Essex Integrative Health

10/20/2021

Heartburn and upset stomach are typically attributed to sky rocketing levels of stomach acid (hydrochloric acid or HCL for short). Contrary to popular belief, many digestive ailments are actually the result of low stomach acid.

Check out our latest blog post for information on how stomach acid plays critical roles in our digestion and overall health.

Heartburn and upset stomach are typically attributed to sky rocketing levels of stomach acid. Contrary to popular belief, many digestive ailments are actually the result of low stomach acid.

07/01/2021

For the last 30 years, the messaging has been clear: Slather your body with sunscreen if you so much as even think about going outside in the sun. Cloudy

03/26/2021

Interesting read...and a great reminder to breathe.

A growing number of clinicians are on an urgent quest to find treatments for a frighteningly pervasive problem. They’ve had surprising early success.

03/10/2021

The sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight response) and parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest response) are divisions of the autonomic nervous system, which controls unconscious body functions (breathing and digestion) and every organ in our bodies.

The sympathetic nervous system interacts with the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis to control the body’s stress response. Stress signals the adrenal glands to secrete stress hormones and neurotransmitters (cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine) in order to increase blood pressure and blood sugar. After the stressful event, the parasympathetic nervous system kicks in to decrease stress hormone production and lower blood pressure through the release of the neurotransmitters, such as acetylcholine. This balance maintains the body’s preferred state of homeostasis.

If you’re suffering from chronic stress, your body spends too much time in “fight or flight” mode and not enough time in “rest and digest” mode, upsetting the balance between the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems.

Our bodies aren’t meant to withstand sustained stress. An overactive sympathetic response disrupts the HPA axis, induces chronic inflammation, and has been linked to multiple chronic health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, obesity, a weakened immune system, high blood pressure, kidney disease, depression, poor sleep, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Check out our latest blog post for more information and ways to increase your parasympathetic tone in today's world of unrelenting stress.

If you’re suffering from chronic stress, your body spends too much time in “fight or flight” mode and not enough time in “rest and digest” mode, upsetting this balance between the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems.

02/24/2021

Collagen has exploded on the market the last few years, touting benefits such as glowing skin, improved sleep, accelerated healing, increased athletic performance, and flexible joints, among others. While these claims might sound too good to be true, collagen does have some remarkable health benefits that may surprise you. ⁠
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As we age, our body’s natural production of collagen slows down. We observe this in our skin, which is no longer as firm and smooth. The decrease in collagen production also affects the health of our joints, ligaments, hair, nails, teeth, bones, and can even impact vital organs.⁠
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Check out our latest blog post for more information and steps you can take to improve your collagen levels.⁠
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Collagen has taken the health world by storm, touting benefits such as glowing skin, improved sleep, accelerated healing, increased athletic performance, and flexible joints, among others.

02/11/2021

Often referred to as “the master antioxidant”, glutathione is found abundantly in nearly every cell in your body and is a critical factor in health and longevity. It neutralizes free radicals, regulates the nitric oxide cycle (important for control of blood pressure and inflammation), helps the liver process and eliminate toxins, and plays a role in DNA synthesis.

Additionally, it has a significant impact on immune function. A recent study reported that endogenous deficiency of glutathione is the most likely cause of serious manifestations and death in COVID-19 patients.

Check out our latest blog post for more information and how to naturally increase your glutathione levels.

Glutathione is your master antioxidant. It neutralizes free radicals and reactive oxygen compounds, regulates the nitric oxide cycle, helps the liver process and eliminate toxins, and plays a role in DNA synthesis.

01/28/2021

COVID-19 symptoms can last weeks or months for some patients. Often termed "long haulers", these patients have recovered from the worst impacts of COVID-19 and have since tested negative. Yet, they are still experiencing symptoms.

Impaired mitochondrial function may be a potential factor for these lingering symptoms. Mitochondria are known as the energy powerhouse of the cell. They are organelles inside of cells that take in nutrients, break them down, and create ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the primary energy unit of the cell.

Check out our latest blog post for a look at the evidence that hints at a potential role of mitochondria in recovery.

Evidence hints at a potential role of mitochondria in recovery from severe illness. Utilizing diet and supplementation to ensure the mitochondria are functioning optimally may be an important part of returning to health.