Health, Wellness & a Good Life

At ALETRIS Center of Integrative Medicine, we believe there are many factors involved in obesity other than laziness. We see patients with hormone imbalance; past use of corticosteroids, fentramine, and other medications; low functioning thyroid; and toxicity as individuals that may have trouble losing weight. Simply put, however, the only way to lose weight is to consume fewer calories and move more. We’ve always been skeptical of the theory that obesity is genetic, and a new study is showing just that.

In a recent study from researchers at the University of Miami, having “fat genes” was shown to be overcome by those who exercised. These researchers looked at the FTO gene, a gene studied heavily in the literature as causing a higher BMI (body mass index). For those with low activity level, having the FTO gene was a risk factor for having a higher BMI. When researchers stratified the group by level of physical activity, the effect of the gene vanished. Those individuals who were no longer affected by the FTO gene had activity levels that corresponded to about three to four hours of moderately intensive physical activity, such as brisk walking, house cleaning, or gardening, and that are typical of an agrarian lifestyle without modern machinery.

At ALTRIS, our goal is to encourage exercise in each and every one of our patients. Movement is a large component in maintaining a healthy weight, and for some with a genetic predisposition to gain weight, it may be the only way.

ALETRIS Center of Integrative Medicine is a Scottsdale, AZ wellness center serving Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Glendale, Arrowhead, Peoria, Sun City, Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, and Mesa, AZ with specialties in naturopathic medicine, natural hormone therapy, women’s health, acupuncture, colon hydrotherapy, natural skincare and sugar hair removal.

The contents of this blog, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the counsel of an ALETRIS physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment

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FAT Gene + EXERCISE

A recent article in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that women who consume more fish during pregnancy had children with significantly higher developmental scores. This study included pregnant women enrolled from 1997 to 2002 and used information to gauge the scores of the 25,446 children born to them. The highest developmental scores were found in those consuming an average of 2 oz of fish daily.

Researchers credit the higher scoring to docosahexaenoic acid, an essential fatty acid necessary for brain development. The researchers did explain that those eating higher levels of seafood were at risk for greater heavy metal exposures. At ALETFRIS Center of Integrative Medicine, we counsel women on consuming fish with low heavy metal burdens, such as salmon, and avoiding ones with larger levels, such as tuna and halibut. Researchers did acknowledge concern due to heavy metal toxicity, but made it clear that the benefits clearly outweigh the risks.

ALETRIS Center of Integrative Medicine is a Scottsdale, AZ wellness center serving Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Glendale, Arrowhead, Peoria, Sun City, Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, and Mesa, AZ with specialties in naturopathic medicine, natural hormone therapy, women’s health, acupuncture, colon hydrotherapy, natural skincare and sugar hair removal.

The contents of this blog, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the counsel of an ALETRIS physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.

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Eat FISH for SMART Kids

We all know how important sleep is for energy and mood, however a recent study conducted in Japan connects sleep deprivation with an increase in heart disease. These researchers monitored the sleep of 1,255 individuals with hypertension and tracked them for an average of 50 months.

Researchers noted patients’ sleep duration, daytime and nighttime blood pressure, and events such as stroke, heart attack, and sudden cardiac death. They noted that sleeping less than 7.5 hours was associated with an increased incident cardiovascular disease.

In these modern times, it’s easy to forego sleep in order to spend time engaging in other life activities. The concept of “beauty sleep” should be discarded and a serious attitude should be adopted. Sleep just isn’t something we can skimp on. Not only do we need it to look good, but we need it for long, healthy lives.

ALETRIS Center of Integrative Medicine is a Scottsdale, AZ wellness center serving Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Glendale, Arrowhead, Peoria, Sun City, Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, and Mesa, AZ with specialties in naturopathic medicine, natural hormone therapy, women’s health, acupuncture, colon hydrotherapy, natural skincare and sugar hair removal.

The contents of this blog, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the counsel of an ALETRIS physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.

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SLEEP is Good

A recent study reported online in BMC Endocrine Disorders looked at exercise and diabetes parameter in healthy volunteers. Specifically, researchers wanted to find out the impact of short high intensity workouts on insulin sensitivity. Over time and with poor diet and sedentary lifestyles, we become more resistant to insulin, a hormone designed to lower our blood sugar. Resistance to insulin can produce type II diabetes. On the other hand, having high insulin sensitivity is seen as protective from developing diabetes.

In this study, healthy male volunteers with a median age were recruited to participate in a trial period of high-intensity exercise. Over two weeks, participants completed six sessions of high-intensity interval training consisting of four to six 30-second sprints on a stationary bike.

At the end of the study, insulin sensitivity of the subjects improved by 23% with this small amount of exercise. Researchers conclude that more studies should be done to verify these results.

ALETRIS Center of Integrative Medicine is a Scottsdale, AZ wellness center serving Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Glendale, Arrowhead, Peoria, Sun City, Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, and Mesa, AZ with specialties in naturopathic medicine, natural hormone therapy, women’s health, acupuncture, colon hydrotherapy, natural skincare and sugar hair removal.

The contents of this blog, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the counsel of an ALETRIS physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.

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Minimal EXERCISE Thwarts DIABETES

A yearly chlamydia test makes sense for younger women. Here’s why.

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Research suggests that a sports obsession can stress your heart and health.

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Cutting back liquid calories is more effective for weight loss than cutting food calories.

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Alternative medicine therapies are often tried as depression treatments. Be aware of potential side effects.

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If you’re well prepared, you can go anywhere and do anything with diabetes.

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