The Wellness Witch Podcast

What does the lunar cycle have to do with your menstrual cycle? Registered holistic nutritionist and medical exercise specialist Jenn Pike educates us on how we can sync our cycle with the moon and helps us understand our bodies and ourselves in a whole new light.You can find all the info and links about this episode at https://holisticwellness.ca/episode79. Click here to listen on iTunes, Stitcher, or Spotify: Topics Discussed in this Episode:What it means to sync with your cycle and your hormonal rhythmsThe different phases of your cycle and how to understand themHow to sync your nutrition, movement, and exercise with the different phases of your cycleHow to sync with the lunar cycleWhat to pay attention to when you’re tracking your cycleThe different dietary and nutritional approaches that will support your hormones and your periodHow you can have that “talk” with your daughter about sex and getting her periodWhat “simplicity” means and how you can create more simplicity in your life Key Takeaways:As women, in terms of our cycle, we have four very distinct phases that we are moving through on a week-to-week, month-to-month, and day-to-day basis.MenstruationThe follicular phaseThe ovulatory phaseThe luteal phaseThe rhythms of our internal cycle as women predicate a lot of the shifts in how we feel.Tapping into the four phases of the moon is a cool way to learn more about yourself and your body.Most women typically cycle with the new moon, where they get their menstrual cycle during the new moon.During the new moon time, your energy will be lower. It’s typically not the best time to be doing a lot of group-based exercises.The waxing phase of the moon is that period when you’re moving more into your follicular phase. It’s a great time to set new intentions and to honor your desire to move more.The full moon phase is when we tend to feel bolder, more confident, passionate, and excited. This is the time where a lot of women are ovulating and historically, the time when most babies are conceived and born.The waning moon is the longest period in the moon cycle, which is symbolic of the luteal phase. This is when your energy starts to lower down and you start to feel that call to slow things down.One of the biggest lies we’ve been told about our cycles is that it’s going to be the same forever until you no longer have it. If your cycle comes early or it comes really late, you need to reflect on the past months and see how well you’ve been taking care of yourself.Stabilizing your blood sugar is so critical when it comes to your health overall. Regardless of what your goal is, when you’re working with a great holistic practitioner, the top two priorities they’re going to have for you are to make sure your digestion is working really well and that your blood sugar is stable.  Action Steps:Have awareness of your cycle by connecting the differences in how you feel to your hormonal rhythms.During the new moon time, slow down and take a rest. Nourish yourself and pay special attention to self-care. Do things that are more restorative and calming to your nervous system like yoga and walking.Listen to your body intuitively, especially during the waxing phase of the moon.Track your cycle.Don’t skip out on your regular Pap smears. Jenn said:“One of my big wishes is that part of a woman’s journey in her body is that she would actually be able to also work with a pelvic floor physiotherapist… to learn the landscape of her body.”“Simplicity is not about things being simple… Simplicity is that we are moving through life and through these different elements of our body and our health, but our approach is not rigid.” Thanks for listening!Important Announcements:If you’re an essential oil newbie and you’d like to get started ordering either an oil kit or want to try some oils, reach out to me at samantha@holisticwellness.ca.Connect with me over on Instagram, @holisticwellnessfoodie. It would also mean so much if you would leave us a rating or a review at any podcast platform that you’re listening to us on.  Links to things I talk about in the show:Books by Jenn Pike: The Simplicity Project The Simplicity KitchenThe Simplicity BodyThe Hormone Project by Jenn PikeSynced by Jenn Pike Where you can find Jenn Pike:Jenn’s WebsiteJenn’s Instagram (@jennpike) Jenn’s YouTube Channel (Simplicity TV) Where you can find me:Samantha’s FacebookSamantha’s InstagramSamantha’s WebsiteSamantha’s TwitterHealthy Hormones for Women Podcast Private Community on Facebook How you can work with me:6-Week Healthy Hormones for Women Intensive - Use the coupon code PODCAST at checkout to save 60%.Healing & Dealing with Hashi’sAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What is the one test that could save your life? In this quickie episode, I talk about a really important test that we run in our practice, which is the test for CRP (C-reactive protein) levels. Find out what level you should be at, and what lifestyle changes you can incorporate when your CRP levels are high.You can find all the info and links about this episode at https://holisticwellness.ca/episode78 Topics Discussed in this Episode:What is CRP (C-reactive protein) Why it’s important to know your CRP levelsHow your weight impacts your CRP levelsWhat CRP level you should be atWhat you can do to lower your CRP levelsKey Takeaways:CRP (C-reactive protein) is a marker of inflammation in the body, so high CRP levels are found in every known inflammatory state. It’s manufactured throughout the body and found in immune cells, the liver, and fat cells.When your CRP is chronically elevated, this is what can contribute to destructive chronic inflammation.Even if you have no symptoms of a disease, elevated CRP levels may signal an increased risk for all degenerative disorders. A study has shown that women with the highest CRP levels had a 16-fold risk for developing diabetes.CRP is linked with a lot of cardiovascular-related conditions.Most individuals who are overweight tend to produce more inflammatory compounds, which leads to higher levels of CRP and increases your risk of developing a disease.Omega-3 fish oils can lower your chances of getting a heart attack by 50%.Action Steps:Test for your CRP levels and know what your level should be atWhat to do to lower your CRP levels:Exercise.Change your diet.Take supplements and probiotics.Use essential oils. Samantha said:“If you do the CRP test and you notice that it’s high, you can take the right steps to lower it. It’s totally possible.”“You really want to be proactive with your health and take preventative measures because this is the best way to decrease your chances [of] developing chronic disease and inflammation.” Thanks for listening!Important Announcements: Interested in essential oils? Email me at samantha@holisticwellness.ca.Check out our Dutch Hormone Program!Connect with me over on Instagram, @holisticwellnessfoodie.It would also mean so much if you would leave us a rating or a review over on iTunes or Spotify or Stitcher, or whichever platform you’re listening to us on. Take a screenshot of your review and email it over to us, and get our FREE 3-Day Hormone Balancing Meal Plan. Links to things I talk about in the show:My Pumpkin Peanut Butter Pie Where you can find me:Samantha’s FacebookSamantha’s InstagramSamantha’s WebsiteSamantha’s TwitterHealthy Hormones for Women Podcast Private Community on Facebook How you can work with me:6-Week Healthy Hormones for Women IntensiveHealing & Dealing with Hashi’sAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Welcome to another Q&A episode! This time, I answer your questions around fertility and share some tips on how you can address it by making some changes in your diet. I also talk about what you can do to heal from SIBO and how to get back on track after falling off the diet wagon.You can find all the info and links about this episode at https://holisticwellness.ca/episode77Topics Discussed in this Episode:Some interesting stats around infertilityHow to change your diet to address infertilitySIBO: What is it, how to find out if you have it, and how to go about testing itStrategies to eliminate SIBOHow to get back on track after falling off the diet wagonKey Takeaways:Infertility is the inability to get pregnant after at least 12 consecutive months of unprotected sex.Some interesting stats regarding infertility: 7.5 million women aged 15 to 44 have impaired ability to get pregnant or carry a baby to term, and 6.9 million women aged 15 to 44 have used infertility services.10% to 15% of couples in the US are infertile, and up to 13% of female infertility is caused by cigarette smoking.Irregular or abnormal ovulation accounts for approximately 25% of all female infertility problems.Chlamydia causes about 4 million to 5 million infections annually in the US, and if that’s left untreated, it can cause infertility.About one-third of couples in which the woman is older than 35 years have fertility problems.When you have excess weight, it can increase inflammation in the body, and that can cause issues with implantation, especially if you’re doing IVF.If you’re experiencing gas or bloating regularly or you’re dealing with a lot of IBS symptoms, there’s a strong likelihood that you have SIBO.Action Steps:If you’re having issues with infertility, find a support network and a community of women that you can connect with, and know that everybody’s journey is different.Choose to eat organic as much as you possibly can.Eat foods rich in omega-3s, which can help reduce inflammation and promote fertilization and implantation.Eat foods rich in vitamin E and vitamin C, as well as foods rich in folate.Eat lots of cruciferous vegetables and foods rich in zinc.Avoid high-processed foods and be conscious of your consumption of grains, sugar, alcohol, and caffeine.Get a clear picture of your fertility by testing your hormones and your thyroid. Samantha said:“Recognize that no one person’s journey is going to be the same. Everybody’s journey is different and what one woman experiences is going to be different from yours or how their treatment went will be different from yours.”“More than anything, what I want for women is to just eat ridiculously healthy, good food and food that’s going to support their health and their hormones and their vitality and allow them to live a more powerful, happy, joyful life.” Thanks for listening! Important Announcements:My podcast has been nominated for Podcast of the Year!!! If you tune in with me each week and you're loving all the content we share, I would so appreciate your vote :) You can VOTE HERE! Connect with me over on Instagram, @holisticwellnessfoodie. It would also mean so much if you would leave us a rating or a review over on iTunes or Spotify or Stitcher, or whichever platform you’re listening to us on. Take a screenshot of your review and email it over to us, and get our FREE 3-Day Hormone Balancing Meal Plan. Podcast episodes mentioned that you shouldn’t miss:Episode 64: 12 Best Foods and Herbs to Boost Fertility and Support Hormonal HealthEpisode 25: Optimizing Your Menstrual Cycle, Understanding Cervical Mucus & The Impact of Toxic MakeupEpisode 48: What Is SIBO & How to Heal ItEpisode 76: How to Combat Night Time Snacking + Weight Loss Strategies That Go Beyond the Food Where you can find me:Samantha’s FacebookSamantha’s InstagramSamantha’s WebsiteSamantha’s TwitterHealthy Hormones for Women Podcast Private Community on Facebook How you can work with me:6-Week Healthy Hormones for Women IntensiveHealing & Dealing with Hashi’sAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What’s the one thing you can do that’s going to help you lose weight? Well, that doesn’t exist. Losing weight doesn’t work that way. But if you want to learn some strategies that you can implement and to make better choices, you’ve come to the right podcast.You can find all the info and links about this episode at https://holisticwellness.ca/episode76 Topics Discussed in this Episode:How you might be approaching weight loss in the wrong wayGetting your mindset right when it comes to weight loss and going beyond the foodStrategies to overcome night-time snackingThe delayed gratification technique3 key things to losing weight: Key Takeaways:There is no one-size-fits-all approach to losing weight. It’s a combination of multiple things that makes weight loss successful.Night-time snacking is one of the reasons why people gain weight.Can diet supplements be helpful? Absolutely! But that doesn’t mean they’re a magic fix.3 things that are key to losing weight:You need a plan to follow.You need accountability.You need a support network. Action Steps:Do away with diet pills. They won’t get you anywhere.Anticipate the feelings that lead you to night-time snacking and come up with an activity that’ll interrupt that pattern.Implement the delayed gratification technique. Instead of getting up and grabbing the food that you’re craving for right away, take out your phone and set the timer for five minutes, and sit with that uncomfortable feeling.Create a clear and compelling vision for your future health.Declutter your space. You want to be in a space where you feel calm and confident.Find outlets that will help you deal with stress. Samantha said:“When you can better yourself and show up more powerfully in your life, you will make better choices that are in alignment with the life that you truly want.”“You have to show up for yourself. You have to take action. You have to make yourself a priority. You have to invest in yourself. Sometimes that can be really scary but nothing changes if nothing changes.” Thanks for listening! Important Announcements:My podcast has been nominated for Podcast of the Year!!! If you tune in with me each week and you're loving all the content we share, I would so appreciate your vote :) You can VOTE HERE!  Learn more about our 8-Week Dutch Hormone Program. When you sign up, you get full access to our 8-Week Metabolic Reset Weight Loss Program at no additional cost. Connect with me over on Instagram, @holisticwellnessfoodie. It would also mean so much if you would leave us a rating or a review over on iTunes or Spotify or Stitcher, or whichever platform you’re listening to us on. Take a screenshot of your review and email it over to us, and get our FREE 3-Day Hormone Balancing Meal Plan. Where you can find me:Samantha’s FacebookSamantha’s InstagramSamantha’s WebsiteSamantha’s TwitterHealthy Hormones for Women Podcast Private Community on Facebook How you can work with me:6-Week Healthy Hormones for Women Intensive - Use the coupon code PODCAST at checkout to save 60%.Healing & Dealing with Hashi’sAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What are the Hormonal Charlie’s Angels? Listen in to one of my Facebook Live recordings, find out more about your hormones, and learn to connect the dots when it comes to your health.You can find all the info and links about this episode at https://holisticwellness.ca/episode75. Topics Discussed in this Episode:My hormonal health storyThe hormonal Charlie’s Angels: cortisol, estrogen, and thyroidWhat happens when these three hormones are out of balance versus when they’re in balanceSome simple strategies that you can do to support these hormonesKey Takeaways:Whether you’re fired up from work with your to-do list or fired up from running from a tiger, they’re the same stress to your body and it’s going to take a toll on your immune system.If you had caught some kind of viral infection, bacterial infection, or parasite infection in the past, if you haven’t been able to heal them appropriately, they can start to show up in your later years.Cortisol is a very smart, no-nonsense, strategic-thinking hormone. It’s alert in your nervous system to threats. If you are experiencing weight gain, cortisol and insulin are the two hormones you want to look at as both are fat-storing hormones.When you are constantly stressed, the communication between your brain and your adrenals is impaired, that’s why you experience adrenal burnout.A dysregulated cortisol could lead to diabetes, metabolic syndrome, depression, low sex drive, low thyroid, fatigue and exhaustion, irregular and heavy periods, autoimmune conditions, infertility and PCOS, and accelerated aging.Your thyroid is what controls your metabolism.When you have dysregulated thyroid, you’re going to feel sluggish, run-down, and tired. You’re going to experience infrequent bowel movement, and you might be constipated. You might also experience unexplained weight gain, depression, feeling inflamed, excessive menstrual bleeding, and excessive hair loss.Your estrogen is so important because it helps to produce your serotonin.When your estrogen is out of balance, you might experience very low libido, very dry skin, increased hunger, a lack of ovulation, a heavy period, more breast tenderness around your cycle, fibroids and cysts, more PMS symptoms, more brain fog, and PCOS.Action Steps:Connect the dots with your health. Look back to your health history and see all these different areas where things could have gone wrong and started to impact your health.Manage your cortisol, estrogen, and thyroid, as well as your insulin and blood sugar.Implement these strategies to support your hormones:Pay attention to your nutrition and eat an anti-inflammatory whole foods diet.Create a healthy routine around sleep.Make sure you stay hydrated all the time.Move and sweat.Try acupuncture.Avoid endocrine disruptors.Supplement with Vitamin C. Samantha said:“Your body can’t differentiate between a to-do list that’s super long or running from a lion in the jungle. It’s all a stressor to your body.”“Weight loss isn’t a linear process. Your health in general... it’s about taking the baby steps every single day.” Thanks for listening!Important Announcements:We’d love to have you in our 8-Week Metabolic Reset Weight Loss Program! It’s a program that addresses all of the things that cause weight issues. It is your one-stop-shop for losing weight and balancing your hormones. Plus, you only need to pay once to remain a member of the Metabolic Reset for life!Connect with me over on Instagram, @holisticwellnessfoodie. It would also mean so much if you would leave us a rating or a review over on iTunes or Spotify or Stitcher, or whichever platform you’re listening to us on. Take a screenshot of your review and email it over to us, and get our FREE 3-Day Hormone Balancing Meal Plan. Where you can find me:Samantha’s FacebookSamantha’s InstagramSamantha’s WebsiteSamantha’s TwitterHealthy Hormones for Women Podcast Private Community on Facebook How you can work with me:6-Week Healthy Hormones for Women Intensive - Use the coupon code PODCAST at checkout to save 60%.Healing & Dealing with Hashi’sAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

How do emotions, trauma, and stress contribute to the physical manifestation of illness? Kelli Tennant shares how she went through 14 years of misdiagnosis and working with healers and doctors to understand the mind-body connection. Find out how you can set yourself free from illness by finding yourself and living an authentic life.You can find all the info and links about this episode at https://holisticwellness.ca/episode74 Topics Discussed in this Episode:Kelli’s health journeyHealing from EBVHow ozone therapy worksWhat the Ayurvedic detox looks likeDoing the AIP protocolKelli’s go-to AIP mealsSexuality and intimacyExperiencing IowaskaKey Takeaways:Don’t lie and die by test. Go by how you feel. It’s important to get tested but also to know that there are flaws throughout every test. As long as you’re feeling better, keep going with whatever protocol works for you.The whole point of the Ayurvedic detox is to support your body and balancing it back to where it wants to be so that you can be of optimal health.You have to do what’s right for you and understand how to listen to your body. That’s how you can truly take care of and protect yourself, by listening to your intuition and listening to what your body needs.There is a direct link between suppressing our sexuality and chronic illness. Action Steps:Try doing the AIP for 9 months.Embrace your sexuality. Kelli said:“You are the only person that could advocate for yourself. You get to make the choices for your life. You want to be healthy, that is your choice for your body.”“When it comes to our health, we want quick fixes and we have lots of excuses. And if you truly want to feel better, [the AIP] is a short-term investment for long-term health.” Thanks for listening! Important Announcements:Sign up for our newsletter! We send out amazing content every week on recipes, all things women’s health and hormones, and exclusive deals on our programs. Also, dive into our Free 10-Day Detox! It’s a great kickstart to supporting your health, your hormones, and your energy. Connect with me over on Instagram, @holisticwellnessfoodie. It would also mean so much if you would leave us a rating or a review over on iTunes or Spotify or Stitcher, or whichever platform you’re listening to us on. Take a screenshot of your review and email it over to us, and get our FREE 3-Day Hormone Balancing Meal Plan. Links to things I talk about in the show:Learn more about Kelli's Ceremony Wellness 1-Day Retreat Books by Sarah Ballantyne Books by Mickey Trescott Where you can find Kelli Tennant:Kelli’s Website Kelli’s Podcast (Ceremony Wellness)Kelli’s Instagram (@kellimtennant)Kelli’s Twitter (@KelliTennant)Ceremony Wellness Instagram (@ceremonywellness) Where you can find me:Samantha’s FacebookSamantha’s InstagramSamantha’s WebsiteSamantha’s TwitterHealthy Hormones for Women Podcast Private Community on Facebook How you can work with me:6-Week Healthy Hormones for Women Intensive - Use the coupon code PODCAST at checkout to save 60%.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

How can you up the ante of your healing routine with essential oils? Best-selling author of The Healing Power of Essential Oils, Dr. Eric Zielinsk shares great blends, tools, strategies, and tips about essential oils. We also talk about all things food and how you can eat a bio-active rich diet. You can find all the info and links about this episode at https://holisticwellness.ca/episode73. Topics Discussed in this Episode:Expanding your healing toolkitDr. Z’s healing journey The Essentials Oils Diet and what it means to eat a bio-active rich diet How Dr. Z got started with essential oilsWhat you should have in your essential oil medicine cabinetEssential oils for mood, energy, and sexEssential oils for healing the gutKey Takeaways:Oils aren’t going to be the magic bullet for healing whatever condition you might have. They are part of your healing toolkit. It’s the same thing with supplements. There’s no one magical thing that’s going to be the “healer”, it’s a combination of things.Having all these different modalities that we have access to and expanding our healing toolkit means that we’re also going to experience greater, faster healing.Citrus oils are proven anti-depressants.Once you have your arsenal of oils, you can make your own blends.Deep breathing and good posture help feed the body with good oxygen and good nutrition, and essential oils can help with that.Peppermint has been shown to increase respiratory rate and help athletic performance. It also has fantastic pain-relieving properties.Your body completely metabolizes essential oils. You don’t have to worry about the biochemical buildup.There are natural approaches that our body does well with, that we don’t have to worry about side effects.Action Steps:If you want to improve your health, focus on your pain point and start to look at solutions, one at a time.Focus on the true nutritional value of food, which has nothing to do with carbs, calories, vitamins, and minerals.Don’t deprive yourself or your kids of “normal” food but find ways to “healthify” the food that people normally eat.Take a look at your medicine cabinet and categorize the essential oils you have there. Make your own blends and come up with your own solution to boost your mood and energy, and address all kinds of aches and pains. Eric said:“That’s probably the most dangerous place someone can get is when you’re numb, that’s when life and death really don’t matter to you anymore. And a lot of people are getting numb right now.”“The best advice I can give to anyone who wants to improve their physical health is focusing on their pain point …and then start to look at solutions to find for that particular thing.’ Thanks for listening!Important Announcements:If you have any questions about how to use essential oils for healing or if you’re a beginner when it comes to essential oils, get in touch with me via email. Don’t miss our 8-Week Metabolic Reset Weightloss Program that’s currently open for registration! It’s a program that addresses all of the things that cause weight issues. It is your one-stop-shop for losing weight and balancing your hormones. Plus, you only need to pay once to remain a member of the Metabolic Reset for life!Connect with me over on Instagram, @holisticwellnessfoodie. It would also mean so much if you would leave us a rating or a review over on iTunes or Spotify or Stitcher, or whichever platform you’re listening to us on. Take a screenshot of your review and email it over to us, and get our FREE 3-Day Hormone Balancing Meal Plan. Links to things I talk about in the show:Books by Dr. Eric Zielinski:The Essential Oils Diet: Lose Weight and Transform Your Health with the Power of Essential Oils and Bioactive Foods The Healing Power of Essential Oils: Soothe Inflammation, Boost Mood, Prevent Autoimmunity, and Feel Great in Every Way Where you can find Dr. Eric Zielinski:Natural Living Family  Where you can find me:Samantha’s FacebookSamantha’s InstagramSamantha’s WebsiteSamantha’s TwitterHealthy Hormones for Women Podcast Private Community on Facebook How you can work with me:6-Week Healthy Hormones for Women Intensive - Use the coupon code PODCAST at checkout to save 60%.Healing & Dealing with Hashi’sAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What is gluten and how is it potentially impacting your health? And how can you manage chronic inflammation? In this episode, I dive into all things gluten and share some simple things that you can do to optimize your health and your hormones and manage inflammation.You can find all the info and links about this episode at https://holisticwellness.ca/episode72. Topics Discussed in this Episode:What you need to know about glutenWhy you need to consider going gluten-freeAcute inflammation versus chronic inflammationWhat causes chronic inflammation and its long-term health effectsThe ways to manage inflammation and optimize your health Key Takeaways:Gluten causes gut inflammation in at least 80% of the population.Thirty percent of the population that develops antibodies against gluten proteins in the gut.At least 99% of the population has the genetic potential to develop antibodies against gluten.Especially if you have an autoimmune condition or you are type 1 diabetic, cutting out gluten is going to lessen the inflammatory load on your body.Gluten’s inflammatory effect on the gut causes intestinal cells to die prematurely and the oxygenation of those cells, which results in a leaky gut.Chronic inflammation isn’t just caused by inflammatory foods but also by psychological stress and sleep deprivation. Action Steps:Go on a 21-day gluten elimination diet and then re-introduce it slowly and see how you feel.Think about long-term health and not just how you want to feel now but also how you want to feel in the future, especially as you start to age.Manage your inflammation and optimize your health:Eat real, whole foods and remove the toxins and inflammatory foods in your diet. Cut out gluten, dairy, and sugar.Manage your stress.Eat organic as much as you possibly can, and buy from local sources.Get enough good quality sleep.Exercise regularly and build and maintain muscle mass. Samantha said:“A lot of products will list that they are gluten-free, which is great. But because it’s gluten-free that doesn’t necessarily mean that that’s the better option.”“We can’t take charge of our life if we don’t have optimized health. So that’s truly where it starts.” Thanks for listening! Important Announcements:Registration is now open for our 8-Week Metabolic Reset Weightloss Program. It’s a program that addresses all of the things that cause weight issues. It is literally your one-stop-shop for losing weight and balancing your hormones. Plus, you only need to pay once to remain a member of the Metabolic Reset for life! As an exclusive bonus, I’ll be hosting a Sugar Detox and Mindset Masterclass for all participants in the Metabolic Reset Program. It is going to be next-level amazing and one super informative class. Also, check out the numerous ways you can work with myself and my team! Apart from the 8-Week Metabolic Reset Weightloss Program, we’ve also got the 6-Week Healthy Hormones for Women Program, and the Dutch Hormone Program.  Finally, connect with me over on Instagram, @holisticwellnessfoodie! It would also mean so much if you would leave us a rating or a review over on iTunes or Spotify or Stitcher, or whichever platform you’re listening to us on. Take a screenshot of your review and email it over to us, and get our FREE 3-Day Hormone Balancing Meal Plan. Past episode mentioned that you shouldn’t miss:Podcast Episode 70: The Importance of Pooping, Optimizing Digestion, and the Gut and Hormone Connection Where you can find me:Samantha’s FacebookSamantha’s InstagramSamantha’s WebsiteSamantha’s TwitterHealthy Hormones for Women Podcast Private Community on Facebook How you can work with me:6-Week Healthy Hormones for Women Intensive - Use the coupon code PODCAST at checkout to save 60%.Healing & Dealing with Hashi’sAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Welcome to another Q&A episode! This time, I answer your questions about navigating the diet dogma, the link between irregular cycles and hypothyroidism, the things you need to consider to support your thyroid, and how to deal with fibroids.You can find all the info and links about this episode at https://holisticwellness.ca/episode71. Topics Discussed in this Episode:How to navigate all the diet dogma that are out thereThe link between irregular cycles and hypothyroidismWhat the thyroid hormone does to your bodyThe 5 things you need to consider to help support your thyroidHow to deal with fibroidsKey Takeaways:It can be so confusing when we are bombarded every single day from all sides about how we should be eating. The thing is, nobody knows how you should be eating but YOU.If you are going to go vegan or vegetarian, make sure you have variety in your diet and not just relying on grains, beans, and legumes.When it comes to choosing which diet to follow, it comes down to what makes the most sense for you and how you feel best.Hypothyroidism and the menstrual cycle are intimately tied together. While the thyroid hormone isn’t a sex hormone, it does play a key role in keeping your period regular.Every cell in your body needs the thyroid hormone, including your brain and your ovaries. It’s essential for follicle development in the ovary, which is a very necessary step in ovulation.The 5 areas that impact your thyroid and your body overall:Heavy metals Stealth and latent infectionsEnvironmental toxicitiesEmotional trauma and chronic stressNutrient deficienciesFibroids are a symptom, not a root cause. And no matter how big or small your fibroids are, you always want to address the root cause. Action Steps:Tune in to your body. When it comes to how you should be eating, only YOU know what’s right for you. Do not get caught up in the diet dogma. At the end of the day, you just have to experiment and see what works for you.Make sure that you’re getting your thyroid tested and you’re getting a full panel, and then work with a practitioner who can look at those tests and assess where you might need support.Support your thyroid.Make sure you’re on the right medication or supplementation.Address your adrenals and your stress.Make sure you’re eating an anti-inflammatory whole foods diet. Samantha said:“Healing can come in many different forms. But this is why, at the end of the day, it really comes down to experimentation. And it also comes down to finding a practitioner who can best guide you because sometimes we just can’t figure it out on our own.”“Sleep and stress go hand in hand. If you are chronically stressed, you are probably not getting good enough sleep -- deep quality sleep. And if you’re not sleeping, you’re not healing.” Thanks for listening! Important Announcements:The Dutch Test Program is now available in our online clinic! Wherever you are in the world, if you’re interested in getting our Dutch Hormone Package, just shoot me an email and let me know. Check out our 3-month Holistic Wellness Business Mentorship Program launching in September! It’s a mix of group coaching and personalized one-on-one coaching that will help to build the foundation of your business so that you can have incredible success. Finally, connect with me over on Instagram, @holisticwellnessfoodie! It would also mean so much if you would leave us a rating or a review over on iTunes or Spotify or Stitcher, or whichever platform you’re listening to us on. Take a screenshot of your review and email it over to us, and get our FREE 3-Day Hormone Balancing Meal Plan. Links to things I talk about in the show:Check out our SUMMER SALE! (Sale ends August 2nd) Visit our shop for ebooks and supplements:20% off all eBooks and Meal Plans with coupon code SAVE2010% off Supplements with coupon code SAVE1050% off CleanBeautyU Recommended products:BroccoProtect™ - Designs for Health Where you can find me:Samantha’s FacebookSamantha’s InstagramSamantha’s WebsiteSamantha’s TwitterHealthy Hormones for Women Podcast Private Community on Facebook How you can work with me:6-Week Healthy Hormones for Women Intensive - Use the coupon code PODCAST at checkout to save 60%.Healing & Dealing with Hashi’sAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Why is daily pooping important? Jillian Teta talks about the importance of optimizing our gut health and its connection to our hormones. We also chat about the things that we can do to positively impact our microbiome and promote digestive health beyond just changing our diet.You can find all the info and links about this episode at https://holisticwellness.ca/episode70. Topics Discussed in this Episode:The digestive process in a nutshellThe connection between your gut health and your hormonesHow to overcome constipationStrategies that you can implement to support your gutWhy it’s important to maintain a healthy and robust microbiomeThe two options for stool testingWhat candida is and how to get rid of itThe optimal gut-healing dietWhat gluten does to your body in terms of digestion and autoimmunityThe elimination challenge dietThe role that nature plays in the health of your microbiomeJillian’s thoughts on the carnivore dietKey Takeaways:Your gut acts like the Grand Central Station of your entire body. It is intimately connected with every other cell and system in your body, including the hormonal system, the detoxification system, the immune system, the neurological system, and the cardiovascular system.The gut holds two of the big five organs of detoxification -- the liver and the large intestine.The liver is primarily in charge of metabolizing and neutralizing estrogen. Once estrogen is neutralized, it is sent to the large intestine to be expelled out of the body.If you’re not pooping every day, that means your estrogen is sitting in your stool, and it gets reabsorbed back into the system and ends up back in the liver. This contributes to estrogen dominance.About 20% of your thyroid hormone T4 is converted to the active form T3 via the activity of your microbiome. If your microbiome is not healthy, it’s arguable that this conversion is compromised.Candida is part of a normal human gut flora. Issues can arise if it overgrows. This happens when one of our defenses is breached, usually due to an antibiotic knocking out your beneficial flora.Gluten is not universally terrible for everybody, but it’s a fact that it causes an issue for the gut and impacts autoimmunity.Sleep is absolutely key for digestive health. When we sleep, the parasympathetic branch of our nervous system becomes more active. Action Steps:Make sure that you poop every day.Overcome constipation quickly and easily by drinking lots of water and supplementing with magnesium glycinate.Heal your gut through your diet.If you have an autoimmune condition, avoid gluten at all cost.If you absolutely have to take antibiotics, make sure to take probiotics alongside it. Jillian said:“If you think about that large intestine as a parking lot, you want all those spaces filled with good guys. If you take an antibiotic and knock some of those good guys out, the highly opportunistic fast-growing microorganisms are going to move in.”“I think we overemphasize candida, and I think we emphasize the wrong types of information about candida. And I think it created a culture that thinks that everybody and everything has candida.” Thanks for listening!Important Announcements:Join my FREE 10-Day Detox! It’s a really simple way to give your digestive system a break if that’s what you need. It’s great to way to also support your hormones, get better sleep, and optimize your energy.Also, if you haven’t yet, connect with me over on Instagram, @holisticwellnessfoodie! And it would mean so much if you would leave us a rating or a review over on iTunes or Spotify or Stitcher, or whichever platform you’re listening to us on. Take a screenshot of your review and email it over to us, and get our FREE 3-Day Hormone Balancing Meal Plan. Links to things I talk about in the show: Natural Solutions for Digestive Health by Dr. Jillian Teta and Jeannette BessingerJillian’s Free Programs + Education Where you can find Dr. Jillian Teta:Jillian’s WebsiteJillian’s Instagram (@jillianteta)Jillian’s Facebook Where you can find me:Samantha’s FacebookSamantha’s InstagramSamantha’s WebsiteSamantha’s TwitterHealthy Hormones for Women Podcast Private Community on Facebook How you can work with me:6-Week Healthy Hormones for Women Intensive - Use the coupon code PODCAST at checkout to save 60%.Healing & Dealing with Hashi’sAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands