Hormones and the Holidays

by Glen Depke

Really, two women this week referred to themselves as raging lunatics and I would bet that there are some other women and men who may be thinking the same thing around the holidays.

While we hear a lot of the "reason for the season" we need to be real also. The holidays are unfortunately filled with stress and frustration. It can seem endless:

• Parking at the mall
• Crowds at the mall
• Too much to do with too little time
• Less than optimal food choices
• Too much alcohol
• Challenges with relatives
• So many parties, so little time
• So many gifts to buy without enough money
• Trying to make everyone happy
• Lack of proper sleep
• Disruption in schedules
• Holiday travel
• ...and the list goes on

I think you get the picture and I am sure that you can substantially add to this list.

So, with the real Christmas as it is too many, what is this doing to your hormones?

Can you say, jacking them up?!

Of course this is a figure of speech to describe the hormonal imbalances that are created by excessive stress. The physical, mental, emotional and chemical stress that we endure puts a huge strain on the adrenal glands. This then creates a likely dysfunction in the:

• thyroid
• pancreas
• ovary function
• metabolism of fat and protein
• regulation of body weight
• mucosal tissue integrity
• detoxification processes
• immune system function
• pro and anti-inflammatory states
• cellular energy
• glucose balance
• bone and connective tissue turnover
• muscular integrity
• quality of sleep and mood
• ability to memorize and learn
• overall neural connectivity

Does the raging lunatic make sense now?

Even if you do not get pushed to the raging lunatic, you may experience weight gain, the "winter" cold or flu or other nagging symptoms at this time of the year. While there are many culprits that tie into adrenal dysfunction, stress is at the top of the list.

Now that we recognize the underlying issue, how do you resolve this?

That's easy...take a vacation to a remote island in the Pacific and lay around in a hammock reading a good book for the next month.

I know not likely for most of us, myself included. Does sound like a great idea though.

Truly you can help your adrenal gland function by taking a higher dose of vitamin B5 during this time of the year. You can usually get this in the form of Pantothenic Acid or Pantethine. The Pantethine is a more bioavailable form but the cost is much more than reflective of this benefit. I personally use and recommend to my clients the Pantothenic Acid at 1000mgs per day during these stressful times. Taking one 500mg capsule with breakfast and dinner provides the support that your adrenals need during these trying times. If you do not have stock of Pantothenic Acid, visit the Depke Wellness Store and pick some up. One 120 count bottle is just over $15.00 and when you get this online, shipping and handling is free with the Depke Wellness Store. It is simply too inexpensive to not do. Even if you do not get some from our store, get some locally or from another provider. Your adrenals and your hormones with thank you!

At this time of the year, the stress is real as is the need for additional B5.

Here's to your hormones and holidays and no more raging lunatics. LOL!

If you have any comments or questions about today's article, leave this below for us to address personally.

My Thoughts on Vaccines

by Glen Depke

The majority of our readers already understand that vaccines contain either mercury or aluminum and we know that these elements are toxic to our body and specifically the brain. Most also understand that vaccines are questionably efficient. While there is documentation to show a decrease in specific diseases post vaccination era, it is also documented that the same decrease occurred in areas of the world where vaccination was not in use.

The flu vaccines are a whole other bag of worms. It is well documented that the vaccines for flu derived by simply "guessing" what the upcoming flu strain will be and honestly, they are typically wrong.

On top of this, it is also well documented that many of the newer vaccines are actually creating chronic health issues and some are not creating a clear affect on protecting your body from the particular disease state.

Regardless of which side of the fence you are on in regard to vaccinations, there are arguments on both sides.

With that said, I do not want you to assume what side I am on so I will spell it out for you.

"I do not recommend vaccines"

Nothing said so far is shocking or a surprise to you but my thoughts to follow likely are.

So if vaccines have potential heavy metal toxins that create issues in the brain as well as other less than optimal factors, why doesn't everyone that gets a vaccine have similar issues. Why is it that one child that is vaccinated develops a skin eruption and food intolerance, another is later diagnosed with developmental delay or even autism, while another seemingly has zero symptoms from vaccines?

After all, there are toxic metals in the vaccines that are used for everyone.

The reason for these differences is due to the health of the barrier systems of one person to another.

So what is a barrier system?

The barrier system is the protective system designed to protect your body. You have 3 significant barrier systems in your body, one in the gut, another in the lungs and the last is your blood/brain barrier.

The last mentioned, the blood/brain barrier is my main focus here.

Let's look at the blood/brain barrier and vaccines.

When your body takes in a toxin, as would occur during vaccination, your body has a goal of moving this toxin out of your body. If you have a toxin in the tissue of your body that has been stored, this toxin will move from the tissue, to the lymph and eventually be removed via the kidney/bladder, liver/colon, skin and/or lungs. If you recently had a vaccine and the toxin is in your blood, optimally this will be moved directly to these areas for a health release.

Now comes the challenge though.

If your blood/brain barrier function is compromised, the toxins that are moved from the tissue to the lymph and eventually into the blood, or the toxins that are directly in your blood due to vaccinations problems will occur. This is due to the fact that when your blood/brain barrier function is compromised the toxins that should be moved "out of your body" actually pass through the blood/brain barrier and get into the brain. This creates a toxic affect in your brain, leads to potential whole body dysfunction and a host of detoxification symptoms. For some this can be the causative factor for developmental delay, autistic symptoms, pain and so much more.

So the key here is to support all the barrier systems. 

While I already made it known that I do not support vaccinations, if you chose this route for yourself or your children, be sure this is done with healthy barrier systems.

One easy was to test this is with the use what is referred to as the GABA challenge. GABA is a neurotransmitter that structurally is to large of a molecule in a supplement form to pass through a health blood/brain barrier. So if you take GABA, you should honestly feel nothing. I recommend to adult clients to take 1000mgs of GABA on an empty stomach and wait for about 15 minutes to and hour to assess symptoms. Some feel nothing, some feel sedated on some level, while other feel an excited type of affect. If you feel nothing, the blood/brain barrier is healthy. If you feel sedated, the blood/brain barrier is compromised and your are deficient in GABA. If you feel excited or stimulated, you have an adequate amount of GABA in your system but your blood/brain barrier is compromised. I would recommend half the dose for children ages 5 thru 16.

If you recognize a compromised blood/brain barrier it is also likely that the gut and lung barriers are also compromised. There are ways to support these barrier systems if challenged.

So if you were already vaccinated and have symptoms challenges due to these vaccinations, you have to look at the barrier systems and clear the toxins out of the brain. If you decide to vaccinate, be sure this is done with healthy barrier systems.

Don't roll the dice with yourself or your loved ones!

If you have any comments or questions in regard to this article, please leave them below for me to answer personally.

Where'd my Mental Clarity Go?

by Glen Depke

A lack of mental clarity is a significant complaint of many of the new clients entering my practice. Most people have a misconception that mental clarity drops consistently with age and is gone for good.

First off, this is not true! Due to this misconception many individuals do very little or nothing to regain their mental function.

Sad but true...

Secondly, even if you have lost some of your mental clarity, there is a very good chance you can regain this.

Personally, this is a very important subject for me. My Mother is currently challenged with dementia and my Grandmother also had severe dementia later in her life. I do not mess around with brain health and it is my own personal life's goal to maintain optimal brain function. Thankfully I get to pass my research on to you.

Let's first look at the common health challenges that create the loss of mental clarity. 

• Poor gut health
• Poor diet
• Gluten intolerance or cross reactive food intolerance
• Lack of the DHA component of omega 3 fatty acids
• Adrenal insufficiency
• Poor circulation
• Past head trauma
• Lack of mental capacity use
• Lack of exercise
• Metal or other chemical toxicity

What can you do to slow down the loss of mental clarity or even reverse this?

• Improve your gut health with the use of probiotics and digestive enzymes
• Avoid sugar, alcohol and refined foods
• Avoid gluten and other cross reactive foods
• Use a liquid DHA supplement daily
• Use vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) to support your adrenal function and if you have current health challenges have your adrenals tested and addressed properly
• Address brain inflammation due to past head trauma with your qualified natural health practitioner
• Use your brain by learning something new and challenging your memory. Learn a new language, musical instrument, you get the picture. Also does anyone remember the card game called "memory" when we were kids? You should still be playing it now.
• Move your body. You know that old saying, "if you don't move it, you will lose it?" Well this is not only your physical body but also your physical body in respect to your brain.
• Use proper supplementation to assist with increasing peripheral circulation. In my clinic I choose between a homeopathic, encapsulated supplement and a liquid supplement. *

What happens if you do not address your lack of mental clarity?

• Futher deterioration of mental clarity
• Longer term neurological related challenges such as dementia or Alzheimer's
• Gastrointestinal degeneration
• Autoimmunity
• Poor motor skills
• Chronic fatigue
• Brain fog
• Poor focus and concentration skills
• Lack of motivation
• Feelings of worthlessness
• Short tempered
• Poor chemical tolerance
• Chronic illness
• Inability to tolerate light, colors and noises

So obviously the key is to be proactive with your brain health. If you wait until you have significant brain symptoms, you have waited too long. Be sure to address the underlying factors affecting your brain health, make the necessary nutritional changes, use the supplements needed to enjoy long term brain health and stimulate/challenge your brain on a consistent basis.

While others may believe that your brain will consistently lose function through your life, I truly believe that your brain has the ability to maintain a high level of function until very close to the end of life. It is just up to use to give it what it needs and live a life that actually support proper brain function. 

Coming up in January 2013 we are beginning a 6 week program that addresses many of the underlying factors that create poor brain health. On December 4, 2012 we are offering a complimentary webinar as an intoduction to this program that you will not want to miss. Click here for more information or registration.

*Some of the supplements for improving blood flow to the brain cannot be sold over the internet and you would have to contact our office directly at 949.954.6226.

Xenoestrogens Dangers

Just what are xenoestrogens? 

These are substances that mimic the effects of estrogen and can send bogus signals to the system. They create an imbalance with the body's hormones, specifically causing estrogen dominance.
 
Sources of Xenoestrogens

From plastics to pesticides, from foods to toys...we are all constantly exposed to xenoestrogens without us even knowing it. Pesticides like DDT or PCB have been banned for their estrogen-mimicking characteristics. However, these substances break down slowly and can remain in the body long after exposure. These pesticides have been found to cause birth defects and even cancer.

Xenoestrogens are also found in phthalates, which are used in plasticizers. They can leach from plastic containers, styrofoam, toys and even medical supplies. Some of you may be familiar with bisphenol A (or BPA) which can leak out of heat resistant plastics or coatings inside aluminum cans. Studies show that BPA can cause changes in sperm count and motility as well as increased growth of breast cancer cells.

Sports drinks contain substances like DEHP, DINP, BBP and DBP, which are used as clouding agents. They are also found in juices, tea drinks, fruit jams and powders. These substances can reduce sperm and cause feminizing qualities in men. In women, these can induce early puberty and increase breast cancer risk.

Foods that we eat may also have xenoestrogens in them. Hormones used by farmers to fatten up chickens and cows are ingested by humans, causing an imbalance. Many people have wondered, men especially, why they have elevated estrogen levels. It is because of the food we eat and our exposure to xenoestrogens.

I see challenges with xenoestrogens with clients on a regular basis. I am closing in on reviewing 4,000 adrenal hormone kits in my career and I have only seen 4 come back completely healthy and balanced. 

Yes, I said four! Shocking isn't it? 

It is almost normal now for me to see men with elevated estrogen type hormone levels. This is dangerous for any gender and definitely not the goal for a man. I have seen men increase breast tissue and move into mood swings among many other issues tied into this imbalance. From a female perspective, I see the estrogen type hormone swings create multiple challenges also. Almost too many to list...

Thankfully you do not have to live with this.

First of all, it is important to reduce your exposure to xenoestrogens in any and every level that you can. I would also suggest cutting back on sugar intake since this can also create and overproduction of aromatase which is one of the main factors in these estrogen type hormone imbalances.

There is also a Chinese herbal combination that can assist with this imbalance.

Fight the Effects of Xenoestrogens with MYOMIN

• Myomin will compete with xenoestrogens to prevent them from attaching to receptors and causing their disruptive effects. 
• Myomin assists the body in correcting estrogen dominance.

Try Myomin today and find out why so many men and women have benefited from it. Call Depke Wellness today for more information at 949-954-6226.

Want to know more? 
Check out John Gray's video on Myomin's effects on xenoestrogens.
Watch the video

If you have any comments or question regarding this article, please post this below for us to address personally.