Beyond Fight or Flight

Rosa Parkin's Profile Photo

This Memorial Day Weekend I remember my father whom would have been 95 years young (May 28,1921) today. In honor of him and a Former Facebook Friend Rosa Parkin. Whom we finally met one year ago this weekend in Portland, Oregon. While trying to Slay The Dragon …. which is called Leiomyosarcoma which took my fathers life and eventually Rosa’s a few months later.

I remember last Memorial Day Weekend it was an awesome trip to Portland Oregon to meet up with Rosa Parkin. Shortly there after … times started to change for the worse for Rosa. But this trip looking back gave me the opportunity to look at cancer in a whole new light. Rosa was always positive and upbeat, however, once I arrived in Oregon. I saw the toll cancer was taking to Rosa’s insides, not only, in her own mind her body and in spirit (emotions), but also, the financial pressures and stress was mounting.

What eventually came of this trip was an insight: I pondered how much does stress and emotions dictate your chances of getting cancer. Also if don’t have cancer. What impact does traumatic experiences or stressful situations on your health or if you have cancer could this stress cause cancer to metastasize.

Stress and Your Thyroid: What’s the Cancer Connection?

Stress: A word that seems all too common in today’s society. Not only can chronic stress wreck havoc on your overall health and well-being, but it can affect your thyroid too.

Stress and Hypothyroidism

Your thyroid works in tandem with your adrenal glands. The adrenal glands, which are above your kidneys, can handle small amounts of stress well. When you encounter stress they release cortisol, which enhances various bodily functions.

The impact of stress on the thyroid occurs by slowing your body’s metabolism. This is another way that stress and weight gain are linked. When thyroid function slows during stress, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) hormone levels fall. Also, the conversion of T4 hormone to T3 may not occur, leading to higher level of reverse T3.

Insulin resistance and issues balancing blood sugar often occur alongside hypothyroidism. Increased levels of glucocorticoids lower the levels of TSH in the blood. A delicate balance between stress hormones and cortisol must exist for proper thyroid function. If this delicate balance changes, your thyroid symptoms may increase.

Lab tests cannot always depict the right picture of how you’re feeling, and medications cannot always keep up with the changes that stress causes. Chronic stress can cause problems in your body for years before lab tests show a problem. All the while, you may experience hypothyroid symptoms, such as fatigue or weight gain. This prolonged stress may crop up as depression or anxiety when both are actually hypothyroid symptoms.

The thyroid is the main system regulator- it produces two main molecules- T3, and T4-which contain iodine — and these molecules regulate metabolic processes with glucose. Your body has to build a billion cells a day — if you are under stress your body will use Coriolis- de-stress your life so that the thyroid is used properly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcfb6MAtESo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1rxW9IzYrA

Stress Relief Tips

You can help your overall stress levels and thyroid health by making some simple changes in your daily life.

Eat Right

Fighting Cancer with Food

Whether you are currently fighting cancer or simply want to cut your risk, diet—specifically a diet heavy on plant-based foods—plays a crucial role in fending off this disease. According to a study in JAMA Internal Medicine involving Seventh-Day Adventists— 35% of whom are vegetarian, compared – with 4% of the distinct general population—people who eat plant-based diets live longer and have fewer cancer occurrences.

One way eating a mostly vegetarian diet helps …. fight cancer is by helping to keep your weight down. That’s important: Excess body fat has been found to be metabolically active, promoting the kinds of cell changes that can contribute to cancer development.

Plants also provide the kinds of nutrients that help retard malignancy development. For example, the folate found in dark leafy greens such as kale and spinach (as well as asparagus and other foods) plays a role in maintaining DNA, and low levels of folic acid in the blood have been linked to higher rates of colorectal cancer. Lycopene, a carotenoid found in foods such as tomatoes, pink grapefruit, red grapes, watermelon and papaya, has long been believed to help reduce prostate cancer risk; recent studies indicate it may lower the risk of kidney cancer as well.

If you do eat animal foods, your best bet is to concentrate on seafood, especially wild-caught species that tend to be low in mercury such as salmon, sardines, squid and shrimp. Besides providing high-quality protein, salmon and sardines also supply vitamin D (as does small amounts of the daily sun exposure on unprotected skin). The National Cancer Institute reports, “In studies of cancer cells and of tumors in mice, vitamin D has been found to have several activities that might slow or prevent the development of cancer, including promoting cellular differentiation, decreasing cancer cell growth, stimulating cell death and reducing tumor blood vessel formation.”

If you are currently undergoing cancer treatment or have been diagnosed with cancer in the past, speak with your healthcare provider about the ideal diet for your needs. http://www.eattobeat.org/food

A healthy, balanced diet looks different for everyone. In general, plan to eat three well-balanced meals full of fruits, vegetables, and protein each day. Start your morning off with a good breakfast, one low in sugar but higher in protein and fiber. While reducing alcohol consumption, caffeine, and sugar within your diet will help with your overall energy levels. Also, think about how you’re eating. Make sure to take the time to sit and enjoy the meal, which will help your body digest food better. While this may seem tough to do in your busy lifestyle, your body and thyroid will thank you for it.

Think About Vitamins

You may want to consider adding thyroid supporting vitamins and minerals to your daily routine. An iodine deficiency is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Adding other essential vitamins and minerals, such as:

selenium
zinc
iron
copper
vitamins A, B, C, and E

Talk to your doctor before starting these supplements.

Are you tired or toxic? That is a fair question since many symptoms of toxic overload are commonly mislabeled as digestive issues, insomnia, chronic fatigue or even allergies. Listen to Dr. Rostenberg explain how toxins are impacting your body and what you can do to fix it. If you or someone you know is sick and tired of being toxic, please share this video with them! For help with healthy detoxification to revitalize your body and mindhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBtzULZYw0o

Sleep Well

Getting enough quality sleep at night can be tough with hypothyroidism. Stress makes getting a good night’s sleep tough too. But aiming for a good night’s rest can have a huge impact on your thyroid health. Try adopting a strict bedtime and avoid technology in the hours before bed. Slowing down before you sleep allows the adrenal glands to lower the stress response and rest.

Relax

Taking time to reflect or meditate can help the body relax. In turn, relaxation leads to reduced stress and less impact on your thyroid. There are many ways to relax. For some people, making crafts helps to calm their bodies. For other people, deep breathing exercises, yoga, or simply being outside is enough.

You may not be able to remove all the stress from your life, but supporting your body with healthy foods, adding vitamins and minerals, sleeping properly, and trying some relaxation techniques can help you balance your overall health as well as your thyroid.

Healing The Adrenal Gland:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iERqD2XrUk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l27y1rtUrFQ

When you think of the adrenal glands (also known as suprarenal glands), stress might come to mind. And rightly so—the adrenal glands are arguably best known for secreting the hormone adrenaline, which rapidly prepares your body to spring into action in a stressful situation.

But the adrenal glands contribute to your health even at times when your body isn’t under extreme stress. In fact, they release hormones that are essential for you to live.

Anatomy of the Adrenal Glands

The adrenal glands are two, triangular-shaped organs that measure about 1.5 inches in height and 3 inches in length. They are located on top of each kidney. Their name directly relates to their location (ad—near or at; renes—kidneys).

Each adrenal gland is comprised of two distinct structures—the outer part of the adrenal glands is called the adrenal cortex. The inner region is known as the adrenal medulla.

Hormones of the Adrenal Glands

The adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla have very different functions. One of the main distinctions between them is that the hormones released by the adrenal cortex are necessary for life; those secreted by the adrenal medulla are not.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones

The adrenal cortex produces two main groups of corticosteroid hormones—glucocorticoids and mineralcorticoids. The release of glucocorticoids is triggered by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Mineralcorticoids are mediated by signals triggered by the kidney.

When the hypothalamus produces corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), it stimulates the pituitary gland to release adrenal corticotrophic hormone (ACTH). These hormones, in turn, alert the adrenal glands to produce corticosteroid hormones.

Glucocorticoids released by the adrenal cortex include:

Hydrocortisone: Commonly known as cortisol, it regulates how the body converts fats, proteins, and carbohydrates to energy. It also helps regulate blood pressure and cardiovascular function.
Corticosterone: This hormone works with hydrocortisone to regulate immune response and suppress inflammatory reactions.

The principle mineralcorticoid is aldosterone, which maintains the right balance of salt and water while helping control blood pressure.

There is a third class of hormone released by the adrenal cortex, known as sex steroids or sex hormones. The adrenal cortex releases small amounts of male and female sex hormones. However, their impact is usually overshadowed by the greater amounts of hormones (such as estrogen and testosterone) released by the ovaries or testes.

Adrenal Medulla Hormones

Unlike the adrenal cortex, the adrenal medulla does not perform any vital functions. That is, you don’t need it to live. But that hardly means the adrenal medulla is useless. The hormones of the adrenal medulla are released after the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated, which occurs when you’re stressed. As such, the adrenal medulla helps you deal with physical and emotional stress. You can learn more by reading a SpineUniverse article about the sympathetic nervous system.

You may be familiar with the fight-or-flight response—a process initiated by the sympathetic nervous system when your body encounters a threatening (stressful) situation. The hormones of the adrenal medulla contribute to this response.

Hormones secreted by the adrenal medulla are:

Epinephrine: Most people know epinephrine by its other name—adrenaline. This hormone rapidly responds to stress by increasing your heart rate and rushing blood to the muscles and brain. It also spikes your blood sugar level by helping convert glycogen to glucose in the liver. (Glycogen is the liver’s storage form of glucose.)
Norepinephrine: Also known as noradrenaline, this hormone works with epinephrine in responding to stress. However, it can cause vasoconstriction (the narrowing of blood vessels). This results in high blood pressure.

Enzymes are natural proteins: that stimulate and accelerate biological reactions in the body. Enzymes, many of which are made in the pancreas, break down food and help with the absorption of nutrients into the blood. Metabolic enzymes build new cells and repair damaged ones in the blood, tissues, and organs. Though the American Cancer Society says that there have been no well-designed studies showing that enzyme supplements are effective in treating cancer we need look no further than the benefit that comes from stimulating and accelerating so many biological reactions.

Most alternative health professionals understand the importance of taking digestive enzymes. This becomes critical for many people as they age. Most people think of enzymes (if they think of them at all) as necessary only for those who deal with digestive problems such as GERD, hiatal hernias, ulcers, etc. Enzymes though are extremely important for treating cancer and should not be overlooked. Enzymes allow one substance to be turned into a different substance and support the pancreas, liver, and immune system’s function.

Sep. 21, 2013 – 6:54 – On today’s A Healthy You & Carol Alt, Carol welcomed Doctor Gonzalez, the author of “What Went Wrong: The Truth Behind the Clinical Trial and Enzyme Treatment of Cancer.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6E3hQdFEg8

http://drsircus.com/medicine/enzyme-therapy-for-cancer-and-digestive-diseases/

http://www.cancerfightingstrategies.com/enzymes-for-cancer.html

The digestive (or gastrointestinal) system (see page Overview of the Digestive System), extending from the mouth to the anus, is responsible for receiving and digesting food and excreting waste. This system includes not only the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine, which move and absorb food, but associated organs such as the pancreas, liver, and gallbladder, which produce digestive enzymes, remove toxins, and store substances necessary for digestion.

http://www.ivyroses.com/HumanBody/Digestion/Liver_Functions.php

The Liver is an organ as well that the Chinese state: if you keep cancer out of this vital organ you won’t die of cancer. You can not live without a proper functioning liver. The Liver is known as the great detoxifier and The active ingredient — the one protecting the liver — is milk thistle also known as silymarin — a chemical extracted from the seeds. Silymarin is actually a group of flavonoids (silibinin, silidianin, and silicristin), which are thought to help repair liver cells damaged by alcohol and other toxic substances. http://draxe.com/milk-thistle-benefits/

Preview YouTube video The Stress Response- Fight or Flight