I had heard of leaky gut, but didn’t really know what it meant in detail. The funny part about that, is I had heard about it while in school for nutrition and dietetics - now don’t get confused though, I didn’t hear about it from my program, but from outside sources.
So what is it, your gut leaks? Basically yes. (There are a million thoughts around this but one thing at a time) so when you are massively inflamed (think eating crappy, not sleeping enough, drinking, applying/living around a ton of toxins and living in a constant state of stress) what can sometimes happen is the lining of your gut can have large holes which allows partially digested food, toxins and more to release into your blood stream (very short version). This can trigger further inflammation and changes in the gut bacteria.
When you are massively inflamed (think eating crappy, not sleeping enough, drinking, applying/living around a ton of toxins and living in a constant state of stress) what can sometimes happen is the lining of your gut can have large holes which allows partially digested food, toxins and more to release into your blood stream (very short version).
This can trigger further inflammation and changes in the gut bacteria. This can also show up outside the gut in a variety of ways, for me it was through several things but the biggest, craziest one was eczema.
Eczema is definitely annoying, but this was so bad I couldn’t open my hands because of all the little cuts at each wrinkle of my hand. I had to wear Michael Jackson style white gloves to protect the cuts while putting on a mix of Shea butter and essential oils to get it to calm down.
The thing is, it’s wasn’t coming from the outside, so while those things helped, it was my leaky gut that was causing this. So knowing what causes leaky gut I had to make some changes.
Because the fact of the matter is, even if you change what you’re eating there is more to it than that. And leaky gut is known by some as a gateway into other autoimmune conditions.
I have some great resources around the gut, that can be helpful if you're unsure what to do!
This smoothie may look simple, but it is packed with ingredients to help balance hormones and support PMS type symptoms naturally. Enjoy this smoothie anytime of the month, but especially during the days or week you feel you need it most!
Ingredients:
- 1 frozen organic banana
- 1 Tbsp chia seeds
- 1 Tbsp cacao nibs
- Juice from one orange
- 3 drops Orange Vitality Essential Oil
- 2 drops EndoFlex Vitality Essential Oil Blend
- 1-3 tsp organic coconut oil (optional)
- 1 cup organic spinach
- 1/4 cup dry, unsalted and unroasted almonds (bonus for soaked overnight/sprouted)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened yogurt of choice
- 2/3 cup unsweetened plant milk of choice OR water (as I discussed last week, I use my little milk maker and coconut shreds!)
- 5-7 Ice cubes (optional)
Directions:
Add ingredients to a blender in the order listed and blend well. Top with a sprinkle of dried coconut, chia seeds or sliced almonds. Enjoy!
Have you ever considered how toxins in your products may be impacting your autoimmune disease?
Toxins are one of the big things that once I became aware of, rocked my world, like really? THAT is toxic too?!
One of the biggest hormone disruptors found in personal care products is phthalates.
Phthalates are a group of chemicals used in a variety of products, including cosmetics, fragrances, and plastics. They are known to interfere with the endocrine system, which regulates hormones in the body.
Specifically, phthalates are considered endocrine disruptors because they can mimic or block hormones, leading to hormonal imbalances.
Here are a few key points about phthalates and their potential impact on hormone disruption in personal care products:
1. Use in Fragrances: Phthalates are often used in fragrances to help scents last longer. They are frequently found in perfumes, colognes, lotions, and other scented personal care products. However, manufacturers are not required to list specific fragrance ingredients on product labels, making it difficult for consumers to know if a product contains phthalates.
2. Endocrine Disruption: Phthalates have been linked to hormonal disruptions in both animal studies and some human studies. They can interfere with the body's natural hormone signaling, potentially affecting reproductive health, development, and the functioning of various hormone-dependent systems.
3. Regulatory Concerns: Due to growing concerns about the health risks associated with phthalates, some countries and regions have implemented restrictions or bans on certain phthalates in personal care products. For example, the European Union has banned several types of phthalates in cosmetics and personal care items.
4. Alternatives and Safer Choices: To reduce exposure to phthalates and potential hormone disruption, some individuals choose to use fragrance-free or phthalate-free personal care products. Many brands now offer such products to meet the demand for safer options.
It's worth noting that while phthalates are a well-known concern in the world of personal care products, there are other chemicals, such as parabens, bisphenol A (BPA), and certain UV filters, that are also considered potential endocrine disruptors.
For individuals who are concerned about hormone disruption, it's advisable to read product labels carefully, look for products labeled as "phthalate-free" or "paraben-free," and consider consulting with healthcare professionals or dermatologists for guidance on selecting safer personal care products.
Also, one I just learned about was mercury in Skin Creams! Certain skin-lightening creams and anti-aging products have been found to contain mercury, which can be absorbed through the skin and lead to mercury poisoning. Mercury exposure can have adverse effects on the nervous system, kidneys, and other organs.
So, I'm going to vote no on these
Here are some final thoughts on how you can avoid phthalates in your products!
Use fragrance-free or phthalate-free personal care products when possible and be mindful of the ingredients list. There are other chemicals as well that can be endocrine disruptors.
Way back when we spent a lot more time 'on the land' or integrated with the Earth we knew the cycle of the days, whether that was related to how we were planting our food or when we might start a migration pattern. These days we're often a lot less aware of the cycles, other than - it's fall time, what cute sweaters and boots can I wear?! (to be fair, I miss the Fall season living in Florida and absolutely still lean into and enjoy wearing cute fall outfits when I go North 😄) but there's also a deeper layer to it.
The Fall equinox can mean different things to different people, it's generally looked at as when the days become shorter than the nights and on the equinox (literally meaning equal night in latin) the day and the night are roughly the same.
It's also a season when many people begin to take time for self-reflection, as it's the season of harvest we can look around at what we might have gained over the last months and what we might be shedding, as we also see the trees shed their leaves (well in the North, not so much in Florida 😜).
This time of year is also the Jewish New Year, which is a time for closing out the year and rebirthing into the next.
To me each day is a way to shed a layer surrounding yourself and what it means to be a mother vs a maiden. Watching my baby grow (literally each day he looks a little different!), hearing his new sounds, watching him try new things, makes me pause and relish in the moments, the same way sitting among the trees and watching their leaves fall once did.
What does fall mean to you?🍂
Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own cells and tissues, leading to inflammation and damage. The exact causes aren’t fully understood, but there are known factors that contribute to having an autoimmune.
Some people have questions around why they might feel the way they do or why they were 'diagnosed' with an autoimmune. It can definitely be overwhelming and a little stressful at first when you learn that you have one. I’ve found it helpful to be educated as much as I can and learn how to best serve my body and my health.
Although each autoimmune has it's own flavor, many of them show up in our bodies from these factors:
✨Genetic Predisposition: family history = higher risk (doesn’t mean you’re destined, just means you may have some genes that can ‘turn on’ when lifestyle factors aren’t so hot)
✨Environmental Triggers: infections, exposure to toxins, chemicals, and pollutants, as well as dietary factors.
✨Hormonal Influence: Hormonal changes, particularly in women, can influence the risk of autoimmune diseases
✨Chronic Stress: can lead to inflammation and affect the body's ability to regulate the immune response
✨Gut Health: imbalance in the gut microbiota can potentially trigger immune responses that contribute to autoimmune conditions
✨Smoking and Environmental Exposures: increase the risk of autoimmune diseases
It's important to know that there are so many different autoimmune diseases that have different causes and triggers. You may not be able to pinpoint to just one factor unfortunately.
The important thing though is to learn what causes the triggers in your body and how to best avoid them for your own health and wellbeing!🫶 Our goal is to feel good at the end of the day; that’s all we want. Slowly take away and reintroduce to your body certain triggers to determine what upsets your body. Over time, you’ll get more in tune with your body and learn what to avoid and what’s okay to have!
