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Vitamin D: A Prime Cornerstone of Your Total Body Health

 

What comes to mind when I mention Vitamin D??? Probably sunshine, milk, and maybe even fish. For me, I always think of the milk jugs at the grocery store. Especially the one with the cute little logo of a cow and the huge balloon letters above announcing “Vitamin D Added” and basically screaming to the consumer “Yes, this is healthy, please buy me!!!” Society has taught us to associate Vitamin D with milk or sunshine, however, it has failed to convey that Vitamin D is so much more than spotted cows and sun rays. For starters, Vitamin D isn’t a vitamin at all! This so-called “vitamin” is actually a hormone and it is a crucial part of your well-being…

We’re always told that we need Vitamin D to be healthy, but we’re never informed of the reasons why. Why is it so important that I drink milk, eat fish, and spend time out in the sunshine?? As a child, I always figured that Vitamin D is necessary because it is called a Vitamin so my body must need it…that seems reasonable enough, right? The answer to this question is always YES. Your body does need Vitamin D to function properly. However, your body needs the correct amount and the correct form of Vitamin D in order to supplement your body’s need for this important nutrient. 

In my case, I simply believed that my body was getting ALL of the necessary vitamins and minerals through the chewable Flintstones vitamins I had every morning as a child. Little did I know these supplements are actually equivalent to sidewalk chalk in both texture and nutritional value. Plus, my eating habits at the time were terrible! My intake of chemicals from processed food products was higher than my intake of good old fashioned vitamins and nutrients. Unknowingly, I was prepping my body for disaster…

I assumed my body was super healthy because, on the outside, it did appear that way. However, on the inside I was deteriorating and a lot of that had to do with my lack of Vitamin D. Not the synthetic Vitamin D that is added to products like milk, but the natural kind of Vitamin D that is found in organic food products such as dark leafy greens and wild caught fish. 

So, why is the need for Vitamin D so important?? Well, not only does this vitamin/hormone provide the foundation for the human body’s ability to absorb and assimilate other key hormones, but it also contributes greatly to proper brain function.

I only recently learned that a Vitamin D deficiency alone is enough to cause epileptic seizures. In fact, it is highly recommended by holistic doctors that any person experiencing seizures should get a blood test done to check their bodily levels of Vitamin D. Here is a question for my fellow epileptic warriors out there…Have you ever been told by your neurologist to have your Vitamin D levels checked??? If your answer is “Yes” than Yay for you and I’m super jealous of the amazing neurologist you apparently have! Unfortunately, for the majority of people the most common answer to this question is NO. 

I recently met with my own neurologist and he was genuinely surprised at the possibility of a Vitamin D deficiency being the cause of my epilepsy. He had no knowledge of the connection between Vitamin D and the brain. 

Vitamin D was never even mentioned to me by any of the medical professionals I visited over these past ten years of living with epilepsy. Whether it was at my local hospital or the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. There was always zero mention of “Vitamin D.” This is why I am so eager to share my personal experience with Vitamin D in relation to epilepsy. It is necessary for proper brain function and, if you are struggling with epileptic seizures, it may be just what you need!

Take a look at my own deficiency and my body’s reaction to the holistic Vitamin D supplement I began just three months ago…

In January, I finally found a Holistic doctor who prompted me to get blood work done that specifically measures my levels of Vitamin D. As per usual, the blood work results presented a helpful numerical zone indicating the general “Healthy” level for all human beings. In this case, the ideal level was somewhere between 30 and 100. With 30 being considered as a deficient level and, therefore, concerning. 

I expected my levels to be low, but I never expected what the test results displayed…

I literally did a double take when I checked my result page and found my level to be “1.” Yep, that’s right numero uno. Basically, I have no Vitamin D whatsoever in my body.

My first thought was, “How can a person’s body even function with that amount of Vitamin D?” Or lack thereof I guess I should say. I’m living proof that a body can function without Vitamin D, but it definitely cannot function properly. I should have known something was amiss when my actual neurologist (as opposed to his office staff) contacted me to both announce the arrival of my test results and to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. During my appointment, he immediately began discussing ways to help treat my extreme deficiency…I had passed the level of concern and landed somewhere in the region of emergency. 

According to Healthline, “In the US, current guidelines suggest that consuming 400-800 IU (10-20 mcg) of vitamin D should meet the needs of 97% – 98% of all healthy people.” This would equal out to 5,600 IU of vitamin D per week if doing the 800 IU dose. Apparently I fell into the 2% – 3% that requires a different level…

My neurologist recommended I begin a weekly dose of 50,000 IU of Vitamin D immediately. I was wide-eyed when he announced that dose, I mean fifty thousand…is a dose that large even possible?? His prescription was for an over-the-counter synthetic Vitamin D supplement that I would take once a week. This is always an option, of course, but I have plenty experience with synthetic vitamins to know that this is not the best option. I was also concerned that 50,000 IU of Vitamin D all at once might be a bit of a shock to my body.  

When introducing any new supplements to my daily regimen, I move like a turtle to avoid increasing my seizure activity. If the dose calls for 2 tablets, I begin with 1 tablet for at least a week (sometimes even a month) before adding in the second tablet. Lucky for me, there are other options for Vitamin D supplements besides pharmaceutical drugs that will not only allow me to apply my turtle-like pace, but will also supply my body with vitamin D in its natural form. 

I am currently using “Seeking Health Optimal Vitamin D Drops,” which is an organic liquid supplement. One drop contains 2,000 IU of Vitamin D3. So, I began by slowly introducing one drop, waited for a week and introduced another drop until I reached the recommended dose of 50,000 IU. It took a month to reach the full dose (like I said, I move at a turtle’s pace), but I finally did it. Currently, I am taking 4 drops and 8,000 IU of Vitamin D daily, which brings my weekly total to 56,000 IU of Vitamin D. 

I frequently read warnings about giving your body too much Vitamin D and, therefore, creating other issues. However, due to my extreme deficiency, my body has been loving this extra-large dose! I began taking the Vitamin D on 3/16/19 and it only took ten days before my body began showing evidence of absorption. I had one more gran mal seizure on 3/26/19 before I began seeing a decrease in my seizure activity, both gran mal seizures and partial seizures. 

Here is a brief summary of my seizure activity over the past three months since beginning the Vitamin D3 supplement:

March 2019 (I began Vitamin D on 3/16/19) – 11 Gran Mal Seizures, 13 Partial Seizures 

April 2019 – 0 Gran Mal seizures, 9 Partial Seizures

May 2019 – 0 Gran Mal seizures, 9 Partial Seizures

June 2019 (so far) – 1 Gran Mal seizure, 4 Partial Seizures

I was so excited to share my experience with Vitamin D particularly because of the immense success I have experienced. If I’m being honest, 2017 and 2018 were my most difficult years I have ever experienced as an epileptic. Not only was my seizure activity at an all time high, but I had also reached a point where improvement seemed impossible to obtain. I understand what it feels like to hit rock bottom, so if this is the case for anyone out there Do Not lose hope just yet! Something as simple as a vitamin supplement has made a world of difference for me and I believe it is something worth exploring for every epileptic. 

Yes, I just recently had one gran mal seizure in June, however, prior to that occurrence I went 80 days without a single seizure. Almost three months. My seizure activity hasn’t been this low since the very first year I was diagnosed with Epilepsy. 

To fix any deficiency in the human body takes time. My body went fifteen years depleting itself of Vitamin D (and a number of other vitamins too!), therefore, it is going to take time to build those same levels back to a healthy point. Not everyone requires such extreme Vitamin D supplementation, but for those who are deficient I recommend getting a jump on this sooner rather than later. I certainly wish I had! Oh the things I wish I knew during those first years of diagnosis…

The natural form of Vitamin D is something that every person needs to understand before they can go about supplementing their bodies correctly… 

For starters, let’s debunk those silly stereotypes that have been associated with Vitamin D. It took me years to discover that I am NOT eating healthy when I drink a glass of milk with my breakfast. Why? Well, the added Vitamin D is not the kind of Vitamin D you want in your body because it is a synthetic form of the hormone. The corporations claiming to offer a better quality product are actually doing the exact opposite. Dairy products come from pregnant cows, therefore milk is already swimming with plenty of hormones in its natural state. No extra hormones are required to improve milk’s effect on your long-term health, especially synthetic forms of a vitamin! As is the case with every other hormone, consuming synthetic hormones will actually disrupt your body’s natural ability to produce said hormone. Drinking milk infused with synthetic Vitamin D will only disrupt your body’s ability to function properly and naturally. What I’m trying to say is that even though the jug of milk may scream “Vitamin D” and “Healthy,” you’re actually buying into a societal lie. Milk is not your #1 source for Vitamin D. 

If you are a big fan of milk, but you don’t want the synthetic hormones in your body, try Organic Raw Milk. Unfortunately, you will usually have to purchase this type of milk through a private farm to guarantee that it is truly raw. This may sound like a total inconvenience, but there are actually many private farms just here in the United States who are capable of shipping items cross country. 

My favorite is Miller’s Organic Farm, it is a Private Membership Association therefore you must pay a fee to become a member in their farmshare before you can purchase any products. Once a member, you can order as many products as you wish and they offer a wonderful variety! I actually purchase all of my dairy products through this farm because everything is raw! Nothing is added, it is straight from the cow just as it should be! The farm is located in Pennsylvania and they have no trouble shipping my groceries all the way to California. To get in contact with Miller’s Organic Farm visit the link above or call (717) 556-0672. 

Even though raw dairy products are filled with lots of wonderful nutrients, I have found that they are not your best source for Vitamin D. And No, drinking milk on a daily basis will not provide your body with all of the vitamins it requires. 

Next, we have the sun. The lengthy list of people who have told me that sunshine is my best source for Vitamin D has probably surpassed my own height and continues to grow. The sun is a wonderful source of Vitamin D, however, it is incredibly difficult to absorb large amounts of Vitamin D from sunshine. Direct sunlight must be on the skin in order for any Vitamin D to be absorbed. It cannot penetrate clothing and seep into your skin below the fabric. The areas covered by clothing are blocked from Vitamin D absorption. In addition, cosmetic products such as makeup, lotion, body oils, and sunscreen or tan lotion block your body’s ability to absorb Vitamin D from the sun. So, in order to absorb a large amount of Vitamin D you must sit out in the sun for hours without any clothing on. Does anyone have the time for this? And what if it is Winter? Yikes! Not your best source of Vitamin D either. Although sunshine and fresh air for other purposes are always great ideas! 

The truth is, Vitamin D is sourced in numerous foods, however, a large amount of people aren’t consuming organic food products. Nowadays, if you actually want healthy food you really have to work for it! Those organic prices are no joke! However, I have found the benefits of foods without pesticides and other horrible chemicals greatly outweigh the cost. 

Lastly, I would like to discuss the hormonal side of Vitamin D. The human body naturally interprets every hormone it receives through hormone receptors. You have estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, testosterone receptors, and Vitamin D receptors (just to name a few). The source of these different hormones varies and, unfortunately, a lot of these hormones may be synthetic due to dirty hormones existing in processed food products, skincare, the environment, etc. It is these dirty hormones that we need to avoid as best we can in our personal regimens due to the fact that the human body cannot interpret something that is not meant to be absorbed. Dirty hormones are often stored in our cells because our bodies literally have no idea what to do with them. This may sound harmless, but dirty hormones can be stored in the human body for years and years. If you are constantly exposed to dirty hormones on a daily basis, this storage becomes an impressive collection that will begin disrupting your body’s ability to function properly. This yet another reason why eating organic is an absolute must for your long-term health. 

Dirty sources of Vitamin D exist just the same and need to be avoided in order to successfully supplement this nutrient. All synthetic versions of Vitamin D are dirty sources…that milk I discussed earlier with the cute little cow on the front happens to be the perfect example of such sources. These synthetic sources will be received by your body, however, they will be stored in your cells instead of being disbursed to the proper locations where they can be absorbed like natural Vitamin D. 

Vitamin D is considered a hormone because of the way it is read and disbursed by your hormone receptors. While other vitamins are sent to a variety of locations throughout the human body, Vitamin D is sent to the area with other hormones. Not only is it sent to this location, but it is also the foundational hormone necessary to keep the rest of your hormone levels stable. Your levels of Vitamin D will determine how many of your hormones are produced and assimilated. 

Personally, this has been quite the mind-blowing epiphany since my type of epilepsy (Catamenial Epilepsy) is caused by a hormone imbalance. It truly is no wonder why I am struggling with seizures once you consider my Vitamin D levels in relation to the rest of my hormones. I lacked that foundation of healthy Vitamin D levels, therefore, many of my other hormones failed to absorb correctly, as well. Currently, I am working on building my levels of Vitamin D through natural supplementation with the hope that one day soon the rest of my hormones will become stable and my epileptic seizures will finally seize (pun intended :-)). 

Every human body is different, therefore, each person’s recipe for success will vary. Vitamin D seems to be working wonders for me, but this is one epileptic’s experience. My intention is not to diagnose or treat any medical condition, it is to share with anyone willing to read my blog that a solution may be out there and if I can somehow help another’s journey my goal has been reached! If you have any further questions for me about Vitamin D or anything else, please feel free to email me at katie@seizethedayblog.com. I am more than happy to provide feedback! 

 

Sources:

Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-d-dosage#section2

Miller’s Organic Farm: www.amosmillerorganicfarm.com

Vitamin D Supplement via Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Servings-Physician-Formulated-Seeking-Health/dp/B003800UXG

 

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website. 

Hormone Overload: Phytoestrogens & Xenoestrogens

Hormones are one of those incredibly relatable topics because we ALL have them and we ALL deal with them in one way or another during multiple points of our lives. A lot of us are probably thinking back to those puberty days when acne and unstable emotional reactions were at an all time high, but the truth is hormones are with you at every stage of life. Our bodies just happen to cope with them differently depending on the stage. So, yes, our bodies do outgrow the acne and emotional breakdowns, but unfortunately, we never fully leave those pesky hormones in the past.

Here’s the main problem I happen to have with hormones: keeping them stable. I do not believe hormones were this difficult to control in the good old days when people cooked more at home using recipes and real ingredients.

What I mean by this is that when someone wanted to make fajitas for dinner (maybe for game night?), they would make fajitas and everything required from scratch using only fresh ingredients. No, I’m not kidding. People used to cook everything using the “from scratch” method and you know what? They were a lot healthier because of it!

Are you wondering why I chose such a random food to use as an example? There is a rhyme to my reason. I actually just finished making crock-pot fajitas for dinner tonight; they’re slowly cooking as I type this sentence.

In addition to a multitude of other ingredients, the recipe I used (link above) calls for 1 pack of fajita seasoning, 1 jar of salsa, and 1 bag of frozen fajita mix veggies.

I am extremely sensitive to the majority of ingredients used in processed foods so obviously this wasn’t an option for me, personally. But, for many other people, they’re just fine with these “short-cuts” and take advantage of the time saving options offered by the local grocery store. Yes, these do provide you with a bit more time to put toward other priorities in your life, but the minutes given back are only momentary. The long-term effects of these poor quality, processed food products can last a lifetime. They chip away at your health as if it was old paint on the side of a building until you are left with nothing but a weak immune system or worse, a serious illness.

You don’t want to chip away at the paint; you want to add a topcoat in order to protect the existing paint. Fresh ingredients will serve as your topcoat because they contain the vitamins and nutrients the human body needs in order to function properly. So, instead of using a jar of salsa, I found a fantastic recipe for blender salsa and made it completely from scratch. No need to worry about hidden ingredients because I chopped, peeled, minced, and measured every single one!

Instead of settling for a packet of fajita seasoning (notoriously known for containing large amounts of monosodium glutamate (MSG)), I made my own using common ingredients found in your typical spice rack (in other words, real not synthetic!).

Lastly, we have the bag of frozen fajita mix veggies…honestly, it’s as if these food companies are selling laziness. It really isn’t that much work to slice up a few bell peppers. I would know since I just finished doing it not even 30 minutes ago! There is something about frozen foods; they have this funky aftertaste that I really can’t stand! I know freezing food is supposed to prolong its shelf life, but sometimes it tastes stale once you cook it! Bypass this issue or even the possibility of this issue by skipping the frozen foods altogether. You’ll find fresh bell peppers to be much more flavorful when they’re baking in the crock-pot. At this point, it is more about the quality of meal you want to prepare than it is the extra five minutes you are trying to save.

So what do hormones and fajitas have in common?? Here’s the powerful thing about food…depending on what you eat, the effect on your health can be beneficial or it can be detrimental. It’s up to you and the choices you make in your everyday diet that will determine which category you fall into. Ideally, people want to be in the “beneficial” group. Realistically, the majority of people (especially in America where fast food has become second nature) are eating themselves into the “detrimental” group.

Fast food is not the primary culprit, either. Products such as fajita seasoning packets, salsa from a jar, and frozen foods are contributing factors, as well. The ingredient label on any processed food product never fails to be polluted by synthetic ingredients.

Though this is an unfortunate fact about the food industry today, there are actually two synthetic ingredients in particular that I would like to discuss. They are called Phyto-Estrogens and Xeno-Estrogens, perhaps you have heard of them already. If not, continue for a full description and how to avoid these dangerous ingredients. They have grown quite popular in recent years and are, therefore, included in a vast amount of processed food products.

You probably noticed the female hormone, Estrogen, in the name of these two ingredients. If you were wondering, No, these are not naturally produced forms of Estrogen. They are synthetic and they are detrimental to your hormone stability whether you are male or female.

Here’s the thing about Phyto-Estrogens and Xeno-Estrogens, they are imposter ingredients that have been created in a lab. If you look up the word “phyto” in Webster’s Dictionary, you will find its Greek origin to be ‘phuton,’ meaning ‘plant’ or ‘phuein,’ meaning ‘come into being.’ Do the same thing with “xeno” and you will find the Greek origin to be xenos, meaning ‘stranger, foreigner,’ or ‘strange.’ And that pretty much says it all…

“Come into being,” not naturally derived from the human body. Phytoestrogens are typically extracted from plants, but make their way through the lab before they’re put into food products. It is difficult to find details on phytoestrogens and their process of “coming into being,” therefore; you have no guarantee about the quality of the source. In addition to this shady process of creation, phytoestrogens also pose a problem in the way that they interact with the human body.

Their reaction once inside the body is actually quite worrisome and just plain annoying. Phytoestrogens have one goal when they’re floating through your digestive tract, waiting to be dispersed to the next place deemed appropriate by your body…And that goal is to replace the existing estrogen hormones produced by your endocrine system.

If given the opportunity, these synthetic hormones will latch onto your estrogen receptors and try to take the place of existing forms of estrogen that have been produced by your own body. If you consume phytoestrogens on a daily basis, you just might be destroying the balance of estrogen or testosterone in your body without even realizing it.

As for xenoestrogen, its name destroys any chance of this ingredient blending in or attempting to be derived from real ingredients. Anything put into creating this imposter ingredient is chemical and ‘strange.’ Scientists actually named this ingredient perfectly! For them to actually get a clue and name an ingredient appropriately while risking the exposure of its true nature makes me wonder what exactly the ingredient label is for xenoestrogen. On second thought, it’s probably better not knowing. Either way, this alone should be motivation to avoid xeno-estrogens completely.

Whether you are male or female, your body is already naturally producing a number of hormones to fill the necessary need. If you are deficient in one hormone, you can be sure that your body is going to work extra hard to compensate for this imbalance and eventually heal the deficiency altogether.

Your body knows what it is doing when it is working with the proper, natural forms of hormones. It can digest, metabolize, absorb, and disperse these types of hormones, thereby keeping your body healthy and balanced.

Synthetics are another story entirely. First, your body cannot metabolize synthetic hormones the same way it metabolizes your naturally produced hormones because their chemical makeup is different. Your body will not recognize phytoestrogens and xenoestrogens as your naturally produced form of estrogen. No matter how hard scientists try they will never be able to perfectly replicate a hormone so that its behavior is identical to the original. Chemically derived hormones mimic naturally produced hormones.

“Part of what makes phytoestrogens a bit tricky is their ability to both mimic estrogen and act as an estrogen antagonist (meaning they behave in the opposite way of biological estrogen). They affect the body by attaching to estrogen receptors. Because they aren’t specifically necessary for a human diet, phytoestrogens can’t be considered actual nutrients” (Dr. Axe).

Dr. Axe provides some very enlightening information on phytoestrogens, the most important being the fact that they “can’t be considered actual nutrients” (Dr. Axe). I’ll say! They’re more like the exact opposite, which is why they are so incredibly bad for you and your long-term health.

Like I said before, synthetic forms of a hormone will affect both males and females if either is exposed. If your diet includes processed foods, chances are you have already been exposed. What this means for you is that your body now has to keep your naturally produced hormones stable, as well as, the synthetic hormones you are feeding to it. When your body is processing large amounts of synthetic hormones, this will easily lead to a hormone imbalance and possibly even improper function of the way your body detects and handles hormones.

When the human body is consistently fed a mix of natural and synthetic hormones, it can get confused as to which is the proper form it is supposed to absorb. You want to maintain that ‘stranger’ label on the synthetic forms, such as phytoestrogens and xenoestrogens. Familiarizing your body with these hormones will only lead to hormone imbalances, which can lead to a variety of other issues.

While some people like to argue that extra estrogen in the body can be beneficial for women in the midst of menopause, I still do not recommend considering synthetic sources as a healthy solution for hot flashes, mood swings, and other symptoms associated with this particular stage of life.

It is also wise to avoid foods that might be full of estrogen-based ingredients, some of these may be phytoestrogens and xenoestrogens, some may not. Being aware of the primary estrogen-based food sources is the best way to protect your body from exposure to synthetic hormones when your endocrine system’s level of sensitivity is at an all time high.

“For example in men, how high or low their natural testosterone level is to begin with would presumably affect whether or not the dietary and environmental exposure to estrogen is high enough to cause side effects. Research also suggests there may be more safety concerns for babies, boys, and teens versus grown men. Avoiding unnecessary increased exposure in young males may be a good idea” (Superfoodly).

Your timing when it comes to consuming these types of foods really is key to maintaining good endocrine health and preventing the onset of serious conditions such as Catamenial Epilepsy.

I can’t help but wonder from time to time what my life would be like today if I knew this information about synthetic hormones and hormones, in general, when I was younger. I certainly would have made some serious changes to my diet if given the opportunity!

A hormone imbalance for your body is basically one big state of confusion. Picture an intersection without the traffic director…cars are going when they aren’t supposed to. People have no idea if it’s their turn or someone else’s turn. I hate that dilemma when you and another car arrive at a stop sign at the same time. I don’t want to be rude and just go first, but at the same time it is usually when I’m in huge hurry. It is stressing me out just thinking about it! Overall, I think that any driver would agree this situation is just one big mess! The intersection needs the traffic director if any balance is to be restored.

Your endocrine system is this intersection…when a hormone imbalance develops, the nice organized flow throughout your organs turns into chaos and only becomes worse. Trust me when I tell you that hormone imbalances are not easy to reverse once developed! So, instead of waiting until it becomes absolutely necessary to pay attention to, do what you can now to keep your levels balanced.

While there are many things you can do to maintain this balance, one of the most influential factors lies with your lifestyle habits. Have you ever heard that saying, “You are what you eat”? You probably have. And while you may not be a cow after eating that delicious hamburger, you just might be on your way toward estrogen dominance if that meat is not antibiotic-free. Pay attention to those small details when the quality is concerned. Organic, range-free, non-GMO, antibiotic-free, and soy-free are characteristics you want in the types of foods you consume.

Read those ingredient labels carefully and keep your eye out for these ingredient names: Pinoresinol, Lariciresinol, Secoisolariciresinol, Sesamin, Hydroxymatairesinol, Matairesinol, Syringaresinol, Daidsein, Formononetin, Genistein, Glycitein, Biochanin A, and Isoflavones. (Superfoodly)

Each and every one of these ingredients is a synthetic form of estrogen. Avoid them like the plague! These are the characteristics you do NOT want your food to possess! Reading the ingredient label takes a few extra minutes, but it sure does help you determine whether a product is beneficial or detrimental to your long-term health.

Superfoodly has compiled a list of the Top 50 High Natural Phytoestrogen Sources, while I’m not going to include that entire list in my article, you can visit the link above and read the complete list for yourself. Who knew doughnuts contained enough phytoestrogens to claim the #16 spot? For the sake of this article, I’ve included the top ten foods from this list.

  1. Flaxseeds (379,380.4 phytoestrogens)
  2. Soybeans (103,920.0 phytoestrogens)
  3. Soy Nuts (68,730.8 phytoestrogens)
  4. Tofu (27,150.1 phytoestrogens)
  5. Tempeh (18,307.9 phytoestrogens)
  6. Textured Veggie Protein (16,223.9 phytoestrogens)
  7. Miso Paste (11,197.3 phytoestrogens)
  8. Soy Yogurt (10,275.0 phytoestrogens)
  9. Soy Protein Powder (8840.7 phytoestrogens)
  10. Sesame Seeds (8,008.1 phytoestrogens)

The fact is, we are living in an age where synthetic estrogens (both phyto and xeno alike) have become go-to ingredients for the majority of processed food companies. Even Organic companies are incorporating increased amounts of Soy derived ingredients, which also means an increased amount of phytoestrogens. The sooner you choose to avoid foods containing large amounts of hormone levels, the better chance you have of keeping your endocrine system in tip top shape.

 

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website.

Sources:

Dr. Axe – https://draxe.com/phytoestrogens/

Superfoodly – https://www.superfoodly.com/estrogen-foods-list-50-high-phytoestrogen-sources/

Webster’s Dictionary – https://www.merriam-webster.com

Pinterest – www.pinterest.com

The Country Cook – https://www.thecountrycook.net/crock-pot-chicken-fajitas/

Kim’s Cravings (Blender Salsa Recipe) – https://www.kimscravings.com/best-damn-salsa-ever/

Retraction for “Drink This to Calm Your Crazy Hormones!”

A little while ago, I posted an article called “Drink this to Calm Your Crazy Hormones.” In it I discussed Red Raspberry Leaf Tea, an Organic herbal drink that I was led to believe helped those with every kind of hormone imbalance. Partly by a doctor I am no longer seeing and also by the advertisement on the product box from the Traditional Medicinals brand, which claims to “support the female system.”

If you have an Estrogen deficiency, then, Yes, this product will help your female system. But, if you’re like me and you have a progesterone deficiency then Red Raspberry Leaf is literally not your cup of tea.

Don’t get me wrong, the quality of this product is superb and the flavor is fantastic. If you happen to be looking for an herbal tea with a taste similar to Black Tea, look no further you’ve found it with Red Raspberry Leaf! But those of you with a hormone imbalance, in general, need to be very careful when consuming this product due to its effect on the Estrogen hormone. By increasing only one hormone, rather than regulating the entire “female system,” it has the potential to throw everything out of balance. Which is no bueno!

When it comes to the original article I posted, my quarrel happens to be with my own misconception (and if I’m being totally honest, Nature a bit, as well), which is why my intention in this article is not to criticize any company selling this flavor of tea. I am simply trying to inform my readers of the effects this herb can have on the human body, most especially the female system.

Did you know that certain herbs and spices have extra capabilities beyond their flavor??? For example, mint leaves freshen your breath, ginger is an anti-inflammatory root (therefore excellent to eat or drink during cold & flu season), Turmeric is very effective in healing sensitivity or inflammation in the teeth and gums, so on and so forth. Check out my article: “6 Common Seizure Triggers That May Be Lurking in Your Kitchen Cabinets” to learn more about household ingredients with special capabilities.

Like these seasonings, the red raspberry leaves and seeds can influence hormone levels by increasing your body’s production of Estrogen when consumed.

***Quick insight: Estrogen is your body’s excitatory hormone, Progesterone is the calming hormone.

When I first posted my original article on the subject of Red Raspberry Leaf Tea, I was under the impression that the herb itself helped to regulate your hormones naturally, getting them to a healthy level….each and every one of them.

I could not have been more wrong! Since I am currently battling Catamenial Epilepsy (originally caused by a progesterone deficiency/an overabundance of Estrogen), this little gem of a fact (heavy on the sarcasm // insert eye-roll) made me want to scream. Let’s just say that the doctor who originally recommended it to me (for my progesterone deficiency no less!), will get a well-deserved earful if she ever sees me again! Thanks to her, I religiously drank this tea on a daily basis for the past three years. I don’t see how it couldn’t have had some kind of effect on my hormones and, consequentially, my seizure frequency. No wonder why it’s been so difficult for me to balance to my hormone levels!

I would like to sincerely apologize to each and every one of my readers for misinforming them as to which hormone this tea affects. I understand the huge impact something like this can have on people’s health, so I am truly sorry if my recommendation for this tea has negatively impacted any of my readers.

Please consider this article a retraction for “Drink this to Calm Your Crazy Hormones.” Red Raspberry Leaf Tea will NOT calm or regulate all of your hormones; it will only increase your body’s natural production of the Estrogen hormone.

Like I’ve said in past articles, my knowledge is based on experience through a process of trial and error. So far, everything else that I’ve posted has proven to be correct. However, if anything does turn out to be incorrect (like the Red Raspberry Leaf Tea) in even the slightest way, know that I will inform you immediately! My goal with Seize the Day Blog has always been to help my readers (and hopefully save them from making the same mistakes I’ve made) by sharing everything I have learned while on my own personal journey with Catamenial Epilepsy.

So, although I will no longer be using this tea as a Holistic solution for my hormone regulation that doesn’t mean it won’t work for other people. Truth be told, my sister has actually found this tea incredibly beneficial to her menstrual cycle despite the natural affect it has on Estrogen levels. This is probably due to the fact that we do not share the same hormone imbalance.

If there’s anything I’ve learned over the past eight years, it’s that hormones are tricky no matter how you handle them. Therefore, as I conclude this post let me leave you with one last tip: drink Red Raspberry Leaf Tea with caution whether you have a hormone imbalance or not. Herbs and spices can affect the body (whether negatively or positively depends on each person), especially if you consume too much of one specific item.

To learn more about hormones, hormone imbalances, and what I’ve done to help manage my own hormone imbalance check out these articles:

 

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website.

Catamenial Epilepsy

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Catamenial Epilepsy is one of those diseases that is rarely discussed and hardly researched, but I believe it really needs to be for the sake of those suffering from it. Google can offer you information on the basics of this disease, and when I say “basics” I really do mean the very tip of the iceberg. But, where is the non-sugar coated information that will actually help you combat this disease? It has been my experience that this type of knowledge on Catamenial Epilepsy cannot be found in just one place. Finding information on Catamenial Epilepsy is like trying to piece a puzzle together where each piece comes from a different source, but ultimately results in some clarity.

I was diagnosed with Catamenial Epilepsy on March 25, 2009 when I was 16 years old. Believe it or not there was even less available information on this subject at that time. Here I am now, six years later, with a completed puzzle and a world where accomplishing this task can still seem impossible at times. It was a roller coaster ride trying to figure this condition out in order to contain my seizures and return to normal life as best possible. So, I am writing this article for every woman out there struggling to live with Catamenial Epilepsy without ripping her hair out over the frustration that comes from the lack of knowledge doctors seem to have on this condition. I’m hoping my experience will shed a little more light on the subject.

From the start of my diagnosis I have learned one very important thing: listening to your neurologist with absolute faith is the worst possible thing you can do. The doctor’s lack of knowledge on the subject of Catamenial Epilepsy also extends into their ability to counteract it. Two solutions are typically offered: medication or birth control. Although I’m not at all stoked about taking medication (due to all the extra health problems it is notoriously known to cause), it is candy compared to birth control. I will never understand why doctors seem to think birth control is the logical solution to any type of hormone problem whether it is complicated like Catamenial Epilepsy or simple like menstrual cramps. Birth control is already detrimental to a healthy woman’s body because it is filled with synthetic hormones. So, for any woman with a hormone imbalance it’s basically the food grade version of poison. I say this because, from my experience, it not only worsens the problems you are experiencing it creates completely new problems, as well.

(Here’s a tip: avoid anything synthetic; it is usually very, very bad for your body!)

Unfortunately, I learned the dangers of synthetic hormones the hard way. My biggest hormone struggle is with estrogen. I have too much of it in my body and not enough progesterone. Without a balanced amount of progesterone, estrogen (the excitable hormone) goes crazy in my body because there is nothing to counteract it. As a result, the estrogen builds up in my brain forcing my body to find an alternative way to disperse of it. This alternative dispersion is through sequences of accelerated brain waves, which is a seizure.

After discussing this dilemma in great detail with the neurologist at the Mayo Clinic, she put me on a birth control with a synthetic estrogen as its base. At the time, my main frustration was with her decision to prescribe an estrogen-based birth control instead of one with a progesterone base. Now, my main frustration is with the decision I made to take the birth control at all. After taking the birth control for only 21 days, I had 15 grand mal seizures in one week. This “side effect” of the birth control put me in the hospital. My advice: if you don’t want to throw a monkey wrench into the state of your Catamenial Epilepsy, avoid birth control at all cost.

Not long after the birth control catastrophe, I realized another important factor that happens to have a huge impact on my epilepsy…Diet. Growing up, I ate whatever I wanted without thinking about the impact it might have on my body. Everyone else around me ate the same stuff without showing any serious health problems, so I figured “if it’s not broke, why fix it?” Well, I have come to learn that (as usual) it’s not good to follow the crowd. Just because no one was growing an extra limb (yet) didn’t mean I shouldn’t be concerned about the quality of ingredients I feed my body and the potential negative effects it could have on my health. I learned this the hard way by having a seizure in the middle of a very crowded P.F. Chang’s restaurant, but, nonetheless, it caused me to research diet and learn more about the impact it can have on me as an epileptic.

It turns out that I have an extreme sensitivity to Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), also known as the ingredient found in basically every staple food product known to man. I’m only going to give a brief description of MSG here, but I will soon write an entire post dedicated to the subject. Whenever I eat MSG I will have a seizure within 30-60 minutes later and a second one shortly after. Why does this ingredient affect me so much? HowStuffWorks.com provides an excellent answer: “MSG has been labeled an excitotoxin because it is thought to have the ability to over-stimulate cells to death.”1 When it comes to Catamenial Epilepsy, a hormone imbalance is already present so, if you’re estrogen (excitable hormone) dominant like me, of course a synthetic ingredient acting as an excitotoxin is going to cause problems! My brain is already excited enough, I don’t need food contributing to my likelihood of having a seizure.

The truth is, MSG is only one of many ingredients that can act as seizure triggers. Once I became aware of the serious impact diet has on the stability of my seizures, I changed everything. I avoided MSG at all cost and I made the effort to become aware of other common ingredients with harmful impacts, as well. This may sound like a huge task to take on, but there is a lot of junk in our food so it’s actually very easy to find this information. The good news is there are also a lot of good foods out there, free of these harmful ingredients.

Changing my diet improved my overall health. I went in with the single objective of reducing my seizures through this lifestyle change. But, as it turns out, I was doing more than improving my brain activity; I was healing my digestive system as well. The toxins in my original diet had seriously affected my digestive system, which resulted in my inability to absorb nutrients correctly. Completely cutting synthetic ingredients from my diet allowed me to better absorb the nutrients that my whole body (especially my brain) had been deprived of. My poor diet impacted a gradual decline in my health with the end result being Catamenial Epilepsy. I so highly recommend making this change because it has played a monumental role in my improvement. I went from having a total amount of 54 grand mal seizures in 2010 to having 13 seizures in 2014. For the year of 2015, I have had 4 seizures so far and the year is already half over!

It took a diagnosis of Epilepsy to make me actually check the ingredient label on a food before buying it. Sad, I know. But, I consider this to be one of the many blessings that have come from my journey with this condition. I am no longer pumping my body full of toxins that will worsen my seizures and cause other health problems in the future.

Catamenial Epilepsy aside, the right diet can help heal any health condition. It is amazing what the human body can do when you supply it with the right nutrients to keep it balanced and avoid deficiencies. It is important to understand this detox process will take years to fully rid your body of the toxins found in foods because they become stored up in areas like the fatty tissues. To help my body reach a balanced state while also dealing with Catamenial Epilepsy, I try to buy everything organic if possible (avoids pesticides), I only buy foods with real ingredients (specifically avoiding the synthetic MSG), and I’m extra careful with foods that could be injected with hormones (mostly dairy) or might contain synthetic hormonal ingredients. I have found that Trader Joe’s, Sprout’s Market, and Whole Foods Market are the best places to find good quality foods. However, even at these stores, I still find products with harmful ingredients so always be sure to check the label!

Here’s a quick tip: Trader Joe’s brand milk, butter, sour cream, heavy whipping cream and eggs are all excellent quality and hormone free! Many of their cheeses are good too!

In addition to my own personal experience with Catamenial Epilepsy, I would also like to share a few “scientific” insights that I have discovered through my own personal research. If there is anything I have come to learn since taking an independent approach to my health it’s that modern medicine only gives people a tiny bit of information on most health conditions. By breaking through the tip of the ice burg and actually pursuing a deeper understanding of Catamenial Epilepsy, I have come to discover two factors that contribute greatly to this condition: Blood Brain Barrier and phytoestrogens.

According to the journal of Epilepsia, the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) is a “physical and metabolic barrier, which serves to regulate and protect the microenvironment of the brain.”2 Basically, it is a barrier that prevents toxins, bacteria, and other harmful material from filtering into the brain. How does this apply to epilepsy? The BBB is vulnerable in that its permeability may be compromised by head trauma, stroke, or neuroinflammation.2 BBB disruption has a tendency to increase and intensify seizure activity.

At a time when my seizure activity was at an all time high, learning about this network of vessels helped to clear up my state of confusion. Here’s why: My blood brain barrier is permeable due to Neuroinflammation, “an early, non-specific immune reaction to tissue damage or pathogen invasion.”3 In my case, the pathogens invading my brain came in the form of Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) and artificial food ingredients. Due to my Blood Brain Barrier’s sensitivity to these chemical compounds, the toxins would filter into my brain and cause more seizures. Once I cut the foods containing these ingredients from my diet, my seizure activity returned to a stable level.

For those with blood brain barrier permeability, the pathogens capable of crossing the barrier and into the brain will vary from person to person. If you are experiencing an increased amount of seizure activity, I recommend looking for a pattern in your seizures. Keeping track of your activities, meals, and other daily occurrences in relation to the timing of each seizure is the best way to figure out if a pattern is present. It was only through close observation that I had been able to pin point MSG as the main cause of my increased seizure activity.

The second insight I would like to discuss is Phytoestrogen, a compound derived from an environmental source. Also known as “estrogen mimics,” phytoestrogens are naturally occurring estrogens found in a multitude of plants, many of which are part of the human diet. Although these phytoestrogens are naturally occurring, they are still an unhealthy form of estrogen that can have harmful effects on the body. Living with Catamenial Epilepsy for the past 6+ years has helped me to understand that the key to seizure stability is through hormonal stability. It can be very difficult to achieve this stability when “estrogen mimics” are found in a multitude of common foods including soybeans and caffeine.4 Though phytoestrogens are naturally occurring, they do not interact with the human body in a natural, healthy way. As these estrogenic compounds4 strive to resemble the natural estrogen hormone, they only threaten to compromise the balance of hormones when digested. In the same way toxic pathogens cross the Blood Brain Barrier and filter into the brain, phytoestrogens filter their way into the core hormone system by posing as natural estrogen.4 Therefore, they have the potential to significantly influence a woman’s hormone levels, commonly causing a tendency toward estrogen dominance. Since estrogen dominance is the largest cause of Catamenial Epilepsy, this should raise concern for all women.

As an epileptic, I have come to find that my diet plays a pivotal role in my battle against seizures. Becoming aware of ingredients like phytoestrogens have helped me to alter my diet in a way that is healthy and beneficial for my epilepsy. If you would like more information on phytoestrogens click here. This article gives a great overview of the topic and provides a guide on foods to avoid if you are interested in cutting phytoestrogens out of your diet.

 

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Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website. 

Sources:

1The editors of PureHealth M.D. “The Dangers of Monosodium Glutamate.” Howstuffworks.com. InfoSpace, LLC, 2010. Web. 3 April 2015.<health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/facts/the-dangers-of-monosodium-glutamate.htm>

2“The Blood-Brain Barrier and Epilepsy.” Researchgate.net. Epilepsia, 2006. Web. 30 June 2015. <http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Damir_Janigro/publication/6681960_The_blood-brain_barrier_and_epilepsy/links/0c960539af6838bea4000000.pdf>

3“Neuroinflammation.” Rndsystems.com. R&D Systems, 2015. Web. 30 June 2015.<http://www.rndsystems.com/molecule_group.aspx?g=1572>

4“Environmental Estrogens.” Energeticnutrition.com. Energetic Nutrition, Inc., n.d. Web. 1 July 2015. <https://www.energeticnutrition.com/vitalzym/xeno_phyto_estrogens.html>