Dr. Michelle Dillon

07/24/2025

Update on Probiotic Safety 👇

Most people assume that if something is “natural” then it’s safe.

I recommend a lot of natural products and supplements to my clients—but only with specific intention and caution because here’s the thing:

Even natural products can be dangerous if:

X Taken by the wrong person
X Taken for the wrong reason
X Mixed with medications that interact
X Contaminated with potential toxins

To give you an example, The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) just released an update on probiotic safety, saying:

✅ Probiotics should be used with extra caution in newborns, pregnancy, short-bowel syndrome, and people who are immunocompromised.
✅ Probiotic supplements should be tested for purity, potency, and potential contaminants.

I believe that if a natural product has the potential to do good (as in—to actually improve a person’s health) then it also has the potential to do harm. We can’t have one without the other!

One thing I do to keep my clients safe is to recommend products that meet the highest quality standards, such as using the most effective ingredients and third-party testing for purity.

Let’s respect natural products for the powerful therapeutics they are.

Schedule an appointment today! www.charlottenaturalwellness.com

07/22/2025

Have ONE minute for an energy boost?

Stop the scroll and try ⭐Belly Breathing⭐

Lots of people don’t even realize their breaths are short and shallow. It’s how we breathe when we’re anxious, but for some it becomes a pattern. Shallow breathing decreases oxygen to the brain and can make you feel tired and distracted.

For a quick energy boost, try taking one minute for intentional belly breathing:

1️⃣ Inhale through your nose for a count of 4. Make sure your belly expands rather than your chest.

2️⃣ Exhale through your mouth for a count of 4.

3️⃣ Repeat for one minute.

Taking action to improve your health and feel better does not need to be hard! Even one minute makes a difference.

Schedule - Today for a Discovery Call -

07/18/2025

How to use reishi for better energy…

Reishi is also called the “mushroom of immortality” because of its use in Asian traditions to promote longevity.

It’s an adaptogen, which means it has a balancing effect on the hormones and improves the body’s resilience to stress.

Reishi’s benefits include:

✅ High in Antioxidants
✅ Supports Mitochondrial Function
✅ Helps with Blood Sugar Regulation
✅ Balancing for Hormones, including testosterone

For anyone wanting more endurance, mental clarity, and sustained energy, reishi is a great option. It can be taken as a supplement or added as a powder into coffee or tea.

Questions about reishi? Drop them below! ⤵️

07/17/2025

07/15/2025

✨Top 3 Supplements to Optimize Energy ✨

When clients come to me feeling tired and fatigued, I never just give a supplement and call it done. ⭐Be sure to read my recent post on getting to the root cause⭐

But it’s such a common question I get from people who want more energy and clarity throughout the day that I thought I’d share some of my favorite supplements:

1️⃣ CoQ10
Coenzyme Q10 is required for energy production at the cellular level. Some of the foods highest in CoQ10 are organ meats and fatty fish, so supplements might be helpful if you don’t eat these foods.

2️⃣ Reishi
Reishi and other medicinal mushrooms are adaptogens, meaning they support the body’s energy production and resilience to stress. Reishi can be taken as pills or as a powder mixed into coffee or tea.

3️⃣ B Complex
Vitamins B1, B2, B3, and B12 are needed for many different enzyme systems to work—particularly those involved in energy metabolism.

Also remember—not all supplements are created equal! Some have fillers, additives, and artificial colors. Others use cheaper and lower quality forms. It’s best to purchase from manufacturers you know you can trust.

Call today! 704-543-5540 or schedule on our website- www.CharlotteNaturalWellness.com

07/13/2025

✨5 Anytime Energy Boosters✨

Caffeine and sugar are not the only ways to get a quick jolt of energy. Here are 5 BETTER ways to give yourself a natural pick-me-up:

1️⃣ Move
Movement is one of the best ways to get your circulation going and energy up! Walk around the block, do jumping jacks, or simply stand up for a few minutes and shake out your limbs.

2️⃣ Breathe
Your cells need oxygen to generate energy! Sometimes we hold our breath without even knowing it, so if you’re feeling drained, pause to take a few deep energizing breaths.

3️⃣ Cold Water Splash
If you have access to a sink (and are not wearing makeup), splashing cold water on your face can give you a quick burst of energy.

4️⃣ Hydrate
Your cells also need water to function at their best and generate energy. Being just 2% hydrated can impair your ability to concentrate and focus. Keep water on hand all day, and take some big gulps if starting to drag.

5️⃣ Eat a Snack
Blood sugar swings can be a big cause of fatigue. Rather than get to the point of craving a sweet snack, stay ahead of your energy by eating balanced, whole-food meals.

These may be “quick fix” energy boosts, but if you make them a part of your routine, you could start to feel calmer, happier, and more energized every day.

And remember—getting to the root cause of tiredness and fatigue can take some detective work. That’s what we do in functional medicine.

Call Today for a Free Discovery Call!!

07/10/2025

⬇️ Why am I so tired? ⬇️

Clients come to me because of weight gain, hormonal changes, or digestive problems, but the vast majority also struggle with FATIGUE.

Let’s assume a good doctor has already ruled out the most common medical causes of fatigue—like anemia, hypothyroid, rheumatoid arthritis, or diabetes.

Now let’s assume the fatigue is still there.

Here are 10 lesser-known causes of fatigue I look for as a functional medicine practitioner:

1️⃣ Medication Side Effects
Blood pressure medications, statins, antidepressants, antihistamines, and proton pump inhibitors can all cause fatigue.

2️⃣ Micronutrient Deficiencies
Nutrients needed for energy production include vitamin B12 and other B vitamins, iron, magnesium, and vitamin D.

3️⃣ Mitochondrial Function
Mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell, but they can become damaged by things like pollutants, environmental toxins, infections, medications, or nutrient deficiencies.

4️⃣ “Burnout”
What some call “adrenal fatigue” is more specifically a dysregulation of the HPA axis. It happens when chronic stress exhausts both the adrenal glands and the nervous system.

5️⃣ Stealth Infections
Lyme disease, EBV, fungal infections, or mold disrupt the immune system and contribute to fatigue.

6️⃣ Gut Problems
SIBO, IBS, and other digestive issues interfere with the absorption of nutrients needed for energy.

7️⃣ Hormones
Cortisol, DHEA, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid hormone all affect energy.

8️⃣ Over-Exercising
Both too much and too little exercise can leave the body feeling drained and exhausted.

9️⃣ Over-Drinking
Caffeine, sugary drinks, and alcohol put a strain on the nervous system and hormones.

🔟 Emotional Stress
Everything from anxiety to depression to just plain boredom can cause fatigue.

The point is that “fatigue” does not have one clear cause. We need to do the detective work to find the source in each beautifully unique individual.

Call today for a Discovery Call to get started!
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07/07/2025

🥱 Is it normal to be tired all the time?

Here are some things I often hear from new clients coming to me for help with functional medicine:

➡️ Some battle the snooze button every morning, only to drag themselves out of bed with their mind set on one thing—coffee.

➡️ Others crash in the afternoon with brain fog and trouble concentrating, pushing through until they can go home to their couch.

➡️ Most know they’d feel better with more exercise and healthier foods but can’t find the motivation to do it.

Fatigue is so common that it can seem to be the norm.

❌ But it’s not normal ❌

Follow along because I’m about to unpack a series of posts on what might be causing fatigue and what you can do to regain your energy 🙌

07/02/2025

🦉 Any night-owl guys out there?

If you think you don’t need sleep 😴, you’re fooling yourself.

Here’s a partial list of ways that sleep affects men’s health & hormones:

✔️ Good sleep is needed for the release of growth hormone, which is needed to build muscle, decrease body fat, and maintain brain health.

✔️ A study of more than 2000 men in the United States found impaired sleep to be linked to lower testosterone levels.

✔️ Sleeping less than 5 hours per night has been linked to a 10% - 15% decrease in testosterone levels.

✔️ Sleep is essential for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels and maintaining a healthy weight.

I know that sleep is a real challenge for some people (we have strategies to fix that!), but if cutting your sleep short is a conscious choice you are making, you might want to reconsider.

Schedule a Discovery Call today! www.CharlotteNaturalWellness.com

06/30/2025

Should men take fish oils?

Hormonal imbalances in men can cause problems that range from infertility to low libido to weight gain or mood changes. So, can fish oils help?

Fish oils provide omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA and EPA. Here are some ways they interact with men’s health and hormones:

🐠 Fish oils support testicular health (including s***m count and free testosterone levels) in young healthy men.

🐠 Fish oils increase testosterone levels and improve insulin resistance in overweight and obese men.

🐠 Fish oils help to lower triglyceride levels, which are commonly elevated in metabolic syndrome and pre-diabetes.

We always take into consideration individual differences when recommending supplements to our patients. We’re here to help you make sense of your natural healthcare options—including the wild world of supplements.

Schedule today! www.CharlotteNaturalwellness.com

06/27/2025

🍭🍭8,601 plus Studies on SUGAR!!

That’s how many articles were rounded up in the latest compilation of sugar studies, and even though we all *know* sugar is bad for us…

The average person in the US consumes 17 teaspoons of sugar per day anyway 🍩🍪🍧

This latest analysis shows that sugar is generally harmful—in relation to hormonal health, metabolism, heart health, dental health, allergies, and more.

Even though US guidelines allow for 12 teaspoons of added sugar per day (10% of calories), this latest analysis recommends to:

❌ Limit added sugars to 25 grams per day (about 6 teaspoons)
❌ Limit sweetened beverages to less than 1 serving per week

Do you know how many teaspoons of sugar are in a typical can of soda? Drop your guess in the comments ⤵️