Linda Verjus Nutritional Therapist

16/09/2025

That's why we don't just address one hormonal system in isolation. We honor the hierarchy and support the WHOLE system. If the upstream hormones are in chaos, we can expect the downstream to follow suit.

Here’s how I might structure care as a functional medicine practitioner so we’re fixing the foundation before fiddling with the fixtures.

1) Rebuild the clock (2–4 weeks).

Aim for a consistent sleep window (e.g., 10:30 pm–6:30 am), anchored by morning outdoor light and dimmer evenings.
Keep caffeine to the first half of the day; front-load calories earlier. These steps improve insulin sensitivity and stabilize cortisol rhythms.

2) Tame the HPA axis- stress system (ongoing).
Daily 6–10 minutes of slow breathing or prayer + breath (physiologically lowers sympathetic tone).
Resistance training 2–4x weekly; walking after meals.
If using glucocorticoids, coordinate with your prescriber to monitor glucose; we have evidence-based strategies to mitigate steroid-induced dysglycemia.

3) Stabilize glucose and insulin.

Build meals around protein + fiber + healthy fats + colorful plants; keep refined starches as accents.
Try a daylight-aligned eating window on most days (not perfection, but pattern). These rhythms normalize peripheral clocks and improve metabolic markers.

4) Support thyroid signaling by context, not just TSH.
Ensure selenium, iodine, iron, and B-vitamins are sufficient from food or supplements if deficient.
Address inflammation, sleep debt, and caloric insufficiency that can skew deiodinase activity.

5) Then optimize s*x hormones.
Once the clock, stress, thyroid, and insulin are steady, fine-tune estrogen, progesterone, testosterone with lifestyle or medications if indicated. In PCOS, treat insulin resistance first; in hypothalamic amenorrhea, restore energy availability; in perimenopause, layer upstream work alongside any hormone therapy for better outcomes.

If you suspect that your hormones are out of balance, schedule your free consultation to get on the path back toward health and optimal rhythm.

02/09/2025

There's an order in which we need to address the disorder!

As a functional medicine practitioner, I’m often asked to “balance hormones.” What most people mean is estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone.

But here’s the truth we must work from: those s*x hormones live downstream of other master hormone regulators. If we don’t stabilize stress physiology, circadian rhythm, thyroid signaling, and insulin dynamics first, chasing s*x hormones is like remodeling the kitchen while the foundation is cracking.

The graphic shows what hormones in tier 1 we'd evaluate and address before tackling tier 3.

Stick around. I'll post more about hormonal hierarchy this month.

19/05/2025

08/10/2024

I’ve added another certification to my toolkit—I’m now a Certified Functional Medicine Health Consultant! 🎉

This certification is the result of a rigorous program designed to equip healthcare professionals with advanced knowledge in the field of functional medicine. With this training, I’ve gained practical skills and integrative approaches to tackle complex health issues using innovative, evidence-based, and personalized care strategies.

I can’t wait to use what I’ve learned to support you on your journey to optimal health and wellness through functional medicine!

If you want to know anything more about my holistic approach or how I can help you, click the link in my bio to head over to my website!

28/08/2024

After dealing with chronic fatigue, you want a straightforward plan to restore your energy levels, right?! Keep reading…

Understanding the connection between chronic fatigue, mitochondrial health, and gut health opens up new possibilities for treatment and management. By making simple changes—like incorporating antioxidant-rich foods, adding probiotics and prebiotics, staying hydrated, and managing stress—you can start to restore balance and vitality.

Here are some strategies that may help:

1. Dietary Changes: Incorporating antioxidant-rich foods like berries, nuts, and leafy greens can protect mitochondria and support energy production. A gut-friendly diet with fiber-rich foods and fermented options like yogurt and kimchi is also essential.

2. Probiotics & Prebiotics: Introducing beneficial bacteria through probiotics and feeding them with prebiotic fibers can restore balance to your gut microbiome.

3. Targeted Supplementation: Supplements like Coenzyme Q10 and L-carnitine may improve mitochondrial function and reduce fatigue, but always consult a healthcare professional first.

4. Reduce Inflammatory Foods: Cutting out processed foods, refined sugars, and unhealthy fats can lower inflammation and support gut health.

5. Stay Hydrated: Drinking enough water is crucial for digestion and maintaining gut integrity.

6. Regular Exercise: Low-intensity activities like walking or yoga can enhance mitochondrial function and gradually reduce fatigue.

7. Stress Management: Managing stress with mindfulness, deep breathing, and adequate sleep supports both mitochondrial health and a balanced gut.

Let’s work together to create a personalized plan that addresses your unique needs. Schedule your FREE discovery call today by clicking the link in my bio. Don’t wait!

20/08/2024

It can be discouraging to hear that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) doesn’t have a definite cause, but it is encouraging to know that research into the link between mitochondrial health and CFS has shown promise!🤩

Delving into ATP's role highlights the connection between mitochondrial dysfunction and CFS. When our mitochondria aren’t working properly, they produce less ATP, our body’s main energy source. This energy deficit manifests as the persistent and overwhelming fatigue that defines CFS.

Understanding this link is crucial for developing better approaches to this condition. Along with gut health, I aim to use functional medicine to best help those with CFS!🙌🏼

14/08/2024

Living with CFS can be an invisible struggle, impacting people of any age, gender, or ethnicity. 🫥

Due to the lack of a specific test, diagnosing CFS can be tricky. Those affected might look fine on the outside but experience profound limitations in their daily activities.

However, there is hope! Through functional medicine, there are various approaches to finding relief from CFS symptoms.

Follow along to stay updated on CFS information and my specific approach through functional medicine!

07/08/2024

Research has identified links between chronic fatigue and both mitochondrial health and gut health. Healthy mitochondria are crucial for optimal energy, as low ATP levels can leave you feeling depleted. Improving mitochondrial function can boost your energy levels.

The gut microbiome, a community of trillions of microorganisms, plays a vital role in digestion, immune regulation, and nutrient production. An imbalance in the gut microbiome, known as gut dysbiosis, has been linked to chronic fatigue syndrome.

So, how do you work on your mitochondrial health and gut health? Great question. Learn more by reading my blog on my website, where you can get more background on chronic fatigue and find tips on managing symptoms through functional medicine. Visit the link in my bio! 🌿

25/07/2024

There is an undeniable connection between your brain and gut! (I talk even more about this connection in some earlier posts- go check those out for more info).

Key factors include:
1. Chemicals and hormones made in the gut
2. The types of bacteria living in the gut
3. The gut lining acting as a barrier

This connection can potentially answer some questions when there are breakdowns in our health and even help to point us in the right direction when it comes to bringing healing for those breakdowns!

For those with traumatic brain injury (TBI), gut damage can lead to brain inflammation and contribute to brain diseases like Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). Understanding and treating gut health is essential for improving life quality post-TBI.

If you are working through symptoms of a past TBI, please scheudle a FREE discovery call with me to talk through a specific course of action we could take in your healing journey. Link in bio for my website to schedule 🙌🏼

18/07/2024

If you’ve been following along, I’ve talked about traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and their impact on someone’s life in the immediate and into the future. My last post talked about how functional medicine can be an effective approach to work towards healing.

But let’s get practical- how does my approach using functional medicine ACTUALLY play out?

1. Diet & Nutrition: Proper nutrition is crucial for brain health. Functional medicine emphasizes the importance of a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and other nutrients that support neuronal function, decrease oxidative stress and reduce inflammation. Diet will also play a huge factor in mitochondrial function.

2. Nutritional Supplements: In addition to dietary changes, functional medicine practitioners may recommend specific supplements to address deficiencies, support detoxification and support brain health. Common supplements for TBI include omega-3 fatty acids, curcumin, magnesium, and B vitamins, all of which have been shown to have neuroprotective effects.

3. Lifestyle Modifications: Regular physical activity, adequate sleep, and stress management are critical components of a functional medicine approach to TBI. Exercise has been shown to promote neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new neural connections, which is essential for recovery.

4. Integrative Therapies: Functional medicine often incorporates integrative therapies such as acupuncture, massage, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).

5. Gut Health: Research suggests a strong connection between gut health and brain function, often referred to as the gut-brain axis. Functional medicine practitioners may focus on improving gut health through probiotics, prebiotics, and dietary changes to support overall brain health.

6. Detoxification: Exposure to environmental toxins can exacerbate the symptoms of TBI. Functional medicine may include detoxification protocols to reduce the burden of toxins on the body and support the healing process.

My approach is a multi-faceted approach to a multi-faceted condition!

Read through my BLOG for more information (link in bio to website to find blog)🙌🏼