Super Woman Wellness by Dr. Taz

Fats satiate, help you absorb certain vitamins, prevent inflammation, and can even help you burn bad fat and decrease unhealthy cholesterol in your body.Over her many years in practice, Keri Glassman, MS, RD, CDN, has learned the importance of fat and the role it plays in health and wellness.  It's been a long journey, especially after the health industry -- and thus the food industry -- jumped on the low-fat craze based on an interpretation of research on cholesterol.  Fats satiate, help you absorb certain vitamins, prevent inflammation, and can even help you burn bad fat and decrease unhealthy cholesterol in your body.  The key is to choose the right fats and the best quality fats.  Aim for a little bit of fat at every meal to make up approximately 30% of your daily calories. Because you feel more satisfied when eating fats, your total caloric load may decrease.  Keri joins Dr. Taz to discuss the new attitude on fats, which foods you should be incorporating into your daily diet, and her thoughts on the buzzed-about ketogenic diet. 

The approach to brain health oftentimes is very scientific, but Jay Lombard, MD, believes it needs to go deeper.Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to regenerate. This is particularly important for individuals who have experienced a brain injury. While those injuries can be devastating, the brain can create new synapses and wiring to compensate and recover. The approach to brain health oftentimes is very scientific, but Jay Lombard, MD, believes it needs to go deeper. The first thing he tells patients of brain injury is to hold hope. Many sufferers feel hopeless and that the effects of injury are irreversible. It's important to overcome skepticism and doubt and allow for a future of promise and healing.  Can this positivity truly have an impact? Thoughts are incredibly powerful. Think of your brain pathways being affected by a traffic jam. You're familiar with the area enough to find alternative routes in order to avoid the jam. This concept is being implemented clinically in the practice of neurorplasticity, where doctors and scientists are seeing both behavioral and chemical changes.  It's also essential for victims of brain injury have the full support of loved ones. There is almost always a structural basis for psychiatric symptoms. Based on an individual's unique injury, treatment options are available; from pharmaceutical methods to diet and lifestyle modifications.  Dr. Lombard also discusses the concept of connecting with a higher power as included in his new book, The Mind of God: Neuroscience, Faith, and a Search for the Soul.

Lifestyle choices do in fact contribute to dementia, Alzheimer's and other brain-related diseases.According to acclaimed physician and researcher, Dr. David Perlmutter, one of the most compelling ideas that has evolved over the past decade is that Alzheimer's is by and large preventable.  Unfortunately, the current model for addressing Alzheimer's is reactive, not proactive. As Dr. Perlmutter says, it's a "diagnose and adios" situation. Dr. Perlmutter has spent the past many years looking at various bio-markers related to Alzheimer's risk. What he found to be most problematic is lack of exercise, elevated blood sugar, and obesity. The lesson is that lifestyle choices do in fact contribute to dementia, Alzheimer's and other brain-related diseases. Research has shown that diabetes increases your risk for Alzheimer's by up to four times. The problem is, the common person doesn't get this information. Instead, the solution often comes in the form of a pharmaceutical advertisement.  The risk factors that are most modifiable are: Keep blood sugar at an even keel, even within the womb. Exercise, exercise, exercise. Aerobic exercise has a profound impact on brain health (as much as 50% reduced risk for dementia). Dr. Perlmutter also has done extensive research on how the brain and microbiome are connected, particularly in terms of childhood conditions such as ADHD, autism, celiac disease, type-2 diabetes, and health concerns that appear later in life. Listen as Dr. Perlmutter joins Dr. Taz to share viable ways you can change your brain to prevent a number of diseases. 

Becoming a whole, healthy person involves many factors... many more than the food you put in your body.Becoming a whole, healthy person involves many factors... many more than the food you put in your body. You have to learn to love and accept yourself before you can be truly healthy. Nathalie Bortos, the "Bov Vivant Girl" and author of If You Are What You Eat, Should I Eat a Skinny Girl? says the Bon-Vivant Girl (or boy) philosophy is all about living life to the fullest potential. Nathalie joins Dr. Taz to share insights from her book, including how you can mend your relationship with food and lose weight without losing your appetite for life.

Among the most prevalent forms of chronic illness in this country, autoimmune disease affects nearly 23.5 million Americans.Among the most prevalent forms of chronic illness in this country, autoimmune disease affects nearly 23.5 million Americans. Are you constantly exhausted? Do you frequently feel sick? Are you hot when others are cold, or cold when everyone else is warm? Do you have trouble thinking clearly, aka “brain fog”? Do you often feel irritable? Are you experiencing hair loss, dry skin, or unexplained weight fluctuation? Do your joints ache or swell but you don’t know why? Do you have an overall sense of not feeling your best, but it has been going on so long it’s actually normal to you? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may have an autoimmune disease. This epidemic -- a result of the toxins in our diet; exposure to chemicals, heavy metals, and antibiotics; and unprecedented stress levels -- has caused millions to suffer from autoimmune conditions such as Graves’ disease, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, lupus, and more. Dr. Susan Blum, author of The Immune System Recovery Plan, shares the four-step program she used to treat her own serious autoimmune condition and help countless patients reverse their symptoms, heal their immune systems, and prevent future illness. Part of the process includes: Using food as medicine Understanding the stress connection Healing your gut and digestive system Optimizing liver function Listen as Dr. Blum joins Dr. Taz to explain the importance of the microbiome, as well as how you can balance your immune system, transform your health, and live a fuller, happier life.

Your struggles with food and weight are deeper than you can realize on an intellectual level. Learn why the concept of moderation is a slippery slope.Your struggles with food and weight are deeper than you can realize on an intellectual level.  Research tells us what's healthy or "good" for our bodies. But, if it was just as easy as knowing, than these struggles wouldn't be so prevalent.  Eliza Kingsford, a Licensed Psychotherapist specializing in body image, eating disorders, obesity and weight management, says it's important to merge the scientific data with the human condition in terms of the types of behaviors you've developed over time (influenced by both nature and nurture).  Understanding your biology and how your genetics mix with your food choices and behaviors is just one part of the puzzle. As unfortunate as it may seem, you must look at these struggles as a lifelong battle, similar to a chronic disease. You need to understand just how important choices and behaviors are in order to attain sustainable change. No one plan works for everyone. Look at your patterns, behaviors and triggers. Until you look at the how and why you reach for food, you'll always return to those behaviors. Knowing you're up against a natural instinct may help, but don't use that as an excuse. Cultivating mindfulness allows you to be comfortable with living more intentionally, rather than in a reactive manner. The "3 R's" Recognize: realize that you have a trigger. It doesn't have to be something traumatic; it might be as simple as receiving an email from your boss and wanting to avoid it, so you head to the kitchen. Replace: instead of turning to food or other bad behaviors, replace with a healthier or more nurturing behavior.  Repeat: the more you flex the muscle of recognizing your triggers and replacing with something non-food related, the more your brain will shift. Moderation vs. Mindfulness The concept of moderation can be dangerous, because it's so subjective. Our brains can rationalize a lot of choices. You can easily justify that "moderation" is only eating half a pizza instead of your typical consumption of the entire thing. Moderation is only applicable to a) how much you ate previously (pizza example) b) how much you enjoy a certain food (if you don't enjoy ice cream, you can practice "moderation" with a spoonful or two... but if salt is your go-to, you might end up eating an entire bag of Goldfish crackers) A better approach is asking "is this serving me?" or "is this in line with my goals?" Will you feel guilt or shame afterwards? Listen as Eliza joins Dr. Taz to explain why so many of us struggle with food demons, as well as how you can take a different approach to food and weight by practicing mindfulness. 

Learn how you can find the middle ground between health and hedonism by making one lifestyle change, one step at a time.When Phoebe Lapine was diagnosed with Hashimoto's in her early 20s, she essentially turned a blind eye to her condition. Being dependent on a pharmaceutical for the rest of her life wasn't something she wanted to sign up for.  So, over the next many years, she endured insomnia, night sweats, unwanted weight loss, painful stomachaches and fatigue.  Eventually, she found a physician who pinpointed gluten as a major culprit of her symptoms. But, she still wasn't sure what going "gluten-free" would entail, and her physician wasn't very clear on the connection between Hashimoto's and gluten, making the diagnosis even more confusing. In time, Phoebe took to her condition to her own kitchen. Too many gluten-free products are still "processed junk," and she wanted to create recipes that worked to improve her health and wellness. Whether you're suffering from an autoimmune condition like Phoebe, or just want to be kinder to your body, a good place to start is at home. For example, batch cooking on weekends sets you and your family members up for success for the week ahead. The more you can plan in advance, the better. Make it fun by having everyone pull a recipe from which you make your shopping list. You don't necessarily have to do the shopping the same day you cook, either. Little steps like getting your veggies as close to cooking prior to starting can make a huge difference. If batch cooking seems overwhelming, focus on the "brown bag." Lunch meals can be an easy platform for choosing healthier options, but you're typically only cooking for you, not the entire family. Listen in as Phoebe joins Dr. Taz to share her personal journey, as well as tips for doing right by your body without giving up your life. Phoebe also discusses her new book, The Wellness Project, which chronicles how she finally found the middle ground between health and hedonism by making one lifestyle change, one month at a time.

Infertility is a "symptom" in a sense. Once identified, the investigation begins to determine the cause.Infertility is a "symptom" in a sense. Once identified, the investigation begins to determine the cause. The most common underlying reasons include age, poor diet, weight (both underweight and overweight), nutrient deficiency, stress and anxiety, exposure to toxins, and decreased potency of sperm (due to environmental and lifestyle factors). Genetic issues or unknown birth defects may also contribute.  Tina Koopersmith MD, FACOG, founder of West Coast Women's Reproductive Center, explains it's important to look at an individual's health in a holistic way, similarly to how autoimmune issues are identified and ultimately addressed. Risk factors that can be focused on immediately include: Achieving an appropriate BMI for height/build. Incorporating a mostly plant-based diet with lots of vegetables and fruit (up to nine servings per day).  Vitamin supplementation, especially vitamin D and folic acid (folate). A deeper look into infertility may involve the following: Egg quality and quantity Ovarian age (which may not correlate with your biological age) Pituitary hormone levels Anti-mullerian hormone levels (AMH) Pelvis (cervix, uterus, tubes) Semen analysis If it seems something is awry, Dr. Koopersmith explains the available options: Erratic menstrual cycles: medication to help ovulation. Sperm is abnormal: attempts to "fix" the sperm, such as IUI (intrauterine insemination) or IVF (In Vitro Fertilization). Unexplained infertility: combination of fertility drugs and IUI or IVF. Third-party reproduction: egg donation, sperm donation, surrogacy. However, Dr. Koopersmith also advises a period of "trying." For women under 35, seek help after one year of trying, and women over 35, go in after six months of trying. Finally, she says it's important to be an advocate for yourself. Know your body, treat it well, and be aggressive in understanding what your fertility status is. If you feel like it's taking a long time and your doctor isn't open to doing a full fertility work-up, ask for a consult. And, if you're young now but don't plan on starting a family for a while, think about freezing your eggs. Listen in as Dr. Koopersmith joins Dr. Taz to provide an overview of fertility causes, potential solutions, and alternatives should natural pregnancy not be an option.

While infertility often gets blamed on attempting pregnancy during later stages of life, fertility issues cross all ages and genders.While infertility often gets blamed on attempting pregnancy during later stages of life, fertility issues cross all ages and genders. One culprit is the decrease in sperm quality over the past few years, due to a variety of environmental, lifestyle and genetic factors.  The concept of age-appropriate parenthood has also changed. Both men and women are waiting until later in life to have children. Whereas the Baby Boomer generation may have started a family mid-20s, now many couples are waiting until their 30s (or even later). "Am I fertile?" is one of the top questions asked of fertility doctors. Tests exist to asses infertile patients, but unless you're actively trying to get pregnant, there's really no determination of potent fertility. Your first "job" is to try. Having said that, if you're wanting to have children, but do not plan to start until your mid-30s, you may want to think about freezing your eggs or making embryos... particularly if you want two, three, or more kids. Jaime Knopman, MD, is the founder of Truly MD, a site dedicated to providing women with advice and information on their reproductive health, from fertility to pregnancy and beyond. Dr. Knopman joins Dr. Taz to discuss the current challenges of infertility, including advice on assessing AMH and FSH levels and the egg-freezing process.

It's important to learn the language of your body's hormonal presence, so you can respond in real-time to the physical cues presented to you.The constant exposure to endocrine disruptive chemicals and lifestyle factors is messing with our hormones in a big, bad way. Combine this with the fact that many women are in the dark about their own hormones, and you're faced with a real problem.  Alisa Vitti, functional nutritionist, women's hormone expert, and best-selling author of WomanCode, and the founder of FLOLiving.com, says it's important to learn the language of your body so you can respond in real-time to the physical cues presented to you.  One way to remedy hormone issues is with food.  For example, if your energy and mood are all over the place during the day it may mean that your blood sugar levels are erratic. To combat this, you need to eat the right carbs throughout the day to stabilize blood sugar. Also, avoid that early morning cup of coffee on an empty stomach; wait until after breakfast.  Another issue Alisa commonly treats is the presence of painful symptoms of estrogen dominance: bloating, mood swings, acne, breast tenderness, heavier periods. Complex carbs can help mitigate that dominance. Leafy greens can also help metabolize estrogen in a healthy way.  Listen in as Alisa joins Dr. Taz to explain more about what your hormones are telling you and shares information on her Cycle-Syncing™ protocol, a female-centric diet and lifestyle program that leverages hormonal patterns for optimal health. Alissa also discusses her new app, MyFlo, which helps you determine the following at different times in your cycle: Eating raw food vs. cooked food Bootcamp vs. yoga Giving a presentation vs. brainstorming and researching Mommy time vs. playing with the kids Making out vs. a quickie Socializing with friends vs. a romantic date night

Healing from daily toxicity begins in the gut.All the toxins you're exposed to on a daily basis can contribute to cancer and other diseases. Healing from that toxicity begins in the gut. Your body contains billions of bacteria, both bad and good. When your body is in balance, these flora exist peacefully within you. When your good "bugs" become deficient and the bad take over, that's when disease can grab hold.  One specific condition that can result in a number of health issues, including digestive distress, rashes, joint pain and other inflammatory responses, is leaky gut. This condition results from recurring damage to the gut lining, causing tiny holes in your intestines and allowing particles to enter your blood stream, which wreaks havoc on your immune system. In her practice, Dr. Tiffany Jackson uses a very natural approach to addressing leaky gut and other health conditions, using compounds like enzymes, hydrochloric acid, probiotics, liver support supplements and amino acids.  While some doctors are aggressive with treatment, Dr. Jackson is more conservative and utilizes a 12-week plan to identify which foods are contributing to gut issues (wheat, dairy, soy, eggs, and corn are often problem foods). She doesn't introduce a detox until between weeks 6-12.  Listen in as Dr. Jackson joins Dr. Taz to explain what leaky gut is, why it's so important to address for whole-body health, and ways you can start to balance your gut for health and longevity.

Learn how the key components of improv can help you break bad habits, get unblocked, spark joy, and deal with your inner critic.Improvisational comedy can act as more than just pure entertainment.  Katie Goodman, author of Improvisation for the Spirit, utilizes the key components of improv to help individuals break bad habits, get unblocked, spark joy, and deal with their inner critics. The basis of her methods is to allow you to use both your right and left brain at the same time and thus uncensor yourself, so you can have access to all the creative "goodies." But, you're also picking and choosing which direction you'll head in a rational manner. Certainly, not every minute of every day can be filled with laughter and creativity, but once you begin to practice trusting in yourself and being able to take creative risks, you'll find that you're more alive, aware and spontaneous.  Your creative practice doesn't have to be improv, either. It could be pottery, painting, woodwork... anything that's of a creative note. A very important portion of Katie's book is to help you gag your inner critic. At one point, this inner voice was benevolent (trying to keep you "safe"). Now, it's just keeping you from joy and fulfillment; speaking to you in negative self-talk. For example, "Don't ask that person out on a date, you'll just get rejected" or "Don't apply for that job, you'll never get it." You need to retrain your inner critic to be your inner coach. Assign an image and a name if that helps. The voice should be non-judgmental and speak to you in neutral language. "Last time you applied for a job, you weren't really prepared... what can we do to get you ready to rock it this time?" Listen in as Katie joins Dr. Taz to share more about her history as an improv comedian, how it's helped in her own life, and how you can start to benefit from the "yes, and" approach. 

Food truly is medicine. Without proper nutrition, it's extremely difficult to shift the needle on your health and wellness.Food truly is medicine. Without proper nutrition, it's extremely difficult to shift the needle on your health and wellness.  What began as an experiment to address rheumatoid arthritis, the Whole30 Program is now a widely popular and successful plan to halt the exhausting cycle of yo-yo dieting and the resulting stress, weight gain, uncontrollable cravings, and a myriad of health complaints. Co-creator, Melissa Hartwig, Certified Sports Nutritionist, explains that the approach is different from other anti-inflammatory diets (i.e. Paleo, Mediterranean), in that it has a very specific purpose: addressing your health, habits and emotional relationship with food. So, not just the physical factors, but also emotional triggers, cravings, and reasons behind the food choices you make. For instance, you're not allowed to "recreate" junk/comfort foods with technically compliant Whole30 ingredients. You need to identify why you select those foods and adjust your mindset. Your brain doesn't know the difference between homemade potato chips cooked in avocado oil or regular potato chips you'd find at the grocery store. At the end of the day, a chip is a chip. The plan supports change from the inside-out. Your taste buds will shift so that you actually crave healthy foods and have no taste for unhealthy ones.  When you're struggling, you are able to connect with other participants and experts via the Whole30 community. This helps you avoid soothing yourself with your go-to comfort foods. Melissa wants individuals to keep in mind that this plan is an "eliminate and reintroduce" approach. You may not have to say goodbye to some foods forever. The diet allows you to discover how certain foods work for YOU, so you can decide which foods are worth it. Listen in as Melissa joins Dr. Taz to share more about the history and success of Whole30, as well as what's on the horizon.  Buy on Amazon The Whole30 Cookbook: 150 Delicious and Totally Compliant Recipes to Help You Succeed with the Whole30 and Beyond

From the overwhelm of technology to packed school-day schedules, the stage is set for kids to be tired and sick.Raising kids in this day and age is not easy. From the overwhelm of technology to packed school-day schedules, the stage is set for kids to be just plain tired and sick. Jennifer Trachtenberg, MD, author of Good Kids, Bad Habits: The RealAge Guide to Raising Healthy Children, joins Dr. Taz to share her top tips for raising healthy kids. Technology Create healthy habits surrounding technology. Place limits on when and where your kids can access devices. This varies from family to family, but a good rule of thumb is to ban screens/interruptions at the dinner table and an hour before bed. Don't sit your toddler down in front of a screen. Kids learn and thrive the best when they "play" with real, 3D toys. As they get older, educational programs are fine in small doses. Elementary schools are starting to use devices like iPads within the curriculum. Physical play is still essential, so schedule it if needed.  Nutrition Don't single out picky eaters (or alternatively, really good eaters). Be a role model with your own healthy choices. Understand how important breakfast is. Your kids have a long day ahead, and you don't always know what they're eating for lunch. Be prepared for that healthy breakfast. Set the table and the menu the night before. Don't cater to pickiness; one child can pick the menu one day, another can pick the next, etc.  Sleep Over-scheduling has made it challenging to balance sleep and activities, but kids need downtime to unwind before they go to sleep. Have a sleep routine, or good "sleep hygiene." Have them read instead of watching TV or being on the computer. Dr. Jen also discusses how you can maximize appointments with your pediatrician by fully preparing before you get to the appointment. Write down any questions and ask them right away. Don't wait until your doctor is walking out the door. Be honest and truthful. You need to feel comfortable with your healthcare provider and he needs all the information in order to effectively treat your child.  Finally, Dr. Jen provides her take on antibiotic use (or overuse) and when she feels antibiotics are appropriate.

Why are we so addicted to stress?Stress has become a buzz word. We tend to blame everything on stress, viewing it as something outside of ourselves that does something TO us. This mindset puts you in a victim role. You're carrying around the weight of something you can't really even define. And, if you can't define it, you'll never be able to manage it. Dr. Heidi Hanna would rather you look at stress as demand vs. capacity. There's nothing inherently good or bad about it; in fact, you need some stress to be able to function on a daily basis. But, you have to believe you possess the capacity to deal with it. Of course, capacity is different for everyone and it impacts individuals in unique ways.  Stress Addiction Stress provides a reward reaction in the brain, similar to the reaction to drugs, alcohol, sugar, etc. The brain wants you to remember stressful situations so you don't encounter similar danger in the future. But, your brain starts to get used to being in a stressful state.  That state provides the following five sensations: stimulation, information, connection, validation, distraction. Validation comes from our stressed culture. The twisted societal view of the busier you are and the more stress you have, the more important you are. Time on your hands is interpreted as being "lazy." In actuality, you need downtime for your body and mind to recharge. When you view rest as bad, you may find yourself drawn back into the rush.  Technology Spurs Stress Technology has exacerbated the problem. When change happens really fast, and you don't know what to expect, you feel out of control. Technology has a function of unlimited information, allowing for more knowledge than you could ever accumulate in your lifetime. Kids are being impacted by the technological beast as well. Parents taking away an iPad may encounter the same kind of reaction as a toddler who has lost his pacifier. We've created a culture of people who aren't comfortable with being still. Unlimited access via the Internet is like hooking up to an IV of a sugar solution. Your system cannot maintain the levels to regulate it, and you're creating an addiction that will be that much harder to unwire in the future. Stress Detox How can you detox and re-acclimate?  Transform yourself to be more adaptable with these three approaches: recharge, rethink (start to develop a new mindset, stress as challenges instead of threats), redesign your "operating system."  Also, recognize that wear and tear on the female brain is more common than in men. One of the hardest things for women to do is prioritize self-care. Eat a healthy diet, stay active, and get restful sleep. Self-care strategies are not selfish. Finally, understand the role it's playing. Does stress interfere with you daily life? Is it hard to stop or control? Look at how connected it is to so many other problems in your life, mentally, emotionally and physically.