Author: Green Wisdom Health

Posted on by — Leave a comment

What to Know About Candida

A table of sweets; What to Know About Candida.

Candida overgrowth is a hot topic and we often get questions from our patients about whether it could be the cause of their symptoms. While it could be the cause, it is often blamed for many different health issues that it is not always responsible for. There are many potential causes and symptoms, and it shares some of these with other conditions. So, it can be difficult to know if it really is a candida problem. Let’s go over some possible causes, symptoms, and lifestyle changes and help you learn what you need to know about candida.

Possible Causes

Candida overgrowth has many potential causes, and it is not always clear what the cause is. While candida is present in nearly everyone’s gut microbiome, it can become a problem if it multiplies too much, leading to an overgrowth. It is believed that frequent consumption of alcohol, sugar, grains and processed foods may contribute to candida overgrowth. Overuse of antiobiotics is another potential factor, as antibiotics can reduce the “good” bacteria that typically help keep candida under control. Chronic stress and certain medications may also contribute to candida overgrowth.

Possible Symptoms

Candida has been said to cause certain autoimmune diseases, sinus infections, urinary tract infections, chronic fatigue, and many other health conditions. However, candida overgrowth is not always responsible for all of these, and it is often not the sole cause. A candida overgrowth can manifest in many different ways, and symptoms may vary from person to person. Symptoms can include brain fog, fatigue, joint pain, bloating, bad breath, food cravings (especially for breads and sweets), UTI’s, sinus infections, and many others. However, as mentioned above, many health conditions have similar symptoms, so having these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have an overgrowth of candida. If you are having any serious symptoms, see a doctor right away.

What You Can Do

If an overgrowth of candida is suspected, dietary and lifestyle changes may be necessary to help heal it and prevent it from recurring. Greatly reducing or eliminating consumption of processed foods and high-carb, sugary foods is one of the best things to help “starve out” candida. Candida is often said to feed on sugar, so reducing its food supply may help reduce the problem. Having regular bowel movements may also help.

So, eat plenty of organic fruits and vegetables to get the fiber you need to stay regular, and drink plenty of water to flush that fiber out. Taking a supplement like Candida Support may also be beneficial. It contains ingredients like Pau D’arco extract, berberine sulfate and others that work to help restore balance to the intestinal bacteria. Candida overgrowth is believed to be a common condition, and eating a balanced diet low in processed foods and sugar is a great option for overall health. So, if you are not sure if you have it or not, just work on eliminating sugary foods and replacing them with whole foods like organic fruits and vegetables and good-quality meats.

You can listen to our podcast episode Candida – Getting to the Gut of the Matter here. You can also listen on our YouTube channel here.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Candida – Getting to the Gut of the Matter

Microphone and computer; exercising consistent health habits.
Play

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:22 — 28.7MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | TuneIn | RSS | More

Candida overgrowth is a frequently discussed topic, and we get many questions about it from our patients. It is often blamed for many different health issues like autoimmune diseases, sinus infections, urinary tract infections, chronic fatigue, and many others. However, candida overgrowth is not solely responsible for all of these, and there is a lot of misinformation surrounding its causes and effects. Join us in getting to the gut of the matter of candida.

Possible Symptoms of Candida May Include:

  • Chronic Sinus Issues
  • Allergies
  • Hormone Imbalances
  • Fatigue
  • Bloating and Other Digestive Issues
  • Decreased Sex Drive
  • Bad Breath
  • Urinary Tract Infections
  • Joint Pain
  • Uncontrolled Food Cravings (Especially for Bread, Pasta, and Sweets)
  • Brain Fog and Difficulty Focusing

If an overgrowth of candida is suspected, dietary and lifestyle changes are often necessary to help heal it and prevent it from recurring. Greatly reducing or eliminating consumption of processed foods and high-carb, sugary foods is one of the best things to help “starve out” candida. Candida is often said to feed on sugar, so reducing its food supply may help reduce the problem. Having regular bowel movements may also help with candida overgrowth. So eat plenty of organic fruits and vegetables to get the fiber you need to stay regular, and drink plenty of water to flush that fiber out.

Product Mentioned in Today’s Show

Candida Support – This powerful phytonutrient complex was designed for restoring and maintaining a healthy, balanced gastrointestinal microbiota. Along with undecylenic acid, this formula also provides berberine and other synergistic factors.

You can also listen to Candida – Getting to the Gut of the Matter on our YouTube channel here.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

The Importance of Hormones

Happy woman showing the importance of hormones.

Balanced hormones play a crucial role in the health of your entire body and mind. Hormonal imbalances are becoming more and more common, and they can cause many different symptoms depending on which hormones are high or low. People often don’t understand the importance of hormones, and how much they can affect quality of life. Let’s take a look at a few hormones that are commonly out of balance.

Testosterone

Testosterone is a hormone typically associated with men’s health. However, women need it too, but at lower levels than men. Testosterone plays a role in the production of sperm, red blood cells and muscle mass. It also plays a role in fat distribution, and helps regulate bone mass and sex drive. Testosterone is still being studied and researchers continue to learn more about how important this hormone is. Testosterone production often declines with age, and production may also decrease due to environmental toxins or certain health conditions.

Many men suffer from low testosterone, and symptoms may vary from person to person. Possible symptoms of low testosterone can include: fatigue, erectile dysfunction, hair loss, depression, poor memory, increased body fat, and decreased muscle mass, bone mass, and sex drive. Testosterone production often declines with age, and production may also decrease due to environmental toxins or certain health conditions. Some other things that can contribute to low testosterone include excess body fat (especially abdominal fat), high estrogen levels, and exposure to endocrine disruptors. Endocrine disruptors are substances that interfere with hormones and can be found in plastic, fragranced products like soap and perfume, and many other things.

Estrogen

Estrogen is a hormone found in both men and women, but is found in much higher amounts in women. It is plays a role in a healthy sex drive and healthy female development during puberty. Estrogen is also involved in reducing bone loss, increasing skin quality, and even helps regulate cholesterol production. This hormone has many different functions which is why it is so important to have healthy estrogen levels. However, a condition often known as estrogen dominance is on the rise. As discussed above, we are exposed to endocrine disruptors every day, and many of these chemicals mimic estrogen in the body. This can lead to unnaturally high levels of estrogen, which can increase your risk of certain cancers.

Symptoms of an estrogen imbalance in women can include headaches, decreased sex drive, mood swings, breast tenderness, bloating, sleeping issues, anxiety, weight gain, etc. Men who may be suffering from an estrogen dominance may experience symptoms like mood swings, erectile dysfunction, infertility, and increased breast tissue growth.

Even when estrogen levels are balanced, they don’t always metabolize into the healthy forms. Estrogen is metabolized into many different forms. Some of these estrogen metabolites have more carcinogenic potential than others, this is why we have many of our patients take DIM 150. DIM is derived from cruciferous vegetables and helps the body metabolize estrogen into weaker, safer forms. While DIM is still being studied extensively, it has already shown potential in possibly reducing breast and prostate cancer risk.

Progesterone

Progesterone is another chemical that is mostly associated with women, but men also produce small amounts of it. In men, progesterone is necessary for testosterone production, and low progesterone levels can contribute to hair loss. In women, progesterone plays an important role in many different functions and processes. While its main function is to ensure the uterus is prepared for a healthy pregnancy, it also works with estrogen to help promote healthy bone density. Symptoms of low progesterone in women can include irregular menstrual cycles, depression, anxiety, headaches, and possibly infertility and pregnancy difficulties.

Supplements

There are some supplements that may help with maintaining healthy hormone levels. These include:

  • Testo Essentials – Testo Essentials is a combination of natural herbal ingredients designed to help support healthy sexual activity and overall vitality in men.*
  • DIM 150 – Diindolylmethane (DIM) is a metabolite of indole-3-carbinol, a nutrient found in cruciferous vegetables. Studies have shown that DIM promotes healthy estrogen metabolism in both men and women by positively shifting the metabolism of estrogen toward protective 2-hydroxyestrogen metabolites instead of the 16-hydroxyestrone.†
  • Progest-Avail – Progest-Avail™ is formulated to be used by women of reproductive age as well as by menopausal and postmenopausal women in order to ease any potential unpleasant effects of hormone imbalances and the normal hormonal fluctuations that occur with aging.
  • Evening Primrose Oil – Evening primrose supports cartilage and joint function, neuroendocrine and cognitive health, skin and connective tissue health, and helps maintain nerve function, and cardiovascular health.†

Taking certain supplements may help provide the nutrients your body may be lacking, and they may help ensure detoxification pathways are open. Eating a diet high in organic fruits and vegetables may also be helpful in maintaining healthy levels of hormones. Choosing organic foods is important due to the hormonal disruption some pesticides can cause. Healthy hormones are vital to your health, so choose organic foods, naturally fragranced soaps and other products, and reduce plastic usage.

You can listen to our The Delicate Dance of Balancing Hormones podast episode where we discuss the importance of hormones here. You can also listen to it on our YouTube channel here.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

The Delicate Dance of Balancing Hormones

Microphone and computer; exercising consistent health habits.
Play

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:38 — 29.0MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | TuneIn | RSS | More

Balancing hormones is a delicate dance that can be difficult to understand. With so many potential causes, symptoms and complications it can be hard to know what to do. In this episode we discuss some things that can help, there are things you can do to help balance your hormones naturally. They include:

  • Eat real food
  • Eat whole food diet rich in fresh organic vegetables and fermented foods
  • Avoid sugar and fructose, including fresh fruit juice
  • Assess your adrenal health and HPA Axis function
  • Balance your thyroid function with Thyroid Essentials
  • Balance Estrogen with Progesterone – Progest-Avail
  • PMS and other menstruation issues can also be addressed with a number of different plant remedies including a product called Flash Ease.
  • Boost testosterone naturally with a product like Testo Essentials

Men aged 65 and older who took testosterone doubled their risk of heart attack within the first three months of use, even if they did not have heart disease prior to starting the therapy.

How do you naturally raise your testosterone? Doing these things may help increase it:

  • Weight loss
  • Limit or eliminate sugar from your diet
  • High-intensity exercise and strength training
  • Optimize your vitamin D level
  • Reduce stress
  • Increase zinc and magnesium intake
  • Eat healthy fats
  • Boost intake of branch chain amino acids
  • Avoid endocrine disrupting chemicals known to affect testosterone production
  • Use herbal supplements

You can also listen to Delicate Dance of Balancing Hormones on our YouTube channel here.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Eating Clean and Stress-Free

Colorful salad as an example of clean and stress-free eating.

With all the different diets being pushed today, it can be hard to know which one you should follow. Keto, vegan, vegetarian, carnivore diet, Paleo, intermittent fasting, juicing, etc. all have their pros and cons, but some of these diets are very restrictive, and are often difficult to maintain. Most people just need to eat clean, regardless of a specific diet. Eating clean and stress-free means focusing on good fats, good-quality meats, filtered water, organic fruits and vegetables, and eliminating processed foods.

Good Fats

We talk a lot about good fats, and that is because they are essential to good brain health, heart health, hormonal balance, balanced energy levels, etc. Fat was demonized for many years, but researchers are now beginning to see the important role it plays in our health. It has shown potential in preventing diseases like dementia and heart disease. It can also help you lose weight because fat keeps you feeling full longer than protein and carbs do. However, fat is high in calories so watching your calorie intake may still be helpful when trying to lose weight.

So, what are some good fats? Organic cold-pressed coconut oil and olive oil, and fish oil are our top recommendations. Coconut oil contains healthy saturated fats that can help provide energy and increase HDL “good” cholesterol levels. Coconut oil also has a high smoke point meaning it holds up well to high-heat cooking. Olive oil contains a monounsaturated fat called oliec acid that may help decrease inflammation and potentially reduce cancer risk. There are some other good ones like avocados and avocado oil, and nuts and seeds like walnuts and cashews.

Good-Quality Meats

The rise of veganism has left some people wondering if they should reduce or eliminate meat from their diet. However, not all meat is bad, and cutting meat out of your diet may leave you susceptible to things like vitamin B12 and protein deficiencies, and anemia. While there are plant-based sources of iron and protein, they are not as easily absorbed by the body. The iron found in meat is heme iron and has a much better absorption rate than non heme iron found in plant sources. So, someone with high iron may benefit from reducing meat consumption, while an anemic person may need to increase it.

Protein from animal sources like meat, eggs, fish and dairy may be better as they contain all of the essential amino acids. When you consume protein, it is broken down into amino acids, but which amino acids it is broken down into depends on the source. Plant sources like beans and nuts are usually missing one or two essential amino acids. Protein from animal sources typically contains all nine essential amino acids, meaning it is often the better option.

Red Meat

While meat can be a great source of iron and protein, you may want to watch your red meat consumption. When red meat is consumed and broken down during digestion, your gut bacteria produces trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO). TMAO has been linked to heart disease and has been shown to increase cholesterol deposits in the arteries. It has also been shown to have an effect on platelets, increasing the risk of blood clots. One study found that the highest levels of TMAO were found in people who consumed red meat every day. Chicken and poultry were not found to have this effect. Although this may sound scary, red meat can still be a healthy part of your diet. More research is needed on red meat, but for now try switching out red meat for fish, chicken or turkey a few times a week.

Organic Produce

You probably see organic products all the time, and you may wonder if it’s really worth the extra money. With the growing popularity of organic foods, skin care, and even makeup, it may just seem like a trend. However, there is a growing body of research showing the effects pesticides can have on our bodies.

Pesticide exposure has been linked to ADHD, Parkinson’s disease, depression, anxiety, asthma, autoimmune diseases, and certain types of cancer. Some experts believe pesticides are the most dangerous environmental toxin due to how they common they are. Although organic produce is often still exposed to pesticides due to wind carrying it from sprayed fields, it tends to have much lower amounts than conventional produce. Simply washing your non-organic fruits and vegetables is not enough. Pesticide residue on the outside of the food can be washed off, but it also grows into the food. This is why we recommend buying organic products whenever possible.

Stress-Free Eating

When you take away the restrictions of sticking to a specific diet, you take some of the stress away from eating. Clean and stress-free eating means consuming a variety of organic fruits and vegetables, good fats, and good-quality meats each day can help ensure you get the nutrition you need. Food should not be a source of stress, it should be a source of nutrition, energy and good health. So, mix up your meals with wild-caught fish, free-range chicken, turkey and eggs, and occasionally some grass-fed beef. Be sure to also include plenty of organic fruits and vegetables, and good fats with each meal. Do your best to avoid processed foods and drinks as much as possible, but don’t give up if you make a mistake.

Most people struggle to consume enough omega-3’s and magnesium from their diet, so supplementing with fish oil, magnesium and a multivitamin may help. Drinking enough water is also important, but it can be hard to know what kind of water to drink. We have an article that talks more about the different types of water here. Take a look at your diet and see if you can make some changes towards more clean and stress-free eating. Every step towards a healthier lifestyle matters, no matter how small.

You can listen to our Stress-Free Eating podcast here. You can listen to it on our YouTube channel here.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Stress Free Eating

Microphone and computer; exercising consistent health habits.
Play

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:24 — 28.7MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | TuneIn | RSS | More

What does it mean to eat stress free? Basically, eating clean is the best way to eat and creates less stress. With all the different diets being pushed today, it can be hard to know which one you should follow. Keto, vegan, vegetarian, carnivore diet, Paleo, intermittent fasting, juicing, etc. Most people just need to eat clean, regardless of a specific diet. Stress free eating means focusing on good fats, good-quality meats, filtered water, organic fruits and vegetables, and eliminating processed foods.

Clean eating will produce the following when you eat foods as close to their natural state as possible:

  • Decreases inflammation
  • Lowers Acidity
  • Alkalizes the body
  • Controls blood sugar levels
  • Removes toxins and artificial ingredients
  • Provides optimum nutrients

Clean eating is great for these types of people:

  • Dealing with food allergies
  • Heart disease or cardiovascular issues
  • Arthritis
  • Digestive Dysfunction
  • Insomnia
  • Depression or Anxiety
  • Leaky Gut Syndrome
  • All forms of chronic disease

When you take away the restrictions of sticking to a specific diet, you take some of the stress away from eating. Clean and stress-free eating means consuming a variety of organic fruits and vegetables, good fats, and good-quality meats each day can help ensure you get the nutrition you need. Food should not be a source of stress, it should be a source of nutrition, energy and good health. So, mix up your meals with wild-caught fish, free-range chicken, turkey and eggs, and occasionally some grass-fed beef. Be sure to also include plenty of organic fruits and vegetables, and good fats with each meal. Do your best to avoid processed foods and drinks as much as possible, but don’t give up if you make a mistake.

Products mentioned in Today’s Show:

Deeper Greens – Deeper Greens helps patients overcome diets lacking in the recommended fruits and vegetables a day, as stated by the National Cancer Institute. Deeper Greens is a convenient drink mix providing beneficial nutrients from berries, fruits, vegetables and greens to support a healthy diet. This complete formula combines concentrated fruits and berries along with a unique vegetable antioxidant blend to help build antioxidant reserves and protect the body from free radicals.

You can listen to it on our YouTube channel here.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Thyroid – The small gland that makes a BIG difference!

Microphone and computer; exercising consistent health habits.
Play

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:00 — 28.4MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | TuneIn | RSS | More

Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are conditions that affect the thyroid gland and can mean an underactive or overactive thyroid. The thyroid is a small gland that does a lot; responsible for releasing hormones that are crucial to many important functions like regulation of metabolism, heart rate, breathing, and body temperature. It also effects cholesterol levels, mood, energy, and weight management. Additionally, here are some key differences between hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism that we’ll discuss in this episode.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothryoidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is underactive and does not produce enough thyroid hormones.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism:

  • Persistent fatigue, lethargy, or depression
  • Low motivation to exercise
  • Moodiness, Anxiety
  • Brain fog, trouble concentrating, forgetfulness
  • Intolerance to cold, frequently feeling chilly
  • A hoarse voice
  • Unexplainable weight gain
  • Constipation, bloating and other digestive issues
  • Muscle weakness, aches or pains, other discomforts
  • Dry hair and skin

The most common causes of hypothyroidism include an autoimmune condition like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, radiation therapy, an iodine deficiency, and certain medications.

Hyperthyroidism

Conversely, hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is producing too much of certain thyroid hormones (T4 for example).

Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism:

  • Insomnia, sleep troubles
  • Nervousness, symptoms of anxiety
  • Racing heart
  • Eyes that appear large and sometimes bulge
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Muscle weakness
  • Multiple bowel movements
  • High amounts of perspiration
  • Thin, brittle hair

Some common causes of hyperthyroidism include an autoimmune condition like Graves’ Disease, inflammation of the thyroid, and consuming too much iodine.

Products Mentioned on Today’s Show:

Bacopa 320 – This high-strength standardized whole plant Bacopa monnieri extract CDRI 08® is clinically demonstrated to support working memory and retention.

Thyroid Essentials – This formula combines iodine and tyrosine, the two constituents necessary for the synthesis of thyroid secretions.* The minerals selenium, zinc and copper have been added as cofactors needed for normal thyroid function.* Additionally, this formulation has the Ayurvedic herbal extracts from guggul and ashwagandha to complement its nutritional support components.*

You can also listen to our Thyroid – The Small Gland That Makes A BIG Difference episode on our YouTube channel here.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Cell Phone Radiation and Tap Water

Man using cell phone. Cell phone radiation and tap water.

Most of our patients are doing everything they can to get better, including evaluating their daily habits to see what might have a negative effect on their health goals. We get a lot of questions, so we wanted to address a couple of the most common ones about cell phone radiation and the safety of tap water. Cell phones and microwaves do emit radiation, and tap water can have some harmful substances in it, but cell phones are unavoidable, and you need water to live, so what can you do about it? Let’s take a closer look at these issues and some possible solutions.

Cell Phones, Microwaves, and Radiation

You may have heard that cell phones and microwaves emit radiation, and this is true. Cell phones do emit radiofrequency radiation, which is a form of non-ionizing radiation. Non-ionizing radiation has not been shown to damage DNA the way ionizing radiation has, but it does increase the temperature of the body part near it. This is how microwaves work, by emitting high levels of radiofrequency radiation that causes the water molecules in food to move, creating friction which leads to an increase in temperature that heats up your food. However, the radiation used in microwaves has not been found to alter the food it is used on. The potential danger of microwaves is in the small electromagnetic field it generates.

There is some research showing a possible association between cell phone and microwave usage and cancer risk, but other studies have found no link. This doesn’t mean that it is harmless, as research often takes years to catch up to new technology. To be on the safe side, we recommend putting your phone on speaker during phone calls when possible. You should also keep it at least 10 feet away from you at night while you sleep. Try to avoid keeping your phone in your pocket or bra, and keep it in a purse or bag instead. If you are concerned about the radiation emitted by microwaves, you can stand away from the microwave or in another room while it is beianany nnnnnnnnnnnnnn used.

Tap Water

One of the most common questions we get is about what kind of water to drink. This is a tricky question because there really is no perfect water. Tap water goes through intense filtration systems and is tested for contaminants often. However, the purification methods they use do not get out some potentially dangerous substances. Certain heavy metals and chemicals like chlorine, bromine, and flouride are often still found in tap water.

Some heavy metals found in tap water can include lead, mercury, and cadmium, among others. These metals are dangerous even in small amounts, and can be even more dangerous for children due to their smaller size, and because their detoxfication pathways are often not fully formed yet. Ingestion of toxic heavy metals may contribute to the development of dementia, heart disease, autism, depression, anxiety, autoimmune issues, and some types of cancers. Eating foods or taking supplements that contain chelating herbs like chlorella may help get some heavy metals out. HM Complex and Vital Detox both contain chlorella along with some other detoxifying ingredients.

Chlorine and Bromine

Chlorine and bromine are chemicals often found in tap water, and they may be interfering with your thyroid. These chemicals are related to iodine, and when chlorine and bromine enter the body they can block the iodine receptors. When these receptors are blocked, it can interfere with the body’s ability to use iodine. An iodine deficiency can contribute to the development of thyroid issues and an increased risk for thyroid, breast, and prostate cancers. You can also be exposed to chlorine when showering and swimming in a pool. Getting a shower water filter and reducing time spent in swimming pools can help reduce your exposure to chlorine.

Fluoride is another chemical found in tap water. However, flouride is intentionally added to the water supply in an effort to help prevent tooth decay. Flouride has been linked to thyroid issues, decreases in cognitive function, and weakened bones. It can also cause fluorosis, a condition in which a person’s teeth are discolored with chalky white patches and/or brown spots. Fluorosis can occur when a person is exposed to too much flouride during the first eight years of their life. The supposed dental health benefits of flouride don’t come from ingestion, but rather from direct application to the teeth. Water flouridation is a controversial issue, and we encourage you to learn more about it.

Bottled Water

Bottled water can be a good alternative to drinking tap water because it is usually filtered using reverse osmosis. Reverse osmosis removes almost everything in the water, including metals, chemicals, and even naturally occuring minerals. This is why companies add minerals back in to replace what was removed. While bottled water has its advantages, it is commonly sold in plastic bottles which can leech harmful chemicals into the water. These plastic bottles also have a negative effect on the environment. The pH level of the water you drink is also important, and many of the common bottled water brands had a pH below seven when we tested them, which is considered acidic.

If you decide to use bottled water, we suggest that you find a brand that uses reverse osmosis to filter their water. It also important that the water has an alkaline pH, which is anything over seven. This information is usually found on the label of each bottle. Opting for water bottled in glass bottles is a better option than those bottled in plastic.

What You Can Do

So, cell phones do emit radiation, but many experts believe that this radiation is virtually harmless. However, research often takes many years to catch up to the dangers of new technology, so play it safe and keep some distance between you and your phone whenever possible. Microwaves are also believed to be safe as they only produce a small electromagnetic field, which can be avoided by simply standing away from it. Tap water is generally not good to drink, and bottled water has its pros and cons. One of the best options for better quality water is to get a reverse osmosis water filter for your house. It may feel like everything is harmful to your health these days, but there are always good alternatives. We just want to give you information so that you can make more informed choices. The goal is to be a little better each day!

You can listen to our Your Most Common Health Questions Answered podcast here. You can also listen to this podcast on our YouTube channel here.

An updated product changes list can be found here.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Your Most Common Health Questions Answered

Microphone and computer; exercising consistent health habits.
Play

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:01 — 29.3MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | TuneIn | RSS | More

Most of our patients are doing everything they can to get better, including evaluating their daily habits to see what might have a negative effect on their health goals. We wanted to address a couple of the most common ones about cell phone radiation and the safety of tap water. Cell phones and microwaves do emit radiation, and tap water can have some harmful substances in it, but cell phones are unavoidable, and you need water to live, so what can you do about it? Let’s take a closer look at these issues and some possible solutions. Listen today to get your most common health questions answered!

Common Health Questions

  • Is my cell phone killing me?
  • Can Vitamin D really save my life? Do you really need to take four times the recommended daily dose?
  • Is it okay to cleanse your body by fasting from time to time?
  • Can I trust my tap water? Does it make any difference if I buy bottled water?
  • Is my microwave giving me cancer?
  • How long am I contagious when I have the flu or cold?
  • Can I trust my tap water? Does it make any difference if I buy bottled water?

For example, tap water goes through intense filtration systems and is tested for contaminants often. However, the purification methods they use do not get out some potentially dangerous substances. Certain heavy metals and chemicals like chlorine, bromine, and flouride are often still found in tap water.

Find out the answers to these questions and all about the new products we are now carrying and what they replace.

Product Mentioned in Today’s Show:

D3 + K2 Ultra – Clinical research suggests that the combination of vitamin D3 plus K2 together help provide support for healthy cardiovascular function, bone health, and immune system function.

You can also listen to our Most Common Health Questions Answered episode on our YouTube channel here.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Bad Gut Habits

Potato chips as an example of bad gut habits.

Gut health is so important to your overall physical and emotional health. An imbalance in the gut may contribute to the development of issues like allergies, skin conditions, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and even some autoimmune diseases and certain types of cancer. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to help heal your gut and reduce inflammation, but how did the gut get inflamed in the first place? Let’s take a look at some bad habits that might be hurting your gut, and some good habits we can replace them with.

Processed Foods and Sugar

When we use the term “processed foods” we are referring to unhealthy pre-packaged foods that contain unnatural and unhealthy ingredients. Things like artificial colors, flavors and preservatives, trans fats, refined vegetable oils, high-fructose corn syrup, and MSG (monosodium glutamate – an excitotoxin) just to name a few. You can read more about artificial sweeteners and excitotoxins here. Trans fats increase LDL “bad” cholesterol and lower HDL “good” cholesterol, while vegetable oils corn and canols oils are high in inflammatory omega-6 fats. High-fructose corn syrup can increase inflammation and may contribute to insulin resistance, obesity, non-acoholic fatty liver disease, and some types of cancer. These are just a few examples of some inflammatory ingredients that can be found in processed foods. This is why it is best to choose natural whole foods, and always read ingredient labels on pre-packaged products.

Many processed foods also contain large amounts of sugar. Consuming too much sugar can increase your risk of developing a number of different health conditions. High sugar consumption has been linked diabetes and heart disease, among others. In addition to its affects on blood sugar levels, sugar can also increase inflammation in the body. It can also “feed” bad bacteria in our guts, allowing them to flourish.

Overuse of Antibiotics

Antibiotics can be a life-saving tool to fight off infections, but they can also kill off good bacteria. We have more bacteria in our bodies than cells, and these bacteria play important roles in our health, so it’s important to keep them balanced. If you frequently take antibiotics, it may be killing off too much of the good bacteria in your gut. These bacteria are still being studied, but researchers have found that some types of bacteria in our gut play important roles in synthezising neurotransmitters like serotonin. This is one reason why gut health is believed to influence emotional health. The bacteria in our guts are also a key part of our immune system. Taking a probiotic each night may help increase your good bacteria.

Good Gut Habits

We need to cut out the bad gut habits and replace them with good habits. You can start by cutting out processed foods and sugars as much as you can. Replace these foods with whole foods like fruits and vegetables, grass-fed meats, and good fats like coconut oil. Eating these foods will help give your body the nutrients it needs to work on reducing inflammation and healing any damage the inflammation may have caused. Consuming the right nutrients can also help boost immune system function.

There are also many supplements you can take to help heal your gut. These include GI Support Vanilla, SBI Support (available in powder or capsules), Saccharomyces Boulardii, and many others. Consuming organic bone broth is another great way to help heal the lining of your gut and reduce inflammation. Bone broth also contains amino acids and collagen that can help improve gut health and digestion.

Eating a diet rich in natural foods and low in processed foods and keeping your immune system healthy can help reduce inflammation which may help reduce your risk of developing many different health conditions. Getting rid of bad gut habits is a great step towards better health. When it comes to nutrition and lifestyle changes, every little bit helps. Healing takes time, but you’ll be glad you did it!

You can listen to our What Gut Type Are You? podcast here. You can also listen to this podcast on our YouTube channel here.