Whole Axis Integrative Health

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Chesapeake, VA
Whole Axis Integrative Health

Dr. Dena Varela
My professional journey & dedication to the care of others spans over 2 decades.

I retired from the military after 22 years & made it my mission to be of service to those in need of specialized integrative healthcare. Welcome to a place where MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS

My professional journey and dedication to the care of others spans over two decades. Upon retiring from the military after 22 years, I made it my mission to help and ne of service to military and veteran personnel facing mental health challenges and difficult transitions to civilian life.

09/10/2025

A stool test might not be the most glamorous health topic, but it's one of the most powerful tools for uncovering what's happening inside your gut.

By analyzing a small sample, these tests can reveal how well you're digesting and absorbing nutrients, the balance of bacteria, yeast, and other microbes in your gut, and signs of inflammation or infection that may be causing symptoms.

Here are a few common types of stool tests:

Comprehensive Functional Stool Analysis - Looks at microbiome balance, digestion, inflammation, parasites, and more
F***l Calprotectin - Detects intestinal inflammation
F***l pH Test - Measures acidity to spot malabsorption or imbalance
F***l Occult Blood / FIT - Screens for hidden blood
At-Home Microbiome Tests - Offers a bacteria snapshot (best interpreted with a professional)

09/09/2025

Cortisol is the stress hormone your body produces to help you respond to challenges. Without cortisol, we wouldn't survive. It helps regulate blood sugar, inflammation, and energy. But when stress becomes chronic, cortisol can stay elevated for too long. The result?

- Afternoon energy crashes
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Increased cravings for sugar and carbs
- That stubborn "cortisol belly" that just won't budge

Over time, this constant high-alert state can drain your energy reserves, disrupt hormones, and make restful sleep feel impossible. If this sounds like you, let's work together to uncover what's driving your fatigue and bring your body back into balance, so you can wake up feeling energized and ready for your day.

09/08/2025

You've been taking it for weeks, or months, but you don't feel any different. The truth is, it's not always about the supplement itself, but whether your body can actually use it.
Supplements often "fail" for three main reasons:

1. Poor absorption - If your digestion isn't optimal (think low stomach acid, gut inflammation, or microbiome imbalances), your body may struggle to break down and absorb what you're taking.

2. Wrong form - Not all supplement forms are equal. For example, magnesium oxide is poorly absorbed compared to magnesium glycinate, and some B vitamins work best in methylated forms for those with certain genetic variations.

3. Missing cofactors - Many nutrients need partners to work properly. Vitamin D needs K2 and magnesium for full benefit. Iron works best when paired with vitamin C. Without these cofactors, your supplement might be far less effective.

Before you give up on a supplement, or keep buying one that's not helping. it's worth digging deeper. The right testing, the right form, and the right combinations can make all the difference.

09/07/2025

Your gut is always talking to you... are you listening? Here are 5 clues it may be time to look deeper:

- Persistent bloating, constipation, or diarrhea
- Blood in stool or ongoing abdominal pain
- Skin issues, mood changes, or brain fog
- Gut flare-ups after antibiotics or high stress
- You want a proactive gut health check-in

Remember: Your gut health impacts far more than digestion. A stool test is a simple, non-invasive way to check what's happening inside your digestive system, looking for signs of inflammation, infection, microbiome imbalances, poor digestion, and more.

09/06/2025

This Go-To Kale Salad is loaded with anti-inflammatory power! Dark leafy greens like kale, packed with lutein, folate, and vitamin K, pair perfectly with red grapes, which provide a boost of anthocyanins. Together, they help soothe chronic inflammation and support overall health.

Ingredients
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
8 ounces kale (1/2 large bunch), stemmed and torn (10 cups)
1 cup halved grapes
1/2 tablespoon toasted pepitas
1/4 cup crumbled Cheddar cheese

Directions
Whisk lemon juice, oil, honey, salt and pepper in a large bowl.
Add kale and massage until it's bright green and shiny and the volume is reduced by about half.
Add grapes, pepitas and Cheddar and toss to combine.

Recipe adapted from: https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/279078/massaged-kale-salad-with-grapes-cheddar/

09/05/2025

When it comes to your health, small signs can point to bigger issues. If you're experiencing any of the following, it might be time to dig deeper for personalized care.

Persistent Joint Pain or Swelling: If your joint pain lingers or moves around, or if you experience morning stiffness lasting over an hour, it could be a sign of underlying inflammation.
Chronic Dry Mouth: Dry mouth paired with dry eyes or unexplained joint pain may be linked to autoimmune conditions. Don't ignore it!
Extreme Fatigue: Feeling constantly drained, even after rest? Unexplained fatigue combined with fever or rashes could signal an overactive immune system.
Unexplained Rashes: A rash that doesn't go away, especially in unusual places like the face or scalp, might be connected to autoimmune conditions.
Numbness or Tingling in Hands or Feet: Persistent pins-and-needles sensations could be caused by nerve damage from inflammation. Early intervention is key to preventing further damage.

Your body speaks to you, don't wait to listen! We can help uncover the root cause of these symptoms and guide you toward better health.

09/04/2025

Chronic inflammation can lead to serious health issues like heart disease and diabetes. The good news? You can reduce it with simple daily habits! Here are 8 ways to lower inflammation first thing in the morning:

Drink Water - Hydrate right when you wake up to support overall health and reduce inflammation.
Move Your Body in the Morning & Stay Active - Stretch or take a light walk to get your blood flowing and keep your body moving throughout the day to reduce inflammatory markers.
Get Some Morning Light - Sunlight helps regulate your circadian rhythm, improve immunity, and reduce inflammation.
Eat Some Berries - Packed with antioxidants, berries help fight inflammation.
Make Time for Mindfulness - Reduce stress and prevent stress-induced inflammation with deep breathing or meditation.
Drink Coffee or Tea - Boost your energy and reduce inflammation with antioxidants in your favorite morning drink.
Get Enough Sleep - Prioritize consistent rest to help lower inflammation levels and support overall health.
Limit Added Sugars - Cut down on added sugars, which can trigger inflammation and affect your long-term health.

Start your day with these habits and carry the anti-inflammatory momentum throughout the day!

09/03/2025

The truth? You don't need a celiac diagnosis to react to gluten. Many people experience non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), a condition where the immune system responds to gluten, but standard celiac tests come back negative.

Gluten sensitivity can show up far beyond the gut. For some, it triggers persistent brain fog that makes it hard to focus, skin issues like eczema or rashes that resist treatment, or joint pain that feels like arthritis. Digestive symptoms may still happen, bloating, cramping, changes in bowel habits, but they aren't always the main clue.

What makes NCGS tricky is that symptoms can appear hours or even days after eating gluten. That delay makes it easy to miss the connection, and many people go years without realizing a food they eat regularly is quietly inflaming their body.

If you've tested negative for celiac disease but still deal with unexplained symptoms, an elimination and reintroduction approach, paired with the right functional testing, can help uncover whether gluten is a hidden trigger for you.

09/02/2025

If you're active, your labs should work as hard as you do. Training, running, lifting, or cycling regularly puts unique demands on your body and standard blood work often misses the subtle changes that can make or break your performance and recovery.

Taking a look deeper than basic panels can help catch imbalances early and optimize your health. For active people, this might include:

Ferritin & Iron - Low iron can mean fatigue, poor recovery, and decreased endurance.
Vitamin D - Supports bone strength, muscle function, and immunity.
Comprehensive Thyroid Panel - Ensures metabolism and recovery are on track.
Cortisol Rhythm Testing - Chronic stress or overtraining can disrupt hormone balance.
Omega-3 - Key for reducing inflammation and supporting joint health.
Blood Sugar & Insulin - Helps maintain stable energy during workouts and daily life.

These labs aren't just about spotting problems, they're about fine-tuning your health so you can train smarter, recover faster, and feel your best.

08/29/2025

Antibiotics don't just wipe out the bacteria causing infections, they also disrupt your good gut bacteria, often dramatically lowering microbial diversity.
And for many people, that diversity doesn't bounce back on its own.

Years later, this can look like:

- Persistent bloating or IBS-like symptoms
- New food sensitivities you never had before
- Skin flares or immune issues because of a less resilient gut lining
- Even mood changes, since your gut microbiome plays a huge role in making neurotransmitters like serotonin

That's why we sometimes trace chronic gut symptoms all the way back to a round (or several rounds) of antibiotics.

A healthy, balanced microbiome does more than keep digestion smooth. It protects your gut lining, trains your immune system, and even helps regulate inflammation throughout your body.

If your gut's been off ever since that "bad stomach bug" or "round of antibiotics years ago," you're not imagining it. It might be time to help restore balance, rebuild diversity, and get your gut truly thriving again. We can help!

08/28/2025

Did you know your liver clears out used up hormones? Once your body is done with estrogen, it needs to be packaged up by the liver and sent out through your gut. If your liver is sluggish, because of nutrient gaps, chronic stress, blood sugar swings, or even too many toxins to process, estrogen starts to build up.

That build up can look like:

- Heavy, clotty periods
- Tender breasts or bloating before your cycle
- Mood swings + intense PMS
- Stubborn weight that sticks around your hips + thighs

It's not just "bad luck" or "getting older." It's your body telling you it needs more support. We look at how your liver, gut, and hormones are all connected, so we can help your body process estrogen efficiently and bring things back into balance.

Want to finally get to the root of your hormone struggles? Book a consult and let's create a plan tailored to you.

08/27/2025

Is it snapping at people you care about?
Waking up at 2AM with your mind racing?
Digestive issues flaring up out of nowhere?
Craving sugar or salty snacks just to get through the day?

Your body keeps score, often showing signs of stress long before you mentally recognize it. Want to figure out exactly how stress is impacting your body and what to do about it? Send us a message or book a consult. Let's build a plan that works for you!

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Chesapeake, VA

Website

https://www.wholeaxisintegrativehealth.com/

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