Estrogen Dominance posted on September 20, 2015 by Dr. Carol Ann Fischer, DC, ND

                                  Estrogen Dominance

Estrogen and progesterone levels must be balanced in order to work together efficiently. Factors such as estrogens in foods and the environment, synthetic hormone use (HRT) and obesity, expose women and men to excess estrogen. Excess estrogen is called Estrogen Dominance. 

These are the products that you want to reduce your exposure to if you can. Many of these commercial products contain not only chemicals that act like estrogen, but also chemicals that are carcinogenic. As much as possible replace commercial products with natural products containing ingredients that you recognize and can pronounce. 

Chemicals that Act Like Estrogen are Hiding in Your Everyday Products:
Vinyl Flooring	Detergents	Shampoo	Deodorants
Perfumes	Hairspray	Moisturizers	Children’s Toys
Cosmetics	Soap	Plastics	Garden Hoses

In women progesterone levels tend to drop off sooner and more abruptly with age and lack of ovulation than does estrogen. These factors can result in too much estrogen in relationship to the amount of progesterone being produced in the body. 

This imbalance is a common cause of symptoms during PMS, peri-menopause, menopause and andropause. It can also occur after childbirth or during periods of high stress when a man or woman undergoes a significant hormonal shift. 

Estrogen dominance may be associated with thyroid problems, breast and prostate disease.
 

Common symptoms include: heavy or irregular periods, tender breasts, bloating, irritability,  PMS, mood swings, weight gain, sleep disturbances, female decreased sex drive, infertility and other symptoms of female hormone imbalance, plus male erectile dysfunction and decreased motivation.


There are simple ways to test for this issue. Saliva testing is the most common way to determine the available hormone levels in the body at the cellular level. Blood testing measures the stored hormone levels. Hormones are stored in the blood on protein molecules. They are only removed from the blood when there is chronic long term stress from hormone imbalance. Blood testing of hormones reveals late stage hormone imbalance, while saliva testing measures what is available now for your body to use. 

Visit the store at TLC Holistic Wellness to find out more about the different hormone tests that can be ordered. You can do the simple saliva tests right in the comfort of your own home. Custom tests can also be ordered that include estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, adrenal hormones, food allergens and more. Contact Dr. Fischer for more information drfischer@tlcholisticwellness.com

Fruit High in Vit C by Dr. Carol Ann Fischer posted on September 8, 2015

Fruit High in Vitamin C

Vitamin C is the only vitamin that is not stored by the human body. Eat foods rich in Vitamin C daily to help maintain health. Many systems of the body need Vitamin C, including the immune system and hormonal system. Make sure to increase Vitamin C intake when under increased stress. Stress depletes Vitamin C and many other vitamins and minerals. 

KIWI: Tiny but mighty. This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E & fiber. Its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.  

APPLE: An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants & flavonoids (known as Vitamin P), which enhances the activity of vitamin C thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack & stroke.  

STRAWBERRY: Protective Fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits & protect the body from cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals.

ORANGE : Sweetest medicine. Taking 2-4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessens the risk of colon cancer.  

WATERMELON: Coolest thirst quencher. Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost our immune system. It is also a key source of lycopene * the cancer fighting oxidant. Other nutrients found in watermelon are vitamin C & Potassium. 

GUAVA & PAPAYA: Top awards for vitamin C. They are the clear winners for their high vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene; this is good for your eyes.

If you are not sure how much vitamin C you are getting or need, contact Dr. Fischer for a dietary analysis. This can be done by email or phone. Contact Dr. Fischer

Changing Body Energy posted on August 26, 2015 by Dr. Carol Ann Fischer, DC

Changing Body Energy

By Dr. Carol Ann Fischer, BS, DC, ND

Healthy bodies vibrate with lots of energy. All cells work using an energy vibration known as voltage. Just like an alkaline battery is used to power radios and toys, bodies store and use voltage. In energy medicine, health is associated with negative voltage, and an alkaline state. Conversely, chronic disease and pain are associated with acidity and a loss of voltage.

Voltage is stored by the fat cells that make up the body cell membranes. This allows the cell to have an unlimited source of energy. Bodies will only be able to store energy if the right fats are consumed. A diet rich in good fats like coconut oil, olive oil, avocado and raw butter/raw milk allows cells to properly store energy.

Faster aging, fatigue, pain and dis-ease formation occurs when the wrong fats are eaten. The worst offenders in the food category are cooked and processed foods, especially those made with canola oil, and any type of trans fat from partially hydrogenated or hydrogenated oils.

To reduce spoilage, food manufacturers heat oils to increase the shelf life of processed foods. The heated oils are trans fats that act as plastic fats in the cell membrane. These fats wrap the cells in a substance like cellophane, which cannot store voltage. This is what makes these fats unhealthy.

Environmental stress and toxins, negative thoughts and emotions, trauma, EMF, caffeine, and a poor functioning thyroid also rob the body of energy. Other culprits are the chemicals chlorine and fluoride that are added to the drinking and bathing water. Bottled water contains plastic residue that causes reduced voltage. A diet high in fried foods, meat, pop, sugars and grains also reduces voltage.

The human body functions at -20 to-25 millivolts, which is the healthy blood pH of 7.365 to 7.4.  The body becomes susceptible to dis-ease when voltage drops. A sick body is associated with a low or positive voltage. Increasing the cellular voltage provides the power for the body to heal itself.

The earth recharges itself lightening strikes, which is 800 times/second somewhere around the world. Human body voltage can be increased by connecting with the earth when swimming in the ocean, standing barefoot in dirt, getting sun exposure and standing in running water. This is why most people feel energized when bathing in water through a shower filter, instead of chlorinated tap water. Hugging someone can also increase energy.

Another way to increase voltage energy is to eat a diet that consists mainly of organic raw, unprocessed, chemical free food. Raw foods can be combined and blended into a smoothie or eaten as a salad. A raw food diet alone may not be sufficient to offset the voltage stealers that rob our bodies of life energy. 

Energy can be increased with proper mineral supplementation, sufficient iodine and natural thyroid support, effective digestive enzymes, and organic, unrefined, unprocessed oils. Drinking living water with a high negative voltage can rapidly increase body voltage, allowing the body to start the healing process. The body can heal itself when given the right tools.

Dr. Carol Ann Fischer, B.S., D.C., N.D. owns TLC Holistic Wellness  She has provided holistic and nutritional recommendations using live water, diet & whole food supplements for 30 years as a practicing chiropractor, naturopath-wellness consultant. Visit http://www.tlcholisticwellness.com/ for more information and products available in the TLC Store.

Research Validates Organic is Better posted by Dr. Carol Ann Fischer on August 19, 2015

                                                             Organic is Best!

The debate over whether organic food is healthier than conventionally grown food may be over, according to results from a $25-million study into organic food -- the largest of its kind to date. The four-year, European-Union-funded study found that:

    * Organic fruit and vegetables contain up to 40 percent more antioxidants
    * Organic produce had higher levels of beneficial minerals like iron and zinc
    * Milk from organic herds contained up to 90 percent more antioxidants

The researchers obtained their results after growing fruit and vegetables, and raising cattle, on adjacent organic and non-organic sites. They say that eating organic foods can even help to increase the nutrient intake of people who don’t eat the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

Eating organic produce decreases exposure to GMO seed and pesticides, and increases nutritional intake. Another study published in the Journal of Applied Nutrition showed that organically grown fruits and vegetables contained about twice the amount of beneficial minerals as those grown by conventional methods. 

The power to change the current food supply is in our hands. Every food item purchased is a vote for that type of food. If the food is not organic or locally grown, then it is commercially produced and related to GMO seed. Each organic purchase is a vote against the industrialized food conglomerates. Support organic farms and local farmers. Shop at farmer’s markets and support local farmers who grow and sell organic food.

For better health purchase and eat organic free-range beef, pork and poultry. Free range ensures that the animals and poultry are allowed to roam free to eat their natural diet, and are not given any antibiotics, hormones or drugs. Eat wild caught fish instead of farm-raised fish to avoid consuming additional antibiotics and genetically modified corn. Eat organically grown fruits and vegetables whenever possible. 

Visit TLC Holistic Wellness to download the 2015 GMO Free Organic Shopping Guide, and information on the best organic sources of beef and chicken. Contact TLC (734) 664 - 0339  for a free no-charge consultation if you are considering a diet change and don't know where to start. 

Get Rid Of Nagging Neck Pain Posted by Dr. Carol Ann Fischer, DC on June 30, 2015

Do You Have a Pain in Your Neck?

Neck pain can affect many aspects of your daily life. It can be painful, limiting, and even debilitating. Knowing the common causes and treatments of neck pain can help improve the life of someone with neck pain and inspire others to be aware of the wear and tear your neck can go through.

How Is Neck Pain Caused?

Injury, age, and daily wear can affect your neck. When the cervical spine goes through sudden force, the vertebrae can become misaligned. This is referred to as a subluxation. This can be caused by anything from a minor slip to a car accident. Another common neck injury in a car accident is whiplash. In this scenario, the cervical spine is forced forward and then pulled back in a fast motion. The whipping motion strains the spine and the supporting tissues of the neck and head.

As we age, degenerative disorders can develop that affect the spine. Osteoarthritis causes deterioration of the cartilage. When cartilage deteriorates, the bones respond by developing bone spurs, boney projections that irritate surrounding tissue. Spinal stenosis is another condition that can cause neck pain. Spinal stenosis causes nerve passageways in the vertebrae to narrow, trapping nerve roots. Another condition, degenerative disc disease reduces the height and elasticity of intervertebral discs. This can cause the discs to bulge or herniate, causing pain amongst themselves and their surrounding areas.

Daily life and personal habits can also cause neck pain. Poor posture leads to the build-up of scar tissue around the spine and associated muscles, which cause the neck to stay that position. Obesity and weak abdominal muscles also contribute to the neck being pushed forward in an unnatural position. Stress can cause muscles in the neck to contract, causing pain and tightness. Diet and nutritional deficiencies can also contribute to neck pain. 

How Chiropractic Care Can Help Neck Pain

When you first see the chiropractor at TLC Holistic Wellness, Dr. Linda Solomon DC, CCWFN, she will ask questions about your neck and the pain you are feeling. Physical and neurological exams will be performed, and if needed, a CT scan, an MRI, or an EMG may be ordered. For misaligned joints in the neck, Dr. Solomon can perform gentle, effective neck adjustments. 

These adjustments are performed by hand using quick, precise movements to shift the neck back into line. This will decrease the pressure that the misalignment is causing and provide pain relief to the area. In addition to adjustments, Dr. Solomon may want to implement massage, mobilization, or exercises, or look at your diet and nutrition. Treatment type and duration will depend on what is causing your neck pain and the severity of the case.

If you have a stiff, swollen, or painful neck, schedule an appointment to see Dr. Linda Solomon, DC, CCWFN. With your inifial visit at no charge, you have nothing to lose but your pain in your neck.  Do not let neck pain keep you from living your life. Call TLC Holistic Wellness at (734) 664 - 0339 to schedule a no charge consultation time to see if you can become pain free today. 

Vist our website www.TLCHolisticWellness.com to learn more about the variety of services that we offer including gentle chiropractic, massage therapy, customized nutritional and weight loss programs, balancing hormones naturally, and live cell analysis. 

Our Key to Health posted on June 25, 2015 by Dr. Carol Ann Fischer

                               The Key to Health                                                                           By Dr. Carol Ann Fischer, DC

The Key to Health is a healthy functioning Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract. How well it performs determines our overall health. The GI tract is a hollow tube that starts at the mouth and ends at the end of the colon.

It is in the GI "hollow tube" tract where food is digested and broken down into appropriate sized molecules. The molecules are then transported across the digestive tract membrane into the blood where they are delivered to the rest of the body. From the blood these molecules go into the cells and are used for body growth, tissue repair, and energy production.

A healthy functioning GI tract also has a very important role in prevention. The GI tract acts as a protective tissue barrier keeping toxic unhealthy materials, microbes, and debris from entering into the circulation. A healthy GI tract can effectively and routinely attack these unhealthy materials, compact them, and eliminate them from the body.

Signs of a malfunctioning GI tract could include bloating, acid reflux, belching/gas, and indigestion after eating fats, oils, and/or protein. Other symptoms include light colored stools, pain on the upper right side of the abdomen, gall stone formation, constipation, dry skin, skin rashes, and pain in the neck and upper back or between the shoulder blades.

Digestive difficulties develop when there are insufficient digestive enzymes in the GI tract to cause the proper breakdown of foods eaten. When food is not properly digested it can ferment, putrefy, become rancid, and injure the lining of the GI tract. When the cell lining of the GI tract becomes injured, the protective barrier becomes more permeable to unwanted materials.

New research has linked the popular pesticide Round-up, which is found in all genetically modified food (GMO's) as one of the main reasons for increasing numbers of people with digestive difficulties. It seems that repeated ingestion of this pesticide injures the gut lining creating food allergies and sensitivities, digestive disturbances, inflammation and disease. 

The injured lining results in increased permeability that can then set the stage for a variety of chronic illnesses and food allergies. Various digestive difficulties develop including acid indigestion, acid reflux, leaky gut syndrome, dysbiosis, stomach burning, food allergies and sensitivities, irritable bowel, and mal-absorption syndrome creating additional nutritional deficiencies.

Get checked today to see if your GI tract is working effectively by contacting Dr. Linda Solomon, DC, CCWFN at TLC Holistic Wellness in Livonia, MI at (734) 664 - 0339. Dr. Solomon has over 30 years experience helping improve digestive disorders that patients initially suffered from. Mention this Blog and receive a Free No Charge Digestive Evaluation.

Healthy Weight Loss posted May 28, 2015 by Dr. Carol Ann Fischer, DC, ND

Healthy Weight Loss

By Dr. Carol Ann Fischer, D.C., N.D.

Originally Published July 2010 in Body Mind Spirit Guide

People believe that weight loss can occur if calories or fat are reduced in the diet. Another common belief is that eating only one meal a day, starving the body, or eating only certain foods will help with weight loss.

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition revealed that caloric intake alone was not sufficient to predict weight loss. The body adjusts to a lower calorie diet by lowering its demand for energy. Restricting calories only results in weight loss short term. Once the old eating habits return, the lost weight is regained. Calories are the measurement of the potential energy in food. Eating high calorie food too frequently will result in fat storage, as there is not enough time for the body to use the food for fuel. When more calories are consumed than the body can use, the body will convert the extra calories into fat.

Weight loss can occur with a balanced diet where less carbohydrate or sugar calories are consumed compared to what the body needs. The body can then break down stored fat to make energy, resulting in weight loss. A balance of the hormones related to digestion and weight is key for the breakdown of stored fat.

The three glands that make hormones relating to weight loss are the adrenal glands, the thyroid, and the pancreas. The pancreas determines whether food is converted into energy or fat. Carbohydrates and sugars are broken down during digestion into simple sugars. Insulin moves the simple sugars from the blood into muscles to use for energy.

According to Stanford University School of Medicine, the average American consumes over 120 pounds of sugar each year. The pancreas produces higher and higher amounts of insulin to handle this overload. Over time the cells of the body become resistant to insulin and stop allowing insulin to move the sugar. Insulin then builds up in the blood. This is known as insulin resistance.

The pancreas makes glucagon, another hormone, to break down stored fat into simple sugar. Glucagon is released when there is not enough simple sugar in the blood to provide energy. Only when insulin is low will glucagon be released to break down stored body fat. This is how weight loss occurs. When the body becomes insulin resistant glucagon is no longer released, preventing weight loss even with a lo w calorie intake.

The adrenal glands also respond to sugar. They secrete many hormones, including cortisol, which breaks down fat into sugar, which then activates the pancreas. The adrenal glands also produce cortisol in response to stress. Ongoing stress causes prolonged adrenal production of cortisol, which results in increased weight gain especially around the abdomen. Indicators of stressed adrenals include fatigue, digestive difficulties, cravings for sugars or carbohydrate-rich foods like breads, pasta and potatoes, difficulty sleeping, poor concentration, allergies, feeling stressed or overwhelmed, and unwanted weight gain.

The thyroid gland also responds to sugar, cortisol and, insulin. This gland secretes hormones that control the rate of sugar conversion in order to keep the body temperature at 98.6 degrees. A slow thyroid results in a slower metabolism and difficulty with weight loss. Some symptoms of a slow thyroid included dry skin, fatigue, hair loss, depression, cold hands and feet, poor digestion, constipation, and difficulty thinking.

Look for hidden sugars in the foods that are eaten. Many hidden sugars are listed on labels asan “ose”. This includes dextrose, maltose, sucrose, glucose etc. Sugar increases the calorie count, causes an imbalance in the hormones, and results in unwanted weight gain. Visit www.TLCHolisticWellness.com for more information on the Many Names of Sugar.

Insulin levels can be controlled with diet by eating lean protein, complex carbohydrates, which are found in whole grains and vegetables, and by adding good fats, like flaxseed or Omega 3 oil, into the diet. A meal with low sugar intake decreases insulin and increases glucagon, resulting in a reduction in stored fat and weight loss.

If a dietary change along with exercise does not result in weight loss, correct the underlying hormonal imbalance between the adrenals, thyroid, and pancreas with a combination of diet, lifestyle changes, stress reduction, and nutrition. Take advantage of our Spring into Summer Special and get tested to determine if hormonal imbalance is causing you unwanted weight gain. Call  (734) 664 – 0339 during the month of June for this No Charge Evaluation with Dr. Linda Solomon, DC, CCWFN, natural hormone balance and weight loss specialist in Livonia. Visit www.TLCHolisticWellness.com for more health information.