Download Naturopathic Treatments for Inflammatory Disease

Naturopathic Treatments for
Chronic Inflammatory Disease
Presented by Stacey Munro, N.D.
Learning Outcomes
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For electrologists to gain a better understanding
of the philosophy and practice of naturopathic
medicine.
How naturopathic medicine can be applied to
the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases
such as Crohn’s disease and arthritis.
Role of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract in
inflammatory processes.
Dietary and lifestyle influences on chronic
inflammation.
Naturopathic Philosophy
1. The Healing Power of Nature
(Vis Medicatrix Naturae)
2. Identify and Treat the Cause (Tolle Causam)
3. First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere)
4. Doctor as Teacher (Docere)
5. Treat the Whole Person
6. Prevention
Goals of Naturopathic Treatment
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Nourish the body
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Remove the obstacles to cure
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Lungs, colon, skin, kidney
Stimulate the body’s healing force
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Physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual blocks
Optimize elimination
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Intake, digestion, and absorption of nutrients
Acupuncture, homeopathy, spinal manipulation,
herbs, energy medicine
Step aside and let the body heal itself!!
Role of the GI Tract in Health
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The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is about 9 meters
long. It is one continuous tube exposed to the
outside world, just like our skin. It acts as a first
line of defense against ingested pathogens.
The digestive tract is important for several
reasons.
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Digestion and absorption of nutrients and water
Elimination/ waste removal
Major site of immune and neurological function
Healthy Gut
Innermost layer provides protection
and has many functions:
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Mucosa- secretes mucous, enzymes,
and hormones
 Gut
Associated Lymphatic tissue (GALT)
 Microorganisms “good bacteria”
 Cell integrity- physical barrier
Healthy Gut
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Other layers of the gut:
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Submucosa- loose connective tissue which
contains blood vessels, nerves, and glands
Muscular layer
Serosa- outermost layer
Protection
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The protective mucosa of the digestive
tract acts as a filter to prevent toxins and
harmful microorganisms from entering our
bodies and to let vitamins and nutrients in.
Healthy Gut
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There are several hundred types of bacteria in
the human digestive tract. They exceed the the
number of human cells (10 trillion) by 10 times.
Until a baby is born and exposed to the outside
world, their digestive tract is sterile. They are
quickly colonized by bacteria from the mother
during vaginal delivery and breastfeeding.
Healthy Gut
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Good bacteria in the gut provides benefit
to our health by:
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Fermentation of indigestible carbohydrates
Production of vitamins
Protection from pathogenic bacteria and
viruses
Priming the immune system
Healthy Gut
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Babies born by C-section and bottle-fed
have fewer beneficial bacteria in their
intestines versus those who are breastfed. They are more prone to colonization
by disease-causing bacteria.
By age two, the gut bacteria resembles
that of an adult.
Unhealthy Gut
DAMAGE TO
GOOD
BACTERIA
INVASION
OF “BAD”
BACTERIA
COMPROMISED
IMMUNE SYSTEM
POOR DIET
FOOD ALLERGY
ALCOHOL
IMPAIRED
DIGESTION
AND
ELIMINATION
CHEMICALS
STRESS
INFECTION
LACK OF
NUTRIENTS
FOR CELL
REPAIR
LOSS OF
CELL
INTEGRITY
“LEAKY GUT”
DISEASE
What is Inflammation?
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Inflammation is the basic way that a body reacts
to irritation, injury, or infection.
Acute Inflammation occurs at the site of injury or
infection. Removal of injurious stimuli halts the
inflammation.
Chronic Inflammation is a pathological condition
where the body makes continued attempts to
repair and contain the source of irritation or
injury.
What is Inflammation?
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Body brings repair nutrients to the area to
clear debris and waste, and neutralize
infectious organisms.
Blood vessels become more open to allow
blood and immune cells to penetrate the
area.
Causes classic signs of inflammation:
Redness, swelling, and heat.
What is the Connection?
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Chronic inflammation occurs when the
usual things that the body does to heal
itself don’t work due to:
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Accumulation of waste or toxicity in tissues
Dysfunctional immune system
Nutritional deficiencies
Types of Chronic Inflammatory
Diseases
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Asthma
Autoimmune disease
Chronic prostatitis
Glomerulonephritis
Inflammatory bowel disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Rheumatoid arthritis
Transplant rejection
Vasculitis
The Four “R’s”
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Remove
Replace
Re-inoculate
Repair
Functional GI Testing
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Comprehensive digestive stool analysis with
parasitology (CDSA)
Lactulose/ Mannitol test: urine test that
measures abnormal GI permeability and
malabsorption.
Secretory IgA: salivary levels estimate immune
function in the GI tract. It is affected by high
stress, poor nutrition, and by unhealthy gut
bacteria.
Functional GI Testing
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Food Allergy Testing: blood test that
measures both immediate (IgE) and
delayed (IgG) immune response to food
allergens.
Food allergy elimination with re-challenge.
Types of Arthritis
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Arthritis means “inflammation of a joint”
There are over 100 different types. In
adults the most common are:
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Osteoarthritis
Auto-immune Arthritis (Rheumatoid,
Ankylosing Spondylitis, Lupus, Psoriatic)
Gout
Naturopathic Treatment of
Arthritis
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Anti-inflammatory diet
Anti-inflammatory herbs, such as
curcumin, boswelia.
Omega 3 fatty acids
Exercise
Detoxification
4 R’s
Anti-inflammatory Diet
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Reducing pro-inflammatory foods such as
meat, sugar, alcohol, caffeine, refined
carbohydrates, trans-fats and saturated
fats.
Increasing anti-inflammatory foods and
herbs such as omega 3 and omega 6 fatty
acids, fresh fruit and vegetables, whole
grains, ginger, tumeric, garlic, green tea.
Commonly Allergenic Foods
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Wheat, dairy, soy, eggs, peanuts, citrus,
nightshade vegetable family (tomato,
potato, eggplant, peppers)
Naturopathic Treatments for
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
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Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of
diseases characterized as chronic inflammation
and ongoing activation of the immune system of
the GI tract.
The two primary types are ulcerative colitis (UC)
and Crohn’s disease (CD).
It is treated with salicylic acid compounds,
corticosteriods, immunosuppresive medications,
and surgery.
IBD
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The disease is likely the result of impaired
barrier function of the intestinal lining and
dysfunction of the immune system.
Case Study:
38 y/o Male with Crohn’s Disease
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First seen in my office 7/2007
Patient presented with a history of Crohn’s
disease for 21 years
Recently treated for several months with
Prednisone
Nuts and stress bring on attacks
Symptoms are diarrhea, constipation, and
severe abdominal pain
38 y/o Male with Crohn’s Disease
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Past medical history: Chronic left hip, knee, and
ankle pain from work-related injuries, anxiety,
and depression.
Medications: Effexor XR 75 mg, Clonazepam 1
mg, Hydrocodone/APAP 5-500 mg, Asacol 4 TID
400 mg.
Diet: “fairly healthy”, eats at work cafeteria.
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Snacks on cookies and chocolate milk nightly.
20-40 oz of water daily and two cups of coffee or tea.
GI: Bowel movements every 2-3 days
Treatment Plan
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GI Revive Powder
Curcumin
Multivitamin/ mineral
Omega 3 fatty acids
Vitamin C with bioflavinoids
US Biotek Food Allergy Panel
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 1 teaspoon (7.5 grams)
Servings Per Container: 30
L-Glutamine 1500 mg
N-Acetyl Glucosamine 1000 mg
Citrus Pectin 1000 mg
Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL) (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
400 mg
Aloe Vera (Leaf Extract 200:1) 300 mg
Slippery Elm (bark)(Ulmus pulmila) 200 mg
Mucin 200 mg
Marshmallow (root)(Althea officinalis) 100 mg
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) 100 mg
Okra (pod) (Hibiscus esculentus) 100 mg
Cat's Claw (TOA free) (bark)(Uncaria tomentosa) 100
mg
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) 100 mg
Quercetin 100 mg
Prunus (Concentrate) 100 mg
PepZin GI® (Zinc-Carnosine) 75 mg
Other Ingredients: Peach Powder, natural flavors, soy
lecithin, stevia and talin.
Follow up 8/07
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Patient could not tolerate GI Revive
because of the taste.
Feels more energy since starting the
supplements.
Normal to loose stool daily.
Patient d/c Asacol on his own, decreased
pain medication.
Treatment plan
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Avoid dairy in all forms!
Discussed strategies for dairy-free diet.
Increase fish oil to 3 grams per day.
Follow up 9/07
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Had a couple of cramping episodes, but
very minor. Drinking Silk soymilk instead
of milk, still using ½ and ½ in coffee.
Lost a couple of pounds. Carbohydrate
cravings have decreased.
Still taking supplements.
Treatment Plan
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Probiotics and butyrate (replacing GI
Revive)
Continue dairy-free diet
Patient continued in remission from
Crohn’s disease
Conclusion
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Naturopathic medicine is aimed at stimulating
the bodies innate healing ability and providing
the building blocks for optimal function.
The digestive tract is the site of many crucial
functions crucial, including digestion and
absorption of nutrients, waste elimination, and
immune function.
Inflammatory diseases can be improved by
healing the digestive tract, and by making
important dietary and lifestyle changes.
How to Contact Me
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www.NaturesHelperMedical.com
Nature’s Helper Medical Clinic
96 Poquonock Avenue
Windsor, CT 06095
(860) 688-2275
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Thank You!
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