Social Connection and Health: Are we born to bond? Posted on April 27, 2017 | by Functional Developer | Leave a Comment on Social Connection and Health: Are we born to bond? “And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter and the sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.” Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet Is it possible that the quality of one’s friendships and social connections is as strong a predictor of health and longevity as blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight? Is it possible that the quality of your relationships with friends, neighbors, family and co-workers forms the foundation upon which your ability to remain resilient under stress resides? The answer is YES and YES! As I will suggest from some recent research, social isolation is both common and a formidable predictor of premature death and disease. In many respects this is a silent epidemic in our communities. Let’s briefly examine some of the evidence that supports how common loneliness is and how this ex translates into diminished quality of life and disease or as health, happiness, and longevity. Continue reading →
How well do you fit into your genes? The age of Preventative Medicine. Posted on April 12, 2017 | by Functional Developer | Leave a Comment on How well do you fit into your genes? The age of Preventative Medicine. “It’s not what we don’t know that gets us into trouble. It’s what we know that ain’t so.” ~ Will Rogers Conventional wisdom has long held that the genetic cards you inherent from your mother and father are the genetic cards you are stuck with throughout your life, for better or for worse. Most clinicians continue to believe that you cannot do anything about the risks you inherit from your parents. Like so many long held truths in medicine, it is now increasingly clear that this is not the case. You are not a prisoner of your DNA. Your DNA is not your destiny. Compelling evidence now suggests that your genes are in fact quite malleable throughout life, designed to change expression in response to changes in one’s environment. So how well do you fit into your genes? Continue reading →
The Real Future of Health Care is Self Care Posted on April 10, 2017 | by Functional Developer | Leave a Comment on The Real Future of Health Care is Self Care As concerns swirl around the future of healthcare coverage in this country, there’s a tendency to think that our personal health revolves largely around doctor’s appointments, runs to the pharmacy and an occasional trip to the hospital. But the truth is, the single most critical factor in staying healthy is – and always has been – our own self-care. That’s more important now than ever. We’re doctors of ourselves, and we need to view and plan our lives accordingly. Continue reading →