Listen Now

The Case:  Liana is dealing with fatigue, digestive issues, hair loss, joint pain, and lack of concentration She’s been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s and has been trying to eat right and take supplements to support it but can’t seem to stick with the routine.  She’s struggling to find a balance that includes feeling good.  The Investigation One of the things I noticed when I met with Liana was she had some limiting beliefs about her ability to feel good again and, I suspected that she was subconsciously self-sabotaging. I knew then that if we were dealing with issues on a subconscious level, we needed to start there - and more specifically with Hypnosis. Understanding Hypnosis Grace Smith is one of the world's leading hypnotherapists and I knew she was the perfect person to have on the show to address how hypnotherapy can help chronic illnesses, like Hashimoto’s, from all angles, including beliefs, fears, stressors, and traumas.  Before we could dive into how it can help, we had to address the elephant in the room - the perception of hypnotherapy as a party trick that leaves people barking like a dog or strutting like a chicken.  Grace has heard this all before and admits that she was skeptical herself before hypnosis helped her quit smoking.  The first thing she does is dispel the myth that hypnosis is mind control. Next, she reveals the real secrets behind those hypnotist shows. Spoiler - it’s all a show! She goes on to explain that hypnotherapy is just meditation with a goal or a purpose.  How Hypnosis Works Our brain waves fluctuate between several different states based on our level of consciousness. The beta state is where we spend most of our waking lives - it's the state of normal waking consciousness where we experience stress, fight or flight mode, and survival mode. Unfortunately, many people live in this state perpetually, which can be really corrosive to our physical, emotional, and mental health, as well as our relationships. There are three other brain wave states that we can access with a bit of effort. The alpha state is where we go when we're daydreaming or doing something rote like washing our hair in the shower. It's a slightly more relaxed state where we can access inspiration and intuition. The delta state is where we go when we're sleeping and our brains are essentially offline. But the most interesting state, and the one that Grace works with, is the theta state. This is where hypnotherapy takes place, and it's a state of deep relaxation where we're still consciously aware of our surroundings. In this state, we have the surplus energy required to create new neural pathways in our brain extremely rapidly, which is why hypnotherapy can be so effective. It's all about telling your brain a better story and focusing on what you want, rather than staying stuck in the same old thought patterns. How Hypnotherapy can Help with Hashimoto’s, Inflammation, and other Autoimmune Issues Through hypnotherapy, Grace Smith suggests that people can learn how to visualize their bodies healing and healthy, as well as learn how to communicate with their bodies to promote healing. By changing the way the person perceives their symptoms, they can reduce the inflammation in their body and improve their overall health. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of identifying and addressing any emotional or mental factors that may be contributing to the inflammation and autoimmune response in the body. By helping the person relax and release emotional tension, hypnotherapy can promote a healthier immune response and reduce inflammation. In this way, hypnotherapy can help with Hashimoto's and inflammation by: Opening up access to a deep state of relaxation where rest and repair happen Weakening the neural pathways of limiting beliefs and creating new pathways for positive change Helping promote healing through visualization of the body's healing Addressing emotional and mental factors that may be contributing to inflammation and autoimmune response in the body Promoting a healthier immune response to further reduce inflammation Grace shared that changes can happen fairly quickly and that the efficacy (for those who truly want to change) is very high. She said that one study found that six sessions of hypnotherapy resulted in an average of 93 % improvement per topic. The same study found that 600 sessions of talk therapy or psychotherapy, resulted in an average of 33 % improvement. This is not to say that therapy does not have value or its place in a healing journey.  Amazing Healing Stories In this episode, Grace shares a whole host of amazing stories where hypnosis provided healing in ways that the patients didn’t think were possible. She got started in this field because she was fascinated by how one technique could help on so many levels, from smoking to public speaking, from eating disorders to stroke recovery.  Hypnotherapy and Your Hashimoto’s Healing Journey Talking with Grace about hypnotherapy brought up so many different facets of the healing journey for anyone with Hashimoto’s including Liana. There are so many different symptoms, and there's typically a big inflammatory component and insufficient thyroid hormone.  There are four main triggers with Hahsimoto’s including food, toxins, infections, and stress (including day-to-day, emotional, and past traumas). We can also experience upper limits that we hold about what we deserve or how we deserve to feel. We have stories we’ve told ourselves for so long that we don’t see them as stories, we see them as truths. For example, following a specific diet is hard or undesirable.  This is where Grace says hypnotherapy can help. She shares some interesting studies relating to people with IBS and inflammation who had amazing results through hypnotherapy. One of the reasons hypnotherapy is so successful with decreasing inflammation is because it takes the body out of the stress state which creates the inflammation. She also says that hypnotherapy can help people lose their taste for processed foods and sugar, both of which contribute to inflammation and other health concerns.  She says that these kinds of shifts can take between 6 and 10 sessions but that it is so often effective because your subconscious is hearing the better story of health for the first time and reframing the subconscious relationship with certain types of food or eating habits.    Diving Deeper into Hypnotherapy for Hashimoto’s - To Be Continued! There was so much in this interview with Grace, it was actually too long to get into one episode. So, we continue our conversation in episode 140 after which I’ll share what happened with Liana and how she was able to get past her struggles with Hashimoto’s.  Plus, in the next episode, I’ll share everything that I have been using hypnosis for with myself and my family.  In the meantime, check out the links below to get to know Grace a bit better yourself and see if her resources can help you or someone in your life dealing with a health mystery.    Links: Resources mentioned Thanks to my guest Grace Smith. You can connect with her and download her app at GetGrace.com. And you can check out her books, too:  Close Your Eyes, Get Free  Close Your Eyes, Lose Weight  Close Your Eyes, Sleep  The Adventures of Sleep (a children’s book)   Related Podcast Episodes: 136 Unconventional Ways to Help Hashimoto’s and Overall Inflammation 132 4 Ways to Calm the Immune System and Support Hashimoto’s The Case of the Teacher Who Was Always Sick w/ Dr. Mario Martinez Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information. Never miss an episode -  Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts and remember to rate and review the show! Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Some of the links provided are affiliate links. This means we may make a very small amount of money should you choose to buy after clicking on them. This will in no way affect the price of the product but it helps us a tiny bit in covering our expenses.   

The Investigation Most Hashimoto’s diagnoses come with many mixed emotions. On one hand, there is finally an explanation for all of your many symptoms, but on the other hand, the diagnosis brings on a slew of emotions like frustration, feeling lost, and uncertainty. And, for some, it can bring a devastating sense that life will never be the same again.   I get so many questions from my community like, can I still get pregnant with Hashimoto’s? Can I have balanced hormones with Hashimoto’s? Can I ever get my energy back? Can my hair ever grow and be thick again? Can my digestive issues resolve? Can I ever get rid of my brain fog?  And the list goes on and on and on. I am here to tell you that as mysterious as many of the symptoms may seem, having Hashimoto’s doesn’t have to be a barrier to you living a good, healthy life.    My Personal Experience with Hashimoto’s I was first diagnosed at 25.  Everything was so overwhelming and I worried that my health would be compromised for the rest of my life. I was so wrong.  I was able to have children (I have 2). I have more than enough energy to take care of my young kids, run a full-time practice, and run an online business educating and supporting hundreds of students through their own Hashimoto’s journey. I’ve also been able to defy the norms of Hashimoto’s by having strong healthy hair and clear skin. I feel healthier now than I did when I was first diagnosed. My fears were unfounded and I want you to know that everything is possible. I was inspired by my friend, Hal Elrod who wrote The Miracle Equation because I believe that the first step in overcoming issues related to Hashimoto’s starts with his approach:   Believe that you can. It's that faith, that knowing (even if you fake it before you make it) that you can and you will get through this.  Take action. Continuously put in the effort to make your desired health a reality.   You need both of these for the equation to work. If one side goes, everything comes tumbling down.  You need to take action and believe that you can be healthy and feel good again.  If you need support on either part of this equation, you’ve got me in your corner. Through this podcast and, more specifically, through my Thyroid Mystery Solved free training and complete program, I’m here to help you get clear on the actions you need to take. I’m also there to help you keep the faith!    The Two-Fold Approach to Healing Hashimoto’s When it comes to what actions you need to take, the picture can be a bit confusing. There is so much conflicting information out there and so many people who feel that this or that tactic didn’t work. I know exactly why these don’t work. It’s because you have to use a two-fold approach. You cannot deal with your Hashimoto’s symptoms in a vacuum. You have to also support your immune system.  This is the most important thing to remember when you are working at improving your health with Hashimoto’s. It does not matter what you do for your Hashimoto’s if your immune system is not supported, it will continue to attack your thyroid. And, you can’t just support your immune system without addressing your Hashimoto’s symptoms if you want to see improvements in your health. The two-fold approach is the only thing I have seen work in my long experience helping clients with Hashimoto’s.    Why The Slow Road is Better for Hashimoto’s In this episode, I share the stories of two friends. These stories perfectly illustrate why, despite it being the harder path, we do sometimes have to take the slow road to recovering our health. Quick fixes seldom stick.  I know this is hard to hear when you’re suffering with Hashimoto’s but the process of working your way through your issues and drilling down until you find the root of the problem is going to mean that you land on a solution that is sustainable. Plus, you will appreciate your hard-won health and so, will respect it and continue to stay committed to maintaining it.   Your current health journey is a necessary part of your future good health. Remember to keep that faith that you can get better!   How to Get Support on Your Path to Living Healthy with Hashimoto’s As I explain in this episode, you need to both take action and you need to be steadfast in your belief that living healthy with Hashimoto’s is possible for you.  These two things helped me regain my health. That’s why, when I decided to create a program to help you overcome Hashimoto’s I included elements that address both the mindset and the specific and customized actions you need to take to regain your health.  I also created this program because I know how hard you work to try to find all of the answers. I know that you’ve hit that wall of frustration and thought, why can’t there be one place with all of the answers and a clear plan for me to follow.  I know because I’ve sat across from client after client who have said that exact thing.  I know because I’ve been there.   In this episode, I give you an overview of the Thyroid Mystery Solved program and invite you to discover for yourself what it feels like to be on your path to living healthy with Hashimoto’s instead of being stuck in that limbo of research and half efforts.  This program is different from anything you’ve found online because we start by identifying your thyroid type. This is critical because the actions you need to take are based on your thyroid type. Most other approaches are a one-size-fits-all.  Next, we look at the thyroid issue from every angle, taking into consideration all of the different systems involved. This goes beyond that two-fold approach I mentioned earlier - it is far more extensive.  Yes, the program does cover diet (it even includes meal plans and recipes), exercise, mindset, and how to support your different systems and organs that is specific to you and your thyroid type. Plus, you will uncover and solve your specific Hashimoto’s triggers (this will be different for everyone which is another reason why we don’t want a one size fits all approach and why its so important for things to be customized) You will also have access to me.  I don’t mind sharing that this is one of the ONLY ways that you can get access to me because my practice calendar is full and I am not able to take new clients. You can jump the queue and have access to me directly through this program. I think this is also where so much of the value of the program comes from. Maybe you’ve already paid for doctor visits that resulted in more frustration. Maybe you’ve even gone to see an integrative doctor and paid to get one or two answers. Now imagine having access to me for all of your questions. How many hundreds of dollars will you save getting your questions answered through the program instead of having to pay for each one?  It’s an incredibly extensive program that is totally customized to you and your journey. That’s the best part; YOUR path is clearly laid out for you so that all you have to do is take action and believe that you can get better. And I’ll be there to keep you on track.  No more wasting hours searching for answers. No more half measures that get you a fraction of the result you want. No more feeling hopeless and overwhelmed.  It’s the program I wish I had 20 years ago. I don’t want you to wait that long to live life in good health.    Next Steps You have two choices, learn more with the free training or start your journey today (and save during the month of March 2023) by saying yes to the full program.  Links: Resources Mentioned Thyroid Mystery Solved Program Free Training on Understanding Your Thyroid Type and the 2- fold approach to Hashimoto’s Related Podcast Episodes: [Ask Inna] What You Want to Know about Losing Weight & Feeling Good with Hashimoto’s Why You Don’t Want to Ignore Symptoms of a Hyperactive Thyroid [Ask Inna] Answers to Your Questions about Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s [Ask Inna] More Answers to Your Hashimoto’s Questions (Part 2) Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information. Never miss an episode -  Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts and remember to rate and review the show! Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com   PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Some of the links provided are affiliate links. This means we may make a very small amount of money should you choose to buy after clicking on them. This will in no way affect the price of the product but it helps us a tiny bit in covering our expenses.   

The Case:  Alison has Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s and also experiences tons of digestion issues.  She often feels gassy and bloated and has trouble going to the bathroom. She’s tried taking all types of probiotics, eating super nutritious fermented foods, and done several colon cleanses, but nothing helped.    The Investigation When I met Alison, she explained that she had taken gut-support vitamins and eaten a healthy diet. However, I could see right away that she was missing a few big clues in solving her health mystery.    Gluten, Gut Health, and Hashimoto’s I’ve talked a lot about the connection between Hashimoto’s and our gut on the podcast in the past. I knew that this was at the core of solving Alison’s issues. To discuss it further, I invited Dr. Vincent Pedre, aka America's Gut Doctor, to the show.  Dr. Pedre is an internist and the author of the upcoming book The Gutsmart Protocol.  One of the first things he brings up is the connection between Hashimoto’s and gut health as well as gluten. We’ve talked a lot about this connection on the Health Mysteries Solved podcast - including my own journey with Hashimoto’s and gluten. Dr. Pedre shared the work of Alessio Fasano, who studied the effects of gluten on the gut and how gluten can trigger autoimmunity. He discovered that gluten triggers the release of a protein called Zonulin, which increases gut permeability. This leads to leaky gut, which can eventually result in autoimmunity. Dr. Pedre also explained that there are three key factors in the development of autoimmune diseases: genetic predisposition, environmental triggers (such as gluten), and leaky gut. He went on to explain that one of the enzymes that helps break down gluten, called tissue transglutaminase, can create a chimeric molecule that can be recognized by the body's immune system as an invader. This can lead to an antibody response and cross-reactivity, especially with the thyroid where tissue transglutaminase is found in high concentration. The Power of a Food Journal One of the best ways to solve a health mystery involving gut health is to keep track of everything that is being eaten. Dr. Pedre uses this technique to help him diagnose issues but also finds that the activity really helps patients better understand their own triggers. So often we are unaware of all of the things we put in our mouth - especially when we don’t know all of the ingredients in the food we eat. Dr. Pedre shared a powerful story about one of his patients having a complete epiphany after keeping a food journal for just a few days. This mindful practice helps us better connect with our eating and be better advocates for our own health. It reminds us that everything we eat is feeding our microbiome.  Balancing the Microbiome is Complex  Many people think that the answer to balancing the microbiome is to take a probiotic, but Dr. Pedre explains that it’s far more complex than that. And, because our microbiome controls so many aspects of our health, it’s imperative that we keep it balanced.  He explains that, while probiotics are helpful, they are just a small part of the bigger picture. His approach has changed over the years - he used to be quite aggressive in attacking the bad bugs but now he has a more holistic approach. This means looking at the person as a whole, their history, reactions to different things, and taking a gut-body-mind-spirit approach to healing. We’ve discussed this many times on the show (if you want a good overview, check out episode 112). The gut health issue is just a portal into something much bigger and it's important to approach it holistically. One of the keys to a holistic approach is to understand what is actually going on. Dr. Pedre will sometimes use stool testing but warns that it can be misleading. Instead, he looks at different types of gut issues, which I love because it has been such a successful way for me to help people with thyroid conditions. We both agree that a one-size-fits-all approach rarely works. There are so many things that could be at play in the gut issue including dysbiosis, yeast overgrowth, histamine issues, enzyme deficiency, leaky gut, damaged epithelium, SIBO or SIFO - and each of these will impact tolerance of probiotics and fermented foods.  Could Toning the Vagus Nerve Be the Answer? Dr. Vincent Pedre revealed a fascinating connection between the vagus nerve (also known as the vegal nerve) and our gut health issues. He explains that stress is a huge factor in affecting the vagus nerve, which is essentially the connection between the brain and internal organs, with the majority of communication being directed from the gut to the brain. As you know if you’ve listened to my past episodes, stress in our lives can seriously impact our health. We often think of our mental health when we think of stress but it can cause biophysical stress. This can affect the vagus nerve which can impact our digestive processes. To get the body back to a state of relaxation and proper digestion, it is important to activate the vagus nerve through exercises and mindfulness practices. Dr. Pedre recommends deep breathing exercises where you breathe in and then exhale with a hum (or ‘Ohm’ sound).  Dr. Pedre also stresses the importance of understanding the interconnectedness of the gut microbiome and the vagal nerve, as the gut microbiome stimulates vagal nerve receptors and sends signals back to the brain. He highlights that in order to achieve optimal gut health, one must address all aspects of the holistic healing plan, including stress levels, and not just focus on diet and supplements. Solving Digestion Issues is not One-Size-Fits-All Just like I always say about healing autoimmune issues (like Hashimoto’s), the solution is never one-size-fits-all. There are so many factors at play and the same is true with digestive issues. This is especially true when it is in combination with autoimmunity and thyroid health. We have to look at it from all angles and customize the solution as much as possible. This is what we did with Alison.  First, we assessed what was going on. Alison was taking lots of vitamins and eating a ton of fermented foods. This can be great but they do not work for everyone. In fact, fermented foods can sometimes make things worse because of other imbalances in the gut. To get started, we removed those highly fermented foods and started her on a low histamine diet.  We ran a Vibrant Zoomers test, genetic tests and a stool test. The results revealed that gluten was an issue for her – all of the things she was taking to heal her gut were being undone by her gluten consumption. We saw that she had SIBO, and the probiotics she was taking were making it worse because her body wasn’t able to handle them.  This is a classic case of doing ‘all the healthy things’ that turn out to be the wrong things for the individual. Next Steps Alison was also always in a rush and didn’t take much time to eat so we worked on slowing down. She also created more time for her. Stress increases our cortisol levels (that’s why it’s called the stress hormone) which, in turn, impacts our immune system and gut health. We supported Alison’s stress through lifestyle adjustments and the supplement PS 150. Happy Ending Just 2 months after making diet and lifestyle changes, Alison felt calmer, lighter, and was able to eliminate better. As things were improving, we then started to support the SIBO by doing 6 weeks of FC Cidal and Dysbiocide followed by SBI Protect to help bind and remove some of the bacterial toxins called LPS that were creating damage in the gut.  As we were supporting this, I also optimized her thyroid. She was the ‘Low T3 Type’ and so we worked with her doctor to fine-tune her thyroid medication to include more T3 while using Zinc and Selenium to improve conversion. This made even more of a difference and she has significantly less gas and bloating, and was able to easily go to the bathroom every day which was a huge win! Eliminating Health Mysteries For Alison we were able to find that missing piece of the health puzzle and help her regain her health. Could this be the missing clue for you or someone in your life?    Links: Resources mentioned Thanks to my guest Dr. Vincent Pedre! You can connect with him and pre-order his book at: https://gutsmartprotocol.com/ You can follow him on Facebook and Instagram too.    Suggested Products PS 150 FC Cidal Dysbiocide SBI Protect Zinc  Selenium Related Podcast Episodes: Top 5 Mistakes When Navigating the Many Symptoms of Hashimoto’s How to Reprogram your Gut Microbiome for Optimal Digestion, Weight Loss and Anti-Aging The Case of Daily Bloating and Gas w/ Dr. Seth Osgood   Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information. Never miss an episode -  Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts and remember to rate and review the show! Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on this podcast are for informational purposes only and are not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Some of the links provided are affiliate links. This means we may make a very small amount of money should you choose to buy after clicking on them. This will in no way affect the price of the product but it helps us a tiny bit in covering our expenses.  

The Case:  Amanda has Hashimoto’s and does not feel well. She is tired, experiences brain fog, and feels like she is just inflamed all over. She’s tried special diets and various supplements but nothing seems to work.    When I first met Amanda I saw how much work she’d already put in but I know that many of the approaches were too general. We were going to need to dig a little deeper and look at the mind-body connection to solve her health mystery.  Inflammation Markers for Hashimoto’s and Autoimmunity Whenever I see the body is not responding to good, healthy changes, I immediately think of the work that Dr. Mario Martinez is doing. He is a psycho-immunologist who studies the relationship between the mind and the immune system. He is also the bestselling author of "The Mind-Body Code" and "How the Mind Wounds and Heals". He’s a good friend of the show (this is his 4th appearance!) and I know that he was the right person to talk to about this health mystery. Check out the other episodes featuring Dr. Martinez: 007, 051, 114. Anyone with autoimmunity or Hashimoto’s knows that inflammation plays a big role in optimizing thyroid health and managing autoimmune conditions which greatly impact how we feel. Dr. Martinez explains that there are different markers to look for when assessing acute inflammation such as tumor necrosis factor, interleukins, and C-reactive proteins. He goes on to explain that there is something called glycogen, which is a sugar protein that is present in all cells, especially in the IGG antibody which fights pathogens. The glycan marker helps to track the amount of inflammation in the body and shows the level of glycation. Glycation is caused by glucose molecules reacting with proteins and fats leading to damage on a cellular level. If left unchecked, it can increase inflammation throughout the body. Understanding glycation on a deeper level is an essential part of understanding autoimmune-related issues and identifying underlying causes before embarking on any type of treatment plan. Could Shame be Causing Autoimmune and Hashimoto’s Flare-Ups? Dr. Martinez has done a lot of research into the relationship between autoimmune diseases and shame. He found that states of shame can cause systemic high levels of inflammation making people more prone to autoimmune diseases. Interestingly, guilt does not have the same effect since guilt is about taking the blame for something (which allows them to feel empowered) versus the helplessness that comes with shame. He further explains that this can lead people to look for environments that continually shame (because they are familiar with it) or they turn to shaming others unknowingly which results in inflammation and can lead to or exacerbate autoimmune illnesses like Hashimoto’s disease or arthritis. In this episode, we also talk about the connection between the fifth chakra, free self-expression, and shame. Dr. Martinez shares some techniques for identifying patterns of shame in your life that may be contributing to symptoms related to Hashimoto’s or other autoimmune diseases.  Shame also has a connection to increasing your biological age (beyond your chronologic age) which is also related to the overall amount of inflammation in the body.    How to Use Centenarian Consciousness to Decrease Inflammation and Early Aging Dr. Martinez believes that you can address chronic inflammation by using a mind-body approach known as centenarian consciousness. This is a mindset that requires a shift in your perspective of time. So many of us feel the pressures of time. We are always (and even rewarding ourselves for) multitasking, rushing, and micromanaging. However, Dr. Martinez says that this can lead to increased levels of stress hormones like cortisol which can contribute to inflammation. To counteract this, Dr. Martinez suggests practicing taking more time with tasks by engaging in slow activities such as Zen walking or setting projections for how long something will take even if it could be done faster than expected. This allows the brain’s neuropsychological projection system to adjust accordingly rather than expecting too much out of an inadequate amount of space/time given.  This may feel counterintuitive or, for some of us busy moms, impossible.  Dr. Mario Martinez suggests that people who feel chronically rushed try delegating tasks and practice various stress reduction techniques. He also recommends having fun with tasks, being aware of how much time is needed for each task, and looking at what resources can be used to make things easier.    Banning Busy-ness for Your Health It’s also helpful to look at where our perceptions of busyness come from. Dr. Martinez says cultural components can lead to feeling overwhelmed, such as the belief that idle time is bad or one must work hard in order to succeed - which may have been passed down from generations before us through stories and mannerisms rather than direct comments about laziness or lack of productivity.  Getting beyond this cultural conditioning or learned beliefs may require you to create your own model by going into a meditative state and affirming yourself while providing evidence of being a good person throughout the week. This practice will shift your neuro map, which, over time, will change your beliefs and allow you to let go of your belief that being busy is good.    Joy as an Antidote to Inflammation? There is a counterbalance to the stress that causes inflammation and its joy. This is another mind-body solution that Dr. Martinez champions. He suggests that while we are dealing with issues related to Hashimoto’s or autoimmunity, we do not think of ourselves as fighting them but rather overserve them and try to reduce their intensity. He says the best way to do this is to find joy while repairing yourself. This can be done by creating a semantic differential space. To do this, feel the space where the pain exists. Give it a size, a color, a pain rating - anything that will help you visualize the space. Then, go to a part of the body that is not in pain and do the same. Switch back and forth between these two spaces in your mind. This creates confusion in the brain and neural maps causing the pain to decrease.     In addition to using this semantic space differential technique, Dr. Martinez offered these tips for allowing joy in while repairing: Learn to experience joy under good conditions so that it is accessible to you in difficult situations. Use the mind-body code to assess and relax. Go into the specific feelings and sensations associated with the problem, such as tiredness or pain. Pay attention to these feelings as if watching a film. Have a positive attitude towards healing and avoid maintaining a sense of victimhood.   Can Curiosity Lower Inflammation?  He also discusses how curiosity plays an important role in elongating time in our minds; when we are curious about something, it feels like time passes more slowly because our brains pay attention to what excites us. This is part of the centenarian consciousness, which in turn is an approach to decreasing inflammation. Curiosity also plays into how we deal with determining what our body needs to heal. Instead of focusing on the pain, we get curious about it and tap into our intuition. Curiosity keeps us in the present moment which is also a piece of the centenarian consciousness because wise centenarians view the past, including mistakes as part of the information needed to navigate the present with curiosity. All of this results in less stress which can help decrease inflammation.  Conclusion Chronic inflammation plays a huge role in Hashimoto’s and our overall health. I knew this was what was going on with Amanda. So, we started out by supporting her thyroid (based on her thyroid type) to get her thyroid hormones into the optimal range. Then we focused on calming the inflammation and balancing her immune system to decrease the attacks on her thyroid.  After dealing with a few other triggers (infections and parasites) we started to address stress as a trigger. This included really looking at her life and seeing how she can find more joy. We looked at how she could reframe and re-phrase to see the world through a more positive lens. We had to address some long-held limiting beliefs around time scarcity and her sense of not deserving perfect health. We used various coaching techniques, hypnosis, and some regression work to tackle these limiting beliefs. This approach was a bit of a surprise to her but by incorporating the mind-body pieces (and not just focusing on supplements) we were able to get the results she was looking for.    Happy Ending After 3 months, Amanda felt a huge shift! She reported that everything just seemed easier;  things were flowing more and she didn’t feel like she was struggling every minute of the day. Not only did her energy and brain fog get better, but she also had less pain. This improvement in how she felt helped her to take on another job in a different industry which brought her way more joy - setting her up for future success in keeping Hashimoto’s symptoms (and inflammation) in check. Working on her Hashimoto’s ended up bringing her so much more than better health.   Eliminating Health Mysteries For Amanda, we were able to find that missing piece of the health puzzle and help her regain her health. Could this be the missing clue for you or someone in your life?    Links: Resources mentioned Thanks to my guest Dr. Mario Martinez. For more on our discussion, check out his book The MindBody Code. You can connect with him on his website or follow him on Facebook.      Related Podcast Episodes: Unconventional Ways to Boost Immunity & Fight Coronavirus Fears w/ Dr. Mario Martinez The Case of the Teacher Who Was Always Sick w/ Dr. Mario Martinez How to Support your Thyroid and Immune System Through Authenticity Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people f

This time of year, it can feel like everyone around you is getting sick. Whether it’s a cold, the flu, RSV Covid, Strep, or some other virus - it can feel a bit like it’s impossible to stay healthy during this time of year.  This is especially daunting for those who have autoimmunity, Hashimoto’s and thyroid issues because the standard advice about boosting your immunity could actually lead to a flare up. This is certainly the case for those with Hashimoto’s.  Staying up to Date on Immune Protocols I’ve shared my immune protocols that are safe for Hashimoto’s and other autoimmunity in the past but there are always new ways of looking at things, new research, and new ideas to consider. So, in this episode, I’m sharing my MOST up-to-date Hashimoto’s-safe immune protocols to help you stay healthy this winter.  It’s important to stay on top of things and I’m thrilled to be sharing these Hashimoto’s-safe immune boosting strategies with you.  Don’t Follow Generic Immune Advice Anyone with Hashimoto’s or autoimmunity has an immune system that functions differently than a normal immune system. Many people don’t realize that this means you can’t follow standard immune boosting advice.  When you have an autoimmune disease the immune system is already overactive. Most immune boosting supplements stimulate your immune system. For anyone with autoimmunity, this extra stimulation could put your issue into overdrive and make you feel even worse.  It seems logical - if you are fighting an infection, you want to boost your immune system. But, for those with autoimmunity, you don’t just stimulate the part of it that fights infections, you stimulate the whole thing, even the part that also fights your own organs!  Immune Boosting Herbs and Supplements to Avoid With Hashimoto’s Some of the most commonly recommended immune-boosting supplements that those with autoimmunity and Hashimoto’s should avoid include: Echinacea Astragalus Reishi (and other immune supporting mushrooms) Elderberry Be extra cautious because some of these herbs are included in different immune formulations. It’s always best to read the ingredients to double check that they’re not present in a formulation you're considering.  Green Light for These Immune Supporting Supplements for Hashimoto’s Patients You might be thinking, if I can’t take these or anything with them in it, how am I supposed to stay healthy this winter? Don’t worry! There are other nutrients that are not only super effective but also very safe when it comes to both autoimmunity and preventing immune dysregulation. Here is my go to list of immune-boosters safe for Hashimoto’s:   Vitamin C Many of us know about the power of vitamin C but I feel it gets overlooked. I’ve been using this for years with great results. My recommendation for general immune support for a typical 150 pound adult  is 1000-2000 mg of vitamin C per day. I personally use the C+BioFizz from Designs for health which makes a yummy fizzy drink. However, capsules like Stellar C are also great. If you have digestive issues, vitamin C can cause loose bowels. If that happens for you, Liposomal Vitamin C is a wonderful solution to this problem (just remember to keep it refrigerated!) If you are already symptomatic, you will want to increase your vitamin C significantly for 7-10 days. I suggest doing this in divided doses. For example, take 500 to 1000 mg of vitamin C every 30-60 minutes until you get diarrhea (this is your body telling you it's saturated).  Vitamin D Vitamin D is important for everyone as we go into the winter. The dosage is going to vary for each person so it’s a good idea to do a lab test to get your levels so you know how much you actually need. I like to have my patients in the range of 50-80. If you don’t know your levels, 5000 IU of vitamin D would typically be recommended. Vitamin D really helps balance the immune system so it’s key for anyone with autoimmune dealing with a virus or infection as it will prevent upregulations.   Keep in mind that Vitamin D should ideally come with vitamin K to prevent calcification of tissues and organs. I use Emulsi-D3 Liquid (great for anyone who struggles with fat soluble vitamins).  Vitamin D Supreme capsules work really well for those who don’t need a liquid. One more recommendation. If your levels are really low and you can’t seem to get them into optimal range, you may want to try the Hi Po Emulsi D3. It gets levels up quickly but make sure you are getting vitamin K from another source (like a multivitamin).  Zinc + Quercetin This is the dynamic duo. Zinc is excellent for a short period of time however, it stays outside the cells unless it gets a bit of help. Doctors will prescribe medication but I recommend taking Zinc with Quercetin. Quercetin is completely natural, no prescription necessary and does not have any controversy around it. Quercetin is great at getting zinc into the cell. I use the DFH Quercetin and Nettles and recommend 250 mg daily for prevention. If you are sick, you can up the dosage to about 1000 mg of quercetin. Zinc and quercetin is definitely a power couple and I see great results with both prevention and also healing from infection.  There is one big caution with zinc and that is that it will push copper out of the body. You want to keep these minerals in balance and the best way to do that is to either limit extended use of zinc or take a supplement that has a bit of extra copper. Check your multivitamin for this or you can take copper separately. Garlic I love garlic because it works so well, so quickly and I typically don’t see many side effects. Garlic naturally has antiviral and anti-microbial properties so it can work on bacteria, yeasts, and other bugs. Even though I’m a big fan, I don’t recommend taking garlic long term or for general immune support. I use it when I’ve been exposed to someone sick, if I feel something coming on, or when I’m symptomatic. You want to keep it to these times because it’s so powerful it can affect your microbiome negatively if you don’t give your body a break from it. Plus, you could build up a tolerance and decrease efficacy when you really need it.  My go-to favorite is Allimax. I like it because it’s a patented allicin extract with high potency. And, it’s odor-less. I recommend 4-6 capsules a day for the duration of illness. This is also the dose if you’ve been exposed or feel something coming on.  Liposomal Glutathione Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant and an immune balancer. You can use it everyday (1 tsp per day) but if you are sick, you can double the daily dosage. This will really help support the immune system while it is fighting off the infection or virus. I use the Apex Trizomal Glutathione, or the Therasomal Glutathione from Quicksilver. Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators (SPM) SPM is also fantastic for balancing the immune system and taming inflammation which is so key for anyone with autoimmune issues when they are trying to fight a bug. There are two options that I really like. Metagenics’ SPM was first to the market and is the most potent however, it is the more expensive option. Designs for Health’s SPM has a slightly lower price, but you will need to take more to get the same dosage as Metagenics’ SPM. Both are good options.  BONUS - My Exact Protocol for When You’re Sick I normally save this kind of extra information for my newsletter subscribers, but it’s so helpful I wanted to also share it with you. (Make sure you get on my newsletter list so you never miss out on these kinds of bonuses).  Use the below for 7-10 days or until you feel better: Vitamin C  5000-6000mg per day in divided doses. I personally use C+BioFizz which you pop in water for a fizzy drink, but if you prefer capsules, the Stellar C is great). Please note that if you experience loose stools when taking vitamin C, you may want to try Liposomal Vitamin C because it helps the body absorb through the mucous membranes in your mouth first (just remember to keep this one refrigerated.) Vitamin D Supreme - 10,000 IU per day. If you have trouble absorbing vitamin D, you can use the Emulsi D Synergy or the  Hi Po Emulsi D  Zinc - 1 capsule twice per day with any meals. Quercetin and Nettles – 3 capsules twice per day with any meals. This helps zinc get into the cell to deactivate viruses. Allimax - 3 capsules twice per day with any meals. SPM Supreme - 3 gel caps twice per day with any meals. The higher dose is extremely helpful when sick to lower inflammation and I have seen great results in preventing post viral complications and autoimmune flares. Therasomal Glutathione - 4 pumps first thing in the morning and 4 pumps at bedtime. This is great to help balance the immune system and prevent post viral complications and viral mediated Autoimmune/Hashimoto’s flare ups. Remember, you want to follow this protocol for 7-10 days. Not only should this decrease your sick time, it should also help you prevent Hashimoto flare ups. Links: Resources mentioned Suggested Products C+BioFizz  Stellar C Liposomal Vitamin C Emulsi-D3 Liquid  Vitamin D Supreme Hi Po Emulsi D3 Zinc Quercetin and Nettles Allimax Trizomal Glutathione Liposomal Glutathione Metagenics’ SPM Designs for Health’s SPM Supreme Related Podcast Episodes:   Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information. Never miss an episode -  Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts and remember to rate and review the show! Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com   PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Some of the links provided are aff

It’s time to park the usual health and lifestyle resolutions and access something much more powerful.  When I talk to my thyroid clients about what they want for their health, they will often mention what they don’t want. They say things like: I don’t want to feel tired I want to get rid of my brain fog I need to lose 10 pounds, or  I want to stop losing so much hair! It may be easier to talk about what’s wrong but focusing on what we don’t want doesn’t always help us.  Shifting Perspectives for Positive Change When it comes to solving our thyroid issues, we need to shift our perspective to the health we want instead of what we don’t want. Think about it this way, if you are planning a trip and you go to a travel agent and you tell them, ‘I don’t want to go to California’ they might struggle with figuring out what to book for you! However, if you walk in and tell them you want to go to Texas, well then they can start figuring out some of the logistics around how to get you there or when you want to go.  It’s the same with your health. You want to be really clear about what you DO want for your health, not just what you don’t want. That makes it a lot easier to make a plan for.  I call this your health dream and you want it to be as specific as possible. How you get there may be unique to you, but you need to know where you’re going if you’re going to create a plan. In this episode, I help you create your health dream for 2023 so you can put it on the map and start planning how you’re going to get there.  Key Questions for Creating your Health Dream There are several questions that will help you get clear on what your health dream looks like. Here are a few to consider:   What would it mean for you to really thrive? Thrive in health but also in your whole life?    The answer is one that only you can determine as this is a very individual thing. For some of my clients, thriving means waking up each day with great energy that they can sustain all day. For others, it’s feeling fueled by healthy food that they digest with ease. Or, it may be about parenting from a place of calm and staying present with the family. Whatever thriving means to you, be specific about it.    What would thriving look and feel like?    Close your eyes and really step into this state of being. Imagine it with all of your senses. In this episode, I walk you through a short and very powerful visualization so that you can bring what you want a lot closer to you. It's something I do for myself every year and incorporate into my client work with profound results.  The Time for Your Dream Health is Now It’s very easy to put your ideal health on the backburner. You may have very good excuses and promise yourself that you'll get to it later…maybe when that project is done, the kids are in school, you’ve made more money.  Yes, you could wait until then but I can almost guarantee that a new set of excuses and time-pressures will crop up.  If, on the other hand, you take the time now, you will be in a completely different place. And, you may even find that all of those things on your to-do list get a little easier too. That’s the thing about thriving, everything in your life feels the benefits.  If there is something that you want, the time is now. Free Training for Taking Charge of your Thyroid and Hashimoto’s I’m so excited to start the new year with a free training that will show you how to support your Hashimoto’s with a 2-fold approach. The training is coming up on January 19th (but don’t worry if you are reading this after that date - just make sure you’re on my email list so you don’t miss my next free training for Hashimoto’s support).  This training is so much more than a webinar! When you join, you’ll get access to the live training plus a week-long support group as well as live Q&As. All totally free.  Like I say in this episode and as I said above, the time is now.  Support to Make This Year Your Healthiest with Hashimoto’s I’m committed to helping as many people with Hashimoto’s and thyroid issues thrive this year.  That’s why I go the extra mile with my trainings. And, don’t worry if you can’t make it live at that time on the 19th as there’s a recording and lots of opportunities to ask questions for 5 days afterwards so that you feel fully supported in creating your plan to reach your health dream in 2023.  This is for you if you are frustrated with symptoms (whether you’ve been dealing with them for a while or you’re newly diagnosed).  This is for you if you don’t have the time (or the patience) to dive down every rabbit hole on the internet in search of reliable information about living with Hashimoto’s. I’ve done all the work for you.   This is for you if you’ve been feeling alone with your diagnosis. One of the things past participants have loved is the connection to others with Hashi’s in the event Facebook group. So many connections have been made, friendships that have been formed, and so many aha moments and healing that have happened in these groups. I can’t wait to show you: 👉What it means to support Hashimoto’s with a two-fold approach  👉How to lower thyroid antibodies 👉How to get to the root of your symptoms (even if your labs are normal) 👉How to audit your thyroid and figure out your type 👉How to best support your type 👉Why you are struggling when doctors don’t have an answer  and so much more... This truly ISN’T just another free workshop. Let’s get the ball rolling on your 2023 health dream. See you in the pre-training group.  Links: www.thyroidmysterysolved.com/podcast   Related Podcast Episodes: 4 Ways to Calm the Immune System and Support Hashimoto’s Forget New Year’s Resolutions. Do This Instead The Super Simple Mindset Shift to Help Hashimoto’s What Is Your Thyroid Type? (and How to Manage It) Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information. Never miss an episode -  Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts and remember to rate and review the show! Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com   PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Some of the links provided are affiliate links. This means we may make a very small amount of money should you choose to buy after clicking on them. This will in no way affect the price of the product but it helps us a tiny bit in covering our expenses.

Listen to hear how you can win access to the Thyroid Mysteries Solved Course! Super simple tips to protect your thyroid health over the holidays. This is a quick happy holiday episode with 2 tips on staying present and helping your thyroid. I will be back with new and exciting episodes on Jan 5th where we will be revealing all things thyroid, Hashimoto’s and autoimmunity and I can’t wait to connect with you more then! Happy Holidays! See you in 2023! Thyroid Mysteries Solved Course https://www.thyroidmysterysolved.com/ Follow me on Instagram and Facebook

The Investigation It’s common for people with Hashimoto’s to feel like their thyroid is to blame for their issues. But, it’s not the thyroid - it’s the immune system. The immune system is attacking the thyroid and causing it to function less than optimally. It’s the same with other autoimmune diseases - the immune system is what is malfunctioning.  So, if you have an autoimmune disease and you want to feel better and healthier then you need to support your immune system in a very specific way so that it will stop or slow attacks on your thyroid or any other organ.  As well as supporting the thyroid or other organ involved. In this episode of Health Mysteries Solved, I share more details on this two-fold approach for supporting the thyroid and the immune system. It’s definitely for you if you have Hashimoto’s but please note that these tips are useful for anyone dealing with autoimmunity.   I also offer a more in depth training on this twofold message. Please be sure you are following me on Instagram so you are the first to know about the next upcoming training. Four Ways to Support the Immune System if you have Autoimmunity Let’s start by supporting the immune system. There are many things you can do but in this episode, I share four strategies that have the most impact in supporting your immune system when you have autoimmunity or Hashimoto’s. Before we talk about supplements that are generally supportive for Hashimoto’s, it’s important to note that knowing your own biochemical balances can provide further insights and a more customized approach to supporting your immune system and decreasing your Hashimoto’s symptoms.   Immune Calming Supplements There are a few supplements that tend to work well for most people with Hashimoto’s and autoimmunity because they have a balancing and calming effect on the immune system. A calmer immune system is less likely to attack! Here are the three best immune calming supplements:   SPM Supreme by Designs for Health. SPM stands for specialized pro resolving mediator. I typically recommend six per day for the first week to quickly down-regulate inflammation. After that, continue with 2-3 per day for maintenance. My listeners save 10% when using this link and entering code DFH10 at checkout.  Trizomal Glutathione. I recommend one teaspoon of this liquid supplement per day. You will need to create an account and login to order this supplement or you can choose the over the counter option of Therasomal Glutathione by Quicksilver. This is a pump liquid and I recommend four to six pumps as a single daily dosage and I find it works best not taken with food. Vitamin D. I especially like Vitamin D Supreme by Designs for Health because it includes vitamin K which is important to take with vitamin D. Remember to use the listener code DFH at checkout to save 10%. Please note that vitamin D should be monitored to determine your dosage because it can fluctuate depending on how much sunshine you are getting and your diet. The lab range is from 31 to 100 (which is very wide). I like to stay between 50 and 70. If your levels are low, you’ll want to supplement up to 5000 IU per day but if you are in range, your supplementation can be around 2000 IU daily. It’s worth maintaining a good level because I’ve seen Vitamin D in particular make a huge difference in thyroid antibodies.     These three supplements are the power trio in calming your immune system so it can address the inflammation and viruses it should be attacking instead of your thyroid or other organs.    Immune Calming Mindset Your thoughts, beliefs, past traumas, and the way you support your nervous system play a huge role in your immune system’s health. The nervous system is directly tied to your immune system so it makes sense that when our nervous system is challenged, our immune system suffers.   So, what can you do to support your nervous system (and therefore your immune system)? The good news is that little things make a difference. Here are a few small shifts you can make in your daily life that can add up to big changes in your mindset and the state of your nervous system. Start your day with two minutes of intentional breathing  End your day with two minutes of gratitude before you go to bed Thank your body for holding you up all day Believe in the infinite wisdom that your body has this amazing gift that it can heal and give it a chance.  Shift your thoughts and language to the possible, for example instead of saying ‘I have to’ try saying ‘I want to’, ‘I get to’, ‘I choose to.’  The most important thing to remember is that our bodies are not net neutral, they're net positive. Anything you can do to help calm and down-regulate your nervous system will have a huge effect on your immune system.    Immune Calming Diet A lot of people living with Hashimoto’s or autoimmunity ask me about what diet to follow because they hear so much about going gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free or following the AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) diet. There are a lot of choices out there and each person is going to have their unique food intolerances and sensitivities. In my experience, working with thousands of people at this point, I find that gluten and dairy tend to really be the big things that move the needle. Now again, for some people they may need to do grain free or they may need to do low lectin or AIP. And when you start out, sometimes doing a little bit more is helpful and then you can narrow down exactly what can be added back in safely. Some people find that eliminating too much is too much so for them, I do suggest eliminating gluten and dairy to see significant changes.  Food tests can be very helpful to identify specific individual issues. On the genetic front, you can also test the DQ2 and DQ8 will identify if you struggle to process gluten. My other go-to test is the Vibrant America Zoomer test that will identify sensitivities with dairy as well as foods like soy, eggs, nuts, and even other grains. It’s very comprehensive because they look at different immunoglobulins (IgG and IGA) and they also break out the gluten and the dairy into a lot of metabolites of those foods. This is a test that I use in my practice all the time. If you are interested in doing this test, please contact us. Getting more information about your body and how it functions will allow you to make the right choices with your diet so that your immune system isn’t triggered by your food.    Immune Calming Physical Activity Losing weight is usually one of the big goals with almost all of my clients and the students in my Thyroid Mystery Solved Program. And, I understand that because Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism often leads to unwanted weight gain and can make it harder to lose weight.  The go to solution is often to exercise more but workouts that are too intense can actually make things worse and upregulate the immune system even more. This is because overtraining feels like stress to the body and that elevates your cortisol which can make you hold on to pounds instead of dropping them.  The other side effect of excessive workouts is that they leave you feeling tired which can put a strain on your immune system.  The key to immune calming physical exercise is to do it but not overdo it. Exercise is good but if it leaves you feeling stressed or tired the next day, it’s too much.  Next Steps After listening to my episode, I hope you are seeing that small, simple shifts are all it takes to support the immune system and reduce the symptoms of your autoimmune disease like Hashimoto’s.  You can start making these changes right away or you can work with your doctor. I know that doing the research can be overwhelming and time-consuming which is why I created my personalized  Thyroid Mystery Solved Program. It’s a one-of-a kind, online self-study program where you get a plan that is actually customized to you and your thyroid type. We identify your type and based on that, we work on the diet, the lifestyle, the nutrients, and the organ support that's specifically for you. Plus, you have access to me.  It’s a much more cost-effective way to work with me compared to my one-on-one consulting VIP program. However if you are interested in one on one, I do have this option as well and you can see much more information by clicking here. My goal is to support you however you need that support.    Eliminating Health Mysteries When it comes to reducing the symptoms of Hashimoto’s and other autoimmune diseases, we have to support the immune system. Now you have 4 strategies to calm the immune system. Could this be the missing clue for you or someone in your life?  Links: Resources mentioned: Thyroid Mystery Solved Program 6-month, VIP Private Consulting   Suggested Products SPM Supreme by Designs for Health Glutathione Trizomal Glutathione → create an account and login to order  Therasomal Glutathione by Quicksilver Vitamin D Supreme by Designs for Health Remember, Health Mysteries Solved listeners save 10% on Designs for Health products when they use their special code: DFH10   Related Podcast Episodes: The Super Simple Mindset Shift to Help Hashimoto’s Top 5 Things I Wish I’d Done Sooner on my Hashimoto’s Healing Journey The Biggest Hidden Food Trigger for Hashimoto’s and Autoimmune Diseases You Need to Know Top 5 Mistakes When Navigating the Many Symptoms of Hashimoto’s The Case of the Stubborn Hashimoto’s w/ Dr. Kyrin Dunston The Case of the False Negative Celiac Test w/ Dr. Peter Osborne Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information. Never miss an episode -  Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts and remember to rate and review the show! Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com   PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purpo

The Case:  Cindy is experiencing hormone imbalances, fatigue and a low sex-drive She has consulted with a gynecologist but was dismissed and told it was common for her age She wasn’t willing to accept that she just had to get used to having a low libido so she came to see me Investigation While it is true that hormonal shifts in peri-menopause and menopause can cause a decrease in a woman’s sex drive, there is more to take into consideration. I knew that we had to look a few different avenues to get to the bottom of her health mystery, and find a solution that would reinvigorate her sex life. Shifting Views on Intimacy Susan Bratton is an intimacy expert and an advocate for shifting how we talk about and approach desire, intimacy and passion. She’s a best-selling author and has published 34 books and programs on the subject. She advocates for better experiences not only for those like Cindy, who are experiencing low libido, but for all women.  She does this through her work teaching passionate lovemaking techniques, reframes what communication sounds like in the bedroom, and covers the physical limitations that a woman may be experiencing that can impact enjoyment or pleasure.  Getting the Root Cause of Intimacy Issues Susan says that couples seldom investigate what is causing issues in the bedroom as it relates to the three areas she focuses on (technique, communications, and physical pleasure). Most will find the root cause in our cultural depictions of intimacy derived from our patriarchal society.  When it comes to getting the root of issues with libido or physical arousal for women, it can have to do with the first two categories but sometimes, the issue stems from menopause or peri-menopause, an immune issue, or a hormone issue like hypothyroidism.  Many are unaware of the connection between hormone issues and low libido because they are less likely to list it as a symptom to their doctor. Even if they do, the doctor is unlikely to treat it as a concern.  Switching the Patriarchal Paradigm of Intimacy One of the issues Susan discusses at length in this episode is the challenge women face becoming aroused (and overcoming low libido) in the patriarchal paradigm of what intimacy looks like. She says that the patriarchy has created the male-focused approach to intimacy which centers around intercourse. And, she says, many women go along with it because it’s all they know.  To reframe this paradigm, women need to think of their partner as someone who can help with the healing through the creation of a good relationship including making you feel vital again, focusing on your satisfaction, and connection through orgasm.  The Fatigue and Romance Conundrum When you are dealing with things like fatigue, insomnia, gut issues, or chronic pain - romance may be the last thing on your mind. Mustering up the energy for a kiss might seem like too much effort. However, Susan says orgasms can be very healing. They reboot your nervous system. They send out feel good neurotransmitters and hormones. They are a vascular event so they are like a little workout for your blood system. They improve sleep. And they create a deeper connection or bond with yourself and your partner. So, even if you don’t feel like it, it might be good medicine. However, you may want to take it slow and be patient as you build up desire - especially if you are dealing with a physical issue (like hypothyroidism or hashimoto’s) that has depleted desire or moved intimacy way down on the needs list. Solutions for Vaginal Dryness Vaginal dryness can be one of the reasons women avoid intimacy. This can be caused by a drop in estrogen (likely after the age of 50 because this is what happens during menopause). Or, it could be due to diet. Natural lubrication of the vaginal tissue is created through nitric oxide production. This is supported by a diet rich in leafy greens and vegetables - specifically celery, beets, dill, cabbage, arugula, and romaine. It can be impeded by the use of antibacterial mouthwash, acid blockers or proton pump inhibitors.  There are supplements to boost nitric oxide production but the most commonly recommended is L-Arginine.  Here are Susan’s top tips for vaginal dryness: Diet rich in leafy greens and vegetables (which contain nitric oxide) Supplement nitric oxide production Stay well hydrated (drink water) Engage in foreplay to ensure there is enough time for proper arousal Use organic nut oils (refined organic avocado oil, sweet almond oil) Not engaging until you are ready Don’t get discourage - you are not broken Beyond that, Susan also suggests supplements that might help you get in the mood. These include: Cacao (chocolate without the sugar) Maca  Tribulus Terrestris Tongkat Ali Fenugreek Conclusion In this episode, Susan really exposes that libido is something that needs to be addressed from all angles.  In Cindy’s case, we started by doing a  DUTCH test and looking at her hormones. She was pretty low but wasn’t interested in doing bio identical hormones yet. Instead, we supported her DHEA with DHEA drops. To bring her estrogen back into balance, we used Fem Guard by Designs for Health. Additionally, we also worked on blood flow with amino acids and supplements that help to naturally increase nitric oxide from the biochemical side. With her biochemistry supported, we also looked at what she could do to further support her libido. We talked about making sure she was moving her body regularly, doing breathwork and spending time on her own and with her partner.  I connected Cindy with a sex therapist who was able to guide her and her partner on the emotional part of their journey.  The biochemical support, a few shifts in her lifestyle, and the therapy all resulted in a significant increase in Cindy’s sex drive after just 3 months. Needless to say, everyone was happy.  Eliminating Health Mysteries For Cindy we were able to find that missing piece of the puzzle and help her regain her healthy sex life. Could this be the missing clue for you or someone in your life?  Links: Resources mentioned Thanks to my guest Susan Bratton.  You can connect with her and check out all of her resources on her website: https://betterlover.com   Suggested Products DHEA drops Fem Guard  Amino Acid Synergy  Maca  L-Arginine Related Podcast Episodes: The Case of the Super Low Libido w/ Lauren Handel Zander 096 Demystifying Hormones for Perimenopause and Menopause Demystifying Hormones for Perimenopause and Menopause (Part 2) Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information. Never miss an episode -  Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts and remember to rate and review the show! Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Some of the links provided are affiliate links. This means we may make a very small amount of money should you choose to buy after clicking on them. This will in no way affect the price of the product but it helps us a tiny bit in covering our expenses.

The Case:  Julie has digestive issues, headaches, lots of skin rashes and irritation, brain fog, and fatigue She is also very sensitive to environmental triggers like fragrances, smoke, and chemicals.   She eats and lives as clean as possible but nothing seems to help.  She’s seen a dozen doctors who have prescribed a variety of medications but nothing helped.  It’s so common for conventional doctors to focus on treating the symptoms as if they are unrelated instead of considering what the collection of symptoms might mean. Julie knew that her symptoms had to be connected which is when she reached out to me. My feeling was that this was a systemic issue and we got to work investigating the root cause of her problems.  The Investigation With my suspicions of a systemic issue, I knew that Beth O’Hara would be a great source of information. She’s been on Health Mysteries Solved before to speak about Oxalates (episode 67) and Histamines (episode 81). This time, I wanted to dive into the topic of Mast Cells and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome which is Beth’s expertise. What are Mast Cells? Mast cells are one of the most important types of immune cells in our bodies. They're present at every interface between our bodies and the outside world, and they're also found in every single tissue except for the retina. So, if we think about that, they're in the skin, in the lining of the sinus passages, in the digestive tract from the mouth to the stomach, and they're also found in muscles and bones. They migrate to very important areas like nerve endings and the brain's limbic system. Mast cells are responsible for a number of functions ranging from the sleep-wake cycle to pregnancy and wound healing. They also help the body monitor for whether or not we're safe from things like toxins, mold, candida, pathogens, parasites, viruses and bacteria. They even monitor for co-infections (like lyme disease). Mast cells are also looking for all types of stressors including psychological stress, physical stress and stress caused by outside factors like electromagnetic fields (EMF) in the environment. How do Mast Cells Work? Mast cells use what are called receptors - you can think of them like little antennae on the outside of the cell. There are over 200 of these receptors sending out signals using mediators. There are over 1000 different mediators. All of these allow the cells to connect with and monitor the different functions of the body.  When a mast cell detects an issue it will respond, often causing inflammation. It is not the only immune response but it is one of the primary cells responsible for answering a threat to the immune system.  The problem is that our modern world has more threats to the immune system that can cause mast cells to react. These include things like mold, high levels of EMF (wifi, smart homes, etc add to these high levels), environmental chemicals and other toxins. The challenge is that the mast cells are constantly triggered (or in activation) by these things and they don’t have time to rest and reset. This can overwhelm the mast cells and create a chronic issue.  The Link Between Autoimmunity and Mast Cell Activation Mast cells are heavily involved in the development of various autoimmune diseases. The mast cells are involved in both innate and adaptive immunity. Mast cells respond to the initial threat from a pathogen but when that fails, they shift their response and this can be what causes chronic inflammation. This continues as long as there are unresolved root triggers over an extended period of time. Over time, this opens the door for the development of autoimmunity in people who are predisposed for it.  So, if we want to avoid autoimmunity, we need to respond faster to the root trigger so that the mast cell response can be regulated. Regulating the mast cells can also reverse autoimmunity, in some cases, if you identify which mast cells have been activated.  Different mast cells can be triggered (and often triggered together to create a bigger issue). For example, the GI mast cells and the skin mast cells. After determining which mast cells have been activated, you need to understand which receptors are now hyper-sensitive and which mediators are involved.  Mast Cell Activation Syndrome Symptoms and Diagnosis The complexity of what is happening is one of the reasons why it is so hard to diagnose MCAS. Beth says that the average diagnosis takes up to 10 years and the criteria for diagnosis is still being debated. She shared that a population study (pre-COVID) found that up to 17% of the population are dealing with MCAS. That’s hundreds of millions of people with MCAS, the majority of which are undiagnosed. Experts speculate that up to 75% of all chronic illness could involve MCAS. While there is a long list of potential symptoms, Beth shared some of the most common. The symptoms of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome include: Pain in the muscles and joins Brain fog Fatigue GI issues like:  Diarrhea Constipation Bloating Pain (in the gut or stomach) Discomfort after eating Esophagus swelling Mouth burning Acid reflux Depression or anxiety Insomnia (especially falling asleep or waking up between 2-4 am) Skin issues including: Rashes Hives Psoriasis Eczema Bladder Interstitial Cystitis (urinary pain and burning) Hormonal issue (hormonal imbalances) Breathing issues including: Shortness of breath Excess sinus mucus production (postnasal drip) Hypersensitivity (often to fragrances) To assess your symptoms, Beth has a free Symptoms Survey you can take here. There are some lab tests that will also help to diagnose MCAS but these tests are limited so it’s important to also consider the symptoms.  What to do if You Suspect You Have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome This is a tricky question because the criteria for diagnosing MCAS is not universally agreed on (and false negatives can happen with lab testing). In addition, there is a lot of contradictory information on the internet which can be frustrating for anyone trying to figure things out on their own. And, may discover that one person's solution is another person's poison.  Beth uses a 5-step process which starts with the stabilization phase of calming everything down. This has to happen before doing major detoxification because that can trigger the mast cells. The stabilization phase starts with addressing issues in the nervous system. Beth’s program focuses first on retraining the limbic system and then she addresses the vagal nerve system and finally deals with any structural issues that might be affecting the nervous system like a head or neck injury.  After this phase, Beth’s plan moves into a gentle detox. This is more often than not, going to include dealing with mold exposure.  The next step in Beth’s process is to decrease the infectious load. This can often mean addressing Lyme disease and the co infections that can come with it.  The fourth step in her process is to rebuild. This usually includes repairing the gut lining and improving the overall GI system. It may also include rebalancing the hormones and the mitochondria. The fifth and final step is to optimize. For this, Beth looks at the genetics (noting weaknesses that may need additional support) and then creates a wellness plan.  The whole 5-step process takes 2-4 years. She says there is no quick fix for reversing mast cell activation syndrome.  Mystery Solved Mast Cell Activation Syndrome is way more common than people realize and it became clear that Julia was one of these people.  To get started, I worked with Julie on calming her immune system through various modalities both biochemical as well as energetic and emotional, especially on the trauma side. We also found out she was very sensitive to EMFs so we supported that. We did some investigating into her triggers, infections, toxic exposure, and food sensitivities. We then used targeted supplements like quercetin to support her immune system.  We discovered she was an over-methylator so we decreased the methyl donors she was taking and supported her methylation instead. For more details on methylation and how it can impact your energy and wellbeing, listen to episode 108. We wanted to make sure that mold wasn’t contributing to her condition. Julie was living in a brand new house, but as it turns out she did have past mold exposure which was still affecting her. We used a combination of Biotoxin Binder, high dose vitamin C, Molecular Hydrogen as well as some gentle antifungals to help support her body. Conclusion We took things slowly because Julie was very sensitive and we didn’t want to set up any new triggers. And, we understood that reversing Mast Cell Activation Syndrome takes time.  Eight months into the protocol she started to really see an improvement with her digestion, energy and brain fog. Her skin was also less reactive. We still have work to do, but she and I are so encouraged with her progress and excited to see more and more in the coming months. Eliminating Health Mysteries For Julie we were able to find that missing piece of the health puzzle and get her on the road to renewed health. Could MCAS be the missing clue for you or someone in your life?    Links: Resources mentioned Thanks to my guest Beth O’Hara.  You can connect with her through her website, MastCell360.com   If you think histamine intolerance or Mast Cell Activation Syndrome may be causing your health mysteries, don’t miss Beth’s free, 3-day event with over 40 experts sharing their knowledge. Mast Cell Activation and Histamine Intolerance Summit Oct. 28 - 30, 2022 - Online Suggested Products Quercetin Biotoxin Binder Vitamin C Molecular Hydrogen  Related Podcast Episodes: The Case of Fatigue and Brain Fog Made Worse by B Vitamins The Mystery of Histamine Overload w/ Dr. Beth O’Hara How Very Healthy Foods can Create Aches, Pain and UTI Symptoms w/ Dr. Beth O’Hara Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps m

The Case:  Lisa is 49 and dealing with irregular periods, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness. She is also gaining weight around her abdomen that she’s struggling to lose. Her doctor told her it was menopause and to get used to these menopause symptoms as the new normal. The Investigation While menopause is normal for someone Lisa’s age, suffering through the symptoms doesn’t have to be. There are many things that can be done and I knew that we needed to explore the options.  Esther Blum is an integrative dietician, high-performance coach and the author of many books including her latest, See Ya Later, Ovulator. She joined us on Health Mysteries Solved episode 101 to talk about a weight loss mystery so I knew that she was the perfect person to talk about Lisa’s case.    Demystifying Menopause: Quick Facts About Menopause A woman is considered in menopause when she has gone 12 consecutive months without a period. Perimenopause is the phase of life that happens before that (and can last up to 10 years).  The average age of menopause is 51. During menopause, there are a many biochemical changes that affect a woman from the brain down to the vagina. The most significant change happening is that the woman stops ovulating and can no longer get pregnant.  As the ovaries decrease hormone production, the adrenals step in. This hormonal shift can cause a variety of symptoms, including: Fatigue Brain fog Night sweats Insomnia Irritability Weight gain Gut issues Vaginal dryness Some or all of these symptoms may be a part of a woman’s menopause experience.  Women are Not Prepared for Menopause (and They’re Doctors Aren’t Helping!) Despite the fact that menopause happens to every woman, many find they are not prepared for it. Esther says that they often don’t have the tools, testing, or any sense of how to advocate for themselves and their body.  When they visit their doctor to discuss the symptoms, they are often told that it’s just menopause and often doesn’t give them any solutions. When solutions are offered, it might be to take birth control pills, get an IUD and even to take daily antihistamines! Preparing for Menopause  During perimenopause, it’s a good idea to do some tests to get a sense of your baseline however, keep in mind that estrogen levels can fluctuate as much as 30% on any given day in menopause. For this reason, some doctors may be reluctant to test estrogen levels. Additional tests might include a urine test (Dutch Complete) to look at metabolites, detoxification pathways, and methylation, a stool test, and a GI map to test for the enzyme beta-glucuronidase.  It is possible to start using bioidentical hormones in low doses during perimenopause to help regulate hormones based on what these tests reveal.  Bioidentical Hormone Therapy vs. Hormone Replacement Therapy There are two common types of hormone therapy for women in menopause and perimenopause. Traditional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is made in a lab, so it’s synthetic.  Bioidentical hormones are usually plant based (yams and sometimes soy) making them much more compatible.  Esther prefers bioidentical hormone therapy over hormone replacement therapy because: They bypass the liver and gut so they are better absorbed. They’re applied transdermally on the skin (cream or patch). You have more control over the dosage with a cream whereas the synthetic hormone replacement therapy is a one-size-fits-all pill.  How Long Can You Stay on Hormone Therapy for Menopause There’s a lot of conflicting information out there about how long you can safely stay on hormone replacement therapy. Much of this is based on old studies that have since been disproven. Many traditional doctors have not continued to believe that women should limit hormone replacement therapy to a few years but this is not accurate. New research suggests that not only can women stay on hormone replacement therapy for years (before and after menopause) there may be benefits.    The benefits of continued used of bioidentical hormones include: Reduction of menopause symptoms like hot flashes, insomnia, irritability, and vaginal dryness Improvement of skin elasticity (meaning fewer wrinkles) Brain health Cardiovascular health Weight management Many women would wait until their symptoms are really bad before going on hormone therapy for menopause because they think there is a limited time they can be on them. Now that thinking has changed on how long you can be on hormone therapy, there is no reason to wait. Starting on hormone therapy during perimenopause can decrease the impact of symptoms and make menopause more comfortable.  Why Hormone Therapy is Not Enough during Perimenopause and Menopause Doing hormone replacement therapy is not a magic bullet to symptom free menopause. Esther says that there are many things women can do to support their body during these changing times.  Here are few ways to optimize hormone therapy during menopause: Good sleep hygiene. That means, go to bed and get up at consistent times so your body gets sufficient sleep (it’s when your adrenals reset and repair themselves) Decrease stress by reducing how much you watch the news, especially first thing in the morning Get some fresh air and go for a walk Do strength training 2-3 times per week (especially good for post menopausal women to build bone density and manage weight) Cut out (or cut down) caffeine intake as it can interfere with sleep patterns. Cut out or cut down alcohol use Adopt a clean eating diet and optimize your protein intake These healthy habits will especially help if you are trying to get rid of any weight gained on the abdomen (aka ‘menopot’). Creams, Pills, Patches, or Pellets: Which is the Best Way to Take Hormone Therapy for Menopause There are many ways to introduce hormones to your system. Here are a few options you may be presented with: Topical Creams: These are commonly where therapy starts. Many are given progesterone to start and then as menopause progresses, estrogen will be blended in. You can also get creams specifically for treating vaginal dryness. You are also in control and could do things like microdosing. Patch: This is an alternative way to have hormones slowly released into the system. Usually, these stay on for a month.  Pills: These are ingested which means they have to go through the gut and liver.  Pellets (aka BIOTE): This requires a minor surgical procedure. These pellets contain a 6 month supply that is meant to be slowly released. The downside is that they are inserted into a small incision usually on the backside so there is a risk of infection. This is also a more expensive option and you don’t really have control over how the hormones are actually released and metabolized however the claim is that it is released in a way that works with your body.  Mystery Solved With Lisa, it only took a few test to get a clearer picture of what was going on with her menopause. We did a Dutch test and found that she had low DHEA, testosterone, progesterone, and estrogen. Her progesterone and DHEA were particularly low.  We started by boosting her DHEA as it is a precursor to both estrogen and testosterone. We then supported her progesterone. She was receiving these for 14 days and then taking a 14 day break.  We did this while supporting diet and lifestyle changes. Happy Ending It didn’t take long for her to start feeling much better. She was experiencing fewer hot flashes, more energy, and she even started to see the weight come off.  She started working with her doctor on bioidentical estrogen support and even more weight came off.  Eliminating Health Mysteries For Lisa, we were able to find that missing piece of the health puzzle, get her out of menopause-denial, and help her regain her health. Could this be the missing clue for you or someone in your life?  Links: Resources mentioned Thanks to my guest Esther Blum. You can connect with here on Instagram or through her website. You may also be interested in her book, See Ya Later, Ovulator.     Suggested Products DHEA Liquid Related Podcast Episodes: 5 Reasons You’re Not Losing Weight 096 Demystifying Hormones for Perimenopause and Menopause Demystifying Hormones for Perimenopause and Menopause (Part 2) Demystifying Prolonged Use of Birth Control Pills + Thyroid Connection Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information. Never miss an episode -  Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts and remember to rate and review the show! Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Some of the links provided are affiliate links. This means we may make a very small amount of money should you choose to buy after clicking on them. This will in no way affect the price of the product but it helps us a tiny bit in covering our expenses.

The Case:  Liz has hashimoto’s and is experiencing joint pain, brain fog and generally doesn’t feel well.  She knew she didn’t want to take antidepressants or pain medication so she started down the path of supplements. Her results weren’t what she was hoping for and she knew she needed a more customized approach.    There are so many things that go into a proper supplement regime because everybody is different so I was happy that Liz came to me so we could trace the root cause of her issues instead of treating her symptoms.  The Investigation When I met with Liz I looked at what supplements she was taking and took a detailed health history. I’m a big fan of supplements but often, they are a part of the solution not the whole solution. When I saw that Liz didn’t do a lot of cooking, I knew that there was a clear path we could explore. Adding Anti-Inflammatory Foods with Ease All too often we think about what foods we should be avoiding but sometimes, it’s the foods we add into our diet that make all the difference. Dr. Carolyn Williams is a renowned dietician, culinary nutritionist, and James Beard Award-winning journalist. I know that she would be the perfect person to consult with on Liz’s case - especially when you consider she wrote the book on introducing anti-inflammatory foods to your diet with ease. It’s called “MEALS THAT HEAL ONE POT: 100+ Recipes for Your Stovetop, Sheet Pan, Instant Pot, and Air Fryer – Reduce Inflammation for Whole-Body Health | [The Experiment, September 22, 2022]”. I love this because so often, the reason we struggle to eat the foods we know we should be eating is because we are all so, so busy.  Signs of Chronic Inflammation When we think of inflammation, we often think of the obvious signs like visible swelling, aching, and pain. But inflammation doesn’t always show up this way. These symptoms are usually associated with acute inflammation where the immune system is responding. Chronic inflammation is usually triggered by lifestyle issues or habits that irritate the body. Things like diet, sleep and stress can all play a role in keeping the body in perpetual inflammation but of these causes, Carolyn says diet is a key component.  There are red flags that are like your body warning you that inflammation is up but they can be subtle. The red flags could be things like: Bloating after eating certain foods Inability to lose weight Headaches Slightly elevated blood pressure GI issues Skin irritations These may seem insignificant but they are the early warning signs that inflammation may be becoming a chronic issue. The individual needs to note and act on these because many doctors won’t pick up on them being an issue. And, inflammation can develop slowly so someone might not connect the dots on certain lifestyle or diet choices being the catalyst for chronic inflammation.  Getting Started on the Anti-Inflammatory Diet People may be surprised to hear Carolyn tell people not to start by eliminating things from their diet. This is such a common approach but Carolyn thinks it’s more important to add healthy foods in first before you start to take foods away.  She starts by adding foods that will address the inflammation. Carolyn top 3 inflammation reducing foods are: Berries. All kinds of berries are good and they can be frozen or fresh. Try to get 2-3 cups per week. Leafy greens. Include a cup of leafy greens (the darker the better) every day. Cruciferous vegetables. Add in 4-5 servings of veggies like cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts, and kale per week. By starting with adding anti-inflammatory foods, you’ll naturally decrease other foods which is a better approach than restricting foods. Cooking with Anti-Inflammatory Foods There are many ways to incorporate these three foods into your diet and Carolyn gave many great suggestions in this episode. Some of the key takeaways were to roast your cruciferous veggies (chopped equal sizes, wash and dry well, add a light coating of avocado oil and bake at 425° for 8-12 minutes). She also suggested baking other veggies like kale until crispy. To get more leafy greens into your diet, add baby spinach to smoothies, soups, sauces, or serve your roasted veggies on a bed of fresh greens.  Also, salads don’t have to be just a side dish at dinner or for lunch. You can also create a breakfast salad with a poached egg on it. Lunch time can also be a great time for a salad if you keep proteins on hand as well as greens, it can be a healthy option to pull together quickly. Keep Salads Healthy with Dressing Topping a healthy salad with commercial dressing might reduce the nutritional value of your meal. Be conscientious about what your salad dressings are made of and avoid dressings with lesser oils (like canola or soy). Carolyn says there are many healthy options available these days if you take the time to read the label. Another option is to make your own dressing - it doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether it’s homemade or store bought you want to look for a healthier oil like extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil, vinegar, lemon juice and a very small amount of natural sweetener like sugar, honey, or maple syrup.  Carolyn believes that fat is an important part of every diet so even those who are watching their fat intake, she believes, they should still use a little bit of dressing to feel satiated and get some healthy fat. Keep it Simple, Keep it Tasty Carolyn’ book was based on the idea that we want to eat healthy, well balanced meals but we don’t always have time or the energy to cook elaborate dishes. Her book is all one pot wonders that you can add carbs to if you want. She even had her kids taste-test the recipes so that they are all kid approved.  And, the one pot might be a sheet pan or a skillet so each dish is a bit different. And as a bonus, the clean up is as quick as the cooking.  Conclusion When dealing with chronic health issues, what we eat is so important. What I love about Carolyn’ cookbook is that she understands that eating healthy also has to fit into our busy lifestyles. I knew that part of what kept Liz from eating well was that she didn’t have time to cook.  We took the same approach to shifting her eating as Carolyn suggested. We started adding organic berries smoothies that included protein powder and greens.  We made sure she had easy salad ingredients, like roasted chicken, on hand so that preparing a quick meal was that much easier.  I helped her think of her meals in 3 food groups and creating healthy, well-balanced meals became her new normal instead of take out and processed foods. Happy Ending Liz almost didn’t believe the difference she felt just 2 weeks after swapping the processed dinners and take out for clean, home-cooked meals. She was also shocked at how little time it actually took her to make those fresh meals. Eliminating Health Mysteries For Liz we were able to find that missing piece of the health puzzle and help her regain her health. Could this be the missing clue for you or someone in your life?  Links: Resources mentioned Thanks to my guest Dr. Carolyn Williams. You can connect with her through her website or on Instagram. You can check out her new book here: MEALS THAT HEAL ONE POT: 100+ Recipes for Your Stovetop, Sheet Pan, Instant Pot, and Air Fryer – Reduce Inflammation for Whole-Body Health | [The Experiment, September 22, 2022]   Related Podcast Episodes: [Ask Inna] What You Want to Know about Losing Weight & Feeling Good with Hashimoto’s How to Choose Between Keto, Paleo, AIP and other Popular Diets The Biggest Hidden Food Trigger for Hashimoto’s and Autoimmune Diseases You Need to Know Top 5 Things I Wish I’d Done Sooner on my Hashimoto’s Healing Journey Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information. Never miss an episode -  Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts and remember to rate and review the show! Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Some of the links provided are affiliate links. This means we may make a very small amount of money should you choose to buy after clicking on them. This will in no way affect the price of the product but it helps us a tiny bit in covering our expenses.

The Case:  Joanna is dealing with chronic fatigue and nausea and nothing seems to help She heard an episode of Health Mysteries Solved with Kasia Kines and wondered if she might be suffering from EBV or Epstein Barr Virus Her doctor ran a test and informed her that she did not have EBV so she was back to square one. Not satisfied with this, Joanna came to me. I took a look at the labs that her doctor had run and saw that he hadn’t run a full EBV panel. This is common with conventional doctors because they may not be aware that in the last few years LabCorp has changed their panels to exclude an important marker unless the doctor specifically asks for it. As a result, Joanna was not tested for this marker and I knew this was the first step in us solving her health mystery.    The Investigation - Changes to EBV (Epstein Barr Virus) This all started because Joanna had heard my conversations with Kasia Kines (episode 4 and episode 43). I’m not surprised because these are some of the most downloaded episodes! I know there are a lot of people struggling to understand what is going on with their health, just like Joanna, and exploring if EBV might be the root cause.  Since my last interview with Kasia, there’s been more research on EBV, including the impact of COVID and COVID vaccines. Joanna’s case seemed like a great reason to invite Kasia Kines back on the show to discuss EBV again.  Kasia Kines is a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition and the CEO of EBV Educational Institute and Holistic Nutrition Naturally. She is the author of the Amazon best-sellng book The Epstein-Barr Virus Solution.    EBV Testing  There are 4 markers to look for when testing for EBV and, as Joanna discovered, not all labs test for all 4 markers. The 4 markers you want to be included in your test are:    EA IgG (Early Antigen) – this is the most important test and it’s often skipped.  EBNA IgG (Epstein Barr Nuclear Antigen) – this marker shows the history of infection in non-acute cases revealing the long-term status of the virus.  VCA IgG (Viral capsid antigen) – identifies if there is an acute infection (and remains present after initial infection). VCA IgM (Viral capsid antigen) – this shows up in the early stage of an infection and usually disappears.  It’s also worth noting that markers may not be detectable right after the initial exposure. And, some markers can go up and down in a day so tests may need to be repeated to get a true picture of what’s going on.  Studies have also found that healthy people can test positive for years without any symptoms.   Ebstein Barr Virus (EBV) and Autoimmune Disease Once someone has been exposed to EBV (and Kasia says that 90% of children are), then it stays in the system for life. Most of the time, it remains dormant but different things can trigger it. Those with autoimmune issues are more at risk of their EBV being triggered because their immune system is often struggling or challenged.  This increased immune system activity could also potentially lead to molecular mimicry and result in the immune system mistakenly attacking organs.    What Causes EBV to Reactivate? There are many triggers that can cause the Epstein Barr Virus to reactivate and it can happen over and over again. Some of the most common ones are stress, environmental toxins, anxiety, and hormonal changes (even a woman’s monthly cycle can reactivate EBV).  Kasia says that some of the people in her community (who generally are aware of their EBV status and have regular flare-ups) also reported that COVID as well as the vaccine increased their EBV reactivation.    EBV Reactivation Symptoms  Different people experience EBV reactivation differently. Some will say that they experience a special kind of fatigue while others might get a rash or have a fever. Becoming aware of and tracking your EBV symptoms will help you manage reactivation symptoms sooner. Tracking may also help you identify triggers to avoid reactivations.  The Emergency Protocol to Treat EBV Reactivation Symptoms When someone is experiencing symptoms and they know they have chronic EBV (even if it is not always active), Dr. Kines recommends a series of supplements to support the immune system and decrease symptoms. Her emergency EBV protocol includes: Selenium NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) L-Lysine Licorice Vitamin C Zinc Vitamin E Vitamin D These supplements should help stabilize the immune system so that it can fight EBV. In addition, Dr. Kines encourages everyone to pay attention to the other factors like the environment, emotion (especially fear, anxiety, and stress) as well as nutrition.    EBV and COVID Dr. Kines says that they learned a lot about EBV during the COVID pandemic. One of the things is that anti-viral supplements (like the ones mentioned above as well as the zinc/quercetin combo) can help with EBV as well as other viruses like COVID. They also found that EBV can reactivate when the body is fighting the COVID virus so they suspect that there may be a connection between Long COVID and EBV. Dr. Kines referenced a study that found that 73% of Long Haul COVID cases were actually an EBV reactivation.  One caution is that anyone who is pregnant should avoid taking large doses (over 400 mg) of Quercetin.  Another caution is around the use of steroids or corticosteroids which are sometimes used to treat COVID. Medical research has found that steroids are not recommended for those with chronic activated EBV.   Taking Action to Combat EBV One of the points that Dr. Kines likes to stress is that we do not have to suffer from EBV. While it is not a virus we can kill, there are ways to find a balance and cohabitate with the virus. There is a way to keep it in check so that you can live a healthy life. This includes understanding your triggers and decreasing your exposure to them as well as recognizing and treating symptoms quickly with the emergency protocol.    Next Steps In Joanna’s case, when I realized that her early antigen had not been tested I knew we needed to explore that as it is possible to have a reactivated EBV and still have a negative VCA IgM. The results backed up my suspicions.  We put Joanna on Dr. Kines emergency protocol with a few additional supplements to further support her immune system.  This included:  NAC - 2/day Reacted Zinc - 2/day Quercetin + Nettles - 4/day Selenium - 2/day Allimax - 6/day Lysine - 3/day In addition, we improved her nutrition and focused on making sure she was making healthy lifestyle choices. We also spent some time digging deeper into what she wanted for herself and encouraged her to focus on being true to herself and living authentically. Mindset is such an important part of the healing process.    Happy Ending Between the supplements, nutritional and lifestyle shifts, and the mindset work, Joanna made amazing progress. Within 4 weeks she felt her energy increase, her mental clarity improve, and she was experiencing more overall feelings of joy. After 8 weeks, she wasn’t just feeling back to herself, she was feeling even better.    Eliminating Health Mysteries For Joanna we were able to find that missing piece of the health puzzle and help her regain her health. Could this be the missing clue for you or someone in your life?    Links: Resources mentioned: Thanks to my guest Dr. Kasia Kines.  If you are interested to learn even more about EBV from Dr Kines, you can get much more information in her FREE EBV training and she is excited to offer 10% off her programs to any of my listeners with code Topiler10 Suggested Products NAC  Reacted Zinc Quercetin + Nettles Selenium Allimax Lysine   Related Podcast Episodes: Everything You Need to Know to Interpret Epstein Barr (EBV) Results The Case of Exercise Zapping Energy w/ Dr. Kasia Kines Your COVID19 Vaccine Questions Answered The Surprising Long Term Effect of COVID on Autoimmunity Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information. Never miss an episode -  Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts and remember to rate and review the show! Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Some of the links provided are affiliate links. This means we may make a very small amount of money should you choose to buy after clicking on them. This will in no way affect the price of the product but it helps us a tiny bit in covering our expenses.

The Case:  Evelyn is struggling with digestive issues as well as dental infections, tooth sensitivity and chronic bad breath. She brushed and flossed regularly, saw the dentist regularly, and tried all of the oral health products her dentist recommended She even tried natural toothpaste but nothing helped her teeth sensitivity or bad breath.   The Investigation After meeting Evelyn and learning about her challenges and health history, I knew there had to be other pieces to this puzzle! I suspected that we needed to investigate a few more areas of her oral care and her nutrition.  Understanding the Vital Importance of Oral Health Our mouths are so important to our overall health and often we disregard it. Youn Chang is the founder and CEO of OJOOK, an oral care company with a mission to help people develop mindful rituals that create harmony between the mind, body, and the environment. The concept for the business comes from her Korean heritage where mouth health and spine health are considered the key to vitality.  Philosophically and scientifically, her culture recognizes that the mouth is the gateway for all nourishment to enter the body, it’s where digestion starts (with chewing), and is also the first of two microbiomes (the other being the gut) that dictate good health. From this perspective, it’s easy to see why oral health is vital to overall good health.  She also shared in this episode that many of the dentists she works with will tell patients to seek medical help when they see things like sores, dry mouth, or other mouth issues because these are often the first signs of deteriorating health.  Oral Health is More than Healthy Teeth We tend to think of oral health as keeping our teeth clean and cavity-free. We focus on going to the dentist and routinely brushing and flossing our teeth. But, Youn points out that the mouth is so much more than just a place for our teeth. Our gums and the inner mouth lining tissue are membranes similar to our armpits and sexual organs. It’s a lot more absorbent than our regular skin so we need to be very aware of what we expose it to. When we put things in our mouth that contain chemicals, it is basically an expressway to the bloodstream.  Many conventional toothpastes contain chemicals, color dyes, SLAs, preservatives, endocrine disruptors, sweeteners, synthetic flavors, and even alcohol so we have to be careful what we put in our mouths.  Cautions Around Conventional Toothpaste Youn says the problem with conventional toothpastes is that they focus on cleaning. Our approach to dental care is all about scrubbing our teeth clean (I’m still working on not over brushing!) and sanitizing our mouths. She says that this approach focuses too much on preventing issues that could be caused by bad microbiomes and bad bacteria or food particles, but it doesn't really think of what could happen from over cleaning and over irritating the mouth as an organ. She says the mouth environment has a very delicate balance.  All too often, the focus is on killing the bacteria (which we know from our understanding of the gut) doesn’t allow for that healthy balance.  She uses a great analogy in this interview comparing how we treat the cleaning of our teeth to how we approach our skincare.  The Problem with Fluoride-Free Toothpaste There has long been a debate about the use of fluoride and it’s impact on overall health. Youn’s toothpase does not have flouride but she, and the dentist advisors at her organization, don’t discount the value of fluoride for dental health. However, she points out that anyone with a thyroid problem, autoimmune disease or fluorosis should consider the impact of fluoride on their health.  If someone is looking to avoid fluoride for health reasons, they have to be careful with fluoride-free toothpastes because these can leave the enamel of the teeth vulnerable and unprotected. This is why they include a fluoride alternative in their toothpaste formulation.  What is Nano-Hydroxyapatite in Toothpaste Our teeth are made up of 90% Hydroxyapatite. This is what forms the enamel. Nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) is the same but broken down into nanoparticles so that when you brush with it, it’s easier for these particles to adhere to the teeth. This is how the toothpaste is able to remineralize teeth, protect them from decay, and even reduce sensitivity to cold, heat, or certain foods.  Youn says that this new layer of hydroxyapatite also makes the teeth stronger and helps them appear whiter and brighter.  She does caution that you want to make sure there is enough nHA in the toothpaste or it won’t do the job. Also, she says to be aware of the use of non-nano hydroxyapatite because the particle are too big to settle into the small holes in the enamel which is how nHA works to remineralize teeth. In addition, the larger particles can be abrasive to the teeth.  Toothpaste Choices for Dry Mouth Many people experience dry mouth but especially those with thyroid issues, pregnant women, cancer patients, and the elderly. Certain medications can also clause the mouth to be dry. This becomes an issue if those with a dry mouth are using regular, fluoride toothpaste because saliva is how fluoride is activated.  Salive is also important to protect and neutralize the acid in your mouth and create a healthy mouth pH.  This is why OJOOK also has sea salt in it’s formula. The salt stimulates the saliva. However, it is not just regular salt which could be abrasive on the teeth and tissue of the mouth. They process the salt using bamboo which refines it and add a natural but mild anti-inflammatory element. And, it does this without harming the mouth’s microbiome balance.  She also cautions against charcoal for toothcare as it is also abrasive and can impact the mouth pH levels.  Balancing the Mouth’s pH The mouth should have a pH of seven which is fairly neutral.  This balance can be affected by eating too frequently, including consuming coffee, carbonated water lemon water, vinegar water and other things that are consumed for the health benefits. One of the interesting things that Youn shared is the negative effect of consuming these types of drinks slowly over time. It doesn’t give the mouth time to reset it’s pH.  Sugar and the frequency of having sugar in the mouth can also affect the mouth microbiome since bacteria grow quickly in a sugary environment which can produce acid as a byproduct.  A slightly alkaline toothpaste can be helpful but lifestyle (like frequency of snacking or consumption of acidic foods) can also impact the balance of the mouth environment. Turning Routine into Ritual Youn is passionate about creating rituals around oral health. Because we are in the habit of cleaning our teeth first thing in the morning and right before we go to bed, this opens up an opportunity to make this routine more intentional. She points to the science around how our first and last thoughts of the day can transform our mindset. By using the teeth-brushing time to be more mindful, we can shift the way that we are in the world. This is one of her passions.  Happy Ending Evelyn and I needed to address her issues from a whole body perspective. Because she’d been using conventional oral care products containing alcohol and other toxins for so long, we needed to support her microbiome and her liver. First I needed to find out what was really going on so I ran a GI map test (a stool test) and discovered dysbiosis and saw the pattern for SIBO (Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth). We addressed these with a gut cleanse using Interfase by Klaire Labs that supports the breaking down of biofilms which are kind of like plaque on your teeth but on your intestines. This is important to do because many of the bugs that cause bad breath live here.  We also used FC Cidal and Dysbiocide to further help restore the diversity of her microbiome. After that, we supplement with high dose probiotics by Orthomolecular and Entrovite which help to replace what was lost during the cleanse and reduce the impact of toxins. To support her kidney and liver health, we also detoxed using KL Support by CellCore.  All of this really helped with her breath. Often breath issue can come from the gut not from the mouth. However, we often treat the area easiest to identify. Evelyn was doing this by using natural toothpaste. This toothpaste had herbs but it didn’t have any ingredients to help prevent decay or clean the teeth.   I recommended she try OJOOK and, like myself and many others, she noticed much less sensitivity and better mineralization. And, at her next dental visit, there were no new cavities and interestingly, a lot less plaque too! She was thrilled! If you’d like to try OJOOK for yourself, you can use this link to get a free ‘Intention Toothbrush’ at checkout. Eliminating Health Mysteries For Evelyn we were able to find that missing piece of the health puzzle and help her regain her health. Could this be the missing clue for you or someone in your life?  Links: Resources mentioned Thanks to my guest Youn Change. You can connect with her through website or Instagram.     Suggested Products KL Support by CellCore FC Cidal Dysbiocide Interfase by Klaire Labs  Orthomolecular  Entrovite Ojook Toothpaste Related Podcast Episodes: The Dangers of Ignoring your Mouth’s Microbiome w/ Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, DDS The Case of Mercury Fillings w/ Dr. Kourosh Maddahi The Case of Tooth Pain Causing Fatigue with Naturopath Dr. Christine Shaffner Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information.   Never miss an episode -  Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts and remember to rate and review the show! Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only an

The Investigation Being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s is the beginning of a long journey that can sometimes be overwhelming. There is a lot of information, which is good, but when it comes to Hashimoto’s it’s important to first know where you are getting information to make sure it’s correct. You also need to know what to do with all of that information. This episode of the Health Mysteries Solved podcast is dedicated to helping you figure where to start and what to do next if you aren’t getting results.  Supporting Hashimoto’s with a Twofold Approach  Before we dive into the twofold approach for supporting Hashimoto’s we need to remember what’s actually going on. Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attach the thyroid. Under attack, the thyroid becomes slow and will eventually get destroyed.  It’s common for those with Hashimoto’s to have many different symptoms as a result of the slow thyroid and from the dysfunctioning immune system.  In order to support Hashimoto’s we need to support both the thyroid and the immune system. A well supported immune system can reduce and even stop the attack on the thyroid.  This twofold approach differs from what most conventional medical doctors will prescribe. They tend to focus only on getting the thyroid levels into range using medication. They don’t often help patients with supporting the immune system.  Supporting the Immune System to Reduce Hashimoto’s Symptoms In order to support the immune system, the first thing to do is reduce the changes of the immune system being triggered. There are four key immune system triggers to consider:  Food Stress Toxins Infection Stress and Hashimoto’s  Of the four triggers, stress is one that can play such a huge role in so many areas of health. And, it’s so pervasive in our culture it can be hard to avoid. However, it’s important to note that two people can face the same stress and have very different reactions, which is going to impact their individual health differently. So the trick is not necessarily to avoid stress but to reframe how you think about it and manage it effectively.  There is one easy thing that you can do right now to help you better manage stress and therefore protect your immune system from triggering a Hashimoto’s flare up. Notice when you say or think the phrase “I have to…” How often do you say it? Where do you use it? Take a note of all of these times and then reframe the way you think about it.  Yes, there are things that need to be done but when you use the phrase ‘have to’ it creates urgency which can put the body into that ‘fight or flight’ mode. Being in this sympathetic state can increase the release of stress hormones. If this is going on all the time, all day long, then the immune system may struggle to deal with the Hashimoto's attack on the thyroid.  It can be as simple as changing the way you think or speak about the things that need to get done. For example, you may be thinking about your house being dirty. If you think or say, ‘I have to clean the house,’ then your body will think it’s an emergency and trigger a stress response. On the other hand, if you come from a place of joy and gratitude, you might instead think, ‘I get to clean my house today and enjoy a clean home which is more than many people have.’ Avoiding the Stress of a Hashimoto’s Diet It can be a double edged sword - food can be a trigger for Hashimoto’s but stressing out about what to eat can cause stress that can be a trigger.  You find yourself thinking, ‘I have to go gluten free, I should avoid dairy, I really have to eat better tomorrow, I messed up today…’ These dietary shifts can be powerful in supporting your Hashimoto’s but if you’re trying to do it, struggling, and then using heavily charged words (or thoughts) about it, you may be creating stress.   Once again, the solution is to shift the language and thought process around these dietary choices. Try switching your thoughts and words to, ‘today, I choose to eat gluten free. I chose this because I know that I feel better when I eat this way,’ By switching to the idea that you are choosing your dietary shifts because you know it will help you feel good, you switch out of that sympathetic response caused by limiting language.  Wake Up Positive to Reduce Chances of a Hashimoto’s Stress Response This is an easy yet powerful tool to help with the stress trigger. Notice what you think about first thing in the morning as you wake up. Pay attention to that first thought as you open your eyes. Your first thought can shape the flow of your day and can shift your stress response.  If you focus on what you need to do or all of the things that have to get done, you are starting your day in stress.  Instead, try this. Wake up with joy, curiosity, and gratitude. Think something like, ‘some of the best experiences of my life have not happened yet. What will I experience today?’ This way you are not telling yourself the kind of day it will be, you are allowing it to unfold with wonder. It’s super simple and yet it can shift your mood for the entire day.  Final Thoughts on Stress Management with Hashimoto’s Aside from shifting how you think and speak about your day-to-day world, there are many other things that can also help reduce your stress, including: Moving your body Meditation Listening to music Talking to a friend Taking a walk in nature If all of that seems like too much to take on all at once, don’t discount these simple mindset shifts - they can really propel you forward. Next Steps As you address stress, then you can start looking at some of the other triggers like foods, infections, and toxins as well as really supporting your thyroid.  If you need more support and useful information, take advantage of my free training on discovering your thyroid type and supporting Hashimoto’s with this twofold approach. Access that free training here: www.thyroidmysterysolved.com/trainingregistration-it Eliminating Health Mysteries I know that living with Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroidism is not always easy and can be overwhelming at times. I’m here to tell you there is so much you can do. Could reducing subtle stresses be the missing part for you or someone in your life with Hashimoto’s? Be sure to share this episode… not because you have to but because you want to.    Links: Resources Mentioned: Free Hypothyroidism Support Training   Related Podcast Episodes: Top 5 Things I Wish I’d Done Sooner on my Hashimoto’s Healing Journey [Ask Inna] What You Want to Know about Losing Weight & Feeling Good with Hashimoto’s [Ask Inna] Answers to Your Questions about Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s [Ask Inna] Answers to All Your Hashimoto’s Questions [Ask Inna] More Answers to Your Hashimoto’s Questions (Part 2)   Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information. Never miss an episode -  Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts and remember to rate and review the show! Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com   PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Some of the links provided are affiliate links. This means we may make a very small amount of money should you choose to buy after clicking on them. This will in no way affect the price of the product but it helps us a tiny bit in covering our expenses. 

The Case:  Anna is experiencing IBS, fatigue, anxiety and generally doesn’t feel well.  She was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s years ago but doctors did not offer real solutions. She wanted to try adjusting her diet but research led her down a deep rabbit hole that left her confused about the best diet for her IBS, autoimmunity and other symptoms. The Investigation There is a lot of information on the internet and some of it is conflicting which makes it very hard to figure out which one to try. This inundation of sometimes conflicting information can be overwhelming and that’s exactly what Anna was experiencing when she came to me. There were a lot of things to take into consideration in finding the right nutrition plan for Anna. Joining me on the show to talk more about the overwhelming amount of diet information is Risa Groux. She’s a Functional Nutritionist, Certified Autoimmune Coach and author of  FOODFRAME: Diet is a Four-Letter Word.  It’s a comprehensive guide to using functional nutrition guidelines to identify the root causes of various health issues so I knew she was the perfect person to consult with on Anna’s case.  What are the Most Popular Diets for Autoimmunity Right Now? Some of the most popular diets are Paleo, Ketogenic, Autoimmune Protocol, Vegan, Low FODMAP and Low Lectin. One of the first things that Risa recommends when considering following a set diet is to take into consideration your health status. For example, if you are pre-diabetic, diabetic, SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth), IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), or if you have an autoimmune disease, there may be diets that are better suited to you or not suitable to you.  What is the Paleo Diet?  Risa says this diet has the broadest appeal and as result it is the most commonly recommended. Many people know of it as the ‘Caveman diet’ because it focuses on the things that we ate at the beginning of time. This includes animal protein (not deep fried, of course), and some plant carbohydrates like sweet potatoes and yams. It also includes good fats like olives, nuts, seeds, and eggs. It doesn’t include foods that came later like legumes, grains, sugar, processed foods, and alcohol.  One of the other things to avoid on this diet is any food that might have pesticides, herbicides, chemicals, dyes, toxins (there are over 3000 approved for human consumption) or be GMO since these were also not around during primitive times.  This diet is very good for anyone dealing with inflammation and blood sugar issues. PROS Helps regulate the blood sugar Good for skin Good for blood pressure and cardiovascular health Reduces inflammation Promotes weight loss Increases energy  CONS Can be challenging for vegans  What is a Ketogenic Diet? The ketogenic diet, also known as ‘Keto’ is a diet that helps get the body into a ketosis by changing the fuel source from carbohydrates or sugars (the most common fuel source for our bodies) to fat. Typically, the pancreas creates insulin and glycogen and drives it into the cells. Then mitochondria uses those to make energy.  By avoiding carbohydrates on the ketogenic diet, you change your metabolic state into ketosis which then uses fat as fuel. To stay in the state of ketosis, your diet needs to be 70-80% quality fats. The diet also allows for animal protein (since it has no carbohydrates), and a very small amount (less than 20 g/day) of low-carb vegetables. Anyone on this diet will need to drink a lot of water to keep the colon hydrated since the diet contains very little fiber. The diet should not be a long-term diet. Risa suggests 3 months as a good length of time for Keto.  PROS Good for blood sugar regulation Good for diabetics Effective for weight loss Good for heart disease Helps with acne Improves brain fog and supports brain function CONS Hard to get sufficient fiber Difficult to stay in and track state of ketosis Not suggested for anyone who struggles to digest or absorb fat or has had their gallbladder removed. Difficult for anyone who needs to travel Not as good for women, especially if they have adrenal issues Not suggested for anyone with kidney issues What is the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) Diet? The autoimmune protocol diet, often referred to as AIP, is similar to paleo and low lectin but was developed specifically to help those with autoimmune issues reset. It is especially helpful for those who have just been diagnosed and are experiencing a lot of symptoms but can also benefit those who do not have autoimmune issues. It’s an elimination diet that is intended to last 30-90 days.  The diet itself is very similar to the Paleo diet but it goes a few steps further as it also eliminates nightshades which include tomatoes, potatoes (except yams and sweet potatoes), eggplant, peppers (except black pepper) and Goji berries. The diet also removes some nuts, seeds, dairy and eggs.  On this diet, you are allowed to eat animal protein, vegetables, sweet potato, yams and some good fats - so it’s very restrictive. After the prescribed time, you can start adding foods back in, slowly and one at a time, to help identify specific issues that may cause problems for you individually.  PROS Cleans out the system Helps identify potential triggers Anyone can do it and benefit, not just autoimmune Decreases systemic inflammation.  Improves gut health Decreases blood sugars CONS Temporary solution as it only last 30-90 days (but it can be repeated periodically) Very restrictive What’s in a Low Lectin Diet? Lectins are under the umbrella of antinutrients. They are found in the protective shell of seeds and some vegetable and fruit skins. It can be difficult for the digestive system to break down which can in turn cause inflammation especially if someone has leaky gut syndrome. We know that inflammation is the driver disease. The diet requires the elimination of a lot of fruit and vegetable skins and seeds including tomatoes, squashes, cucumbers and some tropical fruits like bananas, dates, and coconuts. It also excludes dairy, legumes, grains, cashews, and corn. Even grains that are gluten-free like quinoa are excluded.  PROS Some find it easier than AIP with similar benefits Does allow for some sugar alcohols CONS Suitable for everyone  Anyone with IBS, IBD or SIBO will need to further restrict the Low-Lectin diet to remove sugar alcohols. What is the Low FODMAP Diet? FODMAP is an acronym and it stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols which are short-chain sugars that get fermented in the system but they absorb water. As a result, they typically cause bloating and gastric upset.  This diet recommended for anyone who has chronic bloating, has been diagnosed with IBS or IBD. The Low FODMAP diet is an elimination diet that usually lasts 30-90 days. Risa says you’ll get the best results if you start off strict.  You want to eliminate any foods that you personally feel causes bloating. You also eliminate cruciferous vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli, kale, cabbage, brussel sprouts) as well as some other vegetables like artichokes, onion, garlic and veggies with high carbohydrates.  PROS Good for reducing inflammation Good for those with IBS CONS Very challenging  Not many commercially produced foods available (more coming on the market now) What is a Vegan Diet? The vegan diet restricts all food that is of animal origin including byproducts of animals like dairy, gelatin, rennet, and honey.  Risa is not a fan of the vegan (or even the healthy vegetarian diet) because she believes that every meal should have protein, fat, and fiber which, she believes, can be very challenging in a vegan or vegetarian diet. This is why she stopped being a vegan.  The vegan diet is especially challenging for anyone with SIBO since most vegan diets include a lot of lectins and high FODMAP foods which will cause inflammation and bloating. The vegan diet, according to Risa, can also be challenging for regulating blood sugars and weight since it typically contains a lot of carbohydrates in the form of beans, nuts, and seeds.  PROS Studies suggest it helps fight or possibly reverse/mitigate certain cancers and heart disease CONS Blood sugar needs to be monitored Not really great for anyone with the gene mutation MTHFR which prevents us from methylating or processing  B12 and folate B9 Can be difficult to get sufficient fiber (women need about 25 grams per day and men need 38 grams)  May be deficient in dietary Zinc May be deficient in omega3 fatty acids (which is often from fish consumption)  May include consumption of GMO soy  Mystery Solved As Risa explained, there are many things to take into consideration when selecting a therapeutic diet. We are all unique and our diets should be too. While it’s helpful to look at some of these main rules, it’s also important to listen to our body. I wholeheartedly believe over restriction is not ideal in the long run. Limiting things while we are fixing the gut, calming the immune system and supporting the body, may be valuable in the short term. We have to diversify our gut microbiome and that can only happen with a diverse diet, it's not just about probiotics. With Anna, we started with a low lectin, low iodine diet to help calm her immune response.  We supported her gut and liver pathways while also optimizing her thyroid. This is a process that takes some time. When done correctly and in the right order (this is something I actually teach in my step-by-step Hashimoto’s program) it is very effective.  Conclusion Once we completed that, Anna felt so so so much better! Her energy improved, her IBS completely resolved and her thyroid antibodies came way down. We started to slowly introduce one new food at a time. The process of re-introducing foods can take a month or more but Anna was patient and abided by the motto, ‘slow and steady’.  Happy Ending Anna was able to add back in a lot of foods. She now follows a gluten-free, dairy-free diet but is able to have grains, legumes, and lectin. She limits refined foods a

The Case:  Kristy is exhausted because she can’t sleep and it’s stressing her out. She has meticulous sleep hygiene and takes every supplement to support her sleep. She tried everything she read or heard about but still couldn’t get enough sleep. The Investigation When I met Kristy and got to know her a bit, I knew that while biochemistry was part of it, there was something else going on additionally and we needed to figure out which came first and what was driving things to her health mystery. Navigating all of the Sleep Advice When it comes to sleep, there is so much information out there. The internet is packed with tips and ideas because so many people struggle with sleep (and it’s so essential to good health). That’s why I wanted to speak to a true sleep expert while investigating Kristy’s case.  Devin Burke is an international and TEDx speaker, the bestselling author of “The Sleep Advantage,” the founder of Sleep Science Academy, and one of the top health and sleep coaches in the world. His books, keynotes, programs and videos have inspired thousands of people to improve their sleep, energy, and life. I was thrilled to have him on this episode of Healthy Mysteries Solved.  The #1 Cause of Sleep Issues Devin didn’t hesitate to respond when I asked him why most people have issues with their sleep. The answer is stress. However, stress can present itself in many different ways. He points to mental stress, emotional stress, physical stress, environmental stress, and even the stress caused by using our digital devices like tablets, computers, smart phones – anything with a screen can be a form of stress. Common Sleep Solutions and Why they May Not Work for Insomnia Devin says there’s plenty of good advice on the internet about good sleep hygiene (like making the room cool and dark and avoiding screen time before (or in) bed) as well as supplements like magnesium and melatonin that can help with sleep quality but they are not necessarily going to help with insomnia. There are two types of insomnia - onset (trouble falling asleep) and maintenance (trouble staying asleep). Devin says that these are generally caused by mental, emotional or psychological issues so these other solutions don’t get to the root cause of the problem.  Identifying Your Sleep Story Devin says that the first place to start in conquering the root cause of insomnia is to look at the story you tell yourself about your sleep. This can also lead to a common response which is to try to force or control your sleep. The problem with this is that it creates an underlying tension which shifts the body into a stress response (into a sympathetic state). Devin explains that it can be very subtle and that many of his patients are unaware that they are doing this.    He looks for the three P’s which are: Perfectionism - you strive to be a perfect sleeper Pedestal - you put sleep on a pedestal Problem - sleep is a problem you have to solve   People who identify with one of these are likely to be making up stories about sleep or their abilities to sleep which can lead to limiting beliefs.  The Fear of Insomnia Paradox One of the challenges Devin finds with people who have created meaning or a story around their sleep abilities is that they slip into fear. The fear is usually around what will happen if they don’t get enough sleep. They might worry about the next day and how it will impact their performance, or they might concern themselves with long-term health issues that a chronic lack of sleep will cause. These fears drive the stress response up and make it harder to get to sleep or to get back to sleep.  Creating elaborate routines or rituals around getting to sleep or falling back asleep can also backfire because the person may have expectations that their efforts are going to work and if they don’t then they slip back into that stressed state again that keeps them awake. It can also backfire if they are unable to perform these rituals (because life gets in the way) because they may have a belief that they can’t sleep without their routine.  What are the Triggers for Poor Sleep or Insomnia? Devin says that most sleep issues have a trigger. This might be stress in a relationship, a health scare, or some kind of stressful event. The problem is that many people turn to medication as a quick fix for this acute problem. That can lead to a psychological attachment to the drug where the person believes they need the medication to fall asleep. If this stops working, then they try new things and it becomes a mission to solve their sleep problem. The whole time, they are becoming more and more stressed about sleep which is keeping them from sleeping.  One potential trigger for sleeplessness is trauma. This could be big T trauma or little t trauma but it could continue to cause sleep issues if it is not dealt with. So, if that is a possible cause, then it’s important to get some psychological support.  How to Deal with Your Sleep Stories Devin says that they will often help people let go of the stories they are telling themselves about their sleep situation. Here is the process he takes people through: Inquiry  Ask yourself what are the things that you're telling yourself right now? What beliefs do you hold true? It might be something like, ‘I've tried everything,’ ‘I’m never going to be a good sleeper,’ or ‘not getting enough sleep is going to make me sick.’ Acknowledge Lack of Usefulness  Recognize that these thoughts are not useful to you.  Let it Go  This could be rejecting these thoughts or beliefs. It could also be accepting them. Devin explains this process as embodied acceptance where you let go of the control and you may even forgive your body for being awake when you want to be asleep. Don’t judge it. Don’t resist it. Just let it be. This removes the stress.  Repeat  Sometimes people go through this process and see their insomnia improve and then they have a trigger event and they are back in the loop of thinking the problems are back. This is when it’s important to repeat this process.  What to Do When You Wake Up in the Middle of the Night Waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to get back to sleep is a common problem and can happen even after you’ve done some of the work letting go of your sleep stories and limiting beliefs about sleeping. While tackling your sleep stories and getting out of the insomnia paradox are important, you also need tools for when you wake during the night. The first thing is to not slip back into creating a story about the current circumstance - don’t judge your wakefulness or give it any more meaning than if you just happen to be awake.  To get back to sleep, Devin says to make sure to have “a plan and a place”. If you are lying awake in bed for more than 15 minutes, get up. You should not stay awake in the place where sleep happens. Go somewhere else and have a plan to do something relaxing or boring (not to think of them as things you do specifically to get back to sleep because that places too much expectation on them).  Good Sleep Habits & Tips Without placing too much expectation on these techniques, Devin says it is still important to do what you can to set yourself up for a good night’s sleep. One of the things we chat about in this episode is the connection between gut health and sleep so I encourage you to give it a listen and consider getting some testing done if you suspect there might be something going on with your gut health. It could be the root cause of your sleep issues.  Devin also suggests: Get exercise. Moving your body is so important. Get some sunlight. This will help your circadian rhythm. Eat healthy food. Sugar is a common culprit in sleep disruption. Eat at least three hours before bedtime. Your body needs time to digest. Keep relationships healthy. Relationship strife can cause stress that disrupts sleep. Mystery Solved As we started exploring Kristy’s case, I realized that she was quite disconnected from her body and had a ton of rules for herself.  For example, we figured out that she thought that if she didn’t sleep, she would not be good for anything and that she would never feel good.  While that is true, as Devin was mentioning it was not helpful and all those rules just create stress and anxiety.  Her fear of insomnia was feeding her insomnia! Kristy and I started by trying to connect her mind and body. This meant really feeling what she was thinking so she could accept and release those thoughts and feelings. We also realized there were many other things in her life she had such a tight grip on and wanted to let go and release. I had her keep a journal and ask herself what meaning she was attributing to her thoughts and then determine if these stories were really true or just something she’d made up. Next Steps  As we were doing this, we did  some tests looking at her gut, detox pathways, hormones and adrenals.  We saw a reverse cortisol curve and started to address it. We also saw gut dysbiosis and stagnation in a few of her liver pathways. We supported drainage within her liver and gallbladder. We followed this with a gastrointestinal clean-up.  Studies have found a direct connection between the gut and neurotransmitters so by supporting gut function, we were also supporting her neurotransmitters.  Happy Ending It took about 12 weeks to go through all the protocols. During this time she continued to work on the mind-body connection.   Right around the 3 month mark, her sleep finally started to improve! The more she was able to let go, the better she slept. This letting go practice is something she is continuing to work on and support. She’s excited to see even more changes in the months to come and so am I! Eliminating Health Mysteries For Kristy we were able to find that missing piece of the health puzzle and help her regain her health. Could this be the missing clue for you or someone in your life?  Links: Resources mentioned Thanks to my guest Devin Burke. You can connect with him here: on Facebook and on Instagram. 

The Case:  Eleanor has trouble losing weight and has discovered that it is not a thyroid issue.  She follows a strict Paleo / AIP clean diet plan but can’t seem to shed the pounds When she does slip on the diet, any weight she has lost comes back with more.   The Investigation Far too often we focus on following a specific (often strict) plan or we think the only way to lose weight is by counting calories. But weight loss requires a much more holistic approach. To discuss this approach further, I invited Brian Keane on the show.  He’s a personal trainer, certified strength and conditioning coach, and a sports nutritionist. He’s also the host of the Brian Keane Podcast and is the author of two best-selling books, ‘The Fitness Mindset’ and ‘Rewire Your Mindset’.   The Importance of Custom Diet Plans Brian has seen a lot of people struggle with their weight loss and he chalks it up to the idea that a diet or eating plan is a one size fits all.  So many people try to make a nutrition plan fit into their schedule or their lifestyle. This makes following the plan challenging and unsustainable. On the other hand, a custom plan is created for your goals and takes into consideration your body, your lifestyle, and your schedule. It also needs to include foods you enjoy to ensure you will continue to follow it.    Tracking Fat Loss vs. Weight Loss Brian points out that many people he’s worked with in the past have been tracking the wrong thing - they focus on the numbers on a scale. It’s so common to aim at lowering the numbers on a scale but for many, a better goal might be to reduce the amount of fat on the body. For someone who is 50-100 pounds overweight, Brian says that weight tracked in pounds on a scale might be the right metric. This can be done using photos or simply how your clothes are fitting.  It’s important that people track the correct thing - this will allow them to find the right holistic nutrition plan.    Weight Loss Challenges When someone is checking the scale every day or even every hour, it can create a fixation or even a bit of an addiction. Checking the scale gives you that instant feedback which can deliver a little hit of dopamine. This is why people fall into that cycle of checking the scale too often. It becomes a challenge when you see the weight fluctuate as it can be frustrating. But, there are many things that can cause this fluctuation - especially if you are dealing with IBS, thyroid issues, or a hormonal imbalance. Even the amount of sodium you’ve eaten or water you’ve drunk in the day can shift that scale number.  And, because exercise can add muscle, the scale may go up even as the body loses fat.  This is why Brian feels it's better to focus on other metrics and not just the numbers on the scale. How your clothes fit or even your measurements are going to be a better indicator.   What is the Holistic Approach to Weight Loss?  Taking a holistic approach to weight loss means that you’re not just focused on the calories in vs calories out. A holistic approach means that you are looking for a sustainable routine that includes the right (for you) nutrition and fitness routine.  As a personal trainer and sports nutritionist, Brian encourages anyone looking to lose fat to include resistance or strength training. Adding this to the plan boosts the metabolism which continues well after the workout session. He also says that we can’t forget about how important sleep is for weight loss. This is because it’s during our sleep that we are able to down regulate our nervous system which allows all of our other systems to function optimally - including balancing our hormones and managing hunger and food cravings which can lead to self-sabotage.   The holistic approach is based on three pillars: Nutrition Training (exercise) Sleep If there were a fourth pillar it might be mindset because how you think about the process can make a huge difference. This is part of why Brian suggests replacing weight loss goals based on the numbers on the scale with goals related to your motivations like feeling better, looking better in your clothes or feeling sexy without clothes.    Does Weight Training Make Women Bulky? One of the biggest reasons women avoid adding weight training or strength training into their holistic weight loss plan is a fear of getting big and bulky. They’re afraid that they’ll end up with bulging muscles.  Brain says there are ways to avoid gaining big muscles. He also points out that it is not as common for women to really bulk up the way men do because they don’t have the testosterone levels that lead to that kind of muscle bulk.  He generally recommends a low calorie nutrition plan that contains nutrient dense foods including complex carbs, healthy fats, complete protein sources, and plenty of fruits and vegetables (although each individual is going to have a different plan as was previously discussed on the podcast). He would also encourage a training element that boosts the metabolism (weight training, strength training and resistance training do this) so that you are burning calories while you rest.    Mystery Solved As we learn in this episode, weight loss is really a full body approach. It’s so much more than calories in and calories out!   Eleanor’s diet was super clean so we knew we needed to look at which types of foods worked best for her. After doing some experimenting, we discovered that her body actually did better with less fats and more carbs. This was the opposite to how she’d been eating.  We kept her caloric intake the same but we could see that we needed to change up the ratios.    Conclusion Eleanor was nervous about eating carbs but I explained that including clean carbs (mostly grain-free) in the right proportion would actually benefit her weight loss goals. We also addressed her emotional connections to food by working on her limiting beliefs around weight loss and food. Stress management was another piece of the puzzle so we connected her mind and body with a few simple techniques.    Next Steps  In addition, we also looked at her gut because Eleanor mentioned that her weight gain had been predominantly around the belly. She also noted experiencing bloating. We did a stool test and found an overgrowth of yeast as well as a few different types of bacteria in her gut.  To address this, I create a custom protocol with some antimicrobial botanicals, digestive enzymes and some hydrochloric acid. We did this protocol for six weeks.  At first, she did feel a little bit more bloated but a detox reaction is not uncommon. This extra bloating only lasted three to four days and then the bloating reduced and she felt much better.    Happy Ending Six weeks into the shift in food ratios, the gut cleanse, and all of our emotional work, Eleanor had lost 8 pounds. After years of struggling, she was thrilled to see the weight coming off (and stay off).  We continued to work on the foods and emotional connections, and we supported her liver to improve how it processed toxins. Two months later, this additional support resulted in another 5 pound weight loss.  Eleanor couldn’t be happier with the progress and is feeling optimistic and excited to continue on her journey.    Eliminating Health Mysteries For Eleanor, we were able to find that missing piece of the weight loss puzzle and help her finally shed those stubborn pounds. Could this be the missing clue for you or someone in your life?    Links: Resources mentioned Thanks to my guest Brian Keane. You can connect with him through his website and on Instagram.    Related Podcast Episodes: How to Reprogram your Gut Microbiome for Optimal Digestion, Weight Loss and Anti-Aging 5 Reasons You’re Not Losing Weight The Surprising Brain Connection that Could Improve Your IBS [Ask Inna] What You Want to Know about Losing Weight & Feeling Good with Hashimoto’s Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information. Never miss an episode -  Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts and remember to rate and review the show! Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Some of the links provided are affiliate links. This means we may make a very small amount of money should you choose to buy after clicking on them. This will in no way affect the price of the product but it helps us a tiny bit in covering our expenses.

The Case:  With Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism she knew she had to watch out for triggers She worried that the toxic chemicals in her hair dye could become a trigger but she wasn’t ready to go gray She looked at organic options, but realized they all STILL had harsh chemicals and the substitutes were even worse.    Full disclosure, this week’s case is about ME and my struggle to find a healthy way to stave off the grays without triggering and worsening my Hashimoto’s. I was determined to find an answer and I did.  The Investigation I was shocked to discover that there are many hair dye options that present themselves as a healthy option but that still contain many chemicals. Several ‘ammonia free’ options have chemicals that could be potentially worse. And, the addition of ‘organic’ to a label or name does not mean there aren’t chemicals, it just means some of the ingredients are organic. How frustrating! Luckily, I did find a solution that is safer and still works. It’s called Hairprint. Like with most things, it has its pros and cons. To find out a bit more about the product itself, I invited Jennifer Barker on the show.  Jennifer has been in the hair industry for over 20 years. She's a hairdresser and colorist and now she’s the director of customer experience at Hairprint. Are Hair Dyes Toxic? Jennifer explains how conventional hair dye works and why so many hair dyes contain potentially harmful toxins.  Ammonia or nanolumens are used in many hair dyes to pull apart the layers of the hair protein to give the dye access to the hair shaft. Ammonia-free dyes often use chemicals like hydrogen peroxide and PPD (Paraphenylenediamine) to do the same thing. It’s worth noting that PPD is so potentially harmful that it is banned in Canada and the EU.  This chemical-process compromises the whole structure of the hair internally and externally. Chemicals may also seep into your bloodstream during the dying process if the chemicals are on the scalp.  These toxins can harm the immune system, the respiratory system, the liver, the kidneys, and can trigger serious allergic reactions. Can Hair Dye be Triggering for Autoimmune? Anyone with an autoimmune disease like Hashimoto's or with any type of chronic illness may be more sensitive to the toxins in conventional hair dyes and the toxins can be triggers for any autoimmune disease. For some, they will experience itchiness or hives right away or a few hours later. Sometimes, it’s cumulative so it may not happen the first few times someone uses a hair dye and then the third or fourth time there’s a reaction. The reaction can differ too. It might be itchiness, a rash, or even hives.  It may also be when the immune system is already being challenged by another trigger. In some cases, like in mine, there may not be a direct scalp reaction but the accumulation of toxins in the body can create further immune confusion and therefore further attack of our organs by our own immune systems.  The Truth about Organic Hair Dyes I often see organic hair dyes and I think it must be better than the conventional options but Jennifer says that it’s a bit misleading. She says that the FDA doesn't define, recognize, or regulate the term ‘organic’ in the personal care industry. This means that companies can add natural ingredients and call their hair dye organic but does not mean there aren’t chemicals in the dye. Often the added botanical or organic elements have nothing to do with the dying process; they are just in addition to the usual chemicals in a conventional hair dye. It’s basically marketing, according to Jennifer. How Does Hairprint Work? Hairprint really is a different process than regular hair dye - in fact, Jennifer doesn’t like to put it in the same category and I can see why.  It has 8 food-grade ingredients and the key ingredient is melanin from velvet beans. Melanin is what determines the color of our skin and eyes.  The process of Hairprint is more like biomimicry than dye. It takes unpigmented hair (gray hair) and puts the melanin back into the hair. It does this without the harsh chemicals required to open up the hair follicles and hair shaft but this means that the process does take a bit more care.  The Hairprint Process There is a learning curve when it comes to using Hairprint and it does take a bit of preparation. There can’t be any residue or buildup on the hair before the treatment. So, Jennifer says it’s best to pause all conventional hair care products for seven days. It's known as the seven day cleanse.  The next step is to use the chelating shampoo. This may need to be repeated as many as 4 times over the course of a week in order to remove any residual silicones, calcium and other minerals (more prevalent if you use hard water), chlorine, or excess sebum. The chelating shampoo draws the impurities out.  After that, there are three steps to the process - the prepare, the restore, and the complete. The ‘Prepare’ stage is a pre-treatment shampoo that you leave on for 5 - 25 minutes depending on how sensitive your scalp is (everyone is different but the standard duration is 15 minutes). This softens the hair cuticle. If you have color treated hair, you only need to treat the untreated hair during step one.  Step two is ‘Restore’ which is when you restore the pigment of gray hairs. You can choose between pigment that is light brown or dark brown. These contain the same ingredients, they just have different ratios of pigment. You are mixing it together and once you see it turn a reddish color, you want to get it on your hair within 6 minutes of mixing. If you're doing your whole head then put it everywhere but you can just do your roots if that’s all that needs coverage. Allow it to process for 15 to 20 minutes and then repeat. For those who are more than 30% gray, you would do this step an additional 3rd time after which you would rinse is out. If you are transitioning from conventional hair dye to Hairprint, you will want to make sure that you are only applying the mixture to your virgin hair. If you apply it to previously colored hair, you will not have a uniform color. Instead, apply shea butter to the previously colored hair to avoid the Hairprint color from getting on to the previously colored hair. Over time, your previously colored hair will grow out and you will be able to skip the shea butter application.  The final step is ‘Complete’. Some people who are used to coloring their hair compare this step to applying toner but what it’s actually doing is helping push the pigment further into the hair cuticle. This step warms up the color by increasing the hair’s light reflection. It also helps with the longevity of the color.  Can You Apply Hairprint to Henna Treated Hair? Don’t be tricked into thinking that because Henna is natural, it’s not dye. There are two types of Henna - the kind you use for body art which is pure and and the kind sold as a hair color treatment which is compound. If you are using the hair treatment, it may contain chemicals like PPD, so you will want to avoid applying Hairprint directly onto this color treated hair. Jennifer says it’s best to allow the Henna treated hair to grow out instead.  My Experience with Hairprint Like many people, I thought it was going to be impossible to cover up my grays without chemicals. I had worked so hard to avoid having any chemicals in my food and my home and I hated to think that coloring my hair was the one place my healthy plan might be compromised. I thought I might be able to avoid the chemicals getting into my system by treating my scalp with oils beforehand but then the dyes wouldn’t take. And, while the conventional dye was doing the job of covering the grays for a few weeks after each treatment, it left my hair feeling dry and unhealthy.  I decided that the commitment to dying my roots every 4-6 weeks for the rest of my life was too much compromise. With Hashimoto’s I didn’t want there to be any avoidable chemicals in my life that could cause a flare up.  I started researching options and stumbled on Hairprint. I was skeptical. Was it a scam? Would it work? Was it truly a chemical-free option? And, after watching videos about the process, I wondered if it would be worth all of the work.  I decided to give it a try and have been so pleased with the results. The proof is in the images I’ve shared on my website. You can see the grays in my roots and how nicely they are covered up after the Hairprint process.  I had never colored my own hair and I was nervous about doing it. There are a few hairdressers who can apply Hairprint and I was so excited to discover one that wasn’t too far away (much further than my previous hairdresser but still a doable distance).  I share my entire experience of switching to Hairprint in this podcast but I will say that the best part is that I no longer have to endure the odor of chemicals when I go to the salon! And, I didn’t have to give up covering up my grays.  SEE PHOTOS OF MY HAIR HERE Eliminating Health Mysteries For me, finding a way to remove even more chemicals from my lifestyle without compromise was another way to avoid health issues related to Hashimoto’s. Could this be the missing clue for you or someone in your life?    Links: Resources mentioned Thanks to my guest Jennifer Barker. You can connect with her like I did through the Hairprint website. https://www.myhairprint.com/   SEE PHOTOS OF MY HAIR HERE   Related Podcast Episodes: https://healthmysteriessolved.com/ask-inna-answers-to-all-your-hashimotos-questions/ https://healthmysteriessolved.com/inna-answers-more-hashimotos-questions-part-2/ https://healthmysteriessolved.com/solving-autoimmune-mystery-inna-topiler/ https://healthmysteriessolved.com/5-reasons-youre-not-losing-weight/   Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information. Never miss an episode -  Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple

The Case:  Leila has been dealing with Hashimoto’s, Lyme and Crohn’s disease for years.   She was managing her symptoms through a strict regimen of supplements, diet, and various practitioners. Emotionally, she was feeling disconnected, discouraged, and joyless. We so often focus on the biochemistry side of autoimmune issues that we forget the importance of taking care of our emotions and connection to life. In other words, there’s more to feeling good than just the physical.  The Investigation Getting to the root of health issues, especially chronic and mysterious ones, is quite multi faceted. We really have to address it from all angles. While biochemistry is important, it's just one part and there are many areas that also play a very large role. This was what was missing for Leila and felt it was going to be important for her to really connect with herself and discover her true self.  This is not always easy so to help out, I invited a self-discovery coach to join me on this episode of Health Mysteries Solved.  Sara Katherine is the host of the podcast, Be Your Own Badass and the author of Your Self-Discovery Journal, I’m Awesome: Here’s Why, and Be Happy. Be Calm. Be YOU.  Her mission is to help women achieve their goals without letting people-pleasing or perfectionism get in the way.  What is Self-Discovery? Before we can dive into self-discovery, it’s important to be able to frame it. For Sara, self-discovery is understanding what you want and what makes you you. She says the ultimate goal of being in tune with who you are, your values, what motivates you and your passions is that the more you’re in tune with these, the more action you can take in life. And, that action will feel authentic and right.  For someone like Leila, or anyone who is so focused on their symptoms and their health journey, it’s easy to start to feel disconnected with that authentic self. Being able to tap into what makes you you again will help you take care of your symptoms and day-to-day issues but also remind you that you’re more than what you're dealing with right now. How to Get Started with Self Discovery For anyone who has never looked into self discovery, it can be a bit daunting. Sara recommends starting small by tuning in to your intuition (which is just like doing a gut check). She says to hold space and check into how you’re feeling about something. Pay attention to how your body responds to that thought. Too often our minds are going a mile a minute and we don’t stop to check in with ourselves. She explains the concept of listening to our intuition as having an inner mentor (the opposite of the inner critic).  It's the part of you that understands you and wants the best for you. It has the best results for you in mind. Checking in with your inner mentor can take as little as 5 minutes. To do it, start by sitting in silence. Then, do a life audit and scan through what you’re going through on a day-to-day basis. Pay attention to what comes up from your inner mentor. This is a great first step in reconnecting with yourself again.  How to Tell Intuition from Fear The challenge that many people have with intuition or listening to their gut is that sometimes, when we have fear, we call it intuition. Sara says that she has also struggled with this because anxieties can creep up and get in the way of intuition. She says it’s all about understanding that deep connection to your truth which comes with practice. Practice by paying closer attention to your emotional and physical responses to things. Meditation is also a way to hone your intuition skills. She also suggests paying close attention to which feeling comes first. Usually, the fear comes first but when you sit with it for a moment you can let the intuitive response in.  Misconceptions Around Self-Care Ask someone for an example of self-care and chances are the response will be either get a message or take a bubble bath but are these really examples of self-care? Sara says they may be but only if that’s what personally fills you up. Self-care is personal. Each person has a different way of recharging their batteries. For some, it might be connecting with friends while others prefer time alone.  There is no one size fits all for self-care - it is highly personal.  If you don’t know what fills you up or recharges your batteries, you need to try new things and pay close attention to how it feels before, during and after. But, don’t wait until your cup is empty - find what fills it up before you need it filled. For example, for me, if I don't sleep, I don't feel well. One of my forms of self-care is going to bed early and getting lots of sleep. If I wait until I’m tired to get more sleep, it’s already too late. The Difference Between Self-Care and Self-Love The act of self-care is an act of self-love because it cultivates self-love. Sara also says to think of self-care as the action and self-love as the state you achieve. Being able to take care of yourself and understand yourself throughout the process, that helps you be kinder to yourself and appreciate different pieces about you. This all brings self-love into your life. Self-love also has to do with the inner critic versus the inner mentor. When we are in a state of self-love, we listen more to our inner mentor instead of our inner critic.  Being kind to ourselves, and honoring the inner mentor can be a challenge especially for those who are people-pleasers or perfectionists. The inner critic is strong in these personalities, so there is a lot more work that needs to be done to combat the inner critic. For anyone dealing with autoimmune issues or who are on a health journey, it can be very hard to focus on the inner mentor because things don’t always go smoothly and the path isn’t always linear. So, practicing self-care and cultivating self-love are really important because a negative mindset can affect the healing journey.  How Can a Lack of Self-Love Manifest Physically While this is difficult to prove scientifically, anecdotally there are many stories of people struggling with health until they are able to cultivate self-love. Sara says that she notices it physically. For her, it’s the digestive system that responds to times when she is allowing stress to creep in, when she’s not getting enough sleep or when she listens too much to her inner critic.   When you let the inner critic win, you end up in a negative state and that can spiral. You stop appreciating the positives, you may not do the things you need to do to feel good (like take time to go for a walk in nature or even just to take some deep breaths). It can compound if you don't combat it with some self-care practices.  Fueling Self-Care and Confidence Confidence and self-care go hand in hand. When your self-care and self-compassion are low, it affects your self-love. If your self-love is low then it’s hard to be confident. For anyone dealing with autoimmune disease, this confidence is critical. However, Sara points out that nobody feels totally confident every single day. Confidence comes and goes. Sara says that confidence is more like a muscle than a state of being. Building (and maintaining) confidence requires regular practice, just like self-care. One common way to boost self confidence is through daily affirmations. Another is to remind yourself of what’s good in your life by keeping a daily gratitude journal. These practices help you focus on the positive each day and give you support through the challenging days. Even when things are challenging, you can always find something to be grateful for - even if it’s just the roof over your head or the apple in your hand.  All of this adds up. When you're taking care of yourself, you’re practicing self-care and cultivating self-love and confidence, you’ll find yourself in a positive state. Your body is more likely to respond positively to that state.  How to be Grateful When You’re in Pain or Your Autoimmune Symptoms are Acting Up One of the first things to let go of when you are struggling to find something to be grateful for is the stress of trying to find the positive. Don’t be so hard on yourself. It’s okay to just feel what you’re feeling; to sift through it rather than push it down. It’s important to process the emotions that come with the struggle of autoimmune symptoms.  Processing these emotions allows us to move and find those little things to be grateful for. The more you do these practices, the easier it is to get through the hard days. It's a culmination of your daily habits, your emotions, your gratitude, and listening to your inner mentor. You can do big things but it's really about the culmination of the smaller habits that you integrate into your daily life. Even starting on such a simple level of gratitude of just what even exists right now in your situation. Spark Joy Another great positivity practice is noticing what brings you that spark of joy, passion or purpose. It could be anything from a book, a television show, spending time with a specific person or anything, as long as it makes you feel good. This is something you can start doing right away - just start by noticing feelings of joy. Ask yourself what the source of that joy is and note it. You might keep a notebook handy or use an app on your phone to make a quick recording. Be mindful and appreciative about it. And then you can use this to combat negative feelings and also to look for more opportunities to spark that joy again.  As you do this, you’ll start to reconnect with who you are and what you want. This will lead to a deeper understanding of your passions and purpose.   For anyone dealing with a health issue, whether it’s due to autoimmune or something else, this practice can help take the focus off your sickness or symptoms and shift it to the positive. Too often we start to identify with our illness instead of remembering who we really are. What is Perfectionism and How does it Impact our Health?  A perfectionist feels a need to achieve all things to the best of their ability, and often that means without any errors, m