Like the surge of a sudden summer storm, the onset of menopause can overtake you with bolts of hot flashes, humid sweats and an overall feeling of darkness and gloom. Or perhaps it creeps up on you like a slowly choking vine with increasing fatigue, languishing libido, fuzzy memory or a daily dance with the “blahs”.
Humor for this time of change in a woman’s life has been popularized in Suzanne Somers’ “The Seven Dwarfs of Menopause: Itchy, Bitchy, Sleepy, Sweaty, Bloated, Forgetful, and All-Dried Up”; satirized in plays like Menopause the Musical;and of course, taken the brunt of men’s jokes for years.
However, “the change” is no joking matter as any woman going through menopause can tell you. I personally have seen the bitter side with my own wife, friends and patients as I witnessed the mental and physical anguish it caused. As a doctor, I was also increasingly aware of the health problems that would soon ensue.
Menopause leads to an abrupt absence of the very hormones that make a woman feminine and healthy. The symptoms of sleeplessness, hot flashes and moodiness are only the tip of the iceberg. Menopause trumpets the onslaught of much more vicious enemies to a woman’s health: the degeneration of her heart, brain, bones, skin and the essence of her sexuality.
Previously, the only course of treatment for these maladies was a cornucopia of prescription drugs such as anti-depressants, sleeping pills, tranquilizers and synthetic hormones. All of which caused a multitude of possible side effects.
Luckily, there have been breakthroughs in the management of menopause with Bio-identical Hormone Therapy, which has leveled the playing field for women against this foe. Bio-identical hormones have changed everything. Growing old does not have to include becoming emotionally and physically sick, or losing sexual desire. Now women can preserve their health and sanity, enjoying the wisdom, security, and gracefulness that can and should come with healthy aging.
My patients and family are enjoying the benefits of my specialization in this promising field of medicine. As a physician, I find it rewarding to be practicing medicine in these times when we now have the tools to restore the quality of life safely, adding healthy, happy and satisfying years to my patients’ lives.
“Spare tire”, “beer belly”, “pot belly”…call it what you may, extra abdominal fat on men and women is usually unwanted and always unhealthy!
Here are some facts about this type of fat:
- The fat that causes a “beer belly” or “keg belly” is mostly made up of a type of fat called visceral fat. This fat is tucked deep inside your waist-line, wrapping around your vital organs, making it the most dangerous kind of fat!
- Visceral fat comes from ingesting too many processed carbs, be they from beer, wine, white bread, sugar, pastas, chips, pretzels… etc.
- It is especially common for men after 35 and women after menopause. And, as it is very hormonally and metabolically active, it is also the cause of hormone imbalances and inflammatory diseases. In this respect, it can easily lead to arthritis, fibromyalgia, GERD, gastritis, and inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS).
- Visceral fat contributes to this nation’s leading causes of death and disease: heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
- “Yo-Yo Dieting” encourages visceral fat.
- Someone can be considered healthy by looking at the numbers on the scale, but they could still have fat tucked deep inside their abdomen. This is usually the case for adults who don’t exercise. A body fat analysis is key in determining if this is the case.
As an integrative doctor, I can say that the good news lies in the fact that most people with this problem are aware of it and want to get rid of it.
For those of you ready to take the reigns on this problem, here are some tips:
- Eating whole foods (low-sugar fruits and vegetables) rather than refined, processed foods.
- Most people will lose visceral fat by eating more monounsaturated fat, such as those fats found in avocados, nuts, seeds, and olives. These fats have also been proven to reduce the risk of heart disease. Just make sure the portion sizes are reasonable.
- Exercise can help you lose fat and keep it off, particularly when it comes to visceral fat. Strengthening the belly with crunches and sit-ups can make you look thinner and lighter, but you’ll want to add aerobic exercises as this will cause the fat to melt away. This means participating in exercise that makes you sweat!
- Limit alchol consumption to 1 drink a day for women and 2 drinks a day for men (1 drink = 1.5 oz distilled spirit = 12 oz beer = 5 oz wine) and be careful of the type of mixer you use with distilled spirits (soda water with the lime/lemon twist is the lowest carb option)
And if, like most us, you need help and support to change, please email, call, or come to one of our upcoming seminars!
In theory, losing weight should be easy, right? You simply need to “eat less and exercise more”. However, the true fact is that many who try this simple formula fail…sometimes over and over again. Why? Because obesity, weight gain and weight loss are regulated by the brain.
Powerful brain chemicals are sending signals to your body telling you to eat more and hormone imbalances governed by your pituitary gland in your brain are telling your body to slow down your metabolism. Essentially, your brain is telling your body to store fat and not burn fuel (food).
Two very contradictory messages coming from your own body often leading to frustration and giving up. Our goal is to get all of you on the same winning team.
Pow-Wow! Powerful Brain Chemicals
- Leptin and Adiponectin – The “thermostatic” control called Leptin and Adinopectin receptors tell your body how fat it should be. Trying to lose weight without these strong brain chemicals in balance will end in failure.
- Dopamine – By increasing dopamine and its related neurochemicals, norepinephrine and acetylcholine, you can reduce fat cravings.
- GABA – By increasing GABA, you can tell nervous eating patterns goodbye. Additionally, when GABA is increased, it helps us fall into a deeper sleep which in turn helps to regulate the leptin receptors.
- Serotonin – When serotonin, sometimes called the “joy hormone” is low, the brain sends out a signal that it needs carbs, especially chocolate.
The Key: Natural Hormone Balancing
Hormones, such as insulin, estrogen, testosterone, cortisol, and growth hormone (just to name a few), must be balanced in order to achieve good body composition. I have always advocated using a natural approach, such as bio-identical hormone balancing to accomplish this.
How to Succeed
Successful lasting weight control first depends on controlling these powerful chemicals, not in counting calories, fat grams and carbohydrates. Following a restricted diet that chooses one nutrient group over another might appear successful at first, but it can’t last when your body continues sending out internal mixed messages. I advocate eating a healthy diet, increasing your nutrient content by eating natural foods, taking vitamin and mineral supplements and balancing your hormones. Fresh fruits and vegetables, organic lean meats, “real foods” (not Twinkies and Fruit Loops) are the keys to a healthy, longer, and yes… thinner life. I hope you will join me at one of my seminars so I can share the most current information on taking better care of yourself and educate you on how to bring these powerful chemicals under control.
To Your Good Health,
Dan Watts M.D.
One key substance in a man’s body that is more powerful than any other health factor is testosterone. It is linked to nearly every major degenerative disease: Diabetes, Heart Disease, Arthritis, Alzheimer’s, etc. Sadly, testosterone deficiency is a most commonly under-diagnosed and misunderstood syndrome. Andropause, often called “male menopause”, used to be seen as part of an aging process that was to be accepted gracefully. This decline in male health is marked by a slow or sometimes abrupt drop in blood testosterone levels.
Symptoms of Male Menopause
- Decrease in sexual function and the desire for sexual intimacy.
- Decrease in mental sharpness and creativity, “burned out” tiredness.
- Feeling of depression, “blahs”, apathy in marriage or work.
- Sore body syndrome: aches, joint or muscle pain.
- Decrease in athletic performance: endurance, strength, muscles.
- Increase in cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure.
- Increase in fat distribution: belly, hips and breasts.
Facts about low testosterone in men were recently published in the prominent peer-reviewed medical journal, Circulation.
After studying 12,000 men for 10 years, Cambridge doctors found that those men with the lowest testosterone levels had an increased risk of dying early from all causes, including cancer. When their levels were brought back to normal, those risks were markedly improved.
Thankfully, today this grim milestone in a man’s life can be rolled back. The answer is found in preventative medicine with simple natural testosterone replacement.
If you have symptoms of male menopause, have our office run a simple blood test called a Male Hormone Profile to see if you have low testosterone levels.
These symptoms can be reversed!
Due to changes in my own health, I have personally implemented and benefited from this health strategy. My own experience has then helped many of my friends and family, as well as hundreds of my patients. – Dr. Watts
If you have ever had trouble falling asleep and tuned into late night television to distract yourself from the mind spin that can so often occur, you are probably all too familiar with infomercials about Cortisol. As it is commonly and rightly called the “death hormone” or the “fat hormone”, it is extremely important that you begin to educate yourself about its impact in order to regain control of your overall health.
Cortisol and its maker, the adrenal glands, haven’t always given us so many problems; the adrenal glands were originally designed to manage the flight-or-fight stress response, a reaction that was needed from time to time when fighting for food or protecting our children from predators. But now, in modern times, with our constant “pedal-to-the-metal” lifestyle and wide range of stressors, we have started to overburden the adrenal glands resulting in cortisol levels that are completely out-of-balance and devastating for our health and well being.
High levels of cortisol, called “hypercortisolemia”, cause anxiety, panic, sleep disturbances, sugar cravings, and weight gain. Low levels of cortisol, called “hypocortisolemia” cause “burn-out”, fatigue, depression, fuzzy thinking, and weight gain. So, either too much or too little cortisol causes weight gain, principally around our middle and thighs.
If left unbalanced, cortisol makes it very difficult to lose weight, and regardless of the time and effort that you put into dieting and exercising, the fat will stay put. The good news is that we are now able to detect and correct these imbalances. At The Renewal Point, under medical supervision, we are able to help you bring these very powerful hormones under control and lose the fat for good.
First, we test your cortisol levels with blood or salivary labs. Then, we identify your specific imbalances in order to develop the precise program that your body needs. Finally, bringing hormones back into balance, we monitor your health to make sure that your Cortisol levels remain stable. For you, this means less sleepless nights watching Cortisol infomercials and more quality days doing the things that you want and need to do.
For more information on the effects of cortisol and other hormones… https://www.therenewalpoint.com/education/blog/hormone-balancing-made-simple/
You have the power to shape your body for better health.
Take the first step in achieving healthy body composition. With fifty million Americans on diets at any time, one would think that we would have arrived at the ultimate solution for weight control by now. But the often-claimed, “simple formula” of “eat less and exercise more” is anything but simple; just ask anyone that has tried.
And what about diets… do any of them really work? The truth is all diets work… but just for a short time. Most diets, designed as a quick fix, are often and unfortunately an unhealthy, destructive fix. Since they rely on depleting the body of needed nutrients in order to stimulate the desired visible evidence of a lower number on the bathroom scale, sooner or later you will find the weight coming back…with a vengeance!
These “lose quick – gain back” cycles have now become part of the problem, adding to obesity. For example, one metabolism-based study compared a doctor-supervised nutrition and body composition program to a popular over-the-counter diet drink. Results were dramatically different. Patients on the doctor-supervised program achieved weight loss from fat and actually increased their muscle mass. The patients on the over-the-counter diet drink lost the majority of their weight from muscle rather than body fat, despite being prescribed the same foods and exercise routine as those on the doctor-supervised program.
So what’s the true secret formula? At The Renewal Point we have found that unless you balance your overall metabolism, your body will constantly work against you. While you are trying to limit caloric intake following the latest diet book, your body answers with a metabolic “protection” response that causes you to gain the weight back. Thinking that the solution to your weight problem is simply about “will power” is like trying to stop a freight train with your little finger.
Simply put: The only effective weight loss strategy requires metabolic balance. Metabolic balance involves a comprehensive evaluation of all of the body’s functions that contribute to healthy balance: hormones, glandular systems, muscle/fat body composition and blood levels. Meanwhile a subsequent program should be designed to address the source of the metabolic imbalance.
In order to get a long-term healthy weight loss, we have developed The Renewal Point Metabolic Weight Loss Program; uniquely designed to balance your metabolism and help your body work for you rather than against you. Designed by Dr. Watts, patients team up with nutrition and medical experts to follow a simple, supportive program with the goal of dropping inches and improving health and energy!
Jenna’s Story
Among the hundreds of men and women that have discovered “the last stop” on the often frustrating road to weight loss, Jenna came to The Renewal Point. She told us that she had tried just about everything. She guiltily admitted that just the night before she had left an Over-eaters Anonymous meeting with a strong sugar craving. With almost no willpower, she stopped at the Tasty Freeze on her way home and quickly downed three chocolate-topped soft ice cream cones. In an initial evaluation, we found that this was not her fault. Looking over a metabolic panel with Jenna, four metabolic problems were discovered causing her body to work against her, creating a sugar and carb addiction. When balanced, Jenna was quickly able to slough her unwanted weight (50 lbs.!). She was then able to build the firm and shapely body that before had been so illusive.
As a result of Oprah’s one week series dedicated to BHRT, (aka Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy), The Renewal Point has had a deluge of interest in the topic.
Women and men are asking, “What are they” and “Are they for me?”
This isn’t the first time BHRT has achieved star status. In her books, Ageless, Breakthrough, and The Sexy Years, as well as in her prolific media exposure, Suzanne Somers described how bio-identical hormones relieved her menopause symptoms, saving her “life” and her sanity. She was joined on Oprah’s show by Faith Hill-McGraw and Dr. Oz, all singing the praises of bio-identical hormones. (“The Oprah Winfrey Show”, 1/29/09)
BHRT is not new at The Renewal Point either. For nearly 20 years, BHRT has been the backbone of our clinical practice. Patients have found our BHRT protocols a godsend for PMS, mood swings, sleep disorders, perimenopausal symptoms, menopause and other related symptoms and problems. And, we’ve found that women feel their best when they’re informed about their options so they can decide what works for them. Let’s explore what is known about bio-identical hormones and how The Renewal Point approaches BHRT so that any decision you make has a medical basis and not simply a pursuit of “star status”.
Hormone Balancing
Your body’s hormones – produced in various glands of your body – act as “messengers,” sending signals to your cells to function, grow, regulate or balance important body processes. Though it is well-known that the levels of some of these hormones fall as we get older, it is not common knowledge that almost all of these hormones diminish during the course of life or change dramatically to life’s stresses.
As hormone levels fall or fluctuate, they cause the signs and symptoms of PMS, perimenopause, and menopause. The good news is that with a skilled approach that includes testing, treatment with bio-identical hormones, then retesting, your body’s hormones can be rebalanced naturally and safely. Rebalancing hormones using natural bio-identical hormones is the “hallmark” of The Renewal Point’s health and age management programs.
We use bio-identical hormones rather than synthetic hormones because synthetics are typically patented chemicals, many of which are known to have side effects that can include increased risk of cancer. Bio-identical hormones, on the other hand, are identical to the body’s naturally produced hormones, adding the “missing ingredient” for efficient body function. They can actually “re-train” your body to function more as it did at a younger age!
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
Because everyone’s hormone profile is as different as their finger print, we first must run blood or saliva tests in order to determine their particular values. The results along with our patient’s symptoms give us clues to prescribing just the right formula to balance each one individually. (Important: This is not the one-size-fits-all formula of pharmaceutical hormone replacement.) We then continue careful follow-ups on patients to “tweak” those hormones, if needed.
Many hormones are involved in this balance, as hormones act as individual instruments in a symphony. If one of the “instruments” is off, the whole orchestra sounds bad. These include the estrogens (there are three), progesterone, DHEA, thyroid, cortisol (the stressor hormone), testosterone and pregnenolone. All of these hormones work in concert to stop hot flashes, stifling mood swings, regain youthful skin and a firm body, improve breast fullness, libido, vaginal lubrication, curb weight gain and food cravings. Individual formulas are made up by compounding pharmacists based on each patient’s lab work and symptoms and are available through many different routes: skin cream, pellets, flavorful sublingual drops, lozenges, pills or troques.
Sources of Bioidentical Hormones
The source of bioidentical hormones begins with plants such as soy and yams; a far cry from one of the most common pharmaceutical hormones Premarin®, which is derived from pregnant horse mares’ urine! Our TeamPersonalized and individualized attention is foremost with our team of medical doctors, Physician’s Assistants, Registered Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses and staff are expertly trained in the “art” of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement. Leading our team of experts is Dr. Watts, Founder of The Renewal Point who has been balancing hormones with natural bioidenticals for nearly two decades. (See Bio: Dr. Watts)
Discover your hormone balance – Take the self assessment to determine if BHRT is right for you – call our office for more information @ (941) 926-4905.
The Renewal Point Age Management Program focuses on a scientific and integrated approach to slow down, reverse and even stop many of the signs and symptoms of aging.
While we can’t actually eliminate the process of aging, we can certainly optimize the quality and longevity of life.
How we age is now optional!
To take control of the aging process, we recommend the following simple but powerful process:
- Assess all the essential components of our body’s systems that support and influence healthy aging.
- Access education and advice from qualified doctors, nurses, nutritionists and physical therapists for any corrective actions or therapies required to reverse unhealthy trends in your aging process.
- Apply the knowledge and recommendations on a coordinated plan in order to reach your health goals.
Men and women report a 55% – 85% improvement in:
Energy, Memory, Productivity, Strength, Body fat, Lean muscle, Libido, Sexual performance, Facial appearance, Skin tone, Athletic performance, Pain relief, Better sleep, Sense of well-being, Frequency of illness, and Joint stiffness
We believe that not only should you be able to proactively control illness and the effects of aging – your doctor should assist you with a proactive, preventive and natural approach. The result is a longer life with health and vitality – without compromise.
There’s More to LIFE…and here’s how to find it.
Visualize your life in 10 years or 20…or 30. Are you more or less active? More or less involved with your grand kids? Are you starting new projects, meeting new people, advancing a career or starting a new one …or just hanging on?
In our society today, 80% of health care dollars are spent in the last 20% of life. That also means that a large part of the later years in life are also spent in doctor’s offices or hospitals, monitoring ailments and limiting or even avoiding the very activities and pursuits that make life it’s richest.
Change the Course – Change the Outcome! At The Renewal Point, we believe you can spend the rest of your life discovering new levels of vitality and vigor – not simply trying to rescue what’s left.
In fact, through The Renewal Point Age Management Program, hundreds of people are finding that the “typical” symptoms of aging can be slowed down, stopped…or reversed!
The Renewal Point puts you in control of how you age by guiding you through a full 12 month “whole health makeover” as you discover the power and importance of getting ahead of the factors that influence health – rather than simply responding to their breakdown.
The air we breathe and the water we drink isn’t pure anymore; the food we eat is not as nutritious and there are pesticides and chemicals everywhere. These destructive agents load up in our body in the form of toxic metals and other harmful chemicals that simply cannot be shed by normal body processes. Chelation is an FDA approved method for removing such toxins.
World-wide experience for over 40 years has shown Chelation to effectively address circulatory problems, hardening of the arteries, neurological problems including Parkinson’s and neurological and degenerative diseases such as Diabetes and Arthritis. Dr. Watts is a Fellow of The American Board of Chemical Metal Toxicology and has trained The Renewal Point staff in the highest standards for Chelation therapy.
More Accurately Than A Mirror……Your Skin Reflects Your Health.
Vitamins and supplements are necessary today more than ever because our food contains fewer nutrients, our environment is more toxic and almost all Americans have nutritional deficiencies as a result of poor or insufficient eating habits. Men and women who routinely take supplements live 6-8 years longer, and healthier!
10 Reasons to Take The Renewal Point’s Vitamins and Supplements:
- Pharmaceutical grade, made with superior quality ingredients
- Checked for impurities
- Best absorbability and bioactivity
- Vitamins that are hand picked by Dr. Watts and personally used by his family daily
- Our patients tell us that they can feel the difference
- Money-back guarantee (not made by local stores)
- Knowledgeable staff
- Staff Ph.D. and Certified Nutritionist to assist you
- Simple ordering process
- To your door shipping
Vitamins and supplements may be used to help in the treatment of the following:
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