Gut Health and Microbiome
Best Probiotics for Women: A Functional Medicine Guide
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and L. reuteri RC-14 are among the most studied strains for women's urogenital health
13 min readJun 1, 2026
Discover
About
For Practitioners
Functional Medicine JournalYour health questions,
Your health questions,
answered.
Root-cause protocols, lab guides, and evidence-based insights — so you can take charge of your health.
Hormones and Endocrine
Cortisol Cocktail: What It Is, How to Make It, and Does It Actually Work?
The 'cortisol cocktail' is a trending wellness drink combining vitamin C, electrolytes, and adaptogens — but it has no single standardized recipe.
12 min readJun 1, 2026
Inflammation and Autoimmune
Anti-Inflammatory Diet Plan: A Complete Guide to Reducing Inflammation
Chronic low-grade inflammation drives virtually every major modern disease, from cardiovascular disease to type 2 diabetes to autoimmunity
13 min readMay 31, 2026
Lab Interpretation and Testing
Hormone Imbalance Test: How to Get Your Hormones Checked
Standard hormone panels often miss subclinical imbalances — knowing which specific tests to request is critical for accurate diagnosis.
11 min readMay 31, 2026
Inflammation and Autoimmune
Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) Diet: The Complete Beginner's Guide
The AIP diet is a therapeutic elimination protocol designed to reduce gut inflammation, heal intestinal permeability, and calm immune dysregulation in autoimmune conditions
14 min readMay 30, 2026
Lab Interpretation and Testing
Morning Cortisol Levels: What's Normal and When to Worry
Morning cortisol follows a natural 'cortisol awakening response' (CAR) — a sharp 50–160% surge within 30–45 minutes of waking that is driven by the circadian clock
12 min readMay 30, 2026
Hormones and Endocrine
Estrogen Dominance Diet: Foods That Restore Hormonal Balance
Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and kale shift estrogen metabolism toward protective 2-hydroxyestrone, reducing breast cancer risk markers.
12 min readMay 29, 2026
Hormones and Endocrine
Symptoms of High Cortisol in Females: What Women Need to Know
High cortisol in women often manifests differently than textbook Cushing's syndrome — subtler, chronic patterns are far more common.
13 min readMay 29, 2026
Lab Interpretation and Testing
DUTCH Test Explained: The Complete Guide to Advanced Hormone Testing
The DUTCH test (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones) measures sex hormones, cortisol, cortisol metabolites, melatonin, and organic acids from a simple at-home urine collection.
13 min readMay 28, 2026
Gut Health and Microbiome
Candida Die-Off Symptoms: What Happens When You Kill Yeast Too Fast
Candida die-off (Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction) occurs when antifungal treatment kills yeast cells faster than your body can clear the released toxins.
12 min readMay 28, 2026
Sleep and Circadian Rhythm
Best Sleep Supplements: An Evidence-Based Guide Beyond Melatonin
Magnesium (glycinate or L-threonate) is the foundational sleep supplement — deficiency impairs GABA activity, melatonin synthesis, and cortisol regulation
14 min readMay 27, 2026
Hormones and Endocrine
What Is Cortisol? The Complete Guide to Your Stress Hormone
Cortisol is your primary stress hormone, produced by the adrenal glands and regulated by the HPA axis — it affects energy, immunity, metabolism, sleep, and brain function
13 min readMay 27, 2026