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You’ve likely heard that having probiotics can provide you with a number of health benefits.

But what exactly are probiotics?

Your body contains a large number of bacteria, most of which reside in your gut.

The majority of these bacteria are harmless, and some are even helpful.

However, a small number of bacteria in your body can cause disease.

So it’s important to have the right kind of bacteria, such as probiotics, that can provide your body with a variety of health benefits.

I’m Dr. Maria Cavallazzi, a naturopathic doctor at the Mindful Healing Naturopathic Clinic.

Today I want to answer your frequently asked questions about probiotics and provide you with some information about what probiotics are and their potential health benefits.

Keep reading to learn more.

What Are Probiotics?

Probiotics are living microorganisms, like live bacteria and yeasts, that, when ingested, can provide you with health benefits.

You can get probiotics from food sources that have undergone bacterial fermentation.

You can also get probiotics from supplements.

There are different types of probiotic bacteria.

The most common are bifidobacteria and lactobacillus.

Each different type of probiotics can help address different health issues.

So you can choose the right kind of probiotic for your body based on what health benefits you want to reap from them.

Why Are Probiotics Important?

There are a number of potential health benefits that taking probiotics may afford you.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the specific ways in which probiotics can impact your health and your body’s function.

1. Probiotics For Gut Health

As we’ve already mentioned, your body, particularly your gut, contains a wide array of different bacteria.

This makes up your gut microbiome, which includes bacteria, fungi, viruses, helminths, and archaea.

These are mainly found in your large intestine, or colon.

Your gut microbiome plays an important role in manufacturing vitamins, such as vitamin K and some B vitamins.

Additionally, it helps turn fibers into short chain fats, which help your body perform numerous metabolic functions, as well as helping to stimulate your immune system and strengthen your gut.

Your gut microbiome is very sensitive in regard to your diet, and any imbalances can lead to health issues, such as:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Obesity
• Heart disease
• Metabolic syndrome
• Colorectal cancer
• Depression
• Alzheimer’s

Probiotics may be able to help keep your gut microbiome in balance and help your digestive system functioning properly.

2. Probiotics For Better Digestion

Probiotics may promote better digestion and help prevent or reduce the severity of diarrhea.

Diarrhea commonly occurs when you take antibiotics.

This is because antibiotics can kill off the natural bacteria in your gut and cause an imbalance in your gut microbiome.

Probiotics may also help combat a number of other digestive issues, such as:

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Constipation
• Bloating
• Reducing gas
• Mild ulcerative colitis
• Other digestive disorders

If you’re having digestive issues, probiotics may help restore your body’s bacterial balance and provide some relief.

3. Probiotics For Your Mental Health

Researchers have found that there may be a link between your mental health and your gut health.

Probiotics like bifidobacteria and lactobacillus may help reduce and improve symptoms associated with a number of mental health issues.

Some of these can include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Obsessive compulsive disorder
• Autism
• Memory issues
• Stress

If you’re having mental health issues, probiotics may help you reduce your symptoms and improve your overall mood and mental well being.

4. Probiotics For Managing Inflammation

Because of their anti-inflammatory properties, probiotics may be helpful in dealing with a number of different inflammatory disorders.

This includes rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, certain skin conditions like lupus and acne, and others.

By managing inflammation, probiotics may help reduce the development of other diseases associated with inflammation.

5. Probiotics For Heart Health

Probiotics may help lower LDL cholesterol levels, as well as help lower blood pressure, both of which can significantly impact your heart health.

Probiotics may help reduce cholesterol by breaking down bile in your gut using lactic acid producing bacteria.

Bile is a liquid made up of cholesterol that naturally occurs in your body to help digestion.

When it’s reabsorbed by your gut, it can enter your bloodstream as cholesterol.

By breaking it down, probiotics can help prevent its reabsorption into your body and keep your heart healthy.

6. Probiotics For Immune Health

Probiotics may help enhance your immune system and protect your body against infections.

They may help reduce your risk of infections, such as:

• Common cold
• Respiratory infections
• Urinary tract infections (UTI’s)

While probiotics may have a beneficial effect on your immune health, more research is required.

7. Other Potential Benefits

Probiotics have also been linked to various other potential health benefits.

Probiotics may have an impact on weight loss.

They may help prevent your intestine from absorbing dietary fat, excreting it through feces rather than storing it in your body.

There may also be a connection between obesity and microbial changes in the gut.

By regulating and balancing your gut microbiome, probiotics may help combat weight gain and obesity.

Probiotics may also help reduce the severity of certain skin conditions and allergies.

These can include:

• Eczema
• Acne
• Rosacea
• Other skin disorders

Probiotics may also have an anti-aging quality by increasing your cells’ ability to replicate themselves, which can potentially extend lifespan.

What’s The Difference Between Probiotics Vs. Prebiotics

As we’ve said, probiotics are living microorganisms that, when ingested, may provide a wide range of health benefits and improve some of your body’s functions.

On the other hand, prebiotics are compounds found in food that help promote the growth and activity of good microorganisms, like probiotics.

Prebiotics are essentially a source of energy for your gut’s microorganisms.

Probiotics can metabolize and ferment prebiotics to extend their survival and increase their function.

This process is also good for your gut health because when prebiotics are broken down, short chain fatty acids are created.

These short chain fatty acids can help with mucus production, aid with inflammation and immunity, give your colon cells energy, and improve mineral absorption.

What Foods Are Rich In Probiotics?

Probiotics are available from a variety of foods.

You can find live probiotic cultures in fermented dairy products, like milk and yogurts.

Other fermented foods that may also contain probiotics include:

• Kefir
• Sauerkraut
• Soy products
• Miso
• Tempeh
• Kimchi
• Pickled vegetables
• Probiotic fortified cheese

Probiotics are also available as supplements, which contain the bacteria in dried form.

Where Do Your Gut Microbiomes Come From?

First and foremost, it’s important to understand that probiotics and gut microbes aren’t the same thing.

Probiotics are external live microorganisms that are ingested.

Your gut microbes live within your body.

These microbes may begin to develop during fetal development in the placenta, during childbirth, and through exposure to external environmental and food microbes.

As a newborn, you also developed your gut microbiome through the beneficial bacteria and prebiotics that come from breast milk.

Additionally, your diet plays a significant influence on developing and supporting your gut microbiome.

How To Know If Your Gut Microbiome Is Unhealthy

It’s difficult to determine what a healthy composition of gut microbes is because there are so many diverse types that can affect you differently.

However, certain health issues and conditions have been linked with disrupted microbiota in your gut, also called dysbiosis.

Some common indicators of an unhealthy gut microbiome can include:

• Digestive issues
• Metabolic syndrome
• Type 2 diabetes
• IBS
• Type 1 diabetes
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Asthma
• Celiac disease
• Allergies
• Frequent infections
• Mood disorders
• Skin conditions

If you have any of the above conditions it may be an indication of an unhealthy gut microbiome.

However, certain tests may be performed to give you a general idea about the state of your gut microbiome.

Are There Any Risks With Taking Probiotics?

While probiotics are generally considered safe for most people, there can be side effects associated with taking them.

However, side effects are typically minor and only affect a small portion of the population.

When you first start taking probiotics you may experience digestive issues such as bloating or increase in gas.

However, once your body gets used to it, these symptoms will subside.

To avoid unpleasant digestive issues, it’s a good idea to start with low doses of probiotics and work your way up.

You may also experience headaches caused by biogenic amines in probiotics.

These are substances that form when protein food sources are fermented by bacteria, which may excite the central nervous system and disrupt blood flow, leading to headaches.

Probiotics may also produce histamine in your digestive tract.

Histamine is produced by your immune system when it detects an attack.

As histamine levels rise, your body sends more blood to the affected area, which may cause swelling and allergy symptoms like runny nose, itchiness, watery eyes, or trouble breathing.

Furthermore, since probiotics are found in food sources, any dietary allergies you may have to particular foods may cause adverse reactions.

So be sure to read the labels to avoid any ingredients you may be allergic to.

In rare circumstances, probiotics may increase infection risk in some people with compromised immune systems, such as those with HIV, AIDS, or other conditions.

Book Your Appointment With The Mindful Healing Clinic Today

Do you want to know more about probiotics and how to optimize your body’s function and overall health?

If so, I can help.

As a naturopathic doctor I can help you understand what your body needs and how probiotics, as well as other nutrients and vitamins, can help whatever condition you may have.

Book your appointment with The Mindful Healing Clinic today.

Have you been having persistent feelings of acid reflux or heartburn?

Most people occasionally experience acid reflux, indigestion, or heartburn.

However, if you’re experiencing these symptoms more than twice per week, it may be an indication that you have GERD.

GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a form of chronic acid reflux, which can also cause heartburn.

It can cause you pain and irritation.

If left untreated, can lead to more serious health complications.

The Mindful Healing Clinic is a naturopathic clinic that offers personalized naturopathic health solutions.

Today, we want to explore naturopathic approaches to providing treatment for GERD, which may help to manage and reduce your symptoms.

Keep reading to find out more.

What Is GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)?

GERD, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a chronic condition that affects your digestive system.

It’s primarily characterized by causing persistent acid reflux or heartburn.

Acid reflux is the result of your stomach acid flowing back into your esophagus, which is the tube that connects your stomach to your mouth.

This acid can cause the lining in your esophagus to become irritated.

While GERD isn’t usually dangerous, if left untreated, it may lead to health complications.

Luckily, there are numerous naturopathic solutions that can help you manage and relieve the symptoms of GERD.

How To Know If You Have GERD

The most common, symptom of GERD is persistent heartburn.

Heartburn can cause you to experience a burning sensation in your stomach that may spread to your chest, throat, and neck.

It can also cause you to regurgitate sour or bitter tasting food or liquid from your stomach into your throat or mouth.

The combination of heartburn and regurgitation is a significant indication that you have GERD.

You may also experience other symptoms, such as:

• Coughing
• Chest pain
• Feeling of a blockage or lump in the throat
• Bad breath
• Hoarse voice
• Sore throat

It’s not just adults that can get GERD, either.

Infants can have GERD, too.

When it comes to infants, it’s normal for them to sometimes spit up or regurgitate food.

However, if they do so frequently it could mean that they have GERD.

Symptoms of GERD in infants may also include:

• Reluctance to eat
• Weight loss or stunted growth in kids
• Chronic cough
• Sleep issues
• Gagging or choking
• Difficulty swallowing
• Wet burps or hiccups

Persistent irritability

It’s also possible that some people may experience alarm symptoms.

These are symptoms that are associated with GERD, which can also be indicative of another underlying condition.

Alarm symptoms associated with GERD can include:

• Feeding and swallowing issues (dysphagia)
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Anemia
• Bleeding
• Weight loss
• Pain when swallowing (odynophagia)

These symptoms are generally persistent and may become worse.

It’s important to monitor your symptoms so that you can implement treatment solutions for underlying conditions if necessary.

What Causes GERD?

GERD may be caused by a poorly functioning or loosened LES, or lower esophageal sphincter.

The LES is a round band of muscle that creates the opening between the esophagus and stomach.

When it relaxes, it opens to allow food and saliva to travel from the esophagus into the stomach.

When it’s tightened, it closes back up.

If your LES is loose, it can cause stomach acid to go up your esophagus rather than down into your small intestine.

In other words, acid reflux.

When this happens it can cause irritation, pain, and, if persistent, damage to surrounding tissue.

Problems with your LES may be the result of a hiatal hernia, eating large meals frequently, and lying down too quickly after eating.

Other factors that can contribute to the development of GERD can include:

• Smoking
• Overuse of anti inflammatory drugs
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Old age
• Alcohol use
• Eating large meals before lying down
• Connective tissue disorders
• Anxiety
• IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome
• Asthma

RELATED: Solutions For Digestive Issues

Additionally, certain foods can contribute to triggering symptoms of GERD.

However, they’re not the cause of it.

If you have GERD, it’s a good idea to avoid things like:

• Coffee
• Sugar and refined flours
• Chocolate
• Spicy foods
• High fat foods
• Acidic foods

RELATED: How To Bounce Back After Bingeing On Junk Food

How Can Naturopathic Medicine Help With GERD?

Naturopathic medicine can help address the underlying cause of GERD.

Natural approaches for GERD involve dietary and lifestyle changes.

These changes aim to avoid triggering acid reflux, helping strengthen the LES, and improving your digestive function.

With the right approach, you may be able to help reduce and manage GERD symptoms.

Let’s take a closer look at how naturopathic medicine can help with GERD.

1. By Providing A GERD Friendly Diet

As we’ve already mentioned, certain dietary items can increase your risk of experiencing acid reflux.

It’s a good idea to avoid foods and drinks such as:

• Tomatoes and tomato products
• Caffeine
• Fried foods
• High fat foods
• Citrus fruit
• Mint
• Garlic
• Alcohol
• Onions

Sugary foods and bread or baked goods

• Chocolate
• Carbonated beverages

While avoiding these triggers can help reduce your risk of experiencing GERD related symptoms, additional dietary changes may provide further benefits.

One dietary change you can implement is to have low sugarfat, high protein meals.

Not only does having low dietary sugarfat reduce your symptoms, but adequate amounts of protein and fiber can help make you feel full and prevent overeating.

Having fermented and cultured foods can also help decrease inflammation and support your immune function.

Another thing to consider is chewing non mint gum after each meal.

This can help increase your saliva production which can help protect your esophagus by keeping stomach acid out of it.

RELATED: How To Create A Nutritious, Environmentally Friendly Diet

2. By Providing Stress Management Solutions

Stress can be a contributing factor to the development of GERD.

Recognizing the signs of stress can help you better manage them.

Reducing your stress can relax your mind and body, and promote your digestive function.

It also helps increase the function of your esophageal muscles, which help to keep your stomach acids in your stomach.

Some stress management solutions you can try include:

• Walking
• Exercise
• Yoga
• Meditation
• Gardening
• Being in nature
• Taking up a new hobby
• Spending time with friends and family

3. By Recommending Botanical Medicine Solutions

A botanical medicine doctor may help provide treatment for GERD.

Slippery elm is a tree native to North America and contains a substance called mucilage, which becomes a gel when mixed with water.

As a nutritional supplement, the gel made from slippery elm can help coat and soothe inflamed tissues in your GI tract.

Additionally, it can help increase intestinal mucus production which can help prevent excess acidity and the development of ulcers.

Slippery elm shows promise in the treatment of GERD, but more research is needed.

Another botanical treatment solution that may help alleviate symptoms of GERD is deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL).

DGL is a processed form of licorice root that may promote mucus activity.

The additional mucus could act like a barrier and protect the stomach and esophagus from acid.

It can also allow damaged tissues to heal and reduce the risk of recurring acid reflux.

DLG may have interactions with other medicines and increase the risk for preterm labor if you’re pregnant.

It’s a good idea to speak to your naturopathic doctor about potential risks and interactions if you’re considering taking DGL.

Other botanical medicines that can be effective in soothing and reconstructing the mucous membrane lining in the esophagus include:

• Curcumin
• Potable aloe vera juice
• Zinc carnosine
• Chamomile
• Marshmallow root

When exploring botanical medicine, it’s always a good idea to speak with a naturopathic doctor first.

4. By Recommending Lifestyle Changes

There are several lifestyle factors that can contribute to the development of GERD.

By making certain lifestyle changes you can reduce your risk of experiencing GERD and alleviate existing symptoms.

GERD appears to be more prevalent in those that are overweight because of added pressure on the stomach.

Implementing a balanced diet alongside regular physical activity can help you manage your weight and provide relief for GERD, among other health benefits.

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It’s also recommended to eat smaller, more frequent meals.

This allows your stomach to process your food and can help prevent stomach acids from flowing back up your esophagus.

If you drink alcohol, reducing the quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption may also alleviate GERD related symptoms.

If you smoke and experience GERD or heartburn, quitting may help.

Smoking causes damage to the LES, which can result in experiencing more frequent heartburn and GERD episodes.

5. Other Solutions

There are a few more strategies that a naturopathic doctor can support you with if you experience GERD.

Drinking water while you eat can thin out your food, making it easier to go back up your esophagus.

So, it’s better to drink water in between your meals, not during.

Furthermore, lying down right after eating a meal can trigger heartburn, so it’s a good idea that you sit up for a little while.

Having your last meal of the day 3 hours before bed is a key strategy.

Taking a walk after a large meal may also help prevent heartburn or acid reflux.

Additionally, when you go to sleep, keeping your head elevated with pillows may help to prevent the occurrence of nighttime heartburn.

Another thing to keep in mind is that wearing clothes that are too tight can increase the frequency of you experiencing acid reflux.

Particular if you wear tight bottoms and belts.

This is because they place pressure on your abdomen and increase your risk of heartburn.

So, if you have GERD, try wearing looser clothing.

A naturopathic doctor can help you evaluate which lifestyle changes will work best for you.

Book Your Appointment With Our Naturopathic Clinic Today

If you’re looking for a naturopathic approach to GERD, we can help.

At the Mindful Healing Naturopathic Clinic, we offer a variety of naturopathic health solutions and can help address your health concerns.

We can help answer any questions you may have and help you find a treatment option that’s right for you.

Book your appointment with The Mindful Healing Naturopathic Clinic today.

Autoimmune disorders are disorders where your immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissues by mistake.

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is one of the more than 80 different kinds of autoimmune disorders out there.

Although anyone can develop Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and other autoimmune disorders, they’re most common among middle aged women.

In this disease, your body’s immune system attacks your thyroid.

These symptoms can be unpleasant and disrupt your day to day functioning.

Here at the Mindful Healing Clinic, we’re a naturopathic clinic that offers natural solutions for a wide variety of different health concerns.

That includes naturopathic solutions for hormonal imbalances, for thyroid disorders, and more.

On today’s naturopathic blog, we’ll be taking a deep dive into Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

What Is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis?

As mentioned, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder.

This particular disorder triggers your white blood cells to attack your thyroid, a small butterfly shaped gland at the base of your neck.

Your thyroid is part of your body’s endocrine system, which means it produces hormones to regulate your bodily functions.

Because Hashimoto’s thyroiditis attacks your thyroid, it reduces your thyroid’s ability to produce thyroid hormones.

This causes hypothyroidism, and while it’s not the only cause, it’s one of the most common.

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Symptoms

Your thyroid is responsible for releasing hormones that regulate your:

• Metabolism
• Body temperature
• Muscle strength
• Growth and development
• Heart rate
• Bone and skin maintenance
• Digestive function

So with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, you may experience symptoms related to one or more of these functions.

These include:

• Chronic fatigue
• Constipation
• Pale or dry skin
• Hoarse voice
• Depression
• Cold intolerance
• Thinning hair
• Irregular or heavy periods
• Fertility issues
• Muscle weakness
• High cholesterol
• Slowed heart rate
• Joint pain and stiffness
• Memory and concentration issues
• Goitre, a swelling of the thyroid
• Puffy face
• Brittle nails
• Enlargement of the tongue

In its early stage, however, you may not experience any symptoms at all.

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis progresses slowly over the years, and you may not notice symptoms until your thyroid hormone production is reduced significantly.

What Causes Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is caused by your immune system mistaking your thyroid for an intruder and attacking it.

Why this happens, we don’t yet know.

We do, however, know of some factors that can increase your risk of developing it.

These include:

• Genetics: if you’ve had a family history of this or other autoimmune diseases, you’re at greater risk
• Age: it’s more common in middle-aged individuals
• Being a woman: your risk is 7 times higher than for men
• Having been pregnant
• Eating too much iodine
• Having been exposed to radiation

RELATED: Women’s Health Naturopathic Clinic

Some autoimmune diseases that are a risk factor for developing Hashimoto’s disease include (but are not limited to):

• Graves’ disease
• Type 1 diabetes
• Lupus
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Vitiligo
• Addison’s disease

How Does Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Feel?

At first, individuals with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis might not even feel anything.

This is because the symptoms of an underactive thyroid can take some time to show up.

Over time, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can develop complications when left untreated.

You may start to feel your thyroid growing in size.

This is known as a goitre.

Even though a goitre is not generally uncomfortable, you may have trouble swallowing or breathing.

It may also impact your appearance and cause self esteem issues.

You may also feel extremely fatigued throughout the day.

Your heart rate may slow, and so might your libido.

Naturopathic Solutions For Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

If you’re showing any symptoms of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, a naturopathic doctor can help.

Let’s take a closer look at some naturopathic solutions to help you manage your condition.

1. Get More Selenium In Your Diet

Selenium is an essential mineral.

That means it’s important for human health, but your body can’t produce it on its own.

Among other things, selenium plays a part in thyroid hormone metabolism.

Interestingly, a 2016 study by Wichman Et. Al. found supplementing with selenium reduced the number of thyroid antibodies your immune system produces.

These are the antibodies your immune system produces during Hashimoto’s thyroiditis that attack your thyroid.

More research is needed, but this is quite promising.

As well, people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis often have lower levels of selenium.

The study talked about supplementing, but if you’re looking to incorporate more selenium into your diet, consider eating more:

• Turkey
• Brazil Nuts
• Grass fed beef

You can get all the selenium you need in about 3 regular size Brazil nuts daily.

2. Get More Vitamin B12 In Your Diet

Vitamin B12 levels may be low in individuals with low thyroid hormone levels.

This vitamin helps to reduce the fatigue that can often occur in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

It helps improve cellular responses to the thyroid hormone and boost energy production as well.

Some foods that contain vitamin B12 include:

• Peas and beans
• Asparagus
• Eggs, cheese, and other dairy products
• Sesame seeds

3. Get More Zinc In Your Diet

Zinc is another essential mineral that plays an important role in the proper functioning of your thyroid.

It’s good for balancing hormones in general, but initial studies suggest it can improve your thyroid function if it’s underperforming.

Foods that contain zinc include:

• Meat
• Eggs
• Dairy products
• Sea food and other fish

4. Eat Less Sugar

In the short term it can boost your energy levels, but in the long term, sugar has many health consequences.

Too much sugar can cause increased inflammation in the body and worsen the symptoms of thyroid disease.

As a result, resisting those sugar cravings and reducing your sugar intake can help manage your thyroid disorder.

On top of that, removing sugar from your diet can help to:

• Improve stress levels
• Improve skin health
• Improve your energy levels
• And much more

5. Eat More Probiotic Rich Foods

The hypothyroidism that occurs in Hashimoto’s disease can cause chronic digestive issues, like diarrhea, bloating, and bowel cramps.

These issues can also result in small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).

Probiotics can help here.

Probiotics give healthy bacteria the resources they need to thrive, which can help manage your SIBO.

Foods that contain probiotics include:

• Sauerkraut
• Kimchi
• Miso
• Tempeh
• Pickles
• Kombucha
• Cottage cheese
• Yogurt

Book Your Appointment With The Mindful Healing Clinic Today

If you read some of the above symptoms and thought “hey, that’s me!” you’re not alone.

I’m Dr. Maria Cavallazzi, naturopathic doctor in Mississauga, and I’m here to help.

Book your appointment with The Mindful Healing Clinic today.

Chocolate is a product made from cacao tree seeds that is loved and eaten all around the world.

It is a rich and delicious product, but is it healthy?

The answer might surprise you, since often chocolate can be sugary and blamed for health conditions like diabetes or obesity.

Current research actually indicates that chocolate, or rather the right kind of chocolate, can actually have many benefits for your health.

There are many minerals and antioxidants to be had from chocolate, which can help reduce your risk of heart disease.

If this is something you’re worried about, consider getting in touch with me, Dr. Maria Cavallazzi, ND.

I’m a naturopathic doctor who will listen to your concerns and create a custom treatment plan designed to address your symptoms and help you reach your health goals.

Now, let’s find out more about the other benefits of chocolate.

Why Is Dark Chocolate A Superfood?

Dark chocolate is considered to be a superfood because of the many health benefits it can offer.

There are five main ones that are worth reading about.

1. It’s Nutritionally Dense

Dark chocolate is nutritionally dense.

This means that it has a lot to offer when you eat it, as long as it is good quality dark chocolate with a high amount of cocoa.

Anything over 70% is considered a high amount of cocoa, but only consider the ones over 85% because of sugar content.

One hundred grams of a quality dark chocolate bar has:

• 11 grams of soluble fibre
• 66% of your iron daily value
• 196% of your copper daily value
• 57% of your magnesium daily value
• 85% of your manganese daily value

You can also get a good dose of potassium, zinc, selenium, and phosphorus.

2. It’s Good For Your Heart

Dark chocolate is great for your heart.

This is because it has flavonoids, which help to stimulate the lining of your arteries to produce nitric oxide.

Nitric oxide helps your arteries relax, which reduces your blood pressure and improves your blood flow.

While these effects are often mild, every bit helps when working to support your heart health.

The flavonoids in dark chocolate may also reduce insulin resistance, which lowers your risk of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

RELATED: Hormone Balancing Naturopathic Doctor

Dark chocolate and the added supplement of the flavonoid lycopene may also help to reduce your cholesterol, especially your LDL cholesterol, which is the one that is often called ‘bad cholesterol’.

You can also thank the abundant antioxidants of dark chocolate that protect your arteries from oxidative damage, which is how LDL cholesterol damages your artery linings.

But, don’t get too carried away with these health benefits.

Moderation is important.

Current research indicates that 45 grams of chocolate per week is the magic number that offers the most health benefits and reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Having 100 or more grams of dark chocolate is too much and does not facilitate any health benefits.

3. It’s Good For Your Cognitive Health

Dark chocolate is good for your brain and your cognitive health.

Once again, the flavonoids in good quality dark chocolate have been shown to improve blood flow to your brain.

It may even reduce the chance of progressing to dementia in older adults.

In fact, eating a little bit of dark chocolate each day can improve your verbal learning, memory, and ability to focus.

This is because dark chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, two stimulates that provide short term enhancement of brain function.

4. It’s Good For Your Skin

Dark chocolate is good for you, both inside and out.

The flavonoids may protect your skin against sun damage.

They also increase your skin’s density and hydration by improving blood flow to your skin.

Recent studies have shown that eating good quality dark chocolate over a 12 week period dramatically increased participant’s minimal erythemal dose.

This is the minimum amount of UVB rays that cause redness in your skin after sun exposure.

This improvement meant that participants had better protection from the sun, naturally.

But remember, eating dark chocolate isn’t a replacement for sunscreen, it’s a supplement to be used with sun protection.

5. It Can Help Improve Your Workouts

Dark chocolate can improve your workouts by boosting your oxygen availability.

A recent study from the UK found that cyclists were able to use less oxygen and cover more distance after eating dark chocolate.

This is once again attributed to the presence of flavonoids and their effect on enhancing the release of nitric oxide.

What Is The Healthiest Chocolate?

That’s not to say eating chocolate bars every day is good for you, of course.

Like we mentioned before, not all chocolate is the same.

Avoid chocolates with a lot of added sugar.

This can lead to weight gain, tooth decay, and the other dangers of added sugar we’ve discussed before.

RELATED: Naturopathic Weight Management Solutions

As well, make sure to choose chocolate that’s 85% cacao or above, which means fewer additives and more of the actual chocolate.

Certain brands of dark chocolate were found to have high levels of heavy metals like cadmium and lead though, which can be very harmful to your health.

Consumer Reports tested a variety of different brands to find which were safest.

Make sure to check the list before you buy any chocolate.

What Is The Unhealthiest Chocolate?

There are some products on the market that don’t actually count as chocolate.

Chocolate is made from cocoa beans, which is the defining factor.

But white chocolate is made with cocoa butter mixed with sugar, milk solids, and maybe some vanilla.

That means most of the elements that give chocolate its distinct flavour, as well as its relaxing effects, are not present.

It also tends to be very high in sugar, making it the least beneficial of all chocolates.

Risk Factors For Eating Chocolate

We spent a lot of time talking about the health benefits of chocolate, so now let’s touch on some risk factors.

Chocolate can increase your risk for getting migraines.

It’s possible to get more migraines when eating chocolate regularly, even if it’s high quality dark chocolate.

This is due to the presence of tyramine, histamine, and phenylalanine.

RELATED: How To Prevent Tension Headaches

The high sugar content in low quality chocolate can increase your risk for diabetes, tooth decay, and obesity.

Chocolate is also often high in fat too.

This is why it’s important to buy high quality dark chocolate instead of other options like white or milk chocolate for regular enjoyment.

There is also some evidence to indicate that chocolate can impact your bone health, increasing risk of osteoporosis in older women who ate chocolate every day, along with poor bone structure.

Finally, you’ll want to avoid chocolate with high levels of cadmium and lead, like we mentioned earlier, because they are toxic to your kidneys and bones.

RELATED: Naturopathic Detox Treatments

Book Your Appointment With The Mindful Healing Clinic Today

There are many benefits to incorporating high quality dark chocolate into your diet.

But keep moderation in mind.

And don’t stop there.

If you’re trying to improve your heart health, lower your LDL cholesterol, or improve your general health, book your appointment with The Mindful Healing Naturopathic Clinic today.

Your skin is an incredibly complex organ with many associated ailments and conditions.

Have you noticed that you have scaly, dry, or itchy skin?

This may be an indication that you have psoriasis.

According to the Canadian Dermatology Association, 1 million Canadians are currently living with this condition.

That accounts to roughly 2.5% of Canada’s population.

If you or a loved one are dealing with pesky psoriasis symptoms, you may want to consider consulting with a naturopathic practitioner.

That’s where we come in.

Mindful Healing Naturopathic Clinic is a naturopathic clinic offering virtual naturopathic consultations for a wide range of different health concerns.

Naturopathic treatments for skin conditions like psoriasis can help you manage your condition.

In this article, we’ll discuss what psoriasis is, its symptoms, as well as how natural remedies can help.

What Is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition.

It’s classified as an autoimmune disorder due to an imbalance in your immune system.

Typically, skin cells have a lifespan of approximately one month before they get replaced.

This process begins with the production of cells deep beneath your skin’s surface.

Over time, new skin cells rise to the surface and replace the older ones as they shed.

In people with psoriasis, this process is drastically accelerated.

Psoriasis triggers an overactive immune response where skin cells reproduce much more rapidly than usual.

Rather than a month, the production of skin cells occurs over the span of just a few days.

Ultimately, new skin cells emerge before the older ones shed.

This can result in a multitude of symptoms, including:

• Itching
• Skin scaling
• Pain and tenderness
• Skin redness

RELATED: How To Deal With Chronic Pain Naturally

There is currently no known cure for psoriasis.

However, its symptoms are manageable through lifestyle changes and avoiding certain triggers.

Next, we’ll discuss some of the specific types of psoriasis and their associated symptoms.

Plaque Psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of psoriasis, accounting for approximately 80% to 90% of cases.

It typically causes inflamed patches of skin, which appear red on lighter skin tones or purplish gray on darker ones.

People with darker skin tones often experience more severe symptoms, such as scale (plaque) clusters on the skin’s surface.

Plaque psoriasis most commonly affects the skin on your elbows, knees, and scalp.

Pustular Psoriasis

Pustular psoriasis is more common amongst adults.

It causes white, pus filled blisters across your skin’s surface.

It’s typically found in smaller sections of your body, such as your hands and feet.

However, some people experience symptoms of pustular psoriasis in broader sections of their body.

Guttate Psoriasis

Unlike pustular psoriasis, which mostly occurs in adulthood, guttate psoriasis is typically diagnosed amongst children.

It causes small pink or violet coloured spots that are most commonly found on the torso, arms, and legs.

However, these spots aren’t typically thick and raised like those seen in plaque psoriasis.

Erythrodermic Psoriasis

Erythrodermic psoriasis is the most severe form of psoriasis.

Thankfully, it’s also the rarest.

Erythrodermic psoriasis affects very large sections of the body, resulting in inflamed skin which often resembles a particularly bad sunburn.

These inflamed scales also tend to fall off in large sections, leaving your body vulnerable to infection and fever.

Therefore, this form of psoriasis is potentially life threatening.

Inverse Psoriasis

Inverse psoriasis causes red, shiny, and inflamed patches of skin.

It most commonly occurs in the folds of your skin, such as under your armpits, breasts, groins, or around the genitals.

How To Tell If You Have Psoriasis

Now that you know a little bit more about the specific types of psoriasis, you might be wondering about how to recognize its symptoms.

As we previously discussed, the most obvious symptom of psoriasis is scaly, dry, or itchy skin.

The presence of psoriatic scales is another indicator.

Depending on your skin tone, these scales might appear whitish silver to bright red, or somewhere in between.

Psoriatic scales occur in many spots, including:

• Hands and feet
• Neck
• Scalp
• Face
• Nails
• Mouth
• Genitals

Psoriasis symptoms may vary from person to person.

Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Raised, inflamed sections of skin
• Scales or plaques that vary in colour
• Dry, cracked skin with possible bleeding
• Pain on and around affected areas
• Itching or burning around affected areas
• Thick nails
• Tender, swollen joints that may resemble arthritis symptoms

RELATED: Naturopathic Treatments For Osteoarthritis

The symptoms of psoriasis commonly occur in cycles with periods of active symptoms followed by remission.

Severe symptoms typically occur anywhere from a few days to a few weeks before fading.

Afterwards, most people experience a period of remission where symptoms are nonexistent or unnoticeable.

However, symptoms return within a few weeks or when triggered by an environmental factor, such as stress or certain foods, and the cycle restarts.

Causes And Risk Factors For Psoriasis

Psoriasis isn’t contagious; therefore, you can’t catch it from touching someone with the condition.

However, certain risk factors may increase your likelihood of developing the condition.

Genetics play a particularly important role in the development of psoriasis.

You have an increased likelihood of experiencing psoriasis if you have an immediate family member, such as a parent or sibling, with the condition.

Additional risk factors for the development of psoriasis include:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Digestive disorders like inflammatory bowel disease
• Heart disease
• Anxiety
• Depression

Symptoms of psoriasis are also associated with certain triggers.

In other words, people with psoriasis often experience periods of active symptoms due to a specific environmental factor.

But these triggers aren’t universal.

What triggers symptoms in one person may not do the same to another.

Nonetheless, certain triggers appear more frequently than others.

Common triggers can include:

• Emotional stress
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Certain medications, such as lithium and high blood pressure medicines
• Infections, such as strep throat

This list is by no means exhaustive.

Your naturopathic doctor at The Mindful Healing Clinic can help you pinpoint your personal triggers and manage them.

RELATED: These 5 Vitamins May Strengthen Your Immune System

RELATED: 5 Ways To Manage Stress

Naturopathic Solutions For Psoriasis

Naturopathic doctors have plenty of experience with the management of psoriasis symptoms.

The naturopathic approach can help you identify your triggers and prevent future outbreaks.

Your naturopathic doctor will first assess your nutritional and environmental factors.

Next, they’ll help you understand the ways in which your lifestyle factors affect your symptoms.

Here at The Mindful Healing Clinic, we recommend a variety of methods aimed at symptom management.

The following section will discuss some of these methods.

Make sure to speak to your naturopathic doctor before trying any of these, however.

1. Eat A Psoriasis Friendly Diet

An anti-inflammatory diet is crucial for psoriasis symptom management.

Psoriasis is commonly triggered by inflammation in your body.

Therefore, sticking to a diet which centers anti-inflammatory foods can do wonders for your symptoms.

An anti-inflammatory diet promotes the reduction of certain foods, such as:

• Refined sugars
• High processed foods
• Alcoholic beverages
• Dairy

Instead, increase your intake of anti-inflammatory foods, such as:

• Fruits and leafy greens
• Nuts
• Fatty fish
• Olive oil

2. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Incorporating plenty of omega-3 fatty acids into your diet is equally important.

Omega-3 fatty acids combat inflammation within your body, which may lead to a reduction of psoriasis symptoms.

Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids include:

• Salmon
• Sardines
• Shrimp
• Nuts, such as walnuts
• Seeds, such as flax seeds
• Soybeans
• Leafy greens, such as spinach
• Fish oil supplements

3. Use A Humidifier

Psoriasis symptoms are often worse during the winter months.

This is because dry air dehydrates your skin, leading to cracked and irritated patches of skin.

But don’t worry, you don’t have to forgo central heating during the cold months to prevent such symptoms.

A humidifier can help restore some moisture to the air and soothe psoriasis symptoms.

4. Take An Oat Bath

Believe it or not, oatmeal isn’t just a hearty meal.

In fact, it can also help moisturize your skin.

Many people with psoriasis report a reduction of symptoms following an oat bath soak.

Pour one cup of dry oats into your bathwater, sit back, and relax.

However, avoid making your bathwater too warm as hot water can worsen dry skin.

5. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a succulent plant which originates from the Arabian Peninsula.

The gel found inside aloe vera plants has plenty of health benefits.

For instance, it does wonders for soothing irritated skin.

You can purchase aloe vera gel at most drugstores and apply it directly to irritated skin.

Book Your Appointment With The Mindful Healing Clinic Today

At The Mindful Healing Clinic, we have a passion for natural remedies.

If you’re looking for natural remedies for psoriasis symptoms, you’ve come to the right place.

Our expert staff can help you with both the identification of psoriasis symptoms, as well as management of the condition.

Book your appointment with The Mindful Healing Clinic today and find out how natural remedies can transform your skin.

Iron is a vital mineral that our bodies require to function.

It supports healthy growth and development in children, along with continued hormone support for adults.

But its most important function is transporting oxygen to all cells and tissues in the body.

You can find iron in a wide variety of dietary sources.

However, certain types of dietary iron are easier for your body to absorb than others.

Specially, iron found in animal proteins is the most bioavailable for your body.

This is why vegetarians and vegans are more vulnerable to being iron deficient.

But, don’t worry.

There are ways that you can help your body make the most of its iron intake from non-animal sources.

You just need to be mindful of what you eat with it.

If this sounds a little overwhelming, Mindful Healing can help.

A naturopathic doctor can provide you with information and help create meal plans that ensure you get enough iron in your diet.

It’s a great option to consider, whether or not you eat animal protein.

Keep reading to learn more about what iron does for your body.

What Is Iron?

Iron is a vital mineral that you need to live.

In case you’re wondering, it’s not the same as the metal that you can find in the ground.

There are two forms of dietary iron: heme iron and non-heme iron.

The main difference between the two, is that heme iron is found in animal protein, whereas non-heme iron comes from both plant-based foods and animal protein.

What Does Iron Do For The Body?

Your body needs iron to function properly as it transports oxygen in your blood to take it to your cells.

It supports healthy brain development and child development, along with regular cell and hormone function.

Your body stores iron as ferritin in your spleen, liver, muscle tissue, and bone marrow.

Iron is a core part of hemoglobin, making it responsible for your body’s ability to circulate oxygen from your lungs throughout your body.

Hemoglobin is a type of protein found in your red blood cells that requires iron to transport oxygen.

Not enough oxygen in your body can lead to a number of issues, like fatigue, which is a common symptom if you don’t have enough iron.

Iron is also found in myoglobin, which is a protein in your body that carries and stores oxygen in your muscle tissues.

Dietary Sources Of Iron

Like we said before, there are two main types of iron in food sources: heme iron and non-heme iron.

Heme iron, found in animal protein, is more easily absorbed by your body than non-heme iron.

This is why it is common for vegans or vegetarians to be iron deficient.

Non-heme iron requires help from vitamin C to improve your body’s absorption of it.

You will also want to avoid bran fiber, large amounts of calcium, and certain plant substances like phytates and tannins found in black tea, all of which can reduce your body’s absorption of non-heme iron.

You can find heme iron in meats, poultry, and seafood.

You can find non-heme iron in:

• Nuts and seeds
• Legumes
• Leafy greens
• Potato with skin
• 85% Dark chocolate

RELATED: Is A Raw Food Diet A Good Idea?

Symptoms Of Iron Deficiency

Iron deficiency is very common, but most commonly affects children, those who are pregnant or menstruating, or people who don’t eat enough animal protein.

RELATED: Top 5 Most Common Nutrient Deficiencies In North American Women

There are three stages of iron deficiency.

The first stage is a decrease in your body’s stored iron.

This can be caused by a low iron diet, or too much bleeding.

If left to progress, your body’s stored iron will be depleted and your hemoglobin will drop.

This will continue until your red blood cells are very low in iron and you have little to no iron stores left.

It’s at this point that you can be diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia – more on that later.

During this process, you could experience:

• Lightheadedness
• Chronic fatigue
• Weakness
• Increased cold sensitivity
• Rapid heartbeat
• Hair loss
• Brittle nails
• Pale skin

You may also experience pica, which is cravings for non-food items like dirt, clay, or ice.

RELATED: Making Sense Of Your Blood Pressure

Why Is Iron Deficiency So Common?

Iron deficiency affects roughly one third of the global population.

This is largely a result of food insecurity.

There are many parts of the world where it’s difficult to find a balanced, nutritious diet.

As a result, the most common cause is a poor diet.

Children are sometimes born with a low red blood cell count, which makes it more difficult to absorb iron from breast milk as they get older.

If you’re pregnant, you’ll need more dietary iron than usual to feed your growing baby.

As a result, you’re at greater risk of iron deficiency as well.

This is also true if you have a heavy menstrual flow.

Over a longer term, heavy menstruation can lead to blood loss, which can deplete your body’s stores of iron.

How Is Iron Deficiency Diagnosed?

The main tool iron deficiency is diagnosed through is a blood test.

If you’re experiencing symptoms that could be the result of iron deficiency, your naturopathic doctor will screen for it by ordering a complete blood count and an iron panel.

This includes getting readings of your hemoglobin, hematocrit, and other factors that measure red blood cell size and volume, as well as iron and ferritin levels.

If this comes back below normal, then you have iron deficiency.

What Is Iron Deficiency Anemia?

Iron deficiency anemia is a condition characterized by a low hemoglobin due to iron deficiency.

Iron deficiency anemia results in your organs and tissues not getting as much oxygen as they need, which can cause many of the symptoms we mentioned above, like fatigue and lightheadedness.

There are, however, other forms of anemia.

Vitamin B12 and folate deficiency can also cause anemia.

Other forms of anemia include:

• Sickle cell anemia – a genetic condition that causes misshapen red blood cells
• Thalassemia – a genetic condition that causes low levels of hemoglobin
• Aplastic anemia – a rare condition that causes your body to stop producing enough blood cells

These forms of anemia are generally not related to iron deficiency.

However, if you do have one of these forms of anemia, iron deficiency may make your symptoms worse.

RELATED: Naturopathic Solutions For Anemia

Is It Possible To Overdose On Iron?

While it is possible to overdose on iron, it’s very rare because your body regulates iron absorption.

This means that if your iron stores are well maintained, your body will absorb less dietary iron.

It’s more common to overdose if you’re taking iron supplements that are too high dosage for your body, or you have a genetic condition that stores too much iron.

According to a recent study, extreme overdose on iron tablets can be fatal, but this is very rare and usually happens because young children eat a bunch without knowing better.

In healthy people, a high dose iron supplement on an empty stomach can cause an upset stomach, constipation, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Large amounts of iron might also cause more serious effects, including inflammation of the stomach lining and ulcers.

Book Your Appointment With The Mindful Healing Clinic Today

You can see how important iron is for your body.

It’s a powerhouse mineral that helps our bodies stay oxygenated so that we can function optimally and accomplish all of our daily tasks.

If you are experiencing symptoms that may indicate an iron deficiency, or you’re just not sure if you’re getting enough, book your appointment with The Mindful Healing Clinic today.

We take the time to understand your concerns and can create a custom treatment plan to help you start to feel better.

Hormones are chemical messengers within your body.

They control your bodily functions, including your energy levels, mood, development, metabolism, and reproduction.

Hormones are released from various glands throughout your body, and are important in maintaining your health.

If these glands are not functioning properly, it could impact your hormone levels and cause health issues.

Today we’ll be focusing on the thyroid.

The thyroid is important for making hormones that regulate your metabolism.

In fact, these hormones affect every single cell in your body.

Issues with your thyroid can cause fatigue, hair loss, and anxiety, among other health issues.

If you’re dealing with hormone imbalances and other associated issues, Mindful Healing Naturopathic Clinic is here to help.

Contact our Streetsville naturopathic clinic and let’s work together to uncover the root of your health issues and create a personalized treatment plan.

Keep reading to discover what your thyroid is, diseases that can arise when your thyroid isn’t functioning properly, and how a naturopathic doctor can provide treatment.

What Is Your Thyroid?

Glands are bodily organs that produce substances, such as hormones, for specific functions.

Your thyroid is a small butterfly shaped gland that’s located at the front of your neck, along your trachea, and below your Adam’s apple.

There are two halves, or lobes, that make up your thyroid, which are joined by thyroid tissue.

It’s a part of your endocrine system, which is responsible for releasing and regulating hormones necessary for vital bodily functions.

The thyroid gland’s main job is to release hormones to regulate your body’s metabolism, or the rate at which your body creates energy from the food you consume (metabolic rate).

RELATED: Getting To Know Your Body: Your Thyroid

Which Hormones Does Your Thyroid Produce?

As a part of your endocrine system, the thyroid produces hormones that are released into your bloodstream and travel to your body’s cells.

These hormones are produced from iodine contained in the food you eat.

The primary hormones produced by your thyroid are triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), which are both involved in regulating how your body uses energy.

They can be either inactive (does not impact your body’s cells) or active (impacts your body’s cells).

The thyroid also produces calcitonin, which regulates the calcium levels in your blood.

Any imbalance in these hormones can lead to health issues.

Let’s take a closer look at Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4).

Triiodothyronine (T3)

The majority of T3 is produced by your thyroid.

But it’s also produced in tissues of various organs that convert T4 into T3.

These organs can include your liver, muscles, kidneys, and other tissues.

The main source of T3, responsible for about 80% of T3 in your body, is through the conversion of T4 into T3 in these bodily tissues.

T3 is an active thyroid hormone, meaning that it directly affects the cells in your body.

This hormone controls numerous bodily functions, including:

• Metabolism
• Alertness
• Digestion
• Muscle development
• Bone maintenance
• Body temperature
• Heart rate

Thyroxine (T4)

T4 is the main hormone that is produced and released by your thyroid gland into your bloodstream.

T4, unlike T3, does not affect your body’s cells because it’s inactive.

However, once released into your bloodstream, T4 can convert to T3.

This process is known as deiodination.

When instructed by the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland in the brain, your liver and kidneys convert the majority of released T4 into T3.

What Do Thyroid Hormones Do?

T3 and T4 thyroid hormones are responsible for regulating numerous bodily functions.

They coordinate functions by carrying chemical messages to your organs, tissues, and muscles through your bloodstream.

They control the rate at which your body converts iodine in the food you consume into energy that your body can use, which is also known as your metabolism.

These hormones are also critical for brain development, especially in infants.

Furthermore, they’re involved in a feedback loop with your hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and other hormones.

Your hypothalamus releases thyroid releasing hormone, TRH, when it senses that T3 and T4 levels are low.

This signals your pituitary gland to release thyroid-stimulating hormone, TSH.

Then TSH stimulates your thyroid gland to produce T4 and T3.

Any drop in T3 and T4 will cause the loop to start again, allowing for thyroid hormone levels to be controlled and maintained.

Some of the key functions of thyroid hormones consist of regulating:

• Breathing rate
• Heart rate
• Blood pressure
• Body weight
• Body temperature
• Muscle development and strength
• Cholesterol levels
• Menstruation
• Rate of digestion
• Skin, hair, and nail growth
• Brain development

RELATED: Frequently Asked Questions About Hormones

Health Issues Associated With Your Thyroid

Issues with your thyroid, pituitary gland, or hypothalamus, which control T4 and T3 production, can all cause abnormal thyroid hormone levels.

Having too little or too much of either T3 or T4 in your bloodstream can cause a number of health issues.

Too low of T3 or T4 can cause slow heart rate and weight gain, as a result of slowed metabolism.

With high T3 or T4 levels, you may have a rapid heart rate or weight loss.

Thyroid issues tend to have an increased risk in women rather than men.

RELATED: Naturopathic Solutions For Women’s Health

1. Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is the result of a thyroid that is overactive.

This means that your body is producing too much T3 and T4.

You may develop hyperthyroidism from an autoimmune disorder, lumps on your thyroid, an inflamed thyroid, or too much thyroid hormone medication or iodine.

You’re also at a higher risk if you are older (over 60), have a family history of hyperthyroidism, are pregnant or were previously pregnant, or are a woman.

The processes in your body work overtime to try to counteract the overactive thyroid, which can lead to health issues.

You may experience a number of symptoms, such as:

• Anxiety
• Sweating
• Irritability
• Increased heart rate
• Hypertension
• Enlarged thyroid
• Frequent bowel movements
• Weight loss
• Trouble sleeping

The onset of symptoms may be gradual or occur suddenly.

2. Graves’ Disease

Hyperthyroidism can also occur due to Graves’ disease, which is an autoimmune disease that can cause an overactive thyroid.

Graves’ disease can occur when your body’s immune system makes antibodies that target areas they shouldn’t.

Your immune system attacks your body rather than protecting it and fighting diseases.

Your antibodies attack your thyroid gland in Graves’ disease, causing it to secrete excess thyroid hormones.

These same antibodies that attack the thyroid gland also attack tissues around your eyes and on your skin.

It can cause premature birth, inflammation of the skin, eye pain and eye bulging, along with an enlarged thyroid.

RELATED: Naturopathic Treatments For Skin Conditions

3. Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is the opposite of hyperthyroidism.

It occurs when your thyroid isn’t as active as it should be.

Either your thyroid isn’t producing enough T3 and T4 or these hormones are not affecting targeted tissues effectively.

As a result of decreased thyroid hormone levels, all of the organs in your body slow down.

This can be caused by:

• Autoimmune disease
• Removal of your thyroid
• Inflammation of the thyroid
• Iodine deficiency
• Radiation treatment
• Being born with hypothyroidism
• Other causes

Just like with hyperthyroidism, your risk for hypothyroidism increases as you age, if you’re a woman, or if you were recently pregnant.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism can include:

• Chronic fatigue
• Lower body temperature, causing you to feel cold often
• Slow heart rate
• Low blood pressure
• Slowed speech
• Mood changes or increased depression
• Trouble sleeping
• Fertility issues
• Memory issues
• Joint and muscle pain

4. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Hypothyroidism may also be caused by Hashimoto Disease, which is an autoimmune disease.

Similar to other thyroid issues, this disease is more common in seniors, women, and those with a family history of it.

Like with Graves’ Disease, in Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis your immune system makes antibodies and targets areas it shouldn’t.

The thyroid peroxidase antibodies in Hashimoto disease target your thyroid gland and make it inflamed.

The inflammation causes your thyroid to make fewer thyroid hormones than it should and causes hypothyroidism.

Symptoms can include:

• Constipation
• Hair loss
• Dry skin
• Weight gain
• Intolerance to cold
• Fertility issues
• Decreased libido
• Fatigue

Left untreated, it can lead to more serious health issues.

5. Thyroid Cancer

This is the most common disease involving your endocrine system.

This involves cancer of your thyroid gland where a tumor grows in your thyroid gland.

Cells grow at a rate that’s too fast for your body’s immune system to fight and control them.

Thyroid cancer is most common in women and those aged between 25 and 65, although it can occur in anyone.

There are usually no symptoms of thyroid cancer.

It’s usually found by your doctor when examining your thyroid and discovering a lump.

If you do show symptoms, the most common one is swelling in the neck.

It may also cause problems swallowing, discomfort when moving the head, hoarseness, or a persistent cough.

RELATED: A Naturopathic Doctor’s Role In Cancer Treatment

How To Balance Your Thyroid Hormones Naturally

We’ve discussed what thyroid hormones are, what they do, and some of the health issues that can affect your thyroid.

I’m sure by this point you’re wondering what you could do to help balance your thyroid hormones naturally and reduce your risk of thyroid related diseases.

Luckily, there are many ways in which you can help to balance your thyroid hormone levels.

RELATED: Naturopathic Treatments For Thyroid Problems

1. Get Iodine In Your Diet

The primary function of the thyroid hormones is to regulate the rate of your metabolism using iodine from the food you consume.

In order to make thyroid hormones, your thyroid needs iodine in your diet.

You can get additional iodine in your diet through:

• Seaweed snacks
• Cheese
• Eggs
• Dairy products
• Saltwater fish
• Soy milk
• Soy sauce

Just like with any other food, it’s important to maintain a balance.

Eating too much iodine can also cause health issues.

A naturopathic doctor can help you to discover what level of iodine in your diet is right for you.

2. Anti-inflammatory Diet and Lifestyle

Thyroid issues may also arise from inflammation in your body.

There are foods that can lower your risk of inflammation, which include fresh fruits and vegetables, proteins, garlic, onion, turmeric, green tea, etc.

You may also want to avoid processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats, which can increase your risk of inflammation.

Managing your stress levels can also play a part in reducing inflammation and other thyroid associated issues.

High stress levels can cause issues with your thyroid hormones, and can lead to weight gain, fatigue, and other issues.

There are many naturopathic stress solutions that can help you out here, and keep your mind and body healthy.

3. Get Exercise

Being overweight or obese can increase your risk of thyroid issues.

Exercising can improve your health by improving circulation and promoting weight management.

Workout at your own pace and try to do at least an hour of mild to moderate exercise daily.

By regularly exercising you can maintain a healthy lifestyle and maintain optimal thyroid function.

Book Your Appointment With The Mindful Healing Clinic Today

Are you someone with a family history of thyroid issues?

Have you been diagnosed with a thyroid related condition or believe that you may have issues with your thyroid?

Whatever the reason, I can help.

I’m Dr. Maria, a naturopathic doctor in Mississauga, Ontario and I run the Mindful Healing Clinic.

I’ll work with you to uncover natural solutions for your thyroid issues and help you optimize your health.

Book your appointment with The Mindful Healing Clinic today.

Hormones are chemical messengers which help control all manner of bodily functions.

This includes mood, growth, reproduction, metabolism, and even sleep patterns.

As a hormone naturopathic doctor I can help you find natural solutions for issues caused by hormone imbalances.

This includes sleep disturbances due to disruptions in melatonin, the hormone responsible for helping you sleep.

Issues can range from problems falling and staying asleep to low quality sleep in general.

These may lead you to feel tired and groggy during the day and may indicate you an issue with your melatonin levels.

I’m Dr. Maria, a naturopathic doctor in Mississauga and I want to help you balance your hormones so you can live your life more fully.

Keep reading to find out more about the hormone melatonin, and ways to naturally manage it.

What Is Melatonin?

Melatonin is a hormone which plays a number of roles in your body.

Its most well known effect is helping you fall asleep.

It does this by signaling to your body it’s night time, and helps you to relax so you can fall asleep easier, and stay asleep longer.

Although it’s made naturally by your body, many people also use melatonin supplements to help them fall asleep easier.

They can also be used to help with jet lag and adjusting to new time zones.

Where Is Melatonin Made In The Body?

Melatonin is a hormone produced by your pineal gland.

Your pineal gland is a small, pea shaped gland which is located in your brain.

It’s part of your endocrine system, which also includes your thyroid and parathyroid, your pancreas, your adrenal glands, your ovaries or testes, your hypothalamus, and others.

Although it’s made in the pineal gland, melatonin can also be found in other parts of your body.

These include in bone marrow, in your gut, and even in your eyes.

What Does Melatonin Do?

So, melatonin is generally thought of as the “sleep hormone”, however, there’s more to it than just that.

Let’s have a look at how melatonin helps you sleep, as well as some of the other things it does in your body.

1. Melatonin Helps You Fall Asleep

Melatonin supplements are probably best known as a sleep aid.

They both lower the amount of time it takes you to fall asleep, and also increase the total amount of sleep you get.

In people with sleep related disorders, melatonin also helped to reduce disturbances and improve sleep quality and length.

2. Melatonin Manages Your Body Temperature

Melatonin plays a role in helping your body regulate its temperature.

A study in the Journal of Pineal Research looked at its effect on body temperature.

Study participants who were given higher doses of melatonin experienced greater drops in core temperature, and for a longer duration, than those who received a placebo.

3. Melatonin Manages Your Dopamine Levels

By binding to receptors in your brain, melatonin can help regulate dopamine levels.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter which helps you to feel alert, motivated, and focused.

Although these are good things to have, they can also be counterproductive when you’re trying to fall asleep.

4. Melatonin Lowers Your Blood Pressure

For some people with hypertension, melatonin may help lower blood pressure.

In one 2004 study, men with untreated hypertension were given melatonin one hour before they went to sleep.

Melatonin was found to lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 6 and 4 mm Hg (millimetres of mercury) respectively.

It should be noted however, if you are already on medication to control your blood pressure, melatonin could actually cause it to rise more.

If you are thinking of using it to help with sleep, be sure to consult with your medical team first if you are on other medications.

5. Melatonin Can Help With Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal affective disorder, appropriately shortened to “SAD”, is also known as seasonal depression.

It’s commonly thought of as the “winter blues” which happen due to colder temperatures and lack of sunlight during winter months.

What’s less known is some people experience seasonal affective disorder during the summer months.

If you have summer SAD, it can mean trouble sleeping and being tired during the day.

In these cases, using melatonin can help synchronize your circadian rhythm, and improve sleep.

6. Believe It Or Not, Melatonin Is An Antioxidant

You may have heard the term “antioxidant” before, but you might not be sure exactly what it means.

Antioxidants are molecules which act to counter the effects of free radicals.

Free radicals are unstable molecules which are made by your body in reaction to the environment.

Left unchecked, free radicals can cause oxidative stress.

This is linked to conditions such as cancer, osteoarthritis, stroke, heart disease, respiratory distress, and other inflammatory conditions.

Antioxidants help reduce oxidative stress and limit the damage caused by free radicals.

Usually, antioxidants are vitamins, minerals, and other plant based substances.

Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, iron, zinc, polyphenols, and curcumin are a few great examples.

But there are only two hormones that are also antioxidants.

Melatonin is one of them.

The other is actually estrogen.

Health Disorders Associated With Melatonin

There are a number of disorders and health conditions associated with melatonin.

If you have low levels of melatonin, you could experience the following:

• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• A weakened immune system
• Mood disorders
• Cardiovascular disease

Excess melatonin levels are associated with:

• Lowered thyroid function
• Seasonal affective disorder
• Low adrenal function
• Low blood pressure

Can You Get Melatonin From Food?

If you want to get the benefits of melatonin, without reaching for a pill or capsule, you can do so by adding the following foods to your diet:

• Eggs
• Milk
• Tart cherries
• Nuts, especially almonds and pistachios
• Goji berries
• Oily fish, such as sardines and salmon

How To Balance Your Melatonin Levels Naturally

There are ways to keep your melatonin levels in balance, without taking a supplement.

Let’s review a few of them now.

1. Turn Off the Light Well Before Bedtime

Your pineal gland begins to release melatonin when it starts to get dark, because it’s light sensitive.

Because of this, when there is too much light in your environment, it can affect the natural production of melatonin.

Turning off the lights and avoiding screens before bedtime will help your brain to produce the melatonin you need to fall asleep.

2. Make Sure You Get Enough Light During The Day

Just as avoiding lights close to bedtime is important for helping your body produce enough melatonin, the reverse is also true.

That is to say, getting light during the day also impacts how much melatonin you have.

Sunlight can help regulate hormones and affect your circadian rhythm.

3. If You Smoke, Quit

Simply put, if you smoke, your body may have trouble producing enough melatonin to help you fall asleep.

Smokers may have lower sleep quality, and sleep for shorter amounts of time than those who don’t smoke.

Additionally, nicotine may cause the secretion of melatonin to be delayed.

Book Your Appointment With The Mindful Healing Clinic Today

Do you have trouble falling and staying asleep at night?

Or maybe you work an irregular schedule and have trouble sleeping during the day when you are on night shifts.

Maybe you’ve been taking melatonin supplements and are looking for a more natural way to manage your sleep cycles.

Whatever the reason, I can help.

I’m Dr. Maria, a naturopathic doctor in Mississauga, Ontario and I run the Mindful Healing Clinic.

I’ll work with you to find natural solutions to your sleep issues, to help ensure you’re getting the restful sleep you need.

Book your appointment with the Mindful Healing Clinic today.

Have you ever stopped to think about the unsung hero in your body, diligently working day and night to regulate your blood sugar levels and help with digestion?

Meet your pancreas, the remarkable organ tucked away in your abdomen.

It quietly carries out its essential functions without much recognition.

While your heart, brain, and lungs steal the spotlight, it’s time we shed some light on your pancreas.

In my online naturopathic doctor consultations, I often work with patients who have issues with their pancreas.

But while pancreatic concerns are fairly common, naturopathic medicine is a great solution to address them.

Today, we’ll embark on a journey to discover the inner workings of this organ and understand why it deserves your attention and appreciation.

So, let’s dive in.

What Is Your Pancreas?

Your pancreas is a remarkable organ.

It plays a pivotal role in your body’s daily functions.

This glandular organ is about six inches long and is long and thin, like a tadpole.

With functions in both your exocrine and your endocrine system, your pancreas carries out a variety of tasks to keep your body in balance.

What Does Your Pancreas Do?

Firstly, as an endocrine gland, it secretes hormones like insulin and glucagon into your bloodstream.

These hormones are essential in regulating your blood sugar levels.

Secondly, as an exocrine gland, your pancreas produces digestive enzymes that facilitate the breakdown of food in your small intestine.

Without these enzymes, your body would have a hard time absorbing nutrients from your diet.

What Are The Symptoms Of Pancreatic Conditions?

Detecting pancreatic conditions early on is important for timely treatment.

However, understanding their symptoms is the first step.

Pay close attention to signs such as persistent abdominal pain that may radiate to your back, unexplained weight loss, and jaundice.

Additionally, be wary of changes in your stool, like pale or greasy appearances, as well as digestive issues such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Diabetes, which is a pancreas disorder (more on that in a moment), can lead to excessive thirst, frequent urination, and chronic fatigue.

Common Pancreatic Conditions

Pancreatic conditions, while sometimes overlooked, can significantly impact your health and quality of life.

Understanding these conditions is essential, so let’s take a look into some of the most common ones.

1. Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance occurs when your body’s cells become less responsive to the hormone insulin, which plays a key role in regulating blood sugar levels.

In response to this resistance, your pancreas produces more insulin to compensate, creating a dangerous cycle that can lead to various health problems.

Common signs of insulin resistance include persistent fatigue, increased hunger, and difficulty losing weight.

Also, it often precedes the development of type 2 diabetes.

2. Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes, often referred to as juvenile diabetes, is an autoimmune condition that affects people of all ages.

Your immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin producing cells in your pancreas, leaving your body unable to regulate your blood sugar levels naturally.

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes include excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, and extreme fatigue.

While the exact cause remains elusive, genetic and environmental factors are believed to contribute to its development.

Living with type 1 diabetes requires vigilant self management, including regular blood sugar monitoring, careful meal planning, and insulin administration.

People with type 1 diabetes rely on external insulin sources, such as injections or insulin pumps.

The discovery of using external insulin is due in large part to the research of Dr. Frederick Banting right here in Ontario.

Thanks to Dr. Banting’s work, people with type 1 diabetes can now live full, healthy lives.

3. Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes, is a metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood sugar levels.

Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 develops later in life.

This condition primarily results from insulin resistance.

Lifestyle factors, such as an unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity, contribute significantly to its development.

Symptoms may include excessive thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, and slow wound healing.

Managing type 2 diabetes typically involves dietary changes, exercise, and sometimes medication.

4. Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is known for its silent progression and challenging treatment landscape.

This aggressive cancer originates in the tissues of your pancreas.

Often, symptoms don’t surface until it’s reached advanced stages, making early detection a challenge.

Common signs include abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, jaundice, and digestive issues.

Pancreatic cancer has a reputation for being hard to treat, mainly due to its late diagnosis and limited effective treatment options.

However, advancements in research and treatment options are continually emerging, offering hope to those facing this diagnosis.

RELATED: A Naturopathic Doctor’s Role In Cancer Treatment

5. Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is a distressing condition that causes inflammation and severe discomfort.

It can manifest in two forms: acute and chronic.

Acute pancreatitis often arises suddenly, leading to intense abdominal pain, nausea, and digestion problems.

It’s frequently linked to gallstones or excessive alcohol consumption.

On the other hand, chronic pancreatitis is a long term illness that gradually damages your pancreas over time.

This results in persistent abdominal pain and complications like malabsorption and diabetes.

6. Other Conditions

Above are the most common pancreatic disorders, but there are others as well.

Pancreatic cysts, for example, are fluid filled sacs that can develop in your pancreas.

These cysts can be benign or potentially cancerous.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are another category of pancreatic conditions, which originate in the hormone producing cells of your pancreas.

Similarly, these tumors can be benign or cancerous, and their symptoms may vary depending on their size and location.

Additionally, autoimmune pancreatitis is a rare condition in which your body’s immune system mistakenly attacks your pancreas.

This leads to inflammation and other complications.

How To Support Your Pancreas Naturally

Although pancreatic conditions can significantly impact your health, fortunately, there are natural ways to support your pancreas.

1. Eat a Pancreas Friendly Diet

Your diet plays an important part in the health of your pancreas, and making wise food choices can go a long way.

Focus on incorporating whole, nutrient rich foods into your meals.

Opt for a variety of colourful fruits and vegetables, which provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that promote pancreatic health.

Fibre rich foods like whole grains, beans, and legumes help stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce the strain on your pancreas.

Additionally, lean sources of protein can be beneficial.

Be mindful of your fat intake as well.

Choose healthy fats, and do your best to avoid unhealthy fats like monounsaturated and trans fats that can contribute to inflammation.

Lastly, avoid excessive consumption of sugary snacks and drinks.

These foods have a lot of added sugar, which can overload your pancreas with insulin demands.

RELATED: 5 Amazingly Unhealthy Foods To Avoid
RELATED: 5 More Amazingly Unhealthy Foods To Avoid

2. Eat More Turmeric

Turmeric, a vibrant yellow spice native to South Asia, has been celebrated for its potent health benefits for centuries.

One of its remarkable attributes is its potential to support pancreatic health.

Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, boasts powerful anti inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

This can help reduce pancreatic inflammation and oxidative stress.

Incorporating turmeric into your diet may help improve insulin sensitivity, making it useful in managing your blood sugar levels.

Turmeric can also enhance digestion by stimulating bile production, easing the burden on your pancreas.

Whether it’s added to curries or taken as a supplement, turmeric offers a flavourful and accessible way to boost your pancreas’ well being.

3. Stay Hydrated

Drinking enough water is essential for overall well being, and it holds particular significance in supporting your pancreas.

Water helps regulate blood sugar levels by helping in the transport of glucose to your cells, where it’s used for energy.

Dehydration can lead to concentrated blood, which puts extra strain on your pancreas as it works to produce and release insulin.

Proper hydration also supports your pancreas in producing digestive enzymes needed for breaking down food.

Drinking water can even help you lose weight.

4. Drink Dandelion Root Tea

Dandelion tea, derived from dandelion roots, is surprisingly helpful in promoting pancreatic health.

Rich in antioxidants and anti inflammatory compounds, dandelion tea can help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation within your pancreas.

Additionally, it may help in digestion by stimulating the production of digestive enzymes.

Some research suggests that dandelion root tea may also help regulate blood sugar levels, making it a valuable addition to your diet if you have diabetes.

So, the next time you see those yellow blooms in your yard, consider harvesting the roots to brew a cup of dandelion tea.

And yes, you can make it from the ones that grow in your yard, so long as you aren’t spraying your lawn with pesticides.

In fact, dandelion roots, and leaves as well, can be a great part of building a nutritious, environmentally friendly diet.

Book Your Appointment With The Mindful Healing Clinic Today

From the complexities of pancreatic conditions to the power of a pancreas friendly diet, we’ve explored various aspects of this often underappreciated organ.

Do you have concerns about your pancreas?

Does diabetes run in your family?

Or are you just looking for ways to stay healthier?

If so, I’m Dr. Maria Cavallazzi, ND, and I’m here to help.

Book your appointment with me, Dr. Maria, at The Mindful Healing Clinic today.

Despite their importance to your health, many people don’t know how to take proper care of their adrenal glands.

Sure, it’s easy to think about taking care of your health when it comes to sleep, diet, and exercise.

But you might be stumped when it comes to thinking of strategies to take care of your adrenal health.

You might even be unsure of what exactly your adrenal glands are to begin with.

Perhaps you’ve been looking for a clear definition.

Well, look no further.

I’m Dr. Maria Cavallazzi, naturopathic doctor and owner of the Mindful Healing Clinic in Mississauga.

In this article, we’ll talk all about your adrenal glands: what they are, what they do, and how they can affect your health.

What Are Your Adrenal Glands?

Your adrenal glands are a pair of triangular shaped glands that sit on top of each of your kidneys.

They’re part of your endocrine system, a collection of organs and glands that produce hormones.

This includes your thyroid, pituitary gland, and pancreas, among others.

Speaking of your pituitary gland, it plays a major role in your adrenal gland function.

It’s a tiny little gland, about the size of a pea, that sits at the base of your brain.

Its job is to send messages down to your adrenal glands in order to regulate their functions.

While small, your adrenal glands are mighty.

They’re responsible for several hormone related functions, such as your immune system and stress response.

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

What Do Your Adrenal Glands Do?

Your adrenal glands are each made up of two distinct parts, which are in turn responsible for producing distinct hormones.

The outer layer is referred to as the outer adrenal cortex and is responsible for producing certain steroid hormones, such as aldosterone and cortisol.

The inner part is referred to as the inner adrenal medulla and produces multiple hormones, such as adrenaline and noradrenaline.

These hormones play a role in numerous different bodily processes.

For instance, the production of aldosterone helps to control your blood pressure whereas cortisol, adrenaline, and noradrenaline play a major role in your stress responses.

Additionally, cortisol plays an essential role in the regulation of several bodily functions, including your immune system, blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and metabolism.

As you can see, your adrenal glands are kind of a jack of all trades.

Common Adrenal Gland Diseases

Adrenal gland diseases may develop for a variety of reasons, such as when:

• Your pituitary glands stop properly controlling your hormone production
• Benign, or non cancerous, tumors grow in your adrenal glands
• Malignant, or cancerous, tumors grow in your adrenal glands
• Infections develop in your adrenal glands
• You have an inherited condition

RELATED: Naturopathic Cancer Support Treatments

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common adrenal gland diseases.

1. Cushing’s Syndrome

Cushing’s syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that causes your adrenal glands to produce too much cortisol.

It typically produces similar symptoms to long term steroid use.

Symptoms may include:

• Weight gain
• A round face
• Increased fat around the base of your neck
• A fatty lump between your shoulders
• Easy bruising
• Wide purple stretch marks, typically on the abdomen, breasts, hips, and underarms
• Muscle weakness

Naturopathic treatments for Cushing’s syndrome include yoga, nutritional counseling, and using adaptogenic herbs

2. Addison’s Disease

Addison’s disease is a rare autoimmune disease that develops when your adrenal glands fail to produce enough cortisol or aldosterone.

It’s referred to as a “self destructive” disease because it causes your immune system to mistakenly begin attacking adrenal tissue.

Symptoms may include:

• Chronic fatigue
• Muscle weakness
• Mild depression or irritability
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Increased urination
• Increased thirst levels
• Salty food cravings

Botanical medicine and nutritional counseling can both be effective naturopathic treatments for Addison’s disease.

3. Pheochromocytoma

Pheochromocytoma is a medical term used to describe a tumour that develops in the medulla of your adrenal glands.

Fortunately, these types of tumors are rarely cancerous.

Symptoms may include:

• High blood pressure
• Frequent headaches
• Excessive sweating
• Rapid heartbeat
• Tremors
• Shortness of breath
• A pale complexion (pallor)

In extreme cases, it may be required to have an adrenalectomy – a surgical procedure to remove your adrenal glands.

4. Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is a condition inherited through genetics.

It causes your adrenal gland to struggle to produce hormones.

Symptoms may include:

• Dehydration
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias)
• Low blood pressure
• Very low blood sodium levels
• Low blood glucose
• Excessive acid in the blood (metabolic acidosis)
• Weight loss
• Impaired penis development

5. Adrenal Cancer

Adrenal cancer is a serious disease caused by the formation of malignant tumors in your adrenal glands.

Symptoms may include:

• Weight gain
• Muscle weakness
• Trouble sleeping
• Deepening voice and increased hair growth, typically on the face
• Pain in the abdomen or lower back
• Loss of appetite and weight loss

How Do I Know If I Have Adrenal Gland Issues?

Typically, symptoms of adrenal gland issues appear subtle at first before gradually worsening and becoming more frequent.

Book an appointment here at the Mindful Healing Clinic if you’re experiencing symptoms of adrenal gland issues, such as:

• Dizziness
• Excessive fatigue
• Sweating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Increased salt cravings
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Irregular menstrual periods
• Dark patches on your skin
• Muscle and joint pain
• Unexpected weight gain or loss

Can You Live Without Your Adrenal Glands?

You might be surprised to learn that it actually is possible to live without your adrenal glands.

There may be certain limited situations where it’s required to remove them, like in more serious cases of adrenal cancer.

But while you can live without your adrenal glands, you can’t live without the hormones they produce.

So if you do lose your adrenal glands, you’ll have to supplement with adrenal hormones for the rest of your life.

How To Keep Your Adrenal Glands Healthy

When you don’t take care of your adrenal glands, you can really start to feel cruddy.

Luckily, there are many steps you can take to keep your adrenal glands in tip top shape.

1. Get Enough Sleep

Making sure to get enough sleep is one of the most important factors for your adrenal health.

It is through rest that your adrenal glands have the opportunity to rejuvenate.

Ideally, you should aim to get between 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night.

If you’re dealing with insomnia, naturopathic medicine can help.

RELATED: Why Do We Need Sleep, Anyway?

2. Eat A Balanced Diet

Making sure your diet contains the right foods is also important for your adrenal health.

This means eliminating or seriously reducing foods loaded with sugar or deep fried in vegetable oil, and instead opting for a nutritious plant based diet.

RELATED: 5 Amazingly Unhealthy Foods To Avoid
RELATED: How To Bounce Back After Bingeing On Junk Food

3. Take Natural Adrenal Boosting Supplements

It’s always best to get the bulk of your nutrients through the foods that you eat.

However, adrenal boosting supplements can help to support your adrenal health.

Vitamins and minerals crucial to your adrenal health include:

• Vitamin B5
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Magnesium
• Zinc

Of course, it’s always a good idea to book an appointment to chat with me before you add a new supplement to your routine.

4. Reduce Your Stress Levels

Managing your stress levels is an important factor in maintaining good adrenal health.

After all, your adrenal gland health is inherently tied to your stress levels.

Therefore, it’s important to do everything you can to reduce yours.

Here are some examples of natural ways to reduce your stress levels:

• Resting when you’re tired and making sure to get a good night’s sleep
• Regulating your sleep schedule
• Getting enough exercise
• Doing yoga or meditation
• Relaxing when possible
• Reducing your work load to avoid overworking yourself

Book Your Appointment With The Mindful Healing Clinic Today

Are you wondering how to keep your adrenals healthy?

Do you live a high stress lifestyle and worry about burning out?

If so, we’re here to help.

Book your appointment with The Mindful Healing Clinic today.