Let me start by saying this is NOT a post meant to bash all things medicine. Functional Medicine is about bringing the best of conventional to meet the best of holistic medicine to create a happy place in the middle. So, I thank the Lord for antibiotics! Truly, they have saved many lives. But, I think many of us know the, dare I say, epidemic that is occurring. Yes. I went that far. Antibiotics are amazing when needed, but the overprescribing and overuse of antibiotics NEEDS. TO. STOP!

Why? Glad you asked.

This answer is two-fold. 1) Each time you take an antibiotic, you are killing bacteria…duh. But there are certain bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, therefore, live on even after your course of medication has ended. They reproduce and, according to research, can even pass their resistance onto other bacteria. This creates “Super Bugs,” which have the superpower of resisting antibiotics, as we stated. This means they can lead to more complications and...

Well, it depends…how’s your diet? Genetics? Do you have any unresolved symptoms or diagnoses?

I know, I know…you most likely just want me to say, “Oh! Just take A, B, & C, and you will always feel your absolute best!” Boom. Done. You’re welcome.

Except not. That’s not exactly how this whole Functional Medicine thing works. It’s ALL about personalized plans. And personalized means based on your stage of life, past medical history, genetics, symptoms, diet, and lab work. So, as frustrating as this may be for you to read, let it also be an encouragement that you may not need those 30 supplements your favorite influencer says they can’t live without.

Generally speaking, it is much better to get your vitamins, micronutrients, and minerals from your food, but depending on your diet, where you get your food, and your genetic makeup - you may need a little help. While supplements (referring to vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients...

Alright, here is the follow-up MTHFR post as promised! A little more on actually living with the dang thing, and less on the actual science, geeking out part of it.

First things first, I think there are so many people out there worrying about MTHFR genetic mutations. While there are benefits to knowing that you have a genetic mutation, know that there are thousands of genes, and possible SNPs, and they all interact with each other. All that to say, there are things to be aware of when it comes to having this particular SNP, but let’s make sure we are just making ourselves aware, and not inciting fear or anxiety over this.

Some things to know, no matter what kind of MTHFR mutation you have (if you don’t know what I mean, read this):

1) AVOID FOLIC ACID as much as you can.

This is in many supplements, but you also need to pay close attention to the labels of processed/packaged food. It is the synthetic form of folate (a water-soluble B vitamin), which the methylation...

You may have heard of this gene before, but have no flippin’ clue what it is! That’s ok - depending on how detailed you want to get, it can become a VERY complex and unnecessary rabbit hole! Because of this, I’m going to break this down into several blog posts, that way we can keep with the goal of Loving Health LLC in keeping health simple. Part 1 - let’s just talk about what MTHFR is, and this whole gene mutation ordeal.

Number one thing before we go any further: Dr. Ben Lynch is the ultimate expert when it comes to genetic variations! If you want to dive deeper than what you read here, start with his website or book, Dirty Genes.

MTHFR stands for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, and it is a gene that produces an enzyme, both referred to as MTHFR (thank you great scientists for that confusion). This enzyme stimulates a process called methylation. Dr. Lynch states in Dirty Genes that methylating is “a key process that facilitates at least two...

If you’ve been paying any attention to all the commotion over things like vaccines and antiperspirants the last couple of years, you may have heard concerns over aluminum. So, what’s all the fuss about?

Well, let’s start with facts:

1) Aluminum is a known NEUROTOXIN. Research has shown time and time again how aluminum is toxic to the central nervous system. It is a non-essential metal meaning it contributes nothing positive to our bodily functions, and it actually only seems to cause harm. Unfortunately, it’s also impossible to completely avoid since it is in our air, water, soil, food, many personal care products, etc. This is why it is SO critical to avoid it where you can (one thing I teach in my Women Loving Health membership).

2) Aluminum BIOACCUMULATION is possible. There is conflicting research regarding how much aluminum bioaccumulates in the average person, but there is also very little research measuring aluminum in our blood and tissue...

If you have paid even the slightest bit of attention when it comes to vaccines, then you have heard the phrase, “herd immunity”. Many people say this is why everyone needs to get vaccinated: to protect the immunocompromised within the herd! Herd = our population, by the way. Others believe herd immunity is actually a myth Big Pharma uses as a marketing strategy to guilt people into vaccinating. So, which is it? Fact or fiction? Can it be…both? Just like this coronavirus pandemic could be both a serious virus AND part of a manmade conspiracy plan of sorts? Sorry! Not here to discuss Corona…focusing…let’s discuss where this concept came from, what it means, and dig into some solid resources about the good ole herd immunity.

Where did the concept of herd immunity come from?

From my reading, it seems that herd immunity originated in 1923. Men by the names of Topley and Wilson conducted a rather small and rudimentary experiment with mice looking at...

Well…let me just start this whole thing off by telling you that I will NOT be telling you whether or not you are going to vaccinate your kids. So, if that’s why you stopped to read this, then move on to something else because you won’t find that here. What you will find are some thoughts from a mother with a medical background, my favorite resources, and some mom-to-mom encouragement.

I want to start with the encouragement. TRUST. YOUR. GUT!

I’m sure many of you are thinking, “Oooooook…thanks. Not super helpful.” But, of all the mothers I have talked to - whether it was a decision about vaccines, about how they chose to birth their child, whether or not to go to the hospital, EVERY mom that didn’t regret their decision talked about how they “just knew” or went with their “gut”. Mama, your God-given gut instinct is not something to dismiss. This is what I tell my health coaching clients to do before we even go...