STITTLEBURG RESTORATIVE HEALTH CARE - Truth With Dr. Taryn

Let’s Talk About Breast Implant Illness- Part 1

websites@hibu.com (Hibu Websites) — Mon, 08 Nov 2021 21:09:00 GMT

This is going to be a multiple series blog.The first part is going to be devoted to having a real talk about breast implant illness. I am currently on day 33 of explant and have had a myriad of complications following having silicone implants for over 11 years. (That’ll be addressed more in the next series.) I recently posted this question on my personal social media, “Do y [...]

Let's talk food allergies!

websites@hibu.com (Hibu Websites) — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 18:32:00 GMT

Did you know that behind every food allergy is an immune system that’s gone awry?! When a patient has a food allergy, what do we do? Remove the offending food. What if it’s with a kiddo, with multiple food allergies? What if there’s also an atopic response, like eczema or asthma?Behind every food allergy there is an immune system that has gone awry.Behind every food allergy there are a my [...]

Third Trimester Feels: High Risk Edition-

websites@hibu.com (Hibu Websites) — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 22:00:00 GMT

My daughter, Zirah, came into this world at 32 weeks by emergency cesarean.

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O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree- How Toxic are Thee?

websites@hibu.com (Hibu Websites) — Sun, 06 Dec 2020 16:51:00 GMT

Every year, roughly 80% of Americans, have an artificial Christmas tree in their house. This may be something you’ve never thought twice about- until now. I grew up taking a family trip to the Christmas tree farm, hopping on a wagon ride, all the while searching for THE PERFECT tree for my dad to cut down. We now continue this tradition with my family. Artificial trees are something I haven’t had any personal experience with, but the majorit [...]

Let’s Talk Constipation!

websites@hibu.com (Hibu Websites) — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 19:37:00 GMT

theproductlawyers.com/miralax/side-effects/

You can order yours here.

Let’s Talk About Delayed Cord Clamping!

websites@hibu.com (Hibu Websites) — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 00:05:00 GMT

A study published in The Journal of Pediatrics shows that waiting five minutes or more before clamping the umbilical cord, while infants are held skin-to-skin with the mother, leads to more myelin development. Myelin is a fatty substance in the brain that wraps around all of the axons of the nerve cells. PMC6259583

Another study concluded “Delayed cord clamping, compared with early clamping, resulted in improved iron status and reduced prevalence of iron deficiency at 4 months of age, and reduced prevalence of neonatal anemia, without demonstrable adverse effects. As iron deficiency in infants even without anemia has been associated with impaired development, delayed cord clamping seems to benefit full term infants even in regions with a relatively low prevalence of iron deficiency anemia.”

What You Need to Know About Herbalife Protein Powder:

websites@hibu.com (Hibu Websites) — Mon, 19 Oct 2020 18:21:00 GMT

Folic acid is not our friend

MTHFR genetic mutation

(thanks Monsanto)

PCOS

What You Need to Know About Thrive Le-Vel:

websites@hibu.com (Hibu Websites) — Mon, 05 Oct 2020 20:13:00 GMT

Folic acid is not our friend

Monsanto

LEt's talk gratitude, mom life, and home life!

websites@hibu.com (Hibu Websites) — Sun, 27 Sep 2020 20:04:00 GMT

Start each day with a grateful heart. Enjoy the little things that bring you joy. This morning, I came down the steps to, Derek, washing dishes, loading dishes, and starting breakfast. Immediately I was elated. I sat down on the island finishing some emails on my phone. He finished up the dishes, washed the sink, and started making our blueberry pancakes. In that very moment, I couldn [...]

Let’s Talk First Trimester Feels!

websites@hibu.com (Hibu Websites) — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 18:46:00 GMT

As adressed in one of my blogs, my last pregnancy ended in an emergency C-section.

Remember, not all supplements are created equal!

They MUST be high quality.

reach out!

Let’s Talk About Preemies!

Mon, 17 Aug 2020 00:28:12 GMT

Let’s Talk About Preemies!

Today, my preemie princess turns two years old! I get asked often why I specialized in Functional Medicine and no longer adjust chiropractically- my answer is directed to my daughter, Zirah.

Zirah, was born at 32 weeks gestation. I suffered from placenta abruption, placenta previa, and vasa previa. We were both very lucky to live through birth and to continue to tell our story today.

If you’re like me, you’ve experienced the birth of a preemie.

If you’re also like me, people you love have experienced a birth of a preemie.

In the United States, 1 in 10 babies are born premature.

So here we are, two years later, using our story to educate, inform, & relate.

Today I want to focus on the gut. Our second brain.

Did you know that well over half of premature babies are delivered via cesarean section?

This means that your baby doesn’t receive the beneficial bacteria he or she needs from the birth canal. These beneficial bacteria can reduce susceptibility to food allergies, asthma, hay fever, and even obesity later in life.

Did you know that it is ‘protocol’ to give preemies a preventative antibiotic once they are born?

This is a proactive measure to prevent a deadly infection and is administered for 24 to 48 hours. However, what has that done to their already immature gut microbiome? It has completely wiped out even the good bacteria.

Research continues to show that ONE round of antibiotics can change the gut microbiome negatively for up to FIVE years. That’s saying you’ve only had one round of antibiotics in five years.

Our immune system is founded in our gut. This vital component of our health and wellness isn’t just reborn without help.

Did you know that commonly preemies leave the hospital with medications geared towards GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), breathing treatments, and/or bowel movement problems?
The gut-lung axis has a huge influence on all three.

Fun Fact: The central nervous system (CNS) is directly responsible for the process of peristalsis (which the body uses to make sure everything goes through the digestive tract in the correct direction). This is the primary malfunction of GERD. What helps directly with peristalsis? Specific chiropractic care.

You may have noticed that we keep coming back to how the gut needs to have greater focus…

Zirah, was a very special case. She developed NEC (Necrotizing Enterocolitis) which is a very dangerous infection in your gut as well as the biggest culprit of deaths in premature babies. Zirah, was placed on antibiotics for THIRTEEN whole days. This was the longest 13 days of my entire life. While she was on these high dose antibiotics, she couldn’t have any food in her stomach and was given her nutrition through IV. I knew that my daughter was never going to be developmentally 'caught up' if I didn’t learn everything I could about repairing her gut.

I am eternally thankful to traditional western medicine for saving both mine and Zirah’s lives, but I am forever grateful to alternative medicine for giving Zirah her life back. This wasn’t a quick fix and her journey is still evolving. Without functional medicine, chiropractic, and healthy living practices our two-year checkup would have been much, much different. You’d have never guessed this little diva spent the first part of her life- fighting for it.

Fast forward to now, this is why I started Stittleburg RHC and why I love helping kiddos.

Do you have a preemie that suffers from allergies, is constantly sick, never 'catches a break', and/or isn’t hitting their developmental milestones? Please, reach out!

Do you or someone you love have a preemie? Be proactive, let’s get that gut back to health!

The best part about healing, it’s never too late to start the journey. There are supplements and herbs that are beneficial in gut healing, along with diet and lifestyle changes! Contact us for more information.

I am also here to say, being a NICU mama is hard.
It's one of the hardest things I've ever endured.
It's okay to not be okay.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, please reach out.
You can't pour from an empty cup!
And the woman you were before you became, Mommy, matters.

As always- stay healthy, friends.
Dr. Taryn

What's in your makeup & Skincare products?

Sat, 20 Jun 2020 01:04:44 GMT

What's in your makeup & Skincare products?

Did you know that it can take just 26 seconds for certain harmful chemicals to enter your bloodstream after penetrating your skin?

As women, we're a constant target for skincare/cosmetics. We've all noticed the this will help you reduce age spots, diminish wrinkles, reduce the tiresome eye bags, give you voluminous lashes, hide your acne, etc. BUT at what health expense?

Did you have that SEVENTY-FIVE percent of all autoimmune diseases are diagnosed with women? Our bodies were not meant to function with added toxins and stress.

If you're like me, before I knew better, I dabbled in some of these 'make me glamorous like Beyoncé concoctions.' My skin would break out, my eyes would water, my face and/or body would itch- you know the drill. And I'd sit there thinking, 'it said natural' or 'it said safe'.... These words mean NOTHING on labels. They are just a production of greenwashing.

Greenwashing is considered an unsubstantiated claim to deceive consumers into believing that a company's products are environmentally friendly and therefore ‘better’.

Check out our Products We Love page to order yours!

Make the switch, your body will thank you.

Toxic skincare (sunscreen) thursday!

Thu, 28 May 2020 01:33:23 GMT

Toxic skincare (sunscreen) thursday!

It’s finally summer!

If you’re like me, you may still be nursing a sunburn from the long Memorial Weekend.

Now, I talk about how important Vitamin D is BUT you need Vitamin D in a healthy way. This means we must protect ourselves with sunscreen. (And remember to reapply why you’re kayaking for four hours.)

I get constant questions about safe sunscreen options because, let’s be real, there are a lot of sunscreens.

It’s Toxic Skincare Thursday and I’m covering... L’Bri!!

I speak a lot about greenwashing. Greenwashing is considered an unsubstantiated claim to deceive consumers into believing that a company's products are environmentally friendly and therefore ‘better’.

L’Bri is a prime example of greenwashing. I did a quick Google search to get to their homepage and immediately saw “PURE n’ NATURAL” further down “NATURAL & SAFE”. Which left me shocked as I looked over their ingredient list…

In their cosmetics they typically use the following blacklisted ingredients:

EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid)
GSE (Grapefruit Seed Extract)
Phenoxyethanol

In their skincare they typically use the following blacklisted ingredients:

Fragrance (“essence”)
PEGs ((Polyethylene Glycol)
Phenoxyethanol
Retinyl Palmitate

In addition:
- It is unspecified if minerals used are non-nano.
(I’m still waiting for an email response to this question.)
- Not Leaping Bunny Certified cruelty free.

As women, we're a constant target for skincare companies. Did you know that it can take just 26 seconds for certain harmful chemicals to enter your bloodstream after penetrating your skin? We've all noticed the- try this it’s natural, it’s safe, it’s clean… We don’t know better until we know better. And trust me, reading ingredients is a full time job.

Before I knew better, I dabbled in some of these 'make me glamorous like Beyoncé concoctions.' Especially when it came to sunscreen to ‘prevent wrinkles, diminish sunspots, reduce crow’s-feet, blah blah.’ My skin would break out, my eyes would water, my face and/or body would itch- you know the drill.

Go grab your sunscreen and check for:

Oxybenzone
Oxybenzone is found in about 80% of all chemical sunscreens and is used as a UV light absorber and filter.
Octinoxate
Octocrylene
Homosalate
Common chemical preservatives like: Parabens, and Phenoxyethanol.
These are all blacklisted, sneaky, no good, toxic ingredients typically found in sunscreens.

Phenoxyethanol is found in L'Bri's sunscreen.
I also do not recommend spray-on SPF (to avoid inhalation of chemicals).

First and foremost you want a Zinc Oxide (my preference) or a Titanium Dioxide Mineral sunscreen. Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide are natural minerals that physically block the sun’s radiation by forming a barrier that sits on top of the skin and reflects the sun’s rays. This causes them to scatter versus being absorbed into the skin through the use of chemical sunscreens.

They also need to be non-nanoparticles or non-nano. Non-nano means the particles do not enter the bloodstream- with nano, they do.

It is unspecified if L'Bri's minerals used are non-nano.

Secondly, choosing a ‘Reef Friendly’ or ‘Reef Safe’ certified product means it doesn’t contain ingredients that would harm the coral.

Lastly, be sure to still check your labels for unsafe preservatives.

If you're wondering what brand I personally use and suggest- head over to my 'products we love page' !

I use Badger on myself, Derek, and my kiddos.
(There's a discount through Wellevate!)
I use Crunchi’s Sunlight on my face!

As always, limiting toxin exposure is an excellent idea.
Let’s get back to health,
Dr. Taryn

Toxic Cosmetic Thursday- Physicians formula!

Thu, 21 May 2020 01:43:19 GMT

Toxic Cosmetic Thursday- Physicians formula!

Did you know that it can take just 26 seconds for certain harmful chemicals to enter your bloodstream after penetrating your skin?

Did you know that most skincare and cosmetic ingredients are unregulated- meaning lots of sneaky, no good, blacklisted ingredients are used?

I had overwhelming support with sharing toxic ingredients in common cosmetics.
I had a lot of questions pertaining to each "blacklisted" ingredient.

If you're like me, before I knew better, I dabbled in some of these 'make me glamorous like Beyoncé concoctions.' My skin would break out, my eyes would water, my face and/or body would itch- you know the drill. And I'd sit there thinking, 'it said natural' or 'it said safe'.... These words mean NOTHING on labels. They are just a production of greenwashing.

Greenwashing is considered an unsubstantiated claim to deceive consumers into believing that a company's products are environmentally friendly and therefore ‘better’.

For those of you using Physicians Formula cosmetics, I urge you to look on your label for:

Even if you're not using Physicians Formula I'd check for these.

• Artificial fragrance
• BHA
• BHT
• Disodium EDTA
• Loose Titanium Dioxide
• PEG’s
• Phenoxyethanol
• Octinoxate
• Retinyl Palmitate

For those of you using Physicians Formula skincare, I urge you to look on your label for:

• BHT
• Disodium EDTA
• Fragrance (parfum)
• Octinoxate
• Oxtisalate
• Oxybenzone
• PEG’s
• Petroleum derived colorants
• Phenoxyethanol
• Propylene Glycol

Honestly, reading a never ending list of hard to pronounce, maybe never noticed words, is tedious and somewhat overwhelming if you've never done it before.

I am going to dig deeper into 3 of these blacklisted ingredients that are commonly used in both their cosmetic and skincare products.

BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
PEG's (Polyethylene Glycol)
Phenoxyethanol (2-phenoxyethanol)

BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)

“A toluene-based ingredient used as a preservative in food and personal care products. There is a lot of controversy surrounding BHT because of its suspected potential endocrine-disrupting and carcinogenic effects.”1

Sources:
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/3203/50af38be626d835d9572788fbc2dcb646e63.pdf
https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/htdocs/lt_rpts/tr150.pdf

PEG's (Polyethylene Glycol)

“A group of ingredients with the prefix “PEG-” followed by a number. They are made by the process of ethoxylation in which carcinogenic ethylene oxide is reacted with other ingredients to make them less harsh on the skin. As a result of the ethoxylation process, 1,4-dioxane is created and can be left behind in the product. 1,4-dioxane can be reduced or removed from a product through the vacuum-stripping process. But independent tests show that many manufacturers fail to do so. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) has classified 1,4-dioxane as ‘likely to be carcinogenic to humans.’ FDA studies showed that 1,4-dioxane can penetrate human skin.”1

Sources:
https://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ProductsIngredients/PotentialContaminants/ucm101566.htm
http://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/14-dioxane/
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/phs/phs.asp?id=953&tid=199
https://www.organicconsumers.org/press/ocas-new-study-finds-greatly-reduced-carcinogens-personal-care-products

Phenoxyethanol (2-phenoxyethanol)

“A common preservative used in cosmetics, skincare, and personal care products. It is a member of the glycol ether family and is the product of the reaction of highly corrosive phenol with carcinogenic ethylene oxide. As a result, it may contain residue amounts of both. The American Society of Contact Dermatitis lists phenoxyethanol as one of its core allergens, even in concentrations as low as 1%.”1

Sources:
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/substances/toxsubstance.asp?toxid=133
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/mmg/mmg.asp?id=144&tid=27
https://www.contactderm.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageID=3563
https://online.personalcarecouncil.org/ctfa-static/online/lists/cir-pdfs/pr139.pdf

If you're wondering what brand I personally use and suggest that uses ZERO blacklisted ingredients- head over to my 'products we love page' !

As always- let's get back to health,
Dr. Taryn

References:
1. https://crunchi.com/explore/blacklisted-ingredients

Let's talk about [single] mom life!

Mon, 04 May 2020 01:15:41 GMT

Let's talk about [single] mom life!

Today’s blog is going to be a little bit different. It’s raw, real, and vulnerable.

Being a mom is hard. Right now, most moms are juggling their careers, while being their children’s teacher, while being daycare for their younger children, while continuing daily home tasks.

Did you know that right now, today, there are more single mothers than ever in history? In 2019, there were 15 million single mother-headed households and 25% of families are headed by a single parent (80% of those households are headed by moms).

Now, this blog isn’t directed solely at single moms. You could be a mom who sometimes feels like a single mom, one that used to be a single mom, or one that simply relates to what I’m going to type. Either way, moms need our support- probably now more than ever.

This blog is for you, my single moms. Mother’s Day is fast approaching- just know, we see you and we appreciate you. (I’m sending extra love to those that won’t have their kiddos on Sunday per their placement order.) I am typing this to bring a sigh of relief, relatability, and positivity. I, too, was a single mom for most of my son’s life.

The Co-Parenting

I am a co-parent. Am I the only one that almost feels dirty saying that? It took me a lot, and I mean, a lot of years to be comfortable saying that. Co-parenting is hard- and I mean extremely hard, painstaking hard. It’s truly exhausting physically, mentally, and emotionally. Every holiday needs coordination, every appointment, every life changing thought- not only coordinated with your current significant other, but also your child’s father. Speaking of significant other, you first need to find the one that’s worthy of your love and your child’s love. That loves your child as their own. Once you find that, never let it go. And never, ever trust a man or woman who tries to destroy you when they're angry.

With all of this comes stress, worry, fear and last but not least- anger and frustration. These five emotions are detrimental to your health. These five emotions can destroy your happiness and suck the positivity from your life. Read that back, you caught the ‘can destroy your happiness’, right? It doesn’t HAVE to.

The next time you feel overwhelmed in your co-parenting situation, when you feel like you may succumb to the demons of negativity, close your eyes and take a deep breath. Don’t send that text that you’re angrily typing, don’t say those words that you’ll never get back, just take a deep breath. At the end of the day, you can only control what you can control- leave the rest to the big man upstairs. If the deep breathing doesn’t cut it, go for a bike ride, go for a walk, throw the cheap store boughten eggs at a tree in the backyard. Whatever you do, turn that rush of negativity into positivity, your body will thank you.

The Stigma

The dreaded ‘single mom stigma’ (insert eye roll emoji). Having a different last name than your child isn’t this centuries scarlet letter. The world we live in is full of loving, supporting individuals- just like it’s full of hating, undermining individuals. No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. If someone is making you feel that way, that’s not someone that needs to take up anymore space in your life. Life is too short to be anything but happy. I know, that’s incredibly cliché, but it’s true. If someone is projecting their doubt onto you- cut the cord.

If you’re unhappy with your job, find one that makes you happy. If you’re unhappy with your home situation, develop a plan that brings you happiness. Sitting around and dwelling on the ‘what ifs’ is only holding you back. A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.

The Mom Guilt

Damned if you do, damned if you don’t- is how I feel about it. I’m very blunt, many can attest to that. Remember when I was talking about not dwelling on the ‘what ifs’? A huge portion of mom guilt stems from those two words. You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.

Your mental health is vital. STOP wondering if your children know they’re loved. (They do.) STOP questioning if you’re a failure. (You aren’t.) Staying in a relationship solely because you created children is like staying on the Titanic because you shaped the steel.

As moms, we tend to focus all our energy on our children. But you can’t help your children if you aren’t helping yourself. What do I mean by that? STOP beating yourself up for needing me time. STOP beating yourself up for having to work two jobs to put food on the table and make ends meet. STOP beating yourself up for asking for help. We all need help, at some point in our lives.

To all my single mamas reading this, know you’re not alone. It’s okay to have a rough day- tomorrow is always a new day. It’s not okay to be stuck in a void, just going through the motions. If you feel this way, please reach out! I’m here to tell you there is hope. And remember, you were someone before you were their mom- and that someone matters.

I still remember the days that I prayed for what I have now.

All my love,
Dr. Taryn

Let’s Talk Elderberry, Tylenol, and COVID-19!

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 02:46:00 GMT

Let’s Talk Elderberry, Tylenol, and COVID-19!

Before I start this blog, I need to say, we may be in an uncertain time; however, be kind. Don’t take part in the mass panic. This too shall pass . Spread love and support one another!

Alright, now back to the nitty gritty.....

I’m sure you’ve noticed the posts circling, the news anchors chatting, and your mother calling about not using Advil for the Coronavirus or elderberry, but instead to use Tylenol.

When I see things like this, I revert to what I know best, science and research. I immediately think of how the body functions and what pathways are affected. The yin and the yang. Before I start talking about what may be foreign words to most, I’m going to break a couple things down.

Cytokines: “ Cytokines are multifunctional molecules that mediate a wide range of physiological responses, primarily host defense (immunity and inflammation). In addition to their role in immunity and inflammation, cytokines are involved in a variety of pathophysiological conditions in the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS), and thus serve as neuro-immunomodulators.”

Pro-inflammatory cytokines:

IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IL-17, IFN-γ, TNF-α

Anti-inflammatory cytokines:

IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, TGF-β

Th1 cytokine profile: IL-2, IL-12, IFN- γ, TNF-α
Th1 cytokines are associated with bacterial infections and certain autoimmune disorders (i.e.: atherosclerosis, Multiple Sclerosis, Crohn's, Ulcerative Colitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis)
TH-1 Dominant= Too much natural killer and cytotoxic T-cell activity
Research shows that Type 1 Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis and chronic viral infections are often associated with a TH-1 dominance.
Th2 cytokine profile: IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13
Th2 cytokines indicate allergic responses or mucosal parasitic infections.
TH-2 Dominant= Too much B-cell activity
Research shows that Lupus, dermatitis, asthma and multiple chemical sensitivities are often associated with a TH-2 dominance.

The goal in Th1/Th2 dominance is to balance them. You do this by stimulating the non-dominant side. It's easier said than done! But, that's why I'm here.

Th17 cytokine profile: IL-6, IL-17, TNF-α, TGF-β
Th17 cells are implicated in autoimmune disorders; but IL-17 is also key to maintaining a protective intestinal mucosal barrier and to fighting bacterial, mycobacterial, and fungal infections.

Cytokine Storm (hypercytokinemia): The systemic expression of a healthy and vigorous immune system resulting in the release of more than 150 known inflammatory mediators. This isn’t a good thing.

Okay, let me break this down:

Coronavirus, when it’s severe, gets into the lungs and becomes a respiratory problem- an immense one at that- especially in the elderly and the immunocompromised. The elderly and immunocompromised typically have lower glutathione levels, lower stomach acid, and redox imbalance.

Elderberry stimulates Th1 cytokines, which some are inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1, IL-8). The increased inflammatory response is vital for the initial stage of our immune system killing pathogens. Hence, why it can be potentially helpful against the Coronavirus. It summons the many components of the immune system to the infection to kill the bug. In some people, taking this may be helpful.

Elderberry is also an adaptogenic – increasing cytokines in some situations and decreasing them in others. There’s research showing it is anti-viral, by blocking viral uptake. So much research on this that there’s a meta-analysis.

But as the study circulating suggested, the potential danger is the increased IL-6 production. If you increase IL-6 in a patient, who has high TGFb (transforming growth factor beta) you will increase and activate the amount of Th9 cells. Th9 cells produce enormous amounts of IL-9. What does this mean? Massive mucus production. In a respiratory illness, increasing mucus production is not what you want.

But IL-6 alone will not raise the Th9 levels and activity. You also need elevated TGFb. When TGFb is high, it’s made from MDSCs (myeloid derived suppressor cells). MDSC’s rise when the immune system is being inefficient and having trouble clearing infections, resulting in chronic elevated inflammatory levels- commonly seen in autoimmune disease.

The thought is, if you have a Th1 polarized disease, elderberry could induce a “cytokine storm” inside your body. However, on the flip side, elderberry has never been shown to increase cytokine storm. It’s a hard row to hoe to actually trigger a cytokine storm. In fact, the scientific literature suggests that herbs (including Echinacea) decrease cytokine storms. PMID: 28279802

The cytokine storm of severe influenza and development of immunomodulatory therapy. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4711683/. Accessed March 2, 2020.

Elderberry supplementation, in an otherwise healthy individual, is not harmful. During respiratory distress, if you have an autoimmune disorder, elderberry may not be the best choice.

Now let’s discuss the push to use Tylenol (Acetaminophen) instead- YIKES!

If you’re wondering where the ‘yikes’ comes from, read this.

Basically, acetaminophen depletes glutathione. Glutathione is the holy grail of antioxidants in your body. Tylenol does NOTHING to help “treat” anything positive in your body. Tylenol simply “treats” symptoms. Not only is Tylenol reducing your low-grade fever, which is needed to fight the viral infection, but it’s also negatively impacting your liver. Your liver is your primary detoxification organ. Your liver is your body’s glutathione reservoir.

If you’re taking Tylenol to combat the Coronavirus, your body will take longer to recover. And that’s just the cold, hard truth.

So, let's talk prevention and/or recovery!

First and foremost, when it comes to preventing upper respiratory infections, you want to increase Defensins (Vitamin D). Why? So that any virus landing on the skin or in the mouth are killed on contact.

You want a diet high in antioxidants- Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C are VITAL! Hell, even if your diet is high in these, added supplementation is still a great idea. If you live where the air hurts your face; you MUST supplement Vitamin D.

Wash your hands, get adequate sleep, take your supplements, get adjusted, reduce your stress, drink water, eat whole foods, support your body.

There are a multitude of upper respiratory support herbs, GI tract support (probiotics are hugely important), overall immune support, etc.- SO MANY OTHER OPTIONS THAT ARE SUPERIOR TO TYLENOL!

Now, before you hop on Amazon or run to your local retail store to supplement- independent verification is an absolute must.

Our supplements are shipped right to your door, through Wellevate!

I hope this eased some minds, clarified some others, and most of all- educated. I’m always here to help!

As always, let's get back to health,
Dr. Taryn

Virtual appointments available!
Please contact Stittleburg Restorative Health Care for your supplemental needs.

Let’s Talk About Fat-Soluble Vitamins!

Wed, 26 Feb 2020 04:35:33 GMT

Let’s Talk About Fat-Soluble Vitamins!

Do you take Vitamins A, D, E, and/or K on an empty stomach!? If you do, the only thing you’re accomplishing is- expensive pee.

Most vitamins are water-soluble. However, Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat-soluble vitamins. What this means is, for absorption, there must be fat inside your stomach. And, no, excess fat on your body doesn’t count! Now when I talk about eating fat with Vitamins A, D, E and K- I don’t mean the fat off a steak. I mean good fats- nuts, coconut oil, avocados, etc.

Alright, let’s break down the purpose of these fat-soluble vitamins: And why you NEED them!

Vitamin A has four major functions in the body: “(1) It helps cells reproduce normally—a process called differentiation (cells that have not properly differentiated are more likely to undergo pre-cancerous changes). (2) It is required for vision; Vitamin A maintains healthy cells in various structures of the eye and is required for the transduction of light into nerve signals in the retina. (3) It is required for normal growth and development of the embryo and fetus, influencing genes that determine the sequential development of organs in embryonic development. (4) It may be required for normal reproductive function, with influences on the function and development of sperm, ovaries and placenta.”

My son just turned seven, Vitamin A is his favorite vitamin. Whenever I can’t find something or if I can’t see something, he tells me that I need to eat more carrots! He then takes over the search because he ‘eats a lot of carrots’.

Fun Fact:

Vitamin A plays a critical role in proper immune function, it has been used successfully to prevent and treat measles and to treat chicken pox.

“ Vitamin D’s most important role is maintaining blood levels of calcium, which it accomplishes by increasing absorption of calcium from food and reducing urinary calcium loss. Both effects keep calcium in the body and therefore spare the calcium that is stored in bones. When necessary, Vitamin D transfers calcium from the bone into the bloodstream, which does not benefit bones.”

Vitamin D has very strong influence on almost every single organ system in the body and epigenetics of the body.

If you live where the air hurts your face, you need Vitamin D supplementation during the winter months.

Fun Fact:

Vitamin D malabsorption is common in Crohn’s and can lead to a deficiency. It is also needed to support healthy immune and pancreatic function. Supplementing with Vitamin D may improve blood sugar control in those with Diabetes.

“Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects cell membranes and other fat-soluble parts of the body, such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL; cholesterol) cholesterol, from damage.” Antioxidants protect cells from the damaging effects of free radicals. Antioxidants are VITAL!

Fun Fact:

Vitamin E protects joints against oxidative damage. Supplementing with Vitamin E can help ease symptoms, including pain

“ Vitamin K is needed for proper bone formation and blood clotting. In both cases, vitamin K does this by helping the body transport calcium. Vitamin K is used by doctors when treating an overdose of Warfarin. Also, doctors prescribe Vitamin K to prevent excessive bleeding in people taking Warfarin but requiring surgery.”

Fun Fact:

The malabsorption that occurs in Celiac Disease can lead to multiple nutritional deficiencies. Supplementing with Vitamin K may correct a deficiency.

Now, before you hop on Amazon or run to your local retail store to supplement some extra Vitamins A, D, E, and K into your life- not all supplements are created equal! Independent verification is an absolute must.

Please contact Stittleburg Restorative Health Care for your supplemental needs.

I hope you learned something.
Let's get back to health,
Dr. Taryn

What is glyphosate?

Thu, 13 Feb 2020 04:49:00 GMT

What is glyphosate?

I very often talk about glyphosate, nonchalantly, thinking everyone knows what it is. However, most people have no idea what it is and how it’s negatively impacting our health.

Fun Fact:

Glyphosate is in Cheerios, Cheez-Its, Annie’s, Oreos, Doritos, etc.

Glyphosate is an herbicide, the active ingredient in Roundup. It was patented and introduced by Monsanto in 1974 for agricultural weed control. In 1992 glyphosate, began to be used as a desiccant (it accelerates drying and speed ripening before harvest.) Approximately 90% of domestic corn acres and 94% of domestic soybean acres are produced with herbicide tolerant seeds.

Fun fact:

There are over 750 products containing glyphosate for sale in the United States.

Genetically modified (GM) crops are sprayed with glyphosate, usually referred to as “Roundup Ready” crops (RR). Wait, hold the phone, what are genetically modified crops?

Genetically modified crops have been created in a laboratory- just like the Impossible Burger. Their genetic material has been artificially manipulated through genetic engineering.

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which are genetically modified crops, have been engineered to endure the direct application of an herbicide and/or to produce an insecticide. Hence, why they’re called “Roundup Ready”. However, GMO’s do not stop at withstanding herbicides, they now are used to resist browning of apples or create seedless watermelons.

Over 80% of genetically modified (GM) crops grown worldwide are engineered to tolerate being sprayed with glyphosate herbicides.1
Roughly 4.5 billion pounds of glyphosate are used worldwide- spraying highways, powerlines, golf courses, your children’s school, gardens, lawns, etc.2
75% of the air we breathe and water we count on is contaminated with glyphosate.2

Over the last 25 years we have seen the most profound explosion of chronic disease in human history.

Glyphosate is a water-soluble toxin. What does that mean? Just simply that it’s able to dissolve in water. Roughly 60% of the human body is made up of water.

While you may have over 20,000 chemicals in your body, two that are particularly hazardous to your brain are glyphosate and aluminum. Glyphosate is an analog of the amino acid glycine. It attaches in places where you need glycine. Importantly, glycine is used up in the detoxification process, hence many of us do not have enough glycine for efficient detoxification.3

To add on to that, Glyphosate can lower the sulfate levels inside your body. Sulfate is needed to produce glutathione. Glutathione is your body’s chief detoxing agent to xenobiotics. Xenobiotics are harmful environmental compounds such as pesticides, herbicides, and heavy metals.

I may have lost you with that biology mumbo-jumbo so let me break this down:

Glyphosate lowers sulfate.
Sulfate is needed for glutathione production.
Glutathione is one of the most protective molecules in your body.
Glyphosate is a water-soluble toxin.
Your body is roughly 60% water.
Water soluble toxins are supposed to be excreted through your pee.
Glutathione attaches to hydrogen peroxide.
Not the brown bottle in your cabinet that should be tossed out.
Hydrogen peroxide aids in converting glutathione to water.
So you can pee out the water-soluble toxins.
Excess hydrogen peroxide disrupts your Methylation Cycle.
Every single cell/tissue in your body must methylate and the Methylation Cycle is arguably the most important metabolic pathway in your body.
In order to make glutathione your body requires cysteine.
Cysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid.
Glyphosate lowers sulfate.

Do you see the issue here?

Glyphosate impairs VITAL biochemical cascades inside your body.

The United States of America has THE MOST expensive healthcare system in the world. Why is our health continuing to decline? Let’s invest in our health and well-being. Let's focus on healing from the inside out. We deserve it, our children deserve it.

Let's get back to health,
Dr. Taryn

James C. Global Status of Commercialized biotech/GM Crops: 2012. ISAAA; 2012. Available at: http://www.isaaa.org/resources/publications/briefs/44/download/isaaa-brief-44-2012.pdf .
TRACTOR TIME EPISODE 37: DR. ZACH BUSH ON GLYPHOSATE, FARMING AND HUMAN HEALTH- Dr. Zach Bush is a triple-board certified physician, with a focus on internal medicine, endocrinology, and hospice and palliative care.
Ronald J. Grisanti, D.C.,D.A.B.C.O., D.A.C.B.N., M.S.

Let’s Talk About Beef!

Mon, 10 Feb 2020 05:03:23 GMT

Let’s Talk About Beef!

Beef is a great protein source and has excellent vitamins and minerals. However, there are many different types of beef that can have a negative or positive impact on your health.

Okay, first let’s do a little breakdown of the type of beef that’s readily available for purchase:

100% Grass Fed: ALL of the cow’s nutrition comes from fresh grasses, dried and stored forages- no grains. Even in the winter! There is now a certification to prove that your cattle are 100% grass fed.
Grass Fed: SOME of the animals’ diet came from fresh pasture or dried grasses like hay. It could be a little, or it could be a lot.
Organic: To be certified organic, animals must meet the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP) livestock requirements. They must only be fed certified organic feed and cannot receive any growth hormones or antibiotics. This means, no herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, etc. can used on their food.
All-Natural: Somewhat of a buzzword, but simply means that a cow was raised without antibiotics and hormones.
Pasture Raised: Cattle can roam outside and are not confined to indoor feedlots.
Organic, 100% Grass Fed: Go ahead an combine the organic and 100% grass fed definition and voila! Cattle are only fed grasses, never grain. Cattle are never given antibiotics or hormones.

I’ve mentioned before that I live on an organic, 100% grass fed dairy farm. I will not pretend that I know everything about farming, but I now know more than I ever have. I’m always learning- I’m unapologetically a nerd. However, nutrition education is pretty black and white and that’s this blog’s primary focus.

I also need to make something very clear; I support ALL farmers.
Farming is hard, dangerous, and underappreciated.

My quick farm life definitions:

I did not grow up on a farm- I am from Wisconsin- I didn’t know all these definitions

Cow: fully grown female who has born a calf.
Heifer: a young female cow that has not born a calf.
Steer: young neutered male.
Bull: an uncastrated male.
Beef Cattle: cattle raised for meat production.
Beef: is the culinary name for meat from cattle.
Cattle: large ruminant animals with horns and cloven hoofs, domesticated for meat or milk.

Alright, you’re heading home to cook supper and you need some hamburger, you need gas, and you drive right past a Kwik Trip. $1.99 for a pound of hamburger and it says, “all natural”?! You’re thinking you hit the jackpot, right? Wrong. (Now, I’m not just blasting Kwik Trip, these comments will remain the same for traditional store-bought hamburger.)

You are what you eat. Cliche, I know, but it’s true. What cattle eat significantly affects the nutrient composition of its beef.

Let’s look at the traditional, conventional (typical) cattle diet:

Haylage
Corn Silage- which is the corn stalk, the corn cob, and the shell corn processed
Corn
Soybean Meal
Roasted Soybeans- cooked soybeans that have high bypass protein
Minerals and Vitamins

What do I see? Grains, grains, and more grains- which means inflammation. To top it off, if the grains aren’t organic, they’ve been sprayed with toxic chemicals. Moreover, they’re usually genetically modified. This means, the seed was created in a lab in order to be sprayed with Roundup. Yikes.

Let’s look at the organic, 100% grass fed cattle diet:
Organic farmers never use antibiotics, toxic pesticides, synthetic hormones, or genetically modified (GM) feed.

Clover grass
Alfalfa
Minerals and Vitamins

What do I see? A nutritious, clean diet. With NO added toxic chemicals.

Grass fed beef contains less total fat than grain fed beef. That means less calories. PMID: 24018274

The composition of fatty acids is completely different:
Omega-3s: Grass fed beef contains up to five times as much omega-3’s PMID: 20807460 Research shows that 100% grass fed organic beef has comparable omega 3s to deep sea fish.
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA): Grass fed beef contains about twice as much CLA PMID: 20219103 CLA exhibits potent antioxidant activity.

Grass fed meat contains considerably more antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals:
Carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, are precursors to vitamin A- they are found in plants. Grain fed beef doesn’t have adequate levels of carotenoids- grains don’t contain them.
Antioxidants, vitamin E, glutathione, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase.
Zinc, iron, phosphorus, sodium, and potassium. PMID: 20219103

I hope it’s clear by now that when it comes to red meat, quality makes a big difference. I understand that you’re not going to be buying organic grass fed beef for $1.99 a pound. But, remember that grass fed meat is more nutrient dense than grain fed. So even though grass fed is more expensive, you’re getting more nutritional bang for your buck.

If you’re looking to buy organic, 100% grass fed beef- reach out, I know a guy.

But in all seriousness, I do have a fantastic referral for 100% grass fed, organic beef.

Check out Rib Falls Farms on Facebook!

Let's get back to health,
Dr. Taryn

Let’s Talk Armpit Detox!

Tue, 04 Feb 2020 06:08:46 GMT

Let’s Talk Armpit Detox!

Have you switched to a natural deodorant, but you can’t stand ‘your’ smell? This is what I call the transition period, and I’m here to tell you it doesn’t last forever! (Hallelujah!) AND this armpit detox will help speed up the stinky stage.

Wait, why even detox your armpits at all? Sounds weird, right? Well, you’ll thank me later!

First, let’s clear up the difference because deodorant and antiperspirant; they are two different things. Deodorant is meant to reduce body odor, and antiperspirant is meant to limit sweat. Conventional deodorants and antiperspirants contain chemicals and additives.

This is the chemical list in some deodorants and antiperspirants:

Aluminum – This is found in antiperspirants. The aluminum limits wetness by blocking your underarm sweat ducts and reduces body odor by inhibiting the bacteria that feed on your sweat. The two main health issues associated with aluminum in deodorant are Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer.
Phthalates –Endocrine disruptors often used in plastic to increase flexibility. These can cause hormone imbalance which can lead to infertility.
Propylene glycol – Also known as, antifreeze. Associated with a moderate risk of immunotoxicity and allergies
Formaldehyde - You read that right… A known carcinogen… must kill the germs though
Parabens - Another endocrine disruptor! This is preservative that leads to hormonal imbalance.

Are you looking for a new, non-toxic deodorant that works!?
My personal favorite is Primally Pure's Charcoal Deodorant!
Use code: DRTARYN for an extra discount.
Check out our Products We Love Page!

Are your armpits smelly?
Are you getting a rash from the baking soda in your natural deodorant?

The buildup of toxic chemicals could be the reason, and most likely is. Sometimes when you use a natural deodorant you will notice your armpits can smell bad. After detoxing your armpits, the odor and/or rash will continue to fade.

But why all this fuss about your armpits?!

Axillary lymph nodes are found in your pits. The purpose of these nodes are to support your immune system but to also filter out "bad guys" like cancer cells. Putting endocrine disruption chemicals directly on top of your lymph nodes is asking for problems. You armpits NEED to sweat, antiperspirants aren't allowing that. When you sweat, you detox.

Our skin is the body’s largest organ and we need to take care of it; what touches our skin enters our bloodstream!

Dr. Taryn's Detoxifying Armpit Recipe

Ingredients:
1 TBSP bentonite clay
2 tsp organic apple cider vinegar (Bragg's)

Instructions:

Mix ingredients together to create a paste.
Spread in an even layer over the armpits and allow to sit for 5-20 minutes. (If this is your first time doing the detox, I suggest you start with 5 minutes.) You’ll start slowly and work up to a longer amount of time once you see how your body reacts.
If it hurts at all, remove immediately.
Wash off in the shower or with a warm, wet washcloth. (I personally do it right before I shower.)

Repeat as needed until underarm odor goes away and natural deodorant is non-irritating.

Some deodorant’s I suggest- Primally Pure, Primal Pit Paste, Piper Wai, Smiley Pits, Vermont Soap, Pure Haven, Native

Me personal favorite is Primally Pure's Charcoal Deodorant!

Use code: DRTARYN for an extra discount!

Happy detoxing,
Dr. Taryn

Let’s talk about shampooing carpets!

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 06:20:58 GMT

Let’s talk about shampooing carpets!

Did you know that indoor air is more toxic than outdoor air?
Did you know that bacteria can live for up to four weeks in carpeting?
Did you know in the average home, up to five pounds of dirt can collect underneath carpeting yearly?

First and foremost,
REMOVE YOUR SHOES!

Shampooing your carpets (with non-toxic cleaner) regularly, can improve you air quality. I also strongly recommend a ‘no shoe rule’! Why is this? Enforcing a no shoe rule will dramatically decrease the toxins in your home.
Did you know carpeting is actually one of the most powerful natural air filters in your home, trapping dirt and germs from the air. Now, Let’s look at what’s lurking in our carpets.

Dust Mites

Dust mites are microscopic creatures. They are one of the major indoor triggers for people with allergies and asthma. Dust mites are nearly everywhere, and they feed on dead human skin cells found in dust.

Bacteria

Pets, shoes, kiddos, etc. bring bacteria into the home. Carpets create perfect homes for growth of bacterial colonies, especially if it’s cleaned infrequently. Typical carpet contains roughly 200,000 bacteria per square inch on average. That makes your carpet more germ packed than your toilet seat!

Allergens

Carpeting is a magnet for pollen and other allergens. They easily get stuck in the carpet fibers. Seasonal allergens enter the house through the windows and shoes, depositing right into your carpet.

Chemicals

Most carpets are treated with chemicals before they even enter your home. Did you purchase your phone from another family? I wonder what they used on their carpets... Remember my ‘no shoe rule’? It makes sense that chemical traces like herbicides, pesticides, gasoline, etc. have found on the soles of shoes.

Mold

I always suggest having your home tested for mold. Ongoing mold exposure is detrimental to your health and well-being. (Blog to come!) People living in humid parts of the world are more likely to have mold in their carpets. The fibers make it possible for mold to develop deep inside the fabric- without any noticeable symptoms.

Animal Hair, Dander, and Feces

Now, I am a huge proponent for pets being in the house. Having pets, like dogs or cats, are very beneficial for overall health and well-being. Fur sheds and it’s often deposited into the carpet and will inevitably get trapped between the fibers. Pets track in bacteria and feces- shampooing regularly for pet owners is a must.

Mud and Dirt

REMOVE YOUR SHOES! Pets, shoes, and kiddos are the main culprits when it comes to mud and dirt hiding in your carpets.

Skin Cell Flakes

Yes, you read that right. This sounds nasty but it’s a normal part of life. It’s estimated that the human your skin makes up about 16% of your body weight, meaning you have roughly 1.6 trillion skin cells. Within 24 hours, you lose almost a million skin cells. These are scattered throughout the home and often deposited in the carpet. Remember, dust mites live on dead human skin cells?

Bugs

I’m not sure I need to or want to elaborate on all the different bugs that could be (and are) in your carpets.

Alright, alright, I'll stop the list . We’re [now] well aware of how dirty our carpets are. So, what do we do about it? Remove the toxic, expensive carpet cleaner you’ve added to your Amazon cart, Karen!

The whole point of this blog is to reduce chemicals in our homes. Spraying toxic concoctions on our carpets to “clean” them sounds foolish, doesn’t it? These chemicals absorb into our skin and wreak havoc on our bodies. My daughter puts ev-er-y thing in her mouth! I definitely don’t want these “cleaning” chemicals entering her system.

But no worries, there are safe options!

I’m going to share my favorite safe, easy, affordable and effective DIY recipe.

My go to:

1 teaspoon Norwex powder detergent (I've also used Molly's Suds)
1 cup vinegar
Some drops of your favorite essential oil (More or less pending the odor of your carpets.) I personally like lemon grass for a long list of reasons.
Stir in hot water to dissolve.

The vinegar smell will fade once the carpet is dry.

Do you have a favorite recipe?! Please share!

Happy shampooing,
Dr. Taryn

Let's talk about 2020 perspective

Wed, 01 Jan 2020 06:28:35 GMT

Let's talk about 2020 perspective

With every new year comes reflection. With every new year comes 365 new days; 365 new chances.

I'm a firm believer that sharing life lessons helps those that want to learn, grow, and change their lives. Big or small, positive change is good for the soul. I also have been an open book most of my life- and I'm okay with that. I'm okay with the personal 'thank you' messages, the friendships, and the 'ah ha' moments that have evolved from this. I’m also okay with this being a completely different than usual blog post.

As I look back at 2019, I want to share some thoughts that I believe everyone will benefit from.

Meditation

Just 3 minutes of meditation a day can improve your overall health. Simple, right? Wrong! It is incredibly difficult to shut your mind off for 3 whole minutes. However, I challenge you to employ this into your lifestyle in 2020.

While meditating include every single positive affirmation about yourself and your life, including those in it!

Stress

I don't know a single human being on this earth that doesn't encounter stress. However, it is how you react to that stressful situation that either helps or hurts your health. You can only control what you can control. Read that again. Constantly dwelling and worrying about things outside your control hurts not only your emotional health, but your physical and mental health as well.

Did you know while you're "stressing" your body is converting muscle into fat? Did you know while you're "stressing" your body is releasing a hormone called Cortisol? Cortisol impacts EVERY hormone in your body. Chronic elevation of Cortisol is not a good thing. Cortisol is supposed to be elevated in a flight or fight situation. For instance, if you're out in the woods and you see a bear, you run faster than you've ever ran- thanks to Cortisol. Are you exhausted when you wake up but can't for the life of you fall asleep at night or stay asleep? Are you irritable, moody, and/or anxious? Are you sick, often? Are you constipated or the opposite?

I could keep going but I think I am already speaking to you, and if I am, contact me so I can help you get back to health.

Relationships

I personally removed 'friends' that weren't adding value, positivity, and/or growth to my life. Does that sound harsh? Maybe. But your mental health is much more important. If you have increased anxiety before time spent with a 'friend' I urge you to evaluate the pros and cons of that relationship. Does your 'friend' care about your health and well-being or do they care more about telling Janet everything you just confided in them? Does your friend bring added stress and/or drama into your life or do they help reduce it? Do you feel as if you're constantly giving and they're constantly taking? A toxic relationship is just that, toxic.

I personally encountered a significant amount of stressful life events in 2019. However, I felt rather cool as a cucumber through the majority. Why is this? (Besides the obvious benefit of me being a Functional Medicine Doctor and a Chiropractor). I must give credit where credit is due to the man in my life. Who you choose as your significant other either improves your health and well-being or drastically impacts it in a negative way.

I know I’ve mentioned that I live on an organic dairy farm, shout-out to all the farmers out there! However, this means that Derek works hard, long hours. We have two kids to take care of, two businesses, two dogs, and I am not even going to pretend that I know how many chickens, pigs, calves, heifers, or cows that we have. What am I getting at? He has every real excuse to not have extra time for anything. Nevertheless, he makes me a priority. He makes our kids a priority. He makes everything that relates to ‘us’ a priority. The days have come and gone where the woman does all the cooking, cleaning, and child caring. The days have also come and gone where the man does everything ‘man’ related. The world we live in is much different than it used to be. But some things remain the same, you truly need: respect, trust, love, and support. This man is my biggest supporter and one of the main reasons I’m able to change lives through Stittleburg RHC.

Now, I got a little off topic but what I’m trying to say is, you only have one life to live. Life is too short to be anything but unapologetically happy. Call out my clique, fine. But seriously, you weren’t put on this earth to just go through the motions and settle for a half-ass happy life. If your significant other isn’t loving and supporting you, sit back, and evaluate why. Have a respectful, adult conversation and get to the bottom of what’s happening. Pushing problems under the rug only leads to worse problems down the road. When you are loved the right way, you will reach your full potential. When you are loved the right way, you will be inspired to greatness.

Your Health

I’m going to pull out the mom card here- I’m a mom, I think about my children before myself, always. However, in 2019 I made a vow to myself that I was going to focus on bettering my health, which in turn bettered my children’s health. It’s now 2020 and I urge you to focus on bettering your health. Being an exhausted, worn out, no sex-drive, hair falling out, acne galore, just gimme 2 shots of expresso- but ‘I’m fine’ mom is NOT FINE! It’s time to take care of yourself.

Have a Happy New Year! And let's make 2020 your year,
Dr. Taryn

Let’s talk about the cold weather!

Wed, 06 Nov 2019 06:35:05 GMT

Let’s talk about the cold weather!

Alright, I live in the Midwest (it snowed, again, for the third time this fall) and we are in full blown “cold/flu season”!

While getting ready to write this blog, I called my grandmother and my mother to ask a couple questions.

My grandmother is 79 years young, and bless her heart, when my son is around in the winter- “bundle up before you catch a cold” comes out of her mouth without hesitation. I know she knows differently now, but it’s true that old habits die hard. And quite honestly, if she gets him to put his winter clothing on, without hesitation- that’s fine with me!

As I say often, I love science because it’s always evolving. Well, my grandmother’s mom used to suggest a shot of Brandy to kick the cold as well! Good thing that’s taken a back seat- along with lobotomies.

My mother is a generation younger than my grandmother. (You’re welcome, Mom.) While she was growing up: the cold weather made you sick, but chicken noodle soup, 7UP, and saltines made you better. My mom’s mother was ahead of her time, she started giving my mom Vitamin C for prevention!

Okay, okay, let’s put a kibosh on his old wives’ tale....

Flu is not a season!

It is the inability to adapt due to decreased sun exposure and water intake combined with increased sugar intake and stress. (Read that again.)

If you live where the wind hurts your face during the winter months, you are not getting nearly enough Vitamin D. Where is the BEST source of Vitamin D? The sun. Sunlight increases vitamin D synthesis when it strikes bare skin. Deficiency in Vitamin D contributes to inflammation in the body and decreased immunity. Well over 50-60% of Americans have inadequate Vitamin D levels. Pregnant mothers are at an upwards of 70+%!

Did you know Vitamin D has very strong influence on almost every single organ system in the body?

Did you know that Vitamin D supplementation has been shown to be more effective (and safer) than the flu shot?
-this blog will be coming soon-

Please do not run to your local grocery/health store and pick up Vitamin D. Not all supplements are created equal! Our supplements can be shipped right to your door!

There are different forms of Vitamin D and excess can cause hypercalcemia, Let me elaborate on that:

Vitamin D3 has been shown to be 87% more potent in raising vitamin D concentrations in the body.

Vitamin D and Vitamin K can work together to optimize calcium metabolism.

Vitamin K3 - that is a synthetic metabolite that needs to be converted to MK-4 to be active, it is not generally in supplements or used in humans.

Vitamin K (either K1 (found in leafy greens), K2 (from fermentation) or both) is often used in conjunction with Vitamin D supplementation to support calcium absorption into bones.

Optimal gut health is vital when it comes overall health and wellness. In order to achieve optimal gut health, probiotics must be utilized. Without probiotics, imbalances in the gut microbiota, dysregulate immune responses. Specific probiotic strands like: Lactobacillus rhamnosus LGG® and Lactobacillus casei DN-114001 have been extensively studied for immune system support. Learn more

It is true that the common cold virus can reproduce itself more efficiently in the cooler temperatures found inside the nose than at core body temperature, but this does not mean that the cold weather will make you sick! It’s 2019, we know that a shot of Brandy isn’t going to fix a cold or the flu; but we also know that there are many, many preventative supplements to reduce your chance of succumbing to the latest “bug” this winter! If you would like to know more, please, contact us today.

Let’s get back to health,
Dr. Taryn

Let's Talk About Our Adrenal Stress Index: Seeking the Causes of Fatigue, Stress and Anxiety

Mon, 04 Nov 2019 06:43:08 GMT

Let's Talk About Our Adrenal Stress Index: Seeking the Causes of Fatigue, Stress and Anxiety

Constant hyperstimulation of the adrenal glands ultimately results in adrenal exhaustion. This is the result of being in a prolonged state of stress.

Referencing: DiagnosTechs™, Inc.

Are you experiencing chronic stress, insomnia, anxiety and fatigue? Having trouble losing weight? Our ASI Panel can help you discover the causes, by measuring cortisol and five other hormones through saliva over 24 hours.

What tests are included in the ASI Panel?
Cortisol

Evaluates stress response

Insulin

Investigates blood sugar control and insulin resistance

DHEA/DHEA-S

Determines how other hormones may be affected by stress

Total secretory IgA (sIgA)

Evaluates the toll of stress on immunity

17-OH Progesterone

Determines underlying causes of abnormal cortisol levels

Wheat gluten sIgA

Identifies immune response to gluten

The Adrenal Stress Index can be helpful if you experience:

Chronic stress and stress-related health conditions
Fatigue or lack of energy
Anxiety or depression
Irritability or mood swings
Insomnia, sleep disturbances or difficulty waking
Difficulty losing weight
Poor memory or difficulty retaining information
Muscle and joint pain or weakness
Easy bruising or excessive stretch marks
Hypertension

Did you know saliva is the best method for measuring free, active levels of cortisol?

Functions influenced by cortisol levels:

Literally the entire body.

Energy Production
Abnormal adrenal function can alter the ability of cells to produce energy for the activities of daily life. People who have a hard time rising in the morning, or who suffer from low energy throughout the day, often have abnormal adrenal rhythms and poor blood sugar regulation.

The maintenance of a stable blood sugar level depends on food choice, lifestyle, adrenal function, and insulin activity. The Adrenal Stress Index panel measures stress hormones and insulin, to help clarify the causes of fatigue, cravings, and obesity.

Immune System Function
Various immune cells (white blood cells) cycle in and out of the spleen and bone marrow. The immune system trafficking follows the cortisol cycle. If the cycle is disrupted, especially at night, then the immune system is adversely affected. Short and long-term stress is known to suppress the immune response in the lungs, throat, urinary tract, and intestines. With lowered levels of mucosal antibodies (secretory IgA), our resistance to infection is reduced and allergic reactions may increase.

Skin Integrity
Human skin regenerates mostly during the night. With higher night cortisol values, less skin regeneration takes place. Therefore a normal cortisol rhythm is essential for optimal skin health.

Muscle and Joint Function
Abnormal adrenal rhythms are known to compromise tissue healing. Reduced tissue repair and increased tissue breakdown can lead to muscle and joint wasting with chronic pain.

Bone Health
The adrenal rhythm determines how well we build bone. If the night and morning cortisol levels are elevated, our bones do not rebuild well, and we are more prone to osteoporosis. Stress is the enemy of the bones. In postmenopausal women, the effect of stress worsens due to the naturally lower levels of female hormones.

Allergies/Autoimmune Disorders
More than fifty years ago, Dr. Jefferies (author of Safe Uses of Cortisol) discovered that patients with environmentally triggered allergies and autoimmune diseases dramatically improved when given cortisol for other purposes. More recently, German researchers reported that disruption of the adrenal axis and cytokine relationships lead to predisposition and aggravation of autoimmune diseases.
The ASI panel can help identify patients with autoimmune diseases and adrenal problems who may improve with cortisol support.

Sleep Quality
The ability to enter REM sleep cycles and to experience regenerative sleep are interrupted by high cortisol values at night and in the morning. Chronic lack of REM sleep can reduce a person’s mental vitality, vigor, and induce depression.

Thyroid Function
The level of cortisol at the cell level controls thyroid hormone production. Often, hypothyroid symptoms such as fatigue and low body temperature are due to an adrenal maladaptation.

Blood Sugar Regulation
Chronic hypoglycemia can impair normal adrenal function by repetitive overstimulation of cortisol production. Recurring exposure to high cortisol will impair insulin activity and invariably lead to insulin resistance and beta-cell exhaustion (diabetes).
The ASI panel investigates the insulin-cortisol relationship under real-life conditions to allow targeted and meaningful interventions. This panel is useful in the following clinical situations: rapid weight gain and obesity, imbalanced blood lipids, sugar blues, early diabetes, and associated emotional disturbances.

Brain Function and Emotional Health
Several recent publications report a hyperactive HPA axis in depressed patients. Elevated midnight salivary cortisol is now considered one of the best tests in diagnosing endogenous depression. Other anomalies in cortisol rhythm usually accompany the midnight elevation. On the other hand, cortisol elevations and rhythm disruptions throughout the day are typical of attention deﬁcit disorders (ADD).
The anomalous cortisol ﬁndings in depression and ADD can be diagnosed successfully with the ASI panel. Subsequent interventions to rectify speciﬁc cortisol elevations (during the day or night) are usually effective when applied under proper supervision.

This panel is done from the convenience of your home! You don't have to be poked or prodded, you just simply use your saliva.

Let's get back to health,
Dr. Taryn

Referencing: DiagnosTechs™, Inc.

Cold/flu season support!

Wed, 30 Oct 2019 23:42:38 GMT

Cold/flu season support!

Today, I am going to do a supplement spotlight

It's that time of year- cold/flu season!

"What cold medicine do you recommend?" I think I now hear this in my sleep! I 100% recommend THIS cold medicine. I suggest V Clear EPS 7630 to be in every household, there's even a cherry flavor for the kiddos! Prevention is key through diet, lifestyle, and supplements- but sometimes things are out of our control.

Steer clear of medicines with acetaminophen in them, https://www.stittleburgrhc.com/lets-talk-acetaminophen

The best part about this added support?! It does more than mask symptoms; it addresses the cause to help shorten the duration of upper respiratory tract irritations!!

Please contact Stittleburg Restorative Health Care for more information!

Let's get back to health,
Dr. Taryn

Let's talk genetic code!

Mon, 21 Oct 2019 23:17:51 GMT

Let's talk genetic code!

Did you know, more than 4,000 diseases are thought to stem from mutated genes inherited from one's mother and/or father?!

Let’s Talk About Genetic Code/Genetic Makeup!

Some quick and easy definitions-

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid): Nucleic acid that carried genetic information contained in each cell.
Genotype: The genetic makeup of an organism.
Phenotype: The expression of a certain trait based on genetic and environmental influences.

You cannot change your genetic code. The human genome is mostly the same in all people; but there are variations across the genome. A genome is all the genetic material in an organism. A gene is the prime marker of your genetics. Genes are made up of DNA. DNA is passed from parent to child. This is done with the making of new cells, to do this, an existing cell divides in two. Before it divides, the cell copies its DNA. DNA is the hereditary material aka the cells genetic instructions. Sometimes cells make mistakes during the copying process - essentially ‘typos’. These ‘typos’ lead to variations in the DNA sequence at specific locations, called single-nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs (pronounced "snips"). Each SNP represents a difference in a single DNA building block, called a nucleotide.

As I said earlier, you cannot change your genetic code.
However, you can learn about your genetic risk based on specific variations in your genetic code.

What am I talking about?

Do you wonder why Brittney from work lost 50 pounds on a specific diet, that you lost 5 pounds on? Do you wonder why your mental/emotional response is significantly different than your parents or your siblings? Do you wonder why your stomach is bloated after eating? Do you wonder why you just can’t get your cholesterol and/or insulin under control? Have you tried “every supplement under the sun” but never noticed any change besides your urine color?

THE ANSWER TO WHY? Drum roll please....

YOUR GENES!!

And no, I do not mean the jeans you're wearing, or my good friend Gene that I grew up with, I mean your genetic code.

Your DNA is the author of your life - how you process foods, how you detoxify toxins, how you react to environmental stressors, how you react to exercise, how your family health history impacts your health, etc.

These answers can be obtained through a simple cheek swab in our office! SAY WHAT?! Yes, a cheek swab. No poking or prodding trying to find “the good vein.” No long waits in the waiting room. The best part, you can even do this test from home!

I’m excited to share with you a life changing analysis called Gene SNP™- DNA Analysis!

This analysis looks at 48 different genes and 61 areas of health to reveal infinite genetic combinations in diet, lifestyle, exercise, sleep, and emotional health.

I’m going to list all the tested genes along with the supporting science- compiled from Gene SNP, for all of my science loving folk, at the end of this blog.

When it comes to our bodies, making choices that have a positive impact on our health and wellness are vital. The key to your wellness starts (well, started) in your genes! Please contact us today to schedule your free consultation.

Let’s get back to health,
Dr. Taryn

The Gene SNP™ analyzes the following:

Don't worry, I read and interpret your results!

"Genes associated with mental emotional health and eating behavior: MTHFR, FAIM2, MC4R, SEC16B, TMEM18, COMT, NERG1, HTR2A, TAS1R, SLC2A, DRD2, LEPR:

Willer, C.J. et al, 2009, Six new loci associated with body mass index highlight a neuronal influence on body weight regulation. Nature Genetics, 41(1). 25-34
Morton, L.M. et al, 2006, DRD2 genetic variation in relation to smoking and obesity in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. Pharma Cogenetics Genomics, 16(12). 901-10
den Hoed, M. et al, 2009, Postprandial responses in hunger and satiety are associated with the rs9939609 single nucleotide polymorphism in FTO. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 90(5). 1426-32.
Doehring A, Kirchhof A, Lotsch J., 2009, Genetic diagnostics of functional variants of the human dopamine D2 receptor gene. Psychiatric Genetics, 19(5). 259-68
Furusawa, T.et al, 2010, The Q223R polymorphism in LEPR is associated with obesity in Pacific Islanders. Human Genetics, 127(3). 287-294

Genes associated with inflammatory response: ETV5, NCR3, ADIPOQ, GC:

Chung, H.Y., et al, The inflammation hypothesis of aging: molecular modulation by calorie restriction. Ann NY Acad Sci 928, 327-335 (2001)
Ferrucci, L. et al, 2009, Common variation in the beta-carotene 15,15'-monooxygenase 1 gene affects circulating levels of carotenoids: a genome-wide association study. American Journal of Human Genetics, 84(2). 123-33
Grimble, R.F., Nutritional modulation of immune function. Proc Nutr Soc 60, 389-397(2001)
Grimble R., et al. The ability of fish oil to suppress tumor necrosis factor alpha production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in healthy men is associated with polymorphisms in genes that influence tumor necrosis factor alpha production. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 76(2): 454-459, 2002.
Terry, c., et al. Cooperative influence of genetic polymorphisms on interleukin 6 transcriptional regulation. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 275: 18138-18144, 2000.
Morton, L.M. et al, 2006, DRD2 genetic variation in relation to smoking and obesity in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. Pharma Cogenetics Genomics, 16(12). 901-10.

Genes Associated with Behavior: MC4R, FAIM2, SEC16B, TAS2R38, DRD2, MTHFR:

Loos, R.J. et al, 2008, Common variants near MC4R are associated with fat mass, weight and risk of obesity. Nature Genetics, 40(6). 768-75.
Willer, C.J. et al , 2009, Six new loci associated with body mass index highlight a neuronal influence on body weight regulation. Nature Genetics, 41(1). 25-34
Dotson, C.D. et al, 2010, Variation in the gene TAS2R38 is associated with the eating behavior disinhibition in Old Order Amish women. Appetite, 54(1). 93-9.
Vimaleswaran, K. S. et al, 2009, Physical activity attenuates the body mass index increasing influence of genetic variation in the FTO gene. American Journal Clinical Nutrition., 90(2). 425-428
Morton, L.M. et al, 2006, DRD2 genetic variation in relation to smoking and obesity in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. Pharma Cogenetics Genomics, 16(12). 901-10
Fushan, A.A. et al, 2009, Allelic polymorphism within the TAS1R3 promoter is associated with human taste sensitivity to sucrose. Current Biology, 19(15). 1288-93.
Matsuo, K. et al, 2006, Alcohol dehydrogenase 2 His47Arg polymorphism influences drinking habit independently of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 Glu487Lys polymorphism Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 15(5). 1009-13

Genes associated with cholesterol metabolism, triglyceride balance, vascular flow and tissue development: FTO, ADIPOQ, ETV5, APOA2, LIPC, MTHFR, EDN1:

Krauss RM, What can the genome tell us about LDL cholesterol? Lancet 2008, 371:450-452.
Regieli J.J. et al, 2009, PPAR gamma variant influences angiographic outcome and 10-year cardiovascular riski in male symptomatic coronary artery disease patients. Diabetes Care, 32(5). 839-44
Bidlack, W. and R. L. Rodriguez, Taylor and Francis , Nutritional Genomics: Dietary Regulation of Gene Function and Human Disease. 2011.
Brousseau, M.E., et al, Cholesteryl ester transfer protein TaqI b2b2 Genotype is associated with higher HDL cholesterol levels and lower risk of coronary heart disease end points in men with HDL deficiency: Veterans Affairs HDL Cholesterol Intervention Trial. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 22, 1148-1154 (2002)
Rankinen, T. et al, 2007, Effect of endothelin 1 genotype on blood pressure is dependent on physical activity or fitness levels. Hypertension, 50(6). 1120-5
Chen, W. et al, Combined effects of endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphism (G894T) and insulin resistance status on blood pressure and familial risk of hypertension in young adults: the Bogalusa Heart Study. Am J Hypertens 14, 1046-1052 (2001)
Ordovas, J.M. et al, 2002, Dietary fat intake determines the effect of a common polymorphism in the hepatic lipase gene promoter on high-density lipoprotein metabolism: evidence of a strong dose effect in this gene-nutrient interaction in the Framingham
Dullaart, R.P., et al, Cholesteryl ester transfer protein gene polymorphism is a determinant of HDL cholesterol and of the lipoprotein response to a lipid-lowering diet in type 1 diabetes. Diabetes 46, 2082-2087 (1997)
Verhoeff, B., et al. The effect of a common methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase mutation on levels of homocysteine, folate, vitamin B12 and on the risk of premature atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis. 141(1): 161-166, 1998
Leeson, C.P., Glu298Asp endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphism interacts with environmental and dietary factors to influence endothelial function. Circ Res 90, 1153-1158 (2002)
Warodomwichit, D. et al, 2009, The monounsaturated fatty acid intake modulates the effect of ADIPOQ polymorphisms on obesity. Obesity (Silver Spring), 17(3). 510-7.
Brown, C.A., et al, A common polymorphism in methionine synthase reductase increases risk of premature coronary artery disease. J Cardiovasc Risk 7, 197-200 (2000)
Corella, D. et al, 2009, APOA2, dietary fat, and body mass index: replication of a gene-diet interaction in 3 independent populations. Archives of Internal Medicine, 169(20). 1897-906.
Brown, S., et al. Interaction between the APOC3 gene promoter polymorphisms, saturated fat intake and plasma lipoproteins. Atherosclerosis. 170: 307-313, 2003.
Wallace, A., et al. Variants in the cholesterol ester transfer protein and lipoprotein lipase genes are predictors of plasma cholesterol response to dietary change. Atherosclerosis. 152: 327-336, 2000.
Dhillon, P.K., 2011, Common Polymorphisms in the Adiponectin and Its Receptor Genes, Adiponectin Levels and the Risk of Prostate Cancer. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 20. 2618-2627

Genes associated with antioxidant function, immunity and detoxification: COMT, NCR3, MTHFR, CYP1A2, ALDH2:

Rock, C.L., et al, Nutrition genetics and risks of cancer. Annu Rev Public Health 21, 47-64 (2000)
Pool-Zobul, B, et al, Mechanisms by which vegetable consumption reduces genetic damage in humans. Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev. 7, 891-99 (1998)
Steinkellner, H., et al, Effects of cruciferous vegetables and their constituents on drug metabolizing enzymes involved in the bioactivation of DNA-reactive dietary carcinogens. Mutation Research, 480-481,285-297 (2001)
Christensen, B., et al, Genetic polymorphisms in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and methionine synthase, folate levels in red blood cells, and risk of neural tube defects. Am J Med Genet 84, 151-157 (1999)
Sachae, C. et al, 1999, Functional significance of a C-->A polymorphism in intron 1 of the cytochrome P450 CYP1A2 gene tested with caffeine. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 47(4). 445-9
Parke, D.V. “Antioxidants and disease prevention: mechanisms of action”. Antioxidants in Human Health. CABI Publishing, 1999.
Chen, J, et al, A methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphism and the risk of colorectal cancer. Cancer Res 56, 4862-4864 (1996)
Jacques, P.F., et al, Relation between folate status, a common mutation in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, and plasma homocysteine concentrations. Circulation 93, 7-9 (1996)
Ma, J., et al, Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphism, dietary interactions, and risk of colorectal cancer. Cancer Res 57, 1098-1102 (1997)
Martinez de Villarreal, L.E., et al, Folate levels and N(5),N(10)-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase genotype (MTHFR) in mothers of offspring with neural tube defects: a case-control study. Arch Med Res 32, 277-282 (2001)
Slattery, M.L., et al, Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, diet, and risk of colon cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 8, 513-518 (1999)
Change, A., et al. The effect of 677 C T and 1298 A C mutations on plasma homocysteine and 5,10- methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase activity in healthy subjects. British Journal of Nutrition. 83(6): 593-596, 2000.
Jacques, P., et al. Relation between folate status, a common mutation in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, and plasma homocysteine concentrations. Circulation. 93(1): 7-9, 1996.
Miller M., and Mohrenweiser, H. Genetic variability in susceptibility and response to toxicants. Toxicology Letters. 120(1-3): 269-280, 2001.
Cosma, G., et al. Relationship between genotype and function of the human CYP1A1 gene. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. 40(2-3): 309-316, 1993.
Bosron, W. and Ting-Kai, L. Genetic polymorphism of human liver alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenases, and their relationship to alcohol metabolism and alcoholism. Hepatology. 6(3):502 - 510, 1986.
Takeshita, T. and Morimoto, K. Accumulation of hemoglobin-associated acetaldehyde with habitual alcohol drinking in the atypical ALDH2 genotype. Alcohol Clinical and Experimental Research. 24(1): 1-7, 2000.

Genes associated with glucose balance: DRD2, LEP, PPARg2, PCSK1, LEPR, FTO, ADIPOQ, PPARD, SLCA2, SH2B1:

Wilcox G. Insulin and Insulin Resistance. Clinical Biochemist Reviews. 2005;26(2):19-39
Hautala, A.J. et al, 2007, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-delta polymorphisms are associated with physical performance and plasma lipids: the HERITAGE Family Study. American Journal of Physiology Heart and Circulatory Physiology, 292(5). H2498-505
Eny, K.M. et al, 2008, Genetic variant in the glucose transporter type 2 is associated with higher intakes of sugars in two distinct populations. Physiological Genomics, 33(3). 355-60.
Deeb, S.S., et al, A Pro12Ala substitution in PPARgamma2 associated with decreased receptor activity, lower body mass index and improved insulin sensitivity. Nat Genet 20, 284-287 (1998)
Kadowaki, T., et al, The role PPARgamma in high-fat diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance. J Diabetes Complications 16, 41-45 (2002)
Li, S., et al. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma2 gene polymorphism (Pro12Ala) beneficially influences insulin resistance and its tracking from childhood to adulthood: the Bogalusa Heart Study. Diabetes. 52: 1265-1269, 2003.
Ostgren, C., et al. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gammaPro12Ala polymorphism and the association with blood pressure in type 2 diabetes: Skaraborg hypertension and diabetes project. Journal of Hypertension. 21: 1657-1662, 2003.

Genes associated with obesity: ACTN3, FTO, ADIPOQ, PPARD, PPARG, LEP, LEPR:

Warodomwichit, D. et al, 2009, The monounsaturated fatty acid intake modulates the effect of ADIPOQ polymorphisms on obesity. Obesity (Silver Spring), 17(3). 510-7.
Furusawa, T.et al, 2010, The Q223R polymorphism in LEPR is associated with obesity in Pacific Islanders. Human Genetics, 127(3). 287-294
Huuskonen, A. et al, 2010, Genetic variations of leptin and leptin receptor are associated with body composition changes in response to physical training. Cell Biochemistry and Function, 28(4). 306-12
Loos, R.J. et al, 2008, Common variants near MC4R are associated with fat mass, weight and risk of obesity. Nature Genetics, 40(6). 768-75.
Memisoglu, A. et al, 2003, Interaction between a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma gene polymorphism and dietary fat intake in relation to body mass. Human Molecular Genetics, 12(22). 2923-29
Yang, N. et al, 2003, ACTN3 genotype is associated with human elite athletic performance. American Journal of Human Genetics, 73(3). 627-31.
Kring, S.I. et al, 2009, Polymorphisms of serotonin receptor 2A and 2C genes and COMT in relation to obesity and type 2 diabetes Public Library of Science One, 4(8). e6696.
Corella, D. et al, 2009, APOA2, dietary fat, and body mass index: replication of a gene-diet interaction in 3 independent populations. Archives of Internal Medicine, 169(20). 1897-906.
Okuda, M. et al, 2011, Association between the FTO gene and overweight in Japanese children and adolescents. Pediatric Diabetes, 12. 494-500
Benzinou, M. et al, 2008, Common nonsynonymous variants in PCSK1 confer risk of obesity. Nature Genetics, 40(8). 943-5.
Orkunoglu-Suer, F.E. et al, 2008, INSIG2 gene polymorphism is associated with increased subcutaneous fat in women and poor response to resistance training in men. BMC Medical Genetics, 9. 117

Genes associated with nutrient utilization: MMAB, KCD10, KCD15, MCM6, INTERGENIC, BCM01, GC, NBPF3, FUT2:

Eastell, R. and Lambert, H., Diet and healthy bones., Calcif Tissue Int 70, 400-404 (2002)
Lorentzon, M., et al, Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism is related to bone density, circulating osteocalcin, and parathyroid hormone in healthy adolescent girls. J Bone Miner Metab 19, 302-307
Ralston, S.H., Genetic control of susceptibility to osteoporosis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 87, 2460-2466 (2002)
Prentice, A., The relative contribution of diet and genotype to bone development. Proc Nutr Soc 60, 45-52 (2001)
Tanaka, T. et al, 2009, Genome-wide association study of vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folate, and homocysteine blood concentrations. American Journal of Human Genetics, 84(4). 477-82
Leung, W.C. et al, 2009, Two common single nucleotide polymorphisms in the gene encoding beta-carotene 15,15'-monoxygenase alter beta-carotene metabolism in female volunteers. FASEB J, 23(4). 1041-53
Wang, T.J. et al, 2010, Common genetic determinants of vitamin D insufficiency: a genome-wide association study. The Lancet, 376 (9736). 180-188.
Enattah, N.S.; Sahi, T; Savilahti, E. et al, 2002, Identification of a variant associated with adult-type hypolactasia. Nature Genetics, 30(1). 233-7
Ferrari, S., et al, Bone mineral mass and calcium and phosphate metabolism in young men: relationships with vitamin D receptor allelic polymorphisms. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 84, 2043-2048 (1999)
Warren, R.B. et al, 2009, Outcomes of methotrexate therapy for psoriasis and relationship to genetic polymorphisms. British Journal of Dermatology, 160(2). 438-41.
Ferrucci, L. et al, 2009, Common variation in the beta-carotene 15,15'-monooxygenase 1 gene affects circulating levels of carotenoids: a genome-wide association study. American Journal of Human Genetics, 84(2). 123-33
Junyent, M. et al, 2009, Novel variants at KCTD10, MVK, and MMAB genes interact with dietary carbohydrates to modulate HDL-cholesterol concentrations in the Genetics of Lipid Lowering Drugs and Diet Network Study. American Journal Clinical Nutrition, 90(3). 686-94"

References:

Gene SNP

Market America, Inc

NutraMetrix

Let's talk depression and antidepressants

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 22:53:02 GMT

Let's talk depression and antidepressants

*Trauma Trigger Warning* If you or someone you love suffers from depression, lost their battle with depression, attempted to take their life, etc.- this blog may cause immense emotion.

In the U.S., depression is the leading cause of disability for people over 5 years of age. Did you know, suicide is the SECOND leading cause of death in youth 10-24 years of age in the United States?!

Now, this blog is going to be real, raw, and vulnerable.
I’m going to start with a story…

*Edit, I was given permission by the mother of this story to spread awareness of mental health and that is what I am going to do.

“No parent should have to worry about this...”

I ask each one of you to please be respectful to the family in reference.

I come from a small town of about 2,000 people, two stoplights, and the world’s largest talking cow- Chatty Belle. A beautiful, intelligent, teenager recently tried to take her own life- she was on an antidepressant at the young age of 14. This truly shook me to my core. I read the statistics, I read the science, I see the mental health crisis every day, I treat mental health every day, but when something so heart wrenching happens so close to home, it’s a different feeling. And it’s something that needs to be spoken about.

Why is this happening?

Is depression a serotonin deficiency?

Are anti-depressants safe short term/long-term?

Based on the 2017 Youth Risk Behaviors Survey, 7.4% of youth in grades 9-12 reported that they had made at least one suicide attempt in the past 12 months. As a mother, this is terrifying. As a doctor, this is horrifying. As a person, this breaks my heart.

Antidepressant use has increased almost 400% from 1998 through 2008. It’s now the third most common prescription of all age groups. About 60% of Americans have taken antidepressants for more than two years, 14% of them for more than 10 years. If depression is due to a serotonin imbalance that can be “fixed” by SSRIs antidepressants- why are the numbers still increasing?

Current Belief:
Depression is a serotonin imbalance that Zoloft® can fix.

This psychiatric hypothesis says that depression results from an imbalance, a deficiency of serotonin at the synaptic level. But this hypothesis is applied to much more than depression. SSRI antidepressants are used to treat a grocery list of problems, like anxiety. (Separate blog on that)

SSRI antidepressants work in a way of blocking the re-uptake of serotonin.

Well as it turns out, after unfortunately six decades of research since this claim, there hasn’t been any validation. THERE HASN’T BEEN ANY!
Please look at the complied research box I’ve included below.

“There is no direct evidence of serotonin or norepinephrine deficiency despite thousands of studies that have attempted to validate this notion.” (Nat Rev Neuroscience. 2005 Mar;6(3):241-6)

Current belief:
Antidepressants are safe short-term and/or long-term.

When we are led to believe that antidepressants are effective in the short term, it’s very common for patients to remain on these prescriptions for long periods of time sometimes decades.

Here is an excerpt from Anatomy of an Epidemic by Robert Whitaker-

“In short, psychiatric drugs induce a pathology. Princeton neuroscientist Barry Jacobs has explicitly made this point about SSRIs .

‘These drugs, he said, alter the level of synaptic transmission beyond the physiologic range achieved under (normal) environmental/biological conditions. Thus, any behavioral or physiologic change produced under these conditions might more appropriately be considered pathologic, rather than reflective of the normal biological role of serotonin.’ (Jacobs, 1991, p. 22)”

SSRIs disrupt the brain chemistry. E. Fuller Torrey explains, “conditions that disrupt brain chemistry may cause delusions, hallucinations, disordered thinking, and mood swings-the symptoms of insanity" (The Invisible Plague. Torrey, 2001, p. 315)

"Antidepressant-induced mania is not simply a temporary and reversible phenomenon, but a complex biochemical mechanism of illness deterioration" (Fava, 2003, p . 126)

“Exposure to Fluoxetine during gestation and lactation affect the DNA methylation of brain and the nociceptive response of rats.” (Behav Brain Res. 2014 May 15;265:142-7. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.02.031. Epub 2014 Feb 28.)

What does this all mean? Psychiatric drugs disturb normal neurotransmitter function!

While that distress may potentially limit symptoms over short-term, in the long-term it increases the chances that a person will become chronically ill and/or have new or worsening symptoms.

“A review of the scientific literature shows quite clearly that it is our drug-based paradigm of care that is fueling this modem-day plague.” Robert Whitaker

More and more literature continues to come to light with the association of inflammation, chronic stress, elevated cortisol, cytokines, etc. and depression.

“Recovery from depression was associated with reduction to normal levels of the majority of the measured cytokines. These results strongly support the notion that a complex network of cytokines is involved in the pathophysiology of Major Depressive Disorder.” (Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2014 Jul;45:77-86. doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.03.019. Epub 2014 Apr 6.)

“Long-term exposure to stress and high levels of cortisol induce atrophy and loss of cells that contain corticosteroid receptors in the hippocampus, which are responsible for cortisol-induced suppression of CRH-secreting neurons in the paraventricular nucleus.” (Martinac et al. Acta Clin Croat, 2014)

“Whether increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines in depression are explained by the proinflammatory actions of glucocorticoids or by a reduction in glucocorticoid signaling secondary to receptor resistance has important implications for understanding the pathogenesis and treatment of depression.” (PMID 25943397)

What does this mean?! IT MEANS YOU HAVE OPTIONS! Medication is NOT the only option for depression relief. Our children deserve better, we as a society deserve better. I am here to tell you- there is hope. Those of you who are suffering with depression have some great natural, nutritional, and supplemental options.

Depression is a complex symptom. Depression relief must have guidance, please, contact us today to see how we can help!

Please share this - Please spread awareness - Please help save a life.

I am here to tell you that you are loved, you are enough, and you are needed,
Dr. Taryn

Let’s Talk the Birth Control Pill and Your Gut!

Wed, 09 Oct 2019 22:41:04 GMT

Let’s Talk the Birth Control Pill and Your Gut!

"The day we stop learning is the day we die." - Michael Scott

Let’s Talk About the Birth Control Pill and Your Gut!

According to the CDC, in the United States, 16% of women aged 15-44 are currently using the pill. TWO THIRDS of women in the US have used birth control at some point in their life- the pill being the most common form. It’s more important than ever to understand how oral contraceptives can affect a person’s overall health, beginning in the gut.

Now, the pill has significantly reduced the amount of unwanted pregnancies, there is no doubt about that. However, when the pill is readily used for SYMPTOMATIC treatment- this is the issue.

Ladies, if you are utilizing birth control because you aren’t ready to have children or maybe you don’t ever want children - that is 100% your choice and I support that. We know the pill causes nutrient deficiencies, I’m here to help with that!

If you are using the pill to manage symptoms, I want you to know that there are other options! Options that don’t change your gut microbiome, options that don’t negatively impact your health, options that don’t cause side effects like infertility, painful periods, reduced libido, anxiety, weight gain, etc.

Birth control was introduced in 1960. What I love about science, it’s always evolving! We know much more now, in 2019, than we did in 1960. Over the years, there has been several studies done on the use of the pill and its effect on inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn’s disease. While each study differs in their focus, methods, and sample size, one common conclusion has been obtained- there is a direct link between oral contraceptive use and your gut

Most forms of most oral contraceptives contain estrogen, this synthetic estrogen impacts your gut wall, essentially leading to “leaky gut syndrome”. Leaky gut is a very common problem. Basically, it’s a condition that occurs when the "tight junctions" that line the GI tract stay open too long. This means toxic by-products in the digestive tract will be absorbed into the blood stream and taken into the liver. Your GI is supposed to excrete these toxins, with your pores open, the toxins leak out.

I know, I know, you want the science backed data…

Long term use of the pill can result in a higher risk of developing Crohn’s disease or another form of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).

(The research study is included below.)

A study in 2016 showed the association between using the pill and cardiovascular disease. If you are a smoker, and take the pill, you have an 80% higher risk of a heart attack. Women that take the pill have 2 times the risk of primary pulmonary embolism and 80% higher risk of hypertension. Oral contraceptive users have a higher risk of invasive breast cancer and were found to be associated with a 2 times higher risk of melanoma. (PMID: 27459451)

Do you suffer from migraines? About 25% of women in the United States do. Did you know that women who take oral contraceptives, and suffer from migraines, have a NINE TIMES HIGHER RISK OF A STROKE?!

(The research study is included below.)

Do you suffer from anxiety?! Anxiety is the most common type of mental disorder in the United States. Did you know that with improving your gut microbiome you can help treat your anxiety? In 2019, Yang published a systematic review, published in the Journal of General Psychiatry, stating that “We find that more than half of the studies included showed it was positive to treat anxiety symptoms by regulation of intestinal microbiota.” If you’re taking the pill, it is most likely attributing to your anxiety.

(I’ve included the summary to Yang's systematic review below.)

Women account for SEVENTY-FIVE PERCENT of ALL auto-immune diseases. Sex hormones in your gut microbiome can affect the development of autoimmune diseases. (PMID: 23328391)

As I previously stated, if you are taking the pill to prevent an unwanted pregnancy, I support your choice. But, let’s talk about the nutrients it’s depleting and be proactive with your health! If you are taking the pill to treat symptoms like irregular periods, acne, PCOS, painful periods, etc.- I am here to tell you that you have other options! And those other options don’t come with a grocery list of potential side effects. Our women deserve better, please, contact us today!

Let's get back to health,
Dr. Taryn

Let's talk sleep!

Sun, 06 Oct 2019 22:18:49 GMT

Let's talk sleep!

Good quality sleep is a key component in overall health and well-being!

Let’s Talk About Sleep!

Do you toss and turn, with your mind racing, before you finally fall asleep? Do you wake up in the middle of the night, unable to fall back asleep? Do you wake up feeling exhausted?

Why is this?! Drum roll please……. *Stress and Cortisol*

Stress has a profound impact on our stress-coping giant, cortisol. Cortisol is the boss of our stress-response team- which also includes adrenaline and endorphin. Chronic, excessive stress can lead to a permanent hyper-cortisol state. What does that mean? Even after your “stressful events” have passed, your cortisol levels can stay elevated.

The ability to enter REM sleep cycles and to experience regenerative sleep are interrupted by high cortisol values at night and in the morning. Chronic lack of REM sleep can reduce a person’s mental vitality, vigor, and induce depression.

Did you know, while under stress, there is a 62% drop in protein production. What does that even mean? The entire time you are “stressing”, lean muscle is converted to fat. FAT! Lean muscle is converting to fat with just your thoughts and emotions. Read more here: https://www.stittleburgrhc.com/lifestyle-blog/lets-talk-toxic-emotion

At night, cortisol levels should be at their lowest. When your cortisol levels remain elevated before bed, you sleeping issues ensue. This results in: insomnia, feeling agitated and/or hyper-vigilant, sudden awakening, etc. Chronically elevated cortisol suppresses serotonin and exhausts GABA.

Having decreased serotonin and decreased GABA is a HUGE deal.

Serotonin impacts every part of your body. (Read that again) From your emotions to your motor skills- serotonin is vital player. It’s considered the “happy hormone”, because it contributes to overall well-being and happiness.

Fun Fact: about 95% of the serotonin in your body is produced in the lining of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract? Another reason why a healthy gut microbiome is key!

Serotonin deficiency is associated with several psychological symptoms- including but not limited to:

Anxiety
Depressed Mood (Depression)
Aggression
Impulsive behavior
Insomnia
Irritability
Decreased Self-Worth
Poor Appetite (Eating Disorders)
Poor Memory
Eating disorders
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Panic Disorder (Panic Attacks)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

Serotonin deficiency is associated with several physical symptoms due to its vital role in many body functions- including but not limited to:

Carbohydrate Cravings
Sugar Cravings
Weight Gain
Fatigue
Nausea
Digestive Problems- Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Constipation, Diarrhea, etc.

GABA is the most common neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, it reduces brain activity in the areas of the brain responsible for:

Rational Thought
Memory
Emotions
Essential Functions- such as breathing

Essentially, GABA limits nerve transmission, which prevents nervous activity. GABA deficiency is associated with several symptoms over several systems- including but not limited to:

Physical
Carbohydrate Cravings
Sugar Cravings
Flushing
Ringing in The Ears
Muscle Tension
Trembling/Twitching
Numbness/Tingling in Fingers
Hyperventilation
Blurred Vision
Abnormal Sense of Smell/Odors
Night Sweats
Digestive Problems- Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Constipation, Diarrhea, etc.
Unusual Allergies
Tachycardia- Chest Pain or Discomfort
Psychological
Restlessness
Insomnia
Short Temper
Feeling Down/Depressed
Phobias
Anxiety
Bi-Polar Disorder
Attention Issues
Impulsivity
Disorganization
Irrational Thoughts
Memory Function

Now, listed above is a lot of potential symptoms- and is honestly, a little overwhelming.

Bottom line: if you are struggling with your quality of sleep, please contact us today! There is hope and we are here to help.

At Stittleburg Restorative Health, we utilize an Adrenal Stress Index test that is done from the convenience of your own home- through saliva! That’s right, it can be shipped right to your door and you don’t need to be poked/prodded by a needle. Saliva testing specifically measures free, unbound hormone levels. This eliminates the need to estimate how much circulating hormone is present in a patient’s body.

The highest form of happiness is health,
Dr. Taryn

Let's talk autism, again!

Tue, 01 Oct 2019 06:54:23 GMT

Let's talk autism, again!

Every 20 minutes, a child is diagnosed with autism in the U.S.

Do genetics play a role? The short and quick answer is, yes.

Let’s Talk About Autism, Again

I already covered two key factors contributing to autism in https://www.stittleburgrhc.com/lifestyle-blog/lets-talk-autism -the Standard American Diet and the overuse of antibiotics and medications. These two previous key factors can be modified. However, today's topic, you were born with.

This blog is going to be focused on a genetic perspective, specifically the MTHFR gene.

Autism is a heterogeneous neurological disorder characterized by three core behavioral traits:

(Heterogeneous meaning autism comes from multiple etiologies)

Deficits in social interactions
Reduced verbal and nonverbal communication
Deficits in developing, maintaining, and understanding relationships

-Severity is based on social communication impairments and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior-

www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/hcp-dsm.html Autism Spectrum Disorder: Diagnostic Criteria

Over the years there has been a lot of research on autism as we continue to see the rates steadily climb. There are many proposed etiology theories of Autism, ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), PDD (Pervasive Developmental Disorder), ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), Developmental Disorders, etc:

Food allergies
Vaccines
Do vaccines “cause” autism? No. If vaccines caused autism, everybody who received a vaccine would have autism. (More to come on this.)
Vitamin D
Did you know Vitamin D has very strong influence on almost every single organ system in the body and epigenetics of the body?
Prenatal nutrient deficiencies and exposures (Flip side: Prenatal folic acid exposure https://www.stittleburgrhc.com/lifestyle-blog/lets-talk-prenatal-supplementation )
Did you know most women are not getting adequate prenatal vitamins with essential B Vitamins and cofactors needed to generate all the DNA synthesis and the building of the body? This results in nutritional suppression that changes the epigenetic profile of the child.
Impaired methylation/epigenetics
Detoxification/Environmental
Neurotransmitters

Currenti SA. Understanding and Determining the Etiology of Autism. Cell Mol Neurobiol. 2010; 30:161-171

Today I am covering:

Impaired methylation/epigenetics
Detoxification/Environmental
Neurotransmitters

Our children's health and well-being are dependent on us. You gotta nourish to flourish!

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs):

You cannot change your genetic makeup. The human genome is mostly the same in all people; but there are variations across the genome. A genome is all the genetic material in an organism. DNA is passed from parent to child. This is done with the making of new cells, to do this, an existing cell divides in two. Before it divides, the cell copies its DNA. DNA is the hereditary material aka the cells genetic instructions. Sometimes cells make mistakes during the copying process - essentially ‘typos’. These ‘typos’ lead to variations in the DNA sequence at specific locations, called single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs (pronounced "snips"). Each SNP represents a difference in a single DNA building block, called a nucleotide.

The MTHFR Gene:

We test for this mutation through saliva or blood. The MTHFR gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. (So, the MTHFR gene produces the MTHFR enzyme.)

MTHFR is responsible for converting folate into its active state.
It helps convert an inactive form of folate into the active form of folate which then gets pushed forward through the cycle to be able to generate methyl donors, to be able to support the detoxification processes, to be able to support neurotransmitter production, to be able to support choline... Which choline is vitally important to neural health. MTHFR is kingpin to many different bodily processes.
It is an irreversible process and is the rate limiting enzyme in this pathway

Before I talk about certain locations of SNPs, I want to explain that these numbers most likely mean nothing to you. However, they are very important and useful to me. Just like shelving a book in the library, the librarian knows exactly what the important, random combination of letters and numbers are used for- think of me as the librarian on your genes.

The two different places that we look at for MTHFR deficiencies are locations 677 and 1298. The SNPs of MTHFR affect how well the body is able to activate folate into the bioactive form. Through Functional Medicine, these mutations can be found and treated with supplementation, diet, and lifestyle.

Homozygous means that both copies of a gene match.
Two dominant alleles (AA) or two recessive alleles (aa) are homozygous
Heterozygous means that the copies do not match.
One dominant allele and one recessive allele (Aa) is heterozygous.

Get this! An analysis performed at a Portland, OR based lab showed that roughly 86% of symptomatic patients have at least one MTHFR polymorphism. What does that mean? Almost 9 out of every 10 patients with autistic or other neurological symptoms, probably have at least one MTHFR polymorphism that is affecting their ability to generate active folate.

Quick Recap:

MTHFR in general has been associated with increased ASD risk.

Pasca SP et al. One carbon metabolism disturbances and the C677T MTHFR gene polymorphism in children with autism spectrum disorders. J Cell Mol Med. 20009; 13(10):4229-4238.

MTHFR C677T is associated with the greatest influence on enzyme activity and increased overall ASD risk.

Leclerc D et al. Molecular Biology of Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and Overview of Mutations/Polymorphisms. NCBI Bookshelf: Madame Curie Bioscience Database.

MTHFR 677 is more present in autism.

Pu D1, Shen Y, Wu J. Association between MTHFR gene polymorphisms and the risk of autism spectrum disorders: a meta-analysis. Autism Res. 2013 Oct;6(5):384-92. doi: 10.1002/aur.1300.

MTHFR A1298C has been reported to have a more influential effect on mental health disorders.

Sener EF1, Oztop DB2, Ozkul Y3. MTHFR Gene C677T Polymorphism in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Genet Res Int. 2014;2014:698574. doi: 10.1155/2014/698574.

So, what does this all have in common?! NEUROTRANSMITTERS. Neurotransmitters are our body’s chemical messengers i.e. very important.

MTHFR is linked to the production site of neurotransmitters-

Serotonin: calming and loving
Dopamine: excitatory
Dopamine deficiency has been associated with autism. With a dopamine deficiency we see detached, blunted behavior and more of the ‘trademark’ autistic type symptoms. What’s dopamine? Dopamine functions as a neurotransmitter, a chemical released by nerve cells to send signals to other nerve cells. In other words, it is INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT. As a member of the catecholamine family, dopamine is a precursor to norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and then epinephrine (adrenaline).

Take a look at the supporting pathway image of dopamine I added.

Now, this was a lot of science and a lot of information. I am here to educate, inform, and spread awareness and hope. The mutations and pathways I mentioned above CAN be supported with certain supplements and diet/lifestyle changes. NEVER let anyone tell you that you must just accept your illness and learn to live with it. If you would like information on how Functional Medicine can help autism, please contact Stittleburg Restorative Health Care!

Let's get back to health,
Dr. Taryn

Let's talk folic acid!

Mon, 30 Sep 2019 00:34:39 GMT

Let's talk folic acid!

Folic acid IS NOT your friend!

Let's clear up some confusion: Folic acid IS NOT the same thing as folate and should NEVER be used as an equivalent.

Let’s Talk About Folic Acid!

Folic acid fortification was heavily implemented in 1998. Thank goodness it's 2019 and we now know better! The thing I love about science is it's ALWAYS evolving, it's constantly changing. If it wasn't, we would still be practicing bloodletting or performing lobotomies for mental illness.

Folic acid is what we’re supposed to take while pregnant, right? WRONG! Folic acid is not the same thing as folate. If you are pregnant, please look on your prenatal bottle and make sure you are taking folate.

Folic Acid Vs. Folate:

Folic acid (pteroylmonoglutamate): is the man-made version of B9 found in supplements and fortified foods-
Requires multiple conversions by the body to achieve 5-MTHF status
Two of these steps involve dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) which can easily become saturated at high folic acid dosages
Exists in the oxidized form and only has only one conjugated glutamate residue
Higher bioavailability than natural folates- readily absorbed across the intestines
Folate receptor has a higher affinity for folic acid than for 5-MTHF
Theoretically this may impair transport of active folate through the body and across the blood-brain barrier
Folate: is the natural form of B9 found in leafy vegetables and legumes-
Requires fewer steps to achieve 5-MTHF
Is in the reduced form and is polyglutamated

What does this mean? Folic acid can inhibit transport of the necessary active folate across the blood-brain barrier where we need it to be able to support reductions in neuroinflammation.

Has your doctor suggested folic acid? Do you have questions on what prenatal you should be taking? Please, contact us today!

Let's get back to health,
Dr. Taryn

https://www.stittleburgrhc.com/lets-talk-prenatal-supplementation

References:
Dr. Valerie Ferdinand, ND Functional Medicine University
Pietzrik K et al. Folic acid and L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2010; 49(8):535-548. Choi JH et al. Contemporary issues surrounding folic acid fortification initiatives. Prev Nutr Food Sci. 2014; 19(4):247-260.
Smith AD et al. Is folic acid good for everyone? Am J Clin Nutr. 2008; 87:517-33. Bailey RL et al. Serum unmetabolized folic acid in a nationally representative sample of adults > 60 years of age in the United States, 2001-2001. Food & Nutrition Research. 2012; 56:5616.

Let's talk estrogen, again!

Tue, 24 Sep 2019 00:27:48 GMT

Let's talk estrogen, again!

I know I have already touched on estrogen in https://www.stittleburgrhc.com/lets-talk-estrogen BUT there's so much more to estrogen AND it's vital in women's health.

This blog is going to be specifically about estrogen dominance.

Estrogen induced inflammation may be the reason why women account for 75% of all autoimmune diseases. *Read that again*

Excess estrogen can cause inflammation in the body and push the immune system to make too many antibodies. Women make up SEVENTY-FIVE percent of ALL autoimmune diseases- women deserve better.

Estrogen is not a single hormone, it's a complex hormone. It is a class of hormones and hormone like compounds that have estrogenic properties. There are human estrogens, synthetic estrogens, animal estrogens, phytoestrogens, and xenoestrogens. Estradiol, estrone, and estriol are the three human estrogens- they belong to the steroid hormone family.

As Functional Medicine University explains, '"Estrogen dominance" is a term coined by Harvard physician John R. Lee M.D. It describes a condition where a woman can have deficient, normal, or excessive estrogen but the body has little or no progesterone to balance its effects."

Signs and symptoms of estrogen dominance include:

Speeds up the aging process
Weight gain around the middle
Allergies
Autoimmune disorders
Breast cancer
Breast tenderness
Cold hands and feet as a symptom of thyroid dysfunction
Decreased sex drive
Muscle and joint pain
Depression
Dry eyes
Early onset of menstruation
Uterine cancer
Fat gain in abdomen, hips, and thighs
Fatigue
Fibrocystic breasts
Foggy thinking
Hair loss
Headaches
Hypoglycemia
Increased blood clotting
Infertility
Irregular menstrual periods
Insomnia
Memory loss
Mood swings
PMS
Ovarian cysts
Pre-menopausal bone loss
Sluggish metabolism
Thyroid dysfunction
Uterine cancer
Uterine fibroids
Water retention and bloating

You shouldn't have to struggle before menopause, through menopause, or after menopause. You shouldn't have to struggle before your hysterectomy or after your hysterectomy. There is hope and there is help.

Quick Fact: Too much estrogen can cause Hypothyroidism (low thyroid) in two ways: it can inhibit the conversion of T4 to T3 and it can bind to thyroid hormones from its own receptors.

What causes estrogen dominance?

Well, besides the typical hormonal fluctuations of menopause, certain lifestyle choices, diet, and conditions can also contribute to estrogen dominance syndrome. For example, a low-fiber diet, overloading the liver with internal toxins, and absorbing toxins from the environment. Women live a very different lifestyle now-a-days. It's constant stress- how you look, what you drive, do you be a stay at home mom, do you work, how do your kids look, do I look fat in this, how do I contour, what makeup should I use..... It never ends. The toxins just continue, and continue, and continue. Women are in a fight or flight response, continually.

Your liver cannot keep up!

"The liver is a filter of sorts. It detoxifies our body, protecting us from the harmful effects of chemicals, elements in food, environmental toxins, and even natural products of our metabolism, including excess estrogen. Anything that impairs liver function or ties up the detoxifying function will result in excess estrogen levels, whether it has a physical basis, as in liver disease, or an external cause, as with exposure to environmental toxins, drugs, or dietary substances.

Estrogen is produced not only internally but also produced in reaction to chemicals and other substances in our food. When it is not broken down adequately, higher levels of estrogen build up."

Our Standard American Diet (SAD) is just that, sad. Having our diets rich in animal fats, refined starches, sugar, and processed foods- it can lead to estrogen levels in women twice that of women in third-world countries. Foods high in estrogen include soybeans, tofu, soy milk, bran cereals, alfalfa sprouts, dried fruit, especially dried apricots, dates, and prunes, flaxseed, sesame seeds, chickpeas, beans and peas.

We are consistently exposed to xenobiotics (petrochemicals), xenohormone-laden meats and dairy products, forms of pollution, and synthetic hormones ('The Pill'). It's not surprising that estrogen dominance has become an epidemic in America. What we don't recognize is- over exposure to these potentially dangerous substances have significant consequences, like passing on reproductive abnormalities to children.

Every human being is the author of his own health or disease-
let us help you get back to health. Please, contact us today!
-Dr. Taryn

References:
Environ Health Perspect. 1999 Oct;107 Suppl 5:681-6.Gender and risk of autoimmune diseases: possible role of estrogenic compounds.Ahmed SA1, Hissong BD, Verthelyi D, Donner K, Becker K, Karpuzoglu-Sahin E.
Endocr Rev. 2007 Aug;28(5):521-74. Epub 2007 Jul 19.The complex role of estrogens in inflammation.Straub RH.
Functional Medicine University. Dr. Ronald Grisanti, D.C., D.A.B.C.O., D.A.C.B.N., M.S., CFMP

Let's talk estrogen!

Tue, 17 Sep 2019 00:16:42 GMT

Let's talk estrogen!

Women are complex- we all know that!

Let's Talk About Estrogen!

Estrogen is a major hormone affecting women, daily. Let’s face it, we’re not getting any younger! Women’s life expectancy has increased from age 47 in 1900 to age 80 in 2005. Estrogen imbalance is a very common ailment that most women know little about!

Did you know that there are three types of estrogen?
– Estrone (E1) 5% - 10% (primarily during menopause)
– Estradiol (E2) 5% - 10% (primarily for reproductive years)
– Estriol (E3) 80% - 90% (primarily during pregnancy)
Most estrogen is created by the ovaries with lesser amounts from the adrenal cortex.

Estrone (E1) Quick Facts:

Is the least abundant of the three estrogens
Primary hormone during menopause
Made in the ovaries and peripheral tissue
Is converted into estradiol and estriol
Can also convert into testosterone
Synthetic estrone has been shown to cause cancer

Estradiol (E2) Quick Facts:

Estradiol is the most biologically potent estrogen
Primary hormone during reproductive years
Most biologically active estrogen in the body
It is 12X as potent as estrone
It is 80X as potent as estriol

Estriol (E3) Quick Facts:

Weakest form of estrogen
Non-pregnant production is from the conversion of estrone and estradiol
Produced by the placenta during pregnancy

Some functions of estrogens:

Activates immune system
Can have pro-inflammatory effect
Improves insulin function
Increases action of cilia in fallopian tubes
Promotes sleep
Induces ovulation
Prevents bone loss
Increases metabolism
Softens and smooths skin

Many women experience estrogen dominance, with some experiencing estrogen deficiency- this can be caused by a significant amount of factors. Now remember, this blog is only addressing estrogen, specifically!

This chart shows some "typical symptoms".

When a woman’s estrogen levels aren't where “they should be”- it causes a cascade of other issues. No, you are not crazy! Yes, there is hope! Hormonal regulation is a complex system- if you would like to know more, please, contact us today!

Let's get back to health,
Dr. Taryn

Let’s Talk Anxiety, Gut Dysbiosis, and Benzodiazepines!

Thu, 05 Sep 2019 23:53:31 GMT

Let’s Talk Anxiety, Gut Dysbiosis, and Benzodiazepines!

I want you to know- there is hope and I am here to help you.

Let’s Talk About Anxiety, Gut Dysbiosis, and Benzodiazepines!

I’m going to start this off by saying anxiety disorders are the most common form of mental illness in the United States. Anxiety disorders affect 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18.1% of the population every year. Research shows that in 2018, more than one in eight U.S. adults (12.6%) used benzodiazepines, a class of drugs primarily used for treating anxiety, in the past year. But research from 2013 and 2014 found about 4 to 6 percent of adults used benzodiazepines. It’s 2019, why do these numbers continue to increase? If the solution was benzodiazepines- shouldn’t the numbers be decreasing?

Typical benzodiazepines used for the treatment of anxiety-related to panic disorder or other anxiety disorders include:
Xanax (alprazolam)
Klonopin (clonazepam)
Valium (diazepam)
Ativan (lorazepam)
Librium (chlordiazepoxide)

Benzodiazepines “work” by increasing the effect of a brain chemical called GABA. GABA is the most common neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, it reduces brain activity in the areas of the brain responsible for:

Rational thought
Memory
Emotions
Essential functions, such as breathing

The most common side effects associated with benzodiazepines are:

Sedation
Dizziness
Weakness
Unsteadiness

Other side effects include:

Transient drowsiness
A feeling of depression
Loss of orientation
Headache
Sleep disturbance
Confusion
Irritability
Aggression
Excitement
Memory impairment

Here is an excerpt from Anatomy of an Epidemic by Robert Whitaker-

“This same basic paradox-that a psychiatric drug may curb symptoms over the short term but worsen the long-term course of the disorder-has been found to hold true for benzodiazepines, at least when used to treat panic attacks. In 1988, researchers who led the large Cross-National Collaborative Panic Study, which involved 1,700 patients in 14 countries, reported that at the end of 4 weeks, 82% of the patients treated with Xanax (alprazolam) were "moderately improved" or "better," versus 42% of the placebo patients. However, by the end of 8 weeks, there was no difference between the groups, at least among those who remained in the study (Ballenger et al., 1988). Any benefit with Xanax seemed to last for only a short period. As a follow-up to that study, researchers in Canada and the UK studied benzodiazepine-treated patients over a period of 6 months. They reported that the Xanax patients got better during the first four weeks of treatment, that they did not improve any more in weeks 4 to 8, and that their symptoms began to worsen after that. As patients were weaned from the drugs, a high percentage relapsed, and by the end of 23 weeks, they were worse off than patients treated without drugs on five different outcomes measures (Marks et al ., 1993). More bad news of this sort was reported by Pecknold in 1988. He found that as patients were tapered off Xanax they suffered nearly four times as many panic attacks as the nondrug patients, and that 25% of the Xanax patients suffered from rebound anxiety more severe than when they began the study. The Xanax patients were also significantly worse off than nondrug patients on a global assessment scale by the end of the study (Pecknold, Swinson, Kuch, & Lewis, 1988).

I’m not sure about you, but this is terrifying to me. On top of the side effects and the shocking research shared above, benzodiazepines have such significant withdrawal that it’s now classified as “benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome”. Withdrawal from benzodiazepines is arguably as difficult, if not more difficult, than street drugs.

Pétursson explains in PMID: 7841856-

" Physiological dependence on benzodiazepines is accompanied by a withdrawal syndrome which is typically characterized by sleep disturbance, irritability, increased tension and anxiety, panic attacks, hand tremor, sweating, difficulty in concentration, dry wretching and nausea, some weight loss, palpitations, headache, muscular pain and stiffness and a host of perceptual changes. Instances are also reported within the high-dosage category of more serious developments such as seizures and psychotic reactions. Withdrawal from normal dosage benzodiazepine treatment can result in a number of symptomatic patterns. The most common is a short-lived "rebound" anxiety and insomnia, coming on within 1-4 days of discontinuation, depending on the half-life of the particular drug. The second pattern is the full-blown withdrawal syndrome, usually lasting 10-14 days; finally, a third pattern may represent the return of anxiety symptoms which then persist until some form of treatment is instituted."

So how do we get to the root cause of anxiety? Because, remember, anxiety is a SYMPTOM.
Well, gut dysbiosis is an imbalance of bacteria and microbes in our intestines. Time and time again, studies continue to show that our gut is essentially our second brain.

So, let’s talk about a study by Yang, et. al., published in the Journal of General Psychiatry, entitled “Effects of regulating intestinal microbiota on anxiety symptoms: a systematic review.”
A systematic review is arguably the highest level of scientific evidence. Why? A systematic review will often review the available randomized control trials and summarize the findings. Everyone loves summaries! Thankfully, what Yang has concluded is that treatments for the gut can improve anxiety.

Yang explains that the aim of their study was “To find evidence supporting improvements in anxiety symptoms by regulating intestinal microbiota.” Because, “More and more basic studies have indicated that gut microbiota can regulate brain function through the gut-brain axis, and dysbiosis of intestinal microbiota was related to anxiety. However, there is no specific evidence to support treatment of anxiety by regulating intestinal microbiota.”

This systematic review of randomized control trials looked through 3,334 articles and only 21 were high-quality enough to be included in this analysis, with a total of about 1500 patients over the 21 studies. “14 studies chose probiotics as interventions” and “six chose non-probiotic ways” , mostly low FODMAP diet.

Probiotics help to heal and rebalance the gut and can have an extensive array of positive improvements, because they treat the root cause of multiple systems. Therefore, we see probiotics show improvements in things like allergic conditions, skin conditions, and neurologic conditions. Moreover, there’s evidence showing improvements in things like depression, IBS, constipation, loose stools, bloating, gas, and diarrhea.

This is the statistic that really gets me excited, “56% of studies could improve anxiety symptoms.” Yang continues, “We find that more than half of the studies included showed it was positive to treat anxiety symptoms by regulation of the intestinal microbiota.”

What does this mean?! IT MEANS YOU HAVE OPTIONS! Medication is NOT the only option for anxiety relief. I cannot tell you how many patients tell me they started an anti-anxiety medication because they felt their doctor offered them no other option. I am here to tell you- there is hope. Those of you who are suffering with anxiety have some great natural, nutritional, and supplemental options.

Anxiety is a complex symptom. Anxiety relief must have guidance, please, contact us today to see how we can help!

Let's get back to health,
Dr. Taryn

Let's talk prenatal supplementation!

Mon, 26 Aug 2019 01:12:21 GMT

Let's talk prenatal supplementation!

Let's talk truth with Dr. Taryn!

Happiness is carrying a whole world inside you.
And that whole world is depending on you.

Let's Talk Prenatals!

Being pregnant is hard. The hormone fluctuation is hard. The weight gain is hard. Input from everyone and their brother is hard. The birth itself is hard. EVERYTHING related to being pregnant and raising a child is hard. That’s just the truth. The absolute last thing that should be hard is wondering what extra nutrients provide benefit and where to get those said nutrients from.

Well, I’m here to cover what I recommend and to tell you why . Read that again. I’m not just going to tell you to take this and eat that- I’m going to explain the importance. Because at the end of the day, you should and need to question everything when it comes to your child’s health and well-being. You have a right to know the answers to your ‘why’ questions.

I’m also not here to lecture your health choices while pregnant, but to simply inform. A few simple, superior choices bring increased benefit to mom and baby.

There is a ridiculous amount of prenatal options at the store. However, not all supplements are created equal! Please read our supplement blog to learn about this: https://www.stittleburgrhc.com/lets-talk-supplements

As an expecting mother, where do you even begin?!

Let’s talk about a couple essential vitamins and minerals needed throughout pregnancy:

Iron - Low iron levels in pregnancy have been associated with premature birth, low birth weight, and anemia.
Red meats, fish, poultry, lentils, beans, and spinach.
Zinc - Helps maintain structural integrity of proteins and helps regulate gene expression.
Lean meat, wholegrain cereals, milk, seafood, legumes and nuts.
Vitamin D - Promotes strong teeth and bones.
SUNSHINE, milk, oily fish, and taramasalata.
Vitamin C - Promotes formation of collagen, antioxidant properties that protects tissues from damage.
Bell peppers, green beans, broccoli, tomatoes, and citrus fruits.
Calcium - Vital for making your baby’s bones and teeth.
Dairy products, dark green leafy vegetables, fish with edible bones, and almonds.
Iodine - Essential to the production of thyroid hormone.
Fish, seaweed, shrimp, and other seafood.
EPA/DHA - Fetal development, heart health, mood, and overall health support.
Fish, seaweed, algae, and grass-fed beef.
Magnesium - Muscle relaxation.
Avocado, nuts, legumes, and seeds.

Now, I only covered 8 essential vitamins and minerals, and purposely left out folate/folic acid because this requires its own section.

Folate and folic acid ARE NOT the same thing.

Folate is the natural form of vitamin B9 in food.
Folic acid is a synthetic form.

FOLATE is what you need and want during pregnancy, NOT folic acid.
Folate is involved in DNA production and cell division; it is critical to the development of the nervous system and prevention of neural tube defects.

What else do I recommend? A PROBIOTIC! New research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine suggests that a mother's microbiome during pregnancy plays a critical role in developing autism-spectrum disorders. "We determined that the microbiome is a key contributor in determining susceptibility [to autism-like disorders],” said lead researcher John Lukens, PhD, of UVA's Department of Neuroscience. "The microbiome can shape the developing brain in multiple ways," Lukens continued to explain. "The microbiome is really important to the calibration of how the offspring's immune system is going to respond to an infection or injury or stress." Your mind is only as healthy as your gut!

If you are interested in our prenatal supplementation recommendation, all it will cost you is your time. At Stittleburg Restorative Health Care we do not charge inquisitive mothers for prenatal questions! You read that right; it is FREE to receive our prenatal supplementation recommendation. Our goal is to promote a happy, healthy pregnancy for both mom and baby! The best part, the supplements are delivered right to your door and the consultation can be done over the phone. The first step is yours.

Let's get back to health,
Dr. Taryn

Pregnancy is a beautiful thing and so is my friend, Stephanie!

Let's talk functional medicine!

Wed, 21 Aug 2019 01:04:35 GMT

Let's talk functional medicine!

Let's talk heavy bleeding!

Thu, 15 Aug 2019 00:56:49 GMT

Let's talk heavy bleeding!

If talking about periods makes you uneasy, well, this blog isn't for you.

Let's talk truth with Dr. Taryn!

Don't let anyone tell you that you must just accept that you have an illness and learn to live with it.

Ladies - let’s talk about heavy bleeding!

This statistic really spoke to me- 1 in 20 women consult their primary care physician every year about this problem! Menorrhagia is the medical term defined as abnormally heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding. This is most often due to anovulatory cycles. The anovulatory cycle is a menstrual cycle with the absence of ovulation. This means, without ovulation, there is no chance of becoming pregnant. From collected research, adolescent girls and women nearing menopause are at greatest risk for menorrhagia. BUT- that is not always the case.

Here are some of the primary causes of heavy bleeding:

Can be caused by excessive overbuilding of the uterine lining
Ovarian dysfunction (not ovulating)
Uterine fibroids
Uterine polyps due to elevated hormone levels
Adenomyosis (endometrial glands become embedded in uterine muscle)
IUD use
Pregnancy complications

With heavy, unusual periods some complications can include:
– Iron deficiency anemia
– Severe menstrual cramps or abdominal pain

Here are some of the primary signs and symptoms of heavy bleeding:

Soaking through one or more tampons or pads for several consecutive hours
Needing to use double sanitary protection to control menstrual flow
Need to wake up to change menstrual pad at night
Bleeding for longer than one week
Passing large blood clots
Restricted activities
Anemia or excessive fatigue

To “help” these symptoms, the typical conventional treatments are as follows:

Birth control of some kind (for suppression of ovulation)
Uterine ablation (a procedure that surgically destroys the lining of your uterus)
Partial hysterectomy (removes the uterus and the cervix is left intact)

Yikes, controlling heavy menstrual bleeding by an invasive surgery that comes with a grocery list of potential complications and/or side effects or taking a synthetic hormonal supplement that comes with a grocery list of potential complications and/or side effects! How are those our typical options in 2019?! Taking birth control to symptomatically treat heavy menstruation is like putting a rug over cracked foundation to keep it from spreading. Getting to the root cause of why these symptoms are present is what needs to happen! Our women deserve better. Please contact Stittleburg Restorative Health Care to see how Functional Medicine can help resolve your heavy bleeding!

Let's get back to health,
Dr. Taryn

Information provided by Dr. Ronda Nelson, PhD, MH

Let's Talk chicken eggs!

Fri, 09 Aug 2019 00:49:03 GMT

Let's Talk chicken eggs!

Are eggs all they’re cracked up to be?!

Let's Talk Truth with Dr. Taryn!

Alright, let's talk about [chicken] eggs!

Last night I had my son help me with this little experiment. We bought a carton of conventional, white eggs from the grocery store and collected a carton of our own free-range chicken eggs. For those of you that don’t know, I live on a grass fed, organic, dairy farm and with that, comes our free-range chickens!

First let’s break down the type of chicken eggs that are readily available for purchase in supermarkets-

Battery-Cage Eggs AKA Regular Conventional Eggs: These hens are confined to a space that’s roughly the size of a piece of computer paper, unable to spread their wings- for their entire lives . They are fed grains, usually genetically modified organism (GMO) grains.

Brown Eggs: The color of your eggshell means absolutely nothing . You wouldn’t pay more for a black iPhone than a white iPhone, would you? Eggs come in a variety of colors- brown is no better than a white, green, or blue egg.

All-Natural, Farm Fresh, Hormone-Free: Just like your brown egg, these words mean nothing when it comes to egg selection. These words are greenwashing at its finest!

*”Greenwashing is when green PR or green marketing is deceptively used to promote the perception that an organization's products, aims or policies are environmentally friendly.”*

Cage-Free: I hope you haven’t been spending money on these! The 12 count conventional eggs we purchased for this experiment were $0.89. Sitting right next to those eggs, were the cage-free 12 count for $2.48. These chickens are packed by the thousands into multi-level aviaries (glorified chicken coops)! Essentially these chickens live in a warehouse, not in battery-cages, but still never get to see the outdoors.

Free-Range: When I think of free-range, I think of chickens frolicking through fields. WRONG! The USDA just mandates these chickens “have access to the outdoors.” Access to the outdoors is very different than actually going outdoors.

Wait, didn’t I just say I collected my own free-range chicken eggs? Yes, I did. Free-range chicken eggs purchased in stores just must have access to the outdoors. Our chickens are only in the coop to sleep and sometimes lay their eggs where they’re supposed to. Most local farm raised free-range chickens are happy and healthy, which in turn makes for healthier eggs.

You are what you eat! Think about it, if you lived on grain, would you be healthy? Chickens are omnivores by nature and will eat (or try to eat) just about anything they can get their beaks on. When outdoors, chickens will usually eat protein and vitamin-rich foods like insects, grubs, vegetation and seeds.

When a chicken is fed mainly grain, they miss out on the flavonoids and carotenoids that bring increased nutrition value to the eggs we eat- along with their own health.

Flavonoids are found in almost all fruits and vegetables. They are a group of phytonutrients (plant chemicals) that provide health benefits through cell signaling pathways and produce antioxidant effects. Carotenoids are yellow, orange, and red pigments synthesized by plants in many fruits and vegetables. They have an important antioxidant function of deactivating free radicals. Check out the difference in yolk color of our conventional, white egg compared to our free-range egg!

What does this mean? It means that on top of functioning like a chicken should, free-range chickens eat a surplus amount of flavonoids and carotenoids! This is good for us egg-eaters.

According to a study done by Mother Earth News, here’s how real free-range eggs compare to traditional, commercial eggs:

One-third less cholesterol
One-quarter less saturated fat
Two-thirds more vitamin A (Vitamin A is involved in immune function, vision, reproduction, and cellular communication)
Twice as many omega-3 fatty acids (An essential nutrient that the body cannot make on its own)
Three times as much vitamin E (An antioxidant, helping to protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals)
Seven times as much beta carotene (Converted into vitamin A, an essential vitamin)

My suggestion is, do everything you can to buy local free-range chicken eggs! Go to the farmer’s market, stop and visit an Amish family selling eggs, branch out and find friends that have their own chickens, etc. Sure, spending $0.89 at the store seems a whole lot easier, but so does keeping chicken in cages- and we now know that consequence.

Let’s get back to health,
Dr. Taryn

Let's talk autism!

Wed, 31 Jul 2019 02:07:27 GMT

Let's talk autism!

Let's Talk Truth With Dr. Taryn!

"Knowledge isn't power until it's applied" -Dale Carnegie

Let's Talk Autism:

What exactly is autism? According to autismspeaks.org: “Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “autism affects an estimated 1 in 59 children in the United States today”.

ONE in FIFTY-NINE children are affected by autism today! (Further research shows these numbers to be higher but we’ll stick with what the CDC has to say.) That right there, is terrifying to me. What else is terrifying? I have a son, and 1 in 37 boys are diagnosed with autism compared to 1 in 151 girls.

But wait- the United States spends THE MOST on healthcare… So why are our children progressively becoming autistic?

I’m going to address just two reasons in this blog:

The Standard American Diet (SAD)
The overuse of antibiotics and medications

The Standard American Diet (SAD)- is just that, sad. Let’s just look at some numbers from The National Cancer Institute:

3 out of 4 Americans don’t eat a single piece of fruit in a day
9 out of 10 don’t reach the minimum recommended intake of vegetables
96% don’t reach the minimum for greens in a week
We eat 610 calories a day of grain products, and only 206 calories a day of fruits and veggies (Did you know that cattle are given grain to essentially “fatten them up”? Why on earth are we eating the amount of grain that we are?!)

We remember learning about The Food Guide Pyramid, right?! It has since been slightly changed, but either way, this is not healthy.

We need to be eating REAL food. Your body cannot function properly without the good proteins, the good carbs, and the good fats that it needs. Moreover, your body needs essential nutrients. An essential nutrient is a nutrient required for normal body functioning that cannot be synthesized by the body. This means the body cannot make these nutrients! Essential nutrients include vitamins, dietary minerals, essential fatty acids, and essential amino acids.

High glutamate levels have been associated with autism. What even is glutamate? Glutamate is the most common excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. What does this have to do with the SAD diet? MSG can increase glutamate levels. (I know you’ve seen MSG on food packages) MSG is short for monosodium glutamate and it is a popular ingredient in processed foods. Glutamate needs two important vitamins to support metabolism and conversion, Vitamin B3 and Pyridoxal 5’-phosphate (P5P) which is the active coenzyme form of Vitamin B6. In a primarily processed food diet, glutamate continues to be in excess, while P5P and Vitamin B3 stay deficient. I’ve added a short blerp below of this supporting pathway.

Dopamine deficiency has been associated with autism. What’s dopamine? Dopamine functions as a neurotransmitter, a chemical released by nerve cells to send signals to other nerve cells. In other words, it is INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT . As a member of the catecholamine family, dopamine is a precursor to norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and then epinephrine (adrenaline). I’ve also added a supporting pathway image for dopamine- take a look!

Alright, I think that’s enough biochemistry pathways for this blog! Let’s move onto the overuse of antibiotics and medications.

I thought this was interesting, xanthurenate is a functional marker of Vitamin B6 and is a metabolite of the amino acid tryptophan. (Remember I already stressed B6 above) Use of medications such as oral contraceptives, anti-hypertensives (high blood pressure medications) and bronchodilators (asthma inhalers) and exposure to tobacco smoke as well as pesticides can all contribute to deficiency in B6.

But let’s get into the biggest culprit, leaky gut syndrome or hyperpermeability. Leaky gut is a very common problem. Basically, it’s a condition that occurs when there is inflammation and the “pores” lining the GI tract stay open too long. This means toxic by-products in the digestive tract will be absorbed into the blood stream and taken into the liver. Leaky gut is associated with a wide range of general symptoms and is an underlying factor in autism.

The intestinal lining has two opposite functions:

Absorb nutrients from food in the digestive tract
Be a barrier- control microbes or potential allergens from leaving the gut and getting into our bloodstream

If our tight junctions are open too wide, toxins from the gut will spill into the bloodstream causing allergies and dozens of other ailments. Triggers for gut dysfunction can develop from poor diet, overuse of antibiotics, and/or overuse of medications. I will be doing another blog on hyperpermeability, so let’s keep this children/autism related!

The digestive tract is one of the most important immune support organs. To get right to the point, scientists have discovered that the body has two brains – the one we all know in our skull and a vitally important one found in our gut called the enteric nervous system. The magnitude and complexity of the enteric nervous system is unreal, it contains as many neurons as the spinal cord. The human gut is sterile at birth but is quickly colonized. By one year of age, it looks similar an adult profile, but still unique to that child. Total adult load is estimated at 1,800 genera, 40,000 species, 1-2kg in weight, 100 trillion in number and possesses 100 times the genes found in the human genome.

The overgrowth of candida and other species of yeast in the gut, mainly in children, can be due to overuse of antibiotics and sugar in the diet. This can lead to the formation of abnormal, toxic organic acids associated with attention deficit disorders and autism.

Trust me, we are all doing the best we can!

Please do not run to your local grocery/health store and pick up Vitamin B6 for your child ( https://www.stittleburgrhc.com/lets-talk-supplements ).
Please do not take this blog as an attack on your parenting! With the statistics for autism on the rise, I’m sure you know someone who is affected by this overwhelming disorder.

There is hope and we are here to help. Please contact Stittleburg Restorative Health Care for more information!

Let's get back to health,
Dr. Taryn

References:
DNA Res. 14, 169–181. 2007.
Gastroenterol. 24, 4–10. 2008.
PLoS Biol. 5, e177. 2007

Let's talk acne!

Mon, 29 Jul 2019 01:57:50 GMT

Let's talk acne!

Let's Talk Truth With Dr. Taryn!

Even a mild form of acne can drastically impact one's life.

Let's Talk About Acne!

Do you suffer from acne? Well, you’re not alone! Acne vulgaris is the most common skin disease in the United States affecting almost 85% of the people between the ages of 12 and 24 . Most times we associate acne with teenagers, but it can affect people of all ages. Moreover, many adult women experience acne due to hormonal changes associated with their menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or starting/stopping birth control pills. Roughly eight million people visit the dermatologist every year for their skin!

There are three factors that influence the Formation of acne:

The overproduction of oil (sebum)
Irregular shedding of dead skin cells causing irritation of the hair follicles of your skin
An excessive buildup of bacteria

Acne is usually on your face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and scalp and shows itself as:

Whiteheads- These are created when the openings of hair follicles become clogged and blocked with oil secretions and dead skin.
Blackheads- These are like whiteheads but are open to the skin surface and dark.
Pimples- These are reddish, raised spots that signal inflammation/infection in the hair follicles.
Cysts- These are thick lumps beneath the surface of the skin, made by the buildup of secretions deep inside hair follicles.

Acne occurs when the hair follicles become plugged with dead skin cells and oil. Each follicle is connected to a sebaceous gland and everyone has roughly 5,000 sebaceous follicles.

Here are some treatable underlying issues that contribute to acne:

Excess androgen (androgen excess is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age)
Oxidative Stress
Insulin Resistance
Food Intolerance
Leaky Gut
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
Low Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Poor Detoxification
Poor Digestion

Conventional medicine deals with symptoms. Which means, their solutions for acne include lathering on potions/lotions and taking antibiotics and/or strong liver-damaging medications. Fortunately, there is Functional Medicine, which addresses the root cause. Diet (like sugar intake) , lifestyle, and supplementation has an immense impact on acne. If you want to get answers for your unrelenting acne, please contact us today!

Let’s get back to health,
Dr. Taryn

Let's talk acetaminophen!

Fri, 19 Jul 2019 01:50:12 GMT

Let's talk acetaminophen!

Let's Talk Truth With Dr. Taryn!

Let's Talk About Acetaminophen!

This is an incredibly hot topic and I’ve been waiting to blog about it. There is going to be a ton of science, buckle up! Acetaminophen is the most common drug ingredient in America. Did you know acetaminophen overdose is one of the most common poisonings? There are more than 600 medications that contain acetaminophen as an active ingredient, this includes over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription (Rx) medicines. Here are some common medications that have acetaminophen:

Tylenol®
Sudafed®
DayQuil®
Theraflu®
Midol®
Vicks®
Alka-Seltzer Plus®
Oxycodone®
Vicodin®
Fioricet®
Butalbital®

“Tylenol can’t be that bad for me if I can buy it over the counter, right?” WRONG. A study done by John P. Forman, M.D., a clinical fellow at Brigham and Women's Hospital, found that women between the ages of 51 to 77 who took more than 500 mg of acetaminophen daily had a 93% increased risk of hypertension (high blood pressure)! It also revealed that women between the ages of 34 to 53, who took more than 500 mg of acetaminophen daily, had double the hypertension risk compared to non-users.

Taking 1,000 capsules of Tylenol in a lifetime doubles the risk of end stage renal disease. (New England Journal of Medicine, 1994) Let me put that into perspective, if you take two Tylenol, three times a week, after a year you’re almost a third of the way to 1,000 capsules.

The Beasley Study published in 2011, assessing a total of 322,959 adolescent children from 113 centers in 50 countries, shows astonishing statistics:

A 46% increased risk of asthma at ages 6-7 years in kids who received acetaminophen for fever in their first year of life
A 48% increased risk of runny nose and red, itchy eyes at ages 6-7 in kids who received acetaminophen for fever in their first year of life
A 35% increased risk of eczema at ages 6-7 in kids who received acetaminophen for fever in their first year of life
22% of severe childhood asthma is linked to acetaminophen use during the first year of life
38% of severe childhood asthma is linked to acetaminophen use later in childhood

Why is this? The study found that acetaminophen depletes glutathione which can eventually lead to blood vessel damage. Glutathione is very powerful antioxidant, arguably the most powerful, in the body. It protects the body against free radical damage and is critical in the body’s detoxification process. Basically, it’s an essential component to the body's natural defense system. It can be found in virtually every cell in the body- that’s 30 to 40 trillion cells . Fun fact: Google calculates Pi to 30 trillion digits on its Cloud (my high school math teacher is going to appreciate that).

Glutathione is composed of three amino acids- glycine, cystine, and glutamate. Let’s break these down:

Glycine aids in collagen formation, making up around 35 percent of the collagen in the human body. It also helps regulate nerve impulses in the central nervous system (CNS), mainly those of the spinal cord, retina, and the brainstem.
Cystine is one of the few amino acids that contains sulfur. Sulfur can be called a superhero of the body, working as a potent antioxidant, protecting your cells from damage.
Glutamate is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in our brain and central nervous system (CNS). Neurological disorders like: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer Disease, Stroke/Ischemia, and Epilepsy have been associated with glutamate deficiency.

Since glutathione is composed of glycine, cystine, and glutamate- this means acetaminophen DEPLETES ALL FOUR of these critically important amino acids. (I didn’t even get into the negative domino effect that continues, in our body’s biochemistry, with the decrease of these four amino acids.)

The highest concentration of glutathione is found in the liver. Some refer to the liver as the glutathione reservoir . The liver is our primary detoxification organ. Depletion of glutathione has been correlated with lower immune function and increased vulnerability to infection due to the liver's reduced ability to detoxify.

Low glutathione is a risk factor for many chronic diseases and is associated with:

Reduced antioxidant capacity, increased risk of oxidative damage and chronic illness
Reduced ability to detoxify environmental toxins and metabolic byproducts
Compromised gut lining, altered immunity, and reduced exercise endurance
Reduced S-Adenosyl Methionine (SAMe) synthesis and methylation (SAMe helps produce and regulate hormones and maintain cell membranes.)

With every medication there are pros and there are cons, it’s up to you as the consumer to weigh these out. There truly is a time and place, a need and want, for everything. If acetaminophen is something you or your family takes regularly and you want to find an alternative, please contact Stittleburg Restorative Health Care for more information! The body was made to heal itself, damage done by acetaminophen can be helped, it’s not too late.

Let's get back to health,
Dr. Taryn

References:

Beasley, Richard W., et al. “Acetaminophen Use and Risk of Asthma, Rhinoconjunctivitis, and Eczema in Adolescents.”
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, vol. 183, no. 2, 2011, pp. 171–178.
Forman JP, Stampfer MJ, Curhan GC. Non-Narcotic Analgesic Dose and Risk of Incident Hypertension in US Women. Hypertension. 2005 Aug 15

Let's talk toxic emotions

Fri, 12 Jul 2019 01:41:07 GMT

Let's talk toxic emotions

Chin up, straighten your crown. It's time to conquer.

Let's Talk Truth With Dr. Taryn

Let’s Talk About Toxic Emotions!

I’m going to be very straightforward, this blog post is predominately for women, sorry guys! Yes, guys have toxic emotions as well. But today, I am catering to females. However, I see that eye roll (insert a man’s name)- I will be posting a man inspired blog post as well!

As a clinician, it would be foolish to overlook the significant impact and influence psychological factors (thoughts and emotions) have on our immune system. The medical literature has overwhelming proven that psychological events alter brain and hormonal activities and to the surprise of many, the brain and endocrine systems have physical contact with each other and with the immune e system. What does this mean? Negative thoughts, emotions, actions, and situations can impact your physical well-being.

These toxic emotions are called stressors. A stressor is defined as “any sort of external or internal challenge that disrupts the physiological equilibrium or homeostasis of an individual.” Psychology and medicine define stress as anything that causes a stress response, eliciting a fight-flight response and/or an alarm reaction. For example, when you think about a situation where you were hurt or abused, do you feel emotional pain? Does your heart beat a little faster? THAT is stress.

A book written by Archibald Hart called Adrenaline and Stress, explains that stress begins in the mind but ends in the body. There is no such thing as stress only being in the mind. This means, there will be consequences in our physical bodies, due to negative thoughts or emotions. However, it’s important to realize that there are positive impacts with positive thoughts and emotions. Even more interesting is the discovery by Mason, in 1971, that different attitudes affect different immune cells in different ways, affecting how we respond to different invaders or antigens.

Did you know there is an association with autoimmune diseases and self-hatred? While we attack ourselves with our thoughts, words, or actions, we see a consistent conditioned autoimmune response potentially resulting in an autoimmune disease. Clinical research shows that specific negative emotions with self-bitterness are involved in the formation of auto-antibodies. According to scientific researcher, Singh, certain negative emotions elicit the body to produce specific auto-antibodies that only attack a specific cell or organ in our body.

If that doesn’t peak your interest, maybe this will. While under stress, there is a 62% drop in protein production. What does that even mean? The entire time you are “stressing”, lean muscle is converted to fat. FAT! Lean muscle is converting to fat with just your thoughts and emotions.

Okay, I’m done slamming you with science. I now want to transition into a huge part of why women have toxic emotions and how to help. RELATIONSHIPS! Now, I’m not just talking about a relationship with your significant other. I’m talking ALL relationships- girl friends, guy friends, bosses, mother, mother-in-law, Susan from church- you get my drift. These all have either a positive or negative impact on your mental/emotional health, which correlates to your physical health, as stated above.

Do your girl friends empower and push you to do better and be better? Or do they nit pick on any and everything you do- to constantly cast shade and judgement? The people you surround yourself with have a HUGE impact on your life. I read a quote the other day saying, you are who you surround yourself with, and I couldn’t agree more. If your “friends” aren’t supporting your achievements, honey, they aren’t your true friends. Don’t keep toxic people in your life because “you’ve known them since childhood”. Cut. The. Cord.

Does your significant other treat you like the Queen you are? Are you shown the love and appreciation that you deserve on a regular basis? If not, have an upfront and blunt conversation about your needs. Being in real, true love isn’t hard and it shouldn’t hurt . Being in forced love is very hard . There is a huge difference. Never, ever trust a man or woman who tries to destroy you when their mad. Instead, be with a man who is as crazy about you as a racoon is with rabies. You are the one that determines your worth, not anyone else.

Did you know that today, in 2019, on average, a woman working full time earns 80.7 cents for every dollar a man working full time earns? Do you think your boss undervalues you? Speak up- obviously in a professional and respectable manner. The other day I was talking to a mom friend who well deserved a raise, a raise that was long ago promised. She did her homework- comparable positions with comparable experience, went to a couple interviews, received other job offers, and presented this to her boss to show HER worth. He was thoroughly impressed. She left that office with the raise.

Empowered women empower women. Let’s spread love, not hate.

If you would like more information on what toxic emotions are doing to your health, don’t hesitate to contact us. After years of added stress, your hormones have taken the brunt, we are here to help them function correctly.

Let’s get back to health,
Dr. Taryn

Referenced: INSIDER’S GUIDE TOXIC EMOTIONS By Ron Grisanti, D.C. & Dicken Weatherby, N.D.

Let's talk supplements

Thu, 11 Jul 2019 01:33:34 GMT

Let's talk supplements

"Health is first, then everything else."

- Nancy S. Mure

Let's Talk Truth With Dr. Taryn

Let’s Talk (Cheap) Supplements!

With so many people experiencing nutritional and mineral deficiencies, feeling stressed out and tired, the supplemental industry has taken off. I read a study the other day stating that 50% of Americans take a multivitamin and one in five adults take an herbal supplement. Money doesn’t grow on trees, everyone loves to save money, I get it. But what are you truly putting into your body when taking cheap, uncertified supplements, not purchased from your Health Care Professional? The answer, no one truly knows! Supplements that aren’t certified are full of nasty fillers and synthetic ingredients, with little to no active ingredients.

I have 3 ugly truth bombshells about cheap supplements to drop!

Ugly Truth #1 - Most supplements you find on grocery store and drugstore shelves, haven’t been tested for safety or efficacy by the FDA before marketing! Read that again, that’s scary. There is a law called the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) that defines how dietary supplements are regulated. The law states that it is the responsibility of each manufacturer to show that a product is safe and effective before marketing that product. The FDA has no authority to do its own safety review before a product is made available to the public. Some companies do their own testing of raw materials and final products, but some do not. Product analyses are completely voluntary. High-quality companies will pay for third-party testing to confirm the presence of ingredients, the potency of ingredients, and the absence of contaminants. Common contaminants that are tested for include heavy metals, solvents, pesticides, and microbes.

Ugly Truth #2 - The FDA does not certify supplement-manufacturing facilities. Sure, the FDA requires that companies follow current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs), but there’s no certification for this. cGMPs require that the manufacturing facility be clean, climate-controlled, and run with good quality-control procedures. cGMPs have to do with how products are made—they have nothing to do with what is actually in the final product.

Ugly Truth #3 - The FDA does not standardize dosages or forms of ingredients in dietary supplements. Magnesium is mineral that nearly 50% of Americans are deficient in. Off the top of my head I can think of 5 different forms of magnesium: magnesium chloride, magnesium sulfate, magnesium citrate, magnesium oxide and magnesium glycinate. What form and/or dosage is sold on the shelves? I have no idea. One form is fantastic for muscles, one is great for digestion, and one will give you diarrhea- just for starters. Do you take an iron supplement? Iron sulfate causes the common side effect of constipation, whereas iron citrate formulated with vitamin C is most readily digested and absorbed. The form of the ingredient, the dosage of the ingredient, and the formulation of the entire product all influence whether or not a dietary supplement will be effective. This is information you should trust your Health Care Provider with.

Take it from me, I am a bargain shopper. I love garage sales, I love thrift stores. I love things that are free, that I will probably never use- but you never know! Something you just can’t skimp on, is what goes into your body. You are doing more harm than good with taking supplements from the grocery store and drugstore! With the Emerson Quality Program℠ we can assure you of your product. At Stittleburg Restorative Health Care we utilize Emerson's Gold Partner Brands. This means that they test every lot of every ingredient in the products they manufacture, far exceeding FDA requirements. Ensuring the highest level of quality has been in Emerson’s DNA since day one.

Please contact us today for a supplemental consultation! You can place your order online and it’s shipped right to your door. Now, that’s pretty neat!

Let's get back to health,
Dr. Taryn

Take your free health assessment here

Referenced:
1. Nutrition Business Journal. Practitioner Channel Deep Dive. 2017
Content referenced from Emerson Wellevate site https://edu.wellevate.me/three-minute-difference/a-conversation-on-quality-3-things-new-patients-need-to-know/

Let's talk Polycistic ovary syndrome (pcos)

Wed, 03 Jul 2019 01:19:03 GMT

Let's talk Polycistic ovary syndrome (pcos)

Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.

Let's Talk Truth With Dr. Taryn

Let’s talk PCOS:
What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome? PCOS
Definition- A common endocrine system disorder for women of reproductive age, symptoms may vary woman to woman.
Direct symptoms:

Irregular Menses (scant, prolonged, heavy, absent, painful)
Excess Androgen (facial + body hair, acne, greasy skin)

Indirect symptoms:

Abnormal Insulin
Abnormal Blood sugar
Infertility
Abnormal Cholesterol and Lipoproteins
Depression and Anxiety

What causes PCOS? Well, the exact cause is unknown! BUT genetics, hormonal imbalance, insulin resistance, and inflammation play a role! The good news?! THREE out of the FOUR can be REVERSED! Now, what am I talking about? Well clearly you can’t reverse your genetics, however, wouldn’t that be nice… Having a hormonal imbalance creates elevated androgens (a group of hormones related to male traits) and makes it harder for the ovaries to release a mature egg. Having insulin resistance causes a change in how the cells of the body react to insulin. The inflammation is the final frontier.

It is now clear that PCOS is often associated with profound insulin resistance as well as defects in insulin secretion--> Dunaif, A. (1997) Endocrine Reviews. 18(6): 774-800

I’ll drop some more peer reviewed articles for my research loving folks

Ehrmann, David A. (2002) Insulin Resistance and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Current Diabetes Reports. 2(1): 71-76.
González, Frank. et al. (2005) Reactive Oxygen Species-Induced Oxidative Stress in the Development of Insulin Resistance and Hyperandrogenism in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology &Metabolism. 19(1).
Baillargeon, Jean-Patrice. Nestler, John. E. (2005) Polycystic Ovary Sydrome: A Syndrome of Ovarian Hypersensitivity to Insulin. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 91(1).

But wait, why is this important? Because we NEED to understand the CAUSE! (See I said cause, not symptoms.) We need to understand the impact diet has and how nutrient deficiencies can exacerbate the condition. Circling back to when I said PCOS can be reversed- the best part? It can be reversed naturally.

So what causes insulin resistance?

Sugar
Too Many Carbohydrates
Low Muscle Mass
Inflammation
Too much adipose tissue
Too many trans fats
Nutrient deficiency – Chromium, Zinc, Selenium
Chronic High Cortisol – Dysregulation
High Fructose Corn Syrup
Lack of Sleep

Now look at the image about processing sugar and modulating energy, do you see cholesterol? Cholesterol is needed for hormones, fighting inflammation through antioxidants, and for your brain. Cholesterol is NOT the bad guy.
Sugar is!

Go ahead and eat those free range chicken eggs for breakfast!

Did you know, in 2005, Boston University researchers found a link between high total cholesterol and cognitive performance?!
789 men, 1005 women
Free of dementia and stroke
Followed for 16-18 years
Cognitive tests ever 4-6 years

Results – Significant positive linear association between total cholesterol and measures of verbal fluency, attention/concentration, abstract reasoning, and a composite score measuring multiple cognitive domains. – Penelope K. Elias, et al., Psychosomatic Medicine 67, no. 1 (2005); 24-30

Remember when I said PCOS could be overturned? Well, check these out…
Dale, PO. et al. (1992) Body weight, hyperinsulinemia, and gonadotropin levels in the polycystic ovarian syndrome: evidence of two distinct populations. Fertility and Sterility. 58(3): 487-491.
DeUgarte, MD. et al. (2005) Prevalence of insulin resistance in the polycystic ovary syndrome using the homeostasis model assessment. Fertility and Sterility. 83(5): 1454- 1460.
González, Frank. et al. (2005) Reactive Oxygen Species-Induced Oxidative Stress in the Development of Insulin Resistance and Hyperandrogenism in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology &Metabolism. 19(1).

I’m just slamming you with research today.

The previous three articles had the same hypothesis--> What if chronic daily inflammation created by a toxic, 24/7 high stress, sugar dysregulated, high cortisol lifestyle could cause PCOS? Hence, the reversal (and I’m not talking about wrestling).

Diet, exercise, and proper supplementation can give you your life back from PCOS. It’s time to get back to health! Please contact Stittleburg Restorative Health Care to see how we can help you!

Have a Happy Fourth of July,
Dr. Taryn

Let's talk mom guilt

Wed, 26 Jun 2019 02:21:53 GMT

Let's talk mom guilt

In case you haven't been told today, you're doing great!

Let's Talk Truth With Dr. Taryn

Let’s talk M҉O҉M҉G҉U҉I҉L҉T҉

To all my mamas who are reading this - you’re doing better than you think!! Being a mom in today’s day and age is hard. The constant input from social media, the picture perfect families on Insta, the judging when you finally take some “me time”, the list goes on. The choices never end. I spent 15 minutes trying to pick out a sippy cup the other day. A SIPPY CUP! As I type this, my 10 month old is screaming “mom, mom, mom!”, my 6 year old is yelling something about not finding his socks, and I’m over here just trying to finish a lukewarm cup of coffee.

I recently had a friend tell me of an experience she had with her two boys at the dentist. Both boys decided to have meltdowns - 2 toddlers, 2 separate rooms, 1 mom. The assistant caste so much shade on the mom with sighs, rude comments, and even eye rolls, that when the mom left, she was in tears. Why? Because she felt that she was a subpar mom based solely on this one situation. It took judgement from someone with zero relation to her everyday mom life struggles to break her. That’s just one example of how much pressure we put on our moms. When, in reality, she is a kicka$$ mom! There aren’t many kiddos that like the dentist in the first place (sorry to my besties hubby who’s a dentist) and kiddos can’t ⒜⒧⒲⒜⒴⒮ behave. That’s life.

First and foremost, you have to find time for yourself before you worry about anyone else . How can you take care of tiny humans if you aren’t taking care of yourself? Well I’m here to tell you, it is a simple idea that can change this constant mindset, it’s just not an easy task to accomplish. It starts with self-love and self-revelation! You are enough.

Secondly, slow down! There will never be 25 hours in a day . You can’t do every single thing, for every single child, every single day! If you couldn’t get to the dishes, there’s always tomorrow. Laundry didn’t get folded? Big deal, at least it’s washed. Did your kids go to bed happy, healthy, and feeling loved? Then you won the day, mama.

Thirdly, remove anything and everything that doesn’t bring you positivity and peace . Do you have a “friend” that constantly brings negative energy into your life? Make some distance. Do you have a family member that tells you how you should be raising your children? Respectfully, put your foot down. YOU are the mom, YOU birthed (or adopted) the child, YOU (along with the father) make the decisions.

Lastly, are you struggling with always feeling tired? Constant anxiety or feeling down? Snapping at your significant other or your kids because of irritability and mood swings? These feelings are ⓃⓄⓉ normal and they are due to hormonal imbalances. The good thing is that they can be treated naturally from the comfort of your own home! Please contact Stittleburg Restorative Health Care to see how we can help you get back to pre-children health! Motherhood has taught me the meaning of living in the moment and being at peace. Children don’t think about yesterday, and they don’t think about tomorrow. They just exist in the moment.

Let's get back to health,
Dr. Taryn

Let's talk about sugar!

Thu, 20 Jun 2019 02:15:39 GMT

Let's talk about sugar!

Just because you are not sick,
doesn’t mean you are healthy.

Let’s Talk Truth with Dr. Taryn

Let’s talk about sugar! Are you constantly craving sugar? Sugar has been shown to be as addictive as cocaine. Think about that! Something that is legal and readily accessible can be as addictive as an illegal street drug. That’s scary. Aside from smoking, the biggest culprit in today's heart attack pandemic is high blood sugar. It leads to a condition known as insulin resistance or early Type-II diabetes.

Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that allows your body to use sugar (glucose) from carbohydrates in the food that you eat. Insulin has two roles: 1. To lower blood sugar and 2. To store calories in the form of fat. Insulin resistance is the perfect set up for sugar addiction.

Here’s some science for all my biology loving folks:

High blood sugar elevates insulin and leptin resulting in never feeling full.
High levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) increase your urge for comfort foods.
High cortisol during sleep increased ghrelin (the always hungry hormone).

You may be sitting here, thinking of grabbing a Diet Coke next time instead of a Coke to “remove” the sugar. Problem solved, right? WRONG! Diet pop (also referred to as Soda for all you non-Wisconsinites) wreak havoc on your metabolism and will ultimately cause you to gain weight. Why is that? First, the sweet taste from Diet Coke elicits an insulin spike, which blocks your ability to burn fat. Second, artificial sweeteners found in Diet Coke disrupt satiety, the feeling of being full.

I’m going to share with you a few of the, as I like to call them, “Worst Drinks in America”.

SoBe Green Tea (1 bottle, 20 fl oz)
240 calories
0 g fat
61 g sugars
Sugar Equivalent:
4 slices Sara Lee Cherry Pie

Starbucks Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha
With Whipped Cream (venti, 20 fl oz)
660 calories
22 g fat (15 g saturated)
95 g sugars
Sugar Equivalent:
8½ scoops Edy’s Slow Churned Ice Cream

McDonald’s Triple Thick Chocolate Shake

(large, 32 fl oz)
1,160 calories
27 g fat (16 g saturated, 2 g trans)
168 g sugars
Sugar Equivalent:
13 McDonald’s Baked Hot Apple Pies

Fun fact --> Did you know, interval training can lower blood sugar by up to 40%. To put it into perspective, the commonly prescribed Metformin does so by a paltry 19% while putting users at risk of obesity, if they can tolerate the constant vomiting and diarrhea! (WOW!)

Controlling blood sugar has become the absolute hottest area of research and that research continues to point to Functional Medicine! Not only does it suggest a way of ameliorating heart disease, but also a host of other diseases caused by high blood sugar. These include but are not limited to diabetes, cancer, and even Alzheimer's!

Don't let anyone tell you that you must just accept that you have an illness and learn to live with it. Please contact Stittleburg Restorative Health Care for information about how we can help you!

Let’s get back to health,
Dr. Taryn

STITTLEBURG RESTORATIVE HEALTH CARE - Truth With Dr. Taryn

Let’s Talk About Breast Implant Illness- Part 1

Let's talk food allergies!

Third Trimester Feels: High Risk Edition-

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree- How Toxic are Thee?

Let’s Talk Constipation!

Let’s Talk About Delayed Cord Clamping!

What You Need to Know About Herbalife Protein Powder:

What You Need to Know About Thrive Le-Vel:

LEt's talk gratitude, mom life, and home life!

Let’s Talk First Trimester Feels!

Let’s Talk About Preemies!

Let’s Talk About Preemies!

What's in your makeup & Skincare products?

What's in your makeup & Skincare products?

Toxic skincare (sunscreen) thursday!

Toxic skincare (sunscreen) thursday!

Toxic Cosmetic Thursday- Physicians formula!

Toxic Cosmetic Thursday- Physicians formula!

Let's talk about [single] mom life!

Let's talk about [single] mom life!

Let’s Talk Elderberry, Tylenol, and COVID-19!

Let’s Talk Elderberry, Tylenol, and COVID-19!

Now let’s discuss the push to use Tylenol (Acetaminophen) instead- YIKES!

So, let's talk prevention and/or recovery!

Let’s Talk About Fat-Soluble Vitamins!

Let’s Talk About Fat-Soluble Vitamins!

What is glyphosate?

What is glyphosate?

Let’s Talk About Beef!

Let’s Talk About Beef!

Let’s Talk Armpit Detox!

Let’s Talk Armpit Detox!

Me personal favorite is Primally Pure's Charcoal Deodorant!

Let’s talk about shampooing carpets!

Let’s talk about shampooing carpets!

Let's talk about 2020 perspective

Let's talk about 2020 perspective

Let’s talk about the cold weather!

Let’s talk about the cold weather!

Let's Talk About Our Adrenal Stress Index: Seeking the Causes of Fatigue, Stress and Anxiety

Let's Talk About Our Adrenal Stress Index: Seeking the Causes of Fatigue, Stress and Anxiety

Cold/flu season support!

Cold/flu season support!

Let's talk genetic code!

Let's talk genetic code!

Let's talk depression and antidepressants

Let's talk depression and antidepressants

Please share this - Please spread awareness - Please help save a life.

Let’s Talk the Birth Control Pill and Your Gut!

Let’s Talk the Birth Control Pill and Your Gut!

Let's talk sleep!

Let's talk sleep! ﻿

Let's talk autism, again!

Let's talk autism, again!

Let's talk folic acid!

Let's talk folic acid!

Let's talk estrogen, again!

Let's talk estrogen, again!

Let's talk estrogen!

Let's talk estrogen!

Let’s Talk Anxiety, Gut Dysbiosis, and Benzodiazepines!

Let’s Talk Anxiety, Gut Dysbiosis, and Benzodiazepines!

Let's talk prenatal supplementation!

Let's talk prenatal supplementation!

Let's talk functional medicine!

Let's talk functional medicine!

Let's talk heavy bleeding!

Let's talk heavy bleeding!

Let's Talk chicken eggs!

Let's Talk chicken eggs!

Let's talk autism!

Let's talk autism!

Let's talk acne!

Let's talk acne!

Let's talk acetaminophen!

Let's talk acetaminophen!

Let's talk toxic emotions

Let's talk toxic emotions

Let's talk supplements

Let's talk sleep!