What is the most important supplement a woman can take?
In my opinion Vitamin D is one of the most important supplements for optimal health. Vitamin D is a foundational supplement and has a huge impact on the function of our cells. Vitamin D sends messages to our genes to decrease inflammation, improve mood and build bones. It plays an important role in regulating blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol along with enhancing the immune system.
The active form of vitamin D is vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol. It is a fat-soluble vitamin which means that it is stored in the body’s fatty tissue and liver. This means that checking vitamin D levels is very important to make sure that you don’t get too much or have too little. Low or insufficient vitamin D levels have been linked to many cancers, heart disease, diabetes, depression, and autoimmune disease so aiming for a level between 50-80 is what I recommend for most of my patients.
What service gives you the most bang for your buck?
From a wellness perspective I would say glutathione IV. Glutathione is an amino acid produced by the liver that plays several important roles in the body. Glutathione is poorly absorbed orally which is why I recommend IV administration. IV route is the fastest and most effective way to raise glutathione levels for the body to utilize it right away.
Why I like IV glutathione:
Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that combats free radicals which can damage your body’s cells.
It is involved in tissue building and repair, supports the body’s immune system and improves mitochondrial function. Glutathione helps to improve insulin resistance, regulates blood sugar, and plays a major role in detoxification through the liver. In addition, it can improve overall complexion and brighten the appearance of skin.
From an aesthetic perspective I would say that neuromodulators such as Botox, Dysport, Xeomin and Jeuveau are one of the best investments that provide a big bang for your buck. Neuromodulators are injected with a very small needle through the skin to relax facial muscles. Onset is typically within a few days and results can last up to 3-4 months on average. Regular injections can not only hide those fine lines and wrinkles, but also improves skin elasticity to help prevent or delay the appearance of new ones.
What is functional medicine?
Functional medicine is an evidence-based, systems approach that is preventative and aims to optimize health through finding root causes and correcting imbalances. Functional medicine looks deeper into the root cause of illness and views the body as one integrated system. Functional medicine treats the whole system and not just the symptoms. Instead of treating symptoms, we ask “why” you are having a particular symptom and address what is causing it.
What is your favorite treatment to help with rosacea?
There are prescription oral and topical medications available to treat Rosacea but there are also several non-pharmaceutical options to consider as well.
When I see rosacea, I first think about gut health and an imbalance in the microbiome or with hormones but that is a deeper question for another day.
Sunscreen should be used every day to protect your skin but is especially important with rosacea. My favorite tinted sunscreen is ISDIN Eryfotona Ageless SPF 50 and Revisions Intellishade with SPF 45. For non-tinted sunscreen, I love Elta MD UV Daily moisturizer with SPF 40.
For products to further protect skin and decrease redness, using a topical antioxidant like IS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum or Alto Defense Serum works well and is highly recommended.
My absolute favorite treatment for rosacea is Intense Pulse Light therapy or IPL. This treatment uses controlled light to target redness and improve skin texture. I recommend having a series for best results followed by a once yearly maintenance treatment.