Best Picks of July

‘Tis the season of watermelon, raspberries, apricots, and collard greens—as well as long hours of sunlight that are perfect for early morning walks or late evening strolls. I love the slower vibe of the summer and the opportunities it brings to take time for our health. 

This month’s roundup of recent health news, tips, and insights focuses on how to make sense of fatigue and natural energy boosts to get you feeling your best this summer. 

In the News

Junk Food Disrupts Deep Sleep

A new study in the journal Obesity looked at what happened to sleep quality when healthy young men ate nutritious meals vs. junk food.

Even though both groups slept the exact same number of hours, eating junk food disrupted the quality of deep sleep—making it more shallow and less restorative.

This matters because restorative sleep is necessary for hormone production, a healthy metabolism, graceful aging, brain function, mood, and more!

Condition Insights

A Functional Approach to Fatigue

Caffeine and sugar habits to power through the day are so common that it can feel like being tired is the norm.

But fatigue is not normal.

There are dozens of medical explanations for fatigue (like anemia, diabetes, or thyroid disease), but when all of those tests come back normal, there are also dozens of other reasons we investigate in functional medicine.

I’ll be sharing a series this month on lesser-known root causes of fatigue, natural energy boosts available to you any time, and even my favorite supplements to keep you energized through the day. It’s all happening over on Instagram, so be sure to follow me there.

Health Tip

Benefits of Reishi

Reishi is also called the “mushroom of immortality” because of its use in Asian traditions to promote longevity. It’s an adaptogen, which means it has a balancing effect on the hormones and improves the body’s resilience to stress.

Reishi’s benefits include:

✅High in antioxidants

✅Support for mitochondrial function

✅Help with blood sugar regulation

✅Balancing for hormones, including testosterone

For anyone wanting more endurance, mental clarity, and sustained energy, reishi is a great option. It can be taken as a supplement or added as a powder into coffee or tea.