6 Tips for Healthy Summer Fun

Posted on June 8, 2015 by - News, Nutrition + Food

Summer is here, and at ELSI, our minds are on the things we can do to enjoy it to its fullest. This week, I’d like to share my prescription for healthy living.

These six, effective tips for energy and wellness are simple to incorporate and sustainable, no matter the weather. Adapted from Dr. Oz and sprinkled with my own protocols, these are scientifically validated ways to build a strong foundation for health and vitality.

1. Get physical!

Aerin-Miles-4316There’s no better time than now, with the longer summer days making so many of us feel like we want to get out and play. Recommendations:

Daily
∼ Take 10,000 steps a day (30 minutes of walking is about 3,000 steps)
∼ Stretch for five minutes a day to increase or maintain your flexibility

Weekly
∼ Do an activity that increases your heart rate for 60 minutes a week
∼ Engage in a strength building exercise for 30 minutes each week

 

2. Five foods to add to your diet (allergies and sensitivities permitting):

  • Tomatoes
  • Blueberry_close_upBroccoli
  • Blueberries
  • Artichokes
  • Beans

3. Avoid these five ingredients:

  • High fructose corn syrup
  • Sugar
  • Enriched flour
  • Trans-fat (partially hydrogenated oil)
  • Saturated animal fat

4. Fiber is fabulous. Aim for 25 grams a day.

5. Omega-3’s rule. Omega-3 fatty acids have been proven to help reduce inflammation throughout the body and more. Good sources include:

  • Flax seeds
  • Salmon
  • Walnuts
  • Scallops
  • Squash
  • Soy

6. Olive oil is “Youth in a Bottle,”says Dr. Oz, and I agree. Just one tablespoon a day is all you need to enjoy its benefits.

olive-oil-356102-640In addition to those six tips, there are special things to consider to make sure you stay healthy at every stage of life.

Throughout Adulthood:

Have an annual physical
Get an eye exam every two years
Go to the dentist every six months
Women should have an annual PAP and pelvic exam
Men should have an annual testicular exam

For Women over 35:

Have an annual mammogram
Do a breast self examination monthly 

Everyone from Age 50 up:

Have a colonoscopy every 5 – 10 years
Schedule a yearly skin exam
Have an echocardiogram and stress test as needed

From Age 60 up:

Make sure you have your hearing examined regularly
Have a bone density test
Get regular rectal exams

To keep at your healthy best, we always recommend a regular consultations with your doctor. Interested in scheduling an appointment for a consultation? You can contact our clinic at info@energylifesciences.com or 310-231-3500. To read what our patients say, visit our website’s Testimonials from Our Patients page.

To good summer health,
Dr. Miles Reid

5 Ways to Get the Most out of Exercise

Posted on May 18, 2015 by - Movement + Mindfulness, News

Whether we love it or hate it, we all know that exercise is important to our health and longevity. Given that, why not have some fun with it and maximize our exercise routine for faster results?

Physical activity helps both your body and mind stay strong, healthy and resilient. It helps you detoxify, oxygenate and think more clearly.  Studies show that regular exercise:

  • Reduces stress
  • Combats disease
  • Boosts brainpower
  • Improves memory
  • Controls weight
  • Increases energy
  • Releases endorphins
  • Improves mood
  • Promotes good sleep

The great news is that you don’t have to climb a mountain. There are simple things you can do to stay physically fit (which also helps you stay mentally fit), and you can start from wherever you are now on the fitness spectrum, at whatever your chronological age may be. The important thing is to get moving.

Maybe you already have an exercise routine that you enjoy. Great!

Girls_jog_along_Morro_Strand_State_BeachIf you don’t already exercise regularly, you can start today and you’ll instantly add to your energy bank account. Choose something that’s fun for you. If going to the gym is intimidating or boring for you, head outside. If the weather is uncomfortable, find an indoor activity that you’ll enjoy.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to a regular exercise routine, there are five things to keep in mind. For best results, you’ll want to incorporate the following elements into your routine to make sure that your body is getting everything it needs. Your weekly routine should include:

  1. Cardio activity two to three times a week. This can include energetic walking (vs. strolling), jogging, running, bicycling, dancing, tennis or other active sports, or other exercise that gets your heart pumping.
  2. Stretching and movement for flexibility two or three times a week. This can include basic stretches, yoga, etc. It can be simple.
  3. Core strengthening exercise and/or weight-bearing activity. Gyrotonic (we offer sessions at Tilo) and Pilates are great choices. The important thing is to strengthen and maintain the strength of the deep muscles in your abdomen—your power center.
  4. Energy redeployment. Gyrotonic is again a great choice., as are certain types of yoga; the idea here is that you want to reorganize your energy toward your center of vitality to nourish your internal organs.
  5. Set your intention clearly. Align with what you are doing so that your activity and intention match. It may sound odd, but it is very powerful, effective and enjoyable to have clear intention in what you do.

dt.common.streams.StreamServerThe greatest benefit from all this physical movement will come with a joyful mindset. Exercise can be fun! Have a good time with it. Try something new. Shake it up.

In good health,
Dr. Miles Reid

 

One Powerhouse Supplement for Glowing Health

Posted on May 9, 2015 by - Acupuncture + Herbs, Detox, Nutrition + Food

Called the “Mushroom of Immortality”, reishi is a powerhouse supplement with a variety of benefits. From its immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties to help with cancer and AIDS, it’s one of my favorite products. We incorporate reishi in our detoxification programs, and recommend it to help boost the immune system during flu season.

ChenhungshoGANODERMAReishi may be the most highly respected medicinal mushroom in Asia. In ancient times, it was reserved for Chinese royalty to extend life and improve health, and it is just as highly regarded today—but now you don’t have to be a royal to enjoy its benefits. Reishi mushroom has been used to treat:

  • Cancer
  • VIral infections
  • Inflammation
  • Hypertension
  • High cholesterol
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • HIV and AIDS
  • Fatigue

To find out if reishi mushroom supplements might benefit you, you’re welcome to schedule an in-person or Skype consultation. To contact our clinic for a session, email info@energylifesciences.com or phone 310-231-3500.

You may also be interested in reading what the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center says about the benefits of reishi in cancer treatment.

Wishing you vitality,
Dr. Miles Reid

4 Simple Steps: A Detox Recipe to Reenergize

Posted on May 4, 2015 by - Detox, Nutrition + Food

Are you looking for more energy? Maybe you’ve been thinking about a detox program? It seems that everyone is talking about detoxing these days, but the trick can be incorporating a program into your life without disrupting your daily routine.

The good news is that there are things that you can easily incorporate into your daily routine to help clear toxins from your body and boost your energy. One of the best ways to do this is through diet. So here we are with an ideal recipe for your springtime vitality: Alkalizing Green Puree.

IMG_6677aThis is a great recipe for bringing more energy to your body and mind, and works especially well if you reduce or eliminate your intake of processed foods, dairy, alcohol, caffeine and animal protein for a mini detox.

PENTAX ImageTo make the puree:

  1. Chop some green vegetables, preferably organic (zucchini, green beans, parsley, celery, spinach–note, the more zucchini you add, the creamier the broth will be).
  2. Put a pinch of sea salt and about two inches of water in a soup pot, then add the vegetables.
  3. Bring to a boil and then simmer, covered, for about 10 minutes, until vegetables are soft, but not overcooked.
  4. Puree the mixture in a blender with 1/2 tsp. olive oil.

celreyTry eating 8-32 oz per day for two days in a row, skipping a day, and repeating as you like to alkalize and energize your body. Be well!

 

 

 

 

7 Reasons to Try an Infrared Sauna Session

Posted on April 28, 2015 by - Acupuncture + Herbs, Detox, Nutrition + Food

What can boost circulation, ease muscle tension, promote weight loss and activate the release of toxins from your system? An infrared sauna session. What’s even better: You get to relax while the sauna does all the work!

DSC_0601Detoxification is a big theme for us right now—the spring season is a perfect time to detoxify and activate rejuvenation. There are so many tools to help us reenergize with a “spring cleaning” and each has its role to play. What we love about the infrared sauna is that it offers multiple benefits all wrapped up in the feeling of giving yourself a spa treatment.

In fact, an infrared sauna session is one of the most popular detox services at our clinic—either enjoyed on its own or in conjunction with other treatments such as acupuncture and massage.

An infrared sauna provides a deep and gently penetrating heat. It operates at a lower temperature than traditional saunas and so can feel more comfortable, and yet has even greater benefits. It emits a red spectrum wavelength that research shows to be safe and therapeutic (far infrared rays are even used in hospitals to warm newborn babies).

Benefits include:

  1. Detoxification
  2. Weight loss
  3. Improved circulation
  4. Reduced stress and improved sleep
  5. Joint and muscle pain relief and faster injury recovery
  6. Uplifted mood
  7. Stronger immune system

These are seven great reasons to give the infrared sauna a try.

Detoxification

Studies show that the sweat you release in an infrared sauna session contains less water and up to six times more fat, toxins and impurities than regular sweat.

Weight Loss

When you produce sweat, you expend energy. An infrared sauna session also activates your metabolic rate so that you burn calories at a higher rate for hours after your session. Of course, in any sauna, you’ll lose water weight, which is readily regained, but the calories that you burn can translate into real and sustainable weight loss.

Improved Circulation and Heart Health

The sauna naturally stimulates circulation, increasing blood flow to the surface of the skin to dissipate heat.  Your heart rate and metabolic rate increase while blood pressure drops. In fact, research has shown that a 15 – 30-minute infrared sauna session can result in dramatic reductions in blood pressure.

In a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, repeated infrared sauna sessions resulted in improved vascular and cardiac function, and reduced symptoms of  chronic heart failure (CHF) in patients diagnosed with CHF.

Reduced Stress and Improved Sleep

An infrared sauna session promotes relaxation and stimulates endorphins, effectively reducing stress and resulting in improved sleep for many who try it.

sauna1-520x258Joint and Muscle Pain Relief and Speedier Injury and Wound Recovery

The therapeutic heat from far infrared waves penetrates deeply into the tissues, helping to relieve joint and muscle pain. The increased blood flow also promotes wound healing and recovery from injury.

It’s also be shown to reduce pain from chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, chronic back pain, fibromyalgia and more.

Uplifted Mood

Far infrared rays are said to mimic the benefits of natural sunlight and chase the blues away. An infrared sauna session can uplift your mood and combat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), symptoms of which include depression, irritability and lethargy.

Stronger Immune System

The heat from the sauna creates what might be called an “artificial fever”–the body’s core temperature increases to the point beyond which certain microbes can tolerate. Blood circulation and the production of white blood cells increase to combat colds, flu and other infections.

All this, and it also improves the look and feel of your skin. The increased blood flow and collagen production from an infrared sauna session, combined with the flushing out of toxins can improve skin health and give you a glowing appearance.

Curious to give it a try? Call our Los Angeles clinic to schedule a session: 310-231-3500.

Dr. Miles Reid

Yum: A Green Smoothie that Tastes Great

Posted on April 20, 2015 by - Detox, Nutrition + Food

What? Yes, that’s what we’re saying. Our Green Detox Smoothie is not only really good for you, but it actually tastes…great.

Smoothies play a key role in our Detox Program diet plan, for those who do well with raw vegetables. For good reason: They are packed with nutrition, easy to digest, quick to make and satisfying. They are a natural energy booster and full of phytonutrients that help support your immune system.

We admit that not all smoothies are created equal. A green smoothie can taste, well, vegetable-y and kind of yucky. So we wanted to share with you our new favorite and tasty recipe.

ELSI’s Green Smoothie

Yields 1 serving

Ingredients

  • 2 cups organic baby spinach and/or kale (or other leafy greens), tightly packed
  • 1 -2 cups unsweetened coconut milk, almond milk and/or coconut water (depending on how thick you like it)
  • ½ small avocado
  • 1 apple or pear, cut into small chunks
  • 1 Tablespoon almond or coconut butter
  • Dash of cinnamon

Optional ingredients (these really boost the nutritional value): One serving of one or more of the following: PaleoMeal DF (vanilla), PaleoGreens, PaleoCleanse (you can purchase these products through my online store).

Directions

  1. Blend the leafy greens and coconut/almond milk or water until smooth.
  2. Add avocado and apple or pear and other ingredients and blend again until smooth.
  3. Pour into a glass and enjoy!

Tip: To make the smoothie even thicker, you can try adding a few ice cubes during step two. We sometimes also add fresh grated ginger and/or turmeric when blending to add zing.

We hope you like it, and wish you good energy!

Learn more about our Detox Program, which includes a complete booklet with instructions, tips and recipes for a successful 21-day detoxification.

Dr. Reid

The One Label That Can Tell You What You Need to Know

Posted on April 13, 2015 by - News, Nutrition + Food

It’s being fought tooth and nail, but the US Food and Drug Administration is considering adding one line to labels on packaged foods telling you how many teaspoons of sugar have been added to the product. It’s something you’d like to know, right?

So why are food manufacturers lobbying so hard against it? It looks like there might be a LOT more sugar in our foods than we realize.

The plan unveiled by First Lady Michelle Obama last year caused an immediate uproar among US manufacturers, and even spurred international complaint, with the Australian government warming that the new labeling could violate international trade agreements.

One of the loudest arguments against the labeling proposal is that the total amount of sugar in a product is already disclosed. That total includes the sugars that are found naturally in a product as well as those that have been added, and some argue that sugar is sugar, so why is more information needed?

Our nation’s obesity and diabetes epidemics point to a reason for more disclosure say scientists and health groups. The new label is an effort toward greater transparency.

More sugar can mean less nutritive value. “Sugar that the companies put in, whether it’s corn syrup, table sugar, maple syrup, is nutrition­ally void. Period,” said Marion ­Nestle, a professor of nutrition at New York University, in a Washington Post article on the proposed labeling.

“Consumers already have the information they need to make healthy dietary choices,” said the Dairy Institute of California in a written objection to the proposal.

The cranberry industry shouted some of the loudest complaints, joined by a chorus of those representing familiar names in the grocery aisles: The Campbell Soup Company, Kellogg Company, Dannon, Coca-Cola and the Roman Meal Company.

Proponents of the labeling are showing otherwise. As reported in the Los Angeles Times last month, “When the Environmental Working Group analyzed 80,000 food products, it found that 58% had extra sugar added. That included even most deli meats on supermarket shelves.”

The labeling would make it easier to determine the amount of added sugar consumers are getting. For example, the American Heart Association recommends that women consume no more than about 6 teaspoons of added sugars daily. But how many teaspoons are in that bottle of cranberry juice? The proposed labeling aims to address just that.

Learn more about the proposal on the FDA website.

The public comment period has closed, and we look forward to learning what the outcome is. We think the labeling would be a positive move toward a healthier nation.

 

How to Train Your Mind and Flourish

Posted on April 7, 2015 by - Detox, News, Nutrition + Food

3 Ways to Detox This Spring

Whether you’re conscious of it or not, your thoughts can either block or accelerate your energy. Get the tools to make way for more joy and abundance in your life.

It seems like everywhere we turn lately, someone is talking about a detox program—juice programs, retreats, and all variety of programs vying for our attention. We have one, too! But what makes ours different from the rest is not only that it is doctor-supervised, but also that it incorporates your thoughts to support you. Intentions are a key element of the program—intentions to carry you through and take you forward.

This is a detox program for body + mind + soul!

Your mind can be your greatest ally. The thoughts you have and the words you use can either boycott your best efforts or they can focus everything to enhance what you’re doing so that you can meet your goals (and beyond).

Intentions focus your mind to align with the dietary changes, exercises, breathing practices and supplements that are part of the program. They help create the channel so that everything you’re doing flows together unimpeded.

An extraordinary truth is that when you begin to work with intentions you train your mind in the service for greater energy. Even more than learning about the effects of your food choices, movements and supplements to activate detoxification and sustain your vitality, the skills you gain for training your mind can create dramatic positive change for you. You might find it surprising!

Are you ready to refresh, reenergize and empower your vitality? Jump on board for our group detoxification program, beginning on Saturday, April 11 at 8:30am with our next Nutrition + Health class.

We think you’ll find that it’s a program that isn’t like any other program out there, and that you’ll take away tools that will have lifelong value.

Living with Vitality 24/7

Posted on March 23, 2015 by - Detox, Nutrition + Food

What does it mean to have vitality 24/7? What does that look like? What picture comes to mind?

Everything we do at ELSI is aimed at feeling fully alive and expressing your greatest potential in life. The question is: What does this look like? Well, it’s different for every person, but at the center of it is a natural flow—a connection with natural rhythms and an alignment of self (body, mind and spirit).

Being 100% vital doesn’t mean that you run a marathon every day without tiring, or that you’re dynamically engaged with your work or family all of the time. What it does mean is that you can visualize or dream your path, and have the energy and clarity needed to accomplish your goals. It also means finding harmony with those around you and letting go of what doesn’t serve you.

Being vital means being strong in body and mind. Our bodies have a remarkable intelligence. They are finely tuned organisms designed to function, repair and regenerate at a level that is astounding. But things can come in and block our body’s ability to rejuvenate.

Toxins in our food, air and water can create blocks to our energy. Poor dietary and exercise habits can lead to stagnation. Resentful thoughts can harm our ability to move forward in lively way. This is why we created our Detox Program. This program has helped many people turn their health around and feel renewed energy in their lives. From this place of energy, you can be creative, meet challenges and grow and live in a truly vital way.

To make detoxification easier and fun (yes, fun!), we offer a group program each year. The group program really jumpstarts detoxification to catapult you to a place of greater flow, better health, and a renewed ability to rejuvenate. The group program begins with our next Nutrition + Health program on April 11. We invite you to learn more and join!

But why should you bother?

Toxins can interfere with nutrient absorption, circulation, hormonal regulation and even the expression of information stored in our DNA.

We encounter toxins daily. They enter our bodies via:

  • Air and water pollution
  • Household cleaning products
  • Cosmetics, other beauty products, soaps and shampoos
  • Pesticides in our food
  • Chemicals in the building products of our homes

Toxins are also created in our bodies through metabolic processes, and microorganisms can generate toxins to our systems, too.

Some common signs of toxic overload include:

  • Headaches
  • Nausea
  • Lethargy or fatigue
  • Muscle aches and joint stiffness
  • Yellowish tinge in the whites of the eyes
  • Dark circles under the eyes
  • Bad breath
  • Acne and rashes
  • Sinus congestion or infection
  • Poor concentration and memory
  • Tremors
  • Moodiness
  • Tendency toward negative thinking
  • Constipation

What can we do? We can make smart choices about what we eat, and the products we buy. We can also periodically cleanse our systems of accumulated toxins in a careful and specific way.

ginger isolated on white backgrouIn our Detox Program, we look at diet and exercise as well as emotions and thoughts. We integrate Traditional Chinese Medicine, functional medicine and shamanism for a uniquely broad and effective experience.

Our detoxification program is a comprehensive program that works in a natural way, giving your body the information and support it needs to release harmful toxins so that you can feel your best.

How does it work? Many of the toxic chemicals that enter our bodies are fat-soluble, meaning that they dissolve only in fatty solutions and not in water. This makes them difficult for the body to eliminate. These fat-soluble chemicals can accumulate in our fat tissues and cell membranes. In these fatty parts of the body, you may have toxins that have been stored for years.

The liver can convert fat-soluble chemicals into water-soluble chemicals so that they can be excreted from the body. It has two pathways for accomplishing this, known as Phase 1 and Phase 2 detoxification. The Detox program addresses both phases for an effective detoxification.

Certain foods, supplements and herbs, as well as physical and breathing exercises, can aid in liver detoxification. The idea:

  • Remove harmful substances from your diet and environment
  • Enjoy helpful foods and take supplements to support detoxification
  • Take action with helpful exercises and routines to support cleansing

Effective liver detoxification happens in two phases, widely known as Phase I and Phase II liver detoxification. Here’s a snapshot of what each phase incorporates.

To promote Phase I detoxification:

  • Favor organic foods
  • Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Enjoy herbs like rosemary and basil
  • Eliminate trans-fats and saturated fats from your diet
  • Avoid high fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners
  • Avoid processed foods

To promote Phase II detoxification:

  • Eat foods rich in B-complex vitamins (wild salmon, oats, eggs, avocado, kidney beans, almonds, spinach)
  • Enjoy whole grains, nuts and legumes
  • Try probiotics, milk thistle and alpha-lipoic acid
  • Eat lots of turmeric at this stage (curcumin enhances Phase II detoxification, but inhibits Phase I detoxification)
  • Choose fruits high in flavonoids, like organic red grapes and blueberries
  • Eat plenty of cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, cabbage, etc.)
  • Drink green tea
  • Avoid alcohol
  • Avoid Tylenol (an other drugs containing acetaminophen)

wpid-SF_912_Mary_Nativity_GrapesIn addition to this, it’s important to address emotions and their role in toxic overload.

Traditional Chinese Medicine provides extensive knowledge with respect to emotions and their connection to different organs and organ systems in the body. Specific acupuncture and acupressure points can be used to provide greater balance. Shamanism also offers insights that we incorporate into our program.

Now as the season is changing and spring is in bloom, we can do a spring cleaning with our bodies, too, and make way for greater flow and vitality.

 

When the Facts Aren’t the Facts: Depression, Drugs and Exercise

Posted on March 16, 2015 by - Movement + Mindfulness, Nutrition + Food

When it comes to facts, we don’t always get the real story. In fact, recent findings show that what we’ve been led to believe about antidepressants was cleverly skewed to favor drug companies. Surprising? For us, not so much.

Drugs, while they can be of great benefit and are sometimes necessary, are also extreme. Rarely do they work harmoniously with our organism—instead, they’re usually aimed at specific symptoms or intended for isolated results.

It was interesting and illuminating to discover this video about the real data on antidepressants. What’s the upshot? Antidepressants work primarily as placebos. Yes, that’s right. Placebos with a host of unwanted side effects.

Do Antidepressant Drugs Really Work? from NutritionFacts on Vimeo.

Reprograming-the-addictive-brainEven more, some side effects have only recently come to light with respect to age and antidepressants. The adolescent brain reacts very differently to antidepressants than the adult brain. In a Harvard School of Public Health study led by Dr. Matthew Miller, a careful review of over 162,000 pharmacy records revealed “that people under the age of 25 who received a higher initial dose of antidepressants were twice as likely to try to harm themselves, while that wasn’t true for people 25 and older.”

An increased suicide risk was also discovered in younger people taking an average dose. (See the NPR article Higher Doses of Antidepressants May Raise Teen Suicide Risk, also Dr. Frances Jensen’s book The Teenage Brain is a fascinating and excellent resource.)

So how can we affect depression positively, in a way that does us more good than harm? In a real way? Exercise!

Exercise has countless benefits—among them:

  • Elevated mood
  • Increased muscle tone
  • Decreased body fat
  • Better sleep
  • Increased energy
  • Heighted libido
  • Disease prevention (heart disease, stroke, diabetes and certain cancers)

The number of benefits trumps what any pill could offer, and even better: in most instances, moderate exercise complements any medicine, supplement or wellness plan.

1408574069790_wps_5_Teenage_girls_racing_in_tMotion is an integral part of our work at ELSI for a good reason. Daily activity brings increased vitality as natural result. This is why we offer daily movement classes (Mind + Body + Spirit). In these classes, we share what we do every day to be well and stay strong.

We also incorporate evidence-based into our Nutrition + Health classes, and it informs our work in general. It’s important to consider the whole being for true wellness.

Yours in whole health,
Dr. Miles