Greetings,

DID YOU KNOW that worrying about getting older, especially fearing future health problems, may actually speed up aging at the cellular level, according to new research from Psychoneuroendocrinology?

In a study of more than 700 women, those who felt more anxious about aging showed signs of faster biological aging in their blood, measured using cutting-edge “epigenetic clocks.” One measured the speed of biological aging (DunedinPACE), while the other estimated accumulated biological damage over time (GrimAge2). Fears about declining health had the strongest link.

The findings underscore once again how closely mental and physical health are connected across the lifespan.

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Steve: While our genes do not play the starring role in the story of our wellbeing, it plays the best supporting role. How our genes are manipulated by the environment we surround ourselves with makes all the difference. Your DNA doesn't operate like a fixed blueprint that determines your health outcome in any simple, inevitable way. Instead, genetic variants, the small differences in DNA sequence that make each person unique, shift physiological thresholds, making certain individuals more or less sensitive to the same environmental exposures.

Two people can share the same genetic variant and have completely different health outcomes depending on what they eat, how they sleep, how much stress they carry, what toxins they're exposed to, and how their gut microbiome has developed over a lifetime. The systems most shaped by this gene-environment interplay include inflammatory signaling, antioxidant defense, hormone regulation, and gut function - and these systems don't operate in isolation. A genetic tendency toward higher inflammatory reactivity may remain entirely silent in a low-stress, anti-inflammatory lifestyle, yet become clinically significant when layered with poor sleep, a high-glycemic diet, and chronic psychological pressure. Similarly, genetic variants that reduce the efficiency of antioxidant enzymes - like those involved in glutathione metabolism - may not cause problems at low oxidative stress loads, but can leave a person meaningfully more vulnerable after a viral illness, intense exercise, or significant toxin exposure. Critically, many of these variant enzymes don't fail completely - they simply require higher amounts of specific nutrients to function optimally, which is why nutrient status is such a powerful lever in personalized medicine.

The same principle extends to hormones and digestion. Genetic variation influences not just how hormones are made, but how they're transported, how sensitive receptors are to them, how efficiently they're metabolized and cleared, and how environmental chemicals, endocrine disruptors in particular, interact with hormone-sensitive tissues through epigenetic mechanisms. This means that two people with identical estrogen or thyroid levels on a lab report can have dramatically different tissue-level hormonal experiences based on their underlying genetic architecture.

In the gut, genetic differences shape digestive enzyme efficiency, the integrity of the intestinal barrier, how the immune system processes food-derived proteins and microbial signals, and how efficiently the liver processes compounds that cross the gut wall. The gut microbiome adds another layer: its roughly 5 million genes interact with the host's own genome, producing metabolites that directly influence gene expression, immune tone, and metabolic function throughout the body.

The practical takeaway for anyone invested in long-term health is that genetic data is most useful not as a verdict, but as a map of individual sensitivities and leverage points. Knowing where your thresholds are lower helps you understand which environmental inputs matter most for you - and where targeted changes in nutrition, lifestyle, sleep, and stress management can shift your biology most meaningfully.

We have intimate knowledge of this because we have been using PureInsight Genetic Wellness Analysis for over a decade. If you are interested in this screening, please see below for details or contact our office.

A late middle-aged women came to see Steve presenting with blood sugar imbalance, hypothyroid tendency, anemia tendency, recent SIBO, food sensitivities, sinus issues, arthritis, and history of GERD. She was on no medication. She provided blood work which showed a significantly a weakened immune system, anemia, and elevated HbA1c among others. She also did our PureInsight genetic wellness screening.

There were several problematic aspects of her diet, including eating gluten, drinking kombucha, tonic, and ginger ale. She was eating conventional deli meats which was problematic because she had a mutation of the gene that helps quell the negative effects. Moreover, she was not balancing her meals.

She was also taking numerous supplements that were not right for her because of contraindicated ingredients. She was double or tripling up on some vitamins, minerals, and herbs spread throughout her regimen.

After making all the necessary adjustments based upon Steve's recommendations, it took about a year for her to see improvements across the board. Her blood work improved dramatically, as did her symptoms. Suffice it to say she was thrilled with her progress. With all of the major health issues behind her, she continues to focus on optimizing her overall health so she can feel good day after day.

Did you have a great experience working with us? Please let others know by leaving a review here.

Disclaimer: Case reports are not intended for self-healing. Case reports are for references purposes only and should be discussed with your health professional.

Over the years some of my patients have received Stem Cell injections for pain relief and to improve mobility. This can be extremely cost prohibitive for some, which has led to companies creating stem cell products that are applied topically. 

One founder of a company personally struggled to find natural, non-invasive solutions for lasting relief after a failed back surgery. This led him to discover how amazing stem cell science is and why he helped formulate a product for anyone seeking lasting joint support, without the need for injections. 

Typically injectable stem cells are sourced from an adult patient’s own bone marrow and fat. The topical stem cell product uses Wharton’s Jelly, which is a soft, gelatinous tissue found inside the human umbilical cord, acquired after the birth of a baby. It contains a highly concentrated population of cells called mesenchymal stem cells, which secrete a complex mixture of proteins, growth factors, and extracellular vesicles that researchers study for their role in biological signaling. These topical mesenchymal stem cells are applied morning and evening for a month or as long as needed. 

I wanted to share this information with you as it’s exciting for me to know that such technologies are being created, allowing people to live better lives in as holistic and non invasive a manner as possible.

Dr. Liselotte Schuster is a Holistic Family Chiropractor and has been in practice with Nutritional Concepts since 1989. She uses a variety of techniques, including low level laser, to help patients reach their full potential. Contact Dr. Schuster at (847) 509-9067 or drliloschuster@sbcglobal.net.

PureInsight (formerly )Genomics harnesses the science of nutrigenomics so you can understand the relationship between your genes, nutrition, and wellness at the deepest level. Covering 72 genes in 11 trait categories, we've used Pure Insight since 2015 to help clients live longer with better quality of life.

How to Get Started

1. Order a genetic kit directly from Ancestry.com (AncestryDNA for $99) or 23andMe.com (Basic Ancestry for $99) and send back your saliva specimen. When your results are ready, request that we set up a PureInsight account for you. We just need your full name, email address, and date of birth. You will receive an email invitation from PureInsight with a link to set up your account and instructions for how to upload your Ancestry data. You will receive a confirmation from PureInsight when your report is ready and we can then set up an appointment to go over your results.

Twice Weekly eNewsletters with Tons of Extra Content 

Long-form issues on Mondays and Wednesdays address all aspects of wellness including nutrition, mental and emotional health, physical activity, cooking, brand awareness, dietary supplements, medical breakthroughs, and much more.

Pure Genomics Wellness Screening

Results are free. Analysis with Steve or Bonnie is a separate fee.

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Bonnie, Steve, Lilo, Cindy, Diana, Marisa, and Sally

Nutritional Concepts Inc.

155 Revere Drive, Suite 11

Northbrook, IL 60062

Phone 847-498-3422

Text 847-497-0902

Hours Of Operation

Monday through Friday 9AM to 5PM

Saturday 9AM to 2PM