Yet another new year is upon us, and while the articles and blog posts I write each week have encouraged many people to develop a more natural mindset, most of us can still make improvements to our health.  While the following five tips will be a review for many people, I still believe that most people can benefit from reading this information, even if it is just reinforcing information they already know.  After all, while knowing the information I’m about to discuss is important, it’s another thing to actually implement the following tips.

Tip #1: It all starts with diet. Everyone knows the importance of proper eating, but there are still many people who don’t truly understand what a good diet consists of.  It really all comes down to common sense, as you of course want to eat mostly whole foods (fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, fish and poultry, etc.), and at the same time minimize the refined foods and sugars.  This doesn’t mean you need to eat a perfect diet for the rest of your life, but if you constantly eat refined foods and sugars, fast food, and other junk food, then you’re just asking for problems to develop.  As I’ve stated in other articles and posts, I think that just about everyone can benefit from a purification program, as this can be a wonderful way to get into the habit of eating well, and at the same time remove some of the toxins from your body which have been accumulating over the years.  Although I don’t recommend this to all of my patients initially, eventually just about everyone can benefit from detoxifying.

Tip #2: Don’t let stress get the best of you. Everyone has to deal with stress, and as I’ve stated numerous times, the key is how you handle this stress.  After all, you and I both know that it is impossible to completely eliminate the stress from our lives.  And chronic stress definitely can have a huge impact on our overall health.  As a result, you need to do a good job of managing your stress.  Some people can do this without any special techniques, while others need to incorporate methods such as yoga, deep breathing, and/or meditation.  Biofeedback is another technique which can greatly help with stress management.  To learn more about biofeedback you can visit www.heartmath.com.

Tip #3: Exercise regularly…but not too hard. The common trend in the beginning of the new year is for the fitness clubs to become packed for the first couple of months, and then as the year moves on the number of people exercising continues to dwindle.  Exercise is important, and you want to make sure you exercise on a regular basis.  But you also don’t want to overdo it, as exercising too hard will put stress on the body, and can weaken the immune system.  This obviously isn’t a good thing for someone with an autoimmune thyroid disorder, but even for those without such a condition it still isn’t wise to exercise too hard.  So whether you are beginning a new exercise program, or have been exercising for years, although you want to get a good workout in at least three to five days each week, you don’t want to overexert yourself.

Tip #4: Get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night. I know that some people seem to do fine with only five to six hours of sleep each night, but most people really need at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night, and ideally more than this.  Eight to ten hours is what most people should be getting, although I’d be lying if I told you that I routinely get ten hours each night.  I personally try to get at least eight hours of sleep each night, although there are times when I get less than this.  In any case, if you consistently get less than seven hours each night because you spend a lot of time watching television or surfing the internet, then it really will benefit your health if you begin going to sleep earlier.

Tip #5: Start making your home environmentally friendly. Many of the environmental toxins we’re exposed to are due to factors within own home.  The water you drink and bathe in, the food you eat, the cleaning supplies you use, the cosmetics you apply to your body, the EMFs you’re constantly exposed to, and many other factors can negatively impact your health.  I can’t possibly list everything you should do here, but there are a lot of simple changes you can make on your own which can make a big difference.

First of all, try to purchase natural and organic foods, and try not to buy foods with artificial ingredients in them.  Don’t drink tap water, and purchase a chlorine filter for your shower.  Try to purchase natural cleaners and cosmetics, and for information on minimizing your exposure to EMFs I recommend reading the book “Zapped”, by Anne Louise Gittleman.  If you were to just make a few of these changes I just mentioned this would have a huge impact on your health.

So hopefully you have found this first post of the new year to be valuable, and will incorporate some, if not all of these changes in 2012.  Either way, I hope you have an awesome 2012, and I’m confident you will try doing everything you can to make this year the healthiest one ever!

For some people who visit this website, following a natural treatment protocol sounds appealing, but they are unable to afford this type of healthcare.  Even though I personally try to make my consultations affordable, when one factors in any additional testing (Adrenal Stress Index, hair mineral analysis, etc.), along with the necessary nutritional supplements and herbs they need to take, there is no question that it can be costly to follow a natural treatment protocol.

When someone is truly interested in following a natural treatment protocol, but tells me they are unable to afford natural treatment methods, they typically fall into one of the following three categories:

1. A true financial hardship. This category of people really has a difficult time affording natural treatment methods, as they have a hard enough time paying their other bills (rent, electric, etc).  For someone who falls under this category, they simply might not be able to afford the tests and/or supplements to restore their health back to normal.  For people who fall under this category, I recommend the following:

a. Focus on modifying the lifestyle factors. As I’ve mentioned in other articles and posts, modifying the lifestyle factors (eating well, getting sufficient sleep, managing stress, etc.) is extremely important.  While doing this alone probably won’t completely restore your health back to normal, it no doubt will make a huge difference in your overall health.

b. When it comes to purchasing supplements and herbs, choose quality over quantity. Although you might not be able to afford all of the supplements and herbs recommended to you, hopefully you will at least be able to afford some of them.  Assuming this is the case, I would focus on taking the higher quality supplements, rather than go to Wal-Mart, Target, or another retail store and purchase the cheapest supplements available.  If you take low quality supplements and herbs, your body won’t absorb them well, and so you essentially will be wasting your money.

2. Those who expect their health insurance to pay for everything. Some people can afford natural treatment methods, but don’t want to pay for it out of pocket, and want their health insurance to cover this.  Of course it would be great if health insurance provided full coverage for holistic healthcare, but unfortunately, most services aren’t covered.  But for those who choose not to follow a natural treatment protocol not because they are unable to afford the care, but mainly because their insurance won’t pay for it, this in my opinion is ridiculous.

After all, one doesn’t expect their health insurance to pay for the groceries they buy, the gas they put into their car, etc.  But you of course pay for this because you view these as necessities, which they are.  Of course these days there are other expenses which didn’t exist years ago that are now perceived as priorities by many people, such as having a cell phone, high speed internet, cable or satellite television, etc.  In any case, your health should also be a priority, regardless of whether your health insurance provides coverage or not.  Once again, I realize that some people can’t afford this type of care, even with health insurance.  But even in this tough economy, many people are spending money on luxury items, and are not prioritizing their health.

That’s not to suggest you shouldn’t try to take advantage of your health insurance.  For example, we don’t process health insurance, as we did so for 7 1/2 years and found it wasn’t worth the hassle, and just caused us more aggravation and stress, as well as increased our overhead by requiring another staff person just to deal with the insurance.  But of course people don’t have to choose us, as there are some holistic doctors who do accept health insurance.  As you probably know, nutritional supplements most likely won’t be covered under any health insurance, but some of the recommended tests very well might be, which is why I tell people who do choose us that if they have a good relationship with their medical doctor then they might want to see if they will order certain testing which may be covered by their health insurance (i.e. Adrenal Stress Index test).

3. Those people who value luxury items over their health. As I briefly stated before, many people can afford natural treatment methods, but would rather spend the money on other things.  This happened many times while I had my chiropractic practice, as I would have a patient say they couldn’t afford care, but drove a really nice car, had nice clothes, etc.  While buying a new car, LCD television, or going on a nice vacation is great, your health of course should come first.  One of the problems is that many people really don’t understand the true benefits of following a natural treatment protocol. In other words, some would like to follow a natural treatment protocol to restore their health back to normal, but also don’t mind taking thyroid medication on a prolonged basis, or even receiving RAI if it means not paying out of pocket for natural healthcare (assuming their health insurance covers the conventional medical treatment).

In summary, while there are people who truly can’t afford holistic care, for many people their health is simply not a priority.  This of course isn’t meant to criticize anyone, as I consult with many people who are willing to put their health as a priority.  And those people who expect their health insurance to pay for everything or would rather buy a new lcd television or spend their money on another luxury item are of course free to make these decisions.  I’m not trying to tell anyone how to spend their money, as all I’m saying is that many people who would prefer following a natural treatment protocol could afford to follow a such a protocol if they put their health as a priority.

Millions of women take oral contraceptives.  While most women take them as a form of birth control, others take them to “regulate” their cycle.  Other women take “The Pill” to help manage their PMS symptoms”.  In any case, taking oral contraceptives can lead to numerous health issues over the long term, and can without question affect anyone with hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.

To better understand this it’s a good idea to discuss how oral contraceptives work.  In menstruating women, in the first half of their cycle the hormone estrogen is dominant.  In the second half of the cycle, progesterone is the dominant hormone.  Sufficient progesterone is necessary to carry a pregnancy full term.  What oral contraceptives do is suppress ovulation, and this will have an impact on these hormones.

Taking Oral Contraceptives Can Lead To Estrogen Dominance

By taking oral contraceptives, this will result in a progesterone deficiency, which is great for preventing a woman from becoming pregnant most of the time, but it can lead to a condition know as estrogen dominance.  This is a condition which leads to many different symptoms, and is common in people with both hypothyroid and hyperthyroid conditions.

In fact, whenever I consult with a patient who has a history of taking oral contraceptives, I suspect that estrogen dominance could be a factor.  Although I don’t always recommend a female hormone panel right off the bat, for many people I do.  If they have certain accompanying symptoms then usually I will recommend such a test to be obtained.  And the reason for this not only has to do with relieving these symptoms, but if someone has estrogen dominance and the cause isn’t addressed, it will be extremely difficult to restore their thyroid health back to normal.

Can Thyroid Health Be Restored While Taking Oral Contraceptives?

It’s not uncommon for me to consult with a patient who is currently taking “The Pill” and wants to follow a natural treatment protocol.  While these people can still benefit from following a natural treatment protocol, it is definitely more challenging.  In order to counterbalance the effects of the oral contraceptives, these people need to be put on a specific type of natural protocol.  And while I’m not a big fan of bioidentical hormones, many women who insist on taking oral contraceptives and at the same time want to follow a natural treatment protocol will need to take natural progesterone.

However, those women who take a more aggressive form of birth control which stops them from menstruating probably won’t receive much benefit from following a natural treatment protocol.  These types of birth control really do create much more havoc with the endocrine system than “The Pill”.  So while I would prefer for women to not be taking any type of oral contraceptives, I realize that many women will be taking them regardless of what I recommend, and those taking “The Pill” can still benefit, while those women taking a more aggressive form of oral contraceptives most likely won’t receive satisfactory results.

IUDs and Copper Toxicity

Some people reading this might wonder whether a different form of birth control might be better, such as an IUD.  There are consequences to taking just about any type of birth control.  There are a few different types of IUDs, and the ones which use the hormones can also potentially cause a hormone imbalance.  On the other hand, the copper IUDs can lead to a copper toxicity, which without question can impact thyroid health.  So it really is a no-win situation when it comes to deciding between taking oral contraceptives and using an IUD.

Plus, let’s not forget that many people take oral contraceptives for reasons other than birth control.  So while an IUD might be another option for birth control (which comes with its own set of risks), as mentioned earlier, some people take oral contraceptives to help “regulate their cycle”, help with PMS symptoms, etc.  Of course the goal of a natural treatment protocol is to correct these problems without the need to take synthetic hormones.

In summary, taking “The Pill” and other oral contraceptives without question can affect your thyroid health.  And for anyone looking to restore their health by following a natural treatment protocol, continuing to take oral contraceptives will make it more difficult to receive optimal results.  For more information on the risks associated with oral contraceptives, along with natural alternatives, I highly recommend reading the book “The Pill…Are You Sure It’s For You”, which was written by Jane Bennett and Alexandria Pope.  This is an excellent book that anyone who is taking oral contraceptives really needs to read, even if they have no intentions of following a natural treatment protocol.

Part of the challenge of writing content for this website is catering to those people who have been loyal subscribers for awhile, as well as those who are relatively new to this website.  While this email is primarily for those people who are new to this website, the information will also benefit just about everyone who is considering natural treatment methods.  So for those new to this website, you can think of this as an “introductory lesson” on natural treatment methods, while those who have been reading these posts for awhile can look at this as a “quick review”.

In any case, some people think that the goal of natural treatment methods is to simply manage the symptoms naturally through supplements and herbs, rather than through prescription drugs, RAI, thyroid surgery, etc.  For most people with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid disorders, the ultimate goal is to get to the underlying cause of the disorder and if possible, try to completely restore the person’s health back to normal.  In other words, while supplements and herbs can play an important role in the recovery process, I don’t want anyone to have to rely on taking supplements and herbs for the rest of their life either.  Sure, most people can benefit from taking certain supplements on a daily basis, but certain herbs like Bugleweed and Motherwort (for hyperthyroid disorders), and Bladderwrack and Ashwagandha (for hypothyroid conditions) should not be taken on a permanent basis.

Who Is An “Ideal” Candidate For Natural Treatment Methods?

The truth is that most people can benefit from following a natural treatment protocol.  This doesn’t mean that everyone with a thyroid or autoimmune thyroid condition can completely restore their thyroid health back to normal.  For example, someone who has received a complete thyroidectomy will need to take synthetic or natural thyroid hormone for the rest of their life.  However, while they can’t be cured, this doesn’t mean they still don’t have problems with their adrenal glands, immune system, and other areas of the body which was not addressed by the surgery.

The same concept applies to someone who has had a partial thyroidectomy or received radioactive iodine treatment.  Unlike someone who has had their entire thyroid gland removed, these people can sometimes have their thyroid health restored back to normal, although it of course will be more challenging than for someone who has not received these procedures.  But once again, even those people who received these procedures that can’t have their health completely restored can usually benefit from natural treatment methods.  Receiving radioactive iodine therapy or thyroid surgery once again won’t do anything for the underlying cause of the disorder.

How Do Natural Thyroid Treatment Methods Work?

Let’s get “back to the basics” with regards to how natural thyroid treatment methods work.  As I frequently mention on this website, it’s a good idea to consult with a competent holistic doctor who focuses on endocrine disorders.  While a general holistic doctor might be able to help you, it’s a good idea to see someone who has a great deal of experience using natural treatment methods to help people with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions.  Upon seeing such a doctor, they will evaluate your health history and symptoms, look at any thyroid blood tests you have already received, and most likely will recommend additional tests to help find out the underlying cause.

For example, when I consult with a new patient, if I suspect that they have compromised adrenal glands which is causing or contributing to their problem (which by the way, is very common), then I typically will recommend an Adrenal Stress Index test to evaluate the health of their adrenal glands.  If the test reveals low cortisol levels, then I’ll put together a specific protocol to help with this.  If they have high cortisol levels, then I’ll recommend a specific protocol to lower these levels.  And if their DHEA levels (also measured on the ASI test) are low, then there are certain things they can take to raise these levels as well (and it doesn’t always involve giving bioidentical DHEA).

Similarly, if I suspected that someone had a mineral deficiency, which as you can probably guess is quite common, then I would recommend a hair mineral analysis test.  If their symptoms indicated there was a hormone imbalance then I would recommend a male or female hormone panel.  These imbalances might not directly cause the thyroid condition (although sometimes they do), but often times will affect other areas of the body which in turn will lead to the development of the condition.  For example, a mineral imbalance or stressed out adrenals might compromise the immune system, and lead to the development of an autoimmune thyroid disorder, such as Graves’ Disease or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.

Lifestyle Factors, Nutritional Supplements, Etc.

Once the underlying cause has been detected, the obvious goal will be to correct these issues.  Lifestyle factors play an important part in this, as eating well, drinking purified water, getting sufficient sleep, and doing a good job of managing stress all are essential to achieve optimal health.  Frequently certain nutritional supplements and herbs are required to address nutritional deficiencies and assist in the recovery process.  This once again is another reason why you should consult with an expert, rather than try to self-treat your condition.

In summary, just about everyone with a thyroid or autoimmune thyroid disorder can benefit from natural treatment methods.  The question is whether or not they can have their health completely restored back to normal, and this of course depends on the individual.  Many people can accomplish this when following a natural treatment protocol.  But even those who can’t have their health restored can usually benefit, as following a natural treatment protocol can help strengthen their adrenal glands, improve the health of their immune system, restore their digestive health, and help them to achieve overall optimal health, even when a cure isn’t possible.

It’s hard to believe another Thanksgiving has arrived, which of course means that we’ll be ringing in a brand new year before we know it!  So much has happened over the past year that I have to be thankful for, as I have thousands of people with both hypothyroid and hyperthyroid conditions visiting my website who are learning how a natural treatment protocol might be able to restore their health back to normal.  And of course I just released a book on hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease, which will make many people with these conditions aware that there are alternatives besides radioactive iodine and antithyroid drugs.

In any case, I’d like to sincerely thank you for continuing to read my posts and articles, and I look forward to providing you with more valuable information for the rest of this year, as well as for 2012!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving…and go easy on the pumpkin pie!

Dr. Eric

As most people who are reading this know, I personally was diagnosed with Graves’ Disease, and used a natural treatment protocol to help restore my health back to normal.  And while I frequently mention how just taking nutritional supplements and herbs alone isn’t enough to restore one’s health, this doesn’t mean that taking supplements and herbs aren’t important, as they definitely play a big role in the recovery process.

When I followed a natural treatment protocol there were numerous supplements and herbs which I took.  And when it came to managing my symptoms, the herbs Bugleweed and Motherwort were the two most valuable ones.  Since I opted not to take any antithyroid drugs, it was somewhat challenging dealing with the hyperthyroid symptoms (high pulse rate, palpitations, etc.).  These two herbs were highly responsible for controlling these symptoms.

I actually began by just taking Bugleweed for a few months, which by itself did a good job of managing the symptoms.  Of course the other supplements and herbs I took, along with modifying certain lifestyle factors, were also an important part of the recovery process.  But for many people who don’t want to take antithyroid drugs, Bugleweed is an option.  Although Bugleweed did do a good job of managing my symptoms, I still had some minor palpitations, which is why I decided to take Motherwort as well.  Taking both of these herbs pretty much eliminated the cardiac symptoms I experienced.

Taking These Herbs On Your Own

I’m of course not a big advocate of self-treating one’s condition.  However, I realize that many people with hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease will take these and other herbs on their own.  In fact, a number of people I consult with are already taking these herbs during the initial consultation.  And many of these people told me they decided to take them based on what they read on my website.  What’s important to understand is that these herbs won’t work on everybody with a hyperthyroid condition, as other factors need to be addressed as well.

For example, I’ve consulted with some people who took Bugleweed and Motherwort and actually experienced a worsening of their thyroid blood tests.  And usually the reason for this is because there are other factors that aren’t being addressed.  In other words, when I was taking the Bugleweed, I was also taking certain herbs to help with my immune system, was taking iodine and magnesium to help address my iodine deficiency, etc.  So I wasn’t just taking Bugleweed alone, which is what some people do.  Or many will take other supplements and herbs, but these won’t be the appropriate ones to address other problems they are experiencing.  This is why it’s always wise to consult with an expert.

Replacing Antithyroid Drugs With Herbs

Some people who are already taking antithyroid drugs such as Methimazole or PTU try to replace them with these herbs.  Once again, I can’t recommend for anyone to do this, even if they are a current patient of mine.  Some people choose to take both the antithyroid drugs and these herbs, which once again is completely up to them.

Weaning Off These Herbs

Just as most people don’t want to take antithyroid drugs for the rest of their life, the same thing applies with herbs.  As I mentioned before, I began taking Bugleweed each day, and then eventually began taking Motherwort.  Then a few months later I began weaning myself off of these herbs, first reducing the dosage in half, and then taking them once a day, until eventually I no longer needed them anymore.  After doing this I was concerned that my symptoms would return, but fortunately they didn’t.  Obviously it wasn’t just taking these herbs which was responsible for restoring my health back to normal.  But my guess is that most people with an autoimmune thyroid disorder who begin weaning off the supplements and herbs worry about their symptoms returning.

In summary, both Bugleweed and Motherwort can both help to manage the symptoms of hyperthyroidism naturally.  However, it’s important to keep in mind that just taking these herbs alone might not be enough to manage your symptoms, and almost definitely won’t be enough to restore your health back to normal.  Plus, just as is the case with any other herb, the goal is to eventually wean off these herbs.  While many people take these herbs on their own, those serious about restoring their health back to normal really should consult with a competent natural endocrine doctor.

Many people with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions not only have an imbalance in thyroid hormone, but also have other hormone imbalances as well.  As I’ve mentioned in past posts and articles, an imbalance in the hormones estrogen and progesterone is very common.  Despite this, most endocrinologists and other types of medical doctors don’t evaluate for these other hormone imbalances.

If you have hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, then you know what most medical doctors will usually do is to give synthetic thyroid hormone to manage the symptoms.  And if you have hyperthyroidism or Graves’ Disease, then you’ll be told to either take antithyroid drugs, and perhaps a beta blocker, or to receive radioactive iodine treatment.  There aren’t too many medical doctors who will even consider whether someone with a thyroid or autoimmune thyroid condition has an imbalance of the sex hormones.

One Simple Test Can Make A Big Difference

When it comes to detecting whether someone has a hormone imbalance, the person’s symptoms can be an obvious red flag.  For example, common symptoms of estrogen dominance include weight gain, depression, breast tenderness, mood swings and irritability, fatigue, and there are numerous other symptoms.  So without question, when I consult with a new patient I look at the person’s health questionnaire and symptom survey I have them fill out, and see if any of their symptoms indicate a potential hormone imbalance.  Although you can’t go by symptoms alone, often times it is obvious that the person has some type of hormone imbalance, while at other times it isn’t as clear.

The only way to confirm that someone has a hormone imbalance is through the proper testing.  So when I suspect that a patient has such an imbalance I will recommend for them to receive a male or female hormone panel.  I have mentioned in the past that I use the company Diagnos-Techs, mainly because they do a great job and have accurate reference ranges.  There are of course some other good labs out there.  And there are also other labs which aren’t too good.

In any case, I almost always will recommend an expanded male or female hormone panel.  And the reason for this is because the expanded hormone panel also includes the pituitary hormones, which are important to evaluate.  And the reason for this is because if there is an imbalance of the the pituitary hormones (FSH and LH), then this can tell us about the output of estrogen and progesterone, and the reason why there is a hormone imbalance in the first place.  In other words, looking at these two pituitary hormones can potentially tell us the cause of the estrogen dominance condition.

One-Sample Testing Usually Isn’t Sufficient In Cycling Women

While most medical doctors don’t perform any additional hormone testing other than for thyroid hormone, most doctors who DO perform such testing only collect a single sample of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.  This might be sufficient with menopausal women.  But it’s not sufficient for many pre-menopausal women and definitely not sufficient for cycling women.  The reason for this is because the hormone levels are fluctuating, and so taking a one sample test of estrogen and progesterone won’t give the complete picture of what’s happening throughout a woman’s cycle.

This is actually one reason why some women have fertility issues which aren’t resolved.  Most women who have difficulty getting pregnant obtain a one-sample test of progesterone, and if the levels on this single sample are sufficient, the doctor will usually rule out a hormone imbalance as being the cause of the problem.  However, just because the progesterone levels are normal for a single day doesn’t mean it’s normal for the entire length of the cycle.  In fact, it’s not only the total output of progesterone we’re looking at, but the distribution of progesterone throughout the cycle.  This is why multiple sample testing is important in cycling women.

An expanded female hormone panel requires the cycling woman to collect multiple saliva samples over the course of her menstrual cycle.  This will give a much better indicator as to whether she has a problem with the hormones estrogen and progesterone.  These panels also measure the levels of some of the other hormones, such as testosterone and DHEA, which don’t directly relate to estrogen dominance, but since hormones are interactive they can plan a role in this condition.

Estrogen Dominance Can Affect Men Too

While estrogen dominance is more common in women, it can also affect men too.  As a result, if a man has symptoms which indicate a potential hormone imbalance, I will recommend an expanded male hormone panel.  This will measure the levels of estradiol and progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, Androstenedione, and DHT, along with the pituitary hormones LH and FSH.

In summary, the reason why most medical doctors “miss” the diagnosis of estrogen dominance is because they don’t test for it to begin with.  And those who do hormone testing usually only obtain a one-sample test, which might be sufficient in menopausal women, men, and some women in pre-menopause, but isn’t sufficient for cycling women.  So if you’re a cycling woman with symptoms of a hormone imbalance then you definitely want to make sure you receive a multiple-sample test.  And regardless of whether you are in menopause or not, or what gender you are, if you do any type of hormone testing then it’s a good idea to obtain an expanded hormone panel to determine the levels of pituitary hormones, which in turn relate to the output of estrogen and progesterone.

Let me begin by saying that I’m not completely opposed to mammograms, as I do think they have value.  The goal of this post isn’t to convince women not to receive mammograms, but is instead to make them aware of the potential risks of receiving REGULAR mammograms as a screening process, as well as to make them aware of alternate screening options for breast cancer.  The problem is that many women who are 40 and older receive annual testing as a preventative measure, without understanding the potential risks.  But what I’m about to discuss will hopefully make you realize that getting an annual mammogram might not be a wise decision.

I decided to write about this after reading a wonderful article in well-known chiropractic journal by Dr. Deborah Pate.  While mammograms can detect early stages of breast cancer and thus prevent the disease from spreading, the truth is that we don’t have all of the facts regarding this test.  And what many people don’t realize is that this test does emit radiation, which as you do know, carries some long-term risk.

Now some people may argue that the dosage is low.  As Dr. Pate stated in the article, “the usual dose of radiation during a mammogram is from 0.25 to 1 rad with the very best equipment”.  However, what many people don’t realize is that damage from radiation is cumulative.  So what Dr. Pate does is give an example, stating “if a woman has annual mammograms from age 55 to age 75, she will receive a minimum of 20 rads of radiation.  By comparison, women who survived the atomic bomb blasts in Hiroshima and Nagasaki absorbed 35 rads.”

What About Those Woman Who Are At High Risk of Developing Breast Cancer?

It might seem to make sense that those women who have a higher risk of developing breast cancer should receive regular mammograms.  However, according to the article written by Dr. Pate”, “Screening mammography may be detrimental for women who are at high risk for developing breast cancer.”  This makes sense when you think about it, as exposing women who are more susceptible to breast cancer to regular doses of radiation probably isn’t a good idea.  Remember that with every procedure it all comes down to risks vs. benefits.  So while receiving annual mammograms will help to detect breast cancer before it spreads, and thus prevent women from dying, it can also have the opposite effect, triggering breast cancer in women who might not have developed it in the first place.

Plus, just as is the case with any screening test, one also needs to look at the potential for false-positives: “The cumulative risk for false-positive mammography results has been reported as 21% to 49% after 10 mammography examinations for women in general and up to 56% for women ages 40 to 49 years.”  So what this means is that a high percentage of women will receive false positives for every ten mammograms they receive.

As Dr. Pate stated in her article, “2,500 women need to be screened over a 10-year period for one to avoid death from breast cancer.”  So 2,500 women need to be screened every single year for a period of ten years to prevent one death from breast cancer.  The problem is that they don’t consider the potential consequences of the other 2,499 women who went through the mammograms for this ten-year period.  If just a few of these women developed breast cancer or another health issue due to the radiation, then is it really worth it for women to receive annual mammograms?

An Alternative Option To Mammograms

Many women are unaware that there is an alternative option to regular mammograms.  Thermography is a method of detecting breast cancer.  It uses digital infrared imaging to measure variations in blood vessel activity, which can suggest a pre-cancerous state or a tumor that might not be able to be detected through palpation, or even mammography.  Rather than go into great detail about thermography, I’d recommend visiting the website www.BreastThermography.com, which will provide you with plenty of information on this procedure.

This doesn’t mean that thermography should necessarily replace mammograms, as both procedures have value.  But because it’s a safer procedure, and perhaps more accurate than mammography, then women might want to consider this procedure first, and then if they receive a positive test, they can obtain a mammogram to verify the pre-cancerous state or tumor.

In summary, mammograms may prevent some women from dying due to breast cancer, but not enough attention is being paid to the consequences of those women being exposed to the radiation from this procedure.  Plus, women might also want to look into other safer methods of screening for breast cancer, such as thermography.  By the way, for those who found this post to be interesting, I highly recommend checking out Dr. Pate’s article, which you can access by clicking the link below:

http://www.chiroweb.com/mpacms/dc_ca/article.php?id=55082

When purchasing foods and household products, you should be aware of some of the ingredients which are commonly included in these products.  These days there are many different chemicals included in most of the foods, household cleaners, and cosmetics we purchase.  And many of these can be toxic to your thyroid health.  This doesn’t mean  these chemicals always have a direct effect on your thyroid gland, but many times they can affect the adrenal glands, immune system, and other areas of the body which can impact thyroid health.

This is why you should be careful when purchasing foods and household products.  For example, many meats contain xenoestrogens, which are artificial hormones given to livestock to increase their size.  Eating a lot of foods which contain these xenoestrogens can have a hormone-like effect on the body, and can even contribute to the condition known as estrogen dominance.  I’ve spoken about this condition in the past, as it involves an imbalance in the hormones estrogen and progesterone, and can affect thyroid health.  So one obvious way you can minimize your exposure to xenoestrogens is to purchase organic meat.

This of course is just one example, as there are ingredients in other foods which you should try to avoid.  Another common food which can affect thyroid function is unfermented soy.  Usually it’s obvious which foods contain soy, although sometimes you need to be familiar with the ingredients in order to realize it contains soy.  For example, when you purchase soy milk or soy yogurt, it’s obvious that these products contain soy.  On the other hand, many foods contain soy-based ingredients, but you would never know this unless if you were familiar with some of them.

Here are some of the examples of some of the common names in which soy goes by:

• Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
• Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
• Soy lecithin
• Isolated soy protein
• Tofu

This doesn’t mean that you need to completely avoid all of these ingredients permanently (although certain ones like MSG you really do want to completely avoid), as most people can consume some soy in moderation.  And the same thing applies to many other ingredients, as eating foods with such ingredients every now and then usually isn’t a big deal, but the problem is that most people don’t pay attention to these ingredients, and therefore consume too much of them.

Some other ingredients you want to try avoiding, or at least minimizing your consumption of when purchasing foods are:

High fructose corn syrup. Many people realize they should avoid, or at least minimize their consumption of this, as high fructose corn syrup will spike up your blood sugar levels, leading to many different health issues if you consume large quantities of it.

Aspartame. Most people are familiar with this artificial sweetener which is used as a sugar substitute.  There have been questions about its safety for years, and I personally avoid the consumption of this ingredient, and recommend that others do the same.

Artificial colors and sweeteners. I actually wrote a post on food dyes and why you should avoid them, which you can read by clicking here:

https://www.naturalendocrinesolutions.com/archives/lets-get-rid-of-the-food-dyes/

BHA & BHT. These preservatives are in many foods and are used to protect fats from oxidation.  Just like many of these other ingredients, there is some controversy as to whether they are safe or not, but once again, it all comes down to how frequently you eat foods which contain these preservatives.  For most people, eating such foods every now and then probably won’t cause any serious problems, although keep in mind that there are many natural alternatives that don’t consist of these preservatives.

Nitrates and nitrites. These are frequently used as a preservative in certain meats…especially deli meats.

So the next time you grab a turkey sandwich at your favorite fast food sandwich store, keep in mind that the meat probably contains xenoestrogens and nitrites.  And the bread which surrounds the meat of course contains bread dough conditioners and other ingredients that can lead to nutritional deficiencies.  Once again, having a sandwich from these places every now and then is fine, but eating there regularly because you think it’s a healthy choice is a big mistake.  If you must have a turkey sandwich, you can visit your local health food store or Trader Joes and purchase meat which is free of hormones and added nitrites, and you can choose a healthier type of bread.

Anyway, these are just some of the ingredients that may be harmful not only to your thyroid health, but your overall health as well. But there are many others I didn’t mention here.  Plus, there are also certain ingredients included in cosmetics and other household products that you want to try avoiding.  Here are a few examples:

Sodium Lauryl and Laureth Sulfate. Used in many soaps and shampoos, but have been shown to cause irritation of the skin and eyes, can lead to allergic reactions, and is potentially carcinogenic (a cancer causing agent).

Propylene Glycol. This product is not only used in many shampoos, hair conditioners, and body lotions, but also in anti-freeze and brake fluid, and according to the Material Safety Data Sheets it is “implicated in contact dermatitis, kidney damage and liver abnormalities, and can cause dry skin and surface damage”.

Diazolidinyl Urea. A chemical which releases formaldehyde, which as you probably know, can be very toxic to your health.

Plus, many of the household products also contain xenohormones, which as I mentioned earlier, can affect your thyroid health, your adrenal health, etc.

Once again, these are just a handful of ingredients which are commonly found in many of the household products people buy.  There of course are other ingredients that can be toxic to your thyroid gland, as well as your overall health.  And this is one of the primary reasons why you should try to eat mostly whole foods, buying organic whenever possible, and minimize the consumption of processed foods.