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| Chapel Hill Doctors Integrative Health Center News
(919)-929-7990 chapelhilldoctors.com |
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The Importance of Vitamin D
by Veronica Verhoff,
RD, LDN, MPH
Nutritionist
Vitamin D has become a hot media topic in recent years and for good reason. Technically not a "vitamin," it is a hormone that influences over 2,000 genes in the body and deficiencies have been linked to a wide variety of conditions inculding cancer and autism to heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Colds, flu, depression, infertility, obesity, and chronic fatigue are also among conditions associated with low levels. Studies reveal a significant association between high levels of vitamin D and a decreased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. Experts now believe that current recommendations for vitamin D are too low, especially considering that three out of every four Americans have vitamin D levels below what we believe is necessary for optimal health.
So how can you optimize your vitamin D levels? Very few foods in nature contain the vitamin. Those that do include egg yolks, liver, fatty fish, cod liver oil and shiitake mushrooms. The best way to get vitamin D is through sunlight, where UV-B rays contact the skin, which uses cholesterol to synthesize the vitamin. Because the sun must be directly overhead and you must have enough of your skin exposed, summer is the only time most of us can truly get enough of the vitamin through our skin. Even then, if you are already deficient, you may still not be getting enough. The second best option is to take a supplement containing natural vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). It is also recommended that you see your health professional for a blood test to determine your current levels and counsel on the most appropriate dosage for you which in some cases may be higher than the current recommendations.
For more information on vitamin D, see: http://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov.
Veronica offers individualized nutrition consultations at the Center. See her special appointment offer below. |
Stress Management and Pain Reduction Therapy
Eric Garland, Ph.D., LCSW, is now offering brief cognitive hypnotherapy and mindfulness meditation-based therapy for stress management and pain reduction. Experience relief within 4 - 10 sessions. By learning how to generate a state of mind that is focused yet relaxed, you can transform negative thoughts and emotions, reduce stress, and promote mind-body communication to improve health and well-being. Research has shown that these brief mind-body therapies can ease stress and pain in several ways: (1) by undoing the "fight-or-flight response" through parasympathetic activation; (2) by affecting cortisol release, thereby reducing inflammation and promoting healing; and (3) by altering the way pain signals from the body are relayed to the brain. Come experience these results for yourself!
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Come move your body, relax, and be inspired by :
Norma Ferrell: Tai Chi on Mon, Wed, Fri.
Edie Klecka: Yoga on Monday evenings
Jay Dunbar: Tai Chi and Qigong on Tuesdays
All classes are held in a spacious studio above the Center. Learn more about our dedicated instructors and their classes at our website. | |
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Professional Spotlight: Ophthalmologist Rachel Tesser, MD, Adult and Pediatric Eye Care
Dr. Rachel Tesser opened her private practice at The Center last fall and continues to welcome new and previously established patients. Some of you may already know Dr. Tesser as she has been in the Chapel Hill area providing excellent eyecare for 5 years. She accepts most medical insurance plans and offers special rates for those without insurance.
Dr. Tesser is a board certified ophthalmologist with two separate advanced fellowships in adult anterior segment disease and pediatric eye disease. She practices comprehensive ophthalmology which includes diagnosing and treating various eye diseases as well as providing routine eye care for people with glasses and contact lenses.
Dr. Tesser was born in Athens, Georgia were she received her undergraduate degree with honors from the University of Georgia. She completed her medical training and internship at Medical College of Georgia where she received the Puryear Academic Scholarship and was invited into Alpha Omega Alpha (the medical honor society for excellence in academic and clinical medicine).
Rachel then went on to the nationally renowned ophthalmology department at University of Wisconsin in Madison for residency. After this, she completed an advanced year fellowship of cornea and refractive surgery at the University of Wisconsin and a second fellowship in pediatric ophthalmology at the prestigious Duke Eye Center. While in training she published several scientific studies in medical journals and was a contributing author to a pediatric ophthalmology textbook.
Aside from all the intellectual challenges that come from practicing medicine, what she enjoys most is developing lifelong relationships with her patients and their families. To find out more about Dr. Tesser, please visit her website: www.triangleophthalmology.com.
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North American Menopause Society Issues New Position Statement on Hormone Therapy
By Karen Clark, MD
This past February, The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) issued a new position statement regarding the use of hormone therapy by postmenopausal women. Back in 2002, many women stopped using postmenopausal hormone therapy when the original results of the Women's Health Initiative study suggested an increased risk of coronary heart disease in women who used hormone therapy. Since that time, however, researchers have done subgroup analysis and found that women who initiate hormone therapy within ten years of menopause actually have a lower risk of coronary heart disease than women who initiate hormone therapy more than ten years after menopause, and may have a lower risk of coronary heart disease than women who do not use hormone therapy at all. These findings are excellent news for countless women with bothersome menopausal symptoms who would like to use hormone therapy, but have been concerned about an increased risk of heart disease. NAMS has affirmed, moreover, that individualization of treatment based on a woman's individual risk assessment is essential for any woman considering hormone therapy.
Do you have questions about whether hormone therapy is right for you? Dr. Clark is a NAMS Certified Menopause Practitioner, and would be happy to help you develop an individualized plan for managing your symptoms. Call 929-7990 to set up an appointment and visit menopauseisnormal.com for more information.
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Focus on your Breathing to Reduce Stress
By Leslie Lotina, LCSW
Stress and anxiety can result in headaches, abdominal distress and other symptoms. When you feel stress building, try this simple exercise: focus your mind entirely on your breathing for 4 minutes, counting to 4 on the inhale and 4 on the exhale, 1 breath per second. Focus completely, letting go of all your thoughts even if just for 3-4 minutes. This focus can interrupt the physiological process that anxiety causes in the brain: the "fight or flight" response. The "fight or flight" response is an effective way to deal with a life threatening emergency like running from a fire, but it is not how you want to deal with day to day worries. Stress revs your body up and hinders your ability to access the parts of your brain used for logical thinking, memory and other important thought processes. Remind yourself that your body and mind take cues from each other and work together. Slowing down your breath when you feel stress may help you slow your body's response, and this in turn might save you from a stress headache or abdominal distress.
Leslie offers adult and family counseling at Chapel Hill Doctors. |
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A Partner for Weight Loss
 By Dwan Kelesy, NP,MSN, ANP-C
We all know that shedding excess weight is hard but critical work. It is essential for disease prevention, good health and a sense of well-being. Short cuts do not work. Effective, safe, and sustainable weight loss requires understanding how the body processes and uses different foods. It requires small steps that become permanent habits. As a nurse practitioner with years of experience and a passion for helping people reach their weight goals and helping people prevent and/or manage diabetes, I will inform, guide, coach, and stick by you. If you are struggling with your weight, give me a call to set up a free 15 minute introductory meeting. Call the Center at 929-7990. I would be delighted to meet you. |
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Chapel Hill Primary Care offers Saturday and Evening Appointments
Chapel Hill Primary Care recognizes that patients often have busy week days that make scheduling a doctor appointment challenging. CHPC is now offering Saturday appointments from 9:00-12pm in addition to its Tuesday evening appointments. Lab services available. Walk-ins are welcome.
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Winter Massage Specials
Managing stress through proper exercise, sleep, diet and stress management techniques is very important to your health. Massage is another healthy way to de-stress with added benefits for your circulation, flexibility, mental health and much more. Take advantage of the Winter massage special coupon below and make an appointment with Elizabeth Branch or Norma Ferrell by calling 929-7990.
See all the Center's service coupons below. | |
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WINTERTIME MASSAGE SPECIALS
Choose YOUR special
Morning Special: Monday and Friday mornings receive a one-hour therapeutic massage from Elizabeth Branch for only $60
Or
First-time special for New clients: Bring this certificate and receive $10 off the normal massage rate at any time from Norma Ferrell or Elizabeth Branch.
Specials are for a limited time and cannot be combined |
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| COUPON COUPON COUPON
Individualized Nutrition Consult Special
$25 discount for consultation with Nutritionist Veronica Verhoff, RD, LDN, MPH
expires 4/30/10 |
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| COUPON COUPON COUPON
10% discount for the first month of an Individual Weight Loss Program with:
Dwan Kelsey, NP, MSN, ANP-C
expires 4/30/10 |
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