Thyroid disorders-getting proper testing and how to restore thyroid function, raw or cooked mushrooms?, New recipe, anti-depressants and long-term effects
Health information you can use that you will not hear from your allopathic health professional
Should you eat raw mushrooms?
Mushrooms are difficult to digest when raw due to the rigid cell walls composed of chitin. Those with IBS and other digestive issues may find an increase in signs and symptoms when consuming raw mushrooms. Mushrooms contain numerous nutrients such as protein, B vitamins, and minerals, but cooking is required to release them.
There is also debate regarding a compound in raw mushrooms, agaritine, that increased cancer risk in mouse models. Putting mushrooms in the fridge or drying them will break down this compound, and it is still undetermined if raw mushrooms and what amount will increase cancer risk in humans.
If I eat some raw mushrooms, I will not worry about my cancer risk since there are more significant contributing factors to cancer, such as the standard American diet and foods covered in herbicides and pesticides.
If you use mushroom supplements or powder, ascertain the mushrooms have been heated. Host defense mushroom supplements and powders are heated. Om Mushroom products are dehydrated (this means using low heat at 105 F. or below). Om Mushrooms are also fermented to break down the cell wall).
Therefore, if you consume a few raw mushrooms in your salad, don’t worry about it, but to reap more significant nutrient benefits, cook them.
Quinoa and beans with tahini dressing
With rising food prices and food shortages, beans and quinoa are nutrient-dense affordable food options. One-bowl meals are also easy to grab and go. You can cook beans and grains ahead of time and store them in the freezer. Bean and grain dishes are also versatile- toss in what you have on hand, such as nuts, seeds, and chopped vegetables.
Bean and grain dishes can be pretty bland, and the tahini dressing is what turns bland grains and beans into a flavorful meal.
How to know if your signs and symptoms are related to thyroid dysfunction
An individual can suffer from vague and random signs and symptoms such as hair loss, weight gain, and fatigue for ten to twenty years before discovering it is all related to thyroid dysfunction.
Read this post to understand why it takes so long to diagnose correctly, how to rule out a thyroid disorder, if it is a thyroid issue such as hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s, and what to do next.
How to know if your signs and symptoms are related to a thyroid disorder
(Note: as a nutritionist, I do not dx, treat, or cure)
The long-term impact of antidepressant medications
Antidepressant medication use continues to rise. I cannot find the data on use in those 12 and older post-Covid, but as of 2017, 12 % of Americans were using these drugs (Winerman, 2017).
Long-term use of an SSRI such as Zoloft contributes to mitochondrial damage, as indicated by Then et al. (2017).
Why is this important?
Well, mitochondrial damage can lead to a host of issues at the cellular level, leaving you to feel fatigued and possibly depressed. The damage can also lead to neurodegenerative disorders in the long term, such as AD, dementia, and other cognitive effects.
Rising rates of depression and the use of antidepressants are a growing concern since many people have been on antidepressants for many years and find it difficult to taper off them (under professional guidance-never do this alone!).
Work with specialists who can assist with all root causes (endogenous and exogenous). Sitting on a therapist's couch for years will not be very helpful if an underlying chronic infection, nutrient deficiencies, HPA-axis dysregulation, digestive disorders, or food sensitivities cause your depression.
If you need someone to identify your endogenous root causes of depression and create an individualized plan to support your body, call Tru Foods at 303-522-0381 or email Karen@trufoodsnutritionservices to schedule a consult.
References
Then C., Liu K., Liao M., Chung K., Wang J., & Shen S. (2017). Antidepressants, sertraline, and paroxetine increase calcium influx and induce mitochondrial damage-mediated apoptosis of astrocytes. Oncotarget; 8: 115490-115502. https://www.oncotarget.com/article/23302/text/
Winerman, L. (2017, November). By the numbers: antidepressant use on the rise. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2017/numbers
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