Glutathione, Detoxification and Immune Function

February 20, 2018

integrative-healthcare-2017

Dr. Gina Nick, NMD will be speaking this weekend on Saturday morning, February 24th 2018, at the Integrative Healthcare Symposium being held in New York, NY.

The topic is Glutathione, Detoxification and Immune System Function.

Deepak Chopra, MD will also be presenting on Friday morning.

Below are the details and hope to see you there!

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Session Description:

This symposia will discuss glutathione science, absorption, and bioavailability. It will discuss how glutathione can aide in detoxification and first line defense on the immune system in a clinical setting. Overview of gold standard glutathione studies as well as review of the latest human clinical research on glutathione will be covered.

Learning Objectives:

  • Participants will be able to discuss the science, absorption and bioavailability of glutathione.
  • Participants will be able to discuss glutathione and detoxification in a clinical setting.
  • Participants will be able to discuss glutathione and immunity in a clinical setting.

About The Speaker:

IMG_0496Gina Nick, NMD is a California and Hawaii licensed Naturopathic Physician, President Emeritus of the California Naturopathic Doctors Association and Founder and Medical Director of HealthBridge Newport in Newport Beach, CA. Dr. Gina is respected internationally in the fields of Integrative and Functional Medicine, Detoxification, Hormone Treatments, and Addiction Treatment and Recovery. She is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles; where she received College and Latin Honors and is a UCLA Alumni Scholar and member of the Golden Key Honors Society, and a graduate of Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine where she was awarded her Doctorate Degree at the age of 23 and received Distinguished Honors for her work in nutritional biochemistry, homeopathy and herbal medicine.

Dr. Gina has practiced Naturopathic Medicine for 18 years with unparalleled results. Her treatment methods have produced consistent results for patients with conditions running the gamut from dietary and allergic response to diabetes, autoimmune disorders and hormone imbalance. She is the author of hundreds of published and peer-reviewed scientific documents on natural medicine, and author of the medical text, Clinical Purification and Yogic Nutrition, Dr. Gina has also maintained a longstanding, well-respected column in the Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients entitled Therapeutic Nutrition. She is a featured expert on PBS and is quoted in popular magazines including Woman’s World, First for Women, Yogi Times, Better Homes and Gardens, Remedies, Diet & Fitness Magazine and Woman’s Day. Over the past 15 years she has taught over 11,000 Doctors and Pharmacists about natural hormone balance, addiction treatment and recovery, fertility, detoxification therapies, and natural treatments for anxiety, depression, inflammatory and autoimmune challenges. She is a member of the American College for the Advancement of Medicine, the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, the UCLA Alumni Scholar Association, the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, and the California Naturopathic Doctors Association.

Dr. Gina volunteers as Chair of the Healthcare Committee for the Lionheart Institute, a global think tank, and as an active Board Member for the non-profit organization Angel Light Academy that teaches leadership skills, conflict resolution, communication and problem solving to youth and adults through the demonstration and practice of unconditional love.

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Posted by Dr. Gina Nick

Dr. Gina Nick Speaking at Integrative Healthcare Symposium in New York, NY February 24th 2018

November 8, 2017

logo-4Dr. Gina is scheduled to speak at the Integrative Healthcare Symposium (IHS) being held at the New York Hilton Midtown, NY on February 24th, 2018. She will be discussing the role of glutathione in immune system function and detoxification, in a clinical setting.

At the IHS Annual Conference, practitioners from all facets of traditional and non-traditional medicine unite as one, cohesive community. Attendees learn, network, and return to their practices with an enhanced appreciation of the modern patient’s full range of healthcare option.

In health,

DrGina.com

 

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Posted by Dr. Gina Nick

Natural Ways to Prevent and Treat Colds & Flu

August 31, 2015

Feature_Flu

There are about 1 billion colds in the US every year, with every child catching it 6-10 times a year, resulting in 22 million school days being lost every year!

When it comes to cold and flu season, prevention really is the first line of defense. To keep your body’s defense system–the immune system–in peak condition, follow our immunity-boosting tips to help your body fight off the bugs looking for a host. And, for times when you are feeling ill, the second set of tips can help ease your symptoms and support a quick recovery.

Cold & Flu Prevention Tips

Your immune system is at work 24/7! The best approach to supporting immune function is a healthy lifestyle that includes stress management, exercise, whole foods, nutritional supplementation, and the use of plant-based medicines. On a daily basis, you can take the following steps to help your immune system keep you healthy:

  • Wash your hands regularly to help prevent transfer of bacteria.
  • Stay clear of people sneezing or coughing. Avoid shaking hands or other close contact with anyone whom you know to be sick.
  • Make sure your home and work space are well-ventilated. Even on a cold day, open a window for a few minutes to clear out stale air.
  • Follow a consistent sleep/wake schedule so the immune system can repair and recover.
  • Drink plenty of water and eat a balanced diet that includes a variety of organic (when possible) fruits and veggies, which contain antioxidants that help the body neutralize cellular damage.
    Healing Tips
  • Rest. Sometimes the body’s only way of getting your attention is to force you to slow down by getting sick. Don’t push through fatigue. Honor your body and sleep/rest as needed to promote healing. Reduce activity at home and at work as much as possible.
  • Increase fluid intake to include water, diluted vegetable juices, soups, and herbal and green teas.
  • Eat light meals and eat more soup. Whether you choose a vegetarian broth or a heartier bone-broth, soups for healing should be loaded with a variety of herbs and veggies.
  • Manage stress. Even just 10 minutes of meditation a day has positive effects on the immune system and promotes a positive mindset.
  • Laugh–it truly is good medicine. Patch Adams was onto something when he brought humor to his patients’ bedsides. Read a funny book. Watch stand-up comedy. Share jokes with a friend or your kids. Laughter lowers the stress hormones and elevates your mood–both are good for healing.

Vitamin, Mineral, and Botanical Support for the Immune System

There’s no panacea, but a growing body of research has shown that certain vitamins, minerals, and plant-based supplements can help prevent/curtail the symptoms of colds and flu. Some that you may want to include are listed below.

These are best tailored to your specific needs and health status, with guidance from your doctor.

  • Multivitamin and mineral formula
  • Vitamin C
  • Bioflavonoids, 1000 mg/day
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin D, 2000 IU/day
  • Zinc, 30 mg/day
  • Echinacea, elderberry, and astragalus (tea, capsule, or liquid extract) help prevent common cold and viral infections. Physicians and scientists continue to study the immune-enhancing effects of these and other botanical remedies.

Food for Thought. . .
“He who cures a disease may be the skillfullest, but he that prevents it is the safest physician.”
– Thomas Fuller

In health,

Dr. Gina

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Posted by Dr. Gina Nick

Greens are Vital to Immune Health…More Data Confirms

July 16, 2013

iStock_leafdropbottleI often find myself sharing with patients that if they were to do just one thing daily to support health, for all family members, I recommend consuming organic greens.  We know that leafy greens, by virtue of the fact that they are green, are high in the chlorophyll pigment which facilitates detoxification, binding of toxins in the body to render them harmless, and helps oxygenate tissues.  Cruciferous leafy greens (e.g. broccoli sprouts and kale) also help to facilitate estrogen metabolism in a way that protects against hormone sensitive cancers.

Now, scientists are discovering that when you consume cruciferous leafy greens you help to turn on a disease-preventing gene that triggers the production of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs). These cells help your body to protect itself against infections in the digestive tract and possibly elsewhere.

More reasons for the whole family to enjoy (organic, locally grown) greens daily!

As with most medicines found in nature, greens likely play an adaptogenic role, where they  help to boost ILCs in situations where they may not be active enough, such as infections or some cancers, and deplete them in situations where they are overactive, such as chronic inflammatory disease.

Dr Gabrielle Belz, Ms Lucie Rankin, Dr Joanna Groom and colleagues from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute’s Molecular Immunology division are responsible for discovering  the gene T-bet which is essential for producing ILCs in response to signals in the food we eat.

I researched and formulated Cellular Purification Complex (TM) to contain these critical greens, along with essential components for supporting digestive health and cellular detoxification. We have been using this product as part of our customized 21 Day Medical Purification Program in our practice for the past 8 years with excellent results in treating inflammatory disorders, digestive imbalance and weight issues.

In health,

Dr. Gina

 

Leave a Comment » | Diet and Disease, Immune Support, Latest Nutritional Research, Purification, Toxins and Detoxification | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Dr. Gina Nick

New Study Questions the Rationale Behind Vaccinations

March 28, 2012

A new groundbreaking study published this month in the journal Immunity contradicts the basis for the use of vaccinations. The current theory is that your body must produce antibodies to a virus in order to fight a viral infection. Hence the need for vaccinations that trigger a portion of your immune system,  the adaptive response, to produce necessary antibodies that will fight the virus if you are exposed.

Now we are learning that the innate immune response, that does not require antibodies to a particular virus to fight, is effective in fighting viral infections. This portion of the immune system uses macrophages and interferons to effectively prevent fatal viral infections.

Just prior to coming across this new research, I had listened to a continuing medical education seminar on Autism treatments where a pharmacist outright stated that we should simply stop conducting any research into the link between Autism and vaccines because there is none.  In light of this new information, that questions the very basis of vaccines, and begins the exploration into other means of preventing fatal viral infections, we should certainly be investigating the effects of vaccinations on our children and newborns, and whether the risks actually outweigh the benefit.

This is the most hope I have seen regarding the vaccine controversy.  We have other options for viral protection, involving stimulation and strengthening of the body’s innate immune response, rather then its adaptive response.  Breastfeeding, homeopathic preparations, and nutritional interventions all play a role in the innate response, that will likely gain more attention in the years to come.  That is good news for those physicians and parents concerned about the damaging effects of vaccines on our children.

In health,

-Dr. Gina

4 Comments | Autism, Autism and Mercury, Immune Support, Industry News | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Dr. Gina Nick

Breast Cancer Linked to Popular Antidepressant Medication

May 7, 2011

Bloomberg reported on a research study revealing a link between female cancers and antidepressant use.

Scientists should more closely examine whether antidepressant drugs increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, according to a researcher affiliated with Harvard University whose review of 61 studies suggested a link.

The risk of cancer increased 11 percent on average for patients taking the medicines, according to a report that analyzed previous data and was published in yesterday’s issue of the peer-reviewed journal PLoS ONE. Read the full article by clicking here.

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Preparing for a CME lecture (to air on PharmCon on June 9th, and categorized as live pharmacy hours for doctors) on  augmenting the side effects and risks associated with oral contraceptives and other synthetic hormones popular among women and teen-aged girls.  In addition to a significant increased risk in various cancers,  the synthetic hormones also decrease serotonin levels, further increasing the chance of a woman being prescribed anti-depressant medications which appear to further increase her risk of cancer!

A solution could be to take well researched immunomodulators like BRM4 if you take synthetic hormones, or to avoid these hormones if at all possible and turn to more natural options like Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy.

In health and healing,

-Dr. G

Leave a Comment » | Depression, Immune Support, Pharmaceuticals, Prevention, Sickness Syndrome, Women's Health | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Dr. Gina Nick

Sickness Syndrome Depression-The Link Between Seasonal Allergies, Inflammation and Depression

April 12, 2011

A recent article in the New York Times discusses several large studies that link seasonal allergies to  depression and anxiety. The cause is an increase in inflammatory cytokines that lower serotonin levels.  This is a classic example of Sickness Syndrome Depression, a condition identified years ago and finally gaining media attention.  We often see cases of wrongly diagnosed anxiety and depression at our practice where patients are prescribed antidepressant medications instead of being treated for Sickness Syndrome Depression. To learn more about the syndrome click here. One treatment that is not yet mentioned on the site but that we have recently been using successfully in practice to treat Sickness Syndrome Depression and other psychiatric illnesses with an inflammatory component is BRM4 by Daiwa Health Development– an immunomodulator that alters levels of inflammatory cytokines throughout the body. The effective dosage is 4 capsules three times per day for 4 weeks, and then 4 capsules per day thereafter.

In health and healing,

–Dr. G

2 Comments | Depression, Immune Support, Inflammation, Latest Nutritional Research, Sickness Syndrome | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Dr. Gina Nick

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