My name is Anastasia Marie Chehak and I am a type I diabetic..

It was only a short time ago, that just saying you were a type I diabetic could have affected both your job, and your social life. I have made it my life’s commitment to educate the public about diabetes and to bring relief to people who suffer from the devastating effects that diabetes has on their skin.

In 1989, while conducting biomedical research at the University of Oklahoma's Health Science Center, and at the same time expanding my clinical practice in diabetes, I witnessed firsthand these devastating effects. It was during this period of my life that I developed a passion for helping people resolve the skin issues they faced with diabetes.

While managing my own Type 1 diabetes, I found myself completely disenchanted with an under whelming selection of dermatological skin products.  Trained as both a Diabetes Specialist and a Certified Diabetes Educator, I found that no matter what skin product was used the problem of cracked heels and dry flaky skin was a constant irritant for both me and my patients.

I was so frustrated that no product on the consumer market could resolve these skin issues, that I vented this frustration to my mentor, Dr. James Gavin, head of the Diabetes Department  of the university. Dr. Gavin also saw the need of people with diabetes to have good healthy skin and encouraged me to pursue my idea for a solution to the problem. His support was heartfelt as he told me: “If anyone can do this, Anastasia, you can!”

This thrust me into an exciting academic period. I immersed myself in the medical school library, researching the natural therapeutic agents found in plant extracts. I found that very little research existed on human skin in general, and on diabetic skin in particular!  Surprisingly, most of the research findings I encountered pertained to veterinary medicine and research. The topic of treatment or self-management of a diabetic skin had simply not been addressed in any scientific and medical areas of research. This seemed to be an age when people had more sympathy for their dog’s skin, then for a diabetic’s skin!

Concentrating my research on determining which nutrients could be applied topically to the skin, I frequently used my own skin to experiment upon, and quickly learned what a challenge I was facing in my research. Human skin is so complex, comprised of 400 different layers and interwoven with multiple organ systems. All of which must work together in harmony!

As my research continued, I quizzed experts in dermatology, biochemistry, podiatry, pharmacy and other related areas of expertise. I regularly dialoged and exchanged ideas with the Dean of the OU College of Medicine, the Dean of Pharmacy, the Dean of Dermatology and other scientific experts with whom I interfaced with on a regular basis.

Additionally, I drew upon my own experiences as a person with diabetes, and Mediterranean descent. Fascinated by the amazing skin health and vitality of my ancestors, I began to wonder if there was a scientific correlation between the Mediterranean lifestyle and diet that would contribute to such amazing skin vitality. I had already discovered that most diabetic skin is deprived of nutrition. That diabetic skin requires an abundance of nutrients, fats, water and a variety of other components, which is the same kind of nutrition that Mediterranean people get through their diet.

The results of my medical research and testing was both the scientific compounding of therapeutic agents, from various plant extracts, and the understanding of these effects, combined with other nutrients, on the skin health and vitality of people with diabetes. By combining the power of nature with the integrity of science I produced the first bio-identical brand of formulations to effectively heal the discomfort and resurrect the skin damage caused by the multiple effects of diabetes on the skin. I would later discover that my research in this area was a full ten years ahead of other such research efforts. Without question, God validated my purpose very clearly.

Almost certainly it was my faith, coupled with perseverance that showed me how to create the Anastasia brand of products, which now allows people with both type I and type II diabetes true skin health.

For this remarkable experience, I will be eternally grateful.

Anastasia Marie Chehak, R.D., L.D., C.D.E.
Founder, Chief Executive Officer & President
 

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Anastasia Marie Chehak,
R.D., L.D., C.D.E. Founder,
Chief Executive Officer & President