This is the question I have been hearing it a lot lately maybe because we are now past holidays season and some of that celebrating took a toll on our skin

Well, if you only listen to the dermatology, cosmetic and plastic surgery advice you will end up with a multitude of cream and potions and procedures.

I take a different approach. What if I tell you the secret to have a beautiful young-looking skin is about what you put in your body and about how you nourish your body. Things like food intolerance, toxins and nutrient deficiency will affect your skin!

That does not mean you should not take care of yourself from the outside-there are great products that I recommend to my patients. But that’s not going to ultimately going to solve the problem especially if you have acne, eczema or psoriasis for example.

So, for today I am going to focus on nutrient deficiency!

Our skin requires vitamins, glucose from healthy carbs, ceramide, fatty acids to heal, perform and look good.

So, what are the most important vitamins for the skin?

Vit A and C – will help skin retain moisture and hydration. Vitamin A also helps the skin make new collagen so make sure it is s present every day in your diet. Collagen is the matrix that holds our skin together from inside so cannot forget about this one.

Vit D – helps with healing and has anti-inflammatory effect not to mention the important role in autoimmune illnesses like psoriasis. Soaking up the sun is the way to get it but do not get fooled-it takes a good amount of time being outside to achieve that and most of us are not doing that frequent enough.

Vit E – healing, you know when you have small ulcerations or small skin cracks? that’s the one that might be missing!

Vitamin B deficiency can mess up your skin bad too – flaky skin, cracked lips, wrinkles …and let’s not forget we are talking about 8 different types of B vitamins.

Copper Increases skin thickness and elasticity so that’s something we always check as well with a blood test.

Zinc and selenium have antimicrobial activity and prevent photodamage aka sunburn.

And these are just few of the ingredients our skin needs!

So, what do you do?

We diagnose the imbalance, address the causes first and then help the body repair and regain balance. The body’s natural ‘’healing’’ intelligence takes care of the rest.

Testing for all those vitamins and minerals is easy and it is a finger pricking blood test. Once we get the results, we can build a regimen that is meant for you instead of a plain multivitamin that might not cover your needs.

If you have struggled with skin issue, what strategies did you use to make it better?

To your health and amazing skin,

Dana Neacsu, MD

Learn more info at www.mcimatlanta.com and Share this with someone who needs it!

So, there is a big difference between mushrooms, and from a roughly about 1.5 million mushrooms around the world there is a little bit over 300 mushrooms that have the actual health beneficial and medicinal purposes.

Interesting enough actually about half of the drugs in the world are derived from fungi-penicillin the famous antibiotic for example.

Now, in recent times with functional medicine and nutrition going mainstream, we are seeing a resurgence of interest in these amazing superfoods.

What Are the Most Common and How Are They Beneficial?

Shiitake and Maitake-Food mushrooms

In addition to immune stimulating capacity maitake is used for blood pressure control and the shiitake is also used for liver detox and cardiovascular disease.

It is easy to cook with these mushrooms and they are also loaded with B-vitamins so it will help with your energy, blood sugar levels and inflammation in the body!

Reishi-nature’s Xanax

This mushroom is generally used for people with anxiety, insomnia, stress due to calming effect but it also a known immunomodulator. Interestingly it also has some antifungal activity against Candida as well!

Cordyceps-Energy booster

Great for workout, endurance, and physical stress due to energy boost. Also great for   lung related issues like asthma or even seasonal allergies

Look for the Cordyceps militaris-commercially cultivated species since the true Cordyceps sinensis is extremely rare on our market and it is almost always myceliated grain aka high amount of fillers.

Lion’s mane-Mind Mushroom

Used for the Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s type of diseases and to help with memory. Lion’s mane is rare in the fact that it helps the production of a bioprotein called Nerve Growth Factor and myelin (an insulation around nerve fibers)

Turkey tail-Fight the cancer

Turkey tail contains a compound called polysaccharide-K (PSK) that stimulates the immune system and it is used for anti-cancer properties. Used also during chemotherapy!

What should you be looking for when it comes to mushroom supplements?

Check the amount of active compounds for the immunity and hormonal balance in each supplement.

Mushrooms need to grow on a mycelium and not rice bran and preferably in the nature not a lab for the best healing activity

Should be tested for pesticide, heavy metals, and mycotoxins (mushrooms can have their own bad mushrooms!)

Try the powders, coffees, extracts or find a recipe you like and cook with them! But do not eat the mushrooms raw because they have no bioavailability unless they are edible mushrooms like portobello-then you are eating more for the protein or the carbohydrates.

Always talk to your doctor beforehand to confirm if adding medicinal mushrooms to your diet is safe, especially if you are using certain medications or are pregnant.

So, which one are you going to try first?

To your health,

Dana Neacsu, MD

It makes you think how healthy are we really? What can I do to improve my chances? Because truth is we do not know at this point for how long we will battle this virus or if we win this time what else is lurking around the corner.

And there is only way to be sure or have the upper hand- strengthen your body and your immune system because then and only then no matter how new and strong the virus is you will have a chance. You might feel terrible. You might come out all bruised and tired from the fight, but you will survive. Your family will be with you.

However, if you think that just taking some supplements that you heard might be good for immunity (vitamin C and so on) you are possibly wrong. That should be the cherry on top or the last step once everything is taken care of.

We all heard that diabetics, chronic kidney and lung disease people are at risk I would also add to that people with liver disease and on immunosuppressive drugs based on what we see in the hospital and yet I do not see enough emphasis on changing our lifestyle immediately. Do we really have time to lose here?

Here is an article posted just now about the gravity of the illness directly related to obesity rates

Read Here!

And here is the TV interview of an Infectious Disease doctor talking among other things about how changing the way we eat makes a difference.

Watch Here!

So then what are we waiting for?

We can’t stop the aging, but we do have control on many other things like:

• Using food like medicine to nourish your body and help it regenerate
• Balance your blood sugar so it won’t mess up your immunity
• Strengthen your heart so it can help your lungs and won’t get affected by the virus
• Balance your hormones
• Calm the autoimmunity -there is no need for extra cytokine the virus makes plenty
• Work on your stress level
• Exercise

These are the pillars of health we all need to have in place in order to have a strong immune system!

Here is a webinar replay to help you understand -> Watch Here!

Let’s look at your health needs at this moment.

Reach us to us and let’s start your 21 days immune bootcamp asap! No time to lose!

To your health,

Dana Neacsu,MD

Dear patients and friends,

As COVID-19 dominates the headlines and our minds, it’s good to take a step back, breathe, and remember that we’re not helpless in its path. Our clinic is launching various ways in which we can support you and your loved ones through this COVID-19 pandemic:

1. Phone or telehealth visits along with in-office physician visit on as needed basis.
2. One-on-one support for COVID-19: send us whatever questions you might have related to science-based best-practice interventions for COVID-19. Do you need supplements and you can not find them in the store? call us and will help you place orders through Wellevate as long as supplies will last.
3. News and education: For ongoing, sensible information about staying sane and healthy amidst the chaos, follow us on Instagram, Facebook and newsletters .We will be posting regular updates. And we will also host QA webinars discussing the most important topics
4. Stop by for a sample of Thieves essential oil or ask us how you can order asap –   extremely helpful for immunity (diffuse, apply, use as a cleaner and sanitizer). If not we will post similar essential oil recipes.

Here is a quick summary:

COVID-19, the viral disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, is a global pandemic

• This is a novel virus in the human population with no native immunity which means we are all susceptible.
• It will get worse before it gets better and at this point some projections show that we might be dealing with it for the next 12-18 months. It may die down over the summer but could roar back in the fall as did the Spanish Flu of 1918. There are already some reports that Singapore and South Korea are seeing some new spikes in cases after the initial quiet down.
• It is easily transmissible and can survive on surfaces for up to 72 hours, some say longer.
• People are infectious and can transmit the virus from 2 days to 14 days after exposure.
• The virus is easily killed with antibacterial cleaning agents including alcohol, bleach, and hydrogen peroxide.
• The most at risk are those with a chronic disease, those over 70 years old, health care workers, and those on immunosuppressive medicine like used for autoimmune disease, cancer, and transplant rejection
• It affects older, sicker individuals, but even young healthy people can be affected (except, it seems, children, although they can be carriers).
• The typical symptoms are fever, cough, and fatigue but not a runny nose. IF febrile avoid using NSAIDS-medications like motrin, advil or naproxen apparently can worsen the course of the disease

The disease affects the lungs leading to respiratory failure in severe cases and death may be caused by a cytokine storm or massive burst of inflammation (see below for how this may be addressed).  It does this by inhibiting the production of surfactant by the lungs (which keeps airways open).

• Death rates are highest in those with chronic disease (diabetes, heart disease, cancer, lung diseases, smokers, elderly (about 15% over 80 years old) so now it is the time to time to start working on those conditions.
• LET ME REPEAT THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION BESIDE PREVENTING INFECTION IS HELPING YOUR BODY FIGHT THIS.AND JUST TAKING VITAMIN C OR ELDERBERRY MIGHT NOT BE ENOUGH.YOU NEED TO CONTROL THAT BLOOD SUGAR, CLEAN UP THAT DIET, CONTROL THE STRESS.EVEN STARTING NOW WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN A WEEK. 

Let’s start talking about how we all can become healthier now, start a week of detox diet, learn about strengthening your gut and your immune system let’s fight this together!

• 42% of women who have heart attacks die within one year (vs. 24% for men)

• 82% of heart disease is preventable.

• Did you also know that these medical issues no longer affect only older women?

• Even though the overall rate of stroke is decreasing, it’s increasing for young and middle aged

• Did you know that signs of diabetes in women are vaginal & oral infection and urinary tract infection

Join Dana Neacsu, MD
https://mcimatlanta.com/
as she addresses this important woman’s topic.
A DO-NOT-MISS EVENT!

When: Sunday, April 14th, 2:30. Program starts promptly at 2:45
Where: Berman Commons, 2026 Womack Rd, Dunwoody
Couvert: $7.00 for non-Berman Commons residents
Overflow parking: GA State parking lot across the road
RSVP needed: viviang.hadassah@gmail.com For more details about the Health Professionals group, please visit us at www.hadassah.org/atlanta

Fibromyalgia is ‘’tricking’’ your nerve endingsthroughout your body and amplifies the painful sensations by affecting the wayyour brain processes the pain signal.

Many people think fibromyalgia isn’t a realmedical problem or that it is “all in your head.” but it is a realphysiological and neurochemical problem.

These days people tend to think that there isan easy cure or a fix for every medical problem. You go to the doctor,expecting he or she will fix whatever the problem is with medication orsurgery. Unfortunately, it is frustrating to people with fibromyalgia becausethe traditional treatment approach isn’t effective. And it’s also frustratingto health care providers because they want to help but the medications are notreally a good option here.

However, doctors are seeing that people whohave fibromyalgia can manage their symptoms with lifestyle changes to improvetheir overall wellness and quality of life. The trick here is to be consistentwith those changes, seek help and take small steps because reaching wellness is a process.

But I also know that developing a properwellness program is not an easy task: how do you lose weight and become activewhen it is difficult to move due to the pain? Or if you have a hormonalimbalance for example?

Or if your body is continually impacted by stress factors, many ofwhich are unique to the modern world. These include a bad diet laded withcarb-heavy foods, hidden toxins, constant emotional stress, and lack ofexercise. Constant exposure tothese stress factors disrupts immune system functions and other vital processesin the body, resulting in chronic immune dysfunction and setting the stage forchronic illnesses. Wouldn’t make sense to address those causes first?

Here are some suggestions:

1.Adress the pain and fatigue and sleep issues first, thiswill allow your body to work faster towards recovery and healing. Use massage,Reiki, acupuncture, anti-inflammatory herbal supplements or the CBD oil derivedfrom hemp.

2.Change the way you eat-look for organic, real food; healthyfats (think olive oil, nuts, avocado oil, ghee) and enough proteins; do notforget your water and diversify your diet

3.Make sure there are no other underlyingconditions that mimic fibromyalgia: chronic infections, adrenal imbalance,nutrient deficiencies

4.You must move to get well! But it isimportant to choose something that would be gentle and efficient like yoga orTai Chi and it won’t cause you debilitating pain next day.

5.Learn to stay calm-the hardest task, I know!Plan for small breaks throughout the day when you can take a walk, meditate,listen to the music or whatever else might quiet your mind. If need be considertaking some calming herbs: lemon balm, chamomile, passion flower

6.Reduce the toxin load! Clean up your house,filter your water and air, choose safe cosmetics. Everything counts.

There is so much more to share when it comesto this illness, so we invite you to attend one of our seminars and learn howwe can help!

Having lived in the Northeast for almost 30 years, I know all too well how Lyme and Tick Borne Diseases can affect us, our families and our pocket books. Lyme has affected my family, friends, and of course numerous patients my husband and I treated and helped over the years.

Despite the cold winter we have just endured, ticks have become more resistant to die off in cold weather.  Ticks are just about everywhere, so as we and our children get out more in the spring and the summer, the word must be vigilance!

Here are 5 things you can do to keep you and your family healthy and happy during the warm months to come:

1. Environment: Keep it Cut and Dry!

Ticks and nymphs can’t survive in a dry climate! Get rid of piles of leaves and closely cut the grass and use organic tick repellents around your home and garden.  Not only do we want to protect our children and ourselves, but our pets and neighbors, our environment, and our water supply. Ticks are found in the shade, and in warm/humid environments.  I recommend removal of shrubs and ground covers located too close to the house and I have heard some people suggest wood chips as they are dry and might provide a modicum of prevention.

2. What to Wear:

Although this is tricky, it’s worthwhile to dress in long sleeves and long pants tucked into socks when spending time in nature. The color should be white or as light as possible.  That way you’re keeping a barrier between you and the ticks (and the sun!), and your light clothes help you spot ticks before they can bite!

3. What to Spray:

Essential oils are great natural repellents. One of my favorite combinations is essential cedar wood oil, and a citrus essential oil in witch hazel.   Ticks, fleas and other insects are repelled by the odor of the cedar oil. I do not suggest DEET. There are many options out there today both commercially and in custom preparations.

4. Homeopathics that Help:

Ledum Palustre and Spiro Nil (Teasel Roots) are preparations that can be used preventatively  I used to give it to my dog, Paris, every day in her water when we lived in a Deer/Tick Infested area in VA. In all the years we were there, she only had 2 tick bites.  These remedies are great for kids, adults and pets.

5. When You Come Inside: Tick Check!

Hiking and camping certainly represent great risks, but your back and front yard also present a significant risk.  Always do a tick-check on yourself and your family after coming in from playing in the grass or planting in the garden.

Nymph ticks are about the size of a poppy seed, so they are easily missed.  The secret to tick checking: BUY A LINT ROLLER. Just roll over clothes and skin to catch any rogue ticks!

Just washing clothes in hot water won’t kill ticks. Remember, they like the warm, humid environment.  Throw your clothes in a very hot dryer for a few minutes after coming inside.

Is there a lot to do before heading out? You bet! It is worth it? I promise you it is.

Tick Spray Recipe:

• 4oz Spray Bottle
• Witch Hazel (wild harvested or organic)
• Essential Cedarwood Oil (NOT fragrance oil)

Fill the bottle with witch hazel. Add 15 – 20 drops of the Cedarwood Oil

(Apply a small amount to skin prior to using to make sure skin irritation does not occur.)

An Article by Susan Levin, you may find the original article here.