Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Many people are on diuretics to help control their blood pressure levels, but these medications may be causing you to lose important nutrients such as magnesium, calcium and zinc.
Blueberry and pomegranate extracts are powerful sources of proanthocyanidins that support the brain, joints and more, but did you know they can also target belly fat?
stress
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Please see below for a complete transcript of this episode.
Hosted by Amanda Williams, MPH
*Intro music*
InVite Health Podcast Intro: Welcome to the InViteⓇ Health Podcast, where our degreed healthcare professionals are excited to offer you the most important health and wellness information you need to make informed choices about your health. You can learn more about the products discussed in each of these episodes and all that InViteⓇ Health has to offer at www.invitehealth.com/podcast. First time customers can use promo code PODCAST at checkout for an additional 15% off your first purchase. Let’s get started!
*Intro music*
Amanda Williams, MPH:
[00:00:40] Did you know that over 30% of Americans reported that they get inadequate sleep, meaning that they’re getting less than seven hours per sleep per night? What’s interesting is that there is another statistic that is directly correlated to that, and that is stress and anxiety. It is reported that upwards of 30% of Americans at some point experienced significant enough anxiety that it affects their day-to-day functions, including disrupting their sleep. So today I want to talk about different nutrients that could be beneficial for targeting anxiety, stress as well as optimizing your sleep cycle. I’m Amanda Williams, MD, MPH and when it comes to sleep, we know that this is important. We know we are supposed to be getting adequate sleep. That’s the time when our body has the chance to really repair and recover from any of the day-to-day stressors that we put our bodies through. So whether that’s emotional, physical stressors, any of the environmental things that we are exposed to, we need ourselves to have that opportunity to really bounce back and to thrive and the way that they do that is through that restful period at night when we are sleeping. So if you’ve got over 30% of Americans who we know are getting inadequate sleep and we also see that anxiety rates are on the rise in this country, then we know that we need to be doing things to address this.† [00:02:07]
[00:02:08] So this is where Tranquil TxⓇ comes into play. The Tranquil TxⓇ is a combination formulation that really helps to support the day-to-day stressors that we all face, as well as the nutrients that are needed when it comes to really allowing for our sleep cycle to take hold. And many people have the problem when it comes to maintaining sleep. So maybe you can fall asleep at night, maybe you’re so exhausted and you actually are able to fall asleep, but then you have a hard time maintaining sleep. Now this is oftentimes generated because of those daily stressors not being managed properly. So this is why the nutrients contained in Tranquil TxⓇ can be so incredibly advantageous.† [00:02:52]
[00:02:53] So let me run through this and talk about some of the science behind the nutrients that are in this formulation. So this is a combo of chamomile, and most people have heard of chamomile and having a little cup of chamomile tea in the evening before going to bed and how that can help to promote relaxation. And certainly this is true. And then this has passion flower extract and lemon balm extract. Now, lemon balm is actually from the mint family. While the name indicates that it sounds more citrusy, it’s not. It’s actually from the mint family. And when you look at the scientific studies on these nutrients, it is hands down incredibly impressive. And so when we’re thinking about that high rate of inadequate sleep and the high rate of anxiety, we know that our bodies are really needing something to yield that additional support. And this is where these nutrients come into play.† [00:03:51]
[00:03:52] So let me first talk a little bit about lemon balm. We know that lemon balm traditionally has been used in ayurvedic medicine for targeting stress and anxiety and insomnia. Now, the way in which the lemon balm extract is actually working is through the promotion of the activity of our very important calming neurotransmitter, which is GABA. So if we have inadequate GABA release, we have more of a tendency for stress to take over. So this is why GABA is considered our calming neurotransmitter because when this is released, it gives us this more relaxed state. Now this is very important when we think about enhancing our mood and our perception of stress. The more GABA that we have flowing through our system, the easier it is for us to manage those day-to-day stressors. So we know that lemon balm has been shown in multiple clinical research trials to really lower anxiety levels. And at the same time, because of that involvement with GABA, this can help to promote better sleep, and at the end of the day, this is what we are actually going after.† [00:05:06]
GREEN TEA AND LONGEVITY – INVITE HEALTH PODCAST, EPISODE 336. Listen Now>>
[00:05:07] So let me tell you about a study. This was in the Medical Journal of Nutrition Metabolism, where they looked at the utilization of lemon balm extract in patients who were suffering from mild to moderate anxiety, along with the comorbid condition of having sleep disturbances. As I mentioned, we know that the two certainly go hand in hand. And so through this research trial, they were able to show how the lemon balm extract had this ability to actually relieve stress-related symptoms. And they found that through its actions of remedying the anxiety, this actually helped to promote better restful night’s sleep. So this is a really great thing because we want to be able to target that sleep cycle. Now, the alternative is to do nothing and to continue to have unrestful night’s sleep. So when you wake up in the morning and you feel groggy and you feel like you’re dragging all day, we want to avoid that. The other thing is is to do traditional approach, which is taking sleeping medication. And we have all heard about the nightmare stories when people are prescribed sleep medications. So we want to avoid that as well. But yeah, we can look at something that’s been around for hundreds of years and shown to be incredibly efficacious when it comes to managing stress as well as promoting healthy sleep.† [00:06:37]
[00:06:37] Now you partner this up with chamomile extract. And when we think about chamomile, this is a really lovely way for us to once again be able to target many of the issues that can arise when it comes to the amount of stress that most Americans face on a daily basis. And the reason why people have so much stress and we can look at jobs we can look at commuting to to work, we can look at, you know, familial issues. We can certainly look at, you know, issues that are financial. So there are many different reasons as to why emotional stressors can definitely influence or impact the quality of sleep that we get. But then we can also look at, you know, physical issues. We know that chronic disease states in this country are quite high. And so when we are dealing with issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, these are also areas that can really be detrimental to the quality of sleep that we get. Now, when we think about chamomile, this is a fabulous addition to the Tranquil TxⓇ. We already know the power of the lemon balms, even if it was just lemon balm by itself, great. But to add in the chamomile, really helps to enhance the promotion of that calmness, as well as when we think about getting adequate sleep throughout the night.† [00:08:10]
[00:08:11] And there’s a couple of different reasons as to why it is that the chamomile extract really has been touted as so beneficial throughout the years. As I mentioned, a lot of people will have chamomile tea, and this has long been looked at as kind of like a natural sleep aid. But what it is particularly about the chamomile is its bioactive component, which is known as apigenin. And it’s the apigenin that is acting through this mechanism to help with that promotion of sleep. So the way that they have been able to determine this through clinical research trials is that apigenin in the chamomile actually resembles something in the brain, this Orexin receptor. And so since this is an antagonist to that, the Orexin receptor antagonist, this is how they have been able to show that the apigenin derived from that chamomile can actually help to promote sleep. So this is, kind of goes back to that novelty of drinking chamomile tea. There is something definitely to it, and it is that bioactive component that is contained within the chamomile itself.† [00:09:25]
[00:09:26] Now we’ve got one more nutrient that is in the Tranquil TxⓇ, and that is passionflower. Now, passionflower has certainly been studied similar to that of chamomile and that of lemon balm in terms of promoting restful night’s sleep, as well as targeting anxiety. So let me tell you about a study that was done on passionflower extract, and this was in the Complementary Journal of Medicinal Research, where they showed the active constituents contained within the passionflower had these calming effects, and the other point that was notated within the study is that it was very safe and effective, so people were not have any side effects that you see with the prescription sleep medications. So through this, they were looking at stress resilience. They were looking at different markers as to how you can see how someone is managing stress. And then they were also looking at sleep quality. Now this was a study that they did for 12 weeks. And so through the addition of passionflower extract into the routine of people who had been diagnosed basically of having a severe form of anxiety, they categorized as like nervous restlessness, where they really had a difficult time winding down and just remaining calm. And in the time frame to which they were taking that passionflower, they started to look at the improvements and they were measuring these from week to week. They were looking at sleep disturbances. They were looking at their level of exhaustion. They were looking at their lack of focus and lack of concentration. And they found significant improvements as they were taking the passionflower extract. So it was shown in just this one study alone just how impactful passion flower can be in those dealing with serious levels of insomnia, as well as serious levels of stress and anxiety. So we know that these are problems.† [00:11:37]
SLEEP IS SLEEP, RIGHT? WRONG! – INVITE HEALTH PODCAST, EPISODE 342. Listen Now>>
[00:11:38] The Tranquil TxⓇ is so easy to use. This is a tincture formulation, so this means it’s a liquid. The way that you would utilize this is you would take one full dropper, not a single drop, the full dropper and you add that in with maybe four to six ounces of water. And you would have this and you can have this throughout the day. Because remember, this is unlike a pharmacological sleep aid. It doesn’t mean that you’re going to take this and then you’re going to be sleeping five minutes later. What this is doing is it’s working through that activation of those different neurotransmitters to create that sense of calm. So this is something that you can even utilize during the day. So if you are stressed out at work and you find yourself in the afternoon really feeling just not a lot of sense of ease, taking a full dropper of the Tranquil TxⓇ, mixing that in with some water, excellent way to address this. And at the end of the day, what we are trying to do is regulate that stress so that stress does not carry on to become chronic stress, which is incredibly bad for our system. And we also want to get to the point where we are promoting healthier sleep cycles because when we sleep is when we actually repair and this is very, very important.† [00:12:57]
[00:12:58] So that is all that I have for you for today. I want to thank you so much for tuning into the InViteⓇ Health Podcast. Remember, you can find all of our episodes for free wherever you listen to podcasts or by visiting invitehealth.com/podcast. Now, do make sure that you subscribe and you leave us a review. You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @invitehealth and we will see you next time for another episode of the InViteⓇ Health Podcast.† [00:12:58]
*Exit music*
Millions of Americans have been prescribed beta blocking drugs, but these medications can cause nutrient depletions that impact your ability to sleep, as well as your energy levels.
Did you know that the drugs you are taking for issues such as allergies or high blood pressure may be causing sexual dysfunction? Many commonly-prescribed medications can lead to problems like low libido.
sexual dysfunction
Subscribe Today!
Please see below for a complete transcript of this episode.
Hosted by Amanda Williams, MPH
*Intro music*
InVite Health Podcast Intro: Welcome to the InViteⓇ Health Podcast, where our degreed healthcare professionals are excited to offer you the most important health and wellness information you need to make informed choices about your health. You can learn more about the products discussed in each of these episodes and all that InViteⓇ Health has to offer at www.invitehealth.com/podcast. First time customers can use promo code PODCAST at checkout for an additional 15% off your first purchase. Let’s get started!
*Intro music*
Amanda Williams, MPH: [00:00:40] Everyone’s heard the stories about low sex drive, low libido, erectile dysfunction. So what are we really talking about? We’re talking about sexual dysfunction, and today I want to highlight some of the key statistics and causative reasons. And then in Part 2, I’m going to really get specific with certain medications that we know are directly linked and you will be absolutely astonished by how many medications are linked to sexual dysfunction in both men and women. So I’m Amanda Williams, MD, MPH, and let’s get right to it. Let’s talk about sexual dysfunction.† [00:01:17]
[00:01:18] Let’s first talk a little bit about the statistics when it comes to sexual dysfunction. Now, according to the Cleveland Clinic, and you can look at a lot of different statistical data out there, that sexual dysfunction, to some degree, affects over 40% of women and over 30% of men. Now we know that this is a major problem because I know that this is in many regards taboo to talk about it and people don’t like to to bring up the conversation of sex. It’s interesting because you will find that men are more likely to speak with their physician than women when it comes to sexual dysfunction. So looking at stats coming from University of Michigan, we know that when you think about the topic of sex, this is a very important emotional action, and University of Michigan kind of dove into this in a a bit more detail, talking about the impact of sex on emotional well-being and finding that over 76% of adults over the age of 65 agreed that sex is a very important part of their romantic relationship at any age. So many times people think that as you get older, for some reason, sex is no longer important, and we know that this is certainly not the case based off of all of the the data that has been taken through various different studies and, and research.† [00:02:56]
[00:02:57] So what is sexual dysfunction and why is it that it affects so many men and women? Well, you can look at different types of sexual dysfunction. You can look at just a general lack of interest in sex. You can look at issues with maybe you have an interest, but you have a problem when it comes to becoming physically aroused. So that’s the arousal disorder component of sexual dysfunction. We can look at issues that usually affects women, and that is painful intercourse. So obviously the interest is going to go down. So we know that there are many different ways in which sexual dysfunction can arise. We can certainly look at the many different physical causes when you look at diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure. And of course, in Part 2, I’m going to talk about all of the different medications, and this, like I said, it’s absolutely fascinating when you see how many different drugs can actually impact this. So many people, you know, think about just solely erectile dysfunction and men and think about, you know, Viagra and Cialis. But there are many other components when it comes to this and seeing the clinical research, and I’ve done a lot of independent studying on, on different research trials and studies when it comes to this. And it’s really interesting that many of the studies overlook the the drug component to this, the implication that a medication that someone is taking may actually have. And so this is why I wanted to talk about this in some some detail today.† [00:04:53]
[00:04:53] So when we think about sexual dysfunction in women, we know that this is generally going to be more pronounced than in men. Now, oftentimes people can look at hormonal fluctuations in women going through menopause and then, you know, libido goes down post-menopausally in many women and you have to look at the hormonal connection as to why that is. Well, we can look at the estrogen component to that and we can look at issues with vaginal dryness and painful intercourse. So there’s a lot of different reasons as to why female sexual dysfunction seems to be more prevalent than in males. But, nevertheless, we know that this is common in both men and women. So how exactly it develops over time is going to vary from one person to the next. Like I said, you can have issues with hormonal imbalances. You can have issues when it comes to a particular chronic disease state that perhaps that you are dealing with. And at the end of the day, it certainly can have an impact on someone’s overall sense of well-being. And there’s a lot of different emotions that go with this. There can be embarrassment. You certainly hear about this quite often in men who are experiencing issues with vaginal dryness.† [00:06:15]
[00:06:16] But we have to look at how hormones, antioxidants, perhaps the lack of nitric oxide released for proper vascular blood flow, how all of these things, we can look at our neurotransmitters and see how those are implicated. So it’s multimodal and looking at key nutrients that we know can be beneficial. You can look at something such as maca root extract and certainly seeing how that can help to support the neurotransmitters in the brain and help the body better manage stressful situations, whether that be emotional or physical, which can certainly help to improve on the side of libido, for example. So looking at erectile dysfunction, and as I mentioned, men are more likely to go in and speak to their physician in regards to this.† [00:07:13]
[00:07:13] Now we can certainly look at erectile dysfunction being clearly linked to issues with hormonal status in men, so lack of testosterone. We can look at diabetes being a really big problem. We can certainly look at cardiovascular issues such as hypertension, and we can also look at underlying components when it comes to anxiety, when it comes to stress. So there’s, like I said, it’s multimodal, and it’s usually not just one thing, it’s many different things. So the approach to managing sexual dysfunction, whether that be in women or in men, has to usually be multimodal as well. And you can look at even the Mayo Clinic, they talk about the utilization of arginine, which is the very important amino acid when it comes to the activation of nitric oxide synthase, which will help with the release of nitric oxide. And I believe on the Mayo Clinic website for erectile dysfunction, they advise upwards of 5000mg of arginine for men who are experiencing erectile dysfunction. And the point of that is to really try to enhance the the blood flow to achieve and maintain an erection.† [00:08:26]
[00:08:27] But we can look at other things, too. We can look at maca root extract once again. There are many different nutrients, and so you can look at the Men’s Edge formulation, which I always mention even though the name is Men’s Edge, this is a wonderful formulation for both men and women because the nutrients that are contained within the Men’s Edge formulation have been studied in both men and women. And so I think that the name sometimes makes people think, “Oh, well, maybe I’m a female and that’s not geared towards me.” That certainly is not the case. You can look at icariin, for example, which is contained in the Men’s Edge formulation, and we know that this has certainly been studied in the setting of women and sexual dysfunction. We can look at, of course, Tribulus extract and seeing the benefit in both men and women. Certainly looking at the, the maca root extract. So there are many nutrients contained within the Men’s Edge formulation that certainly are cross-functional when it comes to addressing sexual dysfunction in both men and women.† [00:09:36]
[00:09:38] You know, basic nutrients certainly can make a difference to if we have at a cellular level, a deficiency in, you know, key vitamins, minerals. These too can also have implications when it comes the exacerbation of sexual dysfunction in both men and women. So we know that this is very common. We know that there are many different approaches to this. I always encourage people to make sure that they have their comprehensive hormone levels tested. So whether male or female, you know, do the full panel. Look and see what’s going on with your estradiol. Look and see what’s going on with your free testosterone, your DHEA, your sex hormone binding globulin. Oftentimes, you may find that there is a issue in terms of the conversion of a particular hormone, and there may be a nutrient that would be incredibly supportive to that. So DHEA is kind of a big one in women. When DHEA levels start to plummet, the reestablishment of DHEA can help to restore some balance when it comes to like a positive feedback loop back up to testosterone as well as estrogen.† [00:10:49]
[00:10:50] So there are many different ways to which you can approach this. But the more that you know, the better off you are. So is it hormonal? Is it a mood disorder? Is it an issue where it is a pharmaceutical implication, whether it’s the medication that you’re taking, that’s actually creating this. And so we know many women deal with this, we know many men deal with this. This is a significant issue that many do not want to talk about, but certainly can have a lot of impact on your overall sense of well-being. And as we grow older, I always say the point is to age gracefully, so we don’t want to create in a particular situation to which we can manage it, but yet we just ignore it and that has effect on our emotional well-being. So while it is a topic that many people don’t like to talk about, I find it to be incredibly important. And that’s why I wanted to talk about that today. So that is just kind of the basic statistics. We know it’s relevant. We know it’s prevalent and we know that there are many things that we can be doing for this. So in Part 2, I’m going to get into the full list of the many medications. Like I said, you will be absolutely astonished by how many medications can create problems when it comes to sexual dysfunction. So make sure that you tune in to Part 2, where I’m going to list all of the many medication.† [00:12:29]
[00:12:30] So for today, I just want to thank you so much for tuning in to the InViteⓇ Health Podcast. Remember, you can find all of our episodes for free wherever you listen to podcasts or by visiting invitehealth.com/podcast. Do make sure that you subscribe and you leave us a review. You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @invitehealth and we will see you next time for Part 2 of sexual dysfunction.† [00:12:30]