Gluten, Dairy, and Toxins with Dr. Tom O’Bryan!

Today, we talk about the role gluten, dairy, and toxins play in our health with Dr. Tom O’Bryan! Dr. Tom O’Bryan is an internationally recognized speaker and writer on chronic disease, metabolic disorders, and has more than 30 years of experience as a functional medicine practitioner!

On this episode, we talk about how damage to our bodies accumulate over the years from different factors and turn into debilitating symptoms, such as with PCOS! You’ll learn about an easy-to-implement and researched plan to address symptoms. As well as learn how to make simple lifestyle changes to reverse inflammation and damage caused to your body by gluten, dairy, and toxins!

Here’s a little introduction to this topic for those of you just joining the conversation. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an autoimmune disease that takes a toll on the reproductive system, as well as the immune system. In turn, PCOS causes a variety of symptoms – everything from excess hair growth, weight gain, infertility, and mood swings.

Gluten, dairy, and the vast array of environmental toxins we are exposed to in a daily basis can wreak havoc on our immune systems! This is true for all humans out there. But if you’re a women dealing with PCOS and an already compromised immune system, the affects of gluten, dairy, and environmental toxins can also play an important role in the overall management of your PCOS.

If you’re curious about the affects of gluten, dairy, and environmental toxins, hit that play button above. Or, read on, because below we’re going to break down how each of these factors may be contributing to, and/or worsening your PCOS symptoms.

Is Gluten Bad For PCOS?

Gluten, most commonly found in products that contain wheat proteins, is a common cause of intestinal permeability. The gut is simply not made to break down certain wheat proteins. (This is true for everyone, and especially for people with celiac disease and/or gluten intolerance.) And when it is faced with the challenging of doing so, the gut triggers an autoimmune response. A sort of “call for help” to the immune system from the gut for help getting rid of the toxic wheat proteins.

When this “call for help” is sent over and over, and the toxic wheat proteins build up in your system over months and years, the intestines begin to break down and leak. And once this intestinal permeability has reached a certain level of severity, it is often referred to as leaky gut syndrome. A syndrome most Cyster’s are far too familiar with. Leaky gut syndrome is not only uncomfortable, but it triggers inflammation throughout the body. And the simple triggering of your immune system by gluten, and the following inflammation, can lead to the triggering of other PCOS symptoms.

To learn more about gluten, gluten intolerance, wheat allergies, and why the body cannot break down these proteins, click play! You can also find more info about a naturally gluten-free diet & PCOS, HERE.

Is Dairy Bad For PCOS?

Like gluten, dairy such as milk, paneer, cheese and butter, can lead to inflammation throughout the body. Again, possibly triggering a larger autoimmune response by putting more pressure on an already compromised immune system. Thus, possibly triggering PCOS symptoms. This is especially true for people that suffer with lactose intolerance. Even more, consuming dairy on a regular basis when your body has an intolerance can lead to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), leaky gut syndrome, and more.

Dairy is also known to increase insulin levels in some Cysters. This oftentimes results in symptoms like high blood pressure and weight gain. Because many women with PCOS are already predisposed to higher insulin levels and insulin resistance, these higher levels of insulin throughout the body can have damaging effects on the thyroid, reproductive system, and immune system as well.

Check out some of our favorite dairy alternatives, HERE.

How Environmental Toxins Affect PCOS?

To name just a few, environmental toxins that you could be exposed to on a daily basis include:

• Gasoline
• Butane
• Nail polish
• Paint
• Candles
• Chemicals in processed foods
• Micro-plastics
• Dust
• Flame retardant chemicals in sheets and blankets
• Birth control pills

These environmental toxins are just that, toxins. They inflame cells throughout the body, disrupting both the endocrine (hormone producing) and immune systems. Hormonal disruptions and cellular inflammation are both very common causes of PCOS symptom flare-ups.

Environmental factors also play a role in the reproductive system by disrupting hormone levels, including androgen and estrogen levels. Thus affecting Cyster’s menstrual cycles, fertility, and ability to release eggs.

Interested in going gluten and dairy free for PCOS? Click here for a guide on how to get started.

To learn more about the affects of gluten, dairy, and environmental toxins, click the play button above!

Going gluten & dairy free (and avoiding environmental toxins as best you can) may not be the solution to all your health problems. But, it may be a step in the right direction when it comes to the overall management of your PCOS. If you’ve got gluten or dairy on the brain, learn more on our blog. There, you’ll also find our library of information about PCOS. As well as our tips and tricks to help you better manage your PCOS. Talk soon, Cysters!

Resources

Check out Dr. Tom O’ Bryan’s recipes (theDR.com Educational Resources), excerpted from his book The Autoimmune Fix. It Includes 3 weeks of a simple & delicious nutrition plan, during which you remove gluten, sweets, and dairy—the three primary culprits behind autoimmunity, and replace them with a series of powerful & vibrant foods. You can find more resources on his website (thedr.com) and Instagram (@dr.tomobryan)!

Call our PCOS Weight Loss Hotline at 1-833-ASK-PCOS (1-833-275-7267). You can leave a question or tell us how we’ve helped you! We might just play your message on the podcast to inspire other Cysters!

Join us in The Cysterhood, a community of women learning how to manage PCOS & lose weight, Gluten and Dairy Free! (bit.ly/The-Cysterhood)

PCOS Friendly CBD: 10% OFF code TheCysterhood (bit.ly/CBDpcos)

Ovasitol Packets: 15% OFF prc code 292660 (bit.ly/Ovasitol)