Category Archives: Aging

Brain Healthy Supplements


Brain Healthy Supplements

The thoughtful use of supplements is an essential part of a healthy brain plan. The reason for this is explained in detail in my BRAIN HEALTH webinar Some supplements are so vital to brain health that I recommend them for everybody regardless of brain type. That include particular fatty acids such as DHA. I talk about these things also in my book, Super Brain: Maximize Your Brain Health for a Better Life.

As is well stated by Ron Grisanti, DC, one of my teachers at FMU, other supplements are best geared to specific brain types to help balance those brains. Taking the right supplements for your brain type can give you a jumpstart in your quest to be thinner, smarter, and happier. I have a program that individualizes these to meet your specific situation; details of what the BRAIN HEALTH program covers is discussed in my webinar.
Multivitamin: More than half of Americans do not eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, the minimum required to get the nutrition you need. I recommend that everyone take a good multi-vitamin every day. A great one that contains great servings of phytonutrients is PhytoMulti by Metagenics. You can go here to learn more about the ingredients. You can also log on, open an account, and get discounts on high quality supplements researched for effectiveness.  Call the clinic at 510-849-1176 for additional information and to get an individualized appointment.

Fish oil: Having low levels of omega-3 fatty acids is one of the leading preventable causes of death and has been associated with heart disease, strokes, depression, suicidal behavior, ADD, dementia, and obesity. Fish oil has been found to be good for your heart, your skin, your eyes, your joints, your hair, and your brain. Taking omega-3s has been found to decrease your appetite and your cravings. My recommendation for most adults is to take between 1 to 2 grams of high-quality fish oil a day. One of the most absorbable types is a monoglyeride form, allowing you to take less and still get the same amount of absorption. Information and ordering can be done through The Redwood Clinic.

Vitamin D: Low levels of vitamin D have been associated with depression, Alzheimer’s disease, MS, heart disease, diabetes, cancer and obesity. When you don’t have enough vitamin D, you feel hungry all the time, no matter how much you eat.

Brain & Memory: Brain and Memory Power Boost includes the super-antioxidant N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC), along with phosphatidylserine to maintain the integrity of cell membranes and huperzine A and Acetyl-l-Carnitine (ALC) to enhance acetylcholine availability and vinpocetine and gingko biloba to enhance blood flow. This is a novel combination of powerful antioxidants and nutrients essential in enhancing and protecting brain health. This is the formula we use at the Amen Clinics in our NFL study.

Craving Control: This powerful new nutritional supplement is formulated to support healthy blood sugar and insulin levels while providing antioxidants and nutrients to the body. Our formulation includes N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) and glutamine to reduce cravings, chromium and alpha-lipoic acid to support stable blood sugar levels, and a brain-healthy chocolate designed to boost endorphins. This is the formula we use at the Amen Clinics in our own weight-loss groups.

Sleep: To support healthy sleep, which is critical to brain health and craving control, I have developed a special supplement called Restful Sleep. It contains a combination of nutrients designed to support a calm mind and promote a deep, relaxed, restful night’s sleep. This supplement contains both an immediate-release and time-release dose of melatonin, the calming neurotransmitter GABA, a combination of the essential elements zinc and magnesium, and the herb valerian, which together may produce an overall sedative effect to help support sleep.

Compulsiveness: Serotonin Mood Support is Dr. Amen’s unique formula that contains saffron extract and 5-HTP. It helps to support normal serotonin levels by providing 5-HTP, a direct precursor to serotonin, along with a proprietary extract of saffron, shown clinically to support a normal mood. Vitamin B6 and inositol are included to provide additional synergistic support. Ingredients are provided at clinically tested levels to insure optimal benefit.

Focus and Energy: Formulated without caffeine that makes people jittery, Dr. Amen’s Focus & Energy Optimizer supports both focus and healthy energy levels. It is formulated with green tea and choline to help with focus, along with three powerful adaptogens, which act synergistically to enhance endurance and stamina. The adaptogens ashwaganda, rhodiola, and panax ginseng have been scientifically shown to improve the body’s resistance to stress and support a healthy immune system.

Anxiety: Dr. Amen’s GABA Calming Support contains a combination of inhibitory neurotransmitters vital to quieting an overactive mind. It contains clinically-tested and natural Pharma GABA (gamma-amino-butyric acid) shown to promote relaxation by increasing calming, focused brain waves, while also reducing other brain waves associated with worry. Complimenting this clinically tested and natural substance are vitamin B6, magnesium, and lemon balm, an herb traditionally known for its calming effects.

Stress: Dr. Amen’s newest formulation provides a unique blend of natural ingredients at clinically tested levels to help reduce stress, restore calm and support the body’s natural response to the rigors of everyday life.

Moods: S-Adenosyl-Methionine (SAMe) is involved in the production of several neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, epinephrine) and helps the brain to function properly. The brain normally manufactures all the SAMe it needs from the amino acid methionine. When a person is depressed, the synthesis of SAMe from methionine is impaired, and SAMe has been shown to have antidepressant qualities. Dr. Amen’s NeuroSAMe supports positive moods, joints and cartilage, and a healthy liver.

For these and other brain and body healthy supplements, click here to visit our TheRedwoodClinic store.

5 Color Vegetables or Fruits

5 Color Vegetables or Fruits

Foods and nutrition are great topics for the holiday gatherings.

A recent gathering of HAART employees and directors of the board (Dr. Jay is on the board of directors of HAART) was such an opportunity. Savyon, my eldest daughter, was sitting at a table of younger professional women. Among the topics that came up was different types of diets and eating plans — Paleo, vegan, etc.

One person in the conversation, Savannah, is the newest board member. She mentioned that she was brought up with the simple concept by her mother of eating different color foods at each meal. Do that in a consistent fashion as a child and you will grow up getting at least some basic nutrition.

Others talked about paleo diets related to our “caveman” genetic backgrounds.

Kaiser sends out an email newsletter with the following article today:

Beyond the ‘White Food’ Diet: Seven Tips for Adding Color to Your Child’s Plate

Again, the same advice from a pediatrician.

Why the colors? Well, nature produces different colors to attract different animals. Different colors of veggies and fruits contain different kinds of phytonutrients and different types of antioxidants. And antioxidants are substances we need in our bodies to balance out the oxidation reactions that are, for one thing, the basis for our energy production system. Krebs cycle, citric acid cycle, mitochonria, etc. etc. You know what I’m talking about.

So, while the composition of these colored foods was less well studied 30, 40, 50 years ago, we have a clearer idea of the biochemical reason why eating colored vegetables and fruits may be important.

If you can’t get enough of these servings of food in your diet you can get a rough substitute by taking the right supplements. One I recommend is Phytonutrients by Metagenics. You can order them online here.

GNC to pay $2.25 million over sale of illegal dietary supplements

GNC to pay $2.25 million over sale of illegal dietary supplements

More than 50 years ago I started getting interested in nutrition and GNC (General Nutrition Company/Corporation) was one of the first big stores in the malls in Indianapolis. I browsed the store aisles, studied the bottles, and bought some of the products.

A lot has happened since then. And my maturation regarding what products are reliable and what are not has advanced exponentially. As a clinician, I only want patients (and myself and family) to use products that are safe and effective. Thus, I am selective about what I prescribe and recommend. The manufacturers have to meet strict standards.

The article about GNC just came to my attention. I suggest that you read it because it represents the tip of the iceberg.

When it comes to medications, sometimes a generic will do but other times the original product works better. And there are many deaths per year attributed to taking the wrong medication even when prescribed by your doctor. Mixing the wrong medications is lethal. Mixing the wrong supplements can also have negative consequences.

So, when it comes to natural supplements, you really have to know what you are buying. When I was young there were no personal computers or the internet. You had to read alot to really figure out what might be helpful.

Now, with the internet, everyone thinks that they are an expert. Just because the internet is there doesn’t mean the information is “advice.” There is a lot of hype and false news to convince you to buy.

Not only that, not all supplements are created equal. Not all of the ingredients are good for your body. Toxicants and ineffective doses are rampant.

Quality costs money. Testing costs money. Rejecting ingredients that don’t meet standards costs money. You want to do price comparison shopping to save a little money. But, just because something is cheap doesn’t mean that it is quality, tested, or meeting high standards. More than likely it means the opposite.

Buying your products online from just any online vendor is not really so smart. You can buy cheap gas and it might not kill your car immediately but in the long run it might shorten the life of it. Same thing with your supplements.

Call us to set up an appointment to make sure that what you are putting into your body is good for you. 510-849-1176

Anger and Heart Attacks

Anger and Heart Attacks

Anger and Heart Attacks are related according to an article in AARP magazine. The American Association of Retired People Bulletin (December 2016) just came out with an article linking a higher rate of heart attacks when exercising when you are angry. The title says it clearly, “Don’t Exercise When Angry: This surprising Combo Can Cause Heart Attacks.”

Do you ever try to “blow off steam” by exercising? Do you get angry and then try to use that to power your exercise? That may put you at higher risk of a heart attack. Anger and heart attacks are related as this medical research shows. Published in the journal Circulation, more than 12.000 people in 52 countries. AARP concludes that “this doesn’t prove that exercising while angry is bad for you, but going to extremes may be harmful.”

AARP quotes the American Psychological Association to keep anger at bay try 1. Breathe deeply from your gut, 2. repeat a calming phrase like “take it easy” 3. Visualize a relaxing image or experience, 4, do some slow, yoga-like exercises. (If you attend my BRAIN HEALTH webinar I have such an exercise at the end. www.theredwoodclinic.com/brain-consultation).

Anger and Heart Attacks: A Chinese Medicine Explanation

Chinese medicine has an explanation for this.

anger and heart attack

from: alchemical.com

Each organ and emotion is related to each other by the Laws of the 5-Elements. Each element is related to the next one in line by seasons and energy support. Fire creates Earth. Earth contains Metal. Metal channel Water. Water feeds Wood. Wood fuels Fire.

Likewise, each Element has a corresponding emotion. Anger is related to Wood. Joy is related to Fire. But the HEART is also related to the Fire. Thus, anger can effect the heart.

Frequently we work with people who want to improve their dr jay casey messer with bank cards albuquerque 7-28-15heart and cardiovascular systems through acupuncture. One key approach is to dissipate the anger energy in order to improve circulation throughout the entire body. Anger can cause vasoconstriction, a narrowing of blood vessels. Balancing the emotions through specialized acupuncture treatments can lead you to have more joy and less stress in your heart.

Call for an appointment today to balance your emotions. This does not mean that you will never get angry. After all , anger can be a very powerfully positive emotion that motivates action. At the same time, constantly being angry does not help your health. 510-849-1176.

Hemoglobin A1c and Your Brain Shrinkage – Diabetes Connection

Hemoglobin A1c and Your Brain Shrinkage – Diabetes Connection

Hemoglobin A1c is a marker in your blood stream used to detect blood sugar health or disease. You may know of it in connection with diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes or other blood sugar diseases and imbalances. A low A1c is healthy; too high, and it tells us that your blood sugar has been too high for too long. This means there is high potential for malfunction of many parts of your body.  And as you know, that’s NOT GOOD.

Hemoglobin A1c

Dr. Jay Speaking on News about Brain Health and Diabetes

When blood sugar is too high, indicated by a high hemoglobin A1c, many other proteins traveling in your blood stream can get coated with sugar. In technical terms this is called glycation. These “sticky” proteins then cause problems. Kinda like dirt in the oil of your car engine, or mud mixed with the grease on your bicycle chain. The parts of your body that should work for a long time wear out more quickly.

The parts of your body that are harmed by high sugar includes your brain cells. This is what I have called “crusty brain syndrome” in my tv appearances regarding how to prevent Alzheimer’s.   This is why I have emphasized the need to address your blood sugar and diabetes early on.

Hemoglobin A1C and brain healthLucky for you, we do have ways to help you through nutrition, proper supplementation, and good dietary and exercise habits. Two medical foods that can help you start are available though our natural medicine clinic’s online stores.  Look below for the details and links to get started today.

BUYER BEWARE: There are alot of fake products on the market. Rip offs. On the other hand, at The Redwood clinic we only source the best products by the best and most reliable manufacturers. Products that have clinical testing. SO, BEWARE and TAKE NOTE: Click only on the links at the bottom to order. That way you can be sure that the product you buy is not a fake knock-off by some online scam artists.  I believe that you want to be sure that what you are putting in your body is good for your body and not some look-alike or expired product. Any lack of effectiveness is most likely due to a bogus product and your not getting professional guidance at The Redwood Clinic. We do a thorough analysis to help guide you in the right direction. Call to set up an appointment +1-510-849-1176.

Did I just make up this information about Hemoglobin A1c?   No.

Hemoglobin A1c and Your Brain Shrinkage – Diabetes Connection

Kaiser Foundation Research Center found that the higher the sugar levels in the body the smaller the brain becomes.

Now there is another landmark study published in the journal Neurology. The researchers documented that elevated hemoglobin A1C is associated with changes in brain size.  This is what I have been preaching to my patients for decades.

The Neurology study showed researchers looking at MRIs to determine which lab test correlated best with brain atrophy and found that the hemoglobin A1C demonstrated the most powerful relationship.

They commented, “when comparing the degree of brain tissue loss in those individuals with the lowest hemoglobin A1C (4.4 to 5.2) to those having the highest hemoglobin A1C (5.9 to 9.0), the brain loss in those individuals with the highest hemoglobin A1C was almost doubled during a six-year period.

So, once again, we see that blood sugar has important implications for your brain health. Anyone who has been around a diabetic whose blood sugar levels are not controlled knows what I mean. Often they are mentally “out of it.” The excess sugarized-proteins damage brain cells and cause massive inflammation. This inflammation damages the retinas of the eyes, Hemoglobin A1Ccausing blindness. The inflammation damages the kidneys, causing renal failure and the need for dialysis.

Is Your Brain Shrinking? Time to seriously think about brain health and blood sugar balance. If your A1C is high it is time to give us a call and set up an appointment to see how to turn that around naturally. +1-510-849-1176

LINKS to supplements that might help rebalance blood sugar (in combination with other healthy life-style eating and exercise)  1. Prediabetics and diabetics:  Wellness Essentials Health Balance OR UltraGlucoseControl 30 day.  Order at http://www.TheRedwoodClinic.metagenics.com (Open an account with a discount, call The Redwood Clinic to register as a patient and get the discount  code 510-849-1176)  2.  Another, OptiMetaboliX 2:1, can be obtained online by calling The Redwood Clinic to become a registered patient and get the code to order this supplements.)

Reference:

C. Enzinger, et al., “Risk Factors for Progression of Brain Atrophy in Aging: Six-year Follow-up of Normal Subjects,” Neurology 64, no. 10 (May 24, 2005): 1704-11.The Journal

Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., D.A.C.B.N., M.S.

Functional Medicine University:  Want to study functional medicine at a fantastic distance-learning organization? CLICK HERE to sign up or to get on the waiting list

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Health

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Health

Omega-3 fatty acids are just one kind of fat. There are many (thousands, actually) types of fats. There are many ways that fats are analyzed chemically and classified by biochemists and nutritionists.

Research tells us that different fats either help or hurt your health and body functioning.

For example, rancid fats and trans fats are not good for your body.

We all need fats in our diet to live and flourish. Fats are one of the 3 primary food components, with the other two being proteins and carbohydrates. But you already know that.

The last 10 or so years the fish oils (deep sea) has received a resurgence of attention and popularity in the healthy eating literature and movement.   Part of this is based on the antiinflammatory properties some of the fish oil components have.  The cardiovascular risk reducing effects of Omega-3 fatty acids has become well know.  Largely due to the fact that a leading cause of death in the US is heart attacks and strokes.

You might already be taking omega-3 fatty acids as a supplement or eating portions of fish like salmon more frequently based on this information.

NOT ALL OMEGA-3 SUPPLEMENTS ARE THE SAME.  Not all of them are healthy.  Please watch the video attached to this blog post to learn cutting-edge (and advanced basic) knowledge relevant to optimizing your health.

My purpose is to help as many people as possible to optimize their health so they can fulfill their purposes in life.  We offer this video in that spirit.

Call us at The Redwood Clinic +1-510-849-1176 to order supplements mentioned in the video.

We have numerous other videos at this website and online that complement the content in this video.

Our podcast is also a great way to learn about caring for your health.  www.NaturalSolutionsWithDrJay.com

 

Weight Loss and Detoxification

Weight Loss and Detoxification

In 2016–even after many decades of research–the concept of detoxification is still considered to be nonscientific in many medical circles. weight loss and detoxificationWhy this is the case is a bit of a mystery and may be the result of some basic misunderstandings about the word. In fact, a body of credible research has been conducted on the environmental and health impacts of toxins, and much recent study has been dedicated to the issue of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). With the development of new analytical tools, we have entered a new era in which it is now possible to study the more subtle effects–cellular toxicology, genomic toxicology–these molecules can have on the human body.

One thing that is undeniable is that toxins are stored in the fat cells of the body.  If we don’t clean those toxins out we will have a degeneration of our health.  Patients I have worked with have had incredible turn-arounds of their health simply by doing our science-based, effective detoxification processes.  This is not just the go to the health food store and get herbs to purge the bowel.  Sorry, that just doesn’t cut it now that we know what really is needed functionally.

Pain is worsened by a toxic body.

Chemical toxicity

Explosive increase in chemicals in the environment

Medication use is often due to toxins in the body that cause symptoms that the drugs are prescribed to cover up.  When the medication “eliminates” one thing they often produce other symptoms.  Another drug is prescribed to “address” that complaint.  And so on.  Until people are taking a handful of drugs.

All when maybe a detoxification process that got rid of the poisons in your body was all that was needed in the first place.

Call us to set up your appointment to start your detox process now.  Autumn is a time when nature gets rid of what it doesn’t need so it can regenerate and grow.  What in your life is your reason to not do this detoxification process here at The Redwood Clinic?

Write down the top three obstacles or blockages you have to taking action on detoxification.  Then rank each one on a scale of 1 to 10 of difficulty to overcome.  Ten is impossible.  Like trying by yourself to get your leg out from under a 1 ton boulder trapping it.  One is a minor obstacle, like you have to go out and walk your dog right now, but could do it in 10 minutes.

So, again, write down your 3 biggest obstacles to calling us now to make an appointment to clean out your body gently and effectively.  Then, rank them according to how hard the obstacle is.  Then figure out whether all three are really insurmountable.

Now Call for Your Appointment.  Tell us you want to do our detoxification program.  Regain your health and your natural abilities to heal and lose the weight that may be the cause of your chronic pain.

And, watch this video by one of the Fathers of Functional Medicine, Jeffrey Bland, PhD.  Then take action and call us at 510-849-1176.

Reference:
Blum A. Tackling toxics. Science. 2016 Mar 11;351(6278):1117.

Menopause Natural Remedies for Symptoms

Menopause Natural Remedies for Symptoms

Study Confirms Plant-Based Therapies Offer Relief From Common Menopausal Symptoms

The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) recently published findings that reveal plant-based therapies to be associated with the reduction of the frequency of hot flashes and vaginal dryness.

The systematic review and meta-analysis of more than 6,000 menopausal women across 60+ studies, demonstrated that newer plant-based therapies showed significant improvements in the number of hot flashes experienced over a 24-hour period, as compared to conventional therapy.

The findings support the use of plant-based nutritional supplements as an effective tool for the relief of common symptoms of menopause.

To order, go to: https://www.theredwoodclinic.metagenics.com, sign in, and then order to get special discounts.

Learn more about this review and its findings here.

To order, go to: https://www.theredwoodclinic.metagenics.com, sign in, and then order to get special discounts.
Estrovera® features ERr 731®, a Siberian rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum) extract, which has been clinically demonstrated to reduce the number of hot flashes (vasomotor symptoms) from 12 to 2 per day (average) in perimenopausal women, in as little as 12 weeks, with just 1 tablet a day.*

  • Clinically shown to relieve a wide variety of perimenopausal symptoms*
  • Safety profile based on positive results from in vitro and in vivo studies
  • Does not contain estrogen
  • Clinically effective dose of ERr 731® in just 1 tablet per day

Experience the benefits of Estrovera featuring ERr 731®—available in the US through your healthcare provider. Go to: http://www.TheRedwoodClinic.metagenics.com

Guaranteed relief of common perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms.* Visit www.WhyEstrovera.com to get additional tips on managing menopausal symptoms by plant-based, non-hormonal solutions and learn more about our guarantee.

If you try Estrovera and aren’t completely satisfied with the results, visit www.WhyEstrovera.com for information on how to receive a full refund of the purchase price.   To order Go to: http://www.TheRedwoodClinic.metagenics.com
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

To order Estrovera, go to: http://www.TheRedwoodClinic.metagenics.com

Functional Medicine: What it is and Why do you want it?

Functional Medicine: What it is and Why do you want it?

Functional Medicine: Just exactly what is it? How is it different from conventional medicine? Why Functional Medicinemight you want to work with a functional medicine practitioner like Jay Sordean? This video explains it in full detail as Dr. Jay narrates and describes some of the distinguishing characteristics of this and how it differs from conventional medicine.

Dr. Jay has been studying and practicing functional medicine for the past 30 years. Learn about this medicine, focused on functional capacity in the body, in ways you may never have thought about it.

Additional resources can be heard at http://www.NaturalSolutionsWithDrJay.com

Learn about how the functioning of the body degenerates and how that leads to malfunction, disease, and THEN symptoms.

 

 

Water is an important part of your body’s functioning.  What happens to your function when your water is toxic?  Click on this link to learn more: http://www.theredwoodclinic.com/toxins-in-water/

Stress, trauma and toxicity are 3 of the most important causes of degenerating health.  These each lead to decreased vitality and organ function, increasing inflammation and causing the body to have to work harder to repair damaged tissues.  Call the office at 510-849-1176 to find out what we can do to help you regain your health.

 

Active for Alzheimer’s Co-Chairs: Marie Balfour and Tierney Henderson

Marie and Tierney AFA

Marie Balfour and Tierney Henderson

Active for Alzheimer’s Tierney Henderson and Marie Balfour Interview with Dr. Jay Sordean

Active for Alzheimer’s is a new group to Dr. Jay Sordean. So go and listen to this new podcast (and video as well) at http://www.NaturalSolutionsWithDrJay.com. Here he interviews two UC Berkeley student leaders of Active for Alzheimer’s.

Dr. Jay speaks with co-chairs Tierney Henderson and Marie Balfour about their group’s important volunteer activities on and off campus. UC Berkeley student club Active for Alzheimer’s (a chapter of The Youth Movement Against Alzheimer’s) is led by co-chairs, Tierney Henderson and Marie Balfour. With both personal and academic experience with Alzheimer’s disease, they realize that most young people have difficulty understanding and connecting with diseases that primarily affect the elderly. In this interview, they detail their club’s efforts to bridge this cognitive gap by connecting UC Berkeley students with opportunities to learn about and work toward the Alzheimer’s cause. They are currently raising funds for an undergraduate scholarship fund for Alzheimer’s research labs, as they hope to incentivize more talented young people to enter research careers in Alzheimer’s. You can donate to this worthy cause at http://www.gofundme.com/the_youth_mov.

On a personal note, Dr. Jay was struck by the fact that both UC Berkeley students are passionate about helping spread the word to youth about the seriousness of Alzheimer’s and how research support and training needs to start at the undergraduate level. He wants to support their efforts as they have created a scholarship fund to support this; you can donate to this worthy cause at http://www.gofundme.com/the_youth_movement. This is in alignment with his mission to help prevent a million cases of Alzheimer’s.

Active for Alzheimer’s at Berkeley Information

You can learn about their group, “Active for Alzheimer’s at Berkeley” at http://www.theyouthmovement.org .

Please share this blog with everyone you know who has an interest in Alzheimer’s.