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GI Health, Healthy Goals, Integrative Medicine, Natural Immune Health, Uncategorized

Peptide Therapy: Healing, Recovery, and Renewal — Made Simple

If you’ve been keeping up with the latest in wellness and regenerative medicine, you’ve probably heard about peptide therapy. It’s often called the “next frontier” for helping your body heal, recover, and perform at its best. But what are peptides, and why are they getting so much attention? We are going to take a dive into the “what” and “how” below.

What Are Peptides?

Peptides are short chain amino acids, the same building blocks that make up proteins. Your body uses them as tiny messengers that tell your cells what to do and when to do it. Some peptides help your body make more collagen, others calm inflammation, and some even support growth hormone, weight loss, immune function, or gut repair. They are not steroids or hormones, they are signaling tools.

Because they’re so versatile, peptides are being used for everything from sports recovery to skin rejuvenation, joint rehabilitation and weight loss.

How Peptides Help You Heal

One of the most exciting uses for peptides is tissue repair. Research shows peptides can help your body heal faster, boost collagen, and close wounds more quickly. While the science is promising, most studies are still small, so it’s important to work with an experienced provider.

For example:

  • BPC-157: Originally found in the stomach, this peptide helps heal muscles, tendons, and ligaments, and can reduce inflammation.
  • TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4): Promotes the growth of new blood vessels and helps cells move to where they’re needed for recovery.
  • AOD 9604: Stimulates bone differentiation and mineralization in bone stem cells. It promotes production of collagen and proteoglycan in the chondrocyte of the bone and assists with repair of bone, muscle and cartilage and can help to promote enhanced fat metabolism.
  • GHK-Cu: Naturally found in human plasma and skin. Upregulates collagen and elastin gene expression, supports wound healing and cellular repair, tissue remodeling and regeneration, hair follicle support.
  • MOTS-c: Found inside mitochondria. Decreases insulin resistance helping the pancreatic cells to keep their sensitivity to insulin. Can also help improve fatigue and fatty liver, weight loss and athletic performance.
  • Tesamorelin / Ipamorelin blend: Supports lean muscle maintenance or growth, helps to reduce body fat and improves metabolism function. This combination helps to support favorable changes in fat-to-muscle ratio and can help to preserve lean body mass during fat loss.

We have several other peptides we source individually for patients, please inquire with any specialized interest.

Peptides for Weight Loss

We currently offer Tirzepatide (a GLP-1/GIP agonist) for weight loss, in addition to AOD9604, and MOTS-c. 

The GLP-1 class of medications burst onto the scene in the late 2010s and were popularized for their effects on weight loss and Type 2 diabetes. Tirzepatide was approved in 2023 for weight loss and obstructive sleep apnea. More recent research has expanded to conditions including Dementia/Alzheimer’s, Addiction (drugs, food, gambling), reduction of systemic inflammation and support for post-viral conditions such as Long-COVID. 

Our patients on a Tirzepatide program have a 15 minute weekly check in and subcutaneous injection with a Hill Park provider. During this time we will do a ‘weigh in’ to track your weight loss but also check in on progress or any side effects. 

We have found that the individualized attention of these check-ins helps us guide you towards optimal weight loss goals. Once you have met your weight goal, we will continue to manage your Tirzepatide prescription at a maintenance dose or through discontinuation.

Peptides for Radiant Skin

Peptides aren’t just for athletes, they’re a big deal in skincare too! Used alongside other skincare staples like retinoids and antioxidants, peptides can help keep your skin looking youthful and resilient.

For example, GHK-Cu (a copper peptide) can help your skin make more collagen and elastin, making it firmer and smoother. Peptides in creams or serums can:

  • Speed up wound healing
  • Improve skin elasticity and hydration
  • Reduce inflammation and dark spots

Gut Health: The Hidden Benefit

Your gut lining is always renewing itself, and peptides play a key role in this process. BPC-157 is especially good at protecting your stomach and helping your intestines heal. Collagen peptides taken by mouth can also help with bloating and mild digestive issues. New research suggests peptides may even help balance your gut bacteria and strengthen your gut barrier.

Sleep and Recovery

Some peptides may help you sleep better and recover faster. DSIP (Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide) is being studied for its ability to improve deep sleep. Peptides that boost growth hormone, like CJC-1295, may also help your body repair itself overnight. Animal studies hint that gut peptides could help you sleep more deeply by calming the gut-brain connection.

How Are Peptides Used?

Peptides can be delivered in different ways, depending on your goals:

  • Subcutaneous injection: Most common for healing and growth hormone support.
  • Topical (creams/serums): Great for skin and wound healing.
  • Oral supplements: Best for gut health and collagen support.
  • Local injection: Used for joint or tendon injuries.

Because peptides are delicate and can break down quickly, it’s important to use them under medical supervision.

Safety First

Peptides are natural, but they’re not risk-free. Possible side effects may include mild reactions at the injection site (tenderness, redness, lumps under skin), headaches, fatigue, or hormonal/immune imbalances if used incorrectly. Peptide therapy is not recommended for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a history of cancer, or have serious endocrine, liver, or kidney issues. 

Thinking About Peptide Therapy?

If you’re curious about adding peptide therapy to your wellness routine, here’s what to keep in mind:

  • Work with a qualified clinician who knows peptide and regenerative medicine.
  • Get tested first: lab work helps guide safe and effective use.
  • Choose reputable sources for purity and dosing accuracy.
  • Remember, peptides work best as part of a bigger plan: good nutrition, sleep, exercise, and stress management are key.

Bottom Line:

Peptide therapy isn’t a magic fix, but it’s a powerful tool for anyone serious about recovery, resilience, and long-term health. Whether you’re healing an injury, improving your skin, rebuilding your gut, or supporting deep sleep, peptides offer a fascinating bridge between science and whole-body wellness. 

Our providers are currently offering peptide therapy, including 15 minute complimentary introductory consults, to see if this is the right direction for you.

Daily Health Tips, GI Health, Integrative Medicine, Natural Immune Health, Naturopathic Medicine, Uncategorized, Whole Food Nutrition

Restore the Immune System with Microbiome Health

An evening talk with Dr. Heidi Lucas, ND FABNO
Monday, December 2nd at 6:00-7:30 pm

    We know that the immune system – a sophisticated network of organs, cells, and proteins – is crucial for fighting cancer, infection, and disease.

Current research has confirmed the critical role of the microbiome (microbes in the gut) in healthy immune function.

Going through cancer diagnosis and treatment—surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapies, and immunotherapy—is taxing for the GI tract and immune system. Come learn how we can restore and heal these systems through nutrition, botanical medicine and lifestyle choices.

Dr. Heidi Lucas is a highly skilled Naturopathic Doctor specializing in integrative cancer care for the past 20 years.

Dr. Lucas has worked alongside oncologists and conventional physicians for the entirety of her career, and is frequently sought by conventional oncologists for her expertise in integrative oncology and natural medicine.

She is an active educator and speaker of integrative oncology at leading cancer centers including the Hearst Cancer Resource Center, Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Oncology Nursing Society, American Cancer Society, Gilda’s Club, Cancer Lifeline, Rooted SB, Bastyr University, and many hospitals around the country.

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Dr. Meghan Kemnec, ND – Conditions Treated

Meghan Kemnec is a seasoned, residency trained clinician passionate in her practice of integrative family medicine with a specialization in pediatrics and women’s health from preconception to menopause. Her clinical interests include balancing hormones, immune health, digestive disorders, and endocrine disorders including diabetes and hypothyroidism, as well as respiratory health. She is trained in IV nutrient therapy, Perineural Injection Therapy, and PRP.

Dr. Kemnec holds a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine (ND) from Bastyr University and a BS from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. After graduating with her ND, Dr. Kemnec completed a competitive family practice residency at the Bastyr Center for Natural Health in Seattle, WA.  She is also a Diplomate of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.

Conditions Treated

Acne
Adrenal Fatigue
Anemia
Asthma
Allergies
Anxiety
Arthritis
Autoimmunity
Bloating
Chronic Fatigue
Constipation
COVID (Long and Acute)
Cystitis
Depression
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Ear Infections (Chronic and Acute)
Eczema
EBV (Chronic and Acute)
Estrogen Dominance
Endometriosis
Fibromyalgia
Gastritis
Gender Dysphoria
Hashimoto’s

Heart Disease
Hyperlipidemia
Hypertension
Hypothyroidism
Infertility
Inflammation
IBS/IBD
Insomnia
Leaky Gut
Menopause Management
Nutrient Deficiency
Osteopenia/Osteoporosis
PCOS
PMS/PMDD
Perimenopause
Postpartum Health
Psoriasis
Reflux
Respiratory Infections
SIBO/SIFO
Sprains/Strains
Urinary Tract Infections
Vaccine Counseling
Weight Gain/Loss
Well Child/Woman Exam

Alternative Cancer Care, Integrative Medicine, Men's Health, Naturopathic Medicine, Uncategorized

Prostate Biopsy: Is it Necessary? How to Decide and What to Do

by Eric Yarnell, ND

If you have an elevated PSA level and it has been recommended that you have a biopsy, consider these important tips before you do.

First, it is becoming more and more clear that a prostate MRI should be done before any biopsy. There are several reasons why:

    1. Many MRIs show there is no cancer, and thus a biopsy would be a waste of time.
    2. If an MRI does show a spot that might have prostate cancer, the biopsy can be targeted to that area instead of being somewhat random.
    3. Almost always, this means a prostate biopsy can be limited to just 1–3 samples being taken, instead of the standard of 12 or more.
    4. The MRI can also show other important information such as the size of the prostate, if the seminal vesicles, urinary bladder, lymph nodes, or bones in the area are being affected.

Overall, prostate MRIs help reduce the number of prostate biopsies, which is a very good thing, while providing lots of other information ultrasound-guided biopsies can’t deliver, or aren’t as good at assessing.

It is crucial that the MRI is done on a 3 Tesla strength machine (older MRI machines had 1.5 Tesla magnetic fields and are not sufficient for seeing the prostate). If you have concerns about the contrast material used in MRIs, we have natural therapy options to help counter the low risk of side effects they may cause.

A proper MRI will give what is known as PI-RADs score. This is a standardized assessment of how likely it is that serious prostate cancer would be found on a biopsy. Generally speaking only PI-RADS 4 or 5 lesions should be biopsied, and sometimes even these prove not to be cancer. If there is only a PI-RADS 3 lesion, then usually it means no biopsy is needed and a repeat MRI should be done in a year (almost always without contrast on this follow-up imaging). PI-RADS 1 and 2 lesions never need to be biopsies.

There are other tests Dr. Yarnell can discuss with you as well to help determine if a prostate biopsy is necessary in the first place.

Second, if the MRI shows an issue or a prostate biopsy is going to happen, it is imperative that it be a transperineal, not a transrectal biopsy. Currently over 90% of prostate biopsies are done through the rectal wall, which does provide good and fairly easy access to the prostate. However, this brings with it a quite high risk of infection, including potentially deadly sepsis. This risk is so high, that the entire country of Norway has essentially abandoned transrectal prostate biopsies, and in 2021 the European Association of Urology agreed, saying only transperineal biopsies should be done. In this type, the needle or needles are placed through the skin between the base of the penis and the anus. While a bit more challenging for the urologist, it provides just as good information and is dramatically safer.

Dr. Yarnell can help explain all these options to you, and help advocate with your urologist to make sure you get an MRI when appropriate. If it appears a biopsy is recommended, Dr. Yarnell will help support you getting a transperineal prostate biopsy focusing only on problem lesions, and not a transrectal prostate biopsy or a fishing expedition all over your prostate. Furthermore, he can provide natural treatments to go with the biopsy to reduce the already very low risk of side effects even further.

Some patients are concerned that a biopsy will spread cancer. Two studies have looked into this concern with prostate biopsies. One found that while very rarely you could find evidence of prostate cancer cells in the blood after a biopsy (just 4 cases out of 42 studied). This supports the long-held naturopathic notion that the immune system can take out a few errant cells that might escape during a biopsy. Another study found that in just 2% of prostate biopsies was there any evidence of cancer cells being pushed around inside the prostate by the needle. Given that the rate of prostate cancer mortality has gone down despite the near tripling of the number of prostate cancer biopsies being performed, it is highly unlikely that prostate biopsies cause any significant amount of cancer spread. Again, Dr. Yarnell can recommend some supplements to help reduce this already extremely low risk if you wish.

If you want a forward-thinking doctor who really puts patients first, stays up-to-date on the latest findings, and can implement a science-informed natural approach to prostate problems of all kinds, then call and make an appointment to see Dr. Yarnell.

 

References

Bastacky SS, Walsh PC, Epstein JI (1991) “Needle biopsy associated tumor tracking of adenocarcinoma of the prostate” J Urol 145(5):1003–7. 

Midiri F, Vernuccio F, Purpura P, et al. (2021) “Multiparametric MRI and radiomics in prostate cancer: A review of the current literature” Diagnostics (Basel) 11(10):1829.

Moreno JG, O’Hara SM, Long JP, et al. (1997) “Transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy causes hematogenous dissemination of prostate cells as determined by RT-PCR” Urology 49(4):515–20.

Wolinsky H (2023) “Death Spurs Country’s Shift to Safer Prostate Biopsies” Medscape Medical News, March 15, https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/989696
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The New Year’s Cleanse

With the beginning of a new year, our resolutions to live the most vital and healthiest life are often renewed. The most common resolutions are to lose weight, assume healthier eating patterns, and get back in the gym. These are all great resolutions, and everyone should strive to be a better version of themselves. However, there can be a sneaky roadblock you might not even notice that increases the difficulty in achieving these goals – environmental toxicants.

Over the holidays, we often stray from our typical diet: eat less vegetables, drink more alcohol, exercise less, and eat so much more sugar than we usually do. We are also cooped up inside, often with fireplaces. All of these factors, and more, can overburden your body’s ability to eliminate waste from the cells and also from our environment. These toxicants are often stored in fat and can hijack our best attempts to lose weight.

So how do we overcome this hurdle and feel better, gain more energy, and achieve the most weight loss? We can do a short detox once life is a little more settled. Our detox involves a few facets to make sure your body has the proper tools it needs to clean out the toxicants, eliminate them, and start with a clean slate moving forward.

Step one is to give your body high quality nutrients and ingredients. We want to give your body the best, most efficient fuel we can provide for the energy needed to keep our brains healthy and cells clean. We also will use food to decrease inflammation (step 2), which can gum up the works and make the body work sluggish. We’ve found that just by decreasing the amount of inflammation in the body, a person can lose up to 10 pounds.

Step 3 involves making sure we can properly and efficiently eliminate the toxicants. If we skip step three, it is like we are cleaning out a closet without trash bags. You can get it done, but the room will be a mess for much longer while you slowly work to eliminate the junk. Our plan involves giving your body the nutrients, natural medicines, and the tools necessary to package up the toxicants and efficiently eliminate them.

Most people on our detox program notice vast improvement in brain function, energy, skin vibrancy, and overall well-being – all while being several pounds lighter. So instead of just working yourself to death to lose some weight, let our alternative medicine clinic in Sonoma County partner with you to help clean out your body’s closet, find sustainable healthy living practices, and lose some weight in the process.

We wish you a peaceful, prosperous, and healthy 2019!