Irritability, anxiety, sadness, bloating, headaches, brain fog, food cravings, acne, and more…why do I experience PMS each month and how can I avoid it? PMS is mostly caused by fluctuating hormone levels estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen is our main reproductive hormone. It boosts serotonin levels, gives us energy, builds muscles, and improves insulin sensitivity - it’s the hormone that peaks right before ovulation, and that’s when it should be at its highest. But, too much estrogen during the luteal phase can be overstimulating which results in breast pain, fluid retention, irritability, and headaches, i.e. all the period symptoms we don’t want. 

When you’re trying to conceive, knowing when you ovulate is one of the most important things. The fertility awareness method (FAM) is a natural form of birth control that does not use any drugs or devices. It combines the calendar method, basal body temperature, and cervical mucous to give you awareness of when your body is most fertile.

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. I think it’s an important topic to discuss in the medical community since about 1 in 10 women in the United States are affected by it, yet, most people don’t even know what it is. Let’s talk about it!

What the f*ck is seed cycling and does it actually work? Let’s talk about it. Seed cycling has become a hot topic on the internet recently. It is an alternative medicine practice believed to help regulate reproductive hormones, and ultimately help women who experience scanty periods, painful periods, PMS, and other period concerns. There is no scientific research to prove seed cycling actually works, but the practice has been around for a long time and many women do believe it eases some of their period problems.

Although February is notorious for the celebration of Valentine’s Day, it’s also Heart Health Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease in the United States, which can lead to a heart attack. Prevention is the number one way to decrease the risk of developing heart disease.

Do you typically suffer from…constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, allergies, acne, weight gain, weak immunity, IBS or IBD? Then you may benefit from taking a daily probiotic. Probiotics have recently become popular due to their long list of benefits but what exactly are they? Let’s take a look at what probiotics are and how they can help your body thrive.

Participating in Veganuary? Here are some recipes inspirations and other snack ideas to help you eat a more plant-based diet.

Think you can’t get enough protein by eating a plant-based diet? Think again! Protein is easier to get by eating plant-based than you think. Keep reading to learn more about essential amino acids, complete proteins, protein RDA and some plant-based protein sources.

It’s that time of year again where people are thinking about their resolutions for the new year. Although most people have at least one thing they would like to improve upon in the upcoming year, did you know that 80% of resolutions fail by the second week of February? This is most likely because people create unrealistic challenges for themselves which end up seemingly daunting and unattainable. Keep reading to find out how to make your goals simpler for the new year so you actually end up following through with them.

Although it may seem intimidating at first, IV therapy is a great adjunctive treatment to whatever your health goals and concerns are. IVs can be custom made to suit your needs, which can range from dehydration to medical emergencies. They can also alleviate symptoms of the common cold and flu, morning sickness, and hangovers. Let’s take a look at how IVs are performed and how they can benefit you.

I think supplements are a great addition to a healthy diet to ensure you’re intaking all the right vitamins and minerals. What you need completely depends on what your goals and concerns are. Supplements are very individualized so it’s important to talk with your doctor about which ones are suitable for you.

Cold and flu season is officially here, which means more people are looking for ways to support their immune systems and reduce their chances of getting sick. Recent research has shown zinc to be a popular mineral in the treatment of COVID-19, but zinc has been around far before the pandemic began. Studies have shown that supplementing with zinc may lessen the duration of a cold and severity of the symptoms, even if a person is not deficient in the nutrient. This is no surprise as zinc plays a huge role in our immune health - it is crucial for normal development and function of cells mediating innate immunity.

It’s the end of October - aka squash season. Prime time for butternut squash soups, pumpkin pie, and the beloved PSLs. Although these are all great fall menu items, it seems like everyone forgets about the most underrated fall food of all time - pomegranates. They are finally in season - at the farmer’s markets and at your local grocery stores! Not only do pomegranate seeds taste like straight-up candy, but they are so nutritious for us. They can be eaten plain, topped onto your morning breakfast bowl, tossed into a salad, incorporated into a dessert, or just used as garnish. The options are endless, so go pick one up today!

The gut is also known as the “second brain",” and for good reason! Our gut microbiome consists of trillions of bacteria that regulate much of our hormone production, mood, sleep, energy levels, skin conditions, immune system, atopic conditions and so much more. The gut microbiome plays a vital role in our physiological and psychological health via its own neural network called the enteric nervous system (ENS), a system of nerves found in the lining of our gut. It arises from the same tissues as our central nervous system (CNS) during fetal development, so it has many structural and chemical parallels to the brain, thereby forming the “gut-brain connection.”

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among American women. All breast cancers arise from genetic mutations in the body but only 5-10% of breast cancers are inherited from your mother or father. 90-95% of breast cancers are due to genetic abnormalities that occur during the natural aging process. Healthy lifestyle choices are important in preventing and reducing the risk of developing breast cancer.

If you have recently been diagnosed with diabetes, whether it be type 1, type 2, or gestational, the most important thing to do is consult with your doctor or a nutritionist about how to adjust your diet. Although altering your diet may seem like a daunting task, don’t forget that it doesn’t mean you have to completely eliminate all your favorite foods. It’s also your provider’s job to help you through the process and alleviate any hesitancy or anxiety that you may have. Remember that living a nutritious and active lifestyle is super important, in general, because it may even help reverse your type 2 diagnosis! To get a glimpse of what your provider may recommend for you, keep on reading.

Did you know that cases of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) have been steadily increasing over the past couple decades in the United States? Diabetes is becoming a major epidemic in our country that is mainly caused by lack of exercise, nutrition misinformation, overconsumption of unhealthy foods, and stress, just to name a few. Common risk factors of diabetes are family history, recent weight gain, medications, and even pregnancy. Prevention is the number one way to decrease the chances of developing Type 2 DM, which is why it is so important to educate yourself on what diabetes is, proper nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle factors that may prevent you from developing it. Keep reading!

When planning to start a family, fertility testing may be an important consideration for many women, especially if conception is unsuccessful after several months of trying. Diagnosing fertility status requires a very comprehensive first appointment in which many topics are discussed, such as birth control use, partner’s fertility status, menstrual history, sexual practices, surgical history, medications, lifestyle, diet, work and home environment, stress levels, and so much more.

Acupuncture is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in which practitioners stimulate specific points on the body by inserting thin needles into the skin. Acupuncture points stimulate Qi, which is believed to be a flow of energy throughout the body responsible for our overall health. If Qi is not in equilibrium, our immune system is weakened, thereby causing sickness and disease. By stimulating certain points, Qi can be restored, improving general wellness and any adverse symptoms that may be experienced during the disruption of energy in the body.

Cupping is an ancient healing therapy that has been used for many centuries, mostly in China and the Middle East, to alleviate pain in the body. Recently, cupping has been made popular in the United States by athletes and celebrities. Cupping is supposed to draw fluid to the area of pain or inflammation, which causes the notorious “bruises” on the skin after the therapy is completed.