Is Your Glass Half-Empty or Half-Full?

Posted on October 26, 2015 by admin

Does a positive outlook improve your health? How you perceive your life does matter to your body. A University of Wisconsin study found that of 30,000 individuals with perceived high stress had a 43 percent increased risk of an early demise – but only if they viewed their stress as negative.

Dr. Jeremy Jamieson, assistant professor of psychology at the University of Rochester,

New York, divided subjects into two groups. One group was instructed to “reinterpret bodily signals as beneficial” while the other group was not given this information. Group One, the group prepped beforehand with the instruction, performed better and had less social anxiety. According to Dr. Jamieson, rethinking how we perceive stress dramatically alters how effectively we cope with “stressful situations and major life transitions”. Positive thinking skills means that you are better able to handle the everyday stresses of life in a more constructive way.

What are the physical benefits of a positive outlook on life? Experts at the Mayo Clinic have found that the benefits of maintaining this “life-positive” view translates into lower rates of depression, greater resistance to the common cold and a reduced risk of death from heart disease.

Until next time…

Dr. Gatis

Diagnosing Parkinson’s With The Voice

Posted on September 21, 2015 by admin

When doctors ask you to say “ahhhh”, it is usually to look at the condition of your throat. Dr. Max Little, Chairman of the Parkinson’s Voice Initiative, has developed Speech Recognition software which compares a patient’s voice to a database of vocal recordings of Parkinson’s patients and those who do not have the disease. Early testing of the technology have demonstrated it to be 99% accurate, and the project is currently amassing 10,000 further recordings to further assess the software’s ability to detect Parkinson’s. Apparently, those individuals with Parkinson’s show specific vocal patterns e.g., tremors.

Parkinson’s is the second most common neurodegenerative disease behind Alzheimer’s disease and affects one million people in the USA. There is no lab test specific for the disease. Parkinson’s has the best outcomes when identified early – as the disease has no cure – but the progression of the disease can be slowed by pharmaceutical therapy. The diagnosis, up until now, has relied on clinical assessments of stress, muscle reflexes, gait, brain scans and so on. The use of this voice recognition technology is showing great promise. Calling your doctor may soon take on a whole new meaning.

Until next time…

Dr. Gatis

Force Of Illness #4: Impaired Detoxification

Posted on March 18, 2015 by admin

Detoxification is a normal function of the body. It is the first step in the process of removing foreign, potentially toxic compounds from the body regardless of whether they are environmental or the natural products of cellular metabolism. All cells have detoxification mechanisms and all cells detoxify all the time. Detoxification, or the process of making a toxic substance “non-toxic” or “water-soluble”, must occur first before the harmful substance can be eliminated from the body – through the urine, feces, sweat, breath or bile. The process of Detoxification utilizes the P450 enzymes and has two phases. Both of these phases have unique nutritional requirements. Some of the common problems that have been related to poor detoxification are Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, pain, chronic hormonal problems, fibroids, heavy menstrual bleeding, Breast Cancer, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Many people mistakenly believe that they are “detoxing” when they are doing a “cleanse” – a “liver cleanse”, for example. In actuality, they are supporting elimination rather than detoxification. The liver, kidneys, colon, lungs, skin and lymphatics are all organs of elimination. They remove detoxified substances i.e., substances converted to water-soluble, from the body. This can be useful, of course, and often necessary – but when you are talking about detoxification, you are talking about the cellular or micro processes rather than the macro system processes. A “cleanse” or elimination support is most effective when any nutritional deficiencies relating to the P450 enzymes and other enzymes relating to detoxification have been corrected first. The nutrients needed for optimum detoxification include vitamin A, B6, B12 and Folic Acid; the sulfur-containing amino acids found in kale, bok choy, garlic, onions, kale, cauliflower, cabbage broccoli and Brussels sprouts, and minerals such as zinc, magnesium, selenium, manganese and copper.

In addition, reactions to certain drugs are far more common than most people realize – and are the result of compromised or inefficient detoxification mechanisms. Reye’s Syndrome (a potentially-lethal disorder), for example, occurs in someone with impaired aspirin detoxification if they take the drug when they have a virus. In the future, it is my prediction that a “detoxification test” will have to be taken before certain classes of drugs are prescribed. There is a special test that exists now – where patients are given small amount of aspirin, acetaminophen and coffee. After 12 hours, the urine, blood and saliva are checked to see if the drugs were normally detoxified. In the future, it is my prediction that a “detoxification test” will have to be completed before certain drugs are administered.

Until next time…..

Force of Illness #3: Inflammation & Disease

Posted on March 12, 2015 by admin

The “Third Force of Illness” is Inflammation. The inflammatory process is a natural body reaction to injury, infections, allergens, toxins, pollution, pesticides, food additives, drugs, cosmetics, chemicals, free radicals and oxidative stress. The five associated signs that the process of inflammation is occurring are redness, swelling, heat, pain and loss of function. The first three signs are the ones most often associated with inflammation – and we have all experienced it. It is usually local and self-limited. The body runs into trouble, however, when inflammation is excessive, chronic or systemic.

As strange as it sounds, the most common externally-generated cause of inflammation is what happens in the digestive tract. Even though we consider the “gut” is inside, it is actually “outside” us. If we turned ourselves inside-out, the gut would be on the outside (like the skin). The gastrointestinal tract is one of our primary defenses against invaders. In many ways, it is an extension of the skin and similarly protective. When the gut is inflamed, the inflammation process occurs in other areas of the body – like the covering of the bones and the walls of the arteries. Any arthritis or arteriosclerosis has at its roots this inflammatory process. As an interesting side-note, researchers are finding that certain micro-organisms exist in the wall of diseased arteries. We may find that cardiovascular disease may be linked to the presence of one or more of these organisms triggering the inflammatory response – just like Helicobacter pylori has been linked to the development of stomach ulcers.

In other words, gut function – especially an “inflamed” gut – affects other systems directly. The digestive tract is a major regulator of the immune system. Even though the source of the inflammation may be different, the end result is the same i.e., inflammation activates the immune system systemically. Whether it starts in your pinky finger or your molar, inflammation puts your immune system on alert. Reducing inflammation in the gut can, and does, have a modulating effect on the majority of disease processes that have an immune system component.

By far, the most common internally-triggered factors for chronic inflammation are free radicals and oxidative stress – which can be caused by anything that depletes the body of “antioxidants” e.g., overeating, obesity, chronic infections, toxins, and so on. Please understand that free radicals are one of the naturally-occurring by-products of cellular metabolism. Free radicals are kept from damaging tissue by “antioxidants” which neutralize them. The problem results from an imbalance between free radical production and free radical neutralization. Unadulterated colourful vegetables and fruits are perhaps the best way to get your daily dose of antioxidants e.g., vitamins A,D,E, K, C. There are also certain supplements, like N.A.C., that increase other important antioxidants like glutathione.

Virtually all of us are antioxidant deficient, with inflamed digestive tracts and low-grade chronic inflammation. This not only puts a heavy burden on the body, but it is my contention that it takes its toll on the Brain/Mind as well. Much of the anxiety and depression experienced by our young people (which I consider epidemic) is directly related to poor diet and digestion. An inflamed gut, most definitely can lead to an inflamed mind – and drugs are not the solution. Mind what you eat, and eat for your mind. Say “no” to your latte and say “hello” to you morning antioxidant smoothie!

Until next time……

Dr. Gatis

Testing For Malnutrition and Impaired Metabolism (“Sludge” and “Burnout”)

Posted on January 22, 2015 by admin

There are many ways to test for the first and second force of Illness (called malnutrition, or what we have called the “sludge” factor and impaired metabolism or “burnout”). When we take in food, and digest and assimilate it, only the waste or unusable portion should be eliminated in the stool. If meat fibers or fats are showing up in the feces, then you are not fully breaking down and absorbing the protein and fats in your food. Your Naturopathic or Medical Doctor may order a comprehensive digestive stool analysis to determine if this is the case. Levels of the essential fatty acids and amino acids can also be measured in the blood also. Individual vitamins like B12 and vitamin D can be individually measured as can homocysteine – a major methylation and cardiovascular health marker.

Mitochondrial function can be indirectly tested by a urine organic acid profile – a relatively new and non-invasive way to indirectly measure certain factors related to metabolic function i.e., fatty acid and carbohydrate metabolism markers (B1, B2, B3, Carnitine, Lipoic Acid, CoQ10), Energy production markers (B complex, Amino Acids, Mg), B-complex vitamin markers (B1, B2,B3, B5, B6, Biotin), Methylation Cofactor markers (B12, Folate), Neurotransmitter Metabolism markers (Tyrosine, Tryptophan, B6, antioxidants) and Detoxification markers (Arg, NAC, Met, Mg, antioxidants).

Mitochondrial function can also be affected by pollutants, heavy metals, and so on. Many of the environmental contaminants can now be tested for in blood or urine.

One of the most important factors to test for is insulin resistance (IR). As I mentioned in the previous blog, IR is linked to obesity, arteriosclerosis, stroke, high blood pressure and diabetes Make sure that your M.D. or N.D. orders HbA1c and serum insulin in addition to fasting serum glucose. Optimum levels of HbA1c and Insulin are below 5.5% and less than 40 (fasting) respectively in addition to a fasting blood sugar less than 6.0. In routine blood work, a lipid panel is done (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides). If the triglyceride-to-HDL ratio is greater than 4.3, this suggests a high probability of insulin resistance. The waist-to-hip ratio is an easy way to determine you tendency to IR. Divide your waist measurement at the belly button level by the hip measurement. For women, any value over 0.8 is associated with IR and, in men, any value over 0.9.

Thyroid dysfunction is becoming somewhat of an epidemic. In my opinion, everyone should have a full thyroid panel done early in their life to provide an individual’s “normal” levels. Optimal levels of TSH, or thyroid stimulating hormone, should be between 1 and 2. Please be aware that the “normal” range is up to 4 – but the normal and “optimum” functional ranges are different. Free T3 should be measured as well as free T4 – because T3 is the more active thyroid hormone form. T3 is formed from T4. There are many factors that affect this conversion – including stress and female/male hormones.

In the next blog, we will consider the Third Force of Illness called “Inflammation” or “Heat”.

Until then…..

Dr. Gatis

The Second Force of Illness: Impaired Metabolism or Burnout

Posted on January 15, 2015 by admin

The First Force of Illness is inadequate digestion and absorption of foods (or “sludging” – as we mentioned in the previous blog) and endothelial dysfunction. The Second Force of Illness is “burnout” due to impaired metabolic/cellular processes creating an overall lack of energy. How many of you suffer from being “tired”. Metabolism is the term used to describe the creation of usable energy from food – and fatigue is an indicator that you may have an impaired metabolic ability to generate this “food energy”. The main factors in impaired metabolism are: insulin resistance, mitochondrial dysfunction and thyroid dysfunction.

A major player in “burnout” is glucose regulation and control. There is a saying that you can have “too much of a good thing” – and this applies to carbohydrates – especially glucose and sugars. Insulin, secreted by the pancreas in response to carbohydrates in the blood, regulates the uptake of glucose into the cells. In the current North American diet, insulin secretion is virtually constant due to the almost continual intake of sugar and carbohydrates. The only thing the body can do is to continue to secrete insulin in the attempt to lower the blood sugar level. The cells can only take in a certain amount of glucose at a time, so the cells, under the stress of too much insulin, will do the logical thing – change the receptors for insulin making them inactive. The scientific term for this is Insulin Resistance.

When a cell is unresponsive to insulin, our cells become unable to get energy from the food we eat – despite the fact that we have eaten enough – and our insulin blood levels become chronically elevated. We become tired and hungry. The cells are crying out for energy and we crave the quickest energy source (sugar) – which only compounds the problem when we eat them. For our ancestors, food availability was always in question, so the body adapted by being able to store away the energy that we didn’t immediately need in the moment for use later – as fat tissue. In today’s society, however, food (especially carbohydrates) is plentiful for most of us, so the “rainy day” never comes – but we still eat as if it could. This is the crux of our obesity epidemic. . High insulin levels in the blood and Insulin Resistance have not only been linked to obesity, but also to arteriosclerosis and heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction is the second major part of burnout. Mitochondria are the energy producers of the cell. They do this by taking sugar, fatty acids or amino acids from your food and, in the presence of oxygen, burn them to create energy. Mitochondrial dysfunction is caused by a number of factors. Overproduction of free radicals (also known as “reactive oxygen species” or ROS) can cause mitochondrial damage. This is why you take antioxidants like vitamin A and E. Poisoning from heavy metals, petroleum products, pesticides and trans fats also contribute. At the cellular level, we find mitochondrial damage or dysfunction occurring in almost every type of major illness e.g., heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer.

The third major factor in impaired metabolism is thyroid dysfunction. The thyroid is like the gas pedal in your car and determines your rate of speed. Too little thyroid hormone and your metabolism slows. Too much and your metabolism “red-lines”. A low-functioning thyroid – especially in women – is becoming the norm. Symptoms of hypothyroid include: being cold all the time, weight gain, constipation, oily skin, coarse hair, increased cholesterol and depression. There are many possible causes which include allergic reactions (wheat allergy/celiac disease has a well-known association with autoimmune thyroid disease), toxins, infections, hormonal disturbances and low selenium or iodine levels.

In the next blog, we will explore the ways you can test for “sludge” and “burnout”. Until then……

Dr. Gatis

Testosterone Is Important To Heart Health: How to Raise It Naturally

Posted on November 4, 2014 by admin

In the last blog, I mentioned that my “patient” (myself) was experiencing uncharacteristic fatigue and lack of motivation. The regular blood tests showed a normally-functioning thyroid, no anemia and blood sugar regulation within normal parameters. The cholesterol level was slightly high but not significantly changed over the last few years. The total testosterone was within the “normal” range, but the free or “active” testosterone was in the very low part of the range. Remember what I said about testosterone and heart disease? The free or “active” form of Testosterone helps to protect a man’s heart and arteries. Dr. Edward Lichten, M.D. in his “Textbook of Bio-Identical Hormones” states that “scientifically, vitamin D, human growth hormone, thyroxine (T4), and triiodothyronine (T3), DHEA, and testosterone in men and estradiol in women have strong cardio-protective or therapeutic applications”.

What can a 58-year-old male do to increase his testosterone? Exercise – especially resistance training – tends to increase the testosterone level and the HDL. Reducing fat mass increasing lean muscle mass also reduces the tendency of the body to convert testosterone to estrogen and decreases insulin resistance. It is important for a man’s reproductive health that his body have the correct levels of Zinc, Vitamin E, and certain amino acids (like L-Citrulline and L-Arginine) vitamin C, B vitamins, and magnesium. Certain herbs are reputed to raise the free testosterone level – in particular, Tribulus terrestris and Eurycoma longifolia. Taking the natural precursors to testosterone production may increase levels e.g., DHEA, if it is available. Reducing stress is very important because high levels of cortisol (produced when stressed) suppresses DHEA. In general, I prefer patients to raise their testosterone levels through natural stimulation – rather than immediate testosterone replacement – if at all possible. Read on as I make testosterone stimulation very personal….

In my case, Blood Spot testing (done by finger prick and is a combination of arterial and venous blood) had previously been done in 2012 and was repeated on the same day as the regular blood tests last month. In 2012, the only parameter that was slightly below normal was the Testosterone level. The current test showed a further 30% drop in testosterone and a 56.5% reduction in DHEAS values. The current results show that there are four cardiovascular parameters that are now abnormal: the triglycerides are elevated (20% more than 2012); the HDL or good cholesterol has decreased by 40%; the VLDL (the very bad LDL cholesterol) is elevated as is the insulin level. In addition, the Vitamin D level is also severely low – which is surprising because I routinely take 2000 IU per day.

In a nutshell, it is my contention that most, if not all, of these cardiovascular-related changes are due to a less-than-optimal testosterone and vitamin D level . Unless I take appropriate action, I will become insulin-resistant (Type 2 diabetic) and the mechanisms of arteriosclerosis will continue to increase. Rather than immediately going for Bio-identical testosterone replacement, I will attempt to raise the testosterone level through exercise, stress reduction, weight reduction, nutrient supplementation and so on over the next few months and will report back to you when the tests are repeated in January 2015.

Until next time…..

Dr. Gatis

Blood Tests and the Naturopath

Posted on September 30, 2014 by admin

A 58-year-old male Naturopathic Doctor (myself) presented at my clinic complaining of unexplained low energy, feeling uncharacteristically emotional with a decreased of motivation to do any physical or mental beyond that required for his job. Power naps during the day did return some energy but at the end of the day he has little left to do anything other than watch television. The diagnosis could be anything from depression, to low thyroid, so blood work was requested (14 vials to be exact) In addition, a blood spot test was completed – a relatively new way to measure to measure hormones like testosterone.

The preliminary results of the blood tests have returned. Iron metabolism (Ferritin, Hemoglobin, Serum Iron and Iron Saturation) were normal. Thyroid parameters were normal – although the Free T4 was at the lower end of the range. No thyroid antibodies and the ANA was negative (which reduces the possibility of autoimmunity). In other words, low thyroid and anemia were ruled out. The Fasting Blood Glucose was normal as was the HBA1c. His waist-to-hip ratio, however, is 1.0 (and should be less than 0.9) and a previous blood insulin reading was at the top of the range, so he may have some Insulin Resistance.

The most revealing parameters have to do with cholesterol, heart and hormones. Total Cholesterol was 5.32 (which is slightly above the upper range of normal). His total cholesterol had been around 5.4 for 20 years. Cholesterol usually is released by the liver when the body has a need to make more testosterone or when there is a low thyroid state (Both conditions are on the rise in aging males). When the cholesterol is high there is also a suspicion that plaque may be forming on the arteries. Of the blood parameters tested, the HDL was low (1.03 versus the optimal 1.5 or more) and the Apolipoprotein B was 1.13 (any value above 0.8 is associated with an increased risk of heart disease). The Total testosterone, although in the normal range was in the lower third and the Free Testosterone was so low that it was almost out of range. Testosterone in males is heart protective and anti-plaque as estrogen is in women.

From the first round of blood work, the working diagnosis is Low Testosterone – especially low Free Testosterone (some of the symptoms include fatigue, tiredness, depression and lack of motivation).
The first line of defense is to attempt to increase the testosterone naturally. In this case, moderate exercise – both interval training and strength training was prescribed which will increase the testosterone and the HDL and reduce the insulin resistance. To protect the heart by decreasing the Apo B and increasing the HDL, Niacin, Pantethine (B5), Resveratrol and Green Tea were also prescribed.

The answer to the question from the last blog is Homocysteine. Homocysteine is an indirect measure of methylation. “More than any other single test, homocysteine correctly identifies the risk of such conditions as heart attack, stroke, and dementia years before the onset of any symptoms.” (Dr. Hyman, M.D.)

In the next blog, we will track the progress of the patient, discuss the results of the blood spot analysis (if available) and investigate certain herbs that are reputed to raise testosterone naturally.

Until then…

Dr. Gatis

How Does A Naturopath Think?

Posted on August 13, 2014 by admin

I have enjoyed relatively good health over my life – with a few minor/major blips along the way. As an aging male Naturopathic Doctor, I am acutely aware of the fact that – although I have taken care of my body and mind reasonably well over the years – my level of health has not yet achieved optimization. In short, like the rest of you, life gets in the way. I have decided, therefore, to use this blog as an instructional tool (how a naturopath thinks) over the next few months by using my own situation as a reference point rather than case studies. In other words, I will assess myself as if I was one of my clients – including any possible blood work and/or functional tests that are available – and, based on the findings, will put myself on a treatment regimen and monitor the results.

I am currently reading a book (one of many) by Dr. Mark Hyman, M.D. called “Ultraprevention”. He is a brilliant man and far more Naturopathic Doctor than Medical Doctor, in my opinion. I say this because he has come to the conclusion that the human body is complicated and health is a process. There is no “magic bullet to shoot down all your health issues”. There are “forces” that lead us down the path to illness. When we are aware of these forces and make them personal i.e., understand that one size does not fit all when it comes to our own health, we can truly be more in control of our own well being rather than at the whim of “illness”. These (naturopathic) factors as summarized by Dr. Hyman are: 1) Malnutrition/Mal-digestion (sludge), 2) Impaired metabolism (burnout), 3) Inflammation (heat), (4) Impaired detoxification (waste); Oxidative stress (rust). Over the next few months, we will explore these topics in more depth.

Until then, there is one crucial test (according to Dr. Hyman) that will provide you with personally with the inside track on the possibility of preventing diseases like heart attack stroke, dementia, and some forms of cancer. This test is:

Cholesterol
Blood sugar
Vitamin E
Homocysteine

See the answer in the next blog.

Dr. Gatis

Testosterone Is Not Just For Sex

Posted on April 21, 2014 by admin

Hormone Optimization Therapy is important to every man, and at every age past puberty. It might surprise you to know that the average man in his thirties these days has less measurable testosterone than his grandfather did at the same age – which probably explains why many thirty-year-olds are still living at home! My theory is that these lowered testosterone levels (and the availability of online pornography) are killing the desire for young males to go out and start families of their own. In other words, “the population-level declines are greater in magnitude than the cross-sectional declines in testosterone typically associated with age.” (J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab 2006, Oct 24)

What do optimal levels of testosterone do for a man? If we take sexual desire and erections out of the equation for a moment, an adequate level of testosterone contributes to brain, bone, muscle and heart health – and reduces overall mortality rates. A 2007 study had been following 800 men over the age of fifty for 18 years. The group of men with values in the lower 1/3 testosterone level had a 33% increased rate of death from all causes than those men whose values were in the upper 1/3 testosterone level. Another way to say this is… a higher level of testosterone that a man has as he ages reduces his risk of dying. High free testosterone levels correlate with improved cognitive function and memory, and reduce the risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Lower testosterone levels are associated with coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis. Testosterone improves exercise-induced angina as it dilates coronary arteries. High cholesterol has been associated with low testosterone and testosterone therapy has been shown to lower total cholesterol. Testosterone therapy builds muscle mass in elderly men and increases bone strength. These are just a few examples in current literature of the benefits of having enough testosterone.

The following is a list of symptoms indicating that a man may be low in testosterone: decreased muscle mass and strength; decreased sex drive; reduced frequency and firmness of erections; reduced ejaculate volume; hot flushes; excessive emotions/sensitivity to difficulty; unnecessary worry anxiety, fear; depression; loss of self-confidence; joint pains; persistent fatigue that increases with activity; dry eyes; reduced muscle tone; depressed attitude; nervous, irritable; poor concentration and memory; pale skin/anemia; increased fat in breasts, abdomen and hips; metabolic syndrome. If you have any of these symptoms/signs on a continuing basis, please mention them to your primary health care provider and ask for testing to rule out testosterone deficiency. If, after the testing is done, your provider says that you are in the “normal” range, please ask him or her where in the normal range do your values fall? If you are in the lower 1/3 of the range you are at risk (re-read paragraph number two above) and should consider or hormone optimization therapy. In the next blog, I will talk about the ways to optimize testosterone levels – both naturally and by replacement.

~ Dr. Gatis

HOT & Aging Go Together

Posted on March 25, 2014 by admin

Hardly anyone would say that I need to “optimize my hormones” for good health and longevity. In fact, many of the signs of aging can be directly related to declining amounts of major hormones. Testosterone, DHEA, Progesterone, Estrogen, Growth Hormone all decline with age, for example. Why are many people almost obsessed with the idea of anti-aging? We all are going to die, right? Well let me tell you a simple fact. When I reach the age of sixty and beyond, when asked “How are you?”, I want to be able to look them in the eye, give them the thumbs-up sign and say “Golden” (and mean it).

That is why I am a proponent of “H.O.T.” or Hormone Optimization Therapy. To this end, for myself and my Naturopathic patients, I have taken the training and become a Fellow and Board-Certified in Anti-Aging, Regenerative and Functional Medicine from the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine – and I have decided to “blog” about relevant

issues that we all should know about when it comes to healthy aging.

H.O.T. is not just bio-identical hormone replacement therapy– as important as this can be. Excessive hormonal levels – like insulin and cortisol – also adversely affect health. Hormone Optimization Therapy takes into account that hormone levels and organ systems are all interactive. Reducing stress and restoring adrenal function is absolutely necessary for individuals with low thyroid activity, for example. Optimizing both adrenal and thyroid function is necessary to have balanced female and male hormones. A Naturopathic Doctor by virtue of his or her training is a specialist in supporting and optimizing the body’s functions.

It was a surprise to me that a high percentage of men have symptoms of and suffer from hypothyroidism and low testosterone as they get older. The “grumpy old man” syndrome is actually the result of low T! Maybe it is just the male in me, but there is a distinct difference between being sensitive to your female partner’s needs and being an emotionally “sensitive” male as a man ages. One of my patient’s just today mentioned that as her father has gotten older, he cries much more often – and “that isn’t my dad”. In my opinion, his Testosterone to Estrogen ratio has changed and he has become more hormonally like a female. Please understand that I am not saying that there is anything wrong with a man or a woman crying. In a man, however, inappropriate or increasing crying (or anger) may indicate a testosterone deficiency. Optimal testosterone levels are absolutely essential to a man’s health – his mind, heart and “bone” in particular. More on this in the next blog.

Please leave your comments below, and feel free to follow me on Twitter & Facebook.

Until next time,

Dr. Gatis

Welcome to Dr. Gatis Mind & Body Medicine Blog

Featured

Posted on May 25, 2011 by admin

The company Mind & Body Miracles is the brainchild of Dr. Robert L. Gatis, B.Sc., N.D., MCHt., FAARFM, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, Certified Master Hypnotherapist (Biomedical)and Fellow in Anti-Aging, Regenerative and Functional Medicine. Throughout his career, Dr. Gatis has come to the realization that the impact of the Mind on the Body is most often forgotten or ignored by medical professionals when, in fact, the Mind has a tremendous impact on the evolution of the disease process – and the person’s ability to heal.

Our mission is to provide reputable services, products and health information – focusing on the interaction of Mind and Body – to enable you, the consumer, to make appropriate decisions about your health goals and the means to achieve them. Enjoy our site and Enjoy good health!