Elevated Health & Wellness

12/26/2025

Insulin resistance is a state of metabolic dysfunction that negatively impacts overall health and is associated with serious chronic conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and liver disease.

It also contributes to symptoms such as fatigue, chronic inflammation, and brain fog.

While high sugar and refined carbohydrate intake play an important role in the development of insulin resistance, they are not the only contributing factors.

Improving insulin sensitivity requires a multifaceted approach that addresses lifestyle, metabolic health, and physiological stressors.

Over the coming days, we’ll break down these factors and share practical, evidence-based strategies to help reduce insulin resistance and support long-term health.

Follow along for clear, actionable education!

12/19/2025

Hormone replacement therapy can help with weight loss, but beyond the weight loss itself, it’s more about what that means for metabolic risk.

As estrogen declines, fat storage shifts toward the abdomen, increasing visceral fat.

Visceral fat is the deep abdominal fat that surrounds internal organs, and it is closely associated with insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes.

Evidence suggests that HRT can help counter these changes by supporting healthier fat distribution, preserving muscle, improving sleep quality, and enhancing insulin sensitivity.

Reducing visceral fat means reducing long-term disease risk, and that’s where HRT can play a meaningful role for the right patient.

At Elevated Health and Wellness, we use BHRT - bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. We tailor it to each person and combine it with diet, lifestyle and target nutrient + botanical support for a truly holistic approach to helping you feel good through the menopausal transition and after!

12/17/2025

Improving insulin sensitivity is a cornerstone of overall health and longevity - and it’s key to managing many chronic conditions, since insulin resistance is often an underlying factor.

Some of our favorite supplements to support healthy insulin function are berberine, chromium, and alpha lipoic acid.

Each has therapeutic benefits, but which one is right for you depends on your individual circumstances. And although they are all effective, we combine supplements with diet and lifestyle strategies for the best results.

Want to know where you stand? Reach out today to get your labs checked and let us help you optimize your insulin health!

12/14/2025

Exposure to bright light at night isn’t just bad for sleep, t may also increase your risk for heart disease.

A recent study tracking over 88,000 adults found that those with the brightest nighttime exposure had significantly higher risk for coronary artery disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and stroke.

These effects were independent of sleep duration, activity, diet, and other lifestyle factors, and women and younger adults were particularly affected.

Nighttime light may disrupt your circadian rhythms and melatonin, impacting heart health. Reducing unnecessary light at night could be a simple step toward protecting your cardiovascular system.

12/11/2025

Research reviewing data from 107 randomized controlled trials found that hormone therapy in postmenopausal women was associated with several metabolic benefits - including a ~30% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared with women not receiving hormone therapy.

The analysis also showed that hormone therapy was linked to:�
• less abdominal fat�
• Improved insulin resistance�
• Lower risk of new-onset diabetes
�• Better lipid profiles
�• Slightly lower blood pressure�compared with controls.

The take away: hormone therapy may help support healthier metabolism after menopause, including factors that influence diabetes risk and cardiovascular risk markers.

PMID: 16918589

At Elevated Health and Wellness, we use bHRT- contact us today to learn more!

12/09/2025

At Elevated Health, we offer memory programs designed to support both prevention and treatment of cognitive decline and dementia.

Our approach focuses on the modifiable risk factors and underlying drivers that influence how the brain ages - including metabolism, inflammation, sleep, hormones, nutrient status, and lifestyle.

By addressing these interconnected systems, we can help people protect cognitive function and, in many cases, improve it and change the trajectory of neurodegenerative disorders

We have a separate website, www.memorymedicine.ca where you can learn more!

12/08/2025

Why cellular senescence matters for aging and health:

Our cells can’t avoid stress and damage as we go through life.

When a cell can no longer divide but also can’t die properly, it becomes senescent, and these “worn-out” cells can release inflammatory signals that affect nearby healthy tissue.

As senescent cells build up, they’re linked to:

♦︎ Chronic inflammation
♦︎ Reduced tissue function
♦︎ Many processes associated with aging

Supporting healthy cell turnover, lowering inflammatory signalling, and protecting cellular integrity can therefore play a meaningful role in aging well.

Compounds like fisetin and quercetin can influence these pathways, but they work best as part of a broader foundation of nutrition, sleep, movement, and metabolic health.

Aging well isn’t just about years, it’s about keeping our bodies functioning well along the way!

12/04/2025

12/02/2025

The Vagus Nerve is an under looked at therapeutic tool to help with gut dysfunction. If you're curious about the connection - we have a whole other post on this. Head to our page to check it out!

Here’s how each of these supports vagus nerve regulation - and in turn, your gut:

1. Slow, Deep Breathing
Just a few minutes of diaphragmatic breathing can activate the vagus nerve, lower stress hormones, and help your digestive system function more smoothly.

2. Gentle Movement
Light movement like walking, yoga, or stretching support the vagus nerve by helping the body drop into a parasympathetic state which can help with gut motility

3. Humming or Singing
Your vocal cords create vibration that directly stimulates the vagus nerve. It’s a simple way to shift your body into a “rest-and-digest” state.

4. Vagus Nerve Stimulation Devices
These devices use gentle electrical pulses to activate the vagus nerve, helping regulate digestion, inflammation, and stress responses. They can be especially helpful for people dealing with chronic gut issues or dysregulation.

We take a comprehensive approach to gut health, but working on the vagus nerve either directly or indirectly is always part of the plan

If you have been struggling with gut issues, we encourage you to reach out and learn more about our integrative approach!

11/28/2025

If you’ve been dealing with unresolved digestive issues such as IBS, bloating, cramping, reflux, slow motility, or symptoms that never fully make sense, looking at the vagus nerve can be a game-changer.

This nerve is the main communication line between your brain and gut, and when that communication is disrupted, digestion almost always feels it.

It’s one of the most overlooked pieces of the puzzle in chronic or confusing gut symptoms.

And if this hits home, part 2 is coming next:

simple, practical ways to strengthen your vagus nerve and support healthier digestion - stay tuned!

11/26/2025

Chronic, low-grade inflammation often accompanies aging, in functional medicine it is termed inflammaging and it is a massive driver of accelerated aging and immune imbalance. 🧬

Your immune system isn’t just for fighting colds, when it’s constantly on high alert, it can fuel inflammation and cell damage over time.

This creates a cycle that inhibits longevity

Supplements like curcumin, NAC, and omega-3s can help rebalance immunity, lower inflammatory markers, and protect cells - supporting healthier, more resilient aging.

Want to learn more about longevity and supporting your body through the aging process? Get in touch today!

11/25/2025

Eating too many ultraprocessed foods isn’t just about weight, it may also raise your risk of early-onset colorectal polyps, which can sometimes lead to cancer.

This study shows that diet matters for colorectal cancer prevention.

Higher intake of ultraprocessed foods was linked to an increased risk of early-onset conventional adenomas, highlighting the role these foods may play in early colorectal tumor development. Improving dietary quality could be an important strategy to reduce this risk.

What you can do:

1️⃣ Assess your processed food intake
2️⃣ Swap processed foods for whole, nutrient-dense options
3️⃣ Support your gut and reduce inflammation caused by ultraprocessed foods
4️⃣ Work with a nutritionist or functional medicine professional for personalized guidance

Small, targeted changes in your diet can have a big impact on gut health and long-term wellness.