Dr. Kelly Simms ND, CNS

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

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in Blog· Food Allergy and Sensitivity· Weight Loss

Finding Your “Healthy” Diet

The word “healthy” paired with “diet” has always been a troubling combination of words for me. That’s because I believe that what is “healthy” for someone may be detrimental to another. I am a big believer in not overly restricted diets and doing what works for you. Not jumping on the latest nutrition trend bandwagon.

The conventional methods to determine food allergies include blood and skin prick testing. These types of tests look at IgE (or immediate hypersensitivity). An example of IgE mediated hypersensitivity is when a child has a reaction to peanuts, for instance, and must carry medicine, such as an EpiPen, to mitigate their reaction, should exposure occur.

In my practice,  I like to explore IgG (delayed) food sensitivity. IgG is an immunoglobulin produced by the body over time due to repeated exposure to allergens. That is the reason why symptoms of IgG mediated allergy are not always directly correlated with consumption of the particular food. For example, someone with a primary concern of constipation may not relate their symptoms to the corn or wheat they consumed days prior. By identifying food allergy, we can begin to uncover the root causes of concerns that may have vague symptoms or may be unresponsive to conventional treatments.

There are a number of ways to identify food reactions. One way is to do an elimination diet. This is to look for food intolerance. With the elimination diet, major classes of common allergens are removed. Major categories are corn, wheat, soy, eggs, dairy, tomatoes, and citrus. After a diet devoid of these items, they are re-introduced in a systematic manner, looking for changes in signs or symptoms. This method obviously has potential for error, as there may be foods left in the diet that are actually problematic. A second way to identify food reactions is through blood testing. This test is great for those who wish to have black and white answers about what they may be sensitive to.

There are many areas for which a food sensitivity determination may be helpful: seasonal allergies, gastrointestinal concerns, infertility, fatigue, and skin conditions are just a few. One study at the University of Miami School of Medicine found that elimination of IgG sensitive foods helped study participants lose about one pound per week and improved body composition over 90 days.

Nutrition is the foundation of our health and food reaction determination can assist in designing a customized diet that defines what “healthy” means for you.

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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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