Valley Integrative Health

Valley Integrative Health With +10 years of experience, Devin Wilson, ND combines Naturopathic & Conventional Medicine. He utilizes advanced testing and cutting-edge therapies.

Dr Wilson aims to identify root causes and offers a patient-centered-holistic approach to healthcare.

Have you been offered Leqembi or Kisulna to treat Alzheimer's Disease? These medications do remove amyloid from the brai...
05/09/2026

Have you been offered Leqembi or Kisulna to treat Alzheimer's Disease?

These medications do remove amyloid from the brain but DO NOT improve cognition or slow progression.

A large systematic review of 17 randomized trials (over 20,000 participants) evaluated several amyloid-beta–targeting monoclonal antibodies for early Alzheimer’s disease.

Key findings:

-These drugs remove amyloid from the brain, but do not meaningfully improve cognition or slow dementia progression.
-Effects on daily functioning are minimal at best.
-They increase the risk of brain imaging abnormalities (ARIA), including swelling and bleeding.
-They do not significantly increase overall serious adverse events or mortality.

Bottom line:
-Despite successfully targeting amyloid, these treatments provide little to no clinically meaningful benefit in patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer’s dementia. The findings suggest that amyloid may not be the most effective therapeutic target, and future research should explore other mechanisms.

GLP-1s: Sexual and Pelvic Health in WomenMany women taking GLP-1 weight loss or diabetes medications notice changes not ...
05/08/2026

GLP-1s: Sexual and Pelvic Health in Women

Many women taking GLP-1 weight loss or diabetes medications notice changes not only in weight and appetite but also in s*xual and pelvic health.

What are GLP-1 medicines and who uses them?
-GLP-1 medicines (for example, semaglutide) are used for type 2 diabetes and weight loss and are now taken by about 1 in 8 US adults. Women are more likely than men to use these drugs, often in midlife.

Possible s*xual and ge***al changes:
-Some women feel more confident s*xually as they lose weight. Others report lower desire (“low libido”) that may be related to how GLP-1s affect brain chemicals like dopamine.
-Fast fat loss from the outer lips (l***a majora) can make the inner lips look more prominent (“Ozempic vulva”), sometimes causing discomfort with s*x. Some women notice vulvar skin changes or worry about appearance; wide variation in “normal” is expected.

Pelvic floor, bladder, and bowel effects:
-GLP-1s commonly slow the gut and can worsen constipation, which may strain the pelvic floor and increase risk of leakage of urine or prolapse in some women. Under‑eating, mild dehydration, and loss of muscle (including pelvic floor and gluteal muscles) can reduce pelvic support and arousal. Weight loss—especially around the abdomen—may also improve stress incontinence or overactive bladder in some women by reducing pressure on the pelvis.

Hormones and menopause:
-GLP-1s change how the body handles fats, which may influence estrogen and testosterone levels and possibly libido and or**sm. Many users are perimenopausal or menopausal, so drug effects can overlap with genitourinary syndrome of menopause (dryness, pain, low desire).

What patients can do:
-Tell your clinician if you notice ge***al, bladder, bowel, or s*xual changes. Ask about: pelvic floor physical therapy, resistance/strength training, local hormone treatments (for dryness or pain), or referral to a vulvar/s*xual health specialist.

Does slow release melatonin help memory and sleep in patients with Alzheimer’s?Poor sleep has been linked to Alzheimer's...
05/07/2026

Does slow release melatonin help memory and sleep in patients with Alzheimer’s?

Poor sleep has been linked to Alzheimer's disease. People with early Alzheimer’s often have lower levels of melatonin (a natural sleep hormone). This study looked at whether taking a slow-release form of melatonin could help with memory and sleep—especially in patients who also have insomnia.

Who was in the study?
• 80 adults (ages 52–85) with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s
• About half had insomnia
• All were already taking standard Alzheimer’s medications

What treatment was tested?
• A nightly 2 mg dose of prolonged-release melatonin (PRM) added to usual treatment
• Compared with a placebo (inactive pill)
• Treatment lasted about 6 months

What did the study find?
• Patients taking melatonin had better overall daily functioning and slightly better memory scores than those on placebo
• Sleep quality improved, especially sleep efficiency (staying asleep through the night)
• Patients with both Alzheimer’s and insomnia saw the greatest benefits, including:
◦ Improved thinking and memory scores
◦ Better ability to manage daily activities
◦ Better sleep

Was it safe?
• Melatonin was well tolerated
• Side effects were similar to placebo (no major safety concerns)

What does this mean?
• Adding prolonged-release melatonin may help improve sleep and some aspects of thinking and daily functioning in people with Alzheimer’s
• Benefits appear strongest in those who also have sleep problems
• The findings suggest that poor sleep may contribute to cognitive decline

SOURCE:
Wade AG, Farmer M, Harari G, et al. Add-on prolonged-release melatonin for cognitive function and sleep in mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease: a 6-month, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial.Clin Interv Aging. 2014;9:947-961. Published 2014 Jun 18. doi:10.2147/CIA.S65625

More research on blood tests for early Alzheimer’s detection!!A fully automated blood biomarker panel may help detect an...
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.

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

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

Melatonin for sleep and cognitive outcomes in older adults with cognitive impairment...Key Points: -Ten Randomized Cont...
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.

Do your genes affect your response and risk of side effects to GLP-1s?GLP-1 medicines help with diabetes and weight, and...
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.

Sulfur Burps After GLP-1 Medication?Sulfur-smelling burps are common on GLP-1 medicines and usually manageable, but they...
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.

Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) DOES NOT increase all-cause mortality riskThis large Danish study found that using Meno...
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

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