Radiant Life · Radiant Health

I’m Going To P**s Off A Lot Of Doctors With This Post…

But It’s For YOUR Good.

I’ve been sitting on this for a while now, but there’s a dark secret in the functional/natural/alternative medicine world that needs to be revealed…

You know those “exclusive” (and expensive) supplements that you can “only” get from your doctor/provider because they aren’t available anywhere else?

Well, chances are, those “exclusive” supplements are actually just relabeled products from another manufacturer. Your doctor then jacks up the price due to the “exclusivity,” and laughs all the way to the bank.

You see, the majority of professional-grade manufacturers (e.g., Designs For Health, Metagenics, Orthomolecular, etc.) offer to take their (amazing) products, slap a private label on them, and—voila—your doctor has an “exclusive” product.

Why would they do that? Simple. Your doctor doesn’t want you to go somewhere else to buy the supplements they recommend—they want the profit. Unfortunately, I’ve seen practices that aren’t doing well, and if it weren’t for the profit from these relabeled products, they would close their doors.

By creating the illusion that the product is “exclusive” and “you can’t buy it anywhere else,” you are led to believe you’re investing in a premium product unlike anything else on the market, available “only” from your provider.

Before we pass too much judgment, let’s give props to the doctors trying to keep their businesses afloat—it’s a brutal world out there in medical practice. Incomes are gutted, federal and state regulations tie their hands, insurance programs reimburse poorly, and they’re overworked, underpaid, and stressed beyond belief (not to mention the average of nearly a quarter-million dollars in student loan debt). These doctors are drowning and don’t know what to do. So, this seems like a good way to keep their businesses open.

And I get it…but it’s not okay…and it’s not transparent…and it’s not ethical.

Here’s what I do with my patients/clients: I negotiate discounts with various manufacturers and suppliers. I direct my patients to these sources accordingly, but I also tell them to shop around. If they can save a buck, I encourage it—and I ask them to share with us where they found a good deal. In 25 years, I’ve never had anyone find a better deal than I was able to negotiate. This seems like the ethical approach to me.

Imagine this: You go to your doctor for high blood pressure, and your doctor says, “Don’t take the FDA-approved drug that’s been around forever and is cheap and covered by your insurance. Here, take this instead…it’s a ‘proprietary’ formula that I had created for you…and you can only get it from me…”

Yuck.

I want to give you an easy way to find out if the “exclusive” products you’re taking are actually relabeled. Here’s how:

1. Open up your favorite AI tool (I like plain old ChatGPT, but I also like Google’s Gemini if you can qualify to use it).
2a. Upload a photo of the BACK of your “exclusive” supplement bottle (the ingredients).
2b. Alternatively, manually type in all the ingredients exactly as they appear on the label.
3. Ask your AI to identify the product.

That’s it—it will tell you what the original, non-relabeled product is, and you can break free from your doctor’s supplement stranglehold.

Another alternative (if you don’t have access to good AI) is to visit the manufacturers’ websites I mentioned above, type in a main ingredient, and see what products come up. It takes a bit more investigation, but this is how I did it for years, and it works well.

You can always ask your doctor, and hopefully, they’ll be truthful…but who knows?

Once you’ve figured out that your doctor is profiteering from your illness and suffering due to their own financial problems, you’re probably going to need to have a tough conversation with them. Share what you’ve discovered, and ask what else they might be hiding.

I have so many issues with this, and it’s becoming so rampant that I felt the need to expose this dark underbelly of the profession I’ve been proud to be part of for the last 25 years.

I hope this was informative and helpful.

As always, I appreciate hearing your thoughts in the comments below.
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PSA: Common Sugar Substitute Linked to Heart Attacks and Strokes

Hey, just because it's natural doesn't mean it's safe.

Link to article in the comments.

What do you use as a sugar substitute?
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We're dedicated to empowering our community through education and accountability! 💪

📞 Reach out to our office to learn more.

💙 We're constantly inspired by our members! 💙

There's something truly magical about the warm embrace of natural light, and it turns out there's solid science behind the positive impact it has on our health. 🌞

💛 Exposure to natural light stimulates the production of serotonin, often referred to as the "feel-good" hormone. This can help improve your mood and reduce feelings of stress.

💛 When your skin is exposed to sunlight, it synthesizes vitamin D, which is crucial for strong bones and a robust immune system.

💛 Natural light can significantly boost productivity, focus, and creativity. It creates an inviting and energizing environment that can make you more efficient and alert.

💛 Your body's internal clock, known as the circadian rhythm, relies on exposure to natural light during the day to regulate sleep patterns. By getting ample sunlight during waking hours, you're more likely to enjoy better-quality sleep at night. It's a simple and natural way to improve your sleep cycle.

So, whether it's a leisurely walk in the park, a cozy spot by the window with a good book, or a sunny outdoor workout, make the most of natural light—it's a gift from nature that can brighten your day and enhance your overall health and happiness!

🥤 This protein-packed smoothie recipe tastes like dessert but is packed FULL of healthy nutrients! 💪

- 2/3 cup raw cashews (raw or soaked)
- 4 medjool dates pitted (softened first, if necessary)
- 3/4 cup full fat coconut milk
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice about 1 lemon
- handful ice
- 1 scoop protein powder or collagen peptides optimal

Place all ingredients in a high speed blender. Serve right away!

Can you believe it's this easy AND vegan, dairy-free, and paleo-friendly? What a win! 🥳

Exciting research expands on the knowledge that your gut microbiome impacts more than just digestion!

The study conducted by researchers at Harvard, Stanford, and other leading institutions found that certain beneficial gut bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, are associated with higher bone mineral density, while an imbalance in the gut microbiome, often referred to as dysbiosis, was linked to lower bone density. 🦴 😲

This suggests that the gut microbiome plays a role in regulating bone health beyond its well-known influence on digestion, immunity, and cognitive health (just to name a few 😉).

Research like this highlights the incredible influence of your gut on overall health, including bone strength. So, remember to nourish your gut with a balanced diet, a healthy lifestyle, and probiotics to support not only your digestion but also your bones! 💚

Ready to tackle your health from top to bottom, inside and outside? 🚀 Functional medicine may be for you!

Your liver is a powerhouse when it comes to detoxifying your body. 🫧

💖 The liver is responsible for metabolizing and breaking down various toxins and harmful substances that enter the body, including drugs, alcohol, and environmental pollutants. These toxins are processed into less harmful forms, making them easier for the body to eliminate.

💖 The liver produces bile, a greenish fluid that helps in the digestion and absorption of dietary fats. Bile also acts as a vehicle for the excretion of certain waste products and toxins from the liver into the intestines, ultimately exiting the body through the f***s.

💖 The liver stores essential nutrients, including vitamins and minerals, which are vital for various biochemical processes. It releases these nutrients into the bloodstream as needed.

💖 The liver filters blood from the digestive tract before it circulates throughout the body. This filtration process helps remove bacteria, toxins, and waste products that may be present in the blood after digestion.

💖 The liver synthesizes glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals and protect cells from oxidative damage.

💖 The liver stores glucose in the form of glycogen, which can be rapidly converted back into glucose when the body needs energy. This helps stabilize blood sugar levels and ensures a steady energy supply.

Supporting your liver function is essential to maintaining optimal health - as you can see by all the amazing things it does! 🤩

Contact our office to see if your liver is functioning as it should and learn ways to better support your body's natural detoxification.

If you've had past experiences with doctors who tell you "It's all in your head" or "That's totally normal" even when you know something is wrong? 😤 You're not alone.

Our office works with people from all walks of life, and we know that when you feel something is wrong, you're right. Doctors just need to dig a little deeper! 🔍

Our team is dedicated to uncovering WHY you aren't feeling your very best.

Contact us today to get started! ☎️

Feeling constantly drained? 🪫

Chronic fatigue refers to a persistent and profound state of exhaustion or tiredness that lasts for an extended period, typically six months or longer. This fatigue is often not alleviated by rest or sleep and can significantly disrupt a person's daily life and activities.

😫 Here's a closer look at some common factors that may be draining your energy:

- Underlying health issues like anemia, thyroid disorders, or sleep apnea can lead to persistent fatigue.
- Constant stress can exhaust your body and mind, affecting energy levels.
- Lack of exercise, irregular sleep patterns, and excessive caffeine or alcohol intake can contribute to fatigue.
- Mental health conditions like depression and anxiety can sap your mental and physical energy.

Identifying the underlying cause of your chronic fatigue is the first step towards effective management and regaining your zest for life. ⚡

Consult with our office to explore your symptoms, rule out medical conditions, and create a personalized plan to reclaim your health! 🔋

🤎 We are so thankful to be changing lives every day! We couldn't do it without you!🤎

Struggling with hair loss? Hormonal imbalances can play a big role. 💇‍♀️

Our endocrine system spans the entire body, involves multiple organs, and includes dozens of hormones. It's important to understand how they control the body—not just because of your overall health and mood but because they dramatically influence the hair's, nails', and skin's appearance.

🎀 Hormones like dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and estrogen are crucial for hair growth and maintenance. When these hormones become imbalanced, particularly in cases of excess DHT, it can lead to hair follicle miniaturization, resulting in thinner, weaker hair or even hair loss.

🎀 Hormonal hair loss can be triggered by various life stages, such as pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and even conditions like polycystic o***y syndrome (PCOS) or thyroid disorders. Stress, nutritional deficiencies, and certain medications can also disrupt hormone levels and contribute to hair loss.

While quick-fix solutions may provide temporary relief, a sustainable approach involves identifying and addressing the underlying hormonal imbalances. This often involves adopting a holistic lifestyle approach that evaluates and adjusts your diet, physical activity, stress management, sleep habits, and more!

Our office can help with a personalized plan of care to address your specific needs. 📞 Contact us to learn more!

🍎 Today's recipe is a delicious granola from Paleo Running Momma. Perfect for breakfast or snack time! 🍎

- 1 c raw pecan halves or walnuts
- 1 c raw almonds
- 1 c raw cashews
- 1 c coconut flakes unsweetened
- 1/4 c ground flaxseed
- 1 1/4 Tbsp apple pie spice or cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
- 3 Tbsp organic refined coconut oil melted
- 1/4 c + 2 Tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 c dried apples chopped*

Preheat your oven to 325° F and place an oven rack in the middle of the oven. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Chop the nuts by hand or use a food processor.
Add the nuts to a large mixing bowl and stir in the coconut flakes, flaxseed, apple pie spice and salt and stir to combine.
In a measuring cup or small bowl, combine the coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla. Stir this mixture into the nut mixture until all is moistened. Don’t stir the apples in yet.
Spread the mixture out on the parchment lined baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Use a silicone spatula to flip sections of the granola, or just gently stir, so it baked evenly. Re-spread it and continue to bake for 8-10 minutes until deep golden brown. With about 3 minutes left to bake, sprinkle the chopped apples over the granola to lightly toast them.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and cool on a wire rack until the granola reaches room temperature. It might seem soft but as it cools it will become a lot crunchier.

Break up the granola into desired clusters and serve or store for later. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 weeks. Enjoy! 🍏

https://www.paleorunningmomma.com/apple-cinnamon-granola-paleo-grain-free-vegan/

Tired of stubborn belly fat that won't budge?

There may be many reasons why you have excess fat on certain areas of the body: inflammation, gut infection, hormonal imbalance, or simply genetics. Functional medicine takes a different approach to health:

🌱 It delves deep into the underlying causes of belly fat, like hormonal imbalances or gut health issues.

🌱 Functional Medicine creates a custom plan based on your body's unique needs, addressing nutrient deficiencies, underlying conditions, and inflammation.

🌱 It focuses on stress reduction, sleep quality, and exercise to support overall well-being so your body can focus on other, extra efforts (like toning).

🌱 By targeting the root causes, it offers long-term solutions for sustainable results and a healthier, happier you!

Explore functional medicine and what it can do for you! 📲 Reach out to our team!

⭐What was one of your wins today?⭐

🎯 Thyroid conditions can be tricky to diagnose, and here's why conventional medicine sometimes misses the mark:

👉 Varied Symptoms: Thyroid disorders can manifest in numerous ways, from fatigue to weight fluctuations. These symptoms can overlap with other conditions, making diagnosis challenging.

👉 Incomplete Testing: Standard thyroid tests may not always provide a comprehensive picture. Sometimes, additional tests are needed to catch subtle imbalances.

👉 Individual Variations: Every body is unique, and what's considered "normal" in thyroid levels can vary from person to person.

👉 Stress & Lifestyle: Factors like stress and diet can influence thyroid health but might not be fully explored in a conventional medical setting.

The key? 🗝️ Advocate for yourself and consider seeking a specialist who understands the complexities of thyroid health. It's all about finding the right answers for your unique journey to wellness!

🧪 Our office utilizes functional testing to uncover the true cause of underlying health issues. ☎️ Contact us to get started!

Take what you need and leave the rest! 🥰

Consuming dark tea may help manage and reduce the risk of developing diabetes. 🍵

Researchers from the University of Adelaide in Australia and Southeast University in China have found that dark tea, which includes varieties like black tea and oolong tea, contains compounds called theaflavins and thearubigins. These compounds have been linked to improved glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity, making them a promising option for individuals at risk of or actively managing diabetes.

The study suggests that drinking dark tea may help regulate blood sugar levels by enhancing insulin activity and reducing inflammation. 🔥 These effects can contribute to better glycemic control and a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind these potential benefits and to determine optimal consumption levels.

If you're on a journey of managing or reducing your risk of developing diabetes, incorporating more dark teas is one option to better regulate blood sugar. 🍬

Looking for more insight on managing blood sugar, lowering risk of diabetes, or addressing symptoms related to blood sugar dysregulation? Our team is uniquely suited to help you on this journey. 🙋 Ask us how!

Your gut health matters!

If you're experiencing these symptoms, it could be a sign of an unhappy gut:

- Bloating and gas 🎈
- Irregular bowel movements 🚽
- Food intolerances 🚫
- Low energy levels 😴
- Mood swings 😢

But here's the good news: You can nurture your gut back to health with a balanced diet, probiotics, and stress management. Your gut is your body's second brain, so keep it happy!

😄 Our team is here to help!

This fun dish pairs well with any protein and can be made ahead if you're expecting company or need a ready-to-grab meal. 💃

- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
- 2 cups water, vegetable broth, or bone broth
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste

In a medium saucepan, combine the quinoa and water (or broth) and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the quinoa is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
Fluff the cooked quinoa with a fork and transfer it to a large mixing bowl. Let it cool to room temperature.
Add the diced cucumber, red bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, cherry tomatoes, chopped fresh parsley, and chopped fresh mint to the bowl with the quinoa.
Drizzle the lemon juice and extra-virgin olive oil over the salad and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Inflammation isn't just a short-lived reaction; it can be a silent contributor to chronic illness. 😶

When our bodies can't switch off the inflammatory response, it can lead to a host of health issues. 🔥

🤔 So, what can we do? It's all about lifestyle choices: Eating an anti-inflammatory diet, regular exercise, stress management, and quality sleep. These factors can help tame inflammation and reduce the risk of chronic conditions. It's also important to identify any genetic factors and/or underlying conditions that may be contributing to recurrent inflammation.

Let's empower ourselves with knowledge and proactive choices to support our long-term health! 😊 Message our team to take action.

Then find a reliable support network so you don't have to go it alone!

👏 Our team is always here to clap for your wins. 👏

🌟 Stem cell therapy is showing promise in treating Multiple Sclerosis!

🔬 Research out of Sweden published in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry dived deeper into using Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT), a treatment commonly used for cancers, to also treat MS.

😔 MS is a degenerative nerve disease that has proven difficult to treat and impossible to cure. Stem cell therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS) has been explored and in use since the 1990s and appears to be generally safe and effective, but it isn’t widely utilized in conventional healthcare.

🦠 Scientists are currently exploring how stem cell therapy can help repair the immune system, which is compromised in MS patients. By leveraging the regenerative power of stem cells with modern science, researchers aim to halt the progression of this complex neurological condition. More research is needed for this high-risk procedure, but results are providing hope for an effective treatment to manage this chronic condition.

Your risk for MS and other autoimmune conditions can be greatly reduced by making certain diet and lifestyle changes. 📞 Contact our office to learn more!

Did you know conventional medical doctors receive less than 20 hours of nutrition education during medical school? 😱

Always be aware of who you're getting advice from, and what their qualifications are!

Is "Cozy Cardio" an effective workout? 🤔

Cozy Cardio – a new trend that takes a kinder, gentler approach to exercise – has emerged on social media. And, if you find intense exercise routines intimidating, it may be an excellent way to get fit.

Rather than putting yourself through a grueling workout, Cozy Cardio is all about making exercise an enjoyable and accessible everyday activity. It involves creating a calm and cozy exercise environment and completing a cardio workout, usually from the comfort of your own home, but it could also be a brisk walk in the fall air or a dance party with friends. 🍂 Cozy Cardio is about stripping away the idea of ‘no pain, no gain’ and moving towards exercise that places an emphasis on overall wellbeing.

The most important part is doing ANY physical exercise on a consistent basis; and when you enjoy your workouts, you're more likely to stick with them! Establishing positive fitness habits can be as simple as finding what makes you feel good and sticking with it.

So yes - if Cozy Cardio is something you've tried and enjoyed it is absolutely an effective workout to do every day! 💪

For more guidance on building routines that work for you and promote healthy habits, reach out to our team! ☎️

What are some ways you fall in love with your life? Share in the comments! 👇🏼