Finding a New Primary Care Doctor

A Big Thanks To Leslie at Wellparents.com for this great advice Thanks to Leslie at Read more

The Rollercoaster of Life

Grandma: "I always wanted to go again. You know, it was just so interesting that a ride could make me so frightened, so scared, so sick, so excited, and so thrilled all together! Some didn't like Read more

Sheltering at Home/Covid 19

Never in the last two decades of my career as a physician would I have imagined that we would be using the same mask to see patients all day and then sterilizing/recycling them at the end of the day. Read more

Turmeric Health Benefits

Have you ever wondered what the paste is applied to the bride and groom's faces and arms in Indian weddings?  It's actually the spice turmeric.  Turmeric is the ingredient in curry that gives it a vibrant yellow color.  Actually, Read more

COVID 19 Precautions

With the scare of COVID here in the USA now, I wanted to post a little info about boosting immunity to prevent contracting the virus. Here are some important facts about Covid-19 It is spread by contact with Read more

Natural Tips for Avoiding Colds

This cold and flu season is still upon us and unfortunately, many patients are still being plagued by these nasty viral symptoms.  Here are a few tips to try if you feel like you are coming down with something. Of Read more

Sherry's Story

Sherry has a great story.  She has been diabetic for years and she has made some massive changes!   "I have been on a lifestyle change. It has been a year following a ketogenic food plan.  When I started this journey Read more

Pharmacy to Farmacy

Many of you may know Erin-- the fabulous Pharm D that worked in our office a few years back.  Erin is a phenomenal gal and we embarked on the journey  into natural medicine around the same time.  As we both Read more

food intolerance

Healthy Gut Summit

So I just found out about this FREE online summit that starts tomorrow.  Sorry for the short notice!  I am definitely going to register tonight.  The talks all start tomorrow so I’ll be listening to the first podcast tomorrow morning on the way into work .  Here is the preview banner—-

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Are you one of 70 million people suffering from digestive diseases in the United States? You might be… and not even know your gut is the cause! Join me at The Healthy Gut Summit, February 9-16, online and free to learn more! Register HERE

32 reasons how your digestive health is intimately linked to your immune, endocrine, circulatory and central nervous systems… which impact physical, mental and emotional wellbeing! Healthy Gut Summit, online and free from February 9-16. Join me! Register HERE

Did you know? Gut health impacts our most basic physiological processes–including how we think and behave–it’s the foundation for physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Learn more at The Healthy Gut Summit, online and free from February 9-16.

 

Here is your last chance—

Register HERE

Order HERE

Posted on by Angela in Diet, Nutrition, Whole Food Leave a comment

Lose Those Medicines!

Can exercise, food help you kick the meds?

By Lauren Lowrey Updated: Tuesday, April 15, 2014, 6:40 am Published: Tuesday, April 15, 2014, 5:47 am

AVON, Ind. (WISH) — Nearly 70 percent of Americans are on at least one prescription drug, according to research by the Mayo Clinic and many of those drugs are for problems considered to be avoidable if you change your lifestyle.

“People that are on medication don’t have to be,” says Brooke Huffman a Shelbyville mother and Realtor.

Huffman was in severe pain last fall with pain in her joints, burning feet and tremendous swelling. The pain prevented her from exercising, which led to dramatic weight gain.

“We ran a lot of testing on Brooke and found that she had an intolerance to gluten,” says Angela Henriksen, MD. “When she eliminated that from her diet, all of her symptoms went away, 100 percent.”

By changing her diet, Huffman was able to eliminate the anti-inflammatory medication she was taking as well as reduce the dosage of her thyroid medication twice. She was able to exercise again and lose 50 pounds.

“What I think is really shocking is that we as clinicians don’t understand nutrition as well as we should,” says Henriksen. “So, it’s important to go back and look at what the diet options are and how important it is to get your nutrients through your food and not through supplements.”

Four years ago, one of Henriksen’s patients had frequent skin rashes, severe joint pain and inflammation. She was placed on immune suppressive drugs, which caused her to gain weight and worsened her symptoms. Henriksen worked with the patient to change her diet to include only real whole foods. The patient is now pain and symptom free and takes no prescription medications.

The experience was the catalyst for Henriksen to create a health and wellness blog called Angela M.D. focusing on diet, exercise and healthy living. She also operates a Wellness Clinic out of her office at IU Health West Hospital where patients can sit down with a nurse every two weeks to review a food journal.

“We need to figure out how to use food as medicine and prevent disease before we get into a situation where we’re spending a lot of money on meds that we don’t need to take,” says Henriksen.

Poor diet is a major contributor to the leading causes of chronic disease and death in the United States, including heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Recent data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey shows that about 70% of adults in the United States are either overweight or obese.

Nearly one in three adults in the United States has high blood pressure according to the FDA, and 11 percent of people in the U.S. are taking drugs to lower lipids, such as cholesterol. Both conditions are considered controllable with diet and exercise. After reviewing 305 randomized controlled trials, researchers found exercise was equally as effective as medication for pre-diabetes and heart disease.

“I’ve gotten rid of the Diet Coke and I also do a lot of fresh foods, fresh vegetables, fresh fruits,” says Huffman. “Medication is expensive, it has side effects and if you can change just a few simple things and feel better, why wouldn’t you try?”

Posted on by Angela in Body, Diet, Nutrition, Whole Food Leave a comment

Loving the Unsolicited Feedback!

“Dr Angela,

Just thought that you would like to know that I have been mostly gluten-free since Friday when I saw you.

I have a had a few moments when I did indulge but I am happy to report that I am already 7 pounds lighter! I am so happy and I noticed that my feet are not as swollen anymore.

I could actually lace my shoes tighter!

This is a big deal for me because for the last 2 years putting on my shoes has been a daily reminder of the weight I was gaining and risk I was putting my health in.

I have also cut caffeine completely.

My GI issues also seem to have been greatly improved.

This has been such a blessing.

Thank you”

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Need I say more?  I love that this is really happening for patients!  I couldn’t make this up if I tried.  Have I told you lately that sooooo many patients are getting better with this “Food is thy Medicine” thing.  Quackery, it is not.  This sh&% really works!!

 

Don’t worry-I plan to keep annoying and preaching to you regularly.   I honestly think that hearing the results from other patients is much more inspiring than hearing me preach to you.   So Game On!  Look forward to more inspiring patient stories!

 

Also, please realize this is really hard for my family and I as well.  Staying healthy is expensive, takes a lot of effort, and isn’t fun.  Jeez, it’s almost a full-time job.  Caving into guilt and exhaustion this last week,  I took both of my girls to McDonald’s for dinner (YUCK).   That must be rock bottom!

 

This is hard –and it’s best to take Baby Steps– One baby step at a time!

That’s just about all I can say!  Next week, I think I’ll move to Australia (Alexander and the horrible, terrible, no good, very bad, day)

 

Posted on by Angela in Nutrition, Uncategorized, Whole Food Leave a comment

Now this makes me happy!

I recently got an email from one of my fabulous compliant patients.  She had an ALCAT test done to check for food sensitivities about 4 months ago and this is the testimonial/update that she has graciously allowed me to share with you.  I love when patients take responsibility for their health and really get better!!!

 

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” I have continued faithfully on my new way of eating and still feel great! I have less pain, fewer to no headaches, little to no inflammation, more energy, more mental clarity, and while I don’t believe I’ve lost any additional weight, I certainly haven’t gained any…and that is without regular exercise. 🙂

Here’s how I believe I’ve been able to be successful at staying on the plan:

– The ALCAT test proved most helpful, because I think it could take a lifetime of trial and error to figure out foods that may be hurting. The list of low, moderate, and high intolerant and list of acceptable foods are wonderful guidelines for eating in a way that helps rather than hurts. When people ask me about this, they invariably want to know what I’m no longer eating, but I must reiterate to them, that the test is the ONLY way to know for sure if a food/additive is bothering them. This highly customized view of things keeps me away from FAD/TREND diets or food systems that are based on points, counting calories, portions, etc. I think this is difficult for people to grasp, but eating foods off MY acceptable list and either abstaining or keeping to a minimum the intolerant foods helps me feel better; feel satiated, and therefore, I don’t worry about calorie counting or portions.

– When I started eating differently, I kept a journal. I think I wrote down about everything I put in my mouth for 120 days. This helped keep me on target especially with trying to eat five times during the day. I still struggle with that, but because I’ve changed the WAY I eat, I no longer worry about over-eating or consuming empty non-nutritional foods when I do feel really hungry.

– My family, friends, and co-workers have been super supportive. I’m surprised by how some of my family members will actually ask what I can eat so they are sure to have something for me when inviting me over for a meal. They’re all used to me making menu substitutions now, too, and I don’t get crazy with it. For example, yesterday I went to Applebees after church. I ordered grilled chicken with onions and mushrooms, but it also came with veggies (carrots, broccoli and squash) over red potatoes (which are a no no for me). I asked to leave off the potatoes, so they gave me extra veggies instead. YUM! I do the same thing with salads.

– And finally, realizing that I wake up more easily, have less pain, and don’t miss those cyclical headaches keeps me on track. I do NOT want to go back to feeling so terrible all the time. I’ve had a couple of headaches since being on the plan, but they have been much less severe and do not last long. I used to get headaches that lasted for days and were just brutal. I still have some pain in my hands each morning, but it’s possible that’s from years of typing/using computers. I don’t have near the pain throughout my body as I used to, and I don’t have the “heavy” feeling anymore. That one’s difficult to explain, but sometimes I just felt heavy, and I was getting depressed about it. I feel much lighter these days, literally and figuratively. :)”

food allergy

Thanks girl!!!  Love it and keep up the good work!  Thanks for sharing as you are an inspiration to other patients.  Please contact me or Michelle 317-217-2626 if you are interested in ordering an ALCAT test for yourself —there is more information on the ALCAT page of the blog.425352_10150688992766282_2072045193_n

Posted on by Angela in Body, Diet, disease, Guest Blog, Nutrition, Weight Loss, Whole Food Leave a comment

Food Additive Intolerance

Are foods or food additives making you sick?  Could it be as simple as Susan’s cure for Lupus by eliminating Red Dye #40?  Well, here is my solution for you—Order an ALCAT test!

Many years ago Lucretius expressed the basic concept for The ALCAT Test. He stated, “One man’s meat is another man’s poison.” Now more than ever, diet plays a critical role in preventing a wide range of degenerative diseases and premature aging. The immune system is a double-edged sword. It should react appropriately and protect against infection when confronted with harmful invaders or “infectious agents” like viruses or bacteria. Unfortunately for some, exposure to common foods, chemicals and molds may trigger chronic activation of the immune system. For over 20 years The ALCAT Test has provided healthcare professionals and their patients with a tool for managing a wide variety of conditions linked to chronic activation of the immune system, such as:

● Digestive Disorders

● Migraines

● Obesity

● Chronic Fatigue

● Aching Joints

● Skin Disorders

● Autism

● And many more…

 

The ALCAT Test differs from other food allergy or intolerance tests as it accurately and objectively measures leukocyte cellular reactivity in whole blood, which is a final common pathway of all mechanisms. The test utilizes electronic, state of the art, hematological instrumentation. Standard allergy tests, such as skin testing or RAST are not accurate for delayed type reactions to foods and chemicals. They measure only a single mechanism, such as the effect of mast cell release of histamine or the presence of allergen specific IgE molecules. Delayed reactions to foods and chemicals are NOT IgE mediated.

The ALCAT Test also differs from standard IgG tests in that they rely exclusively on one immune pathway, serum levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG). In fact, high food specific IgG titers are indicative only of exposure, not necessarily intolerance.

The ALCAT Test reproducibly measures the final common pathway of all pathogenic mechanism; whether immune, non-immune, or toxic. It is the only test shown to correlate with clinical symptoms by double blind oral challenges, the gold standard.

 

Test Results

 

The ALCAT Test results are presented in an easy to understand, color-coded format. They highlight each patient’s incompatible foods and the level of each reaction (severe, moderate or mild).

 

 

 

Wondering if you have a food intolerance? Order an ALCAT blood test online and find out yourself.

Please contact Angela MD at doc@angelamd.com

or

Call 317-217-2626 and ask for Michelle (AKA-superjuicer)

Posted on by Angela in Body, Diet, disease, Exercise, Nutrition, vegan, Whole Food Leave a comment

Gluten Free

If Oprah Winfrey is doing it, there must be something to this fad.  But, is gluten-free dieting just a fad, or is it really an issue in our food products?  We have to start by defining what gluten sensitivity is versus celiac disease.  Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease in which the lining of the small intestine is damaged when a person with the disease eats a gluten product.  This hampers absorption of nutrients and leads to malnutrition along with symptoms of diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating.  Now, if you are like me you are asking, “What is gluten?”  Gluten is a protein present in wheat flour, which is widely used in commercial goods.  It is also found in flour made from barley, rye, and spelt.  There are an estimated 3 million Americans diagnosed with celiac disease.  The rates are doubling every 20 years in Western countries.  The prevailing theory is that our guts have not been taught to deal with gluten as antigens and our immune systems start to react to these proteins as free radicals (Thanks Joe).  The first step, I believe is to get tested for celiac disease by your doctor if you know that you react badly to products like cookies, cakes, pastries and breads.  Keeping a food/symptom diary can really help determine this.  If your celiac tests are negative, you could still have an intolerance to gluten that causes milder symptoms such as achy joints, headaches, chronic fatigue, skin disorders, mood changes and more.  There are tests available to check for gluten intolerance that are very simple.  These blood tests can help determine if you are having some intolerances to gluten or any other food additive.  I should have this blood test available to all AngelaMD.com followers in the next month.  Stay tuned for more on that!

Here is a great website with tons of great gluten-free recipes!  http://glutenfreefix.com/

Posted on by Angela in Body, disease, Nutrition, Weight Loss, Whole Food Leave a comment