How our environment interacts with our genetic makeup plays a significant role in our health and our ability to fight disease. While we all have our own unique genetic make-up, not all of our genes are activated and working. Many genes, while present, are turned off and not functioning. The interaction with our environment is a big part of what determines which genes are turned on. This subject is the focus of the emerging area of medicine known as Epigenetic Medicine. The food that we eat is a significant part of our exposure and interaction with our environment. Food allergies can cause problems with metabolism, energy level, and even severe pain. Surgery and pharmaceutical drugs are good for removing and/or controlling disease. For our patients who want to go beyond disease management and truly achieve optimal health, nutrition and lifestyle therapy are essential factors in achieving their goals. We are so committed to this aspect of a patient's overall health that we have included a nutritionist and health coach as part of our health care team. (Nova Epigenetic Video #1).
At Vital Health Institute, we know that the body is a web of interconnected systems. We treat the person as a whole, believing that an integrative approach to women's health is the most effective course of medical care.
Why is Diet Important?
- Food choices have a very clear impact on health. Making smart food choices can have a positive effect on your health.
- Nutrigenomics is an exciting area of science that looks at the relationship of food on a molecular level, and the effect food has on the expression of genes.
- Epigenetics is an area of science focusing on processes regulating how and when certain genes are turned on and turned off. (Nova Epigenetic Video #2)
- Epigenetic processes control normal, or in the case of disease, abnormal growth and development.
- Throughout a person's life, diet and exposure to environmental chemicals can cause certain genes to be expressed (turned on or turned off).
- The phytochemicals that come from our diet are important because they affect our genetics on a cellular level.
- The comprehensive approach of all treatment modalities, including diet and lifestyle, traditional medical and minimally invasive surgery when indicated, are providing optimal results for our patients.
The Importance of Insulin Signaling
- Insulin signaling (function) is controlled by the macro and micronutrients which are derived from the foods we eat, as well as exercise and stress hormones.
- Altered insulin signaling can be the cause of one or more health imbalances.
- Normalization of insulin signaling can lead to the resolution of multiple symptoms.
Vital Health Institute is a Certified Therapeutic Lifestyle Center of Excellence
- Vital Health Institute is the only medical physician-based Certified Theraputic Lifestyle Center of Excellence in the South Bay area.
- Dr. Cook, Lene Joy and Linda Mavity, NP are all certified First Line Therapy practitioners.
- Vital Health Institute's program provides you with nutrition and lifestyle knowledge and tools.
- Lene Joy, as a Registered Nutritional Practitioner and health coach, provides one-on-one counseling to assess and support you in your progress.
- Bio-impedance Analysis (BIA) testing provides information on several body biomarkers related to body composition.
- The FirstLine Therapy® program is used to treat many illnesses and reduce the risk of serious health conditions, such as: diabetes, osteoporosis, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high and low blood sugar, fatigue, hormone imbalance, low libido, and lack of mental clarity.
- Based on current scientific research and concepts, FirstLine Therapy has been proven effective in controlled clinical studies.
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