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Helios Fall 2023 Newsletter
Vaccines this fall
Well, here we are again guessing what sort of a viral soup is heading our way this fall. Luckily we have learned a few things about preventing and treating COVID, RSV, and the flu.
An ounce of prevention.
There will be 3 vaccines available this fall:
-SEASONAL FLU VACCINNATION, which will be formulated in its traditional way.
-RSV (RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS) is the newest seasonal vaccine. RSV causes a deep respiratory infection often affecting the lungs. It is indicated for those over 60 or who have compromised immune systems. It is not a mRNA vaccine. It also went through the usual FDA rigorous approval process. Not the emergency approval process that the COVID vaccine went through. It is a single shot. Forecasted to last for 2 seasons. While RSV is the leading cause of hospitalizations of children under 1 year, last fall and winter it hit adults harder than expected. It was responsible for 14000 deaths in those over 65 years of age.
-COVID SEASONAL VACCINATION- OK take a deep breath, maybe even take a GABA or theanine while you read this. During the pandemic, we noted that vaccination lasted about 4 months and we were frequently told to get the next booster. This year we are offered a seasonal (once a year) vaccine. It is fashioned as a mRNA vaccine which is based on a new variant that emerged this spring. Its rollout date is still uncertain. Should you get it? There is good evidence that the best benefit for otherwise healthy people is COVID vaccination lowers your risk of developing Long COVID by 25%. Those with compromised immune systems or over 65 years of age should strongly consider it this fall.
Lowering your risk of LONG COVID
Having had COVID DOES NOT PROTECT YOU FROM GETTING LONG COVID. There persists a small risk of developing Long COVID each time you are infected and the vaccine does lower this risk. The other thing that lowers your risk is Paxlovid, the medication you can take during the first 5 days of contracting COVID. Paxlovid lowered the risk of LONG COVID by 25% during the pandemic.
How much COVID will circulate this season is not an easy question to answer. This is a new phase of the pandemic with most people having been infected and/or vaccinated. We won’t be having waves as in the first part of the pandemic we will have smaller surges. We will be keeping an eye on any sign of a surge in COVID. This information will come from sewage water monitoring as most cases of COVID now occur at home are diagnosed by home testing, or go undiagnosed.
COVID prevention
Vitamin D, NAC, Elderberry,
Masks in crowded settings.
COVID treatment
Strongly consider taking Paxlovid within five days of a COVID infection.
Release pearls (Chinese herbal) 3 pills 3x/day x 3-6 days
Perilla pearls 3 2x/day days 7-14
Vit D 10,000IU/day for first 5 days then 5,ooo after for 10 more days
Liposomal glutathione 2 pumps 3x/day x 5 days then daily until the bottle is empty.
Vitamin C- buffered 3-10,000mg divided into 5 doses according to bowel tolerance.
NAC 600mg 2x/day
Quercetin 500mg 3 3x/day
IV- still dragging after a week? Try our Post COVID IV bag.
IVs for all Helios Patients
We have expanded our IV services to make them easier to access. Now if you’ve been seen at Helios (within the last 12 months) and have had a normal comprehensive metabolic panel 6 within the last 6 months and have no heart or kidney diseases you may make appointments for infusions.
The menu includes:
*STATE OF MIND- Mental Clarity & Focus -
1 Liter Normal Saline
+ Alpha Lipoic Acid 150mg, B12 5mg, Folic Acid 15mg & Glutathione 1gm
*THE GOOD FIGHT- Immune Defense, Support & Recovery from Cold / Flu & Flu-like Illness
1 Liter LR (Electrolyte Fluid)
+ Myers’ Cocktail with Vit. C 10gms, Glutathione 2gms, Taurine 250mg & Zinc 10mg
*SELF CARE- Stress Tolerance, Immune Support, Relaxation & Resilience
1 Liter LR (Electrolyte Fluid)
+ Modified Myers’ Cocktail with B12 5mg & Taurine 250mg
*MYERS COCKTAIL- immune system and adrenal gland support to promote both energy and relaxation, stress tolerance, and general wellness.
IV fluid, Magnesium 1gm, Calcium (100mg/10gm Vit C), Vitamin C, B-complex 1mL, B12 1mg
*RELIEF- Headache Prevention & Treatment
Myers’ Cocktail followed by Folic Acid 15mg
*THE ATHLETE- Endurance, Performance & Recovery
1 Liter LR (Electrolyte Fluid)
+ Magnesium 2gms, B-Complex 2mL, B12 2mg, Vitamin C 10gms & Taurine 250mg
10 Ways to Lose Mid-Abdominal Weight
If you are wondering where that abdominal weight gain came from, you are not alone. When it comes to weight, it seems to be more of an issue in our later years…Many people struggle with controlling those extra pounds that tend to deposit themselves around the middle while losing important muscle mass. Visceral fat is the fat that surrounds internal organs and is hidden in your abdominal cavity.
What we have learned since the mid-1990s, is that the fat cell is an endocrine organ, secreting hormones and other molecules that have far-reaching effects on other tissues. There are a host of chemicals that link visceral fat to a wide variety of diseases. This combination can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and a decline in physical function. Your weight is one indicator of your health, but it matters where you carry those extra pounds. Here are some things you can do to lose that weight:
Increase your protein intake..especially in the morning. Eating 25-30 grams of protein with each meal helps maintain muscle mass and reduces fat gain. Research has also shown Intermittent fasting to be effective for weight loss, with a typical loss of 7-11 pounds over 10 weeks.
Choose farm fresh food over processed food. Consider following the MIND diet (a combination of the Mediterranean and DASH -low sodium diet).
Move at least 30 minutes/day for cardiovascular fitness and add weight resistance at least twice per week for muscle strength. Exercise is the best thing you can do to prevent Alzheimer’s disease!
Cut down on simple carbs, especially sugar. This includes alcohol too which is a toxin to the brain and destroys sleep. Simple carbs also retain fluid.
Get some sleep…at least 7 hours. Avoid late-night food and alcohol. Stop eating after 7 PM as it stores more body fat since you are not burning it off.
Sunlight, especially in the morning even if it is overcast. It helps elevate Cortisol in the morning which you need for energy and resets your circadian rhythm for better sleep at night by increasing melatonin in the evening.
Social connection is important. Remember that hormones are involved in weight gain and the more we can reduce high levels of cortisol throughout the day, the less insulin gets produced to allow fat to be stored. When you are connecting and having fun, it lowers cortisol and raises serotonin and oxytocin which help us relax, digest better and utilize glucose for energy more efficiently. Meditation, deep breathing, and prayer are also important.
Consider getting a food allergy test. Learn to avoid “trigger foods” (foods you are reacting to) so that inflammation and insulin subside and weight loss can begin. Reactive calories will put on weight.
Get your thyroid level checked. It’s a major player when it comes to hormone health since it stimulates metabolism.
Drink water. It is essential to drink approximately half your body weight in ounces. For every 16 ounces less than your body needs, it will hold onto half a pound! When you are dehydrated, your body has to extract water from your food and holds onto it in your tissues. When you drink enough, the body can let go of the extra water it’s been holding on to, and the numbers on the scale go down.
Read the full article at https://wellcast.org/things-to-know-about-late-life-weight-gain/
What to eat and supplement to avoid Covid and all the other seasonal maladies
- Dr. Margaret Hampton
Be Prepared! Every household from now until forever, if able, is advised to have a well-rounded herbal and supplement “war-chest” to get through whatever the season may bring. This research-based list has been vetted by Helios and the Institute of Functional Medicine:
Zinc: 30-60 mg /day in divided doses
Elderberry: 500mg daily for up to 12 weeks
Vitamin D: 5000 IUs daily, 10,000 with acute infection
Vitamin A: 10,000-25,000 IU daily
Vitamin C: 1-3 grams daily
NAC: 600-1200mg daily
Quercetin: 1 gram/day for up to 12 weeks
Curcumin: 500-1000 mg daily
Melatonin: 5-20 mg once a day (at night)
Medicinal Mushrooms: Immunity Blend, dosage per manufacturer recommendation
With traveling or around large groups
Yu Ping Feng San/ “Jade Windscreen”: 3 capsules 3 times a day for 3-4 days unless symptoms worsen
What you eat also matters!
It’s time to put away the summer cocktail mix, rosé, and ice cream and focus on nutrient-dense foods. Begin to cook more of your summer vegetables (this includes salads!). If you are a smoothie lover, throw a thumb of fresh ginger and ground cinnamon into the blender. It is important our bodies can use their energy healing over digesting raw cellulose found in uncooked fruits and vegetables.
Prioritize pastured meats, bone broths, freshly cooked vegetables, and dial way back on sugar. Sugar is inflammatory and also inhibits immune responses. Cook with turmeric, cayenne, ginger, and garlic to keep your blood flowing and packed with nature’s infection-fighting mechanisms.
Helios May Newsletter
14 Health Hacks from Dr. Brunschwig
All of these hacks are things that have served me to keep my body moving and my mind clear and energetic.
Be Kind. Be kind to yourself, first. This means to be kind to your heart with self-forgiveness and to your body as it is part of nature. Listen to it carefully to hear what it needs.
Unlock our prehistoric vigor with cold showers, ice bathing, and breath holding. (The house that Wim built.) Wim Hof Method, That what doesn’t kill us, by Scott Carey and Wim Hof.
Drink pomegranate juice (unsweetened) to improve blood flow and memory. 2 ounces twice daily has been shown in studies to improve memory and blood flow. Pom is the best. Knudsen’s Just pomegranate is also good and doesn’t need refrigeration until opened.
Breathe through your nose while exercising to circulate a powerfully healing nitric oxide, which is generated in your nose. Tape your mouth shut while sleeping, with one piece vertically. I prefer NexCare one-inch tape by 3M. Read The Oxygen Advantage by Patrick McKeown.
Enter the laboratory of your body. Get wired for discovering your blood sugar, sleep quality, and oxygen levels while you sleep, or scan your brain for power and speed. Ask
our staff and we can arrange for you to use an overnight oximeter, prescribe a continuous glucose monitor or make an appointment to do a Wavi brain scan to determine your brain age.
Take N-acetyl cysteine (1200mg at bedtime) to boost the learning power of your brain. NAC is used to make glutathione a powerful neuroprotective nutrient.
Also, Lion’s mane stimulates nerve growth (500mg twice daily). Stay tuned Helios is part of research into a powerful new cognitive boosting nutrient that will supercharge your brain.Avoid alcohol as it is a sleep destroyer. Alcohol is known to reduce REM sleep, an essential part of our sleep cycle.
Eat fresh- the power of eating like the French. The French have an obsession with the quality of their food. Their dietary fats are high quality and fresh. This allows them to eat saturated fats that don't lead to heart disease and stroke.
Keep learning and be curious. Your brain is a learning machine and needs the challenge of new tasks.
Meditate to shed the stress of this world. If not meditation, then deep breathing exercises or prayer.
Care for a living creature, plant, garden, or pet.
Reach out and support your community in small ways.
Blow your mind. . .the age of psychedelics is here. Learn what is good “medicine” for spiritual growth. If psychedelics aren't your thing, then try guided breathing journeys. I do breath sessions regularly with Mary Kennedy, Transformational Breathwork. 303-579-2903. Alternatively Holotropic Breathwork.
Spring cleaning- do a gut and/or liver cleanse, as spring is the ideal time to cleanse the organ of detoxification, your liver. Talk to Alex at the Apothecary as we have some really good cleansing formulas/programs
Rates slightly increasing.
After 5 years of maintaining our rate, Helios will be slightly increasing rates for consultation times.
Pierre Brunschwig will change from $390/hour to $420/ hour
Deborah Breakell will change from $315/hour to $330/hour
All visits will continue to be prorated to the length of the visit.
Margaret Hampton’s rates will increase to $175 for new patients and $125 for established.
Spring Newsletter
Masks Optional
Covid 19 is still a dangerous virus for those over the age of 65. However, we do feel that it’s reasonable to have a less restrictive mask policy.
Masking is now optional at Helios for most patient visits. We thank you for being respectful to those who still wish to use them.
For those who have had respiratory symptoms for OVER a week, you may be seen in person. We ask that you wait in your car or in the building entrance and that you wear a mask in the office.
If you have a known recent exposure, but NO respiratory symptoms, and want to be seen, we ask that you wear a mask.
For those symptomatic with cough, sneezing, and congestion for instance. and have had less than 7 days of symptoms, we can schedule you for a phone or video appointment right away or an in-patient visit after 7 days since the onset of your respiratory symptoms.
Helios is still not seeing patients with respiratory symptoms for in-person visits within the first week of the onset of symptoms.
What You Need To Know About Hormone Replacement Therapy
-By Deborah Breakell MSN, FNP-BC
More than 1 million women in the United States experience menopause each year. Yet we are still in the dark about what to do about the troublesome symptoms that embrace this phase of life. Those symptoms can vary for each woman but primarily consist of intrusive hot flashes and night sweats with many hours of lost sleep. Low energy and mood changes that can disrupt work and relationships. Brain fog and difficulty grasping words which cause anxiety around the question of whether you are entering the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Then there’s the weight gain (especially in the mid-section) along with hair loss, dry skin, dry nails, and eyes. The worst part is the fact that these symptoms begin 6 months to 12 years leading up to a woman’s last period, known as peri-menopause. This starts when women reach their late 40s due to hormonal spikes and dips of estrogen and progesterone as the last eggs of the ovaries start to plummet in number. Irregular menstrual bleeding can also accompany these other symptoms making this time in a woman’s life unpredictable. This presents confusion about where to turn for answers and options to get their lives back. Here is what you need to know about hormone replacement therapy (HRT)….
Continual Glucose Monitoring and Acupuncture
After years of doing acupuncture, I am still amazed and enthralled by its various effects, even unintentional ones. Dr. Brunschwig and Deborah Breakell NP have been implementing a technology called “Continuous Glucose Monitors” or CGM’s with many Helios patients. CGM’s are a very useful tool in understanding how the body responds to certain foods and the corresponding glucose levels in your bloodstream on a 24-hour basis.
Glucose affects arguably all parts of our health but can especially be a big player in cardiac health, brain function, and sleep. Many of my patients have been wearing these devices and finding that even though we weren’t directly treating their issues with glucose, that acupuncture is having an incredibly positive and measurable effect on stabilizing their blood glucose!
I dove into the research around this phenomenon and there are many studies that confirm what we have been experiencing. There is more than one physiological mechanism involved in why acupuncture works for glucose stabilization. One randomized control study showed that 10 treatments of acupuncture reduced previously high A1C levels to within the normal range. A review of human and animal studies found that acupuncture is effective in increasing insulin sensitivity, insulin resistance, and related neuropathy. I am excited to share these findings as so many people suffer from glucose-related issues.
Yours,
Margaret Hampton DACM
RASA Coffee Alternative is now available at the Apothecary. We are proud to offer RASA, a delicious, adaptogen-packed herbal coffee alternative. RASA is a local to Boulder, woman-owned, super sustainable company. We carry several, rotating flavor options for calm energy and stress resilience. We have chosen to carry RASA over other options for adaptogens due to RASA’s strong focus on sustainability, fair pricing, purity, potency, quality, and social responsibility.
Adaptogens are amazing plants and mushrooms that help our bodies cope with stress, anxiety, and fatigue by giving our bodies what they need in the moment. They work with our nervous and endocrine systems to help us cope better.
We also carry Magnificent Mushrooms from RASA, our favorite, highly potent blend of functional mushrooms. See below for a little more information directly from RASA’s website about Magnificent Mushrooms.
“Mushrooms are so powerful and yet they are under-celebrated, so we decided to give them a party of their own. Meet Magnificent Mushrooms: our super-functional adaptogen mushroom powder, your daily mushroom party—err, well-being boost. Here at Rasa, we source the best mushrooms around for our line of adaptogenic coffee alternatives, so we realized that it was time to give them an extra-potent product to call their own. Add Magnificent Mushrooms to your Rasa, smoothies, broths, and fine... you can add it to your coffee, too, if that’s what floats your boat (we’ll still love you, promise).
Our daily boost mushroom extract powder is standardized to >25% beta-glucans (complex compounds found in mushrooms that provide immune support). For those who don’t speak mushroom, this means that Magnificent Mushrooms is the most potent mushroom blend on the market (yeah, we said it, and we stand by it!).
Magnificent Mushrooms is formulated for enhanced immunity, beauty, and balance—all the daily mushroom goodness you’re looking for. Meticulously crafted for potency and quality, our Chief Herbalist Ben included 6 highly functional, powerful, and (dare we say) freakin’ rad mushrooms to enliven your cup.” -RASA
Stop by the Apothecary to check out our selection of RASA or visit their website Wearerasa.com for more information and to check out all the wonderful options available! .
We would like to congratulate Val Szarek , a friend of Helios, who recently published her newest book!
Valerie A. Szarek is an award-winning performance Poet and Native American Flute
player. Her poems are healing, present, political, and Shamanic, and cross between the
seen and unseen worlds effortlessly. Her words, music and workshops are featured at
festivals and events around Colorado, including the International Young Leadership
Conference, The Mercury Cafe, The Telluride Literary festival, and Ziggie’s Poetry
Festivals. She was named “Poet of the Year” Blissfest, 2018. Other awards: Colorado
Author’s League best poem 2020, 2021 and 2022 plus The National Poetry Federation
Winner’s Circle Award 2016. Valerie offers “Writing as Ceremony” workshops monthly.
She has been a leather artisan for 50 years and owns Breezy Mountain Leather as well
as a Shamanic Practitioner and energy healer with a private practice.
Bibliography: SOAR READY: MEDICINE POEMS FOR A CHANGING WORLD (2020)
SIGNS OF LIFE (2015)
13 MOONS ON TURTLES BACK (2005)
Mid-Winter Days
Made of fire, my ancestors dine on stars
at Orion’s table - Sirius chases a comet's tail
Seven Sisters stir cauldrons -
deep mysteries to ladder into our DNA
Remember, they chant,
you are the light that returns,
that is born, and dies,
and is reborn each year
Remember,You are the walker,
one who carries stories
who sings words into the ether
for all of us who came before
Yet there is no before
there is no not here
we are the living stars,
the light that returns, shines
from within each of us
Remember, Daughter of Fireyou are the gift
the dream, the birth
of the sun each day
Choose these winter nights to dreamthe world the way you would weave it,
Fabrics of love its horizontal weftand those who walk beside
as warp, vertical tears,
laughter, gratitude, creation
Remember, Daughter of fire
of light and dark,
walk for us as we tend the hearths.
-Valerie A Szarek
Fall Newsletter
Flu is coming early, oh joy!
If you are ill this winter we want you to be aware of our cold and flu precautions. You may come to the office for an in-person visit if you meet the following criteria:
It has been over 24 hours since you have had a fever or chills.
It has been 7 days or more since your respiratory ailment started.
Your cough is reasonably controlled.
During the cold and flu season, we will continue to have all patients and staff wear masks in the office. Free masks are available at the entrance.
Preservative-free flu vaccines are here in both regular and high doses.
Homeopathic influenza preventative is now available at the Apothecary. Ask Alex at the Apothecary about dosing instructions. We recommend this highly for anyone who can’t or doesn’t receive the flu vaccine. It also serves as a booster to those who do.
Marguerite Returning!
Marguerite will be slowly transitioning back to Helios from her maternity leave, by helping from home to start. You may notice her calling from a number you aren’t used to but feel free to return calls to that number. It will be 720-839-6988.
IV news
We have a new intravenous recipe for post-COVID and influenza recovery. Ask your practitioner about it. It is packed with recovery nutrients: Vitamin C, zinc, magnesium, glutathione, and B complex.
“Yes” on Proposition 122
Although politics and medicine ideally should not overlap, occasionally they do, and we
wanted to offer our perspective on Prop 122 on this year’s ballot. Proposition 122 would allow
the personal use of psilocybin mushrooms and certain plant-based psychedelic substances by
adults 21 and over but would ban sales except in licensed “healing centers,” where people
could ingest them under the supervision of trained facilitators.
We are acutely aware of the interconnectedness of mind and body. There is no way to
heal the body without addressing the mind, and vice versa. This ballot measure is an exciting
opportunity to expand the toolset for healing. There is abundant research surfacing from
reputable medical schools (John Hopkins, Harvard Medical) that have shown how psychedelic
medicine can be used to heal a multitude of ailments including PTSD, addictions, OCD, and
trauma.
Furthermore, in recent years, we have witnessed patients who have undergone
treatment using ketamine or psilocybin with a trained facilitator have had incredible breakthroughs
that have positively changed the course of their lives. I have had patients crippled by PTSD find
stable ground to move forward on for the first time in years. This by no means is to serve as a
replacement for other types of emotional therapy, but rather an important option to access in
the journey to wellness.
Long Covid: What I Have Learned
The prevalence of Long-Haul Covid ranges between 20-30% of all those who have tested
positive for COVID-19 at some point. People are suffering and, for the most part, not finding
answers in the conventional medical model. This is not a statement to discredit hard-working and
thoughtful doctors in hospital settings, but more a point of awareness that the tools they have
at hand within those settings are struggling to find effective solutions for many long-haul
patients.
What I have learned in these past two years in treating those with Long-Haul Covid is
that the ancient principles of eastern medicine can hold up to this “new virus.” Through
observation and careful listening, the underlying disease patterns become clear which leads to
a successful healing path. Ancient herbal remedies that have treated humans through several
pandemics are still relevant and effective. As a practitioner, I must stay nimble in my thinking
and am constantly reminded to change protocols as the body begins to heal and reveal other
physiological imbalances. There never was a “one-size-fits-all” for effective medicine, and this is especially true with Long-Haul sufferers.
Long-Covid has reminded us that there is always more to the story than one’s symptoms. There can be underlying nutrient deficiencies, untreated co-infections such as chronic Lyme or Epstein-Barr, or organs that were already burdened. These pre-existing conditions set the stage for stagnant recovery post-COVID. We have sharpened our detective skills to uncover the root causes of why Long-Covid is affecting some and not others.
All this to say, after two years I am so excited to share that there is hope, there are solutions, and that suffering is not inevitable. The path to healing may not be straight and narrow, but the path is lit with wisdom that is centuries old.
Margaret Hampton DACM
Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
Did you know that Dr. Hampton is offering Facial Rejuvenation using Microneedling and Red-Light Therapy?
For the first 15 people to call and book a treatment today
she will give $50 dollars off your first session!
SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER
We want you to know about some exciting additions to the Helios family. The first one is Marguerite’s and her husband Micheal’s anticipated birth of their first child sometime very soon. Marguerite has been a trooper keeping up with her third trimester prenatal care and managing the front desk like she has 8 arms. Stay tuned for the announcement of their baby.
Or second addition is Cindy Mayhew who is working the front desk while Marguerite is on maternity leave. She is a wonderful addition to our staff and we are grateful to have her skills, experience, and temperament. You are likely to experience her splendid presence soon if you have not already.
The Full Schedule
We have made some adjustments to Dr Brunschwig and Deborah Breakell’s schedule to make it easier to get into to see them. Forgive us for any inconvenience it booking with our practitioners as we adapt to the increased number of patients who want to experience Helios Medicine.
We are actively searching for another doctor to join our team to increase access to our care. Stay tuned.
Apothecary
Many may have noticed, like the rest of the world, the Apothecary is encountering supply issues with their vendors. We are happy to report that Douglas Labs Basic Preventive 5 is back in stock for the time being. If you have any questions about product availability in the Apothecary, please call the office or email apothecary@heliosintegratedmedicine.com. You are always welcome to check stock ahead of time prior to making the trip in. It is also helpful to call or email with orders before you are out of your supplements as shipping delays are also becoming more frequent. We are always happy to set aside items for you to pick up, shipping is also available for your convenience!
Living with COVID
We are fortunately now entering into the fall with some of the lowest COVID rates since the pandemic arrived. Colorado currently has the third lowest COVID incidence in the US. Go Colorado!
We now need to live with this darn virus as it percolates in our communities at lower rates. For the time being, we are still requiring masks in the office in defense of those who are at high risk, who are unvaccinated, or in whom vaccination was not effective. Please come with a mask.
For those who are ill, we recommend if have mild symptoms to isolate for 5 days. You may resume your regular activities if you have not had a fever for 24 hours AND you are not coughing or sneezing. You don’t have to have tested negative with a home COVID kit as people continue to test positive for weeks sometimes though they are not contagious. If you have moderate symptoms then you should isolate yourself for ten days before resuming normal activities. We recommend a similar set of recommendations for coming into the clinic with one exception: we will ask you t wait 7 days before coming into the clinic for mild COVID and 10 days for moderate symptoms.
For those of you who have been exposed to COVID within 5 days and who are asymptomatic, we ask you to do a COVID home test prior to your appointment. Should you not be able to get a kit in a timely fashion we can provide you one to do in your car prior to your appointment. Note they take 15 minutes to run so arrive 20 minutes prior to your appointment.
If you are caring for a family member with COVID at home and you have an appointment call us ahead of your appointment. It might be appropriate to reschedule your appointment or change your appointment to phone or video.
We look forward to when we do not need these precautions. Let us hope that this fall continues to roll along with low COVID rates which will be a welcome change.
Flu Vaccines are here
This year’s flu shot is now available at Helios.
Once again, we will have the preservative-free Flu shots by Fluzone. Call to schedule an appointment for yours.
The normal dose is $58
The high dose for age 65 and over is $94
Spring 2022 Newsletter
In-Person Visits and Masking
Mental Health Wellness
Brain Scan and Carotid UltraSound special.
Apothecary sale on Cleaning programs.
Dr. Margaret Hampton- Skin Care Program.
WAVI and C-imt Scan Special
MASKS IN THE OFFICE
As COVID19 numbers continue to decline in Boulder and surrounding areas Helios will be transitioning to “mask optional”. Providers and staff will continue to wear masks for the time being. Please keep in mind that our current merciful pandemic lull is TEMPORARY. In all likelihood, we will see a surge in cases this summer.
Unpacking 2 years of the pandemic
It’s been a long strange trip. Though the global pandemic is not over we have a mercifully low prevalence of coronavirus. This gives us time to unpack where we have gone during the pandemic. This timing is fortuitous as spring is a time to cleanse. We can cleanse our bodies and our minds this spring. For our minds, this can mean recreating meaning or recreating with playfulness and joy (pushing back on the darkness)
Reconnecting with people we have missed during the pandemic.
Media detox- Unplugging from news and social media
Reconnect to yourself with meditation and being in nature.
Reconnecting with friends and family- do something kind for someone for no special reason.
Appreciating yourself, valuing yourself, finding your self-confidence and optimism, building contentment for who you are.
Finding gratitude and appreciation for what you have- time, friends, love, value experiences over material things.
Finding our generosity and humor.
Finding and restoring your spirit, being in the moment, finding joy at the moment.
Rekindling our curiosity for learning and adapting.
Detoxifying our bodies
Cut out alcohol as it’s really bad for sleep.
Removing added sugar and unnecessary caffeine.
Moving our bodies with a better routine of exercise.
Weight loss- Consider intermittent fasting and/or eating a more plant-based diet.
Apothecary - Spring Detox Special
The Apothecary will be offering a 20% discount on Metagenics’ 10-day Clear Change Detox program. This program includes UltraClear RENEW and AdvaClear (two of our favorite detox supplements) along with detailed instructions. The program includes meal suggestions as well. The Clear Change 10-Day Program featuring UltraClear RENEW is designed to enhance the body's natural metabolic detoxification process while providing adequate fuel for both cleansing and other daily activities—providing energy and support for overall well-being. Many people benefit from completing a 10-day metabolic detoxification program two to three times a year. It is available in Chai or Vanilla flavor (berry flavor is also available as a special order).
Micro Needling- by Margaret Hampton
In the spirit of seeking balance, harmony and beauty, Dr. Margaret Hampton has begun offering micro-needling skin rejuvenation treatments at Helios every other Wednesday. Micro-needling known as “collagen induction therapy” benefits skin tone and appearance by: boosting collagen production, decreasing fine lines and wrinkles, diminishing age spots and scarring from acne. She combines her deep understanding of Chinese Medicine with state-of-the-art micro-needling tools to maximize the benefits of each treatment. Further, each treatment is followed by a cooling mask and Red-Light therapy to increase circulation and decrease inflammation to expedite and enhance healing.
Please call Helios for pricing and packages.
** Existing patients of Dr. Hamptons will receive 20% packages or their first treatment.
WAVI Brain Scan and C-IMT Arterial Scan
If you are not familiar with our popular noninvasive blood vessel ultrasound, please inquire with us about its usefulness as a preventive study.
WAVI brain scans are a radiation-free functional test of brain activity.
We can give you direct measurements of brain function. The portable EEG scanner, the WAVI headset, measures non-invasively brain function in real-time. WAVI brain scans provide information about regional brain activity, processing power, and auditory and reaction time. All these assessments can be compared to “normals” for your age, and alert us when your brain is aging too rapidly. The scan takes 60 minutes. Cost 150$ (100$ with a CIMT scan).
Enjoy a $50 discount when you purchase these together.
Who should get a WAVI brain scan?
People who have/had:
Family history of dementia
Personal history of head or brain injury
Personal history of cancer chemotherapy
High-risk sports participation (football, soccer, mountain biking, etc.)
Loss of taste, smell, or hearing
High blood pressure
Diabetes or high blood sugar
High Cholesterol
History of Stroke
Smoking
Obstructive sleep apnea
Insomnia
Prolonged general anesthesia
ADHD
Chronic neurological conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson’s Disease
Heart Surgery
Depression
Menopausal cognitive decline
Anyone who is concerned about their memory
Welcome to 2022
If you want to skip the pandemic information that follows please do not skip Valery Szarek’s powerful poem “The Sky Sings” at the end of this post.
temporary Changes for in-office appointments
We are adapting, once again, to the changing landscape of the coronavirus pandemic. In-office changes include:
For all routine blood testing, patient orders will be sent to Labcorp where you can use any convenient location.
N95 masks(preferred) or surgical masks are required for all other in-office services. Masks will be available for purchase.
IV patients will need to keep their masks on at all times. In other words, no eating and drinking during IVs. Please be prepared for this.
You will note our pre-entry station and review of precautions prior to entry. Please sign and present this form on entry.
Symptomatic patients with ANY cold or flu symptoms will need to do reschedule for in-person appointments.
Here is what we know about the
Omicron variant:
Remarkably more contagious. It likely has a shorter incubation period, produces more viruses quicker, and infects and spreads in asymptomatic people more often. Omicron's R0 value is about 2.5. Meaning that it spreads to 2.5 people from every infected person.
(This is similar to earlier variants, however, omicron does it at breakneck speed.)
The silver lining may be that the Omicron wave may be shorter than previous variants. In South Africa, where the variant originated they are already seeing a steep decline in their infections. Their wave start to finish is about 2 months, peaking at 4 weeks.
A shorter period of contagion with a shorter quarantine period. Omicron creates a less severe illness in general. HOWEVER, omicron infects so many more people it is still swamping hospitals AND leading to more deaths. South Africa’s death toll from Omicron is still rising even when the infection rate is dropping. This is because many patients who will die from omicron may take 3-6 weeks before succumbing.
We will likely peak our wave in the next two weeks. Therefore keep your social interactions to a minimum, wear a mask, preferably an N95 mask, physically distance, test often, and get your booster shot if you haven’t. Don’t expose others if you have even mild symptoms.
Symptoms for omicron generally overlap with both cold and flu symptoms. We, therefore, have no symptom that reliably indicates an omicron infection.
Home tests (antigen tests) seem to be less sensitive though they still are an important way to limit exposures. The bigger problem with home testing is actually the limited supply.
Treatment for omicron now includes oral medication, Pfizer’s Plaxcovid a ten-day course. We are actively trying to find out just how this medication is distributed by the Colorado Department of Health. Getting a prescription will require a positive test, having a risk factor for severe COVID19, and must be started within 5 days of onset of symptoms. Note that only 2 of the 4 monoclonal antibody treatments work for Omicron infections.
Helios has a supplement program for those who are symptomatic. Please contact us as soon as you know you have COVID19 as our latest iteration of immune and antiviral support blends Traditional Chinese herbs with Nutritional Medicine.
Marshall Fires
We are challenged swiftly this new year with the vastly more contagious omicron variant and the devastating firestorm in Marshall, Superior, and Louisville. There is an overwhelming amount of distressing news these days. It leads us to an unsettling forecast for 2022. These times challenge us to be more forgiving, more generous, more patient, more gracious, and in connection with others more than ever. We need to express and receive this heart-driven part of our humanity these days to push back on the forces that drive us apart. What is certain is that we will manage so much better together than separately.
Our hearts go out to all of the families impacted by the fire and we will be collecting appropriate donations at Helios. We will transfer all donations to The YMCA of Northern Colorado.
(They are requesting blankets, pillows, dog and cat food)
We are also offering 50% off Helios services for first responders and volunteers who had respiratory or other health problems following the fires.
The Sky Sings
“The sky sings
me home
where my Grandmother’s bones
lace my own marrow
Ash on my fingers
soft from last night’s fire
Soft from conjuring stars
mapping home
Home - not like the place
to return to after
My skin lays down
But that resonant river
that traces my limbs
Where I’m rooted
where I remember myself, whole
Connected, powerful
able to do more than survive
A stone from the path
asks me for a carry
We share a walk for awhile
I ask this elder brother
how to get home
How to remember
myself whole
I ask if they will remember
for me and seed my dreams
So I never forget anymore
Brother tells me forgetting
is the game
Survival, the map
of losing and finding
So our hearts can crack
deeper and deeper
Like stones in a sweat lodge
glowing red -
Cold water striking their flesh
Their hearts burst
offering the way
To let go
and fall, home. Again.
Every prayer should end
in again.
The soft ash on my fingertips, again
May I remember to look deep
into the night sky, again
May I sing and write poems and light
sage in the mornings, again
May I remember myself whole, again
May I say thank-you
even before please
May I wake up knowing
May I seed my bright path
from end to beginning
May I remember the magic
in everything, again”
October Newsletter
Breast health
Influenza Vaccine, Influenzinum Homeopathic
Monoclonal antibody for those at risk for severe COVID19
Pfizer boosters for certain individuals
Moderna boosters
Apothecary spotlight items
Breast Health
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Even though cancer treatment has gotten significantly better and survival rates continue to improve, there is still not enough information out there on what can be done to prevent this common and devastating condition.
Approximately 67-80% of breast cancers in women are estrogen receptor (ER) positive. Also, about 90% of breast cancers in men are ER-positive. So perhaps we should start there. Excess estrogen exposure can come from endogenous (what we synthesize in the body) and exogenous (environmental exposure) sources. Improving estrogen metabolism can be of benefit in reducing the risk of breast cancer.
This brings us to the liver where the metabolism of estrogen takes place. It is complex but very important in that these metabolites vary greatly in biological activity. Helios provides Estrogen metabolite tests that can personalize what your body needs to beneficially modulate estrogen metabolism. Another test that can give us insight into risks is a comprehensive stool analysis. It can identify a certain enzyme that can be modified as well as make sure you are digesting nutrients that are important in affecting gene expression in the biological effects of estrogen.
Here are 7 things you can do right now to reduce breast cancer risk:
Get a screening test. Talk to your provider about a breast mammogram, ultrasound or possibly a thermogram (a risk assessment tool). As I tell women...it's important to just do something!
Consider time-restricted eating. Studies show that fasting daily for 14 hours can reduce breast cancer risk by 40%. Fasting also decreases the incidence of Type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic liver disease, and esophageal reflux. Limit or avoid alcohol.
Eat plenty of fiber, especially lignin (found in flaxseeds, bran, beans, and seeds). It binds to free estrogen in circulation in the digestive tract which then gets excreted in the feces.
Take the supplement Bioresponse DIM. A naturally occurring compound derived from cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, brussel sprouts, and cabbage that is protective to estrogen-sensitive tissues.
Reduce Environmental Estrogen (Xenoestrogen) Load. This includes avoiding foods and products with pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides, as well as non-organic cosmetics and soaps (which contain petrochemicals). Do not use plastic containers, especially when heating food in a microwave. For more information, check out Xenoestrogens Xenoestrogens
Minimize stress: I know that is hard to do with the current state of the world. But find ways of calming the mind, such as meditation, yoga, therapy, exercising, reading books that inspire you, and STOP listening/watching the news! Chronic stress raises Cortisol and depletes Progesterone leading to estrogen dominance and excess inflammation.
Get good sleep. At least 7 hours/night is needed to clear toxic residue, repair damage from the brain, and reduce cancer risk.
The percentage of inherited genetic mutations that cause breast cancer is less than 25%, whereas 65% -75% of breast cancers are traced to modifiable lifestyle factors. Talk to your practitioner about individual testing to identify what your risks might be in preventing breast cancer.
For more information go to Wellcast.org
INFLUENZA
It looks like the flu is going to make a run this year. There are already influenza cases in the United States. It is likely to show up in Colorado in December. This is very unlike 2020 when the flu season never showed up. This was in large part due to the widespread masking and social distancing we were observing in 2020. This season be prepared with the flu shot. As usual, we are supplied with the high dose for those over 65 years and the regular dose PRESERVATIVE FREE flu vaccine. Let us know when you’d like to come in and get your shot. Remember that the influenza shot not only protects from the flu but it serves to boost our immune response to other viruses. This “bounce” is very helpful as we are seeing a multitude of viral respiratory infections this fall in kids and adults.
HOMEOPATHIC INFLUENZINUM
For those who are not getting the flu shot, we recommend that you do the homeopathic flu preventative, influenzium, 6C. This homeopathic remedy is cleverly fashioned using the same emerging flu strains on which the flu shot is made each year. That is to say, it is specific to each year’s flu strains. We are receiving the 2021-2022 influenzinum at the Apothecary soon. It is a dose taken weekly over 6 weeks, so be sure to get started on it soon. If you’d like us to contact you when it arrives, leave your contact information with the Apothecary.
MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES
You may have heard about this treatment for COVID19. It is an antibody that targets the coronavirus. It has been approved by the FDA as an early treatment for those who come down with COVID19 and are at elevated risk for severe COVID19. There are several manufacturers of monoclonal antibodies. They can be given in combination as a “cocktail” for hospitalized patients. Importantly they can be given in the out-patient setting as an intravenous infusion or as an injection into a muscle. They have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of hospitalization if given no later than 10 days since the onset of symptoms of COVID19. The sooner they are given the better. The medication is free. There are, however, few hospitals offering it. National Jewish hospital and Mckee Medical Center in Loveland are the closest facilities to Boulder. We have looked into how people get into these monoclonal antibody clinics. The fastest way to get into these clinics is to have a positive COVID19 PCR test and to have a referral from us. We have the referral forms for these facilities.
If you have one of these risk factors and you are not vaccinated we strongly encourage you to have a home COVID19 test kit to quickly identify COVID19.
WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU TEST WHENEVER YOU ARE EXPERIENCING SYMPTOMS THAT COULD BE COVID19 AND CONTACT US SO AS TO REFER YOU FOR MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY TREATMENT.
We do not recommend ivermectin as a preventative as monoclonal treatment has been used widely and is well studied even with the delta variant,
You may be eligible if you have any of the following risk conditions:
65 years of age or older
Obesity or being overweight (adults with BMI of 25 or higher)
Pregnancy
Chronic Kidney Disease
Diabetes
Immunosuprrive disease/ receiving immunosuppressive treatment
Cardiovascular disease or hypertension
Chronic respiratory disease
Neurodevelopmental disorders
Any other medical condition or factor (including race or ethnicity- associated with increased risk)
Pfizer COVID-19 Boosters
Only if you are over 65, had a Pfizer vaccination 6 months ago or longer then you are eligible for a booster shot (3rd shot). If you are 18 years or older, had the Pfizer shots, and have a health risk you are to get a booster also. You do not need a booster if you have had the Moderna vaccinations. Moderna put 3 ½ times the messenger mRNA in their vaccine compared to Pfizer's. This has made it a more effective vaccine than Pfizer's. If you received Johnson and Johnson’s then you are likely to need a booster, J&J applied for the booster approval and it seems they will get it.
Apothecary Spotlight Products
As we head into cold and flu season, the Apothecary is featuring a few immune support supplements that may be new to you! Read on for more information on the featured products, these products will be 10% off in the Apothecary now through the end of January.
ProBoost® uses Thymic Protein A to enhance proper immune system function, which makes it a good supplement for those with immunity-compromising conditions or diseases that involve the immune system, or whose immune systems are compromised or suppressed.
Mushroom Synergy's® advanced formulation promotes healthy immune and cellular response while encouraging the healthy function of the hepatic, cardiovascular, neurological, and kidney systems. It features a proprietary blend of premier quality medicinal mushrooms whose benefits have been enhanced with select herbal extracts. Mushroom Synergy® is well-indicated for all phases of health as a protective, modulatory, and restorative tonic.
D-Lenolate® is an all-natural olive leaf extract supplement that helps protect the body against invading microorganisms that weaken the immune system. Olive Leaf Extract (OLE) has been shown in numerous clinical studies to be a natural antiviral1, antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal, as well as potentially beneficial effects on overall human health, due to its active chemical compounds including oleuropein.
Fall 2021 Newsletter
Pandemic's 4th Wave
We will not be scheduling for our Infusion Clinic from September 30th to October 11th.
Please schedule your upcoming Infusions soon. Keeping in mind there will be limited appointment times available to maintain social distancing.
US MAP OF COVID19 PREVALENCE
*DARKER SHADES INDICATE HIGHER COVID RATES
US MAP OF VACCINATION RATES
*DARK GREEN 60% OR HIGHER- LIGHTEST GREEN 30% OR LOWER
Colorado is seeing its fourth wave of COVID19. It is driven by the delta variant in unvaccinated Coloradans. Nationally, this is seen quite easily in the states with the lowest vaccination rates where there are the most COVID19 cases. (see the two-nation maps above) Delta variant is hunting down the unvaccinated and spreading to the vaccinated in places where there are fewer vaccinated. Conversely, the vaccinated are helping to protect the unvaccinated in areas where there are high rates of vaccination.
United States Covid19 Cases
Colorado Covid19 Cases
Five Facts to Help You
1. Unvaccinated people are 5 times more likely to contract COVID than those vaccinated.
2. The unvaccinated are 27 times more likely to be hospitalized compared to those vaccinated.
3. Delta variant on average spreads to 7 people for each person it infects. With previous variants, this number was only 2 people.
4. The frequency of long Covid syndrome (6 months or more of symptoms following acute COVID) is estimated to be 50-60% regardless of severity. This is a biggie. You may have a mild COVID19 case only to struggle with your health for months or years afterward. A very recent study showed that long COVID patients have a frightening number of autoimmune antibodies, many of which attack the nervous system.
5. Vaccinated people are less likely to contract the delta variant than those who developed natural immunity from an earlier variant infection. In other words, if you had COVID19 earlier in the pandemic you are STILL at risk and STILL benefit from vaccination.
These five facts create a strong rationale for getting vaccinated against COVID19. The Delta variant is going to be with us for a long time and will eventually infect nearly all who are not vaccinated. We are seeing creeping increases in COVID19 infections in Boulder county for several reasons.
We are ALL pandemic weary and a lot of people are forgetting to use the precautionary steps that keep us safe- masking, distancing ourselves, and avoiding crowded places. Therefore, Boulder County has reinstated the mask mandate for ALL public indoor spaces.
We are not taking temperatures or oxygen levels upon arrival. People who contract delta spread many more virus particles BEFORE developing symptoms. This leads to very rapid spread in communities. We continue to ask that if you're not feeling well prior to your visit, please call ahead of time to change to a phone or video appointment.
There has not been effective communication on just how well these vaccines work. No vaccine is perfect and the delta variant seems to break through vaccination more often than previous variants.
PLEASE, if you are on the fence about getting vaccinated then NOW is the time to get vaccinated. Don’t put yourself and those closest to you at risk for hospitalization and the disabling symptoms of long COVID.
Preparing for Fall
BOOSTER SHOTS FOR COVID19
If FDA authorizes and ACIP recommends a booster dose, the goal is for the first people eligible for a booster dose to be those who were the first to receive a COVID-19 vaccination (those who are most at risk). This includes healthcare providers, residents of long-term care facilities, and other older adults. This means if you received early vaccination and it's been 8 months or more since you received your first dose and you belong to the above groups then get a third shot. (ACIP: Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices)
GET THE FLU SHOT!
Influenza immunization protects you from the flu and the immunological boost helps to prevent other viruses for kids and adults. We are now offering preservative-free flu shots. Call to schedule yours soon.
For ages 3-64 the regular dose cost is $40. For ages 65 and older, the high dose cost is $90.
Testing:
We are offering a contactless test for three common viruses in one swab- COVID19, influenza, and RSV. The turnaround time for this triple virus test is 3-4 days. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a winter virus, however, it is rampantly spreading this summer and we are expecting it to continue this fall.
CHINESE MEDICINE AND TREATMENT OF COVID LONG-HAUL SYNDROME
-a note from Helios’s Dr. Hampton
What’s wonderful about a medical system that has been used for over 2,000 years is that there is nothing new under the sun. The symptoms of COVID long-haul patients that I have been treating thus far are understandable in a diagnostic sense and therefore treatable. In other words, there is hope and there are solutions available!
Chinese herbal remedies can be customized to the individual to treat symptoms as they present and as they change during the course of the treatments. We have very specific herbs to treat damages to the circulatory system, the immune system, nervous system, as well as the digestive tract.
The use of acupuncture can expedite healing by giving the body resources in injured areas to heal. Points chosen over (or related to) injured areas provide increased circulation to nourish organs and tissues. In many cases, the nervous system is in overdrive as the body has been through a prolonged battle with this complex virus. Acupuncture has an immediate effect on down-regulating the nervous system allowing the body to enter into its parasympathetic “healing” mode.
I am so excited and honored to offer an effective solution to those that have been suffering. I am confident the Helios team can help see people through the woods on their healing journey.
到了你的身体! (To your health!)