Radiant Life Healthcare

11/25/2025

Happy Thanksgiving!

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.” — Cicero

At Radiant Life Healthcare, we talk a lot about how the mind and body work together — and gratitude is one of the most powerful connectors. Modern neuroscience, especially Polyvagal Theory, helps explain why gratitude feels so good and why practicing it is genuinely beneficial for your physical health.

💛 Gratitude and the Polyvagal System

According to Dr. Stephen Porges, gratitude naturally activates the ventral vagal complex (VVC) — the branch of the vagus nerve that supports emotional safety, social connection, and a calm, steady internal state.

When we feel thankful, connected, or uplifted, the VVC sends signals down to the heart and engages something remarkable:

✨ The Vagal Brake — Your Body’s Built-In “Stop” Button

The vagal brake is the ventral vagus nerve’s ability to gently slow the heart by acting directly on the:

🩺 Sinoatrial (SA) Node — the heart’s natural pacemaker

When this “brake” engages, it can:

🛑 Stop the escalation of stress
🛑 Stop the heart from racing
🛑 Stop fight-or-flight activation

This shift happens rapidly and creates an internal sense of safety, warmth, and connection — all of which are strengthened by gratitude.

💚 What Gratitude Does for the Body

Science now shows that intentional gratitude practices can:

Lower heart rate and blood pressure
Improve heart rate variability (HRV), a marker of resilience
Reduce inflammation
Support better sleep
Ease symptoms of anxiety
Increase oxytocin — the hormone of trust and bonding

Gratitude doesn’t just make us feel better. It helps the nervous system function the way it was designed: balanced, responsive, and connected.

🦃 A Thanksgiving Thank-You From All of Us

This season, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to all our patients.
Thank you for trusting us with your care, your questions, your healing, and your hope. You are the reason Radiant Life exists, and it is our privilege to walk with you on your health journey.

And a special note of gratitude to our team — Nurse Jessie, Shreese, and the entire HoneyComb Healthcare family — for your compassion, efficiency, patience, and professionalism every single day. You keep the heart of this practice beating.

🌞 May Gratitude Calm Your Heart

Thanksgiving reminds us of something essential — that gratitude is both ancient and universal. And when we pause long enough to genuinely feel it, our bodies respond immediately:

Our hearts slow…
Our breath deepens…
Our minds soften…
And the vagal brake reminds us that we are safe, supported, and not alone.

From all of us at Radiant Life Healthcare, may this season bring you warmth, connection, and moments of true gratitude — the kind that nourishes your heart in every sense of the word

11/09/2025

🍁Winter is near, and many of us are relying more on pantry staples — especially when fresh produce is harder to come by, or when food-bank boxes include more canned items.

That’s okay — canned foods can play a positive role in your diet. But there are smart ways to use them so that you minimize downsides and support your health.

✅ Fresh is still the gold standard: Whenever you can, reach for fresh vegetables and fruits. They have the highest potential for vitamins, are less processed, and help you lock in variety and colour.

🍲 When canned makes sense: If you’re using canned veggies or beans — especially because fresh is harder to get right now — know that they’re not “junk.” In fact, research shows that many canned produce items retain most minerals and some vitamins, and can help you meet your produce needs.

⚠️ What to watch out for & how to offset the less-ideal bits
• Many canned vegetables contain added sodium (salt) and sometimes sugars or sauces. The sodium load is the biggest drawback.
• You can cut down the sodium by:
• choosing labels that say “No salt added” or “Low sodium”.
• draining and rinsing canned veggies/beans under running water before cooking or serving: studies show sodium reductions of ~30-40%.
• Choose canned items packed in water or their own juice, not heavy syrup or sauces with lots of added salt/sugars.

🥦 Ways to boost the nutrition and protect your health
• Cook or serve your canned veggies with a good-quality oil (see suggestions below) so you absorb fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and beneficial compounds.
• Pair the canned produce with fresh produce when possible (even a handful of spinach or a fresh tomato adds phytochemicals and fiber).
• Add herbs, spices, or a squeeze of citrus to boost flavor, reduce reliance on salt, and increase antioxidants.
• Keep your water intake up — hydration supports digestion, nutrient transport, and detoxification.

🌿 Oil suggestions: Use healthy oils such as extra-virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or canola oil in moderation. These oils contain more monounsaturated (and beneficial polyunsaturated) fats, which support heart health.

💡 Bottom line: If your food-bank or pantry box has canned vegetables or beans — that’s fine and helpful. Use them smartly: pick low-salt options, rinse/​drain them, add a healthy oil, combine with fresh or frozen produce if you can, and be mindful of added salt/sugar. Fresh remains best — but canned can absolutely support your health when used wisely.

Stay warm, stay nourished, and remember: you’re doing the best you can with what you have — and that counts.

“I’m Dr. Beis — helping you understand how modern medicine, ancient wisdom, and common sense work together to keep your health radiant!” 🌞

11/05/2025

As important as this advice is, please remember to take your medicine until the benefits of lifestyle changes take effect.

By Yoram Vodovotz, Professor of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh; and Michael Parkinson, Senior Medical Director of Health and Productivity, UPMC Health

11/05/2025

🥢 November 5 – National Chinese Take-Out Day! 🥡

At Radiant Life Healthcare, we like to think of this day as the perfect blend of comfort food and common sense. Chinese cuisine can be an incredibly healthy choice — it’s full of fresh vegetables, lean proteins, herbs, and spices that have been used for centuries to promote balance and well-being.

🌿 Veggie-rich, sauce-poor.
Many classic Chinese dishes are naturally packed with fiber, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory ingredients — broccoli, bok choy, mushrooms, garlic, and ginger. But the health benefits can disappear under heavy sauces high in sugar and sodium. Ask for sauce on the side and enjoy the natural flavors — your liver, heart, and taste buds will thank you!

🐟 Light proteins, strong benefits.
Dishes like steamed fish, shrimp with mixed vegetables, or tofu stir-fry provide lean protein and healthy omega-3s — all while keeping calories in check. These nutrients support heart health, metabolism, and even mood regulation.

🍚 Slow down, share more.
In traditional Chinese dining, no one eats alone — and that may be the healthiest part of all. Shared plates encourage smaller portions, more variety, and connection at the table. Slowing down improves digestion and helps your body register fullness before you’ve overeaten.

🧠 Mindful eating, chopstick edition.
Science shows that eating slowly enhances vagus-nerve tone and reduces cortisol.

And here’s the secret modern-day benefit of chopsticks — they make it nearly impossible to text while eating! That means more eye contact, more laughter, and more of the heart-healthy kind of connection your body craves as much as good nutrition. ❤️

So tonight, celebrate with take-out that feeds both your body and your spirit. Order fresh, light, and colorful — and enjoy the simple joy of sharing food with someone you love...or someone you don't. There's nothing like eating together to bring people together.

“I’m Dr. Beis — helping you understand how modern medicine, ancient wisdom, and common sense work together to keep your health radiant!” 🌞

11/02/2025

🌿 Understanding Biosimilars: Affordable Options for Biologic Therapies

Hi friends — Dr. Beis here (with Sage helping me translate the medical jargon!).

Let’s talk about something that sounds technical but affects nearly every patient in some way: biosimilar drugs — and what the government is trying to do to make them more affordable.

🧬 What’s the Goal?

The Trump administration is supporting new rules to make it easier and faster for pharmaceutical companies to develop biosimilars — medicines that are highly similar to brand-name biologics, but less expensive to produce.

The idea is simple:
💊 More biosimilars → more competition → lower prices → better access for patients.

The FDA’s streamlined approval process could reduce redundant clinical trials and speed up safe, science-based production. 📘 (Read more at: FDA: Biosimilar Development and Approval Process: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/biosimilars/review-and-approval)

💰 Why Some Cheer — and Others Worry

Supporters say this is a smart move to drive down drug costs and help patients afford medications they need. Critics worry that if profit margins shrink, companies might have less incentive to develop new biologic drugs — and less research could mean slower innovation.

As Dr. Beis says with a grin: “In medicine, we’re always walking that fine line between saving lives and saving dollars.”

🧫 Biologic vs Biosimilar — What’s the Difference?

Biologics are medicines made from living cells or organisms — not chemicals. These include insulin, monoclonal antibodies, and vaccines.

Biosimilars are “follow-on” versions of those biologics that work the same way in the body, but cost less because they’re built on the research that’s already been done.

Think of it like this: A biologic is the original handcrafted bread loaf. A biosimilar is the bakery’s recipe shared with another skilled baker — the same flavor, same rise, but less markup. 🍞

11/02/2025

🌞 Fatty Liver: The Hidden Health Epidemic (That You Can Reverse!)

You’ve probably heard of fatty liver disease — and if you haven’t, you might be surprised to learn it’s quietly becoming one of the biggest hidden health problems in America. Nearly 90 million Americans are affected… and most have no idea it’s even there.

The tricky part? Fatty liver often causes no symptoms until real damage begins. But behind the scenes, it can raise your risk for heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and even dementia — which is why we’re talking about it today.

👨‍⚕️ As Dr. Beis explains in this week’s Radiant Life video, it’s not just about alcohol. Sure, alcohol can play a role, but as Dr. Mark Hyman highlights in his recent podcast “Fatty Liver is the New Smoking” (listen here or in your favorite player: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fatty-liver-is-the-new-smoking-and-90-million/id1382804627?i=1000702492197)) the real culprits are often sugar, refined starches, gut imbalances, toxins, and chronic inflammation.

Functional medicine calls this getting to the root cause — not just slapping a label on symptoms.

That means:
🍽️ Cutting the sugar and processed carbs
🌿 Supporting your gut health
🏃 Managing your weight
🚭 And yes, quitting smoking (because both active and passive smoke raise your liver risk)

Here’s the good news — and it’s really good news: Fatty liver is reversible. When you address what’s fueling it, your liver can literally heal itself. Think of it as giving your body’s natural detox center a well-deserved vacation.

So grab a glass of water (not soda 😉), watch our new video, and let’s start reversing what’s reversible — one smart, science-backed step at a time.

✨ “I’m Dr. Beis — helping you understand how modern medicine, ancient wisdom, and common sense work together to keep your health radiant!” 🌞

10/31/2025

🦷 Your Mouth Tells a Bigger Story Than You Think!

What happens in your mouth doesn’t stay in your mouth — it affects your heart, brain, blood sugar, and even your immune system. Today, Dr. Beis dives into the fascinating connection between oral health and overall wellness, and why your next dental visit might be more important than you realize.

Learn how inflammation in the gums can ripple through the body, how nutrition supports oral balance, and why Medicare is now recognizing oral health as a key quality measure for 2026! 🩺✨

Your smile is a window into your health — let’s keep both shining bright.

10/29/2025

Great advice.

Are you worried that working out could cause more knee damage or pain? The best thing you can do for your knees is strengthen the muscles that support them. https://wb.md/43vQWcH

10/28/2025

Feeling the chill? Don’t pack away your walking shoes just yet!
Dr. Beis shares why this cooler season is actually the best time to step outside, soak up a little sunshine, and give your body a boost.

A few minutes of daylight and movement can help lift your mood, strengthen your immune system, and even improve your vitamin D levels — which research links to better survival from respiratory illnesses like flu, pneumonia, and COVID-19.

So grab your leash (your dog will thank you 🐾), find a patch of sunshine, and walk your way to better health!

☀️

10/25/2025

Let’s talk about something we often hear about but might not fully grasp: circadian rhythms — our body’s 24-hour internal clock that touches nearly everything we do. And yes, it matters big time.⁣
⁣
What exactly are circadian rhythms?
They’re the natural oscillations of physical, mental, and behavioral processes that follow roughly a 24-hour cycle — sleep-wake, digestion, hormone release, core temperature, you name it.
⁣
Why we care
Research shows that when our circadian rhythms get mis-aligned (late nights, erratic eating, screen glow after dark, shift-work), we increase our risk for:
• Gut imbalance & microbiome dysfunction IFM+1
• Mood disorders like depression and anxiety IFM+1
• Cardiovascular and metabolic issues (think obesity, type-2 diabetes) IFM+1
• Even neurodegenerative and immune concerns when rhythms stay disrupted long term.
⁣
Great news: You can make meaningful changes ✨
Here at Radiant Life we believe in empowering lifestyle changes. Here are some practical shifts to support your internal clock:
• Prioritize consistent sleep & wake times (yes, even on weekends).
• Dim screens and bright lights in the evening (our brains & eyes take light cues seriously).
• Eat the bulk of your calories earlier in the day, keep the late hours lighter. Studies suggest better glucose & insulin response when the largest meals happen earlier. IFM+1
• Get daylight exposure early, and move your body: exercise and activity serve as timing cues for our rhythm. IFM+1
• If you’re a night-shifter or battle irregular hours, talk to your provider about circadian-supportive strategies (light therapy, timing meals, naps). IFM
⁣
Why this fits with the Radiant Life mission:
When we align with our internal rhythms, we’re tapping into nature’s blueprint — it supports not just sleep, but digestion, mood, immunity, and even how our body heals and recovers. This is yoga + nervous-system + holistic health in action.
⁣
Ready to lean in? Let’s commit to one of the above this week — maybe it’s dimming the phones by 9 p.m., or shifting dinner to 6 p.m., or catching morning sunlight. Drop a comment below with your choice. I’ll cheer you on! 🙌
⁣
📚 Trusted resources for more reading:
• “Circadian Rhythms” fact sheet by National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) — https://www.nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/circadian-rhythms.aspx

10/25/2025

More on this later this week.

Walking is one of the most underrated yet profoundly impactful things you can do for your health. Love this post by 🚶🏼

Here’s what happens when you make walking a daily habit: Your cardiovascular system gets stronger, blood pressure drops, and circulation improves. Blood sugar stabilizes, especially after meals.

It also works wonders for your brain and mood. Walking lowers cortisol, boosts dopamine and endorphins, sharpens focus, sparks creativity, and even helps prevent cognitive decline.

And when you take your walk outside, the benefits multiply—lower stress, better sleep, and a deeper sense of connection to nature.

Aim for 30 minutes a day and mix it up - brisk walks for your heart, post-meal walks for blood sugar, or nature walks for stress relief. Which one will you do today?

10/25/2025

Did you know that the shingles vaccine helps with more than avoiding shingles?

Some basics In my video below. Dive deeper at:
• Medical News Today article: "Shingles vaccine may offer protection against vascular dementia, heart disease" — https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/shingles-vaccine-protection-vascular-dementia-stroke-heart-attack-death
• Underlying study in Nature: "A natural experiment on the effect of herpes zoster vaccination on dementia" — https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08800-x