Tag Archives: energy

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Audiocast Volume 14 Issue 42

Review of Dr. Casey Means’ Good Energy

In her book, Good Energy, Dr. Casey Means explores the complex relationship between our metabolic health and the quality of energy we experience in daily life. Dr. Means is an ENT surgeon that graduated from Stanford University Medical School before eschewing it all to dive into the world of disease prevention. Drawing from her background in integrative medicine and her deep understanding of metabolic science, Dr. Means presents a compelling case for why energy levels are not merely a factor of rest and diet, but a direct reflection of how well our cells are functioning on a biochemical level. And this is the key, the understanding of the biochemistry of the why!

In today’s modern world, so many of us feel sluggish, fatigued, or burned out, and the causes are often elusive. We live in a time where external stressors, processed foods, environmental toxins, and sedentary lifestyles disrupt our body’s ability to produce and regulate energy efficiently. Dr. Means calls for a paradigm shift in how we view energy: it’s not just about getting more sleep or drinking another cup of coffee. It’s about restoring the metabolic health of our cells to optimize the energy they generate…..plus a literature review and a recipe.

Enjoy,

Dr. M

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Audiocast Volume 14 Issue 17

Literature Review
1) In a first of its kind study in mice, we see concrete evidence for how the mitochondria in obese individuals are a root cause of disease based on nutritional input. This fascinating animal translational study gives us insight into how a high fat diet is also a major component of mitochondrial damage through fission and fragmentation leading to worsened cell bioenergetics. The cells have reduced fatty acid oxidation or fat burning capacity due to a single gene’s actions. The end result is a tilt toward fat cell production, fat storage and fat cell inflammation which are associated with diabetes and insulin resistance and ultimately metabolic syndrome. This starts to explain the paradox that is obesity where the person has a ton of stored energy, but has limited capacity to utilize it. It is like having a gas tank of fuel with a gas line that only allows for 1/10th of the flow required for optimal function. Science Daily has an excellent review of this paper. Link below. 
2) Women’s brains change during pregnancy as per a new study. The authors looked at brain changes before and after birth as well as with or without a vaginal delivery route. Their study findings noted transient changes in some brain regions as well as permanent changes in other brain regions that turn on self-reflection and empathy for others…… and a recipe of the week.
Enjoy,
Dr. M

Dr. M’s Women and Children First Podcast #52 – Jacquelyn Paykel, MD – Whole Health Medicine

This weeks guest is my former classmate and good friend, Dr. Jacquelyn Paykel. Jax, as I call her, is a tour de force in the world of Integrative Medicine at the Armed Forces level. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee with a degree in Anthropology. She then obtained medical and residency degrees in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. To round out her degrees, she completed an Integrative Medicine Fellowship at the University of Arizona as well as an MBA at the UNC Kenan Flagler Business School.
She is the Chief of the Whole Health Service (WHS) at James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital in Tampa, Florida, leading the first-of-its-kind VA WHS within the U.S. where they develop and implement novel patient-centered clinical and well-being services for patients and employees. A U.S. Navy Veteran, Dr. Paykel has mentored and consulted with VA Medical Centers across the country on implementation of Whole Health. She leads the development and national spread of THRIVE – a virtual Whole Health healing program.
This week we discuss her work with the Veterans Administration Department and Whole Health Service. This work is a model for the entire country.
Enjoy,
Dr. M