Functional & Genetic Testing
DNA - MTHFR - HORMONAL - HAIR
Functional Medical Testing
Functional medical testing investigates and covers a variety of areas such as functional, biochemical, nutritional, metabolic and hormonal status of a patient. It is advantageous by providing a greater understanding of the patient’s health and helps to identify issues which provide explanation as to why the patient isn’t improving based on conventional treatment. It enables practitioners to understand the root cause of disease more.
- Bloods Tests
- Saliva Testing [including hormone saliva tests]
- Stool Analysis
- Urine Tests [including urinary iodine and Pyrrole testing]
- Hair Mineral Analysis
- Heavy Metal Testing
- Blood Pressure
- Blood Glucose
- Metabolic Testing
- Food Allergy Testing
- Thyroid Testing
- Iridology
- Hair, Skin, Nail and Tongue Diagnosis
Specialty Tests
- Lyme Disease & Co-infections
- MTHFR and genetic conditions
- Complex thyroid and hormonal panels
- Pyrrole Disorder
- Biochemical testing for Autism - Adhd and many others
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- A simple way to book a consultation with Benjamin and Services available on this page.
- Book and Visit Benjamin in Maitland NSW
- Local & International Consultations are very Popular. (Bloods Analysis not included)
- All Sessions are Private and Held in the most respectful Confidence.
A Little About Iridology
Do you see eye to eye with your doctor? If he or she practises iridology, you may.
Practitioners of iridology may use it to assess the tissue strength of the various organs and systems in the body. It is both the science and the art of analyzing body conditions through an examination of the iris, the coloured part of the eye.
Many people consider iridology a diagnostic tool, but that is not how I employ it. Iridology does not diagnose disease. But it does help determine the condition of various tissues and organs, and more importantly, it assists with directing questions and dialogue with our clients.
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A Cosmopolitan Field
Practitioners from around the world have spent the past century examining the correlation between certain iris features and human psychology and physiology. I have attended conferences on iridology in Germany, where more than 6,000 medical doctors discussed their use of iridology in its various forms.
Iridology is also widely used by herbalists and homeopathic doctors to assist them in discovering an individual’s predispositions to various health conditions. One could spend a lifetime studying the iris of the eye, and many scholars have.
- Poor digestion/poor food combining.
- Weakened immune system.
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Bowel and Liver toxicity
- Dehydration
- Stress
- Increased cholesterol & crystal formations.
- Poor circulation.
- Heavy metal accumulation.
- Presence of parasites / fungi / bacteria.
- And much more ………….
Iridology is a procedure of analyzing the eyes in greater detail to gather information about the terrain, the immune system and the nutritional status of the patient.
It usually takes approx. 30 – 45 minutes to perform the test.
Depending on the irregularities found in Iris analysis can reveal the following:
- Immune System Function
- Early Recognition of Cardiovascular Risk Factors
- Essential Fatty Acid Deficiencies
- Vitamin & Mineral Deficiencies
- Digestive Disorders
- Low Iron/Anaemia
- Atherosclerotic Plaque
- Allergies Tendencies
- Hormonal Imbalances
- Uric Acid Crystal & Risk for Gout
- Kidney/Liver/Spleen Stress
- Chemical/Heavy Metal Toxicity
- Degenerative Disorders
- Parasites
- Dehydration
- Poor Blood Circulation
- Clotting Abnormalities
- Bacterial Imbalances
- Yeast/Fungal Tendencies
A True Holistic Tool
Iridology provides a picture of the state of the whole body at a glance. This view helps determine if one area of the body is negatively affecting another. For example, a tipped uterus could be caused by a prolapsed transverse colon which, in turn, might be caused by a weak lower back and abdominal muscles. If we knew only that the person had a tipped uterus, our suggestions for improving their health might be focused in the wrong area. To be able to see a pathway for such problems takes a thorough knowledge of the eye chart and plenty of practice.
Another form of analyzing the iris is called Rayid. While iridology focuses on the physical characteristics of the body, Rayid focuses on the emotional, mental, and even spiritual aspects of the individual. By combining iridology with other tools, a well-trained prac-titioner can paint a thorough picture of health issues facing a person.
Window on Health
Iridology charts are used by trained practitioners to aid in developing a picture of a patient’s overall state of health. Each colour, pattern, fibre, and defect in the iris is thought to have a reflex correlation with a disease manifestation or organ system malfunction. The left eye is believed to correspond with the left side of the body and the right eye to the right side.
In this chart of the iris of the right eye, developed by Dr. Bernard Jensen, a well-known American iridologist, the upper quadrant represents the higher organs while the lower organs are represented at the bottom.
In the Beginning
The use of iridology is mentioned in the writings of Hippocrates (4th century BC) and in those of the revived medical school of Salerno (11th century AD). It was rediscovered by Dr. Ignatz von P?ely of Hungary and Pastor Nils Liljequist of Switzerland, who both claim to have discovered it independently in 1857.
Dr. Bernard Jensen is recognized as making iridology popular in North America, beginning in the late 1940s. Dr. Jensen was my mentor and I studied with him and worked at his Hidden Valley Health Ranch in Escondido, California, in the early 1970s.
Who benefits from seeing Benjamin?
- People who have tried to heal chronic physical or emotional/mental imbalance and are seeking a new approach.
- People who want to feel more integrated and whole in their lives.
- People who want to help a family member.
- Those who are looking for someone with a gentle approach in assisting you to a greater understand of personal health.
- Benjamin also works with some General Practitioners and would sometimes refer patients for bloods and or other medical needs.
Book your Appointment Now
Benefits of Visiting Benjamin May Help with Some of the Following.
- Clarity
- Peace of Mind
- Acceleration of your personal evolution
- Healing of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Healing of Depression
- Healing of Chronic Pain including injuries
- Help with Emotional Problems including stress & anxiety
- Healing of Many Chronic Diseases
- Accelerated Recovery after surgery
- More Life Energy in your body and mind
Highlights
- Oxalates are a potentially harmful compound found in many foods (such as leafy greens) otherwise known as healthy.
- Too-high levels may lead to a range of conditions including kidney stones and systemic inflammation.
Introduction
Green smoothie for breakfast, tofu salad with nuts for lunch, and baked potatoes and grains for dinner. As healthy as this meal plan sounds, there is one potentially harmful compound that such a meal plan is extremely high in – and that is oxalates.
What are Oxalates?
Oxalates and their acidic form oxalic acid is one of the most acidic compounds in the human body. Found as part of cellular reactions, a by-products of yeasts and fungus and other microorganisms, oxalates also enter the body through food.
When do Oxalates Become an Issue?
Oxalates may become an issue for those with a diet high in plant-based foods. Oxalates can form crystals throughout the body including in bones, joints, blood vessels, lungs, thyroid, and even the brain. These crystals are sharp in nature, and very high levels may result in increased pain and inflammation throughout the body.
High levels of oxalates are considered to be especially dangerous for those with a history of kidney stones as they can result in the formation of a certain type of stone. However, ongoing research has linked high levels of oxalates to a range of other health conditions.
Where are they found?
Oxalates are found among a wide range of foods including:
How to reduce oxalates?
- Diet Modification – Low oxalate diet
- Hydration – Drinking enough liquids helps eliminate oxalates from the body.
- Fat Digestion – Excessive fats in diet may lead to increased oxalates. Supporting fat digestion can help reduce overall oxalate load.
- Omega 3s – Increase intake of essential omega-3 fatty acids, commonly found in fish oil and cod liver oil, which reduces oxalate problems. High amounts of the omega-6 fatty acid, arachidonic acid, are associated with increased oxalate problems. Meat from grain fed animals is high in arachidonic acid.
Testing for Oxalates
The Great Plains Laboratory Organic Acids Test (OAT) test for multiple markers connected with oxalates including Glyceric Acid, Glycolic Acid and Oxalic Acid. Message me here to order an OAT test
Treating High Oxalate Levels
- Antifungal Medications – Use antifungal drugs to reduce yeast and fungi that may be causing high oxalates. Children with autism frequently require years of antifungal treatment. Arabinose, a marker used for years for yeast/fungal overgrowth in the Organic Acids Test is correlated with high amounts of oxalates.
- Calcium and Magnesium – Supplements of calcium and magnesium citrate can reduce oxalate absorption from the intestine. Citrate is the preferred calcium form to reduce oxalate because citrate also inhibits oxalate absorption from the intestinal tract.
- Glucosamine – N-Acetyl glucosamine supplements can stimulate the production of the intercellular cement, hyaluronic acid, to reduce pain caused by oxalates.
- Chondroitin – Chondroitin sulfate can prevent the formation of calcium oxalate crystals.
- B6 – Vitamin B6 is a cofactor for one of the enzymes that degrades oxalate in the body and has been shown to reduce oxalate production.
- Taurine – Excessive fats in the diet may cause elevated oxalates if the fatty acids are poorly absorbed because of bile salt deficiency. If taurine is low, supplementation with taurine may help stimulate bile salt production (taurocholic acid), leading to better fatty acid absorption and diminished oxalate absorption.
- Probiotics – Probiotics may be very helpful in degrading oxalates in the intestine. Individuals with low amounts of oxalate-degrading bacteria are much more susceptible to kidney stones. Both Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis have enzymes that degrade oxalates.
- Other Nutrients – Supplements of vitamin E, selenium, and arginine have been shown to reduce oxalate damage.
Abstract
Background: We aimed to investigate the link of vitamin C status with vitality and psychological functions in a cross-sectional study, and examine their causal relationship through a randomised controlled trial (RCT).
Methods: We first conducted a population-based cross-sectional investigation of healthy young adults (n = 214, 20–39 years), and analyzed the associations of serum vitamin C concentrations with vitality (fatigue and attention) and mood status (stress, depression, and positive and negative affect) using Pearson’s correlation and multiple linear regression analyses. Next, we performed a double-blind RCT in healthy subjects whose serum vitamin C concentrations were inadequate (< 50 umol/L). Subjects were randomly allocated to receive 500 mg of vitamin C twice a day for 4 weeks (n = 24) or a placebo (n = 22). We assessed vitality, which included fatigue, attention, work engagement, and self-control resources, and measured mood status, including stress, depression, positive and negative affect, and anxiety. ELISA determined serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and a Stroop color–word test evaluated attention capacity and processing speed.
Results: In the cross-sectional data, the serum vitamin C concentration was positively associated with the level of attention (r = 0.16, p = 0.02; standardized B = 0.21, p = 0.003), while no significant associations with the levels of fatigue and mood variables being found. In the RCT, compared to the placebo, the vitamin C supplementation significantly increased attention (p = 0.03) and work absorption (p = 0.03) with distinct tendency of improvement on fatigue (p = 0.06) and comprehensive work engagement (p = 0.07). The vitamin C supplementation did not affect mood and serum concentrations of BDNF. However, in the Stroop color–word test, the subjects supplemented with vitamin C showed better performance than those in the placebo group (p = 0.04).
Conclusions: Inadequate vitamin C status is related to a low level of mental vitality. Vitamin C supplementation effectively increased work motivation and attentional focus and contributed to better performance on cognitive tasks requiring sustained attention.
Source: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-021-02656-3
Extreme Fatigue
Extreme Fatigue refers to lack of energy or tiredness of whole body. There are many causes of Extreme fatigue such as alcohol and other drugs.
EXAMPLE CASE STUDY:
A 37-year-old female presented with digestive complaints, carb cravings, ‘overwhelming fatigue’, trouble concentrating at work, and unable to play with her daughter after work due to feeling tired all the time.
She couldn’t remember feeling ‘normal’ since before she had her daughter 6 years ago. She did not have difficulty falling asleep and often went to bed as early as 8pm. However she often woke during the night and could not fall back asleep due to ‘over-thinking’.
She had also been struggling to reduce her weight and had actually been gaining weight for the past 6 years. She complained of reflux, heaviness and discomfort after meals, especially those containing fat (which she has long tried to avoid in her diet), explaining that this may have something to do with her having her gall bladder removed a few years prior.
Treatment
She was prescribed a compounded mixture of 1,500 mg of Taurine (to assist with bile flow, metabolism of fats, support for detoxification & potentially weight management), and 200mg of 5-HTP (to support her sleep & appetite cravings).
The patient was also supported to cut out take-away/junk foods & sugary drinks, and advised not to consume caffeine after 12 pm.
She was also advised to quit her after-work wine habit and exercise every morning (yoga, walking).
Outcome
After just 2 weeks of treatment, the patient reported that although the first few days of changing her habits was hard, she had started feeling a lot better after just 1 week. After 2 weeks, not only did she have more energy, she reported getting a ‘rumbly tummy’ once again whenever she got hungry, and felt that she digested food more completely, feeling ‘lighter’ and more regular. She also reported better sleep.
As her digestive capacity had improved she was prescribed a daily teaspoon of Arctic Cod Liver Oil (divided into half at breakfast and dinner, to help supply natural Vitamin A and D as fat-soluble nutrients she was deficient in, from her long standing fat malabsorption) and continuation of another batch of the compounded Taurine/5-HTP formula mixture.
After 4 weeks, her improved fat-soluble detoxification may have assisted with the increased energy she felt, as well as her self-reported ‘hormonal balance’.
offered to ‘boost’ her next script of compounded formula with some added Acetyl-Carnitine, to provide even further support for fat metabolism on a cellular level (helping mitochondria break down fat for energy).
She is excited to continue making more changes in her life thanks to the great improvements in her wellbeing that she has experienced, and is starting to plan a holiday with her young family.
Mechanisms of Action
Taurine
Taurine is a substrate for Bile Synthesis, fat metabolism and Phase II conjugation directly.
(Key to those seeking to support liver health, as well as assisting those working on hormone and toxin excretion, as well as better assimilation of Omega 3 EFAs, Vitamin D and A from the diet and supplements.)
Taurine may also assist in body fat reduction by reducing central adiposity and increasing insulin sensitivity, providing key support in type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
Supplementing Taurine can have a calming effect on nervous system allowing better nervous system balance and rest (by increasing activity of the GAD enzyme responsible for decreasing Glutamates, and can directly stimulate GABA receptors). Taurine deficiency in neuronal cells will therefore make them more prone to over-excitation.
5-HTP
5-HTP is an intermediate precursor to Serotonin in the body. It is used clinically to support balanced neurotransmitters, mood, sleep (by increasing the length of REM sleep), & appetite (by managing carbohydrate cravings, satiety and digestive regularity).
Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and depression are increasing in the whole world very fast. There are a lots of symptoms such as feeling upset, sad, depressed and hopelessness etc.
EXAMPLE CASE STUDY:
A 35 year old woman presented with ongoing depression for the last 5 years. She continuously experienced strong feelings of apathy and sadness, with a persistent belief that nothing good occurred in her life. She indicated that these feelings and her lack of energy inhibited her ability to improve her diet or undertake any exercise.
Her psychologist had recommended that she improve her diet, and she was seeking support in how to achieve this. The patient was not currently on any medications.
Treatment
After the initial consultation, the patient was compounded a nervous system formula to support her neurochemistry. This was prescribed ahead of planned lifestyle and diet changes, to allow the patient to feel an elevated mood and state of energy.
- Magnesium Threonate – 2.5 grams (200 mg of elemental Magnesium per day)
- 5-HTP – 200mg/day
- DL-Phenylalanine – 3 grams/day
Outcome
After two weeks of treatment, the patient experienced a significant improvement in energy, stating that it was “just easier to get up and move about”. She said that she continued to experience sadness, however the feelings had significantly reduced and her increased energy allowed her to overcome these feelings and begin an exercise regime.
The patient continues therapy with her psychologist as well as work with her nutritionist in shifting more towards a whole-foods diet and regular exercise regime.
Mechanism of Action / Related Compounds
Mg Threonate
Suboptimal levels of Magnesium can often result in a range of nervous system abnormalities. Specific to depression, Magnesium deficiency is theorised to result in over activation and opening of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) coupled calcium channels, resulting in potential neuronal injury and neurological dysfunction – which may contribute to depression. Magnesium deficiency has also been correlated with lowered serotonin levels.
5-HTP
5-HTP is the direct precursor to Serotonin, a neurotransmitter with a diverse range of effects on mood, sleep, and appetite, among many other actions. Increasing low levels of serotonin has been the major form of treatment of depression by conventional medicine.
DL-Phenylalanine
DL-Phenylalanine is a precursor to Tyrosine and the neurotransmitter Dopamine, the primary neurochemical compound that regulates motivation, focus and the reward centre in our brain. Dopamine has often been found to be low in patients with depression.
The Medi Restore Total Body Reset
The Medi Restore Total Body Reset: Nutritional support for detox, a healthy inflammatory response, and gastrointestinal wellbeing.
The Medi Restore Total Body Reset has been designed by the RN Labs expert panel of Nutritionists. The program consists of recommended dietary suggestions and nutritional shakes that will assist your patient’s natural healing and regeneration. The program works by optimising the three key body systems: detox, inflammation, and digestive health.
The guide can serve as your patient’s own workbook, assisting them through each stage of the 4 week program, and set them on the right path toward better ongoing health and wellbeing.
Medi Restore is designed to support healthy digestion, detoxification, immune function, inflammatory balance, energy production and healthy weight management.
Importance of Protein in Review
Amino acids sufficiency is understood to support whole-body homeostasis. Due to new developments of amino acid biochemistry and nutrition, a paradigm shift in nutrition has now led to recognition of the dietary essentiality of both nutritionally essential as well as nutritionally non-essential amino acids, due to the numerous biological processes in which they play important roles, including: regulation of gene expression, cell signaling pathways, digestion and absorption of dietary nutrients, DNA and protein synthesis, proteolysis, metabolism of glucose and lipids, endocrine status, male and female fertility, acid– base balance, antioxidant status, detoxification of xenobiotics and endogenous metabolites, neurotransmission and immunity.
Hou, Y, Yin, Y & Wu, G 2015, ‘Dietary essentiality of ‘‘nutritionally nonessential amino acids’’ for animals and humans’, Experimental Biology and Medicine, vol. 240, no. 8, pp. 997-1007
- Provides a complete source of vegan protein
- 28 grams of protein per double scoop serve
- Dairy/Whey and Soy free
- FODMAP friendly & vegetarian
- Great french vanilla taste – high compliance
- Smooth and easy digestion
- Supports healthy gut membrane integrity
- Provides a source of prebiotic fibre for healthy intestinal flora
- Supports healthy detoxification and liver function
- Serves as a nutritious meal replacement providing a therapeutic and comprehensive dose of B vitamins and trace minerals
- Supports healthy weight management
- Supports balanced and healthy blood sugar levels
- Supports healthy energy production
- Supports and regulate healthy immune function and inflammatory response
- May provide antioxidant support
Supports Multiple Body Systems Using High Quality Synergistic Ingredients
RICE AND PEA PROTEIN
- From Canadian grown peas
- Rice tested for maximum purity from arsenic
- Quality and complete source of protein
- Hypoallergenic (free from Soy, Gluten, Dairy, Whey, Lactose & Casein)
- Smooth and palatable
VITAMINS
- Full Bioactive B-Complex dose per double-scoop serve
- Comprehensive and potent B vitamin support is particularly relevant to numerous processes associated with neurological health, energy production and methylation.
- Uses the 5-MTHF form of folate naturally found in foods, at doses sufficient for therapeutic benefit, but low enough to avoid excessive supplementation in those who do not require large amounts.
- Vitamin C supports immune function, plays a role in collagen production, has an antioxidant action and supports detoxification.
- Vitamin D is key to gut integrity supporting calcium homeostasis, immune function and inflammatory balance
- 800 IU of Vitamin D3 per double scoop serve.
- Soy Free Vitamin E supplied in mixed high-gamma tocotrienols (from environmentally sustainable palm).
- Tocotrienols provide unique health benefits over other forms of vitamin E.
MINERALS
- Calcium from provided red algae and balanced with magnesium for optimal metabolism.
- Full therapeutic dose of balanced and synergistic trace minerals per scoop.
- Se, Zn, and Cr for maximum hormone balance, detoxification and blood sugar management.
ADDITIONAL AMINO ACIDS
- Glutamine supports healthy intestinal membrane structure and integrity.
- Glycine is involved in bile acid conjugation, detoxification, cytokine balance and acts as a neurotransmitter in the CNS.
- Taurine is involved in bile acid conjugation, detoxification, membrane stabilisation, and electrolyte osmoregulation.
LARCH ARABINOGALACTANS
- Source of soluble fibre provides prebiotic activity to support beneficial flora status.
- Supports short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production which plays a key role in gastrointestinal health.
- Assists in the modulation of a balanced immune system.
BOTANICALS
- High Silymarin milk thistle for liver support, detoxification and antioxidant support, as well as soothing the digestive tract.
- Matcha Green Tea powder (rather than extract) for intact polyphenols, catechins and antioxidant support.
- Pomegranate husk for digestive health and microbial balance.
- Ginger to support digestion and balanced inflammatory response.
The Fab Four Products to Help Restore and create total Body Reset.
Thirty-one point eight percent (31.8%)……that’s almost one in every three.That’s the number of hypothyroidism sufferers I’ve surveyed who suffer from anxiety and panic attacks.That’s huge!But it’s a topic that fewer are willing to talk openly about.So, it never gets the attention it deserves.Anxiety can occur without warning. And like a tornado, it can leave a path of destruction in its wake.Anxiety and anxiety related disorders can ruin relationships with friends and family. It can tear apart loving marriages.When it strikes, you can literally lose all control over yourself and your thinking.And there’s nothing you can do about it.But it doesn’t have to be that way.Imagine feeling confident in any social situation……being able to stay in control of your thoughts and not give in to irrational thinking.Imagine being in control of your emotions and not being overcome with fear and worry.Yes, it is possible.But, it’s only when you can understand the underlying cause of a problem that you can actually fix it.Yet, the underlying cause of anxiety is very misunderstood.Many believe it be a simple matter of stress or adrenal fatigue.But trying to fix your adrenal glands alone isn’t going to solve your anxiety problems.(Note: Do you think you have adrenal fatigue? If so, then make sure you read this eye-opening article on “Why You Don’t Have Adrenal Fatigue (and Why Treating It Is Ruining Your Thyroid)”.)The first step in freeing yourself from anxiety is to fix your Hypothyroidism-Serotonin Anxiety Cycle.
So, let’s get right to it, but first…
What Is Serotonin and How Does It Cause Anxiety?
(Note: This is applies to many forms of anxiety and depression. This includes everything from General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) to event-driven Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).)
If you’ve ever heard of serotonin, you might have heard it called the “happy” hormone.
Unfortunately, that’s not the case.
If it were, then hypothyroid sufferers might just be the happiest people on earth.
In reality, serotonin is a primitive stress hormone.
In your intestines and blood, serotonin influences digestion, appetite, muscle contractions and more.
In excess in your intestines, serotonin causes IBS, leaky gut, diarrhea, and nausea.
In your brain, serotonin influences your mood, emotions, sexual desire, social behavior, and more.
In excess (in your brain), serotonin activates your reptilian brain’s “fight or flight” response.
Your reptilian brain (brain stem) focuses strictly on survival. It’s void of logic and rational thinking.
When serotonin activates your “flight or flight” response, the result is anxiety and/or panic. And you’re left unable to think clearly and rationally.
This is why most effective anti-anxiety medications today work in two ways:
- Lowering serotonin’s activity in the brain.
- Blocking your brain’s serotonin receptors.
There are many ways to lower your serotonin naturally through diet, which I’ll show you in a second.
But to lower your serotonin, you first have to understand why it’s elevated to begin with.
The Hypothyroidism-Serotonin Anxiety Cycle
Hypothyroidism and serotonin have a unique relationship.
Hypothyroidism promotes the over-production of serotonin.
And the over-production of serotonin further suppresses your thyroid.
This creates one of many dangerous hypothyroidism cycles. And it’s dangerous cycles like this that keep you trapped in your hypothyroidism.
Research shows that hypothyroidism causes:
- Increased intestinal bacteria and bacterial endotoxin
- Increased stress hormone production
- Increased estrogen production and decreased estrogen detoxification
- Decreased digestion
All these effects of hypothyroidism are known to increase serotonin production.
Research also shows that elevated serotonin causes:
- Increased stress hormone production
- Increased estrogen
- Increased prolactin
- Increased inflammatory histamine
All these effects of serotonin are known to further suppress thyroid function.
The only way to stop this vicious cycle is to break it.
And we can help do this in many ways.
5 Thyroid Diet Tips to Help Break the Hypothyroidism-Serotonin Cycle and End Anxiety
The best way to break the Hypothyroidism-Serotonin Cycle is to address it from every angle.
So, here are five simple diet tips that you can get started with today.
1. Eat More Gelatin and Less Muscle Meat
Most people today get most of their protein from meat.
Yet, the protein in meat isn’t exactly balanced for optimal thyroid function.
Muscle meats contain high amounts of the amino acid tryptophan.
And in hypothyroidism, tryptophan is readily converted into serotonin.
Using protein sources containing little tryptophan has been shown to help lower serotonin levels.
A new method for rapidly and simultaneously decreasing serotonin and catecholamine synthesis in humans
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC257796/
“The administration of amino acid (AA) mixtures that are selectively deficient either in tryptophan or phenylalanine plus tyrosine can decrease serotonin or catecholamine synthesis, respectively.”
One simple way to do this is to use more gelatin (collagen) in your diet, which contains no tryptophan.
Gelatin also acts on GABA receptors in the brain, which can have a calming effect and improve sleep.
Gelatin is a high-quality and anti-inflammatory protein source. And it has been used for thousands of years in traditional cultures. It’s also the most abundant form of protein found in your body.
Today, many people consume gelatin in the form of bone broth.
Yet, my clients tend to prefer an easier and simpler way. So, they consume it in the supplement form, collagen hydrolysate.
This collagen requires no preparation. It’s a very high quality, anti-inflammatory, clean, and easy to digest protein powder. And it dissolves in both hot and cold liquids.
My clients use it in coffee, juices, and many other healthy thyroid recipes.
(NOTE: Want a more advanced method to boost your thyroid using only 3 simple foods a day? Download our proven 3 Food Triple-Thyroid Boosting Protocol now and learn how to start every day right, feeling calm clear and full of energy.)
2. Don’t Forget Your Coffee (Caffeine)
In other articles, I’ve written about the many therapeutic effects of coffee. I’ve noted many ways it helps to improve thyroid function and metabolism.
Yet, this is one therapeutic benefit I’ve yet to discuss.
As Dr. Raymond Peat points out, coffee (caffeine) helps to inactivate serotonin. And this is the reason behind some of coffee’s mood lifting effects.
“coffee stimulates the uptake (inactivation or storage) of serotonin, increases metabolic energy, and tends to improve mood. In animal studies, it reverses the state of helplessness or despair, often more effectively than so-called antidepressants.”
Caffeine also helps inhibit serotonin’s actions at the cell receptors in the brain. This helps to weaken the effects of serotonin on the brain.
3. Cut Back On Your Dietary Fiber
High-fiber foods tend to increase both endotoxin and serotonin production in the intestines.
Studies show that hypothyroidism leads to Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). And this bacterial overgrowth loves to feed on fiber.
This increases endotoxin in the intestines, which further increases serotonin.
High-fiber foods can also create a lot of friction along the intestinal walls.
And it’s this friction within your intestines that also stimulates more serotonin production.
Reducing your fiber intake can help to keep serotonin levels lower.
But, not all fibers are created equal.
4. Get Your Fiber from Raw Carrots and Mushrooms
There are some forms of fiber that are safe. So, it’s best to get your fiber from these foods.
Raw carrots and cooked mushrooms have many therapeutic benefits.
- They have natural antibiotic properties that help to lower endotoxin in the intestines.
- Both have unique ways of helping to lower estrogen.
- They help speed transit time in the intestines.
If you recall, both endotoxin and estrogen increase serotonin production. So, the use of raw carrots and cooked mushrooms can help lower your serotonin.
(Note: Want a simple recipe you can use to lower your serotonin? If so, then you’ll want to read this article on “How to Boost Your Thyroid in 60-Seconds with a Carrot”.)
5. Keep Your Blood Sugar Up and Stable
Hypothyroidism is well known for causing blood sugar handling problems and hypoglycemia.
As a result, stress hormones including cortisol, are chronically overproduced. And these stress hormones strongly suppress your thyroid function.
Cortisol itself is a blood sugar regulating hormone. It acts by breaking down muscle protein and converting that protein into sugar.
As cortisol breaks down muscle tissue, it releases the amino acid tryptophan.
And as mentioned before, in hypothyroidism, this tryptophan converts into serotonin.
Keeping your blood sugar up and stable is essential to suppressing stress hormones. And by suppressing stress hormones you can also lower your serotonin.
When you can’t regulate your blood sugar, you must use your diet to keep it stable.
One way to do this is to eat more frequent meals and snacks.
Another way is to eat more of the right carbohydrates, like fruit.
Gelatin protein can also help slow the breakdown of muscle tissue by cortisol. This helps slow the release of tryptophan and it’s conversion into serotonin.
So, there you have it.
You now have five simple thyroid diet tips to help lower your serotonin and relieve your anxiety.
And don’t forget, it’s not enough to use one or two of these tips.
The best way to break the Hypothyroidism-Serotonin Cycle is to address it from every angle.
For my clients who suffer with anxiety…
…being free of fear and worry are well worth the price of simple changes like these.
(NOTE: Want a more advanced method to boost your thyroid using only 3 simple foods a day? Download our proven 3 Food Triple-Thyroid Boosting Protocol now and learn how to start every day right, feeling calm clear and full of energy.)
Hypothyroidism and Anxiety [Part 2]: 4 Ways to Take Your Foot Off the Anxiety Gas Pedal
Have you ever experienced that your anxiety significantly worsens during times of high stress?
Well, you’re not alone.
In Part 1 of this Hypothyroidism and Anxiety series, we covered the Hypothyroidism-Serotonin Anxiety Cycle.
That dangerous serotonin cycle is, for the most part, the underlying cause of anxiety.
Yet, there are other hormonal factors at play as well…
…most notably, adrenaline.
Keep in mind that serotonin does directly activate your adrenal glands.
So, over time, serotonin itself does drive adrenaline higher.
Yet, when adrenaline rises, it acts as a gas pedal to your emotional state.
Imagine this…
You’re looking out the open door of a plane at 12,500 feet with a parachute strapped to your back.
That’s enough to make anyone’s adrenaline shoot through the roof.
If you’re not prone to anxiety (and you’re skydiving by choice), this increase in adrenaline will often result in a sense of exhilaration and excitement.
Many people feel great when they are on an adrenaline-high.
However, if you’re someone who is prone to anxiety, this increase in adrenaline will, more often than not, increase your anxiety 10-fold.
Instead of jumping out of the plane, you’re more likely to breakdown in fear, thinking of everything that could go wrong after you jump.
When you’re already prone to anxiety, adrenaline acts like a gas pedal, accelerating your existing anxiety to a higher level.
In the same way that serotonin-blocking medications have been shown to successfully treat anxiety, the same goes for adrenaline-blocking medications.
This is why beta-blockers are often prescribed for anxiety treatment.
Beta-blockers work by effectively blocking the adrenaline receptors at the cell level, preventing adrenaline from activating your fight-or-flight response.
While these medications are not necessarily helpful in the long-run due to their unwanted side-effects, they do give us insight into effective ways we can fix the underlying issue(s).
In this case, there are many methods we can use to help lower adrenaline and effectively reduce or improve anxiety.
4 Ways to Improve Anxiety by Lowering Adrenaline
If you suffer from hypothyroidism, then you also suffer from elevated adrenaline.
They go hand-in-hand.
This is because your body compensates for your hypothyroidism by over-producing adrenaline.
While this does play a secondary role in anxiety, not all hypothyroidism sufferers will develop anxiety.
But, you are much more susceptible.
So, whether or not you suffer from anxiety, the recommendations below will still help you.
Below you’ll find four simple ways to reduce adrenaline, which I commonly use with my clients.
1. Restore Your Liver Glycogen
A healthy liver stores plenty of glycogen (a storage form of sugar) necessary to keep your blood sugar stable.
A hypothyroid liver does not store glycogen efficiently.
When your blood sugar drops, or your cells become deprived of glucose, your body secretes adrenaline to stimulate your liver to release glycogen.
In the case of hypothyroidism, where your liver doesn’t store glycogen very well, this can lead to very high levels of adrenaline.
This increase in adrenaline alone can quickly drive your anxiety very high.
There are many foods that we can use to help your liver store more glycogen, but there’s another overlooked problem that we need to correct too.
Your liver requires thyroid hormone (T3) to store glycogen.
In many cases we have to use thyroid hormone (T3) to help break this cycle and help the liver to do its job.
In turn, glycogen storage increases, blood sugar handling improves, and both adrenaline and anxiety often improve.
(NOTE: In cases of very elevated adrenaline and anxiety, it’s often necessary to introduce and increase thyroid hormone (T3) very slowly to determine the optimal dosage. Too much thyroid hormone (T3) at one time can sometimes increase your sensitivity to adrenaline.)
2. Suppress Stress with Progesterone
Progesterone is probably the most anti-stress hormone that your body produces.
Research studies show that with an adequate dosage, progesterone alone can effectively shut down the body’s stress response.
In animal experiments it has been shown that animals can live normal healthy lives even after the removal of their adrenal glands, as long as adequate progesterone is present.
Experiments also show that progesterone is very effective at relieving anxiety.
I have found it to be very effective with clients.
The quality and delivery mechanism of progesterone can make all the difference.
This is why I use molecular progesterone oil with my clients.
3. Get Adequate Salt
Restricting your sodium intake increases both adrenaline and serotonin.
So, if you’re restricting your salt intake, then you may be pushing your anxiety even higher without even knowing it.
Salt/Sodium intake has been a controversial topic for decades, until more recently, when continued evidence showing the dangers of salt restriction could no longer be ignored.
Getting adequate salt in your diet is very important for numerous reasons, but keeping serotonin and adrenaline low is a big one.
It’s best to salt your food to taste, although I’ve found that some clients still need significantly more.
4. Amino Acids Before Medications
Most of my clients prefer more natural solutions to their health problems and prefer to avoid medications when possible.
With that being said, there are safer anxiety medications, but that’s beyond the scope of this article.
So, we typically first opt to try some amino acid supplements that work well for some, but not all.
When it comes to anxiety, there are two that I generally recommend starting with.
The first is l-theanine, which studies show to be very effective at stopping the stress response and improving anxiety.
Protective effect of l-theanine on chronic restraint stress-induced cognitive impairments in mice
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006899313001856
“However, not only did l-theanine treatment exhibit a reversal of the cognitive impairments and oxidative damage induced by CRS, but also reversed the abnormal level of corticosterone in the serum as well as the abnormal levels of catecholamines in the brain and the serum.”
The second amino acid is l-lysine, which does not act directly on adrenaline. Instead, it acts by blocking the effects of serotonin.
L-Lysine acts like a partial serotonin receptor 4 antagonist and inhibits serotonin-mediated intestinal pathologies and anxiety in rats.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14676321
“An increase in nutritional load of l-lysine might be a useful tool in treating stress-induced anxiety and 5-HT-related diarrhea-type intestinal dysfunctions.
Anxiety is a serious health issue that can literally take over your life.
Understandably, we often look to quick-fix solutions to our debilitating health problems.
Some of the solutions we’ve discussed so far are just that.
They help to lower or block the effects of serotonin and adrenaline.
However, hypothyroidism itself is a primary underlying cause of both elevated serotonin and adrenaline.
So, it’s important to understand that while many quick-fix solutions may help in the short-term, they don’t necessarily fix the problem for good.
This is why using thyroid hormone (T3), from quality desiccated thyroid or T3-Only medication, to improve thyroid function is often the most important factor for normalizing serotonin and adrenaline over the long-term.
Hypothyroidism and Anxiety [Part 3]: 5 Ways to Restore Brain Energy in the Anxiety Prone Hypothyroid Brain
Thyroid hormone regulates so many different functions and systems within your body that its negative effects can seem never ending.
This is what makes hypothyroidism and anxiety such a complicated topic.
Of course, thyroid hormone is responsible for regulating hormones.
Yet, in Part 1 of this anxiety series we’ve also seen how thyroid hormone helps regulate neurotransmitters (and we’ve only discussed one so far, Serotonin!).
Let’s not forget that thyroid hormone also plays the most important role in metabolism and energy production.
We most commonly associate the effects of fatigue and lack of energy production with our body and muscles.
Less commonly we associate the effects of fatigue and lack of energy production with our brain.
In hypothyroidism, we can experience significant decline in brain energy production.
This lack of brain energy is very commonly associated with anxiety.
In hypothyroidism we see a switch from healthy oxidative metabolism (high energy production) to more glycolisis metabolism (lower energy production).
This switch results in the following changes within your brain that rob your brain of energy:
- Decreased carbon dioxide
- Increased nitric oxide
- Increase lactate
- Increased ammonia
Now most of these changes are well understood.
However, the medical community refuses to acknowledge the dangers of excessive nitric oxide.
This is in large part because of the erectile dysfunction drugs like Viagra, which depends on increasing nitric oxide to work.
Of course, everyone must prioritize all aspects of their health, sexual or otherwise. But that’s a topic for another day.
What is important is to understand the negative effects of nitric oxide when it comes to anxiety.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) studies show that brain levels of nitric oxide rise in response to severe traumatic stress.
They also show that inhibiting the actions of nitric oxide in the brain can help reverse anxiety.
Just like lactate and ammonia, nitric oxide has many negative effects on the brain, including:
- Inhibiting mitochondrial energy production.
- Causing oxidative damage to brain cells.
- In the presence of polyunsaturated fats, reducing oxygen use.
The end result is a severe decline in brain energy and often an increase in anxiety.
Let’s look at some easy ways in which we can offset these changes in your brain and alleviate some anxiety in the process.
5 Ways to Restore Brain Energy to Alleviate Anxiety
1. Lower Nitric Oxide and Lactate with Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
Vitamin B3, specifically niacinamide, has some extensive benefits when it comes to anxiety.
In fact, it will likely get its own dedicated part within this anxiety article series because of all its benefits.
Today however, we’re only discussing niacinamide with respect to brain energy.
The study below provides one example of how niacinamide enhanced brain energy metabolism.
Mitochondrial function in the brain links anxiety with social subordination.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26621716
“Conversely, intraaccumbal infusion of nicotinamide, an amide form of vitamin B3 known to enhance brain energy metabolism, prevented the development of a subordinate status in high-anxious individuals.”
It does so in part by reducing lactate and nitric oxide, while increasing the production of carbon dioxide in the brain.
(Note: These metabolic benefits are a few of many reasons why we use niacinamide in our Vitamin B Thyroid Complex.)
This cumulative effect not only stops the decline in brain activity from nitric oxide, it also strongly stimulates healthy oxidative (sugar) metabolism.
In other words, large doses of niacinamide can speed up your use of blood sugar.
For some this can result in a strong lowering of blood sugar.
So, to prevent this from occurring some need to eat a significant amount of carbohydrates before using it.
Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
2. Lower Nitric Oxide with L-Theanine
Another easy way to help lower nitric oxide in the brain and alleviate anxiety is with the use of the amino acid, l-theanine.
L-theanine, a Component of Green Tea Prevents 3-Nitropropionic Acid (3-NP)-Induced Striatal Toxicity by Modulating Nitric Oxide Pathway.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26957301
“The neuroprotective potential of L-theanine involves inhibition of detrimental nitric oxide production and prevention of neurotransmitters alteration in the striatum.”
3. Lower Lactate and Increase Carbon Dioxide with Bag Breathing
While there are many things we do to stimulate energy production, it takes time to restore healthy oxidative metabolism.
So, anything we can do to protect ourselves during the process is helpful.
A healthy, high energy metabolism requires sufficient carbon dioxide.
Carbon dioxide both stimulates energy production while also decreasing lactate, which impairs brain energy.
Bag breathing is something that we often use multiple times a day to raise blood levels of carbon dioxide.
Simply breathing comfortably in and out of a paper bag through your nose can help.
It shouldn’t be forced or uncomfortable. Take as many breaks as you need.
While this builds up carbon dioxide levels, you will lose it over time as you breathe.
So, bag breathing for a few minutes multiple times per day is most effective.
4. Lower Ammonia with Biotin
Another b-vitamin that helps to improve brain energy is biotin (Vitamin B7).
One of biotin’s primary mechanisms for this is through its ability to help reduce ammonia levels in the brain.
Effect of biotin on ammonia intoxication in rats and mice.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7647902
“The decrease in brain glutamate and aspartate after ammonia loading was lower and the brain glutamine level was higher in biotin-treated mice than in the controls. These findings indicate the protective effect of biotin against ammonia intoxication.”
Not only did this study show the ammonia lowering effects of biotin, it also shows biotin’s ability to lower nitric oxide and glutamate.
(Note: These are also a few of many reasons why we use biotin (B7) in our Vitamin B Thyroid Complex.)
5. Fuel Brain Energy with Keto-Acids
In some cases, there are other factors that can block brain energy.
For example, there can be a degree of insulin resistance in the brain (commonly found in diabetes and the development of neurodegenerative brain diseases).
In these cases, we can use an alternative fuel source to restore brain energy quickly.
This is where keto-acids can help.
Studies show that keto-acids (or ketones) can be used to fuel your brain very efficiently in times of need.
They also show that this brain energy boost improves markers of anxiety.
Now, we’re not talking about your body producing its own ketones. That’s a severe sign of stress. That’s your body trying to survive a serious nutritional deficiency that will shut your thyroid down quickly.
We’re talking about getting a highly concentrated source of keto-acids from foods, such as potatoes.
Dr. Raymond Peat has recommended juicing potatoes to remove the starch, leaving behind a keto-acid rich potato juice.
This can be cooked into a pudding like consistency and eaten with plenty of salt to taste.
All of the methods described here can help significantly with anxiety.
An energized brain is one of the most important (yet overlooked) steps to improving brain function.
Sources:
1. LeBlanc, Victoria. “Introduction to Anxiety Caused by Hypothyroidism.” Calm Clinic, 27 Oct. 2018, www.calmclinic.com/anxiety/causes/hypothyroidism.
2. Harvard Health Publishing. “Thyroid Deficiency and Mental Health.” Harvard Health, May 2007, www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/thyroid-deficiency-and-mental-health.
3. Foundation, British Thyroid. “Psychological Symptoms and Thyroid Disorders.” British Thyroid Foundation, 2018, www.btf-thyroid.org/information/leaflets/37-psychological-symptoms-guide.
Tom Brimeyer is the founder of Forefront Health and the creator of the popular Hypothyroidism Revolution program series. Specializing in thyroid and metabolism disorders, Tom’s work has impacted over 50,000 people spanning more than 60 countries. Tom is also a highly sought after practitioner who runs a successful health consulting practice where he continues to help clients across the globe to take back control of their lives from their devastating health conditions.
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Are you B6 Toxic.?
Get yourself tested
VITAMIN B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride or Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate) TOXICITY is a very unrecognized but emerging epidemic that can cause widespread neurological damage to the body. It is not commonly recognized by most of the medical community and is often misdiagnosed. B6 toxicity can cause multiple different symptoms that can vary from person to person. Vitamin B6 is added to a variety of supplements and common food and drinks in amounts that would not normally be consumed in an average person’s diet. The (Recommended Daily Amount) RDA for B6 is around 1.3mg with much larger amounts being added to foods, drinks, and supplements. This large increase in fortification and supplement usage over the past decade or more has caused many to develop Vitamin B6 Toxicity. Since much of the medical community is not knowledgeable or even aware of the dangers of Vitamin B6 usage, many are never tested for it or even questioned on their current or past supplement usage when symptoms present. Many are misdiagnosed or never diagnosed at all (Idiopathic). For this reason, this group exists, as a place to increase awareness and share facts and experiences about Vitamin B6 Toxicity.
• TYPICAL SYMPTOMS OF B6 TOXICITY
Not everyone experiences the same symptoms and these can vary dramatically from person to person.
NEURO: Peripheral neuropathy or nerve damage to the feet, legs or hands is one of the most common symptoms of Vitamin B6 Toxicity.
-Tingling, shocks/zaps, vibrations, ataxia, burning, numbness of feet, calves and/or hands, and headaches are also commonly reported.
Other areas of the body sometimes affected are:
OCULAR: Visual disturbances, ocular mirgraines (or migraine with aura), blurry vision (in one eye or both), “Visual Snow.”
SENSORY /MOTOR: Trouble walking, heaviness of legs, sudden dizziness, ataxia, feeling like you are walking aboard a boat, proprioceptive difficulties.
SKIN: rashes, itchy skin, goosebumps, hair Loss, tingling scalp/face.
GASTROINTESTINAL ISSUES: Acid reflux, heartburn, indigestion, burning upper chest area, burning sensation of throat, mouth, tongue and/or lips.
PSYCHOLOGICAL: Anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, depression, OCD disorder, possible agoraphobia
NOTE: Vitamin B6 Toxicity can very much mirror symptoms of Diabetes or Multiple Sclerosis (MS), so do not be surprised if your doctor wants to test you for these when you present with your symptoms. We are not saying you should forego testing for these, as you should always heed what your doctor suggests. Many, however, upon testing negative for these, have been able to talk to their doctor about Vitamin B6 Toxicity as a possibility, test for it, and become relieved when they find out they do not have such a life-long and progressive disease to cope with.
• IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE B6 TOXICITY, GET TESTED!
Vitamin B6 levels can be tested by a doctor or in many countries, by oneself through a private lab. VITAMIN B6 LEVELS DO NOT STAY ELEVATED FOR LONG after stopping supplements due to the short half-life of 15-20 days. (Two to four weeks for most). For this reason, it is important to immediately obtain Vitamin B6 blood levels if one suspects B6 Toxicity. Each day after stopping supplements, levels will fall rapidly IN MOST people. For an accurate reading of your B6 levels, a lab draw should be completed as soon as possible, or the toxicity may be quickly missed and not recorded properly in your medical records. This can be important for leaves of absence from work, short term disability, social security disability and most importantly, for the peace of mind that the Vitamin B6 diagnosis is correct. If you have stopped supplements for a month or more, it may be too late to pull levels. Sometimes, levels will fall to normal in only 2 weeks of stopping supplements and fortified foods.
TESTING OPTIONS
If your doctor refuses to test you, here are some links to labs in the Australia that will allow you to test yourself. Fees can vary, but they are typically around $65-$100 AUD. Sometimes private labs will offer coupons for discounts if your are a first time customer, or offer them if your sign up for Email announcements or offers.
**It takes an average of a week to get results back.**
AFTER DIAGNOSIS
• IF YOU ARE SUPPLEMENTING AND HAVE/HAD HIGH LEVELS
Stop taking ALL supplements with B6 immediately. If you have not been tested, please see section above on GETTING TESTED and the details of getting an accurate B6 level reading.
If you already have been tested and have a high level of B6, it is important to eliminate EXCESS b6 in one’s diet. The main concern is added Vitamin B6 to foods and drinks. Pyridoxine is added not only to vitamin supplements but to many other foods, drinks and supplements that most people don’t even realize. Make sure you check every label of your supplements for either “Vitamin B6” or “Pyridoxine HCI” or “Pyridoxine Hydrochloride.” Another form sometimes added is “P5P” or “Pyridoxal 5 Phosphate”. Check all labels and eliminate all food and drinks that contain synthetic B6 / pyridoxine! For those supplementing, usually just stopping the excess B6 in fortified foods, drinks and supplements allows the levels to return to normal within about 2 weeks to a month.
• IF YOU ARE NOT SUPPLEMENTING AND HAVE/HAD HIGH LEVELS
In our experience of watching members over time, there are two frequent causes of having high levels of B6, but no history of supplementing with B6 Vitamins.
-The person is supplementing and doesn’t know it. Even small amounts in multivitamins and other supplements can cause toxicity. In addition, fortification of things like Red Bull, Powerade, and Vitamin Water can even cause or contribute to toxicity. Many members realize they were taking more B6 than they realized after checking their foods, drinks, and supplements. See CHECK ALL LABELS.
-The person is on a high meat diet. Frequently, some of these members are on some type of a Paleo diet with a lot of meat, fish, vegetables, and fruits that are high in Vitamin B6. The ability to become toxic off food alone and not from a synthetic source has been doubted by some medical practitioners, but the trend among members leaves it undetermined. There are many theories on how this can happen, but none have been proven.
NOTE- ***Upon stopping and getting levels down, symptoms gets worse before better. There is usually a period of time (a few weeks to a few months) where people feel an increase of symptoms upon stopping. This usually correlates with a large decrease in B6 blood levels. According to studies and member experiences, B6 levels return to normal and then can drop low for a small period of time before again returning to normal.***
Although we do not have a protocol for detoxing other than to remove excess and unnecessary added B6 in one’s diet, some members benefit from staying hydrated and keeping other vitamins and minerals at normal levels. Some choose to eliminate other unnecessary supplements as they can cause an increase in symptoms. Moderate exercise, sweating, massage, eating adequate protein, using magnesium, and drinking adequate electrolytes are just a few of the ways people try to calm symptoms and aid in their improvement. Trying any specific protocol is done at one’s own risk.
Probiotics can also serve as a B-Complex vitamin in the gut. If you are not supplementing with any vitamins that contain Vitamin B6, or consuming any fortified foods containing Vitamin B6 – but are taking LIVE probiotics or consuming fermented foods or beverages, try eliminating them for a while and see if that helps alleviate symptoms and lowers serum levels of B6 upon further testing. Some members have had issues tolerating probiotics after toxicity.
CHECK ALL LABELS
Anything that you consume or put in your mouth might have synthetic pyridoxine added to it and could have caused/contributed to toxicity. Therefore, it is very important to check all labels of anything you eat, drink, or you take/took. It is VERY OFTEN hidden in things that one would not expect to have vitamins added to it. Examples include Melatonin, Emergen-C, Sleep Aids, Magnesium, Protein Shakes, prescribed hormonal supplements like Estrogen, Metanx, Anti-Nausea medications for pregnancy, and many more etc. So, check everything!
NOTE–Some benefit from avoiding very high B6 foods like Avocados and Bananas, but everyone is different. We do not recommend limiting normal foods with B6 in them. Please see “A Few Warnings” below.
WHAT CAUSES VITAMIN B6 TOXICITY?
The exact cause for B6 Toxicity and what occurs in the body to cause damage to the nervous system has not been identified completely. Several theories have been proposed by doctors and researchers over the years, but there is yet to be one certain and identified cause of it.
PROPOSED CAUSES
Autoimmune reaction – This has been mainly proposed by the great Katharina Dalton and her study on women taking B6 for PMS. Katharina noted the increase in levels of her patients upon supplementing and the correlation with neurological symptoms. She also noted that her patients would have symptoms subsequently return on even very low doses in the future, indicating an autoimmune response. Her follow up of her study patients who took B6 and became toxic – vs her patients who never took B6 – showed a large increase in the diagnosis of autoimmune disorders in the years that followed (32% vs 3% in the control). This autoimmune theory could also explain why some can take B6 in large amounts or for long periods of time and then suddenly develop symptoms of toxicity. This original Dalton study can be found in the files section under “Dalton and Dalton Article.”
A link to the follow-up debate on autoimmunity: http://www.thelancet.com/…/lan…/PIIS0140-6736(98)26027-2.pdf
Enzyme blockage – A recent in vitro study (2017) showed results of a blockage or reduction in enzymes due to too much pyridoxine hydrochloride (B6). According to the study, this reduction in enzymes caused a deficiency of pyridoxal-5-phosphate in the cells leading to nerve cell damage and death. Unfortunately, this study excluded possible toxicity from other forms of Vitamin B6 and so has not been deemed to be completely accurate. Several forms of B6 have been implicated in causing toxicity. More research is needed. This study can be found in the files section.
A link to the study:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28716455
Direct neurological affects- This has also been suggested in an in vitro study that showed nerve cell death upon direct exposure to Pyridoxine Hydrochloride. The study is in the files section.
HYPOPHOSPHATASIA: Hypophosphatasia is a very rare genetic disorder but in fact a genetic problem. This genetic problem can cause also just very mild symptoms or even you can be a carrier and never have a problem. If your ALP is mostly low just below the normal range (your entire life), it shows already very possible genetic problem. Again in severe cases, it causes soft bones but it presents in new borns or children. If anything happens in adulthood, it can be mild, no noticeable physical symptoms or simply loosing tooth in early adulthood and presents with short root canals on X ray.
There are though other possibilities why ALP is low: low zinc, excessive D vitamin intake, low B vitamins. Firstly this needs to corrected and checked if ALP stays low.
If you had chronically low ALP, it won’t go up so significantly like to 100 or something just sufficiently.
Low ALP causes high B6 indeed, but high B6 do not cause low ALP.
A link to the study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC423894/
MTHFR/Gene Mutation – This has been suggested by some, but NO DEFINITE LINK has ever been identified between MTHFR and B6 Toxicity. We have had many members who had B6 Toxicity who did not have the MTHFR gene and many that did. Unfortunately, many websites have jumped to link MTHFR with B6 Toxicity, even going so far as to suggest Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate (P5P), another version of Vitamin B6, as a remedy. This is dangerous. There has never been any verified link between MTHFR and Vitamin B6 Toxicity. Please see the files section for additional information on genetic research and B6 Toxicity.
• THE REAL CAUSE****************************************
No matter the metabolic or autoimmune process that causes damage within the body, the outside cause remains the same, too much Vitamin B6 intake.
PLEASE SEE “JOEY’S STORY” archived in the files section for some additional information and other theories. Since we were founded as an “Exploring” group with so little medical research on Vitamin B6 Toxicity available, the quest to find causes, remedies, and truth to B6 Toxicity is still an ongoing endeavor.
A FEW MYTHS
P5P OR PYRIDOXAL 5 PHOSPHATE – Some websites claim that P5P cannot cause toxicity. This is incorrect. Many people have become toxic off P5P and ended up with resulting neurological symptoms. P5P is not safer than Pyridoxine Hydrochloride and according to some sources, may actually be stronger.
UPPER LIMITS – Some health practitioners and other sources claim that one cannot become toxic off small amounts of B6 and only very large amounts of B6 can cause toxicity. This is completely and totally incorrect and many people have become toxic off amounts as low as 1mg in their multivitamins or from other sources of fortification. Some countries have taken notice to the increased reports of toxicity on low amounts of B6 in supplements and have considered lowering their upper limits. More awareness is needed, but it is important to note that many people become toxic off small amounts of B6 in addition to their normal diet.
A FEW WARNINGS
I DO NOT PROMOTE ANY PROTOCOLS OR SUPPLEMENTS.
-Ingesting anything involves risk. For this reason, if you want to take any of the supplements that are mentioned in our group by members, we take no responsibility for the outcome and we would strongly advise you to do your own research first. If you’re under the care of a doctor, we strongly advise you to consult with your doctor or health care professional FIRST, to see if there are any conflicts with other medications or if any supplements can alter any treatment plans you are currently on. It is also a good idea to start with very small amounts to see how the body reacts. Always keep in mind that, just because something says “natural,” doesn’t mean it’s safe.
-Once you have B6 intoxication, it is very important to stay away from all synthetic pyridoxine in supplements, food and drinks. Because taking synthetic Vitamin B6 again, even in the smallest of doses, may cause a relapse of symptoms or toxicity in the future. This is supported in the Dalton study: http://www.thelancet.com/…/lan…/PIIS0140-6736(98)26027-2.pdf
I do NOT support avoiding organic or natural Vitamin B6 found naturally in food. I recommend eating real foods with moderate amounts of organic B6 while you are recovering because our body still needs B6. Avoiding ALL B6 can lead to deficiencies of other vitamins. Ironically, Vitamin B6 deficiency, which is very rare, mirrors many of the symptoms of Vitamin B6 Toxicity.
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Avoiding foods that you have a sensitivity to isn’t always easy, because some of the basic proteins of healthy plant foods, like lectin, can also cause health problems.
Knowing the symptoms of lectin sensitivity is important as well as knowing which foods have the most lectin. Your individual genetics may also mean that you have a different level of tolerance for lectin. You may have a sensitivity, for example, but your siblings may not.
The good news is that modern crops that contain lectin have been cultivated to contain less of the anti-nutrient lectin. Even if you have a lectin sensitivity, lectin-containing foods that are cooked may provide better nutrient absorption than raw grains and legumes. If you are not able to tolerate lectin, as a last resort, you can avoid lectin completely.
10 Signs You Have a Lectin Sensitivity
Previously we talked about gluten sensitivity in our article 10 Signs You Should Stop Eating Gluten Immediately. Lectin is very similar to gluten in that it is an anti-nutrient. Anti-nutrients are found naturally in plants and grains and when we consume them, they interfere with the absorption of other nutrients in our bodies.
Most people know someone with a sensitivity to gluten. Gluten can cause digestive intolerance symptoms in many people and lectins can do the same thing. The problem with lectins is that they don’t want to be digested.
Plants developed their anti-nutrient parts to protect their seeds from being digested by birds and animals. Lectin is important to the plant seed because it can protect the entire seed from being digested, and allow it to pass through the intestines as waste. One it exits, the seed may have survived to grow and become a new plant.
Lectin is believed to worsen autoimmune disease in people who have a lectin sensitivity. Lectin is so resistant to being digested that it can cross over into the circulation system where it can cause damage to cells.
The immune system responds to lectin by producing antibodies. A blood test for lectin antibodies may be the best way to find out if you have a lectin sensitivity. Talk to your health care professional if you are having any of the following symptoms.
1. Leaky gut
Dr. Mercola says ‘All grains contain glutinous proteins known as prolamines that can be very “binding,” as they are pasty substances our bodies were just not designed to breakdown correctly.’
‘Substances in grains, including gliadin and lectins, may increase intestinal permeability or leaky gut syndrome. Leaky gut can cause digestive symptoms such as bloating, gas, and abdominal cramps.’
2. Fatigue
Lectin is associated with chronic fatigue syndrome in some people. The good news is that a dietary change could help resolve your tiredness problem and help you find your lost energy.
3. Mental health problems
A study of indigenous cultures with no access to wheat, which contains the anti-nutrient lectin, as compared to cultures that use wheat frequently found that ‘grain glutens are harmful to schizophrenics.” The study authors don’t imply that grains cause the mental illness schizophrenia but that lectin and gluten could trigger an autoimmune response in the body that is like a chemically induced mental illness.
Wheat products can also reduce the amount of the mood hormone serotonin, which can lead to depressed mood and symptoms of depression. This doesn’t mean that removing lectin from the diet could help cure mental illness but it might improve overall mood balance.
4. Skin rashes
Lectin sensitivity might show up externally in dry, itchy, flaky skin. Redness and itchiness are often the first signs of a problem.
5. Joint pain
Inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis is aggravated by lectin. Painful, swollen joints can be a serious health impact due to your decreased desire to exercise as a result of pain.
6. Allergies
Lectin sensitivity can show up as an allergic response. You may notice watery eyes, sniffling or sinus congestion, tightness in the throat, and itchy skin, mouth or tongue.
7. Nausea
Similar to the effect that a gluten sensitivity has on your body, a lectin sensitivity is not good for your appetite. Your body knows what is good for it and what is not and you may notice feeling nauseous when you are about to eat a food that contains lectin if your body has had a bad reaction to it before. Read our article, Love Your Gut – 3 Ways to Improve Digestive Health for more information.
8. Muscle weakness
Due to a lack of vitamin B12 being absorbed by the intestines, muscle weakness is likely. Not having good muscle strength can also lead to problems with balance and gait.
9. Numbness
The sensation of extremities falling asleep could be due to a lack of nutrients like B12 that are passed through the digestive system rather than being absorbed.
10. Susceptibility to illness
Getting sick more often could be due to having lecting sensitivity. If your immune system is already busy fighting off lectin, it has less resources to devote to fighting off bacteria as they enter your body.
Talk to your healthcare professional if you suspect a lectin sensitivity problem. You can also begin restricting your diet to eliminate individual grains, nuts, beans, tomatoes, melon, squash, dairy, eggs and all forms of potatoes if you would like to take control of your own health now.
