Optimal Health & Wellness

Optimal Health & Wellness Functional Medicine Consultations and treatment plans that focus on Root Cause Owner/Physician: Johnny Gomes, D.O. Wellness Nurse: Sue Gomes, R.N., B.S.N.
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Office Manager: Micah Beaver

Functional & Lifestyle Medicine Education - Empower Yourself and Take Control of Your Health

Functional Medicine uses an integrative approach with an emphasis on identifying root causes that lead to an individual's illnesses and poor health. By addressing these, through modifications in lifestyle factors and other triggers of dysfunction, it is possible to improve, reverse, or even eliminate many of these conditions. It is an holistic approach with a focus on every aspect that makes us who we are. We are presently ill-served by the conventional model of utilizing a pharmaceutical treatment for every condition, "a pill for every ill", focused on suppression of symptoms rather than a cure, all while the disease process continues unabated. While there is a time and place for medications, they are now used as the primary treatment in the majority of these chronic medical conditions. History shows that this has only led to further disease progression. Improving people's lives through lifestyle modification - dietary changes, proper nutrition, effective exercise, stress management, targeted supplementation and optimized sleep - attention to the mind, body & spirit - you can achieve dramatic changes in your life. Our goal is to help individuals to thrive, not just survive, by providing this knowledge. We offer an educational experience focused on the prevention or management of chronic medical conditions. This knowledge enables one to take control of their own health and empowers the individual to improve themselves. This educational experience can be provided in our office, your home or a public venue. We offer individual, family or group lectures and discussions that are targeted to your area of interest, individualized for you and your target audience. The body is capable of healing itself.... We help you learn how. For more info, visit our website: www.optimalhealthwnc.com
Call us at (828) 536-0320 for more info or
Email us at Optimalhc1@gmail.com

The best way to eat brussels sprouts 🥓
11/21/2025

The best way to eat brussels sprouts 🥓

The mismanagement of type 2 diabetes.Individuals with type 2 diabetes often do not benefit from the addition of insulin ...
11/20/2025

The mismanagement of type 2 diabetes.

Individuals with type 2 diabetes often do not benefit from the addition of insulin therapy to address elevated blood sugar. This can actually make things worse, contribute to increased fat gain, slower metabolism, and increases the risk of other conditions.

These individuals already have high insulin levels, and adding more does not make it better. Increase risk of heart disease and death, and increased risk of cancer mortality.

benbikmanphd

Source: Dr. Ben Bikman.


Something so many take for granted. What if your choices could prevent this?
11/20/2025

Something so many take for granted.
What if your choices could prevent this?

Thought for the day…
11/20/2025

Thought for the day…

The number most often ignored on a standard cholesterol profile is the triglycerides. Why? Because we have so little to ...
11/19/2025

The number most often ignored on a standard cholesterol profile is the triglycerides. Why? Because we have so little to offer for it from a pharmaceutical standpoint.

Yet, the answer is quite simple. Cut the carbohydrates, improve insulin sensitivity, and triglycerides come down. Exercise. Fast. There are several non-pharmaceutical options available.

Elevated triglyceride levels with low HDL have a far greater association with heart disease risk than LDL cholesterol ever has.

Why are we so fixated with LDL cholesterol? Because there is a very marketable drug to treat it.

SLOW DOWN!!!We should not be so quick to jump on the bandwagon that it is now okay to move forward with Hormone Replacem...
11/19/2025

SLOW DOWN!!!

We should not be so quick to jump on the bandwagon that it is now okay to move forward with Hormone Replacement Therapy for every woman. I, personally, think it is good news that the FDA has pulled its head out of its 🫏and recognized that the data never reflected an increased risk of heart disease or cancer.

The Women's Health Initiative interpretation was flawed and misleading, despite all of its hype. Millions of women have gone without the potential benefits of hormone support for almost 25 years as a result of this study. There were dozens of studies before it, and there have been multiple studies since that did not support their reported outcomes. The leader of the study also misrepresented the data and overstated the risks.

1. Estrogen (Premarin) alone was not associated with increased risk of breast cancer.
2. Provera added to Premarin was associated with a slightly increased risk of breast cancer (1 woman out of 1,000).
3. The estrogen-only group that developed breast cancer had better outcomes than those not on hormone replacement.

Premarin is horse 🐴 estrogen, not human estrogen.
Medroxyprogesterone is a synthetic progestin, not progesterone.
Neither of these is bioidentical to human hormones.

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So, estrogen does not increase the risk of breast cancer. Studies with Progesterone show a protective benefit against breast cancer, even when combined with estrogen (not the case for Provera). Therefore, hormone replacement is safe and effective, relieves symptoms, and can reduce the risk of several diseases. Let's get some hormones! Maybe, but it is not risk-free.

1. Blood Clots
Oral estrogen (Estradiol, Premarin) is associated with an increased risk for blood clots. This is the case with Premarin, and this risk also exists for oral estradiol (bioidentical) because it is converted in the liver to Estrone, which can increase clotting factors in the blood. Topical Estradiol and Biest are not associated with an increased risk and do not increase clotting factors.

2. Cancer
The risk for breast and uterine cancer may still exist even if it is not the hormone itself that contributes to it. How you detoxify your estrogen matters. If there is increased conversion to 4-hydroxy-estrogens, this increases the risk for DNA damage and cancer development. If you are not methylating well, you may be at increased risk for breast and uterine cancer. We evaluate these pathways with a DUTCH test.

What affects these pathways of genetic expression? Diet, stress, toxins, and nutrient status.

So what are the causes of the majority of cases of breast cancer? Diet, stress, toxins, and nutrient deficiencies. Lifestyle is the greatest risk factor for most cancers. It is not the hormones; it has never been the hormones.

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As long as you are using Bioidentical Hormones (topical estradiol, progesterone), it is okay to start hormones. Sign me up! Again - not so fast!

1. Not every woman needs to be on hormone replacement or may benefit from hormone replacement. Why take something you do not need? Healthy diet, low stress, good sleep habits, balanced hormones.

2. Which Hormones?
We test levels, determine dosing, and the hormone regimen based on where the need is, and maintain a balance. We do not want too little, but we do not want too much. We monitor symptoms and levels and make adjustments as needed to achieve optimal levels, but in consideration of any ongoing symptoms. These could include Estradiol, Progesterone, Testosterone, DHEA, and Pregnenolone.

3. How Long?
As long as you desire to remain on them. The data does not indicate any associated risk with long-term use, and now extends beyond 25 years of use without increased risk. The studies that showed concern for remaining on them for longer than 5 years, or needing to be started before the age of 60, were based on short-term studies and limited data. When you stop the hormones, the hormones disappear, and the manifestations of hormone deficiency return. It is ultimately up to you to decide how long you want to remain on them.

4. Diet & Lifestyle Matter!
We emphasize this at every appointment. We are not a hormone replacement clinic. We are not a MediSpa. We practice medicine, and we utilize hormone replacement in the same way we would implement any other treatment strategy. You have to address the underlying root causes that increase your risk for disease, and these are not "fixed" by hormone replacement. We cannot chase after symptoms by increasing hormone dosing if the reason they are not working efficiently is because of stress, inflammation, insulin resistance, or nutrient deficiencies.

Hormone replacement needs to be implemented safely, with gradually increasing doses and monitoring for changes. This is why we do not use Pellet Therapy. This is not a one-dose-for-all, and we do not want to flood the body with hormones (e.g., pellets), nor do we start with high dosages because the symptoms are intense.

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HORMONE REPLACEMENT POTENTIAL BENEFITS:
Hot flashes and flushing
Insomnia
Anxiety
Mood fluctuations
Stamina
Energy
Improved body composition
Improved insulin sensitivity
Improved cholesterol profile
Muscle mass and maintenance
Libido
Vaginal Dryness
Urinary Tract Infections
Joint pains and inflammation
Immune function
Bone health (osteopenia)
Cardiovascular protection
Cognitive health and brain function... and more.

OUR BOTTOM LINE:
1. They should be considered for those who are interested and may benefit.
2. They should not be withheld for fear of things that were never proven.
3. They should be administered safely and appropriately.
4. The patient needs to be monitored for symptoms, and levels can be retested.
5. Routine screening tests must be performed (e.g., mammogram, QT imaging, ultrasound, MRI)
6. We will not prescribe oral estrogens or use pellets. There are practices that do, and it is not our business to criticize them. If this is what you seek, then you should seek them out.
7. We require routine assessments and monitoring through questionnaires, labs, and visits. We are not drug dispensers and will not keep refilling prescriptions without reassessment. This is not only good medical practice, but also a regulation set by the state medical boards.

I hope you find this information helpful. This is NOT medical advice, and you should seek counsel and guidance from your primary care physician or specialist. There are numerous factors to consider before initiating hormone replacement, including risk factors for various diseases. The decision to treat should be made after a full medical assessment by a medical provider.

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11/19/2025

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11/19/2025

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🦃 For those of you that NEED to stay on track & cannot afford to DERAIL on your health goals, this is for YOUThis Thanks...
11/19/2025

🦃 For those of you that NEED to stay on track & cannot afford to DERAIL on your health goals, this is for YOU

This Thanksgiving ( or anyother reason to indulge..) remember this: your goals don’t get a “holiday,” but they also don’t have to feel like a burden.
Staying on track & health-focused isn’t about restriction — it’s about choosing you.

When everyone else is focused on the table, YOU get to focus on the things that last:
✨Stronger Connections
✨ Stronger habits
✨ A clearer mind
✨ Better energy
✨ Confidence you’ve earned all year

Thanksgiving was never meant to be a test of willpower — it’s an opportunity to practice the kind of life you’re building.
A life where your health matters.
A life where connection matters more than the carbs on the table.
A life where you show up as the strongest version of yourself — even during the holidays.

So walk into this season proud.
Proud of your discipline.
Proud of your intentions.
Proud that you’re choosing a path that your future self will thank you for.

Stay focused. Stay grateful. Stay powerful.
You’ve worked too hard to lose momentum now. 🧡💪🦃

For Those of You that HOST Family or Friends like this, PLEASE allow them to choose to eat or NOT to EAT YOUR SPECIAL DISH… instead wrap them in your arms and welcome them in your home & be proud of them!

Our shelves are ready for all your wellness, non toxic gifting and home needs! Only the best of safe ingredients here 💜T...
11/18/2025

Our shelves are ready for all your wellness, non toxic gifting and home needs! Only the best of safe ingredients here 💜

Tallow Soap Variety
Tallow Whipped Lotion w/Magnesium
Tallow Essential Oil Candles
Fygg Toothpaste
Fygg Nitric Oxide Mints
Deep Blue Pain Lotion
Body & Hand Sugar Scrubs
Humble Deodorants
Natural Laundry Detergent
Gratitude Christian Journals for Ladies/Girls
Gift Certificates for IV infusions, Massage or Functional Medicine Appointments!

How dedicated are you to improving your own health?If you knew you were heading for something potentially catastrophic, ...
11/18/2025

How dedicated are you to improving your own health?

If you knew you were heading for something potentially catastrophic, like a heart attack, a stroke, cancer, dementia, or other serious condition that could alter your life forever, how willing would you be to implement changes to your diet, activity levels, and lifestyle factors?

Laboratory panels, even the basic ones, can tell us a lot. There are nuances in the results. The majority of testing we perform in our office is conventional, insurance-based laboratory testing through LabCorp. We order more advanced assessments of cholesterol, thyroid, metabolic, and nutrient markers to guide us in our decision-making, but they are still conventional labs that may be mostly covered through your insurance. We reserve functional labs for complicated or specific conditions and concerns, because these can point us in the direction of root causes that may need to be addressed.

Vital Signs communicate a lot of information regarding what is happening in your body. Body Fat, Visceral Fat, Muscle Mass, Blood Pressure, Heart Rate. These are good indicators of how your body is doing and are affected by dietary and lifestyle factors, including stress and nutrient status, that may need to be addressed.

We can tell a lot from this information. It paints a picture of what is happening within your body, and what may need to be addressed to improve it. We can communicate all of this and tell you what it means for your current and future health, but we cannot make you do things you are not interested in. There are multiple cliches I can insert here, but you get the point. While there are no certainties, and we cannot predict the future, we can use these to formulate a risk assessment based on decades of clinical experience.

You have to care more about your health than we do.
You have to care more for your health than your family does.
You have to care more about your health than your primary care provider, pastor, neighbor, or best friend.

If you are unwilling to make the necessary changes that can alter the course of your future, then there is little hope that this future can be altered. If you are driving toward a wall at 100 mph and you neither veer nor brake, the outcome is certain. But there are always choices and opportunities to change that outcome. Disease is not your fate, and you should never accept it as such.

Once certain conditions occur, they may be irreversible. They come at a significant cost to you and your loved ones. They can completely alter the course of your life and theirs. There are no do-overs. We cannot hit the Re-Do button. This comes with regrets, anger, and a loss of quality of life.

I sometimes find myself becoming frustrated during an appointment when my patient is not following through on my recommendations and we are not seeing improvements, or there is actual worsening. This is on me, and for that I apologize, because it is not my place to push something on someone who clearly does not consider it to be a concern for themselves. It becomes a reminder to me of my role in this relationship. I tend to be very passionate about what I do, and this can become a negative. I will work on that.

If we, at Optimal Healthcare, can be of assistance to you for any health or medical concerns you may have, we are here for you, can guide you, offer support through health coaching and accountability, complete comprehensive labs to identify and address concerns, and do what we can to help you feel better and improve these conditions. If this is not something you desire, or if you are not willing to acknowledge these concerns, or are not willing to make changes that can make a difference, then I would encourage you not to spend the money on a consultation.

🥩🍖 Battle of the proteins! Who wins your dinner vote? Steak or Thinly Cut Pork Chop?
11/18/2025

🥩🍖 Battle of the proteins! Who wins your dinner vote? Steak or Thinly Cut Pork Chop?

Address

113 Davis Street
Glen Alpine, NC
28628

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+18285360320

Website

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Owner/Physician: Johnny Gomes, D.O. Wellness Nurse: Sue Gomes, R.N., B.S.N. Functional & Lifestyle Medicine Consultations - Empower Yourself and Take Control of Your Health Functional Medicine uses an integrative approach with an emphasis on identifying root causes that lead to an individual's illnesses and poor health. By addressing these, through modifications in lifestyle factors and other triggers of dysfunction, it is possible to improve, reverse, or even eliminate many of these conditions. It is an holistic approach with a focus on every aspect that makes us who we are. We are presently ill-served by the conventional model of utilizing a pharmaceutical treatment for every condition, "a pill for every ill", focused on suppression of symptoms rather than a cure, all while the disease process continues unabated. While there is a time and place for medications, they are now used as the primary treatment in the majority of these chronic medical conditions. History shows that this has only led to further disease progression. Improving people's lives through lifestyle modification - dietary changes, proper nutrition, effective exercise, stress management, targeted supplementation and optimized sleep - attention to the mind, body & spirit - you can achieve dramatic changes in your life. Our goal is to help individuals to thrive, not just survive, by providing this knowledge, searching for root causes of your symptoms and addressing them through a lifestyle approach while minimizing the need for pharmaceutical interventions. We offer functional medicine consultations focused on the prevention or management of chronic medical conditions. We provide you with the knowledge that will enable you to take control of your own health and empowers you to improve yourself, to heal. Our consultations can be provided in our office, your home or a public venue. We offer individual, family or group appointments. Contact us for pricing.

We also provide educational lectures and discussions that are targeted to your areas of interest, individualized for you and your target audience. These are provided at $250 per lecture / small group discussion. The body is capable of healing itself.... We help you learn how. We offer the testing to identify root causes and the recommendations on how to address them. Take back control of your own health journey and begin to feel “well” again. For more info, visit our website: www.optimalhealthwnc.com Call us at (828) 279-7998 for more info or to schedule an appointment Email us at Optimalhc1@gmail.com