E-Newsletter
Winter 2010 (March 15, 2010)
Make your own recovery the first priority in your life.~ Robin Norwood
Healthy Tips
Is breast thermography a good alternative to screening mammograms?
Breast thermography or DII (Digital Infrared Imaging) has been pioneered in the US by a chiropractor (Dr. William Amalu) and researched at his facility for 40 years: Pacific Chiropractic and Research Center Infrared Imaging in Redwood City, CA. DII uses the detection of heat to determine where high risk tissue may be located in the breast. It does not have the ability to pinpoint the location of a tumor nor can it detect 100% of all cancers. DII images need to be read and interpreted by a certified clinical thermographer with the proper training and credentials. Consequently, DII's role is in addition to mammography and physical examination, not in lieu of. DII does not replace mammography, but can be helpful in early screening for women with fibrocystic changes, on hormone replacement, and other cases where mammograms are inconclusive. Unfortunately, DII is not viewed as a standard recommendation, so it is not necessarily covered by insurance. There are currently no certified thermography centers in Illinois at this time. Check out for further information.
How often should a woman have a mammogram?
Despite all of the controversy based on recent national recommendations, mammograms remain a very important screening tool for women. 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer regardless of family history. Breast cancer is one of the few cancers that micrometastasizes (if one tiny cancer cell gets out into the blood stream, it can seed and start growing anywhere else in the body). This is why it is so important to try to catch and treat breast cancer at the earliest stage possible. As a result, I encourage all of my patients to consider having mammograms. I determine the age to start having the tests and frequency of the tests based on each patient's situation. I also recommend annual clinical breast and pelvic exams/paps to maximize prevention.
Natural Corner, by Helen Davakos, N.D.
Winter and Vitamin D deficiency
It is that time of year again where sunlight exposure is at its most scarce. Along with many indoor days and nights, we see decreases in our body's stores of Vitamin D. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is produced when ultraviolet rays from the sunlight strike the skin and trigger vitamin D synthesis. Two reactions must happen before vitamin D becomes biologically active: one in the liver and one in the kidneys. Given that increased sun exposure increases risk of skin cancers and accelerated aging, I do not recommend that patients receive vitamin D from the sun alone. Therefore, how is vitamin D important to our health, where do we find dietary sources of vitamin D and what about dietary supplements?
Vitamin D is essential in promoting calcium absorption in the gut and maintaining adequate blood calcium and phosphate levels. This allows for normal bone mineralization and also prevents tetany (continuous muscle spasm), osteoporosis and Rickets in children. Vitamin D has also been found to modulate neuromuscular and immune function and to reduce inflammation. Vitamin D is naturally present in very few foods, which is why food is often fortified with vitamin D. Check out the list below for food sources of vitamin D.
Selected Food Sources of Vitamin D
(Adapted from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Nutrient Database Web site)
| Source | Food IUs per serving* | Percent DV** |
|---|---|---|
| Cod liver oil, 1 tablespoon | 1,360 | 340 |
| Salmon, cooked, 3.5 ounces | 360 | 90 |
| Mackerel, cooked, 3.5 ounces | 345 | 90 |
| Tuna fish, canned in oil, 3 ounces | 200 | 50 |
| Sardines, canned in oil, 1.75 ounces | 250 | 70 |
| Egg, 1 whole (vitamin D in yolk) | 20 | 6 |
| Liver, beef, cooked, 3.5 ounces | 15 | 4 |
*IUs = International Units.
**DV = Daily Value. DVs were developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to help consumers compare the nutrient contents of products within the context of a total diet. The DV for vitamin D is 400 IU for adults and children age 4 and older. Food labels, however, are not required to list vitamin D content unless a food has been fortified with this nutrient. Foods providing 20% or more of the DV are considered to be high sources of a nutrient.
Recommended Intake
It is important to realize that everyone has a different vitamin D requirement. The best way to determine your individual need is to do a blood test called 25 hydroxy vitamin D. This test will determine if you are deficient or whether you have adequate vitamin D levels in your blood.
For general dosages I recommend 400 IUs per day of vitamin D for breast fed infants as formula fed infants can usually receive vitamin D fortified formula. I also recommend that toddlers receive at least 400 IUs per day. Children up to 13 years of age I recommend 600-800 IUs per day and adults 1000-2000 IUs per day. Again, the best way to determine individual need would be to do a blood test. These dosages may need to increase depending on what the 25 hydroxy vitamin D lab reports.
To determine your vitamin D status, call your naturopathic practitioner or MD if you are not monitoring your levels. Making sure you have adequate vitamin D is particularly important during the winter and especially in northern latitude states as our exposure to sun is less.
Dr. Davakos' Maternity Leave
To my dear patients,
As many of you already know, I am expecting my bundle of joy soon and I began my maternity leave on March 7, 2010. During this time, I will be unavailable via email or phone. Many of you are on restricted diets and may have questions about implementing it and meal planning. Dr. Phillips will be providing nutritional consults as well as mind/body therapies to meet your needs. Please contact the office staff at (708) 482-1099 to answer your questions regarding her services and fees.
Thank you for your patience and understanding during this transformative time of my life. I am honored to play a small part in each of your journeys to health. I will miss working with you in the interim and I look forward to continuing our relationship in the future.
Yours in Health,
Dr. Davakos
On behalf of all of us at IFHA, we wish Dr. Davakos well. If her unanticipated early absence causes any inconvenience, please be assured that our integrative team is here for all of your health, mind, and body needs.
To our patients, both current and future, we plan on continuing our supportive care, providing health services you may need, as well as answering any questions that may arise.
At IFHA, we view ourselves as your partner on the path to greater health and we will always prioritize your health needs.
Please continue reading our newsletter for additional information on our growing and expanding team and services.
Upcoming and Recent IFHA Events
- Sunday 3/28/10 (2:30-3:30pm) - "Integrative Health Advice for Women in all stages of the life cycle"
At Hinsdale Library 20 E. Maple, Hinsdale. Come to this free seminar where Dr. Feldman and Dr. Phillips will share information that women need to save time, money, and to maintain good health throughout the entire life cycle.
IFHA News and Updates
We would appreciate your input.
Please fill out a testimonial form (available at our front desk) or take a moment to jot down your thoughts about our clinic and about our staff and e-mail them to us at the clinic. Help us tell others how IFHA has changed your health by submitting your testimonial. We plan to post testimonials on our website (you may choose to remain anonymous or have your initials/name posted as you prefer).
We are excited to officially offer Dr. Phillips' services to our patients.
You can find more information about the Healthy Living Consultations offered by Dr. Phillips at http://www.integrativefha.com/services/healthylivingcons.php or you can call our clinic during normal business hours.
We are excited to officially offer massage therapy services.
You can find the comprehensive list of massage consultation appointments on our website at .
For further information about any of these consults, visit http://www.integrativefha.com/services/ or call our clinic during regular business hours.
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