Transcript:

Hi, everybody. I’m Brianna, and I work here with Dr. Marcantel as her receptionist. I’m just talking about the journey I’ve had with Dr. Marcantel for my medical issues.

When I first came here I was eighteen years old and I had a whole bunch of symptoms that I didn’t even know were medical issues. I was very forgetful, all the time forgetting what I was saying in the middle of a sentence. I had really unpredictable menstrual cycles and really bad cramping. I would get sick all the time with colds. I had really freezing hands and feet all the time.

I started working with Dr. Marcantel and one day I was just talking to her about how I was feeling and she suggested that I get my blood tested and also suggested doing a hormone test because she suspected that there were some issues going on there. So I did that–I got my blood tested and a salivary hormone test and she found out that I have a thyroid imbalance and also a hormone imbalance.

She put me on natural thyroid medication and bioidentical hormones which I’m currently on today and ever since I’ve been on those everything, I would say all the symptoms have decreased by 90% and it’s so much better. I have much more energy–even like today, I’m a little bit sleepy, but I have much more energy. Heart palpitations–don’t have those any more. My hands and feet aren’t very cold–just a tiny bit. I’m also sleeping better. That’s another symptom I forgot to mention; I thought that was just my “teenage ways,” but that’s better. Cramping’s not really a problem any more. I’ve got regular menstrual cycles, so that’s really good. The sugar cravings are still there, but not as strong as they were.

My memory is much, much better. Also I don’t ache any more. I have some neck problems, but I used to ache in my wrists. I thought it was because I played violin, but I don’t think that’s what it was. Also, my emotions–I think that’s the number one thing that’s improved with me that I can tell. My family can tell, and people who don’t even know me can tell that I’m more upbeat and just…not crazy!

When people say, “Oh, Brianna, I feel like my old self again,” and “I feel so great,” I think, “Oh, that’s great!” I can share in these stories with them, but I can’t share that same line of, “I feel like my old self again” because I’ve never felt like this–ever. I feel so great. Even my parents notice a huge difference in me. It’s great–it’s awesome, and I just can’t be any more thankful.

Can you relate to Brianna’s story? For more details on her symptoms and treatment, read her complete testimonial here.

The “river of health” analogy can help us understand why our bodies lose resistance to some health challenges and how we can improve our overall health. Dr. Tina Marcantel is a naturopathic doctor in Gilbert, Arizona, who also serves the East Valley cities of Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, Apache Junction, and Queen Creek, and the greater Phoenix area.

Imagine a river.

Start at the headwaters: a clean, clear,

fast-moving mountain stream.

The banks are verdant and lush

and sparkling sunlight diamonds shimmer

on the surface as  dark flashes reveal trout

in the deeper and quieter pools.

On a hot day the waters invite you

to plunge into the icy freshness

and scoop up handfuls of water

to quench your thirst.

As you travel downstream,

the river begins to widen

and the volume of water increases

as tributaries add to the flow.

The farther you move  down river,

the more signs of “civilization” appear

as the clear, fresh waters

begin to get murkier.

Industrial waste and agricultural runoff

and trash cast off from careless passers-by

are becoming evident.

When we finally reach

a spot in the river

after passing through several cities,

we can barely recognize

our clear mountain stream.

The banks are littered

with broken bottles and dead fish,

the dark, oily waters look ominous,

and we can only smile grimly

at the superfluous sign that reads,

“No Swimming By Order

of the Health Department.”

Now think of this place as your “River of Health.”

Most of us are fortunate to be born with fairly healthy bodies.  We enjoy our youth in the cool waters of the mountain stream, rarely even considering what a precious gift good health is.

As life goes on it’s easy to go with the flow as we are often unconsciously pulled downstream. We may be unaware of some pollutants that enter our health stream, like the environmental toxins in the air we breathe, the cleaning products we use, or the additives and preservatives in the food we eat daily. Lifestyle choices we make also have a huge impact, such as smoking, alcohol abuse, lack of exercise, and most common of all, poor dietary choices.

Add to these the routine use of prescription drugs, stress of work, family problems, and the busy-ness of life, and you may well realize that you are bobbing around in the oily waters of the “No Swimming” zone.

So how do you get back to the headwaters of health? That’s what naturopathic care is all about. The goal of healthcare must go beyond simply treating the symptoms of whatever current health challenge you are facing and help you progress toward a vibrant, health-oriented lifestyle. How that is done is based on some simple, often overlooked principles. Read part 2 to find out what those principles are.

1      2

by Dr. Tina Marcantel

There are many great reasons for following a regular exercise regimen. Dr. Tina Marcantel is a naturopathic doctor in Gilbert, Arizona, who also serves the East Valley cities of Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, Mesa, Apache Junction, and Queen Creek.

Join Dr. Marcantel in beautiful Sedona, Arizona, for a virtual hike as she discusses the many benefits of a regular exercise program!

We all know that exercise is good for us. It can help us lose weight and strengthen our cardiovascular systems. But those are just two of the many good reasons we should all follow a regular exercise regimen. Consider these other great benefits of staying physically active:

*Exercise combined with a proper diet is a great natural treatment for type 2 diabetes. When we work out our cells become less insulin resistant, meaning that they can absorb more easily the glucose they need.

*Exercise also can help prevent premature bone loss. Weight-bearing exercises like walking stimulate osteoblastic activity, resulting in increased bone density.

*Need even more reasons to stay fit by staying active? Studies have shown that a moderate exercise program will help you fall asleep faster and sleep longer. It also releases endorphins and serotonin, two brain chemicals that positively affect your moods.

*Aerobic exercise combined with strength building is an important way to stimulate the release of fat from fat cells. Regular exercise can also boost the metabolism by up to 8%, which means that less fat is stored in the first place.

*In another study, women who exercise reported 39 percent fewer fat cravings and 22 percent fewer sugar cravings. So not only are you burning calories, your body actually learns to lose the desire for some of the foods you should limit!

*Another benefit specifically for women is that studies have found that women that exercise three or more hours a week reduced their risk of breast cancer by over 30 percent. For more information on this topic, see Dr. Marcantel’s article, “Breast Health and Exercise.”

by Dr. Tina Marcantel

Natural skin care is an important part of a regular health regimen. Dr. Tina Marcantel is a naturopathic doctor practicing in Gilbert, Arizona. Other East Valley cities she serves are Mesa, Chandler, Tempe, Scottsdale, Queen Creek, Apache Junction, and the greater Phoenix area.

It’s a fact of life that as we grow older our bodies require more maintenance work. Obviously, the most visible sign of aging is the condition of our skin, which is one reason so many people are concerned with proper skin care. The bad news is that most of the “miracle” skin care products that sound “too good to be true” are exactly that. The good news is that there are positive steps we can take to naturally protect and repair our skin to keep it healthy and vibrant. Here are TEN tips for naturally healthier skin:

1. Foods containing omega fatty acids such as cold-water fish (salmon), flaxseed oil, walnuts, and borage oil will provide the cells with a healthy membrane. This results in healthy skin. I recommend to patients a fish oil soft gel pill 3X per day, which I know will provide ample omega-3 fats.

2. Eat healthy. Foods containing B-complex vitamins such as fish, meat, eggs, and grain cereal products help create healthy skin. Sweet potatoes and carrots contain beta-carotene, which is responsible for growth and repair of body tissues. Citrus fruit and vegetables containing vitamin C, which is an antioxidant and provides collagen for the skin.

3. Treat yourself to a foot soak with 1 part vinegar to 1 part water for 15-20 minutes, then rinse. This has proven very effective for very dry skin. It also prevents fungal growth under the toenails. I particularly recommend this for diabetic patients who are prone to yeast infections of the feet.

4. To slow down the progression of wrinkles, sunscreen should be applied to the skin before going out and again reapplied every two hours while in the sun. A good sunscreen should contain active ingredients of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Avoid the sun during the middle of the day, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the atmosphere absorbs less of the harmful UV rays of sunlight than earlier or later in the day. (And no, there is no such thing as “safe tanning”!)

5. Follow each bath with a moisturizer. Moisturizers applied after the bath help keep water in the skin and therefore prevent drying. It’s much more effective to apply a moisturizer to damp skin immediately after bathing than to put it on dry skin. I suggest Amylactin Lotion which was recommended to me by a podiatrist. It was previously prescribed but is now sold over-the-counter.

6. Use “superfatted” soaps like Dove or Neutrogena that have extra amounts of fatty substances such as lanolin, coconut oil, cold cream, or cocoa butter. The “superfatted” soaps cause less irritation to the skin.

7. Exercise regularly. Studies have shown that athletes have skin that is denser, thicker, stronger, and more elastic than that of non-exercisers. So, besides keeping your weight down and your heart healthy, you’re also helping with skin care when you take that brisk morning walk!

8. Use a humidifier. If the air in your house is moist, so will your skin be moist. That may prevent smaller wrinkles that sometime come with dry skin.

9. Wash less and rinse well. A soapy film left on the skin will exacerbate drying. Over washing can lead to dryness, which can lead to wrinkling.

10. Take an oatmeal bath to soothe irritated skin or skin rash. Oatmeal has been used for thousands of years for skin soothing effects. Pour 2 cups of fine powdered oatmeal like Aveeno into a tub of lukewarm water. Family doctors from years past prescribed this to soothe the skin irritation of chicken pox for children.

The old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” certainly holds true for skin care. By getting into the habit of providing the nutrition
and care your skin needs on a regular basis, you may avoid a future search for an expensive (and usually ineffective) miracle cure later. Here’s to a naturally healthier you!

]]> http://www.drmarcantel.com/skin-care-10-tips-for-naturally-healthy-skin/feed/ 0 http://www.drmarcantel.com/enzymes-for-life/ http://www.drmarcantel.com/enzymes-for-life/#comments Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:45:08 +0000 Dr. Marcantel http://74.220.207.136/~drmarcan/?p=764 by Dr. Tina Marcantel

Systemic enzymes can be a good natural alternative to some pharmaceutical drugs for controlling chronic pain, promoting healing, and boosting the immune system.  Dr. Tina Marcantel is a naturopathic doctor practicing in Gilbert, Arizona. Other East Valley cities she serves are Mesa, Chandler, Tempe, Scottsdale, Queen Creek, Apache Junction, and the greater Phoenix area.

papain enzyme

An enzyme is a biocatalyst that either begins a reaction or causes a reaction to speed up. They cause the chemical reactions for many of our body functions. As we all know, our bodies change as we grow older, and one of those changes is decreased enzyme production. Therefore, we need to supplement these vital proteins as we grow older.

When referring to enzymatic supplements, it’s important to distinguish between those used as digestive and systemic aids.

Digestive enzymes are taken orally with food in order to help break down food for improved digestion.

Systemic enzymes are taken orally in between meals. It is important not to take them with food so that they can be absorbed in substantial quantities into the blood. These can be helpful in a number of ways:

*They help to rid the body of toxins by assisting the liver in detoxification reactions. The detoxification reactions in the liver are a beneficial cleansing for the entire body.

*They help your body reduce inflammation, thus decreasing swelling and pain. Inflammation is the cause of pain in arthritis, fibromyalgia, sports injuries like muscle sprains, sciatica, and chronic back pain. Systemic enzymes are a healthy alternative to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and aspirin.

For more information on pain management, including clinical trial reports anda case study, read Dr. Marcantel’s article “Systemic Enzyme Therapy for Pain.”

*They help fight viruses by eating away at the virus’s protein shell. I have seen it work well for the common cold and sinusitis caused by viruses. This is a much healthier alternative to antibiotics if the health problem is caused by a virus.

*They help maintain a normal blood flow by helping to prevent blood clots and platelet aggregations within blood vessels.

*They speed healing and increase our body’s defense mechanisms by modulating our immune system. Enzymes increase binding to cytokines and have a very powerful influence on immune cells.

There have been many clinical research studies done that show the effectiveness of systemic enzymes in these areas. In my practice I have seen good results with
their use in helping to control chronic pain and as a treatment for rhinitis and sinusitis.

An important thing to note is that professional protocol systemic enzymes are only available through health care professionals. As always, before beginning the use of these supplements you should be evaluated as a candidate for this treatment and it is extremely important to be aware of any potential interactions among the various medications being taken. Always keep the your primary care physician apprised of all the supplements being introduced into your treatment program.

See “pain management through enzyme therapy and acupuncture”

Hormones in our bodies are made in different quantities during the various phases of our lives. As we age it is common for the levels of some of these hormones to become deficient. As a woman enters perimenopause and then menopause (which may occur naturally or as the result of a hysterectomy), certain hormones–particularly estrogen–are produced in lower levels by the body. This lack of hormones can result in troubling symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, low libido, vaginal dryness, sleep difficulties, irritability, and unexplained weight gain.

Problems with conventional HRT

For many years the accepted medical treatment for menopausal symptoms was hormone replacement therapy (HRT). In traditional HRT, synthetic estrogen is prescribed to try to alleviate symptoms. HRT was widely prescribed until a few years ago, but in 2002, findings from a large study called the Women’s Health Initiative raised concerns about its safety and side effects. Researchers found increased risks for serious health problems. Women who were taking estrogen alone had an increased risk for stroke and blood clots, while women who had taken a combination of estrogen and progestin for several years were at greater risk for such things as heart disease, breast cancer, stroke, and blood clots.

Why “bioidentical” hormones?

In seeking a safer alternative to synthetic hormone replacement therapy,an increasing number of women and their doctors are turning to bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). Bioidentical hormones are made from soy and yam extracts that are changed in a lab to have the same molecular structure as the hormones your body produces. Because they are more natural our bodies can metabolize them as they were designed to do, minimizing side effects. (For more on this subject, read my article “Oprah Talks About Bioidentical Hormones.”)

A treatment plan specifically designed for YOU

There are specific symptoms that hormone deficiency and hormone excessexhibit. Together we’ll sort through these symptoms to help you get the best individualized treatment available for you. A good starting point for assessing hormonal status is to measure estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and cortisol levels. This testing can be done using either saliva or blood samples; I prefer to use the saliva test.

It’s important to note that there are several natural approaches that can be taken to alleviate symptoms of menopause, including changes in diet, stress reduction, and exercise routines. After doing a comprehensive assessment, I’ll work with you to determine if bioidentical hormones are also appropriate for your situation. If it is, I will prescribe the necessary dosages of bioidentical hormones to begin your treatment program. I’ll then closely monitor your progress, working with you to optimize your response to the therapy and minimize any potential side effects of the treatment.

by Dr. Tina Marcantel

The use of systemic enzyme therapy can be a good natural alternative to some pharmaceutical drugs for controlling pain, promoting healing, and boosting the immune system. Dr. Tina Marcantel is a naturopathic doctor in Mesa, Arizona, who also serves the East Valley cities of Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Apache Junction, and Queen Creek.

ENZYME THERAPY CASE STUDY:

Treatment for pain and inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis using systemic enzyme therapy.

Mary is a thirty-four year old woman. Her chief complaint was warmth, redness, and swelling of the joints of the hands, finger joints, and feet for the past six months. Four months before seeing me, she had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis by a rheumatologist. She had been taking NSAIDs such as aspirin and ibuprofen approximately five months. She was taking two aspirin tablets (325 mg per tab) four times per day, but was recently advised to increase the dosage for sufficient pain relief. She was also told by her doctor that she would be placed on stronger drugs for pain in the future. Mary was looking for an alternative therapy for pain relief and inflammation.

papain enzyme

I started Mary on systemic proteolytic enzymes administered orally 2 caps 3 times per day, 1-2 hours away from meals. I had her stay on this dose for approximately three weeks then reduced the enzymes to 1 cap 2-3 times per day for a maintenance dose to control pain and inflammation. (Tip: Patients sometimes have trouble remembering to take the doses an hour after and an hour before eating. To increase compliancy I always tell them to take a dose first thing when they wake up and just before they go to bed—then they only have to actually “plan” one more dose during the day.)

In conjunction with enzyme therapy I gave Mary ten weeks of acupuncture for pain control (one treatment per week). We also did a food sensitivity panel and eliminated those foods that may have contributed to the inflammation.

Results:

After ten weeks of treatments Mary reported that she no longer used aspirin or ibuprofen regularly as before. She only needed NSAIDs approximately two doses per week compared to four doses per day. Pain and swelling of the joints had decreased by 70%.

I did not see Mary in my office until six months later. She had been on the maintenance dosage of systemic enzymes, taking 1 cap 2 times/day since I last saw her. Her pain was slowly starting to increase. I told her to begin again using the enzymes 2 caps 3 times/day for 10 days, then once again to return to the maintenance dose. Four weeks after this visit I had a telephone conference with her and she reported improvement with a 70-80% decrease in pain and swelling.

Another reported benefit from the systemic enzymes for Mary was relief from chronic sinusitis from seasonal allergies. She was both surprised and relieved by this anti-inflammatory effect the enzymes had on her sinusitis.

Return from Enzyme Therapy Case Study to main article

Go to Dr. Marcantel’s Natural Pain Management Program

by Dr. Tina Marcantel

The use of systemic enzyme therapy can be a good natural alternative to some pharmaceutical drugs for controlling pain, promoting healing, and boosting the immune system. Dr. Tina Marcantel is a naturopathic doctor in Gilbert, Arizona, who also serves the East Valley cities of Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, Mesa, Apache Junction, and Queen Creek.

This article originally appeared in the July issue of Naturopathic Doctor News and Review.

Pain is one of the most common and challenging complaints doctors are called upon to treat. Most of our patients present with some type of chronic pain from long-term illnesses such as fibromyalgia, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or back injuries; many may also complain of acute pain from sports injuries or trauma from accidents. In my practice I have found that the use of systemic enzyme therapy can be a good natural alternative to some pharmaceutical drugs for controlling pain, promoting healing, and boosting the immune system.

When referring to enzymatic supplements, it’s important to distinguish between those used as digestive and systemic aids. Digestive enzymes are taken orally with food in order to help break down food for improved digestion. Systemic enzymes are taken orally in between meals. The timing of the medication is a crucial component of its success: the medication must be taken one hour or more before or after eating to obtain its full systemic effectiveness to reduce inflammation and pain. This way the enzymes can be absorbed in substantial quantities into the blood to promote the desired effects.

Research has shown that inflammation is usually a component of pain. By reducing inflammation in the affected area, pain is often alleviated in patients presenting with such complaints as arthritis, sciatica, and chronic back pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen used for this purpose are known to have ill effects on the liver, kidneys, stomach, and intestines, and the use of proteolytic enzymes offers a healthier alternative to these drugs.

In one double-blind clinical trial, 73 patients with painful gonarthritis received three weeks of systemic enzyme therapy with an oral enzyme preparation containing bromelain, trypsin, and rutin, or the NSAID diclofenac. The effects were measured using the Lequesne index measuring pain and function of the affected knee. The researchers found that “the Lequesne index improved continuously in both groups: from 13.56 at baseline to 3.10 after 3 weeks (end of therapy) to 2.05 at 7 weeks (follow-up) in the enzyme group, and from 14.04 to 3.50 to 2.24, respectively, in the diclofenac group. Statistical evaluation showed the treatment groups to be equivalent.” The conclusion of the study states that, “oral enzymes may be considered an effective and safe alternative to NSAIDs such as diclofenac in the treatment of painful gonarthritis.”*

The use of systemic enzyme therapy can break down proteins in the body that can cause scar tissue and inflammation, thus decreasing inflammation, swelling, and pain associated with sports injuries like muscle sprains. This treatment has also been found to be effective in speeding wound healing. A 2004 study tested the use of an oral nutritional supplement containing proteolytic enzymes to determine its effect on soft-tissue healing times. “Twenty-six normal, healthy volunteers…were subjected to a 3-mm forearm biopsy and randomly received a placebo or oral supplement (four capsules per day for 7 days). After a 2-week washout period, a second biopsy was performed to start phase II, with each subject receiving the respective placebo or supplement capsules.” Wound healing was analyzed through digital photographs and measurements. Of the 22 patients who completed the trial, “…17 subjects had improved wound healing and five subjects did not respond or responded only slightly to the supplement treatment.” The resulting 17% acceleration of wound-healing was statistically significant. The authors concluded that the supplement being studied, “modulates the wound-healing process and suggests that many patients with minor soft-tissue wounds may benefit from treatment.”**

Click on this link to read a case study by Dr. Marcantel concerning this therapy.

Some proteolytic enzymes aid the body’s defense mechanisms by modulating the immune system because they exhibit an increased binding of several very important cytokines (hormone-like molecules that have a powerful influence on immune cells).

Another benefit of systemic enzyme therapy is that it can help maintain blood circulation throughout the body by breaking down blood clots and platelet aggregations within blood vessels.

Two important ingredients that may be included in systemic enzyme therapy blends are bromelain and papain. Bromelain is a protease derived from the pineapple plant and its actions help to prevent swelling and edema, to promote smooth muscle relaxation, to inhibit platelet aggregation, and to enhance antibiotic absorption. Papain, derived from the Carica papaya, is effective for the reduction of edema and inflammation and cytotoxin binding. It is also noted for the acceleration of wound healing.

As with any type of medication or supplement, systemic enzyme therapy should be monitored by a physician and assessed regularly for changes in appropriate dosages. The physician and patient should also be aware of any potential interactions among various medications being taken, particularly any type of drugs or botanicals that have anti-coagulant effects (see sidebar). It is also very important to get a thorough history before prescribing enzymes. In my clinical experience I have found that patients with gastrointestinal inflammation or ulcers may experience an adverse reaction to the treatment.

References:

*Klein, G. and Kullich, W. “Short-Term Treatment of Painful Osteoarthritis of the Knee with Oral Enzymes: A Randomized, Double-Blind Study versus Diclofenac.” Original research article. Clinical Drug Investigation. 19(1): 15-23, January 2000.

**Brown, S. A., PhD., etal “Oral Nutritional Supplementation Accelerates Skin Wound Healing: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Arm, Crossover Study.” Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. 114(1): 237-244, July 2004.

by Dr. Tina Marcantel

Pain management through a combination of systemic enzyme therapy and acupuncture can be an effective natural treatment method for both chronic and acute pain. Dr. Tina Marcantel is a naturopathic physician practicing in Gilbert, Arizona, and serving Mesa, Chandler, Tempe, and the greater Phoenix area.

The American Pain Foundation (APF) has called pain a national healthcare crisis. More than 50 million Americans are suffering from chronic pain and another 25 million are dealing with acute pain.

Chronic pain can include back pain, arthritis, muscle strain, carpel tunnel syndrome, and pain from chronic illnesses such as fibromyalgia, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, multiple sclerosis, and lupus.

Acute pain can be caused by injury from sports (such as sprained ankles) or trauma from accidents.

More and more research has shown that inflammation is usually a component of pain. The signs of inflammation are swelling, pain, warmth, and redness in the affected area. (On a related note, many of my diabetic patients come to me with diagnoses of bursitis, plantar fasciitis, and arthritis. High blood sugars can add to the inflammatory process, producing pain.)

I have experienced an increased success rate in pain management (both chronic and acute) by using a combination of acupuncture and systemic proteolytic enzyme therapy.

In Chinese medicine, pain is considered to be caused by blocked energy channels. When channels are blocked, the energy cannot flow and pain is the result. Acupuncture stimulates the natural flow of energy by unblocking these channels to decrease pain and restore balance in the body.

 

The use of systemic enzyme therapy with both acute and chronic pain has also proved to be successful in my practice. The use of specific enzymes can break down proteins in the body that can cause scar tissue and inflammation. These enzymes are made of a combination of plant-derived proteolytic enzymes that are effective in reducing swelling and inflammation, thus reducing pain.

Pain management through systemic enzyme therapy is a healthier alternative to drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen and prescribed medications. Because enzymes are natural substances that are used to promote chemical reactions in the body, the body processes them naturally. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen are known to have ill effects on the liver, kidneys, stomach, and intestines.

A crucial component to the effectiveness of enzyme therapy is the timing of the medication. Because the desired effect of the enzyme is systemic and not digestive, the enzyme must not be taken with food. The medication must be taken one hour before or after eating to obtain its full systemic effectiveness to reduce inflammation and pain.

A note of caution: blood thinners such as coumadin are contraindicated with the use of systemic enzyme therapy. That is why it is always important to keep your health care providers informed of all medications and dietary supplements you are taking. (See my article on “Herbal Remedies: What Every Consumer Should Know.”)

Systemic enzyme therapy can be obtained only from a licensed medical practitioner and the patient should be monitored and assessed regularly for changes in appropriate dosage.

by Dr. Tina Marcantel

Breast health in women can be promoted through regular exercise. Dr. Tina Marcantel is a naturopathic doctor in Gilbert, Arizona. She also serves the cities of Mesa, Chandler, Tempe, Scottsdale, Queen Creek, Apache Junction, and others in the East Valley and the greater Phoenix area.

Most women are very concerned about breast health, and particularly about avoiding breast cancer. It’s certainly an important issue to address because according to the Center for Disease Control, “Aside from non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. Breast cancer is the number one cause of cancer death in Hispanic women. It is the second most common cause of cancer death in white, black, Asian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native women.

In 2007 (the most recent year numbers are available at the time of this publication),

*202,964 women were diagnosed with breast cancer
*40,598 women died from breast cancer” (1)

The good news for women is that there are things they can do to promote breast health and reduce their chances of contracting this disease. We know that regular exercise is extremely important for many reasons concerning our overall health: weight loss, cardiovascular strengthening, balancing blood sugars, and much more, but did you know that exercise might also help you avoid breast cancer?

My clinical experience brings to me women who are experiencing signs and symptoms of estrogen dominance and there is evidence that this estrogen dominance may lead to breast cancer over a period of time. Dr. John Lee states in his book What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause:

“Since many women in their mid-thirties begin to have non-ovulating cycles, they are producing much less progesterone than expected, but still producing normal (or more) estrogen….They develop signs of estrogen dominance relative to progesterone deficiency resulting in fluid retention, weight gain (especially around the hips and torso), depression and decreased libido.” (2)   But this extra estrogen could have a more ominous effect.

Dr. Bob Arnot, in his excellent book The Breast Cancer Prevention Diet, cites many good studies that associate high estrogen levels with a high risk of breast cancer:

“Researchers at NYU measured estrogen levels in women long before they ever developed breast cancer. Years later the NYU health study found that those post-menopausal women who developed breast cancer had a markedly higher amount of estrogen measured in their blood than those who did not have cancer.”

Arnot also points out that exercise intercepts the estrogen pathway at several critical junctures. This results in a decrease in estrogen dominance. The more women exercised the less likely they were to get breast cancer. In America, a study at the University of Southern California of 1,000 women concluded that those who exercised 3.8 hours or more a week had less than half the breast cancer of those who remained inactive. (3)

Here’s what I recommend for my patients:

For young women—high intensity aerobic activity 4 or more hrs/week

For middle-aged women—moderate aerobic activity 4 hrs a week. Moderate intensity of exercise helps to stabilize insulin levels and lower body fat better than more intense exercise. Also, moderate intensity exercise may prevent adrenal fatigue in middle-aged women as compared to high intensity aerobic exercises.

Obviously, if you have had limited or no exercise recently you should start slowly and work up to the 4 hour/week mark. The important thing is consistency and persistence in following your exercise program. So what are you waiting for? Get moving and get (and stay) healthy!

1 Department of Health and Human Services Center for Disease Control http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/statistics/ accessed February 10, 2011.

2 Lee, John R., MD, and Hopkins, Virginia. What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause: The breakthrough book on natural progesterone. New York: Warner Books; 1996.

3 Arnot, Dr. Bob. The Breast Cancer Prevention Diet. Boston: Little, Brown and Company; 1998.

Join Dr. Marcantel in Sedona for some beautiful scenery as she shares many other health benefits of exercise!