Darkening of the skin at the nape of the neck could be an early indication of insulin resistance and diabetes.

The condition, called Acanthosis Nigricans (AN), is marked by the darkening and thickening of the skin on the sides or back of the neck, the armpits, under the breast, and groin.

Acanthosis Nigricans is a skin condition that signals high insulin levels in the body.

Acanthosis Nigricans is important because these markings can help identify persons who run the risk of developing diabetes in the future.

Once identified, the necessary measures to lower the insulin levels and reduce the risk of developing diabetes can be taken.

Similarly, the acanthosis nigricans markers will begin to fade.

Acanthosis nigricans is a skin manifestation of insulin resistance and an early indication of diabetes," says Dr Anoop Misra, professor of medicine at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.

Dr. Misra's study followed adult patients with acanthosis nigricans who had no history of diabetes and discover that 58% of the patients reviewed had the metabolic syndrome. In fact 24% had full-blown diabetes.

All were clueless about their diabetic status.

Who is Dr. Anoop Misra?
Dr Misra is considered as a lead researcher internationally for insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia and obesity in the Indian population. He has substantially contributed to the understanding of the mechanisms, prevention and management of obesity and diabetes mellitus in Indians by publishing more than 100 papers in the international journals, and debating on important issues in the International conferences.He has worked as the World Health Organization fellow at Royal Free Medical School, London and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. He also worked as faculty in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology at the prestigious University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.

References:

Reinehr T. Clinical presentation of type 2 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents. Int J Obes (Lond). 2005 Sep;29 Suppl 2:S105-10.

Charnvises K, Weerakiet S, Tingthanatikul Y, Wansumrith S, Chanprasertyothin S, Rojanasakul A. Acanthosis nigricans: clinical predictor of abnormal glucose tolerance in Asian women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2005 Sep;21(3):161-4.

Mohrenschlager M, Ring J, Kohn FM.Diabetes mellitus: [Cutaneous and mucosal marker lesions] MMW Fortschr Med. 2005 Oct 6;147(40):34-6.

Bolding J, Wratchford T, Perkins K, Ogershok P.Prevalence of obesity, acanthosis nigricans and hyperinsulinemia in an adolescent clinic. W V Med J. 2005 May-Jun;101(3):112-5.

Grandhe NP, Bhansali A, Dogra S, Kumar B.Acanthosis nigricans: relation with type 2 diabetes mellitus, anthropometric variables, and body mass in Indians.

Postgrad Med J. 2005 Aug;81(958):541-4.

Flagothier C, Quatresooz P, Bourguignon R, Pierard-Franchimont C, Pierard GE. Abstract [Cutaneous stigmata of diabetes mellitus] Rev Med Liege. 2005 May-Jun;60(5-6):553-9.​

The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. Visit www.FunctionalMedicineUniversity.com for more information on our training in functional medicine.

As the epidemic of heart disease continues to kill and disable thousands upon thousands of people, it would only seem reasonable that most cardiologists would be up on what one could do to prevent a second heart attack.

It always shocks me to find that the medical literature is loaded with inexpensive and non-prescription natural products that have been found to cut your chance of a second heart attack in half but few if any doctors are telling their patients.

These natural and well documented products have been shown to lower triglycerides, turn off arrhythmias, and dramatically drop your chance of dying from a heart attack.

The literature even goes so far to say who will survive a heart attack and who will die based on the people who are smart enough to take the responsibility of their health in their own hands.

These three natural products include cod liver oil, complete Vitamin E and magnesium.

Have you been told that even the expensive implanted defibrillators does not compare to something as inexpensive as cod liver oil?

In fact cod liver oil does something a defibrillator can't do and that is it provides the ability to stabilize plaque by decreasing the inflammation in the plaque thereby making it less likely to rupture or clot.

This may be a bold comment but it borders on malpractice not to recommend cod liver oil, vitamin E and magnesium. In fact, from a functional medicine standpoint it would be far better to have your levels of fatty acids, magnesium and vitamin E checked so the best dosage can be prescribed.



I would ask your cardiologist if he or she is planning on measuring your fatty acid levels. That will tell you pretty quick if you have a 21st physician or a physician who is behind the times.

Meanwhile, for anyone who has already had a heart attack, I suggest a bare minimum of a daily teaspoon of Carlson's Cod Liver Oil, Di-phasic PM (complete vitamin E supplement), 1 tablespoon of magnesium chloride to every heart patient. I personally would go the extra mile and test my patients to see how deficient they are in the above natural products. This would then allow me to increase or decrease the dosage accordingly.  So the motto is: Oil those arteries so the plaque just slips right off and can never grab on.  

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

Reiffel JA, McDonald A, Antiarrhythmic effects of omega-3 fatty Acids, Am J Cardiol, 98: 50i-60i, 2006

Rogers Sherry, Total Wellness, Prestige Publishing, May 2007

Jacobson TA, Secondary prevention of coronary artery disease with omega-3 fatty acids, Am J Cardiol, 98: 61i-70i, 2006

Gapinski JP, et al, Preventing restenosis with fish oils following coronary angioplasty, Arch Intern Med 153:1595-1601, 1993

Defilippis AP, Blaha MJ, Jacobson T. Omega-3 Fatty acids for cardiovascular disease prevention. Curr Treat Options Cardiovasc Med. 2010 Aug;12(4):365-80.

Banning M. The role of omega-3-fatty acids in the prevention of cardiac events. Br J Nurs. 2005 May 12-25;14(9):503-8.

Jacobson TA. Beyond lipids: the role of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil in the prevention of coronary heart disease. Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2007 Aug;9(2):145-53.


The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. Visit www.FunctionalMedicineUniversity.com for more information on our training in functional medicine.

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

Osteoporosis is reaching an epidemic status. It leads to 1.5 million fractures per year.
The traditional way one is evaluated for osteoporosis is the standard Bone Density Test. Although important to have done, this is a static test and "only" provides information on the amount of bone that has already been lost.
Unfortunately it does not provide data on the rate of bone loss.
Wouldn't it be wise to know how fast you are losing bone?
Wouldn't it be of great value to know if the treatment you are doing is slowing down the rate of bone loss?
Well the good news is there is a functional medicine test called the Bone Resorption Assessment that provides an accurate measurement of the rate of bone turnover.

Testing allows the practitioner to identify those more likely to develop osteoporosis, to intervene before significant loss has occurred, and to monitor the efficacy of treatment regimens.
It is important to identify individuals currently losing bone at an accelerated rate so that effective treatment can begin before significant bone loss has occurred.
Advantages of Urinary Bone Resorption Testing
Biochemical markers are convenient and inexpensive dynamic measures of bone turnover.
Biomechanical markers provide immediate information on the rate of bone loss, thus helping to predict future losses.
Bone density tests, unlike biochemical markers, are inconvenient for regular monitoring of therapies due to invasiveness and expense.
The following is an actual bone resorption test:
 

This test reflects a high rate of bone lossThe following is the functional medicine science behind the test:
Pyridinium crosslinks are stabilizers of collagen molecules.Pyridinium crosslinks consist of both pyridinoline (PYD) and deoxypyridinoline (DPD). Deoxypyridinoline is found predominantly in bone tissue, whereas pyridinoline is found in both bone and cartilage. Bone collagen contains both pyridinoline (PYD), which is reflective of collagen loss of all types, and its component deoxypyridinoline (DPD), which specifically reflects bone collagen.
Presence in the urine of higher than normal amounts of PYD and DPD indicate a rapid rate of bone loss.
The test above reveals that the level of pyridinium crosslinks is elevated. Abnormally high pyridinium crosslinks in urine suggest increased cartilage, connective tissue, and/or bone resorption. 
Again in the test above, the level of deoxypyridinoline (DPD) is elevated, indicating an increased rate of bone loss.
In individuals with no underlying bone disease, this is an important marker in the development of osteoporosis.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with osteoporosis, I strongly recommend that you have your doctor order a bone resorption test. If your doctor is not trained in functional medicine, then I recommend consulting with a health professional trained in functional medicine and have them evaluate you and find out "why" you have osteoporosis. 
Simply taking the common family of osteoporosis drugs called bisphosphonates like Actonel,Boniva and Fosamax without seeking to identify the underlying reason for why you have the disease is not wise.
Again, be pro-active in your treatment and management of osteoporosis and find someone who specializes in functional medicine.

​The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. 

Memorial Day Weekend has come and gone, and that means one thing – it’s officially summer! And while the warmer weather comes with exciting outdoor adventures and great vitamin-D access, it also awakens many creatures – including the biting ones.​
In the catalog of annoying bugs, ticks hold a special place, as they transmit a wide range of diseases – including bacterial, viral and parasitic ones. Ticks are parasitic mites of the family Ixodidae and, while there are over 800 known species, only 15 transmit diseases. Of all tick-transmitted diseases, Lyme (Lyme borreliosis) is the most dreaded. Currently the most frequently occurring vector-borne disease in the US, it is transmitted by the blacklegged deer tick (Ixodes scapularis and I. pacificus).
In the US, around 300,000 people come down with Lyme disease each year – a far cry from the 30,000–mark reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) before 2015. 96 percent of these cases are reported from 14 states dispersed around the Upper Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast, although infection reports have been country-wide.
Early in their life cycle, blacklegged deer ticks don’t carry any pathogens. However, they contract the Lyme bacterium (Borrelia burgdorferi) when feeding on the blood of an infected host. These infected ticks, which serve as a reproduction site for the bacteria, then transmit B. burgdorferi via saliva to humans during a blood meal. Blacklegged deer ticks can transmit Lyme disease either as nymphs or adults, although the nymphal transmissions are more prominent.
It was previously believed that for a successful transmission to occur, ticks needed to be attached to the skin for 36-48 hours, but according to a recent study published in the International Journal of General Medicine, Lyme disease can be transmitted in as little as 16 hours, with the average transmission time of 24 hours.
Lyme disease is multi-systemic in nature, capable of affecting the skeletal, cardiovascular and central nervous systems. Known as the great mimicker, it can present with rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, cardiac manifestations, encephalitis, and mental illness, to name some of the many associations. Common ocular symptoms and signs include conjunctivitis, keratitis, uveitis, and retinitis. The most diagnostic symptom, however, is erythema migrans a.k.a., the bulls-eye rash.
Lyme disease has no “cure”, per se, although some medications, botanicals and/or nutrients may prove ameliorative. Early detection and treatment is also critical to prevent multi-system complications that can arise later in life. This is why prevention is key when it comes to ticks and Lyme disease.
Repel ticks with essential oils
The CDC recommends Permethrin, DEET and picaridin as inorganic solutions to the tick problem, suggesting the treatment of clothes, socks and boots prior to enjoying outdoor activities. However, research has shown that certain essential oils (alone or as a mixture) can be just as efficacious in tick prevention and control.
Essential oils including rosemary, lemongrass, cedar wood, peppermint, geraniol, citronella and clove have all been found to possess strong acaricidalproperties that make them an effective organic option in tick control.
In a 2013 study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology, Eco-Exempt IC2 (an organic insecticide with rosemary oil (10%) and peppermint oil (2%) as its active ingredients) was used to control various stages of I. scapularis in southern Maine. The black-legged deer ticks were endemic in the test area prior to the acaricide application, during both nymphal and adult season peaks. In both cases, the population of I. scapularis in the treated area was reduced to zero and the effect lasted for 6 months post-application. In another study examining the efficacy of rosemary essential oil, a larval mortality of >85% was reported at 10-20% concentrations.
Cedar wood oil has also been widely reported as a potent acaricide. In a study published in the Journal of Economic Entomology, Incense cedar heartwood (Calocedrus decurrens) oil was found to be highly toxic to nymphal I. scapularis and controlled its population significantly in the target area. Another study published in Environmental Entomology reported that  red cedar oil resulted in 100% mortality rate in nymphal I. scapularis at a dosage of 6.3 mg/ml.
Clove bud and Citronella oils are also quite effective. One 2017 study reported an 83% repelling strength for clove bud when used against Dermacentor reticulatus ticks at 3% concentration. Citronella was reported to have an even higher repellency of 91% at a concentration of 1.5 percent. Application of the oils may be topical or sprayed in the environment.
Other helpful tips:

• Avoid natural tick habitats e.g., leaf litter and thick vegetation.
• Stick to the middle of trails when you go hiking.
• Take a quick shower and perform a full body check after spending time in the wood.
• When discovered, remove ticks quickly with forceps.
• Treat dogs and other pets with tick-repelling products.
• Kill ticks by drying clothes in a high-heat dryer for 10-15 minutes after potential exposure.

Happy Summer!
 

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

The medical literature clearly shows that statin medications like Lipitor,Crestor, Zocor shut down the production of one of the most important nutrients in the body. And I am referring to Co-Enzyme Q10 (CoQ10).
What many people are unaware of is the fact that when CoQ10 is depleted it causes the LDL cholesterol to become oxidized. This in turn sets off a cascade of events making the LDL cholesterol drill holes in the arterial wall causing major inflammation. This inflammation sets you up for an increased risk of getting a heart attack or stroke.

This a major reason why taking statins drugs is no guarantee you will not die of a heart attack.
I have to admit I am at a total loss why any doctor would prescribe a statin medication without adding the life-saving CoQ10. This may be hard to swallow (excuse the pun) but it should be illegal to prescribe a statin without also prescribing CoQ10.
The following list of health challenges should be a wake up call for people who believe they are safe taking statins without CoQ10. CoQ10 deficiency can cause fatal cardiomyopathy, heart attack, congestive heart failure (which usually carries a death sentence of 5 years), exhaustion, cancer, myopathy, depression resistant to anti-depressants, high blood pressure, gum disease and tooth loss, hair loss, liver disease, sudden complete memory loss or amnesia, cataracts, angina, cancer, folic acid deficiency, damaged cell membranes, and much more.
In fact, it not only increases you from getting a variety of diseases but low CoQ10 levels predict that you can die within 6 months.
So you can see that any doctor who prescribes a statin medication then turns you loose without also prescribing CoQ10 shows lack of scientific knowledge of the very drug he is authorized to prescribe. Take a look at the wealth of scientific references listed below.
Now if you think I am being a bold about what I have just shared with you please understand that this is serious.
Here is something that will shock many of you. Back in 1990s, the pharmaceutical giant, Merck, decided to add CoQ10 to a statin medication. They even went so far as to get a patent. The patent number is 4,933,165. Go ahead and download the patent document:
//www.functionalmedicineuniversity.com/statin-CoQ10.pdf
So you may ask why in the world would they produce a statin with CoQ10 and the answer is quite obvious. They knew the seriousness of selling the world on statins without CoQ10.
Now you may be thinking whatever happened to this drug. Well it never came to the marketplace. Not sure why but again they wouldn't have created this combination statin-CoQ10 drug if they were not warned of the serious consequences of promoting a statin without CoQ10.
Hmmm.. makes me very suspicious...
If you are on a statin medication, I urge you to insist that your doctor checks your CoQ10 levels. You can easily have this done by getting an CardioION test which includes a direct test for CoQ10 and a more sensitive test called hydroxymethylglutarate.  This is an organic acid assay which will show you if a particular dose is high enough for your body.


 



References:
Thomas S. R., Neuzil J., Stocker R, Inhibition of LDL oxidation by ubiquinol-10. A protective mechanism of coenzyme Q in atherogenesis? Mol Asp Med, 18 (suppl.): s 85-103, 1997
Bargossi AM, Battino M, Gaddi A, et at. Exogenous CoQ10 preserves plasma ubiquinol levels in patients treated with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, Internal J Clin Lab Res, 24: 171-6, 1994
Fuke C, Krikorian, SA, Couris RR, Coenzyme CoQ10: A review of essential functions and clinical trials, Pharmacist, 28-41, Oct 2000
Langsjoen PH, Langsjoen AM, Coenzyme Q10 in cardiovascular disease with emphasis on heart failure and myocardial ischaemia, Asia Pacific Heart J ,7; 3: 160-168, 1998
Langsjoen PH, et al, Treatment of statin adverse effects with supplemental coenzyme Q10 and statin drug discontinuation, BioFactors, 25 (1-4): 147-52, 2005
Langsjoen PH, et al, The clinical use of HMG CoA-reductase inhibitors and the associated depletion of coenzyme Q10. A review of animal and human publications, BioFactors, 18 (1-4): 101-11, 2003
Mabuchi H, et al, Reduction of serum ubiquinol-10 and a ubiquinone-10 levels by atorvastatin in hypercholesterolemia, patients, J Atheroscler Thromb, 12; 2:111-19, 2005
Lamperti C, Muscle, coenzyme Q10 level in statin-related myopathy, Arch Neurol, 62; 11: 1109-12, Nov 2005
Mortensen AS, et al, Coenzyme Q10: clinical benefits with biochemical correlates suggesting a scientific breakthrough in the management of chronic heart failure, Int J Tissue React, 12; 3: 155-62, 1990
Folkers K, Langsjoen P, Tamagawa H, Lovastatin decreases coenzyme levels in humans, Proc Nall Acad Sci USA, 1990; 87:8931-34
Bliznakov EG, Wilkins DJ, Biochemical and clinical consequences of inhibiting coenzyme Q10 biosynthesis by lipid-lowering HMG COA reductase inhibitors (statins): a critical overview, Advances in Therapy, 15; 4:219-28, Jul/Aug 1998
Ghirlanda G, Oradei A, Manto A, et al, Evidence of plasma CoQ 10-lowering effect of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, J Clin Pharmacol, 33: 226-29, 1993
Willis RA. Folkers K, Tucker JL, Tamagawa H., et al., Lovastatin decreases coenzyme Q levels in rats, Proc Nat Acad Sci USA, 87: 8928-30. 1990
Folkers K, Langsjoen P, et al, Lovastatin decreases coenzyme Q10 levels in humans, Proc Nat Acad Sci USA, 87:8931-4, 1990
Bliznakov EG, Lipid-lowering to drugs (statins), cholesterol, and coenzyme Q10. The Baycol case-¬-a modern Pandora's box, Biomed Pharmacother, 56:56-9, 2002
Jameson S, Statistical data support prediction of death within six months on low levels of coenzyme Ql0 and other entities, Clin Invest, 71 (suppl):137-39, 1993
The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. 
​