Exciting New Research - Tummy Troubles Cause Hormonal Havoc

Healthy digestion is high up on the list of health priorities for many women.   However, did you know, tummy troubles are considered the top triggers of hormone imbalances in women?  

Those niggling symptoms of bloating and irregular bowel movements are important signs that things are not right.  They are your bodies way of crying out for help.  Ignoring these can lead to heightened imbalances in female reproductive hormones such as estrogen, progesterone and testosterone and those associated with metabolic performance such as insulin.  This combination creates the perfect blend for unexplained weight gain, especially around the middle.

New and Exciting Research  

While traditional research indicates rises in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) to be due to a combination of genetics, inflammation and environmental influences [i] [ii] [iii][iv] [v] [vi] [vii] [viii] [ix] [x], exciting new research suggests tummy troubles or ‘digestive dysbiosis’ also play a role and contribute to female reproductive disorders [xi] [xii] [xiii] [xiv] [xv] [xvi][xvii] [xviii]. This is one reason why getting on top of your health and maintaining a healthy body weight may prove so challenging! 

 

Break Free and Restore Health 

Getting on top of your tummy troubles and health is like peeling back the layers of an onion and takes expertise, experience and time. Establishing the cause of your bloating and digestive upsets is an involved process, requiring professional symptomatic screening techniques and targeted dysbiotic testing. But this is only the first stage.  Repairing the damage and restoring balance with medicinal herbs and targeted probiotics is fundamental to finally becoming symptom free.

Narelle Stegehuis, CEO of Mass Attack is a practicing naturopath with over 30,000 hrs of in-clinic experience and health editor for Empower magazine. Specializing in the natural treatment of women's hormonal imbalances, she has a trained eye for hormonal weight gain. She is both an accomplished writer and recipient of the Australian Naturopathic Excellence Award. To find out if your hormones are making you fat, visit http://www.massattack.com.au

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[i] Hossain P, Kawar B, El Nahas M (2007) Obesity and diabetes in the developing world–a growing challenge. N Engl J Med 356: 213–215.

[ii] Lazar M. A (2005) How obesity causes diabetes: not a tall tale. Science 307: 373–375

[iii] Doria A, Patti M. E, Kahn C. R (2008) The emerging genetic architecture of type 2 diabetes. Cell Metab 8: 186–200.

[iv] Rankinen T, Zuberi A, Chagnon Y. C, Weisnagel S. J, Argyropoulos G, et al. (2006) The human obesity gene map: the 2005 update. Obesity (Silver Spring) 14: 529–644. 

[v] Walley A. J, Asher J. E, Froguel P (2009) The genetic contribution to non-syndromic human obesity. Nat Rev Genet 10: 431–442.

[vi] Freedman A. S, Freeman G. J, Rhynhart K, Nadler L. M (1991) Selective induction of B7/BB-1 on interferon-gamma stimulated monocytes: a potential mechanism for amplification of T cell activation through the CD28 pathway. Cell Immunol 137: 429–437.

[vii] Wellen K. E, Hotamisligil G. S (2005) Inflammation, stress, and diabetes. J Clin Invest 115: 1111–1119. 

[viii] Weisberg S. P, McCann D, Desai M, Rosenbaum M, Leibel R. L, et al. (2003) Obesity is associated with macrophage accumulation in adipose tissue. J Clin Invest 112: 1796–1808. 

[ix] Xu H, Barnes G. T, Yang Q, Tan G, Yang D, et al. (2003) Chronic inflammation in fat plays a crucial role in the development of obesity-related insulin resistance. J Clin Invest 112: 1821–1830.

[x] Arkan M. C, Hevener A. L, Greten F. R, Maeda S, Li Z. W, et al. (2005) IKK-beta links inflammation to obesity-induced insulin resistance. Nat Med 11: 191–198. 

[xi] Meadows R (2011) Gut Bacteria May Override Genetic Protections against Diabetes. PLoS Biol 9(12): e1001215. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1001215

[xii] Cani P. D, Amar J, Iglesias M. A, Poggi M, Knauf C, et al. (2007) Metabolic endotoxemia initiates obesity and insulin resistance. Diabetes 56: 1761–1772.

[xiii] Cani P. D, Bibiloni R, Knauf C, Waget A, Neyrinck A. M, et al. (2008) Changes in gut microbiota control metabolic endotoxemia-induced inflammation in high-fat diet-induced obesity and diabetes in mice. Diabetes 57: 1470–1481. 

[xiv] Creely S. J, McTernan P. G, Kusminski C. M, Fisher M, Da Silva N. F, et al. (2007) Lipopolysaccharide activates an innate immune system response in human adipose tissue in obesity and type 2 diabetes. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 292: E740–E747.

[xv] Chung S, Lapoint K, Martinez K, Kennedy A, Boysen Sandberg M, et al. (2006) Preadipocytes mediate lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation and insulin resistance in primary cultures of newly differentiated human adipocytes. Endocrinology 147: 5340–5351.

[xvi] Spor A, Koren O, Ley RUnravelling the effects of the environment and host genotype on the gut microbiome. Nat Rev Microbiol 9: 279–290.

[xvii] Khan, K.N., et al., Toll-Like Receptors in Innate Immunity: Role of Bacterial Endotoxin and Toll-Like Receptor 4 in Endometrium and Endometriosis. Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation, 2009. 68(1): p. 40-52.

Inflammation, Immunity and The Body Fat Connection

We often think of pain and inflammation as a result of localised injury due to sprains, cuts and insect bites.  However, when pain and inflammation is happening internally (as in the case of immune system problems), it is not so easy to detect.  What we do know though, is that inflammation is a key driver of many chronic, degenerative conditions such as fatigue, arthritis and unexplained weight gain.

You may not even be aware that your body is inflamed.  You may think that the ongoing tiredness, digestive problems or those aches and pains that you feel when you wake up in the morning are a sign of old age. If only it were that simple!

Top 5 Causes of Inflammation

Many elements of our modern lifestyles can perpetuate and exacerbate inflammation, including:

1. toxicity
2. stress
3. poor dietary habits
4. drug and alcohol abuse
5. low levels of physical activity

Top 5 Reasons To Lower Your Body's Inflammatory Response

1. Inflammation Triggers Increased Fat Cell Production - As a safety mechanism, toxins that cannot be eliminated are stored in fat cells. As more toxins are ingested, more fat cells are added to store them, causing weight gain. Eventually the fat cells can become unstable and toxins start leaking into the blood. This can set up an inflammatory response to clean up the ‘foreign bodies'.

2. Inflammation Causes Leptin Imbalance - Leptin is the hormone responsible for helping regulate appetite and energy production.  However, if your body is inflamed, chemicals are released by the fatty tissues to control the inflammation. Studies conducted at Harvard Medical School suggest the chemicals which help to control the inflammation can have a disrupting effect on leptin. This leads to leptin resistance which means the leptin receptors in the brain are not accepting the messages properly. Therefore the balance between energy consumed and energy used is disrupted, appetite is no longer regulated and metabolism slows.

3. Inflammation Triggers Insulin resistance - The same study showed the same effect on insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar. The body's chemicals which control inflammation have a disrupting effect on insulin causing insulin resistance. This is why there is a strong correlation between being overweight and insulin resistance.

4. Inflammation Triggers Complex Hormone Imbalances -  A number of studies have shown that overweight individuals have high levels of leptin but it is no longer effective. High levels of this hormone are a problem because they further increase inflammation, interfering with the entry of glucose into the cells and with the body's insulin response. This may, in turn, lead to insulin resistance and influence the production of other hormones such as estrogen, progesterone and thyroid hormones.  All of these hormones are linked to metabolic performance.  

 5. Increased Fat Storage Triggers More Inflammation - When you have an increase in fat storage, the inflammatory response becomes heightened and so the vicious cycle continues.

Symptoms to look out for:

• Lowered Immune System
• Fluid retention
• Headaches
• Stubborn weight gain
• Tummy fat that won't budge
• Uncontrollable cravings
• Aches and pains

Food Power to Produce or Reduce Inflammation

Fruits, vegetables and good fats from fish and nuts all help to reduce inflammation, whilst other foods can increase inflammation. Inflammatory foods include high sugar foods, heavily processed foods that are high in colours, flavours and other artificial ingredients and foods that are high in certain fats, such as many processed and fast foods.

Steps to overcoming chronic inflammation and eliminate toxins

• Remove processed foods from your diet
• Eat organic foods whenever possible
• Eat a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables
• Limit intake of saturated fats
• Increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids
• Buy a water filter and drink 2 liters of filtered water a day
• Undertake moderate physical activity

Effective natural anti-inflammatory and pain relief options

Fortunately nature has provided us with many remarkable herbs which have been used traditionally for centuries to treat acute pain and inflammation. Some of these are:

• Turmeric has anti-inflammatory actions and has traditionally been used in herbal medicines to support digestive health,reducing toxicity and inflammation.
• Boswellia has analgesic, anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory actions, for all types of pain, but specifically for arthritic or traumatic pain associated with inflammation.
• Ginger has traditionally been used as an anti-inflammatory for arthritis.
• Hemidesmus, Echinacea and Rehmannia to regulate the immune system

The combination of hops, rosemary, and olive leaf can also provide excellent long-term anti-inflammatory relief for chronic pain and inflammation. This combination may assist in relieving the pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatism, and is safe to take long term. Modern formulations containing these ingredients can be rapid in their action, often reducing symptoms within a few days.

There are many natural herbal and homeopathic treatments to help you detoxify and overcome inflammation. These should only be undertaken with the help of a qualified practitioner who can take your individual circumstances into consideration. Some herbs may be contraindicated if taking certain pharmaceutical medications or if sensitive to salicylates. A naturopath can develop a supplement program designed to help you detoxify, overcome inflammation and lose weight naturally and safely.

Narelle Stegehuis, CEO of Mass Attack is a practicing naturopath with over 30,000 hrs of in-clinic experience. Specializing in the natural treatment of women's hormonal imbalances, she has a trained eye for hormonal weight gain. Uniquely, for patient convenience, her programs are offered via the internet. She is both an accomplished writer and recipient of the Australian Naturopathic Excellence Award. To find out if hormones are making you fat, visit http://www.massattack.com.au


Current Drug Targets Inflammation and Allergy. 2005 Jun;4(3):281-6. Macrophages in inflammation. Fujiwara N, Kobayashi K.
Jane K. Howard and Jeffrey S. Flier, Attenuation of leptin and insulin signaling by SOCS proteins. Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 17, Issue 9, 365-371, 1 November 2006
Obesity. Gabriel I Uwaifo, MBBS, Clinical and Research Attending, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Endocrinology, MedStar Clinical Research Center, MedStar Research Institute and Washington Hospital Center

Child Birth Causes Hormones To Go Crazy

During pregnancy a mother’s immune system limits it’s clout to prevent the body from rejecting the foetus. After childbirth the system simply turns itself back on but there can be rebound effects as this takes place.

“It is almost as if your system is making up for that lost 9 months of time and now it is twice as powerful, developing antibodies that attack normal tissue”
says naturopath Narelle Stegehuis, who is leading the way in the natural treatment of this age old challenge. In medical circles this immune over reaction is referred to as an auto immune response and is a major reason why women tend to be more prone to hormonal disorders leading to weight gain and other unhealthy symptoms after pregnancy.
To read full article featured in 'Mothers Inc" click here

Toxins in the kitchen

As mum’s we know too well the importance of providing a balanced diet for our children. Unfortunately though, many parents are unaware of the effect of Trans Fatty Acids (TFA’s) in our favourite snacks and foods. Not only do they cause weight gain, but they also effect mood, brain function and much more. Click here to read full article featured in "Inner Self"

Trans Fats are linked to Endometriosis, PCOS, Fibroids and Weight Gain

Dietary choices have a direct impact on your reproductive health and subsequently on your fertility. The type of fat you incorporate in your diet may be a risk factor for disorders such as Endometriosis, Fibroids, PCOS and Fibroids.

A diet rich in tuna, salmon and other foods rich in essential omega -3 oils might mean you will be less likely to develop female reproductive disorders. US researchers have reported there is a strong link between diets loaded with trans fats, and female reproductive disorders such as Endometriosis, Fibroids and PCOS.

Is Your Diet Triggering Hormonal Imbalances? Find out now with my FREE online test.

So what are Trans Fats?

Trans fats are formed when liquid fats are hardened to make something more resembling butter or lard and found in common everyday foods such as processed breakfast cereals and pre-packaged foods.

The type of fat in your diet, rather than the total amount, may be a risk factor for female reproductive disorders according to researchers in a study published online in the journal Human Reproduction.

Within this study of more than 70,000 nurses it was found that women who ate the most omega-3 fatty acids were 22 per cent less likely to be diagnosed with female reproductive disorders such as endometriosis than women who ate the least.

According to Dr. Stacey Missmer of Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston who led the study, trans fats increase the body's level of many inflammatory markers. These inflammatory markers have been shown to be associated with the establishment of endometriosis and its progression. Dr Missmer also found that there is a likely increase in risk because of a chronic inflammatory response to the trans fat.

The researchers looked at the diets of 70,709 women followed for 12 years in the US Nurses Health Study. Women who ate the most trans fats had a 48 per cent increased risk of the condition compared with those who ate the least, the study found. Similar studies have been linked to PCOS and Fibroids.

"Many women have been searching for something they can actually do for themselves, or their daughters to reduce the risk of developing the disease, and these findings suggest that dietary changes are something they can do," says Missmer.

Find Out What You Dietary Changes You Can Make To Avoid Female Reproductive Disorders by Clicking Here.