Dr.Shamek Pietucha

What is Integrative Medicine? The philosophy of integrative medicine is its ability to “see” the whole-person – more importantly we focus on healing, not just the disease. IM, as it's often called, depends on a partnership between the patient and the doctor, where the goal is to treat the mind, body, and spirit, all at the same time. While some of the therapies used may be nonconventional, a guiding principle within integrative medicine is to use therapies that have some high-quality evidence to support them. IM combines conventional Western medicine with alternative or complementary treatments, such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage, biofeedback, yoga, and stress reduction techniques -- all in the effort to treat the whole person.

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Great article on what may be the future of how hospitals perceive physicians. I'd like to think where I work CAMH, does not identify with such direct actions while undermining the doctor patient relationship, one of the primal drivers to MD occupational satisfaction. While on sabbatical I reflect on the workplace and feel generally highly supported at CAMH with both institutional support and professional autonomy; another driver of physician satisfaction.

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Saline Irrigation For a New Generation

Saline irrigation or nasal lavage has been around for thousands of years. Originally discovered by Ayurvedic (Indian) practitioners as a means to use fluid to gently clear nasal passages and sinuses of mucus and debris. 

The earliest record is found in the ancient Ayurvedic Vedas (ancient Indian collection of literature and works). It was customary to perform jala-neti daily, as part of soucha (personal hygiene according to scriptures). Numerous health professionals, including myself, advocate using various delivery systems for saline irrigation.

Most recently a novel solution has come to the marketplace named, Naväge. 

The Naväge Nasal Hygiene System uses gentle suction to pull water through the nose and nasal passages.

From the website (www.navage.ca): The founder relates his Aha! moment: "I woke up at about four o'clock on Sunday morning, February 18, 2007, and not likely to fall back to sleep, got up and began tinkering with my new project. And then it hit me - that unexpected eureka experience  you read about in novels and see in movies, a rare moment of exceptional insight. My simple realization was that for nasal lavage (lavage = rinsing) to be effective and comfortable and convenient and tidy (i.e., something that could appeal and be accessible to everyone) saline should be pulled through the nasal cavity, not pushed, and that this could be achieved by applying gentle suction."

Over the past three years I have used the stainless steel Neti Pot that I purchased from India with remarkable success.  It has allowed me to breathe exceptionally, remove allergens from my nasal passages (being highly allergic to my cat), and to effectively have a clear passage when practicing yoga. Having now used a sample that was provided by Naväge for approximately two months, I would like to relay to you my experience using this product, in comparison to the Neti Pot.  

The Naväge product comes with saline solution pods very much like the new disposable pot coffee makers.  You insert the pod into the top of the machine after filling it with sterile water.  Once secured you attach the two nasal rubber cannulas into nostrils and push the activation button halfway to initiate suction.  Once suction is achieved you press the button all the way down to activate the solution going into the nose and sinuses.  In opposition to a regular Neti Pot where the solution flows out the other nostril via gravity, the solution from the Naväge is collected into a receptacle container under the device via the cannula. 

The device was fairly easy to set up, it came with two batteries already installed.  It also came with an approximate fifteen day supply of the salt pods. The cost for the device is $49.95, and a pack of 30 SaltPods cost $14.95. Once the device is used it can be cleaned easily, and dries quickly for use the next day.  I tested the durability of the product and have dropped it a few times (don't do this at home), the plastic is quite durable, as opposed to other plastic saline delivery devices on the market (I have tried these) which have cracked under direct pressure. 

I found the salt pot solution to be non-irritating to the nasal passages and not to salty. 

If your passages are extremely clogged, the gravity that is used by the regular netipot may not be enough to pull the water through the sinuses for an effective cleaning.  This is a true benefit of the Naväge system which pulls the water for you, being able to bypass any difficult and/or residual blockages through the nasopharyngeal pathway.

For those that are inexperienced in using a regular Neti Pot, the Naväge Nasal Hygiene System is a great choice, and has clear instructions and directions on how to effectively use and clean the nasal passages. 

Some limitations of this product are the potential cost, the cost of the replacement pods as opposed to a steel Neti Pot, and possible contamination of the plastic if improperly cleaned. 

I would highly recommend The Naväge Saline irrigation device for anybody with chronic sinus congestion, nasopharyngeal blockages like a deviated septum, chronic allergies, or other nasal conditions which lead to chronic congestion. This device is also useful for anybody that practices yoga as it will clear the passages before yoga practice effectively.  Lastly, for smokers who may suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, I see this is a highly valuable addition to help clear the pathways of smoking mucus and debris, and may lead to overall less corticosteroid use and antibiotic resistance and overuse.

Dr. Pietucha has no vested interest in this product and was not paid anything to provide this review beyond a sample of the product itself.  Dr.  Pietucha is an integrative health specialist practicing in Toronto. He represented Canada at the 2000 Olympic games in swimming and he is currently studying yoga therapy and other movement interventions in India.

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Scientists Find 'Missing Link' Between The Brain And Immune System

A previously unknown link between the brain and the immune system was found hidden in the lining of the sinuses.

We still don’t understand so much.  They said no lymphatics in the brain now here you go -- what is next? energy meridians, shocking? 

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Parkinson’s disease may be caused by abnormal gut/brain interaction!

The chronic neurodegenerative Parkinson’s disease affects an increasing number of people. However, scientists still do not know why some people develop Parkinson’s disease. Now researchers from Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital have taken an important step towards a better understanding of the disease.

New research indicates that Parkinson’s disease may begin in the gastrointestinal tract and spread through the vagus nerve to the brain.

More importantly is how does one shut down vagus interactions? Yoga and specifically breathing has been shown to be a primary vagus nerve therapeutic intervention. Have you tried 4-7-8 breathing? Here is a great explanation of why it works. It is a primary intervention I teach in my therapeutic group for trauma and mind body interactions. 

Original Research: Abstract for “Vagotomy and subsequent risk of Parkinson’s disease” by Elisabeth Svensson PhD, Erzsébet Horváth-Puhó PhD, Reimar W Thomsen PhD, Jens Christian Djurhuus DMSc, Lars Pedersen PhD, Per Borghammer DMSc and Henrik Toft Sørensen DMSc in Annals of Neurology. Published online June 2015

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Ginger for Migraines

Finally a study demonstrating the benefits of Ginger over one of the most popular abortive migraine medication sumatriptan, without all the deleterious side effects.  I’m a huge fan of this amazing flowering plant for many things including inflammatory mediation, nausea, testosterone boosting, and as a general adoptogen.  Just 1/6 a tablespoon of dried ginger (buy organic) easily found in most supermarkets was shown to be more effective.  Click here to learn more about the study and give it a try. 

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When injections accidentally enter blood vessels, blockages and damage can occur

Soft tissue fillers used in cosmetic procedures can accidentally be injected into blood vessels in the face and cause serious harm, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns. Simple solutions can lead to profound results. Just getting 7-8 hours of sleep each night for 1 month can make you look like you had a face lift. Try quitting smoking and drink less ethanol, this will lead to a plumper facial appearance.  Add a Retinol and Vitamin C serum to your daily face regime. Lastly if you go under the needle, go with someone experienced and always ask about their worst outcome. If your MD tells you none -- they have not done enough procedures or they are lying. Happy beauty trails. 

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6 Surprising Causes Of Inflammation—And What You Can Do About It

These six surprising causes of chronic inflammation could be making you sick.

Inflammation is hiding all around us. From the subtle to the obvious. Living an anti-inflammatory lifestyle is the key to promoting well being and longevity. #drshamek #NSM drshamek 

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Love Bitter Melon

Recently, I had a patient ask me about the use of this wonderful fruit for excessive bloating. Guess what it worked a miracle for her!

Bitter gourd or Momordica charantia (also known as bitter melon) belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family, of the genus Momordica, home to squash, watermelon, cantaloupes, cucumber, etc. As is the trait within members in the Cucurbitaceae family, bitter gourds are vines with thin stems and tendrils that require trellis to support the climbing vine.

They come in many varieties ranging from dark greens to whites and common varieties are balsam pear, cundeamor, la-kwa, etc. The pods are characterized by smooth lengthwise ridges and uneven warty surface. Depending upon the cultivar type, immature pods are light to dark green and have oblong or oval shapes with a pointed tip at the blossom end. Internally, the flesh is white with rough edged seeds, and gradually turns yellow or orange as they mature, with the seeds turning red.

Bitter gourd contains a unique phyto-constituent that has been confirmed to have a hypoglycemic effect (lowering blood sugar) called Charantin. There is also another insulin-like compound known as Polypeptide P which has been tested as an insulin replacement in some diabetic patients and have been show to be beneficial in folks with gastrointestinal issues and excessive bloating and gas. 

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# Never Stop Moving! #thehealthsojourner 

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JUICE TO EASE ARTHRITIS PAIN

Suffer from inflammatory pain resulting in conditions such as arthritis or gout? This juice will help alleviate those symptoms! Drink it twice daily for 30 days and notice significant improvement in your inflammatory pain! 

There are a variety of inflammatory-related conditions, ranging from arthritis to inflammatory bowel disease and sinusitis as well as inflammatory skin conditions like eczema, acne, rosacea, dermatitis and psoriasis. The list doesn’t end there. In fact, many diseases nowadays are caused by a major influx of inflammation in the cells and tissues, whether that be from consuming the wrong foods or living in less-than-optimal environmental conditions (i.e., chemical hazards, smog, pollution, etc.).

Why does this juice work?

Turmeric: The potency of turmeric’s anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects have been equated with that of the popular pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory drugs like Motrin and hydrocortisone (but without the nasty side effects and toxicity of these isolated drugs). A daily dosage of curcumin was found to be more effective in easing post-surgical inflammation as the regular anti-inflammatory prescriptions. Curcumin has the ability to inhibit the activity of enzymes COX-2 and lipoxygenase, which contributes to turmerics amazing anti-inflammatory properties.

Pineapple: The major mechanism of action of the bromelain enzyme in pineapple (which is highly anti-inflammatory) is proteolytic in nature, and may also involve immunomodulatory and hormone like activity, which acts via intracellular signalling pathways. It has also been shown that bromelain significantly reduces CD4+T lymphocytes, which are the "bad guys" that make us feel the pain associated with inflammation. Research also indicates that the pain and discomfort associated with arthritis can be reduced by supplementing with 200 – 400 mg of bromelain per day (or you could just eat lots of pineapple every day and get the same effects – remember, the natural, real form of these enzymes are far better than their modified, synthetic form).

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Don’t Stop Moving, Ever. Once you stop your body hardens, your arteries become rigid, your brain fogs, your limbs become weak. Movement interventions lead to longer lives and less morbidity. Dr Shamek 

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How statistical deception created the appearance that statins are safe and effective in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease!

We have provided a critical assessment of research on the reduction of cholesterol levels by statin treatment to reduce cardiovascular disease. Our opinion is that although statins are effective at reducing cholesterol levels, they have failed to substantially improve cardiovascular outcomes. We have described the deceptive approach statin advocates have deployed to create the appearance that cholesterol reduction results in an impressive reduction in cardiovascular disease outcomes through their use of a statistical tool called relative risk reduction (RRR), a method which amplifies the trivial beneficial effects of statins. We have also described how the directors of the clinical trials have succeeded in minimizing the significance of the numerous adverse effects of statin treatment.

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Dangers of Electromagnetic Energies

I've often wondered about the negative aspects of electromagnetic energy. We are surrounded by unnatural, dirty electricity. Take steps to product yourself, especially when using your portable cellular devices. These have powerful electromagnetic fields that have been linked to negative health outcomes. Some suggestions follow:

Simply Keep your distance.

Do not keep your cell phone next to your body or in your bra. There is evidence offered by the Environmental Health Trust to suggest that women who keep a cellular phone in their bra may develop breast cancer. Research also indicates that men who keep their cell phones on their belt or near their reproductive organs may have lower sperm counts and less sperm motility.

Talk on speaker.

Holding a cell phone to your ear also exposes your salivary glands to EMFs. Research has shown a fourfold increase in cancer of the parotid gland from 1970 to 2006 while rates of other salivary gland cancers have stayed the same. The parotid gland is located closest to your cheek

Turn your phone off more often.

No radiation is emitted when the device is off.

Consider alternatives.

When possible, use a landline or Skype, which offers a way to stay in touch without a cell phone!

Use an EMF shielding device.

A variety of holsters and other cell phone holders and shields are available that claim to block radiation. If you buy such a product, look to see if it has an SAR (specific absorption rate) value. You want a shielding device that blocks the majority of EMFs. (SAR is a measure of the rate at which energy is absorbed by a body exposed to EMFs.)

Make the switch.

Switch the phone to airplane mode when you give your cell phone to your kids to play with, especially toddlers

Protect yourself while sleeping.

At night, put your phone on airplane mode or keep it on the other side of the bedroom

Wear a shungite necklace.

This black, non-crystalline mineraloid is more than 98 percent carbon and found primarily in Russia. There are anecdotal reports that shungite has the ability to protect people from electromagnetic radiation.

Use a wired headset.

However, because radiation may still travel through the wire, buy a ferrite bead to attach to the wire. The bead absorbs radiation travelling through the wire.

Text at a distance.

Keep your cell phone 30 to 40 centimeters away from your body when texting to reduce exposure to radiation.

Seek good reception.

Cell phones with better reception transmit at lower power than those that need to work harder. Whenever possible, use your cell phone only when you have five bars.

Limit Bluetooth use.

Remove your Bluetooth headset as soon as you are finished your call. Switch ears between calls so you reduce the exposure to one ear.

Food fight.

Eat lots of foods that can help support your nervous system, which is the first system in the body affected by EMFs.

Get a Radiation-Protective Case

New research shows that some standard cell phone cases can actually increase radiation exposure by up to 70 percent. Look for cases that protect against radiation.

Foods that fight EMF damage

You can do more than avoid and dodge electromagnetic radiation—you can choose foods that have the ability to arm your body’s cells against damage from EMF exposure. Foods that protect the body’s cells from the potentially damaging effects of electromagnetic radiation are organic fruits and vegetables, organically raised red meats (e.g., lamb, beef, bison, venison), raw dairy products, egg yolks, and homemade slow-cooked bone broths. Vegetarians and vegans can focus on the first suggestion and also include omega-3 fatty acid and evening primrose oil supplements, which support cell membrane integrity, and non-GMO liquid protein.

References:

[1] "Electrohypersensitivity: State-of-the-art of a functional impairment",

Dr. Olie Johansson, Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine, 25: 245–258, 2006

[2] World Health Organisation Fact sheet #296, December 2005

[3] Trent University press release, Trent University researcher identifies potential to “clean up dirty electricity”, Nov. 29, 2004

[4] Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity: Biological Effects of Dirty Electricity with Emphasis on Diabetes and Multiple Sclerosis, Dr. Magda Havas, Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine, 2006

[5] Dirty Electricity in Schools, Professor Magda Havas, Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation, Nov. 2006.

[6] Trent University press release, Trent University researcher identifies potential to “clean up dirty electricity”, Nov. 29, 2004

[7] The Independent, “Germany warns citizens to avoid using Wi-Fi,” September 9, 2007.

[8] German Federal Agency For Radiation Protection, Press Release, DECT – The Radiation Source at Home: Cordless Phones radiate unnecessarily, January 3 2006

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Well Workouts: The Scientific 7-Minute Workout

12 exercises deploying only body weight, a chair and a wall, it fulfills the latest mandates for high-intensity effort — all of it based on science.

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Under Pressure

UNDER PRESSURE: THE SEARCH FOR A STRESS VACCINE : One of the most interesting articles I have come across on the stress response and how important it is for overall health, well-being and longevity. Using Integrative Stress reduction modalities promote a significant decrease in the stress response. In fact combating stress and its deleterious outcomes is equally significant as quitting smoking, eating well, and exercise.   

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Foundations

Life is constantly evolving yet staying the same. Foundational integration of health and one's environment is crucial to well-being: Eat wholesome food (food is a love letter from god), find movement interventions (never stop moving), find space for moments of solace, interact with healthy people with energy that drives your passion and social connection, practice resilience, be present, gracious, accept non-perfection and strive for balance, forgive + be gentle (to oneself and others), be light (in spirit). 

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SAVE US: for Charlie

we have turned around to find this world between clouds that dance on strings led by desperate men

where have the missionaries fled too they have left us holding atomic apples and rummaging through oil bins in a quest for monetary immortality

we are drowning tsunamis under the guise of today’s peace we are searching for soil but are immersed in weight loss plans we are pacing the planet hoping to find God

saving us has to happen

if only because we are dying of mind plaques trying to relinquish control of our own bodies shedding light to the Spirit making room for what it means to rise again

we have turned around to find this world between clouds that dance on strings led by desperate men

the missionaries fled to oil bins leaving us holding atomic apples and rummaging through a quest for immortality

we are drowning tsunamis under the guise of today’s peace we are searching for soil but are immersed in weight loss plans we are pacing the planet hoping to find God

saving us has to happen

if only because we are dying of mind-plaques trying to relinquish control of our own bodies shedding light to the Spirit making room for what it means to rise again

Shamek