Navid Mahooti MD

02/26/2020

What’s the best treatment for an acute Achilles tendon rupture? (That is, completely tearing your Achilles’ tendon).

Many people would say surgery is required.

But numerous studies indicate that non-operative treatments yield similar outcomes compared to surgical reconstruction. And a non-operative approach decreases the risk of surgical complications.

But what non-operative treatment is best?

In this study, the authors concluded that use of a functional brace provided similar outcomes when compared to use of a traditional plaster cast. Of course, lots of physical therapy is necessary to optimize recovery.

Bottom line: a growing number of orthopedic and sports medicine injuries can be effectively treated non-surgically.

If you have an orthopedic problem or have sustained a sports injury, I would be happy to see you and discuss your non-surgical options. You may be surprised to learn what’s available.

Traditional plaster casting was not found to be superior to early weight-bearing in a functional brace, as measured by ATRS, in the management of patients treated non-surgically for Achilles tendon rupture. Clinicians may consider the use of early weight-bearing in a functional brace as a safe and c...

02/26/2020

What is Lent?

Today is Ash Wednesday, the commencement of Lent in the Christian faith. It commemorates the beginning of Jesus’ 40 day fast in the wilderness that launched his 3 year ministry before his crucifixion. “Man shall not live by bread alone” was one of Jesus’ retorts when tempted by Satan to turn a stone into bread.

Today, Ash Wednesday, is celebrated by Christians as a day of repentance -- turning from sin and pursuing the good. Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent, a 40 day period of reflection and even re-dedication of one’s life to serve God and others. Lent culminates at Easter, the day of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

During Lent, many Christians will make a deliberate change in a habit: typically either “giving up” a vice, or adding on a virtue. Examples include giving up chocolate, coffee, alcohol, a favorite TV show, cell phone or social media use (which can be vices), or spending daily time in prayer, reading a devotional and/or the Scriptures, volunteering, or taking on a role in the home that is typically another person’s responsibility (washing dishes, taking out the trash…). It can be any combination of the above.

The point is to direct one’s attention to service and love of God and others, particularly during the moments when a habit would normally pull you to do “something else.” When you feel that urge to check your phone or indulge in a treat, instead reflect on your relationship with God and/or others, and reestablish your priorities.

Now, I’ve written a fair amount about fasting: the intentional forfeiture of eating (sometimes even when hungry) for a greater good: physical and often emotional transformation. But there is certainly a spiritual component to fasting -- and a more comprehensive definition could be “temporarily giving up something that we often feel we can’t live without.” Essentially every major religion incorporates some degree of fasting into their teachings. Fasting from food is one type; Lent offers the a seasonal opportunity to engage in various types of fasts.

Social media can serve a wonderful purpose: we have access to remarkable ideas from people all over the world. But sometimes it can be a distraction, a time warp that sucks us in and we find ourselves endlessly scrolling for content (seeking that dopamine hit to our brain). A little less than a year ago I took the plunge into opening a page and a Twitter account to see what it was all about and use it as tool to share ideas and articles that I hope have helped and blessed those who follow me / encounter them.

After some reflection, prayer and consideration, I’ve decided it is time for me to take a fast from social-media. For the next 40 days, I will refrain from posting anything to my page. I need to reset my mind.

Have you yourself considered engaging in Lenten "fast" or adding a virtue?

May you all have a wonderful Lenten season -- and I’ll see you after Easter!

02/26/2020

Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is now the number one cause of liver disease in the world — and soon to become the most common cause of liver transplantation.

It used to be that people would get liver cirrhosis from overconsumption of alcohol for many years. “Pickling your liver.”

But that was then.

Now, NAFLD is reaching pandemic proportions and is projected to become the most common cause of cirrhosis in the not too distant future.

What causes NAFLD?

Evidence is growing that over-consumption of refined grains, sugars, and especially fructose (all carbohydrates) — especially when combined with vegetable seed oils found in processed foods — are the main causes of NAFLD.

If this theory is true, then it stands to reason that a low carb diet would be more effective at reversing NAFLD...

Well, guess what this study in adolescents with NAFLD showed? (It is shocking to me that kids are now developing what were once rare, chronic dietary metabolic diseases)... (CHO= carbohydrate)

“Conclusion: The CHO-restricted diet approach may be markedly beneficial in improving fatty liver, body composition, and insulin resistance in adolescents with NAFLD even in the absence of intentional caloric restriction. Practitioners should consider recommending this diet approach to effectively improve disease course in this patient population.”

Background: NAFLD has emerged as the most common liver disease among adolescents in industrialized countries. Results from trials in adults with NAFLD suggest that reducing CHO intake may deplete liver fat to a greater extent than other dietary approaches, even when there was no difference in weight...

02/25/2020

More on Time Restricted Eating (TRE).

Most people find that skipping breakfast and eating in the afternoon hours is most convenient.

Here’s a study that shows remarkable improvements in various metabolic markers in people who ate earlier in the day and started their overnight fast in the late afternoon.

Bottom line: experiment a little and do whatever works best for you.

Intermittent fasting (IF) improves cardiometabolic health; however, it is unknown whether these effects are due solely to weight loss. We conducted the first supervised controlled feeding trial to test whether IF has benefits independent of weight loss ...

02/25/2020

Attention arthritis pain sufferers who use Voltaren gel...

Topical diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID), is now available over the counter.

Arthritis pain affects millions. Pills and medicines can be helpful. Numerous other strategies can also help, including but not limited to...

-weight loss
-Avoiding inflammatory foods
-Cardiovascular exercise
-Strengthening / resistance exercises
-Injections

If you have arthritis pain, I would be happy to see you and review all your non-surgical treatment options.

You will be surprised by how many are available — and how to leverage them for optimal outcomes.

FDA Approves Three Drugs for Nonprescription Use Through Rx-to-OTC Switch Process

02/24/2020

Due for labs soon?

Next time you get your cholesterol levels checked, be sure to look at your triglyceride to HDL ratio. The lower the better; less than 3 is desirable.

It is not a perfect metric, but is probably better than focusing on LDL levels alone.

Despite that the Triglycerides/High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio has been associated with insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease, some outcomes differ between populations.The objective of this study was to evaluate the association ...

02/24/2020

As I said before: be careful what sources you use for nutritional information.

This graphic is factually incorrect. Thank you, Sustainable Dish - Diana Rodgers, RD for pointing out the error.

Here’s a link from the USDA:

100g of broccoli (34 kcal, or calories) and 2.82 grams of protein.

3x2.82= 8.46 grams protein/100kcal.

https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html #/food-details/342297/nutrients

Here are the numbers for lean sirloin steak.
https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html #/food-details/169458/nutrients

It’s not even close. And, gram for gram, the bioavailability and amino acid profile of beef is superior to broccoli.

This incorrect graphic has been making the rounds on social media again. It’s just WRONG.

There’s a HUGE difference between the protein you get from beef vs. the protein in broccoli.

If you want to go eat 100 cal (2 cups) of broccoli, have at it, just please don’t sit near me.

02/23/2020

This year, the government will publish its 2020 dietary guidelines.

Guidelines can be helpful, but they are wholly inadequate because they are incapable of addressing all our individual preferences, cultural traditions, ethical beliefs, food tolerances, food addictions, and nutrient needs.

A guideline is like a map. Necessary, but in itself not particularly helpful when you are setting out on a journey.

We need more than a map: we need a navigator. Someone who knows the roads and can guide us along the safest roads to get us to our destination — our health goals.

I have designed my Therapeutic Lifestyle and Wellness Program to serve as your navigator.

But I can’t drive the car for you!

You drive, I navigate.

Every 5 years, HHS and USDA publish the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the Nation’s go-to source for nutrition advice. Learn about the 2015 – 2020 Dietary Guidelines.

02/23/2020

Quick fixes are marketed and sold everywhere.

Companies prey on kids and others who are bombarded with mixed messages, empty promises and scare tactics.

I believe that a person who understands how their body works — the basics of metabolism and physiology — and is coached on how to apply that knowledge will have the best chance of achieving and maintaining their goals.

Once you learn these principles, you will ignore bogus products like these “metabolism drops.” 🙄

Wellness company Rae’s product is effectively marketed—even if it might not actually be effective.

02/22/2020

What oils/fats do you use for cooking? Vegetable oil or animal fat (butter, ghee, tallow, lard...)?

Here are more reasons to avoid (highly processed and refined) vegetable seed oils such as corn, canola and especially soybean oil.

In this study in MICE, soybean oil had harmful effects on brains and increased the risk of obesity and diabetes.

From the study:

“The dogma is that saturated fat is bad and unsaturated fat is good. Soybean oil is a polyunsaturated fat, but the idea that it's good for you is just not proven," Sladek said.

Indeed, coconut oil, which contains saturated fats, produced very few changes in the hypothalamic genes.

"If there's one message I want people to take away, it's this: reduce consumption of soybean oil," Deol said about the most recent study.”

New UC Riverside research shows soybean oil not only leads to obesity and diabetes, but could also affect neurological conditions like autism, Alzheimer's disease, anxiety, and depression.

02/21/2020

Another nice overview article about “DIY fasting.”

With a rightfully deserved kick in the teeth to the “diet industrial complex.”

The author shares how fasting became such an important part of her routine. I’ve been teaching fasting for a few years now, and have found that, like any new habit, sticking to it is easier said than done. Moreover, so many questions come up for people, they are given mixed messages, they stall, and and then they give up.

If you are someone who can grind through and figure out the best eating pattern and fasting program on your own, you are part of the minority.

Congratulations!!! You truly have a super power.

But if you are part of the majority and need guidance, coaching, and support — or just someone who can reliably answer your questions and help you get back on the right path, I’ve developed my Therapeutic Lifestyle and Wellness Program with you in mind.

I don’t have all the answers, but I am familiar with many of the questions on these topics and I can help guide you on your journey.

The diet industry is presently scrambling to find ways to make money off intermittent fasting. I’d offer some links as examples, but I’d…

02/21/2020

Do you know who is leading the NATION in scoring in all divisions of men’s college basketball this year?

None other than Gordon College’s Eric Demers.

I serve as team physician at Gordon and have watched this young man make some of the most incredible shots and I’ve ever seen.

Fade-away rainbow jumpers.

Post-up moves with a knack for using the glass.

Strong finishes on fast breaks.

Pull up three-pointers — often from 30 feet.

And many game winning shots (one of which occurred this season but was disallowed because the refs ruled it was after the buzzer — yet a still photo of the shot clearly demonstrated it was released before the clock expired).

Eric, you’ve entertained a lot of people these past few years. We’ve been blessed to witness your talent and uncanny ability to put that round ball into that basket. You are a fine young man and a terrific basketball player.

I look forward to seeing where your talent and hard work take you. We are rooting for you!

How Eric Demers, a married D-III nobody—a little man on his own campus—fired his way to a historic NCAA scoring season.