Renew Health and Wellness

If you are wanting to actually fix your hormones, then birth control is not the answer!

Birth control actually stops our body from producing hormones naturally.

If you are experiencing horrible periods, issues with ovulation, and unbearable PMS symptoms then that means you need to get to the root cause of these issues...not slap a birth control band-aid on it and deal with it later.

Hormone issues stem from so many things....

-Poor liver detoxification
-Excess plastics in the body
-Chemical/heavy metal overload
-Blood sugar issues
-Thyroid dysfunction
-Using toxic self-care products everyday
-Stress
-Synthetic hormones
-Poor dietary choices

Birth control also depletes your body of many essential nutrients in the body like magnesium, B vitamins, zinc, selenium, and vitamin C (just to name a few).

Are you wanting to fix your hormones naturally and not sure where to start? Message me or click the link in my bio to schedule a free consultation with me!

Have you heard Your bloodwork is NORMAL....see you in another year?"

You're not the only one. I hear this all the time in my office when I am going over blood work with my patients. Blood work can be normal, but you can still have issues with your health OR I usually look over labs and find that things are out of range when your primary care has said otherwise.

This is because I look at your blood work through a functional medicine lense. I focus on preventative medicine and catching anything earlier rather than later when it comes to your health. Symptoms appear earlier than lab works shows, so it is important to address issues early on.

The 3 stages of care in my office are...

1. IDENTIFY
2. TREAT
3. PREVENT

I identify the root cause of your health concerns and treat with a personalized functional medicine approach for each patient. Once treatment heals you, we then work to prevent these issues from reoccurring. My goal is for you to maintain ideal health and not wait as long the next time something comes up.

Does this resonate with you?

Have you heard time and time again that your labs are normal but you still experience health issues? Has a doctor prescribed you medications for such issues and not asked you about your diet, lifestyle, environmental exposures, work, etc.?

Reach out to me to get started on your health journey!

Blood sugar is such a common thing nowadays because of how highly processed our diets are. The new normal is drinking coffee for breakfast, eating quick on-the-go fast food for meals, and then eating our heaviest meal in the evening and most of the time it is heavy on the carbohydrates. People have neglected to optimize their protein and fat intake and instead opted for a high processed carb and sugar diet. Throwing off your blood sugar like this every single day can lead to so many health issues.

If I had to pick 2 things as the center of your health it would be gut health and balancing blood sugar. If you address these 2 issues you can really optimize your health and reduce a ton of symptoms you are experiencing.

By balancing blood sugar I mean.....

-Eating breakfast within the first hour of the day upon waking
-Eat a protein rich breakfast
-Don't just drink coffee on an empty stomach in the morning
-Skip the processed carb and sugar filled breakfasts (pancakes, waffles, cereal, starbucks sugar filled coffee, bagels, fruit smoothies, etc.)
-Eat enough protein at each meal to reduce snacking throughout the day
-Make breakfast and lunch your bigger meals of the day and keep dinner on the lighter side
-Don't eat too much too late at night

How many of you don't do some of the things listed above? We are all guilty of it at times, but doing this consistently can create a snowball effect and eventually take ahold of your health.

Want to know if your issues are blood sugar related or need help making the proper changes to improve this? Reach out to me or you can schedule a free 15 minute consultation with me in the link in my bio!

Hormone imbalances don't just pop up overnight. It is usually years and years of factors that pile up and eventually our body starts to show symptoms of this dysregulation. I have listed a few reasons why you may have hormone issues. The gut and liver are the top 2 organs that are involved with hormone health and are the first few things I look at with my hormone patients. Getting these 2 organs functioning properly can reduce so many hormone issues.

While the gut and liver are being treated properly, we need to assess our every day life and the things we are exposed to on a regular basis. By this I mean environmental toxins, heavy metals, medications, plastics, self-care products, etc. What we breathe in, put on our skin, or ingest can play a vital role in our hormones and how we regulate them.

I tell all my patients to really start decreasing the amount of toxic products you consume and opt for a non-toxic alternative. With ladies, this includes skincare, hair care, feminine products, makeup, etc. For everyone, you should be assessing the cookware, sunscreen, air fresheners, candles, cleaning products, and even the quality of water and coffee that you drink. All of these things can either make or break your health. I have listed the top items you need to look at when switching to a less toxic life.

1. Skincare products
2. Haircare
3. Cleaning products
4. Cookware
5. Laundry & Dishwasher Detergent
6. Coffee & Water
7. Candles
8. Sunscreen

Wanting help with getting to the root cause of your hormone issues? Wanting to learn how to live a toxin free lifestyle? Reach out to me or schedule a free 15 minute consultation with me! Links for my top non-toxic products are in the link in my bio.

Magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, phosphorus, sulfur, and calcium are some of the many essential minerals for the body. People think that these minerals are only important for hydration, but they help with so much more.

Getting adequate amounts of these essential minerals can help with…

-Rehydrating the body
-Increasing energy
-Improving sleep
-Reducing migraines
-Regulating blood pressure
-Improving circulation
-Muscle contractions
-Nerve transmission
-Immune system health
-Maintaining health teeth and bones

There are some MYTHS when it comes to electrolytes and hydration.

1. Drinking electrolytes/replenishing minerals should be done only when sweating in excess or during exercise.
2. The more water you drink the more hydrated you are.
3. There is no such thing as drinking too much water.
4. Having your p*e appear clear when using the restroom means you are well hydrated.

Here are some takeaway points to help you improve your mineral levels.

-Replacing minerals in the body should be done on a daily basis. This can be done by adding trace minerals/electrolytes (with sea salt) to water
-Shoot for drinking about half your body weight in ounces of water with these minerals added
-Reduce stress in your life. Putting your nervous system in a fight-or-flight state depletes minerals

All diseases people suffer from today start in the gut. Unfortunately, our food supply is corrupt and unhealthy, which in turn affects our gut microbiome. Microbiome health is linked to every disease you can list and here are just to name a few. That is why it is so important to be intentional about what we put into our body, because it can influence our health and potential of developing disease.

I suggest seeing a functional medicine practitioner like myself to get to the root cause of your disease or health concerns, so we can help to rid the body of infections and imbalance and allow it to heal.

One way to start is to stick to the basics when it comes to food. Skip the packaged food, seed oils, fast food, fake meat, low-calorie, or low-fat foods and switch to REAL FOOD like grass-fed protein like red meat, wild-caught fish, butter (Yes, I am saying to eat butter!), and organic produce. Your food should not have a lengthy ingredient label!

We live in a world of saying "Yes" all the time to other people and never give ourselves the self-care that we really need. This can greatly impact our health in so many ways.

Learn to say "No" more to people and say "Yes" to yourself more often and put you and your health first. Don't want until you are at your wits end and drowning in stress, health concerns, and feeling emotionally drained. You deserve to priotize yourself so you can help others and be able to say "Yes" to things without suffering!

Did you know that the bones that make up your skull move slightly when we breathe?

What happens when they are not moving properly?

These are a few signs/symptoms and conditions that may indicate you need cranial work done…

-Hx of concussions
-Hx of whiplash trauma
-Migraines/Headaches
-Disturbed sleep cycles
-Neck pain
-Vertigo
-Dizziness
-TMJ issues
-Mood disorders (anxiety, depression, etc.)
-Sinus issues
-Recurrent ear infections
-Chronic pain
-Fibromyalgia
-Neurodegenerative disorders

Correcting these cranial imbalances with light pressure and breathing can relieve tension in the central nervous system, relieve symptoms you may be experiencing, and boost your overall health.

Does this sound familiar to you or someone you know? If so, please reach out with any questions you may have or are interested in seeking out treatment!

Make the most of your morning in a healthy way!

The symptoms you are experiencing is your bodies way of telling you something is wrong. Listen to your symptoms and seek out care before they worsen! Catching symptoms earlier allows us to figure out the root cause sooner and get you to heal faster.

Preventative medicine is one of the most important things that you can invest in. Seeking the guidance of a functional medicine pracittioner can help to prevent disease and maintain optimal health. Yes, you will need to spend money to stay healthy, but isn't that better than spending even more money when you are stuck in a diseased state and medical bills are even more expensive? That's why I say invest in your health now so it will pay off in the long run!

People tend to rely on taking supplements nowadays hoping that they will be the answer to all their health problems. Little do they know that supplements are what may be the very last thing that needs to be taken to get better. Some things that may be contributing to why you aren’t feeling great are…

❗️Lack of sleep
❗️Poor diet
❗️Negative thought patterns
❗️Exposing yourself to EMFs/bluelight
❗️Environmental toxins
❗️Toxic personal care products
❗️Sedentary lifestyle
❗️Being exposed to heavy metals

Eliminating a lot of these daily habits or exposures may be the answer to why you feel the way you do. Supplements can be great to bridge the gap in your health, but making lifestyle changes is the most important. If you are not changing anything about your lifestyle except adding in supplements, then you are missing out on the key pieces to your health.

I will just leave this right here 😉

A lot of what you hear from conventional medicine is not true and so let's break the pattern of following old school medicine and be open to mainstream holistic medicine and what it has to offer!

Did you know that leptin, often referred to as the "satiety hormone," plays a vital role in regulating our appetite and metabolism? It's time to unravel the mystery of leptin resistance and its impact on our well-being!

What is Leptin Resistance?

Leptin resistance occurs when our body becomes less responsive to the signals sent by the hormone leptin. Leptin is released by our fat cells and acts as a messenger to our brain, signaling that we've had enough to eat and should stop consuming food. However, in cases of resistance, this vital message can go unnoticed.

How Does It Develop?

Various factors contribute to the development of leptin resistance. Let's explore a few of them:

1️⃣ Dietary concerns: blood sugar imbalances, poor dietary choices, and eating at the wrong times
2️⃣ Chronic inflammation
3️⃣ Inadequate sleep (blue light exposure, EMF exposure)
4️⃣ Sedentary Lifestyle

Here are a few solutions:

✅ Opt for a Nutrient-Rich Diet (skip the processed carbs and optimize protein and fats)
✅ Prioritize Quality Sleep
✅ Get Moving (do not work out fasted in the morning!)
✅ Manage Stress

Is this something that you may be struggling with? Are you wanting to start making healthy lifestyle changes? Reach out to me so we can get started!

Did you know that Nitric Oxide (NO) is an essential molecule that can work wonders for your health? From improved blood circulation to enhanced athletic performance, here's why you should embrace NO and include Nitric Oxide-rich foods in your diet.

-Increases Blood Flow: Nitric Oxide helps dilate blood vessels, ensuring proper circulation throughout the body. This increases oxygen and nutrient delivery to all your organs.

-Improves Brain Function: Improved blood flow means enhanced brain performance. This can help with your focus and memory.

-Happy Heart, Happy Life: Nitric Oxide supports a healthy cardiovascular system, regulating blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart diseases.

-Enhanced Workout Results: If you're into fitness, NO can be your secret weapon, It increases oxygen delivery to muscles, leading to better endurance and faster recovery.

-Metabolism Booster: Nitric Oxide helps improve insulin sensitivity, promoting efficient nutrient metabolism. Increasing insulin sensitivity will assist in weight loss.

You can increase NO levels through your diet or supplementation. Foods that you can start introducing into your diet are beets, dark leafy greens, pomegranates, citrus fruits, garlic, and broccoli.

I hear it all the time.....

"My mother and grandmother had diabetes so I'm doomed for having it as well"

"My grandfather had cancer and so did my mom so I will probably get cancer when I'm there age"

"Arthritis just runs in my family"

Your genetics you cannot change, but this does not mean that genetics is your fate! You are able to overcome these risks that may be a part of your genetics by living a healthy lifestyle and reducing our overall toxin exposure.

Want help making these steps towards living a healthy lifestyle? Reach out to me for help!

People tend to think that having an unhealthy gut means that they will only have gut-type symptoms. Unfortunately there are many other symptoms that may be indicating you having issues within the digestive system. Some symptoms are…

-Brain fog
-Headaches/migraines
-Craving sugar
-Fatigue
-Hormone imbalances
-Skin issues
-Anxiety
-White film on the tongue
-Thyroid issues

The gut is connected to so many other systems in the body, so healing the gut can help people with other conditions they may be suffering from.

Do you experience any of these symptoms or know someone that is? Reach out to me so we can get you or someone you know started on their functional medicine journey!

Did you know that your gut health could be the missing puzzle piece in your journey to combat your health concerns? Let's dive into the transformative world of functional medicine and discover how nourishing your gut can improve your overall health.

-Anxiety & Depression Relief: Believe it or not, there's a direct link between your gut and your mood. A balanced gut microbiome can help regulate neurotransmitters, potentially reducing anxiety and depression.

-Glowing Skin: Say goodbye to skin issues! A healthy gut can improve the appearance of your skin by addressing inflammation and supporting detoxification. Our skin is our second gut so it will show what is going on from the inside out.

-Diabetes Management: Managing diabetes starts in your gut. Eating less processed carbs and sugars can help regulate blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of diabetes-related complications.

-Combat Chronic Fatigue: If chronic fatigue has you feeling drained, your gut could be the culprit. A balanced microbiome can boost energy levels by optimizing nutrient absorption and reducing inflammation.

-Joint Pain Relief: Decreasing systemic inflammation can alleviate joint pain and stiffness.

-Nourish Your Gut: Fuel your gut with nutrient dense foods to support a flourishing microbiome. You are what you eat so make it count!

-Stress Reduction: Practice mindfulness to reduce stress and its impact on your gut. Stress management techniques like meditation and deep breathing can make a world of difference.

-Balanced Diet: Opt for whole foods and limit processed sugars and artificial additives. Your gut will thank you.

-Prioritize Sleep: Quality sleep is crucial for healing and renewal. Ensure you get enough rest to support your gut's repair processes.

Does this resonate with you? Want to start your health journey and need help? Click the link in my bio to schedule an appointment to get started!

PCOS and Insulin Resistance: Understanding the Connection

Polycystic O***y Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder that affects many women worldwide, impacting various aspects of their health and well-being. One significant aspect that has drawn attention is the strong link between PCOS and insulin resistance.

Understanding PCOS

Polycystic O***y Syndrome is a complex hormonal disorder characterized by enlarged ovaries containing multiple small cysts. PCOS affects approximately 5-10% of women of reproductive age and is a leading cause of infertility.

Symptoms of PCOS can vary from woman to woman but commonly include:

1. Irregular menstrual cycles
2. Hyperandrogenism: Elevated levels of androgens (male hormones) can lead to symptoms such as hirsutism (excessive hair growth), acne, and hair loss
3. Ovarian cysts
4. Insulin resistance

The Link between PCOS and Insulin Resistance

Insulin can stimulate the ovaries to produce excess androgens, leading to hormonal imbalances and the symptoms associated with PCOS. Both PCOS and insulin resistance can trigger chronic low-grade inflammation in the body, further complicating the condition and potentially contributing to other health issues.

Ways to Manage Insulin Resistance to Improve PCOS Symptoms

1. Lifestyle changes: dietary changes, exercise, proper sleep habits
2. Weight management: timing meals right, eating to balance blood sugar
3. Supplementation: supplement to support blood sugar balance and support hormones
4. Stress management: reduce cortisol spikes by managing our stress

The link between PCOS and insulin resistance underscores the importance of understanding how hormonal and metabolic factors interplay in women's health. Are you suffering from PCOS and don't know where to start? Reach out to me and we can get started!

Your skin is your second gut so the appearance of your skin may be telling you things about your overall health that you are unaware of.

It is also important to be intentional about what we put on our skin every day because absorbs everything that is put on it.

With functional medicine, I focus in on healing my patients from the inside out by getting to the root cause of their skin issues. Most skin issues are signs of imbalances internally that we need to figure out.

A way we can heal from the inside out is also being intentional about what we put on our skin as well. Everything we put on our body is directly absorbed and put in the blood stream. This is why is so important to opt for natural products and skip the ingredient lists we cannot pronounce.

I also recommend using waterless products as these are more easily absorbed by the skin and also are without extra additives. I opt to use Oliveda because it is a waterless skincare company that focuses on clean beauty. It is also a European company that has more strict standards on what can go in skincare products. Less is more when it comes to what you put in and on your body!

Want to start focusing on your health and start making these changes? Are you needing help on this journey? Click the link in my bio to schedule a FREE 15 minute consultation to get started with functional medicine or you can click the OLIVE BRAIN QUIZ link to see what skincare regimen is right for you!