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GABA is a life saver for anxiety, theanine helps at night (insomnia) and 5-HTP makes a significant difference in lessening daily pain

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aminos help

Joie has Sjogren’s, Hashimoto’s, fibromyalgia & collagenous colitis (all diagnosed after severe mold exposure) and shared how GABA is a life saver for her anxiety, how theanine helps at night with her insomnia and how 5-HTP makes a significant difference in lessening her daily pain. Here is her wonderful feedback in her own words (my feedback for her follows):

I was diagnosed with Sjogrens several years ago. I also have Hashimoto’s, Fibromyalgia & Collagenous Colitis. All of these happened after a severe mold exposure which destroyed my pituitary, and caused Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI). I have to take human growth hormone injections daily, as my pituitary isn’t working, digestive enzymes for the EPI, and have experienced the anxiety and depression you’ve written about.

The GABA has been a life saver for me (for my anxiety), and I share this with all I know who experience anxiety. I also use L-theanine at night because of insomnia. The 5-HTP has helped somewhat for sleep. L-tryptophan didn’t seem to make a difference. However the 5-HTP has made a significant difference in lessening my daily pain levels, which I am most grateful for.

Unfortunately, I am also taking Klonopin and Gabapentin, both of which I have tried to get off of but keep finding myself back on both in order to have greater than 5 hours of sleep at night. Even with these, I often awaken after 4-6 hours and take 1-2 chewable GABA which allows me to go back to sleep and get 2-4 more hours of sleep.

She shared this on the blog, Sjogren’s syndrome: tryptophan and GABA for anxiety, and moisturizing for dry skin and inflammation?, where I write about the prevalence of anxiety and depression in this autoimmune condition, and the fact that serotonin and GABA are often low.

I shared how sorry I was to hear how mold has impacted her but that it was wonderful to hear the GABA has been a lifesaver for you in terms of anxiety (and when waking in the night) and that theanine helps her sleep. It’s wonderful that 5-HTP helps ease her daily pain (here is fibromyalgia research on 5-HTP) and helps somewhat with her sleep issues.

Has she increased the amino acids to the optimal doses for her unique needs?

My question for her was this: “how much of each of these amino acids are you using and have you increased them to the optimal doses for your unique needs?” I asked this because many folks don’t do this and we always want to capitalize on what is working.

Here are some examples that relate to Joie:

  • When 5-HTP helps with pain relief we also do afternoon and bedtime trials to see if it can improve sleep further. And we always explore some of the reasons why serotonin may be low and address those too. You can read more on that here: what causes low serotonin

I shared that tryptophan doesn’t work for everyone and some do better with 5-HTP, but I do also consider melatonin when sleep is an issue, especially timed release to prevent waking in the night.

  • Since GABA is a lifesaver for her in terms of her anxiety and also helps when she wakes, trialing higher doses at bedtime may prevent the early morning waking. The same could be said for trialing a higher dose of theanine and using both GABA and theanine together at night (a 2019 study shows the combination decreases sleep latency and improves NREM sleep).

High cortisol, rebound sleep issues with meds and/or poor fat digestion?

If she has already done the above, I’d explore high cortisol and do a 5-collection an adrenal saliva test). When cortisol is high during the night, the use of Seriphos can be a game-changer for many.

Unfortunately both Klonopin and Gabapentin (especially the former) can cause rebound insomnia even when they seem to be helping in the short-term.

I also mentioned that my recent blog post many be helpful since she mentions exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, which could affect sleep by impacting her fat digestion – Waking in the night due to environmental toxins: impacts on the liver, gallbladder and fat digestion (making oxalate issues worse). This has relevance whether or not oxalates are an issue.

Autoimmune-Paleo (AIP) diet, pyroluria and moisturizing for reducing inflammation

It goes without saying that since Sjogren’s, Hashimoto’s and even Collagenous Colitis are autoimmune conditions, following an Autoimmune-Paleo (AIP) diet is key too. I have links to some AIP resources on the above Sjogren’s blog post.

In this blog I also mention pyroluria which may be relevant for someone with Collagenous Colitis and is crucial to address when there has been toxic mold exposure or other chronic issues like Lyme disease or MCAS. More on this here.

And you can also read about the value of moisturizing for reducing inflammation.

I thanked her and said I plan to share her results and my response as a new blog as I feel it will help others and give hope!

Resources if you are new to using amino acids as supplements

If you are new to using any of the amino acids as supplements, here is the Amino Acids Mood Questionnaire from The Antianxiety Food Solution (you can see all the symptoms of neurotransmitter imbalances, including low serotonin and low GABA).

If you suspect low levels of any of the neurotransmitters and do not yet have my book, The Antianxiety Food Solution – How the Foods You Eat Can Help You Calm Your Anxious Mind, Improve Your Mood, and End Cravings, I highly recommend getting it and reading it before jumping in and using amino acids on your own so you are knowledgeable. And be sure to share it with the practitioner/health team you or your loved one is working with.

There is an entire chapter on the amino acids and they are discussed throughout the book in the sections on gut health, gluten, blood sugar control, sugar cravings, self-medicating with alcohol and more.

The book doesn’t include product names (per the publisher’s request) so this blog, The Antianxiety Food Solution Amino Acid and Pyroluria Supplements, lists the amino acids that I use with my individual clients and those in my group programs. You can find them all in my online store.

If, after reading this blog and my book, you don’t feel comfortable figuring things out on your own (i.e. doing the symptoms questionnaire and respective amino acids trials), a good place to get help is the GABA QuickStart Program (if you have low GABA symptoms). This is a paid online/virtual group program where you get my guidance and community support.

If you are a practitioner, join us in The Balancing Neurotransmitters: the Fundamentals program. This is also a paid online/virtual program with an opportunity to interact with me and other practitioners who are also using the amino acids.

Has GABA helped with your anxiety and insomnia? What about theanine? And 5-HTP for your pain? Or melatonin for sleep?

Have you used taurine with success for fat digestion? Or Seriphos for high cortisol?

What else has helped you with symptoms like these ones?

If you have questions please share them here too.

Sjogren’s syndrome: tryptophan and GABA for anxiety, and moisturizing for dry skin and inflammation?

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sjogren's syndrome

A few weeks ago I blogged about a new pilot study about the use of a skin moisturizer twice a day reduced inflammation in older adults. I use the inflammation research to question if this may be applicable and helpful for you if you suffer from anxiety, extrapolating that it may well be given the added benefits of touch and an oxytocin boost.

I received a number of great questions about how to apply this information and have decided to share a question from someone with both Sjogren’s syndrome and anxiety, in order to illustrate how I’d work with someone like this.

Here is the question I received:

I would like to know how much of one’s body needs to be moisturized, and if it is also necessary to be done twice per day? Such a simple but effective way to help with anxiety. Will be slathering a lot more in the future! I have Sjogren’s so everything is dry – skin, mouth, eyes, hair. I have been trying to keep my face much “moister” and I am sure my wrinkles have lessened. I find rice bran oil is also quite good.

I’m going to address her moisturizing question below and share more about anxiety in Sjogren’s syndrome and some nutritional solutions, but first let me explain what Sjogren’s syndrome is.

An overview of Sjogren’s syndrome

Let me explain what Sjogren’s (SHOW-grins) is in case you’re not familiar with this condition. It’s an autoimmune condition and is described as follows on the Mayo Clinic site:

often accompanies other immune system disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. In Sjogren’s syndrome, the mucous membranes and moisture-secreting glands of your eyes and mouth are usually affected first — resulting in decreased tears and saliva.

Although you can develop Sjogren’s syndrome at any age, most people are older than 40 at the time of diagnosis. The condition is much more common in women.

The site goes on to say that other than dry eyes and mouth, some people experience joint pain and stiffness, swollen salivary glands, skin rashes or dry skin, vaginal dryness, persistent dry cough and prolonged fatigue. It’s worth a read to learn more about complications like more dental cavities, yeast infections, vision issues, problems in the lungs, kidneys or liver, the risk of lymphoma and peripheral neuropathy.

My feedback about moisturizing

In the study, moisturizing was done twice a day. I’m not sure how much of the body needs to be moisturized but if everything is dry, I’d want to moisturize as much as possible.

Given that chronic inflammation is a major factor in Sjogren’s and other autoimmune conditions like systemic lupus erythematosus, it’s feasible to expect similar benefits in terms of reduced inflammation. Hopefully we’ll see research on autoimmune conditions in the future.

When it comes to anxiety, I do want to make it clear that I was and still am extrapolating from the research on inflammation and measuring reduced anxiety was not part of the study. Moisturizing may or may not help with anxiety and I certainly wouldn’t only use this intervention.

Anxiety in Sjogren’s – low serotonin and GABA?

You may not be aware that anxiety/depression is very common in Sjogren’s. In one study they

found 33.8% patients with anxiety, and 36.9% had depression, which were significantly higher than controls.

I use a comprehensive nutritional and lifestyle approach to help my clients ease their anxiety and as I mention above, I would not only rely on moisturizing.

I would use the serotonin questionnaire to determine if low serotonin is contributing to the anxiety (the worry-in-the head and rumination type of anxiety) and do a trial of tryptophan or 5-HTP.

Interestingly, a number of studies suggest the involvement of the serotonin system in the development of Sjogren’s, with one study reporting

Significantly lower platelet levels of serotonin in Sjogren’s patients as compared to healthy controls.

They didn’t find a correlation between the levels of serotonin and how severe the Sjogren’s symptoms were, which falls in line with what we know about biochemical individuality and why doing a trial of tryptophan or 5-HTP (to find your ideal dose) is the best approach for serotonin support.

I would use also the GABA questionnaire to determine if low GABA (physical tension type of anxiety) is a factor, and do a trial of GABA.

If you recall, in the Mayo Clinic description above, stiffness is a common symptom of Sjogren’s and GABA eases stiffness.

I haven’t found any research on GABA in Sjogren’s, but one case study reports that a patient experiencing athetoid movements (a movement dysfunction, characterized by involuntary writhing movements), reported symptom improvement with hydroxychloroquine (which can have severe psychiatric effects in susceptible individuals), pilocarpine, gabapentin, and clonazepam. The latter two medications work on the GABA system.

You can find the tryptophan and GABA products I use with my clients here.

Poor sociability in Sjogrens – could this be related to pyroluria?

A study published earlier this year is reportedly the first study to conclude that patients with Sjogren’s score “high on neuroticism and anxiety and low on sociability.”

If social anxiety is a concern, I’d have her do the pyroluria questionnaire and address this if needed.

If you recall, in the Mayo Clinic description above, joint pain and dental cavities are common symptoms. These are also very common with pyroluria, so using a nutritional approach helps ease the social anxiety, and improves joint issues and mouth health.

The other factor that makes me suspect pyroluria may be common in Sjogren’s is that it’s considered a systemic connective tissue disorder, together with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. You can read more about pyroluria and connective tissue disorders on the pyroluria prevalence blog and the Ehlers Danlos/joint hypermobility blog.

Poor mouth health is also common with histapenia/low histamine so I’d want to look into this too.

You can find the pyroluria supplements I use with my clients here.

Sjogren’s and the Autoimmune-Paleo diet

Since Sjogren’s is an autoimmune condition, following an Autoimmune-Paleo (AIP) diet is key too. Here are some books that are well-worth making part of your library, even though they are not specific to Sjogren’s syndrome they offer support for autoimmune conditions (and many individuals often have more than one autoimmune disease)

I haven’t dived into the research on all the other autoimmune conditions and the above connections (low serotonin, low GABA and pyroluria) but it’s highly likely similar connections exist. So, if you have any autoimmune condition and anxiety this could all apply for you too.

If you have been diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome please share if GABA and tryptophan have helped ease your anxiety, and if the pyroluria protocol has helped you with social anxiety?

And let us know if moisturizing is helping your dry skin and possibly reducing inflammation and anxiety too?

Hashimoto’s Food Pharmacology, a new recipe book by Dr. Izabella Wentz

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The beautiful new recipe book Hashimoto’s Food Pharmacology: Nutrition Protocols and Healing Recipes to Take Charge of Your Thyroid Health (my Amazon link) by Thyroid Pharmacist, Dr. Izabella Wentz, just launched and I want to make sure you know about it and to also share some recipes with you.

I just got my copy and I’m excited to try out some of the yummy nutrient-dense and healing recipes. Flipping through it quickly I know already that I’ll be making the Morrocan Lamb Stew, the Truffled veggies and Cilantro-Lime Guacomole (it looks like a nice spin with some different flavors), the Liver Pate (this recipe has cinnamon!), the Zucchini Bread and the Mango Salsa (yuuummmm – I love mango and adore it in a spicy salsa). I’ll also make the Farinata bread (made with garbanzo beans) and Bacon and Chive Scalloped Potatoes for my family (I have SIBO and will enjoy them soon too I hope). I could go on and on…

Here is the Bacon and Chive Scalloped Potatoes recipe for you to try…

Dr. Izabella recently shared the AI Very Berry Pie recipe on Facebook and gave me permission to share it here too. She wrote that she created it when she was pregnant with their son (and why!) and more about the ingredients and nutrients:

I needed something yummy and nutrient dense! Initially the cookbook wasn’t going to have a dessert section but it ended up with 14 dessert recipes inspired by my sweet boy 😊 You can thank him and my pregnancy cravings.

The pie is filled with berries and the crust is gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free and nut-free. This was a huge hit at all of our parties. I hope you enjoy it! AI Very Berry Pie has the texture of a crumbly shortcake and even browns like a traditional pie. The secret to the yummy texture is the palm shortening, which can be used in Paleo baking instead of butter, while the maple syrup allows for a nice light brown color. Cassava flour is a fantastic gluten-free substitute for this kind of baking. I chose a mix of berries to include in this pie because of their antioxidant status; however, you can replace the fruit in the filling with apples, cherries, plums, peaches, or any other type of fruit you like.

I do love the blurb that Dr. Izabella includes with each recipe with a bit of the backstory and all the nutrients and health benefits we’ll be getting. The recipe photos are superb too!

Here is the recipe for the AI Very Berry Pie

Ingredients
CRUST
3 cups cassava flour
1 teaspoon sea salt or pink Himalayan sea salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon vanilla
½ cup maple syrup
1⅓ cup palm shortening

FILLING
5 cups mixed berries (halved strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries)
¼ cup maple syrup (optional)

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  2. In a stand mixer, mix the cassava flour, salt, baking soda, and vanilla.
  3. Add the maple syrup and mix, until the texture becomes crumbly.
  4. Add the palm shortening, 1⁄3 cup at a time, until the crust reaches a pliable texture.
  5. Divide the dough in thirds; reserve two-thirds for the base, and one-third for the pie top.
  6. Roll out the dough with a rolling pin (used specifically for gf baking)
  7. Gently press 1/3 of the dough into the bottom of a 9-inch round pie pan to create the pie base and another third of the pie dough onto the sides of the pie pan.
  8. Toss the berries with maple syrup, if added sweetness is desired
  9. Roll out the remaining third of the crust and place on top
  10. Bake for 15-20 minutes until fruit is cooked through and crust Browned

Here is the official book blurb:

When I was in pharmacy school, I discovered that food has a profound impact on our healing and that what we put in our bodies will either heal us or make us sicker. In the same way that we use pharmaceuticals to impact our biology, we can use food as our medicine. I call this concept food pharmacology. Food is one of the most powerful tools in your healing journey.” – Dr. Izabella Wentz

More than 35 million Americans currently suffer from Hashimoto’s—the country’s fastest-growing autoimmune disease, which affects the thyroid gland and causes the body to attack its own cells. Many individuals with or without a formal diagnosis suffer daily symptoms, including chronic cough, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, allergies, persistent pain, hair loss, brain fog, and forgetfulness.

Hashimoto’s Food Pharmacology (my Amazon link) combines Dr. Izabella Wentz’s revolutionary and proven approach to reversing thyroid symptoms with delicious, easy-to-use recipes that delight the taste buds while they heal the body. Inside you will discover:

  • 125 delicious and nutritious recipes for salads, smoothies, bone broths and crockpot and bibimbap-style meals, with thyroid-supporting nutrient details on every page
  • Over 100 stunning food and lifestyle photographs
  • Tips for revamping your kitchen and pantry
  • An FAQ for easy reference and quick answers
  • Easy-to-use, personalized meal plans and food rotation schedules to accommodate any diet

Successfully transforming the lives of thousands, Dr. Izabella Wentz makes it easier than ever before to live a life free from the suffering of autoimmune disease.

I recommend this book if you have hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid), Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis or another autoimmune condition and want specific autoimmune-friendly recipes. Many of the recipes can be modified to low-FODMAP if you have SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth). If you do have oxalate issues you’ll need to adjust the recipes that use nut flours, greens like spinach, berries etc.

Even if you don’t have a thyroid or autoimmune condition it’s a lovely recipe book if you are looking for new nutrient-dense and healing recipes and some inspiration to get cooking!

Keep in mind, this book is way more than a recipe book. It’s also a nutrition guide with detailed information about how to improve your digestion and nutrient absorption; assessments and protocols; a discussion about the vegan/vegetarian diet and why a paleo-type diet with grass-fed red meat is beneficial if you have Hashimoto’s; why beets are good for you if you have the MTHFR gene mutation; crucial nutrients for thyroid function; when lab testing says you’re not gluten sensitive and much more.

You can purchase your copy of Hashimoto’s Food Pharmacology here (my Amazon link) or at your favorite bookstore.

Big congratulations to my brilliant friend Izabella Wentz!

If you have your copy already, what recipes are you most excited to try out? Or have you already tried some recipes? Do let us know.

Pesticides, plastics and fluoridated water: environmental toxins on Healing Hashimoto’s Summit

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Lara Adler, environmental toxins expert, addresses the effects of environmental toxins on Healing Hashimoto’s Summit 2017 and how pesticides, plastics and fluoridated water impact the thyroid (and other endocrine systems) and what you can do about this exposure.   She sets the stage by explaining how it’s the environment that pulls the trigger: 

So there’s a common expression that I’m sure you’ve heard million times … our genetics loads the gun, but it’s the environment that pulls the trigger.

So even if somebody has a genetic predisposition towards autoimmune issues or Hashimoto’s, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are destined to develop Hashimoto’s or another autoimmune condition. There is sort of this perfect storm that this needs to happen in order for that to manifest in someone’s body.

And one of those things in a lot of instances can be this exposure to environmental chemicals. And that sometimes an exposure to a chemical, maybe it’s in an occupational setting, if you work in a hair salon or you work in a factory or an office that uses chemicals, sometimes it can be an acute exposure to a chemical that can actually trigger an autoimmune response. It can set your immune system on high alert.

Sometimes, that might not be the primary trigger, but it’s adding gasoline to the fire. It’s just adding inflammation. It’s adding chemicals that can interfere specifically with hormone production of thyroid hormones.

She shares that chemicals like chlorine, bromine, and fluorine – chemicals that mimic iodine – can trigger cell death and inflammation in the thyroid. Lara’s first very practical tip is to eat organic as much as possible because of organochlorine pesticides. She shares how:

studies in both adults and children have shown that when people switch to a mostly organic diet, they can drop their levels of circulating pesticides by 80-90% in 3-5 days. That’s it. That’s all it takes.

Lara’s second tip is to avoid the hormone-disrupting effects of plastic. She shares how we all have had that forever stained orange Tupperware container:

No matter how many times you try to clean it, you can never get the orange out. The physical line actually blurs, and so you actually get oil molecules from your sauce physically embedded into the structure of the plastic, which is why you can’t wash it because it’s not on the plastic. It’s in the plastic. And the inverse of that is that you’re getting molecules of plastic inside your sauce.

She provides plenty of practical tips for phasing out everything plastic in your kitchen  – items like food storage containers, plastic spatulas, plastic colanders – and replacing them with glass, wood, stainless steel and bamboo.

Lara’s third tip is to filter your water to remove fluoride using a water filter that is either a reverse osmosis system or one that contains a media called activated alumina.

I’m really pleased they addressed overwhelm, anxiety, fear and even the term “detoxorexia” and just taking one step at a time and doing the best you can do. 

I’d like to add this to the discussion: if all this information leaves you feeling much too overwhelmed, very anxious and fearful and even obsessive about making these changes, then I’d suggest determining if low serotonin and low GABA are possible factors and doing a trial of tryptophan (and possibly inositol) and GABA. Keep in mind that an animal study has shown that GABA reverses fluoride-induced hypothyroidism, so you’ll be getting those benefits too.   

Tune in to the Healing Hashimoto’s Summit 2017 to hear the entire interview and the other experts.

The Healing Hashimoto’s Summit 2017 is here to:

  • Raise awareness about this chronic disease
  • Help with early detection, testing and diagnosis
  • Discuss the importance of physical, mental and emotional healing
  • Advice for navigating the ups and downs
  • Share success stories (it IS possible and you’re not alone!)

90% of all hypothyroid conditions are due to Hashimoto’s, and tens of millions of people world-wide are struggling from this disorder – it’s STILL one of the most common yet uncommonly diagnosed diseases in the world!

Your thyroid is important to every aspect of your health. Slight imbalances can cause problems all over your body. Symptoms range from hair loss, weight gain, depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue, cold hands and feet, excessive perspiration, dryness, irritability, brain fog, skin issues, hives, digestive distress, malnutrition, heart palpitations, hormone imbalance, decreased libido and sluggishness.
The Healing Hashimoto’s Summit 2017 is online from November 6-13, 2017. You can register here

Let us know what changes you have made in these 3 areas and if it’s helped your thyroid symptoms.

It’s not just you: More women than men have thyroid disorders

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Guest post by Izabella Wentz, PharmD, FASCP

If you’ve ever wondered why more women than men seem to have autoimmune disorders, you’re not alone—I repeatedly get asked this question by people (mostly women!) who come to me seeking help with a thyroid disorder.

Even if you have had a hunch that more women than men are affected by autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis, you’ll be surprised by this statistic: women account for a whopping 78% of all cases of autoimmune disease.

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, which I was diagnosed with at 27, is five to eight times more common in women. (I’ve since gotten myself into remission and have dedicated my life to helping others heal from this condition.)

These disproportionate figures have perplexed experts for some time. After years of research and time spent working with people with thyroid disorders, I have formed my own theory, which I call the Izabella Wentz Safety Theory. I can’t wait to share it with you—but first, I’ll tell you a little about some of the other influences autoimmunity.

Searching for an Explanation

When we consider why more women than men have Hashimoto’s and other diseases of autoimmunity, we have to consider two key differences between men and women: hormones and a propensity to use more personal care products.

Regarding the first, there’s no denying that hormones could play a major role in autoimmunity developing. Three of the most likely times for the onset of thyroid disease are during and around puberty, pregnancy, and perimenopause.

Sex hormones such as estrogen and prolactin help regulate the immune system and fluctuations in these could contribute to thyroid disorders especially. Estrogen can alter the requirements for thyroid hormone, which could result in an autoimmune condition, especially if nutrient deficiencies are present. Prolactin, a hormone released by the pituitary gland in women after childbirth, can become elevated in women with Hashimoto’s (even in those not postpartum) and has been linked to increased thyroid antibodies and infertility.

Women do have a higher risk of developing diseases of the thyroid after they’ve given birth. But theories, such as “fetal microchimerism” which suggests that the presence of fetal cells in a woman’s thyroid gland after childbirth could be the spark of an immune system response, haven’t proven to be true.  

All this is to say that at present, there isn’t enough information to support the idea that hormones alone are to blame for the higher rates of autoimmunity in women.

It’s also been considered that because women generally use a greater number of personal care products—makeup, lotions, perfumes, etc.—they are more exposed to a greater number of chemicals, which could alter the immune system.

I haven’t seen enough evidence to convince me of this explanation either.

In truth, I think the answer is much more complicated and requires us to consider some of the underlying vulnerabilities that often occur in people with Hashimoto’s.

Unsafe Conditions Ahead: Go Back to Bed!

After working with thousands of people with Hashimoto’s, I’ve found that there are some common co-occurring factors. Many have nutrient depletions, intestinal permeability, food sensitivities, an impaired stress response, an impaired ability to get rid of toxins, and infections.

The more I thought about these factors, the more I realized that they have something in common: they all send a message to our bodies that the environment isn’t entirely safe and maybe self-preservation mode is what’s best for now. This provided the basis for my Safety Theory.

Let me explain.

Women are responsible for bringing new life into the world. And with this job comes a more finely tuned ability to sense the safety of the environment. We may be more inclined to sense that it’s not be the best time to reproduce—this could be because resources are scarce and we need to focus on our own survival, or for some other protective reason.

In either case, it’s a result of an evolutionary adaptation, or what’s known as adaptive physiology.

When we were cavewomen, one of the main sources of stress was food scarcity—we didn’t always know when we were getting our next meal. When we didn’t eat, consumed things that we weren’t intended to digest, or developed nutrient deficiencies, our bodies would conserve resources and reduce calorie burning.

Strangely enough, even though these scenarios first occurred hundreds of thousands of years ago, there are aspects of modern living that are replicating these signals: we go on calorie-restricted diets (signals food scarcity), eat a highly processed diet (creates nutrient deficiencies), and try to eat foods we’re not intended to digest, such as gluten (leads to digestive difficulties/intestinal permeability).

And when these vulnerabilities are present, they set the stage for an attack on the thyroid to take place and for some of the symptoms of self-preservation to develop. As thyroid function is disrupted, metabolism is slowed and you are sent into a quasi-hibernation mode.

Your body is signaling to you to conserve energy, hold onto weight, making you feel cold and tired all the time so you stay in your cave (or your bed), and lowering your interest in reproduction (low libido) until the environment is safe and fertile once again.

Other Environmental Threats Women Face and How the Thyroid Responds

Did you know that your thyroid gland can sense danger and initiate the autoimmune response? I think in this ability lies another possible clue as to why more women than men develop thyroid disorders.

It’s no secret that the world we live in is not as safe for a woman as it is for a man. Women are more likely to be abused, physically, emotionally, and sexually. And abuse is one of the most undeniable messages to our bodies that we are not safe. The function of the perceptive and sensitive thyroid is put at risk when this is the case.

This is part of my Safety Theory, but it’s not just a theory—multiple studies have confirmed that thyroid hormone imbalances occur in people who have been abused:

The abuse doesn’t have to be physical to trigger a red alert in the body. Many girls and women today experience emotional abuse or trauma that can make us feel isolated and cue up a flight response. This can happen at school or in adult social circles, where if we can’t keep up the appearance of being a Superwoman, we might get edged out of the tribe.

The Key to Healing—Showing (and Telling) Your Body It’s Safe

In working with so many women with Hashimoto’s over the years, I’ve learned so much about the condition and the vulnerabilities that can lead to its development. And I’ve also learned about some of the most effective strategies and approaches to healing.

One of the most moving revelations was that a message of safety is so important to helping women through recovery. I’m referring to comprehensive self-care, which can include internal mantras and the right kind of exercise and pampering that help create a restorative environment.

But it should be more than that.

What I’ve found is vital is addressing the vulnerabilities head-on—the signals your body is sending to conserve need to be shut off. You must repair your internal ability to respond to stress and restore detoxifying and digestive functions, eliminate food sensitivities and infections, and replenish nutrients that are lacking.

I’ve spent years creating and refining protocols that help women (and men) accomplish these goals. And I’ve finally been able to collect and present them together in one place in one program in my new book Hashimoto’s Protocol: A 90-Day Plan for Reversing Thyroid Symptoms and Getting Your Life Back.

When you follow the protocols I outline there, you send safety signals to your body by reducing your toxic burden, supporting your stress response, and supporting your gut with nutrition and targeted supplements. You communicate in a concrete way that the environment is stable and safe, and your thyroid can get back to its important work of helping you feel energized and warm, calm and clear headed.

I have dedicated my life’s work to helping women heal from Hashimoto’s so that they might feel safe, supported, and active in their lives again. I hope you’ll check out Hashimoto’s Protocol to see if might help you or a loved one recover from a thyroid disorder.

Until then, I encourage you to start sending safety signals today. Start by being nice to your body—feed it nutritious foods when it’s hungry and don’t skip meals. Don’t subject it to excessive or unnecessary stress, which means make time for play and rest. Stop forcing it to push through exhaustion by piling on the caffeine—rest! Listen to your digestion; if there are signs that a food is not working for you, don’t double up on antacids, but instead adjust.

Listen to your body and care for it like a child, or any other loved one who you would treat with absolute care. Like someone you’d want to make sure feels safe.

Hashimoto’s Protocol by Dr. Izabella Wentz

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The great new book called Hashimoto’s Protocol by Dr. Izabella Wentz just made #1 on the New York Times bestseller list!

Since I’m in Australia I have a kindle edition of Dr. Izabella’s brilliant new book that just released last week: Hashimoto’s Protocol: A 90-Day Plan for Reversing Thyroid Symptoms and Getting Your Life Back. It’s a must-read if you are dealing with Hashimoto’s or actually any thyroid problems (or if you suspect you may have thyroid issues)!

If you are a practitioner I highly recommend it too!

Here’s the official blurb:

Dr. Izabella Wentz, the author of the phenomenal New York Times bestseller Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, returns with a long-awaited, groundbreaking prescription to reverse the symptoms of this serious autoimmune condition that is becoming one of the country’s fastest growing diseases.

More than thirty-five million Americans currently suffer from Hashimoto’s—an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid gland and causes the body to attack its own cells. To alleviate the symptoms of this debilitating condition—including chronic cough, acid reflux, IBS, allergies, chronic pain, hair loss, brain fog, and forgetfulness [plus anxiety and depression] —patients are often prescribed synthetic hormones that have numerous life-altering side effects.

But there is a better way.

Diagnosed with Hashimoto’s at twenty-seven, pharmacist Dr. Izabella Wentz knows first-hand the effects of the disease, as well as the value—and limitations—of medication. The key to improved health, she argues, involves lifestyle interventions. In Hashimoto’s Protocol, she outlines a proven treatment that has helped thousands heal and many others feel better—in as fast as ninety days.

Drawing on her own personal experience as well as her work consulting with thousands of patients, Hashimoto’s Protocol offers a practical pathway for healing and reversing the autoimmune damage at the root of the disease. The first step is a quick-start two-week detox that includes foods to eat and inflammatory foods to avoid, advice on supplements to support the liver, and an adrenal recovery plan. Next, readers create a personalized plan with foods, supplements, and other lifestyle interventions tailored to their body’s own unique Hashimoto’s triggers, which they can identify using self-tests included in the book. Hashimoto’s Protocol also features original recipes.

Grounded in the latest science, Hashimoto’s Protocol is the first book to offer a proven protocol by an acknowledged expert in the field to treat this condition without dangerous hormones—and help sufferers reclaim their lives.

Izabella has done a wonderful job! I love that she covers the basics like liver support, the adrenals and gut health and then goes into advanced protocols for trauma, infections, toxins and nutrient deficiencies! I really LOVE how she dives deep into the newest research and connects ALL the dots in a really smart way!

And even if you don’t have thyroid issues you would benefit from these sections that are applicable for everyone:

  • Root Cause Liver Support Protocol — how to support your liver by clearing detox pathways so that you’re able to release toxins and get your energy back.
  • Adrenal Recovery Protocol — how to reset your response to stress so that you can regenerate your body.
  • The Gut Balancing Protocol — the right nutrients so that your gut starts working at its optimal level.

Here is a snippet from the Liver support section:

Halogens and halogen-containing chemicals: These chemicals include bromide, chloride, and fluoride; are structurally similar to iodine; and may take up receptor sites in the thyroid gland. Unfortunately, their presence in the thyroid gland can

lead to thyroid cell death and inflammation. Individuals exposed to high levels of halogen-containing substances have been found to have higher rates of thyroid antibodies.

Chlorine: When found in polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chlorine has been shown to be toxic to thyroid cells and to promote the onset of Hashimoto’s through increasing TSH, thyroid antibodies, and thyroid size. PCBs are found in industrial products. Chlorine is also found in water systems, pools, cleaning products, and plastics.

Bromide: This can be found in baked goods, plastics, soft drinks, and even our mattresses, which are coated with brominated flame retardants. Studies show bromine-containing substances—polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)—are connected to an increased incidence of Hashimoto’s.

Fluoride: This thyroid-suppressing halogen is found in water, toothpaste, and some medications as well as in black, green, and red tea. Using a reverse osmosis filter is the best way to get rid of fluoride.

The gentle two-week Liver support section

will guide you on how to eliminate hidden toxins from your everyday life and how to help your liver process out the toxins you may have in your body. Both are critical steps for anyone who’s had problems with taking supplements or is struggling with current symptoms. Most people see drastic changes just by completing this step alone.

 

Here is the Amazon link or support your local book store if you have one nearby!

Also enjoy the fabulous 2 week recipe plan Dr. Izabella is offering. It has 2 weeks worth of recipes, meal plans and shopping lists based on the autoimmune Paleo diet template. Click here to learn more and signup for the 2 week recipe plan.

Hope you enjoy these great thyroid resources!

If you already have a copy let us know what you think and which sections have helped you?