Lake Norman Integrative Wellness Blog

The gallbladder is actually important

July 12, 2011

Reasons for gallstones include nutritional deficiencies; diets high in processed foods, trans fats, hydrogenated fats, processed vegetable oils, and excess omega 6 fatty acids; hypothyroidism; and no- or low-fat diets. … Gallbladder removal can bring problems If your gallbladder has been removed you are at risk of deficiencies in essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin D.

Is Alzheimer's Type 3 diabetes?

July 6, 2011

Question I heard Alzheimer’s is related to diabetes. I don’t have diabetes, why should I be concerned? Answer The same sugary, starchy diet that increases the risk of diabetes also increases the risk of Alzheimer’s. In fact people with diabetes have a 65 percent higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Sugary, starchy diets can be the…

Why men grow breasts and women grow beards

June 29, 2011

Question Why do some women grow mustaches while some men grow breasts and start crying at movies? Answer Common diet and lifestyle factors today trigger an enzyme that causes men to overproduce estrogen, a female hormone, and women to overproduce testosterone, a male hormone. Overly starchy diets a culprit The most common culprit is a…

Gluten can cause leaky brain and gut

June 22, 2011

Question Eating gluten doesn’t upset my stomach. Why should I consider eliminating it from my diet? Answer Eating gluten, the protein found in wheat and wheat-like grains, has been shown to make the lining of both the brain and the digestive tract permeable or “leaky.” Leaky brain A leaky brain allows bacteria, heavy metals, environmental…

Always hungry? Blame this hormone made by body fat

June 14, 2011

Question Why am I hungry all the time when I am already overweight, even shortly after eating a full meal? Answer A hormone called leptin, which is produced by body fat, controls whether you feel satisfied after eating. A hormone called leptin controls hunger If you produce too much leptin you develop leptin resistance, which…

Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms?

June 8, 2011

Question: I am on thyroid hormones.  Why do I still have fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, and constipation? Answer: For 90 percent of Americans hypothyroidism is an immune disease, not a thyroid disease. Thyroid hormone medication doesn’t address the immune imbalances. Hypothyroid symptoms Hypothyroidism, or low thyroid function, affects millions of Americans, causing weight gain,…