If you know me well, you know one of the highlights of my week is the Farmer's Market in Boulder, Colorado.  Getting my weekly supply of seasonal dark leafy greens and fresh vegetables from local farmer's like Red Wagon Organics for my smoothies and juices and occasionally some of Plowshares organic bacon for my husband is an adventure and something we enjoy doing together on Saturday mornings!

A couple of weeks ago, I ran into Jake Burgart with Olea Estates olive oil, one of my favorite new finds at the local Boulder Farmer's Market.  I bought a bottle right away and was back for more the very next week!  (Yes, I eat that much olive oil!)  Not only was it absolutely pure and delicious but organic extra virgin olive oil is loaded with health benefits!

You can read all about the Chronis family tradition in Greece here.  Even now, they are one of the only few producers that certify our olive oil every year with both the European Regulations for Biological Products and with the USDA for Organic Products. You can taste and see the quality of pure first press olive oil, when you open a bottle of Olea. The deep green color, the thick consistency, the pure aroma, the exquisite taste, all contribute to separate Olea from other olive oils that I've tried.

Jake Burgart and friend at the Olea Estates Olive oil booth in Boulder on Saturday

"At Olea we do not produce anything but only our extra-virgin olive oil obtained by first press of our ripe and selected olives at temperatures under 27C. We do not blend refined oils and we use no other method of altering our olive quality, taste or color. We do not filter our olive oil, but we do guarantee uniform clarity and no cloudiness. See how we do it. Olea Olive Oil has the true, rich flavor of olive oil and all associated nutrients and is obtained by a strictly controlled and long lasting process, especially for the food connoisseur."

But perhaps the best thing is you can enjoy it freely with a guilt-free conscious as there are so many health effects of a Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil!

Here's just a few of the latest studies on health benefits of olive oil:

• A Mediterranean diet rich in virgin olive oil is associated with reduced weight gain.

• Mediterranean Meal with Olive Oil Keeps Blood Sugar Levels Lower than with Corn Oil

• Consumption of olive Oil Polyphenols Decrease LDL Concentrations in healthy men.

• Consumption of olive oil may decrease breast cancer risk.

• Olive Oil Polyphenols Reduce Bad Cholesterol and Plaque Formation

• Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil may reduce risk of metabolic syndrome.

• Dietary unsaponifiable fraction from extra virgin olive oil supplementation heals ulcerative colitis in mice.

• The Protective Effect of the Mediterranean Diet: Focus on Cancer and Cardiovascular Risk

• Antioxidant and anti-atherogenic activities of olive oil phenolics.

• Mediterranean Diet rich in olive oil may have protective effect in multiple sclerosis.

• A mixture of honey, olive oil, and beeswax for the management of hemorrhoids and anal fissures.

So be sure to stop by and tell Jake "hello" from Dr. Jill and get some of this new delicious crop of olives.  Who knows?  You just might run into me there next weekend ;-)

If you liked this post subscribe to my free newsletter today and get a free Paleolicious Snack Guide!

Natural Treatments for Adrenal Fatigue

Symptoms that indicate you may have Adrenal Fatigue...

Click here to take the QUIZ:  Do you have Adrenal Fatigue?  

• Morning fatigue -- it's hard to "wake up" until 10 a.m., even if you've been awake since 7 a.m.
• Afternoon feeling of sleepiness or brain fog from 2 to 4 p.m.
• You may have a burst of energy at 6 pm
• Sleepiness at 9 to 10 pm but often you resist going to sleep and get a "second wind" at 11 p.m. that lasts until about 1 a.m., when you finally go to sleep.
• Cravings for foods high in salt
• Increased PMS or menopausal symptoms
• Mild depression or anxiety
• Lack of energy, fatigue
• Decreased ability to handle stress,
• Feeling easily overwhelmed
• Increased allergies
• Lightheadedness when getting up from a sitting or laying down position
• Decreased libido
• Frequent sighing or air hunger
• Inability to handle foods high in potassium or carbohydrates unless they're combined with fats and protein

 Dr. Jill's Top Treatment Strategies for Adrenal Fatigue

 "Optimal adrenal health is one of the major keys to the enjoyment of life" If you have adrenal fatigue take these simple steps of necessary lifestyle and dietary changes to revive your adrenals and begin to enjoy life again!

 

LIFESTYLE TIPS

• Identify and remove stressors - this is the most important step. Emotional stressors such as relationships or financial problems needs to be dealt with and normalized.  It might require a change in hours, who you spend time with, or even occupation.  Make the necessary changes to restore your health.
• Go to sleep by by 10pm.  You may need to set an alarm and begin getting ready for bed by 9pm.
• Whenever possible get rest in the morning from 7-9am, the optimal hours to restore adrenal function.
• Include something you enjoy every day, a leisurely walk, 30min of reading a great book, weekly massage, etc...  Schedule these necessities into your calendar so that you are sure to carve out time for self-care.
• Incorporate humor into your day, laugh at comics, watch a funny video or just belly laugh about something funny with your spouse.
• Avoid becoming over-tired, by ensuring proper bedtime and avoiding activities that cut into your time for restful restorative sleep.  Try red light at night and avoid computer screens, iPads or stimulating blue light after 7pm.
• Consider a melatonin supplement 3-6mg at bedtime to help regular cortisol before bed.
• Exercise gently at least 5 days per week, preferably morning and not late in the day.  Try swimming, gentle bike rides, walking, yoga, stretching, or any restorative activity that incorporates breathing.  Avoid high adrenaline activities, like kayaking, competitive sports, running, cross fit or high intensity training until you are well on your way to healing.
• Drink high quality, purified water with added minerals.  Natural mineral waters, like San Pellegrino are also helpful to restore the missing minerals, like magnesium and have the added benefit of sulfur.
• Avoid negative people who drain your energy and instead make time for friends and family who lift you up, support you and encourage you.  Life is too short to waste time on those who steal your joy.
• Consider taking specific adrenal-supportive nutrients with your doctor:   Some of my favorites are Vitamin C, B complex, pantothenic acid, magnesium, and vitamin E.
• Consider adaptogenic herbs, like ashwaganda, rhodiola, ginseng, and licorice.
  • You can order either of my favorite formulas Adrenal Manager or Adrenal Essence  direct from Xymogen using code: DrJill and last name: Carnahan

DIETARY TIPS

• A poor unhealthy diet is a key causes of Adrenal Fatigue
• Always eat breakfast before 10am. The body's glycogen supply needs to be replenished after going through the night. Try to eat your lunch before noon and evening meal before 6 p.m.
• Avoid coffee or other caffeinated beverages. Coffee and tea act as stimulants and interrupt sleep pattern. Herbal tea is acceptable because it does not contain caffeine.
• Eat within one hour of waking.  Fasting is hard on the adrenal glands so minimize time overnight fasting.  Never skip breakfast and be sure your first meal contains high quality protein and no refined carbohydrates or sugar.  Eat your starches in the evening and never in the morning.
• Drink a large glass of water in the morning immediately upon waking with 1 teaspoon of Redmond real sea salt and 1/2 squeezed lemon.  You can also use 1 scoop of my favorite adrenal supportive electrolytes in water:  Thorne Catalyte (Order online using code: HCP1004064)
• Sprinkle sea salt liberally on food to taste provided blood pressure is normal. Foods high in potassium such as banana can make the adrenals worse and should be avoided.
• Adopt a whole food organic diet, devoid refined grains and all processed food, such as breads, pastas, and rice cakes and crackers.
• Eat 5-7 servings of organic veggies daily
• Avoid high starchy foods, such as white rice and white potatoes.  Some people do better with a serving of complex starch, like brown rice, quinoa or sweet potato in the evening to lower cortisol and help them sleep.
• Avoid high sugar fruits and all juices, especially at breakfast.
• Eliminate trans fats (we all should do this anyway!)
• Eat wild-caught seafood at least 3X weekly or taking a high quality mercury-free fish oil supplement.
• Eat foods rich in adrenal-supportive nutrients, such as Organic 85% dark chocolate, leafy greens, nuts, sunflower or pumpkin seeds, flax and chia seeds, and organic grass-fed animal proteins.
• Combine protein and fat at every meal and snack. This will ensure sustained energy is available at and between meals.  Avoid eating only fruit or carbohydrates alone as this may cause blood sugar instability.  Upping your total fat intake with olive oil, coconut, and avocado may also help.
• Whole fruits may be eaten later in the day at lunch and dinner except banana, fig, melons, or dried fruits.  Berries and apples are wonderful low-glycemic options.
• Take small amounts of protein and fat such as nuts, cheese or nut butter before bed if you have difficulty falling asleep or awaken frequently between 2-3am.

Follow these easy tips and before long your adrenals will be recovering and you'll be on your way to feeling fabulous!

If you liked this post subscribe to my free newsletter today and get a free Paleolicious Snack Guide!

DID YOU MISS PART I?  Read it here: Could You Have Adrenal Fatigue?

Quiz: Could you be suffering from Adrenal Fatigue?!

Take this simple quiz to find out if you might have Adrenal Fatigue or Adrenal Dysfunction...

1. Do you have difficulty awakening from sleep in the morning, often hitting the snooze button multiple times?
2. Do you need coffee to get going in the morning?
3. Have you recently gained weight, especially around the middle?
4. Do you feel like you get every cold and flu bug that is going around, that your immune system is shot?
5. Do you have more difficulty dealing with stress and deadline pressure than you used to?
6. Do you have a lack of interest in sex?
7. Do you frequently feel lightheaded upon standing quickly?
8. Do you struggle with poor memory or "brain fog"?
9. Do you feel especially tired in the mornings and afternoons between 3-5pm?
10. Do you feel the need to snack or eat frequently to maintain a normal blood sugar?
11. Do you crave salty foods?
12. Do you feel extremely tired between 7-10pm but get a second wind if you stay up later?
13. If you are female do you struggle with PMS:  heavy bleeding, moodiness, fatigue during menstrual cycle?  If you are male, do you feel like you stamina, energy and ability to maintain muscle are decreased?
14. Do you frequently have pain in the upper back or neck with no apparent reason?
15. Do you notice improvement of symptoms stress levels are lower, such as during a vacation or time away from work?

If you answered more than 10 of the questions above "yes",  you may have a condition of adrenal dysfunction often referred to as Adrenal Fatigue.

The adrenal glands sit over the kidneys, where they play a significant role in the body, secreting more than 50 hormones necessary for life, including epinephrine, cortisol, DHEA, progesterone and testosterone.
Since they produce so many essential hormones, the adrenal glands are responsible for many of the functions we need to stay alive and healthy, including:

• Energy production - carbohydrate, protein and fat conversion to blood glucose for energy
• Fluid and electrolyte balance
• Fat storage

One hormone in particular, cortisol, is extremely important for keeping our body systems in balance, as well as protecting our cells. For example:

• It controls the strength of the immune system: Too much cortisol weakens the immune system, setting the motions for increased susceptibility to infections and cancer, while too little leads to an overactive immune system and autoimmune disease.
• It normalizes blood sugar.
• It regulates blood pressure and electrolyte balance

As the manufacturer of adrenaline, they are the "glands of stress," but are also the first glands to fail during prolonged or intense periods of stress. The problem with stressors is that they are "cumulative," in the sense that their impact tends to add up in the body over time until your adrenal glands just can't take anymore. Adrenal "fatigue" or dysfunction used to be rare, but is now all too common because of our lack of relaxation and other lifestyle factors, such as smoking, sleep deprivation, poor eating habits and excessive caffeine intake, as well as exposure to environmental toxins and allergens.
Adrenal fatigue should not be confused with another medical condition called Addison's disease where the adrenal glands are not functioning at all. While Addison's disease is often caused by autoimmunity, Adrenal Fatigue is largely caused by stress along with a host of other factors, like accumulation of toxic exposures, hidden infections, hormone imbalance, or even nutritional deficiencies.

More signs and symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue include:

• Mild depression or anxiety
• Multiple food and or inhalant allergies
• Lethargy and lack of energy
• Increased effort to perform daily tasks
• Decreased ability to handle stress
• Dry and thin skin
• Low blood sugar
• Low body temperature
• Palpitation
• Unexplained hair loss
• Alternating diarrhea or constipation

The ability to handle stress, physical or emotional, is a cornerstone to human survival. Our body has a complete set of stress modulation systems in place, and the control center is the adrenal glands. When these glands become dysfunctional, our body's ability to handle stress and fight infections is decreased.

Causes of Adrenal Fatigue Include:

Excessive stress can be from many sources. Chemical toxicity and nutritional depletion are among the physical causes. Mental, emotional or spiritual stress may be a major factor, too. Financial, family or other stress may also contribute to burnout. Even infections can play a role.

STRESS

Any excessive stress can deplete the adrenals. Excessive workload, long hours, lack of sleep, or emotional stress are common.  Other stressors in cities are noise and electromagnetic pollution. Cell phones, microwave towers and appliances like televisions, cell phones, wearable electronics,  microwave ovens and computers give off strong EMF fields that can be stressful to our bodies

NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES

Many people today have subclinical deficiencies of essential nutrients, like B vitamins, Vitamins A, C and E, Magnesium, Zinc,  and other trace elements.  When under stress, the need for nutrients is even greater. Refined carbohydrates stress the adrenals as well. Diets low in protein may also create deficiencies.   The Standard American Diet is both high in processed carbs and sugar and lower in quality fats and protein and many times lacking in micronutrients.

Inadequate or poor quality water affects oxygenation of the tissues. Most diets are low in nutrients required by the adrenals. These include  The reasons for this begin with how food is grown. Most food is grown on depleted soils.  Our soils of today contain a fraction of the magnesium as soils hundreds of years ago did.  Processing and refining further deplete nutrients. Habits such as eating in the car or while on the run further diminish the value derived from food and our ability to digest it.  Allergic reactions to foods such as wheat and dairy products can damage the intestines and reduce the absorption of nutrients as well.

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS

Toxic chemicals often play a large role in adrenal burnout. Everyone is exposed to thousands of chemicals in the air, the water and the food. Sources may also include dental materials or beauty products, such as shampoo, lotions, make-up.   Cleaning our home with toxic chemicals may also take it's toll.  Over-the-counter and prescribed medications also add to the body’s toxic load.   Check out these 10 Tips to decrease your exposure. Toxins may also be generated internally due to microbial imbalances in the gut and impaired digestion. When food is not properly digested, it may ferment in the intestines, producing many harmful substances that are absorbed through the intestinal lining. A healthy body has the ability to eliminate many toxins on a daily basis. However, as adrenal weakness develops, the body’s ability to eliminate all toxins decreases. This produces a vicious cycle in which weaker adrenals impairs the elimination of all poisons, which then further weakens the adrenals.

CHRONIC INFECTIONS

Chronic infections may originate in infected teeth or gums, though they can be located anywhere in the body. They contribute greatly to the toxic load of the body. Infections also cause inflammation and stress that must be countered using the adrenal hormones such as cortisol and cortisone.

One of the most commonly overlooked causes of Adrenal Fatigue is intestinal infections that gives rise to an inflammatory response. Such infection can occur sub-clinically with no obvious signs at all. Infections in the gut, including giardia, SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), fungal dysbiosis, and h. pylori infection are just a few that may contribute to adrenal dysfunction.

STIMULANTS OR EXCESSIVE EXERCISE

Stimulants damage the adrenal glands by pushing the secretion of stress hormones and adrenaline and over time depleting the body of essential neurotransmitters. Caffeine, sugar and alcohol are among the most common culprits.

Less obvious but no less important stimulants may include anger, rage, arguments, hatred, unforgiveness, loud music, tragic news, and even movies with suspense or excessive violence. Other activities that may act as stimulants  include vigorous exercise or recreational drug use.  Even high risk sports, like surfing, diving, or extreme climbing if done in excess may deplete the adrenals.  Most of these activities provide a temporary “high”, which is caused in part by the secretion of high amounts of adrenal hormones. Over time, however, this weakens the adrenals and can eventually lead to adrenal depletion and insufficiency.  

TOXIC EMOTIONS

Uncontrolled emotions are another cause of adrenal burnout. These include habits of worrying, or becoming angry or afraid. Don’t worry, be happy is a great prescription for adrenal burnout. This applies particularly to high strung, Type A, nervous individuals as they are especially prone to adrenal burnout.  Prayer and meditation release calming neurotransmitters and take the body from a state of fight and flight into the parasympathetic mode of relaxation and can be extremely helpful in healing adrenal fatigue.  In addition, cultivating an attitude of gratitude can do wonders for you adrenals.

More stressors that can lead to Adrenal Fatigue:

• Emotions, like anger, fear, guilt
• Chronic illness
• Chronic infections
• Chronic pain
• Depression
• Excessive exercise
• Gluten intolerance
• Malabsorption and poor digestion
• Toxic exposure
• Severe or chronic stress
• Surgery
• Sleep deprivation
• Excessive sugar in diet
• Excessive caffeine intake
• Processed foods, additives, chemicals and genetically modified ingredients, like corn, soy, canola.
• Infected teeth, gums or root canal

Chronic stress is very common in western society. The most common causes of stress are work pressure, changing jobs, death of a loved one, moving homes, illness, and marital disruption. Adrenal fatigue occurs when the amount of stress overextends the capacity of the body to compensate and recover.   But there is hope...  stay tuned for my next article on how to treat adrenal fatigue

If you liked this post subscribe to my free newsletter today and get a free Paleolicious Snack Guide!

Be sure to read PART II:  TREATMENTS FOR ADRENAL FATIGUE...

Are Your Gut Microbes Making You Fat!?

Are Your Gut Microbes Making You Fat!?

There are trillions if bacteria living in your gut, that we know.  But did you know that the population of your microbes may determine if you are likely to be fat or thin?! As we study this amazing microbe machine inside of us, we are discovering the many and far reaching implications of having a healthy population of bugs in your gut.

Researchers recently found pairs of human twins in which one was obese and the other lean. They transferred gut bacteria from these twins into mice and watched what happened. The mice with bacteria from fat twins grew fat; those that got bacteria from lean twins stayed lean. The study published in Science on September 6, 2013, describes the details.

It is becoming more clear that our microbial colonies play critical roles in health, with doctors now curing people by transferring microbe-rich tissues from healthy people into sick ones. Where the term "fecal transplant" used to sound like science fiction, there is now strong enough evidence of potential benefits that there are major medical centers performing this procedure to treat resistant clostridium difficile colitis infections.  Could they be transplanting gut bugs in the future to cure obesity? Sounds crazy but perhaps not too far fetched...

I don't know about you... but I'd rather change my diet than exchange fecal matter! Keep reading on for how diet can change your microbes, too...

There is a caveat: Microbes associated with leanness can’t take up residence in mice with “obese” gut microbes unless the animals eat a healthy diet.

As part of the study, the twins’ gut microbes were transferred into mice that had been raised in a previously microbe-free environment. The researchers had a chance to observe what happens when a mouse carrying a collection of gut microbes from an obese twin is housed with another mouse carrying gut microbes from the lean twin.

“Eating a healthy diet encourages microbes associated with leanness to quickly become incorporated into the gut,” said senior author Jeffrey I. Gordon, MD, director of the Center for Genome Sciences & Systems Biology at Washington University. “But a diet high in saturated fat and low in fruits and vegetables thwarts the invasion of microbes associated with leanness. This is important as we look to develop next-generation probiotics as a treatment for obesity.”

In 2009, Gordon found that the microbes in obese individuals also lack diversity and contain more pathogenic species. Individuals with healthy microbes contain a larger variety and include species such as provatella and bifidobacter. Earlier research showed that obese individuals had a shift from more Bacteroidetes to greater proportion of Firmicutes. Those that remained lean continued to have high levels of bacteroidetes. There is also evidence showing that these gut bug populations also change as we age.  Perhaps the most important idea from that past decade of research is that the diet we consume has the ability to change our internal mileau!  More industrialized nations tend to have gut populations that favor Firmicutes while less industrialized societies that still rely heavily on unprocessed food sources have guts that remain high in Bacteroidetes.

These observations were confirmed by a recent Danish clinical study that linked the risk for metabolic disorders – obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes – to a shortage of friendly intestinal.  The microbiome of bacteria-poor people were dominated by species that cause chronic inflammation in the body.

The "good" guys vs. the "bad" guys ... 

The Firmicutes ("bad" guys) and the Bacteroidetes ("good" guys)  are divisions of gut bacteria. The microbiota of the human gut is dominated by these two species, most of which are benign although a few are pathogenic.

The Firmicutes is the largest bacterial class, containing more than 250 types, including Lactobacillus, Mycoplasma, Bacillus and Clostridium.  They are a very diverse class and Clostridium species are obligate anaerobes whereas members of Bacillus form spores and many of them are obligate aerobes. Streptococcus pyogenes, the well-known cause of 'Strep throat', is also a member of the Firmicutes.

The Bacteroidetes include about 20 types. In the human gut, Bacteroidetes is probably the most abundant single genus. Species of Bacteroidetes are obligate anaerobes that are benign inhabitants of the gut. However, they are opportunistic pathogens that can cause disease if they gain access to the peritoneal cavity outside the gut, for example in bowel perforation or surgery. In addition research raises the question of how consumption of increasingly hygienic and processed food deprives our microbiota from useful environmental genes and possibly affects our health.

Could Probiotics Help?

Probiotics are bacteria that help maintain a healthful balance of microbes in the intestines, and generally benefit their host.  The average person’s digestive tract hosts about 400 kinds of probiotic bacteria, which help prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and promote healthy digestion.  Now we know they may also affect our disposition towards being thin or obese!

Lactobacillus are often given to patients following a course of antibiotics, and are also found in yogurt and most other cultured/fermented foods.  Probiotics may be used in infants to populate the gut after c-section and may benefit babies with colic.  For more on probiotics and how they can benefit your health, read this!  I believe we are just on the edge of understanding how these healthy bugs and supplementation of different strains may affect health and disease and weight.  Stay tuned for the coming research and blog articles...

So What Should I Eat?

The Paleo Diet may be beneficial in reducing your risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease and many autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. I frequently use the basic principles of the paleo diet to help patients re-learn how to eat healthy, maintain ideal weight, and feel fabulous! Perhaps the most important thing about it is that it encourages you to get back to whole delicious real food.  It will allow you to feel better, lose weight easily and maintain muscle at any age. I challenge you to give it a try for yourself for 30 days and see if it doesn't change your life!

Healthy Snack Attack! Paleo Safe Options on the go...

You've been asking for healthy snack ideas that are loaded with protein and low glycemic so this week I put together a bunch of my favorites, including travel and to-go ideas...Check it out!

Dr. Jill’s Favorite Healthy Snack Options...

• Apple slices with 2 tablespoons of almond butter or sunflower butter 
• ½ cup hummus with fresh veggies (cucumber, celery, carrot, broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, etc…) 
• Make your own trail mix with combination of raw nuts, seeds (pumpkin, chia, sesame, sunflower), shredded coconut, raw cocoa nibs – serving ½ cup 
• Baggie of your favorite raw nuts: almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews, macadamia nuts with ½ cup freeze dried berries 
• ½ baked green apple with cinnamon and ¼ cup coconut milk Organic Nitrate-free Turkey (Boar’s Head or Applegate) and guacamole role ups (2 slices turkey with 2 tablespoons fresh guacamole) 
• Tin or packet of wild salmon, sardines, or paté 
• Sliced avocado eaten with sea salt & spoon 
• 2 nori veggie wraps with shredded carrot, leafy greens, hummus & ½ avocado 
• 2 tablespoons of unsweetened sunflower nut butter sprinkled with cinnamon and/or raw cocoa nibs 
• 1 or 2 squares TCHO 99% dark chocolate with corner dipped in organic coconut butter 
• Protein “latte” = 1 serving espresso with 8 oz. of coconut/almond milk and scoop of chocolate or vanilla Thorne Vegalite powder 
• Homemade kale chips with 2 tablespoons of hummus or 2 sticks of gluten-free jerky (no yeast extract, please) 
• ½ cup sliced almonds and fresh berries in bowl with ½ cup of pure organic coconut milk (full fat version in can) - optional add organic cinnamon or raw cocoa powder. 
• Chocolate protein smoothie – 1 scoop chocolate or vanilla Thorne Vegalite blended with ice and coconut/almond milk (optional ½ frozen banana) and 1-2 teaspoons of raw cocoa powder 
• Chia cereal = 2 tablespoons chia + 1 tablespoon hemp seed mixed soaked in 4 oz of coconut milk or water.  May add few drops of stevia to desired sweetness or fresh blueberries!
• To-go packets of organic nut butter or coconut butter – Easy squeeze instant snack for purse or travel. (My picks= Artisana coconut butter or sunflower nut butter packets)

ENJOY!

A Quick Start Guide To Paleo Diet...

You may have heard the recent buzz about Paleo Diet... so what's all the fuss about?

There are far reaching health benefits to eating more like our grandparents would have eaten...   That means real food, not the packaged processed stuff that has become norm in the Standard American Diet, or SAD for short.

The Paleo Diet may be beneficial in reducing your risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease and many autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.   I frequently use the principles of the paleo diet to help patients re-learn how to eat healthy, maintain ideal weight, and feel fabulous!

You shouldn't be surprised to find a lack of packaged foods on the Paleo Diet menu. There were no convenience stores or super-sized grocery chains in the Stone Age.   And if you're one of the 31% of Americans who eats more packaged foods than fresh foods in your daily diet, it could be an adjustment.  What is amazing, however, are the profound benefits to your health that come from these changes.  If you suffer obesity, heart disease, high cholesterol, central weight gain, or autoimmune disease, like Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, or multiple sclerosis, you greatly benefit from eliminated all processed grains & sugar from your diet.  Plus you will not be eating two of the most common food allergens: gluten and dairy.  If you suffer from a leaky gut or gastrointestinal dysbiosis, the Paleo Diet will naturally restore the healthy microbial balance since there are no refined sugars or grains to feed the abnormal bacteria or yeast.

The Paleo Diet is basically this:  No sugar, No flours, No processed foods, No grains, no legumes (lectins), no dairy.  What you CAN eat is lean, clean (organic) unprocessed meats (chicken, fish, turkey, beef, bison, elk, lamb, etc), all fruits and veggies in moderation.  And coconut, nuts & seeds are to be eaten freely in unprocessed state.  If you need to make something special, almond or coconut "flour" can be used.

CORE PALEO DIET:

• Meat - GRASS-FED, not grain-fed. Grain causes the same problem in animals as they do in humans.  (bison, elk, buffalo are WONDERFUL red meats to incorporate)
• Fowl - Chicken, duck, hen, turkey…things with wings that (try to) fly.
• Fish - Wild caught fish (mercury and other toxins, like PCBs may be an issue in farmed fish)
• Eggs - Look for Omega-3 enriched eggs raised without hormones or antibiotics from free-range chickens
• Vegetables - As long as they’re not deep-fried, eat as many as you want.
• Oils - Olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil – think natural.  No soybeans oil or processed oils.
• Fruits - Have natural sugar, and can be higher in calories, so limit if you’re trying to lose weight.
• Nuts - High in calories, so they’re good for a snack, but don’t eat bags and bags of them.
• Tubers - Sweet potatoes and yams.  Higher in calories and carbs, so these are good for right after a workout to replenish your glycogen levels

What's not allowed when following the Paloe diet?

• Grains (including popular cereal grains such as barley, corn, oats, rice, rye and wheat)
• Beans or legumes
• Dairy products
• Refined salt
• Refined sugars or artificial sweetners
• Refined fats
• Canned or processed meats
• Soda and fruit juices
• All chemicals, additives, artificial flavorings, MSG, yeast.

Perhaps the most important thing about Paleo is it encourages you to get back to whole delicious real food!  It will allow you to feel better, lose weight easily and maintain muscle at any age.  I challenge you to give it a try for yourself for 30 days and see if it doesn't change your life!


More Resources for Paleo Diet:

http://paleophysiciansnetwork.com
http://www.marksdailyapple.com
http://www.westonaprice.org/

Balancing Your Brain Chemistry: Testing and Treating Neurotransmitter Imbalances

Neurotransmitters are molecules that regulate brain function. They are chemicals which relay messages from nerve to nerve both within the brain and outside the brain. They also relay messages from nerve to muscle, lungs, and intestinal tracts.

They can accentuate emotion, thought processes, joy, elation and also fear, anxiety, insomnia and that terrible urge to over indulge in food, alcohol, drugs, etc.

In short, neurotransmitters are used all over the body to transmit information and signals. They are manufactured and used by neurons (nerve cells) and are release into the synaptic clefts between the neurons.  

These brain chemicals communicate information throughout our brain and body.  They relay signals between nerve cells, called “neurons.”  The brain uses neurotransmitters to tell your heart to beat, your lungs to breathe, and your stomach to digest.  They can also affect mood, sleep, concentration, weight, and can cause adverse symptoms when they are out of balance. Neurotransmitter levels can be depleted many ways.  As a matter of fact, it is estimated that 86% of Americans have suboptimal neurotransmitter levels.  Stress, poor diet, neurotoxins, genetic predisposition, drug (prescription and recreational), alcohol and caffeine usage can cause these levels to be out of optimal range.

There are two kinds of neurotransmitters – INHIBITORY and EXCITATORY.  Excitatory neurotransmitters are not necessarily exciting – they are what stimulate the brain.  Those that calm the brain and help create balance are called inhibitory.  Inhibitory neurotransmitters balance mood and are easily depleted when the excitatory neurotransmitters are overactive.  

Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

• SEROTONIN is an inhibitory neurotransmitter – which means that it does not stimulate the brain.  Adequate amounts of serotonin are necessary for a stable mood and to balance any excessive excitatory (stimulating) neurotransmitter firing in the brain.  If you use stimulant medications or caffeine in your daily regimen – it can cause a depletion of serotonin over time.  Serotonin also regulates many other processes such as carbohydrate cravings, sleep cycle, pain control and appropriate digestion.  Low serotonin levels are also associated with decreased immune system function.
• GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that is often referred to as “nature’s VALIUM-like substance”.  When GABA is out of range (high or low excretion values), it is likely that an excitatory neurotransmitter is firing too often in the brain.  GABA will be sent out to attempt to balance this stimulating over-firing.
• DOPAMINE is a special neurotransmitter because it is considered to be both excitatory and inhibitory.  Dopamine helps with depression as well as focus, which you will read about in the excitatory section.

Excitatory Neurotransmitters

• DOPAMINE is our main focus neurotransmitter.  When dopamine is either elevated or low – we can have focus issues such as not remembering where we put our keys, forgetting what a paragraph said when we just finished reading it or simply daydreaming and not being able to stay on task.  Dopamine is also responsible for our drive or desire to get things done – or motivation.  Stimulants such as medications for ADD/ADHD and caffeine cause dopamine to be pushed into the synapse so that focus is improved.  Unfortunately, stimulating dopamine consistently can cause a depletion of dopamine over time.
• NOREPINEPHRINE is an excitatory neurotransmitter that is responsible for stimulatory processes in the body.  Norepinephrine helps to make epinephrine as well.  This neurotransmitter can cause ANXIETY at elevated excretion levels as well as some “MOOD DAMPENING” effects.  Low levels of norepinephrine are associated with LOW ENERGY, DECREASED FOCUS ability and sleep cycle problems.
• EPINEPHRINE is an excitatory neurotransmitter that is reflective of stress.  This neurotransmitter will often be elevated when ADHD like symptoms are present.  Long term STRESS or INSOMNIA can cause epinephrine levels to be depleted (low).  Epinephrine also regulates HEART RATE and BLOOD PRESSURE.

How do we measure neurotransmitters?
Normally the neurotransmitter is released in response to an electric signal. After binding to the receptor site on the second neuron, the chemical is then recycled. However, only about 60% of the neurotransmitter is recycled. The rest is carried away in the blood stream and excreted in the urine. We can measure urinary levels of neurotransmitters, and get a good idea of their levels within the body.

We measure neurotransmitters directly. It has been found that blood and saliva levels are not particularly useful. Some of the neurotransmitters, epinephrine in particular, have wildly fluctuating levels depending on the person’s sate of mind. (If we are approaching them with a needle to draw blood, the levels will be very high within a few seconds, so blood levels do not give us a picture of the person’s rising neurotransmitter levels. )

Urine levels seem to be representative of what is actually going on in the system.

When we see low urinary levels we can be sure that the body’s stores are low. When we see high urinary levels, the issue is more confusing. In over 90% of cases we can be sure that although levels are apparently high, this only relates to biological activity of the hormone. In actual fact, the total body stores are almost certainly low.

We see this particularly in people who are taking antidepressant medication, especially serotonin reuptake inhibitors like Prozac, Paxil, Wellbutrin. These medications prevent the nerve cells from taking Serotonin back out of the system (hence the name, re-uptake inhibitors).

However, since the levels are high at the synaptic junction, the body thinks that the levels are high overall, and makes every effort to get rid of as much serotonin as possible. Since the neurotransmitters are excreted in the urine, we therefore see high urinary levels. Not only does the body try to get rid of the neurotransmitters, it also stops making them, in an effort to reduce the levels at the synaptic junction. In the long run, total body stores are depleted, and eventually the urine levels will fall.

Highly depressed moody people are extremely low in serotonin and norepinephrine, but will probably have high urinary levels because they are losing so much at any given point in time.

If they have insomnia, it is likely that their dopamine and/or PEA levels is high.

Highly agitated anxious irritated people will probably have high epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine, and relatively low serotonin levels. They may also have markedly elevated PEA levels.

In addition, the sex hormones influence multiple neurotransmitters. Estrogen has an anti-dopamine effect, in addition to inducing the formation of new synapses.

Progesterone increases the effect of GABA and reduces neurotransmitter activity. Estradiol decreases the level of the enzyme which inactivates the serotonin and dopamine (monoamine oxidase, MAO), thus effectively increases the effects of serotonin and dopamine, where progesterone decreases their effects.

DHEA enhances the effect of serotonin and norepinephrine, thus it enhances cognitive function and reduces depression. Cortisol inhibits the release of catecholamines, and increases the effect of GABA, thus reducing anxiety.  

TREATING NEUROTRANSMITTER IMBALANCES:

1 - We can increase our dietary intake of tryptophan. American diets tend to be high in carbohydrate and low in protein. Foods high in tryptophan are mostly high protein foods:

• Cottage cheese (dry) 450 mg per cup
• Cottage cheese (creamed) 336 mg per cup
• Fish and other seafoods 800-1300 mg per pound
• Meats 1000-1300 mg per pound
• Poultry 600-1200 mg per pound
• Peanuts, roasted with skin 800 mg per cup
• Sesame seeds 700 mg per cup
• Dry, whole lentils 450 mg/cup
  

2 - We can increase our amount of exercise. Exercise leads to more efficient use of insulin, thus reducing insulin resistance and decreasing the amount of food which is stored as fat. When the cells process nutrients better, they make neurotransmitters better.
3  Reduce our intake of caffeine and alcohol. Caffeine makes the body think is it under stress, which raises the cortisol level, raises the insulin level, and causes carbohydrates to be deposited as fat.  Alcohol will deplete seretonin levels over time
4 - Make sure that blood chemistry is in balance.

MIMICS OF DEPRESSION:

• Hypothyroidism can cause a picture similar to depression, and is easily correctable.
• Vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies can also cause a depression like mimic.
  

5 -  We can supplement the needed amino acids and cofactors,so that the body can make the required neurotransmitters.

Remember that neurotransmitters are all over the body and that they are interdependent. We cannot change one level without causing a ripple effect in all the other neurotransmitters. We can start with serotonin, but we need to add support for all the other neurotransmitters whose levels are not optimal.


6 - Dr Carnahan will retest the urine levels every 6-8 weeks, until they are optimal.

Call today for more information on how Dr Carnahan can help you balance your neurotransmitters #303-443-9590