Lifestyle Advice for Endometriosis, Fibroids & other Estrogen-Driven Diseases

For many years, Dawn Potter Acupuncture in Clearwater, Florida has been providing a range of treatment options for endometriosis, fibroids and other diseases that are driven by estrogen. You can see many testimonials about estrogen-driven diseases Dawn has treated successfully here in fact. In addition to the appropriate acupuncture, chinese herbal formulas and other modalities for your specific condition, there are many things that you can do at home to help yourself. Today, we'll be discussing these things you can be doing to improve the symptoms of your estrogen-driven disease. Have questions? Interested in a free telehealth consultation? For any of your needs, simply contact Dawn Potter Acupuncture.

From a natural Western medicine viewpoint, endometriosis and fibroids are usually an estrogen-dominance condition. This means there is typically too much estrogen in the body outright, or too much in relationship to the amount of progesterone. So, there are 3 main ways to reduce this excess estrogen load:

1. Support the health of the liver, which is responsible for metabolizing excess and spent estrogen.

2.  Support the health of the large intestine to have regular bowel movements, so as to keep spent estrogen that is waiting to be excreted from being reabsorbed through the bowel wall.

3.  Reduce exposure to “exogenous estrogens.”  These are chemicals that are found in our food, water, air, and environment, that mimic estrogen in the body.  These include chemical dioxins, hormones that are found in non-organic meat/dairy/eggs, and many chemicals that we find in household items.

Interestingly, from an Eastern Medicine viewpoint, again, the Liver energy is most implicated in endometriosis, but the explanation of how is a bit different.  Nonetheless, supporting the health of the Liver is paramount. So, we will explore some ways to do this. We will also look at ways to optimize your digestive energy, which is also essential to treating endometriosis and other gynecological conditions.

First, let’s look at how to support your digestion.  If you haven’t read the Nutrition Part 1 post, please do so.  It explains the differences between whole foods and processed foods.  Understanding and utilizing this concept is of utmost importance to improve all aspects of health, including Liver health. To learn more specifics about optimizing your vital energy (qi) through your food choices, also read Nutrition Part 2.

Now, let’s look at further ways to support your Liver energy and function:

Nutrition:

In addition to what you learned from Nutrition Part 1 and Part 2, you want to focus the diet on whole, natural foods including, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains for liver health. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, processed foods, additives, preservatives, artificial sweeteners and chemical ingredients, which tax the liver and contribute to inflammation.

Only eat organic options when eating animal-based foods such as meat, poultry, dairy and eggs, so as to avoid unnecessary ingestion of exogenous hormones. Also, decrease your intake of animal-based foods in general, as they can stimulate the body to produce more of its own estrogens, and can contribute to inflammation.

Also, avoid iced foods/beverages, which can create “cold in the uterus” which contributes to cramping, clotting and infertility. Avoid refined carbohydrates and sugar, which cause insulin spikes and drops, which further upset hormonal balance and deplete the Liver of essential B vitamins. Avoid foods that contribute to inflammation, such as refined or hydrogenated oils.

Stress Reduction:

In Oriental medicine, stress is a huge contributor to stagnation and congestion of the Liver energy and function, which can hinder blood flow in the pelvic area, and contribute to endometriosis and other gynecological problems.

We know from Western science that stress stimulates your body to produce more cortisol.  And, when needed, the body can actually convert its own progesterone into cortisol to keep up with the demand. When this happens, you have less progesterone to balance the estrogen, and more stress hormones.

Stress hormones, when present in higher amounts and for extended periods of time, have deleterious effects on all body systems, including hormone balance.  The way to stop this snowball effect is to decrease your body’s stress reaction, which means decreasing  the amount of stress in your life, and modifying your reaction to stress that you cannot avoid.

1. Stop over-committing your time and energy.  It is common, in our busy lives, to say “Yes” to everything that anyone asks of us, especially because many of us feel that unless we are constantly being productive, we are not “good for anything”. It is vital for your health that you remove things from your plate of responsibilities as much as possible. Try to only commit to those extra activities that are joyful to you.

2.  Find some stress-relief activities. Please make time to rest and “refill your cup.” One thing to be careful of is not relying on activities that further cause your body to release stress hormones; like watching scary or violent movies, playing violent video games, or participating in risky activities such as gambling.

Good options would be hiking in nature, praying, journaling, meditating, getting a massage, getting acupuncture, walking on the beach, taking photographs of the flowers in your neighborhood, spending quality time with people you love, or taking up a new hobby.

3.  Find ways to focus more on the good things in your life, rather than the negatives.  Our perception determines how we experience our lives. If we choose to see the positives more than the negatives, we will be happier and healthier as a result.  Working with a life coach or spiritual counselor can often help in this endeavor.

4. Incorporate activities that make your body and mind more resilient to the stresses that you cannot avoid. These include getting acupuncture and taking the appropriate Chinese herbal medicine specific for you. These also include taking a Tai Chi or Qi Gong class, which are not only are good for the body, but also the mind, requiring your full attention, so you can focus on the activity at hand, rather than the stresses in your life. And they can actually help your body to recharge and revitalize.

Studies show that those who regularly practice Qi Gong or Tai Qi have less depression, more balanced hormonal profiles, fewer injuries, better athletic performance, enhanced cognitive function, stronger bones and a more positive outlook.

Reduce Exposure to Harmful Chemicals:

It is imperative that you decrease your exposure, as much as possible, to chemicals and substances that are hormone disruptors or that act like estrogens in the body. These include:

Dioxins:  found in bleached products such as tampons, coffee filters, paper products, and sanitary pads as well as pesticides, bug sprays & repellents, and weed killers.

Plastics:  avoid drinking or eating from plastic containers, especially if they have been sitting in the sun or a hot car.  Don’t drink water that tastes like a plastic bottle.  Don’t cook (or microwave) in plastic containers or plastic wrap.

How Can Dawn Potter Acupuncture Help?

When it comes to treating estrogen-driven diseases such as fibroids, endometriosis, etc. it can be important to understand the root cause, including genetics, lifestyle factors, and other factors. Many doctors just want to focus on the symptoms, often masking them while more problems occur. At Dawn Potter Acupuncture we are dedicated to finding the root(s) of the problems you face so that we can address those things. We can help with nutrition, supplements, vitamins, herbs and even treatment options such as acupuncture, massage and even cupping. We also offer free telehealth consultations to discuss your overall wellness, your health goals, and our different treatment options and how they may be able to help. Reach out today to get started.

Schedule Estrogen-Driven Disease Treatment in Clearwater Today

For more help with endometriosis, fibroids or other gynecological conditions that are driven by estrogen, contact Dawn for acupuncture, massage, herbs, supplements, and individualized nutritional advice.

Dawn Potter, AP, Dipl.OM

___________________________________________________________

Sources:

Lewis, Randine.  The Infertility Cure:  the Ancient Chinese Wellness Program for Getting Pregnant and having

Healthy Babies.  Little, Brown and Company.  2004.

Mills, Dian S. & Vernon, Michael. Endometriosis: A Key to Healing through Nutrition. Hammersmith, London. 2002. pg 192, 214.

Murray, Michael, M.D., Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements.  Three Rivers Press, NY, 1996.

www.Nutritionfacts.org

Physcians Committee for Responsible Medicine:  Endometriosis. http://www.pcrm.org/health/PDFs/pv_endometriosis.pdf

Pitchford, Paul. Healing with Whole Foods: Oriental Traditions and Modern Nutrition. North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, CA. 1993.

Spangler, Luita D. “Xenoestrogens and Breast Cancer: Nowhere to Run.”Feminist Women’s Health Center Website. http://www.fwhc.org/health/xeno.htm#what

#health #excessestrogen #mentalattitude #fibroids #stress #bodymindconnection #estrogendominance #stressrelief #hormonebalance #endometriosis #orientalmedicine

Tips for Seasonal Allergy Sufferers

It is Springtime…and the trees and flowers are in bloom.  For seasonal allergy sufferers, this is not such an enjoyable experience.  But, I am here to share some tips that may make your Spring a little easier.

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, respiratory allergies are related not only to the function of the energy of the Lung (which also includes the nose, sinuses, throat, and windpipe), but also to the function of the digestive system, or Spleen Qi.  (For more information on how digestion affects our immune and other body systems, refer to Nutrition Part 2 post).

Together, the Lung Qi and the Spleen Qi contribute to what is known as the Defensive Qi, which acts as a shield for our bodies, keeping us from being so sensitive or vulnerable to allergens, bacteria and viruses.

Keeping all of this in mind, there are several things you can do to minimize your allergic reactions:

1.  Eliminate dairy products from your diet. This includes anything made from cow’s milk, goat’s milk or sheep’s milk, including yogurt, cheese, sour cream, ice cream, cottage cheese, feta and all creamy or cheesy dressings and soups. Animals’ dairy products are very difficult for humans to digest, depleting the Spleen Qi, and often creating a lot of excess mucous (or Dampness) in the digestive and respiratory systems, which restricts breathing airways, and traps more allergens in the respiratory passages for the body to react to.

Eliminating dairy products usually results in a clearing out of excess mucous within 3 to 8 weeks, and a much less reactive respiratory system.

2.  Determine if you have any “gateway” allergens.  Dairy products can also be quite allergenic themselves, even if you don’t have obvious digestive distress after eating them. For many people, they can act as what I refer to as a “gateway” allergen. This means that consuming dairy products could make you more allergic to other eaten or inhaled substances.

An example that comes to mind is a woman my mother knew when I was young, who was only allergic to her cat when she ate eggs. And I’ve had many patients who, once they eliminated dairy products, were no longer allergic to trees, grass or dust. In fact, my own husband’s allergy and asthma problems were reduced by about 80% when he eliminated dairy products.

The most common “gateway” allergens are dairy, wheat, eggs, soy and corn. Interestingly, all of these common “gateway” allergens are also considered to be Dampness forming foods, according to TCM.

It would be a good idea to get a food allergy test done, to find out which foods your system reacts to.  As you eliminate the worst offenders from you diet, you may find that your respiratory allergies clear up as well. (If you need one, I can supply you an easy-to-do food allergy test kit.)

3. Avoid sugar.  While sugar itself isn’t an allergen, it is a burden for both the Spleen Qi, and the immune system, often making it more reactive against allergens, and less effective against pathogenic microbes. Sugar also feeds many of the microorganisms that the immune system needs to keep at bay on a daily basis, making you more susceptible to colds, flu’s and other infections.

4.  Take probiotics. These supplements are comprised of the beneficial bacteria that line our digestive and respiratory systems. These helpful micro-organisms assist our immune system in keeping populations of harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites and yeasts in check. Taking antibiotics, corticosteroids or chemical nasal sprays can destroy large numbers of our beneficial bacteria, leaving us more vulnerable to future infections.

Unfortunately, modern life expose us daily to chemicals that kill these vital allies: fluoride and chlorine in tap water, many types of medications, and antibiotics in meat, dairy and poultry are the most ubiquitous sources. While we can never fully restore all of the colonies of beneficial bacteria that should be living in our bodies, we can do our best to restore as many of them as possible with a high quality, multi-strain supplement. (I do carry high quality probiotic supplements if you would like to get them from me).

5.  Avoid being outside in early morning, or at dusk.  This is when the most offending allergen plants are in bloom, and the pollen concentrations are the highest.

6.  Keep your home’s windows and doors closed, to filter the indoor air.  Be sure to change your air filter every 30 days during high pollen seasons. Consider getting your carpets steam cleaned, or replacing them altogether. Wood, laminate or tile is much better than carpet for chronic allergy sufferers.

7.  Be sure you don’t have an indoor mold problem. This is a very common issue in the damp conditions of Florida, and it can be very dangerous. I’ve treated many extremely ill patients who lived in homes that had mold problems which were ignored or treated improperly. If you have even the slightest suspicion that you have a mold problem, you owe it to yourself to get your home inspected.

8.  If you still are suffering, please call for an appointment.  You may just need some acupuncture and Chinese herbs to finally bring you relief.  For an example of the effectiveness of acupuncture and herbal treatment for allergies, check out this testimonial.

Have a wonderful Spring!

Dawn Potter, AP, Dipl.OM

727-475-4710

#health #springtimeallergies #respiratoryallergies #nutrition #seasonalallergies

A Few of my Favorite Things

Happy Thanksgiving!

Once again, I am inspired to write a Thanksgiving post, since this is my favorite holiday. As I’ve said before, connecting to gratitude in our lives is an incredibly healing force that impacts all aspects of our bodies and minds.

You may have noticed that the title of this post is “A Few of my Favorite Things.” I wish to clarify this. Like the majority of people, my VERY MOST favorite things are not things at all, but instead are…

…people: my husband, my family, my 4-legged furry babies, my friends, people that inspire me for various reasons;

…places: the paradise that is Florida in November, or the mountains of New Mexico in the summer; the smell in the Autumn air of Minnesota and Ohio in October, as the sugar maple leaves glow in golden brilliance, seeming to return the sun’s summer rays before surrendering to Winter.

…beauty: the beauty in life that shows itself in various forms, including people with ideas, actions and words that are based in love for others and for future generations, even amidst all the political and social confusion and conflict surrounding us lately; like the proverbial lotus flower arising from the mucky waters to blossom in glorious color.

While I am grateful for all of these non-things, this post is about actual THINGS I have discovered this year which have provided me with assistance or enjoyment. Things that you may find useful yourself, or that you might put on your Holiday shopping list.

By the way, I do not get any compensation for my endorsement of these things.

1. Mountain Rose Teas – if you enjoy loose leaf teas, like I do, you will appreciate the selection of amazing organic teas at Mountain Rose. Unlike more commercial loose leaf teas, such as Teavana & David’s Tea, Mountain Rose teas are more affordable, all organic, and don’t have any added mystery flavors, such as “natural and/or artificial flavors.” They contain only organic herbs, spices, tea leaves and extracts. So far, my favorites include Hibiscus High Tea and Turmeric Chai.

2. Podcasts –  I’ve actually been listening to podcasts for several years, as I find them a wonderful source of free entertainment and education. This year I have been enjoying a new one that I wish to recommend. It is A Healthy Curiosity, hosted by my friend, classmate & colleague, Brodie Welch. In it, Brodie and guests discuss various topics related to natural health, Chinese medicine and self-care strategies. I feel that Brodie is supremely talented at taking foreign concepts that can be difficult to understand and making them accessible for everyone. I find each of her episodes to be valuable and insightful. You can find her podcast on iTunes, Google Play, iheartradio and Stitcher.

3. The Dirt Tooth Powder – I’ve been brushing with this stuff all year, and feel that it is superior to any toothpaste I’ve tried, including “natural” pastes, which usually leave me with a thick, sticky coating. While it takes some getting used to brushing with a powder that doesn’t foam up, and spitting something that looks like mud, it is actually great at gently whitening teeth, and getting my mouth squeaky clean. I also find that the naturally-antibacterial cinnamon, nutmeg and clove make my gums feel good.

4. Austin Air Healthmate Plus Air Purifier – many of you know we did some major remodeling to our home this year. Part of the remodel was replacing our old laminate flooring in the common areas with the new “luxury vinyl tile” (LVT) that is supposed to be water-resistant and durable while looking like actual wood or tile. We bought a brand that was supposedly free of VOC’s and formaldehyde, and was to be adhered with a low-VOC glue.

Well, the Friday evening after the installation, I was completely overwhelmed by the smell. Even after opening all the windows and running all the fans, I still woke up the next morning with a severe sore throat, loss of voice, cough, and puffy face. I was obviously reacting to something the new floor was emitting. I stayed with friends for the weekend (Thank you Diana & Bob!)

We aired out the house for 3 full days, but it didn’t help. Finally we had the installers remove the new floor. Unfortunately, the glue, which was still tacky, was impossible to remove. We had to wait for it to completely dry, continuing to emit its own fumes, before we could install ceramic tile. The fumes were so noxious that I could not live in my house. So, I researched and found the Austin Air Healthmate Plus which filters air for particles and for chemical fumes. Within 24 hours of turning it on, my house was livable again!

5. Foobot air quality monitor -concurrent to the flooring debacle described above, I also researched air quality monitors. I settled on the Foobot, and I have been very happy with its performance. It indicates the levels of particulate matter in the air, as well as VOC levels. Incidentally, for floor glue that was supposed to be low-VOC, the Foobot measured VOC’s in the 9000 units, which is 30 times higher than the recommended limit! After the Austin Air Healthmate Plus had been running for 24 hours, that number came down to 200!

6. Sonos music system – my old EOS music system at the clinic finally needed to be replaced. I loved that it had allowed me to play the same music throughout all the clinic rooms without having to install speakers and wiring into the walls and ceiling. But I didn’t love that the Bluetooth speakers would get crackly and fuzzy sounding, and the volume nobs would stop working. I already had replaced 2 of the 4 speakers. So, when I was faced with replacing 2 more, I looked at other options.

I decided on the Sonos system, and it is awesome! The speakers are well made with sound quality far exceeding that of my old system. It uses an app that you download to your wi-fi enabled device; through which you can stream any music service you wish, including iTunes, Apple music, Spotify, Pandora, Sirius XM, Google Play music, Amazon music and others. It has made playing music at the clinic much simpler and more enjoyable!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Dawn

#teas #health #podcasts #indoorairquality #favoritethings #gratitude