Dr. Elina Chernyak in Vail, Colorado recently released an article explaining that rather than our heath depending on our genes, our health depends on what we do to our genes. Genetotrophic disease is the result of an imperfect expression of certain genes created by insufficient amounts of particular nutrients.
Although we may seem pretty similar to each other, each human body differs greatly on a biochemical level. Our diversified genetic potentials are a result of the impact of nutrients on the expression of our genetic characteristics. “Exposure to various nutritional and environmental factors alters the expression of our genes, producing what we call the phenotype, or the observable characteristics of an individual.”
Everything we eat, micronutrients, proteins, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals all have an impact on our genes. For example, lipoic acid, N-acetyl-cysteine, vitamin E and coenzyme Q10 are known to have an impact on the modulation of gene expression. We can improve a person’s immune system “by designing an appropriate diet for an individual based on his or her genetic needs, and by reducing antigens to which the person is sensitive (such as gluten in wheat or casein in dairy products).”
Physicians of functional medicine can use certain biological markers to evaluate a dysfunctional metabolism, “providing insight into where gene expression is increasing the risk or likelihood of various diseases, including heart disease, arthritis, and cancer.” “In the true spirit of preventative medicine, we can modify nutritional and environmental exposures today in order to help avoid potentially bigger and harder to solve problems in the future.”
Medical research such as this is taking us another step forward in bridging the gap between traditional and holistic medicine with additional elements such as nutritional supplements.
It’s Not What You Do Between Thanksgiving & The Holidays, But What You Do Between The Holidays & Thanksgiving That Makes A Difference For Your Health!
The holidays are on our heels and many of us are already beginning to cast our healthy eating habits aside. With Thanksgiving on the horizon, many of us know that November 26th will surely mark the beginning of the end. If you’ve been affected by holiday weight gain, you’re not alone. A recent study revealed that Americans gain at least one pound between Thanksgiving and New Years as result of holiday splurging. The holidays are a time for giving, a time for rejoice, a time for family and friends and time to be grateful for what we have and what we have coming to us. Unfortunately, the holidays are also a time for giving in to guilty pleasures. From bountiful thanksgiving feasts to decadent gingerbread cookies and peppermint schnapps, it’s no wonder we can’t just say “no!”
One month of letting loose wouldn’t be so bad if we were proactive about our health for the other eleven months out of the year. It’s time that we move balanced nutrition and regular exercise to the top of our to-do lists. There’s nothing wrong with a little holiday grazing, it’s expected, but it’s important to remember: everything in moderation.
Here are some ways for you to pepper some health into your holiday gatherings:
Just a little is enough – The holidays bring a lot to the table. Literally. With so many different items to choose from, portion control and self-control for that matter can be difficult. Try just picking the items you really want to try and make sure that you’re not taking heaping portions.
Skip the Drive-Thru – In the midst of all the running around and last-minute shopping in the weeks leading up to the New Year, we find comfort in the convenience of fast food and drive thru meals. Although fast-food can be time-saving on the short-term, in the long-run, the fat and refined sugars will catch up with you and your health.
Break out the Low-Cal – If you’re hosting a holiday gathering, offer some low calorie options for your family and friends to munch on. Set the table with a zesty low-cal ranch dip and serve with some crunchy carrots and celery for a tasty dipping experience. If you plan on visiting someone else’s home for the holidays, bring a healthy dish along with you – the host will surely appreciate it.
Be Social – Don’t hover over the hors d’oeuvres. Mingle. Chat. Be merry. Chances are, if you’re socializing, you won’t have much time to gorge yourself with holiday offerings.
Get your H2O – It’s important to stay hydrated, especially if you decide to enjoy some holiday cocktails with your close friends and loved ones. A good rule of thumb is to drink 2 glasses of water for every alcoholic beverage consumed.
Wishing you the best of health and a safe and warm Thanksgiving!
According to a recent article on NaturalNews.com, “the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force released new recommendations advising against mammograms for women under 50 (and recommending only bi-annual screenings for women after that).” The risk associated with mammograms is often two-fold, as is its purpose.
The profit-hungry cancer industry has equipped their “preventive” screening process with highly advanced technologies capable of detecting miniscule benign tumors in virtually anyone and everyone. This often leads to false positives, overtreatment and misdiagnosis. You see, “cancer” is a dirty word – and with good reason. It’s important to understand that the cancer industry perpetuates this broiling fear and keeps you at their mercy, using that fear to cause widespread panic and confusion at an exponential rate. Why do you think it is that they can come up with these predictions and projected stats for how many men and women will develop cancer and how many will die from it and how many will see recurring development? It’s because they play a huge role in controlling those numbers. The cancer industry has built their dark empire on fear and lies and lined their pockets with blood money. And how do they make the big bucks? Treatment. Once they have you, hook, line and sinker, they’ll want to bombard your body with chemotherapy, radiation-based drugs and surgery, all of which are seldom justified. Desperate, frightened and confused, you more than willingly accept.
What if I told you that the cancer industry was largely contributing to that in which they claim to be “preventing?” A little hypocritical, right? Well there’s an overwhelming amount of evidence that suggests that the prolonged exposure to ionizing radiation released by screening equipment used in mammograms can cause cancer. That’s right, this “method of prevention” is actually a sleeper assassin. What happens is the body’s cells undergo mutations if exposed to high volumes of radiation. This isn’t the first time that radioactive gadgets have been linked to cancer. In fact, in the 1940’s shoe stores would use x-ray machines to show customers exactly how their foot fit to the contours of the shoe. Although gradually phased out in the 1950’s, these x-ray shoe-fitting machines left a lot of shoe shoppers with serious health conditions such as genetic mutations and cancerous lesions. The point is, it doesn’t make sense to use something to prevent cancer that has been proven to cause cancer. It’s ludicrous!
If I’m under the age of 50, but I still want to take preventive steps towards reducing my risk of developing cancer, what can I do outside of semi-annual mammograms?
We need to disinter ourselves from the fear. Fearful thinking is not clear thinking. It’s important to do a lot of research and find safe and natural alternatives to prevent diseases such as cancer, later on in life. Stress reduction techniques are a great way to ease the body and mind and help reduce inflammation and promote healthy blood flow to the body’s organs, tissues and cells. Two aspects seemingly a given yet widely neglected are fitness and nutrition. The benefits of regular exercise and a nutritious diet are boundless. Another great way to prevent cancer is to rid your body of free radicals by using antioxidants. Antioxidants eliminate free radicals within our blood stream and help to detoxify our system. Other lifestyle changes are necessary as well. Smoking and excessive drinking should be avoided at all costs. Environmental toxins play a large role in our health too. Experts suggest avoiding meats treated with synthetic hormones and antibiotics. Overexposure to harmful vapors and fumes from toxic substances can be damaging, especially when the exposure is frequent or for prolonged periods of time. Another excellent way to reduce your risk of cancer is to check your hormone levels periodically, regardless of age. It’s a great way to “be in the know” with your body. Many men and women are unaware of the body’s delicate interplay of hormones or more importantly the health risks associated with hormonal imbalance. Hormonal imbalance isn’t a disease or a disorder. It’s a part of aging and it affects millions of people each year. It’s also important to remember that hormonal imbalance doesn’t discriminate and isn’t necessarily any result or indicator of health or even aging for that matter. Many believe that our hormones are gradually declining as we age, but the reality is, as our hormones slowly decline, we age in the process – as we’re constantly aging. If your age 35 or older, you should definitely consider having your hormone levels tested. If an imbalance is present, there are steps you can take to naturally correct the issue, using alternative corrective and preventive solutions such as bioidentical hormones that can replace the hormones that your body should be producing naturally. Preventive methods such as these help can enable us to avoid many if not all of the symptoms, while at the same time significantly reducing your risk of the onset of life-threatening diseases such as cancer, heart disease and atherosclerosis.
Comprehensive diagnostic testing based on blood and saliva specimens is the only full-proof method capable of determining whether or not you’re suffering from a hormonal imbalance, but here’s a quick and easy online symptom-checker called The Hormone Balance Test. It’s 10 questions, it won’t take more than a few minutes of your time and the results speak for themselves. Based on your results you can decide for yourself if further testing is necessary.
BodyLogicMD, America’s largest and fastest-growing network of highly trained physicians specializing in bioidentical hormones, fitness and nutrition, recently announced their new and improved Hormone Balance Test!
The all-new online questionnaire is a great way for men and women to determine whether or not the symptoms they’re experiencing may possibly translate into a hormonal imbalance such as perimenopause, menopause, andropause (the male menopause), thyroid disorder and/or stress-induced adrenal fatigue.
The Hormone Balance Test isn’t replacing standardized comprehensive testing such as saliva and blood work-ups. Instead it serves as a precursor to the diagnostic screening that is used to determine diagnosis and later treatment if indeed necessary. Now men and women have the opportunity to gain a better understanding of what’s going on inside their bodies and more importantly why it’s happening.
The interactive quiz calculates the users results and ranks their severity of symptoms by either mild, moderate or severe. The Hormone Balance Test also provides insight as to how hormonal fluctuations in the body translate to the symptoms that you’re experiencing. The assessment is broken down into a male and a female portion, specifically tailored for each gender.
Here’s a few questions from the Hormone Balance Test that may help you determine if a hormonal imbalance is to blame:
Women:
Question: Have you gained weight, especially in your abdomen, hips, buttocks or thighs?
Hormones and weight gain are closely related, if your hormones are not balanced, you can gain weight, especially with too much cortisol or too little progesterone, testosterone or estrogen. The average weight gain is gradual, about 10-15 lbs starting in perimenopause and then averaging about a pound or two a year. However, women who experience early menopause as a result of a surgical menopause (hysterectomy) tend to gain weight at an even more accelerated pace.
Men:
Question: Have you lost interest in sex?
Low libido in men or low sex drive is a common symptom of andropause. Low testosterone levels common in andropause result in reduced levels of the hormone available to stimulate the nerves in the brain and induce sexual desire and in turn erectile dysfunction. Essentially, without adequate testosterone, low sex drive in men is common.
The debate over the safety and efficacy of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) has been a perpetual tug-of-war between traditional and alternative medicine. We can all agree that there is a middle ground in the bioidentical hormone debate. Suzanne Somers is on one side of the debate, while others such as Julie Deardorff of the Chicago Tribune take a much different stand on the issue. So what’s it going to take to bridge the divide between mainstream and preventive practices?
Alternative medicine is just now starting to gain popularity and with that, we should see a lot more research dollars to boot. Currently, over one-third of our nation uses some form of alternative medicine – that’s over 100 million people in the U.S. alone! Many doctors are trading in their prescription drugs for preventive techniques to help their patients avoid disease and ailment from the “get-go,” using a much more proactive approach. Physicians are finally beginning to realize that in traditional medicine, diagnosis and treatment revolve around which drugs can best mask the patient’s symptoms of chronic disease and illness.
Traditional medicine is by no means obsolete. In fact the benefits from traditional medicine are boundless. Traditional medicine is effective when used to treat sore throats, fevers, bacterial infections and viruses, but offers little preventive value. Unfortunately traditional medicine doesn’t help with hormonal imbalances such as perimenopause, menopause, andropause (the male menopause), thyroid disorder and stress-induced adrenal fatigue.
Think of your body like a car. Preventive medicine helps your body a lot like preventive maintenance helps a car. Oil changes, tire rotations and alignment, fluid top-offs and routine check-ups keep your car running smooth and clean. But what happens when the car has engine problems? The cars overheating, the windshield is cracked, a gasket is broken. You take it a to a repair shop, right? Well think of traditional medicine as your body’s repair shop. You get sick, you break out with a rash, or maybe you’re running a high fever, your doctor prescribes medication to help correct whatever the problem may be.
The point is your body requires both preventive and corrective care. Recently, an article published on NaturalNews.com criticized the Associated Press (AP) saying, “The Associated Press is sadly misinformed about natural medicine, and yet their stories are syndicated across thousands of newspapers and millions of web pages each day.” We need pharmaceuticals to treat disease, but as a means of preventing disease in the first place, we need to incorporate alternative therapies and preventive techniques to achieve true optimal health and wellness. Until we’re able to successfully harness a synergy between traditional and alternative medicine, we’re robbing ourselves of our own health.
Recent studies have revealed a startling correlation between sleep apnea and diabetes. Did you know that one-third of all Americans with diabetes and 80% of all men suffering from moderate to severe sleep apnea haven’t even been diagnosed yet? What’s even more alarming is that scientists have said that sleep apnea and diabetes go hand in hand.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a term used to describe the condition where the tissues in the back of the throat intermittently collapse during sleep, which causes temporary pauses in breathing. These pauses can last for anywhere between a few seconds and a few minutes and can occur as often as 30 times per hour.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition where the pancreas does not produce enough of the hormone insulin. Insulin helps the cells absorb glucose from sugars, to burn off as energy. Diabetes is characterized by tell-tale symptoms such as polyuria and polydipsia, as well as chronic fatigue and significant weight loss.
What you can do about it:
Slim down! One of the main catalysts for diabetics developing sleep apnea is being overweight. A recent Temple University study reported that losing weight can greatly reduce a diabetic’s chance of developing obstructive sleep apnea.
Pass on the last call! There’s nothing wrong with having an occasional drink every now and again, but habitual drinking can greatly increase your risk of developing sleep apnea. As I’m sure you’re well aware, alcohol is sugar in its simplest form – what do you think the body processes it as? That’s right, sugar. High sugar consumption propagates insulin resistance which can lead to both diabetes and sleep apnea.
Check your hormones! Get your hormone levels checked! Being that insulin is a hormone, a hormonal imbalance could very well be the culprit. But by the time diabetes or sleep apnea strike, it’s too late – the damage is already done. Both sleep apnea and diabetes have no known cure, however they both can be controlled and more importantly, they can be avoided all together. By eating right, exercising and making sure that your hormones are balanced, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing diabetes and sleep apnea, or any age-related disease for that matter.
BodyLogicMD Chief Medical Officer Dr. Alicia Stanton was recently featured on an episode of Let’s Talk Live, discussing how using bioidentical hormones to balance your hormones can aid in disease prevention. During the segment, Dr. Stanton talks about the damaging effects of environmental toxins such as pesticides, pollution and consumer products and how they can propagate hormonal imbalance, which can lead to further disease and ailment.
Consumer products are riddled with toxins that we come in contact with each day. Bottled water is manufactured with plastics that contain an organic compound known as bisphenol A or BPA. In the body, BPA acts like estrogen or thyroid hormone and has been linked to thyroid disorders and estrogen imbalance in children. Plastics and synthetic compounds aren’t the only consumer products to yield a high risk. It turns out that our fruits and vegetables pose an equal risk to our health, because of the pesticides and insecticides used in cultivation. And if you think avoiding fruits, vegetables and bottled water will save you, think again. Even by taking a step outside, you’re risking exposure to a myriad of harmful pollutants in the air.
A recent article published in The New York Times discussed the many risks associated with products containing BPA. The article says that according to a study, more than 92% of Americans have BPA in their urine and have linked BPA to everything from breast cancer to obesity. It turns out that the estrogen-like compound has been feared since the 1930’s, but has just recently caught significant widespread concern.
Here are some tips from Dr. Alicia Stanton on what you can do to avoid environmental toxins:
Ditch the bottled water! – Instead of throwing money down the drain, buying overpriced cases of bottled water, invest in a quality water filter to cut own on the cost of water and reduce your exposure to BPA.
No more cans or unsafe plastics! – When at all possible, avoid purchasing consumer products that have been packaged in cans or plastics, especially products that are acidic. There are a lot of other options, such as glass or the “safer plastics” (Numbers 1, 2, 4 or 5).
Mind your meat! – Avoid consuming meats that have been treated with synthetic hormones and antibiotics. These chemicals and hormones have damaging effects on the human body.
Take a clean shower – Don’t just filter the water you drink – filter the water that you use to bath or shower with. Our body is porous and toxins can seep into our bloodstream if the water we’re using isn’t filtered properly.
Take a minute to get to know Heidi Archer, M.D. of BodyLogicMD of Vail!
Dr. Archer’s advice: “Over the years of my practicing medicine, I have seen first-hand the devastation caused by sedentary lifestyles, lack of proper nutrition and fitness and the effects of hormonal imbalance. It’s important that we take a more proactive approach to our health and wellness. We can’t wait for symptoms of aging and disease to surface, we have to start making a difference now!”
Heidi Archer, M.D. joined BodyLogicMD back in January of 2007 and opened BodyLogicMD of Potomac Falls. She currently shares her Virgina-based practice with fellow BodyLogicMD physician Dr. Bruce Thomas. In order to satisfy the growing demand for integrative and wellness medicine, Dr. Archer dedicates her new Colorado-based practice to helping the millions of men and women find relief from symptoms of perimenopause, menopause, andropause (the male menopause), thyroid disorder and stress induced adrenal fatigue. Dr. Archer will share her time between both practices and will continue to help thousands of patients overcome the symptoms of hormonal imbalance and age gracefully, using bioidentical hormones integrated with a combination of customized nutrition and fitness programs.
Love is by far one of the most powerful emotions one can experience in life. Love has the absolute power to manifest the lowest of lows and the highest of highs within all of us. So why is it that so many relationships start off with a bang and end with a thud? At first, our relationships seem to take on the often clichéd “honeymoon phase,” where both man and woman are overcome by the boundless energies of love, falling helplessly head over heels for one another. Be it 2 months or 2 years, the once radiant glow begins to fade and the relationship has begun to plateau. When things “level out” like this, it’s important to know what you and your partner can do to spice things up a bit. Here’s five great ways to rekindle that lovin’ feelin’!
Take it beyond the bedroom – By now the bedroom has become a comfort zone for both you and your partner. So step outside the box and shake things up a bit! Take it to the streets! Go Public! Now I wouldn’t recommend putting yourself in a situation where you could get in serious legal trouble, but the idea of getting caught can be riveting! The paranoia adds a whole new dimension to sex. For starters, try it in a different room of the house – perhaps the kitchen or laundry room. Once you and your partner are comfortable, you can graduate to more exotic settings like an elevator or the beach. Now I agree that this may not sound like a scene from “The Notebook,” but sex in public places really is a great way to dust those cobwebs off your sex life.
Trash the haggard clothing – I know that when you’re at home alone as a couple, there’s little reason to “dress to impress.” But nothing says turn-off like tattered, oversized t-shirts, maternity sweatpants and a limp ponytail pushed off to the side with a cumbersome scrunchee. A great way to refresh your sex life is to make yourself more desirable for your partner. As a relationship matures, a man and woman become much more comfortable with one another and as a result they aren’t so much concerned about their physical appearance at home, as they once were. Wear something that’s comfortable, but something that doesn’t scream “I’m a hot mess.”
Take dinner to the next level – Even if you and your partner are sharing an extra large pepperoni pizza on a Friday evening, spice it up a bit with some candles, a table cloth and some music to set the mood. The romantic lighting and subtle music can make for an intimate dining experience. Maybe incorporate some aphrodisiacs to the meal for little kick-start. Finger food also gives you a great excuse to feed one another.
Take a vacation – Escape the ordinary. Sometimes work schedules and personal commitments make it difficult for a couple to share intimacy. One of the first things a relationship coach will recommend is a romantic getaway. You don’t have to go far. In fact, a trip down the street to a local Marriott will do just fine. The feeling of detachment makes it easier to let go and get lost within the moment. Find a quiet hotel suite, grab a bottle of champagne and bucket of ice and have peace of mind knowing that the only thing you’re waking up for the next day is breakfast in bed.
Balance your hormones – As we age, our hormones naturally begin to decline. The result is a hormonal imbalance, usually identified as perimenopause or menopause in women and andropause in men. Although there are many unpleasant side-effects of hormonal imbalance such as weight gain, fatigue, insomnia, depression and loss of muscle mass, the chief complaint from both men and women alike is low libido. Hormonal imbalance affects millions of men and women each year. The good news is, there’s something you can do about it. Comprehensive hormone testing is available to determine if indeed a hormonal imbalance is present. Once the imbalance has been identified, physicians can use bioidentical hormones to restore the balance and in turn relieve the associated symptoms.
Nearly two-thirds (66%) of U.S. adults age 20 or older are overweight, 50% of which are so overweight that they are considered obese. The prevalence of obesity in America has increased exponentially over the years among all genders, racial and ethnic groups, despite mounting concern on the issue. Recent studies have shown that Americans are twice as likely to become obese than Europeans and have a much higher chance of developing chronic disease such as atherosclerosis, cancer and diabetes.
“The fact is, the reason that our children are so overweight is because we’re overweight,” shares Dr. Ghelfi of BodyLogicMD. “The reason that our children are not thriving the way they should be and the reason that diabetes is so prevalent in today’s youth is because they’re watching us watch television, they see us going to the grocery store and purchasing foods that we shouldn’t be eating, they see the poor lifestyle choices that we’re making as adults and they in turn take on many of the same damaging habits” continues Ghelfi.
“It’s our duty as parents to set an example for our children that they can benefit from. It’s our responsibility to lead a legacy that encourages promotes health and wellness.”
Here’s a great video of Dr. Ghelfi discussing the health care crisis that according to him, we’ve created for ourselves.
Dr. Elina Chernyak in Vail, Colorado recently released an article explaining that rather than our heath depending on our genes, our health depends on what we do to our genes. Genetotrophic disease is the result of an imperfect expression of certain genes created by insufficient amounts of particular nutrients.
