Janine Pardo, MD

03/26/2020

This is the practical (evidence-based) advice we’re following in our home and daily lives.

This page will be updated as new information becomes available [Last update: 3.25.20] As we navigate these unprecedented times, many are wondering how to safely shop, order, and prepare food to min…

09/08/2019

I’m often asked about what exactly processed foods are, what the problem is with them, and what are the related risks. This article is an excellent summary of just that information, and has some helpful hints on how to avoid the worst kinds of processed foods without sacrificing convenience.

On some level, we all know processed foods are bad. But... why?? Read on to learn why ultra-processing is ultra-harmful. To us, and to our microbiome.

05/24/2019

So many people I see think that their anxiety is the result of their own failure to cope, or because they are the victim of overwhelming stress. Few realize that our resilience and our perception of stress start to form before we’re born. Many factors like epigenetic signals and life experiences will influence the size and reactivity patterns of the brain structures and pathways that govern our emotions. In my experience, understanding how stress and anxiety physiologically work empowers people to take the steps that allow them to dramatically improve their quality of life. I also highly recommend the work of Robert Sapolsky (including his most recent book “Behave”) and Bruce McEwen’s work on allostatic load.

Brain imaging shows that anxiety is the result of a biological problem in the brain. Learn more about the seven types of anxiety and treatments available.

03/30/2019

Intermittent Fasting (IF) is such a popular topic - I answer questions about this almost daily. There is real, quality science to support this very accessible lifestyle strategy including proven benefits to brain health, blood sugar regulation, hormone and neurotransmitter levels, stress resilience, and circadian rhythm to name a few. This article is a great summary of the methods of IF, as well as the "how and why" behind its efficacy.

Intermittent fasting can lead to a lower risk of chronic disease. Find out why IF works—and when it’s a good choice for your health.

02/12/2019

Very interesting - starts with an analysis in mice - goes into the impact of the father’s stress on specific signaling that ultimately determines the stress response patterns of the offspring

Inside: Perhaps in more ways than one

01/24/2019

Registration will be ending soon. Can't wait to participate and present on Sunday.
register at www.wellesleywellnessretreat.com

Here is the schedule for the day:
The 4th Annual Wellesley Wellness Retreat
Self-Care for Positive Change
January 27th at Elm Bank in Wellesley
8:00AM - 3:30PM

EARLY YOGA
8:00 - 9:00 AM - Optional all-levels yoga class, free with registration. Cory Halaby will lead a nurturing flow so you can start the day relaxed, renewed and inspired.

SPEAKER SERIES
9:00 AM - Check in and program introduction.

9:40 AM - 10:20 AM - IT STARTS WITH YOU Self Care for Happiness and Resilience - Molly Maguire Shrewsberry and Cory Halaby

10:20 AM - 11:00 AM - POSITIVE NUTRITION How to Quit Diet Culture and Nourish Yourself - Stacy Kennedy

11:00 AM - 11:40 AM - Retreat yourself! Elm Bank trail walk, guided Forest Cleanse with Carolyn Weatherhead Carney, journal, socialize, shop, one-on-one appointments...

11:40 AM - 12:20 PM - Catered lunch.

12:20 PM - 1:00 PM - DIGESTION MATTERS Holistic Care for a Healthy Belly - Janine Pardo, MD

1:00 PM - 1:40 PM - DO WHAT YOU LOVE Finding and Living your Passion - Aileen Axtmayer, Aspire with Aileen

1:40 PM - 2:20 PM - Retreat break. Stretch, chat, move and possibly groove with Michelle Gladden Lambi

2:20 PM - 3:00 PM - COMMUNITY SERVICE Bridging Professional Aspirations with Personal Passions - Alison Glastein Gray

3:00 PM - 3:30 PM - Retreat wrap-up, closing savasana (guided relaxation) and Scout & Cellar Wines tasting with Janine Malone

The 4th Annual Wellesley Wellness Retreat
Self-Care for Positive Change

January 27th at Elm Bank in Wellesley
8:00AM - 3:30PM

register at www.wellesleywellnessretreat.com

Schedule for WWR 2019:
EARLY YOGA

8:00 - 9:00 AM - Optional all-levels yoga class, free with registration. Cory Halaby will lead a nurturing flow so you can start the day relaxed, renewed and inspired.

SPEAKER SERIES

9:00 AM - Check in and program introduction.

9:40 AM - 10:20 AM - IT STARTS WITH YOU Self Care for Happiness and Resilience - Molly Maguire Shrewsberry and Cory Halaby

10:20 AM - 11:00 AM - POSITIVE NUTRITION How to Quit Diet Culture and Nourish Yourself - Stacy Kennedy

11:00 AM - 11:40 AM - Retreat yourself! Elm Bank trail walk, guided Forest Cleanse with Carolyn Weatherhead Carney, journal, socialize, shop, one-on-one appointments...

11:40 AM - 12:20 PM - Catered lunch.

12:20 PM - 1:00 PM - DIGESTION MATTERS Holistic Care for a Healthy Belly - Janine Pardo, MD

1:00 PM - 1:40 PM - DO WHAT YOU LOVE Finding and Living your Passion - Aileen Axtmayer, Aspire with Aileen

1:40 PM - 2:20 PM - Retreat break. Stretch, chat, move and possibly groove with Michelle Gladden Lambi

2:20 PM - 3:00 PM - COMMUNITY SERVICE Bridging Professional Aspirations with Personal Passions - Alison Glastein Gray

3:00 PM - 3:30 PM - Retreat wrap-up, closing savasana (guided relaxation) and Scout & Cellar Wines tasting with Janine Malone

INDIVIDUAL APPOINTMENTS

Upon registration, you'll have the chance to reserve limited one-on-one appointments with our wellness experts and fun featured guests: Massage with Gerly Meade, Acupuncture with Stepping Stone Acupuncture & Wellness, Nutrition Counseling with Stacy Kennedy of Wellness Guides, Reflexology with Sabine Witek, Reiki with Jean DiPiro Goldstone, Astrology with Samantha Cameron, Angel Card Reading with Christine Grace, Life Coaching with Aileen Axtmayer and Cory Halaby.

Featuring Laughing Lotus Boutique and artists Jenny Schneider, Laurel Landers, Julia Blake, Julie Vari-Nikolewski, Deborah Friedman and E.S. Redmond

Snacks from Health Warrior, Biena Snacks and more.

It's going to be quite a day! Don't miss it!! register at www.wellesleywellnessretreat.com

01/11/2019

So delighted to be presenting at this event again in 2019. Participating in community of like-minded seekers is a powerful way to make lasting change. Self-care is a necessity, not a luxury, and this is the perfect venue to learn these skills. I look forward to discussing all things Digestive at this year's Wellesley Wellness Retreat

12/21/2018

The following is an article that I recently wrote for a mainstream medical journal. Due to the progressive nature of the content, the editors decided not to publish the piece. I have provided it here (with references) as my 2018 summary and scientific introduction to the current state of the evidence on diet and disease prevention - share this with your doctor, a healthcare professional you know, or anyone who would benefit from this information. Wishing you a healthy 2019!

Introduction About half the U.S.

10/05/2018

A Ketogenic diet is so much more than a fad - it is an effective, strategic nutritional intervention that can have dramatic impact on chronic disease, including the ability to REVERSE Type 2 Diabetes. This study is one of several analyses of the efficacy of the Virta Health Program - a physician-supervised lifestyle intervention program that uses nutritional ketosis as part of a comprehensive personalized lifestyle and behavioral plan. Not surprisingly, in 10 weeks they lowered blood sugar, got people off their medications, patients lost significant weight and dramatically reduced their risk for a heart attack or stroke. In other studies that evaluate these patients at 1 year, all of the benefits were sustained (and even longer term follow-up is ongoing).
According to the American Diabetes Association, this disease cost the US $327 billion in 2017, not to mention the $90 billion in lost productivity. Medications, supplies, and associated disease complications made up about 45% of that number. So my questions are: 1) Why don't healthcare insurers (including government-funded Medicare / Medicaid) pay for patients to participate in a program like this? 2) Why are we not at least informing, if not also offering every patient with diabetes this option?
If you live in the Boston area and would like to work with an expert in the nutritional ketosis, contact us for an appointment with Stacy Kennedy, RD - you can learn more about Stacy at janinepardomd.com/wellness

Emerging Technologies, Medical Devices, Apps, Sensors, and Informatics to Help People with Diabetes

09/12/2018

Do you dread cooking weeknight meals? Check out this healthy and simple one-skillet meal from one or our Integrative Nutritionists, Stacy Kennedy. Stacy currently has consult appointments available at our practice on Wednesday mornings, and, starting in October, she will offer appointments all day on Thursdays as well. Check out our Wellness Center providers to learn more about Stacy and her services.

One-Skillet Meal for Back-to-School Cauliflower Potato Leek Soup Posted by Stacy Kennedy on September 12, 2018 in Everyday Wellness, Food Sensitivities, Recipes, Weight Loss, Women's Health September is here! The lazy days of summer are winding down and busy schedules are back. Mealtimes often becom...

08/09/2018

Food for thought: A powerful message about our food choices and the wide-reaching impacts...

This TEDx talk resonates with me as I think of how I practice, and for what I advocate. Here are my favorite points made by Dr. Hyman, mixed with a few of my own comments / thoughts:

- Right now 1 in every 2 Americans has a chronic disease
- 1 in 2 have prediabetes or diabetes, and 70% are overweight
- 90% of illness is lifestyle associated
- about 46% of primary care physicians are "burnt out" - the burden of our national health crisis cannot be the sole responsibility of our physicians - personal choice and accountability matter
- For the first time in modern history, children today are expected to have a shorter lifespan than previous generations
- "Food has an enormous impact on the brain, and mood, and behavior" and I would add, therefore, our judgement and decisions
- "Our food system is not designed to create healthy people, or a healthy world - it's designed to maximize profits"
- "Our food system as a whole - collectively, all the aspects of it - is the #1 driver of climate change (more than the energy sector)."
- "[Our epidemic of chronic disease] is crippling our economy - Medicare and Medicaid are buckling under the weight of it. It's estimated that in 20 years it will comprise our entire federal budget."

We all have the ability every day, on some level, to vote with our fork. I applaud thought leaders like Mark Hyman, Mark Pettus, and Chris Kresser (check out his book "Unconventional Medicine" if you like this topic), and the many others advocating for the realistic changes that can transform our personal lives, and our national livelihood. They inspire me to keep on building our practice, helping others to thrive, and to pursue my mission to help my community become holistically healthier for each other, our planet, and our future. I want to be part of the solution - how about you?

Dr Hyman is a practising family physician, an​​11-time New York Times bestselling author speaker, educator and advocate in the field of Functional Medicine. ...

07/11/2018

Our fantastic medical massage therapist Jesus Arroyo-Lopez is an expert in therapeutic massage and myofascial technique. His sessions are typically reimbursable via insurance. Learn more about Jesus and his effective treatments: janinepardomd.com/wellness

People suffering from chronic pain or recovering from an injury can turn to the power of touch as an alternative form of treatment.