By now, you have probably heard of GLP-1 agonists, like the popular semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound). With the epidemic of overweight and obesity in our country, I cannot ignore the compelling data on GLP-1 agonists and weight loss. That being said, I have one concern that stands out when considering this class of medication - read my blog to learn more.

Optimizing your mitochondrial function means you are giving your body the advantage of efficient energy production. That means potential benefits for your brain, heart, muscles, and more. Here are some top nutrients known to support mitochondrial health.

Simple steps can go a long way in improving mitochondrial health! This blog highlights five science-backed habits you can practice every day to support mitochondrial synthesis and efficiency.

Have you ever found yourself battling unexplained bouts of fatigue, energy dips throughout the day, or an overall sense of exhaustion? You're certainly not alone. While there can be myriad reasons behind feeling low on energy, one critical aspect we shouldn't overlook is the health of our MITOCHONDRIA.

February is American Heart Month ❤️

The Mediterranean Diet is research-proven to lower the risk of cognitive decline, promote longevity, and reduce the risk of many chronic diseases and cancer - but perhaps most compelling is the data on the Mediterranean Diet and reduced risk of heart disease.

CoQ10 is a nutrient that supports mitochondrial function for cellular energy production and also acts as an antioxidant. It can be synthesized in the body, but its production declines with age.

Other reasons that CoQ10 levels can decline in the body include an increased demand in certain tissues, other nutritional deficiencies, or the use of statin medications (common medications for cholesterol levels).

In my Integrative and Functional Medicine practice, I routinely measure essential fatty acid levels with nutritional testing and recommend omega-3 fatty acid supplementation to my patients for various reasons.

Fish Oil is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids - but not all Fish Oil supplements are created equal!

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. This fact surprises many of my female clients, who are often more concerned about their risk for breast cancer than their risk for heart disease, yet women have a greater risk of dying from heart disease than from all cancers combined. According to Harvard Health, currently in the United States, three million women are living with breast cancer, which causes one in 31 deaths. Almost 50 million women have cardiovascular disease, which causes one in three deaths.

Nearly every chronic disease in the world today can be linked back to this same thing. Chronic Inflammation. 3 out of 5 people worldwide die because of chronic inflammatory diseases, and the World Health Organization ranks these diseases as the greatest threat to human health.

Are you having trouble getting into an exercise routine? Do you find yourself making excuses and/or skipping exercise because you feel like you don’t have time for an hour-long workout? Maybe you should start with “baby steps”, as a new study in the European Heart Journal found that even a little exercise can go a long way.

It is finally SPRING and in Northern Michigan (where I am based) the snow is starting to melt and the sidewalks are starting to clear. It’s time to get outside and start WALKING! I speak with patients every day about walking as a key part of overall fitness and well-being. Walking is fundamental to general fitness, helps to lower stress hormones (cortisol), and can even lower the blood sugar impact of a meal!

February in Northern Michigan is often synonymous with low vitamin D (often referred to as “the sunshine vitamin”). Vitamin D (technically really a hormone) is made in our skin when we’re exposed to sunshine. We need it to absorb calcium for our bones and to keep our immune systems strong.