Archive for midlife health

When You Start to Sneeze Think Chinese (Medicine… that is)

By nina · Comments (0)
Monday, January 16th, 2012

I’m always amazed at what my clients believe about coughs, colds and flus. A number of my clients have called to cancel appointments saying, “I’m sick today I need to reschedule.”  My answer is that when you’re sick, especially with a cough, cold or flu is the best time to see me.

The biggest secret in Western society about coughs, colds and flus is that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is usually the best solution. In the West we say “I’ve got a cold”. A cold could be a wide variety of different symptoms. A cold could have: a fever, chills, a cough, a sore throat, head, neck and back achiness, nasal congestion, an upset stomach, phlegm of varying colors or other symptoms. Each of us catches a cold our own way. But to listen to Western medicine “a cold” is a generic bundle of symptoms.

In Chinese Medicine we have a far more specific taxonomy of colds. Once your practitioner knows which type of cold you have, they can treat you for that specific cold with acupuncture and herbal formulas. Because Chinese Medicine is more specific it can address the underlying cause of what’s wrong with you and fix it quickly.

One of my clients came into my office the other day with a cold.  She felt achy, she had chills and nasal congestion. I checked her tongue and her pulses, asked a few questions to find out which cold she had. I gave her an acupuncture treatment and an herbal formula with specific instructions. She needed to go home, take the formula (which could be a tea or a soup, but most often it is most convenient in pill form). I encouraged her to make a pot of porridge, eat some and go to bed. I asked her to stay in bed until her fever broke.  I called to check in on her two days later and she said “Oh I’m back at work. I did exactly what you suggested. Once my fever broke I felt so much better that I was ready to go back to work.” She continued to take the formula until she felt 100% better and had no relapse.

Another client called to say that he was starting to have a sore throat. He knows that when he lets me know at the first sign of a sore throat, I’ll prescribe the right herbal formula for him. He dropped by to pick up the formula and started taking it immediately. He got plenty of rest and kept taking the formula for the next few days. He never got a fever, cough, nasal congestion or any other cold symptoms.  Best of all he was able to continue to work while fighting the cold because he had a significant deadline he had to meet. Because he addressed his cold at the earliest stage, he was able to stay in action and recover quickly.

To recover quickly from a “cold”, pay attention to what’s happening in your body and get help early. The earlier you treat a cold the faster you can typically get rid of it. The longer you wait to get help the further the cold can progress, once you’ve waited and the cold has progressed it can take longer to bounce back.  Of course I’ve got herbal formulas for colds that have progressed into bronchitis and worse, but ideally you don’t need to have that experience if you notice your symptoms early and immediately take action to get help.

If you’ve got a cold, cough or flu and want help with it send me an email  (nina@ninaprice.com) with your symptoms and a phone number where I can reach you.

Wishing you a cold free winter!

 

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Categories : Acupuncture, Colds, Coughs, Flus, Health, midlife health, Traditional Chinese Medicine
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How to recover from a Sugar Hangover

By nina · Comments (1)
Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

The tin of peppermint bark is empty, the pies polished off, and the Yule log cake reduced to crumbs.

Left in their wake, however, is the sugar hangover, that annual holiday tradition that may include an upset stomach, headache, lethargy, brain fog, skin problems, join pain, mood swings, allergy symptoms, and a heap of regret.

While alcohol hangover cures are a folklore staple, you can take solid steps to recover from your sugar hangover:

  • Quit eating sweets. Those holiday treats have sent your blood sugar levels skyrocketing and plummeting repeatedly, taxing the immune system, the brain, hormone balance, and every other system in the body.To recover, put blood sugar levels on an even keel by eating protein every two to three hours, eating a good breakfast, and avoiding starchy foods, desserts, and sweet drinks (soda, sweet coffee drinks) that spike blood sugar. Instead focus on quality proteins, leafy vegetables, and good sources of fat (olive oil, avocado, coconut oil, salmon, etc.)
  • Drink plenty of water. This is also the most popular alcohol hangover cure for a reason. Staying hydrated with clean filtered water will help flush your body of toxins and aid in recovery.
  • Support your liver. Processing all those sweets burdens your liver. Help your liver flush these toxins with such liver detox nutrients as milk thistle, dandelion, N-acetyl L-cysteine, beet root, panax ginseng, and more. Contact my office for more advice on liver detoxification.
  • Restore your gut. Sweets cause inflammation, promote overgrowth of harmful yeast and bacteria, and irritate the gastric lining. You can restore gut health by avoiding sweets and other starchy foods, temporarily adopting a strict detox diet that eliminates common immune triggers (i.e., gluten), and by eating cultured and fermented foods.
  • Move your body. A brisk walk, a swim, yoga, or some other gentle exercise will get your lymphatic system pumping and blood flowing to help flush toxins and rejuvenate cells. You may want to avoid extremely vigorous exercise until hangover symptoms subside so as not to further promote inflammation.

How About a New Year’s detox?

These are some basics to help you recover from a sugar hangover and get you back on the wellness path. In fact, all of these tips will help you recover from an alcohol hangover, too. For more advanced strategies and to get started on a detox plan for the New Year, click here.

What are your tips for a sugar hangover cure?

Of course the best way to cure a sugar hangover is to avoid one. But if you happen to overindulge on special occasions, what are some of your tips for a sugar hangover cure?

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Categories : autoimmune health, detox, Health, midlife health
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Vitamin D Trumps Vitamin C at Preventing Flu

By nina · Comments (1)
Thursday, December 15th, 2011

Move over vitamin C. When it comes to warding off the flu virus and colds, studies shows vitamin D trumps vitamin C. But are you getting enough vitamin D from sunlight and diet alone?

Studies link low vitamin D with flu virus

Compelling evidence links low vitamin D levels with illness. One study showed vitamin D-deficient subjects were 36 percent more likely to report an upper respiratory infection than those with higher levels. That rate jumped significantly for those with asthma.

Another study found children who took vitamin D supplements suffered almost half as many incidences of the flu virus than the children who didn’t. Also, vitamin D levels were found to be lower in children who died of swine flu than in those who survived.

Vitamin D benefits go beyond fighting the flu

Vitamin D does so much more than fight the flu. Sufficient vitamin D lowers the risk of cancer, autoimmune disease, gum disease, heart disease, diabetes, pulmonary disease, and weak bones.

Are you getting enough vitamin D?

Vitamin D is a cornerstone to good health, however research shows many people do not get enough from sunlight and diet alone. In general, we spend most of our lives indoors, wear sunscreen when outside, and don’t eat a vitamin D-rich diet.

More than 40 percent of the overall population and 60 percent of children are estimated deficient. Blacks, Hispanics, and other populations with darker skin show the highest rates of deficiency. Living at a northern latitude, obesity, and aging also increase the risk for deficiency. One study found 60 percent of postmenopausal women to be deficient in vitamin D.

Boosting your vitamin D levels

Supplementing with vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and its cofactors will help you outpace the flu and prevent disease. A 25-hydroxy vitamin D test is the most accurate way to measure and monitor your levels, with optimal levels falling between 50–80 ng/mL. However if you suffer from an autoimmune disease or some chronic illness, your practitioner may recommend a more specific goal.

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Categories : autoimmune health, Health, midlife health, nutrition, vitamins
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Why Am I So Sleepy After Eating?

By nina · Comments (0)
Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011

Question

I practically fall asleep in my plate after every meal. Why does eating make me so sleepy?

Answer

Feeling sleepy after meals is a common symptom of insulin resistance, a risk factor for diabetes.

 

Starchy foods and too much insulin

Insulin resistance is common today and is a stepping-stone to diabetes. Overeating and eating a diet high in sugar and starchy foods causes insulin resistance. These foods include breads, rice, pasta, pastries, chips, potatoes, soda, sweet coffee drinks, and more.

Converting glucose to fat demands energy

Insulin escorts glucose into the cells to make energy. Starchy foods bombard the bloodstream with too much glucose, forcing the release of insulin to lower it. When a person eats a starchy diet on a regular basis, the body overproduces insulin to lower chronically high blood sugar.

Eventually these constant surges of insulin exhaust the body’s cells and they refuse entry to the insulin, which is called insulin resistance. As a result insulin can’t escort glucose into the cells to make energy and the person feels sleepy.

Also, because glucose can’t get into cells, blood sugar climbs too high. The body lowers it to safer levels by converting excess glucose into fat for storage. This is a demanding process that robs one of energy.

Insulin surges overproduce calming brain chemical

A fluctuation in brain chemistry is another factor that causes tiredness. Carbohydrates provide precursors for serotonin, the “joy and well-being” brain chemical that can ward off depression and also be calming.

However, the insulin surge that follows a high-carb meal overproduces serotonin in the brain, contributing to that need for a post-meal nap. After serotonin levels drop, people then may feel depressed, which spurs cravings for more high-carb foods and sweets to get that pleasurable “high” and start the cycle over again.

Restoring insulin sensitivity

If you feel sleepy even after a very low-carb meal, it could be because you over ate or because your glucose metabolism has become too disordered to function properly. While adapting a lower-carb diet is vital, you may need the guidance of a practitioner in using nutritional and botanical compounds that can help restore insulin sensitivity.

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Categories : Health, midlife health, midlife weight gain, nutrition, sleep, Uncategorized, weight gain
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Overflowing calendar? Eat on the run? Do you ever get to work out?

By nina · Comments (0)
Monday, November 7th, 2011

Find out how to make time for yourself, watch this quick video:

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Categories : autoimmune health, Brain Health, Chronic stress, Health, Hormones, midlife health, nutrition, Stress
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Poor digestion can cause depression

By nina · Comments (0)
Thursday, October 27th, 2011

Question:

I went to see my natural medicine practitioner for depression and she wants to work on my digestive health. I don’t get the connection.

Answer:

Many people would be surprised to learn how greatly gut health affects brain health. A poor diet, inflamed gut, and intestinal permeability definitely can promote depression.

Depression a not-so-obvious symptom of poor digestion

Sometimes digestion issues are obvious; they cause gas, bloating, heartburn, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, or abdominal pain. Other times the main symptom is not so obvious—depression.

An unhealthy diet and compromised gut health can promote depression in several ways.

Poor nutrition

When one eats a junk food diet laden with processed foods, trans fats, sugars, and artificial chemicals, the brain suffers. The brain needs healthy fats, high-quality protein, abundant vitamins and minerals, and a diet low in starchy foods and sugars.

Gluten

Gluten is directly linked to depression in some. It causes gut inflammation, which can lead to inflammation in areas of the brain that regulate mood. Some people digest gluten into gluteomorphin, an opioid similar to heroin or morphine that can cause depression (not to mention constipation). Gluten can also cause autoimmune attacks in the brain with symptoms of depression. Dairy or other foods may also cause depression, depending on sensitivity.

Leaky gut

Leaky gut happens when the lining of the intestines becomes overly permeable. This allows undigested foods, bacteria, and other pathogens into the bloodstream, creating inflammation throughout the body. Inflammation in the brain may cause depression.

Inflammation in the gut also inhibits absorption of nutrients necessary for good brain function. An example is tryptophan, an amino acid found in proteins. The brain synthesizes tryptophan into serotonin, a “well-being and joy” brain chemical.

Always consider gut health

Depression is a complex, multi-faceted condition that can have its roots in various causes. However the role of diet and digestive health should always be included in a functional approach to depression.

 

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Categories : Health, midlife health
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Why is menopause so hard for some women?

By nina · Comments (0)
Tuesday, September 20th, 2011

Question:
I’m going through menopause and feel like I’m falling apart. I get severe hot flashes, mood swings that border on psychosis, and my brain isn’t working. Why?

Answer:
As the ovaries begin to wind down production of the sex hormones the adrenal glands, our stress organs, are supposed to take over that job. Unfortunately by the time most women reach menopause their adrenal glands are worn out and not up to the task of making sex hormones.

Chronic stress taxes the hormones

In the face of stress our adrenal glands secrete adrenal hormones to help our bodies cope and adapt. However we were designed to call on this action only on an occasional basis. These days our adrenal glands are on constant red alert.

Factors that activate the adrenal glands include lack of sleep, being over scheduled, excess caffeine, inadequate nutrition from a poor diet, and too many sweets and starchy foods. Lesser known stressors include chronic inflammation, autoimmune disease, overgrowth of yeast and bacteria in the intestinal tract, leaky gut, and chronic viral or bacterial infections.

Reproductive hormones are vital for proper body and brain function

As a woman nears menopause her ovaries begin to produce fewer reproductive hormones, including estrogen and progesterone. Women still depend on these hormones even after fertility for proper function of the brain, thyroid activity, immune system, and other systems in the body.

Because so many women enter menopause with fatigued adrenals, their adrenal glands cannot produce enough sex hormones or produce them in an appropriate manner. The result is deficiencies or swings in hormone production, which disrupts the function and health of other systems in the body. This causes the symptoms so commonly seen today, including hot flashes, memory loss, poor cognition, depression, strong mood swings, and more.

The best option is prevention

Natural medicine offers many solutions to help women transition through this period more safely and comfortably. However the best option is prevention. Ideally a woman will work to shore up her adrenal health, which is a whole-body diet and lifestyle approach, well before menopause.

Working preventively will help prevent or minimize the unpleasant symptoms associated with the transition into menopause. If you would like help coming up with strategies that will help you sail into menopause, let’s talk. Sign up for a strategy session with me.

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Categories : Health, Hormones, Menopause, midlife health, midlife sleep
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Why do I have brain fog all the time?

By nina · Comments (0)
Tuesday, September 13th, 2011

Question

I seem to live in a perpetual fog, like I can’t think clearly or I’m not all the way there. Why do I have brain fog?

Answer

Brain fog is a sign of brain inflammation. Although inflammation in the brain doesn’t cause pain, it can cause symptoms of brain fog.

The brain is protected by a thin lining called the blood-brain barrier, which allows nano-sized compounds in or out of the brain as appropriate. However the blood-brain barrier can become “leaky,” just as the gut barrier can. This allows large particles into the brain that don’t belong there. These invaders trigger the brain’s immune system and cause inflammation.

Brain inflammation can also result from:

  • Hypothyroidism
  • Chronic inflammation in the body
  • Blood sugar imbalances
  • Hormonal imbalances
  • Gut infections
  • Stress and lack of sleep
  • Heavy metals and pollutants
  • Head injuries or stroke

 

If left unmanaged brain inflammation causes damage to nerve tissue and accelerates brain aging, increasing the risk of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s.

A commonly seen cause of brain fog is a food intolerance, particularly to gluten. Many people have resolved chronic brain fog simply by adapting a strict gluten-free diet. Recent research has shown gluten to be implicated in many neurological disorders, including brain fog.

The good news is the brain is responsive to inflammation management. Research shows a variety of natural compounds and botanicals have powerful anti-inflammatory effects in the brain.

These compounds and therapies to address the underlying cause of your brain fog—whether it is hypothyroidism, gluten, a hormone deficiency, or all three—can not only lift brain fog but also ensure better brain health and function for years to come.

If you’re experiencing brain fog and would like some help managing inflammation – let’s talk.

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Categories : Brain Health, Health, midlife health
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Debugging Your Weight Loss Plateau: Why can’t I lose weight?

By nina · Comments (0)
Wednesday, August 31st, 2011

Question:

It seems all my attempts to lose weight and get rid of my belly fat fail. Is there hope for me?

Answer:

Absolutely. Normal attempts at weight loss can fail if you’re battling a metabolic disorder.

When you are doing all the right things but still not losing weight you may have some health issues sabotaging your efforts.

 

Here are some issues that can hinder weight loss:

  • Hypothyroidism
  • Chronic inflammation
  • Food intolerances
  • High cortisol
  • Insulin resistance
  • Leptin resistance
  • Hormonal imbalance
  • Brain chemistry imbalances
  • Certain medications

 

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism affects millions of Americans yet its root cause rarely goes addressed, which can make it impossible to lose weight. Although thyroid hormone medication may be necessary, an autoimmune disease is behind most cases of hypothyroidism and needs to be addressed for success.

Chronic inflammation

Chronic inflammation is a common reason many people can’t lose excess belly fat. Food intolerances (gluten in particular), autoimmune disease, poor diet, or a blood sugar imbalance are things that can cause chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation raises the adrenal hormone cortisol, which causes belly fat to accumulate and makes weight loss difficult.

Blood sugar imbalances

Blood sugar imbalances trigger leptin resistance. Leptin is a hormone that controls appetite, satiety, and whether you burn or store fat. Constant insulin surges from starchy, sugary diets cause cells in the body to become resistant to leptin, which in turn causes constant hunger while hindering fat burning.

Hormonal imbalances

Hormonal imbalances sabotage weight loss. In many women this translates to high cortisol, high testosterone, and insulin resistance (a precursor to diabetes.) These women battle not only weight gain, but also excess belly fat, facial hair growth, hair loss, and problems with menstruation or menopause.

Men in andropause often have low testosterone and high estrogen, which promotes not only belly fat, but also “breasts,” “hips,” and a low libido.

Brain health

Hypothyroidism, inflammation, blood sugar issues, or hormonal imbalances may also impact brain health, which is very sensitive to deviations in metabolic health. Imbalances in the brain’s neurotransmitters, or relay chemicals, can lead to cravings and addictive behavior, such as overeating.

Certain medications can also cause weight gain, inflammation, or bloating.

Address the underlying cause for weight loss

Weight loss is so much more than counting calories or grams of fat or carbs. It’s also important to address the underlying issues that cause weight gain or prevent weight loss.

If I can help you get to the root cause of why you’re not losing weight, sign up for a free strategy session with me http://www.thetalkaboutmidlife.com/strategysession

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Categories : Andropause, Health, Hormones, Menopause, midlife health, midlife sex, midlife weight gain, nutrition, weight gain
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Is life really overwhelming, or are you just stressed out?

By nina · Comments (0)
Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011

Question:

I feel totally overwhelmed by life and like I can barely cope. I can’t quit my job, give away my children, or afford a cook and a housecleaner. Is there anything I can do for my stress levels?

Answer:

Sometimes you can dramatically alter a stressful life simply by addressing your own stress physiology. By supporting the body’s stress mechanisms the same daily duties seem less taxing.

Are you in adrenal overdrive or adrenal fatigue?

Americans are notoriously stressed out and frequently produce either too much or not enough of the stress hormone cortisol, both of which impact how you perceive stress.

A hectic lifestyle and lack of sleep aren’t the only things that contribute to adrenal dysfunction. Other factors include a diet high in starchy, sugary, and processed foods, leaky gut, gut infections, hormonal imbalances, and chronic inflammation.

High cortisol

When dealing with a high stress load, the adrenal glands pump out extra cortisol to help the body cope. High cortisol is linked to insulin resistance and diabetes, excess belly fat, insomnia, gut infections, and chronic inflammation. Research also shows it raises your risk for heart disease.

Chronically high cortisol also leads to hormonal imbalances and deficiencies. This is because the chemical compounds needed to make sex hormones, such as estrogen or testosterone, are shunted to cortisol production instead.

Low cortisol

On the other end of the spectrum is low cortisol or even adrenal fatigue. The adrenal glands are exhausted and cannot produce enough cortisol. These people tend to suffer from fatigue, get sick easily and recover slowly, and struggle with depression. Associated conditions include hypoglycemia, low blood pressure, poor gut function, and chronic viruses or other illnesses.

Supporting adrenal health can make life seem less stressful

Both high and low cortisol can blow life’s daily stressors out of proportion. By taking action to support your adrenal health you can handle everyday life with more ease and motivation. I also recommend making time to do something you love on a regular basis. I can help you support your adrenal health through simple dietary changes tailored to your adrenal status, as well as through the use of scientifically backed botanical and nutritional compounds.

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Categories : Health, Hormones, midlife health, nutrition, Stress
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