IVY Integrative / About IVY / Journal

Journal

Welcome to our integrative health journal, where our team of holistic practitioners shares their expertise to help you achieve optimal well-being. Each month, we delve into a new theme, providing you with insightful articles, practical tips, and the latest in holistic health trends. Whether you're interested in nutrition, natural remedies, mental health, or physical fitness, our diverse team of experts offers a wealth of knowledge to support your wellness journey. Join us as we explore the multifaceted world of holistic health and empower you to live your healthiest life.

Two people clink glasses of rosé and white wine over a table with flowers. Bright setting, casual, and cheerful atmosphere.

This Is Your Gut Microbiome: How Alcohol and Tobacco Affect Gut Health

The human gut microbiome is often referred to as the body’s “second brain” — and for good reason. This vast ecosystem of trillions of microorganisms influences digestion, immunity, inflammation, metabolism, hormone balance, and even mental health. But everyday lifestyle habits like alcohol consumption and tobacco use can significantly disrupt this delicate balance. Understanding how smoking and alcohol affect the gut microbiome may help explain why these habits are linked to

Dr. Kellyann Tomko, ND

5 days ago3 min read

Child in a blue polka-dot hoodie holds a magnifying glass to their eye, looking curious. Blurred outdoor background.

When Should You Consider a GI-MAP Test?

If you’ve been dealing with ongoing digestive issues, fatigue, or unexplained symptoms, you may have heard about comprehensive stool testing in functional medicine. One of the most advanced options is the GI-MAP test—but what exactly is it, and when should you consider it? What Is a GI-MAP Test? A GI-MAP (Gastrointestinal Microbial Assay Plus) is a comprehensive stool analysis that evaluates the health of your gut microbiome and digestive function. Unlike standard stool tests

Dr. Caitlan Readhead, ND

May 112 min read

Five pastel-colored eggs, including blue and brown, rest on a crumpled gray cloth. The wooden background adds warmth.

The Whole Body Approach to Fertility

How to Optimize Fertility Naturally: A Whole-Body Approach to Hormone Balance When most people think about fertility, they imagine a narrow window for conception or focus on hitting specific hormone levels—like needing progesterone to reach a certain number to get pregnant. In reality, fertility is much more complex. It’s a reflection of your body’s overall health and its ability to adapt. From a naturopathic perspective, conception isn’t just about ovulation or perfectly ti

Dr. Stephanie Hendershot, ND

Apr 214 min read

White daisies in a small green vase against a soft green background. The setting is simple and serene. No text visible.

Is It Allergies or MCAS? Understanding the Key Differences

If you struggle with symptoms that seem like allergies but don’t improve with typical treatments, there may be another explanation. While allergies and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) can look very similar, they are actually two different immune responses with different causes and treatment approaches. Understanding the difference between allergies and MCAS can help you determine whether your symptoms require a deeper evaluation. What Are Allergies? Allergies are IgE-med

Dr. Caitlan Readhead, ND

Apr 63 min read

Cooked lobster on a white plate against a bright yellow background. The lobster's red-orange color contrasts with the vivid setting.

The Aging Immune System and the Rise of Adult-Onset Food Allergies

Adult-onset food allergies are on the rise as the immune system ages. Learn how immunosenescence, gut health, and lifestyle factors contribute to new food sensitivities in adults and seniors.

Dr. Kellyann Tomko, ND

Mar 233 min read

Person in a brown hoodie holds their head with hand, standing outdoors. Background features lush green foliage with yellow flowers.

The Surprising Link Between Bile Flow and Allergies

Struggling with allergies, histamine intolerance, or hormonal flares? Discover how bile flow, liver detoxification, and gut health influence histamine levels and systemic inflammation.

Dr. Stephanie Hendershot, ND

Mar 24 min read

Three potatoes with paper eyes and glasses, expressing emotions, sit against a white background. Playful and whimsical mood.

Heart Health: How Vitamins and Minerals Support Your Cardiovascular System

Heart health can feel like a serious topic, and it is, but taking care of your cardiovascular system does not have to be complicated. Along with exercise and balanced meals, certain vitamins and minerals help keep your blood vessels flexible, your blood pressure steady, and your cholesterol levels in a healthy range. Think of these nutrients as part of your heart’s maintenance team, working behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly. Sodium and Potassium: A Team, N

Elena DiPerri, CNS, LN

Feb 235 min read

Six glass jars spill seeds and nuts on a white surface, including almonds, goji berries, and pumpkin seeds, creating a vibrant, organic display.

Inflammation And Cardiovascular Disease: Key Markers To Test

Identifying Inflammation’s Role in Cardiovascular Disease Inflammation is a natural and essential part of the body’s immune response to infection, injury, or exposure to toxins. In the short term, inflammation is protective and necessary for healing. However, when inflammation becomes chronic and unresolved, it can quietly damage tissues and significantly increase the risk of chronic disease—particularly cardiovascular disease. Chronic inflammation within the cardiovascular s

Dr. Caitlan Readhead, ND

Feb 173 min read

A hand holds a heart-shaped, orange-yellow leaf with dark spots and veins against a blurred dark background.

Atherosclerosis: Beyond the Lipid Panel – 3 Advanced Markers to Assess Cardiovascular Risk Early

Despite the advances in cardiovascular medicine and surgery, atherosclerosis is still the leading cause of death globally. Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the arteries characterized by the build-up of lipids, immune cells, and fibrous tissue in the arterial walls, leading to plaque formation. Arterial plaque begins with endothelial injury or dysfunction to the arterial walls, which facilitates the infiltration of LDL cholesterol particles. Oxidized LDL ch

Dr. Kellyann Tomko, ND

Feb 94 min read

hawthorn berries and brown acorns on weathered wooden surface with lichen. Rustic and earthy colors create a natural, autumnal mood.

Hawthorn for Heart Health: A Natural Ally Backed by Science

Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of illness worldwide. While medications and medical procedures play an important role in treatment, many people are looking for safe, research-supported ways to support cardiovascular health naturally . One botanical that has gained significant scientific attention is Crataegus , more commonly known as hawthorn . Used for centuries in traditional herbal medicine, hawthorn is now supported by modern research showing it may help i

Chelsea Birch, ND, RH (AHG), CBHT

Feb 34 min read

Scrabble tiles on a white background spell "INHALE," "EXHALE," and "REPEAT" in a cross pattern, emphasizing a calming mood.

How to Reset Your Nervous System: Lower Cortisol, Calm Stress, and Improve Vagal Tone

Recently, I’ve been running more cortisol tests on patients, and levels are consistently coming back elevated. Many patients’ nervous systems are persistently activated in a chronic “fight-or-flight” state. While short bursts of stress are a normal and adaptive evolutionary response, prolonged sympathetic dominance can contribute to anxiety, sleep disruption, digestive dysfunction, and an overall diminished quality of life. To understand why this happens, it helps to review t

Dr. Stephanie Hendershot, ND

Jan 123 min read

Three women smiling joyfully, embracing each other in front of a red wall. One wears a striped shirt, another in beige, and another in pink.

Hormonal Headaches: Understanding the Root Causes & Natural Relief Strategies

Headaches and hormones are closely interconnected, and many patients notice their headaches follow a pattern that aligns with their menstrual cycle, stress levels, or major hormonal transitions such as menopause. From a naturopathic perspective, understanding how hormones influence the nervous system and inflammation helps us get closer to the root cause rather than only treating symptoms as they arise. Hormones such as estrogen and progesterone affect the brain’s pain-regula

Dr. Stephanie Hendershot, ND

Dec 22, 20253 min read

Woman in pink shirt on pink background, holding dessert, finger to lips thoughtfully. Red nails, playful mood.

The Hidden Link Between Blood Sugar Imbalance and Chronic Migraines

Migraines are part of a complex disease process that continues to be rigorously studied in terms of both physiology and therapeutic interventions. While the dilation of blood vessels in the head and neuroinflammation are well-known factors, one less discussed avenue is the role metabolic dysfunction may play in the development of migraines. For many individuals, migraines are utterly debilitating—affecting quality of life, impairing work productivity, disrupting social activi

Dr. Kellyann Tomko, ND

Dec 15, 20253 min read

Person with curly red hair, freckles, and closed eyes, pressing fingers on eyelids. Wearing a knitted white sweater. Calm expression.

Why You Get Headaches at Work (and How to Make Them Stop)

It’s 3:24 PM. Your inbox is overflowing, your neck feels like a stone column, your eyes are dry and cranky, and your head is pulsing with that familiar, annoying ache. You’re tired, slightly grumpy, and secretly wondering, “Is my job trying to kill my brain?” If this sounds dramatic, that’s okay. Headaches have a way of making everything feel dramatic. And if you get them often at work, you are absolutely not alone. Office and screen-time headaches are incredibly common in pe

Dr. Marissa Boyd, ND

Dec 1, 20258 min read

Cracked, dry earth with irregular, large fragments and visible dirt lines. Brown and gray tones create a rough, arid texture.

Eczema Treatment: Effective, Evidence-Based Approaches

The itch that rashes. The endless cycle. The never ending plague. #Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, affects millions worldwide, causing red, itchy, inflamed skin, sleep disturbances, and a reduced quality of life. If you’re searching for effective eczema treatment, it’s important to focus on evidence-backed approaches rather than quick fixes. In my realm of naturopathic medicine, the three (currently) most studied strategies to address the never-ending itch are topical

Chelsea Birch, ND, RH (AHG), CBHT

Nov 24, 20254 min read

Hand placing a red pushpin on a detailed map; several pins are scattered nearby. The focus is on precision and planning.

The Gut–Skin Connection: How a GI Map Can Reveal the Root Causes of Eczema

While eczema can have a variety of contributing factors, gut health remains a pivotal component to consider. An overactive immune system, poor microbial diversity, and underlying infections have all been correlated with eczema. Since 70–80% of the immune system originates in the gastrointestinal lining, utilizing a GI Map can be a valuable tool in managing eczema. Intestinal dysbiosis—an imbalance or disruption of gut microorganisms—can lead to infections within the gastroint

Dr. Caitlan Readhead, ND

Nov 11, 20252 min read

Two images of a baby with a bare belly. Left: Rash on abdomen, striped garment. Right: Rash-free, hand lifting gray shirt, neutral mood.

The Gut-Skin Connection: A Naturopathic Approach to Healing Eczema from Within

Eczema, or more precisely atopic dermatitis , is more than just dry, itchy skin—it’s a chronic inflammatory condition that often reflects what’s happening inside the body. Characterized by itching, redness, dryness, and sometimes thickened or oozing skin, eczema is conventionally understood as a multifactorial condition influenced by genetics, immune dysregulation, and environmental triggers. From a naturopathic perspective, however, the skin acts as a mirror of the internal.

Dr. Stephanie Hendershot, ND

Nov 3, 20254 min read

Red flag on a sandy beach with waves crashing in the background under a cloudy sky, indicating caution.

The Root Cause of Anxiety: A Naturopathic Guide to Healing the Mind and Body Naturally

Anxiety isn’t just mental—it’s often a physiological reaction to an internal imbalance. In my clinical experience, addressing these imbalances is where true healing begins.

Dr. Marissa Boyd, ND

Oct 28, 20254 min read

A magnifying glass focuses on a dandelion, highlighting its details. Green foliage and small blue flowers surround it, creating a calm mood.

Functional Medicine Approaches to Anxiety: Root Causes, Gut Health, and Nutritional Deficiencies

This is a quick read blog explaining objective tests that can uncover the roots of your anxiety.

Dr. Caitlan Readhead, ND

Oct 6, 20252 min read

Six bowls of assorted nuts, including peanuts, cashews, hazelnuts, almonds, and walnuts, on a textured gray background.

How Protein Balances Blood Sugar for Better Sleep and Less Stress

Waking up at 2 a.m. feeling tired but wired? This blog explains how eating enough protein during the day helps balance blood sugar, reduce cortisol spikes, and support deep, restorative sleep.

Dr. Stephanie Hendershot, ND

Sep 22, 20253 min read