Northern Virginia Functional Medicine

02/20/2023

We offer many options to treat your mitochondrial dysfunction at our office!

02/06/2023

We welcome Samantha! Who knew that a Dentist wanna be would be working for us!!!

01/25/2023

01/05/2023

Dr. Ratcliffe had the privilege of finishing a rigorous immunology program at Harvard Medical School. Book a free phone call to see if Northern Virginia Functional Medicine is right for you!

12/29/2022

The gut has a huge impact on the way we process our sugars and insulin resistance. https://eje.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/eje/172/4/R167.xml

12/23/2022

Retained reflexes from childhood can cause cognitive and developmental issues! https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=593367782788348&set=a.506463881478739

Primitive reflexes (PRs), mediated by the brainstem, are responsible for complex movement patterns critical for survival in the first year of life. Retention of PRs in individuals can contribute to difficulty with visual tracking, balance, motion intolerance, concentration, and coordination. PR therapy effectiveness has been demonstrated and is used in early intervention for children with cerebral palsy, behavior disorders, or reading difficulties. PR re-emergence has been identified in pyramidal tract disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s due to cortical damage of white matter in the frontal lobe causing disturbances to the inhibitory tracts from the prefrontal cortex, specifically the orbitofrontal cortex and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

Research in early intervention suggests retention of moro reflex, symmetrical tonic neck reflex (STNR), asymmetrical tonic neck reflex (ATNR), tonic labyrinthine reflex (TLR), and spinal galant reflex contributes to difficulties with coordination, balance, concentration, visual tracking, reading, and writing. The clinical presentation overlay between individuals with concussions and children with PR retention due to developmental delay, prompted these authors to use PR integration therapy in individuals with concussive disorders.

Table and excerpt adapted from: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1932&context=ijahsp

12/23/2022

Berberine helps reverse 3 of the most important factors in disease and ageing.

Sorry it’s been a while, guys. Life has had me pinned down pretty bad lately. Hopefully I’ll be able to get back on track.

05/08/2022

https://www.facebook.com/713235438878912/posts/2027193697483073/?sfnsn=mo

The role of the vagus nerve in fibromyalgia syndrome

Fibromyalgia (FM) syndrome is a common illness characterized by chronic widespread pain, sleep problems, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties. Dysfunctional neurotransmitter systems that influence the body’s endogenous stress response systems are thought to underlie many of the major FM-related symptoms. A model of FM pathogenesis suggests biological and psychosocial variables interact to influence the genetic predisposition, but the precise mechanisms remain unclear. The Polyvagal Theory provides a theoretical framework from which to investigate potential biological mechanisms.

The vagus nerve (VN) has anti-inflammatory properties via its afferent and efferent fibers. A low vagal tone (as assessed by low heart rate variability), has been observed in painful and inflammatory diseases, including FM, while the ventral branch of the VN is linked to emotional expression and social engagement. These anti-inflammatory and psychological (limbic system) properties of the VN may possess therapeutic potential in treating FM.

From: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0149763421004632

05/06/2022

A food source that commonly triggers Hashimoto’s is lectin – the sticky glycoprotein found in seeds, nuts, and nightshades. ⁠
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Lectins have been shown to cross-react with TPO in thyroid tissue. ⁠
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Since the two share identical protein sequences, the immune system of someone with a lectin sensitivity may also attack thyroid tissue. ⁠
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👉 👉 👉 Learn more on my podcast on iTunes and major podcast platforms: ⁠
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🎙️ Episode 018: The best diet for Hashimoto's hypothyroidism⁠
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🎙️ Solving the Puzzle with Dr. Datis Kharrazian⁠
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🌤️ 🌤️ 🌤️ New course! Hashimoto's: Solving the Puzzle ... from the originator of Hashimoto's autoimmune treatment strategies (link in bio)⁠

04/19/2022

Conversion of T4 to T3 is critical for proper thyroid function and all the bodily systems that depend on it.

The liver and gut are primary locations for conversion of T4 to T3 and places where breakdowns in this conversion can occur.

Low thyroid function can cause the liver and gallbladder to become sluggish and congested.

Since thyroid hormones are converted into a usable form in the liver, you can see how hypothyroidism creates a vicious cycle of hindering liver function.

In addition, when the liver cannot properly break down hormones for elimination, they go back into the bloodstream in a more toxic form than when they entered the liver. This is especially true with estrogen.

Elevated estrogen directly affects thyroid function by hampering the liver’s conversion of T4 to active T3 and by creating too many thyroid-binding proteins so that thyroid hormones can’t get into the body’s cells.

To learn more, check out the article on my site:

https://drknews.com/conversion-t4-t3-important-consideration-low-thyroid-function/

Questions? Want to learn more? Please listen to the short episode:
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👉 👉 👉 On iTunes and major podcast platforms: ⁠
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🎙️ Episode 032: What thyroid lab testing tells you⁠
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🎙️ Solving the Puzzle with Dr. Datis Kharrazian⁠
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>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>⁠
ONLINE COURSE: Hashimoto's: Solving the Puzzle ⁠
https://lp.drknews.com/hashimotos/
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>⁠
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https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/solving-the-puzzle-with-dr-datis-kharrazian/id1574753132⁠

03/22/2022

Deep sleep drives brain fluid oscillations

Getting enough quality sleep at the right times helps protect physical and mental health. Slow-wave sleep (SWS) represents high-intensity sleep and predominates in the first part of the night. Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep accompanies dreaming and is not influenced by prior sleep or waking and shows a rhythmicity with the body clock (circadian rhythm) (1): Sleep starts with a light form of SWS, progresses to deeper SWS and then shallow SWS, and concludes with REM sleep before beginning a new cycle (2). During SWS, the cerebral blood flow is reduced by 25%, which lowers cerebral blood volume (CBV) by ∼10% (3). Fultz et al. (4) show that this reduction in CBV in the human brain allows inflow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to the third and fourth ventricles—fluid-filled cavities in the central brain—which may facilitate communication between fluid compartments and clearance of waste products.

From: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aaz5191

03/19/2022

"Self Reflected was designed to be a highly accurate representation of a slice of the brain and is informed by deep neuroscience research to allow it to function as a reliable educational tool as well as a work of art."

From

https://www.gregadunn.com/self-reflected/the-neuroscience-behind-self-reflected/ #

03/11/2022

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is a newly evolved brain region directly under our forehead, which governs higher cognition. The PFC is needed for working memory, abstract reasoning, and flexible decision-making; for planning, organizing, and regulating our attention; and for insight and judgment about ourselves and others.

It provides thoughtful “top-down” regulation of our thoughts, actions, and emotions. The PFC is able to represent information in working memory without any sensory input by having neurons excite each other to keep information “in mind.”
Stress acts as a sort of toxin to the prefrontal cortex. How is that so?

When we are stressed and feel out of control, there is a flood of catecholamines released in the brain, similar to epinephrine being released from our adrenal gland. The high levels of catecholamines rapidly weaken the connections between PFC neurons by opening potassium channels near the synapses, thus rapidly taking the PFC “off-line.” At the same time, the high levels of catecholamines strengthen more primitive brain circuits that generate emotional responses and habitual reactions.

This can be important for survival. If a lion appears in your path, you don’t want to rely on your thoughtful PFC to philosophize about the situation. In modern day [life], if a car cuts you off on the highway, it’s not helpful to think, ‘I’ve just been cut off by a 2020 model Toyota.’ You want to stop thinking and slam on the brakes. However, weakening PFC function during stress is not helpful when dealing with a more complex stressor such as an invisible COVID-19 virus, which requires thoughtful evaluation and planning for survival.

Importantly, with chronic stress the changes in the brain become even more pronounced as PFC connections are lost, while the neuronal connections in primitive brain circuits actually grow stronger.

Thus we can be more reactive than reflective at a time when we need thoughtful responses to survive.

Read more: https://medicine.yale.edu/news/yale-medicine-magazine/article/understanding-the-brains-resilience/

03/02/2022

Signs of Retained Primitive Reflexes

02/23/2022

How exercise boosts your brain health

1. It decreases feelings of anxiety

Studies have shown that every time your move your body, a number of beneficial neurotransmitters, including dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin and acetylcholine, gets released into your brain.

These substances can decrease feelings of anxiety and depression. (Think of them as a neurochemical "bubble bath" for your brain.)

It only takes between 10 and 30 minutes of daily physical activity to instantly life your mood. No gym membership? Take a short walk, or use the stairs instead of the elevator.

2. It improves your focus and concentration

This is an immediate benefit that can last for at least two hours after 30 minutes of exercise. I recommend activities that increase your heart rate, such as brisk walking, running, swimming, cycling, playing tennis or jumping rope.

Studies have also shown that one workout session can improve your reaction times — which means, for example, that you're going to be much faster at catching that cup of coffee before it falls off the table.

3. It promotes the growth of new brain cells

One of the most significant benefits of exercise, scientists have found, is that it promotes neurogenesis, or the birth of new brain cells. This is essential to improving cognitive function.

Researchers have shown in rats and mice that running ramps up the creation of new brain cells in the hippocampus, a small seahorse-shaped part of the brain devoted to memory formation and storage.

Exercise also can improve the health and function of the synapses between neurons in this region, allowing brain cells to better communicate.

4. It protects your brain from aging and neurodegenerative diseases

Imagine your brain as a muscle: the more workout you put into it, the stronger and bigger it gets.

Longitudinal studies in humans suggest that regular exercise can increase the size of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, both of which are susceptible to neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer's.

Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2021/10/22/neuroscientist-shares-the-brain-health-benefits-of-exercise-and-how-much-she-does-a-week.html

01/01/2022

Looking back on some of my most liked/shared posts from last year….and this was up there!

Thank you to everyone that follows this page! I am very grateful!

12/04/2021

Healing the Brain with Neuroplasticity After Trauma

Research on neuroplasticity has gained in leaps and bounds from observing changes in the brains of those who suffered serious trauma.

Scientists noticed that some patients with severe damage to the brain were able to recover to an amazing degree, given the extent of the damage, and wondered how this was possible; as we now know, neuroplasticity is what allows this recovery to happen.

According to researchers Su, Veeravagu, and Grant (2016), there are three phases of neuroplasticity after trauma:

➡️Immediately after the injury, neurons begin to die and cortical inhibitory pathways are decreased; this phase lasts one to two days, and may uncover secondary neural networks that have never been used or have been rarely used.

➡️After a few days, the activity of these cortical pathways changes from inhibitory to excitatory and new synapses are formed; both neurons and other cells are recruited to replace the damaged or dead cells and facilitate healing.

➡️After a few weeks, new synapses continue to appear and the “remodeling” of the brain is in full swing—this is the time when rehabilitation and therapy can help the brain to learn some helpful new pathways.



From: https://positivepsychology.com/neuroplasticity/

09/01/2021

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1935861X20301996?fbclid=IwAR0USks44NApMqTRhdTTB7zm8z_26NyInvXu_phvUwJZln2VLrZKY18GyEg

Traumatic stress can have lasting effects on neurobiology and result in psychiatric conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We hypoth…

08/10/2021

60% of 400 coronavirus survivors experienced lasting cognitive impairment, a new study reports. Cognitive problems were found in those who experienced mild-to-moderate COVID symptoms, as well as those who experienced more severe symptoms. One in three of the survivors experienced severe cognitive sy...

07/21/2021

There is no substitute for regular exercise and healthy eating habits but Huperzine A has shown some promising brain benefits in animal studies.

Hopefully more human studies to come!

07/21/2021

If only we knew ways to stimulate the cerebellum🧐🧠

07/20/2021

Bacterial translocation can occur when the brain and gut are not able to communicate correctly.

In normal conditions, the ileocecal valve should only allow passage of food from the small to the large intestine.

In times of dysfunction (such as in brain injury) this valve can become “leaky” allowing the bacteria to drift back into the small intestine, causing small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).

07/16/2021

Thyroid hormones are important for the adult brain, particularly regions of the hippocampus. The hippocampus is a thyroid hormone receptor–rich region of the brain involved in learning and memory. Consequently, alterations in thyroid hormone levels have been reported to impair hippocampal-associated learning and memory, synaptic plasticity, and neurogenesis.

From: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24205791/

06/05/2021

Environmental enrichment is the stimulation of the brain by its physical and social surroundings. Brains in richer, more stimulating environments have higher rates of synaptogenesis and more complex dendrite arbors, leading to increased brain activity. 🧠🧠🧠