MORE BLOG POSTS — Brain Health
Why I Needed Three Books to Explain Weight Loss After 40
Posted by Lena Edwards MD on
Because “eat less and exercise more” is never going to cut it. If losing weight after 40 were as simple as eating less and moving more, no one would need to write books about it, right? And most of us wouldn’t need to resort to fad diets and weight loss medications. But the truth is that no matter how clean your menu or how much cardio you clock in every week, your scale won’t blink an eye if other hidden factors are messing with your metabolism. After years of working with women who were eating well, exercising, counting calories,...
The Top 5 Supplements That Support Cognitive Health in Women Over 40
Posted by Lena Edwards MD on
Have you ever walked into a room and forgotten why you were there? Struggled to recall a familiar word during a conversation? Read the same paragraph three times because your mind kept wandering? Me too! Many women over 40 begin noticing subtle changes in memory, concentration, and mental clarity. While these experiences can be worrisome, they don't necessarily mean you're developing dementia. In many cases, they're a normal part of the hormonal transition that occurs during perimenopause and menopause. Estrogen plays an important role in brain function, influencing memory, attention, and communication between brain cells. As estrogen levels begin to...
The Case for Creatine in Women Over 40
Posted by Lena Edwards MD on
For years, creatine has been pigeonholed as a supplement reserved for bodybuilders, powerlifters, and twenty-somethingers chugging protein shakes at the gym. Fortunately, that outdated reputation is finally beginning to crumble. In reality, creatine may be one of the most well-researched—and underutilized—supplements for women over 40. As estrogen levels begin to fluctuate during perimenopause and eventually decline after menopause, women experience predictable changes in body composition. Muscle mass gradually decreases. Strength begins to fade. Recovery after exercise often takes longer. Bone density can decline. Even cognitive changes such as brain fog and mental fatigue become increasingly common. Collectively, these changes contribute...
How Medications Quietly Disrupt Your Stress Hormones
Posted by Lena Edwards MD on
Many women don’t realize that prescription and over-the-counter medications can affect the levels and patterns of the stress hormone cortisol. I’ve worked with countless women who had many symptoms of stress system dysfunction—fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, sleep issues—but their system couldn’t course-correct because some of their medications were tying its hands behind its back. In some cases, medications are necessary. But it’s important to understand which ones can affect cortisol and the stress system—and how they do so. Medications That Affect the Way You Perceive Stress Your brain constantly scans your environment looking for potential threats—whether that’s a...
How Probiotics Actually Work
Posted by Lena Edwards MD on
Probiotics help restore order by competing for space and resources, making it harder for those unwanted bacteria and yeast to take control—tipping the balance back in your metabolism’s favor.