A New Year, A New Era of Healthcare at Chapala Med
As we step into 2025, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to our incredible community, friends, and family who continue to support Chapala Med. Your trust and appreciation inspire us every day to provide the highest quality of care and service. We are honored to be a part of your health journey and look forward to serving you for years to come.
We are thrilled to share exciting news about our continued growth as your trusted primary care medical practice. In 2025, we will be introducing an expanded Urgent Care Department, ensuring even greater access to immediate medical attention when you need it most.
Additionally, we are proud to announce the reintroduction of quality and reliable CBD products, carefully selected to complement our longevity and wellness protocols. These products align with our commitment to holistic, evidence-based care.
Perhaps most exciting of all, Chapala Med is expanding our STEM CELL services into a dedicated STEM CELL & REGENERATIVE MEDICINE Institute, poised to rival prominent national clinics. Our advanced regenerative medicine solutions will provide cutting-edge treatments to help improve quality of life and support long-term health goals.
There are so many more exciting developments in store for healthcare in the Lakeside area this year. Stay tuned for more updates as we embark on this journey together toward a brighter, healthier, and more prosperous future.
Thank you for being part of the Chapala Med family. Here’s to a fantastic 2025!
Warm regards,
Santiago Hernandez M.D.
& The Chapala Med Team
A Cardiologist Reveals The Ways You’re Wrecking Your Heart ( P.S. It’s not Smoking)
Decades of research and public health campaigns have made pretty much everyone aware that smoking is bad for your heart, but these other common habits may also be doing damage to your ticker. – Joel K. Kahn, M.D.
This is the third-leading preventable cause of cancer in the U.S
February 3, 2025
The Office of the Surgeon General recently released a new Advisory on Alcohol and Cancer Risk. It outlines a connection between drinking alcohol and increased risk of cancer, specifically cancers of the mouth, throat, voice box, esophagus, breast, liver and colon.
Exercising With Wearable Technology: Things to Know
The benefits of exercise and physical activity are numerous: they help fight cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis, and improve your mental health. Wearable technology can now help your physician and physical therapists design the right program for you.
Wearable technology refers to electronic devices worn on the user’s body. In healthcare, wearable technology typically takes the form of smartwatches, wearable sensors and fitness trackers. These devices track various health metrics, including heart rate, temperature, step count and sleep patterns. Research shows that having real-time access to these metrics can spur behavior change and healthcare utilization. Chapala Med´s medical records system already has the ability to integrate APPLE HEALTH and some new AI applications to optimize your health.
GLP-1 receptor agonists are innovative drugs for type 2 diabetes, mirroring GLP-1, an incretin hormone that enhances insulin release, reduces glucagon, and slows gastric emptying. Notably, they also support weight loss and glycemic control. Available brands in Mexico include Ozempic, Trulicity, and Bydureon, each offering distinct benefits.
GLP-1 receptor agonists are a groundbreaking class of medications that play a pivotal role in the management of type 2 diabetes. These drugs work by mimicking the activity of the naturally occurring glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) hormone, which helps regulate blood sugar levels by enhancing insulin secretion, reducing the release of glucagon, and slowing down gastric emptying. This multi-faceted approach not only improves glycemic control but also contributes to weight loss—a benefit that has garnered significant attention among both patients and healthcare providers.
In Mexico, several brand names of GLP-1 medications are available, offering patients a range of options tailored to their needs. Among these, well-known names such as Victoza (liraglutide), Ozempic (semaglutide), and Trulicity (dulaglutide) stand out for their proven efficacy and safety profiles. As our understanding of type 2 diabetes evolves, these medications continue to be at the forefront of innovative treatment strategies, helping individuals achieve better control of their condition while also addressing the broader challenges associated with obesity and metabolic health.
How Do GLP-1s Affect Cardiac Structure and Skeletal Muscle?
GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are a class of medications primarily used for managing type 2 diabetes and obesity. They have also been shown to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health, including potential impacts on cardiac structure. Here’s how GLP-1 RAs may affect cardiac structure:
1. Reduction in Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH):
Mechanism: GLP-1 RAs have been associated with reductions in left ventricular mass, which is often increased in conditions like hypertension and diabetes. This reduction in LVH is thought to be due to improved glycemic control, weight loss, and blood pressure reduction.
Clinical Evidence: Studies have shown that GLP-1 RAs can lead to a modest reduction in left ventricular mass, which is beneficial as LVH is a risk factor for cardiovascular events.
2. Improvement in Myocardial Function:
Mechanism: GLP-1 RAs may improve myocardial function by enhancing insulin sensitivity, reducing inflammation, and improving endothelial function. These effects can lead to better cardiac output and reduced strain on the heart.
Clinical Evidence: Some studies suggest that GLP-1 RAs can improve ejection fraction and other markers of systolic and diastolic function, particularly in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).
3. Reduction in Cardiac Fibrosis:
Mechanism: GLP-1 RAs may reduce cardiac fibrosis, a condition where excessive connective tissue builds up in the heart, leading to stiffness and impaired function. This is likely due to anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of GLP-1 RAs.
Clinical Evidence: Preclinical studies have shown that GLP-1 RAs can reduce markers of fibrosis in the heart, though more clinical data is needed to confirm these findings in humans.
4. Impact on Cardiac Remodeling:
Mechanism: GLP-1 RAs may positively influence cardiac remodeling, which is the process by which the heart changes in size, shape, and function in response to injury or stress. This is likely due to a combination of improved metabolic control, reduced oxidative stress, and direct cardioprotective effects.
Clinical Evidence: Some clinical trials have shown that GLP-1 RAs can lead to favorable changes in cardiac structure, such as reduced left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes, indicating less dilation and improved function.
5. Blood Pressure and Afterload Reduction:
Mechanism: GLP-1 RAs can lead to modest reductions in blood pressure, which reduces the afterload on the heart. Lower afterload can decrease the workload on the heart and potentially lead to beneficial structural changes over time.
Clinical Evidence: Clinical trials have demonstrated that GLP-1 RAs can lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure, contributing to improved cardiac structure and function.
6. Weight Loss and Its Impact on Cardiac Structure:
Mechanism: GLP-1 RAs promote weight loss, which can reduce the overall metabolic demand on the heart and lead to favorable changes in cardiac structure, such as reduced left ventricular mass and improved diastolic function.
Clinical Evidence: Weight loss associated with GLP-1 RAs has been shown to correlate with improvements in cardiac structure and function, particularly in obese patients.
Summary:
GLP-1 receptor agonists appear to have a beneficial impact on cardiac structure, primarily through mechanisms that include reduction in left ventricular hypertrophy, improvement in myocardial function, reduction in cardiac fibrosis, positive cardiac remodeling, blood pressure reduction, and weight loss. These effects contribute to the overall cardiovascular benefits observed with GLP-1 RAs, making them a valuable option not only for glycemic control but also for improving cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity. However, more long-term studies are needed to fully understand the extent and mechanisms of these benefits. –
Merely Shore shares her experience about URGENT CARE & SURGICAL CARE
CHAPALA MED’s Functional Longevity Medicine Program: Unlocking the Secrets to Longevity and Vitality
At CHAPALA MED, since last month, we are thrilled to have rolled out our revolutionary “Functional Longevity Medicine” program, designed to empower you with the tools and knowledge to lead a long, vibrant, and fulfilling life. Based on the principles outlined in the insightful book “OUTLIVE” by renowned physician Peter Attia, MD, our program adopts a proactive and personalized approach to healthcare, focusing on five key areas to enhance your overall well-being.
1. Metabolic Health Optimization: Our program delves into the intricacies of your metabolic health, addressing factors such as insulin sensitivity, blood sugar regulation, and metabolic flexibility. By understanding and optimizing your metabolism, we aim to help you achieve sustainable weight management and reduce the risk of metabolic diseases.
2. Nutritional Excellence: Nourishing your body with the right nutrients is vital for longevity and vitality. We emphasize personalized nutrition plans, tailored to your unique needs and goals, to ensure you receive the essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants required for optimal health.
3. Sleep and Stress Management: Adequate sleep and effective stress management play pivotal roles in longevity. Our program focuses on identifying sleep patterns, addressing sleep disorders, and implementing stress-reducing techniques to promote restorative rest and mental well-being.
4. Physical Fitness and Resilience: Building physical resilience is essential to thrive as we age. We design personalized exercise regimens, considering your current fitness level and long-term goals, to enhance strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular health.
5. Cognitive Performance Enhancement: Mental acuity and cognitive health are integral to a fulfilling life. Through brain-boosting activities, cognitive exercises, and neuroprotective strategies, our program aims to keep your mind sharp and agile as the years go by. Our REHABILITATION DEPT. has already had weeks of success stories with our patients referring success and improved steadiness and functional mobility.
At CHAPALA MED, we believe that age is just a number, and by embracing the principles of functional medicine we are confident in our ability to help you unlock the secrets to a long and vibrant life. Our dedicated team of healthcare professionals is excited to guide you on this transformative journey towards functional longevity. Let’s embark on the path to lasting health and vitality together.
COME IN AND ASK ABOUT OUR NEW LONGEVITY MEDICINE PROGRAM
The Longevity Paradox
How to Die Young at a Ripe Old Age
RECOMMENDED READING by Dr. SANTIAGO HERNANDEZ
I have recommended this book before. Regenerative medicine, Optimal health and Longevity are seem to be on so many of my patients’ minds. This book helps address many of those questions and concerns. Working with thousands of patients, Dr. Gundry has discovered that the “diseases of aging” we most fear are not simply a function of age; rather, they are a byproduct of the way we have lived over the decades. InThe Longevity Paradox,he maps out a new approach to aging well – one that is based on supporting the health of the “oldest” parts of us: the microorganisms that live within our bodies.
Chapala Med Mission Statement
“We pledge to preserve our humility, integrity, and all the values which brought us to the practice of medicine. We will engage in honest self-reflection, striving for excellence but acknowledging our limitations, and caring for ourselves as we care for others. We will seek to heal the whole person, rather than merely treat disease, committing to a partnership with our patients that empowers them and demonstrates empathy and respect. We will cure sometimes, treat often, and comfort always.”
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