Leaky gut syndrome may not be an “official” diagnosis, but it affects approximately 75% of people worldwide!
Did you know that your gut is at the core of your immune system? In fact, about 90% of your immune cells are located in your digestive tract! The lining of your gut acts as a barrier, protecting your body from harmful invaders. However, when these protective “drawbridges” (tight junctions) weaken, it can lead to leaky gut, allowing toxins and bacteria to leak into your bloodstream.
Here are some common causes of leaky gut:
Medications
Pathogens/Bacteria
Chemicals in cosmetics
Pesticides
Heavy metals
Plastics
When the gut barrier breaks down, it can trigger chronic inflammation and autoimmune responses, leading to symptoms throughout the body.
If you’re dealing with an autoimmune condition like Hashimoto’s, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or unexplained symptoms that affect your well-being, we’re here to help you uncover the root cause! Contact our functional medicine team today to explore how we can support your health journey.
Did you know that most of your immune system resides in your gut? Maintaining gut health is crucial for supporting your overall well-being! Try these simple changes to keep your gut happy and enhance your immunity:
Say goodbye to alcohol.
Cut back on caffeine to avoid overstimulation.
Swap artificial sugars for natural alternatives.
Prioritize stress relief for a calmer gut.
Stay active—regular exercise supports digestion and boosts immune health!
Eat slowly and mindfully to improve digestion.
Identify any food intolerances that may cause discomfort.
If these steps don’t bring relief, there could be an underlying issue, such as leaky gut or autoimmune concerns, that requires further attention. Contact our functional medicine team to explore how we can help you achieve balanced, gut-friendly wellness!
Feeling drained all the time? You might be experiencing adrenal fatigue—a condition where your body struggles to keep up with the demands of daily stress.
Common signs and symptoms of adrenal fatigue include:
Constant tiredness
Afternoon or stress-related headaches
Frequent colds and low immunity
Persistent allergies
Difficulty getting out of bed in the morning
Cravings for sweets and stimulants
Feeling shaky or irritable between meals
Using food to combat fatigue
Waking up at 3 or 4 a.m. and struggling to fall back asleep
Dizziness when standing up too quickly
Low blood pressure
Adrenal fatigue can be triggered by chronic stress, poor diet, gut health issues, or unmanaged autoimmune conditions. However, proper testing is essential to identify the root cause accurately.
It’s important to remember that addressing adrenal fatigue requires a comprehensive approach. While supplements can be helpful, true recovery involves tackling the root causes through lifestyle changes, stress management, and diet.
Ready to take the next step?Reach out to our office to learn how we can support you with a natural, medication-free approach to restoring balance and energy!
Struggling with chronic health issues? The root cause might be unstable blood sugar.
Consuming too much refined sugar or skipping meals can cause blood sugar levels to spike and crash throughout the day. This rollercoaster effect puts immense stress on your body. While we only need about a teaspoon of sugar in our bloodstream at any given time — easily supplied by eating vegetables — overloading on sugary or carb-heavy foods forces the body to produce excessive insulin. Over time, this can lead to insulin resistance and trigger a cascade of health problems.
Unstable blood sugar can contribute to:
Hormonal imbalances
Autoimmune flare-ups
Fatigue, anxiety, and insomnia
Poor brain function and chronic pain
Common symptoms of low blood sugar include:
Cravings for sweets
Irritability
Dependence on caffeine for energy
Lightheadedness or shakiness
Anxiety, mood swings, and poor memory
If you’re experiencing these symptoms or suspect your blood sugar is out of balance, we’re here to help! Let’s work together to restore harmony and vitality to your body.
Call us today to learn more and take the first step toward better health!
Is your body constantly in “fight or flight” mode?
When faced with stress, our bodies release hormones that increase heart rate, raise blood pressure, and prioritize blood flow to our limbs. Normally, once the stressor is gone, our bodies return to a relaxed state. However, chronic stress can leave us stuck in this heightened state, causing prolonged production of stress hormones that may negatively impact our health.
Signs You May Be Stuck in Chronic Stress Mode:
Sleep disturbances
Anxiety
Blood sugar imbalances
Sexual dysfunction
Brain fog
Memory issues
Fatigue
Difficulty recovering from exercise or stress
Frequent illnesses
Chronic pain
What Causes Chronic Stress?
Chronic stress can arise from various sources, including:
Metabolic issues: Chronic infections or hormone imbalances.
Lifestyle factors: Toxic environments, insufficient sleep, or overwhelming responsibilities.
Ready to Regain Balance?
Breaking free from chronic stress is essential to restoring balance and improving your overall well-being. Reach out to our office to learn how we can support your journey to better health!
Did you know that a large portion of your immune system resides in your intestines?
Digestive issues like heartburn, gas, bloating, or constipation often reflect the overall state of your body. These problems can frequently be traced back to imbalances in stomach acid and gastrointestinal flora. Your gut’s “flora” is a complex ecosystem of bacteria that requires the right balance of “good” and “bad” bacteria to function optimally.
Simple Tips to Support Digestive Health:
Eat plenty of fiber-rich foods.
Include pre- and probiotics, such as fermented or pickled foods.
Get enough sleep to allow your body to recover and restore balance.
Exercise regularly to support a healthy metabolism and digestion.
Manage stress effectively, as chronic stress can disrupt gut health.
Since digestive health is closely linked to immune health, taking care of your gut is essential for your overall wellness.
Need personalized guidance for a natural approach to improving your gut and immune health? Give our office a call to learn more!
Noticing more hair loss than usual? Stress might be the culprit. Physical, mental, or emotional stress can significantly affect your body, especially your immune system, which plays a crucial role in protecting against disease and injury.
Under normal conditions, hair follicles enjoy a state of “immune privilege,” allowing them to handle stress without triggering an immune response. However, when stress disrupts homeostasis, it activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). This activation sets off a chain reaction, starting with the hypothalamus releasing corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which prompts the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Over time, chronic stress and prolonged ACTH release erode this immune privilege, leading to noticeable hair loss.
Stress-Related Factors That May Contribute to Hair Loss:
High-stress jobs
Anxiety
Depression
Weakened immune response
Increased age-related disorders
For over seven decades, research has demonstrated a clear connection between stress and changes in skin, hair, gut, and immune health. Emerging studies in psychoneuroimmunology now highlight the direct link between a healthy mental state and healthy hair growth.
A Holistic Approach to Hair and Immune Health
Taking a holistic approach to mental health is key to promoting hair regrowth and strengthening your immune system. Addressing stress not only benefits your hair but also supports overall well-being.
Are you experiencing hair loss, weakened immunity, or chronic stress? Contact our office today to learn about our natural approach and see if it’s the right fit for you.
Changing your diet may be a powerful way to manage chronic inflammation!
While inflammation is a natural part of the healing process, chronic inflammation can place constant strain on your body and lead to serious health conditions such as:
Heart disease
Asthma
Autoimmune disorders
If you suffer from chronic inflammation, you may have been prescribed medication to address the symptoms without uncovering or treating the root cause. However, extensive research in natural medicine suggests that dietary changes can help lower inflammation and tackle the underlying reasons it persists. The best dietary changes depend on your unique condition, lifestyle, and health factors. Always consult with a professional health practitioner before making significant changes to your diet.
Dietary Changes to Reduce Inflammation
While awaiting professional guidance, here are a few dietary adjustments that may help reduce inflammation:
Cut out gluten.
Limit or eliminate dairy.
Avoid alcohol.
Steer clear of junk and processed foods.
Focus on whole, organic, and locally-sourced meats and produce.
Incorporate fermented foods like kimchi, pickles, or sauerkraut.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for treating inflammation. Take an informed and focused approach to your chronic symptoms by consulting with a practitioner who looks deeper into what’s going on beneath the surface.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your journey to better health!
Struggling with stubborn belly fat? You’re not alone—many women find this to be a challenging area! Our focus is on building strength, balancing hormones, and making healthier choices that align with your unique goals. Remember, looking good is great, but feeling your best is what truly matters.
Here are some tips to promote good health and potentially shed excess weight around your midsection:
Manage stress: It makes a big difference!
Diversify your workouts: Include strength training, cardio, stretching, and toning.
Incorporate healthy fats: Small amounts can help keep you satisfied.
Avoid processed foods: Say no to junk and simple carbs like white rice, pasta, and bread.
Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water!
Steer clear of inflammatory foods: Reduce your intake of dairy and gluten.
Limit alcohol, caffeine, and sugar: Keep these to a minimum for better overall health.
Prioritize sleep: Aim for at least 7 hours of quality rest each night and establish healthy sleep habits.
Check your hormones: They play a crucial role in your weight journey.
If you’ve tried all these strategies and are still struggling with weight gain, it might be time to consult a practitioner who can assess your hormones. An underactive or overactive thyroid could be contributing to the issue. Functional testing provides a more comprehensive understanding than standard lab tests.
If you’ve been told there’s no further treatment for your symptoms, keep reading.
Hypothyroidism affects millions, with many continuing to struggle despite thyroid hormone therapy. In the U.S., 90% of cases are linked to Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland. While medications can help maintain thyroid hormone levels, they often don’t address the root autoimmune issue.
Comprehensive testing is essential to uncover the underlying causes of your symptoms. The key to healing lies in balancing the immune system.
Tips to calm your immune system:
Cut out gluten completely – Studies have shown a strong connection between gluten and Hashimoto’s flare-ups.
Try an autoimmune diet – Eliminate inflammatory foods like dairy, eggs, and grains.
Heal your gut – Leaky gut can worsen inflammation and autoimmune conditions.
Stabilize blood sugar – Proper blood sugar management is crucial for thyroid health.
These steps are foundational for managing hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s. However, for more complex cases, a personalized approach is often necessary to prevent future autoimmune triggers.
Curious about the root causes of Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism? Contact our office today for a detailed testing and personalized plan to help you feel your best again!
Melatonin is a hormone naturally produced by the pineal gland in the brain. Best known for regulating the sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm), it’s commonly used as a supplement by those struggling to catch some Zs. But is it safe to take melatonin every night?
Darkness triggers melatonin production, signaling your body to prepare for sleep. When this process is disrupted, it can negatively affect not only your sleep but also your reproductive hormones and inflammation levels. Here are some common factors that can throw your melatonin out of sync:
Night shifts
Screen time before bed
Jet lag
Aging
Melatonin helps you wind down by blocking the signals that keep you awake. The good news is that high-quality supplements generally don’t interfere with your body’s natural melatonin production. However, it’s always wise to consult a holistic healthcare provider to determine the right dosage and timing for your needs.
Curious about other supplements that could enhance your wellness journey? We’re here to guide you! Make an appointment today!
Autoimmunity happens when your immune system mistakenly targets and damages your own tissues, treating them like intruders. Often, autoimmune conditions start silently—meaning damage occurs before you even notice any symptoms.
There are over 80 identified autoimmune diseases, affecting 1 in 5 people, with the majority being women. In some cases, symptoms can persist for years or even decades before a diagnosis is made. Be on the lookout for signs such as:
Chronic pain
Brain fog
Persistent fatigue
Digestive issues
Hair loss
Unexplained weight changes
Functional Medicine Solutions
The good news? Functional medicine can help! With advanced lab testing, we can screen for autoimmunity and provide personalized guidance, including an anti-inflammatory diet, balanced blood sugar strategies, gut healing protocols, toxin reduction, and stress management.
These steps not only help prevent autoimmune diseases but also manage symptoms and address the root causes of your health concerns. Curious about how we can support your journey to better health? Contact our functional medicine team today!
Adrenal fatigue may not be a recognized medical diagnosis but the symptoms can feel all too real. Are you dealing with:
Body aches
Constant fatigue
Anxiety or nervousness
Sleep troubles
Digestive discomfort
…and have been told there’s “nothing wrong”? It might be time to dig deeper.
Adrenal fatigue can occur when the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis is out of balance, leading to cortisol levels that are either too high or too low. This disruption is often triggered by chronic stress or underlying health conditions that affect hormone regulation.
How Functional Testing Can Help Restore Balance
Functional lab testing goes beyond standard tests by using tighter ranges and more specific markers to uncover what’s really happening in your body. With the right insights, you can benefit from herbal remedies, nutritional adjustments, or lifestyle changes to help restore balance and support your HPA axis.
Feeling stuck with unexplained symptoms? Call our office today for a detailed testing and personalized plan to help you feel your best again!
There may be many reasons why you have excess fat on certain areas of the body: inflammation, gut infection, hormonal imbalance, or simply genetics. Functional medicine takes a different approach to health:
It delves deep into the underlying causes of belly fat, like hormonal imbalances or gut health issues.
Functional Medicine creates a custom plan based on your body’s unique needs, addressing nutrient deficiencies, underlying conditions, and inflammation.
It focuses on stress reduction, sleep quality, and exercise to support overall well-being so your body can focus on other, extra efforts (like toning).
By targeting the root causes, it offers long-term solutions for sustainable results and a healthier, happier you!
Our team at Holistic Wholeness Institute is trained in Functional Medicine, an area of medicine that looks for the root of the problem instead of masking the symptom with a pill. Our experts specialize in looking at the whole person, not just a symptom. During a comprehensive evaluation, our practitioners typically recommend thorough testing to find the underlying cause or contributing factors to your health issues.
For example, some individuals suffer from fibromyalgia or migraines and this could be due to a hormonal problem or a heavy metal issue in the body. Even life-threatening health issues like cancer can be in part due to environmental carcinogens that are present in the body. Simply cutting out the tumor and killing the cancer does not get to the root of the cause. Most Western physicians are taught to simply kill the cancer and not explore the in depth hormonal or environmental contributing factors.
There are other individuals that have chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia that may actually have signs and symptoms of chronic Lyme disease. While Western Medicine uses traditional tests to test for Lyme, the comprehensive panels we use are more thorough to look for Lyme related symptoms or exacerbating factors. Some individuals have an MTHFR mutation and have difficulty removing toxins from the body. Our in-depth bioanalysis of specimens is more broad than traditional blood tests. While our team is trained in analyzing blood tests, we look for optimal ranges of certain levels not normal ranges that are based off of the average person in a certain area.
Meet Kathleen Gross: How Holistic Wellness Transformed Her Energy & Health Journey Beyond Medical Tests!
The average American is not optimally healthy and is on 4-6 or more prescription medications that often mask a symptom or are designed to keep someone alive, versus thriving. The number of autoimmune issues in our country is outstanding and on the rise. The gut is housed with both good and bad flora that can determine energy levels, feelings of wellness, and one’s immune system. When the body attacks itself, as in most autoimmune conditions, the gut-immune connection is disrupted and must be addressed as the root cause of most disease and dysfunction. Tests for SIBO, small intestine bacterial overgrowth, or food sensitivities are also commonly performed. Intestinal hyperpermeability, or leaky gut, as well as nutritional deficiencies, are common tests that can help our practice members find the underlying issues to their symptoms. Other individuals have been exposed to mold and these mycotoxins can cause a wide variety of health issues. These are just a few of the thousands of tests and measures we employ to comprehensively analyze an individual to achieve wellness, not managed sickness.
Make an appointment today to see what’s causing or contributing to your health issues to get answers and a different approach to your health. Book a FREE 15-minute Discovery Session with our team or call 732.813.1133 to learn more.
Disclaimer: Holistic Wholeness Institute uses wellness metrics that are not considered medically necessary or diagnostic by Western Physicians. We use metrics and testing that cannot promise to diagnose, cure or treat any medical condition. We use wellness metrics to look at chronic inflammation and contributing factors to these ailments to help address them naturally. We conduct a bioanalysis of saliva, urine, hair, stool, or blood to understand wellness, not diagnose sickness. Consult your physician before changing or stopping your medications. Holistic Wholeness Institute is Integrative in that we are not against medicine, we are for an integrative, comprehensive approach to your health to help you feel your best, faster!
FREE WEBINAR
Stress, Hormones + Exhaustion in Women and Men
This lecture will focus on INFLAMMATION, HORMONES, WEIGHT, and FATIGUE.
February 19 at 5:00 PM EST
This fun, informative, and useful lecture is a great opportunity to learn more about how functional medicine gets to the root of the problem to transform bodies and lives.
