"Calories Are All That Matter" âIâm eating under 1,800 calories a dayâso why am I gaining weight?â That was Marcus*, a 52-year-old IT consultant who came in convinced his metabolism was broken. He tracked every bite in MyFitnessPal. He counted almonds. He stopped eating after 7 pm. And yet, his waistline kept growing, his blood pressure was rising, and he was constantly tired. He looked at me and asked: âIsnât weight just calories in, calories out?â đŹ Where the âCalorie Mythâ Fails This...
4 days ago â˘Â 1 min read
Plant-Based = Healthy Diet âI went plant-based to get healthier. So why am I exhausted all the time?â That was Rachel*, a 37-year-old elementary school teacher, sitting in my office with bags under her eyes and a folder full of labs that didnât make sense. Her cholesterol had jumped. Her blood sugar was creeping up. Despite cutting out meat and dairy months ago, she'd gained weight. She looked at me, confused. âI thought eating plant-based was supposed to help with all of this.â đą When...
11 days ago â˘Â 1 min read
Myth: "Everything in Moderation" is Healthy "I only eat sweets once a day. Everything in moderation, right?" Thatâs what Jessica*, a 43-year-old mom of two, told me during her visit. She came in frustrated, despite watching what she ate and walking daily, her A1c had crept into prediabetic territory. Her cholesterol was rising too. When I asked about her meals, she said she tried to eat âhealthyâ but liked to have a little treat each nightâmaybe a few cookies, a bowl of ice cream, or a pastry...
18 days ago â˘Â 1 min read
Mark* thought managing his psoriatic arthritis was enoughâuntil his labs told a different story. For years, Mark did everything he could to keep his psoriatic arthritis under control. He took his medications, went to medical appointments, and didnât use tobacco products. He figured that as long as his joints werenât flaring, he was doing okay. But as we reviewed the labs from his annual checkup, the numbers werenât what he wanted: đ His good cholesterol was low.đ His A1c was in prediabetes...
25 days ago â˘Â 2 min read
Lisa* thought she had her autoimmune symptoms under controlâuntil perimenopause For years, she managed her fatigue, joint pain, and brain fog with a solid routine. She avoided inflammatory foods, prioritized sleep, and followed her doctorâs treatment plan. But then, things began to change. Some months, right before her period, it felt like her body was betraying her. Her fatigue became unbearable, her joints ached more than usual, and her brain fog made even simple tasks overwhelming. She...
about 1 month ago â˘Â 3 min read
For years, Megan* thought her rheumatoid arthritis flares were random. During a flare, she woke up exhausted no matter how much she slept. Her joints were stiff and ached every day for hours. She felt like she was twice her age due to hobbling around the morning and being slow to get going. And the bloating? Some days, it made her look six months pregnant. Her doctors said it was "part of having an autoimmune disease." By the time I met her, she was miserable multiple days each month despite...
about 1 month ago â˘Â 2 min read
For years, Sarah* knew something wasnât right. She was exhaustedâmore than "I need another cup of coffee" tired. Some days, she struggled to get out of bed. Her joints ached, the rashes showed up at the worst times, her stomach was unpredictable, and the brain fog made it impossible to focus. Doctor after doctor told her iterations of the same thing: "Your labs are normal... Your stress levels are high⌠Try exercising more⌠go on a retreatâŚget more rest...â She was prescribed antidepressants,...
about 2 months ago â˘Â 1 min read
Misconceptions about autoimmune diseases can delay diagnosis and proper treatment. Emma* always thought autoimmune diseases were rareâuntil she got diagnosed with one. For years, she brushed off her exhaustion as stress. The joint pain? Normal aging. The fatigue? Maybe stress or poor sleep. Every doctor visit ended the same: "Your labs look fine." When I shared with her that she had Hashimotoâs thyroiditis, she was stunned. "I thought autoimmune diseases were rare," she said. "And aren't they...
about 2 months ago â˘Â 1 min read
Dear Reader, Sarah* sat across from me, arms crossed, frustration written all over her face. âDr. Loden, I work out every day. I spend an hour on the treadmill or elliptical, I hit my step goals, and my Apple Watch says my heart rate zones are great. But my recent labs showed insulin resistance, and now youâre telling me my heart isnât as healthy as I thought?â I could tell she was frustrated. She wasnât running marathons. She wasnât overtraining. She was doing exactly what most people are...
2 months ago â˘Â 2 min read
Dear Reader, Nathan* sat in my office, arms crossed, a skeptical look on his face. âI donât know if I agree with you. Iâve never been overweight a day in my life. So why are you telling me Iâm at risk for heart disease?â It was the same conversation Iâve had with so many patients. Nathan didnât smoke. His prior doctors had never mentioned high cholesterol. He went to the gym a couple of times a week. By all appearances, he was the picture of good health. But his labs told a very different...
2 months ago â˘Â 2 min read