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Bad BP! Correct It Now!

Blood pressure

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Bad BP! I’m not talking about the company that spilled all this precious oil in the Gulf, although I should be talking about this topic in the future. I’m talking primarily about extremes in blood pressure. That’s high blood pressure as well as low blood pressure. High blood pressure is not an illness or disease although if you talk to other people, they’ll tell you it’s an illness that needs to be medicated. High blood pressure is usually a symptom of some underlying medical problem. Take care of that problem and your blood pressure goes down naturally or on it’s own. Hypertension (another name for high blood pressure), according to the medical literature, can be classified as either essential or secondary type. If you read their descriptions, it doesn’t make any sense at all. Essential hypertension, which comprises 90-95% of cases of hypertension, is said to be due to an idiopathic cause or “cause unknown”. In reality, there could be a lot of causes but these are not typically searched for in a typical practice. Secondary hypertension, on the other hand, could be due to overt underlying problems such as kidney, adrenal or metabolic dysfunction.  Most people end up on medications long-term anyway, whether they have essential or secondary hypertension. Therefore, the distinction between these two types of hypertension is useless, to put it bluntly. Other causes of high blood pressure that aren’t normally addressed include nutritional deficiencies (potassium and magnesium), heavy metal toxicity (lead and mercury), stress (physical, mental, emotional), and allergies (food, drug, chemicals). It’s easy to correct most of these issues. In other cases, treatments such as chelation therapy for heavy metal toxicity and LDA (low dose antigen) therapy for allergies, may be warranted. Medications do have their place in the treatment of high blood pressure but I emphasize an integrative approach to any type of health challenge. One that involves the use of food, dietary supplements, and lifestyle changes such as moderate exercise, stress reduction and optimal sleep.

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Treat or Tricked?

Two cousins, the boy dressed in military camou...

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That’s right! It’s treat or tricked, not trick or treat! Now that Halloween is done and over with, let’s discuss the implications of the so-called Halloween treats. The treats that most people give away to kids during this holiday of sorts are not really a treat. Treats are supposed to be beneficial for the recipient. This is usually not the case when it comes to trick or treating though because the treats are harmful for the recipient long term. They’re mostly white sugar or refined carbs. Empty calories, that is. Sugar is addictive, even though it’s legal (or should I say, sugar is legal, even though it’s addictive). We don’t think about it in this terms but sugar in general could cause more problems than all other drugs combined. Consider how diabetes is now one of the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in most ages. What used to be an illness found in adults could now be seen in children. Thanks to the abundance of sugary products. And that’s not all, it’s found in products that are supposed to be sugar free under the guise of different names. It takes a more educated or more informed population to decipher the list of ingredients of most food stuff nowadays. I would say that the further refined a food is, the more harmful it is. The closer it is to nature, the more beneficial it is. Go natural!

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No Tox

Botox Injections from Dr Braun

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It’s interesting how things in medicine change. Things that were once considered unacceptable eventually become the norm when a majority of health care practitioners start using a specific modality regularly and without question. Take for instance, the most potent neurotoxin known to man. It is now being used for signs of aging such as wrinkles but also for medical problems such as migraine headaches or hyperhidrosis. It’s no doubt one of the most effective treatments against deep wrinkles. However, I believe that not everybody with wrinkles is a good candidate for this procedure. A person’s biochemical individuality should always be taken into consideration. This means that everybody is different and as such, each individual would react differently to a drug or procedure. The concept of biochemical individuality also applies when one is receiving dietary advise or taking nutritional supplements. Anyway, back to the subject of wrinkles. There are alternatives to Botox. These include acupuncture facelift, the use of derma roller, and mesotherapy using nappage techniques. I personally use the GUNA Italian remedies in my practice because of it’s holistic approach to beauty (external and internal approaches). Topical treatments can be used for prevention as well. I recommend and use organic products personally. My favorites are Boswella wrinkle cream and Sandalwood moisturizing cream from Young Living. I also like Dr. Haushka’s from Germany and Jurlique from Australia.
One thing to also consider is a principle better known to environmental medicine doctors as “toxic load”. Compare our bodies to a barrel filled with “stuff” including environmental toxins. Initially, people may be asymptomatic, but as this “barrel” overflows, so do the appearance of signs and symptoms of toxicity, which unfortunately, are mostly treated symptomatically, whether through the use of natural or synthetic remedies. My advise is to minimize exposure to toxins as much as possible and to detox, detox and detox.

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Fall Changes

Organic vegetables at a farmers' market in Arg...

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Yup, it’s that time of the year. Things around us are changing. That includes the weather, the trees and leaves, our moods (because of impending winter when days are dark and gloomy), among many other things. It’s also that part of the year when I recommend a thorough detoxification or cleansing program. The process of “detox” or detoxification is not just something an alcoholic or drug addicted person needs to do. It’s actually something that all of us need to go through regularly. The main reason for this is due to the environmental pollution that we’re all exposed to. Toxins can be found in our food, air and water. Then, there’s also toxins produced in our bodies from regular metabolic processes. The world has changed a lot during the last 100 years and our bodies haven’t kept up with these changes. Therefore, it’s really important to support the organs of detoxification since our bodies are practically overwhelmed with these external and internal sources of toxins. Simple things that a person can do include avoidance of environmental toxins. Eating organic food, drinking pure water, installing a shower filter  and having an air filtration system at home could be a good start. Avoiding petrochemical-based personal care products and shifting to natural or better yet, organic ones is better for our bodies and the environment as well. Herbal/nutritional support of the major detoxification organs such as the liver include the use of cruciferous vegetables, green tea, milk thistle, NAC, ALA, glutathione, etc. Other simple things anyone can incorporate in their regular detox program include regular exercise, dry skin brushing, and occasional fasting (medically supervised if someone has chronic degenerative diseases or is on medications). Therapeutic grade essential oils of clove, peppermint and cumin have different cleansing properties. Stay tuned for more specific detoxification protocols.

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Safe Travels

Taj Spa at Taj Exotica, Goa

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Just got back from NYC for a conference. It’s a short trip compared to the ones I’ve made before. However, it’s still important to take certain precautions to prevent yourself from getting sick during or after air travel. One thing is to make sure that you stay well-hydrated. Drink half your body weight in ounces (per day) ideally. Forget about the crappy airline food they serve. Bring your own food if possible. Feeling sleepy? How about bringing an eye mask and that cushy neck pillow (if you’re flying coach). Don’t forget to take melatonin to prevent jet lag esp. if you travel through “major major” time zones. Try getting up once in a while to get your circulation going. And if there’s an urge to urinate (or any other “urges” for that matter), don’t hold it. Suppression of these natural urges could lead to illness according to Ayurvedic medicine. We already know about breathing recirculated air when flying. Consider getting a personal air ionizer and if that’s not possible, essential oil blends such as Thieves or Purification from YLEO are really helpful. Doing a lot of walking like I did in NYC? Make sure to wear good shoes and take time out for breaks. I think I overdid it. Thank heavens for Brookstone! I got a foot/leg massage for 30 minutes and it helped a lot. Nothing beats a real massage though and I’m so glad that I got one yesterday. More travel tips later….

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Flu Fighter

 

Fresh vegetables are important components of a...

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There’s more to preventing the flu than just getting your annual vaccine (which actually doesn’t protect against the current strain of the flu). A healthy immune system is always our best defense against any type of bug, whether it be a virus, bacteria, fungus or parasite. To achieve and maintain a healthy immune system, a person has to take care of the basics. That includes having a healthy diet, adequate water intake, deep breathing, stress reduction, adequate rest and exercise, quality sleep, healthy relationships and last but not least, spirituality. Besides these general recommendations, there are specific nutrients that could help in the fight against the flu. These include certain vitamins, minerals, herbs and essential oils. Vitamin D (D3 in particular), the so-called “happiness” vitamin because of it’s role in preventing SAD or seasonal affective disorder, is more than a vitamin. It’s a pro-hormone and and an immune modulator as well. Doses from 1,000 to 10,000 IU daily may be given to achieve an optimal level of 60-80 ng/ml. Vitamin A can also be used for short periods to help increase secretory IgA and improve the immune system. Doses from 50,000-100,000 units have been used for short periods to help against viral infections. Make sure that a person has a healthy liver prior to initiating high doses of vitamins A and D. Vitamin C complex (with bioflavonoids) can also be given at 1,000-6,000 mg daily. Adequate water intake is suggested when taking higher doses of vitamin C. Minerals such as zinc and selenium, and herbs such as astragalus and garlic, do help as well. Finally, there’s essential oils such as clove, cinnamon, lemon, eucalyptus, rosemary and thyme. I specifically recommend a therapeutic-grade essential oil blend from YLEO called Thieves. It works!

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Depression Hurts, Holistic Medicine Can Help…..

Cover of "The Lonely Man"

Cover of The Lonely Man

Depression is not uncommon as you think. That’s why there’s a slew of ads  on prime time TV pouting drugs that address this problem. There’s no doubt that medications do help people but the truth is, it doesn’t help everyone esp. those who have chronic health problems. Antidepressants won’t bring optimal results if there are underlying issues such as low thyroid function, low testosterone levels in men, hormonal imbalance in women (low estrogen or progesterone), vitamin (vitamin D, B complex) or mineral (Magnesium) deficiencies, and gut issues (leaky gut, dysbiosis), among others. Depression is not merely due to imbalance in brain chemicals. It can be also be due to problems going in the body . That’s why it’s important not to separate the mind from the body (or one part of the body from the rest of the body, for that matter). It’s important to address the root cause/causes of the problem if one expects to achieve optimal, long-lasting results. Then, a holistic approach should be employed that takes factors such as diet, nutritional supplements, stress-reduction, optimal sleep, adequate exercise, social activities, spiritual practices and  hormone balance , etc. into consideration. Everybody is unique or different. Therefore, a cookie-cutter or one-size-fits-all approach to treating depression (or any other illness) won’t work. A program that considers each person’s biochemical individuality would go a long way in obtaining great results.

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BHRT: Is It Right For You?

Cropped version of Image:Suzanne Somers USO 1.jpg

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Long before bioidentical hormones became a hot topic, there were already doctors using the therapy with great success.  It took Suzanne Somers, a celebrity actress and health promoter, however, to bring the topic of bioidentical hormones to the general public.  I am fortunate to have learned about this therapy (from some of the pioneers in alternative medicine) about 13 years ago.  One thing I learned from these generous individuals is that everybody is different. Such is the concept of biochemical individuality.  What does this have to do with bioidentical hormones?  What this means that everyone is unique and as such, a program that works for one person may or may not work for another.

What are bioidentical hormones?  These are hormones that have the exact molecular structure that our bodies produce.  Any structure that deviates from the original endogenous molecule is synthetic and as such is not bioidentical.  Therefore, a person who gets a synthetic hormone is not having his or her hormones replaced.  What they’re getting is hormonal substitution.

A medical doctor just recently appeared on the Oprah show, who said that bioidentical is just a marketing term.  Dr. Christine Northrup, M.D. one of the main proponents of the use of natural bioidentical hormones, gently corrected her.  I’m still amazed at how people in the mainstream don’t think for themselves but just follow the “party line.” It’s like having an “earth is flat” mentality.

I believe that our hormones are like a symphony orchestra. If one is off, the rest get affected. Even so-called “minor” hormones have a great role to play. That’s why it’s important to balance everything. In my practice, I’ve encountered people who are just taking one hormone thinking that that would resolve their issue.

I believe in the concept of yin and yang in Chinese medicine.  For instance, when I treat the thyroid, I look into it’s sister organ, the adrenals. Their functions are closely linked together. Thus, it’s important to support both organs.

When I see a new client, I am always humbled because of all the new things I learn.  I look into a person’s signs and symptoms as well as their lab work.  One is as important as the other.  As the saying goes, “if it talks like a duck and walks like a duck, then it must be a duck.”  The problem with “what’s going on” is that if a person falls within a normal range, even though they may be symptomatic, they may be denied proper treatment.  What we do as healthy aging  practitioners (also known as anti-aging), is that we look at optimal ranges rather than normal ranges.

For individuals who may not be candidates for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), there are alternatives available.  Besides the use of herbal medicine, I’ve used medical aromatherapy with essential oils and spagyric/homeopathic remedies.

For anyone seeking answers to their health issues, my advice is to listen closely to your body and to always keep an open mind.

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Male Menopause: It’s Real And You Can Do Something About It….

As men age, hormones get out of balance just like in women. Testosterone levels (and growth hormone) tend to decline while hormones such as estrogen and DHT tend to increase. When testosterone declines, signs and symptoms such as the following could occur namely; loss of muscle mass, wrinkling of the skin, osteoporosis, mood changes (depression), hair loss, increase in body fat and cardiovascular disease, among others. With an increase in estrogen (due to increased body fat in some men as well as exposure to xenoestrogens in general), men could experience gynecomastia, emotional lability (mood swings) and prostate issues. With an increase in DHT, hair loss, acne and prostate problems could occur. We normally see this decline in men in their 50’s or older but we’re seeing this decline earlier in life now. Possible reasons for this include nutritional deficiencies, pharmaceuticals such as statins (which lower cholesterol, a precursor to testosterone), and environmental toxicity (organophosphates used in the agricultural industry for instance, mimic estrogen in our bodies). Among the people you know, how many of them actually manifest signs and symptoms of andropause? Unfortunately, most men who fall within the “normal” range may not be treated even if they’re symptomatic. The range of “normal” is so wide that those who are in the low normal range (and symptomatic as well) are not being treated properly. Fortunately, a doctor from Harvard named Abraham Morgentaler wrote a book called “Testosterone For Life” which seeks to educate more people about this issue. Anyway, the recommended treatment for low testosterone is testosterone itself. It comes in different forms such as sublingual tablets, transdermals gels or creams, injectables and pellets. Since everybody is different, the dose and route of administration is individualized to each person. It’s always good to do a baseline PSA (prostate specific antigen) and DRE (digital rectal exam) before starting anyone on testosterone. Since testosterone could metabolize into estrogen (esp. in men with excess body fat) or DHT, it’ll be wise to block those pathways with aromatase inhibitors and 5-alpha reductase (or DHT blockers) inhibitors, respectively. This could be done through natural supplements or prescription medications. Frequent testing is key to make sure people don’t get side-effects whatsoever. For men who are hesitant on using any type of hormone for improving their testosterone levels, options could include the use of amino acids (such as L-carnitine, which increases cell receptor sensitivity to endogenous tesotosterone) or herbal supplements (such as tribulus). While on a hormone replacement program, it’s important to include dietary and lifestyle changes as well to get optimal results. I highly recommend the Paleolithic diet and the PACE program by Dr. Al Sears for my clients.

If the picture above belongs to someone, let me know so I can give credit.

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Work It! Work Out!

Yoga Class at a Gym Category:Gyms_and_Health_Clubs

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Ever wonder why some people go to the gym regularly but don’t get results whatsoever or worse, they just get injuries? Well, let’s see the possible reasons why this is so. A lot of times, people aren’t able to accomplish their goals because they don’t have the nutritional support for their bodies (to create muscle tissue or lose body fat). There is a greater need for protein during the anabolic process. And this doesn’t mean just any protein. A high-quality protein source is needed by the body during this time, whether it’s from an animal or plant source (depending on a person’s individual needs). For those with busy lifestyles, using a protein meal replacement would work (whey, rice, pea). And it’s not enough to eat a diet that’s high in protein, however. Are you actually digesting and assimilating the nutrients from your food? Beginning in our 30’s, we actually produce less digestive enzymes (HCl, pepsin, pancreatic enzymes, bile). People usually manifest this lack of enzymes with symptoms such as heartburn, burping, indigestion, bloating and gas. So, it would be beneficial to take some digestive enzymes especially with high-protein meals or meals that are primarily cooked. If a person’s nutritional needs are already met but they still have a hard time reaching their goals, then it might be a good idea to have their hormones checked. Hormonal imbalance could lead to issues such as muscle and bone loss as well as fat accumulation. Deficient or even “low normal” levels of the androgens in men (DHEA and testosterone), estrogen/progesterone imbalance in women, imbalance in thyroid and adrenal hormones, and deficient or “low normal” levels of anabolic hormones such as growth hormone can all lead to futile work-out efforts. It would be really helpful to work with a anti-aging practitioner when someone is trying to optimize their hormone levels. One thing to remember by the way, is the difference in sexes when it comes to trying to achieve a certain body fat percentage. For men, the normal is between 10-15%, while in women, it’s 20-25% (since women are genetically programmed to have a higher body fat percentage). If the hormones are still out of balance in spite of efforts to optimize them , then it may be important to look at the role that toxins play in this scenario. Heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides and other environmental toxins could create hormonal imbalances. Therefore, it’s also important to rule them out if one is intent on achieving their health/fitness goals. More on this later.

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