By: Gabby Herbst

Did you know that flu cases in San Diego this year have already doubled compared to this time last year? This means that more people in San Diego are getting sick, with that number expected to rise during the holiday season. That is why the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes the week of December 1st as National Influenza Vaccination Week. During these seven days, the CDC reminds everyone six months or older about the importance of getting their flu vaccine and encourages anyone that has not received one to do so. 

Age is just a number, and this month is the time to remind people just how true it can be! September is the perfect time to celebrate healthy aging awareness month as the summer is coming to an end, kids are going back to school and life is back in the fast lane. During this hectic time, it’s important to think about better health practices and making positive changes to your lifestyle. 

The ketogenic diet first gained fame through its effectiveness for weight loss. The high-fat, low-carb diet promotes nutritional ketosis–a normal metabolic state marked by moderate levels of ketones in the blood. The idea with carb restriction in terms of weight loss is that it prompts the release of body fat to be burned or converted to ketones for energy (extra dietary fat also contributes to ketone production). For decades, much of dieting focused on counting caloric intake. But not keto. Let’s explore why you should be paying more attention to the types of food consumed instead of that little number on the back of a nutrition label.

B12 is a water-soluble vitamin we all need to stay healthy and feel great. It is involved in metabolism with every cell in the human body and has a significant impact on DNA synthesis, energy production, nerve cell health, red blood cell formation, and neurological function.

There are significant differences between health insurance (whether through private plans with shared costs with an employer or paid for out-of-pocket) and private health management. The major difference? One can provide a level of care that far exceeds the other. Here’s why:

It seems that now more than ever, individuals worldwide are moving away from traditional healthcare plans and towards exclusive private health management. The benefits are staggering, especially for those living in a fast-paced world. With private health management, there is no more waiting to get the healthcare you deserve. The world has changed, so why shouldn’t your medical care?     

My journey from conventional medicine to Functional Medicine began in possibly the most conventional setting possible. I graduated from medical school in 1985 and have been practicing medicine for over 31 years. I was trained as a traditional medical doctor (MD) and completed a residency in emergency medicine in 1994, and I served in a number of clinical and administrative positions during my 25-year career in the US Navy Medical Department including three years as White House Physician to President Clinton from 1996 to 1999.