A recent study confirmed what functional medicine has long since known — the autoimmune paleo (AIP) diet is highly successful for managing chronic health disorders. The first-of-its-kind study showed the majority of participants quickly achieved and maintained remission of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis on the AIP diet. A number of participants were even able to discontinue drug therapies.
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Many people follow the AIP diet to manage not just Crohn’s but also chronic pain, Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, irritable bowel syndrome, skin rashes such as eczema or psoriasis, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, brain-based disorders, diabetes, autoimmune disease in general, and other chronic health problems.

People are surprised to find that not only do their symptoms fade but also they enjoy more energy, better sleep, weight loss, increased libido, less stress, and a general overall improvement of their well being.

A primary reason the diet is so effective is because it helps repair leaky gut, a condition in which the lining of the gut becomes inflamed and porous, allowing inflammatory compounds into the bloodstream. This creates inflammation throughout the body and brain and leads to a wide array of chronic gut, metabolic, and autoimmune disorders.

Anti-inflammatory is the key to the AIP dietAn anti-inflammatory diet focuses on whole foods and is free of inflammatory foods, additives, fillers, and artificial colors. It includes an accompanying protocol of appropriate sleep, physical activity, rest, and positive socialization and self-treatment. Certain nutritional compounds that gently cleanse and detoxify the body may boost the success of the diet.
AIP diet sites and articles abound, but here are basics:

• Eliminate all processed foods, fast foods, desserts, coffee drinks, sodas, etc. Your anti-inflammatory diet should consist of whole foods found in the produce and meat sections of the grocery store, with an emphasis on plenty of vegetables. Also eliminate processed vegetable oils and hydrogenated oils and stick with natural oils.
• Eliminate common inflammatory foods, the most common culprit being gluten. Many people’s symptoms resolve simply on a gluten-free diet. However, dairy, eggs, soy, nuts, grain, and nightshades are commonly immune reactive as well. Eliminate these foods for about six weeks to see whether you react upon reintroducing them one at a time.
• Eliminate sweets. On the anti-inflammatory diet you will avoid all sweeteners. This helps curb cravings, stabilize blood sugar, lower inflammation, and lose excess fat. Enjoy low-sugar fruits instead, such as berries.
• Eat lots of vegetables. Not only do plenty of veggies load you up with vital nutrients and fiber, new research shows they create a healthy gut microbiome – the bacteria in your gut that profoundly influence your immune and brain health. A diet based around veggies creates an abundant and diverse gut microbiome and thus better health.
• Get enough sleep and exercise. Sufficient sleep is a major inflammation-buster, as is regular physical activity. Overtraining, however, can cause inflammation so watch out for that.

Boost success with gut repair and detoxification. Adding in specific nutritional compounds can help repair a damaged gut, lower inflammation, support the liver, and detoxify the system. Ask my office for more information about a detoxification and gut-repair program using the AIP diet.

​A recent study found regular use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for acid reflux raises the risk of stomach cancer. PPI users (Prilosec, Prevacid) in the study had twice the risk for stomach cancer compared to those who used H2-receptor acid reducing drugs (Tagamet, Pepcid). 

About 20 percent of Americans suffer with acid reflux and heartburn. Most people attribute acid reflux to excess stomach acid. However, the problem is too littlestomach acid. How does low stomach acid cause acid reflux?

The stomach is highly acidic by design so that it can quickly break down foods and kill bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens. Good stomach acidity also helps absorb minerals and signal the rest of the digestive tract to release the right hormones, enzymes, and emulsifiers. Sufficient stomach acid is an important first step in ensuring overall digestion runs smoothly and that you are less susceptible to heartburn, indigestion, belching, gas, food allergies, bacterial infection, and abdominal pain.

What causes low stomach acid?
Common factors that cause low stomach acid include stress, bacterial infection, poor diet, and nutritional deficiencies. However, an H. pylori infection, which is linked to stomach ulcers, is the most common cause of low stomach acid. 

Other factors that play a role in low stomach acid include hypothyroidism, pernicious anemia, and deficiencies in zinc B12, magnesium, or chloride. People who have been vegetarians or vegans for a long time may be deficient in zinc and B12, which are abundant in meats. 

How low stomach acid causes acid reflux
In order for the small intestine to receive food from the stomach, the contents must be acidic enough to trigger that passage. When this fails to happen, the food shoots back up into the esophagus.

Although the food is not acidic enough for the small intestine, it is too acidic for esophageal tissue. This is what causes the burning of acid reflux, or heartburn.

Why antacids worsen acid reflux in the long run
Antacids or acid blockers bring temporary relief but can cause bigger problems in the long run. Without stomach acid to trigger the release of enzymes, digestive hormones, and emulsifiers, nutrient absorption suffers and the digestive tract is more prone to infection, inflammation, and damage.

How to improve low stomach acid
The first thing to do with low stomach acid is address the root cause. As we age, stomach acid naturally decreases. You can boost stomach acid by taking a supplement that contains betaine hydrochloric acid (HCl). However, if you have stomach ulcers or stomach autoimmunity (when the immune system attacks and destroys tissue), supplementing with HCl could make you worse. In these situations you need to address the existing condition first.

Ask my office how to correct low stomach acid, safely supplement with HCl, and improve overall gut health.  We successfully can remove PPI's without the unwanted withdrawal symptoms that often accompany the discontinuation of them.

 
 
 
 
 

As we age, we sink, we sag and we deflate.  This is due to progressive fat and bone loss, and gravity.  We are left with loss of volume, fallen cheeks, deep nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and heavy jowls.

Dermal fillers and fat transfer are the primary treatment for these complaints.

How are Fat Transfer and Dermal Fillers alike and how are they different?

First, is that fat comes directly from your body and is completely natural.  Dermal fillers although natural in nature must be stabilized so that your body does not rapidly absorb them.  Fat is a particularly good option for someone who might be highly sensitive or allergic in nature.

Fat transfer injections work very similarly to dermal fillers.  Both products will add volume to your temples, cheeks, jawline, and around your eyes, mouth and nose creating a natural more youthful appearance.

The difference between fat transfer and dermal fillers is basically the volume you get to work with.  Dermal fillers typically come in 1-1.5 ml syringes. Although there isn’t really a limitation on the amount one can do, it could become an issue of cost.  One typical fat transfer procedure produces 12-20 ml of fat. Fat transfer becomes a better investment. Not to mention it lasts longer!

Fat Transfer

What is it?
Autologous fat transfer is a simple in office procedure where your fat is used to replace volume elsewhere in your body.  Common areas include face, hands, scalp, penis and vulva.

Who is a good candidate?
Anyone with signs of wear and tear or loss of volume.  Fat transfers help to revoluminze areas such as temple, cheek, lips, deep lines and hollows.  

How is it done
Fat transfer involves taking the fat during a basic sterile procedure using a gentle liposuction to remove fat from your abdomen, thighs or back.  The fat is then decanted leaving only left the fat cells. The final process is then re-injecting it back into the wanted areas.

Ideally this all comes down to choosing what is an appropriate anti-aging treatment for you.  

What is the down time?
You can expect to be sore, swollen and bruised during the first week.  The harvest site is typically more sore than the injection site. Pain is actually rather minimal.  The bruising and swelling reduces usually in the second week and is typically completely gone by the end of the second week.

The harvest site is wrapped in an ace bandage or compression garment post procedure and this is usually worn for several days.  The bruising and soreness usually resolves during the second week.

Dermal Fillers
What is it?
The Dermal fillers that we use are primarily hyaluronic acid and they are used similar to fat to add volume.  Dermal fillers are used on the face and in the hands.

Who is a good candidate?
Anyone with signs of wear and tear or loss of volume.  Dermal fillers help to revoluminze areas such as temple, cheek, lips, deep lines and hollows.  

How is it done?
This is an easily done treatment that involves a topical numbing agent and then small injections into your areas of concern.

What is the down time?
Swelling and bruising are the typical side effects from dermal fillers.  While everyone is different the most common area for swelling is the lips, which can take anywhere from 1-5 days to resolve.  Most of the bruising is easily covered with make-up.

Find the Treatment that fits your needs
As you can see both fat transfer and dermal fillers are more alike than different. The most important feature is that fat transfer is an all natural completely you anti-aging treatment.  

The bottom line is how much product you most like need to satisfy your end results.  If only 1-3 syringes will be needed then dermal fillers may be just the right fit. If you have more volume loss or deep wrinkles or hollow then a fat transfer will serve you best.

It is best to schedule some time with Dr. Barr so that you can discuss what truly bothers you and what course of action you would like.  She can devise a plan that you can be happy with and that will fit your budget now and in the future.

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Studies published over the last 10-years have found PRP injection to be an effective treatment to stimulate new hair growth in both men and women. PRP, or Platelet Rich Plasma, is a treatment that uses growth factors derived and concentrated from the patient’s own blood in our lab. It is then injected into the patient’s scalp.
hair growth

PRP is rich in bioactive growth factors.PRP for hair growth occurs because PRP contains the growth factors found in whole blood, but now in a 4-10 times concentrated form.  These growth factors are bioactive proteins that regulate growth of various cell types.  Different growth factor families include EGF, FGF, TGF-beta, KGF, PDGF, and VEGF, which have all been shown to be crucial for the regulation of the hair growth cycle.
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What exactly do these growth factors do?









                                                                                         

Does PRP restore hair? Hair growth cycles through 3-stages: Anagen, the growth phase, is where nourishment of the hair follicle enables hair growth which is continues for 3-5 years.  Catagen, the transition phase, is where the hair detaches from the follicle and signals the end of the growth phase.  Telogen is when the detaches  and falls out. After telogen, the follicle is reactivated and new hair growth begins. 

PRP works to stimulate growth during the anagen phase.
Evidence from published studies show a definite beneficial role in hair regrowth.  Most tudies done to date conclude that PRP injections are effective for most forms of hair loss.  Patients have rated their outcome satisfaction at greater than 70%.  Realself.com surveys found a 92% patient approval rating.  Individual results of course will vary.
This affordable treatment effectively can halt or reverse the thinning hair follicles. Hair regrowth will be gradual as new hair grows only in the anagen phase of the hair 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 about one hour, but most of this time is for the preparing of your PRP.

Results will not be noticeable for four to six months of treatment. Treatments should be performed every 4-6 weeks for 4-6 months to match the natural hair growth cycle. Follow up treatments every 6-12 months will maintain hair growth and renewal.

Call our front desk for more information.  503-636-2734.
References

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Dermatol Surg. 2016 Apr;42(4):491-7. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000000665.
5. https://www.realself.com/prp-for-hair-loss