Dr. Van Beest Visits the Playmakers Talk Show

Dr. Van Beest shares insights on health, energy and vitality for the busy executive during his March 2013 appearance on the Playmakers Talk Show, heard on 570AM KLIF.

A Low Glycemic Diet - The Only Game in Town When It Comes to Silent Inflammation!

Silent Inflammation

The most powerful “drug” you can take is the food you eat each day, and our toxic diets are killing us through a chronic inflammatory condition called “Silent Inflammation.”

What do I mean?
Toxic diets set the stage for Silent Inflammation, which not only damages the body’s tissues, but also precludes healthy weight loss. 

It is recognized as the underlying cause of most chronic diseases, even aging itself!  Silent Inflammation attacks the single layer of cells that line the more than 50,000 miles of blood vessels within the body.

It’s one of the main reasons more than 80% of us will die of vascular disease. 

Three key hormones contribute to Silent Inflammation:

• Eicosanoids (Immune System)
• Insulin (Storage Hormone)
• Cortisol (Stress Hormone)

Let’s look at each of these and discover how we can reduce Silent Inflammation with a proper diet.

EICOSANOIDS


Eicosanoids are commonly known as “super hormones" because they play a part in the synthesis of basically all other hormones in the human body.  Essentially, eicosanoids are a checks and balances system for the cellular makeup of your body.
There are ‘good’ and ‘bad’ types of eicosanoids, pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory. Maintaining the proper balance of these is crucial to adequate health.

Genetically modified foods, food processing and environmental toxins promote pro-inflammatory eicosanoids, which increase Silent Inflammation and result in rapid aging and chronic health issues by compromising your immune system. 
An imbalance of eicosanoids is at the core of chronic disease.  Therefore, increasing anti-inflammatory eicosanoids is vital. 

Diets rich in heart healthy omega-3-fatty acids found in fish oil and low in omega-6 fatty acids found in vegetable oils including corn, soybean, sunflower and safflower are essential. 

Eighty years ago the U.S. population ate a 2:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats.  At that time refined vegetable oils were a small part of our diet.  Our diet now comprises more of omega-6 fats and fewer omega-3 fats with the ratio now being closer to 20:1.  Too many omega-6 fats and not enough omega-3 fats create a hard membrane around cells much like an eggshell! 
Therefore, the type of fat you eat is one of the key causes of Silent Inflammation.
 
INSULIN

Insulin is a storage hormone that allows cells to either store nutrients or use them for energy.  Today, the typical diet produces too much insulin and excess insulin makes us fat and keeps us fat. 

As we age, our cells are less responsive to insulin.  The pancreas is forced to produce more insulin, and insulin resistance develops.  Excess body fat forces our body to increase insulin to overcome this resistance. 

Unfortunately, excess insulin increases Silent Inflammation by increasing arachidonic acid, a key building block for all pro-inflammatory eicosanoids. Controlling insulin can reverse Silent Inflammation and improve health.

Eicosanoids and insulin are inter-related and in appropriate balance reduce Silent Inflammation.  Southwest Age Intervention Institute’s low glycemic approach reduces insulin, which directly affects Silent Inflammation. 
Benefits include decreased body fat, improved cardiovascular function, energy and vitality. 

CORTISOL

Cortisol, our stress hormone, is the primary anti-inflammatory hormone used to decrease excess inflammation. If Silent Inflammation is elevated, our adrenal glands produce high levels of cortisol.

Cortisol is, in reality, an anti-stress hormone.  Cortisol lowers pro-inflammatory eicosanoids, a result that is excellent if stress is temporary.  However, constant high levels of Silent Inflammation produces elevated cortisol on a permanent basis resulting in damage to the body.

At Southwest Age Intervention Institute, we take a low glycemic dietary approach that allows our clients to decrease Silent Inflammation and helps reduce insulin and cortisol levels and rebalance pro- and anti-inflammatory eicosanoids!

We will discuss more details about the low glycemic diet in future posts. For now, tell me what single change you’re going to make to positively affect these three hormones and reduce your risk of Silent Inflammation. Leave your comment below.

Bon appétit!!

Is There A Cure For Aging? Research Into Telomeres May Help Unlock The Secret

By Jacob Rosenstein, M.D.

Imagine what would be possible if medicine found a way to reverse the symptoms of aging – to literally stop the clock.  Instead of an average lifespan of 75 or 80, what would it be like to expect to live to 150 or 200 or longer? 

Baby boomers have definitely changed the dynamics of what to expect as we approach mid-life  -- we joke that 60 is the new 45.  But what if we were able to push the envelope to such a degree that you would continue to feel fit, healthy and mentally sharp well into your 80s or 90s and beyond?

Scientists have theorized that 125 years old may be the maximum possible lifespan for human beings.  Yet who knows?  New compelling research into aging may show us that we really have no idea what is possible for the future as far as lifespan, health, longevity and even disease. 

The Body’s Internal Fountain of Youth

Dr. Bill Andrews, a molecular biologist, CEO of Sierra Sciences and co-author of “Curing Aging” believes the secret to changing our concepts about aging may lie in tiny, invisible-to-the eye biochemical enzymes called telomeres.  

What are telomeres?  They are repeating sequences of DNA located on the end of our chromosomes, acting like caps on the end of a long chain of beads.   Telomeres protect the chromosome tips from unraveling and degrading when the cells divide.

But here is the important thing to know about telomeres:  Each time our cells divide and replicate, the telomeres on the end of the chromosomes lose a little bit of their length.  They get shorter.  Over a lifetime, the telomeres shorten to such a degree that the cells can no longer duplicate themselves.  And at that point, the cells die, a process called senescence.

According to Andrews, a researcher in Philadelphia named Leonard Hayflick discovered that there was a limit to the number of times a cell can duplicate and pass on its DNA.  He suggested that there was a “clock ticking inside every dividing cell in our body – a telomere clock.”

Lifestyle & Anti-Aging Regimens Make a Difference

Scientists now believe that the shorter the telomeres, the shorter the life of the cell. There is a built-in end point or lifespan when the clock will stop ticking. 

But we also know that there is a strong correlation between lifestyle habits and telomere length.  Smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, poor diet, inactivity, stress, hormone loss and other lifestyle habits and environmental toxins can greatly accelerate the rate at which telomeres shorten in the body.

What can you do?  The good news is that it’s possible to take steps now to support healthy changes in your cells – steps that may keep cell division strong for a longer period of time. The fewer cells with short telomeres, the healthier you are and theoretically the longer your lifespan. 

At Southwest Age Intervention Institute we can now give you a fairly accurate prediction of your overall health status through a highly specialized blood test that examines the cells for telomere length. 

How is this helpful?

It provides an important baseline to determine your biological age versus your chronological age and can help guide a treatment plan for improvement. 

Based on my own personal test with Life Length, my biologic age is 39 years old versus a chronologic age of 58.  What do I credit this significant difference to?  A decade or more of regimens available through the programs we offer at Southwest Age Intervention Institute.

Looking Ahead

The future is very exciting for those of us who are passionate about new scientific discoveries into aging.  I believe we are close to finding answers about how we can prolong our lifespans and stay healthy beyond what we would ever consider imaginable.

Companies like Sierra Sciences and TA Sciences are working now on research regarding telomeres, as well as an enzyme called telomerase.  Telomerase is present, but repressed in all of the cells in our body, that is except for our reproductive and stem cells.  We are staying on top of all of this research to bring to our patients. Thus, we are very excited about the recent information coming out about Telomerase.

In the specialized reproductive and stem cells, telomerase is actively expressed where it works to repair and re-lengthen the telomeres every time the cell divides.  In these cells, the telomeres don’t shorten.

Perhaps there is a way for scientists to work with telomerase to actively repair all of the cells in our body – thus postponing aging indefinitely.  In the not-so-distant future, I think we’ll find the answers. 

If you would like to learn more about telomeres and how testing can fit into your overall lifestyle and anti-aging treatment plan, call my office to schedule a consultation at 1-800-Age-Expert (243-3973).

Exercise Outdoors this Summer

Try something new this year... especially, before it gets too hot outside. Many of us are stuck on the idea that exercise can be done indoors. This means sharing sweaty machines or being confined to small spaces. All the while, there are so many activities outdoors that can supplement your workout regimen and keep it interesting. 

Below are a few examples:

• Bike ride around the lake, at the park, or step up the intensity and ride through trails. This is an excellent cardiovascular and leg workout.

• Horseback riding: unbeknownst to many of us, there are facilities close by that provide horseback riding lessons and excursions. There's something about horses that make you feel connected to nature. This targets back and legs.

• Kayaking/canoeing: You can make this a family event. Kayaks/ Canoes are sold at most sports stores and can be rented if you aren’t sure you want to purchase one. This activity targets the upper body.

• Rollerblading: through the neighborhood and around the lake... this exercise covers all the bases, providing a total body workout. And If you are really into skating, you can even join a skate club!

• Stand up paddle-boarding: originating from Hawaii, this provides a great core workout and is great for those of you who enjoy cross-training.

These are just a few outdoor activities that can shake up the monotonous routine. Grab a friend and make a day out of it. Why not plan for a workout and then relax with a picnic! And if you prefer solitude, all of these exercises are fun solo too!

Yoga Offers Many Benefits For Body and Mind

In today’s fast-paced world we’re always rushing around and working against the clock. We brag about getting by on little sleep and pride ourselves on how much we can achieve in a 24-hour period.

But living like this takes a toll on our bodies. Stress builds up, our energy level plummets and we feel tired all the time. Concentration and memory can suffer. Blood pressure can jump. We may be easily irritated or feel depressed. Even our sex drive can be affected.

Yoga just may be the perfect antidote to a busy, stressful lifestyle. Some people say yoga feeds the body and mind. But what exactly does this mean? Here are 6 key benefits of yoga:

1. Yoga can improve your lung capacity. A vital component of yoga is learning how to breathe properly. Breathing is something we do automatically. We rarely give it much thought. But rising stress levels can make your breathing more shallow, which reduces the amount of oxygen you take in. Yoga can reverse this. Almost every yoga instructor begins the class with a short series of deep breathing exercises to slow the heart rate and calm the mind. Learning how to pay attention to your breath and to breathe more deeply creates more energy in the body and delivers more oxygen to the tissues. Building lung capacity can boost your performance and endurance in sports. It also encourages your body to let go of stress.
2. Release muscle tension.
   Studies show that gradual, slow stretching allows the muscles, ligaments, tendons to relax, which allows the release of lactic acid that has built up in the tissues. As everyone who has ever participated in sports knows, lactic acid can contribute to that uncomfortable feeling of stiffness, soreness and fatigue you feel after a strenuous workout. Yoga can also counter the effect of spending too much time on the computer – muscle tension in the neck, upper back and shoulders. Learning how to safely stretch and release these muscles will reduce the common aches and pains you experience after a hard day at work.
3. Gain a fit, toned, flexible body.
   Yoga improves flexibility by stretching and lengthening just about every muscle in the body. Being limber, fit and flexible can reduce your risk of injury when performing any physical activity. It can also help your body remain in proper alignment, improve your balance and reduce strain on your lower back. Your joints may benefit, too. Regular yoga practice has been shown to improve range of motion by lubricating the joints, especially in the hips and shoulders.
4. Build core strength.
   Everyone is talking about core strength these days. Core strength focuses on the abdominal region of the body. Yoga poses help tighten and tone the abs, making them stronger. Tighter abs makes you stand up straighter, which improves your posture – and your appearance. But yoga doesn’t just build core strength, it builds and sculpts your entire body.
5. Calmer mind, better focus.
   Over time, yoga can help improve your concentration and remind you to be more present and in the moment, rather than anxious or worried about your “to-do” list. One yoga instructor I know reminds participants, especially busy executives, to leave all concerns at the door while they give themselves the gift of 30, 56 or 60 minutes of uninterrupted quiet time. Many people find that a regular yoga practice makes them think more clearly and feel calmer. As this happens, a biochemical change may take place. The mind no longer feels the need to continually flood the body with “stress” hormones – those produced by the adrenal glands in response to threats and danger. You may even experience an increase in oxytocin, a natural hormone that’s been associated with feelings of contentment, trust and happiness.
6. Benefit your heart. Even Harvard Medical School suggests that yoga may help improve your cardiovascular health. Gently exercising and stretching the muscles is good for the heart and blood vessels. Deep breathing slows the rate of respiration, which can lower blood pressure. Yoga may even reduce heart palpitations, lower cholesterol levels and help regulate blood sugar. There’s a reason why yoga has been practiced for thousands of years: it works. Adding yoga to your regular fitness routine can offer numerous benefits for your health and well being.

Dial Down the Stress This Holiday

Economic worries, job-related demands, family responsibilities, holiday expectations…operating in a constant state of “overdrive” can seriously undermine our health.

Stress prompts the adrenal glands to produce the hormone cortisol.  In small bursts, cortisol sparks the release of blood sugar, increases heart rate and circulation – all meant to energize you to respond to whatever is triggering anxiety.  Unfortunately, todays triggers rarely go away resulting in continuous cortisol production which leaves the adrenals exhausted and your body unable to cope with stress.

Your healing food formula…

A diet rich in these adrenal-supporting nutrients is key to restoring health and managing stress leaving you with increased energy, sunnier moods, sharper focus and a slimmer waistline!

Cocoa
Consuming 1.4 oz of dark chocolate daily spurs the release of endorphins, a feel-good neurotransmitter that inhibits the release of stress hormones.

Vitamin C
A daily 1000mg dose of this vitamin (found in sweet potatoes and spinach) can reduce cortisol levels by 30% in a week!

Calcium
This mineral calms sensory and motor nerves while activating enzymes that release stored energy into muscles helping the body bounce back from stress.

Omega-3s
Just 2 Tbls. of flaxseed daily provides 146% of the RDA of these fatty acids lowering levels of cortisol by 22%.

So this season as you dial down your stress our wish for you is that you excite your senses, boost your awareness, keep your energy flowing, stay well and above all, make your holiday magical!

Recipe of the Week: Mediterranean Tuna Steaks

Each week we be bring you new recipes for delicious, nutritious meals, which will help you maintain a healthy lifestyle. This week's recipe:

Mediterranean Tuna Steaks
Makes 2 servings


Ingredients

• 2-6 oz. tuna steaks, about 1 inch thick
• 2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 medium ripe tomato, diced fine
• 6 green olives, pitted and chopped
• 1 Tbsp scallions, chopped
• 2 tsp capers
• 1 clove garlic, mashed
• Pinch of dried whole oregano

Directions

1. Rinse the tuna steaks under cold water and pat dry.
2. Brush tuna steaks with 1 teaspoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
3. Preheat grill or broiler.
4. Mix the remaining ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
5. Grill or broil the steaks on high heat, about 2-3 minutes per side or until desired doneness.
6. Top the tuna steaks with the tomato-olive mixture.

Nutrition Information (per serving)

• 262 calories
• 9g total fat
• 1g saturated fat
• 76mg cholesterol
• 4g carbohydrate
• 40g protein
• 1g fiber
• 450mg sodium