Blog Archive

Many women come to us with problems that are related to hormone imbalance. In most cases they have entered either perimenopause or menopause. However, many younger women suffer with premenstrual syndrome, heavy periods, uterine fibroids and/or fibrocystic breast disease. Those symptoms also indicate hormone imbalance. The cause is most often the inability to...

Cholesterol is a white, waxy, fatty component of our cell membranes, and a very important one at that. In addition to its role in maintaining healthy cell walls, cholesterol is needed by the body to make vitamin D and certain hormones. Cholesterol is also needed to make the bile acids...

Artherosclerosis (ath-er-o-skler-O-sis) is the process of progressive thickening and hardening of the walls of arteries from fat deposits on their inner lining. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood to your heart and other parts of your body. Atherosclerosis is a disease in which plaque (plak) builds up inside...

Statins are prescription drugs that reduce the production of cholesterol by the liver. The most popular statins are: RosuvastatinAtorvastatinSimvastatinPravastatin Concerns about Statins We understand that there is negative public sentiment about taking statins to achieve lipid lowering goals. The most common worries are that this medication is toxic to the liver and...

Integrative medicine combines conventional medicine with the practices and methods of alternative medicine. It’s a healing-based form of medicine that embraces the best of both medical worlds. The result is effective research-based treatment of even the most serious diseases. All providers at New Beginnings Health Care are practitioners of integrative...

People sometimes ask. “What’s the difference between an M.D. and a D.O.?” And “Do you practice manipulation?” I’m delighted to explain. First of all… Physicians and surgeons holding a degree as either Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) have the same responsibilities, rights and privileges. Both...

Niacin is vitamin B3. It occurs naturally in plants and animals, is present in many nutritional supplements, and is added to many foods. It’s important to note that this article is about using niacin therapeutically to treat a medical condition, not as a supplement to replace a deficiency. We use niacin...

This diagram shows the factors involved in assessing and treating cardiovascular health challenges. Click on the words below the diagram and you’ll be taken to the discussion of that topic.     Niacin Medication Healthy Lifestyle Cardiovascular Risk Identified Atherosclerosis (Plaque in Artery) Advanced Lipid Profile CIMT Elevated Cholesterol

Natural Treatments for Post-Menopausal Symptoms Narrowing down the discussion of post-menopausal symptoms and treatments requires the understanding of the complex set of variables within the female body. Hormone balance is more than just adding the hormones as a replacement, and taking that action alone can be dangerous. Addressing the concern of hormone...

Overcoming and Treating the “Catch-22” of Hashimoto’s Disease Most people have never heard of Hashimoto’s Disease (aka Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis).  The reason for the lack of recognition is that it is a slow-moving autoimmune and thyroid disease, with symptoms that gradually appear over time and are often attributed to one misdiagnosis or another....

The Four R’s to Repairing Your Leaky Gut A healthy gut means a healthy immune system. On the other hand, a leaky gut can be the cause of a wide range of autoimmune disorders, including everything from alopecia to diabetes to psoriasis. It can also lead to allergic reactions, infections,...

How to Treat Your UTI the Natural Way If you’re a woman, chances are you’ve already had a urinary tract infection (UTI), or will have one at some point in your life. They’re common infections that occur when bacteria enter your urinary system. In most cases, E. coli is the...

Are you deficient in magnesium? Did you know that around 80% of adults are believed to be deficient in magnesium? As magnesium is intercellular, it is not easy to assess hypomagnesemia (a lack of magnesium in the blood) by carrying out a simple blood test. The symptoms of hypomagnesemia Magnesium...

Four steps to recovery from long-term illness You’ve pretty much conquered that persistent health problem and are a long way down the road to recovery. But after many years of constant pain or regular flare-ups, you may be struggling to move on. If that’s you, don’t panic. Here are a few steps...

Is there a link between PCOS and SBHG? Studies have revealed that women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) usually present low levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). SHBG is believed to be linked to insulin resistance, which is frequently found in women with PCOS, so let’s take a look at the two conditions...

Handling estrogen imbalance: a case study A patient came to see me, reporting that she felt an increase in her interstitial cystitis (IC) symptoms when she was premenstrual. Aware that hormone imbalances can influence symptom flare-ups and can be instrumental in the development of disorders like IC, I decided to...

Can oral contraceptives cause sexual dysfunction? The birth control pill is one of the simplest and most readily available forms of contraception. Used by more than 10 million women in the US, oral contraceptives are used to prevent pregnancy, stabilize unpredictable cycles, and even to aid in the treatment of...

Bioidentical hormones versus adulterated synthetic hormones Hormone imbalance can cause all manner of problems in the body, from acne to tender breasts, heavy menstrual bleeding, and yeast infections. There are various ways to correct it but the most common is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). In this guide, we will discuss the...

Hormone Imbalance Women need the correct amount of estrogen for optimal health. Produced mainly in the ovaries, this hormone promotes female characteristics and development in the body. It helps to regulate the reproductive system and menstrual cycle as well as promote healthy bones. However, it’s possible to have too much...

Identifying Hormone Imbalance Hormones are chemical messengers that move through the body and coordinate a range of complex processes. As they are involved in almost every function of the body, a hormone imbalance can make you feel bloated, tired, stressed and depressed. Below are ten common symptoms that may indicate...

Why the (GI) Tract is linked to Illness It’s really important to understand how and why someone originally became ill. That way, we can better address the problem and help them recover as quickly as possible. No matter the issue, I believe it’s always helpful to start by improving gastrointestinal...

Taking an Integrative Approach to Medicine Over the years, I’ve come across various names for individuals who are practicing medicine that is alternative to mainstream methods. These individuals’ practices are holistic medicine, natural medicine, orthomolecular medicine, and integrative or functional medicine. Providers include medical doctors (MDs and DOs), chiropractors, Oriental...

Integrative Medicine As the physician owner and medical director at New Beginnings Health Care, an integrative medical practice in east San Diego County, I am passionate about providing an integrative approach to medicine. So what does that really mean?   Integrative medicine is holistic, taking into account the patient’s lifestyle choices and...