The Avante TimesVolume 6, Issue 1 Spring & Summer 2010

Avante’s Values

* Integrity* Innovation* Team Approach* Community* Honesty* Compassion* Respect* Progressive* Personalized Care* Value

Inside this Issue

Adolescent Nutrition 2

Calendar ofEvents 3

Surviving Chronic Disease 4

Life Balance 5

Who’s Who at Avante 8

Avante Medical Center, LLC

Jason J Harmon, ND, FABNO

Greetings Alaska! There are many areas of new growth and additions to Avante that we would like to share with you:

We welcome Kathe Boucha as our new Clinic Director, Sue Tollefsen, our new HR and Business Development Director and Lee Anne Hellesto our new highly experi-enced Family Nurse Practitioner. Please visit our website to view their bios.

Avante has implemented many positive new changes and we would like to have you share your thoughts with us. Please visit our website at www.avantemedical-center.com and fill out the Avante “Patient

Satisfaction Survey”. There will be a $100 supplement drawing each month for those who share their thoughts and experiences with us.

Avante is currently building a large 2500 sq foot new sat-ellite office in the new U tower at Providence Hospital, to

open in April, 2010. It will be a dynamic and exciting expansion of Avante’s pres-ence and contribution to our Alaskan community. Please look for our open house.

Avante is rolling out dynamic individual-ized medical programs, from weight loss and optimized wellness to new anti-aging therapies not found elsewhere in Alaska. Please visit our website to see the details of these new programs, classes, and therapies at Avante this spring.

2010- a year of exciting growth and development!

www.avantemedical.com

Building Your Own Fountain of Youth

Stephanie Friess, ANP

As a society we are on a frighteningly accelerated metabolic aging path. Bad eating habits, stress, caffeine, alcohol abuse, and inactivity all lead to premature aging. This accelerated aging process leads to diseases such as obesity, insulin resistance (which often leads to diabetes), cholesterol abnormalities, hypertension, coronary artery disease, stroke, cancer, osteoporosis and hormone imbalances.

Learning to age healthfully is not about living forever – it is about optimizing your health at any age and preventing the onset of disease and disability. The rewards can be wonderful, enabling you to look, feel and function at higher levels, thus enjoying a higher quality of life.

Science now stands on the threshold of a new age in cellular therapy and tissue regeneration which will directly and beneficially impact how long, and how well, we will live in the coming decades. Anti-aging medicine is the pinnacle of biotechnology joined with advanced clinical preventive medicine. As such, it complements regenerative medicine, with both specialties embracing cutting-edge biomedical technologies and aiming for advances in both the quality and quantity of the human lifespan.

There are things you can do to slow down the aging process and optimize your health, and it is never too late to get started.

(cont. on pg 7)

The avante timesPage 2

Adolescent NutritionNatalie Wiggins, N.D.

The adolescent years are a period of amazing growth and development. With it may come some common complaints, including acne, menstrual irregularities and hormone imbalances, and depression. Other prevalent health concerns are weight gain, cardio-vascular disease, and diabetes. Many of these can be overcome or significantly improved with proper nutritional support.

During the pubescent years, children grow, on average, an astonishing 3.1 inches yearly. With accelerated linear growth comes an increased demand for nutrients in the body. Girls ages 11-18 require an average of 2100 calories daily. Boys ages 11-14 require an average of 2500 daily calories, which increases to 3000 daily calories from age 15- 18. Choosing optimal sources of calories can decrease a ferocious appetite and incessant cravings.

Protein is an essential nutrient required for proper development. Protein requirements in this age group range from about 46-52 grams daily. Teens often crave sources of protein that are less than ideal, including fast-food burgers, pizza with meat toppings, and deli sandwiches. Since these foods commonly contain hormones and saturated fats, they can exacerbate acne, hormone and mood problems, with continued overconsumption leading to obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Safer protein sources are combinations of whole grains and legumes, lean organic poultry, wild pink or coho salmon, varied nuts and seeds, and wild game. When combined with beneficial fats, protein can cause prolonged satiety, thus decreasing frequent snacking.

Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) play multiple roles in the body. They affect inflammation, mood, and cellular signaling, to name a few. The Standard American Diet (SAD) tends to be deficient in omega-3 fatty acids, which can increase the tendency to develop cardiovascular diseases. Proper supplementation of EFAs can help in the treatment of menstrual complaints, mood imbalances, acne and elevated cholesterol. Additionally, DHA is beneficial for cognitive function.

Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, B Vitamins, and Vitamin A are nutrients that are commonly deficient in the adolescent diet – a result of improper nutrition. Appropriate supplementation can benefit skin conditions, menstrual cramping, growth and mood.

The key to optimal adolescent nutrition is preparation. Anticipate that your young person will be hungry often throughout the day, and have nutritional options available. While it can be difficult to wake a sleeping teen, it is important to allow time in the morning for an adequate meal. Beginning the day with a balanced breakfast can set the tone for the entire day. Send a healthy snack to school with your children that they can quickly and easily eat between classes. Typically, children also need a healthy snack after school to tide them over until dinner. Family dinners are a great way to connect with your child after a busy day, but if it must be eaten on the run, planning ahead prevents the temptation to succumb to fast-food options. Having well-balanced snacks and meals throughout the day balances blood-sugar levels, which can help control or prevent diabetes, decreases the likelihood of obesity, benefits mood, and aids in learning.

Here are some tips:• Do the week’s shopping on the weekend and plan ahead for the following week.• Focus on hormone-free, organic, whole foods.• Have your child prepare readily accessible, nutritious snacks for the week ahead. Some ideas include baggies of raw vegetables (carrots, cucumbers, celery, zucchini, radishes, cauliflower, and broccoli will stay fresh for several days after being peeled, cut and stored in the refrigera-tor), baggies of nuts and seeds (walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios), hard-boiled organic eggs, rice crackers with nut butter/hummus/tofu spread (will stay fresh for up to 2 days, stored in the refrigerator), and baggies of thawed and lightly salted edamame (soy beans).• Have your child help with preparation of some meals. For example, if you decide to make pizza (a good alternative to ordering pizza out), have your child grate the cheese, and prepare desired toppings ahead of time.• Have organic deli meats, cheeses, spreads, vegetables, nut butters and jelly available so your child can make a nutritious sandwich quickly if he or she must eat on the go.• Have packages of organic instant oatmeal. Your child can prepare it for breakfast in a few minutes. Increase protein, fiber, and antioxidants with a handful of nuts and frozen berries.• Have frozen berries, fruits, and organic yogurt or protein powder available for your child to make a quick smoothie.• Make a few grains (brown rice, quinoa, buckwheat grits) and legumes (lentils/beans) in advance to cut down on meal preparation times. They can easily be thrown together to make hearty soups, toppings for salads, or as side dishes. Meats can be prepared ahead as well and used throughout the week in casseroles, tacos, and soups.

Healthful eating habits are valuable tools for adolescents that can be carried throughout life, and can help control many health concerns. Happy eating!

www.avantemedical.com

Bring your whole family to Avante!

Calendar of Events

Avante Book ClubMarch 16th: “Knockout: Interviews with Doctors Who Are Curing Cancer--And How to Prevent Getting It in the First

Place” by Suzanne Somers(this book club will be co-moderated with Markian Babij, ND, FABNO)

Time: 7 p.m.Location: Avante Medical Center

Upcoming Books:

April 13th: “The Better Brain Book” by David Perlmutter and Carol ColmanMay 18th at 7pm and will be From Fatigued to Fantastic by Jacob Teitelbaum.

This book club, moderated by Christine Sagan, ANP, is a great way to investigate new ideas about your health in a low-key, peer-oriented setting.

Bones for LifeTime: 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Introduction to Bones for Life: April 7thContinuing Bone for Life: March 24, March 31st, April 14th,

April 21st, April 28th, May 5th$15 per class or $50 for four classes

Natural Pantry Walk-ThroughsDates: March 15, April 19th, May 17th, June 21st, July 19th

Time: 6 p.m.Location: Natural Pantry (36th & Old Seward)

Please join licensed acupuncturist and oriental medicine specialist, Tina Harmon, as she guides you through the Natural Pantry, help-ing you learn how to read labels and what those long, confusing words really mean for your health.

Introduction to Raw Foods Cuisine (sign up required)

Time: 6 p.m. Cost: $25 per person/per class

March 25: Avante Medical Center

April 8, April 29, May 13, June 3, June 15, July 8, July 29: Room 2281 at Providence Cancer Center (across the hall from Avante’s Prov. clinic)

August 12: Room 2285 at Providence Cancer Center (across the hall from Avante’s Prov. clinic)

Please join Brendan VanValkenburgh, LMT as he guides you through the basics of raw food living. Delicious raw foods provid-ed. *Allergy Warning: Nuts and oils will be used in the food preparation.

Food Allergy & Food Rotation Class (sign up required)

Dates: March 17th and June 16thLocation: Avante Medical Center

Time: 6-7 p.m.Cost: $25 per person/per class, $40 per couple/per class

Please join the allergy department of Avante Medical Center for an instructional hour focusing on managing your food allergies and elimination/rotation diets. This class is intended to aid our patients and others who have been diagnosed with food allergies in making proper food choices. We will have examples of alternatives to dairy, wheat and eggs.

Page 3Volume 6, Issue 1

2009- Voted “Best Doctor” by Anchorage Press

For more information, class updates, additions or reschedules, please visit our website.

FREE Avante Times for the Office or FriendsIf you would like to receive additional copies of Avante Times for

your business or have copies sent to friends, please email avantemedicalcenter@gmail.com with the quantity and address

they can be sent to for FREE.

Page 4 The Avante Times

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You will find health at Avante!

Surviving Chronic Disease: the Natural PerspectiveMarkian Babij, N.D., FABNO

Disease- An abnormal condition of an organism that impairs bodily functions, associated with specific signs, and symptoms. It may be caused by external or internal factors.

For a diseased state to manifest in the body, two essential factors are required, both of them inextricably linked: 1. A lowering of resistance to the point where the body’s natural defense can no longer cope effectively with cellular dysfunction. 2. The milieu is such that predisposes to disease.

Milieu is a French word used to describe the social environment, and is often used in Naturopathic medicine to describe an environment in which the circumstances are perfect for illness to develop. We are susceptible to illness that thrives in a milieu that is specific to each of us.

A patient with acid reflux is often started on medication that will reduce acid production in the stomach, thereby decreasing the acid that creeps up the esophagus and causes pain. There is likely more than one underlying issue that causes the reflux, however often the problem is considered solved once the pain is resolved. The medication is likely required as this condition can lead to cancer if untreated. However, a natural approach includes further investigation to understand the milieu.

Such a problem could be due to several underlying issues such as; food intolerances, allergies, impaired digestion, food combinations, family history, lifestyle and nutritional deficiencies. A natural approach that considers all possible contribut-ing factors can address the problem and improve the milieu. This approach to care is aimed at strengthening the part of a patient that is weakened or predisposed to disease. The reflux is treated, the patient may not need to take medication, and we have improved the overall function of the digestive system!

This system provides the majority of our immune function and undoubtedly will contribute to improvement in other parts of the body. We call this type of treatment a, “systems approach to care,” and use this in treatment of patients with chronic disease.

There are several systems within the body that interplay to maintain a balance that is specific to each person. When these complex systems are in balance, trillions of cell functions occur with greater “ease”! One small imbalance can insidiously lead way to a state of dis-“ease”. A naturopathic approach to care is one in which the emphasis is on balance and strength-ening systems that are prone to weakness. This rebuilding makes way to a resistant environment in which disease is no longer attracted to a region that was previously consumed by illness.

Survivorship--Maintaining a state of wellness by way of healthy lifestyle following diagnosis and treatment of disease.

Survivorship programs break down all the necessary components in renewal of a weakened physiology that can result from illness or the treatment of illness. In the case of cancer, Oncologists are attempting to eradicate mutant cells. These cells are amazing in that they have voracious appetites for nutrients, oxygen and blood; however, they have the ability to survive with a low supply of these as well. They can trick to body into sending blood supply to them, and they are very adaptable and resilient.

In some disease, the treatment must be aggressive but dis-“ease” can result, causing multiple side effects from such treat-ment. Patients that utilize Naturopathic medicine in their care are better able to tolerate treatment and come out in one piece!

There is no big secret in managing chronic illness--only many small secrets that come to be known with time. The choices we make in life have an additive effect, and all too often disease is a slow process that is preventable by

(cont. on pg 6)

Volume 6, Issue 1 Page 5

Lee Anne Hellesto, ANP

If you take the time to reflect at the beginning of a year particularly the beginning of a decade, you will gain power – power to do what you want to with your life. After the flurry of the New Year’s activity, let go of the resolutions that won’t stick or don’t fit your life. You need a framework to gain an honest look at life balance.

I often encourage patients to look at their lives as a four-legged stool. The metaphor of your life as a stool looks at balance. Four even legs provide excellent balance. Take away one of the legs and you can still balance, although less effectively. Take away a second leg and you have significant problems that will soon become quite evident. My four legs include daily exercise, sufficient water, regular healthy meals and adequate sleep.

Physical health always includes exercise. However, what about your mental health? You cannot separate physical and mental health as they are so intertwined. Daily exercise is one of the most powerful tools we have to managing stress and mental health. The days when exercise is most difficult to manage are the days when it is most important! Take short breaks for a few minutes to briskly walk. Breathe deeply. Optimal exercise would be a minimum of 30 minutes per day, but you can break this into manageable increments when you must.

Our bodies consist of approximately 80 percent water. Most people operate at some a level of dehydration. Current research is finding that, often times, mental dullness and perceived drops in energy during the day are due not to low blood sugar or inadequate diet, but rather to dehydration. Try drinking 20-24 ounces of water if you experience this drop in energy, and see how you feel. A good rule of thumb for those with normal kidney function is one-half your body weight in ounces of filtered water per day. For example, a person weighing 150 pounds would drink 75 ounces of water. Your body will quickly adapt to this increase in water intake.

Diet is probably one of most often used “buzz words” of our lifetime. The original definition of the word diet is “way of life.” Look at diet as a way of life, instead of as a set of rules someone else has determined. Regular meals – starting with a daily breakfast – help support your body with all the functions necessary for a health. Everyone’s body has somewhat different requirements. Discuss this with your healthcare provider.

Sleep is another area where our bodies frequently run at a deficit. Again, research is showing a high percentage of the U.S. population is sleep de-prived. Sleep hygiene is a phrase used for assessment of factors that contribute to healthy, successful sleep. Additionally, nutritional supplements and certain minerals may help improve your sleep.

Assessing each of these important areas in your life will help you gain insight as to where you may be losing energy. This will support your efforts to achieve optimal health. These are all areas your healthcare professionals will be able to assist you with assessments and plans. Balancing your life can certainly improve overall energy, physical strength, mental clarity and quality of life. I wish you a well-balanced life in the New Year and new decade.

Life BalanceSurviving Chronic Disease: the Natural Perspective

2009- Voted “Best Doctor” by Anchorage Press

Page 6 The Avante Times

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Take some healing home!

making the correct ones. Health is similar to disease in that it comes with a steady state of healthful living that maintains “ease.” Each positive choice in life adds up! Unfortunately, the bad ones are also cumulative, however we can learn from these.

Naturopathy can address side effects, promote education and understand the individual secrets that provide answers in achieving wellness. As a physician, my goal is to introduce individualized treatment strategies at the appropriate time, while monitoring progress and coaching patients to navigate a path to survivorship. Time spent with a patient is intended to remove layers that have covered the underlying disease process and repair the core imbalance.

This work is rewarded with a cellular state that is functioning ahead of the oxidation, and inflammation, with complicated cascades of cellular messages, and cellular police that ensure the body is balanced with perfection. These trillions of working cells in millions of spaces in the body keep us healthy! It is truly miraculous. Finding the underlying cause gives the patient the assistance to strengthen his or her innate ability to heal.

Do your part--Lifestyle makes a difference! Experiencing positive emotions, diet, bodywork, spiritual work, creativity-art music, journaling, and investing in your health goals all contribute to wellness. Information is power, and often the educated patient has a head start in getting well. A study featured in a prominent Oncology journal regarding patient-doctor communication revealed that nearly half of the breast cancer patients interviewed for the study found the information they received as “incomprehensible or incomplete.” Furthermore, “patients who rated their communication as incomplete or incomprehensible had poorer quality of life even five years after their diagnosis,” explains Jacqueline Kerr, author of the study.

In chronic disease, find a doctor that considers all parts of a person and enjoys educating you regarding the details of your illness. A daunting diagnosis usually entails a change in your life schedule; however, it can be turned into a posi-tive change and a lesson learned that empowers you to maintain wellness. Be well, and consider every component that medicine has to offer when tackling your chronic health problems.

CHRONIC DISEASE (continued from page 4)

Mission StatementHealing begins when you enter Avante!

“Avante Medical Center, LLC offers a beautiful and healing environment, which contains world-class medical providers, excellent staff, and extensive integrative and conventional medical services for the whole family. We provide care to our clients living with acute and chronic health challenges, combining the best of science and nature, tailored and personalized to your individual medical needs. We focus on the value of our clients’ experience, providing adequate time with our providers, resulting in thorough and comprehensive medical care. Our goal is to educate, empower, and enrich your health through a caring, professional and unique

medical experience.”

Volume 6, Issue 1 Page 7

Fountain of Youth (continued from page 1)

Exercise Your body was made to move. Exercise is one of the most important anti-aging habits you can do to improve your health. Figure out how to enjoy exercise and allow it into your daily life. Don’t think you have to join a gym or run marathons. Physical games and sports are a great way to keep both your body and mind healthy. Simple exercise routines are great for maintaining balance, flexibility, endurance and strength. Find a game and activity that suits your level of physical ability and play often.

NutritionEating correctly is extremely important for your health. Many foods have anti-aging properties and help you feel better and live longer. Once you start down the healthy eating path, you won’t want to go back – you will just want to feel good by eating these great foods. Tasty examples of foods known for anti-aging benefits are red wines and dark chocolates. One or two glasses of red wine a day (wine containing resveratrol) have been suggested to have beneficial effects on aging. Dark chocolate is a wonderful food that contains a large amount of antioxidants that protect your body from aging.

Hormonal BalanceKeeping our hormones balanced is essential in keeping our bodies in their optimal state of health. Hormones control regeneration in the body. When your hormones are not balanced, your body’s ability to regenerate is compromised. It is your body’s ability to effectively regenerate that greatly determines the rate of aging.

SupplementsProperly supplementing your diet with vitamins and minerals has its place in all good anti-aging lifestyles. Numerous supplements have demon-strated to be very beneficial in slowing the aging process and preventing what is known as free radical damage. Several new breakthrough supple-ments have surfaced in the past few years specifically for their anti-aging benefits. In addition to resveratrol, as mentioned earlier, Vitamin D, zinc, niacin, rhodioloa, omega-3 fatty acids, CoQ10 (beneficial if you are on a cholesterol-lowering medication) acetyl-L carnitine, green tea extract, and lipoic acid have all been suggested to provide benefits.

Relaxation and SleepSleep is an essential body function. Think of sleep as the maintenance phase of your body; sleep helps your body make repairs and stay young. If you do not get enough sleep, you risk suffering from chronic fatigue, decreased mental alertness and decreased immune function. Medications, stress, illness and poor sleep habits can prevent you from sleeping the recommended 7-9 hours a night. A few health benefits of sleep include more energy and a stronger immune system, both of which are very important in an anti-aging lifestyle. Practicing daily relaxation techniques can train you to turn off your stress and replace it with calm energy. This will improve your blood pressure, heart rate and ability to cope with life’s challenges.

Looking good and feeling goodIt is not about vanity. Taking care of your skin helps take years off your appearance while also helping you avoid conditions like skin cancer. Looking young and feeling positive about the healthy changes you are making helps enhance the quality of your life. Research has suggested that having a positive attitude about aging can add more than seven years to your life. Avoid the cultural push to glorify youth and regret each passing year. Find ways to take pleasure in your increasing age and enjoy greater learning, experience and control in your life.

Anti-aging medicine is a lifestyle; there are no “magic bullet” medicines. Around the world, people are seeking medical guidance for ways to stay healthy, active and vital as they age. As a result, the principles of the anti-aging lifestyle are gaining rapid and widespread acceptance as a frame-work for lifelong habits for healthy living.

Avante is ready to help you take an active role in optimizing your health at any age. We are committed to the overall health of our patients. We are happy to review steps you can take to slow the aging process and optimize your health both inside and out.

One final note:Recently, Avante has purchased a SmartXide DOT laser. This state-of-the-art laser is the ideal modality for the treatment of skin laxity and texture, wrinkles, dermal lesions, pigment changes (including sun damage) and age spots. It is also beneficial for use on stretch marks, vascular lesions, rosacea, telangiectasia, hemangiomas, acne scarring on all skin types, and burn adhesions (as seen on 20/20). Treatment with SmartXide Dot Therapy requires very little down time, and only topical anesthetic is needed prior to treatment.

2009- Voted “Best Doctor” by Anchorage Press

915 W. Northern Lights, Anchorage, AK 99503Phone: 907.770.6700 Fax: 907.770.6707

www.avantemedical.com

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Who’s Who at Avante Medical Center

Clinic photos © Ken Graham Photography.com | Nature photos: Gary Ferguson

Markian Babij, ND, FABNONaturopathic Oncology, Internal Medicine

Grant Gibbs, CMnTPTMyofascial Trigger Point Therapy

Jason J Harmon, ND, FABNONaturopathic oncology

Tina Harmon, L.Ac.Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine

Judy Hartford, CMTPTMyofascial Trigger Point Therapy

Christine Kallander, ANPAdult and adolescent care

Lee Anne Hellesto, ANPFamily practice

Christine Sagan, ANPFamily practice

Sandra Schaeffer, CMTPTMyofascial Trigger Point Therapy

Torrey Smith, NDFamily practice

Natalie Wiggins, NDFamily practice, pediatrics

Bethany Buchanan, ANP Family practice

Ina Cloud, MA, ATAllergy Treatment

Gary Ferguson, NDMen’s Health

Cathy Floyd, MA, ATAllergy Treatment

Stephanie Friess, ANPFamily Practice, Internal Medicine