Wellness for Life

Your Questions Answered: Is Your Vagina Healthy?

Find out how to keep your vagina healthy and learn the symptoms for when it's time to see your gynecologist.

Additional Info

Segment Number 1
Audio File wellness_for_life/1519wl5a.mp3
Featured Speaker Alyssa Dweck, MS, MD, FACOG
Guest Website Dr. Dweck
Guest Bio Alyssa Dweck, MS, MD, FACOG, is a partner and full-time practicing OB/GYN at the Mount Kisco Medical Group in Westchester County, New York. She coauthored V is for Vagina: Your A to Z guide to Periods, Piercings, Pleasures and So Much More. She has a Masters Degree in Human Nutrition from Columbia University and her MD from Hahnemann University (now Drexel University) in Philadelphia. She is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
Transcription RadioMD Presents: Wellness for Life Radio | Original Air Date: May 8, 2015
Host: Susanne Bennett, DC
Guest: Alyssa Dweck, MS, MD

You are listening to Radio MD. She is a chiropractic, holistic physician, bestselling author, international speaker, entrepreneur and talk show host. She is Dr. Susanne Bennett. It is time now for Wellness for Life radio. Here is Dr. Susanne.

DR. SUSANNE: Every year, once a year, women are recommended to go to our gynecologist so that we can make sure that everything is doing really well within our female organs, the vagina, ovaries, uterus. All of that and the majority of the time, and I mean, majority of the time, the doctors will say, “Oh. Everything is looking really good. Your vagina and the health of your female organs are wonderful.” Now, I’m asking about this for women out there. Is it really 100% healthy? Because we only go there, to the doctors, once a year. So, my next guest is a full-time practicing gynecologist and also the author of, “V is for Vagina: Your A to Z Guide to Periods, Piercings, Pleasures and so much more.” So, she’s here to share with us how to keep your vagina healthy and how to know when it’s time to see your doctor.

Welcome, Dr. Alyssa Dweck.

DR. DWECK: Thank you for having me.

DR. SUSANNE: Oh, absolutely. You know, how often should we get our vaginal area examined? Our female organs examined?

DR. DWECK: I’m so glad you’re asking this question. We always recommend that women come in once a year to have a regular exam. However, there’s been some confusion out there because the frequency of the actual test called PAP smear, which is a screening for cervical cancer, has actually decreased over the last couple of years and, in many cases, could be ever 3-5 years. So, just because the PAP smear is every 3-5 years as a recommendation doesn’t mean women shouldn’t still come in to see their gynecologist once a year.

DR. SUSANNE: Well, once a year, you know, if women are sexually active. Now, often, when…and some women are on birth control. You know, we actually have more discharge than the average individual and so how do we know? If it’s just once a year, maybe we’re actually having an infection and you don’t even know it.

DR. DWECK: Right. This is so true. I think it’s so important that women get to know their own bodies so that if there’s a real change that occurs, that would be a signal to perhaps give you gynecologist a call. In general, a mucousy, clear, non-malodorous discharge from the vagina is physiologic and typically normal and for women not on the birth control pill, for example, they’ll notice a heavier discharge during the mid-cycle with ovulation. But, for example, if there’s a bloody discharge or a discolored discharge or something that has a foul odor or is causing pain or irritation, this really should be checked out.

DR. SUSANNE: Right. Right. Also, there’s other symptoms such as itching and burning and even when you’re having sex, you might have pain. That’s also indicated, isn’t it?

DR. DWECK: Yes. And that’s something that should be checked. For example, now that a lot of the yeast medications are over the counter, women often try to self-treat and, many times, that’s successful, but many times they’re really self-diagnosing a yeast infection when something else might be going on. For example, a bacterial imbalance or an irritation from a product that they might be using. So, at times, it really is helpful to get checked out thoroughly.

DR. SUSANNE: Right. Right. Often, I know. Women do take it upon themselves to help clean their own body and some people use douches. I don’t recommend them. I’d really like to know what your recommendation is.

DR. DWECK: Well, you and I are on the same page. I really don’t recommend douching either, although some women really feel comfortable cleansing out the vagina with a mild fluid maybe once a month after their period and if they feel that this is so urgent that something very simple, a pH balance, like a vinegar and water douche would be reasonable but I don’t recommend douching. The vagina is an amazing organ that actually cleans itself and it has plenty of mechanisms to keep itself healthy without the need to douche or use any feminine washing products other than just mild soap and water.

DR. SUSANNE: Right. Right. A lot of my patients come in and they’re on birth control and it’s a lot easier for sexual activity, but also the man can ejaculate inside the vagina and, of course, the pill is to prevent any unwanted pregnancies. What I find thought, is that the semen itself can actually be food for more yeast infections so I ask my patient to just go in and use their fingers and go in there after ejaculate is inside and just scoop it out. Do you think that would be okay for women to do?

DR. DWECK: I don’t think there would be any harm in that. I typically recommend that, especially for women who get uncomfortable after intercourse or who might be prone to infections to just use the restroom after intercourse, urinate. That tends to flush things out a little bit. Or, even shower quickly if they feel that that’s necessary. But, it’s really kind of an individual basis.

DR. SUSANNE: Right. That’s a great point about showering. Showering quickly. And, also urinating, right?

DR. DWECK: Yes.

DR. SUSANNE: Urination. So that…Yes.

DR. DWECK: I have so many women who are prone to urinary tract infections and sexual activity seems to bring them on and really instigate this symptom so in those particular cases, I’ll often recommend urinating both before and after intercourse just to lessen the chance of getting an infection.

DR. SUSANNE: Oh, I like what you just said. Before having intercourse. That sounds great, too. Absolutely. So, what’s the best method for good vaginal hygiene.

DR. DWECK: The best method is probably the least intrusive method which is just warm water and a mild soap and, in fact, you don’t need to be particularly vigorous about cleaning inside the vagina but, certainly, a mild soap and water on the vulva is very reasonable and patting dry and, really, you should not need a whole lot of fragrant products or sprays or anything along that line, although I know that this is a very popular practice for lots of women.

DR. SUSANNE: Oh, I know it is only because they want to make sure that, you know, when…That they want to make sure that they don’t have any odor as well as they want to make sure they’re clean, too, but know that some of those chemicals have a lot of fragrances which are very irritating and allergic. I’m an allergy expert, so for me, I want to make sure that you’re not using anything that’s irritating. But, how about those lubricants? What do you think about those lubricants that are out there these days?

DR. DWECK: Well, I’m a fan of as natural a lubricant as possible but, on the other side of that are the women who really are having discomfort during intercourse as a result of dryness. So, it’s very reasonable to consider various lubricants. So, certain water-based lubricants such as KY Jelly or Astroglide are easily available over the counter and, typically, very well-received and well tolerated. For some women, that doesn’t seem to be enough and I’ll often recommend a silicone lubricant but, again, this is not for everybody. What’s really been popular lately is coconut oil, if you can imagine. Wonderful. An organic coconut oil has been helpful and really, really well-received by women who are having a little dryness and they find that it’s enjoyable and fun and natural and so, I often will recommend that as well.

DR. SUSANNE: Oh, I love what you’re saying about coconut oil because I know of a company that’s made these little suppositories that you can actually put in and so, for women, not just for sexual activity but to keep it more moist and I’m talking about perimenopausal/menopausal symptoms.

DR. DWECK: I’m so glad you brought that up because that thought came to my mind as well. So, of course, some women do rely on estrogen for really notable dryness and discomfort during intercourse in their perimenopausal and menopausal years, if necessary and if they are candidates for that but otherwise, the lubricants I mentioned are really helpful and vaginal moisturizers are also helpful on a chronic basis so that dryness is not a problem.

I will always make one caveat note and that is that oil should not be used with condoms. If you’re relying on condoms for protection against pregnancy because they could ruin the integrity of that.

DR. SUSANNE: Good point because oils…I mean, I know that different kinds of condoms…How about like the natural skin ones? There are natural condoms out there, right?

DR. DWECK: Yes, there are and those are very helpful for prevention of pregnancy but not all would prevent sexually transmitted infection.

DR. SUSANNE: That’s such a great point because, you know, I know that it may be most comfortable for women. I find that a lot of women do really well with the natural forms but, gosh I’m so happy that we got to talk all about the vagina and I really want everyone to go get Dr. Dweck’s book. It’s called V for vagina. Your A to Z Guide to Periods, Piercing, Pleasures and So Much More. Thank you so much. For more information and vaginal health, you can visit Dr. Dweck’s blog on DrDweck.com and also on my page.

Alright. This is Dr. Susanne Bennett.
Length (mins) 10
Waiver Received No
Host Susanne Bennett, DC

Nature's Secrets: Healthy Travel Essentials

Each week, host Dr. Susanne Bennett shares with her listeners Nature's Secrets to a healthier body. This week: Top Healthy Essentials for Traveling.

Additional Info

Segment Number 5
Audio File wellness_for_life/1518wl5e.mp3
Featured Speaker Susanne Bennett, DC
Transcription RadioMD Presents: Wellness for Life Radio | Original Air Date: May 1, 2015
Host: Susanne Bennett, DC

It is time to feel better with help from Dr. Susanne Bennett. Allergies, nutrition, ultimate wellness are discussed right here right now. It is wellness for life radio on Radio MD. Here is your host Dr. Susanne.

DR SUSANNE: You probably don’t know this about me but I get so excited in the Spring time because it is when I start planning my next big summer vacation. Yay! I just love to travel to other parts of the world where I can jump into the ocean to swim, snorkel or stand-up paddle. I’ve actually lived near the ocean my entire life from Korea to Monterey and now the Pacific Palisades, and I have a deep, deep love and respect for the ocean and marine life. In fact, my family and close friends call me the “sensitive voyager”, not only because I have a strict rule to explore beaches and oceans wherever I go but also because of the way I travel. I am very organized and prepared with all of my food, supplements and health travel paraphernalia.

My philosophy is that, you know what? I want to have the best experience best possible experience at every moment of my life, including during my travels and if it takes a little more by carrying extra bags of goodies to do that then I am all for it. Preparation is key for healthy travelling whether it’s for business trips or for a fun-filled adventure. On Nature’s Secrets today, I will share my top healthy travel essentials for you and your family so you can maintain your energy, your mental focus, be free of allergies and avoid any potential health disasters that are so common for people when they travel.

Number one. Let’s pack a healthy travel paraphernalia kit for you. What does that include? You’ve got to have those daily essential supplements of vitamins and minerals allowing you to travel guilt free. And the reason why I say that is when we are travelling, let’s say backpacking in the Alaskan wilderness, you know what? You are not going to get enough fresh vegetables and fruit. So, which ones do you need? Multivitamin in mineral formula is always the number one choice. You want to take extra vitamin C and extra vitamin D for your energy as well as immune boosters. Also important are probiotics that you don't have to refrigerate, especially in areas that when you’re travelling to that might cause traveler’s diarrhea. South America, Asia, Africa but, even so, probiotics is a daily thing that you should be on anyway.

Number two. Let’s go ahead and instead of taking toxic hand sanitizers start using colloidal silver spray. It is an excellent alternative to sanitize your hands. Also, you can spray it down your throat if you feel like a tickle in your throat. You could even spray it in your eyes, you know, for eye infections and put drops into your ears for ear infections. For children, Best Formula is the one that has been manufactured with silver salt technology and you can find my silver salt power spray on my DoctorSusanne.com website.

Number three: Broad spectrum antimicrobials. What I mean by that, such as olive leaf, oregano oil are excellent for viral, bacterial and fungal infections. If you start feeling like you have got food poisoning you have got to start taking these right away so that you can stop the damage in your gut and stop the damage caused by these bugs. So, what I actually do is take a couple of olive leafs before I get on the plane because you know that planes are notorious for viruses. What’s next? Calendula and arnica ointments for cuts and bruises. If you have children, you know how common they are. Every step of the way of the travelling you will have to take care of that, so calendula and arnica ointments for cuts and bruises. You can also spray the silver salt technology Colloidal Silver on the wound to stop any bacterial infections. And don’t to take those extra band aids. Tropical environments mean more exotic insects that can bite you. Now, wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants to protect your body. I actually pack a mosquito netting for the bed so that when I am in my hotel room, it is all covered up and I am not at all bitten by these terrible mosquitos. In some places dengue fever is a lot more common than you think. I actually got it so I know that it can be very, very damaging to your body. Don’t forget non-DEET bug repellent and to put it into your little kit. You can apply it on your skin regularly and you can find these non-DEET bug repellents at your local health store. One thing that I have used that works really well--I found this out by accident, magnesium oil. One time, I was in Mexico I used magnesium oil on my body because I was sore from an exercise program I was doing and, sure enough, late afternoon when every one of those mosquitos come out because I attract them like crazy, well, they didn’t want to bite me because magnesium oil taste horrible. You can try it yourself it is so, so bitter and strong and because of that it will repel mosquitos and other bugs and little flies. One other thing, once you get that itchy bug bite, what is my favorite ointment to stop the itch? It is tiger balm, it is an old ancient, literally, I have been using tiger balm my whole fifty something years of my life and it is the best thing that will stop the itch. Get the one that is white in color not the red one because the red one will create stains on your body.

So, what other health tips? Go ahead. Today, you know, nowadays hotels and restaurant’s all around the world are really accommodating for sensitive travelers, so it is really important that you talk to them. Call them up. What you can do is make sure you get your room with an air purifier. You can ask for a feather free bed and non-chemical cleaning products to clean your room. You ask the hotel manager to make sure it is a chemical-free room. You know, if you have got allergies then make sure it is not a pet-friendly resort because you don't want you, yourself or your children sneezing and coughing throughout the night. Also check for your weather, look ahead. Nowadays, your weather can be looked at for the next ten days and you can look at the temperature whether you want to go snorkeling whether you got to carry a little umbrella whatever it is, check for weather. I always travel with my healthy snacks. I love packing foods that sustain my energy and brain power, so important that you don't want to be eating foods when you are stuck somewhere and if that restaurant doesn’t have the foods that you like because you have got food allergies like dairy and gluten products, then it is really important that you take some snacks.

The worst situation would be when a child is hungry. We all know that a hungry child is not a happy child. So, what are the type of healthy snack fav’s that I use? Organic turkey jerky. That’s my number one favorite snack because it is high in protein, low in sugar and it keeps your blood sugar balanced and reduces sugar cravings. I also love organic seeded seed bars with pumpkin seeds, sunflower, chia, hemp seeds, almonds. I love almonds, macadamia nuts and hazelnuts. That is a great snack that you can have and it really helps to maintain your blood sugar level and if you drink it with a nice tall hot cup of organic tea it really fills you up. I also travel with individual packs of unsweetened almond milk. And I know it weighs you down but it is really excellent to use for let’s say your morning ginger and cinnamon tea that you are going to be carrying with you, as well, in powdered form.

Individual green drink packets I love to take and I take it with a glass shaker bottle so I can mix it in with purified water, including the veggie or egg protein powder shakes. That is really great as well. On the plane ride, don’t forget to bring on plenty of purified water. You need it to keep hydrated so you don't reduce immunity. Don't forget to also take a sock and scarf. It can get really cold in your airplane. I always say that when you are flying to a different continent it is really best to make your arrangements so that you sleep on the plane. I take my eye mask, my ear plugs and natural sleeping formulas such as Gaba cream melatonin with a 5-HTP to help you relax and get the deep uninterrupted sleep.

Again, preparation is key for healthy travel. You can go to DrSusanne.com/healthytravel so that you can sign up for the Global Summit and of because this is all about having fun, so bon voyage everyone!

Until then this is Dr. Susanne. Thank you so much I will see you next time. Stay well.
Length (mins) 10
Waiver Received No
Host Susanne Bennett, DC

8 Pathways to Smart & Effortless Travel

If you travel frequently, it can be difficult to keep energized and healthy. Learn from an expert how to travel smart.

Additional Info

Segment Number 4
Audio File wellness_for_life/1518wl5d.mp3
Featured Speaker Robyn Benson, DOM
Guest Website Robyn Benson
Guest Bio Dr. Robyn Benson is a pioneer of the Self-Care Revolution, which aims to transform lives and healthcare, one person at a time. This mission has been fueled by lessons she’s learned and the wisdom and insights she’s GAINED on her transformational journey as a doctor of Oriental medicine, which includes traveling to more than 70 countries to learn from indigenous people. For the past 23 years, she’s applied her considerable knowledge of acupuncture, herbs, IV therapies and cutting-edge energy medicine to help patients achieve optimal, radiant and sustainable health. In 2005, Dr. Robyn founded Santa Fe Soul, an innovative healthcare center which now has a staff of 25 practitioners. A mother, adventure enthusiast, world traveler, author and speaker, Dr. Robyn brings a decidedly holistic approach to 21st Century healthcare.
Length (mins) 10
Waiver Received No
Host Susanne Bennett, DC

Are You a Healthy Traveler?

Whether you travel by car, plane or train, it's important to think about your health.

Additional Info

Segment Number 3
Audio File wellness_for_life/1518wl5c.mp3
Featured Speaker Robyn Benson, DOM
Guest Website Robyn Benson
Guest Bio Dr. Robyn Benson is a pioneer of the Self-Care Revolution, which aims to transform lives and healthcare, one person at a time. This mission has been fueled by lessons she’s learned and the wisdom and insights she’s GAINED on her transformational journey as a doctor of Oriental medicine, which includes traveling to more than 70 countries to learn from indigenous people. For the past 23 years, she’s applied her considerable knowledge of acupuncture, herbs, IV therapies and cutting-edge energy medicine to help patients achieve optimal, radiant and sustainable health. In 2005, Dr. Robyn founded Santa Fe Soul, an innovative healthcare center which now has a staff of 25 practitioners. A mother, adventure enthusiast, world traveler, author and speaker, Dr. Robyn brings a decidedly holistic approach to 21st Century healthcare.
Transcription RadioMD Presents: Wellness for Life Radio | Original Air Date: May 1, 2015
Host: Susanne Bennett, DC
Guest: Robyn Benson, DOM

It’s time to feel better with help from Dr. Susanne Bennett. Allergies, nutrition, ultimate wellness all discussed right here, right now. It’s Wellness for Life Radio on Radio M.D. Here’s your host, Dr. Susanne.

DR SUSANNE: We all love to travel, don’t we? Whether by trains, plane and automobiles we are always on the go, but do you ever stop to think about how this impacts your health and well-being? Well, my next guest is here to make you stop in your tracks and think, “Am I a healthy traveler?” Please welcome the author of The Healthy Traveler: 8 Pathways to Smart and Effortless Travel, Dr. Robyn Benson. Oh, Dr. Robin, you have traveled to over seventy countries. Now, how have you done this? Tell us a little bit about that.

DR. ROBYN: Hi, Susanne. It’s great to be here with all of you. Yes, how have I fit seventy countries into my life with two teenagers? You know, I’ve done it because once I got started, I think my first international trip was to the Caribbean Islands and you know, I grew up in a very small town in central New York state and I have to say, that just set a seed, you know, planted a seed inside me and I just knew I needed to see the rest of the world. So, Susanne, I’ve gone through a third of the world so far. So, I’ve got a long way to go, but I really think to see the countries that I have, even as a practitioner, as a doctor, certainly, I have been exposed to some of the greatest teachers in terms of my schooling and my continuing education that never stops ’til this day, but I attribute so much to what I have learned and what I contributed in my book to what I have learned from my travels.

DR. SUSANNE: Well, that totally makes sense after having so many incredible experiences. You’ve had over 23 years as an acupuncture doctor. Is that right? Oriental medicine?

DR. ROBYN: Yes, exactly.

DR. SUSANNE: So you’ve put that together and written this book which I absolutely love. I mean, this book is close to 300 pages, I believe, because I have it and I’m reading it and it’s so incredible. Tell us a bit about why you wrote this book.

DR. ROBYN: Oh gosh, I guess a couple years ago I noticed that, you know, I treat a lot of people who travel the world like I do and they’re on my table on a regular basis. They’re sick or they’re like “God, every time I get on an airplane, I don’t feel well. I feel like this traveling life is aging me” and that was a true inspiration, but also just meeting a lot of fellow travelers on the road and going on group travels and just hearing people constantly complain about it. Certainly, in the creation of this book, I have talked to hundreds of flight attendants and pilots and people who travel on a regular basis and they’re like “Gosh, we really need to hear your voice, Dr. Benson, because you travel so much and you treat so many people.” So, that was really kind of the fertile ground for me to say, “You know what? I do need to give a voice” and as you can see, Susanne, as you read this book, it’s not just your, you know, eat your fruits and vegetables, but there’s a whole chapter dedicated to food because it is really one of the important things we need to consider as a healthy traveler, but my first chapter is this question: Are you a frequency traveler? Helping people to understand that when you put your body into artificial containers--planes, trains, buses--that you are being subjected to lots of different frequencies that we are not designed to be around.

DR. SUSANNE: What does that mean? Frequency? Can you share that?

DR. ROBYN: Okay, so, for everybody listening to understand, for your body to really work properly, for every organ, for every cell to function properly, we need to have a healthy electrical system around each cell of our body, around our body. So, a healthy electrical system really means it’s best when we’re outside. It’s best when… There’s a field around the earth that is measured, that is actually measurable, and it’s a low frequency and we can’t see it or smell it necessarily, but it’s what all of life depends on. So, let’s say it’s about 7 to 11, in terms of a Schumann resonance or what is measured in hertz, 20 to about 25Hz. Just to understand these measurements, but a cell phone is 900 MHz, wifi is even beyond that and just all of artificial electricity is putting stress on our bodies. So, they’re putting out frequencies that we are not designed for and it’s no wonder when people are in planes and trains that they don’t really feel good. You get headaches and brain fog and you feel puffy in your body and you have bloat in your stomach. So, these are frequencies, again, that are artificially made and we are not designed for so, our body struggles with these frequencies and it’s no wonder that our bodies begin to break down when we’re in these fields on a regular basis. So in Healthy Traveler, what is a big, big message in this book, let’s say you’re on a ten-hour trip around the country or to a foreign land and you get off the plane, one of the most important things you can do, is to be outdoors and just to spend time acclimating yourself, to get into the bright light in terms of jet lag and just getting into those human frequencies to help get your body back into, what I call, self-regulation.

DR. SUSANNE: That’s great. That’s great. You know, you were talking all about this electro pollution, magnetic radiations, things that we cannot see, but our body, our own energy, picks up and actually can be affected. Right? That’s what you’re talking about.

DR. ROBYN: That’s right and you know, that many, many scientists--this is being researched so much, there’s so much research on electromagnetic pollution and many are calling it the biggest biological experiment ever. You know, when you think about our young children that are growing up with wifi in our schools and, you know, one woman that I interviewed for my book, but also in my Health Travelers Global Summit, where you were one of the awesome speakers so, thank you, Dr. Susanne, for all that you contributed to our series, but what we’re finding, you know, based on research, is that these frequencies are really affecting us in terms, again, some of what I mentioned, palpitations, people are not sleeping, people are not digesting food and what Dr. Magahavitz and all her research is she’s showing that this is contributing and what she’s termed, Type III Diabetes because our ability to break down sugar is impaired because, again, we need those healthy frequencies around our body and inside our body at any given time, so we can naturally digest, that we can process, that we can break down and that we can that, you know, restorative cycle happening at all times.

DR. SUSANNE: Wow. Wow, that is phenomenal. I mean, what you’re saying is that traveling can actually trigger Type III diabetes. That’s what you’re saying.

DR. ROBYN: Absolutely.

DR. SUSANNE: So, you went really quickly over your global summit. Now, I want everyone to know that you can go to it by going to DrSusanne.com/healthytravel and that’s DrSusanne.com/healthytravel. This global summit, I am so excited to be part of. You know that this summit, you get to learn everything from what you’re doing, what you’re putting into your body…Of course, what I did, I gave all kinds of fun things, but what I want to talk, just the last minute or so, about the stress in travel. We love to travel, but how much stress is applied on our body?

DR. ROBYN: Oh, the stress is immense to travel. I mean, almost every person that travels on a regular basis talks about how stressful it is and in this book, certainly, what we’re learning from the 35 speakers, that have been part of the Healthy Travelers Global Summit, is that we have to be conscious, that we have to be aware. Part of being a healthy traveler is preparing your body, your vessel, to be in these artificial cages, I could call it. You know, and I love to travel and I love to be on a plane, but what does that look like? That means I’m going to be properly hydrated before I ever got on a plane. Even in a car, people don’t realize, all of you that are commuters and you’re commuting one to two to three hours a day, cars are so toxic and I just want to say, the big why, Dr. Susanne, for this whole summit and for the book, you know, is to understand that it’s the largest industry in the world--the travel industry--and people are really unaware of the health risks because of being in these fields.

DR. SUSANNE: Well, thanks so much, Dr. Robyn.

Everyone, learn more about how to be a healthy traveler. You can get her book as well as go to DrSusanne.com/healthytravel. DrSusanne.com/healthytravel. That’s where you’re going to find out more about what can you do with your health, everything that Dr. Robyn’s talking and about, you’ll be able to find. You can also find it on my Wellness for Life radio show page on RadioMD and until then, this is Dr. Susanne sharing my natural strategies for ultimate healthy and wellness right here on RadioMD.

Until next time, stay well.
Length (mins) 10
Waiver Received No
Host Susanne Bennett, DC

Free Yourself from Self-Destructive Behavior

When you or someone you love suffers from self-destructive behavior, it may seem impossible to get to the root cause.

Additional Info

Segment Number 2
Audio File wellness_for_life/1518wl5b.mp3
Featured Speaker Lisa Ferentz, LCSW-C, DAPA
Guest Website Lisa Ferentz
Guest Bio Lisa Ferentz is a nationally recognized Psychotherapist, Clinical Consultant, and Educator, specializing in the treatment of adolescent and adult trauma, abuse, and neglect. She is the founder and president of The Institute for Advanced Psychotherapy Training and Education, Inc. She was given "The Social Worker of the Year Award" by the Maryland Society for Clinical Social Work in 2009 and is the author of Treating Self-Destructive Behaviors in Trauma Survivors: A Clinician's Guide, now in its second edition, as well as Letting Go of Self-Destructive Behaviors: A Workbook of Hope and Healing.
Length (mins) 10
Waiver Received No
Host Susanne Bennett, DC

Truth Behind Mental Illness

Mental illness is a global issue that most of us have trouble understanding.

Additional Info

Segment Number 1
Audio File wellness_for_life/1518wl5a.mp3
Featured Speaker Lisa Ferentz, LCSW-C, DAPA
Guest Website Lisa Ferentz
Guest Bio Lisa Ferentz is a nationally recognized Psychotherapist, Clinical Consultant, and Educator, specializing in the treatment of adolescent and adult trauma, abuse, and neglect. She is the founder and president of The Institute for Advanced Psychotherapy Training and Education, Inc. She was given "The Social Worker of the Year Award" by the Maryland Society for Clinical Social Work in 2009 and is the author of Treating Self-Destructive Behaviors in Trauma Survivors: A Clinician's Guide, now in its second edition, as well as Letting Go of Self-Destructive Behaviors: A Workbook of Hope and Healing.
Transcription RadioMD Presents: Wellness for Life Radio | Original Air Date: May 1, 2015
Host: Susanne Bennett, DC
Guest: Lisa Ferentz, LCSW-C, DAPA

This is it. The ultimate wellness show just for you. Welcome to Wellness for Life Radio with Dr. Susanne Bennett.

DR SUSANNE: Mental illness is a global issue that most of us have trouble understanding. Whether you or someone you love suffer from self-destructive behaviors and other mental issues, then you will want to listen in. My next guest is here to share how it's time to shed some light on mental health.

Welcome to the show, Lisa Ferentz, nationally recognized psychotherapist, clinical consultant and educator, and author of Letting Go of Self-Destructive Behaviors: A Workbook of Hope and Healing. Lisa, we have so much to cover, but let's go ahead and get started on some stats. How many people today are suffering from mental illness?

LISA: Well, believe it or not, the estimates are that one in five people are grappling with some mental health issue, and we know that one in twenty Americans suffer from very serious mental illness. I would tell you that for all of those who suffer, there are family members, there are colleagues, loved ones who suffer as well. So, it's very hard to find somebody who has not been either directly or indirectly touched by mental illness.

DR SUSANNE: You know, when you say mental illness, does that include the psychological issues as well?

LISA: Oh, absolutely. Yes, I think it does. Sure.

DR SUSANNE: Okay. Is there a difference between mental illness issues and psychological issues?

LISA: No, because when we talk about mental illness, whether we talk about depression, or anxiety, or bipolar disorder, there's always, in addition to a cognitive component, an emotional component, and sometimes a physical component. There's always a psychological component to that as well. So, I think that they're very intertwined.

DR SUSANNE: Yes, I believe the same. I believe that you really cannot separate between the different types of--I say, layers--of who we are.

LISA: Yes.

DR SUSANNE: Whenever I find, let's say a liver issue--a physical liver issue--you always find some emotional or mental burden on that individual, right?

LISA: You're exactly right. You know in the old days in the medical and mental health field, we did this crazy thing where we literally separated the mind from the body. So, unfortunately, now what we understand is, of course, that they are totally interconnected, and that one acts and reacts in concert with the other. So, you're exactly right in what you're suggesting there.

DR SUSANNE: Yes. I always find that it's at least a third of it is actually biochemistry and the genetics that I call Epigenetics. It's been around and we worked with Epigenetics, and there's some genetic component. What about the most common causes of these mental illnesses? What do you see in your practice?

LISA: So, what I see in my practice, Susanne, is that it often relates to very profound and chronic experiences of trauma, abuse, and neglect in childhood and throughout adolescence. So, in my work, because I'm a trauma specialist, I have a skewed population. So, that's what I'm seeing and that's what I'm working with. So, we know that children who grow up in families where they're not getting the kind of secure attachment that they need, or they're growing up with a parent who has an addiction issue, or a parent who has a mental health issue--untreated depression or anxiety. As those children evolve and they're not getting their emotional needs, they're psychological needs met, they, in turn, become very vulnerable to developing their own struggles and their own issues with mental illness. There's also a very strong correlation between substance abuse and mental illness, so we see a lot of that. In fact, you could even make the case that people use alcohol and other self-destructive behavior as a way to try to self-medicate and manage the undiagnosed, untreated mental health issues that they may be struggling with. You're also certainly right to point out that there's a very strong genetic component. There are certain illnesses, certainly like depression and anxiety, which absolutely run in families. You can trace back for generations a family cycle of depression, or anxiety, or even substance abuse. So, that's a factor, and then you have external stressors. You have people who are growing up in unsafe neighborhoods, and growing up in an environment where there's this constant stress, so that can certainly be a trigger for a mental health issue as well.

DR SUSANNE: That's so great that you're sharing all the different layers of these traumas. When we think about it, you said something really important: that it has to do with the way we were raised when we're young; which means, then, speaking to all of the parents or people who want to be parents, what can we do to help so that our children -- so that it's not passed down generationally, or how can we -- what are the solutions for our young people?

LISA: I think it's a two-fold process. I think part of it, and I see this a lot in my work is, we really need to have more support and more resources for grown-ups who are parenting or want to be parents, because without their own personal healing, what's going to happen is just what you suggested. That is, that the same dysfunctional dynamics are going to be passed on to the next generation. So, believe it or not, when people come in with an adolescent who they are wanting to get therapy for, I always find it's just as important that the adults, that the parents are doing their own therapy, getting their own support, and learning better ways to parent. So, I think we have to address that generation by giving them the resources and the support that they need and deserve, as well as certainly trying to give younger people strategies for self-soothing and coping. Strategies that can enhance self-worth and self-esteem, so that at least they can break the generational cycle. In some instances, parents don't get better, but I've certainly seen many times in my career, young kids break that cycle by making different choices. You know, taking better care of themselves, choosing to not turn to drugs or alcohol, learning to love themselves, making decisions to graduate from high school and college, so that they have a better future than their parents did. So, it's working with both generations in order to accomplish what you're talking about.

DR SUSANNE: Often I have young children, because I have a pediatric allergy practice, and often I actually talk to the little ones. If they are old enough, I talk to them about actual mentors that they can find whether it's school, a counselor, or a coach. That's what helped me my whole life growing up in an alcoholic -- my father was a manic-depressive alcoholic and it was so disruptive and traumatic growing up, but what I did was I actually really connected to my coaches at a very young age. You’ve got to have better role models, just like you said, parents may not change.

LISA: Yes, what you're saying is so wise, Susanne. It's a concept that I call finding surrogate parents. So, you're exactly right. We don't get to choose who our family members are. We don't get to pick our parents, but what you're saying makes so much sense. It's about empowering kids to seek out surrogate parents and really healthy, positive role models, because that can be such a mitigating factor that can totally turn around a child's life in a positive way when they can have those mentors and those role models. I love what you're saying, and I think, they can make all the difference in a child's life. It doesn't have to be that you had fabulous parents, because not everybody gets to have fabulous parents.

DR SUSANNE: I know that with parents, we all want to be the best we can for our kids, and even for the parents, asking them to look up and be -- look at different mentors to help them parent better. I think that's really important, don't you think? Parents need to do it, too.

LISA: Exactly right. What I say to the parents I work with all the time is that it's not your fault that you don't have the proper tools in your toolbox, and it is your responsibility to get those tools.

DR SUSANNE: That's right. As an adult it is all of our responsibility. Then, of course, the fact that you teach both adults and children in this area is fantastic. What is your website?

LISA: It's www.lisaferentz.com. F as in Frank E-R-E-N-T-Z.

DR SUSANNE: Wonderful, thank you so much. I know this is going to be awesome for people. Alright, everyone, you can go to my Wellness for Life radio page for more information.

This is Dr. Susanne, sharing natural strategies for ultimate health and wellness.
Length (mins) 10
Waiver Received No
Host Susanne Bennett, DC

Nature's Secrets: Non-Toxic Skin Protection

Each week, host Dr. Susanne Bennett shares with her listeners Nature's Secrets to a healthier body. This week: Non-Toxic Skin Protection

Additional Info

Segment Number 5
Audio File wellness_for_life/1517wl5e.mp3
Featured Speaker Susanne Bennett, DC
Guest Website Dr. Susanne
Transcription RadioMD Presents: Wellness for Life Radio | Original Air Date: April 24, 2015
Host: Susanne Bennett, DC

It's time to feel better with Dr. Susanne Bennett. Allergies, nutrition, ultimate wellness, all discussed right here, right now. It's Wellness for Life Radio on RadioMD. Here's your host, Dr. Susanne.

DR. SUSANNE: With spring finally here days are getting longer and the temperatures will continue to rise with warm sunshine and clear blue skies. So, before stepping outside we want to be mindful about natural sun protection particularly in the areas that are prone to sun exposure and damage such as your face, your shoulders, your neck and chest. With so many different brands of sunscreens and sunblocks out there and different types of chemicals, don’t you feel overwhelmed? I sure do. And confused. What formulas, which SPF to choose from? Well today, on Nature’s Secrets I’m going to make it easy for you and give you the details on which best sun care formulas to get and some tips and tricks on natural sun protection.

First, let me give you some sun facts.

Now the sun admits two types of ultraviolet light that affects our skin, UVA and UVB. Now UVB is much stronger than UVA and it has immediate impact on our skin like within 60 seconds. It’s most powerful during the summer and especially between the hours of 11 am and 4 pm. Now UVB is completely blocked by glass like your windows whereas UVA radiation penetrates through glass and windows and can cause damage to the skin even during cloudier days. Although UVA is lower in intensity and it’s not felt, it is the main cause of premature skin aging such as wrinkles, sagging, and aging spots and it can even possibly cause skin cancer. I have to tell you, a few weeks ago I was in Miami for a conference and I was out on the beach relaxing for just an hour and I actually got a second-degree burn on my skin. Oh, my gosh! Thank goodness I knew exactly what to do. I acted quickly and healed my burned skin that was blistering and in so much pain and we healed it in one hour. But because of this such crazy miracle that I actually totally got inspired and made a 4-part skin secrets mini-series that goes into detail on how to heal damaged skin from the sun, premature skin aging and how to achieve younger looking vibrant skin. You can go to drsusanne.com/miniseries to get my 4 part skin secrets info. Now, you can also find that on my radio page as well.

So let’s go into this. What does SPF mean? SPF it stands for sun protection factor. SPF numbers are designed to describe the length of time that you can stay in the sun before you start burning your skin. For example, if you normally start to burn after 30 minutes of direct sunlight, then an SPF 30 product should let you stay in the sun for almost approximately 30 times longer without burning. So, that’s what that number means. You know, I get this question quite a bit as well. What’s the difference between sunblocks and sunscreens? Now, both sunblock and sunscreen formulas protect our skin from sun damage but they work by different mechanisms. Sunblock actually sits on the skin and acts as a barrier to reflect away ultraviolet lights. Now sunblock takes care of both UVA and UVB radiation which can cause a sunburn and skin damage as well as skin cancer. So remember when it blocks the sun’s UV rays, it blocks a penetration into the cell. And those are the blocks like zinc oxide block sunblock or titanium dioxide sunblock--they block both UVA and UVB. Now, I believe that zinc oxide is less irritating and less allergic so that’s the choice that I take and sunblocks usually start at 15 or higher. Now all SPF ratings apply only to UVB protection, not UVA, everyone. Okay, in comparison sunscreens are made with chemicals that absorb and neutralize the UV radiation, neutralizes it. So, these chemicals typically protect against either UVA or UVB, very few protect against both radiations like sunblocks will do. So, as a result these sunscreens have mixtures of both kinds of chemicals in order to make them a broad spectrum to be fully protective. And, you know, what? Sometimes, you find these sunscreens to be as low as 2 SPF but also up even to higher than 100 SPF and I really have big concerns about these chemical sunscreens acting as endocrine disrupters. They can mimic these hormones in our body and it activates these hormone receptors, so I find that it’s really important to stay away from these chemicals that generate free radicals that can damage skin and possibly even again cause skin cancer. So, always go for the sunblocks rather than the sunscreens and look for formulas that have zinc oxide or titanium dioxide in it. Now, out of the two again zinc oxide is my favorite. And then there’s one thing, you want to make sure that when it comes to zinc oxides or titanium dioxides stay away from products that claim they are using nano-particles or micronized zinc particles because those that means basically it’s cut down so small that it can penetrate your skin into the blood stream, so we really want to stay away from those.

So, what do we need? We want to also make sure that you stay away from these synthetic estrogenic compounds. These are xenoestrogens that appear under the names such as oxybenzone or benzophenone or methylbenzylidine camphor. I mean, these are these derivatives that cause super free radical damage, you know? Other ones such as avobenzone, parsol 1789 is very common, parsol 1789. Or dioxybenzone. You’ve got to look at the back of and read these ingredients. If you read them you will see that these chemicals are very high in the majority of the formulas that you look at. Also don’t forget some of these sunscreens also have insect repellents such as DEET or permethrin. These are super toxic. They can cause damage to you and your children’s nervous system and cause all sorts of havoc within your body including liver and kidney issues, so avoid the insect repellents and avoid these sprays. I mean nowadays we have these sprays and powders that we use. What that will do is, it’s so vaporized that it can go into your nose and you’ll inhale it and damage your respiratory system. So, avoiding these sprays is important and make sure that you do get SPF of at least 15. 15 is plenty. You just need to apply it regularly and stay away from SPF 75 or 100 because those are all made out of chemicals, not the sunblocks. Oh, by the way, children. When it comes to kids under 6 months, do not use any sun cream, sunscreen or sunblocks. For little ones you want to make sure you put them with light clothing and this can happen. These are great safety sun tips. Wear loose clothing, long sleeves protect your skin, wear a hat, of course. Polarized sunglasses are really important for your eyes and cataracts. For water sports when you’re out there like I am, I wear a rash guard or full body rash guard that you can wear so that you don’t damage your skin. Always play in the sun especially when you’re exercising in the hot sun--you don’t want to do that and you want to stay away from the sun between 11 am to 4 pm and have play-dates indoors for your children. You could even, when I go out, I usually often use a parasol, which is like a little umbrella for my body, and it works perfectly in protecting my skin and my body from the intense heat. So, make sure again that you remove…You can use also these removable mesh window shields inside your car so that you don’t get the direct sunlight and often our left side of the face is more sun damaged than the right because that’s the side that we’re driving. There’s tons of organic foods that you can eat filled with the internal sunscreen that is in berries and pomegranates and dark green vegetables, gogi berries. These are all excellent formulas, foods that you can have that will help you heal your skin and prevent you from damaging your skin. Now remember don’t forget to join me on The Glowing Skin Summit, drsusanne.com/glowingskinsummit is where you can get that. Until then, this is Dr. Susanne.

Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to serve you. I’m dedicated to helping you feel and be your best today. This is Wellness for Life radio on RadioMD.

See you next time, stay well.
Length (mins) 10
Waiver Received No
Host Susanne Bennett, DC

Get Glowing Skin, No Matter What Your Age

Want skin that glows? Listen to the "Spa Dr." and learn how you can have healthy, glowing skin... no matter what your age.

Additional Info

Segment Number 4
Audio File wellness_for_life/1517wl5d.mp3
Featured Speaker Trevor Cates, ND
Guest Website Dr. Trevor Cates
Guest Bio Dr. Trevor Cates was the first woman licensed as a naturopathic doctor in the state of California and was appointed by former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to California’s Bureau of Naturopathic Medicine Advisory Council. Also known as “The Spa Dr.,” Dr. Cates sees patients at world-renowned spas and in her Park City, Utah, private practice with a focus on anti-aging, hormone balance and glowing skin. She has a regular iTunes podcast called THE SPA DR: Secrets to Smart, Sexy and Strong and an upcoming Glowing Skin Summit (April 27 – May 4, 2015). www.DrTrevorCates.com
Transcription
RadioMD Presents: Wellness for Life Radio | Original Air Date: April 24, 2015
Host: Susanne Bennett, DC
Guest: Trevor Cates, ND

You're listening to RadioMD. She's a chiropractic, holistic physician, best-selling author, international speaker, entrepreneur, and talk show host. She's Dr. Susanne Bennett. It's time now for Wellness for Life Radio. Here's Dr. Susanne.

SUSANNE: Today’s Wellness for Life expert guest is the first woman who was licensed as a naturopathic Doctor in the state of California. She’s also known as “The Spa Doctor”. She’s here to share with you how to keep your skin glowing while into your ageing years. Please welcome Dr. Trevor Cates. Doc, how ya doin’?

DR. CATES: Good Dr. Susanne! How are you? It’s great to be here.

SUSANNE: Very good. Aw thank you so much. Now why is our skin such a great indicator of our overall health and wellness?

DR. CATES: Well, whenever we have signs that our skin is anything less than glowing, so we have dry skin, oily skin, or we have problems like acne, rosacea, eczema, any of those kinds of things it’s a sign that something is going on in the body and it’s a great opportunity to take a look at that and figure out how you can restore balance from within so that you can have glowing skin and vibrant health.

SUSANNE: Well, you know, you’re so right in that we’ve got to look inside. I always talk about the gut we’ve got to first go there what’s going on in the gut and all that. And when you think about it, and a lot of these dermatologists which I think are so important in helping us with skin care, but they really don’t tell us the truth about the depths of why skin health is so important and you have to look at everything else. Isn’t that correct?

DR. CATES: Yes, you know, most dermatologists don’t look at what I was just talking about. Skin is a reflection of what is happening inside the body. They look at these symptoms as something that needs to be suppressed, so they’re going to recommend a cream or an antibiotic or a steroid to suppress the symptoms but the problem is we’re not addressing the underlying cause. So, if we just suppress those symptoms on the outside without addressing what the underlying cause is, I’ve seen that these problems can show up in even more serious ways. So, I’ve seen patients with acne and eczema, for example, who’ve put on different topical treatments and then later on develop problems like arthritis or asthma because there’s inflammation and imbalances like you were talking about the gut microbiome and if those aren’t being addressed then it’s just going to show up some other way.

SUSANNE: That’s right. I totally get that. Yes.

DR. CATES: And, you know what? These medications aren’t fixing the problem and, in fact, some of these medications, these prescription medications that people are typically given, can actually make the problem worse. So, in addition to the gut microbiome, we have skin microbiome. So, we have this delicate balance of microorganisms that live on our skin and protect our skin from imbalances and help keep us looking young and youthful looking, as we get older. But when we put these products, as well as our common personal care products, on our skin it disrupts that balance and creates more problems and then even some of these products some of these personal care products that we commonly use can actually disrupt our hormones and some are even carcinogenic.

SUSANNE: Oh, I totally agree with you on that. In my book, The 7-day Allergy Makeover, I talk a lot about chemicals that you’ve got to watch out that you apply onto your body and I know you are a strong believer in that as well. What are your top tips for glowing skin and vibrant health?

DR. CATES: Well, I would say the number one is a lot of what you and I were just talking about is reducing your toxin exposures and one of the ways we are exposed to toxins regularly is our personal care products. On average we use about 9 personal care products a day, so this exposes us to 126 unique ingredients and, unfortunately, the FDA does not regulate our skin care products very well. And so, while the United States has only rejected, the FDA has only rejected 11 ingredients as unsafe in our personal care products, Europe, for example, has banned hundreds, so we’re way behind other countries on these things. So, the first thing is look at your personal care products and look for things like parabens, thalates, artificial fragrances, oxybenzone-- it’s in almost all sunscreens. Because these ingredients can be, like I said, have hormone-disrupting effects. We don’t want to throw off our hormones, especially if we’re getting older and our hormones are already going out of whack and going crazy as we get older. When we’re exposed to more of these in personal care products, it just creates more problems, so that would be one thing. Another thing is to make sure you’re getting great nutrients in the foods that you’re eating and then also supplementing with certain nutrients if you need that. You know, key nutrients, I would say, two of the top ones are omega-3’s and antioxidants. So, making sure that you’re getting in those good high quality oils like fish, nuts and seeds as well as colorful fruits and vegetables. Then another thing is to enhance your digestion--because our digestion is so important for our skin. And I know you talked about this, so whether you need digestive support, you have to kind of look at that. You have constipation, diarrhea, bloating any of those kinds of symptoms then you want to look at digestive enzymes, probiotics, or fermented foods those kinds of things can help support your digestion.

SUSANNE: I totally agree on that. Yes what else?

DR. CATES: Yes, so, and then, related to that is detoxification so not only do we want to be careful what we’re exposed to in our environment: in our air, our water, our food, our personal care products, and we want to make sure we’re digesting well, we want to make sure we’re detoxifying anything that we’re exposed to. Because we’re exposed to these toxins on a regular basis, we want to make sure that our liver is working well; that our digestive system is working well, our kidneys, all that is helping us eliminate. So, some of the things we can do is one of the big things is eating cruciferous vegetables helps with daily detoxification, so it helps enhance detoxification pathways. So things like broccoli, cabbage, those kinds of vegetables are great. They also help if you really look at your digestion and that balance and detoxification that’s going to address the underlying inflammation that a lot of people have that leads to skin problems. So, those are a few things and I could keep going on. There are two more that I want to mention with your audience. The next one is really important and that’s sugar. Our exposure to sugar really makes an impact on our skin because when we have higher blood sugar, glucose binds to our skin’s collagen and elastin and damages it. So, it causes premature aging so we want to be careful about our sugar intake and sugar is hidden in so many places so we just really want to be careful. And then, the last one is looking at our hormones because this is particularly important as we get older because our hormones change and that can impact our skin. For example, when people have hypothyroidism, low thyroid function, it can cause dry skin and when women have something called PCOS. It can lead to acne. So, we want to make sure that we’re looking at our hormones. If we have any problems, we want to balance those.

SUSANNE: That’s excellent. You know everything that you just talked about, I know that it’s going to also be shared by 35 of the top wellness, nutrition, hormone and skin expert Docs on your Glowing Skin Summit. This is a once, first time ever, online free summit that starts April 27th to May 4th. Can you please tell us a bit about that before you go?

DR. CATES: Yes. It’s The Glowing Skin Summit. Glowingskinsummit.com is where people go. Glowingskinsummit.com to register and sign-up and, yes, April 27th-May 4th with amazing 35 leading experts in wellness, nutrition, hormones, and skin sharing their top tips. It’s all free and online next week. There’s also if people can’t join in at that time, there is an opportunity to download that as well. Download the entire summit so people can just check that out at glowingskinsummit.com.

SUSANNE: That’s really easy. Gosh, there’s so much to learn! Particularly in this summit, you’re going to learn about not only the aesthetic medicine but really getting to the root of what’s going on internally. And there’s 35 docs that are just going to share their best strategies on how to help you with glowing skin and vibrant health. Thanks so much Dr. Cates thank you so much for being here. Again glowingskinsummit.com is where you go to sign-up it’s a free online summit everyone!

Until then, okay this is Dr. Susanne Bennett sharing my natural strategies for ultimate health and wellness right here on RadioMD. Stay well everyone I’ll see you at The Glowing Skin Summit.
Length (mins) 10
Waiver Received No
Host Susanne Bennett, DC

The Fight Against Skin Cancer

No matter what time of year it is, you should always be thinking of ways to protect yourself from the harmful rays of the sun.

Additional Info

Segment Number 3
Audio File wellness_for_life/1517wl5c.mp3
Featured Speaker Paul M. Parker, MD
Guest Website Parker Center
Guest Bio Dr. Paul M. Parker is the Medical Director of the Parker Center for Plastic Surgery in Paramus, NJ. He is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and holds a certificate of advanced education in cosmetic surgery. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the Northeastern Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, and the New Jersey Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Transcription RadioMD Presents: Wellness for Life Radio | Original Air Date: April 24, 2015
Host: Susanne Bennett, DC
Guest: Paul M. Parker, MD

It's time to feel better with Dr. Susanne Bennett. Allergies, nutrition, ultimate wellness, all discussed right here, right now. It's Wellness for Life Radio on RadioMD. Here's your host, Dr. Susanne.

SUSANNE: May is Skin Cancer Awareness month, which is right around the corner with warm weather finally approaching and many additional hours spent in the sun. Now, we want to know some information about sun care. We have today nationally respected award-winning board certified plastic surgeon, who’s also the director of the Parker Center for Plastic Surgery in Paramus, NJ. And here today to discuss skin cancer and sun damage welcome Dr. Parker to Wellness for Life Radio. Thank you, Dr. Parker. So first, exactly how does sun cause skin cancer? You know, if you could share a little bit about what is the triggering mechanism and then number two is that the only root cause of skin cancer or is there some other factor?

DR. PARKER: Yes, well some sun is tough on the skin because it damages the cells underneath the skin. And acutely that can cause problems like a sunburn, redness of the skin. Longer term, though, it can go on to make the skin look dry, wrinkled, discolored, leathery, and promote skin cancers. So, it really is the key factor in terms of patients getting damaged skin and skin cancers. Other things such as genetic, environmental factor, smoking can be factors as well but the sun is really a big problem for us in terms of skin cancer.

SUSANNE: So, number one factor of skin but there’s also environmentals. How about things that you might be applying to your skin? You know nowadays with aesthetic medicine they apply all sorts of cosmetics. A lot of them are all mainly chemicals. Do you think that promotes skin cancer as well?

DR. PARKER: Well, I’m not aware of studies that show those things promote skin cancer. I think perhaps there’s so much controversy about many of these cosmeceuticals but I think it maybe gives a sense of false hope to patients that they’re doing some of these things which aren’t necessarily clinically studied and not doing things that are important in terms of staying out of the sun and protecting yourself from the sun.

SUSANNE: Now, what do you think about--we talk a lot about Vitamin D now, making sure we get enough sun so that we can make our own Vitamin D in our skin but, of course, we want to prevent the harmful rays that cause the cancer. Where can we… what’s the happy medium what can we do to get both?

DR. PARKER: Well, that’s a good question. It’s going to vary from patient to patient. You know, some people, their genetic background and the type of skin they have, fair skin, are more predisposed to skin cancer. They just have to be extremely diligent about staying out of the sun. Other people with darker skin types, different ethnicities and background, don’t have to be quite as conscience and can think of it a little bit more in terms of, let’s say, Vitamin D exposure. Measuring Vitamin D levels is one thing and certainly I think it’s important for patients, particularly if there’s any kind of history of skin cancer to pay close attention to follow up with a dermatologist for ongoing serial examinations. This way a dermatologist can keep an eye on things watch moles in your skin behave over time and if they change, those sorts of things. And that’s really a very important thing in terms of that balance.

SUSANNE: You know I’m of Asian descent, I’m Korean. My skin is darker naturally, although I love being in the sun, I found out just recently that my genetic pattern, actually I cannot make Vitamin D as well. So, when I had my blood test done for that Vitamin D testing it was actually on the low end although I’m out regularly outdoors. So, how common is skin cancer? Because you know Vitamin D is, of course, important but also if I’m going to be exposed to it all the time it can definitely trigger likelihood of skin cancer for me. So how common is it?

DR. PARKER: Yes. Unfortunately, 1 out of every 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of their lifetime.

SUSANNE: Wow.

DR. PARKER: Yes. Each year in the United States nearly 5 million people are treated for skin cancer so, it’s something that we really, unfortunately, still see a lot of despite the education that’s ongoing.

SUSANNE: Well, that’s not good. I mean, obviously, part of it is because we’re always outdoors. Of course, also maybe we’re not putting on the right type of sunscreen. You know, I was curious if, when it comes to the skin cancer there’s several different kinds. We are always afraid of the really bad one called “melanoma” but what are the other cancers that are so common that a lot of us have to go to people like you, plastic surgeons and dermatologists, to get these things removed?

DR. PARKER: Yes. Well, the most common one you’re absolutely right. Melanoma is a bad [05:25 inaudible] Melanoma can kill. The most common one and, fortunately, not nearly as aggressive as melanoma, is basal cell carcinoma. That’s one that we see quite a bit. That’s the one that President Reagan had and, therefore, a lot of people are familiar with that. The other one that is a little more aggressive than basal cell but again not as aggressive as melanoma is squamous cell carcinoma. Those are the three more common ones.

SUSANNE: Well, if you could please describe to our listeners what to look out for basal cell or squamous and, of course, melanoma as well .What are the main, main signs for us to look for?

DR. PARKER: Well, just like a self-breast exam a self-skin exam is a good thing to. Ideally, if you look at a young baby you look at how good their skin looks. It’s healthy, it’s nice and smooth, there aren’t any moles or irregularities. As we get older and we get more sun damage, we can start to get some moles and we can start to see some red areas. Sometimes, it can be confusing for layman. Sometimes it can be confusing for dermatologists, even plastic surgeons, to differentiate a normal mole from something that’s suspicious and if we have those kind of suspicions, as medical personnel, we can do a biopsy and that’ll tell us. Because what happens is, the dermal pathologist looks at what we’ve biopsied under a microscope and they’ll come back and tell us with certainty, “Here’s what it is and we know for sure.” But rather than “biopsying” everything, if patients look at themselves in the mirror frequently and they look for things that are changing if they see a dermatologist on an on-going basis, again based on their personal history, their family history. Maybe it’s three times three or four times a year maybe it’s once a year, the dermatologist can keep a record of the different moles they have and if something is changing, that then leads to something like having a biopsy done.

SUSANNE: In your practice, your plastic surgery practice, what do you do to help individuals who’ve got sun damage--who’ve got irritations and wrinkles and sagging skin from sun damage? What do you provide in your practice?

DR. PARKER: Well, in terms of if someone doesn’t have a skin cancer and we’re concerned about damage and ageing of the skin, we’ll put the patient on some products to try to help improve the health of the skin. We do laser treatments that are very helpful in terms of improving not only the appearance of the skin but the health of the skin. There are some new exciting lasers that have just come down the pipe recently that we’re very enthusiastic about.

SUSANNE: So, you don’t have to have any kind of plastic surgery really, you can do non-invasive--I mean lasers really are non-invasive compared to plastic surgery. That’s excellent. Anything else that you can suggest besides that?

DR. PARKER: Well, I think the non-invasive things have a lot of appeal to patients and this laser that we’ve gotten very excited about in recent months is called a Halo Hybrid laser and what’s exciting about that is it doesn’t require any kind of anesthesia or recovery afterwards and it can make patient’s skin look so much better with no down time. So, they can get back to all their activities within a day after treatment and their skin will look the tone will be improved, the texture improved, discoloration is greatly improved, fine lines improved, pore size decreased, and the skin just has a much healthier flow to it. It, in fact, is healthier.

SUSANNE: I love that! I love that there are options for us. Thanks so much for being here and giving us all these tips on how to take a look at your skin, prevent sun damage and then, of course, you can always go to his website at ParkerCenter.net.

This is Dr. Susanne Bennett sharing my natural strategies for ultimate health and wellness right here on RadioMD. Until next time, stay well!
Length (mins) 10
Waiver Received No
Host Susanne Bennett, DC

Foods that Fight Genetic Disease

According to guest, Dr. Michell Gaynor, if you nurture nature, you can nurture your health. Learn exactly which foods fight disease.

Additional Info

Segment Number 2
Audio File wellness_for_life/1517wl5b.mp3
Featured Speaker Mitchell Gaynor, MD
Guest Website Gene Changer
Guest Bio Mitchell Gaynor, M.D., is Founder and President of Gaynor Integrative Oncology and Gaynor Wellness in New York City. A renowned pioneer in the field of integrative oncology for 30 years, Dr. Gaynor is author, physician, speaker and composer of original sound healing meditations. His latest book, The Gene Therapy Plan – Taking Control of your Genetic Destiny Through Diet and Lifestyle (due in April, 2015, from Viking Press with a Forward by Dr. Mehmet Oz), provides a revolutionary approach to reverse gene damage associated with aging, cancer, obesity, and diabetes and to prevent future gene deterioration with specific programs that are appropriate for anyone who wants to maximize longevity for themselves, their children and future generations.

Dr. Gaynor has a notable history in the treatment of chronic diseases, particularly cancer, with scientifically grounded therapies that augment traditional modalities. He has served as Director of Medical Oncology at The Strang Cancer Prevention Center in New York and was former Medical Director and Director of Medical Oncology at the Weill Cornell Medical Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine in New York. He has served on the Executive Review Panel at the Department of Defense – Alternative Medicine For Breast Cancer Sector and the Smithsonian Institute’s “New Frontiers in Breast Cancer and the Environment” Seminars. Board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology and hematology. He is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American College of Physicians, and the New York Academy of Sciences. He is a post-doctorate fellow in molecular biology at Rockefeller University in New York City.

Dr. Gaynor is a popular speaker and lecturer in hospitals, conferences, spiritual centers, and universities throughout America and abroad. His topics frequently focus on cancer and its causes, as well as his successful therapies that reverse cancer damage and promote vibrant health. He has spoken extensively in the field of integrative medicine and, most recently, about his Gene Changer Programs to promote healthy gene expression and reverse damage from chronic diseases.

Dr. Gaynor has been consecutively listed in “The Best Doctors in New York” since 1997 and has served on the Board of Advisors for Healthy Living magazine, the Sass Medical Foundation, as well as on the Editorial Board of Integrative Cancer Therapies.
Transcription RadioMD Presents: Wellness for Life Radio | Original Air Date: April 24, 2015
Host: Susanne Bennett, DC
Guest: Mitchell Gaynor, MD

You're listening to RadioMD. She's a chiropractic, holistic physician, best-selling author, international speaker, entrepreneur, and talk show host. She's Dr. Susanne Bennett. It's time now for Wellness for Life Radio. Here's Dr. Susanne.

DR. SUSANNE: I love this quote “Nurture nature in order to nurture health”. This is perfect for Wellness for Life Radio. This quote is from my next guest who is best-selling author of The Gene Therapy Plan. Let’s welcome, Dr. Mitchell Gaynor. He will show you how to take your health and future into your own hands no matter what disease or illnesses you are faced with. Thank you, Doc. Your book has become super popular among all the celebrity doctors such as Deepak Chopra, Dr. Mark Hyman and Christiane Northrup including our RadioMD favorite Dr. Mehmet Oz. Now, tell us a little bit about the gene therapy plan and why your plan is so different.

DR. GAYNOR: Well, it’s different because it’s the first book that is really focused on a field called “epigenetics” in a practical way. “Epi” means above so, it’s sort of above the genetic destiny we thought we had. So, the old thinking was that our genetic destiny was just like our eye color and our hair color--it was determined by the genes we were born with, so if we had a family history of people being overweight, well, we were going to be overweight. If we had a strong family history of cancer, well, we’ve just got to wait until it developed. If we had a family history of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, premature aging, that was just our destiny. But nothing could be further from the truth because what we now know is that either environmental toxins like white sugar, white flour, heat damaged oils, all those, negatively affect gene expression and promote a number of the diseases like cancer that we’re faced with. We’re living in a country where 100 million Americans are either diabetic or pre-diabetic. That’s a third of the country. Eighteen percent of the children in the country have either a learning, emotional, or developmental disability. A lot of this has to do with our external environment, so while we might not be able to control the air that we breathe or the quality of the air we breathe, we can control our internal environment by what we’re putting in our body and how we’re preparing what we’re putting in our body.

DR. SUSANNE: That’s excellent, excellent. You know, in my practice I use a lot of genetic mapping and what I mean by that is we actually get the salivary testing done to see what kind of methylation issues, that’s one form of genetic coding that we look at to see, okay, how can we get your body to detox better? In your oncology practice and integrative practice do you use those testing as well?

DR. GAYNOR: Yes and its very important that people know in the back of The Gene Therapy Plan, I have a whole list of tests people should ask their doctors to do regularly but what a lot of people don’t understand about detoxification is you don’t have to just do it all at once. People think about juice fasts or cleanses and things like that but the best form of detoxification is lifelong detoxification. So, you want to be putting foods in your bodies that on a genetic level increase the body’s production of detox enzymes. So, cruciferous vegetables are loaded with sulforaphanes so broccoli, kale, brussel sprouts. Sulforaphane literally increases the body’s production of detoxifying enzymes on a genetic level and it’s not just theoretical. A study recently came out of John’s Hopkins that compared women with and without breast cancer. They found the women with breast cancer are women with the lowest levels of the most important detoxifying gene, had a four-fold increased risk of developing breast cancer. Then there are foods like beets. Beets are loaded with something called “betalains”. They markedly increase detoxifying enzymes and inhibit inflammation. Inflammation lowers your ability to make detoxification. And then, I love avocado. Avocado is loaded with the nutrient called “persin” which actually turns on tumor suppressor genes, helps cancer cells die, reduces appetite directly and it increases detoxifying genes so really you’re doing gene therapy on yourself every time you eat for good or for harm.

DR. SUSANNE: Well, you know, what I love about your book The Gene Therapy Plan is that not only are you giving about certain food--you have a whole list, which I love, of all the different types of phytonutrients in each food--but you also go into supplements, nutrients and supplements such as anti-oxidants and herbs that can really help up-regulate your ability to cleanse out these day to day toxins, as you’re saying. We need to detoxify every day and our cells more than just the liver. Every cell in our body naturally detoxes. So, can you give us some of those nutrients that are important for detoxification?

DR. GAYNOR: Absolutely and the thing about supplements is, is there are just certain things that you’re not going to easily find in a Western diet. So, let’s take turmeric, for instance. Some people have access to be able to make Indian food and, you know, cook with curry. I have a lot of very easy recipes in the book for doing it. I talk about even how to do smoothies using turmeric but for some people that are busy, that have to take children to football or soccer practice and music lessons, they don’t have time to cook. So, you can get turmeric supplements that are very bio-available. Turmeric turns on detoxifying enzymes. It markedly decreases inflammation. It helps protect brain cells. Then black raspberries are loaded with something called “ellagic” acid and resveratrol. They block the major inflammatory growth factors and some of the most important growth factors that promote the development of cancer. Black raspberries aren’t always in season, so you can get black raspberry powder, for instance, and mix it in yogurt, mix it in water, mix it in your favorite juice or smoothie. It’s just a good way of getting things that are going to increase detoxification and it’s been found to turn on about 200 different tumor suppressor genes. And then, something like black cumin seed oil, a lot of people will take that in a supplement because they can’t find black cumin seeds regularly. They come from Turkey. They’re loaded with a nutrient called thymoquinone that helps with detoxification and induces the death of cancer cells, so it helps keep cancer cells dormant. So, it’s key to have the balance.

DR. SUSANNE: You know, I’m a big believer in making sure that we all have whole foods, although some supplements as you were saying like resveratrol--you talked about ellagic acid, EGCG is one of my favorite green tea extracts--these are nutrients that we really can’t get in high levels unless you take it in actual capsule or powder form. What I do also love is that you recommend juicing. We only have a minute or two. Can you just give us juicing--what are the best juices for cancer care or prevention, should I say?

DR. GAYNOR: Well, two of the best or two of the easiest to make…My own mother died, unfortunately, of breast cancer when I was 9 years old. She developed it when I was 6 and she knew she wasn’t going to be around to take care of me, so she taught me a lot of very simple juicing recipes. She was a big follower after she developed the breast cancer of Adelle Davis and tiger’s milk and things like that back then but I’ll give you just two simple juicing recipes anybody can do that I have in the book. You can make your own organic grape juice or your own organic apple juice. All you need is a blender, a strainer, and a spatula. And you can get a cup of organic red grapes, blend it for about 30 seconds, pour it through a strainer, use a spatula to press everything through you’ve got organic grape juice with no high fructose corn syrup, no added sugar, no BPA chemicals from a plastic bottle and it’s loaded with resveratrol and ellagic acid that are two of the most powerful blockers of the growth factors for cancer. You can do two apples, especially Granny Smith apples. Put them in the blender, run them through the strainer, loaded with quercetin very powerful anti-cancer agent. So, it’s easy for people to do. If they want more information I have a lot of juicing recipes and a free newsletter on GeneChanger.com.

DR. SUSANNE: Everyone, thank you so much. Dr. Gaynor, I know all of our listeners will want to learn more about your book The Gene Therapy Plan. They can go to your website at GeneChanger.com or go to my Wellness for Life show page.
Length (mins) 10
Waiver Received No
Host Susanne Bennett, DC

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