Debunking the NYT Article; “Is Delaying Menopause the Key to Longevity”?
Debunking the NYT Article; “Is Delaying Menopause the Key to Longevity”? It’s an eye catching title and a semi interesting read that discusses how scientists are trying to figure out how to keep the ovaries working longer, and if they can, are we able to prevent the progression of age related diseases? In March, Jill Biden announced a new women’s initiative that is highlighting this question among scientists and researchers. “The ovaries are the only organ in humans that we just accept will fail one day,” said Renee Wegrzyn, director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, a government agency tasked with steering Dr. Biden’s mission. “It’s actually kind of wild that we all just accept that.” Most think of the ovaries as just a “baby maker”, but as the article states the ovaries act as a control center and have a lot to do with influencing every organ in a woman’s body. It says that scientists don’t exactly understand how this happens but I believe it’s simply a part of the HPO Axis; the hypothalamic, pituitary, ovarian axis. This axis is a highway of constant communication between the ovaries and the brain and vice versa through a feedback loop. There are many ‘loops’ in the body, for example right now a very hot topic is the gut brain connection. On an elementary level, the article says when women’s eggs are depleted the ovaries seem to go quiet, which corresponds to of course an increased risk in age related diseases. The phrase ‘women’s eggs are depleted’, couldn’t be more inaccurate. Doctors say most of us are born with millions of eggs (40,000 – 3 million to be exact), even that is an inaccurate way of describing the beauty that unfolds in a woman’s ovaries. What women are actually born with are millions of opportunities! By way of folliculogenesis, these opportunities rise to the surface and become expressed! Folliculogenesis is a maturing ovarian follicle that will in most cases rear a good quality egg. At any given time, women have many, many follicles that are in varying stages; from primordial, primary, secondary, tertiary to antral follicles. Not all of these are follicles yet, most are flat cells waiting to grow up to be a follicle, for example it takes about 180 days for the primordial stage to reach it’s full potential as a follicle with a good quality egg. So, the idea proposed is that if a woman loses fewer eggs, she can hold on to her ovarian reserves and functionality for longer is slightly preposterous. The article mentions a clinical trial at Columbia University which is attempting to slow the rate at which women lose their eggs with the immunosuppressive drug called rapamycin. Researchers leading the study claim there are two patterns that are already emerging; one that women are appearing to have a normal decline of ovarian reserve, which is measured by ultrasounds and AMH. Ultrasounds cannot detect ovarian reserve only antral follicle counts, which are the follicles that are in the race for ovulation, they are expressed when they are about the ovulate, ultrasounds cannot detect anything else. Most gynecologists and reproductive endocrinologists, do not test AMH because of its unreliability. But in truth, nothing is reliable and there is no possible way to calculate ovarian reserve. It seems to me, that if we look at this through a Chinese medicine lens, the ovaries are the tree trunk, the follicles and eggs are the branches/leaves, so then what feeds the ovaries to be robust and plentiful? The soil! And that soil is lifestyle and genetics. We can’t alter our genes (yet!) but if we want better functionality and longer sustainability we must look to lifestyle and environmental factors, things like pollution, toxins, nutrition, or lack thereof, too much or too little exercise, alcohol, caffeine, smoking, (basically anything that creates free radicals in the body) not enough sleep and the biggest ones; emotional wellness and the management of stress. These are the things that overtime can exhaust ovarian function and cause aging and disease, whether you are approaching menopause or trying to get pregnant at 30 years old, it all looks the same. In the realm of enhancing lifespan and quality of life, we could also talk about telomeres. Telomeres are caps on the ends of our DNA, they are similar to the caps that are on the end of shoelaces. As the plastic ends shred, and the shoelace becomes frayed and damaged, so too the shortening of our telomeres can leave our cells and chromosomes vulnerable to damage. Telomere shortening means the cell’s lifespan is shortening. Recent research shows that telomere shortening plays an important role in human disease and mortality. So how do we support robust ovarian function and lengthen telomeres? Sleep, regular exercise, stress management, a diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, namely D, meditation, yoga and acupuncture. (You knew the last one was coming!) There have been endless acupuncture studies and trials over the last two decades, everything from pain management to pregnancy rates to digestive disorders to stroke recovery. Research also shows that acupuncture can actually lengthen your telomeres and, for the purposes of this article, acupuncture plays a major role in Stage 4 follicular recruitment. How does it do that? The magnificence of acupuncture is the fact that it is self regulating, so whatever the body needs, whether it’s a decrease in inflammation, moving emotional stagnation thereby relieving stress, harmonizing an organ system, bringing energy to an organ, clearing away meridian debris, acupuncture and the body work together. You don’t have to believe in it or do anything to facilitate it, it just happens, very much in the same way your heart beats or how minerals like sodium and potassium can enter and exit a cell effortlessly. It just happens. In conclusion, we all want to preserve what we have and no one wants to age. Post menopause brings some risk to diseases, but if it’s not ‘that’ disease then it will
How to Decrease Chronic Inflammation with Diet
How to Decrease Chronic Inflammation with Diet Chronic inflammation in the body is linked with many serious illnesses: heart disease, numerous cancers, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, arthritis and autoimmune conditions. We usually think of inflammation as on the surface of the body presenting as local redness, heat, swelling and/or pain. It actually signals our body’s healing response and brings more immune activity towards the site of injury or infection. But when inflammation persists or serves no purpose to increase healing, the end result is damaging to the body. Until recently chronic inflammation was thought of as idiopathic and insidious. Here are some foods to increase in your dietary regimen and foods to avoid in order to decrease inflammation in the body. Trans Fats According to the Mayo Clinic, trans fats can induce inflammation by damaging the cells in the lining of blood vessels. Always investigate labels for hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils and industrialized seed oils. Sugar Too much sugar can alert the body to send out extra immunity messengers, called cytokines, resulting in an inflammatory response. As good as it might taste, and as hard as it is to eliminate, sugar should be eaten rarely and in moderation. Like Dr. Mark Hyman says, treat sugar like a recreational drug. Simple Carbohydrates White breads and pastas break down quickly into sugar, which in turn leads to inflammation. In a 2010 study, researchers found that a diet high in refined grains led to a greater concentration of certain inflammatory markers in the blood. Conversely, a diet high in whole grains resulted in a lower concentration of inflammatory markers. Saturated Fats Animal fats are linked to inflammation. One research study by Scientific American tracked how our beneficial gut bacteria changed after eating saturated fats and found that “as the balance of species shift, it can trigger an immune response that results in inflammation and tissue damage”. According to U.S. News, saturated fats also contain a compound the body uses to create inflammation naturally called arachidonid acid. Diets lower in this molecule have anti-inflammatory effects and have been shown to improve symptoms in Rheumatoid Arthritis patients. Alcohol Alcohol is naturally irritating to our insides, but shouldn’t cause lasting problems unless you overdo it. According to U.S. News, with a few too many drinks, bacteria can easily pass through the intestinal lining, leading to irritation and inflammation. Omega-6 Fatty Acids The average American gets more omega-6 fatty acids via diet than omega-3s. This imbalanced ratio can lead to inflammation. The solution is to cut back on omega-6 heavy seeds and vegetable oils and add more cold-water, fatty fish and walnuts. MSG There’s some research in animals to suggest that the preservative and flavor enhancer MSG can create inflammation. While few of MSG’s effects are understood in much depth, it may be best to avoid. Gluten Even without a diagnosis of Celiac Disease, a number of people report feeling better after eliminating gluten from their diet. In fact, a full 30 percent of American adults are now actively avoiding gluten. Science is still largely inconclusive on what’s being called “gluten intolerance,” but many think that gluten sensitivity can lead to bloating or other digestive ailments and that gluten creates an inflammatory response. How to Eat a More Anti-Inflammatory Diet Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Minimize saturated, trans fats and industrialized seed oils. Eat a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish or fish oil supplements and walnuts. Watch your intake of refined carbohydrates such as pasta and white rice. Eat plenty of whole grains such as brown rice and bulgur wheat. Eat lean protein sources such as chicken; cut back on red meat and full-fat dairy foods. Avoid refined foods and processed foods. Spice it up. Ginger, curry, and other spices can have an anti-inflammatory effect.
13 Ways Acupuncture Can Change Your Life
13 Ways Acupuncture Can Change Your Life It will open your mind. Acupuncture requires us to think about health in entirely new ways. In this day and age, we are heavily influenced and encouraged to put all of our faith in Western Medicine, a system that is more reaction based than preventative based. The concepts of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture is foreign to many, yet with a little explanation and experience, these ancient healing practices begin to make a lot of sense. It will make you less stressed. Acupuncture takes the edge off. Lets face it. We could all use less stress. Most of us are so wound up so tight, that we do not realized just how incredibly stressed we are! By mellowing out the nervous system, acupuncture will help you feel less affected by and better equipped to manage the stressful aspects of life. It will inspire you to get outside more. Things like weather and seasonal shifts factor significantly into acupuncture diagnoses and treatment plans. When you start thinking about health in this way, realizing the intimate relationship that humans have with nature, it inspires a desire to get outside and commune with your natural habitat. All parts of life are deeply connected. It will give you more energy. Although it’s common to find yourself in a somewhat dazed, blissfully relaxed state—immediately following Acupuncture Treatment, the after effect is usually increased energy. Many people report having more energy in the hours, days and even weeks after acupuncture treatment. You can’t put a price on that! Forget the Energy drinks, boost and shots…there is no comparison between toxic man made energy and real energy itself. It will clear your head. Many people notice improved mental clarity after acupuncture. They’re able to make decisions faster, with greater confidence. They feel more motivated and resolute about tackling items that have been lingering for months on their to-do lists. It’s as if the mental cobwebs have been cleared out. And just like that, life becomes much easier. It will allow you to give yourself a break. Something we all very much need. Just the act of laying down for an hour in a cozy room listening to soft music can relax all aspects of your body and mind. Throw in the deeper relaxation aspects of the Acupuncture treatment itself and you will find yourself on a mini healing retreat. It will help you sleep. Insomnia is one of the most common complaints seen by acupuncturists, and acupuncture can be highly effective at resolving it. But even in people who do not recognize or mention sleep as a problem, acupuncture has a tendency to produce more restful nights. It will get you thinking differently about food. Whether you’re Paleo, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, or free of any restrictions, acupuncture will lend some interesting perspective to your food choices. In acupuncture, foods often are thought about in terms of temperature. Some people, because of their constitutions or root imbalances, need warming foods while others need foods that cool. And this can change significantly based on the seasons. Everyone is different. Acupuncture dietary theory sheds light on why some people can eat certain foods and feel unaffected while others can’t even look in their direction. It will give you something to talk about at parties. Move past that awkward moment where everyone is standing around uncomfortable, unsure of what to say…Mention that you’ve recently had Acupuncture and the conversation will take off! People love hearing firsthand accounts about Acupuncture. Did it hurt? How big are the Needles? Did you cry? Do they put like a hundred of them in you?! Keep in mind that you are also giving them the gift of your experience. You are helping normalize a healing practice that everyone can benefit from. Much love, Amanda Self Amanda Self wears a variety of hats at Tao To Wellness. From Social Media to Medical Billing, she brings healing energy to all that she touches. Amanda is a Reiki Master, a jeweler and is currently studying Herbalism, both in the classroom and out in the fields.
Part 2: Acupuncture can stop you from aging. Period. (Berkeley acupuncture)
Part 2: Acupuncture can stop you from aging. Period. (Berkeley acupuncture) If you’re not sure what a telomere is, go back to Monday’s post and read up… So, the big question is: HOW DO I LENGTHEN MY TELOMERES? The obvious answer is to get enough exercise and eat a pristine diet, high in organic fruits and vegetables, grass fed/free range, hormone free meats and eggs and avoid sweets, processed carbs and so on. But, researchers say it’s not just about eating right and working out. Numerous studies, all the way from Harvard University to UCSF, have shown the primary contributor to cellular aging isn’t fast food or a sedentary lifestyle, it’s stress. Accelerated cell aging has now been associated with many stress-related conditions, including trauma exposure, major depression and other psychiatric disorders. Here’s where Chinese medicine comes in… We believe that almost every symptom the body experiences ultimately comes from stress. Stress wreaks havoc on the organ system creating stagnation or disharmony of Qi, Blood and other important substances. So, logics will tell us that if acupuncture treats stress and balances the body overall, then it must lengthen telomeres! We don’t need logics, researchers tell us it’s true! Studies have shown that acupuncture lengthens telomeres! Our recommendation is to receive acupuncture at least once a month, this will help de-stress the body overall, thereby creating the enzyme telomerase by doing the following: Decreasing inflammation Building immunity Strengthening the gastro-intestinal system Enhancing circulation Regulating brain chemistry and hormones Relaxing the nervous system Energetically clearing trauma Opening the meridians and creating a clear connection to the associated organ system hereby eradicating stress and free radicals. And lengthening telomeres! We are your support system for anti-aging, but more importantly longevity! Much love, Christina “Mei Wen” Martin, L.Ac., Dipl.AC, MTOM, FABORM. christina@berkeley-acupuncture.com Christina Martin is the founder of Tao to Wellness. She is an Acupuncturist, Chinese Herbalist and Teacher and has been in practice for fifteen years. She holds a Master’s Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is a fellow of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine. Christina entered Acupuncture school without ever having an Acupuncture treatment. She simply felt it was her calling.
Part 1: Acupuncture can stop you from aging. Period. (Berkeley acupuncture)
Part 1: Acupuncture Acupuncture can stop you from aging. Period. So, now that we have your attention… What do we mean exactly when we say acupuncture can keep you from aging? We are talking about the relationship between acupuncture and telomeres. Tele what??? Read on… In the world of scientific longevity research, we don’t calculate age by what’s on your driver’s license, and we pay no attention to the youth-obsessed culture that ascribes to the notion that “50 is the new 30,” or “30 is the new 10,” or whatever. This isn’t Benjamin Button, folks. Scientists now calculated age on a cellular level, by the length of your telomeres (and in this case, longer means better!). Telomeres are the “caps” at the ends of our chromosomes that naturally shorten as we age, they are similar to the plastic caps at the end of a shoelace. As the plastic ends shred, and the shoelace becomes frayed and damaged, so too the shortening of our telomeres can leave our cells and chromosomes vulnerable to damage. Telomere shortening means the cell’s lifespan is shortening. Recent research shows that telomere shortening plays an important role in human disease and mortality, (this isn’t just about the amount of wrinkles on your face!). More than 20 studies, from top universities around the world, have shown associations between shorter telomere length and various types of cardiovascular disease (e.g., stroke, heart attacks) and diabetes. Shorter telomeres have also been associated with cancer, osteoporosis, cognitive function, dementia, and arthritis. On the flip-side, long telomeres are related to healthy aging and overall longevity. In a nutshell… The longer and more stable the telomere, the longer we live. What causes telomere shortening? STRESS! Poor diet Lack of exercise Too much exercise Unresolved emotions Toxins (industrial, environmental and food) Smoking and other recreational substances including alcohol Basically anything that creates free radicals in the body It’s not surprising that this shortening/aging can be accelerated by an unhealthy lifestyle. However, there’s hope! We may be able to turn back our cellular clocks! How do I lengthen my telomeres? Stay tuned this week and find out… Much love, Christina
