Why are these Hail Merry Macaroons are so good?

Hail Merry only uses organic high quality ingredients.

1. Chocolate Macaroons: organic shredded coconut, dark cocoa, organic cold pressed coconut oil, organic maple syrup, raw Madagascar bourbon vanilla, sea salt.
2. Blonde Macaroons: organic shredded coconut, natural almond flour, organic cold pressed coconut oil, organic maple syrup, raw Madagascar bourbon vanilla, sea salt. 

Who is Hail Merry Anyways?

Hail Merry® is the Raw, Vegan, Gluten-Free snack brand that features healthy organic raw plant based oils and delivers superior taste and purity in every bite. We are a women-owned certified business (WBENC) of three experienced women who value healthy foods and are dedicated to ingredient integrity. Created by founder and raw chef, Susan O’Brien, Hail Merry was born over thousands of hours spent on a yoga mat in moving meditation and spiritual awakening about how food can heal our bodies so that we feel more connected to our natural surroundings and appreciative of the foods given to us by Mother.

Find out Where You Can Buy Hail Merry Products

It seems paradoxical, that a bed of sharp nails may actually serve to relax us. But once you give it a good try, you will see for yourself how soothing it is.

The modern day version of the yogis’ bed of nails, is an organic hemp mat, filled with plant based eco-foam, and dotted with non-toxic plastic “flowers.” Each flower is covered with sharp spikes. There are over 6000 of these spikes on each organic mat, which is playfully named The Spoonk Mat.

When you lay down on the mat, so your weight is evenly distributed, it is only mildly irritating at first, and not painful.  The spikes stimulate your pressure points. You will find that your skin will start to warm up naturally! This is caused by the increased blood flow, that brings oxygen to your body’s cells more quickly. An ancient Chinese proverb says: “Where there’s pain there is no circulation – where there is circulation there is no pain.”

It is this increase in circulation that has given millions of users relief. Just recently, the USA Triathlon Coach and Ironman athlete, Humberto Olivo, claimed that after a hard brick training session (cycling and running), he laid down on his Spoonk mat for just 15 minutes, and soon his “legs and back felt so relaxed it was amazing.” He says that he will continue using the mat as a great tool after any hard training session, and will be recommending it to all of his athletes!  He plans to bring the mats to his September 2012 training camp in Italy.

The mats have been such a hit in Sweden, that now every one in three households owns one. They sell them everywhere from supermarkets to gas stations. It’s also hugely popular in Russia and Finland.

The list of ailments acupressure mats have been said to alleviate is lengthy; arthritis, anorexia, overeating, addictions, cellulite, depression, insomnia, back pain, headaches, impotence, etc.

One theory as to why the device touches on such a wide range of conditions, is that it increases endorphins and serotonin in the brain. These are the body’s “feel good” tools. When we have more of them floating around, we are better able to heal ourselves from the inside out. We are more powerful, stronger, and more alive.

Even Dr. Oz has mentioned that the serotonin release caused by the mat’s stimulation can help lower belly fat. This is because fat is often stored due to high levels of the stress hormone, cortisol.  Serotonin makes us feel so good that our stress melts away, presumably, along with our fat.

One of my favourite ways to use the mat is to stand on it (with or without socks on), and swing my arms in the same direction in unison, from side to side, allowing them to slap against my kidneys – an exercise from the practice of Chi Kung. This helps to detoxify internal organs, and feels like I’m a kid on a ride! The added benefit of standing on the mat has a euphoric effect in my body.  Add in some great music, and vanilla candles, and you’ll think you’re in heaven my friend!  A natural high for sure.

The most popular method employed is to lay down on the mat with your bare back (try a thin shirt at first if desired), and stay there for upwards of 30 minutes. Your back will become hot, and your muscles will slip into a deep relaxation. This is a perfect routine just before bed. Many claim that this practice leads to a deep, rejuvenating sleep.

Currently UBC is conducting a sleep study using acupressure mats. We are sure they will come up with some very interesting findings.

To get more information on these all-natural organic self-healing acupressure mats go to: spoonkspace.com or to try the mat in person visit Lisa at an upcoming demo.

We’re getting ready for happiness month at here at Fitness Goop and Everyday Health, and we’re honored to have integrative medicine and wellness guru Andrew Weil, MD, as our guest happiness editor throughout the month of November. In conjunction with the release of his new book, Spontaneous Happiness, he’ll be talking to some of his famous friends, including cardiothoracic surgeon and prominent TV host Mehmet Oz, MD, about how they define and achieve contentment.

Andrew Weil: You have an incredibly demanding work life and you’re always expected to be positive. What do you do to maintain your emotional equilibrium? Do you ever get down?

Mehmet Oz: Oh, I get down. It’s interesting, I don’t know anyone who puts themselves out there who doesn’t feel insecurity, who doesn’t feel a sense of doom and gloom periodically. Folks are always coming up to me and saying, “You have a charmed life and you’re lucky about this or that,” but most of my days I spend thinking about worries that could easily get you down. You know, I did an aortic valve operation this morning. We did a stitch to repair a hole in the heart, and it didn’t work. That is not a calming moment. But what I’ve learned, and a lot of folks have wandered down this path with me, is that you can develop some equipoise, some ability to understand that it’s never as good as it is or as bad as it is either. Find the blessings in the people around you because they’re the ones that support your life. It’s the nurse that says, “Here, I’ll do this stitch for you,” and it’s just in the calming way she says it that brings you comfort because she has confidence in you. And on the show — you’ve been to our stage many times — it’s nice to have a stage manager because she’ll point you this way or that, she’ll cover you, and those kinds of little efforts I find hugely valuable. It gives me this sense of calm in the middle of a storm.

AW: What are some other tricks in your daily lifestyle that you think help you maintain emotional equilibrium?

MO: You know that I have not always had this level of… calm. They used to call me “The Mad Turk” because I would lose my temper so often — I’d get thrown out of sporting events because I’d get into scuffles with the other players! But I realized I needed automation in my life, some constancy so that I didn’t have to keep making decisions every moment of the day.

If you examine your life, think about all the decisions you had to make today but you didn’t really have to make. For example, What am I having for breakfast? What am I going to do after this event is done? All those things force you to expend chi [or energy]. For me, it’s not about time management, it’s about energy management. If I lose energy deciding things I don’t have to decide, then I wear down my reserve and I start making poor decisions. We’ve seen this in multiple studies, by the way, which is why you get those mid-afternoon downs, because you’ve depleted [energy making decisions] and you need sugar to make additional decisions.

I don’t know if you saw this remarkable piece recently. They’re looking at parole boards in Israel, and it turns out that the parole boards give far more paroles in the morning than the afternoon. It’s irrational because they’re the same kinds of cases, but what happens is what happens to all of us: The judges get tired. And as you get tired toward the end of the day, you’re unwilling to make creative decisions. So just to keep your brain moving, you feed yourself some sugar — which y’all out there do, and I do. It’s not the best thing to do late in the afternoon but we all do it….

I try to automate my life. I get up in the morning and I do my seven minutes of yoga and my calisthenics. I think it’s hugely valuable for bringing a sense of calm, because one thing you do control is your body — even if you don’t control things around you. And then you know what you’re going to have for breakfast, you know when you’re going to get into work, the first things [you’re] going to do [when you get there]. I don’t change those things ever, so when it gets to midday, I haven’t made too many decisions. I’ve done lots of things, but haven’t made many decisions. Then I can use the information that’s coming in throughout the day to guide my decisions more rationally.

AW: You interact with an awful lot of people on your show and, like me, you see many, many people today who are depressed. What are your thoughts on why we’re seeing epidemic depression in our country?

MO: I think we have an epidemic because we have lost the unique art of being comfortable with discomfort. And I think about human history. We’ve always had the ability to weather the storms as they hit us. I even think about things like kids playing sports. If a kid has a tough coach who makes him uncomfortable because he wants to build him up and make him better, or a [if you’ve got a] tough boss in the workforce, they’re thought of as just that — tough, unnecessarily difficult.

Instead of pulling back, I’ve told my kids that every time I give them something that I didn’t have, I take away from them something that I did have. Every time we prevent some challenge from coming in front of the people that we love, we prevent them from learning from those challenges. We should be very careful about how we use the influence in our lives to make life too easy for those around us.

Not that I’m going to make life difficult on purpose, but let people be challenged and let it be okay that they’re uncomfortable, because that’s how we will grow.

By Andrew Weil, MD, Everyday Health Happiness Editor

Organic Hemp Hearts are packed full of protein with 10 grams of plant-based protein per 30 gram serving size. Hemp Hearts are a great way to get an ideal ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3‘s including the rare EFA known as Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA). Testimonials have shown that GLA alone helps with arthritis, joint mobility, eczema, hormonal balance, migraines, menopause in women, healthy cholesterol & blood pressure levels and even weight management. Manitoba Harvest Organic Hemp Hearts contain no additives or preservatives. These Hemp hearts are also made in a dedicated hemp food facility that does not process any dairy, soy, nut or gluten products.

HOW TO EAT THEM: Sprinkle on top of salads, cereal or yogurt. Add hemp hearts to baking and there’s no need to grind the seed as they are ready to eat straight from the bag.

SOME HISTORY ON HEMP: Hemp foods come from the same plant species as marijuana (Cannabis sativa l.), but from a special variety that contains virtually no THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the chemical that triggers marijuana’s psychoactive effects. Hemp Protein Powder is produced when whole hemp seeds are cold-pressed to expel the oil, leaving behind a dry “cake.” This cake is then milled at low temperatures to remove some of the fibre and produce a concentrated form of protein.

WHERE TO BUY THEM: ManitobaHarvest.com Use the Promo Code: Goop2011 to get 15% off your order on any hemp products!!

Fitness Goop Rating (Out of 5):

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Taste: ★★★★
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Lately, I have had a few people ask about pain that has developed on either the inside or the outside of the elbow.

Their symptoms were pretty common such as tenderness on the inside or outside of the elbow and pain during any grasping, pulling or pushing of objects such as the following:

• Shaking hands
• Writing
• Lifting objects
• Holding objects
• Steering a car etc.

Depending on the location, those people were suffering from either Golfer’s Elbow or Tennis Elbow.  Golfer’s Elbow (also known as Medial Epicondylitis) is pain located along the inside of the elbow.  Tennis Elbow (also known as Lateral Epicondylitis) is pain located along the outside of the elbow.  You don’t have to play either sport to develop one or the other.  While I am not a physician, tenderness and pain located on either side resulting from any of above items are your typical symptoms of Golfer’s/Tennis Elbow.

The second question that is usually asked after given an idea of the problem is, “how did this happen?”  Before we get into causes, you have to understand how the elbow works.  Your elbow is a hinge joint that can only flex and extend.  In medical terms, the elbow is known as your humeroulnar joint (the connection between your humerus, the long bone in your arm, and the ulna, the part of your forearm that runs along your pinky).  Just below the elbow is your forearm, also known as the radioulnar joint.  This joint consists of your radius (thumb side) and ulna (pinky side).  Along your forearm you have several muscles that will help to flex and extend your wrist (think wrist curl and reverse wrist curl movements).  The muscles that help to flex your wrist will attach on the palmar side of your hand whereas the muscles that extend your wrist will attach along the dorsal side of your hand (your back hand).  The other attachment point for the wrist flexors will be along the medial epicondyle whereas the other attachment point for the wrist extensors will be along the lateral epicondyle.  To know where these areas are on the body, simply feel on the inside of your arm towards the inside crease of the elbow.  Do you feel a bump?  If you do (and you should), that is your medial epicondyle.  The bump on the outside of your elbow is the lateral epicondyle.

How this pain occurs is that those wrist flexor and extensor muscles that help move the wrist are strained and inflamed.  When you look at it closer, it is those same muscles that are attached along either the inside or outside of the elbow that are damaged.  One also has to understand that your wrist flexor/extensor muscles aren’t one muscle but rather three muscles.  There are three muscles that flex the wrist and three that extend it.  For example, all three muscles that flex the wrist converge together and attach onto medial epicondyle while the three muscles that extend the wrist attach onto the lateral epicondyle.

What causes the inflammation of those muscles?  The number one cause to this kind of elbow pain is overuse.  People who play constant tennis, painting, typing, golfing, gardening, pitching … anything that will constantly flex and extend the elbow … can lead to overuse issues which will in turn inflame the wrist flexors or extensors.  In the weight lifting culture, having an arm day three days a week or just doing too much volume can cause serious issues and pain.  And speaking of pain, the pain can be unbearable for some, tolerable for others.  The pain can be so bad that you may have a hard time flexing and extending the arm.  One thing to keep in mind though is that while these are the common causes, there are some uncommon causes of this as well.  A client developed tennis elbow while jet skiing.  When he hit a wave and landed, he jarred his elbow which led to all of the signs and symptoms of tennis elbow.  Another thing to keep in mind is that the re-occurrence of either issue will differ from person to person.  One client couldn’t hold a pair of dumbbells at his side so he had to bend his elbows and rest the weights on the tops of his shoulders.  Another client would have a flare up if the did neutral grip (palms facing in) pull ups.

How do you fix it?  Because there is constant usage of the elbow and forearm, muscles often become tight.  Every time you hold on to an object, your wrist flexors and extensors will contract.  Not understanding that concept?  Look at your forearm palm side up.  Make a fist as hard as you can and repeat that several times.  You should see muscles contracting all along the forearm.  Outside of resting it, icing, elevating and compressing you will want to stretch your wrist flexors and extensors.  Assuming that pain is minimal, straighten your arm out in front of you, palm side down.  Take your free hand and pull the fingers back on the opposite hand.  You should feel a stretch going all the way down your forearm.  Do the same thing but this time with the palm facing up.  Close the fingers, but don’t grasp and pull the hand in.

You will also want to strengthen your forearms by performing simple wrist flexion/extension exercises.  Seated, rest your forearm on your thigh and your hand (palm side up) should be hanging off of your leg.  Make a fist (but not a tight fist) and perform a wrist curl nice and controlled.  Turn the palm down, make a fist and perform a reverse wrist curl nice and controlled as well.  You can progress to weights if needed.  Perform two to three sets of 15-20 reps.  You can also strengthen the fingers by extending (or straightening) your fingers, hold for about five seconds, make a small fist and then repeat.  Once that gets easy you can wrap a rubber band around the fingers to add tension.

These are a few ideas to help alleviate the pain caused by Golfer’s and Tennis Elbow.  While they can prevent a person from working out or just function normally, these are some small tips to help you alleviate the problem but more importantly understand what is going on within the body.  You can also do these stretches and exercises at the end of a workout or for 15-30 minutes at home a few times a day.

Photo Credit

Have a question for Ask the Expert? You can send it to us via info@fitnessgoop.com and we will forward it to the appropriate expert.

1. Stand with your legs shoulder width apart.
2. Keep your knees slightly bent.
3. Lower your body as if you are going to sit down.
4. Maintain the natural arch in your lower back.
5. Straighten your legs and rise back up while contracting your glutes and hamstrings.
6. Let your arms swing naturally.

In this video, platinum award winning songwriter and music producer Jack Knight demonstrates with me.

Click here to view the embedded video.

WHY THIS NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENT IS GOOD FOR YOU:

• Increase energy and stamina
• Balanced carbohydrates for immediate and long-term fuel
• Energy is derived from two healthy and natural sources: yerba mate and green tea
• Support adrenal function and reduce stress
• Anti-inflammatory ingredients to assist with recovery after your workout

BACKGROUND ON YERBA MATE AND GREEN TEA:

Green Tea Extract has thermo genic properties which mean that it will increase your energy (calorie) burning, which is why its extract is a popular natural weight-loss product, or ingredient in combination formulas. Yerba Mate is native to subtropical South America and the leaves of yerba mate contain caffeine and are used as the main ingredient in numerous diet aids. Research on the effects of yerba mate in health and disease has confirmed its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic and lipid-lowering activities.

HOW TO USE:

Vega Sport Performance Optimizer is a pre-workout beverage. Mix 1 scoop (18 g) of Vega Sport in 1 cup (250 ml) of water and drink prior to physical activity. Additional servings can be taken during prolonged exercise.

WHERE TO BUY: sequelnaturals.com Free Shipping with orders over $100

I recently stopped in to my local Whole Foods (aka Capers) to pick up a can of coconut milk (full fat, of course!). In the past, my wife and I would purchase Thai Kitchen brand coconut milk until, that is, the controversial chemical BPA (Bisphenol A) began surfacing in the media bringing much awareness to this dangerous toxin. Bisphenol A is an industrial chemical from which plastic resins, epoxies and other products are made. Many food and drink containers, like water bottles, baby bottles and the linings for canned goods use BPA. It’s also found in cash register receipts, electronics and hundreds of other household items.

So what’s the big deal? BPA is a known endocrine disruptor and may be very harmful to our reproductive and nervous systems. Some studies are suggesting that BPA could be linked to reproductive issues, infertility and even cancers. What I find even more disturbing is that 91% of Canadians have a detectable amount of BPA in their bodies.

Because toxins are stored exceptionally well in fats, coconut milk is one of the worst offenders with respect to the concentration of BPA. Hopefully you can begin to understand why it was an easy decision to begin avoiding BPA where ever possible. Fortunately, Whole Foods carries a brand of coconut milk called Native Forest, which uses BPA-free cans. It may cost a bit more, but the extra expense is worth it for my health and that of my wife.

On this particular day, I walked into Whole Foods and grabbed a can of Native Forest coconut milk. As I did so, my attention was drawn to another brand which I had noticed growing in popularity within Whole Foods. The brand is Whole Foods own, 365. Based on the price, I had some doubts that the product could possibly be in a BPA-free can. But I was willing to inquire with management on the off-chance that Whole Foods was beginning to jump on the BPA-free train. To my astonishment, I was told that the 365 brand is completely BPA-free! Eureka! I’d found an organic coconut milk in a BPA-free can at nearly half the price of the competition… or so I thought.

Upon returning home, I still had a little voice in my head telling me to do some more digging. I hadn’t been in front of my computer for more than 3 minutes when I found a plethora of articles and blog posts confirming my suspicions. Whole Foods even openly admits on their website that the 365 brand is not BPA-free, but they do acknowledge that they are in the process of transitioning in that direction.

With obvious frustration and fury of the danger I had just been led into, I called the store from which I had just come. The ensuing phone call was significantly different than the conversation I had earlier at the store. This time I got a different manager who was very apologetic. In fact, his tone was down-right fearful. I think he knew the seriousness of what had just happened and he was making any offer to resolve the issue. As the conversation carried on, I was amazed to hear that while Whole Foods was transitioning to BPA-free cans, they currently claim that 21% of the 365 line is already BPA-free. However, I was then told that due to production processes, they were unable to determine which products are included in this 21%. I couldn’t believe my ears! Even though 21% of the 365 line is BPA-free, there is no way to conclusively tell which products are in the BPA-free cans. Sounds a bit like a game of Russian Roulette to me.

Fortunately for Whole Foods I am not looking to reap any benefit from this careless mishap. I do believe that consumers have a responsibility to know what they are putting inside their bodies. So instead of attacking Whole Foods for what happened, I want to share my experience to encourage others to do their research. If you see something on the shelf at the supermarket that seems too good to be true, look into it more before accepting the first response you’re given.

With that in mind, Whole Foods also holds a responsibility to ensure their staff are adequately trained and educated to provide consumers with accurate information of the products in their stores. Had the manager on duty simply been honest with me and indicated that he did not know the answer to my question, I would have been satisfied with his response and willingness to find out for me.

I mentioned at the beginning of this article that I still shop at Whole Foods, and I will likely continue to do so. I simply want to stress to everyone that even the most health-oriented establishments often have shortcomings that we, the consumers, must continue to question. It is a direct result of our inquiries, demands and spending that dictates change. Rather than boycotting companies like Whole Foods, let’s provide them with useful feedback so positive change can occur.

What are bioidentical hormones? Bioidentical hormones are hormones with an identical chemical structure to the hormones your body produces naturally.  Derived from plant sterols from soy or diosgenin (wild yam), these hormones mimic exactly the actions of the body’s own hormones.  A prescription from your ND (with prescribing rights) or MD is required, and bioidentical hormones are dispensed from a compounding pharmacy, usually as either a topical cream or oral pill.

Bioidentical hormones differ from synthetic hormone replacement therapy in that synthetic hormones are extracted from horse urine rather than plant sources, and synthetic hormones do not act the same way in the body as the body’s own hormones.  Risks associated with synthetic HRT (hormone replacement therapy) are breast cancer, stroke, heart attack, and blood clots.

How do I know if bioidentical hormones can help me?

Estrogen-dominant conditions are a common indication for hormone balancing and bioidentical hormone prescription.  Estrogen dominant conditions include: PMS, endometriosis, hormonal acne, fibrocystic breasts, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, non-menopausal hot flashes and painful periods/cramps. Difficulties in perimenopause and menopause, where hormones are fluctuating and levels of estrogen and progesterone are declining can also be helped by bioidentical hormone therapy.  This includes insomnia, hot flashes, heavy periods in perimenopause, low libido, low bone density, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, vaginal atrophy, urinary incontinence, abdominal weight gain, and poor memory. Women trying to conceive should also be assessed for hormonal imbalance as a common cause of infertility is a progesterone deficiency causing a ‘luteal phase defect’, where the second half of the menstrual cycle is too short to sustain a pregnancy.

How can I tell if my hormones are out of balance?

Blood and saliva testing are available to assess hormone levels.  Testing of the sex hormones as well as the other endocrine organs (thyroid, adrenal glands, pancreas) should be carried out as well to detect concomitant hormonal imbalances.

Signs of Progesterone Deficiency may include: anxiety, headaches, heavy periods, difficulty handling stress, water retention, abdominal weight gain, miscarriage

Signs of Estrogen Excess may include: hormonal acne, estrogen-dominant conditions (fibroids, fibrocystic breasts, ovarian cysts, endometriosis), gallstones, low sex drive, memory loss, PMS, hot flashes/night sweats, weight gain

Signs of Testosterone Excess may include: acne, oily skin, facial hair growth, ovarian cysts, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), weight gain, head hair loss

Have a question for Ask the Expert? You can send it to us via info@fitnessgoop.com and we will forward it to the appropriate expert.

My husband and I want to explore naturopathic medicine (we don’t want to try IVF) as a way to help with our infertility issues. Can naturopathy help?”

Naturopathic medicine offers fertility treatments as alternatives to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and fertility medications.  Before starting treatment, it is important that both you and your husband be assessed for causes that may be contributing to why you are not getting pregnant.  Both partners should have basic blood work done, as well as modify their diet and lifestyle to ensure they are producing the healthiest possible egg and sperm.

For men, a semen analysis can be done to see if there are problems with the number, motility, and normal morphology of the sperm.  For women, a pelvic ultrasound and hysterosalpingogram should be conducted to rule out structural abnormalities that may be causing infertility.

Once the patency of your ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus have been confirmed, it is important to find out if you are ovulating and if the length of your luteal phase is long enough to sustain implantation.  An easy way to find this out is to start charting your monthly cycles.  Your naturopathic doctor can explain to you how taking your waking temperature on a daily basis and assessing for other signs of ovulation can help you track when you are most fertile.  By charting your cycle, you can find out if lack of ovulation or a luteal phase defect are factors preventing you from becoming pregnant.

Most naturopathic doctors offer salivary female hormone testing.  Estrogen and progesterone levels can be measured over the course of your monthly cycle to assess for sufficient levels of these hormones at different times throughout the cycle.  Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and lutenizing hormone (LH) can also be measured to monitor for ovulation.

If a problem exists with ovulation or hormone levels, hormone balancing herbal medicines such as Vitex agnus castus, Mitchella repens, and Chameleirium luteum can be used, depending on whether there is insufficient estrogen or progesterone.  ND’s who are licensed to prescribe medications can also offer bio-identical hormone therapy to balance a hormone defect.  Male hormone testing can also be conducted if indicated.

If an underlying condition such as endometriosis, ovarian cysts, or uterine fibroids exists, estrogen-lowering treatments such as ground flax seeds, indole-3-carbinol, and calcium-d-glucarate can remove excess estrogen burden.

If all lab testing points to normal hormone cycling and normal ovulation, testing can be done to check for heavy metal accumulation in your body.  Heavy metals may include mercury, lead, and cadmium, and can accumulate even without overt exposure.  Metals are difficult for the body to excrete, and they cause excessive oxidative stress.  Oxidation forms free radicals that can damage DNA, especially the fragile genetic information within your egg or your husband’s sperm.  Damaged DNA can lead to a non-viable embryo.  Heavy metals can be removed by a process called chelation.  An appropriate chelator is chosen by your ND, depending on which metals are found in your body.  Usually chelation is administered orally or intravenously.  Natural chelators such as chlorella powder may also be recommended.

It is important that before starting any herbal medications, supplements, chelators, or hormone therapy that you consult your naturopathic doctor.  Please be advised that most treatments are contraindicated during pregnancy and should be discontinued immediately after you become pregnant, or if you think you may be pregnant.

Have a question for Ask the Expert? You can send it to us via info@fitnessgoop.com and we will forward it to the appropriate expert.