Chronic Medical Conditions

It’s possible that you aren’t following the best diet or exercise routine for your circumstances. If your metabolism is slowing with age, your current diet and exercise program may not take that into account. Sustained stress can also impact your weight in an unhealthy way.

Several medical conditions can contribute to weight gain or hinder weight loss, including Cushing’s syndrome (overproduction of cortisol by the adrenal glands), hypothyroidism (underproduction of thyroid hormones) ), insulin resistance, depression, and hormonal changes or imbalances in women (due to pregnancy, polycystic ovary syndrome, or menopause). Medicines can also complicate weight management. For example, many steroids such as prednisone, and birth control pills can cause weight gain. So can some medicines that treat depression and schizophrenia, epilepsy, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Physical or psychological problems can cause concentration difficulties. Anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, emotional trauma, and stress can interfere with concentration. So can sleep problems, certain medications, alcohol, or drugs. Mood problems can be caused by hormone imbalances, medical conditions such as diabetes or thyroid disorders, or develop after experiencing a difficult event, such as death of a loved one or divorce.

There are many possible causes of sleep problems, including stress, anxiety, depression, poor sleep habits, alcohol, circadian rhythm disorders (such as jet lag and shift work sleep disorder),  and medications., Chronic disorders such as heart failure, kidney disease, and hyperthyroidism can interfere with healthy sleep. Hormonal changes can also change and disrupt sleep patterns. Sleep problems seem to increase with age, and can simply be a natural result of aging.

As with many of these chronic health conditions, skin, nail, and hair problems can have many causes, both physical and psychological. Stress, hormone imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, and allergies are major sources of problems like these. Skin, nail, and hair issues can also be related to genetics, aging, medications, fungi, or a number of illnesses such as liver or lung disease and diabetes using products that expose your body to harsh chemicals can cause problems too.

Toxicity occurs when you have more than a safe level of certain chemicals in your body. Some metals, like lead, are toxic in any measurable amount. The most common culprits of metal toxicity are mercury, lead, cadmium, and arsenic. Other substances are only toxic when they reach excess tissue levels, including  trace minerals your body requires in small amounts such as zinc, copper, chromium, iron, and manganese.

Metal toxicity can be brought on by many things, including:

• Industrial exposure
• Air or water pollution
• Cigarette smoke
• Contaminated foods and water
• Overuse of mineral supplements
• Improperly coated food containers, plates, and cookware
• Deteriorating lead-based paint

There are two main reasons for nutritional deficiencies. Either your diet is lacking some essential nutrients or you aren’t absorbing thenutrients you consume effectively. Normally, you absorb most of your nutrients into your bloodstream through the walls of your small intestine. Poor absorption (malabsorption) can be caused by, infections, parasites, pancreatic disease, lactose intolerance, celiac disease (gluten intolerance), a lack of necessary enzymes, prolonged use of antibiotics, or any damage to the intestine.

The stress hormone cortisol is one suspect. Your body produces more cortisol, for example, when you don’t sleep well or you’re stressed out. Over time, high cortisol levels can cause serious damage to the immune system. Your immune system also can be weakened by certain medicines, smoking, alcohol, and poor nutrition. Infections such as the flu virus, mononucleosis, and measles can weaken the immune system for a short time, while chronic diseases may impact immunity more permanently.

• Low dose naltrexone —May boost your natural endorphins to trigger positive feelings; reduce insulin resistance; may increase growth hormone; modulate appetite; reduce inflammation; improve sleep; normalize thyroid function.
• Naltrexone/Oxytocin/Methylcobalamin — Oxytocin reduces cravings, makes you feel full faster, and encourages the body to use fat as fuel. Methylcobalamin or B12 helps your body convert fats and protein into energy.

• Low dose naltrexone — Shown to boost your natural endorphins to trigger positive feelings and reduce stressful thoughts and feelings.
• Oxytocin — Counters the effects of the stress hormone cortisol for a calming effect; also improves social skills and promotes bonding to help improve relationships; can help with sleep.
• Modafinil — Promotes wakefulness; can aid in concentration.

• Melatonin — May help with insomnia, jet lag, shift work sleep disorder, and establishing a consistent sleep-wake cycle.
• Modafinil — Promotes wakefulness; used to treat sleepiness caused by narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, or obstructive sleep apnea; can aid in concentration.

• Facial gels and creams — Designed to improve moisture, elasticity and firmness; even out skin tone; help fade age spots, freckles and darkened areas. Formulations are also available to treat acne, eczema, dermatitis, urticaria, psoriasis, and allergic reactions such as those to poison oak, poison ivy, and sumac.
• Antifungal formulations — Treat fungal nail infections.
• Hair loss — Minoxidil combinations and estrogen formulation treat hair loss in both men and women.

• Acetyl-Glutathione — Stimulates detoxification by transforming metals and other toxins into forms that are easily expelled by your cells and body; prevents toxins from crossing barriers into the brain and other vital organs.

• Low dose naltrexone —May relieve inflammation and boost your natural endorphins. Endorphins help regulate the immune system.