Health Tips

Wellness Exam at Balanced Physician Care – Part 3


Staying Healthy On A Budget

Helping prevent disease and illness doesn’t have to cost a fortune – or even a penny, in some cases. With the price of private healthcare skyrocketing each year, practicing simple, preventive health measures can be a cost-effective way to help reduce your risk, alleviate or even avoid common ailments.

Consider the following techniques.

  1. Wash your hands frequently. Most of our contact with germs is with our hands, and scrubbing them with soap and water can ward off colds, flu, and other infectious illnesses. Make it a point to wash your hands throughout the day – antibacterial soaps aren’t necessary, just use regular soap and water.
  2. Avoid touching your face. Germs carried on your fingers and hands are easily transmitted to the body through your mouth, nose and even eyes. Be conscious of when you touch your face.
  3. Make time for rest. Not getting enough rest can have negative effects on your immune system, energy levels and mental alertness. Create a sleep and rest schedule and try to stick to it.
  4. Learn to manage your stress. Unhealthy stress can lead to a host of health issues, from an increased risk of heart disease to an impaired immune system. Cost-effective measures to manage stress include keeping a journal (it can help you to release pent-up feelings that can be a burden both mentally and physically); taking a “news fast” – avoiding the news on TV, the internet, papers and magazines; and practicing the many relaxation techniques – watch these videos The 4-7-8 Breath and Breath Counting.
  5. Eat fiber-rich foods. Fruits, vegetableswhole grain breads and fiber-rich cereals help keep your body running smoothly. Simply choose foods higher in fiber over heavily processed products with less nutritional value.
  6. Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants help counter oxidative stress, boost your immune system and decrease your risk of illness. The best source of antioxidant vitamins and minerals is a wholesome, varied diet – concentrate on eating plenty of fresh (preferably organic) fruits, vegetables and nuts. After dinner, try fruit and nuts instead of a traditional, calorie- and fat-laden dessert.
  7. Take a daily antioxidant supplement. A daily antioxidant supplement can help fill in any gaps in a healthy diet. Look for a quality product that contains a full spectrum of antioxidants and essential nutrients.
  8. Wear sunscreen. Using a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher – along with a wide-brimmed hat and UV-protective sunglasses – can help prevent skin cancer and skin damage. Simply switch to a lotion with sunscreen in it.
  9. Take a walk every dayRegular exerciseespecially when done outdoors, can invigorate the body and mind, help keep off extra pounds, lessen the risk of disease and illness, inspire creativity and boost your mood. The only cost of a daily walk is a time commitment – aim for 45 minutes.
  10. Challenge your mind. As a member of this site, you have access to free crossword puzzles – take advantage of them, or pick up a local, free paper with word puzzles in it. Research shows that the old adage “use it or lose it” applies to your mental power as much as to the rest of your body.
  11. Try alternative therapies. For many illnesses, receiving traditional therapies such as acupuncture and massage can be enjoyable and practical alternatives to taking medications, and they can be far less costly. Talk to your physician about wellness therapies, and look for schools in your area – many offer discounted rates when a student performs the service.
  12. Get social. People who stay active in their community and make it a point to spend time with friends tend to experience fewer health issues. Create a list of people who make you happy, laugh, inspired or alive, and spend more time with them. In addition, look into free activities or classes offered in your area that. appeal to you and where you can interact or make new friends.
  13. Look for discounts. Being on a budget means every dollar counts. Take advantage of senior discounts, food and medication coupons, and senior-oriented events. Not only is it cost effective, but the thrill of a new discovery can be inspiring!

Iodine Nasal Recipe

Disclaimer

This at-home treatment protocol is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment in regards to any patient. Individual patients should always rely on the judgment of their physician or another qualified health provider. Always seek their advice with any questions you may have regarding your health or medical condition.

New Year, New You Detox

Core Restore® is a comprehensive 7- day diet, lifestyle and nutrient program designed to reduce toxic burden and support Phase I and II liver detoxification function

The Core Restore® kit provides three active formulas – CORE Support, Alpha Base®, and PhytoCore – which function synergistically to support Phase I and Phase II pathways of liver detoxification to help neutralize environmental pollutants, hormone disruptors, unhealthy estrogen metabolites, xenoestrogens (synthetic compounds that imitate estrogen), and other harmful toxins. This powerful trio of specialized formulas provides essential micronutrients, phytonutrients, and a source of easily digested, low-allergen protein that purifies the liver and fuel optimal biotransformation.

The Core Restore® kit is an easy-to-follow, 7-day program, complete with an in-depth Patient Handbook, designed to reduce the incoming burden of toxins and help restore optimal health.

  • Revitalizes Liver Health and Supports Natural Detoxification Mechanisms
  • Focuses on Both Phases of Liver Detoxification
  • Provides Micronutrients, Phytonutrients, and Cofactors that Support Detoxification of Xenobiotics and Xenoestrogens
  • Supports Healthy Estrogen Metabolism
  • Increases Antioxidant Protection and Glutathione Production
  • Promotes Gastrointestinal Health

Suggested Use:

CORE Support: Mix 2 scoops of CORE Support with 8-10 ounces of water or to the desired thickness, 2 times daily or as recommended by your health care professional. 

PhytoCore: 2-3 capsules two times per day or as recommended by your health care professional.

Alpha Base®: 4 capsules per day as part of the Core Restore® program, or as recommended by your health care professional.

 

7 Day Detox Kit Non Member

$99.00

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Detox Premium

We add Z-Binder to the Core Restore Detox.

Z-Binder is a broad-spectrum binding formula containing natural ingredients from the purest sources to support enhanced clearance of heavy metals, unwanted organisms and organic compounds from the GI tract.

Binders have been used for centuries as a remedy for toxin exposure. For many practitioners today, binders play an important role in many detoxification protocols and have avital role in protecting the gut lining. While dietary fiber is a cornerstone in daily detoxification, selective binders like Z-Binder are more targeted and are used to bind and remove specific toxins from the GI tract for a thorough detoxification protocol. Z-Binder supports elimination to reduce hepatic reabsorption and help relieve toxic load. Also, for individuals with highly reactive immune systems, Z-Binder works to limit the effects of die-off reactions and sweep toxins away from the gut lining before they can cause a severe reaction or immune response. 

Suggested Use:

2 capsules

 

7 Day Detox Premium - Non Member

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At Home with Dr Andrew Weil

If you’ve ever wanted to spend part of your afternoon with Dr. Weil, now you have the chance. On March 21, 2022, Dr. Weil opened his home to viewers around the world, who joined him — remotely — for a live self-care event. The opportunity was part of IMmersive, an ongoing series of free 30-minute healing sessions led by experts in integrative medicine and made available by the University of Arizona’s Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine.

The session began with Dr. Weil welcoming viewers into his home and introducing his two Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Juno and Kengo. After explaining the importance of proper breathing for good health, he led everyone through one of his most recommended breathing exercises, The Relaxing Breath, also known as the 4-7-8 Breath. To experience the full benefits of The Relaxing Breath, he suggests practicing it at least twice a day.

Next up: a visit to Dr. Weil’s kitchen, where he prepared one of his favorite dishes, sauteed kale. Made with lacinto (black) kale, this quick, simple and healthy side can easily transform into a hearty main dish when mixed with pasta or grains. If viewers were wondering where Dr. Weil gets many of the vegetables he cooks, they soon received an answer, as he brought them along for a tour of his garden. Some of the plants on display included chard, baby Bok choy, radishes, carrots, beets, a Japanese variety of spinach, various herbs — and the lacinato kale he had just prepared.

The relaxed event concluded with Dr. Weil answering questions from viewers. His companion animals also made another appearance in the garden, where Juno enjoyed a few bites of kale.

8 Simple Ways To Reduce Stress

Where does stress come from? Look in the mirror. Experts say stress is entirely self-imposed—you are the one letting stress get in the way of getting more done. The good news is that if you are creating the stress, you can also control it. You can let stress drive your actions and throw your day off. Or once stress appears, you can address it. You can spend the day getting things done—instead of stressing over how much there is to do.

Here’s how to get stress under control.

Wrap up yesterday. Avoid worrying today over something you left uncompleted yesterday. Get it done now and move on to today’s tasks.

Prioritize. Avoid spiraling over everything on your to-do list—prioritize. Items that most impact personal relationships and finances take priority. Attend to these things before you spend time on less urgent ones. This is also a good time to identify matters beyond your control and remove them from the list

Set realistic deadlines. Avoid tight deadlines. If someone else is setting the deadline, negotiate one that gives you the time you need. The stress of an unrealistic deadline makes it hard to deliver a quality result.

Take breaks. If you find yourself getting worked up about getting something done, stop doing it. Take a five- or ten-minute break to calm down, rest, get fresh air, meditate, pray, or just close your eyes and think of something that makes you happy. You will return to the task with less stress, and the mindset to function more efficiently.

Reduce your daily decisions. Plan out your week, deciding what must be done and when. Schedule regular activities as recurring items in your calendar. Get organized, keeping things you need for certain activities, like workouts, in one place so you skip the task of gathering them each time. The fewer decisions you have to make, the less stressful your life will become.

Get help if you need it. If you have any doubts about your ability to complete a task alone, make the call to ask for help as soon as possible, before you start having difficulties. Another person boosts your productivity and trims your stress (“a worry shared is cut in half”).

Turn off the voices in your head. When things get busy, you might start asking yourself, “What’s happening here? Can I handle it? What if I can’t?” This immediately creates stress. To get out of this predicament, focus on someone else. Consider what they need, what they may be fearing, and how you can help. This quiets your internal voice.

Keep an eye on the big picture. It’s common to stress over things that are less critical than we think. Do what you need to, but before stressing out over it, consider its significance in the big picture. Unless a situation puts you in physical danger, it’s probably not worth getting upset about.

 

Monoclonal Antibody Therapy vs Covid Vaccine

Monoclonal antibody therapeutics and vaccines are two of the most effective ways to combat SARS-CoV-2 and subsequent COVID-19 disease. Although there are some similarities between these two methods, there are stark differences we should know.

What is an antibody and how does monoclonal antibody therapy work?

Similar to antibodies which are proteins that the body naturally produces to defend itself against disease, Monoclonal Antibodies are artificially created in the lab, tailor-made to fight the disease they treat. Casirivimab and Imdevimab are monoclonal antibodies that are specifically directed against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, designed to block the virus’ attachment and entry into human cells. Two distinct antibodies bind non-competitively to the COVID-19 virus cell surface and prevent the virus from infecting healthy cells.  Using two antibodies protects against the emergence of resistance. Monoclonal antibody therapy is used to treat infections that have already occurred.

How does a vaccine work?

A vaccine, on the other hand, is what we refer to as "active immunity." A vaccine may be a fragment of a virus, an inactivated virus, or a live virus that is no longer infectious. When we inject this into an individual, the immune system responds as if the person were infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, the person will not become ill, and the assault will provide the inoculated person with what is known as "immune memory." Since the body has already learnt how to adapt to the virus, immune memory protects it from infection in the future, helping the body to clear SARS-CoV-2 before it can do any damage. This protective immunity may last for months, years or even a lifetime in certain cases. Vaccines are completely safe and will help people who are otherwise healthy avoid contracting COVID-19 in the future. Vaccines, however, use this to treat a patient who is already ill.

So, what's the difference between the two? Why do we need both?

  • Monoclonal antibody therapies give the body antibodies to protect itself, resulting in passive immunity. Vaccines give active immunity by assisting the body in producing its own antibodies.
  • Monoclonal antibody therapy treats those who are already infected with the COVID-19 virus. The vaccine trains the immune system to fight against the COVID-19 virus.
  • Monoclonal antibody therapy starts working as soon as it is administered. The vaccine offers protection 1-2 weeks after the second dose is given

FDA approved Emergency Use Authorization or EUA for the REGENERON monoclonal antibody treatment. With the FDA's expanded authorization, Regeneron’s antibody cocktail can be given as an injection. The first dose needs to be administered within 96 hours of exposure.

Paging Doctor Google

You may think Doctor Google is great.  You maybe in a pinch. No one is available to answer your medical question.  You just can’t wait until Monday at 9am to call the office. If you could wait, you know you’ll be put on hold and won’t get a call back for hours - if you’re lucky.  You know if you do get a call back, it will likely not be from YOUR doctor. So, why not just Google it?
You may think Dr Google is great when you’re in a pinch and need a quick answer.  But, despite what many people think, Dr Google isn't as good as a real doctor.  You’re twice as likely to get the real diagnosis when you talk to your doctor versus when you Google.  That means, many times Google searches will bring up all kinda crazy answers that are definitely wrong. These things might be scary (creating more anxiety instead of calming your fears), inaccurate (causing you to start a treatment that is incorrect and may have side effects that you don’t need), or miss the real cause (leading you to falsely believe you are fine, when you have something more serious happening). 

All that being said, we get why patients don’t see the doctor.  In this world of quick technology and easy answers, it’s tempting to go the Google route.  But, what if you COULD have a doctor who is available to answer your question. What if she WAS available before Monday at 9am?  What if he COULD call you back instead of one of his colleagues? What if it DIDN’T TAKE HOURS to hear back? Would you still Google?

While the answer for some of you may still be a vote for Dr. Google, we’re certain many others would prefer the expertise of a Board Certified Physician!  To each, his/her own - BUT if you’d rather have the opinion of YOUR doctor right at the tip of your fingers, give Balanced Physician Care a try and find out why patients love the 24/7/365 access and connection to their Primary Care Doctor!

Balanced Physician Care is a Direct Primary Care practice located in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida and serving all of Jacksonville's First Coast. Our physician-owner is Sharyl Truty MD. Visit BalancedPhysicianCare.com/membership for more information on how to become a member.

MD Detox 2021

MD Detox Event

Watch the recording of the 2/1/2021 MD Detox Event

New Year, New You MD Detox

Smart Strategies to Avoid Spreading Germs

Whether you’re trying to avoid the common cold, the flu, or the new coronavirus, there are some simple things you can do to help prevent yourself and those around you from getting sick.

  1. Wash your hands! And make sure you’re washing them the correct way. Use soap and water, and scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds.
  2. If soap and water aren’t available, use some hand sanitizer.
  3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  4. Stay away from sick people. (This seems obvious, but is still worth mentioning.) This also means that when you are sick, you should stay away from others as much as you can.
  5. Clean your home, workspace, and electronics regularly. There are a lot of germs that can live on surfaces, so disinfect those phones and computers!
  6. When you’re healthy, you are less likely to get sick. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating lots of fruits and veggies, and exercising regularly.

If your symptoms don't improve or you experience an unusually high fever or have trouble breathing, give us a call to book an appointment or see a doctor near you.

 

Optimize your health, simplify your life,

Sharyl Truty MD

Landing Page_patient

Dr. Sharyl Truty MD is a Direct Primary Care & Integrative Medicine physician. Her practice, Balanced Physician Care is located in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.  Her innovative approach puts you in charge of your health, free from onerous insurance and health systems’ mandates and protocols. Her practice provides more time per appointment, a doctor who listens and respects your time, knowledge and instincts; and a doctor that puts prevention and lifestyle changes before pills. For more information about Dr. Truty and her unique approach to healthcare call 904-930-4774 or visit www.BalancedPhysicianCare.com

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