Ruthie Harper, MD

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The Health Source

The Health Source is your connection to the latest news and information on advancements in nutrition, health, and wellness. From the latest in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and nutritional supplementation, to advances in skincare products and technologies, Dr. Harper provides advice, news, updates, and information to help you look and feel your best.

Breast Cancer Awareness—Beating the Odds

The breast cancer odds are high with about 1 in 8 women developing an invasive form of the disease sometime in her life. We don’t know exactly what causes breast cancer, but we do know about several associated risk factors. Here are a few ways you can help beat the breast cancer odds by lowering your risk:

Maintain an optimal Vitamin D* level. Studies show women with low levels of Vitamin D have a 222% increased risk for developing breast cancer. Vitamin D inhibits inappropriate cell division and metastasis by reducing blood vessel formation around tumors and regulating proteins that affect tumor growth. *Vitamin D supplementation should be monitored by your physician and managed through regular lab testing.
Maintain an optimal Iodine* level. Iodine acts as both an antioxidant and an oxidant in your body, making it a strong anti-cancer agent. Studies show a significant correlation between iodine deficiency and breast cancer. Iodine helps protect breast tissue from fibrocycstic disease, helps maintain healthy estrogen balance, and helps alter the gene expression in estrogen-responsive breast cancer cells. *Iodine supplementation should be monitored by your physician and managed through regular lab testing.
Eat a diet rich in cruciferous vegetables. Cruciferae vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and bok choy contain cancer-preventing compounds that promote liver function and inhibit cancer development.
Maintain a healthy Estronex ratio. The Estronex Profile measures 6 important estrogen metabolites and their ratios to help determine your risk of developing estrogen-sensitive cancers, including breast, cervical, uterine, and prostate. Hormone balancing, supplementation, and nutritional support can affect ratios and help decrease associated risks.
Consider breast thermography. Thermography is a safe, non-invasive diagnostic test that uses infrared to detect subtle physiological changes in breast pathology. Studies show thermography can detect breast disease formation up to 10 years earlier than a mammogram or any other procedure.
Use clean products on your skin. Just like your diet, your skincare products should promote health and be free of harmful chemicals. Most products—even ones promoted as organic or natural—contain xeno-estrogens and endocrine disruptors that set the stage for disease by altering hormone levels, creating oxidative stress, and degrading the health and appearance of your skin. Dr. Harper’s skincare products are chemical-free and custom-formulated with pure ingredients scientifically proven to rejuvenate your skin.

Vitamins Are Bad for You

That’s the implication of recent news articles that generalize and over-simplify scientific data into media soundbites. Should you believe the headlines and hype? Dr. Harper says, "No!" and addresses the study directly to reveal its limitations and misleading generalizations. The recent articles are based on a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, 2011, Volume 171 (18): 1625-1633, "Dietary Supplements and Mortality Rate in Older Women."

The Study’s Design

The study was not designed to prove or disprove the effects of vitamin supplementation. Instead, the study analyzed self-administered questionnaire responses collected from post-menopausal Caucasian women enrolled in the Iowa Women’s Health Study. The questionnaires polled participants at 3 intervals over a 22-year timeframe, asking highly subjective questions about lifestyle practices, food intake, dietary supplement use, weight, smoking status, hormone replacement therapy, and the presence of diabetes or heart disease.

Although study participants were asked about their intake of dietary supplements, the study did not report how much of any specific nutrient was consumed, the chemical form of the supplement (e.g., picolinate vs. sulfate), or the quality of the supplements. Participants were asked whether they took a "multivitamin," but the study didn’t define this term. There were no specifics regarding the mineral, vitamin, or botanical contents of the "multivitamin."

Additionally, the study did not verify the accuracy of the answers provided in the questionnaires, identify the reasons why the women were taking supplements, or determine the impact of taking (or not taking) supplements on any individual.

Case studies show when a person is diagnosed with a serious disease, such as cardiovascular disease or cancer, doctors commonly prescribe or increase the use of dietary supplements. If this supplement information were reported on a questionnaire, and subsequent death occurred, it is more likely the death was a result of the disease and not supplement use. The causal relationship between supplement use and increased mortality could be stated only after a well-designed prospective clinical trial in healthy or unhealthy women, all taking the same supplement amount, form, and quality over a period of time.

The Study’s Findings

Results of the study’s analysis claim to show a slightly higher risk of all-cause mortality associated with the use of multivitamins, iron, and copper. The Iowa Women’s Health Study is a retrospective study of already collected data. It is not a prospective, controlled intervention study or a "clinical trial." In a controlled scientific study, participants would be given a specific dietary supplement or a placebo, and then monitored closely over time to observe specific outcomes and any contributing factors.

In retrospective studies, individual circumstances always change over time. A significant number of the study participants likely either changed or began new dietary supplement regimens during the 18 years they were studied. Since there was no direct contact with participants outside of the mailed questionnaires, information regarding supplement changes and individual deaths had to be obtained from public records instead of direct medical investigation. This type of information is frequently inaccurate and incomplete.

With iron and copper, studies have shown for decades that both metals can be potentially toxic, as exemplified by the multi-system disease states that can result from hemochromatosis and Wilson’s disease, respectively. For this reason, both women and men should not take an iron supplement unless recommended by their physicians through clinical evaluation and laboratory analysis. In addition, the correct forms of both antioxidants and folate (commonly found in multivitamin) should be given in combination with other critical nutrients. This is based on well-designed scientific studies confirming the disease risk associated with taking the wrong forms of these nutrients without the companion nutrients necessary for supporting the biochemical pathways.

With multivitamins, the study lacks sufficient date to draw any definitive conclusions about the impact of multivitamins on mortality. There are literally thousands of combinations of vitamins, minerals, and botanicals that can be considered a "multivitamin," as well as a whole host of variations, such as product quality, potency, dosage, protocol, and indications for use.

Practitioner and Patient Concerns

Retrospective surveys such as this—where participants are asked to recall years of dietary habits or supplement use—are notoriously inaccurate. The only conclusion that can realistically be drawn from this study is a slight statistical association based on a limited data set of questionable reliability—and a simple association does not reflect causation and is not solid science. The study’s authors do not disagree, stating the following in their commentary to the study: "It is not advisable to make a causal statement of excess risk based on these observational data...."

Conclusions

The study results do not support the sweeping, overstated concerns published in the original journal article or the press. When recommended by a knowledgeable health-care practitioner, and when taken for the appropriate indication, high-quality dietary supplements promote, enhance, support, and help maintain overall good health and well-being. The "results" of this recent study do not diminish this conclusion.

Are Food Allergies Making You Sick?

There is a direct relationship between the food you eat and how you feel. Regular episodes of indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas, or reflux are not a "normal part of life or aging." They are signs of gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction. When your GI system can’t function properly, it will result in a steady decline of your health.

Typically, your body develops a food allergy or sensitivity because it is unable to break down and digest certain food molecules. Food allergies and sensitivities (both known and unknown) are a primary source of GI dysfunction because they produce an inflammatory immune response in your body. Wheat and gluten are among the most common culprits, not only causing GI intolerance and inflammation, but also triggering autoimmune responses associated with a range of clinical conditions including autoimmune disease, thyroid imbalance, chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes, anxiety, and depression.

Food manufacturers use gluten as an additive and stabilizing agent in products ranging from ice cream to salad dressing and ketchup. Eating a healthy, balanced diet and eliminating gluten products may help reduce associated GI symptoms, but it’s likely not enough for maintaining a truly gluten-free diet.

At Nutritional Medicine Associates, we now offer a unique supplement to assist in the digestion of complex carbohydrates and gluten. Carbo-G is an innovative blend of digestive enzymes that help break down hard-to-digest gluten proteins. This vegetable-based supplement also contains a probiotic and natural herbs to help reduce GI symptoms associated with food intolerances, such as bloating, diarrhea, gas, and abdominal cramps.

Although Carbo-G can’t replace a gluten-free diet, this highly effective enzymatic blend provides an excellent nutritional supplement for improving the breakdown and digestion of grains containing problematic gluten proteins. Call 512.343.9355 or stop by our office to learn more about Carbo-G.

Is Your Sunscreen Making You Sick?

Summer is quickly approaching, and soon Americans will be slathering on the sunscreen. Why? Because that's what dermatologists recommend to prevent skin cancer. Sunscreen is also a big moneymaker for the personal care industry, and summertime means big bucks at the cash register.

But what if you found out your sunscreen is not protecting you against skin cancer? What if your sunscreen causes allergies, hormonal imbalance, cell damage, and even low birth weight among baby girls? Would you still use it? Would you put it on your kids?

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a consumer watchdog based in Washington, D.C. Researchers there conducted a study, and here's what they found: Most sunscreens—600 different ones in fact—contain a harmful ingredient called oxybenzone. That includes sunscreens made by top name-brand companies like Coppertone and Banana Boat. Oxybenzone is one of 16 active ingredients found in most sunscreens. It absorbs UVB and short-wave UVA radiation.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved the chemical in 1978. Although the agency developed new rules for the labeling and development of sunscreen products in 1999, the regulations only cover UVB radiation, not UVA, which is what puts you most at risk for cancer.

UVA radiation penetrates deeper into your skin. It can lead to sunburn and cellular damage, which produces free radicals that harm your health and put you at risk for skin cancer.

Numerous studies confirm the harmful effects of oxybenzone. In 1992, the National Toxicology Program conducted oxybenzonestudies on rats and mice. They found oxybenzone had an adverse effect on their kidneys and livers, disrupted female reproductive cycles, and affected sperm density in males.

In a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study, researchers tested 2,500 Americans, ages six years old and up. They found oxybenzone, also known as benzophenone-3, present in 97% of those they tested. In this study, females of all ages had higher levels of oxybenzone than males.

The Mt. Sinai School of Medicine also released a study on the safety of oxybenzone. The doctors found a link between high levels of oxybenzone and low female birth weights. The study was published in the Environmental Health Perspectives, a journal put out by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

Despite all the conclusive studies, the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), which is the leading national trade association for the cosmetic and personal care products industry, continues to defend these sunscreen products. The organization released the following statement:

Consumers can be confident in the safety of the sunscreens they buy for themselves and their families because all sunscreens sold in the U.S. are regulated as over-the-counter (OTC) drugs by the US Food and Drug Administration, which requires them to go through a rigorous scientific assessment and approval process that includes safety and performance testing before marketing.

But the clinical evidence is clear: Oxybenzone is one of several ingredients in chemical-based sunscreen that can disrupt your fragile endocrine system, causing hormonal imbalance and damaging your DNA. As pointed out by the EWG:

A previous bio-monitoring study reported that 96% of six- to eight-year-old girls had detectable amounts of oxybenzone in their urine. An earlier study detected oxybenzone in the urine of all 30 adult participants.

Sunscreen is designed either to absorb or reflect ultraviolet radiation. But if your sunscreen doesn’t block UVA rays—the radiation that causes skin cancer—it is not providing you with the protection you need.

So what precautions should you take and which sunscreen, if any, should you use?

Hiding from the sun isn't the answer. In fact, experts recommend that you get a good 10 to15 minutes of sunlight a day. But when you are out in the sun, wear a barrier sunscreen that provides UVA protection. Barrier sunscreens sit on your skin instead of being absorbed, providing a barrier to bounce off the sun’s harmful rays.

Dr. Harper recommends her mineral-based sunscreen called SkinShift SPF 25. This paraben-free, non-greasy formula contains a unique combination of active ingredients that provide an effective, transparent barrier against harmful UVA and UVB rays. SkinShift SPF 25 also contains key ingredients like Edelweiss extract and Buddleja Davidii that help reverse the signs of sun damage while protecting and nourishing your skin.

Using SkinShift SPF 25 provides an amazing way to protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun and nourish your skin at the same time!

The Real Story on the hCG Diet

By now, most people have heard both good and bad news about the hCG diet. Supporters and advertisers promote hCG as "the solution" to all weight problems, while opponents claim the 500-calorie diet doesn’t work or isn’t safe. So what’s the real story on the hCG diet?

At Nutritional Medicine Associates, we incorporate the hCG diet as a safe and highly effective component of our Weight Loss Resistance & Health Mastery Program. Although *hCG promotes rapid weight loss for many, hCG is simply a means to an end, not a silver bullet. hCG may help you get the weight off, but hCG won’t keep it off unless you address the reasons for gaining weight in the first place.

Most people are unsuccessful at losing weight because the reasons we gain weight are much more complex than consuming too many calories and not exercising enough. Being overweight is a symptom and an indication that something’s not working right in your body. To lose weight and keep it off, you have to take a look inside and fix the underlying health and behavioral issues that cause weight gain in the first place.

Dr. Harper has helped hundreds of patients successfully lose weight for over 10 years. Her Weight Loss Resistance & Health Mastery Program combines the fat-burning advantages of the Simeon hCG Protocol with the clinically proven success of her comprehensive weight loss resistance and lifestyle management program. The result is a highly effective, medically supervised program that delivers the following significant health benefits:

Lose fat quickly, on average ½ to 2 pounds per day, without hunger or craving issues.
Reset your metabolism to a higher level that works more effectively and efficiently to burn excess body fat and stay lean long after completing the program.
Lose unhealthy body fat while maintaining healthy lean body mass.
Decrease risk of disease (hypertension, diabetes, heart disease) by reducing unhealthy abdominal fat around your organs.
Promote healing of your thyroid, adrenal, and immune systems by eliminating food allergy triggers and reducing stress on your gastrointestinal tract.
Identify and address the underlying behavioral and metabolic issues that cause you to gain weight in the first place.
Keep the weight off that you lose, making you one of the few to achieve long-term weight loss success!

What is hCG & How Does it Help Weight Loss?

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) is a naturally occurring hormone that’s produced at high levels in women during the early stages of pregnancy. When combined with a very specific, low-calorie diet, hCG speeds up fat tissue metabolism and burns your stored fat for energy. While it’s true you can lose weight by significantly reducing your calorie consumption, you’ll most likely lose muscle first because your body kicks into starvation mode and holds onto fat. Simply eating fewer calories also slows down your metabolism, making it even harder to lose weight—and much easier to gain it back!

With the hCG portion of our program, the hormone burns stored fat and releases it into your bloodstream as fuel. This fat-burning process fulfills your daily nutritional needs, minimizing hunger issues and keeping your body from kicking into starvation mode. The end result is a higher metabolic rate and a new fat set point, making it more difficult to gain back the weight you lose. Each week during the program, we conduct a body composition to ensure you maintain lean muscle mass while losing only unhealthy body fat.

At Nutritional Medicine Associates, we help our patients become part of the small percentage of people who lose weight successfully and keep it off for the long term. Only Nutritional Medicine Associates offers hCG within a safe, clinically proven medical program designed to identify and address the underlying issues that cause weight gain and prevent successful weight loss. Call us today to schedule a complimentary consultation and learn how we can help you achieve your health and weight loss goals.

*The FDA requires the following statement concerning the use of hCG for weight loss:

hCG is approved by the FDA for the treatment of certain problems of the male reproductive system and in stimulating ovulation in women who have had difficulty becoming pregnant. No evidence has been presented, however, to substantiate claims for hCG as a weight-loss aid.