Hormone Optimizing Warrior M.D.

Many of us are familiar with the idea of being independently wealthy, but what does it mean to be independently healthy? Health independence is the ability to maintain your physical and mental wellbeing without relying on external support.

If you want to be independently healthy, you need to eat well, exercise often, sleep soundly, and manage your stress. Having this knowledge is one thing, but using it is another. The reality is that 40% of Americans suffer from two or more chronic illnesses, and 3 out of 4 Americans are overweight or obese. It's also much easier to be independently healthy when you're young, whereas when we're older we need more support.

Your medical insurance company does not exist to help you be independently healthy. For many, an expensive plan can mean throwing money into a black hole, never to be seen again. You could instead invest in a less expensive plan and save extra on the side so that you have that additional cost if and when you need it.

Your insurance likely won't cover a lot of the preventative and proactive measures that keep you healthy like vitamins, hormone replacement therapy, and more. Your insurance will probably cover you for a significant medical event—like a heart attack—but waiting for the worst case scenario isn't an ideal use for insurance money.

The medical insurance industry tends to over promise and under deliver. I'm not saying to forgo any medical coverage at all, but I am highlighting the importance of considering your health costs and encouraging you to think about budgeting for your health care differently.

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Today we're continuing our conversation about cholesterol and debunking the myths around it. In their 50s, approximately 40-50% of men have some degree of coronary artery disease. This risk only increases as age advances. Poor food choices, sedentary lifestyle, and exposure to toxins also increases this risk.

Half of men who experience a heart attack don't even have any symptoms prior to this event. For the men who don't make it through the heart attack, they will never get the chance to do anything about it. This highlights the importance of early detection of heart disease, especially in men.

So, low cholesterol isn't healthy, but neither is excessively high cholesterol. It's time to start seeking support and get evaluated by your doctor. If you have high cholesterol, you will need to change your diet (low in saturated fats and high in vegetables, fiber, and protein). You also need to engage in regular activity.

Statins are widely used to help manage cholesterol levels, however they come with a fair amount of side effects. The most commonly reported side effect is muscle pain and weakness. It can also lead to constipation, bloating, and liver damage. Statins may also cause dizziness and could increase the risk of rhabdomyolysis.

If you want to improve your nutrition and lower your cholesterol, include more soluble fiber in your diet. Omega 3 fatty acids (found commonly in fish) offer heart-protective benefits. Vitamin B3 increases good cholesterol while lowering bad cholesterol, but this should be taken with supervision. COQ10 supports heart health and is especially helpful if you're taking a statin.

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We all have men in our life that we care about, and it's important to keep their health at the top of our mind. One factor that can greatly impact men's health is his cholesterol, however the way cholesterol works is greatly misunderstood. In this episode we're debunking cholesterol myths and shedding light on what matters when it comes to cholesterol and men's health.

70% of heart attacks are first time events, which means those who have one never knew they had heart disease in the first place. If you experience a heart attack, it's really important to make diet and lifestyle changes. You will likely also be given medications by your doctor to help manage your heart health.

But here's what you need to know: cholesterol is not the enemy. It's actually an important molecule that serves many vital functions. It helps maintain the integrity of your cell membranes, plus supports hormone production (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, and more), and many of these hormones are vital to men's optimal health.

Without cholesterol, you can become deficient in vitamin D. Cholesterol turns into vitamin D when we're exposed to sunlight, and this vitamin is very important for maintaining bone health. Cholesterol is also needed to produce bile acids which help digest and absorb dietary fats in the digestive system.

A lack of cholesterol, specifically due to malabsorption, has been linked to neurodegenerative diseases like dementia. It's indispensable for brain health and cognitive function. This doesn't mean high cholesterol is the answer. When it comes to your levels, balance is key. You deserve a doctor who can take the time to guide you through balancing your cholesterol holistically.

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This month we're taking a few episodes to explore things to keep top of mind for men's health. Even if you're not a man yourself, the men in your life may have some unique needs and health issues you'll want to know about.

In the United States, heart attacks kill about 325,000 men per year. So, why are men so prone to heart disease? It can develop due to a combination of lifestyle, genetic, and environmental factors. A sedentary lifestyle contributes to high blood pressure and an unfavorable lipid profile, among other things. Heavy drinking can also weaken the heart muscle and impair its ability to function effectively.

Many people believe vaping and smoking helps with stress, when in reality the damage it does to your body adds to your physical stress and further strains the heart. High cholesterol can lead to the buildup of plaque, which can narrow arteries and reduce the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart.

While sometimes shrugged off as "normal," sleep apnea can contribute to high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Repeated episodes can damage your blood vessels and decrease your vascular health. Low testosterone can also contribute to heart disease through various mechanisms.

The symptoms of heart disease in men vary greatly, but the most common are chest pain and discomfort (angina) and shortness of breath. You may experience pain in your neck, chest, or arm accompanied by fatigue, dizziness, or light-headedness. If you're experiencing these symptoms, don't push them aside—call for help immediately.

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We're continuing our conversation about insurance coverage today, specifically how it impacts your access to wellness procedures and therapies. All insurance companies are positioned in a particularly advantageous position. People tend to have unrealistic expectations about what they're being offered, and this usually comes to light when they get denied.

Oftentimes, insurance is a lose-win situation, and only becomes a win-win for you when something unfortunate happens and you need high-cost medical care. Each medical insurance company has their own version of a formulary, which is an approved list of cheapest medications they are willing to pay for—only with proven medical necessity.

Our bodies are complex machines, and issues can arise even when you're seemingly in good health. Doing what it takes to maintain your health can give you the additional support you might need and wish you'd had when illness strikes. If you value your health, you must pay attention to what you eat, how you exercise, and the nutrients you provide yourself with.

Many men and women fail to value their health and demand other people—like their doctors or their insurance company—to carry the responsibility for it. But in reality, we should call health insurance "medical insurance," because that's what it actually is. Your insurance is designed to help you get back to baseline, but not to restore optimal health.

Remember when visiting your doctor that they do not know the specifics of your insurance plan. It is your responsibility to understand your insurance plan and what is actually covered. No matter your budget looks like, your medical professionals should be able to provide some options to help you move forward.

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In this episode we're discussing vitamins and what insurance coverage looks like for them. IV vitamin therapy is beneficial to your health for so many reasons, but some types may be covered and some may not. Additionally, hospitals also have very specific policies and protocols about what they will offer, and typically they do not offer IV vitamin therapy.

Hospitals often cite a lack of scientific evidence for IV vitamin therapy. Yet the truth is that there is actually more scientific support for the vitamins administered during IV therapy than there is for any drug administered in any hospital.

Vitamins support healthy immune function, normal cell function, and DNA synthesis. Drugs are not designed to do this. Drugs can alter and destroy DNA, but only the vitamins, nutrients, and hormones we have support healing. Insurance companies look at vitamins as not medically necessary, yet many hospitalized patients are too sick to eat and therefore do need this nutritional support.

I often get asked if vitamins are covered by health insurance, and the answer is always no. Vitamins are considered dietary aids, which puts them outside of the realm of medical interventions. If you're interested in IV vitamin therapy, you're best off seeking it out at a clinic that supports their patients through additional measures outside of traditional western medicine.

Patients in our clinic always go through a consultation process, and as a part of this process, they are asked to bring in their vitamins. Once we review their blood test results, we personalize their vitamin packs based on what they actually need. IV vitamin therapy can play an extremely important role in reaching your optimal health.

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Today we're continuing our discussion about IV vitamin therapy, especially regarding how administering vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, and amino acids through IV can be beneficial for you.

Vitamin C supports a healthy immune system, and injectable forms provide a rapid increase. If you feel exhausted or stressed, whether from life changes, travelling, or everyday stresses, a vitamin C administration through IV can help protect you from getting sick. It can also reduce damage and stress to tissues.

Vitamin C is also essential for collagen production and plays an important role in healing. And thanks to this collagen benefit, it can also support healthy looking skin. High-dose vitamin C injections can also be used as a complementary therapy to cancer treatments. It also reduces fatigue, which can be particularly beneficial for those with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Calcium isn't commonly given intravenously, but it is important in specific situations—for example, during a blood transfusion or for electrolyte support in acute situations. Magnesium is important for key functions like energy function, nerve transmission, and muscle contraction. It is often recommended as part of restorative IV plans, especially for those who struggle to absorb magnesium.

ALA, or alpha-lipoic acid, is an antioxidant that neutralizes free radical damage and helps with blood sugar regulation. It supports healthy cognition and may slow down the effect of aging. Amino acids, the building blocks of protein, can also be given intravenously. They are essential for nutrient absorption, tissue growth, and so many other crucial processes of the body.

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Let's dig deeper into IV vitamin therapy. Specifically, we're exploring how to administer vitamin therapy and going further in depth with the vitamins themselves.

Generally, IV vitamin therapy lasts about 60 minutes, especially if you are getting more than a few vitamins at once. Rushing your infusion is probably not a good thing. Even if you're eager to save time, it's much better to dilute the vitamins appropriately and give them time to be administered. The amount of times per month you'll need an infusion depends on your individual needs and goals.

Vitamins are either water soluble (like vitamin C and B) or fat soluble (like vitamin A and D). Water soluble vitamins are not stored in the body, so they must be consumed regularly as part of your diet. Fat soluble vitamins can be banked, stored, and utilized by the body as needed.

B vitamins are crucial for a healthy functioning body. B1, thiamine, is important for energy production and nerve function. B12, or riboflavin, supports energy production, too, and also plays an important role in metabolism. B3 is also called niacin, and this helps with DNA repair and promotes healthy skin. Vitamin B5, or pantothenic acid, helps convert food into energy and supports healthy hormone production.

Vitamin B6, also called pyridoxine, helps regulate the production of hemoglobin and plays a crucial role in fighting infections. B7, biotin, supports healthy hair and clear skin. It also supports nerve communication and function. B8, or inositol, supports cellular health and integrity. B9, or folate, is absolutely essential in creating new DNA and repairing existing DNA. Lastly, B12, or cobalamin, is important for red blood cell formation and cell division.

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Although IV vitamin therapy is far from mainstream, it's a great alternative therapy for many reasons. There are many hours that doctors and healthcare professionals have to put into self-education about IV vitamin therapy before they can be comfortable offering it.

As a restorative anti-aging practitioner, I believe in allowing the body to heal by providing it the nutrients it needs. IV vitamin therapy allows for the administration of vitamins and minerals directly into the bloodstream. This method of delivery allows for immediate 100% availability to your cells.

This is especially helpful for those who suffer from severe nutrient deficiencies, especially if they cannot take them orally. This includes those who suffer with malabsorption syndromes. If you've had a gastric bypass or gastric sleeve, or have used antibiotics for a long time, you may also have nutrient deficiencies that can be addressed with IV vitamin therapy.

IV vitamin administration can also improve quality of life in cancer patients, while reducing the side effects of their treatments. Specifically, high doses of vitamin C seem to work well to keep cancer cells in check. Our immune systems also need certain vitamins and minerals to operate optimally, especially those in cancer treatment.

IV fluids can also be used to hydrate patients effectively. This allows yet another application of IV therapy in a variety of serious situations. In fact, this plays a part in what launched IV therapy into the wellness industry: hangover clinics. Hopefully, sometime in the future, IV vitamin therapy will be more widely offered in the health and wellness industry.

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In this episode we're discussing how the body works and why nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, or NAD, might be a miracle molecule. You may have heard of NAD before and be aware that it has benefits, but feel unclear about what those actually are. By the end of this episode, you'll feel confident in discussing this topic.

The human body is very complex—we have about 78 organs that keep us alive. The brain has 86 billion nerve cells, and then our bodies produce 50 hormones and thousands of enzymes crucial for various processes. But what would it look like to replenish a universal essential molecule to optimal levels? That's where NAD comes in.

If we can naturally or artificially improve NAD levels, it is possible we can improve health, wellness, and even lifespan. It's primarily known in substance abuse and addiction recovery, having been used to help minimize cravings. It can also help with neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive decline. Due to NAD's ability to speed up metabolism, it can also be used to help chronic fatigue.

NAD can be made in the body from scratch using tryptophan. There is another pathway using niacin, as well as a third pathway—called the salvage pathway—which is the most efficient. Lifestyle changes and supplementing with substrates can also help increase natural production of NAD. It can also be injected into the body, but each type (IV, intramuscular, and subcutaneously) has their own benefits and downsides.

An adequate dose of highly bioavailable NAD can have significant impacts on your cellular function, helping you feel less tired and sharper cognitively. It can also improve your mood. That said, NAD is relatively new in the supplement space, so you may be choosing a manufacturer with a lot of unknowns.

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