The Avante TimesVolume 5, Issue 2 Fall 2009 & Winter 2010Avante’s Values

* Integrity* Innovation* Team Approach* Community* Honesty* Compassion* Respect* Progressive* Personalized Care* Value

Inside this Issue

Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine 2

Calendar ofEvents 3

Integrative Medicine 4 at Providence

Child Digestive Health 5

Vitamin Deficiencies 6&7

Evaluating Hormones 7

Who’s Who at Avante 8

Avante Medical Center, LLC

Jason J Harmon, ND, FABNO

Avante has just been voted “Best Doctors” by the Anchorage Press readers. We deeply appreciate your acknowledgment of the care we provide for the people of Alaska. We thank you for your patronage and support, as we would not exist without you and your referrals. Thank you!

In other exciting news, Avante has successfully launched our new Providence Hospital satellite of-fice!Ithastakenmanyyearsandmuchhardworktoopendoorsandmindsandtheresultisafirst-of-its-kindventureinAlaska-anintegrativemedicalofficeat Providence! We are working with Alaska’s medical

community to provide a “team” approach to caring for our community. We look forward to showing you this exciting new addition to Avante.

This fall brings community to the forefront of Avante, with our continued commitment to educating Alas-kans. A new weekly lecture series with Avante pro-viders, as well as our third educational symposium are all scheduled for this fall. Look at our calendar of events for more information. All educational talks are free to the public.

Thank you again and have a wonderful fall and winter and we look forward to seeing you soon at one of our many educational events!

Avante Voted “Best Doctors”---Thank you Alaska!

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Mission StatementHealing begins when you enter Avante!

“Avante Medical Center, LLC offers a beautiful and healing environment, which contains world-class medical providers, excellent staff, and extensive integrative and conventional medical services for the whole family. We provide care to our clients living with acute and chronic health challenges, combining the best of science and nature, tailored and personalized to your individual medical needs. We focus on the value of our clients’ experience, providing adequate time with our providers, resulting in thorough and comprehensive medical care. Our goal is to educate, empower, and enrich your health through a caring, professional and unique

medical experience.”

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The Ancient Art of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine for Pain Relief

Christina Harmon, L.Ac.

Pain is a natural process that protects the body and signals its restorative systems. However, living with pain can have an enormous negative impact on our body’s systems. It can cause elevated stress signals, interfere with our sleep, affect our immune systems, and deplete the body of vital nutrients. This can affect our daily lives by leaving one feeling fatigued, stressed, depressed, or frustrated.

Acupuncture has continuously proven to be effective in decreasing and, in some cases, alleviating numerous types of pain. The various conditions that acupuncture and Oriental medicine can address include: pain in the back, neck, shoulder, knee, ankle, wrist, elbow, abdomen and joints; headaches, muscle tension, dysmenor-rhea(periodpain),fibromyalgia,rheumatoidarthritis,tendonitisandsciaticpain.

Acupuncture is also extremely helpful in treating various types of neurological conditions such as recovering from stroke, phantom limb pain, side effects from chemotherapy, and postoperative pain or lack of sensation.

As an acupuncturist, I am frequently asked, “How does acupuncture work?” Acupuncture and Oriental medicine are systems of medicine that work with the body’s electrical network by affecting the somatic nervous system, the central nervous system, and the mind/body connection. Acupuncture works through stimulating the circula-torysystem,whichhelpstobringimmunecellstothetroubledandinflamedareasandaidsinremovingtoxinsfromthelocalarea.WithinChinesemedicine,painisclassifiedunder“QiandBloodstagnation.”Thismeansthat the area of pain or discomfort is often being cut off from proper circulation. Whether this is due to the types oftissuesinvolved,themusclesaroundthearea,and/orlackof“Qi”(energy)andbloodnourishingthebody,acupuncture and Oriental medicine can revitalize and restore this imbalance.

Another way acupuncture contributes to the decrease in pain is by stimulating Beta-endorphins. The anterior pituitary gland produces Beta-endorphins and binds to the analgesic receptors (anti-pain receptors) of the dor-sal horn of the spinal cord, causing inhibition of pain. Beta-endorphins are produced and released in times of extreme pain and are the body’s natural painkillers, proven to be stronger than morphine. Through the insertion offine,sterileacupunctureneedles,Beta-endorphinsarestimulated,creatingastateofrelaxationandwell-being in which pain relief can be achieved.

Acupuncture and Oriental medicine look at the body as a whole – each system and each part working together to create who we are in mind, body and spirit. This holistic approach not only focuses on the local area of pain, but also the root cause of pain issues. Acute pain can be addressed by treating the local tissues and inter-related areas. Chronic pain can be addressed by restoring new pathways through the nervous system to cut thepaincycle,andbyrestoringvariousnutrientdeficienciesinordertobringthebodybacktohomeostasis.Reestablishing the body’s natural balance increases the quality of a person’s life and the vitality of his or her energy. Acupuncture at Avante is supportive with the use of individualized plans designed to treat the underly-ing cause of pain.

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Bring your whole family to Avante!

FREE Avante Times for the Office or FriendsIf you would like to receive additional copies of Avante Times for your business or have copies sent to friends, please

email avantemedicalcenter@gmail.com with the quantity and address they can be sent to for FREE.

Calendar of Events

Natural Pantry Walk-ThroughsDates: Oct. 19th, Nov. 16th, Dec. 21st

Time: 6 p.m.Location: Natural Pantry (36th & Old Seward)

Please join licensed acupuncturist and oriental medicine specialist, Tina Harmon, as she guides you through the Natural Pantry, help-ing you learn how to read labels and what those long, confusing words really mean for your health.

Avante Provider Lecture SeriesTime: 6 p.m.

Location: Avante Medical CenterFree to the public

Oct. 13th: “The Naturopathic Fridge” with Markian Babij, ND Oct. 26th: “Chinese 5 Element Theory” with Tina Harmon, L.Ac.Nov. 2nd: “Pediatric Nutrition” with Natalie Wiggins, ND Nov. 9th: “Prolotherapy” with Markian Babij, ND Nov. 17th: “Food Sensitivities” with Melanie Landers, NDNov. 23rd: “Nutritional Counseling” with Tina Harmon, L.Ac.Dec. 2nd: “Acupressure” with Tina Harmon, L.Ac. Dec. 8th: “Digestion Ecology” with Markian Babij, ND Dec. 14th: “Pregnancy Nutrition” with Natalie Wiggins, NDDec. 17th: “A simple cleanse” by Melanie Landers, ND

Please join the providers at Avante Medical Center for a new, weekly lecture series that covers an array of health topics.

Food Allergy & Food Rotation Class (sign up required)

Dates: Oct. 27th and Nov. 18thLocation: Avante Medical Center

Time: 6-7 p.m.Cost: $25 per person/per class, $40 per couple/per class

Please join the allergy department of Avante Medical Center for an instructional hour focusing on managing your food allergies and elimination/rotation diets. This class is intended to aid our patients and others who have been diagnosed with food allergies in making proper food choices. We will have examples of alternatives to dairy, wheat and eggs.

Fall Educational SymposiumDate: October 20, 2009

Time: 6 p.m.Wilda Marston Theater at the Z.J. Loussac Library

Free to the public

Please join the providers at Avante for a roundtable discussion on current health research, common issues effecting Alaskan’s well-being and integrative medicine approaches to common medical conditions.TherewillbeaQ&Aperiodforyoutointeractwithourproviders.

Avante Book ClubNov. 10th: Learned Optimism by Martin Seligman

Time: 7 p.m.Location: Avante Medical Center

This book club, moderated by Christine Sagan, ANP, is a great way to investigate new ideas about your health in a low-key, peer-oriented setting.

Introduction to Raw Foods Cuisine (sign up required)

Dates: Oct. 14th, Oct. 29th, Nov. 12th, Nov. 24th, Dec. 9th, Dec. 22nd

Time: 6 p.m. Location: Avante Medical CenterCost: $25 per person/per class

Please join Brendan VanValkenburgh, LMT as he guides you through the basics of raw food living. Delicious raw foods provid-ed. *Allergy Warning: Nuts and oils will be used in the food preparation.

Bones for LifeBones for Life in Chairs with Grant Gibbs

Date: Oct. 21st, Oct. 28th, Nov. 4th, Nov. 11th Time: 7-8 p.m.

Location: Avante Medical CenterCost: $15 per class

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For more information, class updates, additions or reschedules, please visit our website.

Page 4 The Avante Times

Integrative Medicine at Providence Hospital

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Markian Babij, ND, FABNO

Integrate- to combine and coordinate diverse elements into a whole.

Our mission at the new Providence location is to expand the boundaries of conventional oncology care by inte-gratingtraditionaltoolsforfightingcancerwithevidence-based,complementarymedicinetotreateachpatientas a whole person. This complementary, naturopathic medicine can augment conventional treatment with the use of natural approaches, working safely within the treatment plan outlined by your oncologist. Patients are empowered with education and encouraged to actively participate in their care. The intent of naturopathic oncol-ogy is to treat all aspects of a patient, not just the disease itself. The goal is to maintain a healthy balance in each body system, while bridging the mind-body connection and unifying the diverse elements of each patient into the whole person that he or she is.

Oncologists often ask patients to discontinue all supplements during treatment due to many potential interac-tions that diminish the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Understanding these interactions with conventional treat-ment will provide a patient with an integrative plan that is safe and effective for a particular chemotherapeutic agent.Somenaturalmedicinesarebestusedawayfromconventional treatment,whileothersarebeneficialduring treatment. Naturopathic supportive care incorporates the prevention of side effects associated with che-motherapy, thereby improving the quality of life and reserving energy for immune functioning.

Naturopathic oncology utilizes a pre- and post-operative care plan to prepare a patient for surgery and improve recoverytime.Aftersurgery,specificmedicinesareusedtoreduceinflammationandthepotentialspreadofmetastatic disease.

Radiationtherapyisanimportanttoolinfightingcancer.Alongwithnaturopathiccare,sideeffectscanbepre-ventedwithoutcompromisingoutcomesindiseasetreatment.Specificantioxidantstoavoidarereviewedwithapatient prior to treatment, and rebuilding strategies are implemented when necessary.

Immunotherapy is used to reduce the burden on the healthy cells in the body while undergoing chemotherapy or radiation. Reduced cell counts during treatment will often cause a gap in any given treatment plan. Naturopathic medicine is supportive in this regard; however, incorporating an individualized plan designed to maintain cell counts and uphold optimal immune functioning while undergoing treatment.

Naturopathic doctors communicate with other members or your healthcare team to ensure that your plan is syn-chronized with every other facet of treatment. Each patient receives a nutritional assessment and meal planning to prevent malnutrition and help select foods that compliment your cancer treatment.

Survivorshipandpreventionarealsokeyaspectsinanintegrativecancer-caremodel.Eachpatienthasspecificneeds, and these can be addressed with appropriate referrals. A common misconception in cancer care is the roleofdetoxification.Detoxificationusesenergymechanismsthatareoftenbestpreservedforimmunefunction-ing during treatment. Although important for liver support, this modality is best utilized at the appropriate time.

Naturopathic support while undergoing conventional care can prevent side effects, augment care, and build the immune system while supporting an unwavering conventional treatment plan. Our mission is to coor-dinatecarethatencompasseseverymodalitythatcouldbenefitapatient.Withournewofficeinahospitalsetting, we plan to be at the forefront of integrative medicine that combines these important diversities into a whole treatment plan in which the patient is at the center.

Youwillfindhealth at Avante!

Volume 5, Issue 2 Page 5

Natalie Wiggins, ND

Food is one of the basic requirements for life. What we consume in the diet can affect overall health, and the way in which the body processes food is dependent on the integrity of the digestive tract. In that way, our digestive health is the foundation to overall health in the body.

Identifying and repairing digestive complaints in children can prevent serious health concerns later in life. Since young children are not able to verbalize well, look for clues that may suggest a weakened digestive system. In babies, this may be indicated by colic, spitting up, a hard belly, constipation, gas, failure to thrive, skin rashes, or a runny nose. In children, signs may become more obvi-ous, including upset stomach, diarrhea, or constipation. Less apparent conditions that may be related to digestion are headaches or migraines,fatigue,asthma,eczema,growingpains,learningdifficulties,earinfections,orfrequentillnesses.

Food allergies and sensitivities are a frequent culprit of digestive complaints and related issues. Other causes of poor digestion can stemfrominsufficientenzymeproduction,deficientlevelsofimmunoglobulins(partoftheimmunesystem),animbalanceindiges-tiveflora(theratioof“good”versus“bad”microorganisms),environmentaltoxicityand/orstress.

Treatmentstostrengthenthedigestivetractfocusonidentifyingfoodsensitivitiesorallergies,decreasinginflammation,balanc-ing cell-mediated and humoral-immune responses, optimizing nutrition, and ultimately repairing the digestive system on a cellular level.EPAandDHAfoundinfishoilshaveananti-inflammatoryeffect;certainprobioticstrains(“good”bacteria)areusedtosupportproper immune function and digestion; and numerous herbs, vitamins and minerals aid in the healing process. Dietary recommendations to improve digestive health include: minimizing common allergens in the diet, rotating foods to avoid be-coming sensitive to any one food, eating a variety of different foods (especially plenty of fruits and vegetables), incorporating healthy fats(fish,avocadoes,coconutandoliveoils),increasingfiber(groundflaxseeds,beans,wholegrains,andnuts),andstayinghydrated. Starting children on a healthy diet from infancy provides a lifetime of good eating habits.

Additionally, it is advisable to be aware of a hereditary predisposition to developing atopic conditions (allergies, eczema, and asthma) that may be related to food sensitivities. If a parent has a history of the aforementioned conditions, it is likely that a child may also develop those symptoms. Childhood atopic conditions may be successfully avoided from the prenatal period by avoiding food sensitivities in pregnancy, and supplementing with proper probiotics and nutrients. Studies have illustrated that supplementation with particular probiotics in breastfeeding mothers and infants decreased the risk of developing atopic eczema by 50 percent.

Digestive concerns and associated conditions are best addressed early in life in order to prevent future problems. Take a closer look at your child’s diet and look for clues that may indicate a weakened digestive system, so the healing can begin now!

Child Digestive Health

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Page 6 The Avante Times

Vitamin Deficiencies: Common Problem, Simple Solution

Christine Sagan, ANP

It is hard to believe that in our comfortable nation – with endless choices on the grocery aisle and a world of optionsontheInternet–thatourbodiescouldbedeficientinanything;however,thevastmajorityofustrulyare.Withoutaddressingthesedeficiencies,itisdifficulttobeoptimallywell.Hereisabriefrun-downofthreecommon supplements that can go a long way toward improving your health:

IRONThis is essential for processing nutrients required for brain function. It helps the brain process chemicals called neurotransmitters, facilitates information in the brain and produces DNA for brain cells to reproduce and grow. Irondeficiencyisthemostcommonglobalnutritionalproblem.Theearliestfunctionsaffectedareassoci-atedwithcognitionandbehavior.Theeffectofirondeficiencyinearlyinfancyappearstobeirreversible.Irondeficiencyinolderageisdisadvantageousforadvancementinintellectandeducation.Thisisindependentofethnicity, environment and social environment. Studies show that individuals with low iron have lower SAT, mathandIQscores.

Signsofdeficiencyarebehavior/conductdisorders,impulsivity,poorreasoning,logicandconcentration,inat-tentiveness, over activity, fatigue, crankiness in children, poor school performance, depression, restless legs, andincreasedsusceptibilitytoinfection.Physicalsignsincludeflattenedorspoon-shapednails,verticalridgeson the nails, abnormal hair loss, pale complexion, cold hands and feet, rapid heart rate, palpitations, poor taste buds, and sores in the corners of the mouth. People most at risk are menstruating females, pregnant females, andchildrenwhooverconsumecowmilk.Irondeficiencyimpairsathleticperformanceduetolessoxygendelivery to the tissues.

Surprisingly, individuals who engage in regular intense exercise are at risk. They have been found to have daily iron losses that may be due to the increased microscopic bleeding or increased fragility of the red blood cells. It has been estimated that the average requirement for iron may be 30 percent higher for those who engage in intense exercise!

Iron also depends on co-factors to enhance absorption – things like Vitamin C, Zinc, Copper, Vitamin A, and Vitamin B12. It’s important to take a good multivitamin and extra Vitamin C while replacing. Calcium inhibits the absorption of iron when taken together. Do not take extra iron unless instructed by your provider. Regular monitoringisimportant.Foodsourcesinclude:plants,dairy,meat,fish,poultry,lentils,cashews,shrimp,tuna,prunes, raisins, oysters, tofu, and bran cereal. Good, healthy digestion is also important for absorption.

ZINCThistraceelementisessentialforneurogenesis(thecreationofnewbraincells),anddeficiencycouldinter-fere with neurotransmission (brain function). Zinc is vital for over 300 enzyme reactions, which involve diges-tion, metabolism, brain and nerve functioning, reproduction and wound healing. Stress can increase the loss ofzinc,andadolescentfemalestendtobelower.Chroniczincdeficiencyisassociatedwithlethargy,depres-sion, moodiness, impaired concentration, impaired logic, poor decision-making, and poor emotional response. Zincpicolinateworksasagreatantiviralforcolds.Aneasywaytotellifyouarezincdeficientistolookatyourfingernails–whitespotsaresignsoflowzinc.

Caution:Largequantitiesofzincovertimecaninterferewithcopperavailabilityandleadtocopperdeficiency.Typical intake of zinc and dietary sources do not affect absorption. Supplemental iron can decrease zinc absorption and high levels of dietary calcium impair zinc absorption in some people. Populations at risk for

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Take some healing home!

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Vitamin Deficiencies: Common Problem, Simple Solution

Volume 5, Issue 2 Page 7

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zincdeficiency:infants,children,pregnantandlactatingwomen,teenagers,andthosesufferingfrommalnutrition,anorexia,persis-tent diarrhea, malabsorption, bowel disease such as Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, and sickle cell anemia. Strict vegetarians need 50 percent more zinc because food staples such as grains and legumes have high levels of phytic acid, thus reducing the absorption of zinc and iron. Food sources of zinc are oysters, beef, crab, dark turkey meat, dark chicken meat, pork, baked beans, eggs, yogurt, cashews, chickpeas, almonds, peanuts, and cheese.

VITAMIN B12Thelargestandmostcomplexofallthevitamins,deficiencyisestimatedtoaffect10-15percentofpeopleoverage60.B12con-tains a metal ion, cobalt, thus cobalamin in the name denotes Vitamin B12 activity. Absorption of Vitamin B12 from food requires normal function of the stomach, pancreas and small intestine. Decreased stomach acid with aging interferes with absorption. There are multiple factors involved with absorption and often this is impaired in individuals (the environment needs to be alkaline to free B12tobind).Themostcommoncauseofdeficiencyisperniciousanemia(twopercentofthepopulation)andfood-boundVitaminB12malabsorption.Somesymptomsofdeficiencyinclude:numbnessandtinglinginarmsandlegs,difficultywalking,memoryloss,disorientation, dementia, appetite loss, and constipation. Many opt to bypass intestinal absorption and administer Vitamin B12 injec-tions. Oral supplementation of 1000mcg should result in passive absorption of one percent of the dose. People at risk for Vitamin B12deficiencyarethosewithgastritis,H.pyloriinfections,celiacdisease,pancreaticdeficiency,andalcoholics.VitaminB12isonlyfoundinfoodsofanimalorigin(meat,poultry,fish,clams)andstrictvegetarians/vegansshouldsupplement.VitaminB12synthe-sizesserotoninandisinvolvedinneurotransmittermetabolism,thusstudieshavefoundthatB12-deficientpeoplearetwiceaslikelyto be severely depressed!

Therecommendationistosupplementovertheage50.HoweverIseemanypeopleofallagesbenefitingfromthisvitamin.VitaminB12 is water soluble and will appear in the urine as bright yellow. There is no toxicity known due to the low percentage absorbed orally. There are no tolerable upper limits set by governing boards.

Evaluating hormone Levels

Chris Kallander, ANP

One of the newest and most comprehensive tests for steroid hormone evaluation is the 24-hour urine hormone test. It tests most of the male and female hormones, including progesterone, DHEA, testosterone, three major estrogens, the adrenal hormone cortisol, as well as a plethora of breakdown products known as metabolites. This testing looks at men and woman individually and is often covered by insurance. Previous tests, such as serum blood testing, measure hormone levels in a 24-hour period, whereas the urine test averages the hormone levels over a longer period of time.

As many of you already know, Avante is dedicated to the prescribing of physiological doses of bioidentical hormones for hormone decline, known as bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). Hormonal decline and/or imbalances are occurring in younger andyoungerindividuals.AtAvante,wetreatthedeficienciesandimbalanceswithBHRT.Sincethebodyhasacomplementofhormones, we attempt to balance a complement of hormones, bringing relief to a variety of symptoms such as low energy, sexual dysfunction,hotflashes,nightsweats,jointpainandsleepproblems.

I recently reviewed Suzanne Somers’ newest book Breakthrough. It is a marvelous synopsis of BHRT from a lay point of view. She also includes her eight steps to wellness, which incorporate balancing all the hormones. She interviews integrative medical providers from around the country who give their perspective of health and BHRT. If the hormones are in balance, other health concerns may also right themselves. It is a very informative read, and I recommend it for those who are interested in a full complement of health and hormones for the rest of their lives.

The 24-hour urine hormone evaluation is now available at Avante. If you are interested, please ask your provider.

915 W. Northern Lights, Anchorage, AK 99503Phone: 907.770.6700 Fax: 907.770.6707

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Who’s Who at Avante Medical Center

All photos © Ken Graham Photography.com

Markian Babij, ND, FABNONaturopathic Oncology, Internal Medicine

Grant Gibbs, CMnTPTMyofascial Trigger Point Therapy

Jason J Harmon, ND, FABNONaturopathic oncology

Tina Harmon, L.Ac.Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine

Judy Hartford, CMTPTMyofascial Trigger Point Therapy

Christine Kallander, ANPAdult and adolescent care

Melanie Landers, NDFamily practice, pediatrics

Christine Sagan, ANPFamily practice

Sandra Schaeffer, CMTPTMyofascial Trigger Point Therapy

Torrey Smith, NDFamily practice

Natalie Wiggins, NDFamily practice, pediatrics

Bethany Buchanan, ANP Family practice

Ina Cloud, MA, ATAllergy Treatment

Gary Ferguson, NDMen’s Health

Cathy Floyd, MA, ATAllergy Treatment

Stephanie Friess, ANPFamily Practice, Internal Medicine