Have you ever wanted to do a detox or cleanse but weren’t sure which one you should do? Consider our science-based, physician-supervised detox program: DETOX WITH YOUR DOCTOR, a comprehensive detoxification system that addresses both phase I and phase II detoxification.  Dr. Nate Champion, ND and Dr. Nita Champion, ND are offering this group detox event in order to provide patients with additional support, including daily encouragement emails, and a kick-off presentation on April 16th, 6:30pm-7:30pm.  Space is limited.  Sign up soon to reserve your spot!  Please click on the picture below for more details!

There are many nutrients that can help to improve overall mood and depressive symptoms. A recent study published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition looked at vitamin D intake from foods and supplements in 81,189 postmenopausal women from the Women’s Health Initiative. It found that women with higher amounts of vitamin D in their diet may lower their risk of having depressive symptoms by as much as 20%.   Vitamin D is thought to affect the function of dopamine and norepinephrine neurotransmitters involved in depression. They conclude that “improvement of vitamin D status holds promise for the prevention of depression, the treatment of depression, or both.”

Taking a deeper look at vitamin D, we know that it is a fat-soluble vitamin known as the “sunshine vitamin.”  Our bodies can produce vitamin D when our skin is exposed to ultraviolet sunlight. Vitamin D can also be obtained from our foods and is primarily found in oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, tuna and sardines and other animal sources such as liver, beef, veal, and eggs. Other food options for vitamin D sources include foods that have been fortified with vitamin D such as cereals, yogurt, milk, and orange juice.

Dietary intake of vitamin D may not be enough to maintain a healthy level of vitamin D in the body and therefore regular   supplementation may be needed to support adequate levels. In addition, it is important to have your serum vitamin D levels monitored as vitamin D can accumulate in the liver and fat cells. Groups of people that are more at risk for vitamin D deficiency include breastfed infants, older adults, people with limited sun exposure (such as Minnesotans in the winter), people with dark skin, obese people, gastric bypass patients, and people with medical conditions that cause fat malabsorption, such as those with liver disease, Crohn’s disease, and cystic fibrosis.

There are a variety of effective natural therapies for the treatment of depression and vitamin D may play an essential role. Call Partners in Healing at 763-546-5797 and make an appointment with your Naturopathic Doctor (Dr. Nate or Dr. Nita   Champion) to have your vitamin D levels checked to ensure healthy levels for disease prevention and to optimize the health of your mind, body, and overall mood!

By Nate Champion, ND & Nita Champion, ND

 By Dr. Nate Champion, ND

Why should I take a multi-vitamin/multi-mineral supplement anyway?

Today’s diets are depleted of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients due to the decreasing quality of our food supply and busy lifestyles

Can a multi-vitamin really keep you younger, longer?

Research has shown that taking a multi-vitamin may indeed keep you younger, longer!! A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has shown that people who take a daily multivitamin had younger DNA. This study found those who took a multivitamin had 5.1% longer telomeres (by modulating oxidative stress and chronic inflammation) than non-users. Telomeres are part of your DNA that protect your chromosomes, and are thought to be a marker of biological aging. The shorter your telomeres, the more your at risk for serious diseases. (Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Jun;89(6):1857-63)

Benefits of a complete hypo-allergenic, nutrient rich, highly bioavailable multi-vitamin, multi-mineral, & trace element supplement:

·I    Increased energy and mental clarity

Antioxidants important for cardiovascular, immune, and cellular health

Support various physiological functions, including nervous system health, bone health,   nutrient and hormone metabolism, and glucose utilization

Chelated minerals for optimal absorption

Optimal health and longevity

Improved academic performance 

A recent study in the journal Pediatrics revealed teenagers who consumer higher amounts of the B-vitamin Folate, have higher academic scores compared to teens with lower levels. (Pediatrics. 2011 Aug;128(2):e358-65)

For the month of September, we are running a special (15% discount) on all of our professional lines of high quality multi-vitamins, including children’s, adult, and prenatal.

Call Partners in Healing today at 763-546-5797 or contact us at info@pih-mpls.com!

 (Brought to you by Deborah Simmons, PhD, LMFT)

I have long wondered how nutrition affects our fertility.  This study from The Journal of Reproductive Medicine lends credence to the notion that our high-carbohydrate diet may well explain why some women suffer from unexplained infertility.  My colleagues at Partners in Healing, Dr. Nate Champion and Dr. Nita Champion, specialize in naturopathic medicine and nutrition.  Contact us at 763-546-5797 or info@pih-mpls.com for a holistic team approach to fertility treatment.

Increased Celiac Disease Prevalence in Women With Unexplained Infertility

ScienceDaily (Aug. 18, 2011) — A recent study demonstrated increased rates of celiac disease in women who present with unexplained infertility.

Published in the May-June 2011 issue of The Journal of Reproductive Medicine, the study evaluated 191 female patients presenting with infertility. Each participant underwent serologic screening for celiac disease as well as routine infertility testing. The 4 patients who had positive serum test results were advised to seek evaluation with a gastroenterologist. All 4 patients were confirmed to have celiac disease. They then underwent nutritional counseling to change over to a gluten-free diet.

Among the 188 patients who completed testing, the prevalence of undiagnosed celiac disease was 2.1%. While this rate was not significantly higher than the expected 1.3%, the diagnosis of celiac disease in women with unexplained infertility was found to be significantly higher at 5.9% (3 of 51 women). Interestingly, all 4 patients found to have celiac disease conceived within a year of diagnosis.

Though the study numbers are small, the findings suggest that, at least for some women with infertility, dietary measures may help bolster fertility. "Diagnosing celiac disease in an infertile woman would be particularly beneficial if the low-cost (and low-risk) therapy of pursuing a gluten-free diet could improve chances for conception," says lead author Janet Choi, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist at the Center for Women's Reproductive Care at Columbia University. Co-author Dr. Peter Green, director of the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University Medical Center, said that these results should be added to the increasing body of knowledge concerning the impact of undiagnosed celiac disease on women's reproductive health.

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Nita Champion, N.D., a licensed Naturopathic Doctor, to Partners in Healing.  Dr. Champion received her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, Arizona, one of the finest leaders in educating Naturopathic Physicians in the United States.  Dr. Champion treats patients of all ages with a variety of health concerns.   Her areas of specialization include Family Medicine, Women’s Health (fertility concerns and menopause), Endocrine and Metabolic disorders.  She uses several naturopathic modalities when treating patients with a focus in homeopathy, clinical nutrition, and botanical medicine.   She believes in treating the source of the illness and not merely treating symptoms of that illness.  In doing so, she will develop a treatment plan that is individualized for each unique patient.    

Dr. Nita Champion joins her husband, Dr. Nate Champion, who also practices naturopathic medicine at Partners in Healing.  To schedule and to learn more about naturopathic medicine, call Partners in Healing at 763-546-5797 or email us at info@pih-mpls.com.  Use your Health Savings Account (HSA), to ensure your best possible health.  We look forward to partnering with you!