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 Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 21, 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. 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 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
By Joanne Aponte, ND onApril 11, 2023
The health of our microbiome is essential for overall wellness and prevention of chronic diseases. Our microbiome is the makeup of microorganisms that live on and in our body including our mouths, digestive tract and skin. And this microbiome develops while our babies are still… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onApril 6, 2023
Menopause is a medical condition. Simply not true! Menopause is the natural change in your hormones, specifically a decline in estrogen and progesterone. It is also a transitional time in your life where you can speak your truth, honor your wisdom, and nurture yourself. Weight… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onApril 2, 2023
Vitex (or chaste tree berry) is one of my go-to herbs for women struggling with PMS, PMDD, irregular periods, painful periods, and breast tenderness. It can also enhance fertility. How does vitex work? Vitex has a long history of traditional use in herbal medicine and… Read More
By Danielle Brunet onMarch 29, 2023
Dr. Meister and Dr. Axtell were recently invited to speak with Steph Brown of TMJ4 to discuss the growing popularity of naturopathic medicine and how we use food as medicine to address chronic health conditions in the clinic. During our interview, we highlighted the… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onMarch 16, 2023
Manuka honey is made from bees in New Zealand and Australia where the nectar is harvested from Manuka flowers. Manuka honey’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties are what set it apart from traditional honey. Methylglyoxal (MGO) is the active ingredient, which is… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onMarch 10, 2023
Here are 3 ways to boost your metabolism: 1. Drink green tea- EGCG, the bioactive constituent of green tea, can reduce body weight by decreasing fat cell differentiation and proliferation. One study has demonstrated that green tea extracts and drinks could reduce body weight and… Read More
By Katarina Meister, ND onMarch 8, 2023
Lion’s mane, Hericium erinaceus, is a recognized edible and medicinal mushroom that has been used for thousands of years and eaten regularly in countries such as Japan and China.[i] Lion’s Mane is named for its resemblance to a lion’s mane, is also called monkey… Read More
By Joanne Aponte, ND onFebruary 18, 2023
1. Drink more water – It is not uncommon for me to hear, “I know I need to drink more water, but I don’t!” Staying well hydrated and drinking enough water is the #1 most important thing to do if you tend towards constipation. Prioritize… Read More
By Joanne Aponte, ND onFebruary 17, 2023
In our gut lives a zoo of bacteria and microorganisms. We call this the microbiome. Every person’s microbiome is unique like a fingerprint. Who we are as unique individuals has a lot do with the bugs that live In our gut. It is estimated that… Read More