We hope all of you are staying well during these unforeseen times. We wanted to provide an update on the COVID 19 virus procedures at Louisville Lifestyle Medicine. First, WE ARE OPEN. We are a healthcare facility and will remain open through this epidemic. We did send out a notice regarding ill patients and will continue to follow guidelines to triage ill patients by phone initially and then determine if there is a need to visit the office. Fortunately, for those that have Medicare, this will be a covered option for any office visit (i.e. following up for high blood pressure). If you have Medicare and have an appointment scheduled within the next two months, then call the office and we can covert that appointment to a telehealth visit if you would like. Second, we are following and exceeding all CDC guidelines with regards to sanitizing equipment, furniture, countertops, door handles, employee protocols, etc. in the building. As many of you have seen, we have a large facility and this allows for all in the building to follow the social distancing guidelines due to our patient schedule. Third, we do encourage patients to continue following up for their regularly scheduled office visits. This promotes better health for our patients and decreases the risk of adverse effects of COVID 19 in the event someone would be infected. Fourth, while many of us will NOT be infected by COVID 19, there are some significant health risks that will be associated with the social distancing policies. This includes a lowered immune system, weight gain, limited activity, psychosocial issues, anxieties, depressions, panic attacks, and cardiac issues. If you are experiencing any of these issues, then please call the office so we can help. Here are some suggested health boosting tips: Taking a probiotic on a daily basis helps boost the immune system. Entero-CR has graciously offered a special discount to our patients for their pharmaceutical grade probiotics. Visit Entero-CR.com and type in discount code: GUT502. Take the time to go outside on a daily basis. This is a very helpful stress reduction technique. Enjoy fresh air, take in nature, and leave thoughts at home. Eat more vegetables and fruits. This will provide you with important nutrients to help boost your overall health and keep the weight down. Avoid inflammatory foods like sugars, processed meats, red meats, dairy, and highly processed carbohydrates. This can lead to a worsening of depressions and anxieties. Since gyms are closed you will need to find other forms of exercise. A walk around the neighborhood will help. Even body weight exercises such as pushups, lunges, and sit ups will help keep the muscles tone. For those who had the excuse of no time to exercise, well here is your chance. Exercise improves endorphins by up to 40%.  Financial strains will be a problem for many. This can lead to anxieties, depression, panic attacks, and unfortunately suicide thoughts. If you are experiencing any of these issues, then please call our office for assistance. If you have any thoughts of suicide please call Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 . The website is suicidepreventionlifeline.org for online chat and texting information. Remember will all need help at this time and asking for assistance is normal. The Staff at LLM We are Covid-19 Testing - Contact our office to get scheduled!

Protein from plant sources was given a bad rap in a popular 1971 book, Diet for a Small Planet. In it, the author stated that plant foods are deficient in some of the essential amino acids, so in order to be a healthy vegetarian, you needed to eat a combination of certain plant foods at the same time in order to get all of the essential amino acids in the right amounts. This is called the theory of “protein complementing.” We now know that intentional combining is not necessary to obtain all of the essential amino acids. As long as the diet contains a variety of grains, legumes, and vegetables, protein needs are easily met. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein for the average adult is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. So, to calculate out your average individual need, perform the following calculation: Body weight (in pounds) x 0.36 = recommended protein intake (in grams). This value has a large margin of safety, and the body’s true need may be lower for most people. Protein needs are increased for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. In addition, needs are also higher for very active persons. High-protein diets have been greatly publicized over recent years. However, these diets are supported by little scientific research and can actually contribute to disease and other health problems including: Osteoporosis, cancer, impaired kidney function, and heart disease. Would you like to learn more about making a whole food plant based diet a part of your lifestyle, call us at (502)365-4545 and make an appointment.

With this loss we can suffer from symptoms like decreased energy and sex drive, poor sleep, unwanted mood changes and loss of clarity of thought. We offer bioidentical hormone replacement therapy to replace those hormone levels! Reach your optimal health with us! Call today at 502-365-4545!

We have received numerous requests asking about the Hepatitis A. Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable, communicable disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). It is usually transmitted person-to-person through the fecal-oral route or consumption of contaminated food or water. It is a self-limited disease that does not result in chronic infection. Antibodies produced in response to hepatitis A infection last for life and protect against reinfection. Among older children and adults, infection is typically symptomatic. Symptoms usually occur abruptly and can include the following: Fever Fatigue Loss of appetite Nausea Vomiting Abdominal painDark urine Clay-colored stools Joint pain Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) Seventy percent of infections in children younger than age 6 are not accompanied by symptoms. When symptoms are present, young children typically do not have jaundice. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends hepatitis A vaccination for the following people: All children at age 1 year Travelers to countries where hepatitis A is common Family and caregivers of adoptees from countries where hepatitis A is common Men who have sexual encounters with other men Users of recreational drugs, whether injected or not People with chronic or long-term liver disease, including hepatitis B or hepatitis C People with clotting-factor disorders People with direct contact with others who have hepatitis A Any person wishing to obtain immunity (protection) The best way to prevent hepatitis A infection is to get vaccinated.

Do you have a runny nose or itchy, watery eyes? Do you frequently cough or sneeze? Do you often have headaches or fatigue? You could be suffering from seasonal allergies. There are more than 3 million cases of seasonal allergies in the US each year. Grass, pollen, and mold are the most common culprits. Seasonal allergies can make you feel miserable, but they don't have to! The symptoms are treatable. Call our office at 502-365-4545 to find out how! Don't suffer through an another spring!

The title of the May 8th PBS Newshour is "To improve patient diets, the doctor is in... the kitchen." It goes on to state that more and more doctors are using the kitchen as the place to prescribe a powerful medicine, healthy food. Poor diets are linked to many deaths from preventable diseases. Research has found that changing diet and becoming more active can be more effective than medication in preventing disease. Correspondent Allison Aubrey states that "the most recent evidence comes from a study published in 'The Journal of the American Medical Association.' Researchers found that, here in the United States, about one out of every two deaths from heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes is linked to a poor diet. That’s 1,000 deaths every day." A recent study by the National Institutes of Health, with collaborators at 27 sites across the country, found that changing the diet and becoming more active can be more effective than medication in preventing the disease. Are you tired of your primary care doctor handing you prescriptions and not counseling you on nutrition and exercise? Give us a call at (502) 365-4545, we use a holistic approach to healthcare!

As of January 12th the Department of Pubic Health states that the flu is now widespread in Kentucky - The state's public health commissioner, Hiram C. Polk, Jr., said in a news release Thursday. “We urge anyone who hasn’t received a flu vaccine, particularly those at high risk for complications related to the flu, to check with local health departments or other providers.” Getting a flu shot is recommended for people ages 6 months and older. Some individuals at high risk for developing flu-related complications include children younger than 5, especially those younger than 2; older adults; pregnant women; people living in long-term care facilities; and people who have certain chronic medical conditions, such as asthma and heart disease, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Good hygiene is essential to protect yourself. Wash your hands frequently and cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze. Stay home if you are sick. If you are sick you can shorten the duration of symptoms if you catch it within the first 48 hours. Call our office today 502-365-4545 to schedule a shot or treatment!!!