Volume 5, Issue 2

Page  2

California  HealthSpan

Institute

Newsletter
Text Box:

Volume 5, Issue 2

Page 2

California  HealthSpan

Institute

Newsletter
Text Box: Check your adrenals The adrenals are two small glands that sit on top of each kidney. These little glands are essential for life and release adrenaline, DHEA and cortisol into the bloodstream. If you are weak or tired for no known reason, are chronically stressed, are unable to sleep well, have a decreased sex drive, exposed to high noise levels, have anxiety or depression, have menstrual difficulties, have some type of eating disorder, have recently gained weight for no known reason, suffer from digestive problems, have trouble concentrating or have hypertension you may be experiencing an over or under-reactive stress response by your adrenal hormones. Having the right amount of cortisol in the body helps regulate thyroid function and assists in decreasing inflammation. If the body produces too much cortisol as a result of too much stress or some other imbalance, inflammation can increase. Inflammation may also increase if cortisol levels are too low. Weakness and fatigue, poor sleep patterns, muscle and joint pain, obesity (despite a healthy diet) and unhealthy skin appearance may all be signs that cortisol levels are either too high or too low. Prolonged cortisol imbalances can contribute to anxiety, depression, heart disease, osteoporosis, premature aging and many other chronic disease states. DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) - the other hormone produced by the adrenal glands - helps regulate cortisol and it also improves memory, boosts energy levels and reduces fat production. Most significant, however, is DHEA’s effect on the immune system. DHEA helps protect the immune system by protecting cell damage which happens with disease and with aging. As a person ages, adrenal hormone levels change and his or her DHEA levels decrease and cortisol levels increase. Dr. Rothenberg is now recommending that patients have an Adrenocortex Stress Profile test. The test measures DHEA, cortisol levels and the ratio between the two hormones. This ratio is critical because maintaining the right balance between the two hormones will affect overall immune system function. To test the patient gathers saliva samples over a period of time during one day then mails the results directly to Great Smokies’ Diagnostic Lab. It takes one to two weeks for the results to be received by CHI. When results are received; the patient is scheduled for either an office visit or phone consultation to discuss the test results and the recommended treatment plan. If you are interested in having this valuable test done, please contact CHI and we will send you a kit. At this time the test costs $118, if you want Great Smokies to bill your insurance provider. The patient pays Great Smokies Lab directly for the test. Text Box: D-Ribose — The natural energy booster for your heart and the rest of your body For some time, Dr. Rothenberg has recommended D-Ribose (Corvalen) to CHI patients who have a history of or potential for compromised cardiac function. It is also beneficial for most patients wishing to increase their energy levels. More than 33 million Americans today experience some sort of unrelenting fatigue. As a person ages, the youthful energy we once had seems to be a distant memory. People rely on caffeine, sugar and other stimulants to get going in the morning or throughout the day. D-Ribose, a naturally occurring substance, found in every cell in the body, is a more healthful way to help the body once again produce energy. If a person is exhausted all of the time, cannot sleep and the fatigue does not go away with rest, they may be one of the 500,000 people in the U.S. today with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. This condition affects twice as many women as men. If a person has these symptoms combined with overall body aches and pains, which may or may not be accompanied by anxiety, headaches, irritable bowel symptoms and depression, the condition may be labeled as Fibromyalgia. Although the exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, it is clear that patients with this condition have decreased blood flow in their capillaries, which results in less oxygen getting to muscles and ATP (the part of the cell that helps make energy) cellular levels are also low. D-Ribose (D-ribofuranose) is a simple sugar found in every cell in the human body. It is a building block for ATP (adenosine triphosphate) which is a major body energy compound. The body can make d-ribose but it is not done readily, especially if there are certain enzymes missing in heart and muscle cells. When a person has enough d-ribose in their body there is less muscle and joint pain, more relaxation and less fatigue. D-ribose is a safe and effective supplement for restoring energy levels. There are no known side effects to taking d-ribose. The body excretes what it does not use of this naturally occurring substance. If you are pregnant, a nursing mother or a young child d-ribose is not recommended. If you have type I diabetes, you should check with your physician before taking. The recommended dose of d-ribose is 5 grams daily. If you have compromised cardiac function, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia or you are athletically very active, higher doses of d-ribose may be recommended by your physician. CHI keeps d-ribose (CorvalenM) in stock for patients.