Welcome to the new Weekly Q & A at Healthy Living How To. Each week I will pick three questions in my mail bag and answer them here on the blog. Read all posts in this series by clicking here. Let’s get started!
Hormone Help & Raw Milk
Question
Hi Vanessa,
First of all, your site has helped me immensely!! Thank you for what you do! I have done a self diagnosis and believe I may be suffering from Adrenal Fatigue. I'm a 35, married mother of 4 young children. Anxiety has always been an issue for me my entire life. I am active, at a healthy weight ( though I have a little extra in the middle that I cannot get rid of!),eat organically and only eat meat (beef, chicken and pork) from local pastured sources. Gluten free and dairy free as of 1 month ago due to advice from a Naturopath. Before that I was drinking raw organic milk from a local farm. I still suffer from mild acne around my jawline, cheeks and back. I also suffer from painful ovarian cysts on my right side. Typically, it happens once a year though this year it was a very large complex cyst (which scared me to death!). Something must be out if whack for this to keep happening to me. Luckily, after 6 wks and my diet change my ultrasound was clear! Thank goodness! My question for you is where do I start in trying to get balanced? My GYN said if she had an answer she'd be rich. I'm obviously not getting the right advice! The Naturopath did give me some additional supplement that I have been taking. Estrogen detox formula, magnesium, kelp, and an adrenal fatigue formula. In addition I take 4000iu's of Vit D3 and acidophilus/bifidus capsule.
If you made it through all of this, thank you!
Any advice? Also, what is your stance on raw milk? I really think the health benefits are amazing but not sure how its affecting me in regards to all of my issues.
Answer
I have to be honest here, I'm a little wary of your gynocologist's remark. I could be wrong, but I thought female hormones were supposed to be a gynocologists expertise. Three things I suggest are to educate yourself as much as you can on how your body works, find a practitioner who will partner with you (not dismiss you) in resolving your health issues and practice patience. My go to book, to learn the ins and outs of the female endocrine system, is The Hormone Cure by Harvard-trained board-certified gynocologist, Dr. Sara Gottfried. Ovarian cysts, acne and adrenal fatigue are all discussed in the book along with recommendations for treatment.
As far as raw milk goes, I believe it can be healthy for some people. Dairy allergies have a sneaky way of revealing themselves even among raw milk drinkers. If you suspect raw milk is affecting or even compounding your health issues, try eliminating it for a period of time then reintroducing and see what happens.
Recommended Reading: The Hormone Cure
Leaky Gut
Question
Hi! Your recent post about leaky gut really seems like me. I've been thinking I have that for a while and don't know what to do. I'm taking a lot of digestive enzymes before I eat in order to control symptoms right now. Also take critical care probiotic and just started with an amino supplement. And passionflower. Been through H. Pylori antibiotic treatment (about a year ago) and found out I have a gluten sensitivity so been gluten free for almost a year. Also dairy free. Looking to consult with someone about how I can fix my gut — are you qualified or can you recommend someone? Symptoms got worse when I started a new job teaching 5th grade beginning of August. Also engaged and moved to a new city in July for my fiance's job. Lots of stress but I can't control it so I need to control my gut instead! I'm a healthy weight and extremely active (123 lbs 5'4″). I almost have abs. Eat super clean. Lost 15 pounds since I stopped eating gluten! Turning 27 this weekend.
Thanks for anything you can share to help. I'm sick of taking enzymes in order to eat! And my food still doesn't get digested all the way!
Answer
I am not qualified nor do I consult with people with leaky gut. I do have two people I highly recommend and they both have written guest posts for Healthy Living How To.
Jaime Coffey Martinez , MS, RD, has over 15 years experience in medical nutrition therapy and functional medicine. You can contact and learn more about Jaime at her website NutritionCPR.
Andrea McDaniel, RD, is a licensed medical nutrition therapist, sports nutritionist and certified personal trainer. You can contact and learn more about Andrea at her website MyTrueHealth.
Recommended Websites: NutritionCPR and MyTrueHealth
Recipe Help
Question
I am dying for a pumpkin walnut scone!! I can't seem to figure out how to add the pumpkin puree to the blueberry scone recipe- maybe add more coconut flour? Also pumpkin pie spice? Can I come live at your house? I need dinner ideas! Can't wait to try the squash and sloppy joes! I think I need to stay home and bake/cook for a few days!! Thanks for all you do!
Answer
There isn't any liquid or fat to replace with pumpkin in the blueberry drop scone recipe. I think I will need to devise a new recipe. Thanks for the idea. Let me see what I can do.
