#Repost @drautoimmunegirl ・・・ ”M A G N E S I U M __ Magnesium is a common and imperative mineral in the body involved in over 600 enzymatic reactions __ Magnesium has been studied as far back as the 1930s for its potential to relieve migraine headaches - although it is estimated that 68% of Americans do not get enough magnesium in their diet __ STUDIES: MIGRAINES: A study was performed at an outpatient headache infusion center at the University of Southern California given 2 grams of IV magnesium diluted with normal saline to patients over 1-2 hours with an average of 44% pain reduction (Xu et. al., 2019) __ DEPRESSION: Magnesium is necessary in order for tryptophan to convert to serotonin. Serotonin plays a huge role in mental health and mood. A study done by Emily Tarleton et al. showed that 248 mg of magnesium daily for 6 weeks significantly improved depression scores and within 2 weeks of stopping the supplementation effects decreased __ ARTHRITIS: A 4-year study with 2548 individuals with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee were evaluated for magnesium intake via food frequency questionnaires. It was found that 68% of men and 44% of women in the study consumed below the average requirement of magnesium daily. Those with higher intake of magnesium experienced less OA-related pain __ INFLAMMATION: A 2018 systematic review concluded that low magnesium levels were associated with an increase in C-Reactive protein (CRP), a classic marker of inflammation _ The recommended daily amount (RDA): men=420mg/day and women=320mg/day (NIH) __ Which form of magnesium is best? _ In general, organic magnesium salts prove to be more bioavailable than inorganic magnesium salts __ Bioavailability means your body absorbs and uses more of it __ A study found low bioavailability of the inorganic salts (oxide, sulfate, citrate, chloride), while the organic compounds (magnesium malate, glycinate, gluconate, lactate, and aspartate) showed high bioavailability _ Among 10 different types tested magnesium gluconate exhibited the highest bioavailability (PMID: 16548135) _ How many of you take magnesium? If you're looking for reputable supplements, click my link in bio!”

#Repost @functionalfertility ・・・ “It’s not breaking news that melatonin has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but research continues to emerge highlighting use to improve fertility! There are actually receptors for melatonin in the ovary, uterus, breasts, and placenta. . Melatonin is likely the most potent antioxidant in follicular fluid (the fluid that egg cells are swimming in) as it is a strong scavenger of free radicals, protecting egg cells from cellular damage. . Melatonin is a great anti-inflammatory because it both turns down inflammatory processes and turns up anti-inflammatory ones (if you’re real nerdy like me – it likely does this by increasing SIRT1 and NrF2 activity, suppressing NF-KB, and stimulating release of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10) . In IVF studies, there is a correlation between melatonin levels in follicular fluid and markers of ovarian reserve (AMH and FSH). Higher melatonin levels have also been associated with higher number of eggs collected, higher fertilization rates, and higher quality embryos. . We see that supplementation with oral melatonin significantly elevates melatonin in follicular fluid – in fact, one study showed that 3mg of oral melatonin given from cycle day 5 until mid-cycle increased follicular melatonin 4-fold and resulted in decreased oxidative damage and higher pregnancy rates. . If you are thinking about adding some oral melatonin into your routine, you’ll want to run it by your doctor. If you you’re cleared for use, make sure you have a reputable source and consider taking 30-60 minutes before bed. . PMID: 32395847, 2806264, 32210911, 22277103” . . #functionalmedicine #fxmed #naturopathicmedicine #naturopathicdoctor #eggquality #melatonin #fertility #fertilityjourney #fertilitysupport #seattlehealth

#Repost @dr.carriejones ・・・ ”Estrogen worsens your histamine? Like, your allergy symptoms? Or even your PMS? 🤧⁣ ⁣ Yes, she can! 😱⁣ ⁣ Two IG posts ago, I explained how histamine can make you TIRED. But it’s also affected by estrogen! 🤭⁣ ⁣ Mast cells (MC) are part of your immune system. When they burst open (degranulate), several things get released. Histamine is one of them. 😷⁣ .⁣ In an endometriosis rat study, they said 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗻 “may mediate the pathogenesis of endometriosis by activating mast cells, which may be associated with increasing TNF-α and NGF levels.” PMID: 26350007. 😧⁣ .⁣ TNF-a is a big 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 player for EVERYTHING. Yikes! 🔥⁣ .⁣ “... a relationship between female hormones, MC-derived mediators and development of asthma and other allergic and inflammatory diseases has been suggested.” PMID: 25973435. 😷⁣ ⁣ Are your allergies or asthma worse at PMS? 🤧⁣ .⁣ Histamine can also stimulate estradiol section from granulosa cells in the ovary. PMID: 8147232. This means your estrogen goes UP. 👀⁣ .⁣ Histamine is broken down by DAO (in the gut) or HNMT to clear it out. In guinea pigs and rats, it has been shown that estrogen 𝙨𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙨 the DAO enzyme. PMID: 2111078, 3088928. ⁣ ⁣ Now you keep more histamine in your system. It’s a vicious cycle. 🤔⁣ .⁣ Side note- Trouble with exercise? “Histamine contributes to the sensations of pain and discomfort as well as loss of muscle strength associated with Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness.” PMID: 27741023. 💪🏼⁣ .⁣ High histamine symptoms include your typical allergy type symptoms but can include skin rashes or sensitivity, headaches, digestive issues (lots on MC in the gut), cramping, tissue swelling, headaches, anxiety, fatigue and more. 👎🏼⁣ .⁣ Look up both histamine intolerance or histamine foods online to learn more! 🧐⁣ .⁣ Do you have estrogen and histamine issues? ♥️⁣” ⁣

#Repost @drdemeri ・・・ “Mold is a highly underrated toxin that affects us more than you might realize! 😳⁠ ⁠ Worse, this trouble-maker is frequently missed when searching for the cause of your hormonal imbalance.⁠ ⁠ Why is this? 🤷🏻‍♀️⁠ ⁠ Most of the time, mold is hidden in the walls without visual. When you finally start seeing it, you’ve already been exposed for who know’s how long!⁠ ⁠ Once you've been exposed to mold, there can be a domino affect of health imbalances 👇🏼⁠ ⁠ Mold affects your HPA axis, messing up the circadian rhythm and causing fatigue. This HPA dysregulation and imbalance in cortisol WILL affect sex hormones. As a result, fertility is impacted 😫⁠ ⁠ Mold is also closely tied to the immune system, which can increase the risks of PMS, endometriosis, hypothyroidism.⁠ ⁠ Symptoms of possible mold toxicity, include:⁠ ❌ Exhaustion, asthmatic symptoms,⁠ ❌ Low libido⁠ ❌ Ear ringing⁠ ❌ Blurry vision⁠ ❌ Joint pain⁠ ❌ Muscular weakness⁠ ❌ GI symptoms⁠ ❌ Foods (usually the ones that are stored for a long time, or transported): peanuts, corn, wheat, barley, coffee ⁠ ⁠ To minimize your risk of mold toxicity, follow these tips:⁠ ✅ Molekule air filter⁠ ✅ HEPPA filters⁠ ✅ Ozone therapy⁠ ✅ Coffee enemas⁠ ✅ Infrared Saunas⁠ ✅ Binders & sweating ⁠ ⁠ Tag a friend to share the frequently over-looked consequences of mold exposure! 👇🏼⁠”

#Repost @dr.carriejones ・・・ ”How’s your energy? It might be your mitochondrial health! 🤷🏼‍♀️⁣ ⁣ 🤓 In school, we learn that we get our mitochondria from our mom AND that they are our “cellular powerhouses” because they make ATP for energy. ⁣ ⁣ 😎 Guess what? They make your cortisol too!⁣ ⁣ 🥳 When the brain tells your adrenals to “make cortisol,” the first and last step occur right in your mitochondria! ⁣ ⁣ 🤩 This means, we need healthy powerhouses!⁣ ⁣ 😳 Things like inflammation, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and toxins really affect their health negatively. ⁣ ⁣ 🙌🏼 But weight lifting, HIIT training, intermittent fasting, cold exposure (ie. Cold plunges), good sleep and a healthy diet can help a lot!⁣ ⁣ 🎯 Co-factors for overall mitochondria health include CoQ10, NAC, B vitamins, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Omega 3 fatty acids, PQQ, magnesium and L-cartnitine.⁣ ⁣ 🙅🏼‍♀️ You know I can’t tell you dosages! Ask your practitioner BUT if your cortisol (and other hormones) are low and you’re feeling low energy, tell them about your mitochondria!⁣ ⁣ ♥️ Like this! Share this! Save this! And let’s love our mitochondria!!⁣ ⁣ 📚⁣ PMID: 19796990⁣ PMID: 26942670⁣ PMID: 24231099⁣ PMC6199482”

#Repost @functionalfertility ・・・ ”It’s #worldthyroidday! . Menstrual cycle irregularities and fertility troubles are common when the thyroid isn’t functioning optimally. Approximately 1/3 of women who experience subfertility likely have thyroid disease. Low thyroid function can result in a short luteal phase, can prevent ovulation, and can also lead to pregnancy complications or early pregnancy loss. . Thyroid hormones can bind to the surface of the ovary AND to actual egg cells, helping them grow and develop. We see that women with hypothyroidism have more “anovulatory” cycles, meaning they don’t release an egg. . Don’t worry – this post isn’t doom and gloom! This is a message of hope. Treatment of hypothyroidism is extremely effective! In one small study, 94 women with infertility who had undiagnosed hypothyroidism were treated with thyroid hormone. Of that group, 72 conceived within a year – 45 of them conceived within 3 months. . The functional approach to treating hypothyroidism involves lifestyle, mind-body medicine, nutrition, supplements, and thyroid hormone replacement. We work to uncover and remove the drivers of thyroid dysfunction and then we develop a comprehensive treatment plan to build up your foundations for health. . In a paper I am reading about thyroid function and fertility, the authors concluded, “Thyroid function is of paramount importance in fertility and adequate screening and treatment accordingly can improve conception and delivery rates apart from overall health.” That’s why I do a full thyroid hormone panel on my patients to ensure the brain is talking to the thyroid and the thyroid is able to listen and respond. . If you’ve had irregular periods, trouble conceiving, pregnancy loss, or have a family history of autoimmune thyroid disease and are thinking about conceiving – let’s chat! . PMID: 21772747, 23776802” . #functionalmedicine #naturopathicmedicine #fxmed #thyroidhealth #ttc #fertility #ttccommunity #hypothyroid #thyroidhealing #ttcsupport #preconception

#Repost @drdemeri ・・・ ”Let's talk SUGAR 🍭 ⁠ ⁠ 75% of American adults admit to trying to reduce their sugar intake, but is the alternative any better? 🤷🏻‍♀️⁠ ⁠ In recent years, “sugar free” products have sky-rocketed. So, what does “sugar-free” even mean? In order to maintain a sweet, hyper-palatable flavor, most products have switched from added cane sugar to artificial sweeteners 🍦⁠ ⁠ Even though artificial sweeteners contain zero calories, they aren’t necessarily healthy for you.⁠ ⁠ Artificial sweeteners might not pack on the pounds directly, but they do:⁠ 🚫 Damage the gut microbiome⁠ 🚫 Raise intestinal pH, leading to reduced stomach acid⁠ 🚫 Interfere with the production of digestive enzymes⁠ ⁠ All of these consequences lead to poor nutrient absorption, and ultimately, nutrient deficiencies 🙅🏻‍♀️⁠ ⁠ And, it doesn’t stop here. Artificial sweeteners have also been linked to:⁠ 🚫 Blood sugar dysregulation⁠ 🚫 Cardiovascular problems⁠ 🚫 Weight gain⁠ 🚫 And more! ⁠ ⁠ If you’ve shifted to artificial sweeteners in effort to reduce your sugar intake, I recommend cutting down on “sweet” flavors all together. Stick to foods that are naturally sweet in their whole form, like fruits and vegetables 🍌🍍🍓⁠ ⁠ While sweet flavors have a hedonic effect (the more you consume, the more you crave), it’s a two way street. If you cut down the sugar, you’ll begin to loose your cravings for sweet foods.⁠ ⁠ Artificial sweeteners are sneaky and disguise themselves in packages and bagels foods. Be on the look out for any of these common artificial sweetener aliiases 👇🏼⁠ ⁠ 🍪 Aspartame⁠ 🍪 Acesulfame potassium⁠ 🍪 Equal⁠ 🍪 Nutrasweet⁠ 🍪 Nutrinova⁠ 🍪 Saccharin⁠ 🍪 Splenta⁠ 🍪 Sorbitol⁠ 🍪 Sucralose⁠ 🍪 Sweet’N Low⁠ 🍪 Xylitol⁠ ⁠ Next time you’re on the hunt for a sugar-free product, stick to products that only include stevia or monk fruit. These natural sweeteners are derived from real plants 🌱⁠ ⁠ Comment below with your favorite NATURAL sweet treat 👇🏼⁠”

#Repost @larabriden ・・・ “Iodine helps with breast pain, premenstrual mood symptoms, and the prevention of ovarian cysts. It works by promoting healthy estrogen metabolism, down-regulating estrogen receptors, and stabilising estrogen-sensitive tissue including breasts, uterus, ovaries, and the brain. . Iodine’s anti-estrogen effect makes it one of the best treatments for estrogen excess or “estrogen dominance,” although I don’t use that term. . I prescribe iodine for the following women’s health conditions: 🔴 fibrocystic breasts, breast cysts, and pain 🔴 ovulation pain 🔴 prevention of ovarian cysts 🔴 irregular periods including some types of PCOS 🔴 prevention of fibroids 🔴 heavy periods 🔴 endometriosis and adenomyosis . 🔴 premenstrual mood symptoms including PMS and PMDD. . And yes, too much iodine can harm the thyroid. . . See my updated blog posts: - Why I prescribe iodine for breast pain, ovarian cysts, and PMS. - How iodine protects breasts . Links in my bio and ask me in the questions. . Also, fun fact: With an atomic number of 53, iodine is the heaviest element used by the body.” . . #estrogendominance #pmdd #iodine #breasthealth #ovariancyst

#Repost @drdemeri ・・・ ”But, are they really? 🤷🏻‍♀️⁠ ⁠ They might not be. ⁠ ⁠ After all, a typical semen analysis doesn't tell us everything It's missing vital markers, like DNA, nutrition, sperm quality, and more. Not to mention, sperm change MONTHLY! ⁠ ⁠ 🚫 Myth Buster: A one-time semen analysis doesn't mean everything is A-okay with a man's troops!⁠ ⁠ Semen analysis are great for checking these markers:⁠ ✅ Concentration- the number of sperm per 1 million semen⁠ ✅ Morphology- The size and shape of the sperm⁠ ✅ Motility- The ability of the sperm to move correctly⁠ ⁠ However, those factors don't give us the full story! ⁠ ⁠ 👉🏼 We know that male factor infertility accounts for ~40-50% of all infertility cases. Yet, only 2% of semen analysis reveal fertility issues.⁠ ⁠ Here's what you need to know:⁠ ⁠ 💙Men produce sperm every day. A complete cycle of sperm production/maturation is ~64 days. Meaning, a male can produce better or worse sperm at the end of each cycle.⁠ ⁠ 💙 Sperm DNA fragmentation is not measured in a standard semen analysis. Yet, this marker is important to determine high DNA fragmentation, which can lead to miscarriage. This isn't something you can guess!⁠ ⁠ 💙 A huge factor that is often overlooked by doctors is: diet and lifestyle. Ironically, most health research is done on men, so we are well-aware of the impacts of lifestyle and diet on male fertility. ⁠ ⁠ 💙 A baby's DNA is provided by both the mother and father, so having a healthy baby is not only the mother's responsibility. ⁠ ⁠ Every lifestyle change a mother makes to prep for pregnancy should also be done by the father, including:⁠ 🥃 Eliminate processed foods, sugar, alcohol and smoking⁠ and weed! 🍕 Avoid hydrogenated oils⁠ 🧠 Manage chronic stress⁠ 🏃🏻‍♀️ Exercise⁠ 🚬 Avoid exposure to environmental toxins⁠ 🔥Avoid high temperatures in the testicular area (saunas, cell phone in the pocket, laptop on lap)⁠ ⁠ Tag a friend who needs to hear this information about male fertility! 👇🏼⁠”

#Repost @drjolenebrighten ・・・ “What does a "normal period" look like? Is there a normal?⁠ It's time we talk about Pandemic Periods! But to do that, we need to start with that is normal for a period.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Make sure you have post notifications turned on:⁠⠀ 1. Go to @drjolenebrighten⁠⠀ 2. Click on following⁠⠀ 3. Select post notifications on⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ If things don't feel "normal" for you right now, you're ot alone. #pandemicperiod⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ There is a normal and it is a range.⁠ Here's what I explain in #BeyondthePill:⁠⠀ While many of have been taught that a period should arrive every 28 days, that's actually not the norm. Yes, there are women who have their period every 28 days, but then there are women who get them every 26 or 32. Also normal.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Cramping - None, light, moderate cramping is normal. You are shedding the lining of your uterus, which is a muscle that is flexing 💪 during this time. 😉⁠⠀ .⁠⠀ Bleeding - If you feel like "shark week" accurately describes it or that you can't leave the house then it is too much. Normal periods last 3-7 days.⁠⠀ .⁠⠀ Clots - There may be clots, which can be normal. Clots bigger than a quarter are not normal.⁠⠀ .⁠⠀ Spotting - Totally normal to kick off that period party with some spotting & finish with it too. Also, that thing where you're bleeding, then not bleeding, then bleeding again is normal. ⁠⠀ .⁠⠀ Color - It should be red. Not black, orange, or green. Yes, all of these colors can show up & they can indicate a possible issue. If you have brown, it's probably showing up beginning or end & is due to oxidized blood. You can NOT diagnose a hormone imbalance, infection, or any other medical condition by period blood color alone. It is one piece of data that needs to be considered & then lab testing needs to follow with a licensed provider.⁠⠀ .⁠⠀ Fatigue - Girl, you're about to shed tissue that you spent close to a month growing. Of course you're going to be a bit tired! Also normal. Not being able to function or get out of bed? Not normal.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ ⚡️Tag a friend ⚡️who needs this hormone info! We’ll be covering more on solving #periodproblems during a pandemic. Let me know which topics you want to learn about⬇️⁠” ⁠⠀

#Repost @drdemeri ・・・ “Let's talk about zinc! 🥦 This amazing mineral doesn't just boost your immune system and make you feel good, but also helps the female body conceive, grow a healthy baby, and have a smooth postpartum recovery 💯 Ladies, whether you want to conceive today or not for a few years, maintaining a healthy body is always necessary! So, how does zinc help you do that?👇🏼 There isn't a magic pill, nutrient, or food that ensures a healthy body, but zinc is definitely a key player! Zinc works with over 300 different enzymes to maintain proper function and ability. It's biggest roles in the body, include: 🤰🏻Progesterone Production - This important hormone regulates the menstrual cycle and maintains a healthy environment for egg implantation and gestation during pregnancy. 🤰🏻 Hormone Balance - Since hormones (like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone) have different roles during the various phases of the menstrual cycle, it's important to maintain a proper balance. Otherwise, other hormones will suffer. 🤰🏻 Cell Division - This process is super important during the early stages of pregnancy, when the embryo cells divide at a rapid pace. 🤰🏻 Egg Production & Follicular Fluid Levels - Zinc is found in egg cells and follicular fluid. Without enough zinc, an egg cannot mature and ripen. And, without enough fluid, the egg cannot travel through the fallopian tube to the uterus for implantation. 🤰🏻 Fibroid Size - Reducing the size of fibroids improves painful symptoms and reduces the risk of infertility. 🤰🏻 Thyroid Health - Zinc is a big participant in the conversion of T4 to T3. It helps the brain detect thyroid hormones in the bloodstream. Zinc is present in so many bodily functions, so deficiency can increase the odds for miscarriage, preterm delivery, stillbirth, placenta inflammation, neural tube defects, and low birthweight. Some research suggests that zinc deficiency during pregnancy can have carryover effects for generations after. Factors that interfere with zinc absorption: ❌ Heavy metals, like mercury and cadmium ❌ Phytic acid in food (like whole grains and legumes). See the top food sources of zinc in the comments”

#Repost @functionalfertility ・・・ ”HOT OFF THE PRESS! Last week I posted about the gut microbiome & #unexplainedinfertility. Today I found a new paper published 2 weeks ago describing advances in research regarding the microbiome IN THE UTERUS. This is so fascinating! (PubMed ID 32375241) . Here are a few of my takeaways: ▪️The uterus, once thought to be sterile, appears to have an active microbiota. While the uterus likely contains 10,000 times less bacteria than the vagina, both environments have large concentrations of Lactobacilli. The bacterial composition could play a role in embryo implantation and #pregnancy outcomes. ▪️Women being treated for infertility have been shown to host a different microbial composition in their vagina, cervix, and uterus when compared to women without infertility. In fact, researchers found a specific bacterial composition that distinguishes women with unexplained #infertility from other women. ▪️IVF outcomes are better in women colonized with a Lactobacillus-dominant microbiome ▪️Researchers are proposing that the microbiome is transferred through generations, meaning that the microbiota of the female reproductive tract is not only important to protect women from vaginal infection, but can also influence future generations. . This research is very new and exciting, but we still need more info to show how we can intervene to support the #microbiome in the reproductive tract. Researchers have identified some factors: hygiene habits (we need to be mindful of what we put in the vagina), contraceptives used, reproductive age, genetic factors, and even a male partner’s sperm microbiota. We also know that the uterus is likely colonized by bacteria that enter through the vagina, so keeping the vaginal pH balanced could help to support the right bacteria in the endometrium. . Getting to the root cause of unexplained infertility is a deep passion of mine, so I will continue to keep my eye on this!” . #functionalmedicine #fxmed #fertilitysupport #ttc #fertility #ivf

#Repost @the.fertility.dietitian ・・・ “Do you have premature ovarian failure, unexplained infertility or an ovulation disorder? Thyroid imbalance shows different signs among women, but if you notice a pattern in your cycle, it’s time to investigate! . The thyroid is a little butterfly shaped organ that sits on your windpipe in the front of your neck. It is like a thermostat for the body, influencing temperature, hormone balance & metabolism. . When the thyroid is underactive (hypothyroidism) it interferes with fertility. This can be driven by the immune system as seen in Hashimoto’s. A cascade of hormones is necessary for ovulation to occur. Our thyroid hormone is part of this cascade, supporting the communication between our brain and our ovaries. This communication coordinates when an egg matures and when it is released (ovulation). . Evidence shows that even mild thyroid conditions greatly increase the risk of miscarriage. Even when thyroid function (measured with TSH) looks “normal”, thyroid antibodies significantly increase risk of miscarriage. . Get your thyroid checked out if you have a history of miscarriage, PCOS, unexplained infertility, ovulation disorder or premature ovarian failure. TSH alone is NOT adequate, subclinical hypothyroid can impact fertility & is best assessed looking at full function of the thyroid. Ask for the following labs: ✨TSH ✨Free T4 ✨Free T3 ✨Reverse T3 ✨Thyroid peroxidase antibodies ✨Thyroglobulin antibodies . What can interfere with thyroid function? 👉🏻Poor gut health. Inflammation, constipation & tummy troubles can interfere with the activation of thyroid hormone, ability to digest nutrients appropriately, trigger autoimmune response & lead to other hormone imbalances. 👉🏻Immune system dysfunction. The majority of your immune system lives in your gut, even if you don’t have tummy troubles, you must start here! 👉🏻Poor Diet. Foods that don’t agree with our bodies lead to inflammation & poor gut health. (See above) . Consistently getting poor sleep & being chronically stressed can also interfere with the thyroids ability to function at its best in several ways, one of them being interference with gut health!”

#Repost @drdemeri ・・・ “In honor of National Women’s Health Week, I want to recognize just how extraordinary the female body really is! 🌟⁠ ⁠ Let’s talk about the most unique aspect of the female body 👉🏼 the reproductive system! This subject isn’t often discussed due to embarrassment or shame, but I believe it’s something that should be celebrated! ⁠ ⁠ As women, we are empowered by knowing more about our bodies, which is why I’m so passionate about educating YOU about women’s health and the female body.⁠ ⁠ Let’s dive in! 🏊🏼‍♀️⁠ ⁠ 💜Vagina - This is where babies come from! The vagina is the canal that links the cervix and the outside body. It’s where intercourse happens and allows sperm to enter into the uterus to meet the egg.⁠ ⁠ 💜 Cervix - The cervix is the lower part of the uterus. It’s like a door that opens to let sperm in during the fertile period. Other times, the cervix closes and blocks sperm from entering the uterus. It responds to the hormonal fluctuations and produces cervical mucus to create a favorable environment for the sperm to survive and swim towards the egg.⁠ ⁠ 💜 Uterus - The uterus is a hollow, muscular, pear-shaped organ that houses a developing fetus. The inner lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium, provides support to the embryo during early development. When the egg isn't fertilized, the lining of the uterus begins to shed roughly two weeks after ovulation occurs. The middle layer, called the myometrium, makes up most of the uterine volume and consists of muscle. The outer layer of the uterus, or the perimetrium, is a thin layer of tissue made of epithelial cells, similar to the skin.⁠ ⁠ 💜 Fallopian Tubes - These two tubes are about 4-5 inches and connect the upper uterus to the ovaries. Each one is lined with tiny hairline projections (cilia) which moves the egg towards the uterus. The fallopian tubes is where the egg is fertilized.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ Continued in comments 👇🏼⁠” ⁠ ⁠

#Repost @drautoimmunegirl ・・・ ”Growing evidence has suggested a positive link between the gut microbiota and thyroid hormones _ Excessive bacteria can interrupt the absorption of oral thyroxine and certain nutrients _ Intestinal microbial composition influences iodothyronines metabolism, iodine and selenium status and enterohepatic cycle of thyroid hormones _ A recent study involving 60 patients with hypothyroidism were randomly assigned to a take synbiotic or placebo for 8 weeks while on levothyroxine therapy _ The synbiotic contained the following: 📌Lactobacillus Casei, 2 × 109 CFU 📌Lactobacillus Acidophilus, 1.5 × 109 CFU 📌Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, 2 × 108 CFU 📌lactobacillus Bulgaricus, 2 × 1010 CFU 📌Bifidobacterium Breve, 7 × 109 CFU 📌Bifidobacterium Longum, 1.5 × 1010 CFU 📌Streptococcus Thermophilus 📌Fructooligosaccharide as a prebiotic _ Patients took their synbiotic 2 hours after their levothyroxine dose in the morning _ Results: ✅TSH before was 2 and after intervention dropped to 1.39 ✅FT3 before was 2.39 and after intervention increased to 2.77 _ Microbiota composition has been shown to be involved in thyroid homeostasis through: 📍Enterohepatic cycle of thyroid hormones 📍Absorption of oral thyroxine: Intestinal microbiota seems to modulate gut permeability, and since thyroxine Is absorbed across the intestinal barrier, probiotics might help increase bioavailability 📍Type 2 deiodinase has been detected in human intestinal wall, and probiotics help to convert 20% of T4 to T3 _ Based on these findings synbiotic supplementation among hypothyroid patients may have beneficial effects on thyroid function _ How many of you take a probiotic supplement daily? . . . Reference: PMID 31987229” . . . . #hashimotosdisease #hashimotos #hashimotoswarrior #hypothyroidism #hashimotosthyroiditis #hashimotosweightloss #thyroid #hypothyroidismweightloss #hypothyroidmom #hypothyroid #thyroidawareness #thyroidawarenessmonth #probiotics #prebiotics #goodbacteria #leakygut #guthealth #guthealing #guthealthmatters #healyourgut

#Repost @hormonehealingrd ・・・ ”What is your period trying to tell you?⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Our menstrual cycles are more than a monthly bleed. They are a way for our bodies to communicate with us. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ One way we get information is from our actual period. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Based on when we get it, how heavy it is, or the amount of pain/discomfort, our bodies are giving us signs that something is or isn't off. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ For example, I often get asked about why a period is late (especially during this quarantine). The first thing I ask the person is how much stress they've been under, travel, illness, poor sleep, etc. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ These can delay ovulation, which prolongs your cycle.⁣ ⁣ If your cycles have been longer during this time, I would give yourself some grace and try not to stress. ⁣ ⁣ It's also important to remember that the last 100 days impact our current cycle. ⁣ ⁣ So while 1-2 cycles of certain symptoms can be worrisome, keep in perspective that our hormones are impacted by a lot and it takes 3 cycles in a row to create a clinically significant imbalance. ⁣ ⁣⁣ Other ways we can learn from our cycle:⁣⁣ 🔹cycle length⁣⁣ 🔹PMS symptoms⁣⁣ 🔹energy throughout the cycle ⁣⁣ 🔹sleep at different times of the cycle ⁣⁣ 🔹period blood color⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ and so much more! ⁣⁣ ⁣ I expanded on this topic in my blog post for @saaltco. Go check out their profile to read the learn more about what your period is trying to tell you 🤓”

#Repost @drautoimmunegirl ・・・ ”We discussed on several occasions the role of selenium in thyroid pathophysiology, but what about a general discussion of its role in the immune system? _ First, what is selenium? _ Selenium is a trace element of key importance in maintaining homeostasis and proper function of the immune system. _ It's estimated that selenium deficiency affects about 1 billion people worldwide _ Selenium also has a narrow therapeutic index which means, too much or too little can significantly impact it's effect, so supplementing should come with a caution _ What's the concern with too much? High selenium can induce an excessive production of free radical causing DNA damage. In addition, when in excess it inactivates the proteins that are responsible for the repair of damaged DNA. _ So what's its role in the immune system? . Selenium atoms are part of selenoproteins and antioxidant enzymes which protect against oxidative stress . Selenium can stimulate the synthesis of antibodies, IgG and IgM, the proliferation of activated T cells and macrophages, and increased natural killer (NK) cell activity . Selenium also exerts antiviral and antibacterial effects and inhibits the progression of various forms of viral hepatitis . Studies performed in mice with selenium deficiency showed that they had a reduced amount of mature and functional T cells, as well as the failure of T cells to suppress the production of oxygen free radicals, with subsequent overproduction of oxidants followed by suppression of T cell proliferation . From an anti-inflammatory standpoint, selenomethionine inhibits IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2 _ So where can we find selenium? Brazil nuts are the richest food source of selenium. Also, organ meat and seafood are good sources. If limited selenium is being provided from the diet, low dose supplementation of 50-100mcg/day is recommended _ Always consult your provider before supplementing with vitamins and minerals!” - #immunesystem #immuneboosting #immunesupport #immunehealth #immunebooster #immuneboost #selenium #micronutrients #macronutrients #vitamins #minerals #supplements #brazilnuts

#Repost @drautoimmunegirl ・・・ “This topic is near and dear to my heart as many of my conditions developed during or after pregnancy. __ There is such a strong connection between the immune system and the endocrine system (hormones), and a reason why autoimmune conditions are so highly prevalent in women. __ Our immune system functions in 2 major pathways involving 2 different cells: T-helper and T-helper 2 - although there are others, for simplicity, I'm going to focus on these. __ Th1 cells are involved in organ-specific autoimmune diseases, such as #hashimotos, #multiplesclerosis, #rheumatoidarthris, and #type1diabetes. __ Th2-cells are involved in patients with, #lupus, #atopicdermatitis, and #allergic diseases. __ So why am I bringing all this up and how does it relate to pregnancy? __ Pregnancy appears to represent a unique situation for the immune system, switching from a Th1-dominant environment to a Th2-dominant environment. This is the reason why women actually see improvement in Th1 associated autoimmune diseases listed above. Also, this may explain the feeling of many women that their symptoms associated with Th2 disorders began or persisted only with a pregnancy. __ On a personal note, this is why I try and avoid estrogens or “estrogen like substances” as much as possible with my hashimotos as I don’t want to exacerbate the response. Additionally, I will say I felt overall better with my hashimotos during pregnancy but developed debilitating allergies which completely resolved in the postpartum period. __ Please comment if you had a similar experiences, I will have a FULL blog post on this topic on my website by Friday! Subscribe on my website to stay informed- link in bio!” _ _ _ #autoimmunedisease #autoimmune #autoimmunewarrior #hashimotosdisease #hashimotoswarrior #hypothyroidism #hashimotosthyroiditis #thyroid #hypothyroidmom #hypothyroid #thyroidawareness #estrogen #estrogendominance #hormone #hormonebalance #hormoneimbalance #hormones #autoimmunepregnancy #pregnancy #pregnancylife

#Repost @drdemeri ・・・ ”Magnesium is a very active mineral in the body! It’s required by over 300 enzyme functions that produce energy and regulate the metabolism 💥⁠ ⁠ Why is magnesium so important for women’s health? 👇🏼⁠ ⁠ Because it supports our brain, nerves, heart, eyes, hormones, immune system, and muscle function! ⁠ ⁠ Adequate levels of magnesium help you:⁠ 🧠 Better manage stress⁠ 🧠 Produce and regulate hormones⁠ 🧠 Maintain thyroid hormones⁠ 🧠 Regulate blood sugar and improving insulin sensitivity⁠ 🧠 Prevent muscle cramps and spasms⁠ 🧠 Produce glutathione and assist in detoxification⁠ ⁠ 🚫 Many studies show that magnesium deficiency in women is closely associate with PMS, PCOS, chronic fatigue, thyroid disorders, and menstruation issues. In my clinical practice, I’ve seen huge improvements in these symptoms by simply supplementing with magnesium!⁠ ⁠ Fun fact: the body depletes magnesium stores during times of stress. And unfortunately, our world today is soaked in stress- every single day. Sugar and coffee deplete magnesium stores, too! 👎🏼⁠ ⁠ Isn’t it interesting how the same things that deplete magnesium also cause many hormonal imbalances?? ☕🍬⁠ ⁠ Many foods that contain magnesium, but due to nutrient depletion in our soil, these food sources often aren’t enough for us women!⁠ ⁠ So, the best ways to replenish your magnesium include:⁠ 🥦 Eating whole foods (ideally, organic) - spinach, swiss chard, dark chocolate, pumpkin seeds, almonds, black beans, avocado, salmon, figs, banana, etc.⁠ 💊 Supplementing with magnesium - glycinate (my favorite) and citrate are the most bioavailable⁠ 🤜🏼Use topical magnesium - in the form of oil or epsom salt.⁠ ⁠ Although there isn’t a magic pill to fix hormonal imbalances, magnesium is a good place to start!⁠ ⁠ How has magnesium improved your health? 👇🏼⁠”

#Repost @drautoimmunegirl ・・・ ”1️⃣Women are 8 times more likely than men to have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis _ 2️⃣Smoking and iodine are the two environmental factors that have been studied extensively in relation to Hashimotos _ 3️⃣Increase levels of dietary iodine are associated with more cases of Hashimotos _ 4️⃣TPO antibodies are now considered the best serological market to diagnose HT- found in 95% of patients with disease _ 5️⃣Antibodies to thyroglobulin (TGAb) are less sensitive and less specific - only positive in 60-80% of Hashimotos patients _ 6️⃣Hashimotos individuals exhibited gut dysbiosis, their gut microbial composition significantly differing from healthy controls _ 7️⃣A research study diagnosed lactose intolerance in 75.9 % of the patients evaluated, and also demonstrated that restricting lactose reduced TSH levels _ 8️⃣A gluten-free diet has been shown to reduce thyroid autoimmunity and increased thyroid output in hashimotos patients _ 9️⃣Research has found soy may negatively exacerbate thyroid function _ 🔟Development of autoimmune disorders are significantly associated with stress therefore mind-based cognitive therapy may improve quality of life by decreasing psychological symptoms _ Comment below 👇🏼 let me hear your thoughts!” . . . . #hashimotosdisease #hashimotos #hashimotoswarrior #hypothyroidism #hashimotosthyroiditis #hashimotosweightloss #thyroid #hypothyroidismweightloss #hypothyroidmom #hypothyroid #thyroidawareness #thyroidawarenessmonth #autoimmunedisease #autoimmunepaleo #autoimmune #autoimmuneprotocol #aip #autoimmunewarrior #integrativemedicine #functionalmedicine #integrativenutrition #functionalnutrition

#Repost @functionalfertility ・・・ “Part 2 in the unexplained infertility series: oxidative stress . Oxidative stress describes an imbalance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidants. ROS are necessary for our cells to function, but when there’s inadequate antioxidants around, they can cause damage to cells, proteins, and DNA. . Oxidative stress is increased by things like high sugar/processed food, low antioxidant intake, obesity, smoking, environmental toxins, heavy metals, hormonal imbalance, infections, alcohol, and some medications. . Studies investigating women being treated for “unexplained infertility” have shown higher levels of oxidative stress markers and lower levels of antioxidants in the fluid that lines the membranes of their abdomen and pelvis. . ROS play a key role in the development of follicles (egg sacs) within the ovary, egg maturation, and changes to the uterine lining throughout the menstrual cycle. . Eggs in the ovary are regularly exposed to oxidative stress – this is OK as long as there are enough antioxidants (especially glutathione) to protect them from cellular damage. . Oxidative stress may contribute to endometriosis, poor egg quality, and damage to sperm in the female reproductive tract. . ROS play an important role in placental development, but when oxidation is unchecked, can contribute to complications like pre-eclampsia, premature rupture of membranes, intrauterine growth restriction, and miscarriage . How do we test? We have fairly reliable markers of oxidative stress – a few things we might test: 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine, lipid peroxide, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, total antioxidant capacity . What can we do? ▪️Identify sources of oxidative stress and work on minimizing them! ▪️Flood the body with antioxidants from brightly colored fruits and vegetables, green tea, vitamin A/C/E, zinc, selenium, NAC, glutathione, (some of these can can be supplemented orally or via IV therapy like we do at @vidafunctionalmedicine) . PMID: 21130690, 16409717, 185350”

#Repost theorganicdietitian ・・・ ”Are you working to improve your health? Started with your diet? Maybe you cut out a lot of processed foods or started eating low carb? But are you accidentally eating too low carb? I see this happen ALL THE TIME! Women are trying to clean up their diet by avoid bread, pasta, or grains but forget to ensure that they are eating more nutrient dense starchy carbohydrates. Going too low carb may be harming your thyroid (and a sluggish thyroid is something I see in most of my clients).😩 .. Did you know that your thyroid hormones need carbohydrates?💁🏽‍♀️ .. Free T4 is our inactive thyroid hormone that needs to be converted to our active freeT3 for you thyroid to properly function. However, for this conversion to happen your body needs glucose,which are derived from carbohydrates, because insulin is needed for this process to take place. A little insulin is good but too much is problematic too. It’s all about balance.⚖️ .. Too low carb diets can put a lot of stress the body because it can decrease your blood sugars which cause an increase of cortisol (your stress hormone made in your adrenal glands). Your body may think it is in a time of famine which is also stressful. Your adrenal glands and HPA axis when not functioning properly can negatively impact your thyroid hormones (and sex hormones for that matter).➖ .. So carbohydrates aren’t necessarily bad. I like to get the majority of my carbohydrates from things like beets, fruit, winter squash, plantains, cassava, and some grain like white rice. How much carbohydrate someone needs will depend a lot on age, activity level, and tolerance. How much you need may even change on a regular basis. So it is best to determine your individual carbohydrate sweet spot and to make sure your balancing your intake with healthy fats and quality proteins.🍗🥚🥩🍠🍑🍎🥑” . . . www.hormonhalsan.com www.merciertherapy.se . #thyroidhealing #thyroidhealth #hypothyroidism #hashimotosdisease #carbs #insulin #glucose #eatbetternotless #dietitian #rootcause #healfromwithin #hormoneimbalance #hormonebalance #womenshealth #symptoms #healthjourney #guthealth #adrenalfatigue #fatigued

#Repost @functionalfertility ・・・ “Unexplained infertility: part 3 . I love to do nutritional testing in the preconception phase. Many patients who are trying to get pregnant are eating a pretty clean diet, but I often pick up on nutritional insufficiencies that can be optimized. (Also, please see my post titled, “Just because you’re eating healthy foods doesn’t mean you’re absorbing them.”) . So much of the information we see on a nutritional evaluation is applicable to fertility: ▪️Remember yesterday when we talked about oxidative stress? We can measure the antioxidant nutrients like vitamin A/C/E, alpha-lipoic acid, CoQ10, and glutathione. If these things are low, we can get an idea of dosages required to replete them ▪️B vitamins are crucial for healthy ovulation, hormone metabolism, and fetal development. Deficiencies have been associated with infertility and very early pregnancy loss. Nutritional testing can give us an idea of your B vitamin status and what specific nutrients we might need to supplement via oral or IV therapy. ▪️Mineral status, particularly zinc. Zinc is crucially important for egg quality, successful fertilization and implantation, and cell differentiation. ▪️Essential fatty acids are important for keeping inflammation at bay, I’ve shared in the past how chronic inflammation can disrupt “endometrial receptivity,” meaning the ability of a fertilized egg to stick to the uterine wall. ▪️Markers of mitochondrial dysfunction, which is important because mitochondria are so important for ovulation, fertilization, and implantation ▪️Markers of gut health and toxic exposures (these are huge topics – dedicated posts on these coming up) . . .PMID: 23348678, 29598846, 11304860” . . #functionalmedicine #fxmed #functionalfertility #naturopathicmedicine #naturopathicdoctor #functionalnutrition #genovadiagnostics #nutreval #preconception #functionalfood #personalizedmedicine

#Repost @nicolemjardim ・・・ “One of the ways to track your cycle is by observing your cervical fluid.⁠ ⁠ I know, I know. Sounds gross. But it's actually quite interesting and insanely helpful! Hear me out.⁠ ⁠ Your cervical fluid changes according to hormonal fluctuations, and can vary quite significantly throughout your cycle depending on levels of estrogen and progesterone. 🔃⁠ ⁠ HOW TO DO IT⁠ Check for cervical fluid each time you use the 🚽 to get into the habit. (It can show up on your underwear or on your tissue when you wipe.) Then make sure to note the consistency and amount of cervical fluid you see each day in your app or paper chart.⁠ ⁠ Here is a typical cervical fluid pattern and what to look for:⁠ 💧POST-PERIOD/EARLY FOLLICULAR PHASE: When hormones are low, you'll have little to no cervical fluid and a “dry” vaginal sensation. When you touch your vulva it feels only slightly moist, and when you wipe yourself it feels dry.⁠ ⁠ 💧MID-FOLLICULAR PHASE: As estrogen begins its ascent, cervical fluid will take on a “wetter” consistency, often becoming creamy (like lotion) or milky, and white in color.⁠ ⁠ 💧LATE FOLLICULAR PHASE/OVULATION (fertile window): Cervical fluid will become slippery, viscous, stretchy (like egg white), or watery. This is known as fertile-quality cervical fluid. You will also experience a wet or slippery vaginal sensation.⁠ ⁠ 💧POST-OVULATION/BEGINNING OF LUTEAL PHASE: With the rise of progesterone, the fluid becomes thicker, with a sticky, tacky, or pasty texture, or it may dry up completely.⁠ ⁠ 💧LUTEAL PHASE: Little to no cervical fluid and a dry vaginal sensation similar to what you experienced right after your period. You may notice the wetter-quality fluid again around the middle of your luteal phase (about 5-7 days before your period). This happens because of a rise in estrogen during that time and is not a sign of ovulation.⁠ ⁠ Want more of where this came from? 💖Order my book by May 7th (via the link in my bio @nicolemjardim) to receive lots of bonus goodies!⁠” .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #periodgirl #fixyourperiod #cervicalmucus #cycletracking #properiod

#Repost theorganicdietitian ・・・ ”Many of our clients are dealing with autoimmune conditions as part of their health complaints. It is unfortunate that conventional medicine only offers medication and that is it. With no hope of addressing the causes. What many don’t realize is that if you don’t address the causes then you are risk for developing more autoimmune diseases and other health problems down the road. It doesn’t have to be that way!💁🏽‍♀️💁🏽‍♀️ .. Autoimmune disease is a disease of the immune system but so many other things could be at play that could be contributing. It is never about just ONE thing. These are some of the things we work on with our one on one clients to address the body as a whole.👭👭🏾 .. Since the gut houses 70-80% of your immune system you always want to look there even if no digestive issues are present. Looking for infections like parasites, yeast, h.pylori, worms, bacteria, and viruses. But also healing leaky gut, reducing inflammation, supporting the immune system, and improving enzyme/acid production. 🐛🐛 .. Toxins like mold and heavy metals can wreak havoc on the immune system.☠️☠️ .. Chronic stress can lead to long term inflammation and emotional trauma can also lead to a decrease in immune function making us more susceptible to disease.😩😩 .. Getting as much nutrient as you can from food and avoiding inflammatory foods as much as possible.🥦🥬🥕 .. It is so important to understand that autoimmune doesn’t have to be your destiny. There are causes that you can work hard to address. Your body is precious and you only get one so take care of it. Your health is so valuable because without it where are we?💰💰 .. Are you dealing with autoimmune? 🤔🤔” . . . www.hormonhalsan.com www.merciertherapy.se . #autoimmunedisease #autoimmunewarrior #autoimmunewellness #autoimmuneprotocol #guthealth #guthealthmatters #womenshealth #holistichealth #rootcause #immunesystem #hashimotosdisease #endometriosis #wellnessjourney #constipated #bloated #stressedout #adrenalfatigue #anxiety #fatigue #tiredallthetime #healthiswealth

#Repost @drdemeri ・・・ ”Hippocrates said, “All health begins in the gut.”⁠ ⁠ ❓But, does that include hormone health?⁠ ⁠ Despite popular belief, my first thought when discovering a hormonal imbalance isn’t, “How can I lower or raise those hormone levels?” As a Naturopathic doctor, I look at hormone health differently. When addressing hormonal imbalances, I FIRST start by looking at the gut.⁠ ⁠ So YES, all health begins in the gut- including hormones! ⁠ ⁠ The gut houses most of our microbiome, which influences practically every function and process in our body. This microbiota contains tens of trillions of microorganisms, including at least 1,000 different species of known bacteria with more than 3 million genes 🤯⁠ ⁠ For this reason, it’s really important to maintain a diverse colony of bacteria in the gut. If you have more of one kind, then dysbiosis can occur and impact the function of the entire body.⁠ ⁠ Now, back to hormones! How does your gut bacteria influence your hormone balance? 👇🏼⁠ ⁠ 🌟 95% of the serotonin (the happy hormone) is made in the gut. This hormone influences mood and blood sugar levels.⁠ 🌟 80% of melatonin is produced in the gut, too. You need enough melatonin to get adequate rest at night and restore optimal hormonal balance.⁠ 🌟 Gut bacteria breaks down the food we eat and absorbs hormone-dependent nutrients.⁠ 🌟 Selective thyroid hormones are converted in the gut. Thyroid hormones have a major impact on the other hormone production.⁠ 🌟 Gut bacteria are the main participants in the estrogen metabolism (especially estrobolome).⁠ ⁠ Needless, to say the gut directly impacts our hormones. When gut inflammation occurs, it causes stress throughout the body and increases cortisol and estrogen.⁠ ⁠ What causes an imbalance in the gut? 🤷🏼‍♀️⁠ 🚫Stress⁠ 🚫 Poor diet⁠ 🚫 Over-sanitizing⁠ 🚫 Age⁠ 🚫 Antibiotics⁠ 🚫 Pesticides⁠ 🚫 BPA + other environmental chemicals ⁠ ⁠ How can you best love your microbiome?⁠ ⁠ (Cont. in comments below 👇🏼)”

#Repost @functionalfertility ・・・ “A diagnosis of “unexplained infertility” can be extremely frustrating, but the reality is: A standard fertility evaluation will not find an abnormality in approximately 15-30% of couples being treated for infertility. . Let me start by saying: a traditional workup is extremely valuable. There is so much we can learn from standard bloodwork about hormones, inflammatory status, infections, blood glucose regulation, thyroid function, and even some nutrients. These are absolutely foundational and the cornerstone of a thorough fertility eval. However, it is often the case that all these things come back looking good and a patient is still struggling. Now what? . There are many contributors to a successful conception: Ovulation that actually happens, a healthy egg, a good sperm, an endometrium that is receptive to an embryo, and an immune system that will tolerate some “non-self” cells in mama’s body. This is really a process that is influenced by exposure to hormone disrupting chemicals, the health of our gut and adrenal glands, the tone of our nervous system, our inflammatory load, our mitochondrial function, and our nutrient status. . It’s no surprise that these stones are often left unturned – they can be difficult or expensive to test for. However, we do have great tools to evaluate these areas, and sometimes this can give us new insights into the root cause of subfertility. . Over the next week, I’ll be highlighting some of these contributors to “unexplained infertility,” how we might test for these things, and what we might to do support these areas. This could be relevant for those in the preconception phase who have never TTC but want ALL the info or those who are using IUI or IVF to meet their family goals.” . . . #functionalmedicine #fxmed #functionalfertility #unexplainedinfertility #functionaltesting #preconception #ttc #fertility #fertilitysupport #naturopathicmedicine #naturopathicdoctor #vidabellevue

#Repost @larabriden ・・・ ”Writing about #mitochondria, and let me say, it's fun to write the word "quadrillion." . We have quadrillions of mitochondria, which means thousands of trillions. And, by the by, the more mitochondria you have, the better you’ll feel. . Ways to make more mitochondria include (to name just a few): . 🔸️ movement and fasting 🔸️↓ fructose 🔸️ zinc, magnesium, selenium, polyphenols 🔸️ thyroid hormone, melatonin, estrogen, and progesterone. . There’s a special relationship between ovarian hormones and mitochondria because estrogen and progesterone stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis and at the same time are supported by mitochondria because that’s where estrogen and progesterone are made! . The main mitochondrial toxins are: . 🔸️overeating, especially overeating fructose 🔸️alcohol and smoking 🔸️phthalates and pesticides 🔸️certain medications such as statins, paracetamol, and antibiotics, which is why antibiotics can cause weight gain. . (This is basically an excerpt from my upcoming new book. Stay tuned!)”

#Repost @the.fertility.dietitian ・・・ ”FERTILITY is impacted by overall health, but we can use cycle signs to give us clues about where to investigate. . I’ve had many clients that are confused as to why they are having trouble TTC when their period comes like clockwork. There are many factors to consider including egg & sperm quality, health of the reproductive environment, immune function, gut health....but, a great place to start is by looking at your cycle health. . Cycle length is just one parameter to determining whether your cycle is healthy or not. . ✨Cycle Length: It is totally normal to have fluctuations in your cycle length of a couple days here and there, but if it is outside 24-35 days or fluctuates more than 8 days from cycle to cycle, your body is having trouble balancing hormones & ovulating regularly. * ✨Fertile Window: Good quality CM preps sperm for fertilization, keeps it alive for up to 5 days & helps it swim to meet the egg at ovulation. If you aren’t seeing any fertile CM, time to investigate! ✨Ovulation: If you aren’t ovulating it will typically extend your cycle length & result in an anovulatory bleed or shut your period down completely. Consistently ovulating CD 10-23 is a sign of a healthy cycle. Need help ovulating? Nutrition, gut health, & hormone balance are imperative. Reach out! ✨Luteal Phase: If you are spotting the week before your period or seeing your period less than 10 days after ovulation, there is something up with hormone balance. The DUTCH test can help us weed this out & create a plan targeted for your body. ✨Pain & bleeding outside of your period: NEVER normal. If you have to take pain meds for your cramps or any time in your cycle or experience bleeding throughout your cycle, get a physical exam. If you don’t get any answers, ask for more testing (like a pelvic ultrasound for starters). . 👉🏻The FLOW of your period is even an indication of lining health. Too light or too heavy can interfere with implantation & nourishing an embryo. . Ignoring any clues can lead to bigger problems, so listen closely! You deserve to learn what your body is trying to tell you. . Share with someone that would benefit 💕”

#Repost theorganicdietitian ・・・ ”The other day I posted about what healthy poop should be like (see 6 posts back). Your bathroom habits can be your bodies way of trying to tell you something isn’t right. But so many of you reached out letting me know that you are dealing with constipation yet were having a hard time finding answers. You aren’t alone because constipation is one of the top complaints I hear from many of my clients. .. If you aren’t pooping then you aren’t eliminating toxins and are more likely to develop hormone imbalances and gut infections like SIBO. So YES it is important and we shouldn’t ignore constipation.💩💩 .. As with just about everything there is likely never just ONE factor to consider. There can be many causes that should be properly investigated and it may take some time to fully address.⏰⏰ .. Which of these possible causes would you like to know more about?🤔🤔” . . www.hormonhalsan.com www.merciertherapy.se . . #guthealthmatters #guthealth #guthealing #digestivehealth #constipation #constipated #constipationrelief #bloatedbelly #dietitian #rootcause #healfromwithin #hormoneimbalances #hormonehealth #adrenalfatigue #stressedout #thyroidproblems #hypothyroidism #wellnessjourney #stmptoms #autoimmunedisease #pms #foodsensitivities