Healthier living through knowledge and informed life health style choices for better health

Is A Gluten-Free Diet Right For Me?

February 9, 2015 by Rebecca

BY Lee McCaskill,
Excerpts from her new book called “Belly Bustin’ Tips” (tips you can use on any diet).

To Go Against the Grain or Not—That is the Question!
Many people go gluten-free to increase their energy level, but just eating more vegetables and fruits and limiting starches can give you a ton of energy without having to totally do without gluten. We have a gluten-free Belly Buster Diet at Before and After Weight Loss Clinics; but frankly, our clients get just as much of an increase in energy levels on the other menus.
Gluten Free Here are four reasons to go gluten-free and four reasons not to. Make up your own mind what is best for you.
Reasons for going Gluten-Free:
1. For managing Celiac Disease-with this autoimmune disease, even trace amounts of gluten cause the immune system to attack the small intestine and cause significant damage. Unmanaged and under repeated attack, the intestines lose ability to absorb nutrients and put you at risk for developing other autoimmune disorders and other problems.
2. For controlling Dermatitis Herpetiformis-DH is a form of celiac disease that attacks the skin, rather than the small intestine. Chronic itchy rashes that are symmetrical on each side of the body show up after eating gluten. If you have DH, you are at higher risk of intestinal cancer if you continue to eat gluten.
3. For reducing the symptoms of gluten sensitivity, which can range from a wheat allergy to an Irritable Bowel Syndrome problem to just gas and bloating.
4. For supporting a family member that has to go gluten-free, making it easier to cook and shop for the household.

Reasons for NOT to going Gluten-free:
1. For losing weight – it is probably the hardest diet to lose weight on because it is not easy to stick to, it is expensive, and most gluten-free products are high in carbs. Also, many gluten free products are processed foods versus their counterparts being natural whole foods. Gluten-free is tricky to do without missing out on important nutrients in your diet if you are not trained.
2. For eating healthier – it isn’t healthier, unless you are specifically going on it to manage a particular medical condition. What are you replacing the fiber you are losing with—is it enough? How about the carbohydrate intake? Do you know how much weight to lose and safe activity level for your medical condition? Is a dietitian, nutritionist, or weight loss professional supervising you? Know what you are doing before you decide.
3. For diagnosing your symptoms-don’t do gluten-free to find out on your own. See a doctor for a diagnosis while you are still eating a normal diet. The blood test used to diagnose celiac disease and DH depends on finding antibodies for gluten in your blood, but won’t if you have avoided gluten.
4. Because your best friend went gluten-free—chances are she/he won’t last on it long and when the next shiny object comes along, she/he will be jumping on that fad, too.

Go with your gut (no pun intended). If you want to go gluten-free, make sure you can afford this expensive diet, can live totally without wheat and other foods you have to give up rather than simply cut back on them, can live with the inconvenience and can learn enough about nutrition that you truly feel comfortable doing it. But, understand that it is not necessary for most people and that research does not support the many theories behind it. In fact, the man that helped make gluten–free diets popular, Dr. Peter Gibson, recently admitted in May 2014 that he may have gotten it wrong. It may not have been the gluten causing that gastric distress after all! Further research showed it was the sugars in the bread that were hard to digest, not the gluten, causing a problem!
As fad diets have proven time and time again, there are no short cuts to a balanced, healthy lifestyle.

Lee McCaskill

About the author, Lee McCaskill is the owner of Before and After Weight Loss Clinics in Saint Lucie and Indian River Counties, and the nationwide diet program, Belly Buster Diet, Inc. In addition to being a Master Certified Weight Loss and Wellness Coach, Lee is a microbiologist and herbologist who formulates many of the companies’ unique products, including Tropical Spa Body Wraps. Lee encourages you to contact her for information or with your questions at (772) 429-1110 or (772) 562-3601, or visit web site: www.bestdietsource.com and fill out your health profile for a free metabolic assessment.

The above information is opinion based except where noted. Always contact a licensed professional for information on the above subject or BEFORE applying or practicing the above information.

HealthyMartin.com is designed to assist you in finding medical doctors, dentists and alternative, organic & holistic health, fitness and sports professionals in the Treasure Coast areas of Martin County, St. Lucie County, Indian River County and the Palm Beaches of Florida.

“Healthy Martin, working together for better health choices for you, your family and friends”.

Filed Under: Health Book Reviews, Healthier living through knowledge and informed life health style choices for better health, Weight Loss

Weight Machine Gym Workout

September 20, 2014 by Rebecca

BY Rebecca White-Martin
Having a structured machine workout routine is not just for those new to the gym scene. Following a predetermined plan makes it more likely that you have a well-rounded routine (no neglected muscles here), and that you get the maximum benefit from your gym time.
This gym workout routine is meant to help you cut down on any time spent wandering around, trying to figure out which machine to do next. It’s also a very balanced routine because it hits all antagonistic muscle groups.

Weight Machine Workout

Upper Body
Chest Press
Seated Row
Overhead Press
Lat Pull Down
Bicep Curl
Triceps Extension
Lower Body
Leg Extension
Leg Curl
Inside Thigh (Adduction Machine)
Outside Thigh (Abduction Machine)
Leg Press
Calf Raise
Break the upper and lower body circuits into two different workouts done on two different days. It works really well to train the upper body while the lower body is still sore, and vice versa.
Example Workout Program:
Monday: Lower Body Circuit
Tuesday: Upper Body Circuit
Wednesday: Rest or Cardio & Core Exercises
Thursday: Lower Body
Friday: Upper Body
Saturday: Optional Cardio
Sunday: Rest
Reps, sets, & how to do a weight machine circuit
The exact number of reps and sets that you do of each exercise depends on whether you are trying to build mass and gain strength, or tone your body.
Number of reps & sets for toning
If toning up is what you’re after, do 3-4 sets of between 12 and 18 repetitions (you can even go higher if you like). Whatever the number of repetitions you complete, choose a weight that makes it difficult for you to complete the last 2-3 repetitions. Proper form in executing any exercise should be a priority.
Number of reps & sets for strength
For strength, complete three sets of 6-10 reps. As is true with toning, the last few reps when training for this goal should feel very challenging. If you are pursuing mass or increased strength, give perfect form precedence; never sacrifice precision for a higher lift weight.

Weight Machine Cardio Warm-up Workout

Cardio and your weight machine workouts
You should ideally begin every single workout with a bit of cardio in order to warm up your muscles. 10-15 Minutes is sufficient for prepping your muscles for more demanding physical activity (like the circuit training workouts above).
On the days where you only do cardio workouts, aim for between 30 and 60 minutes of at least a 5/10 perceived exertion level. Always make sure to stretch your muscles when you finish workouts, especially when doing a strength training routine; the damage caused by the ripping of the muscle fibers can cause them to bind and tighten up.
Do venture outside of your weight machine gym workout
Weight machines are most ideal for beginners, particularly those who have not had the opportunity to spend any one on one time with a personal trainer. However, it’s important to realize that though machines initially do a really good job of helping you navigate the gym, they are limited in the number of calories that they can burn, and their range of motion in relation to your body’s natural movements.
Functional strength training using bodyweight exercises or dumbbells gives you the most natural range of motion and develops your strength, coordination, and controlling muscles most comprehensively.
If you have the time and resources, it pays to invest in a few sessions with a quality personal trainer when you are new to working out. If you don’t want to hire a personal trainer, check out our library of free full-length workout videos here, where we walk you step by step through each exercise.
Always contact a licensed professional for information on the above subject or BEFORE applying or practicing the above information.

The above information is opinion based except where noted. Always contact a licensed professional for information on the above subject or BEFORE applying or practicing the above information.
HealthyMartin.com is designed to assist you in finding medical doctors, dentist and alternative, organic & holistic health professionals in the Treasure Coast Florida areas of Martin County, Palm Beach County, Saint Lucie County and Indian River County. “Healthy Martin, working together for health choices for you, your family and friends”.

Filed Under: Healthier living through knowledge and informed life health style choices for better health

Recognizing a Stroke

September 20, 2014 by Rebecca

BY Rebecca White-Martin
Many lives can be saved if the general public is knowledgeable of how to follow through with life saving and simple diagnosis. Many of you may have taken a class for CPR in order to be of assistance to a heart attack victim, but did you know that another major cause of death is from a stroke? On average, one person in the U.S. dies every 4 minutes from a stroke. Every year 795,000 or more suffer from a stroke. This could happen to a family member, a friend or someone else that you love. There could be an instance where you could save a family member or a stranger if you know these signs and act responsibly.
Help Recognizing the signs of a possible stroke victim:
Try to remember these “3” steps, STRS. Your awareness can prevent brain damage from the crippling effect of a stroke by simply asking 3 questions:
S: Ask the person to SMILE.
T: Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK a simple sentence (coherently) for example, “How’s the weather today”, “Can you say your ABC’s”?
R: Ask the victim to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
S: STICK OUT YOUR TONGUE. If their tongue is crooked (if it goes to one side or the other), this is another indication of a stroke.
The National Stroke Association uses another guideline to help in determining the symptoms of a stroke which are:
F: Face. Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A: Arms. Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
C: Speech. Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
T: Time. You have a very short amount of time in which you can save this person’s life. Call 911 immediately.
If this person has trouble with any of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms.

Filed Under: Healthier living through knowledge and informed life health style choices for better health

How to Make Your Older Home a Safe Home

September 20, 2014 by Rebecca

BY Rebecca White-Martin
Homes built today must adhere to strict safety codes. Older homes, while offering plenty of charm and character, are more likely to have safety issues — potential problems can range from lead paint and asbestos to faulty wiring and wobbly stairs.

But you can make an older home a safe home. Educate yourself about some of the dangers associated with old homes and take any necessary action to transform your older house into one that’s as safe as possible.

If you are considering purchasing an older home, you should first determine if asbestos or lead is a problem, especially if you are planning on renovating or restoring the home. Always make sure qualified professionals inspect the house and determine the extent of the problem.

Another potential problem that can keep an older home from being a safe home is an outdated electrical system. While older electrical systems had no problems supplying enough power in previous years, many have trouble keeping up with today’s increased power demands. This can result in electrical fires — in fact, electrical fires are three times more likely to happen in homes that are more than 40 years old compared to homes that are only 11 to 20 years old.
safe home
Signs that your home’s electrical system may be outdated include:
• Your circuit breakers trip often
• You need to replace fuses frequently
• Your lights are dim or flickering
• You have seen sparks in your electrical system
• There are unusual sounds coming from your electrical system, such as buzzing or sizzling
• There is an unusual burning smell, which could be a sign of a hot wire inside your wall
• Your switch plates or electrical covers are hot
• You have experienced a mild shock from your electrical system

If you suspect your electrical system may be outdated, have a licensed electrician inspect it. This is especially important when you are deciding whether to buy an older home, since updating an electrical system can be costly and may affect your decision. The following electrical upgrades often need to be made in older homes:
• Two-hole outlets should be replaced with three-hole outlets
• Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets need to be installed in kitchens and bathrooms
• Add extra outlets to eliminate the need for extension cords
• Circuit breakers should be replaced with an arc fault system

These changes do not usually need to be made all at once. For budgeting purposes, fix the most dangerous elements first and the others over time.

5 Musts for Maintaining Your Older Home
The longer you live in your home, the more likely you’ll need repairs and renovations to make it safer. Consider the following:
• Make sure your stairs are stable and secure
• Ensure that your stair handrails, treads, and risers are up to code
• Install good lighting throughout your home
• Bathrooms should have proper handrails and grab bars
• Change smoke alarm batteries every year and replace the alarms every 10 years

Please keep in mind that most accidents are in the kitchen, stairs and bathrooms.
It’s important to keep your home in good repair and to make safety updates over time. Keep a log of all improvements and create a schedule to help you stay on track.

Filed Under: Healthier living through knowledge and informed life health style choices for better health

Detoxifying the World Two Feet at a Time!

September 20, 2014 by Rebecca

The Ion Cleanse® provides the most thorough and efficient way to cleanse and purify the body – more effectively and faster than any herbal or fasting protocols.
Why Detoxify?
When it comes to exposure to toxins, the body cannot metabolize most of the poisons it is exposed to. Most of these toxins remain in the body for many years, stored in the fat cells that exist throughout the body.
You do not have to be near a belching factory chimney to be exposed to dangerous toxins. They proliferate in our home environment and can appear as innocuous as an infant’s plastic baby bottle or the antibacterial soap meant to keep us safe from germs. BPA, an ingredient in many plastics, and triclosan, found in antibacterial soaps and toothpastes are both suspected hormone disruptors. Flame retardants are another class of petrochemical derivative that are also a hormone disruptor, is found in furniture, toys, carpet, and electronics. Most chemicals used in the environment and in our homes have never been tested for safety. This includes those found in cleaning supplies, pesticides and even cosmetics. Many times it is only after the fact – when a chemical has been used extensively – that it is ultimately proven unsafe – as was the case with lead, asbestos and most recently, petrochemicals such as BPA and other suspected hormone disruptors.

How Toxic Are We?
The CDC released a 2013 report with updated tables on the levels of 117 (of the 212 reported on in 2009) synthetic chemicals found in our bodies, also adding tables for 34 new chemicals. A recent government study found traceable levels of BPA in 93 percent of participants. High levels of flame retardants have been found in the breast milk of women across the country; Americans have the highest levels of flame retardants in their bodies in the world. And, the new factor in the equation of toxicity is the discovery that toxic substances may have harmful, even their most harmful, effects at very low levels. In a way this makes logical sense; synthetic chemicals are very powerful – think of how a small prescription pill can effect substantial changes in the body. Added to this toxic burden are the deleterious effects of GMO foods. Lastly, no research seems to have explored possible interactions of all of these chemicals in our bodies.
How Does Toxicity Affect the Body?
Different toxins do different damage. For example, hormone disruptors interfere with our body’s endocrine systems and with any of the functions they regulate – including metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, sleep and mood. Women with higher levels of flame retardants in their blood take longer to get pregnant and have smaller babies. Another area of toxicity to consider is the toxicity that comes from stress. Stress and the toxic or negative emotions associated with it have been linked as a causal or aggravating factor in just about every disease condition.
Statistics reflect the growing problem of our toxic burden:
• 59% decrease in male sperm count since 1940
• 400% increase in heart disease since 1900
• More than 95% of cancer is caused by environmental toxicity and diet (Source – Columbia University School of Public Health reports)
• 250% increase in breast cancer since 1980
• 1600% increase in birth defects since 1980
• 500 % increase in cancer mortality since 1900
• The average city water contains more than 500 chemicals(Source – USA Today)
Multiple studies show that most of us have between 300-800 chemical residues stored in the fat cells of our bodies.
• Pesticide residues are detectable in 50-95% of the food consumed in the U.S.
• The EPA approves about 90 percent of the new compounds without restrictions.
• Only a quarter of the 82,000 chemicals in use in the U.S. have ever been tested for toxicity
• Multiple studies show that most of us have between 400-800 chemical residues stored in the fat cells of our bodies
• Pesticide residues are detectable in 50-95% of the food consumed in the U.S.
Toxins damage cells, disrupt our endocrine systems, and impair the body’s ability to absorb nutrients and heal itself. When it comes to exposure to toxins, the body cannot metabolize most of the poisons it is exposed to. Most of these toxins remain in the body for many years, stored in the fat cells that exist throughout the body.
Systems of the body affected by toxins:
The immune system causing an increased tendency to allergies and recurrent respiratory (nose, sinus or lung) or ear infections.
Detoxification as Part of a Healthful Lifestyle
The first and most obvious step in creating a healthier lifestyle is to minimize your exposure to all synthetic chemicals. It can be difficult to know what is toxic; a substance or level of a substance considered safe at one time is then proven unsafe at a future date. Also, remember most chemicals in our environment have never been tested for safety in the first place. Some form of relaxation practice is recommended by experts to reduce the toxic effects of chronic stress. Given that the elimination of all toxins is not practical, regular detoxification would be integral to any healthful life.
The Ion Cleanse® has been documented to remove heavy metals, urea, creatinine, glucose, and other harmful toxins.
The particles, fat, and mucous residues found in the water after bathing reflect the wastes that have left the body during the 45 minute session.
Your body will feel lighter after the first session. You will think more clearly, have more energy and enjoy a greater sense of well-being. Your body will thank you!

About the author, Donna LaClare, since 2001 has been helping people and their pets live more productive lives through nutrition and natural health care practices. Donna encourages you to contact her with your holistic questions and about Ion Cleanse Foot Bath at Holistic Alternatives, 772-463-7669 OR www.holisticalternatives.com

Filed Under: Healthier living through knowledge and informed life health style choices for better health, Holistic Health

Health Foods of the Season

September 20, 2014 by Rebecca

BY Raven Caracci

The brisk air of fall blows our way. While it brings a sigh of relief from the smoldering weather, it also brings on the high chance of falling prey to getting sick. Some are more susceptible to catching a cold than others. You know, the ones who have to call out about four times during the fall season due to some minor run-ins with bacteria or viruses. If you happen to know a cold-catcher, or happen to be one, listen up.

Follow Your Seasons
Whenever in doubt, always follow what is in season. Mother Nature knows best. She made things for a reason. During fall, look for apples, pears, and elderberries to help you keep up with the season. Why? The earth naturally produces the foods best for animals and humans according to weather so when our bodies react to those seasonal changes, the earth contributes accordingly.
Apples – Loaded with Vitamins, A, B, and C; this fruit can really help keep the doctor away. Enzyme betaine can aid in digestion of other foods to make nutrients more bioavailable. Being a liver and gallbladder cleanser, it helps clear out toxins from the body that may be built up.
Pears – This is a great source of vitamin C; an antioxidant widely known for its support of immune deficiencies. Vitamin C works to benefit our health in many diverse ways, including helping in enzymatic reactions, and collagen assimilation.
Elderberries – Many German studies evaluated the correlation of the anthocyanins from elderberries and immune coordination. The results were staggering. The bioflavonoids and antioxidants from the juice of these berries make it impossible for any physical ailments to stick around for too long. Coughs and colds, flus and bacterial infections are all a thing of the past with these bad berries.

Healthy Foods of the Season

Stick To Your Roots
So, according to Fall seasonal foods, we should stick to the roots. The cold is coming down the road, so get grounded! Some really good roots to look for could be Ginger, Turnips, and Turmeric to add to your meals. For herbal supplementation, look for Astragalus, and Ashwagandha.
Turnips – This root helps supply lots of minerals. With iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc; these minerals can boost the immune response to keep your body up and running. The leaves of this root are a good source of vitamin C for assimilating collagen and supporting the immune function.
Ashwagandha Root– Although I personally take this for adrenal gland nourishment, this herb is also known for the nervous and immune system. It is a natural sedative, helping in the aid of deep sleep but can give energy as well. Known for high antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory properties, this is an excellent immune booster for the fall.
Astragalus Root – This herb is great when matched up with ginseng, but does just fine on its own. It has the ability to boost the efficiency of the immune system through two major compounds; polysaccharides and saponins. Like Echinacea, it strengthens the immune system, instead of attacking the virus or bacteria directly.

Spice It Up
Garlic – This being a staple in almost all home meals, it should be easy to keep and add into our diets during the season. These bulbs are the catalyst of growth of infection-killing cells.
Ginger Root – Becoming one of my favorites, this root keeps me going all the time. If you need a pick-me-up in the middle of the day, go find yourself an apple ginger shot at a local juice spot. Great for times of nausea, cramping, tiredness, or runny noses; take a swig of this and you will be feeling better than you did before.
Turmeric Root- Great for curry dishes, but sometimes not enough. A daily supplement of this root has anti-inflammatory benefits which can help protect the body from free radical cells. Curcumin, the active rhizome in this root, helps encode certain T-cells in the body( good free radical fighters) that prevent foreign bacteria, viruses, and fungi from affecting the body. It’s an excellent way to build up the immune system.

Quick fixes
If you already are sick, and you need to recover fast, here are a few emergency supplements to start taking immediately.
Echinacea – Echinacea is the go-to herb for the common cold, and for a good reason. It releases chemicals in the body which can reduce the inflammation in forms of cold, or flu symptoms. Unlike what people may assume, there are no studies shown that Echinacea is a preventative of a cold and therefore it is much better to take this after the onset of a cold.
Oil of Oregano – High quality oregano oil can protect the body from exposed organisms or germs during the cold and flu season. As soon as you see the signs, put a few drops of this herb in your water to keep them at bay.
Olive Leaf extract – Another one of my favorites, this herb is an anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, and anti-oxidant used for centuries to heal the immune system. First time takers may feel the effects of its strength by creating detoxification symptoms such as queasiness or headaches. Don’t be afraid, after a little while of taking this, you will start to feel amazing.
Please note the educational material presented is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Consult with your licensed health professional and/or doctor prior to starting any supplement regimen or making any changes to your prescribed medications.

Raven Caracci – Your Health & Wellness Magazine Contributor

About the author; Raven Caracci has been involved in the health industry promoting the use of alternative, organic and holistic health for years. She has advised hundreds of people on the use of herbal remedies as alternatives to conventional medicine. Her goal and passion is to help others live a healthier and more natural lifestyle.

The above information is opinion based except where noted. Always contact a licensed professional for information on the above subject or BEFORE applying or practicing the above information.

HealthyMartin.com is designed to assist you in finding medical doctors, dentist and alternative, organic & holistic health in Martin County Florida, the Palm Beaches and the Treasure Coast. “Healthy Martin, working together for health choices for you, your family and friends”.

Filed Under: Healthier living through knowledge and informed life health style choices for better health

Are Food Allergies Making you Fat?

September 20, 2014 by Rebecca

By Lee McCaskill

A wheat allergy should not be confused with “gluten intolerance” or celiac disease. A food allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to a specific food protein. When the food protein is ingested, in can trigger an allergic reaction that may include a range of symptoms from mild symptoms such as rashes, hives, itching, and swelling to severe symptoms like trouble breathing, wheezing, or loss of consciousness. Even ears and throat itching at night can be a reaction from a food allergy in response to something you ate earlier in the day. A food allergy can even be potentially fatal.

Celiac disease, which affects the small intestine, is caused by an abnormal immune reaction to gluten. Usually diagnosed by a gastroenterologist, it is a digestive disease that can cause serious complications, including malnutrition and intestinal damage, when left untreated. Individuals with celiac disease must avoid gluten, found in wheat, rye, barley and sometimes oats.
People who are allergic to wheat often may tolerate other grains. However, about 20 percent of children with wheat allergy also are allergic to other grains. They should be tested to see what else they can tolerate.
Did you know that you can lose a significant amount of weight by cutting food allergens from your diet and taking probiotics? If you get rid of the inflammation and balance the bacterial ecosystem in your intestinal system, you will lose much more efficiently.
food allergies
When you eat a typical American diet, you foster the growth of bad bugs in the gut (stomach and intestines). They damage the gut lining and produce toxins that are absorbed into your system. Because of the damage, partially digested food particles also leak into your bloodstream. Then your immune system reacts to the toxins and foods, producing a firestorm of inflammation.
That inflammation then leads to a fatty liver and insulin resistance, which lead to higher levels of insulin in your body. And insulin is a fat-storage, disease- and aging-promoting hormone. The unhealthy gut makes us fat and sick because it makes us toxic and inflamed.

Here are a three steps to eliminate food allergens and re-balance your intestinal flora:
1) Try an elimination diet for 3 weeks. Cut out the most common food allergens, including gluten, dairy, eggs, corn, yeast, and peanuts and/or those foods to which you know you are allergic. Add back one at a time. I was able to add back eggs, peanuts and most gluten except for wheat.
2) Eat a whole-foods, plant-based, high-fiber diet. This is essential to feed the good bugs in your gut and to provide the nutrients you need to functional optimally.
3) Take probiotics daily to boost the healthy bacteria in your gut. Look for a reputable brand of probiotic that contains both bifidobacteria and lactobacillus species. We have them in my clinics.
Within a very few short weeks—even if you do nothing else—you will see a dramatic difference that comes from healing your gut.Remember, if you want to get rid of that gut, you have to fix your gut.
Products I recommend you try during your 3 week elimination diet:
Pamela’s Baking Mix (It’s gluten-free)
Crunchmaster Crackers (from Sam’s)
Before and After Probiotics (available at any of our clinics)
Before and After Protein Weight Loss Shakes (available at any of our clinics)

Lee McCaskill

The above information is opinion based except where noted. Always contact a licensed professional for information on the above subject or BEFORE applying or practicing the above information.

HealthyMartin.com is designed to assist you in finding medical doctors, dentist and alternative, organic & holistic health in the Treasure Coast areas of Martin County, St. Lucie County, Indian River County and the Palm Beaches of Florida.

“Healthy Martin, working together for better health choices for you, your family and friends”.

Filed Under: Healthier living through knowledge and informed life health style choices for better health, Weight Loss

Hormone Replacement Therapy vs. Anti Aging

September 15, 2014 by Rebecca

By Dr. Timothy Kennedy
Hormone replacement therapy or HRT? The intervention itself was brought to media attention and made infamous by professional sports players who abused the system. All of the negative press and notoriety has given HRT an almost taboo reputation. The fact of the matter is however, that HRT was around long before it’s abuse by athletes. Estrogen replacement was discovered in 1938 but it wasn’t until the 1960’s that the industry itself picked up steam. The basis for the foundation of HRT, in most cases is aging. As we age, the production of our critical hormones, estrogen in women and testosterone in men and human growth hormone (GH/hGH) in both, wanes to levels that are mere fractions of what they once were. The goal of HRT is to restore these youthful hormone levels under the premise that they will make the patient feel, once again, young; or at the very least better than they had been feeling. Benefits include increased: focus, drive, strength, stamina, libido and bone density. Side effects however include increased risk of: stroke, cancer, gynecomastia, hair loss, headaches and risk of blood clots.

Hormone Replacement Therapy in Stuart Floirda

All in all, for those who truly need it, HRT is a marvel of modern medicine. The ability to adjust hormone levels well beyond our normal limits defined by age or disease borders the lines of “playing God”.

With the strength of what HRT can do for patients, one is forced to wonder: what’s different about anti-aging? If you’re restoring hormone levels to youthful levels, aren’t you basically reversing the aging process? The short answer is…kind of.

In 2009 the nobel prize was awarded to scientists who discovered telomeres and telomerase. Telomeres are on the tips of every single chromosome, in every single cell, throughout our bodies. As we grow and age, cells have to divide and replicate. With every single replication our telomeres shorten. Think of them as the tips on the end of your shoelaces, without them, your laces/DNA would fray and fall apart and the cell would die. No cells, no tissue, no organs, no body…no life.

The hope and potential is in telomerase. Telomerase is naturally “expressed” or produced in your body, in small amounts. Telomerase makes your body lengthen it’s telomeres, this in turn leads to healthier cells which can duplicate longer and…keep you alive and healthier, longer.

Cell duplication is like photo-copying. Imagine how your DNA might look after being photo-copied for 40, 50 or 60 years? The image isn’t pretty and without clear instruction/DNA, cells aren’t able to perform the way they are supposed to resulting in disease and aging. Telomerase activation focuses on lengthening telomeres which fortify DNA and keep us going for much longer.

When it comes to HRT or anti-aging my answer is, both. If you want the complete package, both are necessary. I recommend my patients start with 6 months to a year of anti-aging protocols and then, if their issues haven’t been cleared up by the rejuvenated cellular function, at that point HRT is the next step. Without that order and only taking HRT, you are basically taking a 1957 (insert your birth year) sports car and without making any repairs to it, throwing in a supercharger. Often times it is simply far too much for the body to handle and will lead to further problems down the road.

About the author; Timothy Kennedy, DC, A4M is a licensed Chiropractic Physician with a special interest in Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine. As a graduate of UBCC, one of the most medically conservative and scientifically based chiropractic colleges in the world, Dr. Kennedy’s personal mission is to improve the health and longevity of as many patients as possible through natural and scientifically proven methods. Dr. Kennedy is a Treasure Coast resident.
Dr. Kennedy is available by phone 561-342-1577, online or in his downtown Stuart office; to discuss your personal health questions or assist in your plan for longevity. Initial consultations are free when you mention this article or ad on HealthyMartin.com or in Your Health, Wellness & Fitness Magazine.

The above information is opinion based except where noted. Always contact a licensed professional for information on the above subject or BEFORE applying or practicing the above information.

“Healthy Martin, working together for better health choices for you, your family and friends”.

Filed Under: Healthier living through knowledge and informed life health style choices for better health

Enjoy a Mediterranean Diet to Improve Vascular Health and Avoid Strokes

June 4, 2014 by Rebecca

Approximately 795,000 strokes take place every year in the U.S., according to senior vascular surgeon at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospitals in New York, N.Y., Donna Mendes, M.D. As a member of the Society for Vascular Surgery, Mendes’ has firsthand knowledge of strokes and vascular health.

Improving your health and reducing your risk of a stroke are as simple as changing your lifestyle, particularly your diet. Avoiding a stroke means avoiding potential impairment and possible death. For instance, simply switching to a Mediterranean diet lowers your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which is the “bad” cholesterol that’s more likely to cause fatty deposits to build up in the arteries.

The above information is opinion based except where noted. Always contact a licensed professional for information on the above subject or BEFORE applying or practicing the above information.

“Healthy Martin, working together for better health choices for you, your family and friends”.

Filed Under: Healthier living through knowledge and informed life health style choices for better health

Managing Headaches With Chiropractic Care

June 4, 2014 by Rebecca

BY; NewsUSA
Got a headache? You’re not alone.
Headaches are responsible for more than 18 million doctor’s office visits annually in the U.S., and are the most common reason for reaching for over-the-counter medication. Likewise troubling is their toll on the economy: $25 billion in lost productivity, based on the estimated 156 million work days lost each year by sufferers sometimes too debilitated to even make it out of bed.

All of which helps explain why a study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics is causing such a stir among health experts — and prompting patients interested in drug-free alternatives to consider heading for their nearest chiropractor.

The study came down squarely in favor of chiropractic for two key types of sufferers. “Evidence suggests,” it concluded, “that chiropractic care, including spinal manipulation, improves migraine and cervicogenic headaches.” The latter refers to headaches originating from faulty cervical and other spinal biomechanics often precipitated by awkward motion or positioning, and can be accompanied by neck, shoulder or arm pain.

What’s more, even patients with episodic or chronic tension type headaches were found to be “helped” by doctors of chiropractic, who go through a minimum of four years of post-college chiropractic education and clinical training.

One man who knows that chiropractors can do even more to help relieve such conditions — providing nutritional advice, posture coaching and exercises — is Gerard Clum, DC, an avid supporter of the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress, who said in response to the study: “Chiropractic care helps relieve the stress on your nervous system. And it’s fast becoming a go-to choice for providing a non-pharmacological approach to effectively manage headaches.”
For more information, visit www.yes2chiropractic.org.

The above information is opinion based except where noted. Always contact a licensed professional for information on the above subject or BEFORE applying or practicing the above information.

“Healthy Martin, working together for better health choices for you, your family and friends”.

Filed Under: Healthier living through knowledge and informed life health style choices for better health