At the Texas Center for Lifestyle Medicine, we're committed to providing our patients with the most comprehensive and personalized care. That's why we're excited to announce our IV Infusion Team is now offering vitamin D3 injections for those with a documented deficiency.

The Importance of Vitamin D Vitamin D3, also known as cholecalciferol, is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in regulating calcium and phosphate absorption. Adequate vitamin D levels are essential for maintaining strong bones and teeth. However, the impact of this vital nutrient goes beyond musculoskeletal health – it also contributes to:

• Supporting immune function
• Reducing inflammation
• Promoting cognitive health
• Regulating mood and energy levels

Despite its importance, vitamin D deficiency is a common issue, particularly among those with limited sun exposure, certain medical conditions, or specific dietary habits.

Our Personalized Approach to Vitamin D3 Injections If you're experiencing sympto...

At the Texas Center for Lifestyle Medicine, we believe that true brain health begins with a holistic approach to wellness. Our thoughts, beliefs, nutrition, relationships, sleep patterns, and boundaries all play a crucial role in supporting optimal cognitive function and overall well-being.

Thoughts and Beliefs: The health of our thoughts and beliefs have a profound impact on our mental and physical health. Self- destructive thought patterns and limiting beliefs can contribute to stress, anxiety, and even physical ailments. On the other hand, cultivating a growth mindset, practicing gratitude, and engaging in mindfulness can promote resilience, emotional well-being, and overall brain health. Happiness is not solely a reflection of our mental health or the end goal, but the ability to grow through hardships, embrace resilience, increase joy, and shift our perception of our experiences. This begins with developing self awareness of our thoughts and belief system that are governing our o...

Do you find yourself in a constant battle with overwhelming anxiety, debilitating fatigue, and a pervasive sense of dread - even when there's no obvious external cause? You're not alone.

Too often, mental health challenges like these are chalked up to simple "stress" or "chemical imbalances" that can be resolved with medication and generic advice. But what if we're missing the bigger picture?

The truth is, the roots of many mental health struggles can be found not just in the mind, but in underlying physiological imbalances that conventional medicine often overlooks. Imbalances in your sleep patterns, your breathing, and the delicate functioning of your autonomic nervous system may be the true culprits fueling your anxiety, depression, and other troubling symptoms.

It's a concept that may seem counterintuitive at first. After all, how can a physical issue be the driving force behind such deeply psychological challenges? But when you consider the profound mind-body connection, it beg...

At our recent metabolic group visit, Dr. Cheng Ruan shared a fascinating framework for understanding the psychological and emotional drivers behind weight struggles, eating habits, and behavioral changes. Through his expertise in integrative medicine, Dr. Ruan introduced us to the concept of the four key "archetypes" - Warrior, Sovereign, Magician, and Lover.

Understanding how each archetype is linked to unique patterns of emotional eating was eye-opening. And most importantly, Dr. Ruan explained how by tackling these deep-rooted thought processes, we can truly get to the heart of unhealthy behaviors and forge a path towards sustainable weight management and metabolic health.

Let's dive into each of the four archetypes in more detail:

The Warrior Individuals with a Warrior archetype are often driven, ambitious, and hyper-focused on achievement. However, this single-minded pursuit of goals can lead to burnout, stress, and emotional eating as a coping mechanism. Warriors may use food ...

For those living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), finding ways to stay active and care for the body can be a real challenge. Many individuals with EDS are drawn to high-impact martial arts in their youth, such as Tae Kwon Do, heavy weight training, HIIT, etc. However, as hypermobility issues and joint problems become more apparent, they often have to step away from these demanding sports in order to protect their bodies.

Despite this difficult choice, those with EDS are determined not to give up the physical, mental, and cultural benefits they gained from martial arts training. This is where the ancient Chinese practice of Tai Chi has proven to be a game-changer.

Tai Chi is often described as "moving meditation" - a gentle, flowing form of exercise that combines slow, deliberate movements with deep breathing and mindfulness. Unlike the high-impact routines of before, Tai Chi is extremely low-impact and focused on control, stability, and alignment. As research has shown, it offers a...

Are you one of the millions of people who struggles with snoring or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)? These common sleep issues don't just disrupt your partner's rest - they can have serious impacts on your own health and wellbeing.

But there's good news - research has shown that easy, at-home mouth and throat exercises can help tone the muscles in your airway, reducing snoring and improving sleep apnea. As a board-certified sleep medicine specialist, I've seen firsthand how these simple exercises can make a big difference.

In this blog post, I'll share the top exercises you can do to strengthen your tongue, face, and throat muscles - and get better sleep as a result.

Why Do We Snore and Have Obstructive Sleep Apnea? Snoring happens when the tissue in the back of the throat becomes relaxed and floppy during sleep. As air is forced through, it causes this tissue to vibrate, creating that familiar snoring sound.

Obstructive sleep apnea takes this one step further. In OSA, the airway bec...

When we struggle with overeating, it's easy to beat ourselves up over a perceived lack of willpower or self-control. However, there are often deeper root causes behind the drive to consume excess calories. By understanding some of these underlying factors, we can implement tailored solutions to tackle over eating. 

Lack of Quality Sleep: If you're not getting enough sleep or struggling with a sleep disorder like sleep apnea or untreated narcolepsy, your body produces excess levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin. Sleep deprivation also throws off blood sugar regulation, leading to increased hunger the next day. If you suspect any sleep issues, discuss your symptoms with your provider to see if a sleep study may be beneficial. If you struggle with getting enough hours of sleep, try creating a structured sleep routine to implement every night. We recommend avoiding screen time at least 2-3 hours before your bedtime. Try reading, going for an evening walk, listening to binaural beats, or g...

As we welcome spring and the Easter season, it's a beautiful time to embrace themes of rebirth, renewal, and enjoying nourishing traditions with loved ones. At our integrative clinic, we believe celebrating holidays mindfully is an important part of a balanced lifestyle. Here are a few ways you can celebrate minfully and set new intentions this spring! 

Embrace Mindfulness: In the spirit of springtime renewal, Easter can be a lovely opportunity to restart healthy habits and shed what isn't serving you and your goals for this year. Try a digital detox, recommit to a meditation practice, or go for a vigor-inducing hike in nature's newly blossoming landscapes. Spring is symbolic of new ideas, creativity, and productivity. If spring cleaning helps you to declutter and make room for new ideas, now is the time! 

Of course, the heart of Easter still revolves around coming together with family or chosen family. Enjoy quality time free of hustle, reconnecting over laughter-filled meals. If yo...