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 myriad of genetic and environmental influences.

This means, it is imperative to remove environmental irritants to relieve immune burden. 

​As the prevalence of allergic conditions has escalated in recent decades, so have the number of new chemicals in everyday environments. Epidemiological studies suggest that exposures to pesticides, solvents, and air pollution are associated with increased rates of asthma and allergies.

Household dust is mostly a mixture of human skin, animal fur, lint, soil, and particulate matter from cooking. But dust can also harbor flame-retardant chemicals, heavy metals, and even dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT). Other irritants in the home can include cigarette smoke, pet dander, dust mites, and mold spores.
​
The following steps can help your patients combat these irritants and allergy-proof their homes:

• Don’t wear shoes in the house.
• Shampoo your carpets 3-4 times a month.
• Don’t allow anyone to smoke in the house.
• Have air ducts professionally cleaned every year or two.
• Vacuum once or twice a week with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.
• Use a high-quality air purifier.
• Use a high-quality water filtration.
• Use an exhaust fan over the stove.
• Wash bedding once a week with MyGreensFills detergent.
• Use dehumidifiers in areas where mold might grow, like basements (keep humidity below 50 percent).

Many conventional cleaning supplies, personal care products, and cosmetics commonly contain chemicals that can disrupt immune function. Synthetic fragrances are also a huge problem; according to the Environmental Working Group, collectively, they’re considered among the top five allergens in the world.
​
Here are some specific immune-disrupting chemicals to avoid in everyday products:

• Triclosan. This endocrine-disrupting chemical is most commonly found in conventional hand sanitizers. Choose natural alcohol based sanitizers instead or wash with a clean soap.
• Ammonia and bleach. Use vinegar, baking soda and other natural cleaning products for all-purpose cleaning. Purchase Dr. Taryn's favorite household cleaning essentials here
• Fragrances.  Avoid dryer sheets, candles, plug ins, sprays, and scented laundry detergents. Purchase Dr. Taryn's favorite laundry essentials here
• Phthalates (dibutyl phthalate [DBP], dimethyl phthalate [DMP], and diethyl phthalate [DEP]). These are common in conventional lotions and shampoos. Choose natural or organic personal care products instead. Purchase Dr. Taryn's favorite beauty products here (Use coupon code DRTARYN for an extra discount)
• Parabens (propyl-, isopropyl-, butyl-, and isobutyl-parabens). These are common in conventional lotions, shampoos, and cleansers, but are rare in natural or organic versions. Purchase Dr. Taryn's favorite skincare/makeup products here

​Food additives include colorings, flavorings, preservatives, and other chemicals that are purposely added during processing. Chemicals from packaging or manufacturing equipment, including adhesives, coatings, paperboard, and plastic, can also contaminate foods.

In a 2018 policy statement, Food Additives and Child Health, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) cautioned that many food additives could disrupt endocrine and immune function.
The AAP specifically warned against these immune-disrupting chemicals:​

• Bisphenol-A (BPA). This is found in polycarbonate plastics, like water bottles, and in the lining of some food and soda cans.
• Phthalates. These are found in plastics, like food packaging.
• Perfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFCs). These are found in grease-proof paper, cardboard packaging, and some nonstick pans.
• Artificial food colors. These synthetic dyes may be hidden in many processed foods.
• Nitrates and nitrites. These preservatives in processed meats have been associated with allergies and hives.
• Pesticides, Herbicides, Fungicides, and Waxes. These are found on the majority of our grocery store purchased fruits and veggies. Get Dr. Taryn's favorite fruit/veggie cleaner here

​The most effective way to avoid these and other chemical additives is to eat natural, organic whole foods. You are what you eat! Pick anti-inflammatory foods. 

Removing toxic load is a vital component of supporting food allergies. However, some cases of food allergies are straightforward. But many are not.

Once you’ve removed environmental irritants, we need to take a whole-body approach to support immune function. Sometimes we need to go deeper and consider things like heavy metal exposure, chronic viral exposure, or an undiagnosed medical condition. At Stittleburg RHC we're here to help. Contact us to schedule your free phone consult today!

​Artificial Christmas trees are becoming more and more popular. There’s no needles to clean up, they can be reused, they can save you money- the list goes on. With this convenience list, at what expense does it impact your health? 

​Most artificial Christmas trees are manufactured in China and made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride), a petroleum- based plastic. 

​PVC must be combined with other chemicals to create its final products. Phthalates, heavy metals like lead, fungicides, and other toxic substances are used in this process. These additives aren’t chemically bound to the PVC. What does that even mean? It means they can be off-gassing in your home. 

Off-gassing is the airborne release of a chemical.
Are you familiar with that ‘new car smell’ or that ‘new carpet smell’?
​That’s off-gassing. 

PVC can also give off lead dust which is released into the air. Lead, as I’m sure you’re aware, is incredibly toxic to kiddos. In 2008, PVCs were banned from children’s toys in the United States. Why? Because phthalates impact natural hormone functioning in children increasing chances of birth defects, testicular cancer, liver problems, etc.  Unfortunately, they haven’t been banned from school supplies. 

​Artificial Christmas trees typically contain flame retardant chemicals. These chemicals are associated with hormone disruption, infertility, thyroid disorders, oxidative stress, immune system disruption, etc. 

​These flame retardant chemicals are not only used in artificial Christmas trees. They are also added to carpets, furniture, crib mattresses, cars, and many other products. 

​The more you know,
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.'

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.

​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? 

​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. 

​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

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.  

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

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. 

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

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'! 

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

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.  

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

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

​“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

​“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

​“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

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

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. 

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! 

​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.

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!

​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.

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.

​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. 

​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. 

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

​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?

​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. 

Do you have a favorite recipe?! Please share!​

Happy shampooing,
Dr. Taryn