Cedar Valley Functional Medicine

03/14/2026

You sleep lighter
Your patience is shorter
Your anxiety feels different
Your cycle isn't as predictable
Your body composition shifted

Because so many women experience hormonal shifts long before anyone talks about perimenopause.

Drop a hello if you've felt this and let's talk.

03/13/2026

Enjoy the LIFiNG Podcast

03/13/2026

Depression doesn't always look like staying in bed. Sometimes it looks like:

Getting everything done but feeling numb
Smiling in public and shutting down at home
Feeling exhausted even after resting
Losing interest in things you used to enjoy
Telling yourself you "shouldn't feel this way"

High-functioning depression is real. And mood isn't just about mindset. It can be influenced by inflammation, hormones, blood sugar, nutrient levels, and chronic stress.

You can be productive and still not feel well.

If you're "managing" but not thriving, that matters, and it's worth exploring why.

03/07/2026

Big shout out to our newest top fans! 💎 Dalilah Galvez, Payton Mills, Judy Doolen Owen, Jaime Davis, Jamie O'Connell, Roxy Rodriguez de Galvez, Edward Billings, Candy Hersey, Dan Fischels, Don Leohr, Sandy Hoskins

Drop a comment to welcome them to our community,

03/06/2026

Healing From the Ground Up

Recently I had the opportunity to participate in the Healing From the Ground Up Summit in Iowa, where farmers, food system leaders, and healthcare professionals came together to discuss something incredibly important:
The connection between soil health and human health.

As a Functional Medicine and Primary Care Physician, I spend my days caring for patients with chronic diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune conditions, and gut disorders. What I see again and again is not simply a shortage of medication — it is often a shortage of true nourishment at the cellular level.

The nutrients in our food begin long before the grocery store. They begin in the soil.
When soil health declines, nutrient density in food declines.
When nutrient density declines, our microbiome suffers.
When the microbiome suffers, inflammation rises — and chronic disease follows.

This week on the LIFiNG™ Podcast, I’m sharing reflections from the summit and discussing why collaboration between farmers, food systems, and healthcare professionals may be one of the most important shifts for the future of medicine.
Because food isn’t just fuel.
It’s biological information.
And the ground beneath our feet plays a powerful role in our health.

🎧 Listen to the episode: Healing From the Ground Up
https://youtu.be/qv4G78GJMvc?si=nKHz0X4r_zjZN63Y

03/04/2026

Factors like digestive health, absorption issues, chronic stress, and certain medications can all reduce nutrient availability over time. Magnesium is a common example where many individuals fall short, and it can be difficult to meet the body's needs through food alone.

Without targeted testing, nutrient deficiencies often go unnoticed. Symptoms like fatigue, muscle tension, poor sleep, or brain fog may be subtle signs of an underlying imbalance rather than isolated issues.

If you're experiencing ongoing symptoms without clear answers, comprehensive testing can help identify what your body may be missing and guide a more personalized plan.

Contact us to learn more about testing and next steps toward restoring balance and supporting your overall health.

03/03/2026

Reality: Hormonal imbalances can mimic anxiety and depression, especially in women.

Shifts in hormones like progesterone, estrogen, and thyroid hormones can directly affect neurotransmitters, energy levels, sleep, and stress tolerance. When these systems are out of balance, symptoms like feeling on edge, unmotivated, exhausted, or emotionally flat can appear.

Because these symptoms overlap, many women are treated for mood disorders without anyone first asking whether hormones, metabolism, sleep, or stress physiology are contributing.

This doesn't mean mental health support isn't important, it means the full picture matters. When hormonal health and lifestyle factors are evaluated together, it's often easier to understand why symptoms are happening and how to support the body more effectively.

If you've been treating symptoms without lasting relief, it may be time to look deeper than mood alone.

03/02/2026

Nitric oxide (NO) is a tiny molecule with a big job. It helps blood vessels relax and widen, supports healthy blood flow, regulates blood pressure, and protects the inner lining of arteries. In many ways, nitric oxide is the heart's signaling system for flexibility and resilience.

The challenge? As we age, nitric oxide production naturally declines. This can contribute to stiffer blood vessels, reduced circulation, higher cardiovascular strain, and lower exercise tolerance.

Ways to support and restore nitric oxide production:

- Move your body regularly - Physical activity stimulates nitric oxide release and improves vascular function
- Eat nitrate-rich foods - Leafy greens, beets, arugula, and celery support natural NO pathways
- Support oral health - Beneficial oral bacteria are essential for nitric oxide production
- Reduce chronic inflammation and oxidative stress - These directly impair NO signaling
- Prioritize sleep and stress regulation - Both play a role in vascular and endothelial health

Supporting NO is one of the most powerful ways to protect long-term cardiovascular function, at any age.

03/02/2026

Ladies.........
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03/01/2026

The soleus muscle, a deep calf muscle, has a unique ability to use glucose for fuel without relying heavily on insulin. Research has shown that gently activating the soleus muscle after eating (through seated or standing calf raises) can dramatically reduce post-meal blood sugar spikes, by up to 50% in some study conditions.

After meals, perform slow, controlled calf raises:
- Seated or standing
- Heels lift, then slowly lower
- Continue for several minutes at a comfortable pace

This isn't a replacement for movement, nutrition, or medical care, but it's a powerful reminder that small, targeted muscle activity can have outsized metabolic effects.

03/01/2026

Check out this blog and more.....

You’ve done the labs. Your estrogen looks “fine.” Your thyroid numbers are “within range.” Your insulin and glucose are technically normal.

02/28/2026