Many suggest that you should avoid fish and stick with plant sources. However, no plant source will provide adequate amounts of DHA or EPA. Both of these fats are vital for health, particularly for the heart and brain. Roughly 50% of the brain is made of fat. The type of fat is preferably DHA, a type of Omega-3. This can be consumed from plant sources, but they are primarily ALA which your body will convert into DHA. Unfortunately, the ratio is very poor. It is about 9% for EPA and 3% for DHA. Both are good for you , but again, DHA is the primary target. You need about 900 mg of DHA/EPA combined. So you would have to consume a bout 100 grams of Flaxseed oil per day to get enough EPA/DHA. It has been suggested that you eat what fish eat to get theirs, algae. First of all, yum yum. Grass is an equivalent source of omega 3, which is why all grazers (that actually are fed grass) are equivalent sources of omega 3’s. But you are not going to eat grass, well you might, but probably not. In addition, most fish eat crustaceans or other fish, including salmon which is considered a primary source of omega 3’s. The reality is that if you where going to the original source (green grasses and algae), you would have to eat that as your primary food source to get enough (and then some). It is far more efficient to eat animal sources,  which have already done the converting for you. So plant sources are a good source for omega 3’s, but an inefficient source of DHA and EPA, the specific omega 3’s that your brain and heart need.

So what about the animal sources? Well, in reality, anything that eats large amounts of grass or algae, or eats another animal that does so, will be a good source of omega 3’s. The closest animal to the original source is usually the best to eat. For instance, nearly every grass fed grazers are equivalent sources for you omega 3’s. Bison has almost identical fatty acid profile as tuna for instance. The best grazer in North America, that I am aware of, is elk, which has a profile almost identical to sardines. In addition, the closer the animal is to the plant source, the less toxins that it will contain. Swordfish, which eats large amounts of smaller fish, has enough mercury in one steak to make you test positive for mercury poisoning. Sardines, a primary food source of most larger fish, eats algae and has only trace amounts of toxins (including PCB’c and mercury). In addition, fresh water and farm raised fish, have the most toxins and the least omega 3’s. Farm raised fish, have very little omega 3 content due to the feed used. This is often neglected in the recommendation of fish (general) as an omega 3 source. In addition, certain low grade fish oils use farm raised fish, which again, have little to no omega 3’s and the highest levels of toxins (particularly PCB’s).  The short version of this message if to eat large grass gazing animals and small (wild) fish for your best omega 3 sources.

What about supplements? I recommend that you use only pharmaceutical grade fish oils and that you know the source. My favorite is krill oil, which is what salmon eat. It is about 3 times more bioavailable than fish oil (you can take a 3rd of the dose), has more antioxidants and no toxins. Krill is also the largest biomass in the world. Sardine oil is also a great source. It is very high in DHA and EPA and again has almost no toxins. Cenegenics carries both of these, in purified, completely toxin free, pharmaceutical grade formulas. This is what I recommend. There are only two over the counter fish oils that I recommend: Carleson’s or Nordic Naturals. Both are great and hold up to the standards year after year in independent testing. That being said, they are about half as efficient for getting your DHA and EPA (even in their EPA formulas) so you will need to take twice as much.

1. Sedentary lifestyle
Shoot for at least 30 minutes a day of exercise, incorporating resistance training with cardiovascular activity. Don’t forget to stretch!

2. Not enough sleep
Most adults need seven to eight hours of quality sleep each night.

3. Smoking
Linked to numerous chronic diseases and conditions, smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the US.

4. Fast food consumption
Highly processed and with little to no nutritional value, fast food is linked to weight gain and insulin resistance which can lead to more chronic conditions such as obesity and diabetes.

5. Stress and worry
Chronic stress, or a strong response to stress, is harmful. Maintain a healthy balance of work, family and “me” time. Eliminate obligations that are unfulfilling and make time for fun.

Aging healthy is a lifestyle choice. You can determine your physical and cognitive performance now and in the future. Cenegenics Carolinas puts you in the age management driver’s seat. Let us help you break these habits and regain a renewed zest for life.

Stem cells are nature’s master repair cells. They may be a vital therapeutic tool if a patient is undergoing cancer therapy, orthopedic treatment or is diagnosed with leukemia, diabetes, stroke or cardiovascular disease. Stem cells hold the promise of treating and regenerating damage from degenerative processes and more than 70 diseases.

When adult patients use their own cells, they avoid the risk of rejection and the need for immunosuppressant drugs for serious life threatening immune response that occurs in a person who receives someone else’s stem cells. The match availability at stem cell banks is less than 50 percent for Caucasian patients and less than 1 percent for minorities while a patient’s chance of their own stem cells matching is 96%.

One local medical institute for age management is now offering stem cell preservation for patients and their families across the southeast. Cenegenics Carolinas offers adult patients the opportunity to collect, preserve, and store stem cells for use in the future. Cenegenics Carolinas, an age management facility in Charleston, is the only medical facility in South Carolina and the Southeast offering adult stem cell preservation.

For more information on stem cell preservation please contact Michale Barber, M.D., CEO and CMO of Cenegenics Carolinas, at (843) 577-8484 or mbarber@cenegenics-carolinas.com

According to Dr. Mickey Barber at Cenegenics Carolinas, there are preventative methods to help fight the widespread disease until a vaccine is more readily available. With more than 4,000 deaths in the U.S. that are swine flu related, these are vital tips anyone can follow.

1. Fight back with food– The right nutrients can help a person protect themselves from the germs that they may encounter. Garlic, black tea, and foods containing probiotics like yogurt are good foods to keep in the pantry this flu season.

2. Get moving—20 or 30 minutes of exercise a day can increases the blood flow, speed nutrients to cells, and decreases stress. A body in top shape has a better chance of fighting off harmful germs.

3. Take a Supplement–Vitamin D can be an essential supplement in a fight to keep the flu away. Omega 3 fatty acids and zinc are also good germ fighting supplements.

4. Go to bed–A recommended 7 hours of sleep a night will help the body fight the myriad of germs a person encounters a day.

These are just some tips people can follow to stay healthy until the vaccine becomes available.

Jeremy Jacobs, a masters certified exercise counselor says there are a few simple steps to follow that will help keep weight gain in check.

Here are six ways to get extra benefits from exercise during the holidays:

1. Search for the parking place furthest from your destination, use the opportunity to get some extra walking in, but keep the pace up.

2. Do lunges between your car and the next closest car on every trip to and from your car. “It is great for your legs, butt, heart and your sense of humor,” says Jacobs.

3. When you leave the store, leave the cart, and carry your bags. If that requires multiple trips back to the car to unload that’s even better.

4. Workout or at least walk before that big holiday party. Timing is key – exercise as close as you can to the party for maximum benefit.

5. Remember the numbers, 100 and 10,000. Burn an extra 100 calories a day to combat the extra treats that are hard to resist during the festive season. In addition, try to walk 10,000 steps a day. One way to burn those calories, speed walk when shopping!

6. Make your list, check it twice—add exercising 4 times a week for at least 30 minutes to the Christmas to do list.

Cenegenics Carolinas is a scientifically proven age management facility. Jeremy helps Cenegenics patients deal with weight control issues daily.

These are just a few of the examples of healthy stocking stuffers this holiday season:

B-12—When a person has a low amount of B-12 in their diet, it can put them in a high risk category for several diseases. B Vitamins can be beneficial in proper brain function, alleviating anxiety, and weight loss to name a few.

Calcium—Vital for bone density, healthy gums, lowering cholesterol, muscular growth, energy, neuromuscular activity, and healthy skin.

Lactase—Aging decreases the body’s ability to absorb nutrients. Digestive aids such as lactase and letaine help the body digest and absorb nutrients.

Gingko Biloba—Cenegenics Carolinas calls this a “smart” drug. Gingko Biloba helps increase blood circulation to the brain, causing an increase in mental alertness and concentration.

Zinc—For the loved one worried about wrinkles, zinc helps collagen formation along.

Magnesium—If there is one supplement to stuff a stocking with, this could be it! Magnesium is required for more than 300 body functions. An estimated 72% of adult Americans fall short of the US Dietary allowances for magnesium. From lowering blood pressure to preventing kidney stones, this is a must have on the Christmas list!

Our nutraceuticals are exclusively made for us by one of the most respected pharmaceutical labs in the country. They are free of allergens and fillers unlike most over the counter supplements. Cenegenics Carolinas physicians are well versed on the subjects of weight, age and health management as well as nutraceutical supplementation.

Follow these simple tips to fight fat and keep the waistline trim:

Do some math
Drink half of your body weight in ounces of water daily to feel full and stay hydrated during the holiday season.

Eat a pear
These fresh and juicy in-season treats contain two important types of antioxidants that are associated with less weight gain over time. They’re also high in filling fiber and low in calories, making them a win-win sweet solution for your waistline and appetite.

Start counting
Not calories, but your age. Before grabbing for unhealthy food at holiday parties, stop and count to your age. This will give you time to decide if that treat is really worth the calories and fat that come along with it. Chances are you will rethink temptation before digging in.

Have a drink
A drink of green tea, that is. Catechins in green tea may help boost weight loss and diminish body fat. They also may have some beneficial effect on the body’s breakdown of fatty acids.

Slow down
Choose foods that take longer to digest; they will keep the blood sugar steady. Good examples are whole grain cereals with milk, brown rice and peanut butter on wheat bread.

Make the right choices
Choose the stairs, not the elevator. Choose grilled instead of fried. Choose nonfat over full fat milk. Choose extra sleep instead of a late night TV show.

The simple choices can keep the holidays from wreaking havoc on waistlines.

Five Tips for Sticking to Your Resolutions
1) Establish accountability – Go ahead and put yourself on the line! Having someone who is aware of your goals makes this decision to change, improve or start something new very real. Letting others know about your resolutions is one more way to commit yourself to change.

2) Don’t set unrealistic resolutions – Losing 30 pounds in 2 months, couch to marathon in 3 months. Being unrealistic about your goals will only result in failure. Many people quit because the goal is too big and feels unattainable. Taking small steps will help keep you committed and focused.

3) Have a support structure – Many people cite the feeling of “doing it alone” as a reason for failure. A support structure- family, friends, doctors, trainers – anyone that can give you encouragement, advice, and help celebrate your successes can make the difference between failure and success.

Many people find they are more successful with a third-party, neutral person to track progress and keep them on progressing toward their goal. Consider a free consultation with Dr. Mickey Barber to see if Cenegenics Carolinas’ monthly program and plan of action makes this year the one with real results.

4) Don’t do the same thing and expect a different outcome – This January you sign up for a year gym membership -the same as you did last year -vowing to go at least 5 times a week. By mid-January you are promising to go at least 3 times a week. By Feb 1 you haven’t darkened the doorstep of the gym more than once. Change it up! This year sign up with a trainer to develop a fitness program tailored to you, take tennis lessons, take a spin class, or begin with a Comprehensive Health Evaluation.

5) Schedule the time to make it happen – Make the time in your day to focus on your goal and your progress. “Not enough time” is never an excuse if you are truly committed to your resolution. The difference between a permanent, positive change and a temporary aspiration can be in taking time each day to adjust and rechart the course to your goal.

The premise to losing weight is quite simple, eat less and exercise more. Some people will consume very little in hopes to dropping pounds fast. Dr. Mickey Barber, CEO of Cenegenics Carolinas says cutting too many calories can do more harm than good. She states, “When the body is put into starvation mode, it stores fat and slows the metabolism which will inhibit weight loss.”

There are obvious physical signs and harmful effects of cutting too many calories. Says Dr. Barber, “People can become weak, dizzy, and undernourished from making such a drastic change in their caloric intake; it can even lead to organ damage and gallstones.”

So what is the best way to lose weight? There is a simple solution. Says Dr. Barber, “Patients need to eat a well balanced, low fat diet that is high in complex carbohydrates. At Cenegenics Carolinas, we help people reach their weight loss goal through diet and personalized exercise plans, hormone optimization and lifestyle changes.”

Patients need to remember that cutting back on too many calories could result in weight gain. “Staying on a starvation diet will result in weight regain every time. Once a person goes back to their normal eating habits, the weight comes right back.” In many cases, they gain additional weight because of slower metabolism.

To learn more about losing weight and keeping it off, contact a Cenegenics Carolinas at (843) 577-8484 or mbarber@cenegenics-carolinas.com