It’s time to lose fat AND get your ‘Mojo’ back!

Just what is visceral fat and why is it so dangerous?

Most people think of fat as something we would rather have less of than more, but nevertheless, relatively harmless. However, did you know that those fats which are stored around your organs, called visceral fats, are actually deadly, and could contribute to: heart disease, stroke, diabetes, depression, cancer, sleep disorders, sexual dysfunction and many other evil maladies.

A longtime patient of mine, Allie B., was worried about her husband. She asked if I could see him in consult. “He just isn’t the man he used to be,” she told me with a look of concern.

To his friends, David B. appeared to ‘have it made.’ A professional, at 62 he was married to the woman of his dreams. With his kids out of college and considering early retirement, life was ready to pay him back for all his hard work. Unbeknownst to his friends, however, David’s health was beginning to falter. He lamented his life was “beginning to wind down.” His energy, sexuality, and ‘mojo’ had “run out.” He hurt all over. His internist had prescribed medication for hypertension, pre-diabetes, and high cholesterol. A past amateur athlete, he now could barely muster the energy for a slow walk around the neighborhood. He was frustrated, felt he was just getting older, and that nothing could be done about it.

When I pointed to David’s protruding abdomen and told him that ninety percent of his problem was right there, he looked somewhat surprised. I explained that his ‘beer belly’ look was actually caused by a deep type of fat wrapped around his major organs, including the liver, pancreas, and kidneys. He was curious as I went on to explain that this type of fat was not only causing his belt size to increase, but also causing inflammation and linked to all his medical problems.

At the core of controlling visceral fat is hormone balance: cortisol, insulin, leptin, testosterone, thyroid, blood sugar and estrogen. At my suggestion, David enrolled in The Renewal Point’s Metabolic Weight Loss Program. Not surprisingly, his lab tests demonstrated a metabolic syndrome and poor hormone regulation.

The good news, he was pleased to learn, was that once his belly fat went down, more than likely his health problems would subside AND his ‘mojo’ would return. And, that, it did!

Here are the 5 Steps David Followed to Reduce his Visceral Fat:

1. Reduce sugar and refined carbohydrates

We changed David’s diet to delicious, high-nutrient rich, real foods: fats, proteins, and non-starchy vegetables.

2. Exercise regularly

Any exercise, from moderate intensity walking to high intensity resistance training can help blast belly fat, as long as it is part of a regular health schedule.

3. Hormone Balancing

With Testosterone and Thyroid replacement, David noticed an almost immediate surge of vitality. He found exercising fun again, and both he and his wife enjoyed the return of his libido. We placed David on a short course of Metformin for insulin control, and an FDA approved appetite suppressant for sugar addiction.

4. Adequate Sleep

Without at least seven to eight hours of sleep at night, David would have a hard time maintaining the energy needed for optimal thermogenesis (fat burning). He was only getting four to five hours.

5. Reduce Stress

David’s ‘pedal to the metal’ professional lifestyle had triggered abnormal cortisol. The high cortisol from acute stress had made him anxious and fat.

At The Renewal Point, we have helped thousands of patients get their health and ‘mojo’ (aka: happiness, energy, libido, etc) back.  If you are looking for the return of yours, we invite you to come to one of our upcoming seminars/events.

Dear Santa,

I don’t know if you can remember me or not. It’s been ‘several years’ since I have written you – Susan McPherson from Sarasota, Florida, AKA Susie Lee Herndon from Stuttgart, Arkansas back then. First, I want to apologize for not staying in touch. I guess the transition from a little girl to a college student then to a married woman with a family of my own has kept me preoccupied.

Back then, my Christmas wish list was pretty simple: A talking Crissy doll, a pink Free Spirit bike, and a Mr. Potato Head would have made my day. Life back then seemed much more carefree. Suffice it to say – running a busy accounting firm, keeping up with my kids, social and other family responsibilities – it’s not easy . I find myself older, stressed out, irritable, not sleeping well, and overweight. Please help.

I need:

•    A sprinkle of joy
•    To lose weight around the middle
•    A good night’s sleep
•    More energy

Love,

Susan XOXO ♥♥

Dear Susan,

Ho-Ho-Ho! Happy to hear from you after all these years. Of course I remember you. How could I forget those fresh baked chocolate chip cookies left by the fireside or those cute hearts, hugs, and kisses at the end of every letter you wrote. I do agree, life seemed simpler back then.

Throughout these years, I have kept my eye on you and I’m pleased to report I am very proud of the woman you’ve become. It’s not easy, as you say, balancing all the many facets of adult life. Throw in trying to find time to take care of yourself and you’ve got a real quandary.

Rest assured, no need for an apology. It’s not unusual for my ‘adult children’ to touch base with me about this time of life. In this ‘pedal to the metal’ world of ours where there’s little time for yourself, your hormones and metabolism can be thrown off leaving it hard to find your way back to wellness without help.

Fortunately, I have just the right gift in mind. It’s in the form of advice.

Call the folks down at The Renewal Point on Clark Road. I’m sure they can get you on the road to a new you. You’ll find the staff and practitioners friendly, experienced, and passionate about helping patients reach their health goals.

The Renewal Point’s “Four Cornerstones” approach to wellness (Bio-identical Hormone Balancing, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Toxin Elimination) should be just the remedy you need to get your New Year started off with that ‘Sprinkle of Joy.’

So good hearing from you again. Must go now to attend to my reindeer. Stay in touch!

To Your Good Health!

Santa

“My libido has gone down so much”, “I’m not reaching orgasm”, “Sex is painful”…these are just a few of the statements we commonly hear from new patients at The Renewal Point.

            Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) affects 48.2% of women but many of us have never heard of it.[i]  We constantly hear of Viagra and Erectile Dysfunction through TV commercials and magazine ads, yet a healthy sex life is just as important for women and as it is for men.  And, while it’s proven that women don’t think about sex as much as men, it certainly doesn’t mean that they don’t deserve the same attention when it comes to their sex life.  So let’s break the silence and start talking about what’s standing in the way!

            There are five main forms of sexual dysfunction: hypoactive sexual disorder (aka: low libido), dyspareunia (aka: painful sex), sexual arousal disorder (can originate in genitals or brain), aversion to sex  (usually related to history of sexual abuse), and inability to achieve orgasm.[ii]  While having just one of these issues is more than enough to deal with, 23.2% of women surveyed had two or more forms of sexual dysfunction. 

            These problems can arise from a number of issues including hormone imbalances, anatomical changes/anomalies, trauma/abuse, and medications (ie: anti-depressants, contraception, chemotherapy).  Additionally, sexually transmitted infections/diseases can greatly interfere with a healthy sex life. The great news is that almost all of these problems can be addressed successfully!

            The Renewal Point’s Nurse Practitioner, Helena Williams, specializes in Female Sexual Dysfunction.  She wants women to know that they don’t need to feel embarrassed and that there are a full range of treatments available to help them.  She utilizes physical exams, diagnostic tests, and lab work to determine the cause of their concerns and then formulates a plan of care to address their specific issues and medical needs.        

            Sometimes the treatment is as simple as prescribing therapies (hormones, libricants, scream creams, oxytocin troches, etc) or using trigger point injections; and, other times it may require addressing a physical condition or anomaly that they may have.  Depending on the issue, the treatment may be fully completed in the office or we may work in conjunction with a counselor and/or specialty surgeon. Whatever the problem is, we are here to help and all patient care and correspondence is completed privately and confidentially. 

            Consider this common scenario:

A 63 year old female came to the office expressing concern about “decreased libido”.  She had been placed on hormone replacement therapy by previous providers and lab values were within normal range; however, her libido had not improved and, in fact, it was affecting her relationship with her spouse and they had not had intercourse in over 6 months.  A physical examination revealed that the patient not only suffered from severe vaginal atrophy but also significant clitoral retraction. (The clitoris is the female sexual appendage and thereby the equivalent to the penis in a male. If a woman does not have clitoral stimulation then it  is often very difficult for her to achieve an orgasm.) A plan of care consisted of use of topical estrogens and testosterone vaginally. The patient was educated on how to appropriately apply this medication for 2 months and after 2 months the patient was happy to report that she is enjoying intercourse again with no further libido issue.

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

[i] Yale School of Medicine and Albert Einstein College of Medicine

[ii] Cleveland Clinic

With your skin being the largest organ of your body, it certainly justifies putting a fair amount of time and money into it ~ but unsafe, ineffective, and wrong products are big money wasters for a lot of people. We find that skin health money wasters fall into these 4 categories:

1) Harmful Products: Too many products out there today contain harsh chemicals and irritants.  And, while they may provide a quick fix, they are only going to make your skin and body suffer in the long run.  This means more and more treatments and money to repair the skin down the road.

2) Ineffective Products: On the other side of the spectrum are the products that are safe, but not effective.  While, at least, they aren’t hurting the skin, they are aren’t helping it either ~ once again, sending your hard-earned money directly down the drain.

3) Wrong Products: Another money waster that we see people get into is blindly choosing products. While a product might be effective for one person, it might not be as effective for another person.  That’s why it’s so important to make sure that a qualified aesthetician is providing you with consultation on what skin care products to use.

4) Wrong Product Use: Last, but not least, is the problem of using products improperly.  You’ve made it so far as to find a safe, effective product that is specific to your skin type, but then you might not be applying the product correctly or you might be using it in the wrong order with your products.

At The Renewal Point, we want to make sure our patients are using safe, effective products that are specific to their health care needs ~ this is exactly why we carry Osmosis MD Skin Care Products and have Advanced Medical Aestheticians who specialize in creating an individualized and very specific plan of care for each patient. They will ensure that you are using the right products in the right way!  

Our Aestheticians are able to help patients address a range of skin care issues such as: rebuilding collagen, transforming aging skin, calming acneic skin, and enhancing the natural beauty of skin.  And they do this through an inside, out approach!

We invite you to schedule a Complimentary Consultation with one of our Advanced Medical Aestheticians.  You can call 941-926-4905 or email medspa@therenewalpoint.com.  

Hormone imbalances eventually come to all of us—men and women alike. These imbalances may burst through our front door like a lightning bolt of a summer storm or steal through the back like a thief in the night.

But a fact of life is, they come, and with their arrival come a group of not so welcome guests called Neuropsychiatric disorders. In fact, neuropsychiatric symptoms are the most prevalent complaints I hear from patients coming to my office for hormone balancing, nearing one hundred percent in some degree or other.

Neuropsychiatric conditions related to hormone imbalances:

• Sleep disorders
• Mood swings
• Memory decline 
• Lack of self-confidence 
• Irritability
• Stress 
• Anxiety 
• Panic disorder

Although complaints such as these may not evoke the chilling alarm of more life threatening conditions such as cancer or heart disease, their effect on our bodies can be very far reaching. Primarily, they affect our quality of life (QOL) and secondly they can lead to other more serious medical problems such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s, Diabetes, etc. In fact, doctors report neuropsychiatric problems are risk factors contributing to over 70% of all diseases!

While the ‘root cause’ of neuropsychiatric disease is dependent on several factors, growing evidence now documents the profound effects hormone imbalances have as a main risk factor. Consider that as our life expectancy increases to 90 years, neuropsychiatric disorders will exponentially rise to become our nation’s #1 medical condition. Just memory disorders alone will reach a whopping 130 million, enough to break our Medicare bank!

According to a recent study from Harvard School of Medicine, women with hormone imbalances are twice as likely to experience significant depression as women with normal balance. Add a 40-50% increase in sleep disorders, a 50% increase in cognitive decline, and an overall exacerbation of OCD, Bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia and Panic disorder, and we begin to understand the overall breadth hormone imbalances have on neuropsychiatric conditions.

The good news is, at The Renewal Point we can help. Daily, our patients report a marked improvement in neuropsychiatric complaints from our Natural Hormone Balancing Program. At The Renewal Point, we expect the same overall improvement of QOL symptoms and disease prevention that has been reported in evidence-based scientific research conducted around the U.S. by several of the top universities such as, Princeton, Harvard, University of Miami, etc.

Let’s take a look at some cases:

Jackie recently came to my office with a myriad of symptoms: headache, breast tenderness, a ten-pound weight gain, bloating, swelling, and food cravings. She was 37 with two children (ages 8 & 10); she ate well, exercised, took vitamins, and had no alcohol or drug abuse. Her lifestyle choices were well enough, however she felt terrible and was experiencing anxiety, panic, depression, irritability, increased guilt, and low self-esteem. Lab tests proved a glaring hormonal imbalance called Estrogen Dominance. Fortunately, with a program of Natural Hormone Balancing, adrenal support, and counseling, she recovered. 

Consider, also, Shelly: Shelly is a 55-yearold mother of two, grandmother of one, and recently widowed. She exercised three times a week and took multivitamins, however she was experiencing sleep difficulties, irritability, night sweats, carb cravings, hot flashes, decreased mental focus, and fatigue.Her lab tests revealed thyroid and ovarian hormonal imbalances. Three months following treatment with a natural thyroid and bio-identical hormones, Shelly says, “I feel like a new woman. I sleep eight hours a night, wake up feeling refreshed and full of energy. Hot flashes and night sweats gone!” 

At The Renewal Point, we understand how neuropsychiatric conditions, and their related problems, can stand in the way of living the life you want and we are here to help! We can do testing to determine if the condition is related to hormonal and/or neuroadrenal imbalances, and then correct those imbalances. And, we are always happy to partner with a patient’s mental health professional. To find out more or schedule an appointment, call 941-926-4905, email (info@ therenewalpoint.com), visit us at www. therenewalpoint.com, or come to one of our upcoming seminars. 
 
(as published in West Coast Woman, September 2016)

Zika is in Florida ~ Let’s protect those who can’t protect themselves!

Zika is explosively spreading in the Americas.  It is being linked to birth defects and brain damage, and is spread mainly through mosquitoes…mosquitoes bite someone who has Zika and then transmit the virus to the next person they bite.  Travel warnings have been issued for pregnant women, but we all need to take precautions to prevent further spread and protect those around us.  Here are some answers to the common questions asked about this virus:

Are we at risk for Zika virus in the US?

Viruses such as Zika, Denque Fever, Chikungunya, and West Nile Virus are all transmitted by the Aedes mosquito; this mosquito is present in every country in North, Central, and South America except for two: Canada and continental Chile.  Experts from the CDC say that the US is unlikely to see similar mass outbreaks to the ones we are seeing in Latin America and the Caribbean; however, they warn that Zika can be transmitted by way of traveling to these countries and from people (via mosquitoes and sexual intercourse) who have traveled to these countries. There have been at least 15 reported cases of locally (Miami, FL) transmitted Zika.  It’s important to take measures to protect yourself from mosquito bites ~ it will ensure your safety and the safety of others. 

How do I know if I have Zika virus?

Symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, and redness in the eyes, but only 1 in 5 people who have the disease will have any symptoms.  Compounding the problem is that it gets mistaken for the flu because the symptoms are similar.  This is why it is especially important to take precautionary measures.  In rare cases, Zika has been tied to Guillain-Barre syndrome, a disorder that can cause paralysis, usually temporarily.  The biggest problem with Zika is that it is linked to microcephaly in babies born to mothers affected by the disease.  Microcephaly stunts the growth of a baby’s head and can sometimes cause fatal brain damage and miscarriage or stillbirth.  It is because of this that we must all be proactive in preventing Zika transmission ~ while harmless to many, it may be fatal for some. 

How does Zika compare to other mosquito-borne illnesses?

Zika is transmitted by the same mosquito (Aedes) that transmits dengue fever, chikungunya, and West Nile virus.  All of these viruses cause a variety of flu-like symptoms that can last from days to weeks.  Most people with these viruses show no symptoms.

How is Zika treated?

There is no treatment for Zika.  The disease usually runs its course within a week or so.  During this time, the person is a Zika carrier, which means that if they get bit by a mosquito, the mosquito can transmit the virus to someone else…this is how it spreads so rapidly. 

What if I’m pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant?

It is critical that you take preventive measures. Talk to your doctor about Zika.  Avoid traveling to countries with Zika warnings (see below).  If you must travel to these countries, be sure to take all necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Pregnant women who have traveled to a country with Zika warnings can be tested 2 to 12 weeks after returning. It is important for the male partner to take precautions as well since Zika can be spread through sex, as well as through mosquito bites (a mosquito in the house could bite the male with Zika and then go and bite the pregnant woman and give it to her). Pregnant women with Zika need to have ultrasounds every 3 to 4 weeks to monitor the baby’s growth.  Zika is most dangerous in the 1st and 2nd trimester, but can still be dangerous in the 3rd trimester.  If either partner have been exposed to Zika, they should wait to get pregnant; experts advise that women wait 2-3 months and men wait 6 months before trying to conceive.  Once exposed to the virus, it’s very unlikely that you will get the virus again; antibodies build up against the virus, helping to prevent future exposure.  However, it is best to not get Zika in the first place; the best way to prevent the spread of Zika is to prevent being a carrier of the virus.

 Which countries have Zika warnings?

American Samoa, Anguilla, Argentina, Aruba, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Bonaire, Brazil, Cape Verde, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Kosrae, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mexico, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Saba, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin/Sint Maarten, Samoa, St. Eustatius, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Venezuela

What precautions can we take to prevent mosquito bites and the diseases they carry?

1. Apply mosquito repellent (see suggestions below).
2. Cover skin with tightly woven long-sleeved shirts and pants while outdoors. 
3. Wear lightly colored clothing ~ they are less likely to see you this way.
4. Eliminate sources of standing water by draining any containers, no matter how small.
5. Quickly close doors when entering or exiting.
6. Be especially careful with bromeliads and other container plants ~ flush them weekly or remove them.
7. If you leave windows open, make sure your house has window screens.
8. If you plan to travel to affected regions, be especially careful to avoid mosquito bites while traveling and for at least 10 days once you are back (to avoid spreading viruses that you might have picked up on your trip).

What are some natural mosquito repellants?

• Lemon eucalyptus oil is approved by the CDC as an effective mosquito repellent.  Recent research shows that a mixture containing at least 32% lemon eucalyptus oil is over 95% effective against mosquitoes for 3 hours!  To create your own mixture, combine 1 part lemon eucalyptus oil with 10 parts sunflower oil or witch hazel. If your child is under 3 years of age, talk to their pediatrician.
• Consumer Reports showed that Repel 30 Lemon Eucalyptus Repellent was able to ward off mosquitoes for 7 hours.  If your child is under 3 years of age, talk to their pediatrician.
• Fans!  If you have access to a fan, you can blow the mosquitoes away.  Setting up 1 or 2 high powered fans on the porch does wonders to keep mosquitoes at bay.  And a personal fan is always an option as well and is great for strollers, just be sure that it has safety blades if it’s being used around small children.

Facts about the Aedes Aegypti mosquito (the primary Zika mosquito):

1. These  mosquitoes are specifically adapted to people living in urban environments and generally don’t bite other mammals or birds.
2. They are sneaky, approaching from behind to bite ankles and elbows.
3. As opposed to other mosquitoes who get blood meal from one host in one bite, these are “sip feeders” sampling a little blood from lots of people in one feeding session.
4. They don’t travel very far ~ on average about 1/4 mile.  The diseases they carry are mostly spread through transoceanic travel ~ especially if a person is flying from and to a place with aegypti mosquitoes.
5. They are “container mosquitoes” ~ they look for containers that fill with water and lay sticky eggs o the walls of the containers. This includes container plants, wheelbarrows, forgotten frisbees…etc, etc. The eggs hatch when the water level rises. (This is why the most common advice is to Get Rid of Standing Water).  The eggs look like tiny grains of black rice.
6. The eggs can become adult mosquitoes in 7 to 10 days or they can wait months or years to hatch.  Once they are submerged in water and the weather is warm enough, they can hatch.  So, it’s important to empty any standing water, even in the winter.
7. They are day biters…especially around dusk or dawn.  They are most active for two hours after sunrise and two hours before sunset.  Outdoor lighting encourages nighttime biting.
8. Insecticide sprays may be necessary in some situations but the problem is that they are broad spectrum…killing all insects such as bees, butterflies, fireflies, dragonflies – which are themselves kill mosquitoes and their eggs. If you do choose to go with insecticides, it’s recommended to go with “biorational” ones (BIT and methoprene) which kill a narrower range of insects…targeting mosquito larvae in water.  

Sources: WebMD, Consumer Reports, and Journal of American Mosquito Control Assoc., Comparative laboratory and field evaluation

Helena Williams, ARNP, MSN gives an overview of the metabolic weight loss program and also gives tips for how to stay healthy through the holidays.  Learn about her 3/4 strategy to help enjoy your holiday favorites without going overboard!  

Get ready for the holidays!  You can stay healthy and still have fun ~ Dr. Watts discusses: navigating the holiday table, best options at the meal, and skipping meals.  

What are the big mistakes that people make when it comes to weight loss?  And what are the keys to weight loss?  Which supplements are best for weight loss?  

Pam was working out and eating healthy but she wasn’t losing weight  ~ in fact, she was gaining weight. Tests showed that the problem was due to imbalanced hormones ~ once she got those balanced, she lost 75 lbs!