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Your Exclusive Monthly Newsletter Filled With Tips On How To Look Good & Feel Great At Every Age!
Volume VII Allure Medical Spa 8180 26 Mile Road, Suite 300, Shelby Township, MI 48316 800-577-2570
April 2010
To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan, but also believe. ~ Anatole France
April 22, 40th anniversary of Earth Day…Do your own ‘act of green’ this year!
Every spring we are reminded of how the earth regenerates. In honor of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day by making small
changes in our homes, workplaces and lifestyles, added together we can do wonders to reduce our carbon footprint. What
can you do? Dispose of waste properly, practice reusing, recycling and buy recycled products. Use the least-toxic product for
cleaning or lawn care. Do “grass-cycling”, letting clippings fall on the lawn. Avoid products with excessive packaging. Look
for water leaks in your home. Plant a tree. It will provide cooling shade and help to keep the air clean. Save energy, turn off
extra lights. Get a car with good mileage. When we all do our part, we breathe cleaner air, drink cleaner water, and walk on
healthier soil. When we help the earth we help us all. Now take a moment and enjoy the articles in this months Look & Feel Your Best!
Step Into Spring: Keeping An “Eye” On Seasonal Allergies
For most Americans, the start of spring is welcomed by thoughts of
warmer weather, beautiful flowers and picnics in the park. But for
the 50 million Americans who suffer from allergies; spring more
closely resembles sneezing, coughing and itchy watery eyes.
Eye allergies, also called "allergic conjunctivitis," are a reaction to
indoor and outdoor allergens-pollen, mold, dust mites and
pet dander-that get in the eyes and cause inflammation of the tissue
that lines the inner eyelid.
While eye allergies can affect anyone, spring can be particularly
hard on contact lens wearers. Extended wear time and infrequent
lens replacement are two of the main reasons contact lens wearers
face more severe symptoms. Optometrists recommend contact lens
wearers consider the following to make spring more comfortable:
• Reduce contact lens wearing time when possible.
• Talk to your optometrist about changing your cleaning method or
using daily disposable contact lenses.
• Use eye drops as prescribed by a doctor of optometry.
When it comes to treating symptoms of allergies, a recent
nationwide survey conducted by the American Optometric
Association (AOA), found more than one-third (36%) of allergy
suffers use antihistamines or other medications to treat their
symptoms. While antihistamines can help with typical symptoms
such as runny noses and sneezing, the medication can make ocular
symptoms worse by reducing tear quality and quantity.
Most allergy-related conjunctivitis cases can be helped with
prescription or over-the-counter eye drops depending on the patient
and his or her medical history. Speak to
your optometrist.
Symptoms of allergies can be curtailed and
prevented by following these
recommendations from the AOA:
• Don't touch or rub your eyes.
• Wash hands often with soap and water.
• Wash bed linens and pillowcases in hot
water and detergent to reduce allergens.
• Avoid sharing-and, in some cases,
wearing-eye makeup.
• Never share contact lenses or contact
lens cases with someone else.
Natural Ways to Ease a Stuffy Nose and Sinuses
There are a number of simple remedies that might help you breathe a
little easier if you’re among the more than 37 million Americans who
suffer from sinus pain and infection:
•
•
•
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Get 7-9 hours of sleep (more when you have a sinus infection).
Practice good hygiene; wash your hands several times a day.
Use a negative ion air cleaner or HEPA filter daily.
Try using a humidifier when using an air conditioner or during the
heating season.
• Avoid sugar, dairy, caffeine and alcohol and enhance your diet
with fruit, vegetables, whole grains and fiber.
• Do aerobic exercise (e.g., walking), preferably outdoors (except
on highly polluted days).
• Drink filtered water—a good measure is ½ ounce per pound of
body weight.
• Use nasal irrigation to help dissolve mucus, clean and moisturize
nasal passages and relieve irritated sinus, nasal passage and throat
tissue. This simple procedure, practiced in India for centuries, is
one of the disciplines of yoga. Used for allergies, colds, sinusitis,
chronic congestion or throat irritation; Alkalol is an irrigation
solution doctors recommend (made from natural ingredients and
contains no antihistamines, preservatives or chemicals). It is an
effective nasal irrigation solution providing soothing relief and
does not irritate or damage tender mucous membranes.
• Consider steam therapy or mentholated air. At-home steam
treatments can help break up nasal congestion and ease your
suffering while you look for a long-term solution. Plus, they are
safe for sinus sufferers of all ages.
• Over-the-counter, non-drowsy formulations can help you get on
with your day without the desire to nap. Remember to check with
your doctor or pharmacist for the newest medical products right
for you.
And remember to have patience. Natural remedies may take a little
longer to work than antibiotics but may do a better job of cleansing
to help prevent future infection.
Remember we are always here to help, if you have any questions or
are interested in learning more about our Look & Feel Your Best
programs or services call our office.
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8180 26 Mile Road, Suite 300, Shelby Township, MI 48316 800-577-2570 www.AllureMedicalSpa.com
Dr. Charles Mok, D.O. ● Dr. Brett Kotlus, M.D., M.S.
Look & Feel Your Best®Tips of the Month…
Vitamin B12!
Feeling Tired, Worn Out, and Don’t Have Much Energy? You May Have A Vitamin B12 Deficiency.
FACTS: It is water-soluble and easily absorbed. The amount excreted depends on bodily needs and may be
accompanied by protein loss. Like the other B vitamins it is not stored and must be replaced regularly through whole
foods or supplements. It is not destroyed by heat, oxidation, or acid, but it is easily destroyed by light. For normal
adults 1.2-1.7 mg. is the RDI/RDA. During pregnancy 1.6 mg. is suggested, nursing mothers 1.8 mg. is
recommended for the first six months and 1.7 mg. for the second six months. Increased need in stress situations.
WHAT IT CAN DO FOR YOU: Aid in growth and reproduction. Promote healthy skin, nails, hair. Help eliminate
sore mouth, lips, and tongue. Benefit vision, alleviate eye fatigue. Function with other substances to metabolize
carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
DEFICIENCY DISEASE: Ariboflavinosis—mouth, lips, skin, genitalia lesions.
BEST NATURAL SOURCES: Milk, liver, kidney, cheese, leafy green vegetables, fish, eggs, yogurt, beans.
SUPPLEMENTS: Available in both low and high potencies—most commonly in 100 mg. doses. Like most of the B-complex vitamins, it is
most effective when in a well-balanced formula with the others. 100-300 mg. are the most common daily doses.
TOXICITY AND WARNING SIGNS OF EXCESS: No known toxic effects. Possible symptoms of minor excess include itching,
numbness, sensations of burning or prickling.
PERSONAL ADVICE: If you eat little red meat or dairy products increase your intake. You may be deficient in this vitamin if you are on a
prolonged restricted diet for ulcers or diabetes. (When you are under medical treatment for a specific illness, check with your doctor before
altering your present food regimen.) All stress conditions require additional B complex. This vitamin works best with vitamin B6, vitamin C,
and niacin. Drinkers need more of this vitamin because alcohol interferes with proper absorption.
Slow Aging With These 3 Easy Steps!
We are all becoming aware of the difficulties we may face with our health. Use this as a call to action and become more proactive
about your health, now. Our body’s cells can be very resilient when they are well fed. However, human cells will not grow and multiply if
their specific food requirements are altered by rhythm or nutrients.
The haphazard eating habits and reliance on fast food stripped of nutrients can result in the diseases that now plague modern societies.
Here are 3 very effective things you can do to deter aging.
1. Eat fruits and vegetables that have enzymes documented to keep you younger by helping with digestion and absorption of nutrients.
To get the best from the enzymes in fruit they should be eaten fresh. Consider cherries but not cherry pie; make a strawberry smoothie or
salad but serve the strawberry ice cream to the kids. Mom was right, Vitamin C is important in keeping an aging immune system alert.
Eat vitamin C from fresh citrus instead of processed sugary juice drinks. Make it easy on your cells.
2. Eat vegetables that have antioxidants that support aging organ systems like your heart, kidneys and lungs. The color of vegetables indicates
the type of antioxidant they carry. Choose a variety of yellow, orange, red and green vegetables everyday. Some of these vegetables like
tomatoes release more of their antioxidants when they are cooked. So we are not talking a raw food diet here.
3. Eat often. But choose a new portion size that suits your age and your digestive and absorption level. If you are gaining weight as you age
all you might have to do is adjust your portion size. Eat small meals and nutritious snacks everyday.
10 Snacks That Melt Fat — Negative Calorie Foods…
When the time comes to choose your snack, do you reach for a food that will actually burn more calories than it contains (negative calorie
foods)? These foods have so little energy that your body uses more energy to digest and absorb the nutrients than the food actually contains. So
a 5 calorie piece of celery may take 30 calories to burn, resulting in a negative 25 calorie intake. Amazing! Here are 10 negative energy snacks
that will boost your metabolism, burn loads of calories and combined with a solid exercise
program, can enable you to literally melt fat away!
1. Cabbage, supplement daily salads with sliced cabbage, or find a healthy cabbage salad recipe.
2. Celery, drenched in peanut butter and raisins does not count.
3. Cucumber, sliced cucumbers make a great addition to any salad or stir-fry.
4. Carrots, sliced on salad, or eaten raw, if you prefer.
5. Tomatoes, cherry tomatoes are great snacks, or add to a healthy sandwich with lettuce
(another negative calorie food!).
6. Blackberries/Raspberries/Strawberries, great for snacking raw, or throwing into a blender or a
bowl of oatmeal.
7. Grapefruit, a bowl of fresh grapefruit on the breakfast table is a smart addition.
8. Watermelon/Honeydew/Cantaloupe, again, good for smoothies, nice for breakfast, great for snacking.
9. Peaches, throw into a zip lock bag for a convenient snack at work or travel. Just remember napkins.
10. Mandarin oranges, wonderful on salads, or with chicken.
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8180 26 Mile Road, Suite 300, Shelby Township, MI 48316 800-577-2570 www.AllureMedicalSpa.com
Dr. Charles Mok, D.O. ● Dr. Brett Kotlus, M.D., M.S.
Ask the Doctor…
2010 Body & Face Makeover Series:
Can Food Be the Reason You Feel So Tired All the Time?
Most of Us Struggle With Tiredness From Time to Time…
This doesn't come as a big surprise if you consider how hectic
our lives are. Somewhere in between sleep and ever increasing
working hours, we must find the time for family, recreation and
hobbies. Most people seem to manage without bigger problems.
So, why are some of us not able to get rid of feelings of
sluggishness and fatigue?
The answer can be surprisingly simple. Sometimes, the real
reason behind constant tiredness is the fact that you are eating the
wrong foods. So, what does that mean?
Food can cause tiredness in several ways. Let's see how. Junk
food, full of sugar, white flour and fat will cause big fluctuations
in your blood sugar level. After the initial high, your energy will
drop below the comfortable level, leaving you feeling tired and
craving for another sugary snack. So, you eat a chocolate or two.
The problem is that this will make you feel more alert only for a
little while; then the cycle starts again.
Some allergies can also cause fatigue. Allergies can be tricky,
especially in mild cases, people are often not aware of them and
can therefore do nothing about them.
Eating an unhealthy diet for longer periods of time can result in
your body lacking important nutrients. The processes in our body
are often intertwined; so when a certain vitamin is lacking,
something entirely different can go wrong. A good example of
this is vitamin C and iron connection. Iron is absorbed in our
body with the help of vitamin C. When you aren't consuming
enough vitamin C, your body will probably also lack iron. That
is why it is not enough to only increase your iron intake when
you have an iron deficiency; you will also have to increase your
vitamin C levels.
This is just a brief outline of how food can contribute to fatigue.
If you want to know whether food is also behind your low energy
levels, it is best if you start writing a food diary. There, you
record everything that you eat for a couple of weeks. Some
people are able to quickly find a pattern of tiredness, following a
specific type of food. If you are not among them, there are tests
that you can take that show if your body lacks certain nutrients.
You must always keep in mind, though, that food is only one of
the many things that can cause fatigue.
“Before You Make a Choice On Skin Care… Determine Your Skin Type!
“The skin is our largest vital organ and our first line of defense against bacterial invasion. As you change and grow,
so does your skin. The sun, wind, pollution, heredity, medications, stress, and heating systems all affect your skin
type. It is important to identify your true skin type so you will be able to select the correct skin care products for
your special needs. With this in mind, read the following descriptions and find the one that most closely portrays
your skin.
NORMAL SKIN: Normal skin is the goal of every skin care program. Yet, it may be that the only truly normal skin
is that of a child. Normal skin is not too oily or dry and blemishes are uncommon. Normal skin's appearance is
moist, plump and dewy. The pores are small to medium in size. The skin is of medium thickness and has an even
tone. Normal skin is soft, smooth and firm with good elasticity. Key Description: Balanced
OILY SKIN: Oily skin has a shiny appearance and is usually thicker, firmer, and less sensitive than the other types.
The pores are visibly more noticeable than in other skin types and are medium to large in size. There is a tendency
for recurring clogged pores, blackheads, whiteheads, blemishes, and enlarged pores. Key description: Overactive
DRY SKIN: Dry skin can feel tight and may have visible flaking. It is often delicate, easily irritated, and usually
sensitive to cold weather. Key description: Underactive
COMBINATION SKIN: Combination skin refers to skin with two or more distinctly different characteristics on
different parts of the face. The most common combination skin is oily in certain areas and then dry or normal in the
other areas. Usually, the "T-zone" (forehead, nose, and chin) is oily and the cheeks and around the eyes are normal
or dry. Key description: Asymmetric
SENSITIVE SKIN: Sensitive skin is characterized by overreaction to external influences (sun, wind, certain
cosmetics, handling and temperature extremes). It is easily irritated and exposure can result in redness, a rash,
itching, stinging, or burning. Sensitive skin has a tendency to develop distended or broken capillaries as well as
allergies, and it usually sunburns easily.
Key description: Delicate
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8180 26 Mile Road, Suite 300, Shelby Township, MI 48316 800-577-2570 www.AllureMedicalSpa.com
Dr. Charles Mok, D.O. ● Dr. Brett Kotlus, M.D., M.S.
Dr. Charles Mok, D.O.
Dr. Brett Kotlus, M.D., M.S.
8180 26 Mile Road, Suite 300
Shelby Township, MI 48316
"The first day of spring is one thing, and the
first spring day is another. The difference
between them is sometimes as great as a
month." - Henry Van Dyke
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Free Look & Feel Your Best™ Reports Available!
If you would like a free copy of one or all of our special Look & Feel Your Best™ medical reports that explain how nonsurgical procedures can help you look and feel great at every age, simply call 1-800-577-2530, 24 hours-a-day for a free
recorded message, then enter the 4 digit ID number of the report you are requesting. Or just come by our office and pick
them up in person. You can also get your reports at www.AllureMedicalSpa.com. Here are some titles to choose from.
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“How To Quickly & Easily Eliminate Unwanted Hair Now” ID# 1111
“How To Look Great At Any Age: A Consumer’s Guide To Non-Surgical Procedures” ID# 1122
“Mesotherapy: The Secret To a Slimmer, Sexier You” ID# 1133
“Facial Fillers & Botox” ID# 1144
“The Secret To Beautiful Vein-Free Legs” ID# 1155
“The Menopause Miracle: What Every Woman Should Know About Hormone Replacement Therapy” ID #1166
We hope you found this month’s issue informative and we look forward to hearing your feedback.
Please let us know what you think. Until the next issue…
Live life to its fullest,
Dr. Charles Mok, D.O. ● Dr. Brett Kotlus, M.D., M.S.
The information provided in this newsletter is meant as a general source of information only and should not be substituted for sound medical advice.
If you are considering one of these procedures, you should consult further with a medical professional for complete information on the benefits and
risks of all treatments or procedures described in this newsletter.