Tag Archives: lower oxidative stress

Aging and Disease: Which Comes First?

May 1, 2020employee performance, well-being3 Theories of Cellular Aging, activating our sirtuins, aggressive antioxidants, aging and disease, aging of our cells, biological age vs. chronological age Aging and disease, caloric restriction, Cell senescence, cellular aging, chicken or the egg, chronic illnesses mental and physical., glutathione SOD and Catalase, gluten sensitivity, healthy proactive lifestyle, lower oxidative stress, mitochondrial aging, mitochondrial dysfunction, Mitochondrial Theory of Aging, NRF1 pathway that stimulates our mitochondria, oxidative stress from hand sanitizers, oxidative stress theory of aging, reliable at home testing, sirtuins theory of agingBestinCorporateHealth

Aging and Disease….A Real Chicken or the Egg Dilemma!

Aging and disease…Is it time for a paradigm shift?

We have always thought that as we age, we become diseased. What we have learned the last number of years with epigenetics & the aging of our cells, it really is possible disease comes first.

Cellular aging is the progressive decline in the resistance to stress and other cellular damages, causing a gradual loss of cellular functions and resulting eventually in cell death. Aging is the progressive loss of tissue and organ function over time, from cell death. As we lose cellular function, we are more and more susceptible to disease, we age.

Disease happens with breakdown in the functioning of our cells.

Let’s take a look at the 3 most recognized causes of aging.

3 Theories of Cellular Aging:

Oxidative Stress theory of Aging
The Mitochondrial Theory of Aging
The Sirtuins Theory of Aging

Aging and Disease with Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress causes chronic inflammation, which is at the root of our chronic illnesses, mental and physical. Fact: Lowering our levels of oxidative stress is a critical aspect of living a healthy, proactive lifestyle. Problem is – even with our best intentions, we often increase our levels of oxidative stress. Many articles here on BICH about oxidative stress and inflammation, how we can measure and lower.

How we can get our body to produce its own, homegrown most vital antioxidants

This is vital to really controlling our levels of oxidative stress. Activating our own body to produce its own antioxidant system, fights the free radicals of oxidative stress a million times greater than the antioxidants we eat. We must optimize our own NRF2 pathway, and produce glutathione, SOD and catalase….THE most aggressive antioxidants against oxidative stressors.

Oh….Those hand sanitizers we are slathering on now? A main ingredient is Triclosan (in various forms). The toxicity and oxidative stress from hand sanitizers.

2. Aging and Disease from Mitochondrial Dysfunction

You probably remember from biology class – the mitochondria are the powerhouses of our cells. Our mitochondria produce our ATP – which is our currency of energy in our bodies. and are key in metabolic homeostasis. BTW – I just thought I would add here:

Production of ATP is vital for our existence. You know what a very normal by-product is of ATP production? Oxidative stress ⚡️⚡️

Mitochondrial dysfunction has emerged as one of the key hallmarks of aging process and is linked to the development of numerous age-related pathologies including metabolic syndrome, neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. However, we can increase the amount of mitochondria we have, and increase the strength of our mitochondria with our NRF1 pathway.

Just as the NRF2 pathway activates our own homegrown antioxidant system, we need to call on the NRF1 pathway that stimulates our mitochondria – both in terms of quantity and quality. Aging and disease of our mitochondria is NOT a necessity of aging. We can stave off mitochondrial aging.

” Strategies aimed to enhance mitochondrial function by targeting mitochondrial dynamics, quality control, and mitohormesis pathways might promote healthy aging, protect against age-related diseases, and mediate longevity.” Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, December 2017

3. Aging and Disease with Sirtuins

NIH 2017: ” The search for an activator of sirtuins is one of the most extensive and robust topic of research”

We now have activators for sirtuins, and this is done with the NAD+ molecule.

Over the years, researchers have found that caloric restriction has a number of health benefits. We are not talking about knocking 500 calories off per day for fat loss, we are talking sever caloric restriction – in the range of eating less than 800 calories per day. Research found that by keeping calorie intake this low it provided healthy longevity, a healthier vascular system, cholesterol control, cognitive benefits including better mood, the ability to think clearer, and increases in energy.

Nobody wants to eat less than 800 calories per day, every day. Researchers discovered that by activating our NAD production, we can reap the same benefits from drastic caloric restriction, of increasing the activity of our sirtuins.

Back to our original question, which is it?

Aging ⇒ Disease OR

Disease ⇒ Aging?

Cell senescence is a growth arrest that is induced when cells reach the end of their replicative potential or are exposed to various stressors. AKA Zombie cells. These cells can also turn the healthy cells near them into zombie cells. Producing an inordinate amount of oxidative stress, is just one of the ways zombie cells destroy neighbouring healthy cells. By strengthening our cells, we have less cell senescence, and yes, research is showing – we do have the ability to stave off cell senescence.

The smallest unit of life, is the most powerful unit of life

Biological age does not have to be in accordance with the chronological age

Book a consult, provide employees with our OS assessment, a very different approach to corporate health!

Convenient diagnostic testing for many issues from Covid-19, Diabetes, Vitamin D, STDs, fertility, Flu, HIV, gluten sensitivity….let us put you in touch with reliable at home testing, hundreds of diagnostic tests with physician supervision & full privacy!

Lower oxidative stress, Redefine Your healthy Lifestyle, from your DNA! Once again, we see the data – oxidative stress and chronic inflammation is at the root of disease.

Are you worth $40/month?

Happily explain.

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.

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

Combatting Oxidative Stress from Within

June 13, 2019employee performance, well-beingactivate NRF2 pathway, alcohol causes inflammation, call being, chronic care management, combatting oxidative stress, diet supportive of methylation, DNA methylation, epigenetic influences, heart smart habits, high levels of oxidative stress, how our choices are impacting our DNA, lower oxidative stress, mental stress, most extraordinary preventative breakthrough in the history of medicine, our own methylation abilities, population health management, workplace health programsBestinCorporateHealth

Combatting Oxidative Stress from Within

Combatting oxidative stress from within is a much smarter approach than trying to minimize our exposure. Sure – let’s try to do that as well. However, OS is internally produced and attacks us from our environment. There are many exposures to oxidative stressors that are out of our control.

How many times have you said, or heard someone else say:

“ Uncle Tom smoked a pack a day, was never sick a day and lived to be 90”.

“I don’t get it – Sally is 32, healthy, exercises, eats right…and has breast cancer!”

The body is a very complex system of chemical reactions. Those chemical reactions are dictated by both genetics & epigenetics. When we talk about living a healthy lifestyle – we need to look beyond the superficialities, and understand how our choices are impacting our DNA – definitely not always as we hope.

Oxidative stress (OS) is a fact of life. I have made it my mission in my personal life and corporate life to enlighten people about the dangers and realities of oxidative stress. Workplace health programs center around eating right, exercise, sleep – all of those are obviously critical. However, my mantra – our cell being – we have to dig deeper and investigate what epigenetic influences are sabotaging our best efforts. Illness happens because our cells have been manipulated.

Think of OS as the mortal kryptonite. OS comes from within our bodies, as it is a natural by-product of our energy production in the mitochondria of our cells. And, it is also an unfortunate by product from our environment, exposures & the thousands of choices we make on a daily basis, such as:

toxins …..abundant in all of the chemicals in our world
pollution
poor food choices
smoking (1st, 2nd, 3rd hand smoke)
drinking alcohol
exposure to radiation
constant mental stress and high cortisol production
many many more…

OS can lead to chronic inflammation. It is at the root of all of our chronic illnesses including cancers, heart disease, depression, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, neuro-degenerative disorders, macular degeneration, diabetes….you name it.

Our redox state is the balance within between OS & antioxidants. The reason we are told to “eat a rainbow” of colored fruits and vegetables is for the antioxidants (and many other healthy reasons!) to counteract the free radicals created by OS. An imbalance in our redox state – high levels of oxidative stress- alter and impair the functioning of proteins, enzymes & our DNA. Here I am discussing two ways to help control OS.

Methylate!

DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism adding a methyl (CH3) group to DNA, modifying the function of the genes and affecting gene expression. DNA methylation often inhibits the expression of certain genes, in a good way. For example, methylation might stop a tumor-causing gene from “turning on,” thereby preventing a cancer formation. Research shows us DNA methylation slows down as we age. Research is looking into learning to analyze our own methylation abilities. As a result, genes that were once repressed by methylated DNA start to become active, possibly allowing the development of a variety of diseases. Research is looking into learning to analyze our own methylation abilities. What we can do to reduce demethylation?

We know methylation is slowed by alcohol. Alcohol is NOT our friend. A glass of wine a day does NOT support heart health. Those studies have been ripped apart many times. I think we all know better, heart smart habits than alcohol. The very first glass of alcohol causes inflammation in the body – and yes it will in some people more than others.
We know certain nutrients in our diet are supportive of methylation including folate, B12 (decreases with age) B6 & choline.- Take a look at this list. How many of those foods are written off because people perceive them as “unhealthy” ? Beef, eggs, bananas, fish, dairy chicken, potatoes…so as always – I beg people to really think if they are eating a complete diet, really supporting their health vs. following a fad, making sweeping generalizations.

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.

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.

Oxidative Stress at the Root of Disease

In Health,

Shira

Shira@BestInCorporateHealth.com. Set Up a Call

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: 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

Mental Health with Integrative Psychiatry

February 18, 2019employee performance, well-beingbehavioral and mood disorders, biochemical individuality, cholesterol and mental health, chronic care management, commit suicide, gut health and mental, integrative medicine, Integrative Psychiatry, James Greenblatt, lower oxidative stress, medical cost transparency, Mental Health, mental wellness, mood problems, nutrition for mental health, orthomolecular medicine, psychopharmacology, role of stress, suicide preventionBestinCorporateHealth

Mental Health – Approaching through Integrative Psychiatry

Mental health is an integral part of health. Without mental health, there is no health.

Along those lines, we all know we should be eating right, exercising, making lifestyle choices that are responsible for good health. However, those are choices usually associated with physical health, not mental health.

Dr. Greenblatt discusses with us stress, depression, schizophrenia, and yes, the what seems to be, a recent epidemic of suicides. Did you know that most people who commit suicide had sought health treatment in the last 30 days before the suicide?

Mental Health – An Integrative Approach with Dr. Greenblatt:

Nutrition for mental health
What is integrative Psychiatry?
functional medicine approach
Gut health and mental wellness
Biochemical individuality- genetic vulnerability…the genetic/environmental dance
The role of stress
psychopharmacology
apparent epidemic of suicides
The stigma
blood tests for vital nutrients
Biological model of suicide prevention…understanding markers to go from stress to suicide.
Omega 3 fatty acids – the research – The US military and omega 3 infused foods
cholesterol & mental health…..will surprise you!
Treatment model vs. finding causes
sugar & alcohol ….correlation of co-morbid conditions with mood problems…..the “nutritional vacuum cleaners”
thyroid testing
Getting the primary doctor to perform certain blood tests
suicide prevention

Dr. James Greenblatt. Integrative psychiatry – nutrition and mental health – Dr. Greenblatt will open a whole new angle to dealing with mental health and wellness

Our Guest – Dr. James Greenblatt

A pioneer in the field of integrative medicine, James M. Greenblatt MD has treated patients with complex behavioral and mood disorders since 1988.

After receiving his medical degree and completing his psychiatry residency at George Washington University, Dr. Greenblatt completed a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Medical School. Dr. Greenblatt currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer at Walden Behavioral Care in Waltham, MA and serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine and Dartmouth College Geisel School of Medicine.

An acknowledged integrative medicine expert, educator, and author, Dr. Greenblatt has lectured internationally on the scientific evidence for nutritional interventions in psychiatry and mental illness. Through three decades of practice and research, Dr. Greenblatt has been a leading contributor to the revolution of patients and families seeking individualized care and offers evidence-based approaches toward nuanced and integrative recovery.

In April of 2017, Dr. Greenblatt was inducted into the Orthomolecular Medicine Hall of Fame by the International Society of Orthomolecular Medicine, which has recognized significant contributors to science and medicine who operate from the perspective of biochemical individuality and nutrition-based therapies since 2004. Dr. Greenblatt shares this honor with recognized founders in the field of integrative medicine, beginning with the pioneers of nutritional psychiatry Abram Hoffer, Linus Pauling, and Roger Williams.

His book series, Psychiatry Redefined, draws on his many years of experience and expertise in integrative medicine for psychiatry. Dr. Greenblatt’s knowledge in the areas of biology, genetics, psychology, and nutrition as they interact in the treatment of mental illness has made him a highly sought-after speaker at national and international conferences and workshops. He currently offers online courses for professionals as well as specialized fellowship programs in the functional medicine approaches to integrative psychiatry. For more information, please visit www.JamesGreenblattMD.com.

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….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.”

calendly.com/Shira-Litwack

Lifestyle Management Medical Cost Transparency Best Specialists Choosing benefits Chronic Care Management

Let’s talk:

Artificial Intelligence And Your Health

December 17, 2018employee performance, well-beingAI, artificial intelligence, Artificial Intelligence and your health, big data, healthcare, healthcare solutions, lower oxidative stress, revolutionized healthcare, SiriBestinCorporateHealth

Artificial Intelligence – What Does it Mean for your Health?

Artificial Intelligence – we hear it all the time – Do we know what it means? Do we know how AI has revolutionized healthcare?

AI involves inputting vast amounts of data into computers – and let it crunch away. The term AI has been around since the 1950s – but now because of its potential for such vast reach into technology, healthcare….the implications are overwhelming.

Artificial intelligence organizes big data that exists for a particular task

calculates best processes for a desired outcome

Every time we ask Siri a question on our iPhone, or use voice command in the car – we are enjoying the benefits of AI.

cell atom data

What do these 3 words have in common?

The cell is the smallest unit of our physiology

The atom is the smallest unit of matter

Data – The raw resource that powers AI.

Keeping that data safe and secure, not violating privacy…..that is forever the challenge, think of the Facebook fiasco.

Artificial Intelligence – Reinventing Healthcare Solutions

AI is being implemented in every aspect of the betterment of our health. These examples realm of possibilities:

A Danish AI software company is using computers to eavesdrop while human dispatchers took emergency calls. The algorithm analyzed what the callers voice. The tone of voice and background noise could detect cardiac arrests with a 93% success rate compared to 73% for people trying to accomplish the same task
Virtual nursing assistants are being used to help monitor patients between doctor visits – giving people 24/7 access to tailored support
AI surgical robots are providing greater accuracy to surgery – fewer complications post-op
Clalit Health in Israel is using AI along with existing CT scans identifying patients with bone and cardiovascular disease far earlier than ever before.
University of Toronto engineering students along with the Faculty of Medicine are using AI for patients with glioblastoma. Their AI tool is reducing the time for developing radiation treatments for these patients from days to hours
AI is being used now in a number of ways to predict and treat breast cancer, including earlier diagnosing, better individualized treatments, has reduced over treatments (unnecessary surgeries)

The most exciting part is we are still early, AI is still in its infancy stage for uses in healthcare.

Re-engineering the “patient” to educated healthcare consumer. Health technology for greater transparency, and better health outcomes.

Help control workforce oxidative stress:

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….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.”

calendly.com/Shira-Litwack

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 Care Dollars – The Waste and the Want

July 12, 2018employee performance, well-beingbetter health care purchasers, better lifestyle choices, corporate health program, health care, health Care Dollars, health care spending in the US, healthcare, healthcare premiums, high cost of healthcare, ICD-10 Codes WHO, lower oxidative stress, medical tourism within the United States, purchasers of health care, smart consumers of healthcare, URAC approvedBestinCorporateHealth

Health Care Dollars – The Want Because of the Waste

Health care dollars seem to out pace the speed of light.

More than $750 Billion of the total $2.5 trillion spent annually on health care in the US is waste. This number does not include the immeasurable wasted dollars from lack of prevention and better initial care. In a recent Gallup poll, people cited the high cost of healthcare as their most disturbing financial concern. According to the National Academy of Medicine, if we could save and reinvest that $750 billion in waste, more than the budget of the Defense Department, we could insure 150 million Americans. If we saved half, we could buy groceries for every family in America for a year…..that certainly puts it into perspective! And most obviously, by eliminating the waste we could halt the obscene rising costs. Some states are reporting their healthcare premiums will rise 45-57% in 2018.

There are a number of culprits labelled in this flushing of health care dollars.

hospitals discarding perfectly good supplies, multi billions
over treatment & testing
dramatic differences in costs
excessive administrative costs
pharmaceutical…….
medical errors
fraud…….

Point is, until the powers that be deal with this situation, how can we save health care dollars, and still provide people the availability and affordability in healthcare.

This is not a problem to go away quickly – it seems waste in healthcare has become almost normalized.

Harvard Business School:
“A comprehensive demand-side strategy that gives consumers incentives and information to be much better purchasers of health care, and an aggressive supply-side strategy that changes the way providers are paid so their profit margins are tightly linked to outcomes and efficiency rather than the volume of services delivered. We believe that the United States should pursue both strategies. ”

Give consumers better information to be better purchasers of health care
providers are paid so profit margins dependent on outcomes & efficiency

Let’s come better health care purchasers:

The range in costs across the country for the same procedure. A knee replacement in Tucson can cost $21K and $38k in Sacramento. Even within California, there is a $30k fluctuation in knee replacement costs.

Yes, different locations will have higher costs to cover, overhead demands.

medical procedure costs across the US — Health Care Cost Institute 2016

Greyed out states – data not available. Albeit this data is a couple of years old , however, we need to research best providers, best providers. Medical tourism within the United States.

The tragedy, more reasons to look for the best providers……

The IOM estimated deaths because of medical errors as high as 98,000 a year. … His (Martin Makary, a professor of surgery at the Johns Hopkins 2016) calculation of 251,000 deaths equates to nearly 700 deaths a day — about 9.5% of all deaths annually in the United States. Published in the BMJ, “medical errors” in hospitals and other health-care facilities are incredibly common and may now be the third-leading cause of death in the United States — claiming 251,000 lives every year, more than respiratory disease, accidents, stroke and Alzheimer’s.

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….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.”

calendly.com/Shira-Litwack

Health Tech…saving dollars and health, chronic care management…….Shira@BestInCorporatehealth.com

Let us customize your corporate health program.

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 15 years: