Food is at the very center of everything that we do. The nourishment obtained from food is what keeps our body strong, fit, and healthy.
Digestion is an important part of our overall well-being. It’s intricately tied to a healthy immune system and the ability to fight disease. The gut microbiome, which is composed of hundreds of billions of bacteria and viruses residing in our intestines, is often referred to as our “second brain” because these friendly bugs produce and release brain chemicals such as serotonin that is directly linked to our mental health and improvement of depression and anxiety. That’s why unhealthy diets may worsen those symptoms.
At The Kaplan Center we don’t think of digestion as just the mechanics of eating. Digestion is a whole-body process. When looking for solutions to treat digestive problems, that’s exactly how we view it.
Imbalances in the digestive system
Digestive disorders in the United States are on the rise, and along with it the sales of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and supplements. Self-medication and self-supplementation may also be a contributing factor to the exacerbation of certain conditions and can sometimes cause more harm than good. It is always encouraged to check with your healthcare provider prior to taking OTC drugs and supplements.
Symptoms related to the Gastrointestinal System (GI) issues can vary widely, sometimes unrelated to digestive discomfort.
Common signs and symptoms of digestive disturbances:
Gas
Bloating
Abdominal discomfort or pain
Constipation/Diarrhea
Skin conditions such as acne
Vitamin deficiencies that may be the result of improper nutrient absorption, leading to fatigue, sluggishness, or low energy
Issues with the digestive system can stem from a wide range of sources. Doctors will start by taking a full medical history to find out about your specific concerns. If needed, they may recommend routine lab work to rule out any autoimmune disease such as Celiac or Crohn’s Disease. They may also order functional testing of your gut bacteria (to check if you have any harmful bugs) and look for any inflammatory markers that may be contributing to your symptoms.
Treatment options
Treatment options for digestive disorders will vary and are patient-specific. Depending upon your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle, our doctors will use that information alongside the results of any relevant tests. Our goal is to figure out the root cause(s) of your symptoms and how best to address them.
Good food and good digestion are essential for good health. Using an integrative approach, our goal is to take an in-depth look at the issues and use a variety of proven treatments to improve your digestive health.
The body’s inherent ability to heal and self-stabilize erodes with age; the older we get the more we tend to lose energy, memory, and resilience to stress. It becomes harder to mend from injuries or illness and can take days to recover from workouts or overindulgence. We also are more likely to develop diabetes, hypertension, heart failure, and other afflictions as we age.
Extending our lifespan does no good if it means poorer health and higher healthcare costs. The goal is to live healthier and stronger, which ultimately means you will also live longer.
The comedian George Burns once said, “You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old,” and we tend to agree! You can’t do anything about your chronological age, but you can definitely change your biological age.
Studies show biological age is a better measure for determining health status and risk than chronological age. The Kaplan Center’s Anti-Aging treatments aim to provide the maintenance needed to return the body to a more youthful state.
Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a biomarker of the balance in the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) and an objective measure of biological age. Because the ANS regulates our vital organs it’s extremely important that the system is operating in optimum balance.
HRV biofeedback is a simple, noninvasive, and accurate measure of stress in our nervous system and of our overall health.
The Kaplan Center stands in support of racial equality and justice. To support the fight against inequality, injustice, and systemic racism, we have donated $1000 to each of the organizations listed below.
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse, and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.” ― Desmond Tutu
#BlackLivesMatter was founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer. Black Lives Matter Foundation, Inc is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes.
The Southern Poverty Law Center is dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of our society. Using litigation, education, and other forms of advocacy, the SPLC works toward the day when the ideals of equal justice and equal opportunity will be a reality.
More than 600 years. That’s how long, collectively, 33 innocent men spent in prison for crimes they didn’t commit – until MAIP helped restore their freedom. Focused on cases in DC, Maryland, and Virginia, MAIP rigorously screens and investigates innocence claims from prisoners and their families.
The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 2018 by Taraji P. Henson and led by Executive Director, Tracie Jade Jenkins. The foundation is named in honor of Ms. Henson’s father, Boris Lawrence Henson, who suffered from mental health challenges as a result of his tour of duty in the Vietnam War. We are committed to changing the perception of mental illness in the African-American community by encouraging those who suffer from this debilitating illness to get the help they need.
Color Of Change helps people respond effectively to injustice in the world around us. As a national online force driven by 1.7 million members, we move decision-makers in corporations and government to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people, and all people. Until justice is real.
Identifying the Root Cause of Digestive Symptoms
/in Digestive Issues, Wellness/by Kaplan CenterFood is at the very center of everything that we do. The nourishment obtained from food is what keeps our body strong, fit, and healthy.
Digestion is an important part of our overall well-being. It’s intricately tied to a healthy immune system and the ability to fight disease. The gut microbiome, which is composed of hundreds of billions of bacteria and viruses residing in our intestines, is often referred to as our “second brain” because these friendly bugs produce and release brain chemicals such as serotonin that is directly linked to our mental health and improvement of depression and anxiety. That’s why unhealthy diets may worsen those symptoms.
At The Kaplan Center we don’t think of digestion as just the mechanics of eating. Digestion is a whole-body process. When looking for solutions to treat digestive problems, that’s exactly how we view it.
Imbalances in the digestive system
Digestive disorders in the United States are on the rise, and along with it the sales of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and supplements. Self-medication and self-supplementation may also be a contributing factor to the exacerbation of certain conditions and can sometimes cause more harm than good. It is always encouraged to check with your healthcare provider prior to taking OTC drugs and supplements.
Symptoms related to the Gastrointestinal System (GI) issues can vary widely, sometimes unrelated to digestive discomfort.
Common signs and symptoms of digestive disturbances:
In some cases, these symptoms can be traced back to specific digestive disorders such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) or Gastro-esophageal reflux syndrome (GERD). At other times, these symptoms appear as a secondary manifestation of an autoimmune or infectious disease.
Investigations
Issues with the digestive system can stem from a wide range of sources. Doctors will start by taking a full medical history to find out about your specific concerns. If needed, they may recommend routine lab work to rule out any autoimmune disease such as Celiac or Crohn’s Disease. They may also order functional testing of your gut bacteria (to check if you have any harmful bugs) and look for any inflammatory markers that may be contributing to your symptoms.
Treatment options
Treatment options for digestive disorders will vary and are patient-specific. Depending upon your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle, our doctors will use that information alongside the results of any relevant tests. Our goal is to figure out the root cause(s) of your symptoms and how best to address them.
Treatment may include a combination of:
Good food and good digestion are essential for good health. Using an integrative approach, our goal is to take an in-depth look at the issues and use a variety of proven treatments to improve your digestive health.
References:
Heart Rate Variability: Helping You Live Longer, Stronger, Healthier
/in Treatments/by Jodi Brayton, LCSWThe body’s inherent ability to heal and self-stabilize erodes with age; the older we get the more we tend to lose energy, memory, and resilience to stress. It becomes harder to mend from injuries or illness and can take days to recover from workouts or overindulgence. We also are more likely to develop diabetes, hypertension, heart failure, and other afflictions as we age.
Extending our lifespan does no good if it means poorer health and higher healthcare costs. The goal is to live healthier and stronger, which ultimately means you will also live longer.
The comedian George Burns once said, “You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old,” and we tend to agree! You can’t do anything about your chronological age, but you can definitely change your biological age.
Studies show biological age is a better measure for determining health status and risk than chronological age. The Kaplan Center’s Anti-Aging treatments aim to provide the maintenance needed to return the body to a more youthful state.
Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a biomarker of the balance in the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) and an objective measure of biological age. Because the ANS regulates our vital organs it’s extremely important that the system is operating in optimum balance.
HRV biofeedback is a simple, noninvasive, and accurate measure of stress in our nervous system and of our overall health.
Click here to learn more about Heart Rate Variability assessments.
Black Lives Matter
/in News/by Gary Kaplan, DOThe Kaplan Center stands in support of racial equality and justice. To support the fight against inequality, injustice, and systemic racism, we have donated $1000 to each of the organizations listed below.
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse, and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.” ― Desmond Tutu
BLACK LIVES MATTER
#BlackLivesMatter was founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer. Black Lives Matter Foundation, Inc is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes.
SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER (SPLC)
The Southern Poverty Law Center is dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of our society. Using litigation, education, and other forms of advocacy, the SPLC works toward the day when the ideals of equal justice and equal opportunity will be a reality.
MID-ATLANTIC INNOCENCE PROJECT (MAIP)
More than 600 years. That’s how long, collectively, 33 innocent men spent in prison for crimes they didn’t commit – until MAIP helped restore their freedom. Focused on cases in DC, Maryland, and Virginia, MAIP rigorously screens and investigates innocence claims from prisoners and their families.
BORIS LAWRENCE HENSON FOUNDATION
The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 2018 by Taraji P. Henson and led by Executive Director, Tracie Jade Jenkins. The foundation is named in honor of Ms. Henson’s father, Boris Lawrence Henson, who suffered from mental health challenges as a result of his tour of duty in the Vietnam War. We are committed to changing the perception of mental illness in the African-American community by encouraging those who suffer from this debilitating illness to get the help they need.
COLOR OF CHANGE
Color Of Change helps people respond effectively to injustice in the world around us. As a national online force driven by 1.7 million members, we move decision-makers in corporations and government to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people, and all people. Until justice is real.