News

Hormones & Marriage

Wed, 01 May 2013 16:49:00 GMT

When you said “I Do” you never imagined that years later you would lose all interest in a sex life and find your “soul-mate” unattractive and irritating. You find yourself constantly battling fatigue as everything you do requires so much effort. You don’t even know who you are when you hear yourself talking as the mood swings consume your whole being. How can you possibly maintain a happy marriage when you’re not even happy with the person you are becoming? Can you control this or is this simply a normal progression of married life and you just deal with it?

I am here to say NO. You absolutely don’t need to live this life. There are options. A lot of the symptoms stated above I hear on a daily basis, and many women and men are suffering unnecessarily. I am here to tell you that you can recoup that basic marital foundation – intimacy. You can get rid of the fatigue and mood swings and become the person you were when you first married.

The solution is simple….it’s all about hormones. As we age our hormones start decreasing and as a result symptoms appear. The most common symptoms are lack of sex drive, fatigue, depression, gaining weight in the mid-section, unable to multi-task and think clearly, mood swings, and hot flashes. All these symptoms can not only impact you as an individual but obviously your relationship.

A simple blood test is all that is needed to determine if you are lacking hormones. Once the deficiencies are identified, an individualized plan should be created to maximize your hormone levels. The type of hormone chosen - synthetic versus bio-identical - is imperative. Bio-identical hormones mimic exactly your own body’s molecules versus their synthetic counterparts, with known cancer-causing agents within their chemical structure. The methods of bio-identical hormone delivery range from sub-lingual liquids to creams and from injections to pellets.

More important is that the delivery method must be constant with no high peaks and lows. All methods of delivery, except the pellet, unfortunately give you inconsistent absorption of hormones. When you place a cream on the skin in our hot humid climate of South Florida, how much are you exactly absorbing and what is wearing off? When you place the liquid hormone underneath the tongue or give an injection you have immediate absorption, but what is left to be absorbed the remainder of the day? The absorption rates with these methods are extremely unpredictable, making it really hard to manage the symptoms and regain control of your life.

The bio-identical hormone pellet provides a consistent flow of hormone delivery. The pellet, which is less than the size of a tic-tac, is inserted underneath the skin. Therefore, the body has 24 hour access to the hormone, using it as needed.

The pellets last up to 6 months, thus avoiding the hassle of taking daily medications. The absorption is predictable and monitored with lab values. The benefits are seen as quickly as 5 days. Some of the testimonials I have heard are: “Thank you for giving me my wife back”, “I am more centered as a human being,” “I haven’t been this intimate with my husband since our honeymoon.” So you decide: is bio-identical hormone pellet therapy right for you? Can your marriage be improved?

Platelet Rich Plasma for hair regrowth - Plasma Rico en Plaquetas para crecimiento del cabello

Sat, 16 Feb 2013 16:22:00 GMT

As seen on AmericaTeve by Anchor Yossie Galindo, Dr. Nerette demonstrates the benefits of PRP for hair regrowth.

En el segmento "Por siempre Joven" Yossie Galindo hace el PRP para el crecimiento y salud del cabello.

Paradigm Shift: the Anti-Aging Revolution

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 19:36:00 GMT

Paradigm Shift: A4M and the Anti-Aging Revolution is a "must see" for anyone interested in living a longer, healthier, more vital lifespan. This feature-length film explains how medicine is shifting away from a disease-based pharmaceutical model, toward a wellness and prevention model.

Dr. Nerette and Stephanie Muniz, ARNP are both A4M members and believe in empowering you to manage your health and live a healthier life.

Have a Healthy Holiday!

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 21:13:00 GMT

HAVE A HEALTHY HOLIDAY!

The end of the Year is approximating, and along with it comes the "overwhelmed" feeling with so many tasks to accomplish.

Prioritize the time you have to spend, and take the time for yourself to nourish your body, spirit and mind. Need help and guidance to achieve your health goals? Let's do this together!

Our focus is based on helping you improve your well-being and vitality. Talk to Us!

We also would like to say Thank you for your support this Year. Wishing you a vibrant and hearty Journey of Life!

Dr. Nerette and Stephanie

How Old Are You Really?

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 20:55:00 GMT

How Old are You Really? ….Testing Telomere Length

As we grow older it is important for many of us not only to look good, stay fit with exercise but be in the best health possible. What if there was a test that could evaluate what our biological age is in comparison to our chronological age and with this information we could slow aging and age-related diseases….would you test yourself? Well, the technology is here through Telomere testing.

Telomeres are the sections at the end of our chromosome strands in our DNA. The telomeres protect our DNA and prevent chromosomal “fraying” every time the cell is replicated. Telomeres are similar to the plastic at the end of shoelaces as they serve as a protective cap to the end of our genetic material. Telomeres allow the cell to divide without losing genetic information from the chromosome. Cell division is needed so we can grow new skin, blood, bone and other cells when needed. Every time a cell replicates its telomere becomes shorter until eventually the telomere can no longer shorten and the cell either dies or sustains genetic damage and becomes cancerous. The shorter the telomere is, the greater the incidence of age related disease and cancer. It is desirable to have a longer telomere as the telomere length may be used as an indicator to evaluate how rapidly an individual is aging. Through Telomere testing your telomere length is compared to the average telomere length of the American population of your specific age group. The higher the telomere score, the “younger” the cell.

Shorter telomeres have been associated with greater risk of metabolic disease, cardiovascular disease and cancer. In fact, Geneticist Richard Cawthorn and his colleagues at the University of Utah found that shorter telomeres were associated with shorter life spans. Among people older than 60, those with shorter telomeres were three times more likely to die from heart disease and eight times more likely to die from infectious disease. With Telomere testing we can evaluate your biological age and use this as a tool to improve your general health. Treatments to increase Telomere length are individualized but may include life style modifications such as diet, exercise and sleep, the use of nutritional supplements, and hormone optimization.

Call us today and schedule your free consultation at 954.384.8989. Dr. Jean-Claude Nerette is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Stephanie Muniz Nerette is Board Certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner. They both specialize in Functional Medicine, IV Nutrition Therapy and Bio-Identical Hormone Pellet Therapy. Their practice Bellissimo Medical Spa is located at 2665 Executive Park Drive, Suite #3, in Weston. Visit their website at www.BellissimoMediSpa.com.

Optimizing Health Through Balance

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 19:46:00 GMT

Everything in life is all about balance. Whether it is a balance of work and play time, portion sizes and choices of eating, spending and saving, balance is an integral part of life. Without balance havoc or chaos is created. This becomes true not only as part of an emotional interplay in your life but also inward in your internal system / network of hormones. Without the proper balance of hormones and steroids health conditions may arise. For example, Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) which is a steroid made from cholesterol is extremely important in the production of our hormones estrogens and testosterone. In low levels DHEA is known to cause:

Decreased sound sleep – decreased REM sleep is related to memory storage – clinical research has shown that DHEA protects against brain damage that is associated with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. In these clients with low levels of DHEA, reversal of symptoms of senile dementia may occur with proper replacement.

Stress and age-related disease – such as depression, peptic ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome. DHEA at optimized levels produces an anti-cortisol activity which promotes the body’s ability to cope with stress.

Decreased immune system. Low levels have been reported in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematous (SLE). At optimized levels DHEA has been shown to stimulate the immune system.

Obesity. DHEA at proper levels has been shown to decrease fat, increase lean body weight and curve appetite.

Hypertension. The imbalance created in your body’s system due to a decrease in DHEA can lead to an over production of other steroids creating hypertension.

Heart attack. Low levels of DHEA have been shown associated with an increase progression of coronary atherosclerosis.

Insulin resistance. Studies have shown that DHEA protects against insulin resistance.

Thyroid function. Hypothyroidism has been associated with low levels of DHEA.

HIV and AIDS. Low levels of DHEA have been shown to have a direct correlation of the progression of the disease; moreover, DHEA may provide some measure of protection against HIV infection.

In summary, DHEA is major steroid hormone that provides the materials for the synthesis of our sex hormones and maintains balance to protect us from stressors/ diseases placed on the body. Just as too low of a level of DHEA can wreck havoc on the body so can too high of a level. Too much DHEA can also off set the whole metabolism of the individual causing more harm to the body than good. It is imperative prior to supplementing with DHEA that levels be obtained. Proper levels of DHEA are measured through saliva. Periodic levels should be monitored. Dosaging of DHEA should be determined only through a physician specializing in functional medicine. Do not ever attempt to supplement DHEA on your own without the guidance of a physician. The key to optimizing health is through balance.

Is Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement safe for women going through menopause?

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 22:54:00 GMT

As you all know, Hormone Replacement Therapy still brings up a lot of questions when we talk about its risks and benefits. . What not everybody know is that not all Hormone Replacement Therapies are alike. Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy mimics the ovaries delivering biologically equivalent hormones straight trough the blood stream. Recently, Channel 7 News has reported about the benefits of BHRT on perimenopause women.

You can check the video interview here:

WSVN-TV -

For over 10 years, Dr. Nerette and Stephanie Muniz Nerette, have been specializing in treating perimenopause, menopause and andropause (men) symptoms through the safest and most natural methods out there, being Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement one of them. They take their time to listen to your concerns and proactively customize your "feel good and live well" plan.

Como afectan las hormonas a nuestro cuerpo? How do hormones affect our bodies?

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 18:20:00 GMT

Last Wednesday Dr. Nerette had the opportunity to discuss with the followers of Chica Natural, Organica y Latina Laura Termini about how hormones affect our body and functions in every stage of our lives. The lack of hormones as well as pre/post menopause symptoms were also discussed. More important, natural treatments for symptoms such as hot flashes, low libido, low energy, migraines, and even depression were brought in by Dr. Nerette and the bloggers. Check out the video here as you may have some questions that might just be answered by Dr. Nerette. (In Spanish).

Estas siempre cansada, de mal humor y sin energia? Las hormonas controlan todo!

Por Siempre Joven (Forever Young)

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 17:27:00 GMT

En la serie "Por siempre Joven" presentada por la periodista Yossie Galindo, el Dr. Nerette hace una demostracion de la tecnica PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) para rejuvenecimiento de la piel. El tambien habla de la importancia de la optimizacion de la salud y equilibrio hormonal para obtener la vitalidad y mantener la juventud.

This video was presented by the anchor Yossie Galindo from AmericaTV. As part of her series "Forever Young", Yossie comes to Bellissimo Medical Spa to know more from Dr. Nerette about the importance of balancing hormones and optimizing health to reflect in "the exterior". He also demonstrates the Platelet Rich Plasma treatment to naturally rejuvenate skin, by increasing blood flow and stimulating collagen production.

Accelerate Healing – Improve Health

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 16:45:00 GMT

According to statistics from the National Institute of Health, approximately 1 out of every 4 Americans has a digestive disorder known to cause an absorption deficiency. Whether this problem is due to a mal-absorption issue after gastric bypass or simply because our diet is lacking in vitamin and mineral content, nutritional health can adversely affect overall wellness. Nutritional well being enhances immune function, improves healing time and recovery, decreases inflammation, increases energy and assists in maintaining overall health.

While proper nutrition is important for daily living, it becomes essential when recovering from a surgical procedure. Numerous scientific studies have demonstrated that those individuals who undergo both non-elective and elective surgery (breast implants, tummy tuck, face lift, etc.), are lacking adequate levels of minerals and vitamins to properly heal. When the body is depleted of vitamins and minerals that are essential to the recovery process increased risks of complications such as delayed healing, increased pain, infection and mortality rise exponentially. Intravenous (IV) Nutritional Therapy will improve the ability of your cells to detoxify, repair and regenerate, so you can heal faster and feel better again.

If you are undergoing a supervised surgical procedure and or:

You are 35 years old and above
Smoke or have a history of smoking
Have chronic illness
Have history of infections
Scar easily
Would like to minimize pain and discomfort

Then IV Nutritional Therapy will speed up your recovery process, while improving your overall health when you need it the most.

IV therapy is different from taking a multi vitamin daily by mouth in that only 20-30% of the nutritional content of the vitamin is actually absorbed by the body; whereas IV therapy insures 100% absorption of nutrients directly into your cells. Intravenous therapy bypasses the digestive system which blocks the absorption of nutrients. There is no better way than Intravenous therapy to introduce vitamins, minerals, and amino acids directly into the bloodstream.

Surgery is not the only indication for IV Nutrition Therapy. There are many other indications besides pre/post surgery for IV Nutrition Therapy such as:

Adrenal Fatigue
Malabsorptive Syndromes
Increasing Athletic Performance
Migraine Headaches
Increasing Immune System
After Chemotherapy Treatments
Bowel Disorders (Ulcerative Colitis/ Crohn’s Disease)
Chronic Stress
Gastric Bypass
Cold/Flu
Chronic Fatigue
Fibromyalgia
Preventative Care

Nutritional well being is the cornerstone of good health!

Speed up your post-op recovery process with IV Nutritional Therapy

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 22:12:00 GMT

While proper nutrition is important for daily living, it becomes essential when recovering from a surgical procedure. Numerous scientific studies have demonstrated that after undergoing a body contouring procedure, individuals’ bodies lack adequate levels of minerals and vitamins to properly heal. IV Nutritional Therapy will improve the ability of your cells to detoxify, repair and regenerate, so you can heal faster and feel better again.

If you are undergoing a supervised surgical procedure and or:

• You are 35 years old and above
• Smoke or have a history of smoking
• Have chronic illness
• Have history of infections
• Scar easily
• Would like to minimize pain and discomfort

Then IV Vitamin Therapy will speed up your recovery process, while improving your overall health when you need the most. Protect your cosmetic surgery investment!

What are the benefits of Intravenous Nutritional Therapy?

IV nutritional therapy can provide enormous health benefits depending on the condition(s) being treated, the specific protocol(s) used, the number of sessions, and the overall health of the patient being treated. In many aspects, IV nutritional therapy is a preventative aging measure since it improves the nutritional content inside of the cells. Some of the specific benefits that patients may experience include: (1) Increased energy, (2) An overall sense of well being, (3) Decreased pain, (4) Better digestion and body detoxification, (5) Enhanced immune support, and (6) Stress relief. IV therapy is so powerful that many patients report many of these benefits within hours of receiving the treatment. Some conditions including chronic diseases like Fibromyalgia require periodic treatments in order to maintain the benefits.

Have questions? Ask Dr. Nerette! We'll be happy to assist you.

When it comes to hormone replacement therapy for men, almost all agree that testosterone is key

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:51:00 GMT

This week Dr. Jean-Claude Nerette was featured on an article by New You Magazine discussing the most effective ways for men to replace the hormone Testosterone.

Very interesting about the article is that all Doctors agree on the benefits of Testosterone for maintaining both men and women's health and vitality. Dr. Nerette even points out to the importance of testosterone in disease prevention as stated:

“Testosterone replacement therapy can combat erectile dysfunction, loss of muscle tone, increased belly fat and loss of concentration,” says Dr. Nerette. “But the most important thing is that testosterone is one of the hormones associated with mortality. If it’s low in a man, he is more likely to die from heart attack or stroke.”

Take a peek at the full article here!

As Seen on Inside Edition TV Show: HGH Can Help You Stay Young and Sexy

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:25:00 GMT

Check what Celebs are talking about HGH and its benefits:

http://www.insideedition.com/news/7586/which-celebs-are-taking-hgh.aspx

Here's another link to the actual mentioned article from the latest issue of Vanity Fair:

http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2012/02/hollywood-human-growth-hormone-hgh-therapy-health-trend

Would you like to know more information about HGH and Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement? Ask for a complimentary consultation with Dr. Nerette at Bellissimo Medical Spa.

Creating Optimal Wellness Not Just Longevity

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 17:02:00 GMT

The life expectancy of Americans has doubled since the 1900’s. According to these trends, the majority of Americans born today will likely live to 100 years old or more. But what good is longevity without quality of life? According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 80% of American adults have one chronic condition and 50% have at least two. These chronic conditions can be crippling as they cause years of pain and decrease optimal functioning.

The good news is that research has shown that poor health is not an inevitable consequence of aging. We have all heard through lifestyle changes we can increase our quality of life but how do we do this? You can do this by partnering with a physician who practices functional medicine. Functional medicine is an evolution in the practice of medicine that better addresses the health-care needs of the 21st century. Functional medicine focuses on the individual as a whole and not as isolated parts / specialties. It combines traditional medicine with what is sometimes referred to as “alternative” or “integrative” medicine. Functional medicine differs from traditional medicine in the following ways:

▸ It treats the root cause of the illness and not just the symptoms. For example, let’s look at Migraines. Traditional doctors would prescribe medications and rest, but what is the underlying cause of this migraine? Functional medicine would investigate the source of the migraine, such as a possible food sensitivity or hormonal imbalance.
▸ The focus is on prevention through nutrition, diet, exercise and elimination of toxins. Through a compilation of your history and laboratory testing, the doctor may prescribe supplements or a detoxification program tailored to your needs and goals.
▸ It is client centered. The practitioner listens to the client by learning his or her individual story and tailors treatments that address the individual’s needs.
▸ The practitioner will consider multiple factors on assessing the client’s clinical imbalances such as environmental inputs, mind-body elements and genetic make-up.

As you can see from the list above, functional medicine practitioners are interested in the person as a whole. We are interested in you – your health, what you eat, your home and work environment, how you communicate with others, how you relax, which medications and supplements your taking, what chemicals you have been exposed to and how your digestive system is functioning. These items paint a picture of who you are and can give a great wealth of information to tailor a plan to make the changes you need to feel better and ultimately optimize your health and consequently possibly your longevity!

Hormones and Migraines

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 01:00:00 GMT

“I could tell you every time the weather changed because I would get a terrible migraine from the changing barometric pressure. I would have migraines 2-3 times a week. After the bio-identical pellets, I have not had a migraine in the past 3 months. I am able to enjoy more time with my husband and children. Thank you, Dr. Nerette.” L.D.

Migraine Headaches cause disability, suffering, and loss of quality of life and a result have been ranked among the top ten most disabling disorders for both sexes by the World Health Organization. Approximately 30 million people in the United States suffer from migraine headaches, and about 75 percent are women. The majority of women who experience migraines are between the ages of 20 and 45. Unfortunately, these women who experience headaches are those who can least afford taking time off since they are juggling responsibilities of home and work. Typically the women of this age group usually have young children or busy careers or both. Medical research supports a strong link between hormones and migraines since migraine occurrence tends to be the same for both boys and girls until puberty, at which point there is a sharp increase in migraines among girls who begin menstruating. Moreover, migraine attacks tend to worsen in frequency and severity around the menstrual period. Good news is that the majority of migraine sufferers benefit from the treatment of bio-identical hormone therapy that is aimed at correcting hormonal imbalances and as a result most women find that their headaches become less frequent or disappear completely.

Unbalanced Estrogen, Testosterone and Progesterone can cause debilitating headaches and may be triggered by numerous factors, such as stress, fatigue, menopause, menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum and oral contraceptives. Unfortunately, many women are treated with birth control pills, pain relievers or both of which do not treat the underlying hormonal imbalance. In addition to a comprehensive medical history, a simple blood test may be all that is needed to determine a hormonal imbalance. Once an imbalance is determined, it is essential that the proper type of hormones and method of delivery be chosen to adequately treat the imbalance and improve migraines.

The type of hormone chosen synthetic versus bio-identical is extremely important. Bio-identical hormones mimic exactly your own body’s molecule per molecule versus their synthetic counterparts with known cancer-causing agents within their chemical structure. The delivery method of the bio-identical hormone is paramount. It is key that the delivery is constant with no high peaks and lows since these peaks and lows in hormones may trigger migraines. All methods of delivery except that of pellet form unfortunately give you inconsistent absorption of hormones. When you place a cream on the skin in our hot humid climate of South Florida, how much are you exactly absorbing and what is wearing off? When you place the hormone in a liquid underneath the tongue or give an injection you have rapid absorption immediately, but

what is left to be absorbed the remainder of the day? The absorption rates with these methods are extremely unpredictable. Unpredictable absorption is unacceptable when trying to maintain constant hormonal balance.

The bio-identical hormone pellet provides a consistent flow of hormone delivery. The pellet which is less than the size of a tic-tac is inserted underneath the skin. The body has 24 hour access to the hormone in pellet form and takes it as it is needed. The pellets last up to 6 months, thus avoiding the hassle of taking daily medications. The absorption is predictable and monitored with lab values. The benefits are seen as quickly as 5 days.

“I had exhausted all types of prescriptions, over the counter medications, and was on investigational medications to treat my migraines without success. I was placed on bio-identical pellets by Dr. Nerette over a year ago and my migraines are gone!” S.N.