Insulin Resistance

Functional Nutritionist Andrea Nicholson discusses the concept of reinventing aging. She shares a story about a colleague whose husband was feeling down about turning 65, despite being in the best physical and mental shape of his life. Nicholson highlights the importance of challenging societal perceptions of aging and redefining what it looks like. She emphasizes that we don't have to accept declining health as we age and encourages readers to prioritize optimal health through nutrition, exercise, stress management, and mindset. Nicholson believes that it is possible to feel young and vibrant regardless of our age and offers her services to help individuals achieve this goal.

Functional Nutritionist Andrea Nicholson discusses the pitfalls of micromanaging lab results. She shares a coaching conversation she had with a woman who had become obsessed with her bloodwork and was constantly trying to bring every single marker into the perfect range, losing sight of her original mission to reverse her symptoms. Nicholson explains that medications and supplements can alter blood values, causing them to appear off even though they are actually due to artificial supplementation. She emphasizes the importance of looking at overall patterns rather than hyper-focusing on individual markers, as individual markers can be influenced by various factors and may not provide a complete picture of optimal health. Nicholson also highlights the impact of outside influences such as strenuous workouts, dietary choices, sleep, and stress on blood markers. She concludes by urging readers to work with professionals who can help interpret their lab results and provide guidance based on their individual needs.

Functional Nutritionist Andrea Nicholson shares a case study of a woman who suffered for 28 years with exhaustion, mental fatigue, weight gain, and depression, only to find relief through a holistic approach. After being diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and being prescribed synthetic T4 medication for a decade with no improvement, she discovered desiccated thyroid, a natural alternative containing T3 and T4 hormones. With the proper dosing of this new medication, she experienced increased energy, mental clarity, and effortlessly lost the excess weight. This case study underscores the importance of advocating for oneself and seeking alternative options when traditional medicine falls short in addressing chronic conditions. The author urges readers not to settle for mere symptom management and to explore a holistic approach to achieve true balance and optimal health.

In this episode of the Millennial Housewife podcast, Functional Nutritionist Andrea Nicholson shares her fascinating journey from being a forensic scientist to transitioning into the field of Holistic Health. She also discusses the importance of gut health and various nutrition plans. Andrea emphasizes the significance of functional testing, the impact of past traumas on our health, and why digestion is the foundation of healing for all illnesses. She offers valuable advice for getting started on a health journey, highlighting the benefits of working with a practitioner to expedite progress safely. Tune in to this engaging episode to learn more about holistic health and Andrea's insights.

Functional Nutritionist Andrea Nicholson shares the importance of metabolic health in brain function.  Insulin receptors in every cell, including those in the brain, play a crucial role in cognitive abilities, appetite control, and learning and memory. However, prolonged insulin resistance in the brain can lead to structural and functional changes, increasing the risk of degenerative brain diseases like dementia and Parkinson's.

Insulin resistance has been found to have a strong connection to various forms of dementia, with Alzheimer's now being referred to as type 3 diabetes. Moreover, insulin resistance is also associated with Parkinson's disease and an increased risk of migraines. Addressing insulin resistance and achieving metabolic flexibility, where the body can efficiently switch between burning glucose and fat for energy, is the key to improving brain health. This can be achieved by reducing carbohydrate intake, eating real meals, and practicing mindful eating.

Overall, metabolic flexibility is crucial for optimal brain health and can lead to benefits such as improved memory, mental clarity, sustained energy, and weight management. Building metabolic flexibility takes time and effort, but the results are well worth it. Reducing carbohydrate intake, avoiding snacking, and listening to the body's hunger cues are important steps in achieving metabolic flexibility and improving overall health.