Dr. Allison Apfelbaum, Naturopathic Doctor at Tree of Health

03/16/2026

This is actually huge! I already use lpa and apolipoprotein B as well as CAC scoring to determine risk for cardiovascular disease beyond lipid panel, but this will make it more acceptable to do preventative screenings and have insurance coverage for it.

The 2026 ACC/AHA Dyslipidemia
Guidelines

These new updates bring major shifts in risk assessment, novel lipid markers, and cholesterol targets.

Here are the most salient features you need to know.👇
https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2025.11.016

03/14/2026

All virtual conference, May 1-3

📣WANP 2026 Annual Conference | Speaker Highlight📣

This presentation by Drs. Fuller and Hamilton is so good we offered them extra time to share more of their extensive and well-researched knowledge on this incredibly important topic!

*****
Perimenopause and menopause are increasingly recognized as critical neuroendocrine transition states - not just reproductive milestones. During this period, abrupt declines and fluctuations in estrogen and other steroid hormones can disrupt brain energy metabolism, neurotransmission, and connectivity, leading to the unmasking of previously compensated or subclinical neurocognitive and psychiatric vulnerabilities. This phenomenon explains why women may experience new or worsened depressive episodes, anxiety, subjective cognitive complaints, mild cognitive impairment, or mild behavioral impairment during the menopausal transition. Beyond psychiatric and cognitive syndromes, neurologic diseases including migraine, seizures, early Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis also demonstrate shifting patterns during perimenopause and menopause, some worsening in association with hormone withdrawal.

This presentation will explore the mechanisms, risk factors, and clinical relevance of unmasking, review evidence for management strategies (including the timing and role of hormone replacement therapy), and highlight opportunities for individualized, integrative, and functional approaches to supporting brain health across the menopausal transition. Participants will leave with practical tools for identifying at-risk patients, understanding the neuroendocrine mechanisms at play, and navigating complex decision-making about HRT, pharmacological, and non-pharmacological interventions.
*****

You won't want to miss this one!

Register today: wanp.org/2026conference

03/09/2026

Maybe they'll hire ND's to teach their classes? We get over 100 hours!

03/08/2026

This is too general of a statement. What they mean is, avoid omega-6 (linoleic acid) fats in high quantity (especially high heated and oxidized). Like soy, corn and canola, sunflower, sesame oil . Even peanut oil fits into this (not a seed). Seeds that contain omega-3 (linolenic acid) that are actually anti-inflammatory and are also “seeds”: flax,chia, h**p. In addition to this, your body does actually also need omega6 fats because they are essential and necessary. Just getting more omega3 than 6 and 9 puts the body in more of an anti-inflammatory state. You cannot only have avocado/olive oils(omega 9). All of these omegas are good for the heart, brain and skin barrier. High heat of fatty acids damages them. Packaged processed foods change and alter their original ingredients due to heating, altering and adding preservatives. It helps to understand the “why” behind a generalized statement!

02/27/2026

💫 This post is not meant to be inflammatory but rather informative. I truly believe all practitioners can and should integrate and work together.
💫 With that said, the term “Functional medicine” provider is vague, it’s an umbrella term, and in my opinion is not rigorous enough to sit on the same playing field as a Naturopathic Doctor.
💫 At the moment, a “functional medicine” provider can be anyone, who has any degree, of any kind, and decides to practice more “functionally”. What does this mean? That’s the problem, the interpretation is variable.
💫 There is no medical degree program for functional medicine, there is only a certificate program. This program is geared to professionals who have already completed a medial degree , as an after thought. Let me tell you why that’s a problem..
💫 Naturopathic Doctors spend 4-5 years doing rigorous curriculum to meet standards of prescribing all the aspects of allopathic standards of care AND integrate all the principal of “functional medicine “ from day 1 and more.
💫 NDs include philosophy of healing that differs from EVERY OTHER degree in the healthcare world. It’s integrated and taught through the entire degree. You can’t shortcut your way into this training.
💫 I see “functional medicine “ providers making all kinds of mistakes because of this. The way of thought , the after school training, the missing large pieces of treating the whole person. And RARELY do the Dr Ozs (MD) and the Dr Axes (DC), Dr Hymans (MD) acknowledge they made a mistake, they should have gone to ND school, they came out realizing their medicine doesn’t get people better, and PROMOTE our f*cking profession! (Sorry not sorry but it’s true).

💫 Also God bless the NDs who took the 14K functional medicine program also just to see what it’s all about 🤣

medicine

02/13/2026

Hi! 👋🏻 it’s been a while and I thought I would reintroduce myself. Wow this year will make 13 years I have been in primary care practice as a Naturopathic Physician. We are seeing patients in Woodinville, WA in our new space (since March of last year) for a wide variety of reasons. My patients see me for their primary care (physicals, bloodwork, preventative visits). I also specialize in the perimenopause to menopause transition, GLP-1 injectable weight loss and maintenance, food and environment allergy testing, GI health, prediabetes and thyroid management. We have also added aesthetic services including anti-aging collagen rebuilding microneedling with PRP (your own blood ) for facial rejuvenation. We are contracted with most insurances, let us know if you want more information or to schedule! *425-408-0040* 💫 🌿

We want you to feel like the best version of yourself 🌳

Chrissy Hart Photography

02/13/2026

⏱️Happening one week from RIGHT NOW! ⏱️

WANP will be taking over some tables at Tavern Hall in Bellevue, WA, for our first "After Hours" event of 2026! Join us and our event sponsor, Camie Sadowski - rep for Evexias Health Solutions, Farmakeio Pharmacy Network, and CO2 Lift - for a casual, agenda-free, super fun social event

📆Thursday, February 19
⌚️6p-8p
🚩Tavern Hall, Bellevue, WA

See you there!

02/11/2026

**All Docs and Patients can take action**
The Department's proposal seeks to narrow the definition of "professional degree," which excludes Naturopathic Doctors. We have identified the flaws in their reasoning and ways to further validate our profession—now we need YOUR voice to help challenge them.
Take action now—use the link below to submit a valid public comment and protect the future of naturopathic education!
🔗https://naturopathic.org/page/LegislativeActionCenter...

02/10/2026

They’ve got to come together and make a stand for vaccination…

The comments by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services director come as South Carolina grapples with a large measles outbreak.