How Does Gluten Affect the Thyroid?

Gluten sensitivities are becoming more common, but most people don’t know if they have a sensitivity. Continuing to eat foods you are sensitive to can lead to a wide variety of problems, and it can even contribute to some serious thyroid conditions. When you have a gluten sensitivity, the body identifies the gluten particles as foreign bodies that need to be attacked. Unfortunately, the protein portion of gluten – called gliadin – looks similar to thyroid molecules, so the body may mistakenly attack parts of the thyroid, potentially leading to thyroid issues. In this week’s episode, we’ll go over how gluten affects the thyroid, and why it’s important to avoid it.

Products Mentioned in Today’s Show

Thyroid Essentials Plus – Thyroid Essentials Plus is designed to be an all-in-one thyroid support product that may benefit many thyroid conditions. In just one product, it is now possible for the clinician to provide botanical and nutritional enhancement of thyroid hormone production, peripheral conversion of T4 to T3, as well as receptor function and recognition of thyroid hormones.

SBI Spore – Probiotics have been extensively studied and are characterized as having broad GI and immune benefits. Probiotics are live organisms and must be shelf stable through the expiration date, so they can be precisely delivered to the intestinal tract to have maximum benefit. Bacillus spores remain dormant in harsh environments until they reach more favorable environments like the human gastrointestinal tract. The combination of specific strains, particularly Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus clausii, and Bacillus subtilis, relieve symptoms for common GI complaints and reinforce healthy gut function.

You can also listen to How Does Gluten Affect the Thyroid on our YouTube channel here

Advanced Gut Health: How to Handle H. Pylori

We have discussed the importance of gut health many times and how much it affects your overall health. However, some people have cleaned up their diet and are taking probiotics, but they still struggle with gut issues. One possibility for this is a little-known parasite called H. pylori. H. pylori can cause many different symptoms and can have a profound impact on gut health in general, as well as potentially lead to an increased risk of certain types of cancers. In this week’s show we’ll discuss more advanced gut health and give you some tips on how to handle H. pylori.

Products Mentioned in Today’s Show

Digest Ease Mastic Gum/DGL – Digest Ease is a cinnamon flavored chewable tablet containing DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice root and rhizome extract) and mastic gum to support healthy digestion and gastrointestinal function.^† This product may help alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort associated with occasional indigestion.^†

SBI Spore – Probiotics have been extensively studied and are characterized as having broad GI and immune benefits. Probiotics are live organisms and must be shelf stable through the expiration date, so they can be precisely delivered to the intestinal tract to have maximum benefit. Bacillus spores remain dormant in harsh environments until they reach more favorable environments like the human gastrointestinal tract. The combination of specific strains, particularly Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus clausii, and Bacillus subtilis, relieve symptoms for common GI complaints and reinforce healthy gut function.

Dr. Lewis’ Hand Holdin’ Weight Loss Program

We also wanted to announce our new weight loss program to go with our new Weight Loss Support Packets. Dr. Lewis’ Hand Holdin’ Weight Loss Program is a 28-day program designed to help give you the tools to better manage your weight. Dr. Lewis can decide what he wants each individual to track in the app including blood pressure, sleep, meditation, etc. It gives you a 28-day low-sugar eating plan, as well as recipes and accompanying shopping lists, all located in the app. Pair the app with our new Weight Loss Support Packets, which contains convenient packets that can be thrown in your purse or lunch box, and designed to be taken twice per day. You can view more details about the app and sign-up here, and you can view the Weight Loss Support Packets here.

You can also listen to Advanced Gut Health: How to Handle H. Pylori on our YouTube channel here.

Better Health Thru Digestion

As leaky gut, food allergies, and gastrointestinal disorders become more common, it is more important than ever to be mindful of your gut health. Having a healthy gut is more difficult than it used to be due to the large number of environmental toxins, food additives, and stress we face every day. Much of your overall health is dependent on the health of your gut, and having good digestion is a key part of a healthy gut. Good digestion is crucial for nutrient absorption, bowel regularity, immune system function, and much more. In this week’s episode we discuss some common digestive issues, their causes, and what you can do to help improve your digestion.

Possible Signs of Poor Digestion:

• Gas
• Bloating
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Feeling Tired After Eating
• Heartburn
• Indigestion
• Nutritional Deficiencies

Products Mentioned in Today’s Show

Probio Ease – This shelf-stable, 50 billion CFU formulation contains a blend of 7 select probiotic species with Sunfiber^®, a low-FODMAP certified prebiotic. This formulation provides comprehensive microbiome, immune, and healthy inflammation support in one convenient capsule.^†

Betaine & Pepsin – Betaine & Pepsin provides hydrochloric acid to help maintain gastric pH and supports overall nutrient absorption. Symptoms of indigestion are often mistaken for excessive gastric acid. This leads many to take acid blockers in attempt to lower stomach acid, when the true culprit is likely to be insufficient levels of HCl.

You can also listen to our Better Health Through Digestion episode on our YouTube channel here.

Heartburn, Indigestion and Misery on Me

Heartburn and indigestion are common problems that can make eating difficult. There are several things that could potentially cause these problems, and the solution may depend on the cause. Poor gut health is believed to be one of the root causes of many common health issues, and repairing the gut may be key to heartburn and indigestion relief. In today's episode - Heartburn, Indigestion and Misery On Me - we'll discuss some common causes, and what you can do about it.

Common Causes of Heartburn:

• Laying Down After Eating
• Low Stomach Acid
• Obesity
• Overuse of Ibuprofen
• Hiatal Hernia
• Smoking

Heartburn and indigestion can be difficult to get over, and each person is different. If you have low stomach acid, then supplementing with betaine may help. Quitting smoking and maintaining a healthy weight may also help, as well as provide other health benefits. Avoiding large meals, especially at night, and not laying down after eating may also help reduce heartburn and indigestion. A healthy gut is necessary for overall good health, so do your best to keep your gut happy and healthy.

Products Mentioned in Today's Show

GI Support Vanilla - GI Support includes a high-dose of L-glutamine (4 g), which serves as nutrition for the gut lining. It provides 400 mg of deglycyrrhized licorice root extract (DGL) and 75 mg of aloe vera extract, both of which protect and promote the health of the gut mucosa. N-acetyl glucosamine and zinc may help boost GI integrity.

Acetyl L-Carnitine - The acetyl group can serve as a metabolic source of acetylcholine, a brain neurotransmitter, while the L-carnitine component carries fatty acids into mitochondria of nerve, heart, and muscle cells for use in energy production.^† Other actions benefit membrane stability, production of nerve growth factor, and cerebral blood flow.^†

You can also listen to our Heartburn, Indigestion and Misery On Me episode on our YouTube channel here.

Candida - Getting to the Gut of the Matter

Candida overgrowth is a frequently discussed topic, and we get many questions about it from our patients. It is often blamed for many different health issues like autoimmune diseases, sinus infections, urinary tract infections, chronic fatigue, and many others. However, candida overgrowth is not solely responsible for all of these, and there is a lot of misinformation surrounding its causes and effects. Join us in getting to the gut of the matter of candida.

Possible Symptoms of Candida May Include:

• Chronic Sinus Issues
• Allergies
• Hormone Imbalances
• Fatigue
• Bloating and Other Digestive Issues
• Decreased Sex Drive
• Bad Breath
• Urinary Tract Infections
• Joint Pain
• Uncontrolled Food Cravings (Especially for Bread, Pasta, and Sweets)
• Brain Fog and Difficulty Focusing

If an overgrowth of candida is suspected, dietary and lifestyle changes are often necessary to help heal it and prevent it from recurring. Greatly reducing or eliminating consumption of processed foods and high-carb, sugary foods is one of the best things to help "starve out" candida. Candida is often said to feed on sugar, so reducing its food supply may help reduce the problem. Having regular bowel movements may also help with candida overgrowth. So eat plenty of organic fruits and vegetables to get the fiber you need to stay regular, and drink plenty of water to flush that fiber out.

Product Mentioned in Today's Show

Candida Support - This powerful phytonutrient complex was designed for restoring and maintaining a healthy, balanced gastrointestinal microbiota. Along with undecylenic acid, this formula also provides berberine and other synergistic factors.

Stress Free Eating

What does it mean to eat stress free? Basically, eating clean is the best way to eat and creates the less stress. Clean eating will produce the following when you eat foods as close to their natural state as possible:

• Decreases inflammation
• Lowers Acidity
• Alkalizes the body
• Controls blood sugar levels
• Removes toxins and artificial ingredients
• Provides optimum nutrients

Clean eating is great for these types of people:

• Dealing with food allergies
• Heart disease or cardiovascular issues
• Arthritis
• Digestive Dysfunction
• Insomnia
• Depression or Anxiety
• Leaky Gut Syndrome

All forms of chronic disease

Products mentioned in today’s Show:

Deeper Greens - Deeper Greens helps patients overcome diets lacking in the recommended fruits and vegetables a day, as stated by the National Cancer Institute. Deeper Greens is a convenient drink mix providing beneficial nutrients from berries, fruits, vegetables and greens to support a healthy diet. This complete formula combines concentrated fruits and berries along with a unique vegetable antioxidant blend to help build antioxidant reserves and protect the body from free radical

What Gut Type Are You?

What gut type are you?

There are specific gut types that create certain environments in your gut. They are as follows:

• Candida Gut –

     The bad habit - Ice Cream, Cookies, Cupcakes and more!

          Emotional Profile – Worrisome, Anxious, Obsessive

• Gastric Gut –

The bad habit – Inhaling your food (and large portions of it)

Emotional Profile – Fiery, passionate, reactive

• Stressed Gut –

The bad habit – Overdoing the coffee and booze

Emotional Profile – Type-A workaholics

• Immune Gut –

The bad habit – Popping antibiotics every time you feel sick

Emotional Profile – Impatient, frequently frustrated, quick to anger

• Toxic Gut –

The bad habit – Eating processed or fast food

Emotional Profile – Impatient, frequently frustrated, quick to anger

Product Mentioned in Today’s Show:

Stress Response - A comprehensive formula of nutrients and botanicals with demonstrated and unique neuro-supportive effects creates a robust and multifactorial approach to support daily brain health and function.