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.
With all the changes our bodies experience during the menopause transition, one issue raises more questions, frustrations, and self-doubt than almost any other: the new accumulation of fat around the midsection — often called belly fat.
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.
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.
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.
Berberine is a bioactive compound found in several plants, including the roots, rhizomes, and bark of various herbs from the Berberis genus, such as Berberis vulgaris (barberry), Berberis aristata (tree turmeric), and Coptis chinensis (Chinese goldthread). It has been used in traditional medicine systems, particularly in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, for centuries due to its health benefits. In this blog, we discuss some of the benefits and a brief history of berberine's use in medicine.