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By Gloria Hakkarainen, MD, FACOG, FASBP, FABAARM –
We all want to feel healthy and every decision we make in our daily lives can be an important step in achieving this goal. This holiday season you can make the biggest difference in the lives of those you love by giving the gift of genuine health, energy, happiness, and the ability to focus. In a word: Give the gift of youthfulness. It just might be the gift that counts the most!
Win Over Weightloss
Perhaps your focus this season is healthy weight loss. Dropping body fat by a few percentage points can mean big advantages in your health, eliminating deadly diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as lowering the risk of cancer. One popular option is a short-term low calorie diet in addition to the use of HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) to assist with medically supervised rapid weight loss. Patients typically lose three to eight pounds a week. You may also be a candidate for the Optifast program where the average person can drop up to 52.8 pounds over the course of 12 to 18 weeks. All of our programs are supervised by a Board Certified Bariatric physician and Traci Scaletta, our Registered Dietitian. The psychology and of weight loss and the need for physical activity is also assessed. Your weight loss goal can be achieved with the support of a team of experts to help motivate and keep you on track! We can also prescribe appetite suppressants as indicated with a holistic approach to augment patient efforts.
Understanding Hormone Health
One of the best-kept secrets about longevity is the use of bio identical hormones. How many countless women suffer from the debilitating symptoms of menopause? This is a wake-up call from the body for help! Hormones are required for directing virtually every important decision our bodies make. The thyroid, adrenals and reproductive organs work in harmony with our brains in a concerted effort to keep our bodies in balance. When this balance is disturbed, we don’t feel well and this can affect our quality of life. It’s more than just hot flashes. This includes mood swings, insomnia, depression, anxiety, memory loss and decreased libido. The most common hormone replacement in the US is the use of insulin, which prevents the devastation that can occur with diabetes. Why would we treat female hormones or even male hormones any differently? Proper hormone restoration under a watchful eye can virtually eliminate these symptoms. Checking the whole range of hormones is most important; one should not ignore melatonin, growth hormone and even cortisol. Proper supplementation when these levels are truly deficient can be the best gift you give yourself!
Stress Less
Perhaps you’ll choose to focus on how well your body handles stress. The demands of today’s busy schedule, our constant connection to the media and sleep interruption, are a few things that can lead to overloading the delicate adrenal glands.
Once a physician checks these levels (a simple salivary test can provide these details), support for your specific needs can address a health issue that could lead to long term impairment if left untreated. The adrenal glands may be small but that have a large role to play in our ability to combat stress.
Also you can give yourself some simple de-stressors this season. Take the time for a massage, a cleansing facial, a yoga class, or just meditate. Deep breaths are an excellent way to signal the body to relax, and the improved oxygenation helps every cell.
Join the Green Scene
I’d be remiss not to mention living green. Toxins are at an all time high in our environment and in the foods we eat. Start by buying green cleaning supplies for your home or company. Eat organic whenever possible and strive to buy only organic foods. Smart choices today will save you from a number of ailments as the years go by.
Symptoms that range from headaches to hair loss, from breathing disorders to major fatigue can often be the result of toxic overload. Children are especially susceptible to toxins, more so than adults, so whether it’s your own children or your grandchildren, the best gift you can give them is healthy meals and snacks. Teach them why careful snacking is important to your health.
What’s the gift that truly counts this year? It’s finding out about how to be a healthier you! Is your body able to fight disease? What are your risk factors? How can you influence your body to maintain the health you have? Could you use some help in changing your health? Be proactive and find a physician that has the latest tools to help you and coach you every step of the way. Then do the same for your family and loved ones. After all, living healthy is the ultimate gift that counts!
Gloria Hakkarainen,
MD, FACOG, FASBP, FABAAM
Dr. Hakkarainen graduated with a degree in biochemistry and psychobiology from Wellesley College. She worked as a research biochemist at Harvard Medical School and received her MD degree from Albany Medical College. After completing her residency at the University of Miami, she became board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Pursuing her interest in Bariatric Medicine, Dr. Hakkarainen became board certified in Bariatric Medicine in 2004. Then in 2006, she became Board certified in Anti-Aging Medicine. She continues taking specialty classes in Functional Medicine, lectures nationally, writes articles for numerous publications, and has appeared on Lifetime Television and ABC News. She practices in Palm Beach County with locations in Palm Beach Gardens and Lake Worth.
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