When you think of symptoms around our menstrual cycles the first thought is often there must be something going on with my hormones. While this may be the case, it is important to remember that our hormones are impacted by every system in our body. With that in mind, the cause of your menstrual related symptoms may not actually be your hormones themselves but the way that other systems are interacting with your hormones, including our immune system.
Read MoreCeliac disease is a chronic autoimmune disorder that is triggered by gluten. The ingestion of gluten in those with celiac disease leads to destruction and damage to the small intestine. Undiagnosed celiac disease can impact reproductive health in multiple ways, including fertility outcomes.
Read MoreEnvironmental exposures in the form of “toxicants” play a role in infertility and increase the risk of negative outcomes in both the mother and the baby. There are a variety of ways that environmental toxicants can negatively affect fertility in both males and females.
Read MoreMyoinositol supplementation has been found to support healthy insulin levels, improve ovulation rates, and reduce testosterone levels in women with PCOS. Research also suggests that myoinositol supplementation may positively impact fertility outcomes in women going through fertility treatment with PCOS in multiple ways!
Read MoreHave you noticed that in the past couple of years you are FEELING your PMS or experiencing hormonal symptoms in different ways? This is not uncommon and it does not necessarily mean that your hormones are failing you. One of the biggest reasons why your periods (namely your PMS) might be worse is because of stress.
Read MoreSerotonin is a neurotransmitter in our brain. Neurotransmitters are the messengers of the brain – they have many roles in our body and play a particularly big role in how we feel mentally-emotionally. Lower amounts of serotonin are associated with low mood and increased anxiety. One of the ways that we can decrease the intensity of mood symptoms is by supporting healthy serotonin levels in our body.
Read MoreMost of us have experienced anxiety at some point in our lives. If you’ve suffered with anxiety, then you know how debilitating it can feel and how important is becomes to receive good quality treatment options. In this blog, we take you through what the research has to say on acupuncture and anxiety!
Read MoreProbiotics are commonly prescribed and safe supplements, but they are overused and at times misunderstood by patients and practitioners. In this blog we go over some essential probiotic principles, so you better understand when and how to use probiotics properly!
Read MoreIrritable bowel syndrome is a general diagnosis for the symptoms of chronic bloating and poor bowel movements. In IBS, bloating is worse after meals, and bowel movements can be constipation, diarrhea, or a combination of both. The problem is, although IBS is definitely a real diagnosis, it’s also a very general and lazy diagnosis, since it doesn’t address the root cause.
Read MoreAn ever-expanding body of research now suggests that vitamin D is more a hormone that plays a fundamental role in all aspects of our fertility from supporting healthy ovulation, improving pregnancy rates, reducing miscarriage risk and even supporting mood in the post-partum period. Read on to learn more about why Vitamin D is so essential in fertility and reproductive health, and why you should get your levels tested!
Read MoreMercury is a heavy metal that is ubiquitous in the environment and has been known to contribute to a number of health issues and diseases such as hypothyroidism, autoimmune disease, cardiovascular disease and neurological issues. Read on to learn more about how mercury exposure might be affecting you!
Read MoreMany women with PCOS voice concerns over period pain. But we know period pain isn’t actually a characteristic sign of PCOS. So if you have PCOS and are struggling with period pain, what’s the connection? And how does this relate to endometriosis? Read on to learn more!
Read MoreAs a Naturopathic Doctor with a focus on Environmental Medicine, one of my favourite subjects to discuss is Detoxification and Elimination, because of how important each of these functions are to the body’s ability to stay healthy. I find that conversations around the body’s functions of detoxification and elimination are often minimalized and oversimplified, if not overlooked. In this blog, we’ll be going over some strategies to support our body’s natural detoxification processes!
Read MoreThe use of progesterone therapy to reduce miscarriage risk has been a topic of debate in the medical community for many years due to conflicting results in research. Recently, in November of 2021, the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) made an exciting new recommendation! NICE now officially recommends progesterone therapy for women with early pregnancy bleeding and at least 1 previous miscarriage to reduce miscarriage risk. Read on to learn more!
Read MoreMany women don’t think about menopause, or perimenopause, until they are struggling with hot flashes, night sweats, or other hallmark signals of this hormonal shift. Unfortunately, perimenopause is rarely discussed until women are in the midst of changes that are no longer feeling manageable. It’s often in their first appointment that many women realize some (or most) of the symptoms they’ve been struggling with for years are related to this hormonal shift! Read on to learn more.
Read MoreKicking off the new year with a new blog covering a big topic! Is gluten actually bad for digestion? In this blog Dr. Almir does a great job of clarifying the role of gluten in digestive disorders, and answers the big question on everyone’s mind - do you really need to cut out gluten?
Read MoreAs a continuation to last week’s discussion, we know this time of year can be very stressful when it comes to food! This week we’re chatting about how to set yourself up nutritionally to cope with the stress and anxiety of the holidays. Here are a few simple nutritional tips to make this time a year a bit more manageable!
Read MoreThere is something about the holidays and holiday eating that holds a certain “stress” associated with it. If you find that you are feeling out of control with food, anxious around food, or if you are experiencing obsessions or compulsions around food, it does not have to be this way. Here are some simple things that you can try this holiday season to feel empowered around food, no matter what your actual food choices are.
Read MoreDid you know that there is an incredibly important hormone called insulin that is rarely tested in a typical fertility assessment? Insulin’s main job is to regulate our blood sugar levels and is therefore essential to our survival. However, too much insulin can cause long or missing cycles making it difficult to conceive, it can impact the implantation of an embryo and even contribute to an increased rate of miscarriages through multiple mechanisms.
Read MoreOne of the many nutrients gaining popularity over the last few years is Vitamin D. Vitamin D is often known as the “Sunshine Vitamin” due to our ability to acquire it from our skin’s exposure to sunlight. Sadly, during the winter months, our exposure to vitamin D plummets. Read on to learn about the importance of vitamin D and how you can protect yourself in the winter!
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