Dr. Kelly Simms ND, CNS

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

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in Blog· Digestive Health· Food Allergy and Sensitivity

The Alligator Pear for Digestive Health

You’re probably thinking, ‘what on earth is an alligator pear?’ Well, it is the beloved and wildly popular avocado. The subject of many conversations lately – from guac to toast – the avocado is a widely discussed and wildly diverse in it’s use!

Avocados have been around since about 7000BC, but they’ve only been cultivated since about 750 BC. Many people don’t  know that the avocado is actually a berry! Yes, it’s true. Even though it’s well known that the avocado is a fruit, it is specifically a berry, which makes it even more intriguing.

Avocados are loaded with fiber and potassium, designed to aid in bloating and gas, while at the same time, their natural high content of fat helps you feel full for longer periods of time. The fats that are contained in an avocado are actually heart healthy fats and aid in cardiovascular function.

Here’s the caveat that most people don’t even consider given the popularity of the avocado: that in certain cases it could actually be the cause of your digestive discomfort. For those who are FODMAP sensitive (apples, onion, and garlic also fall into this category), or have a latex food allergy, your digestive system has a difficult time digesting the avocado. To combat negative effects from the avocado, a standard serving for FODMAP sensitive individuals is approximately ⅛ of an avocado. Experiment with serving size to determine if you can reap the massive benefits of the fruit, while not taxing your digestive system too much. If you think you might be intolerant to avocados, try avoiding them for at least a couple of weeks and see if your symptoms change.

If you are able to enjoy the fruit in unlimited amounts, one of my favorite ways to use an avocado is to cut it in half, poach an egg, place the egg in the center, and sprinkle a bit of Himalayan salt and crushed red pepper flakes on top. You can also slice it and top anything – salad, rice, grilled chicken, open faced sandwich – it makes a creamy almost mayo like garnish.  Avocado is an excellent high heat cooking oil, that does not become carcinogenic as it heats.

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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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