Defusing your Genetic Bombs

By Richard Labaki

“It runs in the family” is an expression I often hear from clients when the diagnostic phase uncovers a certain imbalance, such as elevated cholesterol, triglycerides or other biomarkers.  And this expression is normally conveyed with a sense of surrender to the genetic fate.  After all, there is no point in struggling against something over which they have no control – or so they believe!  Yes, we come to this life with a determined set of genes that define our physical looks, metabolic capacity, fitness levels, susceptibility to certain health conditions, and even our mental and psychological tendencies (the latter is debatable on the premise of nature vs. nurture theory.)  However, and while our looks and height are unchangeable genetic expressions, not all of the genes that we have inherited (whether the good or the bad) are bound to be expressed at one point in our lives. 

   by  Thomas Hawk 

So let’s assume that comprising your genetic makeup is a bad gene that predisposes you to a certain type of cancer.  This does not mean that you will be hit by this cancer at one point in your life.  Surely, you have a greater tendency to develop this disease than someone who does not have the specific gene for it.  Yet, what is becoming apparent today, as our understanding of genetics deepens, is that a bad gene could be switched on or remain switched off based on a series of elements – many of which we can certainly control! 

An example I have personally witnessed is a dear friend who developed a tumor in the thyroid gland a couple of years back.  Her twin sister did not suffer the same ordeal.  And we all know that identical twins share similar genetic makeup, so surely this tells us something highly intriguing about gene expression.  If bad genes were ticking bombs that are set to “explode” at a predetermined time then twins should likely suffer the same disease and at around the same phase in their lives.  However, now we know that the issue is far more complex than previously believed.

Pinpoint and prevent  

The elements that play a crucial role in gene expression include one’s diet, lifestyle (daily habits such as activity and inactivity levels), stress, exposure to environmental pollution and others.  So in essence, how you lead your life and where you live determines whether the bad genes that you have inherited will be expressed in the form of a disease or not.  Consequently, learning about your genetic background goes a long way in helping you implement a customized health plan that reduces the likelihood of developing diseases to which you are genetically susceptible.  Few labs around the world currently provide genetic analysis to determine issues concerning disease disposition and other health-related matters.  

My work with Dermapro Clinics, Detox & Wellness Center got me in contact with a genetic testing lab in Europe with which the center collaborates.  By providing a saliva sample, the lab is able to determine your genetic profile in sub-panels (specific aspects like physical fitness, weight control, skin health, etc.) This way, a person could select matters that are most significant to him or her.  The tests provided by the lab not only pinpoint genetic weaknesses/predispositions but also provides specific preventative recommendations in terms of nutrition and lifestyle.  And this helps tremendously in optimizing your genetic expression in order to improve overall well-being.  Such genetic tests are undoubtedly the next step in the realm of preventive medicine – helping holistic therapists and functional medicine doctors in customizing health plans that consider each person’s unique set of challenges.  

If you found this article interesting, please "share" and "like". And feel free to leave your comments/questions below - I would love to hear your opinion and answer your questions. 

Women in the Mood

By Richard Labaki

Women often complain about men being utterly consumed by sex to the point of losing their mind.  And while there is truth to this matter, women tend to forget or overlook the fact that they are also sexual creatures (actually highly advanced sexual beings compared to men!)  After all, they are the ones blessed with an organ that serves no other purpose but pure sexual pleasure (the clitoris).  This tiny but mighty organ has around 8,000 sensory nerve endings interacting with over 15,000 other nerve endings in the pelvis - as opposed to the 4,000 found in the penis (as claimed by certain scientists.)  So if we put things into perspective, women are obviously designed to experience heightened sexual pleasures at a level we men could never feel or even comprehend!  Unfortunately, social and religious norms have been playing a suppressing role when it comes to female sexual expression and urges.  This could partly explain why most women are uncomfortable with their sexuality – consequently, resenting men for being more expressive and open in this regard.  I am not a sociologist or psychologist to present an academic view on the topic.  But I simply wish to share my perspective on the physiological elements pertaining to female sexuality in light of the recent release of the “Pink Viagra” – Flibanserin (Addyi) – for women.    

   by  *jocam* 

Those who know me too well are aware of my hatred of pharmaceutical drugs in general (of course there are exceptions, especially when it comes to the emergency room where certain meds could mean the difference between life and death.)  So by default, a drug designed for female sexuality could only instigate my ridicule and sarcasm.  Such drugs, even if they do work for some people and under certain circumstances, could only come with a mélange of side effects, especially if used for a prolonged period.  Simply put, all of our physiological functions could be balanced through our lifestyle habits, food intake and supplement use.  But if things are in disarray like when we come under severe stress, these functions – including libido – will be adversely affected.  Too much of the stress hormone cortisol could spell disaster for both men and women in terms of overall health and sexual desire/performance.  So in effect, you don’t boost libido/sexual performance by taking some drug manufactured by Big Pharma.  You work on reducing your stress levels in a proactive manner, and this in turn will reflect positively on your sex drive and performance.  Activities like yoga, meditation, tai chi, massage and others have all been shown to be effective in counteracting the ill effects of stress.  And there are of course adaptogenic herbs that help tremendously in this regard.

Another important aspect regarding the female libido is testosterone levels.  If you have been minutely awake during biology class at school then you should know that this is the male hormone.  Well, in reality women have testosterone too but not in high levels compared to men.  However, this hormone is very critical when it comes to female health and sexual satisfaction.  In other words, if a woman suffers from low levels of this hormone then she will surely suffer sexually.  But how to remedy this problem?  Luckily, certain nutrients and herbal extracts have been shown to regulate female hormones and boosting testosterone levels naturally.  Good testosterone levels in women have been linked to improved energy, mood and motivation, in addition to increased bone strength and body-fat burn. 

Reclaiming the feminine mojo

As mentioned earlier, there are safe and natural ways to boost testosterone production in the female body – thanks to various herbs, vitamins and minerals.  Here are some of my favorite ones given their effectiveness and relative safety.

Chasteberry (Vitex): This herb is probably one of the best hormonal balancer for women – with an impressive record.  Vitex has been shown to regulate estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. 

Tribulus Terrestris: I love this one.  I have used it for athletic purposes, since it naturally improves testosterone production.  However, it has also been shown to increase testosterone in women in a gentle way – leading to improved sex drive.

Tongkat Ali:  This herb from Southeast Asia (used mainly in Malaysia) increases libido and stimulates the production of testosterone.

Horny Goat Weed: This one increases testosterone and improves blood circulation (blood flowing into the right places also leads to improved sexual desire/performance.)

Zinc: An important mineral for overall health, zinc has been shown to increase testosterone levels.

All the aforementioned herbs and nutrients have been proven by science to be effective in increasing testosterone levels naturally.  Nevertheless, you always need to consult with a therapist/professional before using them (some individuals might have certain health conditions that prohibit them from using these supplements.)

Women are entitled to enjoy an active and gratifying sexual life as much as men do.  And this should not be reliant upon a so-called “miracle pill” or “wonder drug”!  Stress, hormonal imbalance and other health conditions that negatively affect libido/sexual performance could be and should be solved through natural and sustainable means. 

If you found this article interesting, please "share" and "like". And feel free to leave your comments/questions below - would love to hear your opinion and answer your questions. 

i “Google” Therefore i Know

By Richard Labaki

The American president Abraham Lincoln practiced as a lawyer before going into politics.  And during one notable trial, he finished his summing up to the jury by saying, “My learned opponent [the prosecutor] has given you all the facts but has drawn the wrong conclusions.”  Upon losing the case, the prosecutor asked Lincoln how he was able to turn the jury around.  “Well, during the recess I wandered into a café, sat with the jury and told them a story,” Lincoln answered.  “It was about a farmer who was mending a fence, when his ten-year-old son came running shouting, ‘Dad, sister is up in the hay loft with a man and he is pulling down his pants and she is pulling up her skirt and I think they are going to pee all over the hay.”  According to Lincoln, the farmer said to his son, “You got all the facts straight, but you have drawn the wrong conclusion.”  

   by  Leo Hidalgo (@yompyz) 

I remember this amusing story every time someone comes to me for help after he or she had exhausted time and energy researching and trying out random methods to improve their health.  In many instances, a lot of harm had been done in the process (following the wrong dietary routes, taking the wrong kinds of supplements or dosages, etc.)  I mean let’s face it: The internet has opened the floodgates of information.  Any topic and not just health could be delved into just by typing in the right words on Google.  Nevertheless, this has also made people more susceptible to falling victims to misinformation or disinformation.  After all, not everything you learn through the internet is properly scrutinized by experts and substantiated by trustworthy studies.  There are those who try to manipulate information in order to serve their own ends (for example, turning people into consumers.)  And there are those who simply share their presumed success stories or personal opinions thinking that what worked for them could work for everyone else (some even go as far as presenting themselves to be health gurus despite the lack of credentials.)  But even if you do acquire all the right health facts through the internet that does not mean you will be able to draw the right conclusions. 

Facts are simply pieces of information, which need to be organized into a body of knowledge.  And knowledge could be of value only in the right hands (an expert who has spent years studying, practicing and testing.)  Therefore, it is preposterous to assume that through acquiring facts alone one would be able to handle something as important and sensitive as health-related issues!  So what does this mean?  Am I recommending that people stop trying to educate themselves about wellbeing and stop seeking natural means that facilitate healing?  Surely not!  All I am saying is that people need to be vigilant in scrutinizing the information they come across through any medium and not just the internet.  Moreover, it will always be a wise policy to seek professionals, who are able to 1) differentiate between what is true and what is false, and 2) have the required experience to steer you in the right direction.  The role of a good therapist is not to turn you into a lifelong client in order to make money out of you.  His or her role is to help you make the shift to a healthier and more vibrant life until you are able to continue down that road on your own. 

If you found this article interesting, please "share" and "like". And feel free to leave your comments/questions below - would love to hear your opinion and answer your questions.