Hi

 

Happening at IHC

We hope that this first newsletter of 2022 finds you in good health and spirits. The topic of health and sickness will no doubt continue to be the focus for the foreseeable future, as this C-19 pandemic unfortunately doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.

Despite the fact that health authorities and media continue to spend so little time discussing what is known, comorbidities like obesity, poorly controlled diabetes, and immune suppression, continue to be the highest risk factors for poor prognosis with viral infections. In fact, it is estimated that over 95% of C-19 deaths have occurred in those with comorbidities, and predominantly in the elderly. Those with the weakest immune systems.

We encourage everyone to start 2022 with a goal of optimizing their health and particularly their immunity, thereby reducing the likelihood of falling seriously ill during this second half of the cold and flu season.

In the face of provincial healthcare shortages, we at IHC remain open for in-person as well as virtual consultations, annual screening exams, pap tests, and blood draw services.

We will continue to provide the highest level of healthcare to our patients through this challenging time.

 
 

Featured Service

DNA Testing - Lifestyle/Nutrition Optimization & Customized Pharmaceutical Prescribing

Our DNA contains information in the form of a code — the genetic code — which determines our individual traits and characteristics.

For the sake of simplification, this code is made up of four types of DNA building blocks, “A, C, G and T”.

DNA testing reveals what is unique about you and is found in every cell in our body. It is our body’s blueprint!

Amongst many other traits, your unique genes play a big role in your personal response to medications, as well as to nutritional and lifestyle factors.

LoveMyHealth™ by DNALabs is designed to provide insights into the key factors of your health and well-being based on your genomic profile. It empowers you to improve your health and well-being by providing actionable nutrition, exercise and lifestyle recommendations personalized to your unique genetic makeup.

MatchMyMeds™ by DNALabs will analyze your DNA to determine whether certain, commonly prescribed drugs will work, and at what dose. Finding information on the “Right Drug at the Right Dose”, this information enables doctors to make the best prescribing choices for you, thereby minimizing the likelihood of Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs), and maximizing the likelihood of a successful outcome.

The MatchMyMeds™ report covers 78 drug compounds found in 100s of different products, including some of the most commonly prescribed drugs, and covers various therapeutic categories, including pain/migraine, anxiety, oncology, immunology, cardiovascular, and psychiatry, among others.

Interested in gaining deeper insight to your unique DNA needs? These two genetic tests are offered at both IHC locations.

604-888-8325

 

 
 

From the IV Suite

Vitamin D

Vitamin D, “the sunshine vitamin”, has been found to be deficient in 70-90% of Canadians, especially in our dark and gloomy winter months.

What are the symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency?

  • Getting illnesses or infections more often
  • Feeling tired or fatigued
  • Hair loss
  • Muscle pain
  • Bone and/or lower back pain
  • Depression or low mood
  • Infertility
  • Wounds that heal slowly following surgery, infection or injury

January is an ideal time to get your vitamin D levels checked, to ensure you are dosing correctly for your body’s needs. If deficient, vitamin D intramuscular injections are a safe and effective way to quickly restore your vitamin D to an optional level.

Call 604-888-8325 to inquire about infusions at IHC. More information available on our website, www.integratedhealthclinic.com

 
 

From the Cancer Care Centre

Neoadjuvant Treatment

Neoadjuvant treatment is defined as the therapy administered before the “main treatment”, which is usually surgery. The purpose is to shrink the tumour before the surgery with the intention of having a more successful surgery. Neoadjuvant treatment is now a standard with many different types of cancer, including rectal cancer.

Let’s take a look at a 2021 conducted at the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine in Korea.

Without getting into the weeds, let me summarize the main findings of interest for our readers on this study.

  1. There were 120 patients with locally advanced enrolled between 2012 and 2017.
  2. All patients received neoadjuvant treatment 6-8 weeks before their surgery.
  3. 62 patients received neoadjuvant modulated electro-hyperthermia (mEHT) using the Oncotherm EHY2000+ device that we use at IHC), in addition to the standard 5-FU chemotherapy + radiotherapy (RT)
  4. 58 patients received only neoadjuvant 5-FU chemotherapy + RT (non-mEHT group)
  5. Statistically significant results were as follows:
    • Median RT dose was significantly lower in mEHT group (40Gy vs. 50.4 Gy)
    • Down-staging (shrinkage) occurred in 80.7%-mEHT vs. 67.2% non-mEHT
    • In large tumours (>65cm3) tumour regression 31.6%-mEHT vs. 0% non-mEHT
    • Gastrointestinal toxicity was 64.5%-mEHT and 87.9%-non-mEHT
    • 2-year disease-free survival 96%-mEHT and 79% non-mEHT

So, what’s the summary? By adding mEHT to the neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy typically used for locally advanced rectal cancer, patients were able to use lower doses of RT, while achieving statistically significant better outcomes, with fewer side effects. Now that is like having your cake (non-sugar, non-flour cake of course ;-) and eating it too!

Sunghyun Kim , Jun Hyeok Lee , Jihye Cha & Sei Hwan You (2021). Beneficial effects of modulated electro-hyperthermia during neoadjuvant treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer. International Journal of Hyperthermia, 38:1, 144-151. DOI:10.1080/02656736.2021.1877837

Gurdev Parmar, ND, FABNO(USA)

 
 

In the News

Study finds cancer risk associated to aspartame and more.

Food additives including artificial sweeteners, like aspartame, nitrites, nitrates, and trans-fats were found to be associated with an increased risk of developing cancer.

“Nutrition, along with avoiding tobacco intake, is one of the main modifiable risk factors for chronic diseases. There is a lot at stake in terms of prevention. This requires a combination of actions at the individual level to the public level by informing the public through food labeling” wrote the author of the article linked here:

https://www.rxlist.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=269195

Dr. Alanna Rinas, ND

 
 

Connect to Our Blog

5 Pillars of Nutrition for Weight Loss

95% of people start a weight loss program and never stick it…mostly because people don’t make it a lifestyle. They get caught up in trying ‘tricks’ that are completely unsustainable.

Dr. Karen McGee, ND

Click to Read Full Blog Post

 
 

Doctor Favourite Receipe

Celiac Friendly Life Changing Loaf of Bread

Ingredients 

1 cup (135 grams) sunflower seed kernels (not in the shell)

1/2 cup (90 grams) flax seeds

1/2 cup (65 grams) hazelnuts or almonds

1 1/2 cups (145 grams) rolled oats (if making gluten-free, make sure to get certified gluten-free oats or try out quinoa flakes as an oatmeal replacement)

2 tablespoons chia seeds

4 tablespoons psyllium seed husks (3 tablespoons if using psyllium husk powder)

1 teaspoon fine grain sea salt (add 1/2 teaspoon if using coarse salt)

1 tablespoon maple syrup (for sugar-free diets, use a pinch of stevia)

3 tablespoons melted coconut oil or ghee

1 1/2 cups (350 milliliters) water

Note: Add dried fruit for a sweet twist!

Directions

In a flexible, silicon loaf pan or a standard loaf pan lined with parchment, combine all dry ingredients, stirring well. Whisk maple syrup, oil, and water together in a measuring cup. Add this to the dry ingredients and mix very well until everything is completely soaked and dough becomes very thick (if the dough is too thick to stir, add one or two teaspoons of water until the dough is manageable). Smooth out the top with the back of a spoon. Let sit out on the counter for at least 2 hours, or all day or overnight. To ensure the dough is ready, it should retain its shape even when you pull the sides of the loaf pan away from it or lift the parchment.

Preheat oven to 350° F / 175° C.

Place loaf pan in the oven on the middle rack and bake for 20 minutes. Remove bread from loaf pan, place it upside down directly on the rack and bake for another 30 to 40 minutes. Bread is done when it sounds hollow when tapped. Let cool completely before slicing.

Store bread in a tightly sealed container for up to five days. Freezes well too – slice before freezing for quick and easy toast!

Dr. Jess Hobson, ND

 

Hours of Operation - Fort Langley

Monday & Tuesday - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Wednesday - 9:00 am to 7:00 pm

Thursday & Friday - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

NEW - Saturday - 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Hours of Operation - White Rock

Monday - Saturday - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

 
 

We care about you. We approach every patient as a unique individual with needs specific to your health. Expect a caring approach from us all. Visit our website to learn more.