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Jayne’s Corner

In March it will be 2 years since we instituted the

“annual” visit” – a yearly 40 minute visit and

administrative fee. This visit has become an important

tool to keep our patients on the right track and allow

us to continue to provide the best in Integrative

Medicine. Recently Dr. Biddle had to survey 35

patients as part of his Board Re-Certification. As a

result of this survey he had to choose an area that was

in need of some CQI (Continuous Quality

Improvement). The question we are now asking

patients is “Were all your concerns addressed during

your visit?”. You will also notice greater attention

while scheduling appointments so the staff can make

sure there is adequate time allotted to address your

needs. What we ask of our patients is to tell us what

your concerns are at check-in so Dr. Biddle knows

what needs to be covered during the visit. We also ask

that patients schedule their next appointments at their

visit. We sometimes have a 3-4 month wait for an

appointment.

Once again change is afoot! We recently debuted

a fresh new website that we hope is much more user

friendly and easy to navigate. You may also notice a

not so new face in a new place. Asheville Integrative

Medicine welcomes Tricia McDonald to the role of

New Patient Coordinator. While we miss Wendy

Harrell very much, we wish her

all the joy life has to offer.

As practice manager I always

want to hear how we are doing

and don’t forget to check out our

new website!

Welcome 2013! by Wendy Harrell

We are keeping those along the eastern coast in our

hearts as they continue to rebuild, and sending you

all warmth and wishes for a happy, healthy 2013. As

we move into this new year, let us hold the vision of

our country and our world evolving in the best ways,

for all of humanity. Let us also embrace gratitude

for the many good things we are able to experience:

the natural resources we share and the resourceful

and generous nature of people all over our Country.

With the new year before us, many resolve to

enhance their living experience through more

conscious eating. Many of us struggle with carrying

out this intent due to the increase in food allergies.

It’s a challenge to pinpoint exactly why allergies

have become so prevalent these days. Many studies

cite causes such as genetically modified foods

(GMOs), vaccines, our SAD (Standard American

Diet) with its emphasis on processed foods, overuse

of acid-blocking drugs, and our society’s overuse of

antibiotics and antibacterial cleansers (influencing

idle immune systems to attack food proteins).

AIM’S response to these challenges is to offer food

allergy desensitization to help our patients remain

healthy, yet without having to avoid foods they may

trigger an allergic response. Read about our food

allergy program in this issue.

We have recently redesigned and revamped our

website! We trust you’ll find the new format more

user friendly. For instance, our thermography

section has enhanced maneuverability with current

postings showing new off-site locations. Let us

know what you think. We value your feedback!

www.docbiddle.com

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Healthy Notes

reactions, and may tend to dismiss the importance of

treating them, a cause for much controversy.

With a thorough interview and testing, we look for

the initial assault that may have caused intestinal

damage. Common culprits include stress, heavy

metals, H. pylori stomach infection, intestinal

parasites, and other infectious diseases. It’s highly

likely that the Standard American Diet (SAD),

consisting of overly processed foods, plays a role by

encouraging the growth of intestinal bugs and creating

a more permeable gut lining. To minimize the chance

of illness, we recommend a whole-food, mostly-

organic diet with lots of fiber, along with a good

probiotic. Eating a variety of foods and rotating the

most common food allergens, which include glutinous

grains, dairy, eggs, corn, soy, and peanuts, is also

recommended.

We offer a simple blood test to check for the most

common allergens. We test for both IgE, or immediate

reaction, and IgG, or delayed reaction. Both are

treatable with allergy desensitization drops under the

tongue. Drops are custom mixed based on the patient’s

level of reactivity to each antigen, and shipped directly

to the patient for use three times daily, before each

meal. The drops contain protein molecules of the

offending foods which, when absorbed through the

mucosal lining of your mouth, eventually retrain your

immune system not to attack them. In most cases,

people are able to continue eating the very foods they

test reactive to!

When reviewing patients’ histories with them,

they often describe a variety of symptoms that are

mild, yet troublesome. It is common to hear reports

of fatigue, sporadic rashes, abdominal bloating, or

occasional indigestion. These minor symptoms

prevent people from feeling vital and energized;

there’s not enough discomfort to ask for drugs, yet

they just feel… well, not well. Here at AIM, our goal

is to optimize health. By testing and treating food

allergies, we may head off potential chronic illness

portended by these symptoms. All too often, we see

patients whose symptoms of food intolerance have

been medically treated with a prescription drug that

masks the original symptoms, and then makes them

feel worse due to adverse side effects. A recent

Journal of the American Medical Association

(JAMA) article stated that more than three-fourths of

the money spent on health care is spent on chronic

conditions; 2.9 billion prescriptions are written every

year, generating more than 131.9 Billion dollars for

pharmaceutical companies. Other research indicates

that more than 75 symptoms and most of the

following chronic conditions may be the direct result

of food allergies: ADHD, arthritis, autism, asthma,

candidiasis, celiac disease, chronic fatigue syndrome,

depression, diabetes, digestive disorders, ear

infections, eczema, fibromyalgia, GERD, G.I.

disorders, headaches and migraines, heartburn,

irritable bowel syndrome, joint and muscle pain,

leaky gut, mental fatigue, poor memory, psoriasis,

sinusitis, skin disorders, inappropriate weight loss,

weight gain, and yeast infections.

An ongoing study reveals that 95% of the

population has an IgG (delayed food reaction) to

foods they eat regularly. These reactions are very

difficult to detect on their own. Traditional allergists

using skin testing alone are unable to test for delayed

You don’t have to avoid those foods anymore! By Wendy Harrell

Protected by Common Law Copyright. Healthy Notes is

published quarterly 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.

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In the spotlight– Tricia McDonald

Tricia has been a lifelong student of health and

wellbeing, so she feels right at home at Asheville

Integrative Medicine. Many of you may recognize

Tricia from Nutrients Etc. Recently, she has

transitioned into the role of New Patient Coordinator.

Prior to moving to Asheville, Tricia was the founder/

owner of Open Heart Yoga in Dartmouth, MA, where

she taught yoga/meditation and also facilitated Reiki,

Sound Healing, and Thai

Massage sessions.

She can be found around

Asheville leading Sound

Healing experiences,

hiking, biking, and

generally lazing around

outside with her dog

Zephyr (one of her

favorite “activities”).

Tailgate Markets Move Indoors (reprinted from ASAP website)

Love shopping for local food at area farmers

tailgate markets? You still can this winter! Many

tailgates continue and/or move indoors for the

winter. Expect produce, baked goods, crafts and

more. Find a list of these markets and their dates

here, or visit ASAP’s online farmers market

calendar at fromhere.org. You can also browse a

list of all markets with ASAP’s onlineLocal Food

Guide.

Get Back to Your Roots! Root veggies are chock full of fiber, vitamins,

minerals and complex carbohydrates. Many

contain phytonutrients which contain

antioxidants that fight free radicals, so they also

serve as a good immune boost right when we

need them.

LOTS of recipes like this one are on-line. Roasted Winter Vegetables with Rosemary

medium fennel bulb, cut into thin wedges

4 medium parsnips, peeled and cut into 3 X ½ inch sticks

4 medium carrots, , peeled and cut into 3 X ½ inch sticks

2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

sea salt to taste

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425°F.

Cut all vegetables into thin strips.

In a large mixing bowl, mix stock

with the oil and half the salt,

pepper and rosemary pour mixture

over vegetables and toss. Put

vegetables in a large roasting pan

covered with parchment paper.

Roast 30 to 35 minutes, stirring a

few times, until nicely browned

and easily pierced with a fork.

Toss with remaining salt and pepper, and rosemary.

And for dessert…

Low Carb Paleo Pumpkin Custard

1 cup organic canned pumpkin

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground ginger

Pinch of salt

2 pinches of grated nutmeg

2 organic eggs

1/4 cup grade B maple syrup optional- leave out for a savory

version or for a lower carb version, use 8-10 drops of liquid

Stevia

1 cup Full Fat Canned Coconut Milk

Directions:

Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine pumpkin and all

spices in one bowl.

In a smaller bowl, beat the eggs lightly then whisk in the

maple syrup, vanilla and coconut milk. Whisk the egg mixture

into the pumpkin mixture until well combined.

Pour the custard into 6- 1/2 cup ramekins or one medium

ceramic baking dish. Place the ramekins in a baking pan and

add enough water to the dish to come up 2″ high around the

ramekins or ceramic baking dish. Carefully place in the oven

and bake for 60 minutes or until a knife inserted into the

center of the custard comes out clean.

From http://www.grassfedgirl.com/pumpkin-custard/

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Stop in ... Monday – Friday

9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Call ... (828)210-0188 or (866)420-8616

Log in …www.nutrientsetc.com

For those times when even the best of care doesn’t

prevent you from getting sick, consider some of

these products to get you back on your feet sooner

rather than later:

Respigard $34.95

Take at the first sign of respiratory illness.

Transfer Factor $55.00

May bolster your immune system’s

intelligence to fight infection more

effectively.

You may also benefit by:

Elderberry, Zinc $15.00 Xlear $16.00

& Echinacea SyrupDr. Biddle is available to speak to your

group or organization on a

multitude of topics. For information or to schedule a talk,

please contact Jayne

at 828-252-5545.

Echinacea $13.99

May help strengthen your immune system.

We offer the following suggestions to

facilitate more introspection this Winter

and less infection.

Keep your hands away from your eyes and nose!

GSE – Grapefruit Seed Extract, 10-15 drops, 2 – 3

times daily.

Zinc lozenges – 15 mg every 2-3 hours for 3-5 days

for upper respiratory infection.

Vitamin D – 5000 IU daily, or enough to keep

serum levels > 50.

Vitamin A – 5,000 units per day in children; 10,000

units per day in adults.

Vitamin C – 1000 mg x 2-3 daily. 500-1000 mg

hourly on airplanes.

Garlic – 1-2 cloves crushed and “rested” for 5

minutes, or 4-6 capsules per day.

Selenium – 200 mcg daily; and Zinc 30 mg daily.

WATER; pure, lots of it, and REST. Avoid sugars

and starchy/refined carbohydrates.

This is simply a list of options and

is provided for educational purposes only.