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Since the discovery of telomeres, doctors and scientist have dreamed of using them to control aging.  In 1973, Alexey Olonikov discovered that telomeres, which are tiny units of DNA at the very end of each chromosome, shorten each time the cell divides.  Hence, as you get older and your telomeres get shorter, you are at increased risk for many age-related diseases including death.  The theory is that if you can keep your telomeres from shortening, you can live much longer with a higher quality of life.

Most recently, Ronald DePinho, a cancer geneticist at the Dana-Faber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School in Boston, was surprised to find that when he gave a certain enzyme, called telomerase, to older animals, these animals showed a dramatic reversal of aging.  (Telomerase prevents the telomeres from shortening and even has the ability to lengthen them.)  He described the outcome as near ‘the mythical Fountain of Youth’ that was searched for by Ponce de Leon.

The downside to giving telomerase to humans, at the present time, says DePinho, “is that it seems to help existing tumors grow faster.  If treatment can be made safe, it could lead to breakthroughs in treating a variety of diseases of aging.”

While the possibilities of telomerase are exciting, it looks as if the technology is still in the research phase.  So until the science can be worked out, should we (humans) just sit around and do nothing about our telomere length?  Is there anything that can be done now?

The good news is – Yes!  There are many proven health strategies that can slow telomere shortening while effectively decreasing premature aging.  At The Renewal Point, we have become experts at two of them, namely hormone balancing and exercise.

HORMONE BALANCE-which has been so valuable for women in many other ways has also been shown to slow down telomere shortening.  Dr. Richard Cawthon of the Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, found that telomere lengths were longer in postmenopausal women who had taken hormones (no matter what age they started at) than in postmenopausal women without a history of hormone therapy.

HIGH INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING- which is known to trim and slim our bodies has also been found to slow down telomere shortening.   In a recent study published in Mechanisms of Aging and Development, the author’s state:  “There is a direct association between reduced telomere shortening in your later years and high-intensity-type exercises.”

At The Renewal Point, we use the science/evidence-based methods of bioidentical hormone balancing and physical training, to help our patients achieve healthy aging. Together, with nutrition and toxin elimination, we see improvements in sexuality, brain function, body composition, physical conditioning, cardiovascular health, skin, hair, nails, energy, and vitality.

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, or RSVP for an upcoming seminar.

References:

  1. Sex Hormones Modulate the Length of Telomere. Rodrigo T. Calado, et al. Blood 2006 108:182. www.gloodjournal.org/content/108/182
  2. The Immortality Edge. Dave Woynarowski et al. 2010
  3. Telomerase Reverses Ageing Process. Ewen Callaway. Nature News. Nov 2010.

  Hormone Balancing Made Simple

“I miss the old me. I’m irritable, tired, lots of brain fog…. having trouble sleeping through the night… and forget about sex,”  a patient told me as she sat in my office.  She had recently moved to Sarasota and had been on hormones prescribed from another physician in her previous town for over a year.  She was taking them faithfully, but still not feeling much better.  She did say that at least her hot flashes and vaginal dryness had resolved… “I’m glad for that,” she said, “but I just want to feel like myself again. I used to have energy, focus, and a pretty good sex drive, but all that seems to have changed with menopause.”

When I asked to see labs that were drawn prior to beginning hormone therapy, and then after, to see if they had balanced, I was surprised to hear that no hormone lab tests had been run.  “My doctor just began me on an estrogen pill in the morning and a progesterone pill before bedtime. Later, we switched to an estrogen patch and kept the same pill at night,” she added, “but….” and she began to tear up.

When a series of blood and salivary test results came back, we found her answers.  Her cortisol levels were low all day long, relating to an adrenal fatigue problem.  Her estrone levels were high, contributing to irritability and increasing a tendency toward Estrogen Dominance.  Her testosterone levels were practically non-existent, explaining her brain fog and lack of libido.  Blood tests also revealed a persistent low progesterone level, although she was faithfully taking her nighttime dose of progesterone.

Through lab tests, we knew how to correct the problem.  After a few weeks, she was sleeping through the night.  Within two months, her irritability had calmed down.  And within three months, her libido was back where she wanted it.

While the only way to tell if you truly need hormone replacement therapy is through blood, saliva, and/or urine testing, there are some symptoms in both men and women that can provide clues as to whether or not you might be experiencing hormone imbalances. These include…

Fatigue

Brain fog

Low sex drive

Mood swings

Vaginal dryness

Erectile dysfunction

Depression/Anxiety

Trouble sleeping

Memory loss

Irritability

Weight gain

Hot flashes

Most patients come to our practice because they are experiencing one or more of these symptoms.  From there, we determine which tests are most appropriate to run.  And, from there, we run these tests every 6 months to make sure they continue to stay on track.

From the inception of The Renewal Point 20 years ago, one of our mottos has been “Test and Correct”.  We continue to practice this today because of how important it is to personalize every regimen we give to our patients.

If any of the above symptoms are bothering you, we encourage you to reach out to us.  You can give us a call at 941-926-4905, visit our website at TheRenewalPoint.com, or email us at info@therenewalpoint.com.  You CAN live the life you imagine!

Ka-put / Kä ‘pŏŏt – no longer working, broken down; inoperative.

It’s not “all in your head”

Women should feel healthy, vibrant and strong throughout their adult lives. If you’ve been told, “It’s all in your head,” or “learn to live with it,” read this patient’s story…

She visited The Renewal Point several years ago, at the age of 52. During her evaluation, she lamented that since menopause her health had taken a dive. She suffered from fatigue, brain fog, depression and insomnia. She had frequent bouts of mood swings and lack of romantic desires, both affecting her marriage.

She also experienced a recent history of sensitivity to cold. Her body temperature ran low. She was also disturbed about significant hair loss, constipation and had severe muscle aches. Additionally, she had recurring sinus infections, headaches and cystitis for which she had been given numerous antibiotics and pain medication.

She sought the care of her physician, who, after a general exam told her “Your blood tests are all normal.” He recommended treatment with antidepressants and sleep medication.

She did as prescribed but still feeling ‘punk’, she discussed her health problems with a friend. This friend told her that there may be natural solutions for her problems and recommended The Renewal Point.

The Plan of Care

The symptoms she experienced are common to women in her age group, caused by hypothyroidism, hormonal imbalance, poor nutrition and lack of essential vitamins and minerals. All the antibiotics that she had taken for infection had killed her normal colon flora leading to yeast overgrowth.

Through The Renewal Point, she was prescribed natural bioidentical hormones, natural desiccated thyroid and placed on a yeast-free eating plan. She was given recommendations for vitamins and minerals.

Within a few months, her fatigue and depression and other symptoms had disappeared.

By three months, she was able to discontinue medications and slowly weaned off her antidepressants. She told me, “I haven’t felt this good in years.”

Lack of energy is one of the most common reasons that women and men come to see us.  While almost everything about lack of energy is negative, the one upside of it is that it alerts us to an underlying problem.  While it’s normal to have some ‘low energy’ days here and there, consistently low energy levels are a telltale sign that you need to seek help ~ the type of help that gets to the root of the problem, not just the symptoms.

If you have been experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, we are here to help! For more information or to set up an appointment, you can give us a call at 941-926-4905.

References:

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

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!

It can be hard figuring out what’s healthy and what’s not. There are so many things to consider these days…does it have additives, pesticides, GMOs….the list goes on and on.

Luckily, when it comes to fruits and vegetables it’s pretty straightfoward, thanks to something that the Environmental Working Group calls the “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean Fifteen”. Take this list to the grocery store with you while you are shopping to make it easier.

The “Dirty Dozen” are the fruits and vegetables that have been found to contain the most pesticides. These are the ones that you will want to buy organic, when possible:

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

The “Clean Fifteen” are the fruits and vegetables that contain the least amount of pesticides:

  1. Avocados
  2. Sweet Corn (some of the sweet corn in the US is made with GMO seeds, so buy organic or non-GMO sweet corn if you want to avoid GMO)
  3. Pineapple
  4. Onions
  5. Papaya (some of the papaya in the US is also made with GMO seeds, so buy organic or non-GMO papaya if you want to avoid GMO)
  6. Sweet Peas Frozen
  7. Eggplant
  8. Asparagus
  9. Broccoli
  10. Cabbage
  11. Kiwi
  12. Cauliflower
  13. Mushrooms
  14. Honeydew Melon
  15. Cantaloupe

Haven’t started your New Year’s Resolution yet?  No worries!  This article is for you 😊 

First, you’re not alone.  Second, research shows that taking your time can even work to your advantage…

When it comes to Behavior Modification, which is ultimately what most people do when they embark upon a New Year’s Resolution, working through the Stages of Change can produce more long-lasting results than diving in headfirst.  Here’s an overview of The Stages of Change:

  1. Pre-contemplation Stage – People in this stage are not thinking about taking any action so, in terms of the behavior that you are looking to change for 2022, we can skip to the Contemplation stage.
  2. Contemplation: If you are intending to start the behavior within the next 6 months, this is the stage you are in.  In this stage you are weighing the pros and cons of changing the behavior, and the pros are beginning to outweigh the cons.
  3. Preparation: This is most likely the stage you are in if you are thinking of taking action within about 30 days.  In this stage you are asking for advice and probably doing some research on the internet to figure out next steps.  You might even be taking some small steps in the behavior change itself.
  4. Action: This is the stage people are in when they have recently (within the last 6 months) taken action and plan to continue to do so.  
  5. Maintenance: When you’ve been doing the behavior/action for more than 6 months, and/or have reached your goal, you are now in the Maintenance Stage of Change.  The behavior is now a part of your lifestyle and has become a habit. 

So… if you haven’t started (or even thought of) your New Year’s Resolution yet, our suggestion is to look at it as more of a Spring Renewal.  In Chinese Medicine, the Spring Equinox, which follows the Chinese New Year, is the time for growth and change.  If you are person who likes to have a particular date in mind…look towards the week of March 13th-March 20th. 

March 13th is when the time changes and March 20th marks the beginning of Spring. So, any time within this week would be great!  For those choosing to start or restart an exercise program, that time change can be particularly handy.

Whatever your behavior change might be, we are here for you and happy to answer any questions you might have! 

Sincerely,

Dr. Watts and The Renewal Point Team

“Toxic metals in the environment may increase the risk of atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque in the arteries that can prevent blood and oxygen from reaching major organs. Arsenic and cadmium, metals that can be found in food, water and tobacco, plus titanium, which can come from dental and orthopedic implants, cosmetics or auto manufacturing, were associated with a higher likelihood of having clogged arteries in the neck, leg and heart in this study of auto assembly workers in Spain. Current global environmental, occupational and food safety standards may be insufficient to protect people from the adverse effects of metals, according to study authors.” To view this article in full, please click on this link: https://www.therenewalpoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Exposure-to-toxic-metals-may-increase-risk-of-clogged-arteries-ScienceDaily.pdf

According to a recent peer reviewed research paper in Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience by Magdalena Miranda,  “Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a key molecule involved in plastic changes related to learning and memory”. In plain words, it is the fertilizer of new brain cells and very active in neurotransmission ~ it sends signals throughout the brain and nervous system.

The paper goes on to say, “The expression of BDNF is highly regulated and can lead to great variability in BDNF levels in healthy subjects.  Changes in BDNF expression are associated with both normal and pathological aging and psychiatric disease, in particular structures important for memory processes such as the hippocampus and parahippocampal areas.” Again, in plain words, this molecule is a very important regulator of the aging brain.  The hippocampus is the memory center of the brain ~ keep it active and you will have much less risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s.

BDNF has been found to:

  1. Enhance neurogenesis- This is the growth of our own neural baby stem cells. As we age and neuroplasticity decreases we cannot learn as fast and have a harder time retaining knowledge.  Watch the speed at which a baby or child learns. How’s yours?
  2. Effect neurotransmission- The faster your brain cells transmit messages, the smarter you are.
  3. Improve learning and memory- This molecule causes the learning centers of the brain to grow even as we age! The hippocampus and white and grey matter of the brain shrink without it.
  4. Decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s- Dr Bredesen is famous for the Re-code program in his bestselling book, The End of Alzheimer’s. In it, he states BDNF is one of the keys in preventing this feared disease.
  5. Possibly improve Neuropsychiatric Disease-by increasing endogenous serotonin (the joy hormone) and norepinephrine (the feel-good hormone).

So… how can you keep your own BDNF high?  Dr. Bredesen recommends the following formula:

  1. A Keto-flex 12/3 diet (a specific type of intermittent fasting), high in nutrients and low on simple sugar.
  2. Exercise- The brain needs to know you are still alive and active. Exercise is not only good for your brain but also for your heart (and waistline for some of us).
  3. Eat foods high in antioxidants. Vitamins A, E, C and glutathione help the brain to clear toxic proteins, such as amyloid-beta and tau.
  4. Balance neurotrophic hormones such as Estrogen, Testosterone, DHEAS and Pregnenolone. Estrogen balance alone has been found to lower the risk of Alzheimer’s by 30%!  No pharmaceutical, so far, has even come close.

With over 30 years of experience and numerous board certifications and credentials, Dr. Watts, MD, ND, MSNM is an expert in Bio-Identical Hormones  and Neurotransmitter Balancing.  As brain and body hormone balancing is both an art and science, it requires expertise in 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 and transmitter balancing, it is imperative that you work in partnership with an experienced provider and program.

To learn more, we encourage you to visit the website at TheRenewalPoint.com, and/or call 941-926-4905.

References:

  1. Binder, D.K. and Scharfman, H.E.; Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor; National Institutes of Health Public Access.
  2. Miranda, M. et al; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor: A Key Molecule for Memory in the Healthy and the Pathological Brain; Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience.

“Unnecessary?” I wondered as I tried to understand exactly what my patient’s Internist was referring to.

“The bioidentical hormones that Dr. Watts prescribed for you are unnecessary for life.” Gloria’s primary care physician had further explained and then questioned, “Why take them?”

Now I understood. Most doctors are not taught about bioidentical hormones in medical school, so rather than allow Gloria to get in the middle of a medical controversary, I spoke with her Internist directly.

“Do you have any patient Gloria’s age in as good condition as she is?”

“I do not,” her doctor replied. “Gloria is the example of health for all my other patients.”

Gloria, an 83-year-old mother and grandmother was in peak health mentally, physically and emotionally. She wakes up after 8 hours sleep every day to walk her dogs. After breakfast, she exercises with her personal trainer for an hour. In the afternoon, she runs production with a family business and has a strong political calendar. In the evenings, she is active socially and spends time with her family. She takes no medication; her muscles and bones are equal to that of a 35-year-old woman and her brain function and active lifestyle are that of a much younger person.

“She may be one example,” Gloria’s Internist said. “So, what do the medical journals say about bioidentical hormones? Are there risks?”

I explained, “Bioidentical hormones have been found to be much safer than their pharmaceutical counterparts, but are not regulated by the FDA because they are natural and non-patentable, just as the FDA does not regulate oranges and apples.” As for the medical literature: (1)

Quality of Life

Senior men and women in bioidentical hormone programs such as Gloria’s consistently notice improvements in: (2)

  • Energy….88%
  • Facial appearance….55%
  • Memory….59%
  • Skin tone….55%
  • Athletic performance….68%
  • Strength….73%
  • Pain relief….35%
  • Body fat….68%
  • Better sleep….50%
  • Lean muscle….73%
  • Sense of health….70%
  • Libido….83%
  • Frequent illness….53%
  • Sexual performance….60%

Medical Benefits:

  • Alzheimer’s decrease – 50% (3)
  • Cardiovascular risk decrease – 40% (4)
  • Decrease in Osteoporosis (5)
  • No increased risk for breast cancer (6)
  • No increased risk coagulation/thromboembolism (7)

It’s no wonder that so many people are turning to bio-identical hormones!In terms of whether it’s necessary or not, it depends on what your goals are ~ if your goals contain some of the items in the lists of benefits above, then it’s probably something you’ll want to consider.

Dr. Watts, MD, ND, MSNM is an expert in Bio-identical Hormone Balancing.  With over 25 years experience in hormone balancing, a Board Certification in Integrative Medicine, a Post-doctoral Certification in Metabolic Endocrinology, and a Fellowship in Anti-Aging, Regenerative, and Functional Medicine, Dr. Watts has put together a Hormone Balancing Program that has helped thousands of patients renew their love and vigor for life.

References:

1.  Kent Holtorf, MD. The Bioidentical Hormone Debate: Are Bioidentical Hormones

(Estradiol, Estriol, and Progesterone) Safer or More Efficacious than Commonly Used

Synthetic Versions in Hormone Replacement Therapy? Postgraduate medicine, Volume 121,

Issue, January 2009, ISSN – 0032-5481, e-ISSN – 1941-9260.

2.  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.

3.  Bredesen. The End of Alzheimer’s. 2017.

4.  Circulation. Nov. 2007.

5.  How Estrogen Protects. Science Daily. March 25, 2007.

6.  A. Fournier. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2008 Jan, 107(1):103-11. Epub 2007 Feb 27.

7.  Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy and Risk of Stroke. (No increased risk of

coagulation/thromboembolism.) Circulation. M. Canonico. 2007, 115(7): 840-845.

Brain fog can be a sign that your hormones are out of balance.

A 54-year-old woman began to notice difficulty thinking shortly after beginning menopause.  When she was first seen in my office, she stated that she was not hopeful because she was told by other doctors that there was little that could be done.  She had recently lost her job as administrator of a realty office due to her inability to focus.  Two years prior, she had been evaluated by a neurologist, who made a diagnosis of mild cognitive decline and depression and placed her on an antidepressant.  Her symptoms worsened.  An MRI showed no brain atrophy, but her cerebrospinal fluid revealed abnormalities compatible with early Alzheimer’s disease.  She was subsequently placed on Alzheimer’s meds, which also had little effect.  She continued to decline.

“Frustrated, scared.  The inside of my head feels like its on fire.  I can’t sleep.  I’m losing it.  Can anything be done?”  She asked.

“Fortunately, yes,” I told her.  “There are breakthrough programs used in Integrative Medicine that have been proven to enhance cognition and reverse the decline of Alzheimer’s.”

Many patients, like her, who come to my office have been told by well-meaning doctors that there is nothing that can be done—that symptoms will progress.  The fear of what is to become of them is overwhelming. -Losing their memories, becoming a burden to their family, the financial drain, loss of driver’s license-the list goes on.

“Finding the root cause, of which there are multiple contributions, becomes the solution.  Then, to remove toxic and inflammatory burdens which cause the problem and rebuild the brain by correcting nutritional, hormonal and metabolic deficiencies becomes the key,”  says neurologist, Dr. Dale Bredesen, director of the Buck Institute, UCLA and author of The New York Times best seller The End of Alzheimer’s.

“Carefully timed and judicious use of Bio-Identical Hormone replacement therapy can positively impact cognition.” Dr. Bredesen states in his best seller.  “Careful analysis of multiple studies reveals that Bio-identical Hormone Therapy exerts a positive effect on cognition.  Indeed, women who undergo removal of their ovaries prior to menopause are at greatly increased risk of cognitive decline, without hormone replacement.  Equally important is to correct the hormones transdermally, not orally, using only Bio-Identical Hormones, not synthetic, chemical types.”

Women who go through scenarios such as this describe feeling out of sorts.  Not knowing about hormone imbalance issues can make it difficult to understand the connection between the brain fog and hormones as the problem. Some common symptoms of brain fog associated with a hormone imbalance include – agitation, feeling too tired to engage in normal activities, unexplained anger or other emotions, difficulty thinking things through, inability to recall names or certain events, headaches and insomnia.

Her lab work revealed that her hormone levels where dismally low.  The issue was corrected with Bio-identical Hormones and within two weeks she was sleeping much better.  Within two months she was feeling more energetic, and her sexual libido had returned.  By three months, she felt normal again.  Her cognition, she said, “Is the best it’s been in years.”

If you or someone you love is experiencing brain fog, forgetfulness, tiredness, insomnia, or any other symptoms that are getting in the way of living a fulfilled and optimal life, we encourage you to contact us.

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.