Question about Exercise (really – I would love to hear from you)

Posted on November 2, 2012 by admin

Have you fallen off of the exercise wagon? If not, YEAH-You… please forward this to a friend that you KNOW needs that little vote of confidence to get back into it – who knows what positive life changes will follow from this one small act and this one small question.

You have? Ok – this is for you… What can you do TODAY (not later) to get back on that wagon? Are you out of step with your step class? Dropped the ball on your ball class? How about this – how about TODAY you walk around the block on your lunch hour or when you get home tonight. Consider this small act a place-holder for your intentions and self-care. It is like saying to yourself “Self! You matter! Lets do this thing – lets make YOU a priority and care for you with regular exercise like we KNOW we need and benefit from!”

Here’s the thing… exercise leads not only to weight balancing and body mass reconfiguration… it leads to better body image and self-love. REALLY! It also leads to more energy and better stress management. WHO doesn’t need that?! Now… with more energy and a better attitude (because your stress is more aptly managed) what positive contribution will you make to your life, your family, your work and this world that otherwise might never have come about? Think about it… small things can lead to big gifts in this world. What is YOUR gift? Are you giving it fully? Begin with refueling the giver – you! See what you will bring to this world!

Email me and let me know what you did, how you made sense of it and what you think came of the simple act of prioritizing this simple and often free self-care habit. Who knows, your experience may help me inspire someone else back to their best place!

The Metabolic Advantage

Posted on July 16, 2012 by admin

The Metabolic Advantage

Carrie Louise Daenell, ND LiveWell Center

It is ironic (and not in a good way) that just when we hit that place in our lives where we are in a position to really take advantage of our experience in life and work – our bodies start to change, our memory isn’t what it used to be and we don’t feel like we have quite the cognitive command that we used to have. At the same time, fatigue sets in with less provocation and though we are more tired more often, we don’t sleep a well as we used to and that just starts to feel like a self-feeding down-ward spiral.

Now, if our plan at this point were to retire to a rocking chair I suppose this set of circumstances wouldn’t feel like such a hassle. But who do you know, these days, that makes THAT plan for their 50’s and beyond? I can’t think of anyone, personally.

What’s more – most of us would like to think of ourselves as “still in the game”!

There is so much more than “nothing” we can do about the quality of this time in our lives!

I think of it as fueling the Metabolic Advantage. I use targeted nutrients that cater to known aspects of our biochemistry to rebuild it, in some cases, re-fuel it in others, and re-balance it in still other ways. Like fine-tuning a fine racing machine. Who wouldn’t want that?

We can literally rebuild certain cellular organelles, called “mitochondria”. Why do want to do that? They serve as the “powerhouse” of the cell and they build cellular energy. We can provide the pathways inside that organelle with plenty of the specific “nutritional co-factors” so that it runs optimally building all of the cellular energy possible for each organelle… and we can also provide the actual building blocks for that molecule called “cellular energy” itself. In this way – we can build back our systems to a younger more vital state.

All of this will not stay as long or deliver as strongly, however, if we don’t sleep. Sleep is like air, food and water. Contrary to the notions of my parents’ generation, it is not only what “lazy” people do and to your body’s ability to stay young and perform well… it is simply not negotiable.

So this is another important arena to balance. I say “balance” because it can be as much about creating less of one thing, as it is about creating more of another.

We want less stress-hormone dumping for good sleep. We also want less stress hormone dumping for reduced belly fat and for preventing heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s and diabetes. There is no easy way to say this: Stress hormone is like borrowing from tomorrow to give you today. It should be used judiciously and rarely and NOT as a way of life. Breaking this pattern can be done and the body can be reprogrammed. Of course, without a fresh supply of real cellular energy on the heels of this correction – someone “living” on stress hormone might feel pretty wiped out without it. The different areas of work really go hand in hand.

Balance can also be supported by creating more of certain brain chemicals and more alpha brain wave activity. We are less and less good at this work as we age. Why? Less nutritional “building blocks” at our disposal. The good news is that these building blocks are, literally, nutritional – and they can be replenished in a targeted and specific manner.

It is like evening up the odds on a sound investment in yourself, instead of playing Russian Roulette with your body over time. It is simply the smarter way to go forward.

This is what I do, every day in my practice, and I love it – talk about passion-filled work! And yes, I walk my own talk on this material and bring all of those advantages to my work table to deliver for my patients and fully intend to keep doing so for a very long time to come. If you want to pursue a higher level of wellness and ability in your health, don’t hesitate to reach out and begin moving forward now.

Age-Smart Weight Loss Study

Posted on April 3, 2012 by admin

40+ and doing everything right, yet packing on the pounds with every passing year? Combining my proven “Healing the Aging Metabolism” protocol with my innovative healthy weight-loss cleansing is the strategy for re-setting metabolism, losing weight and improving body composition. Side Effects? Anti-aging, overall health enhancement and chronic disease prevention. All without the use of hormones or risky side effects. Interested? Join the study!

What’s the root cause of this age 40+ weight gain?

A lifelong accumulation of toxins breaks down the body’s natural ability to make energy. Cellular energy drives metabolism… and every other health promoting physiological activity in the body. When this cycle is disrupted, so is the health of our organs, systems, metabolism and our vitality.

Given two groups of people all losing ten pounds each… doing it my way (nutritionally dense) they each lose about 16 pounds of fat and gain several pounds of muscle. With conventional calorie restriction they each lose ONE pound of fat and lose several pounds of muscle. It is VERY bad to burn muscle. It is toxic to the body and resets the metabolism to an even slower rate when they are done losing weight… setting them up for obesity! So close, and yet so far away from their true intentions for weight loss.

There has to be another way.

What if we could exert control over this inevitable series of losses, and lose weight in a Smart way?

The Age-Smart solution

Fortunately for me and my patients, there are nutritional supplements that when taken in the appropriate forms, and in potent, meaningful doses, actually deliver meaningful, lasting results in the clinical setting. It is exciting to witness and experience these positive metabolic changes in my practice.

This study combines the “Healing the Aging Metabolism” (nutritionally based strategy that resets metabolism and cellular energy production back to the way it was when we were younger – thereby preventing disease, enhancing real energy and metabolism all without side effects and without “cheating” like so many weight loss and energy “boosters” do) protocol with an innovative healthy weight-loss cleanse (designed to adjust body composition toward lean muscle mass and cellular hydration, and away from fat and water retention to improve health and balance weight). It is the “perfect storm” for delivering sincere weight balancing affects, anti-aging results, vitality and true health for long term benefits!

I couldn’t be more excited about this study. I am thrilled to have found a nutritionally-based solution to the challenge of increasing weight and declining vitality with age. Everyone did so well, it became a core program in my practice! Thank you study participants and welcome newcomers – I am ready to help you with smart sustainable weight loss.

Call our office today! 303.399.8050

This isn’t just about losing weight anymore. This is about living longer – and healthier!

NOTE: Some of you may have noticed that my fitness level has increased over the last several months, and that my weight is even more balanced that it used to be. Thank you for your kind words! If you know me at all, you know that I walk my talk. My strategies are built into this study and also include weekly work with my trainer, Kelly Schiff. Thank you, Kelly, for helping me to achieve my fitness goals! Your respectful and compassionate personality and your extensive education in kinesiology, arthritis, and core-balance are the perfect combination for me – a “busy mom of a certain age”!

Healing the Aging Metabolism

Posted on April 3, 2012 by admin

In my Naturopathic practice, I have patients who are 40+ and doing everything right, yet packing on the pounds with every passing year. In treating them, I have developed a simple, Naturopathic strategy that has helped my patients re-set their metabolism while improving their overall health and preventing chronic degenerative illnesses – all without hormones or risky side effects.

What’s the root cause of this age 40+ weight gain?

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the basic unit of cellular energy – the unit that allows all energy-dependent cellular function to occur in a healthy manner – and is a core-level and basic component of every greater tissue, organ and function in the body. As levels of this important “unit” degrade, so does the health of every organ, system, our metabolism and our vitality.

Early in life we have an abundant supply of the cellular organelles called mitochondria. The mitochondria house the biochemical pathways called oxidative phosphorylation that produce this precious unit. Further, we have an adequate supply of the nutritional co-factors that support these biochemical pathways. The result? An abundant supply of the life-giving basic unit of cellular energy … ATP. In this ideal state of young and vital health, we experience an abundance of energy, a reasonable metabolism and freedom from chronic degenerative illness.

As we age, a variety of stressors to our system take a toll on the total count of the very important mitochondria; and as nutritional status declines and disease status increases, the nutritional co-factors that support this entire important process decline as well. This unfortunate collection of circumstances results in less and less ATP for our bodies to use to support overall health, as well as a healthy, robust metabolism.

Why do we care?

Because this makes us fatter and fatter, even as we maintain the same level of caloric intake and physical activity. Furthermore, it sets up every tissue, organ and system to begin the process of failing.

What if we could exert control over this inevitable series of losses?

The Naturopathic solution

Fortunately for me and my patients, there are nutritional supplements that when taken in the appropriate forms, and in potent, meaningful doses, actually deliver results in the clinical setting. It is exciting to witness and experience these positive metabolic changes in the average aging patient, which I currently see happening in my practice.

Celleration is a formula that supports the production of more mitochondria. Mitochondria is the “powerhouse” of the cell, where energy is made. It contains a standardized extract of trans-Resveratrol. Use two pills per day morning and mid day with food.

Vitalation is a product that serves as the structural building block for the energy itself. It contains D- Ribose. Use one to two scoops morning and mid day with food.

Q Right is a product that serves as the necessary nutritional cofactor in the production of energy. It contains a special form of reduced CoQ10 known as Ubiquinol. This is the special form of CoQ10 that supports energy production in the mitochondria. Use one to two pills morning and mid day with food.

When used in combination, these products deliver sincere weight balancing affects.

As a Naturopathic Doctor, I couldn’t be more excited about this protocol. I am thrilled to have found a nutritionally-based solution to the challenge of increasing weight with age. Moreover, addressing the declining ATP levels is another way to stave off the risk of those pesky chronic degenerative illnesses that we all face in our later years.

This isn’t just about losing weight anymore. This now becomes about living longer – and healthier! And isn’t that every Naturopathic Doctor’s end goal for their patients?

Liver Support – Nutritional Safeguards with Aging

Posted on April 3, 2012 by admin

We all want to age gracefully. What does that mean? Freedom to be active and to care for ourselves. Independent living. Unfortunately, one of the hazards of aging most certainly includes the onset of degenerative disease states. The diseases that more of us get as we age. These diseases can certainly cut into our quality of life, our freedom and definitely our independence.

Science has shown that there are direct relationships between toxins, free-radicals and disease promotion. Preparing for healthy aging must include basic support for the body’s natural detoxification pathways, and plenty of antioxidants to battle any free-radical activity along the way. Especially in this day and age – of stress, pollution and the constant decrease in the quality of our food supply.

The vast majority of detoxification taking place in the body happens in the liver. The other major organ system that is directly involved in detoxification is the digestive system. Supporting the liver and the digestive system to work optimally, is our best defense!

The liver protects the rest of the body by detoxifying anything and everything that comes along that is not good for us. The body will store fat-soluble toxins and excrete water soluble toxins. The liver’s task is to make the toxins we fear the most (fat soluble toxins) neutral and water soluble, so that they may be excreted, safely, without further harming the body.

There are two important “phases” of detoxification in the liver. Both of these phases must have an ample supply of nutritional cofactors in order to run to completion. Depriving these phases of their nutritional needs would be like trying to run a manufacturing assembly line while missing some of the key workers. Optimal function will eventually give way to chaos and destruction.

Sometimes phase I will run to completion, and phase II will not have the nutritional cofactors available to allow it to further process the toxins at hand. This works against us because often phase I of detoxification will make a toxin MORE toxic temporarily, before it relies upon phase II to completely neutralize it and make it water soluble for elimination. Further, the operation of the phase I pathway always produces excess free-radicals. Therefore, optimal liver support would include all of necessary nutritional co-factors for phase I and phase II plus the all-important antioxidants that phase I requires.

The good news is that we know what those nutritional co-factors are, and we can take in extra nutritional support that targets these phases.

What are some of the cofactors and anti-oxidants that support these pathways? Nutritional cofactors and antioxidants may include:

Glutathione, N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine, Reduced Coenzyme Q10, Vitamin C and E and Selenium, Magnesium, Mangenese, B-Complex vitamins, Zinc, Copper, Folic Acid, Inositol, Methionine, Calcium D-Glucarate (which is different than calcium as we commonly use it), Omega 3 EPA and Omega 3 DHA, Glycine, Glutamine and Taurine. Herbs known to support these pathways include: Diindolylmethane (from cruciferous vegetables), Bioflavenoids, Sulforophane Glucosinolates, Quercetin, Green Tea, Milk Thistle, Ginkgo, Trans-Resveratrol and Anthocyans.

Foods famous for supporting liver health include:

Beets, Artichokes and Asparagus.

Everyone knows that digestive health is health… especially if you have ever suffered without your digestive health. There are many important ways to support digestive health and they include the use of nutrients such as:

L-Glutamine, N Acetyl Glucosamine, Phosphatidyl Choline, Gamma Oryzenenol, Quercetin, N Acetyl Cysteine, Ginkgo, Acid-Stable Enzymes, and of course… a good healthy source of pro-biotics.

Did you know that the mounting research on the promise of probiotics now reaches as far as cancer, cholesterol, and detoxification?

Supporting healthy detoxification and battling free-radicals in the body with antioxidants is a preventative and anti-aging strategy that any of us can take at any time in our lives. Research indicates that quality nutritional supplementation may prevent and treat chronic degenerative disease states.

Dramatic support may include any of the following physician-quality Nutritional Supplements:

Smart Fish – Omega 3 EPA and DHA in a convenient higher dose gel-cap. Documented to be non-toxic and non-rancid (stable)… a very important distinction in the fish oil industry.

Active Mag – Magnesium Glycinate/Lysinate and di- Magnesium Malate,,, raw materials that carry the Albion Gold Medalian comfirming best absorption and utilization in the body.

Onco Defense – Sulforophane Glucosinolates in the patented and most researched form – for powerful phase II support.

Active Life B – Every “best” form of the B Complex vitamins… they are not all created equally!

Estro Smart – Phase I and Phase II herbal support documented to alter liver function in favor of estrogen health and well being through all phases of life.

Phosphamax – High dose, potent phosphatidyl choline. This is a rare find in the supplement industry. This is a core lipid nutrient for liver and brain health and very powerful protection.

Flora Max – High dose and powerful human strains of probiotics that resist stomach acid as they make their way through the digestive system. Probiotics are documented to support the digestive system’s role in the body’s detoxification process.