Interstitial Cystitis (IC) 101

Interstitial cystitis is something that I see quite often in my practice. It’s also known as painful bladder syndrome and is extremely uncomfortable and even painful. IC often causes bladder pressure, bladder pain, and can also cause pelvic pain. Some people with interstitial cystitis may deal with chronic severe pain on a regular basis from this condition.

If you suspect you may have IC or have been battling it for quite some time, keep reading. I am going to dive further into what interstitial cystitis is, it’s link to digestive conditions and some things you can start doing today to help reduce symptoms.

What is Interstitial Cystitis?

To better understand what IC is, let’s talk about the function of your bladder. Your bladder is an organ that holds urine. Once your bladder is full, it will send a signal to your brain telling you that it’s time to go to the bathroom. The communication happens through the pelvic nerves. (1)

When IC is present, these particular signals get mixed up so you may feel the need to use the bathroom more frequently and you may have a smaller volume of urine than most people.

This condition also affects more women than it does men and it can significantly impair one’s quality of life if not treated.

Symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis

Some of the most common symptoms associated with this condition include:

Pelvic pain
Frequent urination up to 60 times per day, which is often in small amounts
Feeling like you need to constantly urinate
Pain while your bladder fills
Feeling relief after you urinate
Pain during intercourse

Symptoms can vary from person to person, and there may even be periods where you don’t experience any symptoms at all. If you do have any of the following symptoms, they are commonly confused with urinary tract infections. In the case of IC, there is no infection, but the symptoms can be similar. This is why it’s important to work with a practitioner who has experience working with patients with interstitial cystitis so that you can get the proper diagnosis.

Causes of Interstitial Cystitis

While there is not one known cause of IC, there have been some connections made as to what could potentially lead to this condition.

It’s thought that people who suffer from interstitial cystitis may have a defect in the protective lining of their bladder.

Other causes may include:

An autoimmune reaction
Allergy
Infection
Heredity

Your age can also play a role as most people who are diagnosed with this condition are usually diagnosed during their 30’s or after.

IC & The Gastrointestinal System

There is a link between interstitial cystitis and the gastrointestinal system. It’s been noted that women who have IC generally have gastrointestinal symptoms as well. (2)

Specifically, the connection between SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) and IC is clear. A study found that most patients who had IC and also had gastrointestinal symptoms tested positive for SIBO. 47% of those who tested positive, and who were treated, showed improvements in their interstitial cystitis symptoms!

This study proves that when dealing with IC, it’s important to take a look at the digestive system and strengthen it as well. In my practice, I always take gut health into account and often run a wide variety of tests to detect potential gut infections. If we can uncover a gut infection and get that treated, there’s a good chance that the IC symptoms may improve.

Improving IC Symptoms

In order to relieve symptoms and keep symptoms at bay long-term, it’s important to get the proper testing to determine if a gut infection is causing some of the pain associated with this condition. On top of the proper testing, there are some additional steps you can take.

Avoid caffeine and alcohol
Avoid acidic juices such as cranberry juice
Adopt an anti-inflammatory diet
Try a yeast free diet by eliminating things like sugar, vinegar, and malt
Eliminate wheat, grains, sugar, and processed foods from the diet
Reduce stress
Get tested for food sensitivities. Many patients with IC also suffer from food sensitivities so knowing what these are can help get you on a healing path

Essential Oils for IC

Essential oils are great for a number of conditions, and interstitial cystitis is certainly one of them. Some of the most commonly used oils for this condition include lavender and sandalwood. There are also a handful of other options that may be beneficial as well. Let’s take a further look at each one:

Lavender: This essential oil is a natural pain reliever and acts as an anti-spasmodic which makes it an excellent choice for IC sufferers.
Sandalwood: Another essential oil that acts as a natural anti-spasmodic and has antiseptic properties. This is a great oil for the pain associated with IC.
Thyme: Thyme essential oils holds impressive antiseptic as well as antibacterial properties and also acts as an antispasmodic oil.
Cypress: This essential oil is great for many different types of spasms and is also known for having a very calming effect on the body.
Geranium: Geranium essential oil holds some anti-inflammatory properties and is even known to help reduce irritation.
Clary Sage: Clary sage essential oil has some powerful anti-inflammatory as well as anti-spasmodic properties which are both great when treating IC.
Juniper: This essential oil may be able to help reduce both cramps and gas from the intestines.

When using essential oils, it’s important to use pure grade quality oils in order to gain the most benefit. My favorite essential oil company is Young Living.

How to Use Essential Oils for IC

So, how exactly do you use these oils?

Here are a couple of ways to add essential oils to your healing protocol:

Massaged into the skin: You can dilute an essential oil with some coconut oil and massage the oil into the skin right above the bladder area. Even when diluting oils, you will want to do a patch test on a small area of your skin to make sure that you do not have any reactions. Essential oils are also very powerful so a couple of drops goes a very long way.
Diffuse the oil: You can add a couple of drops of essential oil into a diffuser to diffuse the oil in your office or home.
Add a few drops to your bath: Taking a relaxing bath is a great way to soothe away pain but it’s even better when you add a couple of drops of essential oil.

If you are suffering from weight gain, fatigue, hair loss and more, click here to schedule a phone call with me, so I can find out where you’ve been, where you want to get to, and how I can help you get there.

I know exactly where you are because I’ve been there myself…I remember being so tired that I could barely function. I gained 30 pounds out of nowhere and had a severe case of brain fog. I also started to get severe anxiety and panic attacks. I was driven and motivated…until I wasn’t. I didn’t know what was happening to me. All I wanted was to get my life back…

Finally, I learned about functional medicine and found a practitioner that I hoped could help me. They ran specialized tests that were far different than I had ever had before. When I got the results back, it turned out I had candida, parasites, high cortisol, the Epstein Bar Virus and many food intolerances. I also had an issue with my thyroid that no one found before because they were using the conventional medicine lab ranges which are way too broad….which I now know is one of the leading causes of hypothyroid misdiagnosis.

I went through treatment of all of these things and it completely changed my life. I immediately lost the 30 pounds I had gained plus more, I had a lot more energy, and my brain fog was gone. I felt amazing and knew that I wanted to help people find the underlying causes of their symptoms and disease.

Sources

Mayo Clinic. Interstitial cystitis
The Integrative Women’s Health Institute. (2015) Relief for SIBO With Interstitial Cystitis Related Bladder Pain
Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP. Interstitial Cystitis
Marc Seward. (2015) Essential Oils for Interstitial Cystitis.

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by Peter Saydak

Why Perfume is Toxic

While all women like to have a spritz of perfume now and then, perfume may be doing much more harm than you think. I am going to talk about why perfume is toxic and share how perfume acts as an endocrine disruptor throwing your hormones out of balance and potentially causing further thyroid dysfunction.

Why Perfume is Toxic

Believe it or not, the perfume that you use daily contains a number of chemicals some of which may not even be listed on the label. In fact, the average fragrance product contains 14 hidden chemicals that are not listed! (1) This is on top of the average 15 chemicals that are listed on the ingredient label. This means your bottle of perfume or cologne may contain close to 30 different chemicals. Scary, right? But, how do companies get away with not letting us know what’s lurking in our products?

While The Federal Fair Packaging and Labeling Act of 1973 have forced cosmetic companies to actually list out the ingredients in their products, fragrance is not included in that. Consumers are bound to be using products not even knowing what’s actually in them. Some of these chemicals have not even been tested for safety.

What’s worse is that many of the chemicals found in these products have been linked back to hormone disruption and are known to cause allergic reactions. Some chemicals also pose the risk of being able to build up in human tissue. This is not something you want to be spraying on your body.

Chemical Endocrine Disruptors

It’s important to understand what is actually inside of perfume and why perfume is toxic because at the end of the day we have to be our own advocates. If companies are going to pack in hidden ingredients, it’s up to us to avoid these chemicals at all cost and be informed about what they do to our body.

Here are just a handful of chemicals inside fragrance bottles to help explain why perfume is toxic.

Parabens:

Parabens are commonly found in perfumes, and parabens are synthetic preservatives. The problem with this is that they are known to disrupt the endocrine system by interfering with both hormone production as well as the release of hormones in the body.

Synthetic musks:

The scary thing about synthetic musks is the fact that they have been found to build up in the body in things like body fat, and even breast milk. Synthetic musks have also been found to cause endocrine disruption.

Phthalates:

Here’s yet another synthetic preservative that holds cancer-promoting properties. Phthalates have even been linked to damage caused to the liver as well as the kidneys. The reproductive system can also be affected by phthalates.

Ewg.org which is an excellent resource for determining safe and non-toxic products talks about the hormone disruption perfume can cause. A laboratory study found that 12 different-hormone disruptors were found in the tested products with about four different hormone-disrupting chemicals in each individual product, some contained more. Some of the chemicals mimic estrogen, and the others had thyroid effects. (2) That’s shocking, and a really important reason to stay away from chemical perfumes at all cost.

The bottom line here is that yes, perfume is toxic and it certainly disrupts the endocrine system among other body systems as well. So when you wear perfume, not only are you hurting yourself, but you are hurting the people around you as well.

Non-Toxic Perfume Alternatives

While you may be disappointed to hear that your favorite perfume may not be the safest option, there are some healthier non-toxic fragrance options. Organic essential oils are excellent, and they smell amazing. When you use pure grade essential oils, you ensure that the fragrance you wear is naturally derived as opposed to chemically.

Using Essential Oils Instead Of Perfume

My favorite way to wear a natural “perfume” is to use Young Living Essential oils. My favorite oil they offer is endoflex, and I mix this with coconut oil and then wear it as a lotion. It smells absolutely amazing, and the best part is that it supports the endocrine system as opposed to disrupting it.

Young Living also offers roll on essential oils some related to stress reduction which can help calm the senses and add a pleasant aroma to your skin at the same time.

If you are currently using toxic perfume, I highly recommend you swap it out with an essential oil. Essential oils are excellent, they smell amazing, and many of them can be made into lotions. Essential oils can even be diffused in an essential oil diffuser instead of using artificial air fragrances.

Just a word of warning for essential oils. Not all will be appropriate for direct skin contact. You will always want to do a small patch test with essential oil that is properly diluted in a carrier oil such as coconut, or jojoba oil.

Start taking the step towards toxic-free products today. Removing each toxic product and replacing it with a non-toxic option is incredibly rewarding for your health. You move one step closer to taking a huge burden off of your endocrine system.

To learn more about essential oils use this link

If you are suffering from weight gain, fatigue, hair loss and more, click here to schedule a phone call with me, so I can find out where you’ve been, where you want to get to, and how I can help you get there.

Sources

Mercola. (2013) Is Your Perfume Poison?
(2010) Not So Sexy: Hidden Chemicals in Perfume and Cologne

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by Peter Saydak

Mast Cell Disorder: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

What is Mast Cell Activation Syndrome?

Mast cell activation syndrome is a complex condition but one that is becoming more well-known. Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) involves many different body systems which can cause many different symptoms. Many of the symptoms are related to the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and neurological systems as well as the skin.

Mast cell disorder can also be classified as either being primary secondary or idiopathic meaning there is really no identifiable cause of this condition.

So what exactly is MCAS? To understand this condition better, it’s important to understand the role mast cells play in our body. Mast cells are in most of our body tissues, and they are present in order to help protect the body from injury and are intricately involved in our bodies allergic response. When the body responds to threats or foreign invaders, these cells will secrete things such as histamine, prostaglandins, cytokines, among other chemical mediators. Many of these chemicals will increase inflammation, cause an increase in heart rate, and even congestion. While these don’t sound like pleasant symptoms, they are actually highly protective when our body is responding to a foreign invader, and they help our body heal.

While mast cells play an important role in response to things like allergic reactions, it's been found that these cells are closely linked to the development of autoimmune diseases and many other disorders. (1)

While we need mast cells to survive, overactive mast cells can cause mast cell activation syndrome and can lead to a handful of symptoms. More and more people are being diagnosed with MCAS and part of the problem may very well have to do with the number of environmental as well as food chemicals we as humans are exposed to on a daily basis. It throws these mast cells into overdrive and can lead to some serious problems.

The symptoms associated with mast cell activation syndrome are due to a large amount of histamine in the body as a result of the activated mast cells.

Other Diseases Associated With Mast Cell

More times than not there are other diseases associated with mast cell activation syndrome. Some conditions can go hand in hand with MCAS meaning that if you have one you may be more likely to develop the other. Here are some of the diseases linked to mast cell activation:

Allergies
Asthma
Autoimmune diseases
Irritable bowel syndrome
Celiac disease
Anxiety
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Eosinophilic Esophagitis
GERD

It is also important to know that MCAS can be developed at any time it’s not something you are born with. However, women are more likely to develop this and it’s affecting more people than ever before.

What are the Symptoms of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome?

Mast cell activation syndrome comes with a plethora of symptoms. The symptoms are so vast that it can make diagnosis a little complicated without working with someone who has experience with this condition.

Many of the common symptoms are ones you would associate with an allergic reaction, while others you may not be able to pinpoint to one specific cause. Here are some of the symptoms to watch out for:

Hives
Swelling
Flushing
Itching
Gastrointestinal complaints
Wheezing
Shortness of breath
Heart palpitations
Low blood pressure
Anxiety
Headaches
Brain fog
Fatigue

Mast Cell Diagnosis

One of the diagnostic factors when trying to uncover mast cell activation syndrome involves looking at symptoms. This involves looking at symptoms that are in line with mast cell mediator release that will affect two or more organs and may present with the following symptoms:

Hives
Low blood pressure
Heart palpitations
Swelling
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea

There are also a handful of diagnostic lab tests that can be run to help diagnose mast cell activation syndrome including serum tryptase, plasma histamine, PGF2a, N-methylhistamine. A 24-hour urine test to detect the presence of mast cell mediators can be very helpful as well. (2)

It’s also important to work with a skilled practitioner who has experience with MCAS as diagnosis can be tricky. Many times blood panels come back normal which is why it’s recommended that they are run twice when you are symptomatic.

I often see clients come to my practice dealing with mast cell activation syndrome and often times there’s a trigger for why it is occurring. Some common triggers would include environmental toxins and chemicals, medications, certain reactive foods or foods high in histamine, and of course stressors.

The biggest give away to me that someone has MCAS is when they have been sick for a long time with very unexplained symptoms that no one can figure out.

Treatment Options

If you’ve been diagnosed with mast cell activation syndrome, there are some treatment options to help keep your symptoms at bay.

There are many medications that are commonly used with MCAS with some of the more popular options including antihistamines, leukotriene inhibitors, and mast cell stabilizers. Antihistamines are often the first line of defense as histamine is released by activated mast cells in very large amounts. The Antihistamines work to block the histamine receptor. Keep in mind that there are different types of histamine receptors, so you will want to work with a practitioner who knows which antihistamines work against which receptor for proper treatment.

A low-histamine diet is also an important step in controlling mast cell activation syndrome as well as cutting out gluten and controlling both physical and emotional stressors. There are also some natural supplements that work as natural antihistamines such as quercetin, and omega-3 fatty acids. My favorite supplement for mast cell disorder and the one I recommend to my patients is histo-relief. This mast cell stabilizing supplement supports immune function, as well as the body's response to food and environmental factors, and aids in gastrointestinal function and antioxidant processes. I love this supplement because it's made from natural compounds to naturally support the body and can be extremely beneficial for those with mast cell disorder.

While working to stabilize the mast cells I then look for underlying triggers like gut infections, HPA-axis dysfunction, heavy metal toxicities and others. Finding these triggers can really help to keep this disease at bay, as medication is not the long-term answer.

Having mast cell activation syndrome can make you feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to start your healing journey. The first step is to uncover the trigger so that healing can begin. Adding the proper supplements, starting a low-histamine diet, and reducing stress levels are excellent places to start. If you want to read more specifically about histamine, read my article on histamine intolerance here.

If you are suffering from weight gain, fatigue, hair loss and more, click here to schedule a phone call with me, so I can find out where you’ve been, where you want to get to, and how I can help you get there.

Sources

Jill. Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS): When Histamine Goes Haywire…
Lisa Klimas (2015). Initial diagnosis and treatment of mast cell activation disease: General notes for guidance.

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by Peter Saydak

Juice Fasting 101: The Pros and Cons

Fasting is becoming more mainstream today, and more people are turning to fasting to help kick start their weight loss efforts. Some people juice fast to give their body a good detox after overindulgence during the holidays or over a vacation.

No matter what the reason, there are some things you will want to know about juice fasting before jumping in feet first. As with all health trends, there’s the good and the bad. You will want to be aware of these things before you commit!

What is Juice Fasting?

Juice fasting is pretty much just as it sounds. It’s when you fast from all sources of food except for juice from fruits and vegetables. By doing so, your body will begin the release toxins, and lots of nourishment and repair can take place!

Juice fasting is different from water fasting in the sense that you are still getting nutrition into your diet. Instead of it being in the form of food, it’s in the form of these nourishing juices. This helps provide your body with nourishment while still allowing it to cleanse itself as opposed to water fasting where you abstain from all sources of foods.

The Pros of Juice Fasting

If done properly, juice fasting can provide the body with a ton of benefits! For one, it’s a great way to detox the body. When you give your digestive system a break from food, your body can begin eliminating built up toxins. Some of these toxins may have been dormant for extended periods of time and getting rid of them can do tremendous things for your health.

Juice fasting also nourishes your cells. Fruits and vegetables contain powerful sources of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants to support our body. This is one of the many benefits of juice fasting. Not only are you helping your body detox but you are providing it with the nutrition it needs to thrive at a cellular level.

Let’s take a look at some of the other amazing benefits of juice fasting:

When fruits and vegetables are juiced, your body is better able to absorb all of their powerful nutrients. Since the fruits and veggies are in their liquid state, all of the insoluble fiber has been removed making digestion that much easier.
You can try lots of new fruits and vegetables. When you are doing a juice fast, you are likely going to want to look for variety as not to get bored! This is the perfect time to introduce new superfoods to your palate that you can enjoy even after the fast.
A juice fast provides an excellent start to a new healthy eating plan. Whether you are looking to lose weight or just get healthy, a juice fast can be the kickstart you need to get going. A juice fast preps your body and helps you get over those sugar cravings when you are jumping into a new clean eating diet.
One of the most obvious benefits is the advantage of eliminating toxins from your body. Here are just some of the toxins you can remove from your body when you juice fast. Toxic wastes in the lymphatic system and bloodstream, toxic waste built up in the kidneys and liver, excess mucus build up in the sinuses, and even excess cholesterol. (1)

The Cons of Juice Fasting

While there’s a lot of good that can come from juice fasting, there are also some not so great things. Many of these cons are associated with juice fasts that may not have been done as properly as they could have been. With that being said, I am also going to go over how to do a juice fast so you can get the most benefit possible!

Juice fasting can lead to excess sugar intake. This is especially true for those juices that are packed with fruit but very little When you do a juice fast, it’s important to stick to juices that are primarily made from vegetables. You want to skip the ones that are completely fruit based to avoid triggering a blood sugar spike. Fruit juice cleanses can also tax your liver which is the last thing you want when you are trying to cleanse the body! Fruit is high in fructose, and too much can overwhelm the liver.
When you juice fast, you miss out of the fiber fruits and vegetables have to offer. While juicing removes the fiber and makes the juice easier to digest we do need fiber in our diets for the long haul. Insoluble fiber helps to bulk up our stool and remove waste, so you will definitely want to add fiber back into your diet after the juice fast. Fiber also helps to slow the digestion of sugar and can help stabilize blood sugar. This is just another reason it’s important to avoid juices primarily made with fruit. There is no fiber to help slow the digestion of the sugar.
Juice fasting can also get expensive. Whether you are purchasing your own produce to juice or you are buying a juice fasting program, the prices do add up. When making your own juice, you will need to use about twice the amount of ingredients to make the juice as opposed to just eating the fruit or vegetable in its whole state.

Who Should Avoid Juice Fasting

While juice fasting can provide your body with a number of health benefits, it’s not for everyone.

People with diabetes should probably avoid juice fasting as juices can be fairly high in sugar depending on the fruit content.

Anyone who has difficulty balancing their blood sugar levels should avoid juice fasting. While you may get a decent amount of calories from a single juice it is not going to fill you up as a regular meal would. It’s missing protein, fat, and fiber which all help to keep your blood sugar levels stable.

Pregnant women or breastfeeding moms should avoid juice fasting. The caloric demand on pregnant or breastfeeding women is much greater than the average person. You will not be able to obtain your daily caloric needs from juices alone.

Anyone who suffers from a chronic illness will likely want to skip juice fasting. The body needs adequate protein to heal and repair, and when illness is present, it’s even more important. Juice fasting lacks protein so is probably best to be avoided in cases of illness.

How to do a Juice Fast

Are you ready to start your own juice fast? If so I am here to guide you on how to get started.

Here are some guidelines to follow to help make your juice fast a healthy and positive experience:

Stick to a 4:1 ratio vegetables-fruits to avoid excess sugar.
Buy organic produce when possible to avoid pesticide exposure. We are trying to cleanse after all!
If you are making your own juice, invest in a juicer. Keep in mind that you don’t have to go overboard with a super expensive one especially if this is your first time trying out a juice
If you are purchasing juice, be sure to get your juices ordered and picked up the day before your fast.
Plan ahead. Plan what types of juice you will have during your cleanse and do your shopping ahead of time.
Prep your fruits and vegetables. This includes washing them and getting them organized in the fridge or on your countertop.
Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day. This will help to keep you hydrated but will also help to flush out additional toxins from the body.
Continue to exercise throughout your fast. You will not want to do strenuous exercise but a brisk walk will do.
Start slow. There’s no need to jump into a full seven-day juice fast just starting out. Do a gentle three day fast over a weekend or whenever you have some extra time to put into juice preparations and taking extra great care of yourself.

If you are suffering from weight gain, fatigue, hair loss and more, click here to schedule a phone call with me, so I can find out where you’ve been, where you want to get to, and how I can help you get there.

Sources

Juicing for Health. (2017) Benefits of a Juice Fast/Feast
Axe. Juice Cleanse: The Pros & Cons of a Juicing Diet

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by Peter Saydak

What is Functional Medicine?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mrf5MYJTJig

Working as a Functional Medicine Practitioner, I often get asked the question, what is functional medicine? How is functional medicine any different than modern day medicine seen today and what exactly is a functional medicine doctor?

In this article, I am going to break down how it’s different and how you can benefit from working with a functional medicine practitioner.

What is Functional Medicine?

I like to define functional medicine as having a well-rounded approach to working with patients and helping them get to the root cause of their illness.

I also use the following words to define functional medicine at its core:

Investigative. Addresses symptoms by focusing on the underlying cause of the problem, which leads to more profound and longer lasting results.
Holistic. Envisions the body as an interconnected whole that is in dynamic relationship to its environment, and recognizes the importance of these connections in health and disease.
Safe. Treatments have mild or no side effects, and other unrelated complaints often improve spontaneously.
Patient-centered. Treats the patient, not the disease. Treatments are highly individualized based on patient needs.
Participatory. Patient is respected, empowered, educated and encouraged to play active role in healing process.
Integrative. Combines the best of both modern and traditional medicines and emphasizes importance of diet and lifestyle.
Restorative. Tests and treatments designed to promote optimal function, prevent and reverse disease, and improve quality of life.
Preventative. Guided by the ancient Chinese saying, “The superb physician treats disease before it occurs.”
Evidence-based. Based on the latest research from peer-reviewed medical journals, and uncorrupted by corporate and political interests.

Functional medicine is much more about getting to the bottom of your health issues and uncovering your root cause. It’s very different from modern day medicine where prescriptions are written just to provide a band aid for symptoms. In functional medicine, we focus on the patient and not the disease as each patient is going to present with something different. We also incorporate both modern and traditional approaches to get the best possible outcome for each individual patient.

It's about looking at the whole picture and getting each patient involved.

Who is Functional Medicine For?

Many of the patients I see in my practice have gone down the modern medical route. They have seen dozens of doctors, done hundreds of tests, and taken a handful of medications with little to no relief from their symptoms. Many patients come to me when they feel like no one else has truly listened to what they have gone through.

While functional medicine is for patients who have searched endlessly for answers to their health issues, functional medicine can also be for anyone who is just starting the process of uncovering their health issues.

Functional medicine is for anyone who wants to take an investigative, safe, holistic approach to their health. Functional medicine is for anyone who doesn’t want to rely on unnecessary drugs and other medical interventions for the rest of their lives. This approach is for anyone who wants to play an active role in their health instead of being pushed out of the doctor’s office after a 5-minute visit. A functional medicine approach works well for someone who is willing to make the dietary and lifestyle changes necessary for their health.

Conditions We Work With

Functional medicine doesn’t just focus on treating one particular condition. Functional medicine practitioners work with a wide range of health conditions. In my practice, I specialize in thyroid health but have worked with patients with all of the following conditions as well:

Acne
Adrenal disorders
Anxiety
Arthritis
Asthma
Autoimmune disease
Cardiovascular disease
Chronic fatigue
Chronic sinusitis
Chronic infections
Depression
Diabetes
Digestive disorders (IBD, IBS, GERD/Reflux)
Eczema/psoriasis
Elevated cholesterol
Environmental and food allergies
Fatigue
Female disorders (PMS, Menopause, Infertility, PCOS)
Fibromyalgia
Histamine Intolerance
Hormonal imbalances
Interstitial cystitis
Mast cell activation syndrome
Mercury and heavy metal toxicity
Metabolic syndrome, pre-diabetes, insulin resistance
Migraines and headaches
MS (Multiple Sclerosis)
Osteoporosis
Overweight and obesity
Sleep disorders and insomnia
Stress
Thyroid disorders

If you are suffering from weight gain, fatigue, hair loss and more, click here to schedule a phone call with me, so I can find out where you’ve been, where you want to get to, and how I can help you get there.

by Peter Saydak

Healthy Paleo Mayonnaise and Salad Dressing in Less Than 5 Minutes!

https://youtu.be/cxBnN5DIalk

Here are my favorite healthy paleo mayonnaise and creamy Italian salad dressing recipes that will actually increase your health and will take less than 5 minutes to make. I use avocado oil when making my homemade mayonnaise and here is why; Just half of an avocado has 345 mg of potassium, 185mg of lutein, 19.5 mg of magnesium, 60mg of folate, 10mg of choline, 19mg of glutathione and 57 mg of phytosterols (which can lower bad cholesterol). Think about all of these benefits as you get to indulge in a delicious food that we have always been told to stay away from (mayo). Get ready to be obsessed, here are my two must have recipes!

Paleo Mayo

1 cup of avocado, extra light tasting olive oil or MCT oil
Juice of half a lemon
Organic mustard (I use spicy mustard or dijon), 1 tsp
1/2 tsp of pink Himalayan sea salt
1 egg

Paleo Creamy Italian Dressing

1/2 cup of the paleo mayo
2 TBSP of apple cider vinegar (or red wine vinegar, make sure it's gluten free)
1 tsp of oregano
1 tsp of basil
1-2 garlic cloves, minced
Add 1/4 of oil if you want it to be thinner, I keep the oil out and make it thick and creamy

Watch the video above to see how to make these!

I like to make these 1-2 times a week and then it's ready to be used for salads. The dressing makes a really good dipping sauce for veggies as well!

Enjoy!

by Peter Saydak

What is an Autoimmune Disease and Would you Know if you Had One?

Autoimmune diseases are on the rise, and more and more Americans are being diagnosed every single day. However, what is an autoimmune disease? What does this term mean, and how do you know if you have one?

Autoimmune diseases are complex and can take years to diagnose. In fact, many people will see an average of six doctors over a span of four years before they are diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. (1) Why? This is due to a number of things. For one, there are countless autoimmune diseases, and many have similar symptoms. Some autoimmune diseases may also be asymptomatic making it hard to be diagnosed until years down the road.

In this article, I am going to answer the question what is an autoimmune disease, talk about some of the most commonly diagnosed autoimmune conditions, and some steps you can take today.

What is an Autoimmune Disease?

Autoimmune diseases are extremely complex; they cause your immune system to attack healthy cells in your body as opposed to protecting them. When you have a healthy immune system and autoimmune disease is not present, your immune system works to protect your body from both disease and infection. However, with autoimmune conditions, this overactive immune response can affect different areas of your body and can even cause changes in organ function. (2) For example, with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the autoimmune condition specifically attacks the thyroid. This can lead to thyroid dysfunction.

Autoimmune conditions can occur in an isolated area of the body, or they can impact more than one organ or body tissue at one time.

Autoimmune Disease Symptoms

Another reason why autoimmune diseases are so complex has to do with the fact that these conditions can present themselves a number of ways. The list of symptoms is extensive and it all depends on the type of condition one is suffering from.

Here are some of the most common symptoms associated with these conditions:

Fatigue
Fever
Brain fog
Asthma
Weight gain or loss
Muscle pain/weakness
Stomach complaints
Skin complaints
Frequent colds

What Causes Autoimmune Disease?

While these conditions are often considered mysterious, there is more information coming out about them every day.

It is thought that autoimmune conditions can run in the family. If you have family members with autoimmune disease, then you may be at a greater risk.

Some of the other triggers could include bacteria, viruses, chemical and environmental irritants, as well as drugs.

Leaky gut is another autoimmune trigger. Seeing that nearly 80% of the immune system lies in the gut, having leaky gut can trigger an autoimmune disease to occur. Leaky gut means that the tight junctions that are supposed to hold your gut lining together have loosened up and thus allowed all sorts of toxins, bacteria, and even undigested foods into your bloodstream. (3) Since these particles are not supposed to be in your bloodstream, your immune system goes into attack mode. An inflammatory response is then triggered. When you have leaky gut, this occurs on a daily basis, and your immune system is strained and stressed to the max. Over time your immune system can start attacking your own body tissues which is when autoimmune disease starts.

The Most Commonly Seen Autoimmune Diseases

With nearly 80 different types of autoimmune diseases, it’s impossible to talk about every single one in a blog post, but some of them are definitely more prevalent than others.

Here are some of the most commonly seen autoimmune diseases:

Rheumatoid arthritis
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Scleroderma
Psoriasis
Hashimoto’s disease
Vitiligo
Celiac disease
Addison’s disease
Graves disease
Sjögren’s syndrome
Type 1 diabetes

How to Diagnose an Autoimmune Disease

As mentioned before, autoimmune diseases can take years to diagnose and often times many different doctor visits. Autoimmune diseases take detective work to uncover which is why it’s so important you go to a practitioner with experience working with autoimmune conditions.

Since not all autoimmune conditions present themselves with symptoms, and everyone’s condition will be unique, testing must be done.

Some of the standard tests offered include:

Antinuclear antibody (ANA) test: This test takes a look at the presence of autoantibodies. A high level of these autoantibodies can point to certain autoimmune conditions including lupus, and scleroderma.
Inflammation and organ function tests: These tests are often ordered to check on the function of specific organs.
C-reactive protein (CRP): An elevation usually means there is inflammation happening in your body.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate: Indirectly measures the inflammation in your body. (3)
Urinalysis
Comprehensive metabolic panel

Autoimmune Disease Treatment

Unfortunately, there is no one quick fix. Living with an autoimmune disease means balancing your health in more than one area. It’s important to know that just taking one approach to improving your health will likely not lead to remission. It’s critical to take all aspects into account. This means taking a look at your diet, activity level, lifestyle choices, and stress levels. Without a healthy balance of all of these things, flare-ups and symptoms could spiral out of control.

While rheumatologists will often look to medications to keep symptoms at bay, there are things you can do as well. Being that there is no cure for autoimmune diseases taking your health into your own hands is so important.

Here are some treatment steps in treating an autoimmune condition:

Daily stress reduction
A healthy sleep schedule
An anti-inflammatory gluten free diet
Exercise
Avoiding known triggers: Including food and environmental triggers
Taking vitamins and appropriate supplements
Holistic approaches: Acupuncture, chiropractic care, meditation

Autoimmune Disease & Gut Health

With all of my autoimmune patients, I focus heavily on gut health. Supporting the gut is a huge part of supporting overall health and the immune system. In fact, a large part of the immune system lies in the gut so getting tested for gut infections including Sibo, dysbiosis, yeast overgrowth, and leaky gut is important and then treating the underlying gut infection takes priority when dealing with an autoimmune disease.

Autoimmune Disease Diet

While no one diet fits all, I have found that many people with autoimmune conditions do well on a Paleo style diet. This dietary approach removes inflammatory foods from the diet including gluten, sugar, and dairy. These are all foods that many people suffering from autoimmune conditions have a hard time tolerating, even if they do not realize it. There are other foods like eggs and nightshade vegetables that some people may need to stay away from, but this can be determined on a case by case basis.

While having an autoimmune disease can make you feel like you have no control over your health, you do! By taking charge of what you put in your body, you can help calm that inflammatory immune response in the body. Ultimately the foods you eat will dictate how many flare-ups you have and your ability to go into remission.

I encourage all of my clients whether they suffer from autoimmune conditions or not to focus on a nutrient dense diet.

Along with diet, stress levels, exercise, and sleep are all integral parts of healing.

If you are suffering from weight gain, fatigue, hair loss and more, click here to schedule a phone call with me, so I can find out where you’ve been, where you want to get to, and how I can help you get there.

Sources

Amy Sarah Marshall (2014). The Detective Work of Autoimmune Disease
Krisha McCoy. WebMD. Diagnosing an Autoimmune Disorder
Health Line. Autoimmune Disease

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by Peter Saydak

The Top 9 Foods For Hashimoto’s

https://youtu.be/rrEJ_RlOpIg

Food plays an integral role in our overall health, including the health of our thyroid. In this article, I am going to talk about the top 9 foods you should be eating if you have Hashimoto’s. These foods support the thyroid, nourish the body, and don’t trigger inflammation.

A huge part of getting into remission means taking a good hard look at the foods you consume on a daily basis. Diet plays an even more important role when dealing with an autoimmune health condition, especially because most people with autoimmune conditions also suffer from leaky gut. This is a huge reason why the foods on this list not only support thyroid health but gut health as well. Autoimmune disease and leaky gut go hand in hand. The bottom line is that the more severe the autoimmune disease, the worse the leaky gut. (1) It’s a vicious cycle because leaky gut can cause flare-ups when dealing with autoimmune conditions which can then go on to damage the gut lining even further.

This is just one of the many reasons a healthy diet is essential to treating Hashimoto’s disease. Not only for gut health but for inflammatory reasons as well. When your thyroid is already inflamed, the last thing you want to do is consume inflammatory foods. It’s like adding fuel to the fire. By following a diet appropriate for Hashimoto’s disease you can remove many of the inflammatory foods from your diet and help your body go into remission. Remember that setting the foundation of health starts with our food choices!

Before I talk about specific foods to add to your diet, here are some of the dietary recommendations I share with my clients starting a Hashimoto’s style diet:

Eliminate gluten
Eliminate dairy
Significantly reduce or completely eliminate sugar
Eliminate fried and processed foods commonly found in the Standard American Diet

To read more about the best diet for Hashimoto’s, check out my article here.

Now that you know the basics behind an autoimmune supporting diet, let’s take a look at the top nine foods you should be eating if you have Hashimoto’s:

The Top 9 Foods for Hashimoto's

1. Organic Vegetables

Vegetables are an essential part of a healthy diet. They contain powerful antioxidants to help keep inflammation at bay. They are also rich sources of essential vitamins and minerals to help nourish your body. While vegetables are healthy, it’s important to buy organic whenever possible. Conventional fruits and veggies are sprayed with harmful herbicides and pesticides which can cause even more harm to our endocrine systems. Buying organic ensures you steer clear of these harmful toxins.

The one thing to keep in mind when it comes to vegetables is that nightshade vegetables such as tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, and potatoes can cause flare-ups in many people with thyroid conditions. Many people will need to eliminate them at first, and some may be able to reintroduce them down the road. Goitrogenic vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts should also be avoided in their raw state. In large amounts, goitrogenic vegetables are thought to slow down thyroid function. For this reason, these vegetables are best consumed when cooked.

2. Low Sugar Fruits

While cane and artificial sugars are off limits when trying to restore thyroid health, fruits can make a great addition to a healthy diet. Strive to enjoy low sugar fruits and enjoy a piece of fruit with a healthy fat such as nuts or seeds to help keep blood sugar levels at bay. Fruits are another rich source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and they make the perfect healthy dessert. Some low sugar fruits include things like berries, apples, pears, and cherries.

3. Green Plantains

While maybe not the most popular fruit of choice, these plantains should make their way onto your shopping list! Green plantains contain resistant starch which feeds the good bacteria in the gut.

4. Fermented Foods

Fermented foods are excellent for gut health. Remember that taking care of your gut is an essential part of getting into remission. Enjoy foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, unsweetened coconut yogurt, and water kefir. These foods pack in a healthy dose of healthy bacteria to keep your gut happy.

5. Grass Fed and Pasture Raised Animal Products

Protein is going to be an important part of your new healing diet. Keep in mind that although animal products can be a great addition to your diet, not all meats are created equal. The best option is grass-fed and pasture raised. Conventionally raised animal products are pumped full of antibiotics, steroids, and hormones. As you can imagine, this can cause imbalances in your body which is the last thing you want when trying to heal your body. If you are unable to purchase grass-fed and pasture raised 100% of the time, second best is organic. The most important thing is to completely avoid factory-farmed animal products.

6. Bone Broth

One of the best things to consume for gut health is bone broth! Bone broth is rich in the amino acids l-proline and l-glycine, rich in collagen and a handful of important nutrients. Bone broth is great for leaky gut as it helps to heal the gut lining. The best way to enjoy bone broth is when you make it yourself. It only takes a handful of ingredients and a stockpot or slow cooker. I have a recipe posted here.

7. Coconut Oil

Healthy fat is going to be an important part of your healing diet. Coconut oil can help heal the gut and provide energy which is important for anyone with Hashimoto’s. Coconut oil is rich in caprylic and lauric acid which helps support a healthy metabolism and can help fight fatigue. (2)

8. Wild Caught Fish

Wild-caught fish can provide you with a healthy dose of omega-3 fatty acids EPA/DHA. These fatty acids are needed for proper thyroid function as well as hormone balance. Omega-3 fatty acids are also very anti-inflammatory. Be sure to opt for wild-caught fish VS farm raised as farm-raised fish tend to be high in inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids not to mention their chemical and antibiotic content.

9. Seaweeds

While this may not sound like the most appetizing food choice, you can make a delicious seaweed salad using dried seaweed. Seaweed is a rich source of iodine which helps to prevent iodine deficiencies.

Food can truly be medicine we just have to know how to use it. Suffering from Hashimoto’s means there is a greater demand for a healing and nourishing diet. When you pay attention to the foods you consume you are more likely to give your body the foods it needs to repair. While diet is only one piece to a very complex puzzle, looking at your food choices is a great place to start. Try adding these top 9 foods for Hashimoto’s into your diet to get started on your healing journey!

To learn more about the Paleo-style anti-inflammatory diet I recommend or if you have Hashimoto’s or another thyroid disease, I recommend reading and following the recommendations in my book, The 30-Day Thyroid Reset Plan: Disarming the 7 Hidden Triggers That are Keeping You Sick. You will learn everything you need to know about thyroid disease. I offer a 30-day plan to improve your health and my favorite thyroid-friendly recipes to nourish your body with delicious meals abundant in these top 9 Hashimoto's-friendly foods.

If you are dealing with symptoms of Hashimoto’s disease or other thyroid issues, I invite you to schedule a consultation with me. I can help to identify the root cause of your condition and recommend a personalized treatment plan to repair your body and regain your health and well-being. Schedule your consultation here.

Sources

(1) K News (2015). Autoimmune gut-repair diet

(2) Axe. Natural Remedies for Hashimoto’s Disease

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by Peter Saydak

The Best Hashimoto Diet

Diet plays an integral role in every aspect of health, so it only makes sense that there is a specific diet for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Specific dietary strategies can greatly reduce symptoms, and even possibly eliminate the need for medications. Food is just one of the things we can take control of. It’s up to us to decide what we feed our body. If you suffer from Hashimoto’s dietary choices are even more important. I am going to share a Hashimoto diet plan with you to help get you on the right track with your thyroid health.

The Importance of Diet

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Diet Options Diet is not only important when you suffer from an autoimmune disease but in every other area of your health. When you make healthier dietary choices, you are less likely to suffer from certain health conditions. When you eliminate your known trigger foods, autoimmune conditions have the potential to go into remission.

With Hashimoto’s disease, eliminating your food triggers is such an important piece to healing from this condition. The last thing you want is to add more inflammation to your already inflamed thyroid.

Let’s take a look at the Hashimoto’s diet I recommend as well as some of the dietary changes I recommend all people with Hashimoto’s make.

Diet for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

While no one diet fits all, the diet I recommend my clients following when dealing with Hashimoto’s disease is a Paleo style diet. This dietary approach removes many of the commonly consumed inflammatory foods which allows the overactive immune system time to settle and the thyroid to heal.

A Paleo style diet works so well because it removes many of the foods that don’t mix well with this autoimmune thyroid condition. Let’s look at these foods more closely:

Gluten

Hashimoto's diet Gluten is something that absolutely should be removed from the diet when dealing with Hashimoto’s
disease. Gliadin is a protein found in gluten which happens to resemble the thyroid gland once ingested. This is where problems come in with those who suffer from thyroid disease. When this protein passes through the gut lining and into the bloodstream, the body attacks this protein. Not only is the immune system on a path of destruction for gliadin, but for the thyroid as well.

Another problem with gluten is that the immune system can respond to gluten for up to 6 whole months after consumption! This is why it’s so important to completely eliminate gluten, and not just reduce it. With a Paleo diet, gluten is completely out of the question.

What to Eat Instead of Gluten?

Quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat, teff, wild rice, and millet are fantastic gluten-free options. Sweet potatoes and Yukka are other great alternatives. If you want some pasta, zoodles (zucchini noodles) are a fantastic option. Try lettuce wraps, collard green wraps instead of bread, wraps, and buns. Toast some sweet potato slices instead of gluten-filled bread.

Dairy

Another food item eliminated from this Hashimoto’s diet approach is dairy. One of the many issues with dairy is the fact that cow’s milk contains different proteins than the proteins found in human milk which can be a huge issue for anyone who suffers from digestive issues which a large majority of those with autoimmune disease do. An immune response can be triggered by these foreign proteins and cause chaos in the body. When dealing with Hashimoto’s, it’s a good idea to eliminate dairy. Eliminating dairy can help heal the gut and the immune system at the same time.

What to Eat Instead of Dairy?

Almond milk, cashew milk, hazelnut milk, and hemp milk are fantastic dairy-free milk options. Make sure to buy organic, unsweetened varieties without additives or make your own. For healthy fats, try avocados, nut cheeses, or nut butter instead of cheese. If you are looking for a cheesy flavor without cheese and dairy, sprinkle a bit of nutritional yeast on your meals and salads.

Sugar

A Paleo style diet urges you to eliminate all processed and artificial sugars. This is great news for those with Hashimoto’s as sugar does not work well when trying to heal from this condition.

One of the many reasons sugar should be out of the question is the concern for balancing your blood sugar. Anyone who is looking to reduce or even eliminate Hashimoto’s symptoms will need to work hard to balance their blood sugar. The issue with blood sugar imbalances is that many people will consume large amounts of carbohydrates to feel better. When you consume carbs to try to boost your energy levels, you may be causing your blood sugar to spike too suddenly at the same time. It’s a vicious cycle you do not want to be a part of.

What to Eat Instead of Sugar?

When you first go sugar-free, it will be emotionally difficult for the first couple of weeks. The good news is that your body will adjust to this new way of eating. You will feel more energetic and healthy, and you won’t be missing sugar at all. If you want some sweetness in your life, low-glycemic index fruits, such as strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries, and sweet vegetables, such as beets, sweet potatoes, and carrots will satisfy your sweet tooth. For sweeteners, you can use a bit of monk fruit or stevia without disrupting your blood sugar levels.

The Paleo Diet Can Help

The Paleo Diet is a fantastic approach if you are dealing with Hashimoto’s or other thyroid conditions. The Paleo approach urges you to remove sugar, gluten, and dairy from your diet, and choose a more natural and healthier way of eating.

By following the Hashimoto’s diet based on Paleo principles to improve your Hashimoto’s, you will be consuming fewer calories, more protein, and more healthy fats to keep your blood sugar levels steady throughout the day. You will learn how to manage your blood sugar levels by using food as fuel. It seems so simple but you can feel better just by trying a few simple dietary modifications.

If you have Hashimoto’s or another thyroid disease, I recommend reading and following the recommendations in my book, The 30-Day Thyroid Reset Plan: Disarming the 7 Hidden Triggers That are Keeping You Sick. You will learn everything you need to know about thyroid disease. I offer a 30-day plan to improve your health and my favorite thyroid-friendly recipes to nourish your body with delicious meals.

Final Thoughts

Health starts with the foods we choose to eat. The sooner you balance your diet, the faster you can balance your health and get well. Addressing your dietary choices is an important part of overcoming Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Working with a functional medicine practitioner, like myself, who has extensive experience in thyroid health, can guide your journey and help you with a personalized Hashimoto’s diet using Paleo principles.

by Peter Saydak

The Top 5 Hashimoto Symptoms

https://youtu.be/a9Gcb049AcU

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common form of inflammation of the thyroid and affects about 14 million Americans in the United States (1). Hashimoto's symptoms are also often overlooked which is just one reason why it’s crucial to know the symptoms of this condition so that it can be addressed.

The symptoms linked to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis could easily be misdiagnosed. You will want to be your own advocate here and also see a functional medicine practitioner who has extensive experience in working with those with thyroid conditions.

Let’s dive in and talk about what Hashimoto’s is and the five Hashimoto’s symptoms everyone should know about!

What is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis?

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune thyroid condition that was discovered in 1912. This is a condition in which immune cells attack healthy tissue. With this thyroid condition, the immune cells will directly target the thyroid. As a result, inflammation of the thyroid can occur.

While Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can affect anyone, women are seven times more likely to develop this condition. Women are also more likely to suffer from other autoimmune conditions.

When you suffer from a thyroid condition such as Hashimoto’s, your thyroid may be unable to make enough thyroid hormone which can lead to hypothyroidism. Hashimoto’s is often to blame when it comes to developing hypothyroidism.

There are many complications associated with Hashimoto’s. It’s important to get this condition under control as soon as possible and address the cause at its source. Not only can this condition lead to hypothyroidism, but it can also cause so much inflammation that a goiter develops.

If you think you may suffer from this condition and want to learn more about the symptoms and warning signs, keep reading.

The Top 5 Signs of Hashimoto's

Here are five Hashimoto's symptoms everyone should know about. Knowing about these symptoms will help address the issue at the source.

#1 Goiter

Goiters can develop due to inflammation of the thyroid which is why they are often present with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Not all goiters cause symptoms so you may not know you have one unless you get checked by your physician. Other goiters may cause symptoms. Common symptoms include throat tightness, coughs, and even difficulty breathing depending on the size of the goiter. This is one of the telltale signs of Hashimoto’s, if you notice swelling around your thyroid, it’s important to get this checked out.

#2 Fatigue

This is one of the most common symptoms of this autoimmune thyroid condition. Fatigue can often be brushed off if you don’t go to a practitioner who has experience in thyroid health. Fatigue that is linked to thyroid dysfunction usually means you are so fatigued that you do not have the energy to do the things you used to do. It just becomes too difficult to sustain your energy. (2)

#3 Weight Gain

This is one of the most frustrating symptoms associated with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Many people try everything and do all the right things to lose weight but just can’t seem to shed a pound. If you struggle with weight loss despite putting in lots of effort, it may be time to check your thyroid. The reason behind this is that our thyroid plays a major role in the health of our metabolism. When our thyroid function is impaired, so is our metabolism. Thyroid issues can make it much more difficult to burn calories. While medications are usually always an option with Hashimoto’s, there are also diets such as the Paleo diet and exercise as well as lifestyle changes that can significantly help improve your chances of weight loss and improve Hashimoto’s at the same time.

#4 Increased Sensitivity to Cold

If you notice that you are always colder than everyone else around you and have a hard time adjusting to cooler temperatures, your thyroid may be to blame. The thyroid is referred to as the body's thermostat. Checking your thyroid function at your routine wellness visit and discussing any concerns of being too cold all the time is an important step in ruling out thyroid conditions.

#5 Constipation

While not something anyone likes to talk about, addressing it is an essential part of living a healthy lifestyle. If you suffer from constipation, you may be surprised to find out that the thyroid does play a role here. Hypothyroidism which is often caused by Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can cause body systems to slow down. This includes both digestion as well as elimination which can lead to constipation. Many people with thyroid conditions such as Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism may suffer from this unwanted symptom. With diet modifications, this too can be remedied, but it’s important to also address the cause of the disease at its source.

Solutions for Hashimoto’s

Are you ready to live life without these top Hashimoto’s symptoms? Diet is your superpower that can help you regain your health and well-being. I recommend a Paleo-style Hashimoto’s diet with plenty of greens, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and clean protein. It’s a simple approach outlined in my 30-Day Thyroid Reset Plan.

Sources

Kresimira (Mira) Milas MD. Endocrine Web. Symptoms of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Mercola (2008) What is Thyroid-Related Fatigue?

by Peter Saydak