Thyroid Mystery Solved: Hashimoto's and Hypothyroidism Revealed

The Case: Dana is 35 and has horrible digestion issues. She experienced bloating, gas, abdominal discomfort, and inconsistent bowel movements. She was diagnosed with IBS and told it would be a life-long issue. All she could do was treat the symptoms with a battery of over the counter drugs. It’s estimated that 10 - 15% of the population suffers from IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome. According to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders, it’s the most common GI issue and is more prevalent in women than in men. The Investigation While Dana came to me with the IBS diagnosis in hand, we quickly determined that treating the symptoms (as is most often the recommendation from doctors) was not how she wanted to live her life. I was convinced that if we could get to the root cause of this issue, we could rid her of the vicious cycle of medications she was on. We could finally put an end to her taking Immodium one day and fiber supplements the next. What is IBS IBS stands for irritable bowel syndrome and the term is quite literal. The symptoms can range greatly from patient to patient and may include any combination of gas, bloating, stomach pain, urgency, diarrhea, constipation. However, some may experience certain symptoms one day and then wake up the next day with the opposite symptoms. IBS tends to be a ‘catch-all’ diagnosis for doctors and often doctors will diagnose IBS when they can’t find any other cause for the symptoms. Understanding the Digestive System Getting to the root cause of IBS symptoms is a matter of looking at the whole body and looking for where things are out of balance. To do that, we need to understand what’s happening in the digestive system. When we chew food, our saliva (which has enzymes in it) starts the digestive process. The food makes its way to the stomach where it should encounter hydrochloric acid which further breaks down the food and also acts as an antiseptic, killing off pathogens or bacteria that may have been tagging along on our food. The food then moves to the small intestine where it encounters enzymes created by the pancreas to further break down the food. Fats get broken down a little differently. In order for that to happen, the liver has to process bile (which is stored in the gallbladder) that when released and combined with the enzymes, emulsifies fats. The Balance of Good and Bad Gut Bacteria We have good and bad bacteria that live in our intestines which is called our microbiome. This balance can be disrupted by a number of things that reduce the good bacteria including eating sugar, exposure to stressors or environmental toxins, and antibiotics. Medications like NSAIDs (like Advil) or steroids can also destroy some of the good bacteria. It’s really common to have the microbiome out of balance because these destroyers of good bacteria are so pervasive. When the good bacteria are depleted, we can experience an overgrowth of yeast (which is a fungal overgrowth). What is Dysbiosis and How Does it Cause Leaky Gut and Food Sensitivities? When we have too much of the bad bacteria in our gut (and not enough of the good), we experience something called Dysbiosis. This is just a fancy word for our gut bacteria not living in harmony together. When we are in dysbiosis, and we don’t digest our foods completely, as this undigested food enters the intestines, it might be carrying bacteria that can ferment the food in the intestines. Dysbiosis can also trigger the immune system (which is really smart and recognizes the overgrowth of bad bacteria in the gut) to attack the bad bacteria. The bad bacteria responds by forming ‘biofilm’ in the intestines but that can harden over time and as the bad bugs try and protect themselves further from your immune system, they can dig themselves deeper and deeper into the intestinal lining and can “poke through” the very thin epithelial lining of the intestines causing what’s known as ‘leaky gut’. Food can then leave the intestines (through the holes) where it doesn’t belong. The immune system sees that the food and knows it doesn’t belong and treats it like an invader and forms an antibody against it. The next time that we eat that food, the body treats it like a foe and not a friend because of the antibodies that were produced and that is how we develop food sensitivities. IBS Symptoms and Dysbiosis Dysbiosis, ill-digested food, and leaky gut can all create the symptoms often associated with IBS. When food is not broken down properly, it can sit in the system for too long and as it gets fermented by the bacteria, it causes gas, bloating, constipation or diarrhea. Inflammation can also occur and wreak additional havoc with the digestive system. Plus, the leaky gut can cause new food sensitivities that further mimic the symptoms of IBS. Testing for IBS Conventional tests for IBS include an endoscopies and colonoscopies. These are invasive tests that can reveal serious health concerns but when it comes to an IBS diagnosis, they

The Case: Cindy is 42 years-old, loves to work out and enjoys the outdoors Lately, she’s been tired, foggy, out of breath, weak, and struggling to recover from her workouts. Her doctor ran a number of tests that revealed nothing. The Investigation One of the biggest clues for me was that this all started after a particularly stressful time in Cindy’s life. I was also suspicious of her gardening practices. Immediately I knew there was an answer to this health mystery and I was going to start my investigation on the cellular level. My sense was that it had something to do with how her cells were making (or not making in her case) energy and what was happening in her mitochondria. My guest on today’s show, Dr. Tim Jackson, is a Functional Endocrinologist, a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), and an expert in nutritional biochemistry and mitochondrial health. What are Mitochondria? Mitochondria are the ‘batteries’ of your cells that make the energy for our cells. This energy is necessary for our day to day biochemical reactions such as detoxification, hormone production, and neurotransmitter production in the brain. They also have a communication role in the body, sending out signals when the body is in jeopardy. Like the nervous systems fight or flight response, the mitochondria trigger a ‘cell danger response’ that tells the cells to only produce survival levels of energy when stress is detected. Being in this state can leave you feeling “wired and tired.” Symptoms of Mitochondrial Dysfunction Mitochondria are at work in various different systems of the body, so symptoms of poorly functioning mitochondria vary depending on which system or organs are involved. The highest concentration of mitochondria are in the nervous system, brain system, and the spinal cord. For this reason, the most commonly experienced symptoms are of a low functioning brain or nervous system. This might present as brain fog, memory issues, poor concentration, mood swings, and sleep challenges. However, it can also be muscle fatigue, or even heart issues. Causes of Mitochondrial Dysfunction Extreme stress can certainly push the mitochondria into ‘cell danger response’, however minor stress along with other factors can trigger mitochondrial dysfunction. For example, environmental toxins like glyphosate (the chemical found in Roundup) can accumulate in the body and cause a mitochondrial reaction. Mitochondria damage can also be caused by other pesticides, some heavy metals, hormonal imbalances, sleep issues, mold exposure, and chronic infections. Every bit of exposure adds up. When you add stress to the equation, the damage can become too much and symptoms develop. Testing for Mitochondrial Dysfunction There are a variety of ways to determine if the mitochondria are compromised. The first is a blood test however, Dr. Jackson feels these are not specific enough to really pinpoint the issue. He prefers a more accurate test - an organic acids test that looks at the number of different metabolic byproducts. There are other tests that are used in other parts of the world, but this one reveals a lot about the state of mitochondria health. Once the organic acids test reveals the issue, there are other tests that can help determine the cause. Treating Compromised Mitochondrial Dr. Jackson recommends a three pronged approach: Addressing the cause of the mitochondria damage. This can be determined with a test followed by a detoxification of the offending chemical or trigger. And, helping the mitochondria return to optimal levels with supplements such as Co Q 10, and Carnitine. Repairing the mitochondrial membrane through a specific supplement course that both pushes the toxins out while rehabilitating the membrane. Protecting the mitochondria from damage or re-injury by taking an antioxidant enzyme. One popular way to do that is with molecular hydrogen. This is a very tiny molecule that stimulates the production of new mitochondria while quenching existing free radicals to allow damaged mitochondria to recover. Potential Side Effects Any time you increase cellular energy production there is the chance that noticeable biochemical reactions may occur. This might be improved immune function or improved detoxification which can trigger ‘die off’ reactions. Support Mitochondrial Health with Lifestyle Mitochondrial dysfunction may be avoidable and Dr. Jackson recommends a few lifestyle choices that can help, particularly as it relates to sleep as sleep has a direct impact on mitochondrial health. He encourages people to abide by the natural circadian rhythm. This helps to regulate biochemical reactions and hormonal systems that can impact mitochondrial health. This can look like getting up with the sun and going to bed with the sun. It also has to do with blue light (which we get from the sun but also artificial blue light that comes from electronics). He recommends that people wear daytime glasses that negate the blue screen of a computer, get sunlight wi

The Case: Holly is 39 and has been experiencing strange body sensations like tingling, buzzing and internal vibrations that she can’t explain She’s seen several neurologists, had MRIs, nerve tests and a brain scan but it was all normal The only solution doctors offered was anti-anxiety medication. She knew that wasn’t her issue. Strange tingling, feeling like your body is buzzing inside, and similar symptoms could be related to various medical conditions involving the brain or central nervous system so Holly did the right thing by getting those checked out first. But, like many people who deal with unsolved health mysteries, once her doctors ruled those out, they stopped searching for an answer. In fact, they essentially said it was all in her head. Feeling undermined, ignored, and frustrated, Holly came to see me. I was ready to get to the root of the problem and I suspected it wasn’t going to be something that could be measured with MRIs and CAT scans. The Investigation I deal in science. My work is framed by functional medicine and the clinical studies that support it. So, it’s not often that I have to veer off of the physical-proof path. However, in Holly’s case, I did suspect that her symptoms might be related to energy which meant that we had to explore the possibility that the cause might not be an entirely tangible. Stephanie Roman knows these feelings very well. She spent much of her life ignoring or repressing them. But this manifestation of energy is hard to ignore and she eventually had to acknowledge and embrace it. Now it is at the core of her work as an energy healer, psychic, author, Tedx Speaker, and trainer. Beyond the Physical Body Stephanie explained that we have different bodies beyond our physical body. We might call them spiritual or energy bodies. These bodies dictate our emotions and our reactions which in turn, affects our physical body. We are All Psychic Stephanie believes that we are all psychic in varying degrees and ways. We are born psychic. Some people call this energy or they might feel like they’re getting messages from their body. In our childhood, we are much more acquainted with our psychic energy but as we grow up, and learn societal beliefs and expectations, we loosen this connection. Welling Up of Energy Some people more open to the energy and maintain their psychic or energy connection after childhood. They may be completely unaware of it. This can cause the energy to build up until suddenly it shows up as physical symptoms. This might feel like tingling under the skin, shooting sensations (like a jolt), an internal vibration, or ‘buzzing’. This is like the bucket overflowing or the shaken soda bottle popping it’s top. Stress and Fear These symptoms can cause a great deal of anxiety (as they did for Holly) because doctor’s can’t find the source and the body feels ‘off’. Unfortunately, this fear and stress can exacerbate the symptoms because it’s like a piling on of energy; the stress just adds more water to the bucket. It’s easy to be afraid of things that we don’t understand. How to Deal with Excess “Energy” When someone finally figures out that they are holding energy, it can be confusing and frightening. Even Stephanie denied her psychic abilities for years because of the stigma and disbelief. She offered some great tips (and she goes into detail about each one in the podcast) for dealing with this new reality. Find a community Grounding meditation (empty your energy bucket) Visualization - of a tree Get into nature (away from electronics) stick bare feet in grass The Gift She knows that people are scared of being open to energy. They don’t want to admit that these feelings may mean that they’re better able to tap into the world of energetics, healing and even psychic abilities. They might brush it off or use more socially-acceptable terms like being ‘intuitive’, being ‘lucky’, or having a ‘gut feeling'. Stephanie encourages everyone to embrace their abilities, nurture them and see them as a gift. Happy Ending Holly was resistant to these ideas at first but she was eager to try anything that would make her feel better and prove that this wasn’t all in her head as the doctor implied. We did some grounding meditations and guided visualizations which helped Holly understand her body more. She was able to hone in on the energy in different locations and control it more. Holly had another breakthrough when she noticed situations where she picked up extra energy. Knowing this allowed her to do some preventative work which meant that energy didn’t get bottled up again. It was a strange road for Holly but she’s feeling much more in control now and is even considering embracing her gift and doing some training in Reiki. Eliminating Health Mysteries For Holly we were able to go beyond the physical tests and find the source of her problem. Could your energy body hold the clue for you or someone in your life? Links: Grounding Meditation https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mJvoYYWw

The Case: Candace is 39 and has been dealing with acid reflux for years. She was diagnosed with GERD and prescribed acid lowering medication but when it stopped working she switched to probiotics and digestive enzymes. These helped a little but she was still suffering and needed to find the root cause. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and acid reflux diagnoses have been increasing dramatically for the past 20 years. So much so that it is now considered a very common disorder with an estimated 20-30% of the Western population experiencing it. However, many people who suffer from it are prescribed acid-blocking medications like Prevacid, Omiprezole and Nexium however, these options come with their own concerns and cautions. Few patients are encouraged to look for the cause of their issue, but when Candace came to see me, I knew that was exactly what we needed to do. The Investigation Candace experienced some relief by following a strict course of probiotics and digestive enzymes however it didn’t completely relieve her symptoms. I knew that there had to be something that was continuing to cause inflammation and an imbalance in the gut. Lisa Pomeroy is a naturopathic doctor and functional medicine consultant. She coaches and offers online training through the Pomeroy Institute for Functional Nutrition. She is also a clinical consultant for two of the top functional laboratories where she guides the experts in interpreting functional lab test reports and developing effective nutritional protocols. Causes of GERD and Acid Reflux The increase in occurrences of GERD and acid reflux may be attributed to the increase in gastrointestinal infections. Many of these go undetected and over time cause acid reflux. Lisa also thinks that our shifting diet (including refined processed foods and non-organic foods) is also a culprit in the increased rate of GERD diagnosis. And, our eating habits can also contribute to the development of GERD. Common GI Tract Infections There are many potential infections that can affect the stomach but the most common is Helicobacter pylori (aka H pylori). This infection of the upper digestive tract can cause symptoms of stomach pain (especially within an hour or so of eating), feelings of hunger when there shouldn’t be, and acid reflux. Food is usually digested within 90 minutes of eating so feeling like food is ‘sitting like a rock’ in the stomach 90-minutes or more after eating can also be a clue that H Pylori might be the present. An aversion to protein may also be an indicator. Symptoms of H Pylori In addition to the above mentioned gut issues, H Pylori can also manifest as sleep issues, fatigue, malnutrition (not absorbing nutrients), or skin issues such as rosacea, acne, psoriasis or eczema. Hashimoto’s and other autoimmune issues can be triggered by H Pylori. Mental health issues like anxiety or depression may also be a result, or exacerbated by H Pylori. Too Little or Too Much Stomach Acid A lot of people think that acid reflux is because there is too much acid in the stomach, however, it can also be caused by not enough acid in the stomach. Acid is required to break food down so when there is too little, it can cause an imbalance of digestive enzymes and other digestive issues. Acid is also what helps keep food in the stomach by triggering the lower esophageal sphincter or L.E.S. When there is not enough acid, this can open up and allow food and stomach bile to travel back up into the throat. Testing for H Pylori The conventional test for H Pylori is a serum antibody test however Lisa does not like to use this test because there are a lot of false negatives and there is no way to know if the infection is new or old. A breath test is also common in conventional medicine but this can also deliver a false negative. Additionally, traditional doctors will do an endoscopy and biopsy which may or may not find the infection. Lisa’s preferred method of testing for H Pylori is a stool test (and there are few versions of this type test to consider). Detecting H Pylori with PCR There is one stool test that Lisa prefers over others (and I agree with her) and it’s a DNA stool test using PCR technology. We like it because this technology not only allows us to test for the H Pylori at a DNA level but it also can identify the virulence of the infection. When we know how active the infection is, we are in a better position to effectively attack it. Treating H Pylori Conventionally Once H Pylori is diagnosed, treatment will often include antibiotics (the strength of which may be adjusted according to the virulence of the infection) as well as proton-pump inhibitor medication. This is the more conventional approach and Lisa says that it’s only effective half the time and can do a lot of damage to the body. Treating H Pylori Naturally Lisa uses a clinically-proven botanical protocol to treat her patients with H Pylori. This includes a higher-dose mastic gum in combination with DGL (deglycerized lic

The Case: Camille is 38 and has experiencing unexplained joint pain, fatigue and generally not feeling like herself. Blood tests revealed an elevated ANA but that could mean many things and doctors were unable to give her a diagnosis. Further bloodwork pointed to an issue with thyroid and inflammation. The Investigation An elevated ANA can mean a lot of things but generally it indicates that there is an autoimmune issue which could be lupus, scleroderma, Sjogren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, or a variety of other diseases. However, a positive ANA is not considered enough to diagnose any of these. In Camille’s case, I could see from the additional blood work I ran that there was more to this story; that there was perhaps more than one puzzle piece missing to complete this picture. Dr. Keesha Ewers is an integrative medicine expert, a popular speaker, and the best-selling author of Solving the Autoimmune Puzzle: The Woman’s Guide to Reclaiming Emotional Freedom and Vibrant Health. She’s board certified in functional and Ayurvedic medicine and the Founder and Medical Director of the Academy for Integrative Medicine Health Coach Certification Program. Holistic Medicine Includes the Mind When we are dealing with a physical ailment, like Camille was, we assume that the cause of the issue is entirely physical. However, as Dr. Keesha explains, we need to look at these issues from a holistic perspective. Our emotions send signals to our mind which can create a biochemical reaction. We’ve discussed in past episodes how long held beliefs can manifest into physical ailments (see episode 007) and this is certainly the case with autoimmune disease. How Emotions Affect Us Physically Dr. Keesha conducted a study in 2013 called the ‘Healing Unresolved Trauma Study” aslo known as the HURT study. In this study she found that young brains that are not fully developed (up to the age of 26) are affected by any kind of trauma (emotional and physical) that they encounter. These traumatic experiences can be as innocuous as feelings of rejection or being not good enough. Young minds try to make sense of these experiences by creating stories around them to give them meaning. These become beliefs. In turn, the young mind develops an adaptive strategy (to avoid future negative emotional experiences) which becomes hardwired into the brain and we carry that with us into adulthood. When we experience a similar emotion as adults, without knowing it, our brain references back and triggers a response. What’s Happening in the Body During Fight or Flight? We’re all familiar with the fight or flight response but Dr. Keesha explains that the brain can trigger this response even when there is no real danger as a result of these early emotional experiences. The physical response is however the same even if the trigger isn’t a tiger but something like rejection. The brain sends a message to our adrenal glands to release cortisol. This sends oxygen to our muscles, raises our blood pressure and our heart rate (all thing needed for fight or flight). At the same time it shuts down the unnecessary systems including fertility, sexual desire, and digestion. It also changes the way we take in information – it shifts our focus away from the now to the future (or from here to there – where safety is) Our hormones are not designed to be continually in that mode. Eventually, we run out of cortisol. This causes a new chain reaction (because your body is still in fight or flight) so the body starts to steal your progesterone stores from your reproductive organs. This creates a hormone imbalance. The Root of the Root Cause I talk a lot about getting to the root cause of the problem on this podcast, but often it can be tricky to see the root of the root. We might be able to trace the issue back to a hormone imbalance (and correct that) but we need to keep digging to see what caused that hormone imbalance. This can be a very challenging thing for people because we tend to not tie our physical condition to long held beliefs or emotional triggers from our youth. And, often we feel that this ‘new’ problem can’t be related because it came on ‘all of a sudden’. However, it’s more likely that the condition or symptoms were the result of a system breaking down after long-term stress. Capital T vs. Small t Trauma Many people think of trauma in the sense of what Dr. Keesha calls capital T trauma like sexual abuse, abandonment, PTSD, domestic violence, neglect, or psychological abuse. However, research shows that lower case t traumas does that exact same thing to your hormones, biochemistry and brain function. Dr. Keesha says that everyone experiences some form of lower case t trauma in their life. Is Autoimmune Your Fault? Dr. Keesha is adamant about shifting this paradigm of blaming ourselves for developing an autoimmune disease. Yes, our brains may be the cause but we were never in control of how our brains are wired as a result of our childhood experiences. That’s bi

The Case: Kim is 37 and lives in a high-rise in New York City For about a year she felt foggy, tired, and plagued by headaches. She was also experiencing joint pain that traveled from ankle to shoulder to knee. She tried anti-inflammatories but it only masked the problems. Her doctors were unable to find the cause of her issues. It’s not uncommon for people to turn to functional medicine to deal with headaches and inflammation but there was something that made me think there was something else at play in Kim’s case. The biggest clues were that aside from the pain, she also said she didn’t feel like herself. I knew that we had to get to the source of the inflammation and the roving joint issues. The Investigation My suspicion was Lyme disease but Kim is a city girl and hadn’t been hiking in areas where she might have been exposed. I needed to investigate whether this might be the cause of her issues as it certainly seemed to explain the collection of concerns. Dr. Darin Ingels is an expert in Lyme disease and a respected thought leader in natural medicine. He’s the author of “The Lyme Solution: A 5-Part Plan to Fight the Inflammatory Autoimmune Response and Beat Lyme Disease”. His practice deals with chronic immune dysfunction and he’s been successful in using natural methods to reduce the symptoms of Lyme (including his own). What is Lyme Disease? Lyme disease (also known as Lyme Borreliosis) is a bacterial infection transmitted primarily by Deer ticks. It’s unique because it has the capacity to penetrate different parts of the body in a way that other bacteria can’t. This means, it can travel around the body and it can be difficult to treat. Lyme is also known as the great mimic because the symptoms of the disease can look like many other illnesses and traditionally, doctors have found it very hard to diagnose. Also, there are upwards of 300 different strains of Lyme disease worldwide, with about 100 strains in the U.S. Know Your Ticks There are many different types of ticks and the one that most commonly carries Lyme disease is the deer tick. If you find a tick on you, it’s helpful to know what kind of tick it is. Here are a few pictures to help you identify them. (HealthMysteriesSolved.com) If You Find a Tick If you find a tick crawling on you, brush it off. If it hasn’t bitten you, then you are unlikely to have been infected. However, you should do a full tick check since you now know you’ve been in an area where ticks are. When a tick bites you, it stays attached while it feeds. The disease is transmitted from the saliva it secretes into your bloodstream while it is drinking your blood. If you find a tick that is attached to your skin, remove it using tweezers and a magnifying glass, pinching as close to the bite as possible and pulling the tick out slowly. Avoid the instinct to squash it or scratch it away. Gentle, intentional removal will decrease the amount of the bug’s fluids that enter your system. If possible, save the tick (in a plastic bag with a moist cotton ball so it doesn’t dry out) and bring it in for testing. Not Just Ticks Lyme disease is most commonly caused by a bite by a carrier known as a deer tick but it’s not just ticks that transmit the bacteria. Some research suggests that mice, rats, and squirrels may also be carriers. Many people write off the possibility of having contracted Lyme because they haven’t been in nature or in a region that is known for having infected ticks. There is also some research being done about the possibility that Lyme disease may be transmitted by mosquitoes, horseflies, fleas, and through the exchange of human body fluids. None of these have been proven conclusively. Where in the World are Lyme-Infected Ticks? Another factor that can cause doctors to write off the possibility of Lyme is location. For a long time, Lyme was primarily found in ticks located in specific regions of the US (the Northeastern and Midwestern states) but in the past few years, infected ticks have been found in every state - including Alaska. Symptoms There are some tell-tale signs of Lyme infection, the most significant of which is the appearance of a red bulls-eye like rash around the bite area. This is called erythema migrans and is the most conclusive symptom because it only occurs with Lyme. However, not everyone who gets Lyme disease will develop this rash so doctors have to rely on a collection of other symptoms. These symptoms may include fever, chills, joint pain (that may travel from one area to another), Bell's palsy, swelling of the lymph nodes, sleep disturbances, headaches, and general flu-like symptoms. Over time, symptoms can progress into neurological symptoms like balance problems, coordination issues, fatigue, brain fog, sensitivity to light and short term memory loss potentially leading to cognitive decline. Diagnosis Diagnosis of Lyme disease is tricky because unless the patient has (and sees) the erythema migrans mark, the symptoms could be a myriad of other t

The Case: Avery is 37 and was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism ten years ago. Despite taking medication, she still suffered from weight issues, fatigue, constipation and dry, brittle hair. Additional testing revealed she had Hashimoto’s. She made the lifestyle changes suggested, little changed. Avery’s experience is not totally uncommon. The traditional medical system helped treat her symptoms but it wasn’t until she turned to functional medicine that she was able to get to the real root of the problem. Or, so she thought. When I met with her, I knew there was still a piece of the puzzle that was missing and it would required her to be open minded about the cause of her health issues. The Investigation When we feel ill or our body is not functioning the way we want it to, we think about all of the physical things that could be wrong with it. For many people, solving their health mystery doesn’t need to go any further than this. But, for Avery we had to go beyond the physical and dig a little into the health of her energy. This is the truly holistic approach. Dr. Kyrin Dunston learned this through her own personal journey. She was a busy and successful OB GYN who struggled every day with her own physical health. She was overweight, lethargic, and dealing with the chronic pain of Fibromyalgia. She tried all of the traditional ways to regain her health but all of her tests came back normal, leaving her stumped by her persistent ill-health. She was as surprised as anyone that her solution did not lie in traditional medicine (which she loved, practiced, and was devoted to) but rather in functional medicine and energy work. Now, she shares her new approach to women’s health through online programs and her podcast, Her Brilliant Health Radio. Physical is a Manifestation of the Energetic Our physical body is a manifestation of our energetic body and this is true for everyone. This might seem unscientific but research has proven it. For example, our electromagnetic field can be red outside of us (using HeartMath technology) proving that it goes beyond the one job we originally assumed it did. These energies are accessible for health, healing and communication. This is new in the Western world but other cultures have believed this (and build their health care around it) for centuries. Acupuncture is a good example of this. Consider the Underlying Energy In any physical healing from disease, we have to consider the underlying energetic component. For instance, in Hashimoto’s or issues with the thyroid, it’s important to look at the energy center in the throat, or Throat Chakra. This is where energy is affected by and affects our communication and ability to speak our truth. Energy disturbances here could come from a long-held inability to speak up or share our true authentic self. Until that energy is addressed, the physical body will struggle. Little ‘t’ Trauma We talked in episode 007 about how our belief systems can impede our efforts for optimal health. In this episode, Dr. Kyrin explains that beliefs and long-held traumas interfere with the health of your energetic self. Traumas come in many forms. The ones we often think about are easy to quantify - a major accident, experience violence, witnessing something horrific - but there are other traumas that can also have an impact. Referred to as small t traumas, these could include incidences in your childhood that even you wouldn’t consider traumatic but that have left a scar on your energy or psyche. Even if they don’t register as traumatic experiences, they can still shape our biology. Energetic Comes First Before a physical illness, we experience an energetic interference. Every physical illness has an energetic counterpart. To get to the root of potential energetic origins of illness, Dr. Dunston suggests looking into the history of the issue and making a personal inquiry with journaling. For many people, this is too hard to navigate on their own and they may want to seek the help of an expert on integrating physical issues with chakras or doing energy work. This is important because it can be complex. For example, an issue like Hashimoto’s deals with the throat (thyroid) but also with the root chakra - so there may be more than one energetic blockage or disturbance at play. The Spaces Between Despite being raised by a ‘hippie’ who helped her connect to her energy and intuition at a young age, Dr. Kyrin was drawn to medicine. After she rediscovered the importance of energy work in her own health journey, she didn’t want to let go of the scientific side. Luckily, science has proof of something beyond the physical. She cites the Nobel Prize being awarded to the discovery of Higgs-Boson Particle which looks at the space between the known particles. She believes that there is a consciousness of the universe - and we should be careful what we ask for because it answers both negative and positive requests (as she discovered). Energy Work + Functional Medicine Often, when

The Case: Katherine is 37years old and 20 weeks pregnant Since early in her pregnancy, she’s had stiff joints and been exhausted and extremely nauseous. Prenatal vitamins made her morning sickness worse and time wasn’t making anything better. Katherine was having trouble keeping food down and was worried about getting sufficient nutrients to the fetus. The Investigation During the first trimester of pregnancy, it’s common to experience nausea and fatigue. For most women, the body finds it’s new equilibrium by the second trimester. When Katherine came to me with continued issues, I knew we had to dig a bit deeper into her diet and look at what she’d done to prepare her body for pregnancy. Kristin Mallon is a Registered Nurse (Certified in Inpatient Obstetric) and a midwife. She’s a pregnancy expert, published author and co-founder of Vibrant Beginning Pregnaceuticals. She’s delivered thousands of healthy babies. Her focus is on helping women prepare their bodies optimally before, during and after pregnancy through high-quality nutrients. The First Trimester Kristin explains that the body experiences an influx of hormones (specifically estrogen, progesterone, and human chorionic gonadotropin or hGC) when fertilization occurs. This is why so many women experience symptoms like morning sickness, nausea, and fatigue in the first few months of pregnancy - their bodies are reacting to the change in hormones. Some women may also experience breast tenderness, low-grade headaches, gastro-intestinal upset, and change in appetite (which may be caused by an aversion to food or smells). When Things Don’t Get Better in the Second Trimester For most women, the body learns to deal with the increased hormones and the symptoms dissipate after three months of pregnancy. However, for some women the symptoms persist. This may have to do with genetics - some women are predisposed (based on how fast their body metabolized hormones) to experience a more difficult pregnancy. However, these symptoms may have nothing to do with the increased hormones, they may, in fact, have more to do with nutritional status. Metabolic vs. Nutrition It’s important for a woman to know if her persistent symptoms are related to nutritional status or a metabolic issue. If it is nutrition, than the course of action would be to adjust the diet and increase supplements to support nutritional needs. This is often the traditional approach. However, if it is a metabolic issue, this approach won’t help and may in fact be fruitless since the additional nutrients won’t be metabolized and absorbed. Preconception Nutrition Many women shift their focus to nutrition after they get pregnant. Kristin recommends starting to focus on nutrition at least twelve weeks before attempting to get pregnant. This includes focusing on nutrition and taking prenatal vitamins. However, not all prenatal vitamins are formulated optimally. Selecting a Prenatal Vitamin For most women, a single prenatal vitamin is not going to do the trick. Most prenatal vitamins are not formulated correctly and may include unnecessary elements like dyes, fillers and non-natural ingredients. Prenatal Iron Many prenatal vitamins contain iron and this is something that Kristin does NOT recommend. Iron slows down your gastrointestinal tract and can cause constipation. Your digestive system will also slow down due to pregnancy so having too much iron in your system when you become pregnant can exacerbate the nausea and vomiting common in the first trimester. In addition, iron binds with calcium which decreases the body’s ability to absorb both minerals. Only 9 - 10% of women actually need to supplement their iron during pregnancy so it should not be the default. Unclear Pregnancy Nutritional Needs The only official recommendations Americans have (from the Food Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine, or the CDC) for nutritional needs during pregnancy is 400 - 800 micrograms of folic acid and 100 - 150 micrograms of iodine. That’s it. Kristin recommends also including at least 250 milligrams of DHA and 100 milligrams of EPA (essential fatty acids and omega 3s) which are beneficial to fetal brain development. B vitamins , specifically 100 micrograms of methylated B 12. The other B vitamins (1, 3, and 6) are also important to keep energy up during pregnancy and for neurological development for the fetus. Pregnant women should also be getting 500 mg of calcium, and look at magnesium, zinc, selenium, chromium, copper, vitamin A and D. Healthy Diet May Not Be Enough Even women with a very healthy, clean diet may need to take a second look at their actual nutrient intake. With farming practices being what they are, food doesn’t hold as much nutrients as it used to. This is why many women need supplements to get all of the nutrients they need. Eating macro (not from big farms) is another way to increase nutrient intake through food. To be sure, women can have their micronutrients test through a functional medicine doc

The Case: The husband, wife, kids and friends of people dealing with health mysteries can feel invisible or taken advantage of.It may not be happening to them, but they are impacted. Likewise, those dealing with health issues often feel their partners can’t understand them and therefore may not support them in a way they would like. Stress, frustration, heartbreak and even new illnesses can be side effects of loving someone dealing with a health mystery. For every person dealing with an unresolved, or undiagnosed illness, there’s a group of family and friends who are also dealing with it. Whether they have to take on the task of caregiver, reframe their relationship and activities to accommodate limitations created by the illness, or struggle as they watch someone they love suffer. When I work with clients, we focus on their issues but I am always aware that they are not the only one who is impacted. Alicia Munoz is a couples therapist and the author of “No More Fighting”. She’s been helping couples transform their relationships and marriages for over 10 years. Alicia has seen the strain a health issue - especially one that is unexplained and chronic - can have on families and couples. Take Care of Yourself Individuals can sometimes sacrifice their own well being to care for others. Alicia says that taking care of yourself creates and upward spiral in a relationship. If you’re energized and healthy, you have more resources to offer to your partner and family. The converse is also true. Relationships Require Energy When you don’t have enough energy for your relationship, it’s easy to get frustrated and have a reduced tolerance. Fights can happen because without sufficient energy, we tend to blow things out of proportion and be reactive in the moment. Deficient Feeling Literacy When we are tired or worried about our health our ‘feeling literacy’ can be negatively impacted. This is when we become unable to read our own body cues or other’s cues. Our mood is hard to interpret which makes our behaviour unpredictable. All of this opens the door for disagreements, resentment, and emotional pain. This is especially true when conditions and symptoms are unexplained and we start to doubt what our body is telling us. Focus on the ‘Heart Brain’ We have three brains; the one in our head, the one we feel with (in our heart), and the one in our gut. When we are dealing with chronic illnesses or unexplained illnesses, we are less in tune with our heart brain and this can impact our relationships. Feeling Literacy Can be Developed Whether feeling literacy was lost or was never fully developed, it can be recovered. Alicia says there are many ways to do this but the most successful will be based on the individual but the key is to tune into your body. She suggests looking into different modalities like meditation, yoga, ‘Focusing’ by Eugene Gendlin, ‘Somatic Experiencing’ and other therapies that explore ways to tune into your body. A good place to start is with some tech-free quiet time. Vulnerability Can be a Trigger When people are dealing with health mysteries that they don’t have the answers to, the can feel vulnerable. They might feel helpless or fear becoming dependant and have a general sense of anger, fear or uncertainty about the future. This can leave them feeling emotionally unavailable or irritable. It can also cause them to project those emotions. All of which creates fertile ground for fights - although it might feel like the fight is about something small like dishes in the sink or laundry. Recognize the Fight Alicia says the first step in stopping a fight is to recognize it as it. That awareness is part of developing your ‘feeling literacy’. If you can do that, before it gets out of control, the opportunity to stop it presents itself. Alicia says the key steps to gaining control are recognizing it in the moment, taking some deep breaths, acknowledging your reactiveness, and step away. Create Love Rituals So often, when we are so focused on our illness or our partner’s illness we get so caught up in the struggle to feel better or find a solution. We can become hyper-focused on it and as a result, we forget to leave room for love and feelings of love. Alicia provides some great tips on how to create daily love rituals that incorporate gratitude and appreciation into your schedule. Mystery Solved The first step in solving the mystery of a relationship in danger is to acknowledge that it’s in danger. With Alicia’s tips and communication tools, it seems so simple. But, of course, they require work and commitment from all parties in the relationship. Develop your Feeling Literacy, embrace love rituals and create a container for communication. With these tools, you and your family will feel emotionally ready to take on solving the health mystery at hand. Eliminating Health Mysteries Could your relationship be in danger because of a chronic or unresolved health issue? Consider trying some of the tips Alicia shared in

The Case: Naomi is 39 and has been dealing with IBS for years She was experiencing chronic bloating stomachs and diarrhea We solved this issue once but it came back The Investigation Naomi seemed like a typical IBS case. We did some testing and were able to identify some intestinal infections and food sensitivities. These we were able to address through natural remedies and diet changes. She felt better than she had in decades. It seemed like it her case was closed; her health mystery solved. But then, she started to experience flare-ups of her old IBS symptoms. Further testing gave us no clues - everything was clear and normal. There were no new life events or stressers either. The only clue I had was that she seemed to hold on to so much fear around her symptoms coming back that I started to wonder if perhaps her emotions might be the culprit in this mystery. I turned to the work of Debi Silber. She’s an expert (in fact she coined the term) Post Betrayal Transformation. Her work in helping women heal after betrayal has landed her on CBS, Fox, TEDx, and The Dr. Oz Show. Redefining Betrayal A lot of people think of betrayal as one person disregarding someone’s trust or loyalty. We often think of cheating spouses or self-serving business partners. Debi says that we can trust and believe in ourselves and suddenly find that we’ve betrayed ourselves or that our body has betrayed us. Betrayal has a Physical Manifestation When we experience betrayal, even if our mind is not identifying it as betrayal, we can feel the effects physically. It is similar to the way that stress (acknowledged or otherwise) can impact us in many ways. Often, betrayal can show up as a digestive issues. Think about how we describe the shock of betrayal as ‘like I was punched in the gut’ and the connection seems much clearer. Symptoms of Betrayal We can’t always pinpoint our health issues to a feeling betrayed, Debi has created a list of symptoms to look for that might indicate that you’re suffering from post betrayal syndrome. She has also created a quiz (link below) that will help you determine the impact of a betrayal. Some symptoms include low energy, difficulty falling asleep, exhaustion, sadness, anger, stress, anxiety, and a hesitation to trust anyone. Stages of Betrayal Like grief, betrayal has stages. The first is the set-up stage. The second is shock. The third is survival. Stage four is moving on. And, the final stage is healing and rebirth. Debi goes into great detail in our interview about each stage. And, we relate each stage to the body-betrayal experience that Naomi was going through. Stuck in Survival Mode Many people get stuck at stage three and stay here for years, even decades. This is where serious health issues can develop. If we think about what we know about the ‘fight or flight’ response and stress, it makes perfect sense that we would experience the same adrenal strain by staying in the survival mode of a betrayal experience. The Post Betrayal Transformation Getting through the stages to healing requires a paradigm shift. Debi says that the only way forward is to face it, feel it, heal it. She encourages women to stop letting the betrayal define them but rather to see it as a part of what shapes them. Debi encourages her patients (through her 8-week program) to find the silver lining in their betrayal and use it to write their next chapter. Mystery Solved Naomi didn’t realize that she was suffering from post betrayal syndrome until we did some work looking at how she felt about the medical system and her own body. We’d already gotten to the root of her problem and solved it but the fear lingered and manifested the symptoms of her IBS all over again. Once she realized this, she was able to work her way through the steps and regain her regained health for good. And, we also used EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to reprogram her thought process around her body betrayal. Eliminating Health Mysteries For Naomi we were able to find that final missing piece of the health puzzle and help her reacquaint herself with good health. Could post betrayal syndrome be the missing clue for you or someone in your life? Links: https://pbtinstitute.com/quiz/ Thanks to my guest Debi Silber. You can connect with her on her website: https://pbtinstitute.com/ Or, on Facebook or Twitter. Overcoming Hashimoto’s Summit Claim your free spot to this 7-day virtual summit featuring the top experts in Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroidism so that you can overcome this diagnosis and feel better. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/2KigemW Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information. Never miss an episode – Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts. Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com PLEASE NOTE

The Case: Misty was 35 and concerned about fertility Doctors discovered (and operated on) endometriosis leaving her with brain fog and extreme fatigue Medication and more surgery were suggested but she was told that her symptoms were normal The Investigation We Americans tend to trust our medical system despite statistics that show a failing system. We feel lost when a doctor tells us something is fine when we know in our gut it’s not. We don’t speak up when we’re told our symptoms are normal and that we should just get used to living with them. We ignore our instincts because we believe someone who’s been educated must know more about our bodies than we do. Misty’s experience is all too common. She was given few options and dismissed. She was told that because her labs were ‘normal’ she should get used to these symptoms. When more mysterious symptoms showed up and were dismissed (like a 45 lb weight gain) Misty knew that she had to fight for her quality of life. Since then, she’s not only become her own health advocate and solved many of her unexplained health issues, she’s also become a champion for others struggling with a medical system that’s failing them. Misty isn’t just a case in Health Mysteries Solved. She’s also the creator of Healing Rosie a resource website for women who want to get to the bottom of their concerns by becoming a health self-advocate. She’s passionate about helping people stand up for themselves and demand both answers and a quality of life. Misty also facilitates an online community where women can share their stories and knowledge as they navigate their way to better health. Doctors Don’t Have All the Answers While medical doctors do have a great deal of knowledge and play an important role in diagnosing conditions and finding treatments, we can’t assume that they know everything. Anyone wanting to become their own health advocate must get comfortable with questioning their doctor, finding answers elsewhere, and not accepting the doctor’s opinion as final. It’s okay to keep looking even when a doctor says that ‘labs are normal’ or that you have to get used to living with certain symptoms or limitations. Women Normalize Suffering One of the biggest reasons that we fail to get to the bottom of our health issues is that women accept suffering as part of the female condition. Our mothers, other women, and doctors have trained us to believe certain sufferings are ours to bear - especially around menstruation. And, all too often, we put others’ needs before our own. We are culturally programed to take care of our children, our spouses (and sometimes our bosses or employees) before we take care of ourselves. We simply accept that it’s normal to be tired, have brain fog (especially after a certain age), gain weight, be irritable, and deal with chronic pain. We have to stop accepting suffering and start expecting to feel good. Set Health Goals Even as health self-advocates, we need doctors to help us navigate the medical insurance industry. One way that Misty recommends getting doctors on board with your quest for good health is to discuss health goals with your doctor. This makes your requests less about whether your labs are normal or if you should be accepting a certain symptom as unavoidable. Instead, it gives the whole process an outcome that the doctor can get behind. Personalize Your Health Goals Every person is going to have different goals for their health. Misty offers 10 basic health expectations but each individual has to prioritize their own list. Some of her goals include having a regular and pain-free period, maintaining a healthy weight that is under 30% body fat, having energy for your day, getting great sleep, having a healthy libido, and having good digestion. All 10 health goals are discussed in this episode. Find the Right Doctor Sharing your health goals with your doctor is a good way to determine if this is the right doctor for you. If your current doctor is not receptive to assisting you with your health goals, you may want to find a different doctor. This can be a time consuming process so Misty suggests having an initial consult with a potential doctor before going through the process they have for becoming a new patient - which can take months. It Takes a Team What many women fighting for their own good health need to know is that it takes a team of practitioners to get results. Misty suggests having a doctor (who is onboard with your health goals and willing to request labs needed to support them), a functional medicine doctor and a nurse practitioner. Affording Good Health All of this can seem out of reach financially for many people, especially if their insurance is limiting. Misty provides some great tips on how to get as much as possible covered and to do a certain amount of work on your own to decrease out-of-pocket expenses. This includes communicating with your insurance company to gain clarity on how to get certain labs covered. Or, it might be leavin

If you or someone you know has Hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s, you probably know that the diagnosis often comes with mixed emotions. On the one hand, it’s a relief to know that there really is a reason for all of these symptoms. No more confusion around symptoms that come and go. No more doctors dismissing your concerns. You finally have proof that it’s not all in your head. But, that relief often ends when you discover that there is no specific cure. Soon the frustration, fear hopelessness sets in. You go searching for answers only to find confusing and conflicting information. You end up feeling overwhelmed and you start to worry that you’re never going to feel good again. I’ve Been There I remember the emotional roller coaster I felt when I was first diagnosed 18 years ago. It took me a long time to find and avoid my Hashimoto’s triggers. BUT this understanding changed my life. Now, as a clinical nutritionist practicing a functional medicine type approach, I’m on a mission to help everyone with Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism regain control of their health. There is Hope I created the Overcoming Hashimoto's Summit because I learned to thrive and I want everyone who’s been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroidism to know they’re not alone. In fact, it’s estimated that in the US alone, 14 million people have Hashimoto's. And millions more have hypothyroidism which is an underactive thyroid and often also have Hashimoto’s but don’t even know it. I’m so excited to share a holistic approach to treatment with the help of some of the foremost experts researching hypothyroidism and autoimmune triggers today. 7-Days of Ideas, Research, and Solutions During this virtual 7-Day summit you’ll hear from some of the world’s top experts including: Peter Osborne about the role food allergies may be playing in your symptoms. Sarah Ballantyne will breakdown the Autoimmune Protocol diet so that you can shift your diet and feel better. Chris Shade will share the information you need to know about heavy metals and how they influence your disease. Trudy Scott will help you understand why you feel so anxious and what to do about it. This is just a fraction of what we’ll be exploring at the Overcoming Hashimoto's Summit. Be at the Forefront of Research Through this single event, you’ll have access to the research and insights of 34 world-renowned experts in Hashimoto’s Disease and it’s triggers. Remember, Hashimoto's affects the thyroid but it’s an autoimmune disease which means we have to consider everything from your physiology, your history, your emotions, your environment and even your beliefs. Take Control of Your Health By the end of this summit, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of how to manage your disease and take back the power in your health struggles. So, join us for the summit. Educate yourself. Be your own advocate. Get the answers you need to overcome Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism which is often caused by Hashimoto’s. Do you remember a time when you woke up and didn’t have to worry about how you’d feel today? Where you didn’t have to take stock of your physical or emotional state? A time when you could just get up and approach the day like it could be the best day ever? Wouldn’t you like to feel that way again? Imagine, after just one week, feeling totally in control of your Hashimoto's and thyroid health because you have the knowledge to create a wellness plan that will work for you. Join Us Live The summit is live from July 15 – 21st, its online so you can watch from the comfort of your own couch and its completely free. Signing up is easy. Just click this link, enter your email address and you’re in. Let’s take the fear and frustration out of living with Hashimoto's or Hypothyroidism. Let’s reclaim your health. Even though the summit doesn’t official start till July 15th, if you sign up right now, you will have access to 3 of the talks right away so you can start digging into this life changing information. These are just the tip of the iceberg of all the topics that we cover in the summit and I am so excited to share all the interviews with you so be sure to grab your free spot today! Register for free here: https://bit.ly/2KigemW

The Case: Melissa is 35 woman experiencing daily stomach discomfort. As each day progressed she got more bloated, gassy, and uncomfortable belly distention. She tried elimination diets and even antibiotics but the bloating kept coming back. The Investigation When Melissa came to me she had already been diagnosed with SIBO (Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth). Her doctor prescribed antibiotics and that worked, at first. But, the symptoms came back so I knew we had to get to the root of the problem if we were going to help Melissa stop feeling like she was 4 months pregnant. SIBO is an excessive amount of bacteria in the small intestine. This can cause a variety of symptoms and if left unchecked can lead to more serious concerns. SIBO can also be caused by more serious health concerns. Once considered to be rare, SIBO is now easier to diagnose and it is estimated to affect up to 15% of otherwise healthy people. Dr. Seth Osgood is a board certified family nurse practitioner and Institute of Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner. He specializes in Autoimmune Disorders with specific emphasis on digestive health. It was his own family’s chronic gut issues that swayed him from his traditional medicine path to a functional medicine approach. Bacteria Belongs in the Large Intestine There is a lot of talk about healthy bacteria in the gut. This flora should mainly live in the large intestine. When it moves into the small intestine, the body is not set up to deal with it and so it ferments and produces gases. This is what causes bloating and that sense that you feel or look pregnant because of the distended belly. Symptoms Range Melissa’s main complaints are common symptoms of SIBO - gas, bloating, and an uncomfortable distended belly. Additional symptoms include diarrhea, constipation, belching, skin irregularities (eczema, rosacea, acne, and weird rashes), abdominal discomfort (sometimes diagnosed as IBS), and weight loss or weight gain. SIBO is Seldom the Primary Issue A more holistic approach to SIBO will look for the root cause of the bacterial overgrowth. A common cause is low stomach acid (creating an inability to breakdown food). A low functioning thyroid, stress, impaired vagal nerve dysfunction (parasympathetic response), autoimmune issue or nutritional deficiencies can also contribute to the development of SIBO. Low levels of pancreatic enzymes can also make it difficult to breakdown food which leaves the food to putrefy and breed bacteria. Some Pharmaceutical Use Can Lead SIBO Chronic use of antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (like aspirin and ibuprofen) can lead to dysbiosis (a microbial imbalance. PPI (proton pump inhibitors) is a commonly prescribed acid blocker that decrease the amount of acid in the stomach, so extended use of these can also contribute to SIBO. How to Diagnose SIBO There are a few tests that can be done to confirm SIBO. The gold standard is a three-hour hydrogen breath test. After consuming a sugary water (fuel for the bacteria), the time it takes to produce methane and hydrogen indicates where the bacteria are living - in the large or small intestine. The concentration of the gases is also telling. Additionally, an organic acid test will help determine if the issue is bacterial or fungal or both. A stool test may also help provide a bigger picture of digestive issues. You Can’t Fix SIBO if You’re Not Pooping Failure to clear your bowels on a regular basis leaves too much fuel for bacteria in your small intestine. For some, low motility is a symptom of SIBO but it can also be a contributing factor. In order to solve the gut imbalance, the bowels need to be moving regularly. Options for Treatment Once you have the whole picture and understand (and have dealt with) the root cause, there are several options for treatment. Dr. Osgood and I prefer an herbal approach. There are several combinations but the right one for you is going to be based on what’s working for your body. There is not a one size fits all and finding the right combination will require some testing. Temporarily following a specific diet (like the elemental or low fodmap diet) may help speed up recovery. Treating SIBO is Tricky For many people the first stop they make is to their traditional doctor and potential a gastroenterologist. And while SIBO can be diagnosed, the traditional approach is to treat SIBO with medication. This often will kill off the overgrowth but it doesn’t really deal with how the overgrowth happened in the first place. As a result, patients will often have a recurrence like Melissa did. Prevent SIBO Relapses Getting your gut bacteria back in balance is never a permanent state, you have to work at maintaining that balance. The keys to avoiding a relapse are maintaining stress levels, taking advantage of probiotics (find the right one for you as some may irritate your system), stimulate the parasympathetic tone with vagus nerve exercises, eating a clean diet, and encouraging good mo

The Case: Elise is 37 and for the past 5 years, she’s had very low sex-drive Extensive hormones tests gave no physical explanation She and her husband wanted to find a way to reconnect and make sex a part of their relationship again. The Investigation A sexless marriage is defined as one where the couple has sex less than 10 times a year. For Elise, her disinterest in sex had been going on for 5-years. There were many factors that played into this - including being on an opposite work schedule to her husband - but she knew that it was primarily because of her low libido. I ran some additional, more comprehensive lab tests (to make sure that her doctors hadn’t missed anything) but found nothing out of the norm. I did notice one thing. When Elise talked to me about her issue with sex drive, she seemed embarrassed. She giggled nervously everytime she mentioned sex. I suspected that something in her past or her upbringing might be the clue we need to find to solve this health mystery. I turned to Lauren Handel Zander. She’s the co-founder and chairwoman of the Handel Group and has been a life coach for over 20 years. She’s also the author of “Maybe It’s You: Cut the Crap, Face Your Fears, Love Your Life.” She is passionate about helping people create the life of their dreams from every angle. Viability of a Great Relationship Lauren believes that the depth and viability of a great relationship relies on both the enjoyment of life and the romantic partnership. It’s non-negotiable. Couples who explain away their low libido with time-constraints, stress, kids, or disinterest put their relationship at risk. People are Lazy Lauren points to the ease with which we can move sex to the bottom of the to-do list. It can easily become something that we don’t have the energy for. But, like going to the gym to stay fit, we need to find the energy for a healthy sex life. Make a Commitment to Sex Lauren recommends committing to sex the way you would commit to the gym. Promise yourself and your partner that you’ll meet x-number of times per week. You have to make it a priority and commit to it. She even encourages people to have a consequence for not keeping your promise. Shame and Epigenetics May Affect Libido A few weeks ago we spoke with Dr. Mario Martinez (Episode 007) about how shame and personal belief systems set by our parents can create a physical reaction. That includes a low libido. Epigenetics (which is the expression of our genes based on learned behaviour from our parents) can likewise affect our sexdrive. Have the Sex Talk To get to the root of this potential cause of a low libido, Lauren encourages her clients to talk to their parents about sex. Yes, even though they are adults, she suggests they finally have an open and frank ‘sex talk’. This releases the taboo around sex and can bring some honesty and reality to what married sex is really all about. It also takes the awkwardness and embarrassment out of the topic which can be incredibly freeing. Know What You Want It’s important for couples who are dealing with a sexless marriage (or a low-sex marriage) to get in touch with what they actually want. And, that they express this to each other. Lauren uses a visualization method that she encourages people to do specifically with their sex life. Low Libido Can be Hormonal A reduced sexdrive can be the result of hormone levels. In Elise’s case it wasn’t but if you’re suffering with a disinterest in sex, it’s important to have your estradiol, progesterone, Testosterone and DHEA-S tested. Lowered sex drive can also be experienced by those dealing with a thyroid issue so be sure to have your doctor check that as well. Mystery Solved Elise didn’t have any hormonal reasons for her low libido so we started to employ some of the methods offered up by Dr. Mario Martinez and Lauren Handel Zander. Elise was a bit resistant at first but she followed through. She even had ‘the talk’ with her parents and was able to let go of the awkwardness she felt around sex. For Elize, her sexual health mystery was solved with some emotional work and a commitment to being more sexually engaged with her husband. Eliminating Health Mysteries For Elise we were able to find that missing piece of the health puzzle and help her regain her sex drive. Could shame, epigenetics, or laziness be your missing piece of the healthy sexlife puzzle? Have you listened to a friend complain about a low libido or sexless marriage? Be sure to share this episode with them. Links: Thanks to my guest Lauren Handel Zander. You can connect with her on Instagram or Facebook. She also has an online course that I recommend AND my listeners get $75 off by clicking my special link and using the promo code HEALTHMYSTERIES75 Mentioned Supplements Fem Guard + Balance Chaste Tree (not available online, speak to your health practitioner) DHEA Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create b

The Case: Karen is 31 and eats a very healthy diet. She started to experience eczema, rashes, and itchy skin as well as anxiety. Doctors prescribed topical steroids and antihistamines but these only masked the symptoms. Here condition escalated to swollen eyes and hives on her face. The Investigation When I met with Karen I suspected that her diet was to blame for her condition even though she was eating really healthy. I just knew there was something in her diet that was causing the problem; something was causing a histamine reaction. But, I also suspected it likely wasn’t a traditional food allergy. I brainstormed with my partner at Complete Nutrition and Wellness, Beth Mosher. She’s a clinical nutritionist who has been studying nutrition and how it relates to health and human development for almost 20 years. I knew that together, we could solve this health mystery. We knew that it wasn’t a specific food allergy or sensitivity so we had to look at how else food could be impacting her. Allergic Reactions can be to Components of Foods Some people may have traditional tests that prove they are not allergic to a certain food but that does not necessarily mean that they won’t have an allergic reaction to a component of this food. Certain components of foods, particularly plant foods, produce histamine reactions. High Sulfur Foods Sulfur is found in a variety of foods in varying degrees. Leafy greens have a high amount of sulfur, especially spinach and kale. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli also contain sulfur. Protein can contain sulfur, specifically eggs and shrimp. Fermented foods including pickled foods, beer, and wine also contain high amounts of sulfites. Sulfur Can Cause a Histamine Reaction Many foods contain sulfur and while some sulfur is important for the body to function optimally, too much can create a backlog. When the body tries to metabolize this backlog of sulfur it can produce substances that create a histamine reaction. This can manifest as itchy skin, hives, swelling, or eczema. Genetics Also Plays a Role Not everyone who eats sulfur-rich foods is going to have this histamine reaction. Every body is different. One person may eat a diet high in sulfur with no adverse reaction because they are not predisposed to it genetically. Sulfites Can Build Up in the Body Sulfites can be quite toxic when they backup in the body (because they are not being properly processed) and can be converted into ammonia. Symptoms like hives, itchy skin, swollen lips and eyes, and eczema can appear to come out of nowhere. People who have not changed their diet at all might not think that food could be the cause because nothing has changed. However a diet (like the paleo diet) can cause sulfur build up overtime, which can reach a point where the body can no longer metabolize it and the result is a histamine reaction. Early Signs of Sulfite Buildup Sulfur generally produces a histamine reaction including hives, rashes, and itchiness around the eyes. However, a sulfur buildup in the early stages can present as headaches, itchy skin (without hives or rash), or digestive issues. Feelings of anxiety can also be a symptom of sulfur overload as metabolizing sulfur can release ammonia which in turn elevates cortisol (the stress hormone). Reducing high sulfite foods and managing sulfur in general when these early signs show up could help reduce the chances of a full histamine reaction. Detoxing Sulfite Overload When detoxing the body of excess sulfites, it’s a good idea to take Epsom salt baths every day or every other day. Place a cup and a half of Epsom salts in a warm bath and soak for 20 minutes. This helps the body metabolize the backlog of sulfites and get the toxins out. Charcoal tablets may also help to absorb the ammonia and carry it out and molybdenum can help the SOUX enzyme process sulfites more efficiently. Testing for Sulfite Overload There are a few tests that can be done to prove the skin irritations are caused by a histamine reaction caused by sulfur overload. One is an organic acid test done through urine. There are also genetic tests that can be done. However, most people prove out the cause by lowering their consumption of sulfite rich foods and seeing if the symptoms subside. We Need Sulfur Many high-sulfur foods are extremely healthy and our bodies need sulfur. However, if it is not processing it into sulfate (do to a blockage in the pathway caused by a buildup) then we need to address that. It’s important to find a balance and to be aware of the warning signs that there might be a backlog of sulfites in the system. Mystery Solved Our suspicions were confirmed with Karen after we ran an organic acid test. What we found was that despite eating a lot of sulfur-rich foods (like green drinks and veggies), her body was not converting that into sulfate which meant that her body was instead, creating ammonia. This led to her skin issues and likely released cortisol which could explain her heightened feelings

The Case: Diana is 36 and suffers from irregular bowel movements and stomach upset. Endoscopies, colonoscopies and genetic testing for celiac disease provided no answers She tried adjusting her diet but nothing has helped and her doctor was stumped. My first suspicion was that her Celiac test was a false negative or that she had some underlying gluten-sensitivity. Gluten is found in wheat, rye, barley and oats and many people may have the sensitivity. It’s estimated that 30 – 40% of people are genetically positive for gluten-sensitivity. Many go undiagnosed. Dr. Peter Osborne is world renown in the field of gluten and grain sensitivity. He is the author of the highly acclaimed bestseller, ‘No Grain, No Pain’ and is a Doctor of Chiropractic and board certified in clinical nutrition and pastoral medicine. He is the clinical director of Origins Healthcare in Sugarland, Texas and is also an advisor for Functional Medicine University. He joins me in the discussion of this case to share his significant expertise in this field. Confusion Around Gluten Terminology Many people mislabel conditions relating to gluten and mistakenly use gluten-sensitive, gluten-intolerant, gluten allergy, and celiac interchangeably. So, what is the difference between gluten sensitivity and gluten allergy? What’s the difference between gluten intolerance and celiac disease? Dr. Osborne explains that gluten sensitivity is a state of genetics which is not a disease. However, this sensitivity can lead to the development of celiac disease which is an autoimmune disease. Gluten intolerance is a reaction to gluten without the genetic disposition. The body cannot digest gluten properly because it is not producing the necessary enzyme. This can result in irritable bowel, gas, bloating and other intestinal discomforts. An allergy to gluten it very rare. Classically, this would show up as an acute response similar to other food allergies which often have symptoms like hives, swollen lips, and throat constriction. It’s potentially life-threatening. Traditional Testing for Celiac is Insufficient Most doctors will test two genetic markers for celiac disease but there are 5 antibodies that should be tested. Some people, like Diane, are told they don’t have Celiac disease and can eat gluten when that is not the case. Comprehensive tests that specifically include HLA DQ2 and DQ8 as well as the wheat zoomer (see below for links to these tests) are needed to completely rule out gluten issues. These tests are a simple cheek swab and a blood test. Gluten Sensitivity due to Genetics is Permanent While some people may feel better after giving up gluten for a period of time, this does not mean they can return to eating gluten. Dr. Osborne says that it can’t be reversed and his best advice is to stay away from it if they want to maintain their health. Eating gluten (for those that have the gluten genes) is unhealthy for them so if they go back to it, they’ll soon feel the repercussions of their unhealthy ways. Consider the Quality of Grains People who do not have the genetic markers for gluten sensitivity, antibodies to gluten, or the presence of autoimmune disease do not need to follow a gluten-free diet. However, it’s important to look at the quality of the food they’re eating. Grains can have mold or mycotoxins (see episode 006). They may also have trace amounts of pesticides that could include glyphosate which has been linked to cancer, neurodegeneration and fertility issues. In addition to that, many grains have been genetically modified. You Can’t Just Take a Pill There are enzymes available in supplement form that will help the body digest gluten. While this might seem like a ‘get out of jail free’ card, it’s not. If you have a gluten sensitivity or Celiac disease these are meant only to protect you against unwitting exposure (often through cross contamination in non-gluten-free restaurants or homes). It’s not a magic pill that you can take and then go devour a pizza. Sorry, guys. Eliminating Health Mysteries For Diana we were able to get to the real root of the problem and help her regain her health. Could a gluten sensitivity be the missing clue for you or someone in your life? Please share this episode with them so that they can feel better too. Links: Resources mentioned Thanks to my guest Dr. Peter Osborne. You can connect with him through his website: https://drpeterosborne.com/ You can get a copy of his book No Grain, No Pain here: www.glutenfreesociety.com Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information. Never miss an episode – Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts. Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com Overcoming Hashimoto’s Summit Claim your free spot to this 7-day virtual summit featuring the top e

The Case: Victoria is a 45 year-old mom of three who works full time. In the last 9-months, severe pain in her hip has made her active lifestyle difficult. She was treated by a physiotherapist and a chiropractor and even tried natural supplements but nothing helped. The Investigation When I met Victoria, I noticed she had spider veins on same leg that was in pain. I suspected that was a clue. Spider veins, a form of varicose veins, are abnormally enlarged vessels that usually appear on the legs like dark blue or red squiggly lines. About 50% of the population develop spider veins but women are more susceptible, especially as they age. Many people consider spider veins to be a cosmetic problem that’s not how they are viewed in chinese medicine. That’s why I turned to Belinda Brown for help with Victoria’s health mystery. Belinda is a classical acupuncturist with a busy practice in Hoboken, New Jersey. Acupuncture Works with the Body’s Qi Qi (pronounced chee) is the flow of energy through our body. We are in good health when our Qi is moving smoothly. When it is blocked or stagnant, or deficient we experience illness. Qi travels along meridians (or pathways) in the body. Acupuncture is the ancient art of unlocking or activating the Qi along these meridians. The Difference between Classical and Traditional Chinese Medicine Many people have heard of Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM as it is the most common in the United States. This approach to acupuncture works with 12 meridians. Belinda practices Classical Acupuncture which recognizes 76 meridians. Vanity is Not the Only Concern for Spider Veins Often spider veins make people self conscious of their looks. But, vanity is not the only reason to have your spider vein looked at. Belinda explains that spider veins can be an indicator that there is something deeper going on. Spider veins can be the body trying to push illness up to the surface. This negatively impacts the body’s Qi, specifically the Luo Meridian. Restore the Qi to Create an Opportunity for Healing By releasing the vessels involved in the spider veins, you can restore Qi and create a better environment for healing. While it may seem like this is a cosmetic solution, the treatment of these spider veins can have a dramatic affect on the illness that caused them. Mystery Solved In Victoria’s case, the spider veins and the pain in her hip were both signs that she had a benign tumor - something that doctors hadn’t even looked for. Belinda knew pretty quickly that something was off and she was able to pinpoint the issue. By treating the spider veins through acupuncture, not only was she able to reduce the appearance of the veins, she was able to restore the Qi and reduce the size of the growth. Victoria ignored the spider veins, shrugging them off as part of getting old. She tried to work through her hip pain. By working with Belinda and I she was able to see that these two seemingly unrelated things we actually clues to a serious issue she didn’t even know she had. Eliminating Health Mysteries For Victoria, we were able to find that missing piece of the health puzzle and help her regain her health. Could spider veins be a clue that you or someone you love is missing? Don’t just treat spider veins, speak to an acupuncturist to find out if they’re trying to reveal the secrets of your well-being. Thanks to my guest, Belinda Brown. You can connect with her on her website: http://www.classicalacupunctureandwellness.com/ Mentioned Supplements: ArthroSoothe OmegAvail Ultra 10% off Designs for Health Supplements with code DFH10 Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback helps me create better shows, and it helps more people find this important information. Never miss an episode – Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts. Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com Overcoming Hashimoto’s Summit Claim your free spot to this 7-day virtual summit featuring the top experts in Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroidism so that you can overcome this diagnosis and feel better. https://bit.ly/2KigemW PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Some of the links provided are affiliate links. This means we may make a very small amount of money should you choose to buy after clicking on them. This will in no way affect the price the product but it helps us a tiny bit in covering our expenses.

The Case: Bethany is a 37 year-old teacher who’s always sick Doctors can’t explain why her immune system is failing She’s meticulous about her hygiene and has tried every natural supplement available. The Investigation The obvious explanation for Bethany going from cold, to flu, to cold was that she worked in a classroom full of germs. But, her fellow teachers weren’t getting sick like she was. Bethany seemed to be sick with something new every month. When changing her diet and taking the usual nutritional supplements didn’t help, we knew there had to be something else going on. Usually, I don’t like to say that it was all in her head but in this case, I suspected there was a mind body connection. My first clue came when Bethany mentioned how meticulous she was about washing her hands and how bad she felt about getting sick and missing work. That’s when I knew I needed to dig deeper into her mindset. It turned out that she had some deep-seated shame around being sick that went all the way back to her childhood. Her parents had, over time, taught her that getting sick should be avoided at all costs and that it was very bad. How could this result in her physically getting sick? Did this mean that she wasn’t actually sick she only thought she was sick? The answer is actually a scientifically proven physiological response to shame. It’s something I first learned about when I encountered the research of Dr. Mario Martinez. Dr. Mario (as I like to call him) is the bestselling author of the Mind Body Code: How to Change the Beliefs that Limit Your Health, Longevity, and Success. He has also created multiple learning series on the connection between mind, body, and self. He is a world-renowned expert on biocognition and I am honored to call him a mentor. Because of my work with Dr. Mario, I knew that this fear of illness that Bethany’s parents had instilled could be the missing clue in her health mystery. Biocognitive Science is an Integrative Science Dr. Mario starts by explaining that the connection between our mind and our physiology is proven scientifically. His work also takes our culture into consideration. This includes looking at our collective beliefs of anything important to a group like religion, our concept of wellness, ethics, and aesthetics to name a few. Cultural Understanding Comes from Cultural Editors We learn about the good and bad of our culture from those in a position of authority. In the beginning, this is likely to be a parent but doctors, teachers, pastors can all be a part of that too. These editors teach us shame as a way to survive in our culture but at some point, the need to survive ends and we can hang on to the shame unnecessarily. Shame Causes Inflammation Research has proven that shame can cause a physiological reaction; inflammation. We know that inflammation is associated with many diseases including those affecting the immune system. When we hang on to non-survival shame, we can compromise our health. There is an Antidote to Shame Dr. Mario’s research shows that there is a way to reverse feelings of shame, even deep-seated, spontaneous shame responses. In this episode, we discuss the method of first identifying the trigger of shame, the feelings associated with shame, and the mental trick for reversing or countering the physiological response to shame. Belief in Genetic Predisposition Can be a Trigger Another way cultural conditioning affects our health is when we believe that any genetic propensity to an illness will lead to us realizing that illness. This belief has a physiological effect on the body. Our mind is sending signals to enhance the genetic expression of that illness. Set Personal Boundaries to Avoid Triggers Shame can be triggered by many things including partners, parents, or you boss. It’s important to create boundaries for these potential shame triggers so that you have less exposure to feelings of shame. You can also recondition your thinking around genetic disposition beliefs. Mystery Solved When Bethany and I started to really dissect where her shame around getting sick came from we realized that being around kids in a classroom (which can be a bit of a petri dish or germs) was a major trigger. Because of my past work with Dr. Mario (and my personal experience in healing shame responses) Bethany was able to counteract her physiological response to the fear of illness and shame of missing work. The solution to this mystery wasn’t found in a pill or a supplement. We had to change the messages being shared between the mind and body. Bethany is doing much better now. She still gets a cold from time to time, but she no longer feels any shame about it. Eliminating Health Mysteries For Bethany, we were able to find that missing piece of the health puzzle and help her regain control of her health. Could shame or cultural cues be the unknown clue for you or someone in your life? Spend some time considering any shame you might feel during your day. Take some time to fo

The Case: Jena is 35 who recently moved across the country. Since then, she’s experienced sinus issues, brain fog, dizziness, and fatigue. Her GP sent her to specialists who did countless test but they couldn’t figure out what was going on. The Investigation Jena knew there was something going on even though all of the doctors and tests revealed nothing. When she came to me, we looked at a bunch of possible causes that the specialists may have missed. But, when she told me that she’d recently moved into an apartment where they had recently repaired some water damage, I knew we had our first clue to the real cause of her problems. Mold can cause a great deal of health issues, even if you can’t see it. Evan Brand knows this from personal experience. Now, he’s made it his mission to reveal just how prevalent and harmful mold can be to our health. Evan is a Clinical Nutritionist who has been studying the effects of mold on the brain and body. His interest came about when he discovered that exposure to mold was the root cause for his own personal health mystery. With his research as well as the clinical work he’s doing with his clients, Evan has joined a handful of experts on this topic in America. I was excited to share Jena’s case with him and find out more about mold in our environment and food supply. The List of Potential Symptoms is Extensive When mold is present in an environment, it releases ‘mycotoxins’. If a significant amount of mycotoxins enter the body, it can cause a wide range of symptoms including anxiety to heart palpitations to depression to anger and irritability to insomnia, blood pressure problems, cold hands, cold feet, dizziness and vertigo. He says some people have experienced tremors or twitching which could lead to a misdiagnosis of Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. Mycotoxins Have an Affinity for the Cerebellum Many different types of mycotoxins attack the cerebellum which is a part of the brain. This area of the brain is responsible for spatial navigation. This is why people with mycotoxins in their body may find themselves dragging their feet, twitching, experiencing vertigo or feeling dizzy like Jena was. It’s Not Just Black Mold Most people know that black mold in a home is unhealthy but when they don’t see black mold, they think their home is fine. As Evan explains, there are a variety of different molds (some that are hard to spot) that can give off mycotoxins. Myth: Mold Causes Allergies or Sinus Problems Many people who are affected by mycotoxins from mold do not experience any allergy-type symptoms, sinus issues, or breathing problems. There are many ways that mycotoxins present so people should be aware that an absence of typical sinus-related issues does not mean that mold is not the cause of health issues. Mycotoxins Can Also be Ingested Inhalation of mycotoxins (usually from being in a moldy building) is the number one issues but we can also ingest mold and their byproduct; mycotoxins. Mold on foods is often not visible. The most common carriers of mycotoxins are grains (corns, rice, wheat), peanuts, coffee, chocolate, and wine (grapes)). And, Evan believes that as GMO foods become more prevalent, the risk of mold infections increases. How to Test for Environmental Mold in Your Home The gold standard for testing your home or office for mold or the presence of mycotoxins is called the ERMI (Environmental Relative Moldiness Index). This is where a sample of the air is collected. Evan feels that this is not the most accurate test. Instead, he recommends doing a ‘plate test’ which can be acquired from Immunolytics Labs (see below for links). These can be used to test your home, your office or even your car - wherever you are spending a significant amount of time. Testing for Mycotoxins in the Body Determining levels of mycotoxins in your body requires a specific urine test. Evan recommends also doing an organic acid test just to see the full picture of fungal metabolites at play. This test can be repeated once actions have been taken to gage successes in detoxifying the body. Detoxing Mycotoxins can be Challenging When we start to experience symptoms as a result of mycotoxin exposure, it usually means that the body is at a breaking point. We often talk about the bucket being full before we notice anything. To start emptying out the bucket, the environment has to be cleared of mycotoxins, then the diet needs to shift and finally, we have to actively encourage the mycotoxins out of the body. However, we can’t live in a bubble so when we get exposed to mycotoxins in other environments (whether that’s a store we go to or a friends house), our bucket starts filling back up before it’s had a chance to empty. For this reason, detoxing can take a long time. Mystery Solved Evan believes that most of us experience a high level of exposure to mycotoxins which results in almost everyone having some form of toxicity. If you struggle with health issues that seem to have no other explanation, then

The Case: Amanda is a 37 year old mom working part time. For 5 years she struggled with insomnia that kept her mind racing and her body tired. She tried sleep medications, antidepressants, and melatonin but they made her groggy. I tried addressing her adrenal issues with supplements, but the insomnia persisted. The Investigation There was no question that Amanda’s case was not your typical insomnia case. When we discussed her busy lifestyle, it became clear to me that stress was playing a role in her issue. We worked on controlling her elevated cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and rebalancing her nervous system. And even though she felt calmer and more in control, sleep still evaded her. I could tell that supplements alone were not going to put out this stress-fire. The CDC (Center for Disease Control) estimates that 35% of Americans do not get enough sleep. A lack of sleep becomes insomnia when it causes you to feel impaired during the day and persists for over a month without any other discernible cause. About 6% of Americans fall into this category. Emily Fletcher is very familiar with insomnia because she suffered with it for a long period of time. It caused her to feel worn down, stressed out, and unhappy despite having a dream job she’d worked her whole life to get. Luckily, she discovered meditation and it changed everything for her. Since then, she’s taught a technique she developed called Ziva Meditation to thousands. She also wrote the book, “Stress Less, Accomplish More: Meditation for Extraordinary Performance”which she hopes will also help people get a handle on their stress and conquer their insomnia. Stress and Insomnia are Intermingled The effects of stress on the body can be significant, especially over time. One of the things that stress does is release hormones that keep the body and brain alert. When it comes time to sleep, the mind simply can’t relax. And then, we experience stress from not being able to sleep. Emily says it’s like the chicken and the egg conundrum - you can’t really say which comes first. When we are tired, we feel stressed. When we are stressed we feel tired. The Modern World Isn’t Helping In addition to our stress, there are other things in the modern world that may be contributing to sleeplessness. Emily points to our screen time (blue light mimics the daylight and tricks our circadian rhythm into thinking we should be awake). Our modern diet also plays a role in sleep issues because we generally consume too much caffeine and sugar. In addition, we are living in a time where everyone is busy and sleep is not seen as a priority. Emily says that tiredness and busy-ness trigger the release of adrenaline and cortisol, which in turn makes it hard to sleep and further fuels our stress. Stress Makes us Stupid, Sick, and Slow Being in a perpetual state of stress slowly breaks down our body and our mind. We might place the blame on lack of sleep or insomnia, but it’s really the stress. Emily believes that meditation (not mindfulness) can reset this cycle. By meditating each day, you give your body the time to deal with the stress so that when it comes time to sleep, you can actually dedicate that time to sleep. When the stress is taken care of, the insomnia goes away. If you never deal with the stress, you will forever be using sleep time for stress relief and never actually experience reparative sleep which is essential for optimal health. Eliminating Health Mysteries Amanda tried Emily’s technique and was amazed that after a couple of weeks she actually slept through the night. It took some time to undo the damage done by 5 years of insomnia but with a regular meditation practice and the right supplements, we were able to get Amanda’s health back on track. If you suffer from insomnia or known someone who does, please take a look at stress management techniques like Ziva Meditation - it could be the missing piece of the puzzle. And, remember that just because so many people shrug their shoulders because everyone is stressed out, it’s not okay to let it get to the point of insomnia and start an avalanche of health issues. The answers to your insomnia and stress are out there and accessible to you. You can solve this health mystery. Be sure to share this episode with anyone you know who is struggling with insomnia. Resource Links: Resources and products mentioned on the podcast: Phosphatidyl Serine (PS 150) Pharma GABA (chewable) Liposomal Liquid Gaba Myo Sedate Magnesium (in the glycinate form) Thanks to my guest Emily Fletcher. You can connect with her here: https://zivameditation.com/ If you’re interested in her online meditation program go here. Or, Grab her book: Stress Less, Accomplish More: Meditation for Extraordinary Performance plus when you use this link, you’ll get a bonus gift that’s just for Health Mysteries Solved listeners! Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create

The Case: Patti is a physically fit 42 year-old. She was experiencing fatigue, brain fog, the strangest part - exercise that used to energize her was now making her more tired. Extensive tests proved her thyroid was not to blame so we had to dig deeper in to her health history. The Investigation Despite having typical symptoms associated with hypothyroidism, Patti’s levels were well within the normal range. With that off the table, we had to really think outside the box. I started to wonder if it might be an infection or some sort of virus. That’s when I looked into Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). According to the CDC, “ Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), also known as human herpesvirus 4, is a member of the herpes virus family. It is one of the most common human viruses. EBV is found all over the world. Most people get infected with EBV at some point in their lives. EBV spreads most commonly through bodily fluids, primarily saliva. EBV can cause infectious mononucleosis, also called mono, and other illnesses.” It’s estimated that 90% of the population are infected with EBV at some point in there life. There’s no medical treatment but there are some natural health options that can speed up recovery. One of the leaders in developing a natural approach to EBV is Dr. Kasia Kines. Kasia is a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition and the CEO of EBV Educational Institute and Holistic Nutrition Naturally. She’s also the author of the Amazon best-seller The Epstein-Barr Virus Solution. She joins me on the show to discuss the symptoms and solutions for this very common problem. It’s a Global Issue This virus has been around for a long time and scientists have been searching for a vaccination since it’s discovery. Nothing has been found. Most Doctors Completely Dismiss EBV Despite the virus being very well known, many conventional doctors miss the symptoms. Some doctors don’t even want to test the blood for EBV markers. Symptoms Range Greatly In an acute episode, symptoms can resemble a really bad flu including feeling achy, swollen lymph nodes, and scratchy throat. This is the typical presentation of ‘mono’. At a chronic level, the symptoms could be fatigue, exercise intolerance, brain fog, hypersensitivity to mosquito bites, and can even develop into autoimmune diseases like arthritis, Crohn’s, or Hashimoto’s. There are Four Antibodies to Look For Once you get the right labs (blood tests) you can use this graph (from Dr. Kines’ website) to determine what your lab results indicate. Even After Recovering from Mono, the Virus Can Hang Around While you may feel fully recovered from ‘mono, the virus can stick around. It doesn’t live in the bloodstream, it only comes into the bloodstream when it reactivates (usually when the immune system is challenged). If the virus is not taken care of, it can go deeper into the organs, tissues, joints, and even the brain. MYTH: EBV is Not Treatable Many doctors believe that nothing can be done about acute or chronic EBV. But, this is not true. It is reversible with nutrition modification, environmental toxins exposure reduction, and a lifestyle shift away from stress. This is key because the virus really responds to stress hormones. In addition, specific supplements have proven helpful (see below) and in some cases, reducing exercise may also speed up the recovery process. Eliminating Health Mysteries For Patti we were able to identify the underlying issue behind her health mystery. Patti reduced her usual workout to very light exercise, shifted her diet, got a lot more rest, and took additional supplements to support fighting the virus. After 3 months, she felt a lot better. Could this be the missing clue for you or someone in your life? Remember, the presentation of EBV is very individual. If you suspect this might be what’s behind your unexplained health issues, it’s worth exploring. Note that if you follow the EBV protocol, you should notice a change in a couple of weeks. If you don’t, then this might not be the answer to your particular mystery. Resource Links: Resources and products mentioned on the podcast: N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) L-Lysine Selenium Zinc Thanks to my guest Dr. Kasia Kines. You can connect with her on Facebook or via her website. Here is where you can find her book The Epstein-Barr Solution. Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information. Never miss an episode – Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. Say hi to me on Facebook and Instagram. Comment on this episode and let me know if it helped. Or at http://healthmysteriessolved.com Overcoming Hashimoto’s Summit Claim your free spot to this 7-day virtual summit featuring the top experts in Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroidism so that you can overcome this diagnosis and feel better. https://bit.ly/2KigemW PLEASE NOTE All inform

The Case: Sally is 41 year old mom working part time. She was experiencing extreme fatigue, needing naps to get through the day and unable to find the energy to do anything. She thought it might be a thyroid issue because it runs in her family but her doctor said her levels were in the normal range. The Investigation When fatigue is a symptom, the thyroid is often involved. I wasn’t about to take that possibility off the table. According to the American Thyroid Association, an estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease. But, it is more prevalent in women. One in eight women will develop a thyroid condition in their lifetime. I invited Dr. Justin Marchegiani to join me in discussing Sally’s case. He is a virtual functional medicine doctor and the author of the Thyroid Reset. He knows all too well that the typical tests done in traditional medicine don’t tell the whole thyroid story. We spend the first part of our discussion explaining exactly how the thyroid works, it’s connection to the brain (the hypothalamus), the pituitary gland, the adrenal glands, and how that all affect metabolism. Which is why symptoms can vary widely. Most will experience fatigue as Sally did, while others may also experience feeling cold all the time, hair loss, moodiness, depression, and/or constipation. A Normal TSH Doesn't Mean the Thyroid is Functioning Properly. Dr. J explained that the TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) range that is considered normal by traditional medicine doesn’t tell the whole story. There are too many other factors at play in how the thyroid gland actually functions. It’s important to look at how the connected systems are functioning too. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis May be the Cause Studies have found that the antibody associated with Hashimoto’s disease is much more common than previously thought and may be the cause of hypothyroidism even at a subclinical level. This was something I knew I needed to test Sally for. Consider Optimal Range Not Normal Range If there is one thing that Dr. J stressed throughout this interview it’s that we can’t just look at whether TSH, T3, or T4 each fall into the normal range. We need to look at the relationships of these hormone levels. And, we need to strive to have them all in optimal range because when they are not in optimal range, they are not functioning properly which means they are not supporting the other glandular systems that dictate how we feel on a day to day basis. Mystery Solved Testing your thyroid function is far more complex than what traditional labs will cover. As Dr. J pointed out, thyroid function is critical to optimal health so we need to dig a little with the appropriate tests, to ensure that it’s truly is functionally optimally. For Sally, doing a few more tests revealed that her original hunch was correct - her thyroid was the cause of her fatigue. We were able to uncover where the system was breaking down and correct it. While medication was an option, she chose to try a functional medicine approach first. After a liver cleanse, we were able to help support her thyroid conversion through natural supplements and an anti-inflammatory diet. After a month, her energy had returned and she no longer needed naps to get through the day. If you are dealing with fatigue (or any other hypothyroid related symptoms like hair loss, feeling cold, moodiness, depression and/or constipation) but your doctor says your lab results are ‘normal’ do yourself a favor and do more in depth tests to determine if in fact your thyroid is not functioning optimally. If could totally change how much energy and joy you have to face your day. Eliminating Health Mysteries For Sally, we were able to find that missing piece of the health puzzle and help her regain her health. Could this be the missing clue for you or someone in your life? Resources and products mentioned on the podcast: ThyroCNV - You must create an account to access this regulated product. Zinc Selenium Free Guide to an Anti-Inflammatory Diet PushCatch Liver Detox (30 Days) Thanks to my guest Dr. Justin Marchegiani of Just In Health Wellness Clinic. You can connect with him on Facebook. Or, listen to his podcast, Beyond Wellness Radio or his watch his Youtube videos. Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information. Never miss an episode – Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. Say hi to me on Facebook and Instagram. Comment on this episode and let me know if it helped. Or visit http://healthmysteriessolved.com Overcoming Hashimoto’s Summit Claim your free spot to this 7-day virtual summit featuring the top experts in Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroidism so that you can overcome this diagnosis and feel better. https://bit.ly/2KigemW PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on

The Case: Jen is 34 with the hopes of getting pregnant but her menstrual cycle was very irregular She was diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) The doctors and gynecologists recommended birth control pills but they left her feeling moody and depressed. Plus, it wasn’t going to help her get pregnant! We had to find a way to regulate her period, optimize her fertility and the first clue was in understanding the cause of her PCOS. The Investigation Birth control pills are a common solution for irregular periods caused by PCOS but they are not the only solution. And, they are certainly not the right choice for someone who suffers bad side effects or who is wanting to improve fertility. According to the National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association, PCOS affects up to 15% of women and is the leading cause of infertility. Which is why it’s often a catchall diagnosis. I knew I had to dig a little deeper into Jen’s case if we were going to overcome her PCOS symptoms, improve menstrual cycle regularity, and increase fertility. I connected with clinical nutritionist, personal trainer and creator of The Sugarpurge, Aynsley Kirshenbaum. That may seem like an interesting place to start digging but as you’ll discover in this episode everything is connected. Plus, Aynsley is speaking from personal experience. We discuss how important it is to look at everything that is going on in the body to assist the body in resetting. That includes looking at diagnostic criteria that is beyond the typical tests done for PCOS. The most important is the hormone panel, which we discuss at length in this episode. Our Endocrine System and Hormone System Work in Concert Aynsley and I discuss just how intricately the bodies systems work together. If one thing is out of whack, it can affect all of the other things. And, conversely, if you can control one system or create change in just one area, then that will affect other systems too. Sugar is Everything Aynsley and I also discussed why it’s so important to test the Hemoglobin A1c to determine insulin sensitivity levels. This was one of the key clues in Jen’s case. As was a shift in her overall diet. What does a PCOS diet look like? We break it down and look at some possible connections between gluten and PCOS (although more research is needed). Don’t Ignore Stress And finally, we dive into the role that stress can play in PCOS as well as the presentation of symptoms of PCOS. All of these changes are not an overnight magic bullet. The resetting of systems (not to mention them having an affect on other systems) takes time. Expect for it to take at least 3 - 6 months. When it comes to missing periods caused by PCOS, birth control is not the only answer. In the case of Jen. Within a year, her cycle was back to normal and she was able to conceive a child. All without having to take medication that made her unhappy and feeling unlike herself. She now has a beautiful baby and continues to be in control of her PCOS symptoms. Mystery Solved For Jen, we were able to find that missing piece of the health puzzle and help her regain her health. Could diet, blood sugar, stress reduction, and hormone balancing be the missing clues for you or someone in your life dealing with irregular periods, PCOS, or infertility? Share this information and demand answers. Your health does not need to remain a mystery. Resources: Thanks to my guest Aynsley Kirshenbaum. You can connect with her on Facebook or Instagram on through her website. If you’re interested in the Sugar Purge 12-Day Challenge she spoke about, click here to learn more. Product Links I mentioned some products that helped Jen reach her goals. Here they are for your reference. Sensitol OmegAvail Ultra Metabolic Synergy Podcast listeners enjoy 10% off the above mentioned products. Use coupon code: DFH10 at checkout. Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information. Never miss an episode – Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. Say hi to me on Facebook and Instagram. Comment on this episode and let me know if it helped. Or visit http://healthmysteriessolved.com/ for more. Overcoming Hashimoto’s Summit Claim your free spot to this 7-day virtual summit featuring the top experts in Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroidism so that you can overcome this diagnosis and feel better. https://bit.ly/2KigemW PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider.

The Case: A woman in her early 20s working on Wall Street She was experiencing digestive issues, headaches, brain fog, fatigue, and acne. She sought the advice of many specialists including a gastroenterologist, a neurologist, a dermatologist, and a gynecologist. She was diagnosed with IBS (and was told to learn to live with it) and was prescribed traditional medicine to mask the other symptoms. She was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Disease but no treatments were offered. The Investigation This was my very first Health Mystery case. It was my own. I was so frustrated with how the system worked (none of the specialists talked to each other and none of them considered that my symptoms might be related). I was disheartened by the prospect of a life of ‘living with’ chronic IBS which essentially meant accepting my suffering. And, I was angry. I didn’t want to be reliant on medication for the rest of my life. I refused to accept this fate. So, I do what a lot of people do in this circumstance - I started searching the internet for answers. Luckily, I found the right people to help me. The Answers Were Out There It took a lot of digging and testing but through functional medicine and nutrition, I was able to get to the root cause of my ailments - and yes, they were related. The Right Tests Revealed Everything By taking the right kinds of tests, I discovered a whole battery of issues including bacterial infections, viruses, subclinical hypothyroidism, copper toxicity, mercury overload, nutritional deficiencies, and hormone imbalances. No wonder I felt unwell all the time! I Wasn’t Crazy As hard as it was to hear that all of these things were wrong with me, I felt so relieved. Now that I knew what was actually causing the issues, I could get busy working toward getting better. And, most importantly - I felt validated. The doctors had made me feel like it wasn’t all in my head. But this proved, I wasn’t crazy to think there was something more going on. I Was Not Alone As important as it was to find answers, I also discovered that there were a lot more people like me out there. As I conducted my research, I read story after story of women just like me. The symptoms may have been different but the story was the same - the system was failing them and they felt helpless and sick. The Turning Point It took me some time to deal with all of my issues. But, as symptom after symptom began to disappear, I discovered what being in good health really felt like. Perhaps for the first time in my life. It was like a revelation. And then I remembered all of the other women dealing with their unsolved health mysteries. I knew then that I had to do something for them. Health Detective I quit my job and decided to dedicate my life to helping others find the missing pieces to their health. I studied clinical nutrition and knew I wanted to build my practice with a functional medicine approach. Since then, I’ve been able to help hundreds of people solve their health mystery. This Podcast Was Born I know that the mysteries I solve in my practice are not entirely unique. And, if I’m encountering them in my corner of the world then there are sure to be a lot more out there. So, I’m sharing these mysteries through a weekly podcast so that more people can become their own health detective and feel empowered to advocate for their well-being. My Promise to You, the Listener. Each week on this podcast, I’ll share a real case from my files (first name only, of course), discuss it with a top health expert, and reveal how I was able to solve the health mystery. By listening to this podcast, you’ll be armed with the information you need to start on the path to regained health. Putting an End to Health Mysteries The information I share is not medical advice. I share it to help you ask the right questions, look in the right places, and demand answers so that you too may be able to solve your own (or someone you love’s) health mystery. I need you help in letting people know that the answers are out there. Here’s what you can do. Tell a friend about this podcast, especially if they are struggling with unexplained health concerns. Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Rate and Review the show on iTunes. It really helps to spread the word. Thanks for listening to my story. I’d love to connect with you on Facebook and on Instagram or at http://healthmysteriessolved.com Never miss an episode – Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts. Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider.

Health Mysteries Solved with Inna Topiler is a weekly podcast that finds the answers to nagging health issue so that more people can feel better and live well. The show is hosted by Inna Topiler, a Clinical Nutritionist who practices a holistic and functional medicine approach to her patients’ health concerns. Each episode, she introduces you to a real case from her files, discusses it with top health experts, and then explains how they were able to dig a little deeper, unravel the clues, and solve the health mystery. This podcast is perfect for anyone who has ever been told that there’s no explanation for what they’re experiencing or worse, that it might all be in their head. But, it’s also for anyone who has ever known someone who has had to go through this infuriating circumstance. Subscribe now. The next health mystery might sound quite familiar and the answers are out there. Never miss an episode – Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts. Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com