A chat with an expert about all things women’s health such as hormones, thyroid and more?
This week our guest is Lacey Dunn, a registered dietitian who specializes in hormones and thyroid health. With the rise of birth control, dieting, and other things that affect our health as women, there has also been a rise in hormone imbalances and thyroid issues. But this reality doesn’t have to be yours, educating yourself on your body and health is the first step. Lacey is sharing all of her tips to heal from post birth control syndrome to balancing your hormones, taking control of your thyroid health, and optimizing your own health as best as you can.
Listen to the Podcast on iTunes right here
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Signs and symptoms your hormones may be imbalanced
- Random weight gain or weight loss
- Hair loss
- Acne
- Fatigue
- High or low heart rate
- Joint pain
- Muscle aches
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Dry skin
- Brain fog
- Loss of Libido
- Digestive issues- chronic bloating or diarrhea
- Elevated cholesterol levels
- Loss of menstrual cycle
If any of these symptoms aligned with you, you’re not alone! Lacey Dunn is an expert on hormones, and thyroid health and is here today to share all of her tips with us!! So what are the starting steps if you’re struggling with post birth control syndrome or are on birth control and want to heal your hormonal imbalances? Laceys first step is to do a huge medical assessment to figure out whats going on. Ask yourself Hows’ your Hair? Do you struggle with acne? How’s your digestion? How are you feeling? Get testing and blood work done to check hormone levels and so on. BUT tests can be really expensive…. so Lacey shared a bunch of practical steps you can take prior to testing to heal and support your hormones.
- Replenishing the nutrients which birth control depletes. Birth control depletes vitamin and mineral levels in our bodies. Its super important to get these levels back to normal! The ones focus on replenishing are zinc, magnesium, vitamin B6, and folate levels. A great way to do this is to take a prenatal supplement with methyl folate. You should also increase your omega 3 consumption by supplementing or consuming fatty fish twice a week.
- Support your liver. Your liver needs support for natural detoxification of all the synthetic estrogen and progesterone which have been built up. Some natural supplements which are great for liver support are Milk thistle and Acetylcysteine.
- Eliminate endocrine disruptors from your environment. This is just as important as your diet!!! Become aware of what toxic ingredients are in your household and in your beauty products. Such as what you’re washing your body with or your makeup.
- Focus on the quality of foods you’re consuming – Your diet greatly impacts your energy, health, and mood. Staying away from processed vegetable oils.
- Focusing on your gut health. If you’re experiencing symptoms such as brain fog, constipation, diarrhea, and chronic bloating its a sign your digestion may be off. One easy way to work on your digestion is to keep a food journal! Keep track of the foods that are causing digestion problems so you can slowly eliminate them out. Another great way is to work with a professional.
How To Be Healthy & Balance Your Hormones While On Birth Control
- Find the birth control that works for you! Don’t be afraid to try new things and switch it up if your current birth control isn’t working for you!
- Make sure you’re providing your body w the optimal nutrients which are being depleted by taking birth control.
- Taking care of your digestion & liver & mood in order to prevent the side effects and problems caused by birth control.
- Get a yearly check up. Including having your labs and thyroid checked. By staying on top of your health you catch things and don’t develop them later
Taking Control Of Your Thyroid Health
What can cause thyroid problems; such as hypothyroidism?
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Stress
- Chronically low dieting
- Over-exercising
- Infections
- Chronically high cortisol levels
- Birth control
What to do to if you suspect you may have thyroid problems? Work with a practitioner who looks at the root causes of your issue instead of throwing you on thyroid medication. Issues such as environmental toxins and hormone imbalances need to be solved long term instead of using medication to temporarily fix the issue. Be your own advocate for your own health relying on how you feel instead of basing your health strictly on lab values.
Lacey’s Tips For Her Clients To Just Feel Better In General
- Macro-tracking to understand what’s in the foods you’re eating
- Eating 1 cup fruit & 2 cups veggies per day minimum
- Focus on not having a lot of processed foods; Eating more whole foods
- Balancing your blood sugar
- Make sure your snacking in a way thats optimal for your health. When snacking combine 2 different macro components such as a carb with a protein. This will regulate your blood sugar, vs spiking it which is done when you eat purely carbs. Another tip for balancing your blood sugar is not skipping meals.
- Eating food that’s healthy for YOU.
- If your body doesn’t like a certain food then it’s not healthy FOR YOU. Our bodies are individualized and whats healthy for one person isn’t healthy for everyone. For example if whey protein causes your stomach to become super bloated maybe its not the best protein choice for you.
- Managing your stress, sleep, and self care.
- Stress and not getting enough sleep can cause chronically high cortisol which can disrupt your thyroid and hormones and overall quality of life. Chronically high cholesterol can also stunt your progress such as preventing muscle growth or weight loss. Not only are stress and sleep are the two biggest things holding you back in your life but they’re just as important as nutrition and exercising.
- Want better sleep? Here are all of Laceys tips
- Turning off blue light 2 hours before bed. Utilize blue light blocking glass or night mode on your devices.
- Not using electronics and hour before bed.
- Make your bedroom a cozy, cool environment.
- Keep the TV and your phone out of the bedroom
- Have a consistent sleep routine, your body thrives on routine,
- Avoid caffeine past 5 pm
Want to find out more about Lacey??
Laceys Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithandfit/
Laceys Website: http://www.upliftfit.org/
PS: If you want to take the next step towards finding balance and feeling your best while living a healthy lifestyle check out my new ebook click here!!
