WELL BALANCED BODY
  • Services
  • Contact Us
  • About the Doc
  • Wellness Blog
  • Testimonals
  • Sign Up: Wellness Blog

Five ways eating more vegetables makes you happier

3/10/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture

Research shows increasing your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables can boost your well-being in as little as two weeks. Although the study didn’t explain why, previous studies show eating more vegetables impacts brain, immune, and gut health — all of which affect your mood.

The New Zealand study divided more than 170 young adults into three groups. The researchers personally gave one group two servings on fresh fruits and vegetables each day. The second group was given vouchers and text reminders to consume extra produce. The third group was not given any produce or vouchers.

The first group given the extra produce in person consumed an average of 3.7 servings a day of fruits and vegetables. After two weeks they reported feeling improvements in mood, vitality, motivation, as well as a flourishing of well-being.
The other two groups reported no change.

5 ways eating more produce makes you feel better

When you look at the effects of a plant-based diet on health, the results of this study are no surprise.

Here are five reasons why eating more fruits and vegetables can make you happier and more motivated:

Eating more vegetables increases the gut bacteria that promotes relaxation. Brain scans show healthy gut bacteria promotes relaxation.

Eating more vegetables increases the gut bacteria that lower brain inflammation. A Harvard-affiliated study found that healthy gut bacteria lowers brain inflammation, thus lowering the risk of dementia. Brain inflammation is also linked with depression, anxiety, and irritability.

Eating more vegetables increases the gut bacteria that lower depression, anxiety, eating disorders, autism symptoms, and obesity. By now you get the picture. Studies continue to find links between gut bacteria and a variety of mood and mental disorders. Eating a wide variety of plenty of produce is the best way to create a healthy diversity of gut bacteria.

Regular bowel movements from increased fiber of a high-vegetable diet improve your mood. It’s no mystery why constipated babies are so fussy. Research shows a higher prevalence of mood disorders in those with chronic constipation. Although myriad factors can cause constipation, often it’s as simple as too little plant fiber. Eating ample amounts of vegetables and fruits promotes regular, healthy bowel movements (unless you have a gut disorder that makes digesting produce difficult). Constipation increases circulating toxins in the body, which can inflame the brain and leads to bad moods.

What does a serving of vegetables look like?

The new recommendation from the American Institute for Cancer Research is to eat at least five servings a day of fruits and vegetables, but ideally you should eat seven to ten. Five of those servings should be vegetables and two to three fruit (to avoid consuming too much sugar). In other words, two-thirds of each meal should be vegetables.
A “serving” is a vague reference. Here are some ideas of what a serving looks like:
  • ½ cup of fruit
  • 1 medium piece of fruit
  • ¼ cup of dried fruit
  • 1 cup of leafy vegetables
  • ½ cup of cooked or raw vegetables
Most Americans don’t eat near enough vegetables. It takes some practice and discipline to develop a vegetable habit (vegetable for breakfast, anyone?), but once you do you’ll be motivated by how much better you feel.

Pre-prep veggies for quick salads, and make big batches of veggie soups and stews to facilitate the transition.

A few quick snack ideas:
  • 1 avocado with 1 handful of raw nuts = 6 grams of protein.
  • Veggies with hummus or fruit with nut butter.
  • ​Almond butter stuffed dates.

0 Comments

Hypothyroidism + Low Level Light Therapy

3/9/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
I treat a lot of patients who are dealing with thyroid issues - primarily hypothyroidism.
​

But what I frequently find is that hypothyroidism is only a symptom of a larger problem, often some type of chronic autoimmune disorder like Hashimoto’s, which causes inflammation of the thyroid, leading to symptoms like weight gain, fatigue, joint and muscle pain, constipation, difficulty getting pregnant, and joint and muscle pain.

Thyroiditis is commonly treated with a synthetic form of the thyroid stimulating hormone, but a study shows that 10 sessions of Low Level Light Therapy (LLLT) may provide anti-inflammatory effects which can increase thyroid function. Many patients who did 10 sessions of LLLT were not only able to stop taking their thyroid medication but the LLLT actually helped to regenerate damaged thyroid tissue.

If you’re suffering from hypothyroidism due to a chronic autoimmune disorder like Hashimoto’s, Well Balanced Body is pleased to offer Low Level Light Therapy treatment. Ten sessions are recommended in order to see the full effects of this treatment.

You can now book your light therapy sessions online!

Book Now
0 Comments

Gluten is the first thing to go with Hashimoto's hypothyroidism diagnosis

3/7/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
There has been an uptick in online attention around hypothyroidism since the publication of Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms? by Datis Kharrazian in 2009. While many facets should be addressed in managing hypothyroidism, one of the most important continues to be a gluten-free diet.

Research shows ninety percent of hypothyroidism cases are due to an autoimmune disease that attacks and destroys the thyroid gland. This disease is called Hashimoto’s.

Most doctors do not test for Hashimoto’s because it does not change treatment, which is thyroid medication. Also, many cases of hypothyroidism go undiagnosed because Hashimoto’s can cause the lab marker TSH to fluctuate.

Where does gluten fit in with this? Numerous studies have linked an immune reaction to gluten with Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism. Whether it’s a gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, gluten triggers an autoimmune attack on the thyroid gland in many people. Most of these people do not even know they are sensitive to gluten.

Going off gluten is the first step with Hashimoto’s
Studies, clinical observation, and patient stories make a very strong case for the benefits of going gluten-free to better manage your Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism symptoms.

A number of studies for several countries show a link between Hashimoto’s and gluten. This is because the protein structure of gluten closely resembles that of thyroid tissue. When your immune system reacts to gluten, it may start erroneously reacting to thyroid tissue as well. This will cause the immune system to attack and destroy thyroid tissue in a case of mistaken identity.

Studies also show patients improve on a strict gluten-free diet. One study showed as many as 71 percent of subjects resolved their hypothyroid symptoms after following a strict gluten-free diet for one year.

Why you may need to stop eating other foods too
Sorry to say, going gluten-free alone doesn’t always work. Many people with Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism also need to go dairy-free. Dairy, whether it’s cow, goat, or sheep, is the second biggest problem food for people with Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism.

Many people simply have an immune intolerance to dairy and aren’t aware of it until they stop consuming it. However, in an immune sensitive individual, the body may also mistake dairy for gluten and trigger an immune reaction that ultimately ends up targeting the thyroid.

For those serious about managing their Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, a gluten-free and dairy-free diet frequently results in profound alleviation of symptoms, if not total remission.

​Many find they may need to eliminate additional foods, such as certain grains, eggs, or soy. An elimination/provocation diet can help you figure out what your immune system reacts to, or a comprehensive food sensitivity test from Cyrex Labs.
What is there left to eat?
If you’re used to eating without restrictions, eliminating gluten, dairy, and possibly other foods to manage your Hashimoto’s.

0 Comments

How Physical Balance Can Affect Anxiety

2/17/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture

​The cerebellum (the area at the back of the brain) is best known for its role in balance and coordination. However, the cerebellum does more than that — when it starts to malfunction, the results can be not only worsened balance, but also anxiety, insomnia, and hypersensitivity.

The cerebellum is a primary integrator of information for the brain. Our body has hundreds of thousands of receptors that detect motion, vision, and where and how our body and joints are positioned at all times. These receptors constantly relay information to the brain so that we can move and function properly in our environment.

This information requires organizing before heading to the rest of the brain. The cerebellum condenses the information and “gates” it, meaning it releases it in manageable amounts to the brain’s cortex, the outer covering with its characteristic folds.

The cortex, which is responsible for higher-order functions of thought and action, decides if you need to carry out a specific action or thought in response to the information, such as turn left, answer a question, run from danger, make a decision, etc. The cortex then sends its information back to the cerebellum to help carry out actions.

When things go wrong with the cerebellum

The cerebellum is a common site of dysfunction. It can degenerate, meaning neurons die. The cerebellum is very susceptible to sensitivity to gluten and other foods, environmental toxins, and oxidative stress. It also can degenerate with age — why older people notoriously have bad balance. Children born with brain developmental disorders often have poor cerebellar function.

Poor cerebellar function is observed in various ways, such as poor balance, lack of coordination, or a tremor as you go to pick something up or bring a glass to your mouth (known as termination tremors).

Stand with your feet together, your arms at your side, and then close your eyes. If you sway more frequently to one side, that may indicate the side with more cerebellar dysfunction — it takes it longer to respond to falling on that side of your body.

Other tests your doctor may use to observe cerebellum function are coordination tests such as: finger to nose, walking heel to toe in a straight line, performing complex alternating movements, and ocular tracking (the eyes give insight into function).

Poor cerebellar function can also cause dizziness, disorientation, and nausea in cars, on boats, or when seeing things move swiftly, such as in a movie. Basically, the cerebellum is not able to respond appropriately to input from the environment.

Cerebellum function and anxiety and insomnia

As the cerebellum loses function it begins to falter at its job of gating information delivered to the cortex. As a result, excess information slips through.

This means the cortex and areas in the brainstem receive more information than they can adequately manage. Much of the role of the frontal cortex is to act as a brake pedal on the brainstem, preventing the brainstem from spinning out of control. Our brainstem governs myriad functions, such as emotions, heart function, blood pressure, and digestion.

This poorly gated sensory overload can cause many symptoms:
  • Anxiety
  • Sensitivity to light and sound
  • Startle easily
  • Insomnia due to racing mind
  • Irritable
  • Trouble staying asleep
  • Highly emotionally sensitive
  • Fearful
  • Heart racing/palpitations
  • Blood Pressure changes
  • Digestive Issues

Many factors work against us when it comes to healthy brain function that prevents an overactive brain and anxiety. They include a culture that cherishes overworking, inflammatory diets, unstable blood sugar, too much screen time, stressful lives, and not enough sleep.

Book an appointment to have your balance assessed and help relieve anxiety and insomnia.



0 Comments

21-Day Purification Completed! What's Next?

2/1/2023

0 Comments

 
Congratulations to those who have completed their 21 day purification program. If you missed Yvo sharing her testimonial. Here is the link to watch this life changing testimonial.
Picture
​What’s next after you complete the purification?

I encourage you to continue on the journey of healthy eating. You have cleaned out your systems and this is only the beginning. There are a couple options I have for you to choose from.

  1. Slowly introduce the foods that may have caused issues.  Add them back in one by one.  For example, add a dairy product one day and see if it causes anything like digestive upset (bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, constipation, tummy ache) or low energy, mood changes etc. Now you know that if you do have these symptoms that you either should avoid it completely or it may be an indication that you need digestive support. Or, depending on your lifestyle, if the symptoms are mild, you know that those foods are something you could enjoy on occasion.
  2. After the purification program is a fantastic time to get blood work to see what other health problems there might be lingering that need to be addressed or even ones creeping up that you might like to prevent in the future from turning into something that may need a medical intervention. This is something we can definitely help you with. Ordering labs, interpreting them at a functional medicine appointment, and getting you on a good health plan for your future. And, just basically answering any questions you may have regarding your health concerns or helping you reach your health goals. 
 
  1. For those of you who are loving the results you are receiving from the purification program, I highly encourage you to stick with the same meal plans, shakes and continue to take the sp green food and fiber. This is something you can continue to do for overall health. This is something I continue to do every day. I highly recommend sticking with the meal plans and shakes with the fiber. Especially since fiber has been shown to decrease overall mortality. So, fiber is essentially a longevity hack.

Did you know, the pain in your body might be caused by organ dysfunction?

Start with the General health Packet and book your Functional Medicine appt with Dr T today.

General Health Packets include the foundational support your body needs and they are so easy to take with you. They only cost you $1 per day!! The supply will last you two months and is already portioned out. 

Catalyn - multi-vitamin
Trace Minerals, B12 - multi mineral
Tuna Omega 3 - fish oil.

If you don’t know where to start with supplementation. Here is my advice:

  1. Always choose whole food supplements first. These are in their natural forms, the way nature intended and the body knows how to process this. When vitamins are in their whole food forms, we get all the benefits from the vitamin versus an isolate that was made in a lab. Start with our General Health packets to see the difference.

Order yours today:
​ https://wellbalancedbody.standardprocess.com/products/daily-fundamentals-general-health

Interested in ordering or learning more about the 21-Day Purification Program? Call us today at 916.542.9440. We'd love to share more about the program, our experiences and our patient results from the purification!  
0 Comments
<<Previous

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2021
    June 2021
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    July 2016
    August 2015
    July 2015
    November 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014

    RSS Feed

Photo used under Creative Commons from The National Guard
  • Services
  • Contact Us
  • About the Doc
  • Wellness Blog
  • Testimonals
  • Sign Up: Wellness Blog