Dr. Kelly Simms ND, CNS

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

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in Digestive Health· Stress and Adrenal Health· Weight Loss· Women's Health

I’m hangry! What does that mean?

You know the term, and you’ve probably whispered if not yelled the term in the course of your life. That point of no return, where nothing is pleasant, nothing is enjoyable, until you EAT SOMETHING!!  That’s what is affectionately known as: ‘hangry.’

So what exactly is happening? Believe it or not, ‘hangry’ is an actual term. When you get hungry, you also find yourself getting extremely irritable and short tempered. Your brain needs sugar to function. Plain and simple. Our bodies, after routines have been in place, come to expect meal time. If your body knows that it will soon be time to eat, it experiences a dip in glucose, and with that can come fluctuations in mood. The flip side is that you may also experience emotional changes if you have eaten a big meal and your glucose is too high. 

What about that afternoon slump after lunch? The reason you crave a nap after lunch may be due to eating a high amount of carbohydrates. 60 – 90 minutes after eating a high carb meal – out comes insulin to help aid in digestion – insulin helps put you into a restful state, hence the afternoon desire to nap. Often times the reason we don’t experience this same slump in the morning, is because our old friend caffeine is there to wake us up.

How can you help yourself feel more balanced and not so ‘hangry’ during the day? Simple. For breakfast try to focus on protein and fiber – this will bring more stability to your body (and blood sugar!) during the day. Try to eat at the same times every day (no more than 4-5 hours between meals), maintain a solid sleep schedule, hydrate, and eat more fermented foods like saurkraut, kimchi, yogurt, and miso. And stop snacking in between meals! Snacking can mess with your hunger cues. If you have constant need to snack, think about the balance of your meals. Eating balanced meals that are filling can prevent the blood-sugar roller coaster and lead to less hangry-ness in your day. 

With a solid schedule and a plan, you can turn hangry into happy!

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Dr. Simms and her practice are focused on achieving balance, radiant health and wellness.

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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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