Is The Secret To Weight Loss In Your Gut?

Continued, regular intake of fried, fatty and refined foods can cause chronic systemic inflammation within the body.  Studies are currently under way to determine if this inflammation can also be linked to disruption in the delicate balance of our gut function – eventually leading to diabetes, weight gain and heart disease.  Inflammatory markers in the blood were measured as elevated up to five hours after consuming a meal high in sugar and fat in one study.   This new research has the potential to drastically change how obesity and related health conditions are approached and treated.

To decrease systemic inflammation:

  • Reduce your consumption of processed, fatty and refined foods.
  • Eat plenty of fiber rich foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.  These foods assist the gut in decreasing inflammation.
  • If you do eat “junk food”, accompany it with fiber and vitamin rich whole foods (fruits and vegetables).  Add color to your diet!

Dr. Anne Hermann, a holistic internal medicine physician, maintains offices in Tampa and Saint Petersburg Beach, Florida.  Dr. Hermann is also board certified in nutrition.  Please contact the office at (813) 902-9559 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

This post was written by Anne Hermann. Follow Anne Hermann on Google, Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin.

How Can I Naturally Lower My Cholesterol?

High cholesterol or hyperlipidemia, is defined as elevated circulating lipids in the blood.  Hyperlipidemia is typically asymptomatic, and is discovered during routine screening blood work.  Left untreated, hyperlipidemia may lead to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.  Together, you and your physician can determine the best way to control your hyperlipidemia.  Along with diet and exercise, there are a number of vitamins, minerals and supplements that may be beneficial in lowering lipids.

  • Red Rice Yeast
  • Coenzyme Q 10
  • Omega 3
  • Manganese
  • Magnesium
  • Vitamin B3
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamin B5
  • Carnitine
  • Lipoic Acid
  • Inositol
  • Choline
  • Chromium
  • Copper
  • Zinc
  • Selenium

Dr. Anne Hermann, a holistic internal medicine physician, maintains offices in Tampa and Saint Petersburg Beach, Florida.  Dr. Hermann is also board certified in nutrition, and offers comprehensive vitamin testing to her patients.  Please contact the office at (813) 902-9559 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

This post was written by Anne Hermann. Follow Anne Hermann on Google, Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin.

Natural Treatment For Post-Menopausal Bone Loss

Many women suffer from menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, mood changes, decreased libido, and vaginal dryness. If you are post-menopausal, you may also be at greater risk for developing osteopenia and osteoporosis. Osteopenia and osteoporosis are diagnosed with a special type of x-ray called a bone mineral density scan There are no symptoms in the early stages of osteopenia and osteoporosis. However, with a large amount of bone loss, you may notice pain and loss of height due to broken bones. To reduce your risk of developing osteopenia and osteoporosis you should: consume 1500mg of calcium and 800mg of vitamin D daily, limit alcohol use, do not use tobacco products, and do daily weight bearing exercise.

Fosteum is a vegetable based medical food product approved by the FDA for “dietary management of the metabolic processes of osteopenia and osteoporosis.” It is a blend of genistein aglycone, citrated zinc bisglycinate and cholecalciferol (vitamin D 3). Fosteum is given under physician supervision. It is indicated when diet and calcium plus vitamin D supplements are not enough, but prescription medications are not yet needed. Dosage is one tablet twice a day. The most common side effect of Fosteum use is minor upset stomach with nausea. Fosteum has also been shown in clinical trials to significantly reduce menopausal hot flushes.

Dr. Anne Hermann, a holistic internal medicine physician, maintains offices in Tampa and Saint Petersburg Beach, Florida. Dr. Hermann is also board certified in nutrition. Please contact the office at (813) 902-9559 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

This post was written by Anne Hermann. Follow Anne Hermann on Google, Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin.

Which Vitamins and Minerals Can Help Depressive Symptoms

Depression affects how you feel, think and behave.  It is a medical illness that causes a persistent feeling of sadness.  Other symptoms include:  irritability, insomnia or excessive sleeping, appetite changes, restlessness, trouble concentrating, crying spells and unexplained physical problems.  The exact cause of depression is not known.  However, it is thought that a variety of factors including:  biological differences in the brain, neurotransmitters, inherited traits, and hormones may play a role in the development of depressive symptoms.  Your physician can help you determine the right treatment to help with your depression.  They may recommend medication and/or counseling.  It is important that you share all of your concerns with your healthcare provider as untreated depression may result in emotional, health and behavioral problems that affect daily life.

How can vitamins and minerals help depressive symptoms?  Magnesium helps regulate mood.  Zinc and serine both regulate neurotransmitter function.  Antioxidants (vitamins A, C, and E, Co Q10, and lipoic acid) help protect neurotransmitter functions from oxidative stress.  Deficiencies of the B complex vitamins (biotin, B2, B6, and B12) have been linked to depression.  Vitamin D acts as a hormone precursor – and thus may improve symptoms of depression.  Finally, chromium elevates serotonin levels    with in the brain (serotonin is our feel good hormone).  Chromium also affects blood sugar regulation, and thus may alleviate the depressive symptom of carbohydrate craving.

Dr. Anne Hermann, a holistic internal medicine physician, maintains offices in Tampa and Saint Petersburg Beach, Florida.  Dr. Hermann is also board certified in in nutrition.  Please contact the office at (813) 902-9559 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

This post was written by Anne Hermann. Follow Anne Hermann on Google, Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin.

Do I Have Hypothyroidism?

If you have hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, your thyroid gland is not producing enough thyroid hormone.  Hypothyroidism is more common in women, especially over the age of 60.  Left untreated, underactive thyroid may result in obesity, heart disease and joint pain.   When the thyroid is not functioning properly, the hormonal reactions in your body may be affected.  Symptoms of underactive thyroid include:  fatigue, constipation, cold sensitivity, dry skin, weight gain, menstrual irregularities, muscle aches, joint pain and depression.

The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of your neck.  Thyroid hormones are triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4).  These hormones affect all aspects of metabolism in your body.  Your doctor will order blood tests to determine if your thyroid is functioning properly.  If you are found to have hypothyroidism, the hormones can be replaced with daily synthetic or natural replacement medication.  Treatment is usually lifelong; your physician will order periodic thyroid hormone levels to assess for any needed dosage changes.

Dr. Anne Hermann, a holistic internal medicine physician, offers comprehensive thyroid testing and treatment management to her patients.  Dr. Hermann maintains offices in Tampa and St. Petersburg Beach, Florida.  Please contact the office at (813) 902-9559 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

This post was written by Anne Hermann. Follow Anne Hermann on Google, Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin.

Why Am I So Fatigued?

 

Fatigue is a commonly mentioned symptom of many diseases and illnesses.  Persistent fatigue can be debilitating,  and has a negative effect on one’s quality of life.  Fatigue may be an early warning sign of food intolerance or sensitivity.  Usually, the fatigue is worse in the early morning, and will occur with other symptoms such as migraines, eczema or irritable bowel syndrome.

Researchers have theorized that sensitivities to foods may produce fatigue as part of a generalized immune reaction.   The chronic inflammatory response or immune reaction overburdens our bodies.  This leads to oxidative stress, which in turn affects the mitochondria or energy –producing parts of our cells.  Thus, excessive fatigue ensues.  Once the offending foods are eliminated, most patients experience immediate improvement in their energy level.

Dr. Anne Hermann, a holistic internal medicine physician, offers food sensitivity testing to her patients.  Dr. Hermann maintains offices in Tampa and St. Pete Beach, Florida.  Please call the office at (813) 902-9559 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

This post was written by Anne Hermann. Follow Anne Hermann on Google, Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin.

What is a Detoxification Diet?

 

An anti-inflammatory diet, or detox diet, has been shown to be beneficial for a number of chronic and acute health conditions.  Toxins may be introduced into our bodies in a variety of ways, including pollution or pesticides from our food sources.  Our detox organs are the liver and kidneys.  Improper digestion and metabolic by-products put undue stress on these organs and on the digestive system.  This may lead to an overgrowth of bacteria, which can increase inflammation.

Symptoms that have been shown to improve from a detox diet include:  general malaise, skin rashes and irritation, headaches, joint pain and poor concentration.  The detox diet lessens the acidity of the body, which in turn decreases inflammation.  Weight loss resistance has also been shown to improve during the diet.

Dr. Anne Hermann, a holistic internal medicine physician, offers the detox diet as a treatment option to her patients for certain health conditions.   Dr. Hermann maintains offices in Tampa and St. Pete Beach, Florida.  Please call the office at (813) 902-9559 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

This post was written by Anne Hermann. Follow Anne Hermann on Google, Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin.

How Can Vitamin and Nutritional Testing Help Me?

 

Our society perpetuates unhealthy eating habits due to our busy culture.  Often, we are not obtaining the proper type or amount of vitamins, minerals or amino acids.  Our bodies are bombarded daily with pollution and toxins which may leave the immune system vulnerable.  Nutritional imbalances can affect your body in many ways, some of which are outlined below.

Amino and fatty acids affect our emotional and cognitive well-being; early detection of imbalances may help prevent chronic illnesses from developing.  Dietary minerals help regulate many of our body’s processes and also serve as “building blocks”.  Minerals such as magnesium and manganese have been proven to be beneficial in alleviating joint pain and anxiety.   Antioxidants help protect our body from oxidative stress or free radicals.  Oxidative stress has been linked to neurological diseases and premature aging.  Testing can also be performed for heavy metal  ( such as  lead and mercury) toxicity.

Dr. Anne Hermann, a holistic internal medicine physician, is pleased to offer vitamin and nutritional testing to her patients.  Dr. Hermann maintains offices in Tampa and St. Pete Beach, Florida.  Please call the office at (813) 902-9559 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

This post was written by Anne Hermann. Follow Anne Hermann on Google, Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin.

Am I Sensitive to Certain Foods?

 

One of the most common reasons for physician office visits is “stomach problems.”  These problems may include: abdominal pain and bloating, excess gas production, diarrhea and constipation.  Often, the symptoms can be linked to certain foods that are causing an inflammatory response within the gut.  These foods may trigger chronic activation of the immune system.  Conditions that have been linked to chronic immune activation  include:  skin disorders, chronic fatigue, obesity, allergic rhinitis, and neurological diseases.

Your physician may recommend a blood test to determine if you have a sensitivity or intolerance to certain foods.  The offending foods are then eliminated from your diet for a period of 3-6 months.  During this time period the gut is allowed to heal, and an improvement in symptoms should be achieved.

Dr. Anne Hermann, a holistic internal medicine physician, is pleased to offer food sensitivity testing to her patients.  Dr. Hermann maintains offices in Tampa and St. Pete Beach, Florida.  Please call the office at (813) 902-9559 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

This post was written by Anne Hermann. Follow Anne Hermann on Google, Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin.

Are Bio-Identical Estrogen Pellets Superior to Estrogen Cream?

Bio Identical Estrogen Pellets

Estrogen pellets are one form of bio-identical hormones.  The pellets are the size of a grain of rice.  These pellets are placed under the skin by a physician, and slowly release estrogen into your body for a period of 3-4 months.  Estrogen pellets are made in a compounding pharmacy based on your individual needs, which your physician will determine with blood work.

Low estrogen levels can cause decreased libido, depression, fatigue, headaches, and vaginal dryness among other symptoms.  Other forms of estrogen replacement include bio-identical creams, skin patches, and oral medications.  Many women are able to achieve significant improvement in their symptoms with the use of bio-identical estrogen therapy.

Dr. Anne Hermann, a holistic internal medicine physician is pleased to offer bio-identical estrogen replacement to her patients.  Dr. Hermann maintains offices in Tampa and St. Pete Beach, Florida.  Please call the office at (813) 902-9559 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

This post was written by Anne Hermann. Follow Anne Hermann on Google, Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin.