According to a study published in the October 2010 Journal of Nutrition, consuming lots of luteolin-rich foods is a great way to maintain a strong memory. Luteolin, a bioflavonoid, is a biochemical agent that can reduce inflammation in the brain. It has potent antioxidant activities, and is a carbohydrate metabolism promoter, immune system modulator, and free radical scavenger.

The lead researcher, Rodney Johnson, from the University of Illinois' Division of Nutritional Sciences, stated that inflammation in the brain "appears to be a key contributor to age-related memory problems." Infection and inflammation can cause certain immune cells in the brain to release chemicals called cytokines, causing a series of chemical alterations in the brain. This can result in sleepiness, decreased memory, depressed feelings, and change in appetite.

In this study, older mice typically developed high levels of inflammatory molecules in the area of the brain - the hippocampus - that deals with memory. When the aged mice were on a luteolin diet they performed better on learning and memory tasks compared with the mice not on the special diet, and they also had levels of inflammatory cytokines similar to those of younger adult mice. The researchers concluded that providing a luteolin diet to the older mice "reduced inflammation in the brain and at the same time restored working memory to what was seen in young cohorts."

They added, "Dietary luteolin accesses the brain and inhibits or reduces activation of microglial cells and inflammatory cytokines they produce. The anti-inflammatory effect is likely the mechanism which allows their working memory to be restored to what it was at an earlier age."

Here are some tasty foods you should load up on for your pleasure and your brain's well-being: hot peppers, rutabagas, spinach, parsley, thyme, peppermint, basil, artichoke leaves, rosemary, sage, sweet peppers, olive oil, lemons, water spinach, lettuce, kohlrabi, Chinese kale, celeriac, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, chamomile tea, and celery.

Increased visceral body fat - that fat which is located in the belly and around internal organs - appears to be associated with poor bone health, likely acting as a risk factor for osteoporosis among premenopausal women. These dramatic findings were reported at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America last month. In this study, performed at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, the abdominal subcutaneous, visceral, and total fat, as well as the bone marrow fat and bone mineral density of 50 premenopausal women with various body mass indexes were evaluated.

The investigators found that women with increased visceral fat had higher levels of bone marrow fat and decreased bone mineral density. The lead investigator stated, "Our results showed that having a lot of belly fat is more detrimental to bone health than having more superficial fat or fat around the hips. It is important for the public to be aware that excess belly fat is a risk factor for bone loss, as well as heart disease and diabetes."

Please join us for this exciting seminar. Be sure to invite your friends and family, too. All interested persons are invited to attend, and, as always, they are completely free.

The seminar will be held in our office reception area, commencing at 6:00 PM and lasting until 7:00 or 7:30 PM. Please call 949-753-7475 to reserve your seats.

Tuesday, January 11
Dr. Tim Murbach will discuss the purpose and use of the "GI Detox (Biotransformation) Procedure - How to Heal the Gut." As one walks the pharmacy aisles these days, it seems that the shelves are filled with items designed to "fix" the many ills now afflicting our gastrointestinal tracts. What exactly is going on? Why are so many people in need of GI repair? Join our newest team member, Dr. Murbach, who is an experienced naturopathic doctor, as he helps you to learn how to get your GI tract to do its essential jobs in the healthy way they were meant to function.

Thursday, January 27
Dr. Nancy Councelbaum will join our interested patients and their friends for a lively discussion on the important topic of "Abnormal Lipids: Cholesterol and Triglycerides." The reasons people develop dangerous levels of these normal substances and the latest on therapeutic options - pharmaceuticals, exercise, and nutritional interventions - will be covered.

Monday, January 31
Dr. Felice Gersh will review the diet consumed by humans as they evolved, 2.5 million years ago and explain why this probably remains the best diet for all humans. Join us for a fun evening learning about the "Paleolithic Diet." Sometimes going retro is truly the way to go!!

Many people have been brain-washed by the Dairy Council into thinking that eating dairy foods is necessary, if one is to get adequate calcium from their diet. Interestingly, with the growing intake of dairy foods there has been an increase in the incidence of osteoporotic fractures. Also, although many cereals are fortified with calcium, eating those foods does not lead to stronger bones either.

If you want to have strong bones, think instead of eating foods such as vegetables, nuts, and wild salmon. Most nuts contain lots of magnesium, a very important element in bone health. Wild salmon contains calcium, Vitamin D, and Omega 3 fatty acids-all important in building and maintaining strong bones.

It might surprise you to learn that calcium is plentiful in greens and other vegetables. Try bok choy, Chinese cabbage, collard greens, turnip greens, and kale. One cup of chopped, cooked turnip green has a whopping 200 milligrams of calcium. Vegetables are also wonderful sources of Vitamin K and other micronutrients important in bone maintenance.

There are many negative issues involving dairy products, which will be dealt with in future newsletters. Often we are asked how one would get adequate calcium without eating dairy foods - now you know the answer.

Botox For Pesky Wrinkles: Only $10 a unit with a minimum purchase of 40 units. Although other "imitators" of BotoxCosmetic have arrived, the original product remains the best! Look as young as you feel with the miracle anti-wrinkle Botox.

Cosmetic Fillers: Nothing gives the immediate results of facial rejuvenation as do the amazing dermal fillers Juvederm and Radiesse. Unpleasant creases and deep folds in the skin are magically "erased." This month it is our pleasure to offer you a special deal on fillers. The cost is only $350 per syringe for Radiesse and only $395 a syringe for any Juvederm product when at least 2 syringes are purchased and injected at a single visit. This is an amazing price for these amazing products.

Facials: We offer the finest facials available, along with a wide variety to choose from. Whether you have sensitive skin, acne, Rosacea, or aging skin, we have a special facial for you. We offer an all-organic line of products as well as the finest, state-of-the art skin products. This month, in honor of our new name, we are offering all new men patients a very special deal: buy 2 facials for the price of one. The second can be used any time, by anyone. For our women patients and established men patients, we offer a different special: buy 3 facials for the price of 2. As is our policy, they can be used by anyone you choose.

Microdermabrasions and Cosmetic Peels: These treatments are unsurpassed for the benefits they provide-reducing fine lines, improving skin texture, reducing discolorations, and overall rejuvenation effects. This month we offer 25% off our regular low prices for all of these great treatments.

Massage, Reiki, Aromatherapy, Reflexology: We now have many different packages available for these wonderfully healing therapies. Please call to learn more about them, or better yet, schedule an hour- or hour-and-a-half-long open-ended session and then decide together with your therapist which would best serve your special needs.

Yoga Assists Weight Loss
A study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association reports that women who partake in yoga tend to weigh less than others. The yoga participants report a more "mindful" approach to eating, noticing what they eat and only consuming enough to feel comfortably full. It is also thought that a calm self-awareness develops with yoga participation, reducing overeating.

Eating at Home Helps Keep the Pounds Off
A survey in Consumer Reports states that a top habit of persons who successfully lose weight and keep it off eat home-cooked meals at least five days a week. Restaurant and fast-food meals tend to contain much higher amounts of sodium, processed ingredients, and unhealthy fats.

Eat Slowly for Weight Loss Success
If you slow your eating, you will be more likely to lose weight. Set a timer for 20 minutes and savor each bite, making the meal last until the bell chimes. A slow paced meal creates a pleasurable environment, triggering great satisfaction from smaller portions. This enables the release of the hormones which give a sense of satiety. When a meal is eaten in a hurry, the body's signals to stop eating are blocked, causing overeating.

Sleep More-Weigh Less
A study from the University of Michigan found that sleeping an extra hour a night could help a person with a daily intake of 2500 calories lose 14 pounds in a year. Sleep has several advantages for weight loss, such as reducing mindless snacking, effortlessly cutting calories by 6%. Inadequate sleep also increases one's appetite and slows the metabolic rate.

Eat More Vegetables
Increasing your intake of vegetables fills you with high fiber and water, while adding few calories. Calorie for calorie, vegetables pack a huge quantity of nutrients. Replace side dishes of grains with extra servings of vegetables.

Much has been published in the last few years about the numerous health benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids. Here is a brief overview of some of the ways these important nutrients maintain health. Get your Omega 3's by eating wild salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, lake trout, anchovies, and tuna. You can get small amounts by eating walnuts, broccoli, leafy greens, and soy beans. Taking high quality Omega 3 supplements can also be of great benefit.

1. In patients who have had a previous heart attack, omega 3 fatty acids may help lower the risk of death from heart disease. Heart attacks and sudden death is reduced in survivors who elevate their levels of Omega 3's.
2. Omega 3's have other benefits for the heart. They seem to have a stabilizing effect on electrical conduction, lowering heart rate and reducing the risk of life-threatening arrhythmias and abnormal heart rhythms.
3. Omega 3 fatty acids can improve health by lowering the level of triglycerides - elevated levels being a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
4. There is strong evidence that Omega 3's lower blood pressure. Although the effect is small, it is often significant.
5. Omega 3 fatty acids curb plaque build-up inside blood vessels and have anti-clotting effects, so they may help prevent ischemic strokes.
6. Studies suggest that Omega 3's can reduce symptoms such as joint pain and discomfort in people with rheumatoid arthritis. When combined with anti-inflammatory drugs, high intake of Omega 3's can boost their effectiveness.
7. Including Omega 3's in the diet appears to improve mood disorders and make antidepressants more effective. In countries with higher levels of Omega 3 in the diet, there is a lower level of depression.
8. There are studies which suggest that supplementing the diet with Omega 3 may ease the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Using Omega 3's may provide added benefits to traditional treatment.
9. There is evidence that Omega 3's may protect against dementia and improve mental function. A study showed older people with a diet high in Omega 3 fatty acids had a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
10. Although more research is needed, data suggests that Omega 3's may decrease the risk of colon cancer, breast cancer, and advanced prostate cancer.

We see many patients who suffer from neuropathies (nerve-related pain and numbness), usually of the legs. Though these patients suffer greatly from their condition, few have ever been given any sort of explanation for their medical condition. Diabetics are typically the only group who have been told that their neuropathy is a complication of their disease. It is now known, however, that sensitivity to gluten is often the cause of this problem. Gluten - a protein found in many grains including wheat, rye, barley, spelt, and usually oats - is in most processed foods as an additive.

A study out of the UK was recently published in the journal "Neurology" entitled "Sensory Ganglionopathy due to Gluten Sensitivity." In reviewing several hundred patients with different types of peripheral neuropathies, 32% tested positive for gluten sensitivity using the blood tests currently available. The mean age of diagnosis was 67 years, with a mean age of onset of 58 years. Fewer than half of the patients who tested positive for gluten sensitivity had positive pathology seen on intestinal biopsy, confirming that this mode of diagnosis is no longer the "gold standard."

Of the patients who agreed to go on a gluten-free diet, nearly all had stabilization of their neuropathy. Those patients who chose not to follow the diet, or did not adhere to it, had progression of their neuropathy. The conclusion was that sensory ganglionopathy can be a manifestation of gluten sensitivity and may respond to a strict gluten-free diet.

A study out of Harvard University provides the first structural data for experience-dependent cortical brain alterations associated with the practice of meditation. The study used neuro-imaging techniques to evaluate neurological, cognitive and emotional changes associated with meditation and yoga in an attempt to understand how mediation practice influences the brain-body interaction. The work was funded by grants from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and the CDC.

Previous research indicated that meditation practiced over a prolonged period of time is associated with altered resting electroencephalogram patterns, suggesting long lasting alterations in brain activity. The researchers hypothesized that the practice of meditation might also be associated with changes in the brain's physical structure. MRI's were used to assess cortical thickness of the brain in 20 subjects with extensive meditation experience involving focused attention to internal experiences.

Brain areas associated with attention and sensory processing were thicker in meditation participants than in matched controls, with older participants showing the most pronounced differences, suggesting that mediation might offset age-related cortical thinning. Moreover, the thickness increased with the degree of meditation experience.

At the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine, we now offer both individual and group meditation experiences. Call for information and to schedule your meditation visit with Shannon.

According to a study published recently in the on-line version of the journal "Heart," women who suffer a miscarriage have an increased risk for developing heart attacks.

The study was part of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition, a population-based cohort study. The subject population included over 11,000 women aged 35-66 years who had ever been pregnant, with a mean follow-up time of 10.8 years.

It was found that pregnancy loss was a significant risk factor for myocardial infarction. Stillbirth and recurrent miscarriage was an even greater risk.

The study investigators wrote," These results suggest that women who experience spontaneous pregnancy loss are at a substantially higher risk of MI later in life. Recurrent miscarriage and stillbirth are strong sex-specific predictors for MI and thus should be considered as important indicators for cardiovascular risk factors monitoring and preventive measures."

We hope you've found this issue of our email newsletter informative and enjoyable. We look forward to bringing you more news about opportunities to live better and healthier in the future.

If you would like to learn more about the many services provided by IMGI, please visit our Web site at www.wmgi.org.

Sincerely,

The Healthcare Professionals at
Integrative Medical Group of Irvine

 

Welcome to 2011 and our "new" practice! Officially we are now the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine. Unfortunately, due to some technical issues, we are unable to unveil our new website, but it is in the works and should be going live quite soon. For those new to our practice, as well as our "old timers," I want to give you a quick overview of what the new name means, as well as what it will mean for you.

The word "Integrative" refers to the fact that we are integrating many healing traditions into our practice and integrating the finest, natural, safest, and most efficacious treatments for our patients. Our "tool box" has grown very extensive: we can provide the most cutting edge treatments and studies available through conventional Western medicine, herbal remedies shown safe and effective through scientific studies and numerous years of use, scientifically sound nutritional data and supplements, massage therapy, Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, Psychology and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Naturopathy, Reiki Energy Healing, Aromatherapy, and Reflexology.

Just as no two people are identical, the path to wellness is not the same for all. People must be viewed as unique individuals, and every patient has a special approach to therapy developed specifically for him or her.

The existence of such a complex array of treatment modalities is daunting, and therefore, each patient will have the opportunity to select one of the physicians, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant to be their "Care Coordinator." This health care practitioner will help you make choices, oversee the order of treatments, and make sure you always understand what is happening. Of course, not everyone will need or want Integrative care, and for those patients, not much will be different. You simply see the practitioner of your choice and deal with any issues you wish to address.

The new Integrative Medical Group of Irvine can treat a vast array of simple and complex, chronic and acute medical problems of men and women, along with issues of "anti-aging" (age management medicine) and overall wellness. The last group of issues includes prevention of the ills associated with aging such as cognitive decline, depression and anxiety, arthritis, osteoporosis, hormonal decline, loss of sex drive and function, sleep disturbances, and the like. Because of our diverse specialties, we can cover the numerous health issues which many people face over a lifetime.

2011 is a very exciting year for us, and we hope it will be a year filled with love, happiness, and health for all of you and your loved ones. We can't wait to share our new philosophy of health and wellness with you during your upcoming visits with us.

In Health and Happiness,

Felice Gersh, M.D.

(949) 753-7475