Obesity, Diabetes, Heart disease, Autoimmunity, Alzheimer’s, Breast and Prostate Cancer, Thyroid, Reproductive and Neuroendocrine Diseases are all on the rise in the United States.  The European Union estimates the financial burden in Europe to be $209 billion dollars annually for health care expenses related to IQ loss, intellectual disability, autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, infertility and mortality associated with reduced testosterone levels. The culprit? Strong evidence supports a link between Endocrine Disrupting Chemical (EDC) exposure and these problems[i]. The World Health Organization along with the Endocrine Society and the European Union strongly support warnings to avoid endocrine disrupting chemicals[ii],[iii].

What are Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals?

EDCs are everyday chemicals similar in structure to natural hormones such as the female sex hormone estrogen, the male sex hormone testosterone, and thyroid hormones.  They interfere with development, reproduction, neurological functioning, metabolism, satiety, and your immune system[iv].  They are found in everyday, ordinary products: drinking water, canned and packaged goods, high mercury fish, plastic and nonstick kitchenware, cleaning products …. And the list goes on[v].  And, according to the Endocrine Society, there may be no safe level of exposure.  So, if you are a living being who breathes air, eats food, and drinks water you will be exposed to EDCs.  While we don’t have total control of our environmental exposure, there are ways to minimize the exposure to yourself and your family.

How to Avoid Exposure to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

While the list of known EDCs is extensive, a dozen of the worst widely used ones identified by the Environmental Working Group include: BPA, Dioxin, Atrazine, Phthalates, Perchlorate, Fire retardants, Lead, Mercury, Arsenic, PFCs, Organophosphate pesticides, and Glycol ethers[vi].

Avoid them in:

• Personal care products by switching to certified organic or homemade personal care products.
• Drinking water by filtering your water using a high-grade filtration system.
• Poultry, meat, and dairy products by buying and eating organic produce[vii].
• High mercury fish by selecting seafood known to be low in mercury[viii] .
• Kitchenware by using glass containers, ceramic, and iron and steel cookware.
• Cleaning products by creating your own cleaning products (vinegar and baking soda work wonders!).
• Scented products (ie: trash bags, air fresheners) unless they are natural.
• Household dust by buying “green” furniture/carpets (doesn’t contain harmful flame retardants, etc) and using a HEPA filter for your vacuum and A/C[ix].

 

How to Support the Body in Removing Toxins

While avoiding these products as much as you can is key to getting at the root of the problem, it’s also important to understand that it’s possible to support your body in getting rid of many of these chemicals if you’ve already been exposed.  There are a variety of tests that can help determine how critical the issue is.  And, if chemicals are detected, we can work together to create a plan to assist your body in removing them.

References

[i] Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism April 1, 2015; 100(4): 1245-1255

[ii] WHO, State of the Science of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals 2012

[iii] Endocrine Society, Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals, Where We Stand

[iv] Endocr Rev. 2015 Dec;36(6):E1-E150

[v] Hormone Health Network, EDCs

[vi] EWG.org Dirty Dozen Endocrine Disruptors October 28, 2013

[vii] Annals of Internal Medicine, 2012;157(5):348

[viii] Mercury Policy Project’s guide to mercury levels in different varieties of fish and shellfish (PDF)

[ix] Environmental Science and Technology, 2015; 49(1): 113

Picture attribution: © pixander, 123RF Free Images

Brain fog is a common complaint in our modern world.  At The Renewal Point, we often see patients with brain fog as their major complaint.  While brain fog is not considered a medical condition, it is a term for a specific group of symptoms that can affect your ability to think.  An Integrative/Functional approach involves determining the patient’s exact root cause and addressing it with an individualized approach, based on an in-depth intake consultation and specialty lab results.

Brain fog is typically characterized by a constellation of several symptoms including:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty multitasking
• Forgetfulness
• Short-term and long-term memory loss
• Cognitive impairment
• Feeling spacy or confused
• Difficulty finding words
• Mental exhaustion

It is important to recognize that these symptoms can be attributed to many health conditions or may be a signal of a more serious underlying health condition.  Please discuss any concerns you have with your Integrative Healthcare Provider.

Possible Underlying Causes of Brain Fog

There are numerous root causes of brain fog.  Here are three of the most common reasons:

1.     Mold and Heavy Metal Toxicity

External toxicants such as mold or heavy metal can cause brain fog.  Some molds produce chemicals that can lead to brain fog.  Heavy metal toxicity, such as too much mercury, aluminum and/or lead, has long been linked to brain fog symptoms.

2.     Post-Viral Syndrome

Viruses can cause systemic inflammation.  Recently, we have found Epstein Barr virus acutely active in many patients.  There are many other varieties of viruses and parasites that can be included in this category, i.e. Lyme, West Nile Fever, Babesia, etc..

3.     Menopause and Perimenopause

Brain fog is a common complaint for women going through perimenopause and menopause.  Fluctuating hormone levels, particularly estrogen and progesterone shifts, not only affect energy levels but can cause symptoms such as forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, and brain fog.

Functional Medical Labs to Find the Root Cause of Brain Fog

• Toxin and toxicity testing would include mold and heavy metal testing.
• Viral and parasite testing can often tease out a pesky biologic poison affecting the body.
• Comprehensive hormone panels, done at appropriate timing in a patient’s menstrual cycle, many times reveal hormone imbalances. When these hormones are rebalanced, it usually helps immensely.

In Summary…

There are many potential causes of brain fog and uncovering what may be the root cause is key to support symptom relief.  Utilizing a Functional/Integrative Medicine approach, reducing toxins, balancing hormones and squelching dangerous biologic organisms can, in many cases, help to improve brain fog symptoms.  For more information about our services or to schedule a consultation, please give us a call at 941-926-4905.  We are here to help!

Another article on Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus? Perhaps, but read on to learn how you can help yourself or your loved ones.

Let’s explore the difference between the female and male brain by looking at the advantages of being female caused by the effect of one specific hormone. This hormone is important for both males and females. However, as found in a recent science-based research article, it has greater potential in females for keeping the brain mentally awake and cognitively strong. It also decreases the risks of aging and increases your ability to handle everyday stressors.

What is this hormone? First let’s take a look at a patient who came into my office recently to see what can happen when its balance goes awry.

This patient, a 46-year-old mother of well-adjusted high school students, should have been doing well by most standards. She describes her husband as supportive and loving and she has a successful career that she enjoys.

Everything looks good on the outside, but she reported that for at least a year now, she had been falling apart on the inside. “I feel like I am being possessed by another person.” She told me she was becoming forgetful at home, at work and with her friends; having problems sleeping; and worrying at odd hours of the night about what she had not done right the day before. She was becoming more and more irritable, taking it out on her children and husband over the smallest infractions. Often, she would brood over her irrational behavior while attempting to go to sleep, only to experience another sleep deprived night. “Frustrating,” she said. “Could it be my hormones? Can it be fixed?”

Fortunately, the answer is yes. A recent science-based article, printed in Pharmacological Review, on the effects of estrogen on the female brain, found this particular hormone to have huge positive actions: Protection of synaptic remodeling, Glial plasticity, and Neuronal activity. Physiologic levels of estrogen offer neuroendocrine control and is anti- apoptotic, protecting against strokes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and MS.

Whew! All of this to say that balance of this one crucial hormone has the potential to improve her cognition, stabilize her mood, improve her sleep, and protect her from the risks of brain injury in the future.

I recommended running a hormone panel. Her blood work returned as we had expected: low estradiol, high estrone (a very irritating and inflammatory hormone), low progesterone (also affecting mood and sleep) and low testosterone (affecting cognition, strength, and energy).

Several weeks after we had stabilized her hormones to their optimal levels, she reported feeling back to her normal self. “I finally stopped feeling freaky…I feel like myself again,” she said. She found herself more playful with her children, more loving with her husband and less forgetful all around.

With over 30 years of experience and numerous board certifications and credentials, Dr. Watts, MD, ND, MSNM and Deb Spinner, APRN, MS are experts in the Science and Art of Integrative Medicine and Bio-identical Hormone Balancing.  Bio-identical Hormone Balancing requires individualized therapy and ongoing dosing changes based not only on a patient’s diagnostic lab values, but also their symptoms. Due to the sensitive nature of hormone balancing, it is imperative that you work in partnership with an experienced provider and program.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, you can call us at 941-926-4905, email us at info@therenewalpoint.com, or RSVP to our upcoming seminar.  

Reference:

1. Glenda E. Gillies, Simon McArthur. Estrogen Actions in the Brain and the Basis for Differential Action in Men and Women: A Case for Sex-Specific Medicines. Pharmacol Rev. 2010 Jun; 62(2): 155–198. doi: 10.1124/pr.109.002071 PMCID: PMC2879914 PMID: 20392807.

Our age is more than just a number.  It is a combination of factors – some we can control and some we can’t.

For example, we can’t control our determinant genetics or what accidents may befall us (that is, unless you knowingly participate in high-risk activities), but we can control our lifestyle choices.  Regardless of your age, there are steps everyone can take to maximize their health and wellbeing. “Even in middle age, making long-term lifestyle choices is beneficial,” says UCI Health geriatrician Dr. Sonia Sehgal.  “The sooner we adopt healthy lifestyle habits, the greater the benefits.”

“Quitting smoking, eating better, controlling stress, and exercising daily are key building blocks to healthy aging.  It’s important to establish positive habits as soon as possible.”

Is “midlife crisis” a real thing?

In a word yes.

People often refer to the proverbial “midlife crisis,” a term introduced in 1965 by a Canadian organizational psychologist and defined as a period of psychological distress that affects some people in middle age. This can occur in our 40s to our 60s.  It’s a time when people may assume different life roles than they expected. Some become caregivers for aging parents.  For both men and women, hormones fall… for men this is usually a slow, but sure, decline; for women it can be a cataclysmic fall.   Children grow up and become independent adults.  And loved ones accumulate health issues that may be life-limiting.

This is a great time to renew investment in our own health – focusing specifically on preventive measures to ensure that the future is a long, vibrant and healthy one. For patients at The Renewal Point, we focus on the Four Cornerstones of Healthy Aging – Hormone Balancing, Detoxification, Nutrition, and Physical Conditioning.

• Hormone balancing improves sleep, mood, weight control, cognition, cardiovascular health, strength, bone health, sexuality, vitality, serenity and more.
• Toxins steal our health.  Metals toxins, environmental chemicals, and biological toxins are ubiquitous in our environment.  Everyone is exposed to toxins at different levels (depending on the air, water, and food) and everyone’s body handles them differently.  At The Renewal Point we can run panels to see if toxins are interfering with your health.  Then, if needed, we can develop a plan to clear them from your system.
• Nutritional deficiencies contribute to cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and overall poor health.  Finding these deficiencies, then correcting them, are keys to living a longer, healthier life.
• Physical conditioning is a must as we age.  But what kind of exercise is appropriate for us in our 60s and 70s, especially when we have developed wear and tear over the last half century?  At The Renewal Point we apply a combination of Physical therapy/Physical conditioning program aimed at an individual’s goals and over-all physical condition.

If you are experiencing symptoms, disease, and/or a mid-life crisis that is holding you back from living the life you imagine, no matter your age, we are here to help!   We use state-of-the-art assessment methods that allow us to find and target the root of the problem and restore your health and wellbeing.  For more information we encourage you to visit our website at TheRenewalPoint.com or call our office at 941-926-4905.  

The Dirty Dozen

Some big changes to the Dirty Dozen list this year ~ green beans and blueberries are now on the list as 2 of the fruits and vegetables to start buying organic whenever possible. The Dirty Dozen is a list of the 12 fruits and vegetables that have the most pesticides, as determined by the Environmental Workers Group (EWG).

Luckily, due to high demand, organic produce is becoming more widely available and can also be bought in bulk to keep the costs down. Another way to keep costs down is to buy the frozen version. Fruits and vegetables are flash frozen which means that they are frozen as soon as they reach peak ripeness ~ this means that they retain a very high level of nutrients (especially compared to the canned version).

Dirty Dozen

1. Strawberries
2. Spinach
3. Kale, Collard, Mustard Greens
4. Peaches
5. Pears
6. Nectarines
7. Apples
8. Grapes
9. Bell & Hot Peppers
10. Cherries
11. Blueberries
12. Green Beans

The Clean Fifteen

The EWG also composes a list called the Clean Fifteen, which contains the 15 fruits and vegetables with the least pesticides. These are the ones that are safer to buy in the conventional (non-organic) version. But please take note that sweet corn, papaya, and summer squash are sometimes made with genetically modified seeds so we recommend buying those organic whenever possible.

Clean Fifteen

1. Avocado
2. Sweet Corn (however, it can be produced from genetically modified seeds so we recommend buying organic when possible)
3. Pineapple
4. Onions
5. Papaya (however, it can be produced from genetically modified seeds so we recommend buying organic when possible)
6. Sweet peas (frozen)
7. Asparagus
8. Honeydew Melon
9. Kiwi
10. Cabbage
11. Mushrooms
12. Mangoes
13. Sweet Potatoes
14. Watermelon
15. Carrots

Here are some of our favorite recipes for the holidays….

Green Beans with Almonds

Ingredients (for approximately 8 servings):

• 1 1/2 lbs green beans, trimmed (French green beans work great for this)
• 2 Tbs. olive oil
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds
• 1 tsp. minced or pressed garlic (about 1 medium clove)
• 1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice (about 1 small lemon)
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions:

1. Bring 6-7 quart pot of water to a boil and add the beans. Cook 2 minutes.
2. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water until completely cool. Spread the beans on a clean kitchen towel and dry thoroughly.
3. In a 12-in skillet, heat oil over medium low heat.  Add the almonds and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden-brown all over, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the almonds to a plate.
4. Reduce heat to low and add the garlic to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
5. Add the beans, increase the heat to medium, and cook, tossing occasionally, until crisp-tender and lightly browned in some places, 5-8 minutes.
6. Stir in the lemon juice and season to taste with salt and pepper.  Transfer to a serving platter, sprinkle with almonds, and serve.

Colorful Roasted Vegetables

• 1 small butternut squash, cubed
• 2 bell peppers (we recommend red for color), diced
• 1 sweet potato, cubed
• 1 red onion, quartered and separated
• 2 Tbsp chopped rosemary (recommended fresh)
• 1 Tbsp chopping thyme (recommended fresh)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
• Salt and fresh ground pepper

1. Preheat oven to 475F.
2. Combine squash, red bell peppers, sweet potato, and onion pieces in a large bowl.
3. In another bowl, stir together thyme, rosemary, olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper.  Toss into the vegetable bowl until everything is coated.
4. Spread evenly on a large, non-toxic roasting pan.
5. Stirring every 10 min, roast for 35-40 min or until all vegetables are cooked through and slightly browned.

Cauliflower Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients (for approximately 8 servings):

• 2 heads of cauliflower
• 1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper
• 2 Tbsp of cream cheese, softened
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1/4 tsp bullion or ½ tsp salt
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Recipe:

• Cut cauliflower into florets
• Steam cauliflower florets until tender.
• Let florets cool and squeeze/ring out extra water using clean kitchen towel or thick paper towel.
• In bowl using blender, or in a food processor, puree the cauliflower with the cream cheese, parmesan, garlic, bullion/salt, and pepper until almost smooth.

Mayo Clinic claims that ‘forever chemicals’ found in thousands of household products may affect women’s heart health.

Thousands of household products that you may use every day contain human-made chemicals.  They are also known as ‘forever chemicals’ because they break down very slowly over time. Studies at Mayo Clinic have recently found that even small exposures to these substances pose a health risk.

Dr. DeLisa Fairweather explains why postmenopausal women are at such a high risk for heart disease caused by these ubiquitous chemicals: Read on.

A new American Heart Association study found that middle-aged women, those with high blood levels of these chemicals, are 70% more likely to develop high blood pressure than their peers who had lower levels of these toxins.

“As soon as you go through menopause, you have a dramatic drop in estrogen,” explains Dr. Fairweather.  “When that happens, it really affects your immune response.  And, so, you enter a much more proinflammatory state that can increase your risk for various types of heart disease, like atherosclerosis and stroke.”

Forever chemicals are in thousands of household products, including shampoos, cosmetics and plastic packaging.

“It’s also in our nonstick pans, stain-removing products that are in our carpeting and furniture, and on our clothes,” says Dr. Fairweather.

They’re also found in water sources and foods we eat… “We’re finding that fish we’re eating have it because the water is contaminated with it.  It’s a major contamination in wells and other sources of water.  It’s in dairy products because the cattle or dairy cows are receiving it through fertilizer and other contaminants in their environment,” says Dr. Fairweather.  Previous studies have shown that even at low levels these forever chemicals create adverse health effects.

“What we can do proactively to help ourselves is to read every label on the food that we’re purchasing and make sure that it does not have chemicals that we don’t understand?” says Dr. Fairweather. “We need to educate ourselves and just make sure that if there’s anything that isn’t the actual food and natural ingredients that we don’t buy the product.”

Here at The Renewal Point, we understand that this information can be very overwhelming, especially if it’s not something that you’ve already been doing.  However, we don’t want that feeling to deter you from making changes.  Even small changes can make a big difference.  If replacing things feels daunting, then a good place to start is with any new purchases.  For example, the next time you buy shampoo, check to make sure it has natural ingredients; for Christmas, put a stainless-steel pan or ScanPan on your wish list; use the “Dirty Dozen” (by the EPA) as a guide for buying healthier fruits and vegetables.  Over time, you’ll see that most of your household items are no longer toxic.

Additionally, at The Renewal Point, we can run tests to see if toxic contaminants are at harmful levels in your body. This will help determine how critical the issue is and how quickly you need to act in removal of the chemicals from both your body and house.  If toxic chemicals are detected, we can then work together to create a manageable plan to rid your body and house of them before they cause health problems. 

While preventing and/or catching the problem before it becomes a health issue is ideal, we certainly understand that this is not always the case.  So, if you believe that you already have health issues caused by toxins, know that it’s not too late, ~ only more critical ~ to act.

Reference:

• Mayo Clinic Minute: ‘Forever chemicals’ found in thousands of household products may affect women’s heart health. July 20, 2022. DeeDee Stiepan

According to a 2021 survey from the American Psychological Association, more than three-quarters of Americans report that the pandemic has been and still is a significant source of stress.   One of the side effects of that stress may be brain fog.  If you’re feeling more forgetful or distracted than usual, you’re not alone.  In this article I will discuss how to beat that very brain fog brought on by Post Pandemic Stress.

Stress can cause our hormones (including neurotransmitters and adrenals) to get out of balance resulting in more stress issues (either lack of sleep and/or being tired all the time…. wired and tired), adrenal fatigue, brain fog, loss of libido, etc. 

Many people’s routines were disrupted by the pandemic.  You may not realize it, but your routines give your conscious brain a chance to rest while your unconscious brain takes over and proceeds on autopilot.  For that reason, building predictable new routines is one way to help lessen brain fog. 

If you have been experiencing these issues, we recommend reducing stress through the following ways:

1. Getting back on a routine, as much as possible
2. Exercise, but not to exhaustion
3. Nutrition
4. Regular sleep patterns

While these recommendations will work for most cases, if you have been trying these suggestions and they haven’t worked, you may be dealing with something other than a stress syndrome.  If this is the case, we recommend getting tested for such medical problems as: autoimmune disorders, adrenal fatigue syndrome; hormone issues such as, thyroid, pituitary and gonadal imbalances, or chronic fatigue syndrome.

Since the Pandemic has begun, we, at The Renewal Point, have noticed an increase in early autoimmune activation, adrenal fatigue syndrome and a reactivation of old infections, such as; Lyme disease and EBV.  And, indeed, it is reported that these conditions may be responsible for much of the Long Covid syndrome.

If you have been experiencing unrelenting stress, loss of libido, lack of sleep, brain fog, exhaustion, or a “wired but tired” feeling, we encourage you to give us a call at 941-926-4905 to schedule an appointment or you can visit our website at www.TheRenewalPoint.com to learn more about our services and view our education library/blog.  We are here to help!