by Dr. Evelina Sodt, Integrative Care
Estrogen, from “estrus" - Greek οίστρος, meaning "sexual desire", refers to a group of chemically similar hormones, including estradiol (most abundant in adult females), estriol (produced during pregnancy) and estrone (produced during menopause). In females, estrogens are made by converting androgens into estrogens. The androgens are derived from cholesterol. The conversions from cholesterol to androgens and from androgens to estrogens are contingent upon key enzymes (aromatase; currently researched are its inhibitors for their potential to deter breast cancer development). Without aromatase, conversion cannot take place. The top seven foods that inhibit the conversion of androgens to estrogens are celery, red wine, red grapes, olive oil, white button mushrooms, oysters, cruciferous vegetables, and parsley. The most abundant estrogen, estradiol, triggers the release of serotonin and sensitizes the brain to dopamine and oxytocin -- the feel-good neurotransmitters. Too much estradiol can make us feel easily irritated. Too little can cause depression and severe insomnia. This explains why many women feel aggressive during ovulation and cannot sleep right before they get their period. Estradiol supplements can help sleeplessness. They can also help the bones, skin, insulin sensitivity, metabolism, and libido. Estrogen also affect skin thickness, moisture and wrinkle formation. When needed, for fluid balance and structural integrity, estrogens can increase the natural production of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), such as hyaluronic acid. They can also increase collagen -- the substance that supports epidermal thickness and allows the skin to remain plump, hydrated and toned. Estrogens have significant effects on skin physiology and modulate epidermal keratinocytes (skin cells), dermal fibroblasts (cell turnover) and melanocytes (pigment cells). Healthy estrogen production is essential for great skin and bone aging is significantly delayed in people with healthy estrogen levels. Besides helping your plump, healthy complexion, estrogens can also make your hair strong and beautiful, and your bones strong and healthy. During pregnancy, the anagen phase is prolonged; the hair is gorgeous and shiny. Plummeting estrogen levels cause thinning and falling hair, and sometimes significant hair loss, a condition known as telogen effluvium. Other foods that provide phytoestrogens include: legumes, flax seeds, sesame seeds, whole wheat, berries, oats, bulgur, buckwheat, lentils, yams, alfalfa, bean sprouts, apples, carrots, millet, pomegranates, cabbage, broccoli, arugula, kale, citrus, brown rice, ginseng, bourbon, beer hops, fennel seeds and anise. Herbs that provide phytoestrogens include: black cohosh (cimicifuga racemosa), licorice (glycyrrhiza glabra), dong quai (angelica sinensis), red clover (trifolium pratense), alfalfa (medicago sativa), ginseng (panax), kudzu root (puerariae lobata), etc. Special attention must be given to Rhodiola Rosea, which in numerous scientific studies has been shown to act as a potential selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). SERMs are used to prevent, delay and aid estrogen decline related psychological, cardiovascular and osteoporotic problems. Mounting evidence suggests that phytoestrogens may have protective properties against a large number of disorders, such as breast, prostate, colon, and other cancers, stroke, cardiovascular disease, menopause discomfort, mental illness and osteoporosis.
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11/1/2018 0 Comments Insomnia and the ThyroidMisdiagnosing thyroid conditions does not help the quest for proper discovery of root causes when it comes to sleeplessness. And one of the reasons why so many people are unable to properly diagnose their thyroid insufficiencies is the fact that many conventional medical doctors use outdated methods to evaluate thyroid function. Standard testing does not pick up a large percentage of the problem cases (these tests do not correlate with tissue levels of thyroid functioning, so this is a quantitative statement, not a random assessment). Saliva tests are notoriously inaccurate and must be read 4 times per day, with the average results taken into consideration. Even worse, many endocrinologists still go by TSH levels -- readings of a thyroid stimulating hormone produced by the pituitary gland. Since its function is to instruct the thyroid gland to make and secrete thyroid hormones, a high TSH indicates low thyroid hormone output because the pituitary gland is trying to increase thyroid gland hormone production. For example, when blood levels of thyroxine drop, the pituitary will send TSH to the thyroid gland, in an effort to cause the thyroid to increase thyroxine production. On the other hand, when TSH is low, thyroid hormones are often high. The pituitary slows down its stimulation of the thyroid gland in order to decrease thyroid hormone output. People often have thyroid conditions, while their TSH is within normal range, however. Although conventional diagnosis may state that there is no deficiency of thyroid hormone, other thyroid factors or adrenal fatigue may be at play. We know that T4 and T3 (thyroid hormones) can be low or high while a patient’s TSH is normal, therefore performing a TSH test alone misses finding thyroid hormone imbalances. Even if you get a Free T4 test which tells how much T4 hormone is being released, it must be converted in the tissues of the body to T3 in order to be activated. If the conversion of T4 to T3 is impaired, the result again may be a normal TSH, yet there is a sluggish (hypothyroid) condition in the tissues. Free T3 must be measured directly because a T3 deficiency can result in a sluggish thyroid. A T3 deficiency is not typically captured by TSH or T4 tests. In addition, a hormone called reverse T3 (rT3), can be produced from the conversion of T4. Reverse T3 is not active but it binds to the T3 receptor and can decrease its activity. High rT3 levels are another potential cause of low thyroid functioning, even in the presence of normal thyroid hormone levels. In the past, a low basal body temperature was the primary mode for diagnosis (the "Broda Barnes" technique). This method has been disproved however, as studies showed that normal body temperatures can vary more widely than previously described. If obtaining a correct diagnosis weren’t tricky enough, adding complexity to the issue is the fact that even when a patient is diagnosed with hypothyroidism, for example, most doctors will treat the disorder with T4 medications such as Levoxyl or Levothyroxine. This treatment can cause the patient’s lab results to appear normal while the hypothyroidism rages on. Hyperthyroidism (a stampeding thyroid) is the flip coin of hypothyroidism (a sluggish thyroid). Hyperthyroidism sometimes occurs as a precursor of hypothyroidism. Characterised by insomnia, anxiety, high blood pressure, diarrhea, high heart rate and sometimes weight loss, hyperthyroidism often goes by undiagnosed. The external forces that govern hypo and hyper tyroidism may be the same in both instances. And your genes do not define your health. They define your predispositions. The choice to feed these predispositions is entirely yours. If there is a present or suspected thyroid issue, know that a comprehensive test must include Free T4, Free T3, reverse T3, sex hormone binding globulin (SHGB), leptin, basal metabolic rates and computerized measurement of tissue thyroid levels. The treatment options must be customized and with bioidentical thyroid hormone combinations of T4, T3, and time-released T3. Remember Levoxyl and Levothyroxine address T4 only. A list of nutritional considerations that can help regulate thyroid balance, support a healthy metabolism, improve energy and brighten up the mood must also be included as an important part of the treatment course. The following, sometimes easy to address factors, can affect your thyroid:
In addition to keeping an eye on a normal TSH, T3 and T4, proper conversion, time-released T3 and regular rT3, sex hormone binding globulin (SHGB), leptin, basal metabolic rates and computerized measurement of tissue thyroid levels, one must make consistent and systematic observations of overall health, nutrition intake, and meditation. It is well established that stress and insomnia lead to thyroid irregularities. The opposite is also true -- thyroid problems lead to insomnia, as the gland controls our bodies' ability to cope with pressure. Small stresses spiral down our thoughts, we start obsessing over things that may or may not happen, and full-blown anxiety ensues. Keeping our bodies in check through education, nutrition, and self-care (massages, facials, acupuncture, yoga, etc.) is not a privilege. We owe it to ourselves and those around us. The thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland located in the nape of your neck, lies below the Adam’s apple, along the front of the windpipe. It has two side lobes, connected by a bridge in the middle. The thyroid has a senior management position in the body. The VP, however, is the pituitary gland, which answers to a division of the brain called the hypothalamus. Your hormones are the communications managers. There guys slide down the bloodstream and lymph fluids, communicating with every cell to deliver a message. They tell the cell if it needs to be consuming more oxygen and nutrients, if it needs to step up its rate of metabolism, conserve energy, cool down, etc. These hormones can also stimulate heart muscle contraction, nerve function, growth rates and brain development. The reasons why we hear about the thyroid all the time is because of the ubiquity of disorders present today. Hypothyroidism is omnipresent. It refers to decreased secretions of hormones from the thyroid gland. The two main thyroid hormones are triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). These hormones are created in the thyroid gland from iodine and the amino acid tyrosine. Thyroid conditions are aided by pesticides, endocrine disruptors, stress, pollution, homes filled with toxic chemicals, food loaded with harmful substances, bodies lacking movement, mineral deficiencies and stomachs filled with junk. The accelerated prevalence of these conditions is disturbing. In childhood, adequate thyroid hormone levels are crucial for physical and brain development. They are severe and easy to spot. In adults, symptoms like anxiety, irritability, insomnia, stomach issues, inability to ward off viruses and bacteria, depression, hot flashes, heart palpitations, sensitivity to cold, muscle or joint aches, brain fog, poor memory, brittle hair and nails, shortness of breath, thinning hair, PMS, chronic yeast infections, low libido, infertility, acne, skin conditions, osteoporosis, weight gain and fatigue can point to thyroid or adrenal conditions. Hypothyroidism causes a condition called myxedema, swelling of the skin and underlying tissues. The symptoms of myxedema range from weakness, lethargy, and headache to slow speech, angina (heart pain), shortness of breath and puffiness caused by water retention. Thyroid deficiency can also cause anemia, infertility, cold intolerance, fatigue, constipation, weight gain, menstrual irregularities, memory and concentration challenges, decreased muscular activity, low blood pressure and goiter (enlarged thyroid gland). Thyroid conditions often have coexistent low adrenal levels. Moreover, treating the thyroid with synthetic drugs and the resultant increased metabolism may exacerbate the low adrenal problem. Hormonal interaction is key, as the adrenal hormones assist in the proper functioning of the thyroid. Thyroid functioning responds well to good nutrition and homeopathic remedies, as the major underlying factors that are not being addressed in today’s treatments are acidosis and toxin overload. This holistic treatment course requires unwavering commitment, dedication and stringent disallowance for dietary deviations (even one bite counts). The word “moderation” must also exit one’s vocabulary, as what moderation means to one is different than what it means to another. The good news is, your body will become accustomed to your healthy lifestyle (once you conquer the sabotaging voices of addiction in your head), and your life may change in beautiful ways you never even contemplated. In time, your outlook, enthusiasm for life, sex drive, health and appearance may also be re-energized. Isn't that worth striving for? 10/29/2018 0 Comments How Do Antioxidants Protect Us
10/26/2018 0 Comments Your Genes Do Not Define YouWe know that toxins, food and stress influence our well-being. Why is it so easy for us to succumb to the idea that our chronic conditions are simply inherited through our DNA -- the hereditary material passed on from generation to generation?
Let's decode this mysterious harbinger of destiny. Almost all of our cells have the same DNA, which is located in the cell nucleus or sometimes in the in the mitochondria. The DNA stores information in four chemical bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T). Human DNA consists of about 3 billion bases and their order or sequence determines the available genetic information. That information encodes proteins that dictate cell function. In other words, the genes expression determines what that cell can do. So if we carry a gene for a certain disease, we are doomed, right? Not quite. Turns out genes can be read or not read. The science of the controls that determine whether genes are expressed is called epigenetics. Epigenetics determines what our DNA blueprints will become. Epigenetic changes occur when we damage our cells through things like smoking, environmental toxins, pollutants, drugs, alcohol, sleeplessness, anger, and nutrition. Same is true in reverse: repair occurs when we meditate, eat well, engage in activities that nourish our spirit, experience love, and feel gratitude. In short, our environment has the ability to switch our genes on or off, and that is grand, empowering, and inspiring. Furthermore, epigenetic changes can be passed onto our children. How we eat, talk, move, feel, breathe, and perceive the world can actually alter our genetic blueprint and remain in our generational legacy. Do you remember the publicized Emory University experiments, where mice were shocked with electricity every time a cherry blossom scent was sprayed into the air? They developed a fear of cherry blossom aroma and their children were born with an inherited fear of cherry blossom aroma as well. The baby mice were even born with more cherry-blossom-detecting neurons in their noses. Their brains had more space devoted to cherry blossom smelling as well. Every time cherry blossom scent was sprayed, these inherently conditioned babies experienced fear and anxiety, although it was their parents who were conditioned to associate the smell with pain. Their genetic blueprint was changed through their environment. Meeri Kim's article on this topic was published in the Health and Science section of the Washington Post on December 7th, 2013. It did make me wonder if human moms can change their children's DNA by consciously acquiring protective fears they want their children to have. This is exciting. It carries an element that we no longer have to feel slighted by your genes. The power has shifted from our DNA to our minds, environment, and plate. To learn more on the subject, please look into Dr. Bruce Lipton's work. His books offer more than sound science and evidence. They are charged with self-responsibility and empowerment. We have the power to shape the days of our lives. We even have the power to shape the future of our children. That's humbling and grand. The endocrine system comprises a number of glands in the body including ovaries, testes, thyroid, parathyroid, thymus, the adrenal and pituitary glands, the pineal gland, the pancreas and the cells releasing hormones found in the kidneys, heart, gastrointestinal tract, and the placenta. What makes the endocrine glands so powerful is their ability to secrete hormones, substances that behave as chemical messengers, uniquely equipped with the mechanisms to enter the capillaries and the lymph vessels by traveling through the bloodstream. Their journey ends at a specific port knowns as a receptor. Once a hormone locks onto a receptor, it can carry out actions responsible for things like growth, love, empathy, reproduction, sex drive, metabolism, emotional outlook, organ functioning, body temperature, water/salt balance, adrenaline response, skin conditioning, ability to cope with stress and much, much more. Examples of hormones secreted by the endocrine system include ACTH, ADH, adrenaline, noradrenaline, estrogen, testosterone, thyroid hormones, etc., etc. The body is an amazing apparatus, a marvel of creation with perfect bits and moving parts that interlock, support one another and engage in constant, active self-repair to bring the body back to balance. The medical journals call that balance homeostasis. ACTHs (adrenocorticotropic hormones) help the body manage stress, control blood sugar levels, reduce inflammation, maintain good blood pressure and contribute to the workings of the immune system. They are produced by the pituitary gland, as are the ADH hormones, also known as antidiuretic hormones and vasopressin. These hormones tell the kidneys how much water to conserve by stimulating water reabsorption. And everyone is consciously or subconsciously aware of what adrenaline and noradrenaline (epinephrine and norepinephrine) do to us. These neurotransmitters/hormones evoke flight or fight responses where needed, and they supercharge our bodies' defense mechanisms. They are produced by the adrenal gland to help regulate our heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, blood clotting rate, etc., when we are under duress. Obviously, we also have estrogen, testosterone, thyroid hormones and others that are all interconnected within the body. For example, estrogen controls the movement of magnesium to tissues. Sluggish movement may influence the production of melatonin -- a sleep regulating hormone. The result? Insomnia. This is an oversimplified version, as there are thousands of interactions, catalysts, vitamins and minerals that all get triggered. My goal is to point at this marvelous mechanism we sum up as life, by calling attention to its perfection and complexity. The symptoms of glandular dysfunction are different in each individual, depending on genetic predisposition. The most common symptoms -- unexplained weight gain and fatigue, may not be your primary symptoms, therefore understanding the above may give you additional insight or perhaps guide your doctor in the right direction. Seek your physician’s expertise, as many of these symptoms may be signs of completely unrelated conditions or environmental factors. That said, you should also listen to your body and engage your inner knowing to help your doctors determine the cause for your aches, pains or general malaise. Harmful substances can disrupt the normal functioning of the endocrine system by mimicking a natural hormone (locking onto a receptor within the cell and causing an incongruent bodily response), by giving off a signal stronger than the needed natural hormone (thus causing chemical confusion) or by giving off a signal that occurs at the wrong time. They can also plug cell receptors, pushing the correct hormones out of the way, and making the body unable to respond correctly. The disruptors can also interfere with the way natural hormones are produced. This occurs only when relatively large doses of the disruptors are present. That is how most people become aware of their hormonal imbalances. Insomnia is twice more common in women than it is in men. It is one of the first warning tones we get. We know our sleeplessness occurs during certain times of the month (usually right before menarche) and it may be preceded by cravings and stress. Insomnia may be caused by a wide number of factors. Hormonal imbalance may also be caused by a number of factors. Understanding what's going on is the first step toward creating a plan that addresses root causes as well as symptoms. 10/24/2018 0 Comments Taking Charge of Our HealthWe live in a world made of magic...with bodies -- divine, spirits -- connected. The chemical song that forms our being evokes fascination. We bask in it daily without reparations. Just scratching the surface, we sense and endure biochemical eruptions, professed through breathing, emotion, desire, stress, love, growth, weight, skin, etc. The air around us is not just air. Once welcomed and processed by our biochemicals, it becomes an entity of life, sustenance, and healing. The water we drink is not just hydration. It’s a pathway, a movement that carries and cleanses. The food that we eat is not a social gathering routine. It’s fuel, a form of emotion, a spirit of healing. Non-metaphorical, physical healing. Directly connected to this ethereal existence is our personal energy field, our individual biosphere that carries a combination of what we eat, drink, feel, think and do. This ether is permeated with our biochemistry, infused and swayed by tiny chemical messengers called hormones. They tell our bodies to breathe, contract, love, like, taste, smell, enjoy, remember, nourish, brace for impact, hydrate, dry out, swell, cool off, conserve energy, expand, shut down, and protect. They are the divine collection of chemicals. They are you. Our senses unconsciously pick up temperatures, smells, irritants, pollutants, sounds, colors, textures and shapes. The mind processes them without approval or permission, filters the information through our body chemistry with the hypothalamus sending orders to the pituitary and the pituitary sending instructions to the thyroid, which in turn activates a collective of chemicals called hormones. They slide down blood and lymph vessels, reaching all parts of our bodies, in order to mobilize cellular response. And all of this is done in the name of keeping the ecosystem in check, happy, healthy, and protected. Ever wonder why we are so big, sick, lethargic, lifeless, sleep deprived, drab and depressed? Why is hypothyroidism so pervasive? Why skin conditions and thinning hair are the norm? Endocrinology offices are filled with surrendered souls willing to succumb to the idea that their conditions are incurable. And some may be, but do you think that the general public is aware of the limitations modern endocrinology faces? Are we collectively aware of the cumulative impact that our food, water, cosmetics, clothing, varnish, paint, cleaning agents, perfumes and containers have on us? We must educate ourselves and focus on what we can do to cleanse and support our bodies in order to negate the harmful effects of our wounded environment, air, water and food. To be able to neutralize these harmful toxins decisively, we must understand how the pieces of the puzzle fit together, how the endocrine system works, and what its worst offenders are. Chemicals penetrate our brain barriers through smell. The products we use and wear are readily absorbed by our skin. They enter the bloodstream almost immediately upon contact, and we now know that the smallest of exposure can become a large problem. The research is clear and hard to ignore: tiny, yet chronic repeat offenders fueled by stress and fattened by bad food can have a detrimental effect on our neurological, immune and endocrine systems. We have always known that our toxic environment affects our health, but the harm thus far has been understated, skirted around, and hidden behind medication commercials depicting happy, healthy people, who face their days with the help of pretty little pills. The part that is missing is that those pills will be much more effective (or even may become unnecessary) if we rested better, slept through the night, ate well, and got plenty of fresh air, movement and sunshine. Evelina Sodt is a PhD with a Doctorate in Natural Medicine. She does not cure, prevent, diagnose or treat any conditions. As a Cornell University trained nutrition expert and board certified holistic health practitioner (HHP), she promotes wellness and optimal health through nutrition, herbs, biofeedback and technology. Dr. Sodt is located at the clock tower on Main Street in Warwick, NY. She can be reached at 845.244.0679. 10/23/2018 0 Comments The Truth About CancerIf you go into the medical field, you are most likely a compassionate person who wants to help. There is much that can be said about the shortfalls of the profession, marred with its contradictory research, special interest sponsorships, vested interest in unnecessary treatments, etc., etc. That said, let’s not throw the baby out with the bathwater. We have come a long way, folks. People used to die en masse from simple infections, scarlet fever and the flu, and legs were chopped off, while the patients drank whiskey and chewed on pieces of rope. So where am I going with this? Those of you who are familiar what what I do, know that every October, I volunteer for Breast Cancer awareness, so when I finished my doctorate in natural medicine, people inquired if I did naturopathic cancer coaching. I don’t and right now, I don’t even want to consider it. Prompted by Ty Bollinger’s 11-series The Truth About Cancer film, more and more people began looking for natural alternatives. Firstly, I do believe that the filmmaker comes from a place of love. But danger lies in false hope. The remedies and protocols are all over the place and they are not panaceas. In other words, please listen to your doctor. That is not to say that natural cures don’t work all together. I myself know people who implemented lifestyles of whole-food plant-based eating, coupled with herbs, meditation and movement (with or without chemo) and achieved spectacular results. You also probably know some Chipsa and Hoxsey Hospital survivors, Gerson Therapy thrivers, Kempner Rice Diet people, Otto Warburg Alkaline Diet followers, and so on. The whole point is that natural medicine should not exclude traditional MDs. The opposite should be true as well. These are complementary, not mutually exclusive disciplines. Unfortunately, abuse exists in both, so being an informed patient is important. Read, read, read. Don’t look at YouTube videos of a guy selling apricot pits because they “cured” his carcinoma. Do look at some studies on laetrile maybe (this is just an example as I do not promote B17 or laetrile remedies), supplement with guidance and care, and know that science has a lot to say about phytonutrients. Look into Dr. T. Colin Campbell’s 50-year research on plant-based eating if you wish, but know that cancer is a strong beast. My grandmother was a holistic healer who viewed all afflictions as entities. She would say that this demon’s power also lays in its collective lesser demons such as continual low-grade stress, hormones of anxiety born in the brain and rushing down your bloodstream, oxidative stress caused by environmental toxins, fear, worry, angst, insecurity, unease, etc., etc. She would also say that your angels must grow stronger, fueled by the earth, easy-to-digest natural foods, sunshine, and love. Sounds folksie and unscientific, but is it? Personifying ailments may not be for the faint of heart, but looking at disease multidimensionally, addressing intuition, beliefs and feelings -- and subsequently the harmful and healing chemicals produced by our bodies -- cleaning up toxic agents from our environment as much as we can, eating well, and getting fresh air should not be difficult concepts to grasp. I believe that you should take your MD or NP prescribed medications, read, meditate, commune with nature, rest fully and love deeply, and that the rest will follow. Do I know the truth about cancer? No, no one does. That truth changes for each individual. Follow the voice within your soul and I will respect that voice, even if I don't agree with it. To your health! Evelina Sodt is a PhD with a Doctorate in Natural Medicine. She does not cure, prevent, diagnose or treat any conditions. As a Cornell University trained nutrition expert and board certified HHP (Holistic Health Practitioner), she promotes wellness and optimal health through nutrition, herbs, biofeedback and technology. Dr. Sodt is located at the clock tower on Main Street in Warwick, NY. She can be reached at 845.244.0679. 10/16/2018 0 Comments Interview With Dr. SodtAs Dr. Evelina Sodt, PhD is joining Maryann Ryan’s practice in November, I sat down to ask her a few questions, in order to inform patients as to who Dr. Sodt is and why they may want to see her. For one, she is kind and personable. She is also extremely knowledgeable on a wide variety of subjects, from herbs and nutrition to biofeedback and anti-inflammatory technologies.
Lisa: Dr. Sodt, in these times of excesses -- from toxins to over-processed food, it seems like you are here to offer drug-free, side-effect free options. You present a natural complement that empowers our patients and helps them take charge of their health. Is that a proper assessment? Dr. Sodt: Yes, it is. Thank you, Lisa. I want to make sure that people address root causes, rather than symptoms, but I also want to make that they do it in a responsible manner, without ignoring their doctor’s advice, skipping visits or depending on natural remedies only. Lisa: What are your favorite methods of healing? Dr. Sodt: As a Naturopathic Practitioner, I address not only the physical, but also the mental, supramental and vital bodies of an individual. The science is clear -- our thoughts, emotions and belief systems prompt our brains to release thousands of chemicals that can make us sick...or heal us. I also address the physical with the use of biophysics and technology. No medications. Lisa: How do you achieve that? Dr. Sodt: Through a combination of medicinal herbs, amino acids, whole, plant-based foods, high frequency, ultrasound, negative ions, ozone, aromatherapy, bioresonance, and biofeedback. Each client has a specific energetic signature and my approach takes that into account. Lisa: That’s quite a lot. Dr. Sodt: Yes, it is. I have created a comprehensive approach to healing that engages the parasympathetic (restore and regenerate) system in a beautiful, serene environment. There is no greater satisfaction than having a patient who does not want to leave the office. Most importantly, the effectiveness is there. Lisa: Can you tell us a little bit more about Biofeedback? Dr. Sodt: Yes, biofeedback is one of the fastest growing technological advancements of self-healing. Used by Olympic athletes to help them achieve laser-sharp focus on demand, this is a modality that has become accessible to the general public and is taking the world by a storm. To me, it is much more than a self-repair empowerment tool. Biofeedback can bring us into the world of stillness, where we are alone with ourselves. Repeated practice has shown to lead us down a path of self-discovery, deep development of intuition, meditative states, and fundamental creativity that allows us to assign a new purpose and a favorable outcome for our stress-related conditions. It is FDA approved for stress. Harvard University has done extensive research on the subject and I encourage everyone to take a further look. It’s truly revolutionary. Real-time, technological data supports the claims. It’s absolutely evidence based. Lisa: Yes, and celebrities like Dr. Bruce Lipton, Dr. Deepak Chopra and Dr. Joe Dispenza have popularized biofeedback as a tool to help us chart our destiny? Is that overdone? Dr. Sodt: No, not at all. I am very happy that the What The Bleep movie brought awareness to the power of our thoughts as a method for self-healing. If you look at Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda, you will find many similarities as well, as meridians and chakras correspond to organs and emotions. I also like that the positive thought movement is being challenged as “just think positive thoughts” is absolutely not enough. Lisa: In what sense is positive thought not enough? Dr. Sodt: Well, psychology tells us that 95% of our dailiness is repeated patterning we have acquired before the age of 6. If only 5% of our behavior is conscious, how is positive thought alone enough? We need to literally reprogram our deepest subconscious beliefs. There is a lot more here, but that would be a whole hour on its own. Lisa: Are there other conditions that can be helped in your office? Dr. Sodt: Yes, absolutely. Since 75%-90% of all chronic conditions including inflammation, high-blood pressure, high cholesterol, non-alcoholic fatty liver, anxiety, depression, diabetes, heart disease, infertility...are related to stress, addressing stress is my primary goal. In addition, with a psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, a therapist and a hypnotist on premises, we have a comprehensive support system that addresses stress and anxiety from every direction. It’s a wonderful healing place. Lisa: And how did you get here? Dr. Sodt: I took the path of the wounded warrior (laughs*). The ancients felt that shamans must walk the path before they lead others to balance. I spent 20 years in the corporate world, fighting stress demons before deciding to study nutrition to heal myself in 2011. It was a long, arduous journey of disciplined trial and error but I succeeded, and here I am today, following my heart’s purpose. Lisa: Can you tell us where you can be reached? Dr. Sodt: Absolutely. I can be reached at 845.244.0679, at [email protected] or via Facebook @ANaturalApproachToHealing. I am honored and privileged to be of service to this wonderful community. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. |
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