You At Your Best

12 | YOU AT YOUR BEST | NWADG.COM/YOUATYOURBEST MARCH - ALL NATURAL | SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2018 SPECIAL TO NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE Wolfpack Hearing Clinic was born from the basic principle that the good of the patient stands above all else. In speaking to Dr. Richards, you get the unmistakable sense that he truly believes his mission statement. The accomplished owner and audiologist was not even 30 years of age when he founded Wolfpack Hearing Clinic. Still in relative infancy, the Fayetteville- based practice has shown unusually large and consistent growth, especially for a newer practice. "As anyone could guess, starting a clinic from scratch was not an easy feat," Dustin Richards, Au.D. candidly remarked. "Once we earned our core group of patients, word of mouth began to take effect. We're at the point now where each day is fully booked with patient visits. The only way this happens is with quality care and making sure that the needs of the patient is top priority, without exception. We are very fortunate to have a team wholly dedicated to the same vision and high level of service." Perhaps most surprising is the fact that Dr. Richards is the elder of group, having assembled a similarly young team. Despite their youth, their appeal to the community stems from old-school work ethic and values. "Marketing consultants have suggested to us that our youth is not exactly a 'selling point.' Perhaps they are right; patients seeking help for their hearing difficulties may desire more experience from their professionals. Technology is rapidly advanced and we are well-equipped to stay up-to- date on that, but ultimately the best level of hearing healthcare comes from strong work ethic and empathy for the individuals we serve." While Wolfpack has enjoyed rapid success, the team remains grounded and shows a unique level of focus toward their own personal growth. The staff carries a unique tradition in asking each patient to share a piece of advice before closing their appointment. "One of the best perks of our job is the constant access to life experience and wisdom we have from our very own patients. It is important to me that as a staff we are always learning and growing as people. What better way to do that than by simply listening to others willing to share that wisdom? Everyone has a story. We greatly enjoy hearing those stories and applying the lessons to our own lives. It also helps us do our jobs better when we know and understand the individuals we are working with. I really do feel that this is the key to our success and there is not a person out there that we can't help." In our conversation with Dr. Richards, we greatly enjoyed that someone who helps those with hearing loss placed special emphasis on listening. It is easy to see what makes this clinic so appealing to the community. Find out what all the noise is about by visiting Wolfpack Hearing Clinic at 2630 E. Citizens Drive, #7 in Fayetteville; located at the intersection of Crossover and Mission in Kantz Center. They can also be contacted by phone at (479) 957-9300 or by visiting wolfpackhearing.com. Wolfpack Hearing makes loud impression on Northwest Arkansas METRO CREATIVE SERVICES Is "probiotic" a marketing buzzword designed to boost sales, or is there really something to the trend of adding probiotics to food or encouraging consumers to take probiotic supplements? It might be hard to envision bacteria and yeast — which are often painted in a negative light and associated with various illnesses — being beneficial to health. However, it's important to note that the body is full of bacteria, and some of it can be helpful, particularly to the digestive system. While probiotics, or those helpful bacteria and yeasts, occur naturally in the body, they also can be found in a growing number of foods and supplements. Yogurt, with its "live and active cultures," is one source of probiotics. An panel of experts convened in October 2013 by the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics found that a growing body of evidence supports the notion that probiotics can promote a healthy balance of intestinal bacteria, which has been linked to a wide range of health benefits. Since the mid-1990s, when probiotics first appeared on many people's radars, clinical studies have suggested that probiotic therapy can help treat several gastrointestinal issues, delay the development of allergies in children and treat and prevent vaginal and urinary infections in women. The Harvard Medical School notes that two large reviews suggest that probiotics reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhea by 60 percent when compared with a placebo. Antibiotics can kill harmful and beneficial bacteria in the gut. Probiotics help restore the balance. This may prove helpful to those with various gastrointestinal diseases, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. There's also interest in how gastrointestinal health may be linked to mental health. According to data published in the Journal of Neurogastroenterology & Motility in an article titled, "Effect of Probiotics on Central Nervous System Functions in Animals and Humans: A Systematic Review," a review of 15 human studies found supplementing with bifidobacterium and lactobacillus strains for one to two months can improve anxiety, depression, autism, obsessive- compulsive disorder, and memory. Research is still being conducted on probiotics' influence on heart health, vaginal health, inflammation, immune system function, weight loss, and even some skin disorders like eczema. Probiotics are generally considered safe, but their use should be discussed with a doctor prior to taking them. Digest the potential benefits of probiotics Probiotics may help attain a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut, leading to better overall health.

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