In July 2010, I left my practice of 10 years at Internal Medicine Associates of Rockdale (IMAR)  in Conyers to open Bridges to Health, LLC in Atlanta with Terry Thompson Horn.  Starting a new business is not easy and there were many hiccups and obstacles to overcome, but one by one they were solved.

I left IMAR because I wanted to focus on understanding why people get sick and correct the underlying causes instead of masking symptoms with medications.   My intention was to use the principles of functional medicine which says that every part of the body is interconnected with each other.  If you correct problems with food allergies, digestion, hormones, metabolism, and inflammation, then health should be restored.  Extensively using lab tests not used by conventional doctors, I found that the vast majority of people who were told previously that “their tests were normal”, had multiple abnormalities with food allergies, digestion, hormones, metabolism, and inflammation.

In the middle of 2011, my approach to health care was turned on its head when I started to read the research by Ritchie Shoemaker, MD.  He has been studying chronic fatiguing illnesses for over 10 years.  He discovered that just about everyone who has chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, multiple symptoms, or unexplainable symptoms had what he called a biotoxin illness.  Biotoxins are poisons released by microbes and they primarily damage nerve function.  Dr. Shoemaker found that 75% of the population had genes that protected them against biotoxins, but 25% did not.  Without protective genes, those exposed to biotoxins would develop high levels in their bodies and their immune system would go into a never ending cycle of inflammation. It is like an army who knows they are in danger but can’t see the enemy so they continuously fire their weapons.  A lot of collateral damage occurs resulting in damage to the body.

Two of the major effects include lowering of blood flow, oxygen, and nutrients to organs and tissues and disruption of hormones.  For example, lack of blood to the brain will cause fatigue, poor memory, and mood disorders.  Lack of blood to muscles will cause muscle pain.  Lack of blood to the gut can lead to a variety of digestive complaints.  The hypothalamus is a gland in the brain which controls all hormones.  Chronic inflammation from biotoxins usually causes it to malfunction.  One can get an abnormality of just about any hormone in the body.  Many women who come to my practice have diagnosed themselves with a hormone problem.  In most cases, the hormone problem was triggered by a biotoxin.

I started to run tests looking at those genes and for inflammation caused by biotoxins.  To my surprise, I found that nearly all my patients did not have protective genes against biotoxins and nearly all of them showed signs of damage from biotoxins.  I shared my experience with other integrative practitioners around the country and to their surprise, they found the same thing I did.  Could it be that the vast majority of people who aren’t helped by conventional medicine and seek integrative care have a biotoxin illness?  How many people who see conventional doctors have a biotoxin illness?

What are the symptoms of biotoxin illnesses?  Many of my patients are told by their doctors that “it was in their head”, they were “depressed”, or they are “getting old.”  Some are diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome.  Universally, they were told that their labs were normal.  However, when I ran labs looking for evidence of a biotoxin illness, I found a lot of inflammation being caused by biotoxins.    Biotoxins affect people differently so no two people look exactly the same.  The following is a list of the symptoms I and others seen so far that seem to be either caused or worsened by biotoxins.

•    Fatigue
•    Insomnia
•    Brain fog
•    Poor memory and concentration
•    Confusion / disorientation
•    Word finding problems
•    Headaches
•    Weakness, poor stamina
•    Autoimmune disease
o    Hashimotos
o    Lupus
o    Rheumatoid Arthritis
o    Multiple Sclerosis
o    Polymyalgia Rheumatica
o    Others?
•    Parkinson’s Disease
•    Alzheimers
•    Lou Gehrig’s Disease
•    Fibromyalgia
•    Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
•    Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
•    Light and sound sensitivity
•    Blurry vision
•    Red eyes, tearing
•    Tinnitus
•    Seizures
•    Muscle pain and/or cramps
•    Muscle or facial twitches
•    Tremor
•    Joint pain and/or stiffness / tendonitis
•    Back pain
•    Painful soles esp in the AM
•    Neuropathy: numbness, tingling
•    Neuropathic pain
•    Skin sensitive to light touch
•    Metallic taste
•    Digestive problems
o    Reflux
o    IBS
o    Persistence microbial imbalance
o    Abdominal pain
o    Nausea / vomiting
o    Constipation / diarrhea
o    Food sensitivities
•    Feeling hot and / or cold
•    Hot flashes
•    Fevers
•    Sweats
•    Swollen lymph nodes
•    Frequent infections (sinusitis, bronchitis)
•    Hormones (numerous)
o    High and low adrenals
o    High and low estrogen, progesterone, testosterone
o    High and low thyroid
o    ED, decreased libido
o    Menstrual disorders
•    Mitochondrial damage
o    Problems generating energy
•    Impairs liver detoxification
o    Depleted antioxidants
o    High levels of lead and mercury
o    High levels of other environmental toxins
o    Sensitive to alcohol
•    Mood disorders and swings
o    Depression
o    Anxiety
o    Bipolar disorder
o    Schizophrenia
o    Obsessive compulsive
•    Dizziness / vertigo
•    Restless legs
•    ADD
•    Autism
•    Poor wound healing
•    Air hunger / shortness of breath / cough
•    Chest Pain
•    Palpitations
•    Hair loss
•    Appetite swings and weight problems
•    Frequent urination
•    Thirst / feeling dehydrated
•    Interstitial cystitis
•    Electromagnetic field sensitivity

• Insulin resistance.

According to Dr. Shoemaker, the most common biotoxin are those released by indoor mold.  When wood or drywall is exposed to a relative humidity of 60% or higher such as from a water leak or being in a humid basement or crawlspace, that’s enough to start feeding the growth of mold and bacteria.   They release a variety of substances which trigger uncontrolled inflammation in genetically susceptible people.  75% of the time, the mold is in a crawlspace or basement and the HVAC system blows the toxins into the main areas of the home.   Because, most people have protective genes, only some people get sick while the rest feel fine.

Dr. Shoemaker has developed a step by step protocol which he says will help over 90% of people recover.   I’ll talk more about those steps in a later post.

For more information:

Dr. Shoemaker has written a book called Surviving Mold.  Parts of it are difficult to read, but it is all about his research on CIRS.

Dr. Shoemaker has a website at www.survivingmold.com

Dr. Mercola has interviewed a mold expert at http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/07/30/dr-thrasher-on-the-health-dangers-of-mold.aspx

The Global Indoor Health Network has a document on mold at http://globalindoorhealthnetwork.com/position_statement.html

Policyholders of America has a document on mold  at http://www.survivingmold.com/docs/POA_MOLD_7_27_10_final.pdf

References:

Shoemaker R, Rash JM, Simon EW. Sick Building Syndrome in water-damaged buildings: Generalization of the chronic biotoxin-associated illness paradigm to indoor toxigenic fungi; 5/2005; Pg 66-77 in Johanning E. Editor, Bioaerosols, Fungi, Bacteria, Mycotoxins and Human Health.

Shoemaker RC, House DE. A time-series of sick building syndrome; chronic, biotoxin-associated illness from exposure to water-damaged buildings. Neurotoxicology and Teratology 2005; 27(1) 29-46

Empting, LD. Neurologic and neuropsychiatric syndrome features of mold and mycotoxin exposure. Toxicology and Industrial Health. 2009; 25(9-10), 577-581.

Shoemaker RC, Mark L, McMahon SW, Thrasher JD, Grimes C (2010). “Research Committee Report on Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome Caused by Exposure to the Interior Environment of Water-Damaged Buildings”

McMahon SW, Hope J, Thrasher JD, Rea WJ, Vinitsky AR, Gray MR (2010). “Common Toxins in Our Homes, Schools, and Workplaces”

1)  Multi-NutraFood 100X – this product that is supposed to help correct the flora in the gut,  improve detoxification, and provide many nutrients more efficiently than standard multivitamins.   Most of my patients have reported better bowel function (i.e. less constipation, less diarrhea, less gas, less reflux) and improved energy.  The vast majority of people have abnormal gut flora as a result of antibiotics plus preservatives and antibiotics from food.

2)  Spectracell Micronutrient testing – we all know that proper vitamin and mineral levels are important to health but did you ever wonder why doctors don’t test for them?  Part of the reason is that standard laboratories aren’t able to measure many of those levels properly.  I have discovered that Spectracell Laboratories has developed a test called the Micronutrient Test to look the the vitamin and mineral levels inside of your cells.  I have yet to find anyone who did not have at least 2 vitamin or mineral deficiencies.  My own test showed  a deficiency of selenium and vitamin D.

3)  Coming soon:  Theragem (crystal light therapy)  – I am currently in the process of importing this device from England.  Reliable sources have informed me that many people with severe chronic pain, including that from arthritis, multiple sclerosis, etc, have responded well to this non-invasive therapy.  It is also reportedly useful for anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue, asthma, allergies, many skin conditions, as well as possibly dementia.  I’ve been told that the British have been afraid to tell the Americans all of its benefits for fear of upsetting the American medical establishment.  Nutri-Energetics practitioners have reported that the Theragem complements NES very well.

4) Coming soon: Functional Medicine – This is rapidly growing as one of the most popular branches of integrative medicine that medical doctors have become interested in.  It is a course taught by medical doctors primarily for medical doctors.  The curriculum includes hormonal and neurotransmitter imbalances, mitrochodrial function, detoxification, immune imbalances, inflammation, and digestive disorders.  I am planning to take the course in January 2010 for the purpose of learning the latest science on organ systems that affect health.

5) Coming soon:  NES Provision – this is the next generation of Nutri-Energetics Systems. It incorporates their latest research on how emotional trauma affects the body field with respects to the  brain and the body.  The software will help to identify these issues and 5 new Infoceuticals have been created to address these issues.  I am hopeful that the results of this update will make the results of NES even better than ever and to create breakthroughs in those who have had slow responses to NES (fortunately, just a fraction of the people I have worked with)

–Dave Ou, M.D.

–Dave Ou, M.D.

To learn more, read the story above.  You can also read Dr. Mercola’s comments at

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/10/24/CBS-Reveals-that-Swine-Flu-Cases-Seriously-Overestimated.aspx

–Dave Ou, M.D.

Just recently, I was traveling and one of my friends hurt his back.  Ibuprofen and Flexeril were helping some but his back still bothered him quite a bit.  I worked on him using Matrix Energetics  for only 10 minutes and the pain never returned.

Most people who take the seminars aren’t in the healthcare profession. They are there just to learn how to help their friends and family.  I did tell the former medical director of the Mercola clinic about it and now Dr. Mercola is recommending Matrix Energetics.

If you look at the website and think it looks unbelievable or like a  bunch of crock, then at least go to the free Friday session.

I’m also assisting Dr. Richard Bartlett as part of the teaching staff as well so I’ll be there all weekend.

To learn more, visit the Matrix website at www.matrixenergetics.com

Disclosure:  I have absolutely no financial incentives in whether anyone attends or not.

–Dave Ou, M.D.

According to the article, 257 flu deaths were reported to the  CDC in 2001.  According to an investigation by the Wall Street Journal,  849 flu deaths were reported to the CDC in 2006 (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124217724145913411.html) .  How do you go from a few hundred deaths reported to 36,000?    According to the articles, the CDC used a mathematical model and estimated that about 36,000 people per year have flu-related deaths.

The discrepancy between the reported deaths and estimated deaths is confusing.   Exactly how many lives are saved each year by the flu vaccine?  Does anyone really know?

-Dave Ou, M.D.

Recently one of my patients did an ionic foot bath thinking that detoxification via her feet would be helpful.  However, all her symptoms flared up erasing the progress we had made with NES.  What happened?

The goal of detoxification is to move toxins from inside the body to outside of the body.  If toxins get trapped into another part of the body before exiting the body, then new health problems occur.  This is exactly what happpened to this patient.    I’ve seen this happen with other detox programs such as I.V. chelation, steam baths, homeopathic and herbal detox programs.  Some people try chelation in order to eliminate heavy metals from their bodies.  While some people benefit from this, a certain percentage of people get worse because the heavy metals get trapped into a new part of their body.

To ensure that toxins exit safely, the excretory (kidneys, liver, bowels), lymphatic, and endocrine systems must be adequately functioning.  Very few holistic practitioners are aware of this and very few know what to do about it.  My Natural Healing Program incorporates all this knowledge and as a result, the vast majority of my patients experience smooth detoxification.

–Dave Ou, M.D.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/516262

Some of the highlights include:

-There is little difference in neurotransmitter levels between depressed and non-depressed people

-There is weak evidence linking neurotransmitters and depression.

-Most studies have shown that antidepressants are no better than placebo

-80% of the effects of anti-depressants are due to the placebo effect.

If you’re already on an anti-depressant, please don’t stop it without talking with your doctor.  Many people can experience withdrawal symptoms.  A certain percentage of people seem to respond well to anti-depressants so those should not stop them either.

–Dave Ou, M.D.

–Dave Ou, M.D.

Evidence extends recommendations for fish oil’s cardioprotective effect

Healthy individuals should consume 500 mg daily of omega-3 fish oil, and people with known heart disease or heart failure should aim for at least 800 to 1,000 mg daily, according to an evidence review. This extends recommendations for fish oil from healthy individuals to patients with existing heart disease, in whom fish oil has also been shown to reduce the incidence of cardiac events and mortality.

Current American Heart Association recommendations for those without coronary heart disease are two oily fish meals per week, equal to about 500 mg daily of combined docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). This level of intake has been associated with the lowest risk for coronary heart disease death in several U.S. prospective cohort studies. Now, recommendations for patients with documented coronary heart disease are 1 g per day of combined EPA and DHA, either from fish or supplements. Options include herring, mackerel, salmon, albacore tuna, sardines and oysters, or fish oil supplements or cod liver oil.

Authors reported in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology that omega-3s appear to convey up to a 30% reduction in cardiovascular-related death in patients who have established cardiovascular disease or who have had a myocardial infarction. Omega-3s may decrease the risk of atherosclerosis, arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death and even heart failure. In addition, there is a 9% benefit in reducing heart failure death, which translates to treating 56 patients for four years to prevent one death.

The authors added that more research is now needed to optimize dosing and the ratio of DHA to EPA for heart failure, atrial fibrillation, cardiovascular protection, maximally treated contemporary post-MI patients or others with relatively low-risk coronary heart disease.

For example, someone may take melatonin for insomnia.  Yes, it may often help the insomnia, but if melatonin is stopped, the insomnia returns.  No healing has taken place.  The more interesting question is why isn’t the body producing melatonin and can we correct that problem permanently?  That is the goal of genuine healing and that’s what I focus on.

Most people come to me asking if I can treat their disease.  I tell them that my philosophy is to help the body to heal itself.  When that happens, most diseases and symptoms resolve on their own.

I recently saw a woman distressed by extreme pain over most of her body.  She had been to multiple specialists at Emory and had numerous tests done including MRIs and nerve conduction studies, but nothing was found.  She then sought an integrative doctor who was “board certified” in holistic medicine and was trained by Dr. Andrew Weil, one of the most famous integrative doctors in the world.  The integrative doc tried to balance the her neurotransmitters to help her distress and some creams to help the pain. Admittedly, the treatments were “natural” but they focused on suppressing surface symptoms.  However, there were no changes in her symptoms.

When she came to see me,  I used the Nutri-Energetics Systems (NES).  According to NES research, there is a master control system of the body that regulates every system in the body such as the immune, digestive, hormonal, and detoxification systems.  This master control system is called the body-field.  So instead of independently trying to work on the immune system or digestive system, one can work on them simultaneously via the body field.

As an analogy, the body-field can be thought of as a blueprint for building a house.  Conventional medicine and much of holistic medicine focuses on the wood, concrete, and nails.   There are roofers, plumbers, and electricians.  Bringing in more wood might be helpful but without a good blueprint, a good house can not be built.  NES focuses on identifying and correcting any problems with the blueprint so that the wood, concrete, and nails are set up properly.

Back to the patient, she naturally wanted to know what I thought was wrong with her.   All of her previous doctors gave her various diagnoses and I explained to her my approach of helping her body to heal itself instead of giving her a label or diagnosis.  (I did make sure that she had all of the appropriate conventional tests so that I knew I wasn’t missing any serious underlying illnesses)  I used NES to identify the major distortions in her blueprint or body-field.  I gave her the appropriate NES remedies and her pain quickly subsided as well as her distress.   I have seen results like this using NES hundreds of times.  I have seen only a handful of cases in which NES had no impact and roughly 20% respond on the slow side.  NES is not perfect as research into the body-field is only in the early stages.   They recognize this and research is constantly ongoing to unlock more secrets into how the body heals.

I can only conclude that the researchers at NES are onto something.  NES is not a system that is continued indefinitely.  Once the body-field/blueprint is optimized, which takes about a year, NES can be discontinued while good health continues.  That’s a characteristic of what I call genuine healing.

–Dave Ou, M.D.