We live in a society that has made a diet rich in sugars, added sugars, and processed foods the new norm. However, as with many other things, normal does not mean healthy. If you have ever struggled with cravings, you know just how hard it is to stop eating sugar and carbs once you start. Studies have revealed that sugar is highly addictive, for several reasons. It causes the hormones, leptin and ghrelin, which control hunger cues to become dysregulated, leading to more hunger for quick energy. It also feeds pathogenic bacteria in the gut, which send signals to the brain to encourage that they be fed more of their sustenance. Sugar also causes drastic shifts in neurotransmitters including dopamine, making it 8 times more addicting than cocaine. According to research, sugar also has similar impacts on the brain as opioid drugs. This is why many feel that they are a slave to sugar once it makes its way into their diet. So what are we to do if we are already at that point? 

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What is the human microbiome and why should we care? Gut health has become a very popular topic in health today, as we now understand how the gut is very much connected to the rest of our body, and even our brain. However, many are not aware of exactly what the microbiome is and how significant it is to our overall health.

Metagenomic studies performed years ago, discovered that we are technically made up of more bacteria material than human cells. As gross as it may seem, knowing that we are like walking blobs of bacteria, this knowledge gives us great insight into how we can approach our health when it comes to our diet, environment, and more. Microbes are microscopic organisms, including bacteria, parasites, viral material, and archaea species. The term, microbiome, refers to the various communities of microbes within the body that line all mucosa membranes (not just the gut, but the nasal passageways, mouth, vaginal canal, etc) and on our skin. Studies have shown that...

Toxins are a major threat to our hormone health, as they can act as endocrine disruptors in the body and interfere with the normal functioning of our hormones. These harmful substances can be found in many different places, including processed foods that are high in sugar, chemicals in the environment, and even certain personal care products. There are so many toxins we have the potential for being exposed to daily which are entirely out of our control. The air we breathe often has some level of pollution, each time we fill up our gas tank, we may work in a building that is cleaned with toxic chemicals, filled with toxic paint, or even has (hopefully mild) mold growth depending on the climate of your environment. Though we are exposed to toxins often, there are many things we can do, especially when it comes to protecting the balance and production of our hormones.

Some common signs of toxic buildup in the body include fatigue, hot flashes, mood swings, weight gain or loss,...

Did you know that we can train our bodies and minds to change the way we automatically respond to our environment? A fancy word used to describe this phenomenon is neuroplasticity, or the ability for the nervous system to change its response to stimuli via changes in structure or function. Our brains are neuroplastic, which provides so many with such hope, especially to those who feel they are a slave to their emotional triggers or those who have suffered from brain injuries.

We must understand how we can promote neuroplasticity, so we can take action in the betterment of our brain and neurological health! Several important factors that contribute to neuroplasticity are:

• Nutrition
• Exercise
• Belief Systems
• Sleep and circadian rhythm
• Use of creativity
• Having a sense of purpose
• Stress management

When we eat foods that promote the health of our brain and the integrity of the blood-brain barrier we are optimizing our ability to promote neuroplasticity. Such foods that...

Healthy fats are essential for maintaining good health and promoting optimal functioning of the body. However, the types and quantity of oils and fats that should make our way into our diet has become quite a controversial topic. Some have been told to avoid all fats in order to reduce cholesterol levels, while others swear by a high-fat, ketogenic diet in order to maintain their health. In order to determine how to make use of fats in our diet, we must understand which fats to avoid and why.

The majority of the oils we find in packaged or processed foods are inflammatory oils that are guaranteed to contribute to metabolic issues when consumed often. These include canola, safflower, peanut, corn, soybean, sunflower, cottonseed, and palm oil. Vegetable oils and those mentioned will oxidize when heated, causing inflammation to the body. They also contain trans fats and increase triglycerides in the body, which is linked to cardiovascular disease, obesity, and metabolic...

The holidays often bring about so much joy and excitement for many as they are able to spend time with loved ones, possibly travel, and gather together with delicious food! However, with so many events and circumstances to attend to, the holidays may also bring about a sense of overwhelm, with less time to rest and recharge. For others, certain holiday seasons could bring about feelings of sadness, loneliness, grief, anxiety, or overwhelm. It can often bring peace to let go of expectations and refrain from pushing ourselves to be or feel a certain way, allowing ourselves to engage in activities in whatever capacity we wish. No matter what season you are experiencing in life, we wish that our community members would embrace peace and enjoyment, whatever that may look like, in situations that may not meet our expectations.

Therefore, we encourage giving ourselves permission to feel what we are feeling, rather than placing unrealistic expectations on ourselves and others. Not...

Movement is a major aspect of health, as it is a key player in maintaining metabolic function, blood sugar regulation, mental wellness, immune function, and more. An active lifestyle promotes healthy regulation of gene expression, meaning the genes that promote healing are turned on and genes that contribute to disease can be downregulated! One specific gene involved in longevity and lean muscle maintenance, MTOR, is expressed only through adequate high-quality protein consumption or exercise. With that being said, maintaining a consistent exercise regimen is so necessary for our overall wellness and longevity.

However, finding the right type of movement for you can be challenging. We encourage our patients to engage in activities that they truly enjoy versus pushing through sessions they dislike, as this builds resentment or may cause a yo-yo approach. We believe it is best to incorporate habits that are sustainable, and enjoyable and reap the health benefits you wish for!...

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, or SIBO, is a condition in which the small intestine becomes overrun with harmful bacteria. These bacteria can contribute to a range of symptoms, including digestive issues, fatigue, hormone imbalances, skin issues, histamine intolerance, appetite changes, and weight changes. If you have ever struggled with SIBO in the past or are currently struggling, you know the bloating and discomfort are very real!

SIBO occurs when microbes that would typically exist in the large intestines, make their way to the small intestines where they do not belong. Here they feed on food particles that are not efficiently moving through to the large intestines, causing the production of either hydrogen or methane gas, as a byproduct of the fermentation process. The gas produced by these microbes has an annoying ability to slow down digestive motility.. This is why SIBO sufferers experience bloating and often extreme stomach distention from trapped gas and...

Feeling through the pain of our circumstances is the most healing and courageous thing we can do for our bodies and minds after living through trauma, whether it was a minor or major traumatic experience.

Most of us wish we could skip through the phases of feeling the painful emotions involved in the healing journey. We may take the initiative to identify where the pain derived from, acknowledge why we are the way that we are, and then we want to jump miles ahead toward an envisioned end point of healing. However, our bodies and minds will not allow us to do so. Self-awareness does not indicate healing, and often keeps us trapped in our past pain when we do not take the necessary steps to process the emotions behind the event.

It takes courage to allow ourselves to feel the pain of our traumatic experiences. Our brain has a tendency to try to protect us, telling our minds that it is too much to confront, so we push the feelings down even further down, burying the...

Mind-body techniques are part of my existence. It is the operating system in which I operate. Food and nutrition are one of the most important aspects of mind-body medicine that I practice.  Movements are also part of my life and can vary from hiking to resistance training to tai chi and qigong.

Meditation, imagery, and special breathing techniques help me battle stress both internally (from within) and (externally) from my environment. 

I previously worked in the aerospace industry for 14 years as a computer software analyst/engineer. I worked on the International Space Station program, Constellation, and my last project was in wearable technology. 

In February of 2014, I decided to leave my NASA family behind to finally pursue my passion in holistic health and wellness. This was a very hard decision for me. However, I felt a moment of clarity, the kind that I had not felt in such a long time. So without any hesitation, I enrolled in the...