Dr. Matthew Lewis, DC
Dr. Matthew Lewis, DC

Diagnosing and Treating Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS)

By |2023-11-06T16:49:08-05:00November 6th, 2023|Categories: Environmentally Acquired Illness, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity|Tags: , , , , , |0 Comments

Some medical conditions are relatively easy to diagnose with a standard blood test, urine test, or medical imaging. Among them are diabetes, anemia, impaired kidney or liver function, certain thyroid disorders, and certain infections and cancers.

However, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) isn’t one of those conditions. In order to diagnose MCS, doctors must first be aware of the condition, and then generally must rely on a clinical diagnosis — a trained doctor’s best guess based on the signs and symptoms of the illness and the patient’s medical history, rather than on lab tests or medical imaging.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Graphic

That’s a problem, because most conventional doctors have trouble accepting that multiple chemical sensitivity is a bona fide illness, and without hard evidence, such as that provided by lab tests or medical imaging, patients can’t prove that they have a medical condition. I often see patients who have been suffering with MCS for years on end. They’ve been to a half dozen doctors or more who’ve been unable to offer any explanation for their symptoms. In some cases, their doctors have gone so far as to suggest that nothing is medically wrong with them, or even led them to believe that “it’s all in your head.”

I’m here to tell you that if you’re experiencing symptoms of multiple chemical sensitivity — which I will describe in this post — you have a real medical condition. It’s certainly not a figment of your imagination, and you’re not a hypochondriac. I’m also here to tell you that bona fide medical treatments are available to alleviate your symptoms and put you back on the road to recovery.

Understanding Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a medical condition that causes a person to react to low levels of certain chemicals in their environment, such as the following:

  • Cleaning products
  • Detergents
  • Off-gassing from furniture or building materials
  • Paint
  • Perfumes and other fragrances
  • Pesticides
  • Plastics
  • Tobacco smoke
  • Vehicle exhaust fumes

Electromagnetic fields may also pose a risk to some individuals.

While most people without MCS tolerate low levels of these chemicals, people with MCS react to them. It’s not technically an allergic reaction, but it can trigger allergy-like symptoms that cause discomfort or negatively impact your quality of life.

Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

Multiple chemical sensitivity symptoms differ among individuals who have the condition, but generally include one or more of the following: Continue reading…

Diagnosing and Treating Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)

By |2023-10-09T19:01:14-04:00October 9th, 2023|Categories: Mast Cells|Tags: , , , |0 Comments

Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) is a complex and often misunderstood disorder of the immune system that occurs when mast cells — a type of white blood cell — trigger an excessive inflammatory response.

MCAS can cause a range of symptoms, including skin rashes, itching, flushing, bloating, constipation or diarrhea, difficulty breathing, fatigue, headaches, joint and muscle pain, and neurological symptoms. It often makes people hypersensitive to foods they never had a problem eating in the past.

Based on their symptoms, patients with MCAS are often diagnosed as having allergies, asthma, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS), an inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis), or another medical condition. Meanwhile, their underlying MCAS, which is the root cause of their symptoms, remains undiagnosed and untreated.

Illustration of Mast Cell

If you’re experiencing the symptoms I described or you’ve been diagnosed as having one of the conditions I mentioned, you’ve probably been prescribed medication to alleviate your symptoms. Medication for symptom relief may be effective to some degree for a period of time, but it doesn’t fully address the underlying issue. As a result, you’re likely to continue to suffer.

Through this post, I’m hoping to increase awareness of mast cell activation syndrome, so more patients can get the right diagnosis and effective treatment.

Identifying Your Triggers

When they function properly, your mast cells play an important role in protecting your body against pathogens, such as infectious bacteria and viruses. When these cells perceive a potential threat, they release chemical mediators — including histamine — to launch a rapid immune response intended to destroy and eliminate the pathogen.

However, when these cells become overly sensitive, they release chemical mediators in response to non-threatening triggers. Sometimes, they release too much. Triggers vary among individuals and may include the following: Continue reading…

Is a B12 Deficiency Making You Sick?

By |2023-09-20T16:30:56-04:00September 20th, 2023|Categories: B12 Deficiency|Tags: , , |0 Comments

B12 deficiency can sneak up on you. You’re feeling strong and energetic, thinking clearly, feeling upbeat, and then gradually, maybe over the course of several months or even years, you begin to notice that you’ve lost the pep in your step.

Your mind and memory aren’t as sharp as they once were. Even mildly strenuous physical activity leaves you breathing hard, and instead of feeling pumped up after exercise, you feel exhausted.

What happened?

B12 Deficiency Graphic

Without a thorough workup, complete with analysis of targeted lab tests, you’ll never know what’s causing you to feel rundown. It could be stress, a lack of (or too much) exercise, a buildup of environmental toxins, or an undiagnosed infection. Or it might be any number of nutritional deficiencies, a combination of those deficiencies, or countless other possible contributing factors.

That’s why I always recommend consulting with a healthcare professional who is attached to a functional medicine practice and obtaining a complete workup and personalized plan of care before starting any treatment, or even taking an over-the-counter supplement. Until you test, you don’t know the root cause of what’s ailing you or what your body may be lacking.

A complete workup often reveals numerous contributing factors and root causes, and one common factor is a vitamin B12 deficiency. Unfortunately, diagnosing and treating B12 deficiency and its underlying cause(s) is more complicated than just ordering a blood test and taking a B12 supplement. In this post, I explain why. But first, it’s important to recognize the symptoms and possible causes of B12 deficiency.

Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Vitamin B12 plays an important role in physiological processes that affect different systems in the body. As a result, symptoms of B12 deficiency can vary considerably, both in symptom type and severity. Here are some common symptoms associated with B12 deficiency:

  • Fatigue and weakness: Feeling unusually tired and weak is one of the most common symptoms of B12 deficiency. This is because B12 is essential for the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body.
  • Anemia: B12 deficiency can lead to a type of anemia called megaloblastic anemia. In this condition, red blood cells are larger and fewer in number, which can result in reduced oxygen-carrying capacity and lead to fatigue, pale skin, and shortness of breath.
  • Nervous system dysfunction: B12 plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of the nervous system. Deficiency can lead to symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or a “pins and needles” sensation in the hands and feet. It can also cause difficulty walking, balance problems, and even affect cognitive functions including memory and concentration.
  • Neuropsychiatric symptoms: B12 deficiency has been associated with mood changes, including depression, anxiety, and irritability. Some individuals may experience more severe neurological symptoms like confusion, memory loss, and even hallucinations in severe cases.
  • Digestive problems: B12 deficiency can lead to digestive issues, such as loss of appetite, weight loss, and constipation.
  • Glossitis and mouth ulcers: Deficiency of B12 can cause inflammation of the tongue (glossitis) and mouth ulcers.
  • Yellowing of the skin: In severe cases, B12 deficiency can affect the liver’s ability to process bilirubin, leading to jaundice and yellowing of the skin and eyes.
  • Heart palpitations and shortness of breath: B12 deficiency can impact the cardiovascular system, leading to palpitations and a rapid heartbeat. Shortness of breath can also occur due to the reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
  • Vision changes: Some individuals with B12 deficiency may experience blurred vision or changes in vision.

Recognizing the Causes of B12 Deficiency

Treating vitamin B12 deficiency requires more than just supplementing with B12. I always recommend that you first need to identify and address the root cause of the deficiency. In addition, knowing what’s causing it can help you make better informed decisions about the B12 supplement that’s likely to be most effective. Vitamin B12 deficiency can manifest in several different types, each with distinct causes and characteristics: Continue reading…

Benefits of Boosting Human Growth Hormone (HGH) for Recovery and Resilience

By |2023-09-07T19:30:38-04:00September 7th, 2023|Categories: Peptides|Tags: , , , , , , , |0 Comments

For many of us, as children and teenagers and even into our 30s, we found ourselves strong and energetic, recovering quickly after moderate and even intense exercise, and often immune to daily aches and pains. As we aged beyond those years, however, we started to lose our stamina and ability to quickly recover.

More and more exercise is required just to maintain our strength, flexibility, and vitality. It takes longer for us to recover from those exercise sessions, and we’re more susceptible to injury. Why is this? What do we lack in our later years that we had in abundance in our youth?

The answer is human growth hormone (HGH). HGH stimulates and regulates the growth and lifecycle of nearly every cell in the body. And when you reach the age of about 30 years, your pituitary gland releases less and less HGH with each passing year. This decline can occur rapidly, and to be clear, it is a normal part of aging. However, this reduction of HGH is largely responsible for many of the signs associated with aging:

  • Lower energy
  • Decreased muscle mass and inability to build new muscle
  • Increased difficulty losing or maintaining weight
  • Weakened immune system
  • Decreased healing efficiency
  • Other signs of physical and mental aging

Today, I want you to know that by working with functional medicine-focused doctor, you can work on reversing this process and boost HGH in two ways:

  • Directly via injections of synthetic human growth hormone, which is typically recommended only for people whose pituitary gland is damaged or dysfunctional
  • Indirectly by stimulating the pituitary gland to release more human growth hormone that your body produces naturally

Stimulating the Pituitary Gland to Release More HGH Naturally

Stimulating the pituitary gland to release more human growth hormone is the safer way to increase HGH, and there are several ways to do it: Continue reading…

Restoring Gastrointestinal Health and Function: Part Two — Testing and Treatment

By |2023-08-28T20:28:20-04:00August 28th, 2023|Categories: Gut Health|Tags: , , , , , , |0 Comments

Welcome Part Two in my series on gastrointestinal (gut) health and function. In Part One, I covered several ways that the gut supports overall health, explained common factors that can impair gut health and function, and described obvious and not-so-obvious symptoms that can arise when gut health is compromised. In this part, I turn my focus to testing for gut dysfunction and restoring and optimizing gut health and function.

Graphic for Digestive Repair Protocol

Testing to Rule Out or Confirm and Identify Gut Issues

Based on our initial consultation and examination, I may suspect that the health issues you are experiencing are related to your digestive system. However, testing is required to confirm any suspicion I may have (or rule it out) and to identify more precisely what is going on. If I suspect that gut dysfunction may be at the root of your symptoms, I will recommend one or more of the following tests:

  • GI Map Stool: This comprehensive study of bacteria, viruses, parasites, and digestive function checks for leaky gut, inflammatory bowel disease, gluten sensitivity, blood loss, and pancreatic enzymes.
  • Microbial Organic Acids Test (MOAT): This urine test checks for overgrowth of potentially harmful bacteria and yeasts, levels of beneficial bacteria, and metabolic issues. Organic acids are metabolic intermediates involved in several processes, including energy production, detoxification, and the breakdown of neurotransmitters. Levels of specific organic acids serve as valuable indicators of digestive function.
  • SIBO Breath Test: This test measures gases produced by bacteria in the small intestine. Results can help identify a bacterial overgrowth.
  • Abdominal/Liver Sonogram: This exam is often used to check for fatty liver, which can disrupt metabolism and detoxification pathways. Results reveal any signs of inflammation or indications of any blockage of bile flow from the gallbladder. Based on the results, I may refer you to a gastroenterologist for an endoscopy or colonoscopy and follow-up treatment.
  • Pelvic Sonogram: This exam may reveal uterine fibroids or cysts that can cause abdominal discomfort, pain, and altered digestion. If I think a transvaginal sonogram is required, I will refer you to a gynecologist.

I may also recommend the elimination of certain inflammatory foods from the diet, such as dairy, sugary foods or beverages, alcohol, fried foods, or refined carbohydrates to determine whether certain foods or classes of foods trigger or worsen symptoms.

Targeting the Three Factors That Impact Gut Health and Function

Gut health is complex but can best be understood by examining the following three factors that play a pivotal role in gut health and function: Continue reading…

Restoring Gastrointestinal Health and Function: Part One — Causes and Symptoms

By |2023-08-21T18:19:30-04:00August 21st, 2023|Categories: Gut Health|Tags: , , , , , , , , |0 Comments

Many of my patients are surprised when I recommend a gut repair and restore protocol as part of their personalized treatment plan.

“What does my gut have to do with my sinus allergies?” they ask, or “How will repairing and restoring my gut improve my mood and energy?” These are fair questions. The link between the gut and certain illnesses is counterintuitive — at least on the surface.

But that should come as no surprise. Since the earliest days of medicine, physicians have recognized the importance of gut health and function on overall health. In fact, Greek physician Hippocrates, widely considered the father of Western medicine, claimed that “all disease starts in the gut.”

Graphic for why gut health matters

In this two-part series, I explore the vital role that the gastrointestinal system (the gut) plays in overall health, symptoms that frequently accompany gastrointestinal dysfunction, and the four-step protocol I often use with patients to restore and optimize gut health and function.

How the Gut Supports Overall Health

Although I wouldn’t go so far as to say all disease starts in the gut, the gut does have a positive impact on health in many ways, including the following: Continue reading…

Get Energized: Increase Your NAD+ Levels

By |2023-08-01T16:01:32-04:00August 1st, 2023|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: , , , |0 Comments

As we age, it’s natural for us to feel less energetic. Age does that to people. It’s not that we’re running out of energy. After all, we fill our bellies several times a day with enough food to power us through the day. Problem is, as we age our bodies don’t burn that fuel as efficiently as they once did.

It’s similar to what happens with a car over time. The air filter gets dirty, fuel injectors get clogged, spark plugs wear out, carbon builds up on the pistons and cylinders, and suddenly a car that had great pickup and was getting 30 miles a gallon is sluggish and getting only about 20 mpg.

When it comes to our bodies, we have other factors working against us, including   contaminants in our air, food, and water; stress; poor sleep; infections; chronic illnesses too numerous to mention; and even alcohol, caffeine, and medications. When we’re young, our bodies can compensate for this daily wear and tear. As we age, we become less resilient.

The mitochondria (the energy plants within cells) don’t produce energy as efficiently as they once did. The telomers, which keep the strands of our DNA from unraveling, become shorter. And the various systems of the body (i.e., digestive, respiratory, circulatory, and so on) function less efficiently.

To restore proper function, we need a tune-up, and one of the primary objectives of such a tune-up is to increase our Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) levels.

What Is NAD+?

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is a chemical compound present in every cell of the body. It serves as an essential cofactor — a substance that enzymes rely on to perform various fundamental physiological processes. NAD+ is the oxidized version of the compound that’s more biologically available in the body.

Numerous scientific reviews and peer reviewed studies have associated low levels of NAD+ with aging and chronic disease. Scientific evidence now demonstrates that a decline in cellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a feature of aging and may play a role in the process. In other words, low NAD+ isn’t merely a symptom of aging; it actually causes aging.

Low NAD+ has been linked to numerous age-related diseases, including: Continue reading…

Semax: A Therapeutic Peptide for Brain Health and Function

By |2023-07-05T17:39:02-04:00July 5th, 2023|Categories: Peptides|Tags: , , , |1 Comment

Brain health and function are at the very core of our physical, mental, and emotional health and wellbeing. The brain supports — and in many ways orchestrates — cognitive, sensory, motor, social, emotional, and behavioral functions.

Our brain serves as the command center for the body’s central and peripheral nervous systems, controlling nearly every other system of the body — circulatory, respiratory, digestive, muscular, and so on. It is the center of our thoughts and memories, enabling us to learn, work, and be creative and innovative. It’s also the center of our emotions. Thanks to our brains, we can not only live but enjoy our lives and fully realize our potential.

Anything that positively impacts brain health and function enhances our overall health and the quality of our lives, including healthy diet, long-term learning / education, clean water, fresh air, physical activity, intellectual challenges, and constructive relationships.

Many medications and supplements on the market can also be helpful in supporting brain health and function, including omega-3 fatty acids, L-theanine, phosphatidylserine, resveratrol, creatine, choline, ginkgo biloba, B vitamins, vitamin E, caffeine, and others. Currently, my supplement of choice for supporting, restoring, and enhancing brain function is Semax.

Semax peptide illustrated

What Is Semax?

Semax is a therapeutic peptide based on the molecular structure of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) — a hormone produced and secreted by the pituitary gland to stimulate the release of cortisol (the stress hormone) from the adrenal gland. Semax is best known for having the following three properties: Continue reading…

Is There a Miracle Cure for Rotator Cuff and Other Joint Injuries?

By |2023-06-15T18:24:33-04:00June 15th, 2023|Categories: Peptides|Tags: , |3 Comments

If you think you’ve tried every treatment in the books for your rotator cuff injury or any other joint injury, think again. I’ve experienced rotator cuff injuries — including frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) in both shoulders.

 

Visual graphic showing Rotator Cuff

 

My injuries didn’t require surgery but over the course of 24 months I tried the following conventional and alternative treatments:

  • Physical therapy: Eight weeks. I was in too much pain for anything good to happen. The ice felt good — that always provides some relief.
  • Acupuncture: Four weeks. No relief.
  • Massage: Once or twice a week for more than a year. Sometimes it helped; other times it amplified the pain.
  • Chiropractic: Multiple adjustments to my neck. Alleviated some pain, but relief was only temporary.
  • Stretching: Stretching plays a critical role in healing, but it did not resolve the problem.
  • Vitamins and anti-inflammatory herbs: May have helped, but I took them over the course of two years and continued to experience pain and stiffness.
  • Prolotherapy injections: Short for “proliferation therapy,” this process jumpstarts the body’s regenerative mechanisms to promote healing. The injections may have helped with healing, but the pain and stiffness remained.
  • Platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections: These injections, which have the potential to promote healing, delivered little, if any, relief.
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Two to three days max to avoid any liver damage. Didn’t do much for me.
  • Cortisone injection: I suffered one of these injections so I could go on vacation and not be miserable. It worked for a good four or five days, but then the pain returned to its baseline level.

That’s everything I tried that didn’t work. Later in this post, I reveal what did work for me, but first I want to go into a little background about what the rotator cuff is, the telltale signs of a rotator cuff injury, and the conventional treatment options, which may or may not provide relief and promote healing depending on the nature and severity of the injury.

Understanding What the Rotator Cuff Is

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint and stabilize the arm during complex motions, such as swinging a pickle ball paddle or throwing a ball. When these muscles or tendons become inflamed or are strained or torn, they can Continue reading…

Enhancing the Body’s Self-Healing Properties with BPC-157

By |2023-06-07T19:34:19-04:00June 7th, 2023|Categories: Peptides|Tags: , , , , , , |1 Comment

Imagine a car that maintains and repairs itself. All you need to do is fuel it up, change the oil and other fluids occasionally, and it remains in tip-top condition for decades. As parts wear down, they are rejuvenated within hours. If there’s an accident, it might take a couple of weeks for the dents to pop out, leaving your car looking like new.

That’s pretty much how a healthy human body reacts to proper care, and it’s amazing. Cut your finger, and within days, the tissue repairs itself. Properly set a broken bone, and within six to 12 weeks, it’s almost like new. Plagued by stomach ulcers? Identify and address the cause, and those ulcers heal in a matter of two to eight weeks. 

Given the right supports, the body may even be able to heal itself of certain cancers. And thanks to neuroplasticity, the brain can regrow neurons and build new neural networks.

reducing inflammation with peptides

Unfortunately, there are a number of factors that can impair and undermine the body’s self-healing mechanisms. These include age, nutritional deficiencies, toxins, stress, poor sleep, and insufficient physical activity. Some medications can also impede healing, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), immunosuppressants, anticoagulants, and corticosteroids. 

In contrast, chemical compounds called peptides show promise of enhancing the body’s natural ability to heal itself. They can trigger responses at the cellular level that kick the body’s healing mechanisms into high gear. I’m especially excited about one peptide in particular — Body Protection Compound 157 or BPC-157 for short — which is the focus of this post.

Dr. Lewis Recommends: For a detailed overview of peptides, please read The Healing and Rejuvenating Power of Therapeutic Peptides here on my blog. If you are already familiar with that post, feel free to skip the next section and jump directly down to What Is Body Protection Compound 157?

What Are Peptides?

Peptides are naturally occurring chemical compounds — short chains of fewer than 50 amino acids — that serve as Continue reading…

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