Dr. Kathleen Mahannah, ND

Dr. Kathleen Mahannah, ND Dr. Kathleen Mahannah is a Naturopathic Physician with a special focus in hormones and women’s health.

Integrating the best of modern and natural medicine to treat women and their families. Dr. Mahannah uses functional hormone testing to identify and treat hormone imbalances to help women overcome exhaustion, PMS, menopausal symptoms, and support fertility, naturally.

Hi! I’m Dr. Kathleen, ND 👋I know exactly how bewildering and frustrating it is to feel like you are at the mercy of your...
04/29/2026

Hi! I’m Dr. Kathleen, ND 👋

I know exactly how bewildering and frustrating it is to feel like you are at the mercy of your hormones. 🙇🏻‍♀️

After years of navigating my own hormone issues and 15 years of studying exercise science, naturopathic medicine and women’s health, I have developed a deep understanding of the tests, treatments and strategies that women need to truly address their hormone concerns.

Now, I use the very best of both modern and natural medicine to help women feel energized, radiant and confident in their bodies.

It’s time to feel connected to and empowered by your hormones, rather than at their mercy.

If you’re ready to begin discussing your health, book a Virtual Meet and Greet with me via the link below!

This virtual visit offer allows us to meet, have a brief discussion about your symptoms and health care goals, and learn more about how my approach to naturopathic medicine can support you. 🌿

https://restorationhealthclinic.janeapp.com/ #/staff_member/3

🌸 The Fertility Diet described in my previous posts is an excellent starting point for all women, but of course, each un...
04/22/2026

🌸 The Fertility Diet described in my previous posts is an excellent starting point for all women, but of course, each unique woman has specific dietary and nutritional needs. As a Naturopathic Physician, I examine my patient’s health history and menstrual cycle, and perform blood tests to better tailor nutrition recommendations for her. 💫

Here are some examples of conditions or health histories that may require adjustments to the Fertility Diet. 👇

👉 Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). This hormone imbalance affects blood sugar control. It can also increase the likelihood of developing gestational diabetes during pregnancy. For this reason, I make specific recommendations for carbohydrate vs. fat/protein intake for women with PCOS. In addition, specific herbs and supplements can help support blood sugar levels and improve fertility in these women.

👉 Women with hypothyroidism due to Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. For these women, I often recommend a gluten-free diet.

👉 Women with celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or irritable bowel syndrome. If a woman has a digestive condition that may affect her ability to absorb nutrients, I provide additional guidance and recommendations to improve her digestive wellness (and, therefore, her hormones and fertility).

👉 Women who are underweight (BMI

🌸🤰The Fertility Diet: Foods to Reduce or Avoid (Part 2!)🚫 Eliminate artificial sweeteners. Use a little honey or maple s...
04/20/2026

🌸🤰The Fertility Diet: Foods to Reduce or Avoid (Part 2!)

🚫 Eliminate artificial sweeteners. Use a little honey or maple syrup instead.

🚫 Eliminate trans fats. These are found in fast food, fried and processed, and packaged foods. Health Canada has now banned the production of trans fats in processed and packaged goods due to their known adverse health effects (for everyone, not just women planning to conceive).

🚫 Eliminate high-mercury-containing fish. Examples include tuna, mackerel, swordfish, sea bass, shark, marlin, and barracuda.

⬇️ Alcohol. The research on the effect of alcohol on fertility is conflicting. Greater than 2 drinks per day increases the risk of infertility, while less than 1 drink per day (i.e. one drink every other day, or less) appears to have a lower risk of infertility.

⬇️ Caffeine. Data on the effect of caffeine on fertility is conflicting. One study found that both men and women who had more than two servings of caffeinated beverages per day had an increased risk of miscarriage. Ideally, no caffeine is best, but a single small cup of coffee in the morning is likely okay. Try gradually switching from caffeinated to decaf (water-pressed decaf to avoid chemicals), then to green tea (less caffeine than a cup of coffee), and finally to herbal teas only.

I hope this provides some guidance and direction for you as you navigate this exciting time in your life!

🌸🤰The Fertility Diet: Foods to Reduce or Avoid⬇️ Decrease saturated fat intake. As discussed previously, high levels of ...
04/17/2026

🌸🤰The Fertility Diet: Foods to Reduce or Avoid

⬇️ Decrease saturated fat intake. As discussed previously, high levels of these fats are associated with poorer fertility outcomes in both men and women. Reduce your intake of cheese, dairy, meat, processed baked goods, and fast food.

⬇️ Reduce red meat. Preliminary data suggest that red meat may adversely affect fertility. If you know you are iron-deficient, ensure you are taking an iron supplement. If you’re not sure, ask your GP or your ND to test for this (iron deficiency can adversely affect ovulation and pregnancy, too, so a balance must be found for this nutrient).

⬇️ Reduce sugar. Eliminate sodas and other sources of added sugar, and opt for sweetener options such as maple syrup, whole fruits, and dates. A study showed that women who reported consuming three or more servings of soda per day had a 52% lower rate of pregnancy compared to women who did not drink any soda.

🚫 Eliminate refined white flour, processed and simple carbohydrates, such as baked goods, pasta, white bread, and white rice. Opt for whole grains instead. Diets low in whole grains are associated with poorer fertility outcomes.

Be on the lookout for Part 2 to learn more! 🙌

🌸🤰The Fertility Diet: Foods to Focus on (Part 3!)✅ Eliminate dairy—but if you really want it, choose full-fat dairy. As ...
04/16/2026

🌸🤰The Fertility Diet: Foods to Focus on (Part 3!)

✅ Eliminate dairy—but if you really want it, choose full-fat dairy. As mentioned previously, milk products contribute to increased dietary intake of saturated fat. Replacing it with organic soy milk or other nut milks is a great way to shift your fat intake toward healthy unsaturated sources. The research on the impact of dairy on fertility is limited. Still, the available data suggest that high-fat dairy is more fertility-promoting than low-fat dairy for those who do eat dairy. I also strongly recommend organically sourced dairy products.

✅ Increase your intake of fish from wild-caught sources. Diets higher in omega-3 fatty acids are associated with improved fertility in both men and women. Aim to have wild-caught salmon, mackerel, herring, trout, and sardines.

✅ Focus on incorporating anti-inflammatory foods. These include cold-water oily fish (herring, salmon, anchovies, sardines), walnuts, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, olive oil, coconut oil, dark green veggies, cherries, blueberries, kale, broccoli, cabbage, turmeric, ginger, garlic, and green tea.

✅ Bone broth. According to Chinese medicine, marrow is a very powerful food that can strengthen you and boost your energy. Ideally, you should use homemade broth and drink 1–2 cups per day, or incorporate bone broth into your soups and stews.

✅ Eat as if you live in the Mediterranean. The “Mediterranean-style” diet consists of high amounts of vegetables, whole grains (as opposed to white refined flour), lots of cold-pressed olive oil, lots of legumes and beans, some poultry and eggs, and only a little red meat. It is low in dairy and very low in sugar and processed foods.

Next, we’ll dive into the foods to avoid or reduce! 🚫

🌸🤰The Fertility Diet: Foods to Focus on (part 2!)✅ Get rid of BPA plastics and canned goods. The EARTH study found that ...
04/13/2026

🌸🤰The Fertility Diet: Foods to Focus on (part 2!)

✅ Get rid of BPA plastics and canned goods. The EARTH study found that among sub-fertile women attending the fertility clinic, those with higher blood levels of Bisphenol A (as well as phthalates – more on this in a future article) experienced decreased egg yields, decreased odds of implantation, decreased probability of pregnancy and live birth, and increased likelihood of pregnancy loss. Interestingly, women with higher dietary intake of folate and soy products experienced fewer adverse effects, suggesting a possible protective mechanism mediated by these foods/nutrients.

✅ Increase your intake of healthy unsaturated fats. Examples include olive oil, avocados, almonds, salmon, walnuts and flaxseed. One study showed that the mono- and polyunsaturated fats in this category are associated with better fertility outcomes in both men and women.

✅ Choose healthy sources of saturated fat in minimal to moderate amounts. Saturated fats include whole milk, animal meat, cheese, coconut oil, and many commercially prepared baked goods. Studies show that diets that are high in saturated fats (i.e. high amounts of animal products) are associated with poor fertility outcomes in men and women, in addition to contributing to higher cholesterol levels. For this reason, focusing on more plant-based meals and healthy, unsaturated fats is beneficial for your fertility. However, bear in mind that cholesterol forms the backbone of the s*x hormones estrogen and progesterone, so it isn’t all evil. Small amounts of meat from grass-fed and pastured animals are okay if you want to maintain an omnivore diet.

✅ Increase your intake of whole grains. Focus on wild rice, quinoa, rolled oats, buckwheat, rye and “squirrelly” whole grain bread. If you tolerate gluten, I recommend whole-grain or sourdough bread. For certain women who want to conceive, I recommend gluten-free diets; more on this later.

Check back tomorrow for part 3!🙌

🌸🤰The Fertility Diet: Foods to Focus On✅ Increase your intake of plant-focused whole foods. Eliminate or significantly r...
04/10/2026

🌸🤰The Fertility Diet: Foods to Focus On

✅ Increase your intake of plant-focused whole foods. Eliminate or significantly reduce your intake of processed and packaged foods and replace them with whole foods. Focus on prioritizing more frequent plant-based meals by incorporating beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds into your diet.

✅ Greatly increase your intake of antioxidant-rich, naturally colourful vegetables and fruits. For example, dark leafy green vegetables and veggies that are red, yellow, orange, or dark purple (such as berries). Be sure to get 8 servings of vegetables (and some fruits) per day.

✅ Eat foods rich in folate. You’re likely already aware that you need to start taking folic acid if you’re planning on conceiving. Natural folate can be found in leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, beans, broccoli, and bananas. Folic acid can be found in supplements and fortified foods such as bread, pasta, rice, and some breakfast cereals. It can be challenging to get the recommended daily allowance (400 mcg) through diet alone; therefore, a prenatal multivitamin with folate is recommended for all women planning to conceive. Certain women need even higher doses of folic acid—speak to your ND or family doctor to see if you’re in this category.

✅ Choose organic produce, where possible. “But does it REALLY matter if I eat organic??” As it turns out, yes, it does. One study showed that both female and male agricultural workers who are regularly exposed to pesticides have higher rates of infertility (affecting women more than men). The EARTH study examined the association between sub-fertile couples attending a fertility clinic, their exposure to environmental chemicals, and pregnancy outcomes. It demonstrated that high pesticide-residue fruit and vegetable intake was associated with lower total s***m counts and lower total morphologically normal s***m counts in men. I recommend reviewing the Environmental Working Group's “Dirty Dozen” and buying organic fruits and veggies; the “Clean Fifteen” list, or any fruits and veggies you can peel, is okay to buy non-organic.

Be on the lookout for parts 2 & 3 up next! 👀

The decision to embark on growing a family is an exciting time in a woman’s life. 🤰I’m always thrilled when women come t...
04/08/2026

The decision to embark on growing a family is an exciting time in a woman’s life. 🤰

I’m always thrilled when women come to see me to inquire about how to be proactive in preparing their bodies for a healthy pregnancy. Let's address a common question I receive: “What are the best foods to eat to support my fertility status and hormones?”

🗣️ For many women, speaking to their family doctors often results in the following advice:

“Take a prenatal multivitamin with folic acid,” and “just start trying.” Understandably, women like you want more information to feel empowered in supporting your own health, as well as that of your partner and future child. I love supporting women who thirst for information and Mother Nature’s wisdom! 🌿

To make matters slightly more challenging, the available research on what or how to eat for fertility is, at best, vague. I developed what I call “The Fertility Diet” based on the best available research and nutrient requirements for pregnancy while also honouring traditional Eastern medical wisdom.

In my next posts, I’ll share guidelines on what to focus on eating—and what foods you may want to avoid. ✅🚫

Stay tuned!

⚠️ I advise that women see their Naturopathic Physician for basic blood testing and health evaluation to better guide specific nutrient and dietary recommendations for their unique bodies.

🤤 All the flavour of tangy, spicy kimchi combined with comforting fried rice. This plant-based take by Minimalist Baker ...
03/18/2026

🤤 All the flavour of tangy, spicy kimchi combined with comforting fried rice. This plant-based take by Minimalist Baker is simple with just 10 ingredients required.

The perfect weeknight meal or make-ahead recipe for the week.

✨ Ingredients ✨

Rice 🍚
* 12 cups water (yes, we really do mean 12 cups — the rice is cooked using the pasta method)
* 1 cup uncooked brown rice, rinsed thoroughly (we used short-grain, but long-grain works too // alternatively, skip cooking rice and use two cups leftover as recipe is written)

Tofu 🥣
* 14 ounces extra-firm tofu
* 1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
2 Tbsp gochujang sauce (or sub store-bought // ensure vegan/gluten-free friendly as needed)

Veggies 🧅
* 1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
* 1 medium yellow onion, diced
* 4 cloves garlic, minced
* 2 ½ cups stir fry veggies of choice (we used carrots and snap peas!), cut into bite-size pieces
* 1 Tbsp tamari or soy sauce (if not gluten-free)
* 1 cup kimchi , chopped into bite-size pieces (or sub store-bought // ensure vegan-friendly as needed)
* 1 Tbsp kimchi juice (from a jar of kimchi // ensure vegan-friendly as needed)

Fried Rice 🍚🔥
* 1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
* 1 Tbsp tamari (or soy sauce if not gluten-free)
* 2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh ginger
* 2 cups cooked, cooled brown rice (leftovers or rice cooked per Step 1)
* 1/4 cup gochujang sauce (or sub store-bought // ensure vegan/gluten-free friendly as needed)

Images and recipe courtesy of Minimalist Baker

https://minimalistbaker.com/kimchi-fried-rice-plant-based/

Endometriosis symptoms rely on the cyclic production of hormones; therefore, hormone therapy is often a first-line treat...
03/16/2026

Endometriosis symptoms rely on the cyclic production of hormones; therefore, hormone therapy is often a first-line treatment for patients.

🌟 For example, the birth control pill, progestogen agents (synthetic progesterone), Danazol, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues are mainstay options. Many women are given pain medication such as NSAIDS (ex. ibuprofen) or stronger pain medications along with hormone therapy. If these aren’t sufficient, then surgery is another option.

Some surgeries involve removing just the endometriosis tissue; others are more extreme and may involve removing the uterus and/or ovaries altogether. Depending on the case, the type of surgery performed, and the surgeon’s skill, it may or may not work in the long term.

Unfortunately, many women experience a return of symptoms months or years later. 😔

The most effective type of surgery involves the expert excision of endometriosis tissue, performed only by a highly trained medical specialist. 🩺

The cause of endometriosis is poorly understood and highly debated. 🤔🩺Several different theories exist as to why it occu...
03/13/2026

The cause of endometriosis is poorly understood and highly debated. 🤔🩺

Several different theories exist as to why it occurs. Here are a few of them [swipe through to see]. 👉

Stay tuned as I dive into the medical treatment of endometriosis next.

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#319/1277 Lynn Valley Road
North Vancouver, BC
V7J2A1

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 12pm - 8pm

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