spk_0: 0:01
I am Dr Tabatha, the functional gynecologist. I'm a board certified OBY, giant and functional medicine physician. I've embraced the world of functional medicine and wellness through my own personal health journey. And I'm super excited to share my wisdom and unique perspective as it pertains to women's health. So if you're struggling, hormone imbalance, weight gain, period issues, anxiety and son, you name it, then you come to the right place. I want to be your functional gynecologist. So welcome. Hi, friends. Today I am interviewing Dr Farris Sultan. She is the founder of Vitality Wellness Center and Med Spot in Homewood, Alabama. She's going to share her story of how she came from India and found herself setting up residence in Alabama and more importantly, how she got from her conventional medical training of family practice an internal medicine into the world of functional medicine and preventative health and wellness. I think it's so important to figure out why things happen to us and why we get lead down the paths that we do and what we can learn from it. So Dr Farah has learned so much along her journey of reclaiming her own health and figuring herself out. She's very passionate about helping other women figure out there. Why and reclaiming their health. She's definitely overtrained. She not only did medical school in India and trained in London, but she also did a residency here in the United States and then went on to become board certified and functional and integrative medicine. She has a special interest in women's health, preventive care, auto, immune disease, diabetes and thyroid issues. Today we're gonna talk about how our immune system is affected by our lifestyle and our environment and how we can strengthen our immune system, especially in this time of covert 19. We're gonna talk about how none of our systems work in a vacuum. They all are interconnected and effect each other. One in balance in our thyroid system can completely effect our sex hormones and our gut microbiome. All the bacteria that live in us can affect our immune system, and our immune system can effect our pain. Koreas and our adrenal glands, and they're all interconnected. So we're gonna have a good conversation about how functional medicine physicians look at that as you, the individual and how it's affected your health. Once we find the root cause We can get you on the road to healing. I am just so passionate about functional medicine and how it heels. So I hope that you enjoy her story and her knowledge. As much as I enjoyed interviewing her. Just a quick note before we get started. Followed Active are on Facebook at Farrah T Sultan and Vitality Wellness. She also just started a podcast called the B well and vital show. So go check that out. I will have the links in my show Notes. So here we go. Enjoy. Well, welcome, Dr Farah. Thanks for being on the functional gynecologist podcast.
spk_1: 3:46
Thank you. A doctor. Damn. Then So happy to be here with you and your
spk_0: 3:51
Yeah, you have a awesome wellness center down in Alabama and I would love to hear How did you get to Alabama? And how did you create a wellness center? What? You know, I would love for you to share your story with my listeners because I think how we get to a certain place in her life is just a Zim Porton as why you know that is our Why,
spk_1: 4:15
sure. So I was born and raised in India in a small town called Raunchy in the Northeast. And growing up, I was exposed to Ah, lot of antibiotics because my dad used to work for this engineering company where there was free medical care provided so I would get so throats and my mom would take me to the doctor and I would end up with another prescription for amoxicillin. And, you know, I generally was a happy and supposedly healthy child. But also when I grew up, I always wanted to be a doctor, and I went to medical school in southern India, and a part of our rotations involves going to out in the community. Do these villages where there was the drinking water may not have been very clean, and they have been contaminated. So I remember getting infected with parasites and Giorgio and things like that. Being in med school, we didn't think anything off it. We would just take a prescription for fragile and get up and keep going and eating those same foods, drinking those same types of water from those water wells and containers. And, uh, I didn't realize what oven Uh, what impact it would have on my health later on. And so fast forward. So after finishing up med school, I wanted to explore the world and broaden my horizon. So I actually took my exams in Singapore for the U. S. Emily's to come to the U. S. But at the time, it was very difficult for especially women doctors from India to come to the U. S. In the sense, it was hard to get a visa. So my plan B was to go to England and I moved to London, which were some of the best and fund years of my life and learned a lot. I trained in internal medicine, and when I worked, I saw it all. Did it? All the were literally on our own very, very busy practice. I really grew as a doctor and learned a lot. And after I completed my control medicine training while I was doing that, I met my future husband there, Huh? He was visiting from Connecticut, and so he came and he came again and he came again then. So finally we got engaged. And then I moved Teoh the U. S. And initially we were up in the East coast and and he was going to med school at Brown. So I started my residency there, and then he matched in UT Houston. So we moved to Houston. And while I was doing my family medicine residency was when I was pregnant with my first baby. And this was in my last year of residency. And when I went into labor, you know, it was just a nightmare. So, um, I wasn't I was kind of contracting regularly, but I wasn't in full, you know, not dilating. So my doctor broke my waters. Then she had to add oxygen does in dribs. And then before I knew it, there was my baby was going into distress. My blood pressure was bottoming out, My oxygen was bottoming out and they had to do something call and new infusion, which I had only read about in textbooks and it. And it was just a saga. And it was 12 hours of labor and then finally, I couldn't push my baby out. His head got stuck and we ended up going to see section. And at the time my husband was in Birmingham and I was in Houston, so he had to take a flight down while I was in labor and my mother in law was with me. And so after C section, my poor baby ended up in the neonatal intensive care unit and that was a night bed to see him on all these IV's and any biotics and and, of course, I got antibiotics with my labor. And so the strange thing was that even though we made it through all this trials, we got home, and I found that there was something very different with my body. Like every single morning, I would wake up with this diarrhea, and I didn't realize at the time, but I had C diff infection on my tummy would be hurting all the time. And then, um, you know, slowly these symptoms began appearing like I would be crying with the postpartum blues and my hair then started falling. And, um, you know, my weight wouldn't come off even three months, six months after delivery, and that's when I went to my O b g y. And because I was otherwise healthy and didn't find any answers. And then I moved to Birmingham and because my husband had started his residence. That fellowship in residency in Birmingham. So that's how we ended up in the Magic city, as they call it. And, um, I, uh, Ben was pregnant three years later with my daughter. And this time, of course, I didn't wanna wait till my labor became worse. I did want to do a trial for normal delivery. The same thing happened, her head got stuck. So I've been first see section. And so again, I remember going back and having my labs checked this time for fatigue and hair loss and low libido, but again didn't find any answers so much later. I was really seeing patients now in my internal medicine practice, but not really getting to the root getting to the bottom. My patients would come to me with the same symptoms that I was still experiencing, like hair loss and weight gain and loss of energy and libido and I. B s type of symptoms, and they couldn't figure it out. And even the tools that I had in my box like the lads that I would check or the medications that I would recommend we're very limited limiting. And if I couldn't help myself, how would I even imagine that I could help my patients. And that's really what led me to this journey and quest that, um, help me discover from shell medicine. And I had only the reason why I had always wanted to be a doctor in the first place was because I wanted to really help people heal themselves and not just, um you know, none of us, though, demand school so we can just write a prescription, right? Right. So and that's exactly what I was doing. And to really spend time with my patients to really help them understand nutrition and lifestyle and being truly healthy. And that's what I wanted, even for my own self. And I felt, if I can't figure it out, how can I help others Let me figure it out for myself, and then I can help others. So in that journey, um, I found that I had Hashimoto's, which is, as you know, an autoimmune condition. And when I look back now at my labs from way back, then you know, my thyroid levels were literally on the brink like my TSH was literally 4.5, and it was I was told it was normal at that time my thyroid antibodies have not even been checked. And so once I found what the cause Waas. And once I knew what changes I had to make because now I had the knowledge off the testing. Then it really actually became so easy for me to really overcome all of these symptoms. And really, I can't believe now. I turned 49 in February this year, and when I see where I was when I was 29 I actually felt and looked much, much worse. So that's why my book soon to be released is called From Survived rife. And so that's why I'm so passionate about women's health, about other immunity, about hormones, about nutrition. Got held all of that because the I. D. S. The Hashimoto's that I had I was able to resolve. And from my knowledge, I did not know of any conventional medicine that could have helped me do that.
spk_0: 14:00
Yeah. Oh, I love hearing your story, and I resonate with it so much. I kind of went through the same thing with my own pregnancy and delivery and developing Hashimoto's and, you know, I think so many of us practitioners going to functional medicine because we have our own personal health journey that we're trying to heal ourselves, and then what's Our eyes are opened. We just have to share this knowledge with the world because it's too important. It's to life changing and something that you hinted at was antibiotic use getting a lot of antibiotics and explain to my listeners how that changed your gut. Microbiome. Like I tried to explain to my patients, You know, we have trying to bacteria living in us and honest, and they're running the show like they are deciding what our metabolism is doing, how our brain is functioning, how we're feeling. Can you explain, like, how did all of those antibiotic exposures predispose you to developing Hashimoto's?
spk_1: 15:12
Yeah, that's such a great question. So then I really And that's what we look at us. Functional medicine condition. It is not just what's going on now, but we go back all the way to the way you were born and the way you were raised and what foods you ate, but also what antibiotics you were prescribed, whether it was for an ear infection or a sore throat or or a Sinus infection. So these antibiotics that we take so easily They don't realize what havoc they create with our good friendly microbiome, which are not white off along with whatever bacteria that was being targeted. And in most cases, I can tell you now, looking back, you know it's hindsight is 2020. But really, most of those infections will most likely viral that I did not even need any anybody on annoyed. I haven't test done to see if this was strep throat. In most cases, No. And, um so it was just based on symptoms. And, uh and this is exactly what I see now happening in so many of my patients that we take antibiotics. They supposedly killed the bad bacteria. But then they also destroy the friendly flora that is really there to protect us, to protect our immune system, to really help every little organ, every little cell function at its best. And so it is only now that we're learning so much more information about our microbiome. It is so fascinating. Andi, Even our brain health are hormone health are hard held, our gut held so many aspect of our health and life are connected to these bacteria. It's so amazing. Yeah, that's incredible. Then an auto immunity. How does that occur? So, as you know, you have to have three practically requisites for anybody to develop other immunity. So number one is genetics, so, yes, genes can predispose us to certain autoimmune conditions. However, even if we have those genes, none of those genes need express themselves unless the other two conditions are met, which is triggers and being talked about those triggers. And the 3rd 1 is a leaky gut. So when we lose the friendly flora in the gut lining, it's like, you know, burning down a rain forest after a thunder or lightning struck it and raised it to the ground. Then you know it's gonna take so much time to regrow that drain for us. And so when these you know, vendor terrain, the ground is denuded off all its flora and fauna. It leads to the growth off these bugs and critters and inflammation, which then makes our immune systems overreact and attack things like a higher wage in Hashimoto's and the gut in I. B. S and a host of other organs to
spk_0: 18:35
Yeah, I would say I probably see how she Moto's two or three times a day in my office. You know, it is way too common, and it shouldn't be that way. It just it wasn't even non existent, you know, half a century ago. So why are we are just destroying our gut lining in Our immune system is responding, trying to support us and protect us. But you know, over time it just overreacts and starts attacking ourselves. And it's not pretty. What would you say? Are the other big factors that you see in your patients when you look at their history besides antibiotic exposure, you know what predisposes them to auto immune disease?
spk_1: 19:23
Certainly that's again such an important question, because we really have to look at the history. And so other than antibiotics, I see a lot of steroids usage, which can predispose them. Birth control pills, which I was on as well as surgeries, like many women will say in history like mine that they felt great and do a certain point win, especially they had a C section, or a hysterectomy or even a knee scope. It could be what may be considered just a minor surgery, and then the whole life kind off unravels. And, um, also, stress is such a huge trigger. So when they go through a very stressful divorce, I see that very commonly, of course, any death in the family, especially the death off a child, is so hard I can't even imagine. And those stressors can be a huge trigger for other immunity and even ultimately cancer. And, um, some of the other things are, you know, a car accident, a really bad motor vehicle accident, head injury. I see a lot when most people tend to ignore that part of their history and, of course, lifestyle, which is diet and lack of movement, that exercise and lack of mindfulness. So it's really a combination of all of these factors, and then the other biggest one is drunks. Eso people on antacids and PP, eyes for acid reflux as huge and, um, on statins, which affect the liver enzymes as well and cause severe pain and other issues. And so people don't realize that how bad these drugs can be.
spk_0: 21:26
Yeah. I mean, they're taking it to suppress their symptoms and were were thinking we're helping them as physicians. Oh, we're making you feel better. We're getting rid of that symptom, but the symptom is a message from your body like, Hey, something's wrong. Please listen, please investigate and figure out, And I love that functional medicine understands that and really tries to get to the root cause. Like, Why are you having the symptom of heartburn? You're obviously eating wrong foods or you're not making digestive enzymes or something is triggering this. And so let's stop trying to cover it up and let's figure it out. You know, I have a lot of women who are on PP eyes, unfortunately, and they'll come to me three or four years after being on them. And they can't figure out why they can't lose weight and can't sleep at night. And so often it's because of the bacteria that are living or not living inside of your system, right? So there's a lot of investigating to do with that. Do you commonly see women with hormone imbalances in your vitality office?
spk_1: 22:36
Certainly, that's one off the main reasons that I see people in really all ages and women, so I do see teenagers from with PMS, issues. Heavy cycles, irregular cycles, moodiness and anxiety is a big one. And then I see a lot of women in their thirties and forties who have severe fatigue. Heavy cycles can sleep at night. And then, of course, in menopause where not only are they having the hot flashes and the vaginal dryness and those types of symptoms which are commonly a vindictive menopause but also the G I symptoms are the brain symptoms off anxiety, insomnia, core brain fog and things like that on DFA Teague has probably fatigue and weight gain are probably the two most common symptoms that I see.
spk_0: 23:38
Yeah, definitely. That's that brings him in the door for sure. Is there something that you always tackle first, when you are trying to help these women? Hell,
spk_1: 23:50
yes. I do believe in foundational gut repair. So I tell my patients that one of the foundations that I'm gonna help you with is to really help your gut to function well, even if you don't have got symptoms, really, to fix the roof off the house, which is your brain. And then the rest of the pillars that hold your house together are your hormones. And so I have developed this five pillars off health approach, which is the gut detox, the nutrition, the hormones, the stress management, which comes with the mind body balance. And then, of course, movement and exercise.
spk_0: 24:37
That's wonderful. Yeah, that sounds exactly like how I approach things. Is there a certain diet that you find more women do better with than others per se?
spk_1: 24:49
I love to started people on just a simple elimination phase on, and they do great with that. And also I do. But I do do food sensitivity testing, because then we're not guessing. And we know sometimes I mean, I'm so surprised that they're reacting. Depends like blueberries and healthy and almonds. And I myself get headaches when I eat almonds. So even though they would be considered to be healthy foods and so that really helps them to see it there rather than someone just telling them you should eat this, you shouldn't eat this. But I believe that when they see that data and then when they implemented and see such a dramatic difference, Yeah, but I don't have to help them stay motivated itself motivating.
spk_0: 25:47
Yeah, exactly. Once you feel better and you realize Wow, I didn't even know if I could feel this good. That's, Ah, great motivator for sure. And I love that you can individualize the medicine. You can figure out exactly what diet this person needs and what foods they should stay away from, and you know exactly what they need to repair their gut. I think that's so important. Do you also do hormone testing?
spk_1: 26:16
We do, and we do have a pretty comprehensive hormone panel. And so again, we're not just looking at, say, your estrogen, but we want to know how you break down your estrogen because that's key when I'm showed. After you see this in your patients to that, a lot of women that I see have estrogen dominance. Yes, because of information because of stress on DSO, they re. And once we know how they metabolize their hormones based on their genes, then begin really help them balance it. That thyroid panel has to be a really thorough, detailed panel, and so when you do those numbers, it's not just a question off. Let's guess and let's just try this and let's just throw this at your body. And the other thing, which I find is a lot of women, especially women who have undergone hysterectomy and even whether it's partial or total. And they're told that they don't need progesterone.
spk_0: 27:26
Oh my goodness, yes, a za traditionally trained gynecologist. They'll tell you that that's how I was trained. You know, if you don't have uterus, you don't need progesterone because that's only to protect the uterus from the estrogen. And what a disservice we're doing. Women telling them that I feel bad looking back toe all the years that I only gave women estrogen like I wish I could take all that back because I know they weren't feeling as good as they should. We need that progesterone. That's our happy, calming, balancing hormone, and you can't sleep without it. I mean, it's just breaks my heart to think back to how I used to practice. But once you know better, you do better, right? So yes, thank you for bringing that up. Women out there need to know that estrogen needs to be balanced with progesterone and testosterone. And can you talk about how our sex hormones are kind of downstream to are major players of our pancreas and our thyroid and adrenal glands? How that all kind of is interconnected because I think so many women one want the quick fix. Oh, it's just my hormones or imbalance. I just need estrogen. No, honey, like your cortisol is through the roof and your thyroid is barely hanging on. And your, you know your sugar is out of control, your insulin is spiking. I want my listeners to understand that it's a super interconnected relationship, and they all affect each other.
spk_1: 29:02
Absolutely so yes. What? So the way our body is created, it's actually such a beautiful thing. Everything works in such harmony, and that's why nothing ever that happens within our body is disconnected with something else that's going on. So if you think off just the term H p a g access, this is our hypothalamus, which is in our brain, which is the emotional center, which senses all our stressors, our emotions and then the pituitary gland, which is the master gland in the brain that controls all these other organs that produce our hormones. And then, of course, you have your thyroid in your neck, which is so, so sensitive toe every little change in your environment, and so you cannot simply treat the thyroid without addressing these other players, which are equally influential in modulating that by rich. And, as Tabitha said, You have to look at your insulin. So fibroids and heavy cycles and endometriosis you couldn't even imagine that they would be linked to insulin resistance and waking and abnormal cycles. But they are directly correlated. And so no wonder women say, Oh, but I don't even eat any sugar, and you can have a totally normal sugar level. But you can have really high insulin resistance because off stress because of information. And so imagine someone drinking Diet Coke with all those artificial aspartame and sweeteners. And then they wonder why they can't lose weight, why they have depression and brain form, and so really, that influences our hormones. Our environmental toxins have been by endocrine disruptors that can also influence of sex hormones. And then, of course, the biggest player is the king is the cortisol, the stress hormone. So even if we take all these beautiful hormones, like thyroid and sex hormones, if the cortisol and the insulin are out of whack, nothing else is going to be balance. So that's why we really do not attribute physical illness and do not give stress hormone as much credit as it should be in in terms off how much of an influence it has on our health.
spk_0: 31:48
Yes, it's so true. And, you know, I was thinking about the whole Corona virus thing in our immune system and how, when our cortisol level is high, our immune system is suppressed, and that's why we're more EP to get sick after major stressful situations. And a great example of that is, when you haven't overactive immune system say you have hives all over your body. What is your doctor Do they give you prednisone, which is, you know, just like cortisol? And so for people to understand that that court is all is suppressing your immune system, it's making you more prone to an auto immune disease and toe hormone imbalance. I just think it's super important for women to understand, especially right now with Corona, because we want to strengthen our immune system, right? So part of that is managing our stressors and getting that cortisol level down. Getting out of that sympathetic fighter flight Gotta go, Gotta go, Gotta go state And the other thing I would love for you to touch on is I've been thinking about this quote new normal how we're all gonna, you know, protect ourselves and never get any bacteria or virus ever again. And you know, you touched on this earlier. We need healthy bacteria and a microbiome honor system to protect us and keep our immune systems strong. So I would love for you to talk about how important it is, not toe live in a sterile environment. So we need to find some kind of balance, right? We cannot be losing our minds over this Corona virus and putting ourselves in a bubble and never touching each other again, right? What? Don't you agree?
spk_1: 33:39
Yeah. So I love that book each dirt eso really? Even our kids like we just live in the super sanitized atmosphere. And especially right now, with this pandemic going on, we have taken it to the other extreme and forgetting the basics, which is to improve our immune system. And
spk_0: 34:02
how do you know
spk_1: 34:03
your immune system? You start with your the tens that your immune system needs to strengthen it, which is food. Food is medicine. So the things that you eat can support your friendly bacteria. And then you go to the grocery store today. What do you see? The only thing in stock is the healthy fruits. The rest is flying off heartbreak, stress eating. And we're eating the very things that we shouldn't be eating to support our immune system. And the best fighting chance we have right now against this virus. And next fall, it could be some other virus. And how can a virus just shut us down like this? Have we taken a step back to really look at why is our American health care system in the state It is in now being the best off the best? Why have we found ourselves in the situation? So we really have to look at the y and see how are we living our lifestyle? How are we eating? How are we cleaning our environment? Yes, you don't have to. It doesn't mean you have to be dirty. But everything we put on our skin is directly absorbed into our system. And the more toxic our environment, it is directly going to influence our gut. The lining of our gut, which is the immune system. The bacteria that line our guts and ultimately our ability. Defend off and fight infections.
spk_0: 35:38
Yes, So we need to focus on building strong immune systems and getting back to being healthy. I think that will protect us against the next cove it more than anything, you know, I really hope that's the way it goes. I hope it's not all about vaccinations. I hope it is about building our natural immunity and getting back to being healthy. And you hit on something so important with the food. Our food is so important to our health. It can make or break us, and we need to be eating riel, clean whole foods that God created, you know, out of the ground from Mother Nature. We don't need to be eating these science projects, you know, from boxes and bags that man created.
spk_1: 36:27
No, not helping us. Exactly what's happening. In fact, the people who have overcome this other people and it doesn't really matter what age they are at. Even though they said that people 60 and older are at higher risk, even some young people can succumb to it. Why? Because what's the underlying theme? It is how robust their immune system waas so Why not focus on that? Like you said, rather than just artificially putting some other toxin into your body?
spk_0: 37:03
Yeah, exactly. Are you doing I v therapy in your office or any kind of immune beauty boosting bio hacks? At this time
spk_1: 37:13
we knew. I totally believe in. I'd either be, especially when you don't have a gut that's working very well. So use ah, High C, which I love for people with cancer and for other immunity, be views. Dude, I own admires cocktail redo cumulation for not only heavy metals but for heart disease and also have ozone that you like. Because I do see mold and lime and indeed A and these chronic inflammatory conditions that they've drugged on the antibiotics for the lime. And now they got needs to be fixed because he's the in a ramshackle. And so those therapies have proven to be so beneficial in helping to boost the immune system.
spk_0: 38:09
That's a wonderful your Your community is so lucky to have you there. How long have you been there
spk_1: 38:16
in this practice? For six years.
spk_0: 38:18
Okay, that's awesome. And what would you say? You know, people are worried about at this point Is it mostly their immune system?
spk_1: 38:30
Yes, I mean one. The certainly that you know, the immune system and how to keep themselves from getting sick. And of course, the second thing is the stress and anxiety even has nowhere in our history have we gone through a period like this where were socially isolated. And that's why I hate the term social distancing. I prefer to say physical destroyed areas still be connected, even if you're physically apart, and that's led to tremendous anxiety. I do see people calling me and saying, What should I do? I am very anxious. I'm almost panicking. It can sleep at night. My routine is disrupted. I don't know if I will have my job, because financially it's such a strain. The kids are being home schooled, and so that's why I feel gratitude and mindfulness and stress relief and good sleep place such a huge role, even that really boosting our immune system. But really just a help of the day today.
spk_0: 39:37
Yeah, definitely. We got to get back to mindfulness and gratitude. I personally love to do you know, at the end of the day I like to really focus on my breathing and try to clear my mind or not necessary. Clear it, but focus it and ignore all the useless thoughts that air jumping in right and try to focus on just being present, being with my body, listening to what it needs. And I think if we did that for five or 10 minutes every day, it would kind of help clear the clutter. I think that once you're able to get control of what thoughts, air coming into your mind and realize they're just thoughts, they don't you don't have to act on them. They're not controlling you. You can let it go. I think there's a lot of power in that. And I think it's really helpful at this time because we're so alone, right? Yeah. What type of meditation or mindfulness do you like to practice?
spk_1: 40:44
And actually, this has been a blessing because it has given me the time to really write it twice a day. So I do it first thing in the morning and the last thing at night. So mainly, I just love to focus on my breathing, and, um, do you just do about just 10 to 15 minutes off mindfulness to start my day strong and ingratitude and then end the day in a gratitude and a mindfulness as well. So I do it sitting up in the morning and lying down at night.
spk_0: 41:19
Good, yeah, And you don't have to be frustrated when your mind starts to wander, right? Because it's going to the thoughts are going to come in, and I I always just say, Begin again. Begin again like Refocus, Go back to your breath because it's like a training session for getting those thoughts to just go away. It's You can't do it right
spk_1: 41:42
to be that person. I meditation is not for me because I'm a type A personality and on the go. But then I realized what this was when I was just building my new practice and I would be upto two o'clock because my buying wouldn't stop. But then I realized it was so self destructive then, now that I've gotten into meditating if for any reason I miss even a few minutes of it, I really I can tell that Miss it.
spk_0: 42:13
Yeah, you Oh, that's great. Yeah, I know. Personally, I feel more scatterbrained. And then I realized Wow, I really haven't been doing any mindfulness. I haven't been focusing on myself. And, you know, I just did a video today saying It's never too late to restart like we were all gonna fall off the wagon. We're all human, You know, I've been eating more big to goods in the past three weeks than I have in my life, because that's what we're doing. But it's OK, Teoh. Try again and get back to your smoothies and get back to your yoga and try again, right?
spk_1: 42:52
Yes, that's what I tell my folks, too. That don't beat yourself about it. You know it's OK. Give yourself some grace and give yourself some room.
spk_0: 43:02
Yeah, I love that. Give yourself some grace. That's perfect. Will you run through your quick five pillars one more time for my audience so that they know what to work out
spk_1: 43:12
of? The first pillar is detoxification, and I say it's an act of kindness to yourself in the food and nutrition but personalized student because there's no other you in this entire universe. So that's why your friend may do great on a diet, and you may not, because she's different from you. and then the third is hormones. So without balancing hormones, you cannot balance everything else and keep it that way. You can go to Weight Watchers into a crash diet and feel, uh, maybe so, so unhappy that you have lost weight. But you've been eating cookies and chips and just counting point. So nutrition, but not so much Helmand much, but one quality and what's right for you. And then the hormones, of course. And then the mind body balance, which comes with stress management, which is really our emotional health, are sleep, which is so important because you know, when you don't see, but you can't have your day go 100% and then, of course, movement and exercise, so you don't even have to go to the gym. I know on the gyms are closed right now, but there's so many simple things we can do in the house outside the house that are great.
spk_0: 44:28
Yeah, I love that. So focus on those five pillars. I think that's so important. That's awesome. Well, it has been so great talking to you. I think that you are just such a blessing and your patients are so blessed to have you. And thank you for sharing all your knowledge with us today. It's been wonderful.
spk_1: 44:48
Thank you. And stay blessed and thank you for listening.
spk_0: 44:53
Take care. Thank you. Well, thanks for tuning in today. You guys. I hope you enjoyed that. I think you could never hear it enough that we need to get back to basics. We need to stay hydrated, eat the right foods, move our body, be mind full stop to process stuff and just do since self love. So I'm probably gonna say that on most of my podcast episodes, but I'm really hoping that you're getting something out of this. If you can pick out one little nugget that you can incorporate into your life one little change that you can make to start reclaiming your health, then I've done my job. That would be so amazing. So turned out to get overwhelmed. I know it's a lot of information, but pick one thing that you want to work on and focus on and just start doing it. It's gonna be an accumulative affect. You pick one thing each week with each podcast, and you know, six months from now you'll be feeling like a whole new woman. So don't give up. Keep giving yourself love. Keep trying to figure out how to heal yourself and make yourself the best that you can be. All right, Go out and have an amazing we. Hopefully, this covert situation is almost over for most of us. So love your neighbor and love yourself five guys.
I am Dr Tabatha, the functional gynecologist. I'm a board certified OBY, giant and functional medicine physician. I've embraced the world of functional medicine and wellness through my own personal health journey. And I'm super excited to share my wisdom and unique perspective as it pertains to women's health. So if you're struggling, hormone imbalance, weight gain, period issues, anxiety and son, you name it, then you come to the right place. I want to be your functional gynecologist. So welcome. Hi, friends. Today I am interviewing Dr Farris Sultan. She is the founder of Vitality Wellness Center and Med Spot in Homewood, Alabama. She's going to share her story of how she came from India and found herself setting up residence in Alabama and more importantly, how she got from her conventional medical training of family practice an internal medicine into the world of functional medicine and preventative health and wellness. I think it's so important to figure out why things happen to us and why we get lead down the paths that we do and what we can learn from it. So Dr Farah has learned so much along her journey of reclaiming her own health and figuring herself out. She's very passionate about helping other women figure out there. Why and reclaiming their health. She's definitely overtrained. She not only did medical school in India and trained in London, but she also did a residency here in the United States and then went on to become board certified and functional and integrative medicine. She has a special interest in women's health, preventive care, auto, immune disease, diabetes and thyroid issues. Today we're gonna talk about how our immune system is affected by our lifestyle and our environment and how we can strengthen our immune system, especially in this time of covert 19. We're gonna talk about how none of our systems work in a vacuum. They all are interconnected and effect each other. One in balance in our thyroid system can completely effect our sex hormones and our gut microbiome. All the bacteria that live in us can affect our immune system, and our immune system can effect our pain. Koreas and our adrenal glands, and they're all interconnected. So we're gonna have a good conversation about how functional medicine physicians look at that as you, the individual and how it's affected your health. Once we find the root cause We can get you on the road to healing. I am just so passionate about functional medicine and how it heels. So I hope that you enjoy her story and her knowledge. As much as I enjoyed interviewing her. Just a quick note before we get started. Followed Active are on Facebook at Farrah T Sultan and Vitality Wellness. She also just started a podcast called the B well and vital show. So go check that out. I will have the links in my show Notes. So here we go. Enjoy. Well, welcome, Dr Farah. Thanks for being on the functional gynecologist podcast.
spk_1: 3:46
Thank you. A doctor. Damn. Then So happy to be here with you and your
spk_0: 3:51
Yeah, you have a awesome wellness center down in Alabama and I would love to hear How did you get to Alabama? And how did you create a wellness center? What? You know, I would love for you to share your story with my listeners because I think how we get to a certain place in her life is just a Zim Porton as why you know that is our Why,
spk_1: 4:15
sure. So I was born and raised in India in a small town called Raunchy in the Northeast. And growing up, I was exposed to Ah, lot of antibiotics because my dad used to work for this engineering company where there was free medical care provided so I would get so throats and my mom would take me to the doctor and I would end up with another prescription for amoxicillin. And, you know, I generally was a happy and supposedly healthy child. But also when I grew up, I always wanted to be a doctor, and I went to medical school in southern India, and a part of our rotations involves going to out in the community. Do these villages where there was the drinking water may not have been very clean, and they have been contaminated. So I remember getting infected with parasites and Giorgio and things like that. Being in med school, we didn't think anything off it. We would just take a prescription for fragile and get up and keep going and eating those same foods, drinking those same types of water from those water wells and containers. And, uh, I didn't realize what oven Uh, what impact it would have on my health later on. And so fast forward. So after finishing up med school, I wanted to explore the world and broaden my horizon. So I actually took my exams in Singapore for the U. S. Emily's to come to the U. S. But at the time, it was very difficult for especially women doctors from India to come to the U. S. In the sense, it was hard to get a visa. So my plan B was to go to England and I moved to London, which were some of the best and fund years of my life and learned a lot. I trained in internal medicine, and when I worked, I saw it all. Did it? All the were literally on our own very, very busy practice. I really grew as a doctor and learned a lot. And after I completed my control medicine training while I was doing that, I met my future husband there, Huh? He was visiting from Connecticut, and so he came and he came again and he came again then. So finally we got engaged. And then I moved Teoh the U. S. And initially we were up in the East coast and and he was going to med school at Brown. So I started my residency there, and then he matched in UT Houston. So we moved to Houston. And while I was doing my family medicine residency was when I was pregnant with my first baby. And this was in my last year of residency. And when I went into labor, you know, it was just a nightmare. So, um, I wasn't I was kind of contracting regularly, but I wasn't in full, you know, not dilating. So my doctor broke my waters. Then she had to add oxygen does in dribs. And then before I knew it, there was my baby was going into distress. My blood pressure was bottoming out, My oxygen was bottoming out and they had to do something call and new infusion, which I had only read about in textbooks and it. And it was just a saga. And it was 12 hours of labor and then finally, I couldn't push my baby out. His head got stuck and we ended up going to see section. And at the time my husband was in Birmingham and I was in Houston, so he had to take a flight down while I was in labor and my mother in law was with me. And so after C section, my poor baby ended up in the neonatal intensive care unit and that was a night bed to see him on all these IV's and any biotics and and, of course, I got antibiotics with my labor. And so the strange thing was that even though we made it through all this trials, we got home, and I found that there was something very different with my body. Like every single morning, I would wake up with this diarrhea, and I didn't realize at the time, but I had C diff infection on my tummy would be hurting all the time. And then, um, you know, slowly these symptoms began appearing like I would be crying with the postpartum blues and my hair then started falling. And, um, you know, my weight wouldn't come off even three months, six months after delivery, and that's when I went to my O b g y. And because I was otherwise healthy and didn't find any answers. And then I moved to Birmingham and because my husband had started his residence. That fellowship in residency in Birmingham. So that's how we ended up in the Magic city, as they call it. And, um, I, uh, Ben was pregnant three years later with my daughter. And this time, of course, I didn't wanna wait till my labor became worse. I did want to do a trial for normal delivery. The same thing happened, her head got stuck. So I've been first see section. And so again, I remember going back and having my labs checked this time for fatigue and hair loss and low libido, but again didn't find any answers so much later. I was really seeing patients now in my internal medicine practice, but not really getting to the root getting to the bottom. My patients would come to me with the same symptoms that I was still experiencing, like hair loss and weight gain and loss of energy and libido and I. B s type of symptoms, and they couldn't figure it out. And even the tools that I had in my box like the lads that I would check or the medications that I would recommend we're very limited limiting. And if I couldn't help myself, how would I even imagine that I could help my patients. And that's really what led me to this journey and quest that, um, help me discover from shell medicine. And I had only the reason why I had always wanted to be a doctor in the first place was because I wanted to really help people heal themselves and not just, um you know, none of us, though, demand school so we can just write a prescription, right? Right. So and that's exactly what I was doing. And to really spend time with my patients to really help them understand nutrition and lifestyle and being truly healthy. And that's what I wanted, even for my own self. And I felt, if I can't figure it out, how can I help others Let me figure it out for myself, and then I can help others. So in that journey, um, I found that I had Hashimoto's, which is, as you know, an autoimmune condition. And when I look back now at my labs from way back, then you know, my thyroid levels were literally on the brink like my TSH was literally 4.5, and it was I was told it was normal at that time my thyroid antibodies have not even been checked. And so once I found what the cause Waas. And once I knew what changes I had to make because now I had the knowledge off the testing. Then it really actually became so easy for me to really overcome all of these symptoms. And really, I can't believe now. I turned 49 in February this year, and when I see where I was when I was 29 I actually felt and looked much, much worse. So that's why my book soon to be released is called From Survived rife. And so that's why I'm so passionate about women's health, about other immunity, about hormones, about nutrition. Got held all of that because the I. D. S. The Hashimoto's that I had I was able to resolve. And from my knowledge, I did not know of any conventional medicine that could have helped me do that.
spk_0: 14:00
Yeah. Oh, I love hearing your story, and I resonate with it so much. I kind of went through the same thing with my own pregnancy and delivery and developing Hashimoto's and, you know, I think so many of us practitioners going to functional medicine because we have our own personal health journey that we're trying to heal ourselves, and then what's Our eyes are opened. We just have to share this knowledge with the world because it's too important. It's to life changing and something that you hinted at was antibiotic use getting a lot of antibiotics and explain to my listeners how that changed your gut. Microbiome. Like I tried to explain to my patients, You know, we have trying to bacteria living in us and honest, and they're running the show like they are deciding what our metabolism is doing, how our brain is functioning, how we're feeling. Can you explain, like, how did all of those antibiotic exposures predispose you to developing Hashimoto's?
spk_1: 15:12
Yeah, that's such a great question. So then I really And that's what we look at us. Functional medicine condition. It is not just what's going on now, but we go back all the way to the way you were born and the way you were raised and what foods you ate, but also what antibiotics you were prescribed, whether it was for an ear infection or a sore throat or or a Sinus infection. So these antibiotics that we take so easily They don't realize what havoc they create with our good friendly microbiome, which are not white off along with whatever bacteria that was being targeted. And in most cases, I can tell you now, looking back, you know it's hindsight is 2020. But really, most of those infections will most likely viral that I did not even need any anybody on annoyed. I haven't test done to see if this was strep throat. In most cases, No. And, um so it was just based on symptoms. And, uh and this is exactly what I see now happening in so many of my patients that we take antibiotics. They supposedly killed the bad bacteria. But then they also destroy the friendly flora that is really there to protect us, to protect our immune system, to really help every little organ, every little cell function at its best. And so it is only now that we're learning so much more information about our microbiome. It is so fascinating. Andi, Even our brain health are hormone health are hard held, our gut held so many aspect of our health and life are connected to these bacteria. It's so amazing. Yeah, that's incredible. Then an auto immunity. How does that occur? So, as you know, you have to have three practically requisites for anybody to develop other immunity. So number one is genetics, so, yes, genes can predispose us to certain autoimmune conditions. However, even if we have those genes, none of those genes need express themselves unless the other two conditions are met, which is triggers and being talked about those triggers. And the 3rd 1 is a leaky gut. So when we lose the friendly flora in the gut lining, it's like, you know, burning down a rain forest after a thunder or lightning struck it and raised it to the ground. Then you know it's gonna take so much time to regrow that drain for us. And so when these you know, vendor terrain, the ground is denuded off all its flora and fauna. It leads to the growth off these bugs and critters and inflammation, which then makes our immune systems overreact and attack things like a higher wage in Hashimoto's and the gut in I. B. S and a host of other organs to
spk_0: 18:35
Yeah, I would say I probably see how she Moto's two or three times a day in my office. You know, it is way too common, and it shouldn't be that way. It just it wasn't even non existent, you know, half a century ago. So why are we are just destroying our gut lining in Our immune system is responding, trying to support us and protect us. But you know, over time it just overreacts and starts attacking ourselves. And it's not pretty. What would you say? Are the other big factors that you see in your patients when you look at their history besides antibiotic exposure, you know what predisposes them to auto immune disease?
spk_1: 19:23
Certainly that's again such an important question, because we really have to look at the history. And so other than antibiotics, I see a lot of steroids usage, which can predispose them. Birth control pills, which I was on as well as surgeries, like many women will say in history like mine that they felt great and do a certain point win, especially they had a C section, or a hysterectomy or even a knee scope. It could be what may be considered just a minor surgery, and then the whole life kind off unravels. And, um, also, stress is such a huge trigger. So when they go through a very stressful divorce, I see that very commonly, of course, any death in the family, especially the death off a child, is so hard I can't even imagine. And those stressors can be a huge trigger for other immunity and even ultimately cancer. And, um, some of the other things are, you know, a car accident, a really bad motor vehicle accident, head injury. I see a lot when most people tend to ignore that part of their history and, of course, lifestyle, which is diet and lack of movement, that exercise and lack of mindfulness. So it's really a combination of all of these factors, and then the other biggest one is drunks. Eso people on antacids and PP, eyes for acid reflux as huge and, um, on statins, which affect the liver enzymes as well and cause severe pain and other issues. And so people don't realize that how bad these drugs can be.
spk_0: 21:26
Yeah. I mean, they're taking it to suppress their symptoms and were were thinking we're helping them as physicians. Oh, we're making you feel better. We're getting rid of that symptom, but the symptom is a message from your body like, Hey, something's wrong. Please listen, please investigate and figure out, And I love that functional medicine understands that and really tries to get to the root cause. Like, Why are you having the symptom of heartburn? You're obviously eating wrong foods or you're not making digestive enzymes or something is triggering this. And so let's stop trying to cover it up and let's figure it out. You know, I have a lot of women who are on PP eyes, unfortunately, and they'll come to me three or four years after being on them. And they can't figure out why they can't lose weight and can't sleep at night. And so often it's because of the bacteria that are living or not living inside of your system, right? So there's a lot of investigating to do with that. Do you commonly see women with hormone imbalances in your vitality office?
spk_1: 22:36
Certainly, that's one off the main reasons that I see people in really all ages and women, so I do see teenagers from with PMS, issues. Heavy cycles, irregular cycles, moodiness and anxiety is a big one. And then I see a lot of women in their thirties and forties who have severe fatigue. Heavy cycles can sleep at night. And then, of course, in menopause where not only are they having the hot flashes and the vaginal dryness and those types of symptoms which are commonly a vindictive menopause but also the G I symptoms are the brain symptoms off anxiety, insomnia, core brain fog and things like that on DFA Teague has probably fatigue and weight gain are probably the two most common symptoms that I see.
spk_0: 23:38
Yeah, definitely. That's that brings him in the door for sure. Is there something that you always tackle first, when you are trying to help these women? Hell,
spk_1: 23:50
yes. I do believe in foundational gut repair. So I tell my patients that one of the foundations that I'm gonna help you with is to really help your gut to function well, even if you don't have got symptoms, really, to fix the roof off the house, which is your brain. And then the rest of the pillars that hold your house together are your hormones. And so I have developed this five pillars off health approach, which is the gut detox, the nutrition, the hormones, the stress management, which comes with the mind body balance. And then, of course, movement and exercise.
spk_0: 24:37
That's wonderful. Yeah, that sounds exactly like how I approach things. Is there a certain diet that you find more women do better with than others per se?
spk_1: 24:49
I love to started people on just a simple elimination phase on, and they do great with that. And also I do. But I do do food sensitivity testing, because then we're not guessing. And we know sometimes I mean, I'm so surprised that they're reacting. Depends like blueberries and healthy and almonds. And I myself get headaches when I eat almonds. So even though they would be considered to be healthy foods and so that really helps them to see it there rather than someone just telling them you should eat this, you shouldn't eat this. But I believe that when they see that data and then when they implemented and see such a dramatic difference, Yeah, but I don't have to help them stay motivated itself motivating.
spk_0: 25:47
Yeah, exactly. Once you feel better and you realize Wow, I didn't even know if I could feel this good. That's, Ah, great motivator for sure. And I love that you can individualize the medicine. You can figure out exactly what diet this person needs and what foods they should stay away from, and you know exactly what they need to repair their gut. I think that's so important. Do you also do hormone testing?
spk_1: 26:16
We do, and we do have a pretty comprehensive hormone panel. And so again, we're not just looking at, say, your estrogen, but we want to know how you break down your estrogen because that's key when I'm showed. After you see this in your patients to that, a lot of women that I see have estrogen dominance. Yes, because of information because of stress on DSO, they re. And once we know how they metabolize their hormones based on their genes, then begin really help them balance it. That thyroid panel has to be a really thorough, detailed panel, and so when you do those numbers, it's not just a question off. Let's guess and let's just try this and let's just throw this at your body. And the other thing, which I find is a lot of women, especially women who have undergone hysterectomy and even whether it's partial or total. And they're told that they don't need progesterone.
spk_0: 27:26
Oh my goodness, yes, a za traditionally trained gynecologist. They'll tell you that that's how I was trained. You know, if you don't have uterus, you don't need progesterone because that's only to protect the uterus from the estrogen. And what a disservice we're doing. Women telling them that I feel bad looking back toe all the years that I only gave women estrogen like I wish I could take all that back because I know they weren't feeling as good as they should. We need that progesterone. That's our happy, calming, balancing hormone, and you can't sleep without it. I mean, it's just breaks my heart to think back to how I used to practice. But once you know better, you do better, right? So yes, thank you for bringing that up. Women out there need to know that estrogen needs to be balanced with progesterone and testosterone. And can you talk about how our sex hormones are kind of downstream to are major players of our pancreas and our thyroid and adrenal glands? How that all kind of is interconnected because I think so many women one want the quick fix. Oh, it's just my hormones or imbalance. I just need estrogen. No, honey, like your cortisol is through the roof and your thyroid is barely hanging on. And your, you know your sugar is out of control, your insulin is spiking. I want my listeners to understand that it's a super interconnected relationship, and they all affect each other.
spk_1: 29:02
Absolutely so yes. What? So the way our body is created, it's actually such a beautiful thing. Everything works in such harmony, and that's why nothing ever that happens within our body is disconnected with something else that's going on. So if you think off just the term H p a g access, this is our hypothalamus, which is in our brain, which is the emotional center, which senses all our stressors, our emotions and then the pituitary gland, which is the master gland in the brain that controls all these other organs that produce our hormones. And then, of course, you have your thyroid in your neck, which is so, so sensitive toe every little change in your environment, and so you cannot simply treat the thyroid without addressing these other players, which are equally influential in modulating that by rich. And, as Tabitha said, You have to look at your insulin. So fibroids and heavy cycles and endometriosis you couldn't even imagine that they would be linked to insulin resistance and waking and abnormal cycles. But they are directly correlated. And so no wonder women say, Oh, but I don't even eat any sugar, and you can have a totally normal sugar level. But you can have really high insulin resistance because off stress because of information. And so imagine someone drinking Diet Coke with all those artificial aspartame and sweeteners. And then they wonder why they can't lose weight, why they have depression and brain form, and so really, that influences our hormones. Our environmental toxins have been by endocrine disruptors that can also influence of sex hormones. And then, of course, the biggest player is the king is the cortisol, the stress hormone. So even if we take all these beautiful hormones, like thyroid and sex hormones, if the cortisol and the insulin are out of whack, nothing else is going to be balance. So that's why we really do not attribute physical illness and do not give stress hormone as much credit as it should be in in terms off how much of an influence it has on our health.
spk_0: 31:48
Yes, it's so true. And, you know, I was thinking about the whole Corona virus thing in our immune system and how, when our cortisol level is high, our immune system is suppressed, and that's why we're more EP to get sick after major stressful situations. And a great example of that is, when you haven't overactive immune system say you have hives all over your body. What is your doctor Do they give you prednisone, which is, you know, just like cortisol? And so for people to understand that that court is all is suppressing your immune system, it's making you more prone to an auto immune disease and toe hormone imbalance. I just think it's super important for women to understand, especially right now with Corona, because we want to strengthen our immune system, right? So part of that is managing our stressors and getting that cortisol level down. Getting out of that sympathetic fighter flight Gotta go, Gotta go, Gotta go state And the other thing I would love for you to touch on is I've been thinking about this quote new normal how we're all gonna, you know, protect ourselves and never get any bacteria or virus ever again. And you know, you touched on this earlier. We need healthy bacteria and a microbiome honor system to protect us and keep our immune systems strong. So I would love for you to talk about how important it is, not toe live in a sterile environment. So we need to find some kind of balance, right? We cannot be losing our minds over this Corona virus and putting ourselves in a bubble and never touching each other again, right? What? Don't you agree?
spk_1: 33:39
Yeah. So I love that book each dirt eso really? Even our kids like we just live in the super sanitized atmosphere. And especially right now, with this pandemic going on, we have taken it to the other extreme and forgetting the basics, which is to improve our immune system. And
spk_0: 34:02
how do you know
spk_1: 34:03
your immune system? You start with your the tens that your immune system needs to strengthen it, which is food. Food is medicine. So the things that you eat can support your friendly bacteria. And then you go to the grocery store today. What do you see? The only thing in stock is the healthy fruits. The rest is flying off heartbreak, stress eating. And we're eating the very things that we shouldn't be eating to support our immune system. And the best fighting chance we have right now against this virus. And next fall, it could be some other virus. And how can a virus just shut us down like this? Have we taken a step back to really look at why is our American health care system in the state It is in now being the best off the best? Why have we found ourselves in the situation? So we really have to look at the y and see how are we living our lifestyle? How are we eating? How are we cleaning our environment? Yes, you don't have to. It doesn't mean you have to be dirty. But everything we put on our skin is directly absorbed into our system. And the more toxic our environment, it is directly going to influence our gut. The lining of our gut, which is the immune system. The bacteria that line our guts and ultimately our ability. Defend off and fight infections.
spk_0: 35:38
Yes, So we need to focus on building strong immune systems and getting back to being healthy. I think that will protect us against the next cove it more than anything, you know, I really hope that's the way it goes. I hope it's not all about vaccinations. I hope it is about building our natural immunity and getting back to being healthy. And you hit on something so important with the food. Our food is so important to our health. It can make or break us, and we need to be eating riel, clean whole foods that God created, you know, out of the ground from Mother Nature. We don't need to be eating these science projects, you know, from boxes and bags that man created.
spk_1: 36:27
No, not helping us. Exactly what's happening. In fact, the people who have overcome this other people and it doesn't really matter what age they are at. Even though they said that people 60 and older are at higher risk, even some young people can succumb to it. Why? Because what's the underlying theme? It is how robust their immune system waas so Why not focus on that? Like you said, rather than just artificially putting some other toxin into your body?
spk_0: 37:03
Yeah, exactly. Are you doing I v therapy in your office or any kind of immune beauty boosting bio hacks? At this time
spk_1: 37:13
we knew. I totally believe in. I'd either be, especially when you don't have a gut that's working very well. So use ah, High C, which I love for people with cancer and for other immunity, be views. Dude, I own admires cocktail redo cumulation for not only heavy metals but for heart disease and also have ozone that you like. Because I do see mold and lime and indeed A and these chronic inflammatory conditions that they've drugged on the antibiotics for the lime. And now they got needs to be fixed because he's the in a ramshackle. And so those therapies have proven to be so beneficial in helping to boost the immune system.
spk_0: 38:09
That's a wonderful your Your community is so lucky to have you there. How long have you been there
spk_1: 38:16
in this practice? For six years.
spk_0: 38:18
Okay, that's awesome. And what would you say? You know, people are worried about at this point Is it mostly their immune system?
spk_1: 38:30
Yes, I mean one. The certainly that you know, the immune system and how to keep themselves from getting sick. And of course, the second thing is the stress and anxiety even has nowhere in our history have we gone through a period like this where were socially isolated. And that's why I hate the term social distancing. I prefer to say physical destroyed areas still be connected, even if you're physically apart, and that's led to tremendous anxiety. I do see people calling me and saying, What should I do? I am very anxious. I'm almost panicking. It can sleep at night. My routine is disrupted. I don't know if I will have my job, because financially it's such a strain. The kids are being home schooled, and so that's why I feel gratitude and mindfulness and stress relief and good sleep place such a huge role, even that really boosting our immune system. But really just a help of the day today.
spk_0: 39:37
Yeah, definitely. We got to get back to mindfulness and gratitude. I personally love to do you know, at the end of the day I like to really focus on my breathing and try to clear my mind or not necessary. Clear it, but focus it and ignore all the useless thoughts that air jumping in right and try to focus on just being present, being with my body, listening to what it needs. And I think if we did that for five or 10 minutes every day, it would kind of help clear the clutter. I think that once you're able to get control of what thoughts, air coming into your mind and realize they're just thoughts, they don't you don't have to act on them. They're not controlling you. You can let it go. I think there's a lot of power in that. And I think it's really helpful at this time because we're so alone, right? Yeah. What type of meditation or mindfulness do you like to practice?
spk_1: 40:44
And actually, this has been a blessing because it has given me the time to really write it twice a day. So I do it first thing in the morning and the last thing at night. So mainly, I just love to focus on my breathing, and, um, do you just do about just 10 to 15 minutes off mindfulness to start my day strong and ingratitude and then end the day in a gratitude and a mindfulness as well. So I do it sitting up in the morning and lying down at night.
spk_0: 41:19
Good, yeah, And you don't have to be frustrated when your mind starts to wander, right? Because it's going to the thoughts are going to come in, and I I always just say, Begin again. Begin again like Refocus, Go back to your breath because it's like a training session for getting those thoughts to just go away. It's You can't do it right
spk_1: 41:42
to be that person. I meditation is not for me because I'm a type A personality and on the go. But then I realized what this was when I was just building my new practice and I would be upto two o'clock because my buying wouldn't stop. But then I realized it was so self destructive then, now that I've gotten into meditating if for any reason I miss even a few minutes of it, I really I can tell that Miss it.
spk_0: 42:13
Yeah, you Oh, that's great. Yeah, I know. Personally, I feel more scatterbrained. And then I realized Wow, I really haven't been doing any mindfulness. I haven't been focusing on myself. And, you know, I just did a video today saying It's never too late to restart like we were all gonna fall off the wagon. We're all human, You know, I've been eating more big to goods in the past three weeks than I have in my life, because that's what we're doing. But it's OK, Teoh. Try again and get back to your smoothies and get back to your yoga and try again, right?
spk_1: 42:52
Yes, that's what I tell my folks, too. That don't beat yourself about it. You know it's OK. Give yourself some grace and give yourself some room.
spk_0: 43:02
Yeah, I love that. Give yourself some grace. That's perfect. Will you run through your quick five pillars one more time for my audience so that they know what to work out
spk_1: 43:12
of? The first pillar is detoxification, and I say it's an act of kindness to yourself in the food and nutrition but personalized student because there's no other you in this entire universe. So that's why your friend may do great on a diet, and you may not, because she's different from you. and then the third is hormones. So without balancing hormones, you cannot balance everything else and keep it that way. You can go to Weight Watchers into a crash diet and feel, uh, maybe so, so unhappy that you have lost weight. But you've been eating cookies and chips and just counting point. So nutrition, but not so much Helmand much, but one quality and what's right for you. And then the hormones, of course. And then the mind body balance, which comes with stress management, which is really our emotional health, are sleep, which is so important because you know, when you don't see, but you can't have your day go 100% and then, of course, movement and exercise, so you don't even have to go to the gym. I know on the gyms are closed right now, but there's so many simple things we can do in the house outside the house that are great.
spk_0: 44:28
Yeah, I love that. So focus on those five pillars. I think that's so important. That's awesome. Well, it has been so great talking to you. I think that you are just such a blessing and your patients are so blessed to have you. And thank you for sharing all your knowledge with us today. It's been wonderful.
spk_1: 44:48
Thank you. And stay blessed and thank you for listening.
spk_0: 44:53
Take care. Thank you. Well, thanks for tuning in today. You guys. I hope you enjoyed that. I think you could never hear it enough that we need to get back to basics. We need to stay hydrated, eat the right foods, move our body, be mind full stop to process stuff and just do since self love. So I'm probably gonna say that on most of my podcast episodes, but I'm really hoping that you're getting something out of this. If you can pick out one little nugget that you can incorporate into your life one little change that you can make to start reclaiming your health, then I've done my job. That would be so amazing. So turned out to get overwhelmed. I know it's a lot of information, but pick one thing that you want to work on and focus on and just start doing it. It's gonna be an accumulative affect. You pick one thing each week with each podcast, and you know, six months from now you'll be feeling like a whole new woman. So don't give up. Keep giving yourself love. Keep trying to figure out how to heal yourself and make yourself the best that you can be. All right, Go out and have an amazing we. Hopefully, this covert situation is almost over for most of us. So love your neighbor and love yourself five guys.
