***THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR REGULATED BY THE FDA.  WE ARE NOT DOCTORS, THEREFORE ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST.

Until recently, soy has been a common ingredient in many popular foods. Particularly hot in the vegan market, soy propaganda has labeled it heart healthy and beneficial to humans. Men who have diets high in soy are at risk for potential hormone imbalance, gynecomastia (breast enlargement), reduction of libido, infertility, and increased risk in cancer. For women, early puberty, linked to estrogen dominance (can lead to endometriosis), infertility, menstrual troubles, and cancer (although soy propaganda claims it can reduce the risk of breast cancer).

Many vegans or individuals who substitute soy for meat aren’t actually aware of the risk of mineral deficiencies for vitamin B12, vitamin D, zinc, iron, calcium, and magnesium (which much of the American population is already deficient in) due to the high amount of phytic acid present in the soybean. The soybean contains high quantities of natural toxins, also known as antinutrients. Soybeans also contain a potent enzyme inhibitor called trypsin; even though soy is used by many athletes for protein intake, the enzyme trypsin actually inhibits correct protein digestion and is acts as a growth inhibitor. The enzymes are not deactivated when cooked or fermented. A common argument is that the soybean contains all amino acids making it a healthy protein but it can also produce gastric distress, reduce protein digestion, and lead to a deficiency in amino acid uptake. Goitrogens are present in soy, placing it in the category of foods that promote the formation of goiter, an enlarged thyroid. Soy can also cause endocrine disruption. Soy contains lectins and oxalates, causing kidney stones and the clumping of red blood cells which causes inflammation. Soy also prevents the intestines from healing even when gluten is removed.

When studied in animals, a high intake of soy had detrimental effects to their health such as pathological conditions of the pancreas including cancer. Soy is 99% GMO, which means the soy you’re eating is highly contaminated with pesticides and most likely sprayed with Monsanto’s weed killer, glyphosate. GMO soy also contains a gene that can mutate and produce natural toxins in your body. The recent demand of soy is actually depleting our crops and making us sick, the soy crop strips the soil of beneficial nutrients. It contains high levels of aluminum and nitrates because they are acid washed and processed at high temperatures. Much livestock is fed GMO soy that makes them sick as it would humans, and of course, we end up eating their meat, passing on the harmful properties.

A good idea is to stay away from all forms of soy, even supplemental, such as soy isoflavones (genistein- the main isoflavone in soy, is linked to numerous health effects such as infertility, altered reproduction, and abnormal embryo development), or soy protein isolate which can cause adverse effects to your body the same way as eating the whole soybean may. The same way it could harm a small mouse who is fed soy (according to several small animal studies), would be just as detrimental for a developing child, which is why you should keep soy far away from infants.

By Jena Covello and Alexa Ouaknine

Did you know that last year the Environmental Working Group found strawberries to be the “dirtiest” produce source, with spinach coming in second? Even after some conventional fruits and vegetables are washed and peeled, pesticide residue often remains. It’s clear that consumers prefer eating fruits and vegetables that are grown free of synthetic pesticides. It’s also clear that an all-organic diet is becoming an option for everyone, with online stores like Thrive Market offering discounts.  If just 16% of Americans only ate organic, we would put Monsanto out of business. The more we continue to only eat organic, the cheaper the prices will become. Here is a list of the 12 most contaminated fruits and veggies we MUST buy organic, as well as the clean 15- which hardly test for any pesticides and don’t require an organic sticker.  

 “The Dirty Dozen”: The top twelve fruits and veggies that are recommend you purchase organic.

Dirty Dozen:

• Apples
• Celery
• Tomatoes
• Cherries
• Pears
• Grapes
• Nectarines
• Peaches
• Potatoes
• Spinach
• Strawberries
• Sweet Bell Peppers

“The Clean Fifteen”: The fruits and veggies that you can eat conventionally because pesticides wash off so easily and are not absorbed.

 Clean Fifteen:

• Avocado
• Sweet Corn
• Pineapple
• Cabbage
• Onions
• Sweet Peas
• Papayas
• Asparagus
• Mangoes
• Eggplant
• Honeydew
• Kiwis
• Cantaloupe
• Cauliflower
• Broccoli

By Alexa Ouaknine

***THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR REGULATED BY THE FDA.  WE ARE NOT DOCTORS, THEREFORE ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST.

***After 10 days of celery juice every morning on an empty stomach, the dry, flakey skin on my legs is completely gone and the intense itching sensation that ive experienced every day for my whole life has significantly decreased. Blemishes on my face are healing much quicker and the internal moisture I’m getting from the celery juice has moisturized my skin from the inside out. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I have a glow and softness to my skin that I’ve never had before. This is with no other dietary or product changes besides drinking celery juice every morning.

It’s safe to say it is pretty likely that anyone reading Medical Medium by Anthony Williams has incorporated fresh celery juice into their morning routine after reading all about its many benefits. Its healing properties are profound and those who have tried it swear by its effects. Anthony Williams says that celery juice is one of the most powerful and healing juices we can drink and even claims that the transformations can happen in as little as a week. I know celery on its own sounds pretty bland and boring, but its nutritional and healing benefits far outweigh any cons. Celery juice offers enzymes and coenzymes and raises hydrochloric acid in the stomach so that food is easily digested and does not putrefy during the process. This helps prevent a multitude of gastrointestinal disorders. The benefits range far and wide, but one we are most impressed with in particular is the effect it has on pain-related inflammation. This just may be one of the simplest things you can do to make a big difference in how you feel.

 Inflammation is at the heart of all disease. Chronic inflammation is part of the body’s immune response and can be linked to autoimmune disorders, skin problems like acne, psoriasis, and eczema, chronic joint pain, arthritis, fatigue, bloating, and even brain fog and depression. Celery’s anti-inflammatory compounds, luteolin and polyacetylenes, inhibit the enzymes responsible for inflammation and work to lower inflammatory prostaglandins. Luteolin and polyacetylene provide relief for all inflammation in the body. Celery is one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory foods because it starves the bad bacteria, yeast, mold, funguses and viruses that are present in the body, while allowing the good bacteria to thrive. It is hydrating on a cellular level, helping to flush toxins and debris out of the intestinal tract and liver and making it the perfect drink for repairing the gut lining. In doing so, pathogens, which are often the underlying cause of inflammation, are killed off, giving our body the break it needs to be able to handle more without inflaming.

 How you do it

 Start with 16 ounces of celery (about one full head of celery) juice every morning upon waking. Make sure you are drinking the juice on an empty stomach in order to raise hydrochloric acid levels and set you up for easy digestion for the rest of the day. If you do not have a juicer, you can chop up the celery and blend it in a high power blender with a splash of filtered water, and then strain in a nut milk bag or sieve. Try to buy organic celery whenever possible.

 Other benefits of 100% celery juice

 It is an important alkalizing food

• Celery rids the body of acids and toxins while cleansing the liver and blood stream.

 Natural diuretic

• Effective in flushing toxins out of the body and reducing stomach bloat.

 Reduces cravings

• In restoring adrenals and providing essential nutrients, cravings reduce. When our body’s nutritional needs are being met, cravings are much less an issue.

 Reduces brain fog

• The mineral salts in celery juice feed electrical impulse activity and support neuron function, which is key if you suffer with ADHD, brain fog, or memory loss. When it comes to celery, think electrolytes. It hydrates on a deep cellular level, lessening your chances of suffering from migraines.

 Reduces cancer risk

• The high amount of antioxidants help combat free radicals, which in turn betters general health and lowers chances of developing cancer.

 Boosts recovery

• High in antioxidants.
• Rehydrates you and replenishes important electrolytes like sodium and potassium.
• Contains coumarins that are known to reduce the stress hormone cortisol and enhance the activity of white blood cells.

 Great for skin

• High in minerals, which support glowing skin and anti-aging.
• Good source of Vitamin K, which is beneficial for skin firmness and elasticity.
• Contains Vitamin C.
• Extremely hydrating.

 If you suffer from fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis or PCOS, you’re most likely producing too much estrogen.  In addition to these diseases, estrogen dominance overstimulates both the brain and body. All of these symptoms are exacerbated by stress. Many women in their thirties and early forties find that they experience moderate to severe symptoms of estrogen dominance as they approach perimenopause.  Additional symptoms are:

• Decreased sex drive
• Irregular or otherwise abnormal or painful menstrual periods
• Bloating (water retention)
• Breast swelling and tenderness
• Fibrocystic breasts
• Headaches
• Mood swings (most often irritability and depression)
• Weight and/or fat gain (particularly around the abdomen and hips)
• Cold hands and feet (a symptom of thyroid dysfunction)
• Hair loss
• Thyroid dysfunction
• Sluggish metabolism
• Foggy thinking, memory loss
• Fatigue
• Trouble sleeping/insomnia
• PMS
• Leaky Gut

 Estrogen dominance has been linked to weight gain, leaky gut, allergies, autoimmune disorders, breast and uterine cancer, infertility, ovarian cysts, and increased blood clotting, and is also associated with acceleration of the aging process.

 What Causes Estrogen Dominance:

 When a woman’s menstrual cycle is normal, estrogen is the dominant hormone for the first two weeks leading up to ovulation. Estrogen is balanced by progesterone during the last two weeks. In industrialized countries such as the United States, there can be many other causes, including:

• Excess body fat (greater than 28%)
• Too much stress, resulting in excess amounts of cortisol, insulin, and norepinephrine, which can lead to adrenal exhaustion and can also adversely affect overall hormonal balance
• A low-fiber diet with excess refined carbohydrates, soy and guar that is deficient in nutrients and high quality fats
• Impaired immune function (MTHFR)
• Leaky Gut
• Environmental agents
• Constipation
• A diet high in soy, refined sugar and wheat
• Using skincare and makeup that contain endocrine disruptors
• Drinking from plastic water bottles (plastic contains xenoestrogens)
• Heavy metal toxicity
• Cleaning supplies
• Low levels of progesterone
• Inability to ovulate

 Ways to Decrease Estrogen Dominance:

***THIS IS THE WAY WE PERSONALLY DECREASED ESTROGEN DOMINANCE.  WE ARE NOT DOCTORS, THEREFORE ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST AND THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN REGULATED BY THE FDA.

1. Increase nutrients in the diet: Take a high potency multivitamin/mineral combination. The following supplements are imperative to cut estrogen: DIM, a multi vitamin B, and D3 combined with K2.
2. Follow a hormone-balancing, anti inflammatory diet such as AIP or Keto:

• Eat lots of fresh and vegetables (6-9 cups per day, particularly cruciferous vegetables)
• Adequate protein from organic sources
• Cut all refined sugar, gluten and soy
• Moderate amounts of healthy fat
• Minimize the amount of fruit you are eating
• Minimize your intake of eggs, nuts, seeds and dairy
• Eliminate coffee and chocolate
• Avoid flax, it is estrogenic 

3. Remember to get enough fiber. Estrogen is excreted by the bowel; if stool remains in the bowel, estrogen is reabsorbed. Monthly colonics and probiotics help significantly.  Eating 6-9 cups of vegetables per day will also help.
4. Use transdermal bioidentical progesterone cream ( If you have adenomyosis, natural progesterone usually makes the symtoms worse. Consult with your doctor first.
5. Lose excess body fat and get regular exercise
6. Detox your liver: The liver’s capacity to cleanse the blood of estrogen is compromised when it is overloaded with xenoestrogens and heavy metals. You can detox the liver by:

• Starting your day with a glass of hot water and lemon
• Eating cilantro daily
• Take an organic sulfur supplement every day
• Take a multi vitamin B supplement
• Take a DIM supplement
• Take a high dose of vitamin C
• Avoid canola oil
• Avoid alcohol
• Consistently using castor oil packs on the liver and stomach will not only detox the liver, it will also shrink fibroids and adenomyosis.  They must be used consistently and results are only shown after 6-9 months of daily use aside from the week you are menstruating

7. Only purchase natural household cleaning supplies, makeup and skincare products
8. Avoid aluminum antiperspirant and stop cooking with aluminum pots, pans and foil. Aluminum is an endocrine disruptor that wreaks havoc on hormones and contributes to estrogen dominance.
9. Decrease stress: When you are stressed, the body makes more estrogen. It is so important to meditate, stay calm and practice yoga or another relaxing exercise.
10. Sweat!  Preferable in a steam room.  Sweating detoxes the body.
11. Avoid the following xenoestrogens:

• Commercially raised meat and dairy such as beef, pork, chicken, milk, butter, cheese and ice cream
• Food that is not organic, which contains pesticides
• Tap water
• Parabans in skincare products
• Plastic water bottles
• Phthalates aka soft plastics used in wrapping foods. Avoid drinking hot liquids in Styrofoam cups and only store food in glass containers
• Artificial sweeteners and MSG
• Dryer Sheets
• Birth Control Pills and HRT
• Menstrual products that are not organic

11. Lastly, if you’re estrogen dominant, it means you aren’t producing enough progesterone. You can boost your progesterone levels with the following supplements:

• Vitamin B6 is proven to increase progesterone production and reduce blood estrogen levels, leading to improvements in PMS symptoms, as well as fertility. It’s considered one of the best vitamins to boost progesterone.
• Vitamin C is an ascorbic acid that assists the ovaries in the ovulation process. At a dose of 750 mg/day, vitamin C has been shown to raise progesterone levels in women with both low progesterone and a luteal phase deficiency (when the second half of the menstrual cycle is 10 days or less, or if progesterone level is low on day 21 of the cycle, or both).
• Vitamin E is an important antioxidant to help protect sperm and egg DNA integrity. A study conducted at John Hopkins University showed that vitamin E (at a dose of 800 IU/day for 10 weeks) corrects the progesterone-estrogen ratio, increases a woman’s libido, and normalizes her menstrual cycle.
• Magnesium influences the pituitary gland, which releases FSH (follicular stimulating hormone), LH (luteinizing hormone) and TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). These hormones, in turn, regulate the production of estrogen and progesterone.
• Zinc is another mineral that supports fertility. It stimulates the pituitary gland to release FSH, which triggers the production of estrogen and promote ovulation. And ovulation will, in turn, signal the increase of progesterone.
• L-arginine is an amino acid that helps widen and relax arteries and blood vessels, increasing blood flow in the body. At a dose of 6 grams per day, it’s been shown to improve the blood supply to the corpus luteum (the egg follicle that releases progesterone

By Jena Covello and Alexa Ouaknine

***THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR REGULATED BY THE FDA.  WE ARE NOT DOCTORS, THEREFORE ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST.

 The liver is our primary organ of detoxification and works to remove toxins and waste from the blood, while filtering and sorting nutrients that our bodies need for daily functioning. It is almost as if the liver receives a small package, determines what is inside the package, and reacts accordingly. Our health and wellbeing is a reflection of our body’s ability or inability to remove and purge toxins, and the liver is a great place to begin when addressing any health concerns. We need to understand the liver, support it, and repair it so that it can perform optimally. Both the benefits of a healthy liver, and the consequences of an overburdened one are plenty.

 The liver uses a two-step detoxification process to filter hormones and toxins into the bloodstream. In phase one, the liver repackages harmful chemicals into less harmful ones, and gets them ready for elimination. These chemicals are converted to water-soluble substances that are secreted through bile, urine, or feces in phase two. Both detox pathways must be properly nourished and act in conjunction with one another for the elimination of waste to occur. If one is failing to operate sufficiently, toxic free radicals build up, causing a number of problems.

 Any digestive issues can tax the estrogen-detoxification process that takes place in the liver. Because the liver is the main organ involved in detoxification in our bodies, any impedance of the detoxification process in our liver resulting from poor diet, alcohol, drugs or toxins can lead to estrogen dominance. Harmful estrogens are difficult to detoxify and are stored in fat. Estrogen dominance in women can lead to an increase in PMS symptoms, uterine fibroids, and endometriosis, as well as symptoms including sluggish metabolism, bloating, thyroid dysfunction decreased libido, foggy thinking/memory loss, fibrocystic breasts, irritability, and weight gain around abdomen and hips. Even further, birth control pills and synthetic hormones stress the liver and cause benign cysts. The biochemical effects of the sex hormones on the liver are prolific. When women take birth control pills, a woman’s natural rhythmic cycles of rising and falling levels of estrogen and progesterone turn into constant high levels of estrogen. This creates an imbalanced hormonal environment, which leads to nutrient deficiencies, benign liver tumors, liver diseases, and countless other negative side effects.

 It is known by doctors that long term use of the Oral Contraceptive Pill can increase the incidence of liver tumors such as adenomas and hemangiomas. Hemangiomas are tumors made from blood vessels and adenomas are round shaped tumors. These are usually benign.

 Let’s be honest, sometimes women need synthetic hormones to manage PCOS and pain caused from fibroids, endometriosis and painful cycles. You can detox the liver and shrink liver tumors and keep your liver in check by taking selenium in the form of Selenomune which contains three forms of selenium that have been shown to exert anti-cancer effects. It also contains Vitamin C, Folic Acid, Vitamin B-12, Iodine, Zinc, Manganese, Chromium, Molybdenum, Boron and Brewer’s Yeast. This is a powerful formula to boost the strength of the immune system and increase energy levels.

 So many women take the oral contraceptive pill for years without having checks on their liver such as a blood test for liver function or an ultrasound scan of their liver. This is because no one warns them that prolonged use of the oral contraceptive pill can cause liver problems.

 Estrogens and oral contraceptives are associated with several liver problems including sluggish bile flow, dilatation of spaces in the liver, liver adenomas, liver cancer, clotting of the veins in the liver and an increased risk of gallstones.  These side effects are more common with higher doses of estrogens, as were used in the early high dose estrogen formulation of oral contraceptives, but they have also been described with use of more modern birth control pills and with low dose, estrogen hormonal replacement therapy.

 Signs you could be suffering from an impaired liver:

• Bloating and gas
• Endometriosis/Adenomyosis
• Rashes
• PCOS
• Uterine Fibroids
• Painful Periods
• Acid reflux and heartburn
• Constipation
• Jaundice
• Inability to lose weight
• High blood pressure
• Moodiness, anxiety or depression
• Dark urine
• Rosacea
• Chronic fatigue
• Bruise easily
• Poor appetite

 Liver-boosting supplements and herbs:

 Organic Sulfur/MSM

• Your liver requires high levels of sulfur in order to carry out phase 2 detoxification.  Sulfur is found in foods like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, onion and garlic.  Many people do not consume adequate sulfur.  This mineral also has an anti-inflammatory effect in the body and is excellent for painful, inflamed joints. MSM is a natural form of sulfur; it stands for methyl sulfonyl methane.  MSM works most efficiently when combined with vitamin C.

 Glutathione

• Neutralizes free radicals, enhances the immune system and detoxifies the liver

 Holy Basil

• Contains essential oils that help combat bacteria and heavy metals.

Milk thistle

• This “king” of detoxifying herbs helps eliminate the buildup of heavy metals, endocrine disruptors, prescription drugs and alcohol from the liver.

Dandelion Root

• Natural detox flush.

Castor Oil Packs

• Relieves constipation, improves immune function, and aids in detoxification.

Vitamin E

• Powerful antioxidant that helps to reduce free radical damage and balance hormones.

Vitamin B12

• helps keep the nervous system and red blood cells healthy and is important for protein metabolism.

Vitamin C

• High in antioxidants and has protects the liver from oxidative damage, particularly when used in combination with vitamin E.

Selenium

• Protects the liver from free radical damage and preserve its elasticity and detoxifying capabilities.

 Alpha lipoic acid.

• Removes toxins and byproducts of fat metabolism and fends off the toxic effects of alcohol. Alpha lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant that also protects other antioxidants, including glutathione and CoQ10. No other nutrient does this. Lipoic acid may be even more effective when taken in combination with milk thistle and selenium

 Liver Detox:

 A great guide to liver detox here https://draxe.com/liver-cleanse/

 Liver detox - detoxing is such a good way to invest in your health. It is the way the body heals and repairs itself, but be careful to never detoxify without addressing foundational issues. In order to detox, all elimination pathways must be open.

 Therapeutic foods for the liver:

 Warm water with lemon first thing in the morning

• This is extremely important. Warm water with lemon first thing in the morning helps to flush the digestive system and rehydrate the body.

Leafy Greens

• The abundant fiber found in leafy greens, and their inflammatory and antioxidant properties help nourish the liver.

Liver

• One of nature’s most powerful foods; the liver contains high amount of vitamin B and helps with detoxification and supporting liver function.

Aloe Vera

• Digestive tonic and pain reliever.

Green Tea, especially matcha green tea

• High in catechins that act as antioxidants in the body, combatting free radicals within the blood, and supporting liver function.

Peppermint

• Stimulates bile flow and relaxes bile ducts, helping break down fats. It calms the stomach for optimal digestion.

Ginger

• Promotes elimination of intestinal gas and stimulates digestion.

Bone broth

• Sooths the digestive tract and supports the integrity of the gut lining.

Artichoke

• Increases bile production and flow, which helps to carry toxins from the liver out of your body.

Beet Juice

• Natural blood cleaner that helps the body detox and cleanse the blood of heavy metals, toxins and waste.

More tips:

• Drink half your weight in ounces of clean, filtered water (i.e. 150 lbs. = 75 oz. of water) this keeps the body flushing appropriately. Water keeps the blood fluid so that toxic material may be delivered to the lymph and liver.
• Eat organic whenever possible to avoid pesticides, herbicides, and heavy metals.
• Eliminate refined carbohydrates and sugar from the diet.
• Avoid endocrine disruptors – phthalates in plastics like BPAs, herbicides, heavy metals, etc.
• Be aware of chemicals in our foods, unfiltered drinking water, cosmetics, and household cleaning products.
• Avoid alcohol, drugs and cigarettes.
• Minimize stress – it raises cortisol and reduces progesterone.
• Sweat therapies – infrared sauna.
• Enemas/Colonics
• Probiotics to ensure you are having regular bowel movements
• Frequent amount of movement and/or exercise is important.