Astrid

This Home Remedy Gets Rid of Colds or The Flu Fast

Last updated on October 6, 2018 By Astrid 10 Comments

Plus The Health Benefits of Each Ingredient

Colds and the flu season is in full swing. The flu definitely lays you down fast, but a cold can be just as bad. It is easy to overlook how important it is to keep our immune system healthy for when the critters want to pay a visit.

All of a sudden you think you are coming down with something because you have itchy watery eyes, sneezing, congestion, achy and feeling… oh so tired!!!
Not to worry– I’ve got you covered.

Now, before you go into panic mode and run to the nearest retail store to purchase a few boxes of OTC medications or what I like to call —pharma band-aids, because they do not target the root cause (the virus) let me tell you my about my secret elixir.

You probably have the ingredients to make an amazing and effective home remedy right in your kitchen. This and other home remedies for flu and colds will help you in getting rid of the flu symptoms naturally, while allowing your body do its job healing on its own. Unlike the flu shot which only leaves you vulnerable to other illnesses. (I actually did some research and wrote an article on what you should know about the flu shot. I think you’ll like it.)

Back to the remedy. I highly recommend using organic ingredients because you will be using the whole fruit. But if you can’t get organic, rinse the fruits with vinegar and or soapy water to –sort of reduce the pesticides and micro-organisms exposure.

Ingredients you will need

Manuka Honey
raw local honey
1 lemon
1 lime
One medium “hand” of fresh ginger sliced
Echinacea tincture (optional as this is bitter)

I like to add a few drops of echinacea tincture to Adults tea once it has cooled a bit. However, kids may not like the bitter flavor at first. I try a drop in their tea and see their reaction, but you can skip the tincture altogether and boil echinacea in its raw form (herbs) then add the lemon, honey ginger syrup to that water to make a kid-friendly tea.
Step 1. Peel, slice clean the ingredients.

Step 2. I like to use mason glass jars or you can use any glass container with a cover. In no particular order add lemon, ginger and limes until the jar is filled to the top leaving about an inch of space from the top.

Health Benefits of Lemons For Colds and The Flu

I use lemons or limes on a daily as the main source of flavonoids, and vitamin C (This is what I take) Whether I use them in my warm lemon water in the mornings, vegetable juices, in a cooler tea during the summer or a delicious cozy tisane during the winter –they are a staple in my house.

Are lemons and limes really that good for you? Absolutely and here’s why:

Phytonutrients, with Antibiotic and Antioxidant Effects

Lemons and limes contain unique flavonoid compounds that have antioxidant and anti-cancer properties. Of special interest in limes have been flavonoids called flavonol glycosides, including many kaempferol-related molecules. While these flavonoids have been shown to stop cell division in many cancer cell lines, they are perhaps most interesting for their antibiotic effects.

Furthermore, lemons and limes are an excellent source of vitamin C, one of the most important antioxidants in nature. Vitamin C (This is what I take) is one of the main antioxidants found in food and the primary water-soluble antioxidant in the body.

Vitamin C travels through the body neutralizing any free radicals with which it comes into contact in the aqueous environments in the body both inside and outside cells. Free radicals can interact with the healthy cells of the body, damaging them and their membranes, and also cause a lot of inflammation, or painful swelling, in the body.

Step 3. Pour Manuka honey and local raw honey over the ingredients until they are covered. Stir to ensure all of the ingredients are covered in the honey. Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory which helps with sooth a sore throat, target inflammation in the sinuses but mainly inflammation in general.

Health Benefits of Ginger

Ginger extracts have been shown to have both antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects on cells. [1]
Ginger has a long tradition of being very effective in alleviating symptoms of gastrointestinal distress according to this article. In herbal medicine, ginger is regarded as an excellent carminative (a substance which promotes the elimination of intestinal gas) and intestinal spasmolytic (a substance which relaxes and soothes the intestinal tract). Modern scientific research has revealed that ginger possesses numerous therapeutic properties including antioxidant effects, an ability to inhibit the formation of inflammatory compounds, and direct anti-inflammatory effects.

Step 4. Let the mixture sit for a day or longer to allow for ginger, lime, and lemons to infuse into the honey. Cover the mixture and store it in the refrigerator for several months. You can just eat a spoonful of the mixture at the onset of symptoms and throughout the day or add a tablespoon to your favorite tea.

Health Benefits of Manuka Honey

The antimicrobial activity in most kinds of honey is due to the enzymatic production of hydrogen peroxide. However, another kind of honey, called non-peroxide honey (viz., manuka honey), displays significant antibacterial effects even when the hydrogen peroxide activity is blocked. Its mechanism may be related to the low pH level of honey and its high sugar content (high osmolarity) that is enough to hinder the growth of microbes. [2]

Medical grade honey has potent in vitro bactericidal activity against antibiotic-resistant bacteria causing several life-threatening infections to humans. (Try Manuka Honey here)

I hope you don’t get sick this year, but if you do I sincerely hope this remedy can help you or a loved one.

How do you prevent colds and the flu? What other home remedies do you use to treat them naturally? Share your experiences and comments below.

** Things to consider before consuming this citrus elixir:

If you have kidney or gallbladder problems you may want to avoid eating lemon or lime peels and oxalates.

Do not give honey to infants under one year old. Why? Honey contains an enzyme that their little stomachs can’t digest.

References:

https://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=72 [1]

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3609166/ [2]

Stop The Flu or A Cold Fast with This Immunity Boost Drink

Last updated on October 6, 2018 By Astrid Leave a Comment

Feeling run down and that you are coming down with something? Stop the Flu or a Cold fast with this Immunity Boost healing drink.

I woke up with a sore throat and congestion the other morning– and that “oh no! I’ve been tagged by one of “those bugs ” feeling… Great!
So, I immediately headed to my FARMacy cabinet and pulled out a few goodies. Let’s see:

Ginger ✔
Honey ✔
Elderberry Syrup ✔(this is what I use)
Goldenseal/Echinacea tincture ✔(I like this one)

Then all of a sudden… what do I see in my arsenal of packaged natural remedies? Ah ha! Immune strength 5 defenders by Real Mushrooms– Whaaaa? Now we are in business!
I knew I had a chance to get through my day. I received a couple of samples from real mushrooms and remembered I had a bag of 5 defenders…Bingo!!! Time to head to the lab aka “my kitchen” ha!

Yes, now I will be able to say goodbye to this virus hopefully within 48 hours…

I am not kidding you. I drank healing elixir in the am and by the next day in the late afternoon, I was feeling so much better. Yes, that is how effective it is.

At the first sign of a scratchy throat, runny nose or that feeling that you’re coming down with something drink this. Perhaps, you are going on a trip? Drink it when you leave for the airport. Planes are one of the top breeding grounds for viruses.

So, if you travel a lot make this your number one companion. It works…It really works.! How? I am glad you asked:

Let’s start with the ingredients:

Ingredients:

~ Black Elderberry: has an extensive history of being used in the early stages of seasonal and immune challenges
~ Echinacea: is an herb of the day see family with strong immune promoting properties
Andrographis is a bitter herb packed with compounds known to help support immune system function at onset.
Warning: They’re not kidding when they say is bitter.

~ Immunity Strenght “5 Defenders” ~ Contain 5 medicinal mushrooms:

These mushrooms are hot water and alcohol extracted to gain all the beneficial beta glucans, triterpenes and other bio-active compounds

5 Defenders are well known to boost immunity.

–Reishi: a famous herb/adaptogen in TCM and Japanese medicine that has a track record of over 2, 000 years. Aids in liver support, immune function, healthy heart function and promotes restful sleep.

–Chaga: a dense, dark black canker that is found on the outer regions of the birch tree where it is infected by the fungus, Chaga is a canker that has been produced by the tree. Chaga is rich in betuclinic acid and superoxide dismutase (SOD).

–Maitake: one of the most well-regarded and studied mushrooms out there. An adaptogen that supports healthy glucose metabolism and supports the immune system.

–Shiitake: Another wonderful source of beta-glucan as well. It supports healthy cholesterol levels and supports the immune system.

–Turkey Tail: Contains high amounts of beta-glucans – one of the world’s leading anti-cancer drugs was derived from this mushroom.

Your Turn. What do you take or drink when you start feeling like you’re coming down with something? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

Thyroid Cancer and Raw Cruciferous: The Connection is Evident

Last updated on October 9, 2018 By Astrid Leave a Comment

I am going to begin by stating the obvious. I’m not a physician nor pretend to be one. However, I have done research, read medical journals, new and old scientific studies, and have been to quite a few holistic and integrative health conferences — virtual and on-site, to know that foods can be the best form of poison (processed) for our health or clean (unprocessed/organic) which heals your body.

If you eat clean and organic what is the big deal with raw cruciferous and what is the connection to thyroid disease or cancer?

I am glad you asked…

See, I am passionate about prevention and have always looked for ways to enhance my family’s health with the least amount of medical intervention. When I learned that a relative was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism I began to do some more research to find the right protocol for him as Synthroid and other medications weren’t working. That is why I am sharing my findings with you, so you can make informed decisions when it comes to your thyroid’s health.

This time we are going to look at the correlation between eating raw cruciferous and thyroid cancer.

Remember though– vegetables are your best source of nutrients, among other nourishing foods- hands down. That being said, If you have or suspect hypothyroidism you should be careful with Brassicas. I have updated this article with new research and the results are somewhat concerning.

Now let’s look at the correlation between raw cruciferous and Thyroid Cancer:

In this article Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN says:

These vegetables are from the plant genus Brassica, which are known to be goitrogenic. A goitrogen is a thyroid antagonist found in food. Also included in the Brassica family are turnips, rutabaga, watercress, kohlrabi and cauliflower. As someone with hypothyroidism, should you avoid these vegetables completely? No. Make sure to eat most of these vegetables cooked, rather than in their raw state and don’t eat them every day. Always eat a variety of produce. – [2]

There is a controversy when it comes to consuming raw cruciferous like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and the like. Some people believe that you must eat raw foods no matter what, others feel that cooked are the only way, and other simply don’t eat them. I can see why. So, I decided to do a little more research and the findings were concerning.

It is hard to believe that vegetables can harm us in any way right? Well, most of them don’t, and you should eat them in any way shape and form unless you are deficient in one particular mineral.

Let’s dive into some nutrition and biology 101 shall we?

Cruciferous Vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables all contain goitrogens. These include all types of cabbages, such as napa cabbage, bok choy and Brussels sprouts; broccoli, cauliflower and kale; and collard, mustard, and turnip greens. If you have normal thyroid function and consume adequate amounts of iodine, these compounds will have no effect on your thyroid.

The Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences has established the recommended dietary allowance or RDA, for iodine at 150 mcg daily. Himalayan salt for example contains 250 micrograms of iodine (167% DV. per 1/2 gram). {Buy pure Himalayan salt here}

Goitrogens

Fortunately, the goitrogenic compounds in cruciferous vegetables are destroyed by heat. Cooking these vegetables will ensure that they will not affect your thyroid.

There are different types of goitrogens; the ones in raw cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables are isothiocyanates, which block the enzyme that allows your thyroid to use iodine.

Other foods that contain goitrogens are soy, spinach, strawberries, peaches and peanuts. Fermenting soy disables the goitrogenic isoflavones found in soy foods. Also, you can limit your consumption of certain foods to avoid the goitrogenic effect.

Mary Shomon a well respected and expert in thyroid diseases warns the following:

Some common vegetables, fruits and foods with the highest concentration of goitrogens not mentioned above are:

African cassava
Babassu (a palm-tree coconut fruit found in Brazil and Africa)
Bok choy
Broccoli
Broccolini
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Chinese Broccoli
Collards
Daikon
Kale
Kohlrabi
Millet
Mustard
Pine nuts
Radishes
Red Radish
Rutabaga
Turnips
Watercress

On the other hand, warnings that these foods are the cause of hypothyroidism are probably exaggerated. First, the goitrogens are destroyed when these foods are cooked. Secondly, the amount of these foods that someone needs to eat in order to get an anti-thyroid hormone effect is much larger than what most people would eat in a normal diet. Although I would not advise someone with hypothyroidism to eat lots of these vegetables uncooked, I have found no evidence that just eating normal amounts of these vegetables will cause.

Goitrogens may be helpful to include in the diet in case of hyperthyroidism.

The Role of Dietary Iodine and Cruciferous Vegetables in Thyroid Cancer

I group of researchers from the French Institute of Health and Medicine, conducted a countrywide population-based case-control study in the multi-ethnic population of Caledonian women.

Exceptionally high incidence rates of thyroid cancer have been reported in New Caledonia, particularly in Melanesian women. To clarify the reasons of this elevated incidence they decided to do further research. The study included 293 cases of thyroid cancer and 354 population controls. Based on a food frequency questionnaire, they investigated the role in thyroid cancer of food items rich in iodine-such as seafood-and of vegetables containing goitrogens-such as cruciferous vegetables.

What Researchers Found

A measure of total daily iodine intake based on a food composition table was also used. Scientist findings provided little support for an association between thyroid cancer and consumption of fish and seafood. However, They found that high consumption of cruciferous vegetables was associated with thyroid cancer among Melanesian women with mild iodine deficiency, may contribute to explain the exceptionally high incidence of thyroid cancer in this group. Furtheremore, Iodine deficiency has been linked to other diseases and forms of Cancer.

Thyroid Cancer Symptoms

Initially, though, people may go into the doctor because they notice the following symptoms and signs:

Lump in the Neck: Not all thyroid nodules are big enough to cause a noticeable lump. Some people, though, may notice a lump in the front of their neck. You may be able to see it, or perhaps you can’t see it but you can feel it. Other people may notice a lump in your neck when you swallow. The most common way that a thyroid lump (and potential thyroid cancer) is detected, however, is when a doctor performs a thyroid exam and feels your thyroid.
Swollen Lymph Node: Swollen lymph nodes in the neck are another symptom of thyroid cancer (a symptom not related to thyroid nodules). Thyroid cancer can spread to the lymph nodes, which are scattered throughout your body to help you fight infection. The lymph nodes in your neck (you can feel them under your jaw) become swollen when you have a cold or sore throat, for example. When the infection is gone, they should return to their normal size, so if the lymph nodes in your neck stay enlarged for an extended period—and you aren’t sick—you should talk to your doctor.
Hoarse Voice: Your thyroid gland sits just below the larynx (more commonly known as your voice box). A thyroid nodule (which may be thyroid cancer) may be pressing on the voice box, causing hoarseness or voice changes. This is an uncommon way that thyroid cancer is detected.
Difficulty Swallowing or Breathing: The thyroid is on top of your trachea—the windpipe. A developing thyroid cancer may put pressure on your trachea, making breathing more difficult. Your esophagus is below your trachea, so again, a developing thyroid cancer can cause trouble swallowing. This is also an uncommon way that thyroid cancer is detected.
Neck Pain: Pain is usually a clue that something in your anatomy isn’t working quite as it should. If you have neck pain that lasts longer than a few weeks, you should make an appointment with your doctor to figure out what’s causing it. Thyroid cancer is a rare cause of neck pain but if you have neck pain combined with some of these other symptoms, be sure to mention that to your doctor.
Throat Pain: Similar to neck pain, if you have throat pain that won’t go away, you should go to see your doctor. It’s a possible symptom of thyroid cancer.

The above symptoms are associated with thyroid nodules of all types, not just cancerous nodules. Since most thyroid cancers develop in thyroid nodules, it’s essential to be aware of these symptoms and signs that may point to thyroid cancer.

Keep in mind, however, that the majority of thyroid nodules are not cancerous, and most adults will have a thyroid nodule (or even a few of them).

The symptoms of thyroid cancer are hard to detect—and usually the noticeable symptoms are caused not by the cancer itself but by the thyroid nodule where the thyroid cancer is developing. If you notice any of these signs or symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor. [2]

The Connection Between Breast Cancer and Low Iodine Levels

While doing research on breast cancer a few months ago, this scientific study demonstrated that women who developed breast cancer had usually low- to very low levels of Iodine. It is clear that there is a connection between low levels of Selenium and Iodine with breast of cancer.

Here is an excerpt of that study:

Scientists examined some of the evidence linking iodine and selenium to breast cancer development. Seaweed is a popular dietary component in Japan and a rich source of both of these essential elements. We hypothesize that this dietary preference may be associated with the low incidence of benign and malignant breast disease in Japanese women. In animal and human studies, iodine administration has been shown to cause regression of both iodine-deficient goiter and benign pathological breast tissue.
Iodine, in addition to its incorporation into thyroid hormones, is organified into anti-proliferative iodolipids in the thyroid; such compounds may also play a role in the proliferative control of extrathyroidal tissues. Selenium acts synergistically with iodine. All three mono-deiodinase enzymes are selenium-dependent and are involved in thyroid hormone regulation. In this way selenium status may affect both thyroid hormone homeostasis and iodine availability.

Although there is suggestive evidence for a preventive role for iodine and selenium in breast cancer, rigorous retrospective and prospective studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis

While my intention is not to create panic, I do like to raise awareness and bring up the scientific evidence to the light. Studies are that, and there is always room for errors that perhaps “interfered” with the results on the beautiful Caledonian women and their high cancer rates. That being said, I suggest that you keep a close eye on your iodine levels especially if you have thyroid disease, or suspect you may have it.

Additionally, use common sense when it comes to your health while listening to your body and working closely with an integrative medicine practitioner. {Buy oral Lugols Iodione here}

In Conclusion

Should you stop consuming brassicas or green juices made with goitrogens? Not if you do not have Hashimoto’s/Hypothyroidism keep track of your Iodine and Selenium level,s and of course follow a diet rich in foods that support the thyroid.

However, the facts don’t lie, and studies are conducted for a reason. It is in your best interest to work closely with a reliable Endocrinologist or Integrative Endocrinologist in order to keep your thyroid disease in check or keep it healthy.

As always raw organic foods such as fruits and vegetables are an amazing way to nourish your body, so stopping them altogether wouldn’t be healthy either. Cook them if you must, but eat them!

At home we rotate meals with cooked and raw vegetables depending on the season and availability while monitoring not only our iodine levels, but other minerals, vitamins, and symptoms.

Thanks for reading and sharing my posts. I hope you learned something new and that you can share this knowledge with loved ones.

What are your thoughts on the controversy with goitrogens and thyroid disease?

Do you think it is all a hype? I’d love to hear you experiences in the comments below.

To Your Best Health,

References
https://www.researchgate.net/institution/French_Institute_of_Health_and_Medical_Research

https://www.livestrong.com/article/517183-how-raw-cabbage-affects-your-thyroid/
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Therese_Truong

https://drsaulmarcus.com/thyroid/12hypothyroidismdiet.html

https://thyroid.about.com/od/symptomsrisks/a/All-About-Goitrogens-thyroid.htm

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10710195/

https://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/thyroid-cancer/thyroid-cancer-symptoms [2]

Breath To Your Full Capacity, Build a Stronger Core, Increase Energy and Reduce Pain

Last updated on October 2, 2018 By Astrid Leave a Comment

My guest today is Jennifer Houghton is a seasoned Certified Yoga and fitness instructor for over 25 years. Jennifer will show you her secrets to learn how to breathe to full capacity

Tune into today’s #HYNwellnesspodcast #1 and find how breathing can reduce pain, help you focus, relax and even reduce pain naturally, what foods to eat for optimal body flexibility, less pain, and overall health – Enjoy the show!

Tune into today’s #HYNwellnesspodcast #1 to find out if you are on the right track or should make some adjustments to feel your very best – Enjoy the show!

When we practice slow deep breathing, the relaxation response is stimulated in the body. The change in breathing rate and depth sends a message to the body: “Produce relaxation hormones. Start digesting. Relax the muscles. Slow the heart rate.”.

Ask your questions

Join healYOUnaturally’s free Facebook group:
healYOUnaturally Health & Wellness – Official group

Podcasts Quotables

~In stress breathing we gulp in air through the mouth and we breathe out too fast. This is our emergency mode of breathing and it is a catalyst for the Fight or Flight state.
~ What happens when we do rapid mouth breathing? Hyperventilation – we take in too much oxygen, we breathe out too much CO2, and we get dizzy

The brain learns by observing what the body is doing. A whole slew of chemical messages are sent out to relax the whole system. A positive feedback loop develops. Relaxation of the body begets relaxation of the mind which begets more relaxation of the body, and so on.

Making changes to the nervous system requires effort and practice. Retraining yourself to breathe deeply and slowly can take time, even months. You can use the breath work practices included in this program daily to reset your nervous system to stimulate the relaxation response more often than the stress response.”

Excerpt from “The Posture Project: Build a Better Back. Live the Life You Want.” By Jennifer Houghton. Sneak peek:http://www.bountifulyogaandwellness.com/the-posture-project/

In today’s show, we are going to talk about the reasons why “breathing to full capacity” is crucial for many reasons but most importantly– how to minimize that fight or flight response.

Show Notes and Topics Discussed:

A critical factor that exacerbates back pain (or any pain) for that matter, that make the difference between long-term pain medication vs a pain and medication-free life.
My personal experience with back pain and how I am reversing disc herniation naturally.
The type of breathing exercises that give you tons of energy, help you relax and develop a stronger core; passively. (especially for those with back pain).
And a Surprise (mini- demo) at the end of the Podcast.

Books, Supplements, Treatments mentioned in the Podcast.

8 Steps to a pain-free back
Healing Back Pain
Healing back pain Naturally
Target inflammation with Golden Paste (the root cause of pain)

Links mentioned in the show:

http://www.bountifulyogaandwellness.com/the-posture-project/

Connect Jennifer Houghton:
https:/www.eatfunctionalfoods.org where you can find free articles and his ebooks.

Connect with her via his social media outlets:

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/bountifulyogaandwellness/

You can subscribe and I’d appreciate it if you rate the Podcast at any of these directories.

The Best Way To Treat ADD/ADHD Naturally + The Link To Executive Function Disorder

Last updated on September 16, 2018 By Astrid Leave a Comment

,My guest today is Liz Lewis, she is a freelance writer whose articles have been featured on the Huffington post, thedisctractedmom, Karla Birnburg among other successful websites. Liz writes about being a mother, wife, and working professional living with ADHD and raising an ADHD child in today’s society.

Liz and I discuss being a Parent with ADHD,the best way to treat and manage ADD/ADHD Naturally, plus the link to Executive Function Disorder (EFD). How to make small but effective changes to stay focused and more alert. Which foods, nutrition, and certain foods exacerbate or even eliminate altogether ADD, ADHD, EFD symptoms + Her secrets to stay focused in today’s super busy world plus learn:

How ADHD is a developmental impairment of the brain’s management system. (Executive Function) Naturally, as we age this changes.

Liz’spersonal experience with ADD and how she successfully and effectively manages, a business, home and job in an organized focused manner.

Executive Functions involve 6 basic activities or thought processes. Here are 3:

Analyzing a task
Planning how to address the task
Organizing the steps needed to carry out the task…

Listen to the podcast to get the rest. Learn about Dr. Brown lists 6 functions that will help you succeed with ADHD, and the importance they have in being able to focus on a daily basis and be more successful in everything you do.

Tune into today’s #HYNwellnesspodcast #6 and find out if the real reason behind food intolerances, what foods to eat for optimal liver function and overall health – Enjoy the show!

Podcasts Quotables

~ ADHD is no joke, but liz aims to connect with both ADHD and non-ADHD women who are living life, through its natural ups and downs, to find more humor and balance.

Show Notes and Topics Discussed:

Liz recommends positive lifestyle changes with ADHD
The Importance of adding some form of exercise daily.
The Importance of practicing Yoga, meditation, and diet.
Unplug from social media at least by 9:00 pm

[note note_color=”#eef5e3″ text_color=”#251716″ radius=”9″]What’s Executive functioning disorder and the best way to address today in the digital era.[/note]

(Natural Foods, Supplements, Lab Tests Recommended in the Podcast:

Liz uses different types of Essential oils (there are particular ones discussed in the podcast), practices Intermittent fasting (fast Mondays), yoga, and supplements with Isogenics Cleanse for life, follow a particular diet.

Lab tests recommended by healyounaturally:

Different Health Pannels
Fatigue Panel
Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (mental illness has been linked to metal toxicity)
Thyroid Blood Test Panels
Hormone Panel Test
Liver Profile Blood Test Panels
Women’s Health Tests

Save 15% of right now with coupon code (HEATWAVE)

Links or Resources mentioned in the show:

Liz loves Marie Condo ~ organizing with ADHD
Adulting (via Carla Birnberg) is hard when you have ADHD and EFD.

Connect with Liz Lewis:
She is also the successful blogger at http://adoseofhealthydistraction.com.where you can find free articles and lots of information.

Connect with Liz via his social media outlets:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/functional.foods/
Facebook: hhttps://www.facebook.com/HealthyADHD/

You can subscribe to the Podcasts at any of these directories.

10 Signs You Have a Hormonal Imbalance + How to Fix It

Last updated on September 14, 2018 By Astrid 2 Comments

Is it a hormonal imbalance? Imagine you could get your health back and make every ailment go away…

If every symptom simply disappeared, and there was no more pain, sleepless nights, or anxiety-stress… Eventually, your doctor’s visits are less or medications are removed one by one– How great would that be?

Your lab work results aren’t looking great or you just feel off. You feel drained, can’t sleep, overeat or have no appetite, and you can feel that your stress levels are through the roof… But right now that feels like a whole world away doesn’t it? We’ve all been there, but it doesn’t have to be this way. There are ways to gain your health back starting right now.

Below you’ll learn about the possible culprit– a hormonal imbalance! Not to worry, I am going to share with you what I’ve learned to get your hormones back on track, and that’s only a few scrolls way.

Ready? Let’s do this…

Hormones are small chemical messengers that navigate throughout your body. They send messages to your cells, tissues, and organs in order to enhance your metabolism., get rid of stress, enhance your mood, build muscle, and so on. These lifestyle factors that play an important role in maintaining an optimal hormone balance such as:

The foods you consume, how much exercise (and the kind of exercise), and other crucial factors like stress management and sleep.
Lack of exercise, making the wrong food choices or burning yourself out will have an impact on your health in the long run. A few of us can get away with this for a very long time without suffering too greatly. For others, it can rapidly hinder health and overall performance.
There are no shortcuts when it comes to hormone balance– lifestyle changes, food, activity, and environment– are the way to go when it comes to addressing the root cause of why hormonal imbalances take place, to begin with.

If you have been feeling off, there are signs that you can be dealing with a hormonal imbalance.

1. How Is your sleep?

If you aren’t sleeping as soundly as you used to– hormones may be the culprit. Lower levels of progesterone and estrogen, as you get older, have the capability to interfere with sleep and wake you up in the middle of the night. That can trigger you to grab OTC sleeping pills– however, they’re a band-aid to a much deeper issue.

If getting out of bed every morning is a struggle, then that’s a clear indication your circadian hormonal output is out of balance. Particular hormones are produced in a cyclical or circadian pattern daily, and if their rhythm gets modified you’ll begin to feel fatigued, and can’t function properly.

For instance, let’s look at the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol should be high in the early morning; it wakes you up, gets your brain in high gear sets you up for the day. If you notice that it takes more effort than usual to get going in the morning, then your circadian cortisol high might be stuck in neutral.
How does this rhythm get out of balance?

Well, if you’re always on the go and consuming a few cups of java or stimulants, it can affect your deep sleep and eventually circadian pattern. Additionally, having a hectic social life and a couple of beverages every night can likewise impede your deep sleep and circadian rhythm.

Paradoxically, if you’re stressed out and busy, you usually grab more coffee throughout the day to enhance your brain and energy, and consequently more alcohol at night to loosen up and alleviate. This is the perfect combination for circadian disruption. (Research studies show that consuming more than 4 cups each day is related to increased threat of heart disease)

2. Are Your Periods Inconsistent?

This is a huge warning: if a female’s menstruation is off, it’s time to take a look at her hormonal imbalances. It deserves taking a better look at your cycle. Have your doctor test your fasting cortisol, leptin, fasting morning glucose, estrogen, and progesterone.

3.Mood Swings (Irritability, Anxiety, Depression)

Haven’t been feeling like yourself? Right now isn’t the time for pharmaceuticals. Depression, stress, and anxiety are hints that you have a hormonal imbalance, overworked, stressed out, have toxicity, and more than likely you aren’t nurturing your body with what it requires.

Sugar consumption has drastically increased over the past 40 years and the rates of type II diabetes are climbing side to side with them. There is a strong link between poor blood glucose control and depression. It’s no surprise the World Health Organization forecasts that depression will be the leading reason for illness burden in the world.

Compelling evidence from research has been connecting the dots, suggesting that high blood glucose results in (and intensify) anxiety and depression, meanwhile depression causes (and worsens) diabetes. It’s the ultimate “chicken and egg” scenario, and the down spiral appears to be affecting everybody to some extent.

4. Breast Tenderness

This is most likely an estrogen or progesterone problem. When these 2 hormones aren’t at ideal levels, your body will react. Tender breasts can be an indication of too-high estrogen or too-little progesterone.

5. You are Fatigued, Cold and Hair is Lifeless

The thyroid gland is the forerunner for your total health. If there is anything off balance in your body, the thyroid reacts by raging up or down its function. Trademark indications of low or slow thyroid function are cold feet and hands, constant tiredness, thinning or lifeless hair and skin, in addition to slow bowels. (When your thyroid gets sluggish, everything in the body appears to slow down as well).

Like many hormones, excessive stress plays a significant role. Your cortisol stress hormone hinders the production of the thyroid hormone, stops the conversion to the “active T3” kind of hormone. It can even make your cells resistant to thyroid hormone (a sophisticated medical term that suggests your body can make thyroid hormone easily–even though your body is not utilizing it efficiently). Simply put, it resembles having a bad connection on your smartphone– sluggish service that leaves you disappointed and dissatisfied.

6. Excessive Visceral Fat (Stomach)

High tummy fat shows high levels of visceral fat– the fat that builds up around your organs. It is really pro-inflammatory and harmful for your total health. The large bulk of your cortisol receptors lie around your mid-section.

If your stubborn belly fat is high, your cortisol stress levels will be out of whack and will lead you down to weight gain, poor vitality, and bad health. Cortisol is the “yang” to insulin’s “yin,” accountable for raising blood sugar levels by breaking down your muscle mass. If your cortisol levels are out of balance, it can result in an insulin problem– which can lead to Diabetes.

7. You Feel Exhausted After a High Carb Meal

Do you crash after a high carb meal? If so, your insulin hormone might be to blame.
Does this sound familiar?

You eat a delicious lunch, return to work and by mid-afternoon, you can hardly stay awake?
Or possibly it’s the high-carb breakfast (bagel, oatmeal or cereal) you ate to begin your day, and you still have a hard time to remain sharp by mid-morning?
If you discover a considerable crash after a high-carb meal, then you are likely having poor insulin function (the blood sugar hormone that transports the sugars from your breakfast or lunch from your bloodstream right into your cells).

If you’re obese, out of shape, or in bad health and battle with crashes after a high-carb meal, it’s maybe that your insulin hormone. Your body has to drain higher and higher quantities of insulin to deal with high carb meals (compared with a lean or fit individual). This results in a huge blood glucose and insulin high after your meal, followed by a roller coaster-like fall a few hours later on.

8. Sudden Weight Gain

This sign typically indicates out-of-whack hormone levels. The weight issue is typically related to the lack of sleep, given that your body will release more cortisol following sleep deprivation. Cortisol, in turn, motivates your cells to keep extra fat.

9. Low Sex Drive

A tell-tale sign of a hormonal imbalance is low sex drive. If you’re training pretty hard and pushing yourself, one good indication of overtraining is losing your mojo. Or if you are working late hours into the night (or staying up late), your sex drive can drop significantly because stress levels increase.

In gents, cortisol stress levels go up while testosterone goes down. In the ladies, stress levels lower the female hormone progesterone, which is among their main sex drive hormone.

Must Read: The Best Way to Detox And How Lymphatic Drainage Therapy Works

10. Consistent Cravings (Mainly Sugar)

Image source Viktor Forgacs
Do you crave sugary foods throughout the day or even at night?

Sugar cravings can be attributed to several reasons. However, there is a specific hormone that is accountable for keeping you full– leptin, your “satiety” hormone flag– when life gets hectic or east the wrong foods, or sleep very little, your leptin signal gets out of whack and cravings to take place.

If you seem like you’re constantly reaching for sugary foods, fruit, or trying to find that post-dinner sweet treat, then your leptin levels are probably low. How do they get out of balance? Here’s how: When insulin levels are high they block the leptin signal, resulting in more cravings (regrettably not for a healthy salad). The more simple carbs and sugars you consume (due cravings), the more insulin output and the more you reduce leptin.

Another culprit is stress. Stress interferes with leptin. It’s no surprise that when anxiety, stress or you get worried the very first thing you reach for is a sweet treat (most of the time even before you “feel” stress). This huge boost of cortisol and insulin issues disrupting your leptin levels is the perfect combo for sugar cravings.

Now let’s get to how you can address those imbalances not merely masking the symptoms:

What you read above are some of the signs of a hormonal imbalance. Do any of those indications sound familiar?

If you believe your “offness” might be a hormonal imbalance, there are lots of natural ways you can take to fix the issue.

hormonal-imbalance-hormones-weight loss — **Image credit Paleo Hacks**

How to Address Hormonal Imbalances

Re-evaluate your diet

You don’t necessarily have to go on a diet, however, you can add some hormone-helping foods or herbs. For instance, if you love salad, add some spinach and toss some almonds. Both will enhance your and magnesium and calcium, which benefits bone health and hormones. If you enjoy tea, try some Kombucha. The antioxidants in tea will boost your metabolism.

If you like eggs don’t skip the yolk. The joke will boost your Vitamin D levels and contrary to what we’ve been told, egg yokes won’t “raise your bad cholesterol”. This article debunks the myth on Cholesterol.

Additionally, eating clean proteins (lean and grass-fed meats, nuts, wild caught fish, and so on) instead of simple carbohydrates (pasta, white bread, cereal, rice, and so on) is an excellent way to up your minerals, enhance digestion, natural energy, helping your hormones work as efficiently as possible.

Sugar cravings

when sugar cravings hit, reach out for frozen fruit or a handful of berries, almonds or a low glycemic snack. Dark organic chocolate is a great option.

Low Libido

Low progesterone in women is usually the culprit of low libido, but creams or gels only mask the issue. The answer is– to address the root cause… stress! If you pushing yourself at the gym and training too hard (fatigued, run down, overtrained you can lose your mojo) . Sleep and relax more, drink less coffee, and fewer alcoholic drinks while spending more time relaxing at home or favorite park/beach. You can also schedule a vacation to disconnect, reset, and reinvigorate your life.

Stock up on supplements

Diet can help so much when it comes to nourishing your body to balance hormones. However, adding high-quality supplements can make a huge difference. For example, omega-3s assist in regulating cortisol levels and reduce inflammation, a magnesium supplement taken with calcium, and black cohosh (addresses hot flashes). Additionally, supplements which contain Chaste Berry, a great hormone helper, but one — if not the best hormone balancing supplements is Ashwagandha.

Ashwagandha is a natural source of energy and vitality. Being a super powerful adaptogen, Ashwagandha supports adrenal and cognitive function by balancing cortisol (hello? stress hormone) release induced by physiological, mental, emotional and environmental stress. Read the full article on adrenal health and more on Ashwagandha.

Asensia— research studies recommend it can increase progesterone production by 153 percent.

Thyroid Function~

The Thyroid gland has the arduous task of keeping your metabolism running properly, brain sharp, and energy levels up. With that being said, research has linked chronic inflammation, stress and a sluggish thyroid.
The higher your stress levels– the greater the inflammation in the body, which hinders thyroid function.

If you struggle with thyroid function start off with: removing sugars from your diet immediately, limit or stop alcohol and get more sleep (this is huge) I know it sounds boring, but it’s all about the basics. That way you can have an idea if you have thyroid issues or not. Finally, ask your Endo to run a full thyroid panel — TSH, reverse T3, free T3, free T3, anti-TPO antibodies. Check out this and this website for excellent lab test interpretation and in-depth info on thyroid issues — especially when you are on meds and still feel terrible or to find out of thyroid issues are potentially developing.

Introduce Meditation to Your Lifestyle.

Meditation? Boring already… nope here’s the scoop:

Your brain is a regulator of chemicals in your body that dramatically impacts how you feel overall. Cortisol, the stress hormone that’s very easy to skyrocket in our non-stop-repeat culture, can be seriously lowered with some meditation practice. The impact that meditation has in your body and mind is remarkable. Even 5 minutes a day will do!
Also, there are apps that you can download to your phone where you can meditate or even have some quiet time. I like The Calm app meditation to relax, focus and sleep better (Android and Apple).

Early morning meditation for focus and a night meditation for much better sleep. An important recommendation — power down all gadgets 45 to 60 minutes before bed then settling into a meditation length of your choice will help you counteract insomnia fall under a deep, serene sleep.

Your turn– What are your go to foods or lifestyle changes to address hormonal imbalances? I’d love to hear your tools to combat hormonal imbalances.

Learned something new? Share this with friends or family who may be displaying any of the symptoms.
We can always help each other and answer any questions you may have.

To your best health,

PIN THIS IMAGE FOR LATER

Image credits:
Maine header Xavier Sotomayor on Unsplash
Carb meal
scale
Hair by Pablo Charnas on Unsplash
insomnia Photo by kaluci on Unsplash

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1. How Is your sleep?

2. Are Your Periods Inconsistent?

3.Mood Swings (Irritability, Anxiety, Depression)

4. Breast Tenderness

5. You are Fatigued, Cold and Hair is Lifeless

6. Excessive Visceral Fat (Stomach)

7. You Feel Exhausted After a High Carb Meal

8. Sudden Weight Gain

9. Low Sex Drive

Must Read: The Best Way to Detox And How Lymphatic Drainage Therapy Works

10. Consistent Cravings (Mainly Sugar)

How to Address Hormonal Imbalances

Re-evaluate your diet

Sugar cravings

Low Libido

Stock up on supplements

Thyroid Function~

Introduce Meditation to Your Lifestyle.