VITAMIN & NUTRIENT INFUSION THERAPY

Get Results Fast!

With a vitamin infusion you get 100% to your body rather than hoping that what you get through foods or oral supplements will absorb and be effective.  IV vitamin therapy is the quickest option to help boost your immune system, recover from illness, replenish your fluids, help fight fatigue, brain fog, help you sleep better, and much more.

Hydrate!

You can rehydrate in less than an hour with one bag of fluids – this is equivalent to 3 gallons of water in about 8 hours.

We Personalize Your Vitamins & Nutrients!

We offer several different vitamin infusion packages that we have already put together, which are very popular.  What’s really exciting is that we will also customize an infusion specifically for YOU, depending on your goals, health needs, and with the help of expert guidance.  Nothing is premixed.

Our infusions help:

• Improve sleep
• Improve energy 
• Boost your body’s immune system and defenses
• Improve detoxification to help your body get rid of toxins and waste 
• Decrease pain
• Improve complexion and give your skin a youthful glow 
• improve your athletic performance and recovery

Each infusion takes about 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the amount of fluid and different ingredients.  You can relax, take a nap, or get some work done in our nutrient infusion therapy lounge. If you need access to the internet, we have WiFi for you.

WHEN AND WHY should you get a nutrient infusion?

• Before and after travel to increase hydration and boost your natural defense system
• Once a week or once a month to help with headaches, fatigue, seasonal allergies, skin health, weight loss, brain fog, sleep
• Anytime for general wellness and more energy

With an intravenous infusion, you bypass the digestive system and your body receives all the nutrients directly through the bloodstream. The vitamins and minerals contained in just one of our infusions has been known to help people with:

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome with or without Epstein-Barr virus
• Chronic depression
• Acute or chronic muscle spasm
• Fibromyalgia
• Migraine headaches- often within minutes
• Tension headaches
• Seasonal allergies
• Respiratory problems
• Acute or chronic asthma
• Sinusitis
• Bronchitis
• Athletes who need quick recovery for athletic events
• Acute viral illness/colds
• Acute infections

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR IV TREATMENT 

The IV can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 1 1⁄2 hours depending on the type of IV drip you’re receiving. Please plan to be at the clinic for a minimum of 1 hour, unless it is glutathione only (which will take 30 min or less).

During your IV, you may experience coldness, stiffness, and sensation of pressure or tingling from your fingertips, up your arm and into your chest. You may also taste or smell the vitamins; often they are described as having a metallic quality. These sensations are normal and to be expected. They will resolve immediately following your IV.

There are special considerations for clients 65 and older. A recent Basic Metabolic Panel lab is needed prior to full clearance by FLFM’s medical provider.

CALL OR TEXT 512-580-4399 to schedule (online booking coming soon)

WATCH VIDEO

When you lose hormones, you lose protection. When you lose progesterone, you lose protection from osteoporosis, heart disease, high cholesterol, and much more. We have the ability to replace it – so what exactly is hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, and is it safe? In this video, I will discuss the difference between progestERONE, the hormone that your body produces naturally, versus progestIN,  which is completely different but commonly and mistakenly is referred to as progesterone.

Let’s talk first about progestERONE. When we replace this hormone naturally (which can be in the form of a pill, cream, or dissolvable tablet), it is known as bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Progesterone is very safe! It is even approved for over-the-counter use; however I don’t recommend that because you don’t know exactly how much you are getting and it’s important for you to follow the guidance of your health care provider regarding dosing and route.  The oral route for progesterone is much more effective for sleep and anxiety. 

If you don’t have a uterus and have been told you don’t need progesterone, that is absolutely FALSE!

 If you have a brain, a heart, bones, or breasts, you NEED progesterone! Progesterone is very calming, helps with sleep, keeps estrogens safe, and is a natural antidepressant. How does it keep estrogen safe? Think of estrogen like a toddler who is playing nicely. She starts to get loud and obnoxious and is throwing toys that could injure others. Progesterone comes along and helps calm her down. If you don’t have progesterone, those toys are like dangerous messages for your cells and increases your risk of breast and uterine cancers.
What about brain protection? Only the bioidentical form of natural progesterone supports brain health. It protects damaged brain tissue from swelling and even death after head injuries and is actually being allowed to be given as an IV without the patient’s consent. Progestins don’t do this!

Progesterone has no serious side effects  and is quite frequently added to skin creams and cosmetics  – you don’t know it because legally, it does not have to be on the label.

For women, progesterone starts to decline in their 30’s and often plummets down to zero after menopause. Replacement can bring relief from things like moodiness, irritability, bloating, cramps, headaches, anxiety and depression. Without any progesterone, you are at increased risk of 

Synthetic progesTIN, such as Provera, does not protect your heart, and may be worse than taking nothing at all.  ProgestIN is also what is in oral birth control pills and also in IUDs. There is no birth control pill or IUD that contains natural progesterone. 

Although progestins like Provera can provide uterine protection, it also comes with increased risk of breast cancer, heart disease, stroke, and depression and can cause weight gain, water retention/bloating, and breast tenderness. The harmful effects of synthetic progestin has been documented with over 20 years of studies.  When dosed properly, natural progesterone has only one side effect if taken orally – sleepiness, which is why it is taken at night and helps with sleep!

To sum up the benefits of progesterone  – it helps protect against breast and uterine cancer, osteoporosis, improves heart health, sleep, anxiety, depression, and overall sense of well-being. For women who are still having periods, it helps with cramps, mood swings, heavy bleeding, bloating, and headaches. 

If you’re curious if this is right for you, come and see us for a consultation! You can call or text

512-580-4399

or request a consultation by clicking the button on the top of this page.

Eat Your Stress Goodbye – Stress Reducing Diet

When you’re stressed out, the foods that you’re turning to are most likely going to be traditional ‘comfort’ foods – think big meals, take-out, fatty foods, sweet foods, and alcohol. Let’s face it – we’ve all found some comfort in a tasty meal and a bottle of beer or glass of wine when we’ve been stressed out or upset about something. However, this isn’t a good permanent solution. 

 When you’re turning to unhealthy foods you can feel better temporarily, but in the long run, you will feel worse. When your body isn’t getting the right nutrition, you can begin to feel less energetic, more lethargic, and in some cases less able to concentrate and focus. When you are stressed, you don’t get blood flow to the gut and will not digest nutrients that are needed for overall health and especially hormonal balance!  

All of this can lead to even more stress, further disruption of gut health and hormones!

If you’ve been feeling more stressed out than usual lately, it’s important to know which foods are best to choose and which to avoid when it comes to combating stress and helping you to deal with feelings of stress and anxiety. The best way to fight stress is to have a healthy, balanced diet which includes a moderate amount of each of the different food groups.

 Filling up on foods such as whole grains, leafy vegetables, and lean proteins as the basic staples of the diet is the best way to ensure that your body gets the optimum amounts of nutrients to fight both physical and mental health problems. When it comes to choosing the foods to eat, some have a range of great properties which help the body to combat stress. Choosing these stress-busting foods will help to heal and calm your mind permanently, rather than providing a temporary fix.

The first thing you can do is breathe – really!  Taking deep breaths helps our body relax so we can absorb our nutrients from our food.  

Foods that Fight Stress

•       Avocado – Avocados are a creamy and versatile fruit which can be eaten in a range of different ways whether you enjoy it raw, made into sauces, dressings and dips, or in a smoothie. These nutrient-dense fruits have the properties to stress-proof your body, thanks to their high glutathione content which specifically blocks the intestinal absorption of certain fats which cause oxidative damage. Avocados also contain higher levels of vitamin E, folate, and beta-carotene than any other fruit, which boosts their stress-busting properties. However, be careful with portion control when eating avocado, as it is high in fat.

•       Blueberries – If you’re feeling stressed out and reaching for the snacks, swapping chocolate or chips for one of the best superfoods is a great way to help you deal with your stress levels and achieve a higher level of calm. Blueberries have some of the highest levels of antioxidants, especially antho-cyanin, which means that this berry has been linked to a wide range of health benefits including sharper cognition, better focus, and a clearer mind – all of which can help you to better deal with stress.
•       Chamomile Tea – Of course, it’s not all about what you’re eating when it comes to managing stress; what you’re drinking can also alleviate or worsen the stress you’re feeling. Drinking liquids which are high in sugars and caffeine, such as coffee, energy drinks or soda, can actually increase your stress levels if consumed regularly. Chamomile tea has long been used as a natural bedtime soother, and it has also been used in clinical trials, which determined that chamomile tea is effective in reducing the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.
•      
• Chocolate – Although it’s usually seen as an unhealthy treat, there is an undeniable link between chocolate and our mood. Studies have shown that eating chocolate can actually make you happier. However, that doesn’t mean that you can start munching on chocolate bars every time you’re stressed out – chocolate works best as a de-stressor when eaten in moderation and as part of a healthy and balanced diet. Dark chocolate in particular is best for you, as it contains more flavonols and polyphenols, two hugely important antioxidants which can help combat stress, more than many fruit juices.
•       Beef – Grass-fed beef is not only kinder to the planet and to animals, it’s also good for people, too. Grass-fed beef has a huge range of antioxidants, including beta-carotene and Vit-amins C and E, which can help your body to fight stress and anxiety. If you’re looking for more reasons to spend a little more money on organic, grass-fed beef, it’s also lower in fat than grain-fed beef whilst being higher in omega-3.
•       Oatmeal – Oatmeal is great in that it can be a filling comfort food, but also has a large number of healthy properties to actually make you feel better from the inside out. A complex carbohydrate, eating oatmeal causes your brain to produce higher levels of the feel-good chemical serotonin, helping you to feel calmer and less stressed. Studies have shown that kids who choose oatmeal for breakfast tend to be much sharper throughout the morning in school compared to kids who had alternative morning meals.
•       Walnuts – If you’re looking for a healthy snacking option which will help you to stay better in control of your stress levels, walnuts are a great choice. There is no denying the sweet, pleasant flavor of walnuts and they can be a tasty snack for in-between meals or as part of a desert. A versatile nut, walnuts are great for salads, or add them to a sweet treat such as coffee and walnut cake.
•       Pistachios – another food which is great for snacking on and can also help to combat stress and anxiety in the long term is pistachios. Studies have found that simply eating two small, snack-size portions of pistachios per day can lower vascular constriction when you are stressed, putting less pressure on your heart by further dilating your arteries. Along with this, the rhythmic, repetitive act of shelling pistachios can actually be quite therapeutic!
•       Green Leafy Vegetables – leafy, green vegetables should be a pivotal part of anyone’s diet. Along with helping to combat stress, leafy greens are full of nutrients and antioxidants which help to fight off disease and leave your body feeling healthier and more energized. Dark leafy greens, for example spinach, are especially good for you since they are rich in folate, which helps your body to produce more mood-regulating neurotransmitters such as serotonin, which is a ‘feel-good’ chemical. Making leafy greens a part of your diet will help you to feel happier and less stressed out overall.
•       Fermented foods – last but not least, eating fermented foods such as yogurt can help to keep your gut healthy, which actually in turn will help to improve your mental health and reduce stress levels. The beneficial bacteria which are found in fermented foods such as yogurt actually have a direct effect on your brain chemistry and transmit positive mood and behavior regulating signals to your brain via the vagus nerve.

Conventional medicine asks “what”, Functional Medicine asks “why?” to get to the root cause.

Let’s start with the “standard of care” first.

Medical providers are taught in school to wait until your lab results are outside the “standard lab range” – which is based on a statistic – and then you can be diagnosed with a disease and they can find a pharmaceutical drug or drugs to match up with that disease and send you on your way.  Until you get side effects from that drug, and another one gets prescribed.  You feel like a number or a chart!

Functional Medicine sees that you are an actual PERSON with thoughts, feelings, and emotions.  And it’s important to take those into account!  We consider lab values – but they are viewed from an optimal point of view to help you feel your best and to prevent or even reverse disease.  Why wait?  We consider your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual states. If any of these are off balance, it can create disease.
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METABOLIC SYNDROME: What is it and why should you care?

Metabolic Syndrome is a cluster of symptoms that put you at much greater risk for developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and even cancer.

Look at your body. Are you apple or pear shaped?
If you are pear shaped, your risk for heart diease and diabetes is actually less.

What are the risk factors?
• Waist circumference: Men 40 inches or greater; Women 35 inches or greater
• Fasting triglyceride level of 150mg/dL or greater
• LDL: Men < 40, Women < 50, OR if you are on a statin • High blood pressure: > 140/80 OR on a BP medication
• Fasting blood glucose (sugar) level > 100
*The more risk factors you have, the greater your risk is for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and others.

How can you be evaluated to see if you are at risk or to know if you have Metabolic Syndrome? With something called a metabolomic profile. This is a blood test and requires an overnight fast.

Some things that will be evaluated:

• HbA1C (glycated hemoglobin): an estimated average of your daily blood sugar over about a three month period.
• CRP: produced by the liver, a non-specific marker of inflammation, a strong independent risk factor for atherosclerotic (thickening of arteries) heart disease. This can be elevated with smokers, heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, and sedentary lifestyles.
• Insulin: a better indicator of the onset of type 2 diabetes than blood sugar, because it will be elevated in very early stages of diabetes. Insulin holds the key to getting sugar, or glucose, into your cells where it belongs. When you have higher levels of insulin, it means your cells are becoming resistant to that key to get all the extra glucose in, and it is producing more to work harder with more keys. So there are more keys working, but your blood glucose level may show to be “normal” even when you are well on your way to a diagnosis of diabetes!!
• Leptin: A hormone that normally signals your brain when you are full and to suppress your appetite. With increased fat, steroid use, alcohol, hypothroidism, or depression, you may have a higher level of circulating leptin. Despite what you may be thinking, THIS IS NOT GOOD. The problem is, this increase in leptin causes an interruption in the signal to your brain, and resistance develops (just like with insulin). So leptin is then unable to get the signal to the brain to suppress your appetite! Instead it causes an increase in inflammation. This can cause your arteries to thicken faster and has been associated with heart attacks and strokes.
• Adiponectin: This is an ANTI-inflammatory protein that stimulates the release of insulin to get the sugar in the cells. Low levels are associated with metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and others. When adiponectin is too low, it will cause more inflammation, increase your risk for heart disease, and lung and other cancers.

What Can You Do About This?

• Exercise regularly! This doesn’t mean an hour every day. A 15-minute work-out is only 1% of your day. Make time NOW, or you won’t have the time later.
• This is no secret, but if you are a smoker, you just gotta find a way to quit.
• Eat more more more more veggies. There are several recipes here if you’re struggling with ideas. Another idea is to start slow and just eat broccoli three times a week for a few weeks. Then add in more! Veggies can save your life. Choose fruits like berries. Cut out the processed foods and eat WHOLE FOODS (they have one ingredient – itself!); cut down on added sugars, and read labels. If there are more than five ingredients, probably not a good idea, especially if the sugar is first and if you cannot pronounce the ingredients!
• If you snore or do not sleep well, get evaluated for sleep apnea and make sure it is treated.
• Eat fish (smaller are better. Wild Alaskan salmon is the best salmon) 2-3 times per week and make sure you get enough omega-3s (EPA & DHA). You can put the supplement in the refrigerator to decrease the fish burps!

OVERALL, decide to make a change, and make it. If you are struggling, give yourself credit for every little step. If you feel like you are “in a mess”, you didn’t get there overnight. Lifestyle changes take time, and you need to feel supported. If you need accountability, which we all do, get your family involved and/or find a buddy! And as always, I am here for you.

What’s the Deal with Antibiotics?

We know about the bug that causes infection, thanks to Louis Pasteur and we know about antibiotics to cure them, thanks to Alexander Fleming. This ingenuous “cure” might work for infection, but chronic disease is a different story.  And thanks to big pharma, our nation has developed the mindset that there is a “pill for that.”  And, this is part of the reason that antibiotics are overprescribed – some patients aren’t happy until they get one.

This is where our gut comes in.  We have 100 trillion bugs or bacteria in our gut – that’s about 100 times more than we have cells and genes in our entire body!  Think of the gut like a piece of real estate – we want to keep it clean and house it with good and responsible residents.  If bad residents enter, we want to get them out, but we need to keep the good ones.  The good bacteria control immunity, regulate digestion, protect against infections and even produce vitamins and nutrients! And the bad ones of course prevent these good things from happening, or at least make them weaker.  Antibiotics get rid of the bad bacteria, but they also get rid of some of the good ones.  Wiping out the good guys can allow for overgrowth of bad guys – causing food allergies, fatigue, skin issues, digestive issues, mood disorders, and sugar cravings that lead to increased fat!

Antibiotics treat BACTERIAL infections.  They do NOTHING for viral or fungal infections, and can actually make you worse.  A study in The American Society for Microbiology demonstrated that the gut residents could be disrupted for up to an entire year with just one week of antibiotics!  So, if you’re health care provider tells you that you have a viral infection, that means your body will fight it on it’s own and you do NOT need an antibiotic.

Keep your real estate happy and safe! If you need to restock the good residents, read more about it here.

Our gut (stomach & intestines) is the brain and master planner of our entire body.  It is like a little factory in there with very important workers!!  We need to take care of our good workers and make sure that the toxic, bad ones do not take over.  Our job on the outside is to take care of our good guys on our inside.  We are the CEO of this company/factory and they rely on us!  With conventional medicine, we are over-prescribed antibiotics.  Many people believe that if they are sick, they need antibiotics.  First of all, if you have a viral infection, an antibiotic is not going to help you get better.  In fact, it will slow your healing and kill off the good guys whose job is to help you heal and be healthy.  If you do have a bacterial infection, antibiotics can be helpful.  They will kill the bad guys, but they will also kill the good guys, especially if it’s a broad spectrum (non-specific) antibiotic like a z-pac.  So the antibiotics are like a machine gun coming into our factory and wiping out as many workers, good AND bad, as it can.  Our gut factory has 500 different species of bugs (bacteria) and TEN times more bacteria than we have cells in our body!!!   That’s A LOT OF workers!!!  And they weigh 4-5 lbs and have about 500 MILLION neurons!

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Please click here for healthy postpartum tips!