Amy Myers's Blog, page 57

8 Foods to Help You Detox Naturally

Detox! You can’t walk into a health food store today without seeing this word touted on countless product labels lining the shelves. From 21 day “detox” programs to full body “cleanses” your detoxification choices are limitless. You’ll find recipes for homemade “detox” concoctions of ginger and cayenne water to a myriad of juices, supplements, and hot teas. We are inundated with this message that we need to “detox” to be truly healthy, however what does this really mean, and is it even necessary?

Every day, we are bombarded with toxins thanks to our modern lifestyles – from the air we breathe, to the water we drink, to the food we eat, to the products we put on our bodies and in our homes. In fact, the CDC estimates that 80% of all illnesses have environmental and lifestyle causes. This is why taming the toxins is the 3rd pillar of The Myers Way®. Fortunately, there are a number of foods to help you detox naturally that you can easily add to your daily diet.

First, let’s dive into what detoxing is all about and why the need for a “detox” might be more than just hype.

What is Detoxification?

Despite the new trend of detoxification, this is not at all a new tenant of natural health. Detoxification methods of healing date back thousands of years–all the way back to Hippocrates, who is known as the “Father of Western Medicine.” Detoxification by definition is the physiological removal of toxic substances from within your body. Your lymph and circulatory systems detoxify your individual cells, while detoxification on a broader scale is mainly carried out by your liver, kidneys, and intestines. Other organs such as your bowels, lungs and skin also play a part in excreting toxins from your body.1

“Toxicity” is determined by the degree to which a chemical substance or a particular mixture of substances can damage your body in any way. In short, a toxin is a substance that is poisonous to your body. This includes heavy metals, pesticides, pollutants, GMOs, food additives and a multiplicity of chemicals. Unfortunately these toxic substances hide in everything from the water you drink, to the air you breathe, the food you eat, your cosmetics and personal care products, and the cleaning products you use in your home. Toxins are even emitted from your cookware. Currently, in the US alone, there are over 80,000 chemicals registered for use with little to no testing. The government leaves it up to the companies themselves to do the testing and tell us whether their product is “safe.”

Bioaccumulation, the accumulation of toxins in the human body, is a major contributing factor to the increase in chronic conditions such as asthma, allergies, cancer, mental conditions and a host of autoimmune issues. Because we are at the top of the food chain, when we eat meat that is not organic, we are consuming all of the antibiotics, growth hormones and other chemicals given to the animals, as well as the herbicides and pesticides sprayed on the grains fed to those animals. This is why I recommend eating only organic, grass-fed meats. Likewise, I recommend organic produce over conventional, which is contaminated with insecticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals.

What Can You Do to Support Natural Detoxification?

When your body’s natural detoxification system is overwhelmed by excess exposure to toxins, poor diet, stress and infections, your body needs extra support for your detox pathways. And if you have an autoimmune condition, your body is even less equipped to deal with toxins. To help manage your toxic burden, you can take detox supporting supplements and you can also include certain foods that help support your detox pathways, which I outline below, into your daily routine.

I recommend a 2-step approach to tame the toxins. The first step is prevention, and this requires some intentional steps. I do this by eating only organic food, and by making my home as toxin-free as possible. You can minimize the toxins in your home by incorporating the following methods:

Clean your air. Did you know that indoor air is 2-5 times MORE polluted than outdoor air? For this reason, I recommend using a HEPA filter in your home and office. Check out this article for more tips on how to detox the air in your home.
Clean your water. Whether it’s water you are drinking or bathing in, you can eliminate the toxins in your water by installing filters in your home on the faucets and shower heads or by having a full-house filtration system installed. Avoid drinking out of plastic bottles as well.
Buy clean food. Eat only organic food, including organic produce and meats. This can get expensive, so if you have to choose, buy organic meat first. Due to bioaccumulation, meat that is not organic can be the most toxic to your body. Simply put, when you eat meat that is not organic, you are also eating the “accumulation” of toxins which the animals are exposed to, from the pesticides sprayed on the grains they eat to the antibiotics they are given. In The Autoimmune Solution, I help you prioritize your grocery list by explaining which foods have the highest and lowest concentrations of toxins.
Buy clean body products. You shouldn’t put anything on your skin that you wouldn’t eat, because your skin absorbs whatever you put on it. If you can’t replace all your personal care products at once, you can replace them slowly. Make it your goal to eventually have all clean beauty products.
Buy clean household cleaners. I also recommend using DIY cleaning products, as your household cleaning products can be highly toxic.

Because exposure to some toxins in our environment is unavoidable, the second step for taming the toxins is through natural means. To support your body’s natural detoxification, I recommend drinking lots of water to enable your body’s ability to eliminate toxins. I also recommend you do something every day that makes you sweat. Whether you exercise or sit in an infrared sauna, sweating equals detoxification! If you are on the autoimmune spectrum, your body has a harder time detoxifying, so supplements play a big role in supporting your liver as it excretes toxins–specifically, glutathione, or N-Acetyl-Cysteine (a precursor to glutathione). Coconut charcoal is also optimal for binding and chelating toxins.

Eating foods that support your body’s ability to detox is another great way to flush the toxins from your body. Let’s take a look at some of the best foods to help you detox naturally.

1. Chlorella

Chlorella tops the list of detoxifying foods for many reasons. This freshwater algae, native to Taiwan and Japan, is a “superstar” superfood replete with phytonutrients, amino acids, chlorophyll, beta-carotene, potassium, phosphorous, biotin, magnesium and B-complex vitamins. It is by far one of the most nutrient dense superfoods for supporting your immune system. In fact, a 1-ounce (3 tbsp) serving of chlorella contains:

Protein: 16g
Vitamin A: 287% RDA
Vitamin B2: 71% RDA
Vitamin B3: 33% RDA
Iron: 202% RDA
Magnesium: 22% RDA
Zinc: 133% RDA

Chlorella provides a host of health benefits. Primarily it helps your body detox or “chelate” heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury and uranium, and keeps them from being reabsorbed.2

If you have mercury fillings, for example, or consume large amounts of fish, you most likely have elevated levels of heavy metals in your body. We are also exposed to metals in our water, makeup and personal care products, and conventional produce. To determine if you have heavy metal toxicity, you can ask your doctor to test your blood with a red blood cell test or a hair test. You can also have a urine “challenge” done. You can read more about this in my article, “How to Test for and Address Mercury Overload.”

Another amazing health benefit of chlorella is its ability to help detoxify the body of radioactive particles resulting from chemotherapy and ultraviolet radiation treatments commonly used to treat cancer. This is due to its high levels of chlorophyll. The list of health benefits is extensive with this amazing superfood, however today I’m just focusing on its detoxification “super power”!3,4

2. Spirulina

Spirulina, a cousin of chlorella, also offers immense detoxification support to your body. This blue-green algae, also called a cyanobacterium, originates from both fresh and salt water sources. It is another power house of nutrition! It’s so impressive as a superfood, that NASA now sends it in space for our astronauts to consume to stay healthy.5

A single tablespoon (7 grams) of dried spirulina powder contains:

Protein: 4 grams
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin): 11% of the RDA
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): 15% of the RDA
Vitamin B3 (Niacin): 4% of the RDA
Copper: 21% of the RDA
Iron: 11% of the RDA

It also contains magnesium, potassium and manganese. Similar to chlorella’s chlorophyll, Spirulina’s driving engine is a compound called phycocyanine, which has significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, therefore inhibiting cell oxidative damage. This damage contributes to chronic inflammation, cancer and autoimmunity in general.

Among the many other health benefits of spirulina, it has been shown to help patients detoxify from heavy metal exposure – mainly in the form of arsenic. The World Health Organization has labeled arsenic toxicity as a global problem around the world including the US. Chronic arsenic toxicity is the result of exposure to arsenic primarily in ground water. The effects can be very damaging and can be seen even years after exposure. Arsenic is a known carcinogen which affects many organs. Spirulina, which is also very high in chlorophyll, can counteract this damage by removing toxins from the blood stream while strengthening the immune system.6,7,8

3. Turmeric

Turmeric is a perennial herb in the ginger family containing a phytochemical called curcumin. This gives it the distinctive deep golden color so commonly associated with curry, of which turmeric is a key ingredient. Turmeric’s surge in popularity in the Western World is due to its medicinal properties that offer all the health benefits without the negative side effects of conventional drugs. This amazing spice provides wonderful detoxification support for your body.

Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent reducing pain associated with autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. In regards to detoxification, curcumin helps your liver process metabolic waste and toxins by stimulating your gallbladder to release bile, which in turn improves liver function. Bile cleanses your liver and rejuvenates liver cells. Bile also prevents toxins from being converted to harmful compounds that damage your liver.

Because turmeric only contains about 2-5% curcuminoids by weight I recommend taking a curcumin supplement to maintain optimal levels (particularly if you have an autoimmune condition). However, making turmeric part of your daily diet is also a powerful tool for detoxification.

So, how can you add this miraculous spice to your menu? Along with traditional Indian-style curries, my golden milk recipe is unbelievably delicious! Curcumin is best absorbed when consumed with some fat (found in the coconut oil) and black pepper. Piperine or bioperine, the substance found in black pepper, enhances the absorption of curcumin. Without the piperine, most of the curcumin would just pass through your digestive tract.

4. Ginger

Ginger is a flowering plant closely related to turmeric. The root, or rhizome, of the plant has been used for thousands of years as an anti-inflammatory agent and antioxidant. Ginger is definitely a main contender in the world of detoxification. You will find it is a common ingredient in detox and cleansing recipes and supplements–for good reason!

Ginger stimulates digestion, circulation, and sweating, which are your body’s three main avenues of natural detoxification! This rids your body of the build-up of waste and toxins in the colon, liver, and other organs. Ginger has a high concentration of gingerol and shoga, both of which offer anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects on your gastrointestinal system. Ginger also helps to maintain digestive enzymes. This can alleviate a wide variety of digestive issues from stomach pain to gas and bloating.9

5. Leafy Greens

Leafy greens are a fabulous way to support your body’s natural detoxification, so add them to as many meals as you can on a daily basis! Certain leafy greens rank high on the list including spinach, kale, moringa leaf, alfalfa leaf and parsley.

Leafy greens are chock full of minerals, including iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium, and vitamins, including some B vitamins as well as vitamins K, C, E. Many of these nutrients are involved in the detoxification process. They are full of fiber, which makes them slow to digest and good for detoxifying your bowels.

Leafy greens contain a variety of phytonutrients including beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. They also contain chlorophyll, which gives them their green pigment. As I explained above, chlorophyll is great for detoxifying heavy metals and toxins from your body.10

6. Apples

An apple a day really can keep the doctor away! Apples provide amazing detoxification support for your liver. The pectin and malic acid in apples, particularly the Granny Smith variety, offer a one two punch to the toxins in your body! The soluble fiber in the pectin helps remove cholesterol and toxins from your blood, while the malic acid is a cleansing nutrient that removes carcinogens and toxins from your blood. Remember to eat only organic apples as their conventionally grown counterparts are highly contaminated with pesticides.11

7. Broccoli Sprouts

It’s true, you should eat your broccoli! More specifically, eat broccoli sprouts. Broccoli contains a chemical called sulforaphane, which fights malignant cancer cells in the body. New research by Johns Hopkins has shown the ability of this chemical to detoxify carcinogens before they actually cause harm to the body. Some functional medicine practitioners recommend avoiding cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli, because they contain goitrogens. However, I have found that the health benefits far outweigh the minimal risk. You can further reduce any impact on your thyroid by cooking any cruciferous vegetables.

8. Beets

Beets are another blood-cleansing and purifying food, which your liver loves! A cleansed bloodstream and “happy” liver results in increased nutrient production in your body. Beets are also high in antioxidants and many nutrients including folate, pectin fiber, iron, betaine, betalains, betacyanin, and betanin. They also contain pectin, a natural blood cleanser. It is important to assist your body in eliminating toxins by eating a diet high in fiber to prevent reabsorption, and beets do this beautifully!

Ready to put these detoxifying foods to the test? Check out some of my favorite detox recipes including my Ginger Avocado Green Smoothie and cruciferous-rich Parsnip and Cauliflower Soup!

The post 8 Foods to Help You Detox Naturally appeared first on Amy Myers MD.

Video: Do We Really Need Supplements?

The supplement industry is expansive and growing every year. This may lead you to wonder, “Do we really need supplements?” While I would answer this question with a resounding YES, it can still be tricky to figure out which supplements are personally right for you.

I went LIVE on my Facebook page to help clear up some of the confusion and offer you my professional expertise when it comes to navigating the wide world of supplementation. You can watch the replay video below.

Resources I Mentioned
Books:

The Autoimmune Solution

The Thyroid Connection

The Autoimmune Solution Cookbook

Supplements:

Essentials Kit

Multivitamin

Probiotic 30 Billion

Probiotic 100 Billion

Primal Earth Probiotic

Infant Probiotic

Complete Omega-3

Vitamin D/K2

Methylation Support

Paleo Protein

Collagen Protein

The post Video: Do We Really Need Supplements? appeared first on Amy Myers MD.

What’s in Your Sunscreen: Six Ingredients to Avoid This Summer

As we head into a holiday weekend and the peak of summer, you’re bound to be stocking up on sunscreen to protect your family during long days at the lake or by the pool. However, the sunscreen that you’re about to buy and slather on yourself and your children likely contains harmful and toxic chemicals that might actually cause more harm than good.

As I always remind my patients, what you put on your body is just as important as what you put in it! Your skin is your largest organ, and it’s your body’s protective barrier against the outside world. Our skin can absorb much of what we put on it, so this means that harmful chemicals in body products, including those in sunscreens, can enter your bloodstream and circulate throughout your body, wreaking havoc on your immune and endocrine systems. This is crucial to think about when it comes to putting something on your child’s skin. Children are smaller in size, which means that their skin presents a larger surface area relative to their body weight for absorption of environmental substances. In addition, their endocrine system and in some cases, immune system, are still developing.

Like many body products, popular sunscreens contain an alarming number of toxins. This week The Environmental Working Group (EWG) released their 2018 Guide to Sunscreens, which includes a list of which chemicals to look out for, and their top picks for the safest brands and products. To make safe and educated buying decisions this season, check sunscreen labels for the most common and concerning ingredients below.

 

6 Toxins to Avoid in Sunscreen

Oxybenzone – This chemical absorbs and filters UV light and is therefore a common ingredient in sunscreen, despite causing relatively high rates of skin allergies. It also penetrates the skin at very high rates and acts like estrogen once it enters your bloodstream, disrupting your endocrine system, reducing sperm production, and potentially causing endometriosis.


Octinoxate – Octinoxate is also readily absorbed via the skin and also disrupts your endocrine system by mimicking hormonal activity that can affect the reproductive system and thyroid.


Retinyl Palmitate – A form of Vitamin A, this chemical is used in a large number of sunscreens and SPF- containing moisturizers and lip balms because it is believed to slow skin aging. But, when exposed to sunlight, it has been shown to speed the development of malignant cells and skin tumors because UV rays cause the compound to break down and produce destructive free radicals.


Homosalate – This common ingredient also helps sunscreen penetrate your skin and disrupts hormone balances. It can accumulate in your body faster than your body can detoxify it through your liver, lingering in your body and increasing your toxic burden.


Octocrylene – This is yet another ingredient that is easily absorbed by the skin and produces free radicals that can cause mutations and damage cells when exposed to UV rays.


Parabens – Parabens are a group of synthetic compounds commonly added to cosmetics and body products because they prevent the growth of fungus and bacteria. They are dangerous because, like so many ingredients in this list, they disrupt hormone functions, potentially leading to increased risk of breast cancer and reproductive toxicity. Five common types of parabens have been banned in the EU, and the FDA is under pressure to ban them in the U.S.

 

3 Safe Alternatives to Toxic Sunscreens

Beautycounter is my go-to brand for toxin-free sunscreen and body products. I trust Beautycounter for their transparency of ingredients and their commitment to safe, natural, and sustainable alternatives. Beautycounter’s line of sunscreens has consistently been EWG verified and has a rating of 1 this year, meaning very low-hazard. Their brand new line of sunscreens (below) will be added to the list in June.

The following mineral-based sunscreens are made with zinc oxide and ingredients such as antioxidant-rich California poppy, making them great for kids and people with sensitive skin. They are water-resistant and free of preservatives, allergens, and chemicals that can damage coral reefs–so they are safe for the environment too! Plus, now through May 28th you will receive a FREE gift when you spend $125!

Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30


Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Stick, SPF 30


Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Mist, SPF 30

As you shop and pack for the holiday weekend, summer vacations, trips to the lake, and even afternoons at the pool, remember to think consciously about what you’re putting on your and your children’s skin and the effect those chemicals can have on your family’s health.

 

The post What’s in Your Sunscreen: Six Ingredients to Avoid This Summer appeared first on Amy Myers MD.

Watermelon Mojito Mocktail

Looking for a refreshing pick-me-up to drink at your Memorial Day BBQ that’s also AIP-friendly? Then you’re going to LOVE this Watermelon Mojito Mocktail!

Watermelon is super hydrating and delivers you a hefty dose of vitamins A and C, lycopene, and antioxidants! Lime adds a nice tart contrast to the sweetness of this mocktail, while mint delivers an extra layer of freshness and gives it that classic mojito flavor!

Double or triple this recipe and make a whole pitcher, because this one’s sure to be a hit with your friends and family!

Watermelon Mojito Mocktail





CourseBeverage

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





Servings2 people







Ingredients








3cups

watermelondiced

2

limesjuiced

1 1/2tsp

coconut sugar(optional)

18

fresh mint leaves

1cup

sparkling water










Instructions









In a blender, combine watermelon, lime juice, and coconut sugar, if using.



Muddle mint leaves into the bottom of each glass. Evenly pour watermelon mixture into each cup. Add ice and top with sparkling water. Stir to combine.

The post Watermelon Mojito Mocktail appeared first on Amy Myers MD.

Video: Your Autoimmune Questions Answered

The Autoimmune Solution Live Challenge begins this Sunday! I hope you’ll join me and my dedicated team, along with hundreds of other autoimmune challengers who know what you’re going through, to reverse your symptoms and take back your health once and for all.

To help you get started, I went LIVE on my Facebook page to answer all of your questions about this life-changing program! You can check out the video below.

Are you ready to tackle autoimmunity and reverse your symptoms together with me, my RD Dana, and hundreds of people just like you? This is the ONLY Autoimmune Solution Live Challenge happening this year, and enrollment ends on Thursday, May 24th at midnight CST, so don’t wait!

Time is running out! Sign up today!

The post Video: Your Autoimmune Questions Answered appeared first on Amy Myers MD.

Video: 8 Truths About Autoimmunity Conventional Medicine is Keeping From You

Do you have lupus, Hashimoto’s, rheumatoid arthritis, Graves’, Sjögren’s, or another autoimmune disorder that’s keeping you from living your best life?

And have you been passed from specialist to specialist who offer you no solutions other than harsh medications with a long list of uncomfortable (and often dangerous!) side effects?

If your doctors have let you down, you’re not alone! I’ve been through it myself, and I’m happy to share with you that there IS another way. I recently went LIVE on my Facebook page to discuss 8 truths about autoimmunity that conventional medicine is keeping from you, so if you missed it, check out the video below!

And don’t forget to sign up for my FREE live webinar, 5 Ways To Reverse Autoimmune Disease (That Your Doctor Won’t Tell You), happening TOMORROW, Thursday May 17th at 3PM CST! This is your last day to register, so don’t wait!

Register now!

Resources I Mentioned:

The Autoimmune Solution

The Thyroid Connection

The Autoimmune Solution Cookbook

FREE Live Webinar: 5 Ways To Reverse Autoimmune Disease (That Your Doctor Won’t Tell You)

The post Video: 8 Truths About Autoimmunity Conventional Medicine is Keeping From You appeared first on Amy Myers MD.

6 Ways Conventional Medicine Gets Autoimmune Disease Wrong

Conventional medicine is a “one-size-fits-all” approach that focuses on treating symptoms rather than trying to help you prevent chronic illness in the first place. The same is true for how it approaches autoimmune disease, an epidemic that has increased threefold over the past 50 years and affects approximately 50 million Americans, or one in five people.1 Unfortunately, conventional doctors are still using this outdated model of dealing with autoimmunity, despite the ever-increasing need for true solutions in this realm.

Now, more than ever, we need answers that conventional medicine simply can’t provide. Conventional medicine failed me, and I have made it my mission not to let it fail you too. Whether you have lupus, Hashimoto’s, Graves’, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, or one of the other hundreds of autoimmune disease, I will show you that there IS another way and you CAN find relief from your symptoms and achieve lasting wellness.

Let’s take a look at how conventional medicine gets autoimmune disease wrong, and clear up some myths that have been perpetuated by this system.

1. Your environment has nothing to do with it–it’s all in your genes

Conventional medicine would have you believe that autoimmunity is all in your genes, and you are essentially a victim of the genetic lottery. And, yes, there is a genetic component–accounting for roughly 25% of your risk of developing an autoimmune condition. However, that means 75% of your risk is environmental, whether due to leaky gut, food sensitivities, toxins, infections, stress, or a combination of factors. I find that an incredibly empowering statistic! It means YOU have the ability to manage the majority of your risk by addressing the external triggers of your autoimmunity.

2. Once you’re diagnosed, your symptoms will only get worse

Joint pain, weakness, GI distress, skin rashes, fatigue–these are all symptoms of autoimmunity that your doctor may tell you will be with you for the rest of your life; you can only expect them to worsen over time, and you will be prescribed ever-larger doses of medications that may or may not help. The fact is, autoimmunity is not a black-or-white issue. Instead, there is what I call the autoimmune spectrum, and depending on how much inflammation your body has at any given time, you can move up or down on that spectrum.

On one end you have full-blown autoimmune disease and all its accompanying symptoms. On the other end you have zero inflammation and no symptoms–although this is rare, even in the healthiest of people, because of the toxic modern world we live in. As you reduce your inflammation, you can reverse your symptoms and even see them disappear!

3. Autoimmunity is a disease of a single organ

The conventional medicine approach to autoimmune disease is one of specialization. If you have a thyroid condition, you see an endocrinologist; if you have IBS, you visit your gastroenterologist, and so on. All of these “specialists” treat autoimmune disease as if it only affected the symptomatic organ. This type of treatment is fundamentally flawed.

Autoimmunity is not a disease of a single organ. Rather, it is a disease of the immune system as a whole. Without addressing what it is that caused your immune system to go awry in the first place, you are simply masking the symptoms of a deeper issue. It is functional medicine’s approach of taking a holistic view of the body as the complex, interconnected system that it is, that makes it possible to reverse autoimmune conditions so we can properly address the epidemic we are facing today.

4. Medications are the only way to relieve your symptoms

The first line of defense in conventional medicine is not prevention. It’s medication. Now, medications aren’t all bad and can sometimes be necessary for treating acute conditions and infections. However, the problem with conventional treatment is that you are given no other option. You have to wait until you get sick for doctors to do their job, which they see as prescribing harsh medications that could have been avoided with “an ounce of prevention.” These medications often come with a long list of side effects that can make you feel worse than you did before, including weight gain, depression, increased infection rates, and even cancer! What’s more, the type of medications given to patients with autoimmunity typically work by suppressing the immune system, when what you really want is to support it.

5. Diet plays no role in autoimmune disorders

Did you know that only 30% of U.S. medical schools require students to take a course in nutrition? And only 40 schools meet the minimum 25 hours of nutrition training recommended by the National Academy of Sciences, with a national average of 23.9 hours.2 So it’s no wonder that conventional doctors do not believe in the power of diet to both trigger and reverse autoimmune disease.

If you think about it though, with nearly 80% of your immune system housed in your gut, food has an enormous influence on your immune health. Gluten is the number one culprit in causing leaky gut, which is proven by the research of Dr. Alessio Fasano to be a necessary precursor to autoimmunity. There are a number of other foods that contribute to inflammation, including dairy, corn, soy, grains, and legumes, not to mention the toxic substances we invite into our bodies every day such as sugar, alcohol, caffeine, pesticides, GMOs, and artificial ingredients found in packaged goods.

The good news is that because diet plays such a HUGE role in autoimmunity, it’s also one of the easiest ways you can take control of your health by making smart choices about what you put on your plate.

6. Autoimmune disease can’t be reversed

This is one of the biggest myths of conventional medicine, and why I went into functional medicine after my own battle with autoimmune disease. In reality, autoimmune disease CAN be reversed by repairing your gut, ditching inflammatory foods (gluten and dairy in particular), taming your toxic burden, healing your infections, and relieving your stress. By uncovering the root cause of your condition, you can address the factors that are contributing to your autoimmunity and work your way back down the autoimmune spectrum. With some simple changes to your diet and lifestyle, you can watch your symptoms vanish and start feeling your best again.

The post 6 Ways Conventional Medicine Gets Autoimmune Disease Wrong appeared first on Amy Myers MD.

AIP & Paleo Pesto Pizza

This recipe is a sneak peek from The Autoimmune Solution Cookbook.

Who doesn’t love pizza? If you’ve ditched gluten and dairy and have been missing this beloved comfort food, then my AIP & Paleo Pesto Pizza will become an instant favorite for sure!  The pizza crust comes out of the oven thin and crisp and you can use just about any thinly sliced vegetable as a topping! Enjoy!

AIP & Paleo Pesto Pizza





CourseAppetizer, Main Dish

ProtocolAutoimmune Solution (AIP), Elimination Diet, Paleo, Thyroid Connection





Servings2 people







Ingredients




Dough



2⁄3 cup

arrowroot flour

1/4cup

cassava flour

2tbsp

tigernut flour

1tsp

baking soda

1/2tsp

fine sea salt

2tbsp

extra virgin olive oil

1/2cup

filtered waterwarm





Topping



1/2cup

Tuscan Kale Pesto





Suggested Toppings





fresh arugula



olivessliced



zucchinisliced



squashsliced



spinach



fresh basil










Instructions









Heat oven to 425°F. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the arrowroot flour, cassava flour, tigernut flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Stir in the olive oil. Slowly add warm water to the bowl, and using clean hands, mix until a ball forms.



Place the dough on a sheet pan or pizza stone. Roll out the dough to a 1⁄4-inch thickness. Bake for 8 minutes or until brown.



Remove crust from the oven and top with the pesto and other desired toppings. Turn the oven to broil and return the pizza to the oven. Broil for 2 to 3 minutes, keeping an eye on the toppings to make sure they don’t burn. Remove the pizza from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before slicing.

The post AIP & Paleo Pesto Pizza appeared first on Amy Myers MD.

How Radically Changing My Diet Helped Me Reverse My Autoimmune Disease

When it comes to autoimmunity, there are a lot of myths floating around in the world of conventional medicine. One of these myths is that autoimmune disease cannot be reversed, and must simply be “managed” through harsh medications or other procedures that merely mask your symptoms. I’m here to tell you that this is not true. Autoimmune disease is a sign that there is something deeper going on in your body, and by getting to the root cause you can reverse your condition and live a symptom-free life.

How do I know this? Because I did it myself, using a radical change in my diet as the foundation of my road to recovery. I want to share this information with you so that you or your loved ones don’t have to suffer anymore. Reversing autoimmunity IS possible, and it all begins with what you put on your plate.

The Path to Autoimmunity

When you’re growing up, you eat what your family eats. For me, that meant meals featuring traditional 1970s “health” foods: mostly brown rice, tofu, sprouts, and vegetables. My mom made much of our food from scratch–whole-wheat bread, plain organic yogurt, granola and oatmeal cookies–and had a garden where she grew peppers and tomatoes. We hardly ate any packaged, processed, or canned foods, and we always ate together as a family. At age fourteen, I even became a vegetarian. It was the picture of a healthy lifestyle–or so I thought.

Flash forward to my twenties. I had just spent two exciting years as a Peace Corps volunteer in rural Paraguay, and was back in the States completing my prerequisites for medical school. That’s when I got the news.

My mom had cancer.

It didn’t make any sense. My mother had been a vision of health: she jogged every day, taught yoga, and always looked ten or fifteen years younger than she was. And yet here she was at 59 with pancreatic cancer, a disease for which conventional medicine has no cure. All they could offer my mom was chemotherapy, and even that was just to delay the inevitable.

This was a pivotal moment in my life. I learned that you can be doing all the right things—or what you believe to be the right things—and still fall terribly ill. My mother died only five months after she was diagnosed. I entered medical school the following year—and one year later I was suffering from Graves’ disease.

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune condition in which the thyroid overperforms, causing symptoms such as a racing heart, insomnia, anxiety, dizziness, and fatigue. Alarmed at my rapid weight loss, tremors, and other frightening signs that something was not right with my body, my friends finally convinced me to see a doctor. I was disheartened and frustrated when my physician dismissed my symptoms as “medical school stress.” My instincts told me there was an issue much deeper than this. I demanded a full lab workup, and it turns out I was right. I had an actual, diagnosable condition, and that was Graves’ disease.

How Our “Healthy” Diet Was Actually Making Us Sick

Little did I know that by eating a vegetarian diet, I was filling my body with inflammatory chemicals. It took me years of research to make the connection that the food I grew up on–gluten-filled bread, dairy, grains, legumes, and soy in all its forms–is what triggered my mom’s illness and my own autoimmunity. My father also had an autoimmune disease known as polymyositis (a condition marked by joint pain and muscle weakness), that I am now certain was worsened by the food that formed the basis of our family meals.

Gluten and Dairy

If you’re familiar with my books and programs, you’ll know that gluten and dairy are the two most inflammatory foods that I recommend everyone eliminate from their diets for good! These foods are a direct cause of leaky gut (a necessary precursor to autoimmunity), and wreak havoc on your immune system through molecular mimicry. This is when antibodies formed against gluten and dairy proteins in your bloodstream mistakenly attack your own tissues (the thyroid gland in particular) because of the structural and sequential similarities these proteins share with your body’s tissues.

Grains and Legumes

Grains and legumes contain harmful substances including lectins and phytic acid. Lectins such as agglutinins and prolamins are extremely difficult to digest and can be an aggravating factor in autoimmunity. Prolamins can cause cross-reactivity in those who are gluten-sensitive, so even gluten-free grains should be avoided. Phytic acid inhibits digestion and binds to certain minerals (specifically zinc, iron, and calcium) which are vital for our immune system to function properly, preventing their absorption.

Soy and Corn

As a vegetarian, I ate all things soy: tofu, soy milk, soy veggie burgers, Tofurky, you name it! Once I started researching the role diet plays in health, I realized just how damaging soy is to the body–especially in the quantities I was consuming it. Soy and corn are two of the most pervasive foods in the American diet, and also happen to be two of the most genetically-modified crops there are. GMOs have been linked to a number of disease, including rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid cancer, kidney disease, and infertility. Not to mention, both soy and corn can cross-react with gluten.

Nuts and Seeds

Vegetarians rely on nuts and seeds as a source of protein and fat. However, these seemingly healthy foods can trigger leaky gut and autoimmunity. Similar to grains and legumes, nuts and seeds contain protective compounds known as enzyme inhibitors to keep them from being digested. Their goal is to pass through your digestive tract unharmed so that when you eliminate them, they can produce a new plant. These enzyme inhibitors block the enzymes your body uses to break down protein, provoke inflammation, and activate your immune system–essentially a perfect storm for triggering autoimmunity.

Nightshades

Who would have suspected that the homegrown tomatoes and peppers from my mother’s garden were slowly poisoning us? It turns out these two vegetables, along with the rest of the nightshade family, have a dark side. For example, tomatoes contain an agglutinin that triggers an immune response by stimulating the production of antibodies. In fact, this lectin is used in vaccines for precisely that reason! You might want this effect to protect yourself against a virus, however you don’t want that kind of flare-up every time you eat a salad.

The Radical Change I Made to Reverse My Autoimmunity

After extensive research into the role foods plays in your health, and much experimentation with my own diet, I came to realize how the “healthy” foods I was eating were inflaming my body and setting me on the path to autoimmunity. My carb-heavy diet caused me to develop small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), which in turn caused my gut to become leaky, and led to a whole host of digestive and immune issues.

Luckily, I had the opportunity to attend a talk by functional medicine pioneer Dr. Mark Hyman who explained that toxins, leaky gut, and food sensitivities were at the root of nearly every chronic illness. I also learned the role gluten plays in triggering autoimmune disease–especially thyroid conditions.

With this information, I began optimizing my diet by getting rid of the inflammatory foods I had been eating my entire life. I started eating animal protein again, which my body was craving. There are a number of essential nutrients in meat that are vital for thyroid function and other bodily processes, including B vitamins, zinc, iron, amino acids, and collagen. Without these nutrients, my body was unable to perform the processes that would have helped protect my immune system against autoimmune disease.

Once I eliminated the toxic foods that were making me sick, and made grass-fed, pasture-raised meat, along with continuing to keep a rainbow of organic vegetables and fruits staples of my diet–what would become the basis of The Myers Way®–I began to see my autoimmune symptoms disappear. I no longer suffered from panic attacks, anxiety, or IBS, and for the first time in years I had tons of energy and finally felt well. I dedicated my life to functional medicine and began sharing my discoveries with my patients and the rest of the world through my books, The Autoimmune Solution and The Thyroid Connection. And now I’ve made adopting this way of life even easier by writing The Autoimmune Solution Cookbook, which features the foods that I used to reverse my own autoimmunity, along with step-by-step guidance on how to tackle the underlying causes of your condition–whether diet, leaky gut, toxins, infections, or stress–to get to the root of your symptoms and start on the path towards lifelong wellness.

I, along with thousands of my patients and people who have followed my programs, are proof that autoimmune disease CAN be reversed, and it doesn’t have to involve expensive doctors or relying on harsh medications for the rest of your life. By following The Myers Way®, you can join me and the tens of thousands of others who have found relief from their chronic illnesses. The power is in your hands. Are you ready to take control? Pre-order your copy of The Autoimmune Solution Cookbook today and you’ll receive over $300 in bonus resources to aid you on your journey to optimal health!

The post How Radically Changing My Diet Helped Me Reverse My Autoimmune Disease appeared first on Amy Myers MD.

7 Foods You Should Be Eating if You Have Hashimoto’s

If you have Hashimoto’s, the foods you eat can have a major impact on how well your thyroid functions, either by impacting your thyroid hormones themselves, or your immune system.

Because remember, Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune condition, meaning your immune system is overstressed and attacking your thyroid. By supporting your immune system, you can stop its attack on your thyroid and reverse your condition.

And by eating foods packed with the nutrients your thyroid needs to function optimally, your thyroid will be able to produce enough of its hormones, they’ll be able to convert into their active state, and they’ll be able to reach and enter your cells. This will ensure your body gets the fuel it needs to overcome brain fog, fatigue, sluggish metabolism, and the myriad of other symptoms of a thyroid operating at subpar performance.

Eat the following foods, which contain some of the most important nutrients for thyroid and immune health, to help tame your Hashimoto’s.

1. Seaweed and Sea Vegetables

Iodine, found in seaweed and sea vegetables, is one of the two primary building blocks of thyroid hormone. As I explain in my book, The Thyroid Connection, if you don’t have enough iodine, your thyroid simply can’t produce its hormones. In fact, this is why we eat iodized salt, because public health officials realized how crucial this nutrient is for thyroid health.

In addition, our modern environment is filled with halides (bromine, chlorine, and fluorine), which are iodine look-alikes. These chemicals can be found in our water, food, and household products and look similar enough to iodine that your thyroid can absorb them in place of iodine, effectively displacing iodine and reducing its ability to produce thyroid hormone.

Along with minimizing your exposure to these chemicals, eating a diet rich in iodine will go a long way toward improving your thyroid health. Seaweed is one of the best sources of dietary iodine, and there are tons of creative (and delicious) ways to add it into your diet. Grab-and-go are a popular and easy choice. And there are tons of options for cooking with seaweed, such as this recipe for Seaweed Pesto Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp. Be sure to get your copy of The Autoimmune Solution Cookbook for even more easy-to-make recipes with iodine-rich seaweed, including Cucumber-Seaweed Salad and Wild-Caught Shrimp Sushi Rolls!

While you should aim to get plenty of iodine from your diet, I also recommend taking a taking a high-quality multivitamin that includes 150-300 mcg of iodine to ensure you’re meeting your nutritional needs for optimal thyroid performance.

2. Beef, Chicken, and Other Animal Protein

Animal proteins are “complete” proteins, meaning they contain all 9 essential amino acids, which your body cannot produce on its own. These amino acids play a huge role in your immune system, in addition to helping rebuild every single structure in your body. Animal protein also contains several important nutrients for thyroid function, including selenium, zinc, iron and tyrosine. I’ll explain the importance of each of these nutrients, which are abundant in beef, chicken, and other animal proteins.

Selenium

The enzyme your thyroid uses to convert T4 (the storage form of thyroid hormone) into T3 (the active form) so that it can power your metabolic function. Selenium also acts to neutralize hydrogen peroxide, a detrimental, oxidizing byproduct of iodine conversion in your thyroid that leads to an autoimmune response. In fact, studies have shown that Hashimoto’s patients with low selenium levels who increased their daily intake to just 200 mcg were able to reduce their thyroid antibodies by nearly 64%!1

Zinc

Zinc is another vital nutrient for thyroid health that assists in the conversion of T4 to T3. Zinc is also necessary to trigger your hypothalamus’ thyroid hormone receptors. Your hypothalamus requires zinc to accurately gauge thyroid hormone levels to increase production when levels are low. For these reasons, zinc deficiency is linked with decreased thyroid production and hypothyroidism.

Iron & Tyrosine

When you eat iodine you’re actually eating it in the form of iodide, and your body converts it into iodine using an enzyme that depends on iron. Iodine then combines with tyrosine to form actual thyroid hormones. Your thyroid also needs iron, along with selenium and zinc, to convert T4 to T3.

You can quickly begin to see the common denominator in all these nutrients! Without them, you thyroid simply cannot produce its hormones, and the storage form of your hormones are unable to reach their active state.2

3. Leafy Greens

Your thyroid and your entire immune system are dependent on a host of B vitamins to operate efficiently. Leafy greens such as kale, arugula, bok choy, spinach, and watercress are an excellent source of the B vitamins needed to support your immune system.

The following B vitamins are found in leafy greens:

B1 (Thiamine) Thiamine helps your body generate new cells and lower stress by protecting your immune system.
B2 (Riboflavin) Riboflavin works as an antioxidant to fight free radicals, which are damaging to your entire body, including your thyroid.3
B3 (Niacin) Niacin is an anti-inflammatory nutrient.
B9 (Folate) Folate, also called folic acid in its synthetic form, has many key health benefits. It plays a role in DNA synthesis and repair, and it encourages cell and tissue growth throughout your body, including your thyroid.4 It is also a key component of methylation, and extra important for anyone with MTHFR mutations.

Many leafy greens are cruciferous vegetables, rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants that offer tremendous support to the immune system, as outlined above. They do, however fall under the category of “goitrogens.” Goitrogens are substances found in certain foods that suppresses thyroid hormone production by inhibiting iodine absorption.

While some people advocate eliminating goitrogens (kale, arugula, collard greens, cabbage and more) entirely if you have a thyroid problem, I have found that their health benefits far outweigh the minimal drawback. I do recommend mitigating any concern you have by cooking them, which lessens their goitrogenic properties. The good news is that human trials have found that the consumption of cruciferous vegetables has little to no effect on the thyroid, unless a person is deficient in iodine. So just stock up on those sea vegetables, and you should be fine!

Wondering how to get more greens into your diet? The Autoimmune Solution Cookbook has all kinds of mouth-watering recipes that feature leafy greens, including Turkey–Butternut Squash Hash, WIlted Greens with Bacon, and Spinach-Kale Pesto!

4. Salmon

The Omega-3s found in salmon have been shown to reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, and decrease risk factors for disease. The long-chain fatty acids in salmon fight systemic inflammation in the body that leads to Hashimoto’s. They also help your thyroid hormones enter your cells so that they can do their job. Studies link Omega 3 intake with decreased disease symptoms and flare-ups, as well as reduced dependence on anti-inflammatory medications.5 Salmon is also high in B vitamins which, as outlined above, support the immune system in many ways. I recommend wild-caught salmon, which is free of antibiotics and mercury.6

You can explore new ways of cooking Omega-3-rich fatty fish with thyroid-friendly recipes from The Autoimmune Solution Cookbook, such as Halibut Piccata and Roasted Sweet Potato Rounds with Smoked Salmon! I also recommend supplementing with Omega 3 fish oil to ensure you’re intaking adequate amounts.

5. Avocado

Avocados are extremely popular right now, and you can find them in everything from chocolate cakes to smoothies! They are technically a fruit, however they are unique because they contain 15 grams of healthy fats and 20 different vitamins and minerals (including B vitamins, iron, zinc, vitamin K, and folate) that suppress inflammation and support your immune system.

Nutritionally, I consider avocados a healthy fat since they are 77% fat and are primarily made up of monounsaturated oleic acid, which is the anti-inflammatory kind. Avocados have also been shown to have beneficial effects on genes linked to cancer. Another study showed that eating avocados with vegetables dramatically increased antioxidant absorption.7

6. Bone Broth

The health benefits of bone broth are immense! Bone broth is made from cooking animal bones along with the connective tissues, and it is an amazing source of collagen, which is broken down into gelatin during cooking. The collagen in bone broth helps repair a leaky gut, which is an underlying cause of Hashimoto’s and other autoimmune conditions. Collagen also supports strong, health hair to help combat hair loss associated with thyroid dysfunction. Furthermore, the amino acids glycine and arginine found in bone broth assist in reducing systemic inflammation, a leading cause of autoimmunity and chronic illness.

7. Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, and Other Orange Fruits & Vegetables

Bright orange fruits and veggies are rich in vitamin A, which is needed for healthy immune function and to bring your active thyroid hormone into your cells. Orange fruits and vegetables also contain vitamin C, which stimulates the activity of white blood cells – a key component of your immune system.8

Carrots and sweet potatoes are high in beta-carotene, which stimulates T-cells and other types of antibodies in the immune system to protect against infection. Carrots also contain a number of antiseptic and antibacterial abilities which boost the immune system. Sweet potatoes also have immune boosting vitamin C, B vitamins, iron and phosphorus.

Armed with nothing more than a shopping cart and a new grocery list, you can begin to take back your health simply by changing your diet. The food you eat can be your medicine, nourishing your body and fueling your immune system. By eating foods that contain nutrients vital for optimal thyroid function, you have the power to reverse your condition and watch your Hashimoto’s symptoms diminish and even disappear!

You don’t have to give up delicious meals either! In my new cookbook, The Autoimmune Solution Cookbook (coming out May 8th), you can find delicious, nutrient-dense recipes packed with essential nutrients for thyroid health that are approved for autoimmune, paleo, and ketogenic protocols. In addition to these recipes that were specially designed to prevent and reverse autoimmunity, you’ll also find step-by-step guidance on how to make this way of eating a way of life. Plus, if you pre-order now, you’ll receive over $300 in FREE bonus resources!

Your health is in your hands. Are you ready to take control? Get your copy today!

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