The Optimal Health Institute


	The Foundations of Optimal Health By Thomas A. Cable, M.D. and Sandra L. Kilpatrick, Ph.D. (from eHealth, March 2003) The process of aging brings many changes to our bodies. As we age, some of us tire more easily. Most of us fondly remember the days when our energy never seemed to fade. And the majority of us often wonder: as we age, how can we retain our youthful energy and zest for life? To achieve optimal health, almost half of all adults in the United States are trying a new approach: complementary medicine. This new blend of health care combines conventional medicine with non-conventional therapies. It focuses on the whole person, blending science and nature with mind and body. Instead of relying solely on the traditional health system, for example, many Americans are turning to such non-conventional therapies as acupuncture and herbal treatments to supplement conventional medicine. They’re trying complementary practices like meditation and tai chi to help ease stress and to improve their sense of well-being. Overall, they’re discovering that complementary medicine is helping them to achieve optimal health. In the world of complementary medicine, we believe the foundations of optimal health consist of four components: nutrition, exercise, essential fatty acids, and a proper balance of hormone levels. Nutrition For years, Americans have been told to eat a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet to lose weight. Yet, Americans continue to get fatter and fatter! In reality, excessive carbohydrate consumption leads to the production of too much insulin, which can create fat. To keep insulin in a tight range, you need to eat the right types of high quality protein, fat, and carbohydrates. We recommend 40 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent protein, and 30 percent fat. Exercise Exercise not only helps keep your joints moving and your muscles strong, but increases energy levels and improves your ability to accomplish daily activities. Although exercise is a fundamental part of any weight loss program, it can also help you psychologically. Exercise can improve symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Fish Oils Increasingly, researchers are documenting the positive health effects of omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils. How do omega-3 essential fatty acids work? On a molecular level, omega-3 fatty acids help maintain a healthy balance of another group of hormones in your body known as the eicosanoids. These hormones are critical for controlling inflammation, blood flow, and blood clotting. When eicosanoid levels are out of balance, atherosclerotic and degenerative diseases can be the result. Along with key changes in diet to control insulin levels, the use of fish oils offers a chance to regain your “eicosanoid” balance and to enjoy a healthier and more productive life. Hormone Modulation Hormone modulation carefully assesses your current hormone levels and evaluates the amount of hormones you need to return to optimal physiological levels. The complementary practice of bioidentical hormone replacement essentially restores insufficient hormone levels with the same hormones that were present in your body at birth. Many women stopped hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in 2002 after a study by the Women’s Health Initiative revealed significant health risks from HRT. We believe many of the problems associated with HRT stem from the type of hormones being prescribed for women. The HRT in the Women’s Health Initiative study, for instance, was a combination of horse estrogen and synthetic progesterone--neither of which women were meant to have. Horse estrogen may be natural for horses, but not for women! For both men and women, bioidentical hormone replacement improves overall well-being and offers relief from many symptoms that have been accepted as “normal aging.” Although this practice is controversial among some physicians and patients, a growing body of scientific literature supports bioidentical hormone replacement as a safe, common sense practice. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dr. Cable is a board-certified family physician and Dr. Kilpatrick is a licensed clinical psychologist.. They are the Directors of Optimal Health Institute, located at the Chattanooga LifeStyle Center. They can be reached at 423-778-9470.

423-778-9470

The Foundations of Optimal Health