Fat and Hormones. Where’s the fat located on your body?

Does fat in different places of your body corresponds to different kinds of hormone imbalances?

Have you tried to exercise and diet, but still find it hard to lose weight? It turns out certain hormone imbalances can keep you from getting the results you want, even if you’re doing the right things to be healthy. This can be frustrating if you’ve put in a lot of effort with minimal or no results. It turns out where you tend to accumulate fat can be a tell tail sign of what system of your body is out of balance.

Belly Fat

Belly fat is usually related to cortisol imbalance. Stress is a bad culprit to belly fat. If you have a saggy belly starting from the navel down, it is usually related to adrenal issues. If your belly is protruding, it can often be related to liver issues. An apple shaped belly is associated with an increased risk to cardiovascular disease. Photo credit TipsTimesAdmin

Thigh Fat

Accumulation of fat in the upper thighs is often associated with female hormone imbalance. Often there is estrogen dominance. This can be either too much estrogen, or more estrogen in relationship to progesterone. The liver processes and detoxifies estrogens and if this is not functioning well, there can be too much “bad estrogens” which have an inflammatory and proliferative (abnormal cell growth, cancer risk) effect.

Upper Arm Fat

Fat in the upper arms or near the triceps can indicate issues with the thyroid. Hypothyroidism is often associated with overall weight gain, dry skin, fatigue, low body temperature or constipation. That is not to say that there are some very thin patients who have hypothyroidism. Some patients have subclinical hypothyroidism even though they have TSH levels within the normal range. It is important to check thyroid hormones such as Free T3 and Free T4 also when doing thyroid lab testing. Often times there is a correlation between adrenal imbalance leading to thyroid imbalance.

Puffy Face

Extreme “moon face” is associated with Cushing’s syndrome which is diagnosed by abnormally high levels of cortisol. This is not a common diagnosis. If you look back to photos 10 years ago and notice your face has become puffier than before, it can indicate lymphatic congestion, need for improved liver and kidney detoxification. Puffy eyes can be a sign of stress, lack of sleep or hidden good allergies.

Overall Weight Gain

I usually look at both sex hormones and blood sugar levels when there is overall weight gain. Patients who tend to feel hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) are more prone to diabetes (high blood sugar) a few years later if left unchecked. Hypoglycemic crashes can lead to excessive carbohydrate or sugar consumption to correct the low blood sugar symptoms (irritability, decreased concentration, hunger, shakiness, feeling weak etc). Diets high in carbohydrates and aging can lead to insulin resistance. Did you know “Stressed” spelled backwards is “Dessert”? This means the body needs to secrete more and more insulin before blood sugar is balanced. But the problem is insulin can make you gain weight.

So the strategy is getting the body to secrete as little insulin as possible for proper blood sugar levels without the weight gaining effects of insulin resistance. If you are wanting to get to the bottom of why you are gaining weight or having difficulty losing weight, please reach out and I would be happy to partner with you. It is possible to achieve the look you desire and be healthier.

Are there good and bad forms of calcium? Isn’t it just calcium?

When they talk about taking calcium, isn’t all calcium, calcium? Have you seen the Disney movie Beauty and the Beast? Beauty can be coupled with the “beast” or she could be coupled with the “prince”. Which would you prefer? Turns out in chemistry, elements like calcium, iron, magnesium etc. cannot exist alone but is coupled with another molecule of opposite charge to be stable.

Going back to the periodic table, the calcium element has a charge of 2+, so it would need to be coupled with a molecule with a 2- charge in order to exist and be stable. So when we talk about calcium is coupled with something else and that something else does make a difference to the human body. Photo Credit Science Activism

For example, here are some different forms of calcium: Calcium Carbonate and Calcium Citrate.

Calcium Carbonate is basically chalk. Not very absorbable. Too much of it can even contribute to the formation of calcium deposits, hardening of arteries, inflammatory micro-adhesions to name a few. Unfortunately, calcium carbonate is found in most calcium supplements, Tums, etc and most people don’t know it.

A study in the American Journal of Therapeutics showed that absorption by the human body of calcium citrate was 27% higher than calcium carbonate. Another study showed that women taking calcium carbonate for osteoporosis did not have decrease in fractures. Therefore, if you are wanting to take calcium for bone health, most calcium on the shelf “calcium carbonate” would not be as effective.

Calcium citrate is much safer and more bioavailable than calcium carbonate. But even better than calcium citrate is MCHC Micro Crystalline Hydroxyapatite Complex. This is basically a mineral complex that contains calcium and other minerals that are part of the human bone structure. Studies show that calcium carbonate slowed bone resorption (bone loss) by 50%, but that MCHC almost stopped it completely. MCHC also improves the architecture of bone, so that its structure is much more durable and stable against fractures.

Besides taking the right type of calcium, it is also important how your body metabolizes calcium. This means how calcium moves in and out of cells and also how much calcium exists inside cells and outside of cells. Improper calcium metabolism is associated with over 150 diseases, so this is actually something important though often overlooked. For example improper calcium metabolism can contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s, osteoporosis, coronary artery disease, multiple sclerosis and various auto-immune diseases. If you need help with finding the right forms of supplements for yourself or want to delve deeper in underlying health issues you are dealing with, please reach out and I will be happy to help you.

Worried About Your Health A Lot?

“I’ve tried everything.” “I just want some results.” “I know healing takes time, but I’ve been dealing with this for years.”

Are you already taking a lot of supplements and trying to eat well? You are a little better but nowhere near where you want to be with your health yet. You wonder if another test will find out what is wrong. But treating the test results doesn’t seem to do much. What is missing? Photo credit: Jose Navaro

In Japan every kid is taught in school byoukiwakikara which translates to “every disease starts with your emotions.”

I’m not saying it is your fault you are sick. On the flip side, your sickness is also not completely out of your control. The laws of nature (cause and effect) is that negative emotions produce frequencies, congestion, and even biological hormones and molecules that change your physical body in a bad way making it more prone to disease.

So the key to reversing disease is to strategically apply emotions that benefit health. We need to train your thinking to create health promoting emotions and to stop thoughts that are counterproductive. But you say to yourself, “how can I not worry about my health? I will be at peace once these symptoms are gone and my health is better.” It is understandable that your health concerns are scary, worrisome, and weigh on you.

I’ve been on a mission to guide my patients to understand and be willing to take the bold step to do the opposite of what they have been doing. Worrying actually does not make you better, it just gives you the illusion you have some control over what you feel you cannot control, such as your sickness. If you can choose to let the stress, worry, anger, fear, resentment, and disappointment go, you are choosing to put yourself on a “fast track” and “non-impeded” path to healing.

Sometimes it feels like if you stop thinking about your health or stop worrying about it, that you are giving up, being irresponsible, or letting the ball drop. This is not true. Just like you can do

-the action: of washing dishes

-and not think about if the dishes are clean enough for hours after you washed them.

You can also take

-the action: of taking supplements, eating well, going to your health appointments

-and not think about or worry your health so frequently.

It is difficult to do this, often because of how our nervous systems are programed and the difficult circumstances you are in. If you are willing, there are therapies I offer that can shift your nervous system to make controlling your emotions easier, so that you can put your physiology in the chemical state that speeds up healing. Pranic Healing also uses specific researched protocols that work on certain chakras, energy centers and organs in certain orders for certain specific health issues.

For example, if we need to work on the immune system, I work on strengthening the bone marrow because it produces the white blood cells. The basic chakra controls the bone marrow and needs to be worked on. The lymphatic system is important to clear out the viruses, bacteria, mold and toxins and is controlled by the throat chakra which we also work on for the immune system.

You may have noticed that if you are more stressed, have a disagreement with someone, overwhelmed or have difficulty saying no, that you are more susceptible to getting sick. How this is connected is because basic chakra is about feeling safe, belonging, OK and calm. The throat chakra is about being understood, heard, able to express yourself, or say no when you need to. This is an example of how the mind and body are related. Healing the parts of the body through Pranic Healing give double benefit because they help with your physical issues with an added benefit of improved emotional life.

There are protocols for almost every health condition and I feel so blessed to get to practice these additional tools. They have resulted in healing in even some of the more complicated cases. Please reach out to me and I would be happy to discuss how to specifically help your situation.

Spring Fatigue? What to do about it Besides Adrenal Support.

The days are getting brighter and warmer but are you feeling more tired? It's weird because you are getting the same number of hours of sleep but still feel tired. What can you do about it?
 
Here are a couple Reasons for Spring Fatigue:
 
Maladjusted Circulation
During the winter, animals hibernate. In humans the capillaries on the surface of the skin constrict more so that more blood flow goes to the organs and brain when it is colder. These physiological cycles can occur even if you are living in places were there is not very extreme temperature   fluctuations. During the spring, the capillaries open up more on the surface of the skin and more blood is directed to the periphery. During the time of adjustment, the shunting of blood to the surface reduces blood flow to the brain and organs making you feel more tired until your body adjusts. There are supplements that can help improve circulation. Exercise can help improve your oxygen capacity, allowing more oxygen to oxygenate your cells, helping you feel more awake and energized.
  
Qi Stagnation
Qi stagnation is another common reason for fatigue, especially if you momentarily feel better after you move. You have various meridians (energy channels) that supply your organs. For example, you have a liver, spleen, kidney, heart, lung and intestinal meridians (just to name a few). If there is a traffic jam at a certain point in the meridian, the traffic moves slower. This stuck-ness is called qi stagnation. If there is stuck-ness, energy cannot flow and you have reduced function. Achy pain is also characteristic of Qi stagnation.
 
Many patients feel much better overall and have improved energy after we correct qi stagnation. You can have qi stagnation in the liver but not in the lung meridian, for example, so it is helpful to determine which areas have stagnation in your case. For example:
 
-Qi stagnation to the heart can result in fatigue, heart palpitations, and insomnia.

-Qi stagnation to the spleen (digestion) can result in fatigue, hair loss, bloating, and digestive issues.
 
-Qi stagnation to the liver can result in fatigue, frustration, feeling stuck in life, and headaches.
 
What contributes to qi stagnation? Overthinking, using the brain too much, prolonged periods of certain emotions (frustration, worry, disappointment, self-criticism, resentment ect.), lack of movement, eating too much sugar and carbs, and an office job can all contribute to qi stagnation.
 
It is very common to go to adrenal support supplements to address adrenal fatigue when fatigue is an issue. However, if you have little improvement with adrenal supplements may want to look into other issues that contribute to fatigue. It would be nice to feel good and have the energy so that you are not behind or overwhelmed with day to day activities. Feel free to reach out to me and I would be happy to help you.
 

Fatigue? What Gobbled Up Your Energy?

I didn’t watch all the Harry Potter movies when they came out, but decided to check them out this new year. They’re quite interesting even for an adult…gorgeous imaginative scenery, creative, and transports me to a different world for a bit for some relaxing work/life balance. The movies got me thinking about ENERGY. Are you putting up with your own fatigue and trying to push through your day, running on empty? Not fun, not good, Photo Credit Epictop10 not healthy.

So in the movies Voldemort (the bad guy), would consume unicorns blood, and in another instance the life force of a little girl to make himself stronger, to keep him from dying. It’s just a story, a bit disturbing nonetheless. But it suggests the transfer of qi, lifeforce, or energy in a way that can deplete or fortify oneself.

It would be a bit creepy if someone could “vampire” your energy and make you fatigued. I don’t personally agree with this hypothesis because you should and can have more ability over your body than being at the mercy of someone else. But have you ever felt that when you are around certain people you get more tired? They could be an ailing parent, an angry spouse, a difficult co-worker, a demanding friend etc. Sometimes it really feels like these people take away from you.

They cannot take what you will not allow. Here’s what I’ve seen in my years of practice about other people and YOUR ENERGY.

-2^nd law of thermodynamics: Energy flows from high concentration to low concentration. Healthy people have higher energy than sick people. Good mood people have higher energy frequency than low mood people. For example, joy, bliss, love, passion have higher measured hertz frequencies than anger, hate, jealousy, resentment, depression. This can be one of the reasons why you feel drained when you go into a room filled with negativity. There is something said about surrounding yourself with people that are supportive of you, where you feel safe, calm, loved, or comfortable with, that due to thermodynamics explains why you are more energized under these circumstances. If for some reason this cannot be possible for you, I have some ways to help you lower the negative effects of your environment on you.

-The less triggered you are by other people’s actions or words, the less what they do, or who they choose to be will affect you. There are ways to reset your nervous system so you can be more equanimous (neutral feelings, in control of your faculties, being an observer rather than reacting).

-Some statistics state that for most humans 80% of thoughts are negative and 95% of thoughts are repetitive. What? So only 5% of daily thoughts are new thoughts. Lots of redundancy.

How many times do you repeat your “to do list” over and over, till it is so overwhelming that you spend more time thinking about it rather than doing? What about the times you re-play a situation gone wrong over and over. These negative or repetitive thoughts take up a lot of energy. What if you can train your mind to be more efficient, so you are more efficiency and you don’t need to waste energy on repetitive thoughts.

I’ve had a few patients come to me sometimes taking 15 supplements, confused and at their wits end. They didn’t even realize, how much chatter is going on in their mind, until we did some work to balance their nervous system and quiet their minds. Once their mind was quieter, their energy started getting better.

I use a 2 pronged approach. If a fire hydrant is leaking, you need to stop the leak then clean up the flood. In medicine, if you’re not feeling well, you need to address the cause, then “clean up or make better” the body. Supplements are great when used correctly to match your body type, and current state it is in. For fatigue, not all adrenal support formulas will work for you. It needs to be medically specific for you. Choosing the right formulations will give much better results. Supplementation would be the “clean up and fortify” part. It’s very important.

We must also not forget, to “stop the leak”. We must stop whatever is causing your body to lose energy. We must teach your body to utilize energy more effectively. We can reduce your wasted energy expenditure (tensing muscles, overthinking, depressive thoughts, ineffective multi-tasking etc) so that you HAVE energy reserves, rather than RUN ON your reserves. Addressing both prongs gives you better results.

We look at what was discussed above as well as any medical factors

-thyroid

-hormone balance

-mineral imbalances

-heavy metal toxicity

-adrenals

-mitochondrial function

-mold toxicity

-TCM patterns

As this new year approaches, take a look at your life and see what you can intentionally implement that supports your energy. I hope some of the thoughts above gave some inspiration to bettering your life, energy and health. If you are suffering from fatigue, please reach out to me. I would be honored to help you.