Jacksonville IL Wellness

11/19/2025

Did you know that your nervous system sends clear signals when it’s under strain? Irritability, short temper, or that feeling of being “on edge” are often the first indicators of dysregulation, frequently driven by blood sugar instability.

I love this post by .holistic.psychologist - it’s a perfect example of food as medicine and the profound connection between metabolic health and nervous system regulation.

When your blood glucose drops rapidly or fluctuates dramatically, your body releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline to compensate. This triggers your sympathetic nervous system (your fight-or-flight response) which manifests as irritability, anxiety, or emotional reactivity.

Here’s how to reset:

🥩 Eat protein or healthy fats to slow glucose absorption and prevent the spike-and-crash cycle that keeps your nervous system in overdrive

🚶🏼Take a brisk walk to activate your parasympathetic nervous system (rest-and-digest), improve insulin sensitivity, and help clear stress hormones from your bloodstream

Your nervous system can actively regulate through nutrition, movement, and metabolic awareness.

Pay attention to your body’s early warning signals, and you’ll prevent the downstream effects of chronic dysregulation: inflammation, poor sleep, weakened immunity, and metabolic dysfunction.

11/18/2025

When estradiol levels drop during menopause, it doesn’t just affect mood or metabolism. It also impacts the brain.

Research shows that low estradiol triggers immune activity in the brain that can lead to the loss of connections between neurons.

That’s one reason I’m a strong supporter of women in menopause using bioidentical estradiol along with progesterone to help balance their hormones and protect brain health.

I’ll be diving deeper into this topic in my new book Brain Defenders.

Be the first to know once it’s available for preorder: https://drperlmutter.com/books/brain-defenders/

11/16/2025

Today November 10th marks a historic day in midlife womens health!

11/16/2025

11/14/2025

Bone broth isn’t just a warm, comforting drink , it’s a powerful source of nutrients that support your body from the inside out. Studies show that bone broth provides up to 92% of the amino acids your body needs to produce collagen, a protein essential for healthy skin, joints, and the digestive system.

Collagen plays a vital role in maintaining the strength and flexibility of the gut lining. When the gut lining is damaged or inflamed, it can lead to issues like leaky gut, digestive discomfort, and reduced nutrient absorption. Amino acids from bone broth, including glycine, proline, and glutamine, help repair and rebuild these tissues, restoring balance and promoting long-term digestive health.

Regular consumption of bone broth can also support joint health, improve skin elasticity, and even boost immunity. It’s a natural way to supply the body with the building blocks it needs for repair and resilience.
Including bone broth in your diet , whether as a warm drink, soup base, or cooking ingredient , is a simple yet effective way to nourish your gut and strengthen your body naturally.

11/10/2025

Have you ever tried a new food just for the sake of mixing things up or does your grocery cart look pretty similar each week?

Here’s something the diet industry rarely tells us: long-term health isn’t built on perfection, willpower, or restriction. It’s built on quality and variety, yes, dietary diversity!

Research shows that higher dietary diversity is linked to lower risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and even early death. The more unique foods you regularly eat, across all food families, the stronger your protection.

And it’s not your fault if your plate has gotten less diverse over time. Convenience foods, busy schedules, food marketing, and decades of confusing diet advice all work against variety. But every new whole food you add makes a difference. One large study found that every extra 10 unique whole foods per year cut all-cause mortality by 10%.

Adding a new type of fish, leafy green, grain, nut, or spice to your rotation is actively lowering your risk for the most common chronic diseases.

11/09/2025