Dr. Samantha Davies

Did you know that 20% of healthy thyroid activity depends on healthy gut bacteria? About 20% of T4 is converted into T3 sulfate (T3S) and Triidothyroaceric acid (T3AC) in the GI tract. T3S and T3AC remain inactive until they circulate through the GI tract where intestinal sulfatase turns them into the active forms of T3. Where does intestinal sulfatase come from?.... HEALTHY GUT BACTERIA. Dysbiosis, fancy term for an imbalance between pathogenic and beneficial bacteria..., has a profound negative impact on conversion of T3AC to active forms of T3. This would explain why many people suffering from GI dysfunction have low thyroid symptoms but normal lab results. Thyroid symptoms? Check your gut health. #guthealth #thyroid #hashimotosdisease #hypothyroidism #microbiomehealth #functionalmedicine #nutrition #dysbiois #probiotics #fiber #shortchainfattyacids #foodismedicine #ibs #constipationrelief #stlouismissouri #gutdysbiosis See more

Menstrual cramps, otherwise known as Dysmenorrhea, is one of the most common health problems found in 25-50% of adult women. It is characterized by severe uterine pain during menstruation, crampy pelvic pain radiating to the lower back, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, fatigue, and dizziness which begins shortly before or at the onset of menstuation. Acupuncture has been shown to be a beneficial treatment option for painful periods or dysmenorrhea. Studies (and my cli...nical experience ) have shown acupuncture to provide a significant reduction in pain severity, muscle cramps, and systemic symptoms. Improvement in the pain and other symptoms of dysmenorrhea is likely due to the central analgesic effect of acupuncture and its reflex effects of the tissues. Stimulation of acupuncture points through needling also triggers the release of enkephalins and endorphins in the periaquaductal gray, actuate nucleus, and caudate nucleus. Have you tried acupuncture for your painful periods? PMID: 29654840 #dysmenorrhea #painfulperiods #pmsproblems #pmsrelief #acupuncture #functionalmedicine #needles #acupunctureworks #stlouismissouri #healthylifestyle #nutrition #naturalremedies See more

Did you know that good gut health is essential for proper blood sugar regulation? When you eat a meal, cells in the upper and lower GI release hormones that control blood sugar regulation of islet cells, called incretins. These incretins are known as Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GIP-1). Once these incretins are secreted into the blood stream, they stimulate an efficient response by the pancreas to release insulin, glucagon,... and somatostatin. The incretin effect is responsible for 50-60% of postprandial insulin secretion in healthy adults. Meaning, that the cells of your gut, have a very large effect on how well your body maintains an appropriate blood sugar response. Interestingly, an impaired incretin response has been found in diabetics. This is important to know, as it gives us indication to direct a focus of care and management of diabetic patients to their overall gut health. #incretins #guthealth #diabetes #bloodsugardiet #bloodsugarbalance #food #healthylifestyle #nutrition #functionalmedicine #stlouismissouri #stl #healthyfood #healthylifestyle #microbiome #microbiomehealth See more

5’ deiodinase is an enzyme necessary for the conversion of T4 (inactive thyroid hormone) to T3 (active form of thyroid hormone). When we eat low calorie diets or insufficient calories, our body thinks it’s in starvation mode, making it want to slow down metabolism and hold on to everything it has. This down regulates the conversion of T4 to T3 by inhibiting 5’ deiodinase. T4 is then converted in to Reverse T3, making it unusable. We see this happening a lot in our female p...atients who are trying to lose weight, and therefor are following a low calorie diet. Eating less and exercising more isn’t always the appropriate way to shed pounds. We can see this via blood work by looking at an in depth thyroid panel. TSH and T4 will be in normal ranges. Total T3 will be functionally low, and Reverse T3 will either be elevated or functionally high. If you have been having a difficult time losing weight, or have been having underactive thyroid symptoms (fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, anxiety, cold intolerance, dry hair & skin, constipation) it may be time for a thyroid work up. #weightgain #weightloss #thyroid #underactivethyroid #hashimotosdisease #nutrition #health #wellness #food #diet #functionalmedicine #stlouismissouri #holistichealth See more

Great question! If you are part of the 50-90% of Americans that have suboptimal magnesium levels, then taking magnesium, or upping your sources of magnesium, would be a great idea. Our body works best when magnesium is at its optimal level. As the fourth most abundant mineral in our body, magnesium is crucial to accomplishing at least 300 important biochemical reactions. Why are so many people lacking magnesium? THE STANDARD AMERICAN DIET. Following a diet that includes ...refined carbs, sugars, processed foods, soda, caffeine, trans fats, hydrogenated oils, and alcohol is a great way to deplete magnesium from the body. It also lacks good nutrition and magnesium sources. Soil Depletion Chronic Gut problems which compromises magnesium absorption Symptoms of magnesium inadequacy can include: Migraines and headaches Chronic tight, spastic muscles and muscle cramps Constipation PMS Anxiety High blood pressure Sleep problems Eat more magnesium rich foods. Best food sources of magnesium: avocados, dark chocolate, nuts and seeds, leafy greens, fatty fish, and legumes. Take a Magnesium supplement. I prefer either Magnesium Glycinate or Magnesium Citrate. Magnesium Glycinate is more gentle on the GI system and is best for those who tend to have bowel movements on the looser side. Magnesium citrate is a good option for those who tend to have normal or infrequent bowel movements. #magnesium #magnesiumdeficiency #healthylifestyle #healthyfood #nutrition #stlouismissouri #chiropractic #functionalmedicine #acupuncture #supplements #nutraceuticals #constipation #constipationrelief #anxietyrelief #headacherelief See more

Short chain fatty acids are metabolites that are produced from the ingestion of fiber. When you eat fiber, your gut microbiota metabolizes these fibers into SCFA’s (Butyrate, Proprionate, and Acetate). SCFA’s not only play a role in blood sugar management, but also play a role in diversifying the microbiome and supporting intestinal impermeability. SCFA supplementation has been shown to have an anti-diabetic effect. Here are the ways in which it does so: SCFA stimulate co...lonocytes, which leads to the production of healthy gut bacteria and a diversified microbiome. Healthy gut microbiota modulate insulin. SCFA activate intestinal regulatory T-cells, which reduces systemic inflammation. Decreased inflammation modulates insulin resistance. SCFA activate intestinal G protein coupled receptors, stimulate incretins (GIP and GLP-1), and activate intestinal gluconeogenesis. All of these improve glucose homeostasis and modulate insulin resistance. Tips: Eat more fiber! Broccoli and other cruciferous veggies, raspberries, blackberries, chia seeds, flaxseeds, avocados, and sweet potatoes are good sources of fiber. Take a fiber supplement or supplement with SCFA’s. Look for supplements containing butyric acid. Brands I prefer include: Enterovite by Apex Energetics, ButyrEn by Allergy Research Group, and Butyric-Cal-Mag by Biotics Research Group. #shortchainfattyacids #diabetes #functionalmedicine #bloodsugarbalance #bloodsugardiet #nutrition #fiber #healthylifestyle #stl #stlouismissouri #resistantstarch #microbiome #diabetesmanagement #butyrate #eatmorefiber #ketolifestyle #health #healthyliving #foodismedicine #insulinresistance #insulinresistancediet