Have you ever had blood work done by your doctor? Many people do every day. And yet the blood analysis that the doctor does may not be telling you the whole story about what is going on with your health. That’s why it’s important to have a functional blood chemistry analysis done by a practitioner who is trained in how to read and interpret the results from a functional standpoint. How is functional blood chemistry analysis different than the blood analysis done by the doctor? Here is an example. Let’s say that there is a woman who we’ll call Sarah. Sarah has been dealing with some minor, but nagging health complaints such as fatigue and brain fog. These symptoms are mild, but have been ge

When it comes to getting healthy, great emphasis is put on eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. But while some foods may be healthy and nourishing for one person, they may actually make someone else ill. This is the case for those who struggle with oxalate sensitivity. Oxalates are naturally occurring compounds that are commonly found in the human body as well as in plants. They are not digestible to humans and in a healthy digestive tract would be metabolized by good gut bacteria and excreted as a waste product in the stool. Oxalates form into sharp edged crystals that can cause pain as they are stored throughout the body. They can also cause other health issues and chronic illnes

Over the last century, how we eat has changed drastically. Back in the early 1900’s factory processed foods were just starting to be introduced to the market, and so most people were eating a diet that was rich in whole foods. The convenience of factory foods completely changed US diets. It increased the amount of sugar and highly refined carbohydrates we consume considerably. And the increase continues. So is it any wonder that there has been a corresponding increase in blood sugar imbalances seen throughout the western world? Back in 1917 the average American consumed approximately 60 pounds of sugar a year. Today, that number is significantly higher at approximately 130 pounds of sugar

When it comes to personal care products, most people are unaware of what is in the products that they use. What can be dangerous for their health however, is how often they may be exposing themselves to toxic ingredients without even knowing it! In order to have optimal health, it is vital to limit exposure to toxins. And yet, without being informed consumers and having an understanding of what chemicals may be absorbed into the body through the skin, millions of people each day are exposing themselves needlessly to products that can affect their hormones and cause cancer. What are the ingredients you should avoid? Parabens Parabens are a type of preservative that is commonly found in many p

The gut is the gateway to health. If your gut is healthy, chances are that you're in good health. However, there's a condition called leaky gut that can lead to a host of health problems. What is a leaky gut? The gut is naturally permeable to very small molecules in order to absorb these vital nutrients. In fact, regulating intestinal permeability is one of the basic functions of the cells that line the intestinal wall. In sensitive people, gluten can cause the gut cells to release zonulin, a protein that can break apart tight junctions in the intestinal lining. Other factors — such as infections, toxins, stress and age — can also cause these tight junctions to break apart. Once these tight

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects over 1.5 million adults. This condition can affect anyone, but it most often affects women between the ages of 40 and 60 years old. What is rheumatoid arthritis? Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition that occurs when the body begins attacking the joints, mistaking them as foreign invaders. The body attacks the thin membrane surrounding joints, allowing fluid and immune complexes to build up in the joints and cause significant pain. Normally these immune complexes filter out of your blood on their own, but when there is a build-up, they tend to settle into different joints and cause local inflammation and tissue damage. When these immune comple