Latest news with #CoryGoldberg
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Oxidative stress is one of the 'most important factors' that causes aging — here's what you can do to reduce it
Oxidative stress is one of the primary drivers of aging, but your diet can play a role in tamping it down — or accelerating it. Experts have long linked our diets — particularly those high in fat or carbohydrates — to increased inflammation and oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is an imbalance between free radicals (the bad guys) and antioxidants (the good guys) in the body. It plays a role in several chronic and degenerative conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, in addition to neurological and respiratory diseases. While oxidative stress is a natural process that occurs in all living organisms, we can take steps to reduce its impact and, in turn, lessen the hallmarks of aging. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle. The North American lifestyle, in general, "is not very healthy and is harmful," Dr. Cory S. Goldberg, a plastic and craniofacial surgeon and former Division Head of Plastic Surgery at Trillium Health Partners, told Yahoo Canada. "We can definitely live better and longer with some basic principles and implementations." Oxidative stress ages you "in an absolute way," he said. "It is probably one of the most important factors that cause aging." Anything that raises the number of free radicals in your body, triggering an imbalance, can cause oxidative stress. Pollution, stress, smoking, sun exposure and excessive alcohol consumption all cause oxidative stress, but it's also heavily influenced by diet. "The food we eat is probably the biggest and most important contributing factor to having bad health and bad skin," Goldberg, who is certified in functional medicine, said. "There is a direct relation between your gut bacteria and your skin, and also between your gut bacteria and your brain and your psychological health and emotional well-being," he said. "In fact, a majority, about 90 per cent of your serotonin, is produced in your intestines, not in your brain." Imagine your body is like a power plant or production facility. The power plant produces energy, proteins and the things that make you function. It also creates waste as a byproduct of those processes, Goldberg explains. "Your body is constantly mopping up [that waste]." However, "it takes energy to do that, and if it doesn't get fully mopped up, it harms you quite a lot." Your diet, especially eating foods that are high in antioxidants — berries, kale, pecans, beans and dark chocolate, for example — is crucial because it helps you manage this oxidative stress. "There is no one diet that fits everybody. There's no gospel on diet," Goldberg said. "Principles are usually the best things to follow, and ultimately, what each individual needs differs and what one would need over their lifetime changes." A good place to start is by eliminating or reducing your consumption of ultra-processed foods. Public health experts have long warned about the dangers of ultra-processed foods — manufactured foods that have been highly processed and often contain additives — and a 2025 study confirmed the association between their consumption and all-cause mortality. The research, which involved more than 240,000 people, found that "every bite" of ultra-processed food can increase your risk of early death. Goldberg said that if someone were to drastically reduce their intake of ultra-processed foods, say from 60 per cent of their caloric intake to 10 per cent of their caloric intake, it would make a "huge difference" in the amount of inflammation in the body. Reducing your consumption of ultra-processed foods would not only decrease the risk of premature death and certain diseases, said Goldberg, but it would also make a significant difference in skin health and the hallmarks of premature aging. "What manifests on the skin is more than just the soft descriptor of 'looks flat' or 'doesn't have a glow,'" Goldberg said. "What's actually manifesting is inflammation. Your skin is responding to the toxins that are being released by the bacteria in your intestine if they are unhealthy bacteria." If you're eating foods that "tend to propagate the unhealthy bacteria," it can cause inflammation and skin disorders. Eczema, skin irritations and inflammation are "absolutely worsened by imbalances of gut bacteria." One of the easiest ways to improve the gut microbiome is by eating more fruits and vegetables and incorporating colour into your diet. Eating the rainbow, Goldberg advised, is a great way to integrate more and varied nutrients into your daily life. Additionally, the plastic surgeon recommended a supplement called GliSODin, which he referred to as "the thing" for managing oxidative stress. GliSODin, an antioxidant enzyme, contains superoxide dismutase [SOD], which in biochemistry, people call the "king of enzymes," Goldberg explained. "It is, quite possibly, one of the, if not the most important, enzymes our body produces because it is the thing that allows us to manage this oxidative stress." "There's not a lot of ways to up your SOD," but GliSODin is one of them. "I have all my surgical patients take it," he said. "I did a study on this stuff 10 years ago, measuring skin inflammation with images [...] and after just three months of taking it, there was a statistically significant reduction in skin inflammation." Goldberg, who is a voluntary scientific advisor for the company, said taking the enzyme was a "no-brainer." "It has been shown to have benefits in every organ system," he said. "I think that it should be put in the water." While studies agree there are "therapeutic potentials of superoxide dismutase," other experts warn the enzyme is not easily absorbed into the bloodstream when taken orally and question the benefits of oral supplements.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Oxidative stress is one of the 'most important factors' that causes aging — here's what you can do to reduce it
Oxidative stress is one of the primary drivers of aging, but your diet can play a role in tamping it down — or accelerating it. Experts have long linked our diets — particularly those high in fat or carbohydrates — to increased inflammation and oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is an imbalance between free radicals (the bad guys) and antioxidants (the good guys) in the body. It plays a role in several chronic and degenerative conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, in addition to neurological and respiratory diseases. While oxidative stress is a natural process that occurs in all living organisms, we can take steps to reduce its impact and, in turn, lessen the hallmarks of aging. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle. The North American lifestyle, in general, "is not very healthy and is harmful," Dr. Cory S. Goldberg, a plastic and craniofacial surgeon and former Division Head of Plastic Surgery at Trillium Health Partners, told Yahoo Canada. "We can definitely live better and longer with some basic principles and implementations." Oxidative stress ages you "in an absolute way," he said. "It is probably one of the most important factors that cause aging." Oxidative stress is "probably one of the most important factors that cause aging."Dr. Cory S. Goldberg Anything that raises the number of free radicals in your body, triggering an imbalance, can cause oxidative stress. Pollution, stress, smoking, sun exposure and excessive alcohol consumption all cause oxidative stress, but it's also heavily influenced by diet. "The food we eat is probably the biggest and most important contributing factor to having bad health and bad skin," Goldberg, who is certified in functional medicine, said. "There is a direct relation between your gut bacteria and your skin, and also between your gut bacteria and your brain and your psychological health and emotional well-being," he said. "In fact, a majority, about 90 per cent of your serotonin, is produced in your intestines, not in your brain." Imagine your body is like a power plant or production facility. The power plant produces energy, proteins and the things that make you function. It also creates waste as a byproduct of those processes, Goldberg explains. "Your body is constantly mopping up [that waste]." However, "it takes energy to do that, and if it doesn't get fully mopped up, it harms you quite a lot." Your diet, especially eating foods that are high in antioxidants — berries, kale, pecans, beans and dark chocolate, for example — is crucial because it helps you manage this oxidative stress. "There is no one diet that fits everybody. There's no gospel on diet," Goldberg said. "Principles are usually the best things to follow, and ultimately, what each individual needs differs and what one would need over their lifetime changes." A good place to start is by eliminating or reducing your consumption of ultra-processed foods. Public health experts have long warned about the dangers of ultra-processed foods — manufactured foods that have been highly processed and often contain additives — and a 2025 study confirmed the association between their consumption and all-cause mortality. The research, which involved more than 240,000 people, found that "every bite" of ultra-processed food can increase your risk of early death. Goldberg said that if someone were to drastically reduce their intake of ultra-processed foods, say from 60 per cent of their caloric intake to 10 per cent of their caloric intake, it would make a "huge difference" in the amount of inflammation in the body. Reducing your consumption of ultra-processed foods would not only decrease the risk of premature death and certain diseases, said Goldberg, but it would also make a significant difference in skin health and the hallmarks of premature aging. "What manifests on the skin is more than just the soft descriptor of 'looks flat' or 'doesn't have a glow,'" Goldberg said. "What's actually manifesting is inflammation. Your skin is responding to the toxins that are being released by the bacteria in your intestine if they are unhealthy bacteria." If you're eating foods that "tend to propagate the unhealthy bacteria," it can cause inflammation and skin disorders. Eczema, skin irritations and inflammation are "absolutely worsened by imbalances of gut bacteria." One of the easiest ways to improve the gut microbiome is by eating more fruits and vegetables and incorporating colour into your diet. Eating the rainbow, Goldberg advised, is a great way to integrate more and varied nutrients into your daily life. Additionally, the plastic surgeon recommended a supplement called GliSODin, which he referred to as "the thing" for managing oxidative stress. GliSODin combines a melon extract (naturally rich in SOD) and a wheat protein (gliadin) to help protect against damage caused by oxidative stress. GliSODin, an antioxidant enzyme, contains superoxide dismutase [SOD], which in biochemistry, people call the "king of enzymes," Goldberg explained. "It is, quite possibly, one of the, if not the most important, enzymes our body produces because it is the thing that allows us to manage this oxidative stress." "There's not a lot of ways to up your SOD," but GliSODin is one of them. "I have all my surgical patients take it," he said. "I did a study on this stuff 10 years ago, measuring skin inflammation with images [...] and after just three months of taking it, there was a statistically significant reduction in skin inflammation." Goldberg, who is a voluntary scientific advisor for the company, said taking the enzyme was a "no-brainer." "It has been shown to have benefits in every organ system," he said. "I think that it should be put in the water." While studies agree there are "therapeutic potentials of superoxide dismutase," other experts warn the enzyme is not easily absorbed into the bloodstream when taken orally and question the benefits of oral supplements.
Hamilton Spectator
12-05-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
How Sault Ste. Marie is reconstructing plastic surgery care
When most people hear 'plastic surgery,' they think of facelifts and nose jobs. But on the fourth floor of Sault Area Hospital, it's hand burns, skin cancers, breast reconstructions and trauma injuries that fill the surgical slate. For the past two years, Dr. Cory Goldberg has been bringing his reconstructive expertise north from Toronto, helping bridge a significant gap in specialized care. At one point, Sault Area Hospital had three plastic surgeons. Two have since left for more lucrative opportunities in the United States, leaving Dr. Timothy Best as the sole full-time plastic surgeon in the region since 2023. At this time, most patients requiring plastic surgery had to travel to have access to care. By that time, Dr. Goldberg had already been travelling to Sault Ste. Marie for over a decade, offering consultations through Laser Advantage. When he learned of the shortage in care, he arranged a locum position at the hospital. Now, he works in tandem with Dr. Best and the SAH staff to provide consistent and reliable care. Through the locum program, Dr. Goldberg travels to Sault Ste. Marie once a quarter, staying for a week at a time. While in the city, he provides on-call coverage for trauma and burn cases and runs hospital-based clinics primarily focused on skin cancer, hand injuries and breast surgeries. 'When I come up to the Sault, it's kind of like a community service, but it's one that I enjoy a lot, because I enjoy contributing to the community, and I also really like applying my skill,' said Goldberg. 'I never really intended to be purely a cosmetic surgeon. It just so happened that way, and the healthcare resources have sort of pushed me to do that because things were just so hard in the hospital.' Goldberg left his hospital job in Toronto due to deteriorating healthcare resources and long wait times, which were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and made providing comprehensive reconstructive care increasingly difficult. During a recent locum visit, he saw about 10 hand injuries requiring care from a plastic surgeon in just one day. 'Things like burns, tendon repairs, nerve reconstruction — these are procedures people don't realize fall under the scope of plastic surgery,' he said. Plastic surgeons, he explained, handle 90 per cent of hand surgeries in Canada. Without timely access to care, patients may face serious consequences, from delayed healing to permanent impairments and costly secondary procedures. 'A fracture that doesn't heal properly may need to be rebroken, and scarred tissue may need to be released. The longer the wait, the worse the outcome,' said Goldberg. In Sault Ste. Marie, where access to specialty care is limited, these delays are a real concern. Recent visits have included complex procedures, such as immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy — a service rarely available in smaller communities due to logistical challenges. 'That kind of coordination is hard to pull off, and I don't think it's been happening here very often, if at all,' he said. Working closely with Dr. Best, Goldberg helps ensure continuity of care between visits. 'It's a very well-coordinated system. I'm confident my patients won't fall through the cracks while I'm away.' Despite the clear need, attracting and retaining full-time plastic surgeons in northern communities remains difficult. Financial pressures, lifestyle preferences, and a lack of infrastructure all play a role. 'I know the two plastic surgeons who used to be here both left for the U.S.,' Goldberg said. 'The compensation system here can't compete, and many physicians trained in urban centres aren't eager to relocate.' He adds that locum coverage can be one of the most practical strategies to ensure continuity in rural and remote communities. 'I think that this kind of rotation is, you know, suits the community ideally, because for me, it would be hard to move up here full time and give up my own my own practice, but at the same time coming up here intermittently and being able to enjoy it and practice here works well, but I think that this is one of the reasons why plastic surgery is, you know, short staffed in a lot of rural places, because there's not a lot of places that can really support a plastic surgeon in a full time practice' He said that the SAH makes the experience to Sault Ste. Marie worthwhile. 'The staff are spectacular. They're so good to work with. They really make it easy for me to get things done,' said Goldberg. 'And the patients also are really, you know, laid back, and they're very appreciative, because, you know, I recognize that many of them, otherwise, either wouldn't get care or they would have to travel a long distance to get it. So they're just very grateful, appreciative people.' 'This is kind of my outlet to use my skills where otherwise I would sort of have the skill set that I wouldn't be using. So this is, this is kind of fun for me. I really enjoy it.' Programs like Ontario's Northern and Rural Recruitment and Retention Initiative (NRRRI) and the Northern Specialist Locum Program (NSLP) have been vital in bringing physicians like Dr. Goldberg to remote and underserved communities. Still, the broader issue persists: a shortage of specialists and insufficient infrastructure to support them. For surgeons, the ability to provide care hinges not just on skill but also on hospital resources — operating room time, anesthesiology coverage, and adequate staffing. 'Your entire practice is tied to the hospital,' said Goldberg. 'If those supports aren't in place, it's hard to do your job effectively. That's why so many rural hospitals struggle to attract surgeons.' The implications for patients are significant. Delayed treatment can result in prolonged disability, increased healthcare costs, and long-term effects on mental health and productivity. 'It's dramatic and very under-recognized,' Goldberg said. 'It's not just about fixing a hand. It's about helping someone return to work, avoid chronic pain, and live a full life.' As Sault Ste. Marie continues to grow, so too does the need for sustainable solutions to its healthcare challenges. Until then, the dedication of visiting specialists like Dr. Goldberg is helping to fill critical gaps. The Local Journalism Initiative is made possible through funding from the federal government.
