocrinology?" (He's excited to hear the answer because so many Americans are suffering from hypothyroid symptoms and the medical treatment hasn’t changed much from the 1950s.)<br /> <br />M.D.: "Not at all."<br /><br />Dr. K: "How can that be?"<br /><br />M.D.: "We're endocrinologists, not immunologists."<br /><br />This is the age of (over) specialization and many specialists can't see the forest for the trees. In other words, they're trained in one specific area—not how one system interacts with other systems in the body.<br /><br />A functional medicine practitioner offers the best chance of a successful outcome for thyroid patients because he can puzzle together information from specialties that relate to thyroid function, including endocrinology, immunology and gastroenterology, for example.<br /><br />After all, thyroid problems are very complex. Every cell has a thyroid receptor so the impact of thyroid hormone is felt throughout the body. This is why thyroid patients complain of such diverse symptoms such as lack of motivation, osteoporosis, gall bladder disease, elevated cholesterol or triglycerides, fatigue, headaches, weight gain, feeling cold all over, hair falling out, dry skin, etc.<br /><br />Some of these problems are capable of further worsening thyroid symptoms creating a viscous cycle. For example, brain function and thyroid metabolism influence each other: Abnormalities in certain areas of the brain affect thyroid metabolism, which can then exacerbate dysfunction in the brain.<br /><br />It’s important to understand the different approaches of conventional doctors and functional medicine practitioners when seeking treatment for diseases that are complex.Dr. Ungarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366509037642023101noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625887996073519415.post-22623297188737502612010-11-16T16:37:00.001-05:002010-12-17T12:20:58.084-05:00Exercising With ZeronaMany of our Zerona laser patients have a history of exercising. For some patients exercise is effective at keeping them in shape, but for many others exercise fails to remove fat in "problem areas”.<br /><br />What Happens When You Exercise<br /><br />Exercise is work that increases the metabolic rate, which in turn burns more calories. Ideally, calories burned would consist of stored fat, but that is not what happens initially. After the body utilizes the small amount of readily available energy in the form of blood sugar, it turns to glycogen—stored carbohydrates in the liver and muscles.<br /><br />After approximately 25 minutes of moderate exercise the body will then begin to use fat stores to create energy. Fat is broken down into molecules of water, glycerol and free fatty acids. Free fatty acids are energy dense and break down much slower than blood sugar or stored glycogen. Even if you work out long enough, the fat you’re burning may not be from your problem areas.<br /><br />You can’t target specific areas through exercise.<br /><br />What Happens When You Use the Zerona Laser<br /><br />In contrast, the Zerona laser metabolizes fats in the areas where the laser is pointed. The Zerona Laser liberates approximately 40 to 60 grams of fat in 40 minutes. Since a gram of fat is 9 calories this equates to at least 360 calories of pure fat—and that’s in just one session. Compare that to an exercise session: You may burn between 400 and 600 calories but it won’t be pure fat.<br /><br />The key to losing the fat for good is increasing metabolic demand around the time of the laser session. We do that through a combination of short-term calorie restriction before the laser treatment and a 10-minute session of whole-body vibration after.<br /><br />This combination increases the body’s immediate need for energy and fat liberated by the Zerona laser can then be utilized. <span style="font-style: italic;">Lose the fat by exercising immediately after your Zerona session.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br />I’ve previously blogged about several other strategies to achieve maximum fat reduction. We always work with each individual patient to determine the best strategy for maximum fat reduction. Our latest service is the Turbo-Charged Zerona Cleanse. In this treatment, we combine the Zerona laser with a medically assisted cleanse to burn the maximum amount of fat. More on that later…Dr. Ungarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366509037642023101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625887996073519415.post-87302325327079547362010-11-16T06:15:00.001-05:002010-11-16T06:28:34.476-05:00What's Your Thyroid Story?Many of the patients who have come to our clinic tell a similar story: Nobody believed that they had hypothyroidism. The patient did enough research to learn that their symptoms could be caused by hypothyroidism, but their doctor told them that their blood tests were normal.<br /><br />As their condition worsened they eventually received a diagnosis of hypothyroidism and were prescribed medications that helped some. Still many hypothyroid symptoms persisted. So they started their journey within the alternative community. Here they were told that they needed a single nutrient like iodine, tyrosine, zinc or a glandular containing an animal source of thyroid gland.<br /><br />After years of bouncing from one doctor to the next and taking one pill after another hoping that it was the silver bullet that would make a miraculous difference, the thyroid patient begins to lose hope.<br /><br />Reality check<br />The vast majority of hypothyroidism sufferers find themselves in this situation—they’re often left without any significant improvement after years of treatment.<br /><br />The truth is there is no silver bullet.<br /><br />Your thyroid physiology is complicated and that’s why you probably haven’t gotten the results you’re looking for – no single thyroid pill or nutrient is capable of correcting the widespread dysfunction in the web of chemical reactions throughout the body.<br /><br />Volumes of peer-reviewed research illustrate the complexities of thyroid physiology. For example, your thyroid function can be influenced by your blood sugar, cortisol (a stress hormone), testosterone, estrogen, the immune system and brain function. A problem in any one system is capable of affecting all other systems.<br /><br />Ideally, you want to work with a doctor who understands these interactions that are capable of affecting thyroid metabolism. That is, you want someone to unfurl the web. As a patient, you will also need to be willing to follow through and make any necessary changes to your diet and lifestyle to improve your health. There may me no silver bullet but you can still hit the bulls-eye for good health.Dr. Ungarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366509037642023101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625887996073519415.post-1080057271094745182010-11-14T12:14:00.002-05:002010-11-20T12:01:44.502-05:00Vertigo & Your Blood SugarWhen I started practicing in 1986 I asked a female patient to perform Rhomberg's Test, in which a patient stands with eyes closed and arms stretched out in front of them like a sleepwalker. If the patient sways or their arms drift from midline, the test is positive—there is a problem. My female patient fell over.<br /><br />She was later diagnosed with diabetes. To date, this was the most dramatic relationship between balance and blood sugar that I’ve ever witnessed.<br /><br />Sugar is the brain’s sole source of energy. If blood sugar is too low (hypoglycemia) or high (hyperglycemia) the brain may not be able to function normally. Abnormal blood sugar levels can cause vertigo, dizziness and balance problems. The problem is that hypoglycemia isn't easily diagnosed because:<br /><br />1. To determine whether or not you have a healthy glucose level, you must fast for 10 to 12 hours before the blood test is performed. Many of my vertigo patients have had their blood tested in a non-fasting state, which often does not accurately reveal abnormal glucose levels.<br /><br />2. To interpret blood test results, you need to consider the “functional range” for glucose in the body. There is a difference between a functional range and a lab range, the range typically used to interpret blood tests of glucose level. Lab ranges are determined by a statistical analysis of all the blood that goes to a lab. Your glucose level is compared to the glucose levels of all other lab samples. If your glucose level is worse than 95% of the populace, then your test will be flagged as abnormal. Lab ranges for fasting glucose levels are often 60 to 99.<br /><br />In contrast, functional ranges are based upon what the American Institute Of Chemists determines is a normal range. A functional range is not based on a sick population but rather normal physiology. Functional ranges for fasting glucose levels are 85 to 99.<br /><br />Remember, in the medical model once pathology is ruled out for a vertigo patient, often a diagnosis of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)—or “inner ear problems” is given. Many patients don't respond to the medication or vestibular rehabilitation for this diagnosis. It's important to consider other factors that can cause or play a role in vertigo—and blood sugar is one of them.<br /><br />Here are some of the symptoms of abnormal blood sugar levels:<br /><br />- Craving sweets but eating sweets does not satisfy craving<br />- Irritability if meals are missed or delayed<br />- Dependence upon caffeine (coffee/tea) to keep yourself going<br />- Getting lightheaded if meals are missed<br />- Eating relieves fatigue<br />- Fatigue after meals<br />- Feeling shaky, jittery, tremors<br />- Feeling agitated, easily upset, nervous, anxious<br />- Poor memory, forgetful, confusion upon wakening<br />- Blurred vision<br />- Bad temper, mood swings<br />- Waist girth is larger than hip girth<br /><br />If you are experiencing any of these symptoms along with vertigo, blood sugar abnormalities may be to blame. Talk with a functional medicine practitioner to get the treatment you need.Dr. Ungarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366509037642023101noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625887996073519415.post-51732485457961332332010-11-06T18:36:00.003-04:002011-01-08T13:56:05.284-05:00Hypothyroidism & Your Brain: DepressionMany patients suffering from hypothyroidism are depressed—they can't think clearly and have trouble with motivation. They have all but given up. For this reason, next to thyroid hormone replacement therapy, anti-depressants are the most prescribed drugs for patients with hypothyroidism.<br /><br />Why do depression, as well as other cognitive problems, affect individuals with hypothyroidism? There are several possible reasons, which can be found in the brain.<br /><br />1. Suppressed frontal lobe activity. The frontal lobe is the part of the brain that is referred to as the Executive Center and is responsible for planning, organizing and following through with decisions, recognizing consequences of behavior, and deciding between good and bad.<br /><br />2. Decreased use of dopamine. Dopamine is responsible for reward-oriented behaviors. Lack of dopamine can cause the feeling of being overwhelmed by stress, hopelessness, preferring to be isolated from others, distraction from tasks, difficulty completing tasks, anger & aggression when under stress, and being tired despite adequate sleep.<br /><br />3. Increased neurodegenerative changes in the brain. These changes cause premature aging of the brain in hypothyroid patients.<br /><br />4. Damaged brain tissue. More than 50 percent of patients with autoimmune disease experience an autoimmune attack against more than one part of the body. It is not unusual for a patient with Hashimoto's Thyroid to also suffer an autoimmune attack against the brain.<br /><br />In our clinic, we specialize in managing hypothyroid patients. We are aware of the detrimental effects of hypothyroidism on the brain and we utilize treatment strategies—nutritional and neurological—to improve cognitive functioning, reduce depression, and counter the aging process.<br /><br />If you have hypothyroidism, “Don't give up!"Dr. Ungarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366509037642023101noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625887996073519415.post-20519170971524599242010-11-06T17:46:00.003-04:002010-11-06T18:02:12.532-04:00What Your Doctor Doesn’t Know About Vertigo & Your CerebellumThe cerebellum, or “little brain” in Latin, is the part of the brain that significantly influences posture, muscle tone and equilibrium. Conventional doctors often fail to evaluate the functional role—they may scan the brain with an MRI but poor cerebellar function cannot be visualized this way.<br /><br />Chiropractic neurologists recognize that a poorly functioning cerebellum is wholly capable of causing vertigo, dizziness and balance problems. Through a Functional Neurological Evaluation of the patient, they may be better equipped to identify cerebellar problems.<br /><br />Here are two common ways that cerebellar problems can cause dizziness, vertigo and balance problems:<br /><br />--A disc injury or pinched nerve can affect normal nerve transmission in the cerebellum (these are typically the cause of vertigo in people under 45 years old). Normally your cerebellum receives input from your muscles, tendons, joints and head movements like tilting. The right side of the cerebellum processes information from the same side of the body and the same goes for the left side. If the information from each side doesn't match up, problems arise.<br /><br />--Premature aging of the cerebellum can also cause dizziness. Each day we lose thousands of brain cells. If too many brain cells are lost the cerebellum becomes unable to properly process sensory information. In a sense, the brain is like a group of muscles: If one side of the cerebellum is more neurologically active (stronger) than the other this can cause balance problems and vertigo. Thankfully, our brains are capable of re-wiring, an attribute known as neural plasticity, and it is possible to “strengthen” the weaker part of the cerebellum. If you’re over 45, check out this “<a href="http://betterbodysolutions.blogspot.com/2009/09/brain-game-how-is-your-brain-aging.html">Brain Game</a>” post.<br /><br />In general, for you to be balanced, your cerebellum has to be balanced. So, the first step is to undergo an evaluation by someone trained to detect functional imbalances in the cerebellum. It has been our experience that patients who were initially told nothing could be done generally make rapid progress. When it comes to dizziness, vertigo and balance problems, you don’t “just have to live with it.”Dr. Ungarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366509037642023101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625887996073519415.post-75906818536614365232010-11-01T12:52:00.006-04:002010-11-06T18:08:30.183-04:00The Zerona Effect: Beauty & Health<span style="font-family:georgia;">I've done more than 300 Zerona laser consultations and it's fascinating to see the variety of people who want to lose fat and weight. There is no demographic for this new "lite" therapy. It seems people of any age and lifestyle appreciate the non-surgical benefits of the Zerona laser.<br /><br /><br />Because of our location on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue we encounter fashionistas, international tourists, the “bridge and tunnel” crowd, the ladies who lunch, Chelsea men and Tribecca moms, among others. We’ve treated a 14-year old boy who wanted to feel confident in gym class and a woman in her 70s.<br /><br /><br />Wanting to improve one’s appearance is a universal desire. In other words, patients want to fit in their skinny jeans, or whatever article of coveted clothing fills the maybe-some-day-I’ll-fit-in-to-it-again spot in the back of the closet.<br /><br /><br />Others hope for a better sex life or they want to please their mate. On rare occasions a patient will have in mind revenge against a former lover, as in "Look what you're missing!"<br /><br />Liking your body has a close relationship with self-esteem and liking a slender body may have served an evolutionary purpose. Cosmetic reasons to lose fat and weight are often more prevalent, but a flat belly may provide survival advantages. Studies show that even a moderate amount of body fat can jeopardize longevity.<br /><br /><br />In fact, many serious and fatal diseases show a positive correlation with excess fat. For example, abdominal fat increases the risk of insulin resistance and Type II diabetes, which is at epidemic levels. Stomach fat also increases the risk of heart disease and some cancers.<br /><br /><br />Although everyone has a unique reason for wanting the Zerona treatment, the end result—a flatter stomach and shapely hips and thighs—can provide substantial health benefits. Oh yeah, and you get to dust off those skinny jeans too. </span>Dr. Ungarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366509037642023101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625887996073519415.post-41343747058792184842010-11-01T12:40:00.003-04:002010-11-01T16:58:08.496-04:00What You Need To Know About Your Thyroid MedicationMany frustrated patients with hypothyroidism ask me if they can stop taking their thyroid medication, a.k.a. thyroid hormone, or if they can change their medication form. This is something to discuss with the prescribing doctor but I can offer some general information about the medication.<br /><br />There are four types, or categories, of thyroid meds a doctor may prescribe. How you react to a given medication can offer insight into the nature of your hypothyroidism and how to maximize treatment efficacy.<br /><br />The categories include:<br /><br />Synthetic T4 (Synthroid, Levothyroid, Levoxyl, Unithroid, Levothyroxin, L-Thyroxine): If a synthetic T4 works and you're doing great, you probably are one of the minority (10 percent) of hypothyroid sufferers who does not have Hashimoto's Thyroid. If the effect is less than desirable it suggests there is more to your problem than mere thyroid hormone deficiency.<br /><br />Synthetic T3 (Cytomel): If Cytomel works best, this suggests that there is a dysfunction in how your body converts T4 to T3. T4 needs to be converted into T3 to be metabolically active. Cytomel bypasses the step. If, however, Cytomel makes you feel worse, it may mean that an excess of T3 has caused certain cells to develop a resistance to it.<br /><br />Synthetic T3 & T4 (Thyrolar, Liotrix)<br /><br />Bioidentical T3 & T4 (Armour, Westhroid, Nature-Throid, Dessicated Thyroid): If a bioidentical thyroid hormone combo causes your condition to worsen, it may be because you have Hashimoto's—the bioidentical hormones can provoke an autoimmune attack.<br /><br />Even across a category your results may differ because brands made by different manufacturers use different drug colorings, binders and fillers. Your body may tolerate some better than others.<br /><br />In general, you can be best served by working with a doctor who takes a flexible approach to find the thyroid medication that fits your individual needs. Remember, however, in up to 90 percent of hypothyroid cases there are often many other factors influencing hypothyroidism. Thyroid hormone alone is most likely not going to tackle all the symptoms.<br /><br /><style>@font-face { font-family: "Arial"; }@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style>Dr. Ungarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366509037642023101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625887996073519415.post-49025569577427763002010-10-26T13:03:00.003-04:002010-10-26T13:32:31.006-04:00Functional Medicine Is Individualized MedicineWhen I first consult with a patient who has a chronic illness like hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy or fibromyalgia, I communicate the differences in disease classification between allopathic (traditional) and functional medicine.<br /><br />Allopathic physicians use set criteria to diagnose their patients. Patients are treated using roughly the same approach that, for the most part, involves pharmacological intervention. This model is sometimes critiqued as “one size fits all”.<br /><br />In contrast, functional medicine practitioners evaluate and treat each patient individually. Even if two people have the same diagnosis, differences between patients are appreciated. In many ways the doctor practicing functional medicine has the more difficult task—to treat the individual, not the condition.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Unfurling The Web Of Disease</span><br /><br />In treating patients at the individual level, functional medicine docs take a holistic approach. They evaluate a complex web of chemical interactions in the body in determining a diagnosis and the best course of treatment.<br /><br />Take, for example, a diagnosis of Hashimoto's disease.<br /><br />Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid. Allopaths typically prescribe thyroid hormone—in reality, Hashimoto's is not primarily a thyroid problem. Because the immune, endocrine (aka hormone-producing), nervous, circulatory and digestive systems are all part of an interactive web, abnormalities in any one system can affect another.<br /><br />A patient with Hashimoto’s may be suffering from multiple conditions that are exacerbating symptoms. For example, the patient may also have insulin resistance. Through an understanding of the interactions between bodily systems, a functional medicine practitioner can recognize that excess insulin causes abnormal levels of the hormone cortisol. Excess cortisol can in turn interfere with thyroid metabolism in several ways. It can also reinforce insulin resistance, which can create a positive feedback loop that worsens the initial condition.<br /><br />With the roots of Hashimoto’s exposed, a functional medicine doc will then look into the source of insulin resistance. The differential diagnosis for insulin resistance includes poor diet, hypothyroidism, food sensitivities, gastrointestinal problems and autoimmune disease. Each of these conditions has multiple components and a functional medicine doctor tackles them one by one. As metabolic dysfunctions are revealed, the doctor can see a pattern particular in the Hashimoto's patient.<br /><br />This in-depth analysis allows for a tailored treatment regimen—a far cry from a one-size-fits-all label.<br /><br />Patients who are aware of the fundamental difference between allopathic and functional medicine therapeutic paradigms will understand that motivation to cooperate in functional medicine treatment programs can lead to real improvements.Dr. Ungarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366509037642023101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625887996073519415.post-84612616146115003992010-10-19T12:08:00.003-04:002010-12-17T12:21:23.874-05:00Cleansing with ClearVite<div>For many of our patients with chronic conditions, cleanses are a way to give the body a “tune-up”.</div><div>At Better Body Solutions we usually recommend a 3-week cleanse for patients with chronic conditions ( e.g. thyroid, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia) or weight-loss issues. During the cleanse we use <a href="http://www.clearvite.info/index.htm">ClearVite</a>, a multi-nutrient supplement made by Apex Energetics that is designed to “clean” the intestines and liver, which is the main site of detoxification in the body. This particular detox program is less restrictive than some and includes vegetables, fruits and fish. We use the supplement 1 to 3 times per day and we modify the diet to remove unhealthy foods.</div><div>Cleanses, such as ClearVite, can provide some health benefits by giving the body a break from hi-fat and unhealthy diets. For example, by avoiding certain foods that may irritate the gastrointestinal tract, an individual may experience relief from inflammatory conditions, such as ulcerative colitis.</div><div>In particular, cleanses may be able to help with the diagnosis of food allergies and sensitivities. At the end of the ClearVite program we add restricted foods back one at a time to determine if the body can tolerate them. In this way the ClearVite cleanse is an elimination challenge. It's usually pretty obvious when someone adds a "bad" food back into their diet because they get symptoms like constipation, diarrhea, headaches and rash.</div><div>It is possible that the drastic diet adjustment brought about by cleanses may result in health improvements such as weight loss, increased energy, improved digestion and elimination, and clearer skin. These benefits will only persist, however, if permanent adjustments to diet are made. Furthermore, a cleanse should never be done unless under the supervision of a medical professional.</div>Dr. Ungarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366509037642023101noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625887996073519415.post-83205732392972694732010-10-18T16:57:00.005-04:002010-10-18T17:11:03.368-04:00FDA Clears Zerona For Effectiveness & Safety<div>A recent article in the Wall Street Journal (<a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703466704575489680982668018.html?KEYWORDS=zerona">Freeze! Zap! Bye-Bye, Fat</a>) discusses how the Zerona laser has been cleared by the FDA. The Zerona has been found to be both safe and effective.</div><div><br /></div><div>I emailed author Melinda Beck the following:</div><div><br /></div><div>Dear Ms. Beck,</div><div>I enjoyed your recent Wall Street Journal article regarding the Zerona Laser. We have had the laser for over a 1.5 years and have treated a few hundred patients. I especially appreciate that you mentioned the biochemically active role of fat cells in the body:</div><div>"….fat cells are not just passive storage depots for surplus calories. They are busy chemical factories that send signals all over the body, helping to regulate growth, puberty, healing, disease-fighting, and aging. Among the 100 or more hormones that fat cells secrete are adiponectine, which helps manage metabolism, and leptin, which tells the brain to eat more or less (although the brain doesn't always listen)."</div><div>In my experience, patients generally misunderstand the effect of removing fat cells. As a result, I've consulted with a number of post-liposuction patients who complain that the fat has returned. This is why—as you mention in your article—it is also important for patients to follow-up any body contouring procedure with a healthy diet and exercise program.</div><div>Still, it’s not exclusively a matter of willpower. Quite a few people have metabolic problems that hinder them from losing weight regardless of how much they diet or exercise. These patients require more complex treatments including identifying where the metabolic block occurs, and correcting it so they can better break down and process fat.</div><div>Best Regards,</div><div>Dr. Nicholas Ungaro</div><div>Better Body Solutions</div><div>5th Avenue</div><div>New York, N.Y. 10017</div><div> <!--EndFragment--></div>Dr. Ungarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366509037642023101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625887996073519415.post-13075134467264247572010-09-10T10:36:00.003-04:002010-09-10T11:02:37.319-04:00The Zerona Laser Found To Decrease Appetite<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 10pt;">McKinney</span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 10pt;">, TX</span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 10pt;"> May 5, 2009</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 10pt;"> – Erchonia Medical, the global leader in low level laser healthcare applications, announces today that its newest laser for body sculpting, Zerona, has been clinically shown to reduce the levels of the hunger-hormone, leptin, and lipoprotein (LDL). A 22 participant pilot study revealed that Zerona not only reduced circumferential inches following a two week treatment phase, but also lowered all patients’ leptin levels and reduced low-density lipoprotein numbers in over 50% of the participants in just two weeks. </span></div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 10pt;">Although Zerona is already positioned ahead of its competitors in terms of its ability to non-invasively, safely and effectively reduce an average of 3.64 inches around the waist, hips and thighs, this new data could have beneficial results for many patients struggling with overeating. Suppressing the very hormones that may cause individuals to be overweight or obese can further aid Zerona patients with their weight-loss goals. </span></div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 10pt;">Erchonia President, Steve Shanks, comments, “For most devices, the patient comes in, receives the treatment and leaves; the reason why that person was overweight or obese to begin with is not addressed. By suppressing the hunger-hormone leptin, patients’ appetites can be lessened helping them modify their diets and establish portion control going forward.” </span></div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 10pt;">In addition to reducing inches, suppressing hunger and reducing LDL levels, Zerona is also unique because it does not destroy fat tissue, unlike the majority of other devices on the market. Zerona promote a biological cascade within the cell provoking the formation of tiny pore or opening within the protective barrier of the cell. Then, stored fatty material leaves the cell, causing it to collapse safely.<br /><br />Dr Ungaro comments: Actually, leptin is the "anti-hunger"hormone. When leptin levels are not too high or too low, leptin receptors in the brain turn down the signal to eat. When this happens you feel full and don't have the desire to consume more calories. The problem is that when your body contains too much fat your fat cells produce too much leptin. Unfortunately, the brain becomes resistant to excess leptin. When excess leptin fails to activate receptors in the brain, you fail to be sated by eating normal amounts of food. This is one way that excess fat causes increased hunger.<br /><br />The Zerona laser will help sate your hunger by reducing fat and by reducing excess leptin levels. In this way, you can lose fat and the desire to eat too many calories.<br /></span></div>Dr. Ungarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366509037642023101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625887996073519415.post-41241179385205582742010-08-16T14:57:00.003-04:002011-01-08T13:56:41.141-05:00Immune System Imbalances In Hashimoto's ThyroidHashimoto's Thyroid can be thought of as an immune system problem. Often Hashimoto’s—an autoimmune disease—is caused by an imbalance in two types of immune cells called helper T cells. Helper T cells are important for normal immune responses and they come in two forms: Th1 cells initiate immune responses to kill foreign pathogens like bacteria and viruses—they aim to keep us disease-free. Conversely, Th2 is not involved in the destruction of foreign invaders, but help to identify them.<br /><br />Normally, Th1 and Th2 cell levels are kept in an appropriate balance but in the case of Hashimoto’s Th1 is often dominant over Th2. This results in an overactive immune system that cannot distinguish harmful organisms from normal cells and tissues.<br /><br />Diagnosing Hashimoto’s<br />It is often the case in conventional medicine that blood testing of Th1 and Th2 is not performed. An imbalance between Th1 and Th2 is not considered as a factor in Hashimoto’s and therefore the underlying aspects of the etiology are ignored.<br /><br />Clinically, we can use a so-called Th1/Th2 challenge to determine ways to alleviate Hashimoto’s symptoms. This is accomplished by alternately supporting the Th1 and then the Th2 immune system with nutrition for a few days each. This way, we can establish foods and supplements that may be exacerbating or alleviating symptoms.<br /><br />Nutrition and Hashimoto’s<br />In the case of an imbalance between Th1 and Th2, the goal is to reduce your intake of substances that make that imbalance worse. For example, if you have Hashimoto’s and we determine that your Th1 levels are above normal then you may want to avoid nutrients that support Th1 function such as echinacea, astragalus, maitake, beta-glucan, glycyrrhiza and Melissa officinalis.<br /><br />You may want to ingest supplements that instead support Th2 function. These include caffeine, green tea, grape seed extract, resveratrol, white willow bark, Pycnogenol and lycopene. Before taking any supplements, always speak with a medical professional.Dr. Ungarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366509037642023101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625887996073519415.post-89194138324019590552010-08-16T14:28:00.003-04:002010-08-16T14:29:01.241-04:00How Do I Know If I Have Fibromyalgia?Scientists believe that fibromyalgia may begin in the brain. Repeated stress causes nerves to become hypersensitive leading to widespread pain. In general, fibromyalgia can make you feel like you have a bad case of the flu that just won’t go away. The four most common symptoms of the condition are:<br /><br />• Muscle pain. You feel sore and achy all over. The pain may migrate to other areas.<br />• Insomnia. You can’t fall asleep, and if you do, you wake up frequently.<br />• Fatigue. You are exhausted from feeling constant pain and not sleeping.<br />• Depression. You are sad and anxious and may have trouble performing daily activities.<br /><br />Other symptoms of fibromyalgia include heart palpitations, gastrointestinal problems such as acid reflux, bloating, decreased libido, increased perspiration, cold hands and feet, sensitivity to bright light and headaches. Some individuals experience something called ‘fibrofog’, a term used to described the mental haze that fibromyalgia can put you in. Fibrofog may make it difficult to learn and remember new information. <br /><br />Because fibromyalgia affects many systems in the body it can be hard to diagnose. In fact, there is no one test to diagnose fibromyalgia so other tests must be done in order to rule out other conditions. Fifteen to twenty percent of the patients I see aren’t sure if they have fibromyalgia, but in my experience, there is one symptom that every fibromyalgia patient suffers from: trouble sleeping. If you can sleep well, it’s not fibromyalgia in my opinion.Dr. Ungarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366509037642023101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625887996073519415.post-34121638264891765142010-08-03T16:52:00.003-04:002010-08-03T16:53:43.296-04:00Lose Fat Fast With These 3 Zerona SecretsShedding pounds is no easy task, but for some people the number on the scale seems frozen in place no matter how many trips to the gym, or calories counted. Even the most motivated individual can experience weight loss woes. If this sounds like you, consider this question: Did you eat breakfast this morning? If you’re shaking your head no, it’s time to re-think your eating habits.<br /><br />In modern society, culture, ethics, religion and sheer convenience are factors that influence dietary choices, but sometimes it helps to look at food for what it really is: something that sustains the body. You eat, and this causes all sorts of biological responses. For example, ingesting food decreases levels of cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that is associated with stress. In contrast, when you skip a meal cortisol increases, and that in turn raises blood sugar. If cortisol stays high the body begins to conserve fat—especially around the abdomen—that can persist despite exercise. <br /><br />For this reason, when it comes to developing eating habits that encourage weight loss, I teach my patients to think of eating in terms of maintaining blood sugar. So, how can you maintain your blood sugar from morning to night? It’s as easy as 1-2-3.<br /><br />Zerona Secret #1<br /><br />Eat breakfast within 30 minutes of waking up. Cortisol levels are highest in the morning and ingesting, say, an egg on a slice of wheat toast tells your body to ‘break’ its ‘fast’ and reduce cortisol. NEVER skip breakfast. Bypassing the first meal of the day keeps cortisol levels high, and sets you up for a late afternoon binge-fest, studies show. Not only will those cookies be irresistible, high cortisol levels will make it that much harder to lose the additional calories.<br /><br />Zerona Secret #2<br /><br />Eat every 2 to 3 hours. Even if it isn’t a designated “meal time”, snack on organic, raw nuts or seeds. Try a handful of almonds or walnuts, or you can even spread a nut butter on a vegetable. This keeps cortisol at normal levels, and prevents the symptoms of low blood sugar, such as irritability and craving for sweets, described in previous posts.<br /><br />Zerona Secret #3<br />Eat protein with every meal. If you’re sensitive to eggs and dairy, do as the Japanese do and eat fish instead. Or, opt for some chicken or turkey. If time is an issue in the morning, cook your protein of choice the night before so all you have to do is re-heat it in the morning.Dr. Ungarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366509037642023101noreply@blogger.com0