Q: What does it mean to be told you have “dense breasts”? A: Breast density refers to how much fibroglandular tissue (glands + connective tissue) you have compared to fatty tissue on a mammogram. Dense breasts have more glandular and fibrous tissue and less fat, making them appear white on a mammogram — which is also how tumors appear, making it harder to spot cancers. Q: How common is dense breast tissue? A: Very. Around 40–50% of women between 40–74 have dense breasts. It’s not abnormal,...
10 days ago • 3 min read
What Is Toenail Fungus? Toenail fungus, or onychomycosis, is a persistent infection of the nail bed caused by fungi, typically dermatophytes, yeast (e.g., Candida albicans), or molds. It often leads to: Discoloration (yellow, brown, or white) Nail thickening, brittleness, and distortion Detachment of the nail from the nail bed Odor or discomfort The condition reflects deeper issues like gut imbalance, poor immune function, or excessive sugar intake—not just poor hygiene or bad shoes. Root...
22 days ago • 3 min read
If you’ve been told you have osteopenia or osteoporosis, you might have been offered calcium, vitamin D, or a prescription drug. But if you still feel weak, are worried about fractures, or want to avoid long-term medications, it’s time to ask: What’s actually causing my bone loss? At Integrative Therapies, we use a root cause approach to osteoporosis. This means going beyond bone scans and looking deeper into nutrition, hormones, gut health, inflammation, and toxins—because your bones are a...
24 days ago • 2 min read
What is Insulin Resistance? Insulin resistance is a condition where your body’s cells stop responding well to insulin—the hormone that helps move glucose (sugar) from your bloodstream into your cells for energy. When cells become resistant, your body compensates by making more insulin to keep blood sugar levels in check. Over time, this can lead to prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions. Causes of Insulin Resistance There’s no single cause, but several major...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
You can't build a strong house on a weak foundation—and the same goes for your health. These four targeted supplements cover the basics most people miss in their daily routine: micronutrients, essential fatty acids, sunshine vitamins, and plant-based antioxidants. They are your first-line daily defense against inflammation, fatigue, immune weakness, and accelerated aging. ✅ 1. Vital Nutrients Multivitamin Dose: 1 capsule dailyA clean, vegan, one-per-day multivitamin for foundational nutrient...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Let’s get real—if you’re over 40 and noticing that the scale’s creeping up, your energy’s dropping, or your jeans are feeling tighter even when your diet hasn’t changed, your hormones might be waving the white flag. One underrated player in the hormone-metabolism game? Progesterone. This isn’t just a “female fertility” hormone—it’s a metabolic modulator, a thyroid supporter, and an insulin sensitizer. And when progesterone declines, as it naturally does in the 30s and plummets through...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
This idea—that progesterone is only needed to protect the uterus from estrogen-related overgrowth or cancer—is outdated and frankly, incomplete. Yes, one of progesterone’s roles is to balance estrogen in the endometrium, but that’s far from its only job. 🔬 Progesterone Has Whole-Body Effects Progesterone receptors exist throughout the body—not just the uterus. You’ll find them in the brain, bones, breasts, bladder, blood vessels, and immune system. If you remove the uterus, you don’t remove...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is when acid splashes from the stomach into the esophagus, causing heartburn, regurgitation, bloating, or a sour taste in your mouth. While diet and lifestyle play huge roles, hormonal shifts during perimenopause and menopause are often overlooked contributors. The Estrogen-Histamine Connection Estrogen and histamine are like two dance partners — one revs up the other: Estrogen stimulates mast cells to release more histamine. Histamine stimulates the...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Ticks aren’t just annoying—they’re disease delivery machines. Lyme disease, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, Powassan virus—these are no joke. Prevention is key, and early response is everything. DRESS FOR TICK ARMOR, NOT FASHION WEEK Long sleeves and long pants – yes, even if it’s warm. Light-colored clothing – makes it easier to spot ticks. Tuck it all in – tuck pants into socks and shirts into pants. Duct tape trick – place tape (sticky side out) around pant cuffs. Ticks will get...
2 months ago • 2 min read
Today allow me to present the Lifestyle First Rx Approach to Nocturia in Postmenopausal Women What Is Nocturia? Nocturia means waking up one or more times during the night to urinate. It might sound like just a minor inconvenience—but it’s a major disrupter of your most restorative sleep. And when sleep gets repeatedly interrupted, it throws everything off: mood, memory, metabolism, blood sugar, and energy. For postmenopausal women, nocturia is a common complaint—and the causes are more...
2 months ago • 6 min read