MORE BLOG POSTS
Five Supplements That Naturally Lower Blood Sugar
Posted by Lena Edwards MD on
If your blood sugar has been creeping upward, you may be wondering whether there are natural ways to help bring it back down. The answer is yes. Several supplements have been studied for their ability to support healthier blood sugar levels and improve the way your body responds to insulin. Here are five of my favorites. Β 1. Berberine Berberine is a plant compound found in several herbs, including barberry and goldenseal. Of all the supplements used for blood sugar support, this one probably gets the most attentionβand for good reason. Research suggests berberine can help lower fasting blood sugar...
Sleep Apnea: The Sneaky Saboteur Behind Unexplained Symptoms
Posted by Lena Edwards MD on
Sleep Apnea: The Sneaky Saboteur Behind Unexplained Symptoms.
The symptoms of sleep apnea are sneakyβwhich is why common symptoms that make women over 40 miserable are often chalked up to the βusual suspects.β Besides fatigue, women may also complain of:
- Insomnia or frequent nighttime awakenings
- Morning headaches
- Brain fog or poor concentration
- Mood changes, anxiety, or depression
- Waking with a dry mouth or sore throat
- Getting up frequently to urinate during the night
- Feeling unrefreshed despite spending enough time in bed
Since sleep apnea can disrupt multiple hormones, increase inflammation, and keep your nervous system on high alert night after night, itβs easy to understand how your long-term health can be negatively impacted.
Β
Five Common Nutrient Deficiencies in Women Over 40
Posted by Lena Edwards MD on
You can be the poster gal of healthy eating and take a multivitamin every morning, but thanks to the βusual suspects,β you can still come up short on nutrients your body needs. And after 40, things like hormonal shifts can change how your body uses certain nutrients. Chronic stress can increase demand. Gut problems can interfere with absorption. Medications can quietly deplete nutrients over time. And if youβre eating less in an attempt to lose weightβor taking a medication that dramatically reduces your appetiteβyou may simply not be getting enough in the first place. Unfortunately, nutrient deficiencies don't always announce...
Collagen Confusion: Peptides, Powders, Types, and Hype
Posted by Lena Edwards MD on
Collagen supplements are everywhere. Powders. Gummies. Liquids. Capsules. Marine collagen. Bovine collagen. Hydrolyzed collagen. Collagen peptides. Types I, II, III, V, and X. Some products promise younger-looking skin. Others claim to strengthen your hair and nails, protect your joints, support your bones, or somehow do all of the above. It's enough to make you wonder whether you need a collagen supplementβor a chemistry degree. So, let's clear up some of the confusion. Β What Exactly Is Collagen? Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body and serves as an important structural component of your skin, bones, cartilage, tendons, ligaments,...
GLP-1 Drugs: Close but No Cigar
Posted by Lena Edwards MD on
Youβve seen the before-and-after pics, read the rave reviews, and maybe even discussed these βwonder drugsβ with your health care practitioner. And while medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide have been game changers for many women who use them, they don't magically erase every metabolic problem that contributed to weight gain in the first place. They don't build muscle, improve the quality of your diet, guarantee adequate nutrition, fix your sleep, balance your hormones, or teach you how to maintain your weight if the medication is eventually stopped. And that's where the conversation needs to get a little more interesting. Β ...