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Catamenial Epilepsy: Birth Control is NOT Your Only Solution

Alright ladies, I know we try very hard to deny it, but it’s time to embrace the ugly truth…we are hormonal, all the time. 

So when your husband called your reaction to his words the other day “very emotional and irrational” he was probably more on point than you’d care to admit. The fact of the matter is, our hormone fluctuation has more highs and lows than your average roller coaster. 

So what does this have to do with Catamenial Epilepsy?? Well, this particular condition is emphasized as a gender-specific type of epilepsy due to the seizure patterns that typically occur around a woman’s period, but there is never any elaboration on WHY these seizures are happening at this particular time. The majority of women aren’t having seizures during those 7 days that make up their periods so what makes those of us with Catamenial Epilepsy so different??

Hormones.

Whenever a woman notices a correlation between her menstrual cycle and her seizures my first piece of advice is to get lab work done to explore her hormone levels. Particularly her progesterone and estrogen levels because a hormone deficiency most likely exists. I prefer the OATS lab test because it gives an incredibly thorough examination of your hormones, vitamins, and minerals. You can order this lab work through Dr. Jocker’s by visiting the following link:

https://drjockers.com/lab-testing/

Progesterone is known to be the calming hormone while estrogen is known to be the excitable hormone. When balanced, the menstrual cycle works just fine. The two hormones keep each other in check when there are healthy levels of each present in the human body. Our main concern is with the outcome of imbalanced hormone levels. Particularly too much estrogen and not enough progesterone. When there is not enough progesterone present to keep the effects of the estrogen in check, a build up of excitable energy begins to collect inside the brain. The brain knows it needs to get rid of this stored energy, but the conventional methods aren’t an option due to the lack of progesterone. So, instead the energy is released in short, but hurried waves of activity or what is clinically known as a seizure.

If an EEG is administered on the average person with perfectly normal brain activity, you will receive a horizontal recording of a wave-like line across a piece of paper. The existence of activity, but at a calm and consistent pace. When an EEG is done on someone during a seizure, you will see a wave-like line, however, it will be interrupted by sharp and hurried lines. These lines look very similar to the lines you see on a heart monitor machine. Each time the heart beats it sends a pulse of energy through the body, a pulse that is recorded by the heart monitor. Once again, this is a jolt of energy just as seen on an EEG reading during a seizure. Those sharp lines marking the beat of the heart pumping blood throughout the body are a sign of necessary energy where as the readings on the EEG are evidence of built-up excited energy.

The energy is not being released in smooth, consistent patterns instead it is accompanied by unexpected bursts that occur depending on how quickly the excitable energy is being transferred to the brain. For some women, this may be only during those 7 days of bleeding. Or it may be more often. This is completely dependent on the individual. However, the four phases that make up this 28 day cycle mean that our hormones are constantly shifting before and after our period. This is also why it is not uncommon for some women with Catamenial Epilepsy to experience more seizures during the estrogen peak time, which is during those first fifteen days of the cycle. This is the phase of ovulation. 

“Steroid hormones such as estrogen and progesterone circulate throughout the brain and have been shown to have effects of neuronal excitability. Estrogen has been shown to increase seizures, whereas progesterone has anti-seizure effects. Hence, imbalances in estrogen and progesterone levels might lead to seizures.” (Epilepsy Foundation).

I am providing this brief history because it is important to understand and acknowledge this connection before you can truly begin to find a solution. Solutions for Catamenial Epileptics may be limited, but you still want to be aware of the entire situation at hand before making any drastic or life-changing choices. 

Catamenial Epilepsy as defined by the Epilepsy Foundation is “a gender-specific type of epilepsy in which seizure frequency intensifies during certain phases of the menstrual cycle. An increase in seizures in parallel with the menstrual cycle in some women with epilepsy has been noticed since ancient times.” 

It is also mentioned that “traditionally used anti-epileptic drugs typically do not have an effect on seizures in Catamenial epilepsy” (epilepsy foundation). 

So basically, women suffering from Catamenial Epilepsy have quite the problematic condition, but they are left empty-handed where solutions are concerned. Too often, medical professionals fail to mention the underlying causes of seizure activity during a hormonal time of the month. The key word here is hormonal. The unfortunate fact of the matter is that, despite popular belief, those 7 days comprising a period are NOT the only peak in hormones we females experience each month. Those 7 days are simply a facet to a hormonal cycle that, if on track, lasts 28 days every single month. 

There are four phases that comprise this 28 day cycle of menstruation and each can have quite the effect on the human body. Menstrual phase (bleeding), Follicular phase (ovary is getting ready to release an egg), Ovulatory phase (egg is released), Luteal phase (time between egg’s release and the start of menstruation). 

These days, the majority of women do not have a completely normal 28 day cycle. This is because of our constant exposure to synthetic hormones in our daily lives. These can come from the foods we eat, the beauty products we use, and even the environment. 

Processed foods are filled with synthetic hormones, dominantly estrogenic ingredients, that wreak havoc on our body’s natural ability to produce and process estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, serotonin, norepinephrine, and Vitamin D. 

Fun Fact: Vitamin D is called a vitamin but it behaves more like a hormone because of the way it is received and processed by our bodies.

These synthetic hormones are often known as Phyto-Estrogens and Xeno-Estrogens. And they can dominate your body if you are exposed too many times. The thing about these synthetic hormones is that the human body does not know how to digest these ingredients because they are not real food ingredients. They are chemical compounds created in a lab, therefore your body places these into a sort of “Unable to Process” category. The problem with this category is that it is like the “in-between” inside the human body. Since the body cannot process them, they are also not being detoxified from the body. Instead, these ingredients just sit there inside your body until they are absorbed into your cells. Once absorbed into your cells, it can take years before the synthetic hormones are actually carried out of the human body. If you are consistently exposed, which the majority of us are, then that stash of built-up synthetic hormones becomes a collection and before you know it the rest of your body is slowly crumbling from the toxic exposure.

These synthetic hormones will actually interrupt your body’s natural ability to produce the proper amount of all of your key hormones. This is when the real problems begin. This is when we face the start of hormone imbalances and in extreme cases, hormone-related seizures. 

For those of you battling Catamenial Epilepsy, I’m sure the majority of you have sought real solutions that will target a hormone balance. 

Have you ever been recommended to try birth control as a means to balance your hormones??? 

In most cases, birth control does come up as an option. However, the tough question is should you try it? And, if you do try it, will it actually work? Will this successfully contain your seizures? Based upon my own personal experience with birth control, my answer to each of these questions is a resounding NO. 

For starters, each birth control pill is like a tiny hormone grenade waiting to explode inside your system. And the shrapnel that is leftover from this explosion is an absolute mess to clean up! Realistically, it is the exact type of thing every Catamenial Epileptic should avoid! Synthetic hormones will not balance your hormones they will only further prevent your body from producing these hormones naturally. 

Birth control comes in two forms…a progesterone base or an estrogen base. Both are completely synthetic and both are only more inflammatory. In my case, I suffer from a severe hormone imbalance where my body has too much estrogen and too little progesterone. The even scarier thing is that in addition to the imbalance, I’m deficient in both hormones, my levels in each are dangerously low. However, despite not having healthy levels of estrogen I still have more estrogen in my body than I do progesterone. And here we see the problem of too much excitable hormone and not enough calming hormone to keep my menstrual cycle balanced. Birth control cannot offer you a healthy balance of hormones, it can only fan the flames of an existing fire. It further deepens the extent of your hormone imbalance.

Unfortunately, I was completely unaware of this fact when I was sixteen. I was so young at this point in time, so I wasn’t aware of all of the available options for possible solutions. I sat in a hospital waiting room at the Mayo Clinic every day for seven days with complete faith in the doctors I had evaluating my case of Catamenial Epilepsy. A gynecologist was brought on to examine the undeniable hormonal connection with my seizure activity. It was my first time visiting a gynecologist so I had no idea what to expect, but what I didn’t see coming was a pregnancy accusation. She purposely met with me without my parents present because she was absolutely certain I was pregnant and that was the explanation for my hormone related seizures. 

Despite my protests, she would not put any stock into my words until a quick examination was done along with a sonogram. The absence of a fetus and the evidence of my virginity shut her accusations down real quick. But I wish I would have realized at this point that my gynecologist wasn’t there to listen to my take on my current circumstances. She wasn’t there to help me. Frankly, I think she was just there for a paycheck and at the end of my visit to the Mayo Clinic she only worsened my circumstances. 

Her medical advice was birth control. It wasn’t my first choice solution, but I was desperate and out of options. It was clear that my hormones were severely imbalanced and she seemed to think the birth control would “solve” this issue for me. It was only after I began the birth control that I realized she prescribed me an estrogen based pill.
After 7 days of constant hormone evaluation, evaluation that explored in great depth my Progesterone DEFICIENCY and Estrogen dominance, the gynecologist still prescribed me a birth control that would only increase my estrogen levels. I wouldn’t trust any birth control to solve a hormone imbalance, but the least she could have done was prescribe me a progesterone based birth control pill. 

I had hoped to leave the Mayo Clinic with a newfound hope for the future, maybe even a real solution to my problem. Instead I left with an official diagnosis of “Catamenial Epilepsy” instead of simply “Epilepsy” and birth control. Something I already knew and didn’t need the Mayo Clinic to confirm and something I didn’t even want. When did life become so complicated? That plane ride home was only scratching the surface of complicated. 

Upon my return, I began implementing the birth control into my daily regimen. Up until this point, I had previously had only 3 gran Mal seizures over the course of one year. Once I began the birth control, my seizure activity skyrocketed. I went from 3 seizures in 365 days to 14 seizures in 7 days. 

I had only just finished my first year with epilepsy so to experience such a drastic increase was completely overwhelming for both my family and I. Eight of those 14 seizures happened in one night, an event that actually landed me in the back of an ambulance. Anyone with epilepsy knows that one gran Mal seizure is enough to steal all of your energy and turn you into a couch potato. So the eight consecutive seizures left me completely unconscious. 

The worst part for my family was the realization that 9-1-1 was necessary to bring my body to a stable state. Hence, the need for the paramedics who could give me a quick shot of phenytoin to calm my brain down and then 1000 mg more when I got to the hospital. Over the next week, I continued to experience an increase in my activity and had 6 more gran mals before I finally decided to stop the birth control. 

In total, I was on the birth control for two weeks. During those two weeks, I experienced an increase in my estrogen levels and saw zero improvement where my hormone imbalance was concerned. I actually needed immediate progesterone supplementation to try and heal the damage done by the birth control. 

My warning against birth control is not done so randomly or with a biased outlook on the product. I made the mistake of giving birth control a chance…I took a leap of faith on the wrong product. Today, I constantly wonder about the true extent of the damage that was done, but I will never know just how much damage was done because I cannot undo my actions that day at the Mayo Clinic. I do not know exactly how different my life would be today if I chose a holistic solution from the very beginning, but my success with holistic medicine has taught me one thing…the damage from conventional medicine solutions like birth control is probably greater than I realize. 

So, when I warn others about the risks of birth control I do not do it lightly. Someone considering birth control needs to realize one very important fact…there are other ways to alter hormone levels. One in particular is Wild Yam. This is my go-to method for healing hormone imbalances and supplementing progesterone. It comes in both a liquid form and a capsule, I prefer the liquid form because supplements are most easily absorbed under the tongue. The best part about this natural supplement is that it has the exact opposite long-term effect of birth control. Instead of hindering your body’s ability to produce hormones naturally, Wild Yam acts as a support for this production. Consuming this product will actually help your system to process the proper amounts of hormones so that balance can be maintained. 

I like the Wild Yam by Herb Pharm, which you can find here. If you would like something else, Google has lots of options as well!

This is yet another reason why it is such an amazing option for progesterone supplementation. You aren’t actually pumping hormones into your body like you would with other hormone supplements such as Progesterone liquid drops. You are consuming a vegetable that simply promotes natural hormone production. No interruption, no synthetics.  

At the end of the day, what you need most is proper production so that you can rest assured that your body is producing the correct amount of every hormone in your body. Only then will you be able to maintain balance. 

What no doctor ever tells you at your diagnosis of Catamenial Epilepsy is just how challenging your hormones can be to change. If you’re estrogen dominant like me, the doctors will also fail to mention just how drastic a simple rise in the estrogen hormone can be. It must be done with great care and an abundance of patience. It is challenging, but it is not impossible if you choose a method that supports your body’s natural production of hormones. 

Birth control has proven to be successful for some women so even though it did not work for me as a solution for Catamenial Epilepsy, maybe it might work for others. Just be sure to consult your doctor before making any changes to your daily regimen. Be sure to keep in mind that there are multiple methods for treating hormone imbalances.

If you would like to read more about some these other methods here on Seize the Day Blog you can do so by reading any of the following articles below:

Vitamin D: A Prime Cornerstone of Your Total Body Health

Hormone Overload: Phytoestrogens & Xenoestrogens

Raw Honey: The Sweet & Sticky Side of Natural Skincare

Calendars & Journals: The Key to Managing Your Catamenial Epilepsy

Quality of Foods: The Key to Healthy Living Begins With Your Diet:

Catamenial Epilepsy

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG): The Ingredient That Should Come with a Warning Label

 

Sources:

Epilepsy Foundation: https://www.epilepsy.com/article/2016/10/basics-about-catamenial-epilepsy 

 

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/

Drink This to Calm Your Crazy Hormones!

 

Raspberries-Teatea box:counterRaspberries-Tea

Okay, ladies, how do you deal with your crazy hormones? Whether you’re menstruating or just happen to be having one of those months where your emotional stability can become compromised over the most minute situations (like your inability to find your sunglasses whilst they sit comfortably atop your head), how do you, as Bernadette from The Big Bang Theory would say, “ride the dragon”?

Pharmaceutical companies happily push pills like Midol and birth control our direction, but from my experience these “magic” pills really aren’t very magical at all. If anything, they make things worse by pumping synthetic hormones into our bodies and screwing up our hormones even more (not very “magical” in my opinion)! I’m not even going to mention the side effects that also come along with these so-called “solutions” because they’re atrocious. It’s exhausting to research drugs like these because once I’m finished reading the warning section of the box, I can’t decide if it is good or bad! It’s incredible how contradicting the claims on the front of the box are from those on the back. This may explain why they now print the negative information in such small font…the pharmaceutical companies are crossing their fingers that, if it is borderline microscopic, we’ll just give up and buy it with the hope that we won’t die after taking it.

tea box:kettle 3

 

This is why I propose you skip the pharmaceuticals altogether! My experience with Catamenial Epilepsy and, therefore, a severe hormone imbalance, has helped me find alternative solutions to things like taming my hormones. In this case, one of the solutions I have discovered and would like to share with my fellow ladies is an herbal tea called Raspberry Leaf Tea. This may be the first time you’re hearing about this natural herb, but it has actually been around for years! Our ancestors used it to heal multiple health problems including the flu, diarrhea, headaches, menstrual cramps, hormone related problems, and many other illnesses!

Please remember, I am not a doctor nor am I any type of healthcare professional, so be sure to take into consideration any allergies you might have to the tea before drinking it. I have simply experienced, firsthand, the beneficial effects this tea can have on hormones and the female system as a whole.

tea box:mug

I recommend the Traditional Medicinals brand of Raspberry Leaf Tea because it is both Organic and non-GMO verified. It is a very good quality product and you can easily find this brand of tea at a multitude of locations including Target, Whole Foods Market, Sprouts Market, and various supermarkets. I also suggest drinking it like you would regular iced tea, it is much more delicious at a cold temperature! My mom, my sister and I all drink the tea so we typically make large batch of tea, large enough to fill a two quart pitcher and store it in the fridge. If you would also like to prepare a larger batch, 8-9 tea bags give it the perfect amount of flavor.

This tea is also naturally caffeine free so you can drink it anytime during the day or night without having to worry about how it will affect your night’s sleep. Although this tea does conveniently support the female reproductive system, it is a naturally occurring herb therefore there are zero hormonal additives. No need to worry about synthetic hormones tampering with your current hormone levels!

raspberries

 

 

In my house, my dad and brother avoid it because we call it “Woman Tea” (Let’s be honest “Raspberry Leaf Tea” is a bit of a mouthful), but men can drink this tea, too! They’ve got to be dramatic about it so now they’re missing out on a really healthy and tasty beverage! But, hey it’s their loss…plus, there’s more for us girls, right?

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>