Mold is everywhere outdoors—and sometimes indoors. While our bodies are designed to detoxify mold mycotoxins, some people have genetics that make this process less efficient. I call them “mold canaries”—people who are especially sensitive to mold. Officially, they’re diagnosed with CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome). This explains why two people in the same moldy environment can have very different health responses.

Recently, a client asked me an important question: "How much sodium is too much?" For a healthy individual with normal blood pressure and kidney function, should there be a concern about sodium intake? This is a great question, especially as nutritional guidelines evolve. I remember my grandparents being hyper-focused on their sodium intake, all in the name of heart health—despite their gin cocktails and chain smoking!

Like most functional medicine doctors, the practitioners at Tendwell find that care is best delivered through a long-term relationship.  It takes time to dig deep and to discover root causes.  In the functional model, appointments are very different from what you have been exposed to in traditional medicine.  This is because we take the time to dig much deeper than conventional doctors and we take a hard look into areas that are generally neglected.  In this blog, we give you an idea of what the first few appointments will look like as a Tendwell patient.

In our Denver-based functional medicine practice, we frequently see patients struggling with gut health issues, and one of the most common complaints is abdominal bloating. Many people report feeling bloated, even without having eaten anything, while others experience bloating after consuming seemingly harmless foods. This persistent and uncomfortable symptom can be incredibly frustrating, and I often hear patients say, "I look like I’m six months pregnant."

One of the most common symptoms we hear from new patients at our functional medicine practice in Denver, Colorado, is fatigue. Fatigue can manifest in various ways: some people struggle to get up in the morning, others experience afternoon energy dips—reaching for that 2 PM cup of coffee or tea—and still others feel a constant sense of lethargy or malaise.

In our functional medicine practice, we encounter a wide array of physical symptoms, but one of the most distressing for patients can be hair loss. Hair is often tied to personal identity and self-esteem, so losing it can deeply impact emotional well-being. In this blog we discuss a functional approach to treating hair loss.

We all recognize the importance of maintaining good oral health, but its significance goes far beyond just a bright smile. Numerous studies have demonstrated a clear connection between oral health and overall wellness, particularly heart health, as poor dental hygiene has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular issues.

This functional medicine covers tips that may help enhance vitality. At most functional medicine practices, you will hear about Nutrition, Sleep, Exercise, Hydration and Stress Management. You will hear about that at our Denver functional medicine practice too, but in this blog we will let you in on some of the lesser-known tips that could help enhance vitality

Creatine is a naturally occurring compound found in small amounts in certain foods, particularly meat and fish. It is also synthesized in the body from amino acids. Creatine plays a crucial role in the production of cellular energy—especially in muscles, by replenishing adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy carrier in the body. Creatine is one of the most well researched and effective supplements for enhancing physical performance, particularly for short bursts of high intensity effort.

At our functional medicine office in Denver, Colorado, we see a lot of patients with symptoms of “brain fog.” Brain fog is a term used to describe a collection of symptoms involving cognitive dysfunction, such as difficulty concentrating, memory lapses, and a general feeling of mental cloudiness. It is often associated with various underlying conditions, including stress, poor diet, hormonal imbalances, and chronic illnesses. Functional medicine doctors use a holistic approach to identify and address the root causes of brain fog.

At Tendwell, we are proud to offer services by an Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) certified practitioner. IFM is the nation’s premier institution dedicated to research and training on the functional medicine approach to health. Learn more in this blog post.

Many clients struggle to get the recommended levels of protein in daily…me too. At my house, we know that including healthy fats and protein in each meal, especially breakfast, sets a you up for a better day. This translates into more stable blood sugar, steady energy, stable moods, a sharp mind and feelings of satiety which means less snacking though the day. I know many traditional cereal based breakfasts (including oatmeal) are lacking in protein power. Here is a quick list of protein forward breakfast ideas to bring to the table. Pun intended!

At Tendwell, our Institute for Functional Medicine Certified practitioners take a root-cause, personalized approach. We also blend in Integrative medicine. You may be wondering what the differences are between the two approaches. While they are very similar, there are some differences. Taking as a case study, the general approach that might be taken to address perimenopause, this blog explains the similarities and differences in the two approaches.

In our Denver, CO functional medicine practice, we commonly order tests meant to dig deep into each patient’s personal risk profile, propensity for disease, and opportunities for better health. Sometimes patients who find they have a genetic risk factor for disease question whether there is anything they can do. The answer: while genes play a very important role in health, we all have the power to strongly influence our personal risks. With the guidance of a functional medicine practitioner at Tendwell, you can take concrete steps to vastly improve your long-term health outlook. In this blog, we address genetics, disease risk, and what you can do about it.

In recent years, wearing a weighted vest has become quite popular especially in functional medicine circles. I actually just purchased a weighted vest myself to wear around the house and to wear while running and doing strength training at home. There are several options out there but a good rule of thumb is to begin with a weighted vest that is about 5-10% of your body weight and work up slowly. This may mean investing (pun intended!) in several weighted vests or purchasing a vest you can add weight to (usually in 2 lb increments). I have recommended weighted vests to many patients including my own father who is working to increase bone density and prevent bone loss. Wearing a weighted vest is an efficient way to increase gains, primarily in the realm of fitness and physical performance.

Swelling, water retention, edema…these symptoms can plague even the most active among us. Water retention can occur due to taking hormones (either as part of perimenopause or menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) or not). While many women are very happy with MHT, swollen feet and ankles are never welcome. Though we can always turn to conventional medicine to reduce swelling, many of the clients at our functional medicine office in Denver Colorado prefer to start with or transition to a more natural approach. This is when I love turning to teas.

L-carnitine is a naturally occurring compound found in the body, primarily in places with high levels of the mighty mitochondria (muscles, heart, liver, and kidneys). L-carnitine plays a crucial role in the metabolism of fatty acids, particularly by facilitating the transport of long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria, where they are used to produce energy.

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) refers to the variation in time intervals between consecutive heartbeats. It's a measure of the flexibility and adaptability of the cardiovascular system, reflecting the balance between the sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) branches of the autonomic nervous system. Higher HRV typically indicates a greater ability to respond to stressors.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are natural or human-made chemicals that may mimic, block, or interfere with the body’s hormones, which are part of the endocrine system. These chemicals are associated with a wide array of health issues. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are natural or human-made substances that can interfere with the normal functioning of the endocrine system in humans and animals. They do this by mimicking, blocking, or interfering with the body’s hormones, which are part of the endocrine system. The endocrine system plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological processes, influencing growth, development, metabolism, and other bodily functions.

Abdominal adiposity. Apple bodies. My best friend was just lamenting to me about what she was calling her “meno-belly”. Another friend told me that she was going to “throw up” if she heard the term “visceral fat” again. Belly fat, also known as visceral fat, refers to the fat that accumulates around the abdomen and internal organs. Unlike subcutaneous fat, which is found just beneath the skin, visceral fat is deeper within the abdominal cavity and surrounds vital organs such as the liver, pancreas, and intestines. Excess visceral fat has been linked to an increased risk of various health problems, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and metabolic syndrome.