When you eat foods high in carbohydrates ( sweets, refined carbohydrates)you trigger insulin production from your pancreas. The overproduction of insulin causes a rapid and drastic reduction in blood glucose for a short period of time. This is often experienced as drowsiness and fatigue, following the consumption of a high carbohydrate containing meal.

So what comes to the rescue when your blood sugar takes a dive? CORTISOL. Low blood sugar triggers the adrenal glands to produce more cortisol in order to stimulate the cells to produce more glucose. When this cycle of HYPOGLYCEMIC stress is repeated over and over again, it places a constant burden on the HPA Axis and in your Liver and Pancreas and can initiate a vicious cycle of chronic inflammation the root of many diseases.

Do you have a Blood Sugar imbalance?

• Do you experience symptoms of hypoglycemia such as dizziness, shakiness, brain fog between meals?
• Do you frequently miss or delay meals?
• Do you frequently crave sugar or carbohydrates?
• Do you consume excessive sugar or refined carbohydrates?
• Are you diabetic or pre-diabetic?
• Do you regularly consume alcohol or caffeine? If yes how much?
• Are you in constant stress?
• Do you eat a lot out?
• Do you sleep during the night? How many hours?

Check how many yes you got?  Surprised?

Take control of your Blood Sugar

DO:

• Eat a balanced breakfast every morning to help stabilizing blood sugar levels and include protein and a good fat
• Consume balanced meals and healthy snacks through the day
• Eat mixed meals of snacks of protein fat and low glycemic vegetables
• Eat protein at Every meal
• Eat foods high in fiber to help slow down the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream
• Eat a healthy source of fat in each meal
• Limit the consumption of starchy vegetables
• Drink lots of water to keep your body hydrated
• Exercise regularly
• Eat  every 2 hours even if its 5 almonds

DON’T:

• Don’t eat sugars or refined carbohydrates (white sugar, white bread, candy, sodas, dessert)
• No hydrogenate oil or partially hydrogenate vegetable oils
• No artificial sweeteners
• No SODAS
• DO NOT SKIP BREAKFAST
• Don’t smoke too much
• Don’t drink too much alcohol
• Too much caffeine
• Fat free products

Balancing your Blood Sugar

could be a matter of life and death.

Chronic high blood sugar levels are toxic to your body, destroying organs and blood vessels and they pave the way to type 2 diabetes, weight gain, heart attack, stroke, dialysis, nerve damage blindness even erectile dysfunction.

Please click on the link if you would like to purchase our

COMPREHENSIVE METABOLIC BLOOD WORK to understand which level you are and to take care of your health!

                  Dr. Michael Gorgas

An underlying factor behind an endless number of diseases. These include inflammatory conditions of the skin (psoriasis,eczema), gastrointestinal tract (Chronn’s disease or diverticulitis) and musculoskeletal system (back or joint pain) just to name a few.

A certain degree of healthy inflammation is needed in your body, as it is a necessary component of the immune-defense system. Distressed cells in the body send out signals that trigger a response from the immune cells. Specific cells within the immune system then help eliminate the cause of the damage (infectious agents, trauma) and repair damaged cells and tissue.

When your body is in balance it provides immediate action to help promote healing, them shuts down the response when the treat is gone. However when imbalances occur in your immune system, your body shifts toward a state of chronic inflammation that may manifest as a minor headache or something more severe, such as arthritis.

Inflammation in the body is not only pain and diseases, it also send signals to the HPA Axis to send cortisol to the rescue to help reduce the inflammation. This creates a vicious cycle for both the stress response and immune systems.

A number of dietary and lifestyle considerations can shift the body from a pro inflammatory to a balanced and non inflamed state. This will not only help put out the the inflammatory fire but also helps reducing the overall burden to  your stress response system.

HOW TO HELP TAKE CONTROL OF INFLAMMATION

1. Reduce the consumption of inflammatory foods like processed meats, red meat, fast food, deep fried food, sweets and other refined and heavily processed foods.
2. Avoid or reduce the consumption of common food allergens like wheat,dairy,corn and corn byproducts (high fructose syrup )
3. Maintain healthy levels of Vitamin D like exposure to sunlight and suplementing with vitamin D3 will also help reduce inflammation and boost the immune
4. Add anti-inflammatory herbs and spices to your meals like turmeric, curcumin, ginger root, garlic, basil, parsley, rosemary, curry, cayenne pepper/chilies, thyme, oregano, cinnamon cloves and mint.
5. Increase your intake of Omega # fatty acids specially EPA. A high quality fish oil or flax seed oil supplement . Also eat foods like salmon, mackarel tuna,herring and sardines and vegetarian choices like ground flax seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, sesame seeds, walnuts and brussels sprouts.
6. Maintain gastrointestinal (GI)health . Chronic inflammation often starts in the GI tract. Avoid food allergens consume food high in fiber as well as omega 3 fatty acids and supplement with digestive enzymes and probiotics to boost Gut Health.
7. Eat high life force foods ( raw food like sprouted and fresh organic foods 9fruits, vegetables,sprouts and greens which contain a lot of enzymes and vitamins that aid in reducing inflammation.
8. Eat colorful fruits and vegetables such as blue and red ( blueberries and strawberries) to boost your antioxidant levels to help reduce free-radical damage and inflammation through your body
9. Stay in shape because fat cells in your body produce and secrete inflammatory compounds especially belly fat they do it at higher levels so engage in regular cardiovascular activity to help burn fat and reverse the inflammatory process but don’t do a very long one because that also can cause inflammation
10. Get enough sleep disruption of normal sleep can lead to daytime elevation in pro-inflammatory molecules. 7 to 8 hours each night recommended.
11. Avoid toxin exposure like smoking, environmental pollution, unfiltered water, cosmetic products, skin care products, lotions and household cleaning items .

Inflammation comes in two kinds

1. Acute – regular response to infection or trauma

2. Chronic– can slowly wreak havoc eventually leading to illness and rapid aging

When chronic inflammation is present supplementing with natural products will provide a significant boost to reversing inflammation

                           In our office our Comprehensive blood work test different markers

for INFLAMMATION

1. CRP
2. Homocysteine
3. Ferritin
4. Hdl
5. Monocytes
6. Eos
7. Basos
8. Neuthrophils
9. Lumphocytes
10. Blood Glucose

Also please do not forget that inflammation cascades begin in the GUT so in order to reverse it we need to start healing the GUT first

Sleep helps your brain and body readjust to the stress placed upon it during the day.

Adequate sleep is necessary for long term health and regeneration.

Many of the body’s repair processes occur during the deep slow wave stages of sleep. Skin and other connective tissues regenerate themselves during the sleep cycle.

The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone, an anabolic and rejuvenating hormone, primarily at night, which is essential for maintaining strength, muscle mass and liver function, normalizing blood sugar, and keeping your immune system healthy.

Many of your neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine, which are important for regulating mood and keeping you focused and alert ( Have you notice yourself in a bad mood or irritable and with lack of concentration when you don’t have a good night sleep ), are also synthesized during deep stages of sleep .

Sleep also function as a “antioxidant” for the brain because free radicals are removed during the sleep cycle. Sleep is required to ensure minimal neuronal damage occurs from free radicals acumulated through out the day.

Poor sleep can affect your health in numerous ways

• Can dampen immune defenses, leaving you more susceptible to catching a flu or a cold
• Changes your body production of and response to hunger hormones, which increases your appetite for unhealthy comfort foods  ( links to obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease)
• Overproduction of cortisol and adrenaline (ephinephrine), causing a vicious cycle of stress, anxiety, blood sugar  fluctuations, and increased heart rate and blood pressure

Maintaining a healthy sleep cycle and getting an optimal amount of sleep

each night ( seven to eight hours) is imperative for staying healthy.

I see patients everyday in my office and when I ask them how is your sleep ?

I get these answers:

• It’s good I sleep 5 hours that’s a lot for me
• I go to bed at 10 but I only fall asleep at 2 am
• I sleep first on the couch and then I go to bed , sometimes I don’t
• I sleep really good I get up 6 times during the night but I sleep good

I constantly tell them why sleeping is important  and I show them ways of improving their sleep cycle

Examining closely your lifestyle habits that disrupt your body’s natural sleep-promoting mechanisms.

This will help ensure optimal sleep cycle regulation

• Maintain a consistent sleep schedule
• Get 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night
• Aim for 10 pm to go to bed
• Avoid caffeine after 3pm and alcohol after dinner
• Avoid visible clocks ( you will get stressed and keep track of time)
• Write down a list of tomorrows tasks before you go to bed so you can sleep worry free
• Keep the bedroom cool 65- 67degrees so your face is cool and hands and feet are warm which can induce sleep and enhance melatonin production
• Keep the bedroom dark and quiet
• Invest in a good quality pillow and mattress
• Increase exposure to bright light and sunshine in the morning
• Exercise regularly ( exercise in the morning and do relaxing yoga or meditation  at night
• Eat a high protein snack several hours before bed
• Take a warm bath
• Listen to calming music
• Stretching or read a book
• Expose your body to the natural day cycle by exposing at least 30 minutes of sunlight this will optimize your vitamin D levels
• Expose your body to the natural night cycle getting MINIMAL exposure to light or electronics(CELL PHONE,COMPUTERS,TVS) 1 hour before bedtime.
• Turning the lights  off an hour prior to bedtime will help trigger melatonin release in the brain which will trigger sleepiness.

If you have severe insomnia sleep restriction is a method commonly used to reset you body circadian clock, not taking naps  not sleeping in and extend the time to go to sleep 15 minutes every two to three days.

Also insomnia can occur secondary to psychological factors, such as stressful  circumstances, physiological factors, back pain, restless legs, biochemical and hormonal imbalances such as elevated cortisol levels or insufficient melatonin production and nutrient deficiencies

Numerous plants have a calming sedative action( Valerian root, Passion Flower,wild Jujube extract, chamomile etc) and also some nutrients ( magnesium, calcium,5-HTP,L-Theanine, Pharma Gaba, Phosphatidyl serine etc) and they will support your sleep cycle regulation.

Thyroid Patients

Because thyroid hormones are involved in so many bodily processes, when they are low you can have both daytime and night time symptoms, including fatigue during the day and poor sleep at night .

Hypothyroidism also prevents the deepest most important sleep.

Checking your cortisol levels through proper testing ( Saliva Test ) is so important for Thyroid Patients especially

Treating insomnia requires identification of the problem rather than treating symptoms

• Balancing Hormones
• Improving Body and Mind Relaxation
• Tweaking your diet
• Getting supplementation for the nutrients that you are missing
• Using less Phone computer and  TV

I hope that all of you will have a good night!

Dr. Michael Gorgas

referred to as the

“Silent Killer”

Your body was designed to respond to short bursts of stress, followed by long periods of rest and relaxation. In today’s world, however, time to relax is considered a luxury, while stress levels are at an all-time high.

The short -term release of cortisol and adrenaline into the blood stream prepares the body for an essential and quick response to potential danger. Chronic stress causes a continuous release of cortisol and adrenaline into the blood stream which can be damaging to the body if left unresolved.

As the body “stress hormone “cortisol provides the body with quick bursts of energy and has additional benefits such as reducing inflammation. DHEA is your body anti-cortisol hormone. Without DHEA, long term elevated cortisol levels would wreak havoc on the body. As a stress – buffering mechanism, DHEA directly binds to receptors in the brain that promote a sense of relaxation and decreased pain. DHEA also supports insulin sensitivity, maintains tissue strength and repair, boosts immune function and promotes a sense of well-being.

It is important that cortisol and DHEA levels remain in proper ratios in order to maintain the optimal balance that is required by the body.

Additional stress buffering mechanisms include the brain chemicals (NEUROTRANSMITTERS) Serotonin and Gaba. These two are chemicals once released from the nerve cells create a sense of positive mood and relaxation they are very important counterparts to the fight-or-flight chemicals epinephrine and norepinephrine which put the body in over drive, to heighten awareness and sharpen your reflexes. Maintaining healthy serotonin and GABA levels can help the brain put the brakes on your stress response so you can remain calm under pressure.

Also adrenal stress has direct impacts on thyroid function it reduces conversion of T4 to T3, also promotes autoimmunity by weakening immune barriers and causes thyroid hormone resistance.

Proper thyroid function depends on healthy adrenal glands

Under stress, your body releases the hormone cortisol too much cortisol can interfere with thyroid hormone production : It can stimulate the thyroid to work harder to create sufficient amounts of thyroid hormone.

Testing your Cortisol and DHEA levels can be a valuable tool for determining if your body is functioning properly

We test Cortisol levels and DHEA from saliva, with this test we also included Male and Female Hormones and food sensitivity to milk, eggs and gluten.

Please click on this link SALIVARY ADRENAL STRESS AND HORMONE  TEST if you are interested in purchasing it to  help identify additional imbalances that may be affecting your health.

There is 3 Stages of STRESS

• Alarm Phase-(Hyper Cortisol )

stressful situations are causing high cortisol production and you feel restless,irritated or “wired”. When symptoms are left unchecked they can eventually affect other systems in the body such as weakening of the immune response as well as contribute to loss of sleep, anxiety,weight gain,insulin resistance and blood sugar fluctuation

•  Resistance Phase-(Cortisol Dominant)

This stage maybe the result on going acute adrenal dysfunction or the accumulation of years of mild stress without adequate relaxation and recuperation. Lab testing may indicate erratic patterns of cortisol production, inadequate diurnal rhythm, as well as reduced levels of DHEA.

•  Exhaustion Phase- (Hypo Cortisol)

This later stage of dysfunction is typically associated with with a multitude of issues, including fatigue, severe insomnia, depression, hormonal imbalances, or an increase in pain and inflammatory conditions. Tests results will show depleted levels of Cortisol and DHEA. Individuals will have the most difficult time doing the simplest tasks.

People think of STRESS as only emotional or mental but there is 4 keys stressors

1. Blood Sugar Control

2. Mental and Emotional

3. Insomnia

4. Inflammation

As examples you may have a low level of anxiety in your life, or you may be getting enough sleep each night, but if you are consuming a diet high in sugar, your cortisol, as well as insulin, levels will be on a continuous roller coaster ride.

Another example would be someone who eats a balanced diet, has a low level of anxiety but has a high degree of inflammation in his or her body. That inflammation is sending signals to the HPA AXIS to secrete the cortisol needed to put out the inflammation fire.

The driver of HPA axis dysfunction is required to work over time, cortisol and DHEA levels will eventually become imbalanced, along with other systems in your body.

So the question is Which of the 4 Key Stressors are contributing to constantly triggering a stress response in your body

BECAUSE

Please understand stress it’s just not emotional!

Take  control of your health!

DR. GORGAS

Please click on this link SALIVARY ADRENAL STRESS AND HORMONE  TEST if you are interested in purchasing it to  help identify additional imbalances that may be affecting your health.

Today is “NATIONAL COFFEE DAY” in United States.???

Hundreds of millions of people drink coffee on a daily basis.

Benefits of coffee:

1. High in antioxidants
2. Protects Liver
3. Aids physical activity
4. Supports Cognitive Function

**Some Cancer  treatments even include coffee enemas ( blonde coffee) to help get rid of toxins.

Risks of Coffee:

1. 1. Addiction to caffeine leading to caffeine overdose. It can overstimulate your body and when you don’t have it headaches, anxiety, irritability, fatigue, adrenal fatigue.
   2.  Can alter mood and Hormones especially if you have existing health conditions

But like  I always say you have to find your “sweet spot”in life and also with coffee.

If you go to a coffee shop please be aware of the chemicals, additives, sugars,non organic milk, non organic coffee… and also your pocket ….

Drink 1 cup of coffee in the morning that you prepare at home  with organic coffee and alkaline water.

Enjoy it!

***PS: That’s me enjoying my “cafecito” in Cuba ??

This is the translation in English:

Hello I am MaryCarmen and I am 56 years old and I have thyroid problems”Hashimotos” It has been 3 years or more that I don’t feel good and I started to look for doctors that could take care of my thyroid problems. I started the process of “You don’t have anything” ” Go to the Psychiatrist” “You have other diseases” and I lived 3 years with the wrong diagnosis.
Now I have 3 weeks with Dr Gorgas and I am so Happy I noticed so much change, I understand all the process that I have to go through to change my habits in my life but now I know why.

Dr Gorgas explained me exactly what I have by doing the proper blood tests and saliva tests and I really have a problem and has a solution.
I admit I was a little nervous and scared but now I am so happy because I noticed so much changes on me .
I have to drive from far away but its worth it because I sleep better I change my dietary habits and my energy, mood and my relationship with my kids and husband has improved too
I AM SO HAPPY!!!!
THANK YOU DR GORGAS!!!
drgorgas.com

San Diego Thyroid Institute
225 N. Horne Street
Oceanside- CA 92054

760.433.4000
doctorgorgas@gmail.com

A study published in December 2012 sheds light on this phenomenon we often see: a patient has elevated TSH but normal T4 and T3. If that person is gaining weight and experiencing fatigue do they also have Hypothyroidism?

By standard definition elevated TSH indicates Hypothyroidism. Usually elevated TSH levels correspond with a decrease in T4. But if the T4 levels are normal, this may indicate abnormal blood sugar metabolism or inadequate blood sugar. This phenomenon is usually referred to as Dysglycemia and includes blood sugar which is too high, Insulin Resistance, or blood sugar that is too low,Hypoglycemia. Both of these conditions may occur simultaneously and may often lead to Type II Diabetes.

One of the markers we look for in our patients who are experiencing weight gain is Dysglycemia. Many thyroid patients  have undiagnosed pre-diabetes or insulin resistance which can lead to elevated TSH levels and guess what? A number of hypothyroid symptoms such as hair loss, brain fog, menstrual irregularity, PCOS, not to mention the weight gain and fatigue!

So most patients who go to the doctor for weight gain and fatigue in which the doctor only sees elevated TSH levels are immediately placed on thyroid hormones. The underlying blood sugar problem never gets fully evaluated and the patient continues to suffer with symptoms because the lab marker was treated and not the PATIENT.

This is what Erin H has to say regarding the care she received from us. ” I am a 32 year old woman who had a long list of thyroid symptoms that many doctors I consulted only gave me a prescription for anti depressants and made me believe I just had to live with the condition. After meeting Dr Gorgas I felt confident that someone was actually hearing me. He ordered specific lab work and x – rays to evaluate my condition. The work up was extensive and he found the cause of my condition. The regimen of supplements, chiropractic adjustments and going gluten free has helped me live my life again. I am sleeping better, losing weight, have better moods and lots of energy. I actually feel my age again”.

This is why we take the whole person approach and make sure you Understand the problems and mechanisms involved so that you can feel and function better.

Most importantly, we care and listen to our patients.

We take a partnership approach to health care and encourage you to play an integral role in your treatment. Our goal is to educate you so that you can manage your thyroid symptoms for life.

Weight Gain and Hypothyroid Symptoms!

To Most people suffering from Thyroid problems, this is a no brainer to figure out. However, it is uncommon for me to encounter a hypothyroid patient that does’t have stomach problems and intestinal abnormalities.

When I consult patients at the San Diego Thyroid Institute with ongoing thyroid symptoms I see a world of possibilities.There are so many things that can go wrong that could be creating the problems. I know that I must start searching to put the pieces together to help that person. One of the first places I look  is the stomach. Gut infections, Dysbiosis ( the over-growth of bacteria or yeast in the small intestine), Leaky Gut Syndrome (LGS) and food intolerance are the most common culprits. These conditions can upset the flora ( good bacteria) in the gut and have the potential to disrupt thyroid function.

These gut microorganisms can affect thyroid function at all levels including:

1.  Thyroid Receptor site resistance – where your hormones can’t actually bind to your receptors. This creates the classic presentation of ongoing thyroid symptoms despite being able to see normal amounts of TSH in your Labs
2. Decreased T3 production
3. Decreased TSH production from your pituitary

All of that from your stomach! Thought you just had a Thyroid Problem didn’t you?

If you experience bloating, constipation or diarrhea, then you must consider the impact of how gut infections, dysbiosis and leaky gut syndrome are affecting your thyroid. dealing with Gut issues is imperative if you want to feel good again.

Here is what Leanne E. has to say about how her health improved. I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism and had all the symptoms associated with the condition. I was fatigued, frumpy,losing my hair, had daily headaches, neck pain, etc. I had consulted my endocrinologist for years about this symptoms and the problems I was having  with my stomach and bowels. I bloated after every meal and if I wasn’t constipated, I would have lose stools. It wasn’t until I consulted with DR .GORGAS that he shined the light on the cause of my gastrointestinal problems. He also enlightened me on how the nerves also control the function to not just my stomach, but every part of my body. Following  his recommendation protocol of diet change, supplements and Chiropractic adjustments, I started feeling the best I felt in years within two weeks. I can proudly say that my digestion problems have disappeared along with my headaches. Most of all, I am not feeling tired and frumpy anymore.

At the San Diego Thyroid Institute we take a whole person approach making sure that you understand the underlying causes of your problems so that you can feel and function better. Most importantly we care and listen to our patients. Our goal is to educate you so that you can manage your thyroid symptoms for LIFE!

My Kids asked me the other day “Dad why you never complaint about going to work? “

I just responded  “Because I love what I do”

In Life that’s very important!

I love to help people  transform their lives  one day at a time!