The Case:  Denise has Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism and has been trying to balance her thyroid for years. She tried Synthroid, Levothyoxine and Armour but these left her feeling ‘off’. It seemed impossible to find something that would get her T4, T3 and TSH levels into range and give her ample energy.  I knew that while she was on the right track, we needed a slightly different type of approach to solve her health mystery. When the standard solutions don’t work, you might need to go custom.    The Investigation I immediately thought of the work that Jim Hrncir has been doing with compounding thyroid medication. This is something he is incredibly passionate about ever since his own wife had challenges similar to Denise’s.  You may recall that Jim was on a previous episode talking about compounding hormones for treating menopause and perimenopause. It’s episode 96 if you missed it.    Typical Thyroid Treatment I talk a lot about Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism on this show. When we talk about treating the thyroid, the most common option is Synthroid. Synthroid is levothyroxine sodium which is synthetic levothyroxine. Tirosint is another brand of this same synthetic hormone but with no fillers. Synthroid is mostly prescribed by conventional doctors. While it replaces the T4 that the thyroid is not producing or producing enough of, the body still has to convert that T4 into T3. That’s why it’s important to test T3 levels to make sure that the T4 you are getting from Synthroid is being converted.  Some people may be under converting which is why they are not getting full resolution of symptoms with T4 only medications.  Going Beyond Synthroid Some patients aren’t happy with the synthetic hormone options either because they are looking for a more natural solution or they aren’t getting results from the synthetic hormone. This brings them to desiccated thyroid which comes under several brand names including Westhroid, Armour Thyroid, and Nature-Throid. Each option has different additional ingredients beyond the porcine desiccated thyroid and these fillers can sometimes be an issue.  Supply of these options can sometimes be threatened because of supply chain issues and heavy regulations from the FDA.    Sensitivity to Synthroid and other Thyroid Treatments The thyroid plays a very big role in how the body functions so it’s important to pay attention to how well it is working by testing all the thyroid hormones - T4 and T3.  It is important to have enough but at the same time, not too much.  Getting too much thyroid hormone poses its own issues which include: Heart palpitations Nervousness  Tachycardia (racing heart) Hot flashes Insomnia Brain fog Feeling wired  Jim points out that before concluding that these issues are related to the thyroid medication, it’s important to check thyroid levels and also check for other deficiencies, in particular low iron.    The Compounding Option Compounding thyroid is the practice of combining various thyroid treatments in a custom way. Jim was a pioneer in this field. The process allows for highly customized dosages based on patient and lab test responses to micro-tweaking the dose. This dose then comes in a natural base with no toxic fillers. Also, once the correct custom formula is found, the compound can even be provided in a time release capsule that gives you just the right amount of thyroid, all day long, especially when T3 is involved.    Accessing Compounded Thyroid Medication Jim’s pharmacy is in Texas and he only serves his state. There are however 7000+ other compounding pharmacies across the country, but when you look for one in your area,  you want to look for quality. If you are interested in finding a compounding pharmacy that can help you with a custom thyroid solution, Jim suggests you look for a compounding pharmacy that is PCAB (The Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board) accredited. Compounding as a practice can have so many advantages as so much customization is available in natural forms. Unfortunately, compounding is under fire right now. Please check out  compounding.com for suggestions on what you can do and how you can support the continued availability of compounded medications.    Mystery Solved It was clear that Denise needed a custom solution to her thyroid issue. Based on the history of her blood work, it seemed that Denise needed both the T4 and T3. It also seemed like she might be reacting to some of the fillers in the commercially available T4. And, the desiccated thyroid she tried left her feeling wired and didn’t sufficiently lower her TSH.  When I looked at her labs after she took dessiccated thyroid, I could see that her T3 was high (which would explain the ‘wired’ feeling). This made it clear that she needed more T4 and less T3 than the fixed ratio in DTE’s and she would benefit from getting the T3 in a time release capsule so that it would be less jarring to her system. For her, compounding was going to be the best option.    Conclusion We worked with her doctor to prescribe a synthetic T3 at a lower dosage and we got it in a time-released form.  She started with 5 mcg which worked well but her T3 was still a bit low. We bumped it up to 10 mcg and that brought her T3 into range and she felt better. Now she was on a combination of Tirosint 75 mcg and 10 mcg of compounded time released synthetic T3 and it is working very well. Happy Ending On a combination of Tirosint 75 mcg and 10 mcg of compounded, time-released synthetic T3 Denise is managing her thyroid levels.  Denise was very happy to have an answer and to be feeling better.  Eliminating Health Mysteries For Denise we were able to find that missing piece of the health puzzle and help her regain her health. Could this be the missing clue for you or someone in your life?    Links: Resources mentioned Thanks to my guest Dr. Jim Hrncir. You can learn more about the movement to ensure women continue to have access to compounded bioidentical hormones, visit compounding.com.    Related Podcast Episodes: 096 Demystifying Hormones for Perimenopause and Menopause [Ask Inna] Answers to Your Questions about Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Are you Missing this Important Evaluation Method for Thyroid Assessment? Navigating the Thyroid Treatment Mystery with Inna Topiler Solving the Thyroid Mystery w/ Inna Topiler Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information. Never miss an episode -  Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts and remember to rate and review the show! Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Some of the links provided are affiliate links. This means we may make a very small amount of money should you choose to buy after clicking on them. This will in no way affect the price of the product but it helps us a tiny bit in covering our expenses. 

Health Mysteries Solved

103 Could Compounding Thyroid Medication Solve this Health Mystery?

The Case:  Mara has sleep issues, anxiety and overall malaise. She struggles with vitamins, supplements and detoxes as they leave her feeling worse. Multiple experts tried to tell her it was part of the process, but she never got better.   The Investigation I have many clients who tell me they are very sensitive to supplements and we have to pay close attention to their support but Mara’s case was more extreme. I knew we had to avoid detoxes but still get her results without overtaxing her very sensitive body. I knew just the method to start solving this health mystery -- flower power.    Flower Power is Not Just for Hippies Katie Hess is a flower alchemist. She uses flower essences to help people regain their health. She is the author of Flowerevolution and founder of LOTUSWEI, one of the world’s leading floral apothecaries. With her signature elixirs featured in The Oprah Magazine, The New York Times and the LA Times, her flower-powered community is thriving today in over 15 countries.  Using flower essences for healing is a practice that can be found in different cultures around the globe since well before the development of modern medicine. Present-day shamans and alternative health practitioners still turn to them today.    What are Flower Essences?  Traditionally, the flower essences were procured by sipping the dew off of a specific flower. Medicine men and women believe that the life force of the flower is captured in this dew. The dew collection process has been modernized over the millenia, and now these essences are captured through solar infusion. Now, significantly more flower essence can be captured and bottled at scale.  Drinking a few drops of this essence is essentially, using the life force of plants to harmonize our own body’s energy. Katie explains that it’s kind of like an acupuncture treatment without the needles.    How are Flower Essences Different from Essential Oils? Many people have heard of (and used) essential oils so it’s easy to get the two confused. Katie shares that essential oils come from the plant material itself (and one drop requires a lot of plant material). To get essential oil from the plant or flower, you have to squeeze or distill the juice of the plant. Often Essential oils are also highly aromatic and usually need to be diluted to use it. Flower essences used in flower remedies require fewer plants and are much more gentle on the system. This is what makes them very effective for people who are very sensitive including the elderly, pregnant women, and even infants. You are not ingesting any of the chemical plant parts so it’s different from taking an herbal tincture.    Selecting the Right Flower Essence There are so many different types of flowers and so many issues that people might want to treat, how do you determine which flower will help someone? There is a long history of different plants being used for different purposes so there is much to draw on. Many flower essences and flower essence combinations have been created over the years. When it comes to finding a new treatment, the clues are in the flowers' appearance. Intuition also plays a role for Katie. Katie also uses her group for testing. When she believes that a certain plant will deliver a specific benefit, her group of flower essence enthusiasts will try it out and report back on how it made them feel.  She has created a quiz that helps people discover the elixir that is right for them.    The Science Behind Flower Essences I love scientific studies so I had to find out what kind of science backs up this historical evidence. Katie says there have been numerous studies that look at the energy transfer from plants to humans. She points to the practice of Shinrin-yoku or ‘forest bathing’ in Japan where the government encourages people to spend time immersed in nature because they found those who did experienced a sustained drop in cortisol levels (a decrease in their stress hormones) and an immune boost. There were also studies done in the UK that showed proof that plants emit energy or vibrations as evidenced by how bees find flowers (it’s not the color or the smell!)   How Quickly do Flower Essences Work? Katie says that many people can feel the energy from the flower essence right away but as a rule of thumb, she usually tells people that they should feel a difference within 3-5 days if they are taking the flower essences 4-5 times a day. Those who are sensitive or more aware will likely feel a difference within minutes. It’s a bit like taking vitamins, it’s going to take a bit of time for the body to feel the benefits but in some cases, when it’s for a specific symptom, the benefits might be felt quickly.    What Can You Support with Flower Essences? Flower essences are used for a variety of issues ranging from digestive issues to fatigue, anxiety, and painful periods. Mindset support and emotional healing are also reasons that people turn to flower essences. For example, they might use certain essences for treating limiting beliefs, procrastination, grief, or even dealing with past traumas.    How to Use Flower Essences Flower essences are traditionally taken orally either in an elixir or a few drops added to another liquid like tea or coffee. Katie also blends them with aromatherapy that can be put into a diffuser, added to anointing oils, or bath salts. These make for nice self-care rituals. Katie’s research shows that the energy from the plants is equally transferred regardless of how the essence is administered.  While there are no known interactions with supplements or medications, anyone using psychotropic drugs,  antidepressants, or anti-anxiety medication should expect for the effect of the flower essences to take significantly longer. Instead of three days, it might take as much as 30 days.    Mystery Solved What I love about flower essences is that they are so gentle but can also be so powerful. This was exactly what Mara needed and thankfully could tolerate. I started Mara on the elixir called ‘Inner Peace’. After a few days, she was surprised to discover that she was feeling calmer without any negative reactions.  A week later, we added ‘Quiet Mind’ and between both of those elixirs, she was able to fall asleep easier. A few weeks later it was even easier to fall asleep and she was able to sleep through the night most days of the week (instead of waking 4-5 times per night).  She decided to try more, including ‘Joy Juice’ which she loved because it gave her a pep in her step and then ‘Self Heal’ which she felt  helped her feel a bit less sensitive.   Happy Ending Once Mara was sleeping better, her energy improved drastically. At that point, we were able to start supporting her liver with binders and very low doses of NAC (250 mg) to get her body primed - both of which she is tolerating and feeling better.   Eliminating Health Mysteries For Mara we were able to find that missing piece of the health puzzle and help her regain her health. Could this be the missing clue for you or someone in your life?    Links: Resources mentioned Thanks to my guest Katie Hess. You can connect with her and find flower essences through her website. You can also connect with her on Facebook and Instagram.    Suggested Products: NAC Related Podcast Episodes: The Case of the Teacher Who Was Always Sick w/ Dr. Mario Martinez Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information. Never miss an episode -  Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts and remember to rate and review the show! Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com   PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Some of the links provided are affiliate links. This means we may make a very small amount of money should you choose to buy after clicking on them. This will in no way affect the price of the product but it helps us a tiny bit in covering our expenses.

102 How to Support Your Body Even if Supplements Make you Sick

The Case:  Eliana is dealing with stubborn weight issues.  She’s also experiencing bloating and weight gain around her period. She worked with several dieticians and found that a calorie restricted diet did reduce her weight but it wasn’t sustainable and left her feeling tired.    The Investigation Eliana’s challenge is a common one. Many women find that despite eating right and being active, they struggle with unexplained weight gain or an inability to lose weight. There are a lot of things that can cause weight gain or make weight loss very difficult. To find out what was the root of Eliana’s weight loss mystery, we needed to explore the most common causes.  Esther Blum is an Integrative Dietitian and High-Performance Coach who has helped thousands of women permanently treat the root cause of their health struggles and find joy in their lives once again. Esther is the bestselling author of Cavewomen Don’t Get Fat as well as The Eat, Drink, and Be Gorgeous Project.   Doing Everything With No Weight Loss Millions of people looking to lose weight often find themselves frustrated. So many of them feel like they’re doing everything they can by eating clear, reducing calories, and exercising regularly but they can’t lose weight. In fact, despite their best efforts, some even gain weight. This is because weight loss is more complex than just calories in and calories out.  Esther Blum shares the most common 5 culprits when someone can’t lose weight.   Estrogen Dominance. Your hormones may be the reason you can’t lose weight, specifically estrogen dominance. Estrogen dominance can take place in your body during different times in your life. It happens when your progesterone bottoms out and the estrogen is chronically elevated. Aside from age-related hormone shifts, there are several other potential causes of estrogen dominance:  Stress Gut Inflammation Poor Detoxification Pathways Extra Weight Constipation Estrogen-based Birth Control (NuvaRing or the pill) Xenoestrogen Exposure (through some beauty products, cleaning products, perfumes, and plastics) Symptoms of Estrogen Dominance. Aside from the difficulty to lose weight, there are many symptoms to look for. In men, it might be ‘man boobs’. In women, it could be heavy, painful periods, ,longer cycles, water retention and headaches around the menstrual cycle.  Testing for Estrogen Dominance. The most common test for determining estrogen dominance is the DUTCH test. This is a urine test that shows hormone levels and can be used to track progress as you work toward getting out of estrogen dominance.  Supporting Estrogen Dominance. The key is to determine the root cause of the dominance and work on that. It might mean hormone replacement therapy, shifting diet and lifestyle, opening up detoxification pathways, and/or taking supplements like DIM (Diindolylmethane).    Adrenal Dysfunction. Adrenal dysfunction is often caused by chronically elevated cortisol levels. This can be brought on by chronic stress, poor sleep, low or high blood sugar, and/or environmental toxins.Symptoms of Adrenal Dysfunction: Exhaustion Insomnia or Poor Sleep Feeling Frazzled or Burnt Out Skipping or Doing Ineffective Workouts Supporting Adrenal Dysfunction. The main way to treat adrenal dysfunction and get the adrenals balanced again is through lifestyle changes and getting stress levels down with self-care and stress releasing practices. There are some supplements and adaptogenic herbs that may help, including:  Ashwagandha Holy Basil Tulsi Tea Phos Serine It’s also important to get to the root cause of the stress and address that.    Toxins / Low Thyroid. Exposure to certain toxins can cause the thyroid to underperform. When this happens, the metabolism slows down and it can be very difficult to lose weight. Common toxins that can contribute to this include: Molds Heavy Metals Goitrogenic Chemicals  Diagnosing and Treating Toxin Triggered Low Thyroid The best way to detect toxins in the system is through a urine metabolite test. Blood tests will provide a picture of the thyroid. Treating the thyroid may require medication however, bringing down toxins like mercury could shift the need for thyroid medication. Detoxing mercury can be done through chelation, glutathione-vitamin C IV therapy, and also through specific detoxification protocols. Infrared saunas and epsom salt baths are also good for the detoxification process.    High Stress & Insomnia An inability to sleep and having high stress can be a bit of a vicious circle when it comes to weight loss. A lack of sleep can contribute to weight gain (and make weight loss difficult) because it affects blood sugar, cortisol levels, and causes the body to store fat while breaking down muscle. The key is to determine the root cause of the insomnia. Common causes include: Stress Arguments Before Bed Poor Sleep Hygiene Doing Cardio Too Close to Bedtime Eating or Drinking Too Close to Bedtime Eating Insufficient Amounts of Dietary Protein   Gut Dysfunction and Parasites You need a healthy gut to lose weight. Your gut health can be affected by inflammation and leaky gut syndrome (which can lead to nutritional deficiencies even if you eat healthy). Another way the body gets robbed of nutrition is when you are harboring a parasite. Many think that parasites only come from third-world countries but they can be found on food in North America and can also come from restaurant employees not washing their hands. H. Pylori is also a consideration because it can cause real issues with digestion including gas, bloating, heartburn, acid reflux, and low digestive enzymes and stomach acid.  Some easy ways to increase digestive enzymes are to chew food more thoroughly, drink a celery and aloe smoothie before breakfast, and avoid eating in a hurry or while distracted.    Conclusion If you are struggling to lose weight and you know you’re eating well and moving enough, one of these 5 causes might be at play. Be sure to check with a functional medicine doctor or practitioner to find out.  As for Eliana, I looked at her thyroid, hormones, toxins, GI, and lifestyle to see which areas needed support. Her thyroid was all good but when we ran a DUTCH test to look at her hormones, we found our answer.  Her less favorable estrogen (4-hydroxy) was high.  We also did a heavy metal test and found mercury.    Next Steps We used DIM along with Calcium-D Glucarate. We also used BroccoProtect by Designs for Health.  To help reduce the mercury in her system we did a Push Catch Detox and she took Glutathione for 6 months.  While she was taking these supplements, we also worked on improving some of her lifestyle routines.   After 3 months, she was feeling better but the weight has not moved a ton. We had one more area to address still and that was her gut. We did a stool test and discovered dysbiosis (there weren’t enough good bugs and too many bad bugs in her microbiome. She also had low digestive enzymes.) Eliana worked on chewing better, and we made sure she was getting enough pre-biotics and probiotics to support her gut health.   Happy Ending Eliana lost 5 pounds after we started supporting her gut, and lost another 10 the next month!    Eliminating Health Mysteries For Eliana we were able to find that missing piece of the health puzzle and help her lose that stubborn weight. Could one of these 5 causes be the missing clue for you or someone in your life?    Links: Resources mentioned Thanks to my guest Esther Blum.  You can connect with on Instagram, book a call with her or access her free training through her website.  You may also be interested in her books.    Suggested Products DIM  Calcium-D BroccoProtect  Push Catch Detox Related Podcast Episodes:   The Case of Hidden Mold w/ Dr. Tim Jackson The Case of Mercury Fillings w/ Dr. Kourosh Maddahi The Case of Bloating, Gas, and Irregular Bowel Movements Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information.   Never miss an episode -  Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts and remember to rate and review the show! Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Some of the links provided are affiliate links. This means we may make a very small amount of money should you choose to buy after clicking on them. This will in no way affect the price of the product but it helps us a tiny bit in covering our expenses.

101 5 Reasons You’re Not Losing Weight

The Wide Range of Hashimoto Symptoms Hashimoto’s is complex and often misunderstood by mainstream medicine. It’s a topic that I have a lot of experience with both personally and professionally and know that so many of you are struggling with its many symptoms. Because of this,  I knew that dedicating the 100th episode of this podcast to the topic was exactly how I wanted to celebrate this milestone.  One of the most common questions I get about Hashimoto’s is whether a specific symptom is related to Hashimoto’s. Hashimoto’s has a wide variety of symptoms and it can be difficult to figure out if something is related to Hashimoto’s or if it is a symptom of something else. It’s very frustrating.  People ask me about  fatigue, anxiety, GI issues, hair loss, fertility challenges, brain fog, rashes, and even eye twitches. How can all of these be symptoms of Hashimoto’s (especially when not everyone with Hashimoto’s has these symptoms?  It’s important to remember that Hashimoto’s is not a thyroid disease but an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid. And remember, the thyroid may not be the only organ affected by Hashimoto’s. This is why there can be such a wide range of symptoms.    The Problem with the Conventional Approach to Hashimoto’s The relationship of these various symptoms to Hashimoto’s is often missed in conventional medicine. As a result the symptoms aren’t supported. Many doctors will focus solely on how the thyroid is affected and simply support thyroid function instead of supporting immune system function. If the thyroid is functioning well, many doctors will tell their patients that there is nothing else they can do about their Hashimoto’s and rather just wait until it destroys the thyroid at which point they will then need medicine.  The more integrative approach is to dig into how the immune system got confused in the first place and address each one of those things to help the immune system rebalance while supporting the thyroid.    The Biggest Mistakes with Supporting Hashimoto’s Symptoms In this episode, I tackle the biggest mistakes that people with Hashimoto’s can make. This is so that you can be aware of the relationship between the many symptoms and your Hashimoto’s and so you can be a better advocate for your own health.    Hashimoto’s Mistake #1 - Only Focusing on Thyroid while Ignoring the Immune System Many people with Hashimoto’s are given thyroid medicine. When thyroid levels are back to normal, the issue is considered in hand without a second thought as to why the immune system got confused and started attacking the thyroid in the first place. This is one of the most common mistakes.  In episode 32 (Solving the Autoimmune Mystery), I go into detail about the connection between the immune system, Hashimoto’s and other autoimmune diseases.  In a functional approach, our goal is to figure out the root cause of the issue. With autoimmunity we look at immune triggers. These can be grouped into four categories: Foods Stress Toxins Infections Understanding these triggers can have a profound effect on how your body deals with your symptoms.    Hashimoto’s Mistake # 2 - Supporting the Immune System, Not the Thyroid While I just explained the importance of triggers, some people with Hashimoto’s will work on reducing triggers with the hope that it will fix their thyroid. If the thyroid is already in a hypo state, it may require medication to bring it to a healthy level. Remember, the thyroid interacts with all cells in the body and many organs. When it is not functioning properly, it can have a profound effect on your overall well being. I understand the hesitation to take medication. I will always try to find a natural solution to any issue, but, when it comes to the thyroid, there is a real danger of harm to our body if it is not functioning.  Your thyroid plays a key role in: Metabolism Blood Sugar Weight Management Body Temperature Mitochondria Muscle Tone Bone Density Membrain Health (specifically in your brain and gut) Inflammation Management Creation of Antioxidants (that control free radicals) Brain Function Immune System Health You can see how many of these things are connected and how a wide variety of symptoms and new health issues can crop up when your thyroid is not properly supported. It’s critical that you make sure your thyroid is getting enough support. For more on this, please check out this free guide: Why Is Your Doctor Missing Your Thyroid Issue? which explains how the thyroid really works and how to interpret your thyroid markers.   Hashimoto’s Mistake #3 - Not Personalizing your Thyroid Support Supporting the thyroid is not a one size fits all approach. Just because something works for someone else, does not mean it will work for you because there are different types of slow thyroid types.  If you’ve listened to the show before, you know that I talk a lot about getting the full thyroid panel instead of just testing your TSH levels. This is because your different levels help to identify what type of thyroid issue you have.  For example, you may have enough T4 but it may not be converting to T3. If you are on medication (like Synthroid), it is providing you with T4 but that won’t help you if you are not converting to T3.  Plus, with an autoimmune disease like Hashimoto’s the immune system could be attacking the thyroid where conversion happens.  The main point here is that your thyroid treatment needs to be personalized to you based on what the data from your lab reports reveal.  Triggers also vary from person to person and should be considered in the treatment plan. Some are general with Hashimoto’s, like exposure to chemicals and BPA plastics. Another example of a trigger is gluten which is commonly a trigger for people with Hashimoto’s (many have the celiac genotypes DQ2 or DQ8 which you can learn about in Episode 9). Infections, leaky gut, or Epstein Barr Virus can also be triggers that should be considered in a treatment plan.  You want to know what’s going on and look at the big picture before determining your personalized plan.    Hashimoto’s Mistake #4 - Doing Nothing Because Thyroid Function is Fine This mistake happens all the time because it’s exactly what many conventional doctors advise patients to do. Their theory is to wait until the Hashimoto’s starts to destroy the thyroid before taking any action.  I don’t know if you know this but thyroid destruction can be going on for months, even years before thyroid levels may show it.  Hashimoto’s patients may also experience inflammation (in the thyroid or other parts of the body) which can bring on other symptoms even though thyroid levels are fine.  If you know you have Hashimoto’s, don’t wait for your thyroid to get destroyed, start balancing your immune system right away. This can include working on your diet, checking for gluten or other food sensitivities, reducing your exposure to chemicals in your home and office, keeping stress in check, and paying attention to triggers and symptoms.  Even if you are not working with a functional medicine practitioner, you are not, you can still do a ton on your own to balance and support your immune system.    Hashimoto’s Mistake #5 - Not Testing Thyroid Frequently Enough We know that Hashimoto’s causes the immune system to attack the thyroid but the strength and frequency of the attack is going to vary from person to person. For some, it might be a mild attack that can be managed by balancing the immune system. For others, the attack might be significantly more severe with destruction of the thyroid happening quickly.  Immune triggers like stress, toxin exposure, or big hormone changes can cause a Hashimoto’s flare up. This can result in a swift and severe attack that leads to significant thyroid inflammation. Attacks like this can cause the thyroid to suddenly release stored hormones into the bloodstream. Episodes like this can create dips and spikes as well as an overburdened thyroid as it struggles to correct itself. This comes with it’s own set of symptoms.  It’s important to test frequently enough to see where you are and support your thyroid as needed. Some people only test tsh and other thyroid labs once a year or even less frequently and they may be missing the flare ups and times where more support is needed. I personally test my thyroid every 3 months. However, if you are someone that has unrelenting symptoms and have noticed that your TSH has fluctuated in the past, testing every quarter or even more often, is going to be very helpful.    Coming Soon - Your Personalized Approach to Solving your Thyroid Mystery I’ve talked about this in the past and it’s been something I’ve been working on for the past 2 years. And now, I am about to make it available and I can’t wait.  Coming later this Fall, I will be releasing an online course that will show you the step by step process of balancing your thyroid and Hashimoto’s specifically for you. This course has been a labor of love and the reason it has taken me so long to create is because I recognized how vital it was for it to be customized and this added a lot more material to cover as many possible situations as I could.  But now, it’s almost ready. Stay tuned for more on that in the months to come.    Links: Resources mentioned Why Is Your Doctor Missing Your Thyroid Issue? FREE GUIDE   Related Podcast Episodes: Solving the Autoimmune Mystery The Case of the False Negative Celiac Test w/ Dr. Peter Osborne Everything You Need to Know to Interpret Epstein Barr (EBV) Results Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information. Never miss an episode -  Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts and remember to rate and review the show! Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com   PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Some of the links provided are affiliate links. This means we may make a very small amount of money should you choose to buy after clicking on them. This will in no way affect the price of the product but it helps us a tiny bit in covering our expenses. 

100 Top 5 Mistakes When Navigating the Many Symptoms of Hashimoto’s

The Case:  Julia is dealing with many different symptoms that none of her doctors can explain or treat. She feels achy, has low energy, deals with anxiety, and has trouble sleeping She took matters into her own hands but she found herself on a very strict diet, taking a lot of supplements, obsessing over her meals and with limited results.   The Investigation When I met Julia it was clear that there was a lot going on. Her symptoms were quite varied and she had already tried a lot of different solutions. On the plus side, she had made a lot of healthy shifts in her diet but ultimately, it had become so strict that it was creating stress. When I found out how much stress she was experiencing at home and work, I started to develop a theory about what was going on with Julia and her persistent symptoms.  My suspicions led me to look at the state of the nervous system because an upregulated nervous system can cause all kinds of unexplained symptoms. To discuss this case further, I knew exactly who I wanted to invite on the show - Patrick Lerouge. He has been in the holistic health field for over 20 years as an energy healer, coach, and body worker. He is also the author of the book “The Simple Path to Getting Everything Done, with Energy Left to Spare”.    What is an Upregulated Nervous System? The nervous system is programmed to respond to stress. Often, we think of the fight or flight response. This is what we want it to do in order to help us get out of dangerous or threatening situations. But, most of us are experiencing this response even when we are not being threatened. Instead, it’s caused by the busyness and noise in our lives. And then there's the emotional side, where all of your emotions are heightened in such a way that you experience them in the extremes. This can also trigger a response from the nervous system.  When you are in a constant state of ‘fight or flight’ you get stuck in an upregulated nervous system response.    What Stressors Trigger the Nervous System? When we think of the ‘fight or flight’ response, we go back to the idea of facing down a tiger. But the stress doesn’t have to be that dramatic to trigger the nervous system. It could be something as simple as the light from your computer shining in your face or a dog barking.  It could also be triggered by over-thinking. Overthinkers are playing out all of the scenarios in their head; trying to find the best path forward and getting frustrated when it’s not clear. This amount of overthinking is like revving the engine of a car all the time or leaving it running - it’s going to break down or overheat. The same thing happens when we overthink.  Emotions can also trigger the nervous system, especially if you have a history of not properly dealing with those emotions. So, the trigger can be physical, mental, and/or emotional.    The Dangers of a Long Term Upregulated Nervous System If there are signs of long term upregulation, such as body cues, difficulty focusing, racing mind, and unstable emotional temperament, then this could mean that the nervous system is in an extended upregulation state. This can lead to depression, anxiety, an inability to make decisions, fatigue, inconsistent energy levels, and emotional detachment. Sometimes there are no small symptoms because the body and mind are so busy adapting to the situation that they don’t realize the breaking point. This is important because someone may not ‘feel stressed’ even when they are in a long-term upregulated state.    Self-Diagnosing an Upregulated Nervous System There are a few ways to determine if you are in an upregulated state. The first test Patrick suggested is to feel your heart. To take a moment and see if you can connect with your heart and feel it beating in your chest. The second test he calls the ‘stadium test’.  Can you sit in a busy, noisy place, even in a crowded stadium, and be quiet; can you have the stadium clear out of your mind?    5 Ways to Downregulate an Elevated Nervous System Bringing an upregulated nervous system down starts by reconnecting the mind and body. Most people are either a mind person or a body person meaning they either focus on the feelings of the mind or the body. Regulating the nervous system requires the mind and body to work together.    Here are five ways to do that: Breathing and Feeling Air Through the Body. Unlike normal breathing exercises, this one focuses on feeling the air enter the body and spread all the way through. Humming can be a powerful way to connect breathwork with feeling the body’s sensation because of the vibrations it creates.  TRE (Trauma and Tension Release Exercise). When we are stressed, our body tenses up. To release that tension, TRE is a series of 5 exercises that fatigue the muscles to trigger an automatic release of tension. This is a practice that should be done with a certified professional.  Mind Dumps and Venting. There are three levels of stress, emotional, mental and physical and one each feeds the next. So, to release the emotional and mental, Patrick suggests getting the thoughts out through journaling or other forms of intentionally clearing the mind but to feel those things as you write them down so you can close the loop on them. If you do this at night, you’ll sleep better. He also suggests revisiting and tapping into the feeling of a favorite memory like the moment you remember falling in love or the first time you held your child. You want to remember it but also feel it again. Patrick uses this exercise when patients are feeling anxious.  Improve Energy Flow. A common way to increase energy is by eating with the seasons because the body can digest seasonal food better. Other options include working out according to their body type and meditating in a way that fits with their flow.  Human Connection. Patrick points out how powerful skin to skin contact and human connections can be for down regulating the nervous system. If connection or touch therapy isn’t available, then playing with pets can also lower the nervous system.    The Power of Human Connection Post COVID Touch and human connection is a powerful way to downregulate the nervous system but it’s a bit tricky right now during COVID times. Patrick says that when we come out of the restrictions, and it’s safe to touch again, we need to reprogram ourselves to seek it out and to be okay with it. We have been avoiding touch for so long now that we may have developed a fear of touch or an aversion to touch. We need to unpack the fear around touch and connection so that we can normalize this important healing practice.  In order to support the nervous system, we need to retrain ourselves to see human connection as a good thing.  However, because our bodies are craving it but our minds are telling us it’s taboo, there is the risk of developing a negative relationship with touch (like developing an addiction) so you need to be mindful of that.    Mystery Solved The first step in helping Julia with all of her systems was to focus on supporting her nervous system. We began by reducing her supplement intake as she was overdoing it - she was taking over 40 pills per day.  Testing revealed what she really needed in terms of supplements. Remember, she had been on a very restrictive diet which was causing stress for her around eating and where to find food that would fit into her diet. So, I gave her permission to ease up a little on her restrictions. We did some testing to focus on only eliminating the foods that were truly causing an issue.  Next, Julia started to work on actively downregulating her nervous system.  I had Julia create an activity menu so she had things to pick from each day. After just 3 weeks she was amazed at the difference. Her aches and pains decreased, she had more energy and her anxiety was better. She felt so much calmer, was able to concentrate, and could breathe easier. Overall, she was happier.    Happy Ending After just 3 weeks she was amazed at the difference. Her aches and pains decreased, she had more energy and her anxiety was better. She felt so much calmer, was able to concentrate, and could breathe easier. Overall, she was happier.    Eliminating Health Mysteries For Julia we were able to find that missing piece of the health puzzle and help her regain her health. Could this be the missing clue for you or someone in your life?    Links: Resources mentioned: Thanks to my guest Patrick Lerouge! You can connect with him on Facebook (be sure to DM him for access to his free tools). Or, you can visit his website.     Suggested Products The Simple Path to Getting Everything Done, with Energy Left to Spare   Related Podcast Episodes: So Many Symptoms, One Root Case The Surprising Long Term Effect of COVID on Autoimmunity Are you Getting in Your Own Way of Healing?   Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information. Never miss an episode -  Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts and remember to rate and review the show! Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Some of the links provided are affiliate links. This means we may make a very small amount of money should you choose to buy after clicking on them. This will in no way affect the price of the product but it helps us a tiny bit in covering our expenses.

099 5 Ways to Downregulate the Nervous System and Heal Faster

Please be sure to grab my free THYROID GUIDE to make sure your doctor is not missing your thyroid issue   The Question I work out and watch what I eat but every year, I gain weight. I can’t get rid of it. Is there anything I can do?  Inna’s Response  Yes. There is absolutely something that you can do! The first step is to get a clear picture of what’s going on with your thyroid levels. Make sure you get the full thyroid panel including TSH (which is where most tests stop), T 3, free T4, Free T3, and reverse T3. I also recommend testing thyroid antibodies and T3 uptake. For more on these tests and how to understand your results, you can download my FREE THYROID GUIDE   This has to do with unexplained weight gain because your levels may not be optimal (even if your doctor doesn’t note it). If you have Hashimoto’s, you may experience thyroid destruction so you need to make sure your levels are optimal To improve weight loss, you will also want to balance inflammation and support your immune system. This could include eating anti-inflammatory foods and balancing blood sugar.  Resist the urge to skip meals and avoid carb-loading. If you eat regular, balanced meals and your blood sugar is balanced you will have much more success.    The Question Is it true that if you have Hashimoto’s, you can easily develop other autoimmune diseases?  Inna’s Response  Sadly, this is true. When we have an autoimmune disease like Hashimoto’s, the immune system has become confused about what it should be fighting against. In the case of Hashimoto’s the immune system is attacking the thyroid.  If the immune system stays confused and nothing is done to help balance and calm the system then it can attack other organs. And there's something called cross-reactivity where antibodies of the thyroid can cross-react with other tissues and potentially cause another autoimmune disease. This is all the more reason to balance inflammation and support the immune system, not just the thyroid with medication. I dive a little deeper into this in this episode but you can also find more information about solving the autoimmune mystery by listening to episode 32 of Health Mysteries Solved.    The Question Can I have thyroid symptoms if my TSH is just a little bit outside of the reference range?  Inna’s Response  The answer is yes, especially if your other thyroid hormones (like T4 and T3) are low. This is why I always say that you have to look at the full thyroid panel because the TSH is not a clear enough indication of what’s really going on with your thyroid. You need thyroid hormone for everything in your body so you can definitely have symptoms if your levels are outside of optimal.  If you have Hashimoto’s, some symptoms could be due to the inflammation or your immune systems struggle to regulate.    The Question How do you know if Synthroid is working or if you need to switch?   Inna’s Response  There are two key things you need to look at.  The first is to check your thyroid levels. If this is a new medication, you want to check all of your thyroid levels within the first 4-6 weeks to see how it is working. Synthroid isT4 so it does not give you any T3, the active hormone which your body needs so you want to check t3 to make sure you are able to convert it properly. For some people, this conversion is an issue. So, they may be taking Synthroid but the body is not converting it properly and they continue to have symptoms. This is why it’s so important to not rely solely on the TSH levels.  The second key thing is how you actually feel. Sometimes the labs are picture perfect but the person still doesn’t feel well.  This could be for a couple of different reasons. One is that medications have fillers, excipients or colorings which can cause a reaction. There are other options and brands that are slightly different. For example, one is called Tirosint which is easy to absorb (it’s a gel cap) and it doesn’t contain any excipients or desiccated thyroid which works a little differently in the body and some people feel a difference with those.     The Question Why does my thyroid medication stop working after several months?  Inna’s Response  If you have Hashimoto’s, you can experience flare-ups where the thyroid gland is under attack. Some people have more flare-ups than others. Over time, these flare-ups can destroy the gland itself so that it is less able to produce hormones requiring more medication. So, even if you’ve been on the same dose of medication for a long time, you may suddenly feel like it has stopped working but in actuality, you just need to adjust your dose.  There is a second possibility that has to do with absorption. Your body’s ability to absorb the medication can fluctuate depending on inflammation in the body, exposure to toxins especially things like plastics or pesticides. These can block the receptors so that even though the medication is coming in, your cells can’t absorb it.  In either of these cases, you will want to pay close attention to triggers. To help reduce triggers, focus on eating a clean diet (keeping it organic when you can), reducing stress, checking ingredients of personal care and clearing products.  This should help reduce some of the triggers and inflammation.     The Question Will I be on medication forever?  Inna’s Response  This depends on whether you have hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s.  If it’s hypothyroidism not caused by Hashimoto’s, it could be due to some type of inflammation or it may have been triggered by toxin exposure or a virus in the thyroid. In those cases, it is possible for the thyroid function to return and for medication to be stopped.  In the case of Hashimoto's, the thyroid gets destroyed over time. The goal here is not so much to get off the medication as it is to stop further attack on the thyroid. It is possible for the thyroid to regenerate but it is unknown if it can regenerate enough to no longer require medication.  Let me address something here because I know that a lot of people think medication is bad and that Synthroid is bad because it’s synthetic and unnatural. I try to get people to shift their thinking around this because thyroid is an essential hormone that you need for all of the cells in your body. So, this medication is replacing something that, for whatever reason, your body is not producing but absolutely needs. It’s essential. It’s much worse for your body to be deficient in thyroid hormone than to take the hormone.  I do get it. I struggled with this for a long time but was able to reframe my thinking around it because for me, it is something my body really needs. I think that especially with Hashimoto’s, it’s about keeping things balanced to prevent more attack and the need to increase the medication. If you can do that and keep your medication at the same dose without the need to increase each year, you are doing a great job!    The Question At my last check, my TSH was where we wanted it to be and I’m doing well and losing weight. However, I have hair loss. Why is that still the case?   Inna’s Response  It’s true that your thyroid plays an important role in your hair health but it’s not solely responsible! There are a lot of other things at play when it comes to your hair.  The first thing you want to check are your iron levels (not just your hemoglobin - check iron saturation and ferritin) to make sure those are in range.  Note that ferritin will fluctuate a little with your menstrual cycle so if it’s low but everything else looks good, you should be okay. If you are low in iron, you’ll want to look into dietary changes and supplements.  The other big thing that people don’t often realize affects hair health is blood sugar. If you’re skipping means or your meals aren’t balanced, you may be experiencing insulin spikes. That can influence polycystic ovarian syndrome and which can affect your estrogen and testosterone levels. This can directly affect the hair.    The Question I understand that gluten and dairy can be issues for those with Hashimoto’s but what about coffee or tea, can those aggravate it? Inna’s Response  Yes, they possibly can.  Some people who have thyroid issues also have sensitive adrenal glands. Coffee has caffeine which can overstimulate the adrenal glands. The thyroid and adrenals work closely together so if the adrenals are overstimulated, the thyroid can suffer.  Additionally, coffee can cross-react with gluten, so if you have an issue with gluten, there is a possibility that it could also be an issue with coffee. To be sure, you can do a food sensitivity test to see if coffee is an issue.  Finally, be aware that green tea, specifically, can overstimulate the immune system which can cause problems for those with Hashimoto’s.       The Question I have double-vision from Hashimoto’s. Should I see an eye specialist? Inna’s Response  Yes. An eye specialist is always helpful but it’s important that you address your immune system. There is definitely a relationship between autoimmunity and the inflammatory process. In the case of Hashimoto’s, it attacks the thyroid but it can also attack other tissues like those in the eyes. So, yes, definitely see a specialist but also look at your Hashimoto triggers and anything that might be causing inflammation to try to reduce flare-ups.    The Question What are the chances of getting pregnant with Hashimoto's? Inna’s Response  The chances are very, very good - I’m living proof with two kids. I have hundreds and hundreds of clients with Hashimoto’s who have gotten pregnant. To increase your chances, make sure to support the immune system and that all of your thyroid levels are where they should be. If you don’t have enough thyroid hormone, it can cause issues with conception and increase the chance of a miscarriage.    The Question Is it safe to take Levothyroxine or Synthroid while pregnant? Inna’s Response  Yes, yes, yes! Not only is it safe, it’s absolutely needed if your TSH is high and your hormones are low. For the first 8 weeks, the baby is actually relying on your thyroid hormone before their thyroid gland forms. So, yes it is extremely safe and extremely important for you to support your thyroid during pregnancy if you don’t have enough naturally.    The Question What are the root causes of a goiter (aside from iodine deficiency)?  Inna’s Response  This may surprise you but iodine deficiency is not actually that big of a cause of goiters in the USA. Most people are not that iodine deficient because your thyroid only needs a very small amount of iodine because it can store it.  Goiter is typically caused by an elevated TSH more so than a deficiency in iodine. There are chemicals that are considered goitrogens that can block the hormones and elevate TSH. When the TSH is elevated for an extended period of time, it creates a build up in the growth of the thyroid tissue resulting in a goiter. Goitrogens are found in things like pesticides and plastics.     The Question My naturopath said that I have Hashimoto’s but my endocrinologist says that I don’t. My antibodies are there but below the reference range. Do I have it or don’t I? Inna’s Response  I get this question a lot and unfortunately, it’s a bit of a gray area. The way I look at it is that something is forming, but it may not be official because the antibodies are not above the reference range.  From a functional, holistic perspective, there shouldn’t be any antibodies against the thyroid so we shouldn’t ignore that they are there. Something is forming and it could take 5 or 50 years to develop. I would be mindful and look at triggers. I would do a food sensitivity test, check for Celiac genes, and consider removing gluten because it can be such a biggie. Also reduce your stress and exposure to toxins. Basically, do everything you can to help calm the body and immune system while also increasing your intake of anti-inflammatory foods.  Check your antibody level regularly to see if it’s going up or down. You may not officially have Hashimoto’s but I wouldn’t ignore it either.  If you have Hashimoto’s be sure to tune in to the 100th episode of Health Mysteries Solved. It’s an entire show dedicated to navigating the symptoms of Hashimoto’s.    Eliminating Health Mysteries The most powerful way for us to eliminate health mysteries is to investigate them and refuse to accept that there are no answers.  If you or someone you know has a health question or is dealing with an unexplained healthy concern - please send me an email. Let’s find that missing clue! Connect with me on Instagram  or Click here to submit your question for the next edition of Ask Inna Anything.   Links: FREE THYROID GUIDE DOWNLOAD Related Podcast Episodes: Solving the Autoimmunity Mystery w/ Inna Topiler Are you Missing this Important Evaluation Method for Thyroid Assessment? [Ask Inna] Your Thyroid and Hashimoto’s Questions Answered   Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information. Never miss an episode -  Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts and remember to rate and review the show! Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com   PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Some of the links provided are affiliate links. This means we may make a very small amount of money should you choose to buy after clicking on them. This will in no way affect the price of the product but it helps us a tiny bit in covering our expenses.

098 [Ask Inna] Answers to Your Questions about Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s

The Case:  Amanda has trouble concentrating, staying on task, and remembering everything.  Her son, Logan, is also struggling with concentration. He can’t sit still in school or focus on his homework.  She’s hesitant to go to a doctor because she doesn’t want to solve this issue with medication. Many people think that ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) is something that only affects kids but actually it’s estimated that between 3-6% of American adults suffer from ADD and it's possible that number is way higher as it's not always diagnosed.   The Investigation I suspected right away that the issue for Amanda and her son was related to ADD. I was happy to explore how we can support her and her son without turning to medication.  Joining me to talk about Amanda’s case in this episode is Dr. Darin Ingels. He focuses on environmental medicine with special emphasis on Lyme but also MS, autism, Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS and PANDAS) and chronic immune dysfunction, including allergies, asthma, recurrent or persistent infections and other genetic or acquired immune problems. If you are a fan of the show, you may recognize his name since he helped us out with a Lyme Disease case (episode 18). Defining ADD (and How it’s Different from ADHD) Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is different from ADHD in that ADHD has a hyperactivity component. What they have in common is that someone with either disorder will find it difficult to focus on a task or have attention to details, they may experience general forgetfulness, struggle to stay organized, and as a result things that others find easy to do feel complicated to someone with ADD.  While many people associated ADD and ADHD with children, adults can also experience it (although ADHD is less common in adults).    Has ADD Become More Prevalent in Recent Times? This is an ongoing argument and some say that only the diagnosis has become more prevalent. Dr. Ingels doesn’t agree. He feels that there are more kids on the ADD spectrum than a generation ago. And, he points out that ADD is more common in America than in other parts of the world, like Europe.    What Causes ADD? There is still research to be done before this question can be fully answered but Dr. Ingels feels that there are many contributing factors in our modern world. This includes items in our diet like corn syrup, food dyes, preservatives, and processed foods. It also includes environmental toxins like pollutants, volatile organic compounds, petrochemicals, household chemicals, pesticides and herbicides.  While these may not be directly linked, they can affect the gut and there is a very strong and proven connection between gut health and brain health.  He also feels there may be a generational effect where kids are not just dealing with the things they are directly exposed to but the things that their parents and even grandparents were exposed to. This epigenetic impact may simply be a reduced ability to metabolize toxins that has been passed down through the generations.    Diagnosing ADD There are no definitive tests for ADD. Diagnosing ADD or ADHD is a clinical diagnosis based on an umbrella of symptoms that place the patient on a spectrum of the disorders. A patient does not need to have every symptom but they are likely to have the ‘hallmark’ symptoms of being easily distracted, difficulty following through on tasks, and forgetfulness. Many doctors, psychiatrists and psychologists will make the diagnosis on these symptoms alone. However, other symptoms may also be present. Once a child or an adult has been diagnosed, it’s time to search out the root cause of the issue. There may be dietary changes that can help either by eliminating foods that may be triggering or by improving gut health and supporting detoxification pathways.    Finding the Root Cause or Trigger for ADD (Important Tests for ADD) Reducing ADD and ADHD symptoms may be possible without medication if the root case of the symptoms can be found and countered. There are a few tests that Dr. Ingels uses to get a better picture of what might be exacerbating the symptoms: Testing for Nutritional Deficiencies. One of the key things Dr. Ingels will test for deficiencies in Vitamin B6 and Magnesium. Deficiencies can show up in cognitive function, mood control and behaviour. These deficiencies can be detected with a blood test.  Gastrointestinal Health. The gut brain connection plays a big role in understanding ADD. Dr. Ingels will sometimes do a stool test to look at what’s going on with the gut bacterial balance. He’s looking for a potential yeast overgrowth, parasites, microbiome imbalances or inflammatory markers. Metabolic Function. An organic acid test is a urine test that looks at many areas of metabolism, from how we process fats and carbohydrates to the detoxification capacity, neurotransmitter metabolism and antioxidant status. This can help identify the root cause. Food Reactions. Food reactions aren’t always allergic reactions or anaphylactic reactions as we sometimes think of them. They can be sensitivities or intolerances that present days after the food is consumed. Elimination diets or food sensitivity testing can help to diagnose food as a root cause or trigger for ADD symptoms. Keep in mind that food sensitivities may not present as allergies but rather cause Mast Cell Activation (as explained in episode 67). Genetic Testing. An inability to metabolize or detoxify may be a genetic condition. Some people will do SNP testing to determine if this is at play. A common gene looked for is the MTHFR gene.    Balancing ADD Symptoms (and Avoiding Medication for ADD) Taking an integrative medicine approach to ADD means dealing with the root cause of the symptoms. That’s why testing is so crucial.  If food is a catalyst, then the first step is to eliminate any foods from the diet that may be a trigger. Commonly, testing would be done on many foods including corn, wheat, gluten, eggs and dairy.  If there are nutritional deficiencies, then supplementation is recommended as is dietary adjustments to rectify deficiencies.  Restoring gut health is another important step in treating ADD symptoms. If there are inflammatory markers in the stool test or if the patient has IBS, Crohn’s or Colitis they may have a very low butyrate which would be corrected by supplementing with Enterovite And, if there are genetic indications that detoxification is a challenge, then it’s important to detoxify slowly and to support the detoxification pathways by supplementing with B vitamins, folate, and phosphatidylcholine as well as certain therapies like saunas and colon hydrotherapy.  Reducing exposure to toxins is also key as well as maintaining a healthy weight. Dr. Ingels says that carrying extra weight can increase symptoms so losing weight, getting active, and building muscle can all help.    Reducing ADD Stimulants In addition to removing environmental toxins and eliminating or reducing food triggers, Dr. Ingels also reminds patients that screen time and EMFs can also be triggers. So, make sure to keep these at a daily minimum, even during these difficult COVID times.    10 things You Can do to Improve Concentration (even if you don’t have ADD) There are many things that support concentration and memory that are especially important for those with ADD but can help others too: Balance your microbiome Get adequate B6 Supplement with magnesium Reduce inflammation  Remove food sensitivities Reduce processed foods (especially foods with preservatives and dyes) Limit screen time Include physical activity Support Detoxification Have a daily mind body practice   Mystery Solved When it came to helping Amanda and her son Logan, we started out by doing an organic acids test, hair test, stool test and a blood test. We also tested for food sensitivities.  We discovered that Amanda had deficiencies of B6 and magnesium. We also found a sensitivity to gluten. Her microbiome looked balanced but she had a lot of inflammation and traces of mercury (due to past silver dental fillings).    Next Steps  For the next six months, Amanda took B6 and Magnesium as well as methylation support. We adjusted her diet to remove gluten and temporarily removed soy and dairy to reduce the inflammation. We also did a PushCatch liver detox for three months and added fish oils and curcumin.  In Logan's case, he had issues with gluten and dairy. We also discovered that he had a parasite called blastocystis hominis. To eliminate this parasite, we did a gut cleanse with Liposomal Artemisinin from QuickSilver Scientific Biocidin and Allimax.  And finally, we removed processed foods from his diet (he was eating a lot of food that contained artificial ingredients and dyes).    Happy Ending After six months, the cleansing was complete and Amanda felt a ton better. She noticed that she felt sharper and could focus better. Her memory improved significantly and she no longer felt lost.  By adding some mind-body tools, we were also able to support her nervous system and that allowed her to prioritize and stay focused -- which she was thrilled about.  Logan saw even faster results. Within one month, he felt calmer and his teacher even mentioned his improved behaviour in class.   Amanda was so thrilled about her own progress but also about how well Logan was doing and they will continue to eat in a clean and balanced way to keep up the results.   Eliminating Health Mysteries For Amanda and Logan, we were able to find the root causes of their ADD and help them regain their health. Could this be the missing clue for you or someone in your life?    Links: Resources mentioned Thanks to my guest Dr. Darin Ingels. You connect with him on Facebook or his website.    Suggested Products: PushCatch liver detox B vitamins Magnesium  Liposomal Artemisinin  Allimax. Related Podcast Episodes: EPISODE #018 The Case of the Unlikely Lyme Disease w/ Dr. Darin Ingels EPISODE #067 How Very Healthy Foods can Create Aches, Pain and UTI Symptoms w/ Dr. Beth O’Hara EPISODE #070 The Case of Mercury Fillings w/ Dr. Kourosh Maddahi     Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information. Never miss an episode -  Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts and remember to rate and review the show! Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Some of the links provided are affiliate links. This means we may make a very small amount of money should you choose to buy after clicking on them. This will in no way affect the price of the product but it helps us a tiny bit in covering our expenses. 

097 The Underlying Causes of ADD and the 10 Things You Can Do to Improve Concentration

The Case:  Jill is suffering from hormone imbalances which her doctors chalk up to perimenopause She was experiencing hot flashes, irregular periods, PMS, dry skin, mood swings, and extreme brain fog She wasn’t sure if these were all connected but she knew she didn’t like the doctor’s advice of waiting it out.  Every woman experiences perimenopause and menopause differently. There are some common symptoms like hot flashes and irregular menstrual cycles, and some symptoms attributed to this hormonal shift that may or may not be related, like brain fog and dry skin.  Jill and I both agreed that we needed to find out the root of her issues     The Investigation When Jill came to see me, I took a look at her history and labs. I saw her declining hormones, so I knew that at least some of the issues could be because of this. I also know that as hormones decline, they affect our organs (including the thyroid) and can be triggers for autoimmunity like Hashimoto’s. I knew some of the symptoms could be thyroid related (dry skin and mood swings) but was the thyroid the root cause or simply being affected by the hormone shifts of perimenopause? It was important to find this out before deciding on her treatment.    Solving Hormone Imbalance Mysteries When it comes to female hormones, there are so many angles, confusion, and misinformation because the story is quite complex. No wonder Jill was struggling to figure out what was going on.  I knew just who to turn to for help with Jill’s case. Jim Hrncir is one of the pioneers of modern pharmaceutical compounding. Jim is responsible for the formulation of many bioidentical hormones, as well as dermatological, nutritional, and anti-aging compounds widely used throughout the U.S.   Compounded Bioidentical Hormones vs. Hormones  The main difference between hormones that a traditional doctor might prescribe (that you would get at a regular pharmacy) and compounded bioidentical hormones is that synthetic hormones first and foremost synthetic and foreign to the body and are one size fits all while compounded hormones are identical to our own hormones and customized to the specific need of the patient. Bioidentical hormones are just as the name suggests, they are exactly the same structure as the hormones that your body has been making your whole life. The second consideration when looking at synthetic hormones vs. bioidentical hormones is the detoxification process. We produce hormones, typically every day and the body has to metabolize and detoxify them. And so, whether it's our own hormones or other hormones, we have to make sure that they're leaving the body properly. The difference is that synthetic hormones take 21 days to be metabolized compared to the mere hours it takes for bioidentical hormones to move through the system.    Risk Factors and Misinformation about Bioidentical Hormones It’s a common misconception that bioidentical hormones increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer, heart attack, stroke, dementia, and colon cancer - especially for those using these hormones for more than 5 years. Dr. Hrncir says this bad information comes from a study that was done in 2002. While it was a large study, the data was miscommunicated to the media and it stuck.  Other researchers have tried to correct the damage of this study but many people still believe that hormones pose a risk. Dr. Hrncir believes that bioidentical hormones, because they are a match to what the body is already producing, are much safer than synthetic hormones that are created from non-human sources. For example, he explains, Premarin is created using the urine of a pregnant mare (horse). The second piece of false information to come out of that study, according to Dr. Hrncir, is that women should not be on bioidentical hormones for more than 5 years and this does not seem to hold true.    Testing and Managing a Hormone Imbalance Continuing to monitor hormone levels is an important part of the process. The DUTCH Test (a urine test) looks at the metabolites to gauge how well the bioidentical hormones are being metabolized. This is especially important for anyone with the MTHFR defect because the methylation pathways are necessary to detoxify the hormones. Thankfully the methylation pathways can be supported and there is alot you can do to help. To learn more about the MTHFR and ways to understand and support it, please check out Episode 34.  Blood tests and saliva tests may also be used and additionally Dr. Hrncir always has patients do a lifestyle questionnaire because test levels alone don’t tell the whole story.    Treatment of a Hormone Imbalance with Compounded Bioidentical Hormones As mentioned, this hormone therapy is customized to meet the patients needs and their hormone signature. Different hormones will be administered in different ways. Dr. Hrncir prefers to deliver estrogen transdermally. He encourages his patients to move the cream application site around the body so one area doesn’t get a build up. In some cases, patients will apply the cream to the labia with the side benefit of treating vaginal dryness, supporting the bladder (and spontaneous leakage), and decreasing UTIs and bacterial vaginosis. Other hormones may be delivered in time-release capsules.    Why aren’t Compounded Bioidentical Hormones as supported by the FDA This is a very big question and good fodder for conversation. Dr. Hrncir has reason to believe there is bias against compounding in the FDA because it doesn’t fit the business model of Big Pharma. Be sure to listen all of the way to the end of this episode for more on this. It’s not just hormones related to menopause, there are many other hormones (including thyroid) that can be compounded and may be at risk.  Jim is passionate about keeping compound bioidentical hormones available to the public. If you agree, you can visit this website to add your voice to the cause.    Mystery Solved Hormone changes are no joke and can cause so many different symptoms making it difficult to know what’s really going on.  Jill saw all the research and felt natural hormones were the way to go for her. She wanted to feel better and prevent diseases that may result from low hormones. But first, we had to figure out which symptoms were related to her hormone imbalance.  We ran a DUTCH test to get her baseline and look at her estrogen metabolism. Her overall hormones were low but we were able to evaluate their pathways. For her, she was converting a bit more to the 4-hydroxy estrogen which was not ideal, her homocysteine was high and her methylation capability needed support.  We tested her thyroid and while everything was in the lab range, her TSH was a bit out of the optimal range at 3.5. Before starting compounded bioidentical hormone therapy, we had to fix a few things to make sure she would be able to metabolize the hormones once given. This included adjusting her diet to support a healthy gut biome. And, adjusting a few nutritional imbalances.  We started Jill on DIM (Diindolylmethane) twice per day.  We made sure she was getting enough methylated B vitamins including folate and B12 by giving her Homocysteine Supreme by Designs for Health. We also noticed that she had elevated beta-glucuronidase in her stool test. To reduce this we used Calcium D-Glucarate by Designs for Health. Her DHEA was low in her test so she started taking 10 mg of liquid DHEA - it’s not a high dose but liquid DHEA goes a long way.   Happy Ending Jill started to see some improvements with her brain fog, energy, and sleep from the nutritional adjustments and supplements but there was more to do.  Her doctor was very open and we worked with her doctor to get her on bioidentical progesterone and estrogen (estradiol and estriol) as well as a small dose of testosterone.  After four weeks,  Jill was feeling even better. Her hot flashes were completely gone, she felt like her memory was back and she was not foggy anymore. Her skin was less dry and had more glow.  A new DUTCH test revealed that her estrogen metabolism was normalized and her hormones were now in “normal range” for someone who is not in menopause. This is what we want to see when someone is taking hormones.  We also retested her thyroid and while we didn’t actually do anything for her thyroid, the changes we did make, resulted in her TSH coming down to 2.2 from 3.5.    Eliminating Health Mysteries For Jill we were able to single out the symptoms and find the right combination of supplements, diet, and bioidentical hormone therapy to help her regain her health. Could a hormone imbalance be the missing clue for you or someone in your life?    Links: Thanks to my guest Dr. Jim Hrncir. You can learn more about the movement to ensure women continue to have access to compounded bioidentical hormones, visit compounding.com.    Suggested Products Homocysteine Supreme Calcium D-Glucarate DHEA Drops   Related Podcast Episodes: The Case of Unrelenting Depression and Anxiety w/ Dr. Loren Marks   Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information. Never miss an episode -  Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts and remember to rate and review the show! Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Some of the links provided are affiliate links. This means we may make a very small amount of money should you choose to buy after clicking on them. This will in no way affect the price of the product but it helps us a tiny bit in covering our expenses.

096 Demystifying Hormones for Perimenopause and Menopause

The Investigation In a previous episode, I revealed what I eat on a regular basis to stay healthy and I was thrilled to get so much positive feedback about it. So, I thought I would pull the curtain back a little further and share what I feed my kids to keep them healthy now and to help them develop a good relationship with nutritious food. In this episode, I walk you through what my 5 year-old son and 9-month old baby daughter eat now and what they ate getting to this age. I know that kids are not easy when it comes to food. I hear, ‘my child is a picky eater!’ all the time and mine are too. It can be tough, but remember, that even if they don’t like something, it does not mean they won’t like it forever. In fact, studies show that kids have to try a food over and over again before they learn to like it so don’t give up after one or even a few tries.    Introducing Healthy Foods Early You can expand a child’s palate and willingness to try new things by introducing healthy foods and supplements at an early age. For example, I started giving Jake, my 5-year-old, liquid fish oil (Omega Marine Liquid) at such a young age, that he is totally used to the taste. He will even remind me when I’ve forgotten to give it to him.  And the baby gets excited now whenever I pull that fish oil bottle out of the fridge.  I also introduced Jake to probiotics at an early age by opening up the capsule and sprinkling it into his food. Sometimes you have to get creative!  It’s worth it because the more you introduce to them early on, the more they will get used to these foods and it will be easier later.     When to Start Babies on Solid Food There’s always been debate over exactly when babies should start eating solid foods. These days, pediatricians recommend introducing solid food between 4 and 6 months (it used to be 6 months). The thinking is that introducing solid food earlier (including potential allergens) may decrease the chances of the child developing food allergies to things like peanuts, dairy, egg etc. I think there are a few sides to this story though.  First, some kids are just not ready for solids so pushing those too early may be stressful for both you and the child. Second, while I understand introducing small amounts of allergens early is sort of like doing allergy shots, you have to remember that babies are born with essentially a leaky gut. It takes time for that to fill in. In my opinion, it’s better to wait especially if there’s a family history of autoimmune disease.  In my case, I have Hashimoto’s and I have the DQ8 gene for gluten so I knew that my kids would be at risk of also having this gene. In fact, I had my kids tested to determine if they inherited this gene (there’s no such thing as too early for genetics) and I discovered that they actually had both the DQ2 and DQ8. As a result, I have never given them gluten.  For dairy, I waited until Jake was a year old. If you have a dairy intolerance, be sure to listen to the full episode because I explain how introducing dairy too early could result in cross-reactivity or molecular mimicry with dairy and the islet cells on the pancreas which can lead to an autoimmune reaction for type 1 diabetes. Of course there are many other factors involved but I just personally felt that dairy was not necessary for us and waited till a year after which this may be less likely to happen.   How to Start Babies on Solid Food If you were to follow the conventional recommendations for slowly adding in solid foods, pediatricians suggest putting rice cereal in the breast milk or formula. After that, introducing rice or oats and soft foods like bananas and other fruits.  My recommendations are a bit different.  If they are getting enough calories from breast milk or formula, there is really no need for grains or fruit so early on. Instead of helping them develop a taste for sweet food, encourage them to experience veggies instead. With both Jake and Juliette (the baby), I started with zucchini that I steamed and pureed. I added a bit of breast milk but you could also just add a little water too.    Pureeing Your Own Veggies for Babies I know there are a lot of healthier options for buying pureed baby food but I prefer to make my own because, as I said, I want to avoid the sweeter fruits and veggies early on so I can help the kids develop a palate for things other than sweet.  I started with zucchini (which I peel to avoid too many lectins), avocado, green beans, bok choy, and cauliflower. As the babies got a little older, I added in kale, broccoli, butternut squash, and swiss chard. Next, I started to integrate sweet potato and beans. The next addition was pureed meat, egg, and nuts. All of this was before I introduced fruit around the 8-9 month mark.    Are Puffs Really Good for Babies? Anyone who’s had a baby in the last few years knows what puffs are - they’re everywhere. The idea is that they help babies develop because they have to pinch them to pick them up s its good for their fine motor skills and they dissolve in the mouth so they’re not hard to eat.  I suggest really looking at the ingredients before jumping on this trend. I did find one brand of puffs, Lesser Evil Puffs, that seemed to be not too bad. I prefer to make bite-sized soft foods myself. This might be pressure cooked chicken or lamb, or veggie puree rolled into balls and baked. The baby can still grab it and I know that healthy, whole foods have been used to make them.    Helping Picky Eaters Love Vegetables I know a lot of parents deal with kids who are picky eaters. Often, when we find one healthy food they like, we continue to give it to them until they get bored with it. That doesn’t mean they don’t like it anymore, it just means it’s time for a break. I try to rotate his foods and always have a balanced plate (grains, veggies, and protein) just like I do for us adults.   Another thing you can do is pay attention to what your picky eater does like - it might not be the food they’re rejecting but how it’s prepared so you can look for patterns. Do they like soft foods, crunchy foods, certain colors or flavors? If so, work with that. I noticed that Jake really likes crunchy foods so I try to make our healthy food crunchy so he’ll eat it. For example, I’ll bake asparagus tips or zucchini fries in the air fryer.    Meal Plan for a Child Here is a typical day of eating in our house.  Breakfast: Birch Bender Paleo Waffles with cashew butter OR 2 oat and banana muffins with either cashew or almond butter. Sometimes eggs and gluten-free toast or Grain-free Buns from Coco Bakes. Lunch: A protein (grilled chicken, steak, pork chops, lamb), a side (oats, rice, sweet potato, beans) and veggies (asparagus tips, steamed green beans, air fried eggplant, zucchini, broccoli). Dinner: Similar to lunch and we will often rotate these around. If we include a dessert, it’s usually frozen berries, NadaMoo! dairy-free ice cream or chocolate (HU Chocolate is low in sugar). Sometimes I’ll make muffins or brownies using the SimpleMills mixes. School Lunch: Meat sandwich (turkey or meatballs), side of veggies, and sometimes a protein drink (we like the Paleo Pro Chocolate).  Snack: Jakes likes the Egg White Curls from Lesser Evil as well as SimpleMills’ crackers, cauliflower chips, and nut butter. And, of course, fruit.    Healthy, Gluten-Free Brands our Kids Love Birch Bender Paleo Waffles Grain-free Buns from Coco Bakes. Soozy’s makes good grain-free bagels Simple Kneads for bread. SimpleMills for snacks and I use their muffin and brownie mix   Supplements for Kids There are a few supplements that most kids can really benefit from: Fish oil  - If you have a picky child, you might try adding OmegAvail Smoothie (by Designs for Health) to their smoothie. There are great flavors like Mango Peach.   Probiotics (starting at 6 months) Bone broth stating around 6-7 months (great for extra hydration) Multivitamin - We like SuperNutes but SmartyPants is also good.  Vitamin C - Kids find C+biofizz fun and tasty Vitamin D (especially if you don’t live in a sunny climate) - Emulsi D3 Synergy  Allimax is good to have on hand for when kids feel a little under the weather or there’s something going around.    Starting Kids Strong I know nutrition for kids can be a real challenge. I’ve been successful (or lucky) that introducing healthy foods at an early age has helped my kids maintain a balanced diet. Could my tips help a mom or a mom-to-be feel more confident in their feeding habits? Please share this episode.   Resources mentioned:   Zucchini Fries Recipe INGREDIENTS 1 Tablespoon Avocado Oil ¾ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 1 ½ Tablespoons Gluten Free All purpose flour ¾ cup gluten free breadcrumbs (I use Sogni Dolci brand) 2 medium zucchini, cut in quarters lengthwise and then each quarter halved 2 large egg whites, whipped until frothy (almost soft peaks) DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 500ºF. In a small bowl, mix together Italian seasoning, flour and salt. Place bread crumbs in another small bowl. Dredge a zucchini fry in flour mixture and then dip into egg whites; dredge in bread crumbs. Place coated zucchini on parchment paper on baking sheet and repeat with remaining ingredients. Roast, turning once, until desired crispness, about 10 minutes. Use this technique with any summer squash or even eggplant. Works great with thick-cut onion rings or even green tomatoes. Related Podcast Episodes: Want to Know What a Nutritionist Eats? Plus Ideas for You The Case of the Toddler Who Won’t Sleep w/ Kimberly Walker Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information. Never miss an episode -  Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts and remember to rate and review the show! Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com   PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Some of the links provided are affiliate links. This means we may make a very small amount of money should you choose to buy after clicking on them. This will in no way affect the price of the product but it helps us a tiny bit in covering our expenses. 

095 What Does a Nutritionist Feed her Kids to Foster Good, Lifelong Eating Habits?

The Case:  Annabelle often feels anxious, overwhelmed and unsettled. She was experiencing weird body sensations, panic attacks and unexplained mood swings. She visited GPs, psychiatrists, therapists and a rheumatologist but their medications and an autoimmune diagnosis didn’t help solve her problem.    The Investigation One of the biggest issues for Annabelle was that she felt like nobody was really hearing her or worse, dismissing her concerns as being all in her head. I’m so glad that she reached out to me because I knew there had to be an underlying issue.  After our initial 2-hour consultation, I was convinced that her issues weren’t just internal and we had to look at external triggers to get to the root cause. Some of her symptoms reminded me of a conversation I had with Stephanie Roman (episode 21) so I knew talking to her would be the first step in solving this health mystery. Stephanie helps empaths understand their gifts and also manage them.  What is an Empath? An empath is someone who feels the vibrational energy around them emotionally and/or physically. An empath will often feel and mirror the emotion, feelings, and energy they encounter. Many empaths don’t know they’re empaths because they’ve always been sensitive to others emotions and energy so they don’t realize that others don’t have this experience.  Scientifically, empaths are often referred to as ‘highly sensitive’ which is essentially the same thing. Empaths can be on a sliding scale meaning some will have minor sensations or emotional responses while others will have significant reactions to external energy. Most empaths are born empaths but learn to suppress their empathic responses but blocking these responses can build up over time and trigger other issues like autoimmune disease.   How do you Know if You’re an Empath? Empaths exist on a spectrum so there is a sliding scale of signs that someone might be an empath or have some empathic qualities.  Signs to look for include: Anxiety, depression and feelings of isolation Alone time is mandatory People open up to you easily (like telling you their life story out of the blue) or instantly don’t like you (because you’re mirroring them and that makes them uncomfortable) Feeling like your emotions are not in your control Taking care of others instead of yourself   One of the most common traits for empaths is the need to decompress. This might look like needing to be alone after being stimulated by excess electronic frequencies such as emotionally energized circumstances, having their senses overstimulated, or being in a really busy place.  Stephanie points out that many people make the mistake of thinking that all empaths are introverted and while it might be more common, extraverts can also be empaths.    Common Symptoms of an Empath Empaths can accumulate stress in their bodies if they don’t know how to release the energy they absorb from others. This extra stress over time can cause a variety of symptoms which can be difficult to attribute to being an empath.    Magnesium Deficiency. Because of the excess stress, highly sensitive individuals can burn their natural magnesium at a much higher rate. This leaves them deficient in magnesium which then lead to symptoms like muscle cramping, charley horses, tingling sensations as well as anxiety, depression, and uncontrolled emotional outburst like suddenly needing to cry for no reason.  Anxiety Attacks. Those who are aware that they are an empath will call these Empath Attacks but they feel very similar to anxiety attacks where you feel over stimulated and unable to process your emotions. Autoimmune Diseases. Some autoimmune diseases can be traced to suppressed or repressed empathic responses causing extreme bodily stress. This stress, over time, can put the immune system into overload and trigger an autoimmune disease such as Crohn’s, IBS and eczema.  Always Feeling Over-stimulated. This symptom can be hard to detect because many empaths have always been over-stimulated so it’s their ‘normal’ or default setting. But they are likely to be further triggered by sensory overload like bright lights, loud noises, or strong scents. Long Recovery. Another symptom of being an empath is that it can take a long time (sometimes a day or more) to get over an overly stimulating situation where others can recover in a minute.    Diagnosing Empaths Unfortunately, there is no designated test or quiz that can identify an empath 100%.  Most empaths who become aware of the term can self-diagnose because they feel it in their body.   Treatments and Coping Tools for Empaths Stephanie says that dealing with being an empath is a journey. There’s no magic pill and everyone experiences it differently so it’s all about trying different things to find what works. She suggests finding a practice that helps to release the energy. This might include meditation, breath work, grounding, running, getting out in nature -- any kind of intentional action can help release the energy. She will even have her clients shake just to get the energy out.  Stephanie also says that epsom salt baths help which makes sense because it releases magnesium and is also really great for cleansing the liver.  Quiet, alone time is also an important management tool for empaths. Emotional releases like journaling are also recommended.  Supplementing with magnesium is what Stephanie recommends as most empaths are depleted in magnesium.    Mystery Solved Being an empath is much more common than people realize and it can be a big contributing factor in certain health mysteries (especially if you don’t know you’re an empath!) If you think you’re an empath, remember that being an empath is not a bad thing. In fact, it can be beneficial if you are aware of it and know how to manage it.  This is exactly how we approached it for Annabelle. I explained to her that she may be an empath. She didn’t know what that meant but after looking at some of the characteristics everything made sense. We talked about using this to her advantage instead of treating it like a negative thing. To do that, we needed to set her up with some strategies to keep her body in balance.  Next Steps  First we worked on releasing techniques so that she can release negative energy and emotions when they come up. This is important to keep her physical stress levels low.  A few of the techniques we used were grounding and stepping into her feelings fully so she could release them.  We also looked to exercise (hill climbing) while repeating a mantra to extinguish unwanted feelings. Another energy release technique we tried out was screaming into a pillow.  With these coping skills under her belt, we wanted to see how being an undiagnosed empath had impacted her biochemistry.  We did a hair test and found that she was low in magnesium and also low in calcium.  To balance out these levels, I recommended Magnesium Buffered Chelate, Calcium Malate Chelate, and Emulsi D3 Synergy to help with absorption and boost her vitamin D levels.  In addition, Annabelle started seeing a reiki practitioner which helped her release energy and tune into her body through massage.   Happy Ending After only 3 months of this work, she saw huge shifts. It was a relief for her to discover the root cause of her issues and start to understand the journey of an empath. Just knowing what was going on really helped to reduce the stress.  Embracing her feelings (instead of being confused or scared of them) gave her the ability to process them and release them. Her anxiety and panic attacks diminished by over 90%! With the anxiety and body sensations in balance, she started to sleep much more soundly and was waking up refreshed and clear headed with great energy.   Eliminating Health Mysteries For Annabelle, we were able to find an often overlooked root cause and give her tools to regain and maintain her health in the long term. Could you or someone you know be an empath and could that be the missing clue in the quest for good health?    Links: Resources mentioned Thanks to my guest Stephanie Roman. You can connect with her on Facebook and also through her website where you’ll find her online programs for empaths.     Suggested Products Magnesium Buffered Chelate Calcium Malate Chelate Emulsi D3 Synergy   Related Podcast Episodes: The Case of Body Tingling and Internal Vibrations w/ Stephanie Roman The Surprising Long Term Effect of COVID on Autoimmunity Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information. Never miss an episode -  Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts and remember to rate and review the show! Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Some of the links provided are affiliate links. This means we may make a very small amount of money should you choose to buy after clicking on them. This will in no way affect the price of the product but it helps us a tiny bit in covering our expenses. 

094 5 Signs You're an Empath (and How to Thrive if You Are)

The Case:  Amanda suffers with frequent colds and sinus infections (especially around her menstrual cycle). Her hands and feet are always cold and she gets tension headaches all the time.  Standard blood tests came back normal, leaving the doctors with no answers.   The Investigation I run more comprehensive labs that many traditional doctors I make sure to run them at a specific time in the menstrual cycle. My suspicions were that this was not related to her sex hormones but rather something upstream. I suspected that a combination of hormones were being affected and leading to tension and immune challenges. In other words, I suspected that Amanda had fallen into sympathetic overdrive.  One of the top experts in this field is Dr. Amir Rashidian so I was eager to discuss Amanda’s case with him.  Dr. Amir Rashidian is the founder of the Mid-Atlantic Chiropractic Center where he focuses on high-tech diagnostics to detect and correct disturbances in the nervous system. Like me, he is a believer in drugless health solutions and eliminating the causes of disease (not suppressing the symptoms).    What is Sympathetic Overdrive? We’ve talked a lot on this show about how our nervous system reacts to stress. We have a primitive response to danger that triggers our nervous system to ready the body for fight, flight, or freeze.  Dr. Amir explains that this unconscious response to our environment can often go undetected (because we don’t have that obvious ‘sabertooth tiger’ threat).  So, it might be traffic, work stress, our boss being demanding, our spouse being upset, or our busy lifestyle that the nervous system is perceiving as danger. And, when you are in this state, day in and day out, your nervous system never gets the chance to calm down. This leads to the sympathetic nervous system moving into overdrive.    Chronic Stress vs. Sympathetic Overdrive Everyone handles stress differently so it’s difficult to say at what point chronic stress turns into sympathetic overdrive. The body does have the ability to adapt to stress so in some cases, stress can be present without it triggering sympathetic overdrive. Think of a weightlifter - they stress their muscles and cause them to adapt (by becoming bigger) without any health concerns. Stress is the same, you can become more resilient to stress once you understand your stress threshold. However, it may be difficult to determine how much stress the body can safely handle, so you have to watch out for the symptoms of sympathetic overdrive.    Symptoms of Sympathetic Overdrive There are a variety of symptoms that suggest your nervous system may be in sympathetic overdrive like chronic sinus infections and insomnia. Additionally, someone may experience dry eyes, dry mouth, dry skin, cold hands, cold feet, constipation and indigestion. However, not everyone will have these symptoms and having these symptoms doesn’t always mean you are in sympathetic overdrive.    Three Stages of Sympathetic Overdrive Dr. Amir explains that there are three stages of sympathetic overdrive. They are: Stage 1 - Wired. In this stage, you’ve got a lot of energy, your senses are heightened so you might be looking around a lot and feeling hyper-aware of your surroundings. You will likely crave sweets because your body is burning a lot of energy and will feel a need to replace it.  Stage 2 - Wired & Tired. In this stage, you are still feeling wired but at the same time, you are tired. You are likely struggling to fall asleep or stay asleep regardless of how tired you feel. You will likely continue to crave sweets but also fatty foods (so, ice cream, donuts, etc) because your body is over producing cholesterol in response.  Stage 3 - Exhausted. You can’t seem to stay awake. You fall asleep anywhere regardless of what stimulates (like caffeine or loud music) you have been exposed to. Your adrenal glands are shutting down because they can’t produce any more adrenalin. Your cravings will switch to salty foods because your metabolism is looking for fuel.    How Sympathetic Overdrive Affects the Immune System In Amanda’s case, we saw a shift in her symptoms during her menstrual cycle. I asked Dr. Amir about why this was happening. He explained that there is a direct connection with the immune system and sympathetic overdrive because the immune system relies on energy produced by the adrenals. When the body is in sympathetic overdrive, the adrenals can’t produce adequate energy to support other systems in the body like the immune system.  Another option is to do a cortisol test to determine autonomic tone. This is a saliva test    Diagnosing Sympathetic Overdrive The first step in diagnosing sympathetic overdrive is to look at the collection of symptoms. To confirm suspicions of sympathetic overdrive, Dr. Amir uses a heart rate variability test. This is a process of determining the heart’s ability to vary its own rate. It’s measured on a scale between zero and 100. If someone scores 100, they are fully capable of handling all of the stress in their life. Trainers in the UFC (mixed martial arts fighting) use this test to determine if a fighter is in a good state to train or if they need a day off.  done at different times of the day to see if cortisol is following the natural fluctuations as it should.    Three Keys to Treating Sympathetic Overdrive Dr. Amir shared three critical ways to get the body out of sympathetic overdrive (and to keep it from slipping back). Here are the three keys to reversing sympathetic overdrive:  1. Quality Sleep.  Sleep is so critical to repairing sympathetic overdrive but Dr. Amir says that how well you sleep is more important than how much you sleep. Getting quality sleep at night (by reducing stimulation and controlling your evening cortisol levels) results in a release of melatonin which calms the nervous system and takes it out of parasympathetic state.   2. Controlled Breathing.  Our breath is very connected to our nervous system. The intake of breath is parasympathetic (most noticeable when we gasp) and the exhale is sympathetic. Doing deep breathing exercises takes us out of automatic breathing (innate) and voluntary breathing (intentionally controlled) which helps us reset the nervous system. Breathing is so much more powerful than most of us realize. In fact, Dr. Amir shared an interesting study about the role breathing plays in fat loss and weight loss.  3. Intentional Eating.  Like sleeping, Dr. Amir believes that the secret to resetting the parasympathetic nervous system is not in what you eat but how you eat it. He says we need to remove stress from the eating ritual. So many of us eat distracted and in a hurry which keeps us in a stressed state. This makes it very hard to digest the food. Instead, he suggests that eating is a perfect time to give the nervous system a break and allow it to calm down by eating slowly and intentionally.    Nutrition for Balancing the Nervous System Dr. Amir mentioned eating foods that are powerful antioxidants including those rich in minerals like sea kelp. With Amanda, we focused on making sure she had balanced meals and a regular routine that included mindful eating practices.   Supplement Support for Sympathetic Overdrive While eating a diet that intentionally balances the nervous system is powerful, there are a few supplements that can also help. Dr. Amir suggested ashwagandha and I love this option. With sympathetic dominance, I also recommend getting the system back in line with the help of Phosphatidylserine and then supporting the adrenal glands with adaptogenic herbs (like those found in Orthomolecular’s AdreneVive   Chiropractic Treatments for Sympathetic Overdrive Most people think that going to a chiropractor only happens when you have a kinked neck or you need your back cracked. Dr. Amir explains that while a chiropractic adjustment can help in those cases, there is much more to it. When it comes to Sympathetic Overdrive, you want everything to be aligned because it ensures that none of the pathways to the brain are blocked. The nervous system relies on signals from the brain and if the body is out of alignment, it can cause challenges for an already stressed nervous system.    Mystery Solved It would have been easy to assume that the issues Amanda was facing had to do with her sex hormones since her menstrual cycle seemed to trigger illnesses. What we discovered was that the issue was further upstream with her adrenals. She was suffering from sympathetic dominance.  Her monthly cycle simply added that little bit of extra demand that made her stress bucket overflow.    Conclusion The first thing we worked on was balancing out her eating. As Dr. Amir noted, it was less about what she was eating and more about how she was eating so we focused on making sure she was eating regularly and not skipping meals (to balance her blood sugar). Her meals were balanced with a lean protein, vegetables, good fats, and healthy grains (like quinoa, brown rice, and millet). She also started practicing mindful eating.  Speaking of mindfulness, I taught Amanda the box breathing technique which is breathing in, holding, exhaling and holding all for equal counts (for example 5 in, 5 hold, 5 out, 5 hold). We also introduced mindful walking and sitting quietly.  For supplements, Amanda started taking Phosphatidylserine (I recommended PS 150 from Designs For Health). She took two tablets at dinnertime to lower her cortisol for six weeks. After that, she switched to a blend of adaptogenic herbs called AdreneVive by OrthoMolecular.    Happy Ending This course of action really helped to rebalance her adrenals and she noticed that she felt better, her energy was back, and her hands and feet weren’t cold anymore. Within four months, she was no longer getting colds during her period and her headaches subsided too. Best of all, she had the tools to keep her chronic parasympathetic response in check.     Eliminating Health Mysteries For Amanda we were able to dig deep enough to find the real cause of her health mystery and help her regain her health. Could this be the missing clue for you or someone in your life?    Links: Resources mentioned Thanks to my guest Dr. Amir Rashidian. You can connect with him through his clinic website or his personal website. Or, watch his videos on YouTube.   You can also check out his book “The StressProof Life”  Suggested Products PS 150 from Designs For Health AdreneVive   Related Podcast Episodes: The Case of Feeling Constantly Overwhelmed w/Christy Whitman The Case of Always Feeling Tired w/ Dr. Deborah Matthew Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information. Never miss an episode -  Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts and remember to rate and review the show! Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Some of the links provided are affiliate links. This means we may make a very small amount of money should you choose to buy after clicking on them. This will in no way affect the price of the product but it helps us a tiny bit in covering our expenses. 

093 So Many Symptoms, One Root Case

The Investigation I’ve been getting so many questions from my clients and listeners about the various COVID vaccines. I know it can feel like a real mystery, especially if you have an autoimmune issue like Hashimoto’s. I am not an MD but I know you look to me for all types of answers because I can address things from a whole body perspective, explain things in a clear way but also can be unbiased. One of the key questions I get is whether or not someone should get the vaccine. Some have even asked if it’s better to contract COVID 19 as a way to build natural immunity.   I unfortunately can’t tell you if you should or should not get the vaccine because  I think it’s very personal and the decision is yours and only yours. I am not here to tell you what to do, but my hope is that if I answer your questions and clear up some of the confusion and mystery around it, it will hopefully make the decision, whichever decision you make easier for you.  Speaking of which, research on the vaccines is ongoing and new information is coming in each week. This episode was recorded in early May 2021 and refers to the most up to date information at that time.    Impact of Symptoms There are a variety of possible responses to both contracting COVID and the vaccine. When it comes to contracting the virus, reactions can range from a few mild symptoms to severe (fatigue, neurological symptoms, headaches, cardiovascular issues, blood clots, or death). These are often exacerbated by underlying conditions. However, research has shown that even those who have minimal symptoms can develop ‘long COVID’ or extended symptoms that last a long time. Research suggests that eating healthy, following a healthy lifestyle, and having sufficient levels of zinc and vitamin D can all lower the severity of the infection and possible symptoms. However, the long term effects are what a lot of people are worried about especially because we don’t know the full extent of them at this time so just getting Covid and “getting it over with” so to speak is certainly not that easy because even if your symptoms are mild, there is a chance for these long term issues and that is not something we want to take lightly.    COVID Vaccine Options: What’s the Difference? If you choose to get the vaccine, there are a few options to consider, depending on where you are in the world.  There are two main differences between the options: mRNA vaccines and Adenovirus DNA vaccines.  Moderna and Pfizer are both mRNA vaccines. Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) and AstraZeneca are DNA vaccines also referred to as adenovirus vector vaccines.    COVID Vaccine Options: How do the Vaccines Work? mRNA Vaccines: The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines contain mRNA which code for the spike protein (those are little crowns you can see on the coronavirus when you look at it microscopically). The mRNA itself is very fragile so they have to wrap it in polyethylene glycol which is a lipid nanoparticle. Once that mixture gets into the cells, our cells then read and code it to make the spike protein. Our immune system can then respond by producing B-cells and T-cells. The B-cells produce antibodies so that if we contract COVID, we can fight it off. The T-cells attack and neutralize the virus directly.  The difference between the Moderna vaccine and the Pfizer vaccine is in the dosage. Pfizer has 30 micrograms of mRNA while Moderna has 100 micrograms of mRNA.  Adenovirus Vaccines: The Johnson & Johnson and the AstraZeneca vaccine are a bit different but they're actually not  that much  different. These vaccines use an adenovirus (which, by the way, cannot replicate in your cells or mutate) that has DNA injected that codes for the spike protein. The adenovirus gets into our cells, the gene for the spike protein that was inserted into the adenovirus is then read by the cell and copied to mRNA and then the process is the same as the mRNA vaccine so essentially these vaccines are 1 step before the mRNA vaccines and once it becomes mRNA the immune system takes the same steps to create an immune response. It’s important to note that these vaccines are not live viruses and as such, are incapable of viral shedding (as has been falsely shared on social media and websites). More traditional vaccines, like the chickenpox  vaccine, for example, may have viral shedding but these COVID vaccines do not.    Vaccine Side Effects mRNA Vaccines: With the mRNA vaccines, there are two shots required and it is not uncommon to have side effects. While nobody likes to feel bad, these side effects are not necessarily a bad thing because your body is creating antibodies. When you get the second shot (or booster shot) your body already has these antibodies and they are responding the way they should which is why those symptoms are there and for many people, symptoms don’t typically last longer than a few days.  Remember the Moderna vaccine dosage is three times as much as the Pfizer which may be why we are seeing different reactions to the two different mRNA vaccines. I still think it depends on the person and believe that your reaction to the vaccine depends a lot on your immune system.  Adenovirus Vaccines: AstraZeneca and the J&J vaccines only require 1 shot so they don’t typically have the same reactions as what people notice after the 2nd shot of the mRNA vaccines however there can be some similar reactions for a few days following the shot.   While many people have mild symptoms from either of the vaccines, there are some people, especially those who may be more sensitive, that are noticing extended reactions lasting for more than just a few days and as long as a few weeks or even longer. Some have questions whether the toxins in the vaccines can be causing these but these vaccines are different from traditional vaccines in that they DON’T have heavy metals or formaldehyde. There are other ingredients including polyethylene glycol and polysorbate 80 which, for some people, can create an allergic reaction but another mechanism of action that is not as widely talked about is an immune reaction to the antibodies themselves which brings me to our next and very important question.   Vaccine and Autoimmunity There is a possible connection between the vaccine and autoimmune issues. This can happen because of cross reactivity, also referred to as something called molecular mimicry. A study done in January 2021 found that when you make antibodies to the spike protein they can look similar to your own tissues and can cross-react by a process called molecular mimicry. This is very similar to what happens with gluten and Hashimoto's as well as other autoimmune diseases. For example, if your body has an issue with gluten, you would make antibodies to gluten. There are similarities between compounds on the antibodies and on various organs, like your thyroid, for example. So, if your body sees gluten and you have gluten antibodies, it attacks the gluten. And because of the similarities to say your thyroid, it might also attack the thyroid. This is why immunologists and experts are studying the potential cross-reactivity with these vaccines.  A study done by Drs Vojdani and Dr. Kharazzian found that the immune system’s response to covid antibodies (which we would get from contracting covid or getting the vaccine as both make antibodies) can be connected to autoimmunity because out of the 50 tissues they tested, they saw cross reactivity with 28 tissues including thyroid, pancreas and mitochondria. Interestingly, it is thought this cross reactivity does not necessarily happen in only those with known autoimmune diseases but those that do not have a history of autoimmune diseases as well.    Reducing the Risk of symptoms and Cross Reactivity that may lead to Autoimmunity Having a balanced immune system seems to be the key to reducing symptoms and reducing the risk of cross-reactions. Many people think that they should boost their immune system before getting the vaccine, however if you have an autoimmune disease, you want to be careful because the last thing you need is a hyper-vigilant immune system (given that it could over produce antibodies that could then cause a cross-reaction).  Understanding your autoimmune triggers is also very important in reducing your risk. I talk more about that in episode 32, so please give that a listen to learn more about triggers.   What you can do to balance the immune system and offset reactions There is a lot you can do to offset the potential side effects from the vaccine as well as COVID or long-COVID when you use the whole body approach to health.  First, make sure that you are eating a clean diet. This includes fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains (for those of you who can eat them, otherwise clean starches like sweet potato and squash for good carbs). Choose organic whenever you can. Avoid your food sensitivities whenever possible.  Do what you can to manage your stress. This includes getting exercise (but not so strenuous that you increase the stress on your body), meditation, breathwork, doing things for yourself that you enjoy and get enough sleep (8 hours is ideal)   Supplement Strategy for the COVID Vaccine (this is also recommended when Fighting COVID) If you choose to get the vaccine or if you have COVID and want to do everything you can to help prevent long covid, here are my recommendations. Remember, we want a balanced immune system so the supplements should help balance and not up-regulate or down-regulate your immune system.    Instructions For Vaccine Support - Start this protocol a few days before the 1st shot and continue until 2 weeks post 2nd shot. If you are getting the J and J or Astrazeneca Vaccine then you would start a few days before the shot and continue for 4 weeks. Vitamin D: Make sure levels are optimal. Aim for 50-80. Depending on your levels and where you live, this might mean taking anywhere from 2000 - 10,000 IU per day to get to that optimal level. You can use capsules like Vitamin D Synergy and Vitamin D Supreme and liquids like Emulsi D Synergy. If your levels are very low and you need to raise them quickly naturally, my favorite is the Hi Po Emulsi D. It has 2000 IU of D per drop and I have seen levels go up the quickest using it. It does not have vitamin K though like the other options I listed so it would be important to make sure you have K in your multivitamin or that you take additional K. Alternatively you can switch to one of the above D and K combination formulas after 1-2 months of this one once your levels are in a better range.  Vitamin C: I recommend 3000 mg per day. You have plenty of options for vitamin C supplements including Quicksilver’s liposomal liquid vitamin C (great if you have GI issues). Another option is in the powder form like C+ BioFizz by Designs for Health which I love because one spoon gives you 2500 mg -- almost your daily requirement. You can also take vitamin C in capsules form such as Stellar C (also by Designs for Health) -- each capsule has 700 mg so you’ll want to take 4 or 5 per day.  (If you test positive for covid, you would want to use this protocol along with the “emergency” protocol for infections which I discuss in detail in Episode 83) Curcumin: It is very balancing to the immune system and I've seen great results with it. I used Curcum-Evail by Designs for Health, taking one tablet in the morning and one in the evening.  Glutathione: I’ve talked in the past about how glutathione is the master antioxidant but it’s also a really important immune balancer. It does a great job of keeping the immune system from getting hyper-vigilant without down-regulating or suppressing it. The challenge is that glutathione can be difficult to absorb which is why I like glutathione in liquid form. I take one teaspoon per day of the Trizomal Glutathione from Apex Energetics (please note that you have to be logged into our website to view this product. You can simply create an account or log in and this link will appear). You can also use the Therasomal Glutathione from Quicksilver which comes in a small bottle if you are getting the J and J and don’t need to take it for as long - take four pumps twice a day or eight pumps once a day.   Specialized Pro Resolving Mediators: These mediators come from fish oils but at a much higher potency than you could get from eating fish or taking fish oil or omega capsules. You may not have heard of this before but my colleagues and I have been getting great results using this to minimize side effects. They help regulate inflammation reactions that may be caused by the vaccine, antibodies, or long-COVID symptoms. I recommend the SMP Supreme by Designs for Health. You only need to take one capsule per day with a meal.  Multivitamin: And finally, taking a good Multivitamin is important. Make sure it has adequate B vitamins (in the methylated form - for example B12 should say methylcobalamin).   Final Thoughts I hope this episode sheds a bit more light and helps you with your decision. Whether you decide to get the vaccine or not, in order to build resilience, we really want to look at things from all of the angles. Please be mindful of your diet, your exercise, your sleep, your lifestyle and your stress levels while supporting everything with the right balancing supplements. When you support your body from all angles, you can build true resilience.    Links: Resources mentioned Suggested Products Quicksilver’s liposomal  C+ BioFizz  Stellar C  Curcum-Evail  Therasomal Glutathione from Quicksilver  SMP Supreme  Multivitamin   Related Podcast Episodes: Solving the Autoimmunity Mystery w/ Inna Topiler The Surprising Long Term Effect of COVID on Autoimmunity Unconventional Ways to Boost Immunity & Fight Coronavirus Fears w/ Dr. Mario Martinez   Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information. Never miss an episode -  Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts and remember to rate and review the show! Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com   PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Some of the links provided are affiliate links. This means we may make a very small amount of money should you choose to buy after clicking on them. This will in no way affect the price of the product but it helps us a tiny bit in covering our expenses. 

092 Your COVID19 Vaccine Questions Answered

The Case:  Laura was diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) in her 20s  She’s experiencing acne, weight gain, hair loss, and irregular cycles.  She took birth control as recommended by her doctor and her symptoms subsided, but within a month of getting off of it, her acne, weight, sleep issues returned Laura’s period didn’t return after 3 months later of getting off the pill. Frustrated by not getting anywhere with her primary doctor, Laura was ready to just start taking the pill again to make the symptoms go away, but she knew this would only be a band-aid solution, and that’s when she decided to see if I could help.    The Investigation  Difficult to manage menstrual cycles is an issue I often see, and there are a number of underlying factors that could be at play. With Laura, we did more bloodwork and saw that her DHEA sulfate was elevated and her testosterone was also on the higher side. I wanted to make sure this did not become just another health mystery. Dr. Erin Kinney is a Naturopathic Doctor. In her private practice as well as her workshops and retreats, she helps women rebalance their bodies so they can achieve optimal health and become their best selves. So, I knew she was the perfect person to share Laura’s case with.   Getting Your Period Back When the Menstrual Cycle Stops In a case like Laura’s, the first priority is to have her cycles return because bleeding on a monthly basis is very important so that the lining is able to build up and then properly shed. Conventionally, using 2 weeks of progesterone may do the trick but it does not get to the root of the issue. To help things work from the inside out, it is important to check estrogen and progesterone levels. If progesterone is not rising, its possible there may be too much estrogen and if so, speeding up the estrogen detox is  very helpful to bring the body into balance.  If estrogen levels are fairly normal but progesterone is low, then Dr. Kinney does not typically recommend too much liver detoxing so that we don’t push out too much of the needed progesterone and instead use things to help naturally boost progesterone.    2 Lab Markers to Explore When Dealing With Irregular Periods Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH): FSH helps control the menstrual cycle and stimulates the growth of eggs in the ovaries. Ideal levels are 5-65 Luteal Stimulating Hormone (LH): Luteinising hormone is produced by the pituitary gland and is one of the main hormones that control the reproductive system. Ideal levels are under 12.   Hormones, PCOS, and Stress Hormones are produced on a daily basis and without a way out, they can build up in the body. When we are under stress, it is harder for the body to detox and so high stress levels (which often translates to high cortisol levels) will impact detox and in turn create more hormone imbalances that can lead to PCOS.   Natural Ways to Support Your Liver with PCOS There are a number of natural and healthy ways to help support the liver with its natural detoxification process. For those with PCOS, it’s critical to consider the role the liver plays in wellbeing and recovery. Diindolylmethane (DIM): used for improving estrogen levels, DIM is a compound derived from the digestion of indole-3-carbinol, found in cruciferous vegetables. Milk Thistle: one of the best liver cleansing herbs. Since excess estrogen gets filtered out of the body through the liver, this is very important.  Cruciferous Vegetables: eat things like broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, and kale to assist in the liver’s natural detoxification process. N-acetylcysteine (NAC): Helps with Phase 2 liver detox and glutathione production. Inositol: May help with controlling blood sugar by improving insulin sensitivity, and may also improve fertility in PCOS cases.    What About Elevated DHEA? When DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone, also known as androstenolone, an endogenous steroid hormone precursor) is high, cortisol may often be off as well. There is a relationship between high DHEA levels and other hormones like testosterone and it is very helpful to test the full panel to get a clear picture.    Listen to Your Body’s Natural Energy Cycles Overall, it is important to pay attention to what Dr. Kinney calls the ‘body benchmarks’. Even though numbers are useful, what’s going on in the body and the physical symptoms are much more important.  Breathing, yoga, meditation, and doing less is the best way to reduce stress and lower cortisol. One other way to lower cortisol is to build in rest on Days 18-25 when your body is asking for extra rest. Doing this will help your adrenals build more cortisol in the second half of your cycle. In Laura’s case, she was eating well. But, if blood sugar is a concern then you may want to look into a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel, checking Hemoglobin A1C (average fasting blood sugar), or Fasting Insulin levels. Keep in mind that diet changes are best done gradually. If you are stressed out by a new diet or if it feels too drastic, that in itself can raise cortisol so starting slow and going at your own pace is very helpful.    Mystery Solved It was clear in Laura’s case, that there were many factors causing her issues. Stress isn’t only emotional but can be physical too. In this case we looked at food sensitivities and she had issues with dairy, corn, and oranges and eating those foods was creating a physical stress on her body. We took out those foods and worked on balancing her blood sugar (which is important, due to the insulin/PCOS connection). We also added PS 150 for Cortisol, and mind-body exercises to help manage stress even further.   After that, our focus went to the liver to make sure old hormones were getting processed. To support the liver, I added Livton Complex (which helps with Phase 1 & 2 liver conjugation), and Calcium D -Glucarate to help lower the beta-glucuronidase enzyme because when this enzyme is high, it slows excretion of hormones and other carcinogens. We then added OmegAvail Ultra, a concentrated fish oil and chaste tree supplement which helps to balance progesterone.   Happy Ending The treatment outlined above may look like a lot of work, but truly it only took 3 months for Laura to get her period again! Her skin cleared up, and she was finally losing weight.  At this point, I knew we could stop the liver support. We kept going with fish oil and chaste tree to maintain everything. Laura was consistent, so when we retested her labs, we were pleased to see that her DHEA-S and testosterone levels are now completely normal. Another mystery solved!   Eliminating Health Mysteries For Laura, we were able to find that missing piece of the health puzzle and help her regain her health. Could this be the missing clue for you or someone in your life?    Links: Resources mentioned Thanks to my guest Dr. Erin Kinney. You can connect with Dr. Erin Kinney here: https://drerinkinney.com/   Suggested Products: OmegAvail Ultra Calcium D -Glucarate Livton Complex PS 150   Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information.   Never miss an episode -  Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts and remember to rate and review the show! Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Some of the links provided are affiliate links. This means we may make a very small amount of money should you choose to buy after clicking on them. This will in no way affect the price of the product but it helps us a tiny bit in covering our expenses. 

091 Weight Gain and Irregular Periods: The PCOS Connection

The Case:  Alison has an autoimmune disease and struggles to fight off colds and flus At the start of the pandemic, she took extra precautions including social distancing and taking extra vitamins As things open up, her anxiety is heightened and she wonders if she’ll ever shake the fear of going out again   The Investigation Alison reached out to me for help supporting her immune system so that she can start getting out more without the fear of infection and a flare up of her autoimmune disease. I knew there was a hidden threat to her health beyond being exposed to more people and germs. I knew we had to look at this from all angles to help her enter the post-lockdown COVID world with confidence.  To help me explore the emotional impact of quarantine, pandemic fears, and increased anxiety on the immune system, I invited Dr. Don Wood back to the show.  You may recall that Dr. Wood joined us on episode 62 when he shared insights into a potential underlying cause of inflammation and autoimmunity.  He is the founder of the Inspired Performance Institute. His research linked various forms of trauma to subconscious blocks that lead to all types of health issues. The IPI works with people to reboot the mind to release the mind from the impact of these emotional traumas.     The Trauma Spectrum When we think of trauma, our minds likely go to big traumas, or what is often referred to as Big T trauma like an accident or abuse. But, Dr. Wood notes that less obvious traumas can also have an impact, even if we don’t recognize them as trauma. These smaller traumas can be emotional and can stay with us for a long time without us realizing how they are impacting our physical and mental health   Emotional Concussion Dr. Wood coined the term ‘emotional concussion’ to help people understand the impact of emotional experiences. We are familiar with physical concussions (thanks to the research being done on athletes) and we understand that physical concussions can be serious whether they are from one big incident or the culmination of many smaller physical events. Dr. Wood says the same can be said about emotional concussions. We might have a big emotional event that leaves a noticeable impact but we can also feel the impact of multiple smaller emotional events that add up over time. These smaller events over time can be harder to track or attribute a physical response to. This is the risk that some are facing with the Pandemic. The emotional impact of decreased socializing, stress, anxiety, and isolation can compound into an emotional concussion.    Physical Effects of Emotional Concussions When these emotional events start to build-up (like they may be doing with COVID-related stresses), they can activate your nervous system and cause inflammation. This is a normal response to trauma, and under normal circumstances it’s a good thing because it is a protection and repair response. But if it keeps happening for an extended period of time (perhaps because we are reliving the trauma emotionally because we haven’t processed it), we stay in that activated state. This can then cause or trigger autoimmune issues. It can manifest in various different ways. For example, the inflammation could show up in the intestinal area (potentially triggering Crohn’s) or the thyroid (related to Hashimoto’s).   It can take time for the physical effects of the emotional concussions to show up - months, years and even decades. The response can also be from traumas that we don’t outwardly track as trauma. But if we have an emotional or physical reaction to the memory, then Dr. Wood says we relive the trauma in our mind. That memory, if it is vibrant enough, can continue to put the nervous system into an activated state. The person may not be aware that their mind is creating this trigger over and over to something that happened in the past because the mind doesn’t actually  know it’s in the past - it reacts as if it’s happening now.  In the case of COVID, the anxieties being felt now can be re-triggered with memories or as we return to ‘normal’ life including going out without a mask, shaking hands, wondering if it’s safe to hug someone, or being in crowds.    How to Reduce the Long-Term Effects of Pandemic Anxiety The most important process in reducing the long-term impact of anxiety that has surfaced during COVID is to learn how to down-regulate your nervous system. In other words, to calm your nervous system so it doesn’t continue to feel the threats or anxieties of COVID after the threat is actually over.  Calming the mind and body are the key to down-regulating your nervous system. Dr. Wood says that even if someone has never meditated before, they can still calm the nervous system with simple breathing exercises. He suggests doing what he calls ‘5-6-7’ breathing. Start by closing your eyes, breathe in for 5 seconds, hold for six seconds, and breathe out for seven seconds. Do this three times and see what yo notice. For most people its enough to see a significant shift in how they feel.   Resetting or ‘Rebooting’ after an Emotional Concussion Meditation and breathing exercises are a great way to manage an activated nervous system in the moment but Dr. Wood has created a way to reset or reboot the mind so that old traumas no longer trigger a reaction in the nervous system. He works directly with clients to identify the trauma or memories (this isn’t always apparent to the patient) and then he walks them through a process of diffusing them for good. It’s called ‘The TIPP Method’. He explains the process in this episode as shifting the memory from high-definition (and emotion inducing) to low definition and the status of information-only. He does this in a 4 hour process that, due to demand during the pandemic, is now available online. This process works for people with multiple small ‘t’ traumas and for people dealing with big ‘T’ traumas. Dr. Wood shared that he’s helped individuals recover emotionally from extremely traumatic events like the Boston Marathon bombing and the Vegas mass shooting.    Exclusive Offer for Our Listeners Dr. Wood and the Inspired Performance Institute have generously offered our listeners an exclusive discount on access to the TIPP Method. To access this life-changing treatment and save 10%, go to GetTipp.com/Inna   Next Steps  For Allison, we started with biochemistry and I ran a comprehensive blood test to check for deficiencies. She was low in many nutrients including vitamin D, iron, and B12. We also discovered various food sensitivities which all played a role in her immune function. We worked on her diet and I supported her in making the necessary changes based on her lab tests.  In addition to the diet, we added the needed nutrients. Since her D was extremely low, I used the Hi PO Emulsi D from designs for health which I find works the quickest in getting vitamin D levels up. This formula is D only. It’s very important to have D and K together, but her multivitamin had K so we were set there.  We added B12 ND, which is a liquid B12 with 3 different types of B12 in it for comprehensive support. And, we added a gentle iron called ferrochel iron. I worked on her gut and used Betaine HCL to counter her low stomach acid (likely the case of her low iron and low B12). We also added in 3000 mg of Vitamin C and 30 mg of zinc balancing it with 2 mg of copper.  All of this helped in balancing her immune system but, as we know from listening to Dr. Wood, there are emotional triggers to consider as well.  I worked with Allison to help her calm her nervous system by addressing beliefs and teaching her to tune into her body by practicing a body scan, breathwork and meditation.  At the same time, she is going through Dr. Wood’s TIPP Method (online program) which has been extremely eye opening. She never realized how much stuff came up from her past and how much it was actually affecting her. Her COVID anxiety was like adding fuel to the fire.    Happy Ending Allison is now able to see the reason behind her condition. She couldn’t be happier with the path to recovery she’s on. She now sees friends and even took a trip without experiencing any anxiety -- all while staying healthy and feeling well.    Eliminating Health Mysteries For Allison we were able to find those missing pieces of the health puzzle and help her regain her physical and mental health. Could an emotional concussion or small traumas be the missing clues for you or someone in your life?    Links: Resources mentioned Thanks to my guest Dr. Don Wood. To access this life-changing treatment and save 10%, go to GetTipp.com/Inna for the Health Mysteries Solved exclusive offer.    Suggested Products Hi PO Emulsi D B12 ND Ferrochel Iron Betaine HCL Vitamin C zinc   Related Podcast Episodes: An Underlying Cause of Autoimmunity and Inflammation w/ Dr. Don Wood The Case of the Unresponsive Autoimmune Conditions w/ Dr. Connie Jeon Unconventional Ways to Boost Immunity & Fight Coronavirus Fears w/ Dr. Mario Martinez   Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information.   Never miss an episode -  Follow or Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts and remember to rate and review the show! Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Some of the links provided are affiliate links. This means we may make a very small amount of money should you choose to buy after clicking on them. This will in no way affect the price of the product but it helps us a tiny bit in covering our expenses.

090 The Surprising Long Term Effect of COVID on Autoimmunity

The Case:  Ava has three different autoimmune conditions including Hashimoto’s  A functional medicine doctor put her on a restrictive diet for six months and an extensive supplements regimen Despite these measures, Ava still isn’t feeling better.  Ava’s autoimmune struggles have been going on for some time now. She’s put in so much work and has invested in supplements, appointments, and treatments so it’s understandable that she’s frustrated to see no payoff. It’s my impression that the root problem hasn’t been exposed. I knew that was exactly where I wanted to start.    The Investigation Autoimmunity is rampant in our society and more people are being diagnosed with all types of autoimmune conditions every day. Many start with conventional medicine like Ava did, then realize it may not hold all the answers for them, and turn to functional (or holistic) medicine. However for some, like in Ava’s case, it may still not be complete. Many practitioners, even more functional and holistic ones, can still be missing the root cause.  My guest on this episode is Dr. Connie Jeon, founder of Alkaline Wellness and Lupus Rebel. She helps A-type, ambitious, and committed autoimmune patients reverse their disease holistically so that they can create a successful life without limits.    Why Doctors Miss the Real Problem There are many reasons why a functional or holistic medicine doctor might miss the real root cause of the problem. For example:  Psychosomatic trauma and stress as the perpetuating factor that didn't get addressed Overly restrictive diet plans that the patient could not follow due to lack of accountability and support Over prescriptions of hormones (often progesterone) before addressing lifestyle issues Lack of rapport with the patient, not knowing more about their life Excessive lab testing and focusing on what’s wrong vs focusing on the solution Emotional metabolism and proper boundary setting is required for successful reversal of issues Self-regard, self-respect, and self-love is lacking Mental health and stress management is not included in the treatment plan Telling clients what to do without accountability and support, instead of showing them Not seeing the big picture and enlisting patients as the primary driver of their health    Balancing the Body with Autoimmune Issues The list above shows that many of these issues have to do with lifestyle, thoughts, and taking a bit more time to gather more information. If a practitioner or doctor you’re working with isn’t asking you questions about this then you may be missing some of what’s needed for a truly holistic approach. Balancing our body and getting to the root of health issues, especially as it relates to autoimmunity, is multi-faceted and has to include the inner work too.    How Treatment-Stress Can Reverse the Benefits Ava was diligent with her diet and supplements, but being so diligent was also causing her a ton of stress. She would feel anxious if she had to go out to eat or shift anything in her routine. Those anxious feelings would spiral in her head, and affect her sleep and how she showed up in her work and for her family during the day. She often woke up dreading the day because she didn’t feel well and because she felt she had to accomplish so much. So many of us have a lifestyle with high stress. In the work world, we often don’t take time to slow down and analyze how these lifestyle choices might be affecting our health. Interestingly but not surprisingly, Ava didn’t realize this was going on and therefore did not consider that it could be a part of her underlying issues.   How To Address Underlying Stressors Affecting Autoimmune Issues Figure out what you enjoy, and make time for it  Create a positive relationship with your health team and don’t be afraid to search for options Find a health practitioner who will take time to search out the root cause Identify where you could create better boundaries and reduce stress Try EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Identify any limiting beliefs or thoughts Reduce over-supplementation or excessive prescriptions where possible Keep the focus on the solution  Engage in regular stress-relieving activities Don’t discredit the power of your mind and heart as a part of the whole solution   Mystery Solved  I knew with Ava that there were likely deeper stressors affecting her, and triggering the autoimmune responses she was experiencing. We started by making a list of all the things she enjoyed (which wasn’t as easy as you might think!).  The next step was to carve out time in her schedule so she could start spending more time doing the things she loves. She was excited but also found that she felt guilty about taking the “me” time. This is common and we had to address it as a limiting belief. To help with removing this belief, we used the dot exercise. This exercise is based on EMDR principles where I had her follow a moving dot back and forth on the screen with her eyes while saying the belief with the words ‘no more’ before the belief.  I know this may sound a bit strange at first, but following the moving dot with her eyes activates the optic nerve which runs between the right and left hemisphere of the brain which then helps us go deeper into the subconscious mind where these beliefs are stored.  We identified many more limiting-beliefs such as: I am never going to heal, my body is broken, there is not enough time, I am too busy, and the world is unfair. We also worked on eliminating those as well.    We then used the mind body method based on the work of Dr. Mario Martinez to help us connect the mind to the body and then disconnect the feelings and beliefs from where they manifest. It's one of my favorite modalities because it's so effective and quicker than most people would expect. Results can be noticed as quickly as a day or two. If you are not familiar with this concept, I talk about it in depth in my interview with Dr. Mario Martinez way back in episode 7 so if you missed that one or it’s been a while since you listened to it,  be sure to play it.    Next Steps  I worked with Ava on observing her thoughts without judgment. This was harder than one might think, because her thoughts were fast and she had never paused long enough to listen. This is so common in our society. It’s easy to be in overdrive and forget to listen to your thoughts.   Once she heard these thoughts, it was hard for her not to judge them but as anything else, we get better with practice and so did she. Laughing at the thoughts she was having was a technique that helped her see them as a bystander without the same judgment. While we were doing all this, I actually gave her permission to eat certain foods that she was restricting. Having that permission really helped to ease the food anxiety she’d developed over the last year. And it provided her with more nutrients from a more varied diet.  Remember the supplements? Ava was advised to take many great supplements from her previous doctor but I felt it was too much for her body to handle, process and break down. Not to mention the expenses were a struggle for Ava. We picked the most important ones and were able to cut her list by half.    Happy Ending Three months into our work applying a whole mind-body approach, Ava saw a huge shift. Her energy was elevated, her joints were less achy, and her sleep improved.  She also reported that her anxiety was pretty much non-existent. She felt joyful and was excited to wake up each morning and face her day. I was so happy to support her through this and now that she knows what to do, and has the tools to do it, she can continue the work on her own.   Eliminating Health Mysteries Everything in the body is interconnected so please don’t underestimate the power of your mind and your long-held beliefs. If you find yourself wondering why your healthy diet and supplements aren’t working, then it’s essential that you look at lifestyle, stress, and the beliefs that may be causing issues.  For more on this, check out episode 77 called Are you Getting in Your Own Way of Healing? In this episode, I talk more about the impact beliefs can have on our health. As for Ava, all she needed was someone to get to the bottom of her health concerns by looking where nobody else had thought to look - in her mind and beliefs. Could this be affecting someone you know?    Links: Resources Mentioned:  Thanks to my guest Dr. Connie Jeon. You can connect with her through her websites, Alkaline Wellness and Lupus Rebel. On, on Instagram @alkalinewellness or @lupus.rebel.  Related Podcast Episodes: https://healthmysteriessolved.com/are-you-getting-in-your-own-way-of-healing/ https://healthmysteriessolved.com/always-sick-dr-mario-martinez/ Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information. Never miss an episode -  Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts and remember to rate and review the show! Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Some of the links provided are affiliate links. This means we may make a very small amount of money should you choose to buy after clicking on them. This will in no way affect the price of the product but it helps us a tiny bit in covering our expenses.

The Case of the Unresponsive Autoimmune Conditions w/ Dr. Connie Jeon

You know you don't feel well and nobody can explain what’s going on. You feel frustrated, dismissed, and lost. Sound familiar? It’s a health mystery. Inna Topiler is a Certified Clinical Nutritionist practising a functional medicine approach. But, most of her patients consider her a health detective. She refuses to accept the unexplained. In this podcast, she shares real cases, discusses them with top health experts, and reveals how she solved the mystery and helped her clients regain their health and wellness. The answers are out there, you just have to know where to find the clues. Subscribe to Health Mysteries Solved.

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Health Mysteries Solved

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