Dr. Kristi Graham, ND, IBCLC

10/02/2025

With some new faces around here, we thought it was the perfect time to reintroduce ourselves and share our vision.

Healthy Foundations began with a simple belief: that by providing the right tools and guidance, we could empower people in our community to feel their best. While that remains at our core, over time our focus has shifted.

Through countless conversations with women of all ages, we’ve learned something important: women’s health has not received the attention, research, or care it deserves. And we knew it was time for a change.

Today, Healthy Foundations has grown into a team of naturopathic doctors dedicated to women’s health supporting everything from period health, PCOS, and endometriosis, to fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and beyond.

Our team is passionate about evidence-based medicine, and about listening, supporting, and guiding women through every stage of life. 💛

With love, the HFNC team

09/24/2025

07/30/2025

This is pretty neat, cholesterol & menopause ….what is the link;

Around menopause, starting about a year before and continuing a year after, your body’s ability to handles cholesterol changes. This is mainly due to the natural drop in estrogen, which plays a huge role in keeping your heart healthy.

Here’s what science shows:
• LDL cholesterol goes up.
• Total cholesterol and ApoB levels increase, meaning more potentially harmful cholesterol particles in your bloodstream.
• HDL cholesterol may not decrease in amount, but it can become less protective, sometimes even turning less friendly to your arteries.

BUT here’s the empowering truth: knowing this gives you power.

This phase is a crucial window to take intentional steps, through nourishing foods, movement that feels good, stress management, and medical care…to protect your heart and thrive 💛.

Menopause is a transition, not a setback. Your heart health matters now more than ever, and with the right support, you can embrace this stage with strength and vitality.

06/25/2025

We’re excited to introduce our Perimenopause & Menopause Guide — a free resource to help you understand what’s happening in your body—and why—so you can move through this stage with knowledge.

Whether you’re noticing changes or just want to be prepared, this guide offers evidence-based info and practical tips to support you every step of the way.

👉 Grab your free copy here: https://golden-forest-25236.myflodesk.com/fyepgjxg8b

06/12/2025

05/16/2025

04/15/2025

🧠 Estrogen + Your Brain in Perimenopause & Menopause

Estrogen plays a major role in brain health — and during perimenopause and menopause, as levels begin to fluctuate and decline, the brain can really feel the shift.

Here’s how it can show up;

1️⃣ Mood changes
Estrogen supports the production of key neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. When estrogen drops, mood changes like anxiety, irritability, or low mood can become more noticeable.

2️⃣ Brain fog + forgetfulness
Estrogen enhances memory, learning, and verbal recall. Without that support, you might find it harder to concentrate or feel mentally “foggy.”

3️⃣ Sleep issues + hot flashes
Estrogen helps regulate your internal thermostat and circadian rhythms. This is why sleep disturbances, night sweats, or temperature swings often increase during this transition.

4️⃣ Stress sensitivity
Estrogen helps regulate the HPA axis (your stress response system). Lower levels can leave you feeling more overwhelmed or reactive to stress.

5️⃣ Neuroprotection
Estrogen supports blood flow, reduces inflammation, and promotes neuron health — offering long-term benefits for cognitive function.

✨ The takeaway: If you’re feeling off, forgetful, or just not yourself — you’re not alone, and you’re not imagining it.

These shifts are real. And there’s support available to help you feel clearer, calmer, and more like you again.

04/04/2025

We are so excited to bring the M Factor to Peterborough!