Dr Jessie Short, Naturopathic Doctor

05/13/2026

Low vitamin D levels during perimenopause have been show to worsen symptoms of depression in this population. The goal is to optimize levels to support mood during perimenopause and beyond

05/08/2026

Vitamin D is one of the most underestimated nutrients in women’s health. We often think of it as an ‘immune vitamin,’ but it plays a role in hormones, blood sugar regulation, mood, fertility, pregnancy, and bone health too.
We make some vitamin D ourselves (this is activated by UV light from the sun), but if you are being sun smart, you will likely need to supplement with some too. Knowing your levels allows us to optimize vitamin D without going too low or too high.

05/05/2026

☀️ Your no-nonsense, ND-approved sunscreen 101:

Not all UV rays do the same thing:
• UVB rays = sunburn
• UVA rays = premature aging + deeper cellular damage (even without a sunburn)

Beware:
SPF only tells you about UVB protection. It does not tell you how well a sunscreen protects against UVA

In Canada, “broad-spectrum” means the sunscreen protects against both UVA + UVB

Mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide provide the most reliable broad-spectrum protection. Chemical sunscreens can still be effective, but mineral filters tend to offer more consistent UVA coverage

Even the best sunscreen won’t work properly if you aren’t using enough. Most adults need roughly 4 finger lengths to adequately cover the face, neck and ears

Bottom line:
✔️ Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen
✔️ Mineral-based is a great option
✔️ Use enough to actually protect your skin

04/23/2026

I know I’m old you guys but I’m trying!

04/22/2026

No wonder it feels overwhelming. Evidence-based, personalized support should make things simpler, not more complicated.

03/28/2026

Don’t get me wrong, I understand why people reach for these interventions that promise so much. You want to feel better. More like your old self.

When you feel overwhelmed, it’s easy to think you need a complete reset.
But it is actually so much more effective to go back to the basics and make small, targeted shifts.

Are you sleeping?
Are you fueling your body? �
Are you moving in a way that feels joyful?

You don’t need to do everything at once.
You just need the right starting point, and approaching your health in this way is SO much more sustainable.

03/27/2026

LOOP cycles (or luteal out-of-phase events) are a characteristic feature of perimenopause. They’re one of the reasons menstrual cycles can become irregular during this stage, and they can be a helpful clinical clue in identifying what’s going on.

In general, LOOP cycles are associated with:

• Lower progesterone levels (hello anxiety and disrupted sleep)
• Erratic estrogen levels (hello hot flashes and night sweats)

This combination can leave you feeling like your body is all over the place, because, in some ways, it is.

But does this mean you’re stuck riding the wild LOOP rollercoaster until menopause?

Absolutely not.

Care during perimenopause should focus on improving overall quality of life; supporting your symptoms, your day-to-day functioning, and your long-term health.

03/26/2026

I see how much you’re carrying

The career that asks a lot of you
The children who still need you in a hundred different ways (and that's before breakfast)
The constant mental load of keeping everything running

I see how you keep showing up, even when you’re tired
Even when your patience feels thinner (mom rage, anyone?)

If you feel like what you’re carrying has become heavier, you’re not imagining it. Perimenopause often arrives during one of the most demanding phases of life, and it changes how your body responds to that demand

You don’t need to push harder.�You may just need the right kind of support

03/11/2026

ApoB (Apolipoprotein B) may be one of the most important heart health markers you’ve never heard of

While LDL cholesterol ("bad cholesterol") is the amount of cholesterol found in LDL particles, ApoB is a measure of the total number of cholesterol particles that can contribute to arterial plaque formation (which includes VLDL and LDL)

This means that LDL alone can sometimes underestimate risk and ApoB can uncover hidden cardiovascular risk that might otherwise be missed

Is your doctor checking ApoB?

03/08/2026

Recent food intake can affect triglyceride levels, which are used to calculate LDL ("bad") cholesterol. This means that if you haven't fasted before getting your blood draw, your reported LDL may actually be an UNDERESTIMATE. This means that based on LDL alone, your cardiovascular risk may be higher than you think.

Be sure to either get your labs done fasted (this is also helpful for comparing LDL measurements over time), or that you are using additional markers such as non-HDL cholesterol and/or Apo B to determine cardiovascular risk levels over time.

03/07/2026