Heal your thyroid gland naturally!

Why does the health of your thyroid depend on your digestion? 

Your gut and your liver play an important role in converting the T4 thyroid hormone to the T3 hormone. Look at this simple diagram: it shows you that the pituitary gland (located in your brain) is excreting TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) which gives the thyroid a kick and says “Hey thyroid, produce some T4”. The T4 hormone produced by the thyroid is an inactive hormone – this means it does not do much for you.

It is T3 that’s the active hormone –this means this is the very hormone that fuels us and is responsible for our metabolism (hence body fat and energy), brain function (hence depression, anxiety, foggy brain), healthy hair, skin, nails and so much more.

Now, here is a piece doctors do not tell you: you convert T4 (the inactive one) to the active T3 hormones in the gut and the liver.

Did you know that? This means if your gut is not healthy (because your are chronically constipated, gassy and bloated) and your liver is sluggish, which, rest assured, is the case with majority of thyroid patients, it’s no surprise you are depressed, anxious, overweight and fatigued.

Learn how to heal your gut and thyroid with myself and thyroid coach Magdalena here, at www.thyroiddetox.com

Josie :)

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How can I heal arthritis naturally?

Almost everyone knows someone who suffers from the crippling pain of arthritis, but very few understand what it is like to be in constant pain.  After a chronic injury in my early twenties I do understand pain and therefore can sympathise with people who suffer from pain conditions such as arthritis.  It is not only the elderly that experience this degenerative illness, often young people suffer with it too.  

There are actually over 100 different types of arthritic condition and the most commonly heard about are the age related arthritis which is a slow decline, osteoarthritis which is more common in women after menopause and rheumatoid arthritis which can come on very quickly at any age and is classified as an autoimmune disease; it is a result of the body aggressively attacking its own tissues.

When people are diagnosed with arthritis they are often given medical treatment but are not advised on the amazing benefits of natural remedies or the healing power of specific diets and certain supplements.  This is not the fault of the doctors; they specialize in pharmaceutical support, not nutritional advice.  However, if you like the idea of you or someone close controlling the pain of their arthritis naturally, without being dependent on medication, then read on.

1. An alkaline diet.  

If our body is acidic then pain will always be more pronounced.  By avoiding acid forming habits such as meat, dairy, salt, sugar, wheat, alcohol and smoking, you increase the alkalinity of your body and reduce pain.  If you want to know more, this site gives you a comprehensive list of foods in each category: http://www.acidalkalinediet.com/Alkaline-Foods-Chart.htm

2. Omega 3 essential fats.  

These fats are vital to joint health so anyone with pain conditions will benefit from supplementing them.  I recommend a good omega 3 fish oil supplement as well as flax seed daily in your breakfast cereal.  Omega 3 and 6 fats work as close allies so make sure you are getting healthy amounts of both.  Primrose and starflower oil are good alternatives if you are vegetarian.

3. Glucosamine and chondroitin. 

There is a lot of very stable research supporting the effectiveness of these supplements in healing and stalling the damage associated with joint degeneration.  It is definitely worth a go.  I have clients who stop taking it and notice immediately.

4. Water.  

If your body is dehydrated then it is always going to be in more pain.  Try to get 2 litres of fluid a day including teas and juices and try and avoid caffeine as much as possible!  Always combine juices with water and drink natural mineral water where possible.

5. Turmeric (curcumin).  

There is fantastic research documenting the benefits of the active healing element in turmeric (curcumin) for reducing inflammation.  Eating turmeric in your foods is good for you but to reap the benefits of this healing food then buy a high potency curcumin product (such as lamberts).  I know people who swear by this product and use in daily with great results. 

6. Keep Moving - Circulation.  

Although being in pain makes you want to hide in a hole, doing gentle exercise is actually exactly what your body needs.  Try yoga, pilates, swimming and gentle walking.  You don't have to go crazy, just keep your limbs moving.  Even if you are simply doing some stretching and breathing on the floor it is better than lying in bed for long periods when things are bad.

7. Probiotics.  

A healthy gut is necessary for overall good health.  If you have a congested bowel then your blood and bones will always be getting a steady supply of toxins.  A good probiotic may help to you keep your gut healthy and therefore your blood supply clean and nutrient rich.

8. Go Veggie!  

This is not necessary and not for everyone.  However if you are up for trying anything then see how you feel after a month on a vegetarian diet.  It is naturally more alkaline in nature and avoiding meats is a great way of keeping your digestive tract healthy.

9. Apple cider Vinegar. 

The mineral composition of this vinegar and the acidity of the fermented drink actually make it a fantastic alkalising addition as well as boosting mineral levels.  Again, I hear of people controlling lots of pain conditions with the help of this natural remedy.  Take a capful of organic apple cider vinegar (preferably with the 'mother' or residue still in it) and add to a little water.  Drink 3 times a day before  meal.

10. Meditation and Positive Thought. 

I know, this might bring on a groan...how can the way I think affect my pain?  However after living in pain for six year of my twenties I am very familiar with it and the thought processes that accompany it.  Pain makes you withdraw emotionally and sink inside yourself, bringing with it feelings of hopelessness and fear.  If you can intercept these fears and replace them with positive thoughts of feeling better soon and relaxing into the comfort of a hot bath, then you can prevent those negative feelings from taking you further into the emotional trauma of physical pain.  Stop tightening up and lighten up.

Josie.



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The Five Critical Detox Facts. Video Class #2

Now you know, from Video Class #1, that the thyroid is hugely connected and dependant on the gut and the liver.

Nevertheless, so many of you have asked us about detoxing. You said:

Is it a fad?

Would I lose weight?

Which pills and powders do I get?

This is the way to get new energy?

Is it dangerous? 
Yes, detoxing can be intriguing, rewarding and confusing all at the same time. We decided to debunk a lot of the confusion by giving you clarity and confidence on the very topic of detoxification by equipping you today with some FACTS.

Ready?  Here we go, watch our Video Class #2 where we explain the 5 Critical Detox Facts You Need To Know:

http://thyroiddetox.com/


Magdalena & Josie

Learn How to Heal Your Thyroid. Video Class #1

I am currently doing a joint venture with the fabulous Thyroid Diet Coach, Magdalena Wszelaki.  Magda is originally from Poland and now lives in New York.  After meeting in Thailand we are now joining forces to promote detox for general health benefits and specifically for thyroid imbalances and diseases.  So, this month we will be sharing our knowledge to help you heal your own body in the same way we did.

Let this month be the time of detoxing, cleansing and letting go. It’s a perfect month: the summer holidays are over, it’s time to get back to our routine, it’s still warm and there is still an abundance of fruits and vegetables to nourish our body and soul.

So, let September be the Month of Detox.

- Of cleansing
- Of letting go 
- Of revival   
- Of giving your thyroid another chance   

The organs responsible for your vitality are, as you may well know, the gut (your digestive system) and the liver.  What you might not know is that these very organs are also critical in thyroid health.  To put things simply: you will never experience improved thyroid health with a sluggish liver and gut.  Doctors, nutritionists, healers and many books don’t tell you this.  But here, we do. Because it is non-negotiable if you want to heal and get better.

So, let’s kick off the Detox Month with a totally info-packed video series, designed for people like you, who are fed up with what’s going on in their body, mind and spirit.

Here we go with Video Class #1, where you will learn:

-The role of the digestive system in thyroid health.
-What digestive issues you should be worried about.
-What the liver does for your thyroid.
-How to know if you need to cleanse your gut and your liver, and
-How toxicity slows down your thyroid.

Follow this link to watch the first video!

www.thyroiddetox.com

Interested?

Come on over and join us on www.ThyroidDetox.com/detoxmonth.

Is aspartame bad for you? #2

Aspartame is an additive found in many 'no added sugar' products.  It is an artificial sweetener completely metabolized in the gut and absorbed as aspartate, phenylalanine, and methanol.  The question is, is aspartame bad for you?

There is long standing controversy over the safety of aspartame consumption and it is very confusing for consumers who are using it to reduce their calorie intake and lose weight.  'Diet Coke' is naturally seen as a healthier alternative, but some suggest that the aspartame in it may do more damage than sugar in regular Coke.

Research has investigated the effect of aspartame on antioxidant levels in the brain and it was conclusive that it had a negative effect.  The results of this experiment indicate that long-term consumption of aspartame leads to an imbalance in the antioxidant/pro-oxidant status in the brain, mainly through the mechanism involving the glutathione-dependent system http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22385158.  This suggests that our ability to neutralise free radicals in our brain tissue is compromised when we consume aspartame in our diets. 

However, despite extensive research which has shown aspartame is a negative addition to diet foods, many studies exist which show that aspartame is safe.  From personal research so far, I have failed to find a study which has sufficient longevity and looks at how aspartame could effect people when they consume it for many years, with most studies looking at how a few weeks or days of aspartame affects performance.

Aspartame has been linked to many health issues including headache, dizziness, digestive symptoms, and changes in mood, as well as more serious health problems such as Alzheimer disease, birth defects, diabetes, attention deficit disorders, Parkinson disease, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and seizures. However, studies do not exist to prove that aspartame directly causes these health issues. 

The problems is that despite huge amounts of research there really is very little research to suggest that aspartame is bad for us.  However, my argument is that foods which contain aspartame are actually not good for us in other ways.  They are usually heavily processed, low is natural 'good' fats and they increase our desire for sugary flavours.

If we balance our blood sugar effectively with whole grains and good quality proteins then we should not need to supplement our diet with artificial sweeteners and could use natural sugars such as honey and fruit in small amounts instead. 

Our body works chemically and just because something is artificial rather than natural, doesn't mean that it has a negative effect on the body.  However, when we start adding large amounts of extracted or laboratory developed additives into our foods, you have to ask yourself if it is necessary?  Or healthy?

If you stick to balanced natural foods then there is no need to take this gamble with your health.

Choose natural and removed the risk.

Josie.


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MSG and Weight Gain.

First let's look at common foods which often contain MSG:

Crisps
Meat products e.g sausages, chicken wings
Sauces e.g soy sauce
Canned foods with sauces
Seasoned foods
Instant noodles
Salty snack foods
Frozen Dinners
Salad Dressings
Fast Food

While we look at fast food, here is a a list of KFC foods which contain MSG:

Roasted Ceasar Salad (WITHOUT dressing and croutons)
Crispy Ceasar Salad (WITHOUT dressing)
Roasted BLT Salad (WITHOUT dressing)
Crispy BLT Salad (WITHOUT dressing
Hidden Valley - The Original Fat Free Ranch Dressing
KFC Creamy Parmesan Ceasar Dressing - contains parmesan cheese - very high in MSG naturally
KFC Garlic Parmesan Croutons Pouch - contains parmesan cheese - very high in MSG naturally
KFC Famous Bowls - Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
Gravy
KFC Famous Bowls - Rice with Gravy
Rice
Seasoned Rice
KFC Snacker - Chicken
KFC Snacker - Honey BBQ
Honey BBQ Sandwich
Double Crunch Sandwich
Crispy Twister
Oven Roasted Twister
Oven Roasted Twister (WITHOUT sauce)
Tender Roast Sandwich
Tender Roast Sandwich(WITHOUT sauce)
Original Recipe Chicken  (its in the marinade - it's literally soaked in MSG and salt)
Extra Crispy - MSG is in both the marinade AND the breading
Colonel's Crispy Strips
Popcorn Chicken
Chicken Pot Pie
Boneless HBBQ Wings
Boneless Fiery Buffalo Wings
Sweet and Spicy Boneless Wings
Hot Wings
Green Beans (yeah, this shocked us too)
Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
Potato Wedges

Needless to say that McDonalds and Burger King have similar lists.

The Obesity Link

MSG was first designed, or so the story goes, to give to hospital patients and the elderly as a way to stimulate the appetite to increase weight and promote health by increasing nutrient intake http://www.ajcn.org/content/90/3/844S.full.

However, when it comes to KFC big buckets....it makes you wonder why this would be a useful addition for the consumer?  To want to eat, and eat and eat...?

Our diets in the west are already full of foods which make us put on weight very quickly e.g. high fructose syrup and added refined sugars.  They are also loaded with trans and hydrogenated fats which stagnate the body's tissues and create deposits in our arteries.  So, why do the companies which use this additive want us to eat insatiable amounts of these degrading foods?  Money-making is a scary truth when it comes to additives. 

It starts to make sense why childhood obesity is growing when so many foods have hidden MSG which is increasing their appetite for more of the same devitalised foods. 

“McDonalds is stealing our children” (Banksy).

Label checking is so important and remember that MSG can be labelled as:

Autolyzed Plant Protein
Autolyzed Yeast
Calcium Caseinate
Carrageenan
Gelatin
Glutamate
Glutamic Acid
Hydrolyzed Anything or Anything Hydrolyzed
Maltodextrin
Monopotassium glutamate
MSG
Monosodium glutamate
Senomyx
Sodium Caseinate
Textured Protein
Vegetable Protein Extract
Yeast Extract
Yeast food or nutrient

Good luck hunting through your labels, remember that making food from scratch with natural ingredients is your best bet :)

Josie



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I feel tired all the time. How can I get more energy?

Here are some familiar stories that you may connect to...

-I find it hard to wake up.

-I feel tired mid-morning. 

-I find it hard to focus.

-I wish I could go back to bed.

-I find my thoughts are racing or hard to keep track of.

-I dream of closing my eyes and sleeping instead of getting off the tube?

-I rely on coffee and tea to get me through the day?

-I feel SO irritable, especially when I get asked to do things!

-I crave chocolate and sweet foods to give me a lift?


If this sounds familiar, you need to make some changes to get that spring back in your step!  Life will feel much more fun if you do! :)

Feeling tired on waking and feeling sluggish throughout the day is a very common theme for nutritional advisors and therapists.  Almost everyone experiences periods of fatigue when they are stressed, simply have too much on (or had a big night out!).  However, a lot of people seem to feel their energy is low all the time, or only good at one point in the day.  This is not how our bodies should feel and it is certainly not fun!

Here are my five top tips that you can start today...

1. Balance blood sugar. 

This is probably the biggest problem in the West.  Simple carbohydrates act like sugar in the blood.  White bread, white rice, white pasta, white flour goods, fruit, added sugars, chocolate, honey...ALL of it is going to escalate your blood sugar whether it is natural or not.  Avoid having a meal which is not balanced with protein.  If you are eating fruit, which of course you should, then have it with some nuts and seeds to balance the snack.

2. Reduce stress.

This is a terrible one for fatigue.  When we are stressed we release cortisol and adrenaline into the body; this uses up our supplies of essential nutrients and makes us feel wired and tired.  It also releases high levels of glucose into our blood which we often don't use, so store it on our tummies! uh oh!

3. Eat more essential fatty acids.

These wonderful fatty acids are tremendously good for us.  Omega 3 and omega 6 from good sources are great for releasing stored fat from our cells, increasing our energy levels and increasing our brains ability to function and cope with day to day life as well as reducing inflammation.  Natural sources include oily fish such as salmon and mackerel (2-3 times a week), flax, borage and evening primrose oils.

4. Make time to relax...not sleep..relax!

Taking time to walk in nature, meditate, sing, dance and laugh (whatever it is that makes you feel relaxed) is so vital to our ability to deal with stress and feel energised.  Dashing from one place to another, straight from work to meet a friend or directly to the pub without getting dinner is a really bad idea if you are already tired.  Try to make time to do what you love, it will increase your natural reserves of energy by making you feel peaceful and connected to yourself (this is when we are quiet enough to realise how we really feel).

5. Cut down on caffeine.

I know this is an unpopular reality, and yes, some caffeine will be ok.  One or two cups is usually tolerable.  But if you read again why stress is bad for you?  Caffeine does the same.  It creates the stress response in the body and keeps you going on a  false high while the rest of your body's systems work double time without replenishing themselves.  If you NEED coffee, then you need to try and do a day without it, if you can't, then the addiction could be damaging your energy levels.  Try to do a weekend without caffeine, see how you feel...


Best of luck with your energy levels and remember, you simply cannot do everything.  Sometimes you simply need...to...stop! :)

Josie.


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I always wake up tired. What should I do?

If you find yourself waking up in the morning feeling tired then don't worry, you are not alone.  Waking up and feeling like you are not ready for the world is a thought so many people get these days.  Be reassured that there are steps you can take to try and get your energy back.  Here are my top five tips:

1. Never eat before bed. 

Try and get at least two or three hours of activity before you sleep.  Your body needs to digest the food before you try and get your beauty sleep, otherwise your sleep will not be restorative and you will wake up tired.

2. Try cutting out wheat and/or dairy. 

Both these can cause problems in a lot of people by stimulating their immune response.  The gluten in wheat and the lactose in milk can cause reactions in so many people, this immune reaction can create fatigue and slow the digestive system down, making you feel sluggish in the morning. Try an elimination diet if you suspect these food groups.

More at: http://therealfoodcoach.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/how-can-i-test-for-wheat-intolerance.html

3.  Drink more water. 

We need about 2litres of water a day as an adult and most people get a lot less than that!  If we do not have enough water in our body's tissues then we will feel achey, tired and waking up will be horribly hard.  Always make sure you have water on your night stand to start the day with.  Our brain in about 70%water, if you are dehydrated, it makes sense that it will be hard to think.

More at: ://therealfoodcoach.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/how-much-water-should-i-drink.html

4. Get more exercise. 

Exercise stimulates our lymphatic system which helps us to release toxins from our tissues.  It always helps to release stress which can clog up our systems and make us acidic in pH.  If you do some light exercise in the morning and evening then your body will feel a lot less lethargic and your mind will feel clearer on waking.

More at: http://therealfoodcoach.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/exercise-for-stress-reduction.html

5. Start the day with a green smoothie.

Instead of reaching for a strong coffee, give your body what it actually needs, a big nutrient rich boost and some nutritious fibre.  When we feed our tired body caffeine then it perpetuates a dangerous cycle of stress which leaves us tired and wanting more.  Imagine a graph where we spike up in energy, but drop down lower than before; this is coffee.  A green smoothie will pick you up and keep you up, while replenishing your whole system.  Perfect choice!

More at: http://therealfoodcoach.blogspot.co.uk/2010/09/surrender-to-smoothies.html

So, try these tips and remember to aim for 8 hours sleep a night.

Josie

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Fasting: A tool to connect to your spiritual side.

Many people think that detox is something new.  Often it is viewed as a fad which has risen to replace the fat free diets of the nineties.  In reality, detoxification and fasting have been practised for centuries to cleanse the body physically and spiritually. Fasts have been used by Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Taoists and Buddhists as a tool for connecting spiritually to something higher and to reach deeper within themselves. 

When someone fasts they are abstaining from indulgence and greed, allowing a closer connection to their more intuitive and spiritual side.  This does not mean you need to be religious to fast, or to follow a religion or spiritual belief to experience this peaceful state of knowing.

In most normal lives, people usually eat three meals a day.    This takes time to prepare, energy to assimilate and enzymes to digest.  When taking part in a fasting programme this part of the day is removed, leaving space to reflect on the journey of the day in a different way.  By removing such deeply ingrained rituals we leave space for new thoughts and feelings.  The energy that is usually expended on eating and digestion is placed in replenishing the body’s tissues and allowing the mind further energy to process and reflect.

During a fast all your senses are heightened, your energy bodies are closer to the surface and suddenly a sense of clarity and awareness allow you to connect to life in a different way.  Spiritual leaders used this tool as a way of clarifying their body and mind to allow messages from their ‘higher selves’, ‘God’ or simply to nature. 

Detoxification and fasting is not simply about clearing your body of unwanted wastes, it is about freeing your mind of the routine of eating and the physical drain of constant digestion.  The clarity and certainty that arises from fasting make it a fantastic way to start a new chapter in your life or to heal your emotions. 

Often when we pass through the process of our lives we move from one stressful situation to another without really taking time to rest with ourselves, to reflect and replenish.  This often results in stored bitterness, resent or uncertainty.  This insecurity and confusion is hard to shift when your body is still trying to recover physically and often it is stored within our tissues and rears it heads at times when we feel tired or weak. 

Spiritual leaders used fasting as a tool to reflect and recharge, to release stored anger and review situations objectively to create a peaceful and balanced way of seeing.  Sometimes all it takes is spending some time alone in nature to feel a renewed connection to our inner state of knowing.

Fasting and detoxing is a fantastic tool in the modern world to do the same as our ancestors did and connect to ourselves on a deeper level.  Often when people detox they report a clarity and freedom of thought which quickly releases stored anger and pain.  This allows the faster to see the world through a new, more positive perspective.  Our tissues are a reflection of our thoughts, if we feel low and miserable and keep old hurt and anger stored up, it is really hard to feel well.  Equally, if we experience physical illness, feeling positive becomes a challenge. 

By cleansing both our emotional and physical body during a fast we can often release this ‘mind/body depletion cycle’ and re-balance the ‘whole self’ holistically. 

Because fasting can bring up old stored emotional upset it is important to do it with guidance and be sure you have support throughout the process.

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Detox Your Body: Heal Your Mind

Fasting is a way to cleanse your mind, body and soul... not just shed a few pounds.

Detox sounds like something that you do for your physical body, and typically people are led to believe that it is only for this purpose.  However, a fast done correctly and monitored effectively will have fantastic benefits for your emotional as well as your physical health.  Never underestimate the effect a fast will have on the mind and mental well being, it is often quite profound.

After working in detox centres for the last three years I have found that everyone, whether they realised it at first or not, was going through a radical change in their thinking and approach to their lives.  When you decide to respect your body, and therefore yourself, by embarking on a cleansing fast, your mind responds with enlightening changes too.

Our mind and body are intrinsically linked and holistic approaches to health will never separate the two.  A holistic therapist will consider the effect your thoughts and personal life are having on your body as well as the things you are putting in and on it.  When you are filling the body with simple carbohydrates, refined sugars, chemical products and additives then your mind will also be affected by these compounds. 

When you do a fast, your mind will go through a journey of its own as you release these toxins from the system.  Your gut and your liver are vital; together they transport nutrients around your body and cleanse your blood.  If they are both clogged with old waste then this antigen, pathogen ridden waste gets transported through your blood and to all the tissues of your system. 

Imagine a car run on old, dirty, reused fuel; it would not get you very far and probably not sound very happy.  Your body is the same, when it is run on this congested old debris you will feel tired, foggy headed, de-motivated, unhappy and perhaps show symptoms of illness. 

Once you clean out your system then healthy, clean blood rushes through your circulation to heal and replenish every cell.  Your emotions responds with a new clarity of mind, enthusiasm for life and a feeling inside that anything is possible.  This alone is a great reason to do a fast and the new found motivation which you experience allows you to continue on your new healthy path for much longer than any fad diet or medications. 

Fasting is a fantastic path to a new way of living and seeing.

Josie

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