Sheila's Steps to Women's Wellness

05/18/2026

It’s not random that you’re craving more right now.

Your body is trying to do something.

Gluten breaks down into gliadorphin.
It interacts with the same receptors that reduce pain.

So when the body is under more load, it may reach for that pathway.
Especially in perimenopause and menopause.

The craving is a signal.

Comment 173 to get the link to the episode. 💜

05/05/2026

05/05/2026

04/26/2026

Struggling with persistent stubborn weight? It’s not about looks - it may signal insulin resistance, and you don’t have to be diabetic to experience it.

Insulin resistance happens when the cells stop responding to the insulin at normal levels. As a result, the body makes more insulin, but cells may still resist the insulin message, now causing both high insulin and high blood sugar.

What Causes Insulin Resistance? 👇
🍫 Sugar Overload: Overeating sugar and processed carbs can wear out your insulin receptors over time—like a key getting worn down.

👵 Aging: As we get older, our body’s response to insulin naturally slows down.

💊 Medications: Certain meds can interfere with insulin, including steroids and some treatments for high blood pressure and cholesterol.

👉 Why It Matters: Insulin resistance can mess with your hormones big time. It can even convert testosterone into estradiol, leading to estrogen dominance, which then feeds back into more insulin resistance. It’s a cycle that’s hard to break. 🔄

So, if you’re dealing with stubborn weight that won’t go away, it might be time to look at your sugar intake, how you’re aging, and what medications you’re taking. Your waistline (and hormones) will thank you. 🙏

04/26/2026

Did you know that about 17 percent of the global population is at risk of zinc deficiency?

People with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s are at a higher risk of nutrient deficiencies.

Zinc is especially important for gut health, immune function, tissue healing, the conversion of T4 to T3, and the production of TSH. Low levels can result in symptoms such as poor wound healing, impaired taste and smell, brittle or white-spotted nails, a weakened immune system, and more.

Check out my article to learn more about Zinc! Comment ZINCINFO below and I'll send it to you!

Do you (or does someone you know) have symptoms of zinc deficiency? Have you tried supplementing with zinc?

03/18/2026

02/15/2026

Before you count carbs or calories, focus on THIS first… 👇

Insulin resistance isn’t just about sugar — it starts when excess fat builds up inside your muscle and liver cells.

Here’s what happens:

❌ Fat blocks insulin from moving glucose into your cells.

❌ Your blood sugar rises, even if you’re eating “healthy.”

❌ Your A1C and fasting glucose stay stubbornly high.

But there’s good news: you can restore insulin sensitivity — and it starts with what you eat.

A low-fat, whole-food, plant-based diet helps clear fat from your cells, so insulin can finally do its job again. Fiber-rich foods slow digestion, stabilize blood sugar, and support your gut — all key for metabolic health.

In study after study, people who switched to this way of eating saw:

✅ Improved blood sugar and A1C — often within weeks

✅ Better insulin sensitivity

✅ More metabolic flexibility

This isn’t about restriction. It’s about restoring your body’s natural balance.

👇 Comment “GUIDE” and we’ll send you our free Starter Guide — packed with recipes and science-backed steps to lower A1C naturally and restore insulin sensitivity.

02/15/2026

01/19/2026

Did you know that symptoms we commonly associate with too much stomach acid, may actually be a result of low stomach acid?

Studies have found that people with Hashimoto’s often have hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid) or achlorhydria (lack of stomach acid). When we have low stomach acid, we may experience digestive symptoms like acid reflux! We may also be at greater risk for other undesirable health outcomes like:

- Contracting parasites from our food - Stomach acid helps us sterilize our food, killing off potential infecting pathogens.

- Food sensitivities - Proteins that are not properly broken down are more likely to induce an antigenic response from our immune system, leading to food sensitivities.

- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) - Without stomach acid, bacteria in the small intestine may grow and thrive on poorly digested proteins.

- Nutrient depletions - When we don’t break down our food well, we don’t absorb nutrients well, either. Low stomach acid can lead to deficiencies in a number of nutrients, especially calcium, iron/ferritin, and B12.

- Other annoying symptoms like bloating, feeling tired after meals, and even post-nasal drip!

The good news is that we can naturally raise levels of stomach acid and support proper digestion. We can also supplement with betaine and pepsin. Betaine is a naturally occurring amino acid derivative that can help re-acidify the stomach. Pepsin is a digestive enzyme specific to protein.

Supplementing betaine with pepsin was a game changer for me on my health journey – I finally had energy once I was properly digesting protein!

If you think you may have low stomach acid, check out my article about low stomach acid and Hashimoto’s! Comment BETAINEINFO below and I will send it straight to your inbox.

Have you (or has someone you know) tried supplementing with betaine and pepsin? I'd love to hear your experiences below!

PMID: 19533804

01/18/2026