Magnesium and HPA-D

If you’ve been feeling stressed, tired, or burned out lately, you may be experiencind HPA-D (hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction). This is heavily involved in the bodies stress response. Magnesium could be the missing piece to help you feel better. While we often think of magnesium as a mineral important for bone health or muscle function, it plays a crucial role in supporting your adrenal glands, which are responsible for producing the stress hormone cortisol. Let’s dive into the link between magnesium and adrenal function, and why ensuring you have enough magnesium in your diet can make all the difference.

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Lymphatic Drainage and HRV

HRV (heart rate variability) is a hot topic, and for good reason. It’s a measure of your autonomic nervous system which is highly tied to the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is where immune responses are launched. Lymphatic drainage can help improve heart rate variability (HRV) by reducing stress, enhancing circulation, and promoting parasympathetic nervous system activity. This can have a direct effect on swelling.

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Hormones and Bone Loss: How Parasympathetic Breathing Can Improve Bone Density

Bone is a living tissue that constantly undergoes remodeling, with old bone being broken down and new bone being built. This delicate balance is regulated by various hormones, and when imbalances occur, bone loss can accelerate, leading to conditions like osteopenia and osteoporosis.

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Dizziness and the Vestibular Ocular Reflex (VOR)

There are a lot of causes of dizziness. Dizziness is a vague word though, and can be used to describe a variety of symptoms. So when a patient tells me they are dizzy, I first clarify what type of dizziness because that gives me good insight to the problem at hand. There is the room-spinning dizziness that is most commonly associated with BPPV (the crystals in the ear). Then there is light-headed dizziness which may be a blood pressure issue, amongst other things. Then there is that feeling of being “off-kilter”, or a “wooziness”. This is the type of dizziness this blog will address. 

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Understanding GLP-1 Agonists: What They Are and How They Work

In the world of diabetes and obesity management, GLP-1 agonists have emerged as an innovative class of medications that help improve blood sugar control and, in some cases, assist with weight loss. But what exactly are GLP-1 agonists, and how do they work in the body? In this blog, we’ll explore the science behind GLP-1 agonists, their mechanism of action, and how they’re changing the landscape of treatment for conditions like Type 2 diabetes.

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The Surprising Link Between Grip Strength and Lower Blood Pressure

When we think about ways to lower blood pressure, we often imagine activities like jogging, cycling, or practicing yoga. However, there’s an underrated and often overlooked method that can help: training your grip strength. Building a stronger grip can actually contribute to lowering your blood pressure. Let’s dive into how this works and why incorporating grip strength exercises into your routine might be a game-changer for your cardiovascular health.

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Isocapnic Training for Asthma

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that affects millions of people worldwide, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, and coughing. While medications like bronchodilators and corticosteroids are the primary treatment options, new techniques are emerging that may help people better understand and manage their condition. One such method gaining attention is isocapnic hyperventilation, an approach that uses controlled breathing to improve lung function and reduce asthma symptoms.

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How Sleep Apnea Affects Your Blood

Sleep apnea is a largely overlooked problem, and I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to address it. It causes all kinds of nasty stuff like blood sugar dysregulation, weight gain, stroke, heart attack, etc. if left unchecked. The loss of oxygen that occurs at night can have an impact on your blood markers. This means that your routine bloodwork can potentially pick up on an undiagnosed sleep apnea problem.

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Understanding Reactive Hypoglycemia

Blood sugar can rise and fall for some individuals and can feel like a terrible roller coaster ride. Reactive hypoglycemia, also known as postprandial hypoglycemia, is when blood sugar drops after a meal. While it's not as widely known as diabetes, it can still significantly impact an individual’s daily life.

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How to Vacation Right (In My Opinion)

Do you feel like you need another vacation when you get back from vacation? I certainly have, and have learned from this. In my opinion, this is a sign you’re doing it wrong.

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What Does it Mean if You Have High Creatinine?

Creatinine is often associated with kidney function, and for good reason; it's a waste product filtered out by the kidneys. When creatinine levels rise, it typically signals that the kidneys might be struggling. However, high creatinine levels don't always indicate a serious health problem. In fact, there are several instances where elevated creatinine levels are perfectly normal or simply a reflection of factors unrelated to kidney disease.

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The Metaboreflex: The Body's Hidden Cardiovascular Response

When we exercise, our body undergoes a series of remarkable physiological changes to ensure that our muscles get the oxygen and nutrients they need to perform efficiently. One of the most fascinating and lesser-known processes behind this adaptation is the “metaboreflex”. The metaboreflex is an essential cardiovascular reflex that plays a crucial role in regulating blood flow and maintaining homeostasis during physical activity.

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What Happens if You Ignore Sleep Apnea?

If you wake up in the morning and you find your significant other sleeping in the next room, you probably have sleep apnea. Or, if like me, you think that your superpower is to be able to fall asleep instantly, you also likely have sleep apnea. That’s what is known as ‘sleep pressure’ and is a sign you are poorly rested.

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The Relationship Between Insulin and Cancer

Cancer is a complex and multifaceted disease, influenced by a wide array of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Among these, insulin, a hormone primarily known for regulating blood sugar levels, has emerged as a key player in cancer research. The relationship between insulin and cancer is multifactorial, involving metabolic pathways, cellular growth, and inflammation.

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An Overview of Autoimmune Disease

Autoimmune disorders were once thought to be uncommon, but they currently impact 3%–5% of the world's population, with autoimmune thyroid disease and type 1 diabetes mellitus being the most common. Some are organ-specific, such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and others that involve multiple organs, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It currently affects over 80 million people (1 in 5 people), which makes it more impactful than diabetes, heart disease, and cancer combined. This is the biggest threat to western culture. 

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Diaphragmatic Breathing and The Lymphatic System

The lymphatic system is a vital system of the body that is often overlooked. For some reason, in every textbook it is depicted as green. In actuality, it is clear or murky white from proteins and lipids. It looks a lot like the vascular system and that is no mistake. Its main function is filtration of blood plasma in the capillary beds. So where the vascular system goes, so does the lymphatic system. It returns 3 liters of fluid to the blood every day. In this process, cellular debris and waste is filtered out. The lymphatic system also has a role in immune response, releasing T-cells from the bone marrow to the thymus to neutralize pathogens.

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Muscle Cramps? It May be a Magnesium Deficiency

We’ve all been there; having a good night’s sleep and suddenly an extreme cramp in the calf. They can be excruciating and it’s hard to know what to do about them. While cramps can stem from various causes, one frequently overlooked factor is magnesium deficiency. Magnesium plays a crucial role in muscle function, and inadequate levels can lead to increased susceptibility to cramping. Here’s a closer look at the connection between magnesium deficiency and muscle cramps, along with practical steps to address and prevent them.

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What Really Causes Gout?

Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that typically attacks the big toe and ankle. Gout primarily occurs when there is an accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints, leading to inflammation and intense pain. Uric acid is a normal waste product that forms when the body breaks down purines, substances found in certain foods and also produced by the body. Normally, uric acid dissolves in the blood and passes through the kidneys into the urine. However, if too much uric acid is produced or if the kidneys do not eliminate enough of it, uric acid can build up, leading to gout.

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Running and Anemia

For many, running is not just a form of exercise but a way of life—a pursuit that brings physical fitness, mental clarity, and a sense of accomplishment. However, beneath the surface of this seemingly straightforward activity lies a lesser-known phenomenon: foot strike hemolysis. This condition, though relatively rare, sheds light on the intricate relationship between endurance sports and the human body's physiological responses. Let's delve into what foot strike hemolysis entails, its causes, and its implications for runners.

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