I get scary rashes when I’m out in the sun and I’m so fatigued.
I also have dry eyes and mouth, so bad that I have to chew gum all the time and put drops in my eyes. The cause is two autoimmune disorders, one that could lead to a stroke, heart attack or pulmonary embolism…
I knew I didn’t want the treatment choices suggested by traditional medicine.
The first time I had an autoimmune disorder was in 1993. I was enjoying a great career at IBM when I got sick. Doctors couldn’t give me a diagnosis for months. I dove into endless health research on my own, and figured out how to heal myself. I was inspired to quit my corporate career, uproot my family, and dive headfirst into medical school.
I deeply wanted to help people so that they did not have to face the same scary situation I did when I got sick.
I stayed the course through medical school and residency, even while having two babies!
After residency, unsure of next steps to get the additional training I needed to support my initial mission, I joined an Internal Medicine practice with two other doctors.
Even though in my heart I wanted to be a different kind of doctor, I immediately fell right into the typical routine, seeing 20 patients a day. I wanted to spend time with people, to explore, to dig for clues to what was affecting their health, yet within 5-10 minutes,
like my colleagues, I was telling my patients what prescription I was going to write.
It was as if the Universe was urging me to get back on track with my highest intentions for becoming a doctor in the first place.
The medication options in front of me had serious side effects and didn’t cure the problem … just managed the symptoms. I felt strongly that I needed to discover my own health solutions, again…
He ran tests I’d never heard of on me. He took his time with me, asking questions that might help get to the root of the cause. Among other things, he gave me recommendations to help my body detoxify better, or “empty my bucket” as I now say. It was an eye-opening experience.
And my body healed itself, again.
But equally if not more significant, I finally found the additional training to help me practice medicine the way I knew was possible. I studied at the Institute of Functional Medicine and there was no going back.
I braved opening my own Functional Medicine practice in 2005. I didn’t know if anyone would come, but word traveled fast and soon I had a long waiting list!
Today, the great blessing of my life is that I use my gifts to really help people with their health (and sickness) at the deepest level. My personal experience with undiagnosed celiac disease, autoimmune disorders, severe adult onset asthma, and even mold toxicity (another story for another time) have all been worthwhile steps in helping me practice medicine in the way I always dreamed was possible.
There are answers to a lot of these health issues we think of as natural to “aging,”
and there are solutions to things we think of as not having solutions!
Sharing these answers and life-giving solutions with others is what drives me.
I use cutting-edge science, innovative testing, research and genetic information to determine and address the root causes of health issues – not simply treat the symptoms of illness.
I approach each patient as a whole person, and we form a therapeutic partnership to achieve the highest standard of health.
My approach to medicine is a unique blend of measured, precise data with a heartfelt and sympathetic attitude towards all of my patients.
Wishing everyone a beautiful and love-filled Mother’s Day.💐🌸💖
Today, I’m so grateful for my amazing mom, who turned 94 in April. Her support and encouragement have been a constant source of strength throughout my life.
She’s shown me what it means to be strong, compassionate, and resilient. And she raised three daughters to be independent and confident, each in our own way.💞
I also feel deeply grateful to be a mom myself. Being a mother to two grown men fills my heart in ways words can’t fully express.
If you’re fortunate enough to celebrate with your mom today, hold her close and cherish the time together.🤗
To all the mothers, grandmothers, and mother figures, thank you for your love, your strength, and the quiet ways you shape the world.
Pictured here with my mom, one of my sisters, and her two daughters, my beautiful nieces.💗
With love,
Dr. Ann
#happymothersday #motherslove❤️
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MAFLD (Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease) is often reversible, especially when caught early.
If you’ve been told you have fatty liver, or suspect you might, here’s how to begin healing from a root-cause perspective:
1️⃣ Balance Blood Sugar + Address Insulin Resistance
It’s not fat that causes fatty liver—it’s sugar and refined carbs.
Focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods:
– Organic veggies + fruits
– High-quality protein
– Healthy fats (olive oil, avocado, wild fish)
And don’t forget movement, sleep, and stress—these are key to restoring insulin sensitivity.
2️⃣ Reduce Your Toxic Load
Give your liver a break by reducing exposures:
– Minimize alcohol
– Swap plastics for glass or stainless steel
– Ditch synthetic fragrances + toxic cleaners
– Use an air filter + check air quality before heading outside
3️⃣ Get the Right Labs
Talk to your provider or functional medicine practitioner about:
– Liver enzymes (ALT, AST, GGT)
– Fasting insulin + glucose
– A1C + lipid panel
These give powerful insight into early metabolic changes.
4️⃣ Support Detox Pathways
Your liver is constantly working to detoxify—let’s give it a hand.
Consider nutrients like:
– Glutathione
– NAC
– Milk thistle
– Curcumin
– Alpha-lipoic acid
– Methylated B vitamins
Fatty liver is more than a liver issue—it’s a sign your body is under metabolic stress.
But you can turn it around.
By addressing the root causes, you’re not just reversing MAFLD—you’re also reducing the risk of chronic disease and supporting your overall health
Dr. Ann
#fattyliver #fattyliverdisease #liverhealth #liverhealth
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Healthy aging doesn’t just depend on eating well and exercising.
Daily exposure to toxins can damage your cells, influencing how your body and brain age.
We often think that decline with age is inevitable. However, how we age is deeply influenced by our environment, including daily exposure to toxins.
Even low-level, chronic exposure to chemicals in our food, air, water, personal care, and home products can quietly disrupt the biological processes that keep us healthy and resilient.
Here’s how toxins accelerate aging at the cellular level:
➡️ They increase oxidative stress, damaging DNA and accelerating cellular wear
➡️ They impair mitochondrial function, draining your energy and vitality
➡️ They fuel chronic inflammation, the root of many age-related diseases
➡️ They disrupt hormone signaling, affecting detox, metabolism, and longevity
Over time, this hidden toxic burden can impact your brain, skin, energy, joints, and more, making you feel older than you are.
When you reduce your toxic exposures and support your detox pathways, your body responds.👏
Your cells begin to repair. Inflammation calms. Energy returns.💪
Healthy aging becomes possible because you’re removing what stands in the way of your body’s natural resilience.
Small changes truly make a big difference.
👉Swipe through to learn more and discover how to protect your cells, your brain, and your future.
Want to learn more? Download my free guide, How to Be Safe in a Toxic World — link in bio.
Dr. Ann
#agingwell #agingbackwards #getbetterwithage #healthyliving #longevity #healthspan #healthyaging
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You are doing your best to eat a healthy, whole-food diet full of organic vegetables and fruits.
Yet you are suffering with symptoms like bloating, joint pain, brain fog, skin irritation, fatigue, or even kidney stones.
This may be due to how your body responds to certain naturally occurring compounds in otherwise healthy foods. Histamines or oxalates, and sometimes both.
Under healthy conditions, enzymes in the gut, liver, and kidneys help break down histamines and excrete oxalates efficiently.
But when gut health is compromised, detox pathways are overwhelmed, or nutrients like vitamin B6, magnesium, or sulfur compounds are depleted, these compounds can accumulate.
👉 Histamines may trigger immune and neurological responses, leading to inflammation, rashes, anxiety, and digestive symptoms.
👉 Oxalates can bind to minerals, irritate tissues, and contribute to joint pain, fatigue, urinary discomfort, or kidney stones.
Even nutritious foods can become problematic when the body’s ability to process them is impaired.
Histamine intolerance and oxalate sensitivity are more common than you may think.
See slides 👆 for symptoms to watch for and some of the high histamine and high oxalate foods that could be causing your health issues.
If you would like to learn more, download my free Low Histamine and Low Oxalate Diet Guide. Link in bio.
Dr. Ann
#histamineintolerance #histamine #oxalates #kidneystones #symptoms
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This study was published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, and the findings make it clear: removing ultra-processed foods from your diet should be one of your top priorities for your health and wellbeing❗️
The researchers analyzed dietary and mortality data from 8 countries, including the U.S., U.K., and Brazil, and found that:
➡️ Every 10% increase in Ultra-processed food (UPF) intake raises the risk of early death by 3%.
➡️ In the U.S., 124,000 preventable deaths in 2018 alone were linked to UPF consumption.
➡️ In countries where UPFs make up more than half of daily calories, up to 14% of deaths may be preventable.
UPFs are made from refined ingredients and chemical additives, with little or no whole food content. They’re engineered for convenience, not nutrition.
Examples:
• Packaged snacks and chips
• Sweetened cereals
• Sodas and energy drinks
• Fast food and instant meals
• Flavored yogurts and processed meats
It’s not just that they contain excess sugar, salt, or unhealthy fat.
UPFs also contain artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and colorings, plus emulsifiers that disrupt the gut.
They’ve also been linked to over 30 diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, depression, and some cancers.
Which means that they will likely contribute to more preventable deaths.
What you can do:
✅ Choose whole, nutrient-dense foods
✅ Cook more at home
✅ Travel with healthy, whole food snacks
✅ Read ingredient labels carefully
✅ Avoid packaged, ready-to-eat items
✅ Support public policies that protect food quality and health
Dr. Ann
#healthresearch #processedfood #newstudy #unhealthyfood
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More and more couples are struggling to conceive, and the reasons go beyond hormones and genetics.
Environmental toxins, like mercury, play a major role in fertility challenges—and their impact extends far beyond conception.
New research show that mercury exposure can significantly damage male reproductive health—even at low levels.
Found in contaminated seafood, pollution, dental fillings, and industrial waste, mercury builds up in the body over time.
It disrupts essential functions, damaging sperm, lowering testosterone, and increasing oxidative stress, which can affect not only fertility but also the health of future generations.☹️
This isn’t just about getting pregnant—it’s about supporting the healthiest possible start for your baby. 🥰
The good news? There are steps you can take to reduce your exposure and support detoxification for both parents.👆See slides for tips.
Want to learn more? Download my FREE guide: “How to Conceive a Healthy Baby in a Toxic World.” Link in bio!
Tag someone who needs to know this!
Dr. Ann
#mercury #toxins #toxinsout #fertility #infertilityawareness #maleinfertility #maleinfertilityawareness #infertilityjourney #everybabywell
Dr. Ann
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For Tips, News, Recipes And Inspiration To Restore Your Health And Live Vibrantly!