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Is NAD+ Actually Worth the Hype?

NAD+

You’ve heard the buzz around NAD+ and its longevity and anti-aging benefits. Is it all hype or is this antioxidant cocktail really the fountain of youth? While it’s not an age reversing time machine, NAD+ does have many superior benefits for longevity.  But just because it’s good for you, do you really need it?  

So that you can decide whether to give it a try, here is exactly how NAD works:

✔ ️ Keeps mitochondria healthy: Your mitochondria are like power plants in your cells. NAD+ keeps them running smoothly by turning the food you eat into energy.  This keeps your body running, from your heart pumping to your brain thinking. As you get older, your NAD+ levels naturally go down, which can make your cells less efficient at creating energy, and potentially causing fatigue. Mitochondria are easily damaged, too, from environmental toxins and infections, causing a higher demand for more NAD in your system. 

✔ ️Repairs damaged DNA: Every day, your DNA gets damaged by things like sunlight, pollution, and even normal processes inside your body. NAD+ helps fix this damage. Keeping your DNA healthy is important for preventing aging-related problems like cancer or chronic diseases.

✔️ Supports sirtuins: Sirtuins are special proteins in your body that help protect cells and control aging. They need NAD+ to do their job. Think of sirtuins as the repair crew, and NAD+ is the fuel they need to get to work.

✔ ️ Fights inflammation: Chronic inflammation (when your body stays “on alert” for too long, causing tissue damage) can speed up aging and lead to diseases. NAD+ helps calm this inflammation by supporting the right cellular pathways.

How to know where to start and if NAD+ is right for you?

As a longevity strategy, NAD+ declines with age, therefore supplementing it with weekly or monthly infusions, will give your mitochondria a boost, help cells work better, stay healthier, and maybe even slow down the aging process! 

As treatment for fatigue, then trying a series of 4 NAD drips weekly or bi-weekly might be just what your mitochondria need.  If you’ve had Covid, Lyme, mold or other toxin- or infectious related illnesses, because they target and damage the mitochondria, NAD IV’s can be an important cornerstone of your recovery.

What can you expect?  You should notice a slight improvement each time, but you might not know for sure if it’s helping until you finish a series of a minimum of 4 drips, and perhaps 8 drips if you are recovering from a chronic illness.  Both new and current patients can come to Blum Center for NAD, but if you aren’t sure, we recommend messaging your provider, or if you are new to us, then schedule a IV consult with Marie to decide if this IV is right for you.  

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How Genetics Can Solve Your Medical Mysteries

In the past decade, genetics testing has become a huge and expanding field, filled with exciting promise for helping us understand our health challenges in a deeper way.   But it’s often hard to sort out which tests to use, how they can help you, and whether it’s worth the money they cost.  Recently, we’ve started using IntellXX Genetics testing at Blum Center, and I have been very impressed by how much the test results have helped me figure out my next steps when working with a patient who’s situation just doesn’t make sense.  

Let me give you a clinical example of how I’ve used the testing and how it’s helped me figure out what’s going on.  

Leslie (not her real name) and I had been working together for about 2 years.  Her main concerns were related to her heart disease risk, given a strong family history.  In her early 50’s, she loved going to the gym and included both strength training and aerobics most days.  Being very disciplined by nature, she was willing and able to implement all the changes we discussed that were needed:  she was eating a whole foods, low sugar, low processed food diet; was being mindful of her stress and sleep, and followed different strategies for her weight training and aerobic training routine.  But no matter what we did, she could not get her Hemoglobin A1C below 5.9.  This blood test tells us about the risk for diabetes and the health of the blood sugar system. Diabetes is one of the biggest risk factors for heart disease.

After seeking and following guidance from our nutritionist Vicki Kobliner, RD, (including wearing a continuous glucose monitor), and working closely with her Cardiologist, this number still didn’t budge.  I decided to do the Intellx testing.  It was a game changer!  Leslie’s genetic code was working against her.  She had 8 different genes that gave her a high risk for diabetes, and another 7 that gave her a higher risk for all sorts of other metabolic issues like obesity, and having the ability to feel full.  After we saw these results, it was such a relief!  Just to know that we have an explanation for WHY she couldn’t get this under control, and for her, to feel vindicated that this isn’t her FAULT! 

Each personalized Intellx Genetic report provides recommendations for what interventions would work best to help improve the functioning of each gene that is identified as increasing your risk for a particular health condition.  And, they back up all their recommendations with lots of research articles.  And so, for Leslie, with all the new ideas for treatment, I was able to create an updated plan, including supplements, medication, and specific exercise and nutritional approaches tailored to her genetics.  And now she’s doing better than ever!  Game changer!

A little more info about genetics testing

Here is a brief primer about the different kinds of genes that are tested.

DNA is the molecule that contains all our genetic information, and genes are specific sections of DNA that code for particular traits or proteins. IntellxxDNA™ allows us, as your clinicians, to look at over 600 DNA sequence changes (or variants) that affect specific genes. These genetic variations make you unique and are modifiable with lifestyle changes, supplements and medication. That’s the good news.  The bad news is that left unattended, they can contribute to chronic diseases such as cognitive decline, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, gut issues, and more. Genetic testing using Intellxx also allows us to look at gene variants related to how various nutrients and hormones are transported throughout your body and into your brain and identify which nutrients and hormones you may need more or less of than others.  

More good news! Chronic illness is not due to one gene. It is the result of a combination of many small gene variants and how they interact with our diet, lifestyle, and environment.  This means your genetics doesn’t guarantee an outcome, and instead, with our guidance, you can improve the functioning of these genes and reduce your risk of chronic disease. And if you are worried about things that run in your family or want to create a plan for overall wellness and personalized prevention, this tool can be hugely beneficial. 

IntellxxDNA™ also looks at Inflammation and genes involved in repairing your body and removing harmful chemicals and mold. From our experience, we have not met anyone who did not benefit from having access to their genomic information. Genomics is a powerful tool for finding the root contributing factors of complex health issues. I have used this many times for my toughest inflammation and autoimmune patients.  

Ready to learn more about yourself?  Unravel the mystery that is you?  Schedule a consult with our Functional Medicine providers. Please call 914.652.7800 to learn more.

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Emotional Wellness and the Stress Effect

In 1998, I attended my first training program with the Center for Mind-Body Medicine (CMBM.org), and began a lifelong journey exploring and understanding how our emotions, thoughts, feelings, stress, and  trauma are dramatically linked to changes in our physical and mental health.  There is no separation.  Look below the surface of a physical illness and you will find stress, trauma, or emotional distress in varying degrees, sometimes going back many years.  

The same holds true for those with emotional or mental health issues.  There are almost always root causes to be found…sometimes physical (think nutritional for example), but often there is underlying stress or trauma to be unearthed and healed.   

Over the many years that I have worked with CMBM (I am still part of the Senior Teaching Faculty), I have traveled and worked in traumatized populations (Haiti after the earthquake, New Orleans after Katrina, Northern California after the Wildfires, Military/Vets, First responders after 9/11) and in stressed out populations of health professionals experiencing severe burnout and every day trauma in their own lives.  And because this understanding of the mind-body-stress-trauma connection is now woven into the fabric of who i am and the lens with which i see the world, over these past 20+ years, I have uncovered and witnessed how stress and trauma have caused physical and emotional illness in all the people I meet and treat in my medical practice.  

When I opened Blum Center for Health almost 15 years ago, my goal was always to bring Functional Medicine, Mind-Body Medicine and Nutritional Medicine all together under one roof.  And I have a deep sense of satisfaction, knowing that yes, these are the services you will find when you explore our website or walk in our door.  But more importantly, this is that attitude and approach you will find as you work with all our providers, because this has now become the fabric of who WE are.

SUPPORT FOR EMOTIONAL WELLNESS, STRESS AND TRAUMA

To support our community and to offer tools for our patients to explore their mind-body connection and resolve underlying stress and past trauma, we offer many services that we invite you to take advantage of.  

  • Weekly meditation classes
  • Mind-body groups led by facilitators trained by CMBM
  • Health coaching for exploring stress and sleep with Melissa Rapoport
  • Ketamine consult and then treatment with Dr Greenman
  • We also work with local integrative psychiatrists and therapists for a team approach for optimal treatment outcomes.
  • And of course, we also use functional medicine to look for underlying causes of imbalances that affect your mood and emotional health, including optimizing gut microbiome, hormones, nutrient deficiencies, and more. 

We’re here to help. If you are unsure of where to start, feel free to contact us at info@blumcenterforhealth.com and we’d be happy to guide in the direction that fits your desired outcome.

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Sesame Kelp Gomasio

Sesame seeds are excellent for healing the thyroid. To boost its potency, we’ve added the sea vegetable kelp to our gomasio recipe for added minerals and thyroid support!  Try this salty condiment on your raw cruciferous vegetables, or as a garnish on salads, soups, noodles, and other vegetables.

Serves 12 Tablespoons

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup, sesame seeds – toasted
  • 1/4 cup, kelp – toasted
  • 1/2 tsp, sea salt with iodine

Directions

  • In a mortar, grind the sesame seeds, kelp, and salt together until well combined, but not into a paste. If you don’t have a mortar and pestle you can blend this in a coffee grinder in two batches.
  • Store in an airtight container.
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Detoxing Deliciously: Shrimp Masala

For your weekly fish dish, we love this low-mercury, flavorful recipe rich in nutrients that will help your body clear out toxins.

Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp, coconut oil
  • 2 tsp, cumin seeds
  • 2, red chili peppers – dried
  • 11/2 cups , onion – diced
  • 1 1/2 tbsp, fresh ginger – minced peeled
  • 2 tsp, garlic – minced
  • 2 tsp, coriander – ground
  • 11/2 tsp, cumin – ground
  • 1/2 tsp, turmeric – ground
  • 1/2 tsp, cayenne pepper
  • Pinch, Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 14-ounce can , tomatoes – diced
  • 1 lb, medium shrimp – peeled and deveined
  • 1 cup , coconut milk
  • 1/4 cup, cilantro – chopped

Directions

  • Heat the coconut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cumin seeds and red chilies and cook, stirring, until the fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  • Add the onion and cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Then add the ginger, garlic, coriander, cumin, turmeric, and cayenne, and season with salt and pepper. Cook until dark and fragrant, about 3 minutes more.
  • Add the tomatoes and cook until somewhat soft, about 3 minutes. You can make the sauce up to this point a day ahead.
  • When ready to serve, heat the sauce over high heat. As soon as it starts to bubble on the edges, add the shrimp and cook, stirring, until the shrimp turns opaque. Lower the heat, gradually stir in the coconut milk, and gently heat it through – do not allow to boil.
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to a serving platter, garnish with cilantro and serve over rice or quinoa.
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The Secret To Happiness

By Elizabeth Greig, FNP

Heavy metals, and toxins in general, can be a trigger for brain fog and mental dullness.  If this is something you are experiencing, there are different ways to detoxify your mind. One of the most effective tools is to be mindful about the information you take into your mind: bad news, fear-inducing news, gossip, and useless information can all clutter your mind.

So what can you do? Be proactive and turn off the radio or television when you listen to things that make you feel anxious, angry, or bored.   Ask your friends and family to stop telling you the juicy, but destructive, gossip and tell them that you are being kind to your mind by making a choice about what’s really important for it to hear.

I recently heard about a study that showed that the people who are the happiest are those whose thoughts are about what or who are right in front of them–meaning present time.  So keep your mind centered on what you are doing right now in the present, and don’t let it wander off looking for worries or troubles.  The secret to happiness is a happy mind that is enjoying the moment!

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3 Simple Steps To Great Gut Health

Nutrition is vital in Functional MedicineNutrition is vital in Functional Medicine

By Susan Blum, MD

If you have gas or bloating after you eat, or if you experience constipation and/or loose stools, or any type of intestinal discomfort, you have a problem with how your gut is functioning. While this is commonly labeled irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, the diagnosis doesn’t tell you why you’re having this problem.

Usually, the issue is something called dysbiosis, which means your gut flora isn’t healthy. You might have an overgrowth of harmful bacteria, yeast or parasites, or you might not have enough of the good stuff: those probiotics you find in yogurt and cultured foods.

But who cares about a little gas or bloating?

Your gut flora needs to be fixed, because the symptoms you’re having could just be the tip of the iceberg. A whopping 70% of your immune system is located in your gut and if the flora are out of balance, you have an increased risk of something called Leaky Gut Syndrome, and this can lead to autoimmune disease.

Here are my tips to heal your gut, which will treat your symptoms and keep your immune system happy, too.

  1. For your digestive symptoms, find out whether or not you’ve got food sensitivities, which could be causing the problem. Check yourself for gluten and dairy by removing them both from your diet at the same time for three weeks, and then reintroduce each one at a time, four days apart.
  2. For your flora, eat cultured food every day, like coconut or almond milk yogurt and kefir, sauerkraut or kimchee, and consider taking a probiotic supplement.
  3. If the above doesn’t do the trick, consider a gut-cleansing program using herbs like berberine or oregano to remove the harmful microbes. Check out our HealMyGut program!
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What Role Do Genetics Play In Your Health?

by Elizabeth Greig, FNP

Several times a week, I see someone at Blum Center who has multiple autoimmune conditions or cancer or both and has had a moderate to high level of toxicant (toxin) exposures.  For example, they may have lived on or near a farm with an apple orchard and drank well water growing up in the 60s, they spray their apartment weekly or monthly with roach-killer, they play golf regularly, or they’ve taken many prescription drugs over many years.  All of these toxicants can be removed by the detoxification pathways in the body, particularly those found in the liver.  The efficiency of this process is determined in part by your genes.

How much effect – or risk – a particular gene, or group of genes, has on your health or illness is determined in part by your environment, such as food, chemicals, stress, and infections, as well as by interaction with other genes.  The part that environment plays is the part you have some control over.

For example, if you have a genetic tendency to diabetes, you can control your intake of sugar, sweets and starchy vegetables and be sure to exercise and thus reduce the likelihood that you will become diabetic.  This effect that lifestyle has on your genes to turn them on or off or modulate their expression is called “epigenetics.”  So, rather than:

Genes = Destiny

The answer is determined by epigenetics:

Genes + Lifestyle + Environment = Destiny

Some people have a collection of genetic mutations in their detoxification pathways that decreases their ability to rid the body of these toxicants and can increase the risk that those toxicants will cause problems.  The toxicants stay in circulation longer because they aren’t being removed efficiently. Then they can have a prolonged suppressing or damaging effect on the immune system and other systems that maintain the body’s health.  With genetic testing, we can identify some of these mutations and then make recommendations about foods, supplements and lifestyle changes that can help you decrease those toxic effects, helping you to heal and stay healthy.

Come find out more about some simple genetic testing you can do, learn about epigenetics, and discuss lifestyle, nutrition and supplement changes you can make to help you express your best destiny! 

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7 Ways You’re Making Your Immune System Weaker

Lack of sleep, too much stress, a crazy work schedule—it’s common knowledge that none of this is great for your health. But what about that new diet you’re on? Or even the medication you take? Turns out, you may be chipping away at your immune system without even knowing it. The good news: A few lifestyle changes or new habits can help you rebuild your body’s defenses against illness, infections, and disease. Check out these 7 ways you’re making your immune system weaker—and how to fix them.

 

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HOW TO HEAL YOURSELF FROM CHRONIC PAIN

By Gary Goldman

Over the last 30 years, I have been sick with various illnesses that have caused me to be out of my office, sometimes for significant amounts of time.  Although these were not deadly illnesses, they did greatly affect my life and my family.  They included migraine headaches, chronic back pain and ulcerative colitis.

meditation

After many drugs, hospitalizations and only days away from spinal fusion surgery, I was able to heal myself with the help of some very special MD’s using mind-body medicine.

At The Center for Mind Body Medicine I learned techniques of self-care, self awareness, and mindfulness. The focus is on the interactions between mind and body and the powerful ways in which emotional, mental, social and spiritual factors can directly affect health.  Using these techniques, I was able to heal myself. I now have a regular yoga and meditation practice and live a life without being in constant pain.

Now that I have healed myself I want to pay it forward.  Below is an easy technique you can practice at home to help ease your pain and discomfort:

Place: Pick a place in your home that is quiet and where you will be undisturbed.  By doing a practice in the same place each time, you begin to build an energy in that place that will support your practice.

Time of Day: Most people find either the beginning of the day or the end of the day easier for their schedules, but anytime that is you can maintain a consistency of the practice will work.

Length of Time: 10 Minutes is a good starting point, working up to longer periods of time.

Regular and Consistent: These are the keys to making progress with your practice.  This is YOUR time.  You deserve it.

No Judgment: The best meditation is the one you do! Keep watching, noting, being aware without attaching good or bad thoughts to the practice.

The Practice:  Settle in.  Close eyes. Breathe in and out slowly.  Feel the breath.  Observe the breath.  If any thoughts come in, let them in and let them out.

As you breathe in, say the word “soft” to yourself.  As you breathe out, say the word “belly”.  Continue feeling the body calm and relaxed.

My training has enabled me to lead and teach others in these effective mind-body techniques.  My passion is to help others live a pain free life, to be of service, and share my experiences with others who have chronic pain and just cannot find a way out.

Join me at Blum Center for Health this month for a 4-week Mindfulness for Pain Relief Series. Click here for more information and to sign up!