Hormones

There are all kinds of synthetic and “bio-‐identical” creams, pills, potions and lotions, along with birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy (estrogen in females and testosterone in males and including thyroid hormone replacement), that can cause total chaos in body.
When using exogenous hormones (meaning outside of the body, such as creams), you are flooding your body with an unnatural amount of hormones. This can cause several upsets in the body.
One thing that happens is the receptor site for that hormone on the cells becomes less active for self-‐ protection.
This is NOT good because thyroid hormones cannot get into the cells, even though there is an abundant supply of thyroid hormone in the bloodstream.
If this person is on thyroid medication, they will still be having symptoms of hypothyroidism.
The brain has a feedback loop on hormonal activity in the body. If the brain senses that there is not enough of a particular hormone, it tells the glands to make more and if it senses there is too much of a particular hormone, it sends a message to slow down the production of this hormone.
If a person uses a hormone cream or pills, the brain gets the message no hormones are needed and the communication between the brain and the gland slows down or even becomes dormant.
Finally, it shuts down completely and the gland atrophies and is useless.
When this happens, the hormone cream and pills become necessary for the rest of your life.
This includes the prolonged use of thyroid hormones.
Hormone creams can cause excessive amounts of hormone to accumulate in body fat, particularly if you are overweight or obese. The liver is then under tremendous stress to break down these hormones so they can be eliminated.
This causes the liver to slow down and become unhealthy. This is a big health risk, especially in the case of estrogen.
If the liver can’t break down these hormones, instead of being eliminated, they go back into the bloodstream and become toxic to the body, especially estrogen.
Poor liver function causes high cholesterol, problems with anemia and iron, B-‐Vitamin absorption problems, inflammation, and poor immunity.
Too much estrogen can lead to breast cancer, endometriosis, premenstrual syndrome, fibrocystic breasts, ovarian cysts, cervical dysplasia, endometrial cancer, prostate carcinoma, and hyperplasia.
In addition, if a healthcare provider orders hormone tests for a person taking exogenous hormones, the results can show a hormone deficiency. This is because these tests only measure the natural hormones the body is making. They do not measure synthetic hormones.
Also, the use of hormonal creams and pills does inhibit the production of natural hormones, causing them to be low.
So, the excessive use of hormonal creams and pills has created symptoms of hormone deficiency AND the laboratory test has confirmed that deficiency.
Now, your doctor is going to prescribe even higher doses of hormones.
This works with thyroid hormones, too so it’s a viscous, downward cycle.
If a person’s thyroid function is destroyed, synthetic thyroid hormone is needed.
This is also true of pre and postmenopausal women who have lost the ability to make estrogen.

You can restore healthy function by detoxifying your body of excess and synthetic hormones. This is really important for healthy thyroid function.
The first thing to do is address the patient’s liver and gut function.
Make sure that their liver enzymes (ALT and AST) are within the normal functional range (10-‐26) and if not, add nutritional support Start coffee enemas to detoxify their liver.
Usually, once the liver is successfully addressed, the hormone issue resolves itself (again, getting to the cause) but if it doesn’t, that is when to address the specific hormonal needs of the patient by using specific lab tests and supplement accordingly. T
he KEY is to get to the cause which is usually the liver and work up from there.

Ashwagandha Benefits Thyroid and Adrenals

Jan 272017

If you are looking to restore your energy, look younger, and reverse disease then ashwagandha may be the herb you’re looking for. Ashwagandha benefits are impressive.

Ashwagandha, is an adaptogenic herb popular in Ayurvedic medicine that has shown incredible results for lowering cortisol and balancing thyroid hormones.

In India, ashwagandha is known as the “strength of the stallion” since it has traditionally been used to strengthen the immune system after illness.

Ashwagandha has also been referred to as Indian ginseng because of its ability to enhance stamina and has extraordinary stress relieving properties.

There have been over 200 studies on Ashwagandha’s ability to:

Improve thyroid function

Treat adrenal fatigue
Reduce anxiety and depression
Combat effects of stress

Increase stamina and endurance

Prevent and treat cancer

Reduce brain cell degeneration
Stabilize blood sugar
Lower cholesterol
Boost immunity

This article discusses the benefits of ashwagandha in healing your thyroid, adrenal glands, improving mood and energy, preventing cancer, and supporting brain health.

Ashwagandha Thyroid Benefits

Ashwagandha is a superstar when it comes to improving the health of your thyroid. Scientists don’t completely understand how adaptogens work, but we know that they can be extremely effective especially at balancing hormones.

One of the most incredible aspects about adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha is that it can help people with both hypo and hyper thyroid issues. It has been shown to support a sluggish thyroid for people diagnosed with Hashimotos, and has been shown to improve the health of those with an overactive thyroid or Graves disease.

Adaptogenic herbs work with your body to bring you back into balance whether your levels are high or low.

Animal studies reveal ashwagandha has a thyroid hormone balancing effect. In a 20 days study mice were give ashwagandha and their T3 and T4 levels were analyzed along with lipid peroxidation (anti-oxidant protection). Significant increases in serum T4 were found which indicates this herb has a stimulatory effect on a sluggish thyroid.

Also, ashwagandha may benefit thyroid function because it greatly reduced lipid peroxidation by promoting scavenging of free radicals that cause cellular damage. These results prove ashwagandha can be useful in treating hypothyroidism.

There are currently millions of people who struggle with thyroid problems (many who don’t even know it) and ashwagandha may just be the solution they are searching for.

Ashwagandha Adrenal Rejuvenation

Ashwagandha has also been proven effective in supporting adrenal function helping you overcome adrenal fatigue and chronic stress.

Your adrenal glands are endocrine glands that are responsible for releasing hormones (cortisol and adrenaline) in response to stress on your body.

If your adrenals are overtaxed due to an overabundance of emotional, physical and mental stress, it can lead to a condition known as adrenal fatigue. As you can see from this chart below, if your adrenals become exhausted it can also disrupt your other hormones, including progesterone, which can cause infertility and lower DHEA — which can cause you to age faster.
diagram

Medical studies have shown that ashwagandha improves cortisol levels, improves insulin sensitivity and naturally balances hormones. A case study reported a case of a 57-year-old woman with non-classical adrenal hyperplasia. She was treated with ashwagandha for six months, and after her treatment she saw improvements in four adrenal hormone markers, including corticoosterone and 11-deoxycortisol, which decreased by 69 percent and 55 percent respectively — a major improvement!

This hormonal improvement was also accompanied by a noticeable reduction in hair loss.

Benefits Brain Health

Emotional, physical, and chemical stress can all have damaging effects to the brain and nervous system. Recent research has proven ashwagandha is more than a stress reliever, it also protects the brain from degeneration and improves symptoms of alzheimer’s, depression, and anxiety.

One of the main reasons ashwagandha is so effective at healing the brain has to do with its powerful antioxidants that destroy free radicals that cause aging. A study published in Phytotherapy Research explains these benefits:

“Several studies have revealed that natural antioxidants, such as vitamin E, vitamin C and beta-carotene, may help in scavenging free radicals generated during the initiation and progression of this [Alzheimer’s] disease. But we found Ashwagandha afforded lipid peroxidation inhibitory effects more potent than commercial antioxidants.”

Researchers at the National Brain Research Centre found that mice with Alzheimer’s were unable to retain what they learned, but after 20 days of supplementing with ashwagandha, this improved significantly. The results of the study found a reduction in amyloid plaques (these cause degradation of the brain).

Improves Mood

There is also now evidence that ashwagandha is effective at treating both anxiety and depression. In fact, in a recent study its results were comparable to common pharmaceutical drugs lorazepam and imipramine without the side effects.

In the 12-week controlled study, 87 participants with anxiety were given 300mg of ashwagandha two times a day or two placebo pills two times per day. The group treated with ashwagandha resulted in much greater improvements in anxiety as well as focus, reduced stress, and decreased fatigue than the placebo group.

The other major benefit of ashwagandha is that there are no adverse reactions by taking it compared to anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medications which can have terrible side effects.

Prevents and Treats Cancer

Ashwagandha extract has been shown in studies to have very promising benefits when it comes to helping with preventing and treating cancer. In certain studies, researchers have found that ashwagandha extract has a powerful anti-tumor effect. (1)

The extract has been shown to help inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells – specifically breast, lung, stomach, and colon cancer cells which are among some of the leading types of cancers in the world. It’s believed that ashwagandha helps to prevent the growth of cancer cells mostly due to its immune boosting and antioxidant abilities. Supplementing with ashwagandha is correlated with an increase in white blood cells within the body, which indicate that the immune system is better able to protect the body from disease and harmful invaders (2). Another way that ashwagnadha helps prevent cancer is due to its ability to stop blood vessels around cancer cells from feeding into the growth of cancerous tumors.

In addition to preventing cancer cells from growing, studies have shown that ashwagandha can be a very useful addition to chemotherapy in treating existing cancer. Taking the extract seems to be effective in halting the immune system from becoming suppressed during chemotherapy.

Ashawagandha is able to counteract one of the biggest concerns with chemotherapy- the count of white blood cells in the body becoming lowered, which puts cancer patients as much higher risk for things like infection. Many cancer experts are now recommending ashwagandha extract be both a cancer prevention method as well as an addition to typical cancer treatments. In fact some studies have shown that some patients are even able to reverse signs of cancer using ashwagandha alone over other standard treatment methods (3).

Increases Stamina and Endurance

Studies have shown that ahswagandha can boost endurance during physical activity by sharpening brain function and reducing bodily pain. Due to its positive calming, yet energizing, effects on the brain and ability to lower stress hormones, ashwaganha showed improvements in concentration, motivation, and stamina in conducted studies.

One particular study found that when lab rats were given ashwagandha, they actually were able to swim twice as long compared to the same type of rats that were not given the supplements (4). Researchers believe that similar effects take place in humans due to the extract’s ability to balance adrenal hormones that are involved in physical activity. The extract was also shown to reduce bodily pain in the muscles and joints while at the same time keeping energy levels more steady, which is another reason why it could be a promising supplement for athletes, or for those who find it difficult to be physically active due to pain.

Ashwagandha Dosage

As you can see, ashwagandha is an adaptogenic superstar that can have some tremendous health benefits. It is recommended to supplement with 500mg 1-2x daily along with following a diet high in healthy fats, protein, and fiber as well as removing grains and sugars from your diet.

These dietary changes along with supplementing with ashwagandha can help you see great results in aging slower, reducing stress, balancing hormones, boosting energy, and improving neurological health.

Adaptogens

Jan 272017

What Are Adaptogens?

Phytotherapy refers to the use of plants for their healing abilities. Adaptogens are a unique class of healing plants: They help balance, restore and protect the body. As naturopath Edward Wallace explains, an adaptogen doesn’t have a specific action: It helps you respond to any influence or stressor, normalizing your physiological functions.

Adaptogenic herbs can recharge your adrenal glands, helping you to respond to stress. Adaptogens include ashwaganda, astragalus, ginseng, licorice root, holy basil, some mushrooms and rhodiola.

Top 7 Adaptogen Herbs

1. Ginseng

Benefit-rich ginseng is the most well-known adaptogen, and Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) is considered the most potent. According to Wallace, research has validated Asian ginseng’s use for improving mental performance and your ability to withstand stress. This red ginseng also has antioxidant effects, antidepressant effects, and can help naturally lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

There are a number of adaptogens referred to as ginsengs that aren’t technically ginsengs, but keep in mind that they have similar composition or effects.

2. Holy basil

Also called tulsi, holy basil is known in India as the “elixir of anti-aging.” Preliminary studies suggest that holy basil benefits include helping you fight fatigue and stress; boost your immune system; and regulate blood sugar, blood pressure and hormone levels.

3. Ashwaganda

Ashwaganda is often referred to as Indian ginseng. Often used in Ayurvedic medicine, ashwaganda regulates the immune system and eases anxiety. Ashwaganda has been used in Eastern medicine for over 2,500 years and has immuno-modulating effects that boost your immune system and aid the body in lowering cortisol levels.

4. Astragalus root

Used in Chinese medicine, astragalus boosts immunity and buffers the effects of stress. It increases the amount of anti-stress compounds our bodies use to repair and prevent stress-related damage. It may also reduce the ability of stress hormones like cortisol to bind to receptors.

5. Licorice root

Licorice root can increase energy and endurance, boost the immune system, and protect the thymus from being damaged by cortisol, but its use requires professional supervision because of how it may affect blood pressure.

6. Rhodiola

Rhodiola (rhodiola rosea), or golden root, is a potent adaptogen that has been the focus of much research. Rhodiola provides a buffer to stress-related mental and physical fatigue. According to Whiticomb, Rhodiola was used by Russian cosmonauts, athletes and military personnel, and years of study have begun to uncover the very mechanisms by which it acts as an adaptogen.

Rhodiola rosea contains a phytochemical known as salisdroside. This component helps relieve anxiety and combat aging. Rhodiola suppresses the production of cortisol and increases levels of stress-resistant proteins.

Studies have found that it restores normal patterns of eating and sleeping after stress; lowers mental and physical fatigue; and protects against oxidative stress, heat stress, radiation and exposure to toxic chemicals. Rhodiola also protects the heart and liver, increases use of oxygen, improves memory, and may even extend longevity. Also, new research proves it’s effective as a weight loss agent. (4, 5, 6, 7)

7. Cordycep mushrooms

Cordyceps, reishi, shiitake and maitake mushrooms are funguses with antioxidant properties. That means nutrition-rich mushrooms have all the benefits of antioxidant foods. They may not be adaptogens in the classic sense, but each has adaptogenic, anti-tumor and immune-enhancing properties.

Eating well, getting proper rest, staying active, writing down what you’re grateful for and maintaining social connection all help protect you from chronic stress, which can kill your quality of life. Adding adaptogens to your routine can make you even more resilient to the damaging effects of high cortisol levels.

High cortisol levels and chronic stress can affect every physiological and psychological system.
Adaptogens balance and restore the body.
You can increase your capacity to deal with stress and improve your mental and physical performance with the use of adaptogens.

Cortisol

Jan 272017

It’s likely that you’ve heard about the detrimental effects of the stress hormone cortisol. Elevated cortisol levels and chronic stress can affect every physiological system in your body, including your thyroid and adrenal glands. It can make you anxious and irritable, lead to weight gain and bone loss, contribute to diabetes and heart disease risk, and deplete your energy levels.

Cortisol is also known as the aging hormone. When cortisol gets too high, it puts you into a “fight or flight” response, which stimulates your sympathetic nervous system and your adrenal glands. When this occurs, there is a decrease in your digestive secretions and an increase in blood pressure. This puts your body in a state of constant stress, which will burn out your adrenal glands, stress your digestive tract and cause you to age more rapidly.

So if you want to look younger, feel younger and be healthy — and heal adrenal fatigue — you must get your cortisol levels balanced.

Side effects of chronically elevated cortisol can include:

Anxiety
Autoimmune diseases
Cancer
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Common Colds
Hormone imbalance
Irritable bowel disease
Thyroid conditions
Weight loss resistance

So what can help us adapt to stress and lower cortisol? Adaptogens

High cortisol levels and chronic stress can affect every physiological and psychological system.
Adaptogens balance and restore the body.
You can increase your capacity to deal with stress and improve your mental and physical performance with the use of adaptogens.

Cosmetics and Hygiene Products

Jan 272017

Deodorant – aluminium in deodorant is absorbed through skin- keep aluminium deodorant use to a minimum. Use Essential oil based deoderants

When aluminum is bound to excitotoxins glutamate and/or aspartate, it’s entry into your brain is significantly elevated. Once in the brain, aluminum increases iron-‐induced free radical activity!

Make-up – know what you are putting on your skin

Anti- bacterial liquid hand soaps – chemicals shown to be toxic

There are other toxic chemicals besides aluminum in your antiperspirant and deodorants?

Antiperspirants and deodorants also contain parabens which can disrupt hormone balance,
triclosan which is a pesticide, propylene glycol that has been shown to damage he heart, liver and central nervous system and finally, phthalates which are linked to a higher risk of birth defects.
Go to your local health food store and get an all-‐natural deodorant.