Maria Cavallazzi

Arthritis is a widespread disability that affects many people.

Arthritis is an umbrella term that encompasses many different conditions that have similar general symptoms.

Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that affects your joints and can cause you to feel joint pain and stiffness.

This degenerative joint disease can limit your work or recreational activities due to the pain that it causes.

If you have osteoarthritis and are looking for natural solutions to help treat and manage your condition, I’m here to help.

As a Mississauga naturopathic doctor who offers acupuncture services and other holistic treatments, I want to help you learn about naturopathic treatments for osteoarthritis.

Today we’ll be taking a closer look at what osteoarthritis is, and what naturopathic treatments are available for you.

What Is Osteoarthritis?

Also known as wear and tear arthritis, osteoarthritis is the most common chronic condition that affects your joints.

Your joints are the meeting place where two bones have contact.

The ends of your bones are covered by a protective tissue called cartilage.

When this cartilage breaks down, it causes the joints to rub against each other and can cause pain and stiffness.

It can also narrow the space in the joint as well as cause cysts and changes to the various biological components underneath the cartilage.

This results in the development of osteoarthritis.

This condition can happen in any joint in your body.

The most commonly affected body parts are your hands, shoulders, fingers, knees, hips, and spine.

While osteoarthritis is more prevalent in elderly people, it can affect adults at any age.

It is a leading cause of disability and can significantly impact your daily activities.

Osteoarthritis Symptoms

One of the primary symptoms of osteoarthritis is pain and stiffness in the afflicted joint.

You may also experience reduced flexibility and limited range of motion.

The affected areas can feel tender and cause discomfort if you press on them with your fingers.

Another common symptom is inflammation, which can develop around the affected joint.

You may also experience crepitus, which are the crackling, clicking or popping sounds that occur when you move your joint.

Osteoarthritis may also cause deformations or bone spurs, which are additional lumps of bone, but these are normally painless.

You may also experience loss of mobility depending on the seriousness of the condition.

Pain may become more intense as the condition advances and may also cause swelling in the joint and the area around it.

What Is The Main Cause Of Osteoarthritis?

The main cause of osteoarthritis is joint damage.

This can build up over time and lead to stiffness and pain in joints.

Age is one of the primary causes of osteoarthritis as there is cumulative joint damage from repetitive stress on the joints.

Aside from age, there are several other causes of joint damage.

Having a past injury that included dislocated joints, ligament injuries, or torn cartilage can lead to osteoarthritis.

Other causes include poor posture, obesity, or a joint deformity, whether naturally occurring or following an injury.

There are risk factors that may also increase your likelihood of developing this condition.

These include:

• Being fifty years old or older
• Having had menopause
• Having a family history of osteoarthritis
• Having a history of injuries
• Obesity
• Poor posture
• Physically demanding occupation
• Other medical conditions that affect joint health
• Gender; women tend to have higher rates of osteoarthritis

If you develop osteoarthritis in one part of your body, there’s an increased risk of it developing in other parts.

Osteoarthritis Vs. Rheumatoid Arthritis

While osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis both have the same symptoms, they are very different and unique conditions.

Osteoarthritis is degenerative and develops in its severity over time.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that’s characterized by synovitis, or inflammation of the joint lining.

With rheumatoid arthritis your body’s immune system sees the soft lining around the joints as a threat and attacks it.

When your immune system attacks this soft lining, synovium, it builds up fluid in the joints.

The symptoms that occur are similar to osteoarthritis and include pain, stiffness, swelling, and inflammation.

Rheumatoid arthritis most commonly affects small joints in your feet and hands.

However, it can sometimes affect your organs, such as the skin, lungs, and eyes.

Continuous inflammation can lead to permanent joint damage and deformity.

Talk to your doctor to determine which type of arthritis you have to treat it accordingly.

Naturopathic Treatments For Osteoarthritis

There are numerous natural treatments and supplements that can help alleviate symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Aside from the naturopathic treatments we’ll discuss today, physical therapy and massage therapy may also be beneficial.

Let’s take a more detailed look at some of the naturopathic treatments available for you.

1. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the oldest medical treatments on the planet, dating back to ancient China.

Acupuncture treatment uses fine needles that are placed in specific points on your body.

The way in which they are organized forms a meridian.

This stimulates energy flow, which can help promote your body’s healing ability.

Acupuncture can be used to treat a wide array of conditions, particularly those where pain is involved, like osteoarthritis.

Acupuncture can also help reduce the risk of developing coronary heart disease in people with rheumatoid arthritis.

2. Vitamin D

Vitamin D is an important part of many of our body’s functions.

It can also promote bone health, cell growth, and immune function.

Consuming vitamin D may help provide relief from symptoms of osteoarthritis by lowering inflammation and swelling.

Having an adequate level of vitamin D, whether through sun exposure or supplementation, may also help protect against the development of osteoarthritis.

3. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega 3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids that may provide numerous health benefits.

Omega 3 fatty acids that come from fish oil have been well established for having anti-inflammatory properties.

Taking omega 3s can help fight against inflammation caused by osteoarthritis.

This can further relieve pain and reduce the need for over the counter pain medications.

4. Polyphenols

Dietary treatment is a natural approach that provides your body with antioxidants and can help manage arthritis.

Certain fruits have higher concentrations of polyphenols, which are naturally occurring compounds, and may be beneficial for osteoarthritis.

Berries and their extracts have certain protective qualities that can help maintain joint structure and manage inflammation.

It’s possible that fruit polyphenols, like quercetin and citrus flavonoids, can help alleviate arthritis associated symptoms.

5. Calcium

Calcium is an important mineral for bone formation and overall healthy bones and teeth.

Having enough calcium in your diet can help maintain your bone health and as a result could aid in the prevention of developing osteoarthritis.

However, calcium isn’t a treatment for osteoarthritis and doesn’t help in the conditions’ progression or symptoms.

Book Your Appointment With The Mindful Healing Clinic Today

Are you experiencing symptoms associated with osteoarthritis?

If you suffer from joint pain and stiffness, I can work with you and offer naturopathic solutions to help manage your condition.

I’m Dr. Maria Cavallazzi, a Mississauga based naturopathic doctor.

I can help you by offering a natural treatment plan to help you get your osteoarthritis under control.

Book your appointment with The Mindful Healing Clinic today.

The human body is an intricate system of interdependent organs, glands, and tissues.

Each of them plays an integral role in maintaining your overall health.

As a naturopathic thyroid doctor in Mississauga, your thyroid is one of my particular interests.

There are a number of different issues that can arise with it, but today we’re going to look at hypothyroidism.

What is hypothyroidism?

What are the causes and warning signs of hypothyroidism?

And what can be done to manage it through naturopathic methods?

Let’s take a look.

What Is Hypothyroidism?

Your thyroid is a small, butterfly shaped gland located in the front of your neck.

It’s part of your endocrine system, a system of hormone producing organs and glands.

Thyroid hormones, in particular, control your metabolism and growth, and play a role in the function of your heart, muscles, and digestive system.

If you have hypothyroidism, you have an underactive thyroid.

This means it doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones to maintain optimal health.

This hormonal imbalance can cause a number of symptoms.

What Are The Warning Signs Of Hypothyroidism

Symptoms of hypothyroidism tend to develop slowly, often over a few years.

Some may be subtle and easily overlooked.

But knowing the warning signs of hypothyroidism could help detect and take appropriate actions in time.

Let’s take a look at a few key warning signs of hypothyroidism.

1. Fatigue

Despite getting enough rest, hypothyroidism often manifests as persistently exhausted feeling.

People with an underactive thyroid often feel tired and find it challenging to complete everyday tasks.

RELATED: Chronic Fatigue Naturopathic Doctor In Mississauga

2. Weight Gain

Hypothyroidism can slow down your metabolism.

You may experience unexpected weight gain even without any change in diet or physical activities and find it harder to lose it.

RELATED: Naturopathic Doctor For How To Lose Weight And Keep It Off

3. Sensitivity To Cold

Your body’s ability to regulate temperature can be affected by hypothyroidism.

This can make you more susceptible to cold temperatures and less tolerant of chilly environments.

4. Constipation

Constipation and sluggish digestion are common in people with hypothyroidism.

The movement of food through the digestive tract can be slowed down due to decreased activity of the thyroid gland.

RELATED: Naturopathic Doctor For Digestive Problems In Missisauga

5. Brain Fog And Mood Swings

People with hypothyroidism report having trouble with concentration and memory, often referred to as brain fog.

In addition, underactive thyroid can be associated with mood swings.

This may present as depression, anxiety, irritability, and a reduced ability to manage stress.

6. Dry Skin And Brittle Hair

Your thyroid plays an important role in maintaining healthy skin and hair.

Skin tends to be dry, rough, and sometimes even scaly in hypothyroidism.

Hair may become thin, brittle, and prone to excessive hair loss.

7. Hoarse Voice

Thyroid gland may affect your vocal cords.

If you don’t produce enough hormones, your vocal cords can become swollen or inflamed.

8. Puffy Face

When your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones, it can disrupt your body’s fluid regulation.

This can result in puffiness in your face, in particular around your eyes, cheeks and jawline.

What Are The Most Common Causes Of Hypothyroidism?

While there can be various factors contributing to this condition, some causes are more common than others.

The most common causes of hypothyroidism are:

• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
• Having had thyroid surgery
• Pregnancy
• Pituitary gland disorders
• Having had radiation therapy, such as for some cancers
• Certain hyperthyroidism treatments
• Certain medications
• Congenital thyroid conditions
• Lack of iodine

RELATED: Streetsville Adjunctive Cancer Care Naturopathic Doctor

Regularly having your thyroid hormones checked can help keep track of your thyroid health.

How Common Is Hypothyroidism?

Thyroid issues pose a significant health concern worldwide, with different degrees of severity.

In Canada, it’s estimated that approximately 10% of Canadians 45 years or older are affected by some form of thyroid dysfunction.

Hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid disorder.

Women are more likely to develop this condition.

The risk increases noticeably after the age of 60.

The development of hypothyroidism can also be influenced by hormonal changes during pregnancy and postpartum period.

Can Hypothyroidism Cause Anemia?

Hypothyroidism is a common cause of anemia.

Hypothyroidism can disrupt how your blood cells are produced and how long they live.

This can lead to decreased hemoglobin concentrations, which is associated with anemia.

Thyroid hormone, which regulates red blood cell formation in bone marrow, plays an important role.

When your thyroid hormone levels are low, they may not be able to stimulate your bone marrow to produce enough red blood cells, which can lead to anemia.

Moreover, hypothyroidism may have an impact on iron metabolism, a key component in the production of red blood cells.

As a result, absorption of dietary iron from the gastrointestinal tract can be compromised.

This may lead to iron deficiency anemia, which is one of the top 5 most common nutrient deficiencies in North American women.

RELATED: Naturopathic Solutions For Anemia

Naturopathic Remedies For Hypothyroidism

Thyroid hormone replacement therapy is standard medical treatment for hypothyroidism, but this doesn’t necessarily address the root cause of the issue.

On the other hand, there are several naturopathic remedies that can help manage your hypothyroidism, and in some cases even reverse it.

Let’s take a look at them below.

1. Eat A Hypothyroid Diet

Eating a hypothyroid diet can help your thyroid do its job and alleviate hypothyroidism symptoms.

A hypothyroidism diet includes whole and unprocessed foods like vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, beans and legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.

However, it’s a good idea to avoid goitrogenic foods.

These are foods high in goitrogens, which are organic substances that can interfere with your thyroid function.

These include:

• Soy based foods like tofu, tempeh, edamame, or soy milk
• Sweet potatoes
• Pine nuts
• Strawberries
• Corn
• Pears
• Peanuts
• Lima beans
• Peaches
• Pears
• Spinach
• kale
• Bok choy
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Cauliflower
• Cabbage
• Horseradish
• Turnips

You might notice these are otherwise considered healthy foods.

This is one of the reasons why naturopathic nutritional counselling, and naturopathic medicine in general, can be so complex.

2. Iodine

Iodine is essential for thyroid hormone synthesis.

So, including more iodine in your diet can help manage hypothyroidism.

The most abundant source of iodine in North American diets is iodized salt.

However, regular table salt is heavily processed containing undesirable additives and voided of trace minerals, so it is better to avoided it.

Also, too much salt is bad news, so instead, consider these foods:

• Seaweed
• Fish
• Shellfish
• Beef liver
• Dairy products

3. Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Hypothyroidism is often associated with inflammation.

Since omega 3 fatty acids are known for their anti inflammatory properties, they can help.

Good sources of these essential fatty acids include fish, nuts and seeds.

Furthermore, omega 3 fatty acids are found to be helpful for cardiovascular health.

This is important, since if you have hypothyroidism you’re at a higher risk of heart disease.

4. Selenium

Like iodine, your thyroid uses selenium to synthesize thyroid hormones.

So, if you have a selenium deficiency, it can aggravate your hypothyroidism.

Research indicates that selenium supplementation may help reduce thyroid antibodies in your blood, decrease inflammation in the thyroid gland, and enhance thyroid hormone production.

Selenium rich foods include:

• Brazil nuts
• Seafood
• Whole grains
• Organ meats

5. Zinc

Your thyroid needs zinc to produce thyroid hormone as well.

Zinc regulates thyroid stimulating hormone, or TSH.

This signals your thyroid gland to produce hormones.

It also plays a role in the conversion of inactive thyroid hormone T4 to its active form T3.

Be careful with zinc supplements, though – too much can be harmful.

Instead, try getting more zinc from your diet, including:

• • Oysters
  • Beef
  • Poultry
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Legumes
  • Cashews
  • Chickpeas
  • Dark chocolate

Can Hypothyroidism Be Fatal?

Hypothyroidism can cause serious issues, but it’s not usually considered fatal.

However, in very rare cases, severe and chronic hypothyroidism can lead to a life threatening condition called myxedema coma.

This is a critical medical condition where your thyroid hormone levels become extremely low.

Symptoms occur such as decreased mental function, hypothermia, low blood pressure, drowsiness, and respiratory distress.

If you suspect somebody is experiencing a myxedema coma, get them to the nearest emergency room as soon as possible.

Book Your Appointment With The Mindful Healing Clinic Today

When it comes to managing hypothyroidism, exploring naturopathic treatments can be an excellent complement to conventional medical approaches.

If you’re considering naturopathic treatments for hypothyroidism, I’m Dr. Maria Cavallazzi, ND, here at the Mindful Healing Clinic, we’re here to help.

Book your appointment with The Mindful Healing Clinic today.

As you age, your bones naturally tend to lose their strength and density.

Osteoporosis is a chronic disease that can speed up this process and exacerbate your symptoms.

If you’ve been recently diagnosed with osteoporosis, you’re not alone.

More than 2.3 million Canadians have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, most of them women.

And it’s one of the more common conditions seen by naturopathic practitioners across the country.

If you or someone you love is living with osteoporosis, I’m Dr. Maria Cavallazzi, a women’s health naturopathic doctor at The Mindful Healing Clinic, and I can help.

But first things first: what exactly is osteoporosis and how can naturopathic treatments help?

Let’s find out.

What Is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a Latin term meaning “porous bones”.

So, you might be unsurprised to hear that it’s a condition that affects your bones.

Your bones are naturally porous – particularly in your bone marrow – but these pores are quite small.

They’re shaped like honeycombs, which allows your bones to be nice and strong, but also lightweight.

With osteoporosis, however, these holes increase in size and cause your bones to lose both strength and density.

As a result, your bones become more fragile and prone to fractures.

RELATED: Naturopathic Support For Broken Bones

These breaks may occur with small traumas like simple falls, or even while doing routine activities, such as standing, walking, or running.

Osteoporosis can occur in any bones.

However, it most commonly affects your ribs, hips, and the bones in your wrists and spine.

While it more commonly affects people 50 and older, osteoporosis can happen at any age.

So, it’s important to work to reduce your risk factors and increase your overall health.

Osteoporosis is sometimes confused with osteopenia, the state of having low bone density.

But while osteopenia may lead to osteoporosis, they’re not the same thing.

What Are The Main Symptoms Of Osteoporosis?

In the early stages of osteoporosis, most people experience little to no symptoms.

In fact, you might not even realize that you have osteoporosis until the disease worsens and you break a bone, or when you get a bone mineral density test.

That’s why it’s so important to seek health support from a Mississauga naturopathic doctor if you’re considered to be higher risk.

As your bones weaken, you may notice the following symptoms:

• Receding gums
• Weakened grip strength
• Weak and brittle nails (also a sign of deficiency in vitamin B7 and protein

Without treatment, the symptoms of osteoporosis will continue to progress.

In severe cases, your bones may become so weak and brittle that even a strong cough or sneeze could potentially cause a fracture.

Additionally, you may experience:

• Chronic pain particularly in your back and neck
• Loss of height

Severe osteoporosis also increases your risk of experiencing a compression fracture.

This is when the vertebrae in your back and neck become too weak to support the pressure of your spine.

What Does Osteoporosis Pain Feel Like?

Most people describe osteoporosis as severe back pain with a sudden onset.

The pain often worsens when walking or even standing and often decreases while resting.

What Is The Main Cause Of Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis may be caused by several factors.

Advanced age is one of the biggest risk factors for developing the disease.

This is due to your body’s natural wear and tear.

In fact, one subset of osteoporosis is referred to as “senile osteoporosis.”

This is diagnosed in seniors with osteoporosis when all other possible causes are ruled out.

Nonetheless, younger people can, and do, develop osteoporosis.

This is particularly true for younger populations with multiple risk factors.

Risk factors for osteoporosis include:

• Certain medications, such as long term corticosteroid use
• A thyroid condition, particularly hypothyroidism
• Being a woman
• Being of East Asian or European descent
• Having a hormonal imbalance associated with menopause
• Having a family history of osteoporosis
• Poor nutrition
• Lack of physical activity
• Smoking
• Low body weight

Naturopathic Solutions For Osteoporosis

Unfortunately, a cure for osteoporosis has yet to be discovered.

However, there are plenty of natural lifestyle changes that you can make to help minimize your symptoms and keep you feeling your best.

Below are some of the top naturopathic approved tips for osteoporosis treatment.

1. Strength Training

Staying active is always good advice, regardless of who you are.

But it’s even more important for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

In particular, weight bearing exercises can cause your muscles to pull on your bones a little.

Research has shown that this can be useful in slowing down the loss of bone density from osteoporosis.

A 2018 study found that resistance training can slow the loss of bone density, and in some cases can even restore bone density in people with osteoporosis.

If you’re used to only doing aerobics or cardio and feel intimidated by using weights, it’s understandable.

But there’s more to weight bearing exercises than powerlifting or bench pressing.

Things like weighted lunges, hip abduction & adductions, knee extensions and flexions, back extensions, and squats can all help.

Even certain yoga poses can help, like planks or the different warrior poses.

Strength training at least three times a week can go a long way toward managing – and in some cases even reversing – your osteoporosis.

If you have a more serious case of osteoporosis, be sure to work with a physiotherapist or personal trainer.

They can help you reduce your risk of fractures while exercising.

2. Get More Vitamin D

Vitamin D plays an important role in the development and treatment of osteoporosis.

It helps your body absorb calcium, which is an essential component of strong, healthy bones.

If you develop a vitamin D deficiency, your body becomes less able to absorb calcium in bones.

This leads to a host of issues, not least of which being depression, aching joints, and digestive problems.

Subsequently, your bones become more prone to fractures and developing osteoporosis.

Vitamin D deficiencies are more frequent in places with limited supply of sunny weather – like here in Canada.

In these instances, it’s a good idea to supplement, especially during the winter.

Otherwise, fatty fish, vitamin D enriched eggs, and other vitamin D fortified foods can help boost your vitamin D levels.

3. Get More Calcium

Calcium helps to keep your bones healthy and strong.

Subsequently, it plays an important role in osteoporosis treatment.

Incorporating plenty of calcium into your diet can help slow bone mass loss and subsequently maintain your bone strength for as long as possible.

Foods containing high levels of calcium include dairy products, leafy greens, beans, and nuts.

4. Get More Magnesium

Like Vitamin D, magnesium helps your body absorb calcium.

It also helps by turning vitamin D into its most active form.

Therefore, magnesium deficiency can play a big role in osteoporosis.

Eating plenty of whole grain foods, nuts, and dried fruits can help prevent a magnesium deficiency.

5. Try Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine treatment.

It involves placing very thin needles into certain points on your body to stimulate organ function and promote healing.

And it can provide relief from osteoporosis pain.

Scientific evidence supports the use of acupuncture to promote bone density and manage osteoporosis pain.

Acupuncture has plenty of other uses as well.

Acupuncture can strengthen your immune system, for example, and is a great natural allergy management solution as well.

6. Improve Your Digestive Health

Believe it or not, keeping your gut health can do wonders for your bone health.

This is largely due to two factors: low stomach acid and stress.

Stomach acid helps your body process calcium, which, as we’ve already discussed, is important for bone health.

Therefore, low levels of stomach acid can worsen osteoporosis symptoms.

Low stomach acid can occur for multiple reasons, such as poor diet, nutrient deficiencies, and infection.

Additionally, low stomach acid is often caused by stress.

Stress doesn’t just affect your mind; it can also wreak havoc on your digestive system.

Prolonged high levels of stress may lead to reduced digestive ability, as well as poor sleep quality and unhealthy blood sugar levels.

All these factors can affect your bone density.

Book Your Appointment With The Mindful Healing Clinic Today

Osteoporosis is a serious diagnosis.

But you don’t have to go through it alone.

At The Mindful Healing Clinic, we’re here to help.

Book your appointment with The Mindful Healing Clinic today to get started on improving your bone health.

You probably know that your metabolism has something to do with how your body uses the food you eat.

It might have something to do with energy and body mass, right?

But what is your metabolism, really?

And if you aren’t satisfied with the one you have, can you change it?

I’m Dr. Maria Cavallazzi, a naturopathic doctor in Mississauga, and if you’re confused about metabolism, you’re not alone.

There’s a lot of information out there about it, and it can be difficult to parse through it all.

So let’s cut through the fluff and answer some of the most frequently asked questions about your metabolism.

What Is Metabolism?

Many people think that metabolism is the rate at which your body uses up calories, but this is a misconception.

Metabolism refers to all the complex chemical processes that happen inside your cells to convert food into energy.

Your metabolism produces energy to fuel all your essential bodily functions.

So where does that misconception about burning calories come in?

Every person has something called a basal metabolic rate, or BMR.

Your BMR refers to the number of calories you use to keep yourself alive when your body is at rest.

So, your metabolism is the chemical reactions that create energy in your body, and your BMR is the amount of that energy your body uses to keep you alive.

What Is The Purpose of Metabolism?

Your metabolism is responsible for the energy used for your basic bodily functions, including:

• Circulating blood
• Healing cells and tissue from damage
• Regulating hormones and preventing imbalances
• Regulating your digestive health
• Breathing

RELATED: Frequently Asked Questions About Hormones

Your BMR accounts for about 60 to 70% of the energy produced by your metabolism.

10% of the energy that’s left goes back into your metabolic processes to create more energy.

Whatever is left is used to fuel your movement and other activities.

What Does It Mean To Have A Fast Or Slow Metabolism?

Having a fast metabolism or fast BMR means that you use a higher number of calories even when at rest.

If you have a slow metabolism or BMR, you use energy more slowly and need fewer calories to survive.

Having a fast or slow metabolism does not translate directly to being large or small.

Muscle, fat, bone, and other bodily tissues require different amounts of calories to grow, heal, and maintain.

Your metabolism is impacted by your body composition and several other factors.

Can Illness Change Your Metabolism?

You might notice that you lose a little weight during a cold or flu.

This might happen because you are unable to keep food down or absorb nutrients, or because your body is using more energy to fight the illness.

Like crash dieting, these kinds of changes in your metabolism are usually temporary.

However, there are some health conditions that have a more lasting impact on your metabolism.

Cushing’s Syndrome and thyroid disorders are endocrine disorders that can affect your metabolism.

In particular, hypothyroidism can slow it down, and hyperthyroidism can speed it up.

In addition, genetic metabolic disorders can impact how your body metabolizes certain nutrients and enzymes.

These inherited metabolic disorders include:

• Wilson disease
• Tay-Sachs disease
• Gaucher disease
• Hemochromatosis
• Maple syrup urine disease
• Mitochondrial diseases

What Other Factors Affect Metabolism?

Your BMR can change over time and is impacted by several factors.

Your body composition has a major role in how quickly or slowly your metabolism works.

Your muscles use more energy for maintenance and repair than other tissue in your body.

Regardless of your overall size, the more muscle mass you have, the more energy you will use to maintain your body.

Body composition can also be impacted by age, genes, and sex.

As you age you lose muscle mass, slowing down your metabolism.

Your genes influence your body composition, including muscle size and ability to build muscle.

Sex and hormones can impact your body composition, including bone, muscle, and fat tissue.

People with higher testosterone tend to have heavier bones and more muscle, and on average use more calories.

Lifestyle factors also impact your metabolism.

After your essential bodily functions, movement uses up the greatest percentage of your calories.

Even if it’s not a high impact fitness routine, physical activity burns more calories than being still.

Whether it’s a Saturday sports league, a lot of running around in your daily life, or a hobby like gardening, birdwatching, or yoga, anything that keeps you moving will boost your metabolism.

RELATED: Naturopathic Weight Management Solutions

Quitting smoking may lead to a slow down in your metabolism as well – this is because nicotine speeds up your metabolism.

Despite this, the long term health benefits of quitting smoking far outweigh the impact on your metabolism.

How Do You Improve Your Metabolism?

Your metabolism is always at work inside your body.

Strategies to improve your metabolism need to be slow and steady to have long term effects.

Short term approaches like restrictive diets and aggressive exercise routines can shock your metabolism.

Instead, try making small, consistent changes.

Here are some healthy, sustainable, and natural ways to boost your metabolism.

1. Stay Hydrated

Hydration is essential to balancing the chemical processes in your body.

Drinking water is also a great way to regulate some of the things that impact your metabolism.

Drinking 500 ml of water 30 minutes before a meal can help you control your appetite and manage your caloric intake.

Replacing sugary beverages with water is also a natural way to limit your intake of extra calories and harmful refined sugars.

RELATED: How To Lose Weight With Water

2. Drink Green Tea

Another alternative to sugar sweetened beverages, green tea offers a few benefits when it comes to improving your metabolism.

The chemical compounds in green tea help convert stored fat into free fatty acids.

This may make it easier for your body to use and eliminate stored fat.

Caffeine, which is found in green tea, can also offer a temporary metabolism boost that increases your calorie use during exercise.

3. Exercise

Any physical activity will use more calories than sitting.

If you work at a desk, try switching to a standing desk, going for a walk at lunch, or getting up for a few stretches once every 45 minutes.

Certain types of exercise also offer specific benefits when it comes to boosting your metabolism.

Weight training is a great way to improve your metabolism because it builds muscle mass, which will naturally increase your resting metabolism.

High intensity interval training (HIIT) involves short bursts of very intense physical activity.

If this type of exercise is safe for you, it can help you boost your metabolic rate during and after your workout.

4. Get A Good Night’s Sleep

Not getting enough sleep can really disrupt your body’s natural processes, including your metabolism.

Sleep deprivation has been linked to increased blood sugar levels, insulin resistance, and variations in the hormones ghrelin and leptin.

High blood sugar and insulin resistance can lead to type 2 diabetes.

Ghrelin and leptin help your body to feel hungry and full.

When your body’s natural systems for delivering energy and recognizing that you need to eat are disrupted, it can be more difficult to regulate your hunger and energy use.

If you have a hard time falling asleep, here are some natural solutions to combat insomnia.

RELATED: Why Do We Need Sleep, Anyway?

5. Eat Plenty Of Protein

If you’re trying to manage your caloric intake more efficiently, eating protein is your secret weapon.

Your body uses more energy to digest protein than it uses for carbohydrates or fats.

You also digest protein more slowly, so you will feel full longer.

If you are changing your diet or exercising more, lean protein will also help to preserve and build muscle mass as you lose body fat.

All these factors can help you to manage your caloric intake and use calories more efficiently.

Book Your Appointment With The Mindful Healing Clinic Today

Whether it is fast or slow, your metabolism is always there, always working to deliver what your body needs.

With time, sensible physical activity, and some minor adjustments to what you eat and drink, you can make your metabolism your friend.

To learn more about natural, balanced, sustainable approaches to improving your metabolism, book your appointment with The Mindful Healing Clinic today.

If you’re looking to help support the healthy functioning of your body, then consider adding selenium to your diet.

Haven’t heard of selenium before?

It’s an amazing nutrient that can provide many health benefits vital to your health.

You only need a small amount of it and can help with a variety of processes in your body.

I’m Dr. Maria Cavallazzi, a hormonal support naturopathic doctor in Mississauga, and today I’d like to help you understand what selenium is and what it can do for you.

This includes things like your metabolism, immune system, and thyroid function.

So let’s take a look at selenium and its benefits for your diet.

What is Selenium?

Selenium is a mineral that’s found in soil.

It’s an essential mineral and as such, it must be obtained through your diet.

Selenium is naturally found in a variety of foods as well as water.

Adding selenium rich foods into your nutrition can play a key role to your overall health.

What Does Selenium Do For Your Body?

Selenium has been found to help with a variety of body functions.

Not only does it help your body but there have been studies of its potential benefits to numerous conditions.

Let’s take a look at some of the ways selenium could benefit your health.

It Supports Your Thyroid

Your thyroid is a butterfly shaped endocrine gland in your neck.

Did you know your thyroid tissue has a higher amount of selenium than any other organ in your body?

Selenium can help protect your thyroid against oxidative damage.

It can also play an essential role in your ability to produce thyroid hormones.

A healthy thyroid gland regulates your metabolism as well as controls growth and development.

Studies have shown that selenium could benefit people with certain thyroid disorders, like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

One study found that selenium supplements lowered thyroid antibodies, but more research is required.

It Keeps Your Heart Healthy

Selenium may play a role in keeping your heart healthy.

Low levels of selenium have been linked to increased risk of heart disease.

A review of several studies showed that people with heart disease who took selenium supplements had lower levels of inflammatory markers.

Adequate selenium levels can also reduce your risk of atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries.

Adding foods with higher quantities of selenium can help keep inflammation and oxidative stress low, and your heart healthy.

It’s A Potent Antioxidant

Antioxidants are important because they prevent cell damage.

Most of this cell damage is caused by free radicals, byproducts from the processes of your metabolism.

A diet rich in processed foods, stress, smoking, and alcohol use can cause an excess of free radicals, leading to oxidative stress and damage to your cells.

Selenium works as an antioxidant by helping reduce oxidative stress, which can help protect your body from other conditions.

There are many other antioxidants you can get in your diet as well, including:

• Vitamin E
• Vitamin C
• Zinc
• Coenzyme Q10
• Ginkgo biloba
• Turmeric
• Glutathione
• And many others

It Keeps Your Mind Sharp

It is believed that oxidative stress is involved in the onset and progression of numerous neurological diseases.

This includes things like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and multiple sclerosis.

Studies show that Alzheimer’s patients have lower levels of selenium in their blood.

Furthermore, antioxidants, like selenium, may improve memory in patients with Alzheimer’s.

Mediterranean diets, consisting of rich selenium foods like nuts and seafood, are associated with lower risk of Alzheimer’s.

Selenium may also improve verbal fluency and various other mental functions in those with mild cognitive impairment.

It Supports Your Immune System

You need a healthy immune system to keep your body strong and able to fight off threats like viruses, bacteria, and parasites.

Through its reduction of oxidative stress, selenium reduces inflammation and boosts your immunity.

Having adequate selenium levels in your body can help improve your immune response.

In this case, selenium supplements could strengthen the immune system in those with tuberculosis, hepatitis C, and influenza.

Studies have also shown a link with selenium deficiency and increased risk in the disease progression of people with HIV.

In particular, a 2019 review by Muzembo et al found that selenium supplementation can slow the progression of HIV into AIDS.

However, more research is needed.

Dietary Sources of Selenium

The amount of selenium in food sources depends on the content of soil that the foods were farmed in.

Do your best to get selenium from whole foods, otherwise the mineral might lose its nutrient value from processing.

These are some natural food sources that contain selenium:

• Brazil Nuts
• Walnuts
• Eggs
• Sunflower Seeds
• Poultry, such as chicken breast
• Beef
• Sardines
• Halibut
• Yellowfin tuna
• Cod
• Herring
• Red snapper
• Oysters
• Shiitake mushrooms

Symptoms of Selenium Deficiency

Selenium deficiency can be more or less common depending on your diet and availability of food sources based on your location.

Some of the common symptoms of selenium deficiency include:

• Chronic fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Muscle weakness
• Infertility
• Weakened immune system
• Hair loss

Conditions such as HIV, digestive disorders like Crohn’s disease, and kidney dialysis can limit your body’s ability to absorb selenium, leading to a deficiency.

Is It Possible To Overdose On Selenium?

While selenium is an essential mineral that can contribute to good health, taking too much can be toxic.

It’s good to keep in mind that toxicity is more likely to happen from taking supplements rather than eating selenium rich foods.

In severe cases, excess amounts of selenium can lead to acute selenium toxicity.

This can cause serious intestinal and neurological symptoms, kidney failure, heart attack, and in extreme cases, death.

Some signs of selenium toxicity you should watch out for:

• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Bad breath
• Vomiting
• Liver, kidney, and heart issues
• Muscle soreness
• Tremors
• Facial flushing

It’s possible for selenium to interact with other supplements and medicines.

This includes antacids, chemotherapy drugs, birth control, niacin, cholesterol lowering statin drugs, and corticosteroids.

There may also be a potential association between selenium supplements and skin cancer, so avoid them if you are at risk.

Don’t let this scare you from adding selenium into your diet for its benefits, though.

If you’re considering adding selenium supplements to your routine, though, it’s a good idea to…

Book Your Appointment With The Mindful Healing Clinic Today

Are you wondering if you’re getting the right amount of selenium in your diet to benefit your body?

Whether you have existing conditions or want to increase the overall health of your body, I am here to help.

I’m Dr. Maria Cavallazzi, a naturopathic doctor in Mississauga Ontario.

I can address your nutritional concerns and offer you counseling services to get you on the right track.

Book your appointment with The Mindful Healing Clinic today and let’s work together towards getting your body functioning at its peak.

Everyone talks about hormones, but doesn’t it sometimes feel like no one really knows what they are?

We hear all the time that someone is acting hormonal, or that a hormonal imbalance could be the cause of our chronic fatigue, but no one seems to know what to do about it.

Hormones are part of an incredibly complex system in your body called the endocrine system.

If you’ve been feeling off and have a hunch that a hormone imbalance may be at play, you could be onto something.

Sometimes the best thing you can do is find someone who will help you take a look at your holistic health and offer guidance.

I’m Dr. Maria Cavallazzi, a naturopathic doctor for hormone balancing near me, and today, let’s take a look at hormones.

In particular, let’s answer some frequently asked questions about hormones.

What Are Hormones?

Hormones are the chemicals that travel through your bloodstream to deliver messages to other parts of your body.

Most of your bodily functions require hormones to work properly.

Your glands send messages via your hormones to various body parts, telling them what to do and how to do it.

Some of the hormones you may have heard of include:

• Insulin
• Cortisol
• Estrogen
• Progesterone
• Testosterone
• Adrenaline
• Melatonin
• Dopamine

However, there are over 50 hormones in the human body that have so far been identified.

Your glands, hormones, and the rest of the tissues involved in their production make up your endocrine system.

What Do Hormones Do?

There are many bodily processes that hormones play a role in, including your metabolism, moods, sexual function, and sleep cycle.

They are a pivotal part of homeostasis.

Homeostasis is your body’s way of maintaining internal balance.

This includes blood pressure and blood sugar regulation, fluid retention, body temperature, and electrolyte balance.

Bodily processes often involve more than one hormone, sometimes called a chain reaction.

Hunger is controlled by hormones, as well as your emotions.

Some hormones even function as neurotransmitters, which relay messages from the brain to your muscles, for example.

Where Are Hormones Made?

When we’re talking about something as complex as your hormonal system, there’s no one answer to where your hormones are made.

They’re made by glands that are specialized to secrete certain hormones.

These are the organs that make up your endocrine system.

From your hypothalamus to your liver, your body is always hard at work creating the hormones you need.

Let’s talk about some of the most pivotal parts of your body hard at work making your hormones.

1. Your Thyroid

Under your skin at the front of your neck lives your thyroid.

Thyroxine and triiodothyronine (together often referred to as “thyroid hormones”), as well as reverse triiodothyronine and calcitonin, are the hormones produced by your thyroid.

Your body’s process for making the food you eat into energy, called its metabolism, is most controlled by your thyroid.

RELATED: Naturopathic Solutions For Thyroid Issues

2. Your Pancreas

Your pancreas, which is both part of your endocrine system and digestive system, lives in the back of your abdomen.

There are endocrine cells in your pancreas that produce both insulin and glucagon.

That means it plays a role in your body’s blood sugar regulation.

You may have heard of insulin in relation to diabetes.

That’s because with both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes, the pancreas has difficulty producing insulin.

That’s why diabetics need to supplement their insulin.

RELATED: Naturopathic Digestive Health Solutions

3. Your Ovaries Or Testes

If you have ovaries, they’ll be on either side of your uterus below your fallopian tubes.

Your ovaries are responsible for producing the hormones estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.

If you have testes, they will hang outside of your body below your penis and produce the hormone testosterone.

Ovaries and testes and the hormones they individually produce are all part of your reproductive system.

4. Your Adrenal Glands

Your adrenal glands are at the top of your two kidneys.

They’re responsible for many different hormones including cortisol, aldosterone, androgens, adrenaline, and noradrenaline.

Your adrenal glands play a role in blood pressure regulation and also help you regulate your stress levels and stress reactions.

5. Your Pituitary Gland

Your pituitary gland is at the base of your brain below your hypothalamus.

The pituitary gland produces hormones that assist other glands in their functioning as well, so it’s playing a vital role in your endocrine system.

Your pituitary gland is responsible for eight hormones between its two lobes:

• Oxytocin
• Antidiuretic hormone
• Adrenocorticotropic hormone
• Growth hormone
• Luteinizing hormone
• Prolactin
• Folliclestimulating hormone
• Thyroidstimulating hormone

6. Other Sources Of Hormones

Other sources of hormones include your pineal gland, which is responsible for producing melatonin, a key player in your sleep wake cycle.

Your hypothalamus, working closely with your pituitary gland, makes many hormones including the well known dopamine and oxytocin.

It’s not just your glands that are working on hormone production – your fat tissue, kidneys, gut, liver, and placenta (if you temporarily have had one) are also sources of your body’s hormones.

What Causes Hormonal Imbalance?

As you can tell by how many parts of your body are involved in your endocrine system, it’s an incredibly complex part of your body’s function.

This can obviously be difficult to keep in balance.

There are many things that can cause hormonal imbalance, including tumors and other growths.

Autoimmune conditions are known to cause hormonal imbalances, as well as genetic disorders and hereditary mutations.

You may also have been exposed to endocrine disrupting chemicals.

Damage or injury to a gland that produces your hormones can also cause imbalance.

What Illnesses Are Related To Hormones?

If your body’s hormones are out of balance, you could feel pretty sick.

Chronic fatigue, insomnia, and low blood sugar could all result from conditions causing hormonal imbalances.

Some of the illnesses and conditions related to hormones include:

• Infertility
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Irregular menstruation
• Graves’ disease
• Hypothyroidism
• Hyperthyroidism
• Diabetes
• Amenorrhea
• Anovulation

Book Your Appointment With The Mindful Healing Clinic Today

If you suspect your hormones may be imbalanced and causing you some issues, you’re not alone.

At the Mindful Healing Clinic, we’re here to help you navigate your health and wellbeing.

Book your appointment with The Mindful Healing Clinic today.

Are you experiencing heightened levels of anxiety, stress, and depression?

If so, the first thing you should know is that you’re not alone.

Living in the modern world often comes with a lot of stress that, over time, can wreak havoc on your body.

At The Mindful Healing Clinic, we can work with you to help offset some of the negative effects that stress can have on your body, such as lowered immune function and poor sleep quality.

One of the ways we do this is through adaptogens.

My name is Dr. Maria Cavallazzi, a healing botanical medicine naturopathic doctor in Mississauga, Ontario, and today we’re going to take a look at adaptogens.

What are adaptogens?

How can they help you manage stress?

And do they really work?

Sit tight and keep reading to find out more.

What Are Adaptogens?

“Adaptogen” is a broad term used to describe certain plant based substances that help your body recover from and improve resistance to the negative effects of stress.

Adaptogens are naturally found in a wide range of plant based foods, such as turmeric and ginseng.

They provide a broad range of benefits to your health.

For instance, ginseng is known to help your pituitary and adrenal gland function.

This can improve sleep, lower your risk of developing arthritis, and help manage chronic fatigue.

What Does An Adaptogen Do?

The primary benefit of adaptogens is boosted adrenal function.

Your adrenal glands are responsible for regulating your stress hormones.

Adaptogens work to restore your body’s natural balance and improve your resistance to both short and long term physical and mental stress.

Therefore, eating foods rich in adaptogens can help reduce your stress levels and improve your overall health.

Some of the benefits adaptogens are known to provide include:

• Improve sleep and reduce fatigue
• Support your immune system
• Improve your hormone balance
• Decrease inflammation
• Manage your blood sugar levels
• Enhance your mental performance
• Ease depression and anxiety
• And much more

What Foods Are High In Adaptogens?

Fortunately, adaptogens are easy to find in many common pantry items.

Let’s take a closer look at a few of them.

1. Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice that can help to support your body’s natural antioxidant functions as well as help manage levels of stress hormone production.

It can also help you maintain a healthy body weight, healthy blood pressure, and manage immune and inflammation responses while under stress.

Turmeric can also help with PCOS symptoms.

Turmeric is commonly found in many Asian themed dishes, such as curries, as well as soups and certain lattes.

2. Liquorice Root

Liquorice root is an herb that has been found to help regulate cortisol, the stress hormone produced by your adrenal gland.

Not only can chewing on liquorice root help support your adrenal gland, but the act of chewing can also provide a distraction from the state of anxiety.

Liquorice root is also commonly enjoyed in tea form.

3. Holy Basil (Tulsi)

Holy basil is another herb that can help to manage your stress response and improve symptoms of anxiety.

Despite its name, holy basil isn’t related to basil.

It’s part of the mint family that can provide a peppery taste to soups, stir fries, and pastas.

It can also be combined in a tea with liquorice root for additional benefits.

4. Moringa

Studies suggest that moringa can help to stabilize blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.

The moringa tree leaf is most commonly found in its dried or ground form and can be added to foods to provide a nutty taste.

It can also be added to juices and smoothies.

5. Maca

Maca is a member of the cruciferous family and shares similarities with kale, broccoli, and cabbage.

It provides your body with a powerhouse of nutrients ranging from seven essential amino acids to fibre.

It can additionally help to balance your estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels and boost your libido.

Maca powder is commonly added to smoothies, porridge, breakfast bowls, home baking, and much more.

Should You Take Adaptogens?

Now that you’ve heard all about the benefits of adaptogens, you might be wondering if you should be increasing your daily intake.

It’s important to consult your trusted naturopathic doctor before making any decisions regarding your health.

Despite the many health benefits, adaptogens may have negative interactions with certain pharmaceuticals or health conditions.

If you’re considering taking adaptogens, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at The Mindful Healing Clinic.

Book Your Appointment With The Mindful Healing Clinic Today

Do you want to know if adaptogens are right for you?

Or are you interested in hearing more about natural methods for improving your health?

At The Mindful Healing Clinic, we can help guide you to make the best possible decisions for your health.

Book your appointment with The Mindful Healing Clinic today.

How much do you know about eggs?

Sure, you might know how to make a tasty omelet, but did you know that eggs are one of the healthiest foods around?

That’s why eggs are often referred to as a “superfood”.

At The Mindful Healing Clinic, we have a special interest in helping you improve your health through nutrition.

And today, it’s eggs.

Keep reading to hear all about the numerous benefits of eggs and how naturopathic nutritional counselling can help guide you make the right dietary choices for your body.

Why Are Eggs So Good For You?

Eggs are cheap, abundant, and easy to come by.

That’s true of plenty of unhealthy foods as well, but fortunately eggs have a lot of health benefits.

Let’s take a closer look at some of them.

Now, there are plenty of other eggs you may enjoy, including quail, duck, goose, and even fish eggs.

Today, though, we’re talking about chicken eggs.

1. They’re One Of The Most Nutrient Dense Foods

The reason chickens lay eggs is to protect their babies as they grow.

So they need to have enough nutrients inside them to support a baby chicken until it’s ready to hatch.

This means they’re incredibly dense in nutrients.

A single large boiled egg has significant amounts of:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
• Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin B9 (folate)
• Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)
• Phosphorous
• Selenium
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K
• Calcium
• Zinc

In addition to these nutrients, eggs contain trace amounts of other types of nutrients needed to maintain health.

Finally, eggs also contain choline, a nutrient that most people don’t get enough of.

Choline helps to build cell membranes and membrane signaling in the brain.

With the amount of nutrients packed inside of a single egg, it’s no wonder they are referred to as “superfoods”.

2. They’re Loaded With Antioxidants

In addition to nutrients, eggs are packed with antioxidants.

These antioxidants are in the egg yolk.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are two of the most prominent antioxidants found in egg yolk.

Their primary function is to support your eye health.

Studies show that getting enough of these antioxidants may reduce your risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.

3. They’re A Complete Protein

Protein is the main building block of your body.

It helps to create and support many types of tissues and molecules responsible for a variety of your body’s components.

Therefore, getting enough protein is an essential part to maintaining good health.

Getting enough protein is important for:

• Increasing muscle mass
• Reducing high blood pressure
• Keeping your bones healthy
• Maintaining a healthy weight

Eggs are an excellent source of protein.

A single large egg contains 6 grams of protein.

And since you generally eat more than one egg per sitting, they can be a great source of protein.

3. They’re Good For Weight Loss

Speaking of weight management, did you know that eggs can help you shed off an extra pound or two?

Due to their high protein content, eggs are quite filling for their size.

This can help reduce your caloric intake.

Replacing your breakfast cereal with eggs can help keep you full and therefore reduce your chances of snacking between meals.

RELAED: Naturopathic Solutions For How To Lose Weight And Keep It Off

4. They Raise Your HDL (Good) Cholesterol Levels

Cholesterol often gets a bad rap.

While it’s true that certain types of cholesterol can raise your risk of heart disease, not all cholesterol is made equally.

Research continuously shows that cholesterol found in your diet won’t necessarily raise your blood cholesterol levels.

Your liver produces a large amount of cholesterol daily.

When you eat foods high in cholesterol, such as eggs, your liver will simply adjust by producing less of its own cholesterol to even things out.

The type of cholesterol found in eggs is referred to high density lipoprotein (HDL), the “good” cholesterol.

Higher levels of HDL cholesterol may actually reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other health problems.

It’s high levels of LDL cholesterol that cause the issue, and that isn’t found in eggs.

5. They’re Good For Your Heart

Eggs can also help reduce the negative effects of “bad” cholesterol in your body.

Unlike HDL, low density lipoprotein (LDL) is a type of cholesterol commonly associated with increased risks of heart disease.

LDL can be divided into two subtypes: small, dense LDL particles and larger LDL particles.

Smaller LDL particles are more dangerous to your heart health than larger particles.

Eating eggs can turn small, dense LDL particles into larger ones that don’t pose such a big threat to your health.

Are Brown Eggs Healthier Than White Eggs?

Now that you’ve read all about the health benefits of eggs, you might be wondering which type of eggs provide your body with the most health benefits.

It might seem logical to assume that brown eggs are healthier than their white counterparts.

After all, brown bread is healthier than white bread, right?

Since brown hens cost more to feed, their eggs are typically more expensive to buy.

However, both types of eggs are pretty much identical in terms of their nutritional value.

If you’re looking for more bang for your buck, consider trying pastured or omega 3 enriched eggs.

These types of eggs are produced by feeding hens pasture or omega 3 enriched feeds.

This means their eggs hold higher amounts of omega 3 fatty acids, as well as vitamins A and E.

Book Your Appointment With The Mindful Healing Clinic Today

Getting the right amount of vitamins and nutrients for your body isn’t always easy.

At The Mindful Healing Clinic, a Mississauga naturopathic clinic, we can help you design a meal plan that provides your body with the support it needs.

Book your appointment with The Mindful Healing Clinic today to get started on a healthier tomorrow.

Micronutrients and macronutrients are responsible for just about every bodily function you can imagine.

All this comes through nutrition.

And the consequences if you don’t get enough nutrients can range from dry and irritated skin to loss of muscle mass and bone density.

It can certainly be overwhelming to try to understand all of the different nutrients out there, and how to know if you’re getting enough.

I’m Dr. Maria Cavallazzi, a naturopathic doctor in Mississauga, and today we’re going to help you make sense of the nutrients your body needs and what they do for you.

As a nutritional counselling naturopathic doctor, I know that proper nutrition can make an enormous difference in your overall health.

Today we’re going to take a closer look at why you need protein, and how to get it.

What Is Protein?

Broadly speaking, there are two different types of nutrients – micronutrients and macronutrients.

We’ve talked about plenty of micronutrients before on this blog – they’re vitamins and minerals.

This includes:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin D
• Zinc
• Potassium
• Vitamin E
• Magnesium
• Vitamin B1 (and the rest of the B complex)
• Vitamin C
• And many others

On the other hand, there are three types of macronutrients – fats, carbohydrates, and the subject of this article – protein.

What Does Protein Do For The Body?

Protein does a lot.

It’s important to make sure you’re getting enough, because it affects so many different areas of your health.

Let’s look closer at some of these.

1. It Plays A Role In Biochemical Reactions In Your Body

One type of protein are enzymes, and enzymes are responsible for many of the biochemical reactions in your body.

Your body relies on enzymes for things like:

• Blood clotting
• Producing energy
• Contracting your muscles
• Digestion

Without enough protein, your body has a harder time doing all of these.

2. Your Body Uses Them To Make Hormones

Hormones are chemical messengers your body uses to control its various functions.

They’re produced in your endocrine system, which includes your thyroid, kidneys, liver, sex organs, and more.

Your body uses protein as the building blocks for some of your hormones.

Some of the hormones made up of protein include:

• Antidiuretic hormone, which tells your kidneys to reabsorb water
• Insulin, which signals the cells to take in energy
• Human growth hormone
• Glucagon, which tells your liver to breakdown glucose

3. It Regulates Your Fluid Balance

Globulin and albumin are two proteins your body uses to regulate fluid balance.

They work by attracting and retaining water, and if this balance can’t be maintained it can cause fluid build up between the cells resulting in swelling.

4. It Helps Tissue In Your Body Grow

You might associate protein with the growth of muscle tissues, but the fact is you need it for more than just bulking up.

Protein is also a key factor in your skin, nails, bones, and organs.

Your body breaks down protein in order to repair these tissues.

Certain illness and being pregnant can cause your body to use extra protein in these cases.

5. It Gives Your Cells Structure

Collagen, elastin, and keratin are proteins that help give cells structure.

The plentiful protein in your body is collagen, which is responsible for the structure of your skin, bones, tendons, and ligaments.

It also repairs skin injuries.

Elastin is what helps your tissue and organs to return to their normal shape and size after expanding and contracting.

Finally, keratin supports the health of your skin, hair, and nails.

6. Other Benefits Of Protein

We’ve only just touched the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the benefits of protein.

Other great reasons to ensure you’re getting enough of this vital nutrient include:

• Improves the health of your immune system
• Helps your body maintain pH balance in blood and other fluids
• Gives you energy
• Helps your body store and transport nutrients
• Increases your strength and muscle mass
• Improves bone health
• Relieves high blood pressure
• Keeps your appetite and hunger levels under control
• Boosts metabolism and is a natural solution for how to lose weight and keep it off

Dietary Sources Of Protein

When you think of foods high in protein, likely the first thing to come to mind is meat, fish, and eggs.

While it’s true that these are great ways to add protein to your diet, there are also a lot of excellent vegetarian and vegan options for increasing your protein intake.

If you’re looking for how to create a nutritious, environmentally friendly diet, you may be looking to reduce how much meat you eat.

Some great, non meat, ways to get your protein include:

• Nuts
• Lentils
• Beans
• Chickpeas
• Cottage cheese
• Pumpkin seeds
• Greek yogurt
• Milk
• Quinoa

Symptoms Of Protein Deficiency

If you don’t get enough protein to meet your body’s needs, you run the risk of developing a protein deficiency.

This is uncommon in North America, since protein tends to be abundant in our diets.

Protein deficiency is mostly an issue for people with poor diets, and people with certain illnesses.

Some of the results of protein deficiency include:

• Accumulation of fat in liver cells
• Decreased muscle mass
• Stunted growth
• Increased appetite, leading to obesity
• Lowered ability to fight infections
• Higher risk of bone fractures
• Problems with hair, skin, and nails
• Puffy, swollen skin

Is It Possible To Overdose On Protein?

Even though getting enough protein is a key part of your body being able to function at its peak, it’s definitely possible to get too much of a good thing.

If you eat too much protein, without fats and carbohydrates to balance it, you run the risk of developing protein poisoning, because of the strain on the kidneys and liver to metabolize it.

Symptoms of protein poisoning can include:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Food cravings
• Hypotension (low blood pressure)
• Decreased heart rate
• Mood swings
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Diarrhea

Book Your Appointment With The Mindful Healing Clinic Today

Are you worried you aren’t getting enough protein?

Maybe you follow a vegetarian diet and are worried that the sources you’re including aren’t quite enough.

Or perhaps you have a gastrointestinal issue which stops you from properly absorbing nutrients.

I’m Dr. Maria Cavallazzi, a naturopathic doctor in Mississauga Ontario, and I can help.

One service I offer is nutritional counselling, which can help determine if you do have any nutritional deficiencies and find solutions to help you fill those gaps.

Book your appointment with me, Dr. Maria Cavallazzi, today.

As a naturopath for hormone imbalance in Mississauga, I’ve written about hormones on this blog.

So far we’ve looked at estrogen and testosterone, as well as how to recognize signs of a hormonal imbalance in women.

Hormones are produced by your endocrine system, a part of your body that includes your thyroid, kidneys, liver, sex organs, and more.

Each endocrine organ produces different hormones, which your body needs to stay healthy.

One of these hormones is insulin.

Insulin is produced naturally every time you eat and works by helping glucose entering cells.

However, certain health conditions, such as diabetes, can interfere with your body’s ability to produce its own insulin.

If you’ve been diagnosed with a health condition that’s affecting your insulin levels, you might consider consulting a naturopathic doctor.

At The Mindful Healing Clinic, our skilled Mississauga naturopathic doctors can help you balance your insulin levels to maintain good health.

Keep reading to hear more about insulin’s effects on your body and how a naturopathic doctor can help.

What Is Insulin?

Insulin is a natural hormone that is made in your pancreas, a gland located behind your stomach.

It allows your body to turn glucose into energy.

Glucose is a type of sugar found in many types of foods.

As you eat, food travels through your digestive system, where it’s broken down into nutrients that enter your bloodstream and your body.

Insulin is an essential factor in this process.

Without insulin, your body wouldn’t be able to turn glucose into usable energy.

Where Does Insulin Get Made In The Body?

Your pancreas is responsible for producing insulin.

Your pancreas is a long organ that sits behind your stomach and helps with the digestion process.

As you eat, your pancreas releases insulin to help your body make energy out of glucose and store energy.

It does this by sending out enzymes that break down the fat, starches, and sugars found in your food.

RELATED: 5 Ways Eating Too Much Sugar Hurts You

What Does Insulin Do?

Insulin helps your body with a variety of processes.

Let’s take a closer look at some of insulin’s most important roles in your body.

1. Insulin Helps Glucose Enter Cells

Insulin’s primary responsibility is to help glucose enter cells.

This is where it gets turned into energy.

Without insulin, your cells become starved of energy.

It plays an important role in helping your body turn food into usable and storable energy.

2. Insulin Stores Excess Sugar In Your Liver

Insulin also helps to balance your blood sugar levels.

If too much sugar enters your bloodstream, insulin steps in and tells your liver to begin storing it.

Your liver holds onto this leftover sugar and releases it when your blood sugar levels begin to decrease, such as periods between meals.

3. Insulin Stores Excess Sugar In Your Fat And Muscles

In addition to your liver, your muscles and fat also help store extra glucose to prevent too much from entering your bloodstream.

Once your blood sugar levels begin to rise, insulin instructs your muscles and fat to stop breaking down glucose to prevent more from entering your bloodstream.

Instead, your cells begin to create glycogen, which is a form of glucose which can be stored and released once your blood sugar levels begin to drop.

When your liver can’t hold any more glycogen, insulin instructs your fat cells to begin storing excess glucose by turning it into triglycerides to be used for energy later.

4. Insulin Keeps Your Blood Sugar Balanced

Because it instructs other parts of your body to store excess glucose, insulin plays a vital role in keeping your blood sugar levels balanced.

Having too much or too little glucose in your bloodstream can lead to numerous health complications, such as kidney disease, nerve damage, irritability, and chronic fatigue

By instructing your liver, muscles, and fat to store excess glucose, insulin helps to keep your blood sugar levels within a healthy range.

RELATED: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment Naturopathic Doctor Near Me.

5. Insulin Keeps Your Cells Happy

Every single cell in your body needs energy to function and maintain health.

Insulin provides this energy through glucose distribution.

Without insulin, glucose remains in your bloodstream and can lead to serious health complications, such as hyperglycemia.

Additionally, insulin helps amino acids and electrolytes like potassium and sodium enter your body’s cells and keep your bodily fluids level.

What Causes The Pancreas To Stop Producing Insulin?

Your pancreas may stop producing insulin effectively for several reasons.

For instance, prolonged insulin resistance may cause the cells that help create insulin in your pancreas to wear out.

Additionally, certain autoimmune conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis, can interfere with your pancreas’ ability to produce insulin.

Finally, prolonged high blood sugar can also impair your insulin production.

To find out more about the many health conditions that may cause your pancreas to stop producing insulin, book your appointment with the Mindful Healing Clinic today.

Health Conditions Associated With Impaired Insulin Production And Insulin Resistance

Let’s take a look at some of the most common health conditions associated with impaired insulin production and insulin resistance.

1. Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic, autoimmune disease that occurs when your immune system begins mistakenly attacking the insulin producing cells in your pancreas.

The reason this happens is often unknown.

When this happens, your pancreas can’t produce insulin resulting in complications such as nerve damage, kidney disease, heart problems, eye problems, and stomach problems.

If you’re thinking to yourself “where can I find naturopathic treatment for type 1 diabetes?” we can help.

2. Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance occurs when the cells in your body stop responding to insulin.

Also referred to as impaired insulin sensitivity, insulin resistance may be temporary or chronic.

During insulin resistance, your body stops storing excess glucose in your muscles, fat and liver from your bloodstream.

This can occur for several reasons, including heart disease, obesity, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

RELATED: 5 Ways Turmeric Helps With PCOS?

In cases of insulin resistance, the pancreas begins to produce more insulin in an attempt to overcome increasing blood glucose levels.

When insulin resistance isn’t managed, it can lead to…

3. Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes, the most common type of diabetes, may occur for one of two reasons.

For some, type 2 diabetes develops because the pancreas can’t produce enough insulin.

For others, type 2 diabetes occurs because their body is experiencing insulin resistance.

Left untreated, type 2 diabetes can result in high blood glucose levels, irritability, confusion, fatigue, and even loss of consciousness.

RELATED: Mississauga Type 2 Diabetes Naturopathic Clinic

How To Balance Your Insulin Levels Naturally

Now that you’ve learned about insulin and its importance for your health, you might be wondering how to go about balancing your insulin levels naturally.

Look below for some naturopathic tips for balancing your insulin levels.

1. Eat Fewer Carbs

Since insulin’s primary responsibility is to help glucose entering cells, eating excess carbs can cause your body to produce too much insulin.

Therefore, reducing your intake of carbohydrates can also help to naturally balance your body’s insulin levels.

2. Avoid Processed Foods With Added Sugar

Processed foods often get a bad rap for their high levels of added sugars.

Unfortunately, their notoriety is mostly deserved.

Despite their tastiness, processed foods can cause your body’s insulin levels to spike.

Therefore, cutting processed foods from your diet can help balance your insulin levels.

RELATED: 3 Reasons Why Added Sugar Is Bad For Your Health

3. Get More Soluble Fibre In Your Diet

Soluble fibre provides many benefits to your health, not least of which is promoting insulin sensitivity.

Diets rich in soluble fibre can increase insulin sensitivity and lower your chance of developing insulin resistance.

Foods rich in soluble fibre include legumes, oatmeal, flaxseeds, and most fruits and vegetables.

4. Eat The Rainbow

Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables are an excellent way to naturally balance your insulin levels.

It’s not a secret that fruits and vegetables play a vital role in keeping your body healthy.

Helping balance your insulin levels is yet another benefit of eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.

In fact, diets rich in fruits and vegetables have been linked to higher insulin sensitivity.

5. Get A Good Night’s Sleep

Why do we need sleep, anyway?

Many reasons, but in particular, sleep can have a significant effect on your insulin levels.

Research has linked poor sleeping habits with reduced insulin sensitivity.

Additionally, lack of sleep may increase your risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

Therefore, getting enough sleep can be a big help in balancing your insulin levels.

RELATED: How To Combat Insomnia Naturally

Book Your Appointment With The Mindful Healing Clinic Today

Are you interested in getting more tips for balancing your insulin levels?

At The Mindful Healing Clinic, we’re here to help.

Take charge of your insulin levels the natural way – You’re your appointment with The Mindful Healing Clinic today.