Castro Integrative Medicine of Charlottesville

11/24/2025

We’re closing early on Wednesday and will be closed Thursday and Friday so our team can enjoy the holiday with their loved ones.�We’ll reopen next week with regular hours.

11/21/2025

⭐️ Early Black Friday at Castro Integrative Medicine ⭐️

Mark your calendar: This offer opens Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 9 AM.

This Black Friday, invest in something that lasts - your health.

💥 EBOO IV Special
1 for $1,000 ($500 off)

EBOO (Extracorporeal Blood Oxygenation and Ozonation) is one of the most advanced detoxification and oxygenation therapies available today. It filters and oxygenates your blood to remove toxins, decrease inflammation, and support mitochondrial repair and deep cellular rejuvenation. It’s like a complete system reset for energy, immune strength, and longevity.

🎁 Bonus for the first 10 sign-ups:
Receive a FREE Phosphatidylcholine (PC) + Glutathione IV Push ($250+ value).

Phosphatidylcholine helps rebuild and strengthen your cell membranes, allowing nutrients in and toxins out, while Glutathione supports detoxification and protects your cells from oxidative stress. Together, they enhance brain function, liver health, and cellular energy for deep repair and renewal.

🗓️ Purchase Window:
Available to purchase Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 9 AM through Wednesday, Nov. 26 at 12 PM.
Once purchased, it can be used anytime through December 31, 2026.

✨ This cutting-edge therapy is available right here at Castro Integrative Medicine.

Black Friday pricing is available exclusively during the purchase window.

Give your body the reset it deserves this season. Call starting Tuesday morning to reserve your spot: 434-956-4100.

11/20/2025

Our Early Black Friday special will be announced tomorrow morning. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to invest in your health, this may be the perfect time.

Details drop first thing in the morning!

11/19/2025

Two recent studies have raised important questions about how the body responds after COVID vaccination - especially regarding clotting activity, even when people had no symptoms.

Here’s what the research found:
• BaSiS “Clot Twist” Trial: About 40% of healthy adults had elevated D-dimer levels after a booster.
• Fazio et al. (2024): In a smaller group who had received four doses, around 70% showed elevated D-dimer.
• In both studies: There were no diagnosed blood clots or clinical thrombosis.

So what does an elevated D-dimer actually mean?

D-dimer is a protein fragment released when the body breaks down fibrin, the material used to form clots.

Higher levels can indicate increased clotting and clot-breakdown activity somewhere in the body - sometimes from inflammation, immune activation, infection, or microscopic clotting - even when major clots are not present.

This does not mean everyone who is vaccinated develops clotting problems. But it does mean the body is showing a biologic signal that deserves attention, especially in people who:
-feel unwell after vaccination
-have lingering symptoms
-have long COVID–type patterns
-experience unexplained fatigue, shortness of breath, or circulation issues

Identifying elevated D-dimer can help clinicians catch subtle issues early and guide appropriate follow-up testing or supportive care before problems develop.

At Castro Integrative Medicine, we use markers like D-dimer to help create a clearer picture of what’s happening in the body and to guide individualized care.

Understanding these signals is not about fear - it’s about accurate information, early detection, and proactive health decisions.
If you want clarity about your clotting or inflammatory markers, we’re here to help you get answers and next steps.

11/17/2025

Alpha-gal has been in the spotlight after the first recorded death linked to the condition. For many already living with Alpha-gal, that news felt unsettling - and understandably so.

But here’s what’s important to know:
Alpha-gal isn’t random - it’s your immune system reacting to a change triggered by a Lone Star tick bite. That shift affects how the body sees certain molecules in mammal products, leading to delayed and unpredictable symptoms.

At Castro Integrative Medicine, we treat Alpha-gal by addressing the root causes behind the overreaction - immune dysregulation, inflammation, gut disruption, and nervous system stress. Our goal is to bring the immune system back into a steadier, more regulated state.

For many of our patients, LDI Allergy has been a game changer. Using very diluted allergens, it helps retrain the immune system so it responds appropriately - not overreacting and not underreacting. It’s simple, needle-free, taken as drops under the tongue, and has zero reported cases of anaphylaxis.

We’ve seen excellent results. If Alpha-gal has changed your daily life, you’re not stuck - there are effective treatments that can help calm the immune response and get you on the path to healing.

Reach out to learn more:
📞 434-956-4100
📧 info@CIMCville.com

11/13/2025

You may have seen headlines this week claiming melatonin could increase the risk of heart failure.
Here’s what they didn’t say:

This wasn’t a peer-reviewed study.
It was just an abstract presented at a conference - meaning the methods, data, and conclusions haven’t been reviewed or verified by anyone.

Even more important: the study showed a correlation, not a cause.
Nothing in the data proves melatonin harms the heart.

And here’s the part the media left out entirely:

➡️ The countries included in this data only sell melatonin as a prescription medication.
Which means participants were not healthy people grabbing melatonin at a grocery store…
They were individuals already diagnosed with serious sleep disorders - one of the strongest predictors of heart disease on its own.

It is well established that those with cardiovascular disease who have sleep problems are at a much higher risk for serious events. When you combine that baseline risk with additional factors like sleep apnea, chronic stress, and prescription sleep medications, it becomes easy to see how the numbers get skewed long before melatonin enters the equation.

Meanwhile, decades of published research show the opposite - not harm, but benefits. Melatonin supports mitochondrial function, reduces oxidative stress, and plays a protective role in cardiovascular health when used appropriately.

So before you panic over headlines, remember:
Context matters.
Data matters.
Peer review matters.
Sensational headlines - don't.

At Castro Integrative Medicine, we look at the full picture - not fear-driven fragments - so you can make informed, confident decisions about your long-term health.

Castro Integrative Medicine of Charlottesville offers services to help you achieve optimal health. A holistic approach to treatment, from acupuncture to chiropractic care. Call us today to know more!

11/11/2025

Honoring Our Heroes

Today we pause to honor all who have served our country.

We’re especially proud of Dr. Eduardo Castro, a Vietnam War Veteran and Purple Heart recipient, whose lifelong commitment to serving others continues to inspire us.

With gratitude to every veteran - we honor your courage, sacrifice, and strength. 💙❤️🤍

11/11/2025

🌿 Meet Natalia - Marketing Director

Natalia’s passion for integrative medicine began with her own health journey. After years of dealing with chronic pain and other ongoing health challenges, she found real help through holistic treatments that reduced her pain and improved her quality of life - without medications. This experience inspired her to help others discover the same hope and relief.

💬 “What I love most about CIMC is hearing patients’ stories of life change. Not symptom management, but people who feel like they got their lives back.”

Outside of work, Natalia enjoys spending time with her family, being active in her church, and cheering on the Washington Capitals.

☕ Go-to coffee shop order: Honey Lavender Latte with Oatmilk 
💊 Favorite supplement: AMP Floracel - a gamechanger for her gut health
🙏 Favorite self-care ritual: Morning prayer, reading, and journaling
💪 Wellness habit she swears by: Staying consistent with electrolytes, protein, and movement every day
🏖️ Mountains or beach? Walking on the beach at sunrise is one of her favorite things, but she loves the mountains too
🐾 Fun facts: She loves dogs (especially her two mini dachshunds!) and is about to become an Air Force mom 💙

We’re so thankful for Natalia’s creativity, warmth, and genuine care in everything she does - from sharing patient stories to developing the content that reflects CIMC’s mission and heart for healing. 💚

11/10/2025

🌿 Meet Evan - Clinical Assistant

Evan has been passionate about integrative medicine his entire life, and it shows in the care and focus he brings to every patient.

As our Clinical Assistant, he plays an essential role in supporting our clinical team and ensuring each visit runs smoothly. Evan is dependable, knowledgeable, and has a calm, steady presence that patients and team members alike appreciate. His genuine care and professionalism make him an integral part of the CIMC experience.

💬 “What I love most is the kindness patients show every day.”

Outside of work, Evan enjoys exercising and spending time outdoors.

☀️ Favorite supplement: Vitamin D
💪 Wellness habit he swears by: 10 g of creatine the morning after a bad night’s sleep
🧘‍♂️ Favorite self-care ritual: Stretching
🏔️ He prefers: The mountains over the beach
🧗 Fun fact: Rock climbing is one of his favorite ways to stay active.

We’re so thankful to have Evan as part of our CIMC team - combining knowledge, compassion, and a true commitment to integrative health. 💚

11/07/2025

🌿 Meet Carrie - Front Desk Patient Coordinator & Assistant Business Administrator

Carrie feels fortunate to have had a front-row seat to witnessing the power of treating the whole person, seeing how functional medicine can help people reclaim their lives and find real healing.

💬 “The best part of working at CIMC is being surrounded by a rockstar team and getting to know so many different patients.”

Outside of work, Carrie loves spending time catching up and laughing with friends, and enjoying the best of our local area from theater performances to exploring favorite (and new!) restaurants, wineries, and breweries. She also never misses a chance for a competitive family game night!

☕ Go-to coffee order: Dirty Chai Latte
🥑 Wellness habit she swears by: Checking ingredients and choosing organic when possible, with a focus on healthy fats and well-sourced protein
💊 Favorite supplement: H₂ Elite (Molecular Hydrogen Tablets) - she says they give her more energy, faster recovery, and an overall sense of well-being
📚 Favorite self-care ritual: In the warmer months, she likes to unwind with a walk outside. In the cooler months, she slows down with a cozy mystery and something warm to drink.
🏔️ Mountains or beach: Beach, but she loves the mountains in the fall
🎭 Fun fact: Carrie’s part of a local improv group - it’s her favorite creative outlet

We’re deeply grateful to have Carrie on our team. Her warmth, humor, and meticulous care enrich every patient experience from the moment they walk through our doors. 💚

11/06/2025

🌿 Meet Sandy - Business Manager

Sandy first discovered her passion for integrative medicine at Mount Rogers Clinic, where she saw firsthand how many patients’ lives were changed by the treatments. That experience continues to inspire her work every day.

💬 “What I love most about CIMC is the patients and the staff.”

Outside of work, Sandy enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and expressing her creativity through photography and art.

☕ Go-to coffee order: Grande Café Latte
🚶‍♀️ Wellness habit she swears by: Walking
💊 Favorite supplement: Nuchido Time+
💡 Favorite self-care ritual: Near Infrared Light Therapy
🏖️ She prefers: The beach over the mountains
🍁 Fun facts: Autumn is her favorite season, Christmas her favorite holiday, and she loves a good power nap.

We’re so thankful to have Sandy on our team - her warmth, kindness, and steady presence make her an essential part of what makes CIMC feel like family. 💚

11/05/2025

Meet Theresa - RN, Clinical Patient Nurse

Theresa stepped into the field of functional and integrative medicine by accident while working in a holistic family medicine practice. After her own battle with chronic EBV and Lyme disease, she became a firm believer in a holistic approach to health, healing, and well-being.

💬 “What I love most about CIMC is the welcoming environment and our amazing patients.”

Outside of work, Theresa enjoys being outdoors and spending time with her animals.

☕ Go-to coffee shop order: Chai Tea Latte�
☀️ Wellness habit she swears by: Being out in the sunshine daily - "Vitamin Sun is extremely healing to my soul.”�
💊 Favorite supplement: Nuchido NAD+�
🌿 Favorite self-care ritual: Grounding, breathwork, and gratitude�
🏔️🏖️ Mountains or beach: Both - she lives in the mountains and loves to visit the beach

We’re so thankful to have Theresa as part of the CIMC team. She brings a calm presence and a genuine love for helping others that makes every patient feel seen, supported, and cared for. 💚