Amy Myers's Blog, page 53

What is a Nightshade Sensitivity and What to Do if You Have One

Do you experience bloating, gas, nausea, fatigue, or joint pain after eating tomatoes, potatoes, or peppers? If so, you could have a nightshade sensitivity.

If you’ve already ditched gluten and dairy (the two most inflammatory foods) and are still experiencing symptoms of food sensitivities, nightshades could be the missing link in overcoming your symptoms and the next step in optimizing your diet.

In this article, we’ll be taking a look at what a nightshade sensitivity is, how to know if you have one, and what to do about it.

The Dark Side of Nightshades

Nightshades are plants in the Solanaceae family that includes thousands of species, many of which are inedible and even poisonous. One of the most famous is the “deadly nightshade” belladonna, a highly toxic plant that can be fatal if eaten. You are likely more familiar with the edible foods in the nightshade family that are commonly used in cooking, including:

Tomatoes
Tomatillos
Bell peppers
Eggplant
White potatoes
Chili peppers
Cayenne pepper
Paprika
Goji berries

However, these edible nightshades have a dark side too. If you have an autoimmune disorder and are following The Myers Way®, you know I recommend ditching nightshades because of the damage they can cause to your gut lining due to their high lectin content. Nightshades also contain glycoalkaloids, which have been shown to contribute to leaky gut and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).1 These so-called “anti-nutrients” are what nightshade plants use to ward off pathogens and insect attacks–and what trigger an immune response in your own body when you eat them.

Symptoms of Nightshade Sensitivity

Those with a nightshade sensitivity lack the proper enzymes to fully digest these foods, leading to gut inflammation and gastrointestinal issues. It can be difficult to pinpoint a nightshade sensitivity, as many of these foods are ubiquitous in our diets, and it can take up to 72 hours after eating foods in the nightshade family for the following symptoms to occur:

Bloating
Gas
Diarrhea
Nausea
Fatigue
Joint pain or swelling

It’s important to note that a nightshade allergy is much more severe than a sensitivity and symptoms would be instantaneous, ranging from hives to anaphylaxis. Seek medical attention if you experience difficulty breathing, a swollen throat, dizziness, or lightheadedness after eating nightshades.

How to Test for Nightshade Sensitivity

The best way to test for a nightshade sensitivity is to go through an elimination diet. You’ll want to remove all nightshades from your diet (including culinary spices such as red pepper flakes, chili powder, and curry powder) and see if your symptoms resolve. If you do not experience any GI issues, fatigue, or joint pain after successfully removing nightshades from your diet, then you probably have a nightshade sensitivity.

So does that mean you can never eat salsa again? Let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet! The next phase of the elimination diet is the reintroduction phase. One at a time, you will begin to reintroduce each food you removed to test how your body reacts to it. Some people have only a very minor intolerance to nightshades, which means you may be able to tolerate some foods in the nightshade family depending on the amount of glycoalkaloids they contain. Potatoes tend to be higher in glycoalkaloids and other anti-nutrients than other nightshade plants, so you might react to potatoes while tomatoes or eggplant are just fine for you.

The exact steps for following an elimination diet are laid out here.

What to Do if You Have a Nightshade Sensitivity

Let’s say you’ve gone through the steps of an elimination diet for each nightshade, and you discover you are indeed sensitive to ALL nightshades. In this case, yes, you will want to avoid any problem foods in order to prevent an inflammatory immune reaction. However, that does not mean you can’t eat salsa, french fries, or mashed potatoes anymore! The key is to find healthful, tasty options to replace the foods you react to. You will feel so much better, and you can still enjoy all your favorite dishes (with a few tweaks)!

Substitutions for Nightshades in Cooking

Although they seem very similar to regular potatoes, sweet potatoes are not in the nightshade family and therefore make an excellent replacement for white potatoes. Cauliflower, parsnips, or carrots can also act as a stand-in in various dishes where potatoes are called for.

You can replace tomatoes with apples, grapefruit, beets, or jicama depending on the recipe. Eggplants can easily be swapped out for portobello or shiitake mushrooms in stews and stir fries, and there are many tasty AIP spices and seasonings you can use in place of pepper-based spices. Experiment with different flavor combinations and preparation methods to see what works for you and your tastebuds. This is your chance to get creative!

I’ve got tons of great ideas for nightshade-free dishes in The Autoimmune Solution Cookbook, including Mashed Cauliflower and Rutabaga, Sweet Potato Fries, and my tomato-free No-mato Sauce. You can also find hundreds of autoimmune-friendly recipes right here on my blog, including my eminently snackable Nightshade-Free Pico De Gallo to satisfy those salsa cravings!

By eliminating nightshades you will be freeing yourself from digestive discomfort, inflammation, fatigue, and other uncomfortable symptoms. You will experience an abundance of energy so you can explore a whole new world of culinary opportunities and finally enjoy eating again!

The post What is a Nightshade Sensitivity and What to Do if You Have One appeared first on Amy Myers MD.

The 5 Best Adaptogens to Combat Stress and Adrenal Fatigue

Chronic stress is public enemy number one. While some stress is necessary to keep your immune system sharp and help you stay alive in dangerous situations, prolonged, relentless stress can contribute to leaky gut, adrenal burnout, insomnia, heart disease, anxiety, and a plethora of autoimmune conditions. Unfortunately, our lives are fraught with ongoing stress from long hours at work, traffic, financial worries, and health issues. While we may not be able to avoid stress entirely, the key to minimizing its impact on your health is to learn how to manage and relieve your stress naturally. That’s why more and more people are turning to adaptogens for stress relief and adrenal balance. More than just a trendy buzzword, adaptogens might be the ancient answer to our modern day woes.

What Are Adaptogens?

Adaptogenic herbs or “adaptogens” are a class of herbs that have been used for centuries to help the body “adapt” to stress. That’s right, despite their recent upsurge in popularity, adaptogens such as ashwagandha, ginseng, and rhodiola have a long history of use in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine.

The term “adaptogen” was first coined by Russian scientist Israel Brekhman in 1947, who outlined the following criteria of how to classify herbs as adaptogens:

Increase the body’s ability to cope with internal and external stresses.
Exhibit stimulating effects after both single-time use and prolonged use, leading to increased working capacity and mental performance under stressful and fatigue-inducing conditions.
Normalize the functions of the body.
Are entirely safe and have no negative side effects.1

Adaptogens have been touted for their ability to boost strength and vitality, combat fatigue, and treat everything from asthma to infertility. Although adaptogens may not necessarily be the cure-all many claim them to be, there are several well-studied adaptogenic herbs that are proven to have a balancing effect on bodily processes and help decrease the damage caused by stress. And, as we know that stress is at the root of many chronic illnesses, these seemingly “magical” claims might not be so far off!

Adaptogens, Chronic Stress, and the HPA Axis

So how do adaptogens work exactly? To understand this, let’s take a look at something called the “HPA axis”.

Your hypothalamus is the part of your brain that recognizes stress. When you are stressed, your hypothalamus signals your pituitary gland, and they both in turn signal your adrenals to produce and release stress hormones. This is known as your HPA (Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis.

Chronic stress keeps your HPA axis constantly engaged. Not only is this bad news for your overall health–affecting your mood, sleep, libido, immune system, blood sugar, appetite, thyroid, and much more–it’s also terribly taxing to your adrenal glands and micronutrient reserves. Your adrenal glands have to work incredibly hard to keep up with the demand of being constantly engaged, which can fatigue them and lead to adrenal dysfunction and burnout.

Adaptogenic herbs support a more balanced response to ongoing stress, regulating stress hormone and cortisol production in order to prevent adrenal fatigue and HPA axis dysfunction. Adaptogens also help modulate cellular sensitivity to stress hormones, thereby encouraging a healthier response to stress overall.

The Best Adaptogens for Stress Relief and Adrenal Balance

1. Ashwagandha

If you’re even partially in tune with the world of health and wellness, you’ve likely heard of the powerful adaptogen ashwagandha. Meaning “horse smell” in Sanskrit, ashwagandha has a very strong taste, so many people prefer taking it as an extract or in supplement form.

Ashwagandha has been shown to calm the mind, reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, and enhance the activity of immune cells known as natural killer cells that help you fight off infections and cancer.2 Ashwagandha is the only adaptogen proven to enhance thyroid function, increasing serum concentrations of both T3 and T4.3 Its anti-inflammatory effects may also help relieve pain associated with rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.4

Ashwagandha helps the body cope with stress by boosting adrenal function. It is widely used to balance stress hormones, relieve anxiety, and increase energy in those suffering from adrenal fatigue.

2. Maca

Maca root is unique in that it is both an adaptogen and a superfood. Grown in the Andes Mountains, maca is a root vegetable rich in protein, fiber, calcium, magnesium, and amino acids such as glycine and arginine. Maca has been used medicinally for hundreds of years to improve libido, fertility, mood, and symptoms of adrenal fatigue.5

As an adaptogen, maca raises hormone production when your body is under-producing hormones and lowers hormone production when your body is over-producing hormones. When used over time, maca nourishes and enhances the function of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, which restores balance to the adrenals.

Unlike ashwagandha, maca is extremely tasty and therefore can be used as a food as well as a supplement. It has a nutty, butterscotch-like flavor that can easily be mixed into smoothies or even baked goods for a potent energy boost!

3. Ginseng

As you know, chronic stress contributes to inflammation and can trigger many illnesses due to an imbalanced immune response and hormone dysfunction. Ginseng is superior in its ability to significantly reduce chronic stress by regulating the HPA axis, effectively decreasing depression, anxiety, and other HPA axis disorders.

Studies have demonstrated the potential of ginseng to prevent and reverse a number of inflammatory conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma. Ginseng also has neuroprotective effects, which can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. It even has the power to prevent autoimmune disease by suppressing proinflammatory cytokines generated by chronic stress.6

4. Rhodiola

Too much cortisol (your primary stress hormone) can deplete your nutrient reserves, impair memory, and have devastating effects on your blood pressure, blood sugar, and metabolism. Rhodiola is an adaptogen that has been proven to reduce the secretion of cortisol during stressful situations.

Research shows that rhodiola can increase energy and enhance concentration in those with adrenal fatigue. It offers antidepressive and cardioprotective effects as well.7

Of the 20 different types of rhodiola plants, Rhodiola rosea is the only one to exhibit health benefits.

5. Eleuthero

Perhaps not as well known as other adaptogens, eleuthero is nonetheless an incredible herb. Eleuthero was first used in China as an herbal remedy at least 2,000 years ago! In addition to helping the body cope with stress, eleuthero acts as a stimulant, increasing nervous system functioning and boosting energy levels. Eleuthero contains compounds that combat fatigue and burn fat for energy.8 In an exercise study, a daily dose of eleuthero elevated cardiovascular function and improved endurance in athletes by 23%!9

Eleuthero offers a whole host of other benefits, including enhanced immune function, stabilized blood sugar levels, improved concentration, and reduced duration of respiratory infections such as pneumonia and influenza. It can even help you manage menopause symptoms by binding to estrogen receptor sites, thereby decreasing fatigue, insomnia, memory problems, and loss of strength caused by low estrogen levels during menopause.10

Beat Stress and Adrenal Fatigue with Adaptogens

If you suffer from adrenal fatigue, hormone imbalance, chronic stress, or are just looking for natural ways to boost energy and immune health, there are two supplements I recommend.

The first is Adrenal Support, which contains ashwagandha, ginseng, eleuthero, and rhodiola for supporting an optimal stress response and cortisol production. Along with these adaptogenic herbs, Adrenal Support offers crucial B vitamins, vitamin C, and the micronutrient building blocks of adrenal hormones to support overall adrenal health.

The second is my Clean Greens Superfood Juice Powder, which also includes ashwagandha for promoting ideal immune function and stress relief, as well as maca root for optimal mental clarity, vitality, and hormonal health. Plus, it’s an easy and delicious way to get additional superfoods and phytonutrients into your diet that are excellent stress-busters in their own right!

Have you added adaptogens to your wellness routine? Share your experiences in the comments below!

The post The 5 Best Adaptogens to Combat Stress and Adrenal Fatigue appeared first on Amy Myers MD.

Why L-Glutamine is the #1 Ingredient for Repairing Leaky Gut

Leaky gut is a modern epidemic that affects millions of people around the world—even though many of them aren’t aware of the underlying condition that causes symptoms ranging from digestive issues and mood imbalances to autoimmunity, cancer, and other chronic illnesses.

Most conventional doctors fail to recognize the critical importance of gut health, or how a leaky gut can affect your whole body and mind. The truth is that your gut is the gateway to health: it is the foundation of your body’s immune system and a key gatekeeper that lets in nutrients while preventing pathogens and toxins from entering your bloodstream. If your gut isn’t healthy then neither are you! Fortunately, as I describe in my New York Times bestselling books, The Autoimmune Solution and The Thyroid Connection, you can repair your gut and restore your health using simple dietary and lifestyle changes.

Now I want to tell you how leaky gut may be affecting your health, why L-Glutamine is the #1 ingredient for repairing leaky gut, and how you can easily add it to your daily routine.

What is Leaky Gut?

Your gut lining is naturally semi-permeable to allow nutrients to be absorbed via your bloodstream to power your body’s functions. However, there are multiple environmental factors that can cause your gut lining to become too permeable, including eating inflammatory or toxic “foods” such as alcohol and caffeine, Candida overgrowth, Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), intestinal parasites, medications, and stress.

The term “leaky gut” literally refers to leaks in your gut lining that allow toxins and undigested food particles that were never meant to pass through to escape from your intestines and enter your bloodstream. As your body detects these unwanted invaders in your bloodstream, your immune system goes into overdrive to neutralize these threats, and can begin attacking healthy tissue. Ultimately, this can lead to a whole host of serious chronic health issues, including autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto’s, Graves’, and Crohn’s.1

That’s why repairing your gut is the first pillar of The Myers Way®, my proven approach to preventing and reversing chronic illness. In my practice, I’ve seen countless patients successfully overcome leaky gut and restore their health using my 4R Program:

Remove negative factors such as inflammatory foods and infections.
Replace depleted ingredients that promote gut health, such as digestive enzymes.
Reinoculate beneficial bacteria to restore a healthy balance in your gut.
Repair your gut by providing essential ingredients (L-Glutamine is a superstar here).

How L-Glutamine Helps Repair Leaky Gut

L-Glutamine is the most common amino acid in your body and a critical building block that your body uses to produce proteins.2 It’s so important for the reproduction of cells that researchers have determined should be considered “conditionally essential” when you are suffering from chronic illness or stress.3

L-Glutamine is used to relieve the symptoms and side effects of a wide range of medical conditions and treatments. Here are the most important ways it helps repair leaky gut:

Regenerate Cells Faster to Restore Your Gut Lining

The great news is that your gut cells naturally turn over every few days, which is why my patients often fully repair their gut in as little as 30 days. L-Glutamine is a real superstar in this aspect because its most important role in your body is synthesizing proteins for cell reproduction. By enabling your enterocytes (gut cells) to regenerate more quickly, L-Glutamine helps seal the tight junctions in your gut and restores your gut lining to a healthy state even faster. These repairs are essential for reversing leaky gut, eliminating your symptoms, and reducing your risk of associated chronic conditions.

Numerous studies have shown L-Glutamine’s beneficial impact on the gut lining and one study in particular found that in a group of 107 children, those who supplemented with L-Glutamine had reduced gut permeability after 120 days.4 By pairing your L-Glutamine supplementation with an anti-inflammatory diet you can make even faster progress.

Beat Sugar Cravings and Inflammation

L-Glutamine also helps regulate your body’s metabolism management by helping to suppress insulin levels and stabilizing blood glucose. This helps you beat sugar cravings, which is especially important because sugar causes inflammation and contributes to the development of leaky gut. In fact, anyone who is concerned about managing their diet and maintaining a healthy weight can potentially benefit from taking L-Glutamine.

Additionally, a study from Clinical Immunology found that L-Glutamine can normalize the immune response that stimulates inflammatory cytokines, reducing overall inflammation and even minimizing the effects of food sensitivities.5

Support Overall Intestinal Health

In addition to helping repair leaky gut and reducing inflammation, L-Glutamine can help you address digestive issues, reduce your susceptibility to infections, and keep your intestines healthy.6

L-glutamine has particularly been shown to help with ulcers by protecting your gut lining from further damage.7 And it can be wonderfully helpful for anyone struggling with IBS and diarrhea by helping balance the mucosal production in your gut, which leads to healthy bowel movements.8

The Best Way to Add a High-Quality L-Glutamine Supplement to Your Regimen

As you have likely guessed by now, I highly recommend taking a daily L-Glutamine supplement! My Leaky Gut Revive powder is an excellent source of L-Glutamine, with 3,000 mg per serving. I wanted to offer my patients and online community the perfect supplement for repairing and maintaining a healthy gut lining, so my formula also includes 5 additional key ingredients to help support optimal gut health:

Aloe extract to help restore your gut’s normal mucosal lining and ease digestive symptoms
Licorice extract to soothe the stomach and intestinal lining
Larch arabinogalactan to promote gut-mending fatty acid production
Slippery elm and marshmallow root to maximize mucous membrane health and restore your gut’s mucosal lining

This combination makes Leaky Gut Revive my most comprehensive weapon for fighting leaky gut and the progression of autoimmune disease and other illnesses. I typically recommend taking Leaky Gut Revive along with my collagen protein, which helps repair damaged cells and build new tissue to literally seal up the tight junctions of your gut lining.

It’s easy to get these gut-repairing ingredients into your daily routine. You can simply add Leaky Gut Revive into a glass of water or try my delicious and refreshing Gut Repairing Tropical Smoothie.

Learn More About Repairing Your Gut and Reversing Autoimmunity

After successfully battling autoimmune disease in my personal life, I’ve made it my mission to empower others overcome their own chronic conditions without harsh medications. The Myers Way® has already helped tens of thousands of people take back their health with positive lifestyle changes and high-quality supplements such as Leaky Gut Revive.

To learn more about how to maintain a healthy gut, register for my free online training: 5 Ways To Reverse Autoimmune Disease. Just by attending, you’ll discover:

The real root causes of autoimmunity (which your doctor may not tell you)
Simple changes that will help you start feeling better immediately
How to eliminate your symptoms and restore your energy and vitality

The post Why L-Glutamine is the #1 Ingredient for Repairing Leaky Gut appeared first on Amy Myers MD.

Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Bake

To me, Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo is the definition of comfort food. Now you can enjoy this creamy, Italian-inspired dish without the inflammatory gluten and dairy!

My Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Bake is made with fiber-rich spaghetti squash instead of fettuccine, and hormone-balancing coconut milk in place of the butter and cheese!

Your family is going to LOVE my autoimmune-friendly spin on this beloved classic! Enjoy!

Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Bake





CourseMain Dish

ProtocolAutoimmune Solution (AIP), Candida Control and SIBO, Elimination Diet, Paleo, Thyroid Connection





Servings6 people







Ingredients








1

medium spaghetti squash

1tbsp

avocado oil

1lb

free-range, organic chicken breastdiced into 1 inch pieces

1can

full fat coconut milkdivided

3cloves

garlicminced

1tsp

fine sea salt

1/2tsp

freshly ground black pepper

1tbsp

tapioca flour

5cups

broccoli florets










Instructions









Preheat oven to 425 F. Slice spaghetti squash in half and scrape out seeds. Place face down on a lined baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes.



While spaghetti squash bakes, heat oil in a skillet to medium heat. Add chicken and saute until cooked through.



Measure out ¼ cup coconut milk and put aside. In a saucepan, simmer the rest of the coconut milk, garlic, salt, and pepper for 5 minutes.



In a separate bowl, whisk together the tapioca flour and the ¼ cup coconut milk. Add to the saucepan and stir until thickened.



Scrape out spaghetti squash into a 9x11 glass casserole dish. Mix in cooked chicken, broccoli, and alfredo sauce. Mix together until combined.



Place in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and serve.

The post Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Bake appeared first on Amy Myers MD.

5 Reasons to Drink Green Juice if You Have a Leaky Gut

Are you struggling with leaky gut symptoms such as brain fog, mood imbalances, digestive issues, chronic fatigue, or autoimmune disease? Well, you’re not alone! Leaky gut is a major source of inflammation in millions of people around the world–and many don’t even know they have it! In my practice, I’ve witnessed thousands of patients recover from leaky gut and eliminate their symptoms after making simple changes to their diet and lifestyle, which is why I recommend drinking green juice as a part of the overall 4R program to repairing your gut. In fact, juicing may be one of the most effective (and delicious!) ways to overcome leaky gut! Let’s take a look at what makes juicing unique, and then dive into the benefits of drinking green juice for leaky gut.

Juicing vs. Smoothies: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to juicing, a question I hear all the time is: how is juicing different from making a smoothie? Juicing uses an extraction process to press the juice out of fruit and/or vegetables, leaving the “pulp” behind. Cold pressed juice or juice powders from air or drum-dried ingredients are the best, as they retain more of the nutrients than other methods.

Smoothies, on the other hand, blend the whole fruits and vegetables together, so no pulp remains as a byproduct. This means you get all the benefits of fiber and healthy fats (if you like to use avocados or coconut in your smoothies!). Plus, smoothies are a convenient way to add protein and collagen to your diet.

So is one better for you than the other? The simplest answer is: it depends. Juicing tends to get a bad rap because the store-bought varieties are usually loaded with sugar. However, by choosing the right kind of juice, you can get all of the benefits without any of the drawbacks.

If you are dealing with leaky gut or other gastrointestinal issues, juicing might be the way to go and I’ll explain why below. For most people, however, a combination of smoothies and juicing would give you the best of both worlds. That’s why I love using an organic greens powder, which you can put in your smoothies or use to whip up a green juice in seconds!

The Benefits of Drinking Green Juice for Leaky Gut

1. Helps Reduce Inflammation

Juicing is a powerful weapon against leaky gut because of the high concentration of antioxidants and polyphenols in green juice. This is one advantage juicing has over smoothies. Whereas you might put a cup or two of greens in your smoothie, to extract enough liquid to make a juice–especially from leafy greens–you need a TON of produce. Juicing ensures you’re getting an abundance of phytonutrients to help combat inflammation in your gut.

2. Boosts the Immune System

The concentrated vitamins and minerals in juice have a positive, modulating effect on your immune system. This is super important because toxins, undigested food particles, and microbes that escape into your bloodstream when you have a leaky gut can cause an immune reaction–and even lead to autoimmunity! Green juice contains raw vegetable enzymes that give your immune system a much-needed boost, helping you overcome the chronic symptoms associated with leaky gut.

3. Reduces Your Digestive Burden

Another reason why juicing is the optimal choice for repairing a leaky gut is because the juicing process removes much or all of the fiber from fruits and vegetables. Although essential for gut health, many people with GI distress have a tough time digesting fiber, as they lack the proper enzymes to do so. Unlike smoothies, green juice will not cause the bloating or discomfort associated with a high-fiber meal. For this reason, you may find that juicing is gentler on your system than smoothies.

4. Rich in Bioavailable Nutrients

Nutrient malabsorption is a common symptom of leaky gut. As I mentioned above, if you lack digestive enzymes, it can be difficult for your body to break down foods properly in order to absorb their nutrients. With juicing, the foods are already broken down in a way that makes their nutrients easier to absorb and more bioavailable. Your body can use these bioavailable nutrients quickly and efficiently, speeding up your recovery from leaky gut!

5. Rebuilds Intestinal Wall

Good news for all the broccoli lovers out there! Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables have been shown to reduce digestive issues caused by leaky gut, improve gut barrier function, promote a healthy balance of friendly bacteria in your microbiome, and enhance immune function. This may be due to chemical compounds known as indole glucosinolates, found in cruciferous veggies such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, and kale. These compounds break down into indolocarbazole in your gut, which activates the Aryl hydrocarbon receptor in your intestinal lining. The action of this receptor can help reduce inflammation in the gut lining, seal your leaky gut, and prevent gastrointestinal diseases such as Crohn’s and certain types of cancer.1

To take advantage of these benefits, you’d need to eat the equivalent of 3 ½ cups of broccoli per day. Eating this much broccoli each day could be difficult even for those without leaky gut. And if you have digestive issues, this amount of “roughage” would be extremely challenging on your gut! However, getting this amount of broccoli in a green juice would not be difficult at all, and would take no effort for your body to assimilate.

Tips for Choosing a High-Quality Green Juice

Not all juice is created equal. If you want to the benefits of green juice without any of the drawbacks, use the following tips to navigate the wide world of juicing:

Steer clear of sugary store-bought juices. Pre-bottled juices in the refrigerated section of your grocery store might seem to be a convenient–even “healthy”–option. However, buyer beware! Many store-bought varieties contain upwards of 20, 30, or even 40 grams of sugar per serving, and each bottle tends to be at least 2 servings. Make sure to always read the labels before you buy to avoid an intense blood sugar spike.
Choose juice made with organic produce. Juicing concentrates huge amounts of produce into a very small liquid portion. It’s one reason why juices are so high in antioxidants! That also means if you buy juice NOT made from organic produce, you’re getting exposed to extremely concentrated amounts of pesticides, herbicides, and other toxins found in conventionally grown foods. Go organic whenever possible.
Avoid plastic cups or bottles. Another reason to stay away from store-bought juice is because they are often stored in plastic bottles, or served in plastic cups at the juice bar. Chemicals from the plastic can leach into your juice and cause all sorts of health issues, including estrogen dominance.
Make your own homemade juice. This is by far the safest route when it comes to juicing, as you can buy your own organic produce and know exactly what is going into your juice while steering clear of plastics and other contaminants. The only drawback to making your own green juice is that it can be very time consuming, messy, and expensive.

That’s why I love Clean Greens Superfood Juice Powder! Clean Greens is an easy way to get all the benefits of green juice without the expensive juicer or spending loads of time and money keeping your fridge stocked with fresh, organic produce. Plus, using a greens powder can prevent the blood sugar spikes that juice can cause, especially if you use fruit to balance out your green juice. And it takes only seconds to make! Simply stir Clean Greens into a glass of water with ice, or toss a scoop into your smoothie for the best of both worlds!

Have you tried drinking green juice for leaky gut? Share your experience in the comments below!

The post 5 Reasons to Drink Green Juice if You Have a Leaky Gut appeared first on Amy Myers MD.

How to Treat Psoriasis Naturally

Are you dealing with itchy, painful, thick, red and scaly skin? If you have psoriasis, you know these symptoms all too well. You may feel frustrated and out of control as your doctors are only prescribing you medications and ointments while your symptoms are not improving.

As someone who has struggled with an autoimmune condition myself, I understand what you are going through. I am here to tell you that you can take back your health and regain calm, clear skin!

By addressing the underlying root causes of your condition, you CAN overcome psoriasis naturally and regain your health. Let’s dive in and learn more about what psoriasis is, what its signs and symptoms are, what its underlying causes are, and how to reclaim your health with The Myers Way®.

What is Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that accelerates the life cycle of your skin cells. While the symptoms of psoriasis present on your skin, it is not a simple cosmetic issue. Rather, the true cause is that your immune system has gone rogue and is attacking your own tissues.1,2,3 Your T cells mistakenly target healthy skin cells just the way they would attempt to fight off an infection or inflammation from a wound. Overactive T cells lead to the increased production of other T cells, neutrophils, and skin cells. This can cause redness and dilated blood vessels in the affected area. In a healthy body, this process of skin renewal would take weeks, however, with psoriasis, your body goes through this within a few days. This leads to skin cell build-up and thick, scaly, red patches on your skin.4,5

Signs and Symptoms of Psoriasis

The most common signs and symptoms of psoriasis include:

Red, inflamed and raised patches of skin covered with thick, silvery scales
Small scaling spots
Dry skin that may crack or bleed
Itching, burning, and soreness around the patches
Thick, pitted, and ridged nails
Swollen and painful joints6,7,8

If you have psoriasis, you may notice that symptoms might come and go, going into remission and then flaring up again. For some people, psoriasis is more serious than for others, and can greatly affect your everyday life. The discomfort, pain, and embarrassment of psoriasis can interfere with work, school, household duties and social activities.9

Types of Psoriasis

There are several types of psoriasis:

Plaque psoriasis: This is the most common type characterized by dry, raised and red plaques that can be itchy and painful. They can appear anywhere on your body.
Nail psoriasis: This type can affect your fingernails and toenails. It can lead to discoloration, abnormal nail growth, loose nails and nails that crumble.
Guttate psoriasis: This type is primarily found in children and young adults. It is characterized by small, water-drop-shaped, scaling lesions triggered by a bacterial infection. It often goes away on its own after the infection.
Inverse psoriasis: This usually occurs in your armpits, groins, under your breasts, and around your genitals. It is characterized by red, inflamed skin that may be triggered by fungal infections.
Pustular psoriasis: This type is uncommon. It can develop quickly into blisters filled with pus accompanied by itching, fever, chills, and diarrhea.
Erythrodermic psoriasis: This type is the most uncommon characterized by red, peeling and itchy rashes all over your body.
Psoriatic arthritis: This form is characterized by inflamed, scaly and red skin and also by painful, swollen joints. Psoriatic arthritis is usually less painful than other forms of arthritis yet it can still lead to progressive joint damage and pain.10,11

Psoriasis is one of the most prevalent autoimmune conditions, affecting 7.5 million people in the United States and 125 million worldwide. That is roughly 2-3% of the entire global population. Ten to thirty percent of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis.12

As with all autoimmune conditions, there is no cure. However by addressing its underlying root causes and making appropriate dietary and lifestyle changes, you can eliminate your symptoms and reverse your condition.

Diagnosis of Psoriasis

Your doctor will begin with a physical exam and medical history. Then they will examine your skin, scalp, and nails. A skin biopsy is rarely required, however, your doctor may decide to examine a small skin sample to identify the type of psoriasis you have and to rule out any other conditions.13,14

How Conventional Medicine Treats Psoriasis

Because there is no known cure for psoriasis, conventional medicine treats psoriasis by focusing on the symptoms rather than underlying issues. Working with a conventional doctor, your treatment may include:

Topical treatment with corticosteroid creams and ointments to reduce inflammation and itching. This type of treatment is counterintuitive, as corticosteroids suppress your immune system when really you should be supporting it in order to overcome autoimmunity.
Light therapy using ultraviolet light to reduce inflammation and scaling.
Prescription medications to slow skin growth, reduce inflammation and make your skin smoother.
Injections to reduce inflammation, suppress your immunity and reduce skin growth.
Moisturizers to reduce itching.
Laser therapy to remove skin cells.15,16,17

Your doctor may also recommend lifestyle changes and remedies, including daily baths, small amounts of sunlight, moisturizers, removing alcohol and avoiding trigger foods.18

Root Causes of Psoriasis

When it comes to treatment, conventional medicine is using a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach trying to treat the symptoms. While conventional doctors make some small attempts to address lifestyle and environmental reasons by urging you to stop drinking alcohol and smoking or by taking baths, there is little to no focus on the bigger picture. They completely ignore the root causes of your condition by looking at it as an affliction of a single organ, in this case, your skin. They assume that your condition will get worse over time, it cannot be reversed, and your only option is to treat your symptoms with medication and ointments.19 There is nothing further from the truth.

I want to give the power back to you. In my view, this power starts with knowledge and understanding your body. To overcome your psoriasis, first you must understand its root causes and then address them through simple diet and lifestyle changes. Through my experience as a functional medicine physician working with thousands of autoimmune patients similar to you, I’ve identified five key root causes that play an enormous role in the development of autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis. By addressing these issues, your symptoms will start to vanish and you can regain your health.

1. Leaky Gut, Gut Infections, and Candida

You cannot have a healthy immune system without a healthy gut. It is home to nearly 80% of your immune system. The research of Dr. Alessio Fasano has shown us that one of the main causes of autoimmune diseases is a leaky gut. As a result of an unhealthy diet and environmental stress, your gut environment becomes compromised and provides the perfect ground for Candida overgrowth.

When candida gets out of hand and your gut flora gets out of balance, the tight junctions in your gut lining open up and allow undigested food particles, toxins, and microbes to enter your bloodstream. Your immune system cannot recognize these particles and attacks them as foreign invaders. This overworking immune system and rise in inflammation leads to autoimmune conditions. Depending on what part of your body your immune system is targeting, autoimmunity can manifest in many forms including psoriasis.20

2. Inflammatory diet

An inflammatory diet filled with processed foods, refined sugar, gluten and lacking greens, vegetables, fruits and other whole foods creates inflammation and an imbalanced gut flora in your body. This can lead to autoimmune conditions and other health problems. Gluten is one of the leading causes of leaky gut. It has been linked to over 55 diseases including many autoimmune conditions. Gluten can cause inflammation, pain, sleep disturbances, fatigue, depression, skin problems, cognitive impairment and behavioral issues.

I recommend all my patients with an autoimmune condition to remove gluten from their diet immediately.21 Dairy is the second most problematic food, followed by grains and legumes. You should avoid these as well, at least for the first 30 days on The Myers Way®.

3. Toxins

Toxic molds (mycotoxins) and heavy metals such as mercury are common toxins that my patients with autoimmune conditions have been exposed to. Since conventional mold tests do not test for mycotoxins, I use a urine mycotoxin test at my clinic to test for toxic mold exposure. Mercury toxicity may happen due to amalgam fillings, cosmetics, fish, and mercury in our air and water. I recommend my patients to remove their amalgam fillings safely by a biological dentist.22,23

4. Infections

Guttate psoriasis is usually triggered by a bacterial infection. This is not the only autoimmune condition that may be related to infections from bacteria, viruses and other toxins. For example, the Epstein Barr virus that also causes mono, Herpes Simplex 1 and 2, and E. coli have also been linked to autoimmune diseases.

5. Stress

We live in a busy, stress-filled world that has led to the rise of stress-related illnesses. Stress can cause both emotional and physical health problems by disrupting your immune function. Your body wants to protect you and attacks stress as if it were an infection, injury, or wound. This becomes a problem when stress becomes chronic and leads to chronic inflammation, which in turn puts you at heightened risk for autoimmune disease.

How to Overcome Psoriasis Naturally

By addressing the root causes of your symptoms, you can overcome psoriasis naturally and regain your health for once and for all.

I invite you to step outside the bounds of conventional medicine, take back control, and change the trajectory of your health journey.

As I explain in my book, The Autoimmune Solution, my treatment approach is called The Myers Way®, and is focused on preventing and reversing autoimmunity by getting to the root rather than managing the symptoms. There are five environmental factors in particular that can put you on the autoimmune spectrum or push you over the edge into full blown autoimmune disease: an unhealthy gut, poor diet, toxins, infections, and stress. I address these five factors with the four pillars of The Myers Way®.

In my Autoimmune Solution Program, I walk you through the four pillars step by step and show you exactly what dietary and lifestyle changes can support your immune system, help you achieve your goals, and regain your health. In this program, you will learn how to:

Repair your gut. You will learn how leaky gut contributes to autoimmune disease and how to optimize your gut health and support your body. You will learn all the secrets of my 4R program to a healthy gut; Remove (the bad, such as inflammatory foods and toxins). Restore (the good, by supporting your body with healthy food and supplements). Reinoculate (by restoring healthy gut bacteria). Repair (your gut lining).
Optimize your diet. This is one of the most important changes you can make to balance your immune system and regain your health. Don’t worry, I will give you plenty of delicious gluten-free, grain-free and legume-free recipes to keep you happy and satisfied.
Tame the toxins. Our modern world is filled with toxins creating inflammation in your body, compromising your endocrine and immune system leading to autoimmunity. I’ll give you my best tools to minimalize your toxic exposure, reduce toxins in your life, create a toxin-free home and support your detox pathways.
Heal your infections and relieve stress. Infections may exist in your body without your knowledge. They may be lying dormant then flare up one day to fuel your autoimmune condition. In addition to infections, stress adds more fuel to the fire. I’ll arm you with stress management tools, meditation and breathing exercises, tips to reset your sleep cycle and further guidance to support a healthy immune balance, improve your vitality and maintain your well-being.

At the end of the program, you will learn how to reintroduce foods and find the perfect diet for your body to maintain optimal health. Most importantly, I show you how to turn The Myers Way® into a way of life.

The post How to Treat Psoriasis Naturally appeared first on Amy Myers MD.

Strawberry and Cucumber Salad

This Strawberry and Cucumber Salad is a light and summery side dish that can pair well with any meal! And because summer is strawberry and cucumber season, it’s the perfect time to get the freshest (and tastiest!) organic produce to really make this salad pop!

I love how the fresh mint brings out the flavors of the other ingredients and adds a bit of culinary flair to a dish that takes only minutes to prepare!

Top your salad with some grilled chicken or salmon for a complete meal. Enjoy!

Strawberry Cucumber Salad





CourseAppetizer, Side Dish

ProtocolAutoimmune Solution (AIP), Candida Control & SIBO, Elimination Diet, Paleo, Thyroid Connection





Servings4-6 people







Ingredients








2

cucumberschopped

3cups

strawberrieschopped

1/2

red onionchopped

1/4cup

fresh mintfinely chopped

1/4cup

apple cider vinegar

1/4cup

olive oil



salt and pepperto taste










Instructions









In a bowl, combine cucumbers, strawberries, onion, and mint.



In a separate bowl, whisk together vinegar and olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Pour over salad mixture and serve.

The post Strawberry and Cucumber Salad appeared first on Amy Myers MD.

The #1 Nutrient for Detoxification, Immune Health, and All-Day Energy

 In today’s toxic world full of heavy metals, plastics, mold, and synthetic chemicals, there is one superstar nutrient working overtime to keep your body functioning optimally. Meet glutathione: your body’s master detoxifier!

No other nutrient works harder to eliminate mercury, lead, aluminum, mycotoxins, parabens, phthalates, and the hundreds of other toxic substances we come into contact with on a daily basis. I literally refer to it as “glorious glutathione” in my New York Times bestselling book, The Autoimmune Solution, because that’s how much I love it and how helpful it is for those of us dealing with chronic illness such as mold toxicity, heavy metal overload, autoimmunity, Hashimoto’s, Graves’, and other conditions.

In this article, I’ll be covering what glutathione is, why we need it, the health benefits of glutathione, and how to get more of this powerful nutrient!

What is Glutathione?

Glutathione is a nutrient naturally produced by your liver that can be found in nearly every cell of the human body. It is comprised of three amino acids: cysteine, glycine, and glutamate. Glutathione helps your body process and eliminate toxins, supports energy production, is a potent free radical scavenger, and boosts your immune system. Recent research has even correlated levels of glutathione in your cells as a predictor of how long you will live!1

Although your body does produce some glutathione naturally, a poor diet, toxins, medications, stress, and illness deplete your glutathione levels, or halt production completely. Exposure to heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium, lead, or arsenic can also lead to glutathione depletion.

Low glutathione levels are a critical factor in the onset of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and psoriasis.2 Studies have shown that patients with autoimmune conditions tend to have lower blood concentrations of glutathione than those without autoimmunity.3 Without enough glutathione, your body cannot properly detox, which means toxins linger in your bloodstream or get stored in fat, wreaking havoc on your immune system and setting you up for chronic illness.4

Living in a Toxic World: Why We Need Glutathione

Every single one of us is exposed to an unprecedented amount of toxins in this day and age. There are over 80,000 chemicals registered for use in the United States, and each year another 1,700 are added to that list. Many of these industrial chemicals are the basic ingredients in our cosmetics and personal care products. An average of seven new industrial chemicals get approval by the U.S. government daily, and 80% of these are approved in three weeks or less with little or no safety testing done.

You read that correctly – the FDA does not investigate or test for the safety of personal care products before consumers buy them! Instead, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR), an industry-appointed and funded panel, reviews the safety of cosmetic ingredients. According to EWG, there are approximately 10,500 ingredients used in cosmetics in our country, and in its 30 year history, the CIR has screened only 11 of those ingredients. This means that, if we do the math again, nearly 90% of cosmetics ingredients are left un-reviewed and un-tested for safety.

The consequences of our increasingly toxic world can already be seen in the skyrocketing rates of allergies, asthma, cancer, and autoimmune disease over the last half century.

In 2003, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) partnered with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City to study to test the “body burden” of the average American–not those working with chemicals or living in polluted areas, just regular people who they assumed were relatively safe. Out of 210 different substances tested, they found a total of 167 in the group with an average of 91 toxins in each person’s body, including industrial chemicals, heavy metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), insecticides, dioxin, and benzene.5 Of the 91 toxins found in the average person, at least 53 are known to suppress the immune system. This is a key piece of the puzzle when it comes to understanding today’s autoimmune epidemic and the surge in chronic illness.

Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle is a good place to start when it comes to keeping your immune system functioning optimally. I recommend a two-step approach for taming the toxins: 1.) minimize your exposure, and 2.) support your detox pathways. However, the bombardment of environmental toxins we face each day–in the form of water and air pollution, pesticides and herbicides in our food, and chemicals in our beauty products and cleaning products–requires us to turn to our body’s most powerful methods of detoxification to keep up with our individual toxic burdens. That’s where glutathione comes in!

The Health Benefits of Glutathione
Detoxifies Mold and Heavy Metals

Mycotoxins and heavy metals can build up in your system, leading to a whole host of issues–including allergies, eczema, and autoimmune disease–and can prevent you from achieving optimal health. When I see someone struggling with chronic symptoms even after addressing the other pillars of The Myers Way®, I often suspect mold toxicity or heavy metal overload.

As your body’s “master detoxifier”, glutathione binds to toxins and pulls them out of your system so you can safely and effectively flush them out of your system.

Scavenges Free Radicals

One of the primary functions of glutathione is to relieve your body of oxidative stress, which is when your DNA becomes damaged due to an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants in your blood. Oxidative stress is at the root of myriad chronic illnesses, including diabetes, atherosclerosis, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and cancer.6

Glutathione is by far your body’s most potent free radical scavenger, and can even protect your DNA from the most notorious free radicals including advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Boosts Energy Production

Glutathione is responsible for coordinating the activity of antioxidants in your cells, including Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and free radical fighters CoQ10 and Ubiquinol. This activity clears your cells of toxins and protects your cells and their mitochondria (the “power plants” in cells that provide your body with fuel known as ATP) from oxidative damage, allowing them to function at peak efficiency.

Supports Immune Health

Something I notice all the time in my patients with autoimmunity is depleted glutathione levels. Without enough glutathione, you are more susceptible to attacks on your immune system, as toxins, heavy metals, and free radicals are allowed to accumulate and wreak havoc on your body.

Optimal glutathione levels can help support immune health by boosting white blood cell count. White blood cells are immune cells that defend your body against infections, disease pathogens, and even cancer cells!

How to Increase Glutathione Levels Naturally

If you have an MTHFR mutation or a SNP on the GSTM1 gene, you don’t detoxify heavy metals as well or process glutathione as efficiently as most people. And if you have an autoimmune condition or another chronic illness, that means your glutathione levels have been depleted and are currently suboptimal. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can increase your glutathione levels to enhance immune function naturally.

Foods

Sulfurous vegetables such as onions and garlic, as well as cruciferous veggies including broccoli, kale, cauliflower, and cabbage can help your body make its own glutathione. However, if you have autoimmunity, mold toxicity, heavy metal overload, or another chronic illness, getting enough glutathione to overcome your condition from foods alone can be a challenge.

Supplements

Supplementing with glutathione is particularly important for those with compromised immune systems. I have seen amazing results in myself and my patients with autoimmune disease, toxic mold exposure, heavy metal overload, lyme, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue when taking a glutathione supplement. In fact, glutathione is so helpful for people with autoimmunity that it’s one of the three supplements in my Autoimmune Trio kit, available now for a limited time! Along with glutathione, the Autoimmune Trio also includes curcumin and resveratrol, and these three supplements taken together potentiate one another, meaning their effect is even stronger! You can read all about these supplements (and the two other supplements I recommend for everyone with autoimmunity) in this article.

While its use is critical for those with autoimmune conditions, glutathione is so powerful that I recommend it to anyone who wants to reach peak optimal health! Research has shown that glutathione can help maintain lean muscle mass, reduce recovery time, and shift metabolism from fat production to muscle development, making it an excellent choice for athletes.7 It’s also great for nights of indulging. Although I rarely ever drink alcohol and recommend only drinking on special occasions, I always take my glutathione before imbibing to combat the toxic alcohol byproducts that produce a hangover.

Here’s where you need to be careful though–glutathione is definitely one of those supplements that you get what you pay for. In fact, most glutathione supplements out there simply don’t work! When I was sick from toxic mold, I tried every glutathione on the market to help my body get rid of the toxins–and wasn’t getting any response. That’s because glutathione is typically not well absorbed when taken orally.

To be absorbed by your body, glutathione supplements must be in the proper form. The “liposomal” form has been advertised as being able to penetrate your cells, however I personally haven’t found it to be effective in myself or my patients. The best way to absorb it is with IV glutathione, which is considered the gold standard. However, this method is expensive and not very convenient.

The good news is that after a very LONG search, I found a form of glutathione that is acetylated and uses nanotechnology, which prevents it from getting broken down in your gut, allowing it to be absorbed. I can confidently say that the glutathione supplement I carry in my store is the most effective oral form of glutathione available!

With my history of autoimmunity, heavy metal overload and toxic mold exposure, I make sure to take it myself every single day. And I stock up and take extra when I travel (due to my increase toxin and mold exposure) or any time I feel I might get sick. So if you’re ready to feel the impact of glorious glutathione for yourself, be sure to add this into your daily routine!

Now Available for a Limited Time: The Autoimmune Trio!

I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve bundled together a very special, limited edition release of my 3 favorite supplements for supporting optimal immune function and inflammatory balance in the face of autoimmunity.

The Autoimmune Trio contains:

Glutathione, your body’s most powerful detoxifier
Curcumin for quelling inflammation
Resveratrol, a potent free radical scavenger

These three nutrients are critical if you’re struggling with autoimmunity, or are just looking to achieve optimal health! Plus, they potentiate one another, meaning they are even more powerful when taken together!

And, now through Thursday, August 9th at midnight CST, you can SAVE 15% on the Autoimmune Trio or 10% on each individual supplement.

>>Click here now to SAVE 15% on The Autoimmune Trio and start tackling your autoimmunity right away!<<

The post The #1 Nutrient for Detoxification, Immune Health, and All-Day Energy appeared first on Amy Myers MD.

10 Solutions for Hashimoto’s Fatigue

Oftentimes, exhaustion is simply the result of our fast-paced schedules, and after a little rest or time off, we feel rejuvenated. When rest or even extended “time-off” doesn’t sufficiently alleviate fatigue, this can be a red flag for thyroid dysfunction. Fatigue plagues the majority of individuals diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, a form of slowed thyroid function called hypothyroidism. If you have received a Hashimoto’s diagnosis, the good news is that you can now know exactly what is causing your fatigue, as well as what to do to take back your energy and your health! You do not have to stay exhausted, dragging yourself through your days, wondering how you can get your energy back. You CAN overcome Hashimoto’s fatigue and reclaim your health and vitality! In this article, I’ll be sharing 10 ways to regain your energy if you’ve been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s.

What is Hashimoto’s?

Before I explain how to resolve Hashimoto’s fatigue, let me quickly recap what is causing your fatigue in the first place.

Your thyroid, a small butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck, is part of your endocrine system, which produces many hormones that control metabolism, mood, body temperature, breathing, and even heart rate. As you can see, a healthy functioning thyroid is paramount to feeling your best and having plenty of energy!1

Hashimoto’s is a reversible condition in which your immune system is attacking your thyroid by mistake. When the immune system attacks the thyroid, this leads to inflammation known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, leading to an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). Hashimoto’s primarily affects middle-aged women, though it can occur in men and women of any age and in children too. It is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States. A doctor can test your thyroid function to help detect Hashimoto’s.2

Resetting your immune system is a pivotal factor in overcoming Hashimoto’s, and I explain how to do this in my book, The Thyroid Connection.

Whether you have been dealing with Hashimoto’s for years, are newly diagnosed, or suspect your fatigue may be caused by Hashimoto’s, there are a few key areas you can address to regain your energy and get back to feeling like yourself!

10 Solutions for Hashimoto’s Fatigue

1. Ensure Your Thyroid Lab Results Are Optimal

Your TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) lab results are a key component in understanding your thyroid health. Most endocrinologists measure TSH levels as the gold standard for determining thyroid health, and report a “normal” range as healthy. However, I recommend you ask for a copy of your lab results because there is a great deal of variance in what is considered “normal” TSH concentrations. You are looking for optimal TSH levels, rather than normal, in order to overcome Hashimoto’s fatigue and restore your energy.

In addition to TSH, you also want to measure the levels of your other thyroid hormones. Your thyroid gland produces T4, the stored form of hormones, and converts this to T3 (triiodothyronine) the active form of hormones. We call this “Free T3”, which keeps your metabolism going and serves as the main “energy” hormone in your body. Free T3 causes your cells to produce more energy, so it’s important to ensure that you have adequate levels of active T3, as it tells your body to boost metabolism thus creating more energy. It’s also a good idea to confirm that you don’t have high levels of a hormone called Reverse T3, which can block thyroid receptors and slow energy production.

Have your doctor run a full thyroid panel to make sure your TSH, Free T4 (FT4), Free T3 (FT3), and Reverse T3 (RT3) levels are all optimal. You should also get your levels of Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOAb) and Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb) tested for a complete picture of thyroid health. In my practice, I have found that the following ranges are the ones in which my patients (and myself) thrive:

TSH 1-2 UIU/ML or lower (Armour or compounded T3 can artificially suppress TSH)
FT4 >1.1 NG/DL
FT3 > 3.2 PG/ML
RT3 less than a 10:1 ratio RT3:FT3
TPO – TgAb – < 4 IU/ML or negative

For more information on interpreting your lab results, read my article, What Your Thyroid Lab Results Really Mean.

2. Confirm You Are on the Right Type and Dose of Supplemental Thyroid Hormone

After you understand your lab work and know all your thyroid hormone levels, you can better work with your doctor to confirm you are on the right type and dose of supplemental thyroid hormone.

The most commonly prescribed supplemental thyroid hormone is a T4-only hormone, such as Synthroid® or Levoxyl®. Many thyroid patients have difficulty converting T4 to T3, and do better on natural desiccated thyroid hormone, such as Armour® or Naturethroid®, which includes both T4 and T3. You can also add in a T3-only form of supplemental thyroid hormone, such as Cytomel® or a compounded time-release T3 formula. For more details, read my article Which Thyroid Medication is Best for Hashimoto’s.

3. Check Your Stomach Acid Levels

It is quite common for people with Hashimoto’s to have low stomach acid. Low stomach acid inhibits digestion and can cause immense fatigue. This is a problem for anyone with thyroid dysfunction, as it blocks your body from absorbing the key nutrients which are so necessary for a healthy thyroid and subsequent energy production. Your stomach acid is what breaks down food in your gut and allows your body to reap all the benefits of key nutrients.

Indicators of low stomach acid include bloating, acid reflux, and gas after eating. This is especially common after consuming high protein meals, which require more stomach acid to digest. To test your stomach acid levels at home, you can take one capsule of HCL with water before a meal, and if you have a burning sensation in your stomach 30 minutes after you eat, you do not have low stomach acid. Otherwise, you likely need to take a supplemental form of stomach acid.

4. Address Anemia

Anemia can also accompany Hashimoto’s, primarily for middle-aged menstruating women. Iron deficiency can be a cause of anemia, yet there are actually 3 nutrient deficiencies linked to this condition–iron, B12, and folate.

Your doctor will most likely test your hemoglobin and hematocrit only. If you test low for iron, I recommend a daily iron supplement, specifically ferritin (the protein that stores your iron). B12 taken in sublingual drop form can mitigate a B12 deficiency.

Folate (vitamin B9) is another common deficiency in Hashimoto’s patients leading to fatigue. Folate helps your body with cell growth. Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate. You can increase your intake of foods containing folate such as broccoli, lamb, and beets, or take a high-quality multivitamin that contain B vitamins. 3 B vitamins are essential for energy production and transporting oxygen throughout your body to keep you feeling awake and invigorated. The one I carry in my store contains pre-methylated forms of B vitamins including folate in its natural form, as synthetic folic acid is difficult for the body to convert to its active state and has been implicated in health problems such as increased cancer risk.4

5. Optimize Your Diet

Believe it or not, what you are eating and not eating can make all the difference in your overall health, including your thyroid. By simply cutting out inflammatory foods and adding in nutrient dense foods that nourish your body and strengthen your immune system you can see your thyroid dysfunction improve, your energy return and experience better health overall. See this article for some of the best foods you should be eating if you have Hashimoto’s.

As for foods to eliminate that simply drain your energy, I recommend all my patients ditch the two biggest offenders, gluten and dairy. Gluten and dairy are highly inflammatory and can directly cause your immune system to attack your thyroid through a phenomenon known as molecular mimicry.

I also recommend eliminating corn, soy, nightshades, eggs, nuts, and seeds while you work to restore thyroid function, as these can elicit an immune response as well. If you are consuming any processed or sugary foods, replace them with whole, organic produce and grass-fed organic meats or wild caught salmon.

My new cookbook, The Autoimmune Solution Cookbook, is full of quick and delicious recipes and desserts you can enjoy while you watch your health turn around! I also have a NEW Clean Greens Superfood Juice Powder, which contains 14 powerful organic plant foods and is a great way to ensure you’re getting adequate nutrition on a daily basis. You can simply stir it into some water or add it into your morning smoothie for an all-natural pick-me-up!

6. Take a High Quality Multivitamin

After you optimize your diet, you will experience the benefits of nutrient-dense, organic whole foods. I want to reiterate how important key nutrients are for your thyroid to function optimally. From iron, to folate, to B12 and many others, your thyroid relies on these nutrients to perform all of its tasks. Taking a high quality multivitamin is imperative because modern agricultural practices rob our soil of valuable minerals, and honestly, most of us just don’t consume enough nutrient-dense foods. My custom-formulated multivitamin includes all of the vitamins and minerals necessary for thyroid health and general wellness in their most bioavailable and easily absorbable forms.

7. Keep Your Blood Sugar Balanced

To reduce fatigue further, you will need to keep your blood sugar balanced. Eating a low-glycemic, nutrient-rich diet offers many health benefits, primarily maintaining higher energy levels throughout the day. You will feel fuller longer, and you will avoid the sluggish blood sugar roller coaster caused by reactive hypoglycemia. This occurs when your blood sugar spikes and drops as a result of consuming sugary, processed foods. The rise and fall of insulin encourages your body to convert T4 to Reverse T3, instead of Free T3. Reverse T3, the inactive form of thyroid hormone, slows metabolic processes and contributes to fatigue.

Along with healthy fats such as avocados and , I recommend protein with every meal in the form of grass-fed meats, wild-caught fish, or my delicious Paleo Protein, which supports blood sugar balance and increases energy.

8. Increase Your Sun Exposure

Simply stepping outside accomplishes two ways to help you reduce fatigue. It reduces stress and increases your vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency is very common in people with Hashimoto’s. You don’t have to exert any energy to increase your daily dose of sunshine! Just sit in a lawn chair or throw out a blanket and catch some rays. Just 10-15 minutes per day is sufficient to increase your vitamin D, unless you live in northern latitudes–in which case you’d need to take a vitamin D supplement year-round. That being said, I recommend everyone take a vitamin D supplement regardless of where you live because of the amount of time we spend indoors, and how we tend to cover up with sunscreen when outside to avoid the harmful effects of UV rays.

Including wild-caught salmon and cod liver oil in your diet can also help increase your vitamin D levels.

9. Resolve Adrenal Fatigue

Your adrenal glands, located at the top of each kidney, are a part of your endocrine system along with your thyroid. The adrenals produce hormones that control blood sugar, burn protein and fat, react to stress, and regulate blood pressure. You are probably familiar with the adrenal hormones cortisol and adrenaline (also known as your “stress hormones”). Chronic stress, common to many of us, can lead to adrenal fatigue as a result of overactive adrenals.

The inundation of stress hormones is hard on your body, especially your thyroid. It slows your thyroid and the conversion of inactive T4 to FT3 and increases thyroid hormone resistance, which causes fatigue. So, it is in your best interest to find a way to reduce chronic stress! Whether it’s listening to relaxing music, spending time in nature, watching a funny movie, or soaking in the tub, find a way to relax and your thyroid health will improve.5

10. Detox

We are exposed to toxins daily in the food we eat and in our environment. This can wreak havoc on your health-especially your liver, which is working so hard to eliminate toxins from your body. An increased toxic burden can increase fatigue significantly, especially if you are already dealing with thyroid dysfunction. Optimizing your diet and eating foods that support your body’s natural detoxification pathways can help decrease Hashimoto’s fatigue. For ideas, read my article 8 Foods to Help You Detox Naturally.

To tame the toxins in your environment, I recommend filtering your water and air, using non-toxic cleaning products and beauty products, and ensuring mold is not present in your home.

Incorporate these 10 strategies into your life to overcome Hashimoto’s fatigue, and watch your health transform and your energy return! Remember, your health is a life-long journey. You’re worth the effort!

The post 10 Solutions for Hashimoto’s Fatigue appeared first on Amy Myers MD.

Piña Colada Coconut Ice Cream

If you’re finding yourself fantasizing about enjoying a tropical treat next to beach umbrellas and crystal clear oceans, yet want to avoid sugary cocktails, why not try my Piña Colada Coconut Ice Cream instead?

I am currently enjoying this ice cream on my beach vacation in South Carolina right now and feel absolutely transported to the tropics! You can feel like you’re on your own island getaway by making this recipe–no air fare required!

With my Piña Colada Coconut Ice Cream, you can beat the heat AND score a hefty dose of skin-loving Vitamin C, thanks to ultra-hydrating pineapple! Plus, this “ice cream” is sugar-free, dairy-free and full of healthy fats and inflammation-busting turmeric, so you won’t need to feel guilty about having seconds! Enjoy!

Piña Colada Coconut Ice Cream





CourseDessert, Snack

ProtocolAutoimmune Solution (AIP), Candida Control & SIBO, Elimination Diet, Paleo, Thyroid Connection





Servings2-4 people







Ingredients








3cups

frozen pineapple

1

bananasliced and frozen

2cups

full fat coconut milk

1tsp

turmeric

2-4drops

liquid Stevia(optional)










Instructions









Place all ingredients into a high speed blender. Blend until smooth and combined.



Pour ice cream into a loaf pan or glass storage container. Let freeze for 6 hours or overnight.



When ready to serve, let sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften. Top with toasted coconut for an extra decadent treat!

The post Piña Colada Coconut Ice Cream appeared first on Amy Myers MD.