A Look at Choline: What Is It & What Does It Do for You?

Choline is an essential nutrient that helps synthesize components in your cells that help maintain and preserve their structural integrity. It is also needed to produce acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter that helps with memory, muscle control (and nervous system functions), mood, and liver function. It’s not a vitamin or a mineral, it’s an organic, water-soluble compound–but it is often grouped with vitamin B due to some similarities between the two.

It was discovered as a nutrient in the 1930s, but wasn’t listed as a recommendation for human diets by the US National Academy of Medicine until 1998. Your body produces some choline naturally in the liver, but it’s not enough to meet your metabolic needs; therefore, it’s essential to obtain the lacking choline through your diet and supplements.

The necessary amount of choline varies from person to person to some extent (based on age and gender), but premenopausal women may need less than other adults and children but estrogen induces the gene that helps your body synthesize choline. In general, the adequate intake of choline is 425 mg per day for women and 550 mg per day for men–and these amounts vary for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Keep in mind that these requirements may vary depending on the individual–while some need less choline, others may need more than these intake amounts.

With that said, it’s important to balance your diet with foods that are rich in choline. Here’s a list of some food sources with decent amounts of choline. You can view the full list here:

Meats

Beef Liver – 356 mg of choline per 3 oz.

Beef – 97 mg per 3 oz. (trim cut)

Chicken – 73 mg per 3 oz (roasted breast)

Fish & Seafood

Scallops – 94 mg of choline per 3 oz. (steamed)

Salmon – 75 mg per 3 oz.

Atlantic Cod –  71 mg per 3 oz.

Vegetables & Grains

Toasted Wheat Germ – 202 mg of choline per 1 cup

Brussel Sprouts – 63 mg per 1 cup (boiled)

Broccoli – 63 mg per 1 cup (chopped, boiled)

Eggs – 1 large egg contains about 147 mg of choline, so if you start the morning off with two eggs you’ve already consumed almost half of your recommended daily intake – most of the choline is in the egg yolks, though–so be sure not eat them and not just egg whites.

Source: https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/other-nutrients/choline

Choline levels are not routinely checked in healthy people, but if you experienced muscle twitching, brain fog, trouble with attention or learning, wild mood swings, or tingling nerves, you might need more choline in your diet. Vegetarians who eat no meat or eggs may be at a higher risk for insufficient chlorine intake.

In addition to improving your diet, you can also take choline supplements or consume choline through vitamin cocktail injections. If you suspect you may have a choline deficit, or a deficit of any essential vitamins or nutrients, come visit us today! We can help ensure you’re getting the vitamins and nutrients you need so you can look and feel your best year-round. Give us a call or reach out on our contact form–we look forward to hearing from you!

Original Article: https://www.zanasplace.com/a-look-at-choline-what-is-it-what-does-it-do-for-you/

Foods to Eat to Stay Healthy This Winter

With winter rapidly approaching, we wanted to take a moment to discuss a topic that is often overlooked: eating the right foods to help you stay healthy during the cold & flu season.

Before we dive in, here’s an interesting bit of information: just about everyone knows that germs and illness are in full bloom during the winter, but many people don’t know why. The reason is fairly simple: the flu virus and other similar pathogens thrive in drier, colder air. But the real kicker is that as the temperature drops, we’re more inclined to stay indoors and in closer contact with others–making it easy for these germs to spread quickly from person to person.

With that out of the way, let’s take a quick look at the types of foods you should pack into your diet over the winter. Eating the right foods and getting the right nutrients can help keep your immune system healthy and balanced, and a healthy and balance immune system can help prevent illness before it takes hold. The best way to keep your immune system running at optimal levels is to eat a balance of nutritional foods with nutrients rich in antioxidants and proteins.

Antioxidants

With the exception of candy and artificially colored foods, colorful foods are generally the most healthy for you. Think about how vibrant most vegetables are–bright greens, reds, oranges, etc. Deep, rich colors often indicate a food is rich in antioxidants and nutrients that can help your body recover and protect from various ailments. Be sure to load up on radishes, cabbage, broccoli, bell peppers, green beans, and any other colorful vegetables you enjoy.

Proteins

Proteins are an essential element of cells in the immune system. Without ample protein, your immune system won’t be able to function at desirable levels, which can leave you wide open to germs and pathogens. If possible, try to consume at least 50 grams of quality protein each day, ideally spread out over the day. Consider an easy-to-follow diet that incorporates either eggs, turkey, beef, chicken, and/or fish at each meal if possible.

Nutritional Supplements

Even with a balanced diet, you may wind up with a deficit of various vitamins that can help keep your immune system healthy. Some of these vitamins include vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, and vitamin D. Be sure to take supplements if your diet is lacking any of these key vitamins–or better yet, come in for custom-tailored vitamin cocktail injections to help keep your immune system running at optimal levels.

If you’re looking to eat healthy all winter to protect against the onslaught of cold and flu germs and want to maintain your or improve your weight, Zana’s Place is proud to offer medically managed weight loss programs tailored to your needs, preferences, and lifestyle. We can help with accountability and encouragement while tracking your progress and keeping you on track. Contact us today to schedule an appointment, we’d love to see you and help you get and stay healthy over the winter (and beyond!).

No matter what, be sure to eat healthy over the winter to help give your immune system its best odds against the pathogens that run rampant this time of year, and be sure to visit us to help improve and maintain your health.

Original Article:  https://www.zanasplace.com/foods-to-eat-to-stay-healthy-this-winter/

Medically Assisted Weight Loss: You Don’t Have to Go It Alone

Obesity is a huge problem that affects people of all ages across the U.S., and even though we all know that excessive weight can lead to a variety of health problems, there seems to be no sign of this epidemic slowing or reversing. This is why many residents are interested in weight loss in Tyler, TX (and nationwide).

We’ve all been there–we commit to losing weight and getting in shape so we can finally look better, feel better, and stay healthier. We pick a diet and commit to a frequent workout routine. Maybe we set a new year’s resolution, or maybe we’re just tired of the what we see when we look in the mirror, or maybe we just want to improve our overall health. Though we know being overweight is bad, it can be a difficult problem to resolve.

Sometimes we’re able to stick to our plan to lose weight, and sometimes we stick with these plans for a good length of time–but it’s easy to fall off the wagon and undo the hard work we’ve put in. This is a common problem, and a lot of people wind up in the same boat. Anyone can start watching their intake and working out, but without the help of a medical professional it can be easy to lose determination, fight plateaus, and keep weight off.

For many people, losing weight can seem like an impossible task–no matter what they try, positive results seem to be out of reach. It can be difficult to understand why certain steps and actions that help others lose weight seem to have no effect.

That’s where Zana’s Place can step in and help you reach your weight loss goals–and help you maintain your weight once you’ve hit your targets. With a medically managed weight loss program, our healthcare professionals can evaluate you and craft a comprehensive, custom-crafted plan designed specifically for your unique needs and situation.

Custom Weight Loss Planning

We take a holistic approach to weight loss and utilize a variety of holistic and modern approaches to build the ideal weight-loss plan for your needs, goals, and lifestyles. We offer flexible planning to help build a plan that fits your preferences and lifestyle so you can lose weight without making drastic changes to your life. Creating a modified, easy-to-follow lifestyle plan is often much more effective than trying to drastically change your lifestyle and eating habits, making it easier to stay on track.

We’ll work with you to create a custom calorie counting plan to help you decide what foods and how much to eat to help you stay within your goals. Additionally, we’ll help prevent your weight loss from plateauing before you’ve reached your goals by creating plans to mix things up so you can continue to see steady, consistent progress.

Weight Loss Tracking & Accountability

If you feel like you’re tackling your weight loss alone, it’s easy to slip up–which can lead to a downward spiral that undoes your progress quickly. We offer accountability services to check in and ensure that things are going well for you as you continue on your journey. During these check-ins, we’ll keep an eye on how your weight loss is progressing, and will adjust your custom plan accordingly for maximum results.

Weight Loss Supplements & Aids

Sometimes dieting alone may not be sufficient to hit your weight loss goals in a desirable time frame, so our specialists can create vitamin supplements and vitamin cocktail injections designed to ensure your body has the nutrients and vitamins you need to stay healthy and optimal performance. Additionally, when restricting calories and adjusting your diet, it’s quite common to have feelings of hunger that can be hard to ignore, so we can help combat this hunger with prescription appetite suppressants as necessary (after ensuring they’re a good fit for you and your health & needs).

As you can see, if you’re struggling with weight loss, you aren’t alone–and there are options available to you to help you achieve your goals. For best results, it’s a good idea to consult with a healthcare provider who specializes in weight loss to craft a plan that works for you. If you live in Tyler, TX, contact Zana’s Place today to set up a consultation to discuss your current situation and determine a medically managed weight loss plan that is best for your unique needs

Benefits of Niacin (Vitamin B3)

Niacin, or vitamin B3 is a crucial nutrient that helps just about every part of your body function at high levels. While there are a number of benefits when it comes to ensuring you’re getting an adequate supply of niacin, it’s important not to overdo it. Fortunately, niacin is water-soluble, so you body won’t store it and can purge excess amounts from your body when it’s not necessary.

Benefits of Niacin

Here’s a quick list of 6 key benefits of niacin and how it can improve your body and your health.

Improves Skin

If you spend much time in the sun, you already know the harmful effects prolonged exposure can have on your skin. Niacin, whether taken orally or applied on your skin in lotion form can help protect your skin cells from damage. Some research has shown that it may help prevent some types of non-melanoma skin cancer as well.

Improves Brain Function

Niacin is important when it comes to fighting brain fog by supplying your brain with the energy it needs to function properly. Niacin has also been used to help with treating schitzophrenia as it can help undo damage to brain cells that is caused by a deficiency.

Improves Cholesterol

Niacin has been used to treat high cholesterol and reduce levels of bad LDL cholesterol, though it’s not heavily used specifically for this purpose due to potential side effects.

Additionally, niacin can raise good HDL cholesterol levels by 15-35%. This good cholesterol navigates the bloodstream, finding and removing harmful bad cholesterol from where it doesn’t belong.

May Help Prevent Heart Disease

By reducing levels of bad cholesterol and boosting good cholesterol, niacin can help reduce the risk for heart disease. But aside from these benefits, niacin can help reduce inflammation related to atherosclerosis (the hardening of your arteries). However, it’s been discovered that niacin doesn’t significantly reduce the risk of stroke, heart attacks or heart disease in people who already have heart disease or high-risk individuals.

Treats Pellagra

Those who suffer from a severe deficiency may experience pellagra, which can show symptoms of dementia, diarrhea, and dermatitis. If left untreated, pellagra can be fatal. While very low levels of niacin deficiency (levels that can cause pellagra) are rare in the U.S., it can become a problem for those who have other disorders such as anorexia or alcoholism.

Niacin Deficiency

There are a number of unpleasant side-effects associated with niacin deficiency, including:

• Skin Problems
• Depression
• Headache and Fatigue
• Memory Loss and Confusion

While you can get an adequate amount of niacin from a healthy, balanced diet, it can be difficult to ensure you’re eating the proper foods to achieve ideal levels of niacin. For this reason, niacin supplements may be a good idea.

Potential Issues with too Much Niacin

If too much niacin is consumed, there are a few side effects that can affect health. Some of these effects include:

Nausea

Too much niacin in your system can cause symptoms such as nausea, stomach irritation, and vomiting, which seems to be related to liver enzymes.

Liver Damage

If using niacin to treat cholesterol over long periods of time, niacin may result in liver damage, so it’s important to maintain frequent checkups to ensure damage isn’t occurring.

Eye Health

Another more rare potential side effect is potential eye health issues and/or blurry vision.

There are other side effects to be aware of and the ideal amount of niacin for an individual varies based on a variety of factors, including age and gender.

Because of this, it’s very important to consult with a qualified medical professional to determine what doses of niacin you need for optimal benefits. A medical professional will be able to create a custom, safe and healthy plan to ensure you’re getting the proper amount of niacin and other essential vitamins and nutrients. If you’re looking to improve your overall wellbeing in Tyler, TX, Zana’s Place offers vitamin cocktail injections that can help you feel your best.

Contact us today to discuss your health and come in for a consultation, and we’ll make sure you get the treatments you need.

Why You Should Go for Regular Wellness Exams

If you haven’t been for a wellness checkup in a while, now is as great a time as any to get into a regular routine. If you don’t keep an eye on your health, you may wind up experiencing medical issues that might have otherwise been avoided, prevented, or treated before becoming serious.

Many people in Tyler (and across the U.S.) don’t go to regular health exams for a number of reasons. Seeing a medical professional can be an intimidating experience, so it’s easy to put visits off–until it becomes necessary (injury, severe illness, etc.). In fact, according to recent studies, 1 in 5 people haven’t been to the doctor in the past year, and about half of all people admit that they put off routine medical checkups until they experience health issues.

Unfortunately, by the time many symptoms have manifested, they require extra treatment that might have been avoidable if detected early on. Here’s a list of some key reasons why regular wellness exams are a good idea:

Catch Potential Health Problems Before They Become Serious

Early detection can play an important role in your health. If problems are caught early on, they’re generally much easier to take care of than issues that are allowed to grow and progress over time. Regular exams help you and your medical professional focus on taking preventative measures to thwart potential high-risk diseases and illnesses, rather than retroactively fighting the illness once it has manifested. Because of this, your chances of remaining healthier increase, instead of waiting until potential disaster strikes.

Regular Wellness Exams can Save You a Lot of Money

As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is true when it comes to medical expenses–it’s generally cheaper to stay on top of, and prevent, potential illnesses vs. working to cure them. And if an issue can’t be prevented, you’re pretty much always in a better position to treat your issues than if the issue has progressed over time (and early treatment is often less expensive than emergency treatment).

Discover Potential Mental Health Problems

There’s been an alarming climb in mental health issues over the years. The world gets more hectic, people feel they need to suppress their problems, and people often make general lifestyle choices that can contribute to a deteriorating mental state. Mental health awareness is still gaining traction in Tyler (and across the country), and unfortunately there are often stigmas attached to seeing a psychologist or counselor. When you go in for wellness exams, there’s a chance your medical professional may uncover any potential mental health issues you may be encountering, and can refer you to a professional who can help.

Find Out Your Baselines

Everyone is different in many ways, and this is true for health-related matters. There are average ranges set by medical authorities, but your “normal” will likely be different from other peoples’ “normal.” These baselines can come in handy, especially if you’re trying to diagnose a condition that has arisen, which can help when it comes to getting proper treatment.

Create a Beneficial Bond with Your Healthcare Provider

It can be difficult to open up to a medical professional. If you haven’t been to a healthcare provider in a while, it can be difficult to recall the medical issues you’ve experienced since your last visit. Regular visits for medical exams not only make it easier to recall what might seem to be small medical issues, but they can also make it easier to open up about more personal medical occurrences. For example, you might be hesitant to disclose things that you might consider “embarrassing.” However, these details can be important when building an overall health profile, so the more comfortable your are with your healthcare provider, the more likely you’ll be willing to share more information.

If you haven’t had a wellness exam in a while, or are looking for a new medical professional to perform wellness exams in Tyler, Texas for you, contact Zana’s Place today. We’d love to give you a checkup and help you stay on top of your health to help you live as long and healthy a life as possible. We look forward to hearing from you!

How Massage Therapy Can Help Your Health & Wellbeing

Massages are great for your health and provide a number of benefits for your overall wellbeing. Our licensed massage therapist will discuss your situation and needs to create a massage that helps address your specific issues to help you feel your best.

Here are a few key benefits of massages:

• Relax and de-stress
• Improve circulation, which can help improve waste elimination
• Loosen tight muscles (knots) and various aches
• Improve flexibility and range of motion
• Boost energy

What Physical Conditions Can Massage Therapy Help?

Massage therapy can help your body in a number of ways. For starters, a good massage can relax muscle tissue, which can help improve range of motion, increase joint space, and decrease nerve compression. Overall, it can help reduce pain and improve your body’s overall function.

Massages can also help improve circulation. This means your body can better deliver oxygen and essential nutrients to your muscles, and can help your body more efficiently purge and remove waste products.

If you suffer from arthritis or edema (excessive accumulation of fluid in body tissue), massage therapy may help reduce the discomfort caused by these and other inflammatory conditions.

Massage therapy is also thought to help lower heart and respiratory rates, lower blood pressure, and boost your immune system.

If you play any sports or workout on a regular basis, massages can help improve your performance and aid with recovery.

What Psychological & Emotional Benefits Can Massage Therapy Provide?

Aside from the physical benefits of massage therapy, there are also a number of psychological and emotional benefits to enjoy as well.

For instance, a massage can help improve your mood and reduce stress and anxiety. Massage therapy may also help lessen depression and reduce anger and aggression.

If you have difficulty sleeping, massage therapy may help improve your sleep patterns and help you sleep better for longer periods of time, which means you may feel less fatigued.

The clarity massage therapy can provide can help you feel better throughout the day, which means you can focus and perform better at work and/or at home.

Relaxing & Unwinding with Massages

Massage therapy can help you recharge and re-center yourself when you’re feeling overwhelmed and stressed. At Zana’s Place, we know how important your mental health is and our licensed massage therapist is dedicated to creating a relaxing environment and experience custom-tailored just for you.

By combining relaxing music, your preference of essential oils, and aromatherapy, we create a paradise you’re sure to love. After the massage, you’re welcome to add a period of rest so you can relax in peace and quiet before returning to reality. The massages we offer range from 30 minutes to 90 minutes, so you can choose the perfect amount of time necessary to help you feel your best.

If you’re experiencing stress, depression, tight muscles, headaches, or aches and pains, a massage may be just the thing you need to feel better. If you’re considering massage therapy in Tyler, TX, be sure to contact Zana’s Place today to discuss your situation. Our licensed massage therapist will determine if massage therapy is right for you, and work with you to create the perfect massage for your needs and goals.

Benefits of Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers may be a great choice if you’re looking to smooth fine lines and wrinkles in your face. They can also help restore volume and fullness if your skin is beginning to suffer from volume loss. If you’re looking to augment your cheeks or chin, dermal fillers may be the perfect solution for you. In this article, we take a look at some benefits of dermal fillers so you can determine if they may be a good choice based on your goals.

Faster Results than Creams

The first benefit of dermal fillers is they work much quicker than creams. When you buy anti-aging creams, they are a long-term investment and commitment that you’ll need to make for your skin. You’ll have to apply the cream on a regular basis in small amounts, so the results are going to take several months to happen and the effects will take a while to become apparent. Dermal fillers, on the other hand, are injected into the areas of the skin that will need an extra bit of plumping. Fortunately, you’ll be able to see and enjoy the results instantly.

Faster & Less Invasive than Surgery

The second benefit of the dermal fillers is that the results will be a lot quicker than any type of surgery you might have. Many dermal filler procedures take less than an hour to do, which means that you can have a younger-looking face during your lunch hour. Plus, you can get back to your day as the procedure is done. Surgery may give you better results that are longer-lasting, but it’s more invasive and requires a longer recovery time (sometime up 4 to 6 weeks depending on the type of surgery that is done).

Long-Lasting Results

The third benefit of the wrinkle fillers is that the results are going to last you for a long period of time but they are not permanent. This is because the fillers are going to be made of hyaluronic acid that occurs naturally in the body. The problem is that over time the acid will dissipate and will be reabsorbed inside of the body. Therefore, the filling effect will not work the way that it should. This is one of the best ways that people will have a youthful look and they don’t have to worry about committing to a surgery that is a lot more permanent.

Natural, Healthy Look

The fourth benefit of the dermal fillers is that you will be able to have a more natural looking effect on your skin. The filler injections give people the results that is a lot more natural looking. This means that it is not going to alter the facial expressions of the same way the filler treatments like Botox are going to do. Therefore, your face will have the ability to change over time so that you can control the way that you look with these types of fillers. The best part is that the fillers are going to make sure that the right areas of your face will be plump.

These are the top four benefits of the fillers that you can get when you have been exposed to the sun for a long period of time or factors in your lifestyle. All of these things are going to increase the speed of the aging process for a woman. This means that the skin is going to lose its elasticity and bounce over time. Most of the time, the woman is going to be looking for something that is a lot less invasive than surgery. Plus, these are not the final results that they will receive in case they are not happy with the results that they are going to receive from the filler type of procedures. The fillers can help to regulate the balance of water inside of the skin.