Hormones

Duct Tape, Baling Wire & Cholesterol

Liz James · February 13, 2021 ·

What do cholesterol, baling wire and duct tape have in common? 👩‍🌾 #thelifeofafarmgirlpharmacist I know, weird question right? Here’s the thing…. I don’t know what we’d do around here on the farm without duct tape and baling wire when we need to patch something up in a pinch. (I can make one heck of a hoof bandage out of duct tape too!)
Cholesterol gets a bad rap 99% of the time because the real culprit is inflammation, yet cholesterol gets thrown under the tractor as the instigator. Cholesterol is just doing its job of patching up the super inflamed areas within the vascular system. Like a piece of duct tape, it will patch that spot right up. When you apply more and more and more cholesterol (aka duct tape) onto a chronically inflamed area in the vascular system, you will eventually end up with blockage. The cholesterol was just doing its job, while the inflammation was ignored. An inflamed vascular system is painless until you have that heart attack or stroke, which is why it’s important to have labwork done to find out what your inflammation markers look like. When you evaluate cholesterol at the same time, both can be addressed if needed.
And, just like duct tape, there is good cholesterol and bad cholesterol (have you ever used a really cheap “off brand” of duct tape 😬 #yougetwhatyoupayfor ). We typically think of good cholesterol as being HDL and “bad” cholesterol as being LDL, when in fact, there are different types and patterns of LDL that are actually really healthy. The insurance companies rarely allow your doctor to run those tests tho, so you are left thinking that all your LDL is bad.
There are other factors in play of course, but the jist of it all is this….. every single cell in our body requires cholesterol to function properly, especially when it comes to our nerves and hormones, and it behooves us (if we want to function well) to know the full truth of our cholesterol, our inflammation, and an important, but little recognized genetic marker called lipoprotein a.
The lab I work with is having a quick sale right now on all of these tests. If you are interested in finding out what the “inner workings of you” look like, I would be honored to help you walk thru and understand your results!
Here’s the link for the lab work, and you can also book a complementary 30 min consult on my website for a comprehensive walkthru of the results: https://yourlabwork.com/adv-cholesterol-panel-0221-afl/…
(note: testing available in all states except New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Rhode Island and Arizona)
xoxo~ liz

#sharingiscaring
#holistichealthcoaching
#pharmgirlwisdomfarmgirlwit
#Ilovecholesterolandyoushouldtoo
#ThanksYL
#labworkfortheknowledge
#theapplicationofknowledgeispowerandwisdom

Health Clues in Your Fingernails #4

Liz James · January 19, 2021 ·

Let’s wrap up nails today, shall we?

I am grouping “half and half” nails and “Terry’s” Nails into the same group, although they mean different things. Nails that exhibit lunulas that extends halfway up the nail (whiteness) while the upper half remains a darker tone are very specific for significant kidney malfunction. Terry’s nails look similar to “half and half nails” except that there will be a reddish brown band separating the extended lunula from the upper portion of the finger nail. Terry’s nails are associated with diabetes, liver dysfunction, hyperthyroidism, or congestive heart failure. In both cases, it’s time to have a medical professional involved and extensive lab work if both have not happened already!

Brittle nails are more easily managed on your own! Healthy nails require a regular diet of quality proteins, healthy fats, minerals and water. The protein and minerals (including trace minerals) add strength to your nails. Fatty acids and water lubricate nails and allow for a degree of flexibility. Dry skin and hair are additional signs that fatty acids are undersupplied in your diet. (This is where I personally would be reaching for OmegaGize or MindWise on a daily basis and making sure I stay well hydrated!).

Side note: if you are doing “all the things” to take care of your nails properly and you eat in a healthy manner, my next health clue would be to assess digestion. It will only be helpful to add in EssentialZyme4, EssentialZyme, AllerZyme, or DetoxZyme to maximize the absorption of the nutrients you ingest. Enzymes are our friends and they facilitate countless processes within our body.

Yellow nails….. But first!……rule out other reasons nails may be yellow tinged. Cigarette smoking or staining from fingernail polish/remover needs to be taken into consideration. True yellow nails may reflect impaired lymphatic drainage, low albumin levels, chronic sinusitis, an immunodeficiency or Reynaud’s disease. We should all want to support our lymphatic system regardless of nail color (Do you add a few drops of YL’s Lemon Vitality EO to your water on a daily basis?) Lymphatic massage, regular exercise and deep diaphragm breathing #ontheregular are additional ways to keep the lymphatic system moving!
Immune supportive measures (again, something we should all be doing as second nature! ) might include ImmuPro, ImmuPower (EO), Thieves on the feet, ditching as much daily exposure to toxins as possible, plenty of sleep, controlling stress, and eating in a healthy manner. Thankfully, Young Living has given us so many tools to help in all of these categories!

Raynaud’s is a condition which causes reduced blood flow to fingers and sometimes toes. Support of the circulatory system may be something to consider, in addition to increasing oxygenation opportunities within the circulatory system. Our favorite beverage, NingXia Red comes to mind as a supportive measure, as does CardioGize. Single oils that support a healthy blood flow include (but are not limited to) ginger, cypress, eucalyptus, coriander, wintergreen, juniper, black pepper, lavender, neroli, and cumin.

Beau’s lines are a visible indented line that goes from side to side on the nail. It actually looks like crosswise bumps and dips on the nails. Beau’s lines are usually associated with physical trauma (if just on one nail), parasitic infections, malnutrition (you may surprised that malnutrition is not an uncommon disorder here in the USA), zinc or iron deficiencies, Raynaud’s, or illnesses associated with high fevers. I would caution you also not to discount parasitic infections….. They are a very very common problem even in first world countries, and they are underdiagnosed in traditional medicine. Do a little digging on your own and know that Young Living has given us very functional tools for supporting an inhospitable environment for these little critters (Parafree and DiGize come to mind). I personally do a parasite cleanse 3-4 times a year!

Over the last 4 weeks you’ve gotten some great “hands on” clues to help get yourself situated as to which oils and supplements may best serve you and your body. Stay tuned…. Because we’re travelling to a new region next week as we continue to search for more revealing clues!
As always, give me a shout if you’d like to learn more about this topic or the mentioned products!
xoxo~ liz

#caringissharing
#applicationofknowledgeispower
#keepaneyeonyourfingernails
#goodmedicine
#goodmedicineisknowingthyselfwell
#ThanksYL

Labwork You Order

Liz James · January 3, 2021 ·

Hey friends! The labwork analysis company I am affiliated with has many packages already put together, or they have individual tests.

Here’s what’s included in one of the packages I recommend quite often….

Health data in 6 categories of overall health: 👇
1. Inflammation ( hs-CRP and Serum Ferritin)
2. Metabolism (fasting glucose and HbA1c)
3. Cholesterol
4. Hormones (specifically expanded thyroid panel and AM cortisol)
5. Nutrients (Vitamin D, Iron and TIBC, and Vit B12)…. knowing your D levels is esp important right now as it’s much harder to contract covid if your D levels are “high normal”. Knowing these numbers will allow you to supplement properly.
6. Core Tests (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel and Complete Blood Count)

FAQ:
* The labwork is ordered online (just like you would order anything else on line. Super easy!). You will get your labwork orders emailed to you, and then you will take the orders to your local Quest Diagnostics and they will draw your blood. The results will be emailed directly to you.
* This can be done without seeing a doctor in all states with the exception of: New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Rhode Island, and Arizona.

I would be happy to evaluate your labwork for you if you choose to order using the link below. I do this as part of my health coaching on a very regular basis. The first 30 minute coaching call is complimentary… plenty of time to evaluate and discuss your labwork results. Please message me for details.

xoxo~ liz

https://yourlabwork.com/2021-resolution-lab-offer-afl/?=929

Although these tests would not be covered thru insurance, HSA and FSA can usually be used. I can walk you thru that process if needed. Sadly, most insurance companies won’t pay for many of these tests anyway until you are already diagnosed with a dis-ease. It’s very backwards…. most times dis-eases can be averted thru early recognition of sub-clinical signs and symptoms (many of which are found in labwork such as this!)… and then the dis-ease itself can be avoided!

#knowbetterdobetter
#sharingiscaring
#labworkisgoodmedicine
#whatyoudontknowCANhurtyou
#goodmedicine

labwork link

Finding Answers to your own Health Problems

Liz James · December 28, 2020 ·

Last week, I wrote about all the fascinating information you may learn from looking at the clues embedded (literally) in the nether regions of fingernails. You can find that post here if you need to catch up: https://goodmedicine.info/blog/health-clues-you-can-use-1

A clue means next to nothing if it is singular….. You’ll need at least a few clues if you are to be sure you are headed down the right path.

Since we are only in the embryonic stages of becoming your own health detective, here are a few quick self assessment tools every good health detective needs:
*Honesty: If you are to be your own health detective, it’s important to acknowledge lifestyle choices and known consequences. The “it won’t happen to me” mindset will never work….nor will the hypochondriac’s lament. If you are going to do the detective work, be honest with yourself……using your clues to improve your wellness quotient thru diet, lifestyle changes and using supplements (and/or YL essential oils) when you suspect support is needed will go a long way to turning back the physiological clock.

*Labwork: Every adult should have bloodwork done annually (more often if there is a visible problem). Even the uninsured or “undoctored” can get bloodwork done without seeing a doctor (message me if you’d like help doing this). I’ll cover what I consider “essential” labwork in a future post, so at the very least you’ll know what labs to request your doctor run for you.

*One clue does not make a dis-ease or a diagnosis. #clustercluesforthewin

*How do you feel? Think this over. Do you feel great most days? If your answer hovers more around the “meh” answer, here’s where you’ll want to start. There are many many posts within this group that addresses supportive measures for most of these topics:
👉Do you get enough sleep?
👉Do you exercise vigorously and regularly?
👉Do you know your recent blood pressure and blood sugar numbers?
👉Do you have a “healthy” bowel movement daily?
👉Do you eat in a healthy manner?
👉Do you have a close set of friends, participate in life fully, attend church?
👉Do you laugh often and enjoy life?
👉Do you avoid vices? (smoking and regular alcohol consumption especially)

*Consider keeping a health journal. Write down your clues as you find them. This will be very helpful to you as you learn how to be a better CEO of Y.O.U Incorporated in 2021, and will also help you decide which supplements or oils might need to be on your monthly “must haves” for 2021.

*Know your limits. If you have found several clues pointing to a significant health issue, please contact your preferred health professional. Naturopaths, Integrative medicine doctors, and functional medicine doctors are my personal first choice as they tend to look beyond the symptoms and address the root cause.

Last week I read several comments when discussing less than prominent lunula….. Fewer than 8 prominent lunula may be an indication of low cellular oxygen, poor circulation, a chronically weakened immune system, a possible thyroid disorder, or a Vitamin B12 Deficiency. Lots of possibilities, right? If you didn’t know where to start (since this is a first clue), what daily Young Living supplement may be supportive of most of these conditions? (Hint: It’s red ).
xoxo~liz

#sharingiscaring
#applicationofknowledgeispower
#goodmedicine
#ThanksYL
#NingXiaRedChallenge2021
#becomingyourownhealthdetective

Health Clues in Your Fingernails #1

Liz James · December 22, 2020 ·

Learning to “read” your own body is a skill that everyone learned to some degree in days gone by….. much like tracking an animal🐾, interpreting weather signs , or “reading” 🌱 plants in a forest. Failure to do any of these things well could have cost you your life. Now we tend to rely on professionals (or electronics) to work exclusively on our behalf. There are many problems to simply handing over life skills to someone else to manage, not the least of which is personal vulnerability….. I mean, who has a paper map in their car?… and what would happen if your GPS suddenly shut down?

When we wait for someone else to “find” the problem, a slippery slope may result. Just like having low air in a tire, it’s so much easier to air the tire back up and identify and fix the cause of the low tire pressure, than it is to drive on it until it’s flat and damaged and has to be completely replaced (expensive!!) by a professional.

Throughout 2021, I’ll be unpacking “health clues you can use” to help you decide which supplements and essential oils may warrant further investigation or perhaps which lifestyle changes your body may benefit from. #wearealluniquelymade

Today, let’s unpack the lunula… finger by finger!
The entire body is a storehouse of clues….. Especially hands and nails! Fingernails are a snapshot of the last 6 months of a person’s health….. The lunula is the crescent shaped area at the base of your fingernails… and that’s the only part of the fingernail I’m talking about today. Ideally, you want 8 of your 10 fingernails to have prominent lunula. Fewer than 8 prominent lunulas on the fingernails may be an indication of low cellular oxygen or poor circulation overall.

Lunula size also differs among different ethnic groups, and they are commonly absent on children. Keeping an eye on “normal” within your individual body is what’s important. Changes in size of the lunula are ultimately what should raise a hairy eyebrow. Overall, if the lunulas grow in size to cover more than ⅓ of the nail bed, if may indicate an ongoing endocrine disorder or cardiovascular issue. If the lunulas have almost disappeared , it may indicate low blood pressure, a weakened immune system, thyroid gland disorder or a vitamin (B12) deficiency.

The overall color of the lunulas are important too (taking into consideration…. Did you squish it with a hammer recently?!?😣)

Gray: severe fatigue, digestion disorders, and possible nutrient deficiencies
White: healthy and natural. Should be several shades lighter than skin tone.
Purple: poor circulation and lack of oxygen.
Pink: may indicate lower levels of physical activity and lung function
Black: a common symptom of heavy metal poisoning
Half pink/ Half white accompanied by a thinner darker band of color: possible kidney dis-ease.

Moving on to each finger……
Pinky Finger: the lunula should be nearly invisible. Its appearance may be an indication of the function of small intestines, kidneys, and heart.
Ring Finger: the lunula should be prominent, and may be related to the health of the reproductive and lymphatic systems, and to a lesser extent, the digestive system.
Middle Finger: should also be prominent, and may be related to the health of your brain and vascular system. If your lunula is absent on this finger, it may indicate a potential issue with blood vessels or higher blood pressure.
Index Finger: should also be prominent. If it is tiny or nearly gone, it may indicate issues with your intestine or pancreas (get your glucose checked! Home meters are very inexpensive and do not require a prescription). A tiny or absent lunula on this finger may also indicate a chronic (not acute) upper respiratory dis-ease.
Thumb: should also be prominent, but not more than 25% of your nail bed. It may be an indication of the workings of the lung and spleen.

Matthew 24:28 contains an interesting proverb. “For wherever the carcass is, there will be vultures gathered.” There is a wise lesson here. Seeing one clue does not mean much….. until you put them together with many clues (the difference between one vulture flying over head vs several circling). Clue gathering is a talent, but it’s one we can ALL cultivate…. After all, our ancestors did it with little to no formal education!
Let’s have some fun………knowing what your lunulas just “told” you, how did what they say align with what you already know about your body? AND, which YL essential oils or supplements is your body asking for based upon these clues?
xoxo~ liz

If you’d like more information in an individualized coaching format, 2021 is the year to do it!

#caringissharing
#applicationofknowledgeispower
#goodmedicine
#goodmedicineisknowingthyselfwell
#ThanksYL
PS: Do not interpret this post as medical advice…. My intention is not to diagnose, treat, or cure anyone…. only to raise awareness that you are the lone CEO of your body, and you can easily gather the tools to build a healthier life! Consider making 2021 your year to learn to read the roadmap that is your body!