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Valuable Insight into Gut Health from DUTCH Hormone Testing

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When seeking health advice, we’ve all heard the recommendation, “start with the gut.” Whether we have high cholesterol or heavy periods, it always somehow comes back to the gut, right? Why is that? Well, it’s probably because the state of our gut affects the health of every organ system in our body, and because of this, a healthier gut tends to improve how we feel and function on a day-to-day basis. Many people only think to use a stool test to evaluate gut health, but the DUTCH Test may also yield valuable insights through its measurement of cortisol, hormone metabolites, and organic acids.

Video Blog: Interpreting the Latest (Controversial) Research on Fish Oil

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  In this 15-minute video blog segment, Dr. Fitzgerald discusses a controversial study on fish oil and cardiovascular disease that was published in the British Medical Journal earlier this year titled Regular use of fish oil supplements and course of cardiovascular diseases: prospective cohort study with former clinic resident Tish Campbell PhD. Find the study full…

How Hormone Monitors are Changing the Way Providers Care for Women

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From changing the way pregnancies are planned to helping women anticipate perimenopause – female hormone trackers are here, and they’re helping clinicians provide better care for patients. This blog will take a closer look at what hormone monitors can do, how to choose the right one for your patients, and how they can help you see improved outcomes in a range of clinical scenarios.

woman with PCOS

PCOS and Iron Overload – Underappreciated and Important Biochemical Connections

Functional Medicine for Consumers1 Comment

Insulin resistance, excess weight, fatty liver, infertility, and elevated androgen levels – these are clinical features common to two conditions that we wouldn’t necessarily think to connect: polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hemochromatosis. Interestingly, excess iron is a common finding in BOTH conditions. A new patient of mine – we’ll call her Anne – recently presented with PCOS along with mildly elevated iron levels. In this blog, I tease out the relevance of this, especially in the context of emerging research on the connections, and explain how I put those considerations into the development of her treatment plan.

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Why Skin Health is the Ultimate Test of Longevity

Functional Medicine for Consumers, Functional Medicine for Professionals1 Comment

When you think about longevity tests, you might picture lipid panels and fasting blood glucose assessments. However, there’s one aspect of longevity you might not immediately consider: the health of your skin. From eczema and rosacea to premature lines and wrinkles, what’s happening on the surface is often indicative of underlying issues, including those that contribute to cardiovascular disease, dysbiosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction.

processed foods

Ultra-Processed Foods Spell Disaster for Longevity

Functional Medicine for Consumers7 Comments

Of course we always say “shop the perimeter” of your grocery store, and skip buying anything with industrial ingredients you wouldn’t normally find in your kitchen. Avoid added sugars, colors, preservatives, synthetic vitamins like folic acid… and avoid additives like MSG and carrageenan. Even if these are labeled organic and especially if they are not. Here’s why:

Beyond Beauty: Targeting Skin Longevity with Urolithin A

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In the pursuit of wellness and longevity, skin health often mirrors the body’s internal state, serving as a visible testament to our overall well-being. Yet, traditional approaches to skincare have predominantly focused on treating the surface, neglecting the deeper cellular processes that fundamentally influence the skin’s aging and vitality. As we delve deeper into the science of longevity, a groundbreaking perspective emerges, spotlighting the crucial role of cellular and mitochondrial health not only in preserving the skin’s youthful appearance but also in maintaining the integrity of this critical organ. By shifting our focus beyond that of how we look, we can unlock new strategies for maintaining health and find a promising future where skincare transcends cosmetic concerns to embrace a holistic view of health and aging.