Genetics and Health

Nutrition and Supplements for GENETICS and HEALTH, avoiding drugs

Can I tell you a story and see if it seems familiar? Picture this:

You see someone that claims to love and support you after 3-6 months. That person is either a friend or a family member. Maybe a FAN on social media. In that time, you have changed your body composition so that your waist is trimmer, you have more muscle and less fat. Your skin looks healthier and you hold your head higher. They say something like: “Wow, you look really good, Are you Starving yourself?” or “Why’d you lose weight, you were fine before.” then there is the “I’ve seen your posts, what are you trying to prove?”.

We’ve all had it, right? It makes us feel bad. I mean shoot, look what was said about Adele’s Decision to Get Healthy.

What we know about Obesity:

Obesity is the number one cause of almost ALL CHRONIC disease. It causes joint degeneration, heart disease, diabetes, cancer of all types. It is one of the leading COSTS in the healthcare system. So why are people Health Shaming you? They feel Guilty. Or, they think you should feel guilty for improving because you are now supposedly Fat-Shaming them by losing the unhealthy habits.

What Role Does Genetics Play in ALL of this?

Back in April, I did a Blog on Genetics and Pharmacology. (you can reference that here)

Is Pharmacology Necessary?

What I would like to tell you today, is that that while sometimes pharmaceutical intervention is necessary; Pharmacology can also do harm in more than just the side effects. You see, Most drugs are meant to alleviate symptoms short term and then time out. We want to adjust and treat the cause of the symptom, not just override it or mask it with a drug. Most drugs come with side effects that lead to the need for another drug. If we can look to the genetics and the NEEDS of the PERSON, we can decrease our dependency on pharmaceuticals by 3 fold in this Country

Now, there are times when you need to be on a specific drug for a longer amount of time, but you should also know those nutrient deficiencies are created with those drugs or combination of drugs.

So When might you need to be on a drug longer than 90 days? Severe, chronic disease states like diabetes, COPD, Hypertension that is Hereditary, Thyroid medication after thyroid removal; Hormone replacement therapy after menopause or in cases of severe low-T. The list is not endless though.

When should you talk about Health Management vs. Pharmaceutical Management?

Let’s say you are someone who has High Blood Pressure or Hypertension, has a BMI greater than 23 (Calculate Here)With Extra weight around your midsection and When you measure your waist it is greater than the measurement of your Hips. Your medication should only be given in conjunction with a Nutrition and Exercise Plan. Notice I Did NOT use the word DIEt. That’s right, to DIET is to DIE. Think in terms of Nutrition. What helps my Body GAIN what it NEEDS?

That Plan should be Monitored and carried out to work towards lowering or removing the medication altogether. This plan would take 90 days to 18 months and appropriate supplements would be added to ensure nutrient depletion did not occur.

For MOST individuals, Physical Activity alone is not enough. We need to CHANGE Nutrients being put in. Genetics play a role in the AMOUNT of food needed, the TYPE of food needed, the ability to tell if you are FULL or HUNGRY and the AMOUNT and TYPE of physical activity required.

Feel Better – Find Nutrients Depleted b…ent Depletion Calculator – Mytavin.com

This is an example of someone taking Lipitor, Aldactizone and Metformin. The LIST is all of the deficiencies created. These deficiencies can also play a role on the GENETIC Expression of some markers for EACH INDIVIDUAL.

When did Being a Proper weight and size become a Negative?

I Don’t Know about YOU, But I’d Rather have the TOP of this Picture than the Bottom.  So many times, even in my own life, I have had people ask me why I am exercising or why I am skipping desert. Or My favorite, “You’ve lost so much weight, You should Eat”. My goal is to CHANGE HEALTH in this country, one person at a time. I want to restore people’s ability to believe in themselves. To tell that person trying to sabotage them, “HEY! Back off. Its about and for ME, not you.” Because really, that person is jealous that you had the Guts to change your health. I want to teach people To Fight for their HEALTH, and to know when they can say NOT TODAY to a drug or surgery. I want to bring AMERICA BACK TO RIGHT through education, Nutrition Exercise and Supplements, not Drugs.

To schedule a Consult to see if we are a right fit to correct your health, Click Here

~Dr. Marci

References:

  1. https://dnalife.academy/dna-health/
  2. Recent developments in genetic/genomic medicine, Rachel H. Horton and Anneke M. Lucassen, Clin Sci (Lond). 2019 Mar 15; 133(5): 697–708.Published online 2019 Mar 5. Prepublished online 2019 Feb 27. doi: 10.1042/CS20180436
  3. Pharmacogenomics in the treatment of mood disorders: Strategies and Opportunities for personalized psychiatry; Azmeraw T. Amare,1 Klaus Oliver Schubert,1,2 and Bernhard T. Baune1; EPMA J. 2017 Sep; 8(3): 211–227.Published online 2017 Sep 5. doi: 10.1007/s13167-017-0112-8
  4. Future Trends in the Pharmacogenomics of Brain Disorders and Dementia: Influence of APOE and CYP2D6 Variants; Ramón Cacabelos,1,2,* Lucía Fernández-Novoa,1,2 Rocío Martínez-Bouza,1,2 Adam McKay,1,2 Juan C. Carril,1,2 Valter Lombardi,1,2 Lola Corzo,1,2 Iván Carrera,1,2 Iván Tellado,1,2 Laura Nebril,1,2 Margarita Alcaraz,1,2 Susana Rodríguez,1,2 Ángela Casas,1,2 Verónica Couceiro,1,2 and Antón Álvarez1,2Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2010 Oct; 3(10): 3040–3100.Published online 2010 Sep 29. doi: 10.3390/ph3103040
  5. Some observations on the role of environment and genetics in behaviour of wild and domestic forms of Sus scrofa (European wild boars and domestic pigs)S Robert, J Dancosse, A Dallaire – Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 1987 – Elsevier
  6. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/english_bmi_calculator/bmi_calculator.html
  7. https://mytavin.com/results/medications/612-83-1100

Toxic Load: What is it and How Do I Fix it?

Toxic Load refers to the Accumulation of toxins in the body from ingesting them in the air we breath, food we eat, water or other things we drink and exposure to chemicals from lotions to cleaners. Toxic load is further affected by Genetics. If we have failed or broken Toxic removal pathways, Our ability to tolerate toxins is lower.1

What does that mean for you? Well, A lot of people don’t realize that they are exposing themselves daily and what to do to reverse exposure. If you use pesticides, household cleaners from a brand store and eat non-organic GMO food, you are exposing yourself. You also expose yourself to toxins if you live in an area with high radiation, overhead power lines, poor air quality and Highly dense cities. People who live in the mountains and countryside have fewer daily toxin exposures from city persons, but they may use chemicals in farming or farming equipment that cause a toxin load to increase. =

Toxin Build Up in the body has been linked to cancer, autism, neurocognitive decline and Mental health issues.3 It also leads to chronic autoimmune conditions. Many people can reverse simple disorders with doing a full metabolic detox. The most

common thing to start with is increased water intake. If you have high exposure to toxins in your environment, You should aim to drink 100 oz of water a day. If you are exercising, particularly outside with poor air quality, aim for 120oz per day.

Let’s talk about Bathroom habits:

Many people think it is not a problem that they only poop 1-2 times a week, but that lack of excretion causes a lot of toxins to build up in the gut.(4) The gut bacteria then start to grow out of control for the bacteria that make you crave more unhealthy foods and sugary drinks. They can actually tell your brain that you don’t like vegetables. Unbelievable right? Read the book the Gut Brain. It goes in detail about healthy gut bacteria and healthy brain function. There is even some research to suggest that people with poor gut bacteria 

are more likely to be overweight than people with good gut bacteria.7

Urine is a great way to get rid of toxins as well. Your kidneys filter out some things that are not processed by the liver and things that are processed by the liver and concentrate the urine to get rid of the un-needed items. They also have the ability to filter out toxins and concentrate them into the urine and push it out. Going Pee, every two hours is a normal amount, which means that you need to drink enough water to get to the bathroom every two hours.

So what if we could help you with Bathroom habits and Detox and get your body supported in a Natural way?

th probiotics is this: Not all are created equal, just like supplements. You want to go with a refrigerated Probiotic in most cases. One that is not stored in Sugar (think yogurt). If you don’t want to go Probiotic route, go with digestive enzymes and Prebiotics. These things help break down food so you can better absorb it. This then makes it so that you can ease bathroom habits.

Another Way to detox is drinking Lemon in the water, particularly in the morning and keeping it warm. Not hot, But warm. Lemon has high levels of limonene in it, which helps the liver detox well. Another way to help with detox is to do a cleanse. That cleanse can be for the Gut, the Liver or the Kidneys, but typically they all go hand in hand. A typical cleanse can go from no less than 10 days up to 90 days. It depends on the toxic load. 10 days can help you clean out, 23 helps you actually detox and form habits, 90 days will restore your health. This is the primary way that you start to reverse damage to the body.

The hardest part about a cleanse is Budget. Whether it is time or money, budget is the most common complaint. Often, I will also hear “I can not eat like that because my family doesn’t like it”. Well, If your family is eating the same as you are right now, what is their toxic load? Are you wanting to start the family out with poor health or great health? 90 days to change the eating habits and health of your ENTIRE FAMILY. Can you imagine the benefits? Less physician visits. Less medications. What does that cost you?

Essential Oils can also help with Detoxification as well. Lemon,

p> grapefruit, Cinnamon, Peppermint, Anise, fennel, Ginger, Caraway, coriander and Tarragon all help with Digestion motility. Increasing Digestive motility increases the body getting rid of toxins.

So what detox is right for you?

That is subjective, but in general, the goal should be to eat 100 grams of protein, 5 servings of fruit (½ cup each) and 7 servings of vegetables (½ cup each) with most being organic. Also, 100-120oz of water daily. Snacks to a minimum and healthy fat like a ¼ cup of nuts or ½ avocado with salsa.

Message me for more information about regaining your health.

 

References:
  1. Nutr Today. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2017 Jul 1.
  2. 1) Jones OA, Maguire ML, Griffin JL. Environmental pollution and diabetes: a neglected association. Lancet. 2008 Jan 26;371(9609):287-8./li>
  3. (2) Lang IA, et al. Association of urinary bisphenol A concentration with medical disorders and loratory abnormalities in adults. JAMA. 2008 Sep 17;300(11):1303-10.
  4. <(3) Environmental Working Group “Study Finds Industrial Pollution Begins in the Womb” (www.ewg.org/reports/bodyburden2/newsrelease.php)
  5. (4) McCallum, J.D., Ong, S., M Mercer-Jones. (2009) Chronic Constipation in Adults: Clinical Review, British Medical Journal. 338:b831
  6. (5) National Institutes of Health (https://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/constipation/)
  7. (6) Crinnion, WJ (2011) Sauna as a Valuable Clinical Tool for Cardiovascular, Autoimmune, Toxicant-induced and other Chronic Health Problems, Alternative Medicine Review 16(3): 215-225
  8. >(7)Published in final edited form as:Nutr Today. 2016 Jul-Aug; 51(4): 167–174.doi: 10.1097/NT.0000000000000167; The Gut Microbiome and Its Role in Obesity. Cindy D. Davis, Ph.D.

Lemon Water: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

What are the benefits and Negatives of Drinking Lemon Water daily?

 

 

Research suggests that the average female needs 91 oz of water while the average male needs 125oz of water daily,  But it’s so bland. So how do you get it in? What about flavored water or water with something added to it? 

 

The most common fruit placed in water is Lemon, and with good reason. The question is, is it for your betterment or does it cause harm. Well, just like anything, too much of a good thing is too much. Use best Judgement and guidance from multiple providers, including your dentist. 

 

So what is Lemon Water Used For? 

Ayurvedic medicine has long stated that lemon in the water plays a role in detoxification, hydration, weight loss, digestion, improved skin quality, prevention of kidney stones, and it’s a good source of Vitamin-C.  But which of those hold water?

Turmeric powder,Turmeric in Mortar Grinder drugs and ingredient herbs on wooden background

It turns out that most of it is correct. In a study published in 2016, they looked at the benefits of using lemon water with honey in it to decrease lipid profiles. 50 people participated and the results were conclusive. The Fat weight of the person decreased, Triglyceride levels went down and Free Fatty Mass decreased. The questions for the researchers that I have is in part around the fasting and in part around subject numbers. Intermittent fasting is also shown to improve Free Fat Mass and triglycerides, so is it a side effect of just that, or is it actually the lemon in the water? 

 

If i was not convinced that it had to do with the lemon in the water, a 1014 study with 100 participants showed similar results. They added daily walking for 20 minutes as a component of their study though, and took out fasting. 

 

The most conclusive results that I could find were in a 2019 study looking at changes in the gut microbiome and longevity. That study showed that microbial activity of bacteria that help the body break down and digest food was increased by 10% -30% depending on the individual’s microbiome at the start of the study. They showed that the persons had more energy and then they also were looked at over a period of ten years. They tested at younger ages via blood work, mental cognitive tests and agility than same aged peers. 

 

So why do some think it is harmful to drink lemon water? The answers might surprise you. 

Most of the time, we don’t think about washing fruits that we peel, but they can be a significant host for things like e.coli, staph and MRSA. One study of 20 restaurants across the US showed that almost all of the oranges and lemons contained at minimum E. Coli on the skin. You don’t want to stick that in your water (or beer).When it comes to restaurant lemons and oranges, Squeeze them into the drink, but leave the fruit on the plate please. 

 

Lemons are acidic in nature, so they can irritate the skin, gums and cold sores or canker sores. The American Dental association recommends that you stay away from them in those instances. Also, if you have weak tooth enamel or start to notice your teeth feel rough when you run your tongue over them, re-consider your flavor of water. That acidity may also play a role in GERD. While some people get a benefit for their heartburn from lemon water, others can suffer because the pH balance in the stomach is upset by trying to balance out the acidity of the lemons. 

The last thing you may want to consider is about migraines. If you are unsure of your triggers, check citrus fruits specifically when you know you have some down time. Getting a migraine at work because you drink lemon water is not a good plan.

 

That’s all for now, Check back later for more health news!

 

Effects of Lifelong Intake of Leon Polyphenols on aging and intestinal microbiome; Shimizu et al. sci rep. (2019)9;3671
Effects on 8P of Daily Lemon intake and Walking. Y.Kato et al. J. Nutr. Metab. (2014)2014:912684
Does Short Term Lemon Honey Fasting Have Effect on Lipid Profile and Body composition. J. Ayurveda Integ Med (2016)Mar; 7(11-13).

What Role do Genetics Play in Pharmacology?

Ever Had a bad experience with a Prescription?

Ever thought it was an allergic reaction to a medication?

In 2017 I had a significant abdominal surgery that required me to take pain medication, anti-inflammatories, and Antibiotics. The Surgery was supposed to help with a significant abdominal umbilical hernia. It occurred on a Wednesday, and by Monday, I was having a significant reaction to the Pain medication, where my FACE went NUMB. Talk about scary.

Leading up to the surgery, I had taken part in 2 appointments where I discussed previous bad reactions to the pain medication and talked about my concerns. They told me it was a necessary evil in this case so that I could sleep. The Morning of Surgery, After long discussion with the Anesthesiologist, He asked If I had testing done to look at my response to different drugs. At that time, I didn’t even know that was a thing that could be done.

The News media and Medical Media lately has talked a lot about epigenetics, Epigenomics and now, we are starting to hear about pharmacogenetics. Pharmacogenetics can be done through DNA testing to specifically look at your genetics and how they might react to specific types of drugs. They can allow for better dosing, Better drug choice, so there is less guess work, And over all better outcomes. Pharmacogenetics can also help in looking at how some people may become addicted and others not to things like Marijuana, which the Prop 64 group in Colorado would have us believe is not possible.

Pharmacogenetics can also let us know when it might be time to change a drug, because the Epigenetics/Epigenomics, or the Environmental Factors that cause the genes to change, may have been affected over long term use of specific drugs. These drugs can be related to addiction treatment, Pain Management, Mental Health Disorders (Bipolar, Schizophrenia, Depression), Autoimmune Logical Drugs including Chemotherapy.

Along the line of Epigenetics/Epigenomics, there is a specific testing that can be done that supports your DNA sections. IT looks at what will optimally support your health and with that information, we can create a supplement that is SPECIFIC to you. Repeating the test about 6 months after initial testing and consuming of those supplements is recommended due to the changes you could potentially make. Then every year.

 

Why would you need a DNA specific supplement? Colorado has one of the highest levels of radiation exposure in the continental US. Specifically, We have a lot of naturally occurring Uranium and Radon. Both of those are known carcinogens. Also, think about how much and what type of sunscreen you apply every year in Colorado while enjoying the outdoor lifestyle you love. Chemical Barriers are more likely to interact with the radiation from the sun to create mutation of cells. It starts at the Skin level, But Quickly spreads to the body as the skin is an organ that ABSORBS things you put on it.

 

If you have questions about how DNA Testing can improve your health, life and longevity, Don’t Hesitate to reach out!

 

References:

*https://dnalife.academy/dna-health/

*Recent developments in genetic/genomic medicine, Rachel H. Horton and Anneke M. Lucassen, Clin Sci (Lond). 2019 Mar 15; 133(5): 697–708.Published online 2019 Mar 5. Prepublished online 2019 Feb 27. doi: 10.1042/CS20180436

*Pharmacogenomics in the treatment of mood disorders: Strategies and Opportunities for personalized psychiatry; Azmeraw T. Amare,1 Klaus Oliver Schubert,1,2 and Bernhard T. Baune1; EPMA J. 2017 Sep; 8(3): 211–227.Published online 2017 Sep 5. doi: 10.1007/s13167-017-0112-8
*Future Trends in the Pharmacogenomics of Brain Disorders and Dementia: Influence of APOE and CYP2D6 Variants; Ramón Cacabelos,1,2,* Lucía Fernández-Novoa,1,2 Rocío Martínez-Bouza,1,2 Adam McKay,1,2 Juan C. Carril,1,2 Valter Lombardi,1,2 Lola Corzo,1,2 Iván Carrera,1,2 Iván Tellado,1,2 Laura Nebril,1,2 Margarita Alcaraz,1,2 Susana Rodríguez,1,2 Ángela Casas,1,2 Verónica Couceiro,1,2 and Antón Álvarez1,2Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2010 Oct; 3(10): 3040–3100.Published online 2010 Sep 29. doi: 10.3390/ph3103040
*Some observations on the role of environment and genetics in behaviour of wild and domestic forms of Sus scrofa (European wild boars and domestic pigs)S Robert, J Dancosse, A Dallaire – Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 1987 – Elsevier