Think You Have Adrenal Fatigue? Try Making Sole Water

I am a huge fan of Solé Water.

 I find many patients are depleted in basic minerals like zinc, potassium, magnesium, and even iodine. Deficiencies in these basic minerals can lead to cramping, dizziness, twitchy muscles, and chronically low blood pressure.

When you need a quick simple way to rehydrate your body, improve mineral load, and build blood volume, this is a favorite amongst my patients and works quickly!

What is SOLÉ WATER?

Himalayan saltwater, also popularly known as solé water, is basically water that has been fully saturated with salt.

Everyone believes coconut water is the most efficient rehydration fluid behind Pedialyte, however solé water can be just as effective.

SALT = Sodium and chloride combined. These two electrolytes combined into water give our cells life, assist with detoxification and reduce inflammation.  If you’d like to read more about the importance of sodium chloride, read Linus Pauling’s in depth article.

I recommend consuming your solé water in the morning & definitely by midday. You can also use solé to help rehydrate your body after exercise or on hot days to replace the water and electrolytes lost in sweat. For deeper depletion, I advise drinking daily over the course of 2-3 months.

Benefits:

• Keeps the body energized & hydrated: Solé water contains the necessary electrolytes that give you the required minerals to function and also keep your stress system down and energy levels up.

• Easily absorbed Minerals: Himalayan salt is rich in many trace minerals and having it in the form of solé water makes the absorption of these minerals in the body easier

Good to know before you begin:

• The key is to make your concentrated solé tonic hyper-saturated by dissolving large natural, minimally processed rock salt into water until the water cannot absorb more. Using fine grain is totally possible, but is messy.

• While many patients get excited and try to drink the solé tonic straight, please don’t do this! Your mouth and lips will be very unhappy.  It’s best mixed with larger amounts of water.

Here’s how to make it!

Ingredients

·      4-5 blocks large ancient sea salt  or Large unrefined crystal salt( Himalayan or Celtic)

·      6-10 ounces water

Equipment

·      Glass Mason Jar  ( pint-sized) with a plastic lid. You can recycle old supplement bottles or peanut butter jars, just make sure it’s glass. Metal lids will rust from salt contact over time.

Preparing the solé tonic.

·      Place 4-5 salt crystals into a pint-sized glass jar. If you are using smaller crystals, add enough salt to fill half the volume of your glass jar.

·      Fill your jar with filtered water, then seal the jar with a plastic or other non-metal lid.

·      Let the salt dissolve for at least 48-72 hours. The crystal will dissolve but remain visible after 24 hours. Wait until the salt has fully hyper-saturated the water. If the salt crystals have NOT dissolved completely, add another salt crystal and allow it to saturate in the water for another 24 hours.

Get ready to use the solé tonic!

Once your supersaturated solé tonic is ready for use,  uncover the jar, stir the water, and then measure 1 tablespoon of solé tonic into a 32 oz bottle of water, mix well and drink from morning until afternoon.

You’ve just made medicinal solé water!

Pro-Tips!

• If a tablespoon is too much initially, lower it to one teaspoon and build your way back up over time.

• Add a squeeze of lemon or lime juice. It’ll give a refreshing zing to your water, as well as a dose of vitamin C.

• You can always use this solé tonic to make bone broths or make large batches of soups or stews- it’ll enhance the mineral density tenfold!

• Store it away in a dark cool area until ready for use daily.   

The Ultimate Guide to Get Rid of Seasonal Allergies for Good!

Be sure to watch my video "Get Rid of Allergies for Good: Dr Vera's Ultimate Seasonal Allergy Guide" for an in-depth look at how to address the root cause of why you have seasonal allergies!

Here’s a quick 5 step guide to get you started: It’s a good idea to do 3 of the 5 suggestions for best results. Depending on just 1 won’t do the trick!

#1 Re-Consider the Air Quality in your Home:

Don’t overlook the obvious. Improving the air quality at home and even in your car can make a huge difference. You should be changing air filters at least 2x/during allergy season. You can also invest in a air filter for a room you spend lots of time in, such as your office or living area.

Check your home!



#2 Lower your immune threshold:

It takes time, but when you build a solid foundation for your immune system, it will stop over-reacting. You need to start early in the season to send a clear message to your body. I put together a protocol for you of the top herbs and vitamins that will do job!

Here are my top recommendations designed to get rid of seasonal allergies for good!

• Complete support: Vitamin C + Sinus Care + Mixed Berry Extract + Probiotic

• Ultra Basic Support: Vitamin C + Quercetin/Nettles

• Children: Probiotic + Allergy Care + Mixed berry Extract

• Drink plenty of water!

#3 Mushrooms make all the difference.

Seasonal allergies often stem from an imbalance in the immune system. Medicinal Mushrooms have many diverse actions and can address several underlying factors involved in the allergic response. Mushrooms are immune-modulatory, they can support our immune system to function optimally and lessen our heightened response to allergens providing hay fever relief!

Read how reishi can help make a huge difference in your allergy-specific immunity!

#4Clear the particulates from the source of AGGRAVATION

I’m a huge fan of nasal rinses. A neti pot is a container designed to rinse debris or mucus from your nasal cavity. This is a no-brainer especially if symptoms are worse at night.

Neti-Pot Instructions:

Using your Neti Wash™ Neti Pot

1. Prepare the saline solution and fill your Neti Pot.

2. Lean forward and turn your head to the side.

3. Insert the sprout of the Neti Pot gently into the upper nostril to create a comfortable seal.

4. Raise the Neti Pot gradually so the saline solution flows in through the upper nostril and out the lower nostril. Breathe through your mouth.

5. Once the solution has flowed through, exhale through your nose to clear the nasal passages.

6. Repeat steps 1 through 5 with the other nostril.

#5 Soothe your respiratory tract:

Steam inhalation is a technique utilized to open the nasal passages, clear out mucus, and support the lungs. Be careful with children and using steam inhalation!

Steam Inhalation Instructions:

Directions

1. Heat water in a kettle or pot until steaming hot (if it boils, let it cool until it no longer bubbles).

2. Pour water into a heat-safe bowl.

3. Add essential oils to water, drop by drop.

4. Lean over until your face is a few inches above the bowl and drape towel over your head to create a steam tent over the bowl.

5. Hold this position and deeply inhale the steam for 5 to 10 minutes

If you're over 40, you need functional medicine. Here's why

A large majority of my patients over 40 are happy with their docs.  Well sort of...

Insurance dictates medical care. We know that.  So according to this model there’s no need for looking beyond the surface. But what about what lies underneath? Standard labs and check-ins every two to three years should keep you from the major emergencies- RIGHT?

But what if you don’t feel fine right now? 

After 40, your body is not the same.  You feel it, but your doc is telling you “ to get over it, it’s just part of getting older or it’s just stress.”  

I don’t know about you, but SCREW ACCEPTING THAT as normal. 

You are pushing your body like never before, juggling more, taking on more responsibilities, rising to your peak and holding it all together for you and your family.  Thank goodness your body is rising to the occasion, but it also means you are burning through your reserves.

The Functional medicine I practice is about finding health nuggets that have fallen through the cracks allowing your body to shift into high gear and nourish & support you in this time of your life.

Countless times I have seen walking definitions of hypothyroid, peri-menopause, IBS or burnout symptoms being ignored, because...well, it’s complex and not so straightforward.

More complicated/complex issues means you need a game plan to iron out the layers of symptoms piling on top of each other.  On average most of my clients have been living with feeling crappy for 2-3 years. TOO LONG!

As a functional doc, my goal is to help your body not just as a collection of symptoms that needs another pill, but examining the common threads that link symptoms together and create a global solution.

Your body is screaming for support, for the right nutrients, the right diet for living in our stressed environment,  the right fatty acids, and for balancing the key stress hormones.

Traditional medicine isn’t very good at supporting this.

My health programs are designed to help the the working moms, the multi-tasking dads and the high achievers.  I work to nourish your cells and help eliminate the problems that arise in a 40+ yo old body. You’re in this life to win!

So, if your body is showing increasing signs of stress or burnout, my burnout program is top-notch for regenerating you. If your fatigue is getting out of control, check out the hormone program and if your brain fog is affecting your clarity and creativity, my digestion program will easily re-balance your system.

If you are over 40 and your NYs resolution is to get healthy, then set up a free consult with me to talk about your game plan to get there!

XO 

Dr. Vera

Key nutrients to support a Dry and Sugar-Free January

If you're one week into a sugar-free and dry January as your new year's resolution, YIPPEE AND CONGRATS, you've made it further than most. Here’s two quick tips to support long-term efforts and recruit your cells in supporting those big epic changes.

Start with a blend of Evening Primrose and Omega-3-6-9. Yes Both!  This powerhouse combination of healthy oils will toughen cells against the effects of long-term alcohol use on a microscopic level.

The other must is a Trace mineral complex. Be sure your trace mineral contains both chromium and manganese.  This will ramp up your detox capability 5- fold and help curb your cravings against sugar. But more importantly, they’ll give your cells the nutrient power to rebuild from 2019’s year-long exposure of the sugar contained within alcohol.  

Here’s a fun, but scary fact: Did you know that 4oz of red wine & donuts have the same # of calories? How many of us drink just 4oz… hmmm!

Both alcohol and sugar wreak havoc on cells you'll rely on most when the pressure is on.

Digital Detox Weekend Tip: You ARE more than your job. Here's how to prove it!

I recently posted an article from Quartz At Work on my FB page about this topic and got ALOT of feedback about how difficult it is to walk back from the edge of feeling burned out.

So here’s how I see it…

The article i posted was very long- so i’m highlighting the most important points and why you should care!

“For many of you, telling ourselves a better story about our jobs won’t be enough; there are specific problems that need solving. “

So true… in fact when we tell ourselves we are unhappy, stressed and on edge, our body, our cells listen. Cortisol- our fight/flight hormone, gets the message and activates our brain, our thyroid and adrenals to condition for battle. Almost like you are preparing to run a marathon, but with negative firey emotion as your fuel… I guarantee, you’ll run out of gas quickly.

“Studies point to the importance of relationships with colleagues, the negative effects of bad management, and our craving for feedback.”

If you’re not getting it from your boss or colleagues, you have to give it to yourself.

Daily affirmations, congratulations and damn, I did a great job! is something you should tell yourself daily. It’s a wonderful feeling to get a pat on the back, but you cannot depend or wait for other people to show you how awesome you are. Instead, get the accolades from the person from which it matters most. YOU!

“Many practical ways of combating the brutality of modern working come from within—not necessarily from self-optimization strategies or work hacks, but from simple changes that, in turn, change the culture around us. Leave the office at 6pm. Take holidays and talk about how completely you disconnected. Ask for paternity or maternity leave and take it, ostentatiously. Negotiate remote working and spend time at a cabin in the woods with your laptop and morning runs around the lake. Show your colleagues that you are free. Show yourself.

Remember, this is your worklife balance you want to establish to avoid burnout.

Question how much energy you’re giving away. When at work, give your 100% because you demonstrate excellence, BUT also give your 100% at home. If you don’t have enough for both, it means you have some re-calibrating to do.

You are THE #1 priority!

XO

Dr. Vera

STRESS EATING? Here's 2 reasons why your willpower won't win.

Have you ever thought to yourself, “ I AM ADDICTED TO SUGAR!!!”

or addicted to any other foodstuffs like coffee or even wine? You’d believe your willpower can’t stand up to one or two days without it AND you’re right. You body is designed to trick and manipulate you into keeping up the craving, not because it hates you, but we’ve essentially programmed our bodies to be this way.

Here’s 2 reasons why your willpower just won’t win the fight against kicking these habits, but..

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN TIP THE SCALES IN YOUR FAVOR!

Reason #1 Food is your only pleasure.
Eating your feelings. not a new concept for many of us, but if you desire to change this up, believe me your will power has got to work in overdrive. 

Let me explain...

Changing diet can be difficult, but the habits and memories associated with eating makes it even more of an uphill battle.  So this is where we'll grease the wheels.

In order to help your willpower against mindless stress eating, you must establish another activity that will provide stress relief or outlet that will surge similar level of dopamine and endorphins.

It helps if you participate in an activity that has a goal or endpoint. Knowing you are working on a small part of an larger activity gives you something to look forward to and stimulates the dopamine or reward centers of the brain. As you are working on your project or activity, be present to what you are working on and not thinking about the day's stresses.  Here are some examples:

• running

• dancing

• athletic yoga

• meditative yoga

• crafting

• socializing without food as a focal point

• walking with a view ( of nature, people)

Reason #2 Not supporting your physiology

Hands down, your body's balance of hormones is the underlying reason for your cravings, your hunger and your internal debate over whether you " should or shouldn't eat or drink_______!" 

Most often, I'll run a hormone check to examine if hormone levels are in balance or not and rearrange diets and add herbal support so that you're able to regain control. But the key takeaway: Taking back control means you'll have to look closely at your pattern and disrupt it.

Here are classic examples:

My brain is racing at night, and I can't sleep!

• More complex but often due to disturbed sleep hormones Cortisol-Melatonin, but let's not forget coffee after 10am can disturb sleep quality (even with 12 hours to metabolize!)

Are you eating junk food after work or drinking more wine than you should?

• This is a classic cortisol imbalance. You must work towards the right combination of foods and herbal support to rebalance this. 

I can't help it, I'm addicted to sugar!

• This is a textbook problem with Ghrelin-Leptin-Insulin balance. Balanced meals prevents intense hunger pangs and helps this hormone complex self-regulate.

Sound familiar?

If you are curious about running hormone tests for a pattern you’ve noticed? Ask me how it can be done!

XO

 Dr. Vera