Tag: women’s health

7 Reasons Why You’re Losing Your Hair and What to Do About it

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Hair loss. It sucks. 

I have many of my clients and women in general emailing me about their struggles with their hair.

From hair falling out to thinning hair to dullness and breakage, I hear your cries loud and clear. The good thing is there is a solution and more importantly, your hair loss can tell you what’s going on with your hormones and your health, so pay attention!

First off, let’s talk about why we lose our hair and what could potentially be the reason behind this sad loss…

Reason #1: Childbirth – this is an obvious one and although not all women experience pregnancy hair loss, having a baby means all your nutrients are going to baby first, before they go to you. Combined with the stress and lack of sleep that goes along with having a baby (I’m talking during pregnancy and post pregnancy), hair loss is a common side effect of all of this. 

Reason #2: Iron Deficiency – hair follicles requires a lot of iron and typically, due to heavy periods and stress, iron tends to be low in women. Ask your doctor for a iron test, sometimes referred to as “iron studies.” The typical range for iron is between 11-27. Ideally, you want to be on the higher end. If you are low, consider taking an iron supplement, specifically iron bisglycinate which is gentle on the stomach.

Reason #3: Your Thyroid – having too low or too high thyroid hormone could lead to hair loss as your hair follicles are very sensitize to thyroid hormone. Think of it like this, your thyroid governs metabolism in your body, so in regards to your hair, your thyroid governs the metabolism of hair growth, specifically hair follicles. Have your doctor check for thyroid antibodies, specifically Anti TPO (Anti thyroid peroxidase) and Anti TG (Anti thyroglobulin), which are the two autoimmune antibodies that attack the thyroid gland. Women who have high levels of these antibodies are diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. 

Reason #4: Blame Your Birth Control – from depleting zinc (another critical hair nutrient) to shutting down your own production of estrogen and progesterone (which your hair loves), the birth control pill wrecks havoc on your hormones and in turn, makes your hair lack lustre, dull and causes it to fall out. Some pills actually cause a shrinkage in hair follicles due to containing more androgen like hormones. I’m sure you know my take on the pill, and if not, you can read more about that here and how to effectively come off of it. 

Reason #5: You Are Not Ovulating – this could obviously be due to taking the birth control pill (which of course stopping is your best defence against supporting your hair growth), or due to a condition such as PCOS. Ovulation is when you produce your beneficial estrogen and progesterone, which your hair so badly needs in order to grow and thrive. It’s important to track your cycle (either through an app or manually) as well as check cervical mucus throughout the month to know when or if you are ovulating. If you are thinking of coming off the pill so that you can support your hormones naturally or are thinking about having a baby, know that your hair loss could potentially get worse before it gets better. This is normal as your body (more so your ovaries) have to adapt to producing hormones again. 

Reason #6: Stress – I think we all know the detriment stress can have on our hormones and overall health. Having high levels of stress and not managing it effectively can lead to an imbalance in hormones, weaken your immune system and deplete important nutrients. 

Reason #7: A Really Shitty Diet – I think it’s safe to say that you know where I stand when it comes to food. If you’re diet is looking a little beige and lacking vibrant fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, pasture raised organic meats and variety, there’s a good chance your not getting essential nutrients and vitamins that help to support your hair growth. Ditch the sugar, ditch the coffee, ditch the processed foods and start eating REAL food. 

So now that we know what can cause hair loss, what can we do about it? Well, first you want to make sure you’ve taken care of all of the above issues and had important tests done. Then from here, there are a few things you can consider doing…

  1. Take an iron supplement, if you are low.
  2. Take zinc, roughly 15-25mg once a day on an empty stomach.
  3. Take magnesium, which is essential for progesterone production and helps to combat the negative effects of stress.
  4. Take Omega 3’s, like NutraSea or Nordic Naturals fish oil. You can also include more omega’s in your diet from cold water fish, such as salmon, mackerel, sardines and anchovies. Flaxseeds, hemp hearts and chia seeds are also great sources of omega’s and can easily be sprinkled into salads or added to smoothies
  5. Stop using generic drug mart shampoos and conditioners. With all the parabens, sls and toxic chemicals lurking in these products, they are doing your hair no good! Instead, try washing your hair with apple cider vinegar or choose organic and natural brands. I personally love living libations, curelle and beauty counter.
  6. Ditch the inflammatory foods, such as gluten, wheat, dairy and sugar.
  7. Eat more vegetables (preferably organic) and dark leafy bitter greens to support liver detoxification.
  8. Consider ditching the pill (and read this article here first)
  9. Be patient. I know we all want our hair to grow back fast, but the truth is, whatever is happening to your hair now, was most likely due to something that happened 3 months ago. Yes! Your hair has a ‘memory’ and is sensitive to whatever is happening in your environment, both internally and externally. Were you under lots of stress 3 months ago? Were you eating poorly? Stopped taking your vitamins? Think back 3 months to what might have happened in your life and with your body. 

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If you’re looking for hormonal help, want natural solutions to treating your PCOS, thinking of coming off the pill and at the end of the day, want your healthy hair back, email me at samantha@holisticwellness.ca and let’s arrange some time for a complimentary call. We can discuss if working together is the right solution for you! 

With lots of love,
Samantha, RHN
xoxoxo

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Why The Birth Control Pill Ruined My Health and is Probably Ruining Yours!

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I remember at the young age of 17 being in my doctors office explaining to him that my periods were irregular, I had headaches around my cycle, I was bloated and all around irritated. 

I remember saying “Doc, I think I should go on the birth control pill.”

He replied “absolutely! You can start today!” as he handed me a blue and pink pack of pills. 

I remember specifically asking to go on the pill because it’s all I had ever heard about at school. All the other girls were doing it and had easy breezy cycles, so why wouldn’t I do it too!?

BIG mistake!

Going on the pill at the time seemed like the best option. Regular periods, not having to worry about pregnancy, taking the pill during my actual period so I could go swimming up at the cottage. I mean, skipped periods…awesome!

Actually, NOT awesome!

The birth control pill suppresses ovulation. If you ain’t ovulating, your throwing off your entire hormonal system. Regular ovulation means you are fertile, hormones are in check and your cells and endocrine system are happy!

You see, having imbalanced hormones, headaches and issues with your cycle is a beautiful sign that something is up with your body! Something is ‘off’ and needs your attention. By taking the birth control pill, you completely mask these symptoms. You end up shutting down how your endocrine (hormone) system functions and create deeper issues, not just with your hormones, but with digestion, brain function, fertility and immunity. 

I remember getting hit hard with the flu throughout my teenage years on numerous occasions. When I got the flu, it got me good! I was a write off for a good week. 

I suffered with terrible digestion as a teenager, had thin-brittle hair, brain fog and pretty intense sugar cravings. 

Speaking of sugar cravings, my blood sugar imbalances and high carb diet was the biggest contributor to my imbalanced menstrual cycle. 

Yup, it’s true, sugar, bagels, cereals, grains, alcohol, potatoes and poor quality meat (loaded with antibiotics and hormones) contribute to heavy and irregular periods, bloating, gas, headaches, irritability, fatigue, brain fog, digestive upsets and insulin imbalance! When your insulin is high, guess what? You gain weight! Oh joy!

So…thinking of ditching the pill? We should talk! Email me at samanthagladish@gmail.com and let me know if you want help getting off the pill and gaining back your hormonal health. 

Otherwise, read on for 3 reasons why the birth control pill is ruining your health…

1. Digestion – taking synthetic hormones can actually effect the lining in your gut. This can lead to a host of problems, such as Crohn’s, leaky gut issues, allergies and a ton of digestive upsets. Feeling bloated, like your 6 months pregnant and can’t get rid of that gut? You could blame the pill. 

2. Immunity – the pill, as with all pharmaceutical drugs and antibiotics also damage the gut lining, but they also impact your good bacteria in your gut. You see, your immune system ‘lives’ in your gut! You need healthy, thriving bacteria in order to have a strong immune system. This is why probiotics are so important for over all health. 

3. Mineral Deficiencies – the pill robs you of minerals. This all goes back to gut health. Your gut actually absorbs and assimilates minerals for you, such as B 12, zinc and magnesium. Without these, you could have serious issues with fertility and on top of that, you’re probably feeling exhausted, depleted, having thinning hair, cramping, and dull skin. This is all due to lacking important minerals. So can you just take a mineral complex and some B vitamins and call it a day? Well, I do encourage these supplements if you are taking the pill, but at the same time, if you continue to take the pill while supplementing with these products, your still not getting the optimal dose. Saying your going to cut back on smoking is still smoking! Ditch the pill (or the cigarettes) for optimal health and hormones. 

You can gain back hormonal health, vitality, increase your changes of conceiving and lose weight. You can actually achieve so much more than this!!

If your concerned about your diet, your health and your hormones, email me at samanthagladish@gmail.com and let’s talk about it!

You can reclaim your health, your libido, your fertility and vitality in a few short weeks. 

Trust me, it’s possible! 

Cheers to your AMAZING health!

Your Badass Wellness Coach, 
Samantha xoxo

 

 

 

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From Boobs to Pubes: The Many Uses of Castor Oil

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There’s a good chance you’ll never forget that saying: “from boobs to pubes!” Good! Because I want it ingrained in your brain 🙂 

What I’m referring to is where on your body you should be applying this magical and healing oil known as Castor Oil.

Now I’m not referring to the oil you use for your car, I’m referring to a plant oil that has miraculous healing properties and is a beautiful oil to use on your skin.

Years ago, you may have heard how women would drink castor oil to help induce labor. It’s true, castor oil can ‘get things moving’ in your system, and fast! I remember a client of mine back in the day decided to drink the oil and within 15 minutes, she went into labor! I would definitely caution against this! 

When I was studying women’s health and endocrine disorders in school quite a few years ago, I learned how Castor oil can be used to help shrink cysts and fibroids. I also learned how great it is to use over the liver for cleansing properties. In fact, its even great for inflammation and pain. Castor oil can help to dissolve scar tissue making it a great oil to keep on hand if you are an athlete or recovering from a surgery. 

Ever heard of a Castor oil pack? It’s traditionally used to help detox the liver. I used to do this regularly before bed and before I knew it I was sound asleep. Not only does the oil have an amazing affinity to help cleanse and ‘move’ toxins out through your system, but it’s also very calming. 

I want to share with you a few ways you can use this amazing oil for shrinking cysts, detoxing the liver and even for skin health (yes, that means gorgeous glowing skin!).

First up…

The Castor Oil Pack:

How-to: Take a piece of flannel, approximately the size of your hand and saturate it with a high quality cold pressed castor oil. Lay the flannel on top of your liver (located on the right side, just under your ribs) and place a hot water bottle on top. Lay down, close your eyes and breathe deeply.

Benefits: The oil actually penetrates deep through the layers of your skin to help cleanse and remove toxins from your liver. The healing components of the oil, known as ricinoleic acid, penetrate directly into your tissues. 

Add-ins: You can infuse your castor oil with dried lavender or add a few drops of lavender essential oil for an extra calming effect. 

Notes: You can use warm water and soap to wash the oil off, or if you aren’t bothered by the oil, you can leave it on your skin all night and go to bed. It can sometimes stain your clothes and/or sheets. I haven’t had a problem with this myself and just prefer to leave the oil on.  You can reuse your piece of flannel over and over and over. Store in a zip lock bag or container and add a few extra drops of oil each time you reuse it. Replace the flannel once it starts to change colour. 

From Boobs to Pubes: Cysts and Fibroids

How-to: This is my favourite way to use castor oil! With this method, I would advise that you mix castor oil with another lighter oil, such as olive oil. A mixture of 20-30% castor oil with 70-80% olive is good blend. A little bit of castor oil goes a long way. Once you’ve blended your oils together apply oil “from boobs to pubes.” Massage all over your breasts, stomach, liver and all the way down to your pubic bone and over ovaries.

Benefits: Because castor oil encourages lymphatic drainage, it can help to shrink cysts and fibroids. Application increases the efficiency of circulation to your pelvis. Good circulation is required for supportive nutrients to be delivered to the cells, and for waste products and inflammatory factors to be removed. Your liver is responsible for the metabolism of hormones, which is why it’s important to apply the oil over your liver. 

Add-ins: Just as above, you can also use dried lavender or lavender essential oil. Lavender seems to be the most popular and best choice for blending. 

Notes: Due to the oil increasing circulation, you may want to avoid using the oil during your period if you tend to have a heavier flow. Typically, the oil can help to decrease menstrual cramping and breast tenderness, so apply onto body the week prior to your period. Otherwise, be sure to monitor your flow if you do decide to use throughout your period. As noted above, I like to leave the oil on all night and go to bed. I find I sleep more soundly and it helps to relax me. However, you can leave it on your skin for at least 30 minutes, then wash off. 

Glowing Skin Oil:

How-to: When applying castor oil to your face, it would be best to mix with another lighter oil, as noted above. Olive oil, coconut or  sweet almond oil would work well in this case. A mixture of 25% castor oil and 75% olive, coconut or sweet almond will do the trick. Apply a small amount of oil to your skin and massage gently for several minutes. Soak a wash cloth in warm water, and with circular motions, gently massage your skin, working to remove the oil. Not all oil will be removed completely, however,  it will absorb into skin.

Benefits: This is a ‘gypsy’ method of cleansing the skin. Most people will tend to avoid using oils to cleanse the skin. Using pure plant oils is the most nutritive and beneficial way to clean the skin and restore radiance. Plus, using plant oils means using less ingredients, no chemical agents or toxins. Plant oils are amazing for dry, oily or balanced skin. This blend is also great for removing eye makeup. 

Add-ins: You can get creative with your blend and add in a few drops of Seabuckthorn or Rose Hip to add antioxidants and help with healing and scarring. 

Notes: For very dry skin, use less castor oil, approximately 10% of mixture.

So there you have it! The many uses of castor oil. Remember to purchase high quality oils and to also infuse your oils with organic essential oils as well. Being that the oils penetrate deep into our tissues, we want to be sure we are using organic and high quality all the time. 

I would love to hear form you and your experiences using castor oil or what blends you come up with! Share with us!

And if you haven’t yet joined my 10-Day Detox program yet, click the image below and get started today!

To Your Health & Abundance,
Samantha xoxo

 

 

 

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7 Natural Fertility Boosting Foods for Women

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Many of you may not know that I work with quite a few women who are struggling with infertility. This is something that really gets my juices flowing, as there are many things a woman can do nutritionally to increase her chances of getting pregnant.

Stress, diet and hormonal balance can all affect a woman’s chance for getting pregnant. Whether you are thinking of having a baby this year, or 2 years down the road, what you do now can have a dramatic impact on your chances of conceiving. It’s important to keep your diet as clean and nutrient dense as possible, being sure to eat quality organic foods and taking the right supplements.

There are many foods and herbs a woman can include in her diet to help balance hormones and support the process of conception. Know that diet plays a vital role long before conception even begins.

Here are my Top 7 Fertility Food Recommendations: 

  • Omega 3’s – wild sourced fish/high quality fish oil supplements, hemp seeds/oil, chia seeds/oil and flax seeds, are all great sources of potent omega 3 fatty acids. It’s important to consistently eat omega 3 rich foods as these fats help to support hormone levels. Your hormones need fat to function. Omega 3’s are not the only fat we want to focus on. Other sources of quality fats include, coconut oil, olive oil and avocadoes. These are all important for hormonal health. In fact, women going through IVF therapy can increase their chances of conceiving just by including avocadoes regularly in their diet.
  • Asparagus – this incredible veggie contains folic acid. I’m sure we all know and hear about the benefits of folic acid supplementation pre pregnancy. Folic acid (also known as vitamin B9) can help prevent neural tube defects. You can supplement with folic acid and/or be sure to include foods rich in folic acid, such as, broccoli, oranges, lemons, and white kidney beans. Another bonus to eating asparagus is that it contains glutathione. A super (and by super, I mean SUPER) antioxidant that helps to fight free radical damage and combat disease.
  • Eggs – a delicious and protein rich food, eggs contain a ton of minerals and vitamins, including choline. This nutrient is essential for supporting a growing fetus and supporting the brain.
  • Maca – this Peruvian herb is incredible for balancing hormones and increasing libido! Maca is also great for boosting energy levels and being that it has adaptogenic qualities, this amazing herb can actually help to support your adrenal glands (ie. your stress glands). Add a scoop into your morning smoothie to fuel and energize you for your day.
  • Spirulina – this incredible blue-green algae contains high amounts of vitamin B12, which after 35, we can become quite depleted in. B12 can actually help to strengthen the endometrial lining to help with egg fertilization. Add this amazing superfood to your smoothie for a super boost of nutrients.
  • Nettle – this herb is an amazing uterine tonic. Plus, it contains a ton of minerals and helps support the health of the kidneys and adrenals. It’s great consumed as a tea pre, during, and post pregnancy. You can sometimes find nettles at your local farmers market. They sure are prickly so be careful! I like to boil them in stock and puree into a soup with onions and garlic.
  • Red Raspberry Leaf  – this is a well-known fertility herb that can even be taken during pregnancy. It is loaded with minerals, especially calcium and iron. It’s also a great uterine tonic, which helps prepare the uterus for birth.

 Not currently eating these foods and planning on getting pregnant? Include these super nutrient foods in your diet today! A nutrient dense diet, along with an adequate intake of healthy fats will not only improve your overall health, but increase your chances of conceiving and aid in carrying a healthy baby. Ensure you are eating a clean diet and your body and health will benefit greatly.

Cheers to Your Health 
Samantha xo

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