Dr. Kelly Simms ND, CNS

Naturopathic Doctor and Nutritionist, Fertility Course, Natural Women's Health, Preconception and Fertility

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in Blog· Detoxification

Cleaner, Greener, Home! Non-Toxic Cleaning!

Making the transition to eating more health promoting foods, taking supplements or herbs and changing lifestyle can be large undertaking. While making changes in your life, keep your goals in mind and remember that this type of hard work usually pays off! You probably won’t regret swapping fries for a salad, boosting your vitamin levels, or signing up for an extra yoga class! As you are making these changes, it is a good time to assess your home and make sure you are surrounding yourself in an environment that is aligned with your personal health goals. Here is a list of three things to think about when making your home environment a little more “green.”

  1. Trash the scents! The artificial fragrance in scented candles, air fresheners, or laundry detergents can be irritating to the lining of the airways. Especially if you suffer from allergies or any respiratory issues, removing these highly fragranced items from the home is a must. Additionally if you have had any recent remodeling in your home or live in a new construction home, plants can help remove toxic chemicals such as benzenes or formaldehydes that can off-gas from paints, floors, cabinetry or furniture. Instead of air fragrance, “clean” the air with plants! These have been specifically studied to remove chemicals and provide other indoor air quality benefits:
    1. ​Areca Palm: Known as a natural humidifier
    2. Lady Palm: Bug resistant and easy to grow
    3. Bamboo Palm: Second best at air purifying (Easy to care for, too!)
    4. Rubber Plant: Removes formaldehyde and requires minimal light
    5. Dracaena: Known as the female dragon it is a leader at removing Formaldehyde
    6. English Ivy: Best allergy reducer
    7. Boston Fern: Most efficient at removing Formaldehyde and Benzene
    8. Peace Lily: Second best at removing Benzene. Needs plenty of water.
  2. ​Lose the non-stick! Non stick cookware is coated with polytetrafluoroetheylene (PTFE). This chemical can have some negative side effects, as the Environmental Working Group points out: “Chemicals from this family are associated with smaller birth weight and size in newborn babies, elevated cholesterol, abnormal thyroid hormone levels, liver inflammation and weakened immune defense against disease.” What to do instead? Stainless steel and cast iron are great alternatives. As are ceramic coated cookware such as Le Cruset.
  3. Clean with care! Dishsoap, bathroom cleaners and floor cleaners can contain chemicals that can irritate our endocrine system, skin or immune system. One chemical, sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate (SLS/SLES), for example, which is found in handsoaps, dishsoaps, and personal care products, can cause irritation to skin, leading to inflammation or dermatitis. This can produce symptoms such as dryness, coarseness and redness.

Check out the graphic (above) for some simple cleaning “recipes. ” Enjoy cost savings and health maintenance with green alternatives!

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Estrogen dominance, or unopposed estrogen, is a th Estrogen dominance, or unopposed estrogen, is a theory in which the level of estrogen outweighs the level of progesterone and other hormones in the body. Picture a seesaw. Estrogen is the person high in the air looking down at the progesterone (and other hormones)- sitting at the other end with their feet on the ground.

Our bodies need estrogen for reproductive, cardiovascular, and bone health. Estrogen is a very important hormone! Too much estrogen, however, can be linked to an assortment of conditions like: 
- Heavy periods
- Migraines
- Water retention 
- Fibrocystic breasts
- Uterine fibroids 
- Endometriosis
- Mood swings 
- Hormonal weight gain

High estrogen can be caused by certain medications, excess body fat, stress, alcohol, liver issues, and synthetic xenoestrogens, so some dietary and lifestyle changes may be needed to correct your hormone levels. And, what about supporting the other hormones? Picture the seesaw again. We can support healthy progesterone production with dietary and lifestyle changes as well!

Was this helpful? If so – like, follow, and don’t forget to comment below any questions you have about estrogen dominance!
There are few health conditions as frustrating to There are few health conditions as frustrating to address and correct as acne.

Courses of antibiotics, dozens of topicals, spironolactone, supplements, and the birth control pill are the main treatments most of my patients have tried before they come to me. While some may be effective, you might be still wondering: is there a way to heal my skin once and for all and not have to use this stuff?

Acne is so frustrating for many because it seems like there are a million things you could be trying. So, what are some NATURAL first steps you can take if you are struggling with acne?

1) Get your hormone levels checked. Knowing if you have any hormone imbalances can help your doctor to cater your treatment plan to your specific needs.

2) Address your gut health. Your gut is the foundation of your health and can be closely tied to skin issues.

3) Try going dairy free. I’ve found this is one food group that can be especially problematic for people that suffer with acne. The thing to know is that you have to avoid it for at least 30 days and also that in the future, you can probably have at least some dairy back. It’s usually not a forever restriction.

If you have questions about your struggles with acne, leave a comment below or send me a DM. I’d love to chat about potential solutions and help you get to the bottom of your skin concerns.
It’s time for another Sunday Supplement highligh It’s time for another Sunday Supplement highlight! Today, we’re talking about Magnesium Glycinate.

Magnesium Glycinate is a supplement that increases magnesium levels. Magnesium is vital in regulating muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure. It may also be helpful in the making of bone, protein, and DNA. 

I love magnesium glycinate because it is one of the easiest forms of magnesium supplementation for the body to absorb. It is also gentle on the digestive tract which means it is less likely to cause undesirable side effects such as an upset stomach or loose stool. 

Magnesium glycinate might be especially helpful for you if you suffer from:
- High blood pressure or heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Osteoporosis
- Migraine headaches
- Depression

Do you have more questions about magnesium glycinate? Leave a comment below, or shoot me a DM and we can chat!
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