6 Powerful, natural supplements for healthier living!

What did people use before the creation of modern medicine? Ancient Egyptian priest-doctors used moldy bread as antibiotic thousands of years before Fleming discovered penicillin. They also made sure that their laborers were fed a diet rich in radish, garlic and onion, which modern researchers have found to be extremely rich in Raphanin, Allicin and Allistatin-- also forms of natural antibiotics that would help prevent outbreaks of disease in crowded places such as work camps. Advancements such as these, not only in the Ancient Egyptian civilization, but also in the Greek, and Roman empires have been the building blocks for the amazing progressions in medicine we see today.

Lately it seems as if we are reverting back to our ancestral roots by beginning to look into natural means of healing. Western medicine is starting to shift towards the use of herbal remedies as alternatives to synthetic drugs. Most pharmaceuticals have a historical base in natural medicine where many are initially derived from herbal extracts. Therefore when deciding what to take when it comes to a person’s overall health; most people choose supplements over prescription drugs.

The definition of the word “supplement” is something added to complete a thing, make up for a deficiency, and to extend or strengthen the whole. Here is a list of many popular supplements (including those available at avecinia wellness center in Fresno, CA including a brief description that may give you a better understanding of the many benefits these tiny capsules provide.

• Evening Primrose Oil is used for conditions affecting women’s health, such as breast pain associated with the menstrual cycle, menopausal symptoms, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) as well as maintaining and promoting healthy skin. Learn more about the benefits of Evening Primrose Oil. During March, Evening Primrose Oil is on sale at avecinia for just $16.85 for 1300 MG 90.

• Probiotic 225 has 225 billion CFU’s (concentrations of healthy bacteria), one of the highest concentration of is a potent bio-therapeutic agent ideally suited for the most challenging gastrointestinal tract cases. Effective in treating diarrhea, bloating, improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and more. Learn more about the benefits of Probiotic and Lactobacillus. During March, Probiotic 225 is on sale at avecinia for just $40.47 per 15.

• Orthomega is fish oil that supports a healthy heart, skin, joints, eyes and immune system. These capsules also help to elevate mood and concentration in children. Orthomega is a powerful supplement that can significantly reduce your cholesterol, triglycerides and lowers blood pressure. This powerful concentration of EHA (420 mg) and DHA (300 mg) means you only have to take 1 tablet a day instead of 2-4. Less fishy burps, easier to maintain and cheaper in the long run. Learn more about the benefits of fish oil and Omega 3.  During March, Orthomega is on sale at avecinia for $18.12/60 ct or $31.09/120 ct.

• CoQ-10 contributes to energy production and good health by supplementing the energy requirements of the body. These capsules have the ability to increase cellular energy production and greatly benefits cardiovascular health. CoQ10 has been shown to help prevent heart failure, particularly after a recent heart attack. Learn more about the benefits of CoQ10. During March, CoQ10 is on sale at avecinia for $31.99/60 ct.

• Diaxinol contains Biotin and Chromium and Gymnema. Biotin aids with the break down of fats and carbohydrates and with glycolysis in the liver and pancreas. Chromium helps facilitate the uptake of glucose into cells and Gymnema decreases the absorption of sugar from the intestine. This potent combination can significantly reduce blood sugar levels, especially when taken with other diabetes medication. During March, Diaxinol is on sale at avecinia for $30.33/60 ct or $58.20 for 120 ct.

• Chondro-Flx contains the protective agent Glucosamine Sulfate which is a building block of both cartilage and joint fluids and Chondroitin Sulfate. Oral doses are shown to bolster the function of cartilage acting as a natural shock absorber for the joint. This is an effective formulation for Osteoarthritis. Glucosamine has not shown to affect the blood sugar levels of type 2 diabetics but blood sugar should be monitored closely. During March, Chondro-Flx is on sale at avecinia for $31.00/90 ct or $54.03 / 180 ct.

As always, it is recommended that you discuss with your primary care provider if the use of supplements would be a positive step in the right direction towards healthier well-being.


Our March blog (part 1 and part 2) were written by Dania Abdul-Resoul, an intern at avecinia wellness center.  Dania is a pre-physical therapy student at Cal State Fresno.


For daily updates on news, information and more on health care and wellness, join avecinia wellness center's facebook page and follow avecinia on twitter . avecinia wellness center is Fresno's premier integrative medicine and wellness center. We combine internal medicine and primary care with health management, weight management, acupuncture, aesthetics (Botox, Juvederm, Radiesse, Obagi and more) and massage therapy for a holistic approach to health. We use a robust electronic health record program and patient web portal to enhance our delivery of services and to help our patients reach their optimal well-being. To learn more, visit www.avecinia.com. If you are looking for a primary care doctor in Fresno or the Central Valley and would like to become a part of the avecinia family, visit our website and click on new patient registration. Let Dr. Unaiza Hayat and/or Ali Kunkel, MPA, PA-C, become your trusted guides. Our Aesthetic, Weight Management, Acupuncture, Health Management and Massage Therapy services do not require us to be your primary care physician. Learn more at www.avecinia.com.We look forward to meeting you!

Your Heart and You- Celebrating the Heart in American Heart Month

Ahh February a time for couples to bask in their love for each other and a time for singles to bask in their love for chocolate. However, no matter your current relationship status, February is also American Heart Month. No need for roses or a box of sweets for this holiday, just the simple act of staying heart healthy and acknowledging the importance and well-being of this organ is more than enough. So before we start talking about treatments and prevention, let's take a little time to get to know what the heart actually does.

Every day your heart beats approximately 100,000 times, sending 2,000 gallons of blood surging through your body. Although it's no bigger than your fist, your heart has the mighty job of keeping blood flowing through the 60,000 miles of blood vessels that feed your organs and tissues. However, even when put into this perspective, the allure of fried foods and choosing to stay at home on a rainy day instead of going to the gym is far too strong for most of us to handle. So instead of completely uprooting your life style, read the whole blog for some simple and easy tips to ensure that your heart continues to do what it does best.

When it comes to your diet there are a number of specific foods that will benefit your heart over others. When looking at meat, Salmon and Tuna are always healthy alternatives packed with plenty of Omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 aids in reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke while helping to reduce symptoms of hypertension, depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Brown rice is loaded with B- Complex vitamins which improves mood, gives you healthier skin and helps with immune and nervous system function. Brown rice is also an excellent substitute for white rice and bread. Of course all vegetables are healthy for you, but there are some in particular that will give your heart that extra boost. Vegetables such as: carrots, spinach, broccoli, sweet potato, acorn squash, red bell peppers and asparagus all provide many antioxidants and vitamins that help reduce blood pressure and strengthen the heart as a muscle. Similar to vegetabels, fruits also have the same nutritional value when it comes to staying heart healthy. Blueberries, pomegranate, kiwi and red grapefruit all provide a wide range of natural blood thinners, isoflavones, and help reduce the LDL (bad cholestrol) levels and raise the HDL (good cholestrol). Red wine containing polyphenols which help protect against cell damage, tea and soy milk are great when choosing beverages. Dark chocolate that is 70% or higher in cocoa provides you with something to sweeten your taste buds and keep you healthy!  Dark chocolate contains a large number of antioxidants (nearly 8 times the number found in strawberries). Flavonoids  help relax blood pressure through the production of nitric oxide, and balance certain hormones in the body.

Making small changes in your eating habits is the first step to becoming heart healthy. Utilize the tips we have provided and pace yourself so the body has time to adjust. Stay tuned for part 2 of this blog after February 14th where we will discuss the different types of excercises that will strenghten your heart without putting a strain on your body.

Our February blog was written by Dania Abdul-Resoul, an intern at avecinia wellness center.  Dania is a pre-physical therapy student at Cal State Fresno.


For daily updates on news, information and more on health care and wellness, join avecinia wellness center's facebook page and follow avecinia on twitter . avecinia wellness center is Fresno's premier integrative medicine and wellness center. We combine internal medicine and primary care with health management, weight management, acupuncture, aesthetics (Botox, Juvederm, Radiesse, Obagi and more) and massage therapy for a holistic approach to health. We use a robust electronic health record program and patient web portal to enhance our delivery of services and to help our patients reach their optimal well-being. To learn more, visit www.avecinia.com. If you are looking for a primary care doctor in Fresno or the Central Valley and would like to become a part of the avecinia family, visit our website and click on new patient registration. Let Dr. Unaiza Hayat and/or Ali Kunkel, MPA, PA-C, become your trusted guides. Our Aesthetic, Weight Management, Acupuncture, Health Management and Massage Therapy services do not require us to be your primary care physician. Learn more at www.avecinia.com We look forward to meeting you!

Dad, He-Man, Superman. Whatever you call him, he's special!

Father's day is June 19^th, celebrate your father's good health with him!

Men's health in their 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's and beyond!

Father's day is June 19^th! But fathers and other important men in our lives should be honored every day. A good way to honor them is to make sure they honor and value their health. The more they value their health, the more father's days we all get to celebrate. Unfortunately, many men don't value their health enough. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, only 50% of men 45 years and younger had a physical exam in the past two years. Men are also 30% more likely than women to be hospitalized for preventable conditions such as diabetes. Here are some important men's health issues and reminders for each age group!

20-30's

The 20's and 30's are the best time for a man to develop the right habits, such as:

• Getting regular exercise (at least 30 minutes a day, 3-4 days a week);
  
• Eating well by learning portion control, how to read nutrition labels, and eating your veggies;
  
• Giving up bad habits or not even picking them up-smoking is the number 1 cause of preventable death (lung cancer) and alcohol induced accidents are the leading cause of death in young men (alcohol also lowers male hormones, killing your sex life!); and
  
• Saying "Hi" to your doctor! Get to know your doctor now so as you age your doctor can help you keep track of your health.
  

40's-50's

Most men reach their 40's having achieved their career goals, started young families and are looking forward to another 40- to 50 years of quality life. It's not too late to start good habits

• Definitely start with exercise. The American Academy of Family Physician's Men's Health study showed that nearly 40% of men between the age of 45 and 54 don't exercise at all. However, they do watch at least 20 hours of TV a week! You can still incorporate 30 minutes of physical activity 3 to 4 times a day and have 18 hours of TV left;
  
• Have you tried Salmon with Tomato and Dill rice? No? Maybe you've had an olive or two? If not, you're missing out on an easy way to incorporate a Mediterranean diet into your routine! Mediterranean diets are rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, fish and other lean protein which lower your risk of heart disease, diabetes, depression, Alzheimer's and even prostate cancer. And go ahead and drink that extra cup of coffee- studies show that men who drink 6-8 cups of coffee (caffeinated or decaf) a day are less likely to develop prostate cancer then men who don't drink any; and
  
• Now that you've become friend with your doctor, don't hold back. The more they know about you, the more they can help you age gracefully! A few important things to consider: Get a physical/preventive exam every 1-5 years; Learn about prostate cancer and ask your doctor if it's time to start getting regular exams; talk to your doctor about skin cancer. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, skin cancer is the most common cancer among men over the age of 50! Make sure you wear a UVA/UVB broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 15. Apply it 2-3 times day, especially when you're out on the golf course or are spending a day outside. Try Colorescience Protect Aftershave moisturizer with SPF 20 or Obagi's Award Winning NuDerm SPF50 sunscreen. Both are 33% off and available at avecinia wellness center during our Big June Sale!
  

60's and beyond!

65 is the new 50 and 85 is the new 65. If you've been living a healthy life since your 20's and 30's, this is certainly true. Even if you haven't, there's still hope for you. But you are going to have to work for it.

• Treating chronic disease conditions such as diabetes or hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) is imperative;
  
• If you have Medicare, take advantage of several free, preventive services now offered. Start with your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit. This is a great opportunity for you to discuss your current health, your health concerns for the next 5 years and more;
  
• If you are retired, this is the perfect time to take up new hobbies. Staying physically and mentally active keeps your body and mind healthy and happy. A good exercise routine can help you double your hand grip strength in 3 months. Hand grip strength is a good indicator of long term survival; and
  
• Staying fit can also help you have an active sex life. 15-25% of men over 65 years of age experience erectile dysfunction (ED). ED can be caused by alcohol use, smoking, certain medications, anxiety, depression, obesity, diabetes and heart disease. It's also an early warning sign of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
  

With the proper attention to your health and well-being, you can live into your 100's and your loved ones can celebrate more fathers' days with you. Think of all the gifts you can get!

Happy Father's Day!



For daily updates on news, information and more on health care and wellness, join avecinia wellness center's facebook page (facebook.com/avecinia) and follow avecinia on twitter (twitter.com/avecinia4health). avecinia wellness center is Fresno's premier integrative medicine and wellness center. We combine internal medicine and primary care with health management, weight management, acupuncture, aesthetics (Botox, Juvederm, Radiesse, Obagi and more) and massage therapy for a holistic approach to health. We use a robust electronic health record program and patient web portal to enhance our delivery of services and to help our patients reach their optimal well-being. To learn more, visit www.avecinia.com. If you are looking for a primary care doctor in Fresno or the Central Valley and would like to become a part of the avecinia family, visit our website and click on new patient registration. Let Dr. Unaiza Hayat and/or Ali Kunkel, MPA, PA-C, become your trusted guides. Our Aesthetic, Weight Management, Acupuncture, Health Management and Massage Therapy services do not require us to be your primary care physician. Learn more at www.avecinia.com We look forward to meeting you!

Medicare's Annual Wellness Visit

Healthcare Reform was a hot topic in 2010 and continues to be as we start the new year!  There are many benefits introduced by the reform and one very important one that is set to start January 1^st, 2011 is Medicare’s new Annual Wellness Visit!  You may be asking yourself, “What is an Annual Wellness Visit?”   and  “Is it worth it for me to come in when I’m not sick?”- the answer to the second question is easy- YES!  If you want to know what an Annual Wellness Visit is, read on!

The Annual Wellness Visit  is Medicare’s answer to providing a preventive (or well check) visit with a few extras that research has found helps you live healthier, happier lives. AND IT’S ALL FREE for Medicare patients (if you have a Medicare Advantage plan, verify with your insurance provider that they too will cover your co-pay and deductible for Medicare’s Annual Wellness Visit)!  Prior to enacting this new law and benefit, Medicare did not cover the physical portion of a preventive visit and only covered certain screening tests.  More importantly, it did not give physicians and their patients a chance to sit down and talk about their general health, well-being and what the future may hold.  Now, by scheduling and attending your Annual Wellness Visit when you are not sick, you can get the following along with a wellness visit:

1. Measurement of individual height, weight, Body Mass Index (“BMI”) , blood pressure (“BP”), and other routine measurements as deemed appropriate, based on the beneficiary’s medical/family history;
• Measuring your BMI, blood pressure and other vitals gives us a quick picture of your current health.  We can tell if you are at risk for diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other health concerns just by a few simple, but vital, pieces of information.
2. Establishment of individual’s medical, family and social history;
• Knowing your most up to date family, medical and social history helps us determine if there are genetic or other reasons your risks may be greater than the average person.
3. A list of prescription medication;
• By reviewing your current list of medications, we can make sure you are not being prescribed too many medications or medications that have negative interactions with each other.  Our Athenahealth Electronic Health Record program will in most cases have a current list of medications if you have been getting them from a pharmacy and using your insurance.
4.  Establishment of a list of current providers and suppliers that are regularly involved in providing care to the individual;
• Knowing who else you are seeing and for what health issues allows us to better coordinate your care and get in touch with the right physician if we need to.
5. Detection of any cognitive impairment that individual may have (review of risk of depression, mood disorders, Alzheimer’s, etc.);
• A simple questionnaire helps us determine if there might be potential  mental health issues we should plan for while we can. 
6. Review of individual’s functional ability and level of safety;
• This will help us make sure that you are not in any danger of hurting yourself.
7. Establishment of a list of risk factors and conditions for which more intervention is recommended or is under way;
• Knowing and understanding the health risks you may be facing can save you the trouble of unnecessary visits to the hospital or even worse when it is too late.
8.  Personalized health advice and possible referral/follow-up for other covered preventive services such as weight-loss consultation, smoking cessation, diabetes management consultation; cholesterol management consultation, high blood pressure consultation, fall prevention and/or nutrition.
• Medicare realizes the importance of prevention and along with providing for a free Annual Wellness Visit, is also offering free services designed to help prevent, manage and reduce the most common health concerns for patients your age.
9. Establishment of a written screening schedule/checklist for the next 5-10 years as recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force;
• Knowing when to get proper screening is just as important as knowing what types of screening you may need.
10. (Not a part of the Annual Visit as of 1/3/2011 but it is a discussion we recommend you have with your primary care physician during your Annual Wellness Visit)Voluntary advanced care planning if desired (verbal or written information regarding the patients wishes in case an injury or illness  causes the patient to be unable to make health care decisions at that point)
• This is an important but often over-looked aspect of your health and well-being.  Knowing what you would like done, or not done, when it comes to important health decisions is good for your family, your provider and you.  Why wait until you can’t make that decision to have someone else make it for you?

Each year after your initial Annual Wellness Visit, your provider should follow up with you with another wellness visit where your list of medications, providers, risk factors are updated and your current health and well-being are re-evaluated.   If you can make your follow up wellness visit right after your Annual for the same day 12 months later, you won’t have to remember about making it later.  

What does this all mean for you/Why you should make an appointment for your Annual Wellness Visit?

A stitch in time saves nine.  This time honored adage has never been truer when it comes to your health and well-being.  Preventive medicine, that is medicine and services that help you from being sick or help you manage your current conditions so they don’t get worse, is the most important thing you can do to save your life, save your money, help your family,  and even help the overall health care system and the American economy.   For example, if during your Annual Wellness Visit, it is determined that you have or are at risk for Diabetes and then you take advantage of the free Diabetes Management services, you are more likely to control or not even get Diabetes.  Controlling or not even getting Diabetes can save you hundreds of dollars a month just in prescriptions.  We have had patients save over $500 a month by getting their Diabetes under control. If you don’t control your Diabetes and end up in the hospital because you need to be put on dialysis, your bill can be in the thousands.  That can be money in your pocket and money the hospital and government can save. 

Other benefits of getting your annual wellness visit and the yearly follow up are:

·         It’s an opportunity for you and your health care provider to discuss your health during a time when you are not in for a sick visit and therefore are not worried about  a how you’re feeling at the moment;

·         Planning out what visits you might need, based on your health condition and risk factors, in the beginning of the year can help you make sure you have the time to take care of the things you need to take care of;

·         It’s an opportunity have an open and honest discussion with family members (after your visit, you should meet with family members to discuss what you and your health care provider discussed during our annual visit such as your current health, risks, additional screenings that might be necessary, and what you would want done in case of an emergency);

·         IT’S FREE!

So make your appointment today!  You can call our office at 559-450-7299 to make an appointment or make an appointment request through the patient portal (go to www.avecinia.com, then click on “My Account” to access your patient portal).  When making an appointment, make sure you ask that it is for your Annual Wellness Visit (as long as you have not had your Welcome to Medicare Visit in the past 12 months or you are not new to Medicare within the past 12 months).  Your appointment will be for approximately 25-30 minutes (including time to fill out some questionnaires).  Although we have a list of your current medications, providers, family, personal and social history in our Electronic Health Record program, bring a list so we can confirm the information is accurate.  During your visit, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire that will become part of your Personalized Prevention Plane.  If you would like to fill this questionnaire out with the help of someone prior to the visit, just ask us and we can mail, email or fax it to you or you can download a copy from the Patient Portal under “Medical Forms” (the forms will be called Medicare Annual Wellness Visit Forms). 

 

We are excited that Medicare is offering this incredible, valuable opportunity for you without any cost to you! We highly recommend you make your Annual Wellness Visit appointment as soon as possible, or if your family member or loved one is with Medicare, have them make an appointment as soon as possible (or make it for them if you are their care taker).  See you soon!

For daily updates on news, information and more on health care and wellness, join avecinia wellness center's facebook page (facebook.com/avecinia) and follow avecinia on twitter (twitter.com/avecinia4health). avecinia wellness center is Fresno's premier integrative medicine and wellness center. We combine internal medicine and primary care with health management, weight management, acupuncture, aesthetics (Botox, Juvederm, Radiesse, Obagi and more) and massage therapy for a holistic approach to health. We use a robust electronic health record program and patient web portal to enhance our delivery of services and to help our patients reach their optimal well-being. To learn more, visit www.avecinia.com. If you are looking for a primary care doctor in Fresno or the Central Valley and would like to become a part of the avecinia family, visit our website and click on new patient registration. Let Dr. Unaiza Hayat and/or Ali Kunkel, MPA, PA-C, become your trusted guides. Our Aesthetic, Weight Management, Acupuncture, Health Management and Massage Therapy services do not require us to be your primary care physician. Learn more at www.avecinia.com We look forward to meeting you!