Balancing hormones can be a tricky task, especially for those assigned female at birth who experience monthly hormonal cycles that impact their mood, thoughts, and physical well-being. In this article, we'll explore how to use food to balance hormones and optimize our health during the different phases of the hormonal cycle, providing tips and insight into how to live a more balanced life…
Read MoreEvery person assigned female at birth has their own natural vaginal odor. Your vagina contains billions of bacteria whose makeup changes daily. So, it's normal for your vagina's odor to change often. But if you notice that your odor is a little more potent than usual, bacterial vaginosis (BV) may be to blame…
Read MoreWe’re making improvements every day in the early detection and management of breast cancers, but what we really need is a way to prevent them from developing in the first place. Recent headlines have announced an imminent breast cancer vaccine. What does a breast cancer vaccine mean, exactly?
Read MoreDo any of these symptoms sound familiar to you: unshakeable fatigue, persistent brain fog, shortness of breath, digestive complications, and/or lasting pain running throughout your body?…
Read MoreAccording to the CDC, Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native women are up to five times more likely to die of preventable, pregnancy-related issues than white women. Hypertension, blood clots, and other catastrophic medical issues are poorly identified and managed during pregnancy for these populations, with devastating results…
Read MoreOne of the most common questions I receive from clients is: “I love sweet treats, but I know I need to cut back on sugar. What can I do?!” If you’ve wrestled with this challenge yourself, you know that finding a solution isn’t all that easy…
Read MoreMenopause signals the end of your menstrual cycle, and for many women, this is cause for celebration. No more fussing with pads or tampons or worrying about embarrassing menstrual cup leaks.
Even if you're prepared for more common symptoms like intense hot flashes or hormonal weight gain, it's crucial to also recognize some lesser-known changes, particularly to your vaginal and vulvar health. While these symptoms may be uncomfortable, annoying, or shocking, rest assured you and your healthcare provider can work together to relieve, prevent or manage them…
Read MoreMany clients come to me with troubling symptoms like brain fog, dry skin, and sugar cravings. The solution to these problems is often more straightforward than they realize: drink more water!
Read MoreTayler LaBellarte is a member of the Orangetheory team and an advocate for previvors who are taking charge of their health and wellness. LaBellarte's journey with pre-viving began when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer while LaBellarte was in college. This experience motivated her to learn as much as she could about breast cancer and its relationship to other cancers. After some navigation with her insurance, LaBellarte eventually underwent genetic testing and learned that she carried the BRCA2 genetic mutation, which puts her at an increased risk for breast and ovarian cancer. LaBellarte has since become an advocate for genetic testing and reviving by sharing her story and helping others to take control of their own health. Read on for more information about LaBellarte’s experience getting insurance to cover genetic testing, the options available to her at that time, and the emotional journey afterward…
Read MoreWhen you sit down to eat a meal, you may think you are only nourishing yourself. Guess again! Within your body, a vast microscopic ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses inhabit your gut. Collectively, these microorganisms and their genes make up your microbiome. With over 100 trillion microbes and a thousand different species, many of my clients are surprised to learn that their guts contain more bacterial genes than human genes. This means that you are a superorganism! In fact, your unique microbiome consists of millions of genes that encode proteins that influence many bodily functions, including digestion, immunity, hormone balance, vitamin production, and detoxification….
Read MoreThis time of year, it’s common to make diet and fitness resolutions, but we often choose unrealistic goals that are impossible to adhere to long-term. We get discouraged and give up, berating ourselves as failures, ending up in worse shape, mentally and physically, than when we started. Instead of tackling a “whole body makeover” or demanding a “new year, new me,” why don’t we gently love ourselves through small, sustainable healthy improvements this year?…
Read MoreThere are more than 100 strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Most are harmless, but some can lead to genital warts and cancer. But by getting routine pap smears and making sure you are vaccinated against HPV; you can significantly reduce your risk. Unfortunately, in recent years, the misinformation about HPV and the vaccine has increased thanks to social media, so it's important to distinguish truth from fiction. So here is what you need to know about HPV, how to prevent it, and whether the vaccine is right for you…
Read MoreOne of the most common statements my clients tell me when beginning their health journey is: I want to eat better, but I don’t know how to start. And I get it. Changing your current diet and lifestyle can be daunting, especially when there is a plethora of options at the grocery store. Unfortunately, so many foods are advertised as “healthy” when, in reality, they lack essential nutrients or are filled with numerous additives. So much of marketing and packaging is misleading regarding the ingredients you’re purchasing to put into your body. Simply put, choosing the right foods can be confusing….
Read MoreHave you ever noticed that butternut squash tends to taste better in the fall? Your taste buds aren’t deceiving you! The change of seasons makes certain produce that grows best during that season more flavorful because it’s fresher, riper, and juicier than its out-of-season counterpart. In-season produce not only tastes better, but it’s healthier for us, too. I’ve found that I feel better in my body and am more energized when I pay attention to what’s local and seasonally available at the grocery store…
Read MoreYou’ve probably heard about peptides in skincare, but did you know that consuming peptides can ease inflammation, aid sleep, and promote weight loss?
Read MoreOne aspect of cancer that is seldom discussed is how it affects our sexual health and relationships. A cancer diagnosis is always life-altering, but specifically, with breast and ovarian cancers, the surgical alternation of reproductive organs and hormonal interventions can have a significant impact on how our bodies and minds handle intimacy….
Read MoreAs we age, the topic of osteoporosis is discussed more regularly. If you’re a woman around the age of menopause or older, your doctor has likely mentioned this disease to you in passing. Or maybe you’ve heard of others exhibiting the early signs of osteoporosis. But what exactly is osteoporosis? Is it preventable? And why is it more common in women? Let’s dive in!…
Read MoreInflammation is one of those trigger words that you probably automatically associate with “bad.” But when injuries and foreign invaders are present in your body, inflammatory processes act as a defense mechanism to protect and heal you. So, in this sense, you want inflammation to occur! However, you can have “too much of a good thing,” and this idea definitely applies to inflammation….
Read MoreRecently, I had the privilege of talking to Dr. Denise Johnson-Miller, medical director of the breast program of El Camino Hospital in Northern California. As a leader in her field for more than thirty years, Dr. Johnson-Miller has practiced as a surgical oncologist, professor, and program director at many distinguished programs across the country including Rutgers and Stanford….
Read MoreIn the United States, 99 percent of women who have been sexually active report having used some form of contraception at some point in their lives. As a result, birth control is championed as a groundbreaking innovation that provides women with reproductive freedom to prevent pregnancy or manage period symptoms. But with the Supreme Court's recent decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade, the landscape for reproductive liberties has shifted….
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