Tag: Alternative Medicine

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All About Probiotics

Yogurt; all about probiotics.

Probiotics are an important part of a supplement regimen and a healthy lifestyle, but just how important are they? They have shown potential in easing the symptoms of conditions like IBS, acid reflux, constipation, and even anxiety and depression. Taking a daily probiotic is one of the best things you can do to help promote a healthy gut, and a healthier gut means a healthier immune system. Let’s learn all about probiotics and take a look at why these bacteria are so important for our health.

Good and Bad Bacteria

Our gut contains an estimated 100 trillion bacteria, which is more than the number of human cells in your body. There are “good” and “bad” bacteria, and different strains have different uses. However, our gut flora (bacteria) can get out of balance, which can contribute to a number of different health conditions like allergies, IBS and other stomach issues, heart disease, depression, anxiety, and potentially obesity and certain cancers. One of the types of “bad” bacteria in our guts that most people are familiar with is candida. Candida is present in everyone in some amount, but the problem begins when it multiplies too much. This usually happens due to a poor diet high in sugar and processed food, which essentially “feeds” the candida, and/or taking antibiotics, especially for an extended period of time, which can decrease the good bacteria in your gut that would normally keep the bad bacteria under control, allowing candida to flourish. This is one reason why probiotics are so important because increasing the number of good bacteria in your gut is crucial to reducing candida and other bacteria that may have gotten out of hand, and for maintaining a good balance.

Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters are essentially chemical messegers that send signals throughout the brain and other parts of the body. The science behind neurotransmitters is fairly complicated, so we won’t get into the details of it all, but there are a few neurotransmittes you’re likely familiar with. Serotonin, dopamine, and histamine are a few of the many neurotransmitters in our bodies. Much of these and other neurotransmitters are synthesized in the gut, and research is beginning to show that our gut flora may affect how much of these neurotransmitters are produced. Research suggests that probiotics may have the potential to help decrease the symptoms of depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other mental health conditions, likely through balancing the gut bacteria which may lead to more balanced neurotransmitters. Many antidepressants are SSRI’s, or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, and they work by blocking the reabsorption of serotonin into the brain, meaning there is more serotonin available for use. However, if probiotics are able to increase the production of serotonin in the gut by balancing the gut bacteria, they may prove to be a useful option in treating certain mental health conditions, but more research is needed to prove this.

Immune System

Our gut flora also plays a large role in the health of our immune system. It is estimated that seventy percent or more of our immune system can be found in our gut because the bacteria in our gut plays a large role in the development of white blood cells and antibodies. So, having an imbalance in the gut flora may affect immune system function, potentially increasing your risk of certain infections. There is so much research being conducted now on different strains of bacteria and what roles they play in the development of certain diseases, and researchers have found that a person’s gut flora can actually change in response to certain infections and diseases, and that certain strains of bacteria may contribute to the development of some serious medical conditions like colon cancer.

Probiotic Options

There are many different probiotics with different strains of bacteria and different amounts, but here are a few we really like:

  • Target gb-X – Probiotic supplement specifically designed to support positive mood by influencing the gut-brain axis through the microbiome. It is powered by Ecologic BARRIER, a 5B CFU blend of 9 probiotic strains, that has been clinically shown to decrease overall cognitive reactivity to sad mood, rumination, negative thoughts, and aggressive thoughts.1
  • 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.†
  • 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.†

Generally the best time to take most probiotics is at bedtime before you sleep so that there isn’t food interfering with the probiotic’s activity.

The bacteria in our gut is being researched now more than ever, and it has been shown to play a role in the development or prevention of many different health conditions. We stress the importance of gut health because it plays such a big role in overall health and wellness. Taking a high-quality probiotic, and eating a variety of organic fruits and vegetables, grass-fed meats, wild-caught fish, and good fats can go a long way in helping to feed the good bacteria in your gut and reduce the bad.

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Cleaning Up A Toxic Liver

Herbs and limes; cleaning up a toxic liver.

Our bodies have to deal with a near constant influx of toxins including pesticides, chemicals, pollutants in our air and water, chemicals in our food, heavy metals, mold, and much more. The liver has many important jobs, and one of them is filtering through these toxins each day, but due to the staggering amount of chemicals the average person encounters each day (which can range from hundreds to thousands of different chemicals), the liver often ends up overworked and dysfunctional. The liver is such an important organ that is necessary for many vital functions in the body, so it’s important to keep it as healthy as we can. Let’s discuss what the liver does, and some things we can do to help clean up a toxic liver.

Jobs of the Liver

The liver is responsible for over 500 tasks like producing bile, filtering blood, producing cholesterol, storing glucose, and many others. Keeping your liver healthy is crucial to overall health, and sluggish livers are a common problem today. We encounter many different chemicals every day in our air, water, food, medications, beauty products, plastics, etc. Our bodies are constantly working to filter through these chemicals to minimize the harm done, but our livers and other organs can’t always keep up. Many people also do not eat correctly and lack vitamins and minerals essential for proper liver function, add this to the toxic load we’re carrying, and it’s a wonder our livers are functioning at all.

Glutathione

Glutathione is an antioxidant that the body is supposed to produce in cells, but production may not be optimal due to genetic mutations and/or environmental factors. We also produce less glutathione as we age, so supplementation is often recommended, especially for older individuals. Glutathione has many functions and benefits, including potentially reducing damage in liver cells, supporting a healthy nervous system, and improving insulin resistance and fat-burning especially in older people. One of the main benefits of glutathione is that it can help reduce oxidative stress, which greatly influences aging, certain chronic conditions, and autoimmune conditions. In autoimmune conditions, the mitochondria of the cells are often damages, and gluathione may help protect the mitochondria from further damage. Supplementing with glutathione may help aid in cleaning up a toxic liver, as well as many other potential benefits.

Symptoms of a Sluggish Liver

When the liver is not working quite as well as it should be, it is often referred to as sluggish. This doesn’t mean it is diseased, just that it is not functioning at the level it should be. Some of the symptoms of a sluggish liver may include:

  • Dark circles under the eyes
  • Waking up at 2am-3am for no apparent reason
  • Fatigue
  • Acne and/or rashes
  • Moodiness
  • Headaches
  • Brain fog

This is not an exhaustive list as symptoms can manifest differently in each person, but it is good to be aware of these common ones.

What Can You Do?

The good news is that we can do a lot to promote healthy liver function, but consistency is important. Reducing your exposure to toxins as much as possible is a great first step. Try to avoid synthetic household cleaning products, aerosol products like hairspray and air freshener, and opt for natural products whenever possible. You can also supplement with vitamins, minerals, and herbs that can help promote healthy liver function. Liver Support & Detox and Vital Detox are great products for liver health, and can aid in both phase 1 and phase 2 liver detoxification. Limiting alcohol intake is also important because excessive drinking can cause liver damage and may contribute to some forms of liver disease.

Cleaning up a toxic liver means you should focus on eating a varied diet of fruits, vegetables, high-quality meats, and healthy fats like coconut oil and avocados. You should also make sure the food you eat is organic because pesticides are a major source of toxins, and make sure you are drinking clean, filtered water to avoid the chemicals, heavy metals and other harmful substances found in tap water. Exercising regularly may also help improve liver function, and limiting alcohol intake may decrease your risk for certain forms of liver disease. Your liver is a very important organ and it has a lot of responsibilities, so take good care of it!

You can listen to our Happy Liver Makes a Happy Life podcast episode here. You can also listen on our YouTube channel here.

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Common Signs of Adrenal Insufficiency

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Poor adrenal function is something we discuss frequently because it can have a big impact on overall health and well-being, and it is also one of the most common undiagnosed medical issues. Poor adrenal function can be hard to diagnose because it shares symptoms with many other medical conditions, but it is important to know the symptoms. In this article we’ll discuss some of the common signs of adrenal insufficiency, things like:

  • Chronic Fatigue
  • Muscle Weakness
  • Changes in Appetite
  • Weight Loss
  • Digestive Issues
  • Low Blood Pressure
  • Dizziness or Fainting
  • Mood Changes
  • Irritability
  • Depression
  • Headaches
  • Cravings for Salty Foods
  • Low Blood Sugar
  • Trouble Sleeping, which leads to always feeling tired
  • Sweating and night-sweating
  • Missed Menstrual or Irregular Periods
  • Low Libido

There are some things you can do to help ensure your adrenals have the right nutrients to help them function correctly. This includes getting at least eight hours of sleep per night, drinking plenty of filtered water each day, and eating a diet high in organic fruits and vegetables. You should also avoid processed food and excessive amounts of sugar, and try supplementing with herbs and vitamins that may help regulate adrenal function.

Product Mentioned in Today’s Show:

Adrenal Response Complete Care – Sensoril® is a patented stress management extract that may help to nutritionally support metabolic processes associated with stress, restlessness and fatigue.

Lab Mentioned in Today’s Show:

Comprehensive Panel – Comprehensive Panel w Consult panel contains 13 tests with 102 biomarkers.

You can also listen to our Common Signs of Adrenal Insufficiency episode on our YouTube channel here.

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Are You a Pre-Diabetic?

Microphone and computer; exercising consistent health habits.

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The Standard American Diet (SAD) typically consists of foods high in sugar, calories, carbohydrates, and bad fats, and low in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and protein. This diet has been linked to the development of many different health issues like diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune diseases, and certain cancers. A diet high in sugar is especially harmful to someone with a family history of diabetes as they are usually at a higher risk of developing diabetes. With how common blood sugar issues are, you may be wondering if you are a pre-diabetic. In this episode we’ll discuss some common symptoms of blood sugar issues, and what you may be able to do help balance them.

Symptoms of Hypoglycemia:

  • Intense Hunger
  • Anxiety
  • Sweating, Including Night Sweats
  • Feeling Dizzy or Lightheaded
  • Becoming Fatigued
  • Trouble Sleeping
  • Feeling Irritable
  • Paleness in the Face
  • Headaches
  • Muscle Weakness
  • Brain Fog

One of the best things you can do to decrease your risk of developing diabetes (and for increased health overall) is to cut out processed and sugary foods, and replace them with whole foods like nuts and seeds, grass-fed meats, fruits and vegetables, and good fats like coconut and olive oil. You should also be as active as you can which can mean going to the gym, doing a workout or yoga routine at home, or going for a walk a few times a week. Eating a healthy, balanced diet and exercising regularly may also help you maintain a healthy weight which may further decrease your risk of developing diabetes and other health conditions.

Product Mentioned on Today’s Show:

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.†

Lab Mentioned in Today’s Show:

Comprehensive Panel – Comprehensive Panel w Consult panel contains 13 tests with 102 biomarkers.

You can also listen to our Are You A Pre-Diabetic? episode on our YouTube channel here.

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The Aging Effects of Stress

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Stress is affecting your quality of life by:

  • It is messing with your brain
  • Increases risk of heart attack, heart disease and stroke
  • Stress dials down your immune system
  • Chronic stress contributes to aging
  • Contributing to weight gain and digestive disorders
  • Chronic stress affects your mood and relationships
  • Stress increases pain
  • Stress affects sexuality and reproductive functions
  • Chronic stress affects your skin, hair and teeth
  • Stress contributes to addiction

Product mentioned in today’s show:

Core Support – Core Support helps maintain Phase II detoxification by providing protein, fiber and nutrients to promote normal detoxification function.

Lab Mentioned in Today’s Show:

Comprehensive Panel – Comprehensive Panel w Consult panel contains 13 tests with 102 biomarkers.

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Probiotics – The Next Big Thing!

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5 Benefits of a Probiotic Supplement:

  • Improves Mental Health
  • Supports Digestion
  • Boosts Immune Function
  • Promote Weight Loss
  • Enhances Skin Health

How do you choose the right probiotic?

  • Brand Quality
  • High CFU count
  • Survivability and strain diversity
  • Prebiotics and supplementary ingredients
  • Stability and organism types
  • Sugar
  • Living vs. dead

Probiotics mentioned in todays show:

Probiotic 225 – is a maximum-strength probiotic for cases of acute gastrointestinal (GI) and immune challenges. Going beyond the threshold of traditional probiotic support, high dose probiotics influence gut health and immunity in ways lower-dose probiotics cannot. Shown to activate over 1,700 genes involved in immune and inflammatory signaling, high-dose probiotics support a healthy, balanced immune response. Delivering 225 billion active probiotic cultures per packet, Probiotic 225 creates a rapid response to reset the immune system and maintain normal inflammatory balance.

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Adrenal Fatigue or Holiday Blues?

We’ve talked about adrenal fatigue before, but it’s worth discussing again. Adrenal fatigue is very common, but most sufferers don’t realize they have it, and considering how much it can affect your quality of life, it’s something you should know about. However, with the holidays comes a lot of stress, and for some people it can be a depressing time of year, making it difficult to know whether it’s adrenal fatigue or just holiday blues.

Adrenal Fatigue

Adrenal fatigue occurs when a person has low cortisol levels due to being overly stressed for a long period of time. This condition is very common, and it’s believed that almost everyone will experience it at some point in their lives, but most people don’t recognize the symptoms. We lead high-stress lives nowadays due to work, school, kids, social media, holidays, family or marital issues, or a variety of other potentially stressful things. Though most of these things are out of our control, we can control our reaction to them and our nutritional intake. Nutrition can make a big difference in our ability to deal with stress both physically and mentally. Having vitamin or mineral deficiencies makes your body and mind more susceptible to stress, and most people are suffering from at least one nutritional deficiency.

Symptoms

Adrenal fatigue usually occurs when a person is under a lot of stress, which eventually causes the adrenal glands to stop producing cortisol the way they should. These symptoms could be due to a different condition, but adrenal fatigue can cause:

  • Brain Fog
  • Fatigue
  • Weight Gain
  • Body Aches
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Mood Swings
  • Hair Loss
  • Trouble Sleeping

Holiday Blues

Anxiety and depression are more common during the winter months for different reasons, there’s even a mood disorder called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) that causes people to feel depressed during the fall and/or winter seasons. Seasons affect our moods for different reasons including less sunlight (which means less vitamin D), stressful holidays, social gatherings, etc. Sometimes it can be hard to distinguish between adrenal fatigue or holiday stress, but taking certain supplements can help you deal with stress regardless of what’s causing it.

How to Fix It

Our Comprehensive, Comprehensive Plus Hormones, and Super Panel blood tests include a cortisol test which can tell us if your cortisol is too low or too high. For low cortisol you can take Adren-All which contains bovine adrenal glands, vitmins A, C, E, B6 and B12, licorice root extract, and a few other ingredients that promote healthy cortisol levels. For high cortisol levels you can take AdreneVive which contains ashwagandha root extract, l-theanine, skullcap root extract, and a few other ingredients that can help lower and re-balance cortisol levels. Supplementing with a high-quality multivitamin like Alpha Base Without Iron, and a mineral supplement like Reacted Multimin can help fill in any vitamin or mineral deficiencies which will help your body deal with stress. Anxiety and depression tend to become more common during the winter months, and CereVive is a great choice to help lessen the symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression.

Work on eating a balanced organic diet, try out some supplements, practice stress-reducing techniques, set aside time for a relaxing bath or something else that relaxes you, and focus on the positive. It’s difficult to heal adrenal fatigue without reducing the stress that caused it. Remember to enjoy the holidays, and not let them stress you out!

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Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic Syndrome is the name given to a group of risk factors that greatly increase your chances of experiencing diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. These risk factors include high blood sugar, high triglycerides, low HDL (“good”) cholesterol, excess body fat – especially abdominal fat – and high blood pressure. These are common issues, but having Metabolic Syndrome means you have at least three of these risk factors. Each one of these risk factors alone can increase your heart disease, diabetes and stroke risk, but having more than one is especially dangerous.

Can You Fix It?

Considering how common these problems are, many people are wondering – can you fix it? The simple answer is yes, but it takes work, dedication and consistency. Cleaning up your diet should be your number one priority when trying to fix Metabolic Syndrome. A diet high in sugar and processed food contributes to Metabolic Syndrome, and a diet low in sugar and high in fat and protein is what can help fix it. Getting your blood pressure to a normal level, controlling your blood sugar, and losing excess body fat go a long way in treating Metabolic Syndrome.

What to Eat

When trying to heal Metabolic Syndrome, or if you’re just trying to eat clean, you should focus mainly on a variety of vegetables, nuts and seeds, fruits, and lean meats like fish and chicken. Avoid high-sugar and high-carb foods like bread, cookies and pasta, and avoid processed foods like frozen pizzas, bagged chips and snacks, and processed meats like hot dogs, sausage and sandwich meat.

You should drink plenty of water and avoid soda and juice due to the high sugar content and chemicals – you should also avoid diet soda because artificial sweeteners have been found to contribute to Metabolic Syndrome. Unsweetened tea and coffee are safe to drink, but water should be the main thing you drink.

What to Take

There are a few supplements that can help treat some of the risk factors like high blood pressure, low HDL cholesterol, and high blood sugar. You should notice a difference after beginning a healthier diet and taking these supplements:

  • Diaxinol – Can help maintain a healthy blood sugar level
  • CM Core – Can help control blood sugar levels
  • CitraNOX – Can help normalize blood pressure
  • OrthoMega 820 – Can help raise HDL (“good”) cholesterol

Learning that you have Metabolic Syndrome shouldn’t discourage you, it should encourage you to lead a healthier lifestyle and reduce your heart disease, stroke, and diabetes risk. Remember that you have the power to fix it, and never give up the goal of being healthier!

Be sure to listen to our podcast on Metabolic Syndrome for more information!

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Keto, Paleo and Weight Loss

The Paleo Diet and the Ketogenic (Keto) Diet have become very popular over the last few years. You’ve probably tried at least one of them yourself, or you know someone who has. People often believe these are the healthiest diets, but this is not always true. As with everything, there are pros and cons to each diet, and success also depends on a person’s individual needs and genetics. For example, Paleo may provide too much protein for the average person, and Keto may be difficult for someone who has had their gallbladder removed.

The Paleo Diet

The Paleo Diet gained a lot of popularity a few years ago with famous wrestlers, actors, and singers endorsing it. Eating Paleo has some benefits, but just like any diet, it’s not for everyone. The Paleo Diet is based on the idea of eating like a caveman, or eating what our ancestors hunted and gathered before farming began. Many of the most common ailments affecting the developed world today are due to the intake of too many carbohydrates (especially sugar), too little fat, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. On the Paleo Diet you eat a lot of fat and protein, very few carbs, and everything you eat is natural and unprocessed. This can be a great diet for some people, and it is healthier than a diet full of processed food and sugar, but it may be too much protein for the average person.

The Keto Diet

The Keto Diet has become very popular over the last couple years, and there are countless stories of people who followed the Keto Diet and saw their blood sugar, triglycerides, cholesterol, and/or blood pressure normalize, in addition to losing weight. The Keto Diet emphasizes eating more good fats than carbs or protein, and making sure all the food you eat is natural. When done the right way, Keto can greatly improve your health, but it’s not the right diet for everyone.

People who have had their gallbladder removed often struggle with the Keto Diet. The gallbladder plays a major role in digesting fat, and many people are unable to tolerate high amounts of fat after having their gallbladder removed. The liver produces bile and the gallbladder stores it in between meals, then when fat is consumed your gallbladder releases bile to help break the fat down. For someone that no longer has a gallbladder, bile is often not released fast enough or in high enough amounts to properly break the fat down, especially on a high-fat diet like Keto. However, you don’t have to avoid fat for the rest of your life if you don’t have a gallbladder. Taking supplements that contain digestive enzymes and ox bile can help with fat digestion in people who have their gallbladder and in people who don’t. Try taking one to two Digestive Essentials right before eating a meal and see if you notice a difference.

Weight Loss

Strict diets are often difficult for people to follow, but eating healthy can be simple. Try taking it one step at a time like first cutting out processed food – think boxed, bagged and frozen foods – and replacing them with home cooked meals. Each little thing you do adds up to make a big difference, and pretty soon you’ll be eating healthy every day.

However, if you want a little extra help on your weight loss journey, you can give these supplements a try:

Eating healthy isn’t just about losing weight, it’s about getting healthier in every way and feeling better than ever. Focus on organic, whole foods, listen to your body, and follow a diet that fulfills your individual nutritional needs. Your body will thank you!

You can listen to our podcast episodes here. You can also listen on our YouTube channel here.

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The United States of Stress

Stress is one of the biggest issues facing our society nowadays. We lead such fast-paced, busy lives that it’s difficult to ever let ourselves unwind, and we often allow meaningless things to stress us out and dampen our mood. There are many things that can contribute to stress like vitamin and mineral deficiencies, sleep deprivation, adrenal fatigue, illness, family or marital issues, and countless other things. Although some stressors are out of your control, you can control your reaction to them. Changing the way you view and react to situations can greatly lower your stress level.

Vitamins and Minerals

Magnesium and zinc are very important minerals for dealing with stress, they both play important roles in nervous system function, and many people who struggle with anxiety or high levels of stress are deficient in these key minerals. Getting enough B vitamins is also important for dealing with stress, and for countless other functions in your body. Iron deficiency (anemia) is another common cause of anxiety and stress, and can lead to shakiness, fatigue, weakness, pale skin, and an anxious feeling. These deficiencies can usually be fixed by using a high-quality multivitamin, but if you’re greatly deficient in a certain vitamin or mineral, then you may need to take a supplement designed specifically for that along with a multivitamin. For example, if you’re anemic, you may need to take an iron supplement along with a multivitamin, or a multivitamin designed for low-iron individuals.

Sleep and Adrenals

Getting enough sleep every night is crucial for dealing with stress and for your overall health. You should be getting seven to eight hours of good quality sleep a night. If you get less seven hours of sleep on a regular basis you may start noticing more irritability, fatigue, forgetfulness, depression, bodily aches and pains, etc. Sleep is so important for every part of your body, and getting enough sleep every night should be one of your top priorities. However, adrenal fatigue can make falling and staying asleep difficult. Adrenal fatigue refers to a condition in which your cortisol is too low, usually due to being highly stressed for a long period of time, causing your cortisol to bottom-out. This is a common issue, and many people don’t realize they have it. Fortunately, you can heal adrenal fatigue naturally by supplementing with the proper nutrients and adrenal gland supplements, getting adequate sleep, and utilizing stress-reducing techniques like yoga and meditation.

Recommended Products:

Get at least seven to eight hours of sleep a night, drink plenty of water, make sure you’re getting enough vitamins and minerals, and focus on positive thoughts. Remember that you can choose to be stressed-out and worried, or you can choose to not let small things affect you.