Epigenetics

Health Clues in Your Tongue Part 2

Liz James · April 6, 2021 ·

👅Geographic tongue (erythema migrans) is a benign condition easily confused with lichen planus (an autoimmune disorder). A geographic tongue will be pink to reddish in color with slightly depressed lesions with irregular white or yellow borders. Geographic tongue usually has hereditary and environmental components (epigenetics!)….. meaning that environmental factors may intensify genetic expression.

Some of the more common environmental factors contributing to magnifying geographic tongue characteristics are endocrine disruptors (including birth control pills). Common endocrine disruptors include BPA (found in plastics), Phthalates (found in most mainstream beauty and skin care products), perchlorate (commonly found in tap water), PFC’s (used in nonstick cookware and fast food containers), and organophosphate pesticides.

Reading labels is a royal pain in the tushie, and all of these environmental toxins are not so nicely found everywhere despite having been banned in many other countries. Even if you are not predisposed to a geographic tongue, endocrine disruptors wreak havoc within all of us, and vigilance is needed. Scientists have pointed to all of these toxins as being key players in the more than 50% decline in fertility (for both men and women) in the USA in the last 30 years.
I am so thankful that Young Living has a full line of skin and body care products for both men and women, as well as gorgeous makeup (#SavvyMinerals) that is safe and free of hidden dangerous chemicals. I could stand on this toxic soapbox for hours, but let’s return to the tongue!

Geographic tongue is often a clue indicating a disposition towards psoriasis, reactive arthritis, allergies, and type I diabetes. That is not to say someone with a geographic tongue will definitely acquire one or more of these dis-ease states. Rather, it’s important to be aware of the possibility and do “all the things” to minimize the chance of acquiring a chronic autoimmune condition. Chronic stress can also magnify the characteristics of a geographic tongue.

👅A fissured tongue is notable for its deep furrows and cracks. Genetics and environmental factors also play a role. Tobacco use, and iron or B12 deficiency are common influencers of a fissured tongue. This particular tongue characteristic is also often seen in patients with psoriasis, Sjogren’s Syndrome, and other autoimmune disorders.

👅A swollen, inflamed tongue is sometimes seen in celiac disease (an autoimmune intolerance to gluten).
Did you notice a trend? Many of today’s tongue clues are tied to autoimmune disorders which ultimately are connected to gut health and environmental toxin exposure and it’s so very important to recognize clues and be proactive instead of reactive!

👅A “scalloped” tongue (ridges or teeth marks on the sides of the tongue) is indicative of fluid retention.

👅Tingling of the tongue may be a symptom of hypoglycemia.

👅 Tongue strength also reveals important clues! Is a person able to stick out his/her tongue, and if so, does it tremble? Remember, the tongue is a strong and very vascular bundle of muscles, much like the heart. Scientists have found that a quivering or trembling tongue is often indicative of a neurological disorder. A tongue quiver may also appear both before a stroke and as an aftermath of a vascular event.

👅As you look at your tongue for any tips or clues, make note of any unusual lumps, discoloration, or localized swelling or sores that do not go away, and contact your favorite health provider should you find something suspicious!
Caring for your tongue is similar to caring for your teeth. A fluoride free toothpaste (have you tried Young Living’s Thieves toothpaste?), oil pulling, and using a copper tongue scraper are all healthy ways to keep your tongue happy!
xoxo~ liz

#sharingiscaring
#healthcluesyoucanuse
#thetonguespeaks
#goodmedicine
#ThanksYL

Health Clues in Your Skin Part 5

Liz James · March 2, 2021 ·

* Although we could explore skin clues for the rest of the year, today we’ll wrap up dermal geographical points of interest. You’re getting the idea, right? The body, especially its “packaging” gives loads and loads of early clues as to the direction a body’s health may be headed. As with GPS, you can pay attention to the map and gain control over where you are heading, or you can ignore the map/clues……… and who knows where you may end up!

* Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a skin abnormality that results in velvety darker discolorations found most often in body folds and creases. The discoloration develops gradually over time and is most often seen across the back of the neck, armpits, and groin area. Although acanthosis nigricans is sometimes an inherited skin characteristic, the most common cause is diabetes and obesity. Endocrine abnormalities (thyroid) and certain cancers (adenocarcinomas) can also cause this type of skin change.

Chronic use of certain medications can also cause AN. Birth Control Pills and some hormone replacement therapies, steroids, high dose niacin, and a class of drugs used to treat HIV (protease inhibitors) are the most common offenders.

* Keratosis pilaris (KP) is an annoying but harmless skin condition which causes dry rough patches and tiny bumps often seen on the upper arms, thighs, cheeks, or buttocks. You may have heard it sometimes called “chicken skin”. An estimated 40% of the population has experienced it, and though often related to a Vitamin A deficiency (which is seen in roughly 51% of adults in the USA), KP is most often seen in people who regularly eat a very specific set of food triggers.
Who’d have thought that 51% of adults in the USA would have a Vitamin A deficiency?…. And yet we do. Vitamin A deficiency will ultimately affect the eyes in addition to the skin. Young Living has a super eye health supplement called Illumineyes which happens to be loaded with Vitamin A. #killtwobirdswithonestone

Those with KP would do best to avoid common skin irritants found in mainstream bath and body care products. Thankfully, Young Living has us covered here too! They make caring for ourselves so very easy! Have you tried any of the YL bath and shower gels and bar soaps? I’m especially fond of the Morning Start Shower Gel!
Food triggers are a serious influencer of keratosis pilaris. Thankfully, the foods that tend to trigger the outbreaks are 100% unnecessary and are generally void of quality nutritional value.

These would include:
🔥Refined white sugar
🔥High fructose corn syrup
🔥Trans fats (found predominantly in junk and fast foods)
🔥Refined carbs (white bread, pastries, soda, sugary breakfast cereals, etc)
🔥Artificial flavorings and colorings
🔥Gluten
🔥Commercial (homogenized/pasteurized) dairy

My feeling about KP is that, while annoying and harmless, it is an early red flag clue that bumpy waters may lay ahead if reparations are not in order. If food is a trigger, then the gut is compromised and showing early signs of stress. Don’t let this stress escalate…. It’s a slippery slope. The gut is at the root of all chronic disease throughout the body, not the least of which is digestive disorders themselves! YL’s Life 9 probiotic and a digestive enzyme (Essentialzyme, Essentialzymes-4, Allerzyme, or Detoxzyme) would be excellent supportive measures to get and keep your gut on track.

KP is a common skin condition among children too….. It’s far better to nip things in the bud than it is to let a situation escalate, even if it means going thru a season of junk food withdrawal. Good eating habits are perhaps one of the best gifts you can give a kiddo! Don’t forget that Young Living has Kidscents Mightypro probiotic packets and Mightyzyme chewable digestive enzymes for little tummies too!
Because KP is actually a buildup of dead tissue, a gentle but effective way to minimize the bumps is by using a “clean” DIY sugar scrub on the areas 3-4 times a week.
2 cups organic brown sugar
½ cup organic fractionated coconut oil
½ cup honey
5 drops of lavender essential oil

* Dandruff affects roughly 50% of the population and comes in a few common types. It too is more annoying than harmful, but clues are flying with each brushing of the hair!

Possible causes of dandruff include:
🔥Chronic inflammatory skin condition(s)…. Remember skin is a mirror of the gut!
🔥Allergy or sensitivity to something either applied or ingested (again, gut flag!)
🔥Yeast overgrowth (gut flag!)
🔥Omega 3 deficiency

Managing stress is key with any inflammatory condition. Stress reduction techniques include yoga, prayer, meditation, deep breathing, and utilizing your favorite calming essential oils.

A whopping 98% of the US population fails when it comes to optimal Omega 3’s in their diet. OmegaGize3 is loaded with what we need so as not to be a part of that epic fail statistic. Other clues of Omega 3 deficiencies may include dry hair, dry skin, depression, dry eyes, joint pain and stiffness.

* Thinning hair is something that happens gradually over time. While it is normal to lose around 100 hairs a day, hairs should also be growing back in as they are falling out. Very few people have the hair in their 50’s+ that they had in their 20’s. #aginghappens

Factors that affect thinning hair may include:
Genetics (family pattern hair loss)
Emotional & physical stress
Medical conditions (thyroid or hormone imbalance, and heart disorders)
Poor nutrition or poor absorption of nutrients
Hair products that make thinning worse
Decrease in collagen production as we age

—Ways to minimize thinning hair include eating nutrient dense foods (and utilizing the YL digestive enzymes mentioned above!), OmegaGize3 !!!, and supplemental collagen (internally).

Medications will always and forever have side effects. By their very definition they are a toxin, and many of them cause hair loss. Some of the top offenders include:
Certain acne meds
Certain antibiotics
Anti-coagulants (after about 3-4 months)
Statins (cholesterol)
Immunosuppressants (methotrexate, Enbrel, Humira etc)
Some anti seizure meds
Blood pressure meds (those whose generic name ends in -olol or -pril)
Mood stabilizer meds (including paxil, zoloft, amitriptyline, and prozac)
Weight loss meds (eg: phentermine)
Gout meds (allopurinol)
Many chemotherapy agents
Steroids (which are also immunosuppressants)
NSAIDS (ex: ibuprofen, naproxen )

I am not a doctor, and cannot diagnose, treat or cure you. I will however, continue to provide you with clues you can use to help you find your way back to the vibrant healthy person God designed you to be (or to support the vibrant health person you already are!). Which body part should we cover next as we continue to unearth clues?
xoxo~ liz

#caringissharing
#pharmacistandfarmacist
#applicationofknowledgeispower
#skininthegame
#goodmedicine
#goodmedicineisknowingthyselfwell
#yourskinisamirrortoyourhealth
#ThanksYL

Health Clues in Your Skin #3

Liz James · February 9, 2021 ·

“To know a person’s experiences from the past, examine the body now.” ~ Ancient Anon.

(Here are links to skin clues in this chapter of the ‘Becoming Your Own Health Detective’ series)
Skin Part I: https://goodmedicine.info/blog/health-clues-in-our-skin-1
Skin Part II: https://goodmedicine.info/blog/health-clues-in-your-skin-part-2

Dry itchy skin is common in the winter, so this is probably a fairly hot topic right about now thanks to the winter climate❄️. Often easier said than remembered…… drink more water if dry skin is your current nemesis! People tend to consume less water in the winter, so be vigilant and conscientious of how much water you are actively consuming daily. If plain water isn’t your cuppa, add in YL’s Vitality Drops (Regular….. Grapefruit Bergamot & Lavender Lemon or for a little extra pep in your step, Energy….. Jade Lemon & Spearmint Tangerine). YL’s Coconut Lime Body Butter is a great tool for combating winter dry skin from the outside, and its smell makes me feel like it’s summer on the beach with a little umbrella adorned drink in my hand!

Beyond dehydration, there is a wide variety of other reasons for dry skin. If fairly localized (or patchy) consider the skin care products you are using. Harsh chemicals in standard skincare products are commonplace, and your skin will recognize the difference! We are blessed by Young Living’s skin care line, Thieves products, and Savvy Minerals makeup and these “clean” products are important tools for healthy skin.

Contact dermatitis is another localized type of dry or irritated skin. As its name suggests, it is inflammation 🔥resulting from contact to a trigger irritant or allergen. It usually clears up on its own over time as long as exposure to the trigger is halted.
Eczema (aka: atopic dermatitis) is a catch-all term for a group of conditions that make skin inflamed🔥 or irritated….. A bigger chronic problem. An estimated 10% of people in the USA have some form of eczema. Research suggests that eczema falls into the autoimmune condition category, and may have a genetic component (as do many autoimmune disorders). The good news is that, thanks to epigenetics (our environment is an enormous influencer of gene expression), WE ALL have a great deal of control of our environment, and can do quite a lot to keep the problematic genes from expressing themselves.

The term eczema comes from the Greek word ‘ekzein’ which means ‘to boil over’….. In this case, it’s an external sign that trouble is brewing in the gut. Keeping skin inflammation🔥 down ultimately lies in healing your digestive tract and avoiding food triggers such as sugar, gluten, and processed foods….. remembering that we are all uniquely made and one man’s trigger may not be another’s! It can be tricky to identify your trigger, but stick with it… it typically takes 6-8 weeks of avoiding a trigger for true healing to reveal itself.

Autoimmune disorders are like cats…. You may start out with one🐈, but people rarely typically end with just one🐈🐈🐈🐈, so it’s best to get eczema under control before it “boils over” into other body system dysfunctions. Sulfurzyme, Life 9 probiotic, and Essentialzyme4 are just a few of the amazing supportive tools we have available to us as Young Living members! #nobodywantstocollectAutoimmunedisorders

“Sallow skin” is another rather broad term for a general unhealthy skin tone that tends towards dullish, yellowish, or pale. Do not misinterpret this. There are very healthy people with a natural bent towards pale or olive complexion…… but if you walk into an oncologist’s waiting room, you’ll immediately know what this skin tone looks like. Sallow skin is very identifiable, and there are varying degrees of “sallow”. Regardless of the degree, it is definitely a clue to perk up and make some health and habit changes!

Common causes of sallow skin include:
👉Smoking
👉Vitamin Deficiency (esp Vit A, Vit B12, Vit C, Vit D, Vit E) #haveyoutriedMasterFormula
👉Serious chronic stress (long term “heavy” emotional stress)
👉Lack of Sleep
👉Poor skin care
👉An underlying chronic health condition
👉Certain medications

Rosacea, a red or “ruddy” complexion is also a branch of the autoimmune family tree, so it behooves the bearer of chronic rosy cheeks to support their immune and digestive systems.

Hair in unwanted places is a sure sign of a hormonal imbalance for women. Traditionally, we’ve been led to believe that unwanted hair growth is likely related to excess testosterone, and that is only partially true. The bigger picture is that our hormonal system is a finely tuned instrument and it only takes a fraction of an imbalance to cause significant problems. The balance between circulating testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone is important, as is insulin sensitivity.
Insulin (a hormone too!) resistance is typically caused by years of a diet high in sugar and refined carbs. In the insulin resistant individual, the body is losing its ability to respond to glucose and to properly metabolize food. Someone who is insulin resistant will have a hard time balancing sex hormones without addressing the insulin resistance component first. Insulin resistance is often seen in tandem with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Diet and exercise are absolutely critical tools to use when addressing the root cause. Advanced labwork is also a key tool. Simply measuring basic glucose is not enough. You’ll also want HbA1c and fasting insulin tested (as well as a hormone panel). Find your favorite holistic or integrative health provider to help walk you thru hormone balancing, and listen to you body! Insulin resistance will ultimately lead to Insulin injections if not addressed properly, and nobody wants that! We farmgirls call this “fish or cut bait time.” As the CEO of your own body, important decisions need to be made for your VIP company’s health.

As a reminder: I am not a doctor, and cannot diagnose, treat, or offer to cure you. The goal of this series is to provide thought provoking clues so that you can manage your own health a little more effectively and efficiently! I CAN help you learn to navigate how to do this in a way that honors your unique body and life.
That said, tried and true beginner thru advanced steps geared to improved health will ALWAYS include:
✅Getting rid of toxins
✅Cleaning up your diet
✅Staying well hydrated with “clean” water
✅Exercising regularly
✅Getting 7-8 hr of sleep
✅Managing stress properly
✅Working on decreasing inflammation
Have a beautiful day friends!
xoxo~ liz

#caringissharing
#pharmacistandfarmacist
#applicationofknowledgeispower
#skininthegame
#goodmedicine
#goodmedicineisknowingthyselfwell
#yourskinisamirrortoyourhealth
#ThanksYL

German Neurologist Warns Against Wearing Facemasks

Liz James · October 26, 2020 ·

Dr. Margarite Griesz- Brisson MD, Phd is a consultant neurologist and neurophysiologist with an additional PhD in pharmacology. She has a special focus in neurotoxicology, environmental medicine, neuroregeneration, and neuroplasticity. Those credentials certainly got my attention!
This video and transcript is both fascinating and sobering. Here are just a couple of tidbits if you don’t have time to read or watch:
* The human brain is very sensitive to oxygen deprivation… there are acute warning signs (headaches, drowsiness, dizziness, issues with concentration and cognition, and slowing down of reaction time). Over time, with chronic deprivation, those symptoms will disappear as the body adapts to “new normal”, but the damage continues to occur whether you feel the symptoms or not.
* Neurodegenerative diseases take years to decades to develop…. Dr. Griesz-Brisson is predicting an EXPONENTIAL INCREASE in dementia cases in the next decade thanks to #mandatorymaskingup.
Please friends, the numbers don’t lie. You have a greater chance of dying from a lightning strike⚡️ than the ‘rona . I watched my dad walk thru dementia before he passed away 7 years ago, and it is a heartbreaking way to live out the sunset years of a life. Is your brain function worth the oxygen deprivation? Medicine looks at something called risk versus benefit. If the risk of developing dementia does increase exponentially with #maskingup, is it worth it?
xoxo~ liz
www.goodmedicine.info
#sharingiscaring
#braverycomesinallforms
#thetruthisoutthereregardingtherona
#boostyourimmunesysteminstead
#Idlovetohelpyouhaveahealthywinterseason
#ThanksYL

oxygen deprivation causes permanent neurological damage

Power to Heal – part 3

Liz James · September 19, 2020 ·

Part III: The power of the mind!
Early in my pharmacy career👩‍⚕️, I filled a prescription written by an older doctor. I was a young pharmacist, and incredulous at what I was about to fill…… sugar pills. No, they weren’t pills for diabetes. These were flat out simple white pills made of pressed sugar and probably some other inert ingredients. My older co-worker pharmacist told me this particular patient had been getting them for years to help with her anxiety. Oh really? I thought…. This gal must be crazy. (again, the young naive pharmacist waving her newbie flag). Turns out, she wasn’t crazy, and the doctor was brilliant.
The “placebo effect” isn’t a new thing. In fact, it’s been around since Methuselah. The mind is a powerful tool…. More effective than we give it credit for. Hundreds (if not thousands!) of studies confirm that our body responds to what we believe and what we tell ourselves…. Regardless if it’s that quiet mind chatter or if we outright talk to ourselves out loud…. our beliefs and our words (spoken or not) shape emotional and sensory perceptions. We truly ARE what we think we are.
Western medicine acknowledges this as a fact, but rarely utilizes it as a way to jump start the healing process. Migraines, pain, arthritis, asthma, allergies, ADHD, high blood pressure, IBS, and depression are just a few dis-eases that have been shown to be responsive to the placebo effect.
Placebo’s aren’t just in pill form either. A 2014 study in Oxford University looked at 53 trials that compared surgical intervention to placebo. In 74% (39 out of 53) of the trials, there was improvement in the placebo surgery.
The placebo effect works in multiple ways. In addition to the psychological aspect of “we are what we think we are”, “believing” also plays an active role within certain neurotransmitter functions…. Including the dopamine, opioid, serotonin, and endocannabinoid (think CBD) systems. In essence, merely believing that you will feel better activates the body into helping you do just that.
Our bodies WANT to heal, and perhaps our minds have just not been taught how to participate!
So if a certain degree of healing can occur simply by teaching someone how to use their own tools available to them (the power of self “prescribed” positive vibes….ie: the physics and biology of frequency!!), why aren’t more western medicine doctors AND insurance companies educating their patients about this? Certainly proper eating habits, hydration, and exercise should be added to this list as well. #chalkituptoprofit
The sad truth is this….. because we are an “insta” country, positivity, slow food, and exercise don’t generally fall into the “insta” bucket of western medicine. Positivity is cultivated by close friendships and/or family with a healthy portion of gratitude and kindness, and dare I say it… a faith that produces peace that passes all understanding. It is a learned character trait that ANYONE can master should they desire to do so.
Western medicine should be our safety net, not a quick fix.
Mind over matter… matters.
👉What’s next? Part IV…. Body, how do you heal thyself? 👈
Xoxo~ liz

If you’d like to learn more about the power of our minds, I highly suggest Dr. Carolyn Leaf’s books (Who Switched off my Brain and others!)
#knowbetterdobetter
#sharingiscaring
#powerinthinking
#ThanksYL