Clinical Nutrition

A Better Way to Treat Chronic Health Conditions: Functional Medicine

By Dr. Kevin Ritzenthaler, DC, DCBCN /

Kevin Ritzenthaler, D.C., D.C.B.C.N. When diagnosed with a chronic condition, most people have a similar experience: a diagnosis is made, medications are prescribed, and discussion centers on “living with” or “managing” the condition. But, often, no one addresses the question: why?  Why did you develop this disease?  What are the underlying factors?  Can anything be…

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illustration of brain with gears

Reduce Your Risk of Dementia

By Dr. Kevin Ritzenthaler, DC, DCBCN /

7 Steps to a Healthier Brain Dr. Kevin Ritzenthaler, DC, DCBCN All of us know of someone or have heard of someone in their eighties and nineties and is as sharp as a tack. And yet, many of us also know of someone who is significantly younger and in some state of cognitive decline. As…

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What’s Really Causing Your GI Discomfort?

By Dr. Kevin Ritzenthaler, DC, DCBCN /

Food Sensitivities: A Common and Misunderstood Culprit It’s estimated that as many as 80 percent of Americans have some type of food sensitivity or intolerance.  These intolerances are very different, much more common than traditional food allergies, and are linked to a variety of GI disorders (IBS, IBD, Chron’s, colitis), autoimmune disorders (psoriasis, Graves’ disease, Hashimoto’s…

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Why All The Talk About Gluten?

By Dr. Kevin Ritzenthaler, DC, DCBCN /

Why All the Talk about Gluten? And why “Gluten Free” is not necessarily a life sentence. There’s a lot of talk about gluten these days. At any gathering including food, you’re likely to encounter someone who is eating gluten free and gluten-free labels are becoming commonplace on grocery store shelves. But why? How is it…

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Dangers of Acid Reflux Medications

By Dr. Kevin Ritzenthaler, DC, DCBCN /

Is that little purple pill doing more harm than good? Dr. Kevin E. Ritzenthaler, DC, DCBCN Do experience any of these symptoms? Burning in the chest and throat Excessive belching or burping after meals Chest pain (sometimes confused with a heart attack) Chronic cough, sore throat, and hoarse voice Food repeating on you The sensation…

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Is the Medical Approach to Type 2 Diabetes Backward?

By Dr. Kevin Ritzenthaler, DC, DCBCN /

A Functional Medicine Point of View Dr. Kevin Ritzenthaler, DC, DCBCN Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, non-accident lower-limb amputations, and new cases of blindness among adults.  In 2012, the cost of the disease was estimated at $245 billion. If America is one of the world’s leading super-powers, then why is it that…

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Organic Foods, Dirty Dozen & Clean Fifteen

By Dr. Kevin Ritzenthaler, DC, DCBCN /

For those who read this column on a regular basis, this month’s topic is not new. But it is important. In fact, so many of my patients at Innovative Health Clinic are asking questions about the effect of chemicals on their overall health, that I thought it important to cover this topic once again. Today’s…

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Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers (and why humans do)

By Dr. Kevin Ritzenthaler, DC, DCBCN /

Dr. Kevin Ritzenthaler, DC, DCBCN “Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers,” is the title of a highly acclaimed book by Stanford Neurologist Dr. Robert Sapolsky. In it, he distinguishes between the “real” stresses of life encountered by wild animals and the psychological stresses experienced by humans. He goes on to demonstrate the devastating effect of chronic…

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