Liza Roeckl is an EMDR Therapist, Abdominal Therapy Practitioner, Advanced Pregnancy Massage Therapist, Spiritual Healer, Reiki Master, Energy Worker, Licensed Massage Therapist, Licensed Creative Art Therapist, and Kundalini Pregnancy Yoga Teacher. She has run a New York-based healing practice for over twenty years. Liza specializes in helping people of all ages with fertility issues, postpartum care, painful menstrual cycles, digestive issues, low self-esteem, anxiety, sexual trauma, fibroids, and post-miscarriage care. Liza also works with LGBTQ clients on fertility concerns and overall health. Liza is a wonderful old soul with a joyful spirit. I am excited to bring this interview with her to you today.

While natural, perimenopause is a period of time characterized by fluctuating hormone levels. Many women experience unpleasant symptoms as their bodies are going through these changes. Some common symptoms are: mood swings, increased irritability and rage, tearfulness, hot flashes, night sweats, brain fog, memory issues, word searching, vaginal dryness, skin complaints, joint aches and pains, fatigue, weight gain (especially around the middle), decreased libido, heavy bleeding and missed periods. These symptoms are unpleasant and unwanted to say the least.

At Tendwell, we use cutting edge science and take an integrative medicine or functional medicine approach to health. When I work with clients desiring fertility, I tend to look at a lot of labwork in the beginning. Some of my favorites being: CBC w/diff, CMP, vitamin D, vitamin B12, homocysteine, MTHFR, CoQ10, Omega 3/6 levels, iron, ferritin, fasting blood sugar, hemoglobin A1C, and a full thyroid panel. We also get very specific hormone testing: day 3: estrogen, FSH, LH, testosterone, prolactin, DHEA-S, SHBG, AMH and day 21: progesterone levels.

We are proud to have Leia DeSousa as part of the Tendwell care team. Leia is a highly experienced health coach and personal trainer. In this blog, we talk to Leia about her approach to health coaching and functional medicine.

Vitex, also known as chasteberry or Vitex agnus-castus, is an herbal remedy that has been used for centuries to address various women's health issues. It's particularly popular for its effects on hormonal balance and menstrual cycle regulation—specifically to lift progesterone levels.

The thyroid gland plays a major role in the regulation of many body processes, especially those related to metabolic function. Maintaining optimal function of the thyroid and balanced levels of its main hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), is vital for overall health. Thyroid dysfunction is quite common and may result from conditions such as thyroiditis and hypothyroidism.

A functional medicine doctor can offer a different approach to constipation treatment that aims to identify and correct the imbalances in the body that contribute to poor bowel function. Functional medicine is a systems- and evidence-based approach that considers the interactions between the environment, genetics, and physiology of each individual. A functional medicine provider can use comprehensive testing, detailed history taking, and personalized interventions to help patients with constipation achieve optimal digestive health and overall wellness. At Tendwell, we call this personal medicine.

"The Galveston Diet" is a health and wellness book written by Mary Claire Haver, an OBGYN and expert in the field of women’s health. This book presents an actionable approach to dealing with the changes that can be caused by menopause. In this functional medicine blog, we will explore the main concepts, key takeaways, and notable aspects of "The Galveston Diet."
"The Galveston Diet" revolves around the concept that women experience unique hormonal fluctuations throughout their lives, which can impact their level of inflammation, their weight, moods, energy, and overall health. Dr. Haver explains how these hormonal changes can affect metabolism and hinder weight loss efforts which negatively impact hormones, energy, and mood. Dr. Haver presents the Galveston Diet as a solution specifically designed to support women's hormonal balance and promote sustainable weight loss.

Infrared saunas have gained popularity in recent years, and proponents claim several benefits associated with their use. While scientific research is still evolving in this area, saunas seem like a promising treatment modality. As a functional medicine practice, at Tendwell, are open to new methods of therapy and treatment, if consistent with the best available evidence and good clinical practice. Sometimes sauna is appropriate as an adjunct to other therapies.

Finding the root causes of migraines can be challenging because they can have multiple contributing factors. A good functional medicine doctor can explore the potential causes of your migraines and develop an individualized approach for diagnosis and treatment. We use advanced testing not commonly available in standard medical practices, an in-depth exploration of your unique health history, lifestyle and environment, and a personalized approach to treatment.

Not all hormone testing is created equal. At Tendwell, we often use advanced hormone testing to obtain a nuanced and full picture of what is happening with an individual’s hormonal function. Sadly, this is not what usually happens in standard primary care. Most of the time, standard medical practices send patients to a company like Quest for blood-based hormone testing. This kind of hormone testing has its place but it often misses information that is truly valuable. A far better method is the one used in the DUTCH test (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones), which is one of my favorites.

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme found in all living cells. It plays a crucial role in many cellular functions (over 300!), particularly in energy production and redox reactions (chemical reactions that involve the transfer of electrons).

The MTHFR gene is a gene that provides instructions for making an enzyme called methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. This enzyme is involved in a process called methylation, which is important for various biochemical reactions in the body, including the conversion of the amino acid homocysteine to methionine.

In our Denver functional medicine practice, we frequently treat members who are experiencing symptoms of menopause. Menopause is a natural phase in a woman's life that can be characterized by a range of physical and psychological symptoms that may significantly impact the quality of life. While hormonal therapies and pharmaceutical interventions are commonly prescribed, there is growing interest in exploring natural methods for reducing menopausal symptoms either with bioidentical hormone therapy or alone. This article reviews the current literature on the efficacy of natural approaches, including herbal remedies, lifestyle modifications, and mind-body practices, in alleviating menopausal symptoms.

One of my favorite tests that we run at Tendwell as part of the comprehensive functional medicine assessment is a stool analysis. We generally recommend Vibrant Wellness’ Gut Zoomer 3.0. This stool test looks at digestive enzyme levels, inflammatory markers, pathogens, and the total gut microbiome, among other things. One of these other things is a fecal zonulin test. This is a diagnostic test that measures the levels of zonulin in a person's stool sample. Zonulin is a protein that regulates the permeability of the intestinal barrier. What does this mean? It means that zonulin controls the openings between the cells of the intestinal lining, allowing nutrients to pass through while preventing the entry of harmful substances.

In our functional medicine practice, we focus a great deal on long-term prevention of age-related declines. A chief concern is maintaining and optimizing brain function not to mention reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease and other cognitive declines. Some patients wonder when they should start thinking about this. Our answer: It is never too early to make an impact and it can be beneficial to start paying attention to cognitive health in your 30s or 40s or even earlier.

Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide known for its effectiveness in killing weeds. However, its impact on human health and the environment has sparked concerns and debates in recent years. Many clinicians in the functional medicine community advocate avoiding glyphosate if possible. The FDA states that the trace amounts of glyphosate found in many foods (cereals, GMO soy products, wine) are not harmful, but perhaps, with repeat exposures—what functional medicine doctors call a chronic low-level toxicity—can have profound physiological effects.

At Tendwell, we meet with a lot of people who are looking to optimize their day-to-day work week as well as their athletic performance. This got me to thinking on an interesting natural compound called phosphatidylserine. Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a phospholipid found in cell membranes, particularly in the brain. It has been studied for its potential health benefits, particularly in relation to cognitive function, sleep enhancement and stress reduction.

When considering a telehealth visit with a functional medicine doctor, it’s essential to ask relevant questions to ensure that they can meet your specific needs and provide high-quality care. Here are some important questions to consider.

Growing up in the 1980’s, I was lucky to be raised in a fairly healthy household. My parents were all about moderation. They served us small portions of home cooked meals, often including the trout my dad caught himself in local rivers. Still the prevailing message in the culture at that time was that dietary fat was detrimental and sugar was fine, even in high amounts. Calories in calories out—nothing more. Consistent with this framework, my parents made us KoolAid, let us pick out sugared cereals like Cocoa Pops and Fruit Loops, and fed us PopTarts and Carnation Instant Breakfast.