Functional Medicine

Your gut is the largest organ in your immune system, In fact, 80 percent of your immune system is housed within your gut. If you think about it, this makes sense because your gut is a doorway to the outside world. Everything we eat and drink passes through your gut first. We unknowingly ingest harmful toxins, pathogens and microbes on a daily basis. Your immune system is the first line of defense your body has to keep you healthy. A strong immune system protects you by creating a barrier that stops invaders from entering your body. There isn’t a miracle… Read More »

Ever get told that your thyroid labs are normal yet you still feel like crap?! Unfortunately, the medical profession typically only evaluates and manages thyroid health by looking at the TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) and if that is within the normal lab range, your thyroid is “fine”! This leads many, many women searching for answers because they have unexplainable: Fatigue: Persistent tiredness and a lack of energy, even after a full night’s sleep. Weight Gain: Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight. Cold Sensitivity: Feeling excessively cold, especially in the hands and feet. Constipation: Slower digestion and bowel movements. Dry… Read More »

Your adrenal glands are small but mighty little guys that sit on top of your kidneys. Adrenal fatigue occurs when the adrenals have been overworked to a degree that they can no longer secrete levels of cortisol (your stress hormone) adequate for optimal function. Potential stressors include environmental and dietary influences, as well as anxiety and emotional stresses. Medical research now proves that adrenal fatigue is commonly associated with bowel and bladder issues: irritable bowel syndrome, leaky gut, and interstitial cystitis. I find in many of my clients who are experiencing or being diagnosed with these issues that their adrenal glands are pooped!… Read More »

The vitamin you and your family need more of and most right now is Vitamin D! Move over, vitamin C—there’s a new flu buster in town! Are we entering “flu season” or more appropriate “Low Vitamin D Season”).  Vitamin D plays an important role in immune system support. Also known as the sunshine vitamin, vitamin D is every bit as important as its antioxidant counterparts whenever the immune sysytem is under duress, like during a cold or flu. If you’re one of those people who keeps getting sick and you don’t know why OR you want to prevent from being one of… Read More »

Cholesterol gets such a bad rap! The medical profession is SO behind the actual science and since the creation of statins, the AMA has been lowering the healthy cholesterol level every decade which means more people fall into the category of “high” cholesterol and their answer for that means taking a statin for life. Lab values for “healthy cholesterol” are now under 200 where in 1960 healthy values were 260. In my opinion from a Functional Medicine perspective, the current levels are way too low. You need cholesterol! AND you need healthy, unsaturated fats (avocado, olive oil, grass fed butter,… Read More »

If you’re anything like me, then you can’t help but to get the winter blues living in Northern Michigan. Are there natural ways to defeat this type of depression? The colder, darker months of winter have arrived yet here are some winter depression tips and ideas to help you defeat depression. You may think you know these, but do me a favor and read them anyway. Get plenty of rest. Our schedules are often blamed for not getting enough hours of sleep. Try to make sure that you are sleeping enough (it’s when your body heals). AND, that your sleep is… Read More »