The St. Mary Institute

Our clinician can order functional blood tests.

Our basic panel will be about 2 doxen tests. (Most mainstream practitioners will orderr only 8 for a health screening.)

We can use more if necessary.

Functional reference ranges are more strict.

We also use urine tests in the office.

We test for Vitamin C and Calcium levels, PH, Adrenal Stress, Malabsorption and nine other areas simply with urine. Results are immediate. We can utilize a Diagnostic Lab for much more if needed.

Other tests can be ordered.

Examples include: Candida, Menopause, DHEA, Thyroid, Leaky Gut, Allergy, Hormones, Parasites, Weight Problems, etc.

We allow our clients to watch the in-house tests whenever possible! This becomes an interesting and educational experience!

Cleansing, detoxification and drainage of the key organs will promote immunity, circulation, and rejuvenation of the body. Get started today! Call Dr. Lucy Cooper at the St. Mary Institute Holistic Health Service now! 818 775 1183.

Important Points on Cholesterol

The key to an in depth understanding of HDL, LDL, Triglycerides and Total Cholesterol is in the ratios. Otherwise, you have a superficial analysis and perhaps a doctor trying to put you on needless medication! read more »

• Assessment and Evaluation of Joints, Muscles and Nerves Related to the Pain You are in.
• Assessment and Evaluation of Hormones, Nutrition and Chemical Toxicity that Could Contribute to Your Problem.
• Recommendations and Outlined Program Plan to End Your Pain

• Headache, Fatigue, Insomnia, Anxiety, Digestive Trouble, Depression

• Evaluation of Hormones--especially the adrenals!
• Trigger/acupoint Screening for Areas of Tension
• Diet Analysis
• Discussion of Past Nerve Related Traumas as May be Related to Your Problem
• Recommendations and Outline of Program for Your Health

• Weight Loss Evaluation, Consultation and Recommendations
• Evaluation of Adrenal and Thyroid Hormone Balances
• Evaluation of Your Diet and Nutritional Supplements--
• Are they working?

We perform in house urine tests and our clinician can order Functional Blood Tests to really find your needs.

Call Dr. Lucy Maria Cooper, MS, DAOM, OMD, LAc,
818 775 1183

• The Seven Signs of Stress
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Back, Neck or Shoulder Pain
• Problems Sleeping
• Irritability or Mood Swings
• Trouble With Digestion
• Allergies or Sinus Problems

Pterocarpus marsupium (Indian Kino, Malabar Kino, Pitasara, Venga)

The gum-resin looks like dried blood (Dragon's blood), much used in Indian medicine. This herb has a long history of use in India as a treatment for diabetes. The flavonoid, (-)-epicatechin is extracted from the bark of this plant.

Epicatechin and alcohol extract of Pterocarpus marsupium have demonstrated the ability to regenerate functional pancreatic beta cells. No other drug or natural agent has been shown to generate this activity.

Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia)

Bitter melon, balsam pear, is a tropical vegetable widely cultivated in Asia, Africa and South America, and has been used for diabetes. The blood glucose lowering ability of the juice or extract of the unripe fruit has been observed in experimental and clinical studies. Charantin, extracted by the alcohol, is a hypoglycaemic agent composed of mixed steroids. As a matter of fact, it is stronger than tolbutamide, a drug. Momordica also contains an insulin-like polypeptide, polypeptide-P, which lowers serum glucose levels when injected subcutaneously into type 1 diabetic patients. The oral administration of 50-60 ml of the juice has shown good results in clinical research.

Very high doses of bitter melon juice can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Gymnema Sylvestre (Gurmar, Meshasringi, Cherukurinja)

Gymnema assists the pancreas in the production of insulin in Type 2 diabetes. Gymnema also improves the ability of insulin to lower blood glucose in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. It may also lower cravings for sugary foods.

Onion and Garlic ( Allium cepa and Allium sativum)

Onion and garlic have significant blood sugar lowering action. The active ingredients are allyl propyl disulphide (APDS) and diallyl disulphide oxide (allicin). The flavonoids may help also. The APDS lowers glucose levels by competing with insulin for insulin-inactivating sites in the liver. This causes an increase of free insulin. Onions affect the hepatic metabolism of glucose and/or elevate the release of insulin, and/or maintain insulin level.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)

The defatted portion of the seed has the alkaloid trogonelline, nicotinic acid and coumarin.

Blueberry leaves (Vaccinium myrtillus)

A decoction of the leaves has myrtillin (an anthocyanoside) is apparently the most active ingredient. Blueberry anthocyanosides are anti-haemorrhagic agents in the treatment of eye diseases including diabetic retinopathy.

Asian Ginseng

Asian ginseng causes the release of insulin from the pancreas and to increase the number of insulin receptors. It also has a direct blood sugar-lowering effect.

Cinnamon - Triples insulin's efficiency

Disclaimer: Nothing here is intended to replace conventional medical treatment. These statements have not be evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to cure, treat or diagnose any illness.

Are you having "blood sugar problems" ?

Many people start with elevated blood glucose (BS) of above 100 when fasting. They have that plus elevated Triglycerides. They think that they are OK. They are already heading for trouble. They just keep on packing on the carbohydrates. That can be a big mistake.

Later they will go into an "insulin resistance" situation. It has been called Syndrome X. That was not a good name. It is also called Metabolic Syndrome. It looks like this:

BS above 100 fasting. (Yes, we said 100.) Triglycerides up. Cholesterol up. Uric Acid up. LDL is up. HDL--the good cholesterol-- is down. Hemoglobin AiC is up.

When you take their cholesterol and work out the ratio, it does not look good. (See our section on the ratios.)

They still do not really do anything effective about it. Then they are into the diabetic pattern. It is the same as the above except that the BS is now above 126!

Why did they let it come to that? Perhaps they needed help and information and did not get it.

Call Dr. Lucy Cooper, MS, DAOM, OMD, LAc, Doctor of Oriental Medicine, for nutritional evaluation today at 818 775 1183.

Did you know that if you do not have enough Zinc, and B Vitamins you might not have enough stomach acid? Your food can putrify--especially protein-- and it will irritate your stomach from the production of a bad acid from that! That will cause bad gas. H. pylori also can cause this situation.

Hypochlorhydria can be caused by hypothyroidism, food sensitivities, aging and other causes. This low stomach acid can interfere with the absorption of B12, manganese, calcium as well as other nutrients.

Did you know that cortisol from stress can thin the lining of the stomach? That could make you more sensitive there--especially to acidic changes.

Cortisol comes from the adrenal cortex and helps us deal with stresses--emotional and physical. It is antiinflammatory but when it is running high excessively it is not good.

Did you know that you can exhaust your adrenals if you skip breakfast? Your adrenals help keep your blood sugar up so you do not get tired.

The problem could be that they are tired and stressed!

For more on the adrenals, see our section on them or call Dr. Lucy Cooper at 818 775 1183.

The adrenals have several jobs. They make aldosterone to manage our sodium and potassium. They produce DHEA to help manage our immunity. They make cortisol for glucose regulation and anti-inflammatory effects. They also produce adrenalin and nor-epinephrine for our sympathetic stress in the autonomic nervous system.

Did you know that you can push them too far with caffeine, alcohol and sugar? Skipping breakfast does not help either!

Did you know that women in menopause even need them to help produce estrogen? Did you know that hyper-function of the adrenals can affect insulin sensitivity?

If you have trouble getting to sleep or are waking up at night, it could be your adrenals.

Call The St. Mary Institute Holistic Health Services to get help. . Call not at: 818 775 1183.

Yes, here is the shocker, guys: If you have a big belly, that fat is putting out a female hormone called estrogen. Oops! Now get this: Increased estrogen will increase DHT and that elevation can increase your prostate! Who needs BPH?

Insulin insensitivity will increase the estrogen too. That is another road that you do not want to go down!

See our section "Men and Manly Hormones" for more issues for men. We will help you stay strong. Call us at 818 775 1183.

Have you ever heard of "andropause"? Have you heard of low testosterone? Actually, it is more complicated than that. Read on. . .

Androgens (andro for male) are testosterone, DHT and androstenedione. There is normally a balance or ratio of testosterone to estrogen. The problem is when the estrogen is dominant. (Yes, men naturally have a small amount of estrogen. If you have a big belly, you may have too much estrogen! That tissue will produce estrogen.)

The causes of andropause include: adrenal function, dysfunctions in liver detoxification, problems in the balance of friendly vrs. unfriendly organisms growing in your intestines and stomach, testosterone synthesis, aromatase activity, beta-glucuronidase activity, 5-alpha reductase activity, 17 and 20 lyase activity, estrogen metabolism, etc. The back and forth communication between the pituitary and hypothalamus can also be involved.

Insulin insensitivity can increase the estrogen because it dials up the aromatase.

And you thought it was a simple thing like getting old! No, it is not. No one bothered to tell you about all of this? Well, we will try to help you at the St. Mary Institute Holistic Health Service. We will help you naturally be the man that you want to be. Call now at 818 775 1183. We have the best patient education!

The human body must constantly clear hormones and toxins from the body. Some toxins are from the environment and are called xenobiotics. There are thousands of chemical exposures we have from gases, food preservatives and dyes put in food, cleaning products, etc.

Poor eating and improper food combinations generate biological toxins in us as well. Often proteins putrefy in our intestines and produce toxins. In other words our food can spoil or rot in our intestinal tract and add to our bio toxic load. This results in destruction of the balance of the friendly bacteria in our large intestine. We call this dysbiosis.

Many people take medications which add to the load of toxins. Our liver struggles to keep up with it all. If the nutrients are not right for it to function in the detoxification process, it will simply recycle it all back.

Our skin and lungs do what they can. The kidneys have a role as well. Some substances can not be excreted by the kidney until the liver is finished with them. More recycling of the load.

Many people have tried to detox themselves with either failure or partial results. Those who failed blame it on the products. The reality is this: They did not know what they were doing.

Sometimes the kidneys are weak or clogged and can not handle the release from the liver and so the person actually feels worse! It is like stirring up the mud on the bottom of a pond. They really needed professional guidance.

Let us take a closer look at the physiology.

The liver is a real chemical powerhouse. It has hundreds of jobs. The detoxification that it does changes fat soluble substances into water soluble ones. When these substances are water soluble the body can get rid of them via the kidneys, gallbladder or skin.

The liver works in two phases. These are Phase I and Phase II detoxification.

Phase I: It uses hydrogen and oxygen in what is called hydroxylation to do this.

In Phase II detoxification, the liver takes what came from Phase I and makes it water soluble. It does this by combining acetate, glutathione, sulfate or glucuronic acid. If it does not do that it will take 3 hydrogen molecules and one carbon and perform methylation. All of this chemistry requires certain essential nutrients or it will not work!

Impaired methylation is associated with cancer and cardiovascular problems. Additionally, depression and dementia have also been associated with dysfunctional methylation!

This is serious business for human health.

To learn more about detoxification and health, call The St Mary Institute Holistic Health Service at 818 775 1183. Speak with Dr. Lucy Cooper, Doctor of Oriental Medicine. We have the best patient education! Call now!

Our Clinician can order Functional Blood Tests.

Vitamins and minerals that can affect mental health

The B-Complex Vitamins

These are essential to mental and emotional well-being. These can't be stored in our bodies, so we depend entirely on our daily diet to supply them.

B vitamins are destroyed by alcohol, refined sugars, nicotine, and caffeine so it is no surprise that many people may be deficient in these.

Vitamin B1 (thiamine): The brain uses this vitamin to help convert glucose, or blood sugar, into fuel, and without it the brain rapidly runs out of energy. This can lead to fatigue, depression, irritability, anxiety, and even thoughts of suicide. Deficiencies can also cause memory problems, loss of appetite, insomnia, and gastrointestinal disorders. The consumption of refined carbohydrates, such as simple sugars, drains the body's B1 supply.

Vitamin B3 (niacin): Pellagra - which produces psychosis and dementia, among other symptoms-was eventually found to be caused by niacin deficiency. Many commercial food products now contain niacin, and pellagra has virtually disappeared. However, subclinical deficiencies of vitamin B3 can produce agitation and anxiety, as well as mental and physical slowness.

Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid): Symptoms of deficiency are fatigue, chronic stress, and depression. Vitamin B5 is needed for hormone formation and the uptake of amino acids and the brain chemical acetylcholine, which combine to prevent certain types of depression.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine): This vitamin aids in the processing of amino acids, which are the building blocks of all proteins and some hormones. It is needed in the manufacture of serotonin, melatonin and dopamine. Vitamin B6 deficiencies, although very rare, cause impaired immunity, skin lesions, and mental confusion. A marginal deficiency sometimes occurs in alcoholics, patients with kidney failure, and women using oral contraceptives. MAOIs, ironically, may also lead to a shortage of this vitamin. Many nutritionally oriented doctors believe that most diets do not provide optimal amounts of this vitamin.

Vitamin B12: Because vitamin B12 is important to red blood cell formation, deficiency leads to an oxygen-transport problem known as pernicious anemia. This disorder can cause mood swings, paranoia, irritability, confusion, dementia, hallucinations, or mania, eventually followed by appetite loss, dizziness, weakness, shortage of breath, heart palpitations, diarrhea, and tingling sensations in the extremities. Deficiencies take a long time to develop, since the body stores a three- to five-year supply in the liver. When shortages do occur, they are often due to a lack of intrinsic factor, an enzyme that allows vitamin B12 to be absorbed in the intestinal tract. Since intrinsic factor diminishes with age, older people are more prone to B12 deficiencies.

Those who have difficulty absorbing nutrients from food due to celiac disease, Crohn's disease, intestinal surgery where part of the intestine was removed and other malabsorption problems may suffer from vitamin B12 deficiency. This vitamin deficiency can cause severe symptoms of mental illness including:

Moodiness
Mania
Hallucinations
Psychosis
Paranoia
Insomnia
Learning Difficulties

An untreated deficiency in vitamin B12 may also result in pernicious anemia, a condition that occurs when the body cannot absorb enough vitamin B12 to make an adequate amount of red blood cells. Those who have a very severe vitamin B12 deficiency may be required to receive monthly injections for relief of symptoms and stabilization of condition. Contact a trusted healthcare provider if you or your loved one believes a vitamin B12 deficiency could be the cause of symptoms of mental or physical illness.

Anyone suffering from mental illness should continue the therapy and medication they are on and inform their psychiatrist or therapist that they are interested in nutritional treatments. Suddenly stopping psychiatric medication may result in damaging side effects. Tapering off medication should be done gradually and under a doctor's supervision.

Mental illness can make everyday life difficult. Treating these symptoms using nutritional therapy may be just what you need to get back on track to wellness.

If you find the doctor currently treating your mental illness not open to nutritional therapy, continue with your treatment and make an appointment with a more open-minded physician or naturopath who can help make any transition a bit easier.

Folic acid: This B vitamin is needed for DNA synthesis. It is also necessary for the production of SAM (S-adenosyl methionine). Poor dietary habits contribute to folic acid deficiencies, as do illness, alcoholism, and various drugs, including aspirin, birth control pills, barbiturates, and anticonvulsants. It is usually administered along with vitamin B12, since a B12 deficiency can mask a folic acid deficiency. Pregnant women are often advised to take this vitamin to prevent neural tube defects in the developing fetus.

Vitamin C Deficiency

Subclinical deficiencies can produce depression symptoms, which requires the use of supplements. Supplementation is particularly important if you have had surgery or an inflammatory disease. Stress, pregnancy, and lactation also increase the body's need for vitamin C, while aspirin, tetracycline, and birth control pills can deplete the body's supply.

Though most people associate vitamin C with helping stave off colds and flu, those with a severe deficiency of this vitamin may experience symptoms of mental illness including:

Depression
Confusion
Insomnia
Anxiety
Hallucinations

According to Dr. Leonard John Hoffer, author of "Vitamin Therapy in Schizophrenia", schizophrenic patients have a tendency to be deficient in this critical vitamin, perhaps in part due to poor diet. It is recommended that up to 6 grams of vitamin C can be taken to reduce schizophrenic symptoms.

Vitamin D Deficiency

This vitamin is called 'the sunshine vitamin' because we absorb this vitamin directly through our skin when we step outside. Unfortunately, because of increasing incidents of skin cancer, spending any time in the sun without slathering on copious amounts of sunscreen is no longer common and because of this, vitamin D deficiency is the most common vitamin deficiency on record. It can cause mental illness symptoms such as:

Seasonal Affective Disorder
Depression
Irritability
Psychosis

According to a New York study done on teenagers admitted to the emergency room for psychotic symptoms, over 40 percent with symptoms of psychosis were deficient in vitamin D.

It is important to have blood levels checked by a trusted healthcare provider to make the diagnosis of this deficiency and learn how much of the supplement may be needed to improve symptoms.

Omega 3 Deficiency

Omega 3 is an essential fatty acid, meaning the body cannot produce it on its own and it must be obtained from food or supplemental sources. Omega 3 is critical to good neurological health and a deficiency in it has been linked to mental illness symptoms such as:

Depression
Mood Disorders
ADHD
Behavioral Problems in Children

Magnesium Deficiency

This trace mineral is responsible for the regulation of over three hundred different functions in the body and a deficiency in it can cause a host of troubling mental symptoms such as:

Severe Anxiety
Insomnia
Irritability
Confusion
ADHD
Sensitivity to Light and Sound

Magnesium deficiency is also noted to cause physical symptoms such as twitching, trembling, muscle cramping, muscle weakness and allergies. Those who feel they do not get enough of the magnesium they need from food may benefit from supplementing the diet with bioavailable chelated magnesium to calm symptoms and help the nervous system heal and repair.

Potassium deficiency

Potassium: Depletion is frequently associated with depression, tearfulness, weakness, and fatigue.

Holistic Pastoral Counseling at The St. Mary Institute

Our Pastoral Counselor is +++David Leon Cooper, MS, is a board certified Clinical Specialist in Health Science Education by the American Council for Holistic Medicine.

Patient Educator

David Leon Cooper, MS, CCN
Assistant Patient Educator

Clinical Specialist, Health Science Education from the American Council of Holistic Medicine, California USA

Certified Clinical Nutritionist, Indian Board of Alternative Medicine, India
(He is also the Pastoral Counselor for the St. Mary Institute and is available to help in an "interfaith format" for life and family problems.)

Nutritional Counseling

Nutritional Counseling helps to identify harmful dietary habits and helps the individual enhance their health. Dietary changes are utilized to promote health and restore balance in the body. Often it is based upon Functional Blood test results and in conjunction with herbal medicine here at the St. Mary Institute Holistic Health Services. We also use Biological Terrain (urine) tests and other methods.

We provide the best patient education in nutrition!

Pastoral and Nutritional Counseling Client Forms

Forms for services by David Leon Cooper, MS, CCN:

We provide these forms so you can fill them out before you come to see us the first time. The PDF files may be viewed using Acrobat Reader. There are two options:

1. Print out all the blank forms, complete them by hand, and bring them to the Saint Mary Institute on your first visit. You may also mail them to us.
2. Fill out the forms on your computer screen, and either print them to bring to The Saint Mary Institute on your first visit or mail them to us. If you use this second option, you may also save the PDF file to your computer. When you have saved the files, you may then attach the completed form files in an email message to us. If you plan to do this, please obtain an "Identifying Number" and email instructions from our office before you begin filling out the forms. Please understand that your email message will be sent over unsecured, non-encrypted Internet channels.

Whichever option you choose, you will need Adobe Reader (version 8.1 or greater). If you do not already have it installed on your computer, you may download a free Reader by Download Free Adobe Reader here.

1. Fill Out by Hand
2. Fill Out on Your Computer

View Confidential Information Form

CONSENT TO DISCLOSE INFORMATION

Consent to Disclose Information for Treatment, Payment or Health Care Operations & Acknowledgement of Privacy Practices. View form.

Bach Flower Questionnaire

You can take this questionnaire to see if a Bach Flower Remedy might help you. If you think it will help, we can get it for you. We can also run an energetic test to see if your bio energetic field resonates with this remedy. We have 2 methods to do that.

View the Bach Flower Questionnaire

Some services provided by The St. Mary's Institute Holistic Health Services include the following:

ALL INSURANCE ACCEPTED

The St. Mary's Institute Holistic Health Services also treat 100's of diseases and disorders. A few examples include:

ALL INSURANCE ACCEPTED