LIVE WELL PODCAST | EPISODE #17 - Finding identity through chronic illness with Michelle L’Amour

Michelle is an international burlesque star. She is known as 'The Most Naked Woman' not only for her state of undress, but also for the truth that she strives to bring to the world of burlesque and glamour. Join us as we speak about her journey with alopecia areata and finding identity through chronic illness.

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Show Notes:

• 0:00 Intro

• 0:40 Introducing Michelle L’Amour

• 0:60 Michelle’s experience with alopecia areata, diagnosed at the age of 6

• 11:00 Sharing her truth with her followers about her alopecia through her Youtube reveal

• 12:39 Michelle explores the questions: “What is a woman supposed to look like? What is beauty and glamour?”

• 34:00 Realizing the thing that holds you back can become your strength

• 38:56 Michelle’s #1 things she does for her health

• 43:55 Outro

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If you loved this episode, I'd be honored for you to give me a rating on iTunes. This helps me to get content out to others who are interested in getting control of their health through diet, lifestyle shifts and personal empowerment.

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Are you dealing with symptoms of chronic fatigue, brain fog, autoimmune disease, pain or digestive issues?

You’ve gone to doctor after doctor. You’ve received some answers, have started on medications and notice some relief (thank goodness!) but are still left feeling exhausted, stressed, inflamed and not fully yourself?

Or maybe every test has come back “normal” and your practitioners have told you that there isn’t anything they can do, to come back when things get worse, or to simply manage your stress better?

If yes, then you are someone who would benefit form 1:1 holistic health coaching.

Health coaching is a necessary extension of the health care system in that together we have more time to uncover issues, implement strategies and assess outcomes together. Autoimmune disease is complex and to address it we need to come at it from all angles (pharmaceutical therapies from your doctor while also focusing on root cause factors like gut health, diet, sleep and stress). I offer accountability, a knowledgeable resource and most importantly support.

I always offer free 30-minute discovery sessions to get clear on your major health concerns and what’s standing in your way. Click the button below to set up your free consultation and we can create a plan of action specifically for you.

LIVE WELL PODCAST | Episode #16 | Does everyone with autoimmune disease need to avoid the same foods?

Does everyone with autoimmune disease needs to avoid the same foods? I get asked this question a lot so I addressed it in this short podcast episode! Listen or read below to learn about the top three inflammatory foods and the importance of bio-individuality in finding a diet that works for you.

LISTEN BELOW (AND DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE SO YOU'LL NEVER MISS OUT!)

Click here to listen in iTunes

Click here to listen in Stitcher

Or if you’d like to play the episode right now in your browser, use the player below:

Show Notes:

• 0:00 Intro

• 0:41 Does everyone with autoimmune disease need to avoid or eat the same foods?

• 1:27 3 things need to be in place for the development of autoimmune disease:

  • Genetics

  • Intestinal permeability

  • Microbiome

• 3:00 What should you eat if you have an autoimmune disease?

  • Bio-individuality

• 3:30 Most inflammatory foods for autoimmunity and why to avoid each one:

  • Sugar: Increased sugar consumption leads to issues with blood sugar regulation, which can look like insulin resistance, high blood sugar levels, hypoglycemia, and diabetes. Regulating blood sugar levels and maintaining insulin sensitivity are critical to regulating the immune system and reducing inflammation.

  • Gluten: A component of gluten found in grains (wheat, barley, and rye specifically) known as gliadin is the concern. Specifically, gliadin fragments cross the gut barrier, and once inside the body, these protein fragments interact with the gut associated lymphoid tissue, stimulating the release of inflammatory cytokines and activating cells of both the innate and adaptive immune system. Through this process, gliadin causes damage of gut enterocytes, which results in the creation of holes in the gut barrier through which various contents of the digestive system can leak into the body (leaky gut). Inflammation is triggered by gliadin fragments that cross the gut barrier, as well as by other partly digested food proteins, gut bacteria, bacterial fragments, and waste products, like toxins, crossing over. This further activates the immune system, causing a vicious cycle of inflammation and gut-barrier damage, and is why the gluten-containing grains (wheat, barley, and rye) are typically the most problematic for those with gut issues or autoimmune disease.

  • Dairy: Dairy is a common allergenic food, affecting between 1–17% of children and 1–4% of adults presenting with IgE-antibodies. For these people, even trace proteins in ghee can be a problem. Additionally, 25–75% of people (depending on ethnicity) are unable to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk. Next, dairy products contain protease inhibitors that may contribute to intestinal permeability. Dairy products are highly insulinogenic, which may contribute to inflammation and insulin resistance; they contain active hormones that have the potential to alter human hormone levels (like IGF-1); and they increase mucous production, which can irritate the gut lining and hinder nutrient absorption [1]. I should note that good quality, whole fat dairy can be a totally healthful food for some people! Just when troubleshooting digestive issues it can be beneficial to remove it for a period of time to fully understand how it affects you.

• 9:08 Why you might not actually want to jump into a restrictive healing diet

• 10:00 The benefits of working with someone to get a plan tailored to you individually

• 12:36 Outro

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If you loved this episode, I'd be honored for you to give me a rating on iTunes. This helps me to get content out to others who are interested in getting control of their health through diet, lifestyle shifts and personal empowerment.

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Are you dealing with symptoms of chronic fatigue, brain fog, autoimmune disease, pain or digestive issues?

You’ve gone to doctor after doctor. You’ve received some answers, have started on medications and notice some relief (thank goodness!) but are still left feeling exhausted, stressed, inflamed and not fully yourself?

Or maybe every test has come back “normal” and your practitioners have told you that there isn’t anything they can do, to come back when things get worse, or to simply manage your stress better?

If yes, then you are someone who would benefit form 1:1 holistic health coaching.

Health coaching is a necessary extension of the health care system in that together we have more time to uncover issues, implement strategies and assess outcomes together. Autoimmune disease is complex and to address it we need to come at it from all angles (pharmaceutical therapies from your doctor while also focusing on root cause factors like gut health, diet, sleep and stress). I offer accountability, a knowledgeable resource and most importantly support.

I always offer free 30-minute discovery sessions to get clear on your major health concerns and what’s standing in your way. Click the button below to set up your free consultation and we can create a plan of action specifically for you.

LIVE WELL PODCAST | EPISODE 15 - What is Functional Medicine?

Functional medicine is a branch of medicine focused on getting to the root cause of illness. Instead of simply asking “what disease do you have?” functional medicine practitioners also want to know why you have it.

Join me and Kristen Brown, ARNP as we explain the functional medicine approach and how it might help you with your chronic illness. Kristen provides functional medicine care at Altheda Health and is a Nurse Practitioner with years of clinical experience in functional medicine, urgent care, women’s health, and family medicine. As a graduate of The Institute for Functional Medicine Certification Program (IFMCP), Kristen Brown is uniquely trained in the Functional Medicine model to identify and treat the root causes of chronic disease.

Kristen’s interest in functional medicine began even before she knew the name for it. Coming from a family with several members suffering with the symptoms of hypothyroidism, type 2 Diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease, she wanted to be proactive and live in better health. This sparked her quest to improve her lifestyle and diet to help prevent these diseases in herself and to make positive changes to influence the health of her family.

Kristen is passionate about helping people suffering with autoimmune disorders, digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, emotional eating disorders, and weight loss. She most enjoys working with daring patients willing to seek out and challenge the root cause of their illness.

LISTEN BELOW (AND DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE SO YOU'LL NEVER MISS OUT!)

Click here to listen in iTunes

Click here to listen in Stitcher

Or if you’d like to play the episode right now in your browser, use the player below:

Show notes:

• 0:00 Intro

• 0:46 Introducing Kristen Brown, ARNP founder of Altheda Health

• 2:44 Kristen speaks about her path to functional medicine

• 4:44 What is Functional Medicine?

  • “It’s not what do you have but why do you have it?”

• 6:15 Typical day at a family practice clinic vs. functional medicine practice

• 8:40 What is the functional medicine approach to autoimmune disease?

  • Bio-individual approach

  • Focus on shutting down immune responses

  • Inflammation contributes to 85% of our chronic conditions

• 10:40 Common sources of inflammation

  • Stress

  • Underlying infections

  • Food sensitivities or allergies

  • Leaky gut

  • Toxin exposure

  • Nutrient deficiencies

  • Genetics

• 12:00 Difference between food allergies and food sensitivities

• 15:20 What is functional medicine’s role in the care team?

  • Investigator

  • Listener

  • Advocate

  • Coordinating care with other practitioners

  • Support (pep squad!)

• 20:30 A typical functional medicine visit?

  • Intake history

  • Lab tests

  • Physical exam

  • Create a plan of action

• 26:00 How to contact Kristen at Altheda Health

  • The Institute for Functional Medicine is a great place to find a practitioner in your zip code

• 28:20 Piece of advice from Kristen

  • “When you know better, do better. When you don’t, do better and ask yourself why.”

• 29:38 Outro

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If you loved this episode, I'd be honored for you to give me a rating on iTunes. This helps me to get content out to others who are interested in getting control of their health through diet, lifestyle shifts and personal empowerment.

---

Are you dealing with symptoms of chronic fatigue, brain fog, autoimmune disease, pain or digestive issues?

You’ve gone to doctor after doctor. You’ve received some answers, have started on medications and notice some relief (thank goodness!) but are still left feeling exhausted, stressed, inflamed and not fully yourself?

Or maybe every test has come back “normal” and your practitioners have told you that there isn’t anything they can do, to come back when things get worse, or to simply manage your stress better?

If yes, then you are someone who would benefit form 1:1 holistic health coaching.

Health coaching is a necessary extension of the health care system in that together we have more time to uncover issues, implement strategies and assess outcomes together. Autoimmune disease is complex and to address it we need to come at it from all angles (pharmaceutical therapies from your doctor while also focusing on root cause factors like gut health, diet, sleep and stress). I offer accountability, a knowledgeable resource and most importantly support.

I always offer free 30-minute discovery sessions to get clear on your major health concerns and what’s standing in your way. Click the button below to set up your free consultation and we can create a plan of action specifically for you.

LIVE WELL PODCAST | EPISODE 14 - Endometriosis as a social justice issue with Angie Alt

It’s an unfortunate reality that women’s pain is routinely ignored or undervalued in the medical system [1]. Women in pain are much more likely than men to receive prescriptions for sedatives, rather than pain medication for their complaints which can affect access to proper treatment [2]. This bias is one difficulty in the diagnosis and treatment of the condition endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue similar to endometrium, the tissue lining the inside of the uterus, is found outside the uterus. This tissue can grow outside of uterus on other organs, commonly the ovaries, uterus, bowel and pelvic sidewall, seriously injuring or even destroying these other organs. In these locations the tissue responds to cyclic hormonal changes, just like the tissue inside the uterus, which causes inflammation, bleeding, and A LOT of pain. 1/10 women experience endometriosis so it’s actually far more common than we think! [3]

I interviewed Angie Alt of Autoimmune Wellness to get her take on why endometriosis has become a social justice issue and what we can do about it. Angie herself manages three autoimmune diseases, Lichen Sclerosis, Endometriosis, and Celiac disease and has used diet and lifestyle shifts to help her live a more vibrant life. Listen to the episode to learn about Angie’s experience with endometriosis, learn about treatment options, and explore important ways to manage this underrepresented condition. Make sure to share this blog post and interview with all of your girlfriends. There is fantastic info in here that can help women get empowered and informed!

LISTEN BELOW (AND DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE SO YOU'LL NEVER MISS OUT!)

Click here to listen in iTunes

Click here to listen in Stitcher

Or if you’d like to play the episode right now in your browser, use the player below:

Show Notes:

• 0:00 Intro

• 0:40 Introducing Angie Alt

• 3:57 What is endometriosis?

• 5:20 Why don’t we hear about endometriosis more despite it’s prevalence?

  • Endometriosis is a “women’s issue”

  • “Women’s pain is routinely undervalued and ignored in the medical system” - Angie

• 9:00 Angie’s experience with Endometriosis

• 10:40 The phenomenon of women trying to self-manage the pain due to lack of proper treatment

• 12:18 Is endometriosis an autoimmune disease?

• 13:50 What are the available treatments for Endometriosis?

  • Laprascopic surgery

  • Find an endometriosis specialist

  • Hormones

  • Pelvic floor physical therapy

  • Liver support

• 22:10 “The hormonal treatments for endometriosis amount to experimenting on women” - Angie

• 24:10 The role of our liver in hormone production and detoxification

  • Castor oil packs

  • Dandelion tea

  • Supplements

  • Beets, leafy greens and foods that support the liver

• 25:10 How to deal with the severe pain?

  • Don’t let the pain get ahead of you

  • Ok to use pain medications

  • Anti-inflammatory diet

  • Meditation

  • Heat pads

  • Resting

  • CBD Oil

• 31:44 Stages to endometriosis 1-4

  • The stages do not reflect how much pain the person might be in

• 33:00 Finding a specialist for endometriosis

  • Nancy’s Nook as a great resource

• 36:00 Angie’s advice for women going through their healing journey with endometriosis

• 37:10 Outro

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If you loved this episode, I'd be honored for you to give me a rating on iTunes. This helps me to get content out to others who are interested in getting control of their health through diet, lifestyle shifts and personal empowerment.

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P.S. I always offer free 30-minute discovery sessions to get clear on your major health concerns and what’s standing in your way. Contact me to set up a consultation and we can create a plan of action specifically for you.

In Health, 

Christina Tidwell, MN, RN, CHC