As leaky gut, food allergies, and gastrointestinal disorders become more common, it is more important than ever to be mindful of your gut health. Having a healthy gut is more difficult than it used to be due to the large number of environmental toxins, food additives, and stress we face every day. Much of your overall health is dependent on the health of your gut, and having good digestion is a key part of a healthy gut. Good digestion is crucial for nutrient absorption, bowel regularity, immune system function, and much more. In this week’s episode we discuss some common digestive issues, their causes, and what you can do to help improve your digestion.
Possible Signs of Poor Digestion:
Gas
Bloating
Constipation
Diarrhea
Feeling Tired After Eating
Heartburn
Indigestion
Nutritional Deficiencies
Products Mentioned in Today’s Show
Probio Ease – This shelf-stable, 50 billion CFU formulation contains a blend of 7 select probiotic species with Sunfiber®, a low-FODMAP certified prebiotic. This formulation provides comprehensive microbiome, immune, and healthy inflammation support in one convenient capsule.†
Betaine & Pepsin – Betaine & Pepsin provides hydrochloric acid to help maintain gastric pH and supports overall nutrient absorption. Symptoms of indigestion are often mistaken for excessive gastric acid. This leads many to take acid blockers in attempt to lower stomach acid, when the true culprit is likely to be insufficient levels of HCl.
You can also listen to our Better Health Through Digestion episode on our YouTube channel here.
Dr. Lewis recently had the opportunity again to be a guest on The Survival Podcast with Jack Spirko. This is one of Dr. Lewis’ favorite podcasts to speak on, and we would love for you to listen to it! They discussed the importance of nutrition tailored to each person’s different needs, the keto diet, and what different supplements can do. Dr. Lewis also talked about what made him interested in natural health, and how his life has been shaped by the drive to learn more and be healthier.
Nutrition and Supplements
The food grown today is not as high in vitamins and minerals as it was twenty years ago. Supplements cannot offset a poor diet, but they are a great way to get in nutrients that are difficult to get enough of through diet alone. There is nothing that can completely offset the effects of a poor diet, which is why we recommend adopting a Keto or Paleo diet. However, you can still have vitamin and mineral deficiencies while following a clean diet. You may also have poor detoxification, impaired thyroid function, elevated liver enzymes, or another health problem you can only see on blood tests. This is why we run blood work on our patients to see what supplement regimen would work best for each person, because everyone’s nutritional needs are different.
In this podcast episode, Supplements for Healthy Living with Jack Spirko, Dr. Lewis discussed some specific supplements and how they work including BP Support, Acetyl L-Carnitine, Digestive Essentials, Nattokinase, Omega Supreme, D3 + K2 Ultra. He explained why it is better to take vitamin D and vitamin K together, why not all fish oil is the same and why some fish oil should be avoided, and much more.
Is Saturated Fat Bad?
Many people have heard that saturated fat is bad for you, with some saying it’s the worst kind of fat, but this is not true. This persistent myth has made many people afraid to try high-fat diets like Keto, and has caused many to consume too little fat which comes with its own set of risks. There have been many studies conducted on the connection between heart disease and saturated fat intake, and they have actually found that good saturated fat – like the kind that comes from coconut oil and olive oil – may even protect the heart in some ways.
Good fats also benefit hormone levels because fat is needed to synthezise hormones. However, there are still bad fats, things like trans fat and vegetable oils should not be consumed. Dietary fat should come from wild-caught fish, avocadoes, olive oil, coconut oil, and nuts and seeds. Red meat should be grass-fed and consumed in moderation, and farmed and imported seafood should be avoided.
Having a clean diet is crucial to overall health, and taking supplements cannot offset a poor diet. You should focus on eating organic fruits and vegetables, grass-fed and pasture-raised meats, healthy fats like those found in coconut oil and olive oil, and doing light to moderate exercise at least three times a week. Beginning a supplement regimen tailored to your specific needs is a great way to ensure you’re getting the nutrition you may not be getting from your diet. All the different diet and health recommendations can get confusing, but a good way to sift through it all is to stay as natural as possible with your diet and lifestyle.
Visit Jack’s website here to listen to his other podcasts and read all the great information he has. He covers a wide variety of subjects on his podcast, and includes many resources and products he recommends.
You can also listen to Supplements for Healthy Living with Jack Spirko on our YouTube channel here.
People often postpone taking care of their health until a serious condition arises or symptoms begin to affect their day-to-day lives. Sometimes it is too late for the body to heal completely, or it may take much more work than if the individual had begun taking care of their health earlier in life. However, some people don’t understand how important health is, and even more people don’t know what to do to improve it. Timing is everything for your health, and taking care of yourself earlier may help prevent or lessen problems in the future.
There are some things you can do now to improve your health, for example:
Exercise Regularly
Begin a Supplement Regimen
Get Regular Blood Work
Check for Food Sensitivities and Remove Any From Diet
Get Adequate Sleep Each Night
Practice Stress-Relieving Techniques
Adopt an All-Natural, Clean Diet
Reduce Exposure to Environmental Toxins
Products Mentioned in Today’s Show
Omega Supreme – Omega Supreme is a convenient daily omega-3 fatty acid supplement offering 1,000 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the natural, triglyceride form per soft gel.
Active Mag – Active Mag is a blend of four bioavailable forms of magnesium, designed to provide optimal absorption and utilization of magnesium.
You can also listen to our Timing is Everything for Health episode on our YouTube channel here.
Obesity is on the rise, and many health conditions are on the rise with it. This excess weight takes a toll on every part of the body, increasing the risk of developing many different conditions. Obesity is incredibly common, with estimates placing the obesity rate in the U.S. at over 38% of the population aged 20 and over. This means that almost half of the adult population in the U.S. is obese, and this number doesn’t include people who are just overweight and not yet obese. This is why obesity is someimes referred to as the national plague.
Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of developing conditions including:
Heart Disease
Diabetes
Dementia
Cancer
Autoimmune Conditions
Depression
Anxiety
Gout
Maintaining a healthy weight is a crucial part of good overall health. You should be eating a balanced diet of organic fruits and vegetables, good fats, and high-quality meats and fish. You can track your daily calorie intake for a few days to see if you are eating too little or too much food, then make any necessary adjustments. Your calorie requirements will depend on your height, weight, and muscle to fat ratio. However, some people still struggle to lose weight even when eating the right foods in the right amounts, and this could be due to a thyroid issue, hormonal imbalance, or other health conditions. You should be checking your thyroid and hormone levels regularly to make sure they are where they should be.
Products Mentioned in Today’s Show
Probio Lean – Contains a blend of 7 select probiotic species in a cellulose base. Designed to increase intestinal diversity and support healthy metabolism and weight management, each capsule provides 25 billion CFU.†
Gluco Support – Supplies a powerful mix of nutrients and botanicals that efficiently help support normal glucose metabolism, structure and function of basement membranes such as nerve tissue, and insulin sensitivity.†
You can also listen to our Obesity the National Plague episode on our YouTube channel here.
Heartburn and indigestion are common problems that can make eating difficult. There are several things that could potentially cause these problems, and the solution may depend on the cause. Poor gut health is believed to be one of the root causes of many common health issues, and repairing the gut may be key to heartburn and indigestion relief. In today’s episode – Heartburn, Indigestion and Misery On Me – we’ll discuss some common causes, and what you can do about it.
Common Causes of Heartburn:
Laying Down After Eating
Low Stomach Acid
Obesity
Overuse of Ibuprofen
Hiatal Hernia
Smoking
Heartburn and indigestion can be difficult to get over, and each person is different. If you have low stomach acid, then supplementing with betaine may help. Quitting smoking and maintaining a healthy weight may also help, as well as provide other health benefits. Avoiding large meals, especially at night, and not laying down after eating may also help reduce heartburn and indigestion. A healthy gut is necessary for overall good health, so do your best to keep your gut happy and healthy.
Products Mentioned in Today’s Show
GI Support Vanilla – GI Support includes a high-dose of L-glutamine (4 g), which serves as nutrition for the gut lining. It provides 400 mg of deglycyrrhized licorice root extract (DGL) and 75 mg of aloe vera extract, both of which protect and promote the health of the gut mucosa. N-acetyl glucosamine and zinc may help boost GI integrity.
Acetyl L-Carnitine – The acetyl group can serve as a metabolic source of acetylcholine, a brain neurotransmitter, while the L-carnitine component carries fatty acids into mitochondria of nerve, heart, and muscle cells for use in energy production.† Other actions benefit membrane stability, production of nerve growth factor, and cerebral blood flow.†
You can also listen to our Heartburn, Indigestion and Misery On Me episode on our YouTube channel here.
With the seasons changing, more people are having trouble with allergies and sicknesses. We get questions this time of year about what people can do for natural allergy relief and seasonal defense against colds and the flu, especially from teachers and hospital staff who are more likely to catch something. Let’s discuss the differences between allergies, colds, and the flu, and some supplements that may help provide some relief and help keep your immune system healthy.
Allergies may cause symptoms like:
Runny Nose
Sneezing
Itchy Throat or Eyes
Sinus Congestion
A cold may cause a gradual onset of symptoms including:
Sneezing
Sinus Congestion
Runny Nose
Occasional Chest Congestion
The flu typically causes a sudden onset of symptoms like:
Fever
Chills
Headache
Fatigue
Muscle Weakness
Body Aches
Eating plenty of organic fruits and vegetables can help provide the nutrients and antioxidants your body needs to fight off infections. However, it is difficult to get all the nutrients you need from food alone due to our soil being depleted over the years. There are also many herbs that can help keep the immune system healthy that would be difficult to eat, so taking supplements is a great way to get in vitamins, herbs and minerals you may not get through other sources.
Products Mentioned in Today’s Show
Hista-Plex – This formula includes optimal support for nasal and sinus passageways for individuals with seasonal allergies.
Immune Essentials – Immune Essentials supports immune health with a blend of highly researched and effectively concentrated mushroom extracts combined with the polyphenol nutrient support of green tea.†
You can also listen to Allergy Relief and Seasonal Defense on our YouTube channel here.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
