How to Find you Zen

NATIONAL NEWS

How to find your

zen

amongst changing hormones

BY ANIKA JACKSON , WITH AMY FRANK, CERTIFIED PHYSICAL ASSISTANT

As women, every stage of life brings about changes in our bodies that we are not always equipped or happy to encounter. While we may take better care of ourselves and look younger than we’d consider most women to look in the past, we still deal with significant changes as we age - similar to adolescence, but far less exciting! A few of these include the difficulty in losing weight after forty, the hardships of having heavy periods, adult acne, facial hair, and vitamin deficiencies (who hasn’t been told they have a Vitamin D deficiency as a busy adult?).

As the global community becomes more connected, the marriage between Western and Eastern medicine has become more common. Amy Frank, PA-C, is one medical professional who has realized that for many women, this may very well

be the combination that provides the best result for new hormonal issues. Ms. Frank began her journey in medicine at Texas A&M University, graduating in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science. Shortly after graduation, she enrolled at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, where she began her studies in the Physician Assistant Program.

While at Baylor, she represented her school on the Texas Association of Physician Assistants Board. During completion of her graduate studies, she worked at The Texas Heart Institute in the research department, studying the Abiomed heart assist and the total artificial heart. She completed her thesis on the quality of life for heart transplant recipients over the age of 65, and she graduated with a Master of Science

Degree in Physician Assistant studies in 1996. She began practicing medicine in Katy, Texas, in 1996 and has enjoyed practicing as a primary care physician assistant in the area ever since.

When she began practicing, Amy quickly developed an interest in preventive

care, women’s health, and adolescent medicine. After many years of attempting to individualize treatment plans to meet the specific needs of her patients, she found herself looking beyond traditional Western-based medicine and began studying a more holistic approach to healing including nutraceuticals, acupressure, and cellular balancing. She has been able to integrate these philosophies into her traditional practice to provide a more well-rounded approach to both disease and wellness.

About twenty years ago, Ms. Frank expanded her studies to include addressing the body as a whole rather than compartmentalizing body systems. Through cellular restoration and treatment of inflammatory responses, she feels she has been able to offer a more individualized and comprehensive approach to primary medical problems, including sex and thyroid hormone balancing, adrenal challenge and fatigue, gut issues, acute and chronic medical conditions, and preventive medicine. She enjoys incorporating many different modalities to meet her patients’ needs, such as natural herbs, dietary and food supports, bioidentical hormones, and prescription therapy. She prides herself on developing a personal relationship with her clients and believes this helps her address all aspects of patient care.

Amy reflects, “As I was beginning my own medical practice, I found that I began dealing with unresolved health issues and was alarmed at the lack of Western medicine and know-how to solve them. It was only by approaching the whole body and really looking at adrenal and hormonal issues, as well as Eastern medicine, where I became able to realize that I could not only help myself, but other women in the same or similar situations.”

• Another issue apparent in most women’s lives these days is the dreaded S-word – Stress! If you feel

stressed out, fatigued, depressed, anxious, disinterested in sex, and have difficulty staying awake or getting going, a common factor is Adrenal Fatigue. Adrenal Fatigue is very common and the underlying culprit to many chronic diseases like hormone imbalance, cardiovascular disease, and immune insufficiency. Your adrenal glands are the work-horses within your body. If you are exhausted, chances are, your adrenals — and their partner, the thyroid — need attention.

The adrenal glands are the walnut-shaped organs that are found above the kidneys, and they’re responsible for producing stress hormones such as DHEA, cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. Adrenal support is vitally needed, not only for your “fight and flight” response that occurs when you are in danger, but also for your everyday needs to maintain normal blood glucose levels and to help burn off your fats while keeping your energy levels high. Optimal glandular health remains vital for a better metabolism and the ability to have energy. Maintaining a healthy stress response is necessary for total body wellness, as well as supporting the systems that aid the body in responding to stress as it occurs to achieve a better quality of life.

Part of Ms. Frank’s practice includes a new line of products specially formulated for women’s ever-changing health issues and needs, called Zentigue. Frank explains, “At our practice, we chose to create our own brand and formularies so that we could provide the best ingredients for every symptom women face and focus on the real, underlying issues, as opposed to just masking the symptoms. And, this approach has made a huge difference in my own life, as well as those of countless women who come through our practice!”

Anika Jackson is a mother, community volunteer, philanthropist, and brand strategist. As Founder/CEO of Social Graces Social Club, Jackson fosters friendships, business opportunities, and community activism for her members through events and via the Social Graces Social Clubhouse in downtown Houston, while maintaining a thriving PR, marketing, and event company.

Find out more at: zentigue.com