Posts Tagged ‘inflammation’

The Truth About Cancer…

I just fast tracked through approximately a 15 hour documentary entitled the “Truth About Cancer”.  I was thrilled to gain in-depth insight into the various systems that need to be supported.  I wasn’t surprised by much of the information but excited to hear that there are practitioners that are doing exceptional work in this area.  Today is also a glorious day, because everything they discussed in this documentary, in a general sense is what I practice with my clients every single day.   

The Truth About Cancer revealed that chronic inflammation is the precursor to all disease.  This is the premise of my business.  Every single day I discuss with my clients the 9 Sources of Chronic Inflammation that can be found here.   We explore those 9 areas and complete self-assessments and functional testing as needed.  I identify a total stress load and focus on an individuals triggers against immunity.  Compromised immunity leads to chronic health issues and cancer.  Refer to “How full is your Kettle/Bathtub?”   I also discuss with every single one of my clients the importance of focusing on systems:  H.I.D.D.E.N (hormone, immune, digestion, detoxification, environment and neurotransmitters) and we devise an individualized plan (Watch the video here)

I work with my clients helping them to identify internal stressors and determine the best tools that can support them through their health crisis: autoimmune, lyme, parkinson’s, alzheimer’s, seizures, hot flashes, chronic pain, weight gain and more.  After watching the Truth About Cancer I am more convinced than ever that I am helping them to prevent cancer as well.  

It’s another great day.

Be well,

Lynn

Are you chronically inflamed?

sickSwelling, pain, irritation, mood swings, chronic, fatigue, poor energy, poor recovery, autoimmunity, neurological symptoms and weight gain are just some of the symptoms one can experience with chronic inflammation.  If you can’t ‘put your finger on’ why you aren’t feeling well; inflammation is the culprit.  

Where does chronic inflammation come from?  In the functional world there are 9 specific areas:

  1.  Sugar and refined foods.
  2. Hidden food sensitivities
  3. Nutritional Deficiencies
  4. Toxins including heavy metals
  5. Digestive Issues
  6. Stress
  7. Inadequate/Excessive exercise.
  8. Insufficient sleep.
  9. Chronic infections.

I refer to the 9 above as H.I.D.D.E.N. stressors.  All of these stressors affect the Hormone, Immune, Digestive, Detoxification, are impacted by the Environment and affect Neurotransmitters (our calming mechanisms).  

Are you inflamed?  If so, reach out to one of us in the functional world.  We are here to help.

Be well,

Lynn

Having GABA issues? There’s a link that you should know about…

GABA is made in all neurons of the brain, is recycled through our energy systems (mitochondria) and aside from seretonin, is one of the major calming mechanisms built in the body. GABA is integrated into many of the anti epileptic drugs on the market and understood to play a factor into seizure disorders.

Glutamate, an amino acid, is recyled through the mitochondria using an enzyme (referred to as GAD, glutamate decarboxylase) and converted to GABA.  If the GAD enzyme is compromised or shunted, GABA is not produced which means, no calm.  Instead glutamate perpetuates and anxiety continues to climb.  This is not a good situation.  

Gluten intolerance and celiac disease create an autoimmune response that can attack the GAD enzyme mentioned above.  Again if the GAD enzyme is compromised or shunted, GABA cannot be made and anxiety builds.  There is no calm.  

Anxiety disorders are at an all time high.  Could a root cause be a gluten intolerance? Absolutely.  Depending on the time that the exposure has occurred can impact whether removing gluten is enough. Regardless, if you experience anxiety, entirely remove gluten.   As Dr. Tom O’Bryan states…’if you are a gluten intolerant you cannot consume even a little amount of gluten just like you can’t be a little bit pregnant’. 

Be well,

Lynn

Digestion has to do with allergies?

Food allergies (or sensitivities) occur because of three factors: nutritional, immune and inflammatory. Eating foods serves multiple purposes: to provide both macro and micronutrients for the functions of systems; support optimal function of the brain; provide fuel for the performance of the body and so on.  The processes that are involved to meet these purposes involves digestion and detoxification.   When exploring the three factors that contribute to allergies, digestion must be supported.

The digestive process begins in the mouth when food is chewed and mixed with saliva.  It’s then swallowed and travels into the stomach where acid then helps to break down the food particles.  These particles travels through the intestinal tract where digestive enzymes are activated and further breakdown the food particles.   At any one of these stages, there may be breakdowns that don’t allow the entire breakdown and absorption of nutrients.  Low stomach acid and low digestive enzymes can result in larger food particles.

When food is not completely broken down it creates partial proteins and other molecules that the immune system identifies as foreign invaders.  The immune system follows by attacking these proteins and molecules.  The end result is an allergic response.  An allergic response creates a chronic inflammatory response.  In general, inefficiencies within the digestive system can result in an allergic and inflammatory response and nutritional deficiencies.

Why the depletion of stomach acid and digestive enzymes, especially in children?  Medications, heavy metals, dysbiosis in the GI tract (can result from C-Section deliveries), refined foods, sugars, food allergies (not detected early), to name a few.

What to do?

Support the digestive system first, before adding other supplements.  Probiotics, essential fatty acids (low levels are correlated with allergies), stomach acid (if H.Pyroluria has been ruled out), digestive enzymes and a clean sugar free diet is necessary to improve the health of digestive system, reduce inflammation and reduce, if not stop, the allergic response.

Be well,

Lynn

Sources of all chronic illness

These 9 areas have been identified in the functional medicine world as the 9 sources of all chronic inflammation and illness.  Whether you are experiencing weight gain, chronic fatigue, autoimmune, skin issues, digestive issues or just want more energy (just to name a few), these 9 areas when addressed can get you where you want to be.  

 

Is it that time of the year again?

But why wait until spring? An “easy to manage” diet designed especially for you based on your body’s needs can get you there sooner than spring. Are you ready for a jumpstart? Stay tuned…  Be well, Lynn

 

snowwomenweight

 

The answers to questions you asked about Vitamin D

Thank you to those of you who attended my last presentation, of the four part series, on Getting Your Health Back.  The last session discussed the affect of stress on hormones and the results that can occur from hormonal imbalance.  We discussed the sex hormones, stress hormones (adrenals), thyroid hormone, sleep hormone (melatonin) and a little known wonder steroid hormone often referred to as Vitamin D.   The discussion was interactive and hopefully helpful.  I’ve used this forum to address some of your questions with more clear answers:

1.  How long does my skin need to be exposed to the sun for absorption or Vitamin D synthesis? 

A: It varies greatly from individual to individual based on their skin melanin content, shade, cloud covering, time of day, skin exposure and any exogenous sources that may block the rays (such as sunscreen).  Generally the recommended time for uncovered skin to be exposed to the sun and get the optimal absorption is between the hours of 10am and 3pm and on average from 10 to 30 minutes, at least 2 to 3 times per week. 

2.  Are there any other factors that block/hinder the absorption: 

A:  absorption from the digestive tract can prevent the absorption of Vitamin D and mal-functions within the liver and the kidneys can prevent the conversion to the active form.

3.  Where is Vitamin D made?

A: in the gut and needs to be converted at 2 stages to become active: in the liver and in the kidneys. 

As I mentioned, like any hormone, it’s essential to get your Vitamin D levels tested.  I offer a dried blood spot (take home and ship out) for $60.  The doctors at the clinic will also order the lab if requested (25-Hydroxy level specifically). 

Feel free to read my other entry on Vitamin D in “Why all the supplements?”

Be well,

Lynn

 

What’s at the root of many problems? (part 2)

As I mentioned in the last post, inflammation is at the source of many diseases.   Swelling, irritation and ultimately inflammation is at the source of many chronic dis-eases including but not limited to fibromyalgia, sinus problems, aches and pains, a compromised immune system, migraines and so much more. Last post I discussed sugar.  Today I’ll address #2 on the list: hidden food sensitivities.   Here’s a list as a refresher.

1. Sugar and refined foods.
2. Hidden food sensitivities.
3. Nutritional deficiencies.
4. Toxins including heavy metals.
5. Digestive issues (the gut is often referred to as ‘the second brain’.
6. Stress (emotional, trauma, social or work related)
7. Inadequate exercise.
8. Insufficient sleep.
9. Chronic infections (viruses, parasites,bacteria, fungus, etc).

“One man’s food is another man’s poison”.

Hidden food sensitivities has spurred a lot of interested in the past few years.  Mostly because progressive practitioners are recognizing that foods are irritants.  When a food is ingested and the body doesn’t recognize or accept the food it creates antibodies in an effort to protect the body.  The body becomes irritated as a response.  Irritation is thus inflammation. This inflammation places tremendous internal stress on the body. And if there are multiple foods that the body doesn’t recognize then the problem becomes compounded and thus a tremendous amount of stress is placed on the body. 

Add to food sensitivities any of the other causes of inflammation (named above) and the body is in a state of chaos.  Chaos causes disorder and even disease.  Remove the irritants and offer the body a bit of support and the body can then begin to do what it wants to do: heal.

Next topic we’ll discuss nutritional deficiencies.

Be well and healthy,

Lynn

What’s at the root of many problems?

Advocate for healingWhat’s at the root of many problems?

Inflammation.  Swelling, irritation and ultimately inflammation is at the source of many dis-eases.  Fibromyalgia, sinus problems, aches and pains, a compromised immune system, migraines and so much more result from inflammation.
Where does the inflammation come from you ask?  Inflammation results from one or several factors depending on the individual.
1. Sugar and refined foods.
2. Hidden food sensitivities.
3. Nutritional deficiencies.
4. Toxins including heavy metals.
5. Digestive issues (the gut is often referred to as ‘the second brain’.
6. Stress (emotional, trauma, social or work related)
7. Inadequate exercise.
8. Insufficient sleep.
9. Chronic infections (viruses, parasites,bacteria, fungus, etc).

Today, I’ll talk about sugar and refined foods.

Sugary and refined foods.  The average american eats about 159 pounds of sugar per year.  Eating sugar wreaks havoc on the stress hormones and provokes a surge of insulin and adrenaline putting the body on a long tumultuous roller coaster ride.  The body in a constant effort of trying to compensate for the sugar surges results in inflammation; inflammation that spreads throughout the body and can and will eventually inflame the brain.

I know. I’ve seen it first hand.  My 10 year old daughter who generally is a pleasant, energetic child lost the plot on Easter Sunday.  Following the departure of good friends, a raging temper tantrum ensued that lasted for at least one hour: stomping, screaming, lashing and more. I hadn’t seen one of these since she was a toddler.  A couple hours after the incident she apologized.  The next morning she woke up with a headache.  I helped her clean her room two days after the incident and discovered several opened,used sugar packets under her bed.  When I asked her what in the world were these doing there she then released the truth. Easter Sunday in the morning, her and a few friends ate from them.  Aha! She sheepishly acknowledged that the sugar explained her toddler-like rage that wildly took over her and the headache that she had the following morning.  Natural consequences work great for my daughter. Sugar + child = temper tantrum/headache.

Sugar significantly attributes to inflammation but there are more inflammatory markers to look at.    Hidden food sensitivities are the next topic of discussion, one of great importance. See you tomorrow!

Be well,

Lynn

 

One man’s meat is another man’s poison

We’ve heard of stories of ‘others’ that suffer debilitating symptoms as a result of eating the ‘wrong’ foods:  the woman who ate shellfish and swelled up or the boy who ate peanuts and went into anaphylactic shock.   Both of these frightening circumstances present a reality for many people requiring them to avoid those foods at all costs.  But yet there are those of us that eat peanuts and shellfish and never experienced a symptom.  No symptoms, no problems, right? It depends.

As I’ve discussed in my previous posts: symptoms manifest themselves in different ways.  A person may not swell up immediately after eating wheat, for example.  However that person may suffer from joint pain, foggy concentration, or even migraine headaches.  Could wheat be a culprit contributing to these symptoms? You bet.  You may think: but I don’t have stomach problems, or gas or indigestion.  That is highly possible.  We are all unique individuals and all respond differently to what we ingest on a daily basis.  An important thing to consider is the more often that we ingest these detrimental foods the more damage the body endures.

What can we do about this? Remove all irritants, give the body the supports it needs and let it do the rest.  Begin with taking a food sensitivity test (MRT or IgG) and determine what foods are irritants.  Then remove them from your diet entirely.   (A food sensitivities test can evaluate what foods are right and what foods are wrong for an individual.  Blood is drawn and sent to the lab.  Depending on the test the lab then determines your bodies response to certain foods.) By removing irritating foods, and all other irritants, the body will attempt to restore normal function.

Nutrition for thought.

Be well,

Lynn