Pre-Conception Testing: A Naturopathic Perspective

By Sara Thyr, ND

Photo by lunar caustic via Flickr, used under the Creative Commons License.

When couples decide to get pregnant, most think that they just need to take good care of the baby in utero. Some only worry about nutrition and toxins after the child is born. New research about epigenetics tells us that what you bring into the pregnancy can be even more important for the long-term health of your baby. Diseases like diabetes and heart disease have been linked to toxins to which babies are exposed in the womb. Asthma and allergies are inflammatory disorders with which many children suffer, and the health of the mom during pregnancy can have a great bearing on them.

What does my obstetrician test for?

Standard medical testing might include some look at hormones for ovarian function, particularly for women trying to have babies later in their childbearing years. Most will check to see if the woman has antibodies to Rubella and vaccinate her before pregnancy if these levels are low. They might also look at thyroid function, as malfunction of this endocrine gland makes it more difficult to get pregnant and maintain a healthy pregnancy. They may even look at a woman’s vitamin D levels, and perhaps if they are very progressive check her folic acid, B12 and complete blood count. Most do not look any deeper, unless a woman is having some difficulty getting pregnant. Even then, they are not looking at all of the factors that go into having babies who are not only healthy at birth, but healthy throughout their lives.

What will a naturopathic doctor look at?

Food allergies
Food allergies are a very misunderstood topic, in my opinion. If I ruled the medical world, this test would be as common as a complete blood count (CBC) or thyroid testing. When people have delayed hypersensitivity reactions, they may have some random symptoms, but don’t usually know that there is an association between them and the foods they are commonly eating. Undiscovered food allergies are the most common cause of unexplained infertility. And if a woman does end up getting pregnant, she will pass all of these antibodies on to her child. The mother’s antibodies are passed on to her children, so if she does not eliminate them as much as possible during pregnancy and breast-feeding, she passes her sensitivities on to her children.

An elimination diet can be done in lieu of testing if it is not possible to work with a reputable lab. The most common foods to which people are reactive are wheat (all glutens as well), dairy products and eggs. Some also have issues with soy foods and citrus fruits.

Testing should look at the antibody IgG, as this one is most responsible for delayed hypersensitivity reactions (which is what food allergies exist unless a person has an anaphylactic reaction to a food – in which case they usually know as their tongue and throat swell, they have difficulty breathing, and are rushed to the ER.)

Testing should look at the antibody IgG, as this one is most responsible for delayed hypersensitivity reactions (i.e. food allergy reactions that do not include acute anaphylaxis).

Micronutrients
Do you eat a healthy diet? Do you take a multivitamin to ensure adequate levels of the nutrients your body needs? Do these steps ensure that you have in your system everything that is required? Unfortunately, no. I am a big fan of getting our nutrients from healthy, organic foods. Most of us have good digestive systems that will break down and absorb the nutrients that our bodies need. And in the U.S., most diseases of malnutrition have been eradicated. But inadequate levels of many nutrients can have impact on not only the health of the mother, but certainly the developing fetus. Micronutrient testing looks at the long-term levels (not what you got that morning) of all of the B vitamins, A, D, E, minerals that are critical for healthy bone formation, amino acids that help make up the muscles and nervous system, as well as antioxidants that help protect us from many inflammatory diseases. (This is also a great test for the aging population as deficiencies are linked to many disorders.) Shortages of certain amino acids can make it much more difficult for your body to detoxify. B vitamins are critical for many functions, including hormones and nervous system function.

Environmental Toxins
We are all exposed to many environmental toxins every day. Toxins—from pollution while driving or walking down the street, to pesticides and chemicals on our foods, to the plastic liner of the coffee we buy on the way to work, to the perfumes and parabens that are in our body and hair products—are all around us. Some people believe that if they are not working in an oil refinery or carpet factory that they are not exposed to toxins that can be harmful to developing fetuses. Toxic exposure is one area where epigenetics have given us a great deal of information about how we can improve the health of our newborns as well as our entire population. Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure in utero has been linked to men having prostate disease later in life. Phthalates can cause decreased testicular size. Octyphenol is linked to decreased FSH in women and decreased testicular size and function in men. PAH from cigarette smoke exposure while in utero is linked to decreased behavioral scores, ADD and asthma in children.

Some may be unavoidable—if you ride your bike to work you may inhale some vehicle exhaust. But many can be avoided, such as skin care products or cleaning supplies. And even better, you can take some nutrients that will assist your body clearing the toxins from your system more readily. This is particularly important if you are thinking about having a baby.

Hormonal Balance and Adrenal Function
Most hormonal issues can be elucidated in a thorough history with a patient. If a woman has regular cycles and is ovulating—has little to no PMS, heavy bleeding, excess facial hair, fibroids, etc.—then we likely won’t need to pursue in-depth hormonal testing. If someone has a history of early miscarriages, then looking at hormonal balance is more important, especially if she is having difficulty getting pregnant. If the latter is true, then I also always look at adrenal function testing. The adrenal glands are often overlooked unless there is severe malfunction. But more subtle changes can affect her ability to get pregnant, carry a child to term, and feel energized and strong. The adrenal glands are part of the endocrine system (the system that encompasses our hormones, including thyroid) and if there is excessive stress, insomnia, abuse history, etc., then checking the adrenals can be very helpful. Some women with increased fatigue will benefit greatly from adrenal support.

Consulting with a naturopathic doctor before, during and after pregnancy provides a great gift of increased health to your unborn child. Click here to find one in your area.

Fall Cleansing: Perfect Timing and Optimal Process

By Sara Thyr, ND

Photo by Pink Sherbet Photography via Flickr, used under the Creative Commons License.

Have you heard that spring and fall are ideal times to do a cleanse? In the spring, new buds signal a time of growth, and people are inspired to do spring cleaning. In the fall, as the growth season winds to a close, a cleanse is an ideal way to prepare for winter, the holidays and hibernation.

A biannual detox is a welcome addition to one’s healthcare regimen.

If you are living on this planet, even under the best of circumstances, you are exposed to toxins. They are present in many situations, and we easily absorb them into our bodies. Toxins are prevalent in pollution, and in average automobile exhaust. Just driving your car or walking down the street can add to your toxic burden. Everything from our food and medications to our homes and personal care products, such as lotions and aftershave, can add toxins to our bodies.

People come to do a detox for a variety of reasons: hormonal symptoms – such as PMS or perimenopause, skin issues, fatigue, headaches, infertility, autoimmune disorders, elevated cholesterol, and a variety of inflammatory disorders. Once people are aware of the many toxins in our environment, even those who eat organic and keep their cleaning products as clean as possible often want to detoxify a couple of times per year as a good preventive strategy.

Organs in our bodies that assist us in detoxification on a daily basis include the liver, lungs, kidneys, digestive tract and skin.

Many of the over-the-counter detoxification kits include intestinal cathartics – even natural ones like senna and cascara – which can induce explosive bowel action, cramping and discomfort in many people. Having optimal digestive function is critical for proper elimination and detoxification, but this type of abrasive action is not recommended. (If someone is continually constipated, then they likely need a detox more than most people, since their detoxification action in the digestive tract is limited. They may benefit from cathartics, but should use them only in the short term. Constipation can be resolved by treating underlying causes, not just depending on laxatives.)

While all of the organs of detoxification are important for optimal health, focusing on the liver and assuring excellent elimination makes the most sense. The liver is really the powerhouse of detoxification in the body. Most medications have to pass through the liver in order to be eliminated. Our liver function affects our hormones and our ability to clear other toxins to which we are exposed.

An ideal plan for detoxification includes diet changes, such as eliminating alcohol and caffeine, sugar, refined carbohydrates and any known food allergens.

Supplements that may be helpful will provide nutrients and herbs for liver support and a fiber source to improve elimination.

Saunas, steams and massage will also aid in the body’s detoxification process.

The type of cleanse that is best for an individual will depend on one's symptoms and personal goals. A licensed naturopathic physician can tailor a plan to their specific needs.

Sunscreen: Healthy or Toxic

By Sara Thyr, ND

Photo by Robert S. Donovan via Flickr, used under the Creative Commons License.

It’s not an easy question. Most of us know that there is a relationship between sun exposure and skin cancer, but how many know about the problems inherent in many of the lotions that are on the market - there to supposedly limit damage to our skin?

What if the products you were buying and lathering on your face and the skin of your family contained chemicals that when exposed to sunlight actually broke down into compounds that can cause cancer? What if they contained chemicals that could disrupt normal hormonal function? But the government is there to help keep us safe, isn’t it? Unfortunately, the FDA has not made a final ruling on standards for sunscreens for the past 32 years. Proposed standards would require manufacturers to provide proof of their safety, UVA and UVB protection, and waterproof stability if those claims were made.

Research found on the website of the Environmental Working Group shows that 60% of sunscreens in the U.S. contain oxybenzone as the active ingredient to prevent burning and sun damage to skin. What the purveyors of these products do not tell you is that oxybenzone, which may be easier to apply to the skin than mineral sunscreens - like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide - is absorbed into the skin in large amounts, potentially causing allergic reactions and hormone disruption. Researchers now recommend that oxybenzone not be used on children.

Vitamin A is a wonderful antioxidant and has been shown to beneficially reduce free radical damage when taken internally or applied to the skin in night creams. But using vitamin A in sunscreen has potentially carcinogenic effects. So rather than preventing skin cancer, it actually may be contributing to it. Look for “retinol palmitate” as it is sometimes called on labels.

Much safer products are on the market now. But you have to be willing to do some research and read some labels. The biggest issue with the labels is that most of them have many ingredients, and most of these ingredients are unknown and/or unpronounceable by the general public.

But here is a good point: we know that our skin is a great delivery vehicle for medications, right? Why else would there be patches for quitting smoking, birth control, and other medications? We do absorb substances readily through our skin, and yet we assume that the skin care industry, which is largely unregulated, has our best health at heart. I hate to be the one to break it to you, but it’s not true. We live in a great capitalistic society, and they want to make money. Many of the chemicals and fragrances that are added to make them appealing are very unhealthy.

I don’t expect you to go out and get a degree in chemistry to understand all of this. Here are a few hints to help:

• More is not better. Aim for labels with fewer ingredients – not so many that you are weary to read all of them.
• Familiar is good! If it sounds like a strange chemical that you can’t even pronounce, you might want to think twice about it.
• “Baby” in the name does NOT mean it is safe for kids!
• Don’t assume that there is someone knowledgeable at your health food store who prevents the dangerous lotions from being put on the shelves.
• Mineral sunscreens – zinc oxide or titanium dioxide – provide physical barriers to the sun yet are not absorbed into the skin.
• Check www.ewg.org to see if your sunscreen is safe or to find one that is (as well as read more in-depth research on sunscreen ingredients).
• Use other protective barriers against the sun, such as clothing, hats, and umbrellas. And avoid being in the noonday sun when the UV rays are potentially most damaging.

We all love this surge in warm weather and ability to spend some time outside. Spring and summer are a wonderful time for enjoying nature. Soak up your summer rays safely.

Environmental Chemicals Affect Health

By Sara Thyr, ND

Photo by stevedepolo via Flickr, used under the Creative Commons License.

Recent information released by the Endocrine Society showed a link between bisphenal-A (BPA) and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), with the authors noting that women with PCOS seem to have more vulnerability to exposure to BPA. (HealthDay, Jan 18, 2011)

BPA is commonly found in plastics, and particularly noticed at high levels in canned foods and infant formulas. It appears to be toxic at even low doses, falling into a class of chemicals called hormone disruptors (and also endocrine disruptors). Animal research has shown that BPA causes breast tissue and prostate cells to be more sensitive to hormones and carcinogens, as well as permanent changes to the genital tract. (Environmental Working Group review of research).

This is not the first time that chemicals in our environment have been shown to negatively affect health. The Endocrine Society, a medical group, released information two years ago indicating that BPA, phthalates, and pesticides had a significant negative effect on human health. And many persist in the environment, even after they are no longer used or banned by the government.

Phthalates (or DBP for dibutyl phthalate) are found in cosmetics, beauty aids and pharmaceuticals. They are also not always easily identified on labels, and many cosmetics don’t even have an outer label where consumers can read ingredients before purchasing. A wide range of products may contain DBP – such as antiperspirants, shampoo and conditioners, body lotion, and even gum and candy.

Phthalates are added to products to make them more flexible, such as nail polish and mascara. In lotions they are added to make the skin feel more smooth after application, or enhance the penetration of a cream. The price of using these plasticizers is disruption of hormones and the endocrine system. Allergic reactions are also common, even ones as serious as anaphylaxis. They have been long implicated in cases of male infertility and reproductive health problems.

How do we avoid these products?

If you have any activism in you, joining advocacy groups that bring awareness to the use of these chemicals may be worth your while. The Environmental Working Group is one that utilitizes scientific studies and other in-depth information about all of the toxic chemicals that they study.

Appreciate that everything that you rub on your skin, inhale, chew on, suck on, drink and, of course, eat, is absorbed by your cells and, if it is toxic to them, will have a negative effect on your health. Don’t just assume that because something is available in the U.S. that it must be safe. This industry is largely unregulated.

Avoid using products that contain BPA and DBP if at all possible. Don’t using plastic water bottles – this does good for both your health and your planet. Cutting down on the tons of plastics that are thrown into our landfills will help protect our planet and reduce our dependency on oil.

Avoid perfumes and most air fresheners – especially the ones that you stick into an outlet in your home. Avoid body lotions that contain perfumes or DBP. Become an avid label reader. If you cannot pronounce the words on product packaging and there is a very long, small print list of ingredients, think twice. Skin Free products are free of all toxic chemicals. The Environmental Working Group has a website called the Cosmetics Database where you can look up the personal care products that you use and find out what is in them and what their potential toxic effect is. You can also search in such a way that they will recommend manufacturers whose products are clean.

Buy organic food, avoid canned food and canned sodas, and encourage young mothers to breast feed rather than use formula.

Most naturopathic doctors can put you on a good detox program if you are concerned about toxins in your system. There are even lab tests that will tell you what you are harboring and possibly help you figure out how to avoid them.