Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Volume 14 Issue 47

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Sulfurophane and health – It is clear now that SFN stands out as a powerhouse phytochemical with profound effects on human health through the pathway of nurclear factor erythroid related 2 (NRF2). It is found abundantly in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, broccolini, kale, and brussels sprouts. SFN is a bioactive compound with impressive clinical potential for preventing chronic disease and optimizing cellular health, especially in oxidant impaired/overloaded states. At its core, SFN is a sulfur-rich molecule derived from glucoraphanin, a glucosinolate precursor. The transformation occurs when the enzyme myrosinase, released during the chopping or chewing of cruciferous vegetables, catalyzes the reaction. Interestingly, this enzymatic activation can also be achieved via gut microbiota when raw vegetables are absent from the diet, emphasizing the remarkable adaptability of our biology to source essential nutrients as needed for survival. (Ali et. al. 2023)

Nrf2 is a master regulator of cellular defense, orchestrating the production of detoxification enzymes, antioxidants, and other cytoprotective proteins. By activating Nrf2, sulforaphane enhances the body’s resilience to oxidative stress, a key contributor to aging, inflammation, and the development of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Studies reveal that sulforaphane also induces Phase II detoxification enzymes, such as glutathione S-transferase, which play a vital role in neutralizing and excreting harmful toxins.

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Volume 14 Issue 46

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Lymphatics – Refresher

Lymphatics – a plumbing system that follows the circulatory system throughout the body including the brain where it is called the glymphatics. The function of these passively moving tubes is to transport fats around the body, clear cellular debris returning it to the liver and spleen, move fluid in and out of tissue to maintain fluid balance, transport and help immune cells function. By transporting fats , lymph is involved in vitamin movement to tissues and cells for Vitamins A, D, E, K. These are critical functions of metabolism, immunity and detoxification that when disrupted lead to chronic diseases of aging including edema, hypertension, autoimmunity and cardiovascular disease.

“Traditionally considered a passive route for transport of fluid, immune cells, and lipoproteins, lymphatics are now known to be active players in major physiological and pathophysiological processes. Until recently, lymphatic vessel dysfunction was mainly associated with primary and secondary lymphedema. Unexpectedly, however, lymphatic vascular defects have been uncovered in conditions such as obesity, cardiovas- cular disease, inflammation, hypertension, atherosclerosis, Crohn’s disease, glaucoma and various neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.” (Oliver et. al. 2021)…and a discussion on chemicals in school food.

Enjoy,

Dr. M

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Audiocast Volume 14 Issue 45

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Vaccines

In the coming months, I am going to take a deeper look at vaccines. I am fielding lots of questions in the office about the safety of vaccines. People are scared. Are they wrong? Should they be?

Let me start here: first off, I am solidly pro vaccine. That is not the same as to be in agreement with the current vaccine schedule or that vaccines are without risk. I believe that the vaccine schedule and the risk should be questioned on a rolling basis in perpetuetum. This is the function of medical science. Question dogma always. Look for errors of past thinking and reassess on a continual basis.

I think that on the face of it, the skepticism is well placed as the organizations tasked with our safety have made a mess of being honest during the COVID pandemic vaccine rollout….. plus a literature review.

Dr. M

Dr. M’s Women and Children First Podcast #83 – Ana Maria Temple, MD

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Dr. Ana-Maria Temple, MD, is an integrative pediatrician known for her whole child approach to children’s health. She studied medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine before pursuing pediatric residency training at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. In 2017, Dr. Temple further specialized by completing a fellowship in Functional Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. She combines conventional medicine with functional and lifestyle-based strategies to address common childhood conditions such as eczema, asthma, and allergies. Dr. Temple has a particular focus on helping families reduce dependence on medications by making sustainable health and wellness changes.

With decades of clinical experience, Dr. Temple has been a vocal advocate for preventive care, emphasizing nutrition, environmental changes, and integrative treatments. She is the author of the two bestselling books Healthy Kids in an Unhealthy World and Ending the Eczema Epidemic. Additionally, Dr. Temple is a sought-after speaker and podcast guest, sharing her expertise on holistic pediatric care through various platforms. Today, we focus on her approach to eczema and children’s health.

Enjoy,

Dr. M

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Audiocast Volume 14 Issue 44

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Treatment – sometimes it is just better to watch and wait.

Warts are a common ailment of childhood. Mostly a nuisance, sometimes a hindrance to function when located on the fingers and or areas of high use. There are two major types of wart type skin lesions – typical verrucous warts and molluscum contagiosum.

Google has great molluscum and wart Images

WARTS/MOLLUSCUM – To Treat Or Not To Treat?

Common warts and molluscum contagiosum lesions are benign, but bothersome viral skin lesions that are common in children. We see them all the time in clinic. A common viral wart is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV infects the epithelium of the skin, leading to keratinocyte proliferation in the skin’s outer layer. This uncontrolled growth of the keratinocytes results in a thickened rough round lesion that we see. If the immune system fails to fully clear the virus, we see this lesion for months to years. Molluscum, caused by an unknown virus, follows a similar course with a dissimilar appearance. Neither molluscum nor warts have roots despite the myth propagated over the years. Molluscum lesions have a turbid white appearance under the umbilicated skin papule with the virus located within the upper skin layer. They are 1-4 mm in diameter. Viral warts are a little larger usually 3 -10 mm in size. They form a protective cap of dead skin (keratinocyte) cells and invade the deeper skin layer. The protective cap is rough like sand paper. Molluscum lesions peak around ages 2-7 years and for common warts the peak age is 7-15 years…. and more on a literature review.

Dr. M

Dr. M’s Women and Children First Podcast #82 – Megan Lyons, DCN, MBA

Megan Lyons, is a distinguished expert in personalized nutrition and wellness, with over a decade of experience in the field. As the founder of The Lyons’ Share Wellness, she has dedicated more than 14,000 hours to one-on-one nutrition consulting, assisting clients with diverse goals such as weight loss, overcoming emotional eating, managing thyroid dysfunction, and reversing prediabetes and cholesterol issues.

Her academic credentials are extensive:

  • Doctorate of Clinical Nutrition from the University of Western States
  • Master of Science in Holistic Nutrition from Hawthorn University
  • Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University
  • Undergraduate degree from Harvard University

Megan is double board-certified as a Clinical and Holistic Nutritionist, and she is a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.

In 2016, she authored the Amazon Top 10 bestseller, Start Here: 7 Easy, Diet-Free Steps to Achieve Your Ultimate Health and Happiness. Additionally, she hosts the popular podcast Wellness Your Way, where she shares actionable and motivational health information with thousands of listeners each week.

Our goal today is to highlight the realities of women’s health, hormones and breastfeeding.

Enjoy,

Dr. M

The Lyons Share

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Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Audiocast Volume 14 Issue 43

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Finding a relational balance with any person or persons can be a struggle if one side of the relationship dyad has a strong need for a gain to feel safe or whole. For example, a parent in a poor quality marriage or with significant childhood wounding may turn to the child for happiness and love when it is missing otherwise. A child in turn being young will often, out of filial love, try to meet the needs of the parent. These types of relationships can take on many forms and can become dysfunctional over time.

I remember a parent child dyad from many years ago that was a budding enmeshed/codependent relationship between a mother and her son. Mom was absolutely unable to draw boundaries with her son as she felt all of his pain and reflected all of her childhood trauma onto the child’s life with boundary-less smothering love and control. She simultaneously would restrict any behavior that she perceived as unsafe controlling his environment while drawing zero boundaries with regard to his behavior toward her and others within this controlled small world. He was a holy terror by 4 years of age. His mother was crying for help while being indignant that he was sweet and well meaning while she enabled every choice that he made. Her fear of drawing boundaries because of her own childhood restrictive parenting wounding left this child completely attached to her yet abusive because he felt completely out of control. The psychological pathology was exhausting for all in the room. Recommendations for therapy and interventions were met with scorn….plus a literature review.

Enjoy,

Dr. M

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