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Free 1hr Webinar with Dr. John Nieters Integrative Diabetes

By Jenny | Published September 19, 2011

Lotus Institute of Integrative Medicine Presents  FREE 1 hour Webinar Weekdays w/Dr. John Nieters on Integrative Diabetes Care at 12PM, PT!?!

Join us by clicking here for direct entry to the meeting room. (Choose the “Enter as a Guest” option)

Or Log in to your FREE online eLotus account to access this webinar and download the Lecture Notes.

Don’t have one yet? Sign up for your FREE account to access this webinar!

Not sure how to access a Webinar Weekdays from your eLotus account?
Follow these simple steps:

  1. Log in to your eLotus online account at www.elotus.org.
  2. Click on the “Webinar Weekdays” link at the top of the eLotus home page.
  3. Click the course name you would like to attend, then click on “Click here to launch course” in the pop-up bubble.
  4. On the course page, click on the link next to “Click to Watch Webinar” to be automatically logged in to the webinar!

http://www.acupunctureceublog.com/join-us-tomorrow-for-a-free-1-hr-webinar-with-dr-john-nieters/

Posted in Education | Tagged , | Comments Off on Free 1hr Webinar with Dr. John Nieters Integrative Diabetes

Can I take Vitamin D supplements?

By Jenny | Published September 14, 2011

Hi John,
I tested low for Vitamin D 25(OH) and 1,25 di-hydroxy Vitamin D at 89.7 and was told to start supplementing Vitamin D. I am a Type 1 diabetic with Lyme disease. What do you think?
Thanks,
– Jess

Dear Jess,
This can be a very confusing issue.  While it is one of the greatest things for the health of the nation that Vitamin D deficiencies have moved into the spotlight, most health care professionals don’t understand all of the issues involved.  I have personally explained the Vitamin D issues to several MD’s who have called to question me about testing that I have done on their patients.

Athough the Vitamin D test done by your other health care provider is indeed low, it is only one relevant test.  The test done was a 25(OH) Vitamin D, the more common test that measures the storage form of Vitamin D in the body.  Most labs report results of over 32 ng/dl as “normal”.  While this may be adequate for protection and creation of healthy bones, we need much higher levels to support immune function.  I place “normal” at 55-60 ng/dl because that is the typical level achieved by lifeguards and in cultures that get traditional amounts of sunlight exposure.  When serum levels of Vitamin D fall under 30 ng/dl there has been shown a proven increase in diabetes, 15 forms of cancer, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and several other neurodegenerative diseases.

It is virtually impossible to have too high a level of the storage form of Vitamin D, so very few people need to be concerned.  However, you are one of the people who must be concerned.  Anyone with very high levels of inflammation should get both vitamin D tests.

The test that I order for the more bioactive form of Vitamin D is called 1,25 dihydroxy Vitamin D or calcitriol.  This is the form that directly activates the immune system.  This is a very powerful hormone that can cause significant damage if the levels are elevated.

The body produces cytokines which are chemicals that attract the other immune cells, such as the white cells in the bloodstream, to infection sites.  This is a very important process.  With inflammatory disease conditions the body often produces an overabundance of cytokines and will even lose it’s ability to turn off the reactions.  These excess cytokines can then block the vitamin D receptor sites, tricking the body into thinking it needs more of the “active” Vitamin D.  The body then over converts the storage to active forms, which can be a very serious problem. Your 1,25 di-hydroxy Vitamin D (calcitriol) level is too high at 89.7.  The “normal” range at Labcorp is 10-75.  This will cause a lot of inflammation and even increase osteoporosis risk if it stays high.

You should not take any vitamin D supplements until this goes down, as you will over-convert from the 25(OH) Vit D in the supplements to this active form. The cytokine storms from your infections are likely blocking the vitamin D receptor sites. Although you need vitamin D to activate the immune system, getting this calcitriol level down would take priority. Even sun exposure could be a bit problematic at this time.

Be Happy!

– Dr. John Nieters, L.Ac. DAOM, FABORM

Posted in Ask the Acupuncturist | Comments Off on Can I take Vitamin D supplements?

Sorting out Tai Ji (Tai Chi) styles

By Jenny | Published August 25, 2011

Hi John,
I went to the Tai chi Class yesterday.  They do something called Guang Ping Yang Tai Chi.  Some of the moves are similar to the set that you teach, but the set is in different sequence and includes some moves we did not study.  Some basic differences in movement but same principles, for the most part.  Are you familiar with this type of Tai Chi?
Thanks for any feedback.
Tai Ji Student

Dear Tai Ji Student,
My first Tai Chi Instructor was one of the two main teachers of this type of Tai Ji in the US.  I studied this form with him in the early 1970’s.  I later studied Dayan Qigong, the QiGong form that I used to teach, with his wife.

This form was originally taught by the son of the founder of yang style Tai Ji so it is certainly authentic.  As such, it is based on exactly the same principles as the set that you studied with me.  I have found that the set that I taught to you and the group is a much easier form to learn than the Guang Ping Yang style.

People who are devotees of Guan Ping Yang Style say it is the “real family style Tai Ji” and is more powerful than the Cheng Man Ching style that you learned.  That may be true.  I do know that the most competent and powerful Tai Ji practitioners that I have seen do the set that I taught.  So they are all great.

I learned them both and think they are both fabulous. .

Be Happy!

– Dr. John Nieters, L.Ac. DAOM, FABORM

Posted in Ask the Acupuncturist | Comments Off on Sorting out Tai Ji (Tai Chi) styles

August 2011 Acupuncture for Healthy Skin

By Jenny | Published August 24, 2011

In This Issue (Get QiMail delivered to your inbox )
– Acupuncture for Healthy Skin
– Foods to Help You Look Your Best
– Treating Hives with Acupuncture
– News, Events and Gratitude

Acupuncture for Healthy Skin
Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can be very effective at treating skin conditions. Treatments can provide quick relief for acute symptoms and can provide significant and lasting relief from recurrent or chronic skin conditions.

The skin reflects and reacts to imbalances within the body’s internal landscape and the effects of the environment. Internal disharmonies caused by strong emotions, diet, and your constitution as well as environmental influences, such as wind, dryness, dampness, and heat can all contribute to the development of a skin disorder. To keep your skin healthy and beautiful on the outside, you must work on the inside of your body as well. Increasing the flow of energy, blood and lymph circulation improves the skin’s natural healthy color. 

Promotion of collagen production increases muscle tone and elasticity helping to firm the skin. Stimulating the formation of body fluids nourishes the skin and encourages it to be moister, softer, smoother and more lustrous. 

General skin conditions that can be treated with acupuncture and Oriental medicine include acne, dermatitis, eczema, pruritus, psoriasis, rosacea, shingles and urticaria (hives). Oriental medicine does not recognize skin problems as one particular syndrome. Instead, it aims to treat the specific symptoms that are unique to each individual using a variety of techniques with acupuncture such as herbal medicine, bodywork, lifestyle/dietary recommendations and energetic exercises to restore imbalances found in the body. Therefore, if 10 patients are treated with Oriental medicine for eczema, each patient will receive a unique, customized treatment with different lifestyle and dietary recommendations. 

If you suffer from a skin condition or would like to know how to optimize your skin health, please call to find out more about how acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help you

Foods to Help You Look Your Best
Acupuncture views nutrition in a complex light, through the application of Oriental medicine wisdom to dietary habits. In short, certain foods are considered too yang, or hot to eat in excess during the warmer months, while others are prized for their yin ability to cool the body. Overall, the goal is balance between the internal yin and yang of the body.

A healthy, nutritional diet, getting good quality sleep and moderate exercise can keep your skin and physical form at it’s best. Be sure to integrate these items into your diet to help keep you looking your best!

Carrots and Sweet Potatoes – Healthy skin is directly dependent on the amount of vitamin A in our diet. Vitamin A acts as an antioxidant to neutralize harmful elements in our skin, helps to prevent wrinkles, resist infection and maintain the skin’s elasticity. One of the best places to get Vitamin A is vegetables that are deep orange in color.

Blackberries, Blueberries, Strawberries, and Plums – In a study recently published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, these four fruits weighed in with the highest “total antioxidant capacity” of any food. Antioxidants and other phytochemicals in these fruits can protect cells from damage and disintegration, thus guarding against premature aging.

Salmon, Walnuts, Olive Oil, and Flax Seed – Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are responsible for skin repair, moisture content, and overall flexibility, but because the body cannot produce its own EFAs, they must be obtained through the diet. Fish, walnuts, and flax seed oil are among the best sources for omega 3 fatty acid. Eating good-quality olive oil helps keep skin lubricated and keeps it looking and feeling healthier overall. Which olive oil is the best for your skin? Those labeled “cold pressed”, “expeller processed”, or “extra virgin” are the least processed forms. As a result, they contain the highest levels of antioxidative substances.

Whole Wheat Bread, Brown Rice, Turkey, Tuna and Brazil Nuts – Selenium is an antioxidant mineral responsible for tissue elasticity and healthy skin. It may play an important role in preventing skin cancer, as some recent studies are showing that skin damaged by the sun may suffer fewer consequences if selenium levels are high. 

Green Tea – Green tea’s ability to slow down the development of some signs of aging is attributed to its high levels of polyphenols, which have been well-documented for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Green tea may help prevent or reduce the risk of skin cancer according to a study published recently in the Archives of Dermatology, which shows that whether taken orally or applied to the skin, green tea can reduce the risk of damage from ultraviolet light and thus reduce the risk of skin cancer.

Water – Hydration plays a key role in keeping skin cells healthy. It is essential to maintaining your skin’s elasticity and suppleness. Keeping cells hydrated helps cells move nutrients in and toxins out, which helps keep skin clean and clear.

Treating Hives with Acupuncture
Hives (urticaria) are swollen, red, bumps, patches or welts on the skin that appear suddenly. Itching is the most common symptom associated with hives, although some people report that hives cause a stinging or burning sensation. Hives can occur anywhere on the body including the hands, face, lips, tongue, throat, or ears. 

A sign that the whole body is experiencing a hypersensitivity reaction a hives outbreak can occur due to a wide array of stimuli. While intolerance to certain foods, additives, intense emotions, sunlight exposure, and medications can all cause hives, in 70-75% of outbreaks the exact cause of hives remains unknown. 

Whether lasting for just a few minutes, a few hours or persisting for several weeks hives are rarely a medical emergency however, in some cases they can be accompanied by shock, difficulty breathing and be life threatening. About 20% of people will experience hives (urticaria) at some point in their lives. While standard treatment for hives is directed toward relieving unpleasant symptoms with antihistamines or a corticosteroid drug many people are turning to acupuncture and Oriental medicine to address underlying imbalances that cause this condition and stop recurrent outbreaks once and for all.

Evidence that Acupuncture and herbal medicine have been used for skin disorders, such as hives, can be found in early medical literature dating back to 3 AD. Medicinal plants and stone needles were utilized to relieve and cure discomforts of the external areas of the body.

In Oriental medicine, an outbreak of hives is described as wind invading the skin and the meridians, causing itching and swelling. When the eruptions are red it is an indication that wind and heat are involved. When the eruptions are a pale pink or white, it is likely that the diagnoses will be wind-cold invading the skin. How the condition is diagnosed will determine what acupuncture points are used, what herbal medicinals are prescribed and what lifestyle/dietary recommendations are made.

Treatments are directed at addressing both the cause and the symptoms by providing immediate relief from the itching and swelling and addressing the underlying imbalances and triggers that are causing the condition.

News, Events and Gratitude!

-John was appointed to the Board of Directors at the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences. If you are considering a career in acupuncture, give us a call.

– We thank you for sharing about John’s work on the Alameda Parents Network and on www.yelp.com. Your support is welcome and meaningful.

– Tune-in to The Medicine Men and The Balancing Point radio shows podcast in iTunes, or live in the Bay Area, www.medicinemenradio.com or www.thebalancingpoint.net

– On August 11 John will be taping two guest appearances on the television show, A Forum on Spirituality. He will be interviewed about the spiritual aspects of his acupuncture practice. We will let you know when those shows will air.

– On September 25th, John will teach at the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Denver. He will teach a 1/2 day on his Integrative Diabetes Protocol and a 1/2 day on the modern clinical applications of the Pi Wei Lun classic. If you are in the Denver area, we hope to see you there. http://www.cstcm.edu/pda/all

– Please join us on Facebook Alameda Acupuncture – Dr. John Nieters, L.Ac.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alameda-Acupuncture-Dr-John-Nieters-LAc/126245057390177

Posted in Qi Mail | Comments Off on August 2011 Acupuncture for Healthy Skin

Lab tests and fertility

By Jenny | Published August 24, 2011

Hi John,
I ran this lab for one of my fertility patients.  She is female, 42 years, never been pregnant, tried for 3 years actively but has not been using contraception for 7 years.  Wants to give it another shot.  This is the first test. Wondering about her pH and Thyroid specifically.  Everything else looks good to me.
Your time is appreciated!
SF Acupuncturist

Dear SF Acupuncturist,
These are some of the healthiest labs that I have ever seen.  None of the things that I would  consider at all a potential problem are here.
– Blood sugars are perfect
– Thyroid is perfect ( on the surface at least – could do a reverse T3 to confirm)
– No signs of allergy or inflammation
-uric acid low
-CRP low
-eosinophils normal
– liver enzymes great.
– No signs of infection
– since no pregnancies, vs miscarriage, not too likely to be antibody problem

It’s great , which is of course a problem.  So the next most likely problems would be:
1. male problems – up to 40% of fertility issues are male problems
2. Healthy uterine cyclical hormonal development
3. Healthy cycle – luteal phase defects or ovarian defect
4. patency of fallopian tubes.
5. Healthy uterine structure

My personal next steps, to minimize cost with maximum effectiveness, would be in this order:

1. Test the male.
a. complete sperm work up is not expensive
b. STD testing – a very high percentage ( maybe 40%) of male sperm problems are from occult chlamydia infections
2-3. Cycle
a. Continue Basal Body Temp chart to be certain of 12 day high temp luteal phase with sharp rise and fall
b. Check LH:FSH ratio just to make certain no polycystic ovarian problems (very unlikely with the labs and glucose levels, but..)
c. Check day 21 progesterone levels for evidence of good luteal phase Pg levels
d. Have her check the amount of stretch to her Spinnbarkeit, mid cycle cervical mucus.
e. Ultrasound of ovaries to check follicular development during follicular phase
4. Have her MD test Fallopian tubes
a. ultrasound helpful
b. Hysterosalpingogram; much more accurate
c. STD testing and history; primarily for Chlamydial fallopian damage. This is particularly important with the high urine pH. (occult infections by certain STD’s can settle in the kidneys.  These bacteria  split urea which creates ammonia which will raise the pH.  This also puts her at higher risk for kidney stones so should be followed up on at any rate.  Since the specific gravity was moderately high, it might have just been a very concentrated urine sample however).  At any rate, I would have her hydrate normally and then do another urine test.
5. Uterine issues – her MD
a. View uterus to see that it is structurally sound and properly shaped
b. View uterine lining to be sure she is developing good uterine lining.

Be Happy!

– Dr. John Nieters, L.Ac. DAOM, FABORM

Posted in Ask the Acupuncturist | Comments Off on Lab tests and fertility
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