The Only Complementary Medicine Center in NY

Have Confidence In The Berkley Center

Mission Statement

Our Team

Acupuncture

Fees

Massage

Nutrition

Counseling

Frequently Asked Questions

Patient Forms

Phone Consultations

 

 

The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness Is the Only Complementary Medicine Practice in New York City Completely Devoted To Treating Infertility

 

After having worked with thousands of struggling couples, we've come to realize a couple of things. Infertility is more than a physical ailment. It affects couples on a deep subconscious level. The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness is concerned with both. We prescribe only natural herbal fertility medications to help you get pregnant and to help you stay pregnant. We know that

99% of Those Getting Acupuncture & Natural Fertility Medicine for Infertility
Are Not Being Treated By A Fertility Specialist

 

Would you ask your gynecologist to perform a last minute laser eye surgery ... or your chiropractor to do your coronary bypass surgery? You are at risk when you put a specialized problem into the hands of a generalist.

 

Are you certain you can trust your acupuncturist to...

We do!

We can!

We will!

We are!

• Be available 24/7/365 for pre and post embryo transfer acupuncture treatment?

We are!

 

As world renowned specialists, we are sought out by couples globally. That's all we do! And, we'd like to start a relationship with you.

 

"You showed so much kindness, compassion and support to us during a very stressful time. Your encouragement kept us positive and focused during our struggle to have a baby."

Angel and Caralyn P.

 

We work with couples of all ages. They come from every walk of life, from almost every State of the country and throughout the world. Their diversity is wonderful and uplifting, but one thing stays the same - the sadness, anger and frustration they feel. They come to me after yet another doctor advised them to consider egg donation or adoption.

 

We know you.

 

We know how you feel.

 

And, we understand what you are going through...

You are not alone! This may be the first time you've ever met a natural medicine doctor who has an incredible success rate working with thousands of couples...who can treat you whether you live in Brooklyn or Bali. Wherever you are, we are there.

 

You won't be on this difficult journey alone for long. You'll have a team of specialists, experts in acupuncture, natural fertility medicine, fertility massage and nutrition all by your side to go the distance.

 

"I'd like to thank you, Mike and your very friendly staff for helping the miracle to happen. I am 10 weeks pregnant! It's difficult to express all my happiness and excitement, but I'm sure you understand. I'm very grateful for your help and support. I wish you all the best and will always remember what you did for me."

Katerina L

 

After Just 3 Months Of Treatments, You Will Feel Healthier, More Relaxed And Stronger. Your Immune Function will be Enhanced and Your Reproductive Function Improved!

 

Allow yourself to see the possibility of a baby! Here is what Fiona and Michael said while working with The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness:

 

 

Our patients say that working with The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness helps them...

The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness Will Address Your Personal Situation and Treat You As An Individual

 

Not only do we provide powerful and effective solutions to infertility, we also connect personally with you. No two patient assessments are alike.

 

The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness treats you based upon your personal situation and you will never be prescribed a universal treatment or receive a generic evaluation.

 

Give up the extreme and final options of adoption or donor egg. We're not giving up on you! You've come this far and we're determined to help you...

The truth is...

 

You do have options!

 

What happened before now is irrelevant. Don't let the frustration of the past cheat you of your future joy.

Don't dismiss natural conception because your physician told you she or he couldn't help you.

 

You Deserve More!

 

This may be one of the most painful and challenging experiences you will ever face. Your health, your baby and your family is what we work for. Stop and think about what it would be like to have a professional who understands, guides and advises you... doctors who have held the hands of many couples before you... doctors who have journeyed the rough road countless times as listeners, coach's, friends, counselors and physicians.

 

"Some days I'm a reproductive specialist...other days I am just a friend."

 

"I am a reproductive specialist, but, I am also a natural-medicine-man,
practicing an ancient art of healing the mind, body and soul."

 

Mike Berkley, L.Ac.
Acupuncture, Nationally Board Certified Herbalist,
Founder & Director of The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness

 

Hardly a day goes by that an authentic and wonderful woman doesn't open the door of our office and beam the same beautiful smile I saw eleven years ago.

 

"LOOK! Look what we did! SUCCESS!  How can my husband and I thank you enough? Every week I came and every week you were kind and supportive and knowledgeable and skillful. I had high FSH and through your efforts and ours my cancelled IVF cycle became a successful IUI. (The chances of that are normally about 1 %!). Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Alexandra P.

 

You Have The Power To Transform Your Life...To Be A Parent

At The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness life flourishes everyday.

We are on-going educators and expert practitioners of reproductive medicine

We Want To Help You Live A Happy, Fulfilled And Fertile Life!

 

 

Our primary aim is to truly help people... anywhere in the world. No matter who you are, where you are, or how complicated your situation seems. We know that we can help.

 

 

“Mike is very well versed in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, and he probably reads more than 90% of the active RE’s in practice. I have been very impressed with his breadth of knowledge as well as his treatment of several of my patients. He is well versed in the use of acupuncture for the treatment of infertility and has actually moved to form a separate board in the American Society of Acupuncturists to certify acupuncturists for reproductive endocrinology and infertility. In addition, he is an excellent herbalist and has a great knowledge of the subject.”

 

“I am also familiar with the way that he handles his consults. He takes an extensive history and performs an examination of the patient prior to prescribing any medication or performing any acupuncture procedures. This is different than most of the practitioners with which I am familiar and based upon this, I have used acupuncturists in Florida that only Mike has recommended. In addition, I have channeled some of my patients to him in New York for both acupuncture and herbal medicine therapy.”

David I. Hoffman, MD
IVF Florida

 

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HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE BERKLEY CENTER

 

 

 

Ten Reasons to feel Confident about Choosing The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness

 

 

We welcome you to our family; we will do our utmost to help you start yours!

 

“Mike has outstanding doctor-patient relationships and is extraordinarily knowledgeable in both the basic sciences and clinical medicine. His fund of knowledge in areas dealing with fertility is awesome as well as effective for patients under his care. It’s indeed an honor being in association with Mike, and he has my highest respect and support.”

Carlyle Miller, MD
Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Equal Opportunity Programs
Weill Medical Cornell Medical College

 

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MISSION STATEMENT

 

At the Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness we understand the enormous emotional, physical and spiritual impact that presents as a result of conception difficulties.

 

Our mission is to help you achieve your goal of conception and full term pregnancy.
We provide a safe, warm and compassionate environment offering a personal and caring relationship for each and every one of our patients. We understand that caring and nurturing are just as important to your success as medicine and procedures.

 

In addition to providing expert treatment through the dissemination of acupuncture and customized herbal medicine, we have expert team members who specialize in nutritional counseling, and fertility massage. We know from experience that a team oriented approach always works best.

 

After eleven years of clinical practice, our approach to reproductive wellness is an integrated one, encompassing acupuncture, herbs, nutrition, fertility massage, compassion and Western reproductive medicine. This comprehensive, all-inclusive approach is yielding higher success rates than IUI or IVF alone!

 

 

“I have known Mike over the last several years and have had many personal meetings with him and have found him always to be professional, kind, considerate and an expert in his field.  I have looked to him over a number of years for advice in caring for our fertility patients and aiding them through their journey with reproductive difficulties.”

Robert Kiltz, MD
Owner and Director, CNY Fertility Centers

 

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OUR TEAM

 

 

Mike Berkley, L.Ac.
Founder and Director,
The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness

 

Mike Berkley, Founder and Director of The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness, in New York City, is licensed and Board Certified in Acupuncture in the states of New York and Connecticut, and licensed in the State of Rhode Island. Mike is also Board Certified in Clinical Herbal Medicine by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

 

Mike is a Member, in good standing, of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM); Resolve of New York, American Fertility Association (AFA), the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), the Acupuncture Society of New York; and the American Association of Oriental Medicine (AAOM). In addition, he is an Advisory Board member of The InterNational Council on Infertility Information Dissemination, Inc. (INCIID). He is also on the Board of Doctors at ATIME, and he is an Advisory Board Member of the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (PCOM). Mike is also sits on the Advisory Board of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine (ABORM).

 

Mike graduated from The Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in New York in 1996, and he has been treating reproductive disorders since then. Mike is the first acupuncturist/herbalist in the United States to work exclusively in the field of reproductive medicine.

 

He works exclusively in the area of reproductive medicine and enjoys working in conjunction with some of New York’s most prestigious reproductive endocrinologists.

 

TELEVISION AND RADIO APPEARANCES 
1997   Dr. Robert Atkins Radio Show, WEVD, New York, NY
1997   News All Day, NY1-TV, New York, NY
2002   Today in New York, WNBC (NBC), New York, NY
2002   Live With Regis & Kelly, WABC-TV (ABC), New York, NY
2002   The Early Show, WCBS-TV (CBS), New York, NY
2004   Interviewed on WHLV Talk Radio, Buffalo, NY
2006   WBAI - Global Medicine Radio. Interviewed by Dr. Kamau Kokayi
2006   Interviewed on the ROSHOW with Rolanda Watts
2007   Karma Radio, Myths and Realities of Infertility
2007   Conceive On Air, Talk Radio with Kim Hahn
2007   Interviewed on WWOR-TV Channel 9 News by Tena Ezzeddine

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS
A Torah Infertility Medium Exchange (Medical Advisory Board)
Acupuncture Society of New York
American Association of Oriental Medicine
American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine (ABORM) (Board of Directors)
American Infertility Association
American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)
American Society of Acupuncturists (Fellow)
InterNational Council on Infertility Information Dissemination (INCIID) (Board Member)
National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
New York State Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (Westchester Chapter)
Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (Advisory Board Member)
Resolve, The National Infertility Association

 

 

LECTURES

Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center,
"Concepts and Applications of Traditional Chinese Medicine" 1997

 

Resolve, New York,
"Infertility and Herbal Medicine" 1998

 

Resolve, Brooklyn,
"The Use of Acupuncture and Alternative Medicine in the Treatment of Infertility" 1998

 

American Infertility Association, "Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Treatment of Primary Infertility" 1998

 

American Infertility Association,
"Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine and Infertility" 2001

 

Resolve, New Jersey, Annual Family Building Symposium
“Infertility and Traditional Chinese Medicine” 2002

 

Resolve, New Jersey,
"Infertility, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine" 2003

 

A.T.I.M.E.
‘Acupuncture for Infertility, Does it Work?’ 2004

 

The Pacific College of Oriental Medicine,
"Infertility, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine" 2005

 

The Jewish Community Center, NYC
‘Acupuncture and IVF’ 2005

 

Pacific Symposium
‘East meets West in Reproductive Medicine’ 2005

 

Resolve Brooklyn,
"The Use of Acupuncture and Alternative Medicine in the Treatment of Infertility" 2006

 

 

CURRENT PROJECTS
Mike is currently writing a book on reproductive disorders and Chinese medicine, and hosts his groundbreaking seminars, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Reproductive Medicine in the Diagnosis & Treatment of Infertility, across the country. With the increase in the number of couples being diagnosed as “infertile,” Mike feels that it is even more important now to share his expertise and findings with acupuncturists, herbalists, gynecologists, and other healthcare professionals.

 

Mike’s Personal Story

 

I developed an interest in acupuncture and herbal medicine due to a very personal and difficult reason. Infertility.

 

My wife and I decided that we wanted to start a family a soon after we got married. We tried and tried for 2 years and then sought the help of a reproductive endocrinologist here in New York City. My wife was diagnosed as having a bacterial infection and an autoimmune marker. We were both given doxycycline and she was given a short course of prednisone. At our follow-up examinations we were 'cleared' of all obstacles to conception and told to go home and 'try'. Try and try we did for another 6 months without success.

 

At this point my wife sought out the help of an acupuncturist/herbalist who had some basic knowledge of reproductive issues. We were lucky to find one.

 

After treating with acupuncture and herbal medicine for six months my wife got nothing more than a regulated period. We were disappointed. Then, the very next month, the miracle manifested: she was pregnant and, she carried to term without a hitch! We had a beautiful 7.5 pound little tiger who is now a big boy. I was amazed, humbled and enormously excited and gratified by the result which was yielded by what seemed like some hocus-pocus newfangled type of medicine, but it really worked (my son can attest to this!).

 

It was then that I started to explore acupuncture and herbal medicine on my own. I had this urgent curiosity to learn more. I couldn't believe it when I found out that this type of medicine had existed for 3,000 years and that there are literally hundreds of medical 'Classics' dating back centuries on the subject of reproductive disorders and how to treat them. Incredible!

 

Then, this really strange thing happens: I'm reading the Village Voice and I spot an advertisement from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego. The ad reads something like this: "PACIFIC COLLEGE OF ORIENTAL MEDICINE IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE OPENING OF OUR NEW YORK CAMPUS. ALL ARE INVITED TO AN OPEN HOUSE." And, to the Open House I went. I left almost six years later with a degree in acupuncture and a National Board Certification in herbal medicine.

 

With license(s) in hand, I devoted every free moment to studying Western medical and Chinese medical approaches to treating infertility. After years of study and clinical experience, I have been fortunate in that I have been able to develop my own unique acupuncture protocols and proprietary herbal formulas. I am still amazed and in awe at how these treatments work miracles. Just ask all of our new mommies and daddies!

 

The fact that I am able to help so many couples achieve their dream of starting a family is the focal point of my life. Every single patient that comes to The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness is a great gift to us. It's another opportunity to add joy to the world!

 

Mike Berkley, Licensed Acupuncturist
Founder and Director, The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness

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COUNSELING

Carolyn Berger, LCSW, has been helping people build families for over 20 years. She is a psychotherapist specializing in Fertility, All Family Building Options, and Adoption. She takes an active, compassionate approach, helping couples and individuals make decisions, manage stress, and enjoy life more while creating their families. She is committed to helping people create both "traditional" and "non-traditional" families.

Carolyn is a Founder and active Board Member of The American Fertility Association. She writes and speaks frequently on family building options, and was recently interviewed by "The Today Show" on raising families created through birth and adoption, a subject she knows well-- her sons, ages 16 and 20, came into her family through medical technology and adoption.

Carolyn is available for counseling at The Berkley Center on Thursdays by appointment.

 

---

 

 

Klara Kadar, LMT

Fertility Massage Specialist

BIO

 

The role of a healer is to be the guide and the facilitator. As a graduate of Pacific College of Oriental Medicine Klara has studied massage in both Eastern and Western aspects of thought and modalities. Since earning her massage therapy license, Klara has broadened her scope of practice to include Shiatsu, Reflexology, Thai, Deep Tissue, and Pre and Post Natal Massage.

 

Massage is a great way to prepare and assist the body for the process of pregnancy and labor, making it a smoother and more pleasing experience by helping to keep the muscles relaxed and allowing the flow of energy to guide childbirth. Klara works with mothers-to-be in preparing for the experience with prenatal massage. She believes that postnatal massage following birth will help mothers stay stress free and focus on their important new role.

 

Klara believes the body has an innate power to heal itself. With a push in the right direction, extraordinary things can manifest or resolve. This is the ability of massage, to open the door to a new possibility.

 

 

MASSAGE

 

Each one of our massages is individually customized to fit your needs. The type of massage you will receive will depend upon your condition and what is best for your overall care. You will have a full consultation before your first massage to determine which style will work best for you.

 

1 Hour massage (the best hour of your week!) $75.00
1.5 hours of massage (the best hour and a half of your week!) $100.00

 

Swedish Massage: A vigorous system of treatment designed to energize the body by stimulating circulation. All strokes flow toward the heart and are used to manipulate the soft tissues of the body. The many benefits of Swedish massage may include generalized relaxation, dissolution of scar tissue adhesions (including those of the pelvis!), improved circulation and blood flow all of which are beneficial to the uterine/ovarian environment.
 
Amma Therapy: Amma is the traditional Japanese word for massage, and this type of massage works very well when used in conjunction with acupuncture treatments. This form of bodywork is based upon the principles of Chinese medicine and is more than five thousand years old. The Amma techniques encompass a series of pressing, stroking, stretching, percussive manipulations on acupressure points along the body’s fourteen major meridians. Amma therapy works very successfully in treating a wide range of medical conditions which Mike and I will discuss thoroughly so that I may design a customized Amma treatment to specifically meet your needs.

 

Reflexology is based upon an ancient Chinese therapy which involves manipulation of specific reflex areas in the foot, hands, and ears that correspond to other parts of the body. This method involves the application of pressure to these areas in order to stimulate body’s organs and to relieve areas of congestion. Similar to acupressure principles, reflexology works with the body’s energy flow to stimulate self-healing and maintain a balance amongst physiological functions. This technique is used to facilitate relaxation and stimulate the circulation of blood and lymphatic fluids. It is especially useful in stress-related disorders.

 

Myofascial Release:  This type of massage is the three-dimensional application of sustained pressure and movement into the fascial system in order to eliminate fascial restrictions and facilitate the emergence of emotional patterns and belief systems that are no longer relevant or are impeding progress. First, an assessment is made by visually analyzing the human frame, followed by the palpation of the tissue texture of various fascial layers. Upon locating an area of fascial tension, gentle pressure is applied in the direction of the restriction. Myofascial release is an effective therapeutic approach in the relief of constrictions and adhesions that may be contributory factors in infertility.

 

Deep Tissue and Trigger Point Therapy may also be used and generally integrated into other massage techniques. We can discuss these options if they are deemed appropriate after your Intake Evaluation.

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ACUPUNCTURE

Mike Berkley is highly recommended by many of the nation’s top reproductive specialists.

“Despite approaching the common problem of infertility from two diametrically opposite vantage points, I have been extremely impressed not only with the quality of care Mike provides his patients but with the scientific rigor that he follows when recommending treatment plans and counseling his patients. We have been able to work together in a complementary fashion with mutual respect for each other’s expertise. I have the utmost respect for his opinion with regard to the role of western medicine in treating the causes of infertility and his understanding of the studies using traditional medicine to treat infertility of all causes.” 

 

Glenn L. Schattman, MD, FACOG
Associate Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology

 

 

At The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness we provide comprehensive FertileWellness™ programs with an impressive track record of successful pregnancies.  

 

We offer Cost Saving Packages for all of our individual FertileWellness™ programs for Acupuncture, Nutritional Counseling, and Fertility Massage, giving you the opportunity to save money. Once pregnancy is achieved, we suggest you use the remainder of your sessions to help prevent miscarriage and/or for post-partum care.

Please note: Refunds are not available for these Cost Saving Packages. If, for any reason, you want to opt of a program, the remainder of your sessions may be transferred to a friend or a loved one.

 

The Berkley Method:  Acupuncture for Improved Fertility Outcomes

During your first visit with us, a comprehensive intake and an acupuncture treatment will take place. You will be here between one-and-a- half to two hours. Follow-up visits are thirty minutes in length.  Remember to schedule you Free Mini-Consults with Tibha Patel, our Director of Nutrition Services and Registered Dietitian. For your convenience, we will make every effort to schedule all of these on the same day for you.

Fees for acupuncture care

 

First visit includes:

• a one hour intake/evaluation
• a treatment
• and an herbal medicine prescription $250.00

Each follow-up visit:

• $125.00 (30 Minutes)

We also offer these cost savings plans:

1. *Three Month Plan

• Buy a package of 24 acupuncture treatments (3 months of care)
• You pay $100 per treatment instead of $125.00 per treatment
• Your cost: $2400.00
• You save: $600.00

2. *Six Month Plan

• Buy a package of 48 acupuncture treatments (6 months of care)
• You pay $85.00 per treatment instead of $125.00 per treatment
• Your cost: $ 4080.00
• You save: $ 1920.00

All plans can be shared with your partner!
All plans are non-refundable but are transferable
*There is no time limitation on these cost-savings-plans!
** This cost savings plan can be paid off over two months.

 

Home Visits
Home visits are available by appointment: $300 per visit

 

Doctor's Office Visits
For your convenience, we are pleased to treat you pre and post embryo transfer at your doctor's office: $300 per visit

 

Labor Induction  
We offer acupuncture treatments for those who wish to induce labor without medication. $250 per session

 

Natural Herbal Medicine Prescription
THIS IS A FREE SERVICE: Should you wish to include herbal medicine in your FertileWellness™ protocol, (highly recommended!), we will write a customized herbal-medicine prescription for you based upon the information gleaned from our comprehensive intake.

 

We recommend purchasing your herbs from Kamwo Herbal Pharmacy www.kamwo.com We have enjoyed a ten-year relationship with them and find them to provide excellent service, customer care, and world-wide shipping capabilities. They are honest and ethical. Dr. Leung, the owner, is a professor of clinical herbal medicine at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine.  Kamwo Herbal Pharmacy supplies high quality herbs which are safe and reliable.  Dr. Leung is an herbalist as well as a Western trained pharmacist. Therefore, he has a comprehensive understanding of herb-drug interactions. He and his team constantly monitor all herbs and dosages, ensuring that patient safety is priority one.

NUTRITION

The Berkley Center is pleased to announce that we have found two amazing nutritionists whom we highly respect. We urge you to seek their care and guidance when trying to conceive as what we eat can greatly influence what we produce.

Do you want to get pregnant? Minimize PMS? Reduce hot flashes? Avoid frequent yeast infections? Whatever your goal, you must first get your body healthy. Good health begins with what you put in your mouth.

When you consume a wholesome, well-balanced, minimally processed diet, you fuel your body with the nutrients that you need for ideal health. A healthy diet will allow your body to function at its' peak and will promote a strong immune system. It will best support the operation of every system and process in your body--from the beating of your heart and the blinking of your eyes to an efficient metabolism and a healthy reproductive system.

So, whether you suffer from endometriosis, menstrual cramps, pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), infertility, urinary tract infections (UTI's), yeast infections or menopause, having a nutrient-rich, low saturated fat diet will help your body to better manage each situation. And if you are trying to conceive, nourishing your body with the appropriate food is one of the best things that you can do to create a warm and inviting environment for your baby to thrive.

FOODS TO ACHIEVE OPTIMAL WOMEN'S HEALTH

 

More than likely you have heard that you should eat a wholesome, well-balanced diet. Like many women, you may know the basics--that eating this way means you need to consume an abundance of vegetables and plenty of omega-3 fats, along with adequate amounts of fruit, whole grains, lean protein, nonfat or low-fat dairy products (or other calcium-rich foods), nuts and legumes. Like most females, you want to ensure that you are getting plenty of health-promoting phytonutrients, but most likely fall short by at least one or more servings of leafy green vegetables daily, and a few orange or red ones, too.

You probably realize that you need calcium for bone health, but you may not know that you also need it for muscle contraction or that it may help to ease symptoms of PMS. You may also realize that nuts are a great way to get heart-healthy fats that help to keep your blood vessels in good working order so that they can best deliver oxygen-rich blood to your reproductive organs as well as throughout your body. However, you are probably also aware that when you eat them, you tend to gain weight. You may know that you need omega -3 fats, especially DHA if you are pregnant or are planning to conceive to help with the development of your baby's brain. You have also heard that consuming too much of some fish that are some of the best sources of DHA are high in mercury, which is toxic, or that they are high in cancer-causing PCBs. However, if you are like most people, you wonder how you can accomplish all of this while living a fast paced life that involves eating meals on the go.

And you wonder how you can squeeze all of these nutrients that are essential for good health into your mouth, without overdoing it and gaining weight. That's where we come in. We help you to tailor your diet to ensure that you get your body into tip-top nutritional health so that you can look and feel your best no matter whether you are battling frequent urinary tract or yeast infections, dealing with hot flashes and menopause, trying to conceive or if you are pregnant and working to create the best possible environment for a baby to grow. We work with your lifestyle and your current eating habits to ensure that eating nutritiously can become a simple reality for you. And in the meantime, the only side effect you'll experience is that you'll feel more energetic, happier, more in control of your life, and you'll see how much easier it will be for you to achieve or maintain your ideal weight.

We are the co- authors of two books, The Secret To Skinny: How Salt Makes You Fat and Fire up Your Metabolism, both of which can serve as your roadmaps to healthy eating as we have done the hard work for you and created simple eating plans. In our most recent book, The Secret To Skinny, we teach you to retrain your taste buds so that you enjoy the flavor of natural foods themselves, rather than all of the additives and preservatives that most of us have grown accustomed to. We also help you to find delicious foods that are lower in sodium, so that you experience fewer cravings while feeling less bloated and losing significantly more body fat. And we give you more than forty simple, delicious recipes to help you stay on track. Plus, you'll minimize your PMS symptoms. If you're pregnant you'll be at less risk for pre-eclampsia. When we work with you on a one-on-one basis, we bring the elements from our books and apply them directly to your own personal lifestyle. So we tailor a plan for your specific situation.

A Special Note about How We Can Help You Before and During Pregnancy

If you are trying to get pregnant, you may have heard that you need to pay special attention to protein, folic acid, iron, Vitamin C and omega-3 fats, among other nutrients. You probably realize that protein is necessary for the growth and development of all new cells, including proper growth and development of your baby, placenta, amniotic tissues and maternal tissues. Blood volume increases by 50% during pregnancy and protein is essential for blood production. So how do you know if you are getting enough protein? And what about folic acid? You know you need more since lack of this B vitamin has been linked to neural tube birth defects, such as spina bifida. And you know that good sources are spinach, asparagus, black-eyed peas, kidney beans and orange juice. And what about omega-3s? You know that they have been shown to help with the brain development and visual acuity of your unborn baby and you have heard that they're found in flaxseed, fish, and eggs. But do you have to be concerned with counting milligrams of omega-3 fats, grams of protein or micrograms of folic acid? Not when you work with us. We take the guesswork out of eating. Our clients typically require 60-80 grams of protein a day and we encourage lean, high quality sources, like skinless poultry and fish, egg whites and lean meats, beans and low-fat and non-fat dairy products. We focus on always combining a wholesome whole grain carbohydrate or fruits with protein to stabilize blood sugar levels and mood, which tend to fluctuate during pregnancy due to hormonal changes. You just worry about eating the healthy foods that we work into your plan and we worry about the rest.

Lastly, even though some women may be tempted to do it, we don't allow dieting during pregnancy-it's risky; it can harm you and your developing baby by leaving you short on iron, folic acid and other important vitamins and minerals. Instead, we help to ensure that you gain weight according to healthy pregnancy recommendations.

Although there are many factors to consider when it comes to your body and pregnancy, you are not alone. We take the worry off your mind. You have enough to prepare for with a new baby on the way. It is our job to make your job as easy as possible. We make sure that you are eating to get the nutrients that you need and we'll help to make sure that your weight gain stays on track.

 

Tammy Lakatos Shames and Elysse ("Lyssie") Lakatos share more than identical features; they share identical success in the competitive field of nutrition and wellness. In 1997 Lyssie and Tammy (known as The Nutrition Twins®) co-founded Healthy Happenings Corporation whose mission is to better the health of its clients through improved nutrition and lifestyle/behavior modification. Since relocating from Atlanta, Georgia, the twins have built a successful private practice in New York City servicing both individual and corporate clients such as AOL-Time Warner and Colgate Palmolive.

The Lakatos sisters have consulted at over 200 corporations. In addition to having their own nutrition counseling practice, Tammy and Lyssie are the exclusive nutritionists for NBC's celebrities and employees at the Rockefeller Plaza; and for Juva Health and Wellness, an upscale, full-service Manhattan boutique featuring top physicians (doctors, plastics surgeons and dermatologists), all of whom teach at Mt. Sinai Medical Center. The twins also have helped fuel the U.S. "Eco-Challenge" team in preparation for the 24-hour competition, the top male players on the Worldwide Senior Tennis Circuit, and participants in varied races and marathons. They have provided wellness information for almost every type of industry, for most types of sporting activities, and across multiple forms of media.

Tammy and Lyssie have become known for their unique approach to nutrition counseling, corporate lecturing, writing, making media appearances and consulting multi-national food companies.

The Lakatos' approachable, common sense style has also earned them editorial success. The Twins have co-authored two revolutionary nutrition books, Fire Up Your Metabolism: 9 Proven Principles for Burning Fat and Losing Weight Forever (Simon and Schuster) and The Secret To Skinny: How Salt Makes You Fat and The 4-Week Plan To Drop A Size & Get Healthier with Simple Low-Sodium Swaps (HCI, Fall 2009).  In an exciting venture with Day-Timer®, they have developed a Wellness Planner and a Weight Management Planner for 2009, 2010 and 2011 which they featured several times on QVC in early 2009.

The Twins have been featured regularly as the nutrition experts on The Discovery Health channel, Fox News Channel, NBC, Bravo, WABC-TV, WPIX-TV, CBS, The Learning Channel, FitTV, Oxygen Network, Life and Style, Court TV, Fox & Friends, The Daily Health Feed and Fox 5's Good Day New York . In 2006 they appeared on a 26-episode PBS series, Real Savvy Moms, where the twins served as the nutrition experts; Real Savvy Moms DVDs will be circulated to 500,000 gynecological offices across the country for patient viewing. Tammy and Lyssie were also featured in a special "makeover" show of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy in which they helped two "straight guys" to each lose sixty pounds.

Tammy and Lyssie have become sought-after contributors by many print and online publications, from Cosmopolitan, Self, Good Housekeeping, Vogue, InStyle, Woman's Day, Woman's World, Parents, First for Women, Oxygen, Muscle Media, OK!, Star Magazine, Fitness, Glamour, People, Health, O Magazine, Lifetime, Reader's Digest, The New York Daily News, Women's Health and Fitness, Remedy and Family Circle magazines. In addition, they have contributed to online resources including "WebMD.com," "MSN.com," "WeightWatchers.com," "DiscoveryHealth (discovery.com), "TheLearningChannel" (TLC.com), "e-Diets.com," "Fit to Be Tied" and "AOL Diet and Fitness." In addition to reigning as the nutritionists for FitTV on-line, the twins have been the featured experts on numerous radio stations across the United States and around the world.

The Twins have earned respect within the medical community, as well as with their peers. They were chosen as keynote speakers for the New Jersey State Annual Dietetic Association meeting and were featured speakers for the International Society of Sports Nutrition's Annual meeting. In addition, they lectured at the Javitz Center for the Medical Spa and Resort Expo.

The Lakatos sisters are Cum Laude graduates of the University of Maryland and received their post-graduate dietetic internships at Emory University and Meredith College. They are ACE-certified Personal Trainers and are members of The American Dietetic Association and its subgroups: The Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutrition group (SCAN), Nutritionist in Complimentary Care (NCC) and Nutrition Entrepreneurs (NE)and Dietitians in Business and Communications (DBC). Tammy is the past Director of Member Services for the American Dietetic Associations Nutrition Entrepreneurs DPG. The Twins are also members of The New York State Dietetic Association and American Business Women's Association.

Tammy and Lyssie reside in New York City where they assist celebrities, professional athletes, and every day people in attaining their personal health-related goals. Former soccer and speedskating competitors, the twins now enjoy running and pumping iron and Tammy chases after her twin baby girls to keep fit.

 

To find out more or to schedule your nutrition consultation please visit

www.NutritionTwins.com

Blessings on your journey to family!