Health

SIMPLE WAYS TO SUPPORT YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM

By Dr. Jenna Dye, Naturopathic Physician

Due to our ever-changing health situation, now more than ever, we must protect and enhance our immune system. Our immune system can be hindered by preexisting illnesses, inflammation, stress, diet and nutrient deficiencies. There are simple ways to enhance your immunity to keep you and your family healthy during the entire year.

SLEEP

Sleep is extremely important for the immune system and it is often sacrificed when we are busy with everyday life. I encourage at least eight hours or more of sleep per night. I also suggest eliminating electronic devices at least 30 minutes before bed. If you need to be on electronic devices, it is a good idea to invest in a pair of blue light blocking glasses to help block the stimulatory effects the light has on your brain. Find a healthy sleep routine for you and your family to ensure restful sleep.

DIET/NUTRITION

Food can be a major source of inflammation or anti-inflammation depending on what you eat. I recommend fueling your body with nutrient dense food such as colorful fruits and vegetables. These colorful foods are high in antioxidants to help the strengthen immunity and provide proper nutritional support. Balanced meals, plenty of water and minimal processed foods are all excellent ways to enhance the immune system. Sugar can directly inhibit immunity and increase inflammation, so I always recommend low sugar diets, especially when we are trying to protect the immune system.

EXERCISE/STRESS

Exercise can directly increase immunity by increasing circulation and stimulating immune cells. Regular, daily activity when you are not sick is essential for the immune system. Exercise can also help us relieve stress. Stress has a negative impact on the immune system and directly decreases our immune response. Although it can difficult to eliminate stressful events in our life, it is important to learn how to properly manage the stress to keep us healthy.

NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES

Nutrient deficiencies are common and can play a big role on how our immune system responds to illnesses. Common deficiencies I typically see are Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Zinc and Vitamin C. It is important to discuss this with your physician or have certain nutrient levels checked. A healthy diet consisting of fruits and vegetables can help support nutrient deficiencies along with appropriate supplementation.

GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM SUPPORT

Our digestive system is directly correlated with our immune system. Constipation, diarrhea, gas and bloating can all decrease overall immunity. Finding the underlying causes of these symptoms is the first step to decreasing inflammation and supporting the immune system. A high-quality probiotic supplement can be helpful to restore and balance beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal system once the underlying cause of any disruption is identified and supported. Food sensitivities and/or food allergies can also increase inflammation in the gut and cause decreased immunity and should be avoided.

SEE YOUR NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN

See your naturopathic physician for more individualized support. Underlying health conditions can also affect your immune system. A naturopathic physician can offer a more personalized approach for your specific health care needs.

Dr. Jenna Dye is a licensed naturopathic physician. Her role is to support the body’s foundation to restore and maintain optimal health. Together with her patients, this is achieved by identifying and removing barriers that may be impacting health while creating a healing environment. For more information, visit drjennadye.com.

MAY IS SKIN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH: TIPS TO SPOT SKIN CANCER EARLY By Dr. Pablo Prichard • Color: A mole should be one color. Any lightening causing tissue destruction, so catching it early is or darkening could be a sign of cancer. key to a quick recovery.

While skin cancer is the most common • Diameter: Any growth larger than a pencil eraser cancer in the U.S., when caught early it should be examined even if there aren’t other Make it a goal to examine your skin once a month. is almost always curable. There are two abnormalities. If you see an area that concerns you, such as any different types: melanoma and non-melanoma, • Elevation: Look for growths that have an uneven new spots, a sore that won’t heal, or a growth which includes basal cell and squamous cell surface or irregularity. that is itchy, painful or tender, share that with carcinoma. By learning these early signs, you’ll be your doctor immediately even if you think it able to catch cancer in its most treatable stage. BASAL CELL CARCINOMA may not be serious. People with lighter skin are This skin cancer begins in the basal cells, which more susceptible to skin cancer than people with MELANOMA produce new skin cells as old ones die off. It darker skin, as melanin, the pigment in the skin, is This is the deadliest form of skin cancer, making typically appears as a slightly transparent bump somewhat protective. Still, everyone should avoid it the most important to be aware of. Melanoma on the skin but can also present in other forms. the sun as much as possible and wear sunblock can be found anywhere on the body but is most The following could also be signs of basal cell when outside. common in areas exposed to the sun including the carcinoma: flat, firm, pale areas like a scar; raised head, neck, upper back, torso and lower legs. It can red patches, and small translucent bumps that are Pablo Prichard, M.D. has been the Chief of Plastic appear suddenly or develop from an existing mole. pink or red or a pearl-like shine. Surgery at HonorHealth John C. Lincoln Hospital The simplest way to spot melanoma is to follow the for 14 years, Medical Director for Plastic Surgery “ABCDE” rule. Keep these guidelines in mind when SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA and is Senior Partner at Advanced Aesthetics looking at a potentially cancerous area: Squamous cells make up the outer layer of the Associates. Dr. Prichard serves more than 2,000 • Asymmetry: Moles and freckles are typically skin. This type of cancer often looks like scaly patients every year and has specialized in both symmetrical. Make note if the area is now irregular. patches or raised growths similar to warts with a reconstructive and cosmetic procedures. For more • Border: If a spot that was once round is now lower area in the center. Squamous cell carcinoma information, visit drprichard.com and follow on blurred or jagged, it should be looked at by a doctor. is more likely to grow deep and spread locally, Instagram @pabloprichard.

COVER STORY MARKET VOLATILITY

By Renee A. Hanson, Private Wealth Advisor Affinity Wealth Advisory Group, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

The exhilarating anticipation of ticking up the roller coaster is quickly followed by the screams of the downward spiral to its eventual stop. We know the ride, yet we will stay the course because we know the ride will end – not just because we are locked in our seats for the duration. Understanding the outcome helps us tolerate the ride, and even enjoy most of it. But if you add uncertainty, the ride has a different feeling. No matter how often you tell yourself the ride will end, the uncertainty creates emotions.

As an investor you may read about the ups and downs of the stock market and it may feel like a roller coaster. History shows us that previous market corrections have ended. Yet even armed with the data, your emotions seem to contradict your good judgement. This internal conflict may cause you to flip day to day from staying the course and ignoring uncertainty or selling off to reduce the risk. If we look at historical charts of the markets, we can project ahead to presume the outcome of the current correction. These rational thoughts of historical data somehow still may not communicate calm to the heart and stomach. Big market moves may seem less tolerable and there is no locking bar to keep us in place. The choice is ever constant - stay the course or stop the uneasiness. Will data or emotions rule your decision?

This is volatility. Volatility is a statistical measure of standard deviation or dispersion of returns. What it means to you is the experience of the daily fluctuations of your holdings or your account balance. It creates emotions as we see what has happened and we project the uncertainty in our thoughts of what is yet to come. Did you know that the Chicago Board of Options Exchange (CBOE) created a volatility index (VIX), which is a measurement of the markets expected future volatility? Does your financial advisor discuss volatility with you and prepare you for market corrections?

To you, market volatility may be very strong emotions of the threat of losing something important to you. Money helps provide a lifestyle and sense of security, which is important to most of us. When you feel threatened by the risk of reduced purchasing power or the ability to protect those people or things important to you, the feeling is real.

In the world of investments, volatility may challenge one’s ability to accept risk or tolerate the volatility. It is important to understand one’s own risk tolerance to identify how much to accept or how much risk to avoid. A common practice before developing an investment portfolio is to quantify your risk by completing a risk questionnaire or risk quiz to determine your personal risk tolerance. Your personal risk tolerance is the amount of volatility you are willing to accept. Market volatility as we have recently experienced may cause you to rethink what you are truly willing to accept in relation to risk. A word of caution – risk tolerance should not be tied to short-term experiences or emotions. Risk tolerance is a representation of your willingness to accept risk, or volatility. During periods of volatility, some are inclined to second-guess their risk tolerance. Financial experts encourage investors to make long-term decisions not market cycle decisions. If you find yourself always changing your risk to suit conditions, you are likely not investing toward your goals. You are allowing your emotions to act. Time in the market has historically offered greater success than timing the markets.

What you may not know is that risk is something you can control. How? By aligning your values, goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon to develop a riskmitigated portfolio that is reflective of these in order to reduce your exposure to volatility.

Diversification – not having all your eggs in one basket - can help mitigate risk. What is diversification though? Is diversification having accounts at different institutions? Or is it having several managers? Or is diversification having different asset classes for asset allocation?

At the highest-level, diversification begins with a mix of stocks and bonds. A moderate investor, let’s call them Ed and Joan, may decide that a 50/50 allocation suits their risk tolerance, provides adequate return to maintain their lifestyle, and helps them stay aligned to their values (family, security, health, spirituality, and autonomy). In theory, having one stock and one bond would meet the 50/50 allocation. But common sense says that’s not enough “eggs.” To diversify the bonds, Ed and Joan may purchase Treasuries, Corporates, Municipals, or Emerging Market debt, to name a few. To diversify stocks, they may purchase Large Capitalized companies (big companies), Mid Cap, Small

COVER STORY

Cap, Foreign, or Emerging Markets for example. In can help you diversify in a meaningful way. In addiaddition, Ed and Joan may be interested in holding tion, an adequate cash reserve can help you maintain companies in different industries or sectors such as the integrity of your well-diversified portfolio to ride financials, utilities, healthcare, technology, healthcare, through market corrections. to name a few for further diversification. Cash reserves are meant to handle emergencies and, Returning to the questions of appropriate diversifica- during your distribution phase of life, to provide tion, it is not the number of institutions, because if each institution is doing the same thing, there is no diversification. As you can see, this also explains why simply using different managers may not meet your diversification needs. If they are all managing to a comfort in knowing you won’t need to sell during downturns to meet your living needs. Being prepared for market corrections (there will be another one) can help you remember what is important to you and maintain your strategy for financial comfort during market volatility. When thinking about risk acceptance consider what your goals are and what is important to you. Align those with your risk tolerance. As you look at managing your fears volatility, keep in mind that mindset ” “If you find yourself always changing your risk to suit conditions, you are likely not investing toward your goals. You are allowing your emotions to act. similar style, they are all doing the same thing just in can play an important role in your investment ride. different locations. Find a trusted financial advisor who can balance emotional responses to market conditions, current events, What does this mean to you? Having a clear under- and personal life changes with knowledge of past standing of what your money is meant to do for you market responses and ways to manage risks. This will help keep you focused on your long-term goals with increased confidence of success. Affinity Wealth Advisory Group is a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. that focuses on helping clients navigate through major life transitions - such as divorce, retirement, career changes, and widowhood – to find their new normal. We help individuals clarify and prioritize what they need and want to do and what is important to do (now, soon and later). This tailored guidance approach, leveraging the experience, knowledge, and passion, helps clients transition in a way that is both comfortable and effective. Learn more by calling 602923-9800 or e-mailing renee.a.hanson@ampf.com.

Ameriprise Financial cannot guarantee future financial results. Diversification and asset allocation do not assure a profit or protect against loss. There are risks associated with fixed-income investments, including credit risk, interest rate risk, and prepayment and extension risk. In general, bond prices rise when interest rates fall and vice versa. This effect is usually more pronounced for longer term securities. Stock investments have an element of risk. High-quality stocks may be appropriate for some investment strategies. Ensure that your investment objectives, time horizon and risk tolerance are aligned with stocks before investing, as they can lose value. Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2020 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

As an Ameriprise private wealth advisory practice, we have the qualifications and experience to help navigate your complex financial needs. Whether you are anticipating a transition, experiencing a change, or settling into your new normal we can patiently and compassionately help you prepare financially for whatever life may bring.

Affinity Wealth Advisory Group

A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC.

7010 E. Chauncey Lane, Suite 200 Phoenix, AZ 85054

602.923.9800

renee.a.hanson@ampf.com affinitywealthadvisor.com CA Insurance #0E87143

Advice for the expected and the unexpected.

Affinity Wealth Advisory Group Ameriprise Private Wealth Advisory Practice

The Compass is a trademark of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2020 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. (04/20)