Breast Cancer Awareness - Part 1

Aloha cherished Friends & Guests,

Breast cancer can turn life upside down and make life a rollercoaster physically, mentally, and emotionally. This topic is close to my heart after losing loved ones to cancer and fighting breast cancer myself. I hope this blog helps promote proactive prevention as many people do not think about cancer until it is too late.

In recent years, vast improvements in treatment save many more lives through new information and evolving ideas. However, too many are still affected by this disease which is why treatment and prevention must continue to improve. I am fortunate to survive my fight with breast cancer, but I have friends and family who fought until the very end. I hope their memory helps us all become more proactive in prevention against this disease.

If you could learn your risk of breast cancer and prevent it, would you? I hope ‘Yes’ is the resounding answer, however, everyone is given their choice. It is scary waiting for the potentially devastating results as life could change dramatically. These results can bring difficult questions to ask and decisions to make. Early prevention can help you avoid these questions and decisions that will affect you and your family.

The Mayo Clinic offers several articles on breast cancer prevention I would recommend researching. Always remember to make the best decision for you and give yourself time to make an informed decision avoiding any hasty choices. One such article breaks down who is considered high risk and preventive (prophylactic) mastectomy is recommended if one or more of the following apply:

• Previous cancer detection in one breast

• Family history of breast cancer

• Positive results of gene testing (e.g. BRCA1 and BRCA2)

• Breast changes causing increase risk of cancer (e.g. tissue density, lumps, etc.)

• Radiation therapy

 While considering surgical options, research how much each type of surgery reduces the chance of breast cancer in the future. These numbers speak volumes and can help gauge your cancer risk. Remember it is nearly impossible to remove all breast tissue since it is found in areas around the chest, armpit, collarbone, and abdominal wall (with slim chances of breast cancer development in these areas). Studies show women who test positive with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations and undergo a preventative (prophylactic) mastectomy reduce their chances of developing breast cancer up to 90%. This surgery can reduce an even higher chance among women who have had breast cancer or family history of breast cancer!

Any surgery involves typical risks such as pain, bleeding, and infection. However, anxiety, disappointment, and depression are emotions many women underestimate while considering a mastectomy. I felt these emotions as a 31-year-old when deciding to reduce my natural size by ½ as it took part of my identity away. Every experience is different, and everyone has different ways of coping with these changes.

It has been two years since my mastectomy and it has taken time to heal physically, mentally, and emotionally. I needed to stop looking at myself as defective and unattractive while finding my confidence again and appreciate my ‘new look’ that saved my life. Every six months I must check my blood levels, so I do not need to spend my life questioning ‘What If’ scenarios. Despite these challenges of a mastectomy and follow-ups, I believe my cancer would be back if I decided not to have a mastectomy or be proactive with my health.

While a preventative mastectomy minimizes your chances of breast cancer the best, other options exist as preventative measures. These options include medications, breast cancer screenings, ovary removal surgeries, healthy lifestyles, and diligent doctor visits for testing semi-annually. Always consult your health care provider for the best options available for you.

I am excited to introduce two amazing women in Part 2 of this blog post. Both chose to have selective mastectomy surgeries to take control of their health for themselves and for those they love. Make sure to read their touching journey as they navigated through this difficult process.

Keep Smiling,

Melissa

Contact us at (801) 796-7667 or info@danpursermd.com for help. Check back often for the newest updates!

Benefits of CoQ10

Aloha friends!

Have you wanted to learn more of CoQ10, but information about this supplement is confusing? Many people are also confused, and Dr. Purser acknowledges it is a complicated topic. I hope you find answers while reading since CoQ10 as it plays an important role in activating the metabolism.

CoQ10 is a nutrient our body naturally produces and acts as an antioxidant which protects cells from damage and improve overall well-being. If you suffer from hypothyroidism, cardiovascular complications, fatigue, or other energy-depleting conditions, CoQ10 is a great option to boost your energy. Other complications CoQ10 treats include high blood pressure, heart failure (along with several other heart conditions), liver problems, and muscle pain.

With so many brands creating CoQ10, it becomes difficult to know which is the best brand. After trying several brands, I found the Qunol CoQ10 to give me the largest boost of energy. In earlier blog posts, I explained how after going through cancer treatments, I felt extremely fatigued and would come home every day after work just to crash on the couch. Once Dr. Purser recommended I include CoQ10 into my regimen, it took my energy levels and ability to focus to another level. Today people are amazed it has been just one year since my cancer treatments.

If you find yourself looking for ways to improve your quality of life and feel younger, I know CoQ10 will help you find the energy to take on new adventures in life! In addition to CoQ10, I use Vitamin D, MTHFR Support, and GABA to complement the benefits of CoQ10 in my regimen. Be sure to consult your medical professional to address your questions and concerns.

For more information, watch Dr. Purser’s YouTube videos covering CoQ10: CoQ-10 and Thyroid Medication and When Do I Take CoQ10

Keep smiling,

Melissa

Contact us at (801) 796-7667 or info@danpursermd.com for help. Check back often for the newest updates!

Natural Infertility Treatment

Infertility affects thousands of couples each year who struggle to find helpful advice. One common treatment recommended is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Although initial testing is performed, it is incredible how many doctors leap to IVF as an answer. The two reasons I would not recommend IVF is the treatment’s cost and scope. To complete the treatment, couples can expect to spend roughly $12,500 (Utah IVF average) while critical infertility issues (low testosterone and sperm count from pituitary, genetic, or nutritional factors) are rarely considered.

Unfortunately, more natural female infertility treatments are not given enough merit since the root causes (minor to moderate) are not known, understood, or recognized sufficiently. From my ten years of research, vitamin deficiencies and pituitary dysfunction (less common) can cause ovarian or testicular insufficiencies, when may appear as pituitary damage. However, the ‘appearance’ of pituitary damage is a lack of fertility hormones produced to complete the fertilization process. To address this factor of infertility properly, we use specialized technology (FDA & HHS approval) to provide reliable and insightful results.

For most cases, genetics also need to be reviewed (particularly for MTHFR) for each spouse. We use intracellular vitamin testing, targeted supplement regime, and deep genetic testing to understand and resolve the full issue. Our patients who combine their knowledge of infertility factors and genetics, address their long-term fertility success while improving their children’s health affordably.

If you (or a spouse) struggle from infertility, be sure to check out my bestsellers on Amazon for further information or schedule an appointment. Contact me at (801) 796-7667 or info@danpursermd.com.

God bless and go in good health!

Dr. Purser

Natural Osteoporosis Therapy

Osteoporosis is a problem many individuals face. However, osteopenia (a precursor to osteoporosis) is an even bigger challenge few recognize. To compound the issue, many doctors prescribe bisphosphonates when undiagnosed (or improperly diagnosed) vitamin deficiencies are causing osteopenia and osteoporosis. Unfortunately, bisphosphonates are reported to have a 75% rate of serious side effects.  

Vitamin deficiencies are no joking matter in relation to osteoporosis. Most know a lack of Vitamin D can cause softer bones and lower levels of calcium. Yet, many other vitamin deficiencies, including magnesium and zinc deficiencies, may lead to osteoporosis.  

In our research, we found intracellular levels of these vitamins are far more accurate than serum levels to assess deficiencies. Therefore, we use a patented (FDA & HHS approved) method that measures 39 potential deficiencies in addition to properly obtaining serum levels of various hormones (all of which can impact quality of life, bones, cardiovascular health, and sexuality). When vitamin and hormonal levels are optimized, majority of patients experience an increase of bone density and do not rely on bisphosphonates (or similar drugs).  

If you have any osteoporosis symptoms, here is the link to my free book of extensive osteoporosis research. Read More →  

For any other symptoms or concerns, be sure to check out my bestsellers on Amazon for more information or schedule an appointment. Contact me at (801) 796-7667 or info@danpursermd.com. 

God bless and go in good health! 

Dan Purser MD

Water - Lotus Life

Aloha friends,

Growing up, my mother’s remedy was to always drink more water if I did not feel well. To be honest, I thought the water got to her head as she was a natural swimmer and in the pool every day. Water also was her drink of choice and would be by her side wherever she would go. As I have aged and learned more of the benefits from water, my mother’s obsession with water makes sense as it improves body function, health, and energy.

As we are mid-summer, understanding how to stay hydrated is essential to remain healthy and enjoy summer fun. Our bodies are 60% water and consistently being hydrated is an important part of our lifestyle. Fortunately, the two factors that influence hydration (body weight & daily activity) are easy to calculate. First, multiply our body weight by 67% and that gives us the needed daily ounces of water (i.e. 220 lbs. * 67% = 148 oz.). Second, if active, add 12 ounces of water for every 30 minutes of physical activity. 

After finding how much water we need to drink, tracking our water intake is a challenge with several solutions. Numerous apps are available on iOS and Android platforms to log and schedule when we drink. Infuser water bottles can give variety by adding fresh fruit, cucumbers, mint, and many other flavors to excite us to drink more. I loved each of these options to reach my hydration goals, but I have found a Hydro Flask bottle is the simplest way for me because of two reasons. The Hydro Flask is large enough that I can easily keep track of the number of bottles I drink (just three a day). In addition to the ease of tracking, the bottle is very well insulated, so ice remains for 24 hours and I can mix in limes or strawberries into the ice-cold water the next day.

Travel in the summer can make hydration a difficult priority. However, we should not be afraid to ask wherever we go to fill up our water bottle. There is not anything stopping us from drinking water regardless of where we are. When we make the habit to figure out how much water we need and follow through with our goals, we will see improvement overall while feeling so much better! 

Benefits from consistent hydration are abundant.  For more information and insights, an article I enjoyed was on Healthline.  I hope these tips help us stay hydrated while having fun in the sun this summer!

Keep smiling,

Melissa

Contact us at (801) 796-7667 or info@danpursermd.com for help. Check back often for the newest updates!

Vitamin D - Lotus Life

Have you heard of the ‘Sunshine Vitamin’, or Vitamin D, that brings joy into life and provides countless healthy benefits? Enjoying the sun is a natural way to replenish this vitamin and an essential part of any personal health program!

Vitamin D promotes healthy bones.

Vitamin D is beneficial to our health in numerous ways. The vitamin rejuvenates calcium levels and helps with bone and tooth strength. It also supports the immune and nervous system while regulating insulin levels. On top of these great benefits, those who regularly use Vitamin D see increases in energy levels!

Personally, I noticed my low energy levels as I recovered from my cancer battle (surgeries, chemo, and radiation). However, I have seen my own energy levels increase substantially while taking Vitamin D.  My new level of energy brought such happiness that my family recently saw such a difference in me and wanted to know what I did!

For the longest time, I believed low energy was normal and thought I would struggle with it for the rest of my life. But with Dr. Purser’s help, I became aware of my vitamin deficiencies and it has changed my life. I cannot emphasize how important it is to have blood work completed frequently to see my body’s deficiencies, and where changes are needed. Replenishing my deficient vitamin levels makes such a significant difference, that it is noticeable to others around me.

In addition to lower energy levels, a deficiency of Vitamin D can lead to osteoporosis, weak bones, bone pain, muscle weakness, and several types of cancer (colon, prostate, breast cancer, etc.). Individuals who have Vitamin D deficient diets (milk allergies, lactose intolerances, and veganism) need to supplement the vitamin in order to avoid serious health complications.

We can restore our Vitamin D levels through several ways.  The first, as mentioned above, can be through our diet. Several types of fish (salmon, tuna, and mackerel) have elevated levels of Vitamin D while smaller vitamin levels can be found in beef, liver, cheese, egg yolks, mushrooms, milk, cereals, orange juice, yogurt, and margarine. The second form of replenishing Vitamin D levels is through supplements.  Generally, a male’s intake should be 204-288 IU, while a female’s should be 144-276 IU of Vitamin D daily (consult your physician for your specific needs).  The third way (and my favorite) is through daily sun exposure.  Even 10-15 minutes in the sun can make such a difference in our energy levels while getting a great tan!

As we pursue a healthy lifestyle and an improved state of mind, it is a journey made easier with supplements like Vitamin D.  Don’t forget to add some of this ‘Sunshine Vitamin’ in your life!

Keep Smiling!

Melissa Soria

Watch Dr. Purser’s YouTube video on Vitamin D to learn more! Contact us at (801) 796-7667 or info@danpursermd.com for help. Check back often for the newest updates!

Copper Toxicity - Lotus Life

Aloha cherished Friends & Guests,

Have you heard of copper toxicity? I know I hadn’t until I witnessed a relative have a severe reaction. I was blown away at how quickly it came on and how sick she became. It made me wonder what foods are high in copper and why it causes this type of reaction. I began to wonder if I was also at risk with high copper foods. It is definitely worth it to figure out how to prevent illnesses and live a healthier lifestyle.

Now what foods are high in copper? More foods than you would believe have copper! My relative, as I mentioned above, became sick after eating Indian food. What was it about Indian food that could have been high in copper? Turns out chickpeas have very high copper content! I have friends who are vegans and chickpeas are used extensively daily food intake, such as humus. Other foods that contain high copper content include almonds, cashews, kale, and avocado. All of these I eat often!

After learning of these foods high in copper, I reflected on my previous dinner choice of vegetable korma (made with chickpeas). Fortunately, I didn’t have any reaction to the foods listed. What really surprised me is how closely fibromyalgia is related to copper levels. Someone with fibromyalgia who eats food high in copper will experience a severe reaction as fibromyalgia flares up with elevated levels of copper. Reactions can feel similar to symptoms of the flu such as fatigue, muscle aches, and mental fogginess. It is horrible how quickly it happens and how sick you will feel when you have a severe reaction to copper toxicity. This is a real issue that a lot of people are not aware of.

Knowing what foods and symptoms are associated with high levels of copper, finding solutions are just as important. When high copper content is present, metallothionein is not functioning as it should. In order to improve metallothionein function, Copper Balance will help along with water and rest.

It is difficult to feel awful and not know the reasons behind it. For me, half the battle is knowing what is wrong and finding the best solution. Perhaps reading this will give you power once again and help you identify what could be wrong if you don’t feel well after eating foods high in copper. As always, consult your primary care physician to discuss your symptoms and ways to prevent any flare ups.

Keep Smiling,

Melissa Soria

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Comment from Dr Purser:

Thank you Melissa, great job. Everyone should also know that copper has been found at the base of trigger points. Interesting, right?  We don’t think fibromyalgia is so much a copper toxicity as it is a copper metallothionein dysfunction caused by some deficiency and tied to genetics somehow (generally runs runs in families). We used a mild shotgun approach to address those possible deficiencies in the metallothionein (no way to really test for these type of microscopic deficiencies so we just ‘shotgun’ it). Eventually all the symptoms go away, and the fibromyalgia patient improves. This is not a cure, just an abatement as we think it is genetic at its base.

Patients can take anywhere 3-10 Copper Balance capsules when they have a flare up (from no symptoms to a 9 or 10 pain wise when they eat the wrong foods). These patients also increase their VARS Glutathione intake to help with metallothionein dysfunction and detox (reduced glutathione makes up a third of the metallothionein by molecular weight). This is a constant battle these patient take on until they learn what foods they should avoid.

-- Dan Purser MD

Contact us at (801) 796-7667 or info@danpursermd.com for help. Check back often for the newest updates!

Benefits of Fasting - Lotus Life

Aloha cherished Friends & Guests!

Food is everywhere. The smell, the taste, the sight of it. It is hard not indulging in the delicious aromas surrounding you, especially when your stomach is grumbling and your automatic thought is to satisfy your hunger. I love food, and when my stomach is grumbling all I want to do is ‘feed the beast’. Have you ever thought about the benefits of fasting (for 24, 48 or 72 hours)? If you are religious or needed blood work, surgeries, or procedures, you may be familiar to fasting.

As I mentioned previously, I am a breast cancer survivor. The benefits of fasting not only help while going through cancer treatment, but the post-treatment benefits are substantial. Fasting lowers the risk of cancer ever being a disease you will have to fight again. After treatment, my ‘Program’ includes fasting 72 hours monthly as it kills cancer stem cells. Since I am a young cancer survivor, I have a longer road ahead to stay cancer free and so far fasting has been helpful in more ways than one. In Dan Purser’s book Surviving Breast Cancer Guide, he explains that cancer cells feed and spread off sugar. By starving cancer cells, you are helping prevent cancer cells from spreading.

“Another interesting thing to remember about a 48-hour fast, especially if you’re a cancer survivor, reduces the risk of recurrence since it starves to death stem cells, thus helping to prevent them from surviving. Fasting also helps prevent weight gain, humbles the spirit, and gives further appreciation for life and food.”

— Dan Purser MD

The benefits of fasting don’t stop there as Dr. Dan Purser continues to explain in his YouTube video. Fasting can lower lipids, inflammation, pre-malignant stem cells, and risk of cancer. If you are diabetic, consult your primary care physician as a fast should be closely monitored. It is also recommended to drink a lot of water, take vitamins, maintain electrolytes, and continue medications. During a fast you will want to continually drink clear liquids which is essential in a fast as you still need to keep your body hydrated. For some, fasting can be a spiritual experience, making them more aware of their surroundings and decisions.

You need to be committed to make a fast work in order for it to be effective. From personal experience, I notice when I fast my stomach shrinks and I don’t eat as much as I did before the fast. I am more mindful of what I am eating and how much I am eating. I am in a better habit of drinking more water which helps me feel full. With these minor changes from fasting, I lose weight and feel healthier. This is a great way to restart, cleanse your body, and start eating more nutritious. I make it a goal to fast monthly as I may need to build up up to a 72-hour fast, but the benefits are worth a little stomach rumble.

Keep smiling,

Melissa Soria

Contact us at (801) 796-7667 or info@danpursermd.com for help. Check back often for the newest updates!

GABA - The Natural Anti Anxiety Supplement

Did you know 40 million people are affected by anxiety disorders? This is a fact according to The Anxiety and Depression Association of America. I personally think anxiety and depression walk a fine line. And I suffer from both. For me, this really started to come out when my mom passed of breast cancer, followed by her older sister a few years later. I’m the first in my generation to fight cancer and so far, the only one to survive. As long as I keep my anxiety under control my depression is easier to manage.

My anxiety levels increase significantly in certain situations such as social events, uncontrollable events, and loneliness just to mention a few. With everyone that suffers from anxiety, a ‘trigger’ can come from different life events. I recently added a supplement called GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid) to my Program when I came across a study geared towards PTSD as I researched this topic. Interestingly, those who suffered from PTSD in the US Army reserves and National Guard were given GABA leading to impressive results.

Many symptoms can arise from a lack of a neurotransmitter called GABA. Some of these symptoms include insomnia (trouble sleeping), anxiety, depression, PTSD, and ADHD. In the study mentioned above (click here to view), 27 US Army Reserves and National Guard participants suffering from PTSD brought the following conclusion:

“… low GABA concentration is related to both worse sleep quality and higher depressive symptomatology .... Thus, low GABA in this region does not appear to be a specific biomarker of PTSD but a phenomenon possibly related to sleep disturbance and/or anxiety in general. These new findings may imply that enhancing endogenous GABA levels may be a good strategy to alleviate PTSD sleep problems. “

Thankfully such brave men and women are finding the benefit of what GABA has to offer.

Many in my family take GABA, myself included, which is more of a natural remedy since our body already produces this. GABA not harmful, especially compared to other medications such as Xanax, clozanapam, Valium ‘helping’ with anxiety. I’ve witnessed first-hand how harmful an addiction is to these drugs and how it affects someone, especially if they go into withdrawal.  GABA, once you find the right dose for you keeps you alert, you aren’t drowning yourself in medications that inhibit your thought process. In my opinion these other drugs relax too much especially if over done. GABA helps to keep your levels of anxiety leveled on a daily basis from my experience.

Have you ever noticed how families that go through the same tragic events all are affected differently? I’ve noticed that we may all have PTSD and high anxiety, but one may have major OCD, and other social anxiety. But the end result is the same – anxiety, depression, PTSD. I was visiting with a relative recently who takes GABA daily and wanted to hear about her experience with GABA. She commented, “It helps, it doesn’t make everything perfect, but it reduces my anxiety. It calms things down, it makes my issues not as intense.” We continued to discuss her experience with other medications and she mentioned, “Trying other medications were the scariest days of my entire life and wouldn’t want to try anything else.”

I think that the only way to truly know if something works is through personal experiences. GABA has been a life saver for my family (just as glutathione is our family’s ‘Windex’), with the high anxiety that our family experiences. I don’t know how we could have otherwise endured the trials without GABA a part of our daily Program. Remember there are many natural ways to calm your anxiety, depression, PTSD, and sleep. I even keep lavender oil at my desk at work and many of my coworkers do as well for that calming factor in a high-stress work place. We started a weekly meditation and yoga at work. There are many ways to help calm your nerves as in all these natural remedies and I encourage all to give it a chance. Once you find the right daily amount, you can feel the sense of taking control back of your life and emotions.

-Melissa Soria

Thanks and great article Melissa! GABA hits the GABA receptor which is the receptor for benzodiazepines (such as Xanax, valium, or others) so GABA works much better and is not addicting. I have helped many patients get off their benzodiazepines by allowing them to take all the GABA they wanted – no real downside (except may make your drowsy – then back it off a little). Also, you may want to try glutamine (an amino acid that is the precursor for GABA) – might work better or help GABA work better. 

-Dan Purser MD

Contact us at (801) 796-7667 or info@danpursermd.com for help. Check back often for the newest updates!

Plaque Regression Studies Video Series

Dr. Purser explains the top natural ways to reduce plaque naturally. 

Plaque Regression Part One

Plaque Regression Part 2

Contact us at (801) 796-7667 or info@danpursermd.com for help. Check back often for the newest updates!