So, there is a big difference between mushrooms, and from a roughly about 1.5 million mushrooms around the world there is a little bit over 300 mushrooms that have the actual health beneficial and medicinal purposes.

Interesting enough actually about half of the drugs in the world are derived from fungi-penicillin the famous antibiotic for example.

Now, in recent times with functional medicine and nutrition going mainstream, we are seeing a resurgence of interest in these amazing superfoods.

What Are the Most Common and How Are They Beneficial?

Shiitake and Maitake-Food mushrooms

In addition to immune stimulating capacity maitake is used for blood pressure control and the shiitake is also used for liver detox and cardiovascular disease.

It is easy to cook with these mushrooms and they are also loaded with B-vitamins so it will help with your energy, blood sugar levels and inflammation in the body!

Reishi-nature’s Xanax

This mushroom is generally used for people with anxiety, insomnia, stress due to calming effect but it also a known immunomodulator. Interestingly it also has some antifungal activity against Candida as well!

Cordyceps-Energy booster

Great for workout, endurance, and physical stress due to energy boost. Also great for   lung related issues like asthma or even seasonal allergies

Look for the Cordyceps militaris-commercially cultivated species since the true Cordyceps sinensis is extremely rare on our market and it is almost always myceliated grain aka high amount of fillers.

Lion’s mane-Mind Mushroom

Used for the Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s type of diseases and to help with memory. Lion’s mane is rare in the fact that it helps the production of a bioprotein called Nerve Growth Factor and myelin (an insulation around nerve fibers)

Turkey tail-Fight the cancer

Turkey tail contains a compound called polysaccharide-K (PSK) that stimulates the immune system and it is used for anti-cancer properties. Used also during chemotherapy!

What should you be looking for when it comes to mushroom supplements?

Check the amount of active compounds for the immunity and hormonal balance in each supplement.

Mushrooms need to grow on a mycelium and not rice bran and preferably in the nature not a lab for the best healing activity

Should be tested for pesticide, heavy metals, and mycotoxins (mushrooms can have their own bad mushrooms!)

Try the powders, coffees, extracts or find a recipe you like and cook with them! But do not eat the mushrooms raw because they have no bioavailability unless they are edible mushrooms like portobello-then you are eating more for the protein or the carbohydrates.

Always talk to your doctor beforehand to confirm if adding medicinal mushrooms to your diet is safe, especially if you are using certain medications or are pregnant.

So, which one are you going to try first?

To your health,

Dana Neacsu, MD

It makes you think how healthy are we really? What can I do to improve my chances? Because truth is we do not know at this point for how long we will battle this virus or if we win this time what else is lurking around the corner.

And there is only way to be sure or have the upper hand- strengthen your body and your immune system because then and only then no matter how new and strong the virus is you will have a chance. You might feel terrible. You might come out all bruised and tired from the fight, but you will survive. Your family will be with you.

However, if you think that just taking some supplements that you heard might be good for immunity (vitamin C and so on) you are possibly wrong. That should be the cherry on top or the last step once everything is taken care of.

We all heard that diabetics, chronic kidney and lung disease people are at risk I would also add to that people with liver disease and on immunosuppressive drugs based on what we see in the hospital and yet I do not see enough emphasis on changing our lifestyle immediately. Do we really have time to lose here?

Here is an article posted just now about the gravity of the illness directly related to obesity rates

Read Here!

And here is the TV interview of an Infectious Disease doctor talking among other things about how changing the way we eat makes a difference.

Watch Here!

So then what are we waiting for?

We can’t stop the aging, but we do have control on many other things like:

• Using food like medicine to nourish your body and help it regenerate
• Balance your blood sugar so it won’t mess up your immunity
• Strengthen your heart so it can help your lungs and won’t get affected by the virus
• Balance your hormones
• Calm the autoimmunity -there is no need for extra cytokine the virus makes plenty
• Work on your stress level
• Exercise

These are the pillars of health we all need to have in place in order to have a strong immune system!

Here is a webinar replay to help you understand -> Watch Here!

Let’s look at your health needs at this moment.

Reach us to us and let’s start your 21 days immune bootcamp asap! No time to lose!

To your health,

Dana Neacsu,MD

Luckily there are so many remedies we could use and most of the time work well. Most of them you can buy from your local health store and have them available as an emergency supply.

Here are a couple of my favorites supplements:

Quercetin: a very powerful phytonutrient found in plants and fruits.It prevents the release of dreadful histamine which is the chemical responsible for the allergy symptoms.You can get it from foods like citrus and broccoli but you will probably need a supplemental dose during an acute attack.

Vitamin C: essential vitamin for many chemical reactions inside our body, fights the inflammation and colds and viruses also present this time of the year.

Stinging nettles: despite the name don’t be scared …the leaf extract contains good nutrients that reduce histamine release and inflammation as well.Use it as a tea to prevent the flare-up or take the capsules during an acute attack

OMEGA-3 Fatty acids: another great anti-inflammatory supplement or even better get it by eating seafood, flaxseed or olive oil just to name a few.

Probiotics: allergies can be the result of an imbalance in the immune system that causes the body to react strongly to an allergen.There has been new research showing the beneficial effect of having a balanced gut bacteria environment.The best way to get them is by consuming fermented foods and drinks like Kombucha or Kefir or to take a high-quality probiotic capsule.

These supplements can be used individually or in combination to help alleviate your symptoms or even to prevent future reactions.

Feel better!

Adrenal fatigue in functional medicine is different from the Addison’s disease recognized by the conventional medicine not only from a testing perspective but also in terms of treatment and goals of care.

When your adrenal glands are overworked or dysfunctional, a condition known as adrenal fatigue or adrenal exhaustion sets in, which in turn can set a cascade of disease processes into motion. One of the most common signs of adrenal burnout is feeling chronically fatigued.

The 4 most common reasons for adrenal fatigue and dysfunction are intense emotional stress, poor diet, chronic inflammation, and underactive thyroid.

The Kalish Method normalizes dysfunctional adrenals and restores normal adrenal function. It involves nutrition changes, supplements, and stress reduction. Healing the adrenals will have a great effect on the rest of the body including the thyroid.

The adrenal protocol calls sometimes for carefully replacing just a small portion of the exact level of the missing adrenal hormones which stimulates your body to begin producing it more naturally.

In May 2016 a research study published by two Mayo Clinic researchers confirmed the efficacy of the Kalish Method showing significant improvements in GI health and quality of life in the study participants. The study was based on Dr. Kalish’s model of Functional Medicine based on 25 years of successful clinical results. Graduates of The Kalish Institute include practitioners ranging from Dr. Mercola’s medical staff to Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic physicians.

A research team, including Daniel J. Kalish, founder of the Kalish Institute and Susanne M. Cutshall and Larry R. Bergstrom, currently practicing at Mayo Clinic, proudly release a study around functional medicine. The study shows a variety of stress, fatigue, and quality of life measures can be improved through functional medicine, a growing field utilizing lab-based supplement programs, including lifestyle and nutritional counseling.

The 28-week study assessed the effectiveness of a specific functional medicine approach for improving stress, energy, fatigue, digestive issues and quality of life in middle-aged women exposed to high-stress work environments. This method, known as the Kalish Method and taught exclusively through the Kalish Institute, provides a systems approach to chronic illness addressing the “whole person” rather than an isolated set of symptoms and restoring three key body systems: hormones, digestion, and detoxification.

The study, which was completed in April 2015, has been published in the May 2016 issue of Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice

Happy reading!

Our body is quite amazing in its ability to remain functioning at a high level even when we are depleted of important nutrients for example. The challenge with this type of lifestyle is to understand when the body has been pushed too far and we cross the threshold and now we are talking about a feeling of exhaustion, not feeling rejuvenated even after sleeping or feeling extremely tired even after mild exertion.This is when you need to talk to your doctor.

So here is my approach to fatigue or lack of energy:

1.Always exclude the most common, conventional causes of fatigue like anemia, uncontrolled diabetes or kidney problems. In my experience, however most people have ‘’normal’’ blood work and they still don’t feel well.

2.Get tested for adrenal gland dysfunction or fatigue, this is different from the adrenal insufficiency recognized by conventional medicine and so is the testing. Functional medicine tests the salivary cortisol because these levels are indicative of cellular function wellbeing. The treatment usually involves addressing nutrition, sleep, stress reduction and a supplement protocol including some herbs known as adaptogens(they will stimulate or relax your body depending on whatever your body needs at any given time)

3.Check your thyroid with an extensive panel including T4 and T3 which are the active hormones and work with your doctor to determine what is the cause of thyroid imbalance(for example food sensitivities, gluten intolerance, adrenal dysfunction).Choose the right hormonal preparation to suit your body’s needs and not just the well-known synthroid.

4.Always consider a mitochondrial imbalance as a possible cause of fatigue. Mitochondria are little powerhouses existent in every cell and responsible for energy production. Unfortunately, is extremely sensitive to any kind of nutrients deficiency or environmental chemical toxicity. Luckily we can test for this imbalance as well and then correct it.

5.Make sure there is no chronic, low grade infection or inflammation in your body and I am thinking here particularly about digestive infections. I would like to emphasize the fact a lot of people do not get necessarily digestive problems with this type of infections but rather something like fatigue, skin rashes, achy joints, hormonal imbalance and so forth. Functional medicine uses a different type of stool testing much more detailed than the regular one used by conventional medicine and we also have a lower threshold for treating certain bacteria.

6.Think food intolerance as well as the reason for feeling fatigued and tired.Most people are only aware of the food allergy (rash. redness, swelling of face, difficulty breathing) which is completely different and easier to recognize. Food sensitivity can be diagnosed by a blood test and also by correlating symptoms with certain food ingested. The most common culprits are: gluten, dairy, soy. It is important to remember it takes your body a long time 4-6 weeks in average to get rid of the antibodies to a certain food so don’t expect major changes within the first couple of days. I would also recommend working with an experienced nutritionist/health coach.

7.Nutritional deficiency is a well-known cause of fatigue and pretty easy to diagnose with a blood test like Genova or Spectracell.Your doctor can then design an individualized treatment for you.

Which one applies to you?

Avocado: one of my all-time favorites, packed with monounsaturated fats or the ‘’good’’ fats, important for our brain cells structure but also for hormone production and blood sugar control. Avocado also contains vitamin K and folic acid which help prevent blood clots in the brain and strokes. They are also rich in Vitamins B and C, proteins and low in sugar. Their creamy texture makes them easy to use in smoothies or baking.

Blueberries! so-called nature’s candy …one of the highest antioxidant-rich foods but they also provide vitamin C, K, and lots of fiber. Research showed their levels of gallic acid, a strong antioxidant, are especially good at protecting our brains from stress and all sorts of degenerative disease. You can use them in both savory and sweet dishes!

Bone broth: obviously, my grandmother was right about this one too! Great for healing your gut which in turn will have a great impact on your brain.
Many studies showed a clear connection between these 2 systems. The homemade version is the best but you can find some pretty good options online or at one of the health stores as well.

Celery: has high levels of antioxidants and polysaccharides which act as natural anti-inflammatories and they are also nutrient dense, low calories snacks. Don’t skip the seeds and leaves!

Coconut oil contains fatty acids with powerful medicinal properties especially medium chain triglycerides which can be used by our bodies as a quick source of energy for the brain. Try to use unrefined, organic coconut oil as much as possible. Add it to your smoothies or use it for baking and roasting meat or vegetables.

Dark chocolate: full of flavonols which are chemicals with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.Dark chocolate can also lower blood pressure and improve brain and heart blood flow. Look for one with at least 70 percent of cocoa and enjoy in moderation.

Egg yolks: finally, back on the good list and for good reason, they contain large amounts of choline which is used by our brain to manufacture acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter required for proper brain function.

Extra virgin olive oil: improves learning and memory but also can reverse the age and disease-related brain changes, fights again some toxic compounds that are toxic to the brain. Avoid cooking with it at high temperatures. Store all your oils in dark, cool places.

Green, leafy, vegetables and broccoli: full of vitamins and minerals, a must for our bodies and not just for the brain.

Salmon: packed with omega 3 acids to help keep your brain running smoothly and improve memory. Look for wild caught fish, preferably from local sources.

Walnuts: rich in vitamin E, great in antioxidants. Also, flaxseed or flaxseed oil and chia seeds are a great addition to the morning smoothies and a great source of amino acids and fatty acids so important for the whole body.

Give them a try, your brain will thank you for it!

In the last post, I explained why paying attention to your health has benefits not only now but later in life, and in the lives of your children, even before you are pregnant with those children. And I gave five simple guidelines for eating better, no matter what your age.

In this post, I’d like to talk about supplements. Today we have the ability to analyze health with blood testing that goes beyond cholesterol and blood sugar: often this testing can help uncover nutritional deficiencies. And these deficiencies are often the root cause of some of our most stubborn diseases.

But even if you’re not ready to explore your own nutrition in that detail, here are key supplements most of us could use:

Vitamin D

Although our bodies create vitamin D when we’re exposed to sunlight, in today’s world of working indoors and wearing sunscreen to avoid skin cancer, many of us have low levels of vitamin D. If a blood test shows that your vitamin D levels are low, a supplement is a good way to fill that gap.

Multivitamin

Consider taking a good quality multivitamin, no matter what your age. If you’re thinking of pregnancy, a multivitamin is even more important as it may help you conceive, reduces the risk of birth defects, lowers the risk of a miscarriage — and at least two studies that came out in 2011 suggest that it may reduce the risk of autism and other learning disabilities.

Look for a multivitamin with iron (for women only), folic acid 400 or more mcg, iodine 150 mcg, a maximum of 2500 IU vitamin A (as palmitate, acetate or beta carotene), Omega-3, vitamin E (as mixed tocopherols and not the dl alpha tocopherol which is the synthetic form).

Other Supplements to Consider

Probiotics help build up the “good bacteria” in your digestive tract.

Antioxidants like vitamin C or N-acetyl Cysteine help your body’s immune system stay strong.

How Medical Creations Integrative Medicine Can Help

Integrative medicine combines effective strategies and therapies from multiple methods of healing, both conventional and alternative. At its heart, this type of patient care focuses on the true problem, not just the related symptoms and effects. Accordingly, our goal is to discover the root cause (or causes) of whatever issues you are experiencing, then we concentrate our efforts there.

Beginning with your first visit or phone call, we become partners in the healing process, and work together toward your optimum wellness. Our efforts take into consideration the whole body, as well as your mind and spirit, offering responsive as well as preventative care. This is the beauty of integrative medicine.

Call (678) 732-9065 for a free consultation.

About Dr. Neacsu

The founder of Medical Creations Integrative Medicine, Dana Neacsu, MD, is board-certified in internal medicine. She completed a fellowship at the University of Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, was awarded the Joseph T. Trubiano award for professionalism in medicine, and has applied functional medicine in clinical practice at the Institute of Functional Medicine.