Dr. Suzette Spencer

09/23/2024

Spruce Needle is a friendly acupuncture clinic located in the Fairbanks Family Wellness Suite in west Fairbanks.

08/27/2024

Join me in making an essential oil inhaler for the office!
This is one of the things we do together in the group I lead at Turning Point Counseling. I love the benefits of oils, but I don’t diffuse at the office because many people react poorly to scents. These inhalers are great- you can open the top and breath in then reseal it and they stay potent for months.

My favorite combo for the office is clary sage and rosemary- to help me center myself and focus between patients.

All of the materials can be purchased locally at sunshine health foods. Let me know if you find a good combo!!

08/26/2024

Update- the scheduling should be working again. Please let us know if you have further issues!

Online scheduling glitch! Patients have brought to our attention that booking from the patient portal isn't working as of late last week. You can still book by visiting fairbanksfamilywellness.com or by calling or texting 907-479-2331
Thanks for your patience while our EHR provider works on the issue!

08/25/2024

✨✨Blackcurrants are ready! ✨✨
We planted these last year and they have done really well. Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) has a very high amount of polyphenols compared to other plants which leads to its use as an antioxidant and anti inflammatory.
We tried picking them a few weeks ago and they were too bitter. Today I tried again and they are perfectly bittersweet 😋

08/25/2024

Grilled sockeye for dinner tonight! This was our first year dipnetting in Chitina and it was AMAZING. So much fun and everyone was very friendly and helpful. I already can’t wait for next year.

07/24/2024

Big changes coming at the clinic!

**Starting August 15th we will no longer be billing insurance. We will provide you a superbill for you to submit to your insurance for reimbursement.

**You can now book your appointments online at fairbanksfamilywellness.com

02/21/2024

PFAS is a major issue impacting us in Fairbanks. I recently had a whole house water filter installed and I've been very happy with it. How are you filtering your water here in Fairbanks and North Pole?

Researchers have been asking whether man-made chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) impair bone development in adolescence and predispose adults to osteoporosis.

02/02/2024

Are you feeling brave?? 🤧🌶️

Free to good home…if you are feeling brave or desperate we got accidentally sent xlear spray with capsicum (hot pepper) in it!! I can’t in good conscience prescribe that to anyone, but if you want it, come in and grab it. We have three!!

02/01/2024

Have you had your homocysteine levels tested as part of your comprehensive cardiovascular screening?

More on modifiable risk factors for science…Wednesday 🤓

You probably already know about modifiable risk factors that prevent heart disease, cancer, and dementia such as exercise and not drinking and not smoking.

Have you heard of homocysteine? 👀

Homocysteine is a risk factor for heart disease, cancer, and dementia that is related to folic acid metabolism. Homocysteine is modifiable with the addition of appropriate b vitamins. It is part of the cardio IQ panel or can be checked all by itself in your lab work when you come in for your annual lab check.

01/26/2024

Todays high antioxidant salad is dedicated to our delightful -40F weather ❄️❄️❄️🥶
Raw veggies just didn’t sound good so I went with this roasted masterpiece.

Chop cabbage, beets, red bell pepper, sweet potato, and carrot. Toss with olive oil and add salt and turmeric to taste. Roast at 400 for about 35 minutes

Dressing
2/3 C cashews
1/2 C water
splash of liquid aminos
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Garlic clove
Small handful of cilantro
Blend all ingredients until smooth. Be tempted to eat it all with a spoon because it’s that good. Save some for the salad.

Enjoy!

01/24/2024

"Those with favorable or average lifestyle were respectively almost 90% and 30% less likely to develop dementia or MCI, compared to those with an unfavorable lifestyle."
More good new for those modifiable risk factors Dr. Amy Williamson!
The healthy lifestyle habits they looked at were:
Healthy diet
Exercise
Avoiding smoking
Avoiding alcohol
Social contact
Cognitive activities (games, playing an instrument, writing, etc)

This study found that six healthy lifestyle factors slowed memory decline in older adults over a 10-year period, regardless of whether they were APOE4 carriers.