Relevant, focused articles designed to help you live your healthiest life.

The holiday season is a time for joy, togetherness, and celebration, but it can also be a period of heightened stress and anxiety. With the pressure to fulfill social obligations, meet financial expectations, and create picture-perfect holiday memories, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and burned out. Identifying Stressors The first step in managing holiday stress…

Preventative care is a crucial aspect of maintaining good health. It refers to the measures taken to prevent illnesses and detect health problems at an early stage, before they become more severe. Here are some reasons why preventative care is so important: Preventative care is essential for maintaining good health and preventing serious health problems.…

In the pursuit of peak athletic performance, athletes are constantly exploring new methods to enhance their recovery and improve their overall well-being. One such method that has gained popularity in recent years is the use of ice baths.  The Physiology of Ice Baths At first glance, immersing oneself in icy water might seem like a…

What is a Health Coach?  When our members receive their Health Action Plan from their medical provider, it can be overwhelming to know where to start or even how to begin to implement the recommendations given. A health coach provides them with the support they need to narrow the focus on what matters the most…

Now is a great time to focus on preparing for ski season. With several weeks remaining before the snow begins to pile up on the mountains, there is ample time to get ready for a great season on the slopes. Whether you ski, snowboard or snowshoe, these pre-season tips will give your season a lift.…

Vitamin Malabsorption Vitamins are essential nutrients that our bodies require to function properly. They play vital roles in various biological processes such as metabolism, immune function, and tissue repair. However, our bodies cannot produce all the vitamins that we need, which is why we have to obtain them through our diet or supplements. While a…

Men’s health screenings are essential for maintaining good health and preventing potential medical issues. Regular check-ups and screenings can help detect and address health problems early, which can lead to better outcomes and a higher quality of life. The specific screenings and their recommended frequencies can vary based on factors like age, family history, and…

Leaky gut, also known as increased intestinal permeability, is a condition where the gut lining becomes permeable, allowing toxins, bacteria and undigested food particles to enter the bloodstream. This can lead to a range of health problems and symptoms, including bloating, gas, fatigue, skin issues, and food sensitivities. What Causes Leaky Gut? There are several…

Estrogen dominance is a condition that occurs when there is an excess of estrogen hormone in the body, relative to other hormones such as progesterone. This hormonal imbalance can have a range of negative effects on a person’s health and wellbeing, and is becoming an increasingly common issue in modern society. In this blog post,…

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) is a condition that occurs when there is an excessive amount of bacteria in the small intestine, leading to various gastrointestinal symptoms. Although it is a relatively common condition, it is often overlooked or misdiagnosed due to its nonspecific symptoms. In this blog, we will explore SIBO, its causes, symptoms,…

Dementia is a progressive condition that affects cognitive abilities, such as memory, thinking, and reasoning. It is estimated to affect over 50 million people worldwide, with the number expected to triple by 2050. Early detection and diagnosis of dementia can greatly improve quality of life and provide more time for planning and making important decisions.…

Precision medicine is a relatively new approach to healthcare that aims to provide tailored medical treatments to individual patients based on their specific genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. It is a rapidly developing field that holds great promise for improving patient outcomes, reducing healthcare costs, and advancing our understanding of disease.  At its core, precision…

What is visceral fat & why is it bad for your health? Visceral fat, also known as “belly fat,” is the fat that surrounds the internal organs in the abdominal cavity. Unlike subcutaneous fat, which is found just under the skin, visceral fat is located deep inside the body, surrounding the organs in the abdominal…

The five main hormones that impact men’s health are testosterone, growth hormone, insulin, thyroid hormones, and cortisol.  Testosterone is a steroid hormone that plays a key role in the development of male reproductive tissues, such as the testes and prostate, as well as promoting secondary sexual characteristics such as increased muscle and bone mass, and…

Digestive enzymes are proteins that help break down food into smaller, absorbable molecules. These enzymes play a crucial role in the digestive process, enabling our bodies to extract nutrients from the food we eat.  There are several types of digestive enzymes, each responsible for breaking down different components of food. For example, amylase breaks down…

There is nothing as satisfying as a good night’s rest, that feeling of waking up feeling restored, rejuvenated and ready to tackle the day. Sleep is an essential function within our bodies just like digestion and circulation, regulated by hormones and orchestrated by the brain. Sleep is as important to our survival as food and…

We all know that exercise is good for our health, but we typically think about the physical benefits of regular movement more than the cognitive. After all, exercise helps us feel physically better and also combats the odds of developing diabetes, heart disease and stroke, just to name a few. Research shows, however, that exercise…

If the definition of functional medicine is a little ambiguous to you, you’re not alone. While certainly not a new medical discipline, the functional medicine method, gut inflammation and the role of nutrition, is still a bit obscure for many people.  What is Functional Medicine? Functional medicine seeks to find the root cause of a…

HeartMath is a research-based organization that aims to help individuals and organizations improve their mental and emotional well-being through the use of scientific techniques and tools. HeartMath focuses on the connection between the heart, brain, and emotions and offers programs and technology to help individuals manage stress, increase resilience and improve performance.  At the core…

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder that affects women of reproductive age. It is characterized by the growth of small cysts on the ovaries and a hormonal imbalance that leads to a range of symptoms, including irregular menstrual cycles, acne, hirsutism (excessive hair growth), obesity, and infertility. The exact cause of PCOS…

Good nutrition is essential for a healthy life and can have a profound impact on our physical, mental and emotional well-being. While many people know the importance of good nutrition, making changes to your diet and eating habits can be challenging. This is where a nutrition coach can help. At Empowered Health, we treat food…

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of health conditions that increase the risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. The syndrome is characterized by a combination of metabolic disorders, including insulin resistance, central obesity, high blood pressure, and abnormal lipid metabolism. Insulin resistance is a condition in which the…

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and tenderness in localized areas. Despite its prevalence, the exact cause of fibromyalgia is still unknown, and there is no cure. Symptoms of fibromyalgia include: Fibromyalgia is often misdiagnosed or overlooked because its symptoms are…

Diverticulitis is a condition that affects the digestive system, specifically the colon. It occurs when small pouches or pockets, called diverticula, form in the lining of the colon and become infected or inflamed. In this blog, we will discuss the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of diverticulitis. Causes of Diverticulitis: The exact cause of diverticulitis…

Anemia is a common blood disorder characterized by a reduced number of red blood cells (RBCs) or a decrease in hemoglobin levels, resulting in a decreased oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Anemia can be caused by a variety of factors, such as a lack of iron, vitamin B12, or folic acid, blood loss, chronic disease,…

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that can lead to severe physical and emotional harm. The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) defines eating disorders as “serious and often fatal illnesses that cause severe disturbances to a person’s eating behaviors.” Eating disorders can take many forms, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.…

Fat has long been demonized in the health and wellness industry as the villain behind weight gain and a host of health problems, but the truth is, our bodies need fat to function properly. From providing energy to supporting cell growth, fat plays a vital role in keeping us healthy and strong. Here are some…

National Nutrition Month is an annual nutrition education and awareness campaign that takes place in March. The purpose of this month-long campaign is to promote the importance of making informed food choices and developing healthy eating habits. What is National Nutrition Month? National Nutrition Month is an initiative created by the Academy of Nutrition and…

Thyroid function is one of the standard health assessments at Empowered Health. Why? Thyroid health affects energy levels and metabolism. Various factors can negatively impact thyroid function resulting in fatigue, weight gain, anxiety and hair loss (to name a few). For those unfamiliar with the thyroid gland, it sits in the anterior portion of the…

Hypertension is a multifactorial illness. Hypertension is the most common primary care diagnosis in the United States and a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke or renal failure when not detected early and treated appropriately. The American Heart Association estimates that approximately 45% of Americans have hypertension. Over 90% of cases have…

Do you know what the largest organ of the human body is? It’s not your brain, your stomach, or even your intestines. It’s your skin! We often don’t think of our skin as an organ, but it is just as important – if not more – than some of your “hidden” internal organs. Skin helps…

Haley Scellick, ARNP at Empowered Health, shares her most frequently asked questions she hears in her role as a healthcare provider. 1. How can I eat healthier? At Empowered Health, we individualize nutrition plans to fit a personalized approach. We pair the person’s health goals, biometrics, labs and a few other items. The short answer…

Vitamin D is a unique vitamin that is very important to our overall health and wellness. It is valuable in reducing inflammation and promoting cell growth, glucose metabolism and immune function. It also helps regulate calcium and phosphate in the body, both nutrients we need to keep muscles, bones and teeth in tip-top shape. Without sufficient…

While there’s no one perfect temperature or recommendation for everyone, we have a few things to keep in mind while you go out for your cold weather movement. One of the benefits of working out in the cold is that endurance is often increased. Because of the cooler temperatures the heart does not have to…

We all know the importance of proper hydration. Water aids in just about every biological process and therefore hydration affects everything from digestion and skin health to brain function and physical capability. It’s recommended that the average adult drink half their weight in ounces every day in order to help with your body’s everyday functions.…