Diagnosis: Thyroid Dysfunction

For a small gland, the thyroid can create some big problems and cause countless confounding symptoms. Too hot or too cold? Check your thyroid. Gaining or losing weight? Check your thyroid. Depressed? Anxious? Experiencing infertility? You guessed it–check your thyroid!

While it is easy to run a few tests to pinpoint the thyroid as the culprit–and send you home with a prescription–as a functional medicine practitioner, I’m also concerned with why your thyroid is wreaking so much damage and what we can do about it.

The thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped organ that sits in the middle of the neck. The brain tells our thyroid to make thyroid hormone–the hormone that controls metabolism. We have thyroid receptors on every cell in our body, so when our thyroid is off, it can have many diverse and widespread effects. Over 20 million Americans have some sort of thyroid disease and over half of these people are undiagnosed. The thyroid can be overactive, causing symptoms of hyperthyroidism, such as a racing heart, weight loss, diarrhea, and anxiety; or underactive, with symptoms of hypothyroidism–weight gain, fatigue, and constipation to name a few. Hypothyroidism is the most common form of thyroid disease with autoimmune thyroid disease, known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, being the most prevalent.

A dysfunctioning thyroid is not always evident from the basic blood work doctors tend to order. Many people have classic symptoms of a thyroid problem, but they are told everything is normal because their thyroid test is normal. I like to do a deeper investigation by ordering less conventional tests that will often point to the thyroid. Also, many doctors use lab ranges that the lab sets, which are based on the average of people who have had that test, including very sick people and people on thyroid medicine, making this population far from a picture of perfect thyroid health. They do not use functional ranges which are based on optimal thyroid health. 

Once we find a thyroid problem, it’s important to dig a little deeper to find out what is going on “under the hood”. For example, if someone has a low functioning thyroid, we want to know what’s driving it: Is there poor blood sugar control? What about nutrient deficiencies? Are we dealing with gut infections? Could there be an adrenal problem or hormonal imbalances? Does environmental toxicity play a role? What about autoimmunity? All of these can lead to the same end result of having an under functioning thyroid, but are all different root causes. Figuring out the cause is key since it helps us figure out the appropriate treatment, and not just apply a band-aid on the symptom.

Properly identifying a thyroid problem and its cause are the first steps towards feeling better and improving quality of life. Treatment may include thyroid hormone, but sometimes thyroid function can be restored with changes in diet, stress reduction, herbs, and supplements. I like to provide solutions that put control back in my patient’s hands instead of in a medicine bottle. The good news is that with the right tests and a little sleuthing, we can get that thyroid functionally optimally again.

5 Reasons to Consider Going Gluten-Free

Gluten-free seems to be all the rage. Restaurants have gluten-free options, grocery stores are chock full of gluten-free items, and friends are shunning gluten by the dozen. Despite the fad like nature of going gluten-free, for some it can be a life changer in terms of health. Should you ditch the gluten too? Here are some reasons to consider going gluten-free.

1) You experience chronic abdominal symptoms including: bloating, pain, diarrhea and/or constipation

2) You have joint and muscle pain 

3) You feel fatigued and tired a good part of the day

4) Your mind seems foggy and you have an inability to concentrate

5) You suffer from depression

These are all symptoms one can have from non-celiac gluten sensitivity. This is not an autoimmune disease like celiac disease, although some symptoms can overlap. This is an immunologic reaction to gluten which can cause a variety of wide spread symptoms. Gluten can cause intestinal permeability, or leaky gut, where normally tight junctions between the cells lining our gut become loose and allow for partially digested food to leak through. Our body then becomes exposed to these foods that it normally doesn’t encounter, views them as foreign and attacks them. The immune system is put into action, causing systemic inflammation in the body, as well as the brain. This can lead to a laundry list of symptoms, including the symptoms involved in brain inflammation illnesses such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, and schizophrenia.   

Gluten is a group of proteins that can be found in grains such as wheat, rye, barely, spelt, semolina, and kamut. Oats are naturally gluten free, but can be processed in a facility that has gluten, so make sure they say gluten free oats. Gluten can also be found in many places we least expect it: alcohol, salad dressings, condiments, sushi, beauty products including toothpaste, medications and supplements, and even play-doh. Going gluten free takes some detective work at times, but is very doable. I would caution you not to continually sub in gluten free items. Once in a while is ok, but these products are often highly processed and should be kept out of our diet.

f you think going gluten free could make a difference in your health, take gluten out of your life for 4 weeks and see how you feel. Are your abdominal symptoms better? Do you have more energy? Are you feeling less anxious and depressed? Are you able to move around without pain in your joints and muscles? If so, you likely have a gluten intolerance. Not sure if it made a difference? Add gluten back in and see if your symptoms worsen. If so, there is likely a gluten issue going on. 

Whether you should jump on the gluten-free bandwagon or not is a personal decision, but you may just have some great health results. You can always jump off if it is not working for you and follow up with your doctor.

GMO? GM...NO!

I get a lot of questions about GMOs: What exactly are they? Which foods contain GMOs?  Do I need to add them to the list of things to be worried about? 

Short answer: yes. But before you panic, let’s break it down. Plain and simple--GMOs are genetically modified organisms that have a piece of their DNA changed. By changing an organism’s genome we can change its characteristics. For instance, the main reason GMOs are used in the US is to produce crops that are resistant to weed killers, like Roundup. The crops are then able to thrive while the surrounding weeds die off. These are known as “Roundup ready crops”. 

GMOs are concerning to me on two levels. First, there is the unknown safety concern of having these foreign genes forced into our food supply which make novel proteins that have never been seen in the human food chain before. These have the potential to trigger allergies or promote disease.  There is not enough research to make an informed decision about their safety and I’m not willing to put my health on the line for it.

The second issue I have with GM crops is the toxicity associated with using Roundup and other herbicides on our food. Glyphosate, the main ingredient in Roundup, is a potent herbicide. Glyphosate has been labeled as a probable carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and has been associated with non-hodgkins lymphoma, autism, kidney disease, and infertility. (Interestingly, Bayer recently bought Monsanto, the company that makes Roundup. So Bayer now makes a chemical that has been associated with non-hodgkins lymphoma, and also makes chemotherapeutic agents to fight it….) Glyphosate also interferes with our microbiome, killing off beneficial bacteria and allowing pathogenic bacteria to thrive, causing an imbalance in our gut microbes known as dysbiosis. It inhibits the body’s ability to detoxify as well, allowing for a build up of chemicals in the body.

The use of glyphosate has increased exponentially in the last 20 years. 70-80% of all processed foods contain GM ingredients and have unsafe levels of pesticides on them. Most soy, corn, cotton, alfalfa, canola and sugar beets are genetically modified to withstand large amounts of Roundup. That includes the high fructose corn syrup that you can find in many processed foods, like your ketchup. Tampons and sanitary pads, which are made from cotton, have been found to contain glyphosate, and this can be absorbed into the body. Glyphosate is used as a dessicant as well on all non-organic wheat to kill any green parts that could get moldy and thereby increases the shelf life of these products. (Think: that packaged bread you buy that can last 10 days after you buy it.)

The big question is how to avoid GM foods and products. The answer is pretty simple:  go organic. Buy only 100% organic sugar cane (otherwise it is coming from sugar beets which contain GMOs), and avoid all soy, cotton seed, and canola oils. Buy organic feminine products. Non-GMO food labels do not guarantee that glyphosate has not been used since it still can be used as a dessicant on non-GMO labelled food. Buy organic. The GMO Label Law recently passed in the US and requires foods that have been genetically modified to say so (64 other countries already have transparency in GMO labeling). Companies are not required to comply with this law until 2022, and there are many exemptions that water down the law. Though it’s costly, organic is the only way to ensure that GMOs are not making their way into your diet. Consider it an investment in your health.

Water, Water All Around, But Not A Drop To Drink

Some indisputable facts: We need water to live. The tissues in our body are made up of mostly water. It takes part in all our bodily functions - from regulating body temperature to helping to remove waste. We should be drinking about half our weight in ounces and our urine should be pale yellow (if it’s not, you might be dehydrated). We also need to make sure that the water we put in our bodies is as clean as possible.

Yet, over 1 billion pounds of toxic chemicals are released into the water and air in the U.S. each year. Thousands of known contaminants appear in tap water: disinfectants and their by-products, microbes, heavy metals, drug residues, pesticides, herbicides, and volatile organic compounds. Many of these go unregulated. The 1974 Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) has guidelines for about 100 of these substances that appear in tap water and many of the SDWA violations go unremediated. The SDWA has not been updated since 1996, and an average of 700 chemicals per year are added into use, leaving many questions about the safety of our water supply. 

So how do we know if our water is safe and what do we do it about it?  To start, look at your local water report. It’ll tell you what’s being measured and the levels of these compounds. It’s important to keep in mind that health goal guidelines (what I’m concerned with) and legal guidelines can differ tremendously. Also, many common contaminants are not federally regulated or even monitored. Finally, local officials cannot always be trusted to submit violations or may manipulate the samples (South Orange PERC disaster: https://www.nj.gov/dep/newsrel/2014/14_0137.htm) 

Take, for example, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)--two chemicals that have gotten a lot of attention in the past few years. They make products more resistant to stains, grease and water; think Teflon, Gortex, Scotchguard, Glide floss, non-stick pans, the lining of popcorn bags. They are associated with testicular and kidney cancer, thyroid disease, fertility issues, immune system dysregulation, lower vaccine effectiveness, and have recently been associated with pancreatic cancer. Dupont has dumped massive amounts of PFOAs into the soil, air and water in New Jersey, among other states, and is entangled in several law suits. The EPA does not federally regulate these compounds, meaning there is no enforceable maximum contaminant level and monitoring cannot be required. The EPA has a health advisory level, which although dropping significantly over the years, is well above the suggested safety limit. New Jersey has proposed to decrease this significantly--a step in the right direction--but still likely too high to be safe.

Hexavalent chromium, another toxic culprit, was made famous by Erin Brokovitch who brought to public awareness the dangers of this substance in drinking water. In addition to natural sources, drinking water has been contaminated via leaching from hazardous waste sites, as well as dye, paint and wood preservative discharges. It is a carcinogen and a reproductive toxin. The EPA set a maximum contaminant level goal of 100 ppb, over 5000 times the level of California’s health goal. 

Besides looking at your water report, testing your own water at the tap is also a good idea. One place this can be done is through National Testing Laboratory. Getting a water filter is highly recommended. Choosing the right filter depends on what you want to filter out. Your best best is a carbon filter, preferably a catalytic carbon block, paired with a Reverse Osmosis filtration system to remove more substances. The Environmental Working Group has an excellent guide to water filtration. (An interesting note is that Dupont has recently acquired a water filter company and now is profiting from the mess it has made.)

Bottled water is not a good option. It may not be cleaner or safer than tap water, and it is usually stored in plastic, which can leach chemicals into the water that we are trying to avoid.

Bottom line: don’t assume your water is safe, but don’t panic either. Armed with the right information about your water and a great filter, you can drink to your health. Bottoms up!

Fasting: Friend or Fad??

Move over paleo, keto and Whole30--the latest diet trend on everyone’s lips is fasting. The many different types of fasting--water fasting, intermittent fasting, time-restricted fasting, fasting mimicking diet--as well as sensationalist stories about massive weight loss and cancer cures linked to it, make it hard to tell whether fasting is just the latest gimmick or a tried and true method for promoting health and weight loss. So let’s slow down and get all the facts on fasting.

Where it began...Fasting is an ancient healing tradition that has been practiced in almost all cultures and religions. Our ancestors evolved in a world where food was scarce at times and therefore developed mechanisms to function optimally both physically and cognitively in a fasted state. In our modern society, overconsumption is the norm, and fasting is not part of our lifestyle. We are overfed and undernourished and this often leads to metabolic morbidities and chronic disease.  Bringing back the practice of fasting into our lives has been shown to have many health benefits.

What it is...Fasting is strictly defined as the willing abstinence of food and drink. The types of fasting commonly practiced involve at least water, with varying amounts of caloric intake and time in the fasted state. Intermittent fasting is an umbrella term for these types of fasts. The 5:2 diet consists of low calorie intake (usually about 500 calories) two times per week; on the other days a normal diet is consumed.  Alternate day fasting (ADF) is low or no calorie intake every other day and a normal diet in between. There are 24 hour water fasts one to two times a week with normal intake on the other days, known as the Eat Stop Eat diet. Some find these types of fasting diets hard to manage because of the day to day change in eating plans. The 16/8 diet is a time restricted diet that consists of eating whatever you normally eat within an 8 hour window and fasting the other 16 hours. This is done on a daily basis. Many folks find this diet appealing because they don’t need to change what they eat and just need to stick to a timed schedule. The Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD) is a calorie restricted diet with very specific foods for 5 days out of the month for a minimum of 3 months. As the name says, it mimics a complete fast, allowing just enough researched specific food in to trick the body into thinking it is fully fasting.

Why people do it...The benefits of fasting are numerous: weight loss, an improved cholesterol and fats profile, improved sugar control and insulin sensitivity, decreased blood pressure, and decreased inflammation, all of which decrease the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Recent animal studies have shown that fasting for 2 or more days at at time can be extremely beneficial in cancer. In humans, fasting for 13 or more hours per night demonstrated a significant decrease in breast cancer recurrence. The prolonged fasting seen with FMD also stimulates anti-aging pathways that promote cell regeneration and rejuvenation, allowing the cell and the tissue to function better. When one fasts for at least 24-48 hours the body switches from sugar burning mode to fat burning mode known as ketosis.

What to know...Fasting is not without risks and if you have any medical problems, especially chronic illness like diabetes, you should talk with your doctor before you start any type of fast. Low blood sugar and dehyrdration are potential issues and if you feel unwell during a fast you should stop.

Final verdict...Fasting is a great option for a metabolic reset. The research on fasting is booming and from what we see so far it seems like the power of fasting can rival many pharmaceutical drugs out there.   Even better? Fasting is absolutely free.

Let the sunshine in...or not?

I’m counting down the days until the town pool opens so I can get back to swimming outside again. Being outside in the warm air and hot summer sun feels therapeutic but according to the American Academy of Dermatology I should run and hide. The mantra of “slather on the sunscreen, reapply, cover up and get out of the sun” brings up questions:  Must we be so solar phobic and why? Is there harm in staying away from the sun?  We’re told to apply sunscreen liberally to every part of our body over and over again--but at what cost? Let’s shed some light on this often misunderstood topic.

Why do we need to protect ourselves from the sun? Melanoma, the deadliest of the skin cancers, is a serious disease; the fear of getting it is one of the main driving forces to protect ourselves from the sun. However, since the 1970’s, when sunscreens were first introduced in the US, the melanoma rate has tripled. What can we attribute this to? Likely a lack of vitamin D and non-burning sun exposure, coupled with increased prevalence of sunburns. It has been observed that people who work outside have a lower incidence of melanoma than indoor workers. Although ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is a risk factor for melanoma, non-burning sun exposure is associated with a decreased risk of melanoma, while sunburns are associated with a doubling of the risk of melanoma.   Other skin cancers also have sunburns as risk factors, and some studies show these other skin cancers may be increased with increased cumulative lifetime sun exposure

What’s so good about sun exposure? We know that avoiding the sun isn’t insurance against skin cancers, especially melanoma. In fact, being solar phobic can be detrimental to our health. For example, most of our Vitamin D is produced when skin is exposed to UVB light. If we don’t get enough sunshine, our vitamin D levels fall. Low vitamin D levels have been associated with increased risk of death due to cardiovascular disease, many cancers including prostate, colon, and breast, as well as increased risk of multiple sclerosis and high blood pressure. A study in Sweden found that avoidance of sun exposure was a risk factor for all-cause death equivalent to that of smoking.

Other benefits of the sun include immune system support in helping to prevent autoimmune disease and creating immune tolerance, as well as limiting DNA damage from UVR, increasing gene repair, calcium metabolism, and helping set our circadian rhythm.

How do we protect ourselves from the sun’s harmful rays? Despite the many positive attributes of sun exposure, we must take care not to burn. Non-toxic sunscreen can help protect us, but compliance is key to be effective. Put a thick coating on the skin, making sure it is not clumped or separated, and reapply at least every 2 hours, as well as after swimming and sweating. Sunscreen can also can give people a false sense of security, leading to excessive hours out in the sun with a higher possibility of burning, so keep track of the time.

Sunscreen is not the only way to protect from burning. Wearing tight knit clothes, a broad rimmed hat and sunglasses, staying in the shade, and going out in the sun in the early morning and late afternoon instead of high noon can help protect us from UVR too.

What sunscreen should we use? Choosing the right sunscreen is critical. Here are some ways to practice safe sun:

-Look for mineral sunscreens over chemical ones. Many of the chemical sunscreen ingredients, like oxybenzone, have hormone disrupting capabilities and are just plain toxic. Some chemicals that have been banned in Europe are still used in American products. They are absorbed into our bodies and have been measured in blood, urine, and breast milk. Mineral sunscreens contain zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide and are the preferred type of sunscreen. They offer broad spectrum protection and have much fewer health concerns than chemical sunscreens, but zinc oxide does a better job of shielding from UVA rays. Badger, Waxhead, Blue Lizard, California Baby, and Kiss My Face are a few good brands, there are many more out there. Check labels carefully.

-Choose lotions over sprays. Aerosol sprays can cause the sunscreen to be ingested or inhaled.  Additionally, spray doesn’t provide a thick enough coat to be optimally protective and there’s more room for application error.

- Look for sunscreens that have broad coverage, meaning UVA and UVB protection. Steer clear of those with Vitamin A in them, which can be harmful to skin when exposed to sunlight. SPF 30-50 should be adequate.

So do let the sunshine in (in moderation) with all it’s wonderful qualities, but be smart about using sun protection and non-toxic sunscreens to prevent burning. Here’s to brighter days ahead.

Lyme 101 - useful information about "the great imitator"

There’s nothing better than spending time outdoors now that the weather is heating up, but keep in mind we’re heading into peak Lyme season. While it commonly occurs from spring through the fall, June, July, and August are prime months for Lyme in the Northeast, with cases steadily rising over the past 25 years. According to the CDC, about 300,000 people get Lyme disease yearly. Best to get informed and use preventative measures, instead of becoming another statistic.

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi.

Pearl: Co-infections, like Babesia and Bartonella, are common tick borne bacteria that often travel with Borrelia. 

How can I get Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is most commonly transmitted through the bite of black-legged deer ticks that carry Borrelia burgdorferi. The longer the tick is attached, the greater the chance of an infected tick transmitting Lyme. It is uncommon for the disease to be transmitted when the tick is attached for less than 24 hours, but the risk is not zero.  

Pearl:  You usually don’t feel the bite because the tick saliva numbs the skin. Smart little buggers!

What are the symptoms of Lyme disease?

Acute Lyme disease symptoms usually occur between 3 and 30 days after a tick bite.  Symptoms can include fatigue, a flu-like illness, swollen lymph nodes, paralysis of the facial nerve, and the tell-tale  bullseye-shaped rash. Many people don’t get or notice the classic rash--in fact, it shows up in less than 20% of cases. Chronic Lyme symptoms may include arthritis, fatigue, cardiac issues, immune dysregulation, and neurologic symptoms including cognitive dysfunction and memory impairment.

Pearl: Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria can infect any part of the body and produce a wide range of symptoms, mimicking symptoms of many different diseases, earning its nickname, “the great imitator.”  (Syphilis is the other great imitator.  Entirely different prevention strategy there...)

How do I know if I have Lyme disease?

Diagnosing Lyme disease is tricky. Laboratory testing for Lyme disease is fraught with accuracy and reliability issues, and Lyme disease can affect a person’s ability to mount an immune response that a lab test would look for. The diagnosis is a clinical one. It takes into account medical history, signs and symptoms, and tick exposure risk.

Pearl: Got flu-like symptoms during summer time in a Lyme endemic area like New Jersey? Think Lyme disease.

How can I prevent Lyme disease?

Create a barrier to the ticks by wearing protective clothing such as long sleeved shirts and pants tucked into socks, and a wide brimmed hat to protect your scalp. Bug repellent definitely has a place in prevention of tick borne disease. The Environmental Working Group is a great place to look. Clothes can be pre-treated with a bug repellent as well.

Walk in the center of trails and avoid heavily wooded areas. These ticks live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, waiting to attach to their next unsuspecting meal. Shower after being out in the woods, making sure to check your body for ticks. They especially like creased areas--armpits, groin, back of knees, hairline, behind the ears. But look carefully, since the deer-legged ticks can be as small as a poppyseed when nymphs and and more like a sesame seed as an adult. And don’t forget to check your pets as well. Animals can bring ticks into our yards and living space.

Keeping our immune system in balance helps our bodies fight off infections. A diet full of colorful fruits and vegetables supplies our bodies with nutrients and anti-oxidants needed to support immune function. Vitamin D and omega 3 fatty acids help immunity, too. Keeping inflammation down in our bodies is also key to having a properly functioning immune system.  

Pearl: As always, prevention is the best medicine. It’s fabulous to go outdoors and get some sunshine (hello Vitamin D!), just do so keeping Lyme precautions in mind. 

Dog Owners Live Longer

I am writing this post in memory of my sweet dog Mo who passed away this week. I have been thinking a lot about the extremely strong relationship between us humans and dogs and all that they give us. Although the article sited below is almost 2 years old, there is some good information there. Dog ownership was shown to be associated with decreased cardiovascular and all cause death. Dogs get us to be more active and get outdoors. They provide social support. They help us deal better with stress by decreasing our fight and flight sympathetic stress response, which is a really big deal when stress makes every single disease process worse. I’m a big proponent of stress management and do practice what I preach. When I do my Heart Math, a tool used to train ourselves to bring our bodies into rest and digest parasympathetic mode, I am able to get into this mode by thinking about my dogs. I imagine my sweet Mo basking in the sun or prancing around on our walks, or looking at me with his eyes full of love. I am grateful for the time I had with this very special dog and all he gave to me and my family.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/22/well/family/dog-owners-live-longer.html?fbclid=IwAR0LuCHOet5VcHou7-BzFw6LT8EixHiLRy6YkkQbFfwqkrR9Isf_eZ-Ago4

Mo Ernesto Feinberg

Achoo! Simple ways to get your seasonal allergies in check

Anyone who suffers from seasonal allergies knows that a walk in the park on a beautiful spring day can turn miserable pretty quickly. Itchy eyes, sneezing, congestion, clogged ears--all of which can range from mildly annoying to utterly unbearable. Not to mention the fatigue and brain fog you just can’t shake. While antihistamines can certainly improve your quality of life, there are several quick and easy lifestyle changes you can make to win the war on seasonal allergies.

-Decrease the inhalant load by washing your hands and face after being outdoors and showering before bed to remove pollen. You may not see it, but every time you step outside, pollen coats your hair, skin and clothes. Washing the bedding more frequently can help as well--especially if you’ve been leaving windows open.

-Improve indoor air quality by decreasing exposure to allergens. Easy solution:  place a HEPA air filter in the bedroom and keep windows and doors shut.

-Neti pots or nasal saline washes can be useful in clearing your nasal passages of mucus, pollen and other allergic debris that can get trapped there. Both offer major relief.

-Decreasing the body’s overall histamine load can work wonders towards improving allergies.  Many people have food sensitivities that cause their bodies to make more histamine and worsen seasonal allergies.  Finding and removing these foods via an elimination diet or food sensitivity testing can be life-changing.   We also know that cross reactions between inhalant allergens, and specific foods can add to the allergy burden. For instance, if you’re allergic to birch and you eat kiwi or apple, you’re likely increase your histamine load, increasing your allergic symptoms.

-Pay attention to the gut.  More than 60% of our immune system is located in the gut, and allergies are a manifestation of an overactive immune system.   Making sure the the intestinal barrier in the gut is strong and intact will decrease allergies, as will having a robust, diverse and balanced microbiome. Keep in mind, you can have an unhealthy gut without having gastrointestinal symptoms.  A functional medicine provider can help with this piece.

-Specific supplements can play a large  part in decreasing allergic symptoms.  Quercetin is one such powerhouse: Not only is it anti-allergy, but it’s anti-inflammatory, an anti-oxidant, and immune regulating as well.  A typical dose is 500mg three times per day, started a few weeks before allergy season kicks in.

-Stinging nettles can also help with allergies, thanks to its anti-inflammatory action.  This can be taken in capsule form, 200mg three times per day, or you can drink it as a tea.

-Let’s not forget about Vitamin C, which can prevent the cells’ release of histamine, as well as increase its breakdown.  500mg three times a day is a good place to start.

-Vitamins A and D can also help in modulating the immune response and improve allergic symptoms.

-There are some supplement formulas that contain a mixture of herbs and nutrients that can help.  Orthomolecular’s Natural D-Hist, Xymogen’s AllerDHQ and Designs for Health HistaEze are a few of these formulas.

-Finally, chill out.  Anxiety increases adrenalin, and that causes mast cells to release histamine and add to allergic symptoms.

Put these tips to good use and hopefully you’ll be able to smell the roses without having to reach for a tissue.

Spring Cleaning: A detox for your home

As a functional medicine specialist, I like to think about spring cleaning as less about a deep clean that gets your kitchen gleaming or bathroom sparkling, and more in terms of getting rid of household toxins that have a detrimental affect on our health. Toxins are a primary cause of chronic disease and we are exposed to an enormous amount of chemicals daily—and unfortunately, they are lurking everywhere in our homes.  They enter our body through what we eat, drink, breath, and absorb through our skin.  Although we can’t control many of the toxins we are exposed to in our environment, there are steps we can take to help decrease our toxic load at home, and it’s easier than you think. 

• Remove shoes when entering your home. Why drag in all the dirt, allergens, pesticides, and herbicides from the outside world? An investment in a nice pair of slippers is an investment in your health.

• Break up with plastic by swiping out plastic food storage containers for glass ones.  While you’re at it, get rid of the plastic water bottles.   Chemicals from plastic, like BPA, leach into our food and drink.  BPA disrupts our hormones and many studies show that it has carcinogenic capability.  BPA free plastics are not turning out to be much safer, so better to err on the side of caution and opt for glass

• Ditch the non stick pans—its’ that simple. If they are pre-2015 they likely contain PFOA (perfluorooctanic acid), like Teflon, which acts as an endocrine disruptor and has been associated with many other adverse health effects such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and thyroid disease, and is a possible carcinogen in humans according to the IARC (International Agency for Cancer Research).  DuPont and other companies phased out Teflon in 2015, but it is not known if they continue to use other perfluorinated chemicals in their products.  The safest option is to avoid non-stick cookware. Throw it out, don’t even try to SWAP it.  Stainless steel, ceramic, and cast iron are less toxic choices.

• Scour the labels on your personal care products carefully.  I’m talking shampoos, conditioners, lotions, deodorants, sunscreens, baby wipes, and make-up to start. In fact, what you put on your skin can be more toxic than what you eat and the personal care industry isn’t regulated in the U.S.  Some of the chemicals we slather on ourselves include the endocrine disrupting phthalates, the carcinogenic formaldehydes, and the estrogen mimickers, parabens and BPA. Not sure what to look for? The Environmental Working Group app, Healthy Living, or the Think Dirty app are two good places to help you start detoxing your personal care products.

• Forget the fragrances.  This includes air fresheners, scented candles, perfumes, and anything that has fragrance (or parfum) as an ingredient. These fragrances are composed of hundreds of petrochemical solvents, including known carcinogens and hormone disrupting chemicals.  Pure essential oils can be lovely for perfume or to vaporize into the air.

• Filter your water.  Flint, Newark, South Orange—these are only a few examples of municipal water gone bad.  One third of all communities in the U.S. have drinking water violations and New Jersey is one of the top 5 states with the highest Safe Water Drinking Act violations by population.  As they say, “get a filter or be a filter.”  Air filters are important as well.

• Give the wi-fi a break.  Turn off the the blue tooth on your cell phone.  Use a plug in headset when talking on the cell phone.  Don’t sleep with the cell phone next to your bed.  We are exposed to so much radiofrequency electromagnetic fields both in and outside the house, so try to decrease some exposure.  The IARC classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans.  

Making small changes over time will make a big impact on decreasing our toxic load. One slippered step at a time.