MORE THAN SKIN DEEP

HEALING THE HEARTBREAK OF PSORIASIS

by Lorraine Maita, MD

triocean/Shutterstock.com P soriasis affects approximately 3 percent of the U.S. population. According to Dr. Mark Hyman, founder of the Institute of Functional Medicine, the condition involves terrible suffering from scaly, itchy, inflamed and peeling skin; aching joints; burning genitals; broken nails; and the resulting depression that inevitably comes from such conditions—all of which explains why it is often referred to as “the heartbreak of psoriasis.”

The Cleveland Clinic describes psoriasis as an autoimmune condition of the skin. The immune system of people with psoriasis overreacts, causing inflammation and an overly rapid growth of new skin cells, which in turn causes a buildup on the surface that creates the appearance of scaling, but the effects are much more significant than cosmetic.

Psoriasis is associated with psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, autoimmune thyroiditis, lymphoma and cardiovascular disease. The National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) describes a link between psoriasis and cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome known as the “march of psoriasis”. Widespread inflammation may cause insulin resistance that triggers cells lining the blood vessels to malfunction, potentially leading to atherosclerosis and heart attack or stroke. The ailment also increases the risk of diabetes, obesity and high cholesterol.

Traditionally, psoriasis is treated with steroids and immunosuppressive drugs that can be harsh on the body and quite expensive while failing to address its root cause. Alternatively, the functional medicine approach is to treat the disease’s underlying causes: inflammation and triggers.

“I have psoriasis,” says Dr. Brad Shook, a chiropractic physician and member of The Institute of Functional Medicine. “I worked hard, and I’ve had my psoriasis and my autoimmunity under control and in remission. Through functional medicine, we can identify these drivers and help you to unwind this process, heal your body and then through that process of healing, you learn what the triggers were.”

Psoriasis Triggers

Functional medicine practitioners use the acronym STAIN to categorize five triggers that activate inflammation and psoriasis: stress, trauma or toxins, antigens or adverse food reactions, inflammation or infections and nutrition. Removing these triggers allows for healing. Traditionally, psoriasis is treated with steroids and immunosuppressive drugs that can be harsh on the body and quite expensive while failing to address its root cause.

mended to maintain ideal weight, abstain from smoking and alcohol consumption, and avoid trauma. Detoxifying and removing heavy metals can decrease the inflammatory response, as well.

Antigens or Adverse Food Reactions

Stress

Psoriatic patients report worsening of symptoms with stress. Modulating the reaction to stress and adding relaxation techniques can calm the inflammatory response. Practicing relaxing activities such as deep belly breathing, yoga, tai chi, prayer, meditation, visualization, Heartmath, massage, acupuncture or biofeedback can relieve stress. Exercise can also release endorphins that reduce pain perception. Studies show that a Western diet rich in sugar and fat leads to an imbalance in gut bacteria known as dysbiosis. These harmful bacteria may contribute to psoriasis. Allergens or reactions to food can cause increased intestinal permeability, or leaky gut. The most common triggers tend to be wheat and dairy.

The Chopra Center recommends the 4 R Gut Healing program. Removing foods patients are sensitive to is key to calming down the immune system, as well as avoiding sugar, wheat, dairy and processed foods. To improve the gut, replace digestive enzymes, replenish healthy bacteria with a probiotic and repair the gut lining with butyrate or L glutamine.

Inflammation or Infections

Trauma or Toxins

The NPF states that physical trauma can induce the development of psoriatic plaques. Toxins such as smoking and alcohol have been shown to increase the risk and severity of the disease. Obesity may also play a role in worsening symptoms because toxins are stored in fat, which Feel YOUNGER and HAPPIER! emits inflammatory cytokines. It’s recomTo diminish inflammation, modify the diet to include more anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats found in fish, avocado, nuts, seeds and olives, and fewer inflammatory omega-6 fats found in wheat and dairy. Look for and eradicate hidden infections. Decrease inflammation with a high-quality fish oil, curcumin, probiotics and a whole foods diet free of food sensitivities.

Nutrition

Studies show that having adequate amounts of vitamins A and D, fish oil, probiotics and zinc are important for maintaining both a healthy gut and a healthy immune response. Supplementation can be helpful in maintaining appropriate levels of these vital nutrients. Some patients using topical vitamin D products found they had effects similar to topical corticosteroids. “When I started working at the Ultrawellness Center, I learned about how to address the root causes of a problem, not just the symptoms, and have found a new way of approaching psoriasis,” says Adonica Nichols, a psoriasis patient and a licensed practical nurse at the center, in Lenox, Massachusetts. “Living with psoriasis is still an everyday struggle for me, but I have implemented many of these changes in my diet and lifestyle over the past several months, and I am feeling better than I ever have.”

Psoriasis is a multifaceted, complex illness that may require a deeper look at the triggers. A functional medicine physician can offer a systematic approach to uncover and remove these triggers, helping patients heal from the heartbreak of psoriasis.

Board-certified in integrative, anti-aging and internal medicine, Lorraine Maita, MD is an award-winning functional medicine specialist and author in Short Hills, NJ. For more information, visit HowToLiveYounger.com.

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ACUPUNCTURE

Combined with Healthy Food Choices and Exercise Is an Exciting New Approach for WEIGHT LOSS

by Lorenzo Phan

Many Americans get frustrated with dieting because they are unable to keep the weight off. They lose some weight only to gain it right back. Several popular diets work temporarily but fail because it is too difficult to stay on them. As a result, these diets are not effective in achieving or maintaining an ideal weight in the long run.

The addition of acupuncture treatment to a sensible regimen of healthy eating and exercise is a breakthrough in weight management. It is gaining popularity in the United States because it enables an individual to lose weight gradually, keep it off, and feel healthy. It is important to find a licensed acupuncturist that also has a thorough knowledge of nutrition and specific exercises focused on burning abdominal fat, increasing metabolic rate, and enhancing energy level. This treatment combination will help individuals achieve their desired body weight in a healthy and natural way.

How does acupuncture help with weight loss? Acupuncture has a powerful effect to curb and control cravings. Many people have cravings for sweet, salty and fried foods. These foods are unhealthy to the body and could lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart attack and stroke. It is crucial to control these cravings because it not only helps with weight loss but will also prevent future disease.

Acupuncture also helps with stress and mood, which are known to be triggers of overeating behaviors. Other benefits of acupuncture therapy include a better digestive system, increased metabolism, a balanced central nervous system, a stronger immune system, and a deeper sense of relaxation and general well-being. These benefits are being validated through research conducted all over the world.

Individual nutrition counseling will focus on making healthier food choices. Foods with high water content are especially important because they have an impact on satiety. These foods have larger volume but relatively fewer calories. Individuals are able to eat enough food to feel full and still reduce their total caloric intake. Foods naturally rich in water include fruits, vegetables, low-fat milk, cooked grains, lean meats, poultry, fish and beans.

By staying on a plan with healthy food choices, an individual can lose weight and look great. Change requires planning, knowledge, commitment and encouragement. These changes in eating habits can help to maintain ideal body weight for a lifetime.

Exercise is an essential component to this approach and delivers countless benefits to one’s general health. There are different forms of exercise that we incorporate into our program, such as tai chi; qigong; yoga; Pilates; and cardiovascular, strength and flexibility training. Each form of exercise has its own benefits, but in this new approach, specific exercise techniques are

“The wonderful things you can achieve from this new regimen are a beautiful body, a relaxed mind, and optimal health.”

Acupuncture Benefits

n Curbs food cravings n Increases metabolism n Strengthens the digestive system n Relieves stress and depression n Balances the central nervous system n Increases blood circulation n Promotes a stronger immune system n Prevents hypertension, Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases n Promotes general well-being

emphasized to help burn abdominal fat, speed up metabolic rate, and increase energy.

This new weight-loss regimen will help reshape your body into one that you will be proud of. No more see-sawing between weight gain and weight loss. The wonderful things you can achieve from this unique program are a beautiful body, a relaxed mind, and optimal health.

Lorenzo Phan is a doctor of oriental medicine and acupuncture physician, as well as the owner of the Acupuncture & Skin Care Clinic, located at 725 W. Granada Blvd., Ste. 15, in Ormond Beach. Phan graduated from the University of Hawaii with a bachelor of science in biochemistry. He completed four years post-graduate training in acupuncture and herbal medicine at American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, in Houston. He’s a licensed massage therapist, certified neuromuscular therapist, certified craniosacral therapist, an NAET (allergy) therapist, certified laser therapist and an herbalist. For more information or to make an appointment, call 386-615-1203 or visit AcuBeautyTherapy.com. See ad, page 3.

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