By Kurt N. Woeller, D.O. A groundbreaking article titled “Neuroglial activation and neuroinflammation in the brain of patients with autism” from John Hopkins University in 2005 paved the way for greater understanding and recognition within the medical community that many individuals on the autism-spectrum are dealing with brain inflammation as a causative or contributing factor…
By Kurt N. Woeller, D.O. Clostridia are a group of pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria that can normally inhabit the digestive system of humans. Certain strains of clostridia can be very problematic leading to serious illness and death. Well recognized clostridia bacteria are the strains that cause tetanus, botulism and inflammatory bowel disease. Inflammatory bowel, for…
Low cholesterol has been an area of research in the special needs community over the past several years. William Shaw, Ph.D. from Great Plains Laboratory discusses in a number of papers about the health consequences of low cholesterol in autism and other chronic illnesses. Information about negative health consequences regarding low cholesterol in part comes…
By Tracy Tranchitella, N.D. Oxalates, aka. oxalic acid testing has definite clinical usefulness in any functional medicine practice. People often present with a myriad of seemingly unrelated symptoms. This is a particular case of an individual who presented with significant body aches, tendon pain, and bladder discomfort. A 43 year old female presents to our…
By Tracy Tranchitella, N.D. Hormones are chemicals released from specialized glands in the body (called endocrine glands) and travel to the target organ or tissues through the blood stream. They are an integral part of the body’s homeostasis machinery to maintain harmony and a healthy life. Hormones are released in small quantities sufficient to cause…
Gastrointestinal health is a main focus in the field of Naturopathic Medicine. While in school, my instructors frequently said “If you can’t talk about stool, you’re in the wrong school.” I’ve found this to be true since assessing and promoting digestive health is a large part of what we do. If your gastrointestinal tract is…
By. Dr. Kurt N. Woeller “My husband George and I were ecstatic with the birth of our first child Robert. He was a lively, happy and an adorable child. His was also healthy, thriving and appeared absolutely normal. Then suddenly…at about 18 months…he went away…” I have talked to hundreds of families who tell a…
The basic tenets of Naturopathic Medicine include a whole foods diet, pure water, fresh air, exercise, sunlight and adequate rest. Yet, despite one’s best efforts to maintain a healthy lifestyle, consistently good sleep remains elusive for many people who suffer with insomnia. Insomnia is a disruption of our sleep/wake cycle and can be chronic, intermittent…
Candida organisms can create a myriad of metabolic toxins, including various enzymes, that can adversely affect cellular biochemistry, mitochondria function and cell membrane integrity. Leaky gut is another consequence of chronic candida. The image below (from Nature Reviews, Microbiology) shows invasive candida and its link to transcellular (between cells) and paracellular (through cells) function and…
A study published in the Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) in 2016 showed a significant correlation between pesticide exposure, particularly organophosphates, and other chemical exposures during pregnancy leads to increase autism-spectrum disorders and intellectual disabilities in children. Various chemicals such as 1,3-butadiene (found in petroleum products), styrene (found in plastics and exhaust fumes), perchlorate (found in…
Secretory IgA (SIgA) is the primary immunoglobulin produced on the mucosal surfaces of the body. This not only includes the lining of the digestive system, but also the sinuses and nasal passages, upper respiratory system, the eyes, bladder, vagina, and urethra in both men and women. Secretory IgA helps in preventing antigen (i.e., allergen, bacteria,…
1. Evaluates for various fungal toxins, including specific markers for candida. Many people rely on stool testing for candida diagnosis and miss the presence of candida toxins through the Organic Acid Test. Candida can create problems with brain function including mental fog and memory problems, along with bloating, gas and other digestive complaints, as well…
