The Far-Reaching Effects of Hormones on Your Body

Many people are aware that sex hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and DHEA influence more than just reproduction and menstrual cycles. While common knowledge acknowledges their impact on bone density, brain health, and cardiovascular risk, emerging medical perspectives recognize that these hormones have even broader effects. Our Changing Brain Architecture Throughout the Menstrual Cycle Recent … Read more

Managing Seasonal Affective Disorder During Menopause: Herbal and Hormonal Treatments

Introduction Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years, typically occurring in her late 40s or early 50s. However, for many women, this transition is not just about physical changes but also emotional ones. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or seasonal depression can compound the emotional challenges faced during … Read more

Symptoms and Testing for Hormone Imbalances: The Big Six

By Joan Haynes, NMD Hormone imbalances is something we see a lot of at Boise Natural Health. Listed below are symptoms of deficiency and excess of different hormones. Because there is such an overlap between the symptoms of the hormone imbalances, testing takes the guess work out. Estrogens Deficiency Hot flashes Night sweats Vaginal dryness … Read more

Dr. Maxwell Attends Hormone Boot Camp

Recently I attended the Women’s Hormone/Menopause and Perimenopause Boot Camp held by Tori Hudson, ND.  She’s an author and leader in the field of natural medicine and women’s health.  This was the second time in five years that I had in five years of studying women’s health with the numerous speakers Dr. Hudson invites to … Read more

Kale and Biotin Can Interfere with Thyroid Function and Lab Reports

By Joan Haynes, NMD Kale and Other Cruciferous Veggies Kale is a cruciferous vegetable related to other well-known healthy veggies such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage. Cruciferous vegetables are unique in that they are rich sources of healthy, sulfur-containing compounds known as glucosinolates.  Glucosinolates form a substance called goitrin that can suppress the function … Read more

Caution with Iodine Supplements

by Joan Haynes, NMD Many patients have come to the clinic taking large doses of iodine, in hope that it will improve their thyroid function and help with fatigue or weight gain. While iodine is critical to human health and proper thyroid function, too much of it can become toxic to the body.  How many … Read more

Calcium . . . Friend or Foe?  A Fresh Look at Bone Health and Osteoporosis

by Joan Haynes, NMD Still think 1200 mg of calcium daily will build good bone?  Think again.  That much calcium might only not help, but actually harm.  Excessive calcium might compromise cardiac and kidney health.  Here’s a fresh look at osteoporosis and the host of minerals, cofactors, diet and lifestyle recommendations that are necessary for … Read more