The Wellness Mama Podcast

We’re in the midst of a podcast series all about thyroid health, featuring the expertise of Dr. Izabella Wentz and in this episode, we’re focusing on positive solutions including thyroid diet and lifestyle interventions. Dr. Izabella Wentz and I cover a lot of ground, including medication, dietary triggers, adrenal health, treatment myths and supplements. We’ll also share …

We’re in the midst of a podcast series all about thyroid health. In this episode, I’m excited to introduce you to thyroid specialist Dr. Izabella Wentz. Dr. Wentz’s expertise has been spurred on by her own personal struggle with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. Through extensive research as well as trial and error on herself, Dr. Wentz has greatly improved her condition. And she will be sharing her knowledge with us on the podcast for the next three episodes!Getting a Correct Diagnoses for Thyroid DiseaseDr. Wentz and I have had similar journeys with thyroid disease. Both of us experienced the frustration of recurring symptoms while receiving “normal” test results from doctors. For me specifically, stress, lack of sleep, unhealthy eating and pregnancy all acted as triggers for thyroid disease symptoms. I felt cold all of the time, experienced hair loss, and I had trouble losing weight after the baby was born. I actually went through 8 doctors before I was able to get a correct diagnoses for thyroid disease.The primary way doctors will check thyroid function in a person is with a thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test. This test is ideal in advanced stages of thyroid disease, but can actually vary in accuracy for someone in their first 5-10 years of thyroid disease symptoms because of the fluctuation of thyroid hormone levels.There are alternative tests that Dr. Wentz recommends, however. She first mentions testing thyroid peroxidase antibodies, which are elevated in people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Another valuable test is a thyroid ultrasound, for people who may have seronegative Hashimoto’s. So even if your TSH levels appear normal, it is worth taking additional tests if you’re experiencing the symptoms of thyroid disease.If you’re looking for a doctor who will test your properly for thyroid disease, Dr. Wentz recommends asking the following questions:Does the doctor test for thyroid antibodies?What kind of thyroid medications do they prescribe?Does the doctor have a root cause approach?If the doctor’s office only gives one type of test and one type of medication, that is a red flag, because there is such a diversity of causes and corresponding effective treatments.Different Types of Thyroid DiseaseUnderstanding the different types of thyroid disease will help you get a correct diagnoses. These types include Hashimoto’s, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.Hypothyroidism is a state of not having enough thyroid hormone. Symptoms include hair loss, fatigue, cold intolerance, eyebrow loss, difficulty losing weight, and depression. This condition can be cause by an iodine deficiency, or as is common in the Western part of the world, hypothyroidism is actually caused by Hashimoto’s.Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune condition that results in the breakdown of thyroid tissue to the point where the person can no longer produce thyroid hormone.Hyperthyroidism, also known as overactive thyroid, is a condition of having too much thyroid hormone. Common symptoms include palpitations, excess sweating, excess anxiety, tremors, excess weight gain, and protrusion of the eyes. The primary cause of hyperthyroidism is an autoimmune condition called Graves disease, which essentially causes the thyroid gland to lose control of hormone production.Resources I MentionDr. Izabella Wentz

Welcome to the new and updated version of the Wellness Mama Podcast! After a long hiatus, we’re finally back! Each month, I’ll focus on one main topic, offering deeper knowledge in more digestible doses each week. I’m also excited to introduce my friend Whitney, who will be a co-host on the show. Whitney will be …

School is starting again in many places… Whether we are sending our children to a traditional school or beginning school in our own schoolrooms, this time of year tends to bring with it more time inside and more exposure to illness.It seems hard to believe as we enjoy these last weeks of summer, but cold and flu season isn’t far away as the days get shorter, we get less Vitamin D from the sun and we are exposed to more illness while spending time indoors.Natural Remedies for Back to SchoolI always begin preparing many of my natural remedies for Fall and Winter when we begin school again and this almost always ends up as the perfect time to start.We don’t typically need these remedies for a few months (and hopefully not at all because we are ill), but making them now is helpful because some traditional remedies, like tinctures, take months to make.My favorite remedy for warding off illness or helping kick a cold or flu once it hits is elderberry syrup. This one can be made in a couple of days, but the dried elderberries needed for the recipe are often out of stock once cold and flu season hits. Since this recipe stores easily in the fridge for a long time, I prefer to make it ahead and keep it ready for when we need it. (Here’s the recipe)Unlike elderberry syrup and some simpler remedies, tinctures take at least six weeks to make and are really important to have on hand before you need them. Certainly, you can use herbal teas to get the benefits of many herbs if you don’t have tinctures pre-made, but tinctures are more concentrated and often more effective. This is the perfect time of year to make tinctures to have on hand.Herb infused oils are similar to tinctures in that they are most effective when they have 6-8 weeks to infuse before being used.Resources I MentionHow to Make Herbal Tinctures (basic tutorial)Multivitamin Tincture RecipeHerbal Digestion Tincture RecipeHomemade Chamomile TinctureHow to Make Solar Infused OilsElderberry Syrup RecipeWhere to order elderberriesHerbs: Nettle, Chamomile, Alfalfa,

Did you know that there are single-celled organisms that produce up to 90% of the Earth’s oxygen, help purify the ocean, are the food source for some of the longest-living species on the planet and can reproduce multiple times per day? I’m referring to microalgae like Spirulina, Chlorella, and Phytoplankton.These microscopic but mighty organisms may be a part of the puzzle for the future of natural health care and sustainable nutrient sources.What is Microalgae?Microalgae are tiny, single-celled organisms. There are hundreds of types and they come in many forms, but certain specifics strains of microalgae may be extremely beneficial for human health.They are extremely effective energy producers and most can reproduce at least once a day (sometimes much more). Organisms like Spirulina and phytoplankton are examples of microalgae. Phytoplankton grows in the ocean and makes up 1/4 of plant life on the planet. Spirulina can grow in fresh water.Though most common in the ocean and in fresh water sources, microalgae exist in various forms on virtually every part of the planet.They are vital for ecological health, but increasing research is finding that they also contain many compounds necessary for human health.Microalgae, though extremely beneficial, is technically a food, rather than a supplement and is generally considered safe. I’d absolutely still recommend checking with a doc or healthcare provider before taking these or anything else though.Resources MentionedArticle: Marine Phytoplankton BenefitsArticle: Benefits of SpirulinaArticle: Chlorella uses and BenefitsPodcast: Interview with Ian Clark about PhytoplanktonProducts: the Marine Phytoplankton, Spirulina and Chlorella I takeThanks for Listening!Thank you so much for joining me this week. Please leave any comments or feedback in the comments section below.Read TranscriptHi and welcome to the “Wellness Mama” podcast. I’m Katie from wellnessmama.com Did you know that there is a single-celled organism, a substance that is responsible for creating over 90% of the world’s oxygen, that is an extremely fast growing food source, and that many of us have never even heard about? And I’m talking about microalgae and that’s what this podcast is gonna be about. In fact, you’re stuck with just me today. I’m not even interviewing anyone. It’s just something that I have been researching so much

In natural health circles, it is common to hear that ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is over-diagnosed and that too many children are being medicated for “just being kids.”John Gray, famous for his bestseller “Men are From Mars, Women are from Venus,” would agree that too many children are medicated, but he believes that ADHD is actually under-diagnosed.Gray struggled with ADHD most of his life before finding relief and became an expert in natural health in the process. Though he is known as a relationship expert, he has spent the past 15 years researching and becoming an expert in natural health after receiving (and eventually reversing) a Parkinsons diagnosis.Now, he has written a book called Staying Focused In A Hyper World: Natural Solutions For ADHD, Memory And Brain Performance, that details the steps he used to help recover from ADHD and Parkinsons and resources he has used to help many other people recover as well.In This Episode, We DiscussWhy Gray says ADHD is under-diagnosedThe different types of ADHD and why the differences are importantWhy reducing a fever may lead to ADHD and other problemsHow EMFs affect us, especially those with underlying brain issuesWhy oxidative stress affects the brain and the rest of the bodyPractical solutions if your child has ADHD (the answer might be in the bath tub?)Why Glutathione is the master nutrient for the brain and how to get enoughHow giving your children a hot (103 degree) bath every other day can helpWhy 20 minutes of sunshine each day is so importantSo much more.Resources from this EpisodeMarsVenus.com (John’s website)Book: Staying Focused In A Hyper World: Natural Solutions For ADHD, Memory And Brain PerformancePost: Why I don’t Reduce a Fever (and what I do instead)Post: The Master Antioxidant- GlutathioneSupplement: Liposomal GlutathioneSupplement: 2AEP Membrane ComplexSupplement:

Have you ever met a friend online and had an instant connection? And then met in real life and realized that you could chat for hours over some healthy real food coffee?That is how I feel about today’s podcast guest, Kelly (the Kitchen Kop), author of the book Real Food For Rookies. Kelly and I knew each other online for a while before we met in person, and I am happy to now call her a real life friend too!In this episode, Kelly shares over a decade of practical tips and real food wisdom from her own journey and experience with real food.In This Episode, You’ll LearnAbout Kelly’s own journey to real foodWhat she learned when helping her kids learn to like real foodSome simple switches that instantly increase the nutrition of common foods10 common ingredients to avoid and 10 to consume more regularlyHer number one trick for taking Fermented Cod Liver Oil without gaggingKelly’s favorite “fast foods” that you can make at home using real food ingredientsWhy she chose the name “Kitchen Kop”Resources We MentionKellytheKitchenKop.comBook: Real Food for RookiesKelly’s RecipesKelly’s Real Food ResourcesSpiral Slicer Vegetable Noodle MakerKelly’s Healthy “Fast Food” ideasThanks for Listening!Thank you so much for joining me this week. Please leave any comments or feedback in the comments section below.If you enjoyed this interview, please share with family and friends via email or using the social media buttons at the bottom of this post.Read TranscriptKatie: Hi and welcome to the “Wellness Mama Podcast.” I’m Katie from wellnessmama.com. Just a quick thank you to the sponsor for today’s podcast, Vital Proteins Collagen Supplements. Vital Proteins have pasture-raised, grass-fed organic collagen and gelatin products that are made from all natural, high quality sustainably-sourced pasture cows. So, these cows live on a grassland. They’re not constrained, they’re not given hormones or steroids or antibiotics and they eat their natural diet of grass. They have lots of open space and sunshine, and you can really tell in the quality of the gelatin and collagen products that they offer. And if you’re interested in finding about their gelatin, go to wellnessmama.com/go/gelatin. And you can find out all about Vital Proteins there. Also, some random facts for your day. Did you know that some store-brought ranch dressings contain

In episode 37, Dr. Trevor Holly Cates addresses many common skin problems like acne, aging, eczema and other and provides actionable tips to improve your skin.Dr. Trevor Cates was the first woman licensed as a naturopathic doctor in the state of California and was appointed by former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to California’s Bureau of Naturopathic Medicine Advisory Council. Known as “The Spa Dr.,” Dr. Cates sees patients at world-renowned spas and in her Park City, Utah private practice with a focus on anti-aging, hormone balance and glowing skin.In This Episode, You’ll LearnHow your skin is a great indicator of your overall healthWhy external solutions won’t ever fix your skin if you don’t address the inside as wellThe foods that affect your skin (positively and negatively)Are antibiotics a good solution for acne?Why the pill can do more harm than good for long-term skin healthHow hormone balance affects skin healthWhy you want your skin care products to be slightly acidicWhy some natural & DIY products won’t workThings that dermatologists don’t tell you about your skin (that are really important to know)Specific suggestions for dealing with acne naturallyHome acne remedies that don’t require hormones or antibioticsThe real scoop on Botox (and something that may work better)Ways to address eczema (internally and externally)How to deal with melasmaSome specific skin care ingredients to watch out forDr. Trevor’s best skin care tipsResources We MentionDr Trevor’s WebsiteThe Skin QuizThe Spa Doctor PodcastThe Glowing Skin Summit (you can still get free bonuses)Article: Most harmful ingredients to look for in personal care productsProduct: Gelatin for healthy skinArticle: Natural Remedies for AcneArticle: Natural Remedies for EczemaThanks for Listening!Thank you so much for joining me this week. Please leave any comments or feedback in the comments section below.If you enjoyed this interview, please share with family and friends via email or using the social media buttons at the bottom of this post.Read TranscriptKatie: Hi, and welcome to the “Wellness Mama,” podcast. I’m Katie from wellnessmama.com. Did you know that your skin, your body’s largest organ, makes up about 15 % of your total body weight? And the skin on different parts of your body are exactly suited to that part of your body? For instance, the skin on the bottom of your feet is about seven times thicker than the skin on your eyelids. And today’s guest and I will be talking a lot about the skin. Dr. Trevor Holly Cates was the firs

I really enjoyed this podcast episode because I got to chat with one of my dear friends, Hannah Crum. Even though I’ve been making Kombucha and Kefir for years, I learned some new tips and tricks for better brewing (and some really cool ideas of ways to use Kombucha!)Why Homemade Kombucha?Hannah runs Kombucha Kamp, where she provides information, tutorials and kombucha-brewing equipment. Known as the “Kombucha Mama,” Hannah is largely considered one of the country’s foremost experts in kombucha brewing and fermentation.If you are already a ‘bucha fan like I am, check out this episode for some new ideas. If you are just starting out with Kombucha, this interview will be a great starting point.In this Episode, we Talk AboutWhy Kombucha is so beneficialThe difference between it and Kefir or KvassHow to brew itThe difference between batch brewing and continous brewingThe benefits of homemade kombucha vs. purchasing store boughIf you really have to use black tea and white sugarIf Kombucha is safe during pregnancy or not (the answer may surprise you)If there is a concern about the fluoride content in KombuchaIs it safe to drink or does it harm your enamelUnusual uses for KombuchaHannah’s best tips for getting started brewingResources We MentionKombucha Kamp (great place to buy SCOBYs and brewing supplies and a great blog)Tutorial: How to Brew Homemade KombuchaTutorial: Continous Brew Homemade KombuchaTutorial: How to Brew Water KefirTutorial: Homemade Kombucha Chia Energy DrinkHannah’s Guest Posts: Coconut Milk Kefir and Coconut Water KefirKombuchaKamp.com Educational Series on KombuchaKombuchaKamp Hair Tonic recipeAre you a ‘bucha drinker? What is your favorite flavor?Thanks for Listening!Thank you so much for joining me this week. Please leave any comments or feedback in the comments section below.Read TranscriptKatie: Hi, and welcome to the Wellness Mama Podcast. I’m Katie from wellnessmama.com. Today, I actually have several interesting facts of the day for you because I couldn’t choose just one. They’re all about bacteria and its unusual role in our lives. Human breast milk contains sugars that are actually

In this episode Leah Segedie of Mamavation.com and I talk about motherhood, problems in our food supply, GMOs and how to test for glyphosate.GMOs & How to Test for GlyphosateLeah Segedie is the founder of the Mamavation website, a highly passionate online community of moms. She started this community after she lost 100 pounds and learning the true meaning of health.She now teaches “digital moms” healthy living practices to combat disease in their home. Her Mamavation community members have lost over 3,500 lbs collectively. Leah is a very passionate food activist and she regularly organizes petitions, twitter parties and blogging efforts to support her real food activism.Leah was named as Mom of the Year by Shape Magazine and has received various other awards for her blogging and activism.In this Episode, You’ll LearnThe true power of moms that many of us don’t even realizeHow we (as moms) control trillions of dollars each yearThe real way to affect long term changeAbout Leah’s 100 pound weight loss and how she accomplished it with baby stepsHer advice for anyone looking to lose weightThe real issue when it comes to GMO labelingWhy GMOs are such a problemsThe difference between true GMOs and selective hybridsThe chemical that Columbia recently stopped using on its crops (including cocaine) that is still approved and used in the USThe most likely and dangerous GMO foodsHow to test your urine, water or breastmilk for glyphosateResources We MentionMamavation.comShift Con Social Media ConferenceFeed the WorldJustLabelIt.orgBookieboo.comLeah on TwitterThanks for Listening!Thank you so much for joining me this week. Please leave any comments or feedback in the comments section below.Read TranscriptKatie: Welcome to the “Wellness Mama” podcast. I’m Katie from wellnessmama.com. A random fact for your day, did you know that the average fast-food patron consumes 12 pubic hairs per year? I don’t know or want to know how they got that statistic, but sadly that may not even be the most disgusting thing found in fast food. Today’s guest and I will be talking about food additives and so much more.Leah Segedie is the founder of Mamavation community and ShiftCon Social Media Conference. She has highly passionate online community of moms, and she started this community after losing 100 pounds herself and learning the true meaning of health. Through her community, she teaches digital moms healthy living practices to combat disease in their home. Her Mamavation community members have lost over 3,500 pounds collectively. Leah is a very passionate food activist and she’s worked through organizing petitions and Twitter parties and blogging efforts to support this activism. And she was named as “Mom of the Year” by “Shape Magazine” and has received various other awards for her