This particular blog relates to my podcast - Living Insights: episodes 1.  Starting a new venture, like a podcast can be exciting, time consuming and a little frightening.  But, I think the lesson is if it "feels" like the right thing, then go for it.  

Interestingly enough, the first article we discuss talks about how the bacteria in our gut may have a much more significant effect on us and our physiology than previously thought (check out the link to the article in the podcast tab - heck, check out the podcast too if you haven't already).

The article and our discussion went into the idea that stress from the environment adversely affects your bacteria in your gut and that that is what seems to drive the stress response in the body.  Very cool stuff.  

I wonder though, if this information may be pointing towards an understanding about "gut feelings".  If your bacteria can react to stress (specifically aggression) in the environment, how does it react to places or people that are familiar or friendly?  Is it possible that when you "get a bad vibe" from someone it really is your "gut instinct" (think bacteria) that is giving you a message, based on whatever information they are receiving.

Historically, we have thought that "gut instinct" and such is related to our mid-brain, which is to say your reptilian brain, or the part that is evolutionary speaking older than your forebrain (the conscious you).  And that those feelings were simply manifestations of our conscious brain trying to interpret those signals.

Now it appears to me that maybe those mid brain signals are actually in response to information received from the gut bacteria.

Take home point, don't be too quick to write off your intuition or gut instinct as pure hype or hogwash, we may just be seeing the beginning of a new understanding of a previously unexplored area of non verbal or visual communication. 

Matthew Corradetti, D.C. 

So I hope the new year is going well for you and that you are already on your way towards achieving your goals.

 Our site had some major technical difficulties for about 40days! give or take... However, we are back online and very happy about it. This post is just a quick update for you to make sure and check out the main page for some fun stuff happening at the office for February - Heart Healthy Month.  And also to draw your attention to the new tab at the top of the main page called Podacst - Living Insights.

 I'm very pleased to say that my podcast will have its official launch date this friday Feb 3, 2012! Episodes will be released twice per month.  It's a half hour show about health and wellness.  My cohost Lucia, and I review recent articles in the media, interview people and have discussion about relevant health topics. 

The purpose of the show is to inform, educate and motivate people (this means you) to make healthier lifestyle changes, just a little at a time.

We have fun putting it together and we know you'll have fun listening in!

 Check out the main page, listen in when the podcast goes live and enjoy.  Oh and don't forget to do something nice for your heart sometime this month.

 Have fun and stay safe!

Matthew

During the holidays, plenty of people will be trying to consider how to eat well and maintain some semblance of a healthy diet with all the treats, parties and get-togethers that are happening.  For this season, don't forget to consider healthy gift giving. This idea is best understood through gratitude.  A healthy dimension that is sometimes overlooked is gratitude for everything in your life.  At this time of giving and buying we can lose sight of the fact that many of us have more than what we need. While at the same time a lot of us have significant needs wanting.  Maybe have a chat with your family and loved ones about everything you need in life to survive - what you really need to survive and check that list against your current possessions. If you have more possessions than needs, first acknowledge with gratitude for all you have and then decide how you might help someone else meet their needs.  Perhaps a donation to the food-bank or your family could 'adopt a famly' for Christmas.  I'm not suggesting you deny your younger children a present, but I think you might be surprised and amazed at how much they will be excited about helping another family enjoy Christmas.  And, the lesson of gratitude will not be lost on them.  Adults tend to complicate ideas, but children, because they live in the moment are capable of simple wisdom.
Oh, and it is a good idea to be careful with your diet around the holidays (hint - think portion size). Truly appreciating everything in your life can help significantly reduce stress and increase your sense of well being. Try it.

Enjoy your holidays, be thankful, and be safe.
M. Corradetti D.C.

Lately the weather has been getting a little warmer and it's got me thinking about spring.  I realize this may be a little early - (especially with the weather), but nonetheless I always think a little forethought can be useful.  On the natural side of things, spring is about new growth and new life.  It's about a new awakening from the slumber of winter (sorry to get poetical). 

I  think it's a great time to think about what new physical activity or habit you're going to pick up and better yet what bad or negative habit are you going to substitute the new one in for.  That's getting two birds with one stone - Picking up a new habit in place of an older bad habit.

That's really the key to stopping something you don't like or know is not good for you.  Start something in it's place that you do like and know is good for you.

It always sounds easier said than done and in some respects this is true.  The key is to help yourself realize on a conscious level what you really get out of the bad habit.  If you can be honest with yourself about those reasons it will be easier to find a substitute habit that will not only be a good fit but one that is likely to succeed.

Case in point:  I have this bad habit of not always following through.  That is if I have a given task to complete.  If I can accomplish it within 24-48 hours of it first becoming known to me great.  If I tend to let something sit for 2 or 3 days, then it really starts to become 'ify' as to when or if at all it will be completed.  I'm talking about procrastination.  One of the new habits I am in the middle of implementing involves the principle of inertia.  

It works like this.  Take a task that you have been putting off and write down all the basic steps required to compete it.  If those steps require a particular sequence then order the steps appropriately.  Then take the first basic step and do it.  It doesn't matter how small or seemingly insignificant the step is - just do it.  Then take the next small step and work at that.  

By taking something that feels overwhelming and breaking it down to small discreet tasks you can make yourself busy with little steps that in fact will have you completing major projects.

In this way you have now replaced procrastination with action.  On the surface this sounds like a huge shift in habits, but now you know how to make that shift.  Similar shifts can also happen with any of your 'bad' habits.  This spring, why not clean up your habits and start with one and only one - see how it goes.  Pretty soon you will be on your way to making this year your healthiest yet.

Cheers!
Dr. Matt 

So last post we discussed how to minimize the toxic stress and take control of our food choices in our lives.  This post will look at the final stress, and the most important by far.  That is, Mental/emotional stress.  

A lot of things in life can influence how we feel.  But, what you have to realize is that how you feel directly influences how your body physically and chemically acts throughout the day.  That is, you thoughts and attitudes do directly influence your physical health.  This is a truth that has been proven by science again and again.  Yet it is usually the last thing we look to for causes or for correction of our health problems.  If you thought the meal plan was a powerful tool, the information about how badly mental/emotional stress can affect you and how to control and eliminate it will be earth shattering - and yet most times when I share this information with people they are completely underwhelmed.  I get comments like 'that's it?!' or 'that's so simple, it can't be the answer' or even better 'that's a load of horse hooey'.

First, you have to know how seriously this type of stress can affect you.  Are you aware that when you allow negative self - talk, or, going over an event or moment again and again - raises your level of a stress hormone called cortisol.  Cortisol is a wonderful hormone - when really needed.  It's a good short term solution when you consider our evolution, however in today's world it's list of actions is not all that desirable.  You see cortisol - raises blood pressure, increases the storage of food as fat, drives our adrenal glands constantly, and changes the chemistry in our brain so that chronic long-term exposure to cortisol is linked to Depression, Diabetes, Heart disease and yes even Cancer.

What I am saying is - long term exposure to mental/emotional stress (and the crap we all go through day to day qualifies) is directly linked to the all of the common chronic health conditions your parents, grandparents, coworkers and friends (and possibly you too) are suffering from.  With this kind of knowledge do you think it would be a good idea to minimize our exposure to cortisol in our body's system (yes it is!).

The secret to eliminating mental/emotional stress is that you do it to yourself.  You choose your attitudes, you choose your thoughts and most importantly you choose how to react to what happens to you.  Remember that most of the mental/emotional stress comes from our self talk about what someone said or did (sometimes it's even about things that haven't even happened).  When you choose to (re)act with anger, aggression, fear and anxiety you elevate your cortisol levels.  When you choose to respond with thoughtfulness, gratitude, excitement at a new opportunity, you body responds with lower or no exposure to cortisol (instead you may start to get endorphins - the feel good hormones).

It all sounds hokey, I know.  You've heard it all before, I know.  But it is a truth and with practice you can make it happen - Choose a better reaction to what happens to you.  If someone does something violent or illegal I am in no way suggesting you condone it, but you don't have to play victim, you can take the experience and make it what you want.  This is simple and powerful stuff.  I know there are naysayers who claim 'you can't' or 'it doesn't work'.  They are wrong.  Choosing an attitude of gratitude, using music or art or family and friends to help elevate your mood works.  It works to counteract what the mental/emotional stress does to your body chemically and physically.  Your focus determines your reality.

If you have any questions or need help with this one email me (drmattdc@rogers.com)

Cheers!