Thursday, August 9, 2012
Ramey Nutrition Team Interviews: Bonnie Atkisson, Administrative Assistant
Ramey Nutrition Team: Rachel Myhre, MS, RD, CD
Friday, July 20, 2012
Caffeine and Fibromyalgia
Caffeine, I must admit, is a uniquely cultural and ever increasing part of our lives. From the 30 oz. Trenta size that Starbucks is now offering to the increased 20 oz. Red Bulls, we are faced with more caffeinated options than ever before. Currently, having to restrict my own caffeine intake due to stress issues has been enormously upsetting to my soul; and no one understands the love and passion around this sweet molecule than yours truly.
Research done on the health benefits of coming off caffeine, done in a stupor of de-caffeinated exhaustion, has led me to some interesting findings that I'd invite you to consider, as you sip your quad/short/soy/extra foam/latte. Doing this research was purely an effort to find any benefit remotely close to the benefit I feel when blissfully caffeinated. Just so we are clear, this research NEVER would have been entertained had I been able to have the substance my soul so tragically misses. Fibromyalgia, however, is a condition that has provided many, here at Ramey Nutrition, with unexplained pain and discomfort that seems to top charts on pain scales everywhere, and keeps me in a constant state of research for relief options.
Fibromyalgia, a relatively new discovery in the medical world, is a condition where patients have reported symptoms of chronic widespread pain, intolerance to pressure, debilitating fatigue, sleep disturbances, bowel and bladder abnormalities, numbness and tingling, depression, anxiety and stress-related disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder. A Ramey Nutrition patient recently reported, “…the pain is so intolerable, I don’t want to take a bath, because the water pressure hurts. I hate this!”
How does caffeine enter the equation, you ask? Fibromyalgia is believed to be medically linked to brain chemical imbalances that control mood, and is often accompanied by chronic fatigue. Obviously, you can see how a patient with fibromyalgia would migrate toward anything with a stimulant-like effect, and the stimulant most widely used, legal and available, is caffeine.
Without fibromyalgia, the normal mechanism of caffeine works by increasing the density of serotonin receptors, giving us a sense of euphoric energy. A 1993 study on mice published in "Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology" notes that density of certain serotonin receptors in the brain, including 5 HT1 and 5 HT2 serotonergic receptors, increase by 26 to 30 percent when mice take in an equivalent dose of 100 mg caffeine per 2.2 lbs. body weight a day.
Right about now you're probably midway through that quad/short/extra foam/soy latte thinking, "Well that sounds like a cure to me!" As it was mine, if this is your thought, please continue reading with caution...
When there is a serotonin deficiency, which is likely in fibromyalgia, the use of caffeine starts to require ever increasing amounts in order to produce the same effect. Patients often find themselves with depression if not adequately caffeinated, and as the need for the drug increases, the signs and symptoms of depression present themselves in greater intensity. This increased need tends to spiral downward into a cycle of over-stimulation of the nervous system, and exacerbation of chronic fatigue syndrome.
Either insomnia ensues, when caffeine's half-life lasts through what should be REM sleep, or unending fatigue sets in when the nervous system crashes without its beloved drug. As the nervous system, which is stimulated to feel more pain than normal, is over-stimulated by caffeine, pain tends to become exorbitantly unbearable.
“Caffeine is a loan shark for energy. We recommend not using a lot,” says Kent Holtorf, MD, founding medical director of the Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers, located across the country.
Getting on this roller coaster of increased pain, fatigue, and depression, just to get a short, false sense of euphoria, which quickly tends to turn its ugly head toward barely awake, might not be worth it.
Again, I write this from a catatonic state of sober melancholy, wishing I had a quad/short/soy/extra foam/latte in my hot little hands. This should assure you that this is not written from a "natural healing perspective," or that I am someone who believes caffeine to be anything but beautiful, and lifesaving. Those with fibromyalgia, however, might entertain the idea that getting off of it (God forbid), might alleviate pain, fatigue, and depression, so prevalent in this disorder.
-Scarlett Ramey, MS, RD, CD
President and CEO of Ramey Nutrition
Research done on the health benefits of coming off caffeine, done in a stupor of de-caffeinated exhaustion, has led me to some interesting findings that I'd invite you to consider, as you sip your quad/short/soy/extra foam/latte. Doing this research was purely an effort to find any benefit remotely close to the benefit I feel when blissfully caffeinated. Just so we are clear, this research NEVER would have been entertained had I been able to have the substance my soul so tragically misses. Fibromyalgia, however, is a condition that has provided many, here at Ramey Nutrition, with unexplained pain and discomfort that seems to top charts on pain scales everywhere, and keeps me in a constant state of research for relief options.
Fibromyalgia, a relatively new discovery in the medical world, is a condition where patients have reported symptoms of chronic widespread pain, intolerance to pressure, debilitating fatigue, sleep disturbances, bowel and bladder abnormalities, numbness and tingling, depression, anxiety and stress-related disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder. A Ramey Nutrition patient recently reported, “…the pain is so intolerable, I don’t want to take a bath, because the water pressure hurts. I hate this!”
How does caffeine enter the equation, you ask? Fibromyalgia is believed to be medically linked to brain chemical imbalances that control mood, and is often accompanied by chronic fatigue. Obviously, you can see how a patient with fibromyalgia would migrate toward anything with a stimulant-like effect, and the stimulant most widely used, legal and available, is caffeine.
Without fibromyalgia, the normal mechanism of caffeine works by increasing the density of serotonin receptors, giving us a sense of euphoric energy. A 1993 study on mice published in "Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology" notes that density of certain serotonin receptors in the brain, including 5 HT1 and 5 HT2 serotonergic receptors, increase by 26 to 30 percent when mice take in an equivalent dose of 100 mg caffeine per 2.2 lbs. body weight a day.
Right about now you're probably midway through that quad/short/extra foam/soy latte thinking, "Well that sounds like a cure to me!" As it was mine, if this is your thought, please continue reading with caution...
When there is a serotonin deficiency, which is likely in fibromyalgia, the use of caffeine starts to require ever increasing amounts in order to produce the same effect. Patients often find themselves with depression if not adequately caffeinated, and as the need for the drug increases, the signs and symptoms of depression present themselves in greater intensity. This increased need tends to spiral downward into a cycle of over-stimulation of the nervous system, and exacerbation of chronic fatigue syndrome.
Either insomnia ensues, when caffeine's half-life lasts through what should be REM sleep, or unending fatigue sets in when the nervous system crashes without its beloved drug. As the nervous system, which is stimulated to feel more pain than normal, is over-stimulated by caffeine, pain tends to become exorbitantly unbearable.
“Caffeine is a loan shark for energy. We recommend not using a lot,” says Kent Holtorf, MD, founding medical director of the Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers, located across the country.
Getting on this roller coaster of increased pain, fatigue, and depression, just to get a short, false sense of euphoria, which quickly tends to turn its ugly head toward barely awake, might not be worth it.
Again, I write this from a catatonic state of sober melancholy, wishing I had a quad/short/soy/extra foam/latte in my hot little hands. This should assure you that this is not written from a "natural healing perspective," or that I am someone who believes caffeine to be anything but beautiful, and lifesaving. Those with fibromyalgia, however, might entertain the idea that getting off of it (God forbid), might alleviate pain, fatigue, and depression, so prevalent in this disorder.
-Scarlett Ramey, MS, RD, CD
President and CEO of Ramey Nutrition
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
How do I feed my Kid?!
Kids are facing increasing pressure to assume responsibility for their health at a very young age. Many well-meaning education programs teach kids that there are good and bad foods and that large bodies mean unhealthy bodies. These principles reinforce a cultural message of restriction, self-deprecation and inadequacy. These messages rob our kids of confidence and become breeding grounds for anxiety, depression and eating disorders.
I have a lot of compassion for parents confronted with worry about their child's size, shape, health and eating habits. And no matter the issue (too small, too big, doesn't eat enough, eats too much, etc.), the most reliable resource I have found is Ellyn Satter's Division of Responsibility of Feeding:
1. Parents decide what, when and where food is offered
2. Kids decide how much to eat, if at all
Sounds crazy, right? It kind of is. At the very least, it is counter-cultural and requires commitment. It also demands that we set aside or challenge some of our beliefs about size, shape, health and beauty. If you want to learn more about this method, I recommend Your Child's Weight: Helping Without Harming by Ellyn Satter, MS, RD, LCSW, BCD.
And, of course, the dietitians at Ramey Nutrition are ready and eager to support your efforts!
I have a lot of compassion for parents confronted with worry about their child's size, shape, health and eating habits. And no matter the issue (too small, too big, doesn't eat enough, eats too much, etc.), the most reliable resource I have found is Ellyn Satter's Division of Responsibility of Feeding:
1. Parents decide what, when and where food is offered
2. Kids decide how much to eat, if at all
Sounds crazy, right? It kind of is. At the very least, it is counter-cultural and requires commitment. It also demands that we set aside or challenge some of our beliefs about size, shape, health and beauty. If you want to learn more about this method, I recommend Your Child's Weight: Helping Without Harming by Ellyn Satter, MS, RD, LCSW, BCD.
And, of course, the dietitians at Ramey Nutrition are ready and eager to support your efforts!
Monday, April 30, 2012
15-Week Eating Disorder Recovery Series Starting July 10!
July 10, 2012, Ramey Nutrition is starting its 15-Week Eating Disorder Recovery Series, offering three hours of support a week, incorporating both eating disorder support groups (Tuesdays) and restorative yoga (Thursdays).
What: The support group meets one day a week and is just part of the 15-week eating disorder recovery series. The group is facilitated by Shena Washburn, RD, CD who has extensive experience working with those recovering from an eating disorder. Group is safe and inviting place to give and receive support, providing the opportunity for reflection and growth not only as an individual, but also as a community.
Tentative topics to be covered: Trust & the Recovery Process, Medical Complications, The refeeding process, Nutrition, Diet Pills, Laxatives, & Diuretics, Fad Diets, Size, Shape, & Numbers, Media & Body Image.
When: Support group will meet Tuesdays 5:00-7:00pm, 7/10, 7/17, 7/24, 7/31, 8/07, 8/14, 8/21, 8/28, 9/04, 9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/02, 10/09, 10/16
What: Gentle yoga is taught by Sarah Akhtar who encourages people of all-levels, body-types and physical capabilities to participate. The class promotes body awareness and acceptance by inviting each student to be present with them-self and feel where their body needs care, emotionally or physically. With a vast teaching experience, Sarah is an expert at individualizing gentle movement, encouraging each student to work at their own pace.
When: Yoga will be held Thursdays 6:30-7:30pm, the dates for the 15-week eating disorder recovery series* are as follows: 7/12, 7/19, 7/26, 8/02, 8/09, 8/16, 8/23, 8/30, 9/06, 9/13, 9/20, 9/27, 10/04, 10/11, 10/18
*Note that gentle yoga as a part of the 15-week eating disorder recovery series, will begin July 12th (Thur. 6:30-7:30pm), but the individual gentle yoga class will start May 17th (same day and time, Thur 6:30-7:30pm)*
Who: Individuals who are recovering from an eating disorder, who are seeking a more integrated approach in an outpatient "real-world" setting.
Cost: Most insurance plans will cover this, as "group medical nutrition therapy." But please note that you are ultimately responsible for any fees your insurance does not cover. We will submit all claims to your insurance company for you, whether they are in, or out of network. We will also do our best to help determine the details of your insurance plan as it relates to this program, and we do require a signed commitment for cohesiveness and planning.
*Before joining the 15-week eating disorder recovery series...
An initial assessment is required prior to attending the 15-week eating disorder recovery series, to assure it is the right fit for you. To schedule your assessment, please call: (206) 909-8022. It would be best to schedule your assessment at least two-weeks prior to series beginning.
In an effort to provide support to all who attend; this series requires a 15-week commitment. We try our best to limit the coming and going to both the support group and gentle yoga, so we can provide the most reliable sense of support possible. So please be sure you are able to make the 15-week commitment prior to signing-up for the 15-week series. If you have any questions or concerns about potential conflicts, please speak with Shena prior to joining the group.
If you miss more than three support groups or yoga, and/or repeatedly arrive 15 minutes or more late (without prior approval), you will be asked to rejoin when you have more availability.
What: The support group meets one day a week and is just part of the 15-week eating disorder recovery series. The group is facilitated by Shena Washburn, RD, CD who has extensive experience working with those recovering from an eating disorder. Group is safe and inviting place to give and receive support, providing the opportunity for reflection and growth not only as an individual, but also as a community.
Tentative topics to be covered: Trust & the Recovery Process, Medical Complications, The refeeding process, Nutrition, Diet Pills, Laxatives, & Diuretics, Fad Diets, Size, Shape, & Numbers, Media & Body Image.
When: Support group will meet Tuesdays 5:00-7:00pm, 7/10, 7/17, 7/24, 7/31, 8/07, 8/14, 8/21, 8/28, 9/04, 9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/02, 10/09, 10/16
What: Gentle yoga is taught by Sarah Akhtar who encourages people of all-levels, body-types and physical capabilities to participate. The class promotes body awareness and acceptance by inviting each student to be present with them-self and feel where their body needs care, emotionally or physically. With a vast teaching experience, Sarah is an expert at individualizing gentle movement, encouraging each student to work at their own pace.
When: Yoga will be held Thursdays 6:30-7:30pm, the dates for the 15-week eating disorder recovery series* are as follows: 7/12, 7/19, 7/26, 8/02, 8/09, 8/16, 8/23, 8/30, 9/06, 9/13, 9/20, 9/27, 10/04, 10/11, 10/18
*Note that gentle yoga as a part of the 15-week eating disorder recovery series, will begin July 12th (Thur. 6:30-7:30pm), but the individual gentle yoga class will start May 17th (same day and time, Thur 6:30-7:30pm)*
Who: Individuals who are recovering from an eating disorder, who are seeking a more integrated approach in an outpatient "real-world" setting.
Cost: Most insurance plans will cover this, as "group medical nutrition therapy." But please note that you are ultimately responsible for any fees your insurance does not cover. We will submit all claims to your insurance company for you, whether they are in, or out of network. We will also do our best to help determine the details of your insurance plan as it relates to this program, and we do require a signed commitment for cohesiveness and planning.
*Before joining the 15-week eating disorder recovery series...
An initial assessment is required prior to attending the 15-week eating disorder recovery series, to assure it is the right fit for you. To schedule your assessment, please call: (206) 909-8022. It would be best to schedule your assessment at least two-weeks prior to series beginning.
In an effort to provide support to all who attend; this series requires a 15-week commitment. We try our best to limit the coming and going to both the support group and gentle yoga, so we can provide the most reliable sense of support possible. So please be sure you are able to make the 15-week commitment prior to signing-up for the 15-week series. If you have any questions or concerns about potential conflicts, please speak with Shena prior to joining the group.
If you miss more than three support groups or yoga, and/or repeatedly arrive 15 minutes or more late (without prior approval), you will be asked to rejoin when you have more availability.
Restorative Yoga at Ramey Nutrition Starts May 24!
Ramey Nutrition is back with Restorative Yoga we call Gentle Yoga!
Restorative Yoga focuses on relaxing the body in restful postures and helps to trigger the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) to bring the body back into equilibrium. This specific yoga technique has been noted by countless studies to aid in the management and healing of trauma, stress/anxiety, depression, and disordered eating behaviors. Additionally, we strongly believe in its benefits for a variety of stress-sensitive diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.
This is a one-hour class taught by Sarah Akthar, concentrating on both Restorative and Vinyasa Yoga techniques. It is a meditative experience, providing the body an opportunity to renew and heal. It is designed for all levels, body-types and physical capabilities.
Gentle Yoga promotes body awareness and acceptance by inviting each student to really be present with them-self for an hour and feel where their bodies need care, emotionally or physically. With a vast experience teaching yoga, Sarah is an expert at individualizing gentle movement.
Vinyasa Yoga is focused on the alignment of movement and breath, and aids in the functionality of the circulatory system. This style allows for a lot of variety, but will almost certainly include Sun Salutations.
When: 6:30pm-7:30pm, beginning May 24th
Where: Ramey Nutrition.4241-B 11th Ave. NE.Seattle, WA 98105. (206) 909-8022 www.rameynutrition.com
Cost: $10/person
Sign up now! Yoga mats, water, props, and blankets provided.
Restorative Yoga focuses on relaxing the body in restful postures and helps to trigger the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) to bring the body back into equilibrium. This specific yoga technique has been noted by countless studies to aid in the management and healing of trauma, stress/anxiety, depression, and disordered eating behaviors. Additionally, we strongly believe in its benefits for a variety of stress-sensitive diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.
This is a one-hour class taught by Sarah Akthar, concentrating on both Restorative and Vinyasa Yoga techniques. It is a meditative experience, providing the body an opportunity to renew and heal. It is designed for all levels, body-types and physical capabilities.
Gentle Yoga promotes body awareness and acceptance by inviting each student to really be present with them-self for an hour and feel where their bodies need care, emotionally or physically. With a vast experience teaching yoga, Sarah is an expert at individualizing gentle movement.
Vinyasa Yoga is focused on the alignment of movement and breath, and aids in the functionality of the circulatory system. This style allows for a lot of variety, but will almost certainly include Sun Salutations.
When: 6:30pm-7:30pm, beginning May 24th
Where: Ramey Nutrition.4241-B 11th Ave. NE.Seattle, WA 98105. (206) 909-8022 www.rameynutrition.com
Cost: $10/person
Sign up now! Yoga mats, water, props, and blankets provided.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Giving a Young Writer a Black Sheep Chance
Eat. Live Healthy. Fight Cancer.
After a cancer diagnosis, most people are eager to do anything that will help their recovery. One of the most important things a cancer patient can do is make a diet change to eat well and pay attention to nutrition. Proper nutrition can slow cancer growth, lower the risk of infection and make recovery much easier.
It should come as no surprise that eating a nutritious diet will help the body maintain its store of vital nutrients. Many patients do not receive the proper nutrition during recovery, and their bodies have trouble maintaining weight. Patients who are not properly nourished may find their bodies unable to stay well otherwise. They will be more tired and more susceptible to common illnesses because their bodies don’t have the stores of nutrients they require.
A simple change of diet and nutrition can help cancer patients heal…period. Knowing as much about conditions by asking health professionals the right questions during treatment can mean figuring out the best and most effective meal plan for a speedy recovery. Questions like can garlic fight prostate cancer, what is mesothelioma, or what foods should be avoided when dealing with breast cancer can drastically change an outcome. This may seem like an overstatement, but the truth is that by satisfying the body’s nutritional needs, patients help their bodies fight off the cancer.
Patients all over are already seeing drastic change in their lives by adopting a healthier diet. Take Faith for instance featured on Free From Harm. After a bit of research and taking a crucial step toward vegetarianism, Faith realized, “the more I learned, the clearer it became that if I could meet my nutritional needs without causing any animal suffering, why would I choose to do otherwise?”. She credits her diet with helping her feel better during her recovery as well as helping her recover from cancer, and believes that continuing the healthier diet has helped her stay cancer-free for several years.
Proper nutrition helps a recovering cancer patient generally feel better naturally raising tolerance to various side effects from treatments. The nutrient dense foods create the energy needed to stay strong through cancer treatment and recovery. Junk foods and unhealthy foods fill up the body but don’t provide the nutrients needed to maintain energy and strength and can drastically have a negative effect on our moods as well. In recovery, any action which can make a patient feel even a little better is worth investigating, at the very least.
Katrina Evans is a recent college graduate and aspiring writer especially interested in health and wellness. She enjoys making a difference in people’s lives seeing how devastating cancer can be for people and their families. Katrina also likes running, reading and listening to cool podcasts.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/nutrition/Patient/page1http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/parathyroid
http://www.mesotheliomasymptoms.com/what-mesothelioma
http://freefromharm.org/health-nutrition/faith-terwilliger-a-cancer-survivor-turned-plant-based-nutrition-coach/
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/01/26/earlyshow/health/main595775.shtml
After a cancer diagnosis, most people are eager to do anything that will help their recovery. One of the most important things a cancer patient can do is make a diet change to eat well and pay attention to nutrition. Proper nutrition can slow cancer growth, lower the risk of infection and make recovery much easier.
It should come as no surprise that eating a nutritious diet will help the body maintain its store of vital nutrients. Many patients do not receive the proper nutrition during recovery, and their bodies have trouble maintaining weight. Patients who are not properly nourished may find their bodies unable to stay well otherwise. They will be more tired and more susceptible to common illnesses because their bodies don’t have the stores of nutrients they require.
A simple change of diet and nutrition can help cancer patients heal…period. Knowing as much about conditions by asking health professionals the right questions during treatment can mean figuring out the best and most effective meal plan for a speedy recovery. Questions like can garlic fight prostate cancer, what is mesothelioma, or what foods should be avoided when dealing with breast cancer can drastically change an outcome. This may seem like an overstatement, but the truth is that by satisfying the body’s nutritional needs, patients help their bodies fight off the cancer.
Patients all over are already seeing drastic change in their lives by adopting a healthier diet. Take Faith for instance featured on Free From Harm. After a bit of research and taking a crucial step toward vegetarianism, Faith realized, “the more I learned, the clearer it became that if I could meet my nutritional needs without causing any animal suffering, why would I choose to do otherwise?”. She credits her diet with helping her feel better during her recovery as well as helping her recover from cancer, and believes that continuing the healthier diet has helped her stay cancer-free for several years.
Proper nutrition helps a recovering cancer patient generally feel better naturally raising tolerance to various side effects from treatments. The nutrient dense foods create the energy needed to stay strong through cancer treatment and recovery. Junk foods and unhealthy foods fill up the body but don’t provide the nutrients needed to maintain energy and strength and can drastically have a negative effect on our moods as well. In recovery, any action which can make a patient feel even a little better is worth investigating, at the very least.
Katrina Evans is a recent college graduate and aspiring writer especially interested in health and wellness. She enjoys making a difference in people’s lives seeing how devastating cancer can be for people and their families. Katrina also likes running, reading and listening to cool podcasts.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/nutrition/Patient/page1http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/parathyroid
http://www.mesotheliomasymptoms.com/what-mesothelioma
http://freefromharm.org/health-nutrition/faith-terwilliger-a-cancer-survivor-turned-plant-based-nutrition-coach/
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/01/26/earlyshow/health/main595775.shtml
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