Do you know that perfectly rested feeling you get after a good night’s sleep? Have you noticed in contrast how awful you feel after a terrible night’s sleep? How about after multiple nights of terrible sleep? Adequate rest and sleep are paramount to your good health and, at the core, to basic survival. Sleep…
According to The National Diabetes Statistics Report led by the Centers for Disease Control in 2020, more than 1 in 10 Americans currently have diabetes. Perhaps even more shocking are the numbers for prediabetes, a serious high blood sugar condition which they estimate affects at least 1 in 3… but over 80% are not aware…
Give Your Immune System a Little Time and Attention The onset of COVID-19 changed the world’s daily hygiene practices in ways we have never seen before. From regularly wearing masks in public to practicing consistent “social distancing” to slathering our hands with sanitizer throughout the day. Ironically, we’re now at a stage where scientists are…
As the world emerges from what was for many a prolonged period of inactivity and stress, it’s not just our bodies that have become soft – our brains are inevitably affected too. Just as Dr. James Levine coined the term “sitting is the new smoking” to describe the increase in heart disease and diabetes that…
Most of the time, we take our digestive system for granted. But when it goes out of whack it’s a whole different story and digestive issues can quickly become all-encompassing. Stomach pain, gas, bloating, diarrhea, frequent bowel movements, constipation, even night sweats and unexplained weight loss or gain are just some of the signs of…
The musculoskeletal system has a primary role: It provides your body with structure and movement, and it protects your internal organs – the heart, brain, liver, and kidneys – from injury by acting as a physical shield. But your body is not only a collection of systems which each have its own roles to play.…
We are exposed to a variety of toxins every day through the air we breathe and the food we eat. Even the products we use on our hair, skin, and nails can contain toxins. Bacteria, pesticides, fertilizers, air pollutants, plasticizers, heavy metals, secondhand smoke, and gas fumes are just some of the many toxins we…
We have more aging adults alive today than at any other time in history. This is no small feat. With advances in medicine, better access to resources, and improvement in our general quality of life, living well into our 80s and beyond is a realistic expectation to hold. That being said, there is a general…
Inflammation: What it is and 9-Ways to Reduce It Inflammation has become a bit of a buzzword recently, and rightly so. Did you know that systemic inflammation plays a role in the development of many chronic conditions such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease? With two out of every three deaths in North America attributed…
Clearing Up Brain Fog: How to Gain Clarity Brain fog is one of the more common symptoms we see in practice, as well as being one of the most elusive and hard to pin down. Sudden onset of poor concentration, mental fatigue, inability to focus, confusion, and memory issues make even the simplest tasks seem…
Protective Measures for Brain Health We tend not to think very much about our brains when we’re young, but this can also carry unfortunate repercussions down the road. It’s important to build a strong foundation of brain health for better aging, both physically and mentally. As we age, the mind-body connection becomes even more pronounced,…
Food Additives: Look Beyond the Label Think about any item in your kitchen pantry, flip over to the ingredients list and odds are…you’re going to find some kind of food additive! Food additives are typically added to enhance the flavor, appearance or texture of a product, or to extend its shelf life. Although…
Thyroid Troubles: Why Traditional Tests Often Miss the Diagnosis Your thyroid is a small organ with a huge impact on all aspects of your health. Thyroid hormone impacts every cell in your body, so even a small disturbance in thyroid hormone levels affects your digestive tract, brain, heart, metabolism, glucose, and cholesterol levels, and…
Why It’s More Important than Ever to Support Your Immune System We have weathered some serious concerns about our health and how to protect ourselves from viruses like Covid-19 over the last year and a half. Viruses have been and will be with us always – not anything new. Having a strong and healthy immune…
Hormones affect every aspect of your wellbeing, from your appetite to your zest for life. Despite their large impact on overall health, hormonal imbalances can be frustratingly difficult to recognize. That’s partly because our hormones must maintain a delicate balance and even a slight shift can have negative repercussions. Key Players in Hormone Balance…
Want some top tips for healthy hair? Read on! Luscious locks. Flowing tresses. Who doesn’t want to have a full head of shiny hair? Our culture certainly gives us the message that beautiful hair symbolizes youth and beauty. However, particularly as we age, many of us find that the soft, full hair we may have…
Are you noticing more stubborn belly fat? Experiencing wild sugar cravings? Constant fatigue and sudden crashes in energy? Are you noticing more stubborn belly fat? Experiencing wild sugar cravings? Constant fatigue and sudden crashes in energy? Our dietary choices and lifestyle practices play a huge role in either maintaining balance or spiking blood sugar levels.…
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) can impact many aspects of a woman’s health, from her moods, her weight, to her chances of conception. This surprisingly common condition can be difficult to diagnose and treat. That’s partly because conventional medicine practices are often geared towards tackling the symptoms without truly getting to the underlying reasons. Functional/ Natural…
Since the beginning of 2020, whenever we turned on the TV, listened to the radio, browsed social media, or even while speaking with our friends and co-workers we have been bombarded with COVID-19 information. Numbers of infected (‘cases’), numbers of deaths around the world, constantly changing restrictions, and more have flooded our minds daily. The…
The search for the fountain of youth is as old as time. Here’s an idea. What if the fountain of youth is simply the sum of our decisions? If that’s the case, then the power to live long and well is (somewhat) in our hands! We can influence our longevity by making a daily commitment…
Many patients with fibromyalgia have come to us after facing many barriers when trying to relieve their symptoms, or even get a firm diagnosis. The lack of agreement on best practices for symptom relief makes this condition difficult to navigate, and the frustration is often made worse by the wide range of possible symptoms, often…
“All (chronic) disease begins in the gut” – Hippocrates Good digestion is essential to our health – and our mood – and when it’s all working smoothly, we tend to take it for granted. It’s not until things go wrong that digestion moves to the forefront of our minds. While I don’t believe all disease…
The scientific explanation of perimenopause sounds so simple: a gradual slowing down of reproductive hormones until menopause.The reality, however, is that for many women the arrival of menopause isn’t a smooth, gliding descent but more of a turbulent landing complete with bumps, twists, and what can feel like the constant threat of a complete crash.…
It’s springtime. Why do you feel like you’re sick when you’ve done everything right? Watering eyes, runny nose, sneeze attacks? Is it time to self-isolate? What if you sneeze in the grocery store line-up? After all, there is no bigger social faux right now than an unexpected public sneeze. People have become a bit hypersensitive.…
By now, you’ve likely heard about gluten intolerance. The buzz word “gluten-free” is everywhere in the health world. By the way, be mindful and read those labels! If it is full of unrecognizable ingredients – skip it. But how impactful is gluten? For those with thyroid issues, it may be affecting you more than you…
Been smelling your own breath lately with all the mask-wearing? The harsh realities of the odors coming from our mouths have come front and center these days. Tic Tacs, mints and chewing gum… can’t fix a true breath problem. While bad breath (also known as halitosis) isn’t often a symptom of disease per se, it…
Have you heard of Helicobacter Pylori? Research tells us that this ancient bacterium may actually be beneficial for some, but for others, it causes digestive symptoms that range from miserable to lethal. An active H. Pylori infection can go unnoticed for years, so uncovering this crafty bacteria early is the key to avoiding complications down…
If you’ve ever suffered from joint pain, you know how much of a headache it is. All the aches and pains of arthritis make moving your joints unnecessarily difficult, and the prospect of your symptoms worsening over time is daunting, to say the least. What if I told you there are therapies available that are…
Eat less, exercise more. Is it really that easy? You may not be surprised to hear that losing excess weight and keeping it off goes way beyond such one-dimensional recommendations. In fact, the concept of calories in and calories out may be the biggest misunderstanding people have about weight. It turns out that weight gain…
With everything 2020 has thrown at us, you may feel like everything has gone a bit (make that a lot!) sideways. And in many ways it has. But this year has also turned out to be more about appreciating what we have instead of wanting for more, hasn’t it? It is an opportunity to rekindle…
Did you know your blood pressure could be out of control without you even knowing? High blood pressure is a major contributor to heart disease, and the months of stress, uncertainty, poor diet, and immobility we have all been going through are not helping matters. When the way your blood flows through your body is…
We can’t be authentic until we own and integrate our shadows. Until we realize that the ‘I’ that we are…is not the experience we have. We are an Essence – the ‘I’. Our spiritual Being. The True Self. Instead of knowing this or understanding this – we define ourselves by who ‘we think we are’.…
Prediabetes and food craving are an epidemic affecting at least 20% of the population. And, this is not including the nearly 10% of Americans who have frank diabetes. Also, these numbers likely do not include those whose diagnosis may be being missed because their high insulin levels are not being checked. This high insulin is…
Thyroid problems, both low and high thyroid hormone problems, are near epidemic proportions in this country today, particularly among women. I so often hear from women and from clients/patients who complain of symptoms from low thyroid conditions, such as: 1. Cold hands and feet 2. Dry skin and hair 3. Brittle nails 4. Hoarseness 5.…
What is making us women overweight and sick is not simply an issue of ‘overeating’, or ‘the luck of the draw’ contrary to popular myth. It is stress and the four key stressors.
Emotional resiliency is a little-known superpower. Why? When we develop emotional resiliency, we are less susceptible to stress, chronic disease, and mental health conditions. Yet, isn’t it interesting that most people avoid their feelings and emotion? It is a part of our cultural conditioning. Have you ever wondered why, and what are the downsides to…
Do you really realize what stress is and what causes it? Stress is a common occurrence in our high-paced, full of distraction culture. Many, if not most, women do not know that there are four key stressors that cause stress, and that we can actually learn how to reduce stress when we understand these factors.…
Society is struggling with stress on a daily basis. When we realize what stress is and where it comes from, we are better enabled to avoid burnout.
To thrive nowadays…to free ourselves from the tyranny of stress and overwhelm…to live with a sense of purpose and healthy relationship – we must drop the either/or, black or white dualistic thinking of old. I will say upfront – no, self-care is not selfish. In fact, when we care for our body, our mind and…
Rebalance. In Functional Medicine, there is a concept known as the 5 Pillars or 5 R’s to reverse gut dysfunction and to restore health. Rebalance is the last or 5th step, and though it is last, it is certainly not least. As a society, we are way out of balance. Using the symbol of the…
The type of healthcare you choose is going to be based upon what you believe about healing and health. If you want to learn how to reverse your symptoms and disease to heal your body and mind or at least put the disease process into remission and slow it down dramatically, you will have to…
What is hidden from your current view may surprise you. You probably are not finding or seeing new ways to heal your body and live with more joy because of the way your perception works. Your perception can obstruct your vision through your brain as much as a literal cloudy fog can hide a huge…
NeuroReInvention (NRI), is a word I coined to share mind-body health and well-being information that blends the traditional with the transformational. You may ask, ‘What does it mean?’ Think about how during these times of change we often have to ‘reinvent’ ourselves, meaning change our self in some way. We must become more adaptable and…