Thyroid Illnesses

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Thyroid illnesses are frequently overlooked by commonly used blood tests. Proper nutrition is essential for the proper function of the thyroid gland. Thyroid related illnesses contribute to changes in mood level and a long list of many common complaints. Imbalances in other hormonal systems are also addressed in the treatment program.

See Related Articles:

	PMS
	Chronic Fatigue
	Fibromyalgia

DR. BONNET SPEAKS OUT: PMS
A nutritional and homeopathic approach

A number of you have requested a newsletter devoted to premenstrual syndrome (PMS). I had a couple of reservations. The first was “Would something that could only affect women of child-bearing years be of interest to enough of our readers?” I quickly realized between wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, co-workers, etc. that most of us deal with PMS in some way.

The second reservation was not as quickly dispelled. I believe you must experience something to truly know it. Unlike hypoglycemia, candidiasis, food allergies, chemical sensitivity or pyroluria my only experience was secondhand. After considerable thought I realized that my lack of firsthand experience had not interfered with my ability to hear patients describe their bodies getting swollen or bloated, their becoming irritable or depressed the week to ten days before their monthly menstrual flow. Nor had it interfered with my determination to offer effective treatment. So why not a newsletter?

As a medical student, I wondered “What is this thing that causes nearly fifty percent of women during the child-bearing years to go through such suffering on a regularly recurring basis?” When I asked the professor of gynecology, his answer shocked me and amused most of the class, “PMS is just the price of being a woman.” (In other words – nothing could be done, it was just ‘a faulty design.’) I couldn’t believe this. A quick check in the medical school library however, revealed that outside the industrialized nations PMS was unknown.

How does our industrialized lifestyle create this vulnerability to PMS? Two known factors that contribute are consuming too much sugar and too much sodium. As a woman is coming to the end of her monthly menstrual cycle her hormones cause her to retain sodium and with it water. Her breasts can swell and her abdomen can bloat, by their physical structure, both are elastic enough to allow for these changes. But, her brain is in a closed container with no ability to expand so the pressure increases, causing the more serious problems of irritability, clumsiness and depression.

When you stop to consider how sodium is so excessively added to processed foods, it is really not surprising we have such a problem. Out modern palates have also been ‘trained’ to expect salt in most everything we eat.

The typical vegetable at harvest time has nine times as much potassium as it has sodium. But by the time it is on the plate ready to be eaten, there is generally nine times the sodium as potassium (this is an 8100% increase.) A low salt diet for at least the latter half of the menstrual cycle is a recommended first step in conquering PMS.

What about sugar? The problem with sugar is tied to the problems with candida, a yeast-like fungus that plagues so many of us. The symptoms from candida tend to be at their very worst a week to ten days before a woman begins her monthly menstrual flow. This is so typical that I generally question the diagnosis of candidiasis if there is no increased difficulty premenstrually. Since any refined carbohydrate can give candida a quick meal, causing it to multiply and produce toxins, eliminating simple sugars and refined carbohydrates from the diet helps relieve PMS symptoms.

The elimination of caffeine, at least three days before symptoms would be expected, is another recommendation. I suggest that we all limit our caffeine intake to no more than one caffeinated beverage a day. If you have been abusing caffeine, you must make your intake reduction gradual. Don’t lower intake faster than 50% a week (if your cola, coffee, tea, hot chocolate intake averages eight servings a day, allow yourself a week to reduce it to four servings, a second week to reduce it to two, and so on). If you rush the process, you are likely to get caffeine withdrawal headaches.

There is some evidence that elimination of red meat and dairy may help the PMS patient. Drinking alcohol adds to the problem since it depletes the body’s vitamin B and minerals. Alcohol is also toxic to the liver and can disrupt its ability to metabolize hormones. It also makes the problem of candidiasis worse.

Nutritional supplements can be most helpful. Vitamin B6 in a dosage of 100 to 500 mg taken after breakfast is usually sufficient to recall dreams and provide proper supplementation. When taking B6 it is important to also have enough zinc, 30 mg as gluconate is fine. Vitamin E 400 IU daily, magnesium 400mg daily, and evening primrose oil 500mg three times daily, have all proven helpful.

What else can be done to help with PMS? I have found homeopathy to be very helpful. Homeopathic remedies must “fit the person,” so generally it would be necessary to be fully evaluated to find the correct remedy; but, but because low potency homeopathic remedies are so safe I will offer a few suggestions. While there are dozens of remedies that might be helpful for PMS, I’ll mention six of the most frequently used. The first one, Lachesis, is so effective for helping problems that are relieved by discharges that anytime a symptom comes on premenstrually and improves dramatically with the start of flow Lachesis is worth trying. I used to use a complicated system of different potencies, but I have found it is often good, and sometimes better just to use a 8x multiple dose, 3 pellets, 3 times a day, require a closer fit to the person. See the chart at the end of this article.

One of the most important things to remember, there is help. If not to completely eliminate the problem – at least to reduce it to a livable situation. If you are suffering from any of the symptoms addressed and we have not discussed them in an office visit, please bring them to my attention at you next visit so we can begin your recovery.

What Can I Do To Get On The Road To Recovery?

One of the first suggestions is to keep a daily diary that includes: charting physical symptoms, recording diet, tracking exercise and noting emotional state. Although this seems like an over-whelming task, it will provide you and Dr. Bonnet in identifying your problem and determining your personal program for recovery.

What Help Can Others Give To Women with PMS?

This is perhaps the most difficult question of all. The answers vary as much as do any question of all. The answers vary as much as do any group of individuals. Understanding is one overall answer. Knowing that the woman has a physical problem and that she is not trying to be difficult is important. If a problem seems out of control, perhaps waiting until the symptoms subside to deal with important issues is also helpful. At the same time don’t dismiss the woman’s feelings because she is premenstrual.

Helping might be as simple as a hug in some cases or taking a wide berth and steering clear of controversy for a few days in other cases. If possible, encouraging the individual to visit the office to establish a personal recovery program and supporting her while she develops a healing routine is probably the biggest help.

FOOD FOR THE BODY

When dealing with PMS, diet and nutrition are critical. In fact, for example, studies show that what a girl eats in childhood affects her early periods. The importance of good nutrition in controlling PMS can not be stressed enough. No medication or supplement program can overcome the effects of a poor diet. Not only will diet play a critical role in recovery, but good nutrition will help the supplement program to really do its job.

Most people’s diet can stand a great deal of improvement, however like everything else, it is critical to remember that change isn’t going to happen overnight. Bad eating habits might have existed for years, don’t beat yourself up for devouring a bag of potato chips or enjoying a hot fudge sundae – just slowly replace bad habits with good ones and surprisingly craving for unsavory foods will fade as the body cleanses itself.

The PMS patient will want to concentrate on a diet, which includes:

· Vegetables: leafy greens, beets, beans, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, carrots, garlic, onions, radishes, squash, yams, turnips and peas.

· Whole grains: brown rice, millet, oatmeal, barley, rye, and wheat (unless you are allergic to it).

· Seeds and nuts: almonds, walnuts, or peanuts, pumpkin, sunflower or sesame seeds.

· Fruit: apples, berries, and pears.

· Oils: olive, sesame, canola, and safflower.

· Meats: poultry and fish.

It is also critical to maintain variety. Experiment with herbs and spices to replace salt in the diet. Eliminate processed foods as much as possible. Explore sugar free treats from your health food store. BEWARE OF SUGAR SUBSTITUTES (NutraSweet, saccharin), these are chemicals and present another set of problems. Stevia, extracted from a South American herb, is a good alternative to chemical sweeteners.

IN STEP
Next to nutrition, exercise is the most critical step in PMS recovery. Exercise will help to ease stress and improve operation of all body functions. Exercise is also helpful in reducing stress, which frequently aggravates PMS symptoms. Increasing your regular exercise routine as PMS symptoms develop often help to release some of the problems. Most women note a deep sense of relaxation and peace after they exercise. (A note for the women’s companion: perhaps suggesting a brisk walk, or joining an exercise class together would be a quick way to help.) Remember not to go overboard with an exercise program. Vigorous exercise can cause menstrual irregularity. Practice moderation.

X Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic Fatigue is estimated to affect over 250,000 individuals nationwide. The latest Center for Disease Control and Prevention definition holds that a patient must be suffering from unexplained, persistent or relapsing fatigue that is of new or definite onset, which is not the result of excess physical activity, not substantially relieved by rest, and has resulted in significant decline in previous levels of activity.

That being said the most common symptoms of chronic fatigue are:

1. Short term memory or concentration problems that interfere with work, education, school or social activities

2. Sore lymph nodes in the neck or armpits

3. Muscle and joint pain

4. Headaches

5. Waking unrefreshed from sleep

6. Malaise lasting a day or more after physical exercise

If a person suffers from four or more of the above symptoms they are usually diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). If they also suffer from multiple trigger point pain the diagnosis is Fibromyalgia. The trigger point areas are found at the major joint sites of the body: hips, neck, knees, etc. The primary compliant of people with CFS and Fibromyalgia is a profound loss of energy. Both conditions share a common theme of poor mitochondria function. Mitochondria are the sites within the cells where metabolic energy is produced. It is interesting to note that through the overuse of antibiotics, mitochondria are destroyed. Several nutritional experts are of the opinion that exposure to toxic substances and/or infection also leads to a “poisoning” of the mitochondria. Some recent studies have supported this idea.

The traditional medical system treats chronic fatigue primarily symptomatically, i.e.: sleeping pills, analgesics, antidepressants, stimulants, etc. This approach leaves a lot to be desired. Hence, more and more people are seeking a holistic approach to their illnesses. The underlying factors must be addressed if improvement over the long term is sought. This is why Dr. Bonnet designs a specific treatment program for every patient, since CFS sufferers have a diverse range of symptoms and etiologies.

There are many underlying factors that contribute to CFS symptoms. Common conditions like low thyroid function and anemia are part of the differential diagnosis. This means a comparison of symptoms between two or more similar diseases must be made to make the proper diagnosis. A combination of blood work and symptoms are crucial to this process. A simple test such as measuring the morning basal axillary (underarm) temperature for ten days can be very helpful for determining proper thyroid function when blood work is inconclusive.

People suffering from chronic fatigue will frequently have a number of co-factors, which are conditions that occur together. Candidiasis is the overgrowth of a yeast in the mucosal membranes resulting from the overuse of antibiotics, hormones and steroids, as well as a diet that is overly abundant in refined carbohydrates and sugar is a frequent co-factor. Food allergies can lead to candida overgrowth and various nutritional deficiencies. Through allergy testing and nutritional counseling food allergies and candida overgrowth can be brought under control.

The Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) has been linked to chronic fatigue for quite a few years. EBV is the virus that causes mononucleosis. By the age of 40 over 95% of the world’s population has been exposed to EBV. Many people get a mild form of mononucleosis and dismiss it as a bad cold or flu. When levels of physical and mental stress are excessive the immune system becomes compromised and this can result in a reactivated EBV infection. Quality rest and enhanced nutritional support can re-establish immune function and improve energy.

Heavy metal toxicity can lead to many damaging effects, which result in fatigue. Heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium and arsenic are stored in vital systems of the body such as the liver, kidneys and bone. They can also damage the central nervous system and the brain. Heavy metals suppress the immune system. Hair analysis is the most cost effective screening tool. Follow up blood work can provide additional information and rule out external contamination of the hair. Treatment with specific supplements and chelating agents helps the body detoxify the toxic elements.

Chemical sensitivity is a common complaint among CFS suffers. Chemicals in the form of household cleaners, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides as well as preservatives, colorings and additives in foods are placing a huge burden on the body. Because these compounds are ubiquitous limiting exposure isn’t always possible. Nutrients can enhance immune function as well as enhance detoxification mechanisms.

Improving the quality of rest is vital to overall energy and muscle recovery. Stress reduction and a well-designed exercise program will enhance sleep quality. Exercise is best done in the morning since it is energizing. It is also important to avoid caffeine and stimulant based medications that might interfere with sleep patterns.

Nutritional supplementation

Nutritional supplements are important for improving cellular energy production. In essence when the mitochondria are “resuscitated” a significant improvement of CFS symptoms are noted. The following list covers some of the most important supplements that are utilized for CFS: vitamin C, B vitamins, magnesium, essential fatty acids, malic acid, L-Carnitine and CoQ10. Immune supporting supplements like Monolaurin, L-Lysine, Garlic and Echinacea are all very helpful.

Diet

Dietary changes are frequently the most difficult to begin. The foods we eat not only provide macro and micronutrients (such as protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals) but also pleasure and enjoyment. An overly restrictive diet will oftentimes cause a “pleasure deficiency.” This is not the path to optimum wellness!

Here are some general guidelines to keep in mind when planning your diet:

1. Consume frequent, small meals (4 to 6 versus 3 “square” meals).

2. Consume high fiber foods such as whole grains, beans, legumes, vegetables and fruits. Optimal vegetable servings are 3 to 5 daily. (1 serving = 1 cup cooked or 2 cups raw)

3. Consume foods low on the Glycemic Index (GI). The GI rates many foods and their effect on blood sugar levels. (A separate handout provides information on the specifics of the GI). Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and diabetes are common conditions that can contribute to low energy levels. Using the GI along with specific nutrients helps the body re-establish insulin sensitivity. When the cells of the body don’t respond to the hormone insulin a tremendous amount of stress is placed on the body.

4. Reduce refined food consumption, i.e. candy, cookies, cake, chips, etc.

5. Learn to substitute high sugar foods and beverages with lower sugar alternatives. For example, choose sparkling water or dilute fruit juices over sodas.

6. Use unrefined oils for salads and cooking such as: olive or sesame. Stay away from hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated fats and oils like margarine that contain toxic trans-fatty acids.

7. Eat modest amounts of protein from animal sources such as meat, poultry, and eggs. Eat 1 or 2 servings a week of omega-3 rich, cold water fish like salmon, mackerel and herring.

Exercise

Many people would be quick to think that persons with CFS should not exercise. This is a misconception; in fact, exercise can significantly improve energy and mood level. At the same time CFS suffers should be careful not to overexercise. Since recuperation time is long it is important to focus on a less strenuous exercise program such as walking, bike riding, yoga and Tia Chi. Weight training and jogging is contraindicated for persons with CFS. More intense exercise can be added very gradually so as to prevent a relapse in symptoms. Supplementation with vitamin C, vitamin E, grape seed extract, CoQ10 and L-Carnitine 20 minutes before exercise has been shown to be helpful at enhancing energy and recovery.

Summary

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a complex condition that responds very effectively to the holistic approach that Dr. Bonnet takes with all his patients. Through nutritional supplements and homeopathy significant progress can be achieved. Along with natural medicines a properly designed diet and exercise program will also help a CFS sufferer to get back on the path to optimal wellness. Patience and perseverance are required along the way, but through a “healing partnership” the best rewards are ahead.

The Healing Partnership web site is designed for educational purposes. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or prescribe but rather to provide material to help the reader better cooperate with his or her doctor in the natural goal of building health.

The Healing Partnership does not endorse any form of medical treatment. In times of serious illness, it is suggested that one obtain the professional advise of one's doctor.