A recent study points to the connection between vitamin D3 deficiency and treatment, and Covid-19 infection. At my medical practice, we test the blood for Vitamin D3 levels in nearly every one of our patients as it is associated with inflammation, immune function and even mood.
The effect of nutrition and lifestyle on cognitive processes has long been studied. Dr. Gina will be covering newly described influences of key brain nutrients and lifestyle factors on cognitive function that provide neuronal protection and improve brain metabolism.
The presentation will be delivered live from 6:30 to 8:30 PM Pacific time tonight.
Eating too much is often more than just an issue of willpower. There are a lot of reasons for overeating, many of which scientists now say trace back to brain chemistry and hormonal imbalance. Click here to learn more.
Dr. Gina was hand selected by the late Dr. Tutera, founder of the SottoPelle® procedure, to be the exclusive provider of SottoPelle® therapy in Newport Beach. Call our office at 949-715-9321 x2 or frontdesk@drgina.com to learn if you are a candidate for this highly effective bio-identical hormone therapy procedure.
There are about 1 billion colds in the US every year, with every child catching it 6-10 times a year, resulting in 22 million school days being lost every year!
When it comes to cold and flu season, prevention really is the first line of defense. To keep your body’s defense system–the immune system–in peak condition, follow our immunity-boosting tips to help your body fight off the bugs looking for a host. And, for times when you are feeling ill, the second set of tips can help ease your symptoms and support a quick recovery.
Cold & Flu Prevention Tips
Your immune system is at work 24/7! The best approach to supporting immune function is a healthy lifestyle that includes stress management, exercise, whole foods, nutritional supplementation, and the use of plant-based medicines. On a daily basis, you can take the following steps to help your immune system keep you healthy:
Wash your hands regularly to help prevent transfer of bacteria.
Stay clear of people sneezing or coughing. Avoid shaking hands or other close contact with anyone whom you know to be sick.
Make sure your home and work space are well-ventilated. Even on a cold day, open a window for a few minutes to clear out stale air.
Follow a consistent sleep/wake schedule so the immune system can repair and recover.
Drink plenty of water and eat a balanced diet that includes a variety of organic (when possible) fruits and veggies, which contain antioxidants that help the body neutralize cellular damage.
Healing Tips
Rest. Sometimes the body’s only way of getting your attention is to force you to slow down by getting sick. Don’t push through fatigue. Honor your body and sleep/rest as needed to promote healing. Reduce activity at home and at work as much as possible.
Increase fluid intake to include water, diluted vegetable juices, soups, and herbal and green teas.
Eat light meals and eat more soup. Whether you choose a vegetarian broth or a heartier bone-broth, soups for healing should be loaded with a variety of herbs and veggies.
Manage stress. Even just 10 minutes of meditation a day has positive effects on the immune system and promotes a positive mindset.
Laugh–it truly is good medicine. Patch Adams was onto something when he brought humor to his patients’ bedsides. Read a funny book. Watch stand-up comedy. Share jokes with a friend or your kids. Laughter lowers the stress hormones and elevates your mood–both are good for healing.
Vitamin, Mineral, and Botanical Support for the Immune System
There’s no panacea, but a growing body of research has shown that certain vitamins, minerals, and plant-based supplements can help prevent/curtail the symptoms of colds and flu. Some that you may want to include are listed below.
These are best tailored to your specific needs and health status, with guidance from your doctor.
Multivitamin and mineral formula
Vitamin C
Bioflavonoids, 1000 mg/day
Vitamin A
Vitamin D, 2000 IU/day
Zinc, 30 mg/day
Echinacea, elderberry, and astragalus (tea, capsule, or liquid extract) help prevent common cold and viral infections. Physicians and scientists continue to study the immune-enhancing effects of these and other botanical remedies.
Food for Thought. . . “He who cures a disease may be the skillfullest, but he that prevents it is the safest physician.”
– Thomas Fuller
Naturopathic Physicians have been educating the public and their patients on the dangers of trans fats (also known as hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils) for 30 plus years based on studies from the 1970’s showing a link between these artificial fats and heart disease.
Finally, the FDA, in an effort to prevent heart attacks and deaths, finalized its determination that the main sources of artificial trans fat are not safe. FDA gave food manufacturers until June 2018 to remove partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) from their products after concluding that the oils are not so-called GRAS, or generally recognized as safe.
It’s hopeful that our government is finally taking action and acknowledging the SIGNIFICANT impact that our food supply has on the state of health of our citizens, and the major economic burden the US shoulders to manage chronic illnesses that can easily be prevented by removing artificial chemicals, excess sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and the like from our food supply.
Research identified a relationship between folic acid deficiencies and birth defects as early as 1965. It was not until 1992 that the United States Public Health Service shared this critical knowledge with the country and recommended that all women of childbearing age, capable of becoming pregnant, consume 400mcg of folic acid per day. It took the scientific community almost 30 years to accept that a nutrient deficiency might cause a gross distortion in human neuronal development and to recommend supplementation. Tens of thousands of children were born during this time with preventable birth defects.
Let’s use common sense, and consider listening to the doctors who pay attention to the research as it comes available rather then waiting 30 years to act on it, and who are tirelessly working to educate the public on the importance of quality food and the power of nutritional medicine to prevent and treat disease.
A new study finds decreased social anxiety among young adults who eat fermented foods. Further evidence of the connection between the gut and mood disorders, and hope for a better alternative to addictive benzodiazepenes.
This trailer is worth watching. Let’s pray for leadership in this country that gets this. Changing the way America eats, methodically removing refined sugar, hydrogenated oils, pesticide laden and GMO products, and over-processed high gluten flour from our food supply will make massive changes over the next century in our country in terms of healthcare (particularly chronic diseases and mental health disorders) and the economy. It will take a courageous leader or leadership group to see past the billions of dollars at stake by doing this, with a simple, long term, do-able plan of action, to realize the the return of healthier, happier people and a more robust self-sustaining economy in our country.
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Welcome to the Dr. Gina Blog
Every day, licensed Naturopathic Medical Doctors are exposed to news, information, and research that affects the health and well-being of patients, friends and family. Each day more information is released on natural medicine, prevention and health.
The hope is that you enjoy the information and find value in the shared thoughts and personal experiences about health and vitality, the planet and the power of natural medicine. Feel free to chime in with comments and experiences of your own.