Stress Affecting Your Health?

Most doctors don’t ask about stress.

Because they don’t have any way to “treat” it.

While we also don’t “treat” stress as a disease, we have a deep functional medicine toolkit to help your body become more resilient to stress.

If you suspect stress might be affecting your health—but aren’t sure where to start—here are some questions you could ask your practitioner👇

(Hint: you’ll get more helpful answers from a holistically minded practitioner 😉)

1️⃣ Do I need stress hormone testing?

Stress can disrupt cortisol and DHEA, leaving you feeling wired but tired, exhausted, or constantly on edge. Testing these hormones can show if you need extra support.

2️⃣ Could stress be affecting my gut?

The gut-brain connection is a two-way street. Stress can disrupt digestion, and poor gut health can make you less resilient to stress. Functional testing can uncover whether your gut needs targeted support.

3️⃣ What nutrients do I need when I’m stressed?

Stress burns through key nutrients like magnesium, B vitamins, and vitamin C, which can lead to brain fog, fatigue, and trouble sleeping. A practitioner trained in nutrition can help you figure out what your body needs.

4️⃣ Could stress be affecting my hormones?

Stress hormones interact with other hormonal systems and can worsen issues like PMS, cycle changes, mood swings, and blood sugar swings. A practitioner trained in functional medicine can help make sense of the bigger picture.

The point is:

Stress is not an isolated experience.

It affects your whole body.

If you’re looking for a comprehensive approach that looks at the WHOLE person, that’s what we do.

Schedule your first visit with Dr. Cantrell to begin your journey to wellness! 🌿

Stressed!? What Your Body May Be Craving:

When you’re feeling extra stressed, your body is working overtime to keep up.

That means a higher demand for nutrients, like:

✨Magnesium

We need magnesium for sleep, relaxation, and muscle recovery. But the more stressed you are, the more magnesium you burn through 🔄making you feel even more stressed.

✨B Vitamins

We need B vitamins for energy, brain function, and the production of stress hormones. Some studies show that supplementing with B vitamins can actually help people feel less stressed.

✨Vitamin C

Your adrenal glands release vitamin C along with stress hormones—and stress increases your demand for it. Since humans can’t make vitamin C, we have to consume it.

Here are some ways to nourish your body when stressed:

✔ Eat nutrient-dense foods

✔ Consider high-quality supplements for extra support

✔ Try adaptogenic herbs, like ashwagandha or rhodiola, to support your stress response

Nutrients are just one piece of the stress puzzle—and no, a handful of supplements won’t make stress disappear.

But they may help your body respond better.

Needing supplement guidance? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Cantrell to discuss the best options for YOU!

Feeling Tired, Moody, or Just Off? 🤔

Feeling tired, moody, or off? 🤔

Read this ⬇️ for 5 common nutrient deficiencies and how they show up.

Modern food systems, lifestyle habits, and even stress can deplete nutrients from our bodies.

Plus, things like gut health or medications can interfere with how we absorb the nutrients we eat.

For example:

✨Magnesium

Magnesium is known as the ‘great relaxer,’ but nearly 50% of people don’t get enough.

Low magnesium can contribute to muscle cramps, anxiety, or restless nights.

✨ Vitamin B12

Needed for energy and brain health, those following a vegan diet or with gut health issues are at risk of low levels.

Low vitamin B12 can contribute to fatigue, numbness, or memory problems.

✨ Iron

Iron carries oxygen through your blood. It can be depleted by heavy or frequent periods.

Low iron can cause anemia, leaving you pale, tired, or short of breath.

✨Vitamin D

Although your body can synthesize vitamin D when exposed to sunshine ☀️, low levels are common.

Low vitamin D can contribute to thinning bones, compromised immune function, and low mood.

✨Zinc

Zinc is needed for immune health and wound healing.

Low zinc can show up as frequent colds, slow healing, or even changes in taste or smell.

So, what’s next?

These are just a few examples of how nutrient deficiencies can impact your health. But everyone’s needs are different.

That’s why we take a personalized approach 🙌🏽

With advanced labs and individualized guidance, we help uncover what’s missing so you can feel your best.

Ready to get started? Schedule a new patient visit with Dr. Cantrell!

Are You Making These Heart Health Mistakes?

Sometimes what seems healthy might not be helping. Here are 3 common heart health mistakes:

1️⃣ Only Doing Cardio

Cardio is great, but mix it up! Strength training boosts blood sugar control, and high-intensity bursts are linked to better heart health.

2️⃣ Low-Fat Diet

Low-fat diets aren’t the answer. Healthy fats (like avocado and olive oil) fight inflammation and support cholesterol levels. Plus, “low-fat” foods are often packed with extra sugar.

3️⃣ Stressing Out

Stress is not a badge of honor. It triggers cortisol release and can raise blood pressure over time.

Want better ways to support heart health?

✨ Mix up your workouts with strength, cardio, and HIIT

✨ Add heart-loving fats like avocado and salmon

✨ Find ways to de-stress and prioritize sleep

How do you support your heart health?

Wired but Tired?

Ever get to the end of the day and just crash?

Or maybe you feel “wired but tired”—as if your nervous system is ramped up and yet you have nothing left to give.

The problem *might* be that you aren’t giving your nervous system any chance to rest and reset throughout the day.

I get it!

Society expects us to be going non-stop.

It’s just that our bodies (and especially our nervous systems) were not built for that.

One of the best ways to support nervous system regulation is to build in periods of intentional rest to your day.

This can look different for different people.

You might:

✨ get up from your desk every hour to stretch

✨ set reminders to close your eyes for two minutes and breathe

✨ allow 5 extra minutes on your lunch break to sit in your car and listen to music

The point is to schedule rest breaks into your day.

These breaks act like a reset button for your nervous system so that you won’t feel so fried at the end of the day.

Have you tried this? What’s your experience?