I went through this for years. I dealt with amenorrhea, irregular periods, ovarian cysts. and estrogen dominance. OB-GYNs, nurses, and even functional MDs provided me with countless different options for contraceptives, as well as progesterone cream, without actually taking the time to get to the root causes problems at hand. 

And I see this time and time again in my clinic. My clients come to me having had previous practitioners who got so dialed in on hormone replacement therapy, birth control, and even some natural hormone-supporting supplements or nutritional modifications that emphasized the macro and micronutrients that best support hormonal balance…but ultimately ignored the toxins that actually disrupt their hormones. So they are months, or typically years, into those treatments/protocols and they’re STILL not feeling better.

An important piece of the hormone health conversation pertains to the hormone-disrupting toxins that we are exposed to on a daily basis. And if we don’t start making them part of mainstream medical conversations, both women AND men are going to have a hard time finding any type of true hormonal balance. 

Xenoestrogens, toxins that have estrogen-mimicking effects, are some of the biggest influencers in hormonal imbalance. They can be found in plastics, pesticides, insecticides, parabens in our personal care products, petrochemicals in our tap water, phthalates in our food packaging, and more. But one of the xenoestrogens I see talked about the least but influences my clients the most is MOLD with estrogenic properties!

Mold & Your Hormones

I remember a few years ago, I ran a Mycotoxin (mold toxin) Urinalysis Panel on my one client, Katie, as we were running several functional medicine labs to better identify the root causes of her chronic fatigue, brain fog, bloating, and mold swings. As we were reviewing her results that showed several elevated mycotoxins, she shared with me that her previous practitioner (who was also in the functional medicine space) told her that it would be “impossible” for her to have mycotoxins in her system. My client had been struggling for years with her chronic health challenges, suspecting that there may be mold in her condo that was contributing to her issues, but her previous practitioner gaslit her into thinking that there was NO WAY mold could be an issue.

Let’s take the mycotoxin, Zearalenone, for example.

Zearalenone (ZEA) is technically an estrogenic mycotoxin, meaning it mimics estrogen and can actually bind to the SAME receptors as estrogen can… that’s a problem! ZEA is a food-prone mold toxin found in maize and other cereal crops such as barley, oats, rice, sorghum, rye, and wheat (note: whether a food is organic or not, it can still have mold). 

ZEA exposure has been tied to infertility, bleeding problems, immune and endocrine system issues, and beyond. 

In vivo studies have shown how ZEA can influence ovulation rates in animals.

ZEA has also been found to have the potential to cause cell proliferation in women with endometriosis who do not have sufficient estrogen levels. It can potentially exacerbate the condition by “stepping in” with its own estrogenic properties, binding to estrogen receptors, and worsening the condition.

And ZEA is just ONE type of mycotoxin. Mold exposure as a whole also impairs liver function, one of the primary organs responsible for healthy hormone metabolism. 

Estrogen dominance, an incredibly common condition among women it today’s world, is also linked to mold, leading to symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, anxiety, depression, bloating, mood swings, hair loss, insomnia, low libido, and more. You likely have a congested liver with impaired function due to toxins like mold and other environmental toxins, and some sludgy bile affecting hormone metabolite excretion and detox as a whole!

So why are the majority of practitioners failing to even consider mold as a potential root cause?

We can thank our conventional medicine education system for that! Unfortunately, even though the studies are out there, it takes an average of 17 years from the time a study is done until its actually put into conventional medicine practice. And even then, many of these facts get bull-dozed or completely swept under the rug by the mainstream medical curriculums funded by Big Pharma. most aren’t trained to think outside of the standard education they have received. Don’t worry – that’s what we’re here for. Just like Katie did, if you are serious about getting to the root causes and finding solutions to the health problems that your doctors have dismissed, let’s chat.

Potential Next Steps for Addressing Mold Toxicity

Here are a few things you can do right now to start educating yourself a bit more on mold and supporting the detox process.

1. Find more general education on mold, including tips for a low-mold diet, general ways to support your body’s ability to detox mold, etc via my “Mold” Highlight Bubble on Instagram.
2. Focus on getting your drainage pathways open FIRST before pushing comprehensive detox of mold or any other toxin. You can get instant access to my 3 Day Drainage Clinic HERE to get you started.
3. If you are ready to get the utmost clarity and take a fully bio-individualized approach to identifying and addressing all root cause variables at play with your hormone imbalances and other symptoms, including mold and beyond, scheduling your 1 on 1 comprehensive consultation is the next best step for you!

We’re here to help you heal!

Rooting for you, always.

Lyss

The post Could Your Hormone Issues Be a Mold Problem? first appeared on Biohacking Bombshell.

And those are just to name a few!

I dealt with it all for 20+ YEARS!

Not a single general practitioner, infectious disease specialist, or gastroenterologist in the mainstream medical system brought up any of the root causes (that I share below) as potential variables for my gut issues. Not one.

Some claimed that my gut problems were probably just “genetic” because several of my other family members had gut issues. Dad has IBS so it’s “normal” for me to deal with it too?

[Insert permanent eye roll here].

What’s crazy is that, when several family members deal with the same symptoms, most practitioners will default to the “it’s just genetic” response. Never was it considered that maybe numerous family members would experience similar symptoms and be diagnosed with similar conditions because they have common toxic exposures or other lifestyle and environmental factors that manifest as similar health challenges.

The mainstream medical system isn’t talking about how using the same toxic household products, drinking the same toxic tap water, eating the same foods drenched in glyphosate and pesticides, having the same stress management techniques (or lack thereof) and refusing to resolve generational trauma, etc can all be at the root of what appear to be “genetic” issues. I have another blog on epigenetics and how those variables influence your genes HERE.

But if it wasn’t the “genetics” response that practitioners were feeding me, it’s like they didn’t give me any reasoning at all! buThey quickly gave me some type of over-the-counter medication, resorting to the easy one-size-fits-all strategy based on a pill for every ill.

Name it, blame it, and tame it, as they say….

Slamming Kaopectate, Imodium, Tums, Gaviscon, Nexium, and making sure that I knew where the closest bathroom was the only “solution” presented by all the doctors I paid my time, money, and energy to in the conventional medicine space

Even in my beginning years in the functional medicine space, I’d receive a diagnosis of SIBO or Leaky gut, but we never REALLY got to the root of WHY my small intestinal bacteria were even overgrown, or WHY my gut was leaky, or WHY the candida / yeast infections continued to be a problem despite treatment.

That’s what keeps us STUCK. Can you relate? Getting a diagnosis but still never getting to the root of the issue?

I’m here to extend a virtual hug and remind you that you do NOT have to live this way. I pray that you can leverage my decades of personal experience, research, testing, constantly digging deeper to trust in the fact that this does not have to be your fate. You do not just need to “accept” your gut issues.

Below are 5 major examples of root causes to gut issues that most practitioners will never talk about. By no means is this an exhaustive list! But this will give you initial insight regarding some of the many root cause variables at play! 

5 Root Causes Linked To Gut Issues like IBS, SIBO, Leaky Gut, & More!

1. Glyphosate. A widely used pesticide/herbicide that kills more than just weeds. It’s the key ingredient in weedkillers like Roundup and many lawn and garden treatments. It is linked to gut permeability, gut dysbiosis, Celiac disease, anxiety, cramps, diarrhea, cancer, and countless other health issues. And they’re spraying it right on our food. It is commonly found in any food that contains GMOs, high fructose corn syrup, corn, soy, etc. But fruits, veggies, grains and conventional meats and dairy can be filled with it too (This is a huge reason I urge clients to buy organic as much as possible). It gets in our water supply. It ends up in our personal care products like tampons or anything containing cotton. 
2. Mercury. And other heavy metals can cause intestinal microbial disorders, abnormal metabolite production, tight junction damage (hello leaky gut), and immune responses in the gut. On top of that mood swings, depression, mental health challenges, balance issues, insomnia, etc are also some top signs of mercury in your body.
3. Mycotoxins. These are toxic compounds that mold releases! Mycotoxins can often be found in corn, nuts, barley, rice, and even in most coffees and wines! You can also get exposure from living in a water damaged building that’s been contaminated with mold. Mycotoxins can cause perturbation in the gut, particularly in the intestinal epithelial (ruins the integrity of the gut). Other symptoms of mycotoxins can include: chronic fatigue and headaches, itchy and painful skin rashes, anxiety, autoimmune diseases, neurological issues, and suppressed immune function.
4. BPA. Bisphenol A is mostly found in plastics (think: water bottles, Tupperware, home water pipes, ziploc bags, saran wrap, etc.). It activates the innate immune response by inducing oxidative stress, which leads to the damaging or killing of healthy cells — ultimately disrupting the intestinal barrier function.
5. Chronic and acute stress. During times of stress, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is released from the hypothalamus— your body’s smart control coordinating center that influences your autonomic nervous system and hormones! It then disrupts the gastrointestinal (GI) system and leads to gut microbiota dysbiosis (your body’s gut barrier) that can negatively impact your immune system and metabolism (weight loss functionality).

This will increase the risk of functional gastrointestinal diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome. CRF also increases oxidative damage to the colon and triggers immune responses involving mast cells, neutrophils (your body’s first line of immune system defense), and monocytes (your body’s natural ability to destroy germs, viruses, bacteria, etc.).

To learn more and dive into some content that more deeply addresses some of these primary topics, check out my Instagram Highlight Bubbles on:

• Gut Health
• Glyphosate
• Mold
• Heavy Metals

But if you’re ready and committed to accelerating the process of identifying and address YOUR root causes, the Root Cause Detox Clinic is an incredible next step.

This if for the person who is looking for a step-by-step detox roadmap, teaching you exactly how to identify and address the root causes of YOUR health challenges, helping you learn how to mitigate toxicity in your lifestyle and environment, guiding you through the process of executing a full spectrum detoxes, specialty detoxes, and more. Learn how to address root causes like heavy metals, mold, parasites, environmental toxins and countless others that are wreaking havoc on your gut. This is 10+ years of personal experience and practitioner education conveniently bundled together for your so that it doesn’t take you over a decade to heal like it did me. THIS is your blueprint. THIS is your roadmap. THIS is your toolbox that you’ll be able to leverage instantly, and for years to come.

I’m so excited for you to finally get the clarity and direction you’ve been looking for. I can’t wait to see you inside.

Rooting for you, always.

Lyss

The post 5 Ignored Root Causes Linked to Gut Issues first appeared on Biohacking Bombshell.

Are supplements valuable? Absolutely.

Are protocols like coffee enemas and castor oil packs supportive of your healing? Of course.

Can red light therapy, sauna, ozone treatments, etc help move the needle forward when it comes to optimizing your health. Yes!

But let’s not undervalue the resources and lifestyle changes that we can make for free in the process. Oftentimes, we see clients disregard totally these things because they are free. It’s like we subconsciously think that we can’t possibly get THAT much value from them unless they have a price tag.

Healing isn’t about finding that one special supplement or protocol that will “save” you or that next level biohack that will be the end-all-be-all for your healing. The things that I see TRULY compound over time, playing some of the most influential roles in a client’s healing, are these very things I’m about to share with you. 

I’m happy to talk about the cutting edge supplements and therapies. If you’ve followed me for any amount of time, you know I share passionately about those things as well on a regular basis. But DON’T miss this….

You still have to do the daily work—AKA—make the lifestyle changes if you want to truly heal. We tend to “go after” symptoms like bloating, chronic fatigue, brain fog, headaches / migraines, mood swings, hormonal imbalances, etc with protocols and special therapies, only to skip over these foundational FREE resources and practices that should ultimately provide as the solid ground in which you build your healing on.

Years ago, I couldn’t imagine it. I was so focused on loading up on the supplements, researching the greatest biohacking products, and figuring out how I was going to purchase every supportive device and protocol out there that would **finally** bring me healing. What I found is that skipping over these resources and practices was a BIG part of what was holding me back. Refusing to acknowledge how important they were was actually a bottleneck in my healing.

I want to keep you from making the same mistakes I did.

I want you to heal faster.

I want you to heal better.

So here 6 FREE resources you can leverage RIGHT NOW to support your healing. I’d start by picking 1-2 to focus on over the next 2 weeks as you begin to really prioritize these foundations:

1. Be asleep by 10pm-10:30pm or as close to it as possible to help optimize circadian rhythm and get the most restorative sleep. 
   • It’s not just a matter of sleeping 7.5-9 hours a night. But the time frame in which you get those hours of sleep matters. The body has its most restorative sleep when we are asleep by 10-10:30pm (are our melatonin levels rise and our cortisol levels dip). Waking up around 6/7am, or with the sun, helps to align our bodies with a more natural sleep/wake cycle! Of course, “life is life”, and this may not work absolutely perfectly for you! But aim for this general time frame as much as possible. 
2. Limit social media time & audit who you follow.
   • Unfollow or “snooze” any accounts that do anything other than support your health, personal development, or bring you joy. If an account and their content contain negativity, constantly address topics that bring you stress, cause you to feel bad about yourself, or get you to fall in the comparison trap, it’s time to clean house!
3. Schedule in “Recovery Periods”.
   • Despite what our culture may encourage, rest and relaxation are medicinal. Burnout is not a badge of honor. If you don’t choose a rest day for yourself, your body will choose it FOR you. You’re allowed to say no even if you aren’t busy. You don’t need to “earn” your rest. As Author Courtney Carver would say, “Overwhelm, exhaustion, resentment, and having no idea what delights you anymore are a few of the signs and signals that indicate you’ve given yourself to everyone but YOU.” My friend, your body desperately needs time to pause, restore, process, and heal. Be intentional about finding quiet moments. Listen to a meditation, calming music, or an audio book. Go for a walk. Listen to a sermon. Take a nap. Paint, mold clay, garden, do whatever you need to calm your adrenals and fill your soul. Maybe you even want to focus on quality family and friend time during these periods of rest. Loneliness and lack of deep connections can be the root causes of anxiety, depression, and chronic stress. Especially for introverted friends, this can be easier said than done—but so worth it. 
4. Grounding
   • Ever wonder why it can feel so relaxing to take a walk on the beach? Getting your bare feet and bare hands in touch with the natural energy of the earth actually has incredibly therapeutic properties. Get in contact with grass, sand, dirt or concrete. Take a barefoot walk. Do some gardening with your bare hands. Touch some flowers. Hug a tree. Countless studies support the therapeutic benefits of grounding such as reduction of chronic inflammation, reduced pain, improved sleep and circadian rhythm balance, improved blood flow and reduce blood viscosity (making blood less sludgy), and acceleration of wound healing (from injury, surgery, etc)! This is a free resource we can ALL access!
5. Move your body.
   • Movement is critical for your body—and mind and soul. It revs up endorphins, reduces anxiety and depression, supports blood flow and lymphatic flow, releases therapeutic constituents called exerkines that actually support our immune function, etc! You don’t need a 2-hour gym sesh to qualify as “exercise” or “movement.” Start with a walk, or even a few resistance training exercises. I have several catalogued on my youtube channel on my different “playlists” that you can check out for free! They’re categorized by different muscle groups!
6. Soak up some sunshine.
   • Get that free, natural Vitamin D to provide immune support, hormone support, and mental health support. Got low energy? Your cells RUN on sunlight. If you want to supercharge the mitochondria in your cells so they have the power to support your day to day activities, detox, and everything else you want to fuel in life, prioritize getting sun exposure (ideally at least 20 min of early day sun without being smothered in sunscreen, clothes that cover a large portion of the skin, or even sunglasses that keep the sun from entering the eyes (which is incredibly valuable for a cascade or processes within the body). 

What’s another FREE resource that I’ve carefully curated for you?!

The 3-Day Drainage Clinic

The 3-Day Drainage Clinic (still free for a limited time) equips you with the tools to help you to take one of the most important steps in your healing! This is a HUGE first step that so many people miss, and it keeps them sick long-term if it is not addressed. As you’re on a path to addressing YOUR root causes, doing the RIGHT things in the RIGHT order for the RIGHT amount of time to achieve optimal results is essential. And it starts with laying the foundations like we talked about above and getting your drainage pathways open.

If you’re comfortable with incorporating the foundations we discussed today and are ready to take that next step in your drainage and detox journey, you canGet Exclusive Access now!

Always rooting for you,

Lyss

The post 6 Free Resources to Support Your Healing NOW first appeared on Biohacking Bombshell.