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Posted on May 27, 2022May 27, 2022 by Dr Stephanie Zgraggen

Health Benefits of Fig

This fruit is a member of the mulberry family and it is a fruit of the ficus tree. Figs are delicate and their taste is described as syrupy liqueur sweet, with a chewy and soft texture and slightly crunchy.

Let’s climb into the ficus tree and discover what makes this fruit special and brilliant!

Healthy Digestion

Figs are enriched with fibers & prebiotics which are the perfect combo for a healthy tummy! It can also aid in shedding weight due to its high soluble fiber content and it can make you feel full for a longer period.

Anti-Parasitic

Figs have also been shown to help kill parasites and are one of the main ingredients in Dr Z’s recommended parasite protocol. It can be found in the Zymex II product which she recommends for parasite detox and support.

Fertility Fruit

Figs have been a symbol of fertility since ancient Greek times. They are rich in iron which plays a major role in the ovulation process in females.

Beneficial to your Heart

Fig contains fiber and potassium which can assist with decreasing fat from your body and pressure in your heart. This goodie is also fortified with antioxidants that protect your body from free radicals and reduce triglycerides and bad cholesterol.

Strong Bones

With the presence of calcium and potassium, figs can help improve the density of your bones which can protect you from bone diseases such as osteoporosis.

Citrus & Fresh Fig Chia Seed Pudding

Ingredients:

1 cup almond milk (organic and unsweetened)
1/4 cup organic chia seeds
3-4 fresh figs, stem removed and chopped
2-3 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp tangelo zest (or other citrus)
To garnish: 2 quartered fresh figs, 2 tbsp chopped walnuts, and additional maple syrup

Directions:

In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond milk, chia seeds, citrus zest, and maple syrup. Let the mixture sit at room temperature for 10 minutes or so. Add in the chopped figs and stir again.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight until it’s thick and pudding-like. When ready to serve, stir the pudding well and divide between two small bowls. Garnish each pudding with a quartered fig, a tablespoon of chopped walnuts, and a drizzle of maple syrup, to taste. Eat.
The pudding can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Note: Feel free to substitute your citrus of choice – oranges, tangerines, and clementines would all work well.

Adapted from Veggies and Gin

Posted on October 11, 2021October 11, 2021 by Dr Stephanie Zgraggen

Medi-Herb Tribulus is FINALLY back in stock!

Posted on October 25, 2019May 23, 2019 by Dr Stephanie Zgraggen — 2 Comments

Should YOU take a Hormone Test?

Balancing Female Hormones Naturally is Only a Test Away

As a doctor in clinical practice, I am frequently asked by my female patients, “Is it possible to manage my female hormone issues naturally, without the use of drugs, synthetic or bio-identical hormones?” The quick answer to that question is a resounding YES. The biggest challenge, however, is in knowing exactly where you stand with your current hormone status.

Your body has a number of hormones that need to be in balance with each other in order to achieve proper female health and function. The two that will be discussed in this article are estrogen and progesterone. If these are out of balance, women can experience a variety of symptoms and conditions such as weight gain, headaches, premenstrual syndrome, breast tenderness, fibroids, ovarian cysts, heavy bleeding or clotting, menstrual cramps, hot flashes, low libido, migraines and even osteoporosis! The interesting fact is that whether you have too much or too little of the hormone, the symptoms are usually the SAME, so testing for hormones becomes vitally important in determining a specific natural protocol for each woman.

Your hormones are made by glands in the body and deposited directly into your blood stream. They are very powerful, yet made in very small amounts. Your estrogen and progesterone are measured in nanograms (parts per billion), and picograms (parts per trillion). These are very small amounts; a nanogram is equivalent to a pinch of salt in 10 tons of popcorn, and a picogram is equivalent to one drop of water in a 6 mile long train.

I have had many patients who have been prescribed medications or creams from their physicians and when asked how the doctor decided on that treatment, the patient’s answer was “he just wanted me to try this for a bit to see if it helped.” Because these hormones are made in such small amounts, it can be easy to unbalance them if you consume herbs, creams, or hormone replacement therapy without knowing if it is truly necessary.

So how do you determine if you need some support for your hormonal health?

The easiest and most convenient way to test all of your hormones is via a saliva test. This is much different than the routine blood tests that are typically performed.

Routine blood tests will test for the protein bound form of each hormone. In this instance the hormone is bound to a protein and in its INACTIVE form. Approximately 99% of your hormones are in this form and considered the “hormone reserves.” This is why many women can experience symptoms, go to the doctor for a blood test and that test comes back negative. A saliva test, however, will test for the unbound form of each hormone. In this instance the hormone is not bound to a protein and this is the ACTIVE form or functional form of the hormone. It is when we test these hormones that we truly see an accurate picture of a woman’s health.

So if you are experiencing symptoms, the first step is proper testing of your hormones to determine the most appropriate course of action!

Symptoms your hormones are out of balance:

Do you wake up tired, but have trouble winding down to sleep at night?
Do you struggle with sugar cravings or energy crashes through the day?
Is your hair thinning/falling out?
Are you having trouble losing weight?
Are you experiencing hot flashes or night sweats?
Is your libido cooling off?
Are you struggling with brain fog, or mood swings?
Are your periods irregular, heavy, or painful?

Think you may want to get tested? Check out Dr Stephanie’s hormone testing options below. Each link lists out what hormones are tested with each panel.

Want to learn more about YOUR hormones? Dr. Stephanie offers a phone consultation to chat about your hormones, your health goals to see if natural female hormone balancing would be a good fit for you. Check out more information here.

Author:

Dr. Stephanie Zgraggen, DC, MS, CNS, CCN is a licensed chiropractor, certified clinical nutritionist, and owner of Lime and Lotus, LLC in Charleston, South Carolina. She utilizes saliva testing, herbs, and whole food supplements to correct female hormones imbalances in her patients. Download her free guide: Dr. Stephanie’s Naughty List – The Top Five Foods that Wreck Your Hormone Health here .

Posted on January 1, 2019January 25, 2019 by Dr Stephanie Zgraggen

New Year, New You

Ring in the New Year with a Weight Loss and Detoxification Program

After the last few months of holiday festivities, overindulgence in the form of food, alcohol, and stress can be at the forefront of our minds. With the New Year upon us, many people vow to change their lives and lose weight, drink less, and meditate more. One avenue that most people do not consider after a period of overindulgence is detoxification to rid the body from the chemicals and impurities that accumulated over the holiday season.

Detoxification is defined as the metabolic process by which toxins are changed into less toxic or more readily excretable substances. It can be compared to the “junk drawer” that most people have in their home. Over time, more items collect in the junk drawer until it cannot even be opened anymore. Your body collects junk in the same way with the food you eat, the water you drink, and the air you breathe. This junk consists of pesticides, pollutants, preservatives, heavy metals, chemicals and caffeine.

The liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal system, and lymphatic system are all in charge of the handling and excreting of toxins from the body. If these organs are overburdened, they can become inefficient just like a clogged air filter might. Signs of toxicity include weight gain, fatigue, poor digestion, difficulty sleeping, food cravings, mental fog, dark circles under the eyes, moodiness, and low libido, just to name a few.

Many detoxification programs exist. Here are a few key steps to follow when choosing the right program for you:

Always check with a licensed healthcare professional before you begin a detoxification program because people with certain diseases like diabetes, need to be monitored especially well while detoxifying.
Make sure that the program is made from food and is free of preservatives, chemicals, and artificial sweeteners and ingredients.
It is usually better to perform a detoxification program that is gentler on your body, so choose one that lasts for more than a day or two.
Buddy up…When you complete a detoxification program with a friend or family member it helps to stay focused and the results are usually more significant.

After the completion of a detoxification program, most people experience increased energy, improved health, weight reduction, improved digestion, clearer thinking, and removal of food addictions. With all of these improvements the New Year can definitely begin the start of a New You!

Did you know that Dr Stephanie has created her own online detox program? Her comprehensive step by step system will walk you through a 28 Day Hormone Reset Detox – Want to find out if it’s right for you? Check out the program link here.