Does Parkinson's Begin in the Gut?
Matt Marketing • Sep 24, 2021

A growing body of evidence links the neurodegenerative disease to the gastrointestinal tract, opening new possibilities for treatment.

The earliest evidence that the gut might be involved in Parkinson’s emerged more than 200 years ago. In 1817, the English surgeon James Parkinson reported that some patients with a condition he termed “shaking palsy” experienced constipation. In one of the six cases he described, treating the gastrointestinal complaints appeared to alleviate the movement-related problems associated with the disease.


Since then, physicians have noted that constipation is one of the most common symptoms of Parkinson’s, appearing in around half the individuals diagnosed with the condition and often preceding the onset of movement-related impairments.


Still, for many decades, the research into the disease has focused on the brain. Scientists initially concentrated on the loss of neurons producing dopamine, a molecule involved in many functions including movement. But in 2003 Heiko Braak, a neuroanatomist at the University of Ulm in Germany, and his colleagues proposed that Parkinson’s may actually originate in the gut rather than the brain.


Braak’s theory was grounded in the observation that in post-mortem samples of Parkinson’s patients, Lewy bodies, clumps of alpha synuclein, appeared in both the brain and the gastrointestinal nervous system that controls the functioning of the gut. Their work suggested that the pathological changes in patients typically developed in predictable stages that starts in the gut and ends in the brain. At the time, the researchers speculated that this process was linked to a “yet unidentified pathogen” that travels through the vagus nerve—a bundle of fibers connecting major bodily organs to the brainstem.


The idea that the earliest stages of Parkinson’s disease may occur in the gastrointestinal tract has been gaining traction. A growing body of evidence supports this hypothesis, but the question of how changes in the intestines drive neurodegeneration in the brain remains an active area of investigation. Some studies propose that aggregates of alpha synuclein move from the intestines to the brain through the vagus nerve. Others suggest that molecules such as bacterial breakdown products stimulate activity along this channel, or that that the gut influences the brain through other mechanisms, such as inflammation. Together, however, these findings add to the growing consensus that “even if the pathology [of Parkinson’s] is very much driven by brain abnormalities, it doesn’t mean that the process starts in the brain,” says Michael Schlossmacher, a physician-scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.


The Gut-Brain Highway
The vagus nerve, a bundle of fibers that originates in the brain stem and innervates major organs, including the gut, may be the primary route through which pathological triggers of Parkinson’s travel from the gastrointestinal tract to the brain. Recent epidemiological examinations of vagotomy patients whose vagus nerves were severed show that they have a lower risk of developing Parkinson’s. Researchers have also demonstrated that alpha-synuclein fibers, injected into the gastrointestinal tracts of rodents, can traverse through the vagus into the brain.

If alpha-synuclein does travel from the intestines to the brain, the question still arises: Why does the protein accumulate in the gut in the first place? One possibility is that alpha-synuclein produced in the gastrointestinal nervous system helps fight off pathogens. Last year, Michael Zasloff, a professor at Georgetown University, and his colleagues reported that the protein appeared in the guts of otherwise healthy children after norovirus infections.


The microbiome, the totality of microorganisms in the human body, has spurred intense interest among Parkinson’s researchers. A number of reports have noted that individuals with the disease harbor a unique composition of gut microbes, and scientists have also found that transplanting fecal microbes from patients into rodents predisposed to develop Parkinson’s can worsen motor symptoms of the disease and increase alpha-synuclein aggregation in the brain.


A Role for Inflammation?
Yet another idea holds that that intestinal inflammation, possibly from gut microbes, could give rise to Parkinson’s disease. The latest evidence supporting this idea comes from a large epidemiological study, in which Inga Peter, a genetic epidemiologist at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and her colleagues scanned through two large U.S. medical databases to investigate the overlap between inflammatory bowel diseases and Parkinson’s.


Their analysis compared 144,018 individuals with Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis and 720,090 healthy controls. It revealed that the prevalence of Parkinson’s was 28 percent higher in individuals with the inflammatory bowel diseases than in those in the control group, supporting prior findings from the same researchers that the two disorders share genetic links. In addition, the research team discovered that in people who received drugs used to reduce inflammation—tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors—the incidence of the neurodegenerative disease dropped 78 percent.


This study further validates the theory that gut inflammation could drive Parkinson’s pathogenesis, says Madelyn Houser, a graduate student in neuroscientist Malú Tansey’s lab at Emory University. The anti-TNF finding in particular, she adds, suggests that the “overlap between the two diseases might be primarily mediated by inflammation.”


Intestinal inflammation might give rise to Parkinson’s in several ways, Houser explains. One possibility is that a chronically inflamed gut might elevate alpha-synuclein levels locally—as Zasloff’s investigation in children suggests—or else it may give rise to inflammation throughout the body, which in itself could increase the permeability of the gut and blood-brain barriers. Or else it could increase circulating cytokines, molecules that that can promote inflammation. Tansey adds that changes in the microbiome could also be influencing gut inflammation.


“There’s probably multiple pathways that lead the gut to the brain,” Peter says, explaining that it is too early to rule out any hypotheses. For now, her team is focused on determining whether the protective effect of anti-TNF compounds is due to the lowering of inflammation throughout the body, which could result from other conditions, or whether they only benefit individuals with bowel disorders. Peter plans to investigate the prevalence of Parkinson’s in other patients who take these drugs, such as those with psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis.


Because not all Parkinson’s patients will have inflammatory bowel disorders, findings from the investigations into the co-occurrence of the two conditions might not generalize to everyone with the neurodegenerative disease, Mazmanian says. Still, these studies and many others that have emerged in recent years support the idea that the gut is involved in Parkinson’s is correct, he adds. “If this is indeed true, it allows us to now devise interventions that target the gut instead of the brain.”


While many lines of evidence support the gut origins of Parkinson’s, the question of how early the gastrointestinal changes occur remains, “I think there’s likely multiple sites of origin for Parkinson’s disease,” says Viviane Labrie, a neuroscientist at the Van Andel Research Institute in Michigan. “For some individuals, it might be the gut, for others it might be the olfactory system—or it might just be something that occurs in the brain.”

Our clinic here in Orlando offers non-drug solutions for gut related illnesses, as well as brain-based therapies like neurofeedback. Neurofeedback is a non-invasive, computer-based method for helping restore healthy brain function. The process has been around for over 50 years, is safe and has decades of research studies.



To learn more about how me may be able to help manage or control Parkinson’s related symptoms, visit our web site below or call us at (321)-444-6750.

Digestion Dilemma: The Reasons You're Not Feeling Your Best

By Dana O'Keefe • 22 Mar, 2024
A well-functioning digestive system is essential for overall well-being, as it breaks down food into vital nutrients that fuel energy, growth, cellular repair, and more! When your digestion is functioning optimally, you may not even think twice about it. However, when issues arise, they can have widespread effects on your overall well-being. Poor digestion can manifest through signs such as persistent digestive discomfort, irregular bowel movements, nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities, and unexplained weight fluctuations. Recognizing these indicators is crucial for addressing underlying concerns. In this blog post, we'll explore the top five signs of compromised digestion and provide actionable insights to improve and optimize your digestive health. 5 Reasons Why You’re Not Digesting Properly 1- Stress and Digestive Function You’ve likely felt “butterflies in your stomach” at some point – that queasy feeling accompanied by intense nervousness or excitement. These sensations occur because our gut and brain are intimately connected. If you feel stressed often, it can significantly alter your digestion. The digestive tract has a nervous system of its own called the enteric nervous system or ENS. The ENS contains thousands of complex neurons that control digestive functions. The ENS works in tandem with the central nervous system (CNS) to communicate messages between the gut and the brain. When the brain senses external factors like stress, it releases chemicals that stimulate the ENS to divert blood flow away from the gastrointestinal tract and toward other organs that support survival. When digestion is disturbed, the ENS communicates distress to the brain. Over time, chronically elevated stress hormones will lead to impaired digestive function. Identifying your stressors with non-judgemental awareness can be a powerful first step to improving digestion. Science confirms the value of keeping a mindful eating journal in which you record the trigger of the stress, its symptoms, and any eating activities surrounding it. Recording this information can help you to acknowledge any problematic stress and take action. Other relaxation practices like yoga can powerfully improve digestion. Not only can yoga help reduce stress by allowing us to tune into our thoughts, but certain poses and movements can help increase blood flow to the digestive organs, improving their function. 2 - Imbalanced Gut Microbiome Your gut is filled with trillions of beneficial bacteria, known as the microbiome, which are important for supporting the immune system and metabolism. A diversity of gut bacteria has been linked to human health and longevity, while lower levels of diversity are associated with several acute and chronic diseases. A pillar of good gut health and digestion is maintaining a balance between these good and bad strains of bacteria. If you are experiencing new or uncomfortable digestive symptoms, it could be a sign that the balance of bacteria in your gut is off. Several factors can lead to imbalanced gut bacteria, but these are some of the most common: ● A high-sugar diet. Studies show that consuming large amounts of sugar and processed foods can lessen the amounts of “good” bacteria present in the gut and increase inflammation. ● Antibiotic use. By targeting harmful bacterial infections, antibiotics inadvertently kill off other good bacteria that our bodies need. Increasingly, studies have found that even a short dose of antibiotics can have a profound negative effect on gut diversity. ● Alcohol consumption. In large amounts, alcohol has been shown to increase inflammation and the presence of “bad” bacteria in the gut (also termed dysbiosis). One study looked at the gut bacteria of 41 alcoholics and compared them to 10 healthy individuals who consumed little to no alcohol. Researchers found that imbalance was present in 27% of the alcoholic population, but it was not present in any of the healthy individuals. ● Lack of sleep. Sleep is a crucial ingredient of our overall health, and recent studies have found associations between irregular sleep patterns and harmful bacteria in the gut. Avoiding these red flags and consuming gut-friendly foods can help improve the diversity of your gut bacteria. We recommend: ● Probiotic rich foods such as yogurt, kefir, kimchi, miso, and sauerkraut. ● Prebiotic foods, which feed the good gut bacteria, like bananas, garlic, and asparagus. ● Plenty of fiber found in beans, whole grains, vegetables and fruits 3 - Enzyme Insufficiency Digestive enzymes are naturally occurring proteins responsible for breaking down food and liquids into smaller molecules that the body can absorb. This allows the body to access critical nutrients from food, which it uses to grow and perform vital functions. There are three main types of digestive enzymes: 1. Amylase, which breaks down carbohydrates, starches, and sugars. 2. Lactase, which helps you digest lactose, the natural sugar occurring in dairy products. 3. Lipase, which works with the liver allowing you to digest fats. When your body lacks digestive enzymes or doesn’t release enzymes as it should, several uncomfortable symptoms can occur, such as: ● Stomach cramping ● Malnutrition/Nutrient deficiencies ● Bloating ● Diarrhea ● Gas ● Unexplained weight loss When the pancreas doesn’t appropriately secrete these digestive enzymes, it affects your body’s ability to break down the foods you eat and absorb nutrients. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to support and increase enzyme production for better digestion: ● Digestive enzyme supplements: Many people find that over-the-counter digestive enzyme supplements help with problems such as acid reflux, gas, bloating, and diarrhea. Furthermore, combining these supplements with a probiotic has been shown to be effective. ● Enzyme-rich foods: Certain foods naturally have high digestive enzyme content. Incorporating more of the following can have a positive impact on digestion: Papayas, pineapple, pure honey, avocados, miso, and ginger. 4 - Food Intolerances & Allergies An increasingly common source of unwanted digestive symptoms is food intolerances and allergies. While both can produce similar symptoms, food intolerance does not involve the immune system and is not typically life-threatening like allergies can be. Food intolerance occurs when your body has difficulty chemically processing or digesting certain foods. If left untreated, they can cause several disagreeable symptoms, such as: ● Gas ● Bloating ● Fatigue ● Diarrhea ● Constipation ● Stomach pain or cramping If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms often, you may have a food intolerance. It can be difficult to pinpoint exactly which food is causing the intolerance, though. We recommend trying an elimination diet if you have suspicions about a particular food–stop eating it for at least a couple of weeks and see how your body reacts! Allergy and food sensitivity testing performed by a practitioner can also be a useful step to take. These are some of the most common food intolerances: ● Dairy. As mentioned above, many people lack the enzymes to digest the natural sugars found in dairy products. Some people also experience a negative reaction to the whey protein within dairy. To identify whether dairy may be at the root cause of your symptoms, it’s important to completely avoid all dairy ingredients for a minimum of 2-3 weeks. ● Gluten. Gluten is a protein that is found in grains like wheat, rye, barley, kamut, oats, and spelt. People with celiac disease experience an immune response when they consume the protein, which over time can inflame the small intestine and lead to serious digestive problems. People who test negative for celiac disease but still experience discomfort when they consume gluten may have a milder form, called non-celiac gluten sensitivity. ● Caffeine. For many adults, a cup or two of coffee is an integral part of their morning routine. However, some people are more sensitive to caffeine and unpleasant experience reactions from consuming just a small amount. Researchers have found that this hyper-sensitivity to caffeine is largely genetic. If small amounts of caffeine cause you to feel anxious, jittery, or have difficulty sleeping, we recommend minimizing your intake and instead opting for decaf herbal teas and coffee. 5 - Dehydration Water is essential for human health. Proper hydration helps lubricate our joints, promotes brain function, and supports healthy skin. Hydration is also a critical factor for improving digestion and gut health. Your body uses fluid to lubricate the digestive system, which helps to move food along as it travels through your stomach, intestines, and colon. If there isn’t enough fluid to keep the food moving, it can get stuck or slow down. This can cause uncomfortable symptoms like constipation or bloating. Fluid is also used to transport the enzymes we discussed that are responsible for breaking food down. When you are dehydrated, it can actually cause inflammation in the intestines due to the constant rubbing of food against them without lubrication. OK, so hydration is important for digestive health, but how much water do we actually need? While water requirements are individual and highly variable based on metabolic needs, environmental conditions, and physical activity, it’s suggested that 2.2 liters (nine cups) per day for women and three liters (12 cups) for men is the ideal minimum amount. Here are a few tips for increasing your water intake: ● Keep a non-plastic water bottle in your car and try to take it everywhere you go! ● Limit caffeine and alcohol consumption, as these dehydrate you. ● Eat thirst-quenching foods with a high water content, such as watermelon, celery, cantaloupe, and spinach. Let’s not forget chewing habits! If you feel like you’ve been eating all the right things, yet are still experiencing unpleasant digestive symptoms, the problem may not be what you’re eating, but how! Yes, chewing plays a larger role in digestion than you may think. We tend to have busy lifestyles here in North America that allow us little time to slow down and enjoy our meals. However, eating too quickly can cause a range of digestive issues, no matter how healthy your diet is. When you don’t adequately chew your food, you’re actually creating more work for your digestive system. In turn, this can lead to stomach issues like bloating, cramps, and even acid reflux. Chewing is an important part of the digestive process, as saliva produces digestive enzymes that help move our food along. Here are a few tips to encourage proper chewing habits & digestion: ● Breathe deeply. Before sitting down to eat, take a few deep belly breaths to promote blood flow and relaxation. Take a minute to pause mindfully before a meal can help with overeating or eating too quickly. ● Pay attention. Rather than hurriedly eating in the car or mindlessly snacking during work, pay attention to what you’re eating and avoid distractions whenever possible. ● Chew 20-30 times. According to recent studies and traditional Ayurvedic practice, the magic number of chews for optimal digestion is approximately 20-30. Chewing your food 20-30 times per bite helps ensure proper nutrient absorption and can help in weight management. Everybody experiences digestive issues at some point. They can be uncomfortable, and embarrassing to talk about, and the root cause is often difficult to pinpoint alone. We have covered some of the most common causes of poor digestion and the lifestyle changes you can make to see improvements. If you have digestive issues that are not corrected with lifestyle changes or are getting worse, seeing a healthcare practitioner for a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan may be required. Don’t let poor digestion take control of your life – schedule a consultation with us today! Sources:. Cherpak CE. Mindful Eating: A Review Of How The Stress-Digestion-Mindfulness Triad May Modulate And Improve Gastrointestinal And Digestive Function. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2019 Aug;18(4):48-53. PMID: 32549835; PMCID: PMC7219460. Shree Ganesh HR, Subramanya P, Rao M R, Udupa V. Role of yoga therapy in improving digestive health and quality of sleep in an elderly population: A randomized controlled trial. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2021 Jul;27:692-697. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2021.04.012. Epub 2021 Apr 22. PMID: 34391308. Hasan N, Yang H. Factors affecting the composition of the gut microbiota, and its modulation. PeerJ. 2019 Aug 16;7:e7502. doi: 10.7717/peerj.7502. PMID: 31440436; PMCID: PMC6699480. Manor, O., Dai, C.L., Kornilov, S.A. et al. Health and disease markers correlate with gut microbiome composition across thousands of people. Nat Commun 11, 5206 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-18871-1 Satokari R. High Intake of Sugar and the Balance between Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Gut Bacteria. Nutrients. 2020 May 8;12(5):1348. doi: 10.3390/nu12051348. PMID: 32397233; PMCID: PMC7284805. The Scientist, What Happens to Your Gut After Taking Antiobiotics, https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/what-happens-to-the-gut-microbiome-after-taking-antibiotics-69970 Bishehsari F, Magno E, Swanson G, Desai V, Voigt RM, Forsyth CB, Keshavarzian A. Alcohol and Gut-Derived Inflammation. Alcohol Res. 2017;38(2):163-171. PMID: 28988571; PMCID: PMC5513683. Bermingham, K.M., Stensrud, S., Asnicar, F. et al. Exploring the relationship between social jetlag with gut microbial composition, diet and cardiometabolic health, in the ZOE PREDICT 1 cohort. Eur J Nutr 62, 3135–3147 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-023-03204-x Mutlu EA, Gillevet PM, Rangwala H, Sikaroodi M, Naqvi A, Engen PA, Kwasny M, Lau CK, Keshavarzian A. Colonic microbiome is altered in alcoholism. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2012 May 1;302(9):G966-78. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.00380.2011. Epub 2012 Jan 12. PMID: 22241860; PMCID: PMC3362077 Ianiro G, Pecere S, Giorgio V, Gasbarrini A, Cammarota G. Digestive Enzyme Supplementation in Gastrointestinal Diseases. Curr Drug Metab. 2016;17(2):187-93. doi: 10.2174/138920021702160114150137. PMID: 26806042; PMCID: PMC4923703. Zopf Y, Baenkler HW, Silbermann A, Hahn EG, Raithel M. The differential diagnosis of food intolerance. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2009 May;106(21):359-69; quiz 369-70; 4 p following 370. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2009.0359. Epub 2009 May 22. PMID: 19547751; PMCID: PMC2695393 Landolt HP. "No thanks, coffee keeps me awake": individual caffeine sensitivity depends on ADORA2A genotype. Sleep. 2012 Jul 1;35(7):899-900. doi: 10.5665/sleep.1942. PMID: 22754033; PMCID: PMC3368971. Widjaja Lukito; Current Evidence in Water and Hydration Science. Ann Nutr Metab 28 December 2021; 77 (Suppl. 4): 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1159/000521769 Li J, Zhang N, Hu L, Li Z, Li R, Li C, Wang S. Improvement in chewing activity reduces energy intake in one meal and modulates plasma gut hormone concentrations in obese and lean young Chinese men. Am J Clin Nutr. 2011 Sep;94(3):709-16. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.111.015164. Epub 2011 Jul 20. PMID: 21775556.

Hormone Havoc: Identifying and Avoiding Everyday Disruptors

By Dana O'Keefe • 22 Mar, 2024
Your hormones play a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance that keeps your body functioning at its best. From regulating metabolism and mood to influencing reproductive health and immune function, these chemical messengers orchestrate various aspects of your well-being. However, achieving hormonal harmony can be a delicate dance, and numerous factors in our daily lives can tip the scales in unfavorable directions. In the pursuit of optimum health, it's essential to recognize that your efforts might be sabotaged by common culprits known as hormone disruptors. These disruptors, often encountered in your everyday routines, have the potential to throw off the intricate balance of hormones, creating a ripple effect throughout your body. In this blog, we will dive into the world of common hormone disruptors, shedding light on the major players that could be working against your health goals. 8 Common Hormone Disruptors You Need To Know These disruptors affect the hormonal balance when they mimic, block, or disrupt the normal functioning of your hormones. They can bind to your hormone receptors, disrupting the information chain regulating hormone production. It’s hard to avoid some of these, but knowledge is an important first step in avoiding or minimizing your exposure! ● Pesticides and herbicides. Harmful pesticides are found in up to 75% of non-organic produce grown in the U.S. ● Bisphenol A. Commonly known as BPA, this synthetic compound lines food and drink containers. ● Parabens. Also synthetic compounds, parabens are used as preservatives in many cosmetic and body care products. ● Phthalates. These man-made chemicals are all around us! They’re found in things like soaps, shampoo, nail polish, body lotion, toys, and food and beverage packaging. ● Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These are added to products to increase their resistance to water and grease. ● Stress. Your stress response raises your level of the hormone cortisol, which has a domino effect on your other hormones. ● Poor sleep. Not getting enough high-quality sleep affects your body’s ability to regulate stress hormones like cortisol and the hormones that control your appetite, ghrelin and leptin. ● Lack of exercise. A sedentary lifestyle also impacts hormone regulation. Not getting enough movement in your day can lead to reduced insulin sensitivity, altered levels of growth hormone and cortisol, and disruptions in the balance of estrogen and progesterone. The Impact Of Hormone Disruptors The effects of hormone imbalances are far-reaching. Here are some of the major impacts: ● Endocrine system disruption. Your endocrine system is a complex network of glands that secrete hormones, including insulin, stress hormones like cortisol, adrenaline, thyroid hormones, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. ● Thyroid dysfunction. Hormone disruptors can compete with thyroid hormone at receptor sites, interfering with thyroid hormone synthesis. The result is thyroid dysfunction, which leads to conditions like hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. ● Reproductive system issues. Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are also vulnerable to dysfunction. BPA, for example, has a similar structure to estradiol, a type of estrogen, so BPA binds to estrogen receptors. Phytoestrogens, found in many soy products, can also disrupt estrogen in some people. When hormone disruptors attach to sex hormone receptors, the normal functioning of estrogen or testosterone in the body is disrupted. This can lead to infertility and other reproductive issues. ● Metabolic dysfunction. One notable effect of hormone disruption is the impact on metabolism. Many hormones impact your metabolism, and disturbances can lead to serious health issues like obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and diabetes. Recent studies have found that exposure to hormone disruptors may be a strong risk factor for obesity. Although more research needs to be done, findings suggest that these disruptors impact energy balance, basal metabolic rate, gut microbiota, and hormonal control, all leading our body to store calories, and disrupting appetite regulation. Avoiding The Impact Of Hormone Disruptors After reading the above sections, it may seem like hormone disruptors are all around us. But knowledge is power. Now that you know what to avoid, you can take some simple steps to reduce your exposure. As a bonus, these steps will all lead to a healthier you! 1 - Hormone-friendly dietary changes Careful food choices are one of the most important things you can do to reduce the impact of hormone disruptors such as pesticides and BPA. ● Choose organic food whenever possible. More and more organic food is available! About 4% of U.S. total grocery sales is organic food. Even when buying organic, be sure to wash all produce. ● Eat less processed foods. Try to focus on the outer edges of the grocery store, and avoid the packaged and processed foods in the middle. Studies have found that ingredients found in overly processed foods interfere with hormone regulation. ● Don’t store food in plastic containers. Plastic containers can expose your food to hormone disruptors like BPA, so look for glass or metal containers. As well, if you buy canned soups or beans, look for BPA-free containers. 2 - Better personal care products There’s a growing market for natural personal care products, so you have many opportunities to find products without phthalates, parabens, or BPA. One report found that people who use natural body care and beauty products have better overall health than people who don’t. Not sure where to start? You can find ratings for hundreds of products on the Environmental Working Group site. 3 - Optimize your environment From the air you breathe to the water you drink, look to minimize contaminants and pollution wherever possible. ● Invest in an air purifier. With more of North America experiencing smoky summers from wildfires, this is more important than ever. Air purifiers with HEPA filters are often the most effective. ● Filter drinking water. Bottled water often contains harmful microplastics, so your best bet is to use a high-quality filter for the water you drink. If you used a filtered water jug, follow directions on how often to change the filter. ● Take a look at your cleaning supplies. The things you use to clean your home may not be so “clean” after all - up to 75% of cleaning products contain at least one harmful substance. Look for products labeled “green” and investigate do-it-yourself alternatives. You’d be surprised by how many things baking soda, lemon juice, or soap can get clean. 4 - Healthy stress management and proper sleep routine Chronic stress heightens vulnerability to hormone disruption, emphasizing the importance of integrating stress reduction techniques into daily life. Practices like yoga and meditation play a pivotal role in regulating the body's stress response, effectively managing stress hormone levels. Simultaneously, ensuring good sleep is paramount for hormonal balance, as disrupted sleep patterns can impact hunger-regulating hormones and disturb the delicate equilibrium between cortisol and melatonin. By incorporating mindfulness activities and prioritizing quality sleep, you can fortify your body against the adverse effects of chronic stress, fostering an environment conducive to optimal hormone production and balance. 5 - Move, move, move! Regular exercise plays a pivotal role in supporting proper hormone production and balance. Physical activity stimulates the endocrine system, prompting the release of hormones such as cortisol, insulin, and growth hormone. Engaging in aerobic exercise, strength training, or a combination of both has been shown to enhance insulin sensitivity, helping to regulate blood sugar levels and prevent insulin resistance. Moreover, exercise promotes the release of endorphins, the body's natural mood enhancers, which can contribute to reduced stress and anxiety. Additionally, consistent physical activity is linked to improved sleep quality, indirectly influencing hormonal balance by supporting the body's circadian rhythm. Overall, a well-rounded and moderate exercise routine is a powerful tool for maintaining proper hormone production and fostering overall health. By understanding where common hormone disruptors are found, how to avoid them, and how to minimize their impact by optimizing your hormone function, you can empower yourself to make informed choices that support hormonal balance and overall well-being. If you’d like some help with finding your ideal balance or more information on hormone health, make an appointment with us today! Sources: Environmental Working Group, “Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce,” https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary.php Heindel JJ, Blumberg B, Cave M, Machtinger R, Mantovani A, Mendez MA, Nadal A, Palanza P, Panzica G, Sargis R, Vandenberg LN, Vom Saal F. Metabolism disrupting chemicals and metabolic disorders. Reprod Toxicol. 2017 Mar;68:3-33. doi: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2016.10.001. Epub 2016 Oct 17. PMID: 27760374; PMCID: PMC5365353. Robles-Matos N, Artis T, Simmons RA, Bartolomei MS. Environmental Exposure to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Influences Genomic Imprinting, Growth, and Metabolism. Genes (Basel). 2021 Jul 28;12(8):1153. doi: 10.3390/genes12081153. PMID: 34440327; PMCID: PMC8393470. Rancière F, Lyons JG, Loh VH, Botton J, Galloway T, Wang T, Shaw JE, Magliano DJ. Bisphenol A and the risk of cardiometabolic disorders: a systematic review with meta-analysis of the epidemiological evidence. Environ Health. 2015 May 31;14:46. doi: 10.1186/s12940-015-0036-5. PMID: 26026606; PMCID: PMC4472611. Amir S, Shah STA, Mamoulakis C, Docea AO, Kalantzi OI, Zachariou A, Calina D, Carvalho F, Sofikitis N, Makrigiannakis A, Tsatsakis A. Endocrine Disruptors Acting on Estrogen and Androgen Pathways Cause Reproductive Disorders through Multiple Mechanisms: A Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Feb 4;18(4):1464. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18041464. PMID: 33557243; PMCID: PMC7913912. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, “Endocrine Disruptors,” https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/endocrine/index.cfm) Heindel JJ, Blumberg B. Environmental Obesogens: Mechanisms and Controversies. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol. 2019 Jan 6;59:89-106. doi: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-010818-021304. Epub 2018 Jul 25. PMID: 30044726; PMCID: PMC6559802. Fung TT, Hu FB, Barbieri RL, Willett WC, Hankinson SE. Dietary patterns, the Alternate Healthy Eating Index and plasma sex hormone concentrations in postmenopausal women. Int J Cancer. 2007 Aug 15;121(4):803-9. doi: 10.1002/ijc.22728. PMID: 17455249. Gillco Ingredients, Organic Food Statistics That May Surprise You, https://gillco.com/2022/07/20/organic-food-statistics-that-may-surprise-you/ Fung TT, Hu FB, Barbieri RL, Willett WC, Hankinson SE. Dietary patterns, the Alternate Healthy Eating Index and plasma sex hormone concentrations in postmenopausal women. Int J Cancer. 2007 Aug 15;121(4):803-9. doi: 10.1002/ijc.22728. PMID: 17455249. Dodson RE, Boronow KE, Susmann H, Udesky JO, Rodgers KM, Weller D, Woudneh M, Brody JG, Rudel RA. Consumer behavior and exposure to parabens, bisphenols, triclosan, dichlorophenols, and benzophenone-3: Results from a crowdsourced biomonitoring study. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2020 Sep;230:113624. doi: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2020.113624. Epub 2020 Sep 30. PMID: 33011057. Gerster FM, Vernez D, Wild PP, Hopf NB. Hazardous substances in frequently used professional cleaning products. Int J Occup Environ Health. 2014 Jan-Mar;20(1):46-60. doi: 10.1179/2049396713Y.0000000052. PMID: 24804339; PMCID: PMC4096065.
Share by: