Primo Health Blog

A portal for functional health topics and news.

Posts by Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.:

What do Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia have in common?

What do Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia have in common?

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia

By Gene Bruno, MS, MHS – Dean of Academics, Huntington College of Health Sciences

Many doctors and researchers are convinced that Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) are simply different manifestations of the same underlying disorder. In fact, many patients suffer from both conditions. While both have been acknowledged as real physical diseases, neither one has a known cause or cure. Is the lack of a cure all that the two illnesses have in common? Not by a long shot. When looking at what is known about Fibromyalgia and CFS, they appear to be more alike than they are different.

Supplement of the week: Designs for Health B-Supreme

Supplement of the week: Designs for Health B-Supreme

Quick Overview

This very powerful B vitamin combination formula supplies most of the B vitamins in their coenzymated forms so the body does not have to phosphorylate them, and includes our proprietary NatureFolate™ blend of active isomer naturally-occuring folates. TMG and choline were added to support methylation.

Product Description

This very powerful B vitamin combination formula supplies most of the B vitamins in their coenzymated forms so the body does not have to phosphorylate them, and includes our proprietary NatureFolate™ blend of active isomer naturally-occuring folates. TMG and choline were added to support methylation.

Health Benefits of B Vitamins

Health Benefits of B Vitamins

B-Vitamins

By Art Presser, PharmD - President, Huntington College of Health Sciences

There are eleven B vitamins that are collectively called the B-Complex. The eleven vitamins include B-1, B-2 and B-6, which should be supplemented in equal strengths, as should choline and Inositol. That makes five. Rounding out the balance of the eleven are B-3, B-5, B-12, folic acid, biotin and PABA.

B Complex

B-Complex is referred to as the energy vitamins and stress fighters. They get this reputation because they are intimately involved in cellular energy metabolism, namely the glycolytic, Krebs cycle and pentose pathways. The B vitamins act as cofactors in converting carbohydrates into glucose which the body burns to produce energy.

Common Triggers of Depression

Common Triggers of Depression

Depression: Functional Medicine Approach

By Ronald Grisanti, DC, DABCO, DACBN, MS

Depression is considered the most dreaded condition of mankind. What makes depression so awful is the sad fact that it is the one disease devoid of hope in the minds of many who suffer with this global epidemic.

Unlike debilitating diseases like arthritis, which shows it's ugly face by causing pain, depression is a silent enemy afflicting millions every year.

My goal in this article is to prepare and educate you on a few of the common triggers of depression.

These are not original thoughts on the subject of depression but are in fact documented peer-reviewed research proving the existence of a world of information kept under "lock and key" contributing to a sea of suffering and mental anguish.

Nutrition Tips for Cellulite Reduction

Nutrition Tips for Cellulite Reduction

Cellulite Reduction

By Gene Bruno, MS, MHS – Dean of Academics, Huntington College of Health Sciences

Cellulite is more common in women than in men. The reason for this is that a layer of connective tissue is more irregular and discontinuous in women than in men.1 The dimpled, “cottage cheese” appearance of cellulite is simply fat tissue which is pressing through connective tissue. This might be compared to wearing a button-up-the-front shirt which is too small for you, and seeing your tummy press through the shirt openings where the fabric is straining against the buttons. Nonetheless, as “unsightly” as cellulite is, it is actually no different than any other type of body fat.

This is good news for cellulite sufferers since they can apply many of the same effective strategies for losing cellulite, as they would use for losing body fat in other areas. This includes the use of natural agents such oligopeptides and chitosan which reduce dietary fat absorption, as well as thermogenic agents which help promote “fat burning.” In addition, a new dietary supplement strategy is currently being promoted in our industry which purports to enhance cellulite reduction. This strategy was originated by Dr. Gianfranco Merrizi.

Health Benefits of Bromelain

Health Benefits of Bromelain

Bromelain

By Gene Bruno, MS, MHS – Dean of Academics, Huntington College of Health Sciences

Bromelain is a proteolytic (i.e., proteindigesting) enzyme found in pineapples. Bromelain has proteolytic action on a variety of proteins, breaking them down into smaller peptides and amino acids1. Beyond its protein digesting capacity, research has shown that bromelain has anti-inflammatory activity. This is not surprising since different proteolytic enzymes, including bromelain, have been used to treat a variety of inflammatory conditions including sports injury and other acute trauma. Positive results have been observed over a thirty year period in both animal models and human trials.

Effective Carpal Tunnel Treatment

Effective Carpal Tunnel Treatment

Carpal Tunel: Effective Treatment

Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., D.A.C.B.N., M.S.

  

Just recently I had the opportunity to consult with a patient by the name of Andrea who was suffering with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Andrea was a 47 year women who was employed as an executive secretary for a Fortune 500 company.  Her job responsibilities included typing business documents, scheduling telephone meetings and pretty much everything that is associated with this type of position.

Andrea mentioned during our first consult that the tingling and numbness in her fingers and hand, especially her thumb and index, middle and ring fingers was getting so bad that she was afraid she might lose her job. The condition was at a point that she consistently needed to “shake out” her hands after 15 minutes of typing on the computer.

Building the Immune System with Botanicals and Antioxidants

Building the Immune System with Botanicals and Antioxidants

Building Immunity & Promoting Wellness With Botanicals & Antioxidants

By Gene Bruno, MS, MHS – Dean of Academics, Huntington College of Health Sciences

The components of the body's immune system provide protection against the ravages of undesired invaders like free radicals, bacteria and viruses or defective cells such as those found in cancer. These dangerous entities are detected, located and destroyed by a competent immune system.1 2 A weak or sub- functioning immune system, however, cannot effectively fight off these undesired invaders. The result is more frequent illnesses such as colds or flu. Severe and debilitating disease states can also develop.

Immune system sub-function often results from a combination of poor nutrition, chronic stress and various environmental pollutants. Of these three factors, poor nutrition is probably the most significant. The broad reaching ramifications of poor nutrition were discussed in a report by former Surgeon General, C. Everett Koop. The report was prompted by increasing evidence that many of the leading causes of death in the United States, as well as much of this country's burden of chronic disease, are linked at least in part to dietary excesses and imbalances.

Supplement of the week: Designs for Health L-5-MTHF

Supplement of the week: Designs for Health L-5-MTHF

Quick Overview

L-5-MTHF provides a natural, biologically active form of folate. Folate is essential for cell division and growth, and also works to balance the homocysteine pathway. This formula provides a generous 5 mg per capsule of folate in the bioidentical, bioactive form, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. L-5-MTHF (the “L” signifying that it is the all-natural [6S] isomer) is the active circulating form of folate found in the body and one of the several forms found in food. In nature it is found only as this [6S] isomer, which is why DFH uses L-5-MTHF, the natural isomer, rather than the mixed (or racemic) form.

Our L-5-MTHF uses the patented folate derivative Quatrefolic®. This innovative form of folate has demonstrated high bioavailability and solubility as well as long lasting stability. Quatrefolic® L-5-MTHF helps to increase blood folate levels much better than folic acid.