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Why 80% of Us are Deficient in Magnesium

Magnesium deficiency is often misdiagnosed because it does not show up in blood tests – only 1% of the body’s magnesium is stored in the blood

Most doctors and laboratories don’t even include magnesium status in routine blood tests. Thus, most doctors don’t know when their patients are deficient in magnesium, even though studies show that the majority of Americans are deficient in magnesium.

Consider Dr. Norman Shealy’s statements, “Every known illness is associated with a magnesium deficiency” and that, “magnesium is the most critical mineral required for electrical stability of every cell in the body. A magnesium deficiency may be responsible for more diseases than any other nutrient.” The truth he states exposes a gaping hole in modern medicine that explains a good deal about iatrogenic death and disease. Because magnesium deficiency is largely overlooked, millions of Americans suffer needlessly or are having their symptoms treated with expensive drugs when they could be cured with magnesium supplementation.

One has to recognize the signs of magnesium thirst or hunger on their own since allopathic medicine is lost in this regard. It is really something much more subtle then hunger or thirst but it is comparable. In a world though where doctors and patients alike do not even pay attention to thirst and important issues of hydration, it is not hopeful that we will find many recognizing and paying attention to magnesium thirst and hunger, which is a dramatic way of expressing the concept of magnesium deficiency.

Few people are aware of the enormous role magnesium plays in our bodies. Magnesium is by far the most important mineral in the body. After oxygen, water, and basic food, magnesium may be the most important element needed by our bodies; vitally important, yet hardly known. It is more important than calcium, potassium, or sodium and regulates all three of them. Millions suffer daily from magnesium deficiency without even knowing it

In fact, there happens to be a relationship between what we perceive as thirst and deficiencies in electrolytes. I remember a person asking, “Why am I dehydrated and thirsty when I drink so much water?” Thirst can mean not only lack of water but it can also mean that one is not getting enough nutrients and electrolytes. Magnesium, Potassium, Bicarbonate, Chloride, and Sodium are some principle examples and that is one of the reasons magnesium chloride is so useful.

You know all those years, when doctors used to tell their patients ‘it’s all in your heads,’ were years the medical profession was showing its ignorance. It is a torment to be magnesium deficient on one level or another. Even if it’s for the enthusiastic sport person whose athletic performance is down, magnesium deficiency will disturb sleep and background stress levels and a host of other things that reflect on the quality of life. Doctors have not been using the appropriate test for magnesium – their serum blood tests just distort their perceptions. Magnesium has been off their radar screens through the decades that magnesium deficiencies have snowballed.

Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency
The first symptoms of deficiency can be subtle – as most magnesium is stored in the tissues, leg cramps, foot pain, or muscle ‘twitches’ can be the first sign. Other early signs of deficiency include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and weakness. As magnesium deficiency worsens, numbness, tingling, seizures, personality changes, abnormal heart rhythms, and coronary spasms can occur.

A full outline of magnesium deficiency was beautifully presented in a recent article by Dr. Sidney Baker. “Magnesium deficiency can affect virtually every organ system of the body. With regard to skeletal muscle, one may experience twitches, cramps, muscle tension, muscle soreness, including back aches, neck pain, tension headaches and jaw joint (or TMJ) dysfunction. Also, one may experience chest tightness or a peculiar sensation that he can’t take a deep breath. Sometimes a person may sigh a lot.”

“Symptoms involving impaired contraction of smooth muscles include constipation; urinary spasms; menstrual cramps; difficulty swallowing or a lump in the throat-especially provoked by eating sugar; photophobia, especially difficulty adjusting to oncoming bright headlights in the absence of eye disease; and loud noise sensitivity from stapedius muscle tension in the ear.”

“Continuing with the symptoms of magnesium deficiency, the central nervous system is markedly affected. Symptoms include insomnia, anxiety, hyperactivity and restlessness with constant movement, panic attacks, agoraphobia, and premenstrual irritability. Magnesium deficiency symptoms involving the peripheral nervous system include numbness, tingling, and other abnormal sensations, such as zips, zaps and vibratory sensations.”

“Symptoms or signs of the cardiovascular system include palpitations, heart arrhythmias, and angina due to spasms of the coronary arteries, high blood pressure, and mitral valve prolapse. Be aware that not all of the symptoms need to be present to presume magnesium deficiency; but, many of them often occur together. For example, people with mitral valve prolapse frequently have palpitations, anxiety, panic attacks, and premenstrual symptoms. People with magnesium deficiency often seem to be “uptight.” Other general symptoms include a salt craving, both carbohydrate craving and carbohydrate intolerance, especially of chocolate, and breast tenderness.”

Magnesium is needed by every cell in the body including those of the brain. It is one of the most important minerals when considering supplementation because of its vital role in hundreds of enzyme systems and functions related to reactions in cell metabolism, as well as being essential for the synthesis of proteins, for the utilization of fats and carbohydrates. Magnesium is needed not only for the production of specific detoxification enzymes but is also important for energy production related to cell detoxification. A magnesium deficiency can affect virtually every system of the body.

One of the principle reason doctors write millions of prescriptions for tranquilizers each year is the nervousness, irritability, and jitters largely brought on by inadequate diets lacking magnesium. Persons only slightly deficient in magnesium become irritable, high-strung, and sensitive to noise, hyper-excitable, apprehensive and belligerent. If the deficiency is more severe or prolonged, they may develop twitching, tremors, irregular pulse, insomnia, muscle weakness, jerkiness and leg and foot cramps.

If magnesium is severely deficient, the brain is particularly affected. Clouded thinking, confusion, disorientation, marked depression, and even the terrifying hallucinations of delirium tremens are largely brought on by a lack of this nutrient and remedied when magnesium is given. Because large amounts of calcium are lost in the urine when magnesium is under supplied, the lack of this nutrient indirectly becomes responsible for much rampant tooth decay, poor bone development, osteoporosis, and slow healing of broken bones and fractures. With vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), magnesium helps to reduce and dissolve calcium phosphate kidney stones.

Magnesium deficiency may be a common factor associated with insulin resistance. Symptoms of MS that are also symptoms of magnesium deficiency include muscle spasms, weakness, twitching, muscle atrophy, an inability to control the bladder, nystagmus (rapid eye movements), hearing loss, and osteoporosis.  People with MS have higher rates of epilepsy than controls.  Epilepsy has also been linked to magnesium deficiencies.

Another good list of early warning symptoms suggestive of magnesium insufficiency:
Physical and mental fatigue
Persistent under-eye twitch
Tension in the upper back, shoulders, and neck
Headaches
Pre-menstrual fluid retention and/or breast tenderness

Possible manifestations of magnesium deficiency include:
Low energy
Fatigue
Weakness
Confusion
Nervousness
Anxiousness
Irritability
Seizures (and tantrums)
Poor digestion
PMS and hormonal imbalances
Inability to sleep
Muscle tension, spasm, and cramps
Calcification of organs
Weakening of the bones
Abnormal heart rhythm

Severe magnesium deficiency can result in low levels of calcium in the blood (hypocalcemia). Magnesium deficiency is also associated with low levels of potassium in the blood (hypokalemia). Magnesium levels drop at night, leading to poor REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep cycles and unrefreshed sleep. Headaches, blurred vision, mouth ulcers, fatigue, and anxiety are also early signs of depletion.

We hear all the time about how heart disease is the number one health crisis in the country, about how high blood pressure is the “silent killer”, and about how ever increasing numbers of our citizens are having their lives and the lives of their families destroyed by diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and a host of other chronic diseases.

Signs of severe magnesium deficiency include:
Extreme thirst
Extreme hunger
Frequent urination
Sores or bruises that heal slowly
Dry, itchy skin
Unexplained weight loss
Blurry vision that changes from day to day
Unusual tiredness or drowsiness
Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
Frequent or recurring skin, gum, bladder, or vaginal yeast infections

But wait a minute, aren’t those the same symptoms for diabetes? Many people have diabetes for about 5 years before they show strong symptoms. By that time, some people already have eye, kidney, gum, or nerve damage caused by the deteriorating condition of their cells due to insulin resistance and magnesium deficiency. Dump some mercury and arsenic on the mixture of etiologies and pronto we have the disease condition we call diabetes.

Magnesium deficiency is synonymous with diabetes and is at the root of many if not all cardiovascular problems.

Magnesium deficiency is a predictor of diabetes and heart disease both; diabetics both need more magnesium and lose more magnesium than most people. In two new studies, in both men and women, those who consumed the most magnesium in their diet were least likely to develop type 2 diabetes, according to a report in the January 2006 issue of the journal Diabetes Care. Until now, very few large studies have directly examined the long-term effects of dietary magnesium on diabetes. Dr. Simin Liu of the Harvard Medical School and School of Public Health in Boston says, “Our studies provided some direct evidence that greater intake of dietary magnesium may have a long-term protective effect on lowering risk,” said Liu, who was involved in both studies.

The thirst of diabetes is part of the body’s response to excessive urination. The excessive urination is the body’s attempt to get rid of the extra glucose in the blood. This excessive urination causes the increased thirst. But we have to look at what is causing this level of disharmony. We have to probe deeper into layers of cause. The body needs to dump glucose because of increasing insulin resistance and that resistance is being fueled directly by magnesium deficiency, which makes toxic insults more damaging to the tissues at the same time.

When diabetics get too high blood sugars, the body creates “ketones” as a by-product of breaking down fats. These ketones cause blood acidity which causes “acidosis” of the blood, leading to Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), This is a very dangerous condition that can lead to coma and death. It is also called “diabetic acidosis”, “ketosis”, “ketoacidosis” or “diabetic coma”. DKA is a common way for new Type 1 diabetics to be diagnosed. If they fail to seek medical advice on symptoms like urination, which is driving thirst they can die of DKA.

Oral magnesium supplements reduce erythrocyte dehydration. In general, optimal balances of electrolytes are necessary to maintain the best possible hydration. Diabetic thirst is initiated specifically by magnesium deficiency with relative calcium excess in the cells. Even water, our most basic nutrient starts having a hard time getting into the cells with more going out through the kidneys.

Autism and Magnesium Deficiency
When dealing with autism spectrum and other neurological disorders in children it is important to know the signs of low magnesium: restless, can’t keep still, body rocking, grinding teeth, hiccups, noise sensitive, poor attention span, poor concentration, irritable, aggressive, ready to explode, easily stressed. When it comes to children today we need to assume a large magnesium deficiency for several reasons.

1) The foods they are eating are stripped of magnesium because foods in general, as we shall see below are declining in mineral content in an alarming way.

2) The foods many children eat are highly processed junk foods that do not provide real nutrition to the body.

3) Because most children on the spectrum are not absorbing the minerals they need even when present in the gut. Magnesium absorption is dependent on intestinal health, which is compromised totally in leaky gut syndromes and other intestinal problems that the majority of autism syndrome disorders.

4) Because the oral supplements doctors rely on are not easily absorbed, because they are not in the right form and because magnesium in general is not administered easily orally.

Modern medicine is supposed to help people not hurt them, but with their almost total ignorance of magnesium doctors end up hurting more than they help for many of the medical interventions drive down magnesium levels when they should be driving them up. Many if not most pharmaceutical drugs drive magnesium levels into very dangerous zones and surgery done without increasing magnesium levels is much more dangerous then surgery done with.

The foundation of medical arrogance is actually medical ignorance and the only reason ignorance and arrogance rule the playing field of medicine is a greed lust for power and money. Human nature seems to be at its worst in modern medicine when it should be at its best. It is sad that people have to suffer needlessly and extraordinarily tragic that allopathic medicine has turned its back on the Hippocratic Oath and all that it means.

If you have any of these symptoms, please be sure to browse our large selection of Magnesium supplements, rehydrating blends, and mineral drops at Whitaker’s Natural Market!

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Osteoporosis warning: How bone loss promotes inflammation and increases the risk of disease

Osteoporosis, a disease in which bones become brittle and prone to breakage, is so widespread that fully 50 percent of all women over age 50 (and 25 percent of all over-50 men) will eventually suffer an osteoporosis-related bone fracture.

Unfortunately, the consequences of osteoporosis extend even beyond the pain and disabling effect of broken bones.  In fact, recent research highlights a shocking connection between osteoporosis and life-threatening conditions such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and cancer.

Fortunately, a combination of natural nutrients may help prevent osteoporosis – and offer protection against the devastating diseases that can accompany it.

The creation of bone is regulated by the actions of the body’s osteoblasts (bone cells which create new bone) and osteoclasts (cells that break down bone).

At about age 35, the “balancing act” begins to shift – and the rate of bone breakdown starts to overtake the rate of bone development, leading to bone loss.  Researchers are now learning that aging bones contain more cells that are “senescent” – meaning they have stopped reproducing themselves, and now exclusively promote the breakdown of bone tissue.

In the process, these senescent cells release pro-inflammatory molecules into the bloodstream, laying the groundwork for disease.  Senescent bone cells have been found in plaque deposits in heavily calcified arteries.

And, having large numbers of senescent cells in the bones is linked in studies with accelerated aging – particularly affecting the brain.  Finally, people with osteoporosis have an increased risk of cancer.

The antioxidant vitamin C plays a critical role in preventing bone loss – which it does by preventing the oxidative stress that destroys bone structure.  By forming collagen and developing other bone proteins, vitamin C also plays a pivotal role in the formation and structure of bones.

If the body’s need for vitamin C is not met, insufficient production of collagen can result – leading to easily fractured bones.  In fact, many natural health experts believe that osteoporosis is really a type of vitamin C deficiency, or “scurvy of the bones.”

Bone-building vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, kiwi, strawberries and bell peppers.  However, supplementation may be necessary – especially if you have osteoporosis.  By the way, for superior bioavailability (absorption), natural health experts advise using a liposomal form of vitamin C.

Mighty mineral: Boron reduces the loss of indispensable calcium from the bones
This little-known trace mineral packs a powerful punch when it comes to supporting bone health.

Simply put, boron helps the body produce and use vitamin D – which is a mainstay of bone health.  The mineral also helps to regulate levels of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus – all “MVPs” of bone maintenance and support.

A study published in Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal showed that 3 mg of boron a day helped prevent calcium loss and bone demineralization in postmenopausal women.

Natural health experts may advise dosages of 3 to 6 mg of boron a day. You can increase your dietary intake of boron by eating organic nuts, beans, avocados and whole grains.

Calcium: The primary structural component of bones
Bones contain 99 percent of the body’s stores of calcium – which is integral to bone building.

But, in order for your body to use calcium to build bone, you must have sufficient levels – along with adequate amounts of vitamin D.  Deficiency in both minerals can cause bone loss – as well as symptoms  of muscle pain, muscle cramps and weakness.

Calcium exists in sardines – that include the bones, dark leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts.  Most adults require between 1,000 and 1,200 mg of calcium a day.

Researchers say: Magnesium deficiency a cause of “incalculable” suffering
Magnesium works in concert with calcium to suppress hormones that break down bones – while activating enzymes needed for the production of new bone.  Unfortunately, experts estimate that about half of all Americans fail to consume enough of this important mineral.
In fact, more than 40 percent of post-menopausal women have low magnesium blood levels, which can trigger excessive bone breakdown.

In one landmark study on magnesium benefits, the researchers lamented that the deficiency of such an “inexpensive, low-toxicity nutrient” is currently causing diseases that are a source of untold “suffering and expense” worldwide.

Eating dark leafy greens, potatoes, raisins, chocolate, pumpkin seeds, nuts and avocados can help ramp up your dietary intake of magnesium.  Of course, your integrative healthcare provider may recommend supplementing with magnesium to avoid shortfalls.

Most natural healers recommend dosages in the area of 250 to 750 mg a day.  And, magnesium citrate, magnesium glycinate, and magnesium taurate are considered the most bioavailable forms.

Vitamin D helps improve calcium absorption
Vitamin D reduces the activity of the pro-inflammatory signaling molecules that are released from senescent bone cells during bone breakdown.  Unsurprisingly, vitamin D shortfalls are bad news for your bones – and for the rest of your body.

Vitamin D deficiency has been identified as a major contributor to osteoporosis – as well as to cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and lowered cognitive functioning.  This fat-soluble vitamin is found in cold-water fatty fish (like wild-caught salmon), as well as in mushrooms and egg yolks.

Because the body manufactures vitamin D in response to sunlight, many natural health experts advise getting 20 minutes of direct sunlight three or four times a week.  However, supplementation may be necessary to maintain healthy levels of vitamin D, especially if you live in a northern climate.

Just remember to opt for vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) over vitamin D2.

Vitamin K2 directs calcium in the body
Vitamin K2’s job is to route calcium where it belongs – in the bones and teeth – while keeping it out of blood vessel walls (thereby helping to prevent heart disease).

Vitamin K2 improves bone mineral density, and is particularly beneficial for improving bone mineral content of the femoral bone – which is particularly susceptible to fracture during falls.  Researchers have found that vitamin K2 is synergistic with vitamin D3 – meaning that each nutrient enhances the beneficial effect of the other.

In an influential study published in Maturitas, supplementation with a combination of vitamins K2 and D3 protected and increased vertebral bone mass in postmenopausal women.

Food sources of vitamin K2 include liver and egg yolks.

Your doctor may recommend 100 mcg per day of vitamin K2 in the form of menaquinone-7, a highly available form of the nutrient.

Warning: Prescription drugs can jeopardize zinc supply
Zinc is needed for bone cells (osteoblasts) to create bone tissue – and is crucial for the entry of vitamin D into cells.  And, yes, patients with osteoporosis have been found to have low levels of zinc.

Ironically, pharmaceutical osteoporosis drugs – such as Boniva and Reclast – actually rob the body of this important trace mineral.  The RDA for zinc is 8 mg for women and 11 for men.

You can raise your dietary zinc intake by eating organic pumpkin seeds, chickpeas, nuts, yogurt, and cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables. 

Grass-fed beef and poultry are also rich in zinc.

As with the other vitamins and minerals, consult your integrative doctor before supplementing with zinc.

With 54 million people in the United States either suffering from osteoporosis – or at serious risk – it’s time to fight back.  And, your best weapons in the battle to slow and reverse bone loss could be these non-toxic, natural micronutrients.

Be sure to browse our large selection of these crucial vitamins and minerals as well as our special bone supporting formulas and bone structure support multivitamins on your next visit to Whitaker’s Natural Market!

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Energy drinks have life-threatening side effects

According to the National Institutes of Health, “a growing body of scientific evidence shows that energy drinks can have serious health effects, particularly in children, teenagers, and young adults.”  So, why are these products still being sold – to this day?!  After reading this report, you’ll understand why we think these products are a big mistake.

Thousands of people to date have faced serious, sometimes deadly side effects as a result of consuming energy drinks, and an alarming number of these victims have been children.  In fact, the lead author of research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association has said, ‘the public should be aware of the impact of energy drinks on their body, especially if they have other underlying health conditions.”

The severe side effects from these drinks included seizures, elevated blood pressure, and irregular heartbeat.  And, the fact remains: most of these kids didn’t even know what they were consuming.  They simply found them left around the home by an adult.

To be blunt, most of these beverages are loaded with sugar and caffeine – a recipe for disaster.

However, the manufacturers also blend in other compounds such as l-carnitine, taurine, guarana, amino acids, and ginseng. Despite this veritable mystery punch of ingredients, studies have not found that these drinks boost energy, focus, or stamina any better than having a cup of coffee.

In truth, the marketing hype of these beverages don’t tell the whole (ugly) story.
Along with this lack of efficacy, the drinks come with very real dangers.  Dr. Steven Lipshultz and his colleagues have been examining the effects of these drinks for a number of years, and in 2011 noticed a marked surge in reported illnesses linked to their consumption.

A separate study conducted by the United States government found emergency-room visits between 2005 and 2011 that were related to energy-drink consumption surged as well. A host of alarming side effects were also reported, including seizures, liver damage, heart issues, and in some cases, premature death.

Drinks with additives like plant extracts and amino acids were found to be worse for people than those with just caffeine.  Some theories hold that these assorted extracts might have components with unknown, undocumented effects, especially when combined with caffeine and other food additives.

A great number of the people who consume these energy drinks simply aren’t aware of their potentially dangerous side effects and their specific hazards to children. This causes adults to consume copious amounts of them while sometimes leaving the beverages unattended and accessible to young children.

Dr. Lipshultz recommends that even as these energy drinks are studied more closely, they should be affixed with a label similar to the Surgeon General warning placed on alcohol and cigarette packages. Doing so could alert adults to protect children (and themselves) from exposure to these controversial drinks.

Experts warn about the dangers of energy drinks:
The World Health Organization (WHO) says, “the full impact of the rise in popularity of energy drinks has not yet been quantified, but the aggressive marketing of energy drinks targeted at young people, combined with limited and varied regulation have created an environment where energy drinks could pose a significant threat to public health.”

The extreme level of caffeine (mixed with other suspicious ingredients) can cause palpitations, hypertension, vomiting, convulsions, and in extreme cases heart failure leading to sudden death. An even greater risk is the mixture of these energy drinks with alcohol and food additives – which many younger people tend to consume in excess.

In August 2014, professor Milou-Daniel Drici, from France, gave a presentation to the European Society of Cardiology in which he said:
”So-called ‘energy drinks’ are popular in dance clubs and during physical exercise, with people sometimes consuming a number of drinks one after the other. This situation can lead to a number of adverse conditions including angina, cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), and even sudden death.”

Dr. Steven Lipshultz, pediatrician-in-chief at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, in Detroit, says ‘although the target markets for energy drinks are typically teens and young adults, more than 40 percent of reports to U.S. poison control centers in a three-year period involved children under the age of 6.’

Young or old, energy drinks are putting both children and adults at risk. Regardless of age, the potential dangers are the same: seizures, heart issues, high blood pressure, and kidney problems. With coffee providing a similar benefit, it’s hard to see how the health risks are worth the chemically-induced “boost” that energy drinks provide.

Instead of focusing on today’s lack of energy, understanding why you lack energy overall can be a great way to deal with and remove the root cause and even the temptation to taste an energy drink.  Be sure to check out our large selection of Adrenal support supplements such as Adrenal-T, Adrenaplex, AdrenalForce, and more.  Supporting the adrenals which supports our body during stressful times can increase our overall energy while balancing our response to stress.  Anxie-T and Anxiocalm along with CBD Oil can specifically target the stress triggers.  These supplements, in addition to good meals, planned down time to destress, a brisk walk in fresh air, and plenty of sleep each night are going to increase your energy and your health long term!  Be sure to ask us more on your next visit to Whitaker’s Natural Market!

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C-Section & Autism Research

When you’re pregnant, you dream of having a beautiful, healthy baby and make exciting plans for the future. The actual process of giving birth is just something to get through to meet your wonderful infant. Some of us learn pain management techniques and breathing exercises in an effort to have a natural birth, but for most women when push comes to shove, we leave what occurs in the birthing room to our obstetricians. That, however, might not be the best way to go. New research suggests that having a C-section may increase the risk of serious conditions for the child.

The study, which took place at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, found an association between C-section births and higher rates of autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. These results are based on a review of 61 investigations that included more than 20 million births in 19 countries around the world between 1998 and 2018. The researchers evaluated medical records, looking for instances of a range of conditions in the children, including not only autism and ADHD but also learning disabilities, obsessive compulsive disorder, tics, and eating disorders.

All the above conditions were shown to occur at the same or greater risk in children who had been delivered by C-section versus vaginal births, but the difference was not statistically significant except in the cases of autism and ADHD. Those odds were frighteningly elevated, with C-section birth associated with an approximately 33 percent increased chance of being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and an approximately 17 percent increased chance of developing ADHD compared to children delivered by vaginal birth.

What’s the Connection Between C-Sections, Autism, and ADHD?
While the study was not designed to prove that C-sections cause autism and ADHD, it did provide evidence of a strong link between the procedure and these disorders. It is not entirely clear why babies delivered via C-section might be more likely to be autistic or have ADHD. One possibility has to do with the fact that babies who are delivered vaginally receive beneficial strains of bacteria from their mother’s gut during delivery and these are known to bolster a baby’s immunity. It might be a lack of these beneficial bacteria during birth that sets the stage for the development of autism and/or ADHD.

Another theory to consider is that the issue isn’t directly related to the C-section itself, but why a woman is undergoing that procedure. Oftentimes, C-sections are recommended by obstetricians if the mother-to-be has a condition like hypertension or diabetes, which may influence the development of the fetus in utero. Additionally, C-sections are sometimes born of necessity if something is going very wrong during the delivery. In those cases, it’s possible that the trauma taking place could be a precipitating factor for autism or ADHD.

A Plan for Preventing C-Sections
We need to face the fact that there are emergency situations that we cannot always foresee that might make a C-section delivery the only possible course of action. Thankfully, that is only the reality in a small percentage of deliveries. But C-sections have become far more common in the last few decades in the United States, with rates up to 32 percent of all deliveries in 2017—a nine percent increase from 2000.

It’s important to choose your obstetrician wisely, preferably before you even become pregnant. Request an interview with a doctor from the practice and come armed with questions about their thoughts on vaginal birth versus C-section, use of pain medications, and anything else of potential concern to you. Explore a few practices until you find one you feel comfortable and in-sync with on these topics. Or consider a midwife instead and plan to have your delivery at a birthing center if your pregnancy is considered low risk.

If you have to have a C-section due to medical necessity, then guarding your child’s gut and building it properly from birth is crucial to reduce their risk of developing Autism and ADHD.  Starting on an infant probiotic supplement right away will begin to build their gut the right way.  Research the dangers of vaccines, and make an educated decision not just what the media wants you to know.  Then feed your child 100% organic eliminating as much pesticide, herbicide, and GMO exposure as possible. On a personal note, while Yalissa (our daughter) was born via C-Section due to medical reasons, we fought to guard her diet to be 100% organic, have used a daily probiotic, and guard her environmental exposures to chemicals and other toxins.  As a result, she has not had any gut issues compared to so many other preemies born at her same gestational age.  We are truly what we eat!

Be sure to check out our baby and toddler probiotic selection as well as organic snack and food options for not only feeding your children but your entire family on your next visit to Whitaker’s Natural Market. 

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Antibiotics Increase Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk

Some physicians are still very quick to hand out prescriptions for antibiotics when a patient comes to the office for a sick visit—even for things like the flu which are unaffected by antibiotics. But if worries about the overuse of antibiotics leading to virtually untreatable super germs aren’t enough, we now have another reason to politely decline the prescription. That’s because new research shows that antibiotic use might mess with our gut bacteria to the extent that we develop rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

The study, which took place at the Quadram Institute in Norwich, United Kingdom, found that taking antibiotics is associated with a higher risk of rheumatoid arthritis over time. These findings are based on an investigation that included records from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink on nearly 23,000 individuals with RA and more than 90,000 people without the condition. All the subjects’ medical histories were analyzed for an average of 10 years before they were diagnosed with RA.

A strong correlation was discovered between antibiotic use and the development of RA. Overall, those who used antibiotics during the 10-year period evaluated had a 60 percent higher risk of RA. The chances increased in-step with the frequency of antibiotic use. Those who took one course of the drugs had a 40 percent higher risk; those who took two courses had a 66 percent higher risk, and those who took more had even higher risks. Timing was also a factor, with an 80 percent chance of developing RA linked to antibiotic use in the prior two years. However, even after five to 10 years, the risk still remained elevated by 48 percent.

How Do Antibiotics Contribute to RA?
Antibiotics were created to kill bacteria, but they do so indiscriminately. So, while these drugs may destroy the bacteria that are causing an infection in your body, they also kill off the beneficial bacteria that live in the gut. And keep in mind that antibiotic use affects not only the quantity of bacteria but the strains present as well, negatively impacting the diversity and delicate ecosystem within us.

The problem is that we need flourishing populations of good bacteria in our gut to be healthy. Beneficial bacteria in your gut are responsible for 60-70% of your immune function. Without those bacteria, the immune system is affected, and we may develop inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that typically arises after something triggers the immune system to react and attack the body instead of harmful invaders. What’s more, a hallmark of RA is inflammation in the joints, which may be much more prevalent in people who have intestinal flora that is less diverse or composed more highly of certain bacterial strains.

Ways to Get Your Gut Microbiome Healthier Once Again
If you have already developed RA, you cannot reverse that, but you can help prevent the damage from becoming worse. And if you don’t have RA, you can take care of yourself to prevent this and other chronic conditions. While we obviously can’t do anything about any antibiotics we’ve taken in the past, moving forward it is important to avoid these drugs unless they are absolutely necessary. And if you do require a course of antibiotics, make sure you immediately follow those antibiotics by supplementing with probiotics to replenish the colonies of beneficial bacteria in your intestinal tract.

In addition to taking regular probiotic supplements, which are safe to use every day whether you are feeling healthy or sick, you can also boost your gut health by focusing on certain foods that contain probiotics. Fermented foods are a great source of natural probiotics: so include kefir, sauerkraut, yogurt, and kombucha in your diet. Enrich your meals with high-fiber foods that provide prebiotics which benefit good bacteria in your digestive system such as asparagus, bananas, garlic, and onion. And finally, avoid sugar and artificial sweeteners, as both have been shown to be harmful to intestinal flora.

Be sure to check out all our probiotic options along with our fermented foods selection on your next visit to Whitaker’s Natural Market.

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Multitasking Kills Memory

Is Multitasking a New Phenomenon?
Multitasking means doing more than one thing at a time. Author Greg McKeown notes, in his book Essentialism, that prior to the 20th Century, the word “priority” had no plural form in English. A priority was the one thing you focused on, period. But in the 1900s, as people were faced with more choices and industrialization made us more mobile, we found we had more than one “priority” at a time and had to rank order, and so the word “prioritize” came into the language.

It’s noteworthy that UCLA Professor Monica Smith contends, in her book A Prehistory of Ordinary People, that our ancestors multitasked, but she’s talking about things like picking fruit while watching out for attacking animals. Most would argue that the mental demands of modern-day multitasking—talking on the phone while cruising E-Bay, for instance—are of a different order.

Prevalence of Extreme Multitasking
Since the advent of portable devices and personal computers, multitasking has taken on new meaning. In the mid Twentieth Century, multitasking meant things like washing the dishes while watching As The World Turns. But now, according to Dr. Clifford Nass of Stanford University, “The top 25 percent of Stanford students are using four or more media at one time whenever they’re using media. So, when they’re writing a paper on their computer, they’re also Facebooking, listening to music, texting, Twittering, etcetera.” The difference isn’t merely in the number of activities they’re involved in at one time but also in the type of attention required. Washing dishes can be done without much mental concentration, but texting, Facebooking, reading Twitter messages—these things require left-brained focus.

Dr. Anthony Wagner of Stanford University, a leading researcher in the field of multitasking and memory, explains that we aren’t actually capable of true multitasking, but rather, we “task switch.” Those who “multitask” might watch a TV show but check their phone during a commercial. In contrast, a heavy multitasker might be writing a paper with the TV on, checking Facebook every five minutes, and responding to emails or texts as they come in.

A study published by the National Academy of Sciences found that youth under the age of 18 spend an average of nine hours a day using media, and 29 percent of that time, they’re using multiple media streams at once. And a 2018 study investigating the accuracy of telephone surveys determined that more than half of respondents were engaged in at least one other online activity while taking the survey.

Likewise, a 2003 study in the International Journal of Information Management reported that the average person checks email once every five minutes. Even more, after checking email, it takes a little over a minute to resume the previous task. Yet most of us disconnect from email for only two hours a day, at most.

What Multitasking Does to the Brain
When you have a task to do, your brain’s prefrontal cortex hops into action. It coordinates the left and right sides of the brain with other neurological processes to create the needed focus. When you attempt to do several tasks at the same time, the prefrontal cortex splits up the tasks between the right and left hemispheres. It takes a minute for the brain to recover enough to coordinate the two hemispheres so that complete focus can resume, as noted above in the description of what happens after checking email. Experts call this lost time the “switching cost.” Studies show that the switching cost can lead workers to lose up to 40 percent of their productivity.

Cognitive Effects of Multitasking
According to Dr. Nass, who wrote The Man Who Lied to His Laptop, “The research is almost unanimous, which is very rare in social science, and it says that people who chronically multitask show an enormous range of deficits. They’re basically terrible at all sorts of cognitive tasks, including multitasking.”

A recent study on multitasking published in the 2018 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reviews 10 years of studies on the effects of multitasking on cognitive performance. The researchers confirmed that heavy multitaskers do indeed perform significantly worse on memory tasks as well as on attention tasks. Dr. Nass says that media multitasking actually changes the brain by training the brain to “focus on irrelevancy. [Multitaskers] just can’t keep on task.” He also says that it’s unknown if the brain that’s been trained to task switch can be trained back to have good focus because it’s too difficult to find subjects willing to give up media for a long enough time to complete clinical studies.

How to Avoid the Negative Effects of Multitasking
The easiest way to prevent brain changes caused by media multitasking is to turn on only one device at a time and shut down extra windows. Other simple changes can make a big difference, too.

Turn off all notifications, whether they ding, ping, or flash across the screen and do so on all your devices, including your phone.

Set your timer for 15 or 20 minutes and do only one thing for that entire duration.
Process your emails in batches so that you spend 20 minutes, for instance, looking at all your emails for the day and then later another 20 minutes responding. Avoid peeking between designated email sessions to check what’s come in.

If you have writing to do, go somewhere that has no internet connection—or simply turn off your internet connection while working.

If it’s possible for you, go on a media fast and take note of how you feel and whether you notice differences in your ability to concentrate.

While I can be just as guilty as anyone, I’m learning to make sure I concentrate on the important things in life – my relationship with God, my family, and my health as well as my interactions and relationships with others. Have trouble focusing?  We do have many supplements for cognitive health at Whitaker’s!

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The Truth about Cholesterol and Statin Drugs!

The chemical war against cholesterol using statin drugs has been wrongly justified through statistical deception and the ongoing cover up of over 300 adverse health effects documented in the biomedical literature.

Better safe than sorry, right? This is the logic that defines the grasp that the pharmaceutical company has on our psyche. Perhaps your mother, father, brother, and boyfriend have been recommended cholesterol-lowering medication, just to help hedge their bets around a possible chest-clutching demise. In fact, recent guidelines have expanded the pool of potential statin medication recipients, so that there are very few of us who seem to be walking around with acceptable levels of artery clogging sludge.

But how is it that drug companies got a foothold? How have they convinced doctors that their patients need these medications, and need them now? They are banking (literally) on the fact that you haven’t brushed up on statistics in a while.

It turns out that a common sleight of hand in the medical literature is the popularization of claims around “relative risk reduction” which can make an effect appear meaningful, when the “absolute risk reduction” reveals its insignificance.  In this way, 100 people are treated with statin medications to offer 1 person benefit, and the change from a 2% to a 1% heart attack rate is billed a 50% reduction rather than a 1% improvement, which is what it actually is. 

Perhaps this would still qualify as better safe than sorry if these medications weren’t some of the most toxic chemicals willfully ingested, with at least 300 adverse health effects evident in the published literature so far, with at least 28 distinct modes of toxicity, including:
Muscle damage (myotoxicity): proven by 80 studies.
Nerve damage (neurotoxicity): proven by 54 studies.
Liver damage (hepatoxocity): proven by 32 studies.
Endocrine disruption: proven by 16 studies.
Cancer-promoting: proven by 9 studies.
Diabetes-promoting: proven by 8 studies.
Cardiovascular-damaging: proven by 15 studies.
Birth defect causing (teratogenic): proven by 11 studies.

Beyond the known fact that statin drugs deplete the body of two essential nutrients: coenzyme Q10 and selenium, they are also highly myotoxic and neurotoxic. Because the heart is one of the most nerve-saturated muscles in the human body, these two modes of toxicity combined represent a ‘perfect storm’ of cardiotoxicity – a highly ironic fact considering statin drugs are promoted as having ‘life-saving’ cardioprotective properties.

A powerful expert review by Diamond and Ravnskov decimates any plausible indication for these cholesterol-lowering agents, giving full consideration to the above mentioned side effects.

They plainly state:
“Overall, our goal in this review is to explain how the war on cholesterol has been fought by advocates that have used statistical deception to create the appearance that statins are wonder drugs, when the reality is that their trivial benefit is more than offset by their adverse effects.”

The Cholesterol Meme

It’s tempting to look the number one killer of Americans in the eye, and say, “WHO did this? Who is responsible?” It is also consistent with American perceptions of health and wellness to demonize a natural and vital part of our physiology rather than look at lifestyle factors including government subsidies of inflammatory food products.

Not only is low cholesterol a problem, but it puts an individual at risk for viral infection, cancer, and mental illness because of the vital role that lipids play in cell membrane integrity, hormone production, and immunity.

A broadly toxic xenobiotic chemical, statin medications have only been demonstrated to be of slight benefit by statistical manipulation.

For example, Diamond and Raynskov elucidate that:

The JUPITER trial of Crestor vs placebo resulted in increased fatal heart attacks in the treatment group which were obscured by combing fatal and nonfatal infarctions.

In the ASCOT trial which was used to generate PR copy boasting Lipitor’s 36% reduction of heart attack risk, the figure was arrived at through use of relative risk reduction from 3 to 2%.

The HPS study has a 26% drop out rate prior to the beginning of the trial (which also demonstrated a 1% improvement with treatment), so that those with significant side effects were functionally excluded from the study.

While no study has ever shown any association between the degree of cholesterol lowering and beneficial outcomes described in terms of absolute risk reduction (likely because they would be perceived as insignificant), the adverse effects are not only always presented in these terms, but are also minimized through the technique of splitting common side effects up into multiple different categories to minimize the apparent incidence.

These side effects are real and common and include “increased rates of cancer, cataracts, diabetes, cognitive impairment, and musculoskeletal disorders”.  Their paper focuses on three primary adverse effects, all of which are likely to land you in the “sorry to have thought I would be better safe than sorry” category.

Cancer
In at least four trials, statistically significant increases in cancer incidence was found, and handily dismissed by all authors as insignificant because they claimed “no known potential biological basis” is known.  This may be because the authors are still thinking of cancer as a genetic time bomb that has nothing to do with mitochondrial dysfunction, loss of lipid integrity, or environmental exposures.

With statistically significant increases in cancer incidence and deaths, in some trials, the minimal cardiovascular benefit is far eclipsed by the cancer mortality. In one of the only long-term trials, there was a doubling of the incidence of ductal and lobular breast cancer in women taking statins for more than ten years. One of many reasons that women should never be treated with these medications.

Myopathy
As one of the more well-known side effects of statins, muscle breakdown and associated pain, or myopathy has also been obscured in the literature.  Despite an incidence up to 40% in the first months of treatment, researchers only catalogue patients who had muscular symptoms in addition to elevations in a blood measure called creatine kinase (CK) at ten times normal for two measures (not 9.9, not 8, and not one measure).

In fact, a 2006 study in the Journal of Pathology found that statin therapy induces ultrastructural damage in skeletal muscle in patients without myalgia,” indicating that statin-associated muscle damage may be a universal, albeit mostly subclinical problem for the millions put on them.  

Central Nervous System Dysfunction
Linked to suicide in men, depression including postpartum, and cognitive dysfunction, low cholesterol is not a desirable goal for the average psychiatric patient, aka half of the American population.

It turns out that 25% of the total amount of cholesterol found in the human body is localized in the brain, most of it in the myelin sheath that coats and insulates the nerves:
 “It has been estimated that up to 70% of the brain cholesterol is associated with myelin. Because up to half of the white matter may be composed of myelin, it is unsurprising that the brain is the most cholesterol-rich organ in the body. The concentration of cholesterol in the brain, and particularly in myelin, is consistent with an essential function related to its membrane properties. “

The cell membrane, specifically, is highly vulnerable to damage by statins: 
“The cell membrane is an 8 nanometer thick pearly gate where information, nutrients, and cellular messengers are trafficked through protein gates supported of phospholipids and their polyunsaturated fatty acids. Cholesterol and saturated fat provide essential rigidity in balance with other membrane components. Without them, the membrane becomes a porous, dysfunctional swinging gate. In a self-preservational effort, cholesterol supports production of bile acids, integral to the breakdown and absorption of consumed essential dietary fats.”

By extension, behavioral and cognitive adverse effects may be the manifestation of this fat-based interference.  Diamond and Ravnskov state:

“A low serum cholesterol level has also been found to serve as a biological marker of major depression and suicidal behavior, whereas high cholesterol is protective. In a study by Davison and Kaplan, the incidence of suicidal idealization among adults with mood disorders was more than 2.5-times greater in those taking statins. Moreover, several studies have shown that low cholesterol is associated with lower cognition and Alzheimer’s disease and that high cholesterol is protective.”

A review article called Neuropsychiatric Adverse Events Associated with Statins: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, Prevention and Management discusses the state of the literature around the intersection between mental health and cholesterol control. Despite generally dismissing a strong signal for concerning psychiatric adverse events, the article seems to conclude the following:

Severe irritability, homicidal impulses, threats, road rage, depression and violence, paranoia, alienation, and antisocial behavior; cognitive and memory impairments; sleep disturbance; and sexual dysfunction have all been reported in case series and national registries of those taking statin medications.  Sound like the laundry list of rapidly spoken side effects at the end of a drug commercial? To anyone with a history of or current psychiatric symptoms, the role of these now ubiquitous medications should be considered.

The signal for lipophilic statins – simvastatin and atorvastatin – was stronger which makes mechanistic sense since these medications penetrate the brain and brain cholesterol deficiency has been implicated in bipolar, major depression, and schizophrenia.

Of course, none of these findings nor their suppression should be surprising because there is no pharmaceutical free lunch, and because Americans are so accustomed to interfacing with human health through the lens of a one pill-one ill model. We are yanking on that spider web and expecting only one thread to pull out.  This perspective would be less disturbing if it didn’t serve as the foundation for medical practice, determined by boards such as the American College of Cardiology and The American Heart Association, the majority of whom have extensive ties to the pharmaceutical industry. An industry that has paid out 19.2 billion dollars for civil and criminal charges in the last 5 years alone.

So, according to Sayer Ji, who is founder of Green Med Info, a reviewer at the International Journal of Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine, Co-founder and CEO of Systome Biomed, Vice Chairman of the Board of the National Health Federation, Steering Committee Member of the Global Non-GMO Foundation, the next time you hear of a doctor recommending a cholesterol-lowering intervention, tell him you’ll take that 1% risk and spare yourself cancer, cognitive dysfunction, myopathy, and diabetes. And then go have a 3 egg omelet WITH the yolks.

Still concerned about cholesterol?  Then check out our Cholesterol Support by Wiley’s Finest which features fish oil and Plant Sterol Esters to naturally balance your cholesterol levels without all the harmful side effects of statins. 

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Dr Jocelin’s Weekly Health Tip

Dr Jocelin is now posting a weekly health tip on our YouTube channel which you can find and subscribe at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8WWrgi_yCcqBdOwileh2RA/

Natural Allergy Support – https://youtu.be/MNQaUovlJJs

Poison Ivy/Oak – https://youtu.be/AB8Llp1vsjI

Natural Solutions for Bugs – https://youtu.be/kChuWwCnswg

Local, Non-GMO, or Organic – https://youtu.be/_0SZOO8dq74

She is also doing a monthly series with her friend, Nicole, on Natural Health. The first one was on Introduction to Natural Health – https://youtu.be/YszEjX9pCmQ

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Vitamin D and Longevity

Undeniable worldwide problem: Low vitamin D levels increase the risk of disease and premature death, multiple studies confirm
 
The evidence is overwhelming, yet rarely addressed properly by Western medicine.  Researchers have warned (for years!) that low vitamin D levels dramatically increase your risk of premature death from any cause – especially if your blood levels are lower than 30 mg/nl.

For example, a 13-year prospective study conducted by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition confirms that premature death from cardiovascular disease, cancers, fracture and respiratory disease are linked to chronically low levels of vitamin D.  What makes this study noteworthy was that it focused on observing the related epigenetic variables that may be influencing these health concerns and their relationship to overall vitamin D intake such as smoking, physical exercise, alcohol intake, social class, overall vitamin C intake, history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes or cancer.

Where previous studies noted a modest 30 mg/nl (or more) vitamin D to prevent premature death, this study observed much higher serum vitamin D levels (90-120 mg/nl) were vital for preventing premature death.

The best ways to avoid low vitamin D levels and the risk of premature death

Think natural sunlight.  And, don’t worry: research supports that sunscreen-free sun exposure is really good for your health.  It’s, by far, the best way to get your daily dose of vitamin D.

Approximately 20 minutes of direct sunlight is necessary for the body to naturally convert ultraviolet B-rays to vitamin D.  While the summer months offer the highest amounts of sun-synthesized D3 sulfate, time of day and angle of the sun affect how much you’ll absorb.

Depending on where you live however, this may not be possible, most of the year – which is why vitamin D supplementation may be necessary to get the adequate amounts your body requires.

The best form of vitamin D supplementation

Because vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin, it must be taken with fat-containing foods for optimal absorption. It has been observed in the literature that vitamin D taken at the largest meal of the day improves absorption – this finding was confirmed by the increase serum levels of D.

As a supplement, vitamin D should be taken in its most bioavailable form, D3.
In addition to direct supplementation, vitamin D3 can be derived from animal products such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, cod liver oil, egg yolk and raw milk. Although, if you’re seriously deficient, food sources may not be the best way to raise your vitamin D levels.

Note: You’ll also need vitamin K.  To absorb D3 most optimally, accompany your intake with vitamin K.

Unknown by most people, vitamin D can help to prevent many serious health conditions like, rheumatoid arthritis and celiac disease.  Both are known for leaky gut, inflammation and gut dysbiosis. Rheumatoid and celiac patients are often considerably deficient in D – which can lead to even more serious health complications related to premature death.
 
Warning: Prescription drugs can have a negative effect on your vitamin D levels.  If you have been prescribed corticosteroids, your need for D3 is even more imperative as this pharmaceutical approach has been shown to interfere with absorption of D.  Adequate intake of vitamin D can help reduce and improve quality of life for these and all inflammatory disease states.
 
In fact, vitamin D tends to:

  • Increase natural killer cell activity
  • Reduce overall inflammation
  • Improve bone density and mineralization
  • Improve genetic expression

Remember, everyone benefits from vitamin D. If you haven’t been tested, ask Dr Jocelin about having a D-25 hydroxy test to help you evaluate how much you should be taking and which of our multiple Vitamin D supplements would work best for you.

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Just Thrive Probiotic

This week, I wanted to share with you an article from Just Thrive Probiotics a brand we carry at Whitaker’s.

Did you know that 4.2 billion prescriptions were written for Americans in 2011? These figures are probably much higher in recent years due to rising health issues caused by poor diet, a lack of exercise, and other unhealthy lifestyle habits.

Leaky gut is a common condition that usually never gets diagnosed by a doctor. The signs of a leaky gut can often be confused with other health problems. If you don’t treat the source of your leaky gut, then your symptoms will never go away.

This article is going to walk you through 10 symptoms of leaky gut that you shouldn’t ignore and how you can cure your problems with a leaky gut diet.

So What Is Leaky Gut Exactly?

Leaky gut occurs when the walls of your small intestine are damaged, allowing food particles and toxins to leak outside of the digestive tract, into the bloodstream, where they don’t belong. Leaky gut can cause many symptoms that you wouldn’t necessarily think were traced back to your digestive health, which is why it can be difficult to diagnose.

Understanding the Signs of a Leaky Gut

Since doctors have a difficult time diagnosing leaky gut, your health may fall into your own hands. If you experience any of the following symptoms, making mindful, healthy changes to your diet and lifestyle can have you thriving again.

1. Abdominal Discomfort
If you feel bloated, nauseous, gassy, or have constipation or diarrhea, your digestive system is asking for help. Everyone can get a stomachache after they eat something fatty or spicy. However, if your abdominal pains occur often after you eat any kind of food, you may need leaky gut treatment.

2. Food Allergies
An overworked immune system caused by a leaky gut can put you at risk for developing food allergies. Food sensitivities and food allergies are almost always a sign that you have a leaky gut. The most common intolerances are dairy and gluten.

3. Autoimmune Disorders
When foreign bodies are introduced to the body, our immune systems attack and neutralize the threat. When food leaks from the intestines, the body senses an “invader.”  A continued state of alarm, caused by leaking toxins, can confuse the body into attacking itself.
If you suffer from Crohn’s, Lupus, arthritis, Celiac, or other autoimmune diseases, it’s almost certain that you have a leaky gut.

4. Brain Fog
When the body is losing valuable resources from a leaky gut, mental clarity can be affected. Brain fog, difficulty concentrating, memory loss, and headaches can all stem from a leaky gut.

5. Chronic Fatigue
If your fatigue doesn’t match the amount of sleep you’re getting each night, something could be happening inside your gut.

6. Poor Immune Health
Our bodies need a “Recommended Daily Allowance” dose of vitamins to fight off illnesses, allergies and more. If you get sick often, your immune system has likely been compromised, and a solution might just start with healing your gut.

As it turns out, intestinal health is strongly linked to immune system health. When your digestive systems suffer, your immune system weakens, too.

7. Skin Issues
Your skin is your largest organ. It’s also the only external organ. Monitoring your skin health is also a great indicator of how healthy your internal organs are.

If you suffer from acne, psoriasis, or eczema, that’s a sign that you have an issue with your gut.

8. Joint Pain
Leaky gut can create inflammation in the body, specifically effecting the joints. When leaking toxins extend to the joints, arthritis – among other ailments – can develop. Keeping your body in a constant inflammatory state will wreak havoc on your physical and mental well being.

How to Heal Leaky Gut Naturally

Although a leaky gut can make you feel miserable, there are plenty of natural treatments you can try. Many doctors would choose to prescribe antibiotics to treat these symptoms, which actually make your leaky gut worse.

Probiotics contain friendly, good-for-your-body bacteria that have been shown to improve the health of not only your gut microbiome, but your whole body health. Try taking a probiotic daily to see if your symptoms disappear.

Changing your diet can also work wonders for your gut health. Following an elimination diet can help you determine if you have certain food sensitivities or allergies that trigger your symptoms. If your symptoms are alleviated after eliminating certain foods like gluten, soy, meat, or dairy, you may want to consider temporarily removing them from your diet for best results.

Increasing your intake of anti-inflammatory herbs like turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon can give you relief from joint pain and stomachaches. Eating plenty of fiber and drinking enough water will make your gut’s job much easier. Avoiding refined sugars will also improve your digestive health.

Ready to Revitalize Your Health?

Now that you know the signs of a leaky gut that you need to watch out for, you can be more in control of your health. Just Thrive is here to help you on your journey to wellness. Our probiotics have been scientifically proven to begin healing leaky guts and other health problems.

Be sure to pick up your Just Thrive Probiotic on your next visit to Whitaker’s as well as talk to Dr Jocelin about more ways to restore your Leaky Gut!