Addressing Depression: A Functional Medicine Approach
Depression is a common mental health condition that affects many middle-aged women. It can manifest as persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, and various physical and emotional challenges. In this blog, we will explore how a functional medicine approach can help address depression through personalized strategies and by addressing underlying causes.
Understanding Depression
Depression is more than just feeling sad. It is a complex condition that can impact various aspects of life, including:
- Mood and emotions
- Physical health
- Cognitive function
- Social interactions
Common Causes of Depression
- Hormonal Imbalances: Fluctuations in hormones, particularly during perimenopause and menopause, can contribute to depression.
- Nutrient Deficiencies: Lack of essential nutrients such as B vitamins, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids can affect mood and brain function.
- Chronic Stress: Ongoing stress can lead to hormonal imbalances and affect mental health.
- Gut Health: Poor gut health...
Overcoming Brain Fog: A Functional Medicine Approach
Brain fog, characterized by confusion, forgetfulness, and a lack of focus and mental clarity, is a common concern among middle-aged women. It can be frustrating and impact daily functioning and quality of life. In this blog, we will explore how a functional medicine approach can help you overcome brain fog through personalized strategies and addressing underlying causes.
Understanding Brain Fog
Brain fog is not a medical condition but a symptom that can result from various underlying issues. It often manifests as:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems
- Mental fatigue
- Slower thinking and processing
Common Causes of Brain Fog
- Hormonal Changes: Fluctuations in hormones, particularly during perimenopause and menopause, can affect cognitive function.
- Nutrient Deficiencies: Lack of essential nutrients such as B vitamins, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants can impair brain function.
- Poor Sleep: Sleep deprivation and poor-quality sleep can significantly impact cognitive...
Managing Hot Flashes: A Functional Medicine Approach
Hot flashes are a common symptom experienced by many middle-aged women, particularly during the transition to menopause. Characterized by sudden feelings of warmth, sweating, and discomfort, hot flashes can significantly impact daily life and quality of sleep. In this blog, we will explore how a functional medicine approach can help manage hot flashes through personalized strategies and addressing underlying causes.
Understanding Hot Flashes
Hot flashes are sudden sensations of heat that typically affect the face, neck, and chest. They can vary in frequency and intensity and are often accompanied by sweating and sometimes chills. Hot flashes are primarily caused by hormonal fluctuations, particularly the decline in estrogen levels during menopause.
Common Triggers of Hot Flashes
- Hormonal Changes: Fluctuations in estrogen levels during perimenopause and menopause are the primary cause of hot flashes.
- Lifestyle Factors: Stress, diet, and certain lifestyle habits can trigger or...
Enhancing Cardiovascular Health: A Functional Medicine Perspective
Cardiovascular health is a critical aspect of overall wellness, particularly for middle-aged women. As the leading cause of death for women, heart disease is a serious concern that requires proactive measures. In this blog, we’ll explore cardiovascular health from a functional medicine perspective, addressing risk factors, prevention strategies, and personalized approaches to maintaining a healthy heart.
Understanding Cardiovascular Health
The cardiovascular system, comprising the heart and blood vessels, is responsible for circulating blood throughout the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients, and removing waste products. Maintaining its health is essential for preventing heart disease, stroke, and other related conditions.
Common Cardiovascular Issues
-
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): This condition occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked. Symptoms may include chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue.
-
Hypertension (High...
Vitamin D: Hormone Extraordinaire
Pop music is aspirin and the blues are vitamins. -Peter Tork
Vitamin D deficiency, hypovitaminosis D, is a very common disorder. Especially here in the Chicagoland area with our long winters spent indoors. We are meant to absorb Vitamin D from the sun but complications arise - either we don’t get to see the sun, we cover up when we’re in the sun or we use sunscreen to block the vitamin D from getting to our skin. 10-15 minutes/day in “bathing suit” attire will provide approximately 10,000IU of Vitamin D. If that’s not part of your regular routine read on to find out how and why to supplement!
Although usually found through a blood test, some symptoms of the deficiency include everything from aches and pains to depression and bone demineralization problems. Vitamin D is fundamentally important for the regulation of how your body functions. Over 200 genes in your body are controlled by Vitamin D. At least 35 different tissues in the body have Vitamin...
4 Functional Medicine Tests You Need
Working with a functional medicine professional can be exciting and rewarding. At the beginning of your journey, your doctor may start with a few simple tests to see what contributing factors are responsible for your current situation. Later on if you find that you have implemented lifestyle changes and you are not seeing the results your doctor expects, testing may be exactly just what the doctor orders!! Below are the four tests most frequently used by Dr. Jordan Leasure at her clinic in Illinois. If you’ve completed any of these please share your experiences below.
1. ORGANIC ACID TEST
This is one of Dr. Jordan’s favorite tests for a variety of reasons. It’s easy to complete - just pee in a cup at home! It gives a TON of information - Dr. Jordan calls it the “poop of the poop”. Essentially it measures metabolites - a fancy word for the end products of your metabolism - when you create energy and eliminate waste. It gives an overall look at your...
10 Ways to Improve Your Financial Health
“Money doesn’t buy happiness, but it buys the kind if misery you may prefer”, is a quote often attributed to comedian Groucho Marx. I would like to say that Groucho is wrong, BUT in my 25 years writing the consumer financial column, $uper $aver and another 23 as a mortgage banker the sad truth is that if you are experiencing money problems and are not “financially healthy” it negatively affects your “health” in other areas. No money for healthy groceries? There goes your physical health. No money for rent, electric bill, school fees? There goes your emotional health. No money for an emergency cushion? There goes your psychological health. The bottom line is that your financial health is directly or indirectly tied to your physical, psychological and emotional health. So where to start?
My own financial health, while probably at any given time is not much different from your own, did not improve until I started to look at it...
Chronic Inflammation: A Silent Killer
Inflammation is a word that is used often, yet hard to define. Most of us have a hard time separating inflammation from an ankle sprain vs. inflammation contributing to heart disease and arthritis. In order to understand how to fight it, it’s important to understand how and why it occurs!
Inflammation is a very common and innate response to an injury, pain or stress. It is part of our bodies natural defense system to prevent something worse and/or speed up healing time.
Acute inflammation is the first response to an injury or pathogen. It’s acute because it should only last several days or less.
EXAMPLES OF WHAT CAN CAUSE THIS:
- Illness (virus, bacteria)
- Trauma (punch, kick, sprain)
- Burn
- Frostbite
- Allergic Reaction
There are a lot of players involved in the inflammatory process, but the basics are: heat, redness, swelling, and pain. These four eventually lead to loss of function as a way to prevent future injury. Acute inflammation is...
The Benefits of Colostrum
Colostrum is a supplement that has been around for a while, but new research is coming to light every day. Colostrum is the first milk produced by cows during the initial days after giving birth. This type is called bovine colostrum. This milk is very rich in immunoglobulins (proteins that help boost the immune system and fight germs). There are also other compounds not found in regular milk such as growth factors, cytokines, and nucleosides.
Enough with the science already, let's review what it can help with. Studies are showing supplementing with bovine colostrum can help improve: (1)
*Immune System Support
*Athletic Performance
*Gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea, IBS, Leaky Gut etc.
*Fat Utilization
*Serotonin levels in the brain
*Improve skin tone and texture
*AND MORE!
Basically speaking, the immune factors in colostrum support the resistance to colds and the flu, to acute or chronic bacterial or fungal conditions. In turn, this will also help your gut repair and...
The Number One Supplement to Help you Relax
We all have times we feel on edge. Overwhelmed, burned out and run down. Those feelings can manifest in some individuals as depression and others as anxiety. You may notice you’re having trouble concentrating, even impacting your sleep. Do you eat right, workout and meditate, but you’re still not feeling like yourself? We may have the answer.
Inositol. Never heard of it? I’m not surprised. Inositol is a sugar alcohol but contrary to the name it is neither a sugar nor an alcohol! More confused? Let’s start at the beginning.
Inositol is found in many foods - mainly fruits like cantaloupe and oranges[2]. It is found in bran, nuts and seeds in its phaylate form which is unfortunately indigestible by humans so we don’t get much inositol from our diets.
Inositol serves many functions in the human body from helping to give a cell its shape to giving instructions to a nerve and even breaking down fats! As a clinician we use it primarily for clients with...
