Balms and Manna Blog - Balms and Manna

3 Hormone Benefits of Magnesium

4/5/2023

3 Hormone Benefits of Magnesium

Most people have heard of magnesium. And some may even have heard that it's helpful for the body.

Truth is, magnesium is one of the most beneficial minerals for your body, especially under stress. It's needed for heart health, detoxification, blood sugar balance, mental health, sleep, stress reduction and energy.

Benefit #1- Healthy Thyroid Function

Our stress response, oxidative stress, inflammation and adrenal function greatly impact thyroid health.

Elevated cortisol and stress hormones block the production of TSH which means our thyroid doesn't get the message from the pituitary to make thyroid hormones.

Magnesium also helps to transport iodine into our cells and to convert T4 to T3 which are both essential for healthy thyroid function.

So without magnesium, our thyroid simply can't function well!

Benefit #2- Blood Sugar Balance

Magnesium in needed for insulin to work properly in the body. It plays a role with how insulin gets in our cells and insulin sensitivity.

Deficiency of magnesium is associated with insulin resistance so it's important to have the right magnesium levels if you struggle with blood sugar balance.

Benefit #3- Estrogen Detox

Magnesium supports detoxification of estrogen.

Magnesium has a relaxing effect on the bowels which allows estrogen to be eliminated rather than being reasorbed and recirculated in the body. If you aren't having regular bowel movements (at least one per day), this can contribute to estrogen dominance and extra stress on the liver.

Much of our excess estrogen is broken down and removed through the liver. Magnesium is required for the enzyme responsible for healthy estrogen elimination to work efficiently.

Not sure where your magnesium levels are? A Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis is the best way to see how your body is using and storing all your macro and micro minerals, including magnesium. Plus it will give a picture of where your adrenal, thyroid, blood sugar and nervous system function is at.

Learn more here or contact me for a discovery call to learn more!

Adrenal Cocktails-Tasty and Nourishing!

3/13/2023

ADRENAL COCKTAILS- TASTY AND NOURISHING

The adrenal glands are two small glands located just above the kidneys. They play a huge role in our bodies. Specifically with our stress response, metabolic function, hormone regulation and blood pressure and fluid levels.

One way to keep our adrenals functioning well is to consume minerals in the right ratios.

ADRENAL COCKTAILS
Adrenal cocktails are simple, refreshing and designed to provide the body with the right balance of sodium, potassium and vitamin C to give the adrenals a boost and support your overall stress response. If you are concerned with the carb content, add 1 Tbsp of collagen.

*Ideal time to drink cocktails are mid-morning and mid-afternoon

BASIC ADRENAL COCKTAIL
½ cup orange juice, freshly squeezed (avoid additives- should just be orange juice)
¼ tsp cream of tartar
¼ tsp real salt

ADRENAL COCKTAIL RECIPE #2
1 cup coconut water
¼ tsp real salt
½ fresh squeezed lime or lemon or ¼ tsp whole food vitamin C powder

ADRENAL COCKTAIL RECIPE #3
½ cup orange juice, freshly squeezed (avoid additives- should just be orange juice)
½ cup coconut water (avoid any with ascorbic acid)
¼ tsp real salt

ADRENAL COCKTAIL RECIPE #4 (for those with throat/gut irritation)
2 oz aloe vera juice (inner leaf)
2-4 oz grapefruit juice
¼ tsp real salt
2-4 oz sparkling water

ADRENAL COCKTAIL RECIPE #5 (for high blood sugar)
1 cup water
¼ tsp real salt
¼ tsp cream of tartar
1 Tbsp lemon or lime juice (not from concentrate)
1 Tbsp collagen

Curious if your adrenals need support or if your minerals are imbalance?

Schedule a discovery call to learn more about specialized testing today!

Headaches- What They Are Telling You.

11/14/2022

HEADACHES- WHAT THEY ARE TELLING YOU.

We've all probably had a headache a time or two in our lives. Maybe some more often than others. They can be frustrating, annoying and even sometimes debilitating. But all headaches are our bodies way of communicating that something isn't right.

Let's consider some of the messages our bodies may be communicating to us through headaches.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

Hormones
- For females, if headaches are monthly or bi- monthly they can be from imbalances with your hormones. Generally if you have headaches during ovulation or just before getting your period, it's due to a rapid drop in estrogen and is likely linked to an estrogen/progesterone imbalance. Headaches several days after your period starts and with heavy bleeding can be due to low iron.

Stress
- Many headaches are stress related. These are frequently at the base of the neck, shoulders or discomfort in the jaw area. Pausing to see if you are holding tension in these areas can give you an indicator if stress levels are causing tension to build.
- Stress in the form of lack of sleep can also contribute to headaches.

Toxins
- Environmental toxins, chemicals, artificial fragrances or foods that your body is sensitive to can all lead to headaches. When the liver becomes overwhelmed with toxins, it will often alert the body by producing a headache. Keeping a journal of where you spend your day, what you were exposed to and what you ate can help you identify toxins that you are sensitive to so you can eliminate exposures.

Mineral Imbalances
- Magnesium loss and copper & sodium excess can all lead to headaches. A Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis can help you identify if mineral imbalance is a factor.

Our bodies are complex and often there is more than one cause for persistent headaches. If these simple suggestions don't get you the results you want, it might be time to dig deeper.

I offer a Personalized Wellness Program that consists of a comprehensive personal health assessment, specialized testing and regular check ins over the course of six month to create a custom wellness plan.

For those of you who are frustrated with the guess and check approach and not getting the results you want, this will give you data to uncover root causes and find a solution that makes a difference!

LEARN MORE HERE

3 Steps to Uncover Root Causes for Hair Loss

9/5/2022

3 STEPS TO UNCOVER ROOT CAUSES FOR HAIR LOSS

Hair loss is a real thing. And it's becoming more and more common. And for women, this can be a big concern.

Hair loss/thinning is a complicated thing. There is no easy, one solution. But I can help guide you through steps to help identify your root causes for hair loss.

1- Nutrition
Hair growth isn't essential so if you aren't getting enough nutrition, that contributes to hair loss. Insufficient amounts of protein can be a frequent contributor. It's good to calculate how many calories, fats, proteins and carbs you individually need and see if you are eating enough. Contact me for an easy way to calculate your nutrition.

You also need essential vitamins and minerals for hair growth. Copper, Vitamin A, E, C, B's Magnesium, Iodine and Sodium are some of the most important. Supplementing with a good multi vitamin is essential. My recommendation is doTERRA's Lifelong Vitality Pack.

2- Hormones
Androgens, estrogen, progesterone and thyroid levels all impact hair growth. Imbalances in these will create less energy, can increase stress and cause the body to not prioritize hair health. Contact me for more information about where your hormone levels are.

3- Stress
When we are stress, our bodies require more calories and carbohydrates for energy. Stress impacts our cortisol levels which can increase estrogen, decrease our minerals, decrease progesterone and impact thyroid and hair follicle health

Basic Recommendations

Eat enough, supplement well & balance your minerals.
Check your hormone levels- contact me for more info
Focus on stress management
Topical support- Use a boar or mixed bristle brush and do a Morocco massage, do a hair detox with bentonite clay & apple cider vinegar
Use Nettle Tea - topical or internal.
Add 10-15 drops of Rosemary essential oil to your shampoo or conditioner

*Bentonite clay, Apple cider vinegar, Nettle tea and the Lifelong vitality pack are all available at the Country Cupboard in Fairbury.

Contact Me for More Support with Hair Loss

Caffeine- Good or Bad?

8/3/2022

CAFFEINE- GOOD OR BAD?

Who of us doesn't have days that we are dragging and just want a boost of energy? Energy drinks, coffee, chocolate, tea and sodas are an easy fix when we are tired to get us through the day but is caffeine good for us?

HOW IT WORKS
Caffeine works by inhibiting a neurotransmitter called adenosine which calms down activity in the nervous system. And by doing this it increases the activity of stimulating neurotransmitters. After about ten days, the effect wears off and your body creates more receptor sites for adenosine so you need more caffeine to get the same effects. This creates addiction and why caffeine can be considered a drug.

This is why people who stop caffeine have withdrawl symptoms like fatigue, headache & feeling depressed (caffeine also effects dopamine, seratonin and acetylcholine). It takes about ten days for the body to adjust the amount of adenosine receptor sites back down.

Excessive caffeine consumption can include a risk of osteoporosis (caffeine depletes calcium), rapid heartbeat, sleeplessness, anxiousness, irritiability, cold sweats, loss of appetite, nausea & diarrhea.

Your body only has so much energy. When you do use caffeine, you aren't creating more energy, you are pulling energy out of the cells at a faster rate and then creating an energy crash later once your energy stores are delepted. So over time, you are making the problem worse.

WHAT TO DO INSTEAD
If you really want more energy, stop using caffeine and help your body build up it's energy reserves. Most often fatigue is due to a lack of nutrients and minerals. Try adrenal cocktails to replenish minerals, Lifelong Vitality Pack for a great foundation of nutrients, adaptogens like Nervous Fatigue, Tulsi and Ashwagandha to support the body's stress response.

Adrenal Cocktail Recipes

Bone Broth Basics

11/30/2021

Bone Broth Basics
It's that time of year when we all want to cozy up with a bowl of steaming soup! And what's better to use as a base than bone broth? Bone broth doesn't just taste good, it's full of nutrition and essential minerals. It also provides amino acids and is a great source of collagen and gelatin.

Bone broth supports:

Restoration of leaky gut
Food allergies/intolerances
Joint health
Immunity

How to Make Your Own Bone Broth:

For a quality bone broth recipe, it’s important to use all the body parts like organ meat, feet and neck.
You also want to buy animal products that you know are pasture-fed and free of antibiotics and hormones in order to truly unlock all the bone broth benefits.
Add vegetables (carrots, onions, celery) and garlic for added taste and nutrition

Cooking Suggestions

Place bones into a large stock pot and cover with water.
Add two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to water prior to cooking. This helps to pull out important nutrients from the bones.
Fill stock pot with filtered water. Leave plenty of room for water to boil.
Heat slowly. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer for at least six hours. Remove scum as it arises.
Cook slow and at low heat. Chicken bones can cook for 24 hours. Beef bones can cook for 48 hours. A low and slow cook time is necessary in order to fully extract the nutrients in and around the bone.
Alternatively, you can use a crock pot to make the broth. Use the same directions by covering bones with water and adding apple cider vinegar. Cook on low for 8-24 hours.
Remove large pieces of bone, meat and veggies and discard. Strain through a sieve and then store in jars in the fridge or process in a pressure canner for later use.

After cooking, the broth will cool and a layer of fat will harden on top. This layer protects the broth beneath. You can eat this layer along with the broth if desired.

*You can also purchase bone broth instead of making it yourself. Organic, grass fed bone broth with no preservatives with provide you with the best nutrition and benefit.

I'd love to hear if you make your own bone broth!

Hormone Challenges? Uncover the Root Cause!

8/30/2021

Hormone Challenges? Uncover the Root Cause!

Are you tired of feeling yucky and searching for answers to fix your hormone challenges? Has your journey been full of trial and error and sorting through the many voices out there? I know how frustrating this can be!

Everyone deserves to have someone who listens, cares and is trustworthy to guide them to answers and results! I am here to teach, educate and support you to have the health you desire.

One of the major root causes for hormone imbalances is mineral deficiencies. Minerals are the spark plugs of our bodies. They make our cells run and are the foundation on which our body works. Because so much of the endocrine system depends on minerals, when you have better mineral balance you have better functioning hormones.

An HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) is a functional test that shows stored minerals in the tissue and reveals excess or deficiencies of both macro and micro minerals.

The difference between a HTMA and a blood lab test is that a blood test only shows levels circulating in the blood where a HTMA shows what is stored. Often excess minerals are stored in the tissues to protect our bodies from excess levels.

Why get an HTMA? Because it gives you information about:

Liver Problems
Fatigue and Adrenal Dysfunction
Thyroid Issues
Blood Sugar Imbalances
Hormonal Challenges
Reactivity to Stress
Digestive Problems
Heavy Metal Toxicity

Why I love this test:

Easy & non-invasive
Affordable
One of the best foundations to begin hormone balance
Provides so much information

How it works:

Collect a very small sample of scalp hair which is mailed to the lab
Schedule a consultation with me to review the results (the effectiveness of the test is highly dependent upon correct interpretation of the results)
Create a individualized plan including recipes, diet suggestions and lifestyle recommendations

CONTACT ME TO GET STARTED

Zinc- It's More Than an Immunity Supplement

1/21/2021

Lately, I've heard a lot of people talking about taking zinc to stay well. It is great for the immune system but it has so many more benefits!

Here are the Top 6 Benefits of Zinc:
1. Supports Immune Function- Improves macrophage, neutrophil and natural killer cell activity

2. Encourages Digestive Absorption- Helps break down amino acids and carbohydrates

3. Helps Balance Hormones and Improves Fertility- Needed for the creation and release of healthy eggs, supports healthy testosterone levels, and needed for the production of estrogen and progesterone

4. Balances Blood Sugar- It binds to insulin and then allows insulin to be released from the pancreas when glucose enters the bloodstream

5. Supports Heart Health- Supports healthy circulation, inflammation and nourishes the lining of blood vessels

6. Powerful Antioxidant for the Eyes and Liver- Encourages healthy cell division and fights oxidative stress, slows down vision loss and macular degeneration, support healthy inflammation in the liver and promotes healthy elimination

My favorite brand of Zinc is Nature's Sunshine. You can purchase it at the Country Cupboard in Fairbury for $19.15 or online here.

Iron...How do I Know if I'm Low?

5/1/2020

I've had several women in the last few months come to me with complaints of low iron. Many of them didn't know their iron was low until they did a blood test. In America, 20% of women are iron deficient.

What are the symptoms of low iron?
1- Fatigue
2- Pale skin
3- Dizziness, lightheaded, weakness
4- Fast heart rate, chest pain
5- Headaches
6- Stomach pain
7- Joint pain
8-Craving to eat items that aren't food- ice, dirt, or clay

Raising iron levels through supplementation:
1- Always get a blood test before starting supplementing
2- Ferrous gluconate form is gentle on the bowels
3- Take vitamin C with iron supplement to increase absorption

Raising iron levels through diet:
1- Beef
2- Liver
3- Turkey
4- Chicken
6- Fish
7- Spinach
8- Pumpkin and sunflower seeds
9-Firm tofu
10- Beans and lentils