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4 Reasons Weight Loss is difficult during Perimenopause & Menopause

4 reasons losing weight feels harder in perimenopause and menopause Mary Canales, MHS · Functional Nutrition Practitioner · Level 1 Ayurveda Practitioner If you're eating less than you used to and the scale still won't move, you're not imagining it. It's also not a willpower problem. I went through this myself. In perimenopause I gained weight, stopped sleeping well, and had joint pain I couldn't explain. I had spent 25 years working in women's health, and I still didn't recognize my own body. What finally helped wasn't another diet. It was understanding what had changed, then adjusting how I ate, slept, moved and handled stress. These are the four reasons I see most often, in my own experience and in the women I talk with, along with what actually helps. 🌿 1. Your hormones changed how your body handles carbs Estrogen helps your body respond to insulin, the hormone that moves sugar out of your blood and into your cells. As estrogen drops, ma...
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Liver Detoxification- A Functional Nutrition Approach with Ayurveda Principles

  🌿 YOUR LIVER’S NATURAL DETOX PROCESS🌿 Understanding Phase 1 & Phase 2 in simple terms ✨ COULD YOUR BODY BE CARRYING A TOXIC BURDEN? ✨ Every day, our bodies encounter substances from our environment—including air pollution, pesticides, plastics, certain chemicals, alcohol, medications, highly processed foods, seed oils, and other environmental compounds. Some substances are fat-soluble , meaning they can be stored more readily in fatty tissues and may remain in the body longer than water-soluble compounds. Your body has incredible systems for processing and eliminating these substances, but ongoing exposure can add to the body's overall toxicant burden. Over time, certain environmental exposures may contribute to oxidative stress, inflammation, cellular damage, and processes associated with premature aging. eeek!😲 🧟‍♀️ AND THEN THERE ARE “ZOMBIE CELLS” The scientific term is senescent cells . These are cells that have stopped dividing but don't always get removed right...

Liver Detoxification- Functional Nutrition Approach

  🌿 WOMEN’S HEALTH & YOUR BODY’S NATURAL DETOXIFICATION SYSTEM🌿 What does detoxification have to do with women’s hormones, energy, aging, and overall wellness? Your body is exposed to environmental compounds every day—from air pollution and pesticides to plastics, personal-care products, alcohol, medications, and other chemicals. Some compounds are fat-soluble , meaning they can be stored more readily in fatty tissues and may remain in the body longer. Your body has sophisticated systems for processing and eliminating these compounds, and your liver plays a major role. Supporting these natural pathways is an important part of a functional nutrition approach to women's wellness. 🧹 PHASE 1 — BREAK IT DOWN Think of Phase 1 as the “breakdown” stage. Your liver uses enzymes to transform substances such as hormones, medications, alcohol, and environmental compounds into forms that can move through the next stage. This process can create reactive compounds , which is why your body...

Herbalism~ What if Plants Could Teach Us How to Heal

🌿🌿Ayurvedic Wisdom🌿🌿 Why We Take Herbs? 🌿Balance Constitution (Doshas) 🌿Balance Digestive fire (Agni) 🌿Eliminate Waste/Toxins (AMA) 🌿Support body tissue formation (Dhatus, Malas) 🌿Increase Immunity (Ojas) 🌿Prevent/Treat Disease (Rojas) 🌿Have you ever wondered why certain herbs have been used for centuries? In Ayurveda, every herb has its own unique intelligence and healing qualities. While some plants seem to give us clues through their shape, color, or where they grow, Ayurveda teaches us to look even deeper—at the herb's natural qualities and how they help restore balance in the body. The more you learn about herbs, the more you'll discover that nature truly is our greatest teacher. 🌱✨ What is your favorite herb, or which one would you like to learn more about? Let me know in the comments ! 💚

Gut Permeability. Bog#7

  In integrative health, finding the root cause of many ailments begins with the gut. Gut permeability also known as " Leaky Gut", is one of the most overlooked factors in 90% of all autoimmune and most other diseases. This was something I have learned over the course of my studies in functional nutrition and integrative health. I have come to the realization that yes, we may be at risk if we are born with a genetic predisposition, however, we don't have to accept that these are the cards we are handed and must then just live with the disease.  We have the power to heal our own bodies by providing it with exactly what it needs to heal itself.  So, what is Leaky Gut?   This is the state where the lining of your digestive tract becomes irritated or compromised, allowing substances that normally stay inside the gut—like partially digested food particles, toxins, or bacteria—to “leak” into the bloodstream. This isn’t how the gut is supposed to function, and in holis...

Perimenopause/Menopause Hormone Changes- What to Expect. Blog#6

Menopause is a completely natural transition that every woman will go through just like the onset of puberty.  This is a very special phase that women experience and yet, no one prepares us for it.  I know perimenopause caught me off guard because the changes were subtle. One month I had a heavy period, one month it was normal. One year I missed 2 periods then all back to normal. My fatigue was on and off, my moods up and down. I related it all to my stress of work and home life. No big deal. As women, mothers, wives, homemakers, workers, we deal and move on, we adjust.  It's no wonder our cortisol is out of control.  All the stress and no one teaches you about balance.  The thing is this, menopause will not happen overnight or a one-day event. Perimenopause happens so gradually beginning or around age 40 (for some as early as late 30's). It can last 2-10 years (average is 4-5yrs) and ends with menopause.  What's Going On Hormonally in Perimenopause? Your h...

Creatine Benefits Blog#5

 Creatine What people think it does: 👇 Build Muscle What it actually does: 👇 Fuels energy production in every cell Enhances strength, endurance and recovery Supports brain health and memory Helps maintain muscle mass with age Promotes healthy blood sugar regulation Boosts Hydration at the cellular level Improves mental sharpness Strengthens bones and skeletal Health Reduces mental fatigue Encourages lean muscle, not bulk Facts! 🌿