By Katarina Meister, ND onJuly 22, 2024
We have two parts of our autonomic nervous system – the sympathetic nervous system (“Fight or Flight”) and the parasympathetic nervous system (“Rest & Digest”). When your sympathetic or parasympathetic nervous system is activated, it can trigger a cascade of events that can either adversely… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJune 18, 2024
Each of us respond to stress differently. Some people get exhausted, some get anxious, some feel “wired but tired,” and some fall into depression. Adaptogenic herbs, or adaptogens, can be help the body adapt by normalizing physiological processes in times of high stress. In layman’s… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJune 18, 2024
Let’s talk about finding your tribe. Or moai. In Japan they refer to it as a moai. Essentially it’s a social support network that gathers for common purposes. It’s the Japanese concept of connection. I recently had someone reach out to do a private group… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJune 18, 2024
A battery of scientific evidence shows that if you want success in changing something, you should meet with groups of people doing the same. My goal with this Perimenopause/Menopause Group Visit is to facilitate a support network among women and give women better tools to… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJune 14, 2024
You can’t out supplement a bad diet. With that said, the nutritional content of vitamins and minerals in food has declined significantly in the past 50+ years. Fertilizers, pesticides, and breeding plants for higher yields have reduced the overall nutritional content of food, and vitamin… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJune 13, 2024
Spirulina is a blue-green algae that is arguably one of the most nutrient-dense greens on the planet. It offers numerous health benefits: Lowers cholesterol Aids in weight loss Good source of vitamin B12,… Read More
By Katarina Meister, ND onJune 11, 2024
The widely known genetic polymorphism or snp is the MTHFR enzyme. Methylene-tetra-hydro-folate reductase (MTHFR) is an enzyme that converts folic acid into the active form of folate (methyl-folate). This process is called methylation, where the body adds a methyl group to folate creating methyl-folate, or… Read More
By Joanne Aponte, ND onMay 16, 2024
DO DON’TEat in a calm, relaxed stateEat on the run, mindlesslyBe mindful – Turn off the TV, put down the book, focus on eatingBe distracted or overstimulatedSit at the dining tableEat in your bed or your car3 meals per day with space in-betweenAlways snacking and… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onApril 26, 2024
Ditch dieting. Make it a lifestyle! Feeling full is more than just eating. It’s about choosing the right foods. Let’s break down satiation and satiety and the best foods to promote long-lasting fullness. Satiation is the main process that determines when we stop eating. Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onApril 24, 2024
In the current allopathic medical model, patient visits are short with very little time for questions and discussion. Patients may feel unheard, rushed, and disempowered. This is what I call “passive medicine,” because the patient plays almost no active role in the healing process. Naturopathic doctors… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onApril 4, 2024
Your eating environment affects your eating habits. In a world where processed food is ubiquitous, the kitchen is one of the only eating environments consumers are in control of. Keeping healthy food out on the counter, such as a fruit bowl, is correlated with… Read More
By lakesidend onApril 2, 2024
“My goal with this Osteopenia/Osteoporosis Group Visit Series is to facilitate a support network among women and give women better tools to optimize bone density. Good bone health starts with good nutrition“ – Dr. Sarah Axtell, ND Learn how you can harness the power of… Read More
By Joanne Aponte, ND onMarch 28, 2024
Perimenopause is a natural transition and a normal process. But as many of us 40+ women know, it can be a difficult transition. During perimenopause our hormones are changing. First Estrogen levels climb (up to 3 times higher!) and can fluctuate drastically. At the same… Read More
By Joanne Aponte, ND onMarch 18, 2024
Magnesium glycinate I think every woman over 40 should take extra magnesium, this is the #1 thing to take! Magnesium helps stabilize the HPA axis and calms and balances our nervous systems and helps your body metabolize excess estrogen. The typical dose is 400mg per… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onMarch 17, 2024
In our pursuit of living longer, happier, healthier lives, we often encounter terms like “lifespan” and “healthspan.” What’s the difference? Live Longer: Lifespan Lifespan refers to the total number of years a person lives from birth to death, or in essence, the duration of life. Read More
By Katarina Meister, ND onFebruary 21, 2024
Electrolytes are essential minerals that are vital to key functions in the body. The main electrolytes in the body include sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, magnesium, and phosphate. The number one electrolyte in the body is sodium. Sodium plays a critical role in maintaining hydration, helping… Read More
By Joanne Aponte, ND onFebruary 13, 2024
How we handle stress has a lot to do with how our HPA Axis functions. HPA Axis stands for Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis, this is our brain’s communication with our adrenal glands (our stress glands). It is closely related to our nervous system. When this system is… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJanuary 4, 2024
Supercharge your smoothie with one of these superfood powders. The powdered version of these foods are easy to mix in smoothies, baked goods or oatmeal and are an efficient way to maximize your nutrition needs. They can also help boost your energy levels, support your… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onDecember 29, 2023
Inability to lose weight is so often due to metabolic inflexibility. Our body has two main metabolic modes- sugar burning and fat burning. Sugar burning mode is like kindling on the fire. Fat burning mode is like putting a log on the fire. You need… Read More
By Joanne Aponte, ND onDecember 12, 2023
Low levels of the hormone pregnenolone could be a root cause of your symptoms. Pregnenolone is a steroid hormone that is mainly produced in the adrenal glands. It is derived from cholesterol and is then converted into other important hormones in the body such as… Read More
By Joanne Aponte, ND onNovember 21, 2023
Meal planning does take time, I have not found a way around this! But there are ways to make it easier and less time consuming. Set aside time each week to meal plan and write down what you will eat throughout the week. A routine… Read More
By lakesidend onNovember 1, 2023
In preparation for winter, we are partnering with the Interchange Food Pantry to gather gently used winter gear for those in need this upcoming season. The Interchange Food Pantry’s mission is to improve the health and well-being of… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onOctober 27, 2023
We know alcohol is not good for us on a regular basis- its hard on the liver, increases the risk of cancer, negatively impacts the gut microbiome, triggers hot flashes and night sweats, promotes weight loss resistance, ramps up anxiety, disrupts sleep….the list can… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onOctober 24, 2023
As estrogen declines, the body is not as good at building muscle. This is why lifting weights and eating adequate protein is crucial during perimenopause. Combining strength training with increased protein intake is the best way to stimulate muscle protein synthesis and thus boost metabolism. Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onOctober 20, 2023
A battery of scientific evidence shows that if you want success in changing something, you should meet with groups of people doing the same. Approximately 12% of Americans are considered “metabolically healthy.” That means the other 88% of us aren’t meeting basic medical guidelines for… Read More
By lakesidend onOctober 14, 2023
The food you eat directly affects your ability to focus, remember, and maintain a balanced mood. With Alzheimer’s, ADHD, Parkinson’s and mood disorders on the rise, it is time to safeguard yourself against cognitive decline and neurological disease with your diet and lifestyle. Enhance memory… Read More
By Katarina Meister, ND onOctober 10, 2023
Although hormonal contraception was designed to prevent pregnancy, most women are not actually on the pill for contraception. More and more women are using the pill to regulate their periods, reduce menstrual cramps and pain, reduce acne, and/or manage PCOS and endometriosis. The pill is… Read More
By Katarina Meister, ND onOctober 10, 2023
Prolonged stress can have a significant impact on female hormones specifically testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. Cortisol, our stress hormone, is produced by the adrenal glands in times of stress. Cortisol has several important functions in the body including lowering overall inflammation, boosting energy, regulating our… Read More
By Katarina Meister, ND onOctober 10, 2023
The Gut-Brain Axis is a biochemical and physical superhighway of communication between your gut and your brain via the vagus nerve. Not only can the brain communicate with your gut, but your gut can also communicate with your brain! The balance of these two channels… Read More
By lakesidend onOctober 2, 2023
In the Press: This recipe was published in Natural Awakenings Twin Cities Magazine in 2023… Read More
By Joanne Aponte, ND onSeptember 28, 2023
High estrogen can contribute to heavy periods, breast pain, fibroids, and PMS. It can also interfere with your thyroid and increase the risk of breast cancer. What causes high estrogen levels? Dietary factors – diets that are low in fiber and high in sugar, dairy,… Read More
By lakesidend onSeptember 1, 2023
In the Press: This was published in Natural Awakenings Magazine in 2023 Sep 01, 2023 By Natural Awakenings Milwaukee “Mackenzie Prentice, a functional medical nurse practitioner at Lakeside Natural Medicine – 3510 N Oakland Ave, Suite 203, Shorewood, WI,… Read More
By Joanne Aponte, ND onAugust 22, 2023
One of the major causes of hormone imbalance and infertility is exposure to toxins from our environment. One of our biggest exposures to these chemicals is through what we put on our skin. While we can’t avoid all chemical from our environment, we can change… Read More
By Katarina Meister, ND onJuly 19, 2023
Recently I had a patient ask a great question… “Why do I have food sensitivities?” To help answer this question, we must first go back to the basics of what food sensitivities are, learn about the risk factors, and then discuss how we can heal… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 13, 2023
Papaya is one of my favorite fruits. For one, it is such a vibrant, beautiful orange hue, adding a pop of color to your plate. After all, we first eat with our eyes. And not to mention its sweet (but not too sweet) flavor and… Read More
By Katarina Meister, ND onJuly 11, 2023
A healthy libido is not only important for your mood and relationship, but it is also a marker of a healthy endocrine system. 70 percent of sexual dysfunction is due to hormonal imbalances. The main hormones involved in low libido include cortisol, estrogen, testosterone, DHEA,… Read More
By Katarina Meister, ND onJuly 10, 2023
Did you know that our bodies are made up of 60% water?! Water and hydration status tend to be an overlooked and sometimes underutilized determinant of our health. Water is essential for almost every bodily function. Dehydration can happen quickly if someone is not staying… Read More
By Joanne Aponte, ND onJuly 9, 2023
Hot flashes and night sweats are very common in perimenopause and menopause. Women experience these different ways but typically it’s a feeling of intense heat that comes on suddenly or slowly. Other times women experience a hot flash as tingling, red/flushed face, sweating, burning, dizziness… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 7, 2023
I’m a big fan of smoothies. They are a great way to pack in superfoods: greens, flax, chia, berries, matcha, avocados, and maca. The possibilities are endless. But for a smoothie to keep your blood sugar stable and keep you feeling full for hours, it… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 1, 2023
IBS is a BS diagnosis. I don’t want to discredit the symptoms associated with IBS because they are absolutely real…the abdominal pain, bloating, gas, constipation, and/or diarrhea can be debilitating. I know all too well the significance of these symptoms because I myself have suffered,… Read More
By Joanne Aponte, ND onJune 20, 2023
Many of us know how it feels to be stressed or overworked. However, not many of us realize what this stress does to our bodies on a physical level. Over-extended periods of stress can overburden our bodies, creating a situation that’s not so easy to… Read More
By Katarina Meister, ND onMay 23, 2023
Roughage (aka fiber) is essential for so many different physiological processes including stabilizing blood sugar and cholesterol, supporting your microbiome & estrobolome, helping with satiety, and supporting weight loss. Click the links below to learn more about the importance of fiber:… Read More
By Joanne Aponte, ND onMay 23, 2023
Do you feel like your hormones are out of Whack? These are the 5 Female Hormone Imbalances and the symptoms you might be experiencing. Symptoms of Estrogen deficiency Weight gain Insomnia & Early Waking Hot flashes & Night sweats Low Libido, Vaginal dryness… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onMay 18, 2023
So many women walk through our clinic doors complaining of fatigue, weakness, hair loss, and anxiety. My goal as a naturopathic doctor is to determine the WHY. These symptoms are often due to low ferritin. Ferritin is the storage form of iron. It’s the… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onMay 12, 2023
Best sweeteners if you are metabolically healthy (ie. do not have insulin resistance, high blood sugar, obesity). Small amounts of the following natural sweeteners are ok since they are minimally processed: Maple syrup Honey Coconut sugar *These sweeteners will still spike your blood… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onMay 12, 2023
Ashwagandha is one of the most common herbs we recommend here at Lakeside. It is one of my favorite adaptogenic herbs. In layman’s terms, adaptogens, such as Ashwagandha, make everyone in your life become less annoying! Here are some clinical applications of this rejuvenating herb:… Read More
By Joanne Aponte, ND onApril 21, 2023
Inositol is a great supplement for PCOS and improving fertility. And there is good research to back it up! But when taking inositol it is important to take the right dose and the right form. The form of inositol called Myo-inositol is the best form… Read More
By Katarina Meister, ND onApril 17, 2023
Getting proper sleep is a determinant of optimal health. In our modern world, this fact has been lost in favor of social, leisure or work-related activities. Back in the day, when the sun went down it became dark and cool, the availability of food and… Read More
By Katarina Meister, ND onApril 17, 2023
Let’s investigate a few reasons why your sleep may be off! Hypothyroidism or low thyroid hormone production can cause trouble with falling asleep and staying asleep. Low thyroid hormones also are associated with reduced growth hormone levels which is necessary for promoting healing, muscle growth… Read More
By Katarina Meister, ND onApril 17, 2023
Optimizing your long-term health starts with your blood sugar. There are nearly 86 million adults with prediabetes in the United States alone. Often these blood sugar imbalances are not addressed until it is medically necessary. In my practice, I continually work with my patients to… Read More