GLP-1 medications can be a powerful and supportive tool for weight loss and metabolic health. But like any tool, how you use it matters. At Tendwell, we focus on helping you lose weight in a way that protects your muscle, supports your metabolism, and sets you up for long-term health—not just short-term results on the scale.
For many women, perimenopause and menopause are more than just hot flashes and irregular cycles. They can also be a time of intense emotional change—mood swings, anxiety, depression, brain fog, or just feeling “off.” Many women share with me that they feel “overwhelmed” despite experiencing the same levels of stress they have in the past. These women, do not feel like themselves.
Metabolic health is the foundation of overall well-being, influencing energy levels, weight, mood, and even longevity. From a functional medicine perspective, achieving optimal metabolism goes beyond just counting calories or exercising more—it requires addressing underlying imbalances that can sabotage the body's ability to maintain a healthy weight and energy balance. Two critical yet often overlooked factors in metabolic health are toxins and weight loss resistance and gut health and the microbiome.
Many patients come to Tendwell feeling frustrated—not from a lack of effort, but from a lack of results. They’ve been trying everything—eating well, exercising regularly—and yet, the scale won’t budge. For some, the frustration grows as they continue to gain weight despite their best efforts.
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.
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.
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.
Insulin resistance is a condition in which the cells in your body don't respond properly to insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood sugar (glucose) levels. When cells become insulin resistant, they don't effectively absorb glucose from the bloodstream. Over time, this can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes and other health issues like cardiovascular disease, fatty liver, decreased muscle mass, hormonal concerns, obesity and even osteoporosis (low bone density).
With the turn of season to fall, it may be time to take a fresh look at your metabolic efficiency. With school restarted, holidays on the horizon and changes in routines and in the weather, there is no better time to check in with a functional medicine doctor in Denver or via telehealth to fine tune the inputs to your metabolism.
"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.
Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal gland that plays a crucial role in maintaining the body's physiological and metabolic functions. It is commonly known as the "stress hormone" due to its association with the body's response to stress. While cortisol is essential for normal body function, excessive or prolonged cortisol secretion can have negative effects on health.