Healthy Pregnancy

One cause of infertility that is often overlooked is thyroid disorders. This tiny gland at the base of your neck can cause serious health complications if it is over or under active. An overactive thyroid is called hyperactive while an underactive one is called hypoactive. Hypoactive thyroid is a very common, yet often undiagnosed condition. Many of the symptoms are vague and can be easily dismissed by a doctor who is not familiar with the warning signs.

Due to the fact that your thyroid is directly linked to your metabolism, one of the first signs of an underactive thyroid is an inability to lose weight or unexplained weight gain. Some hypothyroid sufferers hardly eat at all and still fail to drop a pound. Other symptoms of hypothyroidism are:

• Coarse, frizzy hair
• Outer 1/3 of eyebrows thin or missing
• Dry skin
• Fatigue
• Memory loss and brain fog
• Intolerance to the cold
• Constipation
• Irregular or heavy menstrual cycles
• Irritability and depression
• Joint/muscle soreness
• Decreased sexual libido

Most of these symptoms are vague enough to be totally overlooked by many doctors except those who are able to put all the symptoms together to see the big picture. This is why millions of cases go undetected while the poor sufferers simply chalk up their symptoms to aging or some other mystery ailment.

While an under active thyroid can have many causes, one of the primary causes is an iodine deficiency. While iodine is added back into table salt, many women do not use enough salt to prevent a deficiency. Living near the ocean helps prevent iodine deficiency as well but that does not help the millions of women landlocked far from iodine rich soil. Lastly, seaweed, specifically Kelp and Dulse, are fabulous sources of iodine but most Americans do not incorporate seaweed into their diets the way the Japanese do.

Another factor in chronic iodine deficiency in the United States is the ridiculously low RDA. The current RDA for iodine in the United States is 0.125 mg while the Japanese regularly consume over 13 mg daily (over 100 times the US RDA) with no ill effects and arguably some of the best health in the world. So even if your daily supplement contains iodine, it does not contain nearly enough to prevent an iodine deficiency.

Clearly, adequate iodine intake is essential for good overall health in addition to optimal reproductive health. There are many ways to start reversing an iodine deficiency. Some people drink dissolved sea salt and water, others take baths with dead sea salts. You can eat more seaweed and kelp supplements but some seaweed can be contaminated with pollutants. Two items you can pick up at most pharmacies or online, Lugol’s solution (2 drops) and Iodoral, both contain 12 mg of iodine and iodide. Some people paint their feet with iodine or use colorless iodine for a variety of health ailments, including reversing an iodine deficiency. It may take up to three months at 50 mg/day to achieve iodine sufficiency or up to a year at lower doses so this is not a quick fix (unlike prescription thyroid medications).

Lastly, iodine deficiencies during pregnancy can cause mental retardation, autism and other birth defects like cretinism. Studies have shown increased intelligence in newborns whose mothers supplemented with iodine during pregnancy. If you are trying to conceive then you need iodine, not only for your thyroid and reproductive health, but to maintain a healthy pregnancy and have a healthy baby. Unless you live on the ocean and eat sushi every day, you might want to consider getting your body iodine sufficient and baby ready.

The Mother-in-law, The Neighbor, The Stranger you meet in the grocery store. Yes– the one who has ten kids and raised them all perfectly? The one who has all the best advice on how to raise your child? Not the one who is just excited about what’s going on in your life, but the one you feel may be a detractor. How do you handle the over-bearing and ill-intentioned criticism that comes from someone who constantly puts themselves as your superior—on matters that aren’t even theirs to comment? We want your tricks and tips. And here are a few of ours:

1) Ask Yourself: “Is there some shred of truth to this advice?” If not, DISMISS the advice and don’t waste time thinking about it. Don’t let something (or someone) live rent free in your soul.

2) Don’t offer this person a chance to give advice—don’t open the door by asking them what they think about any parenting/pregnancy topic. Once you ask, they may consider themselves to be your superior and may consider it their right to give you all that well-needed advice.

3) Offer the offender suggestions on how they can help you. This could be as simple as giving them a task that really would help you out, or saying something like “I appreciate you giving me space in this matter” Or “Trust that I will do what I think is best for me and my baby…” (Again, keep the door closed. No permissions need be obtained, and no apologies are needed as you rightfully stake out your boundaries—as long as you don’t lose your cool. (So don’t lose your cool)

4) Create space between you and the offender. You don’t need permission to step away from the under-toe of a critical tongue—If the offender continues to give unwanted advice, remove yourself as much as is needed. This may be a time to illicit a spouse’s help.

5) Remember life is too short to feel obligated. Do what is best for you and your family.

6) But also remember to keep your cool. The person who stays in control of their tongue is the person who has the most control in the relationship (and the clearest conscience).

The new study, “The Severity of Autism Is Associated With Toxic Metal Body Burden and Red Blood Cell Glutathione Levels” has determined that the severity of autism is directly linked to heavy metal levels . In 2007, the Centers for Disease Control reported that 1 in 150 children were diagnosed with autism and boys out number girls four to one.

This study is one of three papers that were generated from the original research study of determining DMSA’s effectiveness in the autistic population as a treatment option. DMSA is a licensed medication for treating lead poisoning and indicated in cases meeting toxic criteria. DMSA, commonly known as “Chelation Therapy” is widely used off-label for other metal exposures, e.g. mercury. A Chelator is a medication that binds to heavy metals in the body and aids in its excretion.

In this study, DMSA was given to 63 children (ages 3 -8 years) in order to determine the levels of toxic metals in their body. It was clearly indicated that higher levels of toxic metals was directly associated with more severe autistic symptoms. This is one of the strongest studies to date linking the severity of autism to heavy metal toxicity.

To read the study in its entirety, go to http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jt/2009/532640.abs.html and click on “Provisional PDF”.

A labor that included an IV of fluids may cause postpartum edema in your feet, hands AND breasts. This type of breast swelling is not normal and is referred to as engorgement. The breasts and areola are firm. The skin is stretched and tight. Under these conditions, most babies are not able to breastfeed because it’s difficult to draw the breast into the mouth. The areola needs to be soft enough for the baby to compress the tissue and maintain a vacuum.

If you find yourself in this situation, remember that warm will increase milk flow and cold will decrease inflammation. Use warmth before and during pumping/massage/breastfeeding and use cold after breastfeeding to reduce swelling.

Green cabbage leaves feel good and reduce swelling. Place cabbage leaves on the breasts avoiding nipples. Place a cool, damp cloth over the cabbage leaves. Another option is to wear the cabbage under your bra until the leaves wilt. Replace as necessary.

Place ice packs (frozen peas work great!) on your breasts—with a towel between the ice and your skin.

Gently massage the breast, moving from the outer portion of the areola toward the nipple. This will make the areola softer and easier for the baby to grasp.

Use a breast pump on a low setting to soften the areola and remove some milk. Be gentle! Remember that most of the swelling is due to water, blood and lymphatic fluid. Even after milk is removed, you will still feel the swelling.

If you find yourself severely engorged and your baby cannot breastfeed, get help from a lactation consultant. The engorgement will decrease in 48 hours or so, but in the mean time, you will need support!

Written by Renee Beebe, M.Ed., IBCLC. Renee is a lactation consultant in private practice in Seattle, Washington. She is available for home/hospital visits and phone consultations. Renee can be reached at www.second9months.com

See also, “What is a Lactation Consultant?“

Root vegetables are a delicious addition to any menu, and are especially beneficial during the cooler months when cold and flu season is upon us. As Paul Pitchford says in Healing with Whole Foods: root vegetables “grow in cold climates and contain minerals and other elements that make it possible to survive in harsh weather and under snow. When eating, we take on their qualities and build resistance to cool weather and
disease.” (page 62)

Some of the most popular root vegetables include: potatoes, beets, jicama, onions, garlic, carrots, turnips, rutabagas, and parsnips. My personal favorite are sweet potatoes and yams. These versatile and colorful potatoes are a delicious, lower glycemic alternative to the regular white potato and I find the the connection between african yams and twins fascinating. Consider incorporating root vegetables as a french fry alternative or try this amazing side dish that Tiffany and I demo on the Cooking for Fertility DVD:

Cruciferous crunch and roasted roots

½ cup of beets (any color variety), cubed
½ cup sweet potato or yam, cubed
½ cup yellow onion, chopped
1 cup cauliflower, chopped
1 cup broccoli, chopped
2 teaspoon spice Herbamare
3 tablespoons unrefined organic olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Peel and chop vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Precook sweet potato/yam and beets for 10 minutes and then add broccoli, cauliflower, onion and spice. Bake for an additional 20 to 30 minutes, remove from heat and drizzle with olive oil and additional spice if desired.

Source: Cooking for Fertility DVD with Kathryn Flynn and Tiffany Pollard

Quick tidbit: Eating a high sugar snack or meal decrease your immune system tremendously for about 2 hours. High sugar also means simple carbohydrates. It does not mean complex carbohydrates – such as fiber.

Why does this happen: Good question.

It was only in the 1970’s that researchers found out that vitamin C was needed by white blood cells so that they could kill (phagocytize) viruses and bacteria. White blood cells require a 50 times higher concentration inside the cell as outside so they have to accumulate vitamin C.

It was in the 1970’s that Linus Pauling realized that white blood cells need a high dose of vitamin C and that is when he came up with his theory that you need high doses of vitamin C to combat the common cold.

We know that sugar and vitamin C have similar chemical structures, so what happens when the sugar levels go up? They compete for one another upon entering the cells. And the thing that mediates the entry of glucose into the cells is the same thing that mediates the entry of vitamin C into the cells. If there is more sugar around, there is going to be less vitamin C allowed into the cell. So when you eat sugar, think of your immune system slowing down to a crawl.

Here is a list of ways sugar can affect your health:

• Sugar can suppress the immune system.
• Sugar can upset the body’s mineral balance.
• Sugar can contribute to hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, concentration difficulties, and crankiness in children.
• Sugar contributes to a weakened defense against bacterial infection.
• Sugar can cause kidney damage.
• Sugar can increase the risk of coronary heart disease.
• Sugar can promote tooth decay.
• Sugar can produce an acidic stomach.
• Sugar can speed the aging process, causing wrinkles and grey hair.
• Sugar can increase total cholesterol.
• Sugar can contribute to weight gain and obesity.
• Sugar can contribute to diabetes.
• Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis.
• Sugar causes food allergies.
• Sugar can cause toxemia during pregnancy.
• Sugar can contribute to eczema in children.
• Sugar can cause depression.
• Sugar can cause hormonal imbalance.
• Sugar can cause hypertension.
• Sugar can cause headaches, including migraines.
• Sugar increases bacterial fermentation in the colon.

Bottom Line:
It’s Fall. It’s windy. It’s getting cold.
Limit sugar. Stay healthy.

Source: www.nancyappleton.com

To improve elimination through the skin, regular exercise is important to stimulate sweating. Exercise helps overall with detoxification and also improves our general metabolism. Regular aerobic exercise is a key to maintaining a nontoxic body in our toxic environment. On the other hand, exercise increases the production of toxins in the body, so it must be accompanied by consuming a lot of water, antioxidants, and vitamin and mineral replenishment.

There is a diabetes epidemic in this country, and it just so happens that one of the most important ways to prevent/help diabetes is DAILY EXERCISE. My favorite form of exercise is jumping on the mini-trampoline.

Because of its effects on the lymphatic system and the way it involves every cell in the body, rebounding is one of the most beneficial exercises one can do to maintain health.

Is your metabolism burning at an optimal rate? Read on.

WATER Drink 1 Quart per 50 lbs of body weight per day. Water is the KEY that starts the Krebs Cycle; it is the catalyst for METABOLISM. If you follow this ONE rule of water intake, you will see a difference in your body composition, energy levels, and overall HEALTH.

BREATH (Be it yoga, stretching, or a specific time set aside for relaxation). Oxygen, like water, is essential for the body to metabolize energy.

SLEEP Consistently follow a regular and adequate sleep schedule. Take naps when you need them. Our mind, and body, and spirit need time to relax, and our body needs time to process the fuel, waste, and workouts. Sleep is critical to a healthy body (and, in my opinion, to weight loss)

FUEL/NUTRITION: EAT!! Eat early and often. Eat anything that comes in it’s own package (my Mom’s ONLY rule about nutrition. And she has been the icon of health and beauty her entire life.) Think of ALL the nutrients your body assimilates when you eat nutrient-dense foods. I could write a thesis on this alone. We underestimate the power of HEALTHY food affecting our over-all well being and longevity.

INTERVAL WORKOUTS. MULTI TASK when you workout! The crazier your workout is, the longer it takes your body to recover… the more calories you burn! The goal with a hard workout is to achieve EPOC: Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption. This means that your body needs more oxygen than normal after a workout to rebuild the tissues. It also means you continue to burn calories at an elevated rate after your workout is over. You may notice that your body naturally breathes more deeply throughout the next day, and that you’re sore a little longer. Just think: your body may burn more calories after your workout than during. Now that’s efficient. (If you’re pregnant, save this tip until post-partum)

CURB STRESS When we feel stress (even about losing weight) our bodies produce cortisol (a stress hormone) and our levels of hormones are not at an optimal balance. This impedes weight loss. Seek out a positive attitude and process stress as quickly as possible.

CLEAN LIVER Give your Body 12 hours a day without food—let the liver process the waste in the body. (On the other hand, water is always great!)

CLEAN INTESTINES (Veggies, Whole Grains, FIBER, Water) We make more serotonin — our happy hormone — in our intestine than in our head. As the intestines are clean, they function better in processing waste, ABSORBING nutrients, and producing hormones.

We already know these principles. These are all the things our mothers told us growing up!! ( Thanks, Mom!) In tandem with these healthy habits, SET AND MEET (realistic) GOALS. You will feel a sense of empowerment as you are accomplishing your goals. Mental workouts that bring a sense of accomplishment, whether physical or other, promote the release of feel good hormones which help the body find its healthy, natural weight.

Your attitude about fitness and health will have lasting effects in your life, and in the lives around you. Consider these goals:
1) Be grateful
2) Respect the miracle of life
3) Accurately assess what your body (and soul) need to be healthy
4) Be disciplined enough to facilitate good health habits

As you develop a healthy and happy attitude toward your body, food, and exercise, you benefit in many ways. Primarily, you are HAPPY. Yes, you have mental peace. This alone brings a lightness to your step that no diet ever will. You also have the CONFIDENCE that comes with aligning thoughts and goals and accomplishing goals (this resolves emotional conflict). Notice—this is another benefit to the SOUL! Thirdly, you enjoy physical HEALTH, STRENGTH, agility, balance, and many other physical perks. More stamina. More energy. More clarity of thought. This physical boost also affects the mind and soul—if there’s more energy, then there’s more productivity. Suddenly your entire life looks happier, brighter, and in better control. Your confidence and clarity is spread to those around you—especially your children. Keep in mind, your views on fitness and the human body largely shape your children’s views—think of the tremendous gift you give them, as you teach them through example, to treasure their bodies and their health. Begin now to champion your health, and BE NICE to yourself. Be a good example of health.