Tag Archives: adrenal gland

The Key to Unlocking the Thyroid

Posted on April 29, 2015 | Leave a comment

The thyroid gland plays a vital role in countless functions.  Hypothyroidism, or an under active thyroid is one of the most commonly diagnosed and medicated conditions in healthcare today.  It can leave an individual feeling mentally fatigued, physically tired, constipated, unable to lose weight, abnormally cold, or plagued with dry skin, brittle nails and hair loss; to name a few.

This desperate individual turns to a doctor for help and is usually provided thyroid hormones without a blink of an eye.  Right off the bat we are witness to a flawed system and an antiquated way of thinking when it comes to health and our bodies.

The thyroid gland, just like every other organ in our body, does not exist and function in isolation.  As such, its function or dysfunction is normally a consequence of some sort of additional dysfunction somewhere within the interdependent matrix that is the human body.  The practice of supplementing thyroid symptoms with thyroid hormones is no better than a stop gap at best, as the underlying dysfunction persists and a dependency or worse is created by the external source of thyroid hormones.

Traditional medicine currently listens to symptoms, measures TSH, perhaps some form of T3 and T4, and diagnoses and prescribes from there.  It should be known that TSH alone is great at telling you something is off along the thyroid, pituitary access, but is useless as far as telling us what or why.  Adding some measurement of T3 and T4 to the panel is superior to the former, but again comes up short in shining a light on the why.

When the option of a more illuminating, complete thyroid panel (blood work) can be ordered, one must ask why it isn’t?  Even further, with the number one cause of hypothyroidism in this country being an autoimmune issue, why would a test for thyroid anti-bodies not be included in the standard testing?

Perhaps all resources aren’t utilized due to the fact that it doesn’t change the cookbook approach allopathic medicine has to offer.  If thyroid symptoms are present and the limited blood markers ordered signify that the thyroid hormones are off, another thyroid hormone consumer is created and left to life long dependency and/or incremental increases in dosage.  This shotgun approach is nothing less than reckless and a prime example of sick care.  Perhaps the thyroid isn’t the main issue that need be addressed.

Perhaps the adrenal glands are on overdrive from constant stress (physical, chemical or emotional).  Did you know hyper-functioning adrenal glands will dampen thyroid function?

Perhaps a leaky gut or gut infection is present.  Did you know that ~20% of thyroid hormones are converted in the intestines to  an active form the body can use, BUT only in the presence of a healthy gut and proper gut flora?

Perhaps liver function is hampered due to a high fructose diet, long term statin use or toxic overload.  Did you know the majority of thyroid hormones are converted to the active form in the liver?

These are just a few common examples of what can lead to hypothyroid symptoms and a skewing of limited, tunnel visioned lab numbers.

The most intelligent approach to the thyroid puzzle should at the very least include a COMPLETE thyroid panel accompanied by an antibody test.  Some practitioners may deem this medically unnecessary and refuse to order it, and to some aspect they may be correct.

It may very well be medically unnecessary if the goal is to simply stick a finger in the damn of dysfunction by flooding the body with thyroid hormones.  However, from an intelligently formulated functional standpoint, the complete panel (in addition to a comprehensive history, and a few other additional tests) can guide those interested in identifying the source of the dysfunction and provide the practitioner with the information needed to construct a plan.  If this is the goal, than it is no doubt medically necessary.

An eye opening example of this rests within the fact that the number one cause of an under active thyroid in America is due to immune dysfunction (Hashimotto’s Disease). That makes this an immune issue, not a primary thyroid issue.  The immune system can be and must be addressed and balanced in order to halt the attack on the thyroid gland.  This attack is what leads to the symptoms and can be identified by, amongst other things, a test for thyroid antibodies.

That is just one instance of how ordering the proper tests and not immediately resorting to medications  can clear the path to true health and wellness.  If you have a practitioner who refuses to order the tests you request, maybe it’s time to ask why, or find one who will.

Personally, my patients have been met with reluctance and sometimes outright refusal when the additional tests are requested. However, they can be done and it is your right as a proactive, educated patient to receive the tests you desire; as well as to work with a professional who is open minded and willing to work together when it comes to your health.

That is the model we strive to achieve and implement on a daily basis.  If it sounds appealing and liberating to you, feel free to contact us at anytime.

We’re ready when you are.

Make health happen.

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Posted in Health & Wellness, Nutrition, Stress & Sleep, Weight Loss

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Why Can’t I Fall Asleep?

Posted on February 24, 2015 | 1 comment

Insomnia can be one of the most frustrating conditions to deal with. And while not all cases of sleep disturbances fall under this overused and often incorrectly utilized label, when you are sleep deprived you know it, and end up suffering on numerous physiologic fronts far beyond simply feeling tired.

But why does this happen?

How can we fix it?

Unfortunately there are plenty of reasons why our sleep cycle can be thrown off, ranging from diet and stress to outright neurological dysfunction. However, if we utilize our knowledge of physiology and start with a least invasive approach, we can start the balling rolling in the right direction.

We first need to understand and appreciate our body’s natural 24 hour cycle. This is called the circadian rhythm and is our built in sleep-wake cycle. This cycle is heavily contingent upon the inverse relationship between two chemicals: melatonin and cortisol.

Our adrenal glands secrete cortisol in response to stress (chemical, physical and emotional) in order to provide our body with energy to deal with that stress. The adrenals and thus the release of cortisol can be set into overdrive when we are stressed or from constant blood sugar swings. This is important to grasp as cortisol has an inverse relationship with melatonin and is a driver behind the wake portion of our circadian rhythm. This means that when cortisol is elevated, melatonin and thus your ability to sleep is down.

Melatonin on the other hand drives the sleep portion of our 24 hour cycle. When all is functioning properly, our melatonin level rises throughout the day (as cortisol is dropping), ultimately culminating in its peak in the later evening, sending us off to a refreshing slumber. During the evening our melatonin level begins to drop as our cortisol levels begin to rise in response to our lower blood sugar during the mini fast that takes place when we sleep.

Cortisol then peaks in the morning (while melatonin level bottoms out) providing us with wide eyed energy for the day. As the day goes on cortisol level slowly dips and melatonin rises, and we repeat the cycle all over again.

Does this picture of perfect balance and physiological harmony sound like you?

If it doesn’t, you’re not alone as adrenal dysfunction is overwhelmingly common in contemporary lifestyles filled with poor diets and high stress.

Again, starting with a least invasive, general approach, there are things you can do in an attempt to recalibrate your circadian rhythm. The first thing you can do is to start your day out with 10-15 minutes of sun exposure. This exposure to natural light will signal the body that it is day time and lead to increased production of serotonin, which is the reason people tend to feel happier with higher levels of sunlight.

Serotonin is the precursor to melatonin and thus the more serotonin, the more potential melatonin that can be produced. This is why people who are suffering from depression due to a lack of serotonin also tend to have issues sleeping.

In addition to the sun exposure, you can also make sure to provide fuel for serotonin by consuming the amino acid tryptophan as this is the precursor to serotonin. In order to boost the likelihood of this conversion, adequate amounts of magnesium and vitamin B6 are also necessary.

Taking this step can start you on your way to more serotonin, more melatonin, and hopefully more sleep. However, there are some common pitfalls that hinder the pathway from serotonin to melatonin. One of the last steps in this conversion is called methylation. Potential attenuators of the methylation process include a junk food diet (high carb/sugar), birth control pills, hormone replacement therapies, and the bacterial gut infection, H. pylori. Working with a qualified health care provider to identify and rectify each of these situations is a must when attempting to correct that 24 hour cycle.

By far the most common cause of low melatonin is the aforementioned high cortisol. When one of these is up, the other is down. The most common cause of abnormal cortisol is dysglycemia or blood sugar issues. We have covered the causes of this extensively in past posts and it truly is a deal beaker when it comes to ALL aspects of health and longevity. Other than modifying the diet, having fasting insulin and HbA1c levels monitored can point you in the right direction.

A regular recharge by the way of natural, refreshing sleep is another vital pillar to optimal living and longevity.

Use this information.

Contact us for a consult.

Dig deeper.

Do what you have to do to ensure you are stacking the deck in your favor as much as possible in order to live this one and only life to the fullest.

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What Goes ON Your Body, Goes IN Your Body.

Posted on October 24, 2014 | Leave a comment

When we work with patients in an attempt to improve underlying function by way of ridding the body of toxins and potential triggers, healing and sealing the gut and balancing the immune system, we often focus on dietary and supplemental support.  Mainly we are making changes as to what goes IN the body.

However, we often overlook what could potentially be the major source of systemic irritation and continued suffering.  We often overlook things like our everyday toiletries and cosmetics.  These are items that we voluntarily apply to our skin and thus invite into our bodies, sometimes numerous times a day.  The simple fact is that what we put on our body is just as important as what we put in our body because what we put on our body goes into our body.

When you apply a product to your skin, whether it be deodorant to the arm pit, lotion on the hands, or makeup on the face, the ingredients of that product are absorbed through the skin and into the circulatory system.  It is here where they can now travel the bloodstream, gaining access to any and every organ of your body, including the brain.

This is why as you continue your journey to wellness enlightenment and longevity, reading the labels on ALL items, not just food becomes an essential practice.

If you decide to be proactive and take a gander at the fine print label you will often find ingredients that you either can’t pronounce or make you scratch your head.  I implore you dig a little deeper into each ingredient.  You may find independent studies (not funded by the company that stands to incur a financial gain off the success of the product) done on those particular ingredients that may lead to the use of words like “carcinogenic,” or “endocrine disruptor.”  These words are thrown around so often due to the extensive menu of modern ingredients that they often lose their significance or meaning altogether.

Let’s start with the first one; carcinogenic.  This means cancer causing.  Yes, the one and only devastating cancer.  The one that continues to claim an increasing number of lives each year despite the acknowledged fact (by the World Health Organization) that approximately half of these cases could be prevented if current medical knowledge were acted upon and lifestyle strategies were implemented.  These lifestyle strategies include the voluntary daily use and topical application AND THUS SYSTEMIC APPLICATION of products containing carcinogenic ingredients.

One of the reasons a word like carcinogenic loses it’s steam is due to the prevalence of cancer. We become so inundated with studies demonstrating a possible cancer link here or an increase in tumor growth there, to the point that a surrender to circumstance is summed up in the phrase: “everything causes cancer.”

Well this simply is not true. In actuality certain lifestyle modifications are shown to do quite the opposite and vice versa.  The above referenced phrase serves as the proverbial white flag and explanation that I’ll continue to do what I want despite the information suggesting that it may be detrimental to my health and length of life.

The term endocrine disruptor is used to refer to interference with the normal expression of hormones.  However, even when we use the term hormone disruptor, the extent of the widespread ramifications are usually not fully understood.  When most people hear the word hormone they mainly think of the sex hormones; testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, etc.  While disruption of hormones does indeed include these, it extends well beyond that.

One of the intricate mechanisms the internal body utilizes for communication and subsequent function is carried out by chemical messengers known as hormones.  These hormones range from the aforementioned reproductive hormones (which are vital regardless of age), the oh so popular thyroid hormones, the adrenal (stress) hormones, human growth hormone or HGH which helps us repair daily damage and has been touted as the anti-aging hormone, to Vitamin D which is actually considered a hormone due to all of the changes and processes it is involved in throughout the body.

The reason why this can be such a serious issue is due to the fact that our bodies operate as an interwoven matrix in which balance is key.  Any disruption of one aspect will have a direct effect on another.  Overworked adrenal glands having a dampening effect on the thyroid gland, for example.

For something to be labeled as a potential disruptor means the potential to throw off homeostasis or balance exists.  This can contribute to sleep disturbances, issues with blood sugar handling and fat storage, hypo or hyperthyroid symptoms, slow wound healing or prolonged muscle soreness, hot flashes, fertility issues; and the list goes on.  This is not a term to be taken lightly, especially if you have a poor diet or are a growing child.

In the case for carcinogenic or endocrine disrupting ingredients, often times the argument is made that the tests were done on animals so we don’t know how it will effect humans, or that the amount used in the product is so small that it’s harmless.  First off, an ingredient doubling the rate of tumor growth in any life form should be a red flag.  If there is any doubt as to safety and an option exists, especially when it comes to cancer, wouldn’t it be wise to exercise that option rather than turn a blind eye to research?  It’s all about stacking that deck here people.

Secondly, while there may be small or even trace amounts of certain substances within a product, many times these are products that are applied and reapplied to the skin on a daily basis.  As we’ve covered, this provides open access to your body via absorption through the skin and into the bloodstream.  Chemicals and toxins can then continue to circulate, often times in more toxic forms due to other metabolic interactions that take place within the body.  These toxins can then bioaccumulate in the body, mostly in fat (brain is ~70% fat by the way).

So you see even using small amounts can accumulate if the application is a daily ritual.  Add to this the potential impediment to breaking down and excreting these chemicals if there is sluggish liver function, which can be caused by toxic overload.  This is a real “chicken or egg” situation and is why using safer products and providing the liver with the support it needs with an annual detox/cleanse are two essentials for wellness.

In closing, let me just reiterate what I’ve said before.  There is no full proof way to achieve a guarantee for disease avoidance or even premature death.  However, there does exist ways to potentially facilitate that process in one direction or the other.

When it comes to the often overlooked ingredients in our skin care products and their similarly underestimated far reaching effects, it would serve as another strong step in the direction of clean living, wellness, and longevity to avoid these chemicals; even if the potential exists.  Why increase your potential for cancer or hormone disruption if you don’t have to?

Need help getting started?  Don’t know where to find alternative products?  Let us know and we’d be happy to share with you the products we utilize for our own family.

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Are Injections Your Best Option For Pain?

Posted on August 31, 2014 | Leave a comment

One of the more common modes of musculoskeletal pain treatment these days is that of an injection.  While various variations and alterations are made regarding the exact content and site of injection, in the majority of cases the basic formula remains the same.

There are two main components to an injection.  First we have the corticosteroid in which cortisone is commonly utilized.  The role of the steroid is to aggressively attenuate inflammation by dampening the immune system.  When you are inflamed, you will usually be feeling some level of pain or discomfort as the chemical mediators involved in the inflammatory process stimulate the pain pathways of your nervous system, and thus the perception of pain is experienced.

While this may effectively address a compartmentalized target, it does so at the expense of the rest of the body.  Inflammation is a main and necessary component of the immune system.  A steroid dampens the immune system, lessening the inflammation, but also compromising  overall immune function which is kind of important.

The widespread effects of steroids are seen when they are utilized as a method of control for an autoimmune condition.  In an autoimmune disease, the immune system has become imbalanced and has turned against the body that houses it, causing tissue destruction.  Patients who find themselves in this predicament often find relief with the use of corticosteroids as it knocks the entire immune system down a level, thus temporarily lessening the self destruction (rather than rebalancing the immune system, addressing the root of the dysfunction).

Some other side effects of corticosteroid injections include risk of infection, hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar), peripheral nerve damage (median nerve commonly injured in carpal tunnel injections) adrenal insufficiency (adding dysfunction to the commonly over worked “stress glands), immunosuppression, osteoporosis, and actual TENDON RUPTURE.

The tendon element can get dicey, as injections are now commonly utilized for such a wide range of sport type injuries including sprains and strains, bursitis, tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, etc.  The logic behind aiming an injected dose of a corticosteroid at what is presumed to be a tendon issue comes into question when we discover the tendon doesn’t actually succumb to inflammation.

The term tendonitis (meaning inflammation of the tendon) is actually a misnomer due to the lack of inflammation. The proper term for the reduced mobility, strength and discomfort originating in the tendon is actually tendinosis but many clinicians (present company included) continue to use the outdated, falsely descriptive term.

As we explained above, the therapeutic property of the corticosteroid intended to be utilized in this instance is that of an anti-inflammatory agent.  If the tendon is incapable of becoming inflamed this is a poorly misguided effort.  Additionally, studies have shown that injections weaken the tendon and can actually lead to eventual  rupture.

The other commonly used component of these injections is a local anesthetic like lidocaine.  This provides immediate relief to the area as the pain signals are silenced by this chemical agent.

The dangerous aspect of using this or any numbing, pain blocking agent is that it puts a gag on the body as it tries to convey the idea that something isn’t right.  The underlying dysfunction persists, but miraculously you feel fine.  This creates a false sense of security and can lead to doing too much, too soon causing re-injury, escalation of the injury or a new injury.

Injections for common musculoskeletal injuries have become so popular due to our constant demand for the quick, easy fix.  The inflammation; the pain; they came about for a reason.  Something isn’t right in the way we move, our strength, stability or mobility and it has manifested in the irritation of a particular and tissue and now you and your potentially reduced training load.

If you want to be in this thing for the long haul, capture this opportunity to discover the breakdown, remedy the issue, and make your parts happy (and quiet) again.  As annoying, nagging, uncomfortable, disruptive, (insert adjective) as pain can be, it truly is a gift from the body letting you know to knock it off or make a change.  Simply silencing this signal may get you through temporarily.  It may even provide lasting relief.

However, it may not. It may actually leave you right where you started or worse.  The alternative can be more time consuming.  The alternative may take a little trial and error to find a unique to you treatment program, rather than a one size fits all remedy.  The alternative may involve looking beyond an injection site for pain and addressing the whole person and kinematic chain.

To me this non-invasive approach logically makes more sense as the primary mode of intervention.  If it does to you as well, and you’d like to give it a shot before getting a shot, we are ready and waiting to collaborate with you.

 

REFERENCES

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2084363/

http://www.m.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/cortisone-injection-soft-tissues-joints

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Hampered by Habitual Heartburn?

Posted on April 18, 2014 | Leave a comment

Heartburn. Indigestion.  Acid reflux.  These are annoyances that plague millions of Americans.  The prevalence of this condition is so frequent that the sales of OTC (over the counter) antacids is in the billions.  I even saw Larry the Cable Guy pitching some Prilosec on a commercial, urging that we don’t let heartburn get in the way.

Dr. Cable Guy has it partially right. You shouldn’t allow heartburn to get in your way.  However the answer is not to mindlessly pop a side effect laden pill in order to silence your body’s cry for help. Especially not on a regular basis, as even the manufacturers warn to caution long term use.

So what to do? Well, with this situation as with all, the optimal solution is to search for the cause of the dysfunction.

What’s the problem?

A burning sensation somewhere along your upper digestive tract. What’s the cause? Well, if you’re like many pill popping Americans, you may believe the issue is too much stomach acid. Drugs like the aforementioned Prilosec work by inhibiting the production of stomach acid, when in fact too little acid may actually be the issue.   Moreover, the issue may have nothing to do with acid volume at all, but rather nervous system dysfunction leading to discordination of the sphincters designed to prevent the back wash of potent stomach acid.

To our first point, a condition called hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid) can actually be the counterintuitive root of acid reflux.  We need our stomachs to secrete hydrochloric acid in order to protect us from harmful invaders hitching a ride with our food, and as a mandatory early digestive aid.  Without it, proper digestion cannot occur leaving one susceptible to nutrient and mineral deficiencies, as well as gut irritation, inflammation, infection and permeability.  And if you’ve read any other posts on this site or are up on the current research, you’re aware this can set the stage for a host of issues including autoimmune diseases.

When food is not hit with a proper dose of hydrochloric it begins to go rancid and putrefy in our gastrointestinal tract. The body, in all of its infinite wisdom, tries to refuse this ball of rotting nastiness and directs it towards the nearest exit. Unfortunately due the early juncture that this takes place along the digestive process, this ends up being your esophagus, where it irritates the delicate tissue and causes your classic heartburn.

Now if you chose to go the OTC route you will most likely experience some temporary relief, as it blocks the acid that is normally back washed into your esophagus. Unfortunately all you did was shove a dirty old sock in your body’s mouth as it attempts to inform you that something isn’t right.  So what happens? Well, next feeding the symptoms return and you learn to pop another pill as it now becomes your standard appetizer or dessert.

Not to pick on Prilosec, but since Larry gives’er the nod let’s hear some of those potential side effects that increase the longer you rely on them in order to enjoy that funnel cake with Mr. Cable Guy.  Those listed as common include headache, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and flatulence. More serious possibilities include fun things like pancreatitis, hepatic (liver) impairment, gastritis, nephritis (kidneys), and blood disorders.

Most importantly you need to keep in mind that you’re inhibiting the function of the entire digestive process.  While this may give you the short lived gratification of enjoying a taste, you are setting yourself up to be nutrient deficient and plagued by the laundry list of possible issues that can occur from that leaky, inflamed gut. So what can you do to break the cycle?

Well, first find a practitioner that is willing to go beyond the knee jerk reaction of prescribing something to decrease the stomach acid.  (In many cases supplementing with HCl (hydrochloric acid) actually brings relief.)

You’ll want to undergo a thorough consultation, exam, and perhaps some blood work in order to discover whether the causative factor is something like your thyroid gland, adrenal glands, or based in the brain.  You’ll have to be willing to make the necessary lifestyle changes, especially when it comes to diet in order to heal the gut and identify any possible food intolerances that may be causing constant internal stress and leading to esophageal sphincter dysfunction.

If you suffer from chronic heartburn or another condition that you’re tired of being on meds for;

If you’re tired of feeling like you’re running in circles;

If you’re interested in a natural and holistic approach described in the paragraph above;

if you believe the body is a complex matrix of interconnected systems and not isolated compartments;

if you are sick and tired of being sick and tired; then please give us a call (321) 848-0987.  It would be our pleasure to collaborate with you in your journey towards optimal health.

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