Elizabethstorymd

Shingles Vaccine: What You Need to Know — And Why It May Also Protect Your Brain

The shingles vaccine has long been recommended to prevent a painful viral infection—but emerging research suggests it may do something far more powerful: reduce the risk of dementia by up to 20–30% and potentially slow disease progression.

This is one of the most exciting developments in preventive medicine, linking viral infections, inflammation, and brain health.

What Is Shingles?
Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in nerve tissue and can reactivate later in life as shingles.

Symptoms include:
· Painful rash
· Burning or nerve pain
· Fatigue, fever, headache
· The burning pain can become permanent

Shingles risk increases significantly with age and immune decline.

The current vaccine used in the U.S. is Shingrix (recombinant zoster vaccine), and it is >90% effective at preventing shingles. I recommend it for all adults age 50 and older.

Can You Get the Vaccine If You’ve Already Had Shingles?
Yes — and you should. Because shingles can occur more than once. Vaccination reduces risk of recurrence, long-term nerve pain, and even stroke.

The Breakthrough: Shingles Vaccine and Dementia Risk
Recent large-scale studies have revealed a striking association, with key findings revealing ~20% lower risk of developing dementia over 7 years.

It also found reduced likelihood of:
· Mild cognitive impairment
· Alzheimer’s disease
· Potential slowing of disease progression in those already diagnosed

For more details on how a vaccine can positively affect brain health, the immune system, and stroke risk, check out my blog www.elizabethstorymd.com

Bottom Line
The shingles vaccine is not just about preventing a painful rash. It is increasingly viewed as a brain-protective intervention, with growing evidence showing reduced dementia risk and slower cognitive decline.

Elizabethstorymd Concierge/Membership Medicine | 2 Locations Fort Worth & Southlake | Personal. Affordable. Accessible | Women's Health, Chronic Disease Management, Weight Loss, Menopause Hormone Therapy, Peptide Therapy, Longevity, Executive Health

My Go-To Supplements for Women 40+

These are my non-negotiables—the supplements I personally recommend for women 40+ to support bone, brain, muscle, metabolism, and long-term health. To find my favorite brand recommendations, visit my blog at elizabethstorymd.com.

1. Vitamin D + K2 (Bone + Longevity)
• Supports bone density and osteoporosis prevention
• Improves calcium absorption
• Helps direct calcium into bone and away from arteries
• Supports immune function and mood

2. Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Brain, Heart, Inflammation)
• Supports brain health/cognition
• Improves mood/focus
• Reduces joint pain/inflammation
• Supports cardiovascular health
• Helps with skin/hormone balance

3. Magnesium 5x Complex (At Night)
• Improves sleep quality
• Reduces anxiety/stress
• Helps with muscle relaxation
• Supports metabolism/blood sugar
• May improve mood/headaches

4. Creatine (5–10 g Daily — Morning)
Benefits:
• Preserves muscle mass/strength
• Supports brain energy/cognition
• Improves exercise performance
• Helps with fatigue/mental clarity

5. Fiber (25g Daily — Essential, Not Optional)
Benefits:
• Supports gut health
• Improves cholesterol and heart health
• Helps regulate blood sugar
• Supports hormone metabolism
• Aids in weight management

Food-based sources of fiber:
• Chia seeds
• Flaxseed
• Oats
• Lentils
• Vegetables
Supplemental:
• Metamucil
• Benefiber
• Psyllium husk (clean option)

6. SPF
• Prevents skin cancer
• Prevents collagen breakdown and aging
• Protects against UV-induced inflammation and DNA damage

7. Turmeric (Optional — With Caution)
Benefits:
• Supports joint health
• Reduces inflammation
• May support cardiovascular health
⚠️ Use caution if you have a history of liver disease
Always ensure your supplements are third-party tested.

8. Daily Oral Antioxidant
• Aging
• Inflammation
• Chronic disease
Options:
• Vitamin C
• Glutathione
• CoQ10
• Resveratrol
Supports:
• Cellular health
• Mitochondrial function
• Skin/immune health

Supplement Quality Matters
• Supplements are not regulated like medications
• Always choose:
o Third-party tested products
o Reputable brands
o Clean formulations (recommendations on my blog at www.elizabethstorymd.com)

Cash Price Medications: Why Paying Without Insurance Can Save Money

Ever gone to pick up a prescription and been shocked by the price even with insurance? Insurance doesn’t always mean you are getting the best deal. Many common generic medications are actually cheaper when purchased using a pharmacy’s cash price instead of using insurance.

As a physician, I encourage patients to become smarter healthcare consumers — especially about prescription medications, including hormone therapy.

*PBMs: Why Drug Prices Make No Sense
Most people assume their insurance company is helping them save money. But Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) manage prescription drug formularies for insurance companies.

• Your insurance copay may actually cost more than the pharmacy’s cash price
• Generic medications can still be overpriced through insurance
• Large chain pharmacies may steer you toward higher-priced options
• Patients frequently overpay without realizing it

*Great Local Example: Forest Park Pharmacy in FW
One pharmacy I recommend to patients in the Fort Worth area is Forest Park Pharmacy. They are a locally owned pharmacy that offers transparent cash pricing and an easy-to-use online medication price checker.

This can be helpful for medications such as:
• Vaginal estradiol
• Oral progesterone
• Thyroid medications
• Blood pressure medications
• Antibiotics
• Many other generic prescriptions

Locally owned pharmacies often have lower prices, provide better customer service, and offer more pricing transparency.

*Yes -- You Can Still Use Your Insurance Benefits
One of the biggest misconceptions is that paying cash means you lose insurance benefits. You can:

• Submit pharmacy receipts to your insurance
• Potentially have the cost applied toward your deductible

In many cases, the cash price is lower than your insurance copay.

Healthcare is expensive enough, so don’t overpay for medications. For more info on other options, including Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs, check out my blog at www.elizabethstorymd.com

A Dermatology Perspective on European, Korean, and Japanese Sunscreens

Sunscreen is the single most effective anti-aging intervention available. It protects against skin cancer, prevents hyperpigmentation, and slows wrinkles and loss of elasticity. It is never too late to start, and daily use is recommended year-round—even indoors or on cloudy days.

*UVA vs UVB: Why Broad-Spectrum Protection Matters
UVB rays cause sunburn and directly damage DNA, contributing to skin cancer. UVA rays pe*****te deeper, driving photoaging such as wrinkles and loss of collagen, and also contribute to pigmentation and skin cancer. Both types of rays are harmful, making broad-spectrum protection essential.

*Why U.S. Sunscreens Are Different
In the U.S., sunscreen is regulated by the FDA as an over-the-counter drug, requiring extensive and expensive testing. As a result, few new UV filters have been approved in decades. In Europe, Korea, and Japan, sunscreens are regulated as cosmetics, allowing faster innovation. This difference does not mean that non-U.S. filters are unsafe.

*Advanced Chemical UV Filters Used Outside the U.S.
- Tinosorb S: Broad-spectrum, highly photostable
- Tinosorb M: Hybrid filter with strong UVA protection
- Uvinul A Plus: Strong UVA protection, important for anti-aging
- Uvinul T 150: Effective UVB absorber
- Mexoryl SX/XL: Excellent UVA filters used in European formulas

*Top International Sunscreen Brands
European: La Roche-Posay (European formulations), Bioderma, Avène
Japanese: Anessa (Shiseido), Biore UV, Skin Aqua
Korean: Beauty of Joseon, Isntree, Round Lab

*Where to Purchase
European sunscreens: https://www.caretobeauty.com
Korean and Japanese sunscreens: https://www.yesstyle.com

*Why People Prefer International Sunscreens
These sunscreens are often lighter, less greasy, and more cosmetically elegant, making them easier to use consistently.

*Final Takeaway
Sunscreen is the number one anti-aging therapy available. Use it daily, regardless of season or environment. Consistency is key to protecting your skin’s health and appearance.

Home - Elizabeth Story MD Membership Medicine:   Personal. Accessible. Affordable. Learn More CONCIERGE MEDICAL SERVICES  Health & Wellness  Women's Health  Executive Medical Care  Peptide Therapy  ReStor by Dr. Story  Weight Loss  Biote Hormone Therapy  Chronic Disease Management  Longevity  I...

GLP-1 Medications Beyond Weight Loss:
The Heart-Protection Data Every Patient Asks About

For years, medications like semaglutide (Ozempic®, Wegovy®) have been viewed primarily as weight-loss or diabetes drugs. But that’s no longer the full story.

Semaglutide has now been shown to reduce heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular death—even in patients without diabetes.

In my practice I have seen incredible results first-hand. We know that obesity is an independent risk factor for cardiac disease and death from cardiovascular disease. Now we have a treatment option that addresses obesity, which is often the root cause of the problem.

GLP medications reach far beyond the number on the scale. They can have profound preventative effects throughout the body -- here is some evidence of what has been discovered so far.

Who Was Studied?
The SELECT trial enrolled over 17,000 adults with overweight or obesity and established cardiovascular disease, but without diabetes.

What Was the Primary Endpoint?
Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE): cardiovascular death, nonfatal heart attack, and nonfatal stroke.

How Large Was the Benefit?
Semaglutide reduced major cardiovascular events by 20% relative risk, with absolute reduction from ~8.0% to 6.5%. Semaglutide reduces major cardiovascular events in diabetics by 40%.

Why This Matters
This is the first time a weight-management medication has demonstrated cardiovascular risk reduction in patients without diabetes.

Key Takeaways
- Semaglutide is not just for weight loss
- It reduces cardiovascular events
- Applicable to patients with obesity and cardiovascular disease
- This is a HUGE win that can’t be overstated

If you are interested in a consultation in my Fort Worth or South Lake locations, call my office at 817-346-4000 to make an appointment. Visit my website and blog (www.elizabethstorymd.com) for more information on health and wellness.