Articles

Adrenal Testing & Recovery

2011-02-23T08:28:00Z

Nearly 75% of diseases prevalent in western society today are somehow related to the stress mechanisms of the body. Our aim at HeartWise Fitness & Longevity Center is to show how stress, both emotional and physical, affects the adrenal glands (small organs above both kidneys). Moreover, we can test and support the adrenal glands in a gentle but powerful way.

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

1)   Are you overly overwhelmed by everyday tasks that once were a breeze?

2)   Do you get angry over things that formerly did not bother you?

3)   Are you gaining weight around the middle?

4)   Is your sleep not as regular or as restful as it once was?

5)   Is it difficult for you to concentrate on important tasks?

6)   Do you crave foods that you know are unhealthy for you, such as sugary or salty snacks?

7)   Are you catching more colds than before?

8)   Is your libido less than what you'd like?

9)   Are you more easily irritated by family members and co-workers?

10)   Do you feel like you have no energy by mid or late afternoon?

11)   Are you using coffee or chocolate to make it though the day?

12)   Are you drinking more alcohol to relieve stress?

13)   Do aches and pains linger longer than they once did?

If you identify with several of these statements, your body's system for adapting to stress is not responding optimally. If you identify with more than 3 or 4 of these statements, your body is sending signals that life's stresses are overwhelming its ability to keep up.

Both Dr. Elkin and Kristine Reyes, CNC, are committed to help you discover some basic tools, so that your body can begin the process of responding to stress appropriately.

Here at HeartWise Fitness and Longevity Center, our ultimate aim via the adrenal testing and recovery program is to assist you with the appropriate use of supplements for adrenal support, along with implementation of necessary lifestyle changes for stress reduction.

You deserve it to yourself to enjoy a restored, renewed and revitalized life, one in complete hormonal, emotional and spiritual balance.

For more information about this exciting program contact us at : (562) 945-WELL

Dr. Elkin is a board-certified internist, cardiologist and anti-aging medical specialist.

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE / DISCLAIMER: I am offering—always—only general information and my own opinion in these articles. Always contact your physician or a health professional before starting any treatments, exercise programs or using supplements.
©Howard Elkin MD FACC, 2012

Stress-Management Strategies

2011-02-23T07:06:50Z

Stress plays a big role in disease. It suppresses the immune system, can lead to a heart attack or stroke, and is an important contributor to chronic anxiety, depressive disorders, panic attacks and insomnia. We at HeartWise always utilize a holistic approach to both illness and wellness. Counseling our patients on simple but useful stress management techniques such as deep breathing, visualizations, and meditation can make a major difference in their health and well-being.

Kristine Reyes, CNC who is our staff nutritionist, has been counseling patients for years, and is available for both individual and groups.

Dr. Elkin is a board-certified internist, cardiologist and anti-aging medical specialist.

Spectracell Intracellular Nutrient Testing

2011-02-23T06:44:34Z

By utilizing science and appropriate testing, we can see what roles biochemical individuality, absorption, chronic illness, aging, and lifestyle effect our individual nutrient status.
www.spectracell.com

Kristine Reyes is an internationally acclaimed Intuitive Nutrition Expert. She is a Certified Nutrition Consultant with over 25 years of experience in the healthcare field. Her practice incorporates homeopathic remedies, herbs, supplements, essential oils, exercise physiology, and stress management. Her passion is educating people on the foundations of health and nutrition, how they relate to quality of life, and how everyone can realize the healing power they have within.

Dr. Elkin is a board-certified internist, cardiologist and anti-aging medical specialist.

Health Conditions Addressed

2011-02-23T06:42:02Z

Cleansing the body on an internal level is imperative to the quality of our life due to the toxic environment we live in. By cleansing and replacing vital nutrients, the body becomes more balanced, supporting weight loss, normal blood sugar levels, digestive health, and proper immune function.

Depression/Anxiety:
New research is finding that a simple nutritional deficiency may be associated with many symptoms of depression. Balancing hormone and blood sugar levels are key factors in managing mood swings.

EECP:
EECP stands for External Counterpulsation, a non-invasive outpatient treatment that helps relieve or eliminate angina pain. This procedure is covered by Medicare. Nutritional support helps the heart and collateral arteries to enhance the effectiveness of this procedure.

Suppression of Chronic Inflammation:
C-Reactive Protein has long been used as a predictor of inflammation in the body. If no known bacterial or viral infection exists, elevated CRP may indicate increased cardiovascular risk due to the role of inflammation in atherogenesis. Chronic inflammation is also associated with cancer, Alzheimer‘s, and essentially all aspects of aging.

Elevated Homocysteine:
Homocysteine is an amino acid which can be measured in the blood. Elevated levels may damage the inner lining of the arteries and is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease.

Elevated Lipoprotein – Lp (a)1:
A lipoprotein particle like LDL which also contains a protein apo (a) attached to it. Lp(a) adheres more readily to the arterial wall and is associated with increased cardiovascular risk.

Foundation Nutrition:
Foundation Nutrition represents the bare essential nutrients your body needs daily in order to keep you healthy and prevent disease. It is essential to the long term quality of your life.

GERD:
Gastric Reflux or Heartburn occurs when stomach acid moves up the esophagus and sometimes into the throat, causing discomfort and burning. Chronic GERD can cause esophageal and vocal cord damage without proper treatment.

High Blood Pressure:
When someone has high blood pressure, the heart must work harder to pump an adequate amount of blood to all the tissues of the body. Ultimately, the condition often leads to kidney failure, heart failure and stroke. High blood pressure is often associated with coronary heart disease, arteriosclerosis, kidney disorders, obesity, diabetes, hyperthyroidism and adrenal tumors.

Hyperlipidemia:
Hyperlididemia refers to elevated blood cholesterol, LDL, HDL and other lipid values that may be tested by your physician. Elevated lipids increase a person’s risk for cardiovascular disease and heart attack.

Increasing Immunity:
To help prevent colds and the flu this season, an effective nutrient protocol may support immune function and increase your resistance to bacterial and viral infections without the use of antibiotics.

Insomnia:
Insomnia, or the inability to fall or stay asleep, is common among American adults, especially as we age. Our body’s produce less of the hormone, melatonin. Melatonin is one of the hormones that regulate sleep and wake cycles. When you produce less melatonin, you may awake more often or have difficulty falling asleep.

Insulin Resistance or Type 2 Diabetes:
Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes are conditions where your body no longer has the ability to lower blood sugar levels through your own production of insulin. Minimizing the extreme ups and downs of blood sugar depends not only on what and when you eat, but also the nutrients that you metabolize on a daily basis.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS, is a condition many suffer from because of poor eating habits. Symptoms of constipation and diarrhea, as well as other digestive problems can be relieved by adding probiotics and digestive enzymes to your diet.

Osteo-Arthritis:
Arthritis doesn’t have to be a condition we have to “live with” as we age. Reducing inflammation and preventing further deterioration is vital to reducing pain. Providing the building blocks for your own cartilage will also promote joint cushioning and support.

Osteoporosis:
Osteoporosis is defined as the loss of bone density. Both men and women are at risk of losing bone after the age of 40 years. Women are most vulnerable within the first 3 years of Menopause, where a loss of up to 30% of bone density can occur. Prevention of bone loss can be as easy as taking a pharmaceutical-grade calcium, magnesium, and Vitamin D supplement that supplies all the essential minerals in appropriate dosages for maintenance of healthy bone density.

Rheumatoid Arthritis:
Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune condition that requires more nutritional support than the more common Osteo-Arthritis. Along with the protocol for Osteo-Arthritis, supporting the immune system without stimulation is vital when treating R.A.

Successful Aging:
Successful aging encompasses several components: bone health, digestive health, brain health, vitality and emotional health. Through proper nutrition and hormone replacement, the effects of aging may be delayed and in some cases even reversed.

Dr. Elkin is a board-certified internist, cardiologist and anti-aging medical specialist.

Heartsmart Testing (IMT - Intimal-Medial Thickness)

2011-02-23T06:39:12Z

Undetected Cardiovascular Disease is the greatest health risk facing patients today!!

We now provide a new test for heart disease in our office!

Heartsmart gives you a clear picture of your cardiovascular health.

Convenient – can be done in 10 minutes

Safe – ultrasound imaging with no radiation

Accurately measures thickening in the arterial wall for accurate risk assessment

Assesses plaque that can cause stroke or heart attack

Schedule your HeartSmart test at our front desk today!

Dr. Elkin is a board-certified internist, cardiologist and anti-aging medical specialist.

Exercise Prescriptions

2011-02-23T06:37:03Z

Everyone knows how vital exercise is for our health. It not only has a positive impact in heart disease prevention, but also plays an important role in the prevention of cancer, osteoporosis, obesity, adult onset diabetes, arthritis, and dementia. Indeed one reason to exercise might be to preserve one's memory.

Unfortunately, 60 % of the adult population in this country is completely sedentary. With Dr. Elkin's keen interest in exercise, wellness and longevity, we at HeartWise are in a unique position to provide testing and counseling to our patients prior to them undertaking an exercise program. Instead of a medication prescription, patients are given an exercise prescription. This is valuable for injury avoidance, prevention of heart attacks, and also for exercise adherence.

Dr. Elkin is a board-certified internist, cardiologist and anti-aging medical specialist.

Vitamin D & Possible Heart Disease Risk Factor

2011-02-23T06:33:01Z

We know Vitamin D is important for bone health but the latest research suggests that Vitamin D deficiency may increase the risk of heart disease. Studies have found that low levels of Vitamin D are associated with high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and chronic blood vessel inflammation.

An article recently published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology reported a survey of studies on the link between Vitamin D deficiency and heart disease. Researchers concluded that Vitamin D deficiency is much more common than previously thought, affecting up to half of apparently healthy adults and children in the U.S. It is obvious there is a need for practical advise on screening and treatment of Vitamin D deficiency.

The major source of Vitamin D is of course from the sun. However, Vitamin D deficiency is becoming a growing concern due to the fact most people spend the majority of time indoors and even when they are outdoors we are encouraged to use sun block because of the risk of skin cancer. Sunscreen with an SPF of only 15 blocks approximately 99% of Vitamin D synthesis by the skin. A small amount of Vitamin D can also be obtained from foods such as salmon, sardines, cod liver oil, and Vitamin D enriched cereals and milk.

Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin that is converted to Vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol which is the active form utilized by the body. Not only is Vitamin D important for bone and cardiovascular health, but it also plays a major role in nerve health, strong immune function, insulin metabolism, balanced moods, pain reduction, kidney health, and even cancer. It also protects the brain against toxic chemicals making it vital in maintaining a high quality of health.

One myth about Vitamin D is that it is highly toxic. The RDA is currently 200 – 600 I.U. per day. Most experts agree that these doses are too low and that optimal health requires levels of 1,000 – 2,000 I.U. daily. Vitamin D levels can be measured by a simple blood test. Optimal blood levels are between 60 and 80 ng/dL. Therapeutic dosages are usually 5,000 I.U. daily but this dose may need to be higher to raise individual blood levels. Testing should be done every 2 – 3 months until the desired level is reached.

Choosing a high quality, highly absorbable Vitamin D supplement is vital for optimal health. It is also recommended that testing is done before any supplementation in order to know the proper dosing. If you have any questions or would like to have your Vitamin D levels checked, please contact Dr. Elkin’s office.

Dr. Elkin is a board-certified internist, cardiologist and anti-aging medical specialist.

To Stent or Not to Stent?

2011-02-23T06:31:38Z

To Stent or Not to Stent? That is a question for your Cardiologist.

Dr. Elkin says:

With all the controversy surrounding the treatment of coronary artery disease today, it is no wonder that the public is so confused. Being involved with invasive cardiology and coronary interventions for nearly 25 years, I have seen a number of innovations that have impacted so many lives.

Part of the current controversy surrounds the fact that there are different classifications of patients that receive such interventions. About 80,000 patients receive angioplasty and stents every month, almost a million each year. In the last week of March 2007, a new study found that drug treatment could be just as good at preventing heart attacks as balloon angioplasty and the insertion of stents.

But after reading the media's coverage, one wonders if there is any use for stents at all.

Is this merely an overused, potentially risky and costly procedure that serves as a major source of income to hospitals and cardiologists? Indeed there has been an oversimplification by the media which only serves to confuse the public.

What the study examined was the effect of angioplasty/stents on patients with stable coronary disease. It's not clear how many have stable coronary disease. Some experts estimate that 40% of heart patients have stable coronary disease. Others say that as many as 50% or more fall into that category.

Many patients undergo the procedure to relieve their chest pain. As expected, the new study showed that those given angioplasty/stents did have less chest pain, especially in the first year after the treatment. However, the angioplasty advantage faded over the five years of the study, because drug treatment actually did better in the long term at controlling symptoms.

On one hand the results of the study were surprising that drug treatment fared so well. But on the other hand it supports current thinking about coronary artery disease. We now know that it isn't the mere degree of narrowing of the cholesterol-laden plaque that creates a critical medical problem. The more dangerous blockages in the arteries, commonly referred to as unstable plaques, have nothing to do with their degree of narrowing. They constitute a different structure than stable plaques. Such an alteration in structure and chemical content make these plaques more prone to rupture which makes them so unstable.

But there is a very large population of patients who do benefit from this invasive procedure. Those in the throngs of a heart attack, those with acute coronary syndromes such as pain that occurs at rest, along with those that exhibit acute changes on their electrocardiogram all represent an unstable entity. It is this group that angioplasty/stents actually saves lives. This group usually has have an unstable plaque, which creates a cascade of events possibly culminating in a heart attack.

The facts of this study have been outlined above. But the picture is far from complete. This was not a large study, randomizing only 2,300 patients with stable heart disease to either medical arm or angioplasty arm. There remains a fair amount of discord amongst interventional cardiologists. But it does give us some useful information. There remain many patients with stable coronary disease who will fare well with conservative, medical therapy. Those with acute coronary syndromes, however, will continue to fare better and live longer with the interventional approach.

Dr. Elkin is a board-certified internist, cardiologist and anti-aging medical specialist.

Benefits of Fish Oil Supplementation

2011-02-23T06:26:45Z

Recently there has been many health claims for fish oil, (which contain omega-3 fatty acids) in conditions from Alzheimer disease to macular degeneration. However, many of these claims, although exciting, are based on indirect evidence. But the evidence is with regard to coronary heart disease prevention, and the American Heart Association recently issued guidelines for the intake of Omega-3 oils.

Much of the interest in fish oil comes form the pioneering study of Greenland Eskimos almost 30 years ago. Although, what was discovered was that while the diet of these Eskimos was very high in fat, their rate of coronary artery disease was extremely low. This landmark study has spawned numerous other research studies, leading to recommendations of various public health organizations for increased intake of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), the two major fish oils.

Fish do not actually produce EPA and DHA. Rather, these oils are produced by single-celled marine organisms that fish eat. Therefore, these fatty acids are essential for fish as well as for humans.

A third omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), is found in certain plant oils but not in fish. The richest available plant source is flaxseed oil, which contains about 55% ALA in weight. Other sources include perilla oil and canola oil. Certain nuts, primarily walnuts, contain some ALA. But ALA is very poorly converted to EPA and DHA in the body, and doesn’t have nearly the cardiovascular health benefits of the primary omega-3 atty acids.

What are the benefits of OMEGA-3 fatty acids?

EPA and DHA appear to reduce the susceptibility of the heart to fatal rhythm disorders, or arrhythmias, which could otherwise lead to sudden cardiac death. In large doses they can lower serum triglycerides. Moreover, they inhibit platelet function, thereby acting as a mild blood thinner, preventing platelets from clumping together which could otherwise lead to blood clots and heart attacks. A recent study has shown that 1.5 g of EPA/DHA may well make carotid artery plaques more stable, thereby preventing strokes.

Key points to remember: The “oilier” the fish, the more omega-3 fatty acids it contains. Oily fish include tuna, sardines, salmon, mackerel, and herring. The American heart Association recommends about 1 g of omega-3 fatty acids per day for those with known coronary heart disease. People with no known heart disease should eat oily fish at least twice a week, or about 500 mg of EPA/DHA per day. Much higher intake, ie, from 2 to 4 g per day, is needed to lower triglyceride levels. This should be done in consultation with a physician. In general, eating fish or taking fish oil capsules does not present a health hazard. There remains, however, the concern of mercury toxicity, since mercury can bioconcentrate in fish at the top of the marine food chain. This has prompted the FDA to issue an advisory regarding four species of fish: king mackerel. shark, swordfish, and tile fish. Since mercury toxicity is mainly a concern for fetuses and breast-fed infants, the FDA advice is specifically targeted at pregnant women, those wanting to become pregnant, and nursing mothers. • Fish oil capsules contain no mercury. Mercury is water- soluble, not oil-soluble, so when the oil is extracted from the fish, the mercury (and the lead, cadmium, and other heavy metals) stay behind in the flesh of the fish. There is little evidence that one of the omega-3 fatty acids is more cardioprotective than the other. Therefore, both EPA and DHA are needed. There is emerging evidence for noncardiac benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids. Benefits are seen in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and ulcerative colitis. The cardioprotective effects are unequivocal, however, and Omega-3 fatty acids are indeed the first supplement ever to be recommended by the American Heart Association.

Dr. Elkin is a board-certified internist, cardiologist and anti-aging medical specialist.

EECP Relieves Angina and Chronic Heart Failure

2011-02-23T06:15:40Z

What is EECP?

A treatment called Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP) works in harmony with your heart and can improve circulation to your heart muscle. EECP is a mechanical method that delivers extra blood to the heart. It has been shown to help reduce or eliminate angina—chest pains caused by coronary artery disease. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved EECP for patients with angina in 1992. In June of 2003, the FDA approved EECP for congestive heart failure as well.

The treatment is called “external” because it happens outside the body. “Enhanced” refers to the equipment involved, which has been refined since the procedure was first developed in the early 1950’s. “Counterpulsation” refers to the procedure which moves blood to the heart in between heartbeats, during the resting phase when the heart relaxes and fills with blood. This relieves pressure just before each heartbeat. Counterpulsation increases blood flow to the heart, lessens the heart’s workload and provides more oxygen while also lowering the heart’s need for oxygen. Approximately 80 percent of the oxygen-carrying blood flow to the heart’s muscle occurs when the heart itself is at rest.

Relieving Angina

If you are one of the more than7 million people in the US who suffer from angina, you know too well the pain and discomfort associated with this primary symptom of coronary heart disease.

Angina, or chest pain, signals that a part of your heart muscle is not receiving an adequate supply of blood and oxygen. The heart requires a particular rich blood because of its heavy workload, and receives this nourishment through the coronary arteries. When these vessels are narrowed or blocked, restricting blood flow, they fail to supply adequate oxygen.

One of the body‘s response to pain and problems caused by narrowed arteries is to increase the amount of blood flowing to the muscle by opening up tiny branches of nearby vessels. The network of tiny blood vessels—known as “collateral circulation” –makes it possible for blood to detour around blocked or narrowed arteries. The development of collateral circulation is particularly important in the heart muscle where it may be life-saving. However, the development of collateral circulation is a gradual process and not everyone has the same natural ability to develop these networks at a rate that will relieve angina.

EECP and Congestive Heart Failure.

According to the American Heart Association, there are currently 5 million individuals in the U.S. who suffer from CHF and 550,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.

Heart failure results when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the needs of other organs. Subsequently, fluid retention and other changes take place, causing heart function to gradually worsen. The International EECP Patient Registry reports that EECP is safe and improves exercise capacity and quality of life in about 70 percent of heart failure patients who undergo treatment.

How Does EECP Work?

EECP uses compressed air to inflate three sets of cuffs that are wrapped around the patient’s calves, lower thighs and upper thighs while he or she lies on the treatment table. The cuffs are inflated and deflated in sequence once during each heartbeat to squeeze blood up into the heart. ECG electrodes are placed on the patient’s upper chest to identify the timing of the inflation/deflation sequence. Treatment sessions are for one hour, five days a week for seven weeks. Some patients may need additional treatment hours.

After EECP treatment, you may find that: You can walk farther, carry heavier packages, and be more active without having angina. You have fewer attacks of angina Your episodes of angina are less intense You need less anti-anginal medication You can return to work, go out to dinner, garden, travel, or enjoy golf or bowling once again You no longer restrict your social life, volunteer activities, or exercise because you are worried that they will cause angina EECP has an important role in augmenting the collateral blood flow to the heart muscle in those with compromised circulation.

Dr. Elkin is a board-certified internist, cardiologist and anti-aging medical specialist.