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Monday 10am - 4pm Tuesday 10am - 4pm Wednesday 10am - 4pm Thursday 10am - 4pm Friday 10am - 4pm

Valley Integrative Health, 1661 OREGON 99, Ashland, OR (2026)

04/30/2026

More research on blood tests for early Alzheimer’s detection!!

A fully automated blood biomarker panel may help detect and track Alzheimer’s-related brain changes early—even in healthy, middle-aged adults at risk.

Concerned about cognitive changes? At risk for Alzheimer's?

Find out if it's normal age-related changes or due to early changes associated with Alzheimer's TODAY!

🔬 Key takeaways:

1. The p-tau217/Aβ42 ratio showed the highest accuracy in identifying amyloid buildup (a hallmark of Alzheimer’s)
2. Blood markers like p-tau217 were strong predictors of future disease progression
3. Changes in these biomarkers over time can help monitor early brain changes before symptoms appear
4. Some markers (like Aβ42/40 alone) may be less reliable due to variability

⚠️ Why it matters:
-These automated blood tests could offer a simpler, scalable alternative to PET scans and spinal taps for early detection and monitoring.

💡 Bottom line:
-Blood-based biomarker panels—especially p-tau217-related measures—are emerging as powerful tools for early diagnosis, risk prediction, and disease tracking in Alzheimer’s, though they’re still being refined for clinical use.

04/29/2026

Are you happy with your LDL being normal? Don't forget that many patients with normal LDL-C still experience cardiovascular events.

Why? Because LDL-C alone doesn’t tell the full story.

Apolipoprotein B (apoB) measures the number of atherogenic particles—giving a clearer picture of true CVD risk, especially in patients with:
• Elevated triglycerides
• Metabolic syndrome
• Type 2 diabetes

When LDL-C and apoB are discordant, risk is often underestimated.

That’s why leading organizations like the ACC, AHA, and NLA recommend apoB as a risk-enhancing factor.

Bottom line:
If you’re only measuring LDL-C, you may be missing important information about your cardiovascular risk.

04/27/2026

Concerned about cognitive changes? Find out if it's normal age-related changes or due to early changes associated with Alzheimer's TODAY!

New research insight on Alzheimer’s detection shows that a simple and readily available blood test could predict Alzheimer’s disease years before symptoms or brain scans show changes.

Key takeaways:

1. Elevated pTau217 levels may signal early disease processes even before amyloid PET scans detect abnormalities
2. People with low pTau217 levels are likely to remain low-risk for years
3. Higher levels are linked to faster buildup of Alzheimer’s-related brain changes over time
4. The disease may follow a sequence: pTau217 rise → amyloid buildup → tau accumulation → cognitive decline

⚠️ Important:
This test is promising but the authors state that it is not ready for routine screening yet—more research is needed.

💡 Bottom line: Blood-based biomarkers like pTau217 could transform how early Alzheimer’s is identified, opening the door for earlier intervention in the future.

Devin Wilson, ND
Valley Integrative Health
541-646-9186

04/23/2026

Melatonin for sleep and cognitive outcomes in older adults with cognitive impairment...

Key Points:
-Ten Randomized Controlled Trials with a total of 516 patients were included
-Melatonin increased total sleep time by MD +12.4 min
-Melatonin improved Mini-Mental State Examination scores by MD +1.8 points
-Melatonin decreased neuropsychiatric symptoms decreased
-Melatonin's fffects on sleep efficiency, circadian markers, depression and activities of daily living were small and nonsignificant.

Conclusions:
-Melatonin yields modest improvements in sleep duration and cognition that approach clinically important thresholds but fall short of definitive efficacy.
-Larger, rigorously designed RCTs with harmonised outcomes and pre-specified primary endpoints are needed to confirm these findings.

04/23/2026

Do your genes affect your response and risk of side effects to GLP-1s?

GLP-1 medicines help with diabetes and weight, and research has looked at whether small genetic differences help explain why people’s results and side effects vary.

Key Points
-Common GLP-1 meds work well but people respond differently
-Small gene differences may change weight loss and side effects
-One GLP-1 gene change linked to slightly more weight loss
-One GIP (gastric inhibitory polypeptide) gene change linked to more nausea/vomiting
-Findings early; not yet used to choose medicines

What did the researchers do?
-They analyzed DNA and survey data from about 27,885 adults using GLP‑1–based weight‑loss medicines, mostly women with a median age of 52 years.1 - People reported which GLP‑1 drug they took, how much weight they lost, and whether they had side effects like nausea or vomiting.

Key findings....
-A small change in the GLP-1 receptor gene (called rs10305420) was linked to slightly more weight loss – about 0.76 kg (1.7 lb) more per copy of the variant, on average. Another change in the GIP receptor gene (rs1800437) was tied to a higher chance of nausea and vomiting in people taking tirzepatide, but it did not change how much weight they lost. These gene effects were modest.

-Non-genetic factors—such as s*x, age, and which drug, dose, and duration were used—were also strongly linked to weight loss and side effects. Together, genetic plus non-genetic factors explained about 25% of the differences in weight loss between people on GLP-1 medicines.

What does this mean for patients now?
- The results support the idea of “precision medicine” in the future—using genetics to help choose the right weight-loss drug. However, experts agree the effects are too small and the data too early to use genetic testing to pick GLP-1 treatments in everyday practice today.

04/21/2026

Sulfur Burps After GLP-1 Medication?

Sulfur-smelling burps are common on GLP-1 medicines and usually manageable, but they shouldn’t be ignored.

Key Points:
-GLP-1 meds can slow stomach emptying resulting in more gas, “rotten egg” burps
-High-sulfur foods (eggs, meats, cruciferous veg) are common triggers
-Simple changes: smaller meals, earlier protein, avoid alcohol/fizzy drinks
-OTC options (antacids, bismuth, simethicone) may ease symptoms
-Persistent sulfur burps need review to rule out other GI problems, SIBO

What are “sulfur burps”?
-Sulfur burps are belches that taste or smell like sulfur or rotten eggs. They often occur when your body breaks down sulfur-rich foods such as protein foods and cruciferous vegetables (eg, broccoli).

How do GLP-1 medicines cause them?
-GLP-1 medicines slow how quickly food leaves your stomach. When food—especially protein and sulfur-rich foods—sits longer, it has more time to produce gas and sulfur smells that come up as burps. You may be more likely to notice this if you already have slow stomach emptying or acid reflux.

Self-care steps that can help Eating habits:
-Eat smaller, more frequent meals instead of large ones.
-Eat more slowly and stop when you feel comfortably full.
-Have your biggest protein meal earlier in the day so it has more time to digest before you lie down.

Foods and drinks to limit:
-Sulfur-rich foods such as eggs, red meat, broccoli, garlic, and similar vegetables.
-Carbonated drinks and alcohol, which can increase gas and burping.

Other tips:
-Stay well hydrated (sip water through the day).
-Gentle walks (10–20 minutes) after meals can support digestion.
-Over-the-counter medicines such as bismuth (eg, Pepto-Bismol), simethicone, or antacids may ease gas and discomfort; ask your clinician which is suitable for you.

04/21/2026

Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) DOES NOT increase all-cause mortality risk

This large Danish study found that using Menopausal Hormone Therapy was not associated with a higher risk of dying from any cause, and may be helpful after early surgical menopause.

Key Points:
-Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) does not increase all-cause mortality risk, according to a Danish cohort study. The findings support current guidelines recommending MHT for women without contraindications, potentially easing concerns about adverse effects.

What did the study look at?
- Researchers followed 876,805 women in Denmark, all aged 45 or older, for a median of 14.3 years.
- About 12% used systemic menopausal hormone therapy (MHT).
- They compared overall deaths, and deaths from heart disease, cancer, and other causes between users and non-users.

Main findings:
- Overall survival: Women who used MHT did not have a higher risk of death than those who never used it.
- Length of use: Whether women used MHT for a short time or for many years, their overall risk of death stayed similar and did not show a harmful pattern.
- Cause of death: There were no clear differences in deaths from heart disease, cancer, or other causes between MHT users and non-users.
- Women with both ovaries removed: Among women who had both ovaries removed between ages 45–54, those who used MHT had about a 27%–34% lower risk of death than those who did not.

What this means for patients:
- For most healthy women without specific medical reasons to avoid hormones, this study supports current guidelines that say MHT can be used to treat troublesome menopause symptoms without increasing overall risk of death.
- Decisions about MHT should still be individualized, taking into account your personal risk factors and reviewing treatment over time.

SOURCE:Mikkelsen A P,Bergholt, T,Lidegaard,Scheller N M.Menopausal hormone therapy and long term mortality: nationwide, register based cohort study. BMJ 2026;392:e085998. doi:10.1136/bmj-2025-085998

04/20/2026

Can Ozone Injections Treat TMJ Disorders?

Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ disorders) affect the jaw joint and can cause pain, stiffness, and difficulty opening or moving the mouth. This review looked at whether injecting ozone gas into the joint can help.

What did researchers do?
• Reviewed 5 clinical studies (230 patients total)
• Compared ozone injections into the jaw joint with other treatments
• Looked at pain relief and jaw movement

What were the results?
• All studies showed less pain after ozone treatment
• Patients also had better jaw movement
• In some cases, ozone worked better than other treatments, but results were not consistent

How strong is the evidence?
• The evidence is limited and not very reliable
• Studies varied in how treatment was done
• Some studies had a higher risk of bias
• Long-term benefits are unclear

What does this mean for patients?
• Ozone injections may help reduce pain and improve jaw movement in the short term
• However, there is not enough strong evidence to recommend it as a standard treatment

Takeaway:
-Ozone therapy for TMJ disorders is still being studied. It may offer some benefit, but more high-quality research is needed before it can be widely recommended.

Macek W, Chęciński M, Hoppe A, Chęcińska K, Kwiatkowska K, Sikora P, Lubecka K, Bliźniak F, Galant K, Romańczyk K, et al. Intra-Articular Ozone Injections for Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: A Systematic Review. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2026; 15(8):2955

02/28/2026

Ozone Therapy Improves Smell & Cognition in Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)...

A retrospective study examined whether a 5-week cycle of oxygen–ozone major autohemotherapy (MAH) could support both olfactory and cognitive function in adults with mild cognitive impairment.

Key findings:
• At baseline, individuals with MCI showed reduced smell (Sniffin’ Sticks® TDI scores) and lower MoCA scores compared to healthy controls
• After 10 MAH sessions (5 weeks):
– Normosmia increased from 32% to 51%
– Fewer participants were anosmic
– Olfactory scores improved (though remained below control levels)
– MoCA scores improved, particularly in Language Repetition
– MMSE scores showed no significant change
• Improvements in smell were modestly correlated with cognitive gains

What this means:
Oxygen–ozone MAH was associated with partial improvements in both smell and cognitive performance in adults with MCI. However, because this was a retrospective study, causation cannot be established. Randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trials are needed to confirm efficacy and clinical utility.

📍 Valley Integrative Health
541-646-9186
🌐 www.VIHclinic.com

Ashland, Oregon

02/27/2026

Can Low-Level Laser Therapy Help Hashimoto's Thyroid Disease?

Chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s) is the most common cause of acquired hypothyroidism. Traditionally, treatment focuses on replacing thyroid hormone — not improving thyroid tissue itself.

But what if we could support thyroid function more directly?

🔬 In a small clinical study of patients with autoimmune hypothyroidism:

• Patients received 10 sessions of low-level laser therapy (830 nm)
• Nearly 47% no longer needed thyroid medication at 9 months
• Average levothyroxine doses dropped significantly
• Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) decreased
• Ultrasound imaging showed improved thyroid tissue echogenicity

These preliminary findings suggest that low-level laser therapy (LLLT) may help modulate autoimmunity and support thyroid function in select patients.

While more research is needed, this represents an exciting potential adjunct approach for those struggling with Hashimoto’s and long-term thyroid medication dependence.

📍 Valley Integrative Health
Ashland, Oregon
🌐 www.VIHclinic.com

📞 541-646-9186

Comprehensive, root-cause thyroid care — personalized to you.

02/26/2026

Vitamin K2 for Menopause and Cardiovascular Health...

A 3-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 244 healthy postmenopausal women found that daily supplementation with 180 mcg of Vitamin K2 (MK-7) significantly improved arterial stiffness — a key marker of cardiovascular health.

✨ Key findings:
• Reduced aortic stiffness (cfPWV)
• Improved arterial flexibility and compliance
• 50% reduction in inactive MGP (a marker linked to vascular calcification)
• Greatest benefit seen in women with higher baseline arterial stiffness

While inflammatory markers did not significantly change, the improvement in arterial stiffness suggests that long-term Vitamin K2 supplementation may support vascular health — especially in postmenopausal women at higher cardiovascular risk.

Healthy arteries = healthier aging. 💫

Valley Integrative Health
📍 1661 Hwy 99 N, Ste. 203-F, Ashland, Oregon 97520
📞 541-646-9186
🌐 www.VIHclinic.com

⭐ Free 15-Minute Pre-Consultation Phone Call

02/25/2026

Can L-Carnitine Help Lower Lipoprotein(a) in Type 2 Diabetes?

Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a genetically influenced cardiovascular risk marker that is often difficult to modify with lifestyle alone.

🔎 Why does Lp(a) matter?

Elevated Lp(a) is associated with:
• Increased risk of atherosclerosis
• Higher risk of heart attack and stroke
• Greater likelihood of aortic valve calcification
• Earlier onset cardiovascular disease — even in otherwise healthy individuals

In a 6-month randomized, placebo-controlled trial of patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia:

• Participants took 1 gram L-carnitine twice daily
• Lp(a) levels were significantly reduced at 3 and 6 months
• Reductions were greater than placebo
• No drug-related adverse effects were reported

Other lipid markers and glucose measurements did not significantly differ between groups.

Takeaway: In this preliminary study, L-carnitine showed promise for lowering Lp(a) — a challenging cardiovascular risk factor — in select patients with type 2 diabetes.

Supplement decisions should always be individualized based on labs, risk profile, and comprehensive cardiometabolic strategy.

📍 Valley Integrative Health
Ashland, Oregon
🌐 VIHclinic.com
📞 541-646-9186

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Monday	10am - 4pm
Tuesday	10am - 4pm
Wednesday	10am - 4pm
Thursday	10am - 4pm
Friday	10am - 4pm