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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.
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Natural Ways to Support Gut Health During Seasonal Changes
Simple Tips to Reduce Bloating, Improve Digestion & Support Your Gut Microbiome Naturally As the seasons change, most of us expect shifts in the weather, allergies, and even our mood—but many people are surprised to find that their digestion changes too. If you've noticed more bloating, constipation, food sensitivities, sluggish digestion, or changes in your energy during the transition from one season to the next, you're certainly not alone. Our digestive system is incredibl
Dr. Katrina Robinson, NDM, PMNHP-MFT, CHN
Jun 295 min read
Why Does Eczema Flare in the Summer? The Science Behind Summer Eczema and Natural Support Strategies
What Is Eczema? Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by dry, itchy, and irritated skin. While it appears on the surface, eczema is much more than a skin-deep issue. It develops through a complex interaction between genetics, immune function, environmental exposures, and the skin barrier itself. Healthy skin acts as a protective shield, keeping moisture in and irritants out. In individuals with eczema, this barrier is
Dr. Chelsea Birch, ND, RH (AHG), CBHT
Jun 225 min read
Your Skin Is What You Eat: The Gut-Skin Connection Behind Eczema & Inflammation
Deadlines are approaching, bills are due, and summer schedules are filling up fast. During stressful seasons of life, many people naturally reach for comfort foods like pastries, soft drinks, candy, or ice cream. While these foods may provide temporary relief, consistently consuming excess added sugar can negatively impact the gut microbiome and contribute to inflammation throughout the body — including the skin. When the gut microbiome becomes imbalanced, a condition known a
Melanie Baughman, BS
Jun 83 min read
Why Acne Often Returns After Antibiotics: A Root-Cause Approach to Clearer Skin
Acne is often treated as a surface-level skin condition, but from a naturopathic and functional medicine perspective, acne is rarely just about the skin. While topical treatments, antibiotics, and skincare products may temporarily reduce breakouts, they often fail to address the deeper imbalances contributing to chronic inflammation, hormonal disruption, and immune dysfunction. As a result, many people experience acne that repeatedly returns despite trying multiple products a
Dr. Stephanie Hendershot, ND
Jun 13 min read
Can a Gluten-Free Diet Help Parkinson’s Symptoms? The Gut-Brain Connection Explained
Over the years, many clinicians working with individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease have observed a recurring theme: diet can significantly influence daily symptoms. In particular, high intake of gluten and sugar has been associated with increased inflammation, digestive issues, and fluctuations in energy and cognition. While more large-scale research is needed, clinical observations and emerging studies suggest that reducing gluten may support both motor and non-moto
Dr. Sarah Kingsley, PT, DPT, RYT
May 263 min read
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
May 193 min read
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
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
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
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
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
How Nutrition Supports the Nervous System: Gut–Brain Health, Stress & Emotional Balance
In my clinical practice, one truth stands out: balance begins by nourishing the nervous system. Unlike diets focused solely on weight or macros, nutrition grounded in nervous system health considers how food directly influences our biology, emotions, stress resilience, and overall sense of safety—especially during times like the holidays, when food is tied to comfort, memory, and connection. Why the Nervous System Matters The nervous system is not just the seat of thought; it
Elena DiPerri, CNS, LN
Jan 264 min read
Hangry Holidays: How Skipping Meals Triggers Headaches and Ruins Your Festive Fun
The only thing worse than the Grinch stealing Christmas? An uninvited headache from skipping breakfast and lunch just to overindulge at festive dinners. And nobody wants that! Let’s explore some common holiday habits we’re all guilty of, how skipping meals affects your brain, and practical tips to protect your holiday spirit. Because the best gift we can give ourselves is feeling good. WHAT you eat can also cause headaches. We recommend starting with vegetables, fats, and pro
Melanie Baughman, BS
Dec 8, 20253 min read
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
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
How Blood Sugar After Meals Impacts PCOS Symptoms, Hormones, and Health
If you’re living with PCOS, you’ve probably heard about insulin resistance. But what does that actually mean day to day? A big piece of the puzzle is how your body handles blood sugar after meals, also called postprandial glucose regulation.
Elena DiPerri, CNS, LN
Sep 15, 20253 min read
Beyond the Cookie: Surprising Ways Blood Sugar Fluctuates (and How a Naturopathic Doctor Can Help You Stay Balanced)
Picture glucose as the VIP of your bloodstream—your body’s all-access energy pass. It’s the essential fuel for your brain, muscles, and organs, keeping everything running smoothly. But keeping blood sugar “just right”—not too high, not too low—is where the real magic happens.
Dr. Marissa Boyd, ND
Sep 6, 20254 min read
The Gut–Autoimmune Connection: How Nutrition Can Heal Inflammation from the Inside Out
This is a short blog linking nutrition with autoimmune conditions and applying the optimum diet and nutrients needed to overcome autoimmune conditions.
Elena DiPerri, CNS, LN
Aug 25, 20255 min read
The Gut Healing Blueprint: A Clinical Nutritionist’s 3-Phase Approach to Restore Health from the Inside Out
As a Clinical Nutritionist , I am constantly evaluating the health of the gut—not just because it's a cornerstone of digestive function,...
Elena DiPerri, CNS, LN
Jun 23, 20254 min read
Struggling with Bloating, Constipation, or Hunger? Here’s Why Fiber Could Be Your Missing Link
If you're struggling with bloating, constipation, or constant hunger, you might be tempted to reach for quick fixes—laxatives, digestive...
Dr. Yelena Okhotin, ND, LAc
Jun 9, 20256 min read
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