SEROTONIN - THE BRAIN GUT CONNECTION

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is involved in the transmission of nerve impulses.

 

"Brain levels of serotonin, the ‘happy hormone’ depend on the amount of healthy bacteria in the gut during early life."

 

Serotonergic neurons are involved in a very broad range of physiological and behavioral processes such as cardiovascular regulation, appetite, pain sensitivity, sexual behavior, mood, respiration, cognition, learning etc. They also play important part in a variety of psychiatric conditions (from anxiety disorders to schizophrenia) as well as behavioral impulse-related disorders (violence, attention deficit disorder, substance abuse, obsessive control, etc.)

 

To summarise, healthy levels of serotonin activity are vital for an individual to be happy and content amidst daily life turbulences.

 

Scientists estimate 90% of serotonin is made in the gut, and imbalances in this peripheral serotonin have been linked to diseases ranging from irritable bowel syndrome and cardiovascular disease, to osteoporosis.

 

Gut bacteria plays an important role in the metabolism of Tryptophan - which is the precursor amino acid required for the synthesis of serotonin.

 

A study published this month in the journal BioEssays finds that your gut microbes may influence your cravings based on the nutrients they need to thrive (crazy, right?). Another study suggests bacteria in your bowel could influence your personality traits and mood, which may help explain why up to 80 percent of people with irritable bowel syndrome suffer from depression and anxiety. How, exactly, the microbes have such a profound effect on our health is still to be determined. One theory is the byproducts they produce travel through our bloodstream and impact our organs.

 

Studies also show that a healthy gut flora is essential  in maintaining communication between brain and the gut, sometimes called the ‘second brain’.

 

 

Tips for Ensuring Adequate Serotonin Levels

• Eat foods rich in calcium, magnesium, and vitamin B to help with serotonin production.
• If you cannot get fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, opt for frozen over canned.
• Omega-3, omega-6, and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) are required for serotonin production. GLA is found in black currant seed, borage, evening primrose, and hemp seed oils.
• Healthy carbohydrates and proteins help metabolize foods high in the agents responsible for serotonin production.
• Avoid white flour and sugar carbohydrates. The boost they provide in serotonin levels is temporary and quickly followed by a crash.
• Foods in which completely formed serotonin can be found include bananas, kiwis, pineapples, plantains, plums, tomatoes, and walnuts.
• Foods rich in tryptophan include almonds, bananas, beans, cheeses (particularly Cheddar and Swiss), chicken, eggs, fish (especially high-oil fish such as herring, mackerel, salmon, sardines, and tuna), milk, peanuts, soy foods, turkey, and yoghurt.
• Digestive enzymes and probiotic supplements can assist with full nutrient absorption from the above food sources, thereby increasing overall nutrient intake.

Your digestive system can rightfully be called a “second brain”. The essence of “you” is strongly influenced by what you ingest and your ability to gain benefit from what is consumed. How interconnected is the brain and gut? More and more research is showing that the health of the gut is what influences dozens of diseases including those never before thought of as originating in the gut – such as depression and other mood disorders.

 

So tweak your lifestyle a little today and work on that gut for a healthier and happier you.

 

Dr. Aarthi Maria

THE NIGHTMARE CALLED CELLULITE

Cellulite is a mattress like or orange peel appearance that affects the skin in most women and some men. Studies show that over 80% of women have some degree of cellulite.

 

Cellulite is most prevalent on the thighs and buttocks, but can also be present on the abdomen and arms. For many years, cellulite was considered a normal skin condition. In fact many practitioners today still consider cellulite normal and do not see a reason for treating it. Until around the year 2000, little research was done to understand

and treat cellulite.

 

Hormones and genetics play very important roles. Some women see the beginnings of cellulite with puberty. Many others develop cellulite after pregnancy. Weight changes, local injuries, sun exposure, life style and other factors all play a role in the development and severity of cellulite. 

 

 

 

 

There are two skin changes that are primarily responsible for the appearance of cellulite.

 

1. Fat cells erupt into from the normal fat layer into the lower edge of our skin called the dermis. This tends to push the skin up in local areas.

 

2. The connective tissue “pillars” that support the fat become hardened and contract. This tends to dimple the skin in local areas.

These two factors are the primary causes of the dimpling and bulging we associate with cellulite. Decreased lymphatic drainage, blood flow changes and weight gain can all also have some effect on the appearance of cellulite. We cannot change your genetic tendencies and hormone treatment has no real effect on cellulite. However, when we can impact the fat eruption and contracted pillars, we can improve the appearance of cellulite. Most treatments that impact the fat eruptions and contracted pillars also improve lymphatic drainage and blood flow.

 

Cellulite is typically defined as the orange peel or mattress like appearance of the skin in areas such as the upper thigh. It is characterized by dimples and bulging. The dimples tend to be round or oval. Some people have lines or waves of irregular skin without any true dimples. This is more common on the front and back of the thighs than on the buttocks or elsewhere. This line pattern we refer to as linear cellulite. Linear cellulite often has a significant loose skin component.

The scoring system rates cellulite in this manner:

GRADE 1: There is no cellulite when standing, however, when you pinch the skin on the thighs, you will see the appearance of orange peel or mattress appearance of the skin. This is also a desirable grade.

GRADE 2: There is visible cellulite while standing, but it is not visible when lying.

GRADE 3: There is visible cellulite while standing and laying down.

Cellulite Treatments
Cellulite creams - cellulite creams contain potent substances like caffeine, green tea extract, carnithine, aminophylline and other ingredients; that play a role in the circulatory system. They help strengthen collagen and produce heat that enhances tissue remodelling. These creams are also thought to help smoothen the skin's surface. Its effects can be enhanced by dry brushing the skin with rollers or bristled brushes.

 

Cellulite busting exercise - A variety of exercises play a vital role in strengthening muscles and fibrous tissue that encloses fat capsules. Squats, lunges, burpees are among these exercises that help eliminate the appearance of cellulite.

 

 

 

Liposuction - this is a surgical procedure to remove fat deposits from the body. Liposuction, though, removes deep fat, not cellulite, which is just beneath the skin. The American Academy of Dermatology warns that liposuction may actually worsen the appearance of cellulite by creating more depressions in the skin.

Mesotherapy - A therapy that involves injecting substances such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and enzymes into the tissue just beneath the skin. Mesotherapy may break down fat and bring a slight improvement in the appearance of cellulite. But it also carries risks, which include swelling, infection, and irregular contours.

Deep Tissue Massage -  Deep tissue massage helps to mobilize liquid fats and toxins that are harboured within the adipose tissue. These toxins clog and devitalise fat cells making them resistant to exercise. Toxins and lipid debri get shunted into neighbouring lymphatics are removed from the system.

 

Thermal Blanket - Thermal blankets remove excess fluids and toxins through sweat and thermoregulatory processes.

 

Dermal Roller - Dermal rollers are devices used to treat stretch marks and cellulite. The roller creates microtrauma over the skin promoting cellular growth and collagen remodelling.

Laser treatment. The FDA has cleared the use of a device that uses laser energy to treat cellulite. These devices can melt fat under the skin, break up the fibrous bands under the skin, and stimulate collagen production.

 

 

So with some of these tips, hopefully we can find our own suitable solutions to combat cellulite!

 

 

Dr Aarthi Maria

 

BIRTHMARKS

Introduction 

Birthmarks are coloured marks that are visible on the skin. They're often present at birth or develop soon afterwards.

 

The two main types of birthmark are:

• vascular birthmarks (often red, pink or purple) caused by abnormal blood vessels in or under the skin
• pigmented birthmarks (usually brown) caused by clusters of pigment cells

Vascular birthmarks often occur in the head and neck area, mainly on the face. However, both types of birthmark can appear anywhere, including inside the body.

 

If surface blood vessels are affected, a vascular birthmark will appear red, purple or pink. If the affected vessels are deep, the birthmark will appear blue.

 

Pigmented birthmarks are tan or brown-coloured skin marks.

What causes birthmarks?

It's not fully understood why birthmarks occur, but they're not usually inherited. Vascular birthmarks are caused by abnormal blood vessels in or under the skin, and pigmented birthmarks are caused by clusters of pigment cells.

 

It's thought that port wine stains occur because the nerves that control the widening or narrowing of the capillaries don't function properly, or there aren't enough of them. This means that blood is constantly supplied to the skin in that area, which makes it permanently red or purple in colour.

 

1. Vascular birthmarks

Some of the most common types of vascular birthmarks are described below.

Salmon patch (stork mark)

Salmon patches are red or pink flat patches that can appear on a baby's eyelids, neck or forehead at birth.

They're the most common type of vascular birthmark and occur in around half of all babies.

Most salmon patches will fade completely within a few months, but if they occur on the forehead they may take up to four years to disappear.

 

Infantile haemangioma

Infantile haemangiomas are raised marks on the skin that are usually red. They can appear anywhere on the body. They're also known as strawberry marks.

 

Sometimes infantile haemangiomas occur deeper in the skin, in which case the skin can look blue or purple.

 

Haemangiomas are common, particularly in girls, and affect around 5% of babies soon after birth. They rapidly increase in size for the first six months before eventually shrinking and disappearing by around seven years of age.

 

Haemangiomas that get bigger rapidly or those that get in the way of vision or feeding may need to be treated.

Port wine stain

Port wine stains are flat red or purple marks that affect a very small number of newborn babies. They can vary in size, from a few millimetres to several centimetres in diameter.

Port wine stains often affect one side of the body and usually occur on the face, chest and back (although they can occur anywhere).

They tend to be sensitive to hormones and may become more noticeable around puberty, pregnancy and the menopause. Most are permanent and may deepen in colour over time.

2. Pigmented birthmarks

Some of the most common types of pigmented birthmarks are described below.

Café-au-lait spots

Café-au-lait spots are coffee-coloured skin patches. Many children have one or two, but if more than six have developed by the time the child is five, you should see your GP.

 

This could be a sign of neurofibromatosis (a number of genetic conditions that cause tumours to grow along your nerves).

 

 

Naevus of Ota

 

Naevus of Ota, naevus of Ito and naevus of Hori are melanocytic naevi with slate-brown or blue/grey colouring. The naevus cells are found deep within the dermis, a form of dermal melanocytosis.

Mongolian spots

Mongolian spots are blue-grey or bruised-looking birthmarks that are present from birth.

They're more commonly seen in darker-skinned people and usually occur over the lower back or buttocks. However, they can also appear elsewhere on the body or limbs.

Mongolian spots may last for months or years, but they usually disappear by the time a child reaches four years of age. They're completely harmless and don't need treatment. They may sometimes be mistaken for a bruise.

Congenital melanocytic naevi

Congenital melanocytic naevi are also known as congenital moles. They are relatively large brown or black moles that are present from birth.

 

They're fairly common and are caused by an overgrowth of pigment cells in the skin. Most congenital melanocytic naevi become proportionally smaller and less obvious with time, although they may darken during puberty or become bumpy or hairy.

 

They can range in size from less than 1.5cm (about 0.6 inches) to more than 20cm (about 7.9 inches) in diameter. The risk of a naevi developing into skin cancer is low, but the risk increases the larger it is.

 

Treating birthmarks

Most birthmarks are harmless and don't need to be treated. Some types of birthmarks will fade over time, whereas other types such as port wine stains will be permanent if they're not treated.

 

Laser therapy involves aiming short bursts of laser light at the birthmark to lighten the color of the birthmark, shrink the birthmark, or cause it to stop growing.

 

Specific wavelengths are used to target the chromophore carried by the birthmark, most often melanin or in vascular lesions - hemoglobin.

 

Generally, multiple sessions are required to sufficiently break the chromophore and lighten the birthmark.

 

Premier clinic boasts a wide array of laser machines that is suitable for removing various birth marks

 

 

Dr. Aarthi Maria

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Know Your Hormones to Combat Skin Ageing

 

Do you have lifeless hair, dull skin, and weak nails? If so, your new year’s resolution may be to turn back the clock and resolve these issues. I suggest starting your anti-aging regimen with an inside look at your hormones.

 

Hormones affect everything from our immune response and inflammation to cellular growth and tissue repair. Let’s address each of the major hormones that impact our appearance and discuss methods you can use to achieve the healthy balance necessary for radiant, youthful looking skin.

 

 

Insulin

High levels of insulin can accelerate wrinkling of the skin. Excess insulin occurs with an overindulgence of foods high in sugar, such as pastries, muffins, white pasta, white rice and juice cause spikes in blood sugar and insulin. Avoiding these foods while also consuming a balanced diet of protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats every three to four hours will help keep your insulin levels balanced. Supplements such as chromium or conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) may help improve your insulin sensitivity, which results in less insulin release and overall lower insulin levels. Sleep deprivation is also associated with high insulin levels, so a great night's sleep is essential.

 

Cortisol

 Stress is not only bad for your health, it also has documented aging effects on our skin cells. Studies conducted on laboratory rats, revealed that cortisol-induced collagen loss in the skin is ten times greater than any other tissue; It is one of the biggest culprits of dull, thin, and sagging skin. Anything that beats stress, beats aging too. Herbs like Aswaganda are known to provide adrenal support.

 

Estrogen

Estrogen is produced by the ovaries prior to menopause and by the adrenal glands after menopause. Your adrenal glands will produce less estrogen if they are fatigued, which is common with a stressful lifestyle, sleep disruption, irregular eating habits or illness. Estrogen levels begin to decline in most women in their mid to late 40s although some women, particularly those who are very thin, may experience a drop much sooner. Less estrogen production that naturally occurs with age makes our skin thinner and less elastic, which leads to more wrinkling and sagging. As estrogen dips, less collagen and elastin are produced. Estrogen also helps skin stay moist by boosting hyaluronic acid. A 1997 study of 3,875 postmenopausal women concluded that estrogen supplementation helped aging women have younger looking skin and also helped maintained skin’s collagen, thickness, elasticity and ability to retain moisture.

 

Simple dietary changes can also help support healthy estrogen levels through the intake of phytoestrogens, such as flaxseed and fermented soy products. Have one serving of organic, non-GMO soy along with two tablespoons of ground flaxseeds in your smoothies or salads, daily. Increase your intake of vegetables such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts — they contain indoles, compounds that are essential to healthy estrogen balance. Herbal products such as licorice, angelica, red clover or black cohosh are also used to support healthy estrogen levels. Natural hormone replacement in the form of creams containing two types of estrogen (estriol and estradiol) may also be beneficial, but these need to be obtained by prescription through your doctor.

 

Testosterone

Excessive testosterone, in women or men, may result in acne on the face, chest or back. With age, women tend to experience an increase in androgen (a male sex hormone) levels and a decline in estrogen, while men tend to experience the opposite – an increase in estrogen and a decline in testosterone, which causes the skin to dry out. If a testosterone deficiency is suspected, herbs such as tribulus terresteris, stress management and weight-bearing exercises may help to restore optimal levels for both men and women. You can also ask your doctor about bioidentical testosterone cream. For women who suspect too much testosterone, consider a supplement of saw palmetto.

 

 

 

DHEA

 Dry skin is a problem that increases with age. Interestingly, DHEA turns on oil production and seems to help combat this problem and improve hydration. DHEA is a hormone that is a precursor to other hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone. DHEA levels tend to decline with stress as well as with age. DHEA also increases the production of collagen, making skin appear smoother and younger looking. Our skin’s immunity also appears to improve with DHEA, which may help healing. DHEA supplements are not, however, without risks and, like all other hormones, should not be taken unless a clear deficiency has been established through proper assessment. Good sleep habits may also help establish healthy DHEA levels.

 

Melatonin

 
A proper beauty rest is achieved by sleeping in a pitch black room. Melatonin and serotonin, our happy hormones, are produced in our skin from the amino acid tryptophan. Note that if we do not get enough protein in our diets, melatonin levels may also decline. According to a July 2005 article from the journal Endocrine, melatonin is involved in hair growth and protection against melanoma. As an antioxidant hormone, melatonin guards us from UV radiation and appears to play a role in repairing burned or damaged skin. Whether it’s applied topically or taken internally, melatonin may shield us from environmental and internal stressors. If you choose to supplement with melatonin, 1 to 3 mg taken sublingually at eight to nine p.m. is optimal.

 

Progesterone

Contrary to estrogen, progesterone levels often begin to decline in women in their mid to late 30’s, which leaves our skin looking dull and lacking luster. Ever wonder why pregnant women seem to have that special glow? The secret is the high level of progesterone. This revitalizing hormone is beneficial for skin elasticity and circulation. Progesterone levels decline with menopause as well as with stress. Low progesterone levels are also associated with conditions like PMS, fibrocystic breast disease, infertility, increased risk and incidence of miscarriage as well as polycystic ovarian syndrome. Men with prostate conditions also tend to have low levels. Progesterone levels may be supported with the use of evening primrose oil, herbs such as chasteberry or natural progesterone creams. Stress management and sleeping well is also crucial to maintaining healthy progesterone levels.

 

Growth hormone

 If your skin is sagging—in your cheeks, chin or above the knees—declining growth hormone is probably the culprit. Since growth hormone tends to drop off as we get older, supplements are promoted as a way to “reverse” the effects of aging. Growth hormone is essential for skin-cell repair and the prevention of sagging. The production of growth hormone is closely linked to our exercise, sleep and nutritional habits. If we fail to exercise, sleep well or do not consume enough protein, we are literally accelerating the aging process because of a decrease in this repair hormone.

 

 

 

Now that we have a greater understanding about the hormones that regulate our biological clock, it is easier to understand the roles of Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy. Bio-identical hormones are 100% identical in chemical structure to those that are found in the human body. Unlike synthetic hormones, which are used in conventional HRT, bio-identical hormones are not recognised as foreign to the body. Although bio-identical hormones are natural, it is important to note that too much of any hormone can be dangerous if dosed inappropriately. That is why it is important to monitor hormone levels and symptoms as required for each patient. The doctor can then customise a hormone therapy based on the needs and symptoms of the patient.

 

Dr Aarthi Maria

 

ARE YOU MAGNESIUM DEFICIENT?

Dear Readers,

 

Firstly, my heartfelt apologies for this long interim of absence. I was a little surprised, when I realised my last post was almost 6 months ago. I guess time really does not wait for no man. With that off my shoulders, I would like to pledge a more steady flow of articles that I believe will help keep you in the forefront of preventive, anti-aging and aesthetic medicine.

So back to today's topic - Are you Magnesium Deficient?

Magnesium is the 4th most abundant mineral in the body, right next to sulphur

 

Magnesium is arguably the most important mineral in the body. Without electrolytes like magnesium, muscles can’t fire, your heart cannot beat, and your brain doesn’t receive any signals. We need magnesium to stay alive, point blank. As soon as we don’t have enough of it, we start to lose the energy and conductivity that keeps us going

 

Not only does magnesium help regulate calcium, potassium and sodium; but it is also essential for over 300 biochemical and cellular functions occurring in our body. Even Glutathione - the master anti oxidant requires Mg for its synthesis.

 

Now the bad news, millions suffer from Mg deficiency and are completely clueless about it. Only 30% of the world's population is actually getting the ideal dietary requirement of Mg. Now, this is a sad fact I must say.

 

Symptoms of Mg deficiency:

• loss of appetite
• fatigue
• insomnia
• anxiety, depression, restlessness
• infertility
• personality changes
• body odour
• poor concentration
• carbohydrate cravings
• thyroid problems
• aches/pains
• brain fog

Anything that makes you tense and tight could potentially be due to magnesium deficiency. If you can’t relax or you can’t stop — think magnesium! Full-blown health problems can even be tied back to this crucial mineral. Most people with ANY chronic disease or issue benefit greatly from magnesium supplementation therapy. This is because chronic illness = stress, and stress depletes magnesium.

 

The following are conditions that are likely to have magnesium deficiency as a part of the puzzle:

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Adrenal Fatigue
• Fibromyalgia
• Heart Disease
• Atrial Fibrillation
• Heart Palpitations 
• Osteoporosis
• Diabetes
• Sudden Death in patients with Congestive Heart Failure
• Kidney Stones

“Similarly, patients with diagnoses of depression, epilepsy, diabetes mellitus, tremor, Parkinsonism, arrhythmias, circulatory disturbances, hypertension, migraine, cluster headache, cramps, neuro-vegetative disorders, abdominal pain, osteoporosis, asthma, stress dependent disorders, tinnitus, ataxia, confusion, preeclampsia, weakness, might also be consequences of the magnesium deficiency syndrome.”

 

Stress hormone production requires high levels of magnesium and stressful experiences can immediately lead to complete depletion of magnesium stores; could this be a contributing factor to why we see comas after traumatic accidents/injuries

 

Do you crave chocolate? Why, when people are stressed out, do they go for chocolate? Chocolate is one of the highest food sources of magnesium.

 

Unfortunately, conventional medicine has not woken up to the amount of research that has been done on magnesium deficiency.

 

Blood tests do not yield ANY information about Mg...

 

Because the body controls the levels of blood magnesium very tightly. If the magnesium in the blood drops just a little bit, you’re going to have a heart attack. It’s that simple.

 

So to prevent this, the body will rob all of its cells, tissues, and bones of magnesium in order to keep the blood levels constant. If you do a blood test for magnesium, the cells could be completely empty while your blood levels remain constant.

 

What’s worse is that magnesium is not even in your blood. 99% of the magnesium in the body is stored in the cells that get robbed, while a mere 1% of your body’s total magnesium is in the blood.

 

Why Are We So Deficient?

Number one, we’re being poisoned by our food.

 

Number two, we’re increasingly stressed out. We’re running our engines on high to keep up with life and it’s draining us. Stress hormone production requires high levels of magnesium and stressful experiences lead to depletion of magnesium stores.

 

Number three, we’re eating more sugar than ever. For every molecule of sugar we consume, our bodies use 54 molecules of magnesium to process it.

 

Fourth, low levels in the soil and modern farming techniques deplete stores of magnesium.

 

And lastly, magnesium is depleted by many pharmaceutical drugs and estrogen compounds such as oral contraceptives, antibiotics, cortisone, prednisone, and blood pressure medications. Diuretics in coffee and tea (caffeine) also raise excretion levels. Oh and by the way – flouride competes for absorption with magnesium!

Foods to eat:

Top 20 WH Foods for magnesium also include numerous legumes, nuts, and seeds. Top legumes for magnesium are navy beans, tempeh (fermented soybeans), pinto beans, lima beans, and kidney beans. The top magnesium-rich nuts and seeds are pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, cashews, and almonds. Among grains, barley, buckwheat, brown rice, quinoa, and millet also rank in the top 25 magnesium foods.

 

 

That's all for now folks.


Dr. Aarthi Maria