Our cells literally run on nutrients. In integrative medicine, there’s a saying that food can be medicine or it can be poison.
Most nutrients that we need for basic metabolic functions are found in whole foods.
Food provides minerals and vitamins that are essential for every cell and organ function in the body. Without them, our bodies would shut down and we would die.
On the other hand, food that is processed and contaminated with chemicals can be damaging and contribute to aging and disease.
At OWM Integrative Wellness we look at ways to eliminate the bad and add in the good aspects of food. We focus on supplementation with key nutrients that would be difficult to replenish quickly with food alone.
Here are some of the ways we use nutrition to improve health and promote anti-aging:
We base our nutritional recommendations based on individual laboratory findings and their goals.
Only the highest quality nutritional supplement products are utilized.
More and more the food that we eat is grown on the soil that is devoid of minerals and is therefore nutritionally depleted. Vitamin supplements for the treatment of illness and maintenance of optimal health are now more critical than ever. Unfortunately, the supplement industry is not regulated and many supplements sold at local pharmacies and big-box stores are sourced from less than trustworthy sources. Previous investigations have revealed supplements polluted with arsenic, lead, and mercury. The concentration of the ingredients is also frequently lower than stated on the label. At OWM we only use the highest quality companies whose products are third-party tested for purity and concentration. Most of them will only sell to doctor’s offices. These supplements are prescribed just like medicine, tailored to the client's condition with directions on how much to take and when.
Infusions have an advantage over oral supplements due to their 100% delivery to the cell. At OWM we can deliver minerals, vitamins, and amino acids directly to the cells in under an hour. The mixtures are tailored to the individual's needs both in content and in concentrations of the ingredients. This allows for quick and effective healing and repair that can then be maintained by oral supplementation. This separates us from a typical "IV bar," where IV solutions are purchased pre-made and are sold in a one-size-fits-all manner.
More and more studies show that gluten-containing foods are difficult to digest for all, not just folks with Celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. Gluten proteins damage the gut lining and stimulate an immune response that can lead to increased inflammation in the entire body, settling in the joints and the nervous system. Avoidance of gluten can therefore lead to lower overall stress and allow for better function. Pesticides and herbicides are found in our meat and grains. These chemicals destroy good bacteria in the gut and impair many critical functions in the body. Staying away from GMO foods and buying organic will go a long way to spare the body from these harmful chemicals. WWW.EWG.org publishes a list of contaminated foods they call the dirty dozen and foods that are less polluted that they call the clean fifteen.
Leaky gut or increased intestinal permeability appears to be at the center of many inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Healing the gut is accomplished by adding prebiotic foods and supplementation with medical foods, probiotics, and anti-inflammatory herbs.
As our cells are exposed to the products of daily physical and emotional stress, they are flooded with chemicals that challenge the key components of the cell that include reparative, regenerating nuclear functions as well as mitochondrial energy-producing functions. Repeated exposure to this stress ultimately leads to the death of the cells and impairment of mitochondrial regeneration. This process is believed to be at the heart of most diseases and aging. Whole foods, as well as adaptogenic herbs, enzymes, and fatty acids, are prescribed to boost the resilience of the cells to stress-based chemicals.
This system is engaged in our “Fight or Flight” response to stress that is meant to be ramped up only in life-or-death situations. Unfortunately, in today’s fast-paced world, this axis is stimulated constantly. Eventually, this leads to exhaustion of the chemicals and hormones produced by this system, causing everything from impaired sleep to fatigue and illness. Prudent supplementation with herbs, minerals, and vitamins provides key building blocks that the HPA axis uses to make these vital hormones is done to allow for their optimal function and recovery.
Stress, illness, poor nutrition, inflammation, and chemical toxins impair this process. Certain whole foods, medical foods, and herbal and botanical supplements can be used for improvement and increased efficiency of processing glucose and lowering cholesterol.