Are you living the life you want to live? If not, then why not? Is it finances, your job, relationships, or your health? Having been a physician for almost 30 years, I have had my fair share of patients tell me that their health limits their ability to live a full life.

We all tend to think about genetics when we consider the physical characteristics we have inherited from our family, like our hair color or the shape of our nose. But did you know that every foundational process in your body is an expression of your genes? Genes control processes like your metabolism, your weight, whether you might be at risk for chronic illness, and even possibly your mental health.

Did you know that you may be suffering from inflammation and not even know it? Most of us are aware of the signs of inflammation like pain, redness, and swelling. But did you know that inflammation may be “hidden” and could be the cause of many health issues?

Daily, we are all exposed to a multitude of chemicals.  The air we breathe, the products we use, and even the foods we eat can all contain harmful chemicals.  As our body absorbs these chemicals, they can accumulate causing health issues.

Let’s talk about the importance of regular exercise and mental health. We know that exercise not only helps benefit your heart, lungs, and overall well-being, but it has significant benefits for patients suffering from mood and mental health disorders. Many times, it can help people struggling with depression, anxiety, and panic attacks feel better. Under the care of a physician and with a supervised plan, some people can reduce their medication or even get off it completely.

In today’s world, our lives are often fast-paced, but to restore our physical and mental health, we need to stop and make time to rest. In my practice, I specialize in helping people with mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety. In this video, I am discussing the importance of maintaining good mental health by getting rest and especially good sleep.

You have probably heard the phrase “you are what you eat,” but have you ever stopped to think about how true that is? Most Americans consume what is called the standard American diet, and it is not the healthiest diet. It is one of the reasons we see an increase in health problems. Many people think they can take a supplement to replace what they are not getting by eating a poor diet. Unfortunately, it does not work that way. While the supplements might be helping, there is damage occurring in your body due to a lack of nutrients.

Did you know there is a connection between your gut and your brain? It’s true. There is a lot of communication that goes on between the two. Your brain has 85 billion neurons, and it connects through nerves down to your gut. Besides nerves, there is also a pipeline of communication between the brain and the gut with hormones, chemicals, and neurotransmitters. The brain makes hormones and sends chemical signals down to the gut, which also sends chemical signals up to the brain. In this video, I explain how this process works and the importance of optimizing your gut health so that the feedback going up to the brain is the best it can be.

Are you struggling with depression? Have you been through different treatment options but still do not feel well? If so, you are not alone. As a family physician and a functional medicine practitioner treating patients for over 25 years, I have seen many patients just like you. In my functional medicine practice, I specifically treat patients with depression and those who have treatment-resistant depression.