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Mother-what? MTHFR Discovery and Treatment

This is part 4 of my healing journey – if you haven’t read previous posts, please do. They are Antibiotics & Anxiety, To Candida Diet or Not to Candida Diet and Testing Outside of the Medical Realm.

So, I had the doctor order me a blood test for MTHFR, despite his hesitation and questioning whether there was a diagnosis code he could use. You see, the medical world (mostly) views MTHFR only from a homocysteine perspective. Since I hadn’t had any heart problems or bad blood tests, there wasn’t much he could use for a diagnosis code. (Read: Fault in the system, since there are MANY things that could indicate MTHFR) He chose anxiety as a diagnosis code and time will tell whether the insurance company will pay for it.

Then I had to wait over the weekend for results. That was hard enough. I urged myself not to research because if it was negative, then where would I be? Come Monday morning my husband called me from work. I knew he wouldn’t call if it was negative. Nerves shaking, I answered his call. He told me the doctor wanted to talk to me. Okay, so it’s worse than I thought, I decided. Not exactly, I had to listen as the doctor talked to me about how the test isn’t easy to read and the result of the test doesn’t actually mean anything. (Was I hearing this correctly?) Finally, I asked, “Is there the number 1298 on the test?” When he confirmed, I asked if it was positive. He said, “Yes, but that doesn’t tell us anything.” On the contrary, it told me a lot. I had to wait to see the test with my own eyes that evening and figure out exactly what it meant.

There is so much to say about MTHFR, so much that is written about it and yet, so much that isn’t understood. To sum it up, an enzyme needed to break down folate (a necessary B vitamin) is compromised and doesn’t work efficiently. Think of all the foods that are “vitamin fortified” – they are fortified with folic acid (among others). If your body can’t break down folic acid (to turn it into methyl folate), it’s just another vitamin floating around unused in the body. Not only that, in its effort to turn into methyl folate, it blocks the receptors at the blood brain barrier, so real folate couldn’t get through if it tried. Remember how I posted that I didn’t have ANY B vitamins when I got my Organic Acids Test back? Big red flag. Since I take prenatals everyday and eat a very healthy diet, I should have had B vitamins! Too much folic acid and not enough folate (the natural version) can cause a lot of problems if your body doesn’t know how to break down folic acid and convert it to methyl folate. Basically folic acid is the synthetic version of the natural folate (found in spinach, garbanzo beans and lentils). When you can’t break folic acid down, it clogs the receptors in the brain, so they can’t get the natural folate either.

So what do I have? I have the Heterozygous 1298 / Normal 677. This means that one parent passed down a 1298 mutation. My test literally reads: “Positive for one copy of the A1298C variant”.

Check out this chart showing all the possible things that can be caused by MTHFR (images taken from : http://www.mindmeister.com/12694596/mthfr-related-health-problems )

I don’t know about you but if an estimated 50% of Americans have a mutated variant copy, don’t we deserve to know? If MTHFR is linked to all the above disorders and diseases, toxicity and addictions, shouldn’t we find out? What if something as simple as taking a methylated version of B vitamins is all we needed to feel better and help our bodies detoxify and thrive, while preventing disease?

Well, that’s my first step: methyl folate. I posted this on my Facebook page last week, but will share the affiliate link again below, because it’s worth knowing about:

Dr. Neil Rawlins of Richland, WA has researched MTHFR for years. When patients say they can’t afford the blood test, he suggests trying methyl folate (as shown above). If symptoms improve, it was a simple issue of methylation dysfunction. Yes, you deserve to know if you have an MTHFR variant. Yes, you deserve to know what can help it. But, if you, like many, can’t afford to test for it, you can try methyl folate in such a small dose as 1 mg a day, increasing gradually, and seeing how it helps you feel. Your body NEEDS methyl folate in order to create serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine, among other neurotransmitters. The inability to convert folic acid to methyl folate can lead to depression, anxiety (ding! ding! ding!), fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, migraines, schizophrenia, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and more!

As we all know, folic acid (or folate) is necessary when trying to conceive. The catastrophe that could’ve happened had I gotten pregnant with zero vitamin B in my system is something that shakes me up every time I think of it. Many women with infertility issues and a history of miscarriages have an MTHFR variant. Many women (and men) are helped greatly by the inclusion of methylated vitamin B. Methyl folate is just one methylated B vitamin, but it is a crucial one to start the journey with.

I will speak further on over-methylation symptoms and treatments as well as the absence of a “magic pill” that makes everything better. Today, I just wanted to start the conversation and inform you of your right to know about this VERY COMMON gene variant and how it could be wreaking havoc on your health. Don’t let your doctor say, like mine did, that this is just something people are writing about on the Internet and we don’t see any connection to anxiety (or birth defects, or chronic fatigue), because it’s not true!

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Testing Outside of the Medical Realm

This is part 3 in a series following my health saga. If you haven’t read Part 1 (Antibiotics & Anxiety) and Part 2 (To Candida Diet or Not to Candida Diet), please do, as it will fill you in on details not covered here.

You know by now that I’ve done lots of things to help with my health trials, including seeing my chiropractor and Naturopath. I had already been to my MD and had blood tests ordered, which all came back normal. This is extremely frustrating since I KNEW something was wrong. I’d asked to be tested for candida and he said, “It wasn’t indicated.” So, I went to a Naturopath and he suggested I get an Organic Acids Test. I’m all for testing. I’m all for functional medicine and knowing my levels and doing what I can to improve them. This can shed a whole new light on an exhausting situation!

Unfortunately, many tests are not covered by insurance (though many are!). In my case, the organic acids test was not covered by my insurance (though he called to find out, which I appreciated). Desperate for answers, I shelled out the $300 and proceeded with the test, which was a urine test from Great Plains Lab. I had hoped to have results before my trip to CA, but the results took a lot longer than expected.

Despite the delay, I appreciated the results. The Naturopath had been certain that the results would show a bacteria causing all of my issues and that we would treat that and be done, but that was not the case. Instead, the numbers only showed Candida in the yeast, fungal and bacteria markers. The numbers weren’t even that high (probably because I’d already been on herbs and tinctures to help kill it).

The next section that was off for me was the Krebs Cycle. The Krebs Cycle is pretty complicated, but you can read about it here. I had very low fumaric, which could simply be because I was dehydrated, having had an aversion to water and food in general, while at my worst.

The next thing I saw was low serotonin (by measuring neurotransmitter metabolites) in the form of 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic (5-HIAA). My Naturopath said, “We can fix that, easy!” I was relieved. I had a marker that also could be responsible for neural excitotoxicity. Everything inside me was “excited” to say the least, so this made sense too. This elevated marker can also be caused by low serotonin, which I had. The test showed markers of fasting, which was also the case at the time since I couldn’t bring myself to eat. All in all the test showed proof of what was going on with me and seemed to be things we could fix. The shocking results were my zero levels of B and C vitamins!!! How could I have NO vitamins in my body? Again, I decided this was all due to the lack of eating and drinking…

I won’t bore you with all the specifics, but I will say that if you are looking to dig deeper into your health issues, you may have to test outside of the medical system. My MD has specifically told me he doesn’t practice functional medicine, which was disturbing to me. How could you NOT want to see where things are so you can fix them? I proceeded to try everything recommended to me by my Naturopath and found I struggled with the B vitamins and the 5-HTP. I had no problems with the Candaclear Four or the probiotics (both mentioned in my previous post), so this is all I could handle. I also added in Young Living orange oil topically and chewable vitamin C throughout the day. As digestive issues subsided, I was left with the high adrenaline, high anxiety and nervous stomach. Compared to where I was before, this was a big step in the right direction, but I wasn’t satisfied.

I have since signed up with Great Plains Lab so I can repeat the Organic Acids Test again in a few months, to see where I am. I have also signed up with another lab called Labrix. I decided I needed to test my neurotransmitters and my cortisol to rule out adrenal fatigue. These results were no less shocking than before. My neurotransmitter levels were all wrong. A call with their clinician on staff had me reeling and trying to decide what to do next. More testing is definitely in order. My neurotransmitter levels show a pattern equivalent to MTHFR (Methyl Tetra Hydro Folate Reductase), which is associated with the inability to process B vitamins. So testing for this gene, to see if it is lower functioning, is necessary before I take my next step.

I don’t have all the answers yet. I hope to, soon. And I’ll keep you updated. I can say that I’m so happy to have all the information I do have about my body and my health! It puts things into perspective. Had I gone a traditional route with my health, I’m sure I’d be on an anti-anxiety medication right now and that wouldn’t fix anything or help me figure out what went wrong.

If you are struggling in areas of your life with “normal” blood tests and roadblocks along the way, please consider testing outside of the medical realm. I am signed up with many labs, but especially recommend the labs above. I can get a test kit to you quickly and discretely. You don’t have to live in confusion and disarray. We all deserve to know what’s happening with our health and sometimes we need someone on that path with us who’s willing to be a detective. I’m here and I’m willing and I’m grateful for those who’ve been alongside me during my journey. It’s harder to look at myself clearly and I’m grateful the professionals I’ve spoken with. Please contact me if you think you would like to test yourself. There are SO many options, but the results are well worth it!

Read more about the Organic Acids Test.
Read more about Neurotransmitter Testing.
Read more about DNA Testing for Weight Control.
Read more about Hormone Balance Testing.
Read more about IgG Food Allergy Testing with Candida.
Read more about Stool Analysis.
Read more about Metals Hair Test.

The truth is, there are SO many tests available, and it is completely up to you where your health issues are and what needs to be tested. Look through the links above and let me know if I can help in any way. It’s important to know that the power of our health is in our hands. No one will advocate more for you than YOU.

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To Candida Diet or Not to Candida Diet

If you haven’t read the first part of this series, Antibiotics & Anxiety, please do, as it will provide some needed back story…

So, there I was bursting with adrenaline and no way to handle it. I was torn between staying in bed and sleeping as much as possible or making myself move, move, move to try not to think about it. I was so shaken up by the initial attack I had while driving, that I was fervently searching for an answer. Since my chiropractor had muscle tested me and was sure all of this was happening in my gut, I landed at my self-diagnosis: Candida.

There are a lot of symptoms associated with Candida and I had a lot of them, though none outwardly noticeable (thrush or yeast). Some symptoms associated with candida are:

– acne
– allergies (food & air)
– anxiety
– chronic fatigue
– confusion
– depression
– ear or eye irritation
– feeling “drunk” or lightheaded after minimal amounts of alcohol
– GI problems (bloating, chronic diarrhea, constipation, cramps, gas, heartburn)
– headaches
– heart palpitations
– hives
– hyperactivity
– irritability
– loss of memory
– migraines
– rashes
– recurrent fungal infections
– respiratory problems (asthma, nasal & lung congestion)
– severe PMS
– sexual dysfunction
– sinus pressure
– sleep disturbance
(*Source: Goldberg, B. (Ed.). (2002). Alternative medicine: The definitive guide. Berkeley, CA: Celestial Arts.)

These symptoms could be associated with so many issues and often get mistreated or misdiagnosed. I was sure that my two rounds of antibiotics in six months had contributed to some form of Candidiasis and I was going to treat it, kill it, and be done with it.

I threw myself into the Candida Diet. If you’re not familiar, it’s basically sugar-free, as in free of all sugar. No wine (sigh), no grains, no starches, no, no, no… It’s everything I’m against. But I was scared. I was desperate, and I actually felt a little better on it. My worst attack happened after a cup of decaf coffee and a gluten-free cookie bar, so in my mind, sugar had played a huge role. I had a huge aversion to sugar anyway, so it wasn’t that hard to connect the dots.

I learned a lot of new recipes. I even made a Pinterest board for Candida recipes. I made my own salad dressings and even made my own mayonnaise (I didn’t like it). I ate a lot of eggs, meat, chicken, fish, and a ton of salads. I was starving all the time, but I was functioning. That was an improvement!

A visit to my holistic dentist’s office only confirmed Candida. The woman who was working on my gums sympathetically listened to my story. She checked my mouth and said I had candida in my mouth! Gross. So, I took her prescription for Nystatin to a pharmacist and immediately started taking it. It was powdered. I swished it in my mouth four times a day and it was disgusting. Remember, though, I was desperate.

After a couple of weeks on the diet, 10 days on a CandidaGone supplement and several days on Nystatin, I found myself regressing. My body was wasting away. I felt weak, anxious all the time, and so hungry, but with no desire to eat. I lost a lot of weight (read: The Weight I Never Wanted to Lose) and I wasn’t making progress anymore. The week of my birthday I started calling a local Naturopath, begging for an immediate appointment, no matter the cost. I needed a detective, someone who would listen to everything I had been through and hopefully see a pattern and a path back to wellness.

The first thing he said? “Get off that Candida Diet!” I was crushed. I thought I was helping myself, healing myself. I have all the books, education and research I needed to support what I was doing. He gently explained that the diet doesn’t kill candida and our bodies will get sugar from anything they can, even if we remove all of it. The body will find sugar in broccoli or lettuce if it has to. He said my tongue didn’t show signs of candida, but signs of a cold digestive system. This made sense. Everything was cold and tight and all balled up inside of me. As I sat in his office, I was curled up into myself, rocking, shivering and trying desperately to keep it together. I was scared to eat real food again, but also relieved to be told I needed to.

He gave me some herbs, a powdered probiotic MindLinx (which is a great option if you struggle with swallowing pills) and the charcoal pills I mentioned in my last blog. He also asked me to take an Organic Acids test. None of this was in our budget, but health is more important than money, so I did it. The results of the test took longer than I liked to receive, but while eating a normal diet again and taking charcoal at least four times a day and the herbs as well, I was actually improving.

I have a lot to say about testing, like the Organic Acids test I’ve done and others, that aren’t available in regular medical offices. I just don’t have the space for it here, so I’ll stick to the topic at hand: Candida Diets.

As a holistic nutritionist, I would have prescribed this diet to anyone suffering. I would have done so knowing that this was the right form of treatment. And then I experienced it, and it wasn’t right for me. It may not be right for you either. If you are struggling with similar symptoms and feel like you may have Candidiasis, please consider a powerful 30-day supplement program that will help destroy it, while also taking a healthy probiotic and charcoal. This, I know, will do better things for you than trying to starve the sugar beast from your body. I will post affiliate links below for the products I recommend.

About Candaclear Four: What I like about Candaclear Four is that it doesn’t contain a lot of things that might upset your stomach. On the contrary, it’s very simple. You take one white tablet after breakfast that contains garlic. After lunch, you take two capsules that are garlic and cinnamon. After dinner, you take the 4th capsule, which is filled with probiotics, L-glutamine, N-acetyl glucosamine, and Beta-carotene. None of these upset my stomach or were difficult to take. I also took the MindLinx after dinner to go along with the 4th capsule of Candaclear Four. I’m on Day 29 of my 30 days and am 95% better. I haven’t had a panic attack in a month and each day I feel stronger.

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Antibiotics & Anxiety

Remember when I had strep throat? It was a humbling experience. I mean, I live such a healthy life and then I come down with something so debilitating that I’m at urgent care filling a prescription antibiotic? Sigh. I took my antibiotic. I got better. I took probiotics over the next few months and I felt like it was something I had put behind me. Sure, there were some subtle signs that maybe the antibiotic had altered my gut health, but I couldn’t see those until they were hindsight.

In August, there was a bug bite. It was the bug bite to end all bug bites, as it doubled in size within hours, then doubled again and again, until it was exponentially increasing in size and 30 hours later, I was crying from the pain. A visit to my integrative physician landed me on an antihistamine and an antibiotic AGAIN. It felt necessary because the poultices and oils I was using wasn’t stopping it’s increase in size. Also, I was leaving on a plane for Texas with my children; my husband and I were both nervous about what could happen if I didn’t get it resolved.

The bite decreased in size. The pain dissipated. Then I was standing in the security line at the airport and the worst feeling came over me. I was having a panic attack, the likes of which I hadn’t experienced in 15 years. I thought those days were behind me?! I ran to the bathroom while my husband stayed with the kids. I waited to throw up. It didn’t happen. I washed my face. I did deep breathing. I told myself, “You have to get through this line. You’re fine!” I made it, as you can read in my blog about flying with toddlers. But I never really felt fine… ever again….

As the days passed on my vacation in Texas, I begged my husband to talk to the doctor, to let me get off the antibiotic because I had constant butterflies in my stomach and I didn’t know if I could get on a plane again (this from a girl who LOVES to fly!). The doctor didn’t think the anxiety and antibiotic were related, but I knew better. I took several probiotics a day, thanks to my friend’s stash, and I quit the antibiotic just a few days in. The butterflies diminished, but never really left.

In fact, as time went on, I would continue to have random, devastating, debilitating panic attacks. There was no trigger. I knew it wasn’t psychological. Something was terribly wrong. And just because it needs to be said, I don’t say “panic attack” lightly. Many people will say they have panic attacks and perhaps, that is true. But I’m talking about being pulled over on the side of the road, sweating while shivering, hand over my mouth, waiting to vomit (which never actually happens), vertigo spinning me around in the car, and terrified that I won’t be able to get my children home safely. I’m talking about not being able to drive my daughter to preschool because everything is so tense inside of my body that I know I can’t get behind the wheel or it will happen again. I’m talking about leaving one of my best friend’s houses trembling, trying to get home before anyone sees this happening. My panic attacks as a child and teen were horrible and usually, I would pass out. Panic attacks as a mother though? They are a million times worse.

Despite the doctor’s opinion on antibiotics and anxiety, I have discovered something: they are definitely linked. It’s not just one antibiotic that can cause anxiety, it’s any of them.

You see, the health of your gut is responsible for the health of your mind. An antibiotic can disrupt your gut’s health and therefore your mind’s. According to the ADAA (Anxiety and Depression Association of America), “Although relatively infrequent, psychiatric symptoms have been reported as a side effect of most antibiotics.” See where it says “most antibiotics”? So it’s not like one antibiotic is better or worse than another. They all have the capability of causing psychiatric symptoms, including anxiety. ABC news reported on a 2010 study by McMaster University in Canada in which “scientists found a link between intestinal microbiota and anxiety-like behavior”. The report goes on to explain that probiotics may help some people but are not a “magic bullet” to prevent damage from occurring in the gut while taking antibiotics.

When I went to my amazing chiropractor (who is so much more than a chiropractor), Dr. Andrew Dodge D.C., D.A.C.N.B. at Valley Family Wellness, he listened to my complaints and definitely agreed. As we went through the history of antibiotic use and the symptoms I had been experiencing, he was 100% it was my gut causing the problems. On one hand, I was relieved that this wasn’t in my head and I wouldn’t become an agoraphobic. On the other hand, I was disappointed that my healthy lifestyle and nutrition hadn’t saved me from the ill effects of antibiotic use.

I will begin to share what I’ve done and this will be an ongoing discussion here, because not everything works all the time for every person. Not everything worked for me at any given time. But I can tell you what did. And what didn’t. Let’s start with two things that I highly recommend for every household and every person.

A probiotic is probably the most important. It definitely helped me in Texas when I couldn’t get the nervousness out of my body. Probiotics with large numbers are your main priority when purchasing one. This is a great one by Designs for Health; a practitioner can order them for you (including me, so contact me if you’re interested). It’s called Probiotic Synergy and it is designed to survive manufacturing, shelf life and stomach acid in order to get where it’s needed: the colon. The affiliate link to purchase it on Amazon is below.

The next item I recommend is activated charcoal. This should be in every household. Whether you ate something that made you feel sick or you’re fighting a stomach bug, activated charcoal grabs hold of toxins, gases, heavy metals and liquid wastes and soaks them up like a sponge. They exit your body never to be heard from again. I recommend Integrative Therapeutics Activated Charcoal Tablets (affiliate link below). Take these on an empty stomach in order to avoid the charcoal from grabbing any beneficial nutrients from food or supplements. I take it either in the middle of the night of mid-afternoon when I’m unlikely to be eating.

Like I said, this will be an ongoing discussion, as just broaching the subject has me reliving some very difficult months of my life. I’ve learned a LOT during this journey and I hope that just writing about it means I’m a lot better than I was. I also hope that this can help other people in some way because there were moments when I thought I was crazy; there were moments I thought I’d be better off sedated or worse. May no one ever feel that way, feel that alone, or desperate.

Let me know if you have any experiences or questions! I’d love to hear from you!

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The Weight I Never Wanted to Lose

I write frequently about intuitive eating, eating disorders, dieting being the gateway “drug” to disordered eating and self love. I write it. I live it. I embody it. I am happy in my skin, in my clothes and in my life. I don’t own a scale. I don’t care what size jeans I wear. And I certainly am not looking at ways to lose weight, despite the media constantly pushing diets in my face.

So, what do you think happened when I lost weight?

It hurt. It confused. It triggered.

People mean well. I’m sure most people think it’s a compliment to say, “Wow, you’ve lost weight!” But, really? It’s a judgment. Especially if it comes with the attitude that the weight loss is a good thing. I mean, are you going to say in that same voice, “Wow, you’ve gained weight!”? Probably not. So, what makes us think it’s okay to comment on someone’s weight? 

I’ve heard:

“You’re a lot smaller.”
“You’ve lost so much weight!”
“You’re skin and bones!”
“You look like you’ve lost weight!”
“You’re so skinny!”

And then I’ve said, “Unfortunately, yes, I have.”

Silence.

Ummm, unfortunately?

Yes.

When you walk in self love and you enter a time in your life filled with sadness, grief, anxiety, and illness and the weight falls off of you even though you’re trying to eat, it’s not a happy weight loss. It’s certainly not something to celebrate. And when someone says, “Wow, I wish I could get a bit of that so I can lose some weight”, I just cringe. You can have the weight loss, just give me back the joy, confidence, health and energy I used to have. It reminds me of when I started to speak up about my eating disorder and someone said, “I wish I could be anorexic for like a month just to lose some weight!” I didn’t laugh. It’s not funny.

I want to share what’s been going on with me. I really do. But I’m not ready. For now, I just want to say, other people’s weight is not our business.

Weight loss is not something to celebrate. 

Weight gain is not something to mourn. 

There is not a place where these comments are appropriate. The times I’ve felt comforted by weight-related comments are those of love, such as when a friend who knows my struggles said, “I’ve noticed you’ve lost weight. How are you feeling about that?”

Thank you. Thank you, friends, for knowing me so well. Thank you for knowing that how I feel about my weight loss is so much more important than how you feel about it. Thank you for not assuming this was desirable. Thank you for knowing my heart and asking how I was feeling. Thank you for caring about me, and not my size.  

Everyone deserves that. 

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Tuesday’s Talk: About Gluten in Young Living Products

You know I love Young Living products and that their therapeutic grade essential oils are the only oils I use for myself and my family. (Read why, here!) I would be remiss, though, if I didn’t share the information I’ve acquired about the presence of gluten in several of the products Young Living offers. I’m not saying gluten makes these products ineffective. Surely, there are so many people with testimonials about the benefits of many Young Living products. This is not to devalue their experiences or yours, but to educate and inform for those, like me and my daughter, who cannot include gluten in any of our food, supplements or skin care products.

I originally signed up with Young Living to get their Tender Tush diaper rash cream for my youngest. It wasn’t much better than other creams, but essential oils mixed with coconut oil were definitely more effective. I didn’t think about it then, because honestly, it never crossed my mind that there could be gluten in a diaper rash cream. I know better now.

As I’ve been leading essential oils classes, I’ve included information about the Young Living supplements and skin care line. Because I want to provide as much real life information as possible, I started looking into some supplements to try myself so I could report back with results. My first purchase was going to be MultiGreens. I researched the ingredients and noticed Barley grass juice concentrate. My years of gluten research had alarm bells ringing in my head. I immediately wrote customer service. Here is their reply:

Hello Theresa,

Thank you for your email and for your patience in our reply to your inquiry. Multigreens are not Gluten free, I have also attached to this email a gluten content list.
 
If you have additional questions or concerns, or if we can assist you in any way, please feel free to contact us via telephone at 1-800-371-3515, fax at 866-203-5666, email at customerservice@youngliving.com, or our Live Help feature at www.youngliving.com.

If you are gluten intolerant, gluten sensitive, or allergic to gluten, like me, please read the following list carefully, to make sure you are not inadvertently putting gluten into your body and stimulating an immune response.

The essential oils themselves have NO gluten in them. However there are massage oils that do, as well as the V-6 oil used for capsules to swallow and diluting oils applied to the skin. The oils that contain gluten are:

Dragon Time Massage oil
Ortho Ease Massage oil
Ortho Sport Massage oil
Relaxation Massage oil
Sensation Massage oil
V-6 Enhanced vegetable oil
Cel-Lite Magic Massage oil
(The gluten in these products is in the form of wheat germ oil.)

The following are supplements that contain gluten, including what form of gluten it is:

Allerzyme (Barley Sprout Powder)
Balance Complete (Barley Grass Juice)
Ecuadorian Dark Chocolessence (Contains quinoa, which may contain gluten-like proteins)
Essentialzymes-4 (vendors have been unable to confirm gluten-free)
ICP (oat bran)
Juvapower (Barley Sprout Seed)
Juvaspice (Barley Sprout Seed)
Kidscent Mightyvites (Barley Grass)
Multigreens (Barley Grass Concentrate)
OmegaGize 3 (“none to our knowledge”)
True Source (Barley Grass)
Ultra Young + (“none to our knowledge”)

As I said before, the diaper rash cream came as a shock to me, but a LOT of Young Living personal care products contain gluten. They are listed below:

ART Creme Masque (Oat kernel extract)
ART Day Activator (Tocopheryl acetate is sourced from wheat germ)
ART Night Reconstructor (Tocopheryl acetate is sourced from wheat germ)
ART Renewal Serum (Oat Protein)
Bar Soaps (Oat kernel meal)
Boswellia Wrinkle Cream (Barley Extract – Hordeum Distichon)
Copaiba Vanilla Shampoo (“we cannot guarantee the reformulated hair care products as gluten free”)
Copaiba Vanilla Conditioner (“we cannot guarantee the reformulated hair care products as gluten free”)
Genesis Lotion (wheat germ oil)
Kidscent Bath & Shower Gel (wheat germ oil)
Kidscent Lotion (wheat germ oil)
Kidscent Shampoo (wheat germ oil)
Kidscent Tender Tush (wheat germ oil)
Lavender Foaming Hand Soap (Hordiam Distichon)
Lavender Lotion (Hordiam Distichon)
Lavender Mint Shampoo (“we cannot guarantee the reformulated hair care products as gluten free”)
Lavender Mint Conditioner (“we cannot guarantee the reformulated hair care products as gluten free”)
Lavender Volume Conditioner (wheat germ oil, hydrolized wheat protein)
Lavender Volume Shampoo (wheat germ oil)
Orange Blossom Face Wash (Hydrolized wheat protein)
Prenolone + Body Cream (wheat germ oil + hydrolized wheat protein)
Protec (wheat germ oil)
Regenolone Moisturizing Cream (wheat germ oil, hydrolized wheat protein)
Rose Ointment (wheat germ oil)
Sandalwood Moisture Cream (wheat germ oil, hydrolized wheat protein)
Satin Facial Scrub (hydrolized wheat protein, hydrolized wheat starch, barley extract, Hordiam Distichon)
Sensation Lotion (wheat germ oil)
Wolfberry Eye Cream (hydrolized wheat germ oil, hydrolized wheat starch, barley extract, Hordiam Distichon)

Thieves products are beloved by many and thankfully there aren’t a lot that contain gluten. However, it should be noted that the Foaming Hand Soap contains Tocopheryl acetate from wheat germ oil. I plan on making my own foaming hand soap when my September order of Theives arrives. Keep looking for that post!

The Animal Scent Ointment also contains wheat germ oil. 

FAQ

Can you have a copy of this chart and e-mail?
Most certainly! Use the “Contact Me” box on the homepage and I will get it right over to you.

Do I feel differently about Young Living now?
I’m a little disappointed, but if I’ve learned anything from this process, it is ASK! Always ask. Don’t assume that because a company has high standards and superb products, that they’re allergen free.

Am I frustrated by the use of gluten in Young Living products?
Yes, I am. I feel like I won’t get to try some of these products that people have experienced great results with. That said, thankfully their oils are gluten free and that’s what really matters.

Should Young Living change their product formulations?
I wish! I wish Young Living would recognize that we are a society overburdened with gluten and that so many people are sensitive and allergic. I wish they’d consider that and produce a reformulation that included products without gluten. I also wish I knew how to get that ball rolling…

Should we avoid these products? 
You should avoid the products mentioned above if you are sensitive to gluten. Even rubbing products containing gluten on your skin can cause an immune reaction and we wouldn’t want that! I won’t ever get to try the MultiGreens, but perhaps I’ll find a blend I like for myself elsewhere and supplement with additional oils, separately. 

Is Young Living still the best company for oils?
I say yes. I say this is the only company that follows their oils from the very seed planted in the ground to the harvesting of the plant, from the rendering of the oil to the seal on the bottle. I think for me, the disappointment and “a-ha” moment came when I realized that just because they make awesome, pure, therapeutic grade oils, does not mean that they are a supplement company or can produce a product for personal care better than I could at home. It’s so easy to fall in love with a company and surrender to them, believing they are the only company for you, without double-checking the things you would anywhere else…
That being said, my supplements will continue to come from Designs for Health and Apex Energetics, because these companies are GMP (Good Manufacturing Processes) Certified and I know every ingredient that goes into their products. Also, they never include gluten or dairy, corn or soy in their products, and I personally, need that validation. 

Remember, for oils, Young Living is the only way to go, in my opinion. For other products, I may recommend heading elsewhere…

To sign up with Young Living, go here and enter 1414775 as the Enroller ID and Sponsor ID. Choose the Premium Starter Kit in order to get the most for your money and start enjoying your oils today!

Please, follow me on Facebook and Pinterest. Comment below if you have something to add. Contribute to Facebook conversations or check out my Pins. I look forward to hearing what you have to say!

EDITED JULY 2017 TO ADD: I have updated information and have made it super easy to download it directly from my blog! See the updated post here: http://www.atpeacewithhealth.com/blog/what-young-living-essential-oil-products-contain-gluten

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Tuesday’s Talk: About Gluten in Young Living Products

You know I love Young Living products and that their therapeutic grade essential oils are the only oils I use for myself and my family. (Read why, here!) I would be remiss, though, if I didn’t share the information I’ve acquired about the presence of gluten in several of the products Young Living offers. I’m not saying gluten makes these products ineffective. Surely, there are so many people with testimonials about the benefits of many Young Living products. This is not to devalue their experiences or yours, but to educate and inform for those, like me and my daughter, who cannot include gluten in any of our food, supplements or skin care products.
Tuesday's Talk: About Gluten in Young Living Products
I originally signed up with Young Living to get their Tender Tush diaper rash cream for my youngest. It wasn’t much better than other creams, but essential oils mixed with coconut oil were definitely more effective. I didn’t think about it then, because honestly, it never crossed my mind that there could be gluten in a diaper rash cream. I know better now.

As I’ve been leading essential oils classes, I’ve included information about the Young Living supplements and skin care line. Because I want to provide as much real life information as possible, I started looking into some supplements to try myself so I could report back with results. My first purchase was going to be MultiGreens. I researched the ingredients and noticed Barley grass juice concentrate. My years of gluten research had alarm bells ringing in my head. I immediately wrote customer service. Here is their reply:

Hello Theresa,

Thank you for your email and for your patience in our reply to your inquiry. Multigreens are not Gluten free, I have also attached to this email a gluten content list.

If you have additional questions or concerns, or if we can assist you in any way, please feel free to contact us via telephone at 1-800-371-3515, fax at 866-203-5666, email a customerservice@youngliving.com, or our Live Help feature at www.youngliving.com.

If you are gluten intolerant, gluten sensitive, or allergic to gluten, like me, please read the following list carefully, to make sure you are not inadvertently putting gluten into your body and stimulating an immune response.

The essential oils themselves have NO gluten in them. However there are massage oils that do, as well as the V-6 oil used for capsules to swallow and diluting oils applied to the skin. The oils that contain gluten are:

Dragon Time Massage oil
Ortho Ease Massage oil
Ortho Sport Massage oil
Relaxation Massage oil
Sensation Massage oil
V-6 Enhanced vegetable oil
Cel-Lite Magic Massage oil
(The gluten in these products is in the form of wheat germ oil.)

The following are supplements that contain gluten, including what form of gluten it is:

Allerzyme (Barley Sprout Powder)
Balance Complete (Barley Grass Juice)
Ecuadorian Dark Chocolessence (Contains quinoa, which may contain gluten-like proteins)
Essentialzymes-4 (vendors have been unable to confirm gluten-free)
ICP (oat bran)
Juvapower (Barley Sprout Seed)
Juvaspice (Barley Sprout Seed)
Kidscent Mightyvites (Barley Grass)
Multigreens (Barley Grass Concentrate)
OmegaGize 3 (“none to our knowledge”)
True Source (Barley Grass)
Ultra Young + (“none to our knowledge”)

As I said before, the diaper rash cream came as a shock to me, but a LOT of Young Living personal care products contain gluten. They are listed below:

ART Creme Masque (Oat kernel extract)
ART Day Activator (Tocopheryl acetate is sourced from wheat germ)
ART Night Reconstructor (Tocopheryl acetate is sourced from wheat germ)
ART Renewal Serum (Oat Protein)
Bar Soaps (Oat kernel meal)
Boswellia Wrinkle Cream (Barley Extract – Hordeum Distichon)
Copaiba Vanilla Shampoo (“we cannot guarantee the reformulated hair care products as gluten free”)
Copaiba Vanilla Conditioner (“we cannot guarantee the reformulated hair care products as gluten free”)
Genesis Lotion (wheat germ oil)
Kidscent Bath & Shower Gel (wheat germ oil)
Kidscent Lotion (wheat germ oil)
Kidscent Shampoo (wheat germ oil)
Kidscent Tender Tush (wheat germ oil)
Lavender Foaming Hand Soap (Hordiam Distichon)
Lavender Lotion (Hordiam Distichon)
Lavender Mint Shampoo (“we cannot guarantee the reformulated hair care products as gluten free”)
Lavender Mint Conditioner (“we cannot guarantee the reformulated hair care products as gluten free”)
Lavender Volume Conditioner (wheat germ oil, hydrolized wheat protein)
Lavender Volume Shampoo (wheat germ oil)
Orange Blossom Face Wash (Hydrolized wheat protein)
Prenolone + Body Cream (wheat germ oil + hydrolized wheat protein)
Protec (wheat germ oil)
Regenolone Moisturizing Cream (wheat germ oil, hydrolized wheat protein)
Rose Ointment (wheat germ oil)
Sandalwood Moisture Cream (wheat germ oil, hydrolized wheat protein)
Satin Facial Scrub (hydrolized wheat protein, hydrolized wheat starch, barley extract, Hordiam Distichon)
Sensation Lotion (wheat germ oil)
Wolfberry Eye Cream (hydrolized wheat germ oil, hydrolized wheat starch, barley extract, Hordiam Distichon)

Thieves products are beloved by many and thankfully there aren’t a lot that contain gluten. However, it should be noted that the Foaming Hand Soap contains Tocopheryl acetate from wheat germ oil. I plan on making my own foaming hand soap when my September order of Theives arrives. Keep looking for that post!

The Animal Scent Ointment also contains wheat germ oil.

FAQ

Can you have a copy of this chart and e-mail?
Most certainly! Use the “Contact Me” box up top and I will get it right over to you.

Do I feel differently about Young Living now?
I’m a little disappointed, but if I’ve learned anything from this process, it is ASK! Always ask. Don’t assume that because a company has high standards and superb products, that they’re allergen free.

Am I frustrated by the use of gluten in Young Living products?
Yes, I am. I feel like I won’t get to try some of these products that people have experienced great results with. That said, thankfully their oils are gluten free and that’s what really matters.

Should Young Living change their product formulations?
I wish! I wish Young Living would recognize that we are a society overburdened with gluten and that so many people are sensitive and allergic. I wish they’d consider that and produce a reformulation that included products without gluten. I also wish I knew how to get that ball rolling…

Should we avoid these products?
You should avoid the products mentioned above if you are sensitive to gluten. Even rubbing products containing gluten on your skin can cause an immune reaction and we wouldn’t want that! I won’t ever get to try the MultiGreens, but perhaps I’ll find a blend I like for myself elsewhere and supplement with additional oils, separately.

Is Young Living still the best company for oils?
I say yes. I say this is the only company that follows their oils from the very seed planted in the ground to the harvesting of the plant, from the rendering of the oil to the seal on the bottle. I think for me, the disappointment and “a-ha” moment came when I realized that just because they make awesome, pure, therapeutic grade oils, does not mean that they are a supplement company or can produce a product for personal care better than I could at home. It’s so easy to fall in love with a company and surrender to them, believing they are the only company for you, without double-checking the things you would anywhere else…
That being said, my supplements will continue to come from Designs for Health and Apex Energetics, because these companies are GMP (Good Manufacturing Processes) Certified and I know every ingredient that goes into their products. Also, they never include gluten or dairy, corn or soy in their products, and I personally, need that validation.

Remember, for oils, Young Living is the only way to go, in my opinion. For other products, I may recommend heading elsewhere…

To sign up with Young Living, go here and enter 1414775 as the Enroller ID and Sponsor ID. Choose the Premium Starter Kit in order to get the most for your money and start enjoying your oils today!

Please, follow me on Facebook and Pinterest. Comment below if you have something to add. Contribute to Facebook conversations or check out my Pins. I look forward to hearing what you have to say!

EDITED JULY 2017 TO ADD: I have updated information and have made it super easy to download it directly from my blog! See the updated post here: https://atpeacewithhealth.com/which-young-living-essential-oil-products-contain-gluten/

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Upgrading Our Holistic Medicine Cabinet

Change is coming to our family medicine cabinet and it’s definitely for the better! I’ve actually thought about doing an entire post highlighting our family medicine cabinet, although it’s actually spread throughout our home. We are very particular about the supplements, foods and herbs that we use because quality is of the utmost importance. Most of our “go-to” remedies are not federally regulated; that being said, finding high quality remedies often requires an investment and a lot of research.

The newest change I’m going to talk about today is the use of essential oils. I’ve mentioned oils before here and here. I’m going to be editing those posts to specify which brand of oil to use. It has come to my attention through time, education and research, that the oils being sold on the shelves of grocery stores are not the same oils being used in various recipes for health and cleaning. I used to shrug it off and say, “I’m not signing up for something when there’s an oil right here I can buy.” Obviously, no harm came to me from doing that, but did I truly reap the benefits?

Now that I know the value of therapeutic grade oils, there is no going back. We are slowly making the investment of purchasing many oils for various recipes and uses. Our children already ask for certain oils over previous salves and medicines we were using for scrapes and bites.

Here’s one fact that made me rethink my oil purchases: Lavender oil is known for its healing properties, especially when it comes to burns on the skin. Much research is compiled describing how quickly lavender oil has healed skin. However, there is also research stating the opposite. People have applied lavender oil to their skin after a burn and actually experienced more pain and worsened burns. Do you know why? Because most lavender oils out there do not contain lavender oil; they contain lavandin – a hybrid lavender, which is very different, chemically, from pure lavender oil. This is just one example of one oil that has been adulterated… In my opinion, it’s not worth the risk.

Oils on the shelves of health food and grocery stores are aromatic and can be very pleasant, if not helpful in that way, but they are not therapeutic and should not be used for therapeutic purposes. A therapeutic oil is one that contains the original properties of the plant, tree, flower or bush from which it is derived. Do you know how complicated this is? It means from the very seed that is planted, to the environment the plant is grown in, from the weather to the absence of pesticides, from harvesting of the plant to deriving the oil from it, something can go wrong, rendering that oil non-therapeutic and potentially unhealthy!

I have found that one company meets the criteria necessary to create therapeutic grade oils that I’m choosing to put on myself and my family: Young Living. It’s likely you’ve heard of them and maybe even wondered the value or importance of their oils. Without going too much into the science behind the amazing work they do, I will say this: Young Living talks about “Seed to Seal”. Every step of their process, from the seed that is planted in the ground to the seal on the top of an essential oil bottle, has to meet absolute perfection or they will not sell it. There are times an oil will be unavailable for months at a time because they have not been able to guarantee the high quality they stand behind. For this reason, I trust them to provide us with the therapeutic grade oils we are coming to love and use regularly.

What can you use these oils for? I don’t even think I can begin to offer a comprehensive list, but here are some remedies:

  • Lavender and lemon oils for seasonal allergies (I know people personally who have ceased using allergy medications because of this simple and easy remedy)
  • Lavender and frankincense oils for skin abrasions, bites and bumps
  • Juniper and lemon oils for gout
  • Spearmint, fennel and wintergreen oils for colitis
  • Jasmine, frankincense, rosemary and cedarwood oils for depression
  • Peppermint and lemon oils for fever
  • Helichrysum and juniper oils for tinnitus
  • Fennel, tarragon and peppermint oils for IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)

From MS to cancer, cerebral palsy to neuropathy, pneumonia, polio, shingles, strep throat and countless other conditions, ailments, and symptoms – there’s an oil for that. Or a few oils. Or a proprietary blend of oils that are made specifically for what ails you.

How do we use the oils? There are many ways. Diffusing them in a diffuser so you breathe in the aromatic benefits is one way. Putting a couple of drops in your hands (or on a pillow case) and inhaling them will also work. Rubbing them on the bottom of your feet or on specific body parts like the neck or chest is very beneficial. Putting them in capsules and taking them internally, when specified, is helpful. Using them in recipes or beverages, when applicable, can also produce incredible results.

Here’s a challenge for you: Go to your search engine and enter “Young Living” _______ (fill in the blank with whatever ailment you are curious about). Put Young Living in quotation marks to assure that you get results specific to this brand of oils. Tell me what you find. What I’ve found are miraculous testimonies of people experiencing great health, wellness and recovery with these oils. My intent is to amaze you with the healing possibilities of these oils and perhaps spark some curiosity in you, the way it was sparked in me, to do some research and find some results that you’ve been looking for. You can also view my essential oils board on Pinterest here.

If you’ve thought about these oils and you’re ready to try them, it’s easy. Follow this link and select to be either a retail or wholesale consumer (wholesale members save 24% off retail price). Enter my Sponsor ID and Enroller ID as your referral (# 1414775) and my name (Theresa Rosenthal). That’s it! You can use their Essential Rewards program (ordering monthly to earn points toward free product, while getting cheaper shipping) or just buy as you need.

If you do sign up, look for a special gift from me in the mail and also know that I am here working alongside of you to help you realize your healthiest potential. I’m available to answer questions and help you create blends and protocols unique to your situation.

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You Don’t Have to Work Out!

I don’t work out.

There, I said it.

I may write and talk a lot about food, body image and freedom, but I don’t mention exercise much. It’s pretty controversial, actually. With all my nutrition classes and health training, I am very aware of the health impact that an exercise routine makes and yet I can state it simply: I don’t work out.

Am I recommending that you don’t work out? That depends. Does the thought of not working out fill you with fear, anxiety or guilt? Then, maybe. Does it fill you with excitement and freedom? Then, maybe. Maybe working out isn’t for you either.

Let me explain. During the worst years of my disordered eating, exercise was not an option. It wasn’t for fun. It was for the image, the look I was going for (because the emaciated skin and bones look is super hot, right?). I wanted to look like the girls on the cover of Shape magazine, which I subscribed to and devoured every month. I don’t think there was a single day that I didn’t work out in some way. From exercise videos to hours on the treadmill, long walks, running and weight lifting; I did it all. It consumed me as much, if not more than my rigid eating or lack of eating rituals.

As I gradually began the journey of recovery, exercise was the last to go. I learned to eat more freely and to accept and feed my cravings, but I could not ditch the 5-mile runs, bike rides, weight lifting sessions and yoga. You may be thinking, “Why should you? Those things are all so healthy.” Yes and no. They can be healthy but often, they’re not. When exercise is used as punishment (I ate this so I have to work it off), or to reach some physical goal (I will work out every day until I lose 15 pounds), it has power over you. You can take that power back!

Baby steps though… I traded my treadmill for an elliptical because I wanted to be gentle to my body. My rigidity continued, despite my intentions and finally I sold the elliptical and “forced” myself to take a slow, leisurely walk one afternoon a week. My intention on these walks was to quiet my mind and connect with the nature around me instead of drowning out my feelings with loud, upbeat music and pushing my body harder. I learned a lot on those walks. Gradually, I gave up running and pretty much anything that felt like I was forcing myself to do it. If I didn’t have a desire to do something, I told myself, “No.” It was a gentle “no”, much like a parent to a child, protecting myself from, well, myself. Honestly, I was scared that I would gain weight, lose muscle mass and turn into a big blob, but I didn’t. Our bodies are so incredible. Because I had already become an intuitive eater, I didn’t actually have to worry about what my body would do. We all have a natural set point for our weight that our bodies will arrive at easily, when we allow ourselves the room for some fluctuation. I found mine and I’m happy with it. I’m also happy that working out doesn’t control my life, my schedule or my relationship with my body.

The phrase “working out” is so mechanical, so laced with work. Shudder. That’s not fun! What do I suggest? The Health At Every Size model has a concept called Joyful Movement. It’s truly beautiful and I will try to describe it to you as best I can. Think of playing as a child, running around the neighborhood or in your backyard, playing tag, chase, climbing jungle gyms and kicking a soccer ball around. That was joyful. Swimming in a pool or the ocean during the summer months or being on a sports team you enjoyed. Joyful. Something happened to change that. Puberty? Media? Ideas of what you should be doing and how you should look? Maybe it was all of the above. Whatever it is, we lose that desire to move in a natural, joyful way and then we turn to “work outs” to fix ourselves. Dancing. Swimming. Walking. Running. Lifting weights. All of these are movements that can be joyful, or rigidly structured in such a way that the joy is stripped from them. If you are like I was and you need to step away from “working out” to discover what joyful movement looks like for you, give yourself permission to just stop. Adding activity into your life in a more organic way may help you find movement that you can enjoy. Things like parking farther away, taking the stairs, walking over to a co-worker instead of calling, strolling the neighborhood with your children and playing fetch with your dog are all activities that can easily be added into your life to increase movement while decreasing religious, structured, controlling regimens. It’s about turning off the timer (the one that says 30 minutes a day, 3-5 times a week) and giving yourself a break. You’re not a machine after all, despite what the fitness magazines would have you believe.

I still have my weights. They just don’t tell me what to do or when. I grab them once or twice a week and strengthen my muscles because I like the feeling I get when I lift them and I like knowing that I’m strong. I still have my running shoes, but now they push a stroller with my two beautiful girls when the weather is nice and my friends are alongside me for a good, long walk filled with deep conversations and laughter. I got a Wii last year for the winter months and I love doing programs on it like Wii Fit Plus or dance games. I had to stop that for a while too, though, because I felt my old triggers returning and the need to do it for a certain amount of time every single day. When I go back to it, it will be because I want to have fun. I guard the freedom I have with a passion. I ache for others to have that freedom too. I believe it is my mission and my purpose. Contact me if you want to schedule a session or just check-in. I love hearing from you!

Me, after the 5k Color Run – I didn’t run, but I did have a fun walk with my friends!
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The BS Behind BMI (or Why BMI Isn’t an Accurate Portrayal of Your Health)

When selecting our health insurance plan for the coming year, I was reading through my husband’s employer handouts about credits they offer based on filling out personal information for health profiling. I didn’t think much of it until I mentioned it to my husband and he said, “According to the BMI, I’m overweight.” Looking at the literature again, I saw that they ask for height and weight. Oh yes, the “statistical scientific” analysis that somehow says that your height and weight determine whether you’re obese, overweight or normal.

“Well, that’s ridiculous,” I told my husband. “You are so healthy. I’m guessing you’re healthier than many people you work with!”

Still, plug in those numbers and suddenly he’s overweight? I probably am too for that matter, but I don’t play numbers games. At least not those kinds. How about these kinds of number games for you? The use of BMI to dictate whether you’re normal, overweight or obese has been based on ranges, which have changed. They used to be higher. They had a little more room for oh, I don’t know, bodily differences?! They, the infamous “they”, decided to make the cutoff 25 for normal. So if your BMI is over 25, you’re overweight. What made them decide this? Was it science? One might think, but no. It was politics. The International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) drafted the new numbers and the IOTF is funded by (cue the music) weight-loss drug makers Hoffman-La Roche (of Xenical) and Abbott Laboratories (of Meridia). Ta-daaaaah. Not so scientific at the end of the day, is it?

So now you have this number, your BMI, that is used to dictate how fat you are, which is supposed to tell employers and insurance companies how much of a health risk you are and it’s not even scientifically based! Worse than that is the idea that we have an obesity epidemic in America and obesity is killing people. Sigh. I’m shaking my head, in case you couldn’t see. The majority of studies actually state that overweight people live longer than those of “normal” weight. Makes you want to rethink that “normal” number again, doesn’t it? Especially if “normal” equals a shorter life.

Take your BMI and throw it out. Tell your physicians that this number has no representative value of your health. Tell them that you eat organic food, lots of fruits and vegetables and live an active life. Then watch their eyes glaze over. They’ve bought into these myths just like most of America. Obesity doesn’t equal disease, or even death. Are you surprised? Do you assume, like most people, that the heavier you are the more likely you are to be sick with various diseases? It’s just not true. Ask me and I’ll give you TONS of research to support my statement. I just don’t want to bore you with studies if you don’t want them.

Just because there are associations between two things does not mean there is causality. Question everything. Is it possible that those defined as obese have shorter life spans because constant dieting damaged their blood vessels? One cycle of weight loss followed by weight gain can damage blood vessels, increasing the risk for cardiovascular disease. Many of these “obese” people being associated with earlier deaths are among ethnic minorities and lower socioeconomic status, which is also associated with pollution and lack of access to medical care. Most interesting is that larger people in other countries are not exhibiting the diseases that we associate obesity with. The countries where these healthier “obese” people reside are countries that haven’t placed a huge stigma on weight. The stigma we’ve created around weight has increased our stress around weight and stress is a risk factor for so many diseases (including cardiovascular disease and diabetes). So is it weight or stress that is “causing” these diseases?

To think, BMI is a fabricated equation created to serve political purposes that can effect what level of care you receive? That weight is this number you’re supposedly in control of? (You’re not, by the way.) You are not a machine: calories in, calories out. Your mind and how you think about yourself and how much stress you carry about your weight or life in general are far more powerful than a number. This is why I don’t accept weight loss clients. It’s not a goal I wish to try to help someone achieve. Weight loss may come naturally with certain dietary and lifestyle changes, but weight is not the be all end all of health. Losing weight just to be thinner will probably do more damage in the long run. Real changes for real people who are living real lives – that’s more fulfilling than crunching numbers and prescribing diets that aren’t going to feed someone’s soul.

It’s just not as simple as “they’re” making it out to be. If the real truth is to be told, it’s our thoughts, ideas and feelings surrounding weight that are killing us. Not the weight itself. Take a deep breath, trust your body and your weight. Strive for health and happiness and peace and joy. These things may sound fluffy and powerless, but frankly, they’re easier to attain than a perfect BMI. Now if only we can get health care providers and employers to recognize this…

Much of what I’ve stated here is information gleaned from Linda Bacon, PhD in her book Health at EVERY Size. As the summary says on the back of her book, “Fat isn’t the problem. Dieting is the problem. A society that rejects anyone whose body shape or size doesn’t match an impossible ideal is the problem. A medical establishment that equates ‘thin’ with ‘healthy’ is the problem.”

If you’re hungry for more, just ask!

Disclaimer: I do receive a tiny percentages of purchases made through affiliate links on my site. The links to these products do not increase the cost to you but allow me to keep this blog going.