Dr. Amy Waite, ND, RDH

02/27/2025

Vitamin K2 plays a crucial role in directing calcium to bones and away from arteries.
If your vitamin D doesn't contain K2, switch it to one that does. Vitamin D3/K2 emulsion is the most highly absorbable form that I've seen clinically.
*Always buy supplements from a good clean source that has been 3rd party tested.

12/31/2024

ACID REFLUX/ GERD:

How's it typically treated? With Prilosec/Omeprazole. (see at the end how it is treated without pharmaceuticals)
How long are you supposed to take this medication? No longer than 14 days in a 4 month period.
How long do patients typically take this medication? For years, decades!
What's the problem with that 🤷?
Here are the reasons Prilosec long-term is so bad...

Our bodies need sufficient stomach acid for multiple reasons. Prilosec is a proton pump inhibitor that shuts down your stomach acid production by 80-90%. Listed below is what can go wrong with such a small of an amount of stomach acid...

Increased Risk of Infections: PPIs suppress stomach acid, which can create an environment favorable for the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms. This increased risk of infection includes pneumonia, Clostridium difficile infection, and urinary tract infections.
Nutrient Deficiencies: PPIs can interfere with the absorption of certain nutrients, such as vitamin B12, iron, and magnesium. This can lead to deficiencies and related health problems.
Bone Fractures: Long-term PPI use has been associated with an increased risk of bone fractures, particularly hip and spine fractures. This is thought to be due to the reduced absorption of calcium and vitamin D.
Kidney Problems: In rare cases, long-term PPI use can damage the kidneys. This risk is higher in individuals with pre-existing kidney disease or those taking high doses of Prilosec.
Magnesium Deficiency: PPIs can deplete magnesium levels in the body, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, muscle cramps, and irregular heartbeat.
Other Potential Side Effects: Other potential long-term side effects of Prilosec include:
Increased risk of gastric cancer (although this risk is considered low), Liver problems, Diarrhea, Headache, and Dizziness.
It's important to note that the risk of these side effects varies depending on the individual and the duration of treatment.

How do ND's treat Acid Reflux?
It would be too exhaustive to list all the ways this is treated but here is a very simplified and common example of how this is treated...
In a lot of reflux cases, patients AREN'T PRODUCING ENOUGH stomach acid. Stomach acid triggers the lower esophageal sphincter to close. Most of us are stressed when we eat and this in turn, lowers our stomach acid secretion so taking a digestive enzyme containing betaine HCL or apple cider vinegar with a similar pH as stomach acid with meals may be the trick until the patient can implement digestive hygiene habits- eating while calm and not while stressed or in a rush, etc. Very rarely are patients producing too much acid.

12/31/2024

Ozempic, Wegovy, Mourjaro-

* Please read this if you're considering GLP-1 agonists for weight loss......
Doctors are handing this stuff out like candy. A family member of mine went to see her P*P that saw a 5.5 HA1-c level on her labs and said you're borderline pre-diabetic and prescribed it to her...what a joke. You should be aware of the side-effects before taking these potentially dangerous drugs! I personally had a patient that was on Ozempic for 6 months. I palpated her thyroid and found lumps. She went in for an ultrasound and biopsy and sure enough, she has thyroid cancer. Was it from Ozempic? Not sure but it IS a BLACK BOX WARNING and a risk you take when you use these weight loss drugs.

GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) can have a number of side effects, including:
Loss of appetite.
Nausea.
Vomiting.
Diarrhea.

Other side effects can include:
Dizziness.
Mild tachycardia (increased heart rate).
Infections.
Headaches.
Indigestion (upset stomach).

Severe side effects can include:
Pancreatitis.
**Medullary thyroid cancer.
Acute (sudden) kidney injury.
Worsening diabetes-related retinopathy.

People taking GLP-1 RAs have a 4.22 times higher risk of developing a bowel obstruction than those taking other medications.

***Diet, exercise and intermittent fasting--- > ZERO side-effects and better health overall!!! Do what's hard. It builds character.

12/31/2024

12/31/2024

TESTOSTERONE -

Men, if you are thinking about taking testosterone (TRT), know the risks...
- TRT can thicken the blood leading to STROKE, blood clots, heart attack, high blood pressure, etc.
- TRT can aromatize into ESTROGEN and cause gynecomastia (man b***s- which can be irreversible), fat around the abdominal area, mood swings, etc.
- TRT can cause infertility by decreasing s***m count.
-TRT can lead to testicular atrophy and if your te**es shrink in size, you may become dependent on TRT for the rest of your life. Something to think about if you want to have children as being on it can decrease your s***m count and make cause infertility.
- TRT can increase the risk of prostate cancer.
-etc, etc

*if you do decide to take testosterone, see a doctor that knows how to properly dose it and that monitors you closely

03/01/2024

Today's topic: Depression & MTHFR
Over half of the population has a variant of the MTHFR polymorphism. I personally have an MTHFR gene variation and until I found out about the treatment with high quality, sustained release, methylated B vitamins, my mood was VERY different. My B vitamin is my "happy pill" and if I don't take it daily, my energy and mood plummets. It's good to work with a doctor that looks for and can identify the root cause of depression. There may be an easy fix, without side effects, just like there was for me :)

Other conditions that have been proposed to be associated with MTHFR include:

anxiety
cardiovascular and thromboembolic diseases (specifically blood clots, stroke, embolism, and heart attacks)
bipolar disorder
schizophrenia
colon cancer
chronic pain and fatigue
nerve pain
migraine
recurrent miscarriages in women of child-bearing age
pregnancies with neural tube defects, like spina bifida

*MTHFR can be identified through a blood test. Just know that it's not always covered by insurance.

03/01/2024

Todays topic: THYROID HEALTH 🤓

Did you know your thyroid requires certain nutrients (that most people are deficient in) to produce adequate thyroid hormone?
These deficiencies are a big reason why hypothyroidism is so rampant in our country.
You need tyrosine, iodine, selenium, Vit C and B2 to synergistically work together to produce sufficient T3 & T4.

What also contributes to iodine deficiency?
-Chemicals that interfere with absorption of iodine include fluoride (toothpaste and tap water), chlorine (in tap water, swimming pools and hot tubs), and bromide (in grain, energy drinks, water, and swimming pools and hot tubs). These chemicals compete with iodine for the same receptor site and basically block the absorption.
* if you swim in chlorine pools, use fluoridated toothpaste and drink unfiltered water, you’re most likely deficient in iodine and could have hypothyroid symptoms.

10/25/2022

Here is my homemade bread recipe using freshly milled flour.
In this recipe I mill organic red wheat berries. This flour is not only more nutrient dense but tastes SO much better than store-bought wheat!

See below for ingredients to avoid in store-bought bread... or why you should buy organic or, better yet, bake your own at home :)

1. Potassium Bromate -
banned in other countries other than the US and Japan, listed on Californias Prop 65 list known to the state to cause cancer, can decrease thyroid function, etc.
2. Azodicarbonamide-
being investigated as potentially carcinogenic, Subway recently removed it from their bread due to its potential harmful health effects.
3. Partially Hydrogenated Oil or Trans Fat-
linked to heart attack, stroke, and diabetes.
4. Sugar-
refined and genetically modified
5. Butylated Hydroxyanisole or BHA -
the International Agency for Research on Cancer suggests there is sufficient evidence that BHA causes tumor growth in lab animals
6. High Fructose Corn Syrup-
linked to insulin resistance, precursor to diabetes, higher triglycerides, a higher risk factor for heart disease, etc.
7. Soybean Oil-
genetically modified and partially hydrogenated fat or trans fat

Homemade organic wheat bread made in a bread machine with freshly milled red wheat berries.I used 2 cups of freshly milled wheat along with 1 cup of gluten-f...

03/14/2022

Did you know sandbox sand is toxic? Neither did I!
I bought play sand for my son yesterday and molded it between my hands. It immediately started burning my sensitive skin. Before allowing him to play in it, I went to the computer and started researching and found this informative article.
It states that traditional sandbox sand contains toxins like silica, tremolite, limestone, and quartz – it is not safe for children! These toxins can lead to lung cancer, renal disease, upper respiratory problems, and a host of other negative health problems.
I called SafeSand and ordered their 100% beach sand that doesn't contain any additives (you have to call in order to get the beach sand- it's not on their website). It cost $29 for a 25 lb bag which includes shipping. A lot more expensive than the toxic Quickrete play sand from Home Depot but well worth the extra expense for sure!!

Playing in a sandbox can provide hours of fun. Some sandbox sand contains toxins - learn about the best sandbox sand for your child.

10/20/2021

Drug recall on blood pressure medication irbesartan and irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide tablets due to potential high levels of a cancer-causing substance.

Two types of blood pressure medication made by Lupin Pharmaceuticals have been recalled due to potential high levels of a cancer-causing substance, according to an FDA recall notice.

09/28/2021

Are you sensitive to dairy? You may want to give A2 milk a try.

What is A2 milk? I will explain it simply first then go into more detail.
Basically, there are 2 predominant types of genetic variants found in dairy cows, A1 and A2. The production of A1 or A2 milk is determined by which variant of the beta-casein gene the cow carries. A2 milk has a much lower amount of the harmful BCM-7 protein. BCM-7 has been suggested to be linked to digestive disorders along with diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, SIDS, and autism, though the evidence is not conclusive.

Think of A2 milk as "heirloom" milk. It existed back in 'old world' Europe where cows only had A2 proteins in their milk. As the cows were brought to America and adapted to the local climate and conditions, it caused the A2 variety of beta-casein to mutate into the A1 version. A1 beta-casein has undergone a genetic mutation and is broken down during digestion to release a harmful peptide called BCM-7 which is suggested to contribute to negative health effects and diseases.

The difference between A1 and A2 proteins is subtle. They are different forms of casein in cow’s milk can be divided into subtypes: alfa, kappa and beta. The beta-casein, a part of the curds (i.e., milk solids) that make up about 30 percent of the protein content in milk. This difference is located at the 67th amino acid chain. At this position, A1 has a histidine amino acid, while A2 has a proline amino acid. The entire basis of the supposed problem with A1 milk is its pesky histidine amino acid at position 67. That one amino acid change means when the A1 protein is broken down, it can create more of the harmful BCM-7.

Many people have told me that they can tolerate dairy while overseas but American dairy makes them sick. This may explain why.