Autoimmune disease

Consider These 5 Causes of Infertility

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Consider These 5 Causes of Infertility

The rates of infertility in both women and men are on the rise, affecting between 10 to 15 percent of couples. That is probably a conservative estimate. Although some causes are well known, couples should consider other important factors when trying to conceive. Some of the more common reasons include the mother’s age, obesity, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), varicose veins in the scrotum, and fallopian tube damage. However, addressing less commonly known causes of infertility not only can improve the chances of conception, but also lower the risk of giving birth to a child with asthma and allergies, or a brain development disorder such as autism or ADHD. Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism, or low thyroid function, can cause infertility, miscarriages, or complications with pregnancy. Low levels of thyroid hormone affect reproductive function in women. Also, most cases of hypothyroidism are caused by Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks and destroys the thyroid gland. Research shows a correlation between infertility in women and autoimmune hypothyroidism. Women should have their thyroid function tested before trying to conceive as success rates improve when the condition is treated. Contact us to see how we can help you manage the underlying cause of hypothyroidism. Celiac disease Celiac disease is an autoimmune reaction to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Research suggests undiagnosed Celiac disease is correlated with infertility in both women and men, and pregnancy complications. Couples wishing to conceive should be screened for a gluten intolerance using newer, more advanced gluten testing (conventional testing fails to diagnose many gluten-intolerant people). Because intolerances to other foods cause chronic inflammation, another barrier to fertility, it’s a good idea to rule out other food intolerances with testing or an elimination diet. Autoimmune disease An autoimmune disease is a disease in which the immune system attacks and destroys a part of the body. This process greatly imbalances the immune system and increases inflammation. Studies suggest that not only does the autoimmune thyroid disease, but also other autoimmune diseases can affect fertility as well. Additionally, an autoimmune disease can attack reproductive organs, directly impacting their function. For instance, women can have an autoimmune reaction to their own ovaries or men can react to their own sperm. Environmental toxins Many environmental toxins are linked with infertility in both women and men. Studies suggest environmental toxins impair semen quality in men, and affect various affects aspects of reproduction in women. If a couple does conceive, exposure to environmental toxins can affect the fertility of their children. You can minimize your exposure to toxins by eating a whole foods diet, drinking filtered water, and using non-toxic body and home care products. Also, certain nutritional therapy strategies, such as glutathione support, can help you become more resilient to toxins. If you are trying to conceive, ask my office for strategies on safely reducing your toxic burden. PCOS Although PCOS is a recognized cause of infertility, lesser known is what causes it. In functional medicine, we recognize PCOS as a hormonal imbalance caused by diet and lifestyle choices. Excess sugars and refined carbohydrates, lack of exercise, and chronic stress are factors that contribute to PCOS, which is linked with insulin resistance, or pre-diabetes. Pre-conception care lowers risk of asthma, allergies, and autism in children It is best to ferret out and address any health issues, some of which may cause no symptoms, before trying to conceive. Autoimmune disease, chronic inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and other health problems not only can hinder conception, but they also affect the health of the immune system and brain health of...

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The Effects of GMOs in Hashimoto’s

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The Effects of GMOs in Hashimoto’s

You’ve probably been hearing about GMOs, or genetically modified organisms. What is the big deal with GMOs, and can they really be that harmful to you since they are in our food supply? If you have Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism and are working to manage your immune and thyroid health, GMOs can have a significant impact. Therefore, a GMO-free diet should be incorporated in the support of autoimmune Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism. A GMO food has had its DNA altered through the insertion of genes from another species of plant, animal, bacteria, or virus. Examples of genetic modification include splicing fish genes into tomatoes and strawberries, jellyfish genes inserted into corn, or tobacco engineered with lettuce. Some genetic modification is done to create new medications or industrial products, but in agriculture it is used to increase resistance to herbicides, pests, or extreme weather changes. Why GMOs are dangerous if you have Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism Common GMO crops include soy, corn, canola, cottonseed, and sugar beets. Genetic modification creates new proteins the human body has never encountered. These new proteins are not food that our body’s immune system recognizes. Our immune defenses attack, destroy, and remove these perceived pathogens. This in turn, creates inflammation that can lead to a long list of health issues. For instance, an increase in allergies has been shown in populations after GMO foods are introduced, as well as in farm workers who handle the GMO foods. For people with Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, this can create extra problems. Because Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder, its treatment approach is to balance the immune system and dampen the autoimmune flare-ups. If GMOs trigger an inflammatory response, then it increases the work of the immune system and thyroid function regulation in people with Hashimoto’s. GMOs are legal in the United States because of the dearth of studies on humans. The only research on humans shows that GMOs transfer into the bacteria that reside in the gut, which should be cause enough for concern. This means that long after you have eaten a GMO food its foreign proteins could stay behind in your gut, with unknown outcomes. For instance, if a food is modified with an antibiotic, it could create an antibiotic-resistant strain of bacteria in your body. Or a food modified with a toxin designed to kill insects could turn your gut bacteria into a pesticide. These new proteins could also make it into other parts of the body, including potentially a developing fetus. The studies on animals are alarming enough that many nations require GMO foods to be labeled, or have restricted or banned GMOs. The FDA’s own scientists have warned of allergies, toxins, new diseases, and nutritional problems and urged long-term studies. In some studies GMOs have been linked to: Infertility, lower birth weight Immune problems Accelerated aging Insulin dysregulation Damage or changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system The very real threats of GMOs only give us more reason to avoid processed foods. If you have Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, you may need to be extra cautious so as not to provoke...

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The Relationship Between Gluten, Anxiety, and Hashimoto’s Hypothyroidism

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The Relationship Between Gluten, Anxiety, and Hashimoto’s Hypothyroidism

Suffering from anxiety is like being held prisoner in a place where worry infuses every thought, your heart pounds, and the world seems jarring and disorienting. With anti-anxiety medications among the most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States, Americans are clearly suffering. Though medications relieve the symptoms, they don’t address the cause. Some causes of anxiety are obvious: stimulants such as caffeine, weight loss pills, energy drinks, or supplements that increase energy. Psychological or emotional stressors, such as having to speak in public or prepare for a major exam, can also bring on bouts of anxiety. However, chronic anxiety can have lesser-known causes that, if managed, can relieve symptoms and negate the need for medication. Although the cause of anxiety can sometimes be neurologically complex, other times it can be as simple as making changes to your diet and lifestyle. Unmanaged Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism The majority of cases of hypothyroidism in this country are autoimmune, meaning the immune system attacks and destroys the thyroid gland. When an autoimmune attack flares, damage to the gland spills thyroid hormone into the bloodstream, which can amp up metabolism and cause symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, and heart palpitations. In this case proper management of the autoimmune thyroid condition can help subdue anxiety. GAD autoimmunity and anxiety GAD stands for glutamic acid decarboxylase, an enzyme that triggers production of the brain’s primary calming chemical, called GABA. Some people develop an autoimmune reaction to GAD, which means their immune system erroneously attacks and destroys it. As a result, they can’t make enough GABA to calm the brain and anxiety goes up. GAD autoimmunity is also linked to OCD, motion sickness, vertigo, tics, and other symptoms. GAD autoimmunity is more common in those with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease. A strong link has been shown between Hashimoto’s and gluten intolerance. Gluten and anxiety Gluten has other links to anxiety. Gluten has been shown to trigger inflammation in the brain and autoimmune attacks against brain tissue, which can cause anxiety. Although a gluten-free diet is an important first step, many people find they also need to eliminate other foods such as dairy, eggs, or other grains to dampen immune flare-ups and anxiety. An anti-inflammatory autoimmune diet is a good beginning to address brain health. Because people with Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism typically are gluten intolerant or sensitive, this is another reason to avoid...

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Celiac disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: What do they have in common?

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Celiac disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: What do they have in common?

Celiac disease is an immune-mediated enteropathy caused by a permanent sensitivity to gluten, or gluten intolerance. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition, the triggers of which are both the environmental (gluten) and the autoantigen (body’s own immune system). Celiac Disease can be associated with other conditions, disorders, or syndromes.  More often these are autoimmune disorders, including insulin-dependent diabetes, Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, Sjogren’s, and others. Major risk factors for Celiac disease are the grains, the genetic predisposition, and historically the advent and the spread of the agriculture. Generally speaking, elimination of the environmental trigger leads to a complete resolution of the disease, or at least to a complete resolution of symptoms. As far as the symptoms, most people manifest these in their gastrointestinal tracts.  The classical gastrointestinal symptoms are chronic or recurrent diarrhea, abdominal distention, failure to thrive or weight loss, abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, and other. However, there are a number of those who have the symptoms that are traditionally considered, “atypical”, and show up in other areas of the body. In these instances, people may have bone loss or thinning (osteoporosis/osteopenia), delayed puberty, iron-deficiency that may be resistant to treatment, liver disease, arthritis, dental enamel effects, and other. Lastly, there is a smaller group of people who are entirely symptom-free, but still have the underlying Celiac disease. These people may either have no, or minimal symptoms, but positive blood tests and markers for Celiac disease. However, asymptomatic people may still experience health issues at some point in their lives. Long-term Celiac disease complications may include short stature, skin conditions, bone loss, dental enamel erosion, fertility problems, as well as further exacerbation of the gastrointestinal tract. Other effects include malabsorption of nutrients, specifically iron, folate, calcium, and vitamin D. Furthermore, Celiac disease can lead to increased intestinal permeability, known as leaky gut syndrome, which allows the entry of large molecules and proteins, or other toxins that can further perpetuate the onset of autoimmune disease. Both Celiac disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis are autoimmune conditions. The symptoms that are often associated with Celiac can also be observed in people with Hashimoto’s. This is due to the fact that people with Hashimoto’s also can experience digestive issues that are inflammatory in nature, which is similar to that of Celiac disease. Consider your options by discussing them with our naturopathic physicians, acupuncturists, and our nutritional therapist. Please contact us with your questions and to get...

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Excess hunger and Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism: Could it be leptin resistance?

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Excess hunger and Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism: Could it be leptin resistance?

Carrying excess fat can actually make you hungrier thanks to a phenomenon called leptin resistance. For people with Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism this is double bad news as inappropriately managed hypothyroidism promotes weight gain and makes it difficult to lose weight. What is leptin? Leptin is a “satiety” hormone secreted by fat cells that tells the brain when you have had enough to eat. Eating causes the secretion of leptin, which signals that the stomach is full and it’s time to stop eating. Between meals or during long periods without food, leptin levels drop, triggering hunger and motivating you to eat and replenish the body’s energy stores. Leptin serves roles beyond hunger and satiety. It is also important for fertility, libido, and puberty. Leptin resistance causes you to always feel hungry Because fat cells secrete leptin, overweight and obese people should never feel hungry. Unfortunately, the reverse happens. Excess fat secretes too much leptin, bombarding leptin receptors on cells. Eventually these cells become overwhelmed and shut down their leptin receptors to protect themselves. This is called leptin resistance—leptin can no longer get into the cells to deliver their message that the stomach is full and it’s time to stop eating. Hence the leptin-resistant person always feels hungry and is prone to overeat, even if she or he is carrying plenty of fat. In addition to causing chronic hunger, leptin resistance doubly vexes the overweight person by promoting fat storage and making it tough to lose weight. Leptin resistance and Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism For the person trying to manage Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, leptin resistance is a primary concern because it signals a blood sugar imbalance. Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks and destroys the thyroid gland. Blood sugar disorders exacerbate autoimmune reactions, which can flare up your autoimmune thyroid condition, or make it difficult to manage. When managing your autoimmune Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, it’s important to balance blood sugar and address conditions such as leptin resistance. Diet can reverse leptin resistance and chronic hunger The key to unwinding leptin resistance is to adopt a diet that will restore leptin sensitivity. The eating habits that typically lead to being overweight or obese—overeating and eating too many sweets and starchy foods, processed foods, and foods fried in industrialized fats—also lead to leptin resistance, high triglycerides, and hence the feeling of always being hungry. A person with Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism should be wary of diets heavy in grains—studies link gluten intolerance with Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism and many people have sensitivities to grains other than wheat, such as corn. Overeating causes leptin resistance. Ditch the sodas, sweets, processed foods, and high-carbohydrate foods, which trigger cravings in many people. Healthy fats and sufficient protein curb cravings. Consider discussing additional options and discuss them with our naturopathic physicians, acupuncturists. Please contact us with all of your questions and to get...

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Mother’s Hashimoto’s, or autoimmune disease may raise risk of childhood asthma and allergies

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Mother’s Hashimoto’s, or autoimmune disease may raise risk of childhood asthma and allergies

Maternal autoimmunity While viral and bacterial infections have declined over the last 60 years, autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disorders are steadily climbing. Autoimmune disease dwarfs cancer and heart disease combined, now affecting about 50 million people, or 20 percent of the population. In an autoimmune response, the immune system mistakenly creates antibodies to the body’s own tissue, thereby tagging the tissue for destruction. Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism is the most common autoimmune illness today, affecting an estimated 23 million. Autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism have been shown to play a role, as the mother’s immune imbalance can exacerbate the risk and the development of childhood asthma and allergies. Diet and lifestyle can balance autoimmune Hashimoto’s The New York Times story, An Immune Disorder at the Root of Autism, veers into the promise of using whip worms—yes, worms—to tame the out-of-control immune system. The theory is that autoimmune disease has skyrocketed in developed nations because we are too clean. The article fails to mention those other hallmarks of Western civilization besides good hygiene: overabundant diets laden with sweet, starchy, processed foods; chronic stress; a sedentary lifestyle; and daily bombardment of environmental toxins. Chronic inflammation raises risk of childhood disorders Other risk factors for autism include maternal asthma, allergies, insulin resistance, obesity, and chronic low-grade inflammation. In other words, when a mom’s immune system is in constant overdrive—never getting the opportunity to rest—the development of the fetal brain is adversely affected and the overall risk for disorders is increased. Naturopathic Medicine and Acupuncture to help modulate the immune system The naturopathic doctors of functional medicine, in our clinic, as well as the acupuncturists have measures other than the whip-worm therapy to manage autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism and chronic inflammation. These may include an autoimmune diet, the use of targeted, customized nutritional therapies, as well as immune-modulating techniques to calm the immune system that is in a constant overdrive. Please schedule your appointment to learn how we can work...

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