You’ve probably heard by now that your gut is responsible for 70% of your immune system. This is generally true but there’s more involved. You’ve also probably heard or have been personally affected by the rise of auto immune diseases. The rates of Type I Diabetes and Celiac disease increased by >20% in the last 10 years. 50 million Americans suffer from an auto immune disease. Common autoimmune diseases are: Hashimotos, Thyroiditis, Celiac, Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis and more. There are over 150 autoimmune diseases.

Your diet and gut can stave off, prevent and assist in your immune response, giving us hope in healing. Your guts microbiota (microbial community/bacteria) has evolved over millennia and plays a key role in eliminating pathogens (bad bacteria, yeast, parasites and viruses) and keeping your immune system balanced. Certain foods and lifestyles can impact your gut immunity in both a negative and positive way.

Hormones lower Alzheimer’s incidences. A study in Psychoneuroendodrinology (2005) and reviewed again in 2015, showed women ages 65 to 84 that had the greatest total estrogen exposure showed the least cognitive impairment. The women using Bioidentical Hormone Replacement, estradiol, had an average of 40% reduction in the risk of cognitive impairment.

Bio identical estrogens, as well as progesterone and testosterone in lab animal studies, provided importantneuroprotection in the brain.

To summarize, “Based on extensive laboratory evidence, it seems likely that menopausal hormone replacement may enhance cognitive function and reduce the risks of Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.”- Dr. Johnathan V. Wright, M.D, published author and pioneer in hormone replacement.

Thinning hair and hair loss can be very frustrating, often impacting self-image and confidence. Hormonal Imbalances are often to blame. Common imbalances to consider are Thyroid, Testosterone, Cortisol, DHEA-S and Progesterone.

“I find progesterone is well underappreciated in hair protection and regrowth potential. I also find women with high stress lifestyles and adrenal hormone issues suffer from low progesterone and the connection could be in lifestyle and stress management.”- Dr. Lewerenz

Intermittent fasting is very en vogue right now and has gained popularity in the press. Why? Well, intermittent fasting is excellent for weight loss, gut health, blood pressure control, longevity and anti-aging. Intermittent fasting is essentially a way to reboot and start a gentle detox. The key component of intermittent fasting is consuming limited amounts of calories within a specific time frame. Best results occur when eating within an 8-hour window, while fasting throughout the night. Intermittent fasting can be defined as a few days a week, not typically consecutive days.

A study published out of Harvard School of Public Health in 2018 showed that intermittent fasting along with other quality lifestyle choices could add 12 years of life. “I call it a metabolic switch to better health. I believe we were not physiologically designed to eat whenever, wherever. Add fasting into your healthy lifestyle for better health, today!”- Dr. Lewerenz

There are many medications that deplete you of good nutrients and health. A few commonly known medications: Statins, Corticosteroids, Allergy Medications, Antibiotics, Birth Control Pills, Diabetic Medications, Antacids and MANY MORE, are known to deplete the body of essential nutrients for health.

The problem is the depletion of nutrients that support thyroid hormone production. Selenium is often robbed from you with the use of prescription medications. “You cannot have healthy thyroid functioning without the mineral, selenium. Selenium is found in the soil that we use to grow crops, but due to commercial farming and pesticide use, selenium levels are now reduced.

I always optimize selenium levels for our patients with underactive thyroid, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis or Hypothyroidism. Our goal is also to be on the least amount of prescription medications. The Longevity Protocol is to reduce your prescription burden and optimize your health.”- Dr. Lewerenz.

Studies routinely show old fashioned cruciferous vegetables or brassic as (a member of the mustard family) provide significant protection against cancers.

Cornell Cancer Research Laboratory at Rockefeller University in New York and other researchers have a large body of evidence that broccoli and other cruciferous veggies reduce 16x hydroxyestrone. For every 10 grams of cruciferous veggies you consume each day, your 2/16x hydroxyestrone increases by 8%, based on a Swedish study (2001). Women in this Swedish study showed women who eat the highest daily brassica vegetables had a 42% lower cancer risk than those who ate the lowest amounts.

“A common supplement recommended at Longevity Health Institute is Estroblock (IC3 and DIM), an extract of cruciferous vegetables. Eating your veggies is of utmost importance! EAT WELL!”- Dr. Lewerenz.