Essential Naples Winter 2023

Essential NAPLES Winter 2023

SWFL’s Resource for Essential Living

An Ecofriendly, Luxury Staycation at the Edgewater Beach Hotel Diane Hayden, PhD

Is Your Meal Plan Causing Fatigue and Stress?

Jenni Berman, PA-C, CPT, CNS

Pain: Is It Always Part of Getting Older?

Diana Macian, MD

Reduce Your Stress, Reduce Your Weight Candice Rosen, RN

Health Coaching: A Transformative Approach to Healthcare Jordan Dunin

Understand Your Filters and Transform Your Life Kristina B. Gretouce

Health + CBD for Weight Loss > 18 + The Best Diabetes Diet > 42

Finance + Resolve to Detox Your

Finances > 7 + Maximizing Your Retirement Savings > 39

Buzz + Anxiety & Fear Are Not the Same > 6

+ The Rosemallow Market in Naples > 6

Purpose +A Promise of Spring > 7 +The Incredible Healing Modality >14

ESSENTIAL Naples

1 WINTER 2023

< PAGE XX “Article Name” BY DR

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CONTENTS

Winter 2023

Features

4 6

LETTER BUZZ

Health 10 Pain: Is It Always Part of Getting Older?

By Dr. Diana Macian, MD

TRIM by SUNMED, a New CBD Weight Loss Supplement, Is Now Available at Your CBD Store!

12 Stronger Bones in Just 15 Minutes a Week

Anxiety and Fear Are Not the Same

16 Is Robotic Muscular Therapy the Way to Ease Your Chronic Pain?

The First Annual RoseMallow Market, The Market for a Cause, Takes Place at the Mercato in February New Technology Helps You Live Pain-Free 8

By Dr. Diane Hayden, PhD

SPOTLIGHT RoseMallow Market—Jennifer Barrell Live Beyond Well—Jennifer Barrell UBYou—Jack Hellmer Transformational Medicine— Dr. Carol Roberts

47

HAPPENINGS

48

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

26 Is Your Meal Plan Causing Fatigue and Stress?

By Jenni Berman, PA-C, CPT, CNS

44 What Happens in Your Mouth Doesn’t Stay in Your Mouth

By Dr. Josephine Perez, DMD

46 Improve Your Immunity and Reduce Pain the Relaxing Way

By Lynn Brewer

By Dr. Rikin Patel and Wesley Peixoto

By Theresa Edmunds, CHC

18 Forget the Munchies—CBD Can Be Used for Weight Loss!

By Stacy Bull

20 Health Coaching: A Transformative Approach to Healthcare

Finance 39 Maximizing Your Retirement Savings Provided by Nina Azwoir, First Vice President of Investments, Wintrust Wealth Management

By Jordan Dunin

30 Reduce Your Stress, Reduce Your Weight

By Candice Rosen, RN, BS, MSW, CHC

32 From Breath to Body: How Food and Flows Help You Let It Go!

By Betsy Opyt, RD, LD/N, CDE, RYT

36 The Ultimate Peripheral Neuropathy Relief Program

By Dr. Richard Hiler, DABCN

42 The Best Diabetes Diet

By Denise A. Pancyrz

Purpose 14 The Incredible Healing Modality You’ve Never Heard Of

By Zel Rau

34 Understand Your FIlters and Transform Your Life

By Kristina B. Gretouce

3 WINTER 2023

Departments

22 An Ecofriendly, Luxury Staycation at the Edgewater Beach Hotel

ESSENTIAL Naples

22

LETTER

Hey, I’m Dr. Diane!

ESSENTIAL Naples

I

WINTER 2023

4

“Far too many people go through life without making any effort to truly live passionately... to get that fire in their soul for enjoying life and living it to the fullest.”

—Dr. Diane Hayden, PhD

love to start a new year by taking some time to acknowledge everything I accomplished in the past year and celebrate my “wins”!

I spend the last week of December and first week of January to thoughtfully examine where I am in my life currently and more importantly, am I still passionate about it. This year I’m excited about 3 major accomplishments: 1) We had our best year for Essential Naples in terms of new advertisers, revenue, and expanding distribution; 2) I started a new networking/manifestation group with a bunch of really amazing women who meet monthly to support each other in our businesses; and 3) I got up on my wakeboard with my non-dominant leg forward for the first time ever! It’s the little things!

Here are some of the questions I ask myself during my year review, and I hope that you will take some time to as well: What if I only had one year to live? What would I do? What places would I visit?

Who would I spend my time with? How many of you have contemplated these questions? In our crazy, busy, jam-packed lives many of us are just going through the motions. Far too many people go through life without making any effort to truly live passionately … to get that fire in their soul for enjoying life and living it to the fullest. The worst tragedy in the world is the person who has lost his passion. How do you get your passion back? Spend a weekend, a month, a year identifying what you love and do it.

I hope that this issue inspires you to chase your dream.

After the last few years, I’ve realized – or I should say I’ve been reminded - that life is short. Don’t let fear stop you. Was I afraid to do some of the things I needed to do to accomplish what I listed above – Heck Yeah! But I stopped listening to those voices and I focused on one thing – the end result. You’ll be afraid – do it anyway. You’ll say you don’t have time – stop watching TV or scrolling social media. You’ll worry about the money – you’d spend it on something else, trust me. The years will go by whether you chase your dream or you don’t. And at the end, do you really want to be asking yourself, “What if?”

Wishing you health and happiness,

Dr. Diane Hayden, PhD Publisher & Owner, ELM Publishing

Essential NAPLES Vol. 3, Issue 3 Essential Naples is a quarterly lifestyle publication in SWFL for health-minded locals who need credible information on holistic health and well-being trends. Our coverage is 100% local with expert content that interests both local residents and professional integrated practitioners.

PUBLISHER/OWNER

Dr. Diane Hayden, PhD Diane@essentialnaples.com DIR. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY/OWNER

Christopher Urso Curso@naturalnutmeg.com

lori@naturalnutmeg.com DESIGN DIRECTOR

Ashley Frament layout@naturalnutmeg.com ADVISORY BOARD

Summer •Healthy Aging and Genetics •How Your Mental State Effects Health and Disease Fall •Natural Treatment for Cancer •Managing Stress and Anxiety

DISTRIBUTION

Naples and SWFL, please contact curso@naturalnutmeg.com Essential Naples Magazine essentialnaples.com In keeping with our concern for the environment, Essential Naples is proudly printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks.

Essential Naples is a free publication supported solely by our advertisers and distributed throughout SWFL. Please email curso@naturalnutmeg.com for locations near you. © 2022 by Natural Nutmeg, LLC. All rights reserved.

Parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, with permission. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your feedback.

Contact diane@essentialnaples.com to feature your business in Essential Naples!

5 WINTER 2023

Nina Azwoir, Financial Deanna M. Cherrone, MD Derrick DeSilva, MD Theresa Edmunds, CHC Betsy Opyt, RD, LD/N, CDE Denise Pancyrz, Nutrition Josephine Perez, DMD

Spring •Detox Your Living Space •Taking Care of Your Mental Health

ESSENTIAL Naples

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Lori Emelander

H e r e ’s W h a t Essential Naples Has in Store for 2023!

BUZZ ESSENTIAL Naples

Anxiety and Fear Are Not the Same

WINTER 2023

6

A TRIM by SUNMED, a New CBD Weight Loss Supplement, Is Now Available at Your CBD Store!

Y

our CBD Store in Naples and Marco Island is now carrying TRIM, a revolutionary new CBD weight loss supplement by SUNMED. This product uses proprietary hemp compounds to keep you feeling full, safely and naturally. It’s your first step on the path to a healthier body weight and a healthier, happier you!

This full spectrum formula features NITRO-V, a proprietary blend rich in THC-V and CBD-V, two compounds found in hemp that naturally suppress appetite and reduce cravings. Including turmeric for antioxidant properties, TRIM is scientifically backed by clinical trials with proven weight loss results over a 13-week trial period.

Now more than ever, it is crucial for us to consider healthier options for weight loss. Between 1975 and 2016, the prevalence of obesity nearly tripled worldwide. CBD can act as a natural alternative to medication and should be among your top considerations for natural weight loss options.

Full-spectrum TRIM comes in soft gel capsules, an orange-flavored tincture, or red apple-flavored gummies. This all-natural, hemp-derived supplement might be just what you’ve been looking for to get past that plateau and help you reach your health goals.

Stop by the Naples or Marco Island store today to check out our line of TRIM products as well as the other great SUNMED products we carry. We look forward to your visit!

Stacy Bull has been the co-owner and operator of Your CBD Store Naples and Marco Island locations for nearly four years.

She has her bachelor’s degree in Health Care Administration from UW–Milwaukee. She has worked in various healthcare departments including Ophthalmology, Oncology, and Cardiology before getting involved in Cannabinoid Therapy. She can be reached at 239.259.8654. See ad on page 43 >

nxiety differs from fear in several ways. Fear is a response to present danger. It is usually highly focused, attached to a very specific object or circumstance, and is meant to mobilize fast action.

Fear is contagious, marked by widened pupils, pale skin, and signals others to be afraid.

Anxiety does not require an external stimulus—it is a response to real or imagined future threat, thus the need for constant vigilance in anticipation of some calamity. It is the name we give to the internal sensations of warning generated by the body’s reaction to an alert to protect us from danger. Without waiting for us to make a conscious assessment of the danger, chemical (cortisol, adrenaline) warnings are sent to the various organs.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S.—over 40 million adults aged 18 and older, or 18% of the population.

The gold standard of treatment for anxiety is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Anxiety disorders also affect other races and sexes differently. Anxiety disorders in women are more common than in men. In the past year, 23% of women have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, compared to 14.3% of men.

Anxiety is highly subjective. People differ in susceptibility to anxiety due to biological makeup, parental inheritance, life history, personality factors, or coping skills that they have acquired or cultivated.

There is one vital thing everyone with anxiety has in common, though. And that is hope.

Jennifer Vear Hoy realized firsthand the need for professional and compassionate counseling in the Naples area. She went back to school and earned her second graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Her passion is helping others live the life they were meant to live. Jennifer Vear Hoy, Peaceful Summit Counseling, LLC located at 1048 Goodlette Road North, Suite 201 in Naples. Call the office at 239.307.4708 or mobile at 239.450.8090 to learn more. See ad on page 31 >

he RoseMallow Market will be hosting its first annual fundraising market event on Sunday, February 12, 2023, from 9 AM–1 PM at The Mercato in Naples.

The RoseMallow Market is an outdoor, elevated health and wellness market highlighting local holistic healing and alternative therapies. The community will be able to connect with local health providers, enjoy curated music, indulge in sound bowl energy clearing, shop for handcrafted goods, and much more.

“I am very excited for our first RoseMallow Market,” said Jennifer Barrell, Director, RoseMallow Market. “It’s a fun way for holistic practitioners to connect and engage with the community and allows us to highlight their healing services, all for a good cause. Our hope is to open the door to holistic wellness therapies for those who may not otherwise be able to afford or seek out alternative medicine options.”

The RoseMallow Market is a free event for the public.

RoseMallow Market is a registered 501(c)(3) and provides need-based grants for holistic therapies, alternative healthcare and natural medicine. The Market connects practitioners and providers with patients. Proceeds from the RoseMallow Market fund the grant program. If you would like more information on the RoseMallow Market, please visit www.rosemallowmarket.com, email Jocelyn Berner at jocelyn@rosemallowmarket.com, or call 239.989.9046. See ad on page 11 >

P

recision Robotic Muscular Therapy is now open in Naples.

This innovative technology can be life-changing for those living with pain. Located conveniently at Immokalee Rd and Valewood Rd, two blocks East of I-75, Precision Robotic Muscular Therapy opened its doors earlier this season.

Michigan natives Theresa Edmunds and Robin Turek had experienced this revolutionary treatment firsthand for years before deciding to open a clinic in Naples. “My husband suffered with pain from a shoulder injury for two years before finding this technology. After four treatments, the pain stopped and never came back,” said Edmunds.

The non-invasive therapy uses a robotic arm to administer gentle pressure in intervals to a specific muscle. This process deeply relaxes the muscle, relieving aches and pains.

With 26 different protocols, the machine can help with back, neck, shoulder, hip, knee, and elbow pain. Sciatica, rotator cuff, bulging/ herniated discs, carpal tunnel, and plantar fasciitis can be targeted with specific placements. As muscle tension is released, pressure is taken off joints, allowing the body to come back into better alignment.

Clients report finding relief after living with pain for months or even years. One client noted, “This was life-changing for me. I could barely walk, was in constant pain, and was scheduled for hip surgery.

I canceled the surgery after just three visits and have been playing golf and tennis pain-free ever since.”

Contact Precision Robotics at 888.339.1012 or visit www.precisionroboticstherapy.com. See ad on page 19 >

Want more BUZZ?

Checkout www.essentialnaples.com FINANCE

Resolve to Detox Your Finances Caroline Wetzel

PURPOSE

A Promise of Spring James Osborne

www

7 WINTER 2023

T

New Technology Helps You Live Pain-Free

ESSENTIAL Naples

The First Annual RoseMallow Market, The Market for a Cause, Takes Place at the Mercato in February

SPOTLIGHT ESSENTIAL Naples

RoseMallow Market

WINTER 2023

8

R

oseMallow Market, a non-profit (501c3), aims to provide all people with the opportunity to access the healing benefits of holistic health and wellness therapies. Each year we host an elevated wellness market that creates space for connection and growth between local businesses and the community. We are a market for a cause! There are two principal goals of the market: to connect local health and wellness professionals and vendors with each other and the community, creating a larger network of support, and to raise money to support the providers and clients. The funds raised provide those who demonstrate a need for access to packaged-based services via providers. Anyone who participates in the market does not have to pay the initial application fee to be in our network.

Over the years, as a Functional Licensed Dietician/ Nutritionist I saw how the services in the holistic industry can feel out of reach. I created RoseMallow Market as a circular non-profit in hopes that as we support each other, others could benefit as well. Holistic healthcare should be inclusive and accessible. Our goal is to be the bridge that connects the two!

The Market will offer a wide range of health and wellness vendors, such as organic smoothies and juices, high-end organic bath and body products, and organic herbal infusions. We also have many local health and wellness professionals joining: chiropractic offices, massage therapists, med spas, fitness centers, yoga studios, functional and holistic practitioners, acupuncturists, sound and energy healers, local mediation experts, hypnotherapists, and more!

We’re covering the full spectrum of all things health and wellness and we have a DJ and exciting raffle items: a 90-minute in-home massage, a high-end organic bath and body gift basket, and a LUMEN!

Jennifer Barrell, MS, CNS, LDN Functional Dietician and Founder • Live Beyond Well Founder • Rosemallow Market jennifer@rosemallowmarket.com Naples, FL 954.661.0435 https://livebeyondwell.org/ https://www.rosemallowmarket.com/ See ad on page 11 >

Live Beyond Well

I

have been in the functional/holistic world for over 10 years. Practicing as a Licensed Dietician Nutritionist and a Certified Nutrition Specialist, I have been helping people get back to feeling well via nutrition and lifestyle interventions in South Florida. Recently I have partnered with friend and colleague Kaitlyn Haley, LDN, two life coaches, and a personal trainer to form Live Beyond Well: A Holistic Women’s Collective. We use functional testing to provide individualized treatment plans for each client while creating a safe space for healing and growth with one-on-one biweekly practitioner meetings, course offerings, and a private online community.

We believe in a holistic approach that aims to support the body, mind, and soul. To join our subscription-based services, we begin with a Fundamental Assessment. The Fundamental Assessment allows each of us to meet with the client and develop a personalized plan. If the client would like to continue with us, we offer 12-month subscription-based options at an affordable rate.

I am passionate about inspiring people to take care of themselves and in connecting people because it takes a community to heal. After many years of seeing clients individually through the years, I saw a need for a change. Our collective of practitioners works together to support each client. We each have a unique perspective and our own tools to best support their journey. Live Beyond Well was formed with the intention to create an optimal space for clients to heal via personalized plans, education, and community support.

Jennifer Barrell, MS, CNS, LDN Functional Dietician and Founder • Live Beyond Well Naples, FL 954.661.0435 https://livebeyondwell.org/ https://www.rosemallowmarket.com/ See ad on page 11>

UBYou

Jack Hellmer UBYou jack@ubyouapp.com

S

ince ancient times, mind-opening substances have played an important role in many cultures. Amanita and psylocybe mushrooms are found in the forests of Europe. Peyote and San Pedro served the indigenous Americans, as has ayahuasca in the jungles of South America. LSD was the underground sensation in the 1960s, giving rise to the hippie movement, until the door was slammed on that option in 1970 and psychedelics were deemed too dangerous to society to allow any use at all. Now we see this as more a political move than a medical decision.

Recently, these remarkable medicines have been making an amazing comeback, no small thanks to Michael Pollan’s book (and Netflix special) How to Change Your Mind. Many people are seeing this renaissance as an opportunity to heal and grow in a remarkable way.

Research begun in the 50s and 60s has been augmented with many recent studies showing how these substances can untie psychological knots like anxiety, obsessive thinking, and depression; relieve PTSD, even after many years of suffering; open creative floodgates; and relieve fear of death.

Carol Roberts, a holistic medical doctor for 30 years, is offering at (your) home guided journeys with ketamine, currently the only legal psychedelic in the state of Florida. Her medical expertise stands alongside her training with the shamans of Peru to serve people in this powerful way.

Dr. Carol Roberts 941.313.2005 TransformationalMedicine.net See ad on page 19>

9 WINTER 2023

BYou is a university-specific service designed to strengthen students’ lives while connecting them to their campus resources. UBYou provides an app for students and a website portal for counselors. Students have access to a daily check-in survey, mediations, affirmations, workouts, deep breathing exercises, educational videos, their university’s helpline, additional campus resources, and the ability to track their progress.

UBYou’s daily check-in survey asks students quick and easy questions to further get to the root cause of a student’s issue efficiently and effectively.

With the student’s consent, a counselor may access the app data to track the student’s progress and identify trends and frequencies. UBYou is exploring ways to improve the lives of veterans, athletes, employees, patients, Greek life members, high school students, and more.

UBYou was started by Jack Hellmer, a student at Florida Gulf Coast University who experienced multiple hardships in a short time that led to struggles with anxiety and grief.

Hellmer realized that many students like himself struggle with similar issues but often just lived with them or masked them. Through a newly discovered passion for mental health and wellness, he researched and implemented natural ways to improve his daily life.

After seeing success, Hellmer began sharing this information with other students. Through research and the help of the Florida Gulf Coast University family, such as the Daveler and Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship, the Counseling and Psychological Services department, and university President Dr. Mike Martin, UBYou was born.

Jack Hellmer is the founder of UBYou and is a Florida Gulf Coast University student pursuing his Master of Science in Entrepreneurship. Jack is a mental health and wellness advocate whose personal experiences and passions drive him to continue his mission of making students’ lives happier, healthier, faster. Contact Jack at Jack@ubyouapp.com.

ESSENTIAL Naples

U

Dr. Carol Roberts Offers Ketamine Journeys

ESSENTIAL Naples

Health

Pain: Is It Always

Part of Getting Older?

WINTER 2023

10

By Diana Macian, MD

“If you haven’t exercised in a long time, start light with walks or bike rides. If you’re starting a new workout, go slow enough in the beginning to develop the proper form and technique.”

—Diana Macian, MD

W

e’ve been taught to believe that aches and pains are a part of getting older. But what if I told you the two are not inextricably linked? The latest studies do not show a direct relationship between pain and age. In fact, a National Center for Health Statistics report found that the highest prevalence of chronic pain peaks at age 65.

Population-based studies found a lower prevalence of lower back, neck, headache, and abdominal pain among older adults compared to younger adults. According to the Arthritis Foundation, of all adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis, 64% are under the age of 64.

Greater risk factors than just age alone for arthritis are genetics, obesity, and prior injuries. There is no denying that as we age, muscle fibers become less dense, making them less flexible, but there are plenty of things you can do to help keep your joints in great working condition and reduce the chances of pain and injury.

Tips for Keeping Joints Limber and Strong 1.

2.

Manage weight. Excess weight on our cartilage and bones causes the breakdown of joints. The additional load causes a release of chemicals that can lead to joint destruction. Osteoarthritis gets worse faster and is more severe in people who are overweight. They are also more likely to need hip or knee replacement surgery and have more complications post-surgery.

Keep moving. Staying active is one of the best ways to prevent pain and joint stiffness. It’s important to move every day.

As we age, we need to modify our workout routines to focus on strength training, cardio, and stretching equally. Strength training is vital because it helps us build muscle and improves the flexibility of the ligaments that support the joints. Cardio or aerobic exercises such as walking, swimming, running, or cycling help burn calories, keep our endurance up, and keep the weight off. And stretching, of course, helps us stay flexible. Most important,

3.

consistent movement helps prevent injury that can lead to pain later in life. Many injuries I see as a physician are from people who sit behind a desk five days a week and then hit the tennis or pickleball courts hard on the weekend. That’s the quickest recipe for injury. If possible, add some activity to your weekdays as well; constant movement is the best way to keep your joints pliable and prevent injury.

Start slow and listen to your body.

See ad on page 33 >

7935 Airport Pulling Rd. 2nd Floor, Suite 214 Naples FL 34109 219.381.9777 bekind111@yahoo.com ZelRau.com/book-online

< PAGE 14 “The Incredible Healing Modality You’ve Never Heard Of” BY ZEL RAU

11 Naples Premier

Health & Wellness Market vendor application & attendee info

Sunday, February 12th 9am-1pm @ Mercato, Naples Sponsored by

A Holistic Women's Collective

@rosemallowmarketnaples < PAGE 7 “The First Annual RoseMallow Market” BY JENNIFER BARRELL

WINTER 2023

Diana Macian, MD, of WellcomeMD Naples, is a board-certified emergency medical physician with 9 years of experience treating patients with a wide range of medical conditions.

She and her team offer complimentary consultations to answer any questions you may have on how Dr. Macian can help you achieve optimal health. To schedule a tour of our practice and a free consultation, please call Pam Ross at 239.451.5105 or visit WellcomeMD at: wellcomemd.com/naples-florida, 11181 Health Park Blvd., Naples.

ENERGY SPA BY ZEL

ESSENTIAL Naples

Many people want to start strong when they begin a new exercise regimen. They work out too hard on the first day and risk inflaming or stressing the joint muscles.

It’s important to give yourself time to build muscle strength around the joints—this allows the muscles that support the joints to take the impact of a more intense workout. If you’re trying to start a new routine, listen to your body, it will tell you if you’ve had enough. If you experience any pain during activity, cut back or stop. You don’t want to injure yourself or make your muscles so sore that you can’t work out the next day. Remember, the goal is to build a new routine, which means consistency, not power. If you haven’t exercised in a long time, start light with walks or bike rides.

If you’re starting a new workout, go slow enough in the beginning to develop the proper form and technique. Another quick way to injure yourself is by improperly putting a lot of weight or impact on your bones and ligaments.

4. Hydrate. Drink plenty of fluids. The fluid that directly lubricates your joints is primarily made up of water. This fluid is essential to reduce friction in your joints, which can cause pain. Hydration also helps build and strengthen the muscles around your joints to further protect with shock absorption and boosts our endurance.

Health

ESSENTIAL Naples

Stronger Bones in

Just 15 Minutes a Week

By Dr. Rikin Patel and Wesley Peixoto

WINTER 2023

12 “OsteoStrong… boasts improvements in strength, balance, joint pain, and posture in more than 100,000 people. In a study of 500 clients, strength improved by an average of 73 percent after the first year.”

—Wesley Peixoto

D

ebra Marchese was one of the first customers at the newest location of OsteoStrong, a patented system of four machines that apply pressure to the skeletal system to stimulate bone growth.

After the success of OsteoStrong Fort Myers, a new studio was open in Naples, at Galleria Shoppes at Vanderbilt.

Marchese was diagnosed with osteoporosis. “I was aware I had bone issues and did use a less intense drug for a few months until that was taken off the market,” said Debra. “The results from my last bone scan were bad, and I knew it was time to address this because of my age.”

Often called the silent killer, osteoporosis—contrary to popular misconception—does not only affect women. Osteoporosis, or loss of bone density, is a disease that impacts every one of us in our form and function. It impacts how we move, how we perform, and the quality of our everyday living.

Our bones generally begin the gradual descent to fragility after our 40s. Ten million Americans currently have osteoporosis and another 44 million are at increased risk of developing it. Postmenopausal women are more susceptible to osteoporosis because bone loss is closely related to hormone estrogen deficiency during the menopausal transition period. In the U.S., 1 in 4 women over the age of 50 will experience osteoporotic compression fractures, as will 1 in 4 men over 50.

In the meantime, Debra found OsteoStrong and learned how it triggers the body’s natural response to create new bone. “What I like to call a divine intervention, a phone call came to me. [It was] a lovely mom looking for ballet lessons for her daughter. I teach adaptive ballet, and her daughter is not special needs. During the conversation, she told me the best word I have ever heard: OsteoStrong. I immediately felt hope. I do not want to inject drugs.”

Your Neural System Is Signaled to Build More Bone

OsteoStrong is a system of four machines that have no weights or pulleys. The user safely pushes as hard as they can for a brief moment in four different static positions. During these “trigger events,” bone cells called osteocytes signal the neural system to build more bone. The routine takes only fifteen minutes once a week, and the user barely break a sweat. A computer program provides constant biofeedback and allows progress to be tracked over months and years.

OsteoStrong has over 150 locations worldwide and boasts improvements in strength, balance, joint pain, and posture in more than 100,000 people. In a study of 500 clients, strength improved by an average of 73 percent after the first year.

Biomedical engineer John Jaquish co-founded the company after creating the machines in 2010 to

help his mother, who was diagnosed with osteoporosis in her late 60s. After 18 months, she had reversed her bone loss. Today, his mother works in her garden, moving large vases around and carrying heavy bags of mulch.

OsteoStrong Helps People of All Ages

Wesley Peixoto is an entrepreneur with a diverse business background. Wesley is an ideas man with a bullish optimism and a never-say-die attitude; he also owns four OsteoStrong centers. Based on the article by Michele Munz, “Area’s first OsteoStrong promises stronger bones with 7 minutes a week,” at St. Louis Post Dispatch, on Aug. 18, 2016.

See ad on this page >

< PAGE 26 “Is Your Meal Plan Causing Fatigue and Stress?” BY JENNI BERMAN, PA-C, CPT, CNS

13 WINTER 2023

Dr. Rikin Patel is board certified in both physical medicine and rehabilitation with subspecialty board certification in both sports medicine and pain medicine. He is specialized in non-operative orthopedic and spine care.

OsteoStrong is a science-backed system for strengthening bones, joints, and muscles. Sessions are short, painless, and results are measurable and happen quickly. OsteoStrong Naples Vanderbilt is located at The Shoppes at Vanderbilt and offers a free session.

Contact them at 239.788.1043 or www.osteoct.com.

ESSENTIAL Naples

Many clients are people fighting osteoporosis or back and joint pain, but the system can be helpful for people of all ages in preventing injuries and improving athletic performance. Spine specialist Rikin Patel, DO, says that the skeletal system is the frame on which we move. “Like the chassis of a car, it supports us throughout our ride called life. A 2006 Honda Odyssey may hit 120 miles per hour, and the engine still hums, but the frame rattles like the roof is about to fly off. In our own lives, the importance of maintaining our chassis was never as important as it is today. In the 1960s, the life expectancy was around 70. By 2000 it became 75, and today, it’s 85+. In my 10 years of practicing, the trouble that I have seen is that your engine will go, but the chassis will begin to say no. That leads to pain, frailty and compromised quality of life.”

Whether you suffer from osteoporosis, joint pain, or injury or simply want to improve athletic performance, OsteoStrong may be the solution you’ve been looking for. That is why Dr. Patel refers OsteoStrong to many of his patients: “The benefit goes beyond building strong bones. Improvements can be seen in balance, posture, strength, and athletic performance for any age group. Furthermore, while it may be a little premature to proclaim, in my opinion, this may turn out to be the key to a future of pain-free living.”

Suzanne's new DEXA Scan shows 8.5% GAIN in bone density

THE SHOPPES AT VANDERBILT • NAPLES

Experiencing the effects of osteoporosis can be scary.

The fear can lead to living a less active and enjoyable life.

OsteoStrong is a proven and innovative approach to improving your bone density, overall strength, and physical performance.

TO BOOK YOUR FREE SESSION CALL OR SCAN THE QR CODE

239-788-1043 www.osteoct.com

NO PHARMACEUTICALS

The Shoppes at Vanderbilt • Naples SCIENCE-BACKED

< PAGE 12 “Stronger Bones in Just 15 Minutes a Week” BY DR. RIKIN PATEL AND WESLEY PEIXOTO

Purpose

ESSENTIAL Naples

The Incredible Healing Modality

You’ve Never Heard Of

WINTER 2023

14

By Zel Rau

O

ur energetic field and our energy body require healthy hygiene, just as our physical bodies do.

We brush our teeth and clean our bodies, clothes, and food, but we do not put much thought into cleansing and maintaining our energetic bodies and the surrounding field, which constantly feeds us physically and emotionally.

Everything starts in our energy field and, over time, manifests into our physical body. Therefore, the sooner we start balancing and tuning our energy, the sooner we may feel better physically and mentally.

The “biofield” refers to our body’s complete electrical system, including the current that runs through our body and the magnetic field that surrounds it, which extends 5–6 feet around our body and 2–3 feet above and below our body.

The biofield is dynamic, constantly moving and evolving in response to our environment and our connections with others.

Our biofield is connected to our memories and our conscious and subconscious mind. These memories can leave an energetic imprint in your

biofield that can be triggered in many ways, such as anxiety, panic attacks, depression, pain, insomnia, and so on.

Biofield Tuning is a frequency therapy method that works directly with our biofield. Just as we brush our teeth and shower to clean our physical bodies, we need to be aware that our energetic body requires tuning and cleaning for a better physical response.

Biofield Tuning has a profound impact on each individual based on what they need in that moment. Remember that energy works in mysterious ways, and you will always receive what you need at that time to help you attain a better quality of life.

What to Expect During a Biofield Tuning Session

The client lies fully clothed on a treatment table.

The practitioner will activate a tuning fork, then scans the biofield slowly, finding the edge of the field about six feet away. The practitioner is then feeling for resistance in the biofield and listening

Dr. Di’s Testimonial

“All physical, mental, and emotional disorders can be perceived as ‘dissonance’ in our electrical system. Biofield Tuning is able to locate, diminish and resolve this dissonance and, in doing so, alleviate and even eradicate the corresponding physical, mental, and/or emotional symptoms.”

—Biofield Tuning Website

Energy Spa is owned and operated by Zel Rau. Zel was first exposed to Reiki energy work 12 years ago, and soon after, she became certified as a Master Reiki Healer. As she is still growing and expanding her knowledge of Biofield Tuning, she is beyond excited to bring it to you. Reiki and Biofield can be performed in-person and remotely, making it available to anyone interested in trying it, even from the comfort of their home. Text 219.381.9777, email bekind111@yahoo.com, and visit zelrau.com for more information.

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15 WINTER 2023

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of a Biofield Tuning session with Zel Rau, and the experience was nothing short of amazing. While I don’t often write articles about my experiences with healers, my session with Zel was so extraordinary that I felt compelled to write about it.

If you’ve never had a Biofield Tuning session (and, like me, I imagine many of you reading this had probably never even heard of the modality before), I strongly encourage you to explore it. I left my session with Zel with a deeper understanding of the traumatic life experiences I’d had and why my soul chose this path.

The best way to describe the session is like a life review from conception until about four years prior to your current age. Zel intuitively knows which ages you experienced a trauma, and let me tell you—she was spot on for me with every

single age. Here is a brief synopsis of the ages she intuited and how we worked through the trauma.

• In utero – my father had a serious car accident • Age 9 – I was bullied by a group of older girls • Age 13 – I discovered one of my parents was having an affair • Age 16 – My boyfriend was cheating on me • Age 18 – I had an unexplained illness • Age 20 – I was involved in an interracial relationship that my parents did not accept • Age 27 – My father passed away unexpectedly • Age 29 – I called off an engagement • Age 31 – I failed my first dissertation defense • Age 42 – I got divorced • Age 49 – I was betrayed and ended a longterm friendship As Zel began work to clear the trauma, something else happened that was a first with any intuitive I’ve ever worked with. She told me a male figure was communicating with her from the other side, and he wouldn’t let her continue until she passed the information to me. She went on to perfectly describe my father, who has never shown up in any other session I’ve been in since he’s been gone—over 27 years ago. She described his personality to a T, and the message he had was exactly what I needed to hear. I could even feel his energy as she relayed his message to me.

One of the amazing things I learned about some of the experiences I’d been through is WHY they happened to me. When Zel spoke about the affair, she described the situation exactly as it played out, and the reason it happened was that they were soul mates. There was no way this affair could have been avoided because my parent and this person had a soul contract for this lifetime.

With that understanding, I’ve now been able to forgive and let go of the anger I’d been carrying for all these years. My soul chose this experience so I could become more compassionate and understanding.

After the session, I left feeling lighter, joyful, peaceful, and with more clarity about my life than I’ve had in years. I will definitely be back—this truly was one of the best healing experiences I’ve ever had.

ESSENTIAL Naples

for any change in the overtones and undertones of the tuning fork and the vibration.

Sessions can also be conducted at a distance, during which the client may choose to rest comfortably in their home, or go about their business as usual—those clients generally do appreciate the opportunity to relax and enjoy the session.

When an area of resistance is encountered, the practitioner will activate the tuning fork and hold it in that spot to break up the density of the energy being contained there. After a while, the body’s intelligence will tune itself using the tuning fork’s vibrational frequency. This helps release tension in the body so we can relax more, breathing becomes more freely, and on many occasions, a resolution of our symptoms is reached during the session. Other tools and modalities are sometimes needed to assist with the more resistant symptoms.

Biofield Tuning is such an effective modality that it may stir up very intense, emotional memories.

The client should be prepared for the possibility of confronting some long-since-buried parts of their past.

A simple way of describing Biofield Tuning is to think of it as “consciousness hacking” to help make a positive change in one’s life.

ESSENTIAL Naples

Health

WINTER 2023

16

Is Robotic Muscular Therapy the Way to Ease Your Chronic Pain?

“I never gave much thought to the effects of playing sports and having been a paratrooper, but at 76 years of age, headaches and chronic hip and shoulder pain were the results. Precision Robotics uses robotic pressure in a way that manual therapy could never do.

My contracted muscles let go!

Headaches are eliminated, I have greater range of motion and am almost completely pain-free.”

—Tom Costello

By Theresa Edmunds, CHC

C

hronic pain can feel overwhelming. We may think it’s out of our control, as though there is no solution. But often, chronic pain can be a result of muscle imbalance.

Muscles are made to contract and release as we use them. If we don’t use our muscles in various positions, we create imbalance. As one muscle tightens from overuse, the opposing muscle is stretched and becomes weak from underuse.

Living in our modern world creates these imbalances. When we were largely an agricultural society, we were using our whole body and were walking and moving most of the time. As we developed different technologies, it significantly impacted the way we use our bodies.

Technology Has Given Us Bad Posture

Believe it or not, cars, which we now take for granted, have had a significant impact on our bodies. A couple of generations ago, most people didn’t own a car. Most people were walking, cycling, or using public transportation. Now that most people drive, we spend much of our time sitting, arms forward, with our hands on the steering wheel.

As we moved deeper into technology with the advent of computers, we have spent more time sitting and using our hands in front of our bodies than ever before. And that’s not even mentioning the explosion of cell phone use in the last 20 years!

Our bodies can’t evolve at the pace our technology is evolving. The problem with all this sitting with arms forward posture is that the muscles in the front of the body start to contract and become tight. At the same time, the muscles on the back of the body are stretched and become weak.

Sitting Really Is the New Smoking?

Most of us have heard the phrase, “sitting is the new smoking.” It seems extreme, but the statistics don’t lie. According to The Heart Foundation, a study found that compared to people who sit the least, those who sit the most “have a greater risk of disease and death, with 112% increased risk of diabetes, 147% increased risk of cardiovascular events like heart attack or stroke, and 90% increased risk of death from cardiovascular events.”

Sitting creates shortness in the psoas muscle.

The psoas muscle is the only muscle in the body that connects the torso to the legs. As this large muscle shortens and contracts, it creates a lot of tension on the opposing muscles of the back, hence low back pain as well as hip and/or leg pain.

In the “arms forward” position of driving, computer use, and cell phone use, the pectoral muscles of the chest shorten and contract. This creates rounded shoulders and a head-forward posture, putting stress on the neck, upper back, and shoulders. After spending hours every day in these

postures, no amount of stretching or massage can release these muscles—they have adopted the position that they most often find themselves in.

Robotic Muscular Therapy

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17 WINTER 2023

Theresa Edmunds is a Certified Health Coach and co-owner of Precision Robotics Muscular Therapy. She is passionate about helping people feel better inside and out. In addition to bringing this patented muscular technology to the Naples area, she enjoys coaching individuals and families toward a healthier lifestyle. To make an appointment for Robotic Muscular Therapy or for a free 20-minute health coaching session, contact Theresa at 734.308.7105 or theresa@theresaedmunds.com.

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ESSENTIAL Naples

Many people have tried various forms of treatment to no avail. Fortunately, there is a technology that can help these muscles release and become more pliable. Robotic Muscular Therapy is an innovative technology that can lengthen muscle fibers.

Using a robotic arm placed into the muscle, this machine applies pressure and vibration, allowing the muscle to relax and soften. As the muscle contraction is released, fibers lengthen, and the muscle returns to a more natural state. As this happens, pressure is taken off joints and bones that were previously under stress from the shortened muscle. As this happens, it allows bones to come into better alignment, which in turn improves posture.

Improving posture has a significant impact on overall health. Not only will it often relieve pain, but it can also improve breathing and allow the body to function better. As pressure is taken off joints, the joint can move more freely, resulting in pain relief. Without impingement, nerves can be released, circulation is improved, and overall function is restored.

Releasing the muscles causing the pain can help even stubborn chronic pain cases. Often, people have tried many therapies and modalities before finding Robotic Muscular Therapy. And many of those patients report feeling relief after the first session.

Robotic Muscular Therapy is a treatment that can correct the imbalance that causes chronic pain, not just mask the pain. In a relatively time, this therapy can help people recover from chronic pain and rebalance the musculature of the body.

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Health

Forget the Munchies—

ESSENTIAL Naples

CBD Can Be Used for Weight Loss!

FALL 2022

18

By Stacy Bull

“Rather than allowing white fat to be built up and stored, then, CBD helps turn that into brown fat, speeding up and increasing the fat-burning process in the body.”

—Stacy Bull

T

he use of medicinal cannabis products across the U.S. continues to grow as more research is being done on marijuana and its active components, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). It seems like every day there is a new medicinal use found for CBD, and it’s becoming impossible to ignore the many health benefits it provides.

This may come as a surprise, but CBD for weight loss is proving to be one of those benefits. Various studies published over the past few years in the International Journal of Epidemiology have shown that not only are cannabis users less likely to become obese than those who don’t use it, but they are also less likely to gain weight than those who never use cannabis.

How Does This Work?

CBD works to help with weight loss in a variety of ways. One way it works is by stimulating genes and proteins that break down fat cells in the human body and reduces the amount of new fat cells that are generated. CBD also increases the mitochondria in the body, which means the body is able to burn more calories.

One of the greatest benefits of CBD, though, is its ability to increase the process of browning fat—the process the body undergoes to change white fat tissue into brown fat tissue. This is important because white fat is responsible for energy preservation, whereas brown fat indicates energy is being burned. Rather than allowing white fat to be built up and stored, then, CBD helps turn that into brown fat, speeding up and increasing the fat-burning process in the body.

There is plenty of research available that supports the claim that CBD has a direct impact on metabolism. A study published in Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry in 2016 showed, after monitoring CBD and its effects on immature fat cells, that CBD actually has multiple ways of boosting the fat browning process: “These data suggest possible roles for CBD in browning of white adipocytes, augmentation of lipolysis, thermogenesis, and reduction of lipogenesis…the current data suggest that CBD plays dual modulatory roles [by] inducing the brown-like phenotype [and] promoting lipid metabolism. Thus, CBD may be explored as a potentially promising therapeutic agent for the prevention of obesity.”

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ESSENTIAL Naples

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What About Those Munchies?

Stacy Bull has been the co-owner and operator of Your CBD Store Naples and Marco Island locations for nearly four years. She has her bachelor’s degree in Health Care Administration from UW–Milwaukee. She has worked in various healthcare departments including Ophthalmology, Oncology, and Cardiology before getting involved in Cannabinoid Therapy. She can be reached at 239.259.8654.

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19

Meet Your New Therapeutic ROBOT Tired of Pain?

After we pinpoint YOUR specific problem, we use the RX2600 Therapeutic ROBOT to administer gentle pressure in intervals to a specific area of a muscle. Taking tension off and restoring balance, greatly increasing mobility and relieving pain.

Precision Robotics Muscular Therapy is changing the game with a new standard

“This therapy was life changing for me! I could barely walk, was in constant pain and scheduled for hip surgery. I canceled the surgery after just 3 visits and have been playing golf and tennis pain-free ever since.”

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Take Your Recovery To The Next Level Schedule an appointment today! 888-339-1012 < PAGE 16 “Is Robotic Muscular Therapy the Way to Ease Your Chronic Pain?” BY THERESA EDMUNDS

WINTER 2023

The food cravings often associated with cannabis consumption (commonly referred to as the munchies) can primarily be attributed to the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) component of the plant—although this component has also been shown to help with weight loss. But when CBD is extracted from the cannabis plant, the THC is not extracted with it.

So, where the THC in cannabis may increase your appetite when you use it, the use of CBD products does not. In fact, CBD actually suppresses appetite.

More than ever before, it is crucial for us to consider healthier options for weight loss. CBD can act as a natural alternative to medication and should be among your top considerations for natural weight loss options.

ESSENTIAL Naples

Health

WINTER 2023

20

Health Coaching: A Transformative Approach to Healthcare

By Jordan Dunin

I

f you’ve lost track of the promises you’ve broken to yourself, a professional health coach could help guide and support you toward feeling like yourself again. Starting is the hardest part, but HatchPath makes it easy.

You may have heard the term health coaching thrown around a lot lately, but what exactly does it mean? In short, health coaching is a form of supportive leadership that helps people make lasting changes in their health and well-being.

Some of us feel generally lost, while others are painstakingly aware of the changes that need to be made in their lives. Unfortunately, that awareness doesn’t make implementing change any easier, and that’s where health coaching comes in. A health coach is a trained professional who can help you set goals and create a plan to improve your health and become your true self. They also provide support and accountability to help you stick to your tailored action plan.

While health coaching is an age-old practice, it’s become more prevalent and accepted in the modern world within the last few decades. Health coaching allows experts to truly practice their

dexterities within their niche, conveying to those that don’t have the answers. As we gear towards a digitally dominant world, there’s also a prominent need for accessibility within the healthcare space.

We naturally need to adapt without losing the sense of community and connection.

How Does a Health Coach Help?

Health coaches challenge you to challenge yourself. They ask the right questions that allow you to shatter your life’s barricades and uncover what’s really standing between you and a life of authenticity. By approaching health and wellness with supportive energy, a sense of comfort is established which creates the necessary space to unfold a strong sense of purpose.

Some coaches specialize in intellectual growth and spirituality, whereas others may center their focus on career objectives, social skills, or anxiety.

A health coach will not only guide you through the actions toward inner bliss, but they will leave you with a roadmap to continue living a life of equilibrium after your program is complete.

Here are just a few of the ways health coaches can help you produce real, concrete change.

1. Helps You Set and Achieve Health Goals One of the main objectives of health coaching is to help clients set and achieve their health goals. The path to better health doesn’t have to be complicated; in fact, research has shown that small lifestyle changes can lead to big improvements in overall health. But if you’re someone who struggles with making lasting changes, a health coach can give you the guidance and support you need to succeed.

2. Increases Your Motivation and Confidence

Holds You Accountable

4. Enables You to Make Sustainable Changes

The whole point of making changes to your lifestyle is to improve your longterm health, which is why sustainable change is so important. Unsustainable behavioral changes are those that are not maintainable over time and often lead to yo-yo dieting or other destructive habits.

When working with a health coach, one of their main objectives will be helping you actualize sustainable changes so that you can enjoy lasting results.

“Your life is a collection of small, everyday habits.

A health coach is someone who can help you adjust those habits to better serve your health.”

—Jordan Dunin

Find Your Perfect Health Coach on HatchPath

With a huge community of experts in both physical and emotional wellness, there is a HatchPath health coach that can help you unveil your purpose. Find them today at www.hatchpath.io.

Become a Health Coach with HatchPath If you think becoming a health coach is your calling, there’s no better time than now to kick off your practice. With the flexibility and customization of HatchPath’s platform, you can explore this new career at your own pace.

Get started for free today at www.hatchpath.io.

Jordan is the CEO and Founder of HatchPath—an online marketplace connecting clients with health coaches.

He knew that coaches were the missing link in the healthcare system, and he knew there had to be a better way to find them. Jordan created HatchPath out of his desire for holistic healthcare that works and to connect as many people as possible to the right people who can help them. Call 239.361.6704, email jordan@hatchpath.io, and visit hatchpath.io for more information, and find him on Instagram: jordandunin See ad on inside front cover >

21 WINTER 2023

A key component of successful behavior change is accountability, which is why it’s built into the health coach-client relationship. Health coaches will check in regularly to see how you’re progressing toward your goals and offer suggestions if needed.

Knowing that someone is there cheering you on and holding you accountable can make all the difference when it comes to reaching your goals.

One of the greatest aspects of working with a health coach is choice. Just as your hardships and/or goals are specific, the expertise of a coach is as well. With HatchPath, you can find experienced health coaches that cater to your specific needs.

It all comes down to connection. If you aren’t comfortable speaking and being vulnerable with a coach, they’re not the right fit for you. That’s why HatchPath allows open communication between coaches and clients as soon as the client initiates dialogue.

Sometimes our problems aren’t so clear, and that’s okay. If you’re feeling a bit lost and aren’t sure what type of support would even benefit you, you’re in good company. Finding a coach who specializes in your specific concern and meets your budget aren’t the only factors to evaluate.

Consider qualities that make you feel at ease, such as patience and diligence, for example, and take those into account when reviewing different health coaches’ styles and processes.

One of the biggest hurdles when it comes to beginning a wellness journey is self-awareness.

That’s why a new perspective is so beneficial, especially that of a professional.

ESSENTIAL Naples

3.

When you work with a health coach, you’ll not only benefit from their knowledge and expertise, but also from their motivation and confidence-boosting powers! A good health coach will be able to help you see your situation in a new light, overcome any self-doubt, and find the inner strength needed to make positive changes in your life.

How Do I Find My Ideal Health Coach?

What Should I Be Looking For?

ESSENTIAL Naples

Feature

WINTER 2023

22

An Ecofriendly, Luxury Staycation at the Edgewater Beach Hotel

By Dr. Diane Hayden, PhD

ESSENTIAL Naples

23 WINTER 2023

M

any years ago, someone told me there were only seven beaches in the world that had the following: white sand as soft as satin, tranquil breezes, abundant sunshine, and temperatures that rarely dropped below 75 degrees. I’m not sure if there are only seven, but I can tell you I found one of those beaches when I moved to Naples, Florida. When you step onto that pristine, silky sand for the first time, it’s something you’ll never forget. But even though I enjoy the luxury of living here, I wanted to experience it from the view of a vacationer. I had the opportunity to do just that at the Edgewater Beach Hotel this past week. Laura Radler, GM, made our stay unforgettable with the many wonderful touches she provided.

Activities and Oh, the Views!

A 125 all-suite hotel situated on seven miles of white-sand beach, the Edgewater Beach Hotel offers guests a variety of activities as well as a tranquil setting to leave the stress of daily life behind. Believe it or not, there are very few beachfront hotels in Naples, so the Edgewater is truly one of a kind. What’s even better about this hotel is its strong focus on wellness. It makes perfect sense as Naples is a Blue Zone. Blue Zones are known across the globe as hotspots of rare longevity in the people that live there due to their diet and lifestyle.

The Edgewater Beach Hotel provides an ideal environment for those seeking the best wellness hotel in Naples. They have developed a program of

The Edgewater Beach Hotel in Naples, Florida

ESSENTIAL Naples

Feature “As a Green Resort, water conservation, reducing waste and pollution of all types, and limiting the effects of global warming are priorities.

They change bed linens and towels only upon request, provide recycling bins, use watersaving devices and energy-saving lighting, recycle paper, and use eco-friendly cleaning products.”

— Dr. Diane Hayden, PhD

WINTER 2023

24

Spacious bedroom with amazing views of the Gulf.

Wellness Retreats including wellness events, overnight wellness packages, Yoga on the beach, private guided meditation sessions, and self-care wellness podcasts that were recorded right at the hotel.

This wellness program was created in tandem with local experts and intended to help travelers feel their best while away from home.

The Edgewater also offers two heated swimming pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center, private and group personal training, in-suite massage, holistic nutrition, bike rentals, paddleboard and kayak rentals, and can also arrange water sport rentals, fishing charters, and other fun activities. We rented bikes and rode through the beautiful Moorings and Park Shore neighborhoods past awe-inspiring Banyan trees whose limbs arched overhead across the road. Even better, though, was relaxing on our cabana bed watching the gentle waves of the Gulf roll onto shore and taking in the dazzling sunsets from our private balcony. Everywhere you looked from this resort was a breathtaking view.

Accommodations

There are only a handful of places I can remember staying where the views were so spectacular, I didn’t want to leave the room. This was one of them. The balcony stretched from the entire length of our bedroom to our living room.

Imagine opening your eyes each morning to see miles of sea and sand stretched out before you. To give you an idea of the size of the balcony, it held two Adirondack rocking chairs, a small breakfast table with two chairs and two chaise lounges!

The suite also features a spacious living room and modern kitchen with a full-size refrigerator, microwave, and granite counter breakfast bar.

And maybe the best part of the Edgewater was sitting around the fire pit at night having lively

discussions with the other guests. For me, that’s priceless and rarely experienced in most hotels or resorts where I’ve stayed.

Let’s Get to the Food!

Coast makes healthy dining choices easy by offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner options that are inspired by the diets of the world’s Blue Zones.

Here is just a sample of the menu: Breakfast: • Avocado Toast: Whole wheat toast and pico de gallo (smoked salmon available to add) • Steel-Cut Oatmeal: Served with fresh seasonal berries and toasted macadamia nuts • Green Smoothie: Banana, apple, spinach, almond milk, and honey

Lunch/Dinner: • Meze Platter: Roasted garlic hummus, local crudité, goat feta cheese, country olives, and warm pita chips • Veggie Wrap: Whole wheat wrap with roasted garlic hummus, baby spinach, tomato, cucumber, pickled red onion, and goat feta cheese • Zucchini Noodle Stir Fry: Red onions, asparagus, bell peppers, rainbow carrots, and basil-garlic tomato broth We ordered the Ahi Tuna Poke with avocado, pickled ginger, garlic, and cucumber-wasabi dressing, everything seasoned crisp, and it was prepared to perfection. We also enjoyed the Red Berry Salad with baby spinach, goat feta cheese, candied walnuts, red onion, strawberry, and balsamic vinaigrette. For entrees, don’t miss the Grilled Grouper (a must in Florida), and the Seared Salmon with creamy cauliflower puree, wilted greens, and a cabernet reduction. Everything was delicious!

ESSENTIAL Naples

Sun, Sand, and Savings One exciting option Edgewater is currently offering is the Sun, Sand, and Savings package.

Rise, shine, and dine on your next beach getaway!

This package includes: • One daily umbrella rental • Breakfast for two adults each morning

Stay Healthy, Stay Satisfied, Stay Green When You Stay at Edgewater Beach Hotel As a Green Resort, water conservation, reducing waste and pollution of all types, and limiting the effects of global warming are priorities. They change bed linens and towels only upon request, provide recycling bins, use water-saving devices and energy-saving lighting, recycle paper, and use eco-friendly cleaning products.

With a coveted beachfront setting overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, Edgewater Beach Hotel is a charming Naples vacation resort that has defined barefoot elegance for over 30 years. This serene resort provides an ideal environment in which to continue making self-care and total well-being a priority.

For more information, www.edgewaternaples. com. 1901 Gulf Shore Boulevard North, Naples, FL. Local 239.403.2000, Reservations 866.624.1695

Pool at the Tiki Bar at the Edgewater Hotel

25 WINTER 2023

Private Dining Experience for Two: This extraordinary dining experience, “Dining on the Sand,” starts with a glass of sparkling wine.

From there, guests enjoy a bottle of wine of their choosing and charcuterie. This is followed by a selection of soups and salads before selecting among these delicious entrees: • Filet Mignon: Lobster risotto, asparagus, and a red wine demi • Grilled Grouper: Lemon-thyme risotto, grilled asparagus, and a broken tomato vinaigrette • Lobster Ravioli: In a lobster, with shrimp, asparagus, and heirloom tomato cream • Ballotine of Chicken: Wild mushrooms, roasted tomato, fine herbs, creamed potato, and a roasted chicken jus This mouthwatering meal is completed with the Chef’s hand-picked sweet selection.

• Featured Pairings: These dinners are meticulously paired with well-known brands such as Grey Goose, Veuve Clicquot, local Florida breweries, and nationally established wineries.

In addition to all these amazing meal options, Edgewater has created some tantalizing wellness-related drinks with fresh ingredients that can be found at the Coast bar, as well as the Blue Zone items they offer.

“Even better, though, was relaxing on our cabana bed watching the gentle waves of the Gulf roll onto shore and taking in the dazzling sunsets from our private balcony.”

— Dr. Diane Hayden, PhD

ESSENTIAL Naples

Feature

WINTER 2023

26

Is Your Meal Plan Causing

Fatigue & Stress?

By Jenni Berman, PA-C, CPT, CNS

Are You... ➩

Tired three or more days per week throughout the day?

➩

Frustrated by abdominal fat?

➩

Gaining weight despite your best efforts in dieting and exercising?

➩

Stressed three or more days per week?

➩

Waking up throughout the night or having trouble falling asleep?

➩

Crashing around 2–3 pm every day?

➩

Frustrated with feeling that your patience is just GONE?

Have You...

Been told your blood sugar level is borderline or increasing?

W

Let ME Tell YOU…

Feeling tired throughout the day, having less energy than you used to, and getting the “muffin-top” around your midsection or the “apple belly” is not part of the normal aging process.

Waking up at night, having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, and having less patience is not part of the normal aging process. Feeling more stressed, anxious, and frustrated is not part of the normal aging process.

You should not be increasing the amount of medication you’re taking just to treat these symptoms.

Yes, you are experiencing symptoms. But we need to identify the cause of these things you are feeling and treat this to see success.

Let’s Unpack What We’re Trying to Say

If you’re struggling with weight loss, there are three primary areas to look at. Once these three areas have been analyzed, it’s time to dig deeper until you find the root cause of the weight component.

1. Blood Sugar Stability 2. Cortisol Hormone 3. Gut Health ➩ Vitamin Levels

Blood Sugar Stability Blood Sugar: Many individuals have heard these

terms used together before. It is the marker on the blood test that doctors often use to tell if you’re prediabetic or diabetic. Blood sugar stability refers to how stable your blood sugar is throughout the day and night, is vital to your metabolism, mood, sleep, stress control, energy, strength, and ultimately how efficiently your body is functioning. Blood sugar stability is essentially the dictator of your quality of life.

How do you know if your blood sugar is stable throughout the day and night?

The one blood test that looks at your glucose level is not enough to determine your blood sugar stability. Other blood tests like hemoglobin A1c, serum insulin, triglyceride level, and HDL (good cholesterol) level can help to assess your risk factors for a metabolic dysfunction called insulin resistance. Insulin resistance occurs before prediabetes and means that your body is not metabolizing food efficiently—specifically carbohydrates and sugar. Long story short, this starts to cause the symptoms you’re experiencing.

Insulin resistance is most impacted by too many carbohydrates, sugar, and alcohol in the diet with insufficient lean proteins. The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging reports that 1 in 3 Americans aged 50+ consume protein-deficient diets. Protein is a primary building block of our cells. It’s vital to break down sugars and stabilize our blood sugar levels. If our meal plan doesn’t have the proper ratio of carbohydrates, healthy fats, and proteins in our diet, our blood sugar becomes unstable.

27 WINTER 2023

ell…. If you answered yes to 2 or more of these questions, keep reading. If you didn’t answer yes to 2 or more of these questions…keep reading anyway, because you will learn something that will help you regardless, and you will certainly learn something that could help someone close to you.

—Jenni Berman, PA-C, CPT, CNS

ESSENTIAL Naples

➩

“…when the gut lining is broken down and unhealthy, vitamins and minerals from our food and supplements are not well absorbed due to damage to the intestinal structures.”

ESSENTIAL Naples

Feature

WINTER 2023

28 “This instability of the blood sugar causes the body to store food, which is converted to sugar. Stored sugar is then turned into adipose (fat) tissue in our body, so blood sugar instability is a primary cause of weight gain.”

—Jenni Berman, PA-C, CPT, CNS

To put it simply: Blood sugar rising and falling throughout the day and night classifies as unstable blood sugar. You won’t typically feel this, as it’s happening inside your body. This instability of the blood sugar causes the body to store food, which is converted to sugar. Stored sugar is then turned into adipose (fat) tissue in our body, so blood sugar instability is a primary cause of weight gain. This should be evaluated more thoroughly from within by checking your blood tests.

The Cortisol Hormone Cortisol is a stress hormone within our body that is released from the adrenal glands—organs that sit just above our kidneys in the abdomen. The cortisol hormone is a steroid, and its release is essential in acute stress situations like running away from an alligator chasing you, escaping from a fire, and other dangerous situations—it is the “fight or flight” hormone. Cortisol should naturally rise at 6 am and rouse us in the morning, helping to wake us up and provide energy throughout the day. It then should trend down throughout the day, with the exception of those acute stress situations described above.

Cortisol should naturally reach its lowest point at midnight to allow us to sleep and rest. The problem with cortisol is this: When individuals

have chronic stress, like high-stress jobs or home life, the cortisol hormone is released consistently and “chronically.”

Chronic release of this stress hormone can cause the body to hold onto adipose (fat) tissue and redistribute it to the abdominal area, leading to belly fat. The next issue with the chronic release of cortisol: The more cortisol released, the higher the blood sugar level is because, again, the higher the blood sugar, the less efficient our cells are in breaking down our food for energy, so food is stored as fat.

Chronic cortisol release also interrupts the circadian rhythm, sleep, and cellular recovery. Sleep is its own entity when it comes to our body being efficient, but it is largely impacted by our blood sugar instability and cortisol levels. We have to correct these two components first. Many times, improving these will cure our sleep disorders.

Yes, really!

Another issue with the chronic release of cortisol is that it’s a steroid that breaks down our gut lining and leads to leaky gut syndrome, autoimmune syndrome, and vitamin deficiencies.

Gut Health ➩ Vitamin Levels Leaky gut means the intestinal lining is not healthy, is broken down, and allows food

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Berman Health and Wellness is a Functional Medicine Center that helps individuals reach their goal weight and optimize their gut health, while avoiding needless medications and achieving the highest quality of life imaginable. Our goal is to evaluate the metabolism, gut health, and bloodwork to optimize each aspect of the client. Call 239.431.0232 or visit www.bermanpt.com/wellness to learn more.

Integrative Functional Nutrition Specialist

ESSENTIAL Naples

particles, bacteria, and toxins to leave the intestinal tract (gut) and penetrate tissues and the bloodstream. It is not normal for toxins to enter our tissues and bloodstream, and the immune system reacts to this. In addition, when the gut lining is broken down and unhealthy, vitamins and minerals from our food and supplements are not well absorbed due to damage to the intestinal structures. Our immune system is now reacting at a consistently high level, and we are deficient in the vital nutrients and minerals that make our organs function properly. Let’s break down the top five concerns with leaky gut and vitamin deficiencies: 1. The immune system is in a heightened state, which leads to autoimmune disease.

2. Inflammation is high, and the metabolism is not the main priority for our organs.

3. The immune system is worn out, the body is working hard, and your cells are tired.

4. Vital nutrients like vitamin D, B12, magnesium, and iron become deficient because they are not absorbed well, increasing the risk of insulin resistance, blood sugar stability, and weight gain.

5. The immune system is fighting, increasing stress internally, and releasing more cortisol hormone (and we already know the effects of this…vicious cycle!)

Leaky gut requires a lot of attention, but some of the most common causes of leaky gut are related to the foods we eat. Many individuals have food sensitivities that they don’t know about. Food sensitivities can present deep into adulthood, often after a trauma or stressor on our body. They can also present in infancy or childhood and change throughout our lives. Sugar is inflammatory and can break down our gut lining as well.

The good news is that blood sugar instability, chronically high cortisol levels, and leaky gut syndrome are all treatable and reversible with the right foods for your body, the right balance of your macronutrients, and the right gut-healing techniques. Working with a professional can be life changing for you!

ESSENTIAL Naples

Health

Reduce Your Stress, Reduce Your Weight

By Candice Rosen, RN, BS, MSW, CHC

WINTER 2023

30

“The obesity epidemic is not just about food choices, activity, and portion control.

Stress plays a significant role in weight gain.”

—Candice Rosen, RN, BS, MSW, CHC

M

ost of the time, we love our busy, connected lives filled with multitasking and instant gratification. The downside, though, is that an unfortunately high number of Americans suffer from stress. Stress increases not only your heart rate and blood pressure, but also your blood glucose. Unused blood glucose is inflammatory, unhealthy, and adds to weight gain. The obesity epidemic is not just about food choices, activity, and portion control. Stress plays a significant role in weight gain. Traumatic events such as death or divorce can cause acute stress. Even events that are welcomed and intentional can cause stress.

Our lives are filled with uncertainty and instability.

Interpersonal relationship issues, job-related trouble, health issues, financial struggles, and even a traffic ticket impact our day-to-day lives. The constant bombardment of negative news compounds this.

How Does Stress Affect Weight and Health?

Your body is hardwired to respond to a perceived threat or demand by calling on the adrenal glands to release a flood of stress hormones. While some of these hormones prepare the body for an emergency by making stored energy available, other hormones help the body store energy as fats, facilitating weight gain.

When the adrenal glands release adrenaline and/or cortisol, your liver and muscles dump

glycogen into your bloodstream in reaction to the fight-or-flight response. You think less and react instinctively. Your digestion, bladder, and immune responses are slowed as energy is redirected toward physical action. Your blood pressure and pulse rise.

Your coronary arteries dilate, increasing the blood supply to your brain, muscles, and limbs. Breathing increases as your lungs absorb more oxygen and expel more carbon dioxide. Glucose (glycogen) from the liver and muscles is released as you tense up. If that glucose isn’t used to fight or flee, it is stored in your body. Think weight gain.

The “crisis” is typically over in seconds or minutes, and your body chemistry and physical sensations return to normal. However, if you remain in a constant state of anxiety (ruminating about work, a financial problem, health issues, or even stressing out about exercise), your adrenal glands will respond with a continuous cortisol drip. This constant drip causes your body to incorrectly process food, release glucose, and ultimately store fat unnecessarily.

The excessive release of glucose and, in turn, the overproduction of insulin by the pancreas creates an inflammatory state, which makes losing weight difficult, even if you’re watching every calorie. Insulin acts as a key, unlocking your cells for glucose entry.

But if your cells are already full because you’re not burning glucose by fighting or running, the insulin is ineffective, and the excess glucose is sent to fat cells for storage.

What Can You Do to Reduce the Effects of Stress on Your Weight and Health?

1.

2.

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31 WINTER 2023

Candice P. Rosen is a registered nurse, social worker, nutritionist, health counselor, and author. Candice was the first executive director of Gilda’s Club in Chicago (a support center for men, women, and children diagnosed with cancer) and is the creator of The Pancreatic Nutritional Program and Data-Driven Fueling. She has spent her life’s work focused on improving the wellness of both her clients and her community. Her experience as a clinical therapist and as a nurse gives her a unique perspective when it comes to nutrition counseling. As the former Chair of Healthcare Initiatives for Chicago’s Sister Cities International Program, she advocated for preventative medicine, improved disability access, promoted maternal and infant health, and worked to bring awareness to the global obesity and diabetes epidemics. Candice is the mother of four children and grandmother of one. www.candicerosenrn.com.

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ESSENTIAL Naples

Get enough sleep (6–8 hours every night).

Eat to protect your pancreas (high blood glucose levels affect your emotional and physical health).

3. Practice deep breathing. Inhale through your nose (to the count of 1,2,3,4), hold your breath (1,2,3,4), then exhale (4,3,2,1).

Do this in the morning when you wake up and again several times a day—every time you get a text message, breathe before looking at it, or when you approach a stop light. Incorporate deep breathing into your daily routine.

4. A hot bath.

5. Massage. You don’t need a massage therapist; you can massage your hands and feet with lotion.

6. Employ essential oils like lavender, chamomile, clary sage, jasmine, and ylang ylang to aid with stress and anxiety.

7. Increase your activity. Movement/exercise soothes the mind, releasing endorphins.

Increased activity forces your body to go into your “storage tanks” (fat cells) for fuel to operate your living machine.

8. Practice meditation. Set aside 10 minutes a day to tune in to yourself and release your mind from chatty thoughts.

9. Evaluate each stressful situation. Can you control it? Some things are just out of our hands. Know the difference.

You can jump-start your new lifestyle of improved health and weight loss through effective stress management.

< PAGE 31 “Understand Your Filters and Transform Your Life”

BY KRISTINA B. GRETOUCE

ESSENTIAL Naples

Health

WINTER 2023

32 “The flow and movement of the outside body help the flow of the organs and detox system in the inside body.

It’s time to stop thinking yoga is only exercise—in fact, yoga is a healing workout that helps assist with vitality in all the organs.”

—Betsy Opyt, RD, LD/N, CDE, RYT

From Breath to Body: How Food and

Flows Help You Let It Go!

By Betsy Opyt, RD, LD/N, CDE, RYT

T

he common misconception behind yoga is that you have to be flexible to do yoga. That is very far from true—yoga is so much more than bending your body like a contortionist. Yoga means “yoking,” which is bringing something together.

Connecting your body with your breath, your mind with your body, and your spirit with your soul, practicing yoga is yoking the whole systems of the body together to become more harmonious.

Moving your body in and out of asanas facilitates movement in the cardiovascular, respiratory, and lymphatic systems, helping detox the body and cleanse the mind. The lymphatic system plays an integral role in the body’s immune functions and is your first line of defense. Our bodies are meant to be resilient—it is our traditional lifestyles that get in the way. Yoga is known to prevent disease, make you more mindful, and provide you with the tools for longevity living.

Boost Your Immune Function

Yoga does everything from improving digestion, balancing neurotransmitters, lowering blood pressure and blood sugars, improving circulation, and improving your mood, among other extraordinary benefits. One of the most important things yoga improves is the lymphatic system. This system plays a dramatic role in the immune functions of the body and is our first line of defense against disease. We have to manually pump the lymph through our system through movement, and the flow determines our immune response.

Think of the lymph as the body’s sewage system, helping to rid toxins, pathogens, and waste from the cells. If you sit all day and get little movement, the lymph stays stagnant and collects this waste causing a buildup and lowering your immunity. Lymph not only helps kill pathogens like bacteria and viruses and create white blood cells, but it helps facilitate

the absorption of fats and fat-soluble nutrients in the digestive system. What are some symptoms of a lymphatic system that is unbalanced? You can see inflammation in the joints, nutrient deficiencies, skin conditions, digestive disorders, headaches, sinus infections, excess weight, chronic fatigue, and increased risk of injuries and illnesses. The flow and movement of the outside body help the flow of the organs and detox system in the inside body. It’s time to stop thinking yoga is only exercise—in fact, yoga is a healing workout that helps assist with vitality in all the organs.

Flow and Food

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WINTER 2023

Betsy is a Licensed and Registered Dietitian as well as a Certified Diabetes Educator, Integrative and Functional Medicine Nutrition Therapist, and owns 4 Elements Yoga Naples. She specializes in nutrigenomics, gut health, food sensitivities, detoxing, inflammatory diseases, and longevity living. She also understands the importance of living a mindful life and incorporates her background of mindfulness and yoga teaching to her practice. Betsy is a professional speaker and advocate for healthy living and is available for individual consultations, group programs, and speaking engagements. To learn more, visit www. healthyconceptsconsulting.com, www.yoga4elements. com, email betsy@healthyconceptsconsulting.com or call 239.297.8844. See ad on page 29 >

Biological Dentistry

ESSENTIAL Naples

From mat to table, how does yoga yoke your flows to your food? Just as yoga trains the mind to be more mindful and connected, it trains the body to do the same. You may find that on days you do yoga, you crave healthier foods, drink more water, and make clearer eating decisions. When you do movements that help push the lymph, you ramp up your digestion. Therefore, you are better able to absorb nutrients, push out bacteria and buildup in the digestive system to help eliminate bloat, and move fluids out of the tissue to reduce swelling. The most important benefit is what it does for the mind. It makes you calmer and more relaxed and can significantly improve stress, anxiety, and mood disorders.

You don’t necessarily have to attend a yoga class to receive these benefits. Yoga can be done at home, at a desk in a chair, or even deep breathing when in your car. Yoga can be done anywhere, at any time, and every day! Some simple stretching or movement and deep breathing are enough to help you relax the body, move the lymph, and learn to let go so your body will flow!

Welcome to

ESSENTIAL Naples

Purpose

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34

Understand Your Filters and

Transform Your Life

By Kristina B. Gretouce

“When you start to understand your filters and get clear on your actual needs, wants, and beliefs, you can begin to choose differently.”

— Kristina B. Gretouce

W

e spend much of our lives in repetitive unconscious behaviors that bring us continually to the same situations and types of people. We try to “improve” ourselves and our circumstances and hit a wall. This is why it is critical to build self-awareness to unlock the life we want to lead. One of the ways we can do this is by beginning to understand our filters.

The way we perceive the world around us affects what we experience. Depending on their filters, two people can have the same experiences with totally different perceptions and even results. We all hold beliefs and perceptions—the key is to become conscious of them and choose those that best can help create our best lives.

What Are These Filters?

To put it simply, filters are any deep-set beliefs that you’ve never questioned or truly chosen, such as messages you received as a child about your role in life, your identity, who you should be, and how you should behave. Much of the work I do is helping people identify and become conscious of their filters. Codependents will often have ideas about what a “nice” person would do and what a “selfish” person would do. These ideas keep us prisoner to repetitive patterns that don’t serve us or our relationship.

For instance, if you believe that telling people when you don’t want to do something is selfish, you will continue to deny your own needs and wants. You build resentment. You feel angry but feel guilty for your anger. And then, there is shame. It’s a vicious cycle. The thing is, we can shift these patterns—it really is possible. And when we do, we transform our life!

The filters, however, have been in us so long that it can be difficult even to see that they are there. It’s also likely that the filters came from family, so when we try to understand them, we often trigger resistance in those closest to us.

This is why a trusted partner in the process can be so transformative. When you start to understand your filters and get clear on your actual needs, wants, and beliefs, you can begin to choose differently. When you shift your filter from victim to conscious creator, for instance, you can start to get honest about your role in your relationships and then start to change the ways of being that no longer serve you. You take back your power to change yourself instead of continually focusing on what others are doing.

Another example is when you begin to understand that your wants and needs are important.

You start to question any ideas and filters you may have from childhood that you are too much

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• Get to the root of health concerns in one session

WINTER 2023

or not enough. If you have been hiding your truth from others to people-please, you likely have yet to find people who honor and respect the real you. When you show up as the real you, the right people can show up to support you. It may feel uncomfortable at first, and not everyone will applaud you, but you will find new freedom and, ultimately, a new life on the other side of becoming conscious of your filters.

I have experienced and witnessed total life transformation. If you feel stuck in the same patterns and want something new, it may be time to become conscious of your filters. We will examine patterns and behaviors that no longer serve you and your relationships, and together come up with strategies that support you in developing new ways of communicating.

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Health

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The Ultimate Peripheral Neuropathy

Relief Program

WINTER 2023

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By Dr. Richard Hiler, DABCN

P

“Because what eripheral neuropathy is a complex condition.

Finding the root cause, the extent of the damworks well for age, and to what types of nerves or blood vessels one person may the damage has been done is how a comprehennot necessarily sive plan is customized to regenerate a patient’s work well for nerve cells and tissues. Conventional medicine another, it’s has no answers. It’s either live with it or take never a good addicting medications for the pain. idea to depend Very few physicians are trained to treat the condition. Success ideally involves the collaboration on just one or of medical personnel, chiropractic and or physical two treatments. therapy personnel, and functional neurology. At It’s just as easy Feel Amazing Institute, this is what we offer. to combine many types of What Is the Ultimate Neuropathy Program? treatments to At Feel Amazing Institute, we were the original improve the clinic to create a comprehensive neuropathy chances and program back in 2006. There was a learning level of success.” curve, and results varied at first. After 16 years —Dr. Richard Hiler, DABCN

of experience, becoming board-certified in functional neurology, and becoming medically integrated, my clinic has it down to a science.

In 2017, my office was one of the first in the country, and I believe it is still the only one

in southwest Florida, to offer regenerative medicine and natural biologics as options for peripheral neuropathy. To date, this has been the most significant endeavor to enhance results for our clients.

All Neuropathies Are Not the Same and Require Different Programs

Because what works well for one person may not necessarily work well for another, it’s never a good idea to depend on just one or two treatments. It’s just as easy to combine many types of treatments to improve the chances and level of success. The treatment must also be individualized and specific.

The Ultimate Neuropathy Program should include advanced technologies performed at a physician’s office and treatments for self-care at home.

It may consist of vitamin and wellness infusions to enhance the body’s internal environment for healing. It may also include light therapies, electrical therapies, sound and pressure wave therapies, pulsed electromagnetic field therapies, regenerative medicine options, and lifestyle and nutritional recommendations.

Many clinics do a Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Score (TCNS)— a simple neuropathy scoring system based on neurological history and physical examination approaches that includes symptom, reflex, and sensory scores used in diagnosing and assessing the severity of various types of neuropathies, including peripheral neuropathy.

Other clinics will do an infrared heat map of the feet, which uses LED lights in the infrared and red range of the spectrum to deeply penetrate and reach muscles and nerves. The infrared light increases the blood flow, providing the nerves with oxygen and nutrients, which reduces pain and gives temporary relief.

Regardlesss of the method used, without extensive neurological training, the interpretation of the score and image is key.

THE PRACTICE OF SELF HEALTH You are your primary caregiver.

Your physician is your secondary care giver.

What to Do, What Not to Do, and When

These are prescribed on an individual basis after a thorough assessment: • Five different electrical therapies • Four possible light therapies • Four types of vibration therapy • Class 4 high-powered lasers • Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) • Soundwave/shockwave/pressure waves • Ozone therapy and/or peptide therapy • Spinal decompression therapy (often not needed) • Natural supplementation and/or vitamin wellness infusions • Injections or infusions of natural biologics, including Wharton’s jelly allografts, growth factors, and platelet-rich plasma

37 . ROSEN NDICE P

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RK GU ESS WO ATE TH E ELI MIN AL BO DY IND IVI DU T R YO UR UR WE IGH DA TA FO FEC TS YO GA TH ER AF R SU GA G W BLO OD CO UN TIN HO D TAN CA LO RIE UN DE RS KS, OR MIC DIE T, GIM NO FAD

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WINTER 2023

What Modalities Are Used for Improvement?

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Is the neuropathy peripheral or central? Large nerves or small nerves? Motor, sensory, autonomic, or all the above? One nerve or many nerves? How will the treatment differ if it’s both feet, both hands, equal damage bilaterally, or worse on one side? How will the treatment differ if there is burning pain, numbness, loss of balance, weakness, or complicated by back pain or stenosis? What if the neuropathy affects the entire body? Is there a treatment for that? Yes, there are several.

Our clinic has a very sophisticated computer analysis that measures peripheral nerve function, peripheral vascular function, and central nerve function, with a score for each and an extensive report breaking down the many physiological and metabolic components. The test can be repeated after a treatment regimen, and the improvement can be measured and quantified.

ESSENTIAL Naples

What Results Can Be Achieved through the Ultimate Neuropathy Treatment Program at Feel Amazing Institute?

WINTER 2023

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Our patients report that better than 90% have excellent results. Most who undergo the treatment experience reduced pain, reduced tingling and numbness, the ability to experience touch without pain, decreased cold or burning sensations, improved balance and coordination, lowered dependency on medication, improved sleep, relief of restless legs, reduced swelling and inflammation, and improved muscle function.

A significant side benefit of the treatment is that it significantly reduces the risk of falls by improving balance and position awareness of the feet.

Feel Amazing Institute is equipped to diagnose and help a wide range of conditions that include: • Peripheral neuropathy • Severe neck and back pain • Shoulder, elbow, or wrist pain • Hip, knee, ankle, or foot pain • Headache, dizziness, vertigo, or balance problems • Disc bulge, herniation, sciatica, or stenosis • Auto accident, whiplash injuries If you need a highly experienced chiropractic neurologist in Naples, Florida, look no further than Feel Amazing Institute. For more information, to schedule a free telephone consultation, or for a free informational seminar or webinar, call today!

Dr. Richard Hiler, DABCN, is a board-certified chiropractic neurologist with more than 15 years of success and clinical experience. Dr. Hiler and his medical team offer a complimentary telephone consultation. For questions or to schedule an appointment, contact the office at 239.330.1000. www.FeelAmazing.com.

3031 Airport-Pulling Rd N., Naples.

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Finance

ESSENTIAL Naples

Maximizing Your Retirement Savings Provided By Nina Azwoir, First Vice President of Investments, Wintrust Wealth Management

recent study showed that 82% of Americans lack a written plan for retirement. Whether you are nearing retirement or already retired, putting a plan in place to help ensure you will have income throughout your life is critical.

With better health care and nutrition, Americans are living longer than ever, so you may spend 20 or 30 years in retirement. Two or three decades without a regular paycheck means that you must make the assets you have saved—along with Social Security and any pensions you may have—create the income you need through retirement.

Successful retirement planning begins with understanding. Our financial professionals can help you develop a comprehensive retirement income strategy that addresses: • Risk factors impacting your retirement • The importance of income diversification and planning

Understanding Retirement Risk Factors With retirement comes a change in your financial management and your life. This is a time when living without employment means that your income will come from various retirement sources such as savings, social security, and pensions. It is important to have a plan that considers certain risks that may threaten your retirement security. The key is to acknowledge

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the risks to your retirement income and develop a plan that helps manage them.

Longevity and Health Care Costs Longevity is a critical factor impacting retirees today. While none of us can predict how long we will live, individuals at age 65 have a high probability of spending 20 years or more in retirement. Ensuring your assets last throughout retirement requires careful planning now to determine how inflation, rising health care costs, nursing home care, and other vital factors may affect your income over time (See Figure 1).

Are You Confident That Your Savings Will Last a Lifetime?

Obviously, your longevity is unknown but creating a suitable investment plan can help provide the income you need to live your retirement in the style you choose—for 10, 20, 30 years, or more.

Consider these average life expectancies shown in the table on next page.

Inflation and Rising Costs As life spans increase, many people will spend more time in retirement than they spend working. The longer your time in retirement, the greater the potential that inflation may erode your savings and impact your lifestyle. This

“You have spent a lifetime preparing for the next phase of your life when you can finally realize the goals and dreams you have worked so hard to achieve.”

—Nina Azwoir

WINTER 2023

A

How Exposed Are Your Retirement Assets to the Markets?

As shown in the graphic to the left, if a large percentage of your retirement portfolio was in the market in 2008 (point A), it may have dropped substantially in value (point B). Based on the S&P 500 year-end returns for 2008, a $100,000 investment portfolio value would have dropped to $61,500. If you were fortunate to have assets in the market in 2003 (point C), your $100,000 would have risen to $126,400 based on the S&P 500 year-end returns for 2003 (point D). While market volatility can generate positive long-term rewards over time, it can also have a negative impact on investment portfolios during shorter time frames (See Figure 2).

ESSENTIAL Naples

Figure 1.

Understanding Your Retirement Needs For many years, you may have pursued an investment strategy emphasizing growth to help build retirement assets. However, once retired, your income will likely need to outweigh your need to accumulate new assets. This makes it critical to re-evaluate your risk tolerance and preferences to help ensure that both your investment strategy and spending plan are aligned with your retirement lifestyle needs and goals.

Figure 2.

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Figure 3.

makes it important for you and your financial professional to develop an income strategy to help outpace inflation. Many basic living expenses have increased dramatically in the past two decades. Furthermore, steadily rising health care costs represent a particular risk for retired Americans—especially as we live longer, more active lives.

Market Volatility Today’s financial markets have become increasingly volatile and complex, leaving many people wondering when they will be able to retire and how long their retirement assets will last. A sudden market downturn can significantly impact investors who are not well-diversified or do not have the time frame to wait out a market recovery.

How Long Will Your Income Last?

For most individuals, an essential part of retirement income planning is determining an appropriate withdrawal or spending strategy.

What is the appropriate withdrawal rate for you—4%? 5%? 6%? By establishing a withdrawal rate that’s too high, you could potentially outlive your money. As the graphic to the left shows, the rate at which you withdraw from your retirement savings is a central factor in the sustainability of your retirement portfolio (See Figure 3 ).

Finding the Right Balance Ensuring you will have the income you need at and throughout retirement is a balancing act, with savings on one side and your income needs and associated risks on the other.

Achieving the right balance to ensure your income needs are met throughout retirement requires a comprehensive retirement income plan and strategies that holistically address: • Risk factors that threaten to undermine your plans (longevity, inflation, market volatility, withdrawal rates) • Your personal goals and tolerance for risk • How you will protect and grow income in retirement • Priorities and trade-offs that may help you better manage your income needs and spending

The Three Pillars of Your Retirement Income Strategy Stable Income

Guaranteed Income

Growing Income

Goal: Steady income stream

Goal: Guaranteed income for life

Goal: Income with growth potential

Concerns:

Concerns:

Concerns:

“My lifestyle is important to me. I’d rather work longer than cut back on lifestyle needs.”

“I want to ensure my essential expenses are covered, but I’m comfortable with some ups and downs where discretionary income is concerned.”

Helps manage: Market volatility

Goal: How long assets will last and market

Goal: Adverse impact of inflation

Benefit: Minimizes impact of market

Benefit: Combination of insurance and

Benefit: Seeks to provide growth to help

Considerations: May not produce income

Considerations: Liquidity needs, insurance fees, and potentially limited control of assets

Considerations: Severe market drops or

“I am increasingly nervous about the investment markets. Should I move all my assets out of growth investments into more conservative fixed income investments?”

“I don’t want to touch my principal during retirement. How can I live off my investment earnings?”

volatility with a focus on bonds, bond funds, fixed income instruments, cash expenses regardless of market activity.

adequate to outpace inflation and rising health care costs over time

“Is there a way to guarantee that my income needs will be met throughout retirement?”

volatility

annuity products creates a stream of guaranteed income designed to cover essentials.

“I understand that the market may be volatile, but how do I invest to possibly outpace inflation?”

outpace inflation through a diversified portfolio that consists of high-quality income producing dividends and growth stocks as well as stock mutual funds.

prolonged periods of volatility can reduce portfolio value

Income Strategies with Your Retirement in Mind Asset allocation and diversification are essential components during your years of saving for retirement. How you allocate your assets across various asset classes during this accumulation phase can have a profound impact on the savings you have upon entering retirement.

However, once in retirement, the focus will likely be to include an allocation designed to meet specific income objectives, including asset protection, growth, and guaranteed income. To help meet these objectives, consider the three elements of a retirement income strategy (See Figure 4): 1. Stable Income Provides stable income with principal preservation to help protect against market volatility.

Investment category: Bond and fixed-income investments 2. Guaranteed Income Provides guaranteed income to help protect against outliving your assets.

Investment category: Insurance and annuity products

3.

Growing Income

Provides growth and income to help offset inflation. Subject to market volatility.

Investment category: Equity income investments such as stocks

Helping You Understand Your Needs Our firm provides the tools, resources, and strategies to help you transition from asset accumulation to retirement income planning.

From addressing risks and concerns to recommending tailored strategies, we provide the support you seek along your path to retirement.

Nina Azwoir, First Vice President of Investments, Wintrust Wealth Management. © Morningstar 2020. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.

This information may answer some questions but is not intended to be a comprehensive analysis of the topic. In addition, such information should not be relied upon as the only source of information, competent tax and legal advice should always be obtained.

Securities, insurance products, financial planning, and investment management services offered through Wintrust Investments, LLC (Member FINRA/ SIPC), founded in 1931. Trust and asset management services offered by The Chicago Trust Company, N.A. and Great Lakes Advisors, LLC, respectively. Investment products such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds are: NOT FDIC INSURED | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT A DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY. See ad on Back Cover >

41 WINTER 2023

Strategies to Help You Retire with Confidence Working with you to develop your retirement income plan begins with mapping out specific strategies addressing your needs, concerns, and timeline. Using income modeling tools, our financial professionals will work with you to evaluate retirement income scenarios and potential trade-offs. Only then can a fully diversified retirement income strategy be designed that is compatible with your situation.

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Figure 4.

Health

The Best

ESSENTIAL Naples

Diabetes Diet

42 WINTER 2023

By Denise A. Pancyrz

“Pairing food intolerance reporting with information on food additives, your digestive system, mineral absorption, and metal toxins offers a clearer understanding of how to make dietary changes that are designed just for you.”

—Denise A. Pancyrz

I

t’s very common to tell a diabetic patient to go on a diet. But what diet is best? Diets are not one-size-fits-all – not every person should be on the same diet. When diagnosed with diabetes, I was advised to eat one to two slices of whole wheat toast with peanut butter, skim milk, and half a banana for breakfast.

The outcome was horrible for me. I didn’t feel energetic, happy, or calm. Something was not right.

I could not effectively convert the carbs from that breakfast. My glucose would spike up. As an alternative, oatmeal was suggested. That, too, was terrible for my glucose. I was told to inject more insulin.

That was not the health direction I wanted to go in.

Eventually, the dawn of eating whole plant-based food was born. Society was pushed to stop eating animal protein and become vegetarian or vegan.

I love vegetables and thought I should have some non-animal protein days in my diet.

The Result

The result should have been great. But it wasn’t.

My seasonal allergies returned and seemed to last year-round. I was tired, became bloated, and had bouts of arthritis. Not to mention I had days where my glucose would go crazy.

The right food is nourishment. It provides vitamins, minerals, fiber, fat, and protein, which is absorbed in your digestive tract and then disseminated throughout your system. Did you know that some of the healthiest foods may not be the healthiest for you?

After some lab testing, I learned I had food intolerances, also referred to as sensitivities. These are not foods that you are allergic to that can cause a severe reaction. I had no issues with animal protein, but many issues with plant-based foods (wheat, milk, peanuts, cucumbers, bell peppers, broccoli, and more). No wonder I felt terrible!

Intolerances can take up to a few days to reveal, which makes it difficult to determine which food may cause issues. These can include: • Bloating • Headaches • Joint pain/arthritis • Sleep issues • Difficulty losing weight • Stomach pain • Stuffy nose, seems like seasonal allergies • Skin issues • Digestive distress and more

Testing for Intolerances

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WINTER 2023

Denise A. Pancyrz is a Diabetes Reversal and Holistic Lifestyle Coach, speaker, and best-selling author of The Virgin Diabetic, Reverse the Effects of Type 2 Diabetes, Reduce Medication, and Improve Your Glucose Levels, available on Amazon. Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, Denise was prescribed four daily insulin shots along with oral medication for diabetes and heart disease.

This protocol helped to bring her glucose levels down; however, she did not feel as healthy and vibrant as expected. After changing her protocol by learning to rest and preserve her pancreas, she was able to eliminate all medication and insulin, regaining her energy. Visit www.ReverseMyDiabetes.net for coaching and training information, to book a free consultation, or to set up a speaking event. Contact Denise by calling 888.848.1763 or email her at Denise@ReverseMyDiabetes.net.

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If you’ve had issues with certain foods, you may have ordered a test. If so, did you follow a protocol to heal from your sensitivities?

The quality of the food analysis report can make a difference in resolving your issues, discovering the foods you may need to eliminate, and determining which foods you can keep in your diet. Some reports show limited information; for example, you may have an intolerance to apples – no apples for you!

But what if you love apples? Technology advances have made it possible to learn which apples you are intolerant to and which apples your body may thrive from. The good news is that there is a test that can even tell you the foods that are considered therapeutic for you.

Pairing food intolerance reporting with information on food additives, your digestive system, mineral absorption, and metal toxins offers a clearer understanding of how to make dietary changes that are designed just for you. This can have a great impact on glucose, gut health, and overall health.

Without testing, no one knows what’s going on inside your body, and you may consume food your body doesn’t respond well to.

Would you believe low glycemic food like turkey presented a problem for one diabetic? It contributed to acid reflux, making it difficult to lower glucose and lose weight. With the right information, this person was able to crack their personal diet code!

Another person discovered that it’s possible that supplements can cause stomach distress and other issues. With the proper testing, though, the answer became clear, and the distress was fixed!

Having the right information removes the guesswork so you can see results!

Health

What Happens in Your Mouth Doesn’t Stay in Your Mouth

By Dr. Josephine Perez, DMD

ESSENTIAL Naples

Y

WINTER 2023

44

es, every cell in your body will eventually find out about what you put in your mouth. Let’s talk microbiome. The oral cavity houses over 700 species of bacteria, or microbes, that play an important role in the biology of health and disease. These microbes are composed mostly of beneficial bacteria that, in health, are oxygen-loving or aerobic. Any change in response to our environment—diet, weight, hormones, and even state of mind—will influence it. They provide the first line of defense, and the host’s immune system controls this bacterial colonization. Our oral health is directly related to the types (and amounts) of good and bad bacteria in our mouths.

Generally speaking, most Americans today are well aware that these species found in our mouths travel through our bloodstream, our breathing, and our digestion to the rest of our body. New research has correlated this and the fact that these pathogens have been linked to Alzheimer’s, autoimmune diseases (arthritis and psoriasis), and several cancers. There is even new research linking gum disease and COVID-19. Hospitalized COVID-19 patients with underlying gum disease are more likely to suffer respiratory failure.

In 2000, the U.S. Surgeon General called the mouth, “the mirror of health and disease in the body.” It’s not a closed system. This is why a well-trained biological dentist has a pretty good general idea of a person’s health in just that first comprehensive examination. If there is an imbalance of the oral flora, you can be sure there’s an imbalance in the gut, which will lead to inflammation, illness, and disease. For instance, P. gingivalis is found in patients with gum disease (periodontitis) and dysbiotic gut. Dental plaque is the material that sticks to your teeth. Plaque is a biofilm on the surfaces of our teeth, and depending on the concentration ratio of good to“bad bacteria, we are healthy and in equilibrium or not.

How Do I Know If I Have Good vs. Bad Bacteria?

This is why oral DNA testing is one of the best tools we have. It’s a simple, painless salivary test that in a few days gives us a detailed description of the types and quantities of flourishing bacteria present—the good, the bad, and the ugly.

With this information, we can design a plan of action with options to enhance the good, lower

the bad, and eliminate the ugly. Every patient is unique, but with each individual case and patient involvement, a plan of action is designed.

We have many tools at our disposal, including essential oils, laser therapy, ozone treatments, and even simple supplementations developed in conjunction with our PCPs, functional practitioners, nutritionists, chiropractors, and wellness coaches.

Immunity Actually Starts in Our Mouth

A Word About Probiotics

Probiotic supplementation is a billion-dollar industry. The “new” terms are not only probiotics and prebiotics but postbiotics as well. Don’t be fooled by the number of strains (billion/trillion). The type of strain is more important, and that depends on each individual’s needs. Certain species/strains are specialized for digestion or immunity strength, while others help with blood pressure, brain clarity, and weight regulation. I encourage patients to visit their functional doctor for an evaluation that discovers the root cause and therefore develop a plan of action. The highly colonized microbiome in your mouth determines your quality of health. In fact, the research suggests 98% of the microbiome is beneficial bacteria, and only 2% is not.

My Takeaway Pearls 1.

—Dr. Josephine Perez, DMD

Dr. Josephine Perez, DMD, has been practicing dentistry for 29 years. She is a graduate of Tufts University School of Dentistry in Boston and interned at New Orleans Coast Guard/Navy Base. Her holistic approach to dentistry encompasses each person’s unique and entire (or whole—holistic) state of physical and emotional well-being. The ability to maintain health through preventive measures and treatments of oral disease is her priority. Dr. Perez focuses on the underlying condition, rather than only treating the symptoms. She tests for biocompatibility to find pathways to reduce inflammation and apply biocompatible and biomimetic materials, supplements, essential oils to restore and strengthen the oral cavity and ultimately, the whole body. After decades of restoring and transforming smiles, Dr. Perez has integrated total wellness into her oral health enhancement practice—a revolutionary style of dentistry. Visit Pure Dental in Naples at 4444 Tamiami Trail N, Ste. 6–7, call 239.692.9623 or go to www.puredentalnaples.com.

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45 WINTER 2023

Visit your biological dentist regularly—the earlier you intervene, the greater the success 2. Consume whole foods (non-processed) 3. Choose REAL probiotic foods—kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, Kombucha 4. Eliminate daily mouthwashes—they decrease your nitric oxide levels 5. Get out in the sun—vitamin D is excellent for your teeth and bones 6. Reduce refined sugars—they feed funguses (Candida) and cancers 7. Take more vitamin C—my favorite is liposomal 8. Supercharge your immune system with certain herbs—olive leaf extract is one of my favorites But remember: Your diet is not only what you eat. It’s what you listen to, what you read, what you watch, the people you hang around with, and what you speak. Every single cell in your body is listening!

“Unfortunately, our highly processed diets, refined sugars, and chemical and pharmaceuticals in our foods and water have immensely changed how our bodies fight inflammation.

Antibioticresistant superbugs are almost impossible to fight off, even though bacterial resistance is a natural process.”

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Before the Industrial Revolution, our guts were better equipped to fight off inflammation, viruses, and fungi. Unfortunately, our highly processed diets, refined sugars, and chemical and pharmaceuticals in our foods and water have immensely changed how our bodies fight inflammation. Antibiotic-resistant superbugs are almost impossible to fight off, even though bacterial resistance is a natural process.

Statistics show that superbugs kill someone every 15 minutes—and that’s just in the U.S. However, there is promising research with macrophages found in our guts that have the ability to “eat up” these superbugs.

The oral microbiome is essential to health as it can influence both oral and systemic diseases.

In health, your teeth feel “squeaky clean,” and your gums are pink. This plaque or biofilm in our mouths contains the blueprint for our health—or lack of health. Plaque is easily removed when it is soft. However, if left to harden (calculus), it becomes tartar and needs to be scraped off.

When this tartar is present, the body reacts to attack it, creating inflammation. Chronic inflammation leads to the accumulation of the bad and “ugly” bacteria to colonize in deep pockets. If left untreated, this will inevitably lead to tooth loss and eventually dysbiosis in the body. Small amounts of bacteria can create small problems.

Large amounts of bacteria will create large problems. Be proactive, not reactive.

The microbiome can also influence insulin.

Insulin not only regulates blood sugar, but it may also protect you from cancer by regulating cell division. It protects from telomere shortening and even mediating metabolic signals in heart-related

diseases and obesity. The current research shows that the gut microbiome is a major contributor to metabolic diseases. Any alterations in the “normal” relation of specific bacteria will interfere with intestine permeability, biochemical pathways, and the development of obesity, which is also influenced by the microbiome composition.

Health

Improve Your Immunity

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and Reduce Pain the Relaxing Way

WINTER 2023

46

By Lynn Brewer

“Each cell in our body utilizes magnesium, incredible as it seems. Your good health depends on maintaining a sufficient magnesium level for your body and mind to function properly.”

—Lynn Brewer

Y

es, this has been a most difficult and confusing couple of years, leaving all of us to wonder what we can do to improve our mental and physical health. One relaxing and easy way to improve your immunity and mental clarity is to walk through the door of Cloud9 Float Spa and Wellness Center and spend a relaxing, quiet 60 minutes floating in one of our modern pods. Scientific research has proven that one hour in a pod can replenish up to 27% of your magnesium.

Each cell in our body utilizes magnesium, incredible as it seems. Your good health depends on maintaining a sufficient magnesium level for your body and mind to function properly. When thinking about our health, we seldom ask ourselves what vitamins and minerals our body will need today to not only keep us alive but to function at its maximum. Magnesium is one of the main minerals required by our entire body to function efficiently.

Floating and Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases are a group of more than 80 chronic, often debilitating, and, in some cases, life-threatening diseases. According to the National Institute of Health, up to 23.5 million Americans (more than 7%) suffer from an autoimmune disease—and the prevalence is rising.

Autoimmune disease is associated with a malfunction of the immune system that causes the body to attack its own tissue.

Pain from autoimmune diseases and other structural situations, along with stress related to either illness or injury, has been scientifically proven to lessen when one adds floating in one of the Cloud9 Float Spa Pods to their recovery process. Though floating will not rid someone of an autoimmune disease, it will reduce the symptoms. Floating has been proven to aid the healing process where injuries or surgeries are concerned; this is one of the reasons so many athletes have floating as one of the mainstays in their regimen. Most floaters with autoimmune diseases and many other diseases and injuries have found that time in a float tank can help boost the powers of concentration, helping to restore some of the mental acuity impacted by disease or injury.

Magnesium and Floating

While floating, magnesium is absorbed through our skin via molecular diffusion, so there is no overload effect from floating for extended periods.

All scientific research has been based on the 60-minute float and has proven that the effects of floating are cumulative when floating in regular, frequent sessions. Visit our website for additional information on floating and photos of our pods.

Do yourself or your loved ones a huge favor and start improving health and immunity by calling Cloud9 Float Spa and Wellness Center for an appointment today.

Come be part of the solution to a healthy life at Fort Myers Cloud 9 Float Spa today! Lynn Brewer, owner of Cloud9 Float Spa & Wellness Center located at 13710 Metropolis Ave., Suite #104 in Fort Myers. Call 239.887.4161, email info@c9floatspa.com, and visit www.c9floatspa.com. SWFL’s Only Float Spa. See ad on page 29 >

HAPPENINGS WINTER 2023 Saturday, January 7

Saturday, February 4

Saturday, March 4

Regenerative/ Cellular Therapy 12:00–1:00 pm, Free Learn about regenerative medicine treatments, including stem cell allografts combined with other natural treatments.

How these treatments may help conditions such as knee pain, back pain, and peripheral neuropathy.

Regenerative/ Cellular Therapy 12:00–1:00 pm, Free Learn about regenerative medicine treatments, including stem cell allografts combined with other natural treatments.

How these treatments may help conditions such as knee pain, back pain, and peripheral neuropathy.

Regenerative/ Cellular Therapy 12:00–1:00 pm, Free Learn about regenerative medicine treatments, including stem cell allografts combined with other natural treatments.

How these treatments may help conditions such as knee pain, back pain, and peripheral neuropathy.

At Feel Amazing Institute 3031 Airport-Pulling Rd., Naples, FL 34105 Register by calling 239.330.1000

At Feel Amazing Institute 3031 Airport-Pulling Rd., Naples, FL 34105 Register by calling 239.330.1000

At Feel Amazing Institute 3031 Airport-Pulling Rd., Naples, FL 34105 Register by calling 239.330.1000

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Do you have an event (virtual or live) that you want Essential Naples readers to know about?

Reach out to us at calendar@essentialnaples.com for information on listing your event and sponsorships.

Event listings are in print and online. We also accept classified listings.

47 WINTER 2023

EVIDENCE-BASED, SAFE, WORLD-LEADING

STEM CELL TREATMENT in beautiful Antigua. Consultations in Bonita Springs/Chicago/virtually

• Arthritis • MS • Autism • Diabetes • ALS • Crohn’s/UC

• Kidney

Disease • Lupus • ED • Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Spine Pain • Lung • Anti-Aging • Memory • Other

CHADWICK PRODROMOS, M.D.

SCAN ME

Princeton AB Johns Hopkins MD, Harvard Fellowship, U-Chi/Rush Residency

www.thepsci.com www.theforem.org E-mail: care@thepsci.com

(847) 699-6810 < PAGE XX “Article Name” BY DR

COMMUNITY RESOURCES ALTERNATIVE & HOLISTIC HEALTH SERVICE OsteoStrong Naples Vanderbilt

Naples 239.317.6084 www.osteoct.com OsteoStrong is an innovative approach to bone health. Our safe, science-based system is proven to improve bone density while strengthening your joints and muscles. It is fun and safe for all ages.

The result is a more resilient body and a more confident you. Get back to living your life.

Your CBD Store

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Naples and Marco Island 239.331.8073 NaplesFL.CBDrx4u.com

WINTER 2023

48

We are the only dedicated CBD store and carry only the top products. We carry CBD water solubles, CBD tinctures, CBD edibles, CBD capsules, CBD vape products, CBD pet care, CBD skin care, and CBD topical creams. Our products are derived from 100% organic, non-GMO industrial hemp. Stop in!

BIOLOGICAL DENTIST Josephine Perez, DMD

Naples 239.692.9623 www.puredentalnaples.com Dr. Josephine Perez, DMD, has been practicing dentistry for 29 years.

She is a graduate of Tufts University School of Dentistry in Boston and interned at New Orleans Coast Guard/Navy Base. Her holistic approach to dentistry encompasses each person’s unique and entire (or whole, therefore holistic) state of physical and emotional well-being. The ability to maintain health through preventive measures and treatments of oral disease is her priority. Dr. Perez focuses on the underlying condition, rather than only treating the symptoms. She tests for biocompatibility to find pathways to reduce inflammation.

BRAIN-BASED EXERCISE AND WELLNESS COACHING Neurocentric Health and Fitness Naples 617.678.0724 https://neurocentrichealth.boston ildikovarhelyi@me.com

NCHF brings a revolutionary brain-based approach to help achieve optimal health, longevity, and high athletic performance. Personalized programs to educate individuals to control their health using mindfulness, breathing, movement, and sensory re-education. A “fit brain” allows us to think clearly, be alert, have more energy, move with ease without pain, improve balance, and recover from injuries more quickly than using traditional approaches.

Local Experts In and Around Naples

COUNSELING

FINANCIAL ADVISOR

Jennifer Vear Hoy, MS Naples 239.307.4708 www.peacefulsummitnaples.com jennifervearhoy1@gmail.com

Nina Azwoir, First Vice President Naples 239.697.5204 www.nazwoir.wintrustwealth.com nazwoir@wintrustwealth.com

Jennifer Vear Hoy has spent over 20 years in the corporate world as a corporate strategist operating her firm in Chicago, for which she earned her first master’s degree in Management and Organizational Behavior. She has since relocated to Naples, and after the death of her husband, she realized firsthand the need for professional and compassionate counseling in the Naples area. She went back to school and earned her second graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Her passion is helping others live the life they were meant to live.

Nina Azwoir is a licensed Financial Advisor with over 17 years of industry experience in the realm of wealth management, financial planning, and retirement solutions.

Nina has the knowledge and perspective to help keep her clients and their financial future on a steady course as they navigate through life and retirement. Her highest priority is her clients and their families. Reach out to Nina for your complimentary financial plan.

Peaceful Summit Counseling

DIABETES REVERSAL COACHING Reverse My Diabetes

Denise A. Pancyrz Naples 888.848.1763 www.ReverseMyDiabetes.net Denise@ReverseMyDiabetes.net The conventional approach to managing type 2 diabetes long term is not effective. Holistic lifestyle coaching helps to reverse the effects of diabetes, guiding you away from counting carbs and diets and leading you to recognize factors that affect your glucose.

Lower your A1c, stabilize glucose levels, increase your energy, and lose weight naturally.

DIAGNOSTIC BODY SCAN Aesthetic Treatment Centers Mindy DiPietro Naples 239.322.3790 www.ATCNaples.com

Aesthetic Treatment Centers have something for every guest, whether it be relaxation, results, or both. We strive to offer organic product lines that are impactful and results oriented.

ENERGY HEALING Energy Spa

Zel Rau—Owner/Operator 7935 Airport Pulling Rd. 2nd Floor, Suite 214 Naples FL 34109 219.381.9777 • bekind111@yahoo.com ZelRau.com/book-online Zel is a Certified Energy Work Practitioner with a profoundly rooted energy background. At the Energy Spa, Zel offers other energy work modalities such as Energy Field Tuning/Clearing, Bio-Well Energy Scans, Crystal Light Therapy, and more. Receiving this type of work can help with many issues we deal with today. Zel offers a 30-minute complimentary session to better learn about her services.

Wintrust Wealth Management

FLOAT SPA

Cloud 9 Float Spa Fort Myers 239.887.4161 www.c9floatspa.com Floating, also known as Flotation Therapy, has been used for years for its mental, spiritual, meditative, and physical benefits and has a vast amount of published research to support its claims.

HEALTH COACH HatchPath

4850 Tamiami Trail N, Suite 301, Naples 34103 289.221.7195 • hatchpath.io hello@hatchpath.io Where health coaches and clients meet. Customizable coaching within a trusted wellness community.

Theresa Edmunds, CHC

Naples 734.308.7105 theresaedmunds@hotmail.com Educating clients about all aspects of natural health. Truly healthy food, living chemical-free and detoxing, healthy home, emotional well-being, reducing stress, movement, supplements/homeopathy. Helping you recover, enhance, and protect your health. Providing the foundation that you need to live your best life full of energy and vitality.

Kristina Gretouce

239.350.4544 codependencyfreedom.com Kristina Gretouce is a Certified Life and Health and Wellness Coach with over 15 years of experience. Kristina offers a complimentary 10-minute discovery call. Please contact Kristina at 239.350.4544. 704 Goodlette-Frank Rd N, Naples.

HOLISTIC FUNCTIONAL HEALTHCARE

MYOFASCIAL RELEASE/ MASSAGE

ROBOTIC MUSCULAR THERAPY

Jenni Berman, PA-C, CPT, CNS 501 Goodlette Rd N Unit C202 Naples, FL 34102 239.431.0232 www.bermanpt.com/wellness

Anthony Hansen, LMT Naples 239.262.8722

805.364.3051 Theresa Edmunds, CHC, RPT Naples 888.339.1012 www.precisionroboticstherapy.com info@precisionroboticstherapy.com

Berman Health and Wellness

Berman Health and Wellness is a Functional Medicine Center who helps individuals reach their goal weight and optimize their gut health, while avoiding needless medications and achieving the highest quality of life imaginable. Our goal is to evaluate the metabolism, gut health, and bloodwork to optimize each aspect of the client.

WellcomeMD

Diana Macian, MD, is a board-certified emergency medical physician with over 9 years of experience treating patients with a wide range of medical conditions. She and her team offer complimentary consultations to answer any questions you may have on how Dr. Macian can help you achieve your optimal health.

INTEGRATIVE & FUNCTIONAL REGISTERED DIETITIAN Betsy Opyt, RD, LD/N, CDE Naples 239.297.8844 www.healthyconceptsconsulting.com betsy@healthyconceptsconsulting.com Betsy is a Licensed and Registered Dietitian as well as a Certified Diabetes Educator, Integrative & Functional Medicine Nutrition Therapist, and RYT200 yoga teacher.

She specializes in nutrigenomics, gut health, food sensitivities, detoxing, inflammatory diseases, and longevity living. Betsy is a professional speaker and advocate for healthy living. She is available for individual consultations, group programs, and speaking engagements.

LIFE COACH

Lee for Lifehealth Naples 312.208.1698 • leehartman14@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=100048548046587 Freedom from food without starving!

Become your magnificent self beginning with the 1st element of self-discipline; controlling food and drink. When you do that everything else falls into place; family, business and mental health. Calm and peaceful happiness result with no cravings taking over your life. Gentle support through your process in 6 or12 weeks with me.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS Nature’s Rite

Online 800.991.7088 www.mynaturesrite.com

REGENERATIVE MEDICINE

Spine, Joint, and Neuropathy Care Richard A. Hiler, DABCN Naples 239.330.1000 www.FeelAmazing.com DrRHiler@aol.com Oftentimes, to simply inject a joint or nerve with stem cells for pain, inflammation, and degeneration is not enough. Boost regenerative capability and capacity with the addition of ozone, PRP, growth factors, peptides, myoneural therapies, and physical reconditioning.

The Prodromos Stem Cell Institute Chadwick C. Prodromos, MD Naples and Chicago 847.699.6810 • care@thepsci.org www.thepsci.com

Dr Prodromos received his MD from the Johns Hopkins Medical School, served a surgical internship at the University of Chicago, his orthopaedic surgery residency at Rush and a fellowship in Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. He was a pioneer in surgery of the ACL and served as editor in chief of the first and only comprehensive textbook on the ACL for orthopaedic surgeons.

This innovative technology uses the static pressure of the robotic arm to release muscle tension, lengthening muscles back to their original state.

This reduces pressure on joints/ bones and increases flexibility. Clients report pain resolution, greater mobility, recovery from injury, increased range of motion and a general feeling of well-being.

SCALAR ENERGY HEALING Tom Paladino, Researcher 805.364.3051 www.scalarlight.com

Tom Paladino has developed scalar energy instruments that are able to negate the molecular bonds of pathogens and their associated toxins, thereby providing relief for pathogenic disease. Scalar energy is the natural energy of the Sun as well as the stars.

SELF HEALTH

Candice Rosen RN, Health Counseling Candice Rosen, RN candicerosenrn.com Candice P. Rosen is a registered nurse, social worker, nutritionist, health counselor, and author. She is the creator of The Pancreatic Nutritional Program and Data-Driven Fueling. She has spent her life’s work focused on improving the wellness of both her clients and her community. She advocated for preventative medicine, improved disability access, promoted maternal and infant health, and worked to bring awareness to the global obesity and diabetes epidemics.

WELLNESS MANAGEMENT TriCore Wellness

Naples 239.877.1481 www.TriCoreWellness.com TriCore Wellness is a SwaS (Software with a Service) company that specializes in wellness management and high-performance health coaching. We are focused on the integration of technology, health data, and professional coaching. We capture and analyze information about your fitness, nutrition, and recovery to develop plans, coaching strategies, and detailed analysis to help you achieve any health and performance goals.

49 FALL 2022

Healthy Concepts Consulting

Anthony Hansen, LMT, founder of Therapy on the Gulf. We specialize in myofascial release, craniosacral therapy, and lympatic drainage. We do aromatherapy massage, pregnancy massage, and other types of massage and energy work. I am also a qigong and Reiki Master. Candace VanRee, LMT and Teresa Kennedy, LMT are both highly qualified and do the same things that I do. For further information, please feel free to call us at Therapy on the Gulf.

Precision Robotics

ESSENTIAL Naples

Dr. Diana Macian Naples 239.451.5105 (Pam Ross) WellcomeMD.com/naples-florida.com tara.greenberg@WellcomeMD.com

Therapy on the Gulf

Confidence Guidance Confidence Through Through Guidance Confidence Through Guidance

Confidence Through Guidance

Nina Azwoir First Vice President, Investments tel: 239.687.5204 Nina Azwoir Nina Azwoir First Vice President, Investments LOCATED AT Firsttel: Vice President, Investments 239.687.5204 3401 Tamiami Trail North

tel: Naples, 239.687.5204 Florida LOCATED AT

3401 Tamiami LOCATED AT Trail North Naples, Floridamanagement services are offered through Wintrust Investments, LLC (Member FINRA/SIPC), founded in 1931. Trust and asset management Securities, insurance products, financial planning, and investment

3401 Tamiami Trail North Naples, Florida

services offered by The Chicago Trust Company, N.A. and Great Lakes Advisors, LLC, respectively. © 2020 Wintrust Wealth Management Investment products such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds are: NOT FDIC INSURED | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT A DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY Securities, insurance products, financial planning, and investment management services are offered through Wintrust Investments, LLC (Member FINRA/SIPC), founded in 1931. Trust and asset management services offered by The Chicago Trust Company, N.A. and Great Lakes Advisors, LLC, respectively. © 2020 Wintrust Wealth Management Investment products such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds are: Securities, NOT insurance products, financial planning, and investment management services offered through Wintrust Investments, LLC (Member FINRA/SIPC), founded in 1931. Trust and asset management FDIC INSURED | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT A DEPOSIT | NOTare INSURED

BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

services offered by The Chicago Trust Company, N.A. and Great Lakes Advisors, LLC, respectively. © 2020 Wintrust Wealth Management Investment products such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds are: