There has long been a hypothesis that physiologic decreases in estrogen levels are associated with the development of cerebral aneurysms in menopausal women. The results of a retrospective, case-controlled study were presented recently at the annual meeting of the Society of Neurointerventional Surgery, and the results support this hypothesis.

The study was initiated in response to two large brain aneurysm trials which found that 70% of aneurysms occur in postmenopausal women. This new, retrospective study discovered that the women who used hormones in the menopause had a statistically lower rate of both ruptured and unruptured aneurysms. This finding is very important for all women, and the lead study author, Michael Chen, MD, assistant professor of neurology, neurosurgery, and radiology at Rush University in Chicago stated, "We might consider putting women with an unruptured aneurysm on some sort of estrogen modifying agent, particularly at menopause...it may be protective."

There is much observational data showing that magnesium is beneficial for preventing Type 2 Diabetes. The Nurses' Health Study, for example, followed more than 85,000 women for 18 years. Those who consumed the most magnesium had a 27% lower incidence of diabetes compared to those who consumed the least.

Several other studies show a similar association. In addition to lowering levels of fasting insulin and reducing the risk of diabetes, higher levels of magnesium result in lower levels of high-sensitivity C - reactive protein, an inflammatory marker associated with cardiovascular risk, and other signs of chronic low-level inflammation. It is currently believed that inflammation is a contributing factor in the development of Type 2 Diabetes, which in part explains the association between obesity and diabetes, since obesity can cause chronic inflammation.

Some of the foods which are high in magnesium include nuts, halibut, soybeans, yogurt, and pumpkin seeds. Women should get at least 520 mg of magnesium daily, while men should get 420 mg. If your diet is deficient in magnesium, add a supplement, the best form of which is chelated magnesium.

A study out of Duke University Medical Center reviewed the effects of mindfulness - a psychological quality that involves focusing one's complete attention on current experiences at the current moment - on the mind, the brain, the body, and on behavior. Both basic and clinical research were reviewed and the results indicate that developing a more mindful way of being is associated with less emotional distress, more positive states of mind, and better quality of life.

Additionally, mindfulness practice can positively influence the brain, the autonomic nervous system, stress hormones, the immune system, and health behaviors, including eating, sleeping and substance use. Clearly, we are learning how new ways in which attention, awareness, acceptance, and compassion may promote health by improving the well-being of the mind, the body, the spirit, and one's relationships.

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

The seminars 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, February 8
"Why Men Need Testosterone and How to Safely Implement Testosterone Therapy" with Dr. Tim Murbach, Naturopathic Doctor
Join us for a lively discussion concerning the reasons men often experience a reduction of testosterone levels and the best ways to replenish it. Testosterone deficiency can seriously reduce the quality of a man's life and significantly impact his health status. All are invited: women patients, men patients, spouses, friends, and relatives. All attendees can enter our raffle for a free men's facial.

Thursday, February 17
"Subclinical Hypothyroidism-The Hidden Epidemic" with Alison Gracom, Endocrine Specialist PA
Bring all loved ones to this very important seminar. Thyroid hormone is involved in the function of all tissues of the body. It is not always recognized that subtle forms of hypothyroidism can exist, and if treated, would result in improved energy, easier weight loss, clearer thinking, and better mood. Learn the latest info on how to detect and treat this under-recognized and under-treated condition. All attendees can enter our raffle for a free woman's facial.

Tuesday, February 22
"FirstLine Therapy-a Short-Term Nutritional Program to Improve Health and Wellness" with Dr. Christine Nguyen, Integrative Physician
This program could literally save your life. With this scientifically proven nutritional program you can lose weight, lower blood pressure, improve your lipid profile, and reduce overall inflammation. Join Dr. Nguyen to learn how to get started and how this can turn your life around. All attendees will receive a 15% discount on all FirstLine Therapy products purchased by the end of March.

Thursday, February 24
"Natural Ways to Lower Your Risk of Breast Cancer" with Dr. Felice Gersh, Integrative Gynecologist
Early detection of breast cancer is the mainstay of preventing advanced breast cancer in our country. While this is reasonable, prevention is certainly the preferred option. Most women do not realize that there are many things that they can do to lower their risk of this dreaded disease. Join us for an enjoyable evening learning how to be proactive in battling this disease. All attendees are eligible to enter our raffle of the evening for a free half-hour relaxation massage.

Indian researches reported in November in the online version of "Fertility and Sterility" that women with latent celiac disease (positive celiac antibodies with normal small bowel biopsy) appear to be at increased risk of reproductive problems. The lead researcher, Dr. Dumar, stated that "Women having unexplained infertility, recurrent abortions, stillbirths or intrauterine growth retardation could have subclinical celiac disease." He also noted that the "prevalence of latent or subclinical celiac disease has increased."

It has been acknowledged that full-blown Celiac Disease is associated with significant reproductive problems, particularly if the afflicted person doesn't adhere strictly to a gluten-free diet. However, there have been very few studies evaluating the effect of latent Celiac Disease on reproductive performance. Of the 893 women in this study, 104 had unexplained recurrent miscarriage, 104 had unexplained stillbirth, 230 had unexplained infertility, and 150 were pregnant with unexplained intrauterine growth retardation. The remaining subjects (305) were normal women with normal obstetrical histories serving as controls.

Compared to the controls, the women with latent Celiac Disease had a 5.43 higher incidence of recurrent miscarriage, along with a 4.61 times greater incidence of stillbirth, a 7.75 times greater incidence of intrauterine growth restriction, and a 4.51 times higher occurrence of unexplained infertility. The researchers also noted that rates of previous preterm births, low-birth-weight infants, and cesarean section were higher in sero-positive than sero-negative subjects (those with positive antibodies to gluten.)

Unfortunately, due to the high consumption of gluten containing foods and the extraction and modification of gluten, the numbers of people affected by latent Celiac Disease is increasing greatly. We urge all of our patients to speak with us at your next visit about your personal risk for this condition.

A report published in November, based on research out of Florida State University College of Medicine, confirmed that zinc deficiency can induce depression and anxiety-like behaviors. Additionally, zinc supplementation has now been shown to be useful as a treatment for major depression. Zinc administration improves the efficacy of antidepressant drugs in depressed patients and may be particularly useful in treatment-resistant patients.

It seems that zinc probably is involved in the regulation of neurotransmitter systems, antioxidant mechanism, neurotrophic factors, and neuronal precursor cells. Given the high prevalence of zinc deficiency in human populations, this work has the potential to influence strategies to prevent and treat these disorders.

* BotoxCosmetic
Only $10 a unit with a 30 unit minimum!

* Dermal Fillers
Radiesse: Only $300 per syringe with a 2 syringe minimum. If you only want to buy and use one syringe, the fee is $400.
Juvederm: Only $400 per syringe for any form of Juvederm, with a 2 syringe minimum. If you only want one syringe, the price is $500.

* Laser Therapies
FRAXEL - the gold standard of non-ablative lasers - the only laser safe for all skin types, including dark tones and Asian skin. FRAXEL is a great therapy for brown discolorations and wrinkles. We are offering an unheard of special price of only $500 a treatment per area, with a three treatment minimum. (Individual price only $600) Further discounts available with the purchase of multiple areas.
Intense Pulsed Light by Cutera Limelight (the best in its class) - great for sun spots, small, red blood vessels, and overall rejuvenation issues. Only $250 a treatment per area, with a 3 treatment minimum. Individual price only $325) Further discounts available with the purchase of multiple areas.

* Facials are all offered at 50% off our regular prices for the month. Chose any of the numerous types available.

Many people believe that osteoarthritis is an inevitable part of aging, and this is entirely incorrect. Although genetics certainly plays a role, as it does in everything, most cases of osteoarthritis are due to lifestyle issues. Here are a few basic facts for you to know:

1. Osteoarthritis (OA)is the most common form of arthritis, currently affecting 27 million Americans. It affects more people as they age, but it is not a normal part of aging.
2. Obesity plays a substantial role in increasing the occurrence of osteoarthritis, especially of the knee. The more an individual weighs, the more stress is put on the joints. With every increase of 1 pound of weight, the force across the knee joint increases by 2-3 pounds. Therefore, even a small weight loss can produce dramatic reductions in pain and symptoms, while a weight loss of 5 to 10 pounds can make a big difference in the progression of the condition.
3. Another frequent cause of risk elevation for OA is overuse and joint injury. According to the Arthritis Foundation, persons who engage in activities with repetitive motion have a higher risk of developing OA because of joint stress and injury. High intensity sports such as running increase the risk of OA by directly impacting the joints. To reduce your risk, try to avoid injuries and modify movements to stress joints less. If involved in high impact sports, gradually increase your training schedule, and avoid such activities if the joints become injured.
4. Another risk factor for OA is muscle weakness. Some studies show that weakness of the muscles surrounding the knee (the quadriceps) can raise your risks of injury and knee osteoarthritis. Supervised weight training to build muscle is key to joint health.
5. If you have OA, it is important to remain physically active. This decreases the pain of OA, improves range of motion and function, and reduces disability. In addition, it helps one prevent weight gain and maintain weight loss. It is important to keep physical activities low impact - forget about running marathons; instead opt for biking, walking, and water sports.
6. There are many options to deal with the pain of osteoarthritis other than NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Massage, acupuncture, aromatherapy, reflexology, Reiki, herbals, and other supplements can greatly help. Dietary changes can also tremendously impact the progression and symptomatology of OA.

We invite all our patients who are concerned with joint pain to come in for an evaluation. This is a highly treatable condition.

All teenage girls should have a gynecology exam, but the exam should rarely include a pap smear. The American College of OB/GYN has just issued new recommendations stating that, with few exceptions, young women do not need pap smears until age 21. The GYN visit should include a discussion on puberty, body development, sexual issues, menstrual issues, nutrition, sleep habits, general medical concerns, exercise, psychological issues, school functioning, and family and friend relationships.

Often adolescents receive very little medical attention, as they are generally quite healthy. Nevertheless, approximately half of all teenage high school girls are sexually active and at risk for sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. Additionally, many girls have significant menstrual problems, eating disorders, bladder issues, and other gynecological problems.

If you have a teenage girl in your home, please be sure she comes in for a check-up. And please reassure her that she will not need a pelvic exam and pap smear, unless she has a specific indication for one. All visits are, of course, completely confidential.

At the recent American Society of Nephrology Annual Meeting researchers from the United Kingdom reported that a simple measurement of key proteins in spot urine samples can detect preeclampsia in women during the early stages of pregnancy. The urine samples were obtained before 20 weeks of gestation from 145 pregnant women. They then followed them through the pregnancy and it was found that the test predicted preeclampsia with 92% accuracy.

Clinical signs of preeclampsia typically do not appear until later in pregnancy, but the researchers theorized that because placental insufficiency is key to the development of this condition and the implantation and development of the placenta is complete by 18 weeks of gestation, changes in the urinary protein profile early in pregnancy might predict the development of the disease.

"Given that proteinuria is a key diagnostic and prognostic factor in preeclampsia, the renal morphological changes occur in the disease, and the initiation of the process begins 4 to 5 months before the clinical manifestations," explained the lead author of the study.

If early diagnosis can be made, it offers the possibility that early intervention in prenatal care could result in a better pregnancy outcome.

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.IntegrativeMGI.com.

Sincerely,

The Healthcare Professionals at
Integrative Medical Group of Irvine