The definition of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss is three or more miscarriages prior to 20 weeks gestation. However even one miscarriage takes it emotional toll. Even though the statistical chances of carrying a baby to term are much more favorable than having another miscarriage it is probably better to take the necessary preventative health steps before trying to conceive again. In Chinese Medicine and Functional Medicine recurrent miscarriage shows that there is an underlying imbalance, either with the mother or father. This imbalance is a reason the pregnancy is not taking hold and should be corrected. Yes if your only goal is to have a baby then you can use IVF. But for the sake of the baby’s health and your health during pregnancy and postpartum it is wise to correct the underlying imbalance before getting pregnant.
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The Environmental Working Group has released the new shopper’s guide.   They have a “Dirty Dozen” produce items that need to be purchased organic and “clean 15″ that have low residues of pesticides.  I was surprised to see corn as #2 on the “Clean 15″ list since any non-organic corn is almost guaranteed to contain genetically modified protein sequences that have unknown physiological effects.   However then I read the preamble to the list where they suggest purchasing organic corn if we are concerned about GMO.   We all need to be concerned about GMO foods. Read the rest of this entry

Acupuncture studies using the standard “Evidence Based Medicine” are difficult to conduct as there are limitation to how an effective placebo can be carried out. Even studies that use so called “sham” acupuncture may not necessary be a placebo as the sham can have physiological effects beyond just the mind. I know from a clinical perspective that acupuncture works, but showing it within the confines of the current research model is difficult. Anyone that says acupuncture is only a placebo effect I suggest they talk to someone that brought their animal (dog, cat, horse) to someone that does animal acupuncture. The results are often outstanding so if it is a placebo effect these creatures are experiencing then they are a lot smarter than we think.

An interesting study was just released that looked at acupuncture’s efficacy for preventing migraines. Read the rest of this entry

We all collectively pay a high price for the glutton of sugar fed to us through marketing.  The sugar addiction starts with children and it may even start sooner with infant formulas. The worst offender is fructose, especially the high fructose corn syrup which is known to cause non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Read the rest of this entry

Given all the research about pesticide dangers and diseases it has been attributed to such as Parkinson’s it still amazes me that foods grown with chemicals still make up the vast majority of foods consumed. This is probably largely due to the fact that chemical companies have a ton of money and political lobbyists. The vast majority of commercial farmers only know the way of the past 60 years and are of the false belief that organic farming is out of their reach. Not only are we exposed to pesticides from foods, but also those nice green lawns. Read the rest of this entry

I just posted this to my Assabet Natural Health website…..

You have probably seen the recent headlines about a study just released that correlated calcium supplementation with an increase risk of heart attacks and strokes. This certainly confuses people because it has been drilled into us through the media and many doctors that calcium can only be good for us. I find that some people are afraid to stop taking calcium because of what they have learned. When I suggest to my patients that they stop taking calcium because it is probably causing their digestive issues and constipation their response is usually “where am I going to get my calcium?” A very understandable response given what we have been told.

There are a couple of problems with the mantra of “take a calcium supplement”. One is the form of the calcium. A large number of people buy calcium from GNC or CVS and it is most often partially (or fully) comprised of calcium carbonate. This can be a gastrointestinal nightmare for some. Also it isn’t the best way to get the calcium to where it needs to go? You may have read it is very absorbable, but is it bioavailable? Most likely it is not very usable by the body except for the most calcium deficient individuals which is often the elderly. Sure research shows taking calcium is beneficial, but it is not without its unwanted side effects.

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A recent research article came out that used electro-acupuncture for 16 weeks and found a significant improvement in PCOS outcome.
I cut and pasted the article I wrote for my clinic’s website below:

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic imbalance of a woman’s hormones. This imbalance can cause changes in the menstrual cycle (amenorrhea, irregular periods, dysmenorrhea), skin changes, small cysts in the ovaries, infertility, hair growth and other problems. In a woman’s normal menstrual cycle one (or more) eggs are released from the follicles in the ovaries. In PCOS the eggs do not mature and instead form small cysts in the ovaries. This can lead to infertility. Read the rest of this entry

Institute: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, San Gerardo Hospital , Monza, Italy .

Author: Marra C, Pozzi I, Ceppi L, Sicuri M, Veneziano F, Regalia AL.

Journal: J Altern Complement Med.

Abstract Objectives: The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in relieving perineal pain after mediolateral episiotomy during childbirth.

Design and subjects: Women with mediolateral episiotomy during delivery were enrolled in this study and were assigned to be treated or not with acupuncture. Outcomes measures: Perineal pain relieving effect of acupuncture was evaluated considering oral analgesics request during post-partum period and was the main outcome of this trial.

Results: A total of 42 women were enrolled in this trial. Twenty-one (21) women were treated with “wrist-ankle” acupuncture, inserting one needle in their right ankle. A second group of 21 women was not treated with acupuncture. Women in the acupuncture group were significantly less likely to experience pain; only 8 of them (38.1%) asked for analgesics. All women in the second group assumed oral analgesics because of perineal pain (p?<?0.01).

Conclusions: Wrist-ankle acupuncture during the postpartum period is effective for perineal pain relief after mediolateral episiotomy.

See: Clin J Pain. 2011 Mar-Apr;27(3):262-7.
The effect of auricular acupuncture on fentanyl requirement during hip arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial.

Wetzel B, Pavlovic D, Kuse R, Gibb A, Merk H, Lehmann C, Wendt M, Usichenko TI.

Departments of *Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine †Orthopedic Surgery, Ernst Moritz Arndt University, Greifswald, Germany.
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Although auricular acupuncture (AA) is suggested to be effective in treatment of pain, it has not yet been used for intraoperative analgesia. Therefore, we studied whether the AA reduces intraoperative analgesic requirement during total hip arthroplasty (THA).
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Acid reflux is a disorder often dealt with symptomatically by giving acid blocking medication. However they do not always relieve the issue and long term use of these drugs (more than 6 months) can have deleterious effects on our health. They can cause mineral deficiencies leading to osteoporosis and decreased digestion of proteins thereby causing a vitamin B12 deficiency. They can also cause an overgrowth of bacteria in the gut.  Sometimes what is diagnosed as GERD is actually a histamine intolerance. Read the rest of this entry