Castro Integrative Medicine of Charlottesville

11/17/2025

Alpha-gal has been in the spotlight after the first recorded death linked to the condition. For many already living with Alpha-gal, that news felt unsettling - and understandably so.

But here’s what’s important to know:
Alpha-gal isn’t random - it’s your immune system reacting to a change triggered by a Lone Star tick bite. That shift affects how the body sees certain molecules in mammal products, leading to delayed and unpredictable symptoms.

At Castro Integrative Medicine, we treat Alpha-gal by addressing the root causes behind the overreaction - immune dysregulation, inflammation, gut disruption, and nervous system stress. Our goal is to bring the immune system back into a steadier, more regulated state.

For many of our patients, LDI Allergy has been a game changer. Using very diluted allergens, it helps retrain the immune system so it responds appropriately - not overreacting and not underreacting. It’s simple, needle-free, taken as drops under the tongue, and has zero reported cases of anaphylaxis.

We’ve seen excellent results. If Alpha-gal has changed your daily life, you’re not stuck - there are effective treatments that can help calm the immune response and get you on the path to healing.

Reach out to learn more:
📞 434-956-4100
📧 info@CIMCville.com

11/13/2025

You may have seen headlines this week claiming melatonin could increase the risk of heart failure.
Here’s what they didn’t say:

This wasn’t a peer-reviewed study.
It was just an abstract presented at a conference - meaning the methods, data, and conclusions haven’t been reviewed or verified by anyone.

Even more important: the study showed a correlation, not a cause.
Nothing in the data proves melatonin harms the heart.

And here’s the part the media left out entirely:

➡️ The countries included in this data only sell melatonin as a prescription medication.
Which means participants were not healthy people grabbing melatonin at a grocery store…
They were individuals already diagnosed with serious sleep disorders - one of the strongest predictors of heart disease on its own.

It is well established that those with cardiovascular disease who have sleep problems are at a much higher risk for serious events. When you combine that baseline risk with additional factors like sleep apnea, chronic stress, and prescription sleep medications, it becomes easy to see how the numbers get skewed long before melatonin enters the equation.

Meanwhile, decades of published research show the opposite - not harm, but benefits. Melatonin supports mitochondrial function, reduces oxidative stress, and plays a protective role in cardiovascular health when used appropriately.

So before you panic over headlines, remember:
Context matters.
Data matters.
Peer review matters.
Sensational headlines - don't.

At Castro Integrative Medicine, we look at the full picture - not fear-driven fragments - so you can make informed, confident decisions about your long-term health.

Castro Integrative Medicine of Charlottesville offers services to help you achieve optimal health. A holistic approach to treatment, from acupuncture to chiropractic care. Call us today to know more!

11/11/2025

Honoring Our Heroes

Today we pause to honor all who have served our country.

We’re especially proud of Dr. Eduardo Castro, a Vietnam War Veteran and Purple Heart recipient, whose lifelong commitment to serving others continues to inspire us.

With gratitude to every veteran - we honor your courage, sacrifice, and strength. 💙❤️🤍

11/11/2025

🌿 Meet Natalia - Marketing Director

Natalia’s passion for integrative medicine began with her own health journey. After years of dealing with chronic pain and other ongoing health challenges, she found real help through holistic treatments that reduced her pain and improved her quality of life - without medications. This experience inspired her to help others discover the same hope and relief.

💬 “What I love most about CIMC is hearing patients’ stories of life change. Not symptom management, but people who feel like they got their lives back.”

Outside of work, Natalia enjoys spending time with her family, being active in her church, and cheering on the Washington Capitals.

☕ Go-to coffee shop order: Honey Lavender Latte with Oatmilk 
💊 Favorite supplement: AMP Floracel - a gamechanger for her gut health
🙏 Favorite self-care ritual: Morning prayer, reading, and journaling
💪 Wellness habit she swears by: Staying consistent with electrolytes, protein, and movement every day
🏖️ Mountains or beach? Walking on the beach at sunrise is one of her favorite things, but she loves the mountains too
🐾 Fun facts: She loves dogs (especially her two mini dachshunds!) and is about to become an Air Force mom 💙

We’re so thankful for Natalia’s creativity, warmth, and genuine care in everything she does - from sharing patient stories to developing the content that reflects CIMC’s mission and heart for healing. 💚

11/10/2025

🌿 Meet Evan - Clinical Assistant

Evan has been passionate about integrative medicine his entire life, and it shows in the care and focus he brings to every patient.

As our Clinical Assistant, he plays an essential role in supporting our clinical team and ensuring each visit runs smoothly. Evan is dependable, knowledgeable, and has a calm, steady presence that patients and team members alike appreciate. His genuine care and professionalism make him an integral part of the CIMC experience.

💬 “What I love most is the kindness patients show every day.”

Outside of work, Evan enjoys exercising and spending time outdoors.

☀️ Favorite supplement: Vitamin D
💪 Wellness habit he swears by: 10 g of creatine the morning after a bad night’s sleep
🧘‍♂️ Favorite self-care ritual: Stretching
🏔️ He prefers: The mountains over the beach
🧗 Fun fact: Rock climbing is one of his favorite ways to stay active.

We’re so thankful to have Evan as part of our CIMC team - combining knowledge, compassion, and a true commitment to integrative health. 💚

11/07/2025

🌿 Meet Carrie - Front Desk Patient Coordinator & Assistant Business Administrator

Carrie feels fortunate to have had a front-row seat to witnessing the power of treating the whole person, seeing how functional medicine can help people reclaim their lives and find real healing.

💬 “The best part of working at CIMC is being surrounded by a rockstar team and getting to know so many different patients.”

Outside of work, Carrie loves spending time catching up and laughing with friends, and enjoying the best of our local area from theater performances to exploring favorite (and new!) restaurants, wineries, and breweries. She also never misses a chance for a competitive family game night!

☕ Go-to coffee order: Dirty Chai Latte
🥑 Wellness habit she swears by: Checking ingredients and choosing organic when possible, with a focus on healthy fats and well-sourced protein
💊 Favorite supplement: H₂ Elite (Molecular Hydrogen Tablets) - she says they give her more energy, faster recovery, and an overall sense of well-being
📚 Favorite self-care ritual: In the warmer months, she likes to unwind with a walk outside. In the cooler months, she slows down with a cozy mystery and something warm to drink.
🏔️ Mountains or beach: Beach, but she loves the mountains in the fall
🎭 Fun fact: Carrie’s part of a local improv group - it’s her favorite creative outlet

We’re deeply grateful to have Carrie on our team. Her warmth, humor, and meticulous care enrich every patient experience from the moment they walk through our doors. 💚

11/06/2025

🌿 Meet Sandy - Business Manager

Sandy first discovered her passion for integrative medicine at Mount Rogers Clinic, where she saw firsthand how many patients’ lives were changed by the treatments. That experience continues to inspire her work every day.

💬 “What I love most about CIMC is the patients and the staff.”

Outside of work, Sandy enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and expressing her creativity through photography and art.

☕ Go-to coffee order: Grande Café Latte
🚶‍♀️ Wellness habit she swears by: Walking
💊 Favorite supplement: Nuchido Time+
💡 Favorite self-care ritual: Near Infrared Light Therapy
🏖️ She prefers: The beach over the mountains
🍁 Fun facts: Autumn is her favorite season, Christmas her favorite holiday, and she loves a good power nap.

We’re so thankful to have Sandy on our team - her warmth, kindness, and steady presence make her an essential part of what makes CIMC feel like family. 💚

11/05/2025

Meet Theresa - RN, Clinical Patient Nurse

Theresa stepped into the field of functional and integrative medicine by accident while working in a holistic family medicine practice. After her own battle with chronic EBV and Lyme disease, she became a firm believer in a holistic approach to health, healing, and well-being.

💬 “What I love most about CIMC is the welcoming environment and our amazing patients.”

Outside of work, Theresa enjoys being outdoors and spending time with her animals.

☕ Go-to coffee shop order: Chai Tea Latte�
☀️ Wellness habit she swears by: Being out in the sunshine daily - "Vitamin Sun is extremely healing to my soul.”�
💊 Favorite supplement: Nuchido NAD+�
🌿 Favorite self-care ritual: Grounding, breathwork, and gratitude�
🏔️🏖️ Mountains or beach: Both - she lives in the mountains and loves to visit the beach

We’re so thankful to have Theresa as part of the CIMC team. She brings a calm presence and a genuine love for helping others that makes every patient feel seen, supported, and cared for. 💚

11/04/2025

🌿 Meet Ashley - Head Nurse & Office Manager

Ashley spent the early years of her nursing career in nursing homes, where she saw countless patients juggling cupfuls of medications - often taking one pill to counteract the side effects of another. That experience sparked a conviction that there had to be a better way.

“I chose functional medicine to break that cycle and focus on root-cause healing.”

After 10 years with Castro Integrative Medicine, Ashley has seen it all - from stubborn gut issues and Lyme flares to hormone imbalances and post-viral fatigue.

What she loves most is seeing real turnarounds: energy coming back, brain fog lifting, and color returning to her patients’ faces.

She also loves the way the team collaborates - blending labs, nutrition, and IV therapies to build a plan that actually fits a person’s life, not the other way around.

☕ Go-to coffee shop order: Most people know me as the “Starbucks girl,” but I’ve evolved - now it’s just black coffee with a splash of half & half
💪 One wellness habit she personally swears by: Limiting processed foods and sugars, making sure I get adequate protein each day, and keeping up with my maintenance treatments as a seasonal pick-me-up - especially heading into the winter months when flu and whatever else is around the corner
💧 Favorite supplement or herb right now: Beam Minerals - for daily electrolyte balance, hydration, and cellular support. It’s one of my essentials
🧵 Favorite self-care ritual: Evening wind-down - lights dimmed, screens off, and some quiet time cross-stitching
🏖️ Mountains or beach: Beach - sunshine, salt air, and ocean sounds are incredibly restorative
👨‍👩‍👧 Outside of work: Spending time with my family and just figuring out life 😂
💬 Fun fact: I love simplifying wellness so it feels doable - small, consistent steps can create big changes

We’re so grateful for Ashley’s leadership, expertise, and the heart she brings to every patient interaction and to our team each day. 💚

11/03/2025

🌿 Meet Dr. Eduardo Castro - Founder & Medical Director at CIMC

Dr. Castro’s journey into integrative medicine began while he was practicing as a mainstream psychiatrist. When he discovered neurofeedback - a treatment he had never heard about during residency or in any of his medical journals - it changed everything.

He often shares the story of a young boy with ADHD:

“I prescribed him Ritalin, and he could focus for a couple of hours. After neurofeedback, he could focus all day. He stopped wetting the bed, his anxiety disorder resolved, his mood and behavior improved, he was better at soccer, and his mother wept when she told me how well he was doing. How could I go back to doing conventional medicine after that?”

For more than 25 years, Dr. Castro has devoted his career to holistic and integrative care - pioneering safe and effective treatments that help patients restore lasting health.

💬 “What I love most about CIMC is how focused we are on doing it right. I learn a treatment and my brilliant staff delivers it with skill, grace, and caring.”

☕ Go-to coffee shop order: Not my style - black, organic coffee at home
💪 Wellness habit he swears by: Blood-flow restriction exercise with Kaatsu
💧 Favorite supplement: Hydrogen water - "I swish it in my mouth to get it to pe*****te my gums before it goes systemic."
🌞 Favorite self-care ritual: Grounding each morning - barefoot in the grass, facing the sun
📚 Favorite pastime: Reading
🏖️ He loves: The beach - more fresh fish options
🎖️ Fun fact: A Vietnam War veteran and Purple Heart recipient, Dr. Castro is also a lifelong soccer fan who played for the University of Maryland and later founded the girls’ SOCA league in Charlottesville, where he coached his daughters’ teams for years while they were growing up. To this day, he still runs into people around town who call him “Coach Castro.”

We are grateful to be led by Dr. Castro - a physician, veteran, and mentor whose wisdom, innovation, and compassion continue to inspire our team and transform the lives of our patients. 💚

We provide Holistic, Root Cause Medicine tailored to meet your unique health needs. Specializing in cutting-edge treatments, personalized nutrition, detox, testing, preventative care and chronic illness management, our goal is to empower lasting wellness.

10/31/2025

🎃 Halloween Candy - Cleaner Candy Choices for a Healthier Halloween 🍫

Even small ingredient upgrades make a big difference. Most conventional candies are loaded with artificial dyes, high-fructose corn syrup, and preservatives that burden the liver and disrupt gut balance.

Choosing organic, naturally flavored options helps minimize that toxic load while still letting you (and your kids) enjoy the holiday.

These cleaner brands use real ingredients your body actually recognizes:

🍬 OCHO Minis – organic chocolate made with Fair Trade cocoa and simple fillings.
🥜 Justin’s Mini Peanut Butter Cups – the classic combo without emulsifiers or GMOs.
🌱 Alter Eco Truffles – decadent, organic, and crafted with coconut oil instead of hydrogenated fats.
🍓 YumEarth Snacks – naturally colored and allergy-friendly.
🐻 Surf Sweets Organic Gummies – real fruit flavor, no synthetic dyes.
🍫 Hu Chocolate Gems – made from cacao and coconut sugar - no refined sugar, dairy, or soy.

Small changes like these reduce inflammatory triggers and support your body’s natural detox pathways - especially important during a season of sugar overload.

At Castro Integrative Medicine, we believe every choice is an opportunity to support healing - even the candy you reach for on Halloween.

10/30/2025

Healing takes time - but it’s worth every step.

We’re so thankful to see patients reclaim their health and feel like themselves again.