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Light Therapy

1/20/2019

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Light is one of those elements in our environment that’s easy to take for granted. It’s always around us but we seldom think about it. With many of us spending more and more time indoors, and especially during the winter months when the days are short, we’re not getting enough light, or better, we’re not getting enough of the right kind of light.

​Nasa was among the first to understand the health and longevity benefits of light. Their astronauts not only need to maintain their health in space, but aIso when they return home. An anti-gravity environment can take a massive toll on the human nervous system, so Nasa’s solution was to line the astronauts’ sleeping bags with light.

The light found in Nasa’s astronaut sleeping bags is the same frequency light provided by the FDA-approved Celluma Light Therapy device we use in our office. Keep reading to learn the benefits of light therapy, plus how you can enjoy light therapy at home.

How it works

The chromophores in your cell membrane and mitochondria inside the cell absorb photons from a low level LED light.

“As light is absorbed by your cells’ chromophores, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), and intracellular calcium (iCa2+) all increase. With this increase, transcription factors are activated and translocated to the cell nucleus, activating gene transcription.” (1)

In short, exposure to the specific light provided by our office’s Celluma Light Therapy, increases cell survival and supports wound healing, among other positive outcomes.

With over 3600 studies in the past 20 years, and more being released everyday, supporting the value of light therapy, it’s worth it to take a look at the benefits.

I used to work in a practice that offered light therapy, and we saw absolutely incredible results. I always thought that a device designed to wrap around certain joints for a more targeted application would yield even more compelling results, so when I saw the Celluma device at a seminar, I was so stoked and knew I had to offer it in my own practice.

Most light therapy devices are not FDA-approved but Celluma has been approved by the FDA to treat and improve acne, pain, arthritis, wrinkles, muscle and joint pain, decrease inflammation, and improve microcirculation. The relaxation most patients experience is an added bonus, but the above reasons are why we offer Celluma light therapy in our office.

1. Improved cellular nutrient uptake:

You eat a whole food diet and take quality supplements. But is your body able to optimally absorb and metabolize those nutrients? Light therapy can help.

Without the right wavelength of light energy, certain nutrients are not completely absorbed, and therefore are wasted and less effective. This means that when you provide your body with the proper whole food nutrients and supplements, light therapy helps maximize the absorption rate, leading to a healthier biochemical outcome and more efficient, optimally functioning digestive system.

We recommend taking your prescribed supplements just moments before your light therapy treatment to experience optimal results.

2. Increased circulation:

If you have an injury or experience poor circulation in general, increasing the nitric oxide in your body is one of the best things you can do.

Nitric oxide helps keep our blood vessels open and relaxed, allowing blood and the nutrients it carries to easily reach all parts of the body. The specific wavelengths of light provided by light therapy help increase nitric oxide production in the body, improving circulation and healing time for injuries.

3. Increased collagen production:

Noticing a few more wrinkles when you look in the mirror? Red Light therapy has been proven effective in preventing and decreasing wrinkles overall because the frequency of light provided during therapy actually increases collagen production.

Collagen is the connective tissue in our face, which decreases with age and creates that wrinkled appearance we all dislike so much. Light therapy promotes more efficient collagen and elastin production, leading to smoother, younger, and more healthy-looking skin.

4. Improved tissue repair:

Beyond the beauty benefits, the red light used in light therapy that increases collagen production also promotes scar tissue healing.

I find scar tissue on nearly all my patients, whether from a new or old injury, or even from daily repetitive movements that cause microtraumas. You’re practically guaranteed to leave this life with some sort of scar tissue. If scar tissue builds up, either from injury or a surgical intervention like a c-section, the scar can imbed deep within the tissues and cause pain, hinder mobility, and decrease optimal function.

But when scar tissue is broken up and repaired with red light therapy, my patients have been able to move and feel better.

5. Improved mitochondrial function :

Light therapy also improves the function of our cells’ mitochondria. You probably remember from your elementary school science lessons that mitochondria are our cells’ energy powerhouse, so improving their function will increase energy storage in the body.

One of the nicest things about light therapy is the relaxation patients experience during a session, but they’re also simultaneously improving their energy.

Outcomes in our office

Clinical Outcomes in our office have been positive. We treat a lot of neuromuscular conditions such as arthritis, tissue and joint injuries, and fractures. Patients have noticed reduction in pain, decreased healing time, and overall relaxed feeling.

I have observed a reduction in patients’ scar tissue in as little as 3 treatments, as well as an increase in range of motion when there was a deficit pre treatment. I have also seen an overall improvement in vitamin uptake to their cells, which is IDEAL when you are dealing with nutritional deficiencies that can lead to disease.  With that said, I am recommending light therapy to all my patients as a very important adjunct to care.

In Health,

​Dr. T
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Tips And Tricks For Eating Healthy While Traveling

1/12/2019

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Tips And Tricks For Eating Healthy While Traveling

A lot of my patients have told me about their travel plans in the New Year. One of the biggest complaints I hear from them is how difficult they find it to stay on track with healthy eating while traveling.

So many people view getting out of town as free rein to eat whatever they want. And while it may not be the end of the world to indulge for a meal or two, consuming mass quantities of processed foods, carbohydrates, and alcohol at every single meal will have you feeling a lot more than just homesick.
Indulging in too much processed food, carbohydrates, and alcohol can cause inflammation, high blood pressure, and constipation. These symptoms are bad enough to deal with when you’re in the comfort of your own home, but if they hit while you’re away, you may have a recipe for disaster.

Plan ahead to stay on track.

If you’re driving to your destination then you really don’t have an excuse not to eat healthy foods. Without the constraints of air travel rules and regulations and without suitcase space being at a premium, you can pack a cooler for the road and stock the fridge when you reach your destination.
Pack up lots of your favorite kombucha and green juice.
Kombucha is fermented, which means it’s loaded with probiotics that help with inflammation and digestion. It also contains vitamin B and iron which may enhance oxygen flow by increasing hemoglobin in the blood, giving you an energy boost (and one that would be preferable over consuming more coffee!).

Green juices are great for supporting your immune system while traveling. They’re loaded with nutrients and provide a healthy dose of vitamin C.

If air travel is on the itinerary, you may not be able to take kombucha and green juice but you can pack a shaker and shake or smoothie powder (this one is my favorite and the sample sizes are perfect to take along on your travels). Fill the shaker with water once you’re through security and mix up a healthy shake whenever you need it.

Healthy snacks for air or car travel

Crunchy
If you’re craving something crunchy, don’t be tempted by the convenience and allure of vending machine Cheetos or peanut butter crackers!
Opt for nut chips or organic rice cakes instead. (Adding a little almond butter to organic rice cakes is one of my favorite satisfying snacks!)
And before leaving home, head to your nearest health food store (or order online) and stock up on raw, organic nuts and seeds - but make sure they have nothing on them! Flavored or salted nuts are usually processed with hydrogenated oils which contain trans fats that can lead to arterial plaque buildup, among other things.

Sweet
Dates are a fantastic, whole food alternative to any of the processed, sugar-laden snack you might reach for. Plus, they’re high in fiber and antioxidants and are just as sweet as any candy.
My family is also a big fan of Granny Smith apples dipped in raw, organic cashew butter, and since it’s not something we usually eat at home, it feels like a treat. Granny Smith apples are the lowest glycemic index apple which will help when it comes to keeping your blood sugar stable.

Salt/Fat
Grab a bag of cut carrots and your favorite hummus for a satisfying snack on the go. Hummus is a great, protein-packed alternative to other unhealthy dips. Made with chickpeas, tahini, garlic, olive oil, and lemon, it’s loaded with healthy fat and fiber.
Olives are another great snack. They’re easily portable if you’re out and about and are a great source of heart-healthy fat and antioxidants. My family loves these handy travel pack olives.

Once you’ve reached your destination

Whether you’re a guest in someone’s home or staying in a hotel, feel NO SHAME for maintaining your healthy diet while traveling! Prioritizing your health is something you should be proud of!
Drinking hot water and tea are great ways to help those toxins flush out and help soothe your digestive tract, especially when enjoyed first thing in the morning. Plus, you can find hot water anywhere!

A good rule of thumb for healthy eating whether you’re traveling or not is to opt out of carbs and processed foods and opt in to whole foods.

This can feel tricky, especially if you’re staying in someone else’s home, but one of my favorite things to do in this situation is offer to help prepare a dish. “I make amazing brussels sprouts” or “I have this great salad recipe” allow you to be a wonderful, helpful house guest while also reaping the benefits in the form of having at least one, healthy, whole foods dish to enjoy. And even if you’re just a guest at someone’s home for dinner, I always let the host know that I’m bringing a salad to pass for this very same reason!

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, the change in routine, different foods, and different environmental factors can cause constipation. If that happens, I highly recommend taking a plant-based, multiform magnesium supplement daily, and increasing the dose if you still can’t go.
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Eating healthy foods can be more challenging when you’re away from home, but with a little planning, “I can’t eat healthy when I travel” is no longer a valid argument. Take a vacation from work and the everyday stressors in your life, but don’t take a vacation from healthy eating.

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Welcome 2019 With A Supervised Detox

1/1/2019

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Welcome 2019 with a Detox
We’re in the final days of 2018, and while we hope you’ve been experiencing your best health yet, you may still be struggling with a few lingering issues that you probably don’t want to invite into 2019.
Unexplained, chronic fatigue, frequent headaches or migraines, difficulty losing weight, are just a few of the MANY REASONS why it’s a good idea to do an annual system detox.
Each year Well Balanced Body offers a supervised purification program to both clear and support the systems with proper nutrition, so you can start the New Year feeling your best.
Why detox?
Our bodies are constantly exposed to external or environmental toxins as well as internal toxins that are due to challenges like poor digestion, certain enzyme deficiencies, and more.
Our bodies are designed to eliminate toxins with the help of the liver, kidney, bile, colon, lungs and lymph system, but if you’re not supporting your body with proper nutrition, your body’s own detoxification systems can no longer properly eliminate toxins. The toxins in turn accumulate in the tissues causing a whole host of annoying symptoms, like poor ability to shed excess weight, brain fog, acne, muscle tension, joint pain, and decreased organ function (like infertility) to name a few.
Even worse, toxins cling to fat cells, connective tissue, and organs like our brain, which can lead to a toxic body and brain. Yikes!
But won’t a detox make me feel like crap?
Most purification programs focus solely on eliminating the bad stuff. You’ll lose a few pounds, sure. But then the headache and sluggishness start.
If your purification program doesn’t incorporate proper nutrition, the toxins that release from your tissues can’t be properly eliminated from your system.
You’ll either end up putting back on every single pound you’ve lost, or you’ll keep the weight off but continue to feel like toxic garbage.
Our program is different
Well Balanced Body’s supervised purification program is a simple, whole food detox that supports your body’s entire detoxification system. Toxins will release from your tissues and be properly eliminated through your body’s own detoxification system with the support of proper nutrition.
No headache. No digestion issues. No feeling like garbage.
To see what’s included in this program, click here. (hint: no supplements, just shakes and REAL FOOD)
Is a detox right for me?
‘Detox’ can be a buzzword this time of year, but just because it’s on-trend doesn’t mean you should do it, especially if you’re not planning to do it correctly (i.e., without the support of proper nutrition).
So, let me ask you a few questions:
  1. Do you have trouble digesting certain known health foods such as garlic?
  2. Does your urine smell different after eating asparagus?
  3. Does even a sip of coffee in the morning make you jittery or keep you up all night?
  4. Do you have skin issues like acne or does your skin get irritated easily - are you prone to rashes?
  5. Do you feel like crap when you are trying to lose weight?
  6. Do you have brain fog or fatigue?
  7. Do you suffer from constipation, diarrhea, or both?
If you answered yes to any of these, there is a problem in your detox pathway. And if there is a problem in your detox pathway it can be linked to some type of deficiency in your nutrition, whether it be protein, vitamin B or C complex, or the antioxidant molybdenum (you can read more on this in the blog post I did about last year’s detox).
Bottom line: Your diet is not supporting your detox pathways and your body is depleted of nutrients.
Alright already, I’m in!
Our 28 day supervised purification program begins this year on Thursday, January 10th. If you want to start off 2019 feeling like your best self, call or text 916-936-5528, and get 10% off your detox order! Place your order today, so you'll have everything you need to start with us on the 10th.
Ready to really take your health to the next level in 2019? Join me for Functional Flow Yoga each Friday in 2019 at 4:30pm aka  "Happy Hour" Yoga. Hope to see you there!

Happy New Year!





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