Attention: Parents, Grandparents and Childcare Providers:
As of Spring, 2008, there has been an interesting development in the case of the government looking into a possible link between autism and childhood immunizations.
Apparently the government found a link with autism and childhood immunizations in an infant daughter with a mitochondrial disorder of a John Hopkins neurologist. What are the implications of this information for those of us with infants and children? This is a discussion we all need to be having with our pediatricians and health care providers. To those of you for whom I am your childrens’ primary care physician, please schedule an appointment to discuss this information.

1. Regular age and sex-dependent labs, mammograms, coronary and carotid artery calcium screenings, dexascans, indicated ultrasounds, paps, breast and prostate exams, and x-rays are recommended. The focus of my practice is prevention and anti-ageing. Body chemistry DOES NOT LIE! We might not listen to what our body is telling us, but the most objective evaluation of what is going on inside of us is our chemistry. However, the interpretation of these labs is very significant. This is where all of you, my patients, get my expertise in the area of disease, and disease prevention and anti-ageing.

2. Supplements. No, they are not all created equal. We carry a few very specific, premier quality, highly effective clinically, non-contaminated supplements. These supplements are biochemically active, which means they cause physiological changes in the body. This is the purpose of taking a supplement. If a supplement is prescribed, the desired effect should be manifested. Not everyone needs to have this clinically desired effect. This is why all supplements should be individually dosed and prescribed. In some cases, there may be interactions between supplements and medications. These reactions may in fact be dangerous to one’s health. As a patient of this clinic you will have the expertise of my training and clinical experience in the prescribing and dosing of all natural medicines, which includes supplements, hormones, drugs and herbs.

3. Regular exercise. There isn’t an exercise that is the best for every body. My rule is “GET UP AND MOVE”. For some this is walking, others dancing, biking, hiking, skiing, running, and/or yoga. There are so many benefits of exercise; thousands of books have been written on the subject. Another recommendation is “CHANGE IT UP”. For the first time in my life, I am trying Pilates. I love it. It is very different than anything I have done. Here’s the thing….doing the same thing over and over again can get boring. Also, to keep motivated, exercise with a friend, or co-worker, or partner. Be held accountable.

4. Sleep. For years I was always envious of people who said they could get along on 4 or 5 hours of sleep per night. They seemed to be so productive. Even as a college student, I recall sleeping a lot, especially on winter breaks. Looking back, I am so glad I listened to my body (and my mom) and took the time to sleep. Research has shown study after study quality and quantity sleep is extremely important in disease prevention and overall health and wellness. If you are not getting a minimum 7-8 hours of quality sleep, come in and see me. There may be a metabolic or other reason for your inability to get those quality and oh so important ZZZZZZ’s.

5. Food. There is a saying “Let food be thy medicine and medicine thy food.” This has been proven again and again clinically. Buy organic, unprocessed foods. Start with quality organic, hormone-free protein, organic whole grains, fruit and vegetables. If finances play a role, cut back the alcohol, snacks, and sweets. Please do not compromise your health with buying inexpensive fast food. For those of you who need help in this area, call my office and make an appointment.

6. Prescription drugs. For many this area is very difficult to personally evaluate. If you would like to have me evaluate your prescription drugs with respect to cost and/or other options, please call for an appointment. In some cases, generic drugs are OK. In some, not. The rule is not to discontinue prescribed drugs without the prescribing physician’s permission. These include bio-identical hormones, testosterone, thyroid and blood pressure medications.

7. Meditation, quiet time, prayer. It is very important for all of us to de-stress by doing nothing. I know, I can already hear many of you say, “The day isn’t long enough to even get my to-do list done, let alone schedule some quiet time.” Folks, it is because we are human BEINGS not human DOINGS that we need to learn to JUST BE!!!!! It is in these moments when we consciously connect our mind, body and spirit. Start with one minute per day and just breathe. Yes, time it if you have to. Trust me; you will yearn for more time with yourself. Work up to five minutes/day.

8. Make time for family and friends. Eliminate if you have to obligatory automatic and joyless activities if it takes away from you being and doing things with those you love and hold most dear. Within this last year a number of clinic patients have been diagnosed with some form of cancer. The prognosis varies, however, a few have a very short time to live. I learn many things in being with these patients. Mostly, to live each day prioritizing the people who matter and are important, and of living a daily life of no regrets. Ask yourself, if you knew when you were going to die, what would you be doing now, today, this week, this month, this year. Re-evaluate the path you are on, and make any changes you feel are mandatory in your living a healthy rewarding life.

9. Give back. It seems there is no end to the opportunity to give back. Volunteer, donate, and/or give money. There are truly blessings in helping those who need help.

The focus of this newsletter is anti-aging. This subject has become quite a buzz word in the health community. In my opinion, anti-aging is so much more than Botox injections and accomplished cosmetic procedures designed to make us look more youthful from the outside. I believe that there are a number of factors that are successful in protecting, preventing and restoring vitality, mental acuity and physical integrity within our bodies. With this thought in mind, “we age from the inside out”, here are the following ideas:

• STOP SMOKING: Just do it!
• WEAR SUNBLOCK:
• DRINK WATER:
• PAY ATTENTION TO NUTRITION

NUTRITION:

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine thy food.” “You are what you eat”. Over time, the lack in quality of nutrition appears throughout the body, from the skin on the outside to the internal chemistry. I am not simply referring to eating well, which to most Americans means a lot. I am referring to eating organic vegetables, fruits, whole grains and quality proteins. It still amazes me when people say that they do not like vegetables and therefore do not eat vegetables. Get over it! There are so many healthy recipes to make even the least palatable vegetable taste good.

Also, it is not the amount of food that makes for a quality nutritious meal. Studies have actually shown that people who eat fewer calories are thinner and live longer. Three goals: Eat organic, eat local, and eat in moderation!!

• BUSY ACTIVE MIND:
• FEELING NEEDED, and/or CONTRIBUTING to SOMETHING:
• MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS:
• EXERCISE

EXERCISE

Gyms are failing all over the country. Is this due to the recession? Perhaps in some cases. Many patients have home exercise equipment and do not use them. Why is this? Study after study shows us how important physical activity is to our health both in the moment, and over the long run. I think people are confused with the term living an active lifestyle vs. exercise program.

Some people will always choose a personal trainer, and or a focused exercise regime available at gyms or with a personal trainer for personal reasons some of which may be convenience and time. However, there are no substitutes for a day out on the trail cross country skiing, hiking, mountain biking, alpine skiing, swimming, bike riding, dancing, yoga, horseback riding, cleaning stables etc. Make things fun. Go with friends. Take your kids, and/or grandkids. Our bodies are designed to move. To avoid boredom, change it up as the seasons change. JUST DO IT! It does not take a lot of exercise. In fact some studies show that too much exercise increases our oxidation rate, which increases the amount of free radicals in our body that actually encourages/enhances aging. If you are concerned you may be exercising too much, come in and see me. We will evaluate this on an individual basis.

SLEEP:

The quality and quantity of sleep matters. Did you know that one of our most important hormones is primarily released while we sleep? This hormone is responsible for growth (mostly during childhood), cellular repair and anti-aging. The big buzz currently is HGH injections, or sublingual preparations for anti-aging. If you have questions on this please come in and see me. We will evaluate this on an individual basis.

METABOLIC BALANCE
The blood and urine do not lie. Hormones and chemistry matter. What tests we order and how we interpret the results in the presence of an extensive history and appropriate physical exam matters. In some cases, this may be the difference between life and death. Practicing anti-aging medicine is really what I have always called preventative medicine. My personal goal has always been to stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible. Also, do what I know and to continue to learn more about how to be preventative. Just because we are aging, does not mean we have to accept the most prevalent increase and incident of chronic disease in our own lives. Our science is amazing. We now can check to see if we have any evidence of plaque in our arteries, and inflammation (stroke and heart attack risk, chronic inflammatory disease) sugar and insulin levels (diabetes). We can test for all kinds of genetic markers and evaluate our risk factors of specific kinds of diseases. In this office I evaluate with you which tests are appropriate for you. The rate and the way in which we age is, after all, very individual. It is influenced by our genetics, yes, but our lifestyle and the choices we consciously make day to day absolutely affect our outcome.

So, at the beginning of this newsletter, I invited you to look at our daily routines. Are there things we should, can and are willing and able to change as we get older day to day? Let us pay attention. In some cases, time has not been so kind. Let us not take our health for granted.

I would like to close with a patient’s own story. A 76-yr old man came in for his annual checkup. We run annual blood and urine. (He sees a male physician as part of his health care team as well.) As we reviewed his labs and his case again, all appeared normal. I told him that everything appeared fine on his labs, and I wasn’t sure what I could do for him. He said, “I just want to make sure I am doing the right things. I want to stay healthy.” I told him, sir, keep doing what you are doing, because everything appears fine. Then I asked him what he thought it was that kept him happy and healthy. He said, “I take the supplements you prescribe, and try to exercise as regularly as I can with stretching, jogging, walking and golf. I am still working, where I feel needed, and keep my mind active. I have a wonderful wife and family. And I give back to the community which has been good to me.”

May this story inspire all of us, to be and become the best we can be. To all my patients, I continue to look forward to serving you. Thank you for your continued support through your referral of friends and family.

Sincerely
Dr. Brust

Prevention of getting the flu should be our focus and here is a review of some basic prevention measurements we should take as the flu season approaches:

1. Wash hands often.
2. Cover mouths when sneezing, and or coughing. Consider face masks.
3. Do not attend work if you are unwell. Please get examined if you have questions about your illness. And, if in positions of authority, send unwell workers home and/or to the doctor’s office.
4. Take the immune supporting medications to hasten your recovery and minimize symptoms prescribed by a physician. Do not self diagnose and treat.
5. At a minimum, take a daily multi-vitamin/mineral (and all other supplements prescribed from this office).
6. Exercise regularly. (Wash hands often at the gym!) The old saying “if it is above your neck, it is okay to exercise.” Not necessarily.
7. Stay hydrated with water. The winter months are dryer.
8. Eat a diet high in fruits and veggies, fiber, whole grains, nuts and seeds, and quality proteins.
9. Take prescription medications as prescribed.

For those of you spending time in and out of airports, here are some additional recommendations:

1. Take 2 droppers full (60 drops) of the BIOSTIM tincture 3 times on the day before, the day of, and the day after your flights, both on arrival and the return portion of your trip. If you have symptoms, take the tincture up to 4 times/day for up to 10 days. (BIOSTIM is available here at the office.)
2. Travel with a TAMIFLU rx and/or Fluease tincture (available here at the office).
3. Also wash/clean hands frequently. Carry hand wipes.
4. Ask to be relocated if someone sitting close to you is coughing and/or has obvious signs of illness.
Finally, if you or someone you know has the flu, encourage them to be under the supervision of a physician. We have available natural medications that may make the person much more comfortable by minimizing their discomfort and maximizing healing and recovery.