P: 281-298-6742 | F: 281-419-1373|info@TWIHW.com
FacebookTwitterYouTubeGoogle+LinkedIn

About Mila McManus MD

This author has not yet filled in any details.
So far Mila McManus MD has created 858 blog entries.

Christmas came early

Christmas came early

Christmas came early for me … November 21st, to be precise. That was the day I walked through the doors of The Woodlands Institute for Health and Wellness and met Dr. Mila McManus and her staff. After struggling for many years with chronic illness, I was at the end of hope. I had sought out both conventional and alternative medical doctors – none of whom seemed to get to the root issues, thus leaving me in a web of frustration; exhausted by illness and desperation. A friend mentioned Dr. McManus and I decided to dive in one more time. Well, although it has only been 9 weeks, things have already started to turn around. The issues and symptoms are too vast to mention here, but Dr. McManus left no stone unturned – she and her staff looked at past records, did a most-thorough interview and took bloodwork. I left her office that first day with an integral protocol – one like I have not seen before. The expertise, passion and availability of both Dr. McManus and her staff are impressive. I am happy to say I am having much success and am so very excited about my future of health!

Beth P.

By |2014-01-20T09:42:13-06:00January 20th, 2014|Testimonials|
Read More

Once a skeptic

Once a skeptic

I cannot say enough good things about the Woodlands Institute for Health and Wellness [TWIHW]. I became a patient in the latter part of 2013 because conventional medicine had failed me. I was skeptical to say the least – the myriad of doctors I’d already seen hadn’t been able to help so what was going to be different at TWIHW, other than this time I was paying for it out of pocket?

I presented with chronic migraines, back and neck pain, thyroid issues, adrenal fatigue, and intestinal problems.  Following the yeast free diet plan and the specially formulated vitamin regime I noticed a huge improvement in my symptoms. The only lingering issue I am dealing with is continuing migraines, but even they have decreased in both frequency and severity!

If I had only known about how much more successful I was going to be with purely a change in diet and the addition of vitamins and nutrients my body was lacking in, I would have gone to TWIHW several years ago. Instead I went from one doctor to the next, blindly trusting that they knew what they were doing.

If you are like me and feel that you are at your wit’s end, riddled with pain and frustration, I thoroughly recommend you give TWIHW an opportunity to address your issues. You will not be disappointed.

Yours very truly,
Claire M.

By |2014-01-17T00:17:23-06:00January 15th, 2014|Testimonials|
Read More

Nutrition for Lovers

by Nancy Mehlert, MS

February has a way of inspiring us in romantic ways to celebrate those we love most or perhaps try to reignite a dying ember back into a fiery flame.  Sadly, the low fat, high carbohydrate diet we have been taught to eat not only wreaks havoc with your health, it also wreaks havoc with your sex life!  Sex is directly impacted by your blood chemistry, hormonal health, and what’s going on in your brain, says Dr. David Perlmutter, a neurologist and author of the book Grain Brain (2013). He notes the dramatic impact a low cholesterol diet and cholesterol lowering statin drugs (e.g. Lipitor) have had on our brain function and hormonal health.  The brain is 60% cholesterol and testosterone is made from cholesterol.  Is it any wonder after several decades of a low fat, low cholesterol diet that we struggle today with brain fog, depression, imbalanced hormones, low testosterone, low sex drive and Alzheimer’s disease?

While you are preparing our special Valentines Day Libido-Boosting Menu for the love of your life, which includes many of the love promoting foods we recommend, why not get a jump start at preparing your body to be ready for what your heart and mind want to do? There are many foods that help your body produce hormones and new brain cells, ward off depression, and help you put a groove into your moves. In fact, here are choices that can support a healthy sex life for life!  Choose alfalfa sprouts on a salad, enjoy guacamole or plain avocado, eat plenty of pastured eggs, use olive oil and grass fed butter wherever you can and top off everything with nuts and seeds, especially pumpkin seeds.  Include blueberries a couple of times this week to relax blood vessels and increase blood circulation and toss in a little dark chocolate along the way.  Include the wine on that special night but stick to one or two glasses to help with relaxation and inhibitions, but more than that can put the fire out fast, so use good sense here.  All of this should set the tone for an amorous night or better yet, the whole year! After all, part of a healthy lifestyle includes a good sex life. 

By |2014-04-14T15:59:05-06:00January 15th, 2014|Articles, General, NANCY’S NUTRITIONAL NUGGET|
Read More

DIM or Diindolylmethane for Hormone Balance & Fight Against Breast Cancer

Are you looking for a natural way to balance your hormones? Perhaps you’re feeling sluggish, struggling with weight gain or have been struggling with medical issues that traditional medicine just doesn’t seem to address. Consider talking to our experts about diindolylmethane (DIM), a naturally occurring metabolite that’s found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower. Studies have shown that it promotes healthy estrogen metabolism in both men and women.  Yes, both men and women need the right balance of estrogen.

BioDIM is a patented, bioavailability-enhanced form of DIM that provides substantially greater absorption than ordinary DIM and can be helpful in the balancing and regulation of hormones, especially in clearing excess estrogen from the body.

In men, this supplement is used to improve testosterone and estrogen balance. In women, it is used as an adjunct treatment for estrogen dominance, as well as a supplement to help protect against breast cancer.

BioDIM is available at our office and can be ordered online at https://woodlandswellnessmd.com/supplements.html. We encourage you to complete our online assessment at https://woodlandswellnessmd.com/test-yourself/estrogen-dominance-progesterone-deficiency.html that will help you think through the symptoms you may be having and narrow the causes. Then, we recommend you contact us for an appointment with one of our specialists. We’re ready to help you feel your best.

By |2014-02-24T16:37:05-06:00January 15th, 2014|Articles, General|
Read More

Sex, Testosterone and Pellet Therapy

By Heather N. Smith, WHNP-BC

Sex has many health benefits that are equally important to both men and women.  Some of the benefits of regular sex include:

  • reduces stress
  • improves low sex drive
  • lowers blood pressure
  • improves bladder control
  • decreases pain
  • improves sleep
  • increases intimacy and self-esteem
  • reduces risk of dementia
  • reduces risk of prostate cancer
  • reduces risk of heart attacks
  • burns calories.  

Sex is connected to our emotions and thoughts, but is also directly related to our hormones and blood levels.  If you do not have healthy testosterone levels, you may be missing out on the fullest desires for, and enjoyment of, having sex. What’s also interesting is that cholesterol is needed to make testosterone. Today, many physicians are prescribing statin drugs (e.g. Lipitor) that are lowering cholesterol levels and affecting an individual’s ability to make testosterone.

Testosterone is very important for both men and women.  As we age, our natural levels decline. There are significant benefits of testosterone replacement and optimization.  

Benefits include:

  • improvement of energy
  • improved overall vitality
  • sharpened brain function and memory
  • reduction in depression and anxiety
  • increase in motivation and drive
  • increased libido
  • improved symptoms of erectile dysfunction
  • increased fat loss
  • increase in muscle mass
  • decreased blood pressure
  • improved bone health
  • reduced risk for Alzheimers
  • reduced risk for prostate cancer

So how is testosterone optimization achieved?

While some physicians order labs to evaluate testosterone levels, the reference ranges for “normal” levels are very large and result in many patients being advised that their levels are “normal”.  However, this does not mean they are optimal for the patient who is still symptomatic of low testosterone levels.  In other words, your lab results may reflect a “normal” testosterone level, but  your symptoms may not resolve until a higher level of testosterone in the “normal” range is achieved.  This is optimization.

There a few methods of testosterone replacement therapy that have been in use for a number of years including patches, creams, troches, and injections. Oral routes of administration are typically not effective for men, but are often sufficient for women. It is very important when choosing a delivery method that your physician select the best option for your individual needs. An alternative testosterone therapy that has been increasing in popularity over the last few years is called pellet therapy. Pellet therapy has actually been around since the 1930’s but was not FDA approved until 2008. Pellets can provide a more consistent dose of testosterone over a longer period of time.  It can eliminate having to remember to use a messy, daily, transferable cream, or to apply a new patch frequently, or to inject yourself once or twice a week, which can be a painful hassle.  Testosterone pellets are bio-identical, not synthetic, meaning they are identical to your body’s hormone structure. They are cost effective and doses are individually customized based on your needs. Pellets are very convenient because the effects typically last for 3-4 months. They are very small in size and are made at a sterile compounding pharmacy.  The pellets are inserted into the fatty tissue of the hip using a local anesthetic, and the procedure is done in the office.  The procedure takes approximately 15 minutes, is relatively painless, and no stitches are required.  Labs are checked prior to dosing and insertion, as well as periodically thereafter to assure desired levels are achieved. 

We are very excited to announce that testosterone pellet therapy will soon be added to the testosterone replacement options here at The Woodlands Institute for Health and Wellness for both men and women.  I’ve personally been performing pellet insertions since 2011 and am a strong believer in the benefits of pellet therapy.  If you are interested in learning more, please contact one of our wellness consultants today, or discuss with one of our healthcare providers at your next appointment.

 

References

TherClin Risk Manag. 2009 Jun;5(3):427-48. Epub 2009 Jun 22. The benefits and risks of testosterone replacement therapy: a review. Bassil N, Alkaade D, Morley JE.

Testopel Pellets. (2013, June). NIH Daily Med.  Retrieved September 2, 2013, from http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=a1741a0b-3d4c-42dc-880d-a06e96cce9ef

Ahlskog JE, Geda YE, Graff-Radford NR, Petersen RC. Physical exercise as a preventive or disease-modifying treatment of dementia and brain aging. Mayo Clinic Proceedings 2011 September;86(9):876-884

Diamond LM. What does sexual orientation orient? A bio-behavioral model distinguishing romantic love and sexual desire. Psychological Review 2003; 110(1): 173-192.

Onder G, Penninx BWJH, Guralnik JM, Jones H, Fried LP, Pahor M, Williamson JD. Sexual satisfaction and risk of disability in older women. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 2003; 64: 1177-1182.

Grewen KM, Light KC. Plasma oxytocin is related to lower cardiovascular and sympathetic reactivity to stress. Biological Psychology 2011 July; 87(3): 340-349.

Hamilton LD, Rellini AH, Meston CM. Cortisol, sexual arousal and affect in response to sexual stimuli. Journal of Sexual Medicine 2008; 5: 2111-2118.

Huppert FA. Mental capital and wellbeing: making the most of ourselves in the 21st century. Government Office for Science, The Foresight Mental Capital and Wellbeing Project 2008 September.

Lee HJ, Macbeth AH, Pagani JH, Young WS. Oxytocin: the great facilitator of life. Progressive Neurobiology 2009 June; 88(2): 127-151.

Leitzmann MF, Platz EA, Stampfer MJ, Willett WC, Giovannucci E. Ejaculation frequency and subsequent risk of prostate cancer. Journal of the American Medical Association 2004; 291(13): 1578-1586.

Segerstrom SC, Miller GE. Psychological stress and the human immune system: a meta-analytic study of 30 years of inquiry. Psychology Bulletin 2004 July; 130(4): 601-630.

Tessler Lindau S, Gavrilova N. Sex, health, and years of sexually active life gained due to good health: evidence from two US population based cross sectional surveys of ageing. British Medical Journal 2010; 340: c810.

By |2022-10-10T16:48:48-06:00January 15th, 2014|Articles, General|
Read More

These Meals Might Just Boost Your Sex Drive…Really!

Sexy-Time Steak*
Quick Broccoli & Mushroom Sauté**
Chocolate Coconut Mousse***

*Protein has been shown to naturally boost levels of dopamine and noepinephrine, two chemicals in the brain that heighten sensitivity during sex. Steak is also packed with zinc, a mineral that boosts libido by reducing production of a hormone called prolactin, which may interfere with arousal. Fatty steaks, such as rib-eyes, are high in cholesterol, from which testosterone is produced in the body.

**Broccoli contains DIM (click here to read about DIM). Butter contains cholesterol, from which testosterone is produced in the body.

***Chocolate contains phenlethylamine, a chemical believed to produce the feeling of “being in love”.

Sexy-Time Steak
Serves 2
(Edited from The 4-Hour Chef by Timothy Ferriss)
•2 Thick, Grass-fed Ribeye Steaks
•Expeller Pressed, Coconut oil
•Sea Salt
•Pepper
•Minced Garlic
•Fresh Rosemary stems (if desired)
•Grass-fed butter (if desired)

One to two days before, pat steaks dry with a paper towel. Salt them heavily on both sides. Place in a pan or dish, cover and place in the refrigerator overnight or up to two days to “dry-brine” them, adding flavor and tenderizing the meat.

Two and a half hours before cooking, remove steaks from the refrigerator, rinse them off, pat them dry again and season with salt, black pepper and minced garlic. Allow them to sit on the counter for an hour and a half.Then move the steaks to the freezer for one half hour. This eliminates surface moisture from the meat.

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.Remove the steaks from the freezer and quickly sear them on both sides in a very hot pan. Use an organic, expeller pressed and refined (to avoid a coconut flavor) coconut oil in the pan, just prior to adding the steaks.

Finally, place the steaks in the oven until a probe thermometer inserted into the middle of the steak reads 135 degrees. Steaks can be rested on top of fresh rosemary stems in the oven for added flavor. Melt butter over the top of the steaks the last few minutes of cooking and use the rosemary butter sauce to top off the steak slices on the plate prior to serving. Remove from oven, carve and enjoy.

Quick Broccoli & Mushroom Sauté
Serves 2 generously
•1 Package of Organic Broccoli Slaw
•1 Pint of sliced Mushrooms
•3 Tablespoons Grass-Fed Butter
•1 Tablespoon Bragg 24-Spice Blend (or similar)

On medium heat, melt butter in a sauté pan. Add mushrooms to the pan and cook until mushrooms are tender and lightly browning. Increase heat slightly before adding the bag of broccoli slaw and 1 Tablespoon of spice blend or Italian Seasonings. Stir-fry until desired doneness and serve.

Chocolate Coconut Mousse
Serves 2
(from Grain Brain by David Perlutter, MD)
•1 can Organic, Expeller Pressed, Full Fat Coconut Milk (Thai Kitchen)
•3 Tablespoons unsweetened Cocoa Powder
•1-2 teaspoons Stevia or Xylitol (depending on desired sweetness)
• Optional: shredded Coconut, chopped Walnuts, 70% dark chocolate shavings and/or Cinnamon

Chill the unopened can of coconut milk in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. (Canned coconut milk is usually found in the Asian section of the grocery store. We recommend the organic, expeller pressed brands only. Thai Kitchen is one such brand).

Scoop out the solidified cream in the can into a mixing bowl and beat vigorously with a whisk or electric mixer until softened. (It shouldn’t liquefy). Add the cocoa powder and stevia and continue to beat until the mousse is light and fluffy. Place in a parfait dish or custard dish and top with shredded coconut, chopped walnuts, cinnamon and/or grated 70% dark chocolate shavings. Refrigerate until served.

By |2014-07-31T10:59:27-06:00January 15th, 2014|Articles, General, Recipes|
Read More

Getting a Clean Start!

by Nancy Mehlert, MS

Cleaning.  Not really a word that conjures up warm feelings of joy or love for most of us, but still an essential in life.  We bathe often, vacuum our floors, scour our sinks, wash the car and change the oil, mow the yard and take out the trash, and all in the spirit of keeping things generally clean. It is part of taking care of what we have, protecting ourselves from germs, and keeping our lives uncluttered and smelling good.  But did you ever think about cleaning the inside of your body?

The truth is, the human body struggles to keep up with the ever-increasing cleaning burden caused by the explosion of chemicals used in our society today.  Our world, especially in the last five decades or so, has become dramatically more toxic.  Every day the body is exposed to a vast array of man-made chemicals including pesticides, preservatives, antibiotics, hormones, over-the-counter and prescription drugs, additives, petroleum -based fertilizers, heavy metals, fire retardants, and most of the products we use to clean our bodies, homes and clothing!  They are in the air we breathe, the water we drink, the clothes we wear, the food we eat, and the things we touch. 

Think about it another way.  Recall how you felt the last time your “to do” list was miles long, your inbox was full, and everyone wanted something from you. Overwhelmed, you found it hard to get everything done and done well.  Maybe the quality of your work suffered, maybe you made a few mistakes, and most likely you crossed a few things off the list and did not do them at all.  This is a good analogy for the body.  At some point, your body becomes overwhelmed with too many toxins.  There is too much trash to take out.  The body cannot keep up with removing the trash and begins to store it in tissues and fat cells. The crowding and congestion makes it much harder for the body to do everything it needs to do, do it well and avoid making mistakes.  Toxins can wreak all kinds of havoc in there – causing inflammation, promoting disease, preventing weight loss, disturbing hormone balance, and hosting any number of symptoms from fatigue to brain fog.  They can cause congestion and roadblocks in your liver and colon just like an accident on a busy freeway system at rush hour.

In our society today, more and more people are finding the marvelous benefits of devoting time every year or seasonally to clean the inside of the body, often called detoxification or cleansing.  Best done under the guidance of a nutritionist, the process involves reducing exposure to toxins, supporting the detoxification pathways in the body, while stimulating toxin elimination and providing sufficient supplementation to attack free radicals resulting from the process. At The Woodlands Institute for Health and Wellness, we offer numerous approaches for detoxification and cleansing from a Total Body Cleanse, 3-5 day Juice Fasting or a Yeast Detoxification plan.  Plan to start your New Year with an option that can increase your energy, support maintenance of a healthy weight, clear the mind and often eliminate any number of unwanted, irritating symptoms.  It is a great way to make your good health a priority, get on the right track in the New Year and promote wellness rather than disease in the body.

By |2014-01-16T23:54:24-06:00December 29th, 2013|Articles, General, NANCY’S NUTRITIONAL NUGGET|
Read More

Kim’s Green Goddess Detoxifying Juices

•1 cup filtered water
•¼ cup organic spinach
•¼ cup organic baby kale
•¼ organic lemon, peeled
•¼ organic cucumber
•½ of one stalk organic celery
•1 medium organic apple, quartered with core removed
•Fresh organic ginger to taste
•Ice

Place all ingredients in Vita Mix and blend until smooth. Makes approximately 24 oz, which can be 2 to 6 servings.

By |2014-07-31T11:03:09-06:00December 27th, 2013|General, Recipes|
Read More

Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Digestive Enzymes

What are digestive enzymes and why are they important?

 

The human body makes and secretes specific enzymes, called digestive enzymes, which help us to break down fat, proteins and carbohydrates into the micronutrients necessary for absorption into the body.  So despite our best efforts to eat a healthy diet, if digestive enzyme production and secretion are inadequate, then our ability to absorb all of the micronutrients from our food will be impaired.    

 

Why would our bodies not make enough digestive enzymes?

 

There are many reasons the body’s natural enzymes become depleted.  Diseases such as pancreatic disease, Crohn’s disease, and Celiac disease can cause severe deficiencies in digestive enzymes; however, even in the absence of disease, the body may still not be producing enough digestive enzymes. Here are a few of the many reasons that can lead to enzyme depletion:

  • Food allergies
  • Aging
  • Intestinal Permeability caused from an overgrowth of yeast in the gut
  • Chronic Stress

How do digestive enzymes work?

Various enzymes break down different foods so that their nutrients may be more readily absorbed.

  • Protease breaks down the peptide bonds that join the amino acids in a protein, ensuring that the amino acids are readily available to the body. 
  • Lipase splits apart emulsified fats. 
  • Amylase helps the body digest starch and is integral to the breakdown of carbohydrates, such as potatoes and other starchy foods.
  • Lactase digests milk and sugar.
  • Cellulase helps break down plant and vegetable matter.

Signs you may need a digestive enzyme supplement:

  • Bloating
  • Indigestion/heartburn
  • Gas
  • Irregularity
  • Rock gut (the feeling that you have food sitting in your stomach)

How can I improve digestive enzyme deficiency?

  • Remove foods such as legumes (e.g. beans) and grains (e.g. wheat, oats, corn) as they are known enzyme inhibitors.
  • A healthy digestive system is at the root of all good health so repair the gut with, for example, a yeast cleanse.
  • Replace good gut flora (microorganisms) through the daily use of a good quality probiotic.
  • Manage stress. We all have stress in our lives, especially during the holidays.  Between shopping and wrapping that perfect gift, and cooking a decadent meal for 20, the true meaning and joy of Christmas can quickly become lost.   Allow yourself to really enjoy the season by letting go of what’s not important.  Make time for yourself, whether allowing yourself extra sleep, or adding a yoga class
  • Support your body by taking a broad spectrum complex of digestive enzymes.

Complementary Prescriptions Digestive Enzymes offers a plant-based formula that works to digest a full range of foods, including protein, fats, carbohydrates, and fiber.

By |2016-07-06T07:13:22-06:00December 1st, 2013|Articles, General|
Read More

Mocha Walnut Brownies

Healthy dessert recipe that’s perfect for Santa! Richer than a cookie, heavier than a muffin, brownies are ordinarily an indulgence that leaves you ashamed of your lack of restraint! Lose the guilt with this wheat-free recipe that incorporates lots of healthy fats. Serve these brownies plain or topped with cream cheese or natural peanut butter or almond butter, or dip them in coffee.

You will need the following ingredients:
•8 ounces bittersweet (85% cacao) chocolate, chopped
•¾ cup organic grass fed butter
•2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
•½ teaspoon liquid stevia
•4 eggs
•¼ cup canned coconut milk (Thai Kitchens organic expeller pressed)
•2 teaspoons vanilla extract
•½ cup chopped walnuts
•2 tablespoons coconut flour
•¼ cup ground flaxseeds

Preheat the oven to 350° F. Grease a 9 x 9 baking pan with butter.

In a large glass bowl, combine the chocolate and the butter. Microwave bowl on high power for 1 minute, stirring once halfway through to cooking time. If not completely melted, microwave, stirring every 20 seconds, until melted. Stir in the espresso powder until completely blended.

Add the eggs, one at a time, blending well after each egg. Stir in the coconut milk and vanilla.

Stir in the walnuts, coconut flour, and flaxseeds until well blended.

Pour into the pan and bake for 25 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Recipe adapted from the Wheat Belly Cookbook by William Davis, MD.

By |2014-07-31T11:07:37-06:00November 26th, 2013|Articles, Recipes|
Read More
[insert page='bookfooter' display='content']

Resource Center

Blog
Events Calendar
Wellness 101
Recommended Reading  
Testimonials

Copyright © The Woodlands Institute of Health and Wellness | All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy