Holistic Health 4

Common Causes of Fatigue

Written by b-better on September 1, 2021. Posted in Holistic Health. No Comments on Common Causes of Fatigue

Recently, I asked you to list your top 5 health struggles you’d like to resolve. FATIGUE was up there!⁣⁣⁣⁣And since it’s a BIG topic with so many possible root causes, I figured I’d start off by sharing the most common causes:⁣ ⁣⁣⁣1️⃣ Insulin resistance = the cells can’t absorb sugar for energy, so there’s low cellular energy. FYI – a diet high in sugar and carbs (flour products), and chronic stress can lead to this dynamic!⁣⁣⁣⁣2️⃣ Hormone imbalance: low cortisol (usually from chronic stress) impacts thyroid function by increasing the inactive “Reverse T3” and making the...

Gut Healing

Written by b-better on July 25, 2021. Posted in Holistic Health. No Comments on Gut Healing

In my post Is Leaky Gut Real I defined leaky gut and explained how it happens with common signs & symptoms. ⁣⁣⁣Now let’s tackle the mother-load you’ve all been waiting for: how to fix leaky gut!⁣⁣⁣Just to clarify – leaky gut is not a disease; it’s a symptom and one that I address using the ‘3 R’ strategy; Remove, Replenish & Repair.⁣⁣⁣⁣We need to ‘remove’ the insults; ‘replenish’ the body with what it needs, and finally ‘repair’ the damage. There’s work to be done! ⁣⁣⁣If you jump straight to the ‘repair’ phase without removing the causes and supporting digestion… well,...

Stress and Adrenals

Written by b-better on June 29, 2021. Posted in Holistic Health. No Comments on Stress and Adrenals

What’s the point of highlighting common types of stress?⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣Because it all means the same thing to the brain… “we’re in danger and run for your life”, so the body responds accordingly.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣And the longer your body remains in a stressed state, the more your body is going to ensure you slow down!⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣While short bursts of stress are okay and keep our immune system primed, unresolved chronic stress – IN ANY FORM – takes a toll on our adrenals (those 2 triangular shaped glands that sit on top of our kidneys at the back) and drains micronutrient reserves (i.e....

Folate Not Folic Acid

Written by b-better on June 28, 2021. Posted in Herbal Remedies & Supplements, Holistic Health, Wellness in Practice. No Comments on Folate Not Folic Acid

“Folate” & “folic acid” are often used interchangeably, but they’re not at all the same and here’s why you should care!⁣⁣There are two main forms of vitamin B9: folate (the natural form) and folic acid (the synthetic form used in many supplements and fortified/enriched foods).⁣While their chemical structure differ slightly, the main difference lies in the body’s ability to process them.⁣Unlike natural folate which is easily metabolized in the small intestine, synthetic folic acid is metabolized by the DHFR enzyme in the liver which is rather low, leaving excess folic acid to be...

Do You have ‘Leaky Brain’?

Written by b-better on June 28, 2021. Posted in Holistic Health, Mental & Emotional Well-being, Wellness in Practice. No Comments on Do You have ‘Leaky Brain’?

I’ve talked about ‘leaky gut’ before but did you know that it can also predispose us to ‘leaky brain’?????????This is a condition where the protective layer between the brain and the rest of the systemic body called the ‘blood-brain barrier’ (BBB) becomes permeable, and lets toxins and other materials in that causes the brain’s immune system to work overdrive, leading to brain inflammation.In other words, if you suffer from depression, anxiety, brain fog or any other brain problems, blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability (i.e. ‘leaky brain’) should be considered.????How to tell if you...

Signs of Insulin Resistance and How to Reverse it

Written by b-better on June 26, 2021. Posted in Holistic Health, Wellness in Practice. No Comments on Signs of Insulin Resistance and How to Reverse it

Do you crave something sweet in the afternoon, get “hangry” if you miss a meal or have any of the other symptoms listed in the picture below?⁣ ⁣It may be a good idea to rule out “insulin resistance” – a condition when cells no longer respond to insulin’s action, which is to get glucose (sugar) out of the blood and into the cell.⁣⁣⁣⁣This process doesn’t happen overnight; it takes years and if left unaddressed, can eventually lead to type 2 diabetes.⁣⁣⁣⁣How does it happen?⁣⁣⁣⁣It typically starts with a Standard American Diet causing large spikes of blood sugar multiples times...

Healthy Oil Choices

Written by b-better on June 26, 2021. Posted in Holistic Health, Wellness in Practice. No Comments on Healthy Oil Choices

Ever wondered where canola oil comes from? Not the canola plant that’s for sure. It doesn’t exist. Or it didn’t exist until fairly recently I should say.I have an entire chapter in my upcoming book UNJUNK which is all about deceptive labeling and ingredients to avoid.Knowing how to shop is an important part of getting your family healthier because today, we eat what we buy and bring home from the supermarket.And canola oil is one of those foods deceptively marketed as heart healthy, when in fact it is one of THE WORST oils to consume!They basically use high heat, high pressure...

Does Winter Make You ‘SAD’? (Seasonal Affective Disorder)

Written by b-better on June 26, 2021. Posted in Holistic Health. No Comments on Does Winter Make You ‘SAD’? (Seasonal Affective Disorder)

Winter is here and low mood often comes along with it. But Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD, is more than just “winter blues”.⁣⁣⁣⁣SAD is characterized by 2 weeks or more of depressive mood with symptoms ranging from disturbed sleep, low motivation and interest, low energy, increased appetite, and feeling hopeless or worthless.⁣⁣⁣⁣The good news is that the following combo can usually help alleviate symptoms of SAD significantly:⁣⁣⁣⁣1️⃣ Vitamin D3:⁣⁣⁣⁣Low vitamin D can lead to a higher incidence of colds and flu, as well as depression. If you’re prone to getting sick and depressed with...

Healthy Sugar Swaps

Written by b-better on June 26, 2021. Posted in Holistic Health, Wellness in Practice. No Comments on Healthy Sugar Swaps

Willpower and deprivation have no room in a healthy lifestyle.Instead I believe in finding healthier alternatives and these healthy sugar swaps are the perfect place to start.Of course we still need to limit our sugar consumption overall – even from healthy sources – but when you feel like having something sweet, always go for the healthier variety.I blend up fresh dates to make an amazing homemade ice cream, coconut sugar to make cookies, and maple syrup for my delicious homemade Nutella – all of which I share in my upcoming book UNJUNK!What are your favourite healthy sugar swaps? Let...

Start with Baby Steps, Not Giant Leaps

Written by b-better on June 25, 2021. Posted in Holistic Health, Wellness in Practice. No Comments on Start with Baby Steps, Not Giant Leaps

This isn’t my typical post but it’s an important conversation to have.I recently met someone who eats McDonald’s Every. Single. Day!I also know other people addicted to soda who drink 5 to 6 cans per day.One thing I’ve learned over the years working with private clients is to always meet people where they’re at.It’s unreasonable to recommend to someone who eats fast food every day to start cooking homemade meals like wild-caught salmon and broccoli.It IS possible however to order salad with that fast food burger and choose water over soda as their next health swap.If you’re feeling...