The COMT gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called COMT. This enzyme is involved in the breakdown and elimination of catecholamines, which are neurotransmitters in the brain. Catecholamines include dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine (adrenaline).

Genetic variations in COMT have been associated with differences in cognitive function, response to stress, and susceptibility to certain mental health conditions. The enzyme's activity is particularly relevant in brain regions where dopamine signaling is important, such as the prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex is part of the brain associated with cognitive functions, including thinking, problem-solving, impulsive control, and reasoning.

Maintaining healthy levels of nitric oxide (NO) as we age prolongs longevity.

However, the production and bioavailability of NO decreases with age.

By the age of 40, most individuals produce about 50% less NO than they produced as a youth and 85% less by the age of 60.

Maintaining a balance in nitric oxide production is essential for overall health.

Are there dietary and lifestyle changes that can help with maintaining NO levels as we age?

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs at a specific time of the year, typically during the fall and winter months when daylight hours are shorter.

It is sometimes referred to as "winter depression" because it is most associated with the colder, darker months.

Nutrition & lifestyle can be highly effective in helping treat Seasonal Affective Disorder.

ADHD is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosed in childhood, with 10% of US children carrying the diagnosis. Eight million adults have the disorder, with only one in five treated.

Nutrition can play a significant role in managing the symptoms of ADHD.

Andropause, also known as male menopause or late-onset hypogonadism, refers to a set of age-related hormonal changes that occur in some men as they get older. It is characterized by a gradual decline in testosterone levels, which is the primary male sex hormone.

An estimated 10-25% of older men have testosterone levels below the normal range. According to global statistics, over 480,000 older men annually experience andropause, which gradually increases in severity and frequency with age.

Epidemiologic studies and meta-analyses have demonstrated higher all-cause mortality (35%) and cardiovascular mortality (25%) in men with low testosterone levels.

According to CDC estimates, 1.6-3.8 million sports and recreation related concussions occur each year in the U.S.

Nutritional management plays a role in supporting recovery from a concussion. While rest and proper medical evaluation are crucial, a balanced diet can contribute to the healing process.

Menopause is a significant life stage that affects a large number of women worldwide.

According to the North American Menopause Society, by the year 2025, the number of postmenopausal women is expected to rise to 1.1 billion worldwide.

The global menopause market size is estimated at 16.1 billion USD in 2022 and is expected to reach 16.9 billion USD in 2023.

And, yet the topic of menopause remains taboo. According to the AARP, only 20% of OB-GYN residency programs in the U.S. offer training in menopause.

What is Menopause?

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a common health condition that can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other health problems.

Nearly half of American adults have hypertension. It is estimated that 46% of adults with high blood pressure are unaware they have it, and only 21% of adults have their hypertension under control.

Nutrition and lifestyle play an important role in managing hypertension.

The lifetime risk of breast cancer in US women is 1 in 8, with risk increasing with each decade. What risk factors can we change to decrease our chance of developing breast cancer? Including what nutritional needs are imperative for breast health?

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition that is characterized by the buildup of fat in the liver. It is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the United States, affecting up to 25% of the population. Treatment and management of NAFLD requires a comprehensive approach that includes lifestyle modifications and medical interventions.

It’s National Nutrition Month! This year’s campaign theme is Fuel for the Future. Therefore, this month’s focus will be on how to make dietary and lifestyle choices to live a longer, healthier, fuller life. Research has shown that seeking help from an experienced healthcare provider is the best way to create sustainable change that is individualized to you, your health, and your goals.

A significant association between Type 2 diabetes risk and the TCF7L2 gene has been demonstrated in many studies.

What is the TCF7L2 gene?

And what can be done to help mitigate disease risk, as well as improve longevity and health?

What Does It Mean to Be Overweight?

By 2030, approximately 80% of adults will have pre-obesity (overweight) or obesity.

Overweight, per medical standards, is a BMI between 25-29.9. Body mass index, or BMI, is a measure of a person’s weight divided by their height.

Overweight has also been termed pre-obesity.

Does being pre-obese increase the risk of adverse health outcomes?

While the menstrual cycle causes multiple physiological changes in the female, its influence on exercise performance or need for appropriate dietary changes to meet hormonal needs is still being explored.

Does the fluctuation in hormones during the menstrual cycle change your physical strength and performance ability?

Histamine intolerance originates in the gut.

Currently almost 20% of the Westernized world’s population suffers from some type of food intolerance, with lactose intolerance being the most common, followed closely by histamine and fructose intolerance.

So what is histamine intolerance?

For athletes to perform optimally, they need to train hard and fuel their body appropriately.

The food we eat impacts our training, strength, performance, and recovery.

Athletes can perform at a high caliber but not always be healthy.

How do you optimize the performance, and more importantly, health of the athlete through nutrition?

Our skin is a complex, self-renewing organ that is our primary barrier against external threats.
The most common but challenging and complex skin disorder is acne. Acne affects 85% of teenagers, 42.5% of men, and 50.9% of women between the ages of 20-30.
Acne is not a trivial disease or just a cosmetic condition. It is an inflammatory skin condition with a complicated origin that carries with it a significant psychological and physical burden. It is a lifestyle disorder superimposed on a genetic susceptibility.

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for the human body. Unfortunately, vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent with roughly 50-60% of US adults being deficient.

Why is it so important?

Almost a quarter of the children in the United States today are obese.

Even more staggering is that for today’s 2-year-olds, is it predicted that almost 60% of them will be obese by age 35. 

What truly is obesity?

Obesity is a chronic, relapsing, multi-factorial, neurobehavioral disease resulting in chronic inflammation.

Successful weight loss is often slower than you expect, plateaus are common, and there are physiologic drives to restore “lost” energy stores.

Maintaining weight loss is difficult without an intervention plan.