Metabolic Health

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 explores the concept of adrenal health and HPA axis dysfunction. The term "adrenal fatigue" has been used to describe fatigue and exhaustion caused by cortisol imbalance from chronic stress. However, research has shown that this issue involves more than just the adrenal glands and doesn't always cause fatigue or exhaustion.

The HPA axis refers to the interaction between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands. This axis regulates energy and stress levels, metabolism, and immune response. Imbalances in these systems can lead to various symptoms, including fatigue, weight gain or loss, poor sleep quality, difficulty handling stress, and more.

Fortunately, HPA axis dysfunction is reversible with lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments, and appropriate supplementation. Strategies such as reducing stress levels, practicing yoga or meditation, prioritizing sleep, maintaining a balanced diet, and engaging in exercise can help improve adrenal health. Additionally, adaptogenic herbs can counteract the effects of stress on the body. It's important to work with a practitioner to select the right adaptogen for individual needs. Functional testing can also provide insight into the root causes of HPA axis dysfunction for targeted treatment.

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 this blog post, Functional Nutritionist Andrea Nicholson questions the popular belief that whole grains are a requirement for a healthy body. Although there is scientific literature supporting the benefits of whole grains, these studies often compare whole grains to refined grains, rather than no grains at all. The nutrients found in whole grains can also be obtained from other foods without the high levels of carbohydrates and calories that come with grains. The author suggests that low carb diets may actually provide greater benefits to overall health markers. Ultimately, the consumption of whole grains is not essential for optimal health, and individuals can achieve a healthy diet without including grains.

In this blog post Functional Nutritionist Andrea Nicholson explains how ketosis is a metabolic state where the body burns fat instead of carbohydrates for fuel. In addition to weight loss, ketosis offers mental benefits such as enhanced focus and clearer thinking. The primary driver of ketosis is carbohydrate restriction, but it can also be achieved through intermittent fasting or reducing carbohydrate intake. The ketogenic diet, which involves low carbohydrate intake, moderate protein, and higher fat intake, has been found to reduce inflammation and may have benefits for those with chronic diseases. However, cautions include avoiding a ketogenic diet during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, the need for professional intervention for those with chronic diseases or on specific medications, and the possibility of experiencing "keto flu" symptoms when first adopting a low carbohydrate or ketogenic style of eating. Overall, ketosis can offer numerous health benefits, including weight loss, improved energy, and reduced inflammation.