Category: Miscellaneous

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Common Doesn’t Mean Normal

Tired man; common doesn't mean normal.

Many people live with different problems like headaches, joint pain, bad breath, anxiety, insomnia, and digestive disorders like indigestion, gas and bloating. Regardless of how common these issues may be, they shouldn’t be accepted as normal, and they may be symptoms of more serious health conditions. Many people ignore these symptoms, but they often have a root cause that should be addressed. Let’s take a closer look at why common doesn’t mean normal and why you shouldn’t overlook these symptoms.

Common Symptoms

The majority of people deal with at least one symptom each day, and for many people it’s the same type of symptoms each day. Think about all the people you know, and how many of them have headaches, joint pain, bad breath, insomnia, anxiety, depression, heartburn, IBS, or more than one of these. These issues have become so common that people tend to brush them off and view them as a normal part of their life, but they shouldn’t be viewed that way. Many of these symptoms are the first warning signs of health issues that may come later in life, and they often have a cause that can be fixed early on before it gets worse.

Possible Causes

Sometimes these symptoms are due to a problem that’s relatively easy to fix like chronic dehydration, stress, or vitamin and mineral deficiencies. However, sometimes they are due to more complicated issues like heavy metal toxicity, mold exposure, and unknown food allergies and intolerances. Some of these possible causes are quite common, although doctors and patients often don’t consider them. For example, one survey found that an estimated 75% of Americans were chronically dehydrated. The human body uses water in all of its cells, tissues and organs, so adequate water intake is crucial to overall health. Although this is a very common issue, most people don’t know the damage it can cause, so education is key.

What You Can Do

Some of the more complicated issues would require extensive testing that’s often unreliable to identify if it’s the cause or not, so trying to fix the simple causes first is a good place to start. Headaches are commonly caused by dehydration, and if you are chronically dehydrated, which can occur if you consistenly drink less water than your body needs, then the occasional headache can turn into chronic headaches and migraines. So, drinking enough water each day, which is about 64 ounces for the average adult, is a good habit to get in to. You should also make sure you are getting enough electrolytes each day.

Another simple habit to add is taking a multivitamin each day, as this can help ensure your body is getting the nutrients it needs each day. While eating a diet that contains plenty of fruits, vegetables, good fats and meats is one of the most important things you can do for your health, it can still be difficult to get all of the necessary nutrients from food alone. Much of the soil used to grow produce is heavily depleted in minerals, meaning the plants that grow in that soil will also be lower in nutrients than they should be. This is why taking supplements is much more important than it used to be.

If you begin consuming enough water and electrolytes each day, eating a healthy diet, and taking a multivitamin, and you still don’t notice a difference in your symptoms, then you may want to consider some of the more complicated causes. However, testing for these issues can quickly get expensive and stressful, and in the case of heavy metal toxicity and mold exposure, testing is often unreliable and inaccurate, so ruling out the simple causes first is usually easier. Even though these symptoms have become more and more common, they shouldn’t be considered normal. Your health is one of the most valuable things you have, so do your best to take care of it!

If you are having any serious or unusual symptoms such as sudden headache, chest pain, stomach pain, bloody stool, etc. consult your physician or call emergency services immediately.

You can listen to our When Feeling Bad Becomes Normal podcast episode here. You can also listen to it on our YouTube channel here.

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Staying Healthy This Season

Mug by icy window; staying healthy this season.

Around this time of year we usually start seeing more sicknesses like colds and flus, so we start getting more questions about how to keep the immune system healthy and how to decrease your chances of getting sick. This may be especially important for healthcare workers, teachers and anyone else who is likely to encounter more sick people. Fortunately, there are many supplements you can take and habits you can implement to help you and your family stay healthy this season.

Washing Your Hands and Playing It Safe

One of the best things you can do to help decrease your chances of getting sick is to wash your hands often and thoroughly. It is recommended that you wash your hands before handling food, before you touch your face or eat, after being in a crowded area and when you get home, and/or after shaking hands. You should wash your hands with soap and running water, scrubbing your hands for at least twenty seconds. Be sure to clean under the nails, and the back and sides of your hands as well. You can also use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when you are not able to wash your hands. It is also advised to avoid being in close contact with people who are sick when possible, and to avoid going to work, school or public places when you are sick. Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and then throwing that tissue away is another good habit to get into.

Diet and Supplements

Supplements are not a replacement for a good diet, but they can help provide nutrients you may not be getting enough of from your diet alone. It is always important to eat a varied diet that consists of lots of organic fruits and vegetables, high-quality meats, and good fats, but it may be even more important around this time of year. Eating a variety of healthy foods can help provide the nutrients your immune system needs to function optimally. Taking supplements that contain vitamin C, certain types of mushrooms, and elderberry extract may also help support the immune system. Products like Liposomal C, Immune Essentials, and ViraPro are some great choices.

There are many ways to help keep your immune system healthy this season, and eating lots of organic fruits and veggies is a great way to do support the immune system and other bodily systems. Engaging in light exercise a few times a week may also help increase blood flow and immune system function. So, incorporate more fresh, whole foods into your diet, take a walk a few times a week, get at least seven hours of quality sleep each night, and try some of the supplements mentioned above to help keep your immune system healthy throughout this season.

You can listen to our Remedies for Cold and Flu Virus Symptoms podcast episode here. You can also listen to it on our YouTube channel here.

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What Could Be Slowing My Weight Loss?

Woman tying shoe to exercise; tips for healthy weight management.

Losing weight is one of the most common New Years resolutions people make each year, but few are able to actually lose the weight they want to lose. People often ask us what they can do to lose weight, or why they are not losing weight even though they are eating healthy food and exercising more often. There are several things that can slow weight loss including high estrogen levels, imbalanced cortisol, or a blood sugar issue. Let’s take a deeper look at what could be slowing your weight loss, and what you can do about it.

Estrogen Dominance

Some experts have claimed that hormones essentially make up who you are, and that if your hormones are imbalanced then your mood, metabolism, appetite, etc. will likely not be balanced either. One common hormonal condition is called estrogen dominance, and it can affect men and women of any age. There are several reasons as to why estrogen levels in Americans have risen over the years, but many experts believe one of the causes is the high number of endocrine disruptors (hormone disruptors) we encounter each day in our plastic products, perfumes, soaps, etc., and the decline in fruit and vegetable consumption. Constipation may also contribute to high estrogen levels because excess estrogen is metabolized by the liver and excreted through stool, but when a person does not have regular bowel movements, the stool may stay in their intestines for longer than normal, allowing the body to reabsorb the estrogen it was trying to get rid of.

Abnormally high estrogen levels can cause several different symptoms in men and women, but some of the most common include mood swings and increased fat deposits especially around the stomach, hips and thighs. High estrogen can also contribute to gynecomastia, a condition in which the breast tissue in a man begins to grow. Eating more organic vegetables and drinking plenty of water each day may help you have regular bowel movements to help balance estrogen levels. You can also take DIM 150 which helps the body metabolize estrogen into the safer forms, and may help balance the effects of high estrogen.

Imbalanced Cortisol

Cortisol is often called the stress hormone, and it is released by the adrenal glands when the body experiences any kind of stress. With the high-stress lives that a large portion of Americans lead, it is easy to have high cortisol, or burned-out adrenal glands which lead to low cortisol. Both high and low cortisol have their own negative health effects and it is to have these tested to make sure yours are balanced. Cortisol can hinder weight gain by increasing our cells’ resistance to insulin, which can cause high blood sugar and weight gain. Imbalanced cortisol can also increase sleep issues, and lead to decreased energy levels which can make exercising more difficult. There are supplements formulated for high and low cortisol, but if you have had not had your cortisol levels tested, a supplement like Pantothenic Acid Complex might help provide the nutrients your body needs to regulate cortisol levels.

Insulin Resistance

Blood sugar issues are increasingly common in America, and is largely due to our high-sugar, high-carb diets. When high amount of carbohydrates (carbohydrates are converted into glucose in the body) or sugar is consumed, blood sugar levels quickly rise. This causes the body to release insulin in an attempt to use and store the sugar, and to keep it from damaging nerves and organs. When this is done every day, the cells eventually start to respond to inulin less and less. This is called insulin resistance, where the cells essentially “ignore” the insulin being produced. So, the pancreas begins to excrete more insulin to try to bring the high sugar levels down, but this taxes the pancreas, and it too will start to get tired and struggle to produce the same amount of insulin it used to.

High insulin levels can contribute to weight gain because it makes the body store the excess sugar you consume as fat. So, if you eat a lot of sugar, then the pancreas produces more insulin which makes the body store more of that sugar as fat. Over time, this cycle of high blood sugar and increased insulin production can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes and other health conditions. Reducing the amount of sugar and processed carbohydrates you consume is arguably the best step you can take towards balancing your blood sugar levels. Being more active may also help lower blood sugar levels and help the body’s cells respond better to insulin. There are also some supplements like Gluco Support that contain nutrients that may help your body regulate blood sugar levels.

There are many things that may make it more difficult to lose weight, but don’t give up. You can run blood tests through us to see if your hormones, cortisol and insulin levels are balanced and see if any of those could be slowing your weight loss. You can also try some of the supplements mentioned above, along with a diet low in sugar and processed carbohydrates, and more time spent being active. We would love to help you reach your goals this year!

You can listen to our Burning Up Those Stubborn Calories podcast episode here. You can also listen to it on our YouTube channel here.

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Simple Health Goals for the New Year

Woman doing yoga; simple health goals for the new year.

The new year just began, and along with it many new diets were started, gym memberships bought, and goals and resolutions set, but some of these resolutions may be unrealistic and difficult to stick to. Most people find it easier to work on forming one or two healthy habits at a time, which can help you stick to them long-term. Let’s take a look at a few simple health goals for the new year that you may want to try.

Eating Clean

There are so many different diets out there, with each having their own set of rules, and pros and cons. However, you may find it easier to just try eating “clean”, which means cutting out processed foods and eating whole foods like fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish and minimally processed foods like almond butter. You can tailor a diet like this to fit your needs, you can cut out things like grains, dairy, added sugars, or you can eat all of these things but keep them in moderation and ensure they are organic and nutrient-dense. Strict diets like keto and Paleo work great for some people, but everyone is different and there is no one-size-fits-all way of eating. Always listen to your body and pay attention to how different foods make you feel, and make adjustments when necessary.

You can start by cutting out processed foods like ice cream, frozen meals, chips, pizza, candy, etc. and incorporating more organic fresh or cooked vegetables and fresh fruits, grass-fed meat, wild-caught fish, and healthy fats like organic coconut oil and olive oil. There are some quality chips and frozen meals available, with some being Paleo compliant, but reading the ingredient label on every packaged item you eat is a good habit to get into. When reading ingredient labels look for short lists and ingredients you recognize. The number of food additives the average person is exposed to each week is too long to accurately list, and the long-term health affects of many of them are still unknown, so it’s best to stick to all-natural foods and ingredients.

Exercise

Sedentary lifestyles are extremely common in most of the United States and Europe, and is believed to contribute to the development of some health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and possible some cancers. Exercise is so important to our overall health, and it can often help improve mood, cognitive function, heart health, circulation, etc. when done consistently. This does not mean you have to take a trip to the gym every day, because any bit of movement can help. For some people this may mean a walk outside or on a treadmill, riding a bicycle, lifting weights, following a home-workout video, or working out at the gym. You should aim for roughly thirty minutes of physical activity each day. If you are new to exercising, it’s a good idea to start slow and only do what you can, and slowly increase the amount of time you are active.

Stress and Sleep

Many people deal with stress on a daily basis, and this chronic stress can contribute to the development of some serious health conditions like heart disease, heart attacks, stroke, and emotional disorders like anxiety and depression. Sleep issues like insomnia and sleep apnea are also common problems that can contribute to the development of many of the same conditions that chronic stress contributes to. Stress can exacerbate sleep issues like insomnia, while sleep deprivation can make stress worse. So, this cycle of being stressed out and having trouble sleeping, then becoming more stressed due to poor-quality sleep and/or not enough sleep can really take a toll on the body.

Practicing stress-reducing techniques like meditation, yoga, a hot bath, exercise, or something else that helps you relieve stress may help reduce the negative effects stress can have on the body. Getting enough quality sleep each night is also very important, and adults should aim for at least seven hours of sleep each night. Taking a supplement like Pantothenic Acid Complex may help give your body the nutrients it needs to better deal with stress, and may help regulate sleep habits.

This could be the year you reach your goals, but making them achievable can greatly increase your chances of sticking with them. Having a few simple health goals for the new year like forming a new habit each week, replacing a processed food with a healthy food in your diet every few days, or incorporating more relaxation into your daily life can all help to add up to better health this year. Let this be the beginning of a new and healthier decade!

You can listen to our Exercising Consistent Health Habits podcast episode here. You can also listen to it on our YouTube channel here.

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Supporting Energy Levels Naturally

Girl jumping to show energy; supporting energy levels naturally.

Low energy levels and fatigue are common problems today. Many people don’t have the energy to perform necessary chores around the house, let alone enough energy to exercise each day. While some cases of fatigue may be related to a medical condition, many people have low energy levels due to something simple like not getting enough sleep each night, being stressed out, or consuming too much sugar. Let’s discuss some common causes of low energy, and how you can help support energy levels naturally.

Sleep

Getting enough sleep each night can help increase energy throughout the day, improve mood and immune health, and improve the body’s response to stress. While a person’s sleep needs vary, the minium amount of sleep you should get each night is seven hours, with eight or nine being ideal for most adults. Children and teenagers often require ten or eleven hours of sleep per night. However, the quality of your sleep is also important. If you struggle with sleep apnea or another condition that affects your sleep, you may not be getting all the benefits from a full night’s rest. You may also be struggling to sleep deeply or stay asleep due to stress and/or anxiety. Stress-reducing techniques like meditation or taking a warm bath may help.

Diet

While getting good sleep is an important part of increasing your daily energy levels, diet may be even more important. Eating a balanced diet high in fruits and vegetables typically leads to increased energy levels. This is likely due to the nutrients found in those foods, but also due to the effects sugar can have on our energy levels. Sugar and refined carbohydrates like those found in bread and pasta can give you a short boost of energy, but many people find that they experience a rapid drop in energy levels shortly after eating. This drop in energy often leaves you feeling more tired than you did before you ate.

This drop occurs because of the body’s production and release of insulin. When your body senses that there is too much sugar in your body, more than it is accustomed to, the pancreas begins to quickly produce insulin so that blood sugar can be stabilized. However, this quick drop in blood sugar from the insulin can cause energy levels to quickly decrease. This is one of the reasons it’s important to limit sugar consumption, and eat foods that help maintain a healthy blood sugar.

What Can You Do?

Not having enough energy all the time can be frustrating, so try some of these tips on supporting energy levels naturally and see if it improves. You should do your best to get a minimum of seven hours of high-quality sleep each night. You should also consider making some dietary changes like consuming less sugar and refined carbohydrates, and including more organic fruits and vegetables in each meal. There are also some supplements that may help increase energy levels like Immune Essentials which contains mushrooms that not only help support immune health, but also help support cognitive function and healthy energy levels. Pantothenic Acid Complex is another great option that helps improve the body’s ability to handle stress which may help improve sleep quality and energy levels. We always recommend that you talk to your doctor if you are experiencing unexplained fatigue or any other symptom that you are concerned about to make sure it’s not a serious health condition. We want you to feel your best, and have the energy to get through the busy holiday season!

You can listen to our Enjoy Extra Energy Naturally podcast episode on our website here. You can also listen to it on our YouTube channel here.

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Causes and Solutions for Insomnia

Person holding alarm clock; insomnia causes and solutions.

Trouble sleeping is a problem most people have had at some point in their life, but when it is frequent and begins to affect your day-to-day life, you may have a type of insomnia. Insomnia is a common problem, and it can come in the form of chronic, acute, middle, late, initial onset, and comorbid insomnia, with each referring to different types of sleeping issues. Insomnia tends to be more common in people who have depression and/or anxiety, and it can have several different causes. Let’s take a look at some of the causes of insomnia and what you can do about it.

Causes

As is the case with most health problems, insomnia can have many possible causes, which can make it more difficult to find the solution for each person. Insomnia can come in many forms and may be due to certain medications, drug and alchol usage, restless leg syndrome, chronic pain, sleep apnea, stress, anxiety, and/or poor sleep habits. When these issues are addressed and improved, it usually becomes easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. It is important to try to determine the cause of insomnia because it may make it easier to find a solution that works for you.

Solutions

Having insomnia can make sleep a stressful thing which may worsen the problem. Practicing stress-reducing techniques like yoga or taking a hot bath, and getting into a daily bedtime routine may help you fall asleep each night. Avoiding screens at least one hour before bed is recommended because the blue light emitted from phone screens, televisions and tablets can negatively affect your sleep. You should also try to avoid caffeine for about seven hours before bedtime. If your insomnia is caused by restless legs you can try a mineral supplement like Active Multiminerals may help reduce muscle spasms and cramps. If you need something to help you relax before bed, EZ Relax may work for you. It contains L-theanine, GABA, ashwagandha extract, valerian extract and passionflower extract to help promote relaxation.

It is important to get enough sleep each night as chronic sleep deprivation can contribute to the development of many different health conditions, and can affect your emotional health and energy levels. Do your best to form good sleeping habits and work on reducing stress so you can feel your best each day.

You can listen to our Counting Sheep, Need Some Sleep? podcast episode here. You can also listen on our YouTube channel here.

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Differences Between Allergies, a Cold, and the Flu

Woman sneezing; allergies, a cold, or the flu.

With the seasons changing, allergies and sicknesses are becoming more common, but it can be difficult to tell if you’re sick, or if it’s just allergies. While some of the symptoms overlap, there are a few differences that may help you know what you have. We also get lots of questions this time of year about what people can do for natural allergy relief and immune support. So, let’s discuss some of the differences between allergies, a cold, and the flu, and some supplements that might help.

Allergies

Many people have seasonal allergies, usually triggered by pollen or mold. These allergies range in severity from person to person, and may be better or worse some days. Allergies can last from a few days, to a few months, with some people suffering with them year-round. Symptoms of allergies can include sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes or throat, sinus congestion, and sometimes chest congestion. Hista-Plex may help alleviate some of the mild allergy symptoms like runny nose and itchy eyes.

While mild allergies are typically more common, severe allergies and allergic reactions can lead to serious symptoms including hives, difficulty breathing, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, and anaphylaxis. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

A Cold

Colds also become increasingly common this time of year, and they can be very similar to allergies. A cold can cause symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, chest and sinus congestion, and cough. Symptoms of a cold usually appear gradually, and many of these can also be symptoms of allergies, but may not last as long. Resting, drinking plenty of water, and eating lots of organic fruits and vegetables can help provide the nutrients your body needs to fight off a cold. If your symptoms persist and/or worsen, contact your doctor.

The Flu

This time of year, our patients start asking us what they can do to help prevent the flu. The flu is usually easier to identify than allergies and colds, as the symptoms generally appear suddenly and are more serious. If you contract the flu you may experience fever, joint and muscle aches, chills, fatigue, weakness, and headaches. While there are no foolproof ways to prevent the flu, you can potentially lower your risk. Anything that boosts the health of your immune system may help reduce your risk of contracting illnesses like the flu. Eating a variety of organic fruits and vegetables, staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, and reducing stress may help keep your immune system healthy. Taking supplements like Liposomal C, Active Zinc, and Immune Essentials may also help your immune system fight off certain illnesses.

Eating plenty of organic fruits and vegetables can help provide the nutrients and antioxidants your body needs to fight off infections and keep your immune system healthy. Supplements can help provide vitamins and minerals you may not be getting enough of, and they can also provide immune-boosting herbs like mushrooms you may not get through food. Immune Essentials is one of our newer products and is a powerful formulation of several different mushrooms and green tea extract to help support immune system health. Remember to wash your hands frequently!

You can listen to our Differences Between Allergies, a Cold, and the Flu podcast episode here. You can also listen to it on our YouTube channel here.

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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.

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Brain Fog, Anxiety and Memory

Brain fog, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and poor memory are all common problems today. Almost everyone is dealing with at least one of these issues, and many deal with more than one, but why are they so common? You may be surprised to know that most of these issues don’t originate in our minds, but are often due to stress, sleep deprivation, a sluggish liver, and inflammation. These issues often clear up when their root causes are addressed, so let’s dive into the causes and some potential natural remedies.

Causes

Brain fog, anxiety, depression, fatigue, poor memory, difficulty concentrating, and several other similar issues are usually traced back to the same few root problems. Not getting enough sleep is one of the most common causes, as sleep deprivation can lead to a number of short-term and long-term effects. (We have an article that discusses the effects of sleep deprivation more in-depth here.) Not getting enough sleep can cause brain fog, fatigue, impaired cognitive function including poor memory and difficulty concentrating, irritability, and anxiety. These problems often get worse as the sleep deprivation continues.

Stress is also a possible cause of these issues, likely due to elevated cortisol levels. Cortisol is also known as the “stress hormone” and is responsible for the fight-or-flight response. When cortisol levels are too high they can caues anxiety, irritability, difficulty concentrating, depression, and can lead to adrenal fatigue. Adrenal fatigue refers to a condition in which cortisol levels were elevated for a long period of time, and the adrenal glands “burned-out” and cortisol bottomed out. This can lead to fatigue, depression, anxiety, brain fog, muscle weakness, and other issues. You can check your cortisol levels by getting blood work done, and see if your levels are where they should be.

Another common cause of brain fog and other issues is inflammation. Inflammation is a very common problem today, with many experts beginning to believe that inflammation is at the root of almost every chronic disorder. However, not all inflammation is bad, inflammation also occurs when their is a wound or infection that needs to be healed. The body could not properly heal itself without an immune response (inflammation), but chronic inflammation can be dangerous. Chronic, uncontrolled inflammation wreaks havoc on our bodies and affects all of our organs, our mood, and our cognitive function. There are many things that can contribute to inflammation, with our toxic burden and nutritional deficiencies likely being the biggest contributors. Toxic burden refers to the amount of toxins our bodies deal with on a daily basis, and everyone’s “burden” is different.

Things that can contribute to a toxic burden include air and water pollution, pesticides, plastic usage (more on that here), a diet high in inflammatory foods like processed foods and factory-farmed meat and dairy, chemical exposure from working in chemical plants, welding, etc., and soap and beauty products that contain chemicals. Many people also have nutritional deficiencies, which can make it difficult for your body to get toxins out and fight inflammation. Add chronic stress and sleep deprivation to this, and you’ve got a recipe for brain fog, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and many other issues.

Solutions

Fortunately, there are several things you can do to help reduce brain fog, anxiety, depression, etc., but the root causes must be dealt with. The problems will not fully go away until the cause is addressed, so let’s look at what we can do. First, we always recommend that you get blood work done, because it can reveal problems that need to be fixed, many of which have no symptoms. With blood work you can check your cortisol levels, liver enzymes, iron levels, homocysteine, C-Reactive Protein, potassium and calcium levels, vitamin D, and much more. This can make it much easier to know what supplements you do and don’t need.

Whether you get blood work done or not, everyone has inflammation that needs to be dealt with. We encounter toxins every day, so reducing your exposure as much as possible, and giving your body the right nutrients to help it detoxify is critical to our health. You should start by switching to natural products whenever possible. Just take a look at the ingredient label of your deoderant or shampoo and notice how many chemicals are in it, one or more of which is likely an endocrine (hormone) disruptor, carcinogen, or suspected carcinogen. Generally if you can’t pronounce it or you don’t recognize it, you shouldn’t consume it or put it on your skin. Try switching to natural deoderant, shampoo and conditioner, shaving cream/soap, makeup, household cleaners, laundry detergent, and lotion. There are many companies that have begun producing natural alternatives that don’t contain carcinogens and endocrine disruptors.

Getting enough sleep is another important step towards reducing brain fog and anxiety, and improving memory. Adequate sleep is crucial to our health, but many people struggle with insomnia and other sleep disorders. Blood work can help to identify the root cause of your insomnia, but it may be as simple as reducing stress. Stress and adrenal fatigue can keep you from falling asleep, so practicing stress-reducing techniques and taking a supplement to balance cortisol levels may help reduce insomnia. You can also try a natural sleep-aid like Kavinace.

Giving your liver some help is another great thing to do to combat the issues we’ve been discussing. The liver is responsible for over 300 different functions, so a sluggish liver can have a huge impact on your health and how you feel. Eating a diet high in organic (pesticides burden the liver and add to the toxic burden) fruits and vegetables and grass-fed meat helps provide the nutrients your liver needs to function optimally. Also, milk thistle, turmeric, artichoke leaf, dandelion root, taurine, choline, vitamin B12, etc. are all good for helping the liver detoxify and function more efficiently. We’ll discuss some specific supplements you can take below.

Supplements

Best-Rest Formula – Contains melatonin, GABA, l-theanine, chamomile extract, and several other ingredients that may help promote relaxation and sleep.

Adrenal Response Complete Care – Contains vitamin C, ashwagandha, holy basil leaf extract, and several other ingredients that may help combat adrenal fatigue and stress.

Daily Stress Formula – Contains vitamin B12, l-tyrosine, bacopa monnieri extract, chamomile extract, and many other ingredients that may help you relax and deal with daily stress.

Traumeric – Contains turmeric extract, bromelain, quercetin, and a few other ingredients that may help combat inflammation. Traumeric may also work well for joint pain.

Core Support – Powder that contains magnesium, rice protein, taurine, l-glutamine, green tea leaf extract, and many other ingredients that may help heal the gut and help the liver detoxify. May also help increase energy and alertness. Available in French Vanilla and Chocolate.

Membrin – Contains gingko biloba leaf extract, vinpocetine, and huperzine alkaloids which may help improve blood flow to the brain, and improve cognitive function and memory.

Brain fog, anxiety, depression, poor memory, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, and other issues can be difficult to deal with, and they can have a big impact on your quality of life. We want to help you get better! Look into getting blood work done, add in lots of good fats, grass-fed meats, and organic fruits and vegetables to your diet, reduce your toxic burden by switching to natural products whenever possible, and try taking some of the supplements listed above. It’s often the little decisions and changes you make every day that make the biggest difference.

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