Thyroid Awareness Month! Part 2

     January is Thyroid Awareness Month and as I see more patients for consultations in my office, I am again not shocked at all the thyroid issues I see. Too many people are not being managed properly or being taken seriously by their GP or Endocrinologist when the continue to complain of thyroid symptoms despite “their labs looking perfect”…again to review what your lab values should reflect and what tests should be done reference Part 1 of Thyroid Awareness Month!

For those who have suffered for years without the proper nutritional and supplementation support, this is the article for you. Many times traditional medical doctors do not have the nutritional background to address these issues- that’s where I come in. In this article we will review some of the possible medications (there’s a time and place for everything including Medication!!), Dietary considerations for those suffering from Thyroid conditions, especially Auto-immune attacks, and lastly supplementation that effects the metabolism of your thyroid and possible medications you are on.

The Good, The Bad, and The Downright Ugly…

For those of you who have had your thyroid removed…sadly medication is probably in store for you for life, but you CAN feel normal…and should for that matter, if you’re on the right medication and dosage! Too many women are on medications that are either not working properly (ie still have symptoms or not optimal labs) or are not on the right dose for their body’s metabolism. Mediation dosing for thyroid patients can be tricky, and can take a while to normalize because of all the other factors involved! If you don’t feel good on the medication you’re on…go back to your doctor and tell them so! This is one instance you have to be a HUGE advocate for your own well-being. (To see a great resource on things to ask your doctor ect, visit http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com)

The Good: Bio-identical and Natural Thyroid preparations! Armour, Nature-Thyroid and compounded natural desiccated thyroid preparations are actually the best option for most people and they don’t even know it! This is mainly due to the fact that so few doctors are willing to prescribe them, as they are not chock full of pharmaceutical preparations. These medications are a natural balance of T3 and T4 that is already found in your body. Doctors may tell you these are “hard to regulate” or “banned” and these statements are simply not true.

The Not so Good: T4 Only medications (see list above, Synthroid and it’s generics) The problem with these drugs is for one, they are synthetic compounds…your body and mine can’t always manage such synthetic products. Synthroid is the most commonly prescribed medication in the United States…and I have huge issues with that. Many people get put on this medications and still feel like crap…new’s flash your body isn’t metabolizing it!! Your body doesn’t just need T4 to make T3, it requires a whole list of other vitamins and minerals (we’re getting there don’t worry). My other beefs with Synthroid include the fact that they use Aluminium based food coloring (lake blue ect) in most if not all strengths of the medication, it is CONTRAINDIACTED to help with weight loss despite many patients reporting that is WHY they were put on it in the first place, it can cause further adrenal glad issues if this is the underlying cause of hypothyroidism itself, it causes bone de-mineralization (aka bone loss, aka osteoporosis-but wait they now make a drug for that too!), increases risk of cardiovascular disease, and are hard on the liver where a majority of the drug is processed. The laundry list of side effects and drug interactions is enough to make someone re-think this form of medication all together, but they don’t exactly provide all that info up front (http://www.rxabbvie.com/pdf/Synthroid.pdf). Many women with thyroid disorders become anemic, and develop high cholesterol, I’m not going to lie and say there’s no correlation between these meds and those issues.

T3 only medications: Cytomel is often used in conjunction with Synthroid if the patient isn’t “feeling well enough” on the Synthroid, so let’s artificially create what we already have, because we can do things better than nature (Hing Natural thyroid meds are already T4 and T3 in proper ratios). The side effects are similar, and basically the drug information states “once you begin this therapy, you’re on it for life as the rule”… sounds like good business for them in the long run. Much like T4 only synthetics, the “efficacy” is measured by TSH in the blood…not by how the patient feels, but what their one and only blood test says, which if you read Part 1 you know is total crap. If your body can’t metabolize this because say the liver is bogged down by Synthroid or because it’s synthetic and your body probably isn’t using it the way the lab intended…if your blood looks good then “you’re fine”.

Dietary Considerations

For those of you who are Hashimoto’s (remember it’s the leading cause for hypothyroidism and you SHOULD be tested for this) you need to look into treating your autoimmune disease(s) through diet. You need to cut out the foods feeding autoimmune disease, and too many people respond to the Autoimmune Paleo diet it can’t be ignored. If you’re not willing to go to this “extreme” then you should at least be tested for food allergies and sensitivities, as these feed your illness. Your immune system lives in your GUTs, so you need to heal these up if you want your body to heal as well.

Many foods contributing to autoimmune thyroid attacks include (but your doctor didn’t mention this) : Gluten and Soy. Not only do these foods contribute to autoimmune diseases, but they in fact help to shut down your poor functioning thyroid. Other foods that do this include RAW spinach, cabbage, broccoli and kale… rethink those green smoothies people!! If you’ve got an autoimmune issue, even cooking these veggies for a few minutes changes the game, because the enzymes change.

The following is a great easy to read website about Autoimmune Paleo http://aiplifestyle.com/what-is-autoimmune-protocol-diet/ or google AIP for more information. There are so many knowledgeable people out there now posting recipes and hosting blogs, you’re not alone, other’s have done these things and their quality of life has dramatically changed because of it!!

Supplementation Considerations

Iodine: Iodine is needed and necessary for proper thyroid hormone metabolism. Iodine deficiency can actually trigger hypothyroidism in the first place. Research has shown a more therapeutic dose between 10-50 mg is needed in those battling hypothyroidism, the RDA for iodine is only 150 mcg, which won’t get you where you need to go. This is where working with the right natural holistic physician comes in.

Vitamin D3: Yup, it’s really a hormone in your body, and as hormone production goes Vitamin D is needed to optimize hormone production throughout the body including your thyroid. Remember optimal blood levels range between 60-80 so getting this tested is crucial in the outcome of natural support.

Selenium: This is a crucial mineral that regulates T3 production, and many of us aren’t getting enough. Brazil nuts are a great food source, and you can get what’s needed by just 5-6 in a day if you wish to avoid swallowing another pill.

Zinc, Copper and Iron: These metals are needed in trace amounts for your healthy thyroid function. Low levels of zinc have been linked to low levels of TSH, whereas iron deficiency has been linked to decreased thyroid efficiency. Copper is also necessary for the production of thyroid hormones. It’s important for these to have good stomach acid production, so if you take any kind of antacid/suffer from GERD you’re at a higher risk of deficiency in these crucial minerals!

Omega-3 Fats: These essential fats, which are found in fish or fish oil, play an important role in thyroid function, and many help your cells become sensitive to thyroid hormone. I supplement patients only with Triglyceride forms of fish oil which is the most bio-available form!

Antioxidants and B Vitamins: The antioxidant vitamins A, C and E can help your body neutralize oxidative stress that may damage the thyroid. In addition, B vitamins help to manufacture thyroid hormone and play an important role in healthy thyroid function.

L-Tyrosine: This is an Amino Acid (found in protein sources and in supplements) which is crucial for thyroid hormone conversion as well. If you’re not getting good sources of protein in higher amounts, you may consider supplementing with this amino acid.

Adrenal Support: I think it’s important to keep in mind, if your thyroid isn’t functioning well, your adrenal glands try to step in an attempt to improve thyroid function. The bad part of this, so many have gone on so long without a proper diagnosis that these glands are not functioning to their optimum levels as well. Herbs such as ashwaghanda, rhodiola, and holy basil may be supportive enough. For other’s, glandular supplementation is needed to help re-start your system. B vitamins support the adrenal glands as well so they serve double duty here.

5 Ways to boost your Immune System Naturally

    Now that fall is upon us, and the kids have gone back to school we all know what time it really is… let the cold and flu season begin! Most of us know someone who’s already been affected by the bugs that have been going around or have been affected ourselves. But what can we do to help boost our immune system and keep our defenses up so we can continue our day to day lives? Here are 5 simple ways to start boosting your immune function today and through the cold months. Keep in mind there’s no substitute for whole foods as a staple in your diet, as vegetables and fruits naturally in and of themselves support a healthy immune system.

1-Probiotics!   This is my number one for everyone coming into the season hands down. Why would you take a probiotic or even take more if you’re already taking one? Well, about 70% of your immune system comes from these good bacteria that out number our cells 10 to 1. Most of the time when you are sick/coming down with something you will also notice a change in your bowel habits-this is my tell tale sign to up the count and knock out whatever my body is fighting before I have many other symptoms that something is wrong. So, if you’re not taking a probiotic (ps have you been living under a rock? These do more than immune function people!!) start taking one as a preventative measure in the cold months. If you are taking one, switch it up perhaps or double down if you start to feel a little run down, or you’re working with a lot of people under the weather.

2-Make time for Teas  Whether you prefer green teas or herbals teas both can offer many benefits to your immune system. Teas traditionally pack a nice antioxidant punch allowing your immune system to function at it’s best. When you choose an herbal tea you’re actually getting a mild dose of herbal medicine that will allow boosting of the immune system that isn’t too harsh. It’s especially important for chest or sinus colds to do hot teas at the earliest onset as the hot water can help stimulate your first line of defense. Now a days they make specific herbal blends to boost immunity that have things such as echinacea, elderberry or flower, cinnamon, cloves and even ginger so there’s no doubt you can find one you like. For an added boost, stir in a small amount of local honey. Be careful that the tea isn’t boiling hot when you do this or you’ll kill off all those good immune supportive nutrients in the honey. A squeeze of lemon will help your detoxification processes as well.

3-Do some Mushrooms! Let’s get this straight- I’m talking about medicinal mushroom extracts, not the psychedelic ones. Mushrooms have one of the strongest immune systems on the planet, called mycelia, and there are good companies out there making capsules and tinctures of all the goodness these little babies have to offer. I love mushroom extracts for so many reasons, the most important is that they are immune MODULATING-not stimulating. So much of the “immune boosting” stuff out there stimulates the immune system, but mushrooms tonify your natural immunity. Mushroom extracts are rich in beta glucans that stimulate macrophages and natural killer cells and triterpenoids that decrease the inflammatory response all together! I prefer Host Defense Organic Mushroom Extracts because they have made specific blends for the immune system, they’re safe to take even with auto-immune diseases, and have even been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of certain Cancers. Seriously this is some of the best stuff on earth, and if you don’t know who Paul Stamets or Host Defense is, goole it now please. This guy holds patents on some of his mushrooms for things like protection against biological warfare!

4-Supplements We all know that some things are important for the immune system like Vitamin C and zinc, but did you know Vitamin C works better at cold/flu prevention than as a treatment?? Don’t wait, if you’re going to up your C do it before you come down with something. I’m a big fan of bumping up the Vitamin D intake in winter, because let’s face it…baby it’s cold outside (oh and the sun acts like it’s on vacation). Vitamin D is present in over 300 processes in the body, so it’s super important, and any time we are sick our body’s demand for D goes up. I always like to base Vitamin D dosing on individual blood results because some people need 10,000 IU’s daily in the summer even! 2,000 IU’s is usually a safe dose without blood testing for adults, but in the winter months 5,000 might be more beneficial to people. Again, to know your dose the best way is to get checked and go from there, optimal Vitamin D levels range between 60-80 for functional health so ask to see your results when your doctor proclaims “your normal”- you’ll be shocked to see even levels as low as 30 being called OK. Antioxidants are also one of the major immune supporters, and taking a mixture is best as each individual (A,C,E,Zinc,Selenium to name a few) does it’s own thing, and they work together to enhance each other.

5-Don’t skimp on Sleep It seems too simple to be honest, but making sure your sleep routine is sound does so much for your immune system. Think about it, when we start to get a cold we usually just want to curl up in our beds and sleep the day away. Your body is trying to repair and rebuild! When we sleep our brain can keep our major life functions going (breathing, heart beating ect) but it’s allowed to focus it’s efforts on rebuilding and repairing the damage- or fighting the good fight if you have an offender in your midst. Most people aren’t aware but even most of weight loss happens in your sleep-your body pulls stored goods from your fat cells to repair from the days damage…so if you’re not getting GOOD sleep you continue to suffer. 7-8 hours of good restful sleep each night can do you wonders, so shut off the TV, draw the blinds, get some ear plugs if necessary and I like to hide the numbers on the clock so that I can relax when it comes time for bed. Before retiring for the night might be the best time to enjoy a calming tea and set the mood for relaxation and rest. By keeping your stress in check, your immune system will be able to do it’s job at it’s best.

Let the Detox Begin!

 

Today marks the first day of  my annual detox process, and this time I wanted to share with everyone my personal experience. I think it’s important to give your body a chance to reset, clean up and start fresh. For whatever reason I seem to feel the most need to do my cleanse/detoxes  in February each year. I think it’s because I get a little stir crazy in winter, and loose motivation/drive, and feel like I have become lax in my diet. This process helps me emotionally and spiritually as well. In fact the first time I did a detox program 3 years ago was to help myself get through some very difficult and emotionally taxing issues.  Yes, it worked in both detoxing my body of built up waste, but it helped me detox myself of some emotional baggage as well.

Enough about my baggage, let’s get down to the nitty gritty of the whole process. Some important things to keep in mind when doing a good detox program: 1- You should never have to stop eating foods, you’re body still needs nutrients so simply drinking a liquid beverage for 3 days doesn’t really do the right things. 2- No good detox should keep you in the bathroom all day. Things like that are just putting you at risk for dehydration which can be very serious. 3-If you have never gone through a good detox program I suggest you do one with the supervision of a natural health practitioner of some sort who has experience.

The whole point of doing a detox is to restore optimal function to your organs that naturally detoxify you every day and to get rid of any waste build up that happens over time. This is important more and more as we are continually exposed to more and more harmful substances in our air, food and water supply. The main focus of my detox is to help my liver and kidneys function at optimal levels, as well as clean up any built up waste in my colon and lymphatic system as well.  I am combining an herbal detox kit with a few additional herbal products of my own and following a diet that will increase it’s optimal function.

*Please note that some of what I have included in my own program is products that I currently have at home and would like to use up. I am in no way getting paid to advertise brands, just utilizing some products that I have used before and found effective for me.

My personal program for the next 12 days:

1)Garden of Life Wild Rose Herbal Detox- consists of wild organic herbs only. Purpose is to detox the liver, kidneys and lymphatic systems.

2)Indole -3- Carbanol – supplement intended to help my body metabolize and get rid of excess estrogens. I’m one of those estrogen dominant people and have been feeling a touch “overly moody” lately.

3)Psyllium husk powder- source of fiber done at night to help grab onto all the nasty stuff my body is kicking out and excrete it in a safer way.

4)Oregano oil- useful as a natural antibiotic and also has been known to kill candida, which I am suspecting to be a possible problem due to my not as strict dietary habits as of late.

5)Functional foods- consuming foods on a regular basis that promote the detoxification process just to make it that much easier for my body to optimize faster.

 

Today’s breakfast was a green smoothie. I used almond milk, 1 scoop of vanilla Raw Fit protein, 1 banana, 1 scoop of greens powder, 1 Tbs of spirulina powder, 2 tbs of flax seed meal/chia seed mix, a healthy squirt of omega 3 emulsified oil, and a spoon full of peanut butter that has coconut oil in it. Honestly, it’s delicious and keeping me full throughout the morning. Sure…it’s dark green and probably scary looking to others but it’s for my health!

During a normal detox process you are supposed to rest to allow your body’s energy to focus on cleaning and healing, but I plan on going home tonight and walking for at least 30 minutes on the treadmill. I need to get back into a healthy routine all around, why wait is my theory!

Looking forward to keeping you updated on the whole process as I progress. Right now, feeling great about making positive changes and feeling better!

**Please post any questions you might have, I’m happy to answer! **

Why I do Lab work

 

As a Doctor who believes in holistic medicine and a natural approach I still utilize diagnostic tools to asses the patients health and well being. Having a specific diagnosis doesn’t exactly change the course of what I would do with the patient, but without lab work it is hard to gauge progress… or know if you are addressing the ROOT cause of the issue. 

The problem with most doctors is they make a diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate drug for that condition. But what happens when the medication doesn’t work? Of course they up the dose or switch meds…. I say you never treated the cause to begin with. 

Without figuring and addressing the ROOT CAUSE of the condition or disease a person is experiencing all modern medicine, or natural medicine without diagnostic testing, is doing is putting a band-aid on the problem. 

It’s my goal to get to the root problem, and do as much as possible to fix that. Labs are an important part of what I do and guide how well natural therapies are working or not. Every body is different and responds to different things, so we can’t go off just symptoms alone to guide our treatments. Yes I want all of my patients to feel amazing, but if we are just putting another band-aid on the issue I am no better than a regular drug pushing doctor. That being said, natural medicine aims to FIX the problem… meaning you might not have to be on supplements or special dietary restrictions for life (depending on the issue and individual of course…catching that theme yet?) because if we FIX the problem, then the body goes back to optimal functioning as it was meant. 

I challenge all the patients of the world to ask their doctors why they have to be on their medications for life (cholesterol, High blood pressure just to name a few) if they actually fixed the problem. In short they don’t. The problem still exists, there are just no more warning signs coming from your body anymore. Everything your body does has a purpose and a function, it’s my job to make sure it’s all operating the best it can and guide you along that path.

Be well, and have a safe Labor Day!

-Dr.Kalli