Navigating Hormonal Changes During Menopause: A Functional Medicine Perspective

Menopause and perimenopause are terms that mark a significant phase in a woman's life, yet they're often shrouded in mystery and misunderstanding. Simply put, menopause refers to the point in time when a woman's menstrual periods permanently cease, typically diagnosed after going 12 consecutive months without a menstrual cycle. It signifies the end of her reproductive years, generally occurring between the ages of 45 and 55. However, the journey to this milestone begins much earlier, a stage known as perimenopause.

Perimenopause is the transitional period leading up to menopause. This phase can last for several years and is characterized by a variety of symptoms due to fluctuating hormone levels, particularly estrogen and progesterone. Women in perimenopause might notice irregular menstrual cycles, changes in menstrual flow, hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and mood swings. Understanding that these symptoms are a normal part of the transition can provide reassurance and guide women in...

Blood tests are invaluable tools in modern healthcare, providing essential insights into a person's overall health and the functioning of various bodily systems. These tests often come with a range of "normal" or "reference" values that help healthcare professionals gauge whether an individual's results are within a healthy range. However, the concept of optimal health extends beyond these reference values, as it considers an individual's unique circumstances and goals. Let's explore the differences between interpreting blood test lab values and striving for optimal values, highlighting the significance of a personalized approach to health.

Understanding Lab Values

Laboratory reference ranges are established based on extensive research and analysis of data from individuals. These ranges serve as a guide for healthcare practitioners to identify potential health issues or imbalances in a patient's body. When a blood test is performed, the results are compared to these reference values ...

As healthcare continues to evolve, medical professionals are constantly seeking ways to provide the best possible care for their patients. When it comes to understanding your health, laboratory tests play a crucial role in diagnosing and preventing potential issues. While many standard tests are routinely conducted, there are some lesser-known but equally important lab tests that your physician might not be running – but should be. Are you wondering if the tests they are running are correct? Are you wondering why your results are "within normal limits" but you still feel like $#!T?  In this blog post, we'll explore the top five lab tests that deserve a place on your medical radar and you can click the link below to order our Functional Blood Report and take control of your health.

1. Vitamin D Levels (25-Hydroxy Vitamin D): Vitamin D is often referred to as the "sunshine vitamin" due to its production when our skin is exposed to sunlight. It plays a critical role in bone health, immu

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The following blog is about our previous Women's Retreat. If you're interested, stay tuned in your emails about any retreats in the near future!

There are many reasons for attending a wellness retreat - needing a getaway, looking to connect with like minded individuals and even for the knowledge provided. Well, those that attended our Leasure Retreat last October received all those things and more!! It’s our hope we will be able to again hold our retreats in person - in the meantime I hope you can relive our last one through this post!

We had a private estate on Lake Como filled with inspiring, fun and energetic women from the northern suburbs and downtown Chicago. We brought in a private chef that doubles as a wellness coach and we got to work.

Our retreat started on Friday night with a welcome “cocktail” provided by Kombuchade - a local wellness company providing organic kombucha - a thousand year old drink of fermented tea. If you haven’t had it, you must. It is not only incredib...

The following blog is about our previous Women's Retreat and our vision behind its inception. If you're interested, stay tuned in your emails about any retreats in the near future!

Over the course of my almost 25-year wellness career I’ve worked with patients individually, I’ve led workshops of fifty and I’ve lectured to hundreds in a corporate setting. I’ve discussed health with toddlers (thanks to Parker’s preschool), taught stretching to the elderly and infirmed and even worked with attorneys looking to live healthier, happier lives.  I have had the opportunity to work with clients from Chicagoland to Austria (unfortunately not in person - yet!). But something was missing…

For those of you that have had the chance to visit our clinic in the Chicago suburbs it was envisioned fifteen years ago while I was finishing up Chiropractic school. I wanted somewhere clients would feel comfortable. Somewhere that didn’t scream “doctors office”. If we were to be someone’s first introduction to...

I’m a physician not a chef. The following are my personal collection of a handful of easy and portable meals. Since the arrival of Mr Parker I knew it was my responsibility to raise a happy and healthy human being - and diet played a HUGE role in my goal. Actually that responsibility started the minute I found out I was pregnant. I minimized sugar, grains and dairy and cleaned up my diet at home and on the road.

We bring food with us everywhere (except maybe the grocery store). And always in glass containers. More on the dangers of plastics in a later blog.

This is what I made this last weekend - in just a few hours we had breakfasts and dinners taken care of for the week. I added in frozen veggies to compliment some of the meals as well as frozen cauliflower rice. Leftovers can be used for lunch.

Pan Roasted Chicken & Root Vegetables - 

I literally grabbed everything that looked good in the produce section of Whole Foods; rough chopped it and threw it in a baking dish with 4 ch...