Live Optimally

08/29/2021

Early detection is the only truly effective approach for reducing mortality from cancer. Recently, a new technology called the GRAIL blood test can detect up to 50 types of cancer with a near 90% accuracy, using cell free DNA (cDNA) fragments detected in blood.

The test is very promising because it has a moderate test sensitivity with a high specificity. The moderate sensitivity means a person may have a positive test when the person actually has cancer. The specificity means there is a negative result and the person truly does not have cancer.

There is some work needed to improve sensitivity before the test is released for general use.

Source: Peter Attia, MD (Podcast)

08/19/2021

In a study of more than 171,000 patients hospitalized at 1 of 7 hospitals in Ontario, Canada between 2010 and 2017, findings indicated that female physicians tend to have lower patient mortality rates:
• Females 4.8%
• Males 5.2%
Female physicians spend more time with their patients and show more empathetic concern than male counterparts.

Source: Sergeant, A., Shaw S., Shin s., et al Variations in Processes of Care and Outcome for Hospitalized General Medicine Patients Treated by Female versus Male Physicians. JAMA Health Forum 2021; 2(7):e211615. doi: 10. 1001/Jama health forum. 2021, 1615

06/27/2021

Intermittent Fasting (no eating or drinking between dawn and dusk (14-15 hours each day) for four consecutive weeks has a positive effect on health.

These effects include the following:
1. An average weight loss of 7.25 pounds
2. An average reduction in blood pressure by 8 mm/Hg
3. An increase in tumor suppressor/anticancer proteins
4. A significant decrease in several tumor promotor/pro-cancer proteins
5. An increase in a protein called calreticulin (approximately 16 X). Calrecticulin enhances IgG response to SARS-CoV spike protein

References: Science Rep 2020 Oct 27; 10 (1): 18341

06/19/2021

Howard Bauchner, the editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), one of the most powerful and influential journals in medicine, has stepped down from his position due to the 9,000 + signature petition calling for his resignation. Recently the editor aired a podcast and posted a tweet questioning whether structural racism exists in medicine.

The JAMA has published several “opinions” over the course of the past year which were stated as “facts.” The journal is highly influential in the medical community and is one of the most powerful medical lobbying groups on an international level.

Examples of published false statements:

1. The higher death rate from COVID-19 in African Americans is a result of a single gene in this race’s nasal passages (not true). JAMA 2020;324(15):1567-1568.
2. Pulse oximeters cannot exhibit bias with dark skinned patients; therefore, there is no structural racism in African American patient care. (Pulse oximeters are not as accurate in dark skinned individuals of any race).
3. Medical school programs designed to increase diversity do not make good doctors (there is no evidence to support this statement)

References:
McFarling U. L. Stat News. June 1, 2021.

Bunyavanich S, Grant C, Vicencio A. Racial/Ethnic Variation in Nasal Gene Expression of Transmembrane Serine Protease 2 (TMPRSSA2). JAMA 2020;324(15):1567-1568.

06/12/2021

Training for pediatric residents has been different from previous pediatric residencies due to the mental health crisis in the pediatric and adolescent population. The leading mental health adolescent diagnoses are eating disorders, depression and anxiety. Currently, the residencies resemble those of pediatric psychiatrists due to a decrease of contagious, communicable infections and decreased rates of respiratory illnesses. The result of this phenomena is causing a shortage of pediatric residents because many are switching specialties from pediatrics to family medicine or emergency medicine.

References: Gaffney T. New Pediatricians are seeing few “bread and butter” cases, but an influx of mental health crises. Stat News, 6/1/2021.

06/05/2021

Don’t be adventurous and eat cicadas if you are allergic to shrimp and lobsters! Apparently they are appearing on menus across the US and they share a family relation to the seafood.

Reference: a Twitter post by the FDA on 6/2/21

05/25/2021

05/25/2021

Cortisol has been termed “the stress hormone” because it is released in the body in excess during times of physical or psychological stress. This excess of cortisol can promote weight gain and also influences excess body fat. Stress and elevated cortisol tend to cause fat deposition in the abdominal area. If you find yourself accumulating belly fat, consider addressing your stress levels to reduce your cortisol levels. Also, any joint or spine injection you have received also influences abdominal fat.

Fat deposition is strongly correlated with the development of C/V (heart attacks and strokes) and diabetes (insulin resistance).

Paula can provide more information about this too! Call (317) 564-4129 today to set up an appointment!

05/16/2021

Evidence is mounting that chemicals we are exposed to at low levels in the environment are linked to obesity. These chemicals can alter metabolism, thyroid function and formation of fat cells. The main toxicants linked to obesity:

1. Bisphenol A:
-Found in household products including plastic dishes, water bottles, plastic cutlery and food packaging

2. Phthalates:
-Found in toys, vinyl floors, shower curtains, detergents, plastic food wrap and storage containers

3. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PB DEs):
-Chemicals added to draperies, rugs, furniture, personal computers and small appliances as flame retardants

4. Polyfluoroalkyl Chemicals:
-Used in non-stick cookware, water repellant clothing, stain resistant fabrics and carpets

5. Organochlorine pesticides (OC):
-No longer used in the US due to adverse health effects but it is still found in the soil and water

6. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs):
-Banned in 1979
-Used in manufacturing in hundreds of commercial products
-Still found in meat, dairy and farmed fish

Need to detox? Call Paula at (317) 564-4129 for an appointment. We can get you cleaned out and keep you healthy!

04/10/2021

The numbers of people getting tattoos has increased over the past 20 years. Approximately 38% of people ages 18-29 have at least one tattoo. Most are unaware of the risks, from infection to exposure to heavy metals to being unable to detect skin cancers. The inks used to create tattoos contain pigments from heavy metals. There is a concern that these toxins could raise the risk of cancer, DNA damage, inflammation, oxidative stress and weakening immune function.

04/03/2021

Oral health is a fundamental, though sometimes overlooked, component of overall health.

A common oral condition we should be aware of is gum disease. Gum disease causes bleeding gums and tooth loss. It is also associated with a number of health problems including cardiovascular disease, lung and kidney disease, and cancer, just to name a few.

Two specific strains of good bacteria (probiotics) can restore oral health and halt gum disease.

L. plantarum has been found to reduce the following:
o Heart dysfunction
o Accumulation of fat under the skin
o Insulin resistance
o Inflammation (IL-6 levels)

Streptococcus salivarius has been found to do the following:
o Reduce IL-6 levels
o Promote a neutral oral pH (promotes health)
o Support enzymes that break down plaques
o Generate bacteriocins which inhibit tooth and gum disease at the local level (gums)

Make an appointment for an oral health consult!!

03/27/2021

Johns Hopkins published an article about COVID-19 and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) this past month. See below:

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/postural-orthostatic-tachycardia-syndrome-pots

This condition affects involuntary nervous system functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, fatigue, and brain fog. There is a growing number of people who have recovered from COVID-19 who are now experiencing POTS symptoms. POTS appears to be triggered by a variety of conditions including virus or bacterial infections. Some think that coronavirus can trigger this.

POTS is diagnosed only when orthostatic hypotension is ruled out and when there is no acute dehydration or blood loss.

03/20/2021

New CDC Guidelines!

People who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can now spend time together indoors and unmasked, according to the CDC director.

"Fully vaccinated" is defined as 1-2 weeks past the final dose of a COVID-19 vaccination regimen.

If a fully vaccinated individual is exposed to COVID-19, there is no need to quarantine or get tested for the disease.

Fully immunized individuals can also visit low-risk individuals from other households if they have not received a vaccine.

02/23/2021

Exciting things are happening at Live Optimally! The latest…we’ve moved!

We’re now located in the heart of the beautiful Nora community on the north side of Indianapolis. We’ve incorporated a fresh, artistic ambiance into our office with more space than before. Make an appointment to visit today!

Our new address:
931 East 86th Street Suite 205
Indianapolis, IN 46240

02/13/2021

Osteopenia is very common among women/men as young as 35 years old. It is a problem because it leads to osteoporosis - the condition that occurs when bones are so weak they break easily. It also increases the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease and dementia.

I had a patient who said to me, “Paula, don’t worry, even though I fast intermittently, I take Vit D and that protects me”. I could not convince her that she was risking her bones. One day she contacted me with complaints of shin pain and intermittent low back pan ("only with my periods," she said).

Bone building requires several ingredients and Vit D is an important one, but so is calcium, magnesium, boron, silicon and most importantly, Vitamin K. Vitamin K activates a protein called osteocalcin in bone that binds calcium making bones stronger. It also activates a protein in arteries and heart valves that prevents calcium deposits (helping to prevent heart attacks).

02/03/2021

A complicating factor in choosing the best option to treat a disease is the difference between the goals of the scientists who test and approve new drugs and the goals of a person seeking treatment. Medications are disproportionately tested on people who are young, white, and male.

01/28/2021

Did you know...several GORILLAS tested positive for COVID-19 at a California zoo?!

01/21/2021

Researchers looked at May 2010 to December 2018 data from GoFundMe and found more than 25% of campaigns were health related. More than 3.6 billion of the $10.2 billion of the campaigns sought were raised and the number of health-related campaigns increased from 42 fundraisers in 2010 to nearly 120,000 eight years later. What does this say about our health insurance, our health care and our health care costs?