As always, I am going to start this by saying, you don’t know until you know. The point of this blog isn’t to hurt feelings or discredit anyone. I simply feel obligated to share my professional doctor opinion on another green washed* brand- one that regularly fills up my personal social media. *Greenwashing is considered an unsubstantiated claim to deceive consumers into believing that a company's products are environmentally friendly and therefore ‘better’. *I tried contacting Herbalife to get some of my questions answered but I have yet to hear back. So that means I have what’s provided on their website.* I wanted to know the forms of vitamins they have in this drink. Example, it says “Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Magnesium, etc.”- well what active form are these in? Different active forms mean different absorption levels- this is incredibly important. I did some digging and was pretty taken back by what I found… I’m going to highlight a handful of things that I have to address.
"Folic Acid" These two words make me cringe! They sincerely make me cringe more than the word moist. Folic acid is not our friend and we do not want it in the supplements we take or the food we eat. Folic acid IS NOT the same thing as folate and should NEVER be used as an equivalent. 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. It’s been estimated that more than 50% of the population has an MTHFR genetic mutation making those people unable to absorb folic acid. "Soy" Soy protein isolate is the very first listed ingredient- later down the list, soy lecithin is used as well. Soy is rich in phytic acid, blocking mineral absorption and is rich in goitrogens, negatively impacting the thyroid. Soy is also xenoestrogens and mimics estrogen- causing an estrogen buildup in our bodies. As we learn more about what this does to our body, we know it influences autoimmune disorders, estrogen dominance, and female cancers. Fun Fact: soy is one of our biggest cash crops in the US- over 94% of it is genetically modified. We know that GMO crops destroy not only our health (thanks Monsanto), but also the health of the environment. They’re smothered in harsh chemicals that seep into our water and air supply.
The label proudly claims, “low glycemic” and only 1g of sugar. However, corn syrup solids, maltodextrin, and sucralose are all listed on the ingredient label. This is a similar labeling tactic to the claim of 0g trans fat. “Corn Syrup Solids” This is exactly how it sounds, dried and solidified corn syrup. What’s corn syrup? It’s sugar- 100% glucose. Fun Fact: up to 92% of corn is genetically modified. Yet again, this product isn’t certified GMO-free. “Maltodextrin” Maltodextrin is technically classified as a complex carbohydrate. It’s an excessively processed additive that should be avoided by anyone with insulin resistance, diabetes, high blood sugar, PCOS, etc. Maltodextrin can also alter gut flora and suppress our beneficial gut bacteria. Fun Fact: it’s glycemic index shows that it’s absorbed as fast, if not faster, than other true sugars. “Sucralose” Sucralose (Splenda) is an artificial sweetener, like aspartame. Sucralose is produced by a multi-step chemical process that replaces three hydrogen-oxygen groups with three chlorine atoms. This replacement intensifies the sweetness to 600 times more than table sugar- while containing zero calories. As you can imagine, our gut is not a fan of sucralose. A study on sucralose and the GI microbiome showed that sucralose altered the gut microbiome by decreasing beneficial bacteria by up to 50%. Moreover, 12 weeks after the study the beneficial bacteria in the GI tract had not recovered. The study also found that sucralose may limit the bioavailability of certain orally administered medications- making the medications less effective.1 “Natural and Artificial Flavors” Each natural flavor may contain up to 100 ingredients. Those 100 ingredients include synthetic chemicals such as the solvent propylene glycol, the preservative BHA, and GMO-derived ingredients (unless organic or Non-GMO Project verified). Natural flavors can be derived from literally anything in nature, even animal parts. Artificial flavors are made from anything else that doesn’t fall under the “natural” umbrella. Fun Fact: these flavors are made by scientists called “flavorists”. The flavorists use "natural" chemicals when they are creating natural flavors, and "synthetic" chemicals when they are making artificial flavorings. Now, as I stated previously, you don’t know until you know. I am not here to bash anyone’s profession. What I am here to do is show that we deserve better as consumers. Labels are deceiving- they truly are. We should continue to demand better and demand transparency. I personally use and recommend Truvani, organic plant-based protein powder. Get yours discounted here or check out our Products We Love page! Let's get back to health,
Dr. Taryn
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*Greenwashing is considered an unsubstantiated claim to deceive consumers into believing that a company's products are environmentally friendly and therefore ‘better’. I’ve had numerous patients in the past tell me they’ve dabbled in Thrive. Hell, I even did for a hot minute when I was in school! Most recently, I had a new patient ask me if they should continue their Thrive regiment along with her individualized plan from me. I asked her to send me the ingredient list of what she was taking, and I couldn’t believe was I was reading. These types of things really raise my cortisol level. I’m including the pictures she sent me and I’m going to break down a handful of things that I have to address.
“Folic Acid” These two words make me cringe! They sincerely make me cringe more than the word moist. Folic acid is not our friend and we do not want it in the supplements we take or the food we eat. Folic acid IS NOT the same thing as folate and should NEVER be used as an equivalent. 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. My patient then told me that you’re supposed to then have your shake 20 to 40 minutes after taking the capsules that I was just referring to.
“Magnesium Citrate” Magnesium is a powerhouse mineral that roughly 80% of American’s are deficient in. It’s also needed for over 300 enzymatic conversions inside of your body. Wild, I know! There are multiple forms of magnesium- magnesium citrate is one I rarely ever use. It is typically used for constipation, if you’ve ever had a colonoscopy prep, you’d have used a lot of it. It’s not absorbed well and it’s not a great wellness, magnesium option- sometimes is can even do more harm than good. “Natural Flavors” Each natural flavor may contain up to 100 ingredients. Those 100 ingredients include synthetic chemicals such as the solvent propylene glycol, the preservative BHA, and GMO-derived ingredients (unless organic or Non-GMO Project verified). Natural flavors can be derived from literally anything in nature, even animal parts. The subgroup of BPA plastics are also xenoestrogens, meaning they mimic estrogen. With female autoimmune disorders on the rise, along with female cancers, the last thing we want in our diets are xenoestrogens. “Sucralose” Sucralose (Splenda) is an artificial sweetener, similar to aspartame. Sucralose is produced by a multi-step chemical process that replaces three hydrogen-oxygen groups with three chlorine atoms. This replacement intensifies the sweetness to 600 times more than table sugar- while containing zero calories. As you can imagine, our gut is not a fan of sucralose. A study on sucralose and the GI microbiome showed that sucralose altered the gut microbiome by decreasing beneficial bacteria by up to 50%. Moreover, 12 weeks after the study the beneficial bacteria in the GI tract had not recovered. The study also found that sucralose may limit the bioavailability of certain orally administered medications- making the medications less effective.1 “Soy” . Nearly all soy is GMO courtesy of Monsanto. (Insert eye roll emoji.) There are two soy isoflavones, genistein and daidzein, that increase estrogen activity. Which means soy is xenoestrogens and mimics estrogen- causing an estrogen buildup in our bodies. As we learn more about what this does to our body, we know it influences autoimmune disorders, estrogen dominance, and female cancers.
Did you know that 5-10% of breast cancer is genetic? Leaving 90-95% of breast cancer related to environmental factors! Now, as I stated previously, you don’t know until you know. I’ve had patients and friends tell me they’d spend $150-$300 A MONTH on their Thrive supplements. That doesn’t sit right with me knowing how subpar and toxic some of their ingredients truly are. It is imperative to get your supplements, herbs, and vitamins from a trusted medical professional. If you have any questions on what supplements you and/or your kiddos should be taking, please, set up an appointment! I am truly here to help you- that’s the purpose of this exposing blog. I sincerely hope I did not hurt any feelings, but the truth needs to be told. Let’s get back to health,
Dr. Taryn
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’t help but think about how grateful I am that he’s mine. How grateful I am that he respects my wants, cares for my needs, and helps me whenever he can. That also made me think about never ending conversations I have about homelife stress. I cannot tell you the amount of times I’ve had a conversation with whomever about, Derek, doing x,y,z around the house or with the kids followed up with a comment about ‘how lucky I am.' This phrase sits uneasy to me for a lot of different reasons…
Now hold on, Karen, I am not being insensitive, I completely understand the hustle and bustle of life- school, sports, band, homework, reading, grocery shopping, laundry, housework, etc. It typically is a never-ending list. However, recruiting help from your partner makes this list a lot more manageable. Women are notoriously great at running things at home until they can no longer run anymore. Why at this point do we ask for help? As women, our bodies were not and are not made to withstand the toxic cesspool of a world we live in. It’s engraved in us to do much more than we physically or mentally can, all with a smile, all while trying to be perfect. It’s engraved in us to order these toxic, miracle creams/serums to help make us feel young. It’s engraved in us that the social media world is real life. It’s engraved in us that this zombie, exhausted from sun up to sun down, mom lyfe thing is ‘normal’. Well, I’m here to tell you that that’s a bunch of crap. Did you know that 75% of all autoimmune disorders are diagnosed with women? And that number continues to increase- as does female cancers. What we put in our bodies matters. No, I don’t mean just the food we are eating or the drinks we are drinking. I’m referring to all the negative energy that we consume- the gossip, the negative comments, the negative thoughts. All of it is breaking us down internally. Surround yourself with who brings peace and happiness to your life. I don’t care if you’ve been friends for 25 years- if you aren’t going to make yourself a priority, who is? What we put on our bodies matters. It’s getting to be the time of year again where extra lotion is needed. Before you grab that Bath & Body Works lotion, do your body a favor and toss it in the trash. Our makeup and skincare routines are FULL of toxins. All the while preaching natural or safe (insert eye roll emoji). Toxins that are linked to endocrine disruption, cancer, reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, and the list goes on. One that is very easy to spot and used often is ‘fragrance/parfum’. Anything with this listed in the ingredients deserves a spot in the trash. You are doing so much better than you’re giving yourself credit for, Mama! How can we change this? #1 Give yourself the grace you deserve. No one is perfect. #2 Have a respectful conversation about your needs. #3 ASK FOR HELP! #4 Love yourself. #5 When you lay down for bed tonight, give yourself every positive affirmation you can possibly think of. If you don’t make time for your wellness, you will be forced to make time for your illness. If you would like to chat about what Functional Medicine can do for you, please complete our Free Online Health Assessment at the top of this page. As always, let's get back to health!
Much love, Dr. Taryn
I didn’t want to announce this pregnancy until I was out of my first trimester, as I’m sure a lot of women can relate. If I had a dollar for every time I was asked one of these following questions, I think I’d be able to make a student loan payment. Were you trying? Are you scared being pregnant again? What are you doing prenatal wise? Lemme dig into these questions… Were you trying? I somewhat think this has turned into a word vomit question- it seems almost second nature to ask nowadays. However, I also think it is typically asked out of a place of love due to infertility being on the rise. I speak on infertility often because I can relate. Infertility is hard and it is complex and it is exhausting. It’s something I personally have struggled with and it’s something I treat regularly. Infertility is also interesting to me because it’s as if no one really wants to talk about actively trying to get pregnant…. As if it’s supposed to be some dirty secret. Well, I’m here to tell you it shouldn’t be and isn’t some type of dirty little secret. *Insert “Dirty Little Secret” by The All-American Rejects in your head.* There is also SO much focus on women’s infertility BUT it takes two to tango. A man’s sperm needs to be viable and healthy to create a baby just like a women’s egg. When trying to conceive both partners need support. A woman cannot exhaust her being, trying to conceive a baby when her partner is equally as responsible. Being an expert in women’s health, I can tell you firsthand, it’s not just your hormones that need to be addressed. It’s your entire health and wellness- physically, mentally, and emotionally. Healing your body from the inside out makes for a healthier pregnancy, prenatal and postnatal. Are you scared being pregnant again? As adressed in one of my blogs, my last pregnancy ended in an emergency C-section. This resulted in a little over 6 week stay in the NICU for my daughter, Zirah- along with a long road to recovery for me. I’m not scared being pregnant again. I am first of all thankful, but also very aware. I am very aware and preventatively treating issues before they have a chance to arise. (I’ll speak on this in a little bit.) I know that any added stress to myself only negatively impacts both me and baby. Reducing stress and reducing added toxins is HUGE during pregnancy. Hell, even before pregnancy, even if you never want to be pregnant- do yourself a favor and cut out the Negative Nancy’s and the positive energy sucking vampires. Reduce the processed foods, added sugars, fast food meals, etc. Your health and well-being will thank you. From Zirah’s pregnancy to now, I have thoroughly focused on healing my body from the inside out. I feel amazing, so far, besides the being tired- but that’s a given. With my other two viable pregnancies, I was sick the entire time! Pregnancy shouldn’t be miserable; it truly shouldn’t be! This is your body screaming that it needs help. What are you doing prenatal wise? Remember, not all supplements are created equal! That's first and foremost. Life changing supplements aren't cheap; cheap supplements aren't life changing. I do not charge for supplemental consults for my pregnant mamas, ever. If you’d like to know what I recommend and have it shipped to your door, please, contact me! I have four prenatal supplement suggestions (almost always): Prenatal
As you can see, I am not listing the specific names for a reason, I don’t want you running to your local grocery store or Amazon to order these products. They MUST be high quality. They also need to be managed and regulated by your doctor. Chiropractic care is vital before, during, and after pregnancy as well. Pregnancy can be scary; the uncertainty can be overwhelming. I'm here to help. If you or someone you know is struggling with infertility, loss, and/or need prenatal support- please, reach out! As always, I'm sending all my love and support to those struggling with conception,
Dr. Taryn
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
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.
References: www.Crunchi.com
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:
Phenoxyethanol is found in L'Bri's sunscreen. I also do not recommend spray-on SPF (to avoid inhalation of chemicals).
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
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. 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? 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) “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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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!
I hope this eased some minds, clarified some others, and most of all- educated. I’m always here to help!
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AuthorDr. Taryn Stittleburg, DC, CFMP, PSc.D 
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