“Everyone wants to live longer and science is starting to make that happen. But ‘living better’ will be the real challenge and opportunity.

In Time Magazine’s article on the science of aging well, Laura L. Carstensen explains:

“We live in extraordinary times. And thanks to medical and scientific advances that even a generation ago would have sounded like science fiction, our lives are getting longer. An American born today has a projected average life span 20 full years longer than one born in 1925, and we are, as a society, growing old. For the first time in U.S. history, the number of people over 60 exceeds those under age 15.”

Long life is a remarkable achievement. But our aging society presents challenges every bit as fundamental as climate change and globalization. If we, as a society, address the reality of longevity, we can avoid a crisis altogether and improve the quality of our lives at all ages while we’re at it. We need to plan.

Up to this era in time, improved drugs, diagnostic testing, surgeries, disease treatment and other medical advances have done a good job reducing fatality rates.

But what about the illnesses and medical conditions associated with aging? Is there a way to reverse, stop or prevent the symptoms of aging and nudge out a few more quality years?

The good news, you’ll be happy to hear, doesn’t include subsisting only on food that tastes like cardboard or spending the rest of your life in an ashram at the top of the Himalayans meditating.

For 15 years, The Renewal Point has offered individualized age management services for our patients. Our services include science evidence-based, integrative, and proven programs based on a simple 4-cornerstone approach.

The Four Cornerstones of Age Management

1. Hormone Balance‒Hormone imbalances, which occur as we get older, can be improved by Natural Hormone Rebalancing: sexuality, skin, strong bone & muscle, libido, sleep, energy, mood, focus, memory.

2. Body Composition‒Includes not only fit, trim bodies but also improved aerobic capacity, strength, lean fat mass, joint health, balance, and flexibility. Exercise is widely thought to be one of the best ways, if not the best way, to stretch your quality time.  If you are looking for a individualized exercise program, we suggest contacting us about our in-office CKC Fitness Program.

3. Nutrition‒Nutritional deficiencies are found in 75% of people who eat a good diet and take supplements. This deficiency can lead to an increased risk for heart disease, cancer, neurological symptoms, fatigue and hormone imbalances. Many of us need more nutrients because of genetic anomalies or decreased digestion and absorption (which also declines as we age). Testing is necessary to determine these deficiencies.

4. Toxin Elimination ‒If you eat, breathe or drink water, you will accumulate toxins in your body: heavy metals, plastic, herbicides, pesticides, PCBs, etc. These poisons steal our health. Tests can reveal these toxins, so we can determine how to eliminate them.

Join The Renewal Point in discovering your potential for ageless vitality. Together we can build a world where people arrive at old age mentally sharp, physically fit, sexually vital and wiser.

University of California scientists discover a unique program to reverse cognitive decline by balancing hormones:

Known by many names: brain degeneration, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, and others, cognitive decline can slip in and steal our health, our feelings, our memories, and even our loved ones. Having spent billions of dollars on research over the last 80 years with thousands of scientists working on the problem, there is still no cure. Medications have had marginal effects at best.

Furthermore, it has been pointed out that women are at the epicenter of the Alzheimer’s epidemic, with 65% of patients and 60% of caregivers being women.

That’s the bad news, now for the good –

In a breakthrough brain health program, studied at the esteemed Buck Institute for Research on Aging (University of California, L.A.), a team of scientists were able to reverse memory loss in 90% of the patients. Cognition returned in 3-6 months, with the only failure being in late stage Alzheimer’s. Better yet, improvements have been noted over the course of years now!

The great news out of all this is that brain degeneration is not inevitable – medical science is learning how to stop it and, in many cases, even recover what is lost. Your brain has amazing powers of regeneration.

A case study

A 55-year-old woman, married with two grown children, was healthy until menopause. Her symptoms resembled those of a full-blown neurotic. She described herself as:

• “Losing it”
• “Absent-minded”
• “Trouble sleeping”
• “Flipping out”
• “Can’t focus”
• “Fuzzy thoughts”
• “Think I’m getting early Alzheimer’s”

Fortunately, she was not getting Alzheimer’s. Within a few months of hormone balancing, as recommended by The Renewal Point, all her symptoms subsided.

Dr. K. Yaffee writes in the Journal of Neurology that natural hormone balancing improves memory and decreases Alzheimer’s risk by 50%.

Estrogen therapy decreased ẞ-Amyloid and risk of Alzheimer’s; improves long-term memory 30%.

Testosterone improves cognitive function in both men and women.

Cortisol bathes the Prefrontal Cortex which is responsible for critical working memory and executive function.

Insulin maintains neural synapses and amyloid regulation.

Growth Hormone is significantly lower in patients with memory loss.

Thyroid irregularities can lead to impaired spatial learning and memory.

If you or a loved one have been experiencing any of the symptoms that were mentioned in this article ~ or any other symptoms related to cognitive decline ~ it’s definitely worth getting your hormones levels checked.  Bio-identical hormone balancing could be the key to getting your memory, vitality, and life back!

Dr. Watts, MD, ND, MSNM and Deb Spinner, ARNP, MSN, are experts in Bio-identical and NeuroAdrenal Hormone Balancing.  With over 25 years experience in Hormone Balancing, a Post-doctoral Certification in Metabolic Endocrinology, and a Fellowship in Anti-Aging, Regenerative, and Functional Medicine, Dr. Watts has put together programs that have helped thousands of patients renew their love and vigor for life.  To schedule an appointment, ask questions, or get more information, you can call us at 941-926-4905.

References:

1. Lambert, S. The Endocrinology of Aging and the Brain. Arch Neurology, 2002. 59:1709-11.
2. Wilcoxon, J. Behavioral Inhibition and Impaired Spatial Learning and Memory. Behavior Brain Res. 2007. 1771(1): 109-116.
3. Davidson, S. Endocrine Society ~ 93rd Annual Meeting, 2011.
4. Flood, J. Age-related Decrease of Plasma Testosterone. Physiol. Behavior, 1995. 57: 669-73.
5. Lupen, S. The Modulatory Effects of Corticosteroids on Cognition: Studies in young human populations. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2002. 27: 401-16.
6. Croft, S. Intranasal Insulin Therapy for Alzheimer’s disease and Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment. Arch Neurol. Sept. 2011.

     “He wants sex.  She wants romance.”  So says John Gray, PhD in ‘Mars and Venus in the Bedroom’.  Sometimes it seems as if our partners are from different planets.  In the bedroom, it is obvious that men and women are different, but we may not realize just how different.  It is only through understanding and accepting our obvious and less obvious differences that we can achieve true intimacy and great sex.¹

It’s no secret that boys and girls are different and it’s not only our outside appearance.  Our brains are hugely different as well.  Although the skulls of men and women are similar in size, the brain of a female is smaller, but much more active than that of a male.  Consider the White Matter of a woman’s brain, ‘Communication Central’, is a whopping eleven times greater.  Likewise, the Cingulate Cyrus, the worry center, is much larger in women than men, and the Amygdala, the area of anxiety and fear, is much more active.

Were we able to hook our brains up to an MRI Scan and/or follow us around all day, we could detect a world of difference between the two genders, and no greater would be that difference than in sexual arousal.  Since an article on the entire issue of female sexuality would rival the Encyclopedia Britannica, we will focus on only this one issue.

Male arousal.

Initiation of the sexual response in a male is less complex, faster and more spontaneous than that of a woman’s.  Literally, he is controlled by the reptilian brain (no joke).²  His sexual interest can be easily aroused by such a simple encounter as a seductive glance, or an incidental brush by.

Her Amygdala.

Unlike the male brain which arouses more easily, the key to female sexuality ‘turn-on’ begins ironically with a brain ‘turn-off’.  The impulses which rush to the pleasure centers can trigger an orgasm only if the Amygdala and the Cingulate Gyrus, the fear and anxiety center of the brain, have been deactivated.  It’s no wonder ‘foreplay’ activities such as a foot rub , conversation, or a glass of wine prior to the bedroom are a good idea for any man considering getting his partner into the mood for romance.

Also consider: No phones, no emails and no worries about work, the kids or schedules.

Men are like microwaves – women are like slow cookers.

Likewise, a woman’s complex White Matter, communication central, needs to be put into the mood for her to enjoy a satisfying sexual experience.  Multitasking, an innate strength of women, under control of this ‘always active’ white matter, can many times get in the way.  Overwork, stress at home, worry and tension can interfere with her ability to relax, feel safe and allow for a close relationship to happen.  Anger, for instance, can often times be a turn-on for a man, initiating his reptilian brain into a passionate frenzy, while a woman can’t be angry at her partner and want to have sex with him at the same time.

Makes you wonder, doesn’t it?

     The fuel for love.

At The Renewal Point, we commonly hear as a complaint, “My sexual desire has fallen.”  It’s a fact that libido commonly wanes in females as they age and especially after menopause.  Fortunately, this is usually just a hormonal issue and can be easily helped.  Let’s explore how.

The sexual desire trigger for both genders is testosterone.  Testosterone is the chemical fuel that gets the brain’s sexual engine going and testosterone deficiency is common in women past menopause.  Until this deficiency is rebalanced, it is difficult for her to initiate sexual arousal.  When there is enough testosterone bathing the brain, the hypothalamus revs up igniting erotic feelings, arousing sexual fantasies and that physical sensation in the erogenous zone.

At The Renewal Point, we are experts on rebalancing this very powerful sex chemical with bio-identical hormones.  For more information on this topic, we encourage to listen to this 15 minutes podcast with Dr. Watts.

References:

1.)  Mars and Venus in the Bedroom.  John Gray, Ph.D.

2.)  The Female Brain.  Louann Brizendine, M.D.

When it’s time for romance, these three little hormones of love are a BIG thing. And if they are not in balance, it can lead to a real problem.

Take for instance the case of a recent patient… a 42-year-old, happily married, mother of two high school students, who appeared to be the picture of health on the outside. She exercised regularly, ate whole foods and had no real abnormal stresses in her life.  But she said things were not right with her in the bedroom.

“Back in the day,” she related with a grin, “I was always willing and sometimes the promoter of our lovemaking; however, lately, it feels as if those old flames have fizzled out.  Is that it? Is our love life destined to be this way forever?  I mean, the kids will be leaving for college soon, and my husband and I will have more time alone.  Is there any chance it’s just my hormones?  Is there any ‘love potion #9’ you can give me for my problem.”

I thought for a moment over all the marriage classes my wife and I attended when we were younger and asked her the usual questions- “Do you and your husband get away on dates or vacations alone?” I asked.  “Yes,” she responded.  “Do you have a time in the day you can connect on a husband to wife level.  Not talking about the kids or money or business issues.”  (Many couples end up just being business partners or roommates after years of marriage and forget to connect on a romantic level.)  “Yes,” she responded and told me they had attended marriage groups, learning those same skills of maintaining a happy marriage. “Thanks for reminding me,” she added.

“It might very well be your hormone balance, then,” I said, and proceeded to run a hormone panel.  I checked not only the ovarian hormones, but also, the three ‘hormones of love’, Oxytocin, Dopamine and Serotonin. These hormones are also referred to as our ‘happy hormones’.  When you’re attracted to another person your brain should release dopamine, your serotonin levels increase, and oxytocin is produced.

Sure enough, the lab results revealed that she was not producing a sufficient amount of any of these hormones that increase desire for sex and lovemaking.  When we rebalanced her dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin, she felt her old self return.  Her libido improved, her husband’s advances were met with enthusiasm and, as an extra benefit, her orgasms increased.

It’s no wonder that so many people are turning to Bio-identical Hormones!

Kathryn H., a 72-year-old, retired radio and TV personality was being interviewed by another female media host on a local health-talk radio show.  Her introduction began like this:

H.G.  ” Thank you for joining us this afternoon, Kathryn.  The reason I’ve asked you here is for you to share with our listening audience some of what we talked about at coffee last Friday. Truthfully, I was amazed.  You were telling me how you feel better now than you have in several years, in fact better than you have since your early 50’s.  My first question to you, is, what have you been doing?  I had always been under the assumption that as a person grows older, they look and feel older.  Now, you’re telling me it is possible to “anti-age”.

K.H.  “Thanks for inviting me “She began, then chuckled.  “While I can’t say it’s possible to grow younger as the years pass, I can say that since I have been following the Integrative Medical Program at The Renewal Point, I have better control of my weight and my husband and I are both happy with my renewed desire for sex and love.  Yes, my years have increased.  I am now older but feel younger.”

The accolades we receive from our patients at The Renewal Point are typical of Kathryn’s interview.  It is just as she said, while it is not possible to ‘anti-age’, you can slow down, stop and in many cases reverse the signs and symptoms of aging.  And, the good news is that this is not accomplished by magic or even following a rigid routine.  At The Renewal Point, we follow a simple, Four Cornerstone, time tested, science-evidenced protocol that has been proven to work.

As an example, tests from medical centers and universities around the U.S. of senior men and women on the effects of improving Nutrition, Exercise, Hormone Balance and Toxin Elimination concluded the following significant improvements.

• Energy 83%
• Memory 59%
• Productivity 65%
• Strength 73%
• Body fat 68%
• Lean muscle 73%
• Libido 80%
• Sexual performance 60%
• Facial appearance 68%
• Skin tone 55%
• Athletic performance 68%
• Pain relief 35%
• Better Sleep 50%
• Sense of well being 70%
• Frequency of illness 53%

It’s never too late.  No matter where you are in life, no matter age…we can help!  Our methods are simple, time-tested, and science/evidence based.

With over 30 years of experience and numerous board certifications and credentials, Dr. Watts, MD, ND, MSNM is an expert in the science and art of Integrative and Age Management Medicine.  If you are interested in learning more about things you can safely do to live a happier and longer life, we encourage you to call us at 941-926-4905, email us at info@therenewalpoint.com, and/or RSVP for an upcoming seminar.

Reference:

Hormone Modulation, Low Glycemic Nutrition, and Exercise Instruction: Effects on Disease Risk and Quality of Life. Journal of Antiaging Medicine. Vol 4, No. 4, July 2004.

Have you checked your adrenals?

As a physician, I am frequently reminded of just how fragile our bodies are to fall ill. At the same time, I am amazed at our ability to recover once the root cause is detected and corrected.

Take, for example, a new patient I had… a “fun-loving woman, fully engaged in life” had taken a turn….she had become “listless, moody, thrown out-of-sorts by petty things for months now.” She had seen her primary care physician who diagnosed depression and placed her on an antidepressant.

When she entered my office, she fell into a chair as if she were throwing herself into bed for a long nap. It was only 10:00 in the morning!

“I’ve always made myself available to my husband and children,” she lamented. “Now, I don’t have the energy to keep up. Everything seems impossible for me. The worst part is that I can’t explain why I feel so exhausted – and guilty for not being able to keep up.”

“To make matters worse, I own a growing, successful business. I can’t keep up there either. Bickering and gossip among the staff has taken a toll on me. I can’t handle it anymore. I dread going in this morning. I just want to go home and sleep for a few days – but I can’t.”

“The fatigue has made it impossible to keep up with my social calendar. I’m missing out on gym classes and girl time with my friends. They’ve given up asking me to join them. Forget keeping up with the kids’ school events.”

“What to do? I’m exhausted but can’t sleep, hungry all the time, and gained so much weight – frustrating!”

Sometimes it’s easier to see from the outside looking in. We can all get ourselves overly committed as our modern “pedal to the metal” lifestyles start whirling out of control.

Like this patient, every one of us will have periods of fatigue. But, after taking some time off – a vacation, a little sleep – we recover. However, this patient was not recovering in the way she was used to and she knew something was wrong. Based on her symptoms, I suspected an issue with her adrenals and, just as suspected, her lab tests revealed a condition called “Adrenal Fatigue.”

Jacqueline Redmer, MD, MPH explains, “Subclinical Adrenal Fatigue or burnout can develop when the adrenals (two small but very important glands that manage stress) have been working too hard for too long to keep up with high physical, psychological, emotional or toxic stress.”

In this case, I advised:

1. Reduce commitments and add in more fun, free time, and things you enjoy.
2. Set goals to obtain adequate sleep.
3. Laugh as much as possible.
4. Make good dietary choices – Limit alcohol and sugar.
5. Hire a business coach to help with the office.

While lifestyle changes are a must, this did not reverse all of her symptoms. Her Integrative Medical Plan to boost recovery included:

1. Herbs and vitamins (based on lab tests) to assist her adrenals.
2. Natural Hydrocortisone until her own adrenals picked up.

A few weeks into treatment, she was feeling better. Within two months, she weaned off the antidepressant – didn’t need it. She began to feel like her old self again, only now she has gained a new perspective on how to care for herself.

At The Renewal Point, we’ve helped thousands of men and women recover from adrenal fatigue. In this particular case, lab testing revealed that the solution would be supplements and natural hydrocortisone.  In other cases, testing reveals that toxins, genetics, or an underlying illness is at fault ~ in which case there may be a different plan of care.  This is why we always start with testing ~ it assists us in quickly getting to the root cause of the problem in order to determine the most appropriate action to take.

If you have been experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, we can help!  For more information or to set up an appointment, you can give us a call (941-926-4905), email us (info@therenewalpoint.com), or fill out the contact form here on our website: https://www.therenewalpoint.com/contact/

Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue:  Fatigue, Difficulty waking in the morning, Prone to infection, Craving sweets and salty foods, Difficulty concentrating, Irritability, Depression, Increased P.M.S.

Key Words: Adrenal Fatigue as opposed to Adrenal Insufficiency (Addison ’s disease) or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (C.F.S.).

References:

J.L. Wilson: Clinical perspective on stress, cortisol and adrenal fatigue.Adv Integr Med. 1 (2):93-96 2014

K.A. Head, G.S. Kelly: Nutrients and botanicals for treatment of stress: adrenal fatigue, neurotransmitter imbalance, anxiety, and restless sleep.Altern Med Rev. 14 (2):114-140 2009

Rakel, David. (2017). Integrative Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier.