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August 2006 Inside Outside Wellness Center & Medical Spa
Newsletter
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in
this issue |
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This Month's SuperSlow®
Star:
Loretta Ehrlund DVM
 This
months SuperSlow® Star is Loretta Ehrlund DVM who heard Dr.
Christian speak at the Aggie Mom's Club in Sep 2004. She has
several daughters who have attended Texas A&M and is an avid
supporter. She has been featured several times in our
newsletters for her recent trip to
Sri Lanka and her care for a 400lb
Bengal Tiger. She is
the owner of Heritage Animal Hospital.
Build muscle, lose fat and get stronger!
That is the strategy and Loretta is a great example of what
can happen with consistent effort.
In
Loretta's own words:
"Inside Outside is something I can
stick with! That was my first thought after seeing a
presentation of the program at the San Antonio Aggie Moms
Club. I decided to try it out.
Skeptical, after going through the first workout, I noticed
that I felt really 'worked out' but was not so tired as to
not go back to work with enthusiasm. In fact, the next day I
felt good, not worn out or sore. I decided to try the
program for the introductory period and found that I really
looked forward to going to each session.
In fact, I found that I really enjoyed going to "relieve the
stress of the morning" and I soon felt the upper body
strength coming that I was looking for. Its a program that I
can and do stick with. The results are visible! And I will
continue because it really has made a difference in my
confidence, strength and well being. As another measurable
bonus, my cholesterol is down with in normal too!"
Here
are some graphs which demonstrate her remarkable progress in
body composition and gaining strength!
Loretta is much stronger in the 24 months
she has been with us.
Loretta has gained about 4 lbs of muscle
and lost 18 lbs of fat and her body fat% has dropped 10% since joining us in Nov 2004.
Loretta, we are proud of you!!
Congratulations on being selected our SuperSlow®
Star of the Month and earning 4 more SuperSlow®
Sessions!
Back to the
Basics: Vitamins Part
2a Vitamin A
for the skin.
We are continuing a series talking about those nutrients
which are Essential to Life. A “Back to the Basics Series”.
Basic questions we need to answer are: Why is this molecule
or element Essential, What Purpose does it Serve, In What
Form is it Best Consumed and How Much do we need.
Vitamins A
vitamin is an
organic molecule required by a living
organism in minute amounts for proper
health. An organism deprived of all sources of a
particular vitamin will eventually suffer from
disease
symptoms specific to that vitamin.
Vitamins
can be classified as either
water soluble, which means they dissolve
easily in water, or
fat soluble, which means they are
absorbed through the
intestinal tract with the help of
lipids.
In general, an organism must obtain vitamins
or their metabolic precursors from outside
the body, most often from the organism's
diet. Examples of vitamins that the
human body can derive from precursors
include vitamin A, which can be produced
from
beta carotene; niacin from the
amino acid
tryptophan; and vitamin D through
exposure of
skin to
ultraviolet
light.
The term vitamin
does not encompass other
essential nutrients such as
dietary minerals,
essential fatty acids, or
essential amino acids, nor is it used
for the large number of other nutrients that
merely promote health, but are not strictly
essential.
From
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Retinoids
Essential
Pronunciation: ĕs`sĕn´sjal or
i- sen-ch l
a
:basic and fundamental a: being a substance that is
required for normal functioning but cannot be synthesized by
the body and therefore must be included in the diet
s
:absolutely required and not to be used up or sacrificed
s :of the greatest importance s :absolutely
necessary; vitally necessary n :anything
indispensable ie don't leave home without it....More
important than Gummi Bears...
Vitamin
A or Retinol
History
Vitamin A
was the first fat-soluble vitamin to be
discovered. Two independent research teams,
Osborne and Mendel at Yale University and
McCollum and Davis at the University of
Wisconsin, simultaneously discovered it in
1913. Vitamin A comprises a family of
compounds called the retinoids. The retinoid
designation resulted from finding that
vitamin A had the biologic activity of
retinol, which was originally isolated from
the retina.
Why is this Vitamin
Essential?
There are well defined
deficiencies and toxicity of any of the
Vitamins. Our bodies use most of the
Vitamin A we ingest as one of the co factors
which produce molecules, primarily
rhodopsin, which allow us vision,
especially night vision. In general
Carnivores, or hunters have better night
vision than Non-Carnivores. In
evolutionary terms, animals that ate whole
livers, which contain a concentrated amount
of Vitamin A developed and maintain night
vision well whereas grazing animals never
can get enough Vitamin A to develop good
night vision.
Vitamin A is
also essential for immune response;
epithelial cell growth and repair; bone
growth; reproduction; maintenance of the
surface linings of the eyes; and epithelial
integrity of respiratory, urinary, and
intestinal tracts.
What forms of this Vitamin
are Helpful for the skin?
Vitamin
A derivatives for the skin are available as
topical and oral agents. Since
the mid 80-s, Retinol has been available
over th counter in a large number of
products including several of the
SkinCeutical products we offer.
Retinol is converted in the skin to some
degree to tretinoin which is the active
ingredient found in prescription items.
These products have most often been used for
the treatment of Acne but long term
(>6Months) use can have an effect on
photodamage of the skin due to the sun.
Photodamage refers to progressive wrinkling,
hyperpigmentation, roughness. Used
long term they stimulate new collagen
formation but long term use is required to
maintain results as well as avoidance of sun
exposure.
Table 1. Comparison of Topical
Retinoids
|
Retinoid |
Mechanism of Action |
Therapeutic Effect |
| All-trans
retinol (retinol)
OTC Products |
Gene transcription
after conversion to all-trans
retinoic acid. |
Comedolysis.
Epidermal thickening,
dermal regeneration,
pigment lightening. |
|
Prescription
All-trans
retinoic acid (tretinoin)
(Retin-A®,
Retin-A Micro®,Renova®,
Avita®) |
Gene transcription
affects growth and
differentiation of cells
in the skin.
Normalizes follicular
epithelial
differentiation. |
Comedolysis.
Palliative effects in
fine wrinkling, mottled
hyperpigmentation, and
tactile roughness of
facial skin. |
|
Prescription
Adapalene (Differin®) |
Normalizes the
differentiation of
follicular epithelial
cells resulting in
decreased microcomodone
formation. |
Comedolysis. |
|
Prescription
Tazorotene (Tazorac®,
Avage®) |
Blocks induction of
orthine decarboxylase
activity, which is
associated with cell
proliferation and
hyperplasia.
Inhibits cross-linked
envelope formation. |
Normalization of
differentiation and
proliferation of the
epidermal keratinocytes
in psoriasis.
Comedolysis
An adjunctive agent for
the use in the
mitigation (palliation)
of fine wrinkling,
facial mottled hyper and
hypopigmentation, and
benign facial lentigines
in patients who use
comprehensive skin care
and sunlight avoidance
programs (Allergan,
2002). |
Examples of Package-Insert for
Topical Retinoid Administration
Instructions
|
Tretinoin
Prescription Items |
| Retin-A® |
For acne:
Apply sparingly at
bedtime to clean dry
skin; adjust strength
and frequency as
tolerated and needed. |
| Retin-A Micro® |
For acne: It
is recommended to apply
once a day, before
retiring, to the skin
areas where acne lesions
appear, using enough to
cover entire area,
lightly. |
| Avita® |
For acne:
Apply sparingly to
cleansed and completely
dry skin once daily, at
bedtime. If irritation
develops, may reduce the
dosing frequency. |
| Renova® |
For adjunct to
comprehensive skin care
and sunlight avoidance
programs in the
palliation of fine
wrinkles, mottled
hyperpigmentation, and
tactile roughness of
facial skin.
>18 years: Wash face
with mild soap, pat dry,
and wait 20 to 30
minutes before use.
Apply small amount to
cover entire affected
area once daily in the
pm. Do not wash face, or
use other skin care
products for at least 1
hour after application.
Discontinue if
sensitivity, irritation,
or systemic reactions
occur. |
|
Adapalene
Differin® |
| |
For acne:
Apply to affected areas
once daily at bedtime
after washing. Reduce
frequency or discontinue
if prolonged or severe
irritation occurs. |
|
Tazarotene Cream
Avage® |
| |
An adjunctive agent
for the use in the
mitigation (palliation)
of fine facial
wrinkling, facial
mottled hyper and
hypopigmentation, and
benign facial lentigines
in those patients who
use comprehensive skin
care and sunlight
avoidance programs.
(1) Apply Avage cream
once a day in the
evening.
(2) In the evening,
gently wash your face
with mild soap. Pat your
skin dry and wait 20-30
minutes before applying
Avage cream.
(3) Be sure your skin is
dry before you use Avage
cream.
(4) Apply only a
pea-sized amount (about
1/4 inch) to your face
at one time. This should
be enough to cover the
wrinkled or discolored
areas lightly. You can
include your eyelids, if
desired.
(5) Wash your hands
after applying the
medicine. If the cream
gets on areas you do not
need to treat, wash it
off.
(6) In the morning,
apply a moisturizing
sunscreen of SPF 15 or
greater.
- If you are able
to become pregnant,
take a reliable
pregnancy test
within 2 weeks
before beginning to
use Avage cream to
be sure you are not
pregnant. If you
have menstrual
periods, start
taking Avage cream
during a normal
menstrual period.
These actions help
assure you are not
pregnant when you
begin use. If you
get pregnant while
using Avage cream,
stop use and contact
your doctor right
away.
- Use Avage cream
only under the
guidance of your
doctor as part of a
total skin care
program in which you
avoid sunlight. This
program should
include avoiding
sunlight as much as
possible, using
clothing to protect
you from sunlight,
using sunscreens
with SPF of 15 or
higher, and using
face creams that add
moisture to your
skin.
|
|
Tazarotene Gel or Cream
Tazorac® |
| |
General:
Application may cause a
transitory feeling of
burning or stinging. If
irritation is excessive,
application is
recommended to be
discontinued. |
| |
For Psoriasis:
Apply Tazorac once a
day, in the evening, to
psoriatic lesions, using
enough to cover only the
lesion with a thin film
to no more than 20% of
body surface area. The
skin should be dry
before applying the gel. |
| |
For Acne:
Cleanse the face gently.
After the skin is dry,
apply a thin film of
Tazorac once a day, in
the evening to the skin
where acne lesions
appear. Use enough to
cover the entire
affected area. |
The
oral form is Accutane or isotretinoin.
Accutane is a prescription medication used
to treat severe nodular (cystic) acne (a
disfiguring form of acne that causes
multiple inflamed cysts and scarring) that
has not responded to other treatments.
When taken during pregnancy, Accutane and
other retinoids can cause very serious birth
defects and there are very strict
precautions which must be taken before and
during the treatment program.
Great
Review about Accutane.
Covers precautions needed
to avoid birth defects.
.
International Eye Foundation and Vitamin A
Deficiency
Greenpeace and Vitamin A Deficiency
Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition
The Global
Alliance for Improved Nutrition
(GAIN) was created to fight vitamin and
mineral deficiency. This form of
malnutrition affects more than 2
billion people around the world,
causing birth defects, mental retardation,
learning difficulties, compromised immune
systems, low work capacity, blindness and
death.
Vitamin A Deficiency
Vitamin
A at the Linus Pauling Institute
NUTRIENT DATA LABORATORY
Search the USDA National Nutrient Database
for Standard Reference
The Institute of Medicine in
their Dietary Reference Intake Book and
tables
Next month The Vitamin B's, Vitamin B1
Thiamin
From Dr. Sears' Monthly
Newsletter
The OmegaZone E-Magazine
"For years the medical establishment has been telling
Americans that fighting heart disease means a war against
cholesterol. Slowly but surely, like the powerful Wizard of
Oz façade, the cholesterol story has been slowly eroding.
Now the scientific data is shifting more to inflammation as
the underlying cause of heart disease. Of course, this makes
common sense since the number-one drug to prevent a heart
attack is an aspirin. Although aspirin has no effect on
cholesterol levels, it has a dramatic effect on reducing
inflammation. Recent articles in the New England Journal of
Medicine have again confirmed the importance of inflammation
on heart disease. A crude indictor of inflammation,
C-reactive protein, appears to be more powerful than bad
cholesterol levels in predicting future heart attacks.
But what if there was an even more powerful predictor of
inflammation that could predict heart attacks? As I describe
in my newest book, “The Anti-Inflammation Zone,” such a
blood marker exists. It is the ratio of arachidonic acid
(AA) to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). This marker of
inflammation precedes C-reactive protein by years. You could
take drugs, such as statins, on a lifetime basis to reduce
C-reactive protein. Of course, there are some side
effects, such as memory loss, muscle weakness, neuropathy,
and liver damage. But statins don’t reduce the AA/EPA ratio
– they actually increase it. On the other hand, taking
high-dose fish oil reduces the AA/EPA ratio, and the only
known side-effect is to make you smarter. The amount of fish
oil you need to reduce inflammation depends on how well you
control insulin in your diet. The more you control insulin
by following the Zone Diet, the less fish oil you need. On
the other hand, the less you control insulin, the more fish
oil you need. The choice is yours. Whatever approach (drugs
or diet) you choose, just keep in mind that controlling
inflammation is a much wiser medical approach to reducing
heart attacks than controlling cholesterol."
Let us know if you want the
AA/EPA test. The Cost is $300 and includes a consult
with Dr. Christian to discuss the results. We also
talk about the AA/EPA test in detail in our Omega Zone
Seminar.
Visit Dr.
Sears Web Site.. Join the Forums and Sign up for his
Newsletter.
Misty Bashara Personal Trainer and Massage Therapist
Misty Bashara is well known in San Antonio
for her contributions to physical fitness and health. She
has personally trained many and is owner of San Antonio
Professional Fitness.
Misty Bashara CFT, AMTA, NCBTMB is the owner of
Professional
Fitness by Misty in San Antonio, Texas. Misty has over
25 years experience in the Fitness Industry and has been a
Fitness Trainer for 21 of those years. Misty holds
certifications as an Advanced Fitness Specialist as well as
the Elite Certification from the Cooper Clinic Center for
Aerobic Research. In addition, Misty has been a Nationally
Certified Massage Therapist for almost 18 years. She holds
the prestigious gold standard for bodyworkers, the National
Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage Therapy and
Bodywork (NCBTMB) credential. She is also certified through
the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) and the
Texas Department of Health. Misty received her Yoga Teacher
Training through the Living Yoga Program qualifying as a
Yoga Alliance Yoga Instructor. Misty has the knowledge and
experience to tweak anyone's fitness program giving them an
edge in the hurried world in which we live. Misty is a
Master Trainer who works with individuals who are CEO's,
individuals in management, housewives, secretaries,
overweight, underweight, and unfit; anyone who is
interested in improving their overall fitness and health.
Misty is currently helping top notch professionals from San
Antonio Corporations such as SBC, H.E.B., and others to
maintain their edge.
Benefits of
Massage
Check Out our New Massage Menu...
The benefits of massage are
Occur Via Several Mechanisms:
Biomechanical
Mechanisms: Massage
can produce mechanical pressure, which is expected to
increase muscle compliance resulting in increased range of
joint motion, decreased passive stiffness and decreased
active stiffness . Mechanical pressure might help to
increase blood flow by increasing the arteriolar pressure,
as well as increasing muscle temperature from rubbing
and thus reducing the
severity of muscle soreness.
Neurological
Mechanisms: Mechanical pressure
on the muscle is expected to increase or decrease neural
excitability and muscle spasms as measured by the Hoffman
reflex. The Hoffman reflex is brought about by stimulating a
nerve, particularly the tibial nerve, with an electric shock
and is essentially measuring deep tendon reflexes and the
level of spasm a muscle has.
Physiological Mechanisms:
Changes in parasympathetic activity
(as measured by reduced heart rate and blood pressure
and improved heart rate variability) and dangerous hormonal
levels (as measured by Cortisol levels) following massage.
The immune system may be improved by increasing White
Blood Cells and Natural Killer Cells.
Psychological
Mechanisms: A reduction in
anxiety and an improvement in mood state also cause
relaxation after massage.
MASSAGE THERAPY GROWS IN POPULARITY Fact Sheet
2005 Massage Therapy Consumer Fact Sheet .pdf file
Contraindications of Massage
Seek
medical advice before having a massage if you suffer from
phlebitis, thrombosis, varicose veins, severe acute back
pain, or fever.
Swellings, fractures, skin infections, or
bruises should not be massaged. Lumps and swellings should
be checked by your doctor.
Massage of the abdomen, legs, and feet should
not be given during the first three months of pregnancy.
Cancer patients are best treated by specially
trained practitioners who know which areas to avoid and
which kind of massage is appropriate.
The cultural and philosophical aspects of pressure, massage,
and touch healing as alternative therapies.
Oumeish OY Skinmed.
2005 Mar-Apr;4(2):93-100.
The mechanisms of massage and effects on performance, muscle
recovery and injury prevention.
Related Articles,
Links
Weerapong P,
Sports Med. 2005;35(3):235-56.
Misty
Bashara, Personal Trainer and Massage Therapist
Contact
Misty
Bashara
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