Featured Posts
The Fully Functional Approach To Coronavirus And Boosting Your Immune System
It’s imperative to do everything you can to boost your immune system and take precaution when it comes to the coronavirus.
PANS/PANDAS Interview On Fox 59
PANS/PANDAS can be treated! See how Dr. Scott has taken up the case with Indiana state lawmakers to get these treatments covered by insurance providers.
Why Some Doctors Believe PANDAS Isn’t a Real Diagnosis
A PANDAS diagnosis (abrupt onset form of childhood OCD) is still controversial. 20 years of science confirms it not only exists, but may even be more common than once thought.
Self Care for Caregivers
Making time to nourish yourself and creating the space to attend to your own needs makes you more centered, stronger and better able to support others.
OCD is a Bully in Your Brain: Battling OCD Obsessions
Anxious/fearful OCD thoughts are nothing but a dissatisfied bully. Here’s how to beat them by being Fully Functional® and stop the compulsions they cause.
Ten Amazing Medical Breakthroughs
While some scientists have often gone against the grain, it’s often where the medical breakthroughs happen — as evidenced by these 10 examples.
14 PANDAS Treatments [Plus Natural Remedies + Comparisons]
There are many PANDAS treatment protocols that may be moderately to highly effective. We break them down by research, cost, insurance coverage, and more.
PANS/PANDAS Symptoms [& What to Do About Them]
Symptoms of PANDAS or PANS come on very fast — here’s how to identify them and options for treatment. Step 1: Your doctor will rule out other conditions like autism.
What To Do If Your Child Has PANS/PANDAS
What are PANS/PANDAS? How can you spot the signs? We cover the basics about this rare condition, symptoms & effective treatments.
Podcast: Body Talk Radio – PANS & PANDAS
In this podcast, learn how we identify PANS & PANDAS and treat environmental toxicities, chronic infections, and other complex medical conditions!
Beating the Winter Blues with a Mindset Shift
Winter is not meant to be a season of hustle, so let’s embrace that and come out on the other side, restored and ready for Spring renewal and energy!
Delicious Pumpkin Recipes
‘Tis the season for everything pumpkin! Enjoy these two delicious recipes!
Top Blogs of the Year 2019!
Here is a list of our top reads this past year! We hope you enjoy.
It’s Not Your Fault
We often see how PANS/PANDAS traumatize other family members. A central theme that almost always shows up is GUILT. Please remember, it’s not your fault!
Natural Ways to Prevent and Treat the Flu
From a Functional Medicine perspective, prevention is the best medicine when it comes to the flu which is why we put together these flu prevention tips!
When Your “Healthy” Diet Isn’t Working
If you’re struggling to feel your best, despite monumental efforts, there is something deeper going on. Something that is going to take some detective work.
How We Can Help You Reverse Autoimmune Disease
In order for autoimmune disease to develop, three different things need to be present – a genetic predisposition, intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”) and a “trigger.”
7 Unexpected Benefits of Meal Planning
If you struggle to balance your busy day to day with planning and creating healthy meals for yourself or your family, you’re not alone! One of the greatest challenges our clients face, especially when making dietary changes, is feeling overwhelmed by the time it takes to plan weekly menus and meals. And let’s be real.…
10 Ways To Love Your Liver & Optimize Your Body’s Natural Detoxification
It’s finally Spring and that means time to focus on detox and renewal! One of the best ways to do that? Show your liver some love!
Beating Adrenal Dysfunction for Calmer, Easier Days
The adrenals are responsible for the fine tuning many of your body’s processes and regulating your sex hormones. If they fail to work correctly, there is a direct effect on your well being.
Understanding & Managing Menopause and Andropause
Menopause and the male equivalent, andropause, are normal processes of aging, however, the symptoms associated with either are often frustrating, confusing, and often depressing.
Antibiotics Have Killed My GI Tract – What Now?
Here’s my Fully Functional® approach to get there and what I specifically do to protect and repair my GI system after antibiotic use.
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome – When The Immune System Runs Off the Rails
When it comes to treating mast cell activation syndrome, we have found that simple lifestyle changes can really add up and reduce your symptoms significantly.
Dealing with Yeast Overgrowth Effectively
Although everyone has some yeast in their body, occasionally the yeast can increase in numbers (called a “yeast overgrowth”). Yeast overgrowth doesn’t sound good, does it?
Chronic Infections & Reactivated Epstein-Barr Virus
Interestingly, treating chronic infections like the Epstein-Barr virus is sometimes not about wiping out the microorganism altogether. It’s about management and rebalance.
Chronic Fatigue & Mitochondrial Disorders – You Don’t Need to be Tired All the Time
If you suffer from relentless fatigue, know that it’s not a lack of drive or motivation but possibly poor production of cellular energy. Learn more here…
Dealing with Environmental and Food Allergies Effectively
Allergies and the management of their symptoms can be irritating at best – and downright dangerous at worst.
Love: Essential Nourishment
The nourishment that comes from our loving relationships is essential to a healthy and balanced life, so in honor of Valentine’s week let’s focus on this important aspect of wellbeing with a look at love languages!
“All Disease Begins in the Gut” – Healing Gastrointestinal Conditions
Each gastrointestinal tract (GI) is as individual as the owner. But there are a variety of symptoms that may indicate that all is not well in your digestive system.
Address Autoimmune Disease Early & Take Back Your Life
Autoimmune diseases are rising exponentially in the United States. While there are many theories as to why autoimmune diseases are increasing, it’s likely that there are many factors at play.
Healing Lyme Disease and Other Tick-Borne Infections
Lyme Disease and other Tick-Borne Infections Lyme disease was first discovered in Lyme, Connecticut in the mid 1970s. It was found to be the cause of a sudden epidemic of arthritis in children. It is caused by a “spirochete” (a “corkscrew shaped” bacteria). Transmitted by tick bites, Lyme disease can make you very sick. It…
Why Do We Quit On Our Goals?
If the choices you make, no matter how small, lead you toward your vision, rather than away from it, that is progress! Vision is reached by habits practiced every day.
Nurture Your Body During Winter
Each season requires a different approach to health because each season brings different mental and physical needs. So what does this mean for your body?
Makeover Your Medicine Cabinet
Cold and flu season is here again! Are you ready to boost your immune system and treat your symptoms naturally? Look no further than this list to give you medicine cabinet a healthy makeover!
Not So Happy Holidays?
Loneliness and grief can be magnified during this season as past memories surface. As difficult as this can be, you can get through them. Here are some tips to help.
Tips for the Healthiest Holidays
Keep the holidays magical by prioritizing your wellness. Here are some tips and reminders to ensure you have healthy holidays!
Game Changer
I had an experience recently that I want to share with you that changed my perspective on some things and how I believe each of us should view our roles. It has to do with the phrase game changer.
Solutions for PANDAS and PANS – Find Your Child Again
If your child has PANDAS/PANS, his or her immune system is attacking their brain. It often leads to your child developing tics or an aversion to food. We call this a “brain on fire.”
Mold Illness & Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) – When Your Fatigue Has an Invisible Cause
How you react to mold exposure is completely unique to you, depending on your body chemistry and the function of your immune system.
Fear as a Toxin
There are so many things in life that are out of our control, but our thoughts? We can actually learn to control them.
Tips for Mindful Celebration
Here are a few tips to help you enjoy the holiday season without sabotaging your health, energy and holiday radiance!
Green Cleaning: Tips and Recipes to Clean Your Home Naturally!
To make your home as healthy as possible, consider “going green” with your cleaning products and have a home that’s sparkling clean and toxin free!
5 Steps to a Fully Functional Living Space
A Fully Functional living space is about more than just healthy food. We hope these simple tips will help you live more joyfully and fully in your own space starting today!
Boost Vitality & Reduce Stress Through Play
Play should be regarded as an essential nutrient in the diet of life.
Are Food Sensitivities Behind Your “Mystery” Symptoms?
Your skin is whacky, you’re fatigued all the time, and let’s not even start on your stomach! At Vine Healthcare, we work to discover the root cause of your symptoms, and this search often starts with determining whether you have food sensitivities.
Magnesium Deficiency & Supplement Options
Magnesium is super important in the body. It’s a cofactor in more than 300 enzyme systems that regulate protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, and blood pressure.
Tips to Becoming Fully Functional
Our single overarching goal for all of our patients is to be Fully Functional™ for Life. Check out these tips to help you along the road to optimal health.
What Does it Mean to be Fully Functional?
To address concerns about optimizing your health in the log run, we created a proprietary process called Fully Functional. What does it mean? Read on…
Shifting Your Mindset to Become Fully Functional
In our practice, Dr. Scott and I find that a patient’s mindset can make or break their outcome. We can have the most cutting-edge treatment options, but if patients aren’t willing to do the hard work of implementation and have a growth mindset they don’t experience the most fruitful progress.
What is Pelvic Floor Therapy?
Interested in learning more about Pelvic Therapy and how it can benefit your health? Check out this informative interview with our new Abdominal/Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist, Natalie Dereka, PT.
12 Tips to Spring Clean Your Body and Life
Spring has sprung! Let’s honor this amazing season by getting aligned with all it stands for. It also means it’s time for a little spring cleaning! You know that stagnant energy leftover from too many heavy winter foods and too much lying around indoors? Time to let that go, reset and rejuvenate!
Simple Tips for Daily Detox
Did you jump out of bed this morning, positively bursting with energy? Do you ever? Energy levels sometimes ebb and flow, but if this is a consistent struggle for you, there are some simple daily detox practices you can put into place that can really help!
Is Toxic Mold in Your Home Making You Sick
You might be surprised to hear this – but it’s very common for your home air quality to be more polluted than the air outside. This is due to poor air circulation, inadequate filtration, and indoor air contaminants. Learn more about what causes toxic mold illness and how to treat it here.
Health Coaching
Navigating your health can feel overwhelming! Health coaches can help you sort through it all, while providing one-on-one support, guidance, and accountability.
The Truth About Lyme Disease & Co-infections – Your Symptoms Are Not In Your Head
When it comes to Lyme disease it’s not only important you find a doctor with experience in treating this condition, but that you also find a doctor you trust and offers innovative solutions because finding treatments for Lyme disease and its coinfections can be a challenging and sometimes a long process.
Spring “Clean” with a Digital Detox
Surveys and studies have reported an association between various tech and depression, anxiety, decreased attention and awareness and decreased marital satisfaction. That’s why we wanted to share a few tips on how to complete a digital detox.
The Benefits of a Health Coach
A health coach can help you sort out truth from fiction, provide you with information that’s tailored to your individual challenges or goals, and most importantly give you the time and space to ask questions, be yourself, and speak openly in a supportive environment.
Reactivated Epstein Barr Virus – What You Need to Know
Like so many other chronic illnesses that are on the rise in America, we are seeing an increase incidence of reactivated or chronic Epstein-Barr virus in our practice. What’s causing what’s normally an incredibly rare and benign condition to suddenly become such an issue for many? Let’s take a closer look.
Struggling to make a breakthrough? It might be resistance.
Whether our goals are health related or the progress we are trying to make is toward something else, like following a calling, resistance prevents us from doing what we are meant to do and being who we are meant to be.
Show yourself a little love! The many benefits of self-care.
With Valentine’s Day coming up many of us are focused on romantic love or lavishing love and goodies on our kids. This is important, but what about showering a little love on yourself?
Science is Unraveling the Mysterious Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Much of the research on CFS have only been released in the past year or two, but they all indicate one thing – Chronic fatigue syndrome is very real. It’s time we shine a light on this debilitating illness.
The Surprising Reason Your Skin Creams Don’t Work
If you’ve struggled with any unrelenting skin conditions, you’ve probably realized that skin creams and lotions don’t really help. This is because nearly every skin condition isn’t originating in the skin itself, but instead in the gut.
When Mast Cells Attack – Mast Cell Activation Syndrome
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a condition we’ve seen on the rise in our practice and across the country. It’s time to shed light on this perplexing condition and spread awareness so that those suffering can find relief and hope.
Beat Flu Season with these Natural Immune Boosters
Cold and flu season is here, and protecting ourselves with natural immune boosters is a great way to plan ahead. Consider incorporating a few of these tips into your routine for a kinder, gentler, Fully Functional™ cold season.
Using Essential Oils for Health, Home and Happiness
Essential oils aren’t just for your hippie aunt. These powerful plant compounds have profound benefits for our health, home and mood.
Resources for Hacking Chronic Illness Nausea
Chronic illness-related nausea can be an unrelenting challenge for some of our patients. Here are 3 pieces of advice if you suffer from relentless nausea.
Is Low-Dose Naltrexone Your Missing Link?
Clinical studies show Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN) yields amazing outcomes in immune regulation, pain reduction and symptom management.
When having gas isn’t such a bad thing – Ozone and all you need to know!
As an antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal agent, ozone is an exceptional treatment option, especially since there are almost no negative side effects.
Glutathione: Our Most Potent Detoxifier
For my patients with immune dysfunction, glutathione is an almost automatic recommendation. But the benefits go far beyond the immune system.
Fully Functional Minute – What does it mean to be Fully Functional?
Learn what it means to be Fully Functional and the five pillars to becoming Fully Functional in this exciting new series.
Tips and Tricks for Eating Healthy on a Budget
Improving our diet is undeniably one of the most powerful ways to improve our health. The good news is that eating healthy on a budget can become second nature with a few small changes to your routine.
Can’t Sleep? Combat Insomnia with Better Sleep Hygiene
When patients come to us with insomnia, we can recommend a range of interventions from detoxification to supplement protocols. But often, changing a few behaviors can make a big impact on our sleep quality.
POTS – Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome
POTS symptoms are usually just the tip of the iceberg, pointing to the root cause of an issue. Once addressed, patients are able to live fully functional.
Sublingual Immunotherapy: Convenient Root-Cause Treatment of Allergies
Not only does sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) offer you a convenient way to address your allergies but it is also affordable, effective, and safe.
Ketogenic Diets: Why We Recommend This Low-Carb Approach
We recommend a low-carb ketogenic diet for patients struggling with a range of conditions from neurological conditions and cancer to hormonal imbalances.
How to Eat Healthy and Stress Less While Traveling
If you’re wondering how to eat healthy and stress less while traveling, these simple tips will help you stay on track while on the road.
Four Home Upgrades for Minimizing Mycotoxins
At Vine Healthcare, we treat lots of patients suffering from biotoxin/mycotoxin illness, otherwise known as ‘mold illness’ or CIRS (chronic inflammatory response syndrome) as a result of exposure to water damaged buildings.
Jump-Start Your Body Through PEMF
Have you tried everything, but still aren’t making the health progress you’d like? PEMF is an effective, non-invasive and side effect-free antidote to pain.
BioMat for Becoming Fully Functional
We’re always looking for ways to help our patients become more Fully Functional especially when we go to conferences. That’s how we first saw the BioMat.
Sweet Defeat…..A Novel Therapy for Lyme Disease
One of the most commonly missed, misdiagnosed, or inadequately treated infectious diseases we see is Lyme disease. But why?
My Top 5 “R”esolutions
Do you make New Year’s resolutions? Are you successful at persevering and making the changes you desire? If not, don’t fret, here are some helpful tips.
PANS & PANDAS – What You Need to Know
PANS & PANDAS are pediatric illnesses characterized by abrupt onset neuropsychiatric symptoms. Here’s a little science and history about these diseases.
Molecular Mimicry: A Case of Friendly Fire
Sometimes our bodies can get it wrong and attacks itself. This is thought to be result of molecular mimicry. Learn more here…
8 Things You Need to Know About Lyme Disease & 5 Things You Should Do
I grew up in New York and it wasn’t uncommon for a friend or family member to be diagnosed with Lyme disease. Their complaints typically consisted of rash with or without joint pain. They were typically given antibiotics for some period of time and told they were healed. But all through medical school, residency, and…
Health Benefits of Dry Skin Brushing
Several years ago dry brushing was touted as a simple and very successful way of reducing cellulite. While I am all for getting rid of those unsightly lumps of bumps, I am more concerned with overall wellness and optimizing detoxification. Dry brushing is an incredible way to assist the body’s natural ability to eliminate toxins.…
Live with Vitality – 10 Top Tips for Cutting Out Sugar
For years we have been telling our patients about the negative impact sugar has on their health. Countless individuals have completely changed the trajectory of their health by removing sugar from their diets. In 2016, Dr. Scott Antoine and I and all of our staff at Vine Healthcare are focusing on VITALITY – ‘the state…
5 Healthy and Creative Gift Ideas
What do you get for the person that seems to have everything? Or the person who is chronically ill? Or for those that are super health conscious? THESE ARE MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITES: (In no particular order) #1: Lavender Infused Magnesium Bath Salt Gift Jars Magnesium may be one of the most important minerals in the…
When Pain is the Problem
The Institute of Medicine estimates that 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. This is even more alarming when you consider that the population of the United States is currently 318 million. Chronic pain can limit enjoyable activities and, when severe, can result in significant loss of function and feelings of hopelessness if pain is…
Cultivate an Attitude for Gratitude
Feel grateful? Offer Thanksgiving? When I feel like this? When everything seems to be falling apart – my health, my finances, my family – whatever it might be. How do you have an ‘‘attitude of gratitude’’ in of the midst of the maelstrom that has gripped your life? Is it possible to be grateful under…
Cocktail Hour – Why a Myer’s Cocktail Might Be Just What You Need
Are you fatigued? Frequently ill? Feeling depressed? Perhaps intravenous micronutrient (vitamin/mineral) therapy is just what you need. John Myers, MD, a physician from Baltimore, MD pioneered the use of intravenous micronutrients as part of treatment protocols for varying medical conditions. After he died in 1984, Dr. Alan Gaby, MD continued his work of administering IV…
Constipated? 10 Causes and 18 Solutions
Yuck! Who likes to think about, let alone talk about, poop? In our office, I talk about bowel habits and regularity with each of my patients. Why? Because it is a great indicator of what is happening inside the body and poor GI health is often at the root of chronic health conditions. In other…
Ultimate Guide to Ragweed’s Clock
Mid-August typically marks the opening of ragweed season, with diminishing daylight and lengthening night time that can stimulate plant pollination. The season peaks in late August, and typically ends by mid-September. Ragweed grows most commonly in the Eastern and Midwest US states, and it lives only one season. During its short life, ragweed can wreak…
21 Crucial Questions Pertaining to Your Thyroid
The number of patients with thyroid conditions that come to our office (and are unaware of their condition) is overwhelming! Thyroid disease is epidemic! According to the American Thyroid Association, an estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease. Up to 60 percent of these individuals are aware of their health condition.…
24 Essential Nutrients and Which Foods Provide Them
Ideally, we want to get all of our nutrients through diet rather than vitamins and supplements. This is extremely difficult with our current food supply and nutrient-poor soil and often times, vitamins and supplements are necessary. But eating ‘clean,’ healthy foods does in fact give us the best chance at meeting our nutritional needs. We…
Summer Vacation Survival Tips for Allergy Sufferers
Everyone loves a great summer vacation and it’s time to start thinking ahead. When allergies are present, a summer vacation takes a little more thought and planning. Here are a few tips that will make it easier for the allergy sufferers in your crowd. Plan Always have a plan. Allergy Safety Plan – Have one…
Methylation and MTHFR – What On Earth is This?
Never hear of it? Heard of it but have no idea what it is? Well, it is a critical biochemical pathway that occurs in our bodies….in fact, it occurs billions of times every second within our cells. Without methylation we would die. Methylation plays a crucial role in many bodily functions, including detoxification, immune function,…
Blood Sugar – What You Don’t Know May Be Hurting You
A normal healthy fasting blood sugar is around 87 mg/dL. For every milligram over 87, your chance of diabetes increases greatly. Once your fasting blood sugar reaches 100 mg/dL, you are said to be “pre-diabetic” and once it reaches 126 mg/dL, you are diagnosed with diabetes. BUT, once fasting blood sugar begins to rise above…
Being Your Best Advocate
There is no one that is going to take better care of you – than you! Here are my 10 tips for ensuring you are prepared and receive excellent care: 1. Know what you are looking for in your doctor-patient relationship. Is your current relationship everything you want it to be? If not, ask for…
Vitamin D: Cancer Fighter, Immune Booster and Bone Builder
Vitamin D may be one of the most beneficial but overlooked substances in the human body. It is also one of the most common deficiencies I see in my patients in our Functional Medicine practice at Vine Healthcare. Why Vitamin D matters 1. Vitamin D is responsible for building bone. It regulates the balance of…
Valentine’s Day is Good for Your Health
Valentines Day is coming up and we thought we’d share with you a few heart-healthy menu ingredients for the big night, some interesting facts about kissing, and a super easy, thoughtful, and wellness-promoting gift idea. What to eat at your Valentine meal: • Wild caught, fatty fish that are high in omega-3 fats – Salmon…
Dr. Scott’s Story
I was trained in a very traditional medical school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a city steeped in medical tradition with long white coats, stacks of books, and 36 hour shifts with seemingly endless patients. But I learned. I learned to speak to patients about their symptoms, examine them and then come to a diagnosis. The “diagnosis”…
Dr. Ellen’s Story
For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be a doctor. I wanted to help people feel better, get better, and live a life without illness and pain. As a young child I could often be found “treating” an injured animal and nursing it back to health or cleaning out and bandaging my…
Dr. Ellen’s Great Gift Idea – Lavender Infused Magnesium Bath Salts
Lavender is very soothing. It’s also an adaptogen – meaning it helps your body deal with stress.
What’s in Your Smoothie?
Purge your system of the daily bombardment from environmental, lifestyle, and internal toxins that are slowing you down, making you fat, causing pain, and leading to disease. Start out your day with a delicious and nutritious detoxifying smoothie! I always recommend ALL organic ingredients! OPTIONAL ITEMS: (can add all or just some) 1 scoop Vine…
Dr. Ellen’s Tips on How to Avoid Jet Lag
Here are my favorite tips to prevent the dreaded daytime fatigue, disturbed sleep, and difficulty concentrating known as Jet Lag: For a Few Days Before your Trip Prepare: Make sure your bags are packed and you have passport, visa, supplements/medications, destination places settled, and snacks. Don’t scramble at the last minute! Before departing, make sure…
Dr. Antoine’s : Don’t Tax Your System During Tax Season
Tax time can be incredibly stressful for many of us! How can you ensure that you don’t tax your system as you prepare your financials? Get plenty of rest – make sure you sleep at least 7-8 hours per night Drink plenty of filtered water – at least 1/2 your body weight in fluid ounces…
Dr. Antoine’s : Zinc – Just What The Doctor Ordered!
Zinc is an important mineral – especially at this time of year – and especially after this incredibly LONG winter! Zinc is a great supplement for cold and flu season and unfortunately, about 80% of the population is deficient. Numerous studies cited by the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon…
Skipping Breakfast? Are You Increasing Your Risk For Heart Disease?
We all know that the types of foods we eat have a major impact on our health. We’ve also been told that ‘breakfast is the most important meal of the day.’ As it turns out, eating breakfast not only helps with weight control but also impacts your risk of heart disease. A study published July 23,…
