Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. It is the most common cause of dementia, particularly affecting middle-aged and older women. In this blog, we will explore how a functional medicine approach can help manage Alzheimer’s through personalized strategies and addressing underlying causes.

Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the buildup of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain, leading to the loss of neurons and cognitive decline. Key points to know about Alzheimer’s include:

• Symptoms: Memory loss, confusion, difficulty with language, mood changes, and impaired judgment are common symptoms.
• Risk Factors: Age, genetics, lifestyle factors, and chronic diseases can increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
• Progression: Alzheimer’s typically progresses over several years, gradually impairing cognitive and physical function.

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Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common viral infection that affects many people, particularly women. It can lead to various health issues, including genital warts and certain types of cancer. In this blog, we will explore how a functional medicine approach can help you understand and manage HPV through personalized strategies and addressing underlying causes.

Understanding HPV

HPV is a group of viruses that affect the skin and mucous membranes. There are over 100 different types of HPV, with some types causing warts and others being associated with cancer. Key points to know about HPV include:

• Transmission: HPV is primarily transmitted through sexual contact.
• Symptoms: Many people with HPV do not develop symptoms, but it can cause genital warts and changes in cervical cells that can lead to cancer.
• Prevention: Vaccines are available to protect against the most harmful types of HPV.

Common Health Issues Associated with HPV

1. Genital Warts: Caused by certain types of HPV, these warts...

Maternal health is a crucial aspect of well-being for women who are planning to become pregnant, are currently pregnant, or have recently given birth. Maternal health concerns can significantly impact both the mother and the baby. In this blog, we will explore how a functional medicine approach can help address the top maternal health concerns through personalized strategies and addressing underlying causes.

Understanding Maternal Health Concerns

Maternal health concerns encompass a wide range of physical and emotional challenges that women may face before, during, and after pregnancy. Common concerns include:

• Prenatal nutrition
• Gestational diabetes
• Preeclampsia
• Postpartum depression
• Breastfeeding challenges

Common Maternal Health Concerns

1. Prenatal Nutrition: Ensuring adequate nutrition is essential for the health of both the mother and the developing baby.
2. Gestational Diabetes: A type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy, affecting blood sugar levels.
3. Preeclampsia: A...

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects millions of people worldwide, with a significant number of cases occurring in middle-aged women. It is characterized by high blood sugar levels due to the body’s inability to produce or effectively use insulin. In this blog, we will explore how a functional medicine approach can help manage diabetes through personalized strategies and addressing underlying causes.

Understanding Diabetes

There are two main types of diabetes:

• Type 1 Diabetes: An autoimmune condition where the body attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, leading to little or no insulin production.
• Type 2 Diabetes: A condition where the body becomes resistant to insulin or the pancreas does not produce enough insulin. It is the most common form of diabetes.

Common Risk Factors for Diabetes

1. Genetics: A family history of diabetes can increase the risk.
2. Obesity: Excess body fat, particularly around the abdomen, is a major risk factor.
3. Sedentary...

Osteoporosis is a common condition among middle-aged women, characterized by weakened bones that are more susceptible to fractures. As women age, hormonal changes, particularly the decline in estrogen during menopause, can increase the risk of developing osteoporosis. In this blog, we will explore how a functional medicine approach can help prevent and manage osteoporosis through personalized strategies and addressing underlying causes.

Understanding Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become brittle and fragile due to loss of bone density. It often progresses without symptoms until a fracture occurs, commonly in the hip, spine, or wrist. Factors contributing to osteoporosis include:

• Hormonal changes
• Nutrient deficiencies
• Lack of physical activity
• Chronic inflammation

Common Causes of Osteoporosis

1. Hormonal Imbalances: Decreased levels of estrogen during menopause can accelerate bone loss.
2. Nutrient Deficiencies: Lack of essential nutrients such as calcium, vitamin...

Understanding Thyroid Health: A Functional Medicine Approach

The thyroid gland, a small butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck, plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions through hormone production. For many middle-aged women, maintaining thyroid health becomes increasingly important as hormonal changes and other factors can affect its function. In this blog, we'll delve into the significance of thyroid health, common thyroid disorders, and how a functional medicine approach can help you achieve optimal wellness.

The Importance of Thyroid Health
The thyroid gland produces hormones that influence every cell, tissue, and organ in the body. These hormones regulate metabolism, energy levels, temperature, heart rate, and more. When the thyroid is not functioning properly, it can lead to a range of health issues that significantly impact quality of life.

Common Thyroid Disorders
1. **Hypothyroidism:** This condition occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough...

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...

We all know that the foods/drinks we consume contribute to the body shape we carry around. Did you know that even “healthy” foods can be inflammatory? Depending on the health of your gut you could be consuming organic, grass fed, wild caught, prairie raised eggs, fish, meat and fruits/vegetables that don’t agree with you so they cause inflammation in your body and thus you hold onto extra weight.

The eight most inflammatory foods include: Soy, Wheat, Dairy, Sugar (Alcohol), Peanuts, Eggs, Corn, Artificial Sweeteners.  Minimizing or completely eliminating the foods above will help you to drop a few extra pounds of inflammation. 

Not sure or want concrete evidence that your body doesn’t react well to those inflammatory foods? You have two options - complete an elimination diet or run a food sensitivity testing panel. Both will help you decide which specific diet modifications are right for you.

Studies show that upwards of 75% of Americans are...

Did you know that there are 11 deaths reported with the use of 5-hour Energy and at least 5 deaths reported for the use of Monster Energy Drinks?  It is important to note that the details surrounding these deaths are not all cited, so there is great possibility of adverse reactions of energy drinks with medications and/or alcohol.  

Energy drinks do not provide energy, such as the type we get from carbohydrates for example.  They provide caffeine, a stimulant to your nervous system.  The goal of an energy drink is to boost your mental alertness, appearing as an energy boost.

Consumerlabs.com privately tested the caffeine levels in some popular energy drinks.  

• 8-Ounce Cup Of Coffee: 95 milligrams

• Monster Energy M-3 Super, 5-Ounces: 206 milligrams

• 5-Hour Energy, 2-Ounces: 206 milligrams

One of the problems with energy drinks is the quick uptake of such high levels of caffeine.  Most people may have more than one cup of coffee a day, but they drink...