At the Texas Center for Lifestyle Medicine, we believe that true brain health begins with a holistic approach to wellness. Our thoughts, beliefs, nutrition, relationships, sleep patterns, and boundaries all play a crucial role in supporting optimal cognitive function and overall well-being.

Thoughts and Beliefs: The health of our thoughts and beliefs have a profound impact on our mental and physical health. Self- destructive thought patterns and limiting beliefs can contribute to stress, anxiety, and even physical ailments. On the other hand, cultivating a growth mindset, practicing gratitude, and engaging in mindfulness can promote resilience, emotional well-being, and overall brain health. Happiness is not solely a reflection of our mental health or the end goal, but the ability to grow through hardships, embrace resilience, increase joy, and shift our perception of our experiences. This begins with developing self awareness of our thoughts and belief system that are governing our...

Allergy season is among us, and we want to ensure you are prepared to deal with all of the wonderful things that come with histamine release and the sniffles! For some people with allergies, this may cause drowsiness, a runny nose, and swelling, while others may face deeper issues such as autonomic dysfunction, brain fog, anxiety, sleep issues, and more. We don't want you to have to face this alone with no guidance! Therefore, we have asked an expert to share his wisdom and tools with our patients who wish to walk through allergy season prepared! 

Join us on Thursday, May 16th from 8:30-9:30am for an insightful discussion with special guest Dr. Michael Kaplan, an expert in Ear, Nose & Throat conditions.

Dr. Kaplan will be joining Dr. Cheng Ruan to discuss:

• The role of sinuses and allergies in overall health
• Common sinus issues like sinusitis and their impacts on the brain, ANS, and immune system
• Connections between sinus/allergy problems and brain health
• Effective...

During the session, Dr. Ruan discussed the importance of mindset in managing the patient's autonomic dysfunction. They explored the concept of expectations versus perceived reality and how this gap can create feelings of disappointment and loneliness. They also delved into the significance of support systems and relationships in managing the condition, as well as the concept of loneliness and its potential impact on health.

Dr. Ruan explained how loneliness can lead to a physiological response of rejection, which can exacerbate the patient's symptoms. They touched on the importance of reframing one's mindset from "fixing" to "curiosity," which can help view the condition as an area for improvement rather than a problem to be fixed.

Additionally, they emphasized the importance of communication in managing the condition, as sharing experiences and struggles with others can help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, and foster understanding and support.

The discussion also...

In our latest Ask the Expert session, we had the pleasure of welcoming Susi Quintana, whose wealth of knowledge provided us with invaluable insights into the complex interplay between airway and dental/jaw structural issues, the role of our body's connective tissue, and immune function.

Connective Tissue: The Unsung Hero We delved into the intricate relationship between our body's connective tissue, particularly the fascia, and its impact on our overall health. Contrary to popular belief, our fascia plays a critical role, serving as a communication network that influences our immune response.

Dr. Ruan and Susi shed light on the Importance of Air and Hydration Delving deeper, we explored the intricate connections between air quality, breathing techniques, sleep apnea, and iron levels with our connective tissue and immune response. Proper hydration was also highlighted as a crucial factor, not just in terms of water intake but also in maintaining the fluidity of our connective tissue....

Do you find yourself in a constant battle with overwhelming anxiety, debilitating fatigue, and a pervasive sense of dread - even when there's no obvious external cause? You're not alone.

Too often, mental health challenges like these are chalked up to simple "stress" or "chemical imbalances" that can be resolved with medication and generic advice. But what if we're missing the bigger picture?

The truth is, the roots of many mental health struggles can be found not just in the mind, but in underlying physiological imbalances that conventional medicine often overlooks. Imbalances in your sleep patterns, your breathing, and the delicate functioning of your autonomic nervous system may be the true culprits fueling your anxiety, depression, and other troubling symptoms.

It's a concept that may seem counterintuitive at first. After all, how can a physical issue be the driving force behind such deeply psychological challenges? But when you consider the profound mind-body connection, it...

At our recent metabolic group visit, Dr. Cheng Ruan shared a fascinating framework for understanding the psychological and emotional drivers behind weight struggles, eating habits, and behavioral changes. Through his expertise in integrative medicine, Dr. Ruan introduced us to the concept of the four key "archetypes" - Warrior, Sovereign, Magician, and Lover.

Understanding how each archetype is linked to unique patterns of emotional eating was eye-opening. And most importantly, Dr. Ruan explained how by tackling these deep-rooted thought processes, we can truly get to the heart of unhealthy behaviors and forge a path towards sustainable weight management and metabolic health.

Let's dive into each of the four archetypes in more detail:

The Warrior Individuals with a Warrior archetype are often driven, ambitious, and hyper-focused on achievement. However, this single-minded pursuit of goals can lead to burnout, stress, and emotional eating as a coping mechanism. Warriors may use food...

For those living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), finding ways to stay active and care for the body can be a real challenge. Many individuals with EDS are drawn to high-impact martial arts in their youth, such as Tae Kwon Do, heavy weight training, HIIT, etc. However, as hypermobility issues and joint problems become more apparent, they often have to step away from these demanding sports in order to protect their bodies.

Despite this difficult choice, those with EDS are determined not to give up the physical, mental, and cultural benefits they gained from martial arts training. This is where the ancient Chinese practice of Tai Chi has proven to be a game-changer.

Tai Chi is often described as "moving meditation" - a gentle, flowing form of exercise that combines slow, deliberate movements with deep breathing and mindfulness. Unlike the high-impact routines of before, Tai Chi is extremely low-impact and focused on control, stability, and alignment. As research has shown, it offers...

Are you one of the millions of people who struggles with snoring or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)? These common sleep issues don't just disrupt your partner's rest - they can have serious impacts on your own health and wellbeing.

But there's good news - research has shown that easy, at-home mouth and throat exercises can help tone the muscles in your airway, reducing snoring and improving sleep apnea. As a board-certified sleep medicine specialist, I've seen firsthand how these simple exercises can make a big difference.

In this blog post, I'll share the top exercises you can do to strengthen your tongue, face, and throat muscles - and get better sleep as a result.

Why Do We Snore and Have Obstructive Sleep Apnea? Snoring happens when the tissue in the back of the throat becomes relaxed and floppy during sleep. As air is forced through, it causes this tissue to vibrate, creating that familiar snoring sound.

Obstructive sleep apnea takes this one step further. In OSA, the airway...