A: While there is no magic bullet for anxiety, there are many things you can do to take the edge off, naturally. For example, you can decrease your stress hormones (cortisol) with phosphatidylserine and herbs like ashwagandha or relora. Phosphatidylserine (PS) belongs to a special category of fat-soluble substances called phospholipids, which are essential components of cell membranes. According to various research PS may help preserve, or even prevent destruction to, brain cells related to the exposure of elevated levels of cortisol. PS may also help reduce the negative effects of cortisol on muscle tissues during exercise (physical stress) and periods of psychological stress. Ashwagandha and relora are two herbal products which are also useful to help reduce the release of cortisol as well as rebuild the adrenal glands from the negative effects of high anxiety. Select one of the above and use it for three months before judging its effectiveness.

You can also add hydrolyzed milk protein for times of acute stress, such as Nusera from Metagenics or DeStress from Biotics Research. This can be taken as needed. Valerian can also be used as an alternative for Ativan. Valerian seems to improve the sleep quality of people who are withdrawing from benzodiazepines such as clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan) – however it is important not to combine the two. I recommend that you consult your health practitioner for a specific withdrawal treatment plan.

Wishing you perfect balance,

Dr. Natasha Turner ND

A: My first recommendation would be to begin an anti-inflammatory diet, such as the one outlined in The Hormone Diet or The Supercharged Hormone Diet. This will dramatically reduce the levels of inflammation in your body by removing allergenic items. This includes the removal of all of the most common food allergies (all grains that contain gluten, dairy, citrus, peanuts, sugar and soy). After the 14-day removal period he should slowly reintroduce the foods one at a time. By doing so, any physical or mental symptoms related to the food can be isolated. For instance, you may try oranges, cheese, yogurt, rye, kamut and wheat while watching for symptoms that point to an allergy or intolerance. Common symptoms of gluten intolerance or wheat allergy may include: gas, bloating, constipation, headaches, fatigue immediately after eating the food, fatigue on waking the next day, or a gradual decline in energy, irritability, anxiety, headaches, water retention (can’t get your rings off) and dark circles under the eyes. In my clinical practice I have seen patients eliminate their joint pain, migraines, water retention, abdominal cramping or bloating, skin rashes, joint pain and more – just by discovering their food allergies. And of course, many patients notice significant weight loss while on the detox!
In addition, I recommend adding high potency fish oil capsules (or liquid) and a Curcumin supplement, taken daily with food, for their anti inflammatory and immune-enhancing benefits. A recently published clinical trial evaluated Curcuma longa (a chemical contained in curry and tumeric), in patients with osteoarthritis, which is a type of degenerative joint disease in which the cartilage and underlying bone deteriorates, resulting in pain and stiffness. Researchers compared the efficacy of Curcuma to ibuprofen in subjects with osteoarthritis. The participants included 107 patients over the age of 50 with knee osteoarthritis and an initial pain score of 5 or greater out of 10. The subjects received either 800 mg of ibuprofen or 2 grams of Curcuma extract daily for 6 weeks. The results of the study showed that pain while walking, pain walking on stairs and knee function significantly improved in both groups. However, the Curcuma group had less pain climbing stairs than the ibuprofen group. Patient satisfaction with the treatment was also similar between the two groups, with 91.1 percent in the Curcuma group and 80.4 percent in the ibuprofen group reporting moderate-to-high satisfaction.

And finally, I would recommend Wobenzyme – a wonderful anti inflammatory. Wobenzym contains bromelain and other enzymes in enteric-coated tablets that pass through your digestive tract and allow the enzymes to enter your bloodstream. The enzymes are distributed throughout the body along with nutrients and oxygen to benefit all your tissues and organs by breaking down inflammatory proteins. Wobenzym rids the blood of these harmful proteins that can damage joints, blood vessels and other tissues. Take 2 tablets 2 to 3 times a day away from food.

Wishing you perfect balance,

Dr. Natasha Turner ND
www.thehormonediet.com

A: I recommend taking 4-6 wobenzym pills on an empty stomach twice daily for approximately one month in order to reduce inflammation and speed up the healing process. If he isn’t already taking fish oil, he should definitely start. In this situation I recommend a fish oil with 6:1 ratio of EPA to DHA for its anti-inflammatory benefits. He can also alternate taking Arnica 30c with Sympytum 30c several times a day on an empty stomach. The former helps to reduce pain and ifnlmamation while the latter is well known for its healing affect on broken bones.

Wishing you perfect balance,

Dr. Natasha Turner ND
www.thehormonediet.com

1. Pour on the flaxseeds. Add two to three tablespoons of flaxseeds to protein smoothies, salads, cereals, yogurt and oatmeal each day. They should be purchased ground, in a sealed container and kept in the freezer for freshness. You could also purchase whole flaxseeds and grind them yourself at home.
2. Include one serving of (non-GMO) soy in your diet each day. Sources of soy include soy milk, soy nuts, tofu, tempeh or edamame. Flaxseeds and soy are phytoestrogens, which means they can assist with the symptoms of menopause.
3. Try taking evening primrose oil. Take 1000 mg twice per day with 400 IU of vitamin E. This combination has been found useful for some women with hot flashes.
4. Consider taking herbs that support estrogen levels such as black cohosh and angelica or herbs that support progesterone levels such as vitex and wild yam. You may also want to look into a mixed herbal combination for menopausal support. Another herb, sage, has been found to be useful for treatment of sweating and hot flashes.
5. Consider having your hormones tested via a saliva hormone analysis conducted by a medical doctor or a naturopathic doctor in your area. There are many hormonal changes involved in menopause including three types of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and DHEAs and all of these changes affect your symptoms. It is important to identify an unhealthy balance of the three types of estrogen, which if left unaddressed, can increase your risk of cancer. Bio-identical hormone replacement is a viable option for many women. I use this in my practice to great results, but it is essential to have proper analysis and follow-up testing. You never want to have hormones in too high or too low quantities.
6. Take relora to help with hot flashes and sleep disruption associated with menopause (two in the evening, one upon waking).
8. As I recommend for everyone, be sure you are covering your basic nutritional needs and requirements for bone health by taking a high-potency multivitamin, fish oil supplements, antioxidants and calcium/magnesium.

Wishing you perfect balance,

Dr. Natasha Turner ND
www.facebook.com/thehormonediet
www.thehormonediet.com

Wishing you perfect balance,

Dr. Natasha Turner ND

Answer: There are fundamental dietary guidelines and supplements that should be included in any treatment plan for optimal results.
There is controversy over whether or not dietary habits have any influence on the frequency or severity of acne, roseacea or related skin conditions. So many references say there is no correlation between the two, however in my practice I have found that the removal of dairy products, caffeine, gluten, reducing the intake of chocolate and avoiding sugar as much as possible are all effective. A great starting place would be the detox diet outlined in The Hormone Diet or The Supercharged Hormone Diet.

Eating a healthy ratio of protein and low glycemic carbohydrates with each meal and snack can also balance blood sugar and subsequently stress hormones, both of which may reduce acne. Finally, be sure to include natural anti-inflammatory, healthy fats in your diet such as olive oil and fish oils. Avoid unhealthy oils like peanut, soy, vegetable or hydrogenated oils which will increase inflammation in the skin and worsen the problem.

Complete the stomach acid challenge (the instructions are on the book extra section of www.thehormonediet.com) , since low levels of HCL are often associated with Rosacea. Also, be sure to supplement daily with a probiotic.

As far as supplements are concerned, regardless of the cause of your acne one should include zinc 25-50mg per day, vitamin A 10,000-50,000IU per day (not to be taken by women who may be pregnant or attempting to conceive), vitamin C 1000-3000mg per day, and MSM 2000-4000mg per day for healing, collagen formation and tissue repair.

Answer: You can increase your intake of good fats by taking fish oil supplements daily (be sure to select a reputable, high quality brand). Fish oils are useful for treating depression, memory loss and anxiety. Another remedy that is simple to apply is good nutrition. A diet high in green leafy vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and other sources of B and C vitamins and folic acid is an effective way to improve cognitive health. You should also manage your homocysteine levels, which has been linked to Alzheimer’s as well as heart disease and osteoporosis. To keep these levels at bay, select a vitamin combination containing folic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and trimethylglycine. And finally, engage in brain boosting activities such as a crossword daily.

Answer:
There are several natural products to reduce cholesterol safely and effectively. You may want to research some of these:

1. Niacin 500mg three times a day. You may want to purchase a non-flushing niacin supplement. Begin with a lower dose with a lower dose and then increase.

2. Red Yeast Extract or Policosanols. I refer to these as natural statins. The standard dose is 10 mg twice per day.

3. Fish oil supplements have fabulous cholesterol reducing effects.

4. Your diet should be carbohydrate conscious and contain moderate amounts of healthy fats with little to no bad fats. See The Hormone Diet, Step 2, for the perfect dietary recommendations and meal plan for you, or the 4 week meal plan in the Supercharged Hormone Diet.

5. Exercise reduces cholesterol and raises good cholesterol. Every workout counts and it’s never too late to start.

6. It is actually a very good idea to take Co Q-10 supplements whenever taking statin medications because they do cause its depletion. Co Q-10 is an antioxidant that is involved in cardiovascular health, cellular energy and healthy skin.

Answer:
It sounds like your doctor is treating you for polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which is characterized by irregular periods, hair loss, acne and weight gain. This condition is also linked infertility and an increased risk of breast cancer and diabetes. Since PCOS is associated with insulin resistance, the underlying cause of type 2 diabetes, I strongly recommend reducing your excess insulin levels. A surplus of female testosterone is typically a result of increased production by the adrenal glands and is associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and hirsutism (excess hair growth). Besides causing acne, facial hair growth and even male pattern hair loss in women, too much testosterone increases insulin resistance and weight gain (causing the apple body type).

I’ve had great success returning testosterone to normal levels in patients with PCOS or fertility concerns by using the program outlined in either The Hormone Diet or The Supercharged Hormone Diet. The key to lowering testosterone is stress management (i.e., reducing cortisol) and controlling insulin levels through glycemically balanced eating, exercise and insulin-sensitizing supplements.

Answer:
Unfortunately, there is no magic bullet for anxiety. Nutritional changes, lifestyle changes, vitamins and supplements and exercise must be incorporated into any effective anxiety treatment plan. However you may find that your anxiety and your celiac symptoms are linked. I recommend consulting with a naturopath for a customized plan to boost your immunity and strengthen your adrenals. I have also listed additional recommendations below:

- Boost your exercise (strength training and cardio).
- Eliminate caffeine and sugar and eat balanced meals.
- Decrease stress hormone (cortisol) with phosphatidylserine and herbs ashwagandha or relora.
- Boost your feel-good hormone (serotonin) levels with 5-HTP or tryptophan.
- Increase levels of the calming brain chemical GABA.
- Get your mercury levels tested.
- Participate in a yoga or meditation class 1-2x a week.