The Human Microbiome Project, run by the United States National Institutes for Health, has revealed that we depend on our microbes for health and happiness. Although the human genome is comprised of just fewer than 21,000 genes, the amount of genetic information in our gut is greatly increased by all of the genetic material of these bacteria. For example, although we lack the gene to make the protein that makes vitamin B12, a bacterial species called Klebsiella does it for us.

Thanks to antibiotics many infectious diseases were eradicated in the twentieth century, giving people across the world a longer life span. But now things have changed. Many of the diseases that now impair people’s health and quality of life are autoimmune diseases. Dr. Cole tells us that nearly 10% of the population in the developed world is now affected by an autoimmune disease. These include Type I diabetes, multiple sclerosis, celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, psoriasis, and enough others to total about one hundred autoimmune diseases. Dr. Cole explains that even mental health problems such as autism and depression may possibly be related to problems with our gut bacteria. She explains the physiology of leaky gut syndrome is caused by a protein whose discovered called zonulin that loosens the coupling between the cells of the intestinal wall and makes it permeable to what should not be passing through.

Calories in-calories out is what everyone thought was what mattered in weight control. However, Dr. Cole explains the role of our intestinal bacteria in extracting additional calories from what we have eaten. When short-chain fatty acids bind with G-protein-coupled Receptor 43 on our fiber-loving bacteria, it signals the bacteria not to attack us. When this same receptor on fat cells is bound with a short-chair fatty acid, it forces the fat cell to divide, the healthy way to store energy, rather than grow larger as it does in people who develop obesity. If these small bits of information, doesn’t make much sense to you, then you’ll have to read the book to get more information about these items and much more than the book has to offer.
If you want to go beyond the book and explore how these issues may be affecting you personally, then help is available through Dr. Gourdine and the Functional Medicine Center for Personalized Care in Hackensack, New Jersey. Dr. Gourdine will be able to guide you through the steps of getting your microbial flora assessed and then advising you to make changes with nutrition and nutraceuticals.

Call our intake specialists today for a FREE consultation with Fx Med Centers at 855.MYFXMED (693.9633)!

The post Microbiota and our Health: Functional Medicine first appeared on Specialized Therapy.

The post Microbiota and our Health: Functional Medicine appeared first on Specialized Therapy.

How do you know when it is time to see a therapist? The general rule of thumb is that it is always better to seek therapy at the first signs of a problem or issue. It is clearly documented that people who seek treatment do so at the latter stages of their disorder. They often report that the issue began several years ago. People seek treatment when they have exhausted all avenues and even then about half of the people who need or would benefit from treatment don’t seek treatment. People usually come into therapy when they feel hopeless or exasperated.

According to the statistics of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 1 in every 2 Americans has a diagnosable mental health or addiction disorder. These statistics are up from prior years. Of those, a little more than half will seek treatment. Based on the numbers in any given year there are approximately 80 million people who could benefit from psychotherapeutic treatments. The CDC states that while fewer than half of adults get the help they need, less than one-third of children get help. To review the statistics go to www.cdc.gov/omhd/amh/factsheets/mental.htm.

There are mild signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Sometimes a mental or emotional disorder presents in the context of a relationship or in the form of ongoing difficulties maintaining positive relationships. Anxiety symptoms can be as mild as constant worrying or be as severe as having panic attacks on a frequent basis. Mild signs of depression can be experienced as chronic tiredness and lack of motivation or severe signs in the form of refusal to do daily tasks or thinking about ending one’s life. Wherever you are on the spectrum of experiencing some type of emotional or interpersonal or mental distress, you should seek the expertise of someone who is a licensed and experienced professional to provide outpatient psychotherapy.

The best time to see therapy is early on. When treatment begins early, the benefits are that you will stop the progression that could lead to a more serious diagnosis and that you have begun treatment with more emotional and mental resources to make the treatment more efficient and effective.

At Specialized Therapy Associates, we have psychologists and therapists on staff who are specifically trained to assess and diagnose disorders and to provide treatment that is both preventive and curative. To provide effective and efficient treatment, therapy needs to begin with an accurate assessment and diagnosis. Key relational factors play into the effectiveness of treatment. At STA, we have the proprietary Induction Process which enhances the process of therapy. Sign up for our eNewsletter to learn more about relational factors and STA’s induction process. To do a self-assessment visit our web page at www.specializedtherapy.com/self_assessment_checklists.php To schedule an appointment for an assessment contact our intake department at 201-488-6678 or if out of state, 855-STATALK or register for your first time therapy session at www.specializedtherapy.com/specialized_therapy_appointment.php

Dr. Vanessa Gourdine, Director

The post Seeking Therapy for the First Time first appeared on Specialized Therapy.

The post Seeking Therapy for the First Time appeared first on Specialized Therapy.

If you would like more information about how to raise resilient, happy children please call Specialized Therapy Associates 201-488-6678.

The post But Mom, I Don’t Want to Go Back to School first appeared on Specialized Therapy.

The post But Mom, I Don’t Want to Go Back to School appeared first on Specialized Therapy.