a carrot a day | The Nutrition Coach:
December 16, 2011
The simplest and cheapest hormone balancing tool.
As found by Ray Peat Ph.D in the 1970s, with his research into hormones and anti-ageing, a medium sized raw carrot, or its equivalent, eaten daily can lower anti-thyroid and inflammatory substances, reduces liver burden, assists the GI tract and liver to detoxify endotoxin* and estrogen.
Raw carrots (and bamboo shoots also) contain unique fibers that don’t feed bacteria, which means they lower inflammation. They also bind to and eliminate unused hormones like estrogen, lower serotonin and histamine, which in turn lower the body’s need to produce cortisol (catabolic stress hormone). Ultimately this increases the efficacy of progesterone and testosterone. These fibers work much in the same way to bind toxins as charcoal.
A carrot salad daily, aids the body in its natural detoxification process. Apparently when grated length-ways (but not put through a blender) enhances the effects of its fibers. But if you can’t be bothered grating; just eat the darn carrot!
Best eaten on an empty stomach before a meal or snack, preferably before midday: Eaten with a meal can lead to hypoglycemia in some people as it will slow the absorption of nutrients from other foods (raw carrot fibers can inhibit the absorption of certain minerals if eaten with other foods).
Whether you struggle with estrogen dominance (most women are progesterone deficient these days), low thyroid function, inflammatory conditions, bacterial overgrowth, liver issues or the usual repercussions of a stressful life, this should be an essential daily routine, just like brushing your teeth:
Note: if you notice the calluses on your palms turn orange after a period of eating this, it can be to do with poor liver function, an inability to convert carotene (potentially toxic) to Vitamin A and low B12. If this is the case, rinse your grated carrot and squeeze out all the orange-coloured juice, before dressing.
“Endotoxin formed in the bowel can block respiration and cause hormone imbalances contributing to instability of the nerves, so it is helpful to optimize bowel flora, for example with a carrot salad; a dressing of vinegar, coconut oil or olive oil, carried into the intestine by the carrot fiber, suppresses bacterial growth while stimulating healing of the wall of the intestine. The carrot salad improves the ratio of progesterone to estrogen and cortisol, and so is as appropriate for epilepsy as for premenstrual syndrome, insomnia, or arthritis. There are interesting associations between vegetable “fiber” and estrogens. Because of my own experience in finding that eating a raw carrot daily prevented my migraines, I began to suspect that the carrot fiber was having both a bowel-protective and an antiestrogen effect. Several women who suffered from premenstrual symptoms, including migraine, had their serum estrogen measured before and after the “carrot diet,” and they found that the carrot lowered their estrogen within a few days, as it relieved their symptoms. Indigestible fiber, if it isn’t broken down by bowel bacteria, increases fecal bulk, and tends to speed the transit of material through the intestine, just as laxatives do. But some of these “fiber” materials, e.g., lignin, are themselves estrogenic, and other fibers, by promoting bacterial growth, can promote the conversion of harmless substances into toxins and carcinogens. When there is a clear “antiestrogen” effect from dietary fiber, it seems to be the result of accelerated transit through the intestine, speeding elimination and preventing reabsorption of the estrogen which has been excreted in the bile. Laxatives have this same effect on the excretion of estradiol. Inhibiting bacterial growth, while optimizing intestinal resistance, would have no harmful side effects. Preventing excessive sympathetic nervous activity and maintaining the intestine’s energy production can be achieved by optimizing hormones and nutrition. Something as simple as a grated carrot with salt and vinegar can produce major changes in bowel health, reducing endotoxin absorption, and restoring constructive hormonal functions.” - Excerpt from Article by Ray Peat – Epilepsy and Progesterone
* Endotoxin is a component of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria formed in the bowel. It’s a bacterial toxin that protects the structure of the bacteria from attack and can cause hormone imbalances contributing to instability of the nerves.
When endotoxin enters the bloodstream during any stress, a host of problems can result because of endotoxin’s systemic toxicity. Raw carrot (along with a good daily bowel movement, saturated fats in place of unsaturated, sufficient non-inflammatory protein, fresh fruits and other digestible foods) can help reduce your endotoxin burden
And an interesting study here on the cholesterol lowering effects of eating a raw carrot (200g) before breakfast. It normalises cholesterol by lowering cortisol and estrogen and helping the thyroid work better. Ultimately this helps convert cholesterol to useful hormones; life-supporting substances.
“Two hundred grams of raw carrot eaten at breakfast each day for 3 weeks significantly reduced serum cholesterol by 11%, increased fecal bile acid and fat excretion by 50%, and modestly increased stool weight by 25%. This suggests an associated change in bacterial flora or metabolism. The changes in serum cholesterol, fecal bile acids, and fat persisted 3 weeks after stopping treatment.” - Am J Clin Nutr September 1979 vol. 32 no. 9 1889-1892. The effect of raw carrot on serum lipids and colon function.
Tags: anti-ageing, breakfast, detox, endotoxin, estrogen dominance, Ray Peat, thyroid
Thursday, 24 July 2014
Saturday, 19 July 2014
Balance Hormones with a Raw Carrot a Day
Balance Hormones with a Raw Carrot a Day
Raw carrots contain a unique fiber that absorbs excess estrogen and helps sweep it out of the body. Why is this so important?
Our western society faces rampant estrogen dominance because we face an increasing stress burden. Stress, whether physical or emotional, increases the production of estrogen. Additionally, many pesticides and chemicals are xenonestrogens – chemicals which the body perceives as estrogen.
Further, dietary components throw estrogen drastically out of balance. Soy contains phytoestrogens that mimic estrogen in the body. The modern soy craze has devastating effects on hormone balance for men, women and particularly children. Unhealthful “newfangled” fats including all vegetable oils (corn oil, soy oill, safflower oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, etc.) lead to inflammation and increase the estrogenic load.
Estrogen dominance is an underlying cause of PMS, menopausal symptoms, hormonal acne, infertility, and mood disorders. It doesn’t just affect women: men, and particularly pre-pubescent boys, face the threat of estrogen dominance. Lack of muscle tone, erectile dysfunction, and “man boobs” all point in part to estrogen dominance.
By helping to detox some of the excess estrogen, a raw carrot a day plays an important role in both male and female hormone balance.
In my e-book Quit PMS, I explain how to address estrogen dominance naturally through a customizable protocol to end menstrual cramping, hormonal acne, swollen breasts, etc.)
Dr. Ray Peat, who shares controversial and groundbreaking nutrition research, introduced the “Carrot a Day” routine:
Raw carrots contain a unique fiber that absorbs excess estrogen and helps sweep it out of the body. Why is this so important?
Our western society faces rampant estrogen dominance because we face an increasing stress burden. Stress, whether physical or emotional, increases the production of estrogen. Additionally, many pesticides and chemicals are xenonestrogens – chemicals which the body perceives as estrogen.
Further, dietary components throw estrogen drastically out of balance. Soy contains phytoestrogens that mimic estrogen in the body. The modern soy craze has devastating effects on hormone balance for men, women and particularly children. Unhealthful “newfangled” fats including all vegetable oils (corn oil, soy oill, safflower oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, etc.) lead to inflammation and increase the estrogenic load.
Estrogen dominance is an underlying cause of PMS, menopausal symptoms, hormonal acne, infertility, and mood disorders. It doesn’t just affect women: men, and particularly pre-pubescent boys, face the threat of estrogen dominance. Lack of muscle tone, erectile dysfunction, and “man boobs” all point in part to estrogen dominance.
By helping to detox some of the excess estrogen, a raw carrot a day plays an important role in both male and female hormone balance.
In my e-book Quit PMS, I explain how to address estrogen dominance naturally through a customizable protocol to end menstrual cramping, hormonal acne, swollen breasts, etc.)
Dr. Ray Peat, who shares controversial and groundbreaking nutrition research, introduced the “Carrot a Day” routine:
Because of my own experience in finding that eating a raw carrot daily prevented my migraines, I began to suspect that the carrot fiber was having both a bowel-protective and an antiestrogen effect. Several women who suffered from premenstrual symptoms, including migraine, had their serum estrogen measured before and after the “carrot diet,” and they found that the carrot lowered their estrogen within a few days, as it relieved their symptoms. (1)The carrot salad improves the ratio of progesterone to estrogen and cortisol, and so is as appropriate for epilepsy as for premenstrual syndrome, insomnia, or arthritis. (2)
Saturday, 12 July 2014
This Hormone Could be Keeping You Sick — SCD Lifestyle
This Hormone Could be Keeping You Sick — SCD Lifestyle:
Gut-Hormone-Connection
In today’s post, we’re going to dive into one of the most important hormones in your body… and why it’s usually depleted in people with gut health problems.
But first, we’re doing a ’2.5 Hour Gut-Hormone LIVE Event’ next month to help you get ‘unstuck’ from the one thing that’s probably preventing your gut from healing. Click here to reserve your seat.
Now, it’s important for you to know this:
Low cortisol is the most common pattern we’ve seen in 100’s of labs from people with digestive problems.
It’s almost like an epidemic. We have yet to work with someone suffering from digestive problems that doesn’t have varying degrees of low cortisol.
You might know about cortisol… many people call it the “The Stress Hormone,” saying it shouldn’t get too high. And that is true, chronically elevated cortisol has its fair share of negative effects on the body.
But while everyone is pointing fingers at high cortisol for causing health problems, it’s becoming apparent to us that someone needs to look at the opposite side of this problem.
Because chronically low cortisol can be worse…
Most people don’t even realize how important cortisol is when dealing with chronic illness. Cortisol (a glucocorticoid) is necessary for several major body processes to function normally. It’s integral to blood sugar regulation, proper immune function, blood pressure, and the metabolism of fat, protein and carbohydrates.
And when it gets low, these systems begin to have problems.
For example, here’s a few symptoms related to low cortisol:
Fatigue
Chronic Inflammation
Poor response and “crashing” during stress
Increased allergies and environmental sensitivity
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar with irritability when hungry)
Low blood pressure and dizziness upon first standing
Any of these symptoms ring a bell for you?
Most every person we work with writes down fatigue as one of the main complaints other than digestive problems. The remaining symptoms tend to come out later as we discuss their health in more detail.
And anyone dealing with digestive problems most likely suffers from severe chronic inflammation.
I suffered from every single one of these symptoms when I was sick. At the time they didn’t seem related, but once I was treated for low cortisol they got substantially better. As I’ve gotten healthier I realized the important role cortisol plays in a healthy body and why chronic inflammation is the first red flag you need to be aware of.
Chronic Inflammation is like a fire raging inside your body
Inflammation is a normal immune response in your body. It’s usually our friend. Think of it like the first responder to the scene of the injury. Pain, swelling, redness, and warmth are all signs inflammation arriving at the site and helping your body with the healing process.
After inflammation gets the job done, the body will release various controls like cortisol to turn off inflammation and go back to business as usual (1).
But sometimes inflammation doesn’t turn off… and that’s when things start to go wrong.
Inflammation becomes chronic when it stops being an acute response and remains a constant low-level physiological response. Think of it like starting a small camp fire meant to keep you warm that doesn’t get put out and then grows into a forest fire, burning 100,000 acres.
Chronic inflammation is when your body no longer has the ability to turn off the inflammatory response and it starts damaging healthy tissue in your body. It could damage the intestinal lining in your gut and cause digestive problems, it could damage the arteries in your heart and cause heart disease, and it could damage your joints or cause rheumatoid arthritis. It also leads to just about every chronic disease we know of.
Cortisol is your inflammation off-switch
Inflammation is just one part of our complex and amazing immune system and cortisol plays a huge role in how well it functions. Studies on the effect of glucocorticoids like cortisol on gene expression shows that they up-regulate and down-regulate up to 2,000 genes that are involved in regulation of the immune response (2).
The research on cortisol suggests it’s the main anti-inflammatory hormone in the body:
“There is a bidirectional communication between the immune system and the HPA axis, in which cytokines stimulate the HPA axis and the resulting release of glucocorticoids provides negative feedback control of the immune response, keeping inflammation in check. It is well established that glucocorticoids exert an important modulatory role on the immune system, both suppressing and enhancing a variety of immune functions.” (3)
The mechanisms for naturally controlling healthy levels of inflammation are complex and there many different processes that play a role. However, cortisol is one of the biggest players in turning off inflammation and when it’s low… inflammation can run wild (4).
The bottom line: Cortisol puts your inflammatory fire out. But not when it’s low.
Therefore, chronic inflammation is a strong sign you may have low cortisol. Your body doesn’t have enough of the necessary ingredient (cortisol) to put the fire out.
Most of our clients have a history of chronic inflammation and by the time we talk with them we find their cortisol levels are low. We’re talking about clients ranging from Inflammatory Bowel Diseases like Crohn’s or Ulcerative Colitis, to Auto-immune conditions like Celiac Disease or even just general gut inflammation.
Our experience has been that cortisol is vitally important to having a healthy and fully functioning digestive tract, in which controlling inflammation is a requirement.
Unfortunately, that’s why Prednisone works
Earlier, I told you low cortisol seems like an epidemic in our private clients dealing with digestive disease. If you have low cortisol, your body is more susceptible to autoimmune and inflammatory reactions. That’s why steroid medications (corticosteroids) like prednisone are prescribed to suppress immune responses in people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Most of our clients have been on one at some point along the way and typically, it helped them a lot. But plenty also paid the price with weight gain, a moon face, early onset osteopenia and some become dependent on low doses to keep symptoms at bay. And that makes sense given what I explained in this post today, because taking Prednisone or hydrocortisone is taking a man-made form of cortisol (but with severe side effects).
So if Prednisone worked for you… it’s a red flag that you’ve got low cortisol.
That’s why it’s so important to get to the root cause of the low cortisol issue. Because long-term use of man-made forms of Cortisol has a laundry list of negative symptoms and conditions associated with it.
So if you’re someone who’s reading this article going, “Jordan, you’re totally taking about me,” then you need to work with a skilled practitioner that can order proper saliva testing and find the root cause of your low cortisol.
It could be a big step toward taking control of your symptoms and beginning to heal your gut. If anything, it’ll help you get a better handle on chronic inflammation and strengthen your immune system. Who doesn’t need a little of that in their life?
What to do about your Hormones
I hope this article on cortisol had an impact on you. I wish I could have read this years ago when I was banging my head against the wall trying to figure out what was really going on in my gut.
Since working with 500 people 1-on-1 over the last 2 years, we’ve seen 100’s of examples of this exact same problem. Not only that, but I would argue that most people with gut health issues also have a problem with their hormonal axis. That includes adrenals, sex hormones, and thyroid.
If you’re still struggling with digestive problems despite all your best diet, supplement, and lifestyle changes… you could have a hormonal problem. I highly recommend you join us for our upcoming LIVE Gut-Hormone call, where we’re going to dive into what to do about this root cause problem…
During the call, we’re going to cover:
Is Adrenal Fatigue real? And How to prove it to your doctor with tests
What NOT TO DO when you have adrenal fatigue (most miss this one)
Signs and symptoms of a slow thyroid
The key differences between hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism and what happens if you combine them with a leaky gut (hint: autoimmunity)
The specific thyroid tests to get from your doctor
Why gut problems, adrenal fatigue and thyroid issues all work together to destroy energy (and what to do about it)
Steve’s battle and shocking discovery about subclinical hypothyroidism
Jordan’s struggle to overcome the adrenal fatigue that kept him scary skinny and exhausted
If you can’t attend live, we’re recording the call and transcribing it for you, so you’ll have the info you need to take action as soon as possible.
Grab your seat for the Gut-Hormone call today: http://scdlifestyle.com/gut-hormone-live-event/
Spots are limited to 500 seats. Hope to see you there with us.
- Jordan
Gut-Hormone-Connection
In today’s post, we’re going to dive into one of the most important hormones in your body… and why it’s usually depleted in people with gut health problems.
But first, we’re doing a ’2.5 Hour Gut-Hormone LIVE Event’ next month to help you get ‘unstuck’ from the one thing that’s probably preventing your gut from healing. Click here to reserve your seat.
Now, it’s important for you to know this:
Low cortisol is the most common pattern we’ve seen in 100’s of labs from people with digestive problems.
It’s almost like an epidemic. We have yet to work with someone suffering from digestive problems that doesn’t have varying degrees of low cortisol.
You might know about cortisol… many people call it the “The Stress Hormone,” saying it shouldn’t get too high. And that is true, chronically elevated cortisol has its fair share of negative effects on the body.
But while everyone is pointing fingers at high cortisol for causing health problems, it’s becoming apparent to us that someone needs to look at the opposite side of this problem.
Because chronically low cortisol can be worse…
Most people don’t even realize how important cortisol is when dealing with chronic illness. Cortisol (a glucocorticoid) is necessary for several major body processes to function normally. It’s integral to blood sugar regulation, proper immune function, blood pressure, and the metabolism of fat, protein and carbohydrates.
And when it gets low, these systems begin to have problems.
For example, here’s a few symptoms related to low cortisol:
Fatigue
Chronic Inflammation
Poor response and “crashing” during stress
Increased allergies and environmental sensitivity
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar with irritability when hungry)
Low blood pressure and dizziness upon first standing
Any of these symptoms ring a bell for you?
Most every person we work with writes down fatigue as one of the main complaints other than digestive problems. The remaining symptoms tend to come out later as we discuss their health in more detail.
And anyone dealing with digestive problems most likely suffers from severe chronic inflammation.
I suffered from every single one of these symptoms when I was sick. At the time they didn’t seem related, but once I was treated for low cortisol they got substantially better. As I’ve gotten healthier I realized the important role cortisol plays in a healthy body and why chronic inflammation is the first red flag you need to be aware of.
Chronic Inflammation is like a fire raging inside your body
Inflammation is a normal immune response in your body. It’s usually our friend. Think of it like the first responder to the scene of the injury. Pain, swelling, redness, and warmth are all signs inflammation arriving at the site and helping your body with the healing process.
After inflammation gets the job done, the body will release various controls like cortisol to turn off inflammation and go back to business as usual (1).
But sometimes inflammation doesn’t turn off… and that’s when things start to go wrong.
Inflammation becomes chronic when it stops being an acute response and remains a constant low-level physiological response. Think of it like starting a small camp fire meant to keep you warm that doesn’t get put out and then grows into a forest fire, burning 100,000 acres.
Chronic inflammation is when your body no longer has the ability to turn off the inflammatory response and it starts damaging healthy tissue in your body. It could damage the intestinal lining in your gut and cause digestive problems, it could damage the arteries in your heart and cause heart disease, and it could damage your joints or cause rheumatoid arthritis. It also leads to just about every chronic disease we know of.
Cortisol is your inflammation off-switch
Inflammation is just one part of our complex and amazing immune system and cortisol plays a huge role in how well it functions. Studies on the effect of glucocorticoids like cortisol on gene expression shows that they up-regulate and down-regulate up to 2,000 genes that are involved in regulation of the immune response (2).
The research on cortisol suggests it’s the main anti-inflammatory hormone in the body:
“There is a bidirectional communication between the immune system and the HPA axis, in which cytokines stimulate the HPA axis and the resulting release of glucocorticoids provides negative feedback control of the immune response, keeping inflammation in check. It is well established that glucocorticoids exert an important modulatory role on the immune system, both suppressing and enhancing a variety of immune functions.” (3)
The mechanisms for naturally controlling healthy levels of inflammation are complex and there many different processes that play a role. However, cortisol is one of the biggest players in turning off inflammation and when it’s low… inflammation can run wild (4).
The bottom line: Cortisol puts your inflammatory fire out. But not when it’s low.
Therefore, chronic inflammation is a strong sign you may have low cortisol. Your body doesn’t have enough of the necessary ingredient (cortisol) to put the fire out.
Most of our clients have a history of chronic inflammation and by the time we talk with them we find their cortisol levels are low. We’re talking about clients ranging from Inflammatory Bowel Diseases like Crohn’s or Ulcerative Colitis, to Auto-immune conditions like Celiac Disease or even just general gut inflammation.
Our experience has been that cortisol is vitally important to having a healthy and fully functioning digestive tract, in which controlling inflammation is a requirement.
Unfortunately, that’s why Prednisone works
Earlier, I told you low cortisol seems like an epidemic in our private clients dealing with digestive disease. If you have low cortisol, your body is more susceptible to autoimmune and inflammatory reactions. That’s why steroid medications (corticosteroids) like prednisone are prescribed to suppress immune responses in people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Most of our clients have been on one at some point along the way and typically, it helped them a lot. But plenty also paid the price with weight gain, a moon face, early onset osteopenia and some become dependent on low doses to keep symptoms at bay. And that makes sense given what I explained in this post today, because taking Prednisone or hydrocortisone is taking a man-made form of cortisol (but with severe side effects).
So if Prednisone worked for you… it’s a red flag that you’ve got low cortisol.
That’s why it’s so important to get to the root cause of the low cortisol issue. Because long-term use of man-made forms of Cortisol has a laundry list of negative symptoms and conditions associated with it.
So if you’re someone who’s reading this article going, “Jordan, you’re totally taking about me,” then you need to work with a skilled practitioner that can order proper saliva testing and find the root cause of your low cortisol.
It could be a big step toward taking control of your symptoms and beginning to heal your gut. If anything, it’ll help you get a better handle on chronic inflammation and strengthen your immune system. Who doesn’t need a little of that in their life?
What to do about your Hormones
I hope this article on cortisol had an impact on you. I wish I could have read this years ago when I was banging my head against the wall trying to figure out what was really going on in my gut.
Since working with 500 people 1-on-1 over the last 2 years, we’ve seen 100’s of examples of this exact same problem. Not only that, but I would argue that most people with gut health issues also have a problem with their hormonal axis. That includes adrenals, sex hormones, and thyroid.
If you’re still struggling with digestive problems despite all your best diet, supplement, and lifestyle changes… you could have a hormonal problem. I highly recommend you join us for our upcoming LIVE Gut-Hormone call, where we’re going to dive into what to do about this root cause problem…
During the call, we’re going to cover:
Is Adrenal Fatigue real? And How to prove it to your doctor with tests
What NOT TO DO when you have adrenal fatigue (most miss this one)
Signs and symptoms of a slow thyroid
The key differences between hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism and what happens if you combine them with a leaky gut (hint: autoimmunity)
The specific thyroid tests to get from your doctor
Why gut problems, adrenal fatigue and thyroid issues all work together to destroy energy (and what to do about it)
Steve’s battle and shocking discovery about subclinical hypothyroidism
Jordan’s struggle to overcome the adrenal fatigue that kept him scary skinny and exhausted
If you can’t attend live, we’re recording the call and transcribing it for you, so you’ll have the info you need to take action as soon as possible.
Grab your seat for the Gut-Hormone call today: http://scdlifestyle.com/gut-hormone-live-event/
Spots are limited to 500 seats. Hope to see you there with us.
- Jordan
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