THE THYROID EPIDEMIC

As a health care practicioner, I am amazed at how often I hear about thyroid malfunction.  It is estimated that 10% of the US population suffers with thyroid problems with 95% of those being hypothyroid, where there is too little thyroid hormone being produced.  The other 5% of diagnosed thyroid disorders are hyperthyroid, as in excessive thyroid hormone production.

Thyroid hormone stokes our metabolic furnaces causing increased heat production and energy formation. When thyroid production is low, energy levels as well as body heat are also low.  This also causes the heart to function at a reduced level of efficiency, resulting in low oxygen state within our tissues and cells.  This creates an environment prone to cancer development.  In addition, low thyroid is linked to high cholesterol, blood pressure abnormalities, other hormone dysregulations, etc.

People with low thyroid levels often have a higher level of inertia and need a larger push to get up, get moving, and take proactive steps in their life.  This is clearly evidenced in older people who move so slowly that it seems like every action is a huge chore.  On the flip side, hyperthyroidism creates too much energy, leaving the individual hot, wired, and over anxious/stressed.    

In response to several factors (cold weather, adrenal hormone release, and low thyroid hormone) the hypothalamus secretes thyroid releasing hormone which penetrates the pituitary gland and causes it to secrete thyroid stimulating hormone, which activates thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone consists of T3 (triiodothyronine) and T-4 (thyroxine).  98.5% of circulating thyroid hormone is the T-4 version. T-3 is produced in the thyroid (small amount), converted to T-4 which circulates in the blood stream until it reaches the tissues to which it is then converted to T-3 which affects the metabolism of tissue cells. 

The thyroid gland, like any other organ of the body becomes sick when it is:  Toxic, Deficient, or both Toxic & Deficient.  The thyroid is an extremely sensitive organ that

Common Toxicities.
1.   Fluoride that is in our water, toothpaste, & many pesticides.

According to the National Research Council (2006), "Fluoride exposure in humans is associated with elevated TSH concentrations, increased goiter prevalence, and altered T4 and T3 concentrations; similar effects on T4 and T3 are reported in experimental animals...In summary, evidence of several types indicates that fluoride affects normal endocrine function or response; the effects of the fluoride-induced changes vary in degree and kind in different individuals. Fluoride is therefore an endocrine disruptor in the broad sense of altering normal endocrine function or response
 
2.  Soy Products
Three factors within soy that combine to block the production of thyroid hormone are Goitrogens, Genistein, and Phytates.

1.      Goitrogens, substances that can block the production of thyroid hormone as well as cause goiter formation.
2.      Phytates (phytic acids) found in soy bind up zinc and copper, leaving little of these critical minerals available to make thyroid hormone.
3.      Genistein, an isoflavone found in soybeans, blocks thyroid production.          

a.       It shuts down a critical transport protein, GLUT1, which sends glucose into the cells to be used to generate energy. Slowing the transport of glucose means less energy production not only of thyroid hormone, but of every other action in the body.
b.      Inhibits tyrosine kinases, enzymes involved in the transfer of energy from one molecule to another.  These enzymes are also critical for cell division, memory consolidation, tissue repair, & blood vessel formation.

3)  Pesticides, Hydrocarbons, & Ionizing Radiation:  All affect hormone function.

a.  Hydrocarbon molecules have a high affinity to thyroid transport proteins
b.  PCBs, DDT and its metabolites, and several organochlorine pesticides (acetochlor, alachlor and methoprene) bind to human thyroid hormone receptors and thyroid hormone transport proteins.
c.  Hydroxylated PCBs bound to the human thyroid receptor, but had a great binding affinity to the thyroid transport protein, transthyretin
d.  Brominated flame retardants are very potent competitors for T4 binding sites and may have effects on thyroid hormone homeostasis.

4)  High Omega 6 Oils:

a.  A disproportioned omega 6:3 ratio blocks thyroid hormone secretion, its movement in the circulatory system, and the response of tissues to the hormone.
b. When the thyroid hormone is deficient, the body is generally exposed to increased levels of estrogen.
c.  The thyroid hormone is essential for making the 'protective hormones' progesterone and pregnenolone, so these hormones are lowered when anything interferes with the function of the thyroid.
d.  The thyroid hormone is required for using and eliminating cholesterol, so cholesterol is likely to be raised by anything that blocks the thyroid function.

5)      Heavy Metal Toxicity:

a.       Heavy metals such as mercury (vaccines, amalgum fillings, fish, high fructose corn syrup, etc.) cross the blood brain barrier & have a high affinity for the hypothalmus.
b.      If the hypothalamus is "plugged" with mercury, TRH release is affected, causing disproportionate release and thyroid disruption.

Common Deficiencies:

a.      Iodine:  A necessary ingredient (raw materials) to produce T3 & T4.
b.      Zinc:  Zinc is usually high in hyperthyroid disorders & low in hypothyroid disorders.
c.       Selenium:  Selenium is an active part of an enzyme needed for the thyroid gland to effectively produce the T3 & T4 hormones.
d.      Copper: Copper stimulates the production of the thyroxine hormone (T4), and prevents over-absorption of T4 in the blood cells by controlling the body's calcium levels (Calcium is required for the stabilization of cell membranes and reduces cell permeability).
e.       Nerve Supply:  A deficiency in proper C7 (the nerve that brings life, healing, & function to the thyroid) nerve supply, forward head posture, and advanced spinal degeneration leads to an accumulation of abnormal thyroid cells that function poorly.
f.       EPA & DHA are necessary for healthy cell membrane function
g.      Vitamin D deficiency:  Vit D and thyroid hormones both bind to similar steroid receptors   Vit D has a pro-hormone function, enhancing the bodies entire endocrine response.
h.      Dehydration causes a lowered thyroid metabolism and energy efficiency.

Thyroid hormone abnormalities are a common day epidemic that is growing to extraordinary levels. The great news is that God created our bodies with an incredible ability to heal.  Learn how to prevent or reverse thyroid problems and stoke your metabolism, your hormone function, and your ability to maximize energy production and maintain a healthy weight.

Healthy Thyroid Workshop
 
Monday, Nov 30th  7pm

INSPIRING A HEALTHY HOLIDAY

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite times of the year.  Good food, family, football, and lots of fun, I have come to relish this holiday throughout my life.  I, however, like many of you have too often been guilty of overindulging in the bounties of the season.  Here are suggestions that I use personally to make the holidays healthier and more enjoyable.  This allows  me to have more energy, never get sick, and spend a higher level of quality time with friends, family, & loved ones. 

1.      Eat Your Salad First:  Load up on your vegetables first, this way you get lots of nutrients, antioxidants, and alkaline minerals into your system first.  When you fill up on nutrient dense foods, you have less of an appetite for everything else.

2.      Food Combine Properly:  Our digestive enzymes metabolize foods differently.  Because of this, try to eat Thanksgiving meals in portions.  Give yourself 2-4 hours between portions. Healthy combinations include:

a.     Non-starchy vegetables, fats, and proteins  (meat, oils, & veggies)

b.    Non-starchy vegetables and starchy vegetables

c.     Non-starchy vegetables and grains

d.    Most fruits should be eaten alone or with small amounts of fat. 

3.      Use Digestive Enzymes:  Before any big meal, it is always a good idea to add digestive enzymes to help your body metabolize the food correctly.  This is especially true when food combinations are less than optimal.  The enzymes help ease the digestive burden, reduce toxic byproducts and acidic wastes from accumulating and improve energy & immune function for hours after the meal. 

4.     Use Apple Cider Vinegar:  Contains a natural array of beneficial acids and enzymes that help enhance digestion and nutrient extraction.  The acids are incredible at enhancing meat and protein digestion and radically improve symptoms of reflux.  Grains and legumes are also aided by the digestive acids found in this natural elixir.  Apple cider vinegar is also loaded with powerful alkaline buffering minerals and improves insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control.  Use it as part of your salad dressing, marinates, etc. 

5.     Go Gluten-Free: The common protein found in wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt, & kamut is highly allergenic, challenging to digest, and harmful for up to 81% of the population by some reports.  Many autoimmune conditions are initiated and/or promoted through gluten containing foods.  For amazing gluten free holiday recipes go to www.cindalouskitchenblues.blogspot.com 

6.     Burst Train:  Be sure to make time Thanksgiving morning to get a great workout in.  I recommend you either continue with your MaxFit workout (for those of you who are doing our program) or a burst style of workout where you do high-intensity intervals.  You will feel so much better later and be in peak fat-burning mode when you indulge in the feast of the day.  Be sure to MaxFit or Burst train again Friday morning as well to energize yourself and help blow through all the weight you gained from that glorious meal(s).

7.     Use Probiotics:  Give your gut a helping hand by stabilizing the little warriors who work so hard on your behalf.  Optimal probiotic supplementation helps ward off bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections.  It also enhances digestion, nutrient absorption, and toxic elimination.  I recommend and personally take between 50-100 billion organisms daily.  Most supplements, yogurts, etc barely have 5 billion organisms, so they just don’t give you the bulk that you need to thrive.  On my website under my suggestions page, you can find a link to a pure, affordable source that will supply you with 66 billion organisms daily. 

8.     Use Healthy Fats:  Cook in extra virgin coconut oil, the only oil that cannot be denatured under heat.  Use extra virgin olive oil for salad dressings, marinates, etc.  Avocados, brazil nuts, almonds, walnuts, flax seed make for great fats in different recipes as well. 

All Meat Should Be Organic, Grass Fed:  One of the most critical essentials is to invest in grass-fed meat sources.  The Omega 6:3 balance of grain-fed meat is between 20:1-40:1 (ideal is 2:1).  This quickly creates an environment within your body that promotes rampant amounts of inflammation.  Grass-fed meat has the ideal fatty acid ratio, the animals are happy and healthy throughout their life, and there is no hormones, antibiotics, and other junk pushed into their system.  Out of my heart and spirit that wants so desperately to see a purified world, I urge you to make this 1 choice for the holidays more than anything else.  Thank You for helping to change the world with your wallet and your educated and informed shopping decisions. 

9.     Be Grateful:  The greatest thing you can do in your life is to be consistently grateful for every situation, event, and circumstance that comes about.  Live with the realization that God created you, loves you unconditionally, and continually blesses everything in your life so that you can grow and be more like Him.  My life changed when I stopped putting labels on things (good/bad) and began seeing everything as an opportunity to grow and have new experiences.  That perspective alone gives me incredible peace and fulfillment that my life has extraordinary meaning.  The same is yours…so be grateful and express it in your words and interactions with others! 

10.  Lend A Helping Hand:    There is nothing like service to others to give your life meaning and fulfillment.  This is one of nature’s greatest anti-depressants, serving those around you.  While everyone gets caught up in the hoopla and commercialism of the season, the greatest gift you can give yourself is the non-tangible.  The ability to serve another, to uplift someone in need, to help someone reach a goal, to make the world a better place.

My spirit constantly yearns to selflessly serve others and uplift their lives with my time, talents, skills, and persona.  This gives me incredible joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment.  As I am writing this, I am tearing up about the opportunities I have had in my short life so far to impact the lives of others.  I pray that writing this alone helps someone find greater meaning and fulfillment in their lives. 

“You never know how far reaching something you think, say, or do today will affect the lives of millions tomorrow.”                                Dr. BJ Palmer

Learn, taste, and enjoy incredible recipes and ideas that will make your holiday season extra special, keep you healthy and energized while you enjoy time with your loved ones. If you would like to have the healthiest, most enjoyable holiday season ever…you do not want to miss this workshop!

INSPIRING A HEALTHY HOLIDAY

Monday, November 23^rd    7pm 

Exodus Health Center 

2750 Jiles Rd Kennesaw 770-420-0492

BALANCE YOUR HORMONES

As a sought after healthcare practitioner, I have seen large numbers of both men and women with sex hormone disorders.  My expertise has always been in digestive, muscular, & neurological function, however, due to the sex hormone epidemic we are currently facing, I decided to dedicate much of my energies over the past couple months to studying this subject in detail. I will have series of workshops in Nov/Dec covering this information, demonstrating how practical it is to apply.  Please share this information with the people in your life.  

The first workshop is Monday, Nov 16^th: 

Among other things, you will have a chance to see and try the Healthy Hormone Shake that I will create with inexpensive, easy to get ingredients.  Look forward to seeing you all there. 

ESTROGEN BALANCE

Manufactured from cholesterol by a woman's ovaries each month, the hormone called estrogen circulates in the blood, passes easily in and out of all organs and tissues and is eventually metabolised by enzymes in the liver.  There are 3 major types of estrogen that are naturally produced by the body. 

3 Major Types of Estrogen:

1)     Estrone (E1):  The main form of estrogen produced during menopause.  Produced mainly in your liver and fat cells.  Since toxins such as xenoestrogens, heavy metals, and other pollutants that directly affect hormone levels are stored in your liver and fat cells, individuals with higher levels of toxicity have altered and contaminated forms of estrone.   

2)    Estradiol (E2):  The major estrogen made in the ovaries.  This hormone is known to play a huge role in energy, sleeping, pleasure, sex drive, and healthy bones, skin, & hair.  It also helps support the musous membranes, providing moisurization for the skin, lips, eyes, GI tract, and vagina. 

3)    Estriol:  (E3):  Made in the liver and breast cells.  Also, primarily made by the placenta during pregnancy.  It is suggested that this form of estrogen is a key regulator in determining which cells are turned on or off to estrogen.   

Low Estradiol:  Estradiol works to boost serotonin levels naturally.  When this hormone is out of balance, serotonin levels drop.  In order to counteract this, the adrenals kick out norepinephrine (Nr) and epinephrine (Ep), which have natural balancing mechanisms.  However, if you are under chronic stress or have weak adrenals, Ep levels will drop, skewing it’s natural balance with Nr.  Here are the symptoms that follow:

            Low Serotonin:  Headaches, depression, fatigue, low sex drive, insomnia, & hot flashes.

            Imbalance of Nr & Ep:  Hot flashes, insomnia, and anxiety.

Dangers Behind Hormone Replacement:  When hormones such as thyroid, estrogen, & progesterone are supplemented through prescriptions, creams, & contraceptives such as birth control pills, they are abnormally flooding their body with an unnatural amount of hormones.  This causes several responses within the body:

1)    In response, the cell receptor sites for the particular hormone are reduced in an attempt to protect from too much hormone interaction.  Therefore, one could have plenty of thyroid hormone, progesterone, etc, in the bloodstream, yet have poor cellular sensitivity.

2)    The hypothalamus and pituitary gland, key centers in the brain that control hormone secretion, are in a constant communication with hormonal cells to regulate and control the amounts of circulating hormones.  If the brain senses that there is not enough hormone, it will signal for more production and secretion.  If it senses that there is too much, as is the case with hormone replacement, than it will slow down production.  After a while, the constant bombardment of artificial hormone will shut down production of the natural hormone all together.  The gland then atrophies and loses all function, making the hormone creams and pills a necessity. 

3)    An excessive bombardment of hormones taxes the liver, which desperately tries to break down the excess to effectively eliminate it from the body.  Over time, the hormone eventually is stored in fat cells.  Chronic liver stress causes severe problems with toxicity, digestion, metabolism, and inflammation among other things.  The symptoms of this include high cholesterol, and lowered energy & immunity. 

4)    Poor liver function causes an inadequate breakdown of older hormones, allowing these back into the bloodstream in an even more toxic form than when they originally entered the liver.  The toxic form of estrogen dramatically increases the risk for breast cancer, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, cervical dysplasia, prostate issues, menopause, andropause (male menopause), and thyroid disorders. 

5)    Even though the problem is too much hormone, blood tests will only look at the natural substance, therefore a deficiency will be present.  Typical medical advice will include additional hormone replacement, which will only further the problems at hand. 

HORMONE MIMICKERS

Xenoestrogens:  Artificially made compounds produced by industry, that have estrogenic effects and differ chemically from archiestrogens (naturally occurring) produced by living organisms.   These new compounds are ubiquitous in our society.  These mimic the effects of true estrogen, interacting with receptor sites and either contributing to estrogen excess or blocking the effects of true estrogen. 

Natural Estradiol produced in the body depends on Sex-Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) in order to enter into the cell.  However, these free estrogen molecules are able to interact directly with the cell without the need for SHBG.  This difference is critical because it allows the artificial estrogen to enter the cells faster, inhibiting the natural form from getting in.    

Endocrine disruptors lodge in fat cells and they are resistant to breakdown.  Many of these chemicals will act synergistically, exponentially promoting their functions which cause devastating disruptions to the body.  

HORMONE DETOX: 

1.     Minimize the Usage of Endocrine Disruptors as much as Possible.  Get off all oral contraceptives, hormone creams, and hormone based prescription medications, etc.  You should consult your doctor about this and weaning stages may be necessary.  This also includes plastics,

2.     Stabilize Blood Sugar:  Unstable blood sugar causes enhanced fat storage, decreased cellular detoxification and hormone signaling.  The healing diet is critical for quick effective blood sugar stabilization. 

3.     Specific Hormonal Detox: 

a.     Cleanse the liver and gallbladder so they can effectively transport excess estrogen out of the system. 

b.     Enhance Estrogen Metabolism with key nutrients and herbs

c.     Support the Pituitary gland which becomes sluggish when exogenous hormones are being put into the system.  This in-turn disrupts the pituitary-thyroid axis causing states of hypothyroidism. 

4.      Maximize Nerve Supply:  Be sure that the brain-body pathway is clear and free of interference.  This maximizes internal repair mechanisms,allowing the glands and tissues to self-detoxify and eliminate poisonous chemicals.  Forward head posture and loss of the natural curve in the neck dramatically affect this self-detoxification process.  

5.     Burst Training:  High intensity exercise opens detoxification pathways (sweating), enhances cellular oxygenation, stabilizes blood sugar, and promotes reparative hormones among other things. 

HEALTHY HORMONES   Part I

Monday, November 16^th  7pm

Exodus Health Center

2750 Jiles Rd Kennesaw

770-420-0492

7 Keys To Healthy Hormones

Homeodynamic Equilibrium is a term describing the body’s ability to create a naturally balanced set point that is continually adapting to the demands of the environment. 

This is health, the body’s ability to adapt, function, and heal at an incredibly high level.   Sickness & disease are caused by chinks in the body’s ability to adapt that have grown too large.  These chinks are caused by a deficiency in something the body needs, and/or a toxicity in something the body either does not need, or has too much of. 

Hormones, are key molecules in the body’s innate healing and adaption processes.  Here are the critical factors to maintaining healthy hormone balance.

Balance Your MicroFlora:  20% of thyroid function (the necessary conversion of T4 to T3) depends on a healthy gut flora.  Poor diet and high stress can lead to dysbiosis, an overabundance of bad bacteria, creating a rancid and overly acidic environment that hampers thyroid function.  In addition, dysbiosis also distorts the ability to successfully eliminate unnecessary estrogen from our system.  This has been shown to lead to high levels of estrogen that are out of ratio with other key hormones such as progesterone.  Such an imbalance causes states of estrogen dominance that are highly detrimental to the body. 

Stabilize Your Vitamin D Levels:  The second major immune and hormone modulator is vitamin D.   This powerful nutrient is incorrectly named, for its value goes far beyond simple vitamin qualities.  It is now thought of as a pro-hormone in that it is not only a pre-curser (building block) for certain hormones, but a regulator of hormonal secretions.  In addition, it also maintains healthy immune responses by decreasing inflammatory mediators and tightly controlling auto-immune reactions.

 

Avoid Gluten:  The common protein found in wheat, barley, oats, spelt, kamut, & rye is practically ubiquitous in our society.  A component of gluten, gliadin, has been shown to increase the permeability of the intestinal wall, causing gaps, and gluten and other such molecules to enter the blood stream.  This is called “leaky gut,” and is one of the leading factors behind auto-immune conditions. 

Some scientists, such as gluten researcher Dr. Kenneth Fine, estimate intolerances to gluten to be up to 81% of Americans.  While some may have digestive discomfort, colitis, & Celiac disease,  most do not.  However, many experience inflammation in the skin (excema & psoriasis), joints (arthritis), respiratory tract (asthma, allergies) and brain (brain fog, poor memory, dizziness, etc.).  Surprisingly, the molecular structure of gluten is very similar to that of the thyroid gland.  Interestingly enough, gluten intolerance is a leading cause and/or contributing factor in auto-immune thyroid disorders.  This is obviously a scenario of mistaken identity.  The key to normalizing this immune response is to avoid gluten all together and stabilize the immune system with Probiotics, vitamin D, and healthy nerve supply.    

Stabilize Blood Sugar:  Blood sugar imbalances and the hormone cascade that follows causes an increased stress response in the body, promotes inflammatory conditions, and drains the adrenals of their critical energy producing hormones.  A diet high in processed foods, sugars, and grains is a hormone train wreck about to happen.  Stabilize your blood sugar by focusing primarily on good fat sources, fresh vegetables, low glycemic fruits such as berries, and healthy protein sources such as free roaming eggs, grass-fed beef, turkey, chicken, & bison.   

 

Critical Antioxidants, Minerals, & Fatty Acids:  Antioxidants such as glutathione, selenium, anthocyanids, and B vitamins play a huge role in providing support for hormonal delivery.  Some of the most vital minerals necessary for hormone function include zinc, magnesium, and iodine.  Fatty Acids are the raw materials for many hormones and create certain energetic frequencies for which they are best absorbed into the cells.  The critical fatty acids at play are medium chain saturated fats such as lauric, mystic, and caprylic acids, the long chain omega 3’s EPA/DHA, and the “healthy” omega 6 fatty acid, GLA. 

Reduce Toxic Loads:  Many pesticide/herbicides, air pollutants, cleaning products, personal care products, processed foods, contraceptives, and plastics contain formulated estrogen or estrogen mimickers that skew the critical balance of estrogen/progesterone.  In addition, many of these products block thyroid hormone production and increase adrenal stress.  Although it is impossible critical essential to healthy hormone function is to minimize the “toxic load,” you are exposed to daily. 

Improve Posture & Nerve Supply:  Forward head posture and loss of the natural curve in the neck region puts significant stress on the nerves that control blood supply to the brain.  This increased stress causes low oxygen content in the brain, hypothalamus, and pituitary gland (key hormonal control centers).  In addition, the nerves in the lower neck region supply the thyroid gland.  Postural stress has been thought to cause dysfunction in this region.

Optimizing nerve supply and oxygen content to both the vital centers in the brain as well as the thyroid gland is critical to hormonal health.  Both chiropractic adjustments and specific postural exercises are powerful keys to reducing postural stress and maximizing nerve and oxygen supply to the brain and major glands of the body.

Discover all the keys behind stabilizing and promoting healthy hormone function for the rest of your life.   If you or anyone you know has hormone issues or symptoms such as low energy, dizziness, fatigue, weight gain, pain & inflammation, lowered immunity, and premature aging…than this workshop will show you the big picture and the fine details you need in order to regain your health and live out your dreams.

Healthy Hormones

Monday, November 16^th    7pm 

Exodus Health Center

www.exodushc.com