A whole-foods, whole-person approach for lasting results
In an era where chronic disease is on the rise, holistic nutrition is emerging as a powerful tool in managing and supporting our bodies. By considering the entire individual and not just the symptoms, it addresses the root causes and fosters a more sustainable approach to health.
✓ Diet
It’s not just about WHAT we eat; it is just as important to consider other factors that can either enhance or inhibit our ability to PROCESS the foods we eat. There are a plethora of contributing factors that can affect the GI tract in even the most mindful eater.
Food bioavailability (animal versus plant foods), microbiome diversity, absorption, digestion, detoxification, and metabolism pathways all have an influence in optimal function in the GI tract, and practically EVERY system in our bodies. Having an intimate knowledge of all these systems and knowing these considerations is paramount in making a difference.
✓ Lifestyle
It should not be any surprise that habits like smoking and drinking have a negative impact on our health. But there are several other lifestyle CHOICES we make that have a direct impact as well, including physical activity, stress management, and sleep hygiene.
It is well-established and well-studied that specific types of EXERCISE may reduce stress and depression, increase energy, control blood glucose levels, improve cognitive function and mood, and sleep, increase lean muscle mass, ease chronic pain and chronic inflammation, and reduce risk of disease states.
Chronic STRESS plays a huge role in our physiological responses-chronic release of stress hormones increases glucose levels, heart rate, and blood pressure, and induces inflammation in the body. Stress also influences specialized feedback systems that respond to stress-affecting systems such as our digestive, cardiovascular, immune, reproductive, and central nervous systems.
SLEEP is an essential life function. A good night’s sleep is important for enhancing cognitive function, adequate repair and regeneration, enhancing immune function, optimizing metabolic functions, creating a flourishing gut microbiome, and improving cardiovascular function. Not getting enough sleep poses alarmingly substantial increased risks for cognitive decline, mental health disorders, overeating and obesity, and chronic metabolic diseases. The fastest way to “short-circuit” our normal circadian rhythms is to create an environment where our sleep cycles become disrupted, sleep deprivation becomes chronic, and our stress responses are active more often than they should be. Vigilant sleep hygiene practices are important to support maintenance and repair in our bodies.
✓ Environment
Our home is our sanctuary. We would not knowingly pollute our bodies and lives in an environment we spend most of our daily lives residing in. It’s no secret that there are environmental toxins that we just can’t avoid in our lives. Unfortunately, our homes can be THE MOST toxic environment we are exposed to.
Personal care products, beauty products, and cleaning products can be a source for many toxins and pollutants. Endocrine disruptors, pesticides, and heavy metals exist in many more products than we think. Toxins have an influence in and contribute to many chronic conditions.
THE GOOD NEWS!
All of these factors are HIGHLY MODIFIABLE through the choices we make. It takes time, education, motivation, and support-all of which I can provide to you. Strategies that support one aspect of your life have powerful effects on the physiological responses in the rest of your body-one is NOT exclusive to the other. I can teach you how to manage and maintain ALL these pillars of your health to bolster your body’s fullest potential.