Welcome to our series on gut health.  This is one of those topics that is overwhelmingly MASSIVE and hard to even know where to start.  You have likely heard or maybe even researched a little for yourself, on the topic of gut health.  Maybe you know that probiotics are pretty good for you, you are just not sure why.  I'm just going to scratch the surface a little bit today on gut health, then I will dig deeper for you in the subsequent weeks to come. 

What is the gut Microbiome?  “Just like any other environment on the planet, our bodies have their own ecosystems -- made up of 100 trillion microorganisms, or microbes, that live in and on our bodies," says Rachael Buck, PhD, Abbott's lead research scientist and resident gut health expert. "These include bacteria, fungi, viruses and other types of tiny organisms. It’s so large in fact, that the genes of microbes outnumber our body’s genes by 100 to 1." 
The Gut Microbiome Explained (© 2019 Abbott)

When it comes to the microbiome, the large intestine (or, the colon) receives the most attention because it contains the highest concentration and greatest diversity of microbes in the entire body. The large intestine is lined with a layer of mucus and the microbes that live there form a gut biofilm. The biofilm contains an array of different microbes that carry out different tasks in your body and also work together to keep you healthy.What’s even more fascinating is that each and every person has a unique make-up of microbes. What determines the different types of microbes in a person is a result of ones genes, age, gender, diet, hygiene, and even the climate you live in and your occupation. In fact, studies show that the gut microbiome affects everything from pain, mood, sleep and stress, to how our bodies use the food we eat and how we fight off infection.

1) NUTRITION
Your gut bacteria can become unbalanced with a poor diet of high fats and highly refined carbohydrates/sugar.  Numerous studies are showing a HIGH correlation between highly processed foods and Leaky Gut Syndrome (more on that later).  The poorly managed diet ends up eroding the muccosal layer that lines the inner wall of the intestinal tract which is suppose to protect us from the unwanted bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc.

2) SLEEP AND MOOD
The quote: 'Our gut is our second brain", has become increasingly well known and popular.  Dubbed the second brain, the enteric nervous system within the gut contains 30 types of neurotransmitters and 100 million neurons. Ninety-percent of serotonin, which helps to produce melatonin, the “sleep hormone,” is located in the gut. There is also 400 times more melatonin in the gut than there is in the brain.  The gut brain axis picture below is great depiction of this relationship.

3) Inflammation and Infection
Healthy microbes in the gut destroy the harmful bacteria plus release chemicals that decrease inflammation in the body.
4) Skin
In addition to helping to keep our mind and body healthy – research has shown the microbiome also works to keep our skin healthy. Oily parts of the body – like the back or the face – tend to have fewer types of microbes because oil is anti-microbial, which keep bacteria out.These microbes also transform oils in the skin into natural moisturizers to keep the skin soft and supple. And when skin is moisturized, it also prevents bacteria from invading our bodies.

What does all of this mean in regards to a healthy immune system?  It's simple, yet not: healthy gut = healthy you.  Let me do a little bit of schooling here though to help set the ground work for understanding more.  The gut lining has 2 very important parts: the microbiome that is home to all of our good bacteria, and the barrier layer that keeps all of the good, bad, and ugly in our gut and not floating about.  As mentioned above, the microbiome is working to keep the good bacteria growing and fighting, and the rest of the bad and ugly down and out.  The gut barrier is "the Wall".  The wall is very protected by a mucus layer.  Check out the picture below:

The lining of the intestine is made up of Intestinal Epithelial Cells that are bound tightly together to not let anything bad break through to the bottom barrier.  As we consume a poor diet, take medications, live in a constant state of stress, etc., these cells lose their strength and start to break down.  When bad bacteria, fungi, viruses, even food particals infiltrate past the damaged barrier, our bodies immediately start fighting those substances.  The constant battle is on with everything that enters your gut.  The end result is a constant state of stress in the body = inflammation = poor immune function = chronic symptoms such as poor mood, sleep, nutritional deficiencies, weight gain, and even the start of autoimmune diseases.  Here's another diagram below.

 In Part II of our healthy gut series, we will look more in depth to food sensitivities and autoimmune diseases with regards to our gut health.  Lastly, we will map out plans to help heal the gut while restoring your health and increasing your immunity. 

You easily have 1 or maybe 100 friends that have their child/children diagnosed with ADD/ADHD.  You have likely encountered MANY people with different opinions on whether ADHD is even a "real" diagnosis.  I'm not here to start a debate or even give you my personal opinions.  With October being ADHD awareness month, I thought I would share some startling and exciting new info with everyone. 
A little definition and history of ADHD...
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that most often occurs in children, but can also be diagnosed in adulthood. Symptoms of ADHD include:

• having trouble concentrating or focusing
• having difficulty staying organized
• being forgetful about completing tasks
• having difficulty sitting still

It can be a difficult condition to diagnose. Many symptoms of ADHD can be typical childhood behaviors, so it can be hard to know what’s ADHD-related and what’s not. Here are the basic facts and symptoms of ADHD.

History Lesson:

• ADHD was first mentioned in 1902. British pediatrician Sir George Still described “an abnormal defect of moral control in children.” 
• The APA did not recognize ADHD as a diagnosis until 1968.  It was originally named hyperkinetic impulse disorder.
• The FDA approved the psychostimulant Ritalin (methylphenidate) in 1955. It became more popular as an ADHD treatment as the disorder became better understood and diagnoses increased. The medicine is still used to treat ADHD today.
• The APA released a third edition of the DSM (DSM-III) in 1980. They changed the name of the disorder from hyperkinetic impulse disorder to attention deficit disorder (ADD).
• The last change to finalize the ADHD diagnosis was finally made in the year 2000. 

Since the final "textbook" change was made, the cases of ADHD have risen exponentially fast. 

5 fast facts

• Males are almost three times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than females.
• During their lifetimes, 13 percent of men will be diagnosed with ADHD. Just 4.2 percent of women will be diagnosed.
• The average age of ADHD diagnosis is 7 years old.
• Symptoms of ADHD typically first appear between the ages of 3 and 6.
• ADHD isn’t just a childhood disorder. About 4 percent of American adults over the age of 18 deal with ADHD on a daily basis.

A few extra interesting facts I found are the following.  There is a 4x higher risk for ADHD if you are in an english speaking home.  Children living in conditions that are 2x below the federal poverty level have a much higher risk.  In regards to race in the US, whites are at 9.8%, Blacks 9.5%, and Latinos 5.5%.  The numbers continued to skyrocket over the years also.  From the year 2003 to 2011, there was a 42% increase in ADHD diagnoses.  

This happens to be the most interesting fact to me so far:
The Causes of ADHD
Scientists have not yet identified the specific causes of ADHD. There is evidence that genetics contribute to ADHD. For example, three out of four children with ADHD have a relative with the disorder. Other factors that may contribute to the development of ADHD include being born prematurely, brain injury and the mother smoking, using alcohol or having extreme stress during pregnancy. 
​
So we are treating this condition with some serious drugs, but we really can't confirm where it is coming from or how to treat it safely...hummmmm.

I also found this very interesting.  In an article published by Psychology Today, the wrote about why the French don't have ADHD.  Here's their article:

Why French Kids Don't Have ADHDFrench children don't need medications to control their behavior.
Posted Mar 08, 2012

In the United States, at least 9 percent of school-aged children have been diagnosed with ADHD, and are taking pharmaceutical medications. In France, the percentage of kids diagnosed and medicated for ADHD is less than .5 percent. How has the epidemic of ADHD—firmly established in the U.S.—almost completely passed over children in France?

Is ADHD a biological-neurological disorder? Surprisingly, the answer to this question depends on whether you live in France or in the U.S. In the United States, child psychiatrists consider ADHD to be a biological disorder with biological causes. The preferred treatment is also biological—psycho stimulant medications such as Ritalin and Adderall.
French child psychiatrists, on the other hand, view ADHD as a medical condition that has psycho-social and situational causes. Instead of treating children's focusing and behavioral problems with drugs, French doctors prefer to look for the underlying issue that is causing the child distress—not in the child's brain but in the child's social context. They then choose to treat the underlying social context problem with psychotherapy or family counseling. This is a very different way of seeing things from the American tendency to attribute all symptoms to a biological dysfunction such as a chemical imbalance in the child's brain.

French child psychiatrists don't use the same system of classification of childhood emotional problems as American psychiatrists. They do not use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or DSM. According to Sociologist Manuel Vallee, the French Federation of Psychiatry developed an alternative classification system as a resistance to the influence of the DSM-3. This alternative was the CFTMEA (Classification Française des Troubles Mentaux de L'Enfant et de L'Adolescent), first released in 1983, and updated in 1988 and 2000. The focus of CFTMEA is on identifying and addressing the underlying psychosocial causes of children's symptoms, not on finding the best pharmacological band-aids with which to mask symptoms.

To the extent that French clinicians are successful at finding and repairing what has gone awry in the child's social context, fewer children qualify for the ADHD diagnosis. Moreover, the definition of ADHD is not as broad as in the American system, which, in my view, tends to "pathologize" much of what is normal childhood behavior. The DSM specifically does not consider underlying causes. It thus leads clinicians to give the ADHD diagnosis to a much larger number of symptomatic children, while also encouraging them to treat those children with pharmaceuticals.
The French holistic, psychosocial approach also allows for considering nutritional causes for ADHD-type symptoms—specifically the fact that the behavior of some children is worsened after eating foods with artificial colors, certain preservatives, and/or allergens. Clinicians who work with troubled children in this country—not to mention parents of many ADHD kids—are well aware that dietary interventions can sometimes help a child's problem. In the U.S., the strict focus on pharmaceutical treatment of ADHD, however, encourages clinicians to ignore the influence of dietary factors on children's behavior.
And then, of course, there are the vastly different philosophies of child-rearing in the U.S. and France. These divergent philosophies could account for why French children are generally better-behaved than their American counterparts. Pamela Druckerman highlights the divergent parenting styles in her recent book, Bringing up Bébé. I believe her insights are relevant to a discussion of why French children are not diagnosed with ADHD in anything like the numbers we are seeing in the U.S.

Do you really know what the drugs are that are being used to treat ADHD.  So many people just agree to take whatever they are told to give themselves or their children without so much as a second thought.  Take a peek at the long list below of medication prescribed for ADHD.  My biggest concern is all of the AMPHETAMINES!  Wowzers!!!!!

The side effects above are serious, especially for our growing young children.  The graph below is real.  Is it possible to find new treatments for ADHD that aren't so scary?

Today one of the biggest problems we now face are people stealing and selling these prescription meds to get high.  There are teens not only swallowing these pills for fun, but also snorting them and even injecting them.  These real and scary facts bring me to a lighter subject, thankfully, and that is diet and supplementation. 

Before I share with you some of the latest nutirtional infomation related to ADHD, I do again want to clarify that this is not a controversial post about whether ADHD is real or fake etc.  I personally do believe there is just cause to classify ADHD as a legitimate diagnosis.   I also believe it is severely over diagnosed and also diagnosed prematurely.  Before drugs are pushed, shouldn't we give diet and exercise a chance?  Some of these youngsters that we are quick to diagnosis with ADHD eat 90% or more processed foods with most of that being sugar.  Lucky Charms for breakfast is not feeding your child's body or brain.  You are giving them pure sugar, then asking them to sit still, focus, and not pass out from the post sugar rush coma.  Also, the lack of physical exercise these children now get is at an all time high.  Some of these children get the most exercise from their day from only recess.  The go home, snack, and sit the rest of the afternoon and evening in front of screens.  So evaluating the individuals diet and exercise is a very important first step. 
​
Now we look at those whom still struggle after a diet and exercise program was not as successful as needed.  Well, the exciting new word is that Magnesium may just be what the doctor needs to order (lol, for realy though).

We are starting to see some great research emerging on the relationship of Magnesium and ADHD. 
The following study is one of many to choose from.  This one is short and sweet, so I thought I would include it.Magnesium supplementation in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder





Magnesium supplementation in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Author:FaridaEl BazaHeba AhmedAlShahawiSallyZahraRana AhmedAbdelHakim

Under a Creative Commons licenseAbstractBackground
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder with associated mineral deficiency.
Aim To assess magnesium level in ADHD children and compare it to the normal levels in children. Then, to detect the effect of magnesium supplementation as an add on therapy, on magnesium deficient patients.
Methods
The study was conducted on 25 patients with ADHD and 25 controls. All subjects had magnesium estimation in serum and hair. ADHD children were further assessed by Wechsler intelligence scale for children, Conners’ parent rating scale, and Wisconsin card sorting test. Then magnesium deficient patients were assigned into 2 groups, those who received magnesium, and those who did not. The difference between the studied groups was assessed by Conners’ parents rating scale and Wisconsin card sorting test.
Results
Magnesium deficiency was found in 18 (72%) of ADHD children. The magnesium supplemented group improved as regards cognitive functions as measured by the Wisconsin card sorting test and Conners’ rating scale. The patients reported minor side effects from magnesium supplementation.
Conclusion
Magnesium supplementation in ADHD, proves its value and safety.

Another Great Article:

• Magnesium Decreases Hyperactivity in ADHD Children

by Helen Saul
Case
Magnesium deficiency is found more frequently in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) than in healthy children. In one study of ADHD children, magnesium deficiency was found in 95 percent of those examined (1). Does this warrant magnesium supplementation for hyperactive children? The answer is yes.
Supplementation with magnesium appears to be especially helpful for alleviating hyperactivity in children (2). In a group of children supplemented with about 200 milligrams (mg) per day of magnesium for six months, there was “an increase in magnesium contents in hair and a significant decrease of hyperactivity” compared to children in the control group who had not been treated with supplemental magnesium (3).
Magnesium Is Safe and It Works
A review that looked at studies done on magnesium for the treatment of ADHD in children concluded that although “studies supported that magnesium is effective for treating ADHD…until further strong evidences for its efficacy and safety are provided, magnesium is not recommended for treating ADHD.” (4) This is typical of modern “evidence-based” medical literature. Some medical professionals will ignore what is already known unless a sufficient number of double-blind randomized studies have been performed. Magnesium supplementation is safe and effective, and it is critically important for children who are deficient.
The safety of magnesium has been well established. There have been no deaths reported from magnesium supplementation. None (5). An overdose of magnesium may result in loose stool. This is temporary, and will go away once dosages are reduced or divided into smaller amounts of magnesium given throughout the day. Magnesium supplementation is safe and it is worth trying, especially when we consider the dangers of ADHD drugs.
ADHD Drugs Are Dangerous
Depending on which ADHD drug is being taken, side effects of overdose include mydriasis, tremors, anxiety, agitation, hyper-reflexia, headache, gastrointestinal upset, combative behavior, confusion, hallucinations, delirium, dizziness, dystonia, insomnia, paranoia, movement disorders, tachycardia hypertension, seizures, and yes, even hyperactivity, the very condition an ADHD drug is supposed to be treating. Oh, and they can kill you (6,7). Even if “fatalities are rare” (7), I imagine this brings little comfort to parents. Moreover, the most common side effects of ADHD drugs, taken as prescribed, are appetite loss, abdominal pain, headaches, sleep disturbances, diminished growth, hallucinations and psychotic disturbances (8). Magnesium produces none of these effects. And even though magnesium is both safe and effective, nowhere in the report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Clinical Practice Guideline for ADHD is magnesium supplementation recommended (8).
When it comes to the potential for kids to die suddenly from taking their prescribed ADHD medication, concerns are dismissed by the AAP with statements like “evidence is conflicting as to whether stimulant medications increase the risk of sudden death” (8). One would hope that with this level of uncertainty about the risk of death, the medical advice would be against the use of ADHD medication. Instead, the recommendation from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is “continue your ADHD treatment as prescribed by a healthcare professional” (9). Just be sure to “talk to your healthcare professional about any questions you may have about ADHD medications.” Well, never has “talking about it” made medication any less dangerous.
Other Benefits of Magnesium
In addition to its effectiveness for treating hyperactivity, magnesium also benefits children in other profound ways: it can help kids sleep better at night, relieve discomfort from sore muscles and growing pains, relieve constipation, reduce anxiety, and reduce headache days (10).

“I have come to the conclusion that everyone could benefit from extra magnesium supplementation.”
– Carolyn Dean, MD, ND

Magnesium and Other Nutrients for ADHD
ADHD is not caused by a drug deficiency. Instead of giving drugs to our children, we should look to the benefits of providing them with optimal nutrition. Children with ADHD may benefit from optimal levels of several nutrients including vitamin D (11), iron (12), niacin (B3), pyridoxine (B6), vitamin C, and omega-3 fatty acids (13). In addition to removing refined sugar from the diet, avoiding artificial food dyes, and providing healthy food, pediatrician Ralph Campbell, MD, recommends a vitamin B complex supplement be given with breakfast, an additional 100 mg of B6 at another meal, and 200 mg or more of magnesium per day for ADHD children (13). Other helpful tips include limiting screen time and increasing exercise, especially in the outdoors.
Dosage
The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of magnesium for children ages one to three is 80 mg per day. Children ages four to five: 130 mg magnesium per day. By age nine, our government recommends that kids should be getting (at least) 240 mg of magnesium per day. And at age fourteen, between 360 to 410 mg per day. Keep in mind, only about 30 to 40 percent of dietary magnesium is absorbed by the body (14). Remember, too much magnesium in a less-absorbable form can cause loose stool. This side effect can be prevented by reducing the amount of magnesium given and providing it in a more absorbable form. If larger total daily doses of magnesium are required, divide the dose into smaller amounts and give it multiple times throughout the day.

One of my favorite articles you can google if you are more interested comes from The Egyptian Journal of Medical Human Genetics (www.ejmhg.eg.net).  Original article title: Magnesium Supplementation in Children with Attention Defect Hyperactivity Disorder May 2015.  The article has graphs to show the success with Magnesium supplementation for those with ADHD.

As we dig a little more we do find that other vitamins and minerals are super important also for the management of ADHD. 

As a health care provider that strives to help others find the causes of their health care concerns and help treat them, rather than band-aid them, it gives me a lot of positive hope to share this post with you.  I hate to see the road to prescription help being the only road possible for people.  From the articles above, you know there is no harm that can be done from eating healthier, exercising more regularly, and supplementing your diet with high quality supplements.  I have three daughters of my own, I know it is NOT easy to make sure they take extra supplements to fill in those inadequacies that we have from our diet.  I will say this though, our supplement companies that we carry do an AMAZING job of supplying us with kid friendly supplements.  We try each and every supplement ourselves to know how they taste.  The most excited and newest addition to Standard Process, one of our supplement suppliers, is the new Magnesium

These make me SO excited!!!!  This is such a easier way to get your Magnesium, plus it's kid friendly.  This was just released and we were able to get a sneak peek preview and taste about a month ago.  Not going to lie, it looks a wheee bit like grass, but it taste great.  You can easily add a stick to a simple water bottle on the go, or in your other shakes.  I am going to add a little more info about it below.

E-Z Mg™ is a plant-based, multiform magnesium (Mg) developed to support patients with inadequate dietary magnesium intake. Made from two key ingredients: Swiss chard (beet leaf) and buckwheat – both grown on our sustainable and certified organic farm in Wisconsin.

• Plant-based, naturally occurring multiform of magnesium
• Helps to bridge the gap in dietary magnesium intake*
• May promote whole-body and urine alkalization*
• Rich source of vitamin K1
• Gluten-Free, Vegan, USDA Organic

What is the Benefit of Multiform Magnesium (Mg)?The best source of magnesium is naturally occurring and obtained from the diet. Various forms of magnesium make use of different uptake sites in the guts with 40% of magnesium absorption taking place throughout the intestines.2 Plant-based magnesium, like that found in E-Z Mg™, is considered ideal as it consists of a collection of various magnesium forms (i.e., multiform). Since plant-based magnesium contains multiple forms, it helps take the guesswork out of which kind of magnesium to take.
​
The plant-based, multiform magnesium in E-Z Mg™ may be absorbed by the body the way nature intended.
The naturally occurring multiform magnesium in E-Z Mg™ is not expected to contribute to gastrointestinal side effects that are common in other forms of magnesium supplements. Also, recent findings show our plant-based magnesium exhibits significantly higher levels of ionized magnesium in cerebrospinal fluid after only 14 days after administration.Why is There a Gap in Dietary Magnesium Intake?

The Standard American Diet (SAD) is high in processed foods and carbohydrates, low in vitamins and minerals. This inadequate daily intake of plant materials helps contribute to magnesium deficiency.3 Data also suggests that produce - especially vegetables - has experienced a decline in mineral content over the last century.4
Key IngredientsE-Z Mg™ consists of extracts of two key ingredients: organic dried Swiss chard (beet leaf) juice and organic dried buckwheat (aerial parts) juice delivering 85mg of elemental magnesium. The PRAL value in each serving is estimated at -8.9mEq which may help promote urine and whole-body alkalization.

 The following are three great and highly recommended Supplements for your kiddos:

 Catalyn Chewable contains vital nutrients from whole foods and other sources.*

•  Supplies multiple vitamins and minerals for complete, complex nutritional supplementation
• Designed to bridge nutritional gaps in the diet
• Encourages healthy cell functioning
• Supports overall well-being
• Great-tasting chewable tablet with natural cherry fruit powder*

Congaplex Chewable is used for short-term support of the immune system.*

• Supports healthy immune system response function
• Provides ingredients with antioxidant activity
• Supports the thymus gland
• Contains ribonucleic acid, which the body uses to build new cells
• Contains a combination of key ingredients from Cataplex® A-C, Thymex®, Calcium Lactate, and Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)
• Great-tasting chewable tablet with natural raspberry fruit powder*

Tuna Omega 3 Chewable delivers essential omega-3 fatty acids*

• Natural profile of tuna oil—not concentrated
• Supports normal lipid profiles already within normal range
• Supports the body's natural inflammatory response function as it relates to periodic challenges like consumption of a high-fat meal or strenuous activity
• Third-party tested for environmental contaminants
• Supports cognition
• Supports skin and hair health
  
• Supports emotional balance
• DHA is important for proper fetal eye and brain development.
• Supportive but not conclusive research has shown that EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.*

Please don't hesitate to stop by the office and ask about the supplements we carry and how we can help you.

The Thyroid is a very important little gland in the human body and chances are you have heard about it from time to time.  This popular little gland makes the news quite a lot considering it's major function in our metabolism.  Not only do you hear about it in the health and weight-loss news, but also quite a lot in the avenue of moods, depression, etc.  What do you really know about the thyroid though?  It's so easy for one to assume that they might be hypothyroid because they have a hard time losing weight, are depressed, and possibly fatigued.  Before jumping into the WebMD self diagnosed world, I'm here to offer a little more info on that important gland and what it does for us. 
Thyroid Physiology:
The Thyroid gland produces 2 hormones: T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine).The thyroid hormones act on nearly every cell in the body. They act to increase the basal metabolic rate, affect protein synthesis, help regulate long bone growth (synergy with growth hormone) and neural maturation, and increase the body's sensitivity to catecholamines (such as adrenaline) by permissiveness. The thyroid hormones are essential to proper development and differentiation of all cells of the human body. These hormones also regulate protein, fat, and carbohydrate metabolism, affecting how human cells use energetic compounds. They also stimulate vitamin metabolism. Numerous physiological and pathological stimuli influence thyroid hormone synthesis. 
As you have just read, that small little gland in your neck has a pretty big job.  When the thyroid starts to malfunction, you get one of two outcomes, HYPOthyroidism or HYPERthryoidism.
Hypothyroidism
Insufficient hormone production from the thyroid gland. 

• Insufficient iodine intake
• Autoimmune disease (Hashimoto's)
• Stress

Symptoms: weight gain, depression, dry hair and skin, cellulite, fluid retention, constipation, cold hands and feet, female infertility, thin or absent lateral third of eyebrow hair, goiter, birth defects, fatigue, slowed mental processes, hair loss, poor memory and/or focus, "brain fog" low libido, cold intolerance, abnormal menses, peripheral neuropathy.

Incidence
Diagnosed:  3% of the population (9.3 million in the US).  Most common in women over 35 (>20% of US menopausal women are diagnosed with thyroid dysfunction.

Blood Test Analysis:
High TSH (thryoid stimulating hormone), Low Free T3, High or Low Free T4
Hair Analysis:
High Calcium : Potassium ratio
          ***************Don't worry, I'm coming back to explain everything in more detail shortly*******************

Hyperthyroidism
Overactive thyroid hormone secretion. 

• Graves Disease (90% US cases)
• Thyroid Goiter

Symptoms: nervousness, irritability, increased perspiration, palpitations, hand tremors, anxiety, insomnia, thinning of the skin, fine brittle hair, muscular weakness, unexplained weight loss, cardiac arrhythmia, bulging eyes.

Incidence
Approximently 1.3 percent of the population.  This increases to 4 to 5 percent in older women.  Hyperthyroidism is more common in those whom smoke.  Graves disease is often found in younger women.

Blood Tests Analysis
Low TSH, High free T3, Normal to High T4
Hair Analysis:
Low Calcium : Potassium Ratio

Making Sense of the Thyroid Gland Function
Almost 90 percent of the hormone produced by your thyroid is in the form of T4, the inactive form. Your liver then converts the T4 into T3, the active form.  If everything is working properly, you will make what you need and have the correct amounts of T3 and T4, which control the metabolism of every cell in your body. If your T3 is inadequate, either by scarce production or not converting properly from T4, your whole system suffers. T3 is critically important because it tells the nucleus of your cells to send messages to your DNA to rev up your metabolism by burning fat. This is how T3 lowers cholesterol levels, regrows hair, and helps keep you lean. Your T3 levels can be disrupted by nutritional imbalances, toxins, allergens, infections, and stress, and this lead to a series of complications, including thyroid cancer, hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism, which today are three of the most prevalent thyroid-related diseases.  

Today we are seeing far more HYPOthyroid related health problems due to the nature of our lifestyles.  The number 1 PRIMARY cause of an under-active thyroid gland is due to Iodine deficiency.  Iodine is deficient in our food supply, but equally deficient because of our bodies inability to absorb the iodine effectively.  The most common factors contributing to decreased thyroid function include food sensitivities, Stress, soy, and bromines.  Obviously we are all different and have different sensitivities, but any one food sensitivity that causes inflammation and an immune response can hurt your thyroid function.  I am not even going to go into the nastiness of SOY!  Just know that it is BAD BAD BAD, especially the nonfermented soy products like soy "meat" , cheese, and milk.  If you want to read up more on soy, simply google soy on the internet along with unhealthy benefits of soy.  Soy and the thyroid specifically: soy phytoestrogens are significant anti-thyroid agents that cause hypothyroidism.  Bromine, and element found in A LOT of things we eat and come into contact with daily such as pesticides, few bakery goods/flours, some soft drinks, vegetable oils, some medications, and some fire retardant products and hot tub water treatment.  Bromine can take the place of iodine in our receptor cells thus not allowing iodine into the thyroid.   Bromine toxicity can lead to psychiatric problems along with decreased thyroid health and many other health concerns. 

Lastly and I think is a massive contributor to thyroid health is STRESS!  If you have studied health and stress even a little, you know that stress is an adrenal killer.  The Thyroid and Adrenals are vital to each other and desperately need to work in harmony to keep our hormones balanced.  Many of us are under chronic stress, which results in increased adrenaline and cortisol levels, and elevated cortisol has a negative impact on thyroid function. Thyroid hormone levels drop during stressful times, which is when you actually need it the most. When stress becomes chronic, the flood of stress chemicals – adrenaline and cortisol – produced by your adrenal glands interfere with your thyroid hormones, causing a whole gamut of health-related issues like obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and/or unstable blood sugar levels. A prolonged stress response can lead to adrenal exhaustion, which is also known as adrenal fatigue and which is often found alongside thyroid disease.

• Iodine
  

Iodine is a nutrient that can be secretly found in every organ and tissue in the body.  Iodine is anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic, anti-viral, and anti-cancer agent. Iodine deficiency is now accepted as the most common cause of preventable brain damage in the world.  WHO estimated that over 30% of the world's population (2 billion people) has insufficient iodine intake. Our food supply is replacing iodine with bromine based agents, our toxicity exposure is at epic proportions, and our daily stress just keeps climbing.  What do we do?  We educate ourselves to get a better understanding and make better choices.  We learn how to manage our stress better. 
Lets revert back to the iodine sources in our food supply briefly.  The biggest contributors to decreased iodine consumption today include: diets focusing less on fish and seaweed, vegan/vegetarian diets, less iodide in the food and agricultural industry, fluoridated drinking water, food contamination, and decreased use of iodized salt.  What we can do to make healthier changes daily; eat organic as much as possible, avoid eating or drinking from plastic containers and choose glass or ceramic instead, look for organic whole grain bread flours that are "bromine -free",  and avoid sodas.  Outside of our dietary changes, steer away from Bromine in your hot tubs, read labels on your daily personal care products to avoid harsh chemicals, and try to ventilate with as much fresh air as possible as often as you can.

Two Main Points to Thyroid Care

1. Feed: Nutritional support for optimal thyroid function
2. Cleanse: Remove toxins

Four Key Minerals and Their Foods or Thyroid Support - Food Primary and Supplementation when needed

1. Iodine: seaweed / sea vegetation
2. Selenium: Brazil Nuts
3. Sodium: sea salt
4. Zinc: Oysters, grass fed beef, spinach, cashews, beans, buckwheat, mushrooms, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, grass fed lamb, lentils, and turkey

KEY Amino Acid for the Thyroid: TYROSINE
Tyrosine is the basis for thyroid hormones and the three catecholamines: epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine.  Great sources of Tyrosine are eggs, raw cheese, raw milk, raw almonds, avocado, grass fed beef, and organic chicken and turkey.
Key Supplementation for above: Vitamin C, Vitamin F, and Tyrosine

• Supplementation
  

As a health care provider, we only use two main companies that are dominating the market on their quality of supplements.  These supplements are professional grade and can only be purchased through a licensed health care provider (because proper management is essential) to assure they are taken safely.  The two companies are Standard Process and OrthoMolecular.  I refer to their products a lot, and I do so with complete confidence.  Both companies have an outstanding product list for Thyroid care.  If you are concerned about you Thyroid health, a great first step is a simple blood and hair analysis test.  Following up with a Standard Process Cleanse to help clear your system of toxins so you can absorb the much needed nutrients to rebuild a healthy endocrine system.  Standard Process carries Cleanses, Herbal Supplements, and whole food supplements along with many basic vitamins and minerals.  OrthoMolecular also has a fantastic Detox program to get you started along with top notch supplementation to support your glandular system.  They too, produce incredible products that are in the rawest and most potent beneficial form. 

Simply ask us at the office about a few of the products we carry, or just feel free to ask more questions about Thyroid health in general.