Fatalities From Covid-19….. The flames of Chronic Inflammation
Fatalities from covid-19 seem so perplexing to many. This is because we do not see inflammation. We look at the outer facade of a person, we pass judgment on their health status. People over 100 years of age have recovered from Covid-19, and children have passed away. Unfortunately, we do not have a magic mirror into the cellular function.
As I always say…don’t listen to me, read the research. I am sharing more links here on the fatalities from covid-19 and the inflammatory response. If you haven’t read it yet – more research articles here. My goal is that everyone of us realize, even though we think we are living a healthy lifestyle, is chronic inflammation destroying our cells’ abilities to repair and fend off disease. Whether it be covid-19, heart disease, cancer, BPH, IBD, arthritis, depression, neurodegenerative, diabetes…..chronic inflammation is at the root of our chronic illnesses. What are you doing to extinguish the flames of inflammation in your cells?
Recent research on Covid-19 and Chronic Inflammation: May 2020
When Immune Systems Turn Against Us = Chronic Inflammation aka Cytokine Storm
Chronic inflammation is at the root of all disease, and research is showing us the flames of inflammation are responsible for the fatalities from Covid-19 are no different.
Inflammation and ROS (Reactive Oxygen species) oxidative stress, break down the proper functioning of the cell, and we age. If we lower our levels of chronic inflammation…….think we can live a better, healthier life….and a much more comfortable one!
We will lower your oxidative stress by 40% in the first month. We have hundreds of studies confirming this, accolades from major medical institutions as the greatest therapeutic medical discovery. Oxidative stress causes chronic inflammation – let’s give your cells the loving they need, calm the flames of inflammation.
Shira Litwack, BSc, Corporate Wellness Specialist, Chronic Care recovery, medical exercise, holistic nutrition, addiction recovery
In Health,
Shira Litwack
Shira has been in chronic care management and prevention for 30 years, researcher, specializing in lifestyle habits including holistic nutrition, medical fitness and oxidative stress reduction. She has created and provided oxidative stress assessments, to help clients identify potential health risks. Lowering chronic inflammation for disease prevention and management is the focal point of BICH.
She partners with companies that provide immediate, affordable, accessible, reliable solutions for populations: Affordable, accessible healthcare, chronic care management, home testing…..Remote Patient Monitoring, Virtual Health, EMR
She is frequently called upon by the media, has her own podcast bringing current research to the public.
Articles featured in: Corporate Wellness Association, European Registry of Exercise Professionals, The National Post, Investment Executive Magazine, Directory of Greater Toronto, Canadian Leukemia & Lymphoma Association, Prostate Cancer Canada, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Anytime Fitness, Today’s Black Woman, Today’s Seniors, Medical Fitness Network, FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered), Willow (Breast & Hereditary Cancer Support),Myeloma Canada, Cancer Exercise Training Institute, Urban Poling for Breast Cancer, ROW – Recovery on Water for Breast Cancer, Sirius XM Doctor Radio, Medical Fitness Network
Access Hundreds of Self Tests, rapid diagnostics. Get Tested at Home! Stay at Home! Contact me for Covid-19 self testing with medical consultation Shira@BestInCorporateHealth.com
Alzheimer’s Disease hits an estimated 5.8 million Americans of all ages have (Alzheimer’s Association). Now, an estimated 5.8 million Americans of all ages are living with Alzheimer’s dementia.By 2050, this is expected to be 14 million This number includes an estimated 5.6 million people age 65 and older and approximately 200,000 individuals under age 65 who have younger-onset Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s Disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States.
One in three seniors die with Alzheimer’s and it kills more than breast cancer andprostate cancer combined
In 2019 Alzheimer’s is costing the nation $290 billion. By 2050 that is expected to rise to $1.1 trillion
Among people age 70, 61% of those with Alzheimer’s dementia are expected to die before the age of 80 compared with 30% of people without Alzheimer’s — a rate twice as high
The saddest stat of all: Only 16% of seniors receive cognitive assessments in doctors’ checkups.
Harvard: Inflammation is the unifying link between all diseases – Mental & physical.Oxidative stress, if uncontrolled leads to inflammation.
Quick review of oxidative stress(I have many articles here to check out on oxidative stress). An imbalance in our redox stateas a result of increased free radicals and a decrease in antioxidant defense.Free radicals are molecules that contains one or more unpaired electrons in its outer shell, trying to rebalance itself by snatching another molecule’s electrons. This imbalance causes a significant decrease in the effectiveness of antioxidant defenses, such as glutathione.
There are many causes of oxidative stress, both endogenous & exogenous, and unfortunately in unavoidable. Again, please refer to my many other articles here.
Pubmed:Tissues and organs, particularly the brain, a vulnerable organ, are affected by ROS due to its composition. The brain is largely composed of easily oxidizable lipids while featuring a high oxygen consumption rate. In other words – the brain is an easy target to suffer the ravages of inflammation.
Now: If we all learned about oxidative stress, how to minimize it – maybe we could prevent a lot of these cases of Alzheimer’s – and the other top diseases killing us?
More and more research is proving Alzheimer’s diseasepathology is of oxidative stress. This Alzheimer’s Disease related increase in oxidative stress has been attributed to decreased levels of the brain antioxidant, glutathione.
A 2018human study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, showed glutathione to be significantly depleted in Alzheimer’s patients compared to those without Alzheimer’s. Glutathione, referred to as the master antioxidant, is accepted asthe omnipotentanti-oxidant that protects the brain from free radical damage. Researchers are hopingthese findings will give us another measure to use when diagnosing potential for the advancement of Alzheimer’s disease or recognizing those that are in the early stages of advancement.
Ways to increase glutathione:
Spinach, avocados, asparagus
sulphur rich foods: Beef, fish, poultry.To a lesser extent vegetables such as cruciferous vegetables and allium vegetables (garlic and onion, don’t brown it!)
vitamin C rich foods
Selenium rich foods (please no Selenium supplements – can be toxic)
Glutathione deficiency is also seen in immune function issues, and is very much implicated in the aging process, DNA damage, and of course is a huge cause of oxidative damage. Glutathione also plays a key role in energy production and methylation, two integral processes at the core of normal cellular function. Methylation is an important part of many cellular repair functions, including the recycling of glutathione and detoxification.
Heart disease, stroke, cancers, diabetes…. all of our top killers are,oxidative stress is a major factor in all of them. Learning how to properly control oxidative stress, is really what a proactive lifestyle is all about.
There are other ways to increase glutathione from within your own body, by as much as 300%.
There is a pathway in the body that unfortunately decreases with age, but now due to medical technology, can be activated.
Combatting Oxidative Stress with NRF2 Pathway:
Complicated – but simply, our inner NRF2 pathway triggers our antioxidative genes. It is completely accepted the NRF2 pathway lowers oxidative stress, however, it also dramatically decreases with age. The NRF2 powers provide a million times the antioxidative power. There are hundreds of studies, peer reviewed studies that prove the incredible power of activating our NRF2 pathway. The truth is – there really is only one way to activate the NRF2 pathway – and that is with the natural supplements that have been studied, proven and accepted by our respected medical institutions.
Washington State University refers to these NRF2 activators as the “the most extraordinary therapeutic and most extraordinary preventative breakthrough in history of medicine.” These activators are recommended by the American Heart Association and have earned the accolades of hundreds of peer reviewed studies.
Our cells are forced to confront the daily cacophony of life, from oxidative stress. We have the ability to orchestrate the musicians, our cells, into the symphony of life. Contact me to lower oxidative stress by up to 40% in the first month. My Bonus for the corporate world – free educational webinars on understanding oxidative stress and inflammation – and really managing and preventing disease. email me for details.
The supplement like a flu shot against oxidative stress…..
Why are we not controlling chronic illness? We must control the wildfire of inflammation and lower oxidative stress. We know oxidative stress is at the root of chronic illness such as cancer, heart disease, depression, arthritis, stroke, diabetes. Inflammation ages us and leaves us susceptible to disease….We take a flu shot to prevent the flu – one simple supplement to lower your oxidative stress by as much as 40%. 7 patents, 24 peer reviewed studies on pubmed, accolades from American Heart Association, Mayo Clinic, National Institute on Aging….Washington State: “may well become the most extraordinary therapeutic and most extraordinary preventative breakthrough in the history of medicine.”
Shira Litwack, BSc, Corporate Wellness Specialist, Chronic Care recovery, medical exercise, holistic nutrition, addiction recovery
Shira Litwack: Corporate Wellness Specialist, Chronic Care prevention & management program design, health technologies, population health management on 3 continents.
There is an estimated 750 Billion dollars in U.S. health care waste every year. Our many technologies assure you are not contributing to that $750 billion. Health technology serving the continuum from prevention through chronic illness management.
Lifestyle Management Medical Cost Transparency Best Specialists Choosing benefits Chronic Care Management
Articles featured in: Corporate Wellness Association, European Registry of Exercise Professionals, The National Post, Investment Executive Magazine, Directory of Greater Toronto, Canadian Leukemia & Lymphoma Association, Prostate Cancer Canada, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Anytime Fitness, Today’s Black Woman, Today’s Seniors, Medical Fitness Network, FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered), Willow (Breast & Hereditary Cancer Support),Myeloma Canada, Cancer Exercise Training Institute, Urban Poling for Breast Cancer, ROW – Recovery on Water for Breast Cancer, Sirius XM Doctor Radio
Tis the season…..Flu prevention should be at the top of our minds.
Flu costs the U.S. approximately $10.4 billion in direct costs for hospitalizations and outpatient visits for adults.
2016: In the US, the flu accounted for $5.8 billion in other healthcare and lost productivity costs. It is key for companies to promote flu prevention in the workplace.
2011: Canadian workers took an average of 9.3 sick days. Although nine days may not seem like a lot, when you do the math based on salary cost for lost time, those absences equal approximately $16.6 Billion, not including the price of replacement workers.
The flu can be deadly. Flu prevention should be a priority. Australia gives us a warning of what to expect from flu season. This year, Australia had a very tough flu season. Flu prevention needs to be a priority. The good news is…..flu prevention is very consistent with general good health principles, and the prevention of chronic disease.
In this show, we speak with Bryce Wylde, integrated medicine expert, host of Wylde on Health.
With Bryce we learn…..
Living Optimal at any age
Getting sick does not mean you are unhealthy….healthy vs. unhealthy
Transmission of the flu, contagious points
Defining the flu, influenza virus, debunking myths
Wearing a mask, prevention of germs….learning from different cultures
Airplane germs…debunking more myths
The flu vaccine Mercury Free Forms of the vaccine, dangers of mercury
Foods for flu prevention, sugar the many menaces, including cancer
Inflammation – with the flu and all of our chronic illnesses
Good Bugs and Bad Bugs – Probiotics, the bacteria in us, their communication
Choosing the right probiotic, stability, appropriate strains for the reason we are taking it
supplement vs. natural health supplement vs. medication
Exercising – knowing the right level for immunity……the Genomics of it
Frailty…the #1 killer > cancer + heart disease
ColdFx, keeping the immune system on alert….in combination with the flu shot
Genomic testing for flu & chronic disease prevention
Vitamin D “Do the D” for the immune system, and many other necessities. Get the blood test
Choosing the right supplements for ourselves …. Bryce travels the world looking for the best ingredients for supplements
Natural Product Numbers look for the NPN a quality supplement in Canada – not available in the US
Benefits of Genomic Testing – Wellness is now personalized to our own DNA
Join us for an evening with Bryce Wylde and Dr. Mansoor, clinical genomicist November 9, 2017, 7 pm – Free Webinar What Genomic Testing can do for us. Webinar attendees will receive a promo code for a 50% reduction on their genomic test.
From Bryce to you……the No Flu for You Soup…
Eating or drinking too much sugar or refined foods curbs immune system cells that attack viruses and bacteria. This effect lasts for many hours after downing a couple of sugary drinks. One powerful solution is to eat soup! Research shows that astragalus root (a Chinese herb used to ward off flu), has powerful immune-enhancing properties. The sliced, dried root is available in specialty health food stores, Chinese grocery, and herb stores. It adds a pleasant, sweet taste when simmered in soups. Shiitake mushrooms, onions, and turmeric spice also naturally boost immunity. Garlic and onions have natural and powerful anti-viral and antibiotic effects; ginger and turmeric, a natural anti-inflammatory agent. Replace traditional pasta noodles which are immune suppressing with black bean or shirataki noodles which are carb free!
No Flu For You Soup (Serves 8-10)
1 tblsp extra virgin olive oil
2 lg spanish onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
1/4 tsp tumeric powder
2 cups shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and sliced
2 lg carrots, thinly sliced
2 pieces astragalus root, either dried or freshly choped into large cubes (roughly 1×1 inch)
8 cups organic mushroom or chicken stock
2 tbsp tamari
2 cups broccoli florets
1/2 cups scallions, diced
1/2 cup chives, diced
1 pack Black bean or Shiritake noodles
Instructions: Place oil in a soup pot on medium heat and add onions, garlic, ginger, and tumeric powder and sauté for about 5 mins or until translucent. Add mushrooms, carrots, broccoli, astragalus root, choice of stock and an additional 3 cups water. Bring to a full boil then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Add the tamari and adjust salt to taste. Let cool for 30mins. Remove the astragalus root pieces. Garnish with scallions and chives and serve while hot.
Bryce Wylde is an Integrative medicine expert, clinician, television host, educator, author, and philanthropist, and host of Wylde On Health. Associate Medical Director at P3Health | CityTv Health Expert | Medical Advisor DrOZ show | Director My Health Report. Bryce makes supplementation a targeted science, searching the world for the cleanest, best sources for ingredients, creating the purest, most effective supplements.
Corporate health programs…what a wonderful way to affordably make the world a happier, healthier place.
Shira Litwack – The Corporate Happy Place medical fitness professional, Cancer Exercise Specialist , Medical Exercise Specialist, Holistic Nutritionist
Chief Health Enthusiast – Best In Corporate Health
Shira is regularly consulted by Naturopaths, oncologists, health coaches on cancer exercise and exercise adherence.
Has assembled over 20 health and fitness professionals with varying specialties to bring to corporate wellness programs
Platforms include: Speaking, One-one/group health coaching, Retreats, Course development for in house delivery, Metrics to measure success available, Partners always included
Now offering live interactive webinars, just as if each participant has a personal health coach – making corporate wellness programs affordable to all.
Shira has been interviewed & published in hundreds of resources over the last 12 years:
Articles featured in: European Registry of Exercise Professionals, The National Post, Investment Executive Magazine, Directory of Greater Toronto, Canadian Leukemia & Lymphoma Association, Prostate Cancer Canada, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Anytime Fitness, Today’s Black Woman, Today’s Seniors, Medical Fitness Network, FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered), Willow (Breast & Hereditary Cancer Support),Myeloma Canada, Cancer Exercise Training Institute, Urban Poling for Breast Cancer, ROW – Recovery on Water for Breast Cancer, Sirius XM Doctor Radio
Health vs. wellness, the answer is in the past and present and creating a better future.
I heard a brilliant expression from a colleague this week – a number of years ago a doctor told her she was healthy, not well. What is the difference?
Healthy: not diseased…… Wellness brings out the deeper meaning of health, which can be glossed over in health programs. By differentiating between health vs. wellness, we expose the many underlying health saboteurs, which unknowingly compromise our health.
Health vs. Wellness A symbiosis for social, emotional & physiological engagement
Think of wellness as the opportunity for health engagement. The word “health” conjures up visions of restrictive, long lists of ” I shouldn’t”, no fun to many people. Wellness can provide the physiological, emotional and social engagement and camaraderie for sustainability and adherence to a health and wellness program…and ROI.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defined health in it’s 1948 constitution as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Sounds Utopic.
In pursuit of the broader WHO goals for health evolved our healthcare system. The healthcare system is financially depleted, and has become a “sick care” system. We diagnose, try to fix illness. Whether we get caught up in blaming the politicians for our healthcare crisis, we cannot ignore the erosion is largely due to unnecessary illness. Going forward, to achieve the intent of healthcare, we need to be inclusive of a thoroughly articulated view, role and definition of wellness.
Healthcare and medical diagnostics are vital, however, we need to all become our own advocates – and take charge of constantly seeking further wellness. Looking at out health is more of a current status. And whereas we know that certain diagnoses such as metabolic syndrome, pre-diabetes, carcinoma in situ, are definite calls to more proactive action -the goal of wellness is to prevent the pre-diseased state.
What is wellness? Wellness is the #1 opportunity we have in our lives. We have hundreds of options within our control to prevent even a pre-diseased state.
Take a look at these relationships:
health vs. wellness
exercise vs. physical activity
diet vs. nutrition
sex vs. intimacy
They are all often used interchangeably. Comparing does not necessitate an adversarial tone, rather, there are nuances that suggest a symbiotic relationship. They are subsets within each other, necessary partners promoting each other.
Medical diagnostics catch disease or impending disease. Genomic testing is our only diagnostic to provide the ultimate wellness, by mapping our DNA. Going to our healthcare providers, being told everything looks good, nothing is wrong – is fantastic news not to be taken for granted.We all know, we sill might not feel well. We might:
have a haze about us…something is just not right
feeling stressed and drained
erratic appetite
Feeling a lack of control in ourselves
Not being as focused, energized and productive as we used to be
Don’t feel rested and restored
Moodiness
Or, we could just be in robomode- so busy in our day to day routines, surviving each day and task as it comes, we are unaware that we are not optimized
This general malaise in health is what I call health presenteeism. We know work presenteeism is being at work in body – but not being fully there in mind – not fully functioning and is usually attributed to health issues.
Health vs. Wellness – overcoming Health Presenteeism…..
Digging Deeper
We all know the Rx for health: Don’t smoke, eat right, exercise, good sleep, manage stress. Go for regular physician check ups. Imperative. Why are these imperative to wellness? Let’s start digging.
Optimizing our digestive health. We all know the cliche we are what we eat. What his really implies is we are what we eat, digest and absorb. Our digestive tract serves many complex functions of our health. Hippocrates said “all disease begins in the gut”. Our gut performs an infinite number of daily tasks including digestion, absorption, influencing our mood with the production of serotonin, is the first step of our immune system……Our digestive tract takes thousands of attacks daily from poor food choices, digestive strain, medications, ingestion of toxins, viruses and bacteria, stress…and a central focus of our wellness efforts must be on optimizing our digestive tract.
Eliminating physiological stressors in our lives.
Oxidative stress and inflammation: Proven repeatedly to be at the root of all of our chronic illnesses.
Optimizing our Immune system
Understanding what it takes to create a healthy inner ecosystem.
The science of happy. The #1 predictor of productivity is happiness. Happy is far more than accomplishing our goals. Happiness also must have wellness embedded into its roots. How does this impact our wellness programs? A 2016 study by Global Corporate Challenge (GCC) after surveying employees from 500 organizations in 70 countries found happy employees are more productive at work. The findings confirm the role emotions play in business, and that happiness is critical for productivity and talent retention and not a job perk or something that is just “nice to have.” The connection was clear: happy employees are high performing employees.
Enjoying and embracing wellness. None of us are looking for another miserable task in our lives. Wellness practices must be engaging, integrated into a person’s life, welcomed, and perceived as fun and of great value. If we are not feeling the rewards of our wellness efforts, and we feel these practices are another strain, they are erratic and short lived. Wellness should be freedom and liberation, not rigid, restrictive or inflexible.
Wellness is a state of mind. It is a desire to optimize our health, a partner in our raison d’être, a joie de vivre. Through wellness we put a jump in our steps and feel capable of compartmentalizing and managing the many challenges life inevitably serves.
When appreciating the symbiosis of health vs. wellness, it’s easier for us to appreciate why
our blood pressure and blood sugar are normal, our diagnostics and biometrics appear acceptable – but something is just not right. It must be stress is the usual conclusion – Yes – it is stress – but we need to look at stress at a much deeper level. True wellness is helping everyone to become their own health ambassador, helping them understand the many levels of wellness, far deeper than the superficialities. Even if we are eating right, exercising – there is great variance there, and maybe our overall wellness choices, when put together – are not nourishing us at the control centers of our body – our cells. Wellness comes from much deeper than our outer facade. Wellness comes from our cell-being.
Help control workforce oxidative stress: 7 patents, 24 peer reviewed studies on pubmed, accolades from American Heart Association, Mayo Clinic, National Institute on Aging….Washington State: “may well become the most extraordinary therapeutic and most extraordinary preventative breakthrough in the history of medicine.”
Cell-being creates our inner magic kingdom that is hostile to disease, and takes the cacophony of our daily lives and creates a symphonic inner ecosystem.
Personalized Health vs. wellness programs…..Yes…..We get VERY personal……right down to the DNA….
Corporate health programs…what a wonderful way to affordably make the world a happier, healthier place.
Shira Litwack – The Corporate Happy Place medical fitness professional, Cancer Exercise Specialist , Medical Exercise Specialist, Holistic Nutritionist
Articles featured in: ezines, ArticlesInk, European Registry of Exercise Professionals, The National Post, Investment Executive Magazine, Directory of Greater Toronto, Canadian Leukemia & Lymphoma Association, Prostate Cancer Canada, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Anytime Fitness, Today’s Black Woman, Today’s Seniors, Medical Fitness Network, FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered), Willow (Breast & Hereditary Cancer Support),Myeloma Canada, Cancer Exercise Training Institute, Urban Poling for Breast Cancer, ROW – Recovery on Water for Breast Cancer, Sirius XM Doctor Radio
Productivity: A Product of Physiological Homeostatic Processes
Improving employee productivity demands science, not just words of encouragement from the boss.
First let’s discuss our body’s aspired state…. – physiological homeostasis.
The body’s continual attempt to maintain a constant internal environment, what I call our inner ecosystem. Maintaining this stable ecosystem requires constant monitoring and adjustments as conditions change. Our environment, food choices, physical activity, sleep, exposure to physiological stressors, oxidative stressors all impact the body’s ability to achieve physiological homeostasis.
2012 Brigham Young University, 20,000 Employees.
Employees with unhealthy diets were 66 percent more likely to report having a loss in productivity
Employees who had difficulty exercising during the day were 96 percent more likely to have increased productivity loss
Employees who rarely eat fruits, vegetables and other low-fat foods at work were 93 percent more likely to have a higher loss in productivity
Smokers were 28 percent more likely to report suffering from a drop in productivity
Those who didn’t believe their workplace would support them in becoming healthier were more likely to have a drop in productivity.
The first 4 were of no surprise to me – As a proud science geek, my specialty is working with employees on the reduction of oxidative stress. These first 4 are all productivity zappers as they all contribute to oxidative stress (OS) and chronic inflammation. Not only are they productivity zappers, inflammation is the root of all of our chronic illnesses, most notably: cancer, heart disease, depression, frailty………OS is also the #1 reason for premature aging.
But the 5th point – those who didn’t believe their workplace would support them in becoming healthier were more likely to have a drop in productivity – there is a call to action for effective wellness programs.
A brief explanation of oxidative stress:
Oxidative Stress: The imbalance between the production of free radicals in the body and the ability of the body to neutralize / detoxify their harmful effects with antioxidants. ….In other words – the body’s inability to achieve physiological homeostasis.
Free Radicals: A molecule that has a single unpaired electron in an outer shell ….ROS
Reactive Oxygen Species
Antioxidants: neutralize free radicals either by providing the extra electron needed to make the pair, or by breaking down the free radical molecule to render it harmless. Making good food choices is an excellent source of antioxidants.
It is really ironic that oxygen, an element indispensable for life can under certain situations have several harmful and damaging effects on the human body. Oxygen is vital, yet it has a dark side. Oxygen free radicals occur just by breathing but excessive amounts of these free radicals occur when we are exposed to oxidative stress.
Our body is constantly bombarded with oxidative stressors…endocrine disruptors, microbial imbalance, hormonal causes including impact of body fat, smoking, alcohol……
And unfortunately – the antidote to OS, well, we just don’t provide this quite as regularly to our body as we should.
Physiological stress is the cause of “stress”. Its not running late with the report you were supposed to get to the boss. Its the effect on your body from stressing over that report, that matters. The better equipped our body is to handle stress, from a physiological standpoint, the better off we are to weather the daily storms that inevitably cross our paths. The more adept we are at handling physiological stress, the better we are at focusing, being productive to weather the storm.
Another way to look at this is acute stress vs. chronic stress.
Acute stress – yes – getting that report in on time. However, continuous acute stressors, combined with a compromised biology to handle stress can lead to chronic stress.
Chronic stress happens when the body cannot achieve homeostasis from the many OS, and can leave our body’s stress response continually in overdrive, and can continue to erode our function right down to our DNA.
Productivity Suffers – Oxidative Stress on the Brain:
Stress accumulates in an area of the brain called the amygdala. As this worsens, we enter a cycle of fear and anxiety
Potentially diminish our production of fresh brain cells
Reduce levels of our neurotransmitters which can lead to depression
Effect our breathing pattern
Effect our hippocampus responsible for memory
Prefrontal cortex responsible for decision making and impulsive behavior
Makes the blood brain barrier more permeable, allowing toxins in
Reduces the size of our telomeres
Cause brain inflammation
This is just the effects on the brain. Can we see why productivity is a physiological issue? As much as an employee is told to step up a notch – we have to take a look inside, examine how productivity is being compromised by a struggling physiology.
Best In Corporate Health: Optimizing our inner ecosystem with targeted, effective wellness programs, the real key to employee productivity
Help control workforce oxidative stress: 7 patents, 24 peer reviewed studies on pubmed, accolades from American Heart Association, Mayo Clinic, National Institute on Aging….Washington State: “may well become the most extraordinary therapeutic and most extraordinary preventative breakthrough in the history of medicine.”
Corporate health programs…what a wonderful way to affordably make the world a happier, healthier place.
Shira Litwack – The Corporate Happy Place medical fitness professional, Cancer Exercise Specialist , Medical Exercise Specialist, Holistic Nutritionist
Articles featured in: ezines, ArticlesInk, European Registry of Exercise Professionals, The National Post, Investment Executive Magazine, Directory of Greater Toronto, Canadian Leukemia & Lymphoma Association, Prostate Cancer Canada, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Anytime Fitness, Today’s Black Woman, Today’s Seniors, Medical Fitness Network, FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered), Willow (Breast & Hereditary Cancer Support),Myeloma Canada, Cancer Exercise Training Institute, Urban Poling for Breast Cancer, ROW – Recovery on Water for Breast Cancer, Sirius XM Doctor Radio
Cancer Awareness – Measuring ROI in Lives and Dollars
February is National Cancer Awareness Month. Newly released data from the American Cancer Society, for 2016, reports:
1,685,210 new cancer diagnoses
595,690 cancer deaths
According to the CDC, 75% of chronic illness can be adjusted with lifestyle – however, where this fall shorts is a completely incomplete explanation of lifestyle. We all know certain basics – Don’t smoke, eat right & exercise. That’s great – but even if we are following that advice, it falls painfully short – and we are all left wondering …why do we still get sick.
According to 2014 research from IBI, Integrated Benefit Institute, a leading workforce health and productivity research and measurement organization, cancer costs businesses $19,000/100 employees per year.
Cancer Costs:
In lost work time & treatment: $19,000/100 employees/year
Lost work time and presenteeism $10,000/ 100 workers
Medical and pharmacy treatments $9,100
Absent 3.8 more days per year
Lose the equivalent of 1.8 more days per year to presenteeism.
At any given time, about 1/4 of employees with a history of cancer are in treatment.
Employees with cancer have an average of approximately four other conditions that complicate care management strategies
Impact on productivity, co-morbid conditions:
depression (16% of employees with cancer)
chronic fatigue (22%)
obesity (19%)
anxiety (14%)
chronic back or neck pain (23%)
high cholesterol (30%)
and hypertension (24%).
“Cancers present complex challenges for the workplace. At a basic, human level, a cancer diagnosis is a frightening, sometimes emotionally devastating, event. It is natural that co-workers and supervisors will want to provide support to a friend and colleague when told he or she has cancer. At the same time, balancing privacy and workplace accommodation is a critical, but sensitive, issue. Many employees with cancer will frequently feel too sick to work, while others report that remaining on the job keeps them ‘connected’ and provides a sense of routine as they undergo treatment,”
(Past) IBI President Tom Parry, PhD.
At the root of all of our chronic illnesses is the reality of oxidative stress, and a resulting condition of chronic inflammation. Nurturing our cell-being – sadly, is not incorporated into employee wellness programs, except at Best In Corporate Health, aka, Cell-Being.com.
Oxidative Stress – The Root Cause of Chronic Illness
Oxidative Stress:The imbalance between the production of free radicals in the body and the ability of the body to neutralize / detoxify their harmful effects with antioxidants. Some chemistry geek – Free Radicals: A molecule that has a single unpaired electron in an outer shell ….Reactive Oxygen Species. Our redox state, the balance in our body between free radicals and antioxidants, determines the status of our inner biology, our cell-being. Uncontrolled oxidative stress can lead to inflammation – which a certain amount is necessary – however chronic inflammation has been proven to be at the root of all of our chronic illnesses….cancer, diabetes, heart disease, depression, Alzheimers, macular degeneration, respiratory, our ability to focus, mood disturbances, autoimmune disease……….
Cancer awareness is all health awareness. Building cancer awareness into our employee wellness programs will provide a brilliant ROI, measured in both dollars, and lives.
Author…..Living a Life to Prevent Cancer is the Healthiest Lifestyle of all…..
Shira Litwack, medical fitness professional, Cancer Exercise Specialist , Medical Exercise Specialist, Holistic Nutritionist, Corporate Health Provider
Chief Health Enthusiast – Best In Corporate Health
Employee Wellness Toronto, Ontario – But offered worldwide!
Shira is regularly consulted by Naturopaths, oncologists, health coaches on cancer exercise and exercise adherence.
Has assembled over 20 health and fitness professionals with varying specialties to bring to corporate wellness programs
Platforms include: Speaking, One-one/group health coaching, Retreats, Course development for in house delivery, Metrics to measure success available, Partners always included
Now offering live interactive webinars, just as if each participant has a personal health coach – making corporate wellness programs affordable to all.
Shira has been interviewed & published in hundreds of resources over the last 12 years:
Articles featured in: ezines, ArticlesInk, European Registry of Exercise Professionals, The National Post, Investment Executive Magazine, Directory of Greater Toronto, Canadian Leukemia & Lymphoma Association, Prostate Cancer Canada, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Anytime Fitness, Today’s Black Woman, Today’s Seniors, Medical Fitness Network, FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered), Willow (Breast & Hereditary Cancer Support),Myeloma Canada, Cancer Exercise Training Institute, Urban Poling for Breast Cancer, ROW – Recovery on Water for Breast Cancer, Sirius XM Doctor Radio
Employee Engagement – The Role of Oxidative Stress ?
Institute for Employment Studies report quantified employee engagement: Organizations increasing engagement investment by just 10% can increase profits by approximately US $2,100 per employee, per year.
With all of the possible best efforts by an organization to create a culture of employee engagement, health and wellness, it can easily be sabotaged by the effects of …….oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress is rarely addressed, and if it is usually only once again by addressing the outer being. Truth is, this can sometimes create more oxidative stress on the body.
Chronic inflammation is a wildfire raging in the body. The blood vessels and internal organs and systems are affected. This inflammatory process leads to free radical damage and oxidative stress and is a culprit in aging, mental focus, depression & all of our chronic diseases. Our focus must be on addressing the cellular level of health.
There are hundreds of oxidative stressors attacking the body each day. What we need to do is to implement a plan to reduce exposure to the stressors, and strengthen the body to protect itself from bombardment.
Oxidative stressors weaken both physiological and psychological function in a number of ways, and are accepted as the root of chronic disease and ultimately longevity.
Employee wellness programs usually focus on the outer 2 layers. Inflammation and oxidative stress attacks the Cell-Being
implementation and integration of healthier lifestyle strategies. In a fast placed workplace environment combined with the challenges of balancing family, stress, anxiety and mood disturbances are the norm. Facts are not enough – in fact feeding a list of facts, “shoulds” and “should-nots” is irritating. Unfortunately, people frequently turn to the immediate “fixes” such as alcohol, poor food choices, sedentary activities which increase the oxidative load on the body… leading to more stress….more fixes…….the path of addiction. The insidious part, people rarely see this cycle, until they the body has been weakened by an illness.
Some of the more common oxidative stressors, that we can control include:
Alcohol
Smoking
UV
Certain medications
certain food choices
lack of exercise/the wrong exercise/
chemical exposure
pollutants
This is a very general list. Oxidative stress is not simple and straight forward, and of course will affect different people based on their own body’s ability to neutralize.
Consider alcohol: According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism & National Survey on Drug Use and Health 52.7% of the population fall in the range of moderate drinking+.
A recently released study (Society for the study of Addiction) Finally has labelled alcohol as a “cause” of cancer, not just a “link”. The myth of drinking “a glass of wine a day for health” has been proven to be incorrect. Alcohol and cancer is finally accepted as fact. The meta analysis was carried out in New Zealand and published in the Journal of Addiction. Alcohol-induced oxidative stress, happens with a single drink, and sobriety is no indicator of damage.
However, we are not helpless, there are a number of ways we can lower our overall, cumulative oxidative stress load.
Health & wellness programs need to reach far beyond the preaching of eating healthy and exercising. Helping each individual person identify oxidative stressors in their life is the missing link, even in those who have the very best intentions following the healthiest of lifestyles….
Creating a positive, motivating workplace environment is of course a part of employee engagement. However, the ability of an employee to “engage” is within that individual person.
Shira Litwack: BSc Psychology & Chemistry, medical fitness professional, Cancer Exercise Specialist , holistic nutritionist, medical exercise specialist
Shira Litwack calls herself the “CHE – Chief Health Enthusiast” of Best in Corporate Health. Shira has assembled over 30 health and fitness professionals to bring you unique corporate wellness programs designed around your employees. No more one size fits none corporate health programs, no long guilt lists of shoulds and should nots – fun, engaging programs where “installation” is an integral part of all programs. The health coaches cover a wide range of specialties from nutrition, exercise, balancing lifestyle, family harmony, addiction recovery, disease prevention and recovery…..contact us to plan your corporate wellness solutions
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Shira has been interviewed on: City TV, CTV, National Public Radio, Sirius XM Dr. Rehab Dr. Jonathan Whiteson & The Sports Medicine Show, Living Cancer Free, Web Talk Radio, Voice America, Obesity Control Center, Investment Executive.
Articles Featured In: FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered) Willow, Cancer Exercise Training Institute, Medical Fitness Network, European Registry of Exercise Professionals, The National Post, Investment Executive Magazine, Directory of Greater Toronto, Canadian Leukemia & Lymphoma Association, Prostate Cancer Canada, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Anytime Fitness, Today’s Black Woman, Today’s Seniors, Cancer Exercise Training Institute, Urban Poling for Breast Cancer, ROW – Recovery on Water for Breast Cancer
