Olena Center for Health and Wellness - Functional Medicine

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Olena Center for Health and Wellness - Functional Medicine

Olena Center for Health and Wellness is a functional medicine center that focuses on our local community.

We are a trusted source that is inspired to facilitate healing with integrity, humility, honesty, and compassion. Our focus is to incorporate functional medicine by working with natural methods, education platforms, and root cause solutions. In partnering with patients we cultivate a healing space to encourage positive health outcomes and the potential for reversal of chronic disease.

07/30/2024

It saddens me to write this... As of April 30, 2025, I will be closing this functional medicine practice of mine.

It is bittersweet, but ultimately, the business aspect has not been something I have been enjoying.

I am returning to my hospital practice next year, but I still plan to live by the tenants of functional medicine and preach them wherever I go.

Thank you for being such a beautiful community of mine that I have loved connecting with in every way!

If I have changed your life in any way through my content, please let me know in the comments below! :)

Love,
Dr. Eri Shimizu

07/25/2024

So, you've got pelvic floor dysfunction? What can you do about it?

For those with weak muscles, just like any other muscle, you must work them out! Great starting exercises include Kegels, hip bridges, and toe taps. As you get stronger, you will be able to advance your movements.

But what about when these aren't enough? You might need a trained pelvic floor specialist.

A trained pelvic floor therapist will help diagnose and guide you through a treatment plan and utilize things such as:

- Pelvic floor training beyond Kegels.
- Biofeedback — therapy that uses sensors to guide you in controlling your pelvic floor muscles.
- Electrical stimulation. Okay, I am sure someone said, “What??” Don’t worry; it’s not a taser. It is a gentle current to help strengthen your muscles.
- Manual manipulation.

If you are interested in learning more, check out Pacific Pelvic Health at pacificpelvic.com!

You've got this!!

07/23/2024

What are the most common reasons for pelvic floor dysfunction??

1. Hypotonia — the muscles are too loose. This can occur after surgery or having an 8-lb baby sitting on your pelvic floor for months on end. Generally, it will show up as urinary leakage with coughing or sneezing, needing to go to the bathroom urgently, or having stool incontinence.

2. Hypertonia — the muscles are too tight. This can cause relaxation problems, making it painful or hard to urinate or have a bowel movement, and it can sometimes produce symptoms of urgency. There may also be constant pelvic/abdominal pain or pain during in*******se.

Sometimes, which type you may have is obvious, but other times, it may not be as obvious.

As the treatment differs between these two types, seeking guidance from a pelvic floor therapist can be very beneficial. More about this in my latest article at olenacenter.com/blog!

07/18/2024

Let's talk about... Pelvic floor dysfunction. Super glamorous, right?

Many of us do not talk about our struggles and live in silence, so we may feel like we are the only ones having these issues. I want to let you know — you are not alone!

Pelvic floor dysfunction is not rare.

It is estimated to affect up to 50% of women who have given birth.
Age, surgeries, inflammation, and previous radiation can all cause problems down there.
And gentleman, you do not need to be a woman to have these dysfunctions. Pelvic dysfunction is quite common for older men with prostatic issues.

For those of you suffering silently, you don’t have to! There are things you can do to help! I'll talk more about these in posts coming shortly, but if you want to get ahead of the game... head to olenacenter.com/blog for all the tips on strengthening your pelvic floor

07/16/2024

I hope you enjoyed this past month talking about mitochondria as much as I did!

Here are my take homes: as always, focus on a healthy lifestyle –eat well, exercise, manage stress, and get enough sleep!

However, if you have chronic health issues such as fatigue, cognitive decline, or heart or muscle issues, perhaps your mitochondria could use a boost.

Ask your healthcare provider if they think any of these or other interventions may benefit (and not harm) you and your mitochondria!

Cheers to your mitochondria!

07/11/2024

The research on the effects of cold exposure on mitochondrial health is still growing and developing...

However, so far, it seems that cold exposure may stimulate mitochondrial biosynthesis and improve the activity of mitochondria.

It also increases the amount of brown fat; brown fat is a type of fat tissue that plays a role in heat generation and is associated with improved metabolic parameters.

Currently, the optimal type or duration of cold exposure is still unclear. Cold exposure has risks, especially if you have underlying health conditions. Before plunging into this one, speak with your healthcare provider.

Have you cold plunged before??

Learn more over at olenacenter.com/blog about your mitochondrial health!

07/09/2024

Antioxidants can support our mitochondrial health.

Remember all those free radicals produced by the mitochondria? Having sufficient antioxidants can help quench free radicals. Again, a diet comprised of various plants can be beneficial.

Another exciting supplement being investigated is urolithin A.

Urolithin A is produced by the gut microflora from foods rich in ellagic acid and ellagitannins, such as those found in pomegranates, certain berries, and nuts, and it has been demonstrated to activate mitophagy and improve mitochondrial health.

Supplementation with this compound is still being researched, but it seems promising! Read more at olenacenter.com/blog

07/05/2024

Our mitochondria can sustain damage and become dysfunctional.

You can imagine that if your mitochondria are not working well, this will have huge impacts on health, especially on the organs heavily reliant on energy production — remember, the brain, muscles, and heart.

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been linked to Brain Aging, Parkinson’s disease, Atherosclerosis, Kidney disease, and Immune dysfunction.

So, how can we support our mitochondria? One of the many ways is exercise. Regular exercise stimulates the creation of new mitochondria within cells!

Read more about how to support your mitochondria in my latest blog over at olenacenter.com/blog!

07/03/2024

Besides ATP production, what else do these powerhouses in our cells do?

Research has also discovered many other crucial roles the mitochondria play, including:

- Steroid hormone synthesis. The first step in creating steroid hormones (estrogens, testosterone, progesterone) occurs in the mitochondria!

- Heme synthesis. Heme is essential for creating hemoglobin and the cytochrome proteins that produce ATP in the electron transport chain.

- Cell death. Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a controlled process that removes damaged cells and maintains tissue integrity. The mitochondria act as a critical checkpoint in this process.

- Regulation of the immune response. The mitochondria produce energy for the immune system and regulate the signals within the immune cells that guide their activation and proliferation.

Head to my latest post at olenacenter.com/blog to see read more about your mitochondria and what you can do to optimize their function in your body!

06/28/2024

Let's talk about Mitochondria!! These powerful organelles have some pretty important functions.

The mitochondria are the cell’s powerhouses. One of their main functions is energy production. This is where fats, carbohydrates, and protein are converted into ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the fuel that powers the cell. No ATP = no energy = dead cell.

As mitochondria are essential for energy production, they are found abundantly in the organs that require the most energy — the brain, muscles, and heart.

In addition to ATP production, research has also discovered that mitochondria play many additional crucial roles, which I can't wait to talk about in my upcoming posts this next month. Head to olenacenter.com/blog to get a sneak peak of all these organisms have to offer!

06/26/2024

As we wrap up our month of DETOX - there's one last thing to touch on... the Dirty Dozen. Heard of these? These are the top 12 produce items with the most pesticides:

Strawberries
Spinach
Kale, collard, and mustard greens
Grapes
Peaches
Pears
Nectarines
Apples
Bell and hot peppers
Cherries
Blueberries
Green Beans

**Depending on your budget, opt for organic and local produce when possible.**

For a complete list: EWG’s 2024 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce - head to my latest blog post via olenacenter.com/blog or via the link in bio. Do you eat any of these??

06/21/2024

Another to reduce toxic load is to choose clean cosmetics and household cleaners.

Consider natural alternatives to cleaning products. My personal favorites are baking soda, vinegar, and lemons. It’s incredible what those ingredients will get rid of!

My current favorite non-toxic brands:

Home cleaning: Attitude (Amazon); 9 (Target); EverSpring (Target); Mrs Meyers (Target)
Hair care: Rahua, mykitsch, Alchemist, Clean Kids (for little kid shampoos)
Makeup: Ilia, Beauty counter
Face creams: Biossance, Goop.
Pots/Pans: GreenPan, Ourplace
Target and Sephora have “clean” filters to help find better options.

I link to the EWG Skin Deep® Cosmetics Database and The Clean Beauty Project in my latest blog post on olenacenter.com/blog if you want to take a look over there. Cheers to feeling our healthiest and best!

Address

1885 Main Street STE 207
Wailuku, HI
96793

Website

https://www.olenacenter.com/

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