The Spa Dr

Thyroid Disease and Autoimmunity with Dr. Amy Myers

In today’s interview, we’re discussing Thyroid Disease. It can be one of the major causes of skin problems such as dry skin but also impacts the body in a number of ways including your weight, energy level, sleep, mood and more!

 

My guest today is Dr. Amy Myers. She is a renowned leader in Functional Medicine and New York Times Bestselling author of The Autoimmune Solution and The Thyroid Connection. She received her Doctorate in Medicine from LSU Health Sciences Center and spent 5 years working in emergency medicine before training with the Institute for Functional Medicine. She has helped thousands around the world recover from chronic illness through her dietary-based program, The Myers Way®. Her blog and website serve as a beacon of hope to the many sufferers of thyroid disease and autoimmune conditions. 

On today’s podcast, we discuss how to know if you have thyroid disease, labs and specific lab numbers that your doctor may not have told you about, and her approach to addressing the root cause of thyroid disease. I ask her if it’s possible to cure thyroid disease and I think you’ll be surprised to hear her answer (hint: it’s not a one word answer).

I also present a question from one of you, and I think you’ll find her answer interesting.

I invite you to join the The Spa Dr. community on my website or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes so you don’t miss our upcoming shows. 

 

 "If you have not done so already, I highly recommend that you get your customized Skin profile at TheSkinQuiz.com.  It’s free - Based upon your answers, it will give you great tips for glowing skin and vibrant health. You can simply type in TheSkinQuiz.com into your browser and in just a few minutes you will have your own Customized skin report!"

 

Also don't miss out on all of the latest tips to get glowing healthy skin from the inside and out, be sure to follow me on facebook, pinterist and twitter. And Join the conversation!

 

Thank you and we’ll see you next time

Invisible Illness and Getting to the Root Cause with Dr. Carrie Louise Daenell

On today’s podcast, we're talking about "invisible illness."

 

This is a term you may not have heard, but if any of this sounds like you, you’ll want to hear this interview

Have you been told your lab tests are "normal" and you are "fine" but you know you are NOT fine?

Are you bone-tired?  

Do you have odd rashes? 

Do you hurt in ways that don't have names?

Are you losing or gaining weight in a way that makes no sense when you consider your diet and exercise?

 

These are some of the signs of what my guest today calls “invisible illness.”

 

My guest today is Dr. Carrie Louise Daenell. She received her naturopathic medicine degree from Bastyr University and is licensed as a primary care physician in the state of WA. She is also an author, speaker, frequent guest on PBS health programming and volunteers service to the state, national and educational institutions of Naturopathic Medicine. 

In today’s interview, Dr. Daenell shares all about what she calls “invisible illness” – how to know if you have one, what to do about it and who to see. If you know someone who you think would benefit from hearing or watching this interview, please share with them because this is an important message that needs to be shared.

To learn more about Dr. Daenell, visit http://www.drdaenell.com/ 

Also, I invite you to join the The Spa Dr. community on my website or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes so you don’t miss our upcoming shows. If you have not done so already, I highly recommend that you get your customized Skin profile at TheSkinQuiz.com.  It’s free - Based upon your answers, it will give you great tips for glowing skin and vibrant health. 

 

Thank you and we’ll see you next time on The Spa Dr. Podcast!

How to Naturally Balance Blood Sugar with Dr. Michael Murray

Our blood sugar impacts our bodies in a number of ways. You’ve probably heard me talk about how sugar is one of the worst words for skin and how elevated blood sugar can trigger a number of skin problems such as acne, eczema and premature aging.

Today I’ve asked my friend and colleague Dr. Michael Murray to come on as a guest and talk about blood sugar.

Dr. Murray is one of the world’s leading authorities on natural medicine. He is a graduate, former faculty member, and serves on the Board of Regents of Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Murray has written over 30 books featuring natural approaches to health including the definitive textbook on naturopathic medicine. 

According to Dr. Murray, “One of the great myths about natural medicines is that they are not scientific. The fact of the matter is that for most common illnesses there is greater support in the medical literature for a natural approach than there is for drugs or surgery.” 

Dr. Murray has dedicated his life to educating physicians, patients, and the general public on the tremendous healing power of nature. In addition to his books, which have cumulative sales of over six million copies, Dr. Murray has written thousands of articles, appeared on hundreds of radio and TV programs, and lectured to hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. 

It is my true pleasure to interview Dr. Murray today on the importance of balancing blood sugar, the root causes of diabetes and ways to naturally balance blood sugar and even reverse diabetes.

 

To learn more about Dr. Murray and take his diabetes quiz, go here: https://doctormurray.com/ 

To learn more about Dr. Murray’s online program, go here:  http://doctormurray.ontraport.com/t?orid=90132&opid=18

 

If you have not done so already, I highly recommend that you get your customized skin profile at TheSkinQuiz.com.  It’s free - Based upon your answers, it will give you great tips for glowing skin and vibrant health. You can simply type in TheSkinQuiz.com into your browser and in just a few minutes you will have your own customized skin report!

Your Skin, Your Health and Autoimmune Disease

I’ve had a lot of questions about skin conditions such as psoriasis and vitiligo and other chronic skin problems that are triggered by issues with the immune system.

So, I asked my guest today to talk with us about autoimmune conditions and explain how they impact our skin and overall health and what we can do about it.

My guest today is Dr. O’Bryan. He is an internationally recognized and sought after speaker specializing in the complications of Gluten Sensitivity, Celiac Disease, and the development of Autoimmune Diseases. He is the founder of www.theDr.com and the visionary behind The Gluten Summit.

Dr. O’Bryan holds Faculty positions with the Institute for Functional Medicine and the National University of Health Sciences. He has trained thousands of practitioners around the world in advanced understanding of the impact of food related disorders and the development of individual autoimmune diseases.

Today, Dr. O’Bryan is going to clear up the misbelief that autoimmune disease can’t be treated. He covers signs of autoimmune conditions, the most common triggers, and things you can start doing today to avoid your risk, or, if you already have an autoimmune condition, to start overcoming it.

Dr. Tom O’Bryan has generously offered a few free gifts for you…

Thedr.com/gifts

2 Articles

“The Hidden Sources of Gluten Guide”

“The Conundrum of Gluten Sensitivity – Why the tests are often wrong”

Also Check out his new book The Autoimmune Fix here: http://thedr.com/book

I invite you to join the The Spa Dr. community on my website or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes so you don’t miss our upcoming shows.

1 – “If you have not done so already, I highly recommend that you get your customized Skin profile at TheSkinQuiz.com.  It’s free – Based upon your answers, it will give you great tips for glowing skin and vibrant health. You can simply type in TheSkinQuiz.com into your browser and in just a few minutes you will have your own customized skin report!”

2 – “Also don’t miss out on all of the latest tips to get glowing healthy skin from the inside and out, be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterist and Twitter. And join the conversation!”

Ayurvedic Approach To Skin With Dr. Keesha Ewers

Today, we’re covering Ayurvedic approach to skin and how to get your vitality back.

My guest is Dr. Keesha Ewers. She is board certified in functional medicine and Ayurvedic medicine, as well as being a doctor of sexology, psychotherapist, energy worker, yoga teacher, and host of the Healthy YOU! Radio network.

Dr. Keesha has been in the medical field for over 30 years. Her constant thirst for knowledge in the pursuit of finding answers to her patient’s problems has taken her around the world.

And, after helping others and curing herself from rheumatoid arthritis, a supposedly incurable autoimmune disease, Dr. Keesha developed the Freedom Framework, which is designed to get to the root problem of any disease or imbalance.

Her online programs and videos can be found at www.DrKeesha.com

In this interview, we discuss how women lose their vitality and how to regain it. And, we talk about how to identify your Ayurvedic type and how to address skin issues with an Ayurvedic approach.

I hope you enjoyed this interview today with Dr. Keesha Ewers.

Join us at the Woman's Vitality Summit from Sept. 5 -11th: More Info

I invite you to join the The Spa Dr. community on my website or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes so you don’t miss our upcoming shows.

1 - If you have not done so already, I highly recommend that you get your customized Skin profile at TheSkinQuiz.com.  It’s free - Based upon your answers, it will give you great tips for glowing skin and vibrant health. In just a few minutes you will have your own customized skin report!

2 - Also don't miss out on all of the latest tips to get glowing healthy skin from the inside and out, be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pintrist and Twitter. Join the conversation!

Safe and Effective Use of Essential Oils for Optimum Skin Health With Dr. Eric L. Zielinski

Today’s show is about essential oils. There is a lot of buzz about essential oils going around. So I asked our guest to dispel some of the myths about essential oils and explain how to use them safely.

First, we have a listener question from Lindsey. She says she has very sensitive skin and wants to know how she can know if using skin products containing essential oils is safe for her skin.

I also have sensitive skin and always recommend a skin patch test before using any new product. Apply a small amount on the inside of your wrist and wait for 24 hours. Watch for itching, bumps, or any sign that you are having a reaction to the product.

My guest today is Dr. Eric Zielinski. He’s also known as Dr. Z. He’s a sought after health researcher, and educator, author, and motivational speaker.

Dr. Z’s mission is to provide people with simple evidence based tools that they need to experience the abundant life. By hosting online events such as the Essential Oils Revolution and the Heal Your Gut Summit, Dr. Z educates people in natural remedies and empowering life strategies. He lives in Atlanta with his wife and four children.

In this interview, we cover top essential oils, the best essential oils, and how to select essential oils and how to use them safely and effectively for optimal skin health and overall health. Please enjoy this interview with Dr. Z.

Topics discussed today include:

• Network Marketing has contributed to the resurgence of the popularity of essential oils

• In WWII medics had oregano oil in their medical kits

• Benefits of essential oils

  • Skin care

  • Health care

  • Emotions

  • Mental balance

• Our skin absorbs up to 60% of the products put on our skin

• Essential oil properties are in the blood in 30 minutes and gone in 4 hours

• Our skin is part of our immune system, if our skin is damaged we are susceptible to disease

• We need to minimize toxic skin care products, main cause of health issues in our society

• Find a good skin care line, the store shelf items are not good for us

• Most essential oils are antimicrobial - they target bad cells, but not the good cells

• In the summer, we like peppermint. In the winter, citrus oil. Lavender to calm down. Use the blends to accomplish the effect of what you are trying to accomplish.

• Skin microbiome is being destroyed by toxic chemicals we put on our skin, by using safer products we diminish that effect. Essential oils also help nourish the skin and promote healthy bacterial balance, and solidify the microbiome so that you will be protected.

• Best oils to start with:

  • Citrus - lemon and orange - bergamot

  • Peppermint

  • Clove

  • Tea tree

  • Lavender

  • Chamomile

• Get pure therapeutic grade essential oils - organic is better

• Less is more - essential oils need to be diluted

• Use a diffuser - 4 or 5 drops and some water

• Internal - not the best idea - 1 drop maybe

• Do not do the morphine bombs and put 20 drops of essential oil in a capsule

• Essential oils and photosensitivity - bergamot could cause your skin to burn more - CO2 extracts don’t do that - it’s important to recognize which oils do that - watch the bergamot and citrus oils in the sun

• Essential oils have powerful properties, but do need to be used with common sense

Mentioned on today’s show:

Essential Oils Summit August 22nd through August 29th

Essential Oils Summit Attendee Registration

Essential Oils Summit Purchase

Dr. Eric Z Website

Additional links to check out:

• TheSkinQuiz.com - Get your customized skin profile. It’s free, and based upon your answers, it will give you great tips for glowing skin and vibrant health.

Don't miss out on all of the latest tips to get glowing healthy skin from the inside and out. Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter. Join the conversation!

If you enjoyed this show please leave a review on iTunes.

How Sleep Impacts Our Overall Health and Skin Health With Dr. Michael Breus

Today, we’re covering how sleep impacts our overall health including healthy skin aging and specific tips to help improve your sleep quantity and quality. I receive many questions about sleep, so I’m excited to have as my guest today, sleep expert Dr. Michael Breus to answer our questions about sleep.

But first, here is a question from Amy, “I notice that my skin is worse when I don’t get a good night’s sleep. Is that just my imagination?”

It’s not just your imagination. Sleep definitely impacts your skin. Dr. Breus talks about this more during the interview, but – when you don’t get a good night’s sleep the hormones that give your skin a healthy glow can become out of balance. For example GH is a hormone that is released in a specific phase of deeper sleep and you need this for healthy skin and skin repair.

If you’re not sleeping well, it may be because your evening cortisol (that’s the adrenal stress hormone you’ve probably heard about) is too high. High cortisol can also trigger skinflammation – so you may be more prone to breakouts of skin issues like eczema and acne.

Today’s guest, Dr. Michael Breus, is a Clinical Psychologist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine and a Fellow of The American Academy of Sleep Medicine. He was one of the youngest people to have passed the Board at age 31 with a specialty in Sleep Disorders, and he is one of only 163 psychologists in the world with his credentials and distinction.

He is the author of The Sleep Doctor’s Diet Plan: Lose Weight Through Better Sleep and BEAUTY SLEEP: Look Younger, Lose Weight, and Feel Great Through Better Sleep. Dr. Breus is the Sleep Expert for WebMD and writes regularly for The Huffington Post, Psychology Today, Sharecare, and The Oz Blog. As well as medical and psychology peer-reviewed journals. You may have seen Dr. Breus on tv shows such as Dr Oz, CNN, Oprah, The View, Rachel Ray, Fox and Friends, The Doctors,  or The Today Show. He is an expert resource for most major publications doing more than 100 interviews per year, and he has a  private practice in Los Angeles, CA.

Topics discussed today include:

• Sleep in the brain is defined by a drive similar to hunger - adenosine

• Adenosine and caffeine are one molecule off - caffeine masks your sleep

• Circadian rhythm - internal biological clock

• If either of these things are off, there will be sleep problems

• Sleep deprivation is an epidemic

• Sleep deprivation - quality of sleep matters as well as quantity

• Sleep affects every organ system and disease state

• Cancer cells multiply faster with sleep deprivation

• Stages of sleep

  • Wake

  • Stage 1

  • Stage 2

  • Stage 3-4

  • Stage 2

  • REM Sleep

  • 1 full cycle takes about 90 minutes

• Stage 1 and 2 are light sleep

• Stage 3 and 4 is where all of the growth hormone is emitted

• Sleep Hacking - Improving Stages

• 5 Step Method

  • Go to bed at the same time and wake up at the same time everyday including weekends - Sleep schedule is important - five 90 minutes cycles = 71/2 hours Try this and you will discover your sleep cycle - The same times - your brain knows it’s time to sleep

  • Caffeine has a half life of 8 to 10 hours, stop drinking caffeine by 2:00 pm

  • Alcohol - passing out, not sleeping, prevents deeper stages of sleep - stop drinking 3 hours before bed

  • Exercise - the best way to improve overall sleep quality

  • Get sunlight - when sunlight hits the optic nerve it stops melatonin production - sunlight in the morning will wake you up, get 15 minutes

• Bubble bath can help you sleep

• Environment has huge effect on sleep

• 5 Senses - is there anything to prevent sleep - light

• Blue light keeps us awake - screens

• Sound - more quiet, the more acute your hearing becomes, white noise is fine, snoring keeps people awake

• Touch, temperature in the room 65 to 75 degrees, pillows and mattresses matter

• Throw out pillow every 18 to 20 months

• Your body will tell you when it is time to get a new mattress, don’t mix up support and comfort, keep spine aligned, don’t keep mattress longer than 8 years

• Smell - Lavender is helpful

• Taste - spicy meal before bed leaves to bad sleep and even nightmares

• Sleep Summit - has never been done before and we have so much research now

• 35 speakers, free sleep app

Mentioned on today’s show:

The Sleep Doctor

The Sleep Doctor’s Diet Plan

Beauty Sleep

The Power of When

Additional links to check out:

• TheSkinQuiz.com - Get your customized skin profile. It’s free, and based upon your answers, it will give you great tips for glowing skin and vibrant health.

Don't miss out on all of the latest tips to get glowing healthy skin from the inside and out. Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter. Join the conversation!

If you enjoyed this show please leave a review on iTunes.

The Importance of Wild Caught Salmon to Your Skin Health with Randy Hartnell

We have an exciting guest on today’s show, but first a listener question.

Becky Asks: “I have very sensitive skin and break out in acne all the time. I’ve heard about using oils to cleanse and moisturize my skin but I’m worried it will make me break out. Are there any okay for acne prone skin?”

Almond oil and Jojoba oil are good choices for acne prone skin. One of my favorite oils to consume comes from a food. That food is wild salmon. Salmon is great for healthy skin because of the Omega 3 oils and the astaxanthin content, but is wild salmon really safe to eat?

Today’s guest Randy Hartnell, a former fisherman and current owner of a wild seafood company, will help answer this question. Randy spent more than twenty years as a commercial salmon fisherman in Alaska. In 2001 with his wife Carla, he founded Vital Choice Wild Seafood & Organics, a leading on-line seafood company.

Randy is dedicated to helping people have access to high quality sustainable seafood, while educating them about the impact of food choices on their health and the environment. In this interview, we cover health benefits of consuming seafood, quality, purity, and contamination concerns. Plus,the safest fish to eat, sustainable fishing practices, and the real difference between wild and farmed fish.

Topics discussed today include:

• Started fishing during college while working his way through school
• About 15 years ago industrial farmed salmon pushed wild salmon out of the market
• Randy decided to start Vital Choice as a solution for people who want wild salmon, but couldn’t get it
• People are becoming more informed about the difference between farmed and wild salmon
• Randy started telling his story to anyone who would listen and telling his story to people who were influencers in health and wellness
• These people were really receptive to the information
• Randy was a herring fisherman in San Francisco and his engine blew up, he was watching TV while rebuilding the engine and saw Dr. Perricone on PBS
• Dr. Perricone was promoting his book, “The Wrinkle Cure” Dr. Perricone was talking about how wild salmon was great for fighting wrinkles
• Randy and his wife wrote Dr. Perricone a letter and Dr. Perricone decided to list Randy’s fledgling business, Vital Choice as a resource in his next book “The Perricone Prescription
• What makes wild salmon so good for our skin is the Omega 3 fatty acids
• Particularly long chain fatty acids EPA and DHA, these are marine fats that are not found in the terrestrial food supply, our cells all contain concentrations of these long chain fatty acids
• In our industrial food supply these fatty acids have been displaced
• Over 95% of people eating an American diet are deficient in omega 3 fatty acids which manifests itself as skin problems
• Vital Choice has been testing the wild caught fish for over 15 years and the benefits of eating the seafood outweigh any possible trace levels of mercury that may be found in seafood
• They source fish that have short lives and eat toward the bottom of the food chain, like krill and plankton and the salmon they sell is one of the cleanest fish tested, Alaska is also one of the most pristine places on Earth
• They also sell other clean, pure, sustainable sources of fish
• Alaska is the model for the world on fishery management, they have a biologist in charge of every river to maintain sustainability
• Wild salmon is an amazing food for humans and other species
• Farmed salmon is similar to factory farmed beef or pork
• Wild salmon are consuming what nature intended them to consume
• Humans have always been eating wild seafood, it is what we are programmed to eat because it is a natural food
• Farmed salmon are fed grains, just like factory farmed cows, these grains contain omega 6 fatty acids that can be highly inflammatory
• Wild salmon has 9 times more omega 3s than omega 6s, a farmed salmon has equal amounts, this goes for all farmed fish from catfish to tilapia
• These salmon are also raised in pens with pollution, disease and parasites. The waste has a detrimental environmental impact.
• Canada just approved GMO salmon, the first GMO animal sold as food, they take a gene from a different fish and put it into salmon to make it grow to large abnormal sizes
• The problem with eating GMO foods is that nobody knows how these foods may modify our genes, we won’t know the impact for several generations
• Farmed salmon are pale orange and have large fat lines
• Wild salmon is dark orange and almost no fat lines
• Wild salmon comes from Alaska, they have had historic salmon runs in the last few years

Mentioned on today’s show:

Vital Choice Seafood

Farmed and Dangerous

Dr. Perricone

I hope you enjoyed this interview today with Randy Hartnell. If you have any questions please post them below the video on YouTube or my website.

Additional links to check out:

• TheSkinQuiz.com - Get your customized skin profile. It’s free, and based upon your answers, it will give you great tips for glowing skin and vibrant health.

Don't miss out on all of the latest tips to get glowing healthy skin from the inside and out. Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter. Join the conversation!

If you enjoyed this show please leave a review on iTunes.

More Questions Answered: Beauty Tips and Questions on Skin Health, Skincare and Aging Continued

Hello and welcome. I’m Dr. Trevor Cates. This is part 2 of my question and answer session where I answer your skin health, skincare and anti-aging questions. I know it’s something a little different, but I have received so many questions on skin health, skincare and aging. Along with requests for the best beauty tips that I decided to dedicate two entire episodes to answering your questions. If your question is not answered leave a comment, join our group, or hit me up on social media and I can address your questions in future episodes..

Your Questions Answered:

• Question:

• A couple of months ago I noticed a rash on one of my eyelids and most recently noticed that the skin in the area was lighter.  My dermatologist thinks is Vitiligo   and ordered some blood test that I'll be getting done next month during my 6 month check up. The dermatologist also mentioned that I could have an autoimmune issue.  I have had a lot of stress and also have done some wax in the affected area. Is there any information you may be able to give me about Vitiligo?   Any recommendation about what I should do, etc? I'm 58 years old and generally have always been healthy.

  • Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease

  • We want to calm and balance the autoimmune system

  • Digestive or gut balance microbiome issues

  • Avoid food allergens

  • Take antioxidants such as ALA

  • B vitamins such as B12 and Folate  

  • Low vitamin D has been associated with vitiligo (recent study – March of this year)

  • Get vitamin D levels tested

• Question:

• I just wanted to ask if you are considering making skincare products for the body to compliment the products you have made for the face?  Thanking you, and letting you know I have received my Daily Essentials Skincare range on May 12th, so I am looking forward to using them and experiencing positive results.

  • We are looking into this option

  • It will be awhile before we have body products

  • But it is interesting to know what products you want and need the most

  • Feel free to leave feedback like this on our comments

  • In the meantime, use the face cleanser on your body

  • It won’t foam like a body wash, because it has mild acidity

  • For moisturizers - use coconut, almond and jojoba oil

• Question:

• I'm 64 and still get pimples.  I'm permanently on on a low carb high fat diet.  Any suggestions?

  • Reducing high carb foods such as refined grains helps balance blood sugar.

  • Not all carbs are bad – veggies and some fruit – antioxidants (protect against oxidative damage – acne) and fiber

  • High fat – what types? Balance is key.

  • Also dairy fat can make it worse. Eggs I’ve seen contribute to acne – but not for everyone

  • Diet is important but it’s not all – do you have gut issues, nutritional deficiencies, hormone imbalances?

  • And what are you putting on your skin – don’t want to clog pores

• Question:

• Tell me more about powerful chemicals in wrinkle creams.

  • Top ingredients to avoid are fragrance and parabens,

  • Formaldehyde releasers - Quaternium-15, diazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, Bronopol, or imidazolidinyl urea.

  • Check out my blog on The Spa Dr. -  Are Your Skincare Products Causing a Hormone Imbalance – Are you covering your face with toxins.

  • There are more. I will cover these more in depth in my book.

• Question

• I deal with Vitiligo which is an autoimmune condition.  But my main concern is that recently the skin on my arms and legs have started looking "crepey."  I would love to know if there are things I can do (or stop doing) that would improve this condition.

  • This is caused by collagen loss

  • To support collagen, try collagen protein use clean sources

  • Vitamin C helps support collagen, take vitamin C and collagen together

  • Bone Broth a good source of food collagen

• Question:

• Hi!  I am 64 years old and taking BHRT.  I feel great, but sometimes breakout from oily skin and little bumps. This is probably from the testosterone.  Any suggestions on how to handle this?

  • You may need to lower your testosterone dosage. BHT can help you feel great but it’s about balance.

  • Have your DHT levels tested. Are you having hair loss too?

  • Are you taking DHEA as well – that can trigger oily skin; If so, talk with you doctor about switching to 7 Keto DHEA

• Question:

• My question is will you be introducing a body cleanser/moisturizer & shampoo/conditioner to your skin care line? I’d love to be “ph-balanced” from head to toe!

  • We are considering these along with other products. And, you’re right – pH balance is important – not just on the face. It helps to keep skin clear and aging gracefully

• Question:

• I am looking for green, clean effective skincare for eyes, neck, body and face.  I have esthetician training and always used effective but expensive products.  As a health Coach and 63 years young I am interested in effective, green and clean skincare.

  • You have come to the right place. The Spa Dr. Daily Essentials Four Step System is a great product that fits your needs

• Question:

• You have  interviewed a number of experts and they all have some similarities in what they recommend eating but also have a few minor differences. I was wondering if you recommend peanuts or eggs? If you think that they are not foods you recommend, can you say why.

• Also since Dairy is frequently one that most of the guests have recommended we stay away from, what do you recommend for sources of calcium especially for kids.

• Lastly, what do you pack in your kids lunches?  Sandwiches with bread seem to be the mainstay. Is there a particular bread that you think is ok?

  • For some people peanuts and eggs are OK, but for many people these can be trigger foods, especially when it comes to skin issues.

  • In my two week program these are some of the foods I take people off of

  • Try eliminating them for 10 days and see how your body feels, when you reintroduce them, do it one at a time

  • Our bodies don’t absorb the calcium in dairy very well

  • Incorporate green leafy vegetables and salmon or bone broth

  • For kids lunches try wraps or lettuce wraps, gluten free breads, or what can you do instead, like use almond flour tortillas

  • Experiment with options

• Question:

• Would using coconut oil on one's face be clogging? Even for dry skin?

• Is argan oil safe for skin?

• What's the lightest oil for the face?

• Wouldn't eating a mostly raw diet be counterproductive in the long run unless you live in a warm climate?

  • Coconut oil can be great on the face, but for some it can be a trigger for acne, be careful if you tend to get acne

  • Argan oil is fantastic for the skin

  • Jojoba oil is the lightest oil for the face

  • Raw vegan diet can be great short term, but not beneficial long term

• Question:

• I am wondering how to eliminate both dark 'circles' and puffy 'bags' under the eyes. My understanding is that what you eat and how much nutrition is absorbed by your body, as well as having a balanced gut microbiome speaks volumes in the nourishment of your skin. I have read that 'too little water consumption' creates the dark circles and inflammation causes the puffiness and bags of the lower lids, but I don't know this to be true. What have you found to be the causes of these issues and what do you recommend to eliminate them?

  • Dehydration, sleep and allergies

  • Gut health, microbiome,  nutrition and what you are absorbing all matter

That’s all the time I have for answering questions today. Be sure and listen to the first half of this question and answer section in the last episode. If you have any more questions for me, be sure and leave them in the comments below. Also, don’t forget to join the Spa Dr. community, so that you never miss an episode!

Resources mentioned in today’s show:

Blog Post: Are Your Skincare Products Causing a Hormone Imbalance?

Additional links to check out:

• TheSkinQuiz.com - Get your customized skin profile. It’s free, and based upon your answers, it will give you great tips for glowing skin and vibrant health.

Don't miss out on all of the latest tips to get glowing healthy skin from the inside and out. Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter. Join the conversation!

If you enjoyed this show please leave a review on iTunes.

Beauty Tips and Questions on Skin Health, Skincare and Aging with Dr. Trevor Cates

Hello and welcome. I’m Dr. Trevor Cates. Today I am going to do something a little different. I have received so many questions on skin health, skincare and aging. Along with requests for the best beauty tips that I decided to dedicate an entire podcast to answering your questions. I’ve received so many questions that I had to split this show into two parts. I will also answer more questions in upcoming podcasts.

Your Questions Answered:

• Question:
• I am almost 60 years old, have very visible and clogged pores especially in the t-zone. In the last couple of years, these areas have started peeling and flaking. I have purchased a Clarisonic, a facial steamer, and was getting regular facial/ peels. I have used expensive skincare products in the past, and use a 2% salicylic lotion occasionally. My skin drives me crazy. Hope you can help.
  • My approach to skincare is an internal and external approach. It is important to look at what you are eating. Until you make changes in your diet, you will probably have trouble with your skin.
  • A misconception about acne and pore size is that we have to do things that strip the skin. It’s better to create balance in skin. Oils aren’t bad. The problem is the combination of sebum production and oxidized oils.
  • We want to keep the skin clean without drying it out.
  • Adjust the PH
  • Balance the oils
  • Enhance the skin microbiome
  • Use products with a mild ph balance a 4-5
  • Antioxidants can be very helpful
  • Look for underlying causes of why you are having clogged pores.
• Question:
• I’m so excited you are taking questions. My dermatologist won’t even consider any natural options, so it’s nice to have a place to ask these questions. I would love to know how to get rid of Keratosis pilaris. I have reduced the bumpiness on my arms, but the redness is really bad. I think it was reduced by taking natural vitamin a.
  • Keratosis pilaris is a common, harmless skin condition that causes dry, rough patches and tiny bumps, usually on the upper arms, thighs, cheeks or buttocks.
  • Essential Fatty Acid deficiency
  • Try vitamin A (CLO), zinc – in my supplement Skin, Hair and Nails
  • Cod liver oil and avocado and a high quality supplement
  • Omega 3 supplement or GLA
• Question
• I would also like to know if there is any non chemical, non laser way to reverse or reduce the sun damaged skin on my chest. I have a lot of redness and discoloration.
  • Topical use of antioxidants can help with sun damage
  • Green tea, white tea, black tea
  • Resveratrol
  • Turmeric
  • Green Algae - Chlorella
  • Cranberry seed and Raspberry seed oil - which can protect against oxidative damage
  • If you have sun damage, have your dermatologist take a look
  • Take internal antioxidants - astaxanthin
• Question:
• And one more, how can I improve the appearance of my neck. I’m 45 and going through peri menopause right now.
  • Oils and antioxidant rich ingredients
  • Sun block
  • Hyaluronic acid - hydrating and space filler, supports collagen and elastin - make sure it comes from a clean source
• Question:
• I got something in my e-mail called “botox in a bottle” . It looks great for bags under the eyes.  What are your thoughts on this kind of product?
  • Botox is a neurotoxin, that causes the muscles to freeze when it is injected, but it is very toxic.
  • There is no cream that freezes your muscles
  • Use natural ingredients that protect your skin
  • Pullulan has an immediate skin tightening effect
  • Oils with long term benefits, like resveratrol, raspberry and cranberry seed oil extract
  • Find the underlying cause of the bags under your eyes
  • Adequate sleeping
  • Hydration
  • Allergies
  • My step two antioxidant serum
  • Green or black tea bag, refrigerate and put on eyelids while the bag is still damp
• Question:
• Hello. I am a dermatopathologist. I am impressed with your knowledge base, positive attitude and entrepreneurship. I am interested in purchasing your new book when available. In the meantime, I would like to know your thoughts on the effects of SPF additive in skin products (other than what it is suppose to do, ie protect skin from damage over a certain time). I am asking because I really want to use SPF products but I noticed that some companies, stopped manufacturing SPF products for many years but then started selling them once again?
  • Oxybenzone (avoid – EDC, absorbs easily, 97% of Americans have this in their bodies according to research by the CDC.)
  • Avobenzone (safer but doesn’t last as long),
  • Octisalate (generally good and often added to avobenzone to make it last longer),
  • Octocrylene (okay but some people react to it),
  • Homosalate (weak EDC)
  • Octinoxate (hormone-mimicking effects on laboratory animals. This chemical is found in humans, including mother's' milk samples.)
  • Zinc Oxide is a better option - a mineral based sunblock, it works as a barrier instead of a chemical reaction, no hormone disrupting effects
• Question:
• I have a particular concern with skin tags, seborrheic keratoses, and flat warts.  What causes these to come, and is there anything nutritionally or topically that can help with them? Thanks for always being so informative and positive! I’ve always loved your blog and podcasts!
  • Skin tags – blood sugar imbalances 80-85 range lower end on bloodwork
  • Seborrheic Keratoses  - type of skin growth. Which sometimes looks like melanoma, a very serious type of skin cancer. It is benign. Have a dermatologist take a look to help you differentiate because the treatment is different.  You can have these removed. But for some people there are so many it’s hard to that.
  • These may be from excess sun exposure.  
  • Topical antioxidants. Internal health.
  • Flat warts – cover with tape; tea tree oil; pineapple and papaya enzymes, or freeze; immune system

That’s all the time I have for answering questions today. Be sure and listen to the second half of this question and answer section in the next episode. If you have any more questions for me, be sure and leave them in the comments below. Also, don’t forget to join the Spa Dr. community, so that you never miss an episode!

Additional links to check out:

• TheSkinQuiz.com - Get your customized skin profile. It’s free, and based upon your answers, it will give you great tips for glowing skin and vibrant health.

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