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“We are what we eat” is a common known phrase, but Naturopathic Doctors take that statement one step further by stating “We are what we absorb”. There is a large difference between those two statements. One major reason for this is the predominance of food allergies, and the more recent acknowledgment of food sensitivities. The immune system reacts differently to an allergy vs a sensitivity, and thus vary in the repercussions. If a food is not tolerated by the body, the established barriers of ‘self’ and ‘non-self’ are hampered and nutrient absorption can be compromised. This occurrence mainly happens in the digestive tract. The list is anything but limited in terms of the reactions the body can have when a food is deemed ‘foreign’ to the body. These allergies or sensitivities may not necessarily be present at, or before birth, but can develop in childhood, and even well into adulthood. At any age, they are not a welcomed occurrence, however, in knowing and accepting the impacts that any which food can have on the body, changes can be made that can drastically improve a person’s life. There are several foods that have made the top list of allergenic foods. Within that list, there can be allergies present and/or sensitivities to one, or many. The list is as follows: 1. Dairy 2. Eggs 3. Wheat (gluten) 4. Soy 5. Shellfish 6. Peanuts Aside from the commonly known immediate reactions to food, such as hives, rash, or anaphylaxis (airway constriction), there is an even larger list of greatly varied symptoms that can occur, minutes, hours, or even days after the consumption of a food. For some, a large amount of that food needs to be consumed for a reaction to occur, for others, only a minuscule amount, possibly hidden in a food, can be enough to set off a whirlwind of symptoms. Possible symptoms include: Heartburn, indigestion, stomach cramps, gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, excess respiratory mucous, blurry vision, allergic shiners (bags under the eyes), achy joints, chronic pain, itchy throat, itchy skin, candida eruptions, fatigue, poor concentration, irritability, difficulty sleeping, menstrual cramps, irregular periods, slow wound healing, depression, weak muscle strength, headaches & migraines, frequent colds & flu, ear infections, sinusitis, eczema, psoriasis, acne, asthma, arthritis, and aggravation or progression of autoimmune diseases. Some of these symptoms can last for days after the food is consumed, and if the food continues to be consumed, further serious health concerns can develop, such as the sequelae of autoimmune diseases. The food that are ancestors consumed is far different then what is available to us in the grocery stores today. Food is no longer just food, but what comes with it, is a multitude of hundreds of foreign pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, as well as the ever emerging presence of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which scientists have yet to learn the full, long term repercussions of in our food system as a whole, or in our bodies. Food has also genetically changed and mutated over the course of hundreds of years. Most land has grown the same crop year after year without the rotation of crops, which is intended to allow the soil to be replenished and give different nutrients to the foods it inhabits and births. The food industry has changed the way we eat. It is thus imperative that we adapt and change the way we eat in order to ensure that our bodies receive the necessary nourishment from food. For many, that involves the removal of some, or many foods from the diet. Symptoms of food allergies and sensitivities are a red flag from the body to listen to what it needs and what it can not tolerate. Sometimes it can be hard to decipher what food(s) are at the core of the problem. That is where an elimination diet and/or allergy/sensitivity testing is necessary. It may be that the removal of the food for six or more months (along with other dietary, supplement, and lifestyle alterations) will allow the body to heal, and once that healing has occurred, that food may be allowed to be reintroduced with few or no repercussions. Any symptom produced by the body is meant to be heard and thus addressed. Naturopathic Doctors help clarify the issue of what to eat to ensure proper nutrient absorption. It is worth the time and effort to discover what foods your body is not well tolerating, and to make the appropriate changes. Naturopathic Doctors can help you to modify these changes in your diet as well as other lifestyle changes to best suit your body’s need for balanced health.
Vancouver Naturopath: Vancouver Naturopathic Doctor Krista Moyer
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Any symptom is the body’s way of showing your cognitive self that something is out of balance. If you listen to it, you can reap the benefits. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a varied collection of symptoms that 75-90% of women experience on a regular basis. Just because it is ‘common’, does not mean it is ‘normal’. PMS is a signal to you as a woman that your body is out of balance. Of the long list of possible contributors to PMS, your nutritional state can have great impact.
Nutrient deficiencies that may contribute include the following: 1. Calcium A mineral that controls muscles abilities to contract and relax, which a lack of, can contribute to low back pain, muscle cramps, and fatigue. High levels of estrogen can disrupt calcium absorption and availability, most notably when estrogen levels are too high in proportion to progesterone. In addition to managing high estrogen levels, calcium can be supplemented. 2. Magnesium This mineral is key to allowing muscles to relax as well as regulating nerve function. High levels of estrogen will also disrupt the levels of magnesium in the body. 3. Vitamin B6 This vitamin is intimately related to hormone production, especially those responsible for mood. It is also responsible for estrogen metabolism. A very important vitamin to help balance PMS. 4. Vitamin D This vitamin has sometimes been referred to as a hormone, as it has so many profound effects on the body. One most widely known effect, is it’s mood enhancing abilities. Because of fluctuating hormone levels during the pre-menstrual phase, mood can greatly be effected. Vitamin D can greatly dampen these effects and improve your mood. 5. Fiber Excess hormones, as well as other toxins, are partially eliminating by binding to fiber. It is the bulking agent for excess substances to latch on to and be excreted via the feces. Without it, and sufficient water, excess hormones and toxins are reabsorbed back into the body. It is so very important to have daily fiber. A great way to get that is via freshly ground flax seeds. They are quite palatable. Take 2 tbsp with water at night approximately 1 hour before bed. The liver is most active during sleep and will be processing and filtering our entire bodies. The fiber will bind the excess and properly eliminate it via the intestinal tract. Fiber, especially flax seeds, are an excellent way to eliminate efficiently! There are many factors to consider when addressing the cause and subsequent treatment in alleviating PMS. In addition to supplementing with these nutrients, there are many other natural and effective treatments that can be addressed with the help of a qualified licensed Naturopathic Doctor. You can reach Dr. Krista Moyer at Broadway Wellness by calling 604.732.5222. Vancouver Naturopath: Vancouver Naturopathic Doctor Krista Moyer |
Dr. Moyer Naturopath Vancouver
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