Written By Dr. Karen Pendleton
The holiday shopping season is upon us, and Dr. Karen’s list of most-loved products is finally out. This year, I have carefully curated a listography of must-haves based on my lifestyle medicine practice’s 10 tenets. To appreciate why I selected these favorite things, a quick review of the 10 tenets is in order. They include Purpose, Brain Health, Healthy Relationships, Spirituality, Stress Management, Sleep Fitness, Nutrition and Gut Health, Hormonal Balance, Body Movement and Financial Health.
I’m sure that my list will speak to supporting some of your purposes. So, come along with me as I guide you through my list.
After travelling to Mexico for the 2nd Annual I Am That Woman Retreat, and less than a week later to a medical conference in San Antonio, Texas, I developed upper respiratory symptoms. Immediately, I started taking EZC and knocked out my fever, congestion and sore throat. During this current COVID-19 pandemic, we (family, friends, patients and me) are taking this supplement on a daily basis to support our immune systems.
In my desire to contribute to the prevention of heart disease, strokes and diabetes, and thereby enhancing the quality of life for every man, woman and child, Brain Health is very dear to me. Good brain health starts with “the best” hydration – Electrolyzed Reduced Water. Enagic’s water ionizer was one of the smartest investments that we made for the office. No longer do we need to buy bottled water, filters and the like. To compliment this charged and alkaline Kangen water are two other Brain Health resources…Lifewave’s X39 phototherapy stem cell patches and Pure Spectrum’s CBD oil (a broad spectrum CBD oil…No THC).
Backed by clinical studies, multiple patents and 10 years of research in the field of stem cell science, the Lifewave X39 patch has been demonstrated to provide significant health benefits. The benefit for the brain speaks to mental clarity.
Not all CBD oil is created equal thus, buyer beware! From the gas station CBD oil to reputable companies’ CBD oil, I have discovered in an outstanding CBD oil company, Pure Spectrum. The value of CBD oil rests in its ability to nudge the body back into homeostasis (balance). Give the body what it needs and it will heal itself. Brain wise, CBD has the potential to contribute to lowering anxiety, depression and seizure activity. I like Pure Spectrum’s CBD products because they are safe, quality, accurate and effective. In addition, the company is the first-ever CBD partner of a U.S. National Governing Body in the Olympic and Paralympic movement, as well as being sanctioned for use by the USA Triathlon Association.
Finally, in order to achieve Brain Health, I believe that two actions are important. You must “love your brain” and “feed your brain.” I recommend trying to learn something new every day and participating in brain training at our local LearningRx. This is how you love your brain. Feeding your brain starts with a nutritional strategy that embraces fresh, local, seasonal and nutrient-dense foods. There are several eateries that adhere to my philosophy, and I truly love and respect their contributions to our community – Glow Alchemy Kitchen, We Olive and Wine Bar, Zuzul Coastal Cuisine & El Cabo Verde and India’s Restaurant.
Healthy Relationships are a vital component of health and wellness. There is compelling evidence that strong relationships, both personal and professional, contribute to a long, healthy and happy life. My professional relationships revolve around the many patients I have been so honored to guide in their health and wellness transformations over the years. And, of course, I treasure the timeless relationships with my healthcare colleagues, particularly, Dr. Jack Ward.
Personal relationships have been very special over my lifetime. I certainly can count my blessings starting with my parents, Dr. Louis and Mrs. Barbara Pendleton, my brother, Dr. Scott Pendleton, and the rest of my relatives.
I possess numerous gifts in the form of friendships developed over my 62 years of life. My newest “tribe” are my fellow brand partners in a unique lifestyle fashion company, focused on women of all ages, shapes, and sizes (XS – 3X). This athleisure wear company currently is in its pre-launch mode, and we are dedicated to helping women discover a way to style the lives they truly desire – one of beauty, passion, community and impact.
Stress in addition to being itself, is also the cause of itself, and the result of itself. Here is the key to stress management :
Stress management resources include, again, Enagic (Kangen) water and Pure Spectrum CBD oil. Kangen water reduces oxidative stress (rusting), acidic stress and hydration of stress. Pure Spectrum CBD oil is anti-inflammatory and; therefore, lowers systemic/cellular stress. Other stress-reducing resources include infrared sauna therapy and sensory deprivation, and hypertonic float pools. Check out My Spa My Way and Float Shreveport.
Needless to say, both Pure Spectrum CBD oil and Lifewave’s X39 stem cell patch play a significant role in sleep and its quality. My most favorite wearable technology is the Oura Ring and the associated App. Your health starts with sleep. This lightweight, durable and water-resistant ring is packed with infrared LEDs, NTC temperature sensors, an accelerometer and a gyroscope, rendering the most precise and convenient place to capture body measurements, i.e., stages of sleep, heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), temperature, steps and more. The Oura App summarizes your health data into three meaningful scores that help you harness your body’s potential every day… Sleep, Readiness and Activity.
Finally, as an ophthalmologist, I understand the concept of blue light blocking glasses and their positive “life hack” to improve sleep health. Swanwick is the most scientifically proven blue light blocking glasses on the market.
FYI: Blue light has a “dark side.” In short, blue light interferes with your sleep in two ways – first by disrupting your body‘s production of sleep-inducing hormones, particularly Melatonin, and second by throwing your body‘s natural circadian rhythm off balance.
Moving on to nutrition and gut health, remember featured under brain health were several of our local restaurants offering healthy and delicious fare, along with the foundation of health – water. And, in my opinion going from good, better, best, Enagic‘s Kangen (electrolyzed reduced) water is superior. No matter how diligent you are in your nutritional intake, you cannot get all of your nutrients from your food. Reason – the soils have been so over farmed. The strategy is to supplement with clean, food grade, nutrient-dense nutraceuticals. The physician-directed company that I deeply respect is Designs for Health. Remember the diet and supplement industry is a $32 billion industry as of 2019, of which the great majority of the products are mediocre at best.
As a part of the Mediterranean diet, alcohol, particularly wine, is one of the nine components. I discovered Dry Farm Wines, which is a company that curates the highest quality wines from small family farms around the world. These wines possess the follow principles:
Dry farming (no irrigation)
Naturally or Biodynamically farmed wild native yeast
Lower sulfites (<75 ppm)
Purity (no mold, no industrial additives)
Sugar-free (0 – 0.15 gm per glass)
Lower alcohol (<12.5% alcohol)
For the last 21 years, the only Hormonal Balance therapy I believe in for my patients and myself is Bio Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT). Boudreaux’s Specialty Compounding Pharmacy owned by Doug and Jennifer Boudreaux, along with their staff, have been very professional and supportive throughout the years.
As an exercise enthusiast, I enjoy all forms of Body Movement i.e. cardiovascular, weight-bearing/weight-resistance and calming. Those of you who know my partner Dr. Jack Ward (4-time Ironman Finisher) and me, are familiar with our love of the science of Orangetheory Fitness. The first class is complimentary! Try it…bet you’ll like it!
For the 10th tenet, Financial Health, my favorite resource is Dave Ramsey‘s Financial Peace University. This product can help you learn to pay off debt, save for emergencies and build wealth.
The Holidays, of course, aren’t all about what’s wrapped in a bow, but also, the gift of time with Family and Friends!!! Personally, I delight in Christmas Day, after Mass at The Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, a brunch buffet of everything from seasonal fruits and fresh quiche (made with Ewephoria, sheep’s milk cheese) to an oyster casserole dish with free-range eggs and, of course, a salad prepared by Chef Dr. Jack. Our gathering is mellow and fun, and exactly how I want to wind down the year, particularly, this year!!!. This holiday season, I wish you abundance in happiness and health!
DISCLAIMER:
All of the information found in this article is based on the opinion of the author Karen M. Pendleton, M.D. The information is meant to motivate readers to make their own health decisions after consulting with their own health care providers. All readers should consult a doctor before making a health change, especially those that are related to a specific diagnosis or health condition. No information in this article should be relied on in determining a diet, making a medical diagnosis or determining a treatment for a medical condition. The information in this article is not intended to replace a relationship with a qualified healthcare practitioner and is not intended as medical advice. No information in this article should be used to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease or condition.