Is a leaky gut as bad as it sounds? Does stuff really leak out of your intestines? The truth is, contents of the small intestine do escape through the wall into the bloodstream. It also can be pretty bad by way of triggering many different inflammatory disorders and autoimmune disease, a disease in which the immune system attacks and destroys body tissue.

Leaky gut is associated with symptoms including:

• Skin problems (eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, acne, etc.)
• Chronic pain
• Autoimmune disease
• Puffiness, fatigue
• Brain fog
• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Poor memory
• Asthma
• Food allergies and sensitivities
• Seasonal allergies
• Fungal infections
• Migraines
• Arthritis
• PMS and other hormonal issues

Leaky gut, referred to as intestinal permeability in the research, means the lining of the small intestine has become inflamed, damaged, and overly porous. This allows undigested foods, bacteria, molds, and other pathogens to enter into the sterile environment of the bloodstream. The immune system attacks these compounds, triggering inflammation that, when constant, turns into chronic health disorders.

Leaky gut now on the research radar
Conventional medicine once believed leaky gut wasn’t a valid concept, but researchers now validate it as linked with many chronic disorders, including inflammatory bowel disorders, gluten sensitivity and celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, type 1 diabetes, depression, and more.

How to repair leaky gut
If you have a chronic health condition — even if it’s not digestive — addressing leaky gut is vital to improving your health. The bulk of this work is done through diet.

The most common cause of leaky gut is processed foods, excess sugars, lack of plant fibers, and foods that trigger an immune reaction (such as a gluten sensitivity). Excess alcohol, NSAID use, and antibiotics are other culptits.

A leaky gut diet, also known as an autoimmune diet, helps many people repair leaky gut. Stabilizing blood sugar is also key. If you have Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism you are not managing correctly, that will also cause leaky gut.

Also, if your liver is not detoxifying properly, this will contribute to problems with leaky gut. Nutrients that can help support liver detoxification include milk thistle, dandelion root, and schizandra.

In addition to diet,  many nutrients can help support gut healing. Some of these include probiotics, enzymes, l-glutamine, deglycyrrhizinated licorice root, collagen, hydrochloric acid, and anti-fungal herbs.

Nutrients to help stabilize blood sugar, manage stress, tame inflammation, and support a healthy balance of gut bacteria. All these factors help repair leaky gut.

If you have an autoimmune condition, managing leaky gut can be a lifelong process as autoimmune flares can inflame the gut.
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Ask me for advice about a leaky gut diet and protocol.

What exactly do these growth factors do?


It is hypothesized that the PRP has the ability to promote cell proliferation and that the growth factors  stimulates regeneration in the hair cell cycle.




​What is the treatment like?
Once you arrive at the clinic, your blood will be drawn for processing.  The doctor will anesthetize your scalp by injection.  Conscious sedation is offered if you prefer.  Once the PRP is processed it will be injected into your scalp with a small needle.  You should expect to be in the clinic for an hour, but most of this time is for the preparing of your PRP.
 
Does is Work?
 
Preliminary evidence shown in numerous studies suggest a beneficial role in hair regrowth.  Many of the studies done to date conclude that PRP injections appear to be effective.  Patients rate the outcome satisfaction greater than 70%.  Realself.com gives it a 92% review.  Individual results of course will vary.
 
This affordable treatment effectively can halt or reverse the thinning hair follicles.  It will not work on areas of long term hair loss.  Results will not be noticeable for four to six months of treatment.  Hair regrowth will be gradual as new hair grows only in the anagen phase of the hair cycle.
 
Treatments should be performed every 4-6 weeks to match the natural hair growth cycle for 4-6 months and then follow up treatments every 6-12 months.
 
Call our front desk for more information.  503-636-2734.
 
References
Khatu SS, More YE, Gokhale NR, Chavhan DC, Bendsure N. Platelet-Rich Plasma in Androgenic Alopecia: Myth or an Effective Tool. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. 2014;7(2):107-110. doi:10.4103/0974-2077.138352.
 
Gkini M-A, Kouskoukis A-E, Tripsianis G, Rigopoulos D, Kouskoukis K. Study of Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia Through an One-Year Period. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. 2014;7(4):213-219. doi:10.4103/0974-2077.150743.
 
Alves R, Grimalt R.  Randomized Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Half-Head Study to Assess the Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma on the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia.
Dermatol Surg. 2016 Apr;42(4):491-7. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000000665.
 
Shen H, Cheng H, Chen H, Zhang J   Identification of key genes induced by platelet-rich plasma in human dermal papilla cells using bioinformatics methods.  
Mol Med Rep. 2017 Jan;15(1):81-88. doi: 10.3892/mmr.2016.5988. Epub 2016 Dec 6. 
 

https://www.realself.com/prp-for-hair-loss

Millions of people drink diet soda in the belief they’re preventing weight gain, and the soda industry invests millions of dollars to perpetuate this belief. Research, however, paints a different picture — diet sodas are dangerous and can make you fat.

Artificial, low-calorie sweeteners used in diet sodas confuse the body and derange its ability to metabolize sugar and carbohydrates. This “confusion” increases hunger and sugar cravings. 

Also, artificial sweeteners create imbalances in gut bacteria, boosting the  bacteria that turn calories into body fat, which can lead to obesity, diabetes, and inflammation.

Diet sodas bring bigger risks than obesity
The health risks associated with diet soda are far more serious than weight gain.

The primary sweetener used in diet sodas, aspartame (which goes by the benign-sounding names Equal and NutraSweet), has been linked to numerous cardiovascular conditions, including stroke, heart failure, and heart attack.

In fact, a nine-year study of 60,000 women showed women who drank two or more cans of diet soda a day were 50 percent more likely to die of heart disease.

Moreover, aspartame overstimulates the brain chemical dopamine, which over time can result in depression, migraine headaches, and seizures.

The other FDA-approved artificial sweeteners — saccharin, neotame, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium — have also been linked to increased risk for heart disease and other health conditions.

Aspartame is a controversial topic. It has been linked to myriad health conditions, some as serious as brain tumors, birth defects, cancer, and memory loss, and is behind numerous complaints to the FDA. However, industry science holds fast to its safety.

Fruit juice is not a healthy substitute
Unfortunately, fruit juice is not a healthy substitute for soda. Fructose is every bit as fattening and inflammatory as sugar or chemical sweeteners. Excessive consumption of fruit juice also puts you at risk of heart disease and diabetes.

In contrast, eating whole fruit also has you consuming fiber, enzymes, minerals and other healthful compounds stripped away by juicing. Also, chewing tells your brain that you’ve eaten, which reduces your appetite.

If you are addicted to diet sodas (as many people are), you may have to wean yourself gradually. Begin by substituting sparkling water with lemon or lime juice, or even just plain water, for some of your sweet drinks. Often when you think you want something sweet, you’re really just thirsty, and plain filtered water will do you fine.

With patience, you can develop an automatic preference for whole, healthy, unsweetened foods and drinks, largely because they make you feel better. After a while, the foods you crave most can actually be those that are best for your body.

Ask my office about transitioning to a whole foods diet so you can feel and function your best.  I can work with you to break your bad habits and get you on the road to better health.  503-636-2734.  I look forward to working with you on your journey!
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