Medical Doctors Sending More Patients to Alternative Treatments, Study Finds
Physicians referred more than one in 30 Americans – which is nearly 6.4 million people – to mind-body therapies (MBT) including yoga, tai chi, qi gong, meditation, guided imagery and more over a 12-month period, according to researchers at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Medical Center.
Sicker patients tended to be referred to alternative treatments most often, which suggests some physicians are using them as a “last resort” when all else has failed. This spurred the researchers to question whether recommending mind-body therapies to patients earlier might give them even greater benefits.
While about 41 million Americans already use some form of MBT, the fact that so many doctors are recommending it to patients is a sign that alternative treatments are catching on.
Dr. Aditi Nerurkar, an internist and integrative medicine fellow and co-author of the study, told CommonHealth:
“The cool thing for me about this research is that pursuing these alternatives has been patient-driven for years, and people don’t necessarily tell their doctors. It’s really great to see that the role of mind-body therapy in the conventional setting is becoming more widely accepted.”
Archives of Internal Medicine May 9, 2011;171(9):862-4. (PDF)
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Dr. Heather Credeur, D.C. and Dr. Brandon Credeur, D.C. of The Functional Endocrinology Center of Colorado are passionate about improving the lives and lifestyles of individuals with Type II Diabetes and Hashimoto’s Disease. Call us at 303-302-0930 to schedule your complimentary consultation.
Why We Sell Supplements
Upon visiting The Functional Endocrinology Center of Colorado, some of our patients are surprised to find that they can purchase select, high-quality supplements right in our office.
This is because, unlike a visit to your conventional health care provider, which is likely to end up with a prescription, or two, for drugs, our philosophy is to help your body regain its innate ability to heal naturally, and carefully chosen supplements are one way we help you achieve this.
The quality, and therefore the effectiveness, of supplements varies widely, with major discrepancies among purity and potency depending on brand. The supplements sold at the office of Dr. Brandon Credeur, D.C. and Dr. Heather Credeur, D.C. include only those that have passed rigorous quality control processes, in formulations that are uniquely designed to support your well-being.
In the event it appears your condition could be positively impacted by certain supplements, you’ll have immediate access to some of the highest quality products on the market.
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The Functional Endocrinology Center of Colorado is passionate about improving the lives and lifestyles of individuals with Type II Diabetes and Hashimoto’s Disease. Call us at 303-302-0930 to schedule your complimentary consultation.
More Americans Seeking Alternative Treatments
Nearly 40 percent of U.S. adults (about four in 10) use complementary and alternative medicine, including chiropractic care, natural products (such as herbs, enzymes, etc.), diet-based therapies and more, according to findings from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS).
While people of all backgrounds use alternative treatments, those most likely to seek it out are those with higher levels of education and income. The report also noted numerous chronic conditions for which complementary and alternative medicine is most frequently used, which include back and neck pain, joint pain, arthritis, anxiety, cholesterol problems, migraines and insomnia.
At The Functional Endocrinology Center of Colorado, Dr. Brandon Credeur, D.C. and Dr. Heather Credeur, D.C. embrace complementary and alternative therapies such as nutrition, botanicals and more and use them as part of their integrated approach to wellness care and treatment.
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, “The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the United States”
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The Functional Endocrinology Center of Colorado is passionate about improving the lives and lifestyles of individuals with Type II Diabetes and Hashimoto’s Disease. Call us at 303-302-0930 to schedule your complimentary consultation.
How Functional Endocrinology Can Help You Even When Allopathic Doctors Fail You
There’s a reason why The Functional Endocrinology Center of Colorado has the term “functional” in its name. This word represents the philosophy upon which Dr. Heather Credeur, D.C. and Dr. Brandon Credeur, D.C. practice, and it’s a very different philosophy than you’ll find at your typical doctor’s office.
Allopathic doctors are trained to recognize signs and symptoms of disease. They then typically prescribe drugs or surgery to treat those disease symptoms. There are two very important problems with this medical model:
- It does not treat the underlying cause of the symptoms
- It does not help people to prevent disease, only treat symptoms after disease is already present
The practice of Functional Endocrinology, on the other hand, helps people to remain disease-free by recognizing early warning signs and addressing the root cause of disease using lifestyle changes. For instance, while your lab tests may appear normal according to an allopathic physician, there are always “optimal” ranges within the normal range. If your results are at the far ends of “normal” it’s often a sign that your body is on its way to a disease state.
Functional Endocrinology helps to identify the subtle warning signs that your body has underlying systemic imbalances often before disease strikes. And if you already have a condition such as diabetes or hypothyroidism, Functional Endocrinology will help you uncover and address the root cause so you can recover naturally.
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The Functional Endocrinology Center of Colorado is passionate about improving the lives and lifestyles of individuals with Type II Diabetes and Hashimoto’s Disease. Call us at 303-302-0930 to schedule your complimentary consultation.
FECC names CEO
Dr. Brandon Credeur, DC, and Dr. Heather Credeur, DC, have announced the appointment of Pam Watson Korbel as CEO of the Functional Endocrinology Center of Colorado.
Pam will oversee the company’s expansion nationally including its brand and operations. Pam served as interim CEO since February 2010 and takes the permanent role Feburary 1, 2011.
Previously, she served as CEO of a California software firm that was a finalist for the Inc. Magazine Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and owns the Colorado-based consulting firm SmartGrowth, Inc. She holds an MBA from Creighton University.
Pam may be contacted directly at 720-210-9098 or at pwatsonkorbel@drcredeur.com.
8 Top New Year’s Resolutions for a Healthy 2011
It’s the start of a new year, a time to first reflect on the year that’s passed and make new goals for the year to come. No matter how your year is starting out — whether you’re facing challenges or on cloud nine — the choices you make now can make 2011 your best year yet.
Picture your new calendar as a clean slate, an opportunity to wipe away your past mistakes and fill the pages with new, positive outcomes. You now have a chance to create the year — the life — you wish you had, and that all starts by supporting your health.
I urge you this January to begin to regard your health as your greatest, most valuable possession, and to take the steps necessary to prevent chronic disease and illness and instead experience vitality and well-being both inside and out.
Really, it’s only when you feel healthy and alive that you’ll be able to move on to other goals in your life, as feeling great is a necessary stepping stone to achieving all that you ultimately desire!
So this year as you plan out your New Year’s resolutions … or even as you simply ponder the weeks and months to come … be sure to add these positive and empowering steps to your daily life — and kick off 2011 right!
1. Eat Protein and Veggies at Every Meal: Your body needs protein to feel full and know it’s time to stop eating, and you need veggies for all their wonderful antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner, make protein (eggs, lean meat, fish) and vegetables your staples.
2. Stay Active: Exercise really is important, so be sure you’re staying active for at least 30 minutes five days a week or more. But remember to mix it up, incorporating jogging, dancing, strength training, yoga, kick-boxing, rebounding and more for their different benefits, and for the fun of it.
3. Turn Off the TV: You may be surprised how much more time you have in a day once you give up, or reduce, your TV time. And that’s time you can spend enriching your mind with books, taking a class at a community college, learning a new hobby or just talking with your friends and family.
4. Sleep: You’ve got a lot to get done in a day, but don’t skimp on your sleep as a result. You need proper sleep to heal and recover each day, as well as deal with stress and restore your energy. Ideally, try to go to sleep at the same time each night and awake at the same time each morning so your body gets into a regular sleep routine.
5. Relax: Both your body and your mind need down time to function optimally, so don’t feel guilty for taking time just for you. In fact, you should take “me time” every day, even if it’s just 20 minutes in the morning to meditate or an hour at the gym during your lunch hour. Also schedule regular relaxation holidays to relax and regroup for 24 hours or more at a time. You can take a vacation during this time or even just spend time at home doing things you want to do, instead of those you have to do.
6. Laugh and Smile: It’s easy to take life too seriously and lightening things up with laughter is a great way to improve both your physical and mental health. Try to see the funny side of life often, and if you’re upset ask yourself if this problem will matter in a week, a month or a year. Chances are the answer is no, so let it go and get back to focusing on the bright side.
7. Spend Time With Friends: People with lots of social connections live longer than those who are isolated, and it’s no wonder why. Visiting with friends and family nourishes your mind and body and, if your friends are like-minded, can also make it easier for you to stick with your healthful diet and exercise goals.
8. Find a Health Care Practitioner You Trust: Keeping an eye on your health is important at any age, and it’s essential that you have a health care practitioner who will be proactive at helping you prevent illness and stay well, rather than just treat disease after the fact. You should not be treated like a number; rather you should work with a health care team that regards you as an individual and a whole person, not just a list of symptoms.
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The Functional Endocrinology Center of Colorado is passionate about improving the lives and lifestyles of individuals with Type II Diabetes and Hashimoto’s Disease. Call us at 303-302-0930 to schedule your complimentary consultation.
Holiday Foods for Diabetic, Gluten-Free Diets
At our Holiday Patient Appreciation event held December 8, our staff baked and served food appropriate for diabetic and gluten-free diets, like people with Hypothyroidism and Diabetes whom we serve. In addition Chris Stewart from our staff did a cooking demonstration. Here are all the recipes to enjoy during our holidays. Some of these recipies have been adapted from recipes that appear at www.elanaspantry.com, which has several other good recipes.
Gluten Free Sesame Crackers
3 cups blanched almond flour
1½ teaspoons celtic sea salt
1 cup sesame seeds
2 eggs, whisked until frothy
2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together almond flour, salt, sesame seeds, eggs and oil until well blended
- Separate dough into two halves
- Line two large (12 x 16) stainless steel baking sheets with parchment paper
- Place one half of the dough in the center of each lined sheet
- Cut another piece of parchment paper and place it over one of the balls of dough
- Roll dough out between the two pieces of parchment paper , until it is ⅛ inch thick and covers the entire baking sheet; remove top paper and repeat process with the other piece of dough
- Cut the dough with a knife or pizza cutter into 2 inch squares
- Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown
- Cool and serve
Makes 96 crackers
Chocolate Bark
3 tablespoons grapeseed oil
6 tablespoons xylitol
2 cups pecans
½ teaspoon celtic sea salt
½ teaspoon cayenne
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
3 cups dark chocolate chips 73% cacao
- In a large skillet, heat oil and agave until bubbling
- Add pecans and stir until they are well coated, then mix in salt and seasonings
- Cook for 4 minutes, then remove pan from heat
- Place nuts on a parchment lined baking sheet
- Place sheet in a 400° oven and roast for 4 minutes, remove from oven and cool completely
- In a separate saucepan over very low heat, melt chocolate
- Pour chocolate into a parchment lined 13 x 9 glass dish
- Break up the pecans and sprinkle over the chocolate
- Using a metal spatula, spread the mixture evenly back and forth to ½ inch thickness
- Allow to sit out until set, 1-2 hours
- Cut into squares and serve
CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES – GLUTEN FREE
2 ½ cups blanched almond flour
½ teaspoon celtic sea salt
¼ cup xylitol
½ cup grapeseed oil
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup dark chocolate chips 73% cacao
- In a large bowl, combine almond flour and salt
- In a smaller bowl, combine grapeseed oil, agave and vanilla
- Stir wet ingredients into dry
- Chill dough in freezer for 30 minutes
- Between 2 pieces of parchment paper , roll out dough 1/4 to 1/8 inch thick
- Using a 2 inch cookie cutter or the top of a 2 inch wide jelly jar, cut out cookies
- Bake at 350° on a parchment lined baking sheet for 5-7 minutes until brown around the edges
- Cool for ½ hour
- In a small saucepan, melt chocolate over very low heat, stirring continuously
- Remove saucepan from heat and one by one, dip cookies into chocolate
- Set cookies to cool on a parchment lined baking sheet –refrigerate if necessary to harden chocolate
Gluten Free Cranberry Bars
1 cup raw pecans
5 dates, pitted
1 tablespoon grapeseed oil
¼ teaspoon celtic sea salt
6 cups fresh cranberries, picked over (discard bad ones)
1 cup xylitol
1 tablespoon orange zest
- Place pecans and dates in a food processor and pulse until coarsely ground
- Pulse in oil and salt until mixture begins to form a ball
- Press crust into an 8×8 inch greased baking dish
- Bake at 350° for 8-12 minutes until lightly browned
- To make cranberry topping, place 4 cups cranberries, agave and orange zest in a pot on the stove
- Bring mixture to a boil, then cover and reduce to a simmer 10-15 minutes, until cranberries start to dissolve
- Add remaining 2 cups cranberries and cook covered for 5 more minutes
- Remove mixture from heat and allow to cool for 10 minutes
- Pour mixture over pecan crust
- Allow bars to set for 60-90 minutes
- Serve
Gluten Free Almond Butter Blondies
1 (16) ounce jar creamy roasted almond butter
1 cup agave nectar
2 eggs
½ teaspoon celtic sea salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup dark chocolate chips 73% cacao
- In a large bowl, with a hand blender, mix almond butter until creamy
- Mix in agave and eggs
- Add salt and baking soda
- Mix well with hand blender until all ingredients are thoroughly combined
- Mix half of the chocolate into the batter
- Pour batter into a well greased 9 x 13 inch pyrex baking dish
- Scatter the other half of the chocolate on top of the batter
- Bake at 325° for 35 minutes
- Serve
Lemon Lavender Cookies
1 ¼ cups blanched almond flour
¼ teaspoon celtic sea salt
¼ teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons dried lavender, finely minced
¼ cup grapeseed oil
3 tablespoons xylitol
1 tablespoon lemon zest
- Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl
- Stir together wet ingredients in a smaller bowl
- Mix wet ingredients into dry
- Form ½ inch balls and press onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet
- Bake at 350° for 7-10 minutes
- Cool and serve
Makes about a dozen cookies
Almond Joy Chocolate Bark
1 ½ cups dark chocolate chips 73% cacao
½ cup almonds, toasted
¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut (toasted at 350° for 6-8 minutes)
- Melt chocolate over very low heat
- Pour chocolate into a parchment lined 8×8 inch baking dish
- Scatter almonds and 3 tablespoons of coconut over chocolate
- Using a spatula spread the mixture evenly back and forth to ½ inch thickness
- Sprinkle remaining tablespoon of coconut on top of mixture
- Place bark in fridge for 2 hours to set
- Break into square bars
From the Cooking Demonstration
MY FAVORITE BRINED AND ROASTED CHICKEN
This takes 3-4 days to complete the brining process, but it is easy to put together on a week night and cook over the weekend.
To 4 quarts of water, add 3 tablespoons of kosher salt and 3 tablespoons of sugar. Stir until dissolved.
In a small saucepan add ¼ cup of water, 2 bay leaves, and 1 dried New Mexico Chile. Bring to a boil and cook for one minute. Allow to cool and add to the salt/sugar mixture. Add the chicken(s) to the brine and refrigerate for 2-3 days. At the end of the brining remove the chicken and place on a metal rack over a baking sheet. Refrigerate overnight uncovered. This allows the skin to dry out and it will result in a great crisp, brown skin.
I stuff the chicken cavity with lemons and garlic or whatever is in my vegetable bin. Rub the skin with melted butter or olive oil and bake at 400 degrees until done. This results in a moist and flavorable chicken, either hot or cold.
BASIC VINAGARETTE SALAD DRESSING
2 Tbls Lemon Juice
1/3 cup Olive Oil
1 tsp KosherSalt
½ tsp Ground Pepper
Put all ingredients into a jar and shake until mixed.
I do lots of variations of this dressing. I may add a clove of garlic, a teaspoon of Dijon mustard, any fresh herbs I have available. I also may change the ratio of lemon juice to olive oil. On the buckwheat pasta I like to use equal parts of olive oil and lemon juice. Don’t hesitate to experiment!
SHAVED ZUCCHINI SALAD WITH PINE NUTS
This is a great no cook salad to accompany a protein
2 lbs small zucchini
1/2 cup chopped basil
¼ cup pine nuts
¼ tsp crushed red pepper
Vignarette Dressin
Using a vegetable peeler slice zucchini into ribbons, about 1/8 inch thick. Place ribbons in large bowl. Add pine nuts, basil and crushed red pepper. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Toss with vinagarette.
BUCKWHEAT PASTA SALAD
1 package Buckwheat Past
Roasted Red Peppers
Scallions
Cherry Tomatoes
Sliced chicken, steak or pork
Cook buckwheat pasta according to package directions. Add desired vegetables and meat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add vignarette and refrigerate. You may need to add additional dressing after the pasta sits. This tastes best after a few hours to overnight.
The Functional Endocrinology Center of Colorado specializes in helping patients with Type II Diabetes and Hypothyroidism. To learn more about our services go to www.drcredeur.com. To schedule a free consultation, call 303-302-0933.
What to Expect During Treatment
Coming to the Functional Endocrinology Center of Colorado in Denver is the first step in a lifelong path to wellness. For many patients, it’s a vastly different experience than they’ve had at any other physician’s office — and the difference is often what makes their health progress so significant.
First, a word about what you will NOT find here.
At the Functional Endocrinology Center of Colorado you will NOT be treated like one of the faceless masses … nor will you be subjected to a hurried cookie-cutter approach to your health challenges. You are an individual, and your health program will be too.
Whether you are embarking on a journey to overcome type 2 diabetes or hypothyroidism, you can expect to receive customized care from doctors who understand your frustrations and your setbacks, and who are truly passionate about helping you to restore your health.
From the moment you walk through our doors, you will enter a health care setting that regards you as a whole person — not just a list of symptoms — and offers holistic treatments geared toward helping you achieve total wellness.
As your treatment begins, here’s an idea of what to expect:
1. Comprehensive Testing: You will undergo initial testing to diagnose the root mechanisms involved with type 2 diabetes/hypothyroidism. Many of the tests we regard as routine are overlooked by conventional physicians and therefore offer a much more in-depth and comprehensive overview of your health challenges.
2. Comprehensive Testing to Substantiate Positive Results: When a test comes back positive, we don’t stop there. We conduct a series of additional tests to substantiate the initial findings and offer further insights into your specific condition.
3. Results You Can Feel: Patients at the Functional Endocrinology Center of Colorado don’t wonder if their programs are working … they feel it. You can expect a range of symptomatic results including more energy, weight loss without exercise, improved sleep, an enhanced sense of well-being and a decreased need for (or complete elimination of) drugs.
4. Amazing Customer Service: Every member of our staff is a professional and will treat you with the care, confidentiality and respect you deserve.
5. Doctors Who Really Listen and Spend Time With You: You will NOT feel like a number in our office, as our doctors are truly caring, compassionate people. They want to listen and, in fact, depend on hearing all the details of your health issues so they can develop the best treatment plan possible. You will not be belittled or rushed, or told your symptoms are “all in your head.”
6. Hope: Many people who come to our office have been dealing with health complaints for years. They’ve seen numerous doctors with few results and are beginning to give up. But here at the Functional Endocrinology Center of Colorado, giving up is not an option … nor is it necessary. We offer hope to everyone who walks through our doors … and your hope will only increase as you begin to experience the results.
7. Customized Care: Your treatment program will be unique to you and you alone, unlike at most other offices where one drug is typically prescribed to everyone with the same “disease.” But make no mistake — health conditions do not react the same in every person. For instance, if both you and your sibling have hypothyroidism, your symptoms and underlying causes could vary widely. And so, too, should your preferred treatments.
8. Accessibility to Doctors and Support Staff: If you have a question or concern while undergoing treatment, you will always have a wide array of support available. We encourage phone calls and regular communication throughout all steps of your treatment plan.
9. To Find Out the Underlying Causes of Your Condition: We will not move forward with treatment at any stage unless the doctor understands the mechanisms causing your symptoms or disease. It is only by identifying these underlying causes that you will be able to achieve true wellness.
10. NOT to be Prescribed Another Drug: At the Functional Endocrinology Center of Colorado we believe that the answer to every problem is NOT another drug. Our treatment programs touch on aspects of treating disease that most conventional physicians miss completely, and it is through these alternative routes that we’re able to help so many people restore their health without drugs.
Are you ready to start your journey to wellness? Contact us to schedule an appointment or see if you qualify for a FREE, NO OBLIGATION Diabetes or Thyroid Assessment now.
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The Functional Endocrinology Center of Colorado is passionate about improving the lives and lifestyles of individuals with Type II Diabetes and Hashimoto’s Disease. Call us at 303-302-0930 to schedule your complimentary consultation.
Thyroid Hormones Found in Natural Weight Loss Pills
Losing weight is an important part of staying fit and healthy as you get older, but you may want to think twice before turning to weight loss pills, even those that claim to be natural.
In an analysis of 81 over-the-counter slimming products, researchers found a mix of 12 potentially harmful agents that were not declared on the labels. Among them were:
- Prescription weight-loss drugs
- Drug analogues
- Banned drugs
- Drugs used for inappropriate indication
- Animal thyroid tissue
In the worst offenders, up to six different illicit substances were detected in a single dose. The products are suspected to be involved in 66 poisoning cases, one of which proved fatal. Also, since they include thyroid hormone, these weight loss pills have the potential to disrupt your thyroid hormones.
Many of these weight loss pills are available online and in local stores, so be wary of taking any such products. The findings were significant enough that researchers encouraged physicians seeing patients with “strange symptoms” to ask them if they’re taking over-the-counter weight loss pills.
If you need to lose weight, opt for safe solutions like modifying your diet and exercise programs rather than risking your thyroid and overall health with weight loss pills that could contain dangerous ingredients.
British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology October 13, 2010
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The Functional Endocrinology Center of Colorado is passionate about improving the lives and lifestyles of individuals with Type II Diabetes and Hashimoto’s Disease. Call us at 303-302-0930 to schedule your complimentary consultation.
Health Risks of Insulin Resistance … Beyond Diabetes
It’s well known that insulin resistance typically occurs prior to type 2 diabetes. You can be insulin resistant for years before developing the disease, and often a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes is a person’s first sign that they are in fact insulin resistant.
But this diabetes precursor can wreak havoc on your health independent of diabetes, and serious health risks can surface even in those without the disease.
For starters, people with insulin resistance are at an increased risk of stroke, according to a new study by University of Miami researchers. In the study of over 1,500 non-diabetic participants, those in the top quarter of insulin resistance had a 45 percent greater risk of vascular events, including stroke and heart attack.
Other health conditions linked with insulin resistance include fatty liver, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), reproductive problems in women, growth abnormalities and skin conditions, including skin tags and acanthosis nigricans, which are dark patches of skin in neck, arm and other creases.
When you are insulin resistant, your cells are no longer as sensitive to the effects of insulin, which means higher levels are needed in order for you to function properly. This is a bad sign for your health, as insulin at high levels can:
- Shorten your life expectancy
- Lead to weight gain
- Cause even more insulin resistance
- Lead to heart disease and increases in blood pressure
- Increase your risk of developing cancer
Because insulin resistance is a marker for so many health conditions, and also signals that your body is heading for type 2 diabetes, it’s important to have your health care practitioner screen you for this condition, and take action if you have it.
The good news is that, although some cases of insulin resistance may be passed on through families, typically the condition can be reversed with lifestyle changes. Losing weight, cleaning up your diet and exercising regularly are all steps that can dramatically lower your risk of becoming insulin resistant in the first place, and reverse the condition if you already have it.
So if you’re diagnosed with insulin resistance, take it as a warning sign and not a lifelong label. By making lifestyle changes now — the guidance of a holistic health care practitioner may help you formulate a plan and stick to it — you can avoid the type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart attack and more that are associated with this condition.
Quite simply, if you have the desire, you have the power to make insulin resistance disappear completely.
Archives of Neurology October 2010; 67(10):1195-200.
ScienceDaily.com October 12, 2010
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The Functional Endocrinology Center of Colorado is passionate about improving the lives and lifestyles of individuals with Type II Diabetes and Hashimoto’s Disease. Call us at 303-302-0930 to schedule your complimentary consultation.
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