Do you ever wonder why it is you can’t lose weight? You spend a fortune on every fad diet and supplement that comes along. You go to the gym. You even starve yourself. Did you ever think that you might be doing everything wrong? That it might not be safe or FDA approved?
At Kaizen, our philosophy is that diets do not work, never did and never will. This is why over 87% of all people who lose weight put it back on (AND MORE) within 2 years. Our nutritionists are certified by Kaizen to mix in science with common sense. We want you to eat at least 6 times a day, but 6 QUALITY meals/snacks. Hungry at night? EAT! Once you get over the “starvation is good mentality”, you will begin to see results.

New research in the FASEB Journal suggests that protein drinks help older subjects build more formidable muscles than their counterparts who drink carbohydrate beverages!
Bethesda, MD—A new research report appearing online in the FASEB Journal (http://www.fasebj.org) shows that what someone drinks after exercise plays a critical role in maximizing the effects of exercise. Specifically, the report shows that protein drinks after aerobic activity increases the training effect after six weeks, when compared to carbohydrate drinks.  Additionally, this study suggests that this effect can be seen using as little as 20 grams of protein.

A Unique, Life Changing, Medical Wellness Program by Kaizen Total Wellness The availability of both the Power Plate and bioDensity technology provides Kaizen clients the maximum benefit possible in personal training with each piece of equipment having unique attributes but both build bone density and muscle strength. With personal one on one instruction by our Certified Fitness Trainers, our clients receive individualized instruction with each session.
The Power Plate equipment stimulates the body’s natural response to vibrations which are transmitted through the equipment to the individual as they are supervised by a certified trainer. The vibrations transmit waves of energy throughout the body causing the muscles to contract at a rate exponentially more efficient than traditional exercise. Fifteen minutes on the Power Plate one to three times a week provides better overall improvement than hours in the gym.
The bioDensity technology uses isometric (push and pull pressure) exercises to build bone mass and muscle strength. Regardless of an individual’s fitness level, the bioDensity system offers benefits through four activities – chest press, leg press, core pull-up, and vertical lift. Exercises are performed in short 5-10 second intervals for maximum results.
The unique bioDensity, Power plate combination at Kaizen provides the optimum fitness training available anywhere, accelerating progress and achieving physical fitness goals more rapidly than using either technology on its own.

We know that eating fish can be healthy, in spite of all the warnings about mercury and other contaminants. Below is a study that showed that not only was the type of fish important to your health but ALSO the way it was prepared.
Baked or broiled fish led to a 30% decrease in heart disease whereas FRIED increased the risk of heart failure.
Be careful the next time you go into a fast food restaurant and skip the burgers to “eat healthy”.
  
 
Healthy Fish Linked to Lower Heart Risks
(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Postmenopausal women who frequently consume baked or broiled fish may have a lower risk of developing heart failure, according to a new study. However, those who consume a lot of fried fish have a higher risk for heart trouble.

An article from Diabetes Care says multiple studies were reviewed by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health assessing the risk of developing diabetes in 310,000 participants beginning in 1996 until 2010. Those in the study who drank the most sugar sweetened beverages had a 26% greater risk of getting diabetes and a 20% higher risk of getting the metabolic syndrome (increased heart disease).
Some people think the using artificial sweeteners are dangerous and can also lead to obesity but there is no proof.

Recent articles explain:  Acceleration Training™, also known as vibration training or Whole Body Vibration (WBV), dates as far back as ancient Greece, where a saw covered in cotton was used to transfer vibrations to a specific area of the body requiring treatment. More recently, in the 1960s and 1970s, Russian cosmonauts used vibration training to combat the detrimental effects of micro-gravity on their muscles, connective tissue
and bones.
Today vibration training methodology draws on this previous experience and knowledge to offer a new form of exercise or therapy; one that is becoming increasingly
accepted and integrated into a wide variety of applications, to improve muscle strength and power, increase flexibility and coordination, and aid weight reduction.

Jason Balducci has his Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology and is certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and the American College of Sports Medicine. After completing specialized training with bioDensity and Power Plate equipment, Jason became certified in utilizing isometric and high vibration technology unique to our physician-supervised wellness center gym.
His background includes being the Coordinator for a non-profit multifunctional health center in Virginia, 'Sheltering Arms', working with doctors and physical therapists on rehabilitation and fitness improvement for underpriviledged populations.

 Jason is acquiring his Masters Degree at the East-West College of Natural Medicine.

Is  it Fact, or Fiction?  Nitroglycerin topical patches help treat tennis elbow.
Answer: TRUE!
Tennis elbow, or "Tendinitis," is very annoying and can be difficult to treat. After trying ibuprofen, acetaminophen, ice, heat, and rest, etc.  You might want to try this: 
The theory is that Nitroglycerin increases blood flow to help tendons heal and reduce pain.
There are some side effects to using Nitroglycerin including headache and dizziness. Nitroglycerin, which is a heart medication, can only be prescribed by a physician.

Herpes Simplex (or cold sores) are very common.  A new way to treat them is coming soon - It's a prescription medication called XERESE. The medication is a combination of Zovirax and Cortisone. It will be “direct marketed”  to consumers in many pharmacies.

Note that the new XERESE costs $190 per tube and shortens symptoms by one day! In contrast, oral Acyclovir (Zovirax) would cost less then $20 retail, even without insurance, and would lessen symptoms by two days.

Biodensity

Delivering Body Vitality, Strength and Quality of Life for All Ages

bioDensity™ Neuro-Musculoskeletal Stimulation and Measurement Technology is a scientific breakthrough with long established research from cellular biology, anti-aging, and bone structure enhancement. With bioDensity™ we build stronger bodies regardless of a person's current fitness level.

The Science of bioDensity™

bioDensity™, a preventative care solution that enables individuals between the height of 4’9” and 7’ to:
    •    Increase bone mass
    •    Improve joint support
    •    Build strength
    •    Improve their quality of life
The bioDensity™ system makes the benefits of strength easy and attainable for most, from kids to seniors. Our bioDensity™ program and Performance Report help bridge barriers to exercise and the benefits are clear and proven.

DO ex-smokers want to smoke when they see others smoking?  DO ex-alcoholics want to have a drink when they see others drink?  A recent study from ScienceDaily (Apr. 20, 2011) says:
Consumers will choose and eat more indulgent food after they see someone who is overweight -- unless they consciously think about their health goals, according to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research.

Two main strategies served to counteract people's tendency to overeat when in the presence of overweight individuals: thinking about health goals and being reminded of the link between eating and becoming overweight.

A recent study in JAMA suggests the long term use of Bisphosphonate drugs may actually increase the risk of thigh fractures, especially use for greater than five- years.
In our practice we see many patients fail to achieve any meaningful bone strengthening even after 10 years of medications! Active weight resistance exercising along with adequate Calcium and Vitamin D seems to work as well and is much healthier.
Our patients, working with our trainers for fifteen- minutes twice a week on our low impact bioDensity and Power Plate machines have shown bone density increases as much a 7% in just one year!
Call 941-556-7788 or visit our website home page for more information. This may also be covered by your insurance.

Just five minutes of light exercise right when you wake up in the morning can get your day off to a great start.  You'll get the "feel good" endorphins flowing and you'll set the tone for healthy food choices throughout the day.  Try this quick routine right when you wake up tomorrow morning: 1) 30 seconds of "punch the air" - Hold both hands up in front of your face, fists clenched.  Punch one arm out and bring it back as you punch the other out.  Go out and back, alternating arms without stopping for 30 seconds.
2) 1 minute of "high knees"- Like you're marching in place, lift one knee all the way up, then back down.  Lift the alternate knee up right when the other touches the ground.  March in place for a minute.
3) 30 seconds of punch the air
4) 1 minute of high knees
5) 2 minutes of any stretches you'd like

As, always call Kaizen Total Wellness at 941-556-7785 for more information on how to better your overall health.  

According to a recent report, with ConsumerLab.com a recent analysis evaluating the benefits of taking vitamins failed to show any reduced risk of dying.
 This was a study that followed 180,000 people over an 11 year period. To add insult to injury they also found defects in 30% of the multivitamins that they analyzed.
Our policy at Kaizen total Wellness is that multivitamins are useless unless you have a known vitamin deficit. There is no substitute for fruits, veggies and whole grains.
For more information please contact us. 

Heavier Americans may cause the price of transportation to increase.  Below is an interesting article from USA Today. Please note the “average passenger weight” estimated by the government in 1960 compared to today’s estimates!
It's official: The federal government says more overweight Americans are squeezing onto buses, and it may have to rewrite bus safety rules because of it.


The Federal Transit Authority (FTA) proposes raising the assumed average weight per bus passenger from 150 pounds to 175 pounds, which could mean that across the country, fewer people will be allowed on a city transit bus.

Drinking brings up many health concerns.  A new article features study results from recent tests showing possible connections between alcohol and stroke risk.  Here's some of what it showed:
Men with a severe form of hypertension showed a 12–fold increased risk for cardiovascular disease mortality associated with heavy binge drinking.

Many people associate heavy alcohol use with liver disease. However, most are unaware of it’s harmful effects on the cardiovascular system. Besides causing weight gain, diabetes and hypertension, it is also a poison to the heart. Holiday heart syndrome is a disease where binge drinking is associated with atrial fibrillation which can lead to heart attacks or strokes-even in the absence of any pre-existing heart disease. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy (weakening of the heart muscle) is also very common.
One or two drinks per day is probably healthy, but beware of heavier use.

Many doctors and patients are recommending HCG for rapid weight loss.  Don’t be fooled. All this promotes is a decreased appetite and many patients only lose weight because they are starving themselves by restricting their caloric intake to 500 or less.  When the body perceives itself as starving, it will burn muscle in order to conserve fat.
There are also concerns about its safety. The following is the official FDA warning:

"HCG has not been demonstrated to be effective adjunctive therapy in the treatment of obesity. There is no substantial evidence that it increases weight loss beyond that resulting from caloric restriction, that it causes a more attractive or "normal" distribution of fat, or that it decreases the hunger and discomfort associated with calorie-restricted diets."

RUMOR:  Taking cranberry supplements or drinking cranberry juice helps prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs).
TRUTH:  We do not recommend cranberries to treat UTIs.  There's no data supporting their efficacy. Data supporting that cranberries prevent UTIs is conflicting, partly due to the wide variety of products and regimens studied.

Cranberries seem to act by preventing bacteria, such as E. coli, from sticking to the bladder wall. But there’s no guarantee they will prevent recurrent UTIs.

Once again, supplements do not have to rely on scientific studies nor gain the blessings of the FDA. Only antibiotics can cure bladder infections.  Don’t believe in anecdotal tales. Even a broken clock gets the time right twice a day!

Fish oil is well known for its cardio-protective properties. Because it is also a very potent anti-inflammatory agent, it may help with arthritic diseases too.

However, not all fish oil products are created equally! Beware who you are buying from — especially internet companies.

Here is more information from a recent article:

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) causes symptoms like cramps, gas, bloating, constipation and diarrhea, and unfortunately has no known cause, but certain foods or emotional stressors may trigger symptoms.

A recent study suggests that regular exercise may help patients find relief. We know that exercise improves endorphins and serotonin and in general makes us feel better. We also know that the best treatment for IBS is reducing stress and the use of anti-depressants, which, again increase serotonin levels in the gut and the brain.

Let's get rid of our couch potato mentality and get active. Let our trainers at Kaizen Total Wellness help design an exercise program for you. It's never too late!

Sat., March 5, 2011

Harvey S. Mishner MD, founder of Kaizen Total Wellness and team physician for the Baltimore Orioles, chatting with Nick Markakis, star right fielder for the Orioles after the Orioles-Red Sox game at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota.

We are very proud to sponsor a community-wide health fair, the first annual Love Your Life Health Expo, on Saturday, March 26th, 2011 from 10 am to 3 pm at the Kaizen Total Wellness Center located at 11505 Palmbrush Trail, near the intersection of Lakewood Ranch Blvd. and Hwy 70.

Free and open to the public, “Love Your Life 2011” will feature a wide variety of health care, safety and educational booths, each of which will focus on one of the many ways a person can protect their family,health and home.

Kaizen Total Wellness will have a full schedule of brief classes every half-hour featuring speakers Dr. Harvey Mishner, Marissa M. Brattole, Ph.D., and Sue Fox, a representative with Alzheimer’s Association, to name just a few. Topics to be addressed include Kaizen‘s Total  Wellness Plan, ways to improve self-esteem and body image, dealing with mental illness, Alzheimer’s disease and several other vital healthtopics.

Another celebrity devotee of the Power Plate, a acceleration training device we use here at Kaizen Total Wellness, is Kelly Osbourne. She shows off a svelte new figure on the cover of Shape Magazine last month and goes on to describe in the article how she lost 50 pounds and is keeping it off.

Her trainer at Blue Clay Fitness in Los Angeles, Sarah Hagaman, says “to prevent boredom and target many muscles at once, we do a variety of strength moves on a Power Plate and Bosu,” says Sarah. “Mixing in cardio between sets keeps the calorie burn high.” The result is a firming-and-burning hour that has turned Kelly into a slim, sculpted, and self-assured star. Follow her plan and start loving what you see in the mirror. We can help!

Another client testimonial!

That's right, we're expanding to include on-site balance testing and physical therapy integrated services, unique to the West Coast of Florida. We're very happy to announce the physical therapists  from Neuromuscular Therapy Center have joined Kaizen Total Wellness.

This team will provide physical therapy, occupational therapy, massage therapy and balance therapy services to our patients/clients. We are also pleased to announce that most insurance plans and Medicare are now being accepted. Please call for further information. (Unfortunately we cannot accept insurance for dietary/nutritional services). Kaizen is also pleased to offer state of the art computerized balance evaluations to help prevent falls.

The advantage of having integrated physical therapy, balance testing and fitness training utilizing the combination of Power-Plate® equipment and bioDensity® technology is a tremendous advantage for those wishing to gain or maintain strength throughout the process of aging and recuperation from injury or surgery. 

Statistics show that 30% of all Americans over 65 will have a fall that will cause an injury required medical attention.  At Kaizen Total Wellness, our approach is to prevent the injury through medically supervised balance testing and the risk of falling and prescribe physical therapy and fitness training to address these issues. Medicare and major insurance frequently cover such medically supervised and prescribed programs upon diagnosis.

Harvey S. Mishner, M.D., Board Certified in Internal Medicine, and a member of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians, has nearly three decades of experience as a private internist. He founded Kaizen Total Wellness acting upon his belief that true health and wellness is best gained through small steps of lifestyle and behavioral change, consistent exercise, and healthy eating choices using the best of nutritional science.

As we gear up for a day of football watching this Sunday, it's worth noting one important element in how the Pittsburgh Steelers  and the Green Bay Packers got there: Power Plate Acceleration Training.

Their coaches have enforced rigorous routines that include the Power Plate for fast, efficient workouts that pack on the muscle and increase endurance. "If it's true that one is judged by the company they keep, we're proud of our association with some of the finest organizations in professional football," notes Mark de Gorter, President of Power Plate North America.

Power Plate® technology provides one of the most efficient and dynamic total-body workouts in less than 30 minutes utilizing scientifically-proven Advanced Vibration Technology™ that triggers involuntary muscle reactions 25-50 times per second while you exercise. The result is a high-intensity exercise that increases strength, improves muscle tone and balance.

A lack of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), which regulates testosterone and estrogen, plays a role in developing diabetes. It's interesting that drinking coffee actually increases levels of SHBG. So does drinking coffee prevent diabetes?

Maybe. But don't get on the bandwagon just yet. In the world of medicine, what was once good is now bad, and vice versa. It wasn't too long ago that we warned patients of the dangers of getting pancreatic cancer from coffee consumption. As it turns out, it wasn't the coffee, but rather the cigarette that was so often in the other hand.

Ever dreamt of long, lean arms and a toned, taut tummy?  Combining cutting edge fitness technology with a workout fit for a ballerina, the reality is just a plié away this festive season. 

English National Ballet, in its 60^th Anniversary Year, is harnessing the power of Acceleration Training™ as it prepares for their current production of Romeo & Juliet and the Nutcracker this Christmas.

Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant that is made by the body and is found in every cell, where it helps turn glucose into energy.(Alpha-lipoic acid is not the same as alpha linolenic acid, which is an omega-3 fatty useful in heart health.) ALA has been shown to reduce blood sugar and a recent study showed that it markedly reduced weight gain in rodents. Before trying this supplement, please be aware that it may interact with diabetes medicine to lower blood sugar too much and can also interfere with thyroid hormone production. Please consult your doctor before taking this.

Many people with COPD (chronic bronchitis, emphysema) have muscle wasting and are obese

A recent study examines the inflammatory contribution of belly fat that makes breathing even worse, in addition to the lung disease itself. At Kaizen Total Wellness let us show you how to make muscle and burn fat in a safe medically supervised environment. We specialize in reconditioning patients to improve health.

Annette Schuchert is a Registered Nurse and dietitian working with our Total Wellness Program.  She’s the one who guides the grocery store tours and is a regular facilitator of the Monday evening support group.  What you may not know about her is that she is a marathon runner!  Here’s her story of her most recent exploit.

"It was a cold start to the Disney World Marathon, 43 degrees, but much warmer than the 29 degree start last year!  Actually, a perfect day for running.  There were over 17,500 runners at the start, with a little over 13,500 finishing.  Myself, being one of those.

I completed the 26.2 miles in 4 hours, 12 minutes, a little slower than last year but still very pleased with my time. I had to overcome some injuries, so I was extremely pleased having an overall finish in the top 25% of runners.