Interview with Dr. Amanda Tracy, of Advanced Health & Wellness

Recently, I had the pleasure of talking with Dr. Amanda Tracy of Advanced Health & Wellness in Andover, MA. Dr. Tracy has had a tremendous amount of experience helping patients with food allergies, intolerance, and sensitivities.

1. How did you become interested in the field of naturopathic medicine?

Growing up as a dancer, I was always interested in nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. I first became interested in science as a career path in 9^th grade while researching a project on Genetics, I enjoyed the investigation work and problem-solving that science involves. As a Biochemistry major at BC and preparing for a career in medicine, I became more intrigued by the process of health rather than disease. Conventional medical thought has such an emphasis on disease that I was temporarily disinterested in medicine until I found Naturopathic Medicine: a field that combines scientific medical diagnosis with natural treatments to achieve optimal health.

2. What has been your experience treating patients with food allergies, intolerance, and sensitivities?

In my experience, there is a strong connection between adverse food reactions and the development of many chronic illnesses such as MSG with migraines, synthetic food dyes with ADHD, cow’s dairy with sinus infections, sulfites with asthma and gluten with depression and anxiety. My naturopathic approach for many chronic illnesses includes identifying and treating adverse food reactions.

I have also found that many individuals have been tested for adverse food reactions in the past and even though they have been avoiding those foods, are still experiencing some digestive symptoms. Often, to really heal the damage done by these foods in the digestive tract and elsewhere in the body, a treatment regimen including nutritional supplements and herbal medicines is needed in addition to avoiding the offending foods. Avoiding food allergens does prevent new damage from being done but in most cases does not repair the damage done in the past. This is why it is important to approach your food allergies with a qualified medical professional.

3. What special training do you have regarding the role of nutrition and our health?

All licensed Naturopathic Doctors have an undergraduate degree in pre-med and graduated from a four -year naturopathic medical school which includes over 3,000 hours of coursework and 1,000 hours clinical training and passed national licensing exams called the NPLEX. As part of the naturopathic medical school curriculum, we have over 180 hours of training specifically in nutrition versus conventional medical school where nutrition training may be only one course or an elective.

Our food is our medicine and nature has provided for us well. The farther we stray from nature, the more likely we are to develop a chronic health issue. Naturopathic Doctors learn not only what vitamins are essential for life, but how to optimize the function of the body and prevent disease with non-toxic foods, phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals.

4. I notice that you have a page on your website dedicated to educating people about candida. What is important for people to know about candida? Who should be concerned with this? Do you use tests to make the candida diagnosis?

With the increasing presence of refined flour and sugars in our food supply, chronic stress depleting our immune systems and the over-prescription of antibiotics and oral contraceptives (birth control pills), more and more people are susceptible to developing chronic Candidiasis. Candida is often implicated in many common health conditions such as Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, food allergies, constipation, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Autism. Candida can also contribute to the development of acne, skin rashes, PMS, memory problems, and frequent urinary tract infections.

If I suspect Candida may be a problem for a patient, I often start with a “Candida Questionnaire” to discuss their symptoms and other health conditions. The presence of the yeast Candida albicans and others can be cultured for in stool and in a throat or vaginal swab. Anti-bodies to Candida can also be tested for in blood to identify and past or current overgrowth. While testing for Candida is not absolutely necessary, it is extremely helpful for me to track a patient’s progress and helping me decide on a treatment regimen.

5.How do you keep up with the latest research?

To keep up on the latest research I subscribe to medical journals such as Alternative Medicine Review, complete continuing medical education exercises in the New England Journal of Medicine, and attend conferences such as the Integrative Medicine Conference. I am an avid reader and I try to read at least six scholarly books in the alternative medicine field per year in addition to any research I may do for workshops or classes that I teach.

6. What are your thoughts on some of the most recent studies being conducted concerning food allergies, intolerance, and sensitivities?

I am particularly interested in the field of Psycho-neuro-endocrine-immunology (PNEI) which looks at the communications between our brains, hormones, gut and immune system and how our bodies perceive the outside world (i.e. food). Dairy and wheat in particular create compounds called caseomorphins and gliadomorphins that can later brain function. I am interested to learn further how these compounds are implicated in conditions like anxiety, depression, Alzheimer’s, dementia, Autism and ADHD to help me approach my patients with these health issues.

7. What is the most useful advice you have for people new to dietary restrictions due to food allergy, intolerance, and/or sensitivities?

My advice for those facing new food restrictions is to view it as an opportunity to heal and experience a level of wellness you may have never felt before, as well as try new foods. For practicality, it’s best to have some “old standby” recipes for dishes you can bring to social events and holiday gatherings so that you can enjoy each occasion. Also become really familiar with your local restaurants that offer gluten-free, vegan, and other special menu items.

Dr. Tracy will be one of the guest speakers at the workshop series "Going Gluten Free" beginning on September 21, 2009 presented by Food Sensitivity Resources.

Elimination Diet Day 69: Status of challenging

I realized that I haven't been updating you on the progress of my challenge phase. So here it goes (this is my 3rd round of elimination, so my list of things to challenge might look different than most):

* The yeast challenge didn't go so well. I got the sinus tingling, stuffy nose sensation almost instantly. This means that I am pretty sensitive to yeast, and will cut it out of my diet most of the time.

* The strawberry challenge went well. YAY!

* The banana challenge went well.

* When I challenged rice, I first had a bit of brown rice. That was fine. I worked up to a normal size serving, and I experienced heart burn-like symptoms, which is very abnormal for me. With a little more experimenting, I have concluded that I am fairly sensitive to rice. It seems as though a portion of rice is out of the question, but a baked good partially made with rice flour could be ok here and there. I will need to update my pantry staples...bye bye Tinkyada rice pasta, but The Cravings Place pancakes & Cornbread can stay (once in a while).

* The corn challenge went well. It's important to try corn in different forms, so I tried real corn, corn flakes, corn tortillas, and masa harina. No symptoms noted.

That being said, my digestive system is doing quite well (about 90% improved). I am still producing way too much mucus in my sinuses, so I'm thinking their could be another culprit. Left to challenge: egg, soy, chocolate (I have removed these with no noticeable benefit), avocado, night shade veggies, and citrus (these are the next to be eliminated). I also wonder about challenging dairy again. Could be that the yeast is still running rampid in my sinuses. I'll be talking to my doctor about it later in the month.

Product review: Nutribiotic Nasal Spray

If you are looking for an all-natural nasal spray to help relieve sinus pressure and stuffiness, you might want to try Nutribiotic Nasal Spray. The formula contains grapefruit seed extract (GSE), which is said to be a safe and effective multipurpose (broad spectrum) compound with countless uses.

Here is what I've found out about GSE:
*It is being used successfully in humans and animals alike to eliminate many types of internal and external infections caused from parasites (single and multi-celled), viruses, bacteria, fungus and more. (This is why it's used to treat Candida, which can exist in the sinuses)

*It naturally detoxifies, enhances and supports the immune system. If you have food challenges, chances are your immune system could use a boost!

* GSE contains high levels of vitamin C and E, and bioflavonoids. The important substances have an antioxidant action and can neutralize free radicals that damage cells and cause a number of illnesses.

* GSE is effective at very low concentrations. During 1989-90, an international research team (reported in the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine, Volume 5, No. 3, USA, 1990) examined the effects of GSE and compared this with 30 effective antibiotics and 18 proven fungicides. GSE was found to perform as well as any and all of the tested agents. Without the harsh side effects. It is a natural alternative to strong antibiotics!

* GSE is nontoxic. According to an independent laboratory testing "Acute Oral Toxicity", it would take at least 4,000 times the normal dose of GSE to produce a 50% chance of poisoning (called LD50).

I've used it for over a year now. I like to do 2 squirts in each nostril after using my Netti Pot. It doesn't have an odor, nor does it sting or tingle. It feels gentle like a saline solution. I experience an immediate difference in my nose and sinuses that lasts most of the day.

Elimination Diet Day 33 - My Special Granola Recipe

So it's day 33 and I'm seeing the beginnings of my digestive track getting well - I removed avocado from my diet and added hemp hearts, which are said to be a miracle food. After I've had more time trying these little wonders, I will give you a full review in a future blog. For now, though, I'm loving my new elimination diet-friendly, free from many common food allergens Special Granola:

3 C quinoa FLAKES (usually come in a box and not sold in bulk)
3 C puffed Millet cereal (I like Nature's Path brand - it contains no sugar)
1 C raw sunflower seeds
1 C raw pumpkin seeds
1 C unsweetened flaked coconut
1/4 C agave nectar
1/4 C canola oil
1/2 t salt

Heat oven to 225. Grease a large roasting pan w/ some oil. Place the first 5 ingredients in the pan and toss around. Pour agave nectar and canola oil all over. Add salt and mix around. Bake at 225 for 2 hours - stir a few times during the cooking process. Turn oven off and let the granola cool down and dry out. Store in air tight containers.

Ways to change this up according to your needs & tastes:
* use puffed rice cereal in place of the quinoa and/or the millet puffs
* roasted soy beans/soy nuts can be used in place of all or some of the seeds
* if you can eat nuts, use those instead of all or some of the seeds
* add some grated orange peel for more flavor
* sprinkle on some cinnamon
* when I'm not doing elimination anymore (in the Maintenance Phase), I will add some dried fruit after the 2 hours of baking

It's great as a cereal or a snack on the go!

Elimination Diet - Day 25

Here's my progress so far:
* Sinuses = 80% improvement (no crushing head aches at all!)
* Skin irritation = 70% improvement
* Digestion = 50% improvement
* Energy level = excellent!
* Sleep = great!
* Mood = excellent!

...still not ready to start challenging just yet. I'm trying to figure out whether the continued digestive issues, while improved, are related to something I'm still eating, the need to detox my digestive system, and/or the fact that a diet low in carbs can slow things down (need to add digestive enzyme and/or psyllium). I'll be experimenting this week to hopefully get my digestive system up to par so that I can start the challenge phase!

In the meantime, here's a great elimination diet friendly meal that the whole family will enjoy:

Roast Chicken & Veggies (serves 4)

Pre heat oven to 350.

6 - 8 large carrots cut into 1 inch pieces
4 or 5 parsnips cut into 1 inch pieces
1 turnip cut into 1 inch pieces
3 onions cut into quarters

5 lb roasting chicken
5 cloves garlic, crushed or minced
juice of 1 lemon
1 1/2 T dried rosemary
1 T agave nectar
1 T salt
2 t pepper
1/2 stick of butter (can use a non-dairy substitute), melted

In a large roasting pan, place all cut veggies in bottom. Put the grate over them (or use a cooling rack) - place the chicken breast side down (it's juicier this way) on the grate/rack. Combine the last 7 ingredients and pour 1/2 of this mixture all over the chicken. Place in a 375 degree oven for about 1 3/4 hour to 2 1/2 hours or until the internal temp reaches 165 degrees. At the 1/2 way point, pour the rest of the basting mixture over the chicken. Once it's done, let it stand for about 10 - 15 min before carving.

The veggies catch all the yummy drippings and are sooooo tasty! Hope you enjoy!

Elimination Diet Day 20 - Nystatin

Still feeling pretty good, but not good enough to start challenging yet, though I'm thinking that's about to change b/c my Nystatin prescription arrived yesterday! So, I'm going to stop using the grape fruit seed extract and start taking Nystatin 3X/day. I've read that it works in a unique way to help reestablish the strength of the intestinal walls, eliminating leaky gut syndrome. It has virtually no side effects, and is one of the safest drugs on the market. Most people do not report experiencing any die off reaction when taking it, though some experience mild gastrointestinal symptoms at first. One concern is that some strains of candida are resistant to it. I took a 3-month course of it during my last elimination diet and had great success, so we'll see.

Elimination Diet - Day 11: Die Off

It's day 11 and I'm still going strong! I'm sticking to Dr. Crook's Elimination Diet, in addition to taking grape fruit seed extract, an over-the-counter, all natural anti-fungal. For the first few days, I felt noticeably better:

* no bloating
* less sinus problems
* rash on my stomach disappearing

Then about day 6, I started to feel a bit worse - more tired, grouchy, sinus problems, digestive issues...this is common. It's called "die off" and it occurs when the bad bacteria that you are trying to get rid of are dying off in the digestive track and perhaps in other parts of the body. When large numbers of these cells are killed, metabolic products are released. Until the body gets rid of them, symptoms may stay the same or get worse. Many people might quit at this point, but it's so worth waiting it out!

In order to deal, I cut back on the grape fruit seed extract for a couple days (taking 2 doses instead of 3). I also had a small amount of complex carbohydrates. I started to rebound and am back on track!

In a few days, I will be switching to Nystatin, an anti-fungal that requires a prescription. As long as I take it slow, I should feel fine.

Can't wait to start the challenge portion of this diet! Then begins the real fun...

Elimination Diet - Day 3: Homemade Sausage

I'm doing an elimination diet again. Why? Because, although I know many of the foods that don't make me feel good, I believe I still have more to learn. While it's true that this is not a fun process, the information you can gain about how your body works, what gives you trouble, and what causes your symptoms is immeasurable. It's certainly much easier with someone in your corner that understands food issues and can get you through any cravings!

Last time I did an elimination diet, I discovered that my symptoms (sinusitis, itching red skin, fatigue, moodiness, digestive problems, and vaginitis) were mainly caused by a sensitivity to sugar, moldy foods like peanuts & tree nuts, and cherries. I didn't finish challenging every potentially troublesome food because I was feeling great, and it was starting to be a busy time in my life (getting married, two vacations...). Alas, I'm not feeling as great as I was, so it's time to continue.

I'm finding it to be much easier this time. It's not taking much effort to come up with menus to suit my needs (I'm on the go with work often) and still feed my husband. I can eat out without a ton of thought.

I'm looking forward to the challenge phase and will keep you posted as to how its going. For now, here's one of my staples for the elimination diet (actually, I make these all the time b/c they are so yummy - my family even requests them!): Homemade Sausage!

Ingredients (For a double batch - they freeze really well):
2 packages ground turkey
3 T fennel seed (adjust to your taste)
3 T flax seed (I use milled) - optional
3 T olive oil + more for the pan
2 T salt
1 T pepper
1 C diced & sauteed veggies (I use onions & red pepper, or sometimes I use the pulp from juicing veggies)

Heat up a fry pan w/ some oil. Combine all ingredients together - using your hands is the best way. For some reason, adding the veggies in warm helps the mixture to stick together. Form patties and cook on both sides until done all the way through - about 5 min on each side.

This makes about 18 - 20 patties. I wrap 'em up in foil, put them in a plastic zip bag, and freeze them. I take them out as I need them and just heat them up. They are great for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks...and they are so yummy!

Enjoy!