Inflammation Foods - Anti Inflammatory Diet Nutritionist
Your body uses inflammation to fight off everything from infection, to allergies, to tissue injury.
But when any of those things goes undiagnosed or untreated, inflammation becomes chronic, exacerbating pain levels and other symptoms. And the foods you eat can either help or hurt your healing potential.
Inflammation Foods to Avoid
Inflammation hits in so many ways, but easily the most obvious manifestation of inflammation is pain. Whatever the cause of your pain symptoms, it’s important to recognize pain as your body’s alarm system. Your body uses inflammation to fight off everything from infection, to allergies, to tissue injury.
But when any of those things goes undiagnosed or untreated, inflammation becomes chronic, exacerbating pain levels and other symptoms. And the foods you eat can either help or hurt your healing potential.
Hi friends. I’m Hilary Beckwith, ex-dieter and holistic nutrition expert. Clients come to see me with signs of adrenal stress and inflammatory conditions, and my job is to find the root causes so we can address their symptoms more effectively and fill in the gaps between what their doctor is saying and what their body is saying. Click here to read my Medical Disclaimer.
In this article, you’ll learn:
signs of inflammation
causes of systemic inflammation
when to seek help
foods that reduce inflammation
signs of inflammation
Ironically, and perhaps inspirationally, I am writing this blog from my bed as I keep my recently fractured ankle elevated. Needless to say, it got me thinking about the process of pain and healing. And since I love working with clients who have inflammatory conditions, I thought this a great time to share some tools that might help you.
To start, pain is not the only sign of inflammation, just as nutrition is not the only solution for it. Let’s talk about what defines inflammation.
An inflammatory response is when your body sends white blood cells (from the immune system) to a specific area, or systemically, in order to heal tissue or fight off foreign invaders like viruses, parasites, dysbiotic bacteria, or mold toxins.
Probably the easiest way to visualize inflammation that most of us can relate to is a cold or sinus infection. That snot you’re blowing out and that stuffs you up and keeps you from breathing? This is acute inflammation.
That’s your mucous membranes being activated due to an immune system response to an unwanted pathogen. And as miserable as you might feel in those times, it’s your body is doing what it’s supposed to.
However, when you have chronic sinus infections, seasonal allergies, or chronic “stuffy head” - this is chronic inflammation.
Inflammation plays an important role in healing and helping us to survive as a species. But what’s missing is the regulation of inflammation. Our modern lifestyle of processed foods, unaddressed complex trauma, and excess busyness, fosters chronic inflammation. And unfortunately our American healthcare system does very little to address root causes of inflammation, focusing only on treating the symptoms.
Keep reading so you can be better informed and advocate for your health at your next doctor’s visit.
SIGNS OF INFLAMMATION (acute or chronic):
pain
localized swelling
acne
eczema
sinus congestion
seasonal allergies or food allergies
fatigue
restless sleep or insomnia
digestive symptoms (bloat, diarrhea, indigestion, abdominal pain)
brain fog
excess appetite
craving carbs or sweets
female reproductive hormone imbalance (irregular periods, infertility, painful periods, etc.)
causes of chronic inflammation
When the causes of acute inflammation go unaddressed, we get chronic inflammation.
The body is still trying to fight, but is running out of resources, so it tends to trickle in support, rather than offer a full-fledged army. Over time, your body does what it can to preserve energy, and so it activates the Cell Danger Response [1].
During Cell Danger Response, or CDR, your cell walls stiffen in an effort to prevent nutrients from entering the cell for energy production, they send out hormone signals to summon your immune system for additional support, and an enzyme called deiodinase 3 is activated, which deactivates thyroid hormone, converting it to its opposite, reverse T3. Click here to read more about thyroid conditions.
This chronic inflammatory response is commonly referred to as low-grade inflammation, or systemic inflammation. While it may have started in a specific area of the body, left unaddressed, it can become a low-grade inflammation throughout the body.
This is where we begin to see conditions like:
pain that will not go away
autoimmune disease activation
abnormal thyroid levels being misdiagnosed as a thyroid issue
treatment for symptoms without addressing underlying cause (acne, digestive symptoms, allergies)
chronic fatigue
COMMON CAUSES OF SYSTEMIC INFLAMMATION
So, what is behind all these symptoms? It’s true that chronic pain can come from a tissue injury that didn’t heal properly, excess scar tissue, nerve damage, or possibly more overlooked, your nervous system trying to protect you even after the tissue has healed.
In many cases, the chronic inflammation requires a multifaceted approach:
physical medicine (PT, chiropractic, massage, trigger point injections, Platelet-Rich-Plasma, etc.) to heal the injured tissue
nutritional support to reduce inflammatory foods
functional support to find and address root causes of inflammation that have previously gone unnoticed
mental health support for nervous system regulation. Chronic cortisol production from a constant, or nearly constant, state of fight or flight activation (excess busyness, poor sleep, anxiety, depression, etc.) increases inflammation.
Although much of my career was spent working in physical medicine, I cannot expertly speak to the physical tissue healing or mental health aspects of inflammation. You can find support for those aspects here:
But I can speak to functional and nutritional causes of inflammation. Addressing these types of inflammation requires more strategy than simply avoiding high inflammation foods, or following an anti inflammatory diet.
Let’s talk about nutritional and functional causes of inflammation before we get into the possible solutions.
nutritional and functional causes of inflammation
There can be many causes of systemic inflammation that contribute to chronic pain, skin conditions like acne or eczema, digestive symptoms, chronic fatigue, or seasonal allergies.
This list is certainly not exhaustive, but these are common issues I find in many of my clients. And when we work to address these underlying issues, we often find that their symptoms reduce or dissipate altogether.
COMMON NON-INJURY CAUSES OF SYSTEMIC INFLAMMATION:
pathogenic infection - I commonly find underlying infections that have previously gone unnoticed, undiagnosed, and thus, untreated, in my clients. Pathogens like parasites, mold, mold toxins, candida overgrowth, or dysbiotic bacteria. Left unchecked, these infections cause a constant stimulation of the immune system, and consequently, systemic inflammation.
food sensitivities - The ultimate chicken-and-egg scenario, food sensitivities are an immune response to foods that have not been properly broken down by the digestive system, and thus make it into the bloodstream, only to be responded to as a foreign invader - a threat. Food sensitivities are not to be confused with food allergies, and symptoms can often look like increased congestion, runny nose, achyness, stiffness, or increased pain, or reactive digestive symptoms like diarrhea.
poor digestive health - Sound too simple? Your digestive system is the first line of defense against pathogens that are ingested through foods. Poor digestion is one of the first things I address in clients with chronic inflammation for this very reason. Your body needs adequate stomach acid and digestive enzymes, a healthy mucosal lining, and good motility to prevent pathogens from getting into your system and to eliminate toxins. The overuse of antacids, eating on-the-go, and excess busyness inhibit your body’s ability to eliminate pathogens before they become a problem. Additionally, poor digestion is a common cause of food sensitivities. Addressing and optimizing digestive health is fundamental to reducing systemic inflammation.
poor quality diet - as we discussed, it’s not so much about following an anti inflammatory diet, but more about the quality of nutrition, and addressing gut health. If you are eating poor-quality foods, your body is getting poor-quality nutrients and overloading your liver.
A good example of this is fats:
Fats are broken down into fatty acids which are needed throughout the body for cell membrane structure, hormone production, vitamin D formation, bile production, and, yes, inflammation regulation. If you are eating poor quality fats, and if your body is not digesting fats well, of course your body is inflamed!
Fats are not the only culprit:
Refined grains, excess starches and sugars from plant-based meats and dairy products, food additives, emulsifiers, gums, even the cookware you choose, all contributes to inflammation by increasing toxic burden and oxidative stress. Learn more about how to choose quality foods here.
when to seek help
Addressing chronic inflammation requires more than just avoiding high inflammation foods, or following an anti inflammatory diet.
Yes, there are foods that can help lower inflammation, however, if you have sensitivities to those foods, or are not digesting them well, an anti inflammatory diet will not help you for very long.
You may notice some improvement initially, but it will likely be short-lived until you address underlying causes.
If you are already actively working with practitioners to address tissue injury, structure, nerve dysfunction, and your pain still persists, it’s possible there is an underlying cause that has gone unnoticed or unaddressed.
If you experience even a few of the symptoms below on a regular basis, it’s time to dig deeper into the root causes.
SIGNS OF SYSTEMIC INFLAMMATION:
known food sensitivities or food allergies
suspected food sensitivities (you have noticed a pattern of symptoms within 24 hours of consuming specific foods). Click here to read more about symptoms of food sensitivities.
acne
eczema
chronic diarrhea or constipation (or alternating)
bloating after meals
excess hunger
craving carbs or sweets
pain that has been difficult to address, despite physical medicine efforts
chronic stuffy head or runny nose
seasonal allergies (while there may be an actual allergic reaction, seasonal allergies can also be an overreaction of the immune system due to overburden, and can be alleviated with proper support)
chronic fatigue
anxiety or other mood conditions
insomnia or other sleep issues
chronic heartburn or indigestion
abdominal pain or cramping
Working with a qualified practitioner to find and address root causes of inflammation can help alleviate chronic pain symptoms and may even reduce your need for pain medications.
foods that reduce inflammation
As I’ve pointed out, reducing systemic and chronic inflammation requires more than simply eating an anti inflammatory diet or avoiding high inflammation foods.
It requires intervention from a qualified practitioner trained to find and address root causes of dysfunction and gut health in your body. This process often requires a proper assessment of the individual, including symptoms, health history, food and lifestyle habits, and functional lab testing.
Following an anti inflammatory diet may not be the solution, but it certainly can help if it’s part of the equation!
Here are some tips for lowering inflammation using nutrition:
eat real food: Even foods that are marketed as being “healthy” can be heavily processed, and a burden on your detoxification system. Not sure what makes food “processed”? Click here to learn more about what to look for on the ingredients list.
pay attention to fats: Put briefly, omega 3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory, and omega 6 fatty acids are pro-inflammatory. The most bio-available (can actually be used by the body without interference) and nutrient-dense sources of omega 3 fatty acids are found in animal sources, such as grass-fed beef and wild caught salmon.
fish oil supplements: As with food, when it comes to supplements, quality matters. There are many fish oil supplements on the market, and most are garbage. They use irresponsible fishing methods, and use ethyl (alcohol) ethers of the fatty acids, which are far less absorbable than triglycerides. But there is one fish oil supplement I love and recommend often that is ethically sourced and highly bioavailable. Click here to view and purchase.
eat brightly-colored whole foods: Brightly-colored vegetables, such as in-season tomatoes, red, orange, and yellow bell peppers, and purple cabbage, are loaded with antioxidants, such as bioflavonoids and polyphenols. While it’s important to find and address the root causes of oxidative stress (free radical damage), consuming lots of antioxidants can help mitigate the damage and lower inflammation.
eat better protein: While every body’s needs are different, my clients who are navigating inflammation, hormone imbalance, and digestive issues, get better results when they focus on getting enough good quality protein.
Getting adequate bio-available protein each meal helps reduce snacking, supports mood regulation, and reduces reliance on carby snacks, which lowers inflammation. Animal sources of protein are far more bio-available than plant-based (click here to learn more about that). Personally, I aim for 30 grams of protein in every meal, mostly animal-based.
hydrate: Yes, really! Good hydration promotes healthy lymphatic flow, which serves, in part, to transport components of your immune system and carry debris and waste to elimination sites. Hydration can also lower blood pressure and is important for liver function.
How much water should you drink? It varies from person to person. For the average active adult with no kidney problems, I typically recommend half your body weight, in fluid ounces of water, every day. It’s also important to minimize dehydrating factors, such as alcohol or caffeine. If you are someone who deals with chronic diarrhea symptoms, this may also be dehydrating you.
other supplements to lower inflammation: Taking supplements is a waste of your resources if you are not also doing the work to address the root cause. But symptomatically, there are some supplements that can help lower inflammation and help reduce pain symptoms. Here are some of my favorites.
boswelia - from the bark of a boswelia tree, this extract is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent.
pycnogenol - another park extract, from the French Maritime Pine tree, this nutrient is loaded with polyphenols and bioflavonoids to combat oxidative damage and reduce inflammation.
Oxicell-SE (Apex Energetics) - one of my favorite topical products from working in pain management, this product supports mitochondrial function at the site of pain, which helps to heal tissue faster and reduce inflammation.
curcumin - Curcumin is the active anti-inflammatory component of turmeric. It is widely known to be very effective at reducing inflammation [4], and because it is fat-soluble, it’s absorption significantly increases when taken with healthy fats [5].
was this helpful?
What has helped you address root causes of pain and inflammation?
Please share your thoughts and questions below!
NUTRITION SERVICES
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
BLOG REFERENCES
Naviaux, Robert K. “Metabolic Features of the Cell Danger Response.” Mitochondrion, Elsevier, 24 Aug. 2013, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1567724913002390.
Astrup, Arne, et al. “Dietary Saturated Fats and Health: Are the U.S. Guidelines Evidence-Based?” Nutrients, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 22 Sept. 2021, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8541481/.
Di Grigoli, Antonino, et al. “Effects of Grazing on the Behaviour, Oxidative and Immune Status, and Production of Organic Dairy Cows.” Animals : An Open Access Journal from MDPI, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 18 June 2019, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6617352/.
Zeng, Liuting, et al. “Efficacy and Safety of Curcumin and Curcuma Longa Extract in the Treatment of Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trial.” Frontiers in Immunology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 22 July 2022, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9353077/.
Stohs, Sidney J, et al. “Highly Bioavailable Forms of Curcumin and Promising Avenues for Curcumin-Based Research and Application: A Review.” Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), U.S. National Library of Medicine, 19 Mar. 2020, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7144558/#:~:text=The%20various%20formulations%20designed%20to,a%20fatty%20meal%20enhances%20absorption.
Intermittent Fasting for IBS Symptoms and Gut Health
With time and consistency, this method can help improve insulin sensitivity (more on this) and improve your body’s ability to use fat stores when glucose is not readily available. Put differently, proper fasting increases metabolism and improves your body’s ability to burn fat.
But there is another physiological benefit of fasting that often gets overlooked - intermittent fasting improves gut health and IBS symptoms.
Fasting to improve gut health
Intermittent fasting benefits are becoming widely known in the weight loss world. But did you know that fasting also has a physiological impact on gut health, and can reduce inflammation and improve microbiome?
Hi friends. I’m Hilary Beckwith, ex-dieter and holistic nutrition expert. Clients come to see me with signs of adrenal stress and inflammatory conditions, and my job is to find the root causes so we can address their symptoms more effectively and fill in the gaps between what their doctor is saying and what their body is saying. Click here to read my Medical Disclaimer.
In this article, you’ll learn:
different types of fasting
physiological effects of fasting
why I recommend fasting for clients with PCOS and IBS symptoms
fasting is not a calorie-counting technique
A common misconception among influencers is that fasting is a great way to get your bod into a calorie deficit. But restricting calories is far from the intention (or physiological impact) of fasting and intermittent fasting.
In fact, calorie restriction has been shown to slow metabolism over time, increase hunger hormones, and decrease satiety hormones [1,2].
Whereas water-fasting and intermittent fasting have been shown to increase growth hormone, improve insulin sensitivity, improve metabolic rate, decrease hunger hormones, and improve your body’s ability to burn fat [3,4,5].
To get a bigger picture of how metabolism works, read this article.
types of fasting
As we’ve discussed, fasting is not merely calorie restriction. What you eat before and after fasting, and the timing and quality of your daily meals, are also important factors when it comes to fasting to improve gut health and insulin resistance.
But let’s talk about different fasting terms first, so you can be on the same page as your health practitioners.
INTERMITTENT FASTING: Also known as Alternate-Day Fasting, refers to a water-only fast for 24-72 hours, with careful attention to refeeding after each fast.
TIME-RESTRICTED FEEDING: Often mistaken for Intermittent Fasting, but the two terms are very different. With Time-Restricted Feeding, one would eat daily, consuming all calories within a set window of time. For example, consuming your calories within an 8-hour period, while fasting the for 16 hours, is commonly known as a “16/8” fast.
EXTENDED FASTING: Water-only fasting that lasts longer than 72 hours.
how fasting works
In a nutshell, when fasting is done well, the intention of fasting is to reduce the amount of insulin being released into your bloodstream by eliminating food intake for a period of time.
With time and consistency, this method can help improve insulin sensitivity (more on this) and improve your body’s ability to use fat stores when glucose is not readily available. Put differently, proper fasting increases metabolism and improves your body’s ability to burn fat.
But there is another physiological benefit of fasting that often gets overlooked - intermittent fasting improves gut health and IBS symptoms.
migrating motor complex
The Migrating Motor Complex (MMC) is the key to repairing IBS symptoms and gut issues associated with PCOS. And it is only active in a fasted state.
That does not mean it cannot occur unless you are doing a 24-hour fast, but it does mean that if you are someone who grazes and snacks throughout the day, your MMC may not be activating much at all.
Here’s why that matters.
The MMC is the body’s mechanism for sweeping out unwanted waste and pathogens from the small intestine. It is a cascade of events that increases motility and digestive enzymes during times of fasting, killing unwanted pathogens and moving them through your digestive tract to the point of elimination.
Something to remember is that digestive function, such as the MMC, cannot occur when you are in fight or flight (sympathetic nervous response). Click here to learn more about how digestion works.
The other side of that coin:
Pathogens like bacteria in the small intestine (SIBO) or candida overgrowth LOVE carbohydrates, and they can cause you to crave these foods, or get excessivley hungry more frequently, so they themselves can get their “food” (carbs).
If the MMC helps to sweep out unwanted pathogens, and certain types of pathogens thrive on the nutrients we eat, it makes sense that fasting improves gut health by essentially starving the gut pathogens (depriving them of nutrients), and increasing activity of the Migrating Motor Complex.
why I recommend intermittent fasting for clients with IBS symptoms and PCOS
In conjunction with addressing digestion and adrenal health, eliminating gut pathogens like candida overgrowth, bacterial overgrowth, and parasites reduces systemic inflammation and can make your IBS symptoms disappear altogether, improve pain levels, and reduce PCOS symptoms.
So cool!
It’s important to remember that eradicating gut pathogens requires a more complex strategy than just implementing intermittent fasting into your routine. But it certainly helps (if your body tolerates it well).
If you want to explore fasting for gut health and IBS symptoms, click here to book a free consultation so we can talk about it.
was this helpful?
Has fasting improved your digestive symptoms and gut health?
Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below!
NUTRITION SERVICES
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
BLOG REFERENCES
Zauner, C., Schneeweiss, B., Kranz, A., Madl, C., Ratheiser, K., Kramer, L., Roth, E., Schneider, B., & Lenz, K. (2000). Resting energy expenditure in short-term starvation is increased as a result of an increase in serum norepinephrine. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 71(6), 1511–1515. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/71.6.1511
Most, J., & Redman, L. M. (2020). Impact of calorie restriction on energy metabolism in humans. Experimental gerontology, 133, 110875. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2020.110875
Kolb, Hubert, et al. “Insulin Translates Unfavourable Lifestyle into Obesity - BMC Medicine.” BioMed Central, BioMed Central, 13 Dec. 2018, bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-018-1225-1.
Kahn, B. B., & Flier, J. S. (2000). Obesity and insulin resistance. The Journal of clinical investigation, 106(4), 473–481. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI10842
Fung, J. (2016). The Obesity Code: Unlocking the Secrets of Weight Loss. Greystone Books.
Bowen, Richard. “The Migrating Motor Complex.” Vivo Pathophysiology, Colorado State University, vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/stomach/mmcomplex.html. Accessed 30 May 2025.
Intermittent Fasting for Metabolic Rate and Weight Loss
If you get the majority of your health information from fitness and wellness influencers on Instagram or TikTok, you might be getting misinformation about intermittent fasting benefits.
When done properly, fasting and intermittent fasting will improve insulin resistance, metabolic rate, and metabolic flexibility, regardless of the number of calories consumed before and after fasting. If you think of fasting as an easy way to achieve a calorie deficit, think again.
Fasting benefits for insulin resistance and metabolic rate - not calorie restriction
If you get the majority of your health information from fitness and wellness influencers on Instagram or TikTok, you might be getting misinformation about intermittent fasting benefits.
When done properly, fasting and intermittent fasting will improve insulin resistance, metabolic rate, and metabolic flexibility, regardless of the number of calories consumed before and after fasting. If you think of fasting as an easy way to achieve a calorie deficit, think again.
Hi friends. I’m Hilary Beckwith, ex-dieter and holistic nutrition expert. Clients come to see me with signs of adrenal stress and inflammatory conditions, and my job is to find the root causes so we can address their symptoms more effectively and fill in the gaps between what their doctor is saying and what their body is saying. Click here to read my Medical Disclaimer.
In this article, you’ll learn:
the difference between calorie deficit and intermittent fasting
physiological effects of fasting
different types of fasting
what should you eat to break your fast?
who should not practice fasting?
isn’t fasting just another way to restrict calories?
Yes and no.
The research behind fasting and metabolic rate tells us two main key points:
chronic calorie restriction (dieting) slows metabolism over time [1,2], and
the chronic presence of insulin slows metabolism, causes weight gain, and increases insulin resistance [3,4]
And since insulin is released in times of feeding, especially carbohydrates (fibers, starches, and sugars), it can be said that calorie restriction is a part of the world of fasting benefits - but not for the sake of achieving a calorie deficit.
EXAMPLES OF CALORIE RESTRICTION V. FASTING FOR INSULIN RESISTANCE
SCENARIO #1: Using the Calorie Restriction (Dieting) Method for Weight Loss
You decide to use the calorie deficit method for weight loss, meaning, the calories you burn must be more than the calories you consume. This requires avid tracking on your part, a constant attention to calorie count and scale numbers, and even then you are missing important data - your total energy expenditure, which varies widely from person to person, and requires a very specialized type of testing.
You increase calorie burn at the gym, and decrease calorie consumption. You track it meticulously using calorie deficit calculators and apps, and find you lose weight for the first 3-4 weeks of doing it. Then you plateau - even when in a calorie deficit, you find the weight is not shedding as easily as it once was. You become discouraged and irritable, and decide to “give in” when things aren’t working any longer.
SCENARIO #2: Intermittent Fasting for Metabolic Rate and Insulin Resistance
You decide to use intermittent fasting (we’ll talk about terminology and semantics later in the post) as a weight loss tool, applying a method commonly known as “16/8”, wherein you consume all your calories within an 8-hour window of time, with nothing but water for the remaining 16 hours of a 24-hour day. You don’t necessarily consume fewer calories, but find that your weight sheds at a slower, more consistent rate, and doesn’t plateau like it does with calorie restriction. You enjoy foods more because you’re eating the calories your body needs, and not restricting food types. You’re not tracking calories, not obsessively looking at numbers on an app or nutrition label. This feels sustainable.
The two main talking points we’ll return to throughout this article are:
the quality of the calorie matters
the timing of calorie consumption matters
your body’s long-term metabolic response to fasting requires time and consistency - one day of fasting is not enough to magically boost your body’s metabolic rate, even if you begin to see weight loss results
how fasting works
In a nutshell, when fasting is done well, the intention of fasting is to reduce the amount of insulin being released into your bloodstream by eliminating food intake for a period of time.
With time and consistency, this method can help improve insulin sensitivity (more on this) and improve your body’s ability to use fat stores when glucose is not readily available. Put differently, proper fasting increases metabolism and improves your body’s ability to burn fat.
To understand how this works, we need to look at how metabolism works. Take a look at the diagram below.
Here are a few key points to understand before we move on to different types of fasting:
WHAT IS METABOLISM?: Metabolism, specifically glucose metabolism, is a cascade of events that converts glucose into energy (ATP or Adenosine TriPhosphate). The process occurs inside of cells, and heavily involves the mitochondria, known as the “powerhouse of the cell” for this very reason - it very literally supplies the power that your cells and body need to function. Your body prioritizes carbohydrates for metabolism, but can also use proteins or fats when resources are present. Because converting fats and protein into ATP requires more energy, the body prioritizes carbohydrate sources of glucose.
WHAT IS GLUCOSE?: Glucose is the molecular form of sugar. Put differently, glucose is sugar in its most broken-down form. Glucose comes primarily from carbohydrates, including starches, sugars, and fiber.
WHAT IS INSULIN?: Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas when glucose is present. Insulin acts as a keyholder to cells - when glucose is present, insulin binds to the glucose molecule, shuttles it to the cell, and unlocks the proverbial door, allowing the glucose to enter and be converted to ATP by the mitochondria.
WHAT IS INSULIN RESISTANCE?: When your cells are consistently exposed to more glucose than they can handle, they begin deactivating insulin receptors - if insulin is a key holder, and insulin receptors are the doors to the cell, picture the insulin receptors being boarded up with signs that say “KEEP OUT!”.
Insulin resistance is typically the long-term result of diets low in whole food fiber, high in refined carbohydrates, and snacking or grazing often.
Insulin resistance is common in women with PCOS, hence the belly weight, sugar cravings, and “hangry” symptoms.
In the case of insulin resistance, glucose cannot enter cells to create fuel. The body produces even more insulin in an effort to get the glucose into cells (which does not work).
With or without insulin resistance, any remaining glucose after cells have had their fill gets converted into glycogen (liver storage of glucose) and triglycerides, which get stored as fat tissue.
Improving insulin sensitivity helps your body metabolize glucose more effectively and improves your ability to use fat as a secondary fuel source when glucose is not present. Proper fasting helps improve insulin sensitivity.
types of fasting
As we’ve discussed, fasting is not merely calorie restriction. What you eat before and after fasting, and the timing and quality of your daily meals, are also important factors when it comes to fasting for insulin resistance.
But let’s talk about different fasting terms first, so you can be on the same page as your health practitioners. You can see my earlier writings on fasting benefits here.
INTERMITTENT FASTING: This term is commonly used incorrectly to refer to Time-Restricted Feeding. Here is the correct use of this term: Intermittent Fasting, also known as Alternate-Day Fasting, refers to a water-only fast for 24-72 hours, with careful attention to refeeding after each fast.
TIME-RESTRICTED FEEDING: Again, often mistaken for Intermittent Fasting, but they are two different fasting methods. Time-Restricted Feeding allows you to eat daily, consuming all your calories within a set window of time. Sometimes referred to using the number of hours chosen to consume calories, such as “16/8”, meaning you’d consume all your calories within an 8-hour window, while taking in nothing but water for 16 hours.
EXTENDED FASTING: Water-only fasting that lasts longer than 72 hours.
what should you eat after fasting?
There’s an abundance of poorly researched papers written regarding the long-term effects of fasting. But there’s some really great ones, too, and from credible sources. Many of these studies are discussed in Jason Fung’s The Obesity Code [5].
Some practitioners and influencers across the internet are touting that fasting benefits don’t last once you stop. Here’s why they have it wrong:
Studies that suggest this conclusion also do not disclose the eating and activity habits of the subjects. A study that observes this outcome, but does not provide clear data on all related factors (I would argue that what and when the subject eats is an important determining factor), is not a credible resource.
That said, a regular diet of starches, sugars, and processed foods is bound to undo any work you do with fasting, but the research on fasting benefits is clear:
Water fasting improves insulin sensitivity, increases growth hormone (which also protects from protein degradation), and increases metabolism. You can’t expect to stay healthy on a diet of processed foods, no matter how frequently you fast.
Below are my generally recommended food guidelines for post-fasting, but it’s important to remember that every individual has unique food and macronutrient needs, based on their biochemical composition and unique health goals.
WHAT TO EAT AFTER FASTING:
choose whole foods
prioritize fat, protein, and fiber
avoid highly marketed “health food” labels, like “gluten-free”, “plant-based”, or “[number] essential vitamins” - these are not health foods, and are often highly processed (click here to learn how to spot health scams and confidently read food labels)
don’t be afraid to consume more calories in your fast-break meal than you would typically, but use these techniques to help you avoid overeating:
eat while seated
take a few long, deep breaths through your nose before taking your first bite
take small bites and chew thoroughly (read why this matters)
mindfully eating improves digestion and helps you to listen to when your body is satisfied
MEAL IDEAS FOR POST-FASTING:
Mediterranean Scramble - 3 scrambled eggs, 4-5 olives, 3 ounces plain whole-milk yogurt, and crumbled feta over a handful of chopped, sauteed greens (dandelion, chard, kale, broccolini, beet greens).
Broiled Salmon and Green Vegetable - 5-ounce salmon filet cooked and seasoned to your liking, paired with roasted broccoli, stir-fried asparagus, or sautéed greens. Top with sauerkraut, yogurt, or avocado.
Avocado “Toast” with Poached Eggs and Shredded Beef - Two thin slices of sweet potato baked until tender. Top with mashed avocado, sprouts, 2 poached eggs, and a generous scoop of leftover shredded beef.
While the health benefits of fasting are meaningful, fasting should not be practiced by everyone, and should always be practiced under the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner.
If you want to explore fasting for weight loss or metabolic health, click here to book a free consultation so we can talk about it.
was this helpful?
What’s your experience with fasting? Have you found any benefit from fasting?
Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below!
NUTRITION SERVICES
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
BLOG REFERENCES
Zauner, C., Schneeweiss, B., Kranz, A., Madl, C., Ratheiser, K., Kramer, L., Roth, E., Schneider, B., & Lenz, K. (2000). Resting energy expenditure in short-term starvation is increased as a result of an increase in serum norepinephrine. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 71(6), 1511–1515. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/71.6.1511
Most, J., & Redman, L. M. (2020). Impact of calorie restriction on energy metabolism in humans. Experimental gerontology, 133, 110875. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2020.110875
Kolb, Hubert, et al. “Insulin Translates Unfavourable Lifestyle into Obesity - BMC Medicine.” BioMed Central, BioMed Central, 13 Dec. 2018, bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-018-1225-1.
Kahn, B. B., & Flier, J. S. (2000). Obesity and insulin resistance. The Journal of clinical investigation, 106(4), 473–481. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI10842
Fung, J. (2016). The Obesity Code: Unlocking the Secrets of Weight Loss. Greystone Books.
Treatment for SIBO Symptoms - What’s Missing From Your SIBO Treatment Plan?
Antibiotics are only one piece of the SIBO treatment puzzle. Specialists are missing some key factors in addressing your SIBO and candida symptoms. In this article, I will share my SIBO treatment techniques for long-term results.
You’ve completed a SIBO treatment, so why do your SIBO symptoms keep returning?
I see you, friend. For many years, you’ve had the IBS symptoms, the stomach bloating, the excess fullness, the sugar cravings, and the farts and burps.
You finally saw the doctor when you couldn’t bear it any longer, they sent you to a GI specialist, and you were put on a SIBO treatment with antibiotics.
Problem solved! - but not for long. Your SIBO symptoms have returned, and you are dreading another round of antibiotics, and wondering what it means that they came back. Did the SIBO antibiotics work?
Here’s the thing:
Antibiotics are only one piece of the SIBO treatment puzzle. Specialists are missing some important key factors in addressing your SIBO and candida symptoms. In this article, I will share my SIBO treatment techniques for long-term results.
Hi friends. I’m Hilary Beckwith, ex-dieter and holistic nutrition expert. Clients come to see me with signs of adrenal stress and inflammatory conditions, and my job is to find the root causes so we can address their symptoms more effectively, and fill in the gaps between what their doctor is saying and what their body is saying.
In this article, you’ll learn:
how to know if you have SIBO
conditions that can develop as a result of unaddressed SIBO
5 steps of SIBO treatment
what is SIBO?
SIBO is an acronym that stands for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. Many clients who seek my help have digestive symptoms. Some refer to their symptoms as IBS symptoms or IBD. Some have even received a diagnosis of SIBO or IBS. Some might not think their digestive symptoms are of any consequence.
But all digestive symptoms are caused by some underlying issue, and when left unaddressed, have the potential to become something more severe than room-clearing farts a couple nights a week.
The problem starts when you tell your doctor you have IBS symptoms, and rather than digging for the root cause, they only tell you how to manage your SIBO symptoms.
SIBO symptoms often overlap with other pathogenic infections and are difficult to confirm without functional lab testing. I commonly find candida (a parasitic yeast) overgrowth, mold exposure, parasites, bacterial overgrowth, and viral infections when digging into root causes for clients’ symptoms.
And their symptoms improve when we eradicate these pathogens… However, as I mentioned earlier, SIBO treatment with antibiotics is not enough to improve your symptoms in the long term. In fact, this approach may leave your body more susceptible to other types of infection, leading to repeated use of antibiotics over the years.
EXAMPLES OF SIBO SYMPTOMS (AND OTHER PATHOGEN TYPES) INCLUDE:
bloating 1-2 hours after meals (bloating >2 hours may indicate a large intestine issue)
excess fullness after meals
craving carbs or sugar
excess appetite or need to snack throughout the day
chronic constipation or diarrhea (or alternating)
heartburn
“hangry” when meals are delayed
sleepy after meals
foul-smelling gas
skin conditions like acne, rosacea, or eczema
conditions related to SIBO
When left unaddressed, SIBO and other pathogenic infections become prolonged chronic stress, which triggers an inflammatory response from cells called a Cell Danger Response. The Cell Danger Response perpetuates the infection and causes your fight or flight response to be chronically activated as your body works to address the threat.
DISCLAIMER: Symptoms of pathogenic infection don’t look the same for everyone, and this article should not be construed as a diagnosis or medical advice. If you think you have SIBO or have similar symptoms, consult with a trusted physician or other qualified healthcare provider before making any changes. Read my full medical disclaimer here.
WHAT IS THE CELL DANGER RESPONSE?:
When the body detects a threat like candida, mitochondria initially ramp up energy and chemical production to fight it off. If the threat persists, energy production slows to conserve resources, digestion is deprioritized, and fatigue increases. Meanwhile, cells stiffen, immune signals are released, and the sympathetic nervous system stays activated—potentially long-term—if the issue remains unresolved.
Your body is doing what it is supposed to in this scenario. Your seemingly inconsequential digestive symptoms of bloating and burps are signs that something is not right in your gut.
This is an important reminder to trust your symptoms and not take them lightly - your farts contain wisdom (yep, I went there).
Once the Cell Danger Response is activated, the threat is already considered chronic. This constant flow of cortisol and immune signals causes systemic inflammation, which can activate autoimmune diseases and cause chronic pain and fatigue.
EXAMPLES OF WAYS CELL DANGER RESPONSE CAN SHOW UP IN YOUR BODY INCLUDE:
Alzheimer’s
fibromyalgia
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
colitis
depression
PMS symptoms and irregular periods
Hashimotos thyroiditis
Multiple Sclerosis
Interstitial Cystitis
Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS symptoms
Cancer
5 steps to a successful SIBO treatment
As I mentioned earlier, many practitioners really miss the mark when treating SIBO symptoms. If you have a bacterial overgrowth, as you would with SIBO, it makes sense that we need to kill the bacteria, right?
Right. And this goes for other types of microbial pathogens as well, including fungi or yeast, mold, parasites, and viruses.
Your body has mechanisms for fighting these pathogens off before they become overgrown - if those mechanisms are working properly. If said systems are not working properly, and especially if the antibiotics remove part of that functionality (they will), using antibiotics alone for SIBO treatment is a recipe for future (and chronic) infections.
As part of my medical disclaimer referred to earlier in this post, please remember the following SIBO treatment methods are meant for informational use only, and treatment for SIBO or any other pathogenic infection should only be provided by a qualified healthcare practitioner, and based on proper assessment of the individual.
That said, my holistic techniques for a successful SIBO treatment typically include:
Address upper digestion
Optimize elimination pathways
Eradicate the pathogens, including
eradication agents (such as antibiotics, antimicrobials, antifungals, etc., specific to the type of pathogens found in lab testing)
biofilm disrupters
binders (specific to the pathogens being targeted)
Re-test to confirm eradication
If eradication is confirmed, rebuild the microbiome
Let’s get into the specifics of each of these below.
HOLISTIC METHODS FOR TREATING SIBO SYMPTOMS AND SIMILAR PATHOGENS:
#1 ADDRESS UPPER DIGESTION
Digestion is the first mechanism your body has to fighting off pathogens that are ingested through food or water. The very first thing I address in clients with pathogenic infections is to optimize their digestive health, including digestive enzymes production, stomach acid (known as HCl) production, motility, and restoration and healing to damaged and inflamed mucosal tissue that lines the digestive tract. Addressing digestion is pertinent to making sure you get long-lasting results without having to repeat antibiotics.
Techniques for supporting digestive health may include mindful eating practices (really!), chewing your food adequately (again, really!), nervous system regulation, minimizing beverages with meals, and temporary supplemental support for bile flow, digestive juices, and tissue healing. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD MY FREE DIGESTION TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE.
#2 OPTIMIZE ELIMINATION PATHWAYS
Elimination pathways, also known as drainage pathways, refers to your body’s mechanisms for eliminating waste and toxins. If your elimination pathways are not clear, the toxic byproducts from live and dead pathogens will be reabsorbed by your body, continuing the cycle and effects of chronic stress.
In order to effectively remove toxins and die-off as you work to kill the pathogens, it’s important to get your elimination pathways working well before you start the eradication process. Skipping this step ensures you will feel like garbage during the eradication phase.
Elimination pathways include:
skin (through sweat)
urine
feces
lymph
lungs
Supporting elimination pathways may entail a focus on optimal hydration, sauna use, nutrient support for constipation relief, and intentional movement throughout the day.
#3 ERADICATE PATHOGENS
In addition to eradication agents, such as antibiotics, two important eradication factors are often missed by many practitioners:
biofilm disrupters, and
binders
BIOFILM DISRUPTERS: Just as important as the antibiotics themselves, biofilm disrupters are needed to destroy the sticky film that many pathogens build for themselves in your body tissues. This sticky film allows them to evade the immune system, as well as create a symbiotic relationship with other microbes, allowing them to survive and multiply. Biofilm is also used by “good” bacteria, but in order to effectively kill off harmful microbes, we must destroy their home (don’t worry, we’ll build it back up later).
BINDERS: Binders used must be specific to the type of pathogen being targeted (binders for bacteria are different than those used for mold toxins, for instance). They generally consist of specific types of clay, algae, or fibers, and bind to die-off debris in order to be escorted from the body (through your elimination pathways). Without binders, your body cannot eliminate the die-off.
In many cases, it is also essential to remove or minimize starches, sugars, and other carbohydrates from the diet, as this is what many pathogens feed off of. By eliminating these foods, you essentially “starve” the pathogens, increasing the efficacy of the eradication treatment.
#4 RE-TEST TO CONFIRM ERADICATION
Functional lab testing (and a practitioner trained to interpret the results) is essential to knowing what type of eradication agents and binders are needed for the most effective SIBO treatment. Without functional lab testing, you might as well throw spaghetti at the wall while blindfolded.
The duration for the kill-off (eradication) phase looks different for every individual. Sometimes it can be as little as two weeks, other times it takes 6 months - it depends on the severity of infection, the digestive health and elimination pathways of the individual, as well as their lifestyle.
I recommend re-testing as symptoms begin to improve steadily for at least 4 weeks. Before moving on to the next step in SIBO treatment, it’s important to confirm that you’ve successfully killed off everything you want to.
#5 REBUILD THE MICROBIOME
You’ve just killed off those harmful pathogens that were causing so many SIBO symptoms and IBS symptoms - but chances are, you’ve also killed all the “good” bacteria that are supposed to live in your gut, as well. It’s difficult not to during that process.
Your body needs those “good” bacteria to act as a defense against future infections, and so it is crucial to rebuild your microbiome after a treatment like this. Effectively rebuilding a healthy microbiome entails the use of a variety of high-potency probiotic supplements, adding more prebiotic foods or supplements to the diet (specific types of fiber that feed “good” bacteria), and continuing with your digestive health tools.
It’s not enough to just “eat more probiotic foods” during this phase. Without a healthy microbiome, you may find yourself repeating the treatment again in the next 1-2 years.
was this helpful?
Have you completed a SIBO treatment or other type of pathogenic infection (yeast, candida, H. pylori, mold, parasites) in the past? How did it go?
Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below!
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Treating PCOS with Nutrition: Why Addressing Gut Health is Key
I was once diagnosed with PCOS, and so whenever I am studying it, or hear that someone I know is dealing with it, I light up! It's such an interesting topic to me, and has impacted my life on a deeply emotional level. It’s important to me that you know that I GET IT. More deeply than most, I am right there with you.
For those unfamiliar with the term, PCOS stands for Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome. It occurs when our body, for whatever reason (more on that later), cannot fully ovulate, meaning, the egg cannot fully break through the follicle wall and ovary wall into the fallopian tube. Instead, the egg remains in the ovary wall and creates a cyst. When this happens repeatedly, the ovary becomes covered in cysts.
PCOS Symptoms
This is an exciting topic for me. (Nerd alert!)
But for real - I was once diagnosed with PCOS, and so whenever I am studying it, or hear that someone I know is dealing with it, I light up! It's such an interesting topic to me, and has impacted my life on a deeply emotional level.
It’s important to me that you know that I GET IT. More deeply than most, I am right there with you.
For those unfamiliar with the term, PCOS stands for PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome. It occurs when our body, for whatever reason (more on that later), cannot fully ovulate, meaning the egg cannot fully break through the follicle wall and ovary wall into the fallopian tube. Instead, the egg remains in the ovary wall and creates a cyst. When this happens repeatedly, the ovary becomes covered in cysts.
The really heartbreaking part is that female-bodied individuals who've been diagnosed with PCOS are often diagnosed while in the process of trying to get pregnant.
But why aren't our health care professionals looking into this when we come to them earlier on, with PCOS symptoms of irregular periods, cystic acne, blood sugar issues, weight gain or PCOS belly, and even chronic pain...
Why do they just throw 'the pill' at us instead of investigating the root cause?
Why do we have to wait until the moment we are in a super vulnerable stage (anyone who's ridden the roller coaster of trying to conceive...), when we could have addressed it sooner?!
This, to me, is truly maddening.
The most important takeaway from this post: PCOS is not an ovarian issue - it is a GUT issue. Addressing gut health will go a long way to improving PCOS symptoms.
what are PCOS symptoms?
If you have been given a PCOS diagnosis and have been advised to seek infertility treatments, know that you have other options. PCOS treatment does not involve petri dishes, hormone shots, egg extraction, etc..
If PCOS is the causal factor in your infertility, it can be addressed dietarily, without the use of expensive infertility treatments.
PCOS IS NOT AN OVARIAN CONDITION - IT IS A GUT ISSUE.
Whether or not you are trying to get pregnant, are done having kids, or don't want kids - if you are a female-bodied person, then you, or someone you know, will probably encounter PCOS symptoms at some point.
Before we really dig in, I want to briefly share my story as it relates to PCOS.
my PCOS story
I was a "late bloomer" (first red flag), did not get my first period until I was 16 or 17. They were irregular from the start and for decades after.
Add to that, I was pretty ignorant of how my body was supposed to function, due to my parents' religious beliefs and consequently a severe disconnection from my body’s needs.
(Um, side note: Can we PLEASE normalize talking to kids about their bodies?!)
Cystic acne from my teen years and many years into adulthood, I have always had excess belly and hip fat (commonly known as PCOS belly), difficulty losing weight, symptoms of low blood sugar, the works.
When I was 18 (ca. 2000) and my periods had still not regulated, I got my first gynecological exam. I was given a prescription for 'the pill' and was told that it would regulate my cycle (and it did).
I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I trusted that my doctor knew what was best. I didn’t understand until later that if that doctor had taken the time to help me find the root causes of my PCOS symptoms, I would have been spared decades of heartache and confusion.
Fast forward to 2009, my partner and I decided we wanted children, so I stopped the pill, and we began trying to conceive. It was a few months without a period that we started to get concerned.
My GYN ordered an ultrasound, and I was diagnosed with PCOS.
The GYN prescribed Clomid (my apologies to anyone who had to encounter me during this time). Clomid is a medication that stimulates an increase in hormones involved in ovulation.
When two rounds of Clomid were unsuccessful, we were left with the decision to come up with the money to pursue infertility treatment or to just keep our fingers crossed.
We left that appointment with broken hearts, as that kind of money was truly foreign to us at the time.
The short story is, we never did have children (and are now very happy with our lifestyle without children). We tried for many years before finally making a very intentional decision to NOT have children.
Being a holistic healthcare provider now has taught me a lot about my PCOS diagnosis and how to address them. And although I no longer want children of my own, I no longer have signs of PCOS symptoms!
PCOS treatment
PCOS occurs when there is an imbalance of hormones. Period.
This imbalance can be caused by a number of things: Pituitary dysfunction, adrenal dysfunction, toxic overload, liver dysfunction...
It often (not always) has very little to do with the ovaries themselves.
PCOS is the end result of other dysfunctions in the body, and symptoms of PCOS can, and often do, make it difficult for a female to get pregnant.
Here’s a brief breakdown of the female reproductive system as it relates to PCOS symptom. For those who want a more thorough explanation, read this article.
Remember that this system requires our brain (hypothalamus) to communicate with the pituitary gland, which releases hormones to stimulate egg growth, which increases estrogen production, and once the egg matures and breaks through the ovary wall, then progesterone is produced. From there, we need our liver to detoxify the excess hormones that are now circulating throughout our body (yes, these hormones need a way out!).
Because other systems in our body use similar pathways, it is easy to create bottlenecks of dysfunction.
The most obvious example as it relates to PCOS symptoms, is blood sugar regulation. You might remember from an article I wrote recently in regards to blood sugar balance, that it is not just about what you eat. It, too, requires your hypothalamus to communicate with your pituitary gland, telling it to produce hormones, that travel to your adrenal glands, telling them to produce other hormones (epinephrine and cortisol), that stimulate the pancreas to release OTHER hormones.... (you get the idea).
When we are chronically stressed (meaning, our body produces cortisol more frequently than it needs to), or we overly consume sugar, processed foods, or medications, we create dysfunction in other systems of our body.
THE GOOD NEWS IS…
Unless your body has an underlying dysfunction within your individual chemical makeup, all of these things can be addressed using dietary and lifestyle changes.
And for those of you who have been told PCOS is the cause of your infertility, knowing this is life-changing.
Effective treatment of PCOS symptoms starts by looking at the root cause. Here’s what individualized PCOS treatment means for you:
reduce PCOS belly, or weight loss in the belly/hips
regulate menstrual cycles
improve ovulation cycle
improve insulin sensitivity
prevent Type II Diabetes
improve skin clarity
Individualized assessments and a customized care plan based on your body’s unique health needs are essential to getting relief from your PCOS symptoms. Anything else is just throwing spaghetti at the wall, and aren’t you tired of doing this?
That being said, there are ways to effectively support common PCOS symptoms with more foundational recommendations.
how to get rid of PCOS
Eat whole foods. Ditch anything that strays from its whole form in any way, as much as possible. Processed foods, and especially refined carbohydrates, lead to inflammatory conditions such as leaky gut, in addition to promoting insulin resistance.
Stop counting calories. You are not doing your body any favors by restricting how many calories are consumed. This is a temptation for many female-bodied individuals, especially because excess weight is often harder to shed with PCOS. The quality of food you consume carries more value than the amount of calories, in regards to hormone balance.
Regulate your blood sugar (here is a great article on how to do that). For many, it involves eating more quality fats & proteins each meal, increasing (whole) fiber, and decreasing the amount of starchy foods, grains, and sugars/sweeteners (yes, even 'low calorie'). Not only will this help your PCOS symptoms, you'll also get less "hangry" symptoms (your friends & family will thank you!)
Stop snacking. Eating more quality fats/proteins and fiber each meal will likely help you feel more satiated (satisfied) and not want to snack anyways. However, a conscious effort to not snack will help improve insulin sensitivity, which will support your adrenal glands and liver function.
supplements to improve PCOS symptoms
**Always consult with a trusted health care practitioner before adding any supplements to your regimen. Additionally, taking supplements without addressing foundational factors (discussed above) is a waste of your money. Click here to read my full Medical Disclaimer.
Myo-Inositol Plus (Bioclinic Naturals)- improves insulin response, and can help lower excess estrogens & testosterone.
HPA Adapt (Integrative Therapeutics)- supports the cohesion of the Hypothalamus, Pituitary, & Adrenal (HPA) axis
Calcium D-Glucarate (Integrative Therapeutics)- Supports the specific detox pathway, called glucuronidation, in the liver needed to deactivate and remove excess hormones, like estrogen and testosterone.
BroccoProtect (Designs for Health)- supports Phase II detox pathways in the liver. Females with PCOS often have sluggish Phase II detox pathways, and BroccoProtect helps to support these pathways to ensure the deactivation and removal of excess hormones.
Megaspore Probiotics (Microbiome Labs)- Introducing a good quality probiotic to support the elimination of excess hormones after they've been neutralized by the liver, is essential to making sure they don't get reabsorbed into your body. Elimination is key!
was this helpful?
What’s your PCOS story?
Share your thoughts on PCOS in the comments below, and help another PCOS warrior feel less alone.
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