According to the American Skin Association, research on skin health is currently one of the most underfunded areas of medical science: “While one in three Americans suffers from skin disorders, the National Institutes of Health devotes less than 2% of its annual budget to discovering their cause and better methods of prevention, diagnosis and treatment.” This lag in research affects how health practitioners approach treatment for patients who have chronic skin issues.

Limited understanding and research about skin disorders can also restrict doctor recommendations, but luckily education and general awareness lead to a push for more research. Not only is it important to educate patients about dry skin and its potential causes, but it’s equally important to keep up with the latest information about standard treatments and supplemental approaches to skin care.

Dry and Itchy Skin

Patients with chronic dry and itchy skin may have more severe skin disorders—such as ichthyosis vulgaris, which can show signs within the first few months of life. The National Skin Care Institute reports that half of the cases of atopic dermatitis are diagnosed between 0 and 1 years of age, and even young patients will scratch their skin vigorously as a response. This can release proinflammatory substances that make the problem worse and cause a cycle that will continue until the right treatment is found.

A dermatologist who can properly diagnose the problem and recommend treatment should see patients with more severe cases. However, general practitioners can help patients by giving them a better understanding of how the skin reacts to toxins in the body, extreme weather, and other potential triggers. Many patients are educated about how to maintain healthy skin, such as using sunscreen and drinking plenty of water, but the effect of toxins and liver health are one of those areas of research that continues to gain more footing as funding and awareness increase.

Liver Health

Even though the link between liver disease and itchy skin is not definitive, research indicates that obstructed bile flow can be one of the potential causes of severe dry skin. The production of bile helps remove toxins and digest fats. When the flow of bile into the small intestine is disrupted, it can lead to increased levels of bilirubin, which can cause inflammation and itching.

Patients should also be aware that drawing conclusions from research can be tricky with such a common symptom as dry skin and itching. In addition to all the potential causes of dry skin, every individual will respond to treatment differently depending on the severity and the overall health of the patient. Doctor’s can always start by recommending that the patient look at their diet and wellness habits. Even if a problem with the liver is not the cause, recommending a healthy diet and cutting out alcohol and other toxins is never bad advice.

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While there’s been a lot of research on the importance of omega-3 fatty acids, many people don’t realize that there are different forms of fatty acids in omega-3. It’s important to raise awareness about the sources of these fatty acids because they function differently in the body. There are three main forms of fatty acids in foods and supplements that contain omega-3: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).

ALA is the plant-based form of omega-3, and many vegetarians prefer to get their omega-3 from nuts, flax, and soy; however, the body cannot use this short-chain fatty acid until the body converts ALA into a long-chain version. While EPA and DHA are only found in fish and fish oil supplements, they are both long-chain forms of omega-3. This means it is easier for the body to utilize the acid since there’s no need to convert EPA or DHA.

EPA and DHA in the Body

EPA is a 20-carbon chain, while DHA is a 22-carbon chain. This is a key distinction because of the role that EPA plays due to its smaller size. The other main difference between EPA and DHA is that they have different benefits for the body. If the goal is to reduce cellular inflammation, EPA is the recommended form because it closely resembles AA (arachiodonic acid, a pro-inflammatory omega 6 non-essential fatty acid).

The presence of EPA can inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory mediators by competing for the same enzymes (cox and lox) that AA needs to generate an inflammatory reaction. This competitive inhibition results in the production of anti-inflammatory mediators such as PGE1 and 3 instead of the pro-inflammatory PGE2’s. This means that the more EPA you have in the body, the less AA you produce. Because of its larger size, DHA cannot be easily converted into eicosanoids, which means DHA has a lesser effect on inflammation than EPA.

EPA is also important for neurological function because it may help to reduce neuro-inflammation, and EPA is rapidly oxidized in the brain. Compared to DHA, high levels of EPA in the blood may help to control cellular inflammation in the brain. When considering the research on depression, ADHD, brain trauma, and other neurological issues, EPA is the preferred over DHA in supporting normal brain function.

EPA and DHA in the Diet

Research has shown that a diet low in omega-3 (EPA and DHA) puts a person at a higher risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other health concerns related to chronic inflammation. In addition to vegetarians seeking non-fish sources, many consumers are concerned about the toxins that have been found in fish, such as mercury and lead. One way to ensure the purity of your source of EPA is to eat farm-raised fish, or buy fish oil supplements that are verified by IFOS (International Fish Oil Standards).

How do you ensure that you’re getting enough omega-3 in your diet? Share your experience with us on Facebook.

There’s a lot of information on the web about the relation between homocysteine levels in the blood and cardiovascular health, and it can be confusing to a patient who is unfamiliar with this particular amino acid. That’s why it’s important to talk to your patients about how to maintain heart health, which includes eating a balanced diet of whole foods and getting regular exercise.

However, if you are a patient, you know that it’s not always easy to get in enough fruits, vegetables and whole grains to maintain a heart-healthy diet. Before you add any supplement to your diet, it’s important to speak with your doctor about your health goals and which supplements are recommended.

What is Berberine Force?

For patients seeking a supplement to support normal homocysteine levels and overall cardiovascular wellness, including normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels, ask your doctor about Berberine Force.* As DaVinci’s newest formula to support cardiovascular health and normal blood sugar and metabolism, Berberine Force is patented with quality ingredients and a high bioavailability of antioxidants making it a cut above other Berberine options on the market. *

To understand the potential benefit of any supplement, it’s important to look at the active ingredients with your doctor. Beberine Force has just four active ingredients, but each one supports several areas of health through various mechanisms to create a balanced and comprehensive formula. *

About Berberine

Berberine is a plant alkaloid that has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine to provide antioxidant activity, immune system support and proper microbial balance.* Its relationship to cardiovascular support has been of high importance in recent years due to its ability to support normal homocysteine levels and cholesterol within normal ranges.*

Beberine supports normal blood sugar and blood pressure levels, cardiovascular health, cognitive health, and gastrointestinal health.* Through support of normal expression of the hepatic low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR), Berberine supports normal cholesterol levels and triglyceride balance.*

Quatrefolic®

Quatrefolic®, a patented proprietary ingredient, supports all five areas of health that BBR supports, through different mechanisms. Supporting normal homocysteine levels and methylation processes is important to supporting cognitive wellness, including behavioral health—Quatrefolic®, a glucosamine salt of folic acid that is superior to folic acid in bioavailability, supports these factors.*

LeucoSelect® Phytosome™ (Grape Seed Extract)

Leucoselect® Phytosome™ and R-Lipoic Acid are highly bioavailable antioxidant ingredients that take the Berberine Force formula to the next level.* Leucoselect® Phytosome™, a grape seed extract formula, supports a healthy inflammatory response, including that of the mucosal lining of the gastrointestinal system and that of the brain.*

R-Alpha Lipoic Acid

R-Alpha Lipoic Acid supports free radical neutralization and metabolic normalcy through various pathways, including through modulation of AMPK, which Berberine also supports.* Patients searching for comprehensive support for normal blood sugar levels, cardiovascular health, proper microbial balance and cognitive wellness will find Berberine Force preferential to other formulas on the market.*

To learn more about the many supportive properties and mechanisms of Berberine Force and its ingredients, read our white paper.

Have you or a patient used Berberine Force? Visit our Facebook page and let us know what you think!

In the aftermath of the tornado that hit Moore, Oklahoma on May 20^th, 2013, the survivors are looking for ways from the trauma. Children are particularly susceptible to PTSD after such a devastating event. Some parents may not be prepared to help support their children when dealing with trauma, but there are plenty of resources that are available to them.

The day after the tornado, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) posted an article on their website that provided ways that parents and teachers can help children after such an event, stating that children will react differently. “Parents should decide how much information their children can handle,” the article continues, quoting Aureen Wagner, PhD, Director of The Anxiety Wellness Center in Cary, North Carolina, who offers this advice: “It’s best not to give more information than your child asks for. Let your child know that it is normal to feel upset, scared or angry.”

As a medical provider, you can also provide resources for parents to help their children deal with grief and post-traumatic stress after a disaster. Start by making sure you have literature in your office that you can give to parents as a quick guide. Make a list of therapists and other mental health care professionals in your area who you know and trust or who have a good reputation. Be sure to include all the contact information for mental health workers and any local organizations that could provide support.

The ADAA also listed some basic tips for parents with children of varying ages. Here are some of those tips paraphrased for providing patients with general advice when their children have been through a traumatic event:

• Provide reassurance but answer questions honestly
• Provide an open dialogue and encourage children to ask questions
• Try not to share too many details
• Limit their access to news and other media after the event
• Try to maintain your normal routine

It’s also a good idea to provide resources on ways to detect PTSD. Detecting early warning signs can help the child get the treatment they need and put them on the path to recovery. If you don’t have any literature specific to children and trauma, create a list of resources and websites that parents can easily find.

Here are some informative and reputable websites that cover PTSD and other related topics:

Anxiety and Depression Association of America

American Psychological Association

National Institute of Mental Health

What resources do you have for your patients? Get involved by sharing your experience with us on our Facebook page.

While your patients may already know that maintaining a healthy lifestyle includes eating well, getting enough sleep, exercising, and drinking plenty of water, they may not always take your advice. But even if they do, environmental stress, such as work and finances, can take a toll no matter how much people pay attention to their mental and physical well-being.

Sometimes, a little extra support is needed to maintain proper mental and physical balance. That’s why DaVinci is proud to introduce our new, high quality EPA 825 Super Critical Extracted Fish Oil. This omega-3 formula contains solvent-free, essential fatty acids to support normal immune system function, proper mood balance, and a proper inflammatory response, as well as support for cardiovascular health and normal brain and nerve function.*

With growing concern over potential metals and other contaminants in wild caught fish, many consumers are hesitant about purchasing certain fish or fish oil products. Unfortunately, this eliminates a large source of omega-3 fatty acids. Part of what makes EPA 825 unique is that the fish oil is verified by IFOS (International Fish Oil Standards).

Any omega-3 fish oil product that has been verified by the third-party testing program through IFOS must match the label claim for EPA and DHA, as well as meet the safety standards for environmental contaminants set by the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The IFOS Program tests fish oil products for the following:

• Essential fatty acids
• Oxidation
• Mercury
• Cadmium
• Lead
• Arsenic
• Dioxins and furans
• PCBs
• Acid value

The source of the Omega-3 fish oil in our EPA 825 comes from non-endangered, wild caught anchovies and sardines. The oil then undergoes a critical CO2 extraction process that does not use hexane, ethanol or other solvents. This helps maintain purity, bioavailability, concentration and stability.

Using CO2 to separate the omega-3 from other parts of the oil, such as saturated fats, free fatty acids and cholesterol, protects the oils from oxidation. This process also purifies the oil by more effectively eliminating most of the contaminants present in the raw oil. Each 1gram soft gel contains 825 mg of EPA in one small dose.

Omega-3 fatty acids are important to health, especially for the heart, brain and cell membranes of the body.* The combination of purity and high EPA yield in EPA 825 Super Critical Extracted Fish Oil provides balanced support for a proper  inflammatory response and proper mood balance in a way that many fish oils can’t.*

Where do you get your omega-3 fatty acids? Share your experience with us on our Facebook page.

While some patients fully admit that certain health issues are related to poor health choices, changing bad habits is not as straightforward. Adopting a healthier lifestyle and making better choices takes time and patience. And it never hurts to have added support and encouragement from a health care provider.

Whether your patient’s goal is to get more sleep, eat a more balanced diet, or to stop smoking, there are methods that can help you give them the support they need. Here are five ways to encourage patients to create a healthier lifestyle and get the results they are looking for.

1. Offer Non-Judgmental Support

This may seem obvious to most doctors; however, it is something that is easily forgotten when you’re having a bad day or feel rushed to get to the next patient.  Maybe the office is busy, and you’re already backed up, but then you skip lunch to catch up on work, which makes you irritable. Or you are stressed about things in your personal life. Under these conditions, it’s easy to give advice in a judgmental tone, even if that is not your intention. Try to keep this in mind as you treat patients with chronic conditions who are trying to improve their health with lifestyle choices. They are more likely to respond to empathy than judgment.

2. Help Patients Create Reasonable Goals

Many people who wish to make major lifestyle changes tend to go overboard, especially if they are scared that their current choices are adversely affecting their health. For instance, patients trying to lose weight may choose to have a goal of number of pounds each, but it’s important to remind them that they may not see immediate results; however, with the right support, reasonable goals, and by avoiding self-judgment if they don’t get immediate results, they can start to drop the pounds more easily.

3. Encourage Open Communication

Encourage patients to be honest with themselves and with you about their choices. If they feel comfortable with you, then they are more likely to tell you the truth about their habits. This is another opportunity to show empathy for their situation. Talk with them and be an active listener. Make eye contact, jot down notes, or anything that shows them you truly care about their health. Keep them engaged, and ask questions about what’s going on in their lives at the beginning of each visit.

4. Recommend a Specialist When Necessary

There are some patients who may need help from a specialist, such as a nutritionist or therapist. Addictions may also require outside help from support groups. It’s important to encourage them to get this help without pressuring them. Only recommend a specialist if you think it is absolutely necessary. Keep in mind that some patients have high deductibles on their health insurance, and they may have to pay for extra services. This could add financial stress, which is counterproductive if the service is not absolutely necessary. Help them find free support groups in the community.

5. Follow Up On Progress

Set up a follow-up appointment to check in on progress. Work with your patient to determine a good schedule for these visits. If they are meeting goals with short intervals, you may need to see them more often. You could also have regular check-ins over the phone during office hours, or ask them to keep a weekly log where they can keep up with their progress. Remind them to bring in the log during their next visit.

Do you, as a doctor or patient, have an experience with making positive lifestyle changes? Find us on Facebook and share your story!

Q: How long have you been working here?

A: I worked here for three years back when we had computers and we hand wrote and tracked everything. Since I couldn’t stay away I am back and have been here for over a year!

Q: What’s your favorite part of the job?

A: Getting to know and understand my clients’ needs and building or building on relationships. I have to admit I have been known to hold on to a territory just because I don’t want to lose some of my favorite clinics, doctors and office managers!

Q: What is your personal commitment to health?

A: It sounds silly but as an older woman, I refuse to give into the excuses that my metabolism is slowing down or my hormones are to blame. I try to keep my energy levels up and my weight and strength at appropriate levels through supplementation and varying my fitness regimens. Now, if it weren’t for all the great bakers here at DaVinci I wouldn’t need so much Mango-Plex!

Q: What is your favorite supplement?

A: Infinite Nutrition—the name says it all!

Q: Where did you grow up?

A: The Northeast Kingdom, St Johnsbury, VT.

Q: What is something people might not know about you?

A: I wish I were a famous dancer! Martha Graham would do.

Thank you to Deb for sharing her stories! Have another question for Deb? Share it on our Facebook page!

Spring always reminds me of renewal and youth. There’s something nostalgic for me in the thick scent of mud and grass, something comforting about the sunshine and the prospect of tulips. In this heat wave (it’s 45 degrees in Vermont today!), I began to reflect on some children’s health issues I’ve noticed making headline news. Here’s our recap: for pediatricians, for moms and dads, for anyone who plans to one day be a mom or dad…food for thought:

1. Pet Frogs and Salmonella—Linked!

Gross. For doctors, this threat won’t be common, but it’s good to discuss pet health with your patients who have children, or with your patient’s parents, if you’re a pediatrician. Parents, if you plan to get an exotic pet, be sure to look up safety protocols for things like hand washing, sanitizing the animal’s living area. Many experts recommend you avoid amphibians and reptiles all together if your children are under a certain age or immune compromised.

2. Dye and Other Additives: The Debate

Two food bloggers have started a petition to get Kraft to remove yellow dyes 5 and 6 from its classic mac and cheese product. Citing links to hyperactivity in children, the bloggers also note that the UK version of the blue box was reformulated, but the United States’ product not so. As of this writing, the petition had 211, 494 signatures on change.org. How do you feel about the orange-y color: A clear classic or an obvious hazard?

3. Exercise is a Must for Stress Reduction

In kids, stress can cause lasting emotional trauma, even if we’re not aware it’s occurring. How can we help our children when they’re experiencing the normal stress, or more, of a dynamic world and social scene? Exercise! A new study showed that rises in cortisol levels are less when a child is under stress if that child participated in moderate or vigorous physical activity previously.

Do you encourage your patients and children to exercise? If not, perhaps it’s time for the conversation!

4. Antibiotics are Threats. Hold on a Second…

Yes, it’s true. England’s Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies spoke out about gram negative bacteria and bugs’ ability to adapt to resist antibiotics. In the United States, we love our antibiotics, especially for children’s common ear infections. Perhaps it’s time to take a look at how to prevent infections with healthy habits and health support from the start. What do you think?

If you’ve seen another children’s health issue in the news, we want to know your thoughts. DaVinci is currently featuring our children’s vitamin formulas highlighting the importance of developing healthy habits at an early age. What are you doing to keep your patients or your parent friends informed? Share your thoughts and strategies on our Facebook page!

It’s no secret that sugar consumption and obesity are in some ways related, or that obesity and diabetes are in some ways related. But a new, large-scale study “links increased consumption of sugar with increased rates of diabetes by examining the data on sugar availability and the rate of diabetes in 175 countries over the past decade.” (Mark Bittman for the New York Times)

In other words, this study shows that sugar itself, not obesity, causes type 2 diabetes in a way we can’t deny. Bittman likens the study’s results to the correlation between lung cancer and tobacco products that came in the 1960s, because the level of confidence for both studies is the same—meaning they’re both conclusive.

The study not only controlled for all external factors like aging, obesity, exercise, etc., but it also satisfied the “Bradford Hill” criteria for causation. Researchers were able to link dose, duration, directionality and prevalence, proving that there is, in fact, a cause and effect relationship here. And it looks something like this:

“Each 150 kilocalories/person/day increase in total calorie availability related to a 0.1 percent rise in diabetes prevalence (not significant), whereas a 150 kilocalories/person/day rise in sugar availability (one 12-ounce can of soft drink) was associated with a 1.1 percent rise in diabetes prevalence.” (PLoS One)

Summarizes Bittman, “for every 12 ounces of sugar-sweetened beverage introduced per person per day into a country’s food system, the rate of diabetes goes up 1 percent.”

Whoa. Take a moment to read that again. Though we know the pitfalls of sugar consumption and don’t view the study itself as a shock to the system, we do think seeing the facts outlined this clearly should help everyone think twice.

And that includes you, your office staff and your patients.

What do you tell your patients about sugar? Are there common discussions about fructose and sugary drinks?

Or is this topic one that gets pushed to the back burner? If that’s the case, it’s time to boil it right up front, because changes are coming. The results of this study have reignited the spark in calls for sugar-limiting legislation, and because the degree of confidence is, as mentioned, as high as that of the cigarette-lung cancer connection, those calls will likely be answered. Will your patients be ready to make adjustments, or will sweet teeth go unchecked?

Tell us how you could begin the conversation about sugar consumption. Share your story and hear from others on our Facebook page!

We patients like to think our doctors have every answer. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just completely rely on an authority to take care of our health? Wouldn’t it be nice to pay attention to just what they tell us, and not have to form any questions of our own?

Of course it would. It would be nice, and it would be lazy. Lack of patient involvement in their personal care is simply a fact of the medical profession. DaVinci has news: Docs, it’s OK to expect more from your patients. Patients, it’s OK to expect more from yourselves. And it’s not even that hard to achieve.

How to Increase Patient Involvement And Encourage Results

Patient involvement is largely dependent on communication. With more healthcare professionals gaining education in that area, patient involvement is easier to achieve than ever. Plus, with the advent of the Internet came faster and more frequent communication possibilities, so the time is nigh for reaching out.

And for patients, the time is nigh for reaching…in. Here are three steps to encourage them to do so:

1. Set the Stage

In any face-to-face appointment with your patients, discuss how important it is for them to stay involved in their care, through keeping regular appointments, focusing on health factors in between appointments, and using the tools you have at hand (like social networks or e-mail) to communicate.

2. Give Them Value. 

Your patients should feel valuable. They are indispensable players in their own care, and they should know so, but don’t always hear it. Tell your patients how valuable their feedback is to your decision making. Simply encouraging them to offer feedback will keep them in tune with their bodies and their healthcare needs, because they’ll be keeping tabs and forming questions more often. Encourage involvement by showing them that value, too.  Actually take the feedback into consideration. Listen first, ask questions later.

3. Provide Added Value.

By cementing a personal relationship with your professional client (your patient), you’ll be giving them something they can’t get just anywhere. Which means they’ll trust your need for their involvement, and want to participate more. Some simple ways to add value to your practice: Be their supplement provider. Be their newsletter distributor. Be their online resource. If your patients need information, provide it, through one avenue or the next. Facebook is a great resource for quick questions about nutrients, for example.

Patients, these three tips can work for you, too. Tell your practitioner you’d like to be more involved in your own health. (That’s setting the stage.) Together, you can brainstorm a list of ways your doctor can help you, and a list of ways you can help yourself. (That’s providing value to you both!)

Do you have experience in encouraging patients to become more involved? Or do you have experience becoming more involved in your own care? Share your story on our Facebook page!