No Such Thing As Impossible

July 21, 2015July 15, 2015drstaceynaito Leave a comment

I have always believed strongly in the expression, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way”. I proudly demonstrate this belief in everything I do, and don’t respond well to people who tell me that something can’t be done.

Several weeks ago, an air conditioning repair man was sent to our house to investigate the reason why our central A/C unit was not functioning properly. After an hour of inspecting the entire system, the repair man launched into an explanation of what was happening. Here’s how it all went down:

REPAIR MAN: “As you suspected, there IS a leak, but it is in a spot where it can’t be repaired.”

ME: “Well, that is completely unacceptable. Of COURSE there is a way to repair it. Now tell me HOW it can be repaired.”

– REPAIR MAN looks at ME with surprise and apprehension.

REPAIR MAN: “Okay, here’s what’s really happening. The leak is in a spot that is impossible to get to, so basically the entire coil must be replaced. I certainly don’t think the owner would be happy about having to replace the entire coil, since it is a big job and pretty costly.”

It is absolutely unacceptable to me to have someone tell me that a solution to a problem doesn’t exist. That is when I call bullshit. There MUST be a solution, especially when dealing with maintenance people or customer service. In the situation I described above, the A/C repair man’s assessment was influenced by the fact that he was intimidated by the owner. He knew there was a solution, but was reluctant to share it with me because his interests were with the management company and the owner of the property.

What blows my mind is that I have been in the middle of a number of situations this year in which I was told that no solution existed, and every time, I challenged the person making such a statement. And you know what? Every time a solution suddenly appeared out of nowhere to quell my rising ire. I will admit that when pushed, I can turn from zero to bitch in no time flat, but this isn’t about being bitchy. There is ALWAYS a solution.

Question On My Fan Page About Food Additives

July 20, 2015July 15, 2015drstaceynaito Leave a comment

Some guy wrote in on my Facebook Fan Page on June 14 at 1:13am with the following question:

“Why is their Xanthan Gum and Sucralose in Whey 100 Ultra Clean when that will make it harmfull to the body how can you loose weight and build lean muscle with those types of harmfull ingredients put in whey?”

I hadn’t seen the question until now, so I wanted to make sure I posted a response. Here it is:

Xanthan gum is a plant based thickening agent which may cause some digestive issues in those who already suffer from digestive maladies, in which case they probably wouldn’t be ingesting whey in the first place. As for the sucralose, there is a huge controversy regarding potential harm from consuming it, yet nothing conclusive. I am personally not a huge fan of sucralose, but truth be told, it is in many food items. In addition, it can be very difficult to make a palatable whey protein formula without sucralose, since stevia can be very bitter. Please be aware that I am not in any way involved with the manufacture of Royal Sport Ltd. products but I definitely consider them to be some of the best in the industry. Bear in mind that the vast majority of sports supplement products are full of additives, so in this case I think we are talking about choosing products which are on the less offensive end of the spectrum when it comes to flavorings and additives.

Menopausal Weight Gain

July 19, 2015July 10, 2015drstaceynaito Leave a comment

Menopause can really break a woman’s spirit, for countless reasons. Her ability to reproduce comes to a screeching halt, her nether regions may start to resemble an arid climate, hot flashes may make her feel like she is spontaneously combusting, and she may have mood swings that would make the Tazmanian Devil look like a calm little bugger in comparison. But it’s the weight gain which often upsets menopausal women the most. Menopausal women will notice that if they drop their caloric intake, weight won’t drop at all, even though it may have easily melted off in the past.

That’s because the plummeting levels of progesterone and estrogen also adversely affect a woman’s ability to mobilize fat. Cortisol levels can go unchecked as a result of the low levels of progesterone and estrogen, and any extra calories will end up getting stored as fat. If a menopausal woman is at a caloric deficit, the switch flips in favor of burning muscle instead of turning to the storage fat she so desperately wants to incinerate. This is especially true for the adipose (fat) tissue around the midsection, because cortisol is notorious for padding that area with extra fat, resulting in an ever expanding belly. Another unfortunate consequence of cortisol is that levels will rise dramatically with prolonged intense exercise. The key is to have more abbreviated, yet still intense, exercise sessions so that the cortisol release is also accompanied by a boost in HGH and testosterone, thus conferring a protective effect on muscle.

Basically, the WORST thing you can do if you are in the midst of menopausal hell and struggling with weight gain is to engage in lengthy gym sessions. That might work for a 20 year old, but it can be devastating for a 50 year old. If you are a gym rat like me, you can still train up to six days per week (that’s how frequently I train), but keep your sessions intense but relatively short, between 30 to 60 minutes. If you train beyond that time window, the excess cortisol release will only trigger your body to cling to fat.

Menopausal women also experience an increase in carbohydrate sensitivity, which means that carbohydrate-rich meals which they used to be able to consume in their younger years without much consequence will suddenly wreak havoc on that waistline. The extra carbs settle in for a long and uninvited stay in the midsection and end up making women miserable. Because of this, dietary shifts need to be implemented in which the intake of starches and grains is dramatically reduced, while the consumption of more lean protein and green vegetables is increased. I also strongly recommend supplementing the diet with digestive enzymes and probiotics to optimize gut health and digestion of different foods.

Need A Skin Tune-Up? Get A Chemical Peel!

July 18, 2015July 10, 2015drstaceynaito Leave a comment

Chemical peels are often used to improve the skin’s appearance. During a medical grade chemical peel, the practitioner applies a chemical solution to the skin, causing the skin to blister and eventually peel off, revealing smoother, less wrinkled skin. They can be performed on the face, neck, and hands.

Specifically, chemical peels achieve the following results in most patients:

Reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles on the forehead, eye area, cheeks and around the mouth
Lighten brown spots such as freckles or age spots
Soften the appearance of mild scars
Refine skin texture
Reduce acne flareups and improve the appearance of acne scars

The skin becomes more sensitive to sun exposure immediately after a chemical peel, making it even more important to wear sunscreen daily.

The Perfect Derma Peel is the peel of choice for my patients. Perfect Derma Peel is a composite peel consisting of TCA, Retin-A, Salicylic Acid, Phenol, vitamin C, kojic acid, and glutathione. It was developed by Dr. Bram Kaufman, who developed the Vi-Peel, and was rated in the top 3 of new anti-aging products when it was introduced in 2011.

The Perfect Derma Peel is fantastic for reversing the signs of aging, reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and for removing stubborn pigmentation from sun exposure and melasma. A beautiful exfoliating effect occurs as the skin peels over several days, revealing glowing, even skin, and a brighter complexion. It is great for acneic skin, and boosts collagen production. Though fair-complected individuals usually are the best candidates for chemical peels, the Perfect Derma Peel is well suited for many different skin types.

Please bear in mind while a chemical peel confers a mild tightening effect on the skin, it will NOT treat severe skin sagging.

For those of you in the Los Angeles area who are interested in having the Perfect Derma Peel treatment, please visit the chemical peel section on my medical website at http://www.drstaceynaito.com/#!chemical-peels/comt

Why Whey Protein Is The Key To Anti-Aging

July 17, 2015July 8, 2015drstaceynaito Leave a comment

Original post can be found at:

http://www.sportsnutritionsupplementguide.com/health-wellness/anti-aging/item/1519-why-whey-protein-is-the-key-to-anti-aging#.VZ2WSvlViko

Adequate protein intake is vital to anyone seeking to preserve muscle mass, especially since the aging process threatens the loss of all that hard-earned muscle through a process called sarcopenia. Sarcopenia causes a loss of muscle mass and strength in all individuals as they age, even in die-hard gym addicts.

The aging process hits us with a double whammy because 1) our dietary protein needs increase over time, and 2) our ability to synthesize new proteins plummets as a consequence of diminished levels of testosterone, human growth hormone, and insulin-like growth factor-1. In other words, it becomes tougher and tougher to meet the aging body’s protein needs, and the result is a loss of muscle.

One of the biggest challenges in meeting the protein demands of the body as we age is the physical challenge of consuming adequate protein. Protein powders are an excellent means of meeting protein requirements in a low bulk form since they are dissolved in liquid. Whey protein in particular is an excellent protein source for anyone over the age of 30, provided they have no issues with allergy or intolerance to whey.

Whey protein is rich in branched chain amino acids, especially leucine, which is considered the most important branched chain amino acid for protein synthesis, especially in older people. Branched chain amino acids are also responsible for proper dermal collagen protein synthesis, so they play a huge role in the condition of the skin, maintaining its suppleness and tone.

Another age-related benefit of supplementing one’s diet with whey protein is the presence of lactoferrin, which fortifies bone and prevents osteoporotic fractures by activating osteoblasts. Whey protein also contains high levels of cysteine, an amino acid which boosts glutathione production. Glutathione, an antioxidant with powerful anti-aging effects, steadily declines naturally as we age, and since its production relies on the presence of cysteine, the introduction of whey protein into a meal plan can guard against age related diseases.

Whey protein has profound effects on glucose metabolism as well. It reduces serum glucose levels in healthy individuals while impairing glucose tolerance in diabetic and obese individuals. When consumed consistently as part of a sensible high protein meal plan, the result is a reduction in body weight and an increase in fat oxidation. This is due to the release of leptin, cholecystokinin, and glucagon like-peptide 1, all of which create a feeling of satiety.

In summary, the benefits of whey protein are numerous and significant, especially for older individuals. If you have yet to incorporate whey protein into your meal plan and you have been lamenting the ravages of Father Time, do yourself a favor and add whey protein to your daily regimen.

References: Sousa G et al. Dietary whey protein lessens several risk factors for metabolic diseases: a review. Lipids Health Disc. 2012;11:67

Peaceful Buddha Fountain In My Dining Room

July 16, 2015July 7, 2015drstaceynaito 3 Comments

I have had this water fountain in my dining room since approximately 2008 and love the glow which the light casts on Buddha’s face. I remember seeing this fountain at a local garden center and just had to get it. Since I already had fountains outside, I decided to put it in the dining room, making sure to place it in a spot which was clearly visible from the living room as well. This isn’t a small tabletop fountain (it measures 27 inches high, 15-1/2 inches wide, and 7 inches in depth), so it definitely carries some visual impact.

Eventually, this fountain developed a number of issues, such as a burnt out adapter for the light, a spewing corner of the fountain which caused it to leak onto the floor, a strong tendency to build up sediment in the reservoir, and a very loud pump. My cats also were drawn to the fountain and would (and still do!) drink from it, much to my horror, since there was so much sediment floating around in the water.

I finally completely cleaned out this fountain TWICE this year, bought a new light, and connected a quiet pump to the fountain. I also elected to fill the fountain only with distilled water. As a result of my efforts, this fountain is now the relaxing, quiet, and mesmerizing showpiece it was meant to be.

Badass Image From June 2015 Shoot With B-House Photography

July 15, 2015July 7, 2015drstaceynaito Leave a comment

Don’t Feel Like Yourself? Hormone Imbalance Could Be The Problem.

July 14, 2015July 6, 2015drstaceynaito Leave a comment

Portrait of a happy middle aged couple together outdoors

Are you experiencing any of the following?

Low energy
Insomnia
Irritability
Hair loss
Weight gain
Mood swings
Hot Flashes
Night sweats
Skin changes
Dry skin
Brittle nails and hair
Decreased libido
Erectile dysfunction
Difficulty concentrating
Memory loss
Depression
Anxiety
Muscle loss
Decreased strength

The above signs and symptoms are usually a clear sign of hormonal balances which are a function of the aging process. It is pretty widely known that women go through a process in which their estrogen and progesterone levels diminish and bring about symptoms of menopause which can be downright frustrating. However, men also go through a decline in testosterone as they age, with some men experiencing a sharp or early decline which manifests in troubling symptoms which have an adverse effect on their day to day lives. This decline, known as andropause, can be monitored through salivary or serum testing of hormone levels and treated with BHRT.

The good news is that in many cases, natural supplements and certain food choices can correct these issues, but some individuals, both men and women, may require supplementation with bioidentical hormones, also referred to as BHRT. Bioidentical hormones have the same molecular structure as the hormones which are produced naturally within the body. As a result, the body treats bioidentical hormones exactly like hormones produced within the body, which means that the body’s hormone balance can be restored.

If you are in the Los Angeles area and interested in booking a consultation with me for hormone balancing, please visit: http://www.drstaceynaito.com/#!natural-hormone-support/c1wd8

The Celebrities I Am Told I Resemble

July 13, 2015June 30, 2015drstaceynaito 1 Comment

I am often told that I resemble two different celebrities: Brooke Burke, who is mentioned the most frequently, and Catherine Zeta-Jones. I consider such references compliments because they are both incredibly beautiful women. I am posting a bunch of images of the two celebrities along with a bunch of my images so that you can determine if you agree with what many people say about me when talking about stars I may resemble.