Constipation: I Keep Trying to Fix It, But It’s Not Working!

Constipation: I Keep Trying to Fix It, But It’s Not Working!

Constipation I Keep Trying to Fix It But It’s Not Working by Queen of the the Thrones

Constipation: I Keep Trying to Fix It, But It’s Not Working!

Written by: Marisol Teijeiro N.D. (inactive).
Medically reviewed by: Victoria Williams R.H.N.

Est. reading time: 16 minutes.

Have you ever wondered WHY your bowel movements aren’t what they should be? Maybe you’re feeling frustrated by persistent constipation? You try eating different foods, taking laxatives, and still you struggle with irregularity. Is this you?

Bowel health questions by Queen of the Thrones

Well, you’re not alone! In this blog, we’ll explore what causes constipation and what you can do about it.

1. Why is constipation called a functional digestive problem?

Constipation has reached epidemic levels, and it affects so many of the world’s population, but the effects of constipation are varied1. But one common component of constipation is that it is functional, meaning you can’t find obvious reasons for it. One example of an obvious cause would be having an intestinal mass that blocks the pathway of elimination. Fortunately, this is not a common cause, but you can see why it’s important to get checked out by your doctor. Usually your doctor will try different treatments or do a colonoscopy to get a better understanding of your intestines, depending on your age. Other times they might recommend lifestyle changes and treatments.

2. What are the symptoms of constipation?

The most common symptoms of constipation include discomfort in your abdomen, bloating, and gas. You may produce dry pebbles, hard stools, or have a bowel movement less than once per day. According to the Mayo Clinic2, constipation is classified as having fewer than 3 bowel movements per week.

3. How does it feel to be constipated?

Constipation has a very distinct feeling. You push and push and may go a little, but you feel like you haven’t voided completely despite the hard work. It also takes you longer than most to go to the bathroom. The official term used is incomplete evacuation and straining.

4. Why am I gassy and bloated when I’m constipated?

Gas and bloating is part of constipation and functional digestive disorders4. Even though gas is uncomfortable, it’s one of the natural ways that the body signals the intestines to move. In fact, hydrogen gas is known to have beneficial effects for the colonic mucosa, including functioning as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant: both of which would help move poo5 out of your body.

And while we might be very familiar with bad gas, there is such a thing as good gas (I know, I know, how can it be good?). Good gas is produced by good bacteria, like probiotics. It stimulates the natural action of the intestines to move stools down through your colon.

If the bacteria in your intestines is unhealthy like the archaea species of bacteria that produce methane, then it can actually slow down bowel transit time. This is linked to constipation6.

 


5. How often should I have a bowel movement ?

A normal bowel movement should happen every day. Generally speaking, men seem to go more than women. In fact, statistics show that on average, men go every 1.7 days while women have a bowel movement every 2.5 days7. . That’s a long time, agreed?

In my practice, our ideal goal is for all patients to go daily, for this simple fact: You eat daily, so what goes in, should come out… daily. Otherwise you get backup and subsequently, constipation.

If you want more information about what your poo says about you, get your free download here 

6. Why do men go to the bathroom more than women?

Men have a higher average for bowel movements because, let’s face it, women are more complicated. Yes, I am admitting that, but science shows this too. But the difference in pooping averages has to do with the fact that women have a broader hormone mix than men. Estrogen can be very problematic for women and can have an adverse affect on your bowel movements.

Three tips to improve constipation symptoms by Queen of the Thrones

7. How does my thyroid affect my bowel movements?

If you have an underactive thyroid (A.K.A. hypothyroid) or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, then you’re probably familiar with the common symptom of constipation. Think of an underactive thyroid as contributing to an overall slowing down of your metabolism. If your body is slow, then your bowel movements will be much slower too, leading to constipation. 

8. Why do my estrogen levels affect my bowel movements?

If you are carrying extra weight, taking birth control pills or other estrogen-replacement drugs, or are exposed to fake estrogens (A.K.A. xenoestrogens – which every human being on the planet these days is) then you probably have a higher level of estrogen than most.

Progesterone balances estrogen in the female body, and progesterone is necessary for healthy bowel movements. Basically, when your estrogen levels are too high, you lose the proper balance between estrogen and progesterone so your bowel movements reflect this imbalance resulting in constipation.

9. Why can’t I poo?

We’ve talked about a few, but there are so many reasons why you can’t poo8.
It has to do with:

Pathology of constipation by Queen of the Thrones

– Your nervous system
– Your hormonal system
– Your immune system
– Your digestive system
– Inflammation that you have in your body
– The amount of weight that you are carrying in your abdomen (central obesity)
– The types of bacteria you have in your gut
– The types of foods you are eating
– The foods you may be eating that you are allergic, sensitive or intolerant to
– How much fluid you are drinking
– How many caffeinated beverages you are consuming daily
– How much sleep you are getting
– How stressed you are
– How depressed you are
– How deficient you are in certain vitamins and minerals that support good bowel movements
– Your genetics

And the list goes on and on.

Estrogen Levels may affect your bowel movements according to Queen of the Thrones

10. Why is the digestive system called the center of our body universe?

Your gut and digestive tract are the center of the universe when it comes to your body. And if you have good bowel movements, you will have better health. Think of your digestive tract as the sun, and all the planets as your internal systems. In short, everything revolves around your gut.

So, if you’ve had problems figuring out why you can’t go, it’s probably because you haven’t found the exact culprit or you have a combination of different factors working against you, causing you to be constipated. And believe me, I understand how sorting out the root cause is like the most complex puzzle you’ve ever imagined. But bottom line, you want to look at your stools for the clues.

As you can see this is a HUGE topic!

11. How often should I poop?

Again, what goes in, must come out. If you eat every second day, then you should poo every second day. But because you eat daily, you really should be having a bowel movement daily. Otherwise, you are constipated.

Your body is an environment that requires flow. Intake of good stuff, outflow of bad stuff. Think of it like a fish tank. When your fish poops, the tank must be cleaned or the fish begins to swim in his own filth. 

The same is basically true for you. Waste that stays clogged in your intestinal tract for extended periods of time creates a toxic environment for your system. You don’t want your internal organs to swim in filth. That’s clearly unhealthy.

12. How come most of my friends don’t poo daily?

The reality is that constipation is reaching epidemic levels. 14% of the world population9, suffers from constipation. That’s approximately 1 billion people. The worst part is that this is a life threatening epidemic, because all natural environments, including your body, need to eliminate waste. If you can’t eliminate waste, then the waste backs up and creates a wide range of additional problems.

Common patient complaints by Queen of the Thrones

13. How much should you poop each day?

Did you know that your lower descending colon is the length of your wrist to your elbow. Well, that is the amount of food, fiber, and fluids that you ate the day before and should be what you eliminate daily. Remember, what goes in, must come out.

Have you ever thought, “Wow, here I am eating all this food and where is it going? If it’s not coming out of me, where is it?” It’s just sitting there causing problems. Let’s figure out what we can do to make it better!

Improve your bowel movements with Queen of the Thrones Castor Oil Packs

14. What is the first step to have better bowel movements?

To know what to do, it is important to know what the problem is. Peeking after you poo every time you go is key. Start to keep a log about it (pun completely intended!) Our Queendom is loving The Log Book | A 7-Day Logging Exercise. It is not only great for tracking your stools, but also your gratitude practices, your health practices, your food and water intake, your sleep and so much MORE!

15. What is the best supplement-free tool to help with constipation? 

If you want to reduce the number of supplements you take, then Castor Oil Packs are one of the best tools to help support proper elimination. And they have a long history. Castor Oil Packs have been a wellness tool since Egyptian times, and they’re used in all forms of medicine including Traditional Chinese Medicine, Indian Ayurveda, Mediterranean, Egyptian, and Caribbean cultures.  

Castor Oil Packs may help support:

– Digestion
– Absorption
– Elimination10

Castor Oil Packs have been shown in animal studies to support pain and inflammation balance11,12. So, with regular use of Castor Oil Packs, reducing inflammation in your gut may lead to less bloating, less food sensitivities and better digestion. 

I can’t tell you how many times I have thrown on a pack when I’ve been bloated or really suffering in my guts whether it be from butterflies rocking my belly, or from serious gas.

If nutrient absorption is an issue, chances are you’re low in some of your vital nutrients. Castor Oil Packs may help support nutrient deficiencies naturally, by helping you better absorb your food. To be able to digest food properly, you need amino acids from protein to produce digestive enzymes. So, if you can’t absorb your food properly, then how can you expect to make digestive enzymes? Improving this one function alone may support your body and allow it to work better.

Not only do Castor Oil Packs help support  movement in your digestive tract, but they may also help support the elimination process as well. In one research study, Castor Oil Packs were compared to stimulant laxatives and were shown to produce improved satisfaction and sensation of complete evacuation, reduced straining, and patients had an overall better bowel movement experience13.

On top of that, regular use of Castor Oil Packs may also help support antioxidant levels and other factors that help your body with cleansing, like glutathione14,15.

Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Packs make this ancient practice easy and less-mess.

Remember, there are so many possible ROOT CAUSES for your CONSTIPATION that  troubleshooting can be very difficult. Beginning a Castor Oil Pack routine is an easy way to set a solid  foundation while you remove the most common factors that contribute to constipation. 

Then, as you look at and analyze your poo, you can become your own best digestive detective by determining the underlying problem, and then fixing it

 

Are you a practitioner, health coach or wellness influencer? If you’re interested in recommending our easy-to-use tools and practically applying them in your health and wellness professional practice, in clinic, or online with the people you serve, you can join now!

Click here for references

1 Sharma A1, Rao S2. Constipation: Pathophysiology and Current Therapeutic Approaches. Handb Exp Pharmacol. 2017;239:59-74. doi: 10.1007/164_2016_111.

2 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/constipation/symptoms-causes/syc-20354253

3 Mearin F1, Ciriza C2, Mínguez M3, Rey E4, Mascort JJ5, Peña E6, Cañones P7, Júdez J8; en nombre de la SEPD, la semFYC, la SEMERGEN y la SEMG.[Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation and functional constipation in adults: Treatment (Part 2 of 2)]. Aten Primaria. 2017 Mar;49(3):177-194. doi: 10.1016/j.aprim.2017.01.003. Epub 2017 Feb 24.

4 Wilkinson JM1, Cozine EW1, Loftus CG1. Gas, Bloating, and Belching: Approach to Evaluation and Management. Am Fam Physician. 2019 Mar 1;99(5):301-309.

5 Carbonero F1, Benefiel AC, Gaskins HR. Contributions of the microbial hydrogen economy to colonic homeostasis. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2012 Sep;9(9):504-18. doi: 10.1038/nrgastro.2012.85. Epub 2012 May 15.

6 Sahakian AB1, Jee SR, Pimentel M. Methane and the gastrointestinal tract. Dig Dis Sci. 2010 Aug;55(8):2135-43. doi: 10.1007/s10620-009-1012-0. Epub 2009 Oct 15.

7 Bohlin J1, Dahlin E1, Dreja J2, Roth B1, Ekberg O2, Ohlsson B1. Longer colonic transit time is associated with laxative and drug use, lifestyle factors, and symptoms of constipation. Acta Radiol Open. 2018 Oct 22;7(10):2058460118807232. doi: 10.1177/2058460118807232. eCollection 2018 Sep.

8 Sinagra E1, Morreale GC2, Mohammadian G3, Fusco G4, Guarnotta V5, Tomasello G6, Cappello F6, Rossi F1, Amvrosiadis G2, Raimondo D1. New therapeutic perspectives in irritable bowel syndrome: Targeting low-grade inflammation, immuno-neuroendocrine axis, motility, secretion and beyond. World J Gastroenterol. 2017 Sep 28;23(36):6593-6627. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v23.i36.6593.

9 Larry E Miller,1 Alvin Ibarra,2 and Arthur C Ouwehand2 Normative Values for Colonic Transit Time and Patient Assessment of Constipation in Adults With Functional Constipation: Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis. Clin Med Insights Gastroenterol. 2017; 11: 1179552217729343.Published online 2017 Aug 31. doi: 10.1177/1179552217729343PMCID: PMC5582663PMID: 28894394

10 Arslan GG, Eşer I. An examination of the effect of castor oil packs on constipation in the elderly. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2011 Feb;17(1):58-62. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2010.04.004. Epub 2010 May 18.

11 Grady H. Immunomodulation through castor oil packs. The Journal of Naturopathic Medicine. Volume 7 Jan 1 1998; 7(1): 84-9

12 Vieira C et al. .Effect of ricinoleic acid in acute and subchronic experimental models of inflammation. Mediators Inflamm. 2000;9(5):223-8.

13 Arslan GG, Eşer I. An examination of the effect of castor oil packs on constipation in the elderly. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2011 Feb;17(1):58-62. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2010.04.004. Epub 2010 May 18.

14 Badaró MM1, Salles MM1, Leite VMF1, Arruda CNF1, Oliveira VC1, Nascimento CD1, Souza RF1, Paranhos HFO1, Silva-Lovato CH1. Clinical trial for evaluation of Ricinus communis and sodium hypochlorite as denture cleanser. J Appl Oral Sci. 2017 May-Jun;25(3):324-334. doi: 10.1590/1678-7757-2016-0222.

15 Andrade IM1, Andrade KM2, Pisani MX1, Silva-Lovato CH1, de Souza RF1, Paranhos Hde F1. Trial of an experimental castor oil solution for cleaning dentures. Braz Dent J. 2014 Jan-Feb;25(1):43-7.

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers, information or content expressed or made available by third parties, including information providers, are those of the respective authors or distributors. Neither Queen of the Thrones® nor any third-party provider of information guarantees the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any content. This communication does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Information provided does not replace the advice of your health care practitioner. If you happen to purchase anything we promote, in this or any of our communications, it’s likely Queen of the Thrones® will receive some kind of affiliate compensation. Still, we only promote content and products that we truly believe in and share with our friends, family and patients. If you ever have a concern with anything we share, please let us know at care@queenofthethrones.com. We want to make sure we are always serving Our Queendom at the highest level.

Why Am I Constipated? It Isn’t Just About Food

Why Am I Constipated? It Isn’t Just About Food

Learn with Queen of the Thrones why are you Constipated

Why Am I Constipated? It Isn’t Just About Food

Written by: Marisol Teijeiro ND (inactive).
Medically reviewed by: Victoria Williams R.H.N.

Est. reading time: 6 minutes.

It isn’t a good time, sitting, waiting, wishing for something to manifest. In fact, it is totally painful. Yes, I’m talking about constipation. It affects millions around the world and is the most pressing health condition that exists today. Why then, are there not better ways to solve this ever-pressing problem? (pun intended)

Many people think that constipation simply has to do with food. Of course, food is a huge factor. Not eating enough fiber or drinking enough water can contribute to constipation. And if we eat foods that we are sensitive to, the body often responds with bloating and constipation. But there are a number of other factors that contribute to this agonizing issue which we will explore in this article.

How the body poops

The gut operates under a principle of pressure and lubrication. Without these, you cannot poo! This is why consuming a substantial amount of fiber helps you go to the bathroom. The fiber simply creates the pressure needed to push stools along your digestive tract, and allows for the lower sphincter to relax so you can go poo. Fluids also help create pressure and have the double purpose of lubricating the digestive tract. Another key source of lubrication for the gut is the consumption of healthy fats.

The Psychology of Constipation?

Without proper pressure and lubrication, there is a high chance of constipation. However, it is not this simple. Constipation is not only about food, it is mediated by a variety of other mechanisms

Pathology of constipation by Queen of the Thrones

Hormonal Constipation

Hormones are another influencer of constipation. Thyroid issues can cause the metabolism to move at an incredibly slow rate, processing food and nourishment very slowly, and expelling it in the same manner1.

Estrogen dominance, which is an epidemic these days, also causes constipation2. High progesterone is required to have healthy bowel movements. When there is no stress, progesterone levels are higher, allowing the lower sphincter to work properly.

Nervous System Constipation

Stress is the other highly notable factor in constipation3. If you’re stressed, not only are you low in progesterone, but also in the minerals that help with relaxation and laxation such as magnesium and vitamin C.

Lifestyle Constipation

Your lifestyle can also contribute to constipation4. Movement of the body is required for movement of the bowels! Makes total sense, right? In order for the smooth muscle of the bowel to contract properly, regular exercise and movement is required5.

Emotional Constipation

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the picture of constipation is correlated to being unable to let things go. You may have a tendency of holding onto things and not working through them. If you hoard, on either a physical or emotional level, you likely have issues with constipation. The body tends to freeze and slow down its activity to protect you. 

3 Simple Fixes to Support Constipation

Three tips to fix constipation by Queen of the Thrones

1. Analyzing Your Poo

If you learn how to read them, your poops can become your FREE daily oracle for the state of your health. They can help you decipher which factors are contributing to your constipation, and from there you can take the necessary steps to improve it.

Did you know that there are more than 50 Shades of Poo? Not really, but it sounds pretty cool, just like the movie 50 Shades of Grey. There are many colors, however, and it’s important to know which ones are normal and which ones could be a medical emergency.

Download our other free infographic, the 50 Shades of Poo, so you can find out what you should be looking for in the bowl. I promise you will be blown away by this one simple measure of poo yet there are so many more!

Analyzing Your Poo helps to identify causes of constopation according to Queen of the Thrones

2. Castor Oil Packs

Castor Oil Packs are an amazing tool for constipation. In a study done in a home for the elderly, Castor Oil Packs were compared to conventional laxatives and found to be just as effective. The amazing thing is, there was no harsh urgency to run to the bathroom, as you get with laxatives.

Castor Oil Packs work on the physiological aspect of constipation, but they also indirectly help to balance hormones. Castor Oil Packs have a long history of use for supporting hormonal problems, including estrogen dominance and hypothyroidism. They may help with detoxification in the liver via glutathione7, which helps the liver to clear out excess hormones.

Castor Oil Packs work on the nervous system element of constipation by improving relaxation and balancing stress8,9. Another bonus of using Castor Oil Packs is that they may help with inflammation10,11, which can be yet another contributing factor in constipation12. Get started on your Castor Oil Pack practice today with the Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Pack for Liver Kit.

Queen of the Thrones Castor Oil Packs are the best remedy for Constipation

3. The Three Legged Stool

Now we know that constipation is about so much more than just food, but since the bowel runs on the principle of pressure and lubrication, it is still an important factor to support. We call this formula the ‘Three Legged Stool for Bowel Movement Success’.

  • Fiber (pressure) – We are drastically deficient in the amount of fiber we are eating. The recommended dosage is 30 grams of fiber per day. On average, North Americans consume only 4-5 grams per day. Great sources of fiber are vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds. Chia seeds are also excellent because they are high in calcium as well as fiber
    • Fluid (pressure and lubrication) – Our bodies are 80% water. Water is the universal solvent so it moves and cleanses. Ideally, you want to consume 30ml/kg (or 2.2 lbs) of body weight each day, and more if you are exercising.

    • Fat (lubrication) – Fat is like lubricant to your colon. Avocado (fiber and fat), olive oil or coconut oil are all amazing lubricating fats.

    So, bottom line, pooping is dependent on so much more than just the foods you are eating. Digestion and elimination function is mediated by hormonal and nervous systems in the body, as well as your lifestyle and emotions.

    Would you love a quick and easy recipe to help support colon cleansing and bowel movements? It incorporates what we like to call “ The Three Legged Stool” of…

    1. Fiber (pressure)- Chia seeds are an excellent source of fiber that help to bind and move toxins out of the body, plus they’re rich in calcium.

    2. Fluid (pressure and lubrication)- The water in this recipe adds some fluid while softening the coconut oil so it can settle into your baking sheet.

    3. Fat (lubrication)- Coconut oil is a great source of healthy fats that act like a lubricant to your colon.

     

    Paleo Peppermint Bark Recipe

    Paleo peppermint bark ingredients by Queen of the Thrones

    Ingredients:

    • 1 tbsp of chia seeds 
    • 2 tbsp of softened coconut oil
    • 1 tbsp hot water
    • 2 drops of peppermint oil 
    • Optional: Stevia for enhanced sweetness 

    Directions:

    1. Mix or blend all ingredients together and pour into a baking sheet. You may add stevia for enhanced sweetness.
    2. Freeze overnight.
    3. Once frozen, break apart into pieces to enjoy and keep the rest in the freezer.

    Get ready to embark on a journey of deliciousness and well-being with “The Paleo Peppermint Bark”! It’s a recipe that not only supports your colon health but also brings joy and excitement to your taste buds. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s dive into a world of flavor and rejuvenation!

    Are you a practitioner, health coach or wellness influencer? If you’re interested in recommending our easy-to-use tools and practically applying them in your health and wellness professional practice, in clinic, or online with the people you serve, you can join now!

    Click here for references

    1. Anant D. Patil Link between hypothyroidism and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2014 May-Jun; 18(3): 307–309. doi: 10.4103/2230-8210.131155 PMCID: PMC4056127PMID: 24944923

    2. Ji-Eun OhYong-Woon KimSo-Young Park, and Jong-Yeon Kim Estrogen Rather Than Progesterone Cause Constipation in Both Female and Male Mice. Korean J Physiol Pharmacol. 2013 Oct; 17(5): 423–426. Published online 2013 Oct 17. doi: 10.4196/kjpp.2013.17.5.423 PMID: 24227943

    3. Yu-Ming ChangMohamad El-Zaatari, and John Y Kao Does stress induce bowel dysfunction? Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2014 Dec 1. Published in final edited form as: Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2014 Aug; 8(6): 583–585. Published online 2014 May 31. doi: 10.1586/17474124.2014.911659 PMID: 24881644

    4. Rong HuangSai-Yin Ho, * Wing-Sze Lo, and Tai-Hing Lam Physical Activity and Constipation in Hong Kong Adolescents. PLoS One. 2014; 9(2): e90193. Published online 2014 Feb 28. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0090193 PMID: 24587274

    5. Harvard Health Publishing Harvard Medical School Constipation and Impaction. Published: March, 2016 https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/constipation-and-impaction-a-to-z

    6. Arslan GG, Eşer I. An examination of the effect of Castor Oil Packs on constipation in the elderly. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2011 Feb;17(1):58-62. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2010.04.004. Epub 2010 May 18.

    7. Holm TBrøgger-Jensen MRJohnson LKessel L.Glutathione preservation during storage of rat lenses in optisol-GS and castor oil. PLoS One. 2013 Nov 19;8(11):e79620. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0079620. eCollection 2013.

    Walker SC1, Trotter PD2, Swaney WT2, Marshall A3, Mcglone FP4. C-tactile afferents: Cutaneous mediators of oxytocin release during affiliative tactile interactions? Neuropeptides. 2017 Aug;64:27-38. doi: 10.1016/j.npep.2017.01.001. Epub 2017 Jan 19.

    Rolls ET et all. Representations of pleasant and painful touch in the human orbitofrontal and cingulate cortices. Cereb Cortex. 2003 Mar;13(3):308-17. ( Dopamine release, Limbic System of brain- Fatty Meal Satisfaction)

    10 Grady H. Immunomodulation through castor oil packs. The Journal of Naturopathic Medicine. Volume 7 Jan 1 1998; 7(1): 84-9

    11 Vieira C et al. .Effect of ricinoleic acid in acute and subchronic experimental models of inflammation. Mediators Inflamm. 2000;9(5):223-8.

    12 Marjan Mokhtare, 1 Rahele Alimoradzadeh, 2 Shahram Agah, 3 ,* Hossein Mirmiranpour, 4 andNiloofar Khodabandehloo The Association between Modulating Inflammatory Cytokines and Constipation of Geriatrics in Iran. Middle East J Dig Dis. 2017 Oct; 9(4): 228–234. doi: 10.15171/mejdd.2017.78 PMID: 29255581

    Disclaimer

    Disclaimer: Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers, information or content expressed or made available by third parties, including information providers, are those of the respective authors or distributors. Neither Queen of the Thrones® nor any third-party provider of information guarantees the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any content. This communication does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Information provided does not replace the advice of your health care practitioner. If you happen to purchase anything we promote, in this or any of our communications, it’s likely Queen of the Thrones® will receive some kind of affiliate compensation. Still, we only promote content and products that we truly believe in and share with our friends, family and patients. If you ever have a concern with anything we share, please let us know at care@queenofthethrones.com. We want to make sure we are always serving Our Queendom at the highest level.

    Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.

    Why Beet Juice is Good for You and Your Gut Health.

    Why Beet Juice is Good for You and Your Gut Health.

    Why Beet Juice is Good for You and Your Gut Health by Queen of the Thrones

    Why Beet Juice is Good for You and Your Gut Health.

    Written by: Marisol Teijeiro N.D. (inactive) & Christy Howitt B.A.
    Medically reviewed by: Melanie Swackhammer B.A.

    Est. reading time: 10 minutes.

    Beet Juice is the Perfect Castor Oil Pack Companion

    So you love your beets, do you? Perhaps it’s because of their soluble fiber that helps you stay quite regular1? Or maybe it’s because your integrative/functional medicine practitioner or health coach suggested that beets help clean your blood and support liver health and metabolism due to their color2?

    How exactly do they do this? If you’ve ever wondered..

    • Why drink beet juice instead of eating beets on their own?
    • How is beet juice good for my gut health and my microbiome?
    • Why beet juice is the perfect companion to your Castor Oil Pack practice?
    • A special easy beet juice recipe for liver cleansing and gut health with simple ingredients to maximize all the benefits of beets so you can start balancing your liver detox and your microbiome

    The best part? You probably already have the ingredients in your kitchen cupboard, and you don’t need a fancy juicer or blender.

    Easy Right?

    So, you might be wondering…

    Why drink beet juice instead of eating beets on their own?

    First off, all on its own, this hearty, nourishing, dark red root vegetable is an excellent source of essential nutrients like vitamin C among many others. It has been suggested eclectically, according to the doctrine of signatures3, to clean the blood because of its red color. And beet juice has a prebiotic-like effect4 which helps to feed your good gut bacteria, supporting better digestion, absorption and elimination.

    Plus, beet juice is also known for nitric oxide, which enhances blood circulation5 and increases oxygen levels in the body. BUT, the best thing about nitric oxide is that it can help break down biofilm6 in your gut.

    Good and Bad Bacteria in the stomach by Queen of the Thrones

    Why does this matter? Well, think of biofilm like how your mouth and teeth feel before you get a good cleaning at the dentist. You see, biofilm is one of the hardest things to take care of when it comes to your microbiome and gut healing. Especially in chronic diseases like Lyme or autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

    Biofilm is the barrier that bad bacteria creates in a sick environment to protect itself, and doesn’t allow any of our nutrients or any of our prebiotics and probiotics to help regulate and balance the microbiome. You see, at this moment in time, there are very few effective natural biofilm reducers.

    The nitric oxide in beet juice is a natural biofilm reducer, similar to Castor Oil7. So, beet juice combined with your daily Queen of the Thrones®️ Castor Oil Pack for Liver practice is your new and easy way to support your microbiome and promote a healthy gut environment.

    Alongside nitric oxide, another healthy component in your new beet juice recipe is glycine, an amino acid that supports liver detox as well as reduces anxiety.8

     

    So yes, beets are great on their own, but your new beet juice recipe for liver cleansing and gut health includes a powerful mix of ingredients that supercharge all the benefits you get from this superfood (beets!).

    So, now you might be asking…

    Gluten is a protein commonly found in barley, wheat, and rye.

    If you have tried gluten-free cookies, you know they are typically drier and crumble easily.

    This is because gluten protein provides the elasticity associated with pasta and baked products.

    And these gluten-free products are becoming increasingly popular, as the media has made many believe that this protein is bad for your health. Sound familiar?

    But before getting on the gluten-free bandwagon, let’s understand whether it’s really all bad.

    How is beet juice good for gut & microbiome health?

    Dysbiosis symptoms by Queen of the Thrones

    This recipe takes the most well-known and sought-after benefits of beet juice…

    • Betaine for support of good stomach acid production9
    • Glycine for liver detox and calming the nervous system so it can heal
    • Nitric oxide which augments oxygenation, circulation and biofilm breakdown

    And synergizes them with the exact right ingredients that not only help with liver detox and gut health but also support mucosal immunity and microbiome balance.

    Now that’s beautiful.

     

    Why is this essential? Because, where there is gut inflammation or microbiome imbalance (known as dysbiosis), this can cause hormones to become imbalanced in your whole body.

    And when hormones are imbalanced, it can cause/disrupt conditions like Leaky Gut Syndrome10 (the result of an irritated and compromised gut lining), and the progression of disease; not health. Makes sense, right?

    So, how do we allow food to be our medicine once more and not a constant irritant to an inflamed gut lining11? Because as Hippocrates said, “All disease begins in the gut.”

    We choose to regularly consume food items like your easy new beet juice recipe, while also supporting this habit with gut health practices like the Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Pack for Liver. Yes, it can be that easy, with practice!

    You see, both work together so your food can once again nourish your body, instead of insulting it and causing food sensitivities, as it can with an inflamed gut. Sounds amazing, agreed?

    Hippocrates Recommends Queen of the Thrones Beet Root Juice

    An easy beet juice recipe for gut & microbiome health

    Yes, there is! This unique combination of ingredients act synergistically so your body can fully utilize the liver detox and gut health components of beets and work to calm and balance your gut and microbiome.

    Your new recipe includes 3 key ingredients, in addition to beets…

    1. Apple Cider Vinegar – a well known probiotic ingredient that supports a healthy microbiome12. Used to support acid-base balance for gut health and liver detox13.
    2. Cayenne Pepper – a stimulating spice that increases butyrate producing probiotics14. Butyrate is a short chain fatty acid that is a potent gut health regulator and reducer of chronic gut inflammation, improving conditions like leaky gut and dysbiosis15.
    3. Extra Virgin Olive Oil – the omegas and polyphenol components in this oil are a key aspect of the beneficial effects of the Mediterranean diet16. It also modulates the microbiome to support the production of short chain fatty acids, key in gut health and mechanisms to revive a Leaky Gut17.
    Queen of the Thrones Beet Juice Recipe supports circulation and reduce inflammation

    The best part? Plus, when you combine beet juice intake with a daily Queen of the Thrones®️ Castor Oil Pack practice, the result is a powerful anti-inflammatory duo18, one that was developed by a Naturopathic Doctor and is used by many Functional and Integrative Medical Practitioners to support liver detox and gut health.

    But how? Well, because the gut health and liver detox beet juice recipe is similar to a gut health supplement and supports your gut by nourishing a leaky gut from the inside out. All of this takes place while the Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Pack for Liver balances from the outside in, like yin and yang energy, restoring the body. So amazing, agreed?

    Together, both practices promote gut health and relief from the symptoms of Leaky Gut Syndrome so you can feel more energized, balanced and wake up like new each day because you did something for you!

    Click here for references

    1. Luman W, Ardill JE, Armstrong E, Smith GD, Brett L, Lessells AM, Haynes WG, Gray GA, Mickley EJ, Webb DJ, Palmer KR. Nitric oxide and gall-bladder motor function. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1998 May;12(5):425-32. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2036.1998.00322.x. PMID: 9663721.

    2. Mirmiran P, Houshialsadat Z, Gaeini Z, Bahadoran Z, Azizi F. Functional properties of beetroot (Beta vulgaris) in management of cardio-metabolic diseases. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2020 Jan 7;17:3. doi: 10.1186/s12986-019-0421-0. PMID: 31921325; PMCID: PMC6947971.

    3. The Doctrine of Signatures Hospital (Lond 1886). 1909 Apr 24; 46(1184): 108. PMID: 29815714

    4. Susanne M Henning 1, Jieping Yang 2, Paul Shao 2, Ru-Po Lee 2, Jianjun Huang 2, Austin Ly 2, Mark Hsu 2, Qing-Yi Lu 2, Gail Thames 2, David Heber 2, Zhaoping Li 2Health benefit of vegetable/fruit juice-based diet: Role of microbiome Sci Rep 2017 May 19;7(1):2167. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-02200-6 PMID: 28526852

    5. Zamani H, de Joode MEJR, Hossein IJ, Henckens NFT, Guggeis MA, Berends JE, de Kok TMCM, van Breda SGJ. The benefits and risks of beetroot juice consumption: a systematic review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2021;61(5):788-804. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2020.1746629. Epub 2020 Apr 15. PMID: 32292042.

    6. Nicolas Barraud, Michael J Kelso, Scott A Rice, Staffan Kjelleberg 1 Nitric oxide: a key mediator of biofilm dispersal with applications in infectious diseases Review Curr Pharm Des 2015;21(1):31-42 PMID: 27771922.

    7. Andrade IM1, Andrade KM2, Pisani MX1, Silva-Lovato CH1, de Souza RF1, Paranhos Hde F1.Trial of an experimental castor oil solution for cleaning dentures. Braz Dent J. 2014 Jan-Feb;25(1):43-7.PMID: 24789291.

    8. Pérez-Torres I, Zuniga-Munoz AM, Guarner-Lans V. Beneficial Effects of the Amino Acid Glycine. Mini Rev Med Chem. 2017;17(1):15-32. doi: 10.2174/1389557516666160609081602. PMID: 27292783.

    9. Vuyisa Sigwela 1, Maryna De Wit 1, Alba du Toit 1, Gernot Osthoff 2, Arno Hugo 3 Bioactive Betalain Extracts from Cactus Pear Fruit Pulp, Beetroot Tubers, and Amaranth Leaves Molecules 2021 Aug 18;26(16):5012. doi: 10.3390/molecules26165012. PMID: 34443599.

    10. Binienda A, Twardowska A, Makaro A, Salaga M. Dietary Carbohydrates and Lipids in the Pathogenesis of Leaky Gut Syndrome: An Overview. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Nov 8;21(21):8368. doi: 10.3390/ijms21218368. PMID: 33171587; PMCID: PMC7664638.

    11. Witkamp RF, van Norren K. Let thy food be thy medicine….when possible. Eur J Pharmacol. 2018 Oct 5;836:102-114. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2018.06.026. Epub 2018 Jun 21. PMID: 29936236.

    12. Neiworth-Petshow EM, Baldwin-Sayre C. Naturopathic Treatment of Gastrointestinal Dysfunction in the Setting of Parkinson’s Disease. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2018 Aug;17(4):44-50. PMID: 31043910; PMCID: PMC6469461.

    13. Quade BN, Parker MD, Occhipinti R. The therapeutic importance of acid-base balance. Biochem Pharmacol. 2021 Jan;183:114278. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114278. Epub 2020 Oct 9. PMID: 33039418; PMCID: PMC7544731.

    14. Karunaratne TB, Okereke C, Seamon M, Purohit S, Wakade C, Sharma A. Niacin and Butyrate: Nutraceuticals Targeting Dysbiosis and Intestinal Permeability in Parkinson’s Disease. Nutrients. 2020 Dec 23;13(1):28. doi: 10.3390/nu13010028. PMID: 33374784; PMCID: PMC7824468.

    15. Mu Q, Kirby J, Reilly CM, Luo XM. Leaky Gut As a Danger Signal for Autoimmune Diseases. Front Immunol. 2017 May 23;8:598. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00598. PMID: 28588585; PMCID: PMC5440529.

    16. Merra G, Noce A, Marrone G, Cintoni M, Tarsitano MG, Capacci A, De Lorenzo A. Influence of Mediterranean Diet on Human Gut Microbiota. Nutrients. 2020 Dec 22;13(1):7. doi: 10.3390/nu13010007. PMID: 33375042; PMCID: PMC7822000.

    17. Baranauskas MN, Coggan AR, Gruber AH, Altherr CA, Raglin JS, Carter SJ. Dietary Nitrate Supplementation and Exercise-Related Performance. Nutr Today. 2020 Sep-Oct;55(5):211-217. doi: 10.1097/nt.0000000000000431. PMID: 34658444; PMCID: PMC8516348.

    18. Mascolo N, Izzo AA, Gaginella TS, Capasso F. Relationship between nitric oxide and platelet-activating factor in castor-oil induced mucosal injury in the rat duodenum. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 1996 May;353(6):680-4. doi: 10.1007/BF00167187. PMID: 8738301.

    Disclaimer

    Disclaimer: Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers, information or content expressed or made available by third parties, including information providers, are those of the respective authors or distributors. Neither Queen of the Thrones® nor any third-party provider of information guarantees the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any content. This communication does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Information provided does not replace the advice of your health care practitioner. If you happen to purchase anything we promote, in this or any of our communications, it’s likely Queen of the Thrones® will receive some kind of affiliate compensation. Still, we only promote content and products that we truly believe in and share with our friends, family and patients. If you ever have a concern with anything we share, please let us know at care@queenofthethrones.com. We want to make sure we are always serving Our Queendom at the highest level.

    Does Food Sensitivity Cause My Gut Inflammation and Leaky Gut Syndrome?

    Does Food Sensitivity Cause My Gut Inflammation and Leaky Gut Syndrome?

    Does Food Sensitivity Cause My Gut Inflammation and Leaky Gut Syndrome by Queen of the Thrones

    Does Food Sensitivity Cause My Gut Inflammation and Leaky Gut Syndrome?

    Written by: Marisol Teijeiro N.D. (inactive) & Christy Howitt B.A.
    Medically reviewed by: Victoria Williams R.H.N. & Melanie Swackhammer B.A.

    Est. reading time: 12 minutes.

    If you’ve been wondering, does my food sensitivity cause my gut inflammation and Leaky Gut Syndrome? the answer is yes – and well, no. Why? This is because gut inflammation and Leaky Gut Syndrome are metabolic hormonal patterns, ones that are complex and sometimes confusing.

    Meaning, the answer to the million dollar question is that gut inflammation and Leaky Gut Syndrome are not ONLY caused by food sensitivity, food allergies or food intolerances. There is more going on than meets the eye.

    Symptoms of Leaky Gut Syndrome and Gut Inflammation

    You see, you’re right to suspect that it isn’t just bloating, constipation or IBS symptoms occurring, or that food is the only factor at play here. You are simultaneously experiencing chronic metabolic problems like:

     

    • Thyroid imbalance
    • Weight gain
    • Anxiety
    • Fatigue
    • Joint pain

    These are symptoms that are all linked to gut inflammation and Leaky Gut Syndrome. Your focus on food as the culprit is natural, because you, like Hippocrates, the father of medicine, as well as other scientific researchers, strive to believe in the power food has, stating.

    “Let thy food be thy medicine…when possible1.”

    Food can be your medicine again, yes. But only with the right environment. When you have a healthy, balanced gut, your Leaky Gut symptoms will be reduced.

    Leaky & Inflamed gut Hippocrates by Queen of the Thrones

    So what else is at play, causing your gut inflammation besides food?

    Many other internal and external factors are perpetrators as well.

    • Supplements
    • Probiotics
    • Prebiotics
    • The microbiome

    And so many more factors all contribute to gut inflammation. Interesting, right?

    There are many factors causing your gut inflammation and Leaky Gut symptoms, ones that are important to explore, yet food is a great place to start. It is with this starting point that you will discover the complexity of how your gut health truly is in your hands and how you can take steps to feel better. As Sherlock Holmes, the most famous detective would say,

    “It’s Elementary, Dear Watson!”

    Food Sensitivity and Your Environment for Gut Health

    Queen of the Thrones Leaky Gut inflammation

    So let’s dive in! As you uncover the pieces to the puzzle that make up your gut health, the first thing to note is your body’s first response to food, which is, by definition, a foreign substance complex that enters your gut, or inside world. Anything foreign has the possibility to cause an internal reaction, good or bad, depending on both the substance and the environment in which it is placed.

     

    Whether or not you have a sensitivity to a specific food can be irrelevant, because when there is gut inflammation, even healthy food can become a sensitivity. This is one of the reasons why the validity of food sensitivity testing purchased online is questioned2. These kinds of tests can be misleading, to you, the consumer, and your present state of gut health.

    Although these tests seem to be testing different foods, the interpretation from many integrative and functional medical doctors is that you must first determine how much inflammation is in the gut or how leaky the gut may be.

    How to Examine your Gut Health Environment?

    You simply cannot just look at food sensitivities without also examining the health of your gut environment.

    Of course there are some foods like gluten and dairy that are associated sensitivities3, especially in women who have Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. This hormonal metabolic condition is highly linked to both gluten and dairy sensitivity and Leaky Gut Syndrome.

    Whether it’s the food sensitivity or inflammation that came first, we do not know, but we do know they come hand-in-hand, and begins with generalized gut symptoms that indicate gut inflammation like:

    • Bloating
    • Constipation
    • IBS

    So as the inflammation grows, Leaky Gut Syndrome develops4.

    What role does leaky gut syndrome play in gut health?

    Let’s take a closer look at what is occurring internally when it comes to Leaky Gut Syndrome and the related symptoms. These wide-ranged symptoms happen when inflammation irritates and disrupts the integrity of the gut wall.

    Your gut health is very dependent on the gut mucosa cells that are connected via gap or tight junctions5, which act like the links of a chain that keep the healthy gut cells (epithelial cells) bound together, protecting our internal bodies from the outside world, from substances like food.

    When the tight junctions become increasingly irritated and inflamed, most often by food and its components, such as sugars, fats or even fibers6, these tight gut health junctions cannot hold together. Therefore, the links in the strong chain break and the barrier that protects the body from the gut contents, becomes like a pasta strainer, instead of a brick wall, allowing everything you’ve ingested to flow out into the body.

    Leaky & Inflamed gut illustration by Queen of the Thrones

    Download our infographic to learn more about how the body is being bombarded by foods you may not suspect – including all those healthy supplements! Would you love to learn more about your gut health and the ways a Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Pack for Liver practice can help restore your body back to balance? Sign-up to receive our FREE eGuide!

    Why isn’t Leaky Gut easily cured?

    When your gut wall is disrupted, everything – all the food, supplements, probiotics, and prebiotics that entered via the oral route, pass out into your body. All the items that are meant to stay contained in your digestive system for proper digestion, processed through the cells without bypassing them, now seep through in undigested larger shapes, sizes that aren’t recognizable by the body’s defense systems, aka, the immune system.

    This complex protective mechanism – your immune system, is used by the body to identify friend or foe, to achieve homeostasis or balance. Food that was once medicine now becomes a sensitivity to you, depending on how inflammed your gut is, and how leaky it has become.

    How does leaky gut syndrome stress the whole body?

    So your food and supplements that were once supposed to be medicine, now have the potential, depending on your unique system, to become poison to you, creating food sensitivity reactions that permeate through the entire body! No thank you, right?!

    No matter how we look at it, Gut Inflammation and Leaky Gut Syndrome cause unwanted stress on the body – big time. Supplements, food, bacteria – all the things you’ve ingested – begins to respond atypically, spreading throughout your body, triggering symptoms as random as:

     

    • Migraines
    • Itchy skin
    • Eczema
    • Anxiety
    • Fatigue
    rgans affected by Leaky Gut according to Queen of the the Thrones

    These don’t appear related to your gut health, making food sensitivities and your health so confusing! Agreed? But everything is very much interconnected!

    It’s All About Creating an Environment for Gut Health

    The reality is, our bodies are always aiming to achieve good gut health and if you only focus on the food sensitivities that cause bloating, you are going down the wrong rabbit hole, my friend! Your belief may be that identifying and removing your food sensitivities will solve your gut health problems. Although it is an important first piece of the puzzle, it won’t give you the complete relief you’re seeking from your bloating, anxiety, constipation etc. It won’t give you the whole picture.

    To ultimately feel better, it is essential to create an environment for good gut health. It is essential to begin the healing of your stressed gut lining, repairing the gaps and tight junctions in your gut lining caused by gut inflammation and Leaky Gut Syndrome.

    Self-caring for the environment of good gut health is understanding that there is a complex interplay of more than just your sensitivity to food affecting whether you feel good or bad, have gut inflammation or are dealing with Leaky Gut Syndrome.

    All disease begins in the Leaky Gut because the gut is like Grand Central Station, and where there are multiple players in the game, there is always a possibility for chaos to occur or a fight to break out8.

    What Are The Many Factors at Play with Leaky Gut?

    Everything you take in from the outside world, including:

    • Food
    • Supplements
    • Probiotics
    • Prebiotics
    • Emotional experiences
    • Gut microbes
    • Medications like birth control pills, antibiotics or stomach acid reducers

    On top of that everything made in your body like:

    • Hormones (estrogen, progesterone, thyroid, oxytocin, cortisol etc.)
    • Neurotransmitters (melatonin, dopamine, gaba, serotonin, glycine, histamine etc.)
    • The balance of your microbiome, whether healthy, dysbiotic or overgrown with candida, or the presence of SIBO
    • The waste products you create (such as uric acid, carbon dioxide etc.)

    All of this, including the cells and tissues of your body, can be attacked inappropriately when there is gut inflammation, which is why Leaky Gut is a danger signal for autoimmune disease9. This is, of course, a simplified explanation of a complex chronic metabolic gut inflammation condition. But know that both your level of gut inflammation and the state of your gut lining, are determinants of good gut health and how sensitive you may be to the food you consume.

    It’s a tad overwhelming, right? Agreed. Since food is so foundational (you have to eat it, right?) – you can’t run away from it. So, therefore, it really is the best place to start your journey to gut health! This is why functional medical doctors, integrative medicine doctors, naturopathic doctors, nutritionists, holistic medicine doctors, and other natural health experts who work with gut health, will most often start here.

    How can we revive & restore a leaky gut?

    The focus must be on returning your gut health back to a relaxed state, to the ‘gated community’ it was meant to be. It takes time and consistency and intentional actions like:

    • A regular Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Pack for Liver practice
    • Healthy food choices
    • Properly washing your food to remove toxins
    • Awareness of the emotional stressors
    • Properly chewing your food
    • Intermittent fasting to allow your gut to relax
    • Stress-reducing techniques like calming breathwork practices
    Best ways to avoid Leaky & Inflamed Gut Queen of the Thrones

    What are the next Steps to Gut Health?

    There are a number of ways to support your body moving forward, to begin the process of healing your gut inflammation and Leaky Gut Syndrome. Now that you have a better understanding of how food sensitivities cause inflammation in your body and the role Leaky Gut Syndrome has to play in your persistent symptoms, you are on track to returning your body to a relaxed and nourished state. You’ve got this, my friend!

    Download our infographic to learn more about how the body is being bombarded by foods you may not suspect – including all those healthy supplements! Would you love to learn more about your gut health and the ways a Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Pack for Liver practice can help restore your body back to balance? Sign-up to receive our FREE eGuide!

    And as always, if you have any concerns about your symptoms or overall health, please consult your integrative doctor or trained medical professional.

    Are you a practitioner, health coach or wellness influencer? If you’re interested in recommending our easy-to-use tools and practically applying them in your health and wellness professional practice, in clinic, or online with the people you serve, you can join now!

    Click here for references

    1. Witkamp RF, van Norren K. Let thy food be thy medicine….when possible. Eur J Pharmacol. 2018 Oct 5;836:102-114. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2018.06.026. Epub 2018 Jun 21. PMID: 29936236.

    2. Wong AWY, White HEG, Plant A, Shipman AR, Shipman KE. Issues surrounding consumer-bought food-allergy testing. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2021 Oct 16. doi: 10.1111/ced.14978. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34655248.

    3. Ihnatowicz P, Drywień M, Wątor P, Wojsiat J. The importance of nutritional factors and dietary management of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Ann Agric Environ Med. 2020 Jun 19;27(2):184-193. doi: 10.26444/aaem/112331. Epub 2019 Oct 2. PMID: 32588591.

    4. Binienda A, Twardowska A, Makaro A, Salaga M. Dietary Carbohydrates and Lipids in the Pathogenesis of Leaky Gut Syndrome: An Overview. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Nov 8;21(21):8368. doi: 10.3390/ijms21218368. PMID: 33171587; PMCID: PMC7664638

    5. Binienda A, Twardowska A, Makaro A, Salaga M. Dietary Carbohydrates and Lipids in the Pathogenesis of Leaky Gut Syndrome: An Overview. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Nov 8;21(21):8368. doi: 10.3390/ijms21218368. PMID: 33171587; PMCID: PMC7664638.

    6. Usuda H, Okamoto T, Wada K. Leaky Gut: Effect of Dietary Fiber and Fats on Microbiome and Intestinal Barrier. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Jul 16;22(14):7613. doi: 10.3390/ijms22147613. PMID: 34299233; PMCID: PMC8305009.

    7. Suárez LJ, Arboleda S, Angelov N, Arce RM. Oral Versus Gastrointestinal Mucosal Immune Niches in Homeostasis and Allostasis. Front Immunol. 2021 Jul 5;12:705206. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.705206. PMID: 34290715; PMCID: PMC8287884.

    8. Fasano A. All disease begins in the (leaky) gut: role of zonulin-mediated gut permeability in the pathogenesis of some chronic inflammatory diseases. F1000Res. 2020 Jan 31;9:F1000 Faculty Rev-69. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.20510.1. PMID: 32051759; PMCID: PMC6996528.

    9. Mu Q, Kirby J, Reilly CM, Luo XM. Leaky Gut As a Danger Signal for Autoimmune Diseases. Front Immunol. 2017 May 23;8:598. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00598. PMID: 28588585; PMCID: PMC5440529.

    Disclaimer

    Disclaimer: Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers, information or content expressed or made available by third parties, including information providers, are those of the respective authors or distributors. Neither Queen of the Thrones® nor any third-party provider of information guarantees the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any content. This communication does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Information provided does not replace the advice of your health care practitioner. If you happen to purchase anything we promote, in this or any of our communications, it’s likely Queen of the Thrones® will receive some kind of affiliate compensation. Still, we only promote content and products that we truly believe in and share with our friends, family and patients. If you ever have a concern with anything we share, please let us know at care@queenofthethrones.com. We want to make sure we are always serving Our Queendom at the highest level.

    3 Ways Castor Oil Packs Support Menopause Symptoms

    3 Ways Castor Oil Packs Support Menopause Symptoms

    3 Ways Queen of the Thrones Castor Oil Packs Support Menopause Symptoms

    3 Ways Castor Oil Packs Support Menopause Symptoms

    Written by: Marisol Teijeiro N.D. (inactive) & Melanie Swackhammer, B.A.
    Medically reviewed by: Victoria Williams, R.H.N.

    Est. reading time: 9 minutes.

    I don’t know about you, but the phrase ‘my hormones are out of whack’ came out of my mouth more than I’d like to admit. Growing up, I heard women in my life say this when they were entering menopause, but by the time I was 25, I uttered those words along with them. Can you relate?

    Even though I wasn’t actually experiencing menopause, I was experiencing estrogen dominance. I felt disconnected from my own body. As heart-wrenching and stressful as this time was, it was also my saving grace. It was what propelled me to try Castor Oil Packs- the key to balancing my hormones and freedom from:

     • Super irregular periods

     • Trouble sleeping

     • Alternating between constipation and diarrhea

     • Hair growth on my chin and upper lip

     • Hot flashes (power surges, as I like to call them)

    Does this sound like you? I’ve been there too, I get it. After several appointments and sleepless nights, I was diagnosed with IBS, PCOS, and Hypothyroid. Looking back, it makes sense because estrogen dominance is always present when the thyroid is low, or vice versa.

    My doctor also told me I likely wouldn’t be able to have babies. Up until then I never thought very hard about having babies before; but having it suddenly taken away from me was my wake-up-call to get up close and personal with my health and my hormones.

    At that time, I didn’t know that my wake-up-call would begin with the ancient health practice of Castor Oil Packs, but I’m so glad it did.

    My friend and hormone balancing fitness expert, Debra Atkinson, CEO of Flipping 50, has a solution for women who are craving movement, just like I was. Her 12-week STRONGER online programs are designed for women in perimenopause, menopause and beyond. 

    Similar to the Castor Oil Pack, Debra’s program was made for you and is a gentle approach to support hormone balancing, which is what I love most about it.

    How Castor Oil Packs support hormone balancing and estrogen dominance

    1. Castor Oil Packs Relieve Constipation.

    Our stools are how we naturally eliminate food waste, bacteria, toxins and hormones. However, estrogen dominance is a very common issue for women and can actually cause constipation1. That was me, constipated and overloaded with estrogen.

    You see, a healthy balance of progesterone and estrogen are required for smooth-moving bowels. So, it makes sense that too much estrogen makes you constipated2, right?

    I truly thought my constipation was unbeatable until I tried the Castor Oil Pack. It’s been shown to gently relieve constipation3 and regulate the bowels through improvement of smooth muscle function of the intestines4.

    This is extremely important for estrogen dominance because you must eliminate the excess hormones in order to heal and rebalance.

    It’s kind of like a gentle massage for your intestines, but a gentle massage that can support good flow and hormone balancing. Sounds like a dream, don’t you think?

    Queen of the Thrones solutions for digestive health

    2. Castor Oil Packs support Cleansing and Detox.

    Cleansing is like a conveyor belt that keeps the body in flow. So, the conveyor belt must be working well in order to balance the dominance of estrogen.

    My conveyor belt most definitely wasn’t working, it was almost like the belt was at a standstill. You see, without the Castor Oil Pack my conveyor belt was all backed up and there was an overload of estrogen that had nowhere to go (except to stay in my body).

     

    The liver is pretty much the control system for the conveyor belt, so it has to be functioning well for our hormones to be in harmony with each other. So, my Castor Oil Pack helped restore the flow and was a support to my liver. Isn’t that amazing?

    Just like how the Castor Oil gently massages your intestines, it also acts as a gentle repair system for your liver’s cleansing conveyor belt. 

    3. Castor Oil Packs Naturally Shift you into a Relaxed State.

    The problem in our modern world is that all of us are in a constant state of stress, would you agree?

    You see, rest and relaxation takes practice, but the Castor Oil Pack gives your body the chance to practice over and over again.

    Take it from me, I didn’t know what it was to feel relaxed. I was so out of practice, but that all changed as soon as I put the pack on my body. This is because the Castor Oil Pack on the skin activates the relaxed, ‘parasympathetic’ state5 and stimulates our feel-good hormones, dopamine6 and oxytocin7.

    Oxytocin also lowers stress and balances blood pressure8, leading to healthy levels of progesterone for great bowel movements! You see, the more we’re able to release oxytocin and de-stress, the easier it is for our body to naturally boost progesterone (because progesterone is high when stress hormone levels are low). It’s a fine balance and is what connects regular bowel movements, liver cleansing, and relaxation.

    Cleansing and Detox with Queen of The Thrones Castor Oil Packs for better health

    For me, shifting into the relaxed state naturally not only made my body know what it is to be in flow, but also created a need to move my body. I started craving exercise, which was a refreshing shift for me since there was a time when I couldn’t even get out of my bed.

    Queen of the Thrones Castor Oil Packs Naturally Shift you into a Relaxed State

    You see, the act of resting and releasing my feel-good hormones with my Castor Oil Pack resulted in my body having the energy it needed to re-introduce gentle movement.

    Years ago, when I heard the words ‘estrogen dominance’ it startled me and my natural instinct was to fight it. So, be gentle with yourself if you’re feeling like your hormones are out of whack and know that you’re not alone in feeling this way.

    Cleansing and Detox with Queen of The Thrones Castor Oil Packs to support your hormones balance

    Kind of like the story of the Sword and the Stone, the key wasn’t to fight with aggression, it was to find a gentle approach so that I could work with my body to rebalance my hormones.

     

    Would you love to know how you can support your hormones with Castor Oil Packs? Get your FREE eGuide below with everything you need to know!

    Click here for references

    1 & 2. Ji-Eun Oh,Yong-Woon Kim,So-Young Park, andJong-Yeon Kim Estrogen Rather Than Progesterone Cause Constipation in Both Female and Male Mice.Korean J Physiol Pharmacol. 2013 Oct; 17(5): 423–426. Published online 2013 Oct 17. doi:10.4196/kjpp.2013.17.5.423 PMID:24227943

    3. Arslan GG, Eşer I. An examination of the effect of castor oil packs on constipation in the elderly. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2011 Feb;17(1):58-62. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2010.04.004. Epub 2010 May 18.PMID: 21168117

    4. Sorin Tunaru,a Till F. Althoff,a Rolf M. Nüsing,b Martin Diener,c and Stefan Offermannsa,d,1 Castor oil induces laxation and uterus contraction via ricinoleic acid activating prostaglandin EP3 receptors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 Jun 5; 109(23): 9179–9184. Published online 2012 May 21. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1201627109 PMID: 22615395

    5. Rolls ET et all. Representations of pleasant and painful touch in the human orbitofrontal and cingulate cortices. Cereb Cortex. 2003 Mar;13(3):308-17.PMID: 12571120

    6. Francis S, Rolls ET, Bowtell R, McGlone F, O’Doherty J, Browning A, Clare S, Smith E. The representation of pleasant touch in the brain and its relationship with taste and olfactory areas. Neuroreport. 1999 Feb 25;10(3):453-9.PMID: 10208571

    7. Walker SC1, Trotter PD2, Swaney WT2, Marshall A3, Mcglone FP4. C-tactile afferents: Cutaneous mediators of oxytocin release during affiliative tactile interactions? Neuropeptides. 2017 Aug;64:27-38. doi: 10.1016/j.npep.2017.01.001. Epub 2017 Jan 19.PMID: 28162847

    8. Uvnas-Moberg K1, Petersson M.[Oxytocin, a mediator of anti-stress, well-being, social interaction, growth and healing]. Z Psychosom Med Psychother. 2005;51(1):57-80.PMID: 15834840

    Disclaimer

    Disclaimer: Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers, information or content expressed or made available by third parties, including information providers, are those of the respective authors or distributors. Neither Queen of the Thrones® nor any third-party provider of information guarantees the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any content. This communication does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Information provided does not replace the advice of your health care practitioner. If you happen to purchase anything we promote, in this or any of our communications, it’s likely Queen of the Thrones® will receive some kind of affiliate compensation. Still, we only promote content and products that we truly believe in and share with our friends, family and patients. If you ever have a concern with anything we share, please let us know at care@queenofthethrones.com. We want to make sure we are always serving Our Queendom at the highest level.