Three Mistakes People Make When Detoxing

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Detox is a trendy term, and “cleansing” regimens abound. But many people go about it the wrong way, leaving them feeling worse than when they started.

Three common detox mistakes:

  1. Not supporting drainage pathways – It’s crucial to support the body’s detox pathways first to help effectively remove toxins from the body.
  2. Not taking a binder – Without binders, it’s possible for toxins to recirculate and accumulate to lethal levels.
  3. Not working with a functional med provider – It’s important to work with a qualified practitioner who can help manage your symptoms safely.

Interested in learning how to detox safely and effectively to reduce your body burden? Reach out! We offer a variety of comprehensive and functional testing options to identify underlying health issues. We’ll use the information we uncover to create a customized treatment plan and get you on the road toward better health.

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5 Tips To Improve Your Health in 2024

Happy New Year! As you embark on your resolutions, remember it’s about progress, not perfection. Here are 5 things you can start doing today to improve your overall health:

  1. Move your body — Research shows that even just walking 2,000 steps per day can decrease the risk of heart disease, cancer and premature death by 10%.
  2. Invest in clean water — One of the best things you can do to decrease your toxic load is invest in clean water. Check out my water highlight to learn more.
  3. Eat close to the source — Local food has a shorter time between harvest and your table, so it’s less likely that the nutrient value has decreased.
  4. Practice good posture — Posture largely affects the amount of strain you’re putting on your body, so making sure you’re sitting up straight (and lifting correctly) can be the difference between a healthy back and bi-weekly visits to the chiropractor.
  5. Get good sleep — Sleep is essential to every process in the body, affecting your physical and mental functioning as well as your ability to fight disease. Regular chiropractic adjustments help alleviate tension in the body, making it easier for you to fall asleep.

What changes have you started incorporating into your daily life? Share your ideas below. ⬇️

To schedule an appointment, use our online scheduling tool or call 712-249-8231.

The Greatest Medicine is to Teach People How Not to Need it

“The greatest medicine is to teach people how NOT to need it.” – Hippocrates 

The pharmaceutical industry is large and lucrative. In fact, the U.S. is the world’s largest pharmaceutical market. According to SelectUSA, the pharmaceutical industry, directly and indirectly, supports about 4.4 million jobs in the U.S. Much money is invested in the research, development, marketing and administration of prescription medications.

While these drugs are meant to help heal the body, relieve pain and save lives, there are other ways of approaching how we can care for our bodies when we’re experiencing pain or illness.

That’s why I emphasize prevention strategies alongside treatment modalities and educate patients with a focus on lifestyle modification. 

Rather than simply focusing on symptoms and looking outside our bodies for external healing, we can start by looking at the conditions that caused the illness or pain within our bodies. As we gain a better understanding of the cause of our conditions, we can often take steps toward better overall health.

If you’re looking for a healthcare provider who prescribes a way of living rather than a bunch of pills or a lengthy treatment plan, reach out. I’d love to help you (in person or remotely) find more long-term health.

7 Strategies to Support Your Body During the Full Moon

Friday is a full moon. If you’ve been feeling under the weather recently, you’re not alone.

During the full moon, serotonin levels increase. Parasites thrive on serotonin and use it to move more freely throughout the body.

This can cause an increase in symptoms like:

✔️Increased muscle / joint pain
✔️Difficulty falling / staying asleep
✔️Increased fatigue
✔️Migraines headaches
✔️Heart palpitations
✔️Feeling depressed / anxious
✔️Uncontrollable cravings
✔️GI issues
✔️Acne flare ups and skin issues
✔️Teeth grinding / sore jaws
✔️Rectal itching

The strategies above can help support your body naturally during this time. Like + save this to refer back later.

Interested in doing a parasite cleanse? Schedule a functional med consultation.

Understanding the Role of Toxin Binders in a Detox

Binders are a crucial part of any detox protocol. Like their name suggests, they “bind” to toxins and help pull them out of the body.

You can use binders to help detox:

  • Mold and mycotoxins
  • Heavy metals
  • Biotoxins from Lyme and/or parasitic infections
  • Pesticides
  • Herbicides
  • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

There are several different types of binders, and each one can attract different toxins. The right one depends on your specific goals and condition. Reach out for help finding the one that’s right for you.

Six Symptoms of Mold Toxicity

Mold exposure may be affecting your health without you even realizing it.

Possible signs of mold toxicity include:

  • Chronic fatigue and brain fog
  • Headaches and migraines
  • Seasonal allergies
  • Asthma and breathing problems
  • Anxiety of trouble sleeping
  • Digestive issues

Mold toxicity can appear differently in everyone, and it is often hard to detect. As a result, people with mold toxicity are commonly misdiagnosed with respiratory issues, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease/dementia, irritable bowel syndrome or IBS, crohn’s and colitis.

Some hidden sources of mold include:

  • Mattresses
  • Air conditioning units
  • Toilets and showers
  • Fruit
  • Coffee
  • Grains
  • Corn

If you have a chronic health condition you can’t solve, it may be a good idea to get tested for mold exposure. (Psst! This is something I can test for — and help you detox from — right here in our clinic. Reach out to learn more.)

How do Xenoestrogens Impact Your Health?

It doesn’t take much to throw off your hormones, and xenoestrogens can be the tipping point.

Xenoestrogens are endocrine disrupting chemicals that impact your ability to excrete estrogen, increasing your risk of other health problems like:

  • Cancer
  • Infertility
  • Low progesterone, low testosterone
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Thyroid dysfunction

If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may be suffering from estrogen dominance caused by prolonged exposure to xenoestrogens:

  • Depression
  • Low libido/sex drive
  • Mood swings
  • Hot flashes
  • Night sweats
  • Headaches/migraines
  • Tender/fibrocystic breasts
  • Weight gain

In addition to switching out your personal care and cleaning products for safer alternatives, kidney and liver detoxes (like the ones available through my clinic) can help rid your body of harmful xenoestrogens.

Interested in learning how to safely detox your body from harmful chemicals? Reach out. I’d love to help!

Is Glyphosate Impacting Your Health?

Chances are you have a substantial amount of toxic glyphosate in your body.

Glyphosate is a herbicide used to kill weeds. It has also been linked to serious health issues like:

  • Cancer
  • Gastrointestinal issues
  • Hormone imbalance
  • Immune system dysfunction
  • Liver and kidney problems
  • Mitochondrial DNA damage

Sadly, glyphosate is hard to avoid given how often it’s used. Foods associated with the highest levels of glyphosate include:

  • Non-organic fruits and vegetables
  • Corn-based products
  • Soy-based products
  • Bread and baked goods
  • Breakfast cereals
  • Processed food
  • Seed oils like vegetable/canola oil

Organic farming prohibits the use of glyphosate, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be any glyphosate residue on your food. Plus, you can still be exposed to glyphosate through your skin and particles in the air.

If you’re struggling with any of the conditions above, it may be worth considering getting tested for glyphosate toxicity. This is something I can do right here in my clinic. Reach out if you’re interested in learning more.

What’s In Your Tap Water?

Years ago my wife and I had our tap water tested, and what we learned will surprise you…

The rep told us our water was technically considered “safe” by our city’s standards, but it certainly wasn’t clean by any means…

The reality is there’s an increasing number of toxins in our water supply. The vast majority of these chemicals are not regulated, so even when the government says your water is “safe,” it can still contain harmful contaminants. In fact, many U.S. cities have chemicals in their water supplies that exceed established health guidelines.

So, what can you do to reduce your toxic load?

  1. Assess your body’s toxic burden — If your water is toxic, it’s going to be difficult to achieve optimal health. Toxins can overwhelm your liver and get stored in your fat cells and brain, which can lead to a whole slew of health problems. That’s why I recommend regular muscle testing, blood work and/or urine samples to assess your body’s toxic load. Then, you can invest in a targeted functional medicine detox to clean up your body.
  2. Invest in a clean water system — One of the best ways to reduce toxic exposure is to ensure you have clean water in your home. In our house, we not only have a water softener and RO system, but we also invested in a distiller for our drinking water.

Distillation is the most effective process for purifying water. It removes 99.9% of contaminants. Essentially, the process adds heat to tap water, turning it into water vapor and leaving any junk behind in the boiling chamber. Then, the pure water vapor rises and is moved into a separate chamber where it’s cooled back into liquid.

Have you had your tap water tested? What type of clean water system does your family use? Comment below to share your thoughts.

Contact us to schedule a functional medicine consultation today.

7 Signs You May Have Parasites

Parasites are extremely common, and they can live dormant for years without symptoms. When they do, it’s usually the ones above.

You can get parasites from:

  • Soil/dirt
  • Pets
  • Lakes, rivers and creeks
  • Raw fish (sushi) and undercooked meat
  • Pork
  • Tap water
  • International travel

In addition to practicing proper hygiene, it’s a good idea to avoid foods that feed parasites like processed carbs and sugar. Parasites cannot survive without a steady supply of sugar, which triggers sugar and carb cravings in the host.

Parasites are also more active during a full moon, so if you notice symptoms during this time, you can probably benefit from a cleanse.

If you’re interested in learning more about parasites and how to get rid of them, reach out! I’d love to help. Contact us to learn more.