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Nutrients such as iodine and vitamin D are essential for the proper function of the thyroid gland and the appropriate synthesis of thyroid hormones. However,…
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Iodine is a substance that can be found in salt and food. Due to contrary belief, iodine deficiency is very much alive, and over 96% of people are deficient. Hypothyroidism is very common, and the highest concentration of iodine is in the thyroid. Simply put, you can not make thyroid hormone without iodine. However, by treating the thyroid with iodine, the cysts also improve. It is essential to acknowledge that thyroid cancer is one of the fastest growing cancers.
Iodine
Iodine has many functions, but one of the most prevalent is to maintain the typical architecture of glandular tissue. These tissues include the thyroid gland, ovaries, uterus, breasts, prostate, and pancreas. Cysts are the first thing to appear on these tissues when iodine deficiency is present. Iodine used to be very present in food; however the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey that is done by the United States every ten years that measures the vitamin, mineral, and toxicity level has shown that iodine levels declined over 50%. Throughout this time, when iodine levels are low, we have seen an increase in thyroid illness, hypothyroidism, and Hashimotos.
Thyroid
The thyroid gland is located in the neck. It is part of the endocrine system and is a butterfly-shaped gland that is responsible for hormone release. These hormones are associated with metabolism and the way the human body uses energy. The hormone released is Thyroxine (T4) and consists of four atoms of iodine. The other hormone released is triiodothyronine (T3) which contains three atoms of iodine. These hormones become biologically active and influence the cells and tissues throughout the body.
Common problems associated with T3 and T4 include too much or too little production. Too much is referred to as hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism symptoms include weight loss, heat intolerance, anxiety, and sore or gritty eyes. Too little is known as hypothyroidism. Those impacted by hypothyroidism suffer from tiredness, feeling cold, weight gain, poor concentration, and depression. Hypothyroidism is a more common disorder.
Phase Angle
Phase angle is an overall snapshot of cellular health. The higher the phase angle, the more robust an individual’s cellular membrane is, indicating they are able to fight off inflammation and infection better. Those with a poor phase angle tend to have overall poor health and are more susceptible to inflammation, metabolic syndrome, and infections.
Phase angle can be impacted by thyroid disorders if the hormones are not balanced. For example, hypothyroidism causes weight gain, depression, and tiredness. These three combined can lower phase angle. The more weight an individual carries, the more cortisol and fat cells they create. These cells breed inflammation, reducing phase angle. Depression and tiredness make it extremely hard for individuals to exercise and want to live a healthy lifestyle. The reduction of exercise and increase in unhealthy food causes more weight gain, inflammation and can lead to joint pain if left untreated.
We monitor phase angle and inflammation with the InBody 770. This machine uses bioelectric signals to create a report showing an individual’s body composition. The report shows crucial numbers such as intracellular water, extracellular water, percent body fat, lean muscle mass, and more.
[embedyt] www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwbIsPNUYqs%5B/embedyt%5D
THE HUMAN BODY IS AN EXTREMELY DELICATE SYSTEM THAT CAN BE THROWN OFF WITH THE SMALLEST CHANGE. IODINE DEFICIENCIES ARE PREVALENT, AS WELL AS THYROID PROBLEMS. DIETARY CHANGES, EXERCISE, AND POSSIBLE SUPPLEMENTATION (AFTER SPEAKING WITH YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER) COULD HELP INDIVIDUALS WHO SUFFER FROM LOW PHASE ANGLE AND THYROID ISSUES. -KENNA VAUGHN, ACSM-CEP, SENIOR HEALTH COACH
References:Â
Brownstein, David. “Iodine: The Most Misunderstood Nutrient.†Functional Medicine University. 18 May 2021.Â
Triggiani V, Tafaro E, Giagulli VA, Sabbà C, Resta F, Licchelli B, Guastamacchia E. Role of iodine, selenium and other micronutrients in thyroid function and disorders. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets. 2009 Sep;9(3):277-94. doi: 10.2174/187153009789044392. Epub 2009 Sep 1. PMID: 19594417
Additional Online Links & Resources (Available 24/7)


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Online Appointments or Consultations:  https://bit.ly/Book-Online-Appointment


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Online Physical Injury / Accident Intake Form: bit.ly/Fill-Out-Your-Online-History


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Online Functional Medicine Assessment: bit.ly/functionmed
Disclaimer
Â
The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the musculoskeletal system’s injuries or disorders. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.  Read More…
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, CTG*
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
phone: 915-850-0900
Licensed in Texas & New Mexico
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What is Adrenal Stress/Fatigue?Â
Adrenal fatigue has been applied to individuals who suffer from a group of symptoms. These symptoms include body aches, restless sleep, digestive problems, nervousness, lightheadedness, and overall fatigue. Individuals with these symptoms are recommended to do a diagnostic test to determine their level of adrenal hormones. A test we use is a Stress & Adrenal Hormone Panel from ZRT Laboratories. A sample report is shown below:Â
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Natural Ways to Combat Adrenal Stress
Over time, adrenal stress impacts the body by raising cortisol levels and causing fatigue. There are many areas to be considered when dealing with adrenal stress. The first step is to identify the sources of stress. Stress can be caused by exogenous and endogenous factors. An example of exogenous stress could be from grains if one has an intolerance. This causes an inflammatory response on the adrenal axis. Other examples include family, financial, or work. Endogenous stress is typically a side effect of a medication or oxidative stress. Once the main source of stress has been discovered, remove as much as possible.Â
The second crucial factor for proper adrenal function is adequate sleep. Sleep hygiene is often overlooked when in reality, it should be a priority. Below is a page of suggestions on how to improve sleep quality. *include living matrix sleep hygiene sheet*. The human body utilizes the hours we sleep to physically repair. Without a restful full night’s sleep, the body is not able to regenerate itself.Â
Thirdly, reduce the amount of coffee and tea as they interrupt the sleep pattern. Anything with caffeine should be limited and avoided before bed.Â
Maintaining glycemic control is another important factor for adrenal health. By improving cortisol balance, the insulin level will not spike rapidly and drop drastically after meals. To maintain glycemic control, individuals need to eat complex carbohydrates like sweet potatoes. Excess carbohydrates have an adverse effect on blood sugar levels by excessively raising the levels of insulin. This puts a significant amount of stress on the adrenal glands.Â
Exercise is a great component in relieving adrenal fatigue as it oxygenates the body. Regular exercise reduces depression, increases blood flow, normalizes levels of cortisol, insulin, growth hormone, and thyroid. Interval training and resistance training are highly recommended.Â
Finally, eating a well-balanced diet, especially breakfast, will reduce blood sugar spikes. If the body is low on glucose and breakfast is skipped, the body will react by secreting cortisol. Cortisol activates gluconeogenesis to increase sugar levels.Â
Phase AngleÂ
The phase angle is how health care professionals can monitor the integrity of cellular membranes. If the phase angle begins to decline, it has been linked directly to a decline in overall health. Similar to if phase angle increases, overall health is increasing. The integrity of cellular membranes is essential as cell survival depends on solid membranes. When the cellular wall is weak, it can collapse. From here, it is difficult for the body to take up the proper nutrients it needs. Additionally, with a weak cellular membrane, the cell is left with little to no protection from outside invaders. Stress impacts phase angle by causing individuals to release cortisol, be under adrenal stress, gain weight and decrease their overall health.
We monitor a patient’s phase angle with the use of the InBody 770. This advanced machine allows us to not only track the phase angle of our patients but many other areas of their health as well, including but not limited to intracellular and extracellular water.Â
[embedyt] www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwbIsPNUYqs%5B/embedyt%5D
“IT IS IMPORTANT NOT ONLY FOR PHASE ANGLE BUT FOR THE OVERALL REDUCTION OF INFLAMMATION TO REDUCE STRESS. THOSE WHO ARE CONSTANTLY STRESSED AND UNDER ADRENAL FATIGUE ARE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO GETTING SICK, AMONGST OTHER DISEASES. IF YOU DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO START, IDENTIFYING STRESS AND STARTING TO EXERCISE IS A GREAT STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. -KENNA VAUGHN, ACSM-EP, SENIOR HEALTH COACHâ€Â
References:Â
 Yancey JR, Thomas SM. Chronic fatigue syndrome: diagnosis and treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2012 Oct 15;86(8):741-6. PMID: 23062157.Â
inbodyusa.com/products/inbody770/Â
Additional Online Links & Resources (Available 24/7)


Â
Online Appointments or Consultations:  https://bit.ly/Book-Online-Appointment


Â
Online Physical Injury / Accident Intake Form: bit.ly/Fill-Out-Your-Online-History


Â
Online Functional Medicine Assessment: bit.ly/functionmed
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Disclaimer
Â
The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the musculoskeletal system’s injuries or disorders. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.  Read More…
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, CTG*
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
phone: 915-850-0900
Licensed in Texas & New Mexico