Category Archive

If I had to choose my favorite mineral, the answer would be a resounding MAGNESIUM!  I simply love magnesium – it’s a magical, marvelous mineral. Why this elemental love affair with “mag”? Well, for starters, magnesium is involved in over 300 essential metabolic reactions in the body. That’s no small task. It’s a true superhero in the mineral universe. Magnesium is crucial for energy production, especially the conversion of dietary fats into energy in our mitochondria. Magnesium also helps to regulate blood pressure, support our bones, relax our muscles, and keep our hearts beating regularly. Yet, despite its importance, about …

As we roll into December, I hope you are finding peace and comfort in the warmth of your home and through the love of your family. This next phase of this pandemic necessitates that we (again) hunker down to protect ourselves and our vulnerable community members, and I know how difficult this is. I hear it every day from worried, tired, and overwhelmed patients. My friends and colleagues are no exception. We have some challenging months ahead, but we’ve been here before, and we can do it again. Remember the strength of your spirit and keep looking for silver linings …

It’s November? Already?! Time seems to be flying and dragging, all at the same time, don’t you agree? I hope you are healthy, happy, and finding lots to be thankful for as we continue to grind through this pandemic. As the days (and our patience!) get shorter, we all need gentle reminders to be taking good care of ourselves. It’s so easy to resort to behaviors that provide a false sense of comfort when the going gets tough – eating foods that don’t serve our bodies, drinking more alcohol, skipping workouts, and binging on TV shows instead of getting those precious …

One of the most common concerns I hear in my practice is, “I can’t sleep” (and boy have I been there myself!).  Sleep deprivation is a real problem in our country. In fact, the World Health Organization has declared a sleep loss epidemic in industrialized nations. Much of this is due to the fast paced lives that we lead. We rarely give our bodies the necessary time or proper relaxation needed to get sufficient sleep. This can lead to a host of issues ranging from depression and anxiety to weight gain and neurodegenerative disorders.  Sleep deprivation is a real health …

September feels different this year, doesn’t it? Maybe that’s a silly question, because everything feels different this year. We are living in unprecedented times, with so much unknown. For me, September usually brings a celebration of new beginnings – a new school year, fresh crisp air, and an opportunity to reset and make changes in my routine or my environment. While all of that still applies to September 2020, there is a thread of uncertainty that is woven into the pumpkin spice lattes and changing leaves. What will happen with the virus as our kids go back to school? Are …

Vitamin D has always been a bit of a darling in the vitamin world, but lately, the “sunshine vitamin” has gotten even more attention. A recent study examined over 4,000 people who sought out testing for COVID-19 in a Chicago health system.  The study found that the people who tested positive for SARS COV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) were more likely to have had low vitamin D levels that went untreated in the past year. Other studies show connections between low vitamin D and COVID-19 risk, as well. Critics of such studies explain that low vitamin D levels are …

A foundational component of functional and integrative medicine is comprehensive nutrient, gut, and hormone testing. These tests provide fascinating information that can identify key imbalances which we can’t assess via routine labs. They help us to look closely at your unique biochemistry so that we can determine the true root cause of your symptoms. While some of these tests require a basic blood draw, many utilize other bodily fluids – most of which you can collect in the privacy and convenience of your own home. We’ve compiled a table of the most useful at-home functional medicine tests offered by the …

It’s hard to go anywhere these days without seeing or hearing about “CBD” and its promise to cure what ails ya.  It’s sold in oils, capsules, gummies, and vape pens. It’s in cocktails, coffee beverages, chocolates, and even dog food.  All you have to do is pull up to your local gas station and you are likely to see a bright sign stating “CBD SOLD HERE!”   So what’s the deal with CBD? What’s the hype? Is it worth it? And should you be taking it?   This article aims to unpack the ABCs of CBD.  We’ll start with some basics about …