#23 A Naturopathic Approach to Healing PCOS with Carol Lourie, L.Ac

Carol Lourie is a Naturopath, Licensed Acupuncturist, Functional Medicine expert and Homeopath, with over 30 years of experience in providing integrative health care. Carol joins me today to talk about women’s health and polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS.In this episode of the Clean Eating for Women podcast, we talk about:

• What PCOS is and Carol’s full spectrum approach to treatment.
• How PCOS symptoms are different for everyone and it is difficult to get a diagnosis.
• Increased environmental toxins can increase PCOS symptoms.

Some highlights of this episode on how to make veggies taste delicious:

1. I am a survivor of PCOS. This is not a condition that is easily resolved or easily tolerated. It impacted my life for two decades, and I've only had it under control for three years. [01:11]
2. Carol always wanted to be a medical doctor. In the 70s, She lived in New York in a spiritual community. She knew a chiropractor who did detox diets. Carol ended up working in his office and saw all the people that he has helped. Carol ran across a flyer for a College of Naturopathic Medicine, and she decided to go, and she graduated in the 80s. [01:48]
3. The more Carol has practiced, the more she has noticed the connection between the mind and the body. She has also noticed that all chronic disease has a foundation of a history of trauma. There are multiple factors and multiple symptoms in PCOS. Everyone's symptoms are a little different. This can be confusing for medical doctors, and it makes getting a diagnosis difficult. [03:38]
4. Carol has been treating PCOS for the last 25 years. She has seen symptoms become more severe and more hormonal disruption as toxins in our environment increase. [07:36]
5. People with PCOS have elevated sugar levels and increased cholesterol and cysts on their ovaries. Carol includes an underlying inflammatory process and the emotional component that she feels is very important too. As well as a hormonal imbalance. [08:24]
6. Metabolic syndrome or blood sugar disproportion is one of the spokes. Having extra sugar swimming around in your bloodstream has a direct impact on the formation of cysts in your ovaries. Targeted nutritional changes and supplements can make a big difference in blood sugar. Carol begins by getting a proper breakfast in place like a healing protein smoothie with milk thistle, probiotics, and vitamin C. [11:47]
7. The basics of Carol's approach is to work nutritionally to lay the foundation for cells and decrease inflammation. Stabilize your blood sugar and support your liver and your triglycerides will go down. Your body likes to be healthy and will respond in a positive way if you give it what it needs. [17:23]
8. The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis. The hypothalamus and pituitary are connected. There is a clear system of hormonal feedback loops. When one hormone is released it goes to the thyroid gland and then the thyroid gland releases thyroid hormone. When we are stressed, the body releases cortisol and this clogs up the messaging system. Everything we do relates to our health. [23:30]
9. Environmental chemicals that get in our body can be estrogen disruptors. This can also lead to excessive estrogen and other hormonal imbalances. Start with the toxin free home. Laundry detergent has estrogen disruptors. The sheets you sleep on and the towel you dry your body with are coated with estrogen disruptors. [30:38]

• Links mentioned in this episode:
  • Carol Lourie website
  • Carol's free Healthy Hormone Guide
  • Clean Eating Challenge
  Show sponsor (affiliate link included):
  • Otto's Naturals Cassava Flour (use code CLEANEATING for 10% discount + free shipping over $35 during checkout)
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