Lab Testing

Functional Nutritionist Andrea Nicholson explores the little-known effects of blood sugar dysregulation and offers advice on how to manage it. Blood sugar dysregulation occurs when blood sugar levels fluctuate or remain chronically elevated, and it can be caused by factors such as stress, certain medications, and an unhealthy diet. While many people associate blood sugar imbalance with diabetes, studies have shown that 88% of adults have metabolic dysfunction, which includes blood sugar imbalances and insulin resistance.

The effects of blood sugar dysregulation can extend beyond diabetes and include fatigue, anxiety, depression, chronic inflammation, sugar cravings, increased appetite, headaches, imbalanced gut, joint pain, poor memory, weight gain, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, fatty liver, and hormone imbalances. To determine if you have blood sugar dysregulation, Nicholson suggests blood testing or using a continuous glucose monitor, which can provide insight into how your body responds to certain foods and activities.

To manage blood sugar dysregulation, Nicholson recommends eating a quality diet that prioritizes protein and healthy fats, managing stress and prioritizing sleep, and incorporating daily physical activity. By making mindful choices about carbohydrate intake, stress management, sleep habits, and exercise, it is possible to reverse blood sugar imbalances and achieve optimal health. Nicholson also emphasizes the benefits of working with a coach or nutritionist who can provide guidance and support tailored to your specific needs and goals.

Functional Nutritionist Andrea Nicholson highlights the misleading nature of symptoms when it comes to our health. Symptoms, such as headaches, fatigue, weight gain, and digestive problems, may not always indicate the true root cause of the issue. Focusing solely on treating the symptoms without addressing the underlying imbalance can lead to temporary relief or even make the problem worse in the long run. Nicholson emphasizes the importance of taking a holistic approach to health, considering all aspects of an individual's life and working with a holistic health practitioner to explore options beyond traditional medicine for lasting relief.

Functional Nutritionist Andrea Nicholson explores the limitations of health insurance when it comes to holistic healthcare. Andrea explains that insurance companies are primarily focused on making money and paying out as little as possible, rather than prioritizing the overall health of individuals. She points out that while conventional healthcare excels in critical care and acute illness, it falls short in preventing and managing chronic diseases.

Nicholson argues that individuals should take more responsibility for their own health, and that healthcare should focus on a holistic approach that considers mind, body, and spirit through lifestyle and nutrition. However, insurance policies typically only cover treatments after a crisis or illness has already occurred, rather than preventative and maintenance care. Nicholson discusses the benefits of holistic care and the importance of being proactive in maintaining health.

While holistic care can be expensive, Nicholson suggests that strategically spending money on functional testing, quality foods, supplements, lifestyle practices, and health technology can ultimately save individuals thousands of dollars in medical costs over the long term. She also notes that paying directly for certain services can often be cheaper than going through insurance. Nicholson concludes by emphasizing the need for personalized care and a shift in the healthcare system toward prioritizing overall health and wellness.

In this blog post, Functional Nutritionist Andrea Nicholson highlights the importance of understanding insulin resistance beyond just its association with diabetes. She explains that insulin resistance is surprisingly common, affecting more than a third of the population and the numbers are even higher for obese adults. Nicholson emphasizes that insulin resistance is linked to various health issues such as cancers, Alzheimer's disease, mental health disorders, PCOS, and more. She goes on to explain the role of insulin in blood sugar regulation, fat storage, and blood pressure regulation, and how insulin resistance occurs when cells in the body do not respond to insulin properly.

Nicholson discusses the factors that contribute to the development of insulin resistance, including genetics, environmental factors, lifestyle, and diet. She notes that while we cannot change our DNA, we can control whether certain genes are turned on or off through lifestyle choices and environmental factors. She highlights the impact of stress, toxins, pollution, and pathogen exposure on insulin resistance, and suggests ways to mitigate these factors. Nicholson also discusses the role of dietary choices in insulin levels and resistance, pointing out that not only simple sugars but also high-carbohydrate diets can contribute to insulin resistance. She emphasizes the importance of food quality, highlighting the detrimental effects of poor quality fats and toxins found in pre-made products, artificial ingredients, personal care products, and home care products.

In conclusion, Nicholson stresses the significance of identifying insulin resistance in addressing various chronic health issues, and highlights that with the right diet, lifestyle, and holistic approaches, insulin resistance can often be reduced or reversed.

In the blog post titled "Why Do A Stool Test?" by Functional Nutritionist Andrea Nicholson, she emphasizes the importance of understanding and optimizing digestive health. Nicholson explains that many people are so accustomed to feeling unwell that they don't realize the impact digestive dysfunction can have on their overall health. A stool test can provide valuable insights into digestive health, including the presence of harmful microbes, bacteria, parasites, fungi, and viruses.

Nicholson shares her own experience with a stool test and discovers several issues in her gut, despite not having any overt digestive symptoms. She has high levels of H. pylori bacteria, both normal and opportunistic bacteria, low digestive enzyme output, and low intestinal immune function. Based on these results, she develops a comprehensive healing protocol involving diet, lifestyle changes, supplements, antibacterial herbs, probiotics, toxin binders, and gut heal & seal agents.

In addition to the stool test, Nicholson also undergoes a comprehensive food sensitivity test, which reveals numerous food sensitivities that may be contributing to intestinal inflammation and damage. She plans to eliminate certain foods from her diet for a period of time to support gut healing and then retest to assess any changes.