Archive: Hormones

Community Health, Detox, Digestion, Healthy Living, Hormones, Nutrition, Self-care, Stress, Women's Health

The Wild Collective: A Community Health Initiative

Sisterhood is the medicine I never knew I needed.

I had read up on all the research and on an intellectual level it made sense.  But I didn’t realize it was the missing link for my health until I had my son, Stuart, 3.5 years ago, and felt so alone.

I went through some pretty serious breastfeeding challenges, which left me feeling isolated and like a failure as a mom and as a Naturopathic Doctor. The breastfeeding challenges eventually led to severe sleep deprivation, which quickly turned into postpartum anxiety. I remember the thought of getting out of the house was fraught with stress so severe, that sometimes it was just worth it to stay inside all day. I isolated myself from my friends and family and blamed it on being “busy” and “tired”. Eventually, I hit rock bottom when I suffered from burnout and low mood. I remember reading to Stuart before bed, trying to put on a happy face, but really feeling too tired to even read the words on the pages. I would sing him bedtime songs and do my best not to cry.

Eventually, I reached out for support from a psychologist, my medical doctor, my Naturopathic Doctor and my family and friends. I got the help I needed and allowed myself to be vulnerable and supported by others. I also found out that my thyroid was under-functioning and my adrenals were out of whack; things that can be treated using naturopathic medicine. I joined mom groups and devoured “real mom” podcasts, which led me to co-create the Perimenopausal Mamas podcast to support other moms going through challenging times to let them know they are not alone and that there are solutions out there for them.

And then, when I came across The Wild Collective, a revolutionary women’s health and community initiative, I knew I had to become a facilitator.

The Wild Collective is a perfect blend of health education, empowerment and community support. Not only do I get to help women uncover the blockages and imbalances that may be interfering with their ability to live their best life; I also get to facilitate the creation of a community of like-minded women that helps each other out and reclaims their wild.

This is how you can meet your people.  People who love and accept you for who you are, so life can get a little sweeter and a lot more fun. 

Be prepared to be a part of something raw and real and to see transformations in your health and in your life.

As a clinician it is often hard to get women to face the obstacles to cure that are seriously getting in the way of thriving health.  Negative self talk, sadness, projected expectations and hanging out with energy vampires all impede your ability to heal. It is my experience that sisterhood is the answer.

It is such an honour to be a part of the Wild Collective. I look forward to travelling on this journey with you, in sisterhood, as we each allow each other to stand in our light, gain clarity on purpose, and take bold action. 

When I say sister you are home, I take that very seriously.

When I say reclaim your wild, I mean that wholeheartedly. ‘

When I say your community awaits you, I mean it. 

You deserve sisterhood that feels like soul food; you deserve a safe space to grow and thrive.

The Wild Collective is starting very soon. Join me for the info session and learn why this is the medicine you never knew you needed.

Space is limited. Sign up for one of the free Info Sessions (the week of Jan 25th, 2021) HERE.There are some EPIC bonuses if you attend live!

In Sisterhood,

Lisa xo

If you have any questions about the Wild Collective, or want to reserve your spot, contact me HERE (even if you can’t make the info session).

Anxiety, Healthy Living, Hormones, Meditation and Mindfulness, Mood, Stress

Is It Anxiety? How to Find Out and Deal With It, Naturally.

 

Is your mind constantly racing?stress-2902537_640

Do you feel overwhelmed by the day-to-day tasks and unable to cope?

Do you feel like you can never get ahead and never have time for yourself?

Then you may be suffering from anxiety.

Common symptoms include: sleep problems, difficulty concentrating, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, a rapid heart rate, sweating, constant worries, heartburn/reflux and IBS symptoms.

It is more common than you think: In Canada, by age 40, 1 in 2 will have –or have had – a mental illness. Only about 50% of those will tell a friend or co-worker about it.

Anxiety can be caused by or worsened by a number of medical conditions. It is important to see your primary health care practitioner to rule out such causes as: hyperthyroidism, anemia or low iron/B12, hypoglycemia, or drug-induced anxiety (from the abuse of stimulants, caffeine, cocaine, steroids, etc.).

When you are anxious, your body is on high alert, responding as if it was fighting for your life, even if you are just rushing to get the housework done or thinking about that big project at work whose deadline is quickly approaching.

The effect on the body is the same, regardless of the situation or perceived threat. Digestion and reproductive functions shut down, since the priority is to increase blood flow to the muscles to physically run away from the threat (real or perceived). Your heart rate, blood pressure and blood sugar levels increase to supply the body with extra energy to survive. Over time, chronic stress can lead to weakened immunity, diabetes, heart disease, weight gain, headaches, digestive issues, fatigue, burnout and insomnia.

Here is one of my favourite quotes about depression and anxiety:

“If you are depressed you are living in the past.
If you are anxious you are living in the future.
If you are at peace you are living in the present.”

― Lao Tzu

This is not to say that anxiety and depression are just in your head; commonly recognized causes in Naturopathic Medicine include: hormone or neurotransmitter imbalances, inflammation, leaky gut/dysbiosis (did you know that most of your serotonin receptors are in your gut?), nutrient deficiencies and heavy metal toxicity.

But it is important to recognize possible psychological triggers for these conditions.

As a new mom, some of my anxiety came from the realization that I could only accomplish a fraction of what I saw as “productive work” in a day compared to before I had another human to care for. The routine daily tasks could leave me, at times, feeling unfulfilled, drained and anxious that I hadn’t done enough for my business or my family.

I started to suffer from difficulty sleeping, palpitations and trouble concentrating. It was hard to live in and enjoy the present moment.

Don’t get me wrong; I love being a mom; but there were times when I would feel overwhelmed and depleted by it all.

What helped me to cope and accept my new reality was by following a few simple (yet effective) steps:

  1. To identify which daily activities drained me. I soon realized that multi-tasking was zapping my energy. I felt energized if I set a timer for 30 minutes and worked on one thing at a time, taking a break once the timer went off.
  2. To identify which daily activities energized me: getting outside for a walk allowed me to come back refreshed and with a clear head. Meditating for 10 minutes helped me get focused and feel more present. Writing blog posts filled me up and became a source of enjoyment.
  3. To receive help. This sounds so simple and obvious, but how often do you actually accept help when it is offered to you? If someone offered to feed Stuart or change his diaper, instead of turning them down, I would take them up on their offer, freeing up more time and space for myself. Pay attention to how often you receive help and how often you turn it down; it may surprise you that you are passing up on opportunities to take things off your plate.
  4. Create a “ta-da” list, a concept I heard about from Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project. At the end of each day, write down all of your accomplishments, however seemingly “small”. Even making homemade food for Stuart or doing 2 loads of laundry, in addition to seeing patients and working on social media, became a source of accomplishment. Often we don’t reflect on our successes and end up focusing on what we weren’t able to complete. The “ta-da” list is a great way to flip that bad habit on its’ head.

As a Naturopathic Doctor, I have some tools up my sleeve to help with the physical manifestations of anxiety.

Holy basil, otherwise known as tulsi, is one of my favourite herbs for stress, overwhelm and insomnia. I enjoy it regularly in tea form (I steep 1 tbsp of loose leaf tea in boiling water for at least 10 minutes) and enjoy before bed. When I was waking up to attend to Stuart in the middle of the night and having a hard time falling back asleep, I would take the tincture form to knock me out. It worked like a charm.

Avoiding, or at least limiting, sugar is crucial when you suffer from anxiety. It can put you on a blood sugar roller coaster. Initially, after consuming a sugary treat, your blood sugar spikes. Then, it crashes a few hours later, triggering the release of cortisol, worsening anxiety. By eating a balanced breakfast with healthy fat, protein and minimal carbs, you can greatly reduce anxiety during the day. I like to reach for either a protein smoothie with coconut milk; coconut chia pudding with collagen powder added; or eggs, avocado, baby carrots and hummus for breakfast to keep my energy and mood stable. If I am craving sweets, I choose Zazubean “Nudie” 80% dark chocolate, which uses coconut sugar as a sweetener, instead of the blood-sugar-spiking refined or cane sugar.

Other tips to reduce anxiety include: limiting or avoiding caffeine, taking a good quality magnesium supplement, meditating, practicing yoga, and calling up a friend or family member.

I offer lab testing to assess cortisol (stress hormone) levels, which can be done by collecting samples of your urine or saliva. Based on your results, I can individualize a treatment plan using nutrition, herbal medicine, acupuncture, lifestyle counselling and even exercise recommendations to prevent the harmful effects stress is having on your body. CONTACT ME to book an appointment for cortisol testing and/or anxiety support.

Another tool I offer is an 8-week stress-reduction online course called “Burning the Candle at Both Ends: Discover Ways to Live Without Stress”.

From now until the end of February, I am offering a limited-time discount on this online course: the cost is only $49 (a $200 savings!). Don’t miss out on this exclusive offer!

See HERE for more info and to sign up.

Here’s to living in the present and celebrating your accomplishments!

Hormones, Mood, Stress, Weight Loss

Andropause: Male Menopause

The “change of life” not only applies to women, men go through their own version of menopause, called andropause.

Now you may not see men fanning themselves and turning red due to hot flashes, but this change of life does affect their stamina, drive and overall vitality.

Andropause typically occurs in men between 40 and 50 years of age when testosterone levels decline, which can result in fatigue, depression, lack of vitality, increased irritability, mood swings, sleep problems, hair loss, decreased sex drive, night sweats, loss of muscle mass, and/or problems in achieving or maintaining an erection. Testosterone levels can even start to decline in men at the age of 30 and drop continuously over time. This occurs gradually, so the effects may not be as noticeable as in women, whose hormone levels drop more rapidly.

Testosterone is an elixir of life that helps to make men feel strong, young and virile. It maintains bone integrity, preventing against osteoporosis and preserving muscle mass. Testosterone also protects the heart and prevents cardiovascular disease. Obesity, a lack of exercise, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, some medications, a poor diet and stress can all interfere with the action of testosterone.  If you are overweight, your body can actually convert testosterone into estrogen. Not only does this make testosterone levels drop, when estrogen levels get really high, men may start to develop breasts (called gynecomastia).

What Can You Do to Enhance Testosterone Levels?

Lose excess weight by following a healthy exercise program and eating plan. Fat cells in our bodies actually produce estrogen, even in males. Don’t eliminate your fat intake completely, however; choose healthy sources of fat such as avocado, fish oil and raw extra virgin olive oil instead of animal fats and trans fats.

Avoid consuming large amounts of alcohol. Limit beer consumption, as it has been shown to have estrogenic effects, which mask the benefits of testosterone in the body.

Quit smoking and talk to your doctor about any possible side effects of your medications.

Eat organic fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, eggs and poultry. This will reduce your exposure to pesticides, antibiotics and hormones that can impair the action of testosterone.

Eat liver-supporting foods. Include eggs, onions, garlic, dark leafy greens, lemons and limes, artichokes and beets in your diet to help your body detoxify from harmful types of hormones.

Avoid using plastic food and beverage containers and eating canned foods (their lining is made of plastic) as these contain hormone-disrupting bisphenol A.

Go green with cleaners and body care products to avoid exposure to the hormone-disrupting chemicals found in conventional cleaning products.

Exercise to maintain muscle mass and decrease fat mass to optimize your testosterone levels.

Eat cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, rutabaga and turnip, as these all help to reduce estrogen levels in males.

Relax and de-stress. Cortisol, the stress hormone, reduces the action of testosterone. Meditate, or do yoga or deep breathing exercises to take it easy.

Eat zinc-rich foods to maximize testosterone levels. Include cremini mushrooms, spinach, sea vegetables, pumpkin seeds, chickpeas, oysters, crab, lobster, clams, salmon, turkey and lamb in your diet.

Get your fibre in to reduce estrogen levels. Choose organic vegetables, chia seeds and hemp seeds to keep you regular.

Your Naturopathic Doctor can determine your testosterone levels by doing a salivary hormone test. This will test for various hormones, and allow him or her to choose the most appropriate herbs and nutrients to support healthy hormone levels.

With a little help, you will be able to increase your stamina, drive and overall vitality!

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is not meant to replace treatment with a licensed healthcare practitioner. It is for informational purposes only. Consult with a Naturopathic Doctor or other licensed healthcare professional to determine which treatments are safe for you.