Preventive Health & Root-Cause Medicine

What does your pee say about your health? Part I

Have you noticed that body fluids often take center stage in a crime scene? The same is true in a health detective scenario.  A urinalysis may reveal such things as hyperglycemia, diabetes, kidney stones, blood in the urine, or a bacterial infection.  Even without an official set of eyeballs and a urinalysis machine, the average Joe (or Jill) can still glean much from examining their “pee life”. 

 *Urine is a pretty interesting body fluid. As the body breaks down amino acids, ammonia (a potent toxin) is left over as waste. Ammonia is then broken down into urea (predominately by the liver), combined with water, and then flushed out of the body through the kidneys and bladder.

 *Urine is 95% water & 5% urea combined with other solids. Those “other solids” typically contain over 3000 chemical compounds which result from daily exposure ……ie: what we eat or drink, drug byproducts, bacterial waste, household chemicals, skin care products, pollution, work related toxins, etc. As you might imagine, chronic exposure to some of these more nefarious compounds can cause some unpleasant effects on the kidneys and bladder over time. Thankfully, we have Young Living clean skincare, the Savvy makeup line, and the Thieves Household Cleaner which can eliminate many routes of daily toxin exposure. 

 *Urine color is an easy clue to observe. Ideally, urine should be a “pale lemonade” color. If the yellow color is any darker than this, it is usually a sign of dehydration. The more dehydrated a person is, the darker yellow the urine will be. Dehydration can be acute or chronic (often seen in the elderly), and can easily lead to brain fog, headaches, dizziness and  constipation. Considering an estimated 75% of the USA population is chronically dehydrated, this may be a VERY IMPORTANT CLUE to monitor regularly.

 *Red or pink urine may be a clue that there is blood in urine (Time to involve a health professional). Bear in mind, foods such as beets, blackberries, and rhubarb may turn urine pink in some people!

 *Urine which has a brownish to orangish tinge may also reflect dehydration or an underlying liver condition. (Hint: if urine is dark and stools are light in color, the liver is likely struggling). There is a serious medical condition called rhabdomyolysis that can also cause this color change. Rhabo is caused by muscle breakdown in the body, and can happen as a result of a traumatic event, over exertion, or as a possible side effect from statins (a class of cholesterol lowering medications) and some of the newer vaccines. A medication called phenazopyridine will usually turn urine reddish orange as a non harmful side effect.

 *Cloudy urine is often a sign of an impending urinary tract infection or kidney stones.

 *Foaming or “fizzy” urine may indicate excess protein in the diet. If this type of urine is a regular occurrence, it may be time to bring it to the attention of your favorite healthcare professional.

If you’d like to show your 💛kidneys and bladder💛 a little extra love, let me introduce you to Young Living’s K&B liquid supplement. Those who know and use K&B love her well and do not want to imagine life without her!

*NingXia Red is another way to shower some serious love on your 💛kidneys and bladder💛 (as well as the rest of your body). 

See you next week…. We’ll chat about the clues behind urine odor and frequent trips to the bathroom.
xoxo~ liz

#sharingiscaring
#goodmedicine
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#ThanksYL

Before diving into a deeper discussion of all the clues our eyes give us, I wanted to issue a call to action. ⏰Do you have an ophthalmologist (MD) or doctor of Optometry (OD) that you see annually? Remember that the application of knowledge is not only power… it is also where wisdom is born. As is the case with regular lab work (which we will discuss at some point!), having professional insight into the health of your sight organs 👀provides invaluable clues to help you manage the rest of your body, thereby perhaps avoiding consequences later in life. When you go to your appointments, do not be shy about asking questions and taking notes! Additionally, any abrupt changes in the eyes should warrant an ASAP trip to your eye professional.  If you have a relationship with yours, they will be more likely to see you quickly in cases of urgent need. 

Secondly, be aware that any💊 medication 💊that affects neurological function may also affect vision and cause changes throughout the eye, including the cornea, optic nerve, lens, macula and retina. Some of these changes may be gradual or nearly instant and some may be temporary while others can lead to permanent vision impairment. I won’t be able to list all the medications because there are so many! If you suspect a medication may be partially responsible for an eye disturbance, do some digging and then talk to your doctor.

With that…. Let’s start unpacking more clues! 
👀The appearance of slightly bulging eyes is a significant clue for a possible overactive thyroid  that is also called Graves disease. Frequently, this disorder is ignited by exposure to environmental toxins in the home, workplace or in the water. Latent viruses such as Epstein Barr have also been implicated in playing a role in developing a chronically inflamed thyroid (leading to either hyper or hypo thyroid manifestation).
👀Another easy to spot clue from the peepers is a gray or whitish ring that is clearly visible around the cornea. The cornea is the lens that covers the “colored” part of the eyeball. Evidence of this ring usually indicates unhealthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels and is a marker for increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
👀Droopy eyelids (ptosis) may be a be a genetic issue, especially if present at birth.

Eyelids that become droopy are the clue for this discussion. Medical conditions that can lead to droopy eyelids include:
👉Injury/trauma to head or eye
👉Decreased blood flow to either the eye or the area of the brain controlling the eye (a droopy eye may be an early stroke sign)
👉Diabetes. Remember that diabetes quietly becomes a vascular disease if not controlled.
👉Headache syndromes. (a visible manifestation of the headache)
👉Neuromuscular conditions 
👉Myasthenia gravis. A droopy eyelid is often the first symptom of this autoimmune disease that is most commonly seen in people over the age of 50. It may be accompanied by occasional double vision, a hoarse voice, or weakness in the arms and legs.
👀Optic neuropathy simply means damage, disease, or dysfunction of the optic nerve. It may be caused by toxin exposure, infection,  an autoimmune disorder, chronic inflammation, trauma, glaucoma, insufficient blood flow to the optic nerve, or use of certain medications including those used for erectile dysfunction and amiodarone, a medication used to control heart rhythm. Symptoms of optic neuropathy include pain in the face or eye socket, pain inside the eye, loss of peripheral vision,  or sudden or gradual vision loss. Ophthalmologists and OD’s can detect  inflammation of the optic nerve on routine eye exams. #makeanannualeyeappointment 
👀Eyes that are painful, red and sensitive to light gives a vast set of possibilities. Given how “screen focused” our culture is, know that computer eye syndrome is a real thing! Give yourself regular breaks from screen time, and use blue light filter glasses when you are spending hours at a time in front of a computer or phone screen. Unmanaged, this can lead to eye strain or dry eyes. Wearing contact lenses for too long may have a similar effect.
👀If screens are not your eyes source of issue, other causes may need to be investigated. Chronic redness in the sclera (the white part of the eye) is linked to systemic inflammation throughout the entire body, and indicate a possible autoimmune disorder (ex: RA, psoriasis,  or ankylosing spondylitis). If light sensitivity is accompanied by “halos” around light sources, get checked for glaucoma!
👀If your eyes sting, burn, or feel “gritty”, chances are, you are experiencing dry eyes. In fact, we have all probably had brief episodes of dry eyes after riding a bike, spent too much time in front of a computer,  lived in an area with dry winter heat, or been on a plane for many hours in low humidity recirculated air. Chronic dry eyes have been linked to an autoimmune disorder called Sjogren’s syndrome, thyroid disorders, Vitamin A deficiency, or taking certain medications known to cause dry eyes as a side effect. 💊Antidepressants, antihistamines, decongestants, beta blockers (heart/blood pressure), certain antibiotics, ibuprofen, birth control pills, and meds for bladder control💊 are some of the more common culprits.
👀Rapid onset eye inflammation / sensitivity is often a clue indicating infection or inflammation.
👀Blurred vision is another clue to take seriously. While the clue may be manifesting as an inconvenient or annoying visual impairment, dangerously high blood pressure or high blood sugar are causing problems quietly elsewhere in the body. An estimated 73% of diabetic patients have bouts of blurred vision. High blood sugar causes the lens within the eye to swell, causing the blurring. Certain medications may also contribute to blurred vision:
💊Alendronate (for osteoporosis/ osteopenia)
💊COX-2 inhibitors such as Celebrex and Mobic (for pain and inflammation)
💊Acetaminophen, ranitidine (stomach acid), and lovastatin (cholesterol) are just three very common medications that also carry warnings about their potential to blur vision.
👀Red itchy “allergy” eyes may indeed be allergy related. However, the same symptoms also occur in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Approximately 1.3 million Americans have this autoimmune disorder. The immune system begins attacking body tissue, and its focus is generally tissue heavily laden in collagen. The sclera (the white part of the eye) and the cornea are made up almost entirely of collagen, and the inflammation there mimics allergen exposure.
👀An eye twitch can be ever so bothersome, yet it’s an important clue too. Check yourself…. They are generally related to fatigue or stress. It may be time to rest and recover! Chronic eye twitching should signal a visit to a health professional as it can be an early sign of a neurological disorder.
👀Yellowed eyes are a sign that the liver is struggling… a classic sign of jaundice. This is another ASAP health professional moment. 
👀“Floaters” are gray or black specks, strings or cobwebs that appear in vision. If you suddenly notice floaters, contact your eye specialist immediately. Certain medications are known to cause floaters. 💊, diphenhydramine (antihistamine), diltiazem (blood pressure), amitriptyline (mood), and alprazolam(anxiety)💊 are among those known to cause this. 

As I write, I’m reminded again of the impact that chronic toxin exposure has on our bodies… all the way up to our eyeballs! The liver and other detoxifying organs do their level best to keep us healthy, but they are not miracle workers. We have to claim ownership and do our part by avoiding toxins wherever possible by making a conscious effort to exercise, drink plenty of clean water, get plenty of sleep, manage our stress, and eat healthy clean food. So much medication 💊(a class of toxins all its own) may be avoided by caring for ourselves this way.

What conscious decisions did you make today  that decreased your toxin load?🙌 I chose to use YL body care products in the shower this morning and YL Cinnafresh deodorant before I put my clothes👖👕 on. I brushed my teeth with fluoride free YL Thieves Aromabright toothpaste, and bypassed an impending headache by using peppermint 🌿on the roof of my mouth. I finished out my time in the bathroom by avoiding some of the worst toxins☠️ in our homes….. standard American cosmetics. The Savvy Minerals makeup line is not only gorgeous and long lasting, it is liver friendly too! 

You are worth taking care of!
Thanks for making it easy Young Living! 
xoxo~ liz

#sharingiscaring
#supportyourlocalpeepers
#goodmedicine
#goodmedicineisproactiveinsteadofreactive
#thanksYL

“People’s eyes tell me more than their mouths.” 

Eye diseases affect millions of people in the USA. Just like the age old, “Which came first?” question about the chicken🐔 and the egg🐣, we might also want to ask the question about diseases of the eyes. You see (pun intended😁!), diseases of the body may first present themselves as clues within the peepers or eye diseases may result because of dysfunctions within the body… Some of these clues discussed over the next few weeks will be easy to spot by looking in the mirror, while others may require help from a friend, and others may only be seen by your favorite eye care professional.

👀According to the National Eye Institute, the eye blood vessels (those we can see with our naked eye and those that a professional can see) often reflect the condition of brain blood vessels. Blood vessels in the eyes are similar in size, structure, and function to those found in the brain. Thus, inflamed or damaged vessels within the eye are often a predictor of future dementia, cardiovascular disease or stroke. It is very important to listen and make a point of understanding any abnormality your ophthalmologist may point out. Early intervention may make a difference between vision and blindness. Other clues within the eyes are often tied to disorders and dysfunctions occurring in the body. Additionally, many medications can lead to secondary eye diseases…. another reason  to avoid a polypharmacy lifestyle whenever possible! 
Cataracts, glaucoma, Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy are  clues we’ll start with, as they are extremely common eye diseases in the United States, affecting millions  and millions of people predominantly over the age of 40. You’ll notice in our discussion that the damage likely began occurring many years earlier! #cluesyoucanuse

👀Cataracts affect more than 22 million Americans 40 years and older. Those who will be predisposed to cataracts will have a history of:
🔎Diabetes
🔎Long term steroid use
🔎Smoking
🔎Excessive alcohol intake
🔎Radiation treatment or exposure to the upper body
🔎Blood pressure medications (beta blockers and ACE inhibitors)
🔎Photosensitivity causing medications that increase sensitivity of sunlight to the eyes (BCP’s, antihistamines, antidepressants, diabetes meds, NSAIDS are a few known to do this). Wear sunglasses😎 if you are on these meds! 
🔎Living in an area with high air pollution. Let’s park here for just a second. We tend to think of air pollution as being something outdoors, generated by someone else. Yet in standard American households, poor air quality is inadvertently self induced with synthetic fragrance plug in’s, toxic cleaners, candles, aerosolized deodorants and hair sprays, and sprayed toxic air fresheners. Please do not do this to yourself or your family. If you haven’t yet started, begin switching over to 100% natural alternatives beginning with Thieves Household Cleaner and a diffuser with a wide variety of Young Living clean fresh scents. Ya’ll, take a moment and share your favorite fall/winter diffuser recipes in the comments!

👀Glaucoma will be most prevalent in those who have a history of:
🔎Long term steroid use
🔎Medications used in the treatment of Parkinsons, epilepsy, depression, allergies,  and prostate disorders. Additionally, NSAIDS, and antipsychotics have also been implicated. Birth Control Pills have been under close scrutiny in the last decade as possible  purveyors of glaucoma predisposition. Eyes have estrogen receptors within them, and many scientists believe that healthy natural estrogen levels have a protective effect on the retina.  Eye disease is often insidious and damage to the optic nerve is slow. A large study released in 2011 found that women who had used birth control pills for more than 5 years had a 25% increase in their glaucoma risk. 
🔎Genetics, trauma, or injury

👀Macular Degeneration is another sneaky eye disorder. Early diagnosis is usually the result of an attentive eye care professional who will recognize the telltale signs under the retina. There are some outward early clues for the potential ocularly challenged. Difficulty in judging distance when walking (making it harder to keep your balance) and slightly blurred central vision are two clues that indicate a visit to an ophthalmologist would be appropriate. 🔎Prescription medications that may predispose someone to Macular Degeneration include beta blockers and certain other blood pressure medications. Genetics also tends to play a part. That said, remember that 90% of gene expression is environmental (epigenetics) and we have much control over our environment! 

👀Diabetic retinopathy is a complication usually resulting from poorly managed blood sugar. The longer blood sugar is poorly controlled, the greater the likelihood that this condition will develop. Symptoms are gradual (as with most chronic eye diseases), and include spots or “floaters” in vision, blurred vision, fluctuating vision impairment, dark or empty areas of vision, and ultimately vision loss.  Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness between the ages of 20-74 years old. It is no small problem, and affects an estimated 4 million people every year.
If you’ve identified yourself in any of these possible scenarios, now’s the time to add  IlluminEyes to your Young Living shopping cart on the regular. We have much to talk about in the way of eye health clues and supportive measures to counter balance the stumbling blocks we’ve all encountered in our walk through life. Eyes require certain nutrients…. Vitamins A, C, E, Lutein, and Zeaxanthin are key to optimal eye health, and IlluminEyes contains all of these. It also contains dried Wolfberry fruit powder which has a unique type of zeaxanthin that naturally boosts blood levels 2-5x higher than sources acquired elsewhere. Good stuff!

Support your eyes proactively. Once the damage is done, it’s often difficult (or impossible) to reverse. See you next week with more eye clues!
xoxo~ liz 

#sharingiscaring
#supportyourlocalpeepers
#goodmedicine
#goodmedicineisproactiveinsteadofreactive
#thanksYL
🔎👀

‘Tis the season to chat about zinc (or lack thereof!). Frankly, we should have had this discussion two years ago…..better late than never, right? First, take a close look at the clues I dropped in the graphic, and then hop back here to tackle this very important topic!

Approximately 25-33% of the population is deficient in zinc. The World Health Organization says zinc deficiency is the 5th leading life-threatening factor in the world, especially in 57% of the elderly population.  Kind of a big deal for a micronutrient! At least 16% of all deep respiratory infections are related to a zinc deficiency (impaired taste and smell, fever, cough, sore throat, generalized weakness, pain and achy limbs, runny nose, and even occasionally…. diarrhea😬 are all symptoms of deficiency btw).

Why? Zinc is one of the white hat good guys . It has over 200 known roles in body function (just take a look again at some of the clues related to low zinc), and is a key player in our immune system:
✅Adequate zinc is essential for preventing viral entry and also supports appropriate viral response in host cells.
✅Adequate zinc supports ciliary strength and action in the lungs. These are tiny hairlike structures in the lungs that help prevent mucus buildup.
✅Adequate zinc levels directly inhibit viral replication.
✅Adequate zinc levels have a supportive role in balancing immune response during a dis-ease process. 

Additionally, 🔥zinc deficiency🔥 has been shown to play a role in:
🔥Type I Diabetes
🔥Rheumatoid Arthritis
🔥Cancer
🔥Neurodegenerative diseases
🔥Depression
🔥Malaria
🔥HIV
🔥Tuberculosis
🔥Measles
🔥Pneumonia
🔥Hormone imbalance

Zinc Factoids: 
👉Excess is not stored in the body. Intake must occur daily. 
👉Both deficiency and excess can negatively impact immune system function. This is but one reason to have thorough blood work run by a healthcare professional who will take the time to do a complete analysis. 
👉Zinc “overload” is rare, but can certainly happen. When it does, it is usually  due to a copper deficiency or zinc:copper ratio imbalance. (again, labwork!)

How did we become a world of zinc deficient people? Toxins and poor farming practices. Overworked soil and fertilizers containing too much phosphorus (which binds zinc) are to blame. Zinc cannot enter into the plants and then fails to make it into the food chain.

High toxin☠️exposure is also to blame. Just one more excellent reason to kick your known household toxins to the curb (toxins typically found in mainstream cleaning products, personal care items, processed foods and beverages, makeup etc).

Thankfully, we have solutions in place🙌 with Young Living Thieves Household Cleaner, a wonderful skincare line, and even our amazing YL Savvy Makeup collection. Kicking toxins to the curb is so easy knowing that pure unadulterated excellence is waiting to replace them!

Other causes of zinc deficiency:
🔥Chronic stress (depletes zinc rapidly)
🔥A high copper to zinc ratio
🔥Leaky gut and digestive disorders (zinc deficiency is both cause and effect!)
🔥Medication usage: ACE inhibitors (blood pressure), antacids and proton pump inhibitors, glucophage, beta blockers (blood pressure), birth control pills, corticosteroids, diuretics, NSAIDS, and statins are among those known to deplete zinc.

The USDA recommended daily allowance for zinc is 10-12 mg/day, but this does not account for the amount of toxins a person may be regularly exposed to. Many functional medicine doctors suggest that optimal daily zinc should be 20-40mg/day. 

Foods high in zinc include pumpkin seeds, grass fed dairy (ex: Kerrygold Butter) , cashews, almonds, spinach, asparagus, dark chocolate, grass fed meat, salmon, mushrooms, and turkey.

Thankfully, we also have several Young Living Supplements containing zinc to supplement what we may get from food:
*Organic dried Wolfberries (1.8mg per 100gms)
* Immupro chewable tablets (5mg/tablet)
*Super B (3mg/2 tablets)
*Powergize (5mg / capsule)
*Balance Complete (4mg/ serving)
*AminoWise (2.1mg/ serving)
*Master Formula (15mg/packet) 
*MegaCal (1mg/serving)
*MightyVites (for the littles….. 1.1mg/tablet) 
*Mineral Essence (contains Zinc and 61 other important trace minerals)
*NingXia Red (contains zinc by virtue of its ingredients. I was unable to determine how much zinc it has per serving)

It’s a good idea to achieve the RDA minimum requirements on a daily basis (especially since zinc is not stored in the body!). My personal preference is to try to achieve the optimal recommendations by way of the foods I eat, and then supplementing with a variety of what is available to us with a Young Living membership. Immupro and Master Formula are two of my faves!   In the event of illness, a larger mg/day may be needed.

Finally, there is a test you can do at home. It’s called a zinc tally/challenge (you can find more info on this online). It is an oral “taste test”. What you taste (no or weak taste versus a strong metallic taste) is an additional clue for the “health” of your zinc levels. 

As always, do your research, and consult your favorite healthcare professional who should be well versed in analyzing blood work if you suspect you may have a zinc deficiency.
xoxo~ liz

#sharingiscaring
#ThanksYL
#watchyourzinc
#Goodmedicine
(PS: if you do not have a health care professional, I do offer blood work analysis)

“Posture affects and moderates every physiologic function from breathing to hormonal production. Spinal pain, headache, mood, blood pressure, pulse and lung capacity are among the functions most easily influenced by posture.” ~ American Journal of Pain Management 1994, 4:36-39

*Proper posture will always be a work in progress with “life” and gravity working against the goal. Beginning at a very young age, poor posture can lead to abnormal growth of the spine which leads to increased strain on muscles, ligaments, joints, and bones, and will lead to joint degeneration and spinal arthritis later in life.

Life goes on. Physical trauma in the form of accidents or injuries occur. Childbirth happens. We are now the most sedentary humans in all of history. Sitting with poor posture for hours at a time takes its toll on the body. Cell phones, laptops, and desk jobs have not been kind to our backs.  More than 70% of the US population is overweight and/or has a diet that is not nutritionally supportive of bones, ligaments and muscles. Chronic carrying of a heavy or improperly placed load takes its toll (ex: a military serviceman carrying a heavy pack 👨‍✈️, a woman with a large heavy purse👜, a construction worker who lifts heavy materials daily). Emotions also play an enormous role in poor posture. Certainly shoulders sag under the weight of intangible burdens, but inside the body, emotions affect us at the cellular level. Did you know that unresolved drama and trauma will certainly affect posture, especially in the lower back. This often results in lower back pain which often tips the upper torso slightly forward.

Tips for Improved Posture
*Become aware of your posture and check yourself throughout the day (use the posture test in Part I to get started). Good posture should feel natural!

*Get some “Vitamin M”…. Movement! Stand up and move every hour especially if you have a desk job.(This improves productivity too!)

*Adjust your keyboard to elbow height. Wrists should remain straight as you type.

*Make sure your chair is also at the right height. Knees and hips should be level and feet should be flat on the floor.

*Avoid crossing your legs above the knee.

*Use your cell phone at eye level. Bending the head forward constantly applies extraordinary pressure on the spine. Up to 60 lbs of pressure is applied to the neck depending upon how far forward you are bending.

*Place your computer monitor at eye level.

*Tighten and exercise core muscles. Yoga and other forms of exercise! Again, Vitamin M 😉

*Consider your footwear. Does it help or hinder your posture?

*Utilize health professionals! Physical therapists, chiropractors, professional fitness trainers, yoga instructors, etc.

*Practice deep breathing. This is also a great time to fully utilize your favorite essential oils! Some of my personal favorites are Valor, Peace & Calming, Sacred Mountain, and White Angelica.

*Practice “Y, W,  T” exercises for healthy shoulder posture. The letters simply refer to where the arms will be in relation to your body. You can find out more information about this very simple arm exercise series by searching “ Y W T shoulder exercises” on your favorite search engine. As you practice these exercises, keep a bottle of Panaway or Deep Relief handy……. You might be surprised how sore your muscles may be at the beginning of practicing these simple exercises!

*Become aware of how impactful emotions can be on your posture, and learn to release those which do not serve you in a beneficial way. Young Living has blessed millions of homes with aromas that are powerfully impactful to mind, body, and spirit. Some of my personal favorites for deep emotions are Release, Trauma Life, Frankincense, Stress Away, Forgiveness, and Inner Child. Western medicine has done a great disservice to mankind by isolating the treatment of body dysfunction from mind and spirit. They cannot be separated if true healing is to occur.

If you’ve never considered using oils for emotions, start with any essential oil or oil blend that you are drawn to. Using your mind and setting intention is an important piece of the puzzle. 
Tell me, which  oil(s) are you most drawn to?
xoxo~ liz    

#sharingiscaring
#goodmedicineishowweholdourselves
#ThanksYL
#goodmedicine