Dr. Kelly Simms ND, CNS

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

Because natural women’s health doesn’t have to be complicated. 

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in Blog· Digestive Health

The Key to Your Health: Digestion!

I talk about bowel habits a lot in my practice, whether it be a primary concern or not. Why? Because regular, normal bowel movements are a crucial part of health, as a whole. Gastrointestinal concerns can range from constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel, bloating, gas, reflux  or pain. As I seek to determine the underlying cause of any such symptom, there are a few factors to consider. 
  1. Bacteria. The gut contains over 100 trillion bacteria! Some good, known as probiotics and some, not so good. Helicobacter pylori is a common “bad” bacteria found in the stomach of up to 35% of US adults. It is known to cause ulcers. New research has confirmed that nutritional supplementation, namely vitamins C, E , and B12 can increase the rate of eradication and have been shown to be deficient in those with h. pylori infection. 
  2. Yeast. A yeast, known as candida albicans, is a normal part of the GI tract, but can become problematic when overgrown. Studies have shown that after a course of antibiotics, candida can be overgrown in 50% of adults. Other cause for concern are sugar cravings or constant hunger. If the food you eat is being eaten up by hungry yeast, cravings and appetite can increase. 
  3. Stomach Acid. One of my favorite books, titled “Why Stomach Acid is Good For You,” explains in detail why you NEED stomach acid and long term acid blocking medicines may do more harm than good. If your not as excited about this book as I am, the summary is this: you need acid to breakdown proteins, absorb vitamins and minerals, and kill potentially pathogenic bacteria. Think immune system, brain and nervous system,  bone and muscle health. If there is a problem in any of these systems, surely the digestive power (ACID) of the stomach is worth a check. 
There are many ways to determine the causes of digestive imbalances. Let’s figure out why and correct underlying imbalances. 

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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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