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Home Holistic HealthFunctional Medicine (Page 2)

Category: Functional Medicine

Memory Loss & Cognitive function | Functional medicine LA
5Jul

Do mentally stimulating activities protect against memory loss? A recent study by researchers at the Mayo Clinic has determined that engaging in mentally stimulating activities, such as, computer use, craft activities, social activities and playing games decreased cognitive impairment by between 22 and 30 percent. More specifically, it was determined that taking part in these types of activities, even late in life, has the potential to delay new-onset mild cognitive impairment.

The Mayo Clinic describes mild cognitive impairment (MCI) as “an intermediate stage between the expected cognitive decline of normal aging and the more-serious decline of dementia. It can involve problems with memory, language, thinking and judgment that are greater than normal age-related changes”.

As we grow older, it’s expected that we will gradually begin to notice that we are not as mentally nimble as we once were. Everyone experiences walking into a room only to forget why we are there and going temporarily blank when trying to remember a name or think of a word. When memory or other behavioral issues go beyond what is generally expected, it may indicate some level of cognitive impairment.

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Some possible warning signs include:

  • Forgetting things more often.
  • Inability to keep track of appointments or social engagements.
  • Losing your train of thought or getting lost in conversations, books or movies.
  • Feeling increasingly overwhelmed when making decisions or trying to make plans.
  • Familiar environments no longer feel familiar.
  • Becoming uncharacteristically impulsive or displaying poor judgment.
  • Any or all of the above becoming noticeable to family and friends.

The news that some or all of these symptoms can be prevented or, at least, slowed, is definitely welcome. By following nearly 2,000 participants for an average four years each, the study determined that computer use decreased new-onset mild cognitive impairment by 30 percent, while craft activities, social interaction and playing games decreased impairment by 28, 23 and 22 percent, respectively.

According to Yonas Geda, M.D., psychiatrist and behavioral neurologist at Mayo Clinic’s Arizona campus and senior author of the study, “Our team found that persons who performed these activities at least one to two times per week had less cognitive decline than those who engaged in the same activities only two to three times per month or less.”

Of course, not all memory loss is age-related. Other causes include:

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  • lack of sleep
  • stress
  • alcohol and drug abuse
  • chronic inflammation
  • vascular diseases
  • depression
  • boredom
  • insufficient nutrition
  • vitamin and mineral deficiency
  • free radical damage
  • hormone imbalance

While mentally stimulating activities have the potential of keeping the brain more agile and able to function at a higher level, at any age, the issues in the list above may require other means for correction. At the Southern California Center for Anti-Aging, we strongly believe correcting imbalances and deficiencies in nutrition, vitamin and antioxidant status, along with improving fitness and balancing and restoring hormones with Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy, can offer help with memory issues while creating the foundation for a healthier and happier life.

To learn more about memory loss and what can be done, take advantage of our Free Consultation by calling (424) 247-4962 or click here to use our convenient online form.

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Holistic Health Services in Los Angeles With Dr. Judi Goldstone

benefits of vitamin d los angeles
11Nov

How important is the sunshine vitamin to our general health?

Vitamin D is called “the sunshine vitamin” because it’s produced in the skin in response to sunlight. While we all learned in elementary school how important it is for developing strong bones and teeth, and most senior citizens are constantly reminded that they should take a vitamin D supplement (along with their calcium) to help prevent osteoporosis, vitamin D has many other important purposes.

Because of the complexity of substances (including vitamins, minerals, and hormones) that interact to make the body function at optimal levels, it is essential to have a board-certified physician who understands the myriad connections among them and who is able to administer the appropriate doses of each to keep your body in balance.

The Functions of Vitamin D

Apart from regulating the absorption of calcium and phosphorous, which not only helps to prevent osteoporosis, but also the softening of bones (osteomalacia), vitamin D performs the following significant functions:

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  • Maintaining a normal immune system to help the body fight disease
  • Fighting depression and anxiety, regulating moods
  • Assisting in weight loss when taken with calcium
  • Helping to prevent heart disease

Several studies have attested to these benefits of vitamin D. In addition, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2006 points to evidence suggesting that vitamin D reduces your risk of developing multiple sclerosis, and findings published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2010 attest to the fact that vitamin D reduces your likelihood of developing the flu. Another interesting research study demonstrated that vitamin D deficiency was discernibly more common in fibromyalgia patients who were experiencing anxiety and depression.

How the Body Gets the Vitamin D It Needs

As mentioned, exposure to sunlight is a significant source of vitamin D. Only a small amount of exposure, about 10 minutes of mid-day sun, is necessary for individuals with fair skin. Dark-skinned people require more time in the sun to produce sufficient vitamin D.
Some food sources also provide vitamin D naturally, such as salmon, sardines, egg yolks, and shrimp. Other foods, such as milk, cereal, orange juice and yogurt, are fortified with vitamin D to help meet our dietary needs.

Reasons for Vitamin D Deficiency

Many factors of modern life tend to deprive of us our necessary quota of vitamin D. For one thing, our depleted ozone layer puts us at increased risk of skin cancer, which has wisely prompted the extensive use of sunscreen. While protecting us from skin cancer, however, sunscreen decreases our absorption of vitamin D. Also, the modern tendency to spend more time indoors and in urban environments in which tall buildings block sunlight makes us more prone to vitamin D deficiency.

Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency

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Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include:

  • Fatigue, aches and pains, malaise
  • Severe bone or muscle pain or weakness
  • Stress fractures, especially in the legs, hips, or pelvis

If you are experiencing such symptoms, it is important to have a full work-up, including blood tests for vitamin D deficiency and other abnormalities in order to get an accurate diagnosis, especially since these symptoms may be linked to other underlying causes.  A knowledgeable clinician who works routinely to keep the body in balance for optimal health will be able to diagnose and treat any imbalances you may be suffering from.

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Functional Medicine Doctors

Los Angeles Sleep Apnea Heavy Snoring
28Apr

If you’re prone to heavy snoring or sleep apnea, you could also be prone to something a lot more serious: memory and mild cognitive decline, including Alzheimer’s, at a much earlier age. So say researchers out of New York University in the journal Neurology. They studied 2,470 people with an average age of 73 and found that those with breathing disorders during sleep experienced some form of cognitive decline more than a decade before those without the breathing problems (at age 77 instead of age 90).

But all is not lost: Those who treated their breathing disorders with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, however, were able to delay mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s by roughly 10 years. “The age of onset of (mild cognitive impairment) for people whose breathing problems were treated was almost identical to that of people who did not have any breathing problems at all.

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Given that so many older adults have sleep breathing problems, these results are exciting. (Snoring and sleep apnea are linked to these health problems, too.)
The relationship between hormones and sleep is multifaceted; hormonal influences can play an important role in breathing during sleep cycles.  Restoring, maximizing and balancing hormones using Bioidentical Hormones can help maintain optimum health and vitality, and has shown promise in alleviating sleep apnea.
Sources: Eureka Alert, Neurology, New York Times.  The study was published online April 15 in Neurology.

Holistic Health Services in Los Angeles With Dr. Judi Goldstone

adrenal gland microscope los angeles
1Aug

The adrenal glands are responsible for regulating the body’s response to stress by controlling the hormones released during stress. Stress damages the functioning of the adrenal glands causing a decrease in the output adrenal of hormones, especially cortisol. Adrenal fatigue is any decrease in the ability of the adrenal glands to carry out their normal functions. Adrenal fatigue is the primary cause of “burn-out,” common diseases and chronic illnesses, in which fatigue is one of the primary symptoms and stress is the primary cause.

The adrenal glands respond to every kind of stress in the same manner. Examples of stress that can cause to adrenal fatigue include, poor diets, lack of exercise, use of stimulants, lack of sleep, lack of relaxation, illness, overwork, major surgery, financial pressures, negative attitudes and beliefs, fears, marital stress, smoking, death of a loved one, and job stress. Although severe fatigue is the major complaint of patients with adrenal fatigue, often multiple non-specific symptoms are associated with it.

Adrenal Fatigue Doctor Los Angeles CA

Some symptoms of adrenal fatigue include:

  • Feeling tired for no reason
  • Having trouble getting up in the morning
  • Feeling run down and stressed
  • Craving salty or sweet snacks
  • Frequent respiratory infections
  • Confusion, poor concentration, and memory recall
  • Insomnia
  • Gaining weight, especially around the waist

Adrenal fatigue can be suspected based on clinical exam and symptoms. However, none of the standard laboratory tests currently in use are designed to detect adrenal fatigue. Checking cortisol levels either in blood or saliva at certain times of the day may indicate a deficiency of the hormone cortisol.

Treatment begins with an attempt to relieve stressful situations as much as possible. Lifestyle changes such as diet modification and exercise can help tremendously. Limit the consumption of processed foods, alcohol and tobacco because these substances put extra stress on the adrenal glands. Take small breaks to lie down during the day, increase relaxation, eat regular meals, exercise regularly and get at least 8 hours sleep nightly.

If you believe you may be suffering from adrenal fatigue, call Southern California For Anti-Aging today for a adrenal fatigue consultation at 424.247.4962.