Kith & Kin Wellness

P O S T P A R T U M . D E P R E S S I O N : P A R T 2 4Mineral Deficiencies:The two minerals deficiencies MOST relevant to post-partum depression are iron and zinc. Iron deficiency anemias are EXTREMELY common amongst post-partum women, as there is often a considerable amount of blood-loss during birth. Research shows that low ferritin (the storage form of iron) detected immediately after delivery were associated with a 273% increased risk of postpartum depression! Zinc de...ficiency is ALSO very common. Zinc competes for absorption with copper, and maternal levels of copper rise during pregnancy, as it is essential for the production of several KEY organs and body parts in baby. Unfortunately, zinc is a cofactor for MANY key enzymes associated with neurotransmitter production and metabolism. This copper overload/ zinc deficiency pictures has been STRONGLY connected to postpartum depression, and zinc supplementation CAN be a lifesaver for many. 5Lack of Sleep. I don’t know that I need to go into this in detail. We mamas know we are sleep deprived. We humans know what sleep deprivation can do to our mental emotional stability. 6Low DHA: Essential Fatty Acids (specifically DHA) are important factors in brain/nervous system development and mood regulation. During pregnancy, the requirement for DHA increases dramatically, as baby requires this nutrient for proper development. If mom’s diet is insufficient, baby takes preference, stealing mom’s DHEA from storage within the brain. This alone can lead to pregnancy brain, mom brain, and post-partum depression. 7Low Cholesterol: We’ve come to know that low cholesterol is a BIG risk factor for depression. In my practice, I don’t like to see total cholesterol under 150. In the brain, cholesterol functions as an antioxidant, provides insulation, contributes to the cell-membrane barrier (preventing the entry of toxins), and plays a role in the appropriate firing of neurotransmitters at the nerve cell synapses. #postpartumdepression #postpartum #fourthtrimester #postpartumanxiety #postpartumhormones #postpartumsupport #momlife #mombrain #postpartumsandiego #sandiegopostpartum #zincdeficiency

P O S T P A R T U M . D E P R E S S I O N....It’s time to unveil this monster in a 2 part series. 1Thyroid Health: Did you know that up to 2 out of every 10 women will develop a thyroid disorder after pregnancy! That’s HUGE! Thyroid health is essential for so many processes within the body, including regulation of mood! Depression is one of THE top symptoms accompanying low thyroid function. Other symptoms include a drop in milk supply, constipation, dry skin, weight gain, ...muscle weakness/achiness, increased sensitivity to cold, fatigue, puffy face, and hoarseness. 2Fluctuating Hormones: You thought the pregnancy hormones were a rough ride, wait until post-partum hits. The postpartum hormone drop is considered the single largest hormone change in the shortest amount of time for any human being, at any point of their life cycle. You can liken it to the shift that occurs during to your period x 100! That’s some hefty PMS (hence why we cry more than our babies on that 3rd day PP). Unfortunately, it doesn’t stop there if you are breastfeeding. Prolactin (the hormone that signals milk production) further suppressed your hormones until you wean your child. Some women don’t struggle with emotions UNTIL they begin to wean and cycle normally again. Why? Well this can be likened to going to puberty. All of a sudden, the brakes are taken off your hypothalamus, and your hormones begin to increase back to normal levels. Hang in there, mama! 3Prolactin and Emotions: Prolactin is our breast feeding hormone. It not only signals milk production, but research shows that it also regulates stress at the level of the hippocampus! High prolactin levels have been associated with increased stress resilience and less likelihood of developing post-partum depression. Alright, so that’s the good. Unfortunately, prolactin has some downsides for some. Females with high prolactin have also been found to have more symptoms of anxiety and hostility. So ladies, remind your husband that you are NOT crazy.. you are just breastfeeding! #postpartumdepression #fourthtrimester #breastfeedingmama #postpartumthyroiditis #postpartumjourney #postpartumhealth #postpartumanxiety #postpartums

Thinking about a baby? Follow along with my 4 part series: O N E . Y E A R . O U T 1Discontinue all hormonal birth control... - - In an ideal world, It is best to give your body a complete year off of hormonal birth control before trying to conceive. This allows ample time for your body to establish a natural healthy hormonal rhythm. Additionally, synthetic hormones deplete the body of necessary nutrients for baby’s health. 2Start tracking your cycle - - One of the BIGGEST issues I find with couples struggling with infertility is poor timing. Not everyone ovulates on Day 14. It is important to know when YOU ovulate. Some signs include a rise in body temp 24 hours after ovulation, cervical mucus that is clear and egg-white consistency, softening of the cervix, increased sex drive, and unilateral pain in the lower abdomen. Remember that sperm lasts up to 72 hours in the vaginal canal, while a good egg lasts only about 12-24 hours, so key is to have sex BEFORE ovulation. 3Prioritize your health! - - Listen up mama. This is So SOOO crucial. This is not only for the health of your baby, but for YOU! Once you are pregnant, it is near impossible to TREAT your health, as almost everything is contraindicated. If you are breastfeeding afterwards, tack on a couple of more months (or years)! The health of your future child starts with the health of YOU, so start now.. get as healthy as possible, and THEN let’s make a baby! 4For those who have another kiddo, it is BEST that your kiddo is at least 9 months of age (ideally >18 months) before conception. This is because pregnancy depletes the mother’s body of nutrients that are crucial in the formation of the next baby. Research shows that women that have kids < 8 months apart are more at risk for premature infants, low-birth weight infants, and poor pregnancy outcomes. They have even shown in research that children born after a short interpregnancy interval have under-developed facial structures due to nutrient deficiencies! #preconception #preparingforbaby #fertilitytips #fertilitydoctor #naturalfertility #preconceptionhealth #preconceptioncare #hormonebalancing #preconceptionplanning #preconceptionnutrition

I’m not anti-vax. I’m anti enforcement of CDC schedule. We are individuals with individual risk factors, thus, NO schedule is right for everyone. - In the last decade, reports have accumulated on various autoimmune disorders, such as idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura, myopericarditis, primary ovarian failure, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), following vaccination. - Molecular mimicry and bystander activation are reported as possible mechanisms by which vaccines ca...n cause autoimmune reactions. The individuals who might be susceptible to develop these reactions could be especially not only those with previous post-vaccination phenomena and those with allergies but also in individuals who are prone to develop autoimmune diseases, such as those with a family history of autoimmunity or with known autoantibodies, and the genetic predisposed individuals. PMID: 29021840 #vaccines #provaccine #antivax #antivaxxer #vaccineeducation #vaccineingredients #vaccineswork #vaccineinjury #vaccination #vaccinetruth #vaccinefree #vaccinesafety #vaccinessavelives #autoimmunedisease

Mental Health Awareness Month Continues... and I continue to feel compelled to share more about the underlying causes of Postpartum depression. Today, I’d like to highlight the role your gut plays into postpartum depression! Hormonal shifts during pregnancy result in inflammatory and immune changes that alter the gut microbiome (meaning the bugs in your gut shift during pregnancy). These changes within the microbiome insure that mama gains the appropriate weight and has optim...al nutrient absorption to support the pregnancy. Unfortunately, these changes can also make mothers more susceptible to infections, troubles with high blood sugar, and postpartum depression! We know that the gut and the brain are intimately linked! The gut produces 80% of the serotonin in our body! Serotonin is our happy hormone, so if the gut ain’t happy- we aren’t happy. For mothers who are experiencing postpartum digestive upset and postpartum depression, I recommend further examining the gut with a stool panel! Interested in knowing about other factors that play a role in postpartum depression? Check out my recent blog article (link in bio) https://www.kithandkinwellness.com//9-factors-contributing #postpartumdepression #postpartumanxiety #momguilt #fourthtrimester #4thtrimester #postpartumjourney #mentalhealthawareness #depressionhelp #gutbrainaxis #microbiome #digestivehealth #mentalhealthawarenessmonth

Hey Mama, YOU matter. If you’ve stopped your workouts, your self-care, your nutritious diet, or your health-care upon becoming a mama, I hear you. You feel such a sense of responsibility to nurture these children, love unconditionally, and do ALL the things! In the midst of it, you’ve lost a sense of yourself, you’ve left no space for your own nourishment, and you’ve become martyr to motherhood. Maybe you feeling drained, more cranky than typical, and potentially even a tad ...resentful? Let’s take a deep breath A friend of mine, @morganmacdermott , shared with me this phrase- Mothers are the central nervous system of the household. What does this mean? This means that if Mama ain’t happy- ain’t nobody happy. It’s TRUE. As mother’s we orchestrate not only our family’s activities, but we play a huge role in our partner’s and our children’s feelings. You can’t pour from an empty cup, so let’s figure out how to fill it! Mama, selfcare isn’t selfish in fact, it’s the opposite. What are you going to do to refill that cup. I want to hear! #motherhood #postpartumdepression #sandiegomom #newmom #motherhoodquotes #nourishyourself #mamahood #momssupportingmoms #bossbabe #womenempowerment #motherhoodtips #womenshealth #postpartumfitness #postpartumjourney #postpartumhealth #postpartumhealing #anxietyremedies #motherhoodstrength #momsupport @hannah_claire_photography

O U R A P P R O A C H We go after the root cause. We listen, we dive into your history, we gather information, we look beyond the reference ranges, and then we choose from our giant toolbox of treatment modalities to not only HEAL, but to OPTIMIZE your health through an individualized treatment plan. #rootcausemedicine #naturalmedicine #naturopathicmedicine #naturopathicdoctor #lifestylemedicine #realmedicine #functionalmedicine #chronicdisease #autoimmunedisease #moldexposure #toxic #hormoneimbalance #healingispossible #hashimotosdisease #autism #acne #infertility #healthyfamily #sandiegodoctor #missionhills #holistichealing #holistichealth #chronicillness

Let’s talk Genetics! Genomic medicine has become increasingly more popular over the past five years. Each week, I get asked some sort of questions regarding genetics- to review a 23 and me, the impact of an MTHFR SNP, or if dementia is hereditable. It’s exciting to get an inside peak at the potential of our genes. BUT, what I must remind you, is your genetic information is JUST THAT - the potential, not your destiny. The really cool thing about genes is that they can be tu...rned on and turned off based on your lifestyle. Poor diet, smoking, stress, toxins may turn a bad gene on, while a whole foods diet, daily movement, clean water, and a balanced lifestyle may turn those bad genes off. We’ve all been dealt a bad card, and for you, it may be an autoimmune disorder, high cholesterol, acne, or increased risk of dementia. This is not to discourage you or lead you to believe there is not hope. Actually, the opposite is true! Disease will manifest in each of us differently BASED on our genetic potential. However, disease will not manifest in the midst of HEALTH. Disease occurs after a series of triggers. Epigeneitcs are so cool, because it gets us to focus on HEALTHY habits rather than the curing disease. You can’t box up disease and take it away, just like you can’t change your genome... but you can add so much health that there is no room for disease- and THAT, my friend, is the power of epigenetics. #epigenetics #genetictesting #genomicmedicine #genesarenotyourdestiny #mthfr #functionalmedicine #apoe #23andme #naturopathicmedicine #genetics #riskfactors #sandiegodoctor