Women’s Health – Page 5 – New Leaf Wellness

Aesthetic Services- Chemical Peels & Dermaplaning

Exfoliation is an important part of having younger skin, and who doesn’t want to have younger looking skin? Two of my favorite aesthetic services are types of exfoliation- peels and dermaplaning. Peels are a chemical exfoliation, while dermaplaning is a mechanical exfoliation. Before we get into these two types of exfoliation, let’s discuss the need for exfoliation.

Need for Exfoliation

As humans age, we lose the collagen and elastin in our skin along with the ability to turn over skin cells at a faster rate. Now, collagen is the molecule that is responsible for plumping skin to keep fine lines and wrinkles at bay while the elastin gives our skin elasticity. And elastin is too big of a molecule to put back in our skin. While collagen is also a big molecule, pores are large enough for some collagen to penetrate back in. Therefore, anti-aging results will be limited without exfoliation such as dermaplaning or peel. So, these exfoliation methods not only slough off dead skin cells, but they also stimulate the production of new skin cells which will produce collagen and elastin.

Note, both peels and dermaplaning exfoliate; however, peels will produce a deeper exfoliation because it is a chemical that penetrates down to the dermis while a dermaplaning will only work on the epidermis.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels come in different types. Glycolic acid is derived from sugar cane and is an alpha-hydroxy acid good for anti-aging and brightening the skin, while salicylic acid is derived from aspirin and is a beta-hydroxy acid known for combating acne. Actually, there is also a lactic acid which is the safest form of peel because women produce lactic acid. The VI Peel is done at New Leaf Wellness under the direction of a medical director, because it is a deep peel.

Peels are not usually recommended for pregnant women, as the chemicals can seep into bloodstream, although I have seen some estheticians perform a light lactic peel on a pregnant woman. In fact, peels are also not recommended for people higher on the Fitzpatrick scale due to risk of hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation happens when the skin produces too much melanin and forms darker spots in some areas. Also, other contraindications for peels include scarring, scabbing, cold sores or herpes break out around the mouth, if already present.

Dermaplaning

Dermaplaning, which we could also just call, “shaving your face,” because this treatment involves gently pulling a blade along your skin. But! Dermaplaning, unlike traditional shaving, uses a smaller blade to slough off dead skin cells in addition to removing wispy facial hair, so skin is more even in tone and texture. Interestingly, it’s superficial (there will not be blood) and strangely reminiscent of a cat lick(tickly, sandpapery). Perk: It makes makeup go on smoother too!

What to Choose?

So, peels yield deeper, long lasting result, although they usually come with a downtime of 2-7 days depending on the pH of the peel. However, peels are usually recommended in a series of 3-6 to get the results the you want to see. In comparison, dermaplaning is a safer exfoliation method that almost everyone can use and results are immediate. Both exfoliation methods can be used on different areas of the body along with various other aesthetic services we offer. To decide which is better, use your skin care knowledge or consult with your provider, and you will see younger, firmer, glowing, healthy skin in no time. For added skin care, check out our super supplements that assist with skin care initiatives. Check out our products>

How To Schedule:

Contact New Leaf Wellness today to learn more about our aesthetic services or give us a call at 888-728-7555! You can also take our short informational quiz to help point you in the best direction for your skin! Check it out below.

Aesthetic Health Quiz- FOR WOMEN

Aesthetic Health Quiz- FOR MEN

Patient Care at New Leaf Wellness

Who We Are

The patient care at New Leaf Wellness is like no other. You will be greeted with a warm smile and know that you are going to be treated with great care. Once you get through the doors of wellness you feel the compassion New Leaf staff has for its patients. Patient care and making the patient feel worthy, heard, and respected is what New Leaf strives for!

“He made a tremendous difference in my life. I wish I would have started the program years ago. Have recommended it to many others.”

-Beverly A., New Leaf Wellness Patient, see more >

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Make sure each of our our employees are capable of making a good first impression.
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“I started New Leaf in November of 2014. I weighed 285 pounds. New Leaf treatments gave me the energy to start working out again and over 18 months I lost 95 pounds through exercise and healthy eating, NOT DIETING, I’m too old for that. During my 18 months I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, I was told I would miss several weeks of work and take months to recover. I missed 10 days of work and returned to the gym 2 weeks after my treatments which I attribute to my hormone therapy at New Leaf.”

-Van P. New Leaf Wellness Patient, see more >

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7 Little-Known Benefits of Vitamin C for Your Skin, Hair and Health

Let’s paint a scenario. You wake up to the sound of your alarm reminding you that another day has reared its head, and unfortunately, yours is all foggy. Your nose is stuffed, you feel a fever coming on and nothing can motivate you to get out of bed—not even your favorite barista at the neighborhood coffee shop. You’re getting sick and your first thought (thanks to the nagging of your loving mother) is to load up on vitamin C to kick those germs to the curb, ASAP! This is a great go-to, but we’re sharing 7 little known benefits of vitamin C for skin, hair and health!

Along with improving and strengthening your immune system, vitamin C possesses some impressive benefits for many of the skin conditions you might be struggling with. “Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that is an antioxidant that helps form and maintain connective tissue. An antioxidant helps capture free radical damage caused by oxidative stress or sun damage to the skin. It is also essential for collagen production.

So how exactly can this essential ingredient found in many skin care and hair care products help you?

1. Correct Dark Spots and Hyperpigmentation

Depending on the condition of your skin, how much time you spend in the sun and your ethnic background, you might have more dark spots than some of your peers. Though this is normal and part of the aging process, vitamin C can help to reverse the appearance of dark spots.

2. Block Free Radicals

Though basking in the sunlight feels great in the moment, any time you expose your skin to dangerous rays, you put yourself at risk for damage. In addition to wearing sunscreen, no matter how cloudy or bright it is, you should also use vitamin C.

3. Minimize Dryness and Wrinkles

Winter or not, you might find yourself struggling with dry skin patches or perpetually thirsty cells. No matter how much lotion or moisturizer you lather on, you still feel flaky, itchy or struggle with redness. That’s because you’re not focusing on a star ingredient that could make a difference, Vitamin C may be an important part of a moisturizer or serum, since it helps cells mature and differentiate normally.

4. Boost Collagen Production

While Botox and fillers are an extreme way to treat skin that loses its elasticity over time, another way to approach your routine is to consider the nutrients that naturally help your skin stay young. Vitamin C is essential to the development of new collagen in your skin. Therefore, without it, the skin will get thinner and less supple with age. In order to keep it available at all stages of collagen formation, it should be used topically as well as taken orally.

5. Repair Damaged Hair

You might not realize it, but our hair is impacted by our environment almost as much as our skin. Because the effects don’t instantly show up in a noticeable way, we forget about protecting it in a more deliberate way. Our hair is damaged by UV and pollution, as well as many other things we do to it, and vitamin C can help repair some of this damage the same way it helps skin repair.

6. Prevent Gum and Bone Disease

That glass of OJ (or packet of Emergen-C) that you take at the first sign of sickness might help give your immune system a boost, but it can also do more than just keep you from encountering coughing fits. Vitamin C helps to prevent gum disease and probably helps to keep bones healthy in a roundabout way through its assistance with collagen formation.

7. Fight Off Fatigue

In addition to all of the incredible benefits mentioned above, another perk of vitamin C is what it does for your mind and your overall mood. Being nutritionally balanced (that includes getting enough vitamin C) has been shown to improve overall cellular function and general health. This can lead to better quality of life in general. Several studies have also suggested that vitamin C improves mood but the mechanics of this is still unknown.

G.A.C. Injections

G.A.C. injections are widely used as an effective weight loss supplement, and G.A.C. injections are helping many dieters lessen sugar cravings and stick to low carb dieting. But a common question we get is, what are G.A.C. injections? So, we’re diving in to how they work to help your body.

Glutamine, arginine and carnitine (G.A.C.) are amino acids when combined converts glycogen to energy, rather than fat. These three amino acids combined make it easier to burn calories and expel from the body. Luckily, this combination is newly made available as a pharmacy-grade prescription by ReGenesis HRT in injectable form. G.A.C. injections are specifically formulated for rapid weight loss and enhance athletic performance via the stimulation of the body’s metabolism (through the transfer of fatty acids to the mitochondria). Also, ReGenesis HRT’s team of medical researchers have found G.A.C. to be an important component in muscle repair, body sculpting and immune system enhancement.

G.A.C. Injections Benefits:

• Increases growth hormone levels
• Prevention of muscle loss
• Faster muscle recovery
• Improves circulation
• Powerful fat burning properties
• Conversion of stored fat into energy
• Increases energy levels
• Higher metabolic rates
• Balances hormones
• Improves mood
• Increases stamina

Below is a breakdown of each amino acid, and its role in fat loss:

G is for Glutamine

Glutamine is one of the body’s most abundant amino acids and is the building block for all essential proteins. It is most commonly used to boost the immune system, combatting the effects of bodily distress. However, Glutamine also enhances exercise performance and expedites muscle recovery allowing users to effectively burn more calories.

A is for Arginine

Arginine is an amino acid that changes into nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a neurotransmitter shown to improve circulation and blood flow. Due to Arginine’s positive effects on blood circulation, workout performance and muscle recovery time improves, leading to an increase in your fat burning rate. Therefore, Arginine is extremely effective for weight loss.

C is for L-Carnitine

L-Carnitine is a substance produced by the liver and kidneys which converts body fat into energy. Studies show carnitine reduces body fat, increases muscle mass, improves stamina and strength and lessens fatigue, which may all contribute to weight loss. Likewise, its muscle building properties make it a favorite among weightlifters and bodybuilding professionals. Consequently, Carnitine boosts energy during times of caloric deficit eliminating fatigue and irritability while dieting.

Want to know more about G.A.C. injections, check out service page for more information and other wellness support programs.

Save Your Skin During the Holidays!

We’ve compiled 7 best ways to save your skin during the holidays, so you don’t have to play catch up in January. It is bad enough the credit card bills come piling in, do we also need the wrinkles and dry skin? Shopping, parties, family in town, traveling, etc. there are so many things going on this time of year, sometimes neglecting ourselves in the process and even our skin.

Healthy Skin in December

1. Wear Your Sunscreen- Even though the sun is gone, we still need to be aware of the UVA rays that are present year round. These are the rays that can cause skin cancer and premature aging.

2. If you’re stressed out, your skin will show it. I know that being “stress free” isn’t always an option but it’s important to take a time-out every once in a while. Go do some yoga, get a pedicure, a facial (call New Leaf Wellness) or just relax by the fire. We all know these things but we need to be reminded.

3. Manicures- All your running around at the malls and cooking are going to wreak havoc on your hands and nails. Mix any oil (olive, jojoba, grape seed) with a lotion or apply by itself for extra hydration to save your skin for cracking and bleeding.

4. Chapped Lips- This is when you need a Lip BALM, not a chapstick. A balm will heal your lips and a chapstick will protect your lips. Burt’s Bees is my absolute favorite.

Enjoy this post? See 5 Easy Tips for a Healthy Skincare Regimen for more ways to save your skin! >

5. Sore Feet- Peppermint is the answer. You can find it in scrubs and lotions and it will make your feet feel fantastic! Or add peppermint oil to your current favorite lotion!

6. Dry Skin- Did you know that people with dry skin tend to age faster than those with oily skin? Yep, there is an advantage to oily skin. Keep your skin hydrated and not just your face. I’m obsessed with grapeseed oil right now so that is my go-to oil but whatever works for you is good. Just make sure you use it consistently. Those heaters can dry out our skin and make things worse.

7. Makeup- Keep it light and dewy and wash your face every night!

If you’re feeling like these tips are great, but you need more, we hear you! Take our quick assessment to understand what your skin needs!

Yes, I want to take the Free Aesthetics Health Quiz!

The Truth About Your Night Sweats

Waking Up Drenched in Sweat?

If you wake up drenched in sweat, think of your armpits as evidence. You do not have to do sleuthing to figure out what is prompting your perspiration. Night Sweats. Therefore, we are uncovering the truth about your night sweats and what your body is really telling you.

Firstly, night sweats are common. In a study published in Annals of Family Medicine, one-third of primary care patients reported night sweats during the past month. Your body is signaling to you, are you listening?

“However, no one knows exactly how common the condition is, because most sufferers of night sweats never report the symptom to their doctor”, says study author James Mold, M.D., a professor of family medicine at the University of Oklahoma. Think of night sweats as smoke detector going off in the home, it means time find the root of the alarm.

Could Night Sweats Be Hormonal?

In a literature review published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, Dr. Mold and his colleagues revealed that several factors increase the likelihood of night sweats including: panic attacks, sleep problems, fever, numbness in hands and feet, anxiety and stress, and trouble breathing at night. Night sweats may also be a symptom of unbalanced hormones.

Much like hot flashes, low estrogen effects the hypothalamus is often specifically what causes night sweats in women. The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that controls appetite, body temperature, sleep and sex hormones.

“No night sweats or hot flashes anymore. More energy!”

– Rhonda S., New Leaf Wellness Patient, see more testimonials >>

So, it’s important to us to live your best life. We provide a variety of health and wellness services personalized to your body’s deficiencies.

Not Just Women Experience Night Sweats…

It is a common misconception that only women experience night sweats. When men experience low testosterone levels like andropausal, it commonly causes false signals to the hypothalamus producing night sweats. Additionally, men with high cortisol (stress) levels, poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle which can contribute to night sweats.

“It is putting me in balance, and I am becoming active again.”

– David B., New Leaf Wellness Patient, see more testimonials >>

Conclusively, if you wake up in a pool of sweat almost every night, you should give us a call at New Leaf Wellness to get your hormones checked.

Try our free assessment to check for your own hormonal balance. Click the appropriate link below to take the assessment and your results will be shown immediately!

Hormone Health Assessment For WOMEN

Hormone Health Assessment For MEN

Your Gut Health & Weight Loss

If only weight management were really as simple as they make it seem. Eat less, move more and in a caloric deficit you will lose weight; right? Wrong… Let’s talk about your gut health and weight loss today for a few minutes.

What is Gut Health?

If you try to keep ‘in the know’ of weight loss and health trends, there’s a lot of talk about probiotics, gut health and even diet changes such as dairy free and gluten free. Perhaps you personally have tried a supplement or reducing your processed food intake? It can be frustrating not truly knowing what your body needs. You see, the microbiome or gut plays a major role in the processing of nutrients and calories as well as influences how the body stores those nutrients and calories. If you are reducing caloric intake, exercising and still not seeing results, perhaps we need to shift our attention to your gut health?

Basic Ways the Gut Impacts Metabolism & Weight Loss:

1. Different bacterias are responsible for different functions. Some love to store fat! If your microbiome is out of balance, your bacteria could have an overabundance of “friends” trying to store some extra for the winter.

2. If your gut is off, you are likely missing many of the digestive enzymes needed to properly break down macronutrients, resulting in improperly stored calories as well as a lack of nutrient absorption.

3. The “bad” bacteria thrive on sugar. When we have an overgrowth of these bacteria, they will communicate their dietary desires to your brain encouraging you to eat more often as well as crave simply carbohydrates and sugars which are easily stored as fat.

4. Too much “bad” bacteria communicate stress signals to the brain, increasing cortisol the hormone associated with fat storage and blood sugar dips.

5. “Leaky Gut” leads to inflammation which negatively impacts metabolism. More on Leaky Gut >>

These are just some examples of how and why we need to balance our microbiome when trying to lose weight. If you feel this applies to your struggles with weight loss and just feeling ‘bloated’, contact us to take the Food Sensitivity Test and learn more about your gut!

We also have supplements specially formulated for you in mind! Visit our online supplement store for discount on your first purchase or contact us if you have questions.

What Now?

Follow the Dr’s recommendation on the elimination diet. Test yearly for the latest information on what is causing inflammation in your body. Be sure you are getting your follow up tests completed and you will not have chronic health problems due to inflammation caused by sensitivities of food.

What’s Your Adrenal Protocol?

What’s your adrenal protocol? Didn’t know you need one? First, you may need to understand what adrenals in order to figure out what the protocol should be for you and your body.

B Vitamins and Adrenal Function

Your adrenal glands manufacture a number of hormones, such as cortisol, adrenaline, aldosterone, estrogen and testosterone that regulate many processes in your body as well as help you cope with stress. This hormone production system is referred to as the adrenal cascade. Each of the eight B vitamins that make up vitamin B complex is essential in varying quantities throughout the adrenal cascade, as well as in many other processes from mood to DNA synthesis to energy production. Most B vitamins act as coenzymes, which means that they help form enzymes to become catalysts in biochemical transformations throughout your body.

Three Major Bs in the Adrenal Cascade

Vitamin B3 (niacin) is one of the most important of the B vitamins to the adrenal cascade. Large amounts of niacin are necessary to form the molecular structure of certain coenzymes critical for almost all of the steps in this cascade.

B5 (pantothenic acid) is another essential contributor in the adrenal cascade and is converted in the body into acetyl-CoA, a substance critical to the conversion of glucose into energy. It is present in all cells but in higher quantities in the adrenals because so much energy is needed to produce the adrenal hormones.

B6 (pyridoxine) is also a coenzyme in several of the biochemical pathways in the adrenal cascade and plays a role in the functioning of the hypothalamic/pituitary/adrenal (HPA) axis that modulates adrenal activity and the stress response.

Although proportionately larger quantities of B3, B5 and B6 are used in adrenal hormone production, all of the B vitamins help generate energy and work in concert with each other. Therefore, the presence of the complete B complex is necessary for each individual B vitamin to optimally do its job. Their relative ratios are especially critical to how well they are able to support adrenal function.

“B-12 injections give me the energy I need to help with my busy life. I’m more alert, I don’t need naps and I haven’t gotten sick when all my friends have had the flu. I would recommend B12 injections!”

– Angela H. New Leaf Wellness Patient, Read More NLW Patients’ Story

Vitamin B Complex – Optimal Ratios for Stress and Adrenal Fatigue

When buying a stress supplement containing B complex, the key is to look for one that has the B vitamins in the proper proportions for the human body to utilize, and specifically for the relative ratios that the adrenals need. The stress formulas that are composed of equal amounts of the B vitamins are not metabolized efficiently. An optimal formula for stress and adrenal fatigue should provide, per day, approximately:

75-130 mg of B3 (niacin)
700-1200 mg of B5 (pantothenic acid)
90-150 mg of B6 (pyridoxine)
15-25 mg of B1 thiamine)
15-25 mg of B2 riboflavin)
300-500 mcg of B7 (biotin)
600-1000 mcg of B9 (folic acid)

Because some people do not absorb vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) well in a regular vitamin supplement format, it may be preferable to take this in a separate 200-400 mcg sublingual supplement.

Have you been tested to even know if your adrenals are low? What are reasonable levels? We have seen many patients who had no idea their symptoms were from adrenal fatigue!

Adrenal Fatigue – What You Need To Know >

Follow Up Treatment:

Lab tests and meeting with the Provider should be done every 3 months. It is also recommend to eliminate hard-to-digest foods and toxins from your diet and to have a Food Sensitivity Test completed. Adrenal Fatigue can take up to 2 years to completely heal so follow all of the Providers recommendations.

Testosterone Pellets for Men and Women

We live in an imperfect world that has chemicals in our food, water, personal care products, cleaning products, etc. We are under stress from living in today’s rushed and “connected” world. We eat more processed foods and consume more sugar and gluten than past generations. All of this contributes to a hormone imbalance. Today, we want to explain the “why” of Testosterone pellets for men and women.

First, You Need To Know

Replacing your deficient hormones is one part of feeling optimal. Testosterone in particular is often found to be low in both men and women. Testosterone helps you to think more clearly, sleep better, have focus, be in a good mood, and recover better from exercise; among other things. When your Testosterone is low you may feel moody, grumpy, have more aches and pains, feel tired, have brain fog, etc. It is not just the “sex” hormone.

How Bioidentical Testosterone Pellets Can Help

Bioidentical Testosterone pellets are a great way to replace Testosterone for both men and women. They are about the size of a thin tic tac. The pellets are placed in the fatty area of your buttock area–somewhat near your hip in a simple procedure in the office. The Testosterone is released in small amounts on a consistent basis: just like your body should be doing but is not. When you have increased blood flow (from increased activity) your body will draw more Testosterone for its increased needs.

“My strength and overall health has improved, sex life with my beautiful lady has been great. I sleep better and not [having] night sweats.“

– Ken D., New Leaf Wellness Patient, More Testimonials

Bioidentical Testosterone pellets provide you with the Testosterone that your body needs in a manner that closely resembles what your body should naturally be doing but is not because of all of the hormone disruptors surrounding us. Proper hormone balancing is an important part of feeling optimal and getting out of the “rabbit hole” of not feeling good.

Don’t wait for symptoms to keep you from living your best life. Take our free and easy Hormone Health Quiz. Click the matching link below.

Hormone Health Quiz for MEN

Hormone Health Quiz for WOMEN

3 SIGNS OF VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY

Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin as it’s commonly known, is vital to many bodily functions that we may not be aware of. A vitamin D deficiency can make itself apparent in a variety of different ways throughout the body, including physiological and psychological repercussions. Though the most accurate determination of a deficiency is through a diagnostic testing, there are also easily spotted symptoms. Here are 3 signs of vitamin D deficiency.

1. BONE AND MUSCLE WEAKNESS

One of the many functions of vitamin D is muscle function and bone strength. Vitamin D regulates calcium throughout the body. Because calcium is integral to bone and muscle structure and function, appropriate vitamin D production and intake is necessary. Without enough vitamin D, our bones and muscles become weak, which result in a very noticeable increase in difficulty in daily motility.

2. INCREASED SUSCEPTIBILITY TO INFECTIONS

Vitamin D is also a fundamental part of the immune system. It acts a messenger between cells. Without exposure to sunlight and vitamin D rich foods or supplements, there are various issues that tend to crop up, one of them being an increased chance and rate of infections. Lack of communication between cells leads to lack of response from the immune system toward bacteria or viruses. So if you’ve been sick more times in the past few months than usual, there is a definite possibility of a vitamin D deficiency.

3. FATIGUE

Skeletal and Immune weakness can both result in general fatigue that stems from a deficiency. Vitamin D is directly related to the overall well being for most body systems. Without enough vitamin D, there is an increased chance of fatigue due to the gross effort the body must invest in normal function and process. This fatigue can lead to feelings of depression. This lack of motivation and general fatigue is definitely a symptom for a vitamin D deficiency.

Though these symptoms seems easy to recognize, remember that there is no greater accuracy than a diagnostic blood test. These tests are painless and the benefits are virtually endless. New Leaf Wellness aims to find the roots of illnesses to begin the preventative process through these simple diagnostic tests.

See our full listing of MEN and WOMEN services to better serve you! To contact a NLW staff member now, you can call us at 888-728-7555. We look forward to speaking with you!