Thyroid Mystery Solved: Hashimoto's and Hypothyroidism Revealed

The Case:  Mindy is 40 but feels like she’s 50.  She often feels achy, tired, struggles to lose weight and thinks she looks older than her age. She didn’t have excessive sun exposure or any genetic history that would explain her premature aging.    The Investigation When I met Mindy, I noticed right away that she was not eating well and so this was my first clue that nutrients and healthy eating were going to be a big part of solving her health mystery but Mindy wanted more. She didn’t just want to stop the premature aging she wanted to reverse it.  Dr. Joseph Antoun is the CEO & Chairman of the Board of L-Nutra which is a nutra-tech company focusing on providing people with knowledge to live to 110 and beyond. I knew he was the best person to discuss Mindy’s case with. He is at the forefront of a push to change our current healthcare system of ‘sick care’ to a more proactive approach.   Healthy-aging and Fasting Scientists have been researching the connection between fasting and aging for decades. Much of this research comes out of the Longevity Institute at the University of  Southern California. What they’ve discovered is that aging happens on a cellular level. When the cells are given fuel (like carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) it accelerates the aging process of the cells. The more we fuel the cells, the faster they age. But, the cells also need fuel to survive. So, the best way to slow the process is to allow the cells to take ‘pit stops’ with intermittent fasting.    How Long Should You Fast? Dr. Antoun shares the benefits of intermittent fasting and prolonged fasting. Using his analogy of pit stops, he explains that these shorter periods of fasting can help slow the aging process of the cells. However, he points out that longer periods of fasting (several days) creates a different cellular reaction. In these longer periods of fasting, the cells become stressed which moves them into a state of autophagy or self-cleaning & self-improving. The discovery of this reaction was so significant, it won the researchers the Nobel  Prize in medicine in 2016.  Prolonged fasting enables major cellular restructuring which contributes to healthy aging. This is because cells can deal with short term fasting by accessing stored fat, protein and carbohydrates. When those stores run out, the cells have to restructure and optimize. Prolonged fasts typically last from 3 - 5 days but these longer fast should be done in a clinic under supervision.    What is the Fasting Mimicking Diet?  Fasting-Mimicking is a system developed by the University of Southern California that allows you to eat specific foods in the right ratios and still be considered fasting, essentially mimicking a fast. This enables people to get all the benefits of fasting without the starvation, losing essential nutrients or needing medical supervision.  The food is specially designed so that the cells don’t recognize it as food.  The diet itself is plant-based, it’s high in good fats (ketoline fats or mid-chain fats) and low in protein and carbs. In the right combination, these nutrients are enough to feed the body and vital organs but just right for your cells to still be able to restructure. Dr. Antoun and his colleagues developed a program that people can follow at home called the ProLon 5-Day Fasting Mimicking Diet Kit and it can’t be simpler. It comes with all the food you need for the 5 days and completely takes any guesswork out because everything is included. This carefully formulated nutrition program nourishes the body with plant-based proteins, fiber rich carbs and healthy fats, and goes undetected by cellular food sensing paths to keep your body in fasting mode. For healthy people interested in supporting their longevity, Dr. Antoun suggests doing a prolonged fast 2-3 times per year.    What is Intermittent Fasting or Intermittent Dieting? This has been the most popular diets for the past two years but Dr. Antoun points out that it’s not really new; it’s how we are supposed to eat. This is the practice of eating our food during a 12-hour period (usually the day) and then not eating for 12-hours (overnight). Dr. Antoun calls this circadian fasting. The body needs a rhythm and our modern lives can interrupt that rhythm. Circadian fasting reinforces that natural rhythm.  The 12-hours of not-eating gives the body time to use the fuel that was gathered in the 12-hours of eating. If the body does not get that time of fasting, it accelerates the use of that fuel which speeds up the aging process.    Is 16-hours of Fasting Too Long?  You might hear people talking about fasting for 16 hours and only eating during an 8-hour window. Dr. Antoun says that this is really only ideal for people with health conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes, or prediabetic people who need to lose weight quickly. But for those who are not obese or in need of fast weight loss, this is typically not necessary. He also says that the 16 hours is not enough time for the cells to rejuvenate so you are not getting those benefits. Also, the 16:8 is not always sustainable whereas the 12:12 is natural.   Diet and Longevity Aside from intermittent fasting, Dr. Antoun points to research that shows the pescatarian diet is the best for promoting long life. The pescatarian diet is primarily plant-based with protein coming in the form of fish or seafood 2-3 times per week. Other studies have found longevity zones where the diet is more ‘flexitarian’ meaning the diet is primarily plant-based but meat is used for flavoring and not as the primary ingredient in a meal.     Mystery Solved The first step for Mindy was to add more veggies, good fats and antioxidant rich foods into her diet while reducing processed foods and her overall meat intake. She started intermittent fasting for 4 weeks and then did the fasting-mimicking diet. She lost 9 pounds in the first month and her energy skyrocketed. The aches felt better as well.   Next Steps We then did some micronutrient and organic acid testing and saw she was quite deficient in many vitamins and minerals and had too many free radicals. We supported her antioxidant status with Glutathione, Vitamin C and a special annatto form of Vitamin E (more potent than regular vitamin E).  About 8 weeks after we started, she felt significantly better and was ready to do the Prolon 5 Day Fasting Mimicking Diet. The first 2 days were pretty easy. The 3rd day was a bit tougher as she felt a bit hungry. She really started to feel the benefits by the 4th day.    Happy Ending Mindy’s wrinkles didn’t disappear but they felt less deep and her skin was glowing. Overall, she also felt super clear headed and she was down 5 more pounds when she was done. She plans to do another prolonged fast in a few months to maintain her health and vitality.    Eliminating Health Mysteries For Mindy we were able to reset her accelerated aging and help her feel her own age again. Could this be the missing clue for you or someone in your life?    Links: Resources mentioned Than...

The Case:  Cassandra has been dealing with brain fog and fatigue.  She’s checked her thyroid, takes B-12 & iron and even tried a low-histamine diet More research tied her symptoms to possible mold toxicity and that’s when it clicked.    The Investigation When Cassandra came to me she explained her symptoms and told me that she’d had her home tested for mold (after recalling several large leaks in the past). These tests came back positive. With the mold issue confirmed, it was time to solve her health mysteries and find out if mycotoxins are at play and what damage they’d done.    How Does Mold Threaten Health? Mold can accumulate in the home, office, or schools and it produces mycotoxins that you breath in. Even if your exposure is limited or you can’t see or smell the mold, the mycotoxins can still impact your health. There are 3 main ways it does this:  1. Immune Suppression  Your natural killer cells, T-cells or B-cells become suppressed and fail to fight off infections creating chronic conditions.  2. Decreased Blood Flow to the Brain The frontal lobe is particularly impacted by this decreased blood flow. In fact, brain scans of people with mononeuritis multiplex (decreased blood flow to the brain) and brain scans of people with MS are very similar.  3. Interference with the Nrf2 Pathway  This is the pathway where a lot of detoxification enzymes and antioxidant enzymes are created so when mycotoxins block it, it caused issues with mitochondrial production (for more on mitochondrial issues listen to Episode 22)   Does Mold Always Cause Health Issues? When mold is found in a home, office, or school, it is usually because someone in that environment is experiencing health issues. But, not everyone sharing that space will be affected.  Genetics play a role in how each individual will be affected, but it also has to do with the total allostatic load. The allostatic load has to do with the stress a body is under and how well it is handling that stress. If there are other factors adding to the load (like stress, dysbiosis, chronic infections, blood sugar fluctuations), the exposure to mold can be the tipping point that generates symptoms.  But, even if someone is not symptomatic, it can still be an issue. Individuals may be pre-symptomatic or they may not recognize symptoms. The mold may still be affecting their brain health, energy levels, and organ performance which may not be as noticeable. Everyone is going to experience symptoms in their own way and at different levels.    Symptoms of Mold and Mycotoxins Many people think that mold issues are going to show up like allergies and cause respiratory problems. That can happen but mold can also impact sleep, energy, muscle strength, memory, concentration, and trigger a variety of other symptoms related to the body’s inability to process toxins.    Testing for Mold Toxicity and Mycotoxins People can be exposed to mold in their office or there could be mold in their home. These may not be causing a problem but to be sure, there is a urine test that will measure the mycotoxins in the body. In order to get an accurate assessment of the mycotoxins level, the test should be preceded by a far infrared sauna, use of a BioMat, or taking glutathione to provoke the mycotoxins. Provocation is important because mycotoxins aren’t always visible (even when they’re present) so it’s necessary to ‘stir them up’ a bit. This does not increase the amount, it simply reveals it. If it is not provoked, the test may show low levels and give a false sense of security.    Analyzing Test Results The results of your urine test will reveal the levels of different types of mycotoxins caused by mold. Some of the most common ones are: Gliotoxins  This type of mycotoxin tends to hang out in the brain and the central nervous system. So, the presence of this toxin can be linked to brain issues like, concentration and memory issues (both short and long-term), behavior changes, and in some cases substance abuse disorders. Ochratoxins  This mycotoxin is fairly common (Dr. Jackson sees these the most). It can be carcinogenic and can target the kidneys. Ochratoxin tends to come from aspergillus, which is a mold species that is often odorless and invisible. It might be at home, school, or work but it can also be found in certain foods like nut butters. Aflatoxin M1  This is another mycotoxin caused by aspergillus which tends to impact the respiratory tract. It may also cause liver damage, abdominal pain, coma, gastrointestinal dysfunction and it has also been shown to inhibit certain immune cells called leukocytes.   Verrucarin A and Trichothecenes  These are mycotoxins that come from stachybotrys and fusarium which are very common molds found in buildings with water damage - which is up to 50% of the buildings in America.   You Don’t Have to See Mold or Smell it for it to be Problematic   Testing the Home for Toxic Mold - Locating Mold in the House or Office It can be difficult to identify the source of the mold. There are several ways to test the home or office for mold. Air sample testing is popular but will only show results if there is a very high concentration of mold in the air. More effective testing uses specialized cameras that can look behind the walls. Common breeding grounds for mold include the HVAC system, the bathroom, and the duct work.   Getting Rid of Mold Toxins There are chemical cleaners available for mold abatement but these also have dangerous chemicals. Instead, Dr. Jackson suggests using biodegradable enzymes which act like a molecular PacMan. However, it’s important to look at what caused the mold to make sure it won’t come back. You might want to talk to a healthy home architect or a building biologist.    Treating Elevated Mycotoxin Levels in the Body There are several ways to detoxify and reduce elevated levels of mycotoxins. Binders are commonly used including bio active carbon, PectaSol, Takesumi Supreme (created from bamboo). Sometimes people use a combination. Dr. Jackson suggests taking binders on an empty stomach, away from food, supplements, and medications. It should help excrete the mycotoxins assuming you are moving your bowels twice a day. It is also essential that you avoid further exposure to mold.  Dr. Jackson also suggests a rebounder or dry brushing to stimulate lymphatic drainage. Healthy bile production is also important. Finally, it’s important to make sure there isn’t an limbic loop happening so he recommends the Dynamic Neural Retraining Systems (endorsed by the American Academy of Environmental  Medicine) which reprograms the nervous system.   Mystery Solved Cassandra’s mycotoxin urine test showed that she did in fact have mycotoxins and an organic acid test revealed a decreased mitochondrial function was decreased and elevated levels of free radicals, as well as yeast. This makes total sense as mold is a type of fungus and it can often damage the mitochondria and create free radicals.    Next Steps  Cassandra’s first step was to identify the source of the mold and remediate it from her house through a local expert. To help remove the mycotoxins from her body, she started on

The Investigation It used to be that women over 35 were the ones talking about challenges with fertility and struggling to get pregnant. Now, I meet women as young as 27 with fertility issues. So, there’s much more at play here than just age.  I had my son at 37 and I am now pregnant at 40. I didn’t like seeing AMA (Advanced Maternal Age) on my OB file but this is the reality for many women who wait to start their family - even if they are healthier now than they were in their 20’s (like me).  The fact is, we women are born with all of our eggs. And, as we age, there are fewer and fewer. But that doesn’t mean you can’t successfully get pregnant at an advanced age. Your body will naturally select the best eggs each time but that process takes 3 months. So, what you do with your health during pre-conception can have an impact on your fertility.  In this episode, I share 5 of the best ways to improve your health, your egg health, and increase your chances of getting pregnant.      Diet   When we eat foods high in sugar and processed carbs as well as foods our body may have sensitivities to, we increase inflammation. The inflammation combined with increased stress which often goes along with fertility is a double-whammy on your body. Eating a balanced and clean diet with lots of vegetables, clean proteins, good fats and unprocessed carbs is a good start but you should also consider sensitivities. The most common food sensitivities I see are gluten and dairy. It may be worth getting a sensitivity test to make sure that undiagnosed food sensitivities aren’t going to create a challenge for fertility. I like the test by Vibrant America but if you are unable to do the test, try going gluten or dairy-free for 3 months and see how you feel. For more on food sensitivities, listen to episode 60 of Health Mysteries Solved.      Hormones   When seeing a conventional OB or even a fertility doctor, they typically test your FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone) and sometimes estrogen on day 2 or 3 of your cycle. It is important to make sure FSH is within range, ideally below 10. However even if that is the case, there are so many people that continue to have fertility issues. This is because these hormones are just the tip of the iceberg and there are so many more things to look at when it comes to hormones.  Contrary to conventional practice, I think the best time to test estrogen and progesterone is on day 21 or 7 days after you ovulate because then you are catching those hormones at their highest levels so you can see if they are sufficient. I like to see a progesterone level of 12 or above on day 21. This shows the person is ovulating and has enough progesterone to maintain the pregnancy should it happen.  Aside from blood tests, tracking your temperature every morning can also help you understand your cycle. After ovulation, temperatures will typically go up by about a half a degree. I like to see this elevated temperature for 12 days before it drops and you get your period. If it is less than 12 days, your progesterone may not be optimal. If that’s the case, herbs like Chaste Tree and Omega Oil  can be helpful.  It may also be estrogen dominance. Some symptoms of estrogen dominance are weight gain especially around your period, having swollen or tender breasts around your cycle, having longer, heavier cycles with more cramping and more headaches before your cycle. If this sounds familiar, avoid estrogenic foods and xenoestrogens (found in some plastics and skincare products) and work on the liver and detox pathways. Calcium D Glucarate is one of my favorite supplements for estrogen dominance. It’s also important look at DHEA. To do this, ask for a DHEA Sulfate (DHEA-s) blood test. You may have read that taking DHEA is important if you are trying to get pregnant; however, taking this supplement when you are not deficient may cause side-effects. CoQ-10 is often recommended along with DHEA but it’s expensive and again, if you are not deficient, it may not be worth it. The bottom line is, get tested before you blindly take either of these two supplements.      Stress   It’s no surprise that stress can impact your fertility. But, trying to get pregnant and reduce stress can be stress-inducing. So, how do you reduce your stress? I personally like meditation but there are many other ways to reduce stress such as listening to music, journaling, or getting out in nature. The key is to dedicate at least 20 minutes a day to it and make sure you set that time aside and let everyone know that this is time is important.     Thyroid   Optimal thyroid function is crucial for fertility as it’s one of the reasons the body may not pick the best eggs. If you are going to get your thyroid tested, remember that TSH is just one of the markers and is not nearly enough to truly determine thyroid function. Be sure to request these tests: TSH, Total T4, Total T3, Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3, and Thyroid antibodies. And, ask to see the results because your deficiency may be subclinical. For more on this, listen to episode 27 of Health Mysteries Solved.      Making Room for Baby   This is not specifically biochemical like the other 4 but it is very important. So many of my fertility clients tell me that they are so busy with work and extracurricular activities that they may not have time to eat healthy or deal with stress. I get it. But, from an energetic standpoint, it’s helpful to start adjusting your schedule as you will need to when the baby arrives. Creating this room or time may not be easy to do, but it will help you focus on the important task of getting or staying healthy for your pregnancy. This room can also be used to consider the timing of things, and give you an opportunity to create balance in your life or possibly address personal or relationship issues that may need to be worked out to make room for a baby. Doing this was a big factor in my fertility journey, which you’ll hear more of when you listen to this episode.    Eliminating Health Mysteries I hope this resonated with you and if you know someone that is struggling with fertility and can use this information, please share this episode with them!    Links: Suggested Products DHEA CoQ10 Chaste Tree Omega Calcium D Glucarate   Related Podcast Episodes: EPISODE #005 The Case of the Soul-Crushing Insomnia w/ Emily Fletcher EPISODE #027 Solving the Thyroid Mystery w/ Inna Topiler EPISODE #030...

The Case:  Maria has been dealing with a lot of inflammation and pain.  She’s been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, Hashimoto’s and Raynaud’s. She’s tried everything suggested from conventional medicine to functional medicine. The cleanses, special diets, and supplements only made her feel moderately better. When inflammation, malaise and autoimmunity persist despite doing everything possible to heal the gut, clean the liver and support the immune system properly, there is something bigger going on. I knew we had to dig deeper into her past to find the root cause of her issues.    The Investigation I spoke with Maria for over 2 hours. At some point, the conversation moved from her condition to her personal history. When she started talking about when her parent’s divorce during her childhood and then her mother’s unexpected death, I knew there was a link. We just had to connect the dots. A lot of people think that these experiences can’t possibly be the root cause of physical conditions like autoimmune disease. But, Dr. Don Wood, through his research has proven the link between the traumas we experience and our physical conditions. He’s the founder of the Inspired Performance Institute where he’s developed technology called TIPP as well as programs to ‘reboot’ the mind around past trauma that our body continues to feel.  I’m thrilled to have him join me for this episode.    Understanding Trauma Dr. Wood separates trauma into two camps. Most of us think of trauma as a clearly defined, often injury-inducing event like a car accident or a mugging. He calls this big ‘T’ trauma. The second type of trauma he calls emotional concussion. These are experiences that affected us psychologically but may be more loosely defined or harder to pinpoint. Dr. Wood says that a very large percentage of the population is dealing with unprocessed trauma when you consider these two types of trauma.   How Trauma May Cause Autoimmune Issues When we experience a traumatic event, our body has a physical response to that trauma. Trauma triggers that fight or flight (aka active state) response. This creates inflammation in the body as a way of pausing the immune system so that the body can use all resources to respond to the trauma. When we are no longer in danger, the body allows everything to return to normal. What a lot of people don’t realize is that when we have unprocessed trauma, we think about it. And, when we think about it, we relive it which results in the same fight or flight response. We have the physical response to the trauma just by thinking about it! If we are doing this constantly, the immune system can’t function properly, which overtime results in autoimmune issues.   Diagnosing Trauma as a Trigger Often we dismiss the idea that trauma is the cause of an issue because we may not recognize the experience as trauma. Dr. Wood uses a great analogy in this episode that points to the high-definition memories we have of traumatic times in our past vs the muted memory we have of a non-threatening event (like the dinner we had last night). These high-definition memories can be very powerful and can trigger a physical response. The first step in identifying them as triggers sit to recognize the level of the memory and the physical response it brings. In Dr. Wood’s program, they actually monitor the brainwave state to determine the response to memories.    Treating Trauma Triggers Recognizing the physical response to memories of past trauma is not enough, the brain needs to be reconditioned as to how it responds to that memory. This is what Dr. Wood does with TIPP. This program gets the mind to reset that high-definition memory into the same format as a day-to-day memory. By doing this, the body no longer sees that memory as a threat and it no longer triggers the fight or flight response. The brain is no longer sending an error message.  Dr. Wood points out that far too often we treat the symptoms caused by these trauma responses. For example, treating anxiety, depression, or inflammation that will never be resolved if the trigger memory is not reset.    Blocked Trauma Memories Many people block bad experiences or they dismiss them as not being traumatic. This may lead them to believe that these experiences can’t be the cause because they don’t have these vivid memories Dr. Wood is talking about. However, these memories may still be operating on a subconscious level and can still put the body into an active response state.  This happens because our minds receive too much information for us to actively process. So, the mind does something academics refer to as ‘time slicing’. This is when the mind takes in information and slices off some to be stored in the subconscious where it can be processed or accessed later. Then, when we encounter something similar, the mind goes searching for reference and the stored memory, resurrecting the memory in full color. This can trigger an active state response.    Avoiding Trauma Memories For many people, the idea of unearthing or talking about their traumatic memories feels traumatic in itself. Dr. Wood says that his patients don’t need to actually discuss the experience or share the memory. This type of work can be done without having to revisit the event consciously. This is a relief to many people.    Mystery Solved In order to get to the root problem with Maria, I ran a comprehensive blood test and an organic acid test. She’d already worked on many areas of her physiology but we still found an issue with oxalates and sulfites. We removed those and supported some of the nutrients she was missing like Vitamin C and Zinc.  I also noticed that she was overdoing it with certain supplements that her test showed she didn’t need. I also noted that she was taking Echinacea which is contraindicated in autoimmunity because it can overstimulate the immune system and create even more of an autoimmune attack (a common misunderstanding) With all of that sorted, I presented Maria with the possibility of past traumas being at play. She’d never heard of this connection and was willing to try. We worked on connecting her mind and body with many of the mind body code techniques I use and she noticed her pain decreased in just a few weeks.   Happy Ending Encouraged by the progress we were able to achieve, Maria was excited to sign up for Dr. Wood’s program and finally deal with her health struggles.    Eliminating Health Mysteries For Maria we were able to find that final missing piece of the health puzzle and help her regain her health. Could this be the missing clue for you or someone in your life?    Right now, Dr. Wood is offering Health Mystery Solved listeners the opportunity to join his online program and save 10%. Just use this link to take advantage of this offer.    Links: Resources mentioned Thanks to my guest Dr. Don Wood. You can connect with him and learn more about his TIPP online program HERE.   You can also find Dr. Wood on Facebook, Instagram and his

The Case:  Stacy has noticed her hair loss and  thinning for several years. Started after she stopped taking birth control. She tried taking vitamins & had a dermatologist examine her scalp Her gynecologist recommended she go back on birth control pills Many women experience hair loss for a variety of reasons. And, many go through the same trials and tribulations as Stacy - seeing specialists and trying every supplement that promises hair growth or thicker hair. But, without knowing the root cause of the problem, these approaches seldom work.    The Investigation When I first met with Stacy, I reviewed her past test results and noted that she had a lot of stress in her life. The blood work she’d had done by other practitioners was very basic, so I knew that we had to get more extensive tests done if we were going to solve this health mystery.  I suspected that her hormones were at play in this mystery so I invited Dr. Deborah Matthew back on the show to discuss Stacy’s case.  Dr Deborah Matthew is a Functional Medicine physician, author, speaker, wife, and mom of 4 boys. Like me, she focuses on the cause of the problem instead of simply prescribing something to cover-up the symptoms.    How Common is Hair Loss for Women? Hair loss and thinning hair is much more common in women than most people think. Forty percent of women experience some form of hair loss by the age of 40. That goes up as women age. By the age of 65, there are 50-75% of women who note hair thinning. Despite the prevalence, many women find hair loss or hair thinning to be distressing and frustrating.     Causes of Hair Loss for Women There are many different factors in determining the root cause of hair loss. It may be one thing or it could be a combination of several.  Here are the main culprits in female hair loss:  Nutrient Deficiency - Iron, Zinc, B12 Poor Gut Health Telogen Effluvium (Caused by Acute Stress) Adrenal Problems (Cortisol Overload from Chronic Stress) Hormonal Shifts - Menopause or Perimenopause Birth Control Pills Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Hypothyroidism Autoimmune Diseases (Hashimoto’s, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis) Baldness Gene    Treating Hair Loss for Women The treatment depends on the root cause of the problem. You want to determine what that is (or if it is a combination of factors) and treat accordingly. Thankfully, most of these are able to be corrected fairly easily once the root cause is identified and there are so many functional approaches that address looking at this from every angle. The last cause (genetics) is really the only one that is more difficult but Dr. Deb shares that  women who are experiencing balding caused by genes do still have options.  In those cases they can look at PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy, laser light treatments or in very extreme cases hair transplants are also available.  Hair transplants can be very expensive, costing upwards of $10,000 but again, this is really only used for extreme cases that are less likely than most of the other underlying causes. PRP can also be expensive and depends on the practitioner but may be in the neighborhood of $1500 and may require ongoing treatment. Laser light treatments range in efficacy. Dr. Deb recommends avoiding the ones that look like a comb and instead use the ‘cap’ that you put on your head.  She specifically mentions LaserCapMD and Cappilus as popular brands. These caps start at $1000.    Conclusion Determining the cause of Stacy’s hair loss issues was our first step in solving her mystery. I tested her hormone levels and found that her thyroid and adrenals were challenged (which was also causing gut issues)  We worked on natural approaches to deal with her thyroid issue, specifically to help her convert her T4 to T3 using Thyro-CNV, extra Selenium and a liver supplement called LV-GB Complex.  The detailed blood work also revealed that Stacy’s iron was actually sub-optimal so we added  1 capsule of Ferrochel Iron from Designs for Health which provides 27 mg of iron in a very gentle-on-the-stomach, non-constipating form.   I also ran a DUTCH test and an organic acid test. These showed that her estrogen/progesterone/ cortisol pattern was off. We worked on that with a combination of lifestyle factors including reducing exercise, getting more rest and balancing her blood sugar with foods.  I gave Stacy Calcium D Glucarate, my favorite supplement for estrogen dominance and Adrene Vive by Ortho Molecular Products to help balance her adrenals along with Methyl B Complex and vitamin C.  We also found a sensitivity to dairy and eggs (through a food sensitivity test). We removed them from her diet for 3 months.    Happy Ending Within 6 weeks, she started to notice less shedding. After 10-weeks, she started to see new hair growth! We stopped the Calcium D Glucarate after 3 months, but continued with the clean and balanced diet. At this time, we shifted her adrenal support from Adrene Vive to Adren-ALL by Ortho Molecular Products. We also added a supplement called H-S-N Complex which is a powder that contains collagen, glutamine and biotin to help the hair that is coming back to grow thick and strong.   After 6 months, Stacy feels like she has a whole new head of hair - it’s thicker, smoother and a lot healthier looking.    Eliminating Health Mysteries For Stacy we were able to find all of the culprits in her health mystery and get her back to feeling and looking good. Could one or a combination of these be the missing clue for you or someone in your life?    Links: Resources mentioned Thanks to my guest Dr. Deborah Matthew. You can connect with her through her website or on Facebook.  You can also download her free book called “This is Not Normal: A Busy Woman’s Guide to Symptoms of Hormone Imbalance” through her website: www.isityourhormones.com     Suggested Products: LaserCapMD Cappilus  Thyro-CNV

The Investigation I recently did an episode where I answered your questions and invited you to ask more. I was flooded with emails (thank you!). One of the most common topics of these email inquiries was food allergies and sensitivities. From causes, to diagnosis, to how to deal with it - this episode aims to demystify food sensitivities and answer your questions.    Food Allergy vs. Food Sensitivity vs. Food Intolerance These three terms often cause confusion because people are unclear of the differences. A food allergy means that there is a specific protein in a food that is acting as an antigen that is generating an immunologic reaction. Food without a specific protein (like sugar for example) cannot cause a true food allergy.  However, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a reaction to it. Sometimes the body is unable to process certain foods properly. This could be caused by an immune dysfunction, build-up of toxins, or a deficiency in certain enzymes. These reactions can cause symptoms but may not always cause these symptoms everytime you eat the food. These are food sensitivities, not allergies because they can come and go depending on the environment.  A second misuse of the term ‘food allergy’ is when people actually mean ‘food intolerance.’ A common example of this is lactose intolerance. In this case, the body is not having an immunological reaction to an antigen but rather it has an inability to produce the enzymes to properly digest the food.   A food allergy is typically something someone is born with while food sensitivities and food intolerances can develop over time.    Symptoms of Food Reactions Some of the most common reactions to food sensitivities or intolerances include dermatological symptoms (rashes and dermatitis), gastrointestinal problems, loss of appetite, mal-absorption syndrome created by inflammatory bowel reactions to the offending protein, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, ulcerations, autoimmune phenomenon (like arthritis, lupus, MS, autoimmune thyroiditis), neurological degenerations, migraines, anxiety, seizures, asthma and other respiratory disorders, as well as fatigue and obesity. A food reaction could involve one or several of these symptoms.    Testing for Food Sensitivities and Intolerances It can be very frustrating trying to solve a health mystery caused by a food sensitivity or intolerance because conventional testing (the skin prick) doesn’t always reveal the true cause of an issue. It is quite possible to get a false-negative with this test when it comes to food.  My go to test is from Vibrant Wellness. It looks at both the IgG and IgA pathway in relation to common allergens like gluten, dairy, corn, soy, eggs, and nuts as well as each food’s breakdown products. By testing over 25 different markers, this test gives a much much more accurate picture. Right now the test is only available to my patients however we are looking at ways that we can offer this test to my listeners. Email me if you are interested.    Causes of Food Sensitivities Lack of Variety. There are a lot of the same proteins in our food because of convenience and processed foods and we tend to develop delayed allergies to foods that we are overexposed to. For example, there is wheat, corn, soy and dairy in almost every packaged food. In addition, many of us do not have much variety in our diets. Seasonal availability used to help us with this but now all foods are pretty much available at all times of the year.  Gut Biome Imbalance. Eating the same foods consistently can certainly be a big trigger but it’s not the only potential cause. The environment in our gut is another huge trigger. When we have dysbiosis (an overgrowth of bad bacteria, yeast & parasites in our gut) our microbiome becomes skewed. This microbiome imbalance will create inflammation which will then open up the spaces between the cells of our gut lining giving large proteins passage they should not have.  Poor Digestion. Stress, nutrient deficiency, and toxicity can make it difficult for our body to digest food. Stress for example, can reduce the amount of digestive juices, stomach bile and can cause issues with the liver and pancreas (which are essential in digestion).      All of this can result in large proteins getting into the bloodstream. The body responds by attacking these which then produces an antibody. That antibody continues to respond to the food being eaten and a sensitivity is developed.    Solving Food Sensitivity Issues Since food reactions are created by the digestive environment, we have to look there first. Usually, I will investigate by doing a stool test. We work on eradicating the bad bugs to bring the gut biome back into balance and eliminate any parasites that might be present.  Next, I focus on digestion because even if we avoid the foods causing the sensitivity, if we don’t correct the digestive environment, new food sensitivities will develop.  I often focus on supporting the ‘good bugs’ in the gut by introducing probiotics. I typically recommend ones that are at least 25 billion organisms or more, otherwise it's just too weak. I also recommend selecting something that has a combination of strains. Healing the gut is a long process that can take several months to a year. The good news is that most people start to feel better once the healing has started so you don’t have to wait a year to see the results. However, you want to keep up with it because it does take a bit of time to make sure everything is properly healed. The final step is to adjust the diet. We don’t want to renew the problem after we fix it. For diet, we want to make sure to watch over-consumption of specific foods, replace processed food with whole foods and make sure there is enough diverse fiber being consumed.    Conclusion Food sensitivities are very common and can often be overlooked. Now you know what to look for, how to test for them and what steps to take to overcome them. Remember, simply eliminating the food you suspect is the cause of the problem is not enough.    Eliminating Health Mysteries Thanks to Sharon and all of you who emailed to ask me questions about food allergies and sensitivities - the root cause of so many health mysteries. Could a food sensitivity be the missing clue for you or someone in your life? Share this episode with them.    Links: Suggested Products  MicroGone GI MicrobX FC Cidal Tricycline Pancreatic Enzymes Betaine HCl Bitter X LV GB Complex Beta TCP  Orthobiotic

The Case:  Eva struggled with sleep issues, anxiety, and extreme emotions for years She saw doctors, functional medicine practitioners, and naturopaths and followed all of their advice with no results Medication, dietary adjustments, and supplements failed to help    The Investigation After years of seeing specialists in conventional medicine, she turned to alternative medicine. Unfortunately, naturopaths, homeopaths, and functional medicine doctors were also unable to determine what was causing her ongoing symptoms.  That’s when Eva came to see me. She mentioned that she was frustrated but that she’s always been overly-sensitive. When I asked her if she’d ever heard of an empath (and explained what that was) she cried.  Lori Kennedy is the CEO of The Wellness Business Hub, the host of the Business Of Becoming podcast and she is a mom of 2 kids. She’s also an empath so I was excited to discuss Eva’s case with her.    What is an Empath?  Lori explains that an empath is someone who is highly sensitive to stimuli.  This might be in the form of smells, sounds, light, other people's energy, or the environment. An empath will also feel other people’s emotions. Oftentimes, an empath can physically experience the emotions of another person, including their emotional reaction to physical pain. She describes the experience as absorbing the emotional experiences of others, which can be incredibly draining especially in enclosed, crowded spaces. Having the capacity for empathy is different from being an empath.    Symptoms of Being Empathic An empath may not recognize their symptoms right away. They may feel tired after being exposed to stimuli. They may also feel anxiety, restlessness, anger, frustration, an inability to cope, grumpiness, physical fatigue and they may have difficulty sleeping. Unchecked, these symptoms can lead to things like digestive issues and other physical manifestations as they did with Eva. Tests will reveal no cause, which may also be an indication of being an empath.   Diagnosis of Empath There is no formal diagnosis of ‘Empath’ however, anyone one who suspects they may be an empath can start, as Lori did, with some online quizzes and researching their symptoms. Lori suggests books by Dr. Judith Orloff.  Here are a few things to consider:  Medical tests reveal no cause for physical conditions Treatments that should cure a condition fail Noticing that other people’s energy or moods dramatically affect your mood or energy You pick up on other people’s truth (you feel like a human lie detector) You’re a true introvert You crave the outdoors and feel rejuvenated when you are outside You’re highly sensitive to stimuli (light, sound, smells, environment) You cry often and, after releasing the energy, you feel better   Dealing with Being Empathic Recognizing you’re an empath is the first step in managing it and the physical manifestations of it. Lori says you have to learn what will trigger you and avoid those situations. She also says that you need to learn how to release the energy you’ve absorbed. For her, that means having sufficient quiet after being overly stimulated and also having daily alone-time. Recognize your limits and support your nervous system. Learning how to release energy you may have absorbed is also key - for Lori, that means having a little dance on her own. Moving your body is a great way to release that energy because energy can’t be destroyed; it can only be moved.  Staying healthy with a nutritionally sound diet, watching your blood sugar level, drinking enough water and getting enough sleep are also ways to support yourself.    The Gift of Being an Empath While it may seem like a bad thing to be empathic, Lori says she sees it as a gift to others. It’s a way to help them and give them some needed energy. If you set boundaries and learn how to protect yourself, you can provide much needed compassion, support, love and gratitude.     Mystery Solved Eva had never heard of an empath before. When I explained what being empathic meant, she started to cry which solidified my suspicions. We started by introducing some stress management and health practices (beyond the nutrition and supplement regimens she was following). Specifically, she carved out 30 minutes of time in the mornings just for her, and she explained to her family what she needed from them in terms of support around guarding her energy. Eva also started visiting an energy practitioner who helped her learn how to better control and protect her energy.   Happy Ending After adopting these self-care measures, it only took a few weeks before Eva felt a significant change in her health. She was calmer, had more energy and the bad days were far less frequent. With continued practice controlling and protecting her energy, a few months later, she was stronger and her bad days were behind her.   Eliminating Health Mysteries For Eva we were able to find that unexpected but completely significant missing piece of the health puzzle. By identifying and managing her empathic nature, she regained her health and has a much better outlook on life. Could this be the missing clue for you or someone in your life?    Links: Resources Mentioned Thanks to my guest Lori Kennedy. You can connect with her on Instagram, Facebook or through her website - The Wellness Business Hub.    Related Podcast Episodes:   EPISODE #021 The Case of Body Tingling and Internal Vibrations w/ Stephanie Roman   EPISODE #037 The Case of Constant Flu-like Symptoms w/ Dr. Luis Garcia   EPISODE #055 Investigating Emotional Resiliency with Anat Peri Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information. Never miss an episode -  Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts and remember to rate and review the show! Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical tre...

The Case:  Alessia has suffered from Candida multiple times.   She tried very strict Candida diets and various anti-fungal herbs She would feel better for a while, but then it would come back. Candida, as it is often referred to, is actually Candidiasis, a fungal infection caused by a yeast called Candida. According to the CDC, “Candida can cause infections if it grows out of control or if it enters deep into the body (for example, the bloodstream or internal organs like the kidney, heart, or brain).”   The Investigation When I first met Alessia, her frustration was clear. She’d done so many things right and could not understand why she continued to struggle with this mysterious recurrence of Candida. I was determined to find out what else was going on. I noted that she ate a good amount of fish and lived in an old house - both clues. She also had symptoms of estrogen dominance which can affect candida growth.  The tests she’d had were all gut related so I knew there was more to be revealed with different tests.  Whenever I think of Candida issues, I think back to my own health struggles. The person who helped me was Dr. Michael Biamonte (who appeared on Episode 033) so I reached out to him again to consult on this mystery. Dr. Biamonte is the founder of the Biamonte Center for Clinical Nutrition. He’s been in practice for 30 years and is also the author of The Candida Chronicles: A Manual for Candida Yeast Infections.    Candida and Heavy Metals There are many things that can cause Candida overgrowth however when it continues to come back, heavy metals have to be suspected. Dr. Biamonte says that he finds heavy metal toxicity in 25% of his patients with chronic Candida (meaning they have had it on and off for 5 years and that even when it appears to subside, it comes back within 6 months).    Most Common Heavy Metals Impacting Candida The most common heavy metal issues he sees are with copper, mercury and aluminium. Copper and mercury depress the immune system when they are at toxic levels. Copper is an essential mineral but too much of it can cause an overgrowth of Candida. Aluminium plays a role in Candida overgrowth because it’s very alkalizing. This can be a bit confusing because many health experts recommend an alkaline diet that results in alkaline urine and blood. However, aluminium alkalizes your intestinal tract, which is not good as it stimulates the overgrowth of Candida.    Sources of Heavy Metals Copper, Mercury and Aluminium Both Copper and Mercury are amalgam metals that are used in dental fillings. Copper can also be found in copper pipes (which may still be in use in older houses), in copper IUDs, and even in cookware. Mercury exposure can also come from fish. Aluminium exposure often comes from tin cans, aluminum cookware, antiperspirants, and even antacid medications. There are also a variety of food sources that can introduce heavy metals into the body.    Diet and Estrogen Exposure to heavy metals isn’t the only factor in toxicity. Diet, blood type and hormone levels can all affect the body’s ability to metabolize metals. When the body can excrete the metals, then a build up can occur and a detox is necessary to rid the body of these metals.    Testing for Heavy Metal Toxicity There are several tests that can identify if the body has an excess of heavy metals. One of the key tests is a hair analysis test. This not only shows toxic metal levels but the levels of beneficial metals and minerals. This way we can interpret how the metals are interacting with minerals like calcium or magnesium which provides a bigger picture. Sometimes, hair analysis tests don’t reveal the whole picture. When heavy metals are not being metabolized, then they will not show up in the hair analysis. In those cases, if heavy metals are suspected, urine and stool samples preceded by chelation protocols would be the better indicator of an issue.      Chelation and Elimination of Heavy Metals Heavy metals that are trapped in the body (for example, copper is stored in the liver) need help leaving the body. This can be accomplished through a combination of things such as chelation, coffee enemas, or by introducing a binding protein to carry the metals out. This can take some time and not all metals detox at the same time. Hormone imbalances can also play a role in the body’s inability to excrete heavy metals, so hormone balancing is another approach in encouraging natural heavy metal detoxification.    Mystery Solved After running a heavy metal panel through Quicksilver Scientific as well as a hair test through trace minerals labs, I found Alessia had a lot of copper in her body as well as a bit of mercury. I also suspected the mercury may be even higher than it was showing up to be because her body was prioritizing excreting the copper first.    Next Steps I had Alessia take 1 P5P B6, 2 Zinc Supremes, 1 NAC, 6 pumps of BitterX  and 1 tsp of C+Biofizz per day while also cleaning up her diet and making sure her water was coming from a clean source. She was drinking tap water so I recommended the AquaTru Pitcher which uses reverse osmosis technology.  Four months later, a hair test revealed her copper level was down almost 75% but, as I suspected, her mercury was elevated. I added IMD by Quicksilver along with liposomal glutathione and the ultra binder. Alessia also used an infrared sauna a few days a week while continuing with a clean diet, low in fish.  After 6 more months the metals were down to a normal range. In order to reduce the chances of a Candida flare up, we used a combination of Tricycline and FC Cidal followed by SF 722 for its antifungal benefits.    Happy Ending When we were done, Alessia was feeling great! Her digestion improved significantly, brain fog, skin irritation, and yeast infections were gone and her energy was way better. And, it stayed that way - no more recurring Candida! Alessia was relieved.    Eliminating Health Mysteries For Alessia, we were able to find that missing piece of the health puzzle and help her regain her health. Could this be the missing clue for you or someone in your life?    Links: Res...

The Question - Should I Change My Supplements if I’m Sick? Should I be taking different vitamins for general immune support and prevention versus if I am already sick or feel like I am coming down with something?   The Short Answer Yes, yes, yes!   Inna’s Response  General immune support for prevention is going to differ from supporting your immune system while you are trying to regain your health.    How to support the immune system for prevention For a typical 150 pound person, I recommend 1000-2000 mg of vitamin C such as C+BioFizz or Stellar C. I also recommend about 30 mg of Zinc and an adequate amount of vitamin D. The dosage of D should be based on blood tests that indicate your current status, however 5000 IU of vitamin D per day would typically be recommended. I use a liquid D for those who may have issues with fat soluble vitamins and the Vitamin D Supreme capsules for all others. Additionally Silvercillin is wonderful for general immunity and prevention and most people do very well with these.   How to support the immune system during acute infection If you are already sick, the above dosages should change and other supplements can be added to help you better fight infection. This is true not just for COVID-19 but for any cold, flu or respiratory illness.  Increase the vitamin C significantly for the first few days to up to a week but make sure you don’t take it all at once. In this episode, I explain in detail the process for finding your body’s tolerance for vitamin C but it typically involves taking 500-1000 mg of vitamin C every hour or so to bowel tolerance. There is a ton of research about the benefit of high dose vitamin C in fighting infections. I also recommend that my clients double their zinc to 60 mg per day for the duration of their illness but not much longer than that. 2 Tbsp of Silvercillin is also very helpful in acute stages of the illness. I’m also a huge fan of Oregano and recommend taking either 3 capsules of the oil or Oregano gel caps, twice per day for the duration of the illness.  Finally, if the illness is more severe, I’d add Monolaurin. Garlic can also be helpful, I use either the Allicilin (3 gel caps, twice a day) or Allimed (2 caps per day).    The Question - Are Immune-Boosters Safe for Autoimmune Disease? Are all immune support supplements safe if I have an autoimmune disease?   The Short Answer No.   Inna’s Response  When you have an autoimmune disease, the immune system is already over active against your own tissues so you don’t want to take supplements that will further stimulate activity and can increase the attack on your own organs at the same time.   Some common immune-boosting herbs to be mindful of include: Echinacea Astragalus Reishi and other immune supporting mushrooms Green Tea and Elderberry However, Vitamin C, Zinc D, Oregano and Garlic-based supplements should be safe.   The Question - Is Elderberry still recommended for Coronavirus? What is the deal with elderberry? Elderberry has been talked about so much about being great for COVID but now we are hearing it's not good anymore, what is actually true?   The Short Answer It depends on when you take it.   Inna’s Response  We are still learning about the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 and new information is discovered with each week that passes.  The consensus right now is that you can very safely and effectively take elderberry for prevention and for mild symptoms (unless you have autoimmunity). However if you do test positive for COVID and the infection progresses to the later stages, we would want to stop elderberry. At this stage, the immune system is overwhelmed by the virus and Elderberry could overstimulate the system making the problem worse.   It is still very much safe and recommended for prevention.   The Question - Is More Zinc Better? We are hearing about the positive effects of zinc on all types of infections and wanted to know if more is better?   The Short Answer Probably not.   Inna’s Response  Zinc is beneficial but it is a mineral and all minerals work together with other minerals in the body resulting in both synergistic and antagonistic outcomes.  When you take a very high dose of zinc, you risk depleting your copper. I don’t recommend more than 30 mg of zinc for prevention (unless you are taking extra copper). If you are sick, it’s safe to double the zinc, but only for a short time (no more than 2 weeks). This shouldn’t significantly deplete copper. A copper deficiency can potentially lead to more bacterial infections and problems with the blood and even things like aneurysms.  A hair test is a great way to determine your current zinc and copper levels. If you have never done a hair test, this test is quick, easy and not very expensive and you can order it yourself!  When you get the results, make sure you look at the ratio of zinc to copper which should ideally be around 8. Anything lower than 8 indicates that you can increase your zinc intake. Anything above 8 means you should take extra copper along with the zinc.    Eliminating Health Mysteries The most powerful way for us to eliminate health mysteries is to investigate them and refuse to accept that there are no answers.  If you or someone you know has a health question or is dealing with an unexplained healthy concern - please send me an email. Let’s find that missing clue! Click here to Ask Inna Anything - https://healthmysteriessolved.com/contact/   Links: Suggested Products Hair Analysis Kit  Allicillin  C+Bio Fizz  Stellar C Liquid D  Vitamin D Supreme 

The Case:  Amanda is 37 and dealing with pelvic pain, discomfort and heavy periods Doctors diagnosed her with endometriosis and fibroids They prescribed birth control but she’d had a bad reaction in her youth Endometriosis affects 10% of women between the ages of 15 - 49. That’s 176 million women in the world. The most common, traditional way to treat this issue is with hormone therapy in the form of birth control medication.    The Investigation When Amanda came to me, I understood her hesitation in using birth control to manage her endometriosis symptoms. I wanted to find out if we could find the root cause of the endometriosis and treat that instead. The hunt was on and there were many clues to consider. Dr. Shiroko Sokitch is a functional medicine doctor, a trained acupuncturist, and a traditional Chinese medicine doctor. This unconventional combination makes her very good at solving health mysteries. She shares my approach of getting to the root cause of a problem, so I thought she would be the perfect person to discuss Amanda’s case.    What is Endometriosis? Endometriosis is a condition where uterine tissue starts to grow beyond what is needed for the reproductive process. This can be contained in the uterus but it can also cause endometrial tissue to grow outside of the uterus. For example, a woman may have uterine tissue growing on her fallopian tubes or in her intestines. The excess endometrial tissue can really cause problems because it will continue to respond to hormones and can cause an imbalance that leads to many different symptoms.    Symptom of Endometriosis The location of the endometrial tissue overgrowth will dictate the symptoms experienced. However, many women who have endometriosis experience abdominal pain, heavy and/or irregular periods, inflammation, pain with sex, and/or bloating. If the endometriosis has spread, they may also experience digestive issues and related symptoms.  There is a second level to the symptoms caused by the hormonal imbalances related to endometriosis. These imbalances can cause migraines, headaches, moodiness, irritability, and other symptoms that may seem unrelated.    Diagnosing Endometriosis It can take conventional doctors a while to test for endometriosis because many will dismiss it as PMS at first. This can be very frustrating. Endometriosis can be diagnosed using a pelvic scope, and sometimes it can be seen through ultrasound, CT scan or MRI. Once a definitive diagnosis is made, conventional doctors will generally recommend medication or surgery. However, in the functional medicine world, diagnosing the condition is only the start of the process. There are many things that could have caused the endometriosis and so, we search for that cause in the hopes that reducing or eliminating it will positively impact the condition.    Causes of Endometriosis There are a variety of underlying causes and more research is needed. One of the possible causes that Dr. Shiroko is that many women are exposed to toxins in our environment. This includes feminine hygiene products that contain chemicals, plastics, beauty products, cleaning products, and food. Additionally, women are also exposed to xenoestrogens which mimic estrogen and disrupt the natural production of estrogen and can cause an overload of estrogen.  Dr. Shiroko also points out that some women are genetically predisposed to endometriosis.  There is no one singular cause of endometriosis which means that each patient has to be treated as a unique case.    Understanding Endometriosis through the TCM Lens In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the menstrual cycle is regulated by the liver. Every organ in TCM has a different set of physical and emotional functions. So, the liver’s job is to regulate the menstrual cycle, store the blood  and regulate smooth flow of energy in the body. It deals with the emotion of anger. If you have PMS, fibroids or endometriosis, it would fit within the perspective of liver imbalance.    Tests to Find the Root Cause of Endometriosis The DUTCH test looks at the adrenal hormones (including eight kinds of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, and DHEA). Alternatively, an organic acids test can also reveal the root cause. Dr. Shiroko also likes to use the NutrEval Plasma® test which looks at how your cells generate energy and your digestive system. It also tests for parasites or bacteria, yeast production, food absorption, amino acid levels, the chemicals your brain produces, vitamins, minerals, toxins, heavy metals, and your body's ability to detoxify and manage oxidative stress.   Treating Endometriosis Treatment for endometriosis, from a non-conventional perspective depends on finding the root cause of the condition. In following Chinese medicine, Dr. Shiroko would listen to the patient’s story, examine the abdomen, feel the pulses, and look at the tongue to determine where the imbalance is in the body. Then, she would use acupuncture and herbs to rebalance the area that is out of balance. She points out that emotional causes also need to be considered.  With a functional medicine approach, she would look for the cause through testing. It might be necessary to test hormone levels, look at chemical or heavy metal toxicity, measure exposure to pesticides and other toxins, and consider the nutritional status of cells. This would then lead to removing or reducing the cause of the imbalance. Often a detox is suggested as well as shifting away from toxins.   Mystery Solved With Amanda, I ran a DUTCH test and saw there was estrogen dominance which meant she was not properly detoxifying or metabolizing her estrogen. We started with her diet by replacing any meat or dairy produced with hormones with clean options. We also gave her personal care products a makeover to significantly reduce her xenoestrogens. Plastics were the next to go. I put Amanda on Calcium D Glucarate and DIM to help her better metabolize and detox her estrogen while naturally supporting the proper estrogen and progesterone balance with Chaste Tree.  We added in methylated B vitamins in liquid form and used a combination of EPA, DHA and GLA to help balance her omegas. Amanda also started seeing an acupuncturist (who specializes in hormone balance) once a week.   Happy Ending After 2 months on the nutritional protocol and doing acupuncture, Amanda noticed her cycle was not as heavy and she didn’t have as much pain. Two months after that, the pelvic pressure reduced significantly. She went back to her gynecologist for an annual and the ultrasound showed that her fibroids have shrunk to about half the size they were the year before. Most importantly, Amanda’s cycle is much more manageable and she avoided having to take medication.   Eliminating Health Mysteries For Amanda we were able to find the root cause of her health issue and help regain her health without having to go on birth control medication. Could you or someone in your life be missing the real cause of their health mystery?    Links: Resources Mentioned: Thanks to my guest Dr. Shiroko Sokitch. You can connect with her through her website