Holistic Nutritionist in Valencia and Encino CA

Holistic Nutritionist, Karen Roth, shares a healthy cranberry recipe just in time for Thanksgiving.

Many people look at the time between Halloween and New Years as a total diet loss.  Sweets are everywhere, from candy to desserts.  And, when January rolls around, we get depressed about it. What if I told you that you can eat desserts without consuming too much sugar?  The secret is Xylitol (zy-li-tall)!

Xylitol is an all natural sweetener that looks and tastes like sugar, and is naturally occurring in many fruits and vegetables. Once extracted and processed it yields a white, crystalline granule that can be used in any recipe that calls for sugar.  It’s good for your teeth, stabilizes insulin and hormone levels, promotes good health and has none of the negative side effects of white sugar or artificial sweeteners.  Xylitol contains only 2.4 calories per gram and is slowly absorbed as a complex carbohydrate.

The glycemic index is a numerical index that ranks carbohydrates on their rate of glycemic response or how quickly they convert to glucose in the body. The higher the number, the more quickly the carbohydrates break down thus causing a spike in blood sugar.

Glycemic Index of Sweeteners:

• Xylitol 7
• Agave Nectar 15
• Maple Syrup 54
• Honey 62
• White Sugar 68
• High Fructose Corn Syrup 100

Many Journals cite the positive benefits of Xylitol, including:

• The Journal of the American Dental Association
• The International Dental Journal
• Journal of Dental Research and many others

As a Holistic Nutritionist, I highly recommend Xylitol to my clients, friends and family.  Not all Xylitol is created equal in terms of quality and flavor, however you can rest assured you are getting the highest quality Xylitol, and products made with Xylitol, at www.myhealthysugar.com 

You can purchase it by the pound and start baking right away….GUILT FREE!!  

Does anxiety overwhelm you at the very thought of being in a social gathering? Do you hide your depression from your loved ones?  Do you push yourself just to get through daily tasks?  How we feel affects our relationships, in a huge way.

These feelings can be unsettling for many women going through menopause. Maybe your friends and family say you are not the person you use to be. You admit you don’t enjoy the things that use to bring you pleasure. Life just seems to be hum drum. More often than not, these are symptoms of hormonal imbalance. Let’s take a look.

Excess progesterone in your system, can cause fatigue, low libido, weight gain, moodiness and feelings of vertigo.

When testosterone is too high that can leave you feeling agitated and angry, to the point that intimate relationships are out of the question even with the high levels of testosterone.

When your estrogen levels are low, you may experience bouts of depression, insomnia, low libido and of course hot flashes and night sweats.

Take into count that, in addition to low or high levels of any one of these hormones, one or more may have extreme fluctuations. Fluctuations explain why you have good days and bad days. Mostly bad days considering you have to make up for them on the good days you do have! 

So how are you to know if your lack for zest of life is a direct result of your hormone levels being high, low or all over the place?  There is a very simple and accurate saliva test I offer to many of my clients, which, when analyzed by the lab, produces a clear picture of what’s going on inside you.  If a problem is identified, I then work with my clients on an individual basis to balance their hormones, not with drugs, but naturally.

Karen Roth, MS, NC holds a Masters degree in Holistic Nutrition an active member of the National Association of Nutritional Professionals and the Menopause Type Network®.

To learn more, contact Karen Roth at 818-400-5410 or visit www.nutritionalchoice.net

Have you been suffering with low energy lately, or possibly for a long time?  If so, you’re not alone.  It’s one of the major problems facing my clients. Loss of energy is not normal, though many people write it off as just part of “getting older.”  The truth is, there are many older people who can run circles around us.

Our energy levels are directly influenced by the levels of steroid hormones (Estrogen, Testosterone and Progesterone) in our bodies.  When levels are too low, too high, or the ratios between them are off, one of the major results is energy drain.  Let’s take a closer look:

* Low Estrogen levels can make you feel both mentally and physically weighed down.

* Low Estrogen and Testosterone together can leave you feeling listless.

* Low Progesterone levels can leave you sleep deprived which may lead to fatigue and, if left unchecked, may lead to total exhaustion.

* Low Progesterone and Testosterone deficiency leads to both fatigue, and loss of muscle tone.

* Low Progesterone with high Testosterone may result in a woman experiencing sleep deprivation, leading to low energy.

Okay, so now the question is… How are you to know if your fatigue is a direct result of your hormone levels being high, low or all over the place?  There is very simple and accurate saliva test I offer to many of my clients, which, when analyzed by the lab, produces a clear picture of what’s going on inside you.  If a problem is identified, I then work with my clients on an individual basis to balance their systems, not with drugs, but naturally.  Sometimes adjustments are as simple as slight changes in their diet.  Other times, it’s a little more involved.  Either way, the end result can be life changing.

Just as it’s easy for many women to write off their challenges with menopause as something you “just have to live with,” the same can be said for fatigue.  Some people choose to be sufferers.  Some people choose to be proactive about their health.  The big question is, which one are you?

Karen Roth, MS, NC holds a Masters degree in Holistic Nutrition from Hawthorn University and is an active member of the National Association of Nutritional Professionals and the Menopause Type Network®.

To learn more about safe and natural options for alleviating symptoms of menopause, and other health conditions, contact Karen Roth at 818-400-5410 or visit www.nutritionalchoice.net

Is sex on your mind, but for the wrong reason?  As a woman, are you feeling less receptive to sex?  Have you noticed feeling less sensual, or that your sex drive has diminished?  If so, you’re not alone.  This is a major complaint from most women experiencing Hormone Imbalance, which directly affects your libido.    

It’s common knowledge that Testosterone plays a significant role in both men and women when it comes to a healthy libido.  But one of the more common deficiencies in women is Estrogen, which plays as much a role in a woman’s sex life as Testosterone.

In my practice, I have seen women with optimal levels of both hormones who still suffer with a low sex drive.  Hormones are much more complicated than just pinpointing one symptom to one hormone. You can have optimal levels of both Estrogen and Testosterone, but if your Progesterone is elevated above normal, that also contributes to low libido. Take into account that all three hormones could be out of balance, and one person could have three different hormones working against them. 

If low libido is affecting your quality of life, you do have options.  How are you to know if your hormones are in balance and contributing to this condition?  There is a very simple and accurate saliva test I offer to my clients, which, when analyzed by the lab, produces a clear picture of what’s going on.  If a problem is identified, I then work with my clients on an individual basis to balance their system, not with drugs, but naturally.  Sometimes adjustments are as simple as slight changes in diet.  Other times, it’s a little more involved.  Either way, the end result can be life changing.

Karen Roth, MS, NC holds a Masters degree in Holistic Nutrition from Hawthorn University and is author, active member of the National Association of Nutritional Professionals and the Menopause Type Network®.

To learn more about safe and natural options for alleviating symptoms of menopause, and other health conditions, contact Karen Roth at 818-400-5410 or visit www.nutritionalchoice.net

For anyone who has experienced depression, it’s not a fun place to be.  The feelings of sadness and despair can hang over you even though you can’t pinpoint any specific reason for feeling so down.  Although many of life’s circumstances can contribute to depression, it can sometimes be the result of hormone imbalance.  Let’s take a look.

Inadequate levels of Estrogen can leave you feeling less outgoing and less positive. For some women the symptoms of estrogen imbalance are more severe and they become withdrawn, apathetic and even experiencing periods of hopelessness. This can be on-going or it can be an occasional occurrence which can be a sign of unusual fluctuation in hormone levels. Our hormones have a biological baseline and do fluctuate throughout the month, but at no time should that result in you feeling depressed.

Low Testosterone levels can lead to moodiness, a loss of confidence and low motivation, and in some women the feeling of being frightened or afraid. Even though testosterone is thought of as the male hormone, it is just as important for women to have appropriate levels to maintain a sense of wellbeing.

Progesterone is yet another important hormone that, when out of balance, can contribute to severe mood swings. You know the kind that comes out from nowhere!

If depression or mood swings are affecting your quality of life, you do have options.  But, how are you to know if your hormones are out of balance and contributing to this condition?  There is a very simple and accurate saliva test I offer to my clients, which, when analyzed by the lab, produces a clear picture of what’s going on.  If a problem is identified, I then work with my clients on an individual basis to balance their system, not with drugs, but naturally.  Sometimes adjustments are as simple as slight changes in diet.  Other times, it’s a little more involved.  Either way, the end result can be life changing.

Karen Roth, MS, NC holds a Masters degree in Holistic Nutrition from Hawthorn University, is an author, and active member of the National Association of Nutritional Professionals and the Menopause Type Network®.

To learn more about safe and natural options for alleviating symptoms of hormone imbalance, and other health conditions, contact Karen Roth at 818-400-5410 or visit www.nutritionalchoice.net  Offices in Valencia and Sherman Oaks.

For anyone who has experienced depression, it’s not a fun place to be.  The feelings of sadness and despair can hang over you even though you can’t pinpoint any specific reason for feeling so down.  Although many of life circumstances can contribute to depression, it can sometimes be the result of hormone imbalance.  Let’s take a look.

Inadequate levels of Estrogen can leave you feeling less outgoing and less positive. For some women the symptoms of estrogen imbalance are more severe and they become withdrawn, apathetic and even experiencing periods of hopelessness. This can be on-going or it can be an occasional occurrence which can be a sign of unusual fluctuation in hormone levels. Our hormones have a biological baseline and do fluctuate through out the month, but at no time should that result in you feeling depressed.

Low Testosterone levels can lead to moodiness, a loss of confidence and low motivation, and in some women the feeling of being scared and even afraid. Even though testosterone is thought of as the male hormone, it is just as important for women to have appropriate levels to maintain a sense of wellbeing.

Progesterone is yet another important hormone that when out of balance can contribute to severe mood swings. You know the kind that comes out from nowhere!

If depression or mood swings are affecting your quality of life, you do have options.  But, how are you to know if your hormones are in balance and contributing to this condition?  There is a very simple and accurate saliva test I offer to my clients, which, when analyzed by the lab, produces a clear picture of what’s going on.  If a problem is identified, I then work with my clients on an individual basis to balance their system, not with drugs, but naturally.  Sometimes adjustments are as simple as slight changes in diet.  Other times, it’s a little more involved.  Either way, the end result can be life changing.

Karen Roth, MS, NC holds a Masters degree in Holistic Nutrition from Hawthorn University and is an author, and active member of the National Association of Nutritional Professionals and the Menopause Type Network®.

To learn more about safe and natural options for alleviating symptoms of hormone imbalance, and other health conditions, contact Karen Roth at 818-400-5410 or visit www.nutritionalchoice.net

If Anxiety, Irritability or Anger has taken over your personality, you’re not alone.  Many women experience these feelings.  When Estrogen levels drop, or wildly fluctuate, the diameter of a woman’s blood vessels can change and that can result in the feeling of anxiety.  When experiencing decreased levels of Progesterone, irritability, inflammation and spasms may occur.  Likewise, when a woman has Testosterone deficiency, anxiety is often the result along with fear and social withdrawal.  To make matters worse, Testosterone deficiency can also be associated with low libido (sex drive), and can contribute to depression.  On the reverse side, an excess of Testosterone may result in intolerance to stress and a tendency to jump to anger.

Synthetic pharmaceuticals are often prescribed to “treat” these symptoms without correcting the underlying cause – hormone imbalance.   My approach to restoring balance is to create a strong foundation for hormone production and normal function by using whole foods first, and nutritional and herbal formulations second.  The key is to not only restore levels, but assist the body’s cells in responding to hormones.  It’s not just about the hormone levels; it’s also about the body’s ability to “listen.”  Cellular response is as important as the function of hormone production, and when a prescription drug is used to treat hormone imbalance, it replaces, but does not restore. 

So how are you to know if your lack of energy is a direct result of your hormone levels being high, low or all over the place?  There is a very simple and accurate saliva test I offer to many of my clients, which, when analyzed by the lab, produces a clear picture of what’s going on inside you.  If a problem is identified, I then work with my clients on an individual basis to balance their systems, not with drugs, but naturally.

Karen Roth, MS, NC holds a Masters degree in Holistic Nutrition and is an author, active member of the National Association of Nutritional Professionals and the Menopause Type Network®.

To learn more, contact Karen Roth at 818-400-5410 or visit www.nutritionalchoice.net

Recent research identified a compound in walnuts called ellagic acid which appears to block the metabolic pathways that can lead to cancer. This compound can detoxify cancer causing chemicals and also prevent cancer cells from duplicating.

Eating pears can promote digestive health. Because pears contain a good amount of fiber, which prevents constipation, but also Fiber is instrumental in sweeping out cancer causing chemicals in the colon.