BY DR. VIKAS PURI

We need estrogen in order to maintain bone density, positive mood, and healthy cholesterol levels. Too much, however, becomes problematic. More women and men than ever are being diagnosed with too much estrogen in the body. Without proper balance from the other sex hormones, this can lead to an array of unpleasant symptoms. This is referred to as “estrogen dominance”. It can affect both men and women, but it is diagnosed much more commonly in women. Restoring and maintaining hormonal balance is vitally important, since elevated estrogen levels are a risk factor for breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancer in women, and prostate and breast cancer in men. Between hormones from animal products, synthetic estrogens (aka “xenoestrogens”) found in personal care and cleaning products, and even pesticides, there are many reasons why our delicate hormonal balance can be disrupted.

Some of the most common symptoms of estrogen dominance include:

• Stubborn belly fat
• Uneven weight distribution, with excess weight typically found in the midsection
• Unexplained weight gain
• Fatigue, or chronic fatigue in more extreme cases
• Thinning hair
• Headaches
• Hormonal acne on the face, and especially around the chin
• Irritability, mood swings or mood disorders
• Bloating
• Candida overgrowth
• Depression or low mood
• Anxiety
• Body acne
• Osteoporosis
• Low or nonexistent libido
• Difficulty managing stress
• Difficulty losing weight, even with exercise
• Infertility

In women, estrogen dominance can lead to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), uterine fibroids, irregular menstrual cycles, and thyroid dysfunction. Men may also suffer from enlarged breasts and sexual dysfunction. All of these symptoms, in addition to being unpleasant and affecting quality of life, leave diagnosed individuals at risk of developing more serious conditions later on. If left untreated, hormone-dependent cancers may develop. The good news is that there are many things that can be done to lower our estrogen levels naturally. In order to prevent or reverse estrogen dominance, we first have to understand what causes it.

For this imbalance to occur, either estrogen is too high, or the hormones which balance it are too low. In women this means progesterone is too low; in men, testosterone. This can happen to women if they have taken hormonal birth control. Harmful “endocrine disruptors” (man-made compounds that interfere with the function of estrogen and other hormones) are found in plastic products such as plastic water bottles, in many personal care products, on receipts, in heavy metals, and in pesticides and herbicides. These compounds negatively affect hormonal balance even in small doses. Try to purchase natural cleaning and personal care products. It is the estrogen found in the food we eat, however, that has the largest impact on estrogen levels.

Animal products, especially dairy, chicken and fish contain high amounts of estrogen. People who eat meat regularly are exposed to high levels of these natural sex steroids. It’s important to note that estrogen hormones can be thousands of times more estrogenic than man-made endocrine disruptors. That’s right- thousands of times more than synthetic chemicals that are found to be harmful even at low doses. Yikes!

Dairy products such as milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, and ghee are innately high in hormones even if synthetic hormones aren’t added. It’s important to consider the compounded effects of both synthetic added hormones and natural estrogens in livestock feed and medications. Chickens tend to excrete the most estrogen in their urine, indicating the highest levels of any animal raised for meat. Fish, beef, eggs, and pork are all high-estrogen foods as well. If you are wondering if this could affect you, it’s important to note that chicken estrogen is the same molecule as human estrogen. Heavy meat eaters have high levels of estrogen in their urine as a result. If you have been diagnosed with estrogen dominance, reducing or eliminating your intake of animal products is a great way to help bring your hormones back into balance.

Another important strategy for balancing estrogen levels is simply maintaining a healthy body weight. Our fat tissues absorb and store estrogens that circulate in the bloodstream. Weight loss will cause the fat cells to shrink and empty out, sending estrogen and toxins to the liver to be processed and removed. High estrogen levels can unfortunately cause the body to create more fat cells, thereby producing more estrogen- a vicious cycle! For sustainable weight loss, focus your diet around fresh fruit, vegetables, and nutritious grains like quinoa. Eat healthy fats from plant foods such as avocados, tahini, chia seeds, walnuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, or coconut. These fats contain fibre, unlike fats from animal products, which makes it easier to control hunger and support weight loss. Eat plenty of leafy greens vegetables to help protect liver health. A well-functioning liver is important for breaking down estrogens. Broccoli, cauliflower, kale, brussels sprouts, cabbage, collard greens, and bok choy all contain a compound called “sulforaphane” which supports your estrogen receptors.

Finally, lowering stress levels can also help with hormonal balance. If you cannot remove certain stresses from your life, utilize strategies to assist the body in dealing with stress more effectively. Consider activities such as meditation, breathing exercises, yoga, or taking a walk in nature. Be patient during the healing process, reduce your intake of animal products whenever possible (especially factory farmed animals where hormones are used), try to avoid pesticides, and seek out natural products for personal care and cleaning.

BY DR. VIKAS PURI

Scoliosis can be tragic. It has the capability of causing both physical and emotional suffering. Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine. Mild to moderate curves may be undetectable or appear as postural distortions. More serious curves, however, can create gross physical deformity and even interfere with the lungs, heart, and many other vital organs. There is hope. While curves between 20 and 40 degrees require a body brace to be worn, and larger curves necessitate surgical insertion of steel rods into the spine, curves less than 20 degrees can respond well to chiropractic care.

There are two general treatment options for scoliosis bracing:

Full-time bracing. These braces are designed to be worn 16 to 23 hours a day. The goal is to wear them all the time with exceptions for bathing, skin care, and exercising.

Nighttime bracing. These braces use hyper-corrective forces (which put the body out of normal balance and cannot realistically be applied while a person is standing and/or performing daily activities) and are to be worn at least 8 hours a night.

Scoliosis surgery typically has the following goals:

Stop the curve’s progression. When scoliosis requires surgery, it is usually because the deformity is continuing to worsen. Therefore, scoliosis surgery should at the very least prevent the curve from getting any worse.

Reduce the deformity. Depending on how much flexibility is still in the spine, scoliosis surgery can often de-rotate the abnormal spinal twisting in addition to correcting the lateral curve by about 50% to 70%. These changes can help the person stand up straighter and reduce the rib hump in the back.

Maintain trunk balance. For any changes made to the spine’s positioning, the surgeon will also take into account overall trunk balance by trying to maintain as much of the spine’s natural front/back (lordosis/kyphosis) curvature while also keeping the hips and legs as even as possible.

Scoliosis generally affects children, particularly girls between the ages of 8 to 18. The cause varies. Some are born with this spinal deviation (congenital), which can be hereditary, or from trauma during the birthing process. Others get it from acquiring poor posture (habitual). One major cause of postural problems in young people is backpacks. Kids should use both shoulder straps on their backpacks and the load should not exceed 15% of their body weight.

Sadly, in many cases, the cause is still unknown (idiopathic). Some theorize that child “walkers” may prematurely interrupt the crawling stage that is essential for proper spinal development.

In the beginning, when easiest to correct, scoliosis is rarely symptomatic. However, an alert parent may notice that a high shoulder or low hip makes clothing fit poorly. Back and leg pains may develop but are often overlooked as “growing pains”. Neglect is the biggest danger.

In young people, their abnormal physical posture and gait lead to depression and low self-esteem. It is important that alongside physical treatment counseling be carried out to manage and optimize mental well-being.

In older adults, scoliosis can be caused by degenerative (arthritic) changes in the spine. The shape and size of the vertebrae and discs in the spine change and abnormal curvature results.

Chiropractors are specially trained to examine and detect scoliosis in its early stage. Wise parents consult our office soon after their baby is born and follow up with periodic chiropractic checkups during the growing years to ensure their child’s spine develops properly. A properly functioning spine ensures there is no abnormal stress on our spinal nerves that would otherwise impair our organs and overall vitality.

If scoliosis is found, chiropractic treatment involving spinal adjustments and specific exercises have been shown to slow, stop or even reverse the condition. These treatments improve joint motion and stretch muscles, thus helping to decrease the abnormal curvature.

To ensure your child’s well being, get a chiropractic check up today!

BY DR. VIKAS PURI

Infertility typically refers to a lack of conception after a reasonable period of sexual intercourse without contraception (one year for women who are under 35 years, 6 months for women over 35 years).  Roughly 16% (or 1 in 6) couples in Canada experience infertility. This number has doubled since the 1980s.

The major cause of the increase in infertility is living a hectic and stressful lifestyle.  Stress is the prime reason for infertility.  Stress can be grouped into three major headings. Chemical, physical and emotional stress. Food today is filled with chemicals and growth hormones. By the age of 13, you have had 1,000 falls.  Being stuck on our phones and laptops has led to terrible postures. With the demands and expectation of this fast-paced world, the emotional toll is tremendous.  All of these stresses result in stress hormone elevation in the body, specifically cortisol.

Increase in cortisol levels in the body reduces the function of our immune system, reproductive system, and gastrointestinal system. This decrease in reproductive function can lead to infertility.

Dr. Vikas Puri, has developed a fertility wellness program. This program includes chiropractic, traditional Chinese medicine, psychotherapy and diet modification.  All of these services are offered at IHG and work in synergy to increase fertility.

Chiropractic adjustments are one of the quickest and most effective ways of destressing the body. Research has shown the frontal lobe of the brain to begin firing after an adjustment, turning on “feel good” hormones and turning off the amygdala, the back of the brain where stress hormone is produced. The result is an immediate destressing effect, naturally, without drugs and their side effects. The best thing is that some of the “feel good” hormones are vasopressin and oxytocin, which are related to attraction and sexual function. So, the adjustment not only gets you relaxed and enables the reproductive system, it offers a natural aphrodisiac effect.

Eastern or traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the oldest medicine still widely used today. It evolved over thousands of years and includes acupuncture, a sophisticated herbal system, therapeutic nutrition, qi gong and targeted massage called tui na. Women’s menstrual cycles in Chinese medicine are a huge indicator of overall health, so whether a patient is trying to get pregnant or is undergoing treatments for migraines, anxiety or anything else, information about the menstrual cycle is always tracked. As health improves, cycles and periods may also change, so as headaches get better, PMS or cramps may resolve as well.

Everything is connected in TCM theory, which is why working holistically on any and all symptoms also improves fertility.

Studies have shown that TCM can help improve fertility and reproductive health in many ways. It can stimulate ovulation in women with amenorrhea (no periods) and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), the leading cause of hormonal dysfunction in women in America. Treatments can also help make cycles more regular, reduce menstrual cramps and PMS, manage endometriosis, thicken a uterine lining that is too thin for conception and optimize ovarian function. In one study, women working with a TCM practitioner showed a twofold increase in pregnancy rates over a three to four month period.

Emotional stress can lead to significant mental health issues including anxiety, depression, anger, and low self-esteem.  All this can cause difficulty in couple relationships.

The aim of psychotherapy is to help clients overcome a wide scope of concerns, such as relationship issues, fears about having a baby, to stress from being a new mom, or any emotional difficulties. Our psychotherapist can choose from a wealth of approaches to help you understand and explore how you feel. He/she uses various therapies and also gives you skills to help you manage difficult emotions more effectively.

At the Intelligent Health Group, our integrated approach addresses the individual holistically in mind, body, and spirit.  We empower and guide you to higher levels of health and well being, minimizing stress and maximizing your vitality.