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 Women's Health

To Soy or Not to Soy

The debate about soy continues! With so many opinions, and depending mainly on the health condition, it’s hard to tell if the highly regarded source of protein is good or bad. 

Why is soy controversial in the first place? 

In the 1990’s the globe awoke to a massive trend in low fat, fat free, and anything that contained high levels of fats was instantly dismantled into a lower fat option as obesity was sharply on the rise. Experts began to take a very close look at soy as an alternative that could help combat obesity, heart disease, and certain cancers. They looked at the residents of Asia, and how healthy they were as a whole population – and instead of looking at diet in general, genetics, and overall quality of life – they thought to themselves ‘it must be soy!’

There began the soy craze – it was plastered everywhere as a healthy alternative to meat, and it started popping up everywhere. When researchers began to take a closer look, they received quite a shock when looking at some of the true facts about soy. 

Soy contains estrogen-like compounds called isoflavones which have mixed levels of evidence as to their benefit or harm, depending on the condition in question. 

So what are you supposed to do?

As we now have several decades of research to go off of, soy is proven to be able to aid in cancer prevention, aid in fertility, help with menopausal symptoms, and protect your heart. You should limit your soy intake if you currently take medication for your thyroid. Soy can interfere with the body’s absorption of thyroid medication. 

As with any food – you want to try to consume soy in the most nutritious and minimally processed way possible – tempeh, tofu, edamame, and miso are minimally processed examples. The fad of processed soy ‘meat textured’ products are loaded with harsh chemicals that can drastically reduce your health. Soy is a crop that is commonly genetically modified- so sticking to an “organic only” rule will keep GMOs out of your diet. 

The bottom line is this: consume only soy that is minimally processed, eat (maybe) a few times a month, and always organic.

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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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