|
|
I hope this newsletter finds you healthy and happy. Now that fall has arrived, the cold and flu season is upon us. If you are over the age of 65, a health care worker, pregnant or have any chronic health conditions such as asthma, you should get a flu shot for sure. Now the flu shot is recommended for everyone and they are widely available starting now. Call your health care provider to find out when you can get yours. You can also boost your immune system by exercising, eating well and washing your hands.
My favorite way to support my immune system during the winter cold season is to prepare a tonic soup. Many of these ingredients are found in traditional Chinese soup. Add chicken if you like. Here's is a vegetarian recipe from Dr. Weil:
8 cups vegetable stock
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, diced
4-8 cloves garlic, minced
One 1-inch piece of fresh gingerroot, peeled and finely chopped
1 cup sliced carrots
1 slice astragalus root
1 cup shiitake mushrooms (fresh or reconstituted), sliced
1 cup broccoli florets
1. Bring the vegetable broth to a boil in a large pot.
2. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a skillet and add the onion, garlic and ginger. Saute over low heat until soft and aromatic.
3. Add contents of skillet to broth along with carrots, astragalus root, and shiitake mushrooms.
4. Simmer, covered, 1 hour.
5. Add the broccoli flowerets in the last 5 minutes, and remove astragalus before serving.
Serves 8
In this month's newsletter I will talk about the use of lactobacillus for vaginal yeast infections. Does it really work? You might be surprised at the answer. |
|
|
WHH News
Talk at the Osher Center - Date Changed
I will be doing a talk on Non-hormonal Approaches to Menopause on November 13th from 12- 1PM at the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine. It will be an interactive discussion with an opportunity to see and feel some of the herbs used for women's health.
Don't forget! I am offering integrative women's health consultations at the Osher Center Monday mornings. Make an appointment to see me there. If you are uninsured there are funds that may cover the cost of your visit. Call 353-7700. There is more info about the Osher Center at the website.
Upcoming Conferences
I will be speaking at the American College of NP's annual conference in Nashville on November 1st on non-hormonal approaches to menopause. I hope to see you there!
|
Ask Dr. P
Lactobacillus for
Yeast Infections? 
Lactobacilli play a very important role in the vagina. They produce lactic acid which maintains a normal vaginal pH. They also produce hydrogen peroxide making the vagina toxic to anaerobic bacteria, such as those found in bacterial vaginosis (BV). Finally, lactobacilli adhere to receptors on the vaginal epithelial cells, preventing adherence of bacteria. Many different types of lactobacilli exist in the vagina at one time. It's also important to understand that many different types of bacteria and yeasts normally exist in the vagina. When the vaginal ecosystem is tipped out of balance and these bacteria are allowed to grow, vaginal infections such as yeast (candida) and BV develop.
Since lactobacilli play a key role in keeping the vagina healthy it is not surprising that lactobacilli have traditionally been used as an alternative treatment for vaginitis. BV develops when there is a lack of lactobacilli thus it makes sense to replenish the vagina with lactobacilli. What makes less sense is the use of lactobacilli for yeast infections. Lactobacilli can be quite plentiful in the acidic vaginal environment in which yeast thrives. In fact, there is microscopic evidence of lactobacilli when yeast is present. Numerous studies have been conducted with lactobacilli in many forms (yogurt, pills, suppositories) for the treatment or prevention of yeast but there is limited evidence to support its use. In fact, the types of lactobacilli found in most yogurt and other OTC supplements are not the types found in the vagina (they come from cows). There is more evidence for the use of lactobacilli in the prevention and treatment of BV which makes sense because the vagina needs to be replenished with lactobacilli. There is one OTC product that contains lactobacilli from human sources and it has been used in research studies. It is called Femdophillis.
So, the next time you reach for lactobacilli or yogurt to treat your yeast infection, think again. There are other alternative and conventional treatments that work better. If you have problems with recurrent vaginal infections, give me a call, I can help. |
 Living Green Tip of the Month
Keeping It Clean
Washing clothes: Switch to cold-water washing and save 80 percent on energy used for laundry - a savings of an estimated $60 a year. If you must use hot water for a wash, use cold water for the rinse cycle. Use your washer's high-speed spin cycle to take out as much moisture as possible from your clothing to reduce drying time.
Clothes dryer: Dry heavier and lighter items separately to reduce overall drying time. Dry multiple loads of laundry in a row to make use of the residual heat left over from the previous load. Make sure that your lint trap is cleaned out after each use.
These ideas brought to you by the Holistic Nurses Association eNewsletter June 2007. | |
|
|
Women's Health & Healing believes women want to be cared for as unique holistic beings; mind, body and spirit and viewed in the context of their many roles of mother, daughter, lover, friend and member of the community .
With gratitude, |
Priscilla Abercrombie, RN, NP, PhD
Women's Health & Healing
415-457-1451 |
|
|
