September 2007

Additional Office Location
Asheville Integrative Medicine is happy to announce an additional office location. Effective Monday, September 17 we will be available in Etowah. We will offer the same services that are currently available in Asheville. Our sister company, Nutrients Etc., will have supplements, vitamins, and other inventory available. 

NEW Physicians Assistant
In addition to our second location, we are happy to welcome a new Physician Assistant. John Paul McNeil was born in Baltimore, Maryland and raised in the Southeast as the child of a career Marine Corps officer. He received his BA in Psychology from Wake Forest University, and taught General Science in the public school system for several years. He has tried his hand as a professional musician, and has had a horse farm as well.  John Paul entered the medical field as an ultrasound technician. He did this for several years before attending Physician Assistant School at Wake Forest University. After graduating he worked as a Psychiatric PA for 8 years in West Virginia. John Paul has been practicing holistic medicine in North Carolina for the past 12 years. His particular interests are herbal medicine, mentored by the late Chief Two Trees of Old Fort, NC and chelation therapy, mentored by the late Walter Ward, MD of Winston Salem, NC. John Paul enjoys spending time with his daughter, who is currently working on her bachelor’s degree at UNC- Greensboro. He also loves horse and keeps one in Barnardsville. John Paul’s other interests include writing and recording music. He has collected seven guitars at last count. His music will be available on his upcoming website. Please stop by our Etowah location at 6071 Brevard Road to meet John Paul and welcome him back to Western North Carolina. Or, call 828-891-6545.

Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a commonly under-diagnosed illness. It is characterized by pauses in breathing that occur repeatedly through the night, and resultant oxygen desaturation. Individuals are generally not aware of any difficulties in breathing as they will stay asleep, although a partner may notice snoring and/or periodic gasps for breath. As oxygen levels drop repeatedly through the night, the body goes into a fight-or-flight response, releasing cortisol. This puts stress on the entire body system and can lead to fatigue and weight gain, as well as increased risk for heart disease, stroke, and even sudden death. Because of the interruption of deep sleep, storage of memory is affected, leading to memory loss and brain fog. The excess cortisol causes the pancreas to release more insulin, leading to insulin resistance and eventually diabetes. Other symptoms include sleepiness during the day, headache, acid reflux, hypertension, and an inability to lose weight. Screening for sleep apnea is a simple, inexpensive test called an overnight pulse oximeter. At home, a probe is worn on the finger that records the oxygen levels throughout the night. If the results point to sleep apnea, the provider will recommend one of several options. If Medicare or insurance billing is desired, a sleep study in a hospital sleep lab is usually recommended. Consultation with a sleep specialist must precede this. When insurance is not involved, an oxygen supply company can do either an overnight “watch pat”, or an autotitrate C-Pap (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) for the first week to assess C-Pap settings. Following this, the C-Pap machine would be used nightly to ensure enough pressure to keep the airway open. For some individuals, the use of a C-Pap will be a lifelong situation. For others, the resulting improvement of the condition enables weight loss and resolution of the sleep apnea. Either way, treatment results in a great improvement in the quality of life, for both the patient and their partner. 

Meet the Staff
I’d like to introduce you to Jean Bowker. Jean was born in New Hampshire and raised between New Hampshire, New York and Florida. She attended nursing school at Suny Delhi in New York and has been a nurse for 30 years. Jean worked in integrative practices for 12 of those years. She moved to North Carolina and joined AIM in February of 2007. In her spare time she enjoys
spending time with family, camping, hiking and fishing. Please take a minute to say hi to Jean when you are in the office. Jean, we are glad to have you.

Dr. Willingham and John Paul McNeil are available to speak to your group or organization on a multitude of topics. For information or to schedule a talk, please contact Beth at 828-252-5545.

DISCOVER THE MIGUN BED 
We invite you to come enjoy our newest health modality. We have added a Migun massage bed. With the Migun you get a full body massage and acupressure with far infrared heat therapy all at once. During full massage therapy a soft pressure is applied
to the body in one continuous motion for a specific period of time. The infrared lamps on the thermo mechanical probes apply heat therapy during this type of treatment. You also have the option of sectional massage therapy, concentrating on different parts of the body. The infrared lamps provide heat for this treatment too. Acupressure therapy is when the probes are stopped
and hold one position. In this position your own body weight on the probes results in natural pressure to the area, which is similar to a physical therapist using the thumbs or palms of the hand to apply pressure to a specific part of the body. Heat therapy is included in this treatment. The infrared lamps installed on the Migun are one of the best ways to detoxify your body and enhance your immune system. It is also recommended for stress relief, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and improved cardio-vascular conditioning, weight and cellulite control and pain relief. Far infrared heat is able to penetrate the body to a depth of 1.5 to 2 inches. This stimulates the body’s cellular detoxification process more effectively and at a lower temperature than traditional heating pads. Come in, lie down, relax, and enjoy a treatment on us!

Using Audio-Visual Entrainment(AVE) for the treatment of ADD and ADHD
All mental functioning involves alertness of the brain. The degree of alertness affects how well tasks are performed. Attention Deficit Disorder, or ADD and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD are attention disorders which primarily involve slowed frontal brain wave activity. This slowed brain activity makes it difficult for the person to perform cognitive tasks, such as reading. By stimulating the frontal lobe, attention improves and hyperactivity reduces. This is why those with ADD or ADHD do well with video games and fast paced sports. The more exciting the activity, the more alert the brain is, the easier it is to concentrate. Audio-Visual Entrainment (AVE) therapy has been shown to very effective in the treatment of ADD/ADHD disorders. When using AVE therapy different areas of the brain are stimulated, and by this, stored material is awakened and released. In 1990 a group study was performed on 26 eight to fourteen year old learning disabled boys from private and public schools. One group of children received AVE once a day, five days per week, for eight weeks, for a total of 40 sessions. The second group received three treatments per week, for six weeks, for a total of 18 sessions. The children in the first study group were able to concentrate and complete cognitive tasks much better than the children in the second group. It was also found that it was easier to keep them focused at the task on hand. To find out more about AVE therapy please contact us. We would be happy to schedule an appointment to assess your needs. (written with permission from MindAlive literature)

SUMMER COOKIN'
Summer is here and for those of you who frequent farmer’s markets or grow your own veggies, that means one thing-bumper crop! Wondering what to do with all those cucumbers, zucchini, squash and tomatoes? Here are a few recipes to serve as “food for thought!”

Heirloom Tomato Salad
INGREDIENTS:
• 8 to 10 small tomatoes, a variety of colors if
possible
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1/4 cup diced sweet onion or purple onion
• 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
• 1 tablespoon fresh chopped basil, or 1 teaspoon
dried leaf basil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
PREPARATION:
Cut cores from the tomatoes; slice each tomato into 8 to 10 wedges. Combine with remaining ingredients in a large bowl; toss to blend well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Serve on salad greens, if desired. Serves 6 to 8.

Cold Cucumber Soup
INGREDIENTS:
• 2 small garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 cucumbers, peeled and chopped
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 2 ice cubes
• Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
• Sprigs of mint for garnish
PREPARATION:
Place all of the ingredients, except 1/2 cup of the prepared cucumbers, into a blender. You can use a food processor, but the blender makes a much silkier, smoother soup. Blend the mixture well and season with additional salt (if needed) and pepper to taste. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with the remaining cucumbers and a few sprigs of mint. Makes 4 servings.

Zucchini &Vidalia Onions with Balsamic Vinegar
INGREDIENTS:
• 2 medium zucchini or yellow summer
squash (about 1 pound)
• 2 medium Vidalia sweet onions, chopped
• 2 tsp. olive oil
• 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsp. chopped fresh mint
• 2 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• Pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp. chopped toasted pecans, optional
PREPARATION:
Cut zucchini into strips about 1 1/2-inches in length. Spread zucchini and onions steamer basket and steam for 3-5 minutes. Meanwhile combine oil, vinegar, mint and parsley in a small container. Cool zucchini and onions for 3 to 4 minutes then toss with oil and vinegar mixture. Sprinkle with pecans, if used; serve warm or at room temperature. Serves 4.

Corn and Summer Squash Ratatouille
INGREDIENTS:
3 tbsp. olive oil
1 onion, coarsely chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
3 med. yellow summer squash, halved lengthwise
and thinly sliced
1 can imported whole tomatoes, crushed
1/4 c. chopped fresh basil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Pinch allspice
4 ears fresh corn, kernels removed (or use 1 pkg.
frozen deluxe corn, thawed)
PREPARATION:
Heat oil in skillet and cook the onion over low heat for 10 minutes or until it is soft, but not brown. Add garlic, squash, tomatoes, basil, salt and pepper and allspice. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally for 20 minutes or until squash is soft.
Add corn and stir thoroughly. Cook 20 minutes or until squash almost falls apart.

Nutrients Etc. News
For many of us, winding down the lazy days of summer means picking up the pace with school, work, or greater involvement in community. Unfortunately, this can also mean more meals on the go, late, or skipped altogether. As parents, we owe it to our kids to set a good example and provide healthy choices at home and away. Even if you are not a parent, your co-workers, friends, and family will appreciate the energy, clarity, and balanced mood your nutritious diet provides. A great way to start the day is with a protein shake. We have several types to choose from in the store, including: rice, whey, and fermented soy in natural/plain, vanilla, and chocolate flavors. By simply adding milk or water, these shakes can be a great supplement to your breakfast. They can also be made into a heartier smoothie by adding some fresh or frozen fruit and a dash of coconut cream or
ground flax seeds. Let your imagination fly! Our latest addition is Nutiva’s Hemp Shake, a delicious superfood protein drink mix with 9 grams of protein, 8 grams of fiber, and Nutiva’s “superfood Amazon blend”; this shake is a meal in itself. It includes Sambazon acai, Brazil nut protein, organic mesquite pods, maca, and, of course, organic hemp protein. Also available in packets, this a great option for teens, college students (they love the simplicity of it), and those of us who might otherwise skip breakfast or lunch. Another great option to stave off the hungry horrors after school or work when meetings, clubs, and other extracurricular activities bring us home late is the healthy snack bar. Just remember to read the label! Some promote themselves as health food, but aren’t much more than a candy bar. Check and compare amounts of carbs, sugar, protein, fiber, and other ingredients and decide what’s most important to you. Nourishing ingredients might include: hemp or flax seeds, “green foods” like green tea and spirulina, and various fruits and nuts. Many snack bars are also wheat, dairy, or soy-free. With so many healthy choices now available, a trip to the fast-food drive-through should not be an option.

Announcing our Web-Site! "Nutrients Etc."
You can NOW shop from home!
Log in … www.nutrientsetc.com
Come in …Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Protected by Common Law Copyright.
Healthy Notes is published monthly by Asheville Integrative Medicine, PA. All material is the exclusive property of Asheville Integrative Medicine and may not be reprinted in any media without expressed written permission. The information and advice presented in this newsletter is for informational purposes only. Consult a physician prior to starting any diet or medical treatment plan. Direct your comments or suggestions to Beth Carmen, Practice Manager
(828) 252-5545      info@docbiddle.com