Health Partner Coaching

02/21/2026

You're doing everything right — and the scale still won't move. 💙

Before you blame yourself, there's something worth looking at: your medication list.

As a registered pharmacist with 25+ years of experience, this is one of the most overlooked barriers to weight loss I see — especially in women over 40.

Some of the most commonly prescribed medications quietly work against your metabolism:

🔹 Antidepressants (SSRIs) — can add 10-15 lbs with long-term use
🔹 Beta blockers — slow your metabolism AND make exercise feel exhausting
🔹 Antihistamines (yes, even daily Zyrtec) — block the receptors that suppress appetite
🔹 Sleep medications — disrupt the hormones that control hunger overnight
🔹 Depo-Provera — linked to an average of 20+ lbs in 18 months

This isn't your doctor's fault. They're focused on treating your condition. Reviewing the downstream metabolic effects? That's where a pharmacist comes in.

If you suspect your medications might be holding you back, I'd love to help.

📅 Book a free 30-minute clarity call with me — link in bio.

We'll look at your full medication list together and find out what's working against you — so we can work with your doctor to change it.

You deserve answers, not just another diet plan. 💙

MedicationManagement HealthCoach MetabolicHealth HormoneHealth WeightLossJourney HealthyLiving PharmacistAdvice WomenOver50 MidlifeHealth FunctionalHealth

02/18/2026

For 25 years, I stood behind a pharmacy counter dispensing statins.

Millions of prescriptions.
Thousands of conversations.
And one question that almost never got asked:

“Do I actually need this?”

One in four Americans over 40 takes a statin. They’re the most prescribed class of medications in the country. For many providers, they’re the automatic response to elevated cholesterol.

But a new 2026 Lancet meta-analysis just shook up the conversation on side effects — and it raises bigger questions about who truly benefits, who doesn’t, and what we’re not discussing before that first pill.

Here’s what most people don’t realize:

• Statins do raise blood sugar
• They can increase new-onset diabetes risk
• Muscle symptoms are real (even if less common than reported)
• They don’t address inflammation or insulin resistance — the real drivers of heart disease
• The benefit is very different for primary vs. secondary prevention

I’m not anti-statin.

For people who’ve already had a cardiac event, they save lives.

But reflexively prescribing them to every adult with an elevated LDL number — without calculating true 10-year risk, without exploring root causes, without trying lifestyle interventions first — deserves a deeper conversation.

If you or someone you love is on a statin (or considering one), this is worth reading.

👉 Read the full article here: https://healthpartnercoaching.com/the-truth-about-statins/

Your heart health deserves more than a number on a lab report.

Pharmacist with 25+ years shares what patients should know before starting statins real risks, diabetes concerns, benefits & smarter questions to ask.

02/16/2026

I read the ingredients on a bag of gummy bears. Here's what I found.
Corn syrup, sugar, gelatin, citric acid, sorbitol, natural and artificial flavors, titanium dioxide, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1.
Let's break that down.
The first two ingredients are sugar and more sugar. Corn syrup is liquid glucose listed first, meaning there's more of it by weight. According to the EWG, Haribo Gold-Bears are 47% sugar. Nearly half the bag. One serving = 4 teaspoons of added sugar. The WHO recommends kids get no more than 6 per day.
One handful is two-thirds of a child's daily limit.
Now the dyes. Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1. All petroleum-derived. Not hyperbole — literally made from petroleum.
In Europe, any food containing these dyes must carry a warning: "May have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children." That's been required since 2010.
In the UK, Fanta is colored with pumpkin and carrot extracts. In the US? Red 40 and Yellow 6. McDonald's strawberry sundaes in Britain use real strawberries. In America? Red 40.
Same companies. Same products. Different standards depending on where you live.
Norway and Austria banned Red 40 and Yellow 5 outright. The FDA banned Red Dye No. 3 in January 2025 for cancer risk. The others remain fully legal.
Food dye consumption per person in the US has increased 5x since 1955.
Titanium dioxide makes gummy bears shiny. The EU banned it as a food additive in 2022 after determining it could no longer be considered safe. Still approved in the US.
Here's what gets me: these companies already make these products without synthetic dyes. They're doing it right now in Europe. They just haven't done it here. Because they don't have to.
I'm not telling you to never eat a gummy bear. I'm telling you to flip the bag over.
What's an ingredient that surprised you in a common food? Drop it below 👇

02/10/2026

Standard blood work tells you if you're sick. These six tests tell you if you're heading there.
Most doctors run the same basic panel year after year. By the time those tests show problems, you've often had declining health for years.
Here are six markers that predict disease long before standard labs catch it:
1. Fasting Insulin
Rises years before glucose becomes abnormal. Standard labs only check glucose—by then you've likely been insulin resistant for many years. Optimal fasting insulin:

01/28/2026

The Truth About Gatorade - Regular AND Sugar-Free
"Should I drink regular Gatorade or sugar-free?"
Wrong question.
The real question is: Should you be drinking either?
As a pharmacist and functional health coach, here's what I want you to know about BOTH versions:
REGULAR GATORADE:
What it is: Artificially colored sugar water & minimal electrolytes, marketed as a performance drink.
The problems:
🔸 Sugar overload: 34g sugar per 20oz bottle (8+ teaspoons)= to a candy bar
🔸 Blood sugar spike: Causes rapid insulin surge, followed by crash & cravings
🔸 Artificial colors: Red 40, Blue 1, Yellow 5 (petroleum-derived dyes linked to hyperactivity, allergies)
🔸 "Natural flavors": Vague term hiding chemical compounds
🔸 Minimal electrolytes: Mostly just salt - not the balanced minerals your body actually needs
SUGAR-FREE GATORADE:
What it is: Artificially colored, artificially sweetened water with minimal electrolytes, marketed as the "healthy" alternative.
The problems:
🔸 Sucralose (Splenda): Kills 50% of beneficial gut bacteria, triggers insulin response despite zero calories, increases cravings
🔸 Acesulfame potassium: Linked to insulin resistance, may affect thyroid function
🔸 Same artificial colors: Red 40, Blue 1, Yellow 5 (still inflammatory, still problematic)
🔸 Same "natural flavors": Still hiding undisclosed compounds
🔸 Modified food starch: Spikes blood sugar (defeats the "sugar-free" purpose)
🔸 Gut microbiome destruction: Artificial sweeteners systematically damage your digestive health
THE BOTTOM LINE:
Regular Gatorade = Sugar + Chemicals Sugar-Free Gatorade = Artificial Sweeteners + Same Chemicals
Both versions: ❌ Contain artificial colors (inflammatory) ❌ Use vague "natural flavors" (zero transparency) ❌ Provide minimal actual electrolytes ❌ Train your palate to crave artificial flavors ❌ Work against optimal health
The only difference: One spikes blood sugar with real sugar, the other confuses your metabolism with fake sugar.
Neither is a health drink.
Who should be most careful?
Regular Gatorade: → Anyone with blood sugar issues, insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, diabetes → Those trying to lose weight or reduce sugar → People with metabolic dysfunction → Children (sugar addiction starts early)
Sugar-Free Gatorade: → Anyone with gut issues, IBS, digestive problems → Those with food cravings or appetite dysregulation → People with hormonal imbalances → Anyone trying to heal their microbiome
Both versions: → Anyone with ADHD or behavioral issues (artificial colors) → Those with food sensitivities or allergies → People focused on root-cause health
Better alternatives:
✓ Water + pinch of sea salt + lemon (real electrolytes, real flavor)
✓ Coconut water (natural potassium and electrolytes)
✓ Homemade electrolyte drink: Water + sea salt + citrus juice + raw honey (if you need sweetness)
My take:
✅Real hydration doesn't need a lab. ✅ Real recovery doesn't come in neon colors.

01/08/2026

🚨 Big News: The Food Pyramid Is Finally Being Rewritten

And honestly… it’s long overdue.

For decades we were told:
“Eat low-fat.”
“Base your meals on grains.”
“Avoid eggs and red meat.”
“Fat makes you fat.”

Meanwhile, rates of obesity, diabetes, fatty liver, heart disease, and hormone disorders skyrocketed.

Now even the FDA is publicly acknowledging what went wrong.

FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary recently said:

“For decades, we’ve been fed a corrupt food pyramid that has had a myopic focus on demonizing natural healthy saturated fats, telling you not to eat eggs and steak, and ignoring a giant blind spot: refined carbohydrates, added sugars, ultra-processed food.”

That’s not coming from a wellness influencer — that’s coming from the FDA.

The new dietary guidance is shifting toward:
✔️ More protein
✔️ More whole foods
✔️ Fewer refined carbs
✔️ Less sugar
✔️ Fewer ultra-processed foods

In other words:
Real food is back.

If you’ve struggled with cravings, stubborn weight, low energy, inflammation, or blood sugar issues… this explains why. Your body wasn’t broken — the advice was.

Food isn’t just calories.
It’s information for your metabolism.

And the pyramid is finally starting to reflect that. 💚

12/29/2025

The Truth About "Natural Flavors" (That Most People Don't Know)
You've probably seen "natural flavors" on ingredient labels dozens of times this week—it's in everything from protein powders to supplements to snack bars.
But should you be concerned?
As a pharmacist and functional health coach, here's what I want you to know:
What it is: "Natural flavors" is a regulatory loophole that allows manufacturers to hide 50-100+ chemical compounds under a single vague term. It's labeled "natural" because it originated from a plant or animal source—but it's extracted using chemical solvents and heavily processed.
The concerns:
🔸 MSG derivatives: Can contain free glutamic acid, hydrolyzed proteins, and autolyzed yeast (triggers cravings and overeating)
🔸 Chemical solvents: Extracted with hexane (neurotoxic) and propylene glycol (antifreeze compound)—residues remain
🔸 Hidden preservatives: BHA, BHT, TBHQ not listed separately (hormone disruptors, gut inflammation)
🔸 Carrier agents: 80-90% maltodextrin or corn syrup solids (spikes blood sugar higher than table sugar)
🔸 Hidden allergens: Can contain dairy, soy, gluten, or nut derivatives without clear labeling
🔸 Zero transparency: Proprietary formulas mean you have NO IDEA what you're actually consuming
Who should be most careful? → Anyone with food sensitivities or "mystery" reactions to foods → Those with gut dysfunction, IBS, or chronic inflammation → People dealing with food cravings they can't control → Anyone with hormonal imbalances or metabolic dysfunction → Those with migraines, brain fog, or neurological issues
The nuance: One product with "natural flavors" occasionally? Probably not a deal-breaker. Daily protein powder + bars + flavored supplements + condiments all listing "natural flavors"? You're consuming undisclosed chemical compounds designed to override your satiety signals and create cravings—every single day.
Better alternatives exist: Unflavored products (add your own real vanilla, cinnamon, cocoa), or brands that list specific ingredients (vanilla extract, lemon oil, organic spices) instead of hiding behind "natural flavors."
My take: When we're trying to address root causes of gut dysfunction, hormonal imbalance, or metabolic issues—every ingredient matters. "Natural flavors" isn't the worst offender, but it signals ultra-processed food designed to be addictive, not nourishing. ❌
Real food doesn't need 100 chemical compounds to taste good. ✅

12/29/2025

As 2025 comes to a close, I want to say thank you.
Whether you've been reading my posts, following along quietly, or cheering me on from the sidelines, I'm truly grateful.
Helping people feel better, stronger, and more confident in their health is a privilege I don't take lightly.

My wish for you in 2026?
More energy. More clarity. Better health. Weight loss. Decrease prescription use. Balance hormones. Decrease inflammation. Feel stronger 💪 And a body that finally feels like it's working WITH you instead of against you.
If you've been thinking about working with me, this is your moment.
I have 2 spots open for January and I'm keeping my 2025 rates available through December 31st. Beginning in January 2026, my pricing is increasing as I continue to expand my services and support.

If you'd like to get started at 2025 pricing, send me a message or comment below. You have until end of 2025 to lock in these rates—but spots are limited. No pressure, just an opportunity if it feels right for you.

Thank you for being here. I'm excited for what's ahead. ❤️
Wishing you a healthy, happy New Year!

Health Coach, Irina

12/27/2025

High Protein2 ingredients pancake. 46g of protein, 0 sugar, 6g carbs.
Mix 3 eggs with 1 cup cottage cheese, bake 350 for 30 mins, enjoy!

12/24/2025

Happy Holidays Friends! 🎄

Just wanted to wish you all a joyful, healthy holiday season. I’m so grateful to be part of such a supportive and welcoming community it’s been a real bright spot this year.
Wishing you time to rest, recharge, and enjoy the people and moments that matter most. Looking forward to connecting more in the new year!

Warmly,
Irina 💚

12/22/2025

Hi friend,

Quick wellness clarity for the holidays 🎄

You may have seen “aluminum-free baking soda” on labels and wondered if regular baking soda was ever a problem.

Here’s the truth:

Pure baking soda is just sodium bicarbonate — and it’s naturally aluminum-free.

The confusion comes from baking powder, which can contain aluminum unless labeled aluminum-free.

Bottom line:

If the ingredient list says sodium bicarbonate, you’re good.

Why health-conscious homes love baking soda

✔️ Supports oral health and plaque reduction

✔️ Helps neutralize occasional heartburn

✔️ A simple aluminum-free deodorant option

✔️ Useful for digestion, cleaning, and personal care

I also shared an easy DIY baking soda toothpaste and safety tips in the full post.

👉 Read the full blog here: https://healthpartnercoaching.com/amazing-benefits-of-aluminum%e2%80%91free-baking-soda/

🎁 Happy Holidays

As the year winds down, I hope your holidays are filled with good food, rest, connection, and simple routines that support your health — without stress or perfection.

Here’s to a calm, nourished, and energized season.

Baking soda is a humble kitchen staple that has earned a place in the pantries and cleaning caddies of health-conscious households worldwide. In recent years,