Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Invite Health Gummies Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND I wanted to take the time to talk about the new products Invite has recently released. You may have noticed something about them! They are in a gummy form. Now I know what you’re thinking – But …
SHILAJIT~WHAT IS IT AND WHY DO YOU NEED IT? By: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT Shilajit, pronounced she-lah-jeet, is one of the most versatile nutraceuticals available. However, it is not commonly discussed and is beginning to gain traction within the wellness community. But just …
HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS~ WHAT EXACTLY IS HPV?
By: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT
Human Papillomavirus, or HPV as it’s commonly referred to as, has been discussed quite often lately. However, do we really know what it is and how it’s spread? Having a good understanding of this newly discussed virus can help you make informed decisions regarding the health of you and your family.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is considered to now be the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI), this according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It can be transmitted even without having any symptoms through skin-to-skin contact while engaging in any type of sexual activity. The signs can sometimes lay dormant for years before “making themselves known”. So, it can be extremely difficult to know who one contracted HVP from in the past.
One of the most common signs of HPV is the development of warts. According to the Mayo Clinic, these can range from Common Warts are raised bumps typically on the hands and fingers, Flat Warts are flat topped warts often found near the mouth, Plantar Warts can be painful and commonly show up on the on the fingers, hands or feet. Lastly is Genital Warts which is exactly what is sounds like. These warts, sometimes these show up in clusters resembling cauliflower, are found on both male and female genitalia, as well as the anus, vagina and cervix.
While there are many types of HPV, it is considered to be so researched because it can be one of, but not the only, causes of certain cancers. The article ‘HPV and Cancer Risk’ on CancerCenter.com discusses this further. We’ve learned that such cancers like anal, cervical, vaginal, penile, tongue and tonsils are of higher risk for those with HPV. They suggest opting for the HPV vaccine and the first line of defense to keep risk low.
HPV is typically diagnosed by either an HPV test or Pap Smear. If there is a positive diagnosis, don’t panic. It is believed that while it can be a risk factor in some cancers, it is often very treatable and often the body naturally fights it off. It is important to always use proper protection during sexual activity to not only protect yourself, but to protect others. Opting to have the HPV vaccine is something you can discuss with your medical provider.
I like to remind people to support their immune system with antioxidants. However, I have had a lot of success with the below supplement list for those that have received a positive diagnosis. As always, follow your doctor’s recommendations and work with a wellness practitioner (like an Invite Health nutritionist) for ongoing support.
Women’s Multi: Starting with a good base multivitamin is key. The Women’s Multi gives a foundation of essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, along with some diindolylmethane (DIM) to help support healthy hormone levels. Men should try the Men’s Multi to help support healthy prostate, hormones and sexual function.
Shilajit 50 Max: This is sourced from the Himalayans and is made up of trace minerals, fulvic and humic acids. It has been long believed to help boost the body’s immune system. (More on product in a spotlight article).
Methyl-B: According to an article from MedicalNewsToday, incorporating b-vitamins such as folate and B-12 may help lower risk of cervical cancer. HPV is a risk factor for certain types of cancers, including cervical.
Probiotic Hx Women: This is a great probiotic to add for anyone that has been diagnosed with HPV. It not only supplies probiotics for the gut, but also thyme and garlic which are believed to have antiviral benefits.
Mushroom Hx: Medicinal mushrooms have been shown to be beneficial in fighting HPV, particularly Reishi and Shiitake mushrooms.
Resveratrol Max Hx: A study from PubMed titled ‘Resveratrol Against Cervical Cancer: Evidence from In Vitro and In Vivo Studies‘, Resveratrol has been shown to help reduce tumors and therefore help to improve survival.
Indole-3-Carbinol w/DIM: This is been shown in studies, reported by Cancer Cell International, that Indole-3-Carbinol and DIM may be effective in those with HPV. This study ‘3,3′-Diindolylmethane and Indole-3-Carbinol: Potential Therapeutic Molecules for Cancer Chemoprevention and Treatment via Regulating Cellular Signaling Pathways’ claims that “I3C modulates estradiol metabolism by inhibiting the production of 16α-hydroxy estrone, a genotoxic and tumor-promoting metabolite that causes inappropriate DNA synthesis. On the other hand, I3C promotes the production of 2-hydroxy estrone, a metabolite effective against hormone-dependent cancers, and inhibits papilloma growth”.
Green Tea Tx: This powerful antioxidant always amazes me. MedicalNewsToday discusses the use of home remedies and their effectiveness. They have shown that green tea may be helpful for those suffering from plantar and/or genital warts, which can be caused by HPV.
I also recommend a clean diet free of alcohol, sugar, processed foods, soy, and gluten and dairy. Focus on lean proteins, some fruits and a lot of vegetables.
www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hpv-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20351596
www.cancercenter.com/risk-factors/hpv-cancer
www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/hpv/should-i-get-tested-hpv
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19939441/
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4197384/
www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/folic-acid-for-hpv#dosage
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10420791/
https://plantmedicines.org/mushrooms-human-papillomavirus-hpv/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36558430/
https://cancerci.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12935-023-03031-4
www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321036#home-remedies
Summary on Respiratory Health Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND I hope that this blog series on respiratory health has been both fun and informative! I have tried to review some of the most common respiratory concerns that come up here at Invite health. Additionally I …
Understanding Probiotics
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
If there’s one topic that is sure to confuse people it’s the topic of probiotics. Invite health has a powerful line up of probiotics. But how are they different? How do you know which one is right for you? For this blog I will be reviewing 3 of the most popular Invite Health probiotics. These are the Probiotic Hx, Probiotic Weight and Probiotic Women.
Probiotic Hx is a well-rounded every day probiotic. In my experience taking the Probiotic Hx is like taking a good multivitamin, it’s good for our overall health. But what does that really mean? Well to start probiotics can help restore the balance of good bacteria in our gut. (1) Sometimes due to situations such as illness, certain medications and even stress bad bacteria and even yeast can begin to grow in our digestive system. They can begin to outnumber the good guys and this can result in digestive concerns, allergies, and even contribute to obesity. (2) A good probiotic can also help with diarrhea. (3) One bacteria that is well known for causing diarrhea is C Diff and in studies probiotics have been found to reduce the risk of C Diff by 60%. (4) Studies have also found that probiotics can decrease the risk of travelers’ diarrhea. (5) In addition to helping with diarrhea a good probiotic has been found to help with Ulcerative colitis (6) and even IBS. (7) Probiotics do more than just help our gut. Studies have found that they can help with general health, depression, anxiety and even stress. (8) Probiotics have also been found in studies to help with inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein. (9) Certain probiotics can even breakdown bile helping with our cholesterol levels. (10) As you can see a good everyday probiotic is great for so many things. But what if you have a specific health concern? Well that is where the Probiotic Weight and Probiotic for Women come into play. They take all the benefits of a regular probiotic and have added nutrients for specific health concerns. They are easy to take in addition to our daily probiotic.
Probiotic Weight contains a particular strain of probiotic that was found to lower weight and BMI after just 12 weeks of use. Additionally both waist and hip circumference were reduced after the 12 weeks of use. (11) Bergamot has been found in studies to help with visceral adipose tissue. (12) It has also been found to reduce liver fat content in those with liver steatosis. (13) Artichoke has been found to help with dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and obesity. (14) I do want to point out that the Probiotic Weight is a powerful formula. To avoid stomach distress I recommend taking it with a full meal. While research shows these herbs can be helpful in general people can have different reactions to herbs so it is important to monitor how you feel when you start a new herbal supplement.
Probiotic Women is a combination of garlic, thyme and a probiotic blend. Garlic has been found to be antimicrobial. (15) Thyme has also been found to be antimicrobial. (16) Lastly probiotics have been found to help with a UTI. (17)
But how does one choose? And how does this entire blog relate to immune health? Well when it comes to immune health a good overall probiotic such as Probiotic Hx is always a win. In fact probiotics have been found to help with an upper respiratory infection! (18)That is why for those looking for general immune health and for overall a good daily probiotic I recommend the Probiotic Hx. For those looking for additional help with weight or women’s health they can take Probiotic Hx and then add on the specific probiotic that will help with the specific concern they are experiencing. For more information or help choosing what is right for you please reach out to an Invite nutritionist!
As we approach the end of this topic I hope it has been helpful and somewhat fun! Our next topic will be Pneumonia.
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