November Newsletter Highlights
November is a transitional month that brings shorter days and cooler weather, often making it a challenge to maintain energy and motivation. Beautiful fall leaves give way to overcast skies, dipping temperatures, and preparation for family time as holiday season rapidly approaches. Even though the sun has gone into hiding, you can still recapture personal peaks of the summer months with our special highlight on ENERGY! Read on to learn more about mitochondria, energy production, and NAD. Continue the healthful behaviors that you have been engaging in all year long, don't forget the immune-supportive recommendations discussed in our October newsletter, and show your mitochondria some love as they power us through the late fall and winter doldrums.
- November Blog Post: "How To Love Your Mitochondria"
- "What's In My Supplement Drawer?" Energy Edition
- Recipe of the Month: Mighty Mitochondria Mocktail
- NEW! NAD+ Injections
- Meet ICM's Virtual Assistants & Biller
How To Love Your Mitochondria
By Dr. Reid Kiyabu
Time to go back to middle school where we first heard about mitochondria, ubiquitously and affectionately known as the "powerhouse of the cell." I don't want to say it's the most important organelle in our cells, but it's definitely my favorite. Did you know mitochondria have their own unique DNA that is passed down through maternal genealogy? Or that evolutionary biologists theorize mitochondria are a product of "endosymbiosis," wherein our cells developed a symbiotic relationship with a bacterium that eventually became a part of them? Not only are mitochondria a sign of the past, they're also important indicators of our future wellness, health, and longevity. Here are 3 tips to show your mitochondria the love they deserve!
- Protect them from oxidative damage: Like all of our cells, mitochondria are susceptible to oxidative damage, which is produced when we are exposed to a low-quality diet full of processed and nutrient-poor foods, environmental toxins, and pollutants. Action step: eat a range of colorful foods, which contain antioxidants and nutrients.
- Practice intermittent fasting: Among the many, many researched benefits of intermittent fasting is the principle of "autophagy," which means "self-ingestion." During times of nutrient deprivation (i.e., fasting), cells breakdown old and damaged components, including mitochondria, thus increasing energy efficiency and purging damaged proteins that can lead to cellular dysfunction. Action step: practice intermittent fasting twice per week on non-consecutive days. A standard protocol is 16 hours fasting and eating within an 8 hour window.
- Mitochondria-focused nutrients: Mitochondria operating suboptimally are implicated in a variety of conditions, including metabolic syndrome, Alzheimer's, cardiovascular disease, fibromyalgia, arthritis, among many others. Supporting mitochondria has also helped alleviate chronic fatigue syndrome in long-COVID patients. Eating an anti-inflammatory diet is generally helpful, but honing in on specific nutrients, such as CoQ10, B vitamins, and L-carnitine are ideal when targeting mitochondrial health. Action step: See Dr. Klausmeyer's favorite mitochondrial supplements below!
Meet the ICM Virtual Assistant & Virtual Billing Team!
Khem Daren Aguilar
Khem's dedication to helping others is a shining example of what it means to be a true advocate. Having worked as a customer specialist with an insurance company in the United States, he consistently went above and beyond for customers, prioritizing their needs and finding creative solutions to their challenges. His exceptional customer service earned him recognition and a well-deserved promotion to Team Lead.Now, as he steps into the role of Medical Receptionist, he brings a wealth of experience, a heart full of empathy, and a proven ability to adapt and thrive in new environments. His ability to connect with people, understand their needs, and guide them through complex situations makes him a natural fit for this role. Khem is ready to make a real difference in the lives of patients and make a significant contribution to our team.
Edilyn Fuentebella
With over 9 years of experience in managing medical accounts, I have a proven track record in roles such as Virtual Assistant, Care Coordinator Team Leader, Product Trainer, Claims Lifeline Specialist and Customer Health Care Associates. My expertise includes HIPAA compliance, prior authorizations, patient communications, and comprehensive administrative support, all backed by a solid foundation in customer service. My adaptability and attention to detail enable me to assist patients efficiently, providing a quality service experience with a focus on first call resolution and customer satisfaction. With strong interpersonal and leadership skills, combined with critical thinking and problem-solving, I consistently deliver exceptional client support and ensure smooth operations. I am dedicated to providing outstanding service and contributing to team success.
Estela Dorman
A Registered Nurse and Certified Medical Virtual Assistant with over 9 years of experience. My Expertise is in healthcare account management, specializing in coding, interfacing with insurance representatives, medical providers, and patients. A Motivated Medical Biller with a proven track record in roles such as Billing Specialist, Procedure Nurse Coordinator, Senior Healthcare Executive and Escalation Team Supervisor. I also Demonstrated leadership skills and had an extensive knowledge in medical insurance and billing processes with a strong background in medical codes, terminology and attention to detail. I’m Committed to maintaining high standards of accuracy and efficiency in the Medical Billing role.