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Gluten Hypersensitivity

Gluten Hypersensitivity

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Reality or Fad

Gluten is a protein found in cereal grains. Wheat has a high concentration of gluten, which allows for the elastic nature of the dough. If you have a hypersensitivity to wheat gluten/gliadin, you should also avoid rye, spelt, and kamut, as the proteins in these grains look similar to wheat gluten in the eyes of the immune system.

Most people are unaware that wheat has many proteins other than gluten/gliadin. The protein gliadin found on wheat gluten is what causes the immune system to overreact in some people. However, there are instances when test results show normal immune response to wheat gluten/gliadin, but an over-reactivity to wheat protein in general. In this case, wheat would still need to be removed from the diet.

There are two types of hypersensitivities to food:

Type 1 food hypersensitivity is characterized by an allergic reaction immediately following contact with the offending food. The antibody associated with Type 1 hypersensitivity is the immunoglobulin IgE. This hypersensitivity may cause anaphylaxis and death if untreated.

Type 3 food hypersensitivity is mediated by the antibody IgG4. Type 3 hypersensitivity is the most common type of food hypersensitivity. After exposure to the food allergen, the reaction may not occur for one to five days. Therefore, this delay of immunoreactivity makes it difficult to diagnosis this type of food hypersensitivity.

An accurate and reliable test for food hypersensitivities is IgE/IgG4 Blood Allergy Test. The IgE/IgG4 Blood Allergy Test checks for both Type 1 and Type 3 food hypersensitivities.

The Type 3 food hypersensitivity may cause many types of inflammatory, immunological and/or neurological symptoms such as nephritis/ kidney; arthritis/osteo and rheumatoid; dermatitis/eczema, psoriasis, hives and rosacea; sinusitis; gastritis; colitis (celiac, Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel); and  respiratory problems such as asthma, chronic bronchitis. Food hypersensitivities may be involved in cognitive, emotional, neurological symptoms such as depression, headaches, migraines, anxiety, irritability, and poor concentration.

The gastrointestinal tract has a high concentration of immune and nervous system tissue. Any food or microorganism that the immune system deems unacceptable leads to an inflammatory response which may affect different areas of the body.

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Bioidentical Hormone Replacement (BHRT)

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement (BHRT)

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Bioidentical Hormone Replacement (BHRT) refers to the therapeutic use of hormones that are identical in every way to the hormones produced naturally in the body. Diagnostic testing may include salivary and or blood tests.

The results may reveal hormone imbalances that are then addressed with the use of BHRT. Bioidentical hormones are derived from plant sources not animal derivatives. Bioidentical hormones usually prescribed are estradiol, estriol, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol and DHEA. Most hormones are delivered to the body in a cream form, which can be rubbed into the skin. This transdermal application of hormone creams delivers the hormones to the tissues similar to ovarian, testicular and adrenal release to the body.

BHRT are compounded by pharmacies and require a prescription from a Naturopathic Physician.

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Heart Health and Related Health Conditions

Heart Health and Related Health Conditions

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Benefits of Chelation

  • Helps to prevent Arteriosclerosis (Hardening of the arteries)
  • Helps to rejuvenate your cardiovascular system
  • Helps to improve conduction in all degrees of AV heart block
  • Helps to abolish extra heart beats, skipped beats and rapid heart beats
  • Helps as a pre-operative preparation
  • Helps remove lead and heavy metals from the system
  • Reduces toxic lead and metal deposits and abnormal calcium deposits
  • Reduces blood pressure and blood cholesterol
  • Improves circulation
  • Improves vision and hearing
  • Improves liver function
  • Improves skin texture and tone
  • Helps prevent abnormal cross linking of molecules that age tissue
  • Helps to relieve symptoms of senility by increasing circulation to the brain
  • Helps to relieve hypoglycemia, phlebitis and scleroderma
  • Dissolves fats in plaque lined arteries
  • Helps make blood slippery and prevents abnormal blood clotting
  • Helps increase tissue oxygenation

The Ultimate Question is: Can It Help You?

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Gastrointestinal complaints are among the most common in health care.

Gastrointestinal complaints are among the most common in health care.

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There is a relationship between unfriendly bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract and a multitude of health issues in the gastrointestinal tract. The gastrointestinal tract house 100 trillion cells, more then all the stars in the sky! A major part of you immune and nervous system resides in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, if there is an imbalance in the bacterial balance in the gastrointestinal tract, one is more susceptible to autoimmune diseases, fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammations, food sensitivities, nutritional deficiencies and intestinal permeability (also known as “leaky gut”).

A diet rich in fiber allows the beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract to break down the fiber into short chain fatty acids. These short chain fatty acids are fuel for the intestinal enterocytes, which are the cell lining in the gut.

Stool analysis is an invaluable non-invasive diagnostic assessment that allows the practitioner to objectively evaluate the status of beneficial and imbalanced microorganisms.

Antimicrobial susceptibility testing to prescriptive and natural agents is also performed for non-desirable organisms which allows for a targeted treatment.

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Allergy Desensitization

Allergy Desensitization

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After diagnosis of inhalant allergies via a scratch or blood test we offer sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT).  SLIT treats the cause of allergy by giving small doses of the allergen to the patient.  SLIT is given as drops under the tongue.  Research shows that when an allergen is presented this way, the immune system learns to tolerate the allergy.  SLIT is proven, with over 60 clinical trials which shows its effectiveness.  It is endorsed by the World Health Organization, the World Allergy Association, and the Cochrane Collaboration.  SLIT is effective, safe, and well tolerated.

Book your appointment today for diagnosis and treatment with SLIT. Click Here!

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Toxic element exposure: diagnosis and treatment

Toxic element exposure: diagnosis and treatment

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 Urine Toxic element testing may help identify possible contributors to chronic health problems.

Toxic elements can block the beneficial effects of essential elements (e.g. zinc, calcium) by replacing them in important biochemical processes. For example, lead can replace calcium in bone. Toxic elements can also increase free radical levels that contribute to tissue inflammation and chronic disease.
A single large exposure to a toxic element is rare and generally considered a medical emergency. On the other hand, it is relatively easy for small amounts of toxic elements to accumulate over time. Measurement of toxic elements in urine can help determine if toxic element accumulation has occurred, although having higher than expected levels does not prove toxic elements is causing symptoms.
It is important to speak with Dr. Jeffrey J. Hunt N.D. if you are concerned that toxic elements are contributing to your health problems. The following diseases and conditions have been associated with toxic element exposure:
Central Nervous System: tingling in the hands and feet, mental confusion, and an abnormal gait are symptoms that could be caused by ongoing exposure to small amounts of toxic elements.
 Heart Disease: chronic exposure to toxic elements may damage red blood cells and/or contribute to risk for heart disease.
Digestion: inflammation in the gastrointestinal system with vomiting and/or diarrhea has been linked to toxic element exposure.
Sources of Toxic Elements
Toxic elements are found in common household products and may contribute to a variety of symptoms.
  • Aluminum is found in cooking utensils, antiperspirants, some pickled foods, toothpaste, nasal spray, automotive exhausts, ceramics and baking powder. Signs of toxicity may include impaired memory & increased risk of heart disease.
  • Arsenic is found in pressure-treated wood used in decks and playground equipment. Early signs of arsenic toxicity may include headaches, fatigue, restlessness, insomnia, drowsiness, dizziness, stomach aches, and pain.
  • Cadmium is found in cigarette smoke, some paint pigments, and in a variety of industrial products. Fatigue may be an early sign of cadmium toxicity.
  • Lead is still around from the days when we used leaded gasoline in cars, lead solder in plumbing and leaded paints. Lead exposure may contribute to mood and personality problems.
  • Mercury is found in dental fillings, fluorescent lights, and some electronics. Chronic exposure to mercury primarily affects the brain and nervous system. Symptoms like: weakness, fatigue, numbness in fingers and toes, weight loss and gastrointestinal disturbances are common with ongoing exposure to mercury.
  • Tin is found in canned foods. If acidic foods are sealed in an un-lined tin can, significant absorption of tin can occur. Excess absorption of tin may contribute to gastrointestinal symptoms.
Why Test?
Good health has a lot to do with maintaining balance: the right balance of work and play, the right balance of nutrients in the diet, and the right kinds of foods.
 Toxic element exposure may be a contributing factor to a variety of chronic illnesses. Urine element testing is useful for monitoring treatment of toxic element exposure.
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The Microbiome: Linking Gut and Brain Health

The Microbiome: Linking Gut and Brain Health

AThe microbiome is a community of microorganisms composed of bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses that live in the mucosal surfaces of the body (such as the intestinal tract). Recently the explosion of scientific data has linked the human microbiome with immunity, inflammation, autoimmunity, and ultimately the potential of the brain to heal and recover. In 2008 the National Institute of Health’s Microbiome Project highlighted the importance of the microbial environment in the gastrointestinal tract.

The new science shows how the brain affects the microbiome and how the microbiome affects the brain. The microbiome is populated by 100 TRILLION CELLs, more microbes than there are stars in the sky!

The microbiome is influenced by what we eat, drink, digestive capacity, stress, and antibiotic use. Your microbiome is responsible for digestion, nutrient absorption, blood sugar balance, detoxification and even the overall function of your immune response. The microbiome produces substances that are fuel for cells lining the gut, neurotransmitters, amino acids, and vitamins.

Individual studies implicate gut dysfunction with the beginning of disease pathology of conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS, Traumatic brain injury and Multiple sclerosis.

Diversity of the microbial population is the most important feature of a healthy gut, immune system, and ultimately a healthy brain.

A HEALTY GUT = A HEALTY BRAIN

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Individualized Exercise Program

As with diet, exercise must be individualized for each patient. There is no drug or therapy that comes close to improving a person’s health than exercise. The systems that are affected positively by exercise are blood pressure, blood flow, cardiac output, dissolved oxygen in the blood, energy output, blood glucose/diabetes, metabolic rate, muscle health, obesity, pulmonary/lungs, sympathetic nervous system and bone health. Virtually every system in the human body is affected in some way by increasing levels of physical activity. Exercise can be categorized as muscular/strength training, anaerobic (sprinting), endurance training (aerobic)

The bottom line is the benefits of regular exercise causes a substantial decrease in all causes of mortality.

Exercise exerts a powerful acute and chronic effect on virtually every system in the human body. In assessing these effects and prescribing exercise, it is important to keep in mind the very different effects of aerobic versus resistance exercise. Both forms of exercise are recommended and should be a component of a comprehensive exercise program.

Dr. Hunt has an Honours Bachelor of Physical and Health Education (BPHE) degree, which gives him the experience and knowledge to assist his patients with an appropriated exercise plan

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Inhalant Allergies and Oral Desensitization

Inhalant Allergies and Oral Desensitization

An allergic response occurs when some people are exposed to environmental triggers such as ragweed, grass, and tree, pollen, animal fur and dander, dust mites or mold. The allergic response is due to a part of the immune system over-reacting to the above compounds.

Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is an alternative method to treat inhalant allergies without injections.

First the doctor will perform an allergy test to confirm the patient’s allergies. This test is done either using a scratch test, which is done in house, or via a blood test, which is tested at a lab.

Sublingual immunotherapy treats the cause of the allergy by giving small doses of the allergen to the patient. SLIT is given as drops under the tongue.

Research shows that when an allergen is presented in this way, the immune system learns to tolerate the allergy. SLIT is proven, with over 60 clinical trial which shows its effectiveness. It is endorsed by the World Health Organization, the World Allergy Association, and the Cochrane Collaboration. SLIT is effective, safe, and well tolerated

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The Importance of a Personalized Diet

At Hunt Naturopathic Clinic a patient’s appropriate diet is based on their biochemical individuality. Just as each person is unique, so too is their dietary plan.

There are diets that are “generally healthy,” but it is just that. They are general and not specific for the individual person.

The ways to assess the correct diet for each patient is based upon the patient’s health condition (pathology) and laboratory test information.

A patient with specific health conditions such as gout, obesity, high blood pressure, skin issues (eczema, psoriasis), inflammatory bowel disease, atonic constipation, anemia, etc. may receive a diet plan that is individualized to their disease.

Other ways of assessing the proper diet may be through complete blood count, ferritin, food allergy testing, blood typing, stool testing for infectious microbes such as candida, low levels of short chain fatty acids and malabsorption.

With diet being such a critical factor in a person’s health, we invest a great deal of time to make sure we have the correct food plan/diet for each patient.

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