It’s Dr. Karen and first things first, “Thank You” for reading this article. I hope it will inspire you to want to purchase my book, read it and take action.
Now, allow me to start with a quick message I think is interesting. I talk with many patients and most tell me the conventional medical model of sick care is preventing them from achieving the health and quality lives they desire. Yet when I ask him how much they invest in obtaining optimal health, the universal response is “Very little.”
That’s amazing to me.
Integrating Purposeful Longevity is hands down the biggest differentiator at your disposal to achieve optimal health.
I don’t want to throw my colleagues under the bus, but getting to the root cause of illnesses is how I help my patients, as opposed to chasing symptoms.
I want to help you take advantage of simple tools to achieve Purposeful Longevity. My book’s intention is to provide resources and tools I use so YOU can implement them into your life.
If it’s okay with you let’s move on!!!
My book exists for two reasons…
Reason #1:
You’ll eventually let me help you implement the lessons you’ve learned to achieve Purposeful Longevity.
Reason #2:
To get the optimal results you want in advance, you will do Reason #1 as quickly as possible.
I’m going to be transparent and honest with you in my book. My early mentor taught me if you want people to believe you can help them, help them.
I want to help you.
I share with you the steps and strategies included in my Purposeful Longevity “Crusade”. This is the method I personally use for myself and to help my patients achieve their desired optimal health. I’m excited to share it with you.
It sounds like a lot, but really, the entire book is summed up in four points.
Point #1:
Each day over 2,000 people die from heart disease. Think about it…this is the same as five jumbo jets carrying 400 passengers with heart disease crashing daily. Heart disease is the world’s leading cause of death. And, 1 in 3 adults (85 million individuals) have one or more cardiovascular diseases. Heart disease (heart attack, stroke and dementia) is a costly health problem. Annual healthcare expenditures for these preventable illnesses reach $300 billion.
Point #2:
Experimental evidence suggests a higher sense of purpose influences the risk of cardiovascular disease. Enhancement of psychosocial support network buffers against the cardiotoxic effect of severe stress. A strong sense of life purpose has a positive effect on health behaviors and biological systems. A healthy lifespan needs to be your choice and part of your life purpose.
Point #3:
Many of my patients are frustrated with the current healthcare system. Frequently, they ask me why their other physician failed to mention other treatment options. Essentially, the conventional medical model is sick care. At times, the care physicians can provide is limited by rules and regulations dictated by the insurance and pharmaceutical industries.
A case in point is the approach to Hashimoto’s disease, which affects about 14 million Americans. Conventional medicine sees the issue as simply hypothyroidism (low thyroid), requiring thyroid replacement. What is missed? Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is an auto-immune disease, and a different treatment approach can help people with this disease.
Point #4:
The best method to achieve optimal health is to look at the root causes of illness and to embrace Purposeful Longevity.
Addressing the root cause of illnesses has radically transformed the lives of my patients and my life. Hopefully, you will make the connection for yourself as well. Above all, my sincere hope is you learn more than just implementing Purposeful Longevity.
I’ve interspersed bits of advice and lessons I’ve learned from years on the front lines of medicine, and seeing the results my patients achieved.
As you will also discover, the ten tenets of optimal health are the foundation of Purposeful Longevity and living your best life. By taking the time to read and understand each tenet, you’re on the fast track to better health, quality life and more peace. After all, what is the point in living if you can’t enjoy life to the fullest and on your own terms?
Below is a quick summation of each tenet and what you will learn later on in my book.
Purpose – It’s important to know how to get to your purpose (“your why”) with valuable tools to grow and give gratitude.
One of the keys to a long life is purpose. Research shows that knowing your purpose in life is worth up to 7 years of extra life expectancy. It is important to note that YOUR profession is not your purpose. Your profession is a tool. It is the craft you use to accomplish your purpose.
How do you get to your purpose? It is a mindset about why you wake up each day. If you know your purpose, then you are one of the lucky ones. But be aware of complacency so you don’t lose it.
Brain and Heart Health – There are key steps to learn in securing your brain health by “loving” and “feeding” your brain; and how these two steps are accomplished. These are some actions we will consider in my book:
Know your “why” (Purpose)
Start with daily intentions, gratitude and appreciation
Learn something new every day
Protect your brain
Heart disease is the world’s leading cause of death. Early detection of blood vessel disease helps to prevent heart attack, stroke and dementia. Unfortunately, conventional medicine provides limited time to give people clear solutions for prohibiting heart disease, stroke and dementia. The emphasis is on acute sick care, not health care. In order to crack the code to optimal health, it’s important to focus on the underlying root causes of blood vessel and body inflammation.
Healthy Relationships – Healthy relationships are vital to one’s health and actual life. You need to understand the signs of healthy relationships and how to develop meaningful relationships.
Spirituality – There is a concept known as the “mind-body-spirit” connection; that we are spiritual beings in a material world; and understand the construct of spirituality and religious/faith practice. Faith and religious practices are very important to the great majority of the universe. Spirituality lets you freely follow your heart, as it encourages you to listen to your intuition and do what is right for yourself and your fellow man or woman.
This leads to your own inner happiness.
Stress Management – Two-thirds of Americans say they need help with stress. But stress itself is not the problem, it’s how we relate to stress. Stress can have positive effects in that it can motivate people to accomplish more. The stress response is critical to our survival. It can save lives.
Sleep Fitness – Are you getting 7 to 8.5 hours of uninterrupted sleep? Here is a list of the benefits of sleep:
Release of Melatonin = Modulation of the Immune System
Decrease Heart Rate = Decrease Blood Pressure = Decrease Risk of Heart Disease (heart attack and stroke)
Better Blood Sugar Control = Decrease Risk of Diabetes
Weight Loss / Maintenance
Increase In Collagen Synthesis = Beautiful Facial Skin
Muscle and Tissue Repair = Better Athletic Performance
Resting of the Digestive Tract
Realignment and Elongation of the Spine
Improvement in Learning, Memory, and Mood
Nutrition and Gut Health – Our bodies consist on average of about 65% water, and specifically, the brain and heart are made of 73% water.
One should drink half your body weight in ounces. For example someone weighing a 140 pounds should consume a minimum of 70 ounces per day.
I recommend the following supplements:
A food-grade, nutrient dense multivitamin and mineral complex based on optimal levels of ingredients and not RDAs
Omega-3s (fish oil or krill oil) sourced ethically from smaller fish like sardines, anchovies and/or krill, thus decreasing our exposure to mercury
A natural form of Vitamin D3
Absorbable, chelated Calcium and Magnesium
Vitamin K2
Hormonal Balance – A few of the common symptoms found with hormonal imbalances in men and women:
Headaches
Hot flashes and night sweats
Menstrual irregularities and breast issues
Insomnia and sleep disorders
Low libido and sexual dysfunction
Anxiety, moodiness, irritability and depression
Food cravings and sweet cravings
Cold body temperature
Fatigue, lack of energy and decrease stamina
Aches and pains
There is help!!! Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) can greatly improve your quality of life with virtually no risk of side effects associated with synthetic hormone replacement therapy.
Body Movement – It is important to schedule exercise on your calendar 5 – 7 days per week, preferably in the morning. You should incorporate cardio, weight-bearing / weight-resistance, and calming (yoga, Pilates) exercises.
Financial Health – Issues surrounding money and finances can impact the other 9 tenets. Financial difficulties can interfere with the quest for our purpose. Stress over money matters and not accomplishing our purpose can affect hormonal balance and brain health. Increase stress can have a major impact on diet and gut health. Chronic stress will cause sleep disturbances. Poor financial health can affect brain health and hormonal balance.
The primary foundation is to recognize where you are financially.
I sincerely believe the health of the world can, should, and will change for the better. I believe motivated people like you will make a healthier future.
So it’s a great privilege to share what I know with you. To inspire and inform you to grow and improve your health, so you can grow and improve the lives of others.
By teaching you Purposeful Longevity, you will have an asset to achieve optimal health and to lift, inspire, and serve others. In return, you will be prepared for unexpected healthcare challenges. When times get hard, people need more help than usual. By following the method in my book, you’ll discover how to achieve and maintain Purposeful Longevity.
By taking the time to read my book, you are on a path forward to better health, quality life, and more peace. What is the point in living if you can’t enjoy life with your loved ones and in a way you want?
So, my friends my book is for individuals seeking optimal health and less stress from the risk of heart disease (heart attack, stroke and dementia). You may find my book, Cracking the Code to Optimal Health: A Doctor’s Guide to Purposeful Longevity and Living Your Best Live on Amazon and in a Kindle version.
After you read my book and decide you need help implementing its strategies as quickly as possible, please take my Healthspan Quiz and book a call to chat with me by going to:
askidrkaren.com
Helping people like you achieve Purposeful Longevity is what I do day-in and day-out.
I’m here to help.
To Your Optimal Health,
Karen M. Pendleton, M.D. aka Dr. Karen
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.