Sarah Hung, ND, MSOM, L.ac.

A recent interview with Mystic Mag about natural medicine and what first got me passionate about it!

Check out Dr. Sarah's interview with Mystic Mag! — Whole Hearted Naturopathic and Wellness To read the complete interview please visit: https://www.mysticmag.com/psychic-reading/interview-sarahhung/ -0

Hi , This is Kim with Wholehearted Naturopathic & Wellness practitioner assistant of Dr. Sarah Hung , As you may be aware, recent heavy rains and inclement weather have resulted in widespread flooding across various Regions in Mindanao, Philippines. The impact has been devastating, with thousands of families displaced, home destroyed, and critical infrastructure severe damaged. In Light of this crisis, I urge you and tour organization to extend a helping hand to the affected communities in Mindanao, Philippines. Your support, whether through monetary donations, relief supplies, volunteer efforts, can make a significant difference in providing relief and assistance to those in need.

"Join us in extending a helping hand to flood victims! 💙 Our hearts go out to those affected by the recent floods. Your support can make a huge difference in their lives. Let's come together and show them they're not alone. Every donation counts!

If you would like to learn more or incorporate immune-supporting herbs into your seasonal routine, we are here to support you and answer your questions.

Please text or email if you are interested in an herbal immune blend to support you this season: #630-881-0939, [email protected].

Astragulus, Medicinal Mushrooms like Reishi or Shiitake, or Ginseng: Panax, and American Ginseng have been traditionally used to boost immunity.

Many of these herbs have been shown to support immune cells and increase resistance to infections. They may even benefit gut health as well as a result some of their compounds feeding the beneficial gut flora!

If you would like to learn more or incorporate immune-supporting herbs into your seasonal routine, we are here to support you and answer your questions.

Single herbs or tincture blends are available in our in-office Wholehearted Dispensary. Please text or email if you are interested in an herbal immune blend to support you this season.

Spend time in nature this weekend. Doctor's orders! :)

Start with the basics! Rest, nutrition, and hydration are always a good place to start. Stay tuned for more tips this fall about how to keep your Immune System strong naturally!

Nutrition and Natural Therapies for Skin Rejuvenation this Sunday 9/24 at Illuminate Naperville, at 11:00 am.

MIND*BODY*SPIRIT*ARTS FESTIVAL - FREE!

Come and learn nutritional and natural methods with Dr. Sarah to support smooth and radiant skin from the inside out! Vitamins, minerals, amino acids, stress, and the environment will be discussed as contributors to skin health, and a demo of skin care routines and Korean Facial Acupuncture.

Happy Fall and Back to School to All! September Newsletter: Immune Health

In a world where health has become a top priority, our immune system serves as a frontline defender against various pathogens and illnesses. This is especially true as summer turns to fall, and flu season begins to set into place. So what kind of wisdom can Naturopathic traditions and other medicinal traditions around the world offer when it comes to natural ways of defending ourselves?

Happy Fall (into) Immune Health!

The data is in!

A lot of people want to know about the efficacy of Acupuncture and it's wonderful to see a meta-analysis like this one.

This one focused on chronic pain but Acupuncture has gone through many scientific trials on a variety of conditions.

Read the full article here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/07/24/does-acupuncture-work-chronic-pain/

If you would like to know if Acupuncture might be helpful for you please reach out to the Wholehearted office with questions or to make an appointment.

When it comes to gut health, we cannot overlook the importance of stomach acid and enzymes in the digestive process. Stomach acid, also known as gastric acid, is produced by the stomach lining and serves multiple functions. It aids in the breakdown of food, particularly proteins, and helps activate enzymes that further break down nutrients for absorption.

Beyond its role in digestion, stomach acid also plays a significant role in modulating the immune system. Studies have suggested a link between low stomach acid production and the development of autoimmune diseases. Stomach acid acts as a crucial line of defense against ingested pathogens, preventing their entry into the intestines.

Some natural ways to help support the body's production of stomach acid and promote the absorption of nutrients may include:

Address underlying causes such as chronic stress, medication use, dietary triggers, and nutritional deficiencies for B Vitamins, Iron, or Zinc. Believe it or not, these specific nutrients are needed to help support healthy stomach acid production! If you are suspicious of nutritional deficiencies, you may consider exploring a full Micronutrient panel with us.

Incorporate Apple Cider Vinegar diluted into 8 ounces of water. Alternatively, a delicious Apple Cider Vinegar and Ginger recipe is posted above.

Wholehearted Naturopathic now offers customized herbs formulated specifically for you in the form of personalized tinctures.

Tinctures are concentrated liquid extracts made from various plants and herbs. They have been used for centuries in traditional medicine systems around the world, and they continue to be popular today due to their numerous benefits. Here are some of the advantages of using herbal tinctures:

Potency and Concentration: Tinctures are highly concentrated, making them an efficient and potent way to extract the active constituents of herbs.

Quick and Effective Absorption: The alcohol used in tinctures helps facilitate the quick absorption of the herbal compounds into the bloodstream.

Customization: Tinctures allow for easy customization of herbal remedies. Herbalists can create unique blends tailored to individual needs by combining different herbs with specific medicinal properties to address particular health concerns.

Easy Administration: Tinctures are simple to administer, even for those who may have difficulty swallowing pills or capsules. They can be mixed with water or added to beverages or food for easier consumption.

For more information about customized formulas, you can make an appointment online at wholeheartednaturopathic.com or by calling 630-881-0939.

It wouldn't be complete to talk about gut health if we didn't also talk about its role in mental health.

The gut-brain axis refers to the bidirectional communication network between our gut and our brain. Surprisingly, this connection has significant implications for mental health. Emerging evidence suggests that the gut microbiome influences neurotransmitter production, including serotonin, often referred to as the "happy hormone." Imbalances in the gut microbiome have been linked to mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression.

At Wholehearted Naturopathic we include the gut in all our mental health evaluations.

May you have good digestion and good gut-brain communication.
Yours in health,
Dr. Sarah

Emerging research suggests that gut health also plays a crucial role in cardiovascular health. The gut microbiome and its metabolites have been linked to various factors that contribute to cardiovascular risk, such as inflammation, lipid metabolism, and blood pressure regulation.

Chronic inflammation is a significant driver of cardiovascular disease. The gut microbiome helps maintain a balanced immune response, preventing excessive inflammation. However, imbalances in the gut microbiome, known as dysbiosis, can lead to chronic low-grade inflammation, which may contribute to the development and progression of conditions such as atherosclerosis and hypertension.

Furthermore, studies have shown that certain gut bacteria can influence lipid metabolism and cholesterol levels. Specific bacteria in the gut microbiome produce short-chain fatty acids, which play a role in lipid regulation. Imbalances in the gut microbiome can disrupt this process, leading to elevated cholesterol levels and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Naturopathic practitioners utilize clinical testing, dietary and lifestyle recommendations, supplements, and other methods to support your cardiovascular health, taking into account what digestive factors may hinder or further your overall health picture.

When it comes to gut health, we cannot overlook the importance of stomach acid and enzymes in the digestive process: https://wholeheartednaturopathic.com/blog/stomach-acid-and-how-its-importance-in-supporting-our-health NEW Wholehearted Blog!

Stomach Acid and Its Importance in Supporting Our Health — Whole Hearted Naturopathic and Wellness When it comes to gut health, we cannot overlook the importance of stomach acid and enzymes in the digestive process. Stomach acid, also known as gastric acid, is produced by the stomach lining and serves multiple functions. It aids in the breakdown of food, particularly proteins, and helps activate

A remarkable discovery is the connection between the gut microbiome and our immune system. The gut is home to a large proportion of immune cells, and the microbes within it play a crucial role in training and regulating our immune response. A balanced gut microbiome promotes a healthy immune system, defending against pathogens and reducing the risk of chronic diseases, including autoimmune disorders, allergies, and even certain cancers.

Protect yourself and your family through a whole-body approach. If you have more questions about how Naturopathic Medicine can support your health, please reach out to Wholehearted Naturopathic and Wellness.

Stomach acid, bile, pancreatic enzymes, and the gut microbiome play a vital role in breaking down and extracting nutrients from the food we consume. While stomach acid, bile, and enzymes assist in the breakdown of protein and fats, beneficial bacteria helps aid our gut in the breakdown of complex carbohydrates and fiber that our own enzymes cannot fully process.

Moreover, they produce vitamins, such as B vitamins and vitamin K, which are essential for various bodily functions. Symptoms such as excessive bloating, gas, allergies, or autoimmune conditions could therefore be signs that there may be an imbalance in one of these aspects of the gut.

Part 2 of our focus on Gut Health for July. Do you have any questions for us about Gut Health?

For July we are exploring the Gut Microbiome and its impact on overall health. Here is our monthly newsletter all about it!

Gut Health & 20% off Wellness Visits

The gut microbiome refers to the trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, that reside in our digestive tract. These microscopic inhabitants form a complex ecosystem unique to each individual. Emerging research has highlighted the profound influence of the gut microbiome on our health, ranging from digestion and nutrient absorption to immune function and mental well-being.

Research into the gut microbiome is still in its early stages, and scientists are uncovering new insights every day. Exciting advancements, such as personalized probiotics and targeted therapies, hold promise for harnessing the power of the gut microbiome to prevent and treat various diseases. Working with a qualified Naturopathic practitioner ensures you are at the forefront of Nutritional research and/or functional medicine testing while keeping you as an individual, as well as your whole health in mind!

Understanding the gut-health connection empowers us to take charge of our well-being by making informed choices that promote a healthy gut.

Stay tuned as we explore a different topic regarding natural health each month.

Wishing you good health and a thriving gut microbiome!

Many times in practice, I see patients that specifically want to work on digestion and gut health. This may be because they have food sensitivities, gut pain, ulcers, or heartburn. But did you know that gut health can affect so many other aspects of our health?

Our gut helps break down the nutrients we need for our cells to thrive while protecting us from toxic exposures in our environment. 70-90% of our immune system exists within the gut.

Additionally, our gut bacteria have 250 to 800 times more genes than our human genes.

Even more remarkable, these bacterial genes make substances that get into the human bloodstream, affecting our immune system, neurological health, mood, and overall health.

Because of this, the status of our gut health can impact us in a wide variety of ways and can be a factor in:

Neurological conditions such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's
Allergies
Autoimmune conditions
Cardiovascular Disease and Atherosclerosis
Asthma and Respiratory Conditions
Anxiety and Depression
Diabetes
Infertility
Weight Gain and Obesity

Stay tuned to learn more about how each of these conditions can be impacted by "the hole that's in our middle."

Yours in health,
Dr. Sarah

Try it and let us know how it goes!

https://acupuncturetoday.com/article/33042-green-tea-improves-cognitive-function-in-elderly-subjects

Many chocolate lovers will be happy to know about this study that demonstrated better cognitive function after consuming the flavanols in Cocoa.

Dark chocolate is generally associated with a number of antioxidant-like health benefits.

"The team tested the 18 participants before their intake of cocoa flavanols and in two separate trials, one in which the subjects received flavanol-rich cocoa and another during which they consumed processed cocoa with very low levels of flavanols.

About two hours after consuming the cocoa, participants breathed air with 5% carbon dioxide — about 100 times the normal concentration in air. This is a standard method for challenging brain vasculature to determine how well it responds, Gratton said

Researchers also challenged participants with complex tasks that required them to manage sometimes contradictory or competing demands. Most of the participants had a stronger and faster brain oxygenation response after exposure to cocoa flavanols than they did at baseline or after consuming cocoa lacking flavanols, the researchers found.

The levels of maximal oxygenation were more than three times higher in the high-flavanol cocoa versus the low-flavanol cocoa, and the oxygenation response was about one minute faster,” Rendeiro said.

After ingesting the cocoa flavanols, participants also performed better on the most challenging cognitive tests, correctly solving problems 11% faster than they did at baseline or when they consumed cocoa with reduced flavanols. There was no measurable difference in performance on the easier tasks, however."

Read the whole article NDNR.com: https://ndnr.com/naturopathic-news/cocoa-flavanols-may-benefit-vascular-and-cognitive-health/

Be aware that chocolate can be stimulating, and be mindful of evening consumption to ensure a good night's rest.

If you have questions about how naturopathy or acupuncture can support cognitive health, please contact Dr. Sarah Hung via wholeheartednaturopathic.com. In Naperville, Il, and online via Telemedicine.

My talk about Chinese Medicine and Mental Health will be featured in the upcoming Aquarius Collective Summit on July 14th -17th 2023! I am very grateful to have been included in this unique event!

Join other seekers and those that want to dive deep into the unlimited potential of consciousness and well-being during this three-day online event.

The Aquarius Collective features modern-day spiritual teachers, academics, and scientists where you can tap into cosmic energies, unlock limitless potential, and discover the extraordinary within the ordinary.

If you are ready to awaken to a new reality and experience three days of learning and community join the Aquarius Collective Summit 2023! And it's FREE!

For more information and to sign-up: https://pishwitch.com/aquarius-collective-summit-2023/

This is from a clinical trial published in March 2023. Wonderful to see traditional plants like Gingko biloba used around the world for brain health, help those affected by post-stroke cognitive impairment.

"EGb 761 is a standardized and extensively studied extract of Gingko biloba leaves that have been researched for its potential neuroprotective properties4. The active constituent of the leaves, ginkgolides, and bilobalide, has been confirmed to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory mediators and improve mitochondrial function.

Furthermore, ginkgolide has been shown to exert reparative effects that can help maintain the blood-brain barrier and provide a therapeutic effect for ischemic stroke6."

--via Natural Heath Research Insititute.

Full article here: https://www.naturalhealthresearch.org/gingko-biloba-extract-egb-761-improves-cognitive-assessment-scores-relating-to-delayed-recall-and-language-in-post-stroke-patients/

https://ndnr.com/pain-medicine/reevaluating-rice/ "The use of ice for acute musculoskeletal injuries has been popular for decades since Gabe Mirkin, MD coined the RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) protocol in 1978 in his best-selling The Sports Medicine Book. For decades, this protocol has been thoroughly indoctrinated into the healthcare system, despite a lack of adequate research to support its efficacy.

In recent years, health practitioners have started questioning the RICE protocol. Recent research indicates that using ice for acute injury may delay healing and result in further tissue damage.1,2 To understand the pros and cons of ice for acute injury, we must first understand inflammation and its effect on tissue healing."

Reevaluating RICE The Cold Truth About Ice & Inflammation  SIERRA GONCHAROFF, ND  The use of ice for acute musculoskeletal injuries has been popular for decades since Gabe Mirkin, MD coined the RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) protocol in 1978 in his best-selling The Sports Medicine Book.1 For decades, this...

Cool down this summer with cooling foods!

From a Chinese Medicine perspective, consuming icy, cold drinks or ice cream can take energy away from the body and be hard on digestion. And so cold foods are generally not recommended but of course, hydrating and staying refreshed are important on hot days.

Consider foods that have a cooling effect on the body, rather than cold foods:

Watermelon
Cucumber
Lemon
Grapes
Barley tea
Mint
Lettuce
Most leafy greens
Basil
Tomato

As you get ready for summer, plan some cooling foods into your meals, and let us know how it goes!

A little inspiration for Saturday's skincare class at Radiant Life Holistic Wellness Center with Dr. Sarah:

“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.” --Confucius

"Justice, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder." --Zora Neale Hurston

"Beauty begins the day you decide to be yourself." --Coco Chanel

"Our body is the only one we've been given, so we need to maintain it; we need to give it the best nutrition." - Trudie Styler

Join us at 10:00 am to discuss functional nutrition and self-care for the skin such as gua sha and massage. Come with questions! Text 630-881-0939 before Saturday to join!

At Wholehearted Naturopathic and Wellness, we are celebrating Asian Heritage Month by recognizing some of our grandfathers and ancestors of Chinese Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture:

Huang Ti 黃帝/黄帝 Much in Chinese History is attributed to the legendary Yellow Emperor whose reign was from 2697–2597 B.C., including the earliest known medical writing: Huang-ti Nei ching (The Canon of Internal Medicine). This famous classic is considered to be the bible of traditional Chinese Medicine but its true authorship is unknown. This work consists of two parts, one a dialogue about living matter between Huang Ti 黃帝/黄帝 and his minister Qibo 岐伯, and the other a description of medical physiology, anatomy, and acupuncture.

Chang Chung-ching 神農 is called the Hippocrates of China and was a physician during the most glorious period in Chinese medical history, the Han dynasty (206 BC-220 AD). Chang Chung-ching wrote Shang han lun (Treatise on Colds and Fevers) and had a profound influence on Chinese Medicine.

Shen Nung 神農 is venerated as the Father of Chinese medicine. He is believed to have introduced the technique of acupuncture. Considered to be the father of Chinese agriculture, this legendary emperor taught his people how to cultivate grains as food, so as to avoid killing animals.

He is said to have tasted hundreds of herbs to test their medicinal value and is assumed to be the author of Shen-nung pen ts'ao ching (Divine Husbandman's Materia Medica), the earliest extant Chinese pharmacopeia. This text includes 365 medicines derived from minerals, plants, and animals. The true authorship of this work is also unknown.

Thank you for reading about this important history of Chinese Medicine!

Yours in Health,
Dr. Sarah

Closing out the month with what we have been celebrating in May: Mental Health Awareness and Asian Heritage Month This month's newsletter includes the contributions of famous Asian physicians, a link to learn more about what Mind-Body Medicine is all about, and a promo code! Read more!

#MentalHealthAwareness & Asian Heritage Month

Each person's journey with holistic medicine will be different as we treat the whole person, not the disease. However, in the case of mental health, we look to a number of common factors such as the gut-brain axis.

Supporting the gut-brain axis might look like making dietary changes to remove allergens and foods that commonly cause inflammation to the intestinal walls such as gluten-containing foods. It would also likely include the introduction of beneficial bacteria through foods like sauerkraut and kimchi. More and more research has been demonstrating the role of the digestive microbiome in affecting mood.

Other Naturopathic approaches for mental health would include supporting the hormonal systems involved in stress and overall nutrition.

This is individualized and is one of the beautiful things about practicing integrative and holistic medicine. The first time I see Naturopathic Medicine and Acupuncture patients the appointment is 90 minutes so I can get to know you and determine the best way to support you on your road to good physical and mental health.

Should you need mental health support or a holistic approach to whole body health, my office is accepting new patients in Naperville, Il, and through Telemedicine nationwide.