Charlotte Natural Wellness

08/05/2025

Do you believe these myths about PCOS? ⤵️

PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, but the name does not tell the whole story. It’s one of the most common conditions to affect the menstrual cycle and reproductive health, yet it’s also frequently misunderstood and misdiagnosed.

I’ll be doing a series of posts on PCOS, but first let’s clear up some common misconceptions about this condition:

Myth 1️⃣: Everyone with PCOS has ovarian cysts.

Nope. It’s possible to have PCOS with no ovarian cysts, and it’s possible to have ovarian cysts without PCOS. To be diagnosed with PCOS, a person only needs to meet 2 out of 3 conditions: ovarian cysts, irregular periods, or testosterone excess.

Myth 2️⃣: Everyone with PCOS should take the birth control pill.

Nope. The pill is commonly prescribed to women with PCOS, but it is far from the only option and does not address the whole picture. Whole-body strategies that rely on nutrition, lifestyle, and stress management can also be powerful ways to manage PCOS.

Myth 3️⃣: Everyone with PCOS is overweight.

Nope. While it’s true that PCOS causes many women to gain weight, this is not an absolute. Also, weight loss becomes easier when we address the deeper metabolic patterns of PCOS, like changes in cortisol and insulin resistance.

Myth 4️⃣: You can’t get pregnant with PCOS.

Wrong. Even though PCOS is a common cause of infertility, it does not mean that pregnancy is impossible—particularly if you work to support your hormones and reproductive health through diet, lifestyle, and functional medicine.

Myth 5️⃣: PCOS will go away at menopause.

Nope. PCOS disrupts far more than the menstrual cycle. Its effects on insulin resistance, cortisol, inflammation, and weight gain continue (and may even worsen) after menopause.

Want the bottom line? ⤵️

Even though PCOS is a complex condition disrupting numerous hormones and metabolic pathways, it does not mean you need to feel bad for the rest of your life. We have an extensive set of tools in functional medicine to support hormonal and metabolic health in PCOS.

Be sure to like and save this post so you’ll see more in this series on PCOS 📌

07/29/2025

⬇️How Stress Affects PCOS ⬇️

Sometimes people with PCOS continue to struggle with symptoms even when they’re following a healthy diet, exercising, and taking supplements.

Why?

Because of stress.

On a biochemical level, the culprit is cortisol—the hormone we pump out in response to stress. Cortisol is useful in the short term (to give us energy to respond to stress) but damaging if produced too much for too long.

In PCOS, cortisol can:

❌ Worsen insulin resistance
❌ Increase testosterone even more
❌ Interfere with thyroid function
❌ Decrease progesterone even more

This last point is key. Did you know that cortisol is made in part from progesterone? That means that stress actually steals progesterone to make cortisol. Since progesterone is already low in PCOS, this can make things worse.

It may seem like a small and insignificant thing, but managing stress is an extremely important part of feeling good and thriving despite a diagnosis of PCOS. Small habits every day add up to make a big difference. Things like:

✅ Getting enough sleep
✅ Moving your body
✅ Drinking plenty of water
✅ Taking time to relax

If you’ve missed my recent posts about PCOS myths, facts, and metabolism, be sure to check those out. I have one last post coming your way—all about key foods to avoid.

07/26/2025

Important Research!! ⤵️

👉👉 Even if you sleep the exact same number of hours, eating junk food during the day can affect the QUALITY of your sleep—making sleep more shallow and less restorative.

Let’s back up 🚙

Sleep consists of different stages with different functions. Deep sleep, for example, regulates hormonal release. Each sleep stage is also marked by specific electrical activity in the brain.

A study in the journal, Obesity, looked at what happened to sleep quality (measured in a sleep laboratory) when healthy young men ate nutritious meals vs. junk food. Here’s what they found:

🔹 Participants slept the same number of hours, regardless of which diet they consumed.
🔹 They also spent the same amount of time in each of the sleep stages.
🔹 But slow-wave brain activity (a measurement of how restorative deep sleep is) was less in those who ate the junk food.

This means that the junk food resulted in sleep that was less deep—similar to what happens with aging and insomnia.

Why should you care about restorative sleep?

Because it’s essential for…

💫 Graceful Aging
💃 Balanced Hormones
🔥 Healthy Metabolism
🧠 Brain Function, Mood, & More!

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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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