Catching the ZZZ’s

Nov 14th, 11 / 0 Comments

Lack of sleep is one of the more common problems experienced by many adults. Adequate sleep is such a rare commodity.  How often do you find yourself struggling to fall asleep, stay asleep, or just plain missing  a good night’s restful sleep?

Many important processes take place as we sleep. Regeneration and synthesis of neurotransmitters, consolidation and processing of memory, hormone production and release, and giving our brain a chance to recover from the stress of the daily activities are some very key processes that take place as we sleep.

Getting sleep is not just about hitting the sleep button in our brain with a synthetic made sleeping pill. At BodyLogic MD Las Vegas, we sort out what is generating this sleep disturbance and TREAT IT! Common problems encountered include hormone imbalances, progesterone deficiency, adrenal stress with cortisol spikes at night, adrenal fatigue or exhaustion, or metabolic impairments to name a few. Recognizing stressors which can have a physical, psychological, or metabolic source is part of the process for getting to the underlying issues impairing sleep.

Think about how you feel after a decent night of sleep. Imagine what your quality of your life would be with getting back to catching the ZZZ’s ……..

To your good health,

Jack Anstandig, M.D.

Medical Director, BodyLogicMD Las Vegas


Adrenal Fatigue, Sleep

Run for Cover: Thyroid Under Attack!

Nov 10th, 11 / 0 Comments

Are you aware that your thyroid gland may be under attack? A very common medical condition known as Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition where your own antibodies begin to attack your thyroid gland. If left untreated, eventually the thyroid gland will become dysfunctional.

How does one feel with a dysfunctional or slow thyroid? Symptoms of a slow thyroid or hypothyroidism includes weight gain, dry flaky skin, mental slowing with memory impairment, puffy face and eyes, hair loss , constipation, and in some cases loss of lateral eye brows.

Many of my patients have been informed by their healthcare practitioner they have elevated thyroid antibodies, but don’t worry because the thyroid blood hormone levels are good and there is no need to do anything. They are frequently told, we will watch it.  If I may, WATCH WHAT?? Watch the antibodies attack the thyroid gland and eventually take it down.

One can take definitive successful measures to take those elevated thyroid antibodies down. At BodyLogic MD Las Vegas, recognition of this problem and instituting immediate measures with guided specific nutritional thyroid support and adjusting specific dietary influence can not only reduce the antibody levels but give the thyroid gland a chance to take on the assault.

Run for cover, be proactive when your thyroid is under attack, proper steps can make a significant difference in maintaining the health of your thyroid gland.

To your good health,

Jack Anstandig, M.D.

Medical Director, BodyLogic MD Las Vegas


Thyroid

Airplane Preventative Health

Nov 8th, 11 / 1 Comment

As I fly across the country tonight at 30,000 feet, I would like to share with you a few basic preventative health measures that one can utilize to optimize your health in this environment.  At BodyLogicMD of Las Vegas, I work with many exposed to these challenges including pilots, flight attendants, and the frequent flyer passenger.

  1. Recognize the importance of maintaining a very strong immune system in this environment.  You will be challenged from the air you breathe, to the passenger in front, behind and next to you.  Knowledge of your Vitamin D status and having an adequate level will help support your immune function.
  2. With managing the microbes, a simple measure such as washing your hands or using antiseptic wipes can help keep those bugs at bay.
  3. Flying at high altitudes will naturally dehydrate you. Providing drinks to you is not just an airline courtesy, it is an absolute health essential. Avoid alcohol and caffeine which will only dehydrate you further. Stick to good ole water hydration.
  4. Airplane seating is anything but comfortable. You must periodically exercise those legs with contracting those muscles, stretching, and getting up for a short walk in the aisle will lower the risk of blood stagnation in the legs potentially leading to a blood clot.
  5. Flying exposes all of us to radiation and significant free radical generation.  Antioxidant use before and after flight to quench those free radicals generated will reduce the exposure and damage that can be done to our bodies from the free radicals.

This short list of prevention measures can help with your healthy air travel.

To your good health,

Jack Anstandig, M.D.

Medical Director BodyLogic MD Las Vegas


Airplane Health

How Sweet it is…Really?

Nov 3rd, 11 / 0 Comments

Many of us have that insatiable sweet tooth that for many can be our downfall into the pits of ill health. This month is National Diabetes Month. Diabetes is now the 7th leading cause of death in the United States.  There has been a rapid acceleration of diabetes and diabetic related health complications in this country over the past decade.  We are now seeing diabetic related problems occurring up to 20 years earlier and at a much higher frequency in people.

What is going on you may ask? Very poor dietary habits with consumption of higher carbohydrate dense foods (big sugar), less protein intake and reduced good unsaturated fats in the diet is a major culprit.  It is now more the rule than the exception in eating a diet of fast foods or packaged foods and less natural unprocessed whole foods such as meat, fish, fresh vegetables and fruits.  Soda laden with sugar or Diet Soda with artificial sweetners will also gum up the works and potentially predispose to diabetic tendencies.

At BodyLogicMD Las Vegas, one of the first parameters examined is looking at bloodwork that would evaluate for a diabetic tendency. Early recognition of how your body handles sugar and making subsequent appropriate adjustments in lifestyle, diet, and nutritional support can make a difference.

Yes you can….don’t make yourself a statistic….as Yogi Berra once said, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it!”

To your good health,

Jack Anstandig, M.D.

Medical Director, BodyLogic MD Las Vegas


Diabetes

Running on Empty

Nov 1st, 11 / 0 Comments

How many of you just feel plain exhausted or running on empty? Life demands never seem to give you a break and day after day keep challenging you. How do you meet those demands….high test caffeine, sugar, quick gimmicky concoctions that promise you energy for so many hours. How well is that working for you when that windfall of fatigue returns and takes you down.

Our adrenal glands serve as a critical source of energy. Respect them, nourish them with the proper nutrients, and please don’t squeeze them with quick energy fixes. When you keep running on empty and use quick short fixes you will eventually burn out.

At BodyLogicMD of Las Vegas, recognition of the critical need for proper adrenal function is analyzed with proper testing using a four point saliva test documenting levels of cortisol in the morning, noon, early evening and at night. This testing has been scientifically verified looking at groups such as astronauts and fighter pilots.

Are you wired and tired or a flat liner with exhaustion and experience difficulty getting out of bed or off the couch, or do you suddenly catch a second wind at night and struggle to sleep.  Examining status of adrenal cortisol and properly addressing the dysfunctional laboratory findings through the use of natural based therapies can put the real “E” back in your Energy.

To your good health,

Jack Anstandig, M.D

Medical Director BodyLogic MD Las Vegas

 


Adrenal Fatigue

Putting on the Pounds

Oct 25th, 11 / 0 Comments

Putting on the pounds is a very common, frustrating problem voiced by many of the baby boomers who seek help for this issue at BodyLogic MD Las Vegas. Looking in the mirror and seeing that middle girth grow, formation of love handles, enlarged buttocks, and thighs is a daily persistent challenge.  Working out religiously, reducing food intake with smaller meals, and even trying the latest greatest published diet still does not shed those pounds.

Recognition, documentation with proper laboratory testing for women and men, and examining for common hormone insufficiencies or deficiencies can assist with illuminating the why is this happening, as opposed to the common failed medical advice of eat less… exercise more.  I feel your frustration on a daily basis. I also witness the great sense of relief, with tears at times, when I can provide a scientifically sound explanation as to why this is happening.

Addressing weight gain can be done in a methodical medical way, and yes, at BodyLogic MD Las Vegas, we can work as a team taking down those stubborn pounds.

To your good health,

Jack Anstandig, M.D.

Medical Director BodyLogic MD Las Vegas


Dieting

The information provided on this blog is for reference use only, and does not constitute the rendering of legal, financial or other professional advice or recommendations by the BodyLogicMD affiliated physician. This page is not for the use of diagnosing and/or treating medical issues.