Livewellgrco, Grand Rapids, MI (2025)

05/12/2023

What ways can we help decrease histamine overload?

The most important way to improve your health is by what we put in our body. It goes without say that you should eat a healthy diet of whole REAL foods. Avoid processed foods. Eat the rainbow. Decrease foods high in histamine or your “trigger” foods like alcohol, wheat, dairy, and soy.

Other ways to improve allergies:

1. Clean up your cleaning products. I personally love Young Living Theives for cleanings. A little goes a long way. If you think about how much you are touching the counters and areas around your house and then those products get sprayed into the air as well- you’re just touching and breathing that in. Also consider your laundry detergent and dryer sheets. Switch to wool dryer balls instead.
2. Air quality. Consider an air purifier in your house. I have one in each of our bedrooms to help with air quality. Change out your air conditioning filters on a regular basis. Wipe down dust around your house with a damp cloth. Vacuum your carpets regularly.
3. During allergy season, consider diffusing essential oils of lemon, lavender, and peppermint. You only need about 8 drops total- don’t over do it. Lemon is known to thin mucus, lavender is a natural anti-histamine, and peppermint opens the airways.
4. I feel like there are differing opinions on this but some say raw local honey can be helpful for seasonal allergies. I don’t think it hurts to try it and honey is beneficial for other things like sore throat. It has to be LOCAL honey- not the bear bottle from the grocery store! **Honey is not recommended for kids under 1 years old.**

05/10/2023

There are actually a few reasons why you could have histamine overload.

One obvious reason is environmental toxins. I know we talk about this a lot! When our body is exposed to these toxins- whether it be in the air, in our foods, in our cleaning products- it sets off an immune reaction with cytokines and IgE which in turn can release histamine. If that exposure is all the time, then you have those little histamine guys floating around all the time too. All of this also coincides with inflammation and estrogen dominance as well. (Check out our Estrogen and Inflammation posts to find out more about those).

Estrogen and histamine affect each other. When your estrogen levels are high it stimulates the mast cells to release more histamine. Histamine can also stimulate the ovaries to release more estrogen. And round and round the cycle goes! YIKES! So much of what we are exposed to and put in our bodies affects all these things!!

DAO (diamine oxide) also affects amounts of histamine in the body. DAO is a digestive enzyme found in the gut and it is responsible for breaking down histamine and ridding the body of this. Low amounts of DAO can cause histamine intolerance.

Other things to consider- Parasites, Candida (yeast) overgrowth, and chronic inflammation can all cause similar symptoms. I encourage you to look into those as well when trying to find the cause of your symptoms.

05/08/2023

Hang with me as we talk science a bit 🤓

What happens in an allergic response?

Your immune System reacts to an exposure (such as dust, pollen or food) as an invader or “bad guy” and sends its system into overdrive to produce immunoglobulin (IgE). These travel to the mast cells that release histamine. Histamine then travels throughout the body and to receptors that affect different functions.

There are thought to be 4 different histamine receptors- H1, H2, H3, and H4- each having different affects.

H1- Affects blood vessels, smooth muscle, and brain cells. Response is seen as increased heart rate, low blood pressure, itchy skin, nasal congestion, pain, increased fluid, bronchospasm (asthma/wheezing). This receptor also plays a role in sleep, concentration, hunger, and body temperature.

H2- Mostly affects digestion but can affect the heart as well. Response is seen as increased stomach acid, increased mucus, headache, increased heart rate.

H3- Mostly affects neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine. This is still being studied and may has an affect on neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s Disease.

H4- Affects blood cells being made from bone marrow.

As you can see, histamine affects so much in our bodies! It’s no wonder we feel crummy when we have a histamine response. 50 million Americas are suffering with allergies and that number keeps rising! But why?? We will be talking histamine overload and simple ways to help with this later this week!!

05/03/2023

Do you struggle with allergies? We are in the swing of spring (although it could warm up a little faster up here)! Some common symptoms of allergies are: runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, sinus congestion, post-nasal drip, sore throat/itchy throat, cough, rash and headaches. These symptoms are a normal response by the immune system which we will talk later this week!

Did you know 40% of kids now suffer from allergies? I see so many kids (and adults) taking Benadryl and Zyrtec on a regular basis. Benadryl can cause a paradoxical reaction so I’m always hesitant to give it to a kid unless its for an emergent allergic reaction- not to mention that long term use can affect dementia. We are just treating symptoms with these types of medications. If you or your child are having “allergies” for more than 1-2 weeks then its time to really look deeper into the cause! While it is normal to have these symptoms occasionally- it is not normal to have them for extended periods of time or all the time!

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America suggests allergies are now the 6th leading cause of chronic illness in the US. I don’t know about you but that is really concerning to me. We want just to take a pill or have a quick fix to whatever the problem is but that sometimes just covers up what is really happening. Stayed tuned as we talk about root causes and what we can do to improve them.

05/01/2023

Parasites!! How do we test for them? How do we get rid of them? This is what we’re tackling today. I think the hard truth is that parasites are everywhere and you will be exposed to them. Some providers even claim that parasites are linked to cancer and with how much we don’t understand what causes cancer specifically all of the time (yes sometimes we do) it has my attention. Even on cancer.org it states that certain parasites cause biliary cancers but claim that they aren’t in the US. My whole point here is that with how much people travel and how stressed we are living on a day to day basis we should all be doing a parasite cleanse at least once a year. I mean truly what do you have to lose? I say - try it! If you don’t feel any better after then you can form your own opinions. But what if you do feel better. I do!! Who doesn’t need increased energy, fewer headaches, better sleep, stable mood, reduced cravings, and an overall improved immune system?! I will add the zuma products in highlights and all of the products are tagged in the post. If you have any questions reach out! Today I’m only going to include Zuma’s parasite cleanse because it is working SO well for me but there are a lot of other options including just taking supplements and options for kids! If this is something you’d like more information on please send a DM and/or comment below! **Please remember not to take any of this as medical device and talk to your trusted physician/provider!**

04/27/2023

Parasites!! 🪱🪱How common are they? How do we contract them? What are some common symptoms of parasites? These are the questions that we are addressing today! If you would have asked me two years ago about parasites I unfortunately would not have taken you seriously and would have thought this is all complete silliness. But since last February when I was diagnosed with Giardia—> I am asking questions, doing my own research and paying attention! A lot of parasites are microscopic which means you’ll NEVER see them with the naked eye! So why not do a parasite cleanse yearly? Because the reality is we are all exposed to them and our body has ways to fight them off naturally but if we are under constant stress, taking ant-acids, eating on the go and not listening to our bodies we are more at risk. They are so smart and can live undetected for years and present as vague symptoms which is a medical providers nightmare. Testing also fails to find them a lot of the time! They are stealth- for sure! They can present in many different ways so I listed out some common symptoms in the slides above. Just to pick a few —> Chronic constipation is a HUGE symptom of parasites - because they secrete chemicals which lead to constipation so you don’t have bowel movements so they can multiply exponentially and once they do diarrhea will result. IBS symptoms anyone? Chronic SIBO can occur with parasites and then you can’t tolerate healthy foods because you get super gassy or bloated when you eat them. Parasites also steal all of your nutrients so if you have chronic anemia this could be a cause! Stay tuned for the answers to how we test for them and how we get rid of them later this week!!! DM any questions! **Please remember not to take any of this as medical device and talk to your trusted physician/provider!**

04/24/2023

Parasites🪱🪱!!!! How common are they? How do we contract them? How do we test for them? What are some common symptoms of parasites? How do we get rid of them? Now, you probably are one of two people when you hear the word parasite. Even with a masters in medicine + working as a PA for 12 years the only parasites I really knew how to diagnose and treat fell into the realm of pin worms, lice, scabies, ticks, malaria preventatively (for individuals traveling to Africa for a missions trip for example) and Giardia or other ova and parasites found in the stool. But wow was I in the dark. February of last year I actually contracted Giardia and it was completely devastating. I am an extremely sanitary person so it completely proves the fact that we live in America and are taught to believe we are immune to parasites BUT WE AREN’T. They are everywhere. Most other countries will regularly detox at least once a year from parasites and here we are in America just thinking we have it all together while we are diagnosing people with autoimmune diseases left and right and it’s rare that I don’t have a patient who struggles with chronic fatigue, weight issues, headaches, GI issues, depression/anxiety, allergies etc. Now I’m not saying that all of these things are caused by parasites - please don’t hear that or take any of this as medical advice as you should talk with your trusted physician. But what I am saying is there are HUGE HOLES in how we treat patients or blow them off because we have no idea how to help them when it could be something as simple as a detox and restoring their vitamins and minerals they need and haven’t been absorbing because of a parasite that has gone undiagnosed for years. They can be microscopic and a lot of times are! Why do we not talk about this more? This is a HUGE topic that I can’t possibly cover in complete detail and is best covered one on one. But this week we are going to start by educating ourselves about what parasites are and answer all of the above questions I started out with! So stay tuned!! 🪱🪱

04/22/2023

Do you meal plan for the week?

We tend to eat healthier when I plan out the meals for the week. We also eat out less- 1. I know what we are eating, 2. I don’t want to waste food I have at home, and 3. I spend less money.

I like to choose a few meals that everyone will eat (with some minor tweaks) and then one or two that just my husband and I may enjoy. To save money, I try to use ingredients in more than one meal.

*Tip: Make a list of staple meals your family loves. Try something new once a week and slowly grow your list. It’s much easier to pull from a list of family favorites each week!!

04/21/2023

Earth day is coming up so what better week to talk about plastic. Obviously less plastic is good for the earth…BUT what are the health reasons we recommend ditching plastic?

Many plastics contain BPA and phthalates which are known endocrine disrupters. Endocrine disrupters can alter natural hormone production (increase or decrease) or can mimic natural hormones. BPAs and phthalates in plastic can leach into our food and then be consumed into our body. Microwaving food in these plastics or when there are cuts in the plastic can increase leaching of these chemicals even more.

Consider switching your food storage containers to glass or stainless steel. Ditch plastic water bottles and change to stainless steel. Avoid heating your food in plastic containers.

Tip: If buying food in plastic jars or containers, check the bottom! There should be a triangle with a number on it. Try to avoid #3, 6, & 7!!!

04/17/2023

We have been soaking in the Vitamin D and time with our families! We will be back hopefully this week with some more info on how to Live Well! Stay Tuned!🥰

04/08/2023

Spring break 2023 is coming to a close and I hope you were able to enjoy the break, amazing food and friends/family you shared the time with! I sure did and I’m so thankful for an intuitive mindset!
👇🏼
Intuitive eating is instinctive. By listening to your bodies hunger and fullness cues, you naturally develop a healthy relationship with food. We have to stop the cycle of dietary restriction, overeating and sabatage The goal is for you to find your own innate ability to nourish your body with foods that you love AND are healthy. If you want to give it a try, you may realize that tuning into your body's signals can be challenging after a lifetime of ignoring them because of restricting calories, avoiding certain foods and entire food groups, labeling foods as "good" or "bad”, etc. But the journey is worth it and you will start experiencing, enjoying and tasting food for the first time in a long time. It will be a healing experience.

04/05/2023

BBQ Salmon with Mango Avocado Salsa. So refreshing and delicious!! If you don’t like seafood then swap for chicken:)

Brush Salmon with BBQ sauce. Bake on 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Then broil for 2-3 minutes to slightly char the top. Top with Mango Avocado Salsa!

Mango Avocado Salsa:
1 mango diced
1 avocado diced
1/2 red onion diced
Cilantro
Lime juice

03/29/2023

So many questions about Artichoke Extract…..

Artichokes are packed with nutrients- fiber, vitamins, minerals, and also antioxidants. Eating them is the way to go but if you can’t get them in your diet often, artichoke extract is the next best thing.

One of the ways it works is by increasing bile production. The bile duct comes from the liver and connects through the pancreas and into the small intestine. Bile can be stored in the gallbladder as well (unless you don’t have one). The liver helps filter out toxins and excess hormones and then bile transports it to the intestine to be pooped out. Bile acid also helps break down fat to help fat soluble vitamins to be absorbed by the intestine.

Artichoke Extract contains many antioxidants which help with liver health as it decreases inflammation in the liver. Luteolin specifically also helps regulate cholesterol formation. It also contains inulin which is prebiotic fiber to improve gut health.

So what are the benefits seen with artichoke extract:

-Reduction of total and LDL cholesterol

-Reduction of triglycerides

-Improving liver health

-Some promising results on improving IBS by decreasing spasmodic symptoms and improving gut health

-Possible anti-cancer effects with anti-inflammatory properties

-Regulate Estrogen dominance

Side Effects: Usually well tolerated and safe. Not recommended in severe liver or kidney disease. It can cause upset stomach in those allergic to marigolds, daisies, or dandelion.

**This is not meant to be medical advice. This is meant to be educational. Please talk to your medical provider before changing anything.**

03/27/2023

Water makes up 60-75% of our bodies! I can not stress the importance of drinking enough water BUT do we know what is in the water we are consuming? We all know how horrible we feel when we are dehydrated. I used to work in the ER and many patients after IV fluids alone would feel markedly improved and now in OB patients who have hyperemesis gravidarum where they have excessive nausea with vomiting resulting in dehydration- feel markedly better after fluids too! Our body needs water- we can only live about three days without it! What is in the water you are consuming on a daily basis though? Have you ever had it tested? Did you know all of the possible chemicals, toxins and contaminants that are regularly found in city drinking water? Wells also can easily be contaminated through leaching of chemicals, toxins and other materials from all around us. So I hope this post is not only educational but also gives you easy things that you can do to drink clean water. I personally tested our well water with a water quality electrolyzer and the images are on the last slide —> SO GROSS. Needless to say we are not drinking our well water anymore! And I am so thankful for my friend for sharing this with me so obviously I want to share it with all of you as well! It really is disturbing what our water can be contaminated with! And over time that of course can lead to dementia, cancers, thyroid disorders, estrogen dominance/hormone imbalance, the list goes on and on….. So control what water you put in your body and remember we are the gatekeepers of our home and we need to prioritize clean drinking water for everyone we love!

03/16/2023

PMS is the WORST! An estimated 90% of women experience at least some symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) at some point during their years of cycling. Common PMS symptoms include bloating, moodiness, and cramping! I heard this quote and I can’t get it out of my head because it’s SOOO true. “I’ve got 99 problems and magnesium cured 95 of them!” It’s that good. 1. Magnesium helps with estrogen detoxification, it helps with muscle relaxation (which in turn will help with your uterus muscle cramping of course) and it helps stabilize mood, decreases anxiety AND promotes restful sleep! This is a no brainer and should be taken daily! My top two recommendations are magnesium breakthrough every night OR smidge magnesium supplements which I am just starting now which offer a morning and evening supplementation of the perfect forms of Mg to wake you up and help you sleep! Check for these in the highlights.
2. Artichoke extract is a huge game changer for her personally and I feel like shouting it from the rooftops! If you have heavy periods, and chances are if you’re over 35, not on birth control and have had children, YOU DO, you need to start this daily. Artichoke extract helps to promote healthy estrogen metabolim, support liver function, promote optimal digestion all while decreasing your cramping and heavy bleeding. You have to take it for a full cycle before you will notice a change though and I would take it for up to 6 months and then see how your periods are. More to come on this one!
3. Exercise and moving your body comes to no surprise to anyone. We know we need to so we need to find something we enjoy so we just are moving! I’m sure you’ve heard this but let’s recap… exercise increases levels of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, just like medications can. Exercise improves and helps regulate neurotransmitter levels, which ultimately helps us feel mentally healthy. Endorphins leave us feeling happy and we all need more of that the week prior to our periods and during especially if we feel bloated!
eating

03/15/2023

What can we do to help improve chronic inflammation?

Environmental Toxins. Unfortunately it is impossible to get rid of every toxin. It’s everywhere- water, foods (ex. chemicals sprayed on crops), home products, health and beauty products, etc. Things you can do to help- drink filtered water, buy organic when possible, get an air purifier for your home, change products to safer options, get outside for fresh air.

Diet. Avoid processed foods, nitrates/nitrates, added sugar. All of these can change the immune response. Replace these with whole foods. “Eat the rainbow.” Increase omega-3 foods like salmon, flax seeds, and nuts.

Food Sensitivities. Food Sensitivities and Food allergies are different. Just because you aren’t allergic does not mean that certain foods aren’t triggers for you. Common sensitivities are: gluten, dairy, soy and eggs. An elimination diet can be helpful to see if these cause inflammation symptoms for you.

Gut microbe imbalance. We talk about the gut a lot!! But it’s so so important for what seems to be everything! Improve your gut health with pre/probiotics. Eat gut healthy whole foods. Have a daily bowel movement (without laxatives) to rid toxins.

Lifestyle. Reduce alcohol and coffee. Coffee actually has a lot of pesticides used so at least check brands. Get moving. Even 10 minutes a day can be helpful. Any movement is better than none. Go for a walk outside. Walk in place while watching TV or listening to a podcast. Make extra trips to put away laundry. Park your car farther away.

Stress. Life can be stressful and it’s hard to avoid- job, kids, finances, etc. Ways to help during times of high stress- practice deep breathing exercises, prayer, journaling, detox baths, stretching, sleep.

Curcumin or Turmeric. This is one of my favorite supplements. Curcumin is the active ingredient from Turmeric. You really can’t go wrong with either! I personally take this daily and recommend it to the majority of my patients. Studies have shown that these have great anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects!

Small changes, one day at a time!